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A Fingerhut

Publications and source records attributed to A Fingerhut.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Surgery vs endoscopy as primary treatment in symptomatic patients with suspected common bile duct stones: a multicenter randomized trial. French Associations for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical treatment (ST) with endoscopic management (EM) in patients with suspected common bile duct stones. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty eligible patients originating from 18 surgery units. Patients enrolled in this multicenter randomized study had clinical symptoms that included jaundice, mild pancreatitis (Ranson score < or = 2), or mild acute cholangitis; biliary colic (with increased alkaline phosphatase levels); and common bile duct stones or a common bile duct diameter of 1 cm or larger on ultrasonography. METHODS: Two hundred two patients were randomly assigned to either ST (n=105) or EM (n=97) during a 5-year period. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and clinical presentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rates of early postoperative additional procedures necessary to deal with the impossibility to perform the initial procedure, complications, and retained stones after ST or EM. Subsidiary endpoints were intention-to-treat analyses of mortality and of major complications and the duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: Surgical treatment was associated with a significantly (P<.001) lower rate of 1 or 2 additional procedures (8% vs 29%) due to a significantly lower rate of the impossibility to perform the initial procedure (0% vs 5%) (P<.05), major complications (4% vs 13%) (P<.05), and retained stones (6% vs 16%) (P<.04). Minor complications occurred more often in patients having ST (4%) than in those having EM (0%) (P<.01). Cholecystectomy was performed routinely in 102 patients having ST and electively in 36 patients having EM. There was 1 death in each group initially. On an intention-to-treat analysis, 3 deaths (3.1%) occurred after EM and 1 (0.9%) after ST; this difference was not statistically significant (P=.56). Major complications occurred in 4% of patients having ST compared with 1 1% of patients having EM (P<.002). The median duration of hospital stay was 16 days in patients having ST and 12 days in those having EM; this difference was not statistically significant (P=.09). CONCLUSION: Whether an additional cholecystectomy is performed routinely or electively, the high risk of additional procedures after EM precludes its use as the optimal therapy in patients with symptomatic common bile duct stones, except in those with severe cholangitis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

5-Fluorouracil and cisplatin as palliative treatment of advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A multicentre randomised controlled trial. The French Associations for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To compare chemotherapy with no chemotherapy as palliative treatment for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Randomised study. SETTING: Multicentre trial in France. SUBJECTS: Of 161 patients with histologically confirmed oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma located more than 5 cm from the mouth of the oesophagus, five were withdrawn because of protocol violation. The remaining 156 patients, 149 men and 7 women, mean (SD) age 58 (9) years range 36 to 77, were randomly allocated to either a control group without chemotherapy (n = 84) or a group treated by chemotherapy (n = 72). Patients were divided into four strata: I = complete resection of the tumour but with lymph node involvement (n = 62); II = incomplete resection of tumour leaving gross tumour behind (n = 58); III = no resection because of local or regional invasion (n = 22) ; and IV = no resection because of distant metastasis (n = 14). Exclusion criteria were histologically confirmed tracheobronchial involvement, oesophagotracheal fistula, Karnosky score < 50, cerebral metastases, or hepatic metastases occupying more than 30% of the liver, peritoneal carcinomatosis, associated or previously treated ear-nose-throat carcinoma, or complete resection of tumour without lymph node involvement. INTERVENTIONS: 5 fluorouracil (5FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) were given in 5-day courses, once every 28 days, for a maximum of eight cycles. 5 FU, 1 g/m2, was infused for 24 hours after a water overload, during five days. Cisplatin was given either in one dose of 100 mg/m2 at the beginning of the cycle or 20 mg/m2/day over three hours for five days. Duration of treatment ranged from 6-8 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Median and actuarial survival. The subsidiary endpoint was quality of survival judged by complications of treatment, swallowing disorders, and the duration of ability to feed normally. RESULTS: There was no difference in survival, either overall (median = 12 months) or in any of the strata. There were however significantly more patients with neurological (p < 0.003), haematological (p < 0.0001), and renal (p < 0.0002) complications in the treated group compared with the control group. Four patients (6%) died of complications of chemotherapy. The course of swallowing disorders did not differ between the two groups. The duration of autonomous oral feeding was exactly the same in both groups (median = 10.5 months). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 5FU and CDDP do not help in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus whether or not the tumour has been resected.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Omentoplasty in the prevention of anastomotic leakage after colonic or rectal resection: a prospective randomized study in 712 patients. French Associations for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of omentoplasty (OP) in the prevention of anastomotic leakage after colonic or rectal resection. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: It has been proposed that OP--wrapping the omentum around the colonic or rectal anastomosis--reinforces intestinal sutures with the expectation of lowering the rate of anastomotic leakage. However, there are no prospective, randomized trials to date to prove this. METHODS: Between September 1989 and March 1994, a total of 705 patients (347 males and 358 females) with a mean age of 66 +/- 15 years (range, 15-101) originating from 20 centers were randomized to undergo either OP (n = 341) or not (NO, n = 364) to reinforce the colonic anastomosis after colectomy. Patients had carcinoma, benign tumor, colonic Crohn's disease, diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon, or another affliction located anywhere from the right colon to and including the midrectum. Patients undergoing emergency surgery were not included. Random allotment took place once the resection and anastomosis had been performed, the surgeon had tested the anastomosis for airtightness, and the omental flap was deemed feasible. Patients were divided into four strata: ileo- or colocolonic anastomosis, supraperitoneal ileo- or colorectal anastomosis, infraperitoneal ileo- or colorectal anastomosis, and ileo- or coloanal anastomosis. The primary end point was anastomotic leakage. Secondary end points included intra- and extraabdominal related morbidity and mortality. Severity of anastomotic leakage was based on the rate of repeat operations and related deaths. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics. Intraoperative findings were similar, except that there were significantly more septic operations and abdominal drainage performed in the NO group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Thirty-five patients (4.9%) had postoperative anastomotic leakage, 16 in the OP group (4.7%) and 19 in the NO group (5.2%). There were 32 deaths (4.5%), 17 (4.9%) in the OP group and 15 (4.2%) in the NO group. Five patients with anastomotic leakage died (0.8%), 2 of whom had OP. There were 37 repeat operations (30%), 12 (6 in each group) for anastomotic leakage. Repeat operation was associated with fatal outcome in 14% of cases. The rate of these and the other intra- and extraabdominal complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: OP to reinforce colorectal anastomosis decreases neither the rate nor the severity of anastomotic failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Bile duct cysts in adults: a multi-institutional retrospective study. French Associations for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To review the features of adult patients undergoing surgery for bile duct cysts, focusing on the anatomy of the biliary tree as well as the long-term outcome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Bile duct cysts (BDCs) are uncommon in Western countries, and the majority of reported cases originate from Asia. Japanese authors have emphasized the frequent association of extra- and intrahepatic bile duct dilatations, but grading of patients based on Todani's classification is often hindered by the absence of an accurate definition of types IC and IVA cysts. Moreover, despite the increasing use of extrahepatic cyst excision, little is known about the long-term outcome in patients with intrahepatic bile duct involvement. METHODS: Forty-two adult patients with BDC were treated between 1980 and 1992 in 17 institutions of the French Associations for Surgical Research. Clinical presentation, radiologic presurgical evaluation, and surgical procedures were analyzed. The long-term postsurgical outcome was derived from patient charts, attending physicians, or direct patient contact. RESULTS: Twelve patients (30%) had recurrent abdominal pain or jaundice from childhood. Seven (17%) had undergone prior cystenterostomy. Twenty-one (50%) had a Todani-type IVA cyst with extra- and intrahepatic bile duct involvement. Of these, nine had segmental, exclusively left-sided intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Biliary carcinoma was encountered in five patients (12%). Extrahepatic cyst excision with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 34 patients with type I or IV cysts. The overall operative mortality rate was 2.4%. Long-term results were clearly correlated with cyst type: during a mean follow-up of 8.4 years, 11 of 12 patients (92%) treated by cyst excision for type I cyst remained free of symptoms, whereas 31% of patients who underwent surgery for type IV cyst had episodic or severe cholangitis with intrahepatic stones. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with BDC, particular attention must be given to the associated intrahepatic bile duct dilatations. We propose a modification of Todani's classification to distinguish cystic, segmental, and fusiform dilatations of the intrahepatic biliary tree in type IV cysts. In patients with segmental left intrahepatic cystic dilatations, combined left liver lobectomy and extrahepatic cyst excision is suggested to decrease late postsurgical biliary complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: early and late results of surgical management in 32 cases. French Associations for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To propose guidelines for treatment based on the study of early and late outcome after various surgical procedures for sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP). PRIMARY BACKGROUND DATA: SEP is rare. The main complication is intestinal obstruction. Ideal treatment is resection of the membrane, whenever possible. Mortality and morbidity, however, have not been well analyzed. METHODS: The case records and histopathological reports of 32 operated cases of SEP (18 centers during 16 years) were retrospectively studied. Patients underwent four types of procedures: group 1 (n = 5), membrane resection; group 2 (n = 12), enterolysis with partial excision of the membrane; group 3 (n = 7), intestinal resection, and group 4 (n = 8), exploratory laparotomy only. Five cases were considered as idiopathic. Medical and surgical antecedent history for the 27 other cases (6 patients had associations) included laparotomy for carcinoma (n = 14) or benign disorders (n = 5), beta-blocker treatment (n = 4), cirrhotic ascites (n = 4), generalized peritonitis (n = 3) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (n = 3). Indications for operation included subacute (n = 22) or acute intestinal obstruction (n = 6), abdominal mass (n = 8), other clinical presentations (n = 4) and asymptomatic SEP discovered during surgery for portacaval shunt (n = 1). Seven patients had two associated clinical presentations. All cirrhotic patients with ascites and the asymptomatic patient were in group 4. None of the imaging techniques (plain radiograms, barium follow-through, sonograms and CT scans) were formally contributive to the preoperative diagnosis of SEP. RESULTS: In group 1, both complicated patients, one with an inadvertent intraoperative intestinal wound, the other with a postoperative intestinal leak, healed uneventfully. In group 2, 4 inadvertent intraoperative intestinal wounds led to 4 postoperative leaks with 3 consequent deaths. One further patient died of persistent intestinal obstruction. In group 3, 1 inadvertent intestinal intraoperative wound healed uneventfully and 2 deaths, one due to persistent intestinal obstruction associated with anastomotic leakage and the other due to ventricular fibrillation, were noted. In group 4, there were no intraoperative wounds, no postoperative morbidity or deaths. The median follow-up was 49.5 months (range 4-142 months). Seven patients (1 or 2 in each group) experienced transient episodes of subacute intestinal obstruction between 1 month and 6 years after discharge, none of which required a repeat operation. Eight patients (in all groups) died of their initial cancer between 4 and 75 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that: (1) resection of the membrane should be attempted when feasible; (2) in case of inadvertent intestinal wound(s), the most proximal one should be brought out as a stoma, and partial resections should not be anastomosed primarily, but (3) no surgical treatment is required in ascites, asymptomatic SEP or subacute intestinal obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Diagnosis of asymptomatic common bile duct stones: preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography versus intraoperative cholangiography--a multicenter, prospective controlled study. French Associations for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: In patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, preoperative diagnosis of common bile duct (CBD) stones can modify the therapeutic strategy. The aims of this prospective, controlled multicenter study were to assess the feasibility, concordance, discordance, and indexes such as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography compared with those of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in the diagnosis of asymptomatic CBD stones (i.e., patients undergoing cholecystectomy with no clinical or biologic evidence of CBD stones). METHODS: From October 1993 to October 1995, 240 consecutive patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, scheduled for cholecystectomy in 14 surgical centers, were enrolled in this study. All patients were selected for this study according to a preoperative high-risk CBD stone predictive score. Each patient underwent both endoscopic ultrasonography and IOC, as well as surgical exploration of the CBD when stones were detected during one or both preoperative investigations. All patients were seen 1 months and 1 year after operation to check for residual stones. RESULTS: The feasibility of endoscopic ultrasonography was significantly higher overall than that of IOC (99% vs 90%; p < 0.001), except when IOC was through a laparotomy (97% vs 93%; p = 0.16). The number of patients available for study was 215. In 198 cases (92%), results of both investigations were in concordance (161 negative and 37 positive values). Seventeen cases (8%) were discordant. There was overall concordance between the two investigations (kappa coefficient 0.764; 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.87), but the percentage of discordance was in favor of IOC. Sensitivity and specificity of IOC were significantly higher than those of endoscopic ultrasonography (1.00 and 0.98 vs 0.85 and 0.93, respectively). With a prevalence of CBD stones of 19%, positive and negative predictive values of IOC were significantly higher than those of endoscopic ultrasonography (0.93 and 1.00 vs 0.75 and 0.96, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although endoscopic ultrasonography is feasible more often than IOC, IOC is associated with a slightly lower degree of discordance and better information indexes and remains an efficient method of investigation for CBD stones. Endoscopic ultrasonography can be suggested in preference to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography when postoperative residual stones are suspected but need not be performed routinely before cholecystectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Factors influencing long-term survival in 100 cases of small intestine primary adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing long-term survival in patients undergoing operation for adenocarcinoma of the small intestine are poorly recognized. METHODS: Retrospective study of 100 cases culled within a 10-year period by questionnaire, including 59 males and 41 females, median age 61 years (range 30 to 86). No patients were lost to follow-up (median 27 months). All patients underwent operation: curative in 65% and palliative in 35%. RESULTS: Overall actuarial 5-year survival was 38%, 0% after palliative treatment and 54% after curative resection. In patients undergoing curative resection, 5-year survival was 63% when the lymph nodes were not involved, and 52% when they were; 57% when the serosa was not involved, and 53% when it was; 56% when the tumor was well or moderately well differentiated and 40% when it was undifferentiated. Other factors influencing long-term survival were the emergency setting, the site, the multiplicity, and the size of tumor (none with statistically significant differences). Five and 10-year survival was 78% and 69%, respectively, when the patient was anemic compared with 35% and 17%, respectively when the patient was not (P <0.01). There were 14 patients with previous carcinoma, 2 with Crohn's disease, and 1 each with celiac disease and ileal tuberculosis. There were also 8 patients with associated duodenal and proximal jejunal polyps. Thirteen patients sustained a total of 14 further cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should be followed up closely because the possibility of sustaining another abdominal carcinoma is high (16%). As associated polyps are nearly always duodenal or jejunal, preoperative or intraoperative endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract including the initial portion of the jejunum should be able to detect their presence and reduce the risk of early recurrence.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1997

Management of the pelvic space with or without omentoplasty after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum: a prospective multicenter study. The French Association for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perineal healing with or without omentoplasty after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre study. SETTING: 15 centres (three university, nine non-university teaching hospitals and three private clinics), France. SUBJECTS: 186 consecutive patients (between January 1983 and August 1990): 21 were withdrawn because of protocol violation leaving 165 for analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the distal third of the rectum followed by omentoplasty (n = 64) to the pelvic space or not (n = 101). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of healed perineums at one month, and the time interval to complete healing. RESULTS: 7 patients (4%) died, 4 of whom had had omentoplasty and 3 who had not (one perineal abscess). The number who developed immediate postoperative complications (11/64, 17% and 18/101, 18%) and median duration of hospital stay (21 days, range 8-191, and 22 days, range 8-132) were similar. The median time to complete healing (20 and 21 days), the rate of healed perineums at one month (42/62 and 67/99, both 68%) and the number of persisting sinuses at 12 months were also similar. The number of dehiscences of the perineum was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the no omentoplasty group (16 compared with 3). There were 3 late deaths in the omentoplasty group and 7 in the no omentoplasty group, 1 and 5 with local recurrence, respectively. There were more recurrences in the no omentoplasty group but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was not randomised, the results suggest that omentoplasty to the pelvic space promotes perineal healing after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum by significantly reducing the need for secondary opening.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery--technique and results.

Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be effectively treated by proton-pump inhibitors, surgery is still the only means of definitive cure of the disease. After introduction of laparoscopic surgery, there has been a clear trend to surgical repair of the incompetent cardia. The indications for surgical treatment are: endoscopically proven esophagitis, persistent or recurrent complaints under medical treatment, esophageal stricture and/or pH-metrically proven acid reflux as well as reflux-induced coughing (chronic aspiration). Although the laparoscopic antireflux operations is a technically demanding procedure, it can be performed with similar results as compared to conventional surgery. The operative technique is reported in detail. From January 1992 to March 1997, 146 consecutive patients with GERD have been operated on laparoscopically. The overall conversion rate was 8.2% (n = 12). 133 patients were operated on according to the Nissen procedure including hiatoplasty. The Toupet operation was performed in only one case. 84 men and 42 women had a mean age of 49 years (20-76). The median duration of symptoms was 48 months (1-600). Except five patients all had medical treatment for at least 2 years. Twice pneumatic balloon dilatation of an esophageal stricture was necessary preoperatively. The median operation time was 210 minutes (70-660). Conversion to open surgery because of intraoperative complications was necessary in 6 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 patients, all of them being successfully treated conservatively. No patient died. 121 patients (90.3%) had follow up examinations for at least 6 months. Retreatment was necessary in 5 cases: 1x slipped Nissen (laparoscopic repair), 1x intrathoracic hernia (conventional reoperation), 2x dysphagia > 4 months postoperatively (endoscopic balloon dilatation) and 1x recurrent ulcer (conventional operation). With a correct indication, laparoscopic Nissen repair for GERD is a suitable, safe and definitive treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Manual versus mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis after resection for carcinoma: a controlled trial. French Associations for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical anastomosis has been claimed to reduce the rate of leakage compared with manual anastomosis. No randomized trials have been performed to date to prove this specifically in esophagogastric anastomosis. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four patients, 139 men and 15 women ranging in age from 36 to 83 years (mean, 50 +/- 10 years) and undergoing elective resection of esophageal or cardial carcinoma, were included in this multiinstitutional (14 centers) randomized study comparing the rate of anastomotic leakage after esophagogastric anastomosis performed manually or mechanically. Eligible for this study were patients with esophageal or cardial carcinoma located between the esophagogastric junction (included) and the upper border of the aortic arch. The choice between resection with or without thoracotomy was left to the discretion of the operating surgeon. Proximal resection of the fundus was mandatory. Intestinal tract continuity was reestablished in a one-stage procedure by an esophagogastric anastomosis without interposition of either the jejunum or the colon. The site of the anastomosis could be either intrathoracic or cervical. The principal end point was anastomotic leakage as judged by (1) egress of intestinal fluids or orally ingested methylene blue through drains, (2) sodium diatrozate swallow prescribed either routinely for all patients between postoperative days 3 and 8 or because of signs of leakage, or (3) reoperation or autopsy. RESULTS: After two patients were withdrawn for protocol violation, 152 patients, 74 in the manual group and 78 in the mechanical group, were studied. The number of anastomotic leakages was identical in both groups (n = 12, 16% and 15%, respectively). Overall 30-day mortality was 11%. Fewer deaths occurred in the manual group (7%), which had three anastomotic leakages, than in the mechanical group (15%), which had five anastomotic leakages, and fewer repeat operations were done in the manual group (n = 9) than in the mechanical group (n = 13), but both of these differences were not statistically significant. The duration of anastomosis and of operation was similar in both groups. In the mechanical group 16 anastomoses (20%) gave rise to technical mishaps (either in the fashioning of the purse-string, dilation of the esophagus, or in stapling). Among the factors recognized as potentially preventing leakage, only testing for airtightness was significantly correlated with less postoperative leakage (p < 0.05). Eight postoperative strictures were recorded at 3 months in 62 (13%) patients in the manual group, whereas seven strictures occurred in 53 (13%) patients in the mechanical group. CONCLUSIONS: When mechanical staples rather than manual sutures are chosen, the disadvantages (technical mishaps and higher costs) are not counterbalanced by a gain of time or a decrease in the rate or severity of anastomotic leakage.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic Bypass for Inoperable Disease of the Pancreas.

Based on the literature and the authors' experience, the principal laparoscopic techniques of cholecystojejunostomy, choledochoenterostomy, and gastrojejunostomy for palliative treatment of pancreatic carcinoma are described.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

5-Fluorouracil and cisplatin therapy after palliative surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. A multicenter randomized trial. French Associations for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: The curative rate of surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is low. Reports on the efficacy of preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy are conflicting or have included limited disease or radical surgery alone. OBJECTIVE: The authors' objective was to study the results of chemotherapy on the duration and quality of survival in patients who have undergone palliative surgical resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 124 patients with histologically proven esophageal squamous cell carcinoma situated more than 5 cm from the upper end of the esophagus, 4 patients were withdrawn for failure to comply with the protocol. The remaining 120 patients, 116 males and 4 females (mean age, 57 +/- 9 years), were randomly assigned to either a control group who were to receive no chemotherapy (68 patients) or to a group who were to be treated with chemotherapy (52 patients). Patients were subdivided into two strata as follows: (1) stratum I, complete resection of the tumor with lymph node involvement (62 patients) and (2) stratum ii, incomplete resection leaving macroscopic tumor tissue in situ or with metastases. Noninclusion criteria were histologically proven tracheobronchial involvement, esotracheal fistula, major alteration of general health status (Karnofsky score <50), cerebral or extensive (>30% of parenchyma) hepatic metastasis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, associated or previously treated upper airway cancer, or, conversely, complete resection of tumor without lymph node involvement. Chemotherapy was given in 5-day courses, every 28 days, with a maximum of 8 courses. Cisplatin was administered either as a single dose of 100 mg/m2 at the beginning of the course or as 20 mg/m2/day for 5 days given over 3 hours. 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) (100 mg/m2/day) was infused over 24 hours for 5 days. The duration of treatment ranged from 6 to 8 months. The main aim was to establish median survival and actuarial survival curves. The subsidiary aim was to evaluate quality of survival as judged by complications due to treatment and the duration of autonomous oral feeding, that is, without palliative endoscopic treatment. No difference in survival was noted between the two groups, overall (median, 14 months), or between the strata. Conversely, significantly more patients in the treated group had hematologic, neurologic, and renal complications compared with the control group. Four patients died of complications of chemotherapy. The duration of autonomous oral alimentation was exactly the same in both groups (median, 12 + months). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that 5-FU and cisplatin are not useful for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who have not undergone curative resection.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1996

[Treatment of common bile duct lithiasis under laparoscopy. A prospective multicenter study in 189 patients].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and results of common bile duct laparoscopic treatment and exploration in patients with choledocholithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1991 to December 1994, 189 consecutive malades (120 females; mean age 68 years, range: 21-92) with choledocholithiasis identified during routine intraoperative cholangiogram underwent surgical exploration of common bile duct in 5 surgical centers. Twenty patients were referred to surgery after unsuccessful endoscopic sphincterotomy. RESULTS: Following laparoscopic exploration and intraoperative cholangiography, common bile duct stone extraction by laparoscopy was not attempted in 11 patients (5.8%). The common bile duct was successfully cleared of all stones in 153 patients (81% of the overall population and 86% of laparoscopic attempts), either via the transcystic route (n = 97) or through choledocotomy (n = 56). Eighteen patients required conversion to open surgery, 16 for unsuccessful stone extraction and 2 despite successful stone extraction. Postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy was required in 7 patients (4.4%) for retained stones after laparoscopic treatment. There were no postoperative deaths (95% confidence interval 0-1.6%), and follow-up, ranging from 3 to 42 months, has shown no further clinical evidence of retained stones. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and treatment of common bile duct stones is feasible by laparoscopy, and the results in this series compare favorably with those of conventional surgical treatment. Complete treatment of biliary lithiasis, in one operation, avoids the pitfalls of patient selection for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and the risks of endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Are routine preoperative chest radiographs useful in general surgery? A prospective, multicentre study in 3959 patients. Association des Chirurgiens de l'Assistance Publique pour les Evaluations médicales.

OBJECTIVE: To find out which patients about to undergo general or gastrointestinal operations could have the routine preoperative posteroanterior chest radiograph omitted. DESIGN: Prospective open multicentre study. SETTING: 8 Public hospitals, France. SUBJECTS: 3959 consecutive patients about to undergo operations for benign disease were divided into 4 groups depending on the number of risk factors for cardiopulmonary complications (coexisting bronchopulmonary or cardiac conditions, abnormal clinical cardiopulmonary findings): group 1 (n = 2092) had no risk factors, group 2 (n = 946) had 1, group 3 (n = 645) had 2, and group 4 (n = 276) had 3 risk factors or more. INTERVENTIONS: Routine posteroanterior chest radiographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whether the findings on the radiograph (read by the anaesthetist) led to modifications in the type of anaesthesia or operative technique, or both, and whether radiographs were helpful in the postoperative management. RESULTS: 912 (23%) of the radiographs showed some abnormality. Changes were made in anaesthetic or surgical policy in 22 (0.1%), 11 (0.3%), 8 (1%), and 4 (1%) of patients in groups 1-4, respectively. The preoperative films were of some help in the management of about half the patients who developed postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chest radiographs should be routine for patients about to undergo general and gastrointestinal operations with three or more risk factors, and done selectively for patients with one or two. Routine preoperative films are unnecessary for patients with no risk factors.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1996

Duration of antibiotic treatment in surgical infections of the abdomen. Introduction--the different ways to reach consensus.

The many interrelated issues concerning administration of antibiotics following operations for abdominal contamination and infection were a powerful impetus to create this Discussion Forum in The European Journal of Surgery, which focuses on the duration of administration-a previously neglected topic. The guidelines presented herein are not based on previous randomised trials alone, nor are they prescribed by dictatorship of one person. Instead, they are proposed by a steering committee in the form of a table and are confirmed by consensus of many experts. The science of consensus has to be recognized in surgery. The Discussion Forum offers written judgements that provide more details than the usual Consensus Development Conference statements. It can be used for a nominal group process organized by sepsis trial groups and may be of value for a consensus-based treatment of individual patients.

Abdomen↗