PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Sperlongano

Publications and source records attributed to P Sperlongano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Breast surgery and sentinel node biopsy. Our experience.

Massive campaigns of screening of breast pathologies improved early diagnosis of breast cancers. Most of these cancers are small-sized (T1) and seldom show intraoperative nodal involvement. Sentinel node biopsy is the elective choice in the above mentioned cases because, if negative, it avoids axillary dissection. International literature reports rates of false negative sentinel node biopsy ranging among 4.5 and 12%; results in our experience account for almost 6%. As a consequence, there is the definite risk of potentially positive axilla that will not be dissected with subsequent risk of axillary recurrence within 24 months. The reason of that could be related to the fact that in Referral Centers this technique is performed in strictly selected patients, so as to gain a diagnostic accuracy of 98%. The rate of axillary recurrences does not justify the routine axillary dissection, since this is just a staging, not a therapeutic procedure. In case of doubt, it can be recommended a close and careful follow-up of the axilla.

Axilla↗

[Thyroid microcarcinoma: our experience].

Differentiated thyroid cancer had an excellent prognosis; the diagnosis of sub-centimetric differentiated cancer (microcarcinoma) is more and more frequently. Clinical evolution of microcarcinoma could be various: microcarcinoma can represent an autoptic finding or can evolve with locoregional lymph node involvement or metastasis. Various clinical and genetic factors have been considered to predict the aggressiveness of this neoplasm. From 2001 to 2004, 74 patients with diagnosis of thyroid microcarcinoma underwent surgical treatment. By a retrospective survey we evaluated risk factors and the choice of surgical treatment. The aggressiveness appear to be related mainly to multifocality and size. Our therapeutic strategy is to perform total thyroidectomy for benign pathologies, total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy in cases with preoperative diagnosis of microcarcinoma.

Adult↗

Seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous ablation: color Doppler ultrasound findings.

BACKGROUND: We describe the clinical and color Doppler ultrasound findings in a series of cases of seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) observed in patients treated with percutaneous ablation therapy (PAT) over a 15-year period. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and imaging records of 12 patients with cirrhosis (nine men and three women, age range 51-82 years, mean age 63 years) that showed neoplastic seeding from HCC occurring after one or more PAT procedures. Five of 12 cases of seeding were observed as a complication of 1080 PAT procedures (0.46%) performed in 545 patients (0.96%) by two of the authors (L.T., G.F.) over a long period (15 years) at different institutions. The other seven patients had been treated with PAT procedures at other institutions and had come to our attention during post-treatment follow-up. RESULTS: The 12 patients who had seeding nodules had undergone the following PAT procedures: multisession conventional percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) without anesthesia (four patients), single-session PEI with general anesthesia (three patients), single-session PEI with general anesthesia plus multisession conventional PEI (four patients), and single-session PEI plus radiofrequency ablation (one patient). Seeding nodules ranged from 0.9 to 6.0 cm (mean 1.7 cm). Eleven of 12 seeding nodules appeared as hypervascular hypoechoic nodules with smooth and regular margins and multiple intralesional vascular signals. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and imaging findings of seeding from HCC should be recognized by physicians who perform follow-up ultrasound examinations of patients who are treated with PAT. Early diagnosis of seeding can be reliably made by scanning the abdominal wall with small probes in the area where the previous PAT has been performed. Hypoechoic hypervascular pattern of the seeding nodule allows definitive diagnosis.

Aged↗

Which therapy to prevent post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia is one of the most frequent complications after total extracapsular thyroidectomy (TET). In most of cases it is a transient phenomenon. The aim of this study is to evaluate if and how the oral administration of calcium or calcium combined with D-vitamin could effectively prevent post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. A randomized prospective study was performed, recruiting 120 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. The patients in our series were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A--patients who received calcium lactogluconate/calcium carbonate (mg 300 per day); group B--patients who received calcium carbonate/cholecalciferol therapy (calcium carbonate: 1500 mg per day; cholecalciferol 400 UI per day). The groups were well matched for age, sex and pathologies. Patients of both A and B groups were divided in two subgroups: those operated on for benign thyroid diseases (A1 and B1) and those operated on for malignancy (A2, B2). Serum calcium assays, performed 24, 48 and 72 hours after surgery, showed mean values of calcemia higher in patients of the B1 and B2 group. Statistical analysis was performed using a Student's t test. Mean serum calcium concentrations on post-operative day one, two and three were higher in patients of the group B (p<<0.01). Early and combined oral administration of both calcium and vitamin D seemed to prove major efficacy in preventing and treating post-operative hypocalcemia, showing mean serum calcium levels higher than those of patients who received only oral calcium administration. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to validate these data.

Adult↗

Major complications in thyroid surgery: utility of bipolar vessel sealing (Ligasure Precise).

In the present study the Authors tried and assess the advantages of the standard sutureless thyroidectomy performed by the Ligasure Vessel Sealing System, thanks to the use of the dedicated Precise handle. The Authors compared the efficacy of haemostasis and the economical impact of the device, in terms of drug administration and costs. The Authors comparatively analyzed 120 total extracapsular thyroidectomies (TET) performed by the standard operative technique (Group A, control) and 70 TET achieved by the "sutureless technique" (Group B, case). There was a statistically significant decrease of transient postoperative hypocalcemia (5.71% vs 7.5%) and also of mean operative time (about 20 minutes) in patients of the group B. Non significant decrease of other kind of complications (postoperative hemorrhage, transient and permanent inferior laryngeal palsy, stupor of the superior laryngeal nerve, seromas) were also observed. The use of the Ligasure Precise resulted easy, safe and efficient in the Authors' experience. It allowed the decrease of postoperative haemorrhages and mean operative time.

Case-Control Studies↗

Gastrointestinal tumours in elderly.

The Authors report their experience concerning 129 cases of gastrointestinal neoplasms (gastric, colonic, anorectal), recorded during the last years among patients aged between 70 and 81 years, who underwent radical surgery. The main issues evaluated were: anaesthesiological risk, stage, post-operative mortality and morbidity. Elderly seems not to be a contraindication, nor a limit for surgery if the patient is correctly and strictly managed pre and post-operatively.

Aged↗

[Cancer risk in breast lesions: diagnostic and therapeutic strategy].

BACKGROUND: The classification, diagnostic recognition and surgical treatment of breast lesions at risk of neoplastic transformation represent some of the most important objectives in breast research. Attention has been focused on lesions at risk of neoplastic transformation in breast pathology, such as: atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), multiple intraductal papilloma and sclerosing adenosis. METHODS: Our experience regards activity carried out from 1996 to 2001; the diagnostic approach included routine performance of echotomographic examination, mammography screening indicated in women >40 and, in selected cases, in women <40; FNAB was carried out in all lesions containing suspicious cells. In the case of non-palpable lesions we carried out a CT-guided FNAB using the stereotaxic technique. In cases of secreting breast, galactography proved useful. As regard clinically suspect nipple secretions, cytology was useful in the diagnosis of intraductal papillomatous lesions. Surgery was indicated for: mammographically negative nodular lesions with cytological finding of suspect lesions. Continuous, spontaneous mono-orificial, serous, sero-hematic or hematic secretion of the nipple also in the presence of negative and/or inconclusive galactographic and cytological findings. From a nosological viewpoint we have distinguished 3 groups: A) 49 women (average age 47.3 years) with suspect lesions subjected to biopsy. On the basis of the cytological response we carried out: 37 quadrantectomies with extemporary examination, 4 excisional biopsies, 5 radical ductectomies and 3 microductectomies. B) 26 patients (36.7 years) subjected to mammary biopsy for non-suspect lesions; in 24 cases excisional biopsy of the lesion and in 2 cases radical ductectomy. C) Control group consisting of 141 women (average age 44.5 years) suffering from benign pathology not suspected of lesions at risk and not subjected to surgery. RESULTS: The final histological examination evidenced: Group A: 7 cases of T1aN0M0 carcinoma (14.3%); 20 lesions at risk (40.8%); 22 lesions not at risk; Group B: 25 (96.1%) lesions not considered at risk, in 1 case (3.9%) area of sclerosing adenosis with ductal proliferation and slight atypias; Group C: in 4 cases (3.1%) the onset at follow-up of lesions at risk made it necessary to remove the lesion. Histology did not confirm the presence of cancer in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic and therapeutic protocol proposed enables us to identify and radically treat high risk patients (Group A) and follow them up closely. On the contrary, Group B evidenced a very low incidence of lesions at risk which escaped preoperative diagnosis and in confirmation of this in Group C, during follow-up, the onset of only 4 lesions at risk was identified in which histological examination however excluded the presence of cancer.

Adult↗

[Efficacy of somatostatin analogs in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours and paraneoplastic syndromes].

BACKGROUND: The authors report their experience with octreotide LAR in the adjuvant treatment of 10 patients suffering from neuroendocrine tumours and paraneoplastic syndromes. METHODS: All patients were studied preoperatively using traditional radiology and scintigraphy using octreoscan. RESULTS: Octreoscan was positive in all cases for somatostatin receptors. All patients with neuroendocrine tumours underwent surgery of the primary neoplasm; treatment with somatostatin was commenced at a later stage. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' experience with octreotide LAR proved to be an efficacious means of controlling symptoms and stabilising disease without collateral effects. They conclude by affirming that octreotide LAR represents a valid therapeutic choice in the symptomatic treatment of neuroendocrine tumours.

Aged↗

[Carotid glomus tumours. Personal experience in the surgical treatment of chemodectoma].

The authors present 6 cases of carotid glomus tumours referred to their attention over the past 10 years. Their experience shows that colour ultrasonography (using both morphological and functional evaluation) is the diagnostic key for defining the treatment of paraganglioma. More recent experience highlights the role of 111In Pentreotride using a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach.

Adult↗

[Idiopathic varicocele. Ligature of the reflexive vessels to the internal inguinal ring].

The idiopathic varicocele is involved in 40-50% of the male sterility. The angiographic studies undertaken by Coolsaet in the 1980 have showed the different anatomic conditions that are at origin of the varicocele, explaining the recurrence or persistence of the illness after surgical operations. The high ligature of spermatic vein (Ivanissevich), eventually with ligature of spermatic artery also (Palomo), and the micro-surgical anastomoses result in high percentage of varicocele persistence. On the basis of such considerations, the Authors reviewed their experience on 371 patient surgically treated for idiopathic varicocele by inguinal ligature of the refluxive venous vessels. They emphasize the role of the intraoperative Doppler, that consents preserving spermatic artery and not-refluxive venous vessels, and need to respect the lymphatics.

Adolescent↗

[Controlled clinical evaluation of 2 hypnotic triazole benzodiazepines, estazolam and triazolam, used the night before surgical interventions].

In order to study the efficacy of estazolam versus triazolam in preoperative patients, two groups of 49 patients each were treated with 2 mg estazolam and 0.5 mg triazolam in a single dose, the night before surgery. This controlled study was designed to evaluate sleep patterns, emotional status on awakening and side effects, by the administration of a questionnaire either in the morning of the day before (baseline) or on the morning of surgery. The results show better sleep patterns after estazolam excepting the duration of sleep that was the same for the two drugs. The better emotional status upon awakening in the morning before surgery and the lower incidence of side effects in the patients treated with estazolam, lead to the conclusion that estazolam is clearly better than triazolam in the treatment of preoperative patients.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: color Doppler US, contrast-enhanced US, and fine-needle biopsy.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in patients who had cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive patients who had cirrhosis, biopsy-proved HCC, and thrombosis of the main portal vein and/or left/right portal vein on US were prospectively studied with color Doppler US (CDUS) and CEUS. CEUS was performed at low mechanical index after intravenous administration of a second-generation contrast agent (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan, Italy). Presence or absence of CDUS signals or thrombus enhancement on CEUS were considered diagnostic for malignant or benign portal vein thrombosis. Twenty-eight patients also underwent percutaneous portal vein fine-needle biopsy (FNB) under US guidance. All patients were followed-up bimonthly by CDUS. Shrinkage of the thrombus and/or recanalization of the vessels on CDUS during follow-up were considered definitive evidence of the benign nature of the thrombosis, whereas enlargement of the thrombus, disruption of the vessel wall, and parenchymal infiltration over follow-up were considered consistent with malignancy. CDUS, CEUS, and FNB results were compared with those at follow-up. RESULTS: Follow-up (4 to 21 months) showed signs of malignant thrombosis in 34 of 54 patients. FNB produced a true-positive result for malignancy in 19 of 25 patients, a false-negative result in six of 25 patients, and a true-negative result in three of three patients. CDUS was positive in seven of 54 patients. CEUS showed enhancement of the thrombus in 30 of 54 patients. No false-positive result was observed at CDUS, CEUS, and FNB. Sensitivities of CDUS, CEUS, and FNB in detecting malignant thrombi were 20%, 88%, and 76% respectively. Three patients showed negative CDUS and CEUS and positive FNB results; follow-up confirmed malignant thrombosis in these patients. One patient showed negative CDUS, CEUS, and FNB findings. However, follow-up of the thrombus showed US signs of malignancy. Another FNB confirmed HCC infiltration of the portal vein. CONCLUSION: CEUS seems to be the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing malignant portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Aged↗

[Bile leakage in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Authors' experience].

The Authors report their experience of two patients with bile leakage following videocholecystectomy (VLC) among a series of 163 cases. Reviewing the Literature, they analyze possible causes and mechanisms of bile spillage occurring after VCL. They also suggest some guidelines for a safe VLC, stressing the importance of the routinary placement of the sub-hepatic drainage to remove 48 hours to early detect possible bile leakages after surgery.

Bile↗

Repair of complex giant ventral hernias with polypropylene and omentoplasty.

The Authors in this report describe their experience with complex giant ventral hernias repaired by omentoplasty and polypropylene meshes. They explain their own technique of using the omentum when there is a lack of tissue and the need of an autologous tissue to place between the viscera and the above-lying polypropylene mesh. Among the 5 patients repaired, 4 had a giant sub-umbilical midline ventral hernia and one had a giant border ventral hernia. In all patients, the omentum was placed between the viscera and the mesh, which was fixed by interrupted sutures to the above-lying musculoaponeurotic plane. No complications, signs of bowel obstruction, or recurrences occurred. The Authors stress the omentum as an ideal tissue because of its biocompatibility and prevention of adhesions and fistulas allowing the use of a rigid and efficient prosthesis such as polypropylene. Thus, on the basis of their own short- and long-term good results, they suggest, whenever possible and necessary, the use of omentoplasty to repair complex giant ventral hernias.

Aged↗

Management of testicular seminoma. Our experience.

BACKGROUND: The authors report their experience in the management of seminomas. MATERIALS: They examine 12 cases of seminoma among a series of 19 patients with testicular germ cell tumours observed at the Second Surgical Department of the Second University of Naples. RESULTS: Their results showed a better prognosis for patients in early stage of the disease who underwent surgery and adjuvant prophylactic radiotherapy; good survival rates for patients in advanced stages of the disease were achieved by the combined use of surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss risk factors, clinical and diagnostic features of seminomas, relating their prognosis with the combined use of both surgery and adjuvant therapies. They consider total orchiectomy, followed by prophylactic radiotherapy, the treatment of choice, especially in stages IA and IIA. They don't perform the routine retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, differently from American authors, who always achieve it to stage the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The authors stress the improvement in the prognosis of seminoma, which has actually reached the 98% of five-year survival rate, for stages I and II.

Adolescent↗

Current management of male breast cancer.

Male breast cancer represent 1% of all male cancers. The authors, by a review of literature, analyze risk factors and genic mutations involved in the development of such cancer. They discuss instrumental procedures of diagnosis and screening, histologic features and surgical approach of male breast cancer. Furthermore, they suggest adjuvant therapies stressing the importance of an early diagnosis and of the absence of nodal involvement to improve the outcome of male breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms, Male↗

[Total implantable venous systems in day surgery].

UNLABELLED: Total implantable venous system (port-cath)in day surgery. AIMS: Most of patients underwent to a total implantable venous system (port-cath) can be treated in day surgery. METHODS: Since January 2000 to March 2003 we have implanted 31 port-a-cath, preferring access in subclavia v. We've treated all patients in day surgery and we've performed a Rx-control with a medium follow up of two hour. RESULTS: We have not reported any early complication, only 3 late complications: a device malfunction, a "kinking" reservoir and an infection of the subcutaneous pocket. The last two complications have required the explantation of the device. In difficult catheterizations can be helpful to use a pediatric kit. The rules of an aseptic and antiseptic operative procedure and the utilization of a short term antibiotic prophylaxis can avoid infective complications. We have proposed, after the device implantation, cardioaspirina like preventive therapy of septic and no septic thrombosis. In the thrombotic occlusion of the catheter we propose the use of activase. In malfunction's prevention we propose a lateral placement (to the skin incision) of the subcutaneous pocket and a 45 degrees reservoir rotation. CONCLUSIONS: The total venous system (port-cath) implantation can be mostly performed in day surgery, improving the compliance of the patients with a low cost procedure.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗