1,720,967 research outputs found
Percutaneously Assisted "two-Ports" Transperitoneal Radical Nephrectomy: Initial Series
No full textLooking for a virtually "scarless" surgery mini-laparoscopy (ML) could be a viable alternative to conventional laparoscopy. ML is a reproducible technique and allows for the preservation of the triangulation concept, the cornerstone of laparoscopic surgery. Drawback of ML could be the poor performance of miniaturized instruments that could affect the confidence of the surgeon and limit the indications. The recent availability of a novel mini-laparoscopic platform in our center expanded the indications of ML to radical nephrectomy even in cases of large renal tumors in kidneys with abundant perirenal fat. The platform is composed by mini-instruments with the peculiarity of a 2.9-mm shaft that is mounted on a handle and a jaw that are comparable in size and performance to those of conventional instruments, increasing the ergonomy and the confidence perceived by the surgeon. Allowing for inclusion criteria, nine consecutive patients were enrolled in our prospective study and underwent percutaneously assisted "two-ports" radical nephrectomy. Preliminary data showed that the novel platform allowed us to perform a safe and effective procedure with acceptable perioperative outcomes and apparent improvements in cosmesis. Larger sample size and comparative studies are needed to confirm these findings
Clampless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a step towards a harmless nephron-sparing surgery?
Full text linkPURPOSE: To evaluate the results of our technique of clampless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and its impact as an emerging treatment for small renal masses (SMRs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our prospectively maintained database: data of 117 patients who consecutively underwent LPN at our Institution from January 2009 to December 2011 were studied. Patients were divided into 2 Groups based on operative technique: Group A: clampless-LPN (cl-LPN); Group B: conventional LPN (clamping of renal artery). Demographic and peri-operative data, complications, pre- and post-operative serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were registered and compared by Student’s t- and Chi-square-tests (p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant). RESULTS: 41 patients were in Group A and 76 in Group B. Groups were comparable in terms of preoperative data except for tumour’s size (2.35 ± 1.10 vs. 3.19 ± 1.57, Group A vs. B, respectively, p = 0.0029). Concerning perioperative data, warm ischemia time (WIT) was 0 min. in all Group A cases; mean WIT in Group B was 20.90 ± 9.27 min. One case (2.4%) in Group A (central tumour) was converted to conventional LPN. Mean eGFR postoperative decrease was higher in Group B (0.17 ± 9.30 vs. 4.38 ± 11.37 mL/min., A vs B, respectively, p = 0.0445). CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the limits of the study, our results suggest that cl-LPN is a safe and effective technique, which allows surgeon to surgically treat SRMs even in case of complex location, without injuring kidney by ischemia
Biological glues and collagen fleece for hemostasis during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Technique and results of prospective study
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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Mini-retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: Our experience after 50 procedures
No full textObjective: To present our experience with retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy using 3-mm instruments (mini-rA) for adrenal tumors. Materials and methods: From March 2009 to May 2013, patients with adrenal tumors <6 cm in size and body mass index ≤ 35 were involved in this prospective study and underwent mini-rA performed by 3-mm instruments. Demographic, endocrine and perioperative data, and cosmetic results (using Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire and Scoring System) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Fifty procedures were performed in 48 patients. All procedures were performed with neither conversion to open surgery nor reoperation or mortality. Median operative time and blood loss were 90 minutes (range, 45-210 minutes) and 50 mL (range, 20-210 mL), respectively. Only 1 intraoperative complication (2%) was recorded. Conversion to conventional laparoscopy was needed in 4 procedures (8%). Postoperative complications were recorded in 6 cases (Clavien grade ≤ 2). No differences were recorded in terms of perioperative variables when comparing procedures performed in patients having secreting tumors (n = 18) with other ones (n = 32). On the contrary, procedures performed in patients having benign lesions (n = 41) had significantly lower operative times and complications with respect to those performed in patients with malignant lesions (n = 9). Median Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire score was 30 (minimum score 28 = the best result; maximum score = 112, the worst result). Conclusion: In selected population, mini-rA is a feasible, safe, and effective technique in the treatment of adrenal masses <6 cm in size, offering objectively proven excellent patients' satisfaction with symptoms and cosmesis. Significant experience before embarking in this kind of surgery is recommended
Pure mini-laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty in an adult population: Feasibility, safety, and functional results after one year of follow-up
No full textRobot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site versus mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty: A comparison of perioperative, functional and cosmetic results
No full textBackground: New approaches have been developed to further reduce the invasiveness of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (P) as treatment for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Aim of the study was to compare perioperative, functional and cosmetic results of mini-laparoscopic (mL-P) versus robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site P (rLESS-P). Methods: Since April 2009 to June 2010, 12 adult patients with primary UPJO, BMI<25 and no previous abdominal surgeries were enrolled undergoing mLP (3-mm instruments only). With the same indications since February 2012 to October 2013, 15 patients underwent rLESS-P with "single site"® platform (Intuitive Surgery Inc, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Success of surgeries was determined by clinical parameters and renal scan (success if T 1/2<20 min) at 12 months postoperatively. Demographics and perioperative results were analyzed. Cosmetic results were assessed by using the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ). Results: Groups were comparable at baseline. No differences were found in perioperative variables except for a longer operative time in rLESS-P group (128 vs. 190, P<0.001). Postoperative complications rate, analgesic consumption, pain visual analogue scale scores, hospital stay and success rate of surgeries were not significantly different between the groups. PSAQ revealed that in both the groups patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. At one-year follow-up no recurrences were observed. Semiquantitative analysis of costs revealed an extra-cost for rLESS-P of € 3410 per procedure. Conclusions: In our experience, both mLP and rLESS-P appeared to be feasible and safe in the treatment of UPJO and allowed for excellent cosmetic results. r-LESS required longer operative times and higher costs
Long-term functional evaluation of the treated kidney in a prospective series of patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors.
Full text linkBackground: Renal scintigraphy may allow long-term monitoring of ischemic damage after partial nephrectomy (PN). Objective: Evaluate use of renal scintigraphy for evaluating long-term effects of warm ischemia on renal function in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Design, setting, and participants: We prospectively examined kidney function of 54 patients who underwent laparoscopic PN (LPN). Minimum follow-up time was 4 yr. Intervention: LPN was performed with warm ischemia by transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach. Measurements: Demographic, perioperative, and pathologic data and postoperative complications were registered. Split renal function (SRF) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were evaluated by renal scintigraphy preoperatively, at 3 and 12 mo postoperatively, then yearly. Baseline weighted differentials (b-WDs) of both SRF and ERPF in the affected kidney were calculated between baseline condition and every time point. Multivariate linear regression was used to find independent variables for increased b-WDs at 3 and 48 mo. P values<0.05 were considered significant. Results and limitations: The SRF and ERPF of kidneys treated by LPN decreased significantly at month 3 and subsequently remained stable through the duration of follow-up. Conversely, neither serum creatinine nor estimated glomerular filtration rate changed significantly during follow-up. The regression model showed statistical significance at month 3 for warm ischemia time (WIT) and age, whereas at 48 mo, statistical significance was reached by WIT alone. No new onset of cardiovascular disease was registered. No evidence of local recurrence was recorded with computed tomography scan. Our study may be underpowered due to small sample size; however, this is one of the largest long-term prospective series using renal scintigraphy to evaluate the renal function after LPN. Conclusions: WIT contributes to irreversible kidney damage observed at month 3 that does not appear to worsen
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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