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G Amicucci

Publications and source records attributed to G Amicucci.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of the hemodynamic effects of pipecuronium bromide. Absence of adverse hemodynamic effects].

INTRODUCTION: Pipecuronium bromide is a new non depolarising muscle relaxant with a long duration of action; we considered its haemodynamic effects during general anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight surgical patients (4 males, 4 females), mean age 44 years (range 29-65 years), ASA I-II, were studied. All patients were undergoing elective neurosurgical procedures (Hunt-Hess I-II). A radial artery-cannula was put in for blood pressure monitoring and a Swan-Ganz volumetric/ejection fraction fiber optic catheter was put in pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein (EFV/OTDC-Baxter). A diazo-analgesic high dose fentanyl anaesthesia was given. All patients received pipecuronium bromide 0,1 mg/kg during stable haemodynamic conditions. Haemodynamic determinations were performed over following three times: T0 before the pipecuronium administration, T1 and T2, 3 and 15 minutes after administration respectively. These parameters were analysed: HR, MAP, MPAP, RAP, PCWP, CI RVEDVI, RVESVI, RVEF, SVRI, LVWI, RVWI, SvO2, DO2I, VO2I, O2ER, Qs/Qt (statistics: analysis of variance (two ways ANOVA) and orthogonal decomposition; for all statistical comparison, differences were considered significant when p < 0.05). RESULTS: Only MAP and SVRI showed significant changes (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04), even if clinically modest. No other parameter showed any change at all. CONCLUSIONS: Pipecuronium bromide did not show adverse haemodynamic effects; its haemodynamic repercussions are clinically negligible. The drug could be considered as first choice in long lasting operations for patients with potential cardiovascular instability.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Chronic atrophic gastritis and risk of N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis.

Chronic atrophic gastritis is considered a precancerous condition for carcinoma of the stomach. To evaluate the correlation between progressive alterations in the mucosa and gastric juice microenvironmental factors, retained involved on N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis, detailed analyses of biochemical and microbiological parameters such as pH, total viable counts (TVC), nitrate reductase positive bacterial counts (NRPBC), nitrite (NO2-) and thiocyanate (SNC-) levels, were carried out on 56 fasting gastric juices samples obtained at endoscopy from 28 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 14 with gastric cancers (GC), and 14 normal controls (NC). The mean values of pH, nitrite, TVC, and NRPBC were significantly lower in the juices of NC than in those of CAG and GC patients. Furthermore, the mean levels of the same parameters were higher in GC than in CAG juices. No significant difference was found in the three groups for SCN- level which principally resulted influenced by smoke habit. The 28 patients with CAG were subdivided into two groups (Group A = Diffuse chronic atrophic gastritis--DCAG; Group B = Multifocal chronic atrophic gastritis--MCAG) according to the involvement of gastric corpus and fundus besides antrum by a process of mucosal atrophy. The mean levels of pH, nitrite, TVC, and NRPBC were significantly higher in MCAG than in normal controls but statistically lower in reference to DCAG and cancers. In these two groups no difference was found for the same variables. The percentage of contaminated juices was higher for DCAG and cancers in respect to MCAG but no difference was found between DCAG and neoplastic stomachs. The results of this study suggest that the DCAG could be considered as the chronic atrophic gastritis type more exposed to the risk of N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The microflora of the gastric juice after Billroth I and Billroth II partial gastrectomy.

Detailed analyses of biochemical and microbiological variables such as pH, nitrite concentration, total viable counts (TVC), nitrate reductase-positive bacterial counts (NRPBC), and identification of microorganisms were carried out on 76 fasting gastric juice samples obtained at endoscopy from 64 patients previously submitted to partial gastrectomy (22 end-to-end Billroth I, 42 Billroth II/Reichel-Polya) and from 12 normal controls. Samples from normal controls were sterile, but bacteria were detected in the juice from all the operated patients. Significantly higher mean pH values and nitrite levels (p less than 0.001) were found in partial gastrectomies than in normal controls. In relation to surgical methods, higher mean pH values (p less than 0.005), nitrite levels (p less than 0.01), TVC (p less than 0.01), and NRPBC (p less than 0.005) were observed in the juice of patients with Billroth II as compared with Billroth I gastrectomies. Anaerobic bacteria, typical of faecal flora, and particularly Escherichia coli (p less than 0.05) characterized Billroth II samples. All these data suggest that the presence of bacteria in the gastric juice of gastroresected patients can be considered a risk factor of gastric neoplasia and that the type of operation used for the reconstruction of digestive continuity may influence the magnitude of this risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The management of infancy and childhood intussusception in a department of general surgery.

The experience with 24 intussusceptions observed in a Department of General Surgery has been reviewed. The delay between onset of symptoms and hospitalization was less than 24 hours in 58% of cases, from 24 to 48 hours in 28%, and more than 48 hours in 14% of children. 23 patients were submitted to barium enema. Hydrostatic reduction was obtained in 19 cases. Laparotomy was performed in 13 patients after failure of hydrostatic reduction and in 5 emergency cases while only 4 underwent resection. The controversies about the management of intussusception are discussed, based on a review of literature (6,542 cases). A safe diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the disease is proposed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1984

Role of cholesterol and calcium bilirubinate crystals in acute postoperative acalculous cholecystitis.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is rather unusual, but it is considered an increasing entity. Particularly interesting are the post-traumatic or post-operative forms of acute acalculous cholecystitis. Ischemia of the gallbladder and biliary stasis are the most likely pathogenetic factors. A case of acute acalculous cholecystitis after total gastrectomy for cancer is presented. Particular emphasis is put on the significance of cholesterol and calcium bilirubinate crystals findings in the bile of the gallbladder. The pathogenetic role of this microscopic form of lithiasis in post-operative acalculous cholecystitis is discussed. It is concluded that all surgeons should be aware of this pathology since it is becoming much more common to be faced with elderly patients having life-threatening post-operative gallbladder complications unrelated to macroscopic lithiasis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

Gastric juice nitrite and bacteria in gastroduodenal disease and resected stomach.

The N-nitroso-compounds and the bacteriological contamination of gastric juice could represent a risk factor for cancer of the stomach when the mucosal barrier is altered. In the unresected stomach and gastric stump, the hypo-achlorhydria and bilopancreatic reflux permit the development of bacterial flora and the production of N-nitroso-compounds in the presence of nitrite. A survey was performed on 71 patients: 15 normal controls, 31 with gastroduodenal disease (9 gastrites, 10 gastric ulcers, 10 duodenal ulcers, 7 neoplasias), 20 patients with gastric resection (8 BI, 12 BII), using an endoscopic-histopathologic control and a chemical-bacteriological analysis of the gastric juice. We studied the gastric juice for the following parameters: pH, concentration of nitrite, identification of bacterial type, count and nitrate-reductase activity. An inverse relationship was found between the concentration of nitrite and the hydrogen ion concentration. In the alkaline gastric juice, we identified aerobic bacteria with nitrate-reductase activity and anaerobic bacteria. The latter has the ability to transform biliary salts into carcinogenic and cocarcinogenic compounds and to catalyze the nitrosations. The chemicobacteriological characteristics of the gastric juice from gastric ulcers (Johnson type I), atrophic gastrites, and resected stomachs lead one to think that there is a risk of carcinogenesis brought about by the N-nitroso-compounds.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

N-nitroso compounds and Helicobacter pylori in the gastric remnant.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate the role of N-nitroso compounds (NOC) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in gastric stump carcinogenesis. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Analyses of biochemical parameters such as pH and NOC concentration were carried out on 65 fasting gastric juice samples obtained at endoscopy from 45 patients previously submitted to partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer disease (23 Billroth I, 22 Billroth II/Reichel-Polya) and 20 normal controls. Biopsy specimens were taken to determine histology and H. pylori status. RESULTS: Significantly higher mean pH values and NOC concentrations were found in partial gastrectomies compared to normal controls. In relation to surgical methods, higher mean pH values and NOC concentrations were observed in the gastric juice of patients with Billroth II compared to Billroth I gastrectomies. Independently of the type of surgical reconstruction, higher mean NOC levels were recorded in patients with more severe histological changes and H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: All these data suggest that high levels of NOC in gastric juice and H. pylori infection could be cofactors in gastric stump carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stop-flow in mediastinum and thorax for resistant lymphoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Management of patients with heavily pretreated malignant lymphoma failing frontline treatment and salvage high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell rescue, is problematic. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate isolated thoracic perfusion of drugs by means of stopflow technique. METHODOLOGY: Six patients were enrolled in the study; diagnoses included 4 advanced Hodgkin's disease, 1 primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, and 1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Patients were aged 18-37 years; 4 presented with bulky mediastinum. They had never achieved a complete response since all had progressed from front-line treatment, and 3 had even failed salvage high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell rescue. Cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and melphalan (35 mg/m2) were used. Carmustine (100 mg/m2) were added to these 2 drugs and cytarabine (2000 mg/m2) in patients not previously treated by carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan. Epidoxorubicin (70 mg/m2) was added in patients who previously received a suboptimal dosage of antracycline. Drugs were delivered monthly via aortic perfusion performed by means of Aigner's stop-flow technique. RESULTS: Overall 13 cycles of perfusional chemotherapy were administered with a median number of 2 cycles. During the procedures there were no technical, hemodynamic, or vascular complications, and no deaths occurred during surgery. After 1 month, 6 (100%) objective responses after isolated thoracic perfusion were recorded, 3 (50%) of which were complete. Tolerance to therapy was excellent. Hematological toxicity was mild and transfusional support was needed only in one course. At the last follow-up, 2 patients are alive (1 complete response and 1 very good partial response, maintained). CONCLUSIONS: This new therapeutical approach seems very active in recurrent/refractory malignant lymphoma and may play an important role in this setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of serum interleukin-6 concentrations in patients treated by cholecystectomy via laparotomy or laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, is expressed by various cells after many stimuli. This cytokine release is related, among other things, to the extent of the surgically-induced trauma. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a so-called "mini-invasive" surgical procedure and, on the basis of this consideration, the aim of the present prospective non-randomized study, is to examine (a) whether the IL-6 is modified and how, in patients after LC compared to patients undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC), (b) whether these findings are indicative of an increased risk to develop infectious complications and whether they are therefore clinically significant. METHODOLOGY: Circulating IL-6 level was measured using a random access chemiluminescense-immunoassay system in 71 patients before the operation (time 0) and 1, 2, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of the operation. Thirty-five patients underwent OC and 36 LC. RESULTS: The increase in the serum IL-6 during LC was found to be significantly smaller than that during OC and resulted in a smaller extent of postoperative elevations for C-reactive protein. We recorded three cases (8.5%) of postoperative infections in the "open" group and IL-6 concentration normalized only 6 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the serum IL-6 level during LC is lower in comparison to OC and results in lower postoperative elevation in C-reactive protein. Laparoscopic surgery, associated with a small skin incision and the avoidance of open laparotomy, can thus minimize surgical stress, and provide more favorable postoperative conditions for patients. Indeed excessive and prolonged post-injury elevations are associated with increased morbidity.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Silicone occlusive sheeting vs silicone cushion for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars. A prospective-randomized study].

BACKGROUND: Silicone gel and silicone occlusive sheeting are widely used at present for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars. In recent studies the possibility was raised that static electricity generated by friction activated silicone sheeting could be the reason for this effect, and that it can, with time, cause involution of hypertrophic and keloid scars. Objective of this study was to test this hypothesis and to observe weather a continuous and also an increased negatively charged static electric field will shorten the treatment period. A silicone cushion was developed with the purpose of increasing a negative static-electric charge to accelerate the regression process. METHODS: From November 2001 to June 2002 we studied in a prospective randomized study, 72 patients with hypertrophic an keloid scars. The trial extended over a 8-month period. 37 patients underwent silicone occlusive sheeting, the remaining 35 patients underwent silicone cushion (Clinicel). RESULTS: Treatment with the silicone cushions yielded 74,2% cessation of itching and burning followed by pallor and flattening of the scar, some markedly so, over a few weeks to 5 months period. Additional 25,7% had their scars resolved in up to 8 months of treatment. Four patients (11,4%) who add recalcitrant scars with little response to the use of the silicone cushion were given intralesional corticosteroid injections, in addiction to the use of the cushion, resulting in a fairly rayed resolution of these scars over a period of 2 months. Treatment with the silicone occlusive sheeting yielded 52,3% itching and burning cessation followed by pallor and flattening of the scar, some markedly so, over a few weeks to 5 months period. Additional 22,1% had their scars resolved in up to 8 months of treatment. In conclusion by comparing the results of this trial using silicone cushions for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars with those obtained using silicone gel or occlusive sheeting, a much faster response was demonstrated.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic↗