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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Repeat resection of pulmonary metastases in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Even after an apparent complete resection of sarcomatous pulmonary metastases, 40% to 80% of patients will re-recur in the lung. The benefit of subsequent re-resection is poorly defined. This study examines patient survival after repeat pulmonary exploration for re-recurrent metastatic sarcoma at a single institution. STUDY DESIGN: Between July 1982 and December 1997, data on 3,149 adult in-patients with soft tissue sarcoma were prospectively gathered. Of these, pulmonary metastases were present or developed in 719 patients and 248 underwent at least one resection. Of the patients relapsing in the lung after an apparently complete resection, 86 underwent reexploration. Disease-specific survival (DSS) after re-resection was the end point of the study. Time to death was modeled using the method of Kaplan and Meier. The association of factors to time-to-event end points was analyzed using the log-rank test for univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis. Clinicopathologic factors were analyzed with the Pearson chi-square or Fisher's exact test when appropriate. RESULTS: The median DSS after re-resection for all patients undergoing at least two pulmonary resections was 42.8 months with an estimated 5-year survival of 36%. The median DSS in patients with complete reresection was 51 months (n = 68) compared with 6 months in patients with an incomplete re-resection (n = 16, p<0.0001). Patients with one or two nodules at re-resection (n = 39) had a median DSS of 51 months compared with 20 months in patients with three or more nodules (n = 40, p = 0.003). Patients in whom the largest metastasis re-resected was less than or equal to 2 cm (n = 33) had a median DSS of 44 months compared with 20 months in patients with metastasis greater than 2 cm (n = 43, p = 0.033). Patients with primary tumor high-grade histology (n = 75) had a median DSS of 32 months and patients with low-grade histology (n = 11) had a median DSS that was not reached (p = 0.041). Three independent prognostic factors associated with poor outcomes may be determined preoperatively: > or =3 nodules, largest metastases > 2 cm, and high-grade primary tumor histology. Patients with either zero or one poor prognostic factor had a median DSS > 65 months and patients with three poor prognostic factors had a median DSS of 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Reexploration for recurrent sarcomatous pulmonary metastases appears beneficial for patients who can be completely re-resected. Outcomes are described by factors that may be determined preoperatively, including metastasis size, metastasis number, and primary tumor histologic grade. Patients who cannot be completely re-resected or those with numerous, large metastasis and high-grade primary tumor pathology have poor outcomes and should be considered for investigational therapy.

Adolescent↗

Isolated liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors: does resection prolong survival?

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors commonly metastasize to the liver. Although surgical resection is considered a treatment option for patients with localized metastases confined to the liver, the longterm survival benefit of liver resection has not been clearly demonstrated. We examined the survival of patients undergoing liver resection for this disease. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1984 and 1995, we evaluated 38 patients with liver-only metastases from neuroendocrine tumors, including 21 carcinoid, 13 islet cell, and 4 atypical neuroendocrine neoplasms. Data from a combined prospective and retrospective database and a tumor registry were analyzed. Of these patients, 15 underwent complete resection of all known disease. The remaining 23 patients, who also had disease confined to the liver, had comparable tumor burden but were believed to be unresectable. The longterm survival rates of these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Patients who underwent liver resection did not differ from those who were unresectable with regard to age, pathology, primary tumor site, serum alkaline phosphatase levels, or percentage of the liver involved. All resections were complete, leaving no residual disease, and consisted of lobectomy (n = 3), segmentectomy (n = 1), and wedge resections (n = 11). There were no operative deaths. Patients who underwent hepatic resection had a significantly longer survival than unresected patients. Although median survival had not been reached in resected patients, the median survival in the unresectable group was 27 months. Patients who underwent liver resection had a higher 5-year actuarial survival (73% versus 29%). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection in selected patients with isolated liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors may prolong survival. This conclusion was reached by comparing our resected group with an unresectable group with similar tumor burden.

Female↗

Complete hepatic resection of metastases from leiomyosarcoma prolongs survival.

Although liver resection has been shown to prolong survival in selected patients with metastases from colorectal cancer, the benefit for other metastatic tumors is unproved. To determine whether hepatic resection has a role in the management of metastatic leiomyosarcoma, medical records from 11 consecutive patients who underwent resection of isolated metastases from leiomyosarcoma between 1984 and 1995 were reviewed. All liver resections were for leiomyosarcomas originating in the viscera (n = 6) or retroperitoneum (n = 5). The average disease-free interval was 16 months. Five of 11 primary tumors were classified as low grade, whereas six were high grade. Hepatic resections included lobectomy or extended lobectomy (n = 4), segmentectomy and/or wedge resection (n = 5), and complex resection (n = 2). There were no operative deaths. Median survival of all patients after liver resection was 39 months. Patients who underwent complete resection of hepatic metastases (n = 6) had a significantly longer survival than those who had incomplete resections (n = 5) (P = 0.03, log-rank test). Furthermore, five of six patients who underwent complete resection are alive after hepatectomy with a median follow-up of 53 months. Therefore, in selected patients with isolated liver metastases from visceral and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas, complete resection of hepatic metastases results in prolonged survival.

Adult↗

Multicentre, randomized clinical trial of primary versus secondary sigmoid resection in generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: The best way to manage generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis is controversial. This randomized clinical trial involved a comparison of primary resection and suture, drainage with proximal colostomy followed by secondary resection. METHODS: From January 1989 to December 1996, 105 patients of mean(s.d.) age 66(14) (range 32-91) years were randomized to undergo primary or secondary resection. The main endpoint was occurrence of generalized or localized postoperative peritonitis. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index score was calculated for each patient to check for comparability of groups. RESULTS: Postoperative peritonitis occurred less often after primary than secondary resection whether considering the first procedure only (one of 55 patients versus ten of 48; P < 0.01) or all procedures (one of 55 versus 12 of 48; P < 0.001). Likewise, early reoperation was performed less often following primary resection than secondary resection (two of 55 versus nine of 48 (P < 0.02) and two versus 11 (P < 0.01)), leading to a shorter median first hospital stay for patients having primary resection (15 days) than for those undergoing secondary resection (24 days) (P < 0.05). The mortality rate did not differ significantly with regard to operative policy (primary resection 24 per cent versus secondary resection 19 per cent) or type of peritonitis (faeculent 27 per cent versus purulent 19 per cent). No patient died following a second or third procedure. CONCLUSION: Primary resection is superior to secondary resection in the treatment of generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis because of significantly less postoperative peritonitis, fewer reoperations and shorter hospital stay.

Adult↗

Evaluation of morbidity and mortality after resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma--a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Hilar resection, especially in combination with liver resection, results in substantial morbidity and mortality, which clearly influences the overall outcome. In the present study, patients who underwent resection of a proximal bile duct tumor were analyzed with the aim of identifying risk factors for morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between 1983 and 1998, 112 consecutive patients underwent a local resection, which in 32 patients was combined with a hemihepatectomy (11 extended resections). Eighty-four percent of the patients underwent preoperative (endoscopic) drainage. For evaluation of different treatment strategies during the study, the period was divided in three 5-year intervals. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 65% of the patients. The overall hospital mortality was 15% for local resections and 25% for hemi-hepatectomies. There was a significantly lower morbidity and no mortality after hilar resection during the last 5 years. A higher Bismuth classification showed significant correlation with postoperative morbidity. Extended liver resections and vascular resections and a preoperative albumin level below 35 g/L were found to be significant predictors of increased mortality in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The overall morbidity and mortality rate in this series is higher than most recently published series. More (extended) liver resections resulted in an increased rate of microscopic tumor-free resections, at the cost of higher hospital morbidity and mortality. Improved preoperative work-ups will result in a selection of patients who might benefit from these extensive resections.

Adult↗

Effect of resection margins on the recurrence of Crohn's disease in the small bowel. A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The authors assess the effect of surgical margin width on recurrence rates after intestinal resection of Crohn's Disease (CD). BACKGROUND: The optimal width of margins when resecting DC of the small bowel is controversial. Most studies have been retrospective and have had conflicting results. METHODS: Patients undergoing ileocolic resection for CD (N = 152) were randomly assigned to two groups in which the proximal line of resection was 2 cm (limited resection) or 12 cm (extended resection) from the macroscopically involved area. Patients also were classified by whether the margin of resection was microscopically normal (category 1), contained nonspecific changes (category 2), were suggestive but not diagnostic for CD (category 3), or were diagnostic for CD (category 4). Recurrence was defined as reoperation for recurrent preanastomotic disease. RESULTS: Data were collected on 131 patients. Median follow-up time was 55.7 months. Disease recurred in 29 patients: 25% of patients in the limited resection group and 18% of patients in the extended resection group. In the 90 patients in category 1 with normal tissue, recurrence occurred in 16, whereas in the 41 patients with some degree of microscopic involvement, recurrence occurred in 13. Recurrence rates were 36% in category 2, 39% in category 3, and 21% in category 4. No group differences were statistically at the 0.01 level. CONCLUSION: Recurrence of CD is unaffected by the width of the margin of resection from macroscopically involved bowel. Recurrence rates also do not increase when microscopic CD is present at the resection margins. Therefore, extensive resection margins are unnecessary.

Adult↗

Survival after resection of multiple bilobar hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To define the long-term outcome and treatment complications for patients undergoing liver resection for multiple, bilobar hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 165 consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer was performed. Patients were divided into a simple hepatic metastasis group, consisting of patients with three or fewer metastases in a unilobar distribution, and a complex hepatic metastases group, consisting of patients with four or more unilobar metastases or at least two bilobar metastases. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was 36% for the simple group and 37% for the complex group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of hepatic segments involved by tumor and the maximum diameter of the largest metastasis correlated significantly with the 5-year survival rate. The surgical death rate was 4.9% for the simple group and 9.1% for the complex group; this difference was not significant. Multivariate analysis revealed that extended lobar resection and concomitant colon and hepatic resection were significant and independent predictors of surgical death. The combination of extended lobar resection and concomitant colon resection was used significantly more frequently in the complex group than in the simple group. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of complex hepatic metastases, as defined in this study, results in a 5-year survival rate of 37% and confers the same survival benefit as does resection of limited hepatic metastases. The surgical death rate for this aggressive approach is significantly higher if extended lobar resections are necessary and if concomitant colorectal resection is performed. Patients who have complex hepatic metastases at the time of diagnosis of the primary colorectal cancer and who would require extended hepatic lobectomy should have hepatic resection delayed for at least 3 months after colon resection.

Aged↗

Hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of resection for liver metastases compared with standard nonsurgical cytotoxic treatment. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The efficacy of hepatic resection for metastases from colorectal cancer has been debated, despite reported 5-year survival rates of 20% to 40%. Resection is confined to specialized centers and is not widely available, perhaps because of lack of appropriate expertise, resources, or awareness of its efficacy. The cost-effectiveness of resection is important from the perspective of managed care in the United States and for the commissioning of health services in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A simple decision-based model was developed to evaluate the marginal costs and health benefits of hepatic resection. Estimates of resectability for liver metastases were taken from UK-reported case series data. The results of 100 hepatic resections conducted in Sheffield from 1997 to 1999 were used for the cost calculation of liver resection. Survival data from published series of resections were compiled to estimate the incremental cost per life-year gained (LYG) because of the short period of follow-up in the Sheffield series. RESULTS: Hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases provides an estimated marginal benefit of 1.6 life-years (undiscounted) at a marginal cost of 6,742 pound sterling++. If 17% of patients have only palliative resections, the overall cost per LYG is approximately 5,236 pound sterling (5,985 pound sterling with discounted benefits). If potential benefits are extended to include 20-year survival rates, these figures fall to approximately 1,821 pound sterling (2,793 pound sterling with discounted benefits). Further univariate sensitivity analysis of key model parameters showed the cost per LYG to be consistently less than 15,000 pound sterling. CONCLUSION: In this model, hepatic resection appears highly cost-effective compared with nonsurgical treatments for colorectal-related liver metastases.

Analysis of Variance↗

Resection line disease in stomach cancer. British Stomach Cancer Group.

In a prospective multicentre study of gastric adenocarcinoma the problem of microscopic disease at the resection line was investigated. Of 390 patients with resected gastric cancer, 85 (22%) had disease of the resection margins--32 at the oesophagus, 20 at the gastric margin, 17 at the duodenum, and six at both margins (10 were unspecified). Some 105 resections were considered palliative and 285 curative; 39 and 46 respectively had resection line disease. When resection margin clearance had been achieved a significantly improved survival was found, both overall (p = 0.0001), in the curative group (p = 0.0009), and in those with serosal disease but no microscopic disease of the lymph nodes (p = 0.0109). When the resection margin was diseased the survival rate for TNM stage IIS fell to that of stage IVA; 16% of those having curative surgery had had inadequate resections. The results of this study show that microscopic disease at the resection line influences long term survival and that surgeons should ensure that resection lines are clear. It also shows that the classification of patients who have resection line disease should be downgraded to stage IVA in the TNM staging system and they should be considered to have had only a palliative resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A randomised trial comparing endometrial resection and abdominal hysterectomy for the treatment of menorrhagia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the advantages and disadvantages of endometrial resection and abdominal hysterectomy for the surgical treatment of women with menorrhagia. DESIGN: Randomised study of two treatment groups with a minimum follow up of nine months. SETTING: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. SUBJECTS: 51 of 78 menorrhagic women without pelvic pathology who were on the waiting list for abdominal hysterectomy. TREATMENT: Endometrial resection or abdominal hysterectomy (according to randomisation). Endometrial resections were performed by an experienced hysteroscopic surgeon; hysterectomies were performed by two other gynaecological surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of operating time, hospitalisation, recovery; cost of surgery; short term results of endometrial resection. RESULTS: Operating time was shorter for endometrial resection (median 30 (range 20-47) minutes) than for hysterectomy (50 (39-74) minutes). The hospital stay for endometrial resection (median 1 (range 1-3) days) was less than for hysterectomy (7 (5-12) days). Recovery after endometrial resection (median 16 (range 5-62) days) was shorter than after hysterectomy (58 (11-125) days). The cost was 407 pounds for endometrial resection and 1270 pounds for abdominal hysterectomy. Four women (16%) who did not have an acceptable improvement in symptoms after endometrial resection had repeat resections. No woman has required hysterectomy during a mean follow up of one year. CONCLUSION: For women with menorrhagia who have no pelvic pathology endometrial resection is a useful alternative to abdominal hysterectomy, with many short term benefits. Larger numbers and a longer follow up are needed to estimate the incidence of complications and the long term efficacy of endometrial resection.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic versus open bowel resection for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic bowel resection is an alternative to open surgery for patients with Crohn's disease requiring surgical resection. The present report describes a seven-year experience with the laparoscopic treatment of Crohn's disease compared with the open technique in a tertiary Canadian centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 consecutive patients undergoing elective resection for Crohn's disease was carried out between October 1992 and June 1999. This analysis included 32 laparoscopic resections (mean age 33 years) and 29 open resections (mean age 42 years). Patient demographics were compared, as well as short and long term outcomes after surgery (mean follow-up 39 months). RESULTS: Patients in the laparoscopic group were younger and had fewer previous bowel surgeries than patients who had open resections. Indications for surgery and operative times were similar between the groups. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections required fewer doses of narcotic analgesics. The resumption of bowel function after surgery, and tolerance of a clear liquid and solid diet was quicker in the laparoscopic group. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections had significantly shorter hospital stays than those who underwent open resections. Fifteen patients (48.4%) in the laparoscopic group experienced recurrence of disease compared with 13 patients (44.8%) in the open group. In both groups, the most common site of recurrence was at the anastomosis. The disease-free interval was the same length for both groups (23.9+/-17.3 months for the laparoscopic resection patients compared with 23.9+/-20.2 months for the open resection patients; P=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for Crohn's disease can be performed safely and effectively. Quicker resumption of oral feeds, less postoperative pain and earlier discharge from hospital are advantages of the laparoscopic method. No differences in the recurrence rate or the disease-free interval were noted.

Adolescent↗

Extended resections of ductal pancreatic cancer--impact on operative risk and prognosis.

114 patients received a standard and 75 patients an extended resection of ductal pancreatic carcinoma at the Hanover Medical School, Germany, from 1971 until 1993. Standard pancreatic resections were combined with vascular resection and reconstruction in 46 and additional organ resections in 45 cases. Vascular resections affected the mesentericoportal vein in 37, the common hepatic in 10 and the superior mesenteric artery in 7 cases. Pancreas resections were combined with total gastrectomy in 23, partial colectomy in 17, hemihepatectomy in 14, adrenalectomy in 8 and nephrectomy in 5 patients. Curative resections could be accomplished in 86% of patients without and 81% with extended resections. Additional vascular resections neither increased the operative risk nor deteriorated the long-term prognosis after resection. Additional organ resections, however, significantly increased the risk of lethality and impaired the long-term prognosis. Especially resections of synchronous hepatic metastases and colectomies were associated with a poor survival probability.

Carcinoma↗

Harry M. Vars award. The effect of a pectin-supplemented elemental diet on intestinal adaptation to massive small bowel resection.

The effect of a pectin-supplemented elemental diet on intestinal adaptation to massive small bowel resection in the rat was investigated in this study. Sixty adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of a feeding gastrostomy and swivel apparatus. Control animals (N = 16) were then returned to their cages while the remaining animals underwent an 80% small bowel resection and anastomosis (resected, N = 44). Postoperatively, animals were randomly assigned to receive either a fat- and fiber-free elemental diet (no pectin) or the same diet supplemented with 2% pectin (pectin). After 8 days of full strength diet, samples of jejunum, ileum, and colon were obtained for analysis. The weights per unit length of the ileum and colon were significantly greater in the resected pectin group than either the resected no pectin or pectin control groups. Mucosal parameters (unit weight, DNA, RNA, and protein content) were significantly increased in the jejunum and ileum of both the resected pectin and resected no pectin groups relative to their respective control groups. However, jejunal and ileal mucosal parameters were significantly greater (1.3- to 2-fold) for the resected pectin group than for the resected no pectin group. All the mucosal parameters of the colons were significantly greater for the pectin resected group than for the pectin control group, while only colonic mucosal RNA was significantly greater for the no pectin resected group than for the no pectin control group. These data indicate that the addition of pectin to an elemental diet significantly enhanced intestinal adaptation to massive small bowel resection in the rat.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effect of the extent of surgical resection on survival and quality of life in patients with supratentorial glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas.

Thirty-one patients operated upon for supratentorial glioblastomas or anaplastic astrocytomas were studied to evaluate the effect of the extent of surgical resection on the length and quality of survival. The median age was 50 years and the median preoperative Karnofsky rate was 80. Twenty-one patients (68%) had glioblastoma multiforme, and 10 patients (32%) had anaplastic astrocytoma. Early postoperative enhanced computed tomography was used to determine the extent of tumor resection. Gross total tumor resection was accomplished in 19 patients (61%), and subtotal resection was performed in 12 patients (39%). The two groups were comparable regarding age, sex, pathological condition, preoperative Karnofsky rating, tumor location, postoperative radiation therapy, and postoperative chemotherapy (P greater than 0.05). The gross total resection group lived longer than the subtotal resection group by life table analysis (P less than 0.001; median survival of 90 and 43 weeks, respectively). Postoperatively, the mean functional ability measured by the Karnofsky rating was significantly increased in the gross total resection group (P = 0.006), but not in the subtotal resection group (P greater than 0.05). The difference in degree of change between preoperative and postoperative Karnofsky rating in the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The gross total resection group spent significantly more time after the operation in an independent status (Karnofsky rating greater than or equal to 80) compared to the subtotal resection group (P = 0.007; median time of 185 and 12.5 weeks, respectively). Gross total resection of supratentorial glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas is feasible and is directly associated with longer and better survival when compared to subtotal resection.

Adult↗

Surgical resection of intrinsic insular tumors: complication avoidance.

OBJECT: Surgical resection of tumors located in the insular region is challenging for neurosurgeons, and few have published their surgical results. The authors report their experience with intrinsic tumors of the insula, with an emphasis on an objective determination of the extent of resection and neurological complications and on an analysis of the anatomical characteristics that can lead to suboptimal outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-two patients who underwent surgical resection of intrinsic insular tumors were retrospectively identified. Eight tumors (36%) were purely insular, eight (36%) extended into the temporal pole, and six (27%) extended into the frontal operculum. A transsylvian surgical approach, combined with a frontal opercular resection or temporal lobectomy when necessary, was used in all cases. Five of 13 patients with tumors located in the dominant hemisphere underwent craniotomies while awake. The extent of tumor resection was determined using volumetric analyses. In 10 patients, more than 90% of the tumor was resected; in six patients, 75 to 90% was resected; and in six patients, less than 75% was resected. No patient died within 30 days after surgery. During the immediate postoperative period, the neurological conditions of 14 patients (64%) either improved or were unchanged, and in eight patients (36%) they worsened. Deficits included either motor or speech dysfunction. At the 3-month follow-up examination, only two patients (9%) displayed permanent deficits. Speech and motor dysfunction appeared to result most often from excessive opercular retraction and manipulation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), interruption of the lateral lenticulostriate arteries (LLAs), interruption of the long perforating vessels of the second segment of the MCA (M2), or violation of the corona radiata at the superior aspect of the tumor. Specific methods used to avoid complications included widely splitting the sylvian fissure and identifying the bases of the periinsular sulci to define the superior and inferior resection planes, identifying early the most lateral LLA to define the medial resection plane, dissecting the MCA before tumor resection, removing the tumor subpially with preservation of all large perforating arteries arising from posterior M2 branches, and performing craniotomy with brain stimulation while the patient was awake. CONCLUSIONS: A good understanding of the surgical anatomy and an awareness of potential pitfalls can help reduce neurological complications and maximize surgical resection of insular tumors.

Adult↗

Study on endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection with ligating device. II--Experimental study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study reports on animal experiments regarding the safety of endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection with a ligating device (EEMRL), as well as the amount of mucosa which can be removed by this technique, the depth of resection and the feasibility of piecemeal resection. METHODOLOGY: Three experiments were performed in six mongrel dogs under general anesthesia. RESULTS: When EEMRL was done without submucosal injection of saline, resection reached the muscular layer and caused esophageal perforation. The average dimensions of the mucosal pieces resected using 8-, 10-, and 12-mm devices was 13 x 10 mm, 18 x 15 mm, and 22 x 18 mm, respectively. Resection reached the mid-plane of the submucosa and the depth was almost uniform. After piecemeal resection, there was no macroscopically visible mucosa at the resection site and each mucosal piece was resected along the mid-plane of the submucosa. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental study indicated that submucosal injection of saline is essential to prevent esophageal perforation. It also showed that EEMRL allows resection up to the mid-plane of the submucosa, that the 12-mm device allows en bloc resection of lesions < or = 15 mm in diameter and that EEMRL is suitable for piecemeal resection.

Animals↗

[Combined portal vein and liver resection for biliary cancer].

Portal vein resection has become common in hepatobiliary resection for biliary cancer with curative intent. When cancer invasion of the portal vein is very limited, wedge resection followed by transverse closure is indicated. Longitudinal closure is contraindicated, as this procedure causes stenosis of the portal vein. In the case of right hepatectomy, segmental resection is feasible before liver transection. Reconstruction is completed with end-to-end anastomosis, in which an intraluminal technique is used for posterior anastomosis and an over-and-over suture for anterior anastomosis. More than 5-cm resection of the portal vein often requires reconstruction with an autovein graft. In the case of left hepatectomy, portal vein resection after liver transection is preferable. The resection and reconstruction method should be determined based on both the extent of cancer invasion of the right portal vein and the length of the right portal trunk. So far, we have aggressively carried out combined portal vein and liver resection in 106 patients with advanced biliary cancer (62 cholangiocarcinoma and 44 gallbladder carcinoma). Twenty-nine patients underwent wedge resections and 77 segmental resections (66 end-to-end anastomosis and 11 autovein grafting using an external iliac vein). In patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (n = 58), 3- and 5-year survival rates were 23% and 8%, respectively. Three patients survived for more than 5 years after resection. In contrast, the prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer (n = 44) was dismal. All of the patients died within 3 years after surgery, although they survived statistically longer than unresected patients. These data suggest that portal vein resection has survival benefit for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. However, the indications for this procedure in gallbladder cancer should be reevaluated.

Biliary Tract Neoplasms↗

[Primary cytoreductive surgery of advanced ovarian cancer with special reference to the significance of bowel resection].

The importance of cf cytoreductive surgery is discussed with special reference to the bowel resection for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. In the 10.5-year period from January 1978 to June 1988, 134 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were seen at Toranomon Hospital. Two (15%) out of 13 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer at stage II underwent bowel resection to achieve cytoreduction, 10 (31%) out of 32 at stage III, and 4 (36%) out of 11 at stage IV, respectively. Modified posterior pelvic exenteration was the most common operative procedure among the bowel resections. In this procedure, resection of both sigmoid colon and rectum and end-to-end anastomosis was carried out. Besides bowel resection, all patients at stage II-IV had abdominal hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without omentectomy. Comparison of the treatment was by the method of Kaplan-Meier and the Wilcoxon test. The following results were obtained. 1) Five-year survival rate for patients with bowel resection was 60%, compared to 39% for those undergoing operation without bowel resection (p less than 0.05). 2) Two-year survival for patients having residual cancer even after bowel resection was 61%, compared to 28% for those with residual cancer without bowel resection (p less than 0.05). 3) Two-year survival for patients with residual cancer greater than 2 cm was 8%, compared to 62% for those with residual cancer less than 1.9 cm (p less than 0.05). 4) Four patients who died of cancer 15-26 months after the initial treatment including bowel resection spent 65-85% (mean 76%) of the survival period with normal or subnormal activity, against 0-85% (mean 30%) for 6 patients without bowel resection and with the matched survival period of 15-26 months. Also, the former spent 19-33% (mean 27%) of their survival period in the hospital, against 20-67% (mean 39%) by the latter. These results suggest that bowel resection should be encouraged in order to achieve optimal cytoreduction in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer because of its effectiveness in prolonging survival and the inherent benefits for quality of life.

Fallopian Tubes↗