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Biomedical subjects

M Gafà

Publications and source records attributed to M Gafà.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[A critical review of the history of the systems for staging colorectal cancer].

A great debate is still open in literature about the available staging systems of colorectal cancer. Therefore, an historical analysis of the several systems suggested in the last decades was performed; pathological, clinicopathological and more recent score clinicopathological staging systems were evaluated. From this historical review it appears that subsequent modifications of various classifications allowed only for a poor improvement in predictivity. A more careful histopathological examination of surgical specimen and more exact information about involvement of other organs and tissues allow a correct classification of patients affected by colorectal cancer independently of the staging system used.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

[Occult hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma: diagnostic and prognostic considerations].

Occult hepatic metastases (OHM) from colorectal cancer are those not evident to the surgeon at laparotomy. In this retrospective and "deductive" study the Authors evaluated the accuracy of hepatic CT scan and ultrasonography (US) to detect hepatic metastases. The CT and US accuracy rate was 78.4% and 79.8% respectively, and proved to be correlated to the intraoperative dimensions of the lesions. Sensitivity of these examinations, in the light of OHM identification, decreased to 69% and 69.2% respectively. This study shows that hepatic US and CT scan are not sufficient to identify OHM; the attempt to reduce the frequency of OHM by means of intraoperative ultrasonography could allow to obtain a more careful stadiation and prognosis of these neoplasms with possible therapeutic advantages.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

[Experimental study on hepatic encephalopathy: EEG and blood amino acid findings].

The AA. describe a method of gradual occlusion of the portal vein in the rat to induce a hepatic encephalopaty. This method allows to realise a condition of hepatic ischemia and a portal hypertensive state accompanied by spontaneous portal-systemic shunts. These two factors produce a hepatic encephalopaty like in cirrhotic state or in patients after portal systemic anastomosis. A part from similar behavior at the beginning of the encephalopaty it is possible to define two classes of animals: one showing a slow recovery and one showing a transient and slight improvement followed at the end by the death of the animal. The AA. found a definite correlation amoung the clinica, EEG's, serum aminoacids and biochemical data. Probably the different anatomical and phisiological aspects of the induced portal systemic shunts and the different ways of hepatic rivascularization may determine the two different evolutions of the animals.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1978

[Surgical aspects of thrombosis in the portal system (author's transl)].

The Authors present and discuss clinical and therapeutic aspects of several cases of chronic portal thrombosis, troncular and radicular, either isolated or variously associated. Splenoportography and selective arteriography do not always provide a clear-cut picture of the vascular situation, particularly in the presence of mural thrombi. Surgery may be needed as an emergency measure in cases of hemorrhage, but the best results are obtained if it can be done electively. Indications, however, must be evaluated very carefully in each individual case, especially for thrombosis not associated with cirrhosis of the liver, in which the tendency to a more favorable natural evolution may invite a more conservative approach. The choice of surgical procedures is dictated essentially by the site of obstruction in the portal system. After discussing the indications for various methods, the authors present some cases of thrombosis involving only the superior mesenteric vein, managed successfully by disobliteration and mesenterocaval anastomosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Valvular insufficiency after venous thrombosis. Experimental study].

Venous thrombosis can produce lesions of valvular cusps which are generally ascribe to the phase of thrombus organization. Valvular lesions hold a very important role in the genesis of the post phlebitic chronic venous insufficiency. Experimental thrombosis had been induced in dogs with electrical stimulation of femoral veins to study morphological aspects of valvular cusps in various evolutive phases of thrombosis. Results emphasize too early onset and quick evolution of valvular damage. It can contribute to explain frequent failures of attempted therapy about prevention of post phlebitic syndromes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhages after pulmonary resections (author's transly].

Postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhages are a infrequent complication of pulmonary resections. Nevertheless they are threatening seriously patient's life because a critical illness as gastrointestinal hemorrhage in such casses hit patients whose vital functions are compromised from recent thoracic surgery. The pathogenetic questions, as well critical problems of diagnosis and treatment, are discussed on the basis of three observed cases.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pelvic recurrences after curative surgery for rectal cancer].

This report updates an experience with local recurrences of rectal cancer after curative surgery. Overall 13 year period (1976-1988) 254 patients were operated on in the II Surgical Clinic of Parma University for rectal cancer. Only 122 patients who underwent potentially curative resection were examined. Approximate recurrence rates according to patients age, site, type and stage of primitive tumour, tumour complications and surgical procedures were evaluated. The overall local failure rate was 17.2% with 12 patients having local failure alone and 9 patients having concurrent local failure and distant metastasis. Local failure occurred predominantly in tumour bed, involving the anastomosis in 2 cases. Relapse developed primarily at colo-rectal anastomosis in only 1 patients, 20% of recurrences were diagnosed within the first postoperative year; 65% within the second and 90% within the third. Stage of primary tumour was the most predictive factor for eventual relapse. Minute foci of tumour not encompassed by the first operation led to local recurrences in most of the cases, but relapses were independent of operative procedures adopted. The authors conclude that surgery, even if correctly performed, is not sufficient to prevent the risk of local recurrence of rectal cancer. They believe that routine adjuvant radiation therapy after surgical treatment of rectal cancer should improve survival rate.

Age Factors↗