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M Dellepiane

Publications and source records attributed to M Dellepiane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Surgical treatment of rectal cancer: prognostic factors for long-term survival].

The aim of our retrospective study was to verify the results of surgical treatment of rectal cancer in a homogeneous case series, evaluating the various factors that can influence the prognosis and long-term results. The prognostic factors taken into consideration were: Duke's stage; grading; colloid component; location of tumour; type of surgical intervention; age; sex; duration of the symptoms; length of normal rectum below the lower border of the tumour correlated to stage and grading. One hundred and sixty-five patients were operated with a radical approach: 50 abdominoperineal resections (APR) and 115 sphincter-saving resections (SSR) were performed. There were 90 males and 75 females. The mean age was 63 years. Total survival was 61.7% after 5 years and 50% after 10 years. In our study neither the age nor the sex, duration of symptoms or location of the tumours proved to have an influence on survival; while Duke's state turned out to be decisive for survival; also the colloid tumour component proved to have a worse prognosis. The 5-10-year survival rate was respectively 53.6% and 49% in the APR and 65.7% and 50.9% in the SSR (p = n.s.). The data we have collected show that APR and SSR operations have analogous efficiency.

Adult

[Echography in laryngeal tumors].

During sonographic (US) studies of the neck for the nodal staging of patients with laryngeal neoplasms, the authors observed that, especially in advanced cases, also the primary lesion could be imaged with this method. Therefore, US capabilities were investigated in assessing the local stage of laryngeal neoplasms; the results were compared with clinical and surgical findings. Fifty normal subjects of various ages were previously examined to assess the normal US anatomy of laryngeal structures. The presence of calcifications within the thyroid cartilage is the major obstacle to US imaging of the larynx and is directly related to age; indeed, only 40% of subjects can be examined at the age of 70. Seventeen patients with advanced laryngeal tumors were examined by US. Laryngeal imaging was possible, either in part or completely, in 16 of 17 cases. The results were in agreement with clinical staging in 14 cases; in 2 cases US proved clinical understaging by detecting lesion spread to anterolateral perilaryngeal structures. To conclude, US is not suggested as the method of choice in patients with laryngeal neoplasms. However, in subjects with advanced tumors, also US can image the lesion directly, and even detect tumor spread to surrounding tissues, especially in the anterior and lateral directions. In a few cases, this can contribute to preoperative staging and to select the correct therapeutic approach.

Adolescent

Resection of hepatocellular carcinomas. Results in 72 European patients with cirrhosis.

This study was undertaken to determine the results of resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients in Europe, using the same criteria as in the Orient for detection, surgical management, and pathology of the tumors. Seventy-two patients had a liver resection. One- and 3-yr survival rates were 68% and 51%, respectively. Survival rate was significantly higher in Child's/Pugh's class A than in class B-C patients. Patients with a thickly encapsulated tumor lived longer than those with an infiltrating tumor and had in addition a significantly lower incidence of cancer recurrence. Class A patients with a thickly encapsulated hepatocellular carcinoma had a 77% 3-year survival rate. There was no relation between the size of the tumor or the presence of symptoms and survival. These data suggest that good results can be achieved by resection of hepatocellular carcinomas in European cirrhotic patients. A thickly encapsulated tumor and an adequate liver function are the main determinants of low cancer recurrence and high survival. The clinical results in this series are similar to those reported from the Orient.

Adult

[Dynamic posturography in normal subjects].

The relative lack of data on the dynamic posturography led us to start a study in order to give our contributions to the standardization of M1, M2, M3, response parameters in normal subjects. Our research was carried out on 35 normal subjects aged 21 to 50. All of them were standing in Romberg's position on a Tönnies model board in a normally lit and ventilated room. We performed two tests: the first one open-eyed staring at no point, the second, 5 minutes later, closed-eyed. The EMG signals were obtained by surface electrodes on triceps sural and front tibial muscles. The EMG recording was determined by a "tilt" movement of the board at a steady speed of 50 per sec. and 4 wide. We use a XT 286 IBM computer with "T POST" software for checking and testing the data. Our results showed a significant variation in the value of the duration parameter in open-eyed and closed-eyed tests. Latency and area values were inferior to those obtained by other authors, except for Diener and Dichgans (3) whose results differ in latency value only.

Electromyography

Physiology of ileoanal anastomosis with ileal reservoir for ulcerative colitis and adenomatosis coli.

A physiologic and metabolic assessment was carried out on eight patients six months after total proctocolectomy with ileal reservoir for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatosis coli. All patients were continent and able to defecate spontaneously, stool frequency ranging from two to five per 24 hours. Anal sphincter resting pressures (35 +/- 14 mmHg) and squeeze pressures (88 +/- 24.2 mmHg) were similar to those of a healthy population, with the exception of one patient's complaint of nocturnal mucous leakage per anus. Biopsies of the ileal mucosa of the reservoirs showed a mild inflammation in seven patients; in one a subtotal villous atrophy (plus glandular pattern) was found. Anthropometric measurements, lymphocyte counts, hemoglobin, albumin, transferrin, iron, B12, and folate were normal in all. In the majority of patients there was no evidence of bacterial overgrowth. Vitamin B12 absorption was reduced slightly in only one patient. Lipid absorption (as judged by the 14C-Triolein breath test) was abnormal in three patients. Fecal clearance of alpha 1 antitrypsin as protein losses index was abnormal in three patients. Bile acid malabsorption was the most important ileal dysfunction observed in the patients.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

[Ultrasonics in the monitoring of portasystemic anastomoses].

Mortality due to recurrent variceal esophageal bleeding secondary to portosystemic shunt thrombosis is high. Early diagnosis of shunt thrombosis is therefore necessary. For these reasons, patients who have undergone a portal diversion must be controlled periodically. To this end, frequent controls, using reliable, riskless and inexpensive methods are needed. In this work, 34 patients who underwent different types of portal systemic shunts were studied by ultrasonography. Diagnosis by ultrasonography (confirmed by radiography showing esophageal varices and sometimes by arteriography) was positive with direct vision of the anastomosis in 65 p. 100 of cases and with indirect signs of patency or thrombosis of the anastomosis in 32 p. 100 of cases. This method failed to conclude in 3 p. 100 of our cases.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices

[Description of a case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome].

A case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome with some peculiar aspects is described. The disease started with painless dyspepsia, watery diarrhea, relevant loss of body weight and absence of peptic ulcer. After a steroid treatment performed at home without any rationale, diarrhea stopped totally for 18 months and body weight returned to normal. Subsequently, the disease recurred with more typical clinical characters: juxtapyloric ulcer, increase in serum gastrin levels and positive secretin test, presence of gastrinomas at angiography. The monitoring of gastric pH showed a persistent hyperacidity during medical treatment with H2 and muscarinic antagonists. The localization of gastrinomas was extrapancreatic, at the root of jejunal mesentery. Excellent results were obtained by surgical treatment which consisted in resection of the principal neoplastic masses with total gastrectomy. The patient's general conditions after two years are good.

Benzodiazepinones

Long-term results of surgical treatment for alkaline reflux gastritis in gastrectomized patients.

Sixteen gastrectomized patients underwent surgical treatment for alkaline reflux gastritis by means of a Roux-en-Y loop duodenal diversion. Long-term evaluation of results was performed 5-9 years later. Ten patients (62.5%) showed good results, with absence of digestive symptoms and with an increase in body weight. Two patients (12.5%) had moderate results, with presence of sporadic and mild epigastric pain. Four patients (25%) had unsatisfactory results, with persistence of epigastric pain and absence of body weight increase. No patient had recurrent biliary vomiting or endoscopic evidence of endogastric biliary reflux. Among the six patients with moderate and unsatisfactory results, two had a significant alcoholic intake, two showed a high degree of anxiety on psychological assessment, and two had both factors. Alcoholism and psychological disturbances should be considered exclusion criteria when evaluating a gastrectomized patient for surgical cure of alkaline reflux gastritis.

Adult

[Treatment of irreducible ascites of cirrhotic patients with peritoneo-jugular shunt].

Le Veen's peritoneal-jugular shunt was employed in the treatment of irreducible ascites in 16 patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Intraoperative mortality was 18%. It was due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in 2/3 cases. Regression of ascites and renal failure was noted in all survivors. Follow-up over 6-28 months (mean 10 months) showed that 2 patients had died from sepsis and two from liver failure. Recurrence of ascites (3 cases) had been brought about by malposition or thrombosis of the venous catheter; in one subject, thrombosis extending to the vena cava superior necessitated a portal shunt. There were no instances of digestive haemorrhage attributable to rupture of oesophageal varices. Good results free from complications were noted in 7 patients (43%) and easily treatable complications in 9 (56%). There was an evident improvement over the results obtainable with conventional management. The fact that mortality is generally confined to patients in Child's group C with marked hypoprothrombinaemia suggests that such candidates should be carefully selected. This, together with technical improvements designed to reduce the incidence of intravascular coagulopathy and haemodynamic overload following the operation, would seem capable of permitting better results in the future.

Ascites

Idiopathic portal hypertension.

A 60-yr old Italian woman presented with repeated gastrointestinal hemorrhages due to ruptured esophageal varices. No evidence of liver disease could be demonstrated by laboratory tests or by multiple liver biopsies. Angiography revealed a patent portal trunk and the presence of esophageal varices. A side-to-side portacaval shunt was performed, which caused the disappearance of the esophageal varices. There was no recurrent digestive hemorrhage during a 24-month follow-up. A mild deterioration of liver function was demonstrated by laboratory data 16 months after surgical operation and some mild episodes of hepatic encephalopathy occurred. This case can be considered an example of idiopathic portal hypertension, a rare pathological condition with a higher prevalence in certain geographical areas. Its etiology is not known. One important aspect of this entity is its potential to evaluate the effects of surgical portacaval shunt procedure in the absence of liver damage.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices