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Biomedical subjects

V Memeo

Publications and source records attributed to V Memeo.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Effect of the resection margin and the extrarectal spread on the recurrence following 2 types of surgical procedures in rectal cancer].

A prospective unrandomized clinical study was conducted to determine the incidence of local recurrences after radical surgery and to ascertain whether the anterior resection could be an effective approach in cases of the tumours of the rectum, also in presence of the unsatisfied distal clearance and the extraparietal spread. For this purpose the length of the rectum below the tumor, mesorectum included, was cut in little cubes of 1 square cm and 10 microslices/cm at random were histologically examined to locate the intramural diffusion and extraparietal spread. Sixty-one patients undergoing curative surgery for rectal cancer entered the trial. Thirty-seven of them have been operated on by anterior resections (AR) and twenty-four by abdominal-perineal amputation. Thirteen local recurrences (21.3%) have been recorded during a five-year follow-up: 9 after AR and 4 after Miles operation. Nine relapses were among the cases with distal clearance less than 3 cm an eight of these have undergone anterior resections. No recurrence was seen in cases with distal clearance greater than 5 cm. Spread was found in 11 (18%) patients. Five recurrences were recorded all belonging to the group with anterior resection. No statistical difference exists between conservative surgical procedure and abdominal-perineal operation. We have been able to demonstrate only the direct relationship between relapse and Dukes C stage after curative rectal surgery.

Actuarial Analysis

Prediction of mortality by logistic regression analysis in patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulae.

The contrasting results of treatment of patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulae reflect the heterogeneity of the disease and depend on the patient's condition and the characteristics of the fistulae. For this reason, the use of a prognostic index, which enables such patients to be classified according to their risk of death, could be useful. In this study we propose a prognostic index based on a logistic regression analysis, obtained by using two (APACHE II score and serum albumin concentration) of the eight risk factors that have been retrospectively analysed in a series of 70 patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulae treated in our surgical department since 1981. The logistic regression equation indicates that patients with a probability of dying of less than 0.35 have a good prognosis, with a sensitivity of 90 per cent, a specificity of 90 per cent, a negative predictive value of 79 per cent, a positive predictive value of 96 per cent and an accuracy of 90 per cent. The predictive performance of the index has also been evaluated in a group of 17 patients studied prospectively, and this confirms the sensitivity and specificity of the model. This postoperative enterocutaneous fistulae index could be a helpful tool in clinical trials and surgical audit.

Adult

Protective colostomy closure: the hazards of a "minor" operation.

A retrospective study of 87 patients, subjected to colostomy closure between 1976 and 1987, was conducted in order to evaluate the role of 8 potential risk factors on morbidity and mortality. Possible risk factors were age greater than 65 years, presence of hypoalbuminaemia (less than 3.0 gr%), anaemia (Hb less than 10 gr%), operative technique, duration of colostomy, site of colostomy, underlying disease and presence of subcutaneous drainage. Apart from hypoalbuminaemia, no clear risk factor was identified, although an interval of more than 90 days between construction and closure of colostomy appears to be safer than shorter intervals. A comparison was also made between two different periods from 1976 to 1982 and from 1983 to 1987 which resulted in important changes in patient management in the second period including: type of antibiotic prophylaxis, type of anastomosis and suture material, site of colostomy and mean duration of colostomy. Four post-operative deaths (4.6%) (two for myocardial insufficiency and two for sepsis), 11 major (13%) and 25 (29%) minor complications were recorded. The analysis of the two different periods showed a strong reduction in both mortality and morbidity in the second period, which could be related to a better management of this type of patient. In conclusion, the incidence of mortality and morbidity in colostomy closure cannot be underestimated and therefore the same skill and meticulous approach are required for this operation as for any major surgical procedure on the colon.

Adolescent

Rectal carcinoma: CT staging with water as contrast medium.

Computed tomography (CT) was used to study 42 patients with rectal carcinoma. Water was used as a contrast medium for studying the local extent of tumor in all patients. Scans were read prospectively without knowledge of the histologic staging and then compared with pathologic specimens. CT depicted the tumor in all patients. Comparison of CT and histologic results (following the Dukes classification) showed that disease was correctly staged as A in three of four patients, as B in eight of 12, as C in 15 of 17, and as D in nine of nine. Overall, carcinoma was correctly staged with CT in 35 of 42 patients (diagnostic accuracy, 83.3%). The accuracy in the assessment of local invasion was 97.6% (41 of 42). In the detection of lymph node involvement, the accuracy was 78.6% (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 64.7%). CT is recommended in the preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma and as an aid in choosing the appropriate therapy. The use of water enema and complete distention of the rectum are reliable techniques for improving the accuracy of CT in the assessment of local invasion by cancer.

Adult