Intestinal Anastomosis by Use of a Memory-shaped Compression Anastomosis Clip (Hand CAC 30): Early Clinical Experience

PURPOSE: The safety and the efficacy of the compression anastomosis clip (Hand CAC 30) have been demonstrated by animal studies. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical validity of the Hand CAC 30 in enterocolic side-to-side anastomosis after colonic or enteric resections. METHODS: A non-randomized prospective data collection was performed for patients undergoing a side-to-side anastomosis using the Hand CAC 30. Eligibility criteria for the use of the Hand CAC 30 were for anastomoses between the colon and the ileum or between two small bowels. The primary short-term endpoint was the rate of anastomotic leakage. Other clinical outcomes, including intra- and postoperative complications, length of operation time and hospital stay, and the clip elimination time were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients (male, 36) underwent an enteric or right-sided colonic resection followed by a side-to-side anastomosis using the Hand CAC 30. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 36 patients, in whom one patient who underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was converted to an open procedure (1/32, 3.1%). One patient with ascending colon cancer showed postoperative anastomotic leakage and died of co-morbid ischemic heart disease. There were no other surgical mortalities. The exact date of expulsion of the clip could not be recorded because most patients were not aware of clip elimination. No patients manifested clinical symptoms of anastomotic stricture. CONCLUSION: Short-term evaluation of the Hand CAC 30 anastomosis in patients undergoing enterocolic surgery proved it to be a safe and efficacious alternative to the standard hand-sewn or stapling technique.

New Bone Formation Following Transplantation of Stem Cells and Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite Scaffold Materials into Rabbit Long Bone Defects / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We observed new bone formation following the transplantation of allogenic periosteum-derived stem cells and different sizes of hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold materials into rabbit long-bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two white rabbits were grouped according to the material transplanted into their tibial bone defects: group 1 (microscale HA only); group 2 (nanoscale HA only); group 3 (microscale HA plus stem cells); and group 4 (nanoscale HA plus stem cells). Viscosity was controlled by the relative amounts of HA and agar. After surgery, radiologic, microscopic, and biochemical observations were performed weekly for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Nanoscale HA (groups 2 and 4) provided better bone formation than microscale HA (groups 1 and 3). The rabbits that had been transplanted with nanoscale HA plus stem cells (group 4) had more homogeneous bone formation during the natural repair process than the other groups. CONCLUSION: Further study is required using nanoscale HA plus organic substance and stem cells, which are more similar to human bone structure, for better bone formation.

Reconstruction Options after Surgical Resection in Muskuloskeletal Tumors of the Extremity / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Recently limb sparing surgery is accepted as an alternative method in the management of muskuloskeletal tumors of the extremity without undue compromise to the patient s life. But the limb sparing procedure results in large osseous and soft tissue defects. To fill these defect, several options have been used such as tumor prosthesis, temporary spacer with cementation, allograft, and autograft(fresh, autoclaved, low heat treated, and extracorporeal irradiated). To identify the indica- tions ot' individual option, we studied 66 cases of musuloskeletal tumors of extremity which were treated with wide or marginal resection and reconstructive surgery from June, 1990 to June, 1997, in which 48 cases were osteosarcomas, 3 chondrosarcomas, 2 synovial sarcomas. I liposarcoma, 1 giant cell tumor, I malignant lymphoma, and 10 metastatic bone tumors. The location of the lesion were distal femur in 24, proximal tibia in 24, proximal femur in 9, proximal humerus in 6, tibial midshaft in 1. distal radius in 1, and calcaneus in 1. In Enneking stages about primary bone tumors 6 cases were IIA, 42 IIB, and 8 III. We reconstructed the osseous defect with tumor prosthesis in 22 cases, temporary spacer in 9(later, 4 cases was changed to tumor prosthesis for staged operation), allograft in 25, and autograft in 14(low heat treated in 2, irradiated in 12). Total functional result by Enneking system was 71.5% . 80.8% with tumor prosthesis, 50.5% with temporary spacer, 70% with allograft, 75.3% with autograft. Infections were occurred in 18% of the patients treated with tumor prosthesis, 34% with allograft, 0% with temporary spacer or low heated autograft, and 18% with irradiated autograft. Delayed union or nonunion was occurred in l5% of the patients treated with allograft, 40% with autograft. There were 2 cases of metal failure and 2 cases of graft fracture using autograft. In conclusion, we propose that the indication of the tumor prosthesis is for the skeletally matured patient, patient with high-grade malignant tumor, older patients, and patient who have limited life expectancy. The reconstruction with allograft have several advantages for the patients with henign bone tumor and locally aggressive or low-grade malignant tumor. The temporary spacer may be used as staged operations for the skeletally immature patient and patient who have an extreme hone and soft tissue defects after limb sparing operation. The recycling autograft may be applied to the patients at any age with minimal bony involvement of tumor. The low heat treated autograft may be useful in the patients requiring intercalary reconstruction, and the irradiated autograft may he useful in the patients with periarticular involvement.

A Case of Asymmetric Septal Hypertrophy Combined with Conn's Syndrome

We report a case of a 44 year old femele with unilateral aldosterone-proudcing adrenal adenoma characterized by hypertension, plasma aldosterone excess, and low plasma renin, commonly but not invariably with hypokalemia. She also had asymmetric septal hypertrophy of left ventricle established with two-dimensional echocardiography. The electrocardiogram showed inverted T wave and prominent U wave with high QRS voltage on precordial leads. In the case of this patient, we are not sure whether asymmetric septal hypertrophy was caused by secondary hypertension and chronic aldosterone excess of primary aldosteronism, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy per se, so further long=term follow-up is required to determine it. Following the successful unilateral adrenalectomy, however, the systemic pressure fell down to the normal level and electrolyte abnormalities were corrected immediaterly within a few days and the modest regression in septal hypertrophy was noted in one year, suggesting that the promary aldosteronism contributes to the development or porgression of asymmetric septal hepertrophy.

A Case of Pacemaker Syndrome

Although ventricular pacing alone initially had deemed adequate for most clinical situations, some patients did not do well after ventricular pacing was initiated, and developed various symptoms attributed to this mode of pacing. The pacemaker syndrome is complex of clinical signs and symptoms related to the adverse hemodynamic and electrophysiologic consequences of ventricular pacing in the absence of other causes. Neurologic symptoms or those congestive heart failure predominated. We recently experienced a case of pacemaker syndrome in a 44-year-old female who had suffered sick sinus syndrome and was implanted with dual chamber pacing system being programmed to VVI pacing. She complained of chest discomfort, dyspnea, and near-fainting in a day after being programmed to VVI. Blood pressure was decreased to 9/60mmHg. Electrocardiography showed toPwave onT wave, representing retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction. The symptoms and signs were disappeared immediately after the pacing system was programmed to DDD pacing.