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Biomedical subjects

G Carmignani

Publications and source records attributed to G Carmignani.

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

[Priapism: decisional algorithm. Our experience and role of sildenafil in sexual rehabilitation].

In this period we observed seven patients of whom four presented with low flow and three with high flow priapism. In two of the patients with ischemic priapism, simple blood aspiration from the corpora allowed for a quick detumescence, while in the other two cases a derivative intervention (one spongio cavernous and one glans cavernous) had to be performed. In all the three patients with high flow priapism we performed a superselective arteriography that obtained the visualisation of the arteriovenous fistula. These patients restarted their sexual activity after about three months. A six months a patient with low flow priapism restored sexual activity due to sildenafil 50 mg.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Experimental microsurgical gastrocystoplasty] .

BACKGROUND: Stomach tract used for bladder augmentation decreases urinary pH and produces the syndrome of dysuria and hematuria; gastric mucosa in contact with urine may develop prominent histopathological changes including proliferative lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate in an experimental model the possibility of detecting the factors involved in the mucosal damage. METHODS: Thirty-five Sprague Dawley rats randomly underwent microsurgical gastrocystoplasty or sham operation (5 controls). During operation elliptical gastric patch was isolated with its gastroepiploic vascular pedicle, bladder was opened with midline incision and anastomosis performed. Urine was aspirated from the bladder for culture, pH and electrolytes evaluation; venous blood was samples for electrolytes, BUN and creatinine. Mean follow-up time was 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 30 rats subjected to gastrocystoplasty 23 survived (77%). All of cultures were negative, the urinary pH decreased after operation and increased gradually two months later. Urinary sodium and potassium ions concentrations increased significantly in gastrocystoplasty (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in serum electrolytes or renal function. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental model was useful to investigate the effects related to the presence of gastric mucosa in the urinary tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Bicalutamide monotherapy versus flutamide plus goserelin in prostate cancer patients: results of an Italian Prostate Cancer Project study.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of bicalutamide monotherapy to maximal androgen blockade (MAB) in the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously untreated patients with histologically proven stage C or D disease (American Urological Association Staging System) were randomly allocated to receive either bicalutamide or MAB. After disease progression, patients treated with bicalutamide were assigned to castration. The primary end point for this trial was overall survival. Secondary end points included response to treatment, disease progression, treatment safety, quality-of-life (QOL), and sexual function. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients received bicalutamide and 112 received MAB. There was no difference in the percentage of patients whose prostate-specific antigen returned to normal levels. At the time of the present analysis (median follow-up time, 38 months; range, 1 to 60 months), 129 patients progressed and 89 died. There was no difference in the duration of either progression-free survival or overall survival. However, a survival trend favored bicalutamide in stage C disease but MAB in stage D disease. Overall and subgroup trends were confirmed by multivariate analysis. Serious adverse events and treatment discontinuations were more common in patients receiving MAB (P =.08 and P =.04, respectively). Fewer patients in the bicalutamide group complained of loss of libido (P =. 01) and of erectile dysfunction (P =.002). Significant trends favored bicalutamide-treated patients also with respect to their QOL, namely relative to social functioning, vitality, emotional well-being, and physical capacity. CONCLUSION: Bicalutamide monotherapy yielded comparable results relative to standard treatment with MAB, induced fewer side effects, and produced a better QOL.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Abdomino-scrotal hydrocele].

In this paper two cases of abdomino-scrotal hydrocele are described. One of these cases resulted really singular due to its rare dimensions as well as to its secondary renal obstruction. After a careful description of the cases a detailed review of the literature as well as of the etiopathogenetic theories of this rare pathology are reported.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1999

[Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: severe ultrasonography changes following periurethral injection of polytetrafluoroethylene].

The periurethral injection of polytetrafluoroethylene in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence is a therapeutic option introduced more than 30 years ago which is considered rapid, effective and burdened with low complications. This particular therapeutic option when utilized for the treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence, presents some problems due to the oncologic follow-up of these patients with particular regard to the presence of local recurrences. In fact these injections should not interfere with the standard methods of evaluation of the urethro-vescical anastomosis (DRE and TRUS). The polytetrafluoroethylene in our experience does not accomplish with these requirements because it modifies the palpatory and sonographic findings hindering a reliable evaluation of that region.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of Fournier's disease in 11 male patients.

PURPOSE: Optimal tissue oxygenation, as obtained by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, potentiates or restores the host's bactericidal mechanisms and wound healing activity in patients afflicted by serious synergeic aerobic and anaerobic infections of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. Furthermore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a direct toxic effect on anaerobic bacteria. We describe our experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of 11 patients with Fournier's syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The average age of our patients was 59.5 years; the most common predisponsing condition was diabetes. All patients were treated with antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (minimum 5 and maximum 24 cycles, consisting of 90 minutes 2.5 atmosphere absolute pressure). Furthermore, 6 of these patients underwent surgical débridement of the wounds and 3 patients underwent delayed reconstructive surgery. RESULTS: The results we obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive measure for the treatment of these infections were excellent; our mortality rate for Fournier's disease was 0. Moreover, no complications whatsoever were observed. Furthermore, the 3 patients who underwent delayed corrective surgery presented with well healed tissues and their operations were not complicated by infections or other pathological conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that our findings, although limited in number, underline the excellent results that can be obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct treatment in Fournier's disease.

Fournier Gangrene↗
PubMed1997

Radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: long-term results and prognostic factors on a series of 328 cases.

OBJECTIVES: A series of 328 evaluable patients with renal cell carcinoma operated by radical transabdominal nephrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy was reviewed to assess the prognostic significance of various pathologic parameters (pT, N, M, G and venous involvement) and the value of lymphadenectomy and of surgery of venous tumor thrombus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The complete charts of 328 patients with renal cell carcinoma available to follow-up, who were operated between 1970 and 1993, were reviewed. All patients underwent transabdominal extrafascial nephrosurrenalectomy and in all but 14 metastatic ones a regional retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was performed. Surgery of venous tumor thrombus was performed in 79 patients. Life expectancy according to pT stage, pN stage, M stage, nuclear grade and venous involvement was calculated by means of the life tables method and differences in survival were evaluated by means of the log rank test. Correlation analysis and multivariate data analysis according to the Cox model were also performed. RESULTS: Overall survival of the 328 patients was 50.70% at 5 years, 35.10% at 10 years and 29% at 15 years. At multivariate data analysis the most important prognostic factors is the presence of metastases (8% survival at 5 years and no patient surviving more than 7 years after surgery), tumor grade was the second prognostic factor and statistically significant differences were also found at life tables analysis among G1, G2 and G3 tumors. Local tumor stage was the third leading prognostic factor at multivariate data analysis and statistically significant differences were also found at life tables analysis. Nodal and venous involvement had only minor importance at multivariate data analysis although statistically significant differences were found at life tables analysis between the pN+ and the pN0 patients, also in the absence of venous involvement and distant metastases. Anyway survival of the pN + M0V0 patients was satisfactorily high (53.20% at 5 years, 39.10% at 10 years and 16% at 15 and 20 years). In patients with venous involvement no differences in survival were observed depending on the level reached by the tumor thrombus; differences in survival were observed between patients with venous involvement alone (38% surviving at 5 and 10 years) and patients who also had nodal or distant metastases (5.20% at 5 years and 0% at 10 years). CONCLUSIONS: From the review of our series it seems that the most important prognostic factors are synchronous metastases, tumor grading and the completeness of tumor exeresis. In fact, the low impact on survival of nodal involvement by itself is probably due to the completeness of lymphadenectomy. The value of regional lymphadenectomy is sustained by the high long term survival of N + M0V0 patients. Regarding venous involvement, it seems that V+ patients free from nodal and distant metastases may benefit from radical surgery, which on the contrary has only minimal impact on survival of V+M+/N+ patients.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1997

[Surgical approach in Peyronie's disease].

The goal of surgical treatment of Induratio Penis Plastica should be the achievement of the best aesthetic and functional result with the lowest side-effects. During the last two years different techniques have been proposed for the cases with conserved erectile function, such as Nesbit's technique, excision or incision of the plaque followed by implants of autologous (dermal, saphena vein) or heterologous (dura madre, gore-tex) patches. The criteria for the choice of the most appropriated surgical technique include the curvature degree, the plaque dimension and the penis length. In our experience 6 months after the surgical correction a remaining curvature was observed in 4/38 patients (10%), only 1 of whom needed a new surgical treatment. One case of erectile disfunction occurred, treated by intra-cavernous injection of PgE1.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

The Giuliani muscle splitting and nerve-sparing anterolateral transabdominal approach to the kidney.

We report on an anterolateral transabdominal approach to the kidney, which is appropriate when vascular control is important (such as, radical nephrectomy, traumatic renal injury, and difficult nephrectomy). The technique splits muscles and spares nerves and that allows good exposure both downward as far as the aortic bifurcation and upward as far as the diaphragm. This approach has been used in 42 patients during the last 20 months (mean follow-up, 6.5). In all these patients the active control of the abdominal wall muscles has been completely preserved, while, during the period from 1974 to 1994, about half of 434 patients who underwent the same approach, but with muscle and nerve transection, showed abdominal wall relaxation.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1996

Obstetric and gynaecological ureteric injuries: treatment and results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare endourological techniques and open surgery in the treatment of ureteric injuries following obstetric and gynaecological surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1982 to February 1994, 63 women (mean age 51 years, range 22-70) were treated for 72 ureteric lesions consequent upon obstetric or gynaecological surgery. In nine patients, 10 ureteric lesions were detected intra-operatively and repaired immediately. In the remaining 54 patients, the 62 ureteric injuries were diagnosed and treated after a delay; 29 patients with 37 ureteric injuries underwent repair by open surgery while 25 patients with a unilateral ureteric lesion underwent elective primary endourological treatment. RESULTS: The results of repair were not related to the type of treatment; the cure rate was 87, 88 and 90% for delayed open surgical, endourological and immediate intra-operative repair, respectively. The site (vesico-ureteric junction, uterine artery or infundibulopelvic ligament) and the type (fistula or stenosis) of ureteric lesion had no influence on the results, regardless of the type of treatment. The results of ureteric repair were related to the surgery that caused the lesion; 88% of the poor results occurred in the patients who underwent radical hysterectomy alone or combined with radiotherapy and approximately half of the irradiated patients required major surgery. CONCLUSION: When the patients are correctly selected, endourological treatment plays an equally important role in the treatment of gynaecologically-related ureteric injuries when compared to open surgery. Special attention should be paid to the treatment of lesions caused by radical hysterectomy alone or associated with radiotherapy, as these may lead to poor results.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Up-front intravesical chemotherapy for low stage, low grade recurrent bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the ablative and prophylactic potential of short schedule, up-front topical chemotherapy on low stage and grade recurrent bladder tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design consisted of 4 weekly instillations followed by transurethral resection during week 5. Mitomycin C was administered initially and mitoxantrone was administered following the same schedule if disease recurred during followup. RESULTS: After up-front mitomycin C, 29 of 42 patients (69%) had a complete response with no need for transurethral resection, whereas residual disease was resected in the remaining 13 (31%). Disease recurred during followup in 22 of the 42 patients (52.4%), who were then treated with up-front mitoxantrone with a complete response in 14 (63.7%). Residual disease was resected in 8 patients (36.3%) with progression to grade 3 in 2. CONCLUSIONS: Short schedule intravesical chemotherapy can completely ablate small volume recurrent superficial bladder cancer in a relevant number of patients but it is not adequate prophylaxis.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1996

Antibiotic prophylaxis in prosthetic penile surgery: critical assessment of results in 75 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotic prophylaxis in prosthetic surgery was administered prospectively according an original protocol. Routine pre-operative preparation included also scrupulous, repeated disinfection of the skin of the genital and perineal region. METHODS: Vancomycin 500 mg i.v. every 6 h on the day of surgery and gentamicin 1 mg/kg i.v. every 8 h on the day of surgery and for the following 48 h were administered to 75 consecutive patients. Overall 87 prosthetic devices were implanted. The patients were evaluated at 6 weeks and at 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: No infection was observed. CONCLUSION: Support from this study to antibiotic prophylaxis in penile prosthetic surgery is uncertain. The importance of scrupulous routine pre-operative preparation is probably underestimated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Effects of cis-platinum and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogues on rat spermatogenesis. A morphologic and flow cytometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate morphologically and flow cytometrically the effects of cis-platinum (cis-diaminedichloroplatinum [CDDP]) administered acutely and chronically with and without gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (LRA) pretreatment on adult rats to verify the feasibility of protecting the spermatic epithelium before chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Six groups of adult Wistar rats were studied: 2 were treated with an LD50 dose of CDDP in single and 2 in multiple administrations, 1 of each was pretreated with LRA and 1 LRA control and one untreated group were also evaluated. Relative frequency of spermatogenic phases, qualitative alterations, Johnsen's score and percentage of cells in each DNA region were determined. RESULTS: Acute CDDP treatment reduced spermatids, spermatozoa and haploid cells. Chronic CDDP treatment induced in some rats a reduction in tetraploid cells and in others an increase associated with morphologically abnormal spermatids and cells showing aberrant hypodiploid content in analogy to all chronic CDDP LRA-pretreated animals. CONCLUSION: Single-dose CDDP reduces spermatids by killing rapidly cycling spermatogonia and inducing alterations in maturation; in repeated doses, more marked reductions in spermatogonia are seen, followed by a compensatory proliferation of residual stem cells with generation of cells with an aberrant DNA content. These alterations are not prevented by LRA treatment sufficient to determine inhibition of serum testosterone levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopically assisted transvaginal radical cystectomy.

Herein we describe 5 cases of anterior pelvic exenteration in females through a combined transvaginal and laparoscopic approach for bladder cancer. In 4 cases hysterectomy and bilateral ovariectomy were performed. As far as urinary diversion is concerned, a bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy was performed in the 1st case, and in the remaining 4 an ileal conduit was accomplished through a minilaparotomy at the stoma site. The surgical specimen was withdrawn 'en bloc' transvaginally in all cases except 1, in whom vaginal atrophy forced us to perform a midline minilaparotomy. Total operative time ranged between 6 and 9 h, and 4 patients were discharged after 7-11 days with no complications. One patient was discharged only after 18 days due to obesity and diabetic problems. A larger series is needed to confirm the advantages of the combined transvaginal and videolaparoscopic approach for anterior pelvic exenteration as compared to the conventional procedure, with special regard given to the oncological outcome. Our initial experience is surely encouraging.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Benefits and complications of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for detection of stage D1 prostate cancer: a multicenter experience.

One hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were submitted to staging laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (LPL) at 5 cooperative centers with one or more of the following conditions which were considered as risk factors for nodal disease: clinical stage C (or T3) disease, serum prostate-specific antigen > 20 ng/ml, Gleason sum > 6. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 11 (range 2-29). Metastases from prostate cancer were found in 41 patients (25.9%). The proportion of lymph node-positive patients increases significantly with the presence of one, two or three of the conditions considered as risk factors (p < 0.00005). The benefit of LPL is limited to the lymph node-positive patients who can be spared a second operation.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Renal angiomyolipoma with extrarenal involvement--in vascular, lymph-node and perirenal tissue. Reports of four cases.

Extrarenal involvement was found in four cases of renal angiomyolipoma. In one case the wall of the inferior right bronchial artery was infiltrated, lymph nodes were involved in two cases and the perirenal fat in one case. Extrarenal extension does not seem to alter the prognosis of renal angiomyolipoma. Expectant treatment of this rare condition therefore appears to be warranted.

Adult↗