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Biomedical subjects

B Launois

Publications and source records attributed to B Launois.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gastric bypass for malignant esophagotracheal fistula: a series of 21 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with cancer of the esophagus who develop an esophagotracheal fistula die within 1 month in dramatic conditions of malnutrition and asphyxia. We assessed the beneficial palliative effect of the Kirschner operation in the treatment of esophagotracheal fistula. METHODS: Between January 1980 and August 1995, 21 patients among a continuous series of 847 with cancer of the esophagus developed an esophagotracheal fistula. Prior to surgery, 2 patients had an esophageal prosthesis followed by radio- and/or radiochemotherapy and 6 had radio- and/or chemotherapy at curative doses. The Kirschner operation was carried out in all patients with exclusion of the lower end of the esophagus using a Roux-en Y-loop (n = 19) or ligature (n = 2). RESULTS: Within 1 month of surgery, 8 patients (38%) died. Median length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospitalization was 6 days (1-30) and 17 days (3-57), respectively. Among the 13 survivors, pulmonary infections (n = 2) and cervical fistulae (n = 5) complicated the postoperative period. Among the cervical fistula, 3 of them resolved favorably. Radio- and/or chemotherapy was given postoperatively in 7 patients without any improvement in survival. Among the 13 patients surviving beyond the postoperative period, median survival was 109 days; 7 were able to resume oral nutrition and quality of life was assessed as excellent in 6 of them. CONCLUSION: The Kirschner operation can provide a beneficial palliative effect in patients with an esophagotracheal fistula despite the high risk of operative mortality. Ideally, the Kirschner should be carried out in young patients who are still in good general health, before the development of respiratory complications compromises surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Salvage esophagectomy after unsuccessful curative chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the esophagus.

Surgery was performed on 6 patients after unsuccessful chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. The operation was very difficult due to post-irradiation sequelae in 5. The postoperative period was uneventful in 4 patients. Median intensive care unit stay and hospitalization were 5 and 47 days, respectively. Survival after surgery reached 44 months in 1 patient (59 months after diagnosis). Outcome was better in patients who had surgery after recurrence rather than after nonresponse to chemoradiotherapy. Salvage esophagectomy can be beneficial, in selected patients, after unsuccessful chemoradiotherapy for cancer of the esophagus by providing longer survival and better quality of life despite operative and postoperative morbidity.

Adult↗

A reappraisal of hepatic siderosis in patients with end-stage cirrhosis: practical implications for the diagnosis of hemochromatosis.

The aim of this study was to describe the histologic pattern of iron distribution in end-stage cirrhosis due to various causes and to test the reliability of the hepatic iron index (equal to hepatic iron concentration divided by age) in excluding or confirming associated hemochromatosis in such a condition. Large slices of the resected livers of 30 patients transplanted for alcoholic and/or viral end-stage cirrhosis were assessed histologically for iron distribution and biochemically for hepatic iron concentration in the least and the most iron-overloaded nodules of each case. HLA-A3 was used as the marker for the hemochromatosis gene in the population studied. Intranodular parenchymal siderosis was found in 23 cases (12 spotty, 11 diffuse) with diffuse intrabiliary iron deposits apparent in only two cases. Although in 14 patients the hepatic iron index was significantly high (> 1.9) so as to suggest hemochromatosis, these cases did not correspond to homozygous hemochromatosis with respect to the prevalence of HLA-A3 antigen. End-stage cirrhosis arising from different causes is frequently complicated by parenchymal siderosis that may mimic hemochromatosis, including a hepatic iron index greater than 1.9. The diagnosis of hemochromatosis in patients with end-stage cirrhosis, even those with a hepatic iron index greater than 1.9, should rely mainly on clinical and histologic data.

Adult↗

Results of liver transplantation in the treatment of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. A 31-case French multicentric report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the value and timing of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the treatment of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Liver metastasis from NET seems less invasive than other secondary tumors. This observation suggests that OLT may be indicated when other therapies become ineffective. However, the potential benefit of this highly aggressive procedure is difficult to assess due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of NET. METHODS: A retrospective multicentric study was carried out, including all cases of OLT for NET performed in France between 1989 and 1994. There were 15 cases of metastatic carcinoid tumor and 16 cases of islet cell carcinomas. Hormone-related symptoms were present in 16 cases (55%). Only 5 patients (16%) had no previous surgical or medical therapy before OLT. Median delay from diagnosis of liver metastasis and OLT was 19 months (range, 2 to 120). RESULTS: The primary tumor was removed at the time of OLT in 11 cases, by upper abdominal exenteration in 7 cases and the Whipple resection in 3. Actuarial survival rate after OLT was 59% at 1 year, 47% at 3 years, and 36% at 5 years. Survival rates were significantly higher for metastatic carcinoid tumors (69% at 5 years) than for noncarcinoid apudomas (8% at 4 years), because of higher tumor- and non-tumor-related mortality rates for the latter. CONCLUSION: OLT can achieve control of hormonal symptoms and prolong survival in selected patients with liver metastasis of carcinoid tumors. It does not seem indicated for other NET.

Adult↗

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: prognostic factors after curative surgery: a series of 45 cases.

BACKGROUND: Some adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy could be important for patients operated on for tumours of the ampulla of Vater, especially for those having a higher risk of recurrence. AIM: To evaluate prognostic factors after curative surgery based on a series of 45 cases of malignant tumours of the Oddi sphincter. PATIENTS: From 1970 to 1992, a curative resection was performed in 45 patients (age 62.8 (SD 10.1) years) with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla. Surgical procedures included pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 42) and resection of the ampulla (n = 3). Actuarial survival was 44 (SD 9)% at five years. METHODS: Various prognostic variables were studied: clinical manifestations, macroscopic aspect, differentiation, noninvasive adenomatous component, mucin histochemistry, immunohistochemistry (CEA, CA19.9, p53, Ki67), and accepted classifications (Blumgart and Kennedy, Martin, Yamaguchi and Enjoji, Talbot et al, pTNM). RESULTS: Variables with prognostic power, in order of importance were: Classification of Talbot et al; CA19.9; pTNM; sialomucins; classification of Yamaguchi and Ejoji; Martin classification; sulphomucins; non-invasive adenomatous component (positive > negative); jaundice; tumour localisation. CONCLUSIONS: This series confirmed the prognostic power of former classifications and showed the prognostic power of other variables (mucin, non-invasive adenomatous component, CA19.9).

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Polymorphism of the microsatellites and tumor necrosis factor genes in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases].

OBJECTIVES: Multiplex family studies have excluded chromosome 6 as a candidate gene of susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease. However, one recent study suggested that a gene involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease is located on chromosome 6 confering to a microsatellite allelic combination (a2, b1, c2, d4, e1) a strong genetic risk factor in Crohn's disease. The aim of our study was to determine simultaneously the polymorphisms of the TNF microsatellites and of the genes coding for TNF synthesis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with ulcerative colitis, 100 patients with Crohn's disease were compared to 64 healthy ethnically matched controls. Five TNF microsatellite loci (a, b, c, d, e) were typed using polymerase chain reaction PCR, and two dimorphisms of TNF alpha and TNF beta (intron 1) were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Allelic frequencies of TNF microsatellites and of TNF alpha and beta genes were similar in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and controls. Five loci microsatellite haplotypes, especially a2 b1 c2 d4 e1 allelic combination, were not more frequent in Crohn's disease (25%) compared to ulcerative colitis (27%) or controls (20%). Subgroups stratification according to clinical characteristics did not modify haplotype frequencies. Analysis of our data taking simultaneously into account the MHC alleles (DRB*01 or DRB1*04) did not modify our data; however, it suggested that extended haplotype on short arm of chromosome 6 differed between patients and controls. Linkage disequilibrium (delta = -360.10(-4); P < 0.01) between a2, b1, c2, d4, e1 allelic combination and DRB1*04 allele was observed only in Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: Percentages of patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis carrying TNF microsatellite or TNF alpha and beta gene haplotypes were similar to those of healthy controls. These data argue against involvement of the TNF locus without exclusion of short arm of chromosome 6 implication in Crohn's disease pathogenesis.

Adult↗

[Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis].

The surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis has benefited from the progress in imaging, with subsequent improvement of preoperative investigations but the main factor has been the development of surgical procedures. The pancreatectomy with the preservation of the pylorus or duodenum completes the armamentarium of by-pass and resective techniques. The classical surgical indications are the local evolutive complications: obstruction of pancreatic duct, common bile duct stenosis, duodenal stenosis, splenic complications and localized extra-hepatic portal hypertension. Other indications are intractable chronic pain and pseudotumoral inflammatory lesions of the head of the pancreas that may be indistinguishable from cancer. In the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis, the operative mortality is similar with exploratory laparotomy, pancreatic by-pass, cysto-anastomosis and the Whipple procedure. 5 and 10 year actuarial survival rates are 92% and 76% with resections, 80% and 54% with cysto-anastomosis, 85% and 66% with pancreatic by-pass, respectively. Functional results are excellent with the absence of pain in 76% of patients following resection or by-pass.

Chronic Disease↗

Retrosternal bypass operation for unresectable squamous cell cancer of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: A palliative bypass operation may be beneficial when severe dysphagia or tracheoesophageal fistula occurs after radiochemotherapy for unresectable tumor of the esophagus. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with an unresectable tumor of the esophagus underwent a palliative retrosternal gastric (29) or colonic (3) bypass operation with ligature of the lower esophagus (3) or drainage (27). Tracheoesophageal fistula was present at operation in 20 (62.5%), including 8 after radiochemotherapy. RESULTS: The overall operative mortality rate was 34.4%: 45% with tracheoesophageal fistula and 16.6% without (p < 0.01). Median intensive care and hospitalization times were 5 and 19 days, respectively. Median postoperative survival was 6 months (range, 53 to 492 days). Complications in 21 survivors were lung infections (seven), cervical fistulas (eight), and failure of the esophageal suture (two); 19 patients resumed oral nutrition, and quality of life was excellent in 6. All eight cervical fistulas regressed favorably. Postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy did not improve survival. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high operative mortality rate, bypass operation can provide good palliation and allow subsequent radiochemotherapy in selected patients with an unresectable tumor of the esophagus.

Adult↗

Prospective randomized trial comparing Billroth I and Billroth II procedures for carcinoma of the gastric antrum.

BACKGROUND: Controversy persists regarding digestive reconnection following subtotal gastrectomy for carcinoma. A randomized prospective trial comparing Billroth I and Billroth II procedures for mortality, digestive comfort, survival, and patterns of recurrence was conducted. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty patients underwent Billroth I and 32 patients underwent Billroth II procedures. Stages I, II, III, and IV of the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system accounted for 27, 16, 47, and 10 percent of tumors, respectively. Billroth I and II groups were well-matched for clinicopathologic variables. RESULTS: Duration of surgery, volume of blood transfused, and abdominal drainage were similar in the two groups. The duration and volume of gastric drainage were greater in patients following Billroth I procedures. Four fistulas were noted in the Billroth I group and one fistula developed in a patient following Billroth II gastrectomy. Billroth I gastrectomy and low preoperative serum albumin were independent risk factors for fistula development. Fistula development accounted for an increase in the duration of hospital stay following Billroth I procedures. Hospital mortality was similar in the two groups. Five-year actuarial survival rate was 42 and 40 percent for patients undergoing Billroth I and Billroth II procedures, respectively. Long-term survival was similar for patients having each procedure, and this was verified for all TNM stages. There were seven recurrences at the hepatic pedicle in the Billroth I group and one recurrence of this type in the Billroth II group, requiring four reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: Digestive comfort and long-term survival are similar after Billroth I and Billroth II gastrectomy for carcinoma. Billroth I gastrectomy is associated with an increased risk of fistula development and of recurrence of carcinoma at the hepatic pedicle.

Aged↗

[200 first hepatic transplantation at the Rennes University Hospital].

UNLABELLED: From 21st of april 1978 to 1st september 1994, 200 liver transplantations in 172 patients were performed in the Medical Center of University of Rennes. Three patients had a liver and kidney transplant. 26 patients received a second transplant (13%) and 2 patients a third transplant (1%). There were 110 males and 62 females with a mean age of 43.7 years (range 17 months-66 years). The indications of transplantations were the following: 22 fulminant hepatitis (12%), 104 cirrhosis (60.5%), including 41 alcoholic cirrhosis (24%), 21 post-hepatitis B cirrhosis (12.2%), 24 post-hepatitis C cirrhosis (14%), 6 autoimmune cirrhosis, 7 primary biliary cirrhosis (4%), 21 non A non B cirrhosis (12.9%), 3 undetermined cirrhosis. Thirty one patients had a liver transplantation for cancer. The other indications were 5 sclerosing cholangitis and 2 atresia of the biliary tract. 45% of the patients had an uneventful postoperative course. In hospital mortality rate is related to the indication and Child Pugh classification in cirrhotic patients. The vascular surgical complications were 8.5%, biliary complications 6.1%, intra-abdominal infection 9.2%, intra-abdominal bleeding 5.5%. The rate of reoperation was 18.5%. 23 re-transplantations were performed in emergency and 6 electively (one from outside). The overall survival of patients from 1978 to 1994, including the patients before cyclosporine era, the use of extracorporeal circulation, the preservation with Wisconsin solutions and with main indications for cancer was 69% at 1 year and 59% at 5 years. After 1988, the overall patient survival was 75% at 1 year and 70% at 5 years. The graft and patient survival is mainly related to the indications. In fulminant and subfulminant hepatitis, the quality of the graft was preferred as often as possible. The actuarial graft survival at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years was respectively 75%, 70.45% and 70.45%. The actuarial patient survival was 77.3%, 72.5% and 72.5%. In liver transplantation for cancer, the actuarial patient survival at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years is respectively 55%, 32% and 23.5%. 5 patients are alive and well at 5 years, including a patient who underwent a Cluster operation for Klatskin tumor. In post-hepatitis cirrhosis, the patient actuarial survival at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years was 79%, 76.5% and 76.5% and in alcoholic cirrhosis 75%, 72% and 72%. The actuarial survival is closely related to Child Pugh Classification (at one year Child A 87%, Child B 72.4%, Child C 58%). CONCLUSION: in this series of the first 200 liver transplants at the University of Rennes Medical Center, graft and patient survival depends on the evolution of the surgical technic but it is also closely related to the indication. In fulminant hepatitis, the quality of the graft (without incompatible graft, if possible) should permit to avoid retransplantation and to obtain results closely to the elective transplantation. Liver transplantation for cancer should be restricted. In cirrhosis, results are depending upon Child Pugh classification. The conclusions of Paris consensus conference should be followed. The limited number of donor livers call for the "priorization" (T.E. Starzl) favoring those patients who will benefit most, i.e., patients with the most serious conditions and the poorest short term vital prognosis.

Adolescent↗

["De novo" cancer after organ transplantation].

From March 1972 to 1st of January 1996, 804 kidney, liver and pancreas transplants were performed in 690 patients. 39 post transplant cancers occurred in 27 patients. 21 skin tumors (15 squamous cell carcinoma, 4 basocellular carcinomas, 1 squamous carcinoma, 1 melanoma), 4 squamous cancers (anus, esophagus, tongue, and parotid), 4 post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma T, 4 gynecological tumors (breast, ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis, 2 uterine cervix cancers), 4 miscellaneous tumors (larynx, right colon, brain, prostate, own kidney). 14 patients died (14/27: 52%). Post transplant de novo cancers are a major risk in transplant patients These cancers are mainly represented by skin tumors and lymphomas. Skin cancers are mainly spinocellular and occur in the areas which are exposed to the sun. Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorders are very close to Burkitt's lymphoma, they produced B lymphocyte proliferation due to the reduction of the control of T lymphocytes and induced by Epstein-Barr virus. They can disappear with the diminution of immunosuppression.

Adult↗

Sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Despite surgical improvements the prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Most patients do not undergo surgery with curative intent. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity and efficacy of sequential chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: Between May 1986 and June 1991, 50 patients with nonmetastatic SCC of the esophagus were included in this study. Three patients had recurrence after surgery, 8 patients were classified Stage I disease, 24 Stage II, 5 Stage III, and 10 Stage VI. Treatment consisted of cisplatin (100 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 29), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (600 mg/m2 on Days 2-9 and Days 30-33) and 30 Gy of radiotherapy (2 Gy x 15 on Days 8-26 and 30 Gy on Days 36-54). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (74%) received the whole treatment course; treatment was modified for 8 patients because of Grades III and IV hematologic, digestive, or renal toxicity. Five patients did not complete treatment because of disease progression or death. Median survival was 13 months; 1- and 2- year survival rates were 63% (49-75) and 36% (25-50), respectively. No late treatment complications were observed (in the 11 survivors after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential chemoradiotherapy of SCC of the esophagus was well tolerated with acceptable acute morbidity and resulted in local control and survival results at least equivalent to those in trials of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery.

Adult↗