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Biomedical subjects

G Nuzzo

Publications and source records attributed to G Nuzzo.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Intraoperative esophageal manometry in surgical treatment of achalasia: a reappraisal.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative Esophageal Manometry is used during surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease to obtain a better lower esophageal sphincter pressure, or during the Heller procedure for achalasia to verify the myotomy. The effectiveness of this manometry is not explicit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1977 to 1987, 58 patients underwent surgery for achalasia at our Institution. A transabdominal Heller's myotomy and a modified Dor's anterior fundoplication were performed in all cases. During the operation, Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure was measured in 38 patients (A group) to verify the completeness of the càr-diomyotomy; the fundoplication-induced pressure increase was also recorded. Twenty patients (B group) underwent surgery without intraoperative manometry. Forty-six patients (30 of A group and 16 of B group) were followed up for 24 to 120 months (median 68 months) by means of a clinical questionnaire, barium meal, manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. RESULTS: In 21 cases, intraoperative manometry showed the completeness of the myotomy at the first record, while in the remaining 17 it revealed the persistence of a High Pressure Zone; in these, a more accurate incision of the muscle layers on the anterior surface of the esophagus was subsequently performed up to a complete abolition of the HPZ. Long-term results were excellent or good in 27 (90%) patients of A group and in 9 (56%) patients of B group. Dysphagia and gastro-esophageal reflux were the commonest findings in patients with poor results. CONCLUSION: The usefulness of intraoperative manometry in the surgical treatment of achalasia is emphasized and some technical details are reported.

Adult↗

Resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long term results of hepatic resection for metastases from colorectal cancer depend upon several factors which are related to both features of primary cancer and of metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors that best correlate with long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight hepatic resections were performed for colorectal cancer metastases. Long-term results were evaluated in relation to age of patients, features of primary tumor, features of metastases, section margin, number of intra-operative blood transfusions and execution of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival rate was 17%. 5-year survival rate in patients with stage B primary tumor was 63%, in patients with late metachronous metastases it was 28%, in patients with section margin > 1 cm it was 33% and in patients who did not receive intra-operative transfusions it was 45%. Patients with a solitary metastasis or with metastases sized less than 4 cm and those who received adjuvant chemotherapy also showed a better survival than the others. CONCLUSIONS: Better results were observed in patients without nodal involvement of the primary tumor. Patients with a small solitary metachronous metastasis that appeared more than one year after the colorectal resection and resected with a section margin of more than 1 cm, also showed good results.

Adult↗

New perspectives on the clinical applications of functional radiology of the liver.

Preliminary results of "new clinical applications" of functional imaging of the liver are reported. In 20 healthy volunteers portal flow measurement with Doppler US at the level of right, left portal branch and main portal trunk, showed the preferential distribution in baseline conditions of portal flow to the right liver (about 68%) as compared to the left portal branch. This influenced MRI volumetry of right liver as compared to left liver. After meal intake, flow increase was significantly higher at the level of left portal branch suggestive for a "functional reserve" in left liver. Portal flow physiology was examined in preparation of portal imaging before and after portal vein embolization, a procedure performed preoperatively before enlarged hepatectomies.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Pancreatic resection for periampullary cancer in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Major abdominal surgery in elderly patients has traditionally been thought to carry a high operative risk. Recent data, however, have suggested that with proper selection, elderly patients can withstand pancreatic resection. METHODOLOGY: The medical records of 102 patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic or periampullary tumors were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine patients were aged 70 years or older (mean age: 74 years) and 73 patients were younger (mean age: 56 years). Concomitant comorbid conditions were evaluated in the patients of both groups, and no significant differences were identified. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 81 cases and a total pancreatectomy in 21. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 0% in the older patients and 6.8% in the younger patients. Major complications occurred in 28% of the patients. There were no significant differences in morbidity among the two age groups. The overall actuarial survival curves showed similar trends in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: With appropriate preoperative selection, pancreatic resection can be performed with low operative risk in elderly patients. Chronological age alone should not be considered an absolute contraindication for pancreatic resection.

Adult↗

[Hepatic angioma: rational simplification of diagnostic procedures].

The contribution of various techniques to the diagnosis of hepatic angioma has been evaluated retrospectively in 32 patients. The features characterizing hepatic angioma in each technique (ultrasound, Doppler-ultrasound, computed tomography, angiography, scintigraphy, nuclear magnetic resonance) have also been evaluated. The results support the primary role of ultrasound for detecting hepatic lesions and for monitoring their evolution, because of the high sensitivity and of the easy availability of the technique. Doubts on the nature of the lesions should be resolved by using techniques with a higher specificity: scintigraphy for lesions larger than 3 cm in diameter, and computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance for lesions of even smaller sizes.

Adult↗