ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the postoperative outcomes of preserving the left colonic artery during laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathologic data of 91 rectal cancer patients (pathologic Stage II) undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection was retrospectively analyzed. During the surgeries, the left colonic artery was preserved in 40 patients (preserved group) and ligated in 51 patients (unpreserved group). The operating time, intraoperative blood loss, time to first flatus and defecation, duration of postoperative abdominal distension and pain, number of retrieved lymph nodes, ileum fistulation and anatomical leakage rate were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The surgeries were completed in all the 91 patients laparoscopically without conversion. There was no intraoperative complications including rectal perforation, injury to vessel or ureter in either group. The operating time, blood loss and number of retrieved lymph nodes were similar between the groups (P>0.05). Three patients in preserved group and 5 in ligation group received preventive ileum fistulation due to low rectal cancer. Anatomical leakage occurred in three patients of unpreserved group. The average duration of postoperative abdominal distension and pain was 2.14∓0.35 days in preserved group and 3.15∓0.42 days in ligation group. The time to first flatus and defecation was 37.15∓12.62 h and 3.16∓0.52 days in preserved group and 62.25∓11.75 h and 4.25∓0.75 days in ligation group. Postoperative hospital stay was 4.54∓0.42 days in preserved group and 6.23∓0.51 days in ligation group. Total hospitalization cost in the two groups was 34 525.32∓1206.36 Yuan and 41 215∓1051.32 Yuan, respectively. Significant differences were found the in duration of postoperative abdominal distension and pain, postoperative hospital stay, and total cost between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer, preserving the left colonic artery effectively ensures the blood supply to the anastomosis and the remaining descending colon to promote the recovery of the patients after surgery.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Kang' ai injection combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: All of 67 patients with HCC were divided into two groups: the observation group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 31). Control group received TACE therapy only, and the observation group was given Kang' ai injection combined with TACE. The response rate (RR), KPS scores, body weight, and adverse reaction were observed. Results: The short-term efficacies of observation group and control group were 44.4% and 41.9%, respectively. The difference was not significant (P >0.05). The KPS score of the observation group was elevated after treatment, and the difference was significant (P 0.05). The body weight was not significantly different before and after treatment in the 2 groups (P >0.05). The occurrence rate of adverse drug reaction such as leucopenia, hemoglobin decrease, and liver function damage were lower in the observation group than that in the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion: Kang' ai injection combined with TACE improves the life quality of patients and decreases adverse reactions induced by chemotherapy.