Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C J Filipi

Publications and source records attributed to C J Filipi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Left side thoracoscopically assisted gastroplasty: a new technique for managing the shortened esophagus.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is the procedure of choice for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, many clinicians have reservations about its application in patients with complicated GERD, notably those with esophageal shortening. In this report, we present our experience with the laparoscopic management of the shortened esophagus. A total of 235 patients with primary GERD underwent laparoscopic antireflux procedures, 38 of whom were suspected preoperatively to have a shortened esophagus. Of the 235 patients, 8 (3.4%) needed a left thoracoscopically assisted gastroplasty in addition to laparoscopic Toupet repair (n = 4) or Nissen fundoplication (n = 4). Complications included pleural effusion (n = 1), pneumothorax (n = 2), and minor atelectasis (n = 1). The average hospital stay was 3 days. Results were satisfactory in 7 of 8 patients, with a mean follow-up of 20.2 months (range, 9-34 months). The surgical management of the shortened esophagus is difficult. However, the role of minimally invasive techniques is justified. Early results are appealing, with less morbidity, satisfactory control of GERD related symptoms, and a shortened hospital stay.

Esophagus↗
PubMed2000

Indications for endo-organ gastric excision.

Intragastric surgery for benign and malignant conditions is a new form of minimally invasive surgery, to which the term endo-organ gastric surgery has been applied. This procedure may provide improved results for patients, but reported studies are small, and follow-up evaluation is limited. The indications for endo-organ surgery are evolving as technology and operative expertise begin to meet the need for continued advancements in miniaturized surgery. This new approach is applied primarily to the removal of gastric neoplasms poorly positioned or too large for standard transoral endoscopic excision. Gastric polyps, benign gastric wall tumors such as leiomyomas and carcinoids, and low-grade as well as high-grade malignancies can be removed. The history of endo-organ surgery, the background technology, and surgical experience are reviewed. In addition, current indications for endo-organ surgery and the rationale for algorithms are included. Intraluminal gastric surgery is not widely performed or studied, therefore a further understanding of its role is provided.

Gastrectomy↗
PubMed2000

The preoperative predictability of the short esophagus in patients with stricture or paraesophageal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal shortening is a known complication of advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease that may preclude a tension-free antireflux procedure. A retrospective analysis was performed to test the accuracy of preoperative testing. METHODS: From September 1993 to December 1998, 39 patients underwent esophageal mobilization with intraoperative length assessment. Patients were selected on the basis of irreducible hiatal hernia, stricture formation, or both. Patients in the upright position with a fixed hiatal hernia larger than 5 cm on an esophagram were considered to have a short esophagus. Manometric length two standard deviations below the mean for height was considered abnormally short. RESULTS: In 31 patients, intraoperative mobilization was sufficient to allow the gastroesophageal junction to lie 2 cm below the diaphragmatic crus, so no esophageal-lengthening procedure was required. Eight patients with a short esophagus required an esophageal-lengthening procedure after complete mobilization. Two patients subsequently underwent intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), with recurrence of symptoms and required gastroplasty during the second surgery. An esophagram had a sensitivity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 37%, whereas manometric length had a sensitivity of 43% and a positive predictive value of 25% for the diagnosis of short esophagus. The preoperative endoscopic finding of either a stricture or Barrett's esophagus was the most sensitive test for predicting the need for a lengthening procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Manometry and esophagraphy are not reliable predictors of the short esophagus. Additional tests and/or tests combined with other parameters are needed.

Esophageal Stenosis↗
PubMed2000

Persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic vagotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic vagotomy represents a new and less invasive treatment for peptic ulcer disease, but the problem of postvagotomy dysphagia has not been solved. The aim of this study was to determine the etiologic factors related to long-term laparoscopic postvagotomy dysphagia. METHODS: Two female and 11 male patients with a mean age of 48.5 years who underwent laparoscopic vagotomy were investigated retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis included duodenal ulcer resistant to medical treatment, gastric hypersecretion, gastric outlet obstruction, cholelithiasis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ten patients underwent laparoscopic highly selective vagotomy, and three patients had laparoscopic truncal vagotomy with gastrojejunostomy or pyloroplasty. Nine of these patients had a Nissen fundoplication in conjunction with the vagotomy. RESULTS: The median long-term follow-up period was 47 months. Two patients complained of severe dysphagia, one of moderate dysphagia, and two of mild dysphagia. Neither type of vagotomy nor an additional fundoplication was correlated with the severity of postoperative long-term dysphagia. Severity of postoperative dysphagia was associated with severity of preoperative dysphagia (r = 0.752, p = 0.003) but not with heartburn (r = 0.358, p = 0.531) or regurgitation (r = 0.024, p = 0.938). The cause of preoperative dysphagia varied; however, all of these patients had GERD and consequent esophageal lesions. CONCLUSION: Preexisting dysphagia appears to play an integral role in persistent postoperative dysphagia. Care must be taken to construct a loose fundoplication in patients with dysphagia.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMed2000

Endoscopic valvuloplasty for GERD.

BACKGROUND: The transoral, endoscopic route has been suggested as a possible approach for the correction of severe gastroesophageal reflux. Such a procedure would involve no mobilization of the cardia or other structures. The optimal placement, number, and configuration of sutures remains undefined. METHODS: With the use of a previously developed endoscopic sewing machine, this study was undertaken in baboons with two suture arrangements immediately below the lower esophageal sphincter. A linear arrangement (group I) and a circular arrangement (group II) were compared. During the 6 months after the procedure, the animals were evaluated using manometry, fluoroscopic barium swallow, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and a pressure volume test. RESULTS: A significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter length was demonstrated only in group II (p = 0. 010). A significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter pressure was demonstrated only in group I animals (p = 0.008). The abdominal length increased in group I (p = 0.004) and group II (p = 0.004). The yield pressure and yield volume did not differ significantly from those measured previously in control animals. No evidence of reflux, stricture formation, esophagitis, or other pathology was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Some manometric parameters associated with gastroesophageal reflux are altered by the endoscopic placement of sutures below the gastroesophageal junction, with no associated serious complications.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Does the duration of gastroesophageal reflux disease and degree of acid reflux correlate with esophageal function? A retrospective analysis of 768 patients.

To reconfirm that the duration of symptoms is not associated with esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal manometric data from 768 patients with GERD were retrospectively analyzed with relation to the duration of symptoms. GERD was defined by positive acid reflux test results monitored by ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring. Correlation of the duration of symptoms with esophageal body pressures, the presence of dysmotility determined by simultaneous waves, average resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and abdominal and overall lengths of the LES were statistically analyzed. The median duration of the symptoms was 60 months (range, 1-600). Duration of symptoms was not associated with contraction pressures of the esophageal body at 3 and 8 cm above the LES (r = -0.070 and -0.063, respectively). There was no correlation between LES pressures, LES lengths, or the percentage of simultaneous waves and duration of symptoms. Stricture formation is related to decreased distal esophageal function in GERD patients. In conclusion, the duration of GERD has little influence on esophageal body and LES function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Is laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux surgery feasible?

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic techniques can be used to treat patients whose antireflux surgery has failed. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Two academic medical centers. PATIENTS: Forty-six consecutive patients, of whom 21 were male and 25 were female (mean age, 55.6 years; range, 15-80 years). Previous antireflux procedures were laparoscopic (21 patients), laparotomy (21 patients), thoracotomy (3 patients), and thoracoscopy (1 patient). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The cause of failure, operative and postoperative morbidity, and the level of follow-up satisfaction were determined for all patients. RESULTS: The causes of failure were hiatal herniation (31 patients [67%]), fundoplication breakdown (20 patients [43%]), fundoplication slippage (9 patients [20%]), tight fundoplication (5 patients [11%]), misdiagnosed achalasia (2 patients [4%]), and displaced Angelchik prosthesis (2 patients [4%]). Twenty-two patients (48%) had more than 1 cause. Laparoscopic reoperative procedures were Nissen fundoplication (n = 22), Toupet fundoplication (n = 13), paraesophageal hernia repair (n = 4), Dor procedure (n = 2), Angelchik prosthesis removal (n = 2), Heller myotomy (n = 2), and the takedown of a wrap (n = 1). In addition, 18 patients required crural repair and 13 required paraesophageal hernia repair. The mean +/- SEM duration of surgery was 3.5+/-1.1 hours. Operative complications were fundus tear (n = 8), significant bleeding (n = 4), bougie perforation (n = 1), small bowel enterotomy (n = 1), and tension pneumothorax (n = 1). The conversion rate (from laparoscopic to an open procedure) was 20% overall (9 patients) but 0% in the last 10 patients. Mortality was 0%. The mean +/- SEM hospital stay was 2.3+/-0.9 days for operations completed laparoscopically. Follow-up was possible in 35 patients (76%) at 17.2+/-11.8 months. The well-being score (1 best; 10, worst) was 8.6+/-2.1 before and 2.9+/-2.4 after surgery (P<.001). Thirty-one (89%) of 35 patients were satisfied with their decision to have reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Antireflux surgery failures are most commonly associated with hiatal herniation, followed by the breakdown of the fundoplication. The laparoscopic approach may be used successfully to treat patients with failed antireflux operations. Good results were achieved despite the technical difficulty of the procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Endo-organ full-thickness excision for gastric cancer: report of a case.

We performed endo-organ full thickness gastric excision to treat a high-risk patient with T2 gastric cancer. The patient, a 75-year-old white man with a gastric adenocarcinoma located just below the gastroesophageal junction, had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale, and developed markedly elevated pulmonary artery pressures under general anesthesia. The less invasive endo-organ approach was utilized because of these severe morbidities. The carcinoma was staged laparoscopically, then removed utilizing the full-thickness endo-organ excision technique. This case report serves to demonstrate that full thickness endo-organ gastric excision may be indicated not only for certain early gastric cancers, but also for high-risk patients who cannot tolerate open surgery due to advanced age or serious illness.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Endoluminal surgery.

The development of laparoscopic surgery has provided minimally invasive surgeons with advanced laparoscopic instrumentation and high definition imaging. The resulting surgical expertise and technology has now been extended to gastric endoluminal surgery. Laboratory and clinical investigations have been initiated for various applications of this new form of surgery. Endoluminal gastric wall excision surgery is the most widely utilized and includes the removal of superficial gastric malignancies, benign gastric wall leiomyomas, and gastric polyps. Clinical experience has increased, and the initial results have been satisfactory. Pancreaticocystogastrostomy can be successfully performed using intraluminal surgery, but gastric wall bleeding and lack of fusion of the stomach to the cyst wall have complicated some cases. There are case reports of foreign body removal and intraluminal surgical procedures for patients with bleeding gastric ulcers. Of primary importance at this stage of development is the surgeon's familiarity with appropriate indications for gastric endoluminal surgery and the access devices currently available. Future considerations include the application of this approach to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, intractable bleeding from a duodenal ulcer, and multiinstitutional trials of gastric excision procedures.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic intracorporeal ultrasound cystic duct length measurement: a new technique to prevent common bile duct injuries.

The incidence of common bile duct injury remains high. Intracorporeal ultrasound mapping of cystic duct anatomy, prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), may assist surgeons in avoiding common bile duct injuries. A technique for intraoperative intracorporeal predissection ultrasound imaging (IIPUI) of the cystic duct length was tested. During LC, gallbladder adhesions were lysed, and with the gallbladder retracted by grasping forceps, the ultrasound examination was performed. Using a 7.5-MHz articulating ultrasound probe, visualization of the extrahepatic biliary tree was obtained in five separate planes. Success in visualizing each plane, time for ultrasound examination, and predissection accuracy of cystic duct length measurement were recorded. Intraoperative cholangiography or direct measurement of the dissected cystic duct was used to determine accuracy of the ultrasound cystic duct length estimates. Forty-three patients underwent IIPUI during LC. The time required to perform the examination varied, with a range of 5 to 17 min (mean 9.5 min). Success of visualization in planes 1 through 5 was 44%, 95%, 98%, 98%, and 70%, respectively. The accuracy rate for cystic duct length ultrasound measurement was 87.1%. No complications related to the examination were observed. In this preliminary study, cystic duct length was determined by predissection intracorporeal ultrasound with a high level of accuracy. Predissection imaging may assist in preventing common bile duct injury during LC.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A combined laparoscopic-endoscopic method of assessment to prevent the complications of short esophagus.

As antireflux surgery has been used increasingly for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a need has arisen for an accurate method to assess esophageal length. There are a number of preoperative tests that can help surgeons to establish the presence of a short esophagus, but intraoperative assessment after esophageal mobilization is the standard method. In this era of laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon mobilizes the esophagus extensively from the abdomen and then determines if mobilization is sufficient. We report an intraoperative technique that combines laparoscopic with endoscopic methods to determine the position of the gastroesophageal junction. Because two physicians are required, there is additional operating room time, resulting in increased costs. However, these costs are offset by the assurance that the complications of the short esophagus can be avoided. With experience, modifications were made, resulting in the technique described herein.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1999

A new form of access for endo-organ surgery. The initial experience with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: Intraluminal gastric surgery provides a new treatment option for various disease processes. This study assesses the safety of a new large-diameter percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for intraluminal surgery. METHODS: Investigators at six institutions were asked to complete a standard questionnaire to assess the difficulties associated with the assembly and introduction of the PEG, plus intraoperative and postoperative problems related to placement of the device. RESULTS: In terms of assembly; 1.9% of respondents reported difficulty obtaining complete vacuum of the balloon tip, and 3.8% had difficulty fitting the graduated dilator to the balloon-tipped cannula. Difficulties associated with introduction of the PEG included disengagement of the dilator from the balloon-tipped cannula (0%), extraction of the dilator-port assembly (0%), difficult PEG pullout (1.9%), abdominal wall bleeding (0%), and difficult PEG dilator separation (7.5%). Intraoperatively, 7.5% of respondents reported inadequate skin bolster fitting, 1.9% had CO(2) leakage into the peritoneal cavity, 0% had inadvertent PEG extraction, and 0% reported injury to the esophagus, colon, or small intestine. Postoperatively, there was a 9.4% rate of wound infection, a 1.9% rate of gastrocutaneous fistula, and a 1.9% rate of esophageal, colon, or small intestine injury. CONCLUSIONS: The large-diameter PEG is safe and effective for endo-organ surgery. Additional preventive measures for PEG site infection should be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Are long hours and hard work detrimental to end-clerkship examination scores?

BACKGROUND: Third-year medical students' complaints focus on the number of hours worked and subsequent lack of study time among three general surgery blocks. We hypothesize that this difference between the surgical blocks does not adversely influence student examination scores. METHODS: Student scores for the academic years 1996-97 to 1997-98 for the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) surgery subtests were compiled. A comparison of two "slow" general surgery blocks (B/C) with one "busy" block (A) was made using a two-tailed t test. A multiple regression analysis was also employed. Finally, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) part I scores were used to determine equivalency of groups. RESULTS: No significant difference existed between block A and blocks B/C in USMLE part I and NBME (P = 0.35 and 0.16 respectively). However, USMLE and rotation sequence influenced NBME scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that no difference exists in examination scores between students assigned to a busy general surgery block versus those students assigned to slow blocks.

Clinical Clerkship↗
PubMed1999

Manometric and radiographic verification of esophageal body decompensation for patients with achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Although morphologic, radiographic, and manometric features of achalasia have been well defined, it has not been established by careful retrospective analysis whether achalasia is a progressive disorder resulting in complete decompensation. STUDY DESIGN: To verify the hypothesis that achalasia is a progressive disease, we retrospectively investigated manometric, radiographic, and symptomatic data in patients with achalasia. Sixty-three patients (36 women and 27 men) with a median age of 44 years (range 11 to 79 years) were evaluated. The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 442 months, with a median of 48 months. Patients were divided into four groups according to the duration of symptoms: 36 patients with less than 5 years, 11 with 5 to 10 years, 9 with 10 to 15 years, and 7 with 15 years or more. RESULTS: Contraction pressures of the esophageal body decreased significantly at every level when the duration of symptoms increased (p < 0.04). The percentage of simultaneous waves in the esophageal body rose as the duration of symptoms increased. All waves were synchronous in every patient who had had symptoms for more than 15 years. The maximal width of the esophageal body measured on esophagram became greater with an increase in the duration of symptoms, but this measurement did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.063). The tortuosity of the esophagus, measured by the maximal angle of the esophageal axis, was significantly greater in patients with a longer duration of symptoms (p < 0.02). The type of symptoms was not associated with the duration of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Achalasia is a progressive disease, as verified by manometric and radiographic findings. The classification of esophageal motor function expressed by amplitude of contraction pressure and angle of tortuosity is objective and useful. Classification of achalasia by duration of symptoms may be important in treatment selection and effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Symptom priority ranking in the care of gastroesophageal reflux: a review of 1,850 cases.

BACKGROUND: Clinical history remains an important part of the medical evaluation of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia are considered typical symptoms of GERD. Priority rankings of these symptoms can be determined with a standardized questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether symptom priority ranking and symptom severity grading can provide useful information in the evaluation of patients with GERD. METHODS: From 1,850 patients that were analyzed retrospectively, patients with dysphagia unrelated to GERD were excluded. A standardized questionnaire was applied before each patient underwent any esophageal diagnostic study. Priority of symptoms was determined to be primary, secondary, tertiary, or none based on the patient response to the questionnaire. Presence of a stricture was determined either by endoscopy, esophagraphy, or both studies. Stationary esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring were performed on all patients. Through bivariate and multivariate analysis, the relationships among typical GERD symptoms, esophageal reflux-related stenosis, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and composite score were established. RESULTS: High priority ranking of the symptom dysphagia is predictive of the presence of an esophageal stricture, but has a negative association with abnormal manometric and pH studies. In contrast, high priority ranking of the symptom heartburn and regurgitation are positively associated with abnormal manometric and pH results. CONCLUSIONS: Priority ranking can be a valuable adjunct to objective testing in the evaluation of GERD. In certain clinical situations it can obviate the need for 24-hour pH monitoring.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Endoscopic intraluminal valvuloplasty--a therapy of the future for gastroesophageal reflux].

A new endoscopic intraluminal valvuloplasty is described. The procedure provides a simple, easy out-patient approach for antireflux surgery and is applicable to patients with early gastroesophageal reflux disease as an alternative to chronic life-long medical therapy. The feasibility, durability and efficacy of the procedure in baboons are reported.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1998

An unusual case of endometrial trocar site implantation.

We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of apparent bilateral hernia who had a surgical intervention that included a diagnostic laparoscopy converted to open laparotomy. The patient experienced endometrial implants exclusively at trocar sites. This case is cited as validation of the pneumoperitoneum-induced free cell implantation theory, or the so-called aerosolization theory.

Abdomen, Acute↗