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Biomedical subjects

C J Filipi

Publications and source records attributed to C J Filipi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Technique and follow-up of minimally invasive Heller myotomy for achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy has been proven effective. Reliable predictive factors for outcome and the true benefit of the da Vinci robotic system, however, remain unknown. METHODS: Seventy patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The number of intraoperative perforations and the symptom-predictive value of postoperative esophagogram width measurement at the gastroesophageal junction were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 11%. Four patients experienced intraoperative perforation during the laparoscopic technique. No perforations were experienced with the da Vinci robotic system (n = 19). Of the total, 82% of patients had resolution of dysphagia, 91% of regurgitation, 91% of heartburn and 82% of chest pain. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width demonstrated a positive predictive trend from 0 to 10 mm for dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is an effective treatment for achalasia. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width measurement as a predictor for symptom resolution requires further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Sub-diaphragmatic fascia: role in the recurrence of hiatal hernias.

One of the most common causes of a failed Nissen fundoplication is disruption of the crural repair. We investigated the thickness of the subdiaphragmatic fascia overlying the right and left limb of the right crus in cadavers to determine any difference. Sub-diaphragmatic fascia specimens were obtained from three sites adjacent to the hiatus in 20 preserved cadavers. One square centimeter of fascia was excised 3 cm from the arch of the hiatus on each side and approximately 2-3 mm from the edge of the hiatal opening (labeled RL and LPL). A third sample was taken 1 cm from the arch of the hiatus on the left side (labeled LAL). The thickness of these tissues was measured. The mean tissue thickness of RL, LPL and LAL were 0.22 mm, 0.23 mm and 0.4 mm, respectively. There was no difference in tissue thickness between the lower specimens on both sides (RL vs. LPL); however, LAL was significantly thicker than both RL and LPL (P < 0.05). The thickness of the subdiaphragmatic fascia overlying the right and left limb of the right crus does not differ significantly in the region used for crus closure during antireflux surgery; however, the fascia on the left is thicker anteriorly.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2006

Laparoscopic re-operation for failed Heller myotomy.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia has a 10-20% failure rate and may require re-operation to control persistent or recurrent symptoms. We report follow-up of 15 patients who underwent laparoscopic re-operation for failed Heller myotomy. Between 1993 and 2004, 15 patients underwent laparoscopic re-operation for failed Heller myotomy at our center. The mean duration between procedures was 23 months. Follow-up was completed at a mean duration of 30 months in 14 patients (93%) via a telephone questionnaire. Our overall failure rate for primary surgery (n = 106) was 5.6%. The mechanisms of failure were incomplete myotomy (33%), myotomy fibrosis (27%), fundoplication disruption (13%), too tight fundoplication (7%) and a combination of myotomy fibrosis and incomplete myotomy (20%). Significant symptom improvement was observed with postoperative symptom resolution seen in 71% of patients with dysphagia, 89% for regurgitation, 58% for heartburn and 40% for chest pain. Fifty percent reported excellent results and 79% would recommend the procedure to a friend. Subsequent dilations were performed in four patients (29%). Two patients required conversion to open surgery (13%). Three patients (20%) failed the re-operation and required further revisional surgery. Complications included intraoperative perforation in three (none of which resulted in postoperative morbidity) and a pneumothorax in one patient. Prior endoscopic therapies (pneumatic dilation or Botulinum toxin) were not associated with poor results. Laparoscopic re-operation for failed Heller myotomy is feasible and results are encouraging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Hiatal hernia recurrence: 2004.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of laparoscopic hiatal hernia recurrence is less than ideal. The reasons are more theoretical than objective, as the literature has little data in support of specific mechanisms of recurrence. METHOD: A recent literature review using all Internet-available, English-language articles on laparoscopic hernia repair was completed. RESULTS: A multitude of mechanisms of recurrence are suggested, but only surgeon inexperience, postoperative vomiting, heavy lifting, and retention of the hernia sac are supported by data. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hiatal hernia recurrence has stabilized. The role of an onlay mesh prosthesis for the prevention of hiatal hernia recurrence is under investigation, and long-term results are awaited.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2004

Esophageal papillomatosis complicated by squamous cell carcinoma in situ.

We present a case of esophageal papillomatosis with underlying squamous cell carcinoma in situ. An esophageal lesion resected from a 74-year-old woman demonstrated histological findings characteristic of squamous cell papilloma (fibrovascular core and numerous finger-like projections covered with hyperplastic squamous epithelium) and severe dysplasia characteristic of squamous cell carcinoma. The relation of squamous papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma is discussed. It is suggested that esophageal squamous cell papilloma is a premalignant lesion.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The laparoscopic reoperation of failed Heller myotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia has a 10-20% failure rate and may require reoperation to control persistent, or recurrent symptoms of dysphagia. We report our experience with laparoscopic reoperation for failed Heller myotomy. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2001, 5 patients underwent reoperative laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The mean age was 39 years. The presenting symptoms were persistent dysphagia ( n = 3), recurrent dysphagia ( n = 1), and weight loss ( n = 1). The mean duration between 1st surgery and recurrence of symptoms was 2 months and the mean duration between surgeries was 27.5 months. All operations were completed laparoscopically. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Incomplete gastric myotomy was the cause of all 5 primary surgical failures. The mean hospital stay was 2 days. Mean follow-up was 12.8 months. Results were excellent in 2 patients who reported no dysphagia postoperatively (dysphagia grade 0) and good in 3 patients (60%) who all reported improvement in swallowing (dysphagia grade I-II). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic reoperation for failed Heller myotomy is feasible with encouraging preliminary results.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The effect of diaphragmatic stressors on recurrent hiatal hernia.

Hiatal disruption is one of the common mechanisms of failure after Nissen fundoplication. We investigated the correlation between various diaphragm stressors and disruption of the diaphragmatic closure. Thirty-seven patients with a hiatal hernia recurrence of 2 cm or greater, as proven by esophagram, endoscopy, or operative findings, were included. A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing a standardized diaphragm stressor questionnaire for the study group and a control group of 50 patients without hiatal hernia recurrence. Logistic regression was used to determine the significant predictors of hiatal hernia recurrence. Three predictors emerged in the final model: weight lifting (P < 0.0174), vomiting (P < 0.0313) and hiccoughing (P < 0.2472). Of these, only vomiting and weight lifting were significant. The odds ratio for weight lifting is OR = 3.662 (95% CI: 1.256-10.676), and for vomiting it is OR = 4.938 (95% CI: 1.154-21.126). Vomiting or heavy weight lifting is a significant predictor of hiatal hernia recurrence.

Abdominal Cavity↗
PubMed2001

An unusual case of gastric volvulus after laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic surgery for paraesophageal hernia is well accepted. However, the complications of this relatively new procedure have not been thoroughly investigated. Only four cases of recurrent volvulus after paraesophageal hernia repair have been reported. A 52-year-old man presented with a large right-side paraesophageal hernia. He experienced a retroperitoneal midgastric volvulus despite correct orientation of the stomach distally and proximally. We report an unusual complication that seems congenital in origin. Diagnostic and corrective measures are suggested.

Hernia, Hiatal↗
PubMed2001

Esophageal shortening during the era of laparoscopic surgery.

An effective method for determining the presence of a short esophagus preoperatively would be helpful to surgeons. In this study 260 patients underwent primary laparoscopic antireflux surgery; 44 of them were suspected to have esophageal shortening on the basis of: (1) Barrett's esophagus or evidence of peptic stricture formation on endoscopy; (2) an irreducible hiatal hernia > or = 5 cm in length on upright barium esophagram; or (3) a short esophagus on manometric analysis, defined as 2 SD below normal for height. Six patients without preoperative criteria required extensive esophageal mobilization and intraoperative endoscopic/laparoscopic assessment. Preoperative results were then compared with intraoperative esophageal length assessments. Altogether, 13 patients (5% of the whole series) underwent a lengthening procedure: left thoracoscopically assisted laparoscopic Collis gastroplasty (n = 11) or open transthoracic Collis gastroplasty (n = 2) plus antireflux repair (Nissen fundoplication in 9 and Toupet repair in 4). Among the preoperative tests, endoscopy had the highest sensitivity rate (61%); a combination of tests resulted in an increase in the specificity (63-100%) without a corresponding increase in sensitivity (28-42%). Preoperative testing is thus useful for predicting the need for an esophageal lengthening procedure. Endoscopy is the best screening test for the short esophagus. A well planned prospective trial to test the reliability of each test is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the treatment of choice for medically refractive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Cecal herniation is an exceedingly rare complication of this procedure. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who presented 2 months after a successful laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with heartburn and epigastric pain that radiated to her back. Abdominal films showed an air-filled loop in the left upper quadrant. At surgery, the patient had a redundant loop of cecum, which had herniated through the foramen of Winslow over the stomach and was positioned beneath the left hemidiaphragm. The cecum was not ischemic. A right hemicolectomy was performed to prevent recurrence. The patient recovered fully and has had no further problems. This is the first report of such a case.

Cecal Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic reoperative antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Antireflux operations for gastroesophageal reflux disease whether performed open or laparoscopically can fail and may require reoperation to control new, recurrent symptoms or operation-related complications. We report our experience with the laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux procedures. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2000, 37 patients underwent laparoscopic reoperative antireflux procedures. The mean age and weight were 52 years and 181.5 pounds. The main presenting symptoms were heartburn (n = 18), respiratory reflux (n = 4), chest pain (n = 3), regurgitation (n = 1), and dysphagia (n = 10). The mean duration between the first operation and recurrence of symptoms was 18 months, and the duration between the two procedures was 25 months. The operation was completed laparoscopically in 32 patients (86.5%): Nissen fundoplication (n = 27) and Toupet fundoplication (n = 9). RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 6 and 14 patients, respectively. Fundoplication disruption was the most common cause of primary surgery failure. The mean hospital stay was 4 days. At a mean follow-up of 26.5 months, results were excellent to good (65%), fair (21.5%), and poor (13.5%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic reoperative antireflux procedures are technically feasible with acceptable preliminary results.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Transoral, flexible endoscopic suturing for treatment of GERD: a multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: A totally transoral outpatient procedure for the treatment of GERD would be appealing. METHODS: A multicenter trial was initiated that included 64 patients with GERD treated with an endoscopic suturing device. Inclusion criteria were 3 or more heartburn episodes per week while not taking medication, dependency on antisecretory medicine, and documented acid reflux by pH monitoring. Exclusion criteria were dysphagia, grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, obesity, and hiatus hernia greater than 2 cm in length. Patients underwent manometry, endoscopy, 24-hour pH monitoring, and symptom severity scoring before and after the procedure. Patients were randomized to a linear or circumferential plication configuration. Adverse procedural events were recorded. RESULTS: Mean 6-month symptom score changes demonstrated procedural efficacy. Heartburn severity and frequency as well as regurgitation all improved (p > 0.0001 for each). Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring showed improvement in number of episodes below pH of 4 at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.0007 and 0.0002) and percentage of total time the pH was less than 4 at 6 months (p < 0.011). Plication configuration did not affect symptoms or pH monitoring results. One patient had a self-contained suture perforation that was successfully treated with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic gastroplasty is safe. It is associated with reduced symptoms and medication use at 6 month follow-up in patients with uncomplicated GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic repair of a Morgagni hernia.

Morgagni hernias are unusual diaphragmatic hernias which usually present in adulthood. They have traditionally been repaired through transabdominal or transthoracic approaches. The authors present a case of a laparoscopic repair of a Morgagni hernia in a 52-year-old female. A tension free repair of the defect was accomplished utilizing Goretex (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., North Elkton, MD) mesh. The patient had an uneventful recovery and is asymptomatic at 6 months follow-up. The etiology, diagnosis and traditional surgical approaches to this problem are discussed. A technique for laparoscopic repair of a Morgagni hernia is described. The literature on the laparoscopic repair of a Morgagni hernia is reviewed and different operative techniques are discussed.

Diaphragm↗