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Biomedical subjects

I Braghetto

Publications and source records attributed to I Braghetto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Open transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy versus minimally invasive esophagectomy in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality even in specialized centers. Minimally invasive surgery has been proposed to decrease these complications. METHODS: The authors present their results regarding postoperative complications and the survival rate at 3 years, comparing the classic open procedures (transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy) with minimally invasive surgery. Surgical procedures were performed according to procedures published elsewhere. RESULTS: The study enrolled 166 patients who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2003. Open transthoracic surgery was performed for 60 patients. In this group of patients, postoperative mortality was observed in 11% of the cases. Major, minor, and late complications were observed in 61.6% of the patients, and the 3-year survival rate was 30% for this group. Open transhiatal surgery was performed for 59 patients. The morbidity, mortality, and 3-year rate were almost the same as for the transthoracic surgery group. For the 47 patients submitted to minimally invasive procedures (thoracoscopic and laparoscopic), the complications and mortality rates were significantly reduced (38.2% and 6.4%, respectively). For the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery, the 3-year survival rate was 45.4%. It is important to clarify that the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery manifested early stages of the diseases, and that this the reason why the morbimortality and survival rates were better. CONCLUSIONS: The transthoracic and transhiatal open approaches have similar early and late results. Minimally invasive surgery is an option for patients with esophageal carcinoma, with reported results similar to those for open surgery. This approach is indicated mainly for selected patients with early stages of the disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Nonesophageal side-effects after antireflux surgery plus acid-suppression duodenal diversion surgery in patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus*.

SUMMARY: During the last years we have employed acid-suppression duodenal diversion procedures (truncal vagotomy-partial gastrectomy plus Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) in addition to antireflux surgery in order to treat all the pathophysiological factors involved in the genesis of Barrett's esophagus. We have observed very good results concerning the clinical and objective control of GERD at the long-term follow up after this procedure. However, it could be associated with other nonesophageal symptoms or side-effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, dumping, weight loss and anastomotic ulcers) after this operation. In this prospective study 73 patients were assessed using a careful clinical questionnaire asking regarding these complications at the early (< 6 months) and late (> 6 months) follow-up (average of 32.4 months). In the early postoperative period, diarrhea was present in 64% (19% considered severe 10-90 days after surgery), dumping in 41% and loss of weight in 71% of cases. Diarrhea occurred daily in 47.7% in the early postoperative period, but only in 16% of cases after 1 year. Shortly after surgery, steatorrea was observed in 9% of cases and responded well to medical treatment. Severe diarrhea or dumping was rare (5% of cases). These symptoms improved significantly after 1 year with medical management (45%, 20% and 30%, respectively) and 42% of patients regained their normal body weight. Only two patients presented anastomotic ulcers and were treated satisfactory with proton pump inhibitors. Revisional surgery was indicated in two patients with severe dumping syndrome. Most side-effects identified by this study were mild and diminished 1 year after operation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Histological inflammatory changes after surgery at the epithelium of the distal esophagus in patients with Barrett's esophagus: a comparison of two surgical procedures.

There are many reports concerning the surgical treatment of patients with Barrett's esophagus, but very few focus on histological changes of inflammatory cells in squamous and columnar epithelium before and late after classic antireflux or acid suppression-duodenal diversion surgery. We evaluate the impact of these procedures in the presence of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and Helicobacter pylori in the columnar epithelium. Two groups of patients were studied, 37 subjected to classic antireflux and 96 to acid suppression-duodenal diversion operations. They were subjected to endoscopic and histological studies before and at 1, 3 and more than 5 years after surgery. Manometric evaluations and 24 h pH monitoring were performed before and at 1 year after surgery. The presence of inflammatory cells at both the squamous and columnar epithelium was significantly higher at the late follow up in patients subjected to classic antireflux surgery compared with patients subjected to acid suppression-duodenal diversion operations (P < 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Intestinal metaplasia, present in 100% of patients before surgery, had decreased significantly at 3 years after surgery in patients subjected to acid suppression-duodenal diversion operations compared with classic antireflux procedures, 75% versus 53%, respectively (P < 0.001). The presence of Helicobacter pylori did not vary before or after surgery in either group. In conclusion, acid suppression-duodenal diversion operations are followed by a decreased presence of inflammatory cells in both squamous and columnar epithelium compared with classic antireflux surgery in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia and inflammation findings were also less common after acid suppression-duodenal diversion operation.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y↗
PubMed2002

Results of surgical treatment for recurrent postoperative gastroesophageal reflux.

The rate of recurrence of reflux esophagitis after classic antireflux surgery (fundoplication) is 10-15%. This rate is different in patients with esophagitis with and without Barrett's esophagus. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings in 104 patients with postoperative recurrent reflux esophagitis, determining the results of repeat antireflux surgery or an acid suppression-bile diversion procedure. Repeat fundoplication was performed in 26 patients, and truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy in 78 patients. Esophagectomy as a third operation was performed in seven patients. After repeat antireflux surgery, endoscopic evaluation demonstrated improvement of esophagitis in a small proportion of patients. Barrett's esophagus remained unchanged, and no regression of ulcer or stricture was observed. These complications improved significantly after acid suppression-bile diversion surgery. Incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was present in 55.8% after initial surgery and in 23% after reoperation. Acid reflux, initially present in 94.6% of patients, was also observed in 93.6% after fundoplication, 68.8% after redo fundoplication, and 16.6% after treatment with the acid suppression-bile diversion technique. A positive Bilitec test was present in 78% of patients before the operation and 56.6% after the repeat operation, and was negative after bile diversion surgery. Among 13 patients (50%) submitted to repeat surgery alone, esophagectomy as a third operation was necessary as a result of severe non-dilatable stricture in seven patients. Our conclusions are that repeat antireflux surgery alone failed to improve Barrett's esophagus complications and that the best results were obtained in patients submitted to acid suppression-bile diversion surgery.

Barrett Esophagus↗
PubMed2001

[Preliminary results of laparoscopic video esophagomyotomy in patients with esophageal achalasia].

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is becoming a good alternative to pneumatic dilatation, injection of botulinic toxin or classical surgery in the treatment of achalasia. AIM: To report the results of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with achalasia, nine women, aged 9 to 66 years old, operated between 1996 and 2001 are reported. RESULTS: There was no surgical mortality. One patient had a subphrenic abscess due to an unnoticed tear of the esophageal mucosa. During surgery, esophageal mucosa was perforated in 4 patients, that was sutured in three. One patient with an extensive tear of the mucosa required conversion to classical surgery. Patients were followed for 2 to 48 months. Radiological controls showed a significant increase in the diameter of gastroesophageal junction and a diameter reduction of the mid third esophageal segment. Lower esophageal pressure was significantly reduced. All patients experienced a weight increase and reduction of dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is a safe an effective therapeutic alternative for achalasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Intraperitoneal bile collections after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Bile leakage is more common after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open surgery. In our department, the rate of postoperative bile collections after open surgery is 0.2% vs 0.6% after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We studied 13 cases of intraperitoneal bile collection without common bile duct damage drawn from a total of 5,200 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (0.23%). Clinical presentation, symptoms, method of diagnosis, causes, time of diagnosis, correlation of time of diagnosis with definitive treatment, and postoperative results were analyzed. RESULTS: The symptoms appeared between the 5th and 8th postoperative days. They were observed in patients with either chronic or acute cholecystitis. The main causes were misapplication of clips at the cystic duct and open Luschka's duct. Ultrasound failed for early recognition of bile collections. The definitive diagnosis was made by repeat ultrasonography, CAT scan, and ERCP. CONCLUSION: The ideal treatment in these cases is a minimally invasive procedure, but since the diagnosis is frequently delayed, open surgery is performed in the majority of patients. However, there were no mortalities in this group of patients.

Bile↗
PubMed2000

Late results of a randomized clinical trial comparing total fundoplication versus calibration of the cardia with posterior gastropexy.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to perform a prospective randomized study in patients with chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux treated either by total fundoplication or calibration of the cardia with posterior gastropexy. Late follow-up considered subjective and objective parameters, and related outcome to the presence of Barrett's oesophagus. METHODS: A total of 164 patients were randomized to fundoplication (n = 76) or calibration of the cardia (n = 88). They were evaluated by clinical questionnaire, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies, oesophageal manometry and gastro-oesophageal reflux studies, including scintigraphy and 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths. There was 95 per cent follow-up at a mean of 85 months. The mean recurrence rate for both operations was near 40 per cent at 10 years, but patients without Barrett's oesophagus had a recurrence rate after both operations of around 23 per cent compared with 83 per cent after 10 years for those with Barrett's oesophagus (P < 0.0001). Low-grade dysplasia developed in 13 per cent of the patients with Barrett's oesophagus. There were significant differences in all objective parameters in a comparison of patients with Visick I or II and those with Visick III or IV disease at the late assessment. CONCLUSION: Both total fundoplication and calibration of the cardia with posterior gastropexy had similar subjective and objective late results. However, results were significantly worse in patients with Barrett's oesophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Antireflux surgery, highly selective vagotomy and duodenal switch procedure: post-operative evaluation in patients with complicated and non-complicated Barrett's esophagus.

Antireflux surgery, highly selective vagotomy (HSV) and Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy have been suggested for control of pathophysiological factors involved in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the results of this technique in patients with complicated (n = 21) and noncomplicated (n=45) BE. Complete evaluation of esophageal function, endoscopic histologic and clinical control was carried out before and 2 years after surgery. Post-operative results show recurrence of ulcer in patients with complicated BE, but no recurrence in patients with non-complicated BE. Preoperative esophageal ulcer and stricture were present in 85.3% and 14.3%, respectively, of patients with complicated BE. In this group, recurrence of these complications was 38.1% and 9.5% respectively. The technique offers excellent results in patients with non-complicated BE. However, in patients with complicated BE, the recurrence rate is higher, mainly because of the persistence of acid reflux into the esophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cardiomyotomy in achalasia: which fibers do we cut?

Until now, it has not been quite clear which muscular fibers are cut when a cardiomyotomy for achalasia is carried out. In the present report, in a human achalasic gastroesophageal specimen, the mucosa of the stenotic segment was stripped off, allowing the fibers of the inner muscular coat to be seen. In addition, three cardiomyotomies at different sites were simulated. In achalasic specimens, the stenotic area is formed by the semicircular ('clasp') and oblique ('sling') muscular fibers. Different myotomies section these two muscular bands in distinct proportions. The stenotic segment in achalasia coincides topographically with the anatomic lower esophageal sphincter area. The site of cardiomyotomy is not irrelevant because this sphincter is not an annular muscle and the two muscular components of the sphincter can be sectioned in different ways. This may be important in post-operative results with regard to the relief of dysphagia and the appearance of gastroesophageal reflux.

Constriction, Pathologic↗
PubMed2000

[Survival of patients with esophageal cancer subjected to total thoracic esophagectomy].

BACKGROUND: Esophageal carcinoma has a dismal prognosis. Several authors have reported a very low survival in Chile. AIM: To report the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma, subjected to esophageal resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of 108 patients subjected to thoracic esophageal resection between 1985 and 1996. Patients were classified according to the location of the tumor and its staging. RESULTS: Eleven patients died in the immediate postoperative period and 90 patients were followed. In 53 the exact cause of death was determined. Global five years survival was 29% and median survival was 18 months. Survival was 100% in stage I tumors. Adjuvant therapy resulted in a better survival of stage III tumors. Survival of stage IV tumors was worst than stage I to III tumors. There was no survival difference between squamous carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Tumors located in the superior third of the esophagus had a worst prognosis. Causes of death were mediastinic metastases, local recidivism, pleural or pulmonary metastases and less frequently, brain, bronchial or bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of these, patients with esophageal carcinoma did not differ from the figures reported abroad.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Esophagocardioplasty, vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: indication in cases with severe esophageal motor disfunction.

Almost 10% of patients with Crest syndrome associated with severe gastroesophageal reflux and 5-10% of patients with failed cardiomyotomy for achalasia present with cardial or distal esophageal organic stricture. Some of these cases are poor risk patients for surgery and therefore the surgeon must offer a safe procedure with low morbimortality, keeping in mind the pathophysiological motor pattern of these patients. In order to treat the stricture to improve the esophageal transit we treated patients with esophagocardioplasty associated with vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, thereby avoiding the potential acid or biliary reflux in poor risk patients in whom esophagectomy would be a very deleterious procedure. All four patients had a good postoperative evolution and late control demonstrated good esophagogastric transit with no postoperative esophagitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Long-term results of classic antireflux surgery in 152 patients with Barrett's esophagus: clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, manometric, and acid reflux test analysis before and late after operation.

BACKGROUND: The classic surgical procedure for patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) has been either Nissen fundoplication or posterior gastropexy with calibration of the cardia. METHODS: The purpose of our study was to determine late subjective and objective results of these classic surgical techniques in a large number of patients with BE. A total of 152 patients were included in this prospective protocol. RESULTS: There was 1 death (0.7%) after operation. The late follow-up of 100 months demonstrated a high percentage of failures among patients with noncomplicated BE (54%) and an even higher figure in patients with complicated BE (64%). In 15 patients low grade dysplasia appeared at 8 years of follow-up and an adenocarcinoma in 4 patients. Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring demonstrated a decrease in acid reflux into the esophagus, and Bilitec studies also demonstrated a decrease of duodenoesophageal reflux, but in all cases with a higher value than the normal limit. CONCLUSIONS: Classic antireflux surgery in patients with BE results in a high percentage of failures at very late follow-up because it cannot completely avoid acid and duodenal reflux into the esophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Long-term follow-up after laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine intraoperative cholangiography.

The indications for routine intraoperative cholangiography remain controversial. We present here our recent results concerning the frequency of unknown retained common bile duct stones in 253 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiography in whom the presence of preoperative choledocholithiasis had been excluded by clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic evaluation. These patients were followed up for at least 4 years after surgery with evaluations similar to those made preoperatively. Freedom from symptoms and normal test results were found in 96.8% of patients. Jaundice and abnormal liver function test results were demonstrated in 3.2% of patients, but retained common bile duct stones were found in only 2.3% of patients. We conclude that laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine intraoperative cholangiography can be performed safely without the discovery of a high percentage of retained common bile duct stones at later follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A new physiologic approach for the surgical treatment of patients with Barrett's esophagus: technical considerations and results in 65 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the results of a new surgical procedure for patients with Barrett's esophagus. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In addition to pathologic acid reflux into the esophagus in patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux and Barrett's esophagus, increased duodenoesophegeal reflux has been implicated. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of a new bile diversion procedure in these patients. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with Barrett's esophagus were included in this study. A complete clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and bioptic evaluation was performed before and after surgery. Besides esophageal manometry, 24-hour pH studies and a Bilitec test were performed. After surgery, gastric emptying of solids, gastric acid secretion, and serum gastrin were determined. All patients underwent highly selective vagotomy, antireflux procedure (posterior gastropexy with cardial calibration or fundoplication), and duodenal switch procedure, with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis 60 cm in length. RESULTS: No deaths occurred. Morbidity occurred in 14% of the patients. A significant improvement in symptoms, endoscopic findings, and radiologic evaluation was achieved. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure increased significantly (p < 0.0001), as did abdominal length and total length of the sphincter (p < 0.0001). The presence of an incompetent sphincter decreased from 87.3% to 20.9% (p < 0.0001). Three of seven patients with dysplasia showed disappearance of this dysplasia. Serum gastrin and gastric emptying of solids after surgery remained normal. Basal and peak acid output values were low. Twenty-four hour pH studies showed a mean value of 24.8% before surgery, which decreased to 4.8% after surgery (p < 0.0001). The determination of the percentage time with bilirubin in the esophagus was 23% before surgery; this decreased to 0.7% after surgery (p < 0.0001). Late results showed Visick I and II gradation in 90% of the patients and grade III and IV in 10% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This physiologic approach to the surgical treatment of patients with Barrett's esophagus produces a permanent decrease of acid secretion (and avoids anastomotic ulcer), decreases significantly acid reflux into the esophagus, and abolishes duodenoesophageal reflux permanently. Significant clinical improvement occurs, and dysplastic changes at Barrett's epithelium disappear in almost 50% of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Correlation among ultrasonographic and videoscopic findings of the gallbladder: surgical difficulties and reasons for conversion during laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the standard procedure for chronic and acute cholecystitis. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the preoperative ultrasound findings of the gallbladder and correlate those aspects with surgical videoscopic and histopathologic findings and the results concerning intraoperative complications and the conversion index to open surgery. Gallbladder findings were classified into three categories according to the gallbladder wall characteristics and the presence of visible lumen and stones. Simple chronic cholecystitis (type I) and acute cholecystitis, with gallbladder wall thickness <5 mm (type IIa) presented significantly lower intraoperative complications without conversion to open surgery. Scleroatrophic (type III) and acute cholecystitis with gallbladder wall thickness >5 mm (type IIB) presented significantly more surgical difficulties and a higher conversion rate to open surgery (p < 0.01). We postulate that this classification will be useful for surgeons in predicting potential problems in individual patients, at least at the initial laparoscopic cholecystectomy experience, and in advising patients of the potential risks of and conversion to open surgery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[Magnitude of acid gastroesophageal reflux measured by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring compared to the degree of endoscopic esophagitis].

Twenty four hour esophageal pH monitoring was performed in 110 patients, placing a pH electrode 5 cm above the proximal border of the lower esophageal sphincter. This test allows to measure the total lapse in which there is an acid pH in the esophagus, the ability of the esophagus to get rid of the acid reflux and documents the relationship between esophageal pH and symptoms. Upper GI endoscopy showed a normal esophagus in 38 patients, and esophagitis grade I in 25, grade II in 11, grade III in 25 and grade IV in 11. There was a high correlation between the severity of esophagitis and the total time in which the esophagus was exposed to an acid pH. It is concluded that this test can be used as a "gold standard" for gastroesophageal reflux detection.

Adolescent↗