Comparative Study of Complete and Partial Omentectomy in Radical Subtotal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Curative surgery for patients with advanced or even early gastric cancer can be defined as resection of the stomach and dissection of the first and second level lymph nodes, including the greater omentum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long- term outcomes of partial omentectomy (PO) as compared with complete omentectomy (CO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen consecutive open distal gastrectomies with POs were initially performed between February and July in 2006. The patients' clinicopathologic data and post-operative outcomes were retrospectively compared with 20 patients who underwent open distal gastrectomies with COs for early gastric cancer in 2005. RESULTS: The operation time in PO group was significantly shorter than that in CO group (142.4 minutes vs. 165.0 minutes, p=0.018). The serum albumin concentration on the first post-operative day in PO group was significantly higher than CO group (3.8 g/dL vs. 3.5 g/dL, p=0.018). Three postoperative minor complications were successfully managed with conservative treatment. Median follow-up period between PO and CO was 38.1 and 37.7 months. All patients were alive without recurrence until December 30, 2009. CONCLUSION: PO during open radical distal gastrectomy can be considered a more useful procedure than CO for treating early gastric cancer. To document the long-term technical and oncologic safety of this procedure, a large-scale prospective randomized trial will be needed.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.

We reported our experience on 31 pancreaticoduodenectomy out of 141 periampullary tumors during 1994 until 2002; 16 of them were female, and age average 17-68 years. Jaundice was the most common presenting sign; 14 patients showed plasma albumin lower than 3.5 g/dl, and 10 patients had bilirubin level more than 10 mg/dl. We performed classical Whipple technique in 17, pyloric preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in 11, and total pancreaticoduodenectomy in 3 patients. The mean of operative time was 436 minutes (290-570 minutes). The patients were grouped into 2 periods, between 1994-1999 and thereafter. With experience, the amount of blood loss has decreased from 2000 ml to 400 ml. Histopathologic results showed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas head in 11, adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater in 11, carcinoma of duodenum in 4, head of pancreas benign cyst in 2, and benign tumor in 3 patients. The surgical mortality was 4 in the first 12 patients, in contrast to only 1 in the last 19 patients. The most serious complication was pancreatic leakage in 14 patients, in 4 of them it was responsible as the cause of death. The length of stay after operation varied between 12 and 47 days. Until the end of this report 7 patients are still alive, and 4 patients lost of contact. Recurrence was detected in 13 out of 22 survivors, occurring between 4 to 24 months after operation and 12 patients died 2-3 months later. Three patients died due to other causes. We conclude that pancreoticoduodenectomy is an effective technique, and the operative mortality is decreasing. Furthermore, morbidity especially from pancreatic leakages can be treated in our hospital.

Clinical Analysis of Spinal Cord Tumor

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate operative results and prognosis according to preoperative clinical status and histopathological finding of spinal cord tumor. METHODS: We analyzed of clinical feature, tumor location, histopathologic finding, operative results and prognosis in 55 patients with spinal cord tumor during last 10 years. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of spinal cord tumors varies with the age of affected patients who are 2 to 75 years of age. Peak incidences were in the 5th and 7th decade of life, and the ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. 2) The most common histopathologic type was neurinoma(41.9%). 3) The tumors were located most frequently in the thoracic area(22 cases, 40.0%) and in the intradural extramedullary space(30 cases, 54.5%). 4) The most common initial clinical feature was pain in 20 cases(36.4%). For neurologic status on admission, 30 cases(54.5%) showed motor disturbance. 5) In radiologic studies, there were abnormal finding in 21 cases from plain X-rays among 37 cases. The entire 20 cases in when myelography was done showed subarachnoid blockade, either complete or incomplete. The magnetic resonance imaging, regard as the most accurate diagnostic method, revealed the exact location of the tumor and the relationship of the tumor with the adjacent anatomical structure. 6) The total removal was possible in 36 cases(65.5%), subtotal removal in 17 cases(30.9%) and biopsy in 2 cases (3.6%). Nineteen cases(90.5%) among 21 cases with preoperative radiculopathy group showed recovery or improvement, where as only 11 cases(36.7%) among 30 cases with preoperative motor weakness group showed recovery or improvement, with statistically significant difference(p<0.01). Pathologically, 26 cases(83.9%) among 31 cases of neurinoma and meningioma showed postoperative recovery or improved, but only 1 case(6.3%) among 16 cases of metastatic tumor, astrocytoma and ependymoma recovered. Postoperative complication noted in 5 cases(9.1%), and were noted postoperative hematoma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema and spinal cord infarction. CONCLUSION: Preoperative neurologic status and histopathologic finding are considered important factors of Postoperative outcome in patients with spinal cord tumor.

Clinical Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysms(Sep. 1957-Jun. 1988)

In order to have the statistical basis of intracranial aneurysms, the authors analyzed the cases of angiographically proven intracranial aneurysms which were admitted to the department of neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital from Sep. 1957 to June 1988. The results of analysis were summarized as follows; 1) Total number of patients was 564 and 64 patients had multiple aneurysms, so total number of aneurysms was 647. Peak age incidence was in the 5th & 6th decades and male to female ratio was 1 : 1.2. 2) Location of aneurysms were anterior communicating artery(32%), posterior communicating artery(28.1%), middle cerebral artery(21.5%) in the order of frequency. Posterior circulation aneurysms comprised 7.1% and multiple aneurysms were 11.3%. 3) Among 647 aneurysms, 368 aneurysms were neck-clipped(56.9%), and operative mortality was 4.9%. 4) After 1983, 300 patients of 344 aneurysms were admitted to the neurosurgical department. The size of aneurysm was most frequent in 6-10 mm in diameter(49.4%) and 5 giant aneurysms were detected. 5) Among 344 aneurysms, 253 aneurysms were neck-clipped(73.5%) and operative mortality were lowered to 2.4%. 6) Among 300 patients 287 patients had ruptured aneurysm. Angiographic spasm was detected in 32.1% and symptomatic spasm was in 19.5%. 7) Hydrocephalus was detected in 36.2% during the period of admission and follow-up. 8) Anterior communicating artery aneurysms ruptured most frequently among the multiple aneurysms. 9) Clinical state on admission was an important factor for the outcome and preoperative clinical state was related to the operative outcome and mortality.