Publications (8)28 Total impact
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Article: Use of N-acetylcysteine during liver procurement: A prospective randomized controlled study.
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ABSTRACT: Antioxidant agents have the potential to reduce ischemia/reperfusion damage to organs for liver transplantation (LT). In this prospective, randomized study, we tested the impact of an infusion of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during liver procurement on post-LT outcomes. Between December 2006 and July 2009, 140 grafts were transplanted into adult candidates with chronic liver disease who were listed for first LT, and according to a sequential, closed-envelope, single-blinded procedure, these patients were randomly assigned in a 1/1 ratio to an NAC protocol (69 patients) or to the standard protocol without NAC [71 patients (the control group)]. The NAC protocol included a systemic NAC infusion (30 mg/kg) 1 hour before the beginning of liver procurement and a locoregional NAC infusion (300 mg through the portal vein) just before cross-clamping. The primary endpoint was graft survival. The graft survival rates at 3 and 12 months were 93% and 90%, respectively, in the NAC group and 82% and 70%, respectively, in the control group (P = 0.02). An adjusted Cox analysis showed a significant NAC effect on graft survival at both 3 months [hazard ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-2.93, P = 0.04] and 12 months (hazard ratio = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.14-2.76, P ≤ 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the NAC group (23%) versus the control group (51%, P < 0.01). In the subgroup of 61 patients (44%) receiving suboptimal grafts (donor risk index > 1.8), the incidence of primary dysfunction of the liver was lower (P = 0.09) for the NAC group (15%) versus the control group (32%). In conclusion, the NAC harvesting protocol significantly improves graft survival. The effect of NAC on early graft function and survival seems higher when suboptimal grafts are used. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.Liver Transplantation 08/2012; · 3.39 Impact Factor -
Article: The beneficial impact of temporary porto-caval shunt in orthotopic liver transplantation: a single center analysis.
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ABSTRACT: The use of temporary porto-caval shunt (TPCS) has been shown to improve hemodynamic stability and renal function in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We evaluated the impact of TPCS in OLT and analyzed the differences according to model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), donor risk index (DRI) and D-MELD. This is a retrospective single-center analysis of 148 consecutive OLT. Fifty-eight OLT were performed using TPCS and 90 without TPCS. Donor and recipient data with pre-OLT, intraoperative and postoperative variables were reviewed. Overall graft survival was 89.9% at 3 months and 81.7% at 1 year. Graft survival at 3 months and 1 year was 93.1% and 79.2%, respectively, in TPCS group versus 85.6% and 82.2%, respectively, in non-TPCS group (P = NS). Intraoperative packed red blood cells requirement was lower in TPCS group (7.5 ± 5.8 vs. 12.2 ± 14.2, P = 0.006) and non-TPCS group required higher intraoperative total dose of phenylephrine (16% vs. 28%, P = 0.04). TPCS group had lower 30-day postoperative mortality (1.7% vs. 10%, P = 0.04), no difference was observed at 90 days. Graft survival was lower in patients with high DRI; in this group graft loss was higher at 1 month (25% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.005) and 3 months (25% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.005) when TPCS was not used. TPCS improves perioperative outcome, this being more evident when high-risk grafts are placed into high-risk patients.Transplant International 03/2011; 24(3):243-50. · 2.92 Impact Factor -
Article: A novel approach to severe acute pancreatitis in sequential liver-kidney transplantation: the first report on the application of VAC therapy.
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ABSTRACT: This work is the first report of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy applied as a life-saving surgical treatment for severe acute pancreatitis occurring in a sequential liver- and kidney-transplanted patient who had percutaneous biliary drainage for obstructive "late-onset" jaundice. Surgical exploration with necrosectomy and sequential laparotomies was performed because of increasing intra-abdominal pressure with hemodynamic instability and intra-abdominal multidrug-resistant sepsis, with increasingly difficult abdominal closure. Repeated laparotomies with VAC therapy (applying a continuous negative abdominal pressure) enabled a progressive, successful abdominal decompression, with the clearance of infection and definitive abdominal wound closure. The application of a negative pressure is a novel approach to severe abdominal sepsis and laparostomy management with a view to preventing compartment syndrome and fatal sepsis, and it can lead to complete abdominal wound closure.Transplant International 03/2011; 24(3):e23-7. · 2.92 Impact Factor -
Article: A novel approach to severe acute pancreatitis in sequential liver–kidney transplantation: the first report on the application of VAC therapy
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ABSTRACT: This work is the first report of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy applied as a life-saving surgical treatment for severe acute pancreatitis occurring in a sequential liver- and kidney-transplanted patient who had percutaneous biliary drainage for obstructive “late-onset” jaundice. Surgical exploration with necrosectomy and sequential laparotomies was performed because of increasing intra-abdominal pressure with hemodynamic instability and intra-abdominal multidrug-resistant sepsis, with increasingly difficult abdominal closure. Repeated laparotomies with VAC therapy (applying a continuous negative abdominal pressure) enabled a progressive, successful abdominal decompression, with the clearance of infection and definitive abdominal wound closure. The application of a negative pressure is a novel approach to severe abdominal sepsis and laparostomy management with a view to preventing compartment syndrome and fatal sepsis, and it can lead to complete abdominal wound closure.Transplant International 02/2011; 24(3):e23 - e27. · 2.92 Impact Factor -
Article: Ileal neuroendocrine carcinoma following restorative proctocolectomy for colonic adenocarcinoma in Crohn's disease.
International Journal of Colorectal Disease 02/2011; 26(2):253-4. · 2.38 Impact Factor -
Article: Second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer: a Western experience.
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ABSTRACT: Recurrence of hepatocellular cancer after resection is a significant problem. The optimal treatment of patients with intrahepatic recurrence after resection and well-preserved liver function is not clear. We analyzed the outcomes of patients undergoing a second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer at a single Western center. The records of all patients undergoing primary hepatic resection for hepatocellular cancer between January 1994 and January 2009 were reviewed. Patients with a single intrahepatic recurrence, Child's A liver function, and platelet count>100,000/μl underwent a second hepatic resection. Clinical data was recorded and analyzed. Of the 487 patients undergoing primary resection, 221 developed recurrence, and 35 underwent a second hepatic resection. There were no perioperative mortalities. There were 10 deaths during the study period; 5-year overall survival was 67% from second resection. Time to recurrence from primary resection<1 year and gross vascular invasion at second resection were predictors of survival and recurrence. Patients with recurrence>1 year from primary resection and without gross vascular invasion had a 5-year survival of 81%. There were 17 recurrences with a 3-year recurrence rate of 55%. Second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular cancer is applicable in about 15% of patient with recurrence. The procedure is safe and can achieve excellent results in well-selected patients. Recurrence continues to be a significant problem.Journal of Hepatology 12/2010; 55(2):346-50. · 9.26 Impact Factor -
Article: Intestinal surgery for Crohn's disease: predictors of recovery, quality of life, and costs.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the impact of different surgical techniques on patients undergoing intestinal surgery for Crohn's disease (CD) in terms of recovery, quality of life, and direct and indirect costs. Forty-seven consecutive patients admitted for intestinal surgery for CD were enrolled in this prospective study. Surgical procedures were evaluated as possible predictors of outcome in terms of disability status (Barthel's Index), quality of life (Cleveland Global Quality of Life score), body image, disease activity (Harvey-Bradshaw Activity Index), and costs (calculated in 2008 Euros). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Significant predictors of a long postoperative hospital stay were the creation of a stoma, postoperative complications, disability status on the third post-operative day, and surgical access (R (2) = 0.59, p < 0.01). Barthel's index at discharge was independently predicted by laparoscopic-assisted approach, ileal CD, and colonic CD (R (2) = 0.53, p < 0.01). The disability status at admission showed to be an independent predictor of quality of life score at follow-up. The overall cost for intestinal surgery for CD was 12,037 (10,117-15,795) euro per patient and stoma creation revealed to be its only predictor (p = 0.006). Laparoscopy was associated with a shorter postoperative length of stay; stoma creation was associated with a long and expensive postoperative hospital stay, and stricturoplasty was associated with a slower recovery of bowel function.Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 09/2009; 13(12):2128-35. · 2.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Inflammatory fibroid polyp causing intestinal obstruction following restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.
Digestive surgery 08/2009; 26(4):285-6. · 1.37 Impact Factor
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Institutions
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2009–2011
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University-Hospital of Padova
Padova, Veneto, Italy
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