Biomedical subjects

Stavros Gourgiotis

Publications and source records attributed to Stavros Gourgiotis.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Rectal prolapse.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal prolapse, or procidentia, is defined as a protrusion of the rectum beyond the anus. It commonly occurs at the extremes of age. Rectal prolapse frequently coexists with other pelvic floor disorders, and patients have symptoms associated with combined rectal and genital prolapse. Few patients, a lack of randomized trials and difficulties in the interpretation of studies of anorectal physiology have made the understanding of this disorder difficult. METHODS OF TREATMENT: Surgical management is aimed at restoring physiology by correcting the prolapse and improving continence and constipation, whereas in patients with concurrent genital and rectal prolapse, an interdisciplinary surgical approach is required. Operation should be reserved for those patients in whom medical treatment has failed, and it may be expected to relieve symptoms. Numerous surgical procedures have been suggested to treat rectal prolapse. They are generally classified as abdominal or perineal according to the route of access. However, the controversy as to which operation is appropriate cannot be answered definitively, as the extent of a standardized diagnostic assessment and the types of surgical procedures have not been identified in published series. LITERATURE REVIEW: This review encompasses rectal prolapse, including aetiology, symptoms and treatment. The English-language literature about rectal prolapse was identified using Medline, and additional cited works not detected in the initial search were obtained. Articles reporting on prospective and retrospective comparisons and case reports were included.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Inadvertent parathyroidectomy during thyroid surgery: the incidence of a complication of thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Incidental parathyroidectomy is a complication of thyroid surgery. The aim of this report is to explore the incidence, risk factors, and clinical relevance of inadvertent parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 1998 and June 2005 were evaluated. Pathology reports were reviewed for the presence of parathyroid tissue in the thyroidectomy specimens. Information regarding diagnosis, operative details, and postoperative hypocalcemia were collected. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifteen thyroid procedures were performed: 163 total thyroidectomies, 124 near-total thyroidectomies, and 28 lobectomies. The findings were benign in 240 and malignant in 75 cases. Incidental parathyroidectomy was found in 68 (21.6%) cases: 58 were benign and 10 were malignant. One and two parathyroids were accidentally removed in 46 and 22 patients, respectively. Parathyroid tissue was found in intrathyroidal (33%) and extracapsular (27%) sites. Total/near-total thyroidectomy was not associated with increased risk of incidental parathyroidectomy (P=0.646), and there was no association of inadvertent parathyroidectomy with postoperative hypocalcemia (P=0.859). Thyroid malignancy was associated with decreased incidence of incidental parathyroidectomy (P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Inadvertent parathyroidectomy, although not uncommon, is not associated with postoperative hypocalcemia. The type of surgical procedure does not increase the risk of incidental parathyroidectomy, while thyroid malignancy may reduce the incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Acute gastric volvulus: diagnosis and management over 10 years.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric volvulus is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition, which is difficult to diagnose. This study represents a series of patients with acute gastric volvulus. METHODS: All patients presenting with acute gastric volvulus over a 10-year period were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with a median age of 66 years were identified. Acute gastric volvulus was secondary to a paraesophageal hiatus hernia in 16 patients. The major symptoms were abdominal pain, vomiting and upper gastrointestinal bleeding/anemia. The most useful investigations were barium studies and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Treatment was open surgery in all patients. There were no major complications and no deaths. Median hospitalization was 8 days. CONCLUSION: Acute gastric volvulus is a rare condition which requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis, which is usually based on imaging studies. The treatment is immediate surgery. Volvulus can be treated successfully by open surgery with minimal morbidity and short hospitalization.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Surgical treatment of hepatic haemangiomas: a 15-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic haemangiomas are congenital vascular malformations. They are the most common benign tumours of the liver and are often asymptomatic. Spontaneous or traumatic rupture, intratumoral bleeding, consumption coagulopathy and rapid growth are the mandatory surgical indications. We present our experience over the last 15 years with the surgical management of 15 liver haemangiomas to clarify the safety and effectiveness of this treatment. METHODS: There were 15 patients with hepatic haemangiomas who were surgically treated from 1990 to 2004. Indications for the operation were spontaneous or traumatic rupture, consumption coagulopathy, rapid growth, abdominal pain and uncertain diagnosis. Four of these lesions were located on the left lobe, nine on the right lobe; one lesion was located on the left and the right lobes and one on segments VII and VIII. Methods for diagnosis included ultrasonography, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and selective hepatic arteriography or combinations of more than one technique. RESULTS: The procedures included five right-extended lobectomies, five right lobectomies, one left-extended lobectomy, two left lobectomies and two segmental resections. There was no death. The postoperative morbidity was minimal and was mainly correlated to two subdiaphragmatic collections, one intra-abdominal collection and one wound infection. The postoperative hospital stay was 12.7 days (range, 10-19 days). During the follow-up period, there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION: The resection of the hepatic haemangioma is safe. The indications for resection, however, should be carefully analysed before embarking on such a major operation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe with survival rates remaining unchanged over the last three decades. Early diagnosis and accurate staging are essential due to the difficulty of curing this tumor in its advanced form. Endoscopic or laparoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography are the preferred imaging and staging modalities for many patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Morbidity and mortality are similar for pylorus-preserving and classic pancreatico-duodenectomy. Extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy does not improve survival and increases morbidity compared with standard pancreaticoduodenectomy, while adjuvant chemoradiotherapy prolongs survival in selected groups of patients. This article reviews the causes, risk factors, and clinical features of pancreatic adeno-carcinoma and discusses the methods of optimal diagnosis, staging and treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism: indications and surgical approach.

OBJECTIVE: renal hyperparathyroidism (rH) is one of the most serious complications in long-term hemodialysis patients. the purpose of this retrospective study was the evaluation of the surgical indications, parathyroid histology, and the results of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (Ptx+At) in patients with rH. DESIGN: the study included 36 patients with rH in whom Ptx+At was carried out at the First surgical Department of the Evangelismos Hospital over a 5-year period. Indications for Ptx+At were high levels of parathyroid hormone (PtH >800 ng/L) associated with hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia, that were refractory to medical treatment, as well as clinical effects of rH, including pruritus, bone and joints pain, muscle weakness, progression of soft tissue calcification, and spontaneous fractures. Ultrasonography, (99m)Tc sestamibi scan and computed tomography were used to evaluate the thyroid and parathyroids. RESULTS: there was no mortality related to surgery. Preoperative symptoms, serum PtH, serum alkaline phosphatace, hyperphosphatemia, and hypercalcemia were improved or normalised in most patients. recurrence was observed in one case; this autotransplanted patient required resection of transplanted tissue from his forearm. Hypoparathyroidism was not recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Ptx+At is a safe option for the treatment of rH that is accompanied by low morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rate. It is important to identify all parathyroid glands at surgery and to choose adequate parathyroid tissue for autograft.

Adult↗