Biomedical subjects

K M Chu

Publications and source records attributed to K M Chu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus in the elderly: results of current surgical management.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the risk of esophagectomy in the elderly compared with younger patients and to determine whether results of esophagectomy in the elderly have improved in recent years. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: An increased life expectancy has led to more elderly patients presenting with carcinoma of the esophagus in recent years. Esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and advanced age is often considered a relative contraindication to esophagectomy despite advances in modern surgical practice. METHODS: The perioperative outcome and long-term survival of 167 elderly patients (70 years or more) with esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus were compared with findings in 570 younger patients with esophagectomy in the period 1982 to 1996. Changes in perioperative outcome and survival between 1982 to 1989 and 1990 to 1996 were separately analyzed. RESULTS: The resection rate in the elderly was 48% (167/345), lower than the 65% (570/874) resection rate in younger patients (p < 0.001). There were significantly more preoperative risk factors and postoperative medical complications in the elderly, but no significant differences were observed in surgical complications. The 30-day mortality rate was higher in the elderly (7.2%) than in younger patients (3.0%) (p = 0.02), but the hospital mortality rate was not significantly different in the elderly (18.0%) and younger age groups (14.4%) (p = 0.27). The long-term survival after curative resection in elderly patients was worse than younger patients (p = 0.01). However, when deaths from unrelated medical conditions were excluded from analysis, survival was similar between the two age groups (p = 0.23). A comparison of data for the periods 1982 to 1989 and 1990 to 1996 revealed that the resection rate had increased from 44% to 54% in the elderly, with significantly fewer postoperative complications and lower 30-day and hospital mortality rates. Long-term survival has also improved, although this has not reached a statistically significant level. CONCLUSIONS: With current surgical management, esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus can be carried out with acceptable risk in the elderly, but intensive perioperative support is required. The improved results of esophagectomy in the elderly in recent years are attributed to increased experience and better perioperative management. Long-term survival was similar to that of younger patients, excluding deaths caused by unrelated medical conditions.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Extrahepatic biliary obstruction by metastatic gastric carcinoma.

Forty-one patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction by metastatic gastric carcinoma underwent retrospective study to determine demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings on presentation, time interval from previous gastrectomy, level of biliary obstruction, methods of palliation, complications from treatment, treatment results, and survival. Thirty-seven patients underwent biliary decompression by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) (35 patients), endoscopic insertion of plastic stent (one patient), and operative insertion of T tube (1 patient). The remaining 4 patients had no biliary drainage procedure performed. Subsequently expandable metallic biliary stents were inserted in 9 patients through the PTBD tract. Two patients received postdrainage external irradiation. Reduction in serum total bilirubin was seen in all patients after drainage. Two patients were alive at the time of this analysis. The median survival of these 41 patients was only 70 days. The 6- and 9-month survival rates were 27.0% and 9.7%, respectively. Hemoglobin (p < 0.001) and total bilirubin (p < 0.002) on presentation were found to be independent factors predicting survival. Extrahepatic biliary obstruction by metastatic gastric carcinoma was associated with poor survival. Patients with profound anemia or jaundice on presentation carried the worst prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Gastric cancer in Asia: progress and controversies in surgical management.

Considerable controversy surrounds the management of gastric cancer and this has largely overshadowed recent progress in our understanding of the epidemiology and molecular pathogenesis of the disease, and improvements in diagnostic and staging techniques. Differences identifiable in the molecular pathogenesis of the 'intestinal' and 'diffuse' types of gastric cancer may help to unravel the biological behaviour of variants and ultimately influence therapeutic strategies. Endoscopic ultrasound is well established as being accurate for T staging and the introduction of laparoscopy, with or without ultrasound, is obviating unnecessary laparotomy in non-bleeding, non-obstructed patients. Controversies in surgery encompass the role of laparoscopic surgery in early gastric cancer, the extent of lymphadenectomy including para-aortic nodal dissection, resection of en bloc contiguous organ involvement, pancreatosplenectomy, left upper abdominal evisceration, and modes of reconstruction (pylorus-preserving gastrectomy, pouch formation) to enhance quality of life. Whereas adjuvant chemotherapy does not impact favourably on survival, emphasis has now shifted to neoadjuvant (induction) chemotherapy to downstage the disease. Preoperative regional chemotherapy and intra-operative hyperthermic chemotherapy or irradiation may prove to be of benefit in patients with resectable disease, but some scepticism still exists as to the usefulness of biological response modifiers (e.g. OK432, PSK) for adjuvant treatment. Ethical issues relating to cultural differences in Asia sometimes mitigate against adequate trial design (e.g. a surgery-alone control group or a no adjuvant therapy treatment group may be considered inappropriate) and this has understandably hindered acceptance in Western countries of the value of current management practices in Asia. These issues and the need for ongoing well-conducted randomized trials with prospective subset analysis are now being addressed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1998

A prospective randomized trial comparing the use of omeprazole-based dual and triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Controversy surrounds the optimal composition, dosage, and duration of therapies for eradication of Helicobacter pylori. We prospectively compared omeprazole-based dual and triple therapies in the eradication of H. pylori in a randomized manner. METHODS: Between June 1995 and March 1997, 1000 consecutive patients with acid-peptic disease associated with H. pylori infection (duodenal ulcer, 388 patients, gastric ulcer, 179 patients; duodenitis, 173 patients; gastritis, 260 patients) were prospectively recruited. They were randomized to either a 2-wk (OA) course of omeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 1 g, both given twice daily, or treatment for 1 wk (OCM) with omeprazole 20 mg once daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, and metronidazole 400 mg twice daily. RESULTS: The age of these 1000 patients ranged from 16 to 90 yr, with a mean of 54.9 yr. Side effects occurred in 29.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.6-33.8%) and 10.6% (95% CI 8.0-13.6%) of patients taking OCM and OA, respectively (p < 0.0001). Apart from taste disturbance, however, there were no significant differences in the incidences of side effects between the two groups. One patient in the OA group and four patients of the OCM group could not tolerate the medications, and therefore did not complete treatment (p = 0.37). Seven and 13 patients in the OA and OCM groups, respectively, refused a second endoscopy (p = 0.25). The remaining 975 patients underwent a second endoscopy. Positive endoscopic findings were significantly more common in the OA group (51/492; 10.4%; 95% CI 7.8-13.4%) than in the OCM group (25/483; 5.2%; 95% CI 3.4-7.5%) in the per-protocol (PP) analysis (p = 0.004). On intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the overall eradication rates in the OA and OCM groups were 73.6% (95% CI 69.5-77.4%) and 92% (95% CI 89.3-94.2%), respectively (p < 0.0001). On PP analysis, the corresponding rates were 74.8% (95% CI 70.7-78.6%) and 95.2% (95% CI 92.9-97.0%), respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A course of omeprazole, clarithromycin, and metronidazole for 1 wk is a safe, well-tolerated, efficacious, and cost-effective treatment for H. pylori infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

The value of neck drain in esophageal surgery: a randomized trial.

The use of surgical drains in certain clean elective operations remains controversial. To evaluate the role of closed-suction drain for an esophageal anastomosis in the neck, we conducted a randomized, controlled study in 40 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy with an esophageal anastomosis in the neck, half of whom had a neck drain inserted at the end of operation. The median (range) duration of drainage was 46 hours (36 to 88 hours). The median (range) amount of drainage was 63 ml (15 to 210 ml). There was no incidence of haematoma or seroma formation in both the drained and non-drained groups. Anastomotic leakage did not occur in any patient. The benefits of closed suction neck drain could not be demonstrated. Routine use of neck drain for esophageal anastomosis in the neck is not necessary.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

p53 overexpression is different in Epstein-Barr virus-associated and Epstein-Barr virus-negative carcinoma.

AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a subset of gastric and head and neck carcinomas. While p53 mutation and overexpression is common in gastric cancer, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma p53 is overexpressed yet mutation is uncommon, leading to a proposed viral mechanism of p53 upregulation. We examined the expression of p53 protein in 18 EBV-associated gastric carcinomas (EBV-GA) and compared it with 29 age and sex matched EBV-negative gastric carcinomas (EBV0-GA) and 23 non-nasopharyngeal EBV-associated carcinomas (EBV-CAs) arising from various head and neck regions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using two monoclonal antibodies (DO7 and PAb1801) with microwave pre-treatment, the p53 protein was scored according to the intensity and percentage of positive cells. The EBV0-GA showed a clear cut bimodal distribution of p53 levels, with either homogeneous intense staining of most tumour nuclei, or only very weak expression in a few cells. Nearly all the EBV-GA and EBV-CAs showed a weak to moderate p53 expression, characterized by heterogeneous intensity of staining in a variable proportion of tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in p53 levels in the EBV0-GA and EBV-GA is statistically significant. The heterogeneous level of p53 in the EBV-GA and EBV-CAs and its difference from the EBV0-GA is suggestive of a non-mutational mechanism of p53 upregulation and underscores the role of the virus in the oncogenic pathway.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Pharmacokinetics of fosinoprilat in Chinese and whites after intravenous administration.

The pharmacokinetics of fosinoprilat was studied in 12 healthy Chinese men after a 7.5 mg intravenous dose of fosinoprilat. The data were compared with those from an earlier study using the same protocol in nine healthy white men. Blood and urine samples were obtained before and at various time intervals after fosinoprilat administration up to 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by fitting the plasma or serum concentrations to a three-compartment model. The total clearance (Clt), renal clearance (ClT), and nonrenal clearance (ClNR) were significantly lower in Chinese (16.29 +/- 6.92, 6.85 +/- 2.97, and 9.44 +/- 5.08 mL.hr-1.kg-1) than those obtained in whites (29.88 +/- 6.36, 13.55 +/- 3.45, and 16.33 +/- 5.07 mL.hr-1.kg-1). The Chinese subjects had a significantly lower volume of distribution (Vc [volume of distribution of central compartment] and Vdss [volume of distribution at steady state]) (29.38 +/- 21.12 and 73.67 +/- 40.20 mL/kg) than white men (58.14 +/- 15.01 and 152.49 +/- 24.89 mL/kg). The Chinese men also had a shorter elimination half-life than whites, although not statistically significant. The respective half-lives in Chinese and whites were 5.51 +/- 1.53 and 8.24 +/- 1.99 hours. The significant differences in ClNR and ClR may be related to lower liver elimination function and lower kidney excretory function, respectively. Plasma protein binding may contribute to part of the difference in the volume of distribution. Chinese men have smaller volume of distribution and clearances of fosinoprilat after intravenous administration compared with white men. The cumulative urine excretion of fosinoprilat was not different between Chinese and whites. Chinese may require a lower fosinoprilat dosage to obtain plasma concentrations similar to whites after intravenous administration. However, since a relatively high variation was found in fosinopril oral absorption, the oral dosage of fosinopril for Chinese and whites may not be different. Further study is obviously needed to elucidate whether the pharmacodynamic effect may be different between Chinese and whites.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Endoscopic sphincterotomy: 7-year experience.

The present study documents the indications and results of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) performed over 7 years in a surgical endoscopy unit. Potential improvement of results over this time period was analyzed. ES was associated with rare but undesirable morbidity and mortality. Specific improvement of results over time has not been reported. ES was attempted in 706 patients (336 men, 370 women) from 1987 to 1994 and was accomplished in 689 patients (97.6%). Complications occurred in 50 patients (7.1%), 13 of whom required emergency operative intervention. The overall 30-day mortality was 4.7% (n = 33), and procedure-related mortality was 0. 7% (n = 5). There was a significant decrease in hospital mortality (p < 0.01) and operative intervention for procedure-related complications (p < 0.001) after 1990. Procedure-related mortality has been reduced from 1.3% to 0.3% since 1990 (p = 0.1). ES in emergency situations or for malignant biliary obstruction did not adversely affect the outcome. It was concluded that ES can be performed safely in most patients. With increasing experience, procedure-related morbidity and mortality can possibly be reduced.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

A prospective randomized comparison of transhiatal and transthoracic resection for lower-third esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The question whether transhiatal (TH) or transthoracic (TT) resection is most suited for the extirpation of an esophageal cancer remains unresolved. The present study compared the two approaches in a prospective randomized manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus who were clinically fit for either TH or TT resection were prospectively randomized to TH (20 patients) and TT (19 patients) resection. Patients of the two groups were comparable in age, sex, preoperative tumor staging, and pulmonary and cardiac risks for surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the amount of blood loss between the two groups although intraoperative hypotension (systolic <80 mm Hg) occurred more frequently in the TH group (P <0.001). The mean operating time for the TH and TT groups were 174 minutes and 210 minutes, respectively (P <0.001). There was no difference in postoperative ventilatory requirements, cardiopulmonary complication rates, and, mean hospital stay between the two groups. There was no 30-day mortality in either group but there were 3 hospital deaths in the TH group from bronchopneumonia (2 patients) and disseminated malignancy (1 patient). The median survival rates were 16 and 13.5 months, respectively, for the TH and TT groups (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no demonstrable statistical difference in results between TH and TT approaches, the TT approach is preferred as it allowed for a more controlled operation.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

PubMed1997

A prospective comparison of locally made rapid urease test and histology for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: A number of noncommercial preparations of urease test have been described. The present prospective study evaluated the accuracy of one such preparation for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: From February 1996 to November 1996, all patients undergoing elective upper endoscopy in a single endoscopy facility were included. Three antral biopsy specimens were taken. Two specimens were subjected to histologic examination, and one specimen was placed into a "locally made rapid urease test" (LRUT). Results of histologic examinations were taken as standards for comparison. The final result of LRUT was obtained on scrutiny of color changes at 4 hours after the start of the test. RESULTS: Two thousand three hundred sixteen patients (male/female = 1.5:1) with a mean age of 56.7 +/- 0.4 years were included. Five hundred sixty-two patients (24.3%) had a history of eradication treatment for H. pylori. Nine hundred fifty-three patients (41.1%) were found to be positive for H. pylori on histologic examination. In patients in whom a history of eradication therapy was absent, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the LRUT were 92.8%, 97.6%, 97.5%, and 93.0%, respectively. In patients with a history of eradication treatment, the corresponding figures were 76.1%, 99.6%, 96.2%, and 96.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The locally made rapid urease test provides a simple, safe, rapid, inexpensive, and accurate test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1997

Preoperative chemotherapy versus surgical therapy alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of preoperative chemotherapy in squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was undertaken in 147 patients: 74 received preoperative chemotherapy comprising cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil and 73 had surgical therapy alone. End points were cancer and therapy-related deaths. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (89%) in the chemotherapy group underwent resection compared with 69 (95%) in the control group (p = not significant). Of the 60 patients who had resection after completing the chemotherapy program, 35 (58%) had a significant response, of whom four (6.7%) had a complete pathologic response. Postoperative mortality rates were 8.3% and 8.7% in the chemotherapy and control groups, respectively (p = not significant). Significant downstaging was evident with chemotherapy; curative resections were possible in 67% of these patients compared with 35% in the control group (p = 0.0003). T3 and T4 tumors were found in 67% and 91% of the chemotherapy and control groups, respectively (p = 0.0002). The respective figures for N1 disease were 70% and 88% (p = 0.009). An intent-to-treat analysis of survival showed no significant difference between the two groups. Median survivals were 16.8 and 13 months, respectively (p = 0.17). Of those who completed the chemotherapy and resection, responders fared better than control patients. Median survivals were 42.2 months and 13.8 months, respectively (p = 0.003). Median survival (8.3 months) was worse for nonresponders than for control patients (p = 0.03). The recurrence pattern suggested a significant reduction in locoregional disease with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy was safe and resulted in significant downstaging and an increased likelihood of curative resection. Survival was not better than that in the surgery-alone group, but responders did fare better than nonresponders.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Minimal access surgery is an alternative to open surgery in esophageal surgery. Its role in cancer resection is controversial. METHODS: Thoracoscopic esophageal resection was attempted in 22 patients who had increased operative risk. Postoperative outcomes of these patients were compared with the outcomes of 63 patients who underwent open thoracotomy resection during the same period. RESULTS: Thoracoscopy was completed in 18 patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary because of locally advanced tumor in three patients, and a bypass procedure was performed in another patient because of poor ventilation during thoracoscopy and the finding of metastatic disease. The median thoracoscopy time was 110 minutes (range, 55 to 165 minutes). The total operating times were 240 minutes (range, 165 to 360 minutes) and 250 minutes (range, 190 to 420 minutes) for thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, respectively, p = 0.5. Blood loss was significantly less than that of open resection; medians were 450 ml (range, 200 to 800 ml) and 700 ml (range, 300 to 2500 ml) for thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, respectively, p < 0.01. The median number of lymph nodes removed at thoracoscopy was 7 (range, 2 to 13) compared with 13 (range, 5 to 34) in the thoracotomy group. Bronchopneumonia affected 17% of both groups of patients. Only one patient who was converted to open thoracotomy died. Port site recurrence developed in one patient. Overall survival rates were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic esophageal resection was a feasible option. Clear advantages over open thoracotomy were not demonstrated, although patients who were selected for thoracoscopy had worse performance status. This technique deserves further investigation in dedicated centers.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Comparison of hand-sewn and stapled esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal resection for cancer: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the hand-sewn and stapled methods in esophagogastric anastomosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: After esophageal resection for cancer, the relative merits of the hand-sewn and the stapled methods of esophagogastric anastomosis, especially regarding leakage and stricture rates, have not adequately been studied. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 122 patients with squamous cell cancer of the thoracic esophagus who underwent a Lewis-Tanner esophagectomy. Patients were stratified according to esophageal size, based on the diameter of the divided esophagus (< or > or = 30 mm) and then were randomized to have either a hand-sewn or a stapled anastomosis. RESULTS: The mean total operating times (standard error of the mean) when the hand-sewn and the stapled methods were used were 214 (4) minutes and 217 (3.4) minutes, respectively (p = not significant [NS]). The respective in vivo proximal resection margins (standard error of the mean) were 8 (0.4) cm and 7.6 (0.4) cm (p = NS). Leakage rates were 1.6% and 4.9% (p = NS). Excluding hospital deaths, patients with leakage or anastomotic recurrence, and those who received radiation therapy to histologically infiltrated resection margin, anastomotic stricture was found in 5 (9.1%) of 55 patients in the hand-sewn group and 20 (40%) of 50 in the stapler group (p = 0.0003). The difference in stricture rates was significant in small as well as large esophagi. Anastomotic recurrence developed in only one patient in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that both methods were safe, but the stapled technique resulted in more stricture formation.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Pyloroplasty and pyloromyotomy in gastric replacement of the esophagus after esophagectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Drainage methods for the gastric conduit after esophagectomy for carcinoma have been controversial. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized controlled trial, 92 patients with esophageal carcinoma were randomized to have pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy as a drainage procedure for the gastric conduit used for esophageal replacement. Only patients who underwent Lewis- Tanner operation or esophagogastrectomy and who had normal pyloroduodenal regions were included. RESULTS: The mean postoperative daily nasogastric output (SEM) were 164 mL (17 mL) in the pyloroplasty group and 179 mL (21 mL) in the pyloromyotomy group (p = not significant). No leakage occurred at the pyloroduodenal region in either group. In both groups, the anastomotic leakage rate was 2 percent, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 7 percent. No significant difference was found in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Gastric outlet obstruction developed in only two patients who underwent pyloromyotomy, and both required reexploration. One died of malignant obstruction of the gastric outlet and aspiration pneumonia. Scintigraphy performed 6 months after operation showed that the median half-life (interquartile range) for gastric emptying was 19 minutes (10 to 24 minutes) in the pyloromyotomy group and 8 minutes (5 to 19 minutes) in the pyloromyotomy group (p = 0.04). Long-term follow-up up to 5 years, however, did not reveal significant differences between the two groups in the type and quantity of food consumed. The incidence of other symptoms such as regurgitation, diarrhea, bile reflux, and dumping, also was no different. CONCLUSIONS: Pyloroplasty and pyloromyotomy were effective and safe drainage procedures for the gastric conduit used for esophageal replacement. The choice depends on the preference and experience of the surgeon. Most patients adapted to their new conduit with time.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed1996

Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor of the esophagus. A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural study of a case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve (GAN) tumor is a rare tumor that is supposed to originate from the enteric autonomic plexus. The tumor is a subgroup of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor that usually occurs in the stomach and small intestine. METHODS: An intramural tumor located in the upper third of the esophagus of a 62-year-old Chinese female is reported. The tumor was removed by a three-phased esophagogastrectomy because of its large size. The tumor measured 6.5 cm x 5 cm x 4 cm. Its tissues were sampled, examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The tumor was vaguely encapsulated but had foci of partial infiltration of the capsule. It was comprised of spindle cells with moderate nuclear pleomorphism. The mitotic count was less than 1 per 10 high-power field. The tumor stained positive for vimentin, neuron specific enolase (NSE), and S-100 protein, and was negative for cytokeratins, synaptophysin, chromogranin, neurofilaments, muscle markers, HMB45, and CD34. Ultrastructural study revealed that the tumor had cytoplasmic processes interdigitated in a complex fashion that were held together by primitive junctions but not invested in basal lamina. Many neurosecretory granules and neurotubules were also noted. The diagnosis was GAN tumor of the esophagus. From previous reports, 43 cases (25 males, 18 females) of GAN tumor of other locations have been documented. The tumors were located almost exclusively in the stomach and small intestine; rare cases arose primarily in the retroperitoneum and mesentery. Some of these GAN tumors were observed in patients with Carney's triad (three cases), neurofibromatosis (two cases), and adrenal ganglioneuroma (one case). It appears that the biologic behavior of GAN tumors is aggressive but there are too few reports on which to conclude anything about their prognosis. The tumors are usually large, with low mitotic rate, and are positive for NSE and negative for muscle markers. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that GAN is described in the esophagus. The diagnosis can be made only on the basis of characteristic ultrastructural features.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

PubMed1996

Factors affecting conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors predictive of conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery. DESIGN: Demographic, ultrasonographic, and operative data of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed. Factors affecting conversion to open surgery were identified with statistical analysis. SETTING: A tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Five hundred patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies at our institution between March 1991 and July 1994. The patients' data had been prospectively collected. INTERVENTION: Standard laparoscopic techniques with selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery for management of technical difficulties or intraoperative complications. RESULTS: Increased risk of conversion with statistical significance was found in patients older than 65 years, obese patients, patients who underwent interval elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, patients with ultrasonographic findings of thickened gallbladder wall, patients seen during the early learning phase of the series, and patients whose surgery was performed by senior surgeons. Increased risk of conversion was not found with patients' sex, previous lower abdominal surgery, history of acute pancreatitis or cholangitis, impaired liver function on presentation, or emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors, including patient factors, presentation, preoperative ultrasonography, and surgical experience, all contributed to the possibility of conversion. Knowledge of these factors may help in arranging the operating schedule, psychological preparation for the procedure, and planning of the duration of convalescence.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Pyogenic liver abscess. An audit of experience over the past decade.

OBJECTIVES: To audit our experience in managing patients with pyogenic liver abscesses since 1984 and to identify any risk factor associated with hospital mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: A tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eighty-three patients with pyogenic liver abscesses were studied to determine demographic characteristics; clinical features, laboratory, imaging, and microbiologic findings; methods of treatment; and final outcome. The median follow-up period was 9.8 months. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with intravenous antibiotic drugs. Fifty-three patients were to image-guided percutaneous aspiration of the abscess. A percutaneous drainage catheter was inserted after aspiration in 27 patients. Laparotomy was performed in 27 patients; seven of them underwent an elective operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hospital mortality, defined as death within the same hospital admission for management of liver abscess. RESULTS: Biliary tract disease was the most frequently identifiable cause. The right lobe abscess was more frequently cryptogenic, while the left lobe abscess was more frequently related to intrahepatic stones (P < .001). The overall hospital mortality rate was 18% (15/83). On univariate analysis, female gender, rupture on presentation, emergency laparotomy, management without aspiration or catheter drainage, presence of malignancy, hyperglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, elevated prothrombin time, and elevated activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly associated with hospital mortality. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of malignancy, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated activated partial thromboplastin time were found to be independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic liver abscess is still a disease with significant mortality. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to further improve our results of management.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The role of whole-body positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose in identifying operable colorectal cancer metastases to the liver.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of whole-body position emission tomography (PET)using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with conventional radiological imaging techniques in identifying operable colorectal cancer metastases to the liver. DESIGN: A double-blind comparative study of FDG-PET as the criterion standard vs conventional radiological imaging methods as the criterion standard, in staging of recurrent colorectal cancer. SETTING: Institutional practice in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with suspected colorectal cancer metastases recruited for the study between May 1993 and October 1994. INTERVENTIONS: Conventional radiological methods of cancer staging included abdominal computed tomography (CT) (n = 34), chest x-rays (n = 15), and chest CT (n = 19) to evaluate extrahepatic disease. Twenty-seven patients were subsequently considered to have apparently isolated cancer metastases to the liver. Anatomical resectability was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 24) or CT angiography (n = 3) in all study patients. The FDG-PET studies (n = 34) were performed within 8 weeks of conventional radiological imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Malignancy of suspected lesions detected by means of FDG-PET and conventional radiological imaging was confirmed by histopathologic examination of resected specimens and percutaneous biopsy specimens and by serial CT scans demonstrating progression of disease. RESULTS: Unsuspected extrahepatic malignant disease that was missed by conventional radiological imaging was detected by FDG-PET in 11 patients (32%). The PET-detected extrahepatic malignant disease included retroperitoneal nodal metastases (n = 6), pulmonary metastases (n = 3), and locoregional cancer recurrences (n = 2). The additional information afforded by PET consequently had an influence on the clinical management in 10 patients (29%). CONCLUSIONS: The FDG-PET method enabled selection of patients with apparently curable colorectal cancer metastases to the liver for hepatic resection.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗