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S De Stefani

Publications and source records attributed to S De Stefani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Can Phyllanthus niruri affect the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones? A randomized, prospective, long-term study.

PURPOSE: Phyllanthus niruri is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of urolithiasis. We assessed the efficacy of P. niruri after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 150 patients with renal stones that were as large as 25 mm and composed of calcium oxalate. All patients received 1 to 3 extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy sessions by Dornier Lithotriptor S. After treatment 78 of 150 patients (52%) underwent therapy with Uriston, a P. niruri extract (2 gm daily) for at least 3 months (group 1). Otherwise 72 of 150 patients (48%) were used as a control group (group 2). No significant difference in stone size between the 2 groups was found. Stone clearance was assessed after 30, 60, 90 and 180 days by abdominal x-ray and ultrasound scan. RESULTS: Stone-free rate (stone-free defined as the absence of any stone or residual fragments less than 3 mm) was 93.5% in group 1 and 83.3% in group 2 (p = 0.48) at the end point of the followup (180 days). For lower caliceal stones (56 patients) the stone-free rate was 93.7% in the treatment group and 70.8% in the control group (p = 0.01). Re-treatment need for group 1 was 39.7% and for group 2 it was 43.3% (p = 0.2). No side effects were recorded with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or P. niruri therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Regular self-administration of P. niruri after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones results in an increased stone-free rate that appears statistically significant for lower caliceal location. Its efficacy and the absolute lack of side effects make this therapy suitable to improve overall outcomes after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for lower pole stones.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Medical therapy of urolithiasis.

Nephrolithiasis treatment has become easier and less invasive with the development of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and endourologic techniques. However, medical therapy represents a well-established and complementary approach that can improve the efficacy of SWL and endourology. During recent decades, pharmacologic intervention has become more effective in stone disease: drugs can control the pain of renal colic, interfere at various levels in lithogenesis, and contribute to the expulsion of stones. It is well known that lithogenesis is a multifactorial process influenced by environmental-nutritional factors (low urinary volume, diet rich in animal protein, etc) and metabolic alterations; i.e., hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, and deficiency of stone-inhibiting factors (citrate, magnesium, glycosaminoglycans [GAGs]). Specific drugs such as citrate, allopurinol, and thiazide represent highly effective treatments for the promoting factors. Furthermore, recent findings suggest an interesting role for a phytotherapeutic agent, Phillantus niruri, and its inhibitory action on calcium oxalate crystallization related to the higher incorporation of GAGs into the calculi. Another step forward in medical management of stone disease is expulsive therapy. Many studies have proven the efficacy of medical expulsive therapy with nifedipine and alpha-blockers: their specific action on ureteral smooth muscle in association with anti-edema drugs accounts for their efficacy in expelling ureteral stones. In this paper, we provide an update on the medical treatment of stone disease, focusing our attention on what is known and what is new in renal colic and litholithic and expulsive medical therapy.

Colic↗
PubMed2006

Changes in peak systolic velocity induced by chronic therapy with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of chronic therapy with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor on penile haemodynamics at colour Doppler ultrasound. Thirty patients affected by erectile dysfunction (ED) of different aetiology tested with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) were evaluated with penile colour Doppler ultrasound during basic and dynamic phases (10 microg PGE1) before and after chronic self-administration of sildenafil citrate (dosage: 100 mg as required, two to three times a week) for a period of 5-20 months (mean: 12.3). Treatment was interrupted 14-21 days before the second ultrasound evaluation. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were recorded by means of colour Doppler; cut off values were 25 and 5 cm s(-1) respectively. Data were compared by nonparametric tests. Twenty-two of the 30 patients showed normal pre-treatment PSV, while eight of 30 had an insufficient arterial flow. Mean pre-treatment EDV was 4.7 +/- 0.5. After chronic therapy with sildenafil, a global improvement of 10.5% on PSV was seen (P < 0.001), without any statistical difference between patients with normal pre-treatment peak and those with a borderline one. No statistically significant changes were found for EDV (P = 0.98). It is concluded that chronic therapy with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor results in a significant improvement in PSV values, probably due to a penile chronic vasoactive enhancement.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic telementored adrenalectomy: the Italian experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy is widely accepted as the gold standard for adrenalectomy. Telementoring has been developed to reduce the complications associated with surgeon inexperience. We report our preliminary experience with laparoscopic telementored adrenalectomy. METHODS: From July 2002 to May 2003, eight laparoscopic telementored adrenalectomies were performed between two separate operating sites 430 km apart. Six of these procedures were monolateral laparoscopic adrenalectomies, and one was bilateral. All cases were performed by an expert open surgeon who was skilled in laparoscopic procedure but who had no experience in laparascopic adrenalectomy RESULTS: All the procedures were successfully performed in a telementored fashion. The mean operative times, blood loss, and postoperative morbidity results were comparable to those for standard laparoscopic adrenalectomies reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary experience has demonstrated the feasibility of national telementoring. It is a viable method that can potentially add to surgical education and decrease the likelihood of complications due to inexperience with new techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic adrenal surgery: new frontiers.

After about 10 years of experience, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the gold standard for the treatment of adrenal lesions. Here, we describe the presenting features, imaging methods, and current surgical approaches to diseases of the adrenal gland. There is general agreement on the suitability of the laparoscopic approach for benign adrenal lesions, but controversy exists about using laparoscopy for suspected adrenal malignancy, metastasis, and partial adrenalectomy. This article reviews the literature on laparoscopic adrenalectomy. In particular, we focus our attention on the new surgical approaches to the gland. We evaluate the indications, operative techniques, and tools for partial adrenalectomy, and we discuss new surgical strategies such as cryosurgery and radiofrequency ablation.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Experimental varicocele in the rat: early evaluation of the nitric oxide levels and histological alterations in the testicular tissue.

The relationship between varicocele and male infertility remains to be explained. Oxidative damage because of the testicular venous backflow may represent one of the causes of gonad injury and seems to precede the histological alteration. Therefore measuring the values of spermatic or intratesticular nitric oxide (NO) could be useful in evaluating this oxidative distress. The aim of this study is to assess the role of testicular NO in early detection of the damages induced by an experimental varicocele in the Wistar rat. A left varicocele was induced in 10 animals (group A). A control group of 10 rats was performed (group B). Animals were killed 3 months after the operation. Both testicles were harvested, weighed and sectioned in two equal parts: one for the evaluation of the NO level and the other one for histological examination. All the rats in group A showed a conspicuous dilatation of the left spermatic vein. The histopathological analysis was normal in both the groups. Biochemistry showed a meaningful statistical difference (P < 0.001) in the concentrations of NO among the specimens of the left and right gonads in group A but no difference was found in group B. The increase in NO values and the presence of other oxidant agents represent the first sign of testicular distress and it seems to anticipate histopathological changes. As it is well known that a great difference exist between human and animal sperm, NO could therefore in the future be taken into consideration together with others parameters for the evaluation of patient who is affected by varicocele.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A knotted multi-length ureteral stent: a rare complication.

Ureteral catheters represent essential devices in the management of upper urinary tract obstruction; complications are unusual. Knotting of the stent at its proximal coiled end is a very rare but potentially dangerous event that should be promptly recognized.

Equipment Failure↗
PubMed2004

Microlaparoscopy in sex reassignment surgery.

Sex reassignment (male to female surgery) is a standard operation which is aimed at constructing female genitalia and obtaining a cosmetic and functional result that is similar to that of a normal female subject. The ideal surgical procedure has not yet been described, but the various techniques which have been proposed in the literature are similar. The most cumbersome maneuver of the procedure is that of creating a neovaginal cavity inside the perineum. This step is generally carried out by means of blunt dissection between the rectal wall and the prostate, but most of the surgery is blindly performed without visual control. In these conditions, the risk of rectal injury is high, and may lead to severe intraoperative complications. Microlaparoscopy allows for a direct observation of the perineal dissection from inside the peritoneal cavity, thus avoiding risk of rectal injury. The technique is simple to perform, is non-invasive, and only 15 minutes are added to the operation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Tumor seeding in urological laparoscopy: an international survey.

PURPOSE: During the last 10 years laparoscopy has been applied to treat most urological pathology including malignancies. There has been concern regarding peritoneal dissemination and port site metastases. We undertook a survey to assess the incidence of this occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 international urology departments with experts in laparoscopic urological surgery were contacted for this study. Each site was asked to complete a 2-page survey regarding the volume of laparoscopic urological procedures and port site recurrences. RESULTS: Nineteen sites elected to participate. A total of 18750 laparoscopic procedures were performed, of which 10912 were for cancer. These included 2604 radical nephrectomies, 559 nephroureterectomies, 555 partial nephrectomies, 27 segmental ureterectomies, 3665 radical prostatectomies, 1869 pelvic lymph node dissections, 479 retroperitoneal lymph node dissections, 336 adrenalectomies and 108 procedures listed as other. Tumor seeding was reported in 13 cases (0.1%), including 3 nephroureterectomies for transitional cell carcinoma, 4 nephrectomies (incidental transitional cell carcinoma), 4 adrenalectomies for metastases, 1 retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer and 1 pelvic lymph node dissection for cancer of the penis. Port seeding occurred in 10 cases (0.09%) and peritoneal spread in 3 cases (0.03%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of tumor seeding after laparoscopic oncological surgery is rare and does not appear greater than what has been historically reported for open surgery. Tumor seeding seems to be most commonly related to the removal of high grade tumors and deviation from oncological surgical principles.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed2004

Dornier Lithotripter S. The first 50 treatments in our department.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the short-term efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy with the Dornier Lithotripter S in the treatment of renal and ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February and April 2003, 32 renal and 19 ureteral stones were treated. Patients were evaluated 1 and 3 months afterwards. Stone size and location, total number of shockwaves and the stone-free rate were taken into consideration. RESULTS: The stone-free rate for ureteral stones was 63% at 1 month and 84.2% at 3 months. The stone-free rate for renal calculi was 75% at 1 month and 87.5% at 3 months. The overall stone-free rate was 70.6% at 1 month and 86.3% at 3 months. Analgesia was necessary in 12 patients (23.5%). No serious complications were seen, except for one steinstrasse. CONCLUSIONS: The Dornier Lithotripter S is very effective in the treatment of renal and ureteral calculi.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Percutaneous ethanol injection of the prostate as minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) consisting of percutaneous ethanol injection inside the prostate under ultrasound surveillance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transperineal ethanol injection into the prostate was performed in 8 patients who were affected by obstructive BPH according to AUA symptom score, impaired urinary flow, and volume of postvoiding residual urine. Injections were performed under transrectal ultrasound surveillance at four sites of the prostate for an overall amount of 6 ml of ethanol per patient. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The patients' median age was 69.7 years (range 57-83). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The median symptom score decreased from 21+/-5.2 (range 14-28) to 10+/-4.4 (range 1-14) at 3 months postoperatively (p<0.0001). The median peak flow rate increased significantly from 11 ml/s (range 7-17) before the procedure to 16 ml/s (range 12-20) after it (p<0.001). The median volume of post-voiding residual urine dropped from 130 ml (range 36-200) before treatment to 27 ml (range 11-42) after it (p<0.01). The same parameters were assessed at 6 months without significant differences. A mild side effect was observed in 1 patient who reported severe urge incontinence and moderate perineal pain the first month after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy of the prostate is a safe, easy and minimally invasive procedure for treating BPH, especially when there is an high operative risk.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Sclerotherapy of hemangioma of the glans penis.

Penile hemangiomas are very rare, small lesions. Possible therapies include surgical excision, electrofulguration, cryotherapy, and sclerotherapy. We describe an extremely rare case of a large hemangioma of the glans that was treated by means of repeated injections of 2% polidocanol under local anesthesia (5% lidocaine-prilocaine cream). No complications were observed after the operation, and a satisfactory aesthetic result was obtained. No relapse was noted 18 months after the treatment. A therapeutic reference standard for the treatment of penile hemangiomas is still lacking because of the rarity of the disease. Sclerotherapy proved to be an effective, low-cost, and easy-to-perform procedure. Moreover, it is repeatable in case of failure.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Long-term results with Nesbit's procedure as treatment of Peyronie's disease.

The objective was to assess sexual function at long-term follow-up after the Nesbit operation for Peyronie's disease. One hundred and fifty seven out of 213 patients treated between 1986 and 1998 using the Nesbit procedure were reassessed by means of IIEF-5 questionnaire together with two questions about residual deformity and treatment satisfaction. The results from this questionnaire together with the patient case records constitute the basis of this paper. After an average 72-month follow-up subjective patient determination of satisfaction indicated that 87.9% were satisfied with the results of surgery, 136 patients (86.7%) had good erectile function (IIEF-5 > 21). Shortening of the penis (from 1.5 to 3 cm) occurred in 22 patients (14%), but only in 2 (1.3%) was intercourse difficult because of excessive shortening. In conclusion, the Nesbit's operation results in the greatest amount of patient satisfaction about sexual function. When penile shortening occurs, it has not been a significant problem for patients who are properly counselled.

Adult↗