Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic malignancies with cool-tip needle / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy, indication and complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with cool-tip needle in patients with hepatic malignancies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>421 patients with hepatic malignancies underwent ultrasound-guided RFA with cool-tip needle under local anaesthesia. The tumor size was from 1.0 to 15 cm in diameter with an average diameter of 4.3 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The complete ablation (CA) rate was 91.4% (382/418) in the patients with a tumor < 3 cm, 78.9% (97/123) in those with a tumor of 3 to 5 cm and 37.6% (35/93) in the patients with a tumor > 5 cm. No patient died or changed to celiotomy during the 1121 times of RFA for 634 lesions in 421 patients. No hemorrhage occurred in any of these patients after the RFA treatment. The complications included abdominal pain in 32.3% (136/421), nausea in 9.0% (38/421), fever in 34.9% (147/421) and biliary leakage in 0.2% (1/421) of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with cool-tip needle is effective and safe in the treatment of liver tumors.</p>

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors in 36 patients: a single-center report / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are rare and their surgical treatment is often debated. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the diagnosis and surgical strategy of functioning and non-functioning PETs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 1980 to March 2006, 36 patients with pancreatic endocrine tumors at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 36 patients, 29 (81%) had functioning tumors, and 7 (19%) had nonfunctioning tumors. Ninety-two percent of insulinomas were benign, whereas 4 (57%) of nonfunctioning PETs were malignant. The size of functioning tumors was (2.3 +/- 0.3) cm, that of nonfunctioning tumors was less than (5.1 +/- 0.5) cm. The combination CT and transabdominal ultrasonography resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity of 84%. Thirty-three primary lesions were precisely located in 32 patients (89%). Atypical tumor resection was performed for 73% of functioning tumors, while typical pancreatectomy was performed for 6 (85%) of nonfunctioning tumors. Moreover, 5 liver resections and 1 lymph node dissection were performed. During the follow-up, fifteen complications occurred in 12 (36%) patients after operation. The 5-year survival rate for patients with benign tumors was 92% compared to 50% for those with malignant tumors. Surgical cure was achieved in 95% of patients with benign insulinomas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical strategy for PETs depends on the size and location of the tumor and the risk of malignancy. The optimal surgical procedure is key to prevent postoperative complication. Radical resection including initial and metastatic lesion may benefit patients with malignant PETs.</p>

Comparison of wound healing after pancreaticojejunostomy with three anastomotic methods in piglets / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate wound healing after pancreaticojejunostomy of three anastomotic methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four domestic piglets were divided into three groups according to the types of anastomoses: group of end-to-end pancreaticojejunal invagination (EE group), group of binding pancreaticojejunostomy (BP group) and group of inkwell pancreaticojejunostomy (IP group). Bursting pressure, breaking strength and histopathological findings of anastomosis were assessed on operative day and on the 5th and 10th day after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bursting pressure was (67+/-8) mm Hg, (96+/-11) mm Hg and (131+/-9) mm Hg in EE group on day 0, 5 and 10; and (140+/-8) mm Hg, (179+/-10) mm Hg and (269+/-13) mm Hg in BP group; and (102+/-10) mm Hg, (171+/-18) mm Hg and (254+/-24) mm Hg in IP group. Compare to EE group, bursting pressure of BP group and IP group were all increased with significant differences (P<0.05). Another significant difference was observed between BP group and IP group after anastomoses on operative day. Breaking strength was (4.6+/-0.6) N, (5.8+/-0.5) N and (7.1+/-0.6) N in EE group on 0 d, 5 d and 10 d; and (4.5+/-0.4) N, (6.6+/-0.4) N and (10.0+/-0.6) N in BP group; and (4.6+/-0.3) N, (6.5+/-0.4) N and (9.1+/-0.9) N in IP group. A similar value of anastomoses was shown in BP group and IP group on day 0, day 5 and day 10, but significant increase was demonstrated compared to EE group on day 5 and 10. Anastomotic site was well repaired by connective tissue and the cut surface of pancreatic stump was covered by mucosal epithelium in BP group and IP group on day 10, but the cut surface was incompletely repaired by granulation tissue and no regeneration of the epithelium was found in EE group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Wound healing of binding pancreaticojejunostomy and inkwell pancreaticojejunostomy is more rapid and better than end-to-end pancreaticojejunal invagination, but breaking strength of inkwell pancreaticojejunostomy is weaker than binding pancreaticojejunostomy.</p>

Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the experience for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2003 to May 2005, hepatectomy combined with thrombectomy were performed on 7 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava. In order to remove the tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava, total hepatic vascular exclusion were adopted on all cases to control the blood flow of IVC. According to the position of extension of tumor thrombus, 5 different procedures were adopted in the cases to control the suprahepatic IVC and extract the tumor thrombus out of IVC and atrium. Procedure 1: Median sternotomy, extracorporeal bypass, cardiac arrest, incision on right atrium and IVC were performed on 1 case for thrombectomy. Procedure 2: Median sternotomy, extracorporeal bypass without cardiac arrest, incision on IVC and (or without) incision on right atrium were performed on 2 cases for thrombectomy. Procedure 3: Abdominal approach to control intrapericardial IVC through an incision on diaphragm was performed on 1 case for thrombectomy. Procedure 4: Abdominal approach to control suprahepatic IVC above diaphragm through a small incision made on vena cava foramen for thrombectomy was performed on 1 case. Procedure 5: Abdominal approaches to control suprahepatic IVC below diaphragm for thrombectomy were performed on 2 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All operations were successfully performed. The postoperative complications included pleural effusion in 1 case, subphrenic fluid collection in 1 case and wound infection in 1 case. The average survival time of 7 cases was 9.8 month. The longest survival time was 26 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hepatectomy and thrombectomy can be safely performed on the case of HCC combined with tumor thrombus in IVC. Surgical treatment can relieve the patient from the risk of sudden death caused by heart failure and pulmonary.</p>

Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma originating from caudate lobe / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the significance of surgical treatment of HCC originating from caudate lobe.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1995 to 2003, caudate lobectomy, including 19 cases of isolated lobectomy and 20 cases of combined lobectomy, were performed in 39 patients with HCC originating from caudate lobe, and the factors that might influence postoperative liver function were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All tumors were resected successfully. One patient died of postoperative renal failure. Hydrothorax occurred in 3 patients, ascites in 4 patients, and bile leakage in 1 patient. The survival rates of 1, 3, 5 year were 53%, 50%, 39% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Caudate lobectomy is a effective method for HCC originating from caudate lobe.</p>

Retrospective analysis of 47 cases with hilar cholangiocarcinoma using T-staging system / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical value of T-staging system for hilar cholangiocarcinoma which was adopted in memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer center of New York.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The image data of these 47 patients were analyzed retrospectively from December 1997 to December 2002 whose data were according with our demand, and they were staged into three-stage according to the criteria of the T-staging system. The difference of respectability, ratio of tumor-free resection margin and actuarial survival rate were analyzed for different T-staging. And the coincident ratio of three different kinds of imaging methods was also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty patients had T(1) tumors, twenty three had T(2) tumors and four had T(3) tumors. The resectability of the three stage was 60%, 39% and 0% respectively, and the difference was significant (P = 0.013). The likelihood of achieving tumor-free margin decreased progressively with increasing T stage (P = 0.018). The cumulative 1-year survival rates of T(1), T(2) and T(3) patients were 60%, 39% and 0% respectively, and the cumulative 3-year survival rate was 35%, 9% and 0% respectively, the survival of different stage patients differed markedly (P = 0.0103). The coincident ratio of combined using MRCP and color Doppler-ultrasonography was higher than that of combined using MRCP and B-ultrasonography or combined using CT/SCT and color Doppler-ultrasonography (P = 0.007).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The T-staging system has a better value for preoperative assessment, and can be used to judge resectability and survival of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. It will be helpful to use MRCP and color Doppler-Ultrasonography combined to verdict the coverage of the tumor and the T-staging preoperatively.</p>

The significance of liver hanging maneuver in liver-splitting anterior approach for hepatectomy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the feasibility of developing a tunnel between inferior vena cava (IVC) and caudate lobe before passing a tape through it, and to explore the significance of liver hanging maneuver in liver-splitting anterior approach for hepatectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blunt dissection was used to develop the tunnel before a tape was passed through. A hemostatic plate was placed on the surface of liver parenchyma if needed. In the procedure of hepatectomy, the tape was pulled up to create an interspace between liver parenchyma and IVC so that the IVC can be protected during transection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Liver hanging maneuver was performed successfully in 47 cases. There were no severe complications related to the procedure in these cases. The procedure was terminated in 1 case because of severe bleeding.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>1. Liver hanging maneuver is feasible in terms of anatomy and technique. 2. With liver hanging maneuver, IVC can be protected safely and the intrahepatic vessels and ductal system at the transaction line can be exposed clearly. It also makes anterior approach for hepatectomy safer and easier.</p>

Retrograde caudate lobectomy in 7 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical value and significance of retrograde caudate lobectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2003 to January 2005, 7 patients underwent retrograde caudate lobectomy in which division and ligation of short hepatic veins were carried out at the final stage of the procedure in stead of at the initial stage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The procedures were carried out smoothly with no operative death in all the 7 cases including isolated complete caudate lobectomy in 4 cases, isolated partial caudate lobectomy in 1 case, combined right half liver resection in 2 case. The average operation time, blood loss and length of stay after operation was (273 +/- 44) min, (1114 +/- 241) ml (800-1500 ml) and 16 days respectively. Complications including pleural effusion and ascites in 1 case respectively were fully recovered. During the follow-up, 1 patient died at 6 months for tumor recurrence in lung and the remaining 6 patients are alive at the follow-up of 5 to 16 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Retrograde caudate lobectomy is a new procedure suitable for those caudate neoplasms which are adhering to or infiltrating to IVC or too big to move side by side. The application of this technique can converse certain kind of caudate lobe tumor from non-resectable to resectable resulting in widening the indication.</p>

Role and significance of extrahepatic control of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava in difficult hepatectomies for patients with liver tumors / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of extrahepatic control on blood flow of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava in hepatectomy, and observe its effect on minimizing hemorrhage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2001 to April 2003, 33 patients who had liver tumors involving segment IV, VII, VIII or half liver underwent major hepatectomies that required exposure of the inferior vena cava and main trunks of hepatic veins, during which the major hepatic veins and inferior vena cava were isolated and taped to control blood flow when necessary.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 33 attempts, 32 were successful and all tumors were resected successfully. The placement of occlusion tape was unsuccessful in 1 case. 7 cases did not need blood transfusion during operation. The amount of blood transfusion for other cases were form 0 to 1 600 ml. there was no operative mortality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Appropriate control of main truck of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava is effective in reducing blood loss during hepatectomies. It is also very helpful for performing difficult hepatectomies.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting-tumors: one case report and 15 years review in China / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the experiences of diagnosis and treatment for vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting-tumors (VIPoma) by summarizing clinical informations of 15 patients with VIPoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To analyze Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging features, operation, pathological findings and follow up survey of 15 patients, among them 1 case from our hospital and the other 14 cases were searched in chinese biological and medical literature database from Jan 1987 to Dec 2002.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main clinical manifestation include periodical secretory watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, achlorhydria, in addition, periodical backache, skin rash, and polyps of colon were presented in the case in our hospital. The immunohistochemical expression of many kinds of digestive hormone including VIP presented positive; All clinical symptoms of which except polyps disappeared after operation, elevated VIP data in serum also markedly decreased. Part resection of superior mesenteric vein was performed in the same patient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>VIPoma is rare. Typical symptoms and the serum value of VIP were keys to diagnosis, the operation is the most effective means for treatment. Resection of tumor, Radiofrequency tissue ablation, liver transplantation can be selected for metastatic VIPoma in the liver.</p>

Surgical intervention of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct thrombi / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To summarize the experience of surgical intervention for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct thrombi (BDT), and to evaluate the influence on prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1994 to 2002, 15 patients with HCC and BDT who underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operative procedures included hepatectomy with removal of BDT (n = 7), hepatectomy combined with extrahepatic bile duct resection (n = 4), thrombectomy through choledochotomy (n = 3), and piggy-back orthotopic liver transplantation (n = 1). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 73.3% and 40%, respectively. Two patients survived over 5 year. The survival rate of patients with portal vein invasion was significantly lower than that of patients without portal vein invasion (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical intervention was effective for patients with HCC and BDT. Operation after recurrence can prolong the survival time. Liver transplantation is a new operative procedure worthy of study.</p>

Integrative therapy for postoperative intractable enterococcus faecium infections / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the treatment of patients with infection of enterococcus faecium after surgery who failed to respond to antibiotics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five patients after surgery were proved to have Enterococcus faecium infection by bacterial culture. They were treated by sensitive antibiotics but failed. Comprehensive treatment prescribed included immunoenhancements, enteral nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four patients were discharged from the hospital after recovery, and was cared else where after 1 month treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comprehensive treatment is a better way to treat patients with refractory enterococcus faecium infection after surgery.</p>