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P A Clavien

Publications and source records attributed to P A Clavien.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Video-assisted sacral nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve simulation (SNS) is an accepted therapy for patients with urinary or bowel dysfunction. However, infection rates are as high as 20% and can result in removal of the expensive device. We present a new video-assisted technique minimizing the risk of infection. METHODS: Between April and July 2005, six consecutive women of median age 68 years (range, 60-74), with faecal incontinence (4 patients) and idiopathic constipation (2 patients) underwent video-assisted electrode implantation for SNS. The motor response of the pelvic floor during percutaneous nerve evaluation and implantation of the permanent lead was monitored by a video optic (same as that normally used for laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures) placed between the legs of the patients. The video optic and the perianal area were completely covered with drapes, separating them from the operating field. RESULTS: All but one screening was successful, and no wound infections at the electrode or at the pocket of the stimulator were noted (mean postoperative follow-up, 8 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: With the use of a video optic, the anus and the implantation site can be completely separated and contamination during the operation becomes unlikely. Furthermore, the response of the pelvic floor to the stimulation is better visualized. We routinely recommend the use of video equipment for SNS electrode implantation.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Waiting for a liver transplant: psychosocial well-being, spirituality, and need for counselling.

UNLABELLED: The number of patients in need of a liver transplant vastly exceeds the number of available organs; the demand worldwide for organs leads to increased waiting times and mortality of patients on the waiting list. The aim of our study was to assess the psychosocial well-being of transplant candidates and their need for psychosocial counselling. METHODS: Sixty-nine liver transplant candidates were asked about their psychosocial well-being, quality of life, spirituality, and need for counselling assessed by interview and questionnaire (HADS-D, FLZ, LOT, SOC, SF-36, SBI-15R) during the initial evaluation procedure for organ transplantation as well as 3 and 6 months after listing. RESULTS: Candidates for a liver transplant exhibited a significant limitation in the levels of their quality of life and psychological well-being, compared with the community normal samples. They showed significantly higher levels of anxiety, but lower levels of spirituality. Almost half of the candidates (47%) expressed a need for counselling during the evaluation procedure. Patients with advanced diseases reported a lower need. Age and the personality-related "Sense of Coherence" correlated negatively with need for counselling. On the waiting list, psychosocial parameters and functions remained largely stable; the need for counselling decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relevant need for psychosocial counselling during the process of liver transplant evaluation. Need for counselling is associated with personality and age, as well as with somatic parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Rescue of the cold preserved rat liver by hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether hypothermic oxygenated liver perfusion after cold liver preservation resuscitated metabolic parameters and whether this treatment had a benefit for liver viability upon reperfusion. We preserved rat livers either by cold storage (UW) for 10 h, or by perfusion for 3 h (oxygenated modified UW) after 10 h cold storage. We assessed viability of livers after preservation and after ischemic rewarming+normothermic reperfusion ex vivo. Ten hour cold storage reduced mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and metabolically depleted the livers. Oxygenated perfusion after cold storage resulted in uploaded cellular energy charge and oxidized mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase. Reperfusion after 10 h cold storage increased formation of superoxid anions, release of cytosolic LDH, lipid peroxidation, caspase activities and led to disruption of sinusoidal endothelial cells. In contrast, reperfusion after 10 h cold storage+3 h hypothermic oxygenated perfusion resulted in no changes of lipid peroxidation, bile flow, energy charge, total glutathione, LDH release and of caspase activation, as compared to fresh resected livers. This study demonstrates, that a metabolically depleted liver due to cold storage can be energy recharged by short-termed cold machine perfusion. The machine perfused graft exhibited improved viability and functional integrity.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Surgical therapy of colorectal liver metastases].

The liver is the most common organ of distant colorectal metastases. Liver resection currently represents the best and only potentially curative treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer isolated to the liver. Five-year survival rates of 30 to 40% are reported after curative liver resection. Unfortunately, only 10 to 20% of patients with liver metastases without extraheaptic disease are amenable to surgical resection. Novel therapy strategies to improve respectability such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, portal vein embolisation or ligature, resection combined with ablation and two-stage hepatectomy are currently evaluated. The overall goal of these treatments is to increase the proportion of patients with isolated colorectal liver metastases that can undergo curative resection. Despite curative resection, 60 to 70% of patients will develop recurrent disease. In case of isolated recurrence to the liver that is resectable, repeat liver resection is the treatment of choice. Adjuvant chemotherapy is directed to reduce the risk of recurrence after resection. Despite few encouraging randomised trials on adjuvant chemotherapy, there are no definitive recommendations for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

[Current diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer].

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer) is the most frequent tumor entity in the pancreas. While the results of surgical therapy of pancreatic cancer were disappointing in the past due to high perioperative mortality rates, resection of pancreatic cancer nowadays represents the standard treatment for non-metastatic cancer with a mortality rate below 5%. This decrease in perioperative mortality of the Whipple operation is inversely correlated to the case load of the hospital and the responsible surgeon, and is mainly related to improvements in the intensive care management, the surgical technique and patient selection. In particular, the perioperative use of octreotide resulted in a significant decrease in the rate of pancreatic fistula. Furthermore, modern staging examinations such as diagnostic laparoscopy, PET, or endoscopic ultrasound resulted in improved patient selection. In addition, the long-term results of the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer has been improved by adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the past 10 years. Similar progress has been made in the palliative treatment of metastatic or locally advanced cancer. Nowadays, endoscopic procedures can replace surgical palliation of obstructive jaundice in most cases and sometimes even gastric outlet obstruction. Moreover, systemic chemotherapy using gemcitabine-based protocols has resulted in a significant prolongation of survival. However, further progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer can only be achieved by an interdisciplinary management of this disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

[Surgical therapy of liver tumors: resection vs. ablation].

A few years ago surgical resection was the only treatment modality for primary and metastatic liver tumors. However, most of the liver tumors are diagnosed at advanced stage and are unresectable. Criteria for unresectability are: uncontrolled extrahepatic disease, extensive intrahepatic tumor growth, insufficient remnant liver volume and severe co-morbid disease. Several therapeutic strategies have been developed to deal with primarily unresectable tumors. A downstaging ("downsizing") of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be reached by transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) or local tumor ablation using ethanol injection, cryosurgery and radiofrequency. Preoperative unilateral portal vein embolization resulting in hypertrophy of the remnant liver volume permits to resect some patients with former unresectable liver tumors. Furthermore, liver transplantation is an option for patients with early stage HCC and liver cirrhosis. Preoperative downstaging of colorectal metastases can be achieved with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, whereas TACE, ethanol injection and liver transplantation are no established options for these patients. So far, there are no standardized guidelines for the treatment of patients with unresectable primary or metastatic liver tumors. In this review we aim to describe the different approaches suggested in the literature and to present our algorithms for the management of patients with liver tumors.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

[Sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence].

The sacral nerve stimulation is a new promising procedure for faecal incontinence in patients in whom conservative treatments have failed. In contrast to more invasive restorative surgeries (e.g. dynamic graciloplasty or artificial sphincter), sacral nerve stimulation can be tested and performed in outpatient under local anaesthesia. From May 2001 to April 2004, 25 consecutive patients with faecal incontinence underwent percutaneous test-stimulation during 10 to 14 days. The test was positive in 16 of them (64%) in whom a permanent implantation of an internal pulse generator was performed. During the follow up of this group a significant reduction of the number of incontinence episodes and a considerable improvement of quality of life was demonstrated. Complete investigations and restrictive patient selection, as well as a carefully follow up are recommended for the success in sacral nerve stimulation therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Pancreas transplantation--indications and results updated].

Pancreas transplantation has evolved within two decades from a poorly accepted therapeutic option to a highly successful procedure in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Combined Pancreas-kidney transplantation is usually performed, but the value of pancreas after kidney transplant recently increased dramatically. Novel surgical techniques together with very effective immunosuppression (e.g. Prograf) and CellCept) and better postoperative management offer excellent long-term graft and patient survival with full insulin independence. Pancreas transplantation (alone or simultaneous with kidney) is highly cost-effective compared to any conservative alternatives.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗
PubMed2003

Statistics in medicine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed2002

[Prospective assessment of the learning curve and safety of stapler hemorrhoidectomy].

INTRODUCTION: Stapled haemorrhoidectomy (SH) is a recently introduced procedure for the surgical excision of haemorrhoids. Actually, there is only limited information concerning the impact of the learning curve, complication rates and long-term results. Therefore, a prospective single-center study was performed with special regard to the learning curve and clinical safety of SH. METHODS: The data of 61 SH performed between March 1999 and May 2001 were analyzed. Operating times, complication rates and outcome results were prospectively recorded and then correlated to the surgical experience of the operating team. Postoperative pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Sphincter lesions represented by the patient's incontinence and muscle defects were analyzed by using Williams incontinence score and histological examination of the resected specimen. Clinical follow-up studies were performed three and twelve weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 18 patients with grade II haemorrhoids, 38 patients with grade III haemorrhoids, and five patients with grade IV haemorrhoids. Both, operating times and complication rates decreased with more surgical experience. The mean pain score during the first four postoperative days was 1.9 (range 0-8). Mean hospital stay and mean convalescence time were 1.7 days (range 1-5 days) and 10 days (range 1-31 days), respectively. Incontinence scores revealed only minor differences between pre- and postoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: SH represents a safe and effective new treatment modality for symptomatic haemorrhoids. Meticulous surgical technique and experience are mandatory to achieve excellent clinical results, e.g., reduced postoperative pain, shortened hospital stay and convalescence. We adopted SH to our surgical armamentarium for the treatment of haemorrhoids grade III and recurrent haemorrhoids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and palliation strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy in the liver worldwide. The incidence of the tumor varies geographically. Thus, in the eastern area (China, Taiwan, and Japan) there are more than 20 cases per year per 100'000 population compared to less than 5 cases per 100'000 in most western countries [1]. The etiology of HCC is multifactorial. The two most important factors are the presence of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis [2]. Early detection of HCC still remains a challenge. At the time of diagnosis, only 20-30% of all patients have tumors that are surgically resectable. Survival after curative resection is 30%-50% at five years. The poor outcome of the disease led to the development of different adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies. There are numerous studies dealing with the treatment of HCC. Unfortunately, only few randomized controlled trials exist. In addition, there is no consensus on staging of HCC and no standardization of the outcome in the literature, which makes it difficult to compare the different procedures. This paper summarizes the current strategies in the treatment of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2002

First clinical experience with Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) in six patients with severe acute on chronic liver failure.

UNLABELLED: Despite recent advances in general supportive care, the mortality rate of patients with severe liver insufficiency remains high. Recently a new artificial liver support system MARS has been used for selective removal of albumin-bound toxins. AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of MARS treatment in patients with acute on chronic liver disease (n = 5) or liver failure after extended hepatic resection (n = 1). DESIGN/PATIENTS: Six patients, aged 34-58 years, with severe liver insufficiency (mean MELD-score 31 (range 24-35)) were treated one to 16 times with the MARS system. At baseline three patients were intubated, three were encephalopathic (HE) and three had multifactorial kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In all the patients MARS treatment significantly reduced the serum bilirubin levels. In three patients encephalopathy improved. In two patients the extracorporeal treatment precipitated a disseminated intravascular coagulation with clinically significant bleeding. Bridging to liver transplantation was possible in one patient, the other five patients died 30 days (2-74 days) after starting MARS therapy. Our case series shows that MARS treatment in general can be safely performed in patients with severe liver disease. However, in patients with an activated clotting system severe bleeding complication can be triggered and MARS treatment should be used very cautiously in these situations. MARS seems to be a promising new treatment option for patients with acute on chronic liver failure. However, carefully conducted randomized controlled trials are necessary to define its potential place in the treatment of patients with severe liver disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Conversion from cyclosporine to FK506 in adult liver transplant recipients: a combined North American and European experience.

BACKGROUND: Although cyclosporine (CsA) made clinical liver transplantation possible, side effects and development of rejection have limited its use. In some patients, conversion to tacrolimus has been necessary to abrogate side effects and to preserve allograft function. METHODS: The results of conversion from CsA to tacrolimus were studied retrospectively in 94 liver allograft recipients from a North American and a European transplant center (Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, and Hopital Beaujon, Clichy, France). RESULTS: Forty-seven of 94 patients (50%) were converted for steroid-resistant acute rejection. Conversion was successful in 91% of these patients, whereas 9% of patients developed chronic rejection. A further nine patients were converted for chronic allograft rejection with positive results in eight of nine grafts. Mean serum bilirubin in these nine patients was 8.7 mg/dl before conversion and 2.1 mg/dl 6 months after conversion (P=0.02). Nine patients were converted due to inability to wean steroid. Of these, six patients remains steroid free 1 year after conversion. Twenty-three patients (24%) were converted for nephrotoxicity with a reduction in serum creatinine from 167+/-36 mmol/L to 119+/-28 mmol/L 1 year after conversion (P=0.006). Eight of 11 patients converted for neurotoxicity improved after conversion. Conversion to tacrolimus had no effect on seizure frequency or memory loss. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that conversion to tacrolimus from CsA is an appropriate paradigm for graft rescue and treatment of a variety of side effects after liver transplant. However, some situations such as memory loss and hypertension may require other strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Fecal incontinence: therapy of congenital sphincter dysplasia in adulthood--a case report].

The dynamic graciloplasty has gained acceptance in the therapy of intractable fecal incontinence. With a success-rate of 60 to 80%, the dynamic graciloplasty is a good alternative towards a permanent colostomy for individual cases. Furthermore, adults suffering from congenital anal atresia may be well treated by this therapy as described in this case. Following surgery, an accurate follow-up is inevitable in these patients, including training of neosphincter control. After 8 to 12 weeks the training-process of the neosphincter-control should be finished. At this point of time the patient will have obtained defecation-control and should be able to execute voluntary defecations.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Malnutrition in liver transplant patients: preoperative subjective global assessment is predictive of outcome after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a common complication of end-stage liver disease. It is frequently not a priority of treatment before liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether prospective preoperative nutritional assessment could predict resource utilization and outcome after liver transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 109 sequential orthotopic liver transplants performed at our center between July 1996 and May 1999. Ten patients with fulminant hepatic failure were excluded from the study, leaving 99 patients. Nutritional status was determined at the time of transplantation using subjective global assessment. Wilcoxon rank sum test and rank analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Results are reported as median (interquartile range). A P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Intraoperative transfusion requirements of packed red blood cells and cryoprecipitate was higher in the patients with severe malnutrition in comparison to the mild and moderate groups (severe vs. moderate, 5.5+/-5.5 vs. 3.0+/-6, P=0.026; vs. mild, 1.5+/-3, P<0.0001). The severe group required more fresh-frozen plasma intraoperatively than the mild group (mild vs. severe, 0+/-2 vs. 2+/-6, P=0.0007; vs. moderate, 1+/-4, P=0.071). Patients in the severe group had longer postoperative lengths of stay compared with patients in the moderate and mild groups (severe vs. moderate, 16+/-9 days vs. 10+/-5 days, P=0.0027; vs. mild, 9+/-8 days, P=0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Subjective global assessment is an excellent independent predictor of outcome in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Severely malnourished patients require more blood products during surgery and have prolonged postoperative length of stay in hospital. Our data suggest that if nutritional repletion is possible in patients with end-stage liver disease before transplantation, patient outcomes could be improved.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of primary and secondary liver malignancy.

The management of hepatic malignancy is one of the most controversial areas in medicine. It is a continuously evolving field which requires a multimodal approach and the inclusion of a medical oncologist, a hepatobiliary surgeon, a radiotherapist, an interventional radiologist and in some cases a transplant surgeon. In addition, the recent development of novel approaches such as neoadjuvant tumour therapy, cryosurgery, thermal ablative techniques as well as biological and immunological manipulation of malignant cells has added to the complexity of this field. Today, the availability of such innovative modalities, in the absence of an extrahepatic localisation of disease, allows the potential to cure many large primary and secondary hepatic tumours. However, the appropriate use of these various treatment modalities should be limited to centers with experience in treating patients with advanced disease where innovative study protocols are available. Experience of the surgeon with difficult hepatectomies is of paramount importance. Currently, mortality following major hepatectomies in non-cirrhotic patients is below 5% in centers of reference. For example, in the series from Duke University Medical Center there were no fatalities in more than 150 liver resections in patients with benign diseases and a 2% mortality in more than 300 patients with malignant diseases. Mortality, however, reached 5% in cirrhotic patients undergoing a resection involving more than 2 segments. This review will attempt to focus on an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of a selection of more common hepatic malignancies.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗