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Biomedical subjects

A Scarduelli

Publications and source records attributed to A Scarduelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Videothoracoscopic treatment of oesophageal leiomyoma.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal leiomyomas are usually so easily removed that thoracotomy seems out of proportion and thoracoscopic removal is therefore highly desirable. METHODS: Out of a total of 1003 thoracoscopic operations undertaken between July 1991 and December 1996, seven patients underwent thoracoscopic removal of oesophageal leiomyoma. All of them had been preoperatively studied by oesophagogastroscopy and computed tomographic scanning of the chest which had confirmed the presence of a lesion with benign features. The surgical technique required intubation with a double lumen tube. Operative access was gained through the right chest via three ports and a small utility thoracotomy in the inframammary sulcus. The mean operating time was 120 minutes. RESULTS: Conversion to open thoracotomy was necessary in one case with a very large horseshoe-shaped leiomyoma which was firmly adherent. The mean postoperative hospital stay was seven days. No intraoperative deaths or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The simplicity and safety of the thoracoscopic approach, combined with reduced surgical trauma and postoperative pain and functional and cosmetic advantages, make this technique the approach of choice for the removal of oesophageal leiomyomas.

Adolescent

Complications following cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for cholelithiasis. Nevertheless possible complications must not be underestimated. In this department, from 1 July 1991 to 30 November 1995, 1005 patients with cholelithiasis underwent videocholecystectomy. There was no peri-operative mortality. In 36 cases (3.6%) the procedure was changed to laparotomy. In four cases (0.4%) conversion was mandatory due to severe complications: in three patients while introducing a trocar (one aortic lesion, one middle colic vein injury and one visceral perforation) and in one patient due to bleeding in the hepatic hilar region. In 32 cases (3.2%) conversion was carried out electively. This was due to technical difficulties or to choledocholithiasis (22 patients), anaesthesiological problems (three cases), biliodigestive fistula (one), bile spillage from accessory hepatic ducts (three), unexpected colonic cancer (one), instrument malfunction (two cases). Twenty-four patients (2.4%) experienced post-operative complications: one with pneumothorax, two with bile leakage (one bile duct damage, and one cystic duct leakage), eight with haemoperitoneum, five with subphrenic abscess, three with anaemia, three with intraparietal collections, one with bilateral basal bronchopneumonia, one with perforated duodenal stress ulcer. Of these, 11 patients (1%) underwent reintervention: five re-laparoscopies, three conversions, and three open laparotomies. This study demonstrates the safety of videolaparocholecystectomy. Complications are relatively rare and can be often dealt with conservative treatment or re-laparoscopy. Complications are often linked to insertion of a blind trocar or to the induction of a closed pneumoperitoneum. Meticulous technique or open laparoscopy minimize these risks. Conversion must not be considered a defeat but a wise decision in the face of major difficulties. Under these principles, videocholecystectomy is safe and represents the best treatment of gallbladder stones.

Adult