Publications by authors named "Vasilis A Constantinides"
Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the "gold standard" approach to benign adrenal tumours. Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (RA) is an increasingly popular alternative. The purpose of this study was to compare our preliminary experience with RA to the more established LA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting colorectal tumour invasion according to seven intrapelvic compartments for planning exenterative pelvic surgery.
Method: Sixty-three consecutive patients underwent preoperative MRI planning for exenterative surgery, defined as operative excision beyond conventional mesenteric planes for locally advanced (n=23) and recurrent (n=41) pelvic colorectal cancer. The institutional research committee approved of the study and waived the need for a consent form as the images were retrospectively assessed.
Lymphatic leakage is a rare complication of thyroid surgery, the risk of which increases in the presence of malignancy and correlates with the extent of surgery. Although primarily associated with left-sided thoracic duct injuries, lymphatic leaks may occur following right-sided neck dissections for metastatic thyroid cancer. However, the development of a lymphocele following a right-sided lobectomy for benign disease is exceptionally rare.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The present study evaluated the effect of rectal washout in reducing local recurrence after resection for rectal cancer.
Methods: A literature search was performed on studies published since 1989 that compared rectal washout to no washout for rectal cancer resection. Primary end point was local cancer recurrence.
Background: Laparoscopic surgery for hepatic neoplasms aims to provide curative resection while minimizing complications. The present study compared laparoscopic versus open surgery for patients with hepatic neoplasms with regard to short-term outcomes.
Methods: Comparative studies published between 1998 and 2005 were included.
Objective: To compare primary resection and anastomosis (PRA) with and without defunctioning stoma to Hartmann's procedure (HP) as the optimal operative strategy for patients presenting with Hinchey stage III-IV, perforated diverticulitis.
Summary Background Data: The choice of operation for perforated diverticulitis lies between HP and PRA. Postoperative mortality and morbidity can be high, and the long-term consequences life-altering, with no established criteria guiding clinicians towards selecting a particular procedure.
Purpose: This study was designed to assess factors affecting rates of circumferential resection margin involvement after rectal cancer excision, the association between circumferential resection margin involvement rates for patients undergoing anterior resection and abdominoperineal excision within the same unit, and trends in outcomes between units.
Methods: Data about patients undergoing rectal cancer excision between 2000 and 2003 were extracted from the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of circumferential resection margin involvement.
Objective: Risk factors for unsuccessful fast-tracking of cardiac surgery patients have not been collectively defined in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for fast-track failure and incorporate them into a predictive fast-track failure score.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic precision of antiSaccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and evaluate their discriminative ability between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).
Methods: Meta-analysis of studies reporting on ASCA and pANCA in IBD was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) were calculated for different test combinations for CD, UC, and for IBD compared with controls.
Objective: Using meta-analytical techniques, the study compared postoperative adverse events and functional outcomes of stapled versus hand-sewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) following restorative proctocolectomy.
Background: The choice of mucosectomy and hand-sewn versus stapled pouch-anal anastomosis has been a subject of debate with no clear consensus as to which method provides better functional results and long-term outcomes.
Methods: Comparative studies published between 1988 and 2003, of hand-sewn versus stapled IPAA were included.
Purpose: This study compares primary resection with anastomosis and Hartmann's procedure in an adult population with acute colonic diverticulitis.
Methods: Comparative studies published between 1984 and 2004 of primary resection with anastomosis vs. Hartmann's procedure were included.
Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of the Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, colorectal-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, and the Surgical Risk Scale for the treatment of patients with complicated diverticular disease.
Methods: Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity variables were prospectively recorded for 324 patients undergoing colorectal resections in 42 hospitals in the United Kingdom from January to December 2003. The accuracy of each model was evaluated by measures of discrimination, calibration, and subgroup analysis.
Purpose: This study was designed to compare outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgery for patients with diverticular disease by using meta-analytic techniques.
Methods: Comparative studies published between 1996 and 2004 of open vs. laparoscopic surgery for diverticular disease were included.