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True metabolizable energy values of a number of feedingstuffs and complete diets as determined in two laboratories.

True metabolizable energy (TME) values were measured on six samples of soybean meal (SBM), two samples of corn, and five laying hen rations mixed at two different times The determinations were carried out in two different laboratories, the University of Guelph (UG) and Canada Packers (CP) Research Centre, with a view of checking interlaboratory agreement. The TME values of four out of the six SBM samples agreed very well between the two laboratories. For the two samples with results that did not agree well, the difference was as much as 8%. The TME values of the two corn samples determined at the UG laboratory were about 6 to 9% higher than those obtained at the CP Centre depending on whether these were fed alone or mixed with a basal diet. In the case of the layer rations mixed at two different times, reasonably good interlaboratory agreement of the TME results occurred for only three of the five rations at each of the two mixings. The results of the remaining two rations varied by about 7 to 9% between laboratories. These results indicate the need to improve the reproducibility of TME values between laboratories before the method can have practical application. A number of factors possibly contributing to the significant interlaboratory differences noted are discussed.

Animal Feed↗

A comparison of the true and apparent metabolizable energy measures using corn and soybean meal samples.

This study was designed to compare the results of the true metabolizable energy (TME) and the conventional apparent metabolizable energy (AME) assays in detecting differences in the metabolizable energy content of different samples of corn and soybean meal. The samples assayed were three pairs of high and low protein soybean meals (SBM) and six corn samples of varying bushel weight. Also included in the study were two additional corn samples of a single variety of which one was a normal crop (corn ND) and the other (corn D) was obtained from plants earlier afflicted with "eye spot' fungal disease (Kabatiella zeae) so that the grain kernels did not fully mature. A somewhat larger difference was apparent in the metabolizable energy content of two of the three pairs of the high and low protein SBM using the AME assay as compared to using TME as a measure. Because of insufficient material the AME of two of the six corns that differed most in bushel weight could not be determined. The TME values for the six corns were very similar and so were the AME values for the four samples with sufficient assay material. In the case of the two corns of the same variety, corn ND showed an appreciably higher AME than corn D while the TMEs of these two samples were essentially the same. The multiplication factors for converting N-corrected AME to TME were greater for the low protein, high fiber SMB than for the high protein, low fiber samples, while the factors for corn samples were substantially smaller than those for either the high or low protein SBM. These results indicate that there may be no consistent relationship between AME and TME, although theoretically there should be a consistent relationship between these two energy measures regardless of the feedstuff assayed.

Animal Feed↗

Correlation of protein content of feedstuffs with the magnitude of nitrogen correction in true metabolizable energy determinations.

The relationship between the protein content of feedstuffs and the magnitude of difference between corresponding true metabolizable energy (TME) and nitrogen-corrected TME ( TMEn ) was investigated. Fifty-two samples of feed ingredients, mixtures of ingredients, and mixed feeds were assayed for TME and TMEn . A positive relationship was observed between the protein content of the feed samples and the magnitude of difference between determined TME and TMEn values. The regression equation describing this relationship is Y = . 122X + 3.724, where X equals percent protein and Y the percent difference between TME and TMEn . The corresponding r2 was .60.

Animal Feed↗

[Current problems of the surgical treatment of rectal cancer: analysis of the literature and personal experience].

The surgical procedure is a crucial factor in preventing local recurrence in rectal cancer, and total mesorectal excision (TME) particularly is widely accepted as being associated with a decreased local recurrence rate. In this study, concerning 187 patients with rectal cancer, we compare conventional surgery, performed in 140 patients from 1979 to 1993, with a standardised TME procedure in 47 patients over the period from 1994 to 1998. The first group not treated by TME were operated on for 56 (40%) tumours of the upper rectum and 84 (60%) of the lower rectum; 35 (25%) were Dukes' A, 77 Dukes' B and 28 (20%) Dukes' C. 42 abdominoperineal amputations (30%) and 98 anterior resections (70%) were performed. The second group in which TME was performed comprised 17 (36%) tumours of the upper rectum and 30 (64%) of the lower rectum, 8 (17%) in stage I AJCC (Dukes' A), 16 (34%) in II (B) and 23 (49%) in III (C). 9 abdominoperineal amputations (19%) and 38 anterior resections (81%) were performed, 8 (21%) with an ultra-low anastomosis. In the first group of patients we observed 28 local recurrences (20%) and a 5-year disease-free survival in 50% of cases. In the second group we achieved a decreased rate of local recurrence (10.6%) which is about half that observed after conventional surgery, but there was no significant difference in survival. These data confirm the effectiveness of TME in reducing local recurrence rate, according to the literature; in future this procedure can get to reconsider the role of adjuvant therapy in the management of rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Laparoscopy assisted total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopy assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer. METHOD: From March 2000 to November 2003,67 patients with rectal cancer received laparoscopy assisted TME,in whom 45 cases received anterior resection (AR),and 22 cases received abdominal perineal resection (APR). RESULTS: The operation was performed according to the rules of TME. The operative bleeding volume ranged from 10 to 50 ml. The operative time ranged from 2.5 to 5 hours without operative related death. Gastrointestinal decompression time ranged from 8 to 24 hours after operation. The time of intaking fluid food ranged from 24 to 48 hours after operation; the time of taking general activity ranged from 1 to 3 days after operation,and the defecating time ranged from 1 to 5 days after operation. The time of the hospital stay ranged from 7 to 10 days. All patients were followed up from 3 to 43 months except 3 patients. Two patients had local recurrence, including 1 patient died of local recurrence; 2 patients had liver metastases including 1 patient died of tumor metastasis but another was still alive. No metastasis and recurrence was found in 19 patients within follow - up time of one year. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopy assisted TME is a feasible approach for rectal cancer if surgeons have experience in open operation of laparoscopy assisted TME and good managing skills.

Aged↗

Epidemiologic and experimental studies on transmissible mink encephalopathy.

Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) is a rare foodborne disease of ranch-raised mink produced by an as yet unidentified contaminated feed ingredient. Because of the clinicopathologic similarities to scrapie and the indistinguishable physicochemical properties of their transmissible agents, it was initially assumed that TME was caused by feeding mink scrapie-infected sheep. However, subsequent studies testing the oral susceptibility of mink to scrapie were unsuccessful. Epidemiologic investigations of individual incidents of TME have not identified an association between the occurrence of disease and the feeding of any particular ingredient. However, there are two incidents in which the rancher was confident that sheep were not fed. The most recent of these was in Stetsonville, Wisconsin in 1985 where the meat portion of the diet was composed almost exclusively of downer dairy cows. To examine the possibility that cattle may have been the source of infection on the Stetsonville ranch, mink brain was experimentally inoculated intracerebrally into two Holstein steers. Both of these animals developed fatal spongiform encephalopathies 18 and 19 months after inoculation. These findings are compatible with the Stetsonville incident of TME being caused by feeding mink infected cattle tissue and they suggest the presence of an unrecognized BSE-like disease in the United States. Further experimental studies on the Stetsonville source of TME have identified two distinct strains of the transmissible agent in Syrian hamsters. These strains vary in length of incubation period, clinical signs, endstage brain infectivity titre, and pathogenicity for mink.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Pan-cancer characterization of HMGA1 reveals its oncogenic role in tumor microenvironment and stemness: functional validation in pancreatic cancer migration and invasion.

BACKGROUND: HMGA1 is a chromatin-associated oncogenic factor implicated in tumor progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, and metastasis. However, its pan-cancer expression and prognostic patterns, epigenetic activation, and relationship with malignant-cell stemness/plasticity and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to systematically characterize HMGA1 across cancers and clarify its clinical and biological relevance in PAAD. METHODS: Pan-cancer transcriptomic, clinical, genetic, methylation, immune, and stemness data were integrated from multiple public databases. PAAD single-cell RNA sequencing data were analyzed to localize HMGA1 expression, infer malignant-cell pseudotime, calculate a stemness module score, and assess ligand-receptor communication using CellChat. Public HMGA1-knockdown RNA sequencing data were reanalyzed to evaluate transcriptional remodeling. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-PAAD expression and methylation data were used to assess TME-remodeling, immune-suppression, stemness/plasticity, cytokine/chemokine, checkpoint, and promoter-methylation features. HMGA1 expression and function were further examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, wound-healing assays, and Transwell migration and invasion assays. RESULTS: HMGA1 was upregulated in most tumor types, and high expression was associated with unfavorable survival in multiple cancers, including PAAD. In PAAD, HMGA1 was enriched in malignant epithelial cells and positively correlated with pseudotime (Spearman's rho =0.594), while the stemness module score increased along pseudotime (rho =0.748). HMGA1-high malignant cells showed markedly stronger CellChat-inferred outgoing communication, predominantly involving extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor, adhesion-related, and selected immunomodulatory ligand-receptor axes. HMGA1 knockdown was associated with broad remodeling of EMT, TGF-β, Hedgehog, IL6/JAK/STAT3, KRAS, and cancer stem cell/stemness-related programs rather than uniform suppression of these programs. HMGA1 promoter methylation was inversely correlated with HMGA1 expression (rho =-0.633) and the TME-remodeling score (rho =-0.347). HMGA1 was associated with selected mediators, including PPIA, PLAU, ANXA1, LGALS9, TGFB1, CD276, and CD47, but not with a generalized checkpoint-high phenotype. Functionally, HMGA1 knockdown significantly reduced pancreatic cancer (PC) cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support an association-based model in which promoter hypomethylation-associated HMGA1 activation is linked to malignant epithelial stemness/plasticity, ECM/adhesion-dominant TME remodeling, selected immunomodulatory programs, and aggressive PAAD phenotypes. Further mechanistic and clinical validation is required before HMGA1 can be used for therapeutic stratification or immunotherapy-response prediction.

HMGA1↗

The role of KIAA1467 in breast cancer: insights from pan-cancer and single-cell sequencing analysis.

BACKGROUND: Improving the response rate of single-agent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) urgently requires the discovery of new therapeutic targets for combinatorial regimens. Analyses of tumor microenvironment (TME)-associated biomarkers have verified that KIAA1467 drives the formation of an immune-excluded, non-inflamed TME in breast cancer (BRCA). This study systematically explores the expression pattern, prognostic value, immune regulatory function, biological effects, and drug resistance relevance of FAM234B (also known as KIAA1467) in BRCA. METHODS: We performed pan-cancer survival analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. Multi-omics bioinformatics analyses were conducted to evaluate KIAA1467 expression across malignancies. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from GSE176078 was utilized to localize KIAA1467 expression at the cellular level. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays validated KIAA1467 expression in BRCA clinical specimens. Correlation analyses were implemented to assess relationships between KIAA1467 expression, clinicopathological features, immune modulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and p53 mutation status. Functional enrichment analysis uncovered relevant signaling pathways. Bioinformatic half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction and in vitro cellular experiments were applied to evaluate associations between KIAA1467 and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. RESULTS: TCGA pan-cancer survival analysis demonstrated that elevated KIAA1467 expression significantly predicted shortened overall survival in BRCA and multiple other tumor types. KIAA1467 displayed distinct expression patterns across cancers, with prominent upregulation in BRCA. scRNA-seq confirmed enriched KIAA1467 expression within BRCA cells, and its upregulation in BRCA tissues was further verified by immunohistochemistry and western blot. High KIAA1467 expression was positively correlated with advanced tumor grade and lymphatic metastasis. KIAA1467 showed negative correlations with most immune modulators and core immune checkpoint molecules, as well as tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the TME, implying its potential function in tumor immune evasion. Low KIAA1467 expression was tightly linked to p53 mutations. Enrichment analysis indicated participation of KIAA1467 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, high KIAA1467 expression corresponded to higher estimated IC50 values of cisplatin, gefitinib, paclitaxel and gemcitabine, consistent with reduced chemosensitivity observed in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the multifaceted oncogenic role of KIAA1467 in BRCA. KIAA1467 participates in remodeling an immunosuppressive TME, correlates with malignant progression and chemoresistance, and may serve as a promising candidate target to optimize ICB-based combination therapy for BRCA. These findings offer new perspectives for the clinical treatment and comprehensive management of BRCA.

KIAA1467↗

Risk factors for anastomotic failure after total mesorectal excision of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is a major complication of rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with symptomatic anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME). METHODS: Between 1996 and 1999, patients with operable rectal cancer were randomized to receive short-term radiotherapy followed by TME or to undergo TME alone. Eligible Dutch patients who underwent an anterior resection (924 patients) were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Symptomatic anastomotic leakage occurred in 107 patients (11.6 per cent). Pelvic drainage and the use of a defunctioning stoma were significantly associated with a lower anastomotic failure rate. A significant correlation between the absence of a stoma and anastomotic dehiscence was observed in both men and women, for both distal and proximal rectal tumours. In patients with anastomotic failure, the presence of pelvic drains and a covering stoma were both related to a lower requirement for surgical reintervention. CONCLUSION: Placement of one or more pelvic drains after TME may limit the consequences of anastomotic failure. The clinical decision to construct a defunctioning stoma is supported by this study.

Adult↗

The influence of total mesorectal excision on local recurrence and survival in rectal cancer patients: a population-based study in Greater Amsterdam.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine retrospectively in a population-based setting, the influence of the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) on local recurrence and survival in patients with rectal carcinoma. METHODS: All rectal carcinomas diagnosed during 1988-1991 (979 patients, conventional surgery with blunt dissection of the rectum) and 1998-2000 (890 patients, TME resection) were selected from the Amsterdam Cancer Registry. For all patients who underwent a macroscopically radical resection in the absence of distant dissemination, information on the occurrence of local recurrent disease and distant metastasis was collected. RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year recurrence rate decreased significantly from 20% for patients diagnosed in 1988-1991 to 11% in 1998-2000. Stage (T-category, nodal status), period of diagnosis (conventional surgery vs. TME resection), radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent variables of local recurrence in multivariate analysis. There was a non-significant trend for improved 5-year relative survival for all rectal carcinoma cases from 52% (95% CI 48-55) for patients diagnosed in 1988-1991 to 59% (95% CI 55-63) in 1998-2000. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in local recurrence and a trend for improved relative survival were observed. The broad introduction of TME and the shift towards preoperative radiotherapy are the most plausible explanations for these observations.

Aged↗

Are tidal breathing indices useful in infant bronchial challenge tests?

Tidal breathing indices have been used to assess histamine-induced airway obstruction in adults and children. The aim of this study was to see whether they could be used to assess histamine challenge in infants. Tidal flow during quiet breathing was measured using a face mask and pneumotachograph and maximum flow at functional residual capacity (VmaxFRC) was measured from partial forced expirations in 18 sleeping, sedated infants who responded to histamine challenge and in 18 nonresponders. The tidal indices calculated were inspiratory and expiratory time (ti and te), tidal peak expiratory flow (PEF), mean tidal expiratory flow rate (VT/te) and the expiratory time constant of the respiratory system (trs). The time to maximal expiration divided by expiratory time (tme/te) and 2 revised forms of this index (tme(a)/te and tme(b)/te) were also calculated. Recordings of tme(a) and tme(b) were taken at 95% of peak tidal expiratory flow, before and after the peak, respectively. In nonresponders, there was an insignificant mean rise in VmaxFRC of 11.8% but no change in any tidal index. In responders, the mean percentage fall in VmaxFRC was 43.3% (range, -31 to -81%); trs fell from 0.61 s to 0.51 s (P < 0.05) and breathing frequency and mean tidal expiratory flow rate increased from 34.0 to 37.5 min-1 (P < 0.01) and from 66.6 to 72.6 mL.s-1 (P < 0.05), respectively, suggesting that infants had adopted a strategy of active expiration in response to bronchial challenge. There was no change either in tme/te or in the revised indices after challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

European trials with total mesorectal excision.

The outcome after surgery for rectal cancer differs markedly between patient series regarding local recurrence rates and survival. A high incidence of local recurrence is associated with conventional, nonstandardized procedures. To improve results of surgery, various additional treatments, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, have been tested. The Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial (SRCT) was the first trial to show that better local control achieved with preoperative radiotherapy resulted in improved survival. In recent years local control and survival have been further improved by the introduction of standardized total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery. A major problem of published studies on adjuvant therapy is that surgery was not standardized in these studies. Furthermore, quality control of the surgical technique by standardized pathological examination of the specimen is absent in most studies. In Europe, TME has become the preferred standard of operative management for rectal cancer. Adjuvant therapy studies should now be reexamined based on a platform of standardized, optimal surgery and pathology. We studied the European trials in which TME surgery is intentionally performed. Most of these trials are still in progress, with follow-up too short for definitive results, apart from interim analyses. However, the Dutch TME trial has already shown that performing a large, multicenter trial with quality control of both surgery and pathology is feasible.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Systematic Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment Using IOBR.

The Immuno-Oncology Biological Research (IOBR) package is an R-based analysis tool for exploring the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its influence on anti-tumor immunity. Built for high-throughput data-spanning both transcriptomic and genomic profiles-IOBR integrates six analytical modules, including transcriptomic data preprocessing, TME profiling, TME pattern identification, ligand-receptor interaction analysis, genome-TME interaction assessment, and visualization. In this chapter, we walk through a multi-omics workflow using example datasets, illustrating data preparation, distribution analyses, result interpretation, and graphical output. IOBR is open source and is available at https://github.com/IOBR/IOBR and a detailed GitBook ( https://iobr.github.io/book/ ) offers a complete manual and analysis guide for each function.

Tumor Microenvironment↗

Paired pulse pacing increases cardiac O2 consumption for activation without changing efficiency of contractile machinery in canine left ventricle.

The relation between cardiac O2 consumption (VO2) and the total mechanical energy (TME) generated by contraction was studied under paired-pulse (PP) pacing and compared with that under single-pulse pacing at the same basic rate as PP pacing and at the double-pacing rate in ten excised cross-circulated canine left ventricles (LV). TME was assessed by the systolic pressure-volume (P-V) area (PVA) defined as the area bounded by the end-systolic and end-diastolic P-V curves and the systolic P-V trajectory. The VO2-PVA relation was linear under PP pacing as well as at control and double heart rates. PP pacing increased LV contractility index Emax from 6.3 +/- 3.3 (SD) to 18.0 +/- 8.6 mmHg/(ml/100 g) and elevated markedly the VO2-PVA relation by increasing the VO2-axis intercept (or PVA-independent VO2) from 0.62 +/- 0.11 to 1.13 +/- 0.35 J.beat-1.100 g-1. However, PP pacing did not change the slope of the VO2-PVA relation at 2.24 +/- 0.53 (dimensionless). The efficiency from PVA-dependent VO2 (total VO2-PVA-independent VO2) to PVA (=TME), calculated as the reciprocal of the slope of the VO2-PVA relation, was also constant at 47 +/- 11% regardless of PP pacing. These results are similar to previous results obtained by positive inotropic interventions with catecholamines and Ca2+. We conclude that PP pacing augments the PVA-independent VO2 for activation without affecting the efficiency of the contractile machinery to generate TME from the PVA-dependent VO2.

Animals↗

Abdominoperineal resection via total mesorectal excision and autonomic nerve preservation for low rectal cancer.

We have examined the results of abdominoperineal resection (APR) for primary cancer of the rectum performed in accordance with the principles of total mesorectal excision (TME) and autonomic nerve preservation (ANP). TME is defined as sharp pelvic dissection under direct vision between the parietal and visceral planes of the pelvic fascia. TME results in the resection of all mesorectal disease with intact, negative lateral or circumferential margins of resection. Statistical analysis was done of survival, local recurrence, and both sexual and urinary functions in a prospective database of consecutive patients. Operative mortality was 2% (3/148) due to cardiac disease. Overall survival was 60%, significantly worse than consecutive patients from the same database who were able to undergo sphincter preservation (81%) (p = 0.0003). Poorer survival was statistically related to the presence of positive lymph nodes (p = 0.0009). Overall, local recurrence rates were 5% (8/148) in patients without distant metastases, and 15% to 21% in patients with positive nodes. Positive lymph nodes, N2 disease, lymphatic vascular invasion, and perineural invasion were independent significant risk factors for local recurrence. Sexual function was preserved in approximately 57% of patients undergoing APR versus 85% of patients undergoing sphincter preservation. No significant urinary morbidity was encountered. Low rectal cancer requiring APR seems to be a disease with more locally advanced disease and adverse pathologic features than are seen with mid-rectal cancers treatable by low anterior resection. APR when performed in accordance with the principles of TME and ANP ensures the greatest likelihood of resecting all regional disease while preserving both sexual and urinary functions. Preoperative combined modality treatment may be warranted in all T3 or greater low rectal cancers.

Adult↗

Evaluation of lateral lymph node dissection with preoperative chemo-radiotherapy for the treatment of advanced middle to lower rectal cancers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study examined rectal cancers with lateral lymph node (LN) metastases and whether lateral lymph node dissection (LLD) with or without preoperative chemo-radiotherapy (XRT) benefits patients with rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 452 consecutive cases of curatively resected pT2, pT3, and pT4 middle to lower rectal cancers were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 265 patients underwent curative LLD and 155 XRT. Data were evaluated with respect to the cumulative percentage of survival. RESULTS: Lateral LN metastases were identified in 7.7% of patients. Of the pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal cancer patients 13.5/18.8% had lateral LN metastases. In the treatment of middle rectal cancers and pT2 extraperitoneal cancers LLD either with or without XRT did not improve survival rate. For the treatment of pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal tumors prior to the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) in 1994 LLD plus XRT yielded significantly better survival and local control than conventional surgery without LLD or XRT, although LLD alone did not improve either survival or local recurrence rates. Since 1995 TME with or without subsequent LLD has yielded favorable results for the treatment of extraperitoneal tumors. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of middle rectal cancers and pT2 extraperitoneal cancers LLD either with or without XRT does not improve survival rate. For pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal tumors, which are associated with a high incidence of lateral node metastasis, combining treatment modalities such as TME followed by LLD or XRT followed by TME may be considered.

Erectile Dysfunction↗

Laparoscopic-assisted total mesorectal excision and colonic J pouch reconstruction in the treatment of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) and colonic J pouch reconstruction has been widely practiced for mid- or low-rectal cancer. However, the laparoscopic version of TME has never been described. METHODS: Five patients suffering from newly diagnosed mid- to low-rectal cancer were seen between March and July 1999. These five patients were selected for laparoscopic TME and colonic J pouch reconstruction because preoperative investigations revealed resectable tumor without extrarectal disease. RESULTS: There were three men and two women with a mean age of 61 years. The average body weight was 69 kg (range, 57-80). None of the patients had had previous abdominal operations. In all five patients, the tumor was located within 9 cm from anal verge. The average size of the main incision was 5 cm. All patients had a covering ileostomy at the end of the procedure. The mean operating time was 208 min; average blood loss was 158 ml; and mean hospital stay was 10.6 days. Three patients had Dukes' B disease and two had Dukes' C disease. The resection margins (proximal, circumferential, and distal) were all clear. There were no deaths or major complications. Two patients suffered from transient urinary retention. After ileostomy closure, the median frequency of bowel motion was twice per day at 6-month follow-up. Neither incontinence nor nocturnal soiling was reported. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published series of such an operation. With good patient selection, laparoscopic-assisted TME and colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis is safe and feasible.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic vs open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: an evaluation of the mesorectum's macroscopic quality.

BACKGROUND: Next to surgical margins, yield of lymph nodes, and length of bowel resected, macroscopic completeness of mesorectal excision may serve as another quality control of total mesorectal excision (TME). In this study, the macroscopic completeness of laparoscopic TME was evaluated. METHODS: A series of 25 patients with rectal cancer were managed laparoscopically (LTME) and included in this study. The pathologic specimens of the LTME group were prospectively examined and matched with a historical group of resection specimens from patients who had undergone open TME (OTME). The two groups were matched for gender and type of resection (low anterior or abdominoperineal resection). Special care was given to the macroscopic judgment concerning the completeness of the mesorectum. RESULTS: A three-grade scoring system showed no differences between the LTME and OTME groups. CONCLUSION: The current study supports the hypothesis that oncologic resection using laparoscopic TME is feasible and adequate.

Aged↗