Biomedical subjects

R P Calabria

Publications and source records attributed to R P Calabria.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Thymic carcinoid.

Carcinoid of the thymus is a rare neoplasm. Differentiation from thymoma is important because they have entirely different prognosis. A patient in whom a 19 x 18 x 12 cm carcinoid tumor of the thymus was surgically removed is presented. The tumor metastasized to peritracheal and internal mammary nodes, and invaded the SVC, pleura, lung, and pericardium. This is apparently the largest reported tumor of its kind. Prior to induction of anesthesia cardiopulmonary bypass and rigid bronchoscopy were readily available. Awake intubation was utilized. Even though long-term prognosis is poor, an aggressive surgical approach and adjuvant radiotherapy may achieve extended survival with excellent quality of life. Central aspects of the disease as well as pivotal therapeutic points are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

The amylase profile: a discriminant in biliary and pancreatic disease.

Serial serum amylase determinations were made in 85 consecutive patients who presented with an initially elevated value. In 35 patients (Group A), the clinical findings were consistent with biliary tract disease. All underwent cholecystectomy for documented cholelithiasis within a week of diagnosis, and 23 percent had choledocholithiasis as well. Fifty patients (Group B) presented with a first episode of acute alcoholic pancreatitis. An amylase profile, consisting of initial and final values and the daily rate of change, was significantly different between the two groups. The initial serum amylase value was higher in Group A patients and decreased more rapidly to a lower value than in Group B patients. We conclude that both the initial value and pattern of serum amylase decay distinguish the hyperamylasemia of biliary tract disease from that of alcoholic pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Simplified perioperative management in vertical banded gastroplasty.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) is the most commonly performed weight loss operation in the United States and is of proven adjunctive benefit in the treatment of morbid obesity. In an attempt to reduce the hospital related complications associated with morbidly obese patients we simplified the perioperative management of 244 patients undergoing VBG. Our goals were early feeding, early ambulation and a short hospital stay. Neither nasogastric tube nor Foley catheter was used after surgery. Mean postoperative stay was 3.24 +/- 0.8. Forty-one patients (16.8%) developed significant complications. Only two of these had a nosocomial complication (0.8%). The remaining 39 patients had technical complications not related to the protocol of simplified perioperative care. Short hospital stay and simplified perioperative management are feasible and safe for the large majority of patients undergoing VBG and may, in fact, significantly decrease the nosocomial morbidity common to this type of patients.

Adult↗