Publications by authors named "Renata Lorenzetti"

Background: The indication for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is uncertain in patients with asymptomatic severe (≥60% luminal narrowing according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria) carotid stenosis (ASCS), especially in the very elderly, because current evidence suggests that the risk of future stroke has been dropping in the past two decades owing to the recent advances in medical therapy. The aim of this observational study was to compare early and late outcomes in patients ≥80 years old with ASCS treated with CEA plus best medical treatment (BMT) or with BMT alone.

Methods: From 2005 to 2012, 69 octogenarians with ASCS underwent CEA plus BMT (group 1), and another 54 received BMT alone (group 2).

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Objective: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains the gold standard for treating carotid disease in selected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, though carotid angioplasty and stenting has emerged as a safe alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the durability of CEA in a large series of patients followed up according to a strict clinical and ultrasonographic protocol.

Methods: Over a 23-year period (1990-2012) a total of 1773 patients (1251 men and 522 women) with a mean age of 75.

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Background: Controversy persists regarding the use of protamine sulfate (PS) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA), chiefly because of conflicting experiences reporting both less bleeding and a higher stroke risk. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that reversing heparin with PS after CEA significantly reduces the incidence of bleeding complications without increasing the risk of postoperative stroke.

Methods: From January 2010 to December 2012 all consecutive patients undergoing CEA under general anesthesia at our institution received 5,000 U of heparin prior to carotid clamping, which was partially (half-dose) reversed with PS 25 mg immediately after declamping (group I).

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A 71 years old Italian man had type 3 gastric cancer of the greater curvature. Total gastrectomy with splenectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were performed. After discharge chemotherapy ELF regimen was administered for 6 months.

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Complications after surgical treatment of diverticulitis are not very frequent, in view of the total number of patients affected by this pathology, but they do become significant in absolute terms because of the high prevalence of the disease itself. Surgeons continue to debate which option is better: Hartmann resection or combined resection and anastomosis. Since age is a crucial factor when surgery is being considered, we evaluated the outcome of surgical treatment for diverticulitis in patients treated in our unit over a six-month period, in view of the number of elderly patients generally admitted.

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This work investigates the prognostic role of advanced age as a risk factor for recurrence in a population of patients undergoing surgery for N0 stage colon cancer, and also evaluates whether that role is affected by tumor location. A population of 129 consecutive patients who underwent radical surgery for N0 stage colon cancer was selected. Patients were subdivided into three age groups: <65, 65-80 and >80.

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Background: Although aortoiliofemoral bypass grafting is the optimal revascularization method for patients with severe aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD), previous studies have documented poor patency rates in young adults. This study investigated whether young patients with AIOD have worse outcomes in patency, limb salvage, and long-term survival rates after reconstructive surgery than their older counterparts.

Methods: Patients aged≤50 years undergoing reconstructive surgery at our institution for AIOD between 1995 and 2010 were compared with a cohort of randomly selected patients aged≥60 years (two for each of the young patients, matched for year of operation), analyzing demographics, risk factors, indications for surgery, operative details, and outcomes.

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We present a case report on the management of a young woman affected by Crohn's Disease ever since childhood, complicated by complex, multiple perianal fistulas. In literature, there is increasing evidence to support the treatment of perianal fistulas using a combined association of medical and surgical strategies. In the case of our patient, the choice of surgery in association with pharmacological treatment was supported by the consideration of the fact that intervening during a quiescent phase of the disease, from the symptomatic, clinical-biohumoral and endoscopic standpoint, would have reduced the risk of complications and thus promoted healing.

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Objective: The role of gender on the outcome of infrainguinal arterial revascularization (IAR) for peripheral arterial occlusive disease remains uncertain. This study analyzed the outcome of IARs performed over 15 years, stratifying the results by sex.

Methods: Details of consecutive patients undergoing primary IAR for peripheral arterial occlusive disease from 1995 to 2009 at our institution were prospectively stored in a vascular registry.

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Background And Purpose: To evaluate rate of formation of midline abdominal wall incisional hernia (MAIH) after elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and revascularization for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD).

Methods: AAA and AOD patients operated electively via a primary midline abdominal incision at our institution over a decade were entered in this prospective study. Patients who had already undergone midline laparotomy or had an MAIH after previous celiotomy were excluded.

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Background And Purpose: Although the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in reducing the risk of stroke in selected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients has been well documented, the higher incidence of adverse events after CEA for women than for men remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of female gender on perioperative (30-day) and long-term outcomes after eversion CEA (eCEA).

Methods: Patients entered into a prospectively compiled computerized database of all primary consecutive eCEAs performed at our institution from September 1998 to December 2009 were analyzed.

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Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in selected patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease, but its beneficial influence on cognitive performance in the elderly remains debatable. This prospective study sought to determine early and long-term neurocognitive outcomes after CEA for severe unilateral carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: From July 2006 to December 2008, 75 symptomatic (group A) and 70 asymptomatic patients (group B) aged 65 years and older underwent CEA under general anesthesia.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictors for neck bleeding after eversion carotid endarterectomy (eCEA).

Methods: A prospectively compiled computerized database of all primary eCEAs performed at a tertiary referral center between September 1998 and December 2009 was analyzed. The end point was any neck bleeding after eCEA.

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