[Laparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumors]

Gastro-intestinal stromal tumors [GIST] are the most common mesenchymal gastrointestinal tumors. The Gastric location represents 60% of cases [1,2]. Complete surgical excision remains the treatment of reference for the localized forms. This surgery can be made by laparoscopy when the lesion's size doesn't exceed 5 cm. Some principles must e respected: a mono-block complete surgical resection, with healthy margins and without effraction. This technique will be reserved for trained teams and for selected cases according to the size and location. We herein try to explain the surgical laparoscopic excision of gastric stromal tumors explaining

Prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma after R0 resection with DH lymph node dissection. Tunisian experience

Curative resection with adequate lymph node dissection is the treatment of choice for gastric cancer. To determine the prognostic factors after R0 resection with DII lymph node dissection. We retrospectively assessed 126 patients who underwent R0 resection with DII lymph node dissection for gastric cancer [excluding the upper third of the stomach] in a single institution between 1991 and 2006 with median follow-up of 38.5 months [6 - 219]. Prognostic factors were assessed by Cox proportional hazard model. There were 45 women and 81 men. The median age was 60 years [21 - 87]. Four patients died [3.2%]. Postoperative hospital morbidity was 16.7%. The pathologic review of the slides revealed that 50% of the tumors were stage T3 [63 cases]. The median number of lymph node removed was 11 [8-40], 50% were involved. Five and 10 years survival rates were respectively 56.9% and 40.2%. In multivariable analysis, depth of wall invasion, lymph node involvement and more than 15 retrieved lymph nodes were found to be independent prognosis factors. After R0 resection with DII lymphadenectomy, depth of wall invasion, lymph node involvement and more than 15 retrieved lymph nodes were independent predictive factors for survival

[Totally implantable venous access ports by cephalic vein cut-down for patients receiving chemotherapy]

The use of an implantable room has become indispensable in the clinical practice for the cancer patients. The increasing use of these devices was associated with a greater incidence of complications. To verify the feasibility of the cephalic vein cut-down technique for placement of venous access devices. A prospective study of 58 port placements was performed at our department of general surgery. The surveillance of devices was collectively insured by the operator and by the oncologists. The indication for implantation was the infusion of intravenous chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer in 55.1% cases and breast cancer in 27.5%. The specific complication rate was 7%. The cephalic vein cut-down approach was used successful in 45 [77.5%] patients. When the cephalic vein could not be used, a percutaneous technique was employed using the subclavian vein in 22.4% of the patients. Cephalic vein cut-down technique should be considered a safe and feasible approach for placement of venous access devices

model of end-stage liver disease [MELD] score in predicting postoperative liver failure after hepatic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: the Tunisian experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. Factors associated with prognosis following resection remain ill defined. The model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] is considered as an index of hepatic functional reserve. This study evaluates the reliability of the MELD score in the prediction of liver failure after hepatic resection for HCC in cirrhotic patients. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of patients with HCC and cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection between January 1991 and December 2007. A total of 26 cirrhotic patients underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC at our department. Patient information included demographic features, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] class, etiology of cirrhosis, laboratory test results, type of surgical procedure, duration of hospitalization, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh and MELD score. Six patients [23.1%] developed postoperative liver failure. AS much as 66.66% of liver failures were seen in patients who have had major hepatectomy. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we identified that a MELD score equal to or above 9.5 is the best cut-off value for predicting postoperative liver failure. Patients were divided into two groups: MELD below 9.5 [group A] and MELD equal to or above 9.5 [group B]. The highest prevalence of postoperative liver failure of 83.33% was observed in group B. MELD score >/= 9.5 and low serum sodium are strongly predictive of increased postoperative liver failure in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection of HCC. The presence of liver cirrhosis is an important factor that affects the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Cirrhotic patients with a high MELD score are at high risk of postoperative liver failure and complications and should be referred for non-surgical treatment

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor mimicking peritoneal hydatid cyst

A 63-year-old woman, with a significant past medical history for hypertension, was admitted to surgical department B of Charles Nicolle Hospital suffering since twenty years from diffuse abdominal pain and progressive increase in abdominal volume. No general state deterioration was reported. Abdominal exam showed two palpable masses. The first one localized in the upper right quadrant and measuring 15cm. The second mass, palpable in the left paraumbilical quadrant, measured 20cm. No jaundice was found. Computed tomography evidenced two septated cystic lesions in segment IV and VIII of the liver with peripheral calcification [Fig 1], a multi-cystic formation in the left sub hepatic area and a huge splenic cyst with multiple- septa [Fig 2]. Regarding high prevalence of hydatid disease in Tunisia, all cysts were considered as hydatid cyst. Patient received preoperatively albendazole [10mg/kg/day] during two weeks and was operated on through a median laparotomy. Intraoperative exploration found in the liver four contiguous cysts sitting on segment IV. After sterilization with hypertonic solution, multiple daughter cysts were evacuated. No communication between biliary ducts and cyst cavities was mentioned. Liver cysts were treated by unroofing procedure combined with omentoplasty. In the spleen, there was a cyst of 20cm of diameter suspended to its lower part. A partial resection of splenic cyst was performed after sterilization of cyst cavity and evacuation of daughter cysts. The cyst of the left sub hepatic area measured 10cm of diameter and had a partial contact with the posterior wall of the stomach. After the sterilization of the cyst, its content was aspirated but no hydatid liquid or daughter cyst was recuperated. A cystectomy was performed with a remnant cavity of only 2cm against the posterior wall of the first part of duodenum. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged six days later. Pathology of this peritoneal cyst concluded to stromal tumor. The resection of this tumor was incomplete, since then patient was treated with imatinib-mesylate, 400 mg once daily. Computed tomography performed six months post operatively showed no residual tumor [Fig 3]