Rationale and surgical technique of laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy using endoscopic staples

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy (LLLS) has been widely accepted due to benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Some surgeons prefer to isolate glissonian pedicles to segments II and III and to control individual pedicles with surgical clips, whereas opt like to control glissonian pedicles simultaneously using endoscopic stapling devices. The aim of this study was to find the rationale of LLLS using endoscopic staples. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed and compared the clinical outcomes (operation time, drainage length, transfusion, hospital stay, and complication rate) of 35 patients that underwent LLLS between April 2004 and February 2012. Patients were dichotomized by surgical technique based on whether glissonian pedicles were isolated and controlled (the individual group, n = 21) or controlled using endoscopic staples at once (the batch group, n = 14). RESULTS: Mean operation time was 265.3 +/- 21.3 minutes (mean +/- standard deviation) in the individual group and 170 +/- 22.9 minutes in the batch group. Operation time in the batch group was significantly shorter than the individual group (P = 0.007). Mean drainage length was 4.8 +/- 1.6 and 2.6 +/- 1.5 days in the individual and the batch group. There was significantly shorter in the batch group, also (P = 0.006). No transfusion was required in the batch group, but 4 patients in the individual group needed transfusion. Mean hospital stay was 10.7 +/- 1.1 and 9.4 +/- 0.8 days in the individual and the batch groups (P = 0.460). There were no significant complications or mortality in both groups. CONCLUSION: LLLS using endoscopic staples (batch group) was found to be an easier and safer technique without morbidity or mortality.

Clinical Review and Case Report of Ceftriaxone-associated Gallbladder Pseudolithiasis in Adult / 대한소화기학회지

Although ceftriaxone can be used safely in most instances, it can sometimes induce biliary sludge or stone formation. Most of the patients remain asymptomatic and children are more susceptible to develop this condition, but adults can be affected as well. Because sludge or stones disappear after discontinuing ceftriaxone, this condition is referred to as ceftriaxone-associated pseudolithiasis. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to a local clinic for management of ileus. During admission, she had received ceftriaxone and metronidazole, and had been on nil per os for the past 6 days. She was then referred to our hospital for cholecystectomy due to persistent right upper quadrant pain. Although imaging studies showed gallbladder sludge, pseudolithiasis was suspected because of ceftriaxone administration history and prolonged fasting. After careful watch-and-wait, the condition resolved spontaneously after ceftriaxone discontinuation. Our clear understanding on ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder pseudolithiasis allowed us to avoid an unnecessary cholecystectomy. Herein, we report the case of a 54-year-old woman with ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder pseudolithiasis that was successfully managed by ceftriaxone discontinuation alone.

The comparison of oncologic and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE: We evaluate the operative outcome and oncologic outcome of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and compare with open liver resection. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2012, clinical data of 70 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for HCC (laparoscopic liver resection group, lapa-group) were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Control group (open liver resection group, open-group) were retrospectively matched, and compared with lapa-group. RESULTS: Laparoscopic major liver resections were performed in 4 patients. Laparoscopic anatomical resections and nonanatomical resections were performed in 39 patients, and 31 patients, respectively. Mean operative time was shorter in lapa-group (215.5 +/- 121.84 minutes vs. 282.30 +/- 80.34 minutes, P = 0.001), mean intraoperative transfusion rate and total amount were small in lapa-group (24.28%, 148.57 +/- 3,354.98 mL vs. 40.78%, 311.71 +/- 477.01 mL). Open conversion occurred in 6 patients (8.57%) because of bleeding, inadequate resection, invisible mass on intraoperative ultrasonography, and tumor rupture. In lapa-group and open-group, 3-year disease-free survival rates were 58.3% +/- 0.08%, and 62.6% +/- 0.06%, respectively (P = 0.773). In lapa-group and open-group 3-year overall survival rates were 65.3% +/- 0.8%, and 65.7% +/- 0.6%, respectively (P = 0.610). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection for HCC is feasible and safe in a large number of patients, with reasonable operative and oncologic results.

Systemic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma responsive to multidisciplinary treatment including debulking surgery

The lung, followed by regional lymph node and bone, is the most common site for extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metastatic skin lesion of HCC is rare, and it is a sign of poor prognosis, indicating the strong possibility of metastases in other regions of the body. We report the case of a 52-year-old male with multiple metastases, including skin metastasis of HCC, which were treated with multidisciplinary therapy.

Microarray Analysis of Gene Expression During Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treated with Vitamin E in vitro into Osteoblasts

OBJECTIVE: Supplementation with vitamin E is able to protect bone against free radical-induced elevation of bone-resorbing cytokines. We examined gene expression by microarray analysis during the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells treated with vitamin E into osteoblasts in vitro. METHODS: Human bone marrow stem cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium and vitamin E was added. A colorimetric immunoassay for the quantification of cell proliferation was used to measure osteoblast differentiation. Gene expression was analyzed using a microarray technique. We also used a real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: It was found that vitamin E enhanced cell proliferation when compared to cells cultured in media without vitamin E. We focused on 68 genes which are related to osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. Alkaline phosphatase, transforming growth factor-beta 1, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, muscle segment homeobox 2, bone morphogenetic protein 1, biglycan, vascular endothelial growth factor B, dentin sialophosphoprotein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, runt-related transcription factor 2, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, and SMAD2 were upregulated > 2-fold compared to the control. Conversely, osteopetrosis-associated transmembrane protein 1, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor were downregulated > 2-fold compared to the control. Vitamin E produced a 1.5-fold increase in the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 as determined by real time RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E had a positive effect on the gene expressions regarding osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

The Prognostic Impact of Obstructed Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: An obstructed colorectal cancer (OB) has a poorer survival than a non-obstructed cancer (NOB). This study examined the prognostic impact of bowel obstruction on colorectal cancer. METHODS: From December 1999 to December 2005, patients undergoing single stage operation for OB were examined prospectively. OB (n= 193) was compared with a NOB (n=444) used in a primary tumor resection during the same period. 637 colorectal cancers were examined in this study. RESULTS: The overall operative mortality was 21 (3.3%) and the postoperative mortality was significantly higher in the OB (OB: 16, 8.3%) group than in the NOB (NOB: 5, 1.1%) group. The proportion of OB was higher in the left-colon (52.8%) than in the right colon (16.0%) and rectum (31.1%, P<0.001). However, OB was associated with an older age (P=0.013). The proportion of advanced tumor stage was higher in OB (II: 35.8%, III: 39.5%, IV: 24.7%) than in NOB (II: 53.2%, III: 35.8%, IV: 11.0%, P<0.001). The 5-year cancer-related survival for OB was worse than NOB (OB: 77.3%, NOB: 57.8%, P<0.05). However, in the cases of a colorectal cancer performed curative resection (stage II and III), the survival for OB was not worse than NOB: stage II (OB: 82.8%, NOB: 92.2%, P=0.24), stage III (OB: 65.2%, NOB: 56.9%, P=0.43). CONCLUSIONS: OB has older and more advanced disease characteristics. However, if an oncologically curative resection is performed, the survival for OB is similar to that of a NOB.

Two-Stage Hepatectomy for Bilateral Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombi

Curative hepatectomy is the most important prognostic factor for hepatic cancer, but also has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Liver failure due to insufficient liver volume is the main cause of postoperative mortality. Preoperative portal vein embolization can induce hypertrophy of the remnant liver, and a two-stage hepatectomy, with or without portal vein embolization, could be used to treat patients with unresectable liver tumors. We report the case of a successful two-staged hepatectomy for bilateral hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi.

Home-based Hospice-palliative Care Service Administered by University-based Family Practice

BACKGROUND: Systematic care is not well provided in patients with terminal cancer and their families in Korea. Unnecessary hospitalization, multiple emergency room visits for controlling acute symptoms and the use of unqualified alternative care services are typical health care utilization patterns in such patients. We operated home-based hospice-palliative care services to help these patients and their families at a university-based family practice setting. Our experience is presented for the development of care model of hospice-palliative care services. METHODS: We investigated the demographic characteristics, the clinical findings and the utilization of medical care services of 72 terminally ill cancer patients before and after enrollment to hospice-palliative care unit from April 25, 2003 to April 21, 2005. RESULTS: The frequency of emergency room visits and the number of hospitalizations were decreased by Wicoxon Signed Ranks Test after the enrollment to home-based hospice-palliative care service unit. The duration of emergency room visits decreased from 7.7 hours to 0.3 hours and the duration of hospitalization decreased from 6.5 days to 0.0 days in median. The cost per emergency room visits decreased from 268,801 won to 153,816 won and the cost per hospitalization decreased from 285,491 won to 106,294 won in median. CONCLUSION: Home-based hospice-palliative care services can be an efficient and effective model for the care of terminally ill cancer patients at a low cost.

A Case of Clear Cell Carcinoma of Endometrium / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a relatively rare malignancy that is considered to be one of the most aggressive types of endometrial carcinoma. It is an infrequent variant sharing a common Mullerian origin, accounting for 1 to 5 percent of all endometrial cancers. Histologically, these tumors consists of hobnail cells which have translucent or slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and protrude to lumen of gland. These tumors occur predominantly in postmenopausal women and carry a relatively unfavorable prognosis comparing with other histologic types of endometrial cancer. We experienced a case of clear cell carcinoma of endometrium in a 81-year old women and this case is presented with a brief review of the literaturs.

A Study on Menstrual Index of Korean Women / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the patterns of menstruation including menorrhagia using menstrual index, to find out correlations between patient's own judgement and actual patterns of menstruation in Korean women, and to develop the menstrual diary using menstrual index as a screening of menstrual disorders. METHODS: Seventy-seven women teachers of elementary school undergoing routine health screening test were asked to complete a pictorial blood loss assessment chart and a set of interview sheets regarding menstrual history and their subjective judgement on their amount of menstruation. Spearman correlation test was used to assess the correlation between menstrual index which was obtained from pictorial chart and serum hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: The mean menstrual intervals were 29.8 days (SD+/-5.1), the mean menstrual duration was 5.6 days (SD+/-1.3), the mean value of menstrual index was 170.3 (SD+/-89.2) which varied from 12 to 411, the mean serum hemoglobin concentration was 12.3 g/dL. Significant correlation was found between the serum hemoglobin concentration and the menstrual index (r=-0.29, p=0.01). Seventeen of 20 women who had anemia (serum hemoglobin concentration below 12.0 g/dL) and 25 of 26 women who had menorrhagia (menstrual index above 200) considered her menstruation as 'normal'. CONCLUSION: Many women who have anemia due to menorrhagia are not aware of the serious consequences of menorrhagia. Writing a 'menstrual diary' using menstrual index would be easier and more practical method in predicting menorrhagia.

Amifostine Pretreatment for Protection against Cisplatin-based Combination Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (Ethyol(R)), an organic thiophosphate, has shown the ability to protect normal, but not neoplastic, tissues from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in various kinds of cancers. This study was designed to determine ifostine could reduce the serious hematologic and nephrologic toxicities associated with cisplatin based combination chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy were randomized into two groups. They received chemotherapy with or without pretreatment of amifostine before each course. The occurrence of hematologic and renal toxicities were evaluated. Stastical analysis was done by independent t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was evaluated with nadir count of neutrophil and platelet. The nadir count of neutrophil was 2034.2+/-1199.20/microliter in group with pretreatment using amifostine vs 1070.85+/-472.66/microliter in control group (p<0.01). Platelet count was not statistically different. (p<0.16) Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in nine (45%) patients in pretreatment group vs four (20%) patients with control group (p<0.09). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in one patient only in control group. Renal toxicity was evaluated by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance. Protracted serum creatinine elevation was not significant in both groups. (p<0.14) Reduction of creatinine clearance was less in patients with pretreatment (p<0.01). There were no significant side reactions in subjects using amifostine. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with amifostine reduces the neutropenia and nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with gynecologic cancer patients.

Amifostine Pretreatment for Protection against Cisplatin-based Combination Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (Ethyol(R)), an organic thiophosphate, has shown the ability to protect normal, but not neoplastic, tissues from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in various kinds of cancers. This study was designed to determine ifostine could reduce the serious hematologic and nephrologic toxicities associated with cisplatin based combination chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy were randomized into two groups. They received chemotherapy with or without pretreatment of amifostine before each course. The occurrence of hematologic and renal toxicities were evaluated. Stastical analysis was done by independent t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was evaluated with nadir count of neutrophil and platelet. The nadir count of neutrophil was 2034.2+/-1199.20/microliter in group with pretreatment using amifostine vs 1070.85+/-472.66/microliter in control group (p<0.01). Platelet count was not statistically different. (p<0.16) Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in nine (45%) patients in pretreatment group vs four (20%) patients with control group (p<0.09). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in one patient only in control group. Renal toxicity was evaluated by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance. Protracted serum creatinine elevation was not significant in both groups. (p<0.14) Reduction of creatinine clearance was less in patients with pretreatment (p<0.01). There were no significant side reactions in subjects using amifostine. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with amifostine reduces the neutropenia and nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with gynecologic cancer patients.