196,143 research outputs found

    One-day laparoscopic surgery

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    Since ten years laparoscopic techniques have been employed as alternatives of many established open procedures in gynecologic, abdominal and finally urologic surgery. Laparoscopic techniques show significant advantages compared to open surgery, such as less hospitalization, reduced need of analgesic drugs, quick return to daily activities and far a better cosmetic results. Laparoscopic surgery has been advocated for urologic, uro-gynecologic and andrologic diseases. Since 1983 one-day surgery was proposed for only a few gynecologic and abdominal procedures and only recently for laparoscopic renal biopsy and abdominal testis evaluation. In these preliminary experiences the conditions for a correct management of laparoscopic one-day surgery have been clearly pointed out: 1. correct surgical indication; 2. through knowledge of surgical technique; 3. duration of the procedure less than 90 minutes; 4. correct anesthesia. Technique of anesthesia must be adapted to the surgical procedure required, its duration and the physical features of the patient. General anesthesia is usually preferred for either longer and more complex procedures or when a higher abdominal insufflation pressure is needed. Spinal or local anesthesia are preferred for simpler procedures or when only one trocar is required. At date only few urologic procedures seem to be suitable to one-day laparoscopic surgery. 1) Varicocele: although laparoscopic varicocelectomy in one-day surgery has never been reported previously, it can be performed in a short time, only 3 trocars are needed and insufflation pressure can be maintained within 15 mm Hg. 2) Renal biopsy and marsupialization of renal cysts. These are usually managed percutaneously but in some particular indications procedures under direct vision should be preferable. Both are short-lasting and only superficial general anesthesia is required; as surgical access is retroperitoneal only two trocars are sufficient; at date only renal biopsies have previously been reported. 3) Diagnostic procedures on abdominal testis. The procedure is brief only superficial general anesthesia is needed and only one trocar is required. Conclusions. One-day laparoscopic surgery will require in the future a more and more strict cooperation between urologists and anesthetists in order to tailor the correct anesthesiological and laparoscopic technique to the procedure required and the features of the patient

    Neuropsychiatric manifestations in celiac disease

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    Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic, chronic immune-mediated disorder elicited by gluten and related prolamines in genetically susceptible subjects. Main manifestations of CD involve the digestive tract; however, a growing body of evidence supports the theory that symptoms may occur in every part of the body. It is known that some patients with CD can be asymptomatic, and additionally, the incidence of "nonclassical" CD with extraintestinal presentation is apparently increasing. We aimed to perform a thorough review of existing evidence for neurological manifestations of CD, providing an up-to-date description of prevalence and examining the pathogenetic mechanisms possibly involved. Neurological presentations are rare in children but as many as 36% of adult patients present with neurological findings. With severe malnutrition after progression of CD, different vitamin deficiencies may develop. Such problems can in turn overlap with previous neurological abnormalities including ataxia, epilepsy, neuropathy, dementia, and cognitive disorders. Here, the most prevalent clinical manifestations in adults and children have been discussed in further detail. Further research is needed to achieve a complete understanding of the nervous system involvement in CD, but clinicians should always remember that neurological and psychiatric symptoms might be part of the CD spectrum of manifestations

    Is there a correlation between bladder pressure and urinary N-Acetil-Beta-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG) concentration in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)?

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    To investigate the relationships between urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) concentrations and urodynamic parameters in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). NAG has been proposed as a marker of renal damage.METHODS:Twenty-three patients with SCI were evaluated with urodynamic studies. Urine samples were collected from the 23 patients and 10 healthy volunteers, the NAG levels were evaluated, and the urodynamic parameters were compared with the urinary NAG levels. The patients were divided into two groups according to the amplitude of the hyperreflexic detrusor contractions (HDCs): group A, patients with an HDC amplitude of 40 cm H(2)O or greater, and group B, patients with an HDC amplitude of less than 40 cm H(2)O; group C was composed of healthy volunteers. The urinary NAG concentrations in the three groups were compared.RESULTS:A positive correlation was found between the urinary NAG levels and the HDC amplitude and detrusor leak point pressure (P = 0.015 and 0.007, respectively). The urinary NAG concentration was 3.38 U/g in group A, 2.14 U/g in group B, and 2.12 U/g in group C. The differences in the urinary NAG concentrations between groups A and B and between groups A and C were statistically significant (P = 0.03 and P <0.001, respectively). The concentrations between groups B and C were comparable.CONCLUSIONS:In our experience, the only urodynamic parameters that clearly and positively correlated with the urinary NAG levels were those expressing the amplitude of intravesical pressure. This result stresses the importance of reducing the intravesical pressure in patients with SCI using alternative treatments or surgical procedures if the usual conservative therapies are not effective
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