ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our study aims at disclosing epidemiology and most relevant clinical features of esophageal atresia (EA) pointing to a model of multicentre collaboration. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was sent to all Italian Units of pediatric surgery in order to collect data of patients born with EA between January and December 2012. The results were crosschecked by matching date and place of birth of the patients with those of diagnosis-related group provided by the Italian Ministry of Health (MOH). RESULTS: A total of 146 questionnaires were returned plus a further 32 patients reported in the MOH database. Basing on a total of 178 patients with EA born in Italy in 2012, the incidence of EA was calculated in 3.33 per 10,000 live births. Antenatal diagnosis was suspected in 29.5% patients. 55.5% showed associated anomalies. The most common type of EA was Gross type C (89%). Postoperative complications occurred in 37% of type C EA and 100% of type A EA. A 9.5% mortality rate was reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Italian cross-sectional nationwide survey on EA. We can now develop shared guidelines and provide more reliable prognostic expectations for our patients.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Atresia/epidemiology , Prenatal Diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tracheoesophageal Fistula/epidemiology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diagnosis-Related Groups , Esophageal Atresia/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant, Newborn , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Pregnancy , Tracheoesophageal Fistula/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
Between december 1983 and april 1989, percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy of varicocele was successfully performed on 364 patients. A 5% solution of sodium morrhuate and benzylic alcohol (Varicocid) was administered through a coaxial balloon catheter inserted into the spermatic vein. 10 of the patients had relapses after surgery. Long-term follow-up was available for 268 patients (73.6%). Three of them had incomplete relapses after sclerotherapy. In terms of spermatologic improvement, sclerotherapy appeared to be effective in the treatment of varicoceles. In our experience, sclerotherapy is a safe effective procedure to be preferred to surgery in the management of varicocele.
Subject(s)
Benzyl Alcohols/therapeutic use , Sclerotherapy/methods , Sodium Morrhuate/therapeutic use , Varicocele/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Injections, Intravenous , Male , Middle Aged , Phlebography , Recurrence , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , Varicocele/diagnosisABSTRACT
Since December 1983, percutaneous transvenous retrograde sclerotherapy of the internal spermatic vein was performed successfully, without complications in 37 patients. The administration of the sclerosing agent through a coaxially balloon catheter specifically inserted into the spermatic vein caused therapeutic hardening. The effectiveness of the treatment was endorsed by subsequent checks by clinical and radiological examinations.
Subject(s)
Sclerosing Solutions/therapeutic use , Varicocele/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Humans , Male , Methods , Middle Aged , Radiography , Varicocele/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
The A. A. describe one case of wandering spleen with torsion of the pedicle. In spite of the rarity of this phenomenon and the vagueness of its clinical manifestation, if this diagnosis is under consideration, it can be established by angiography, by scintigraphy, or by sonography. After splenectomy the patient was cured.
