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Biomedical subjects

V Ventafridda

Publications and source records attributed to V Ventafridda.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Psychologic effects and esthetic results of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

A survey was conducted on 84 patients who chose to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy. A self-rating questionnaire was sent to each patient by mail to collect as much information about the patient as possible: individual status, reasons for requesting breast reconstruction, acceptance and advantages of having the new breast, satisfaction with the overall esthetic results, amount of patient information regarding breast reconstruction, and the source of this information. Once the questionnaire was completely filled out, it was returned by mail to the persons conducting this study. Fourty-three patients (51% of sample) replied with a completed questionnaire. When all the data for this survey were collected, an interesting factor emerged: 33 patients (76.7% of those who replied) reported being substantially satisfied with the esthetic results of their operation. When asked about the reasons for requesting breast reconstruction, 16 patients asserted their request was based on the desire to prove to themselves that they had overcome the disease, and 16 to improve body image. When asked about the advantages of breast reconstruction, 17 patients believed the operation would help improve inner feelings about the loss of the breast. Thus breast reconstruction is indeed an element of prime importance to mastectomized women, especially for their physical and psychological rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The importance of a home care program for patients with advanced cancer pain.

At the Pain Clinic of the National Cancer Institute of Milan, a special Home Care Program has been set up to assist advanced cancer patients with pain and their families during their remaining survival. The Home Care Unit comprises a team of physician, nurse clinicians, psychologists and many volunteers who are active both in the hospital and at the patient's home. This entire operation provides a continuous relationship between the family, the patient and the Home Care Unit. This Home Care Program, which is one of a kind with other forms of treatment for advanced cancer patients (i.e. hospices), has produced interesting results. Out of a sample group of 50 patients, 33 were monitored at home by the Home Care Unit while 17 had their families to do the monitoring. Over a six-week period the following results were reported: a) Improvement of psycho-emotional factors such as anxiety, weakness and mood for both patients and their families who entered the Home Care Program. b) The Quality of Life Index remained unchanged for the sample group that entered the Home Care Program whereas it deteriorated for patients monitored by their families. c) A decrease in the Integrated Pain Score for both groups; however, results showed a statistically significant difference in favor of patients on the Home Care Program. d) The Performance Status decreased by very little over the study period, and there was little difference between the two groups. These results confirm the need for a Home Care Program which must go hand in hand with the Pain Clinic as an effective way to control Total Pain.

Home Care Services↗
PubMed1985

Incidence of sexual dysfunction in male patients treated surgically for rectal malignancy.

Sixty male patients surgically treated for colorectal cancer were interviewed by structured questionnaire to evaluate the etiology of sexual dysfunction and quality of life. Patients were divided into three groups: 20 who underwent low anterior resection, 20 subjected to Miles' abdominoperineal amputation, and 20 who underwent high anterior resection. Statistical evaluation of the three groups, by use of the chi-square test and Student's t test, showed that extent of the surgical dissection plays the most important role, although psychologic problems are also involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

WHO guidelines for the use of analgesics in cancer pain.

The growing incidence of cancer pathology all over the world implies not only problems of prevention and cure, but also of pain control. Pain appears in more than 50% of cancer patients, mainly because analgesic opioids are not available or adequately administered. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created a Collaborating Centre for Cancer Pain Relief at the Division of Pain Therapy of the National Cancer Institute, Milan. Experts in pain therapy have drafted guidelines on the sequential use of analgesic drugs by identifying three steps: non-narcotics, weak narcotics, narcotics, all in association with adjuvant drugs. After a positive pilot trial, field testing will be conducted in developed and developing countries. The first step of the analgesic ladder is represented by the use of non-narcotics; the adequate use of these substances in advanced cancer patients does not exceed 6 months of treatment. Treatment is then either discontinued or changed to a following step because of side-effects (40%) or inefficacy (44%). The reduction in the use of non-narcotics corresponds to a successive increase in the use of opioids, particularly direct agonists. Through an adequate use of the analgesic ladder, pain can be relieved in the great majority of cancer patients.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1984

[The role of neurolytic therapy in blocking cancer pain].

Here is a presentation of the role played by neurolesive procedures in the management of cancer pain. The authors suggest that these procedures should be considered secondary to the analgesic drugs and should be used only in a very limited number of situations (20/25%) due to the changes in neurophysiology of nerve transmission, caused by these interventions. Open neurolesive surgical treatments have a restricted indication because they are very traumatizing and the risk-benefit ratio is scarcely positive. Generally the chemical and thermal neurolesive procedures which are more widely used are represented by: sacral subarachnoidal block, alcholization of celiac ganglion, thermorhyzotomy of Gasser's and percutaneous chordotomy. The limits and benefits of these procedures are discussed. The authors maintain that a single technique can never completely solve the problem of pain; it can give pauses from pain, which have to be integrated sooner or later by analgesic drugs, within a continuing care program.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1983

Chronic analgesic study on buprenorphine action in cancer pain. Comparison with pentazocine.

Buprenorphine appears to have an analgesic effect (evaluated after a week of treatment) statistically superior to that of the comparative drug. On the whole, during buprenorphine treatment the normal activities of life of the individual patient improved. The percentage incidence of the side-effects is similar for the two drugs. Buprenorphine, however, caused less intense side-effects than pentazocine.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Organizing pain control and rehabilitation service in a cancer centre.

A unique programme of rehabilitation and pain control has been created within the Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori in Milan. Rehabilitation of mastectomy, amputee and ostomy patients has been very active and, particularly in this last group, a good rehabilitative outcome may be observed. Pain evaluation was one of the main problems. The treatment modalities have been refined in order to obtain the maximum pain relief with the minimum trauma possible. These treatments are based on a closely monitored analgesic drug administration and on percutaneous thermocontrolled lesions. The growing needs of the Cancer Institution have brought to about 30 000 the number of treatments performed by the Service during the last year. Nevertheless, enormous efforts are necessary to break the barrier of indifference to this problem that still persists in the oncologic field.

Amputees↗
PubMed1980

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of pain in cancer.

1 Prostaglandins may precipitate or exacerbate pain and they may be produced by several tumours. 2 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and may also inhibit bone metastases and enhance immune responses. 3 NSAIDs alone or in association with narcotics or psychotropics may not only afford the best pain relief in neoplastic disease, but also modify the progress of the tumour. 4 The effect of NSAIDs on the gastrointestinal tract is generally adverse.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Report on 42 cases of postirradiation lesions of the brachial plexus and their treatment.

Here we report 42 cases of postirradiation lesions of the brachial nerve plexus in patients treated with radiotherapy after radical mastectomy. These lesions usually appeared at least 1 year after treatment, and motorial disturbances always developed, even if initially they may have been absent. A comparison of the case material indicates that a reduction in the dose administered to the supraclavicular region and exclusion of the axillary region from the treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of these lesions. In fact, in a group of 490 patients treated by the old radiotherapy method at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan (i.e., administration of 6000 rad to the brachial nerve plexus), 16 cases of lesions at this plexus were observed. In a group of 200 patients treated instead with a new method (i.e., administration of 4900 rad to the brachial nerve plexus and exclusion of the axillary region), no nerve lesions were observed, with significance levels, according to Fisher's test, less than 0.9%. Since radiolesions at the brachial nerve plexus have a very bad prognosis with regard to functioning of the limb and physiotherapy is of little help, this new therapeutic method is very useful, and it is not accompanied by an increase in the number of local recurrences as compared to the old method.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed1979

[Use of psychotropic substances with antidepressive action in pain control].

Starting with the conviction that chronic oncological pain needs an interdisciplinary approach, the use of antidepressant tricyclic compounds in association with other techiques in antalgic therapy is commented on. In spite of the possible side effects, it is concluded that the drugs are definitely effective, and that in addition to combating the depressive component, when present, their analgesic action potentiates the effect of other drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

A controlled study of the analgetic effect of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer pain.

With a subjective response technique the analgetic activity of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents which greatly differ in kinetics is compared. The double-blind cross-over trial was carried out in 18 patients of both sexes suffering from pain due to malignant tumours who received single doses of 200 mg indoprofen and 250 mg naproxen p.o. Both compounds were efficacious and there was no difference in the duration of their activity in spite of the great difference between their half-lives.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Physical rehabilitation in mastectomized women].

The paper highlights the importance of rehabilitation programmes for women subjected to radical mastectomy. Within the Milan National Tumour Institute, the activity promoted by the antalgic and Rehabilitation Department concerning some 700 patients per annum takes in 3 phases: information; prevention; treatment of the disease. After thorough psychological and medical observation of the patient, all available treatment methods are deployed on conditions which present in the form of hypomobility of the homolateral extremity, lymphangitis, lymphoedema and possibly neurological damage to the brachial plexus. The results of this rehabilitation programme have meant a notable reduction in the forms and have led to rapid return to society.

Exercise Therapy↗
PubMed1976

[Rehabilitation of patients with colostomy].

The psychological and physical problems associated with colostomy are discussed. Techniques with colostomy are discussed. Techniques designed to prevent faecal incontinence and permit intestinal performance in accordance with desired rhythms are indicated. Application of such methods at the Colostomy Rehabilitation Centre, Milan Tumour Institute, has been attended by success on both the physical and the social plance. The importance of forming trained staffs and patient associations for the exchange of experience and assistance in an extra-hospital milieu is stressed.

Colostomy↗