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S Baroncini

Publications and source records attributed to S Baroncini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Foreign bodies in the airways. Role of endoscopy in their diagnosis and treatment].

The inhalation of foreign bodies gives rise to a symptom picture that will depend on the nature and size of the foreign body, its location in the airways, the age of the patient, and the presence of prior lung affections. Non-invasive removal of such bodies is often enough to resolve both acute and chronic symptomatologies. In view of the striking nature of the symptoms and the imminent risk of complications or exacerbation associated with the continued presence of foreign bodies and the therapeutic strategy to be adopted, many workers consider that treatment should be given in a suitable environment, with proper equipment and an experienced staff. Reference is made to a personal series collected at the Chieti and Bologna resuscitation centres in describing the criteria followed in the diagnosis and management of cases of recently inhaled or latent foreign bodies, and their parenchymal complications. Non-invasive management by means of direct bronchoscopy is advised in all cases except those in which the subsequent intervention of serious, evident and irreversible parenchymal alterations make surgery inevitable.

Adult↗

Shortening the discharging time after total hip replacement under combined spinal/epidural anesthesia by actively warming the patient during surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare passive thermal insulation by reflective blankets with forced-air active warming on the efficacy of normothermia maintenance and time for discharging from the recovery room after combined spinal/epidural anesthesia for total hip arthroplasty. METHODS DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Inpatient anesthesia at three University Departments of orthopedic surgery. PATIENTS: 50 ASA physical status I-III patients, who were scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received combined spinal/epidural anesthesia (CSE) with intrathecal injection of 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. All procedures started 8-10 a.m., and operating room temperature was maintained between 21-23 degrees C, with relative humidity ranging between 40-45%. As warming therapy patients received either passive thermal insulation of the trunk, the two upper limbs and the unoperated lower limb with reflective blankets (group passive, n = 25), or forced-air active warming of the two upper limbs (group active, n = 25). Core temperature was measured before CSE placement (baseline), and then every 30 min until recovery of normothermia. RESULTS: Demographic data, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood losses, and crystalloid infusion were similar in the two groups. Arterial blood pressure decreased in both groups compared with baseline values, while no differences in heart rate were observed during the study. Core temperatures in passive group patients decreased more markedly than in actively warmed patients, with a 1 degree C difference between the two groups at the end of surgery (p < 0.0005). At recovery room entry seven patients in group active (24%) and 16 patients in group passive (64%) showed a core temperature < 36 degrees C (p < 0.01). Achievement of both discharging criteria and normothermia required 32 +/- 18 min in active group and 74 +/- 52 min in passive group (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Forced-air cutaneous warming allows the anesthesiologist to maintain normothermia during combined spinal/epidural anesthesia for total hip replacement even if the convective blanket is placed on a relatively small skin surface with reflex vasoconstriction. Maintaining core normothermia decreased the duration of postanesthesia recovery and may, therefore, reduce costs of care.

Aged↗

[The percutaneous treatment of uterine fibromas by means of transcatheter arterial embolization].

INTRODUCTION: We report our preliminary experience with arterial embolization of uterine fibroids in seven women, focusing on the technical aspects of the procedure and the clinical and morphological results during the follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: February to December 1999 seven women (mean age 47) underwent transcatheter arterial embolization of both uterine arteries as a permanent treatment for fibroids. We included in this study single or multiple, bleeding and/or large fibroids, symptomatic on compression, contraindicated for myomectomy because of high surgical or anesthesiologic risks or myomata in which myomectomy could probably be converted into hysterectomy. Fibroids enlarging the uterus to the size of 25 weeks' pregnancy or more, pedunculated myomata or small submucous fibroids--smaller than 5 cm--were excluded. Uterine arterial embolization was performed bilaterally, till a total blockage of flow, by injecting permanent embolization material: polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) particles of increasing size from 150 to 500 mu and in varying amounts from 10 to 24 mL, depending on fibroid size and degree of vascularization. RESULTS: A technical success was achieved in all cases and no late complications were seen. At 6-month clinical follow-up all compressive symptoms had disappeared; regular menses had returned in 57% of patients, milder hyper-dysmenorrhea was present in 28% compared to pretreatment symptoms; only in one case (14%) was permanent amenorrhea observed. The 3-month and 6-month US follow-up studies showed an average 40.7% (range 10-50%) and 51% (range 25-83%) reduction in the fibroid size, respectively. All the small myomata (about 2 cm in size) were unidentifiable at 6-month US follow-up. In no cases did new fibroids appear. DISCUSSION: Surgery is the traditional treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids (hysterectomy, myomectomy). More recently, hormone therapy and operative endoscopy (laparoscopy and hysteroscopy) have been introduced as alternatives, together with uterine embolization previously applied preoperatively in extensive bleeding neoplasms or to control post-partum hemorrhage. Transcatheter embolization of the uterine arteries feeding large fibroids is a minimally invasive technique which could be safely used as an alternative to surgery, and a valuable in the definitive treatment of symptomatic, large or multiple, intramural or submucosal fibroids. In agreement with literature findings, in the present series symptoms resolved completely in over 85% of cases after embolization, with an average reduction in fibroid size over 50% at 6-month follow-up in large fibroids, whereas smaller size myomata were no longer detectable at US and no new fibroids had formed. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience confirms that arterial embolization is a promising alternative to surgery in the definitive treatment of fibroids, thanks to its high efficacy and safety, also reducing patient hospitalization and costs.

Adult↗

[Latex allergy in pediatric age: an interdisciplinary perioperative management and case reports].

BACKGROUND: Latex intraoperative allergy is more and more frequent, especially in at groups risk (patients with spina bifida or congenital genitourinary abnormalities, pluri-operated patients, atopic subjects) and in pediatric age. The main problem of this allergy consists in the necessity of a strict collaboration of many specialists, in order to identify and safeguard the patient. METHODS: Our experience has pointed out an interdisciplinary perioperative management able to: 1. identify patients affected by latex allergy; 2. submit them to a latex-safe perioperative proceeding; 3. check their conditions with periodical tests. Selecting patients through a history and a list of questions, identifying profiles of typical risk patients, organizing the operating room with latex-free materials and equipment were the most important issues. Since November 1997 to December 1999 eighteen latex-safe perioperative proceedings have been carried out on 8 subjects (2 with esophageal atresia, 4 with bladder exstrophy and 2 with cloacal exstrophy); 2 of them were emergency cases. RESULTS: No allergic reactions and no proceeding-linked complications have been registered. Operators have always been satisfied by materials and equipment. Anesthesiological and surgical times resulted equal to those without latex-safe management. CONCLUSIONS: This perioperative management of potential or verified latex allergic patients turned out to be valid, safe and easy in practical application.

Adolescent↗

Bronchoscopy in newborns with esophageal atresia.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of rigid laryngotracheo-bronchoscopy in newborns with oesophageal atresia (OA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) in preventing complications, improving diagnosis and surgical treatment. Among 76 consecutive newborns, received in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) from January 1990 to September 2001 with prenatal o perinatal suspected OA, forty-five had one or more other congenital anomalies. They were divided in I Montreal's risk group for 73.7% (56) and in the II one for 26.3% (20). Endoscopic procedure was performed in the operating room with Storz's rigid ventilating bronchoscope just before surgery, in all babies. With bronchoscopic examination we were able to identify the level, number and size of TOF and to visualise anatomical variants in 76 children. 15 children with OA had a gasless abdomen, but an upper pouch fistula was found only in three cases. In another four cases bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of an "H" fistula and cervical surgical approach was established. One case had only oesophageal stenosis. 56 patients had fistula in lower pouch and in the last 38 cases we proceeded with selective transtracheal fistula incannulation and then we provided gastric drainage. One quadriforcation, 2 triforcations, 3 aberrant right upper lobe bronchi, 1 congential subglottic stenosis and 1 associated with a congenital subglottic stenosis and 1 left main bronchus agenesia were detected. No complications were correlated to the procedure and no babies had early pneumonia. Continuous feeding was achieved in 70 out of 76 patients: 46 primary anastomosis with 12 staged repairs (OA I and II type long gap), 4 resections of TEF, 8 oesophagocoloplasty. Nine babies (11.8%) did not survive. Clinical follow-up was possible in all the survivors. Mortality rate in the high-risk patients with OA remains high because of the many complications that may occur. Tracheal endoscopy is useful in improving the diagnostic approach and to prevent pulmonary complications. Fistula incannulation minimizes the risk of gastric distension and its detrimental effect on ventilation, helping the surgeon to identify TEF easily and quickly. Moreover, the endoscopic approach offers obvious advantages for the anaesthesiologist and the surgeon and has proven, in our experience, to be effective.

Bronchoscopy↗

[Malignant primary tumors of the liver in childhood].

Twenty-one children (16 males, 5 females) with malignant primary hepatic tumors were admitted to the Pediatric Clinic of the University of Bologna between June 1973 and July 2001. The diagnosis was hepatoblastoma (HBL) in 16 cases; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCA) in 3 cases; undifferentiated sarcoma in 1, malignant rhabdoid tumour of the liver in 1. Median age at diagnosis was 1.8 year (1 mounth-13 years). As to intrahepatic tumor's extension, patients were classified in groups (from I to IV) according to International Society of Pediatric Oncology staging. 2 patients were ascribed to group I; 9 to group II; 9 to group III and I to group IV. At diagnosis 3 pts presented lung metastases. Seventeen patients (81%) were treated with surgery, in 11 cases as first approach to the tumor. In 10 patients, initially with unresesectable tumor, chemotherapy was started first. Drugs used were mostly Cisplatinum or Carboplatinum with Doxorubicin. Sussequently 6 patients were submitted to surgery. At a median follow up of 12.5 years, 52.3% of patients is alive without disease. This percentage rises to 58% taking into consideration only HBL and HCA cases (alive 11/19). We conclude that excluding metastases at diagnosis (3 deaths), the main prognostic factor is resectability and radical surgery: in our experience 4 patients with unresectable tumor died, as 2 patients with microscopical residual after surgery.

Algorithms↗

Gastric perforation in a newborn.

Gastric perforation in neonates is an uncommon condition. In most cases, it is attributed to peptic ulceration and/or hemorrhagic gastritis. The high mortality rate in such patients can be improved by early diagnosis and prompt resuscitation, followed by surgery. We report a full-term female newborn, who developed a gastric perforation in the first day of life. The possible aetiology and the perioperative management are discussed.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗

[In-hospital pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

Between 0,7-3% of pediatric patients may require resuscitation during hospital stay. The physicians of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the C.O.U. Anesthesia and Intensive Care-Baroncini developed a plan for the management of pediatric emergencies inside the Department of Pediatric Medical and Surgical Sciences. The plan consisted of: the drawing up of a PI 34-Procedure; the preparation and implementation of a training course for doctors and nurses; the purchase of 12 emergency-trolleys according to the Broselow Pediatric Resuscitation Measuring Tape and the implementation of a specific system for the emergency-call. Precise duty for anesthesiologists and intensivists is the emergency- planning and management, in order to diffuse the medical knowledge needed to assist patients requiring vital functions support. The management of the intra-hospital pediatric emergencies is strictly dependent on the training of the staff, based on a specific support algorithm, and specific equipment for the different ages.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

A pain educational program for pediatric nurses: topics and key points.

The undertreatment of pain in children may lead to severe consequences. Basic knowledge about pain in this category of patients may improve pain assessment and its management. In line with the Project established by the Italian Ministry of Health, authors planned an educational program devoted to the pediatric nurses. The concept of brain and of cognitive development, the methodological bases of the pain measurement and the cognition of long-term consequences on pain have been the key points of the program. The course was efficacious and highly appreciated by nurses. The improvement of practice standards will be the true indicator of its efficacy.

Adult↗