Biomedical subjects

P Renzulli

Publications and source records attributed to P Renzulli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Acute "difficult" gastrointestinal bleeding].

Gastrointestinal bleeding with its point of origin outside the reach of conventional gastro- and colonoscopy represents an extraordinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Bleeding may originate from the small bowel distal to the duodenojejunal junction (middle gastrointestinal bleeding) or from the biliary tree (haemobilia) or from the pancreatic ductal system (haemosuccus pancreaticus). This particular type of gastrointestinal bleeding is often intermittend and caused by a variety of different pathologies. Angiography is the diagnostic method of choice for further investigation. It allows precise localization of the bleeding site and simultaneous interventional therapy (embolization/coiling). The importance of further diagnostic modalities such as scintigraphy, capsule endoscopy, push-enteroscopy and double-balloon-enteroscopy is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease: a rare cause of intestinal ischemia. The first description of recurrent disease.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD) is a rare cause of intestinal ischemia of unknown etiology. Histologically, MIVOD is characterized by extended thrombophlebitis and fibrous organized thrombosis of multiple veins. The arteries are by definition not involved. Management includes surgery in all cases described. Recurrence has not been described until now. METHODS: We describe the case of a 64-year-old woman operated with the suspicion of intestinal ischemia. Clinical and histopathological characteristics are reported. RESULTS: The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy and segmental resection of the terminal ileum 15 months later for a recurrence. The histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of MIVOD and a recurrence thereof. CONCLUSION: MIVOD is a rare cause of colonic ischemia. Recurrence of the disease, which is described here for the first time, is unusual after surgical resection.

Colitis, Ischemic↗

PubMed2001

Total mesorectal excision preserves male genital function compared with conventional rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) has been shown to improve local recurrence rates in rectal cancer. The present study investigated the impact of this more extensive and radical procedure with regard to autonomic pelvic nerve function. METHODS: Patients with resected primary rectal cancer were interviewed by means of a questionnaire asking about preoperative and postoperative urinary bladder and genital function. The results in patients after rectal cancer surgery without TME (group 1; n = 29) were compared with those obtained after introduction of the TME technique (group 2; n = 31). Patients in group 2 were older and had a lower level of anastomosis than patients in group 1. Other patient, treatment and tumour characteristics were comparable between the groups. RESULTS: : Newly acquired and permanent symptoms of bladder dysfunction after rectal excision were present as follows (group 1 versus group 2): difficulty in bladder emptying 7 versus 19 per cent; sensation of incomplete bladder voiding 17 versus 17 per cent; urgency 17 versus 14 per cent; incontinence 10 versus 3 per cent; dysuria 7 versus 7 per cent; and dribbling 14 versus 8 per cent. Male patients stated the following sexual functions before operation/after operation in group 1 versus group 2: interest in sex 80 per cent/40 per cent versus 63 per cent/37 per cent; sexually active 67 per cent/7 per cent versus 53 per cent/22 per cent; impotence 75 per cent/6 per cent versus 58 per cent/26 per cent; ability to have intercourse 75 per cent/13 per cent versus 67 per cent/29 per cent; ability to achieve orgasm 88 per cent/13 per cent versus 76 per cent/47 per cent; and orgasm with ejaculation 88 per cent/9 per cent versus 76 per cent/53 per cent. CONCLUSION: While both conventional rectal cancer surgery and TME result in similarly favourable postoperative bladder function, both techniques decrease sexual function. However, TME offers a significant advantage with regard to preservation of postoperative sexual function in men and constitutes a true advance in rectal cancer surgery compared with conventional techniques.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Use of accurate diagnostic criteria may increase incidence of stercoral perforation of the colon.

PURPOSE: Stercoral perforation of the colon is reported to be a rare disease with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of stercoral perforation of the colon, to define diagnostic criteria for stercoral perforation of the colon, and to analyze the patient outcome in a university hospital gastrointestinal surgery unit. METHODS: From November 1993 until November 1998 all surgically treated patients with a colorectal disease were prospectively recorded in a computerized database. Diagnosis of stercoral perforation of the colon was made if 1) the colonic perforation was round or ovoid, exceeded 1 cm in diameter, and lay antimesenteric; 2) fecalomas were present within the colon, protruding through the perforation site or lying within the abdominal cavity; and 3) pressure necrosis or ulcer and chronic inflammatory reaction around the perforation site were present microscopically. Any additional colon pathology led to exclusion from the diagnosis of stercoral perforation of the colon. Using the same criteria, 81 cases in the literature were found to qualify and were further analyzed. RESULTS: In a five-year period 1,295 patients underwent colorectal interventions through laparotomy. A total of 566 (44 percent) cases were emergencies, 220 (17 percent) of these caused by colonic perforation. Seven patients had stercoral perforation of the colon. The incidence of stercoral perforation of the colon was 0.5 percent of all surgical colorectal procedures through laparotomy, 1.2 percent of all emergency colorectal procedures, and 3.2 percent of all colonic perforations. The mean age of the patients was 59 (median, 64; range, 22-85) years. All perforations were situated in the left hemicolon or upper rectum. The round or ovoid perforation had a mean diameter of 3.6 cm. Fecalomas were present in all patients and protruded from the perforation site or were found within the free abdominal cavity in three of them. Generalized stercoral peritonitis was a constant finding. Using a colonic resection without immediate restoration of continuity, an extensive intraoperative lavage, and antibiotics, there was no in-hospital mortality. Analysis of the reports in the literature revealed additionally that 28 percent of patients with stercoral perforation of the colon have multiple stercoral ulcers in the colon and that substantial mortality is encountered if only minor surgical procedures of treatment are used. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of stercoral perforation of the colon seemed to have been underestimated. The reason for this might be the lack of defined diagnostic criteria for this disease. Low mortality is obtained by early surgical eradication of the affected part of the colon, including all stercoral ulcers, and by aggressive therapy for peritonitis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Hepatic artery embolisation with a novel radiopaque polymer causes extended liver necrosis in pigs due to occlusion of the concomitant portal vein.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In an attempt to overcome some of the problems encountered with the materials available for liver embolisation, we investigated a novel radiopaque polymer of the polyurethane family (Degra-Bloc). METHODS: Hepatic artery embolisation of one liver lobe using polyurethane was performed in 19 healthy pigs. Microcirculatory changes were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Radiological and pathological examinations of the livers, hearts and lungs removed provided information about the extent and effect of the embolisation. RESULTS: None of the pigs died due to hepatic failure or toxicity of polyurethane. Microcirculation of embolised liver lobes significantly decreased from 106 (+/-15) perfusion units (PU) to 45 (+/-6) PU immediately after embolisation and further to 28 (+/-7) PU before euthanasia. At this time conventional and angiographic X-ray controls demonstrated the radiopaque casts extending up to the peripheral arteries with signs of degradation over time but without formation of collateral vessels. The main pathological findings consisted of destruction of the portal tract structures and also of large areas of liver necrosis. Polyurethane was encountered in arterioles as small as 10-20 microm, but not in liver sinusoids, hearts or lungs. CONCLUSIONS: The novel polymer called DegraBloc is a biocompatible, slowly degradable, radiopaque embolic agent. The occlusion of the arterial tree up to the smallest arteriolar diameter combined with concomitant portal vein occlusion leads to sharp segmental necrosis in pig livers without formation of significant collaterals and without systemic embolism. In the treatment of liver tumours polyurethane might provide a promising alternative to conventional embolic materials, provided that it is used with care in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[The role of lymph nodes in colon carcinoma].

Metastatic spread of colon cancer to intermediate lymph nodes is found, depending on tumor stage, in up to 44% of patients and to central lymph nodes in about 10%. The incidence of skip metastases is estimated not to exceed 5%. Tumorous involvement of pericolic lymph nodes occurs almost only within a 10 cm distance from the primary. There is only one prospective randomized controlled trial available comparing hemicolectomy versus radical segmental colectomy in patients with left colonic cancer. In this limited study there was no statistical difference regarding survival, mortality and morbidity between the two groups. However, several large retrospective studies are in favor of extended colon resection with radical clearance of lymphatic tissue. In 198 patients with colon cancer excluding rectal cancer in a 6-year period we performed 151 radical (76%) and 47 segmental (24%) colonic resections. The median length of the specimens in an unstretched and formalin-fixed state was 39 cm and 19 cm, respectively. The mean number of investigated lymph nodes was 16 and 12, respectively. 40% of our patients showed lymph node metastases. In-hospital mortality was 4/198 patients (2%) and surgical morbidity occurred in 29/198 patients (15%). We recommend radical colonic resections in all potentially curable patients with colonic cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Impacted papilla minor stone in pancreas divisum causing severe acute pancreatitis: a case for early ERCP in acute pancreatitis of unknown origin.

This is the first description of severe acute pancreatitis in pancreas divisum caused by a solitary stone impacted in the minor papilla. Recovery was rapid after diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and endoscopic stone removal. Since other etiological factors accounting for the acute pancreatitis were carefully excluded, it seems that obstruction of the minor papilla by a solitary pancreatic concrement was the most likely cause of acute pancreatitis. This case report demonstrates the diagnostic importance of early ERCP in cases of etiologically unexplained acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1999

[Rectal carcinoma. Optimizing therapy by partial or total mesorectum removal].

The role of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer treatment is one of the most exciting findings in surgical oncology of the recent years. The patient's prognosis largely depends on the surgical quality of rectal resection. The excision of the cancer bearing rectum has to follow very precisely along the mesorectal fascia by sharp dissection without damaging the mesorectum itself. This technique reduces the local recurrence rate to below 10% and allows long-term survival in two thirds of all patients. Rectal cancers of the middle and lower third of the rectum need to be treated by total mesorectal excision down to the muscular pelvic floor, the ones of the upper third and the sigmoideo-rectal junction are appropriately treated by partial mesorectal excision down to 5 cm below the tumor. No additional survival benefit may be expected when pelvic lymphadenectomy has been performed. The direct tumor spread along the bowel wall and the lymphatic tumor spread in a caudal direction are uncommon and late findings in rectal cancer disease. Low and ultralow rectal carcinomas may therefore be treated by a sphincter preserving procedure respecting a safety margin of at least 1 to 2 cm. Thus, continence preserving surgery may be performed in over 80% of patients suffering from rectal cancer without compromising long-term outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

[Interdisciplinary evaluation for liver transplantation: the Bern concept].

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the therapy of choice for a variety of end-stage liver diseases. The 5 year survival rate for electively operated patients with non malignant liver disease is exceeding 70%. Crucial for patient management is the early referral of the patient to a liver transplant center where an interdisciplinary evaluation of the patient is undertaken during a short hospital stay. The diagnosis will be confirmed, the operability assessed, contraindications excluded and the conservative treatment improved. A timely operation is of extreme importance and is based on an estimation of the severity and the dynamics of the liver disease. The liver transplantation should be performed early in a patient with a preserved liver function in order to achieve the best results.

Contraindications↗

PubMed1998

Early vitamin K deficiency bleeding after maternal phenobarbital intake: management of massive intracranial haemorrhage by minimal surgical intervention.

UNLABELLED: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding within the first 24 h of life is caused in most cases by maternal drug intake (e.g. coumarins, anticonvulsants, tuberculostatics) during pregnancy. Haemorrhage is often life-threatening and usually not prevented by vitamin K prophylaxis at birth. We report a case of severe intracranial bleeding at birth secondary to phenobarbital-induced vitamin K deficiency and traumatic delivery. Burr hole trepanations of the skull were performed and the subdural haematoma was evacuated. Despite the severe prognosis, the infant showed an unexpected good recovery. At the age of 3 years, neurological examinations were normal as was the EEG at the age of 9 months. CT showed close to normal intracranial structures. CONCLUSION: This case report stresses the importance of antenatal vitamin K prophylaxis and the consideration of a primary Caesarean section in maternal vitamin K deficiency states and demonstrates the successful management of massive subdural haemorrhage by a limited surgical approach.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed1998

Laparoscopic treatment of large paraesophageal hernia with totally intrathoracic stomach.

BACKGROUND: Once paraesophageal hernia has been diagnosed, it should be repaired immediately because of life-threatening complications such as bleeding, ischemia, and perforation when intrathoracic strangulation or volvulus occurs. We describe our surgical strategy for treating this rare type of hiatal hernia with regard to early and late postoperative complications. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case series from a university hospital. Twelve patients (seven women and five men) with a mean age of 64 years (range, 50-76 years) and a completely intrathoracic stomach underwent laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair. Seven patients had a type 2 hernia, and five patients had a type 3 hernia. Additional organoaxial volvulus was present in three patients. All patients underwent reduction of the stomach and the greater omentum, excision of the hernia sac, closure of the hiatal defect, and a floppy Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: Because of severe adhesions, one patient needed an open stomach reduction (conversion rate, 8%). The mean operating time was 161 minutes (range, 110-200 minutes), blood loss was minimal, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 6 days (range, 4-7 days). There were no intraoperative complications, but early postoperative complications occurred in three patients (25%; one with dysphagia, 1 reoperation due to organoaxial gastric rotation with gastroduodenal obstruction, and one with deep venous thrombosis). No deaths occurred. Followup in all patients is complete, with a mean followup time of 21 months (range, 3-40 months). The complication rate after long-term followup was 8%, and reflux esophagitis symptoms in one patient were completely relieved by medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair was feasible and safe with low morbidity and mortality rates in this elderly patient group. To achieve good long-term results, standard surgical treatment should include reduction of the stomach, complete excision of the hernia sac, closure of the hiatal defect, floppy Nissen fundoplication, and anterior gastropexy.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Experimental study of adhesion formation in open and laparoscopic fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: The extent of adhesion formation following both open and laparoscopic surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of postoperative adhesion formation after laparoscopic and open fundoplication in a rat model. METHODS: Fifty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: laparoscopic fundoplication (n = 20), open fundoplication (n = 20), laparoscopy (n = 6) and laparotomy (n = 6). Blood as well as intraperitoneal fluid was sampled for tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the rats were killed 3 weeks after operation, and adhesion formation was evaluated using a standardized scoring system. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in body-weight gain after surgery. The overall mortality rate was 19 per cent and death was observed only in the fundoplication groups. Animals that had open fundoplication developed significantly more adhesions than those that underwent laparoscopic fundoplication (34 versus 21). Laparoscopic surgery induced predominantly parietal adhesions, whereas open surgery was more associated with visceral adhesions. The adhesions observed in the laparoscopic groups were significant thinner than those after open surgery and the tenacity of adhesions was decreased in laparoscopic compared with open surgery. The peak plasma level of TNF-alpha was reached during laparoscopic fundoplication, whereas the peak level was observed 3 h after open fundoplication. Intraperitoneal TNF-alpha levels showed no significant differences at 3 h. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that laparoscopic fundoplication in rats leads to less severe adhesions of a different type (parietal) compared with those seen in the open controls.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in the rat: a new resectional technique.

BACKGROUND: Rats are widely used for basic research in laparoscopic surgery. We have developed a new technique of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in the rat. METHODS: 40 American Cancer Institute rats were randomized into 3 groups. Group A (n = 14) underwent laparoscopic liver resection using a CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Group B (n = 14) was operated on with a gasless laparoscopic technique using a lifting device. A control group C (n = 12) underwent conventional open liver resection. In each group half of the animals underwent single lobectomy and the other half bilobectomy. RESULTS: The liver resection was performed successfully in all 40 rats. No conversion to open surgery was necessary. No mortality or morbidity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy proved to be feasible and safe. It is the first description of a laparoscopic hepatic resection in the rat that could prove valuable in further investigations of liver physiology and pathology.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Modern diagnostic strategy in ileus].

During the last 4 years (11/93-11/97) 330 patients with acute bowel obstruction were treated and analysed retrospectively. 80% of the obstructions (n = 265) were in the small bowel and 20% (n = 65) in the large bowel localized. Adhesions were the main cause in 65.7% (n = 174) of all small bowel obstructions, and one third (35.1%, n = 61) of these patients were treated conservatively. In the large bowel, however, 37% were caused by obstructing colon carcinoma mainly localized in the rectosigmoid region. Mechanical bowel obstruction remains to be one of the most common emergencies in general surgery. A successful treatment is based on a rapid and correct diagnosis followed by an immediate surgical intervention if indicated. There are no reliable clinical, laboratory or radiological signs of bowel strangulation available. Preoperative diagnostic examinations should confirm bowel obstruction, determine its localization and origin and exclude other pathologies. Furthermore, it should help in selecting a patient subgroup with small bowel obstruction due to adhesions, which might be treated conservatively. Preoperative diagnostic procedures include case history, clinical examination, basic laboratory tests and a plain abdominal x-ray. In patients with suspected small bowel obstruction due to adhesions without any signs of strangulation a contrast medium follow-through study may be indicated. If the contrast medium fails to pass into the colon within 5 hours, a surgical exploration is recommended. In large bowel obstruction a contrast medium enema, a computed tomography or a colonoscopy are valuable diagnostic tools.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Surgical therapy of ileus of the large intestine].

Acute colonic obstruction is a life threatening emergency. In this prospective study 69 patients suffering from large bowel obstruction, admitted between November 1993 and March 1998 to the University hospital of Bern, were analyzed with regard of the performed surgical procedure. The causes of obstruction were colorectal carcinomas (38%), other malignancies (19%), volvulus (13%), hernias (10%), diverticulitis (7%) and others (13%), 8 benign and 19 malignant lesions were surgically treated without colonic resection, the latter by colostomy (13), ileostomy (5) or bypass (1). All the other 42 patients had their obstruction resected within 24 hours after admission, 24 of them with primary anastomosis and 18 as a two-staged procedure. However, 9/18 (50%) patients never have had restoration of bowel continuity. No three-stage procedure was planned or performed. In-hospital mortality was 4/69 (5.8%), all of them after staged resections due to non-surgical complications. No anastomotic leakage was clinically apparent, neither in one-stage procedures, nor in completed two-stage procedures. Median length of total hospital stay in one-stage and two-stage procedures was 14 and 30 days, respectively. The advantages of one-stage procedures, especially in terms of subtotal colectomy, are discussed on the basis of an overview of the literature.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

[Peritonitis in diverticulitis: the Bern concept].

INTRODUCTION: The colon is the most frequent origine for a diffuse peritonitis and diverticular perforation is again the most common source of a spontaneous secondary peritonitis. This paper first focuses on the treatment of peritonitis and secondly on the strategies of source control in peritonitis with special emphasis on the tactics (primary anastomosis vs. Hartmann procedure with colostomy) for surgical source control. PATIENT AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of 404 patients suffering from peritonitis (11/93-2/98), treated with an uniform treatment concept including early operation, source control and extensive intraoperative lavage (20 to 30 liters) as a standard procedure. Other treatment measures were added in special indications "on demand" only. Peritonitis was graded with the Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI). Tactics of source control in peritonitis due to diverticulitis were performed according to "general condition" respectively the MPI of the patient. RESULTS: The 404 patients averaged a MPI of 19 (0-35) in "local" peritonitis and a MPI of 26 (11-43) in "diffuse" peritonitis. The colon as a source of peritonitis resulted in MPI of 16 (0-33) in the case of "local" respectively 27 (11-43) in "diffuse" peritonitis. From 181 patients suffering from diverticulitis 144 needed an operation and in 78 (54%) peritonitis was present. Fourty-six percent (36) of the patients suffered from "local", 54% (42) from "diffuse" peritonitis. Resection with primary anastomosis was performed in 26% (20/78) whereas in 74% (58/78) of the patients a Hartmann procedure with colostomy was performed. The correlating MPI was 16 (0-28) vs. 23 (16-27) respectively. The analysis of complications and mortality based on the MPI showed a decent discrimination potential for primary anastomosis vs Hartmann procedure: morbidity 35% vs. 41%; reoperation 5% vs. 5%; mortality 0% vs. 14%. CONCLUSION: In case of peritonitis due to diverticulitis the treatment of peritonitis comes first. Thanks to advances in intensive care and improved anti-inflammatory care, a more conservative surgical concept nowadays is accepted. In the case of diverticulitis the MPI is helpful to choose between primary anastomosis vs. Hartmann procedure with colostomy as source control. The MPI includes the "general condition" of the patient into the tactical decision how to attain source control.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Colorectal surgery--an integral part of general surgery!].

The controversy, whether colorectal surgery should be performed by the general surgeon or the specialist colorectal surgeon, is gaining increasing importance in Europe. The short and long term results in colorectal surgery as well as in other subspecialties are largely determined by the annual case load and the surgical training in colorectal surgery. If both conditions are met, colorectal surgery can be just as safely and successfully performed in a district hospital by a general surgeon. The following advantages support the treatment of colorectal lesions by a general surgeon: the capacity to cope with unforeseen intraoperative problems thanks to the broad surgical experience of the general surgeon, the ability and authorisation to perform multivisceral resections and the ability through the daily training in abdominal surgery to perform emergency interventions since about 30% of all colorectal operations are performed in an emergency setting. Against colorectal specialisation can be argued: increased costs through the need of specialised colorectal surgeons, the establishment of independent units for colorectal surgery, impairment of surgical training and sometimes loss of enthusiasm through the daily routine of the highly specialised surgeon. The common colorectal surgery should remain an integral part of general surgery, given the conditions of an sufficient annual case load of at least 30 colorectal resections and of an adequate surgical training in colorectal surgery.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1997

Preoperative Nyhus classification of inguinal hernias and type-related individual hernia repair. A case for diagnostic laparoscopy.

The goal of this prospective study was to determine the clinical value (sensitivity and specificity) of preoperative hernia classification (Nyhus classification) using three distinct methods: clinical examination, Doppler ultrasonography, and diagnostic laparoscopy. Thirty patients with 35 suspected groin hernias were included. Definitive hernia classification was achieved by laparoscopic peritoneal incision and dissection of the inguinal floor. Twenty-eight laparoscopic hernia repairs followed. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each preoperative evaluation method. Clinical examination was found to be more accurate than Doppler ultrasonography. The highest scores for sensitivity (0.93) and specificity (1.00) were achieved, however, by diagnostic laparoscopy. Therefore, the authors consider diagnostic laparoscopy to be a valuable preoperative tool for assessing hernia type. An accurate preoperative hernia classification will allow an individualized type-related hernia repair (open: anterior, posterior approach, or laparoscopic: transabdominal preperitoneal, total preperitoneal, inner-ring closure, mesh insertion).

Adult↗