Clinical and pathologic prognostic factors for curative resection for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Operative resection is the only therapeutic option with curative potential for this disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to correlate clinical and pathologic parameters with survival in patients submitted to pancreatic resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Surgical resection with curative intent (R0 and R1 resections) was performed in 65 pancreatic cancer patients between 1990 and 2006. The overall results of surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the clinicopathologic features of these patients. RESULTS: Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in 37 patients (56.9%), classic resection in 35.4%, distal pancreatectomy in 4.6% and total pancreatectomy in 3.6%. The inhospital mortality was 5% (three patients). Postoperative complications occurred in 28 patients (43%). Mean survival and five-year survival rate after curative resection were 27 months and 9.0%, respectively. Sex, TNM stage, tumor differentiation, neural invasion, tumor size and involvement of resection margin were significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed tumor differentiation and neural invasion as prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Patients with pancreatic cancer, even those with poor prognostic factors should be given the opportunity of surgical resection with curative intent.

Insulinoma: diagnostic strategies and surgical treatment. A 22-year experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of preoperative localization methods and the results of the surgical treatment of insulinoma were studied. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-nine patients referred for surgical treatment were studied and the results of the diagnostic tools for tumor localization were compared with findings at surgical intervention. The influence of the type of surgical procedure in the immediate and late postoperative course was also studied. RESULTS: Ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 30%, computed tomography 25%, angiography 54%, portal vein sampling 94%, endoscopic ultrasonography 27% and magnetic resonance 17%. Intraoperative palpation localized 98.2% of the tumors and by the addition of intraoperative echography, all lesions were identified. In 55 patients with benign lesions, 22 enucleations, 25 distal pancreatectomies, 7 pancreatectomies plus enucleation and one duodenopancreatectomy were performed. Malignant tumors were treated by pancreatic resection, postoperative hepatic artery embolization and systemic chemotherapy. There was no postoperative mortality. Pancreatic fistula was the most common complication. Three patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy developed late diabetes (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive preoperative investigation, mainly with invasive methods, is not indicated and by combining intraoperative palpation and echography most of the cases can be adequately dealt with. Preservation of pancreatic tissue with enucleation and preservation of the spleen are the best choice for treatment of benign insulinomas.

Surgical treatment of cicatricial biliary strictures.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cicatricial biliary strictures are usually associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, frequently related to technical difficulties of their surgical repair, mainly in hilar lesions. Interference with bile duct blood supply during surgical attempts for correction is a major factor for unsuccessful results. The aim of this study is to evaluate, after an extended follow-up period, the results obtained with a modified technique for surgical correction of cicatricial biliary strictures. METHODOLOGY: The medical records of 57 patients surgically treated for cicatricial biliary strictures between January 1984 and July 1995 were reviewed and the immediate and long term results retrospectively analyzed. Patients consisted of 46 females and 11 males. The average age was 43 years. The etiology of the biliary lesion was: cholecystectomy alone (23); cholecystectomy with duct exploration (8); T tube CBD drainage (6); Biliary-enteric anastomosis stricture (16); choledochoplasty (2) and trauma (2). In 28 cases (49.1%) the stricture was located in the upper third of the bile duct, in 28 (49.1%) in the middle third and in one case (1.7%) it was low. All patients were submitted to longitudinal Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with mucosa apposition after dissection of the anterior aspect of the biliary tract. No transanastomotic stents were used. RESULTS: Ten patients (17.5%) presented 11 postoperative complications: biliary fistula (4), duodenal fistula (1), wound infection (5), and acute pancreatitis (1). Average hospital stay was 11 days and there were no postoperative mortalities. The follow-up study was possible in 54 patients and ranged from one to ten years, with an average of 2.9 years. Four patients of 28 (14%) with hilar lesions developed stricture recurrence and cholangitis episodes, whereas no patients bearing lesions below the biliary junction had such complications. CONCLUSION: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with mucosa apposition without transanastomotic stent performed after minimal dissection of the biliary duct, thus avoiding major interference with the bile duct blood supply, is a safe and efficient method for the surgical repair of cicatricial biliary strictures. Using this technique excellent results can be obtained in the lesions below the biliary junction and acceptable results may be achieved in patients with hilar lesions.

[Surgical treatment of insulinoma: study of 59 cases]. / Tratamento cirúrgico dos insulinomas--Estudo de 59 casos.

UNLABELLED: After establishing the diagnosis of an insulinoma the next step is its localization in order to perform the most suitable management approach. PURPOSE: To evaluate the methods used for the diagnosis of insulinoma and the localization of its site as well as the results of the surgical treatment. METHODS: Fifty nine consecutive patients with pancreatic insulinomas were studied. The discriminative power of the preoperative investigations in the localization of insulinomas was analysed. Special attention was focused to the intra operative methods of tumor localizations. The early and late results of the surgical treatment were also investigated. RESULTS: There were 55 benign cases and 4 malignant tumors. Preoperative localization was attempted by using ultrasonography (positive in 28.1%) CT imaging (positive in 25%), selective arteriography (positive in 54.1%), endoscopic ultrasonography (positive in 27.2%) and assay of portal plasma insulin levels (positive in 94.4%). In 54/55 cases (98.2%) the tumors were identified intraoperatively by palpation. By addition of intraoperative ultrasonography all lesions were identified and successfully removed without mortality. Five patients had multiple endocrine neoplasias all with multiple lesions in the pancreas. In patients with benign lesions 29 enucleations and 32 resections were performed. Pancreatic fistulas were the most common complication (29/59). Excluding the patients with malignant lesions the recovery rate was 98.1%. Three patients who underwent corporo caudal pancreactectomy developed diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative localization is not necessary, since a combination of palpation and intraoperative ultrasonography can deal with most cases. Enucleation when possible is the best choice for benign lesions.

Tratamento cirúrgico dos insulinomas: estudo de 59 casos / Surgical treatment of insulinoma: study of 59 cases

Após a confirmaçao clínica e laboratorial de hiperinsulinismo, o principal problema consiste na localizaçao precisa da lesao no parênquima pancreático, propiciando tratamento cirúrgico adequado. Objetivo. Analisar os métodos utilizados para o diagnóstico e localizaçao pré e intra-operatório dos insulinomas, bem como as técnicas e os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico. Métodos. Foram estudados 59 casos consecutivos de insulinoma submetidos a intervençao cirúrgica. Cada um dos métodos utilizados para a localizaçao pré-operatória dessas lesoes foi avaliado quanto à sua eficiência em confronto com os achados intra-operatórios. A palpaçao do pâncreas, isoladamente ou associada à ultra-sonografia intra-operatória, como métodos de localizaçao dos insulinomas, foi também estudada. Os tipos de intervençao cirúrgica foram analisados quanto aos seus resultados imediatos e tardios. Resultados. Dos 59 insulinomas, 55 eram benignos e quatro, malignos. Dos métodos utilizados para a localizaçao pré-operatória, a ultra-sonografia foi eficiente em 28,1 por cento dos casos, a tomografia computadorizada em 25 por cento, a ultra-sonografia endoscópica em 27,2 por cento, a arteriografia seletiva em 54,1 por cento e a colheita de amostras de sangue portal para dosagem de insulina em 94,4 por cento dos casos. A palpaçao bidigital, durante a intervençao cirúrgica, localizou as lesoes em 54/55 casos (98,2 por cento). A ultra-sonografia intra-operatória foi decisiva em apenas um caso. Cinco doentes apresentavam neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo I e em todos as lesoes pancreáticas eram múltiplas. Foram efetuadas 29 enucleaçoes e 32 ressecçoes pancreáticas nos doentes com lesoes benignas. Os doentes com lesoes malignas foram submetidos a ressecçoes pancreáticas e quimioterapia. Nao houve mortalidade, porém observaram-se complicaçoes (fístulas) em 29/59 casos. Os resultados foram bons em 98,1 por cento dos doentes com lesoes benignas. Apenas um dos doentes com lesoes malignas. sobreviveu cinco anos. Três doentes portadores de lesoes benignas e submetidos a ressecçoes pancreáticas evoluíram com diabetes tardiamente. Conclusoes. A localizaçao pré-operatória nao é absolutamente necessária desde que a palpaçao bidigital associada a ultra-sonografia intra-operatória permite a localizaçao de todas as lesoes. As enucleaçoes devem ser utilizadas, quando possível, de preferência às ressecçoes pancreáticas nas lesoes benignas.

[Antioxidative effect of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine (N2 MPG) in experimental acute pancreatitis]. / Efeito do antioxidante N2-mercaptopropionilglicina (N2-MPG) na pancreatite aguda experimental.

The N2-Mercaptopropionylglycine (N2-MPG) is a potent antioxidant by inhibiting the abnormal production of xantina-oxidase. The aim of this research is to analyze the antioxidant capacity of this tiol compound by offering some protection to pancreatic tissue in the acute pancreatitis (AP). The induction of AP was obtained through two methods: a) supramaximal dose of cerulein; b) infusion of 2.5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct of the rat. Thirty-six male Wistar rats (220-270 g) were divided into four groups. AP with cerulein (Two parenteral doses of 20 micrograms/kg; one hour interval): in two groups: GI: nineteen rats previously treated with N2-MPG (100 mg/kg) ten minutes before AP. GII (control): seventeen animals which received saline 0.9%. AP with taurocholate (0.5 ml into the main biliopancreatic duct): in other two groups: GIII: eleven rats previously treated with N2-MPG (100 mg/kg) ten minutes before AP. GIV (control): fifteen animals which received saline 0.9%. The albumin leakage into the cell interstice as an inflammatory parameter was measured through Evans-Blue (EB) colorimetry, that links totally with serum albumin after injection into the pancreatic tissue, immediately before induction of AP. The rats were sacrificed one hour after. Water tissue content was also measured. There was a relevant reduction of EB leakage in GI (344 +/- 27 micrograms/gtissue) when compared to GII (729 +/- 84 micrograms/gtissue), p < 0.01, and in GIII (386 +/- 52 micrograms/gtissue) when compared to GIV (543 +/- 53 micrograms/gtissue), p < 0.05. There was no difference in tissue water content between GI (88.2 +/- 0.6%) and GII (87.4 +/- 0.9%), but certainly between GIII (77.7 +/- 2.1%) and GIV (82.8 +/- 1.2%), p < 0.05. The amilase levels didn't show any difference among the four groups. These results suggest that the use of the antioxidant N2-MPG offers a protective action, at least in rats, reducing the severity of AP induced by supramaximal dose of cerulein, and even in a more severe AP such as produced by sodium taurocholate at 2.5%, although apparently not interfering with its pathogenesis. It also strengthens the actual participation of free radicals of oxygen in the physiopathology of acute pancreatitis.

[Hepatic dysfunction in myoglobinuric acute renal failure (rhabdomyolysis)--experimental study in rats]. / Lesão hepática na insuficiência renal mioglobinúrica (rabdomiólise)--estudo experimental em ratos.

Liver damage as a consequence of rhabdomyolysis (RM) has not been well established on clinical and experimental grounds. Hepatic dysfunction was then investigated in rats 24 h after induction of acute renal failure with glycerol. Forty male Wistar rats (220-270 g) were dehydrated for 24 h and were divided in two group: GI experimental group (n = 14)-50% glycerol was injected (10 ml/Kg, one-half of the dose in each hindlimb muscle) and GII control group (n = 26)-animals received injection of saline solution. Twenty-four hours after the glycerol or saline injection all the animals were killed. Serum urea, creatinine, transaminases (AST, ALT) and CK were measured and significantly high values were obtained in experimental animals. Arterial blood pressure was measured and remained within normal levels in both groups. Hepatocyte mitochondrial respiratory function was estimated polarographically with determination of oxygen consumption without ADP (Basal respiration-State 4) and in the presence of ADP (Activated respiration-State 3). In experimental group (GI) there was significant low values of oxygen consumption in state 3, decrease of respiratory control rate and in ADP/O ratio (p < 0.05). Histological studies of the liver revealed a periportal necrosis and centrilobular degeneration. These studies suggested that hepatic dysfunction is an additional complication of glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis. The pathogenesis and clinical implications of these abnormalities are discussed.

[Biliary fistula after elective conventional cholecystectomy]. / Fístula biliar após colecistectomias convencionais eletivas.

The use or not of drainage after elective cholecystectomy has been recently studied, and we will discuss the real incidence of the subhepatic biliary collection and its clinical significance. In this sense, we studied 20 patients with a mean age of 45 years (4 male and 16 female), submitted to elective cholecystectomy according to selective techniques patterned by our group, where we realized ligature of all vessels of the gallbladder bed, and subhepatic drainage. These patients receibed 99 mTc-DISIDA at the moment we closed the abdomen, and in a period of 24 and 48 hours we studied its presence in the subhepatic bed and in the drainage material. All the patients had not post-operative complications and none biliary drainage or subhepatic collection scanned. We concluded that using our preconized techniques, the subhepatic drainage is unnecessary after elective cholecystectomy.

[Results of conventional cholecystectomy. Experience in a university hospital]. / Resultados da colecistectomia convencional. Experiência em hospital universitário.

The experience with open cholecystectomy in an university affiliated hospital is documented in this report. We studied retrospectively 221 patients operated between 1987 and 1992, type of surgery, morbidity and mortality were analyzed. There were 171 (77.3%) cholecystectomy alone and 50 (22.7%) cholecystectomy with other biliary surgery (BS). Pulmonary, urinary and wound complications were the most common. Overall incidence of complications was 7.2%. For patients with cholecystectomy alone morbidity was 3.5% and for patients with BS morbidity was 20% (p < 0.002). There were no mortality in this group of patients.

Effect of PAF antagonists on cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of PAF in acute pancreatitis induced by cerulein in rats. Cerulein (two doses of 20 micrograms/rat, the first s.c. and the second i.v., 1 h apart) induced a significant increase in vascular permeability in the pancreas, evaluated by the Evans blue (EB) extravasation method. Plasma amylase levels were also significantly increased in this group. The PAF antagonists, BN-52021 (5 mg/kg) and WEB-2170 (1 and 10 mg/kg), both significantly reduced the extravasation of EB in the pancrease induced by i.v. injection of PAF (1 microgram/kg). At these concentrations, BN-52021 was effective at inhibiting cerulein-induced pancreatitis (60-70% of inhibition) whereas WEB-2170 had no significant effect. Although the inhibition induced by BN-52021 suggests the involvement of PAF in cerulein-pancreatitis, the lack of effect of WEB-2170 reported here does not allow a definite conclusion. Further studies are needed to elucidate the differential effect of the PAF antagonists.

[Internal biliary fistula: study of 13 cases and review of the literature]. / Fístulas biliares internas: estudo de 13 casos e revisão da literatura.

Between 1986 and 1994 13 patients with spontaneous internal biliary fístula were operated at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo. Ten were patients women and three were men. Their mean age was 55.2 years (range 30 to 87 years). The etiology was cholelithiasis in all cases and the most frequent type of fístula was cholecystoduodenal. There was no mortality. A review of literature of this condition and a discussion about the diagnosis, treatment and etiopathogenesis are presented.

[Cystic neoplasm diagnosed as pancreatic pseudocyst: report of 5 cases and review of the literature]. / Neoplasia cística diagnosticada como pseudocisto de pancrêas: estudo de cinco casos e revisão da literatura.

The majority of cystic lesions of the pancreas are pseudocysts. Nine to thirteen per cent of pancreatic cyst are neoplastic, benign or malignant. Failure to recognize neoplastic nature of a cyst leads to an improper management. The authors present five cases of cystic tumors mistaken for pancreatic pseudocysts, including three mucinous cystadenomas and two mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. Four were drained by cystojejunostomy and one cystogastrostomy. One patient with no metastases at first operation had metastatic spread at reoperation. In the other four cases, subsequent resection was possible and probably curative. Review of the literature and guidelines are given for the purpose of differential diagnosis between theses entities.

[Simplified model of induction of experimental acute pancreatitis with a supra-maximal dose of cerulein]. / Modelo simplificado de indução de pancreatite aguda experimental com uso de dose supramáxima de ceruleína.

The study was performed to compare an usual method of induction of acute experimental pancreatitis with a simplified, easier and faster induction through a subcutaneous and intravenous injection of cerulein, with good reproducibility as compared to the literature. Four groups were studied. In the group I, continuous three hour intravenous injection of 15 micrograms/Kg of cerulein, was given. Group II was a control group with saline infusion. Group III received a subcutaneous injection of 20 micrograms/Kg and an intravenous injection of 20 micrograms/Kg of cerulein one hour later. Group IV was the control group with saline. The results of biochemical measurements, such as tecidual trypsinogen, chimotrypsinogen, proelastase, cathepsin and serum amylase, showed no difference between the two methods. Histologic study revealed edematous pancreatitis in group I and III, with moderate acinar necrose in group III. These results suggest that the proposed simplified method induces enough acute and edematous pancreatitis to allow studies in physiopathology and therapeutics.

[Cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: analysis of 24 cases]. / Neoplasia cística do pâncreas: análise de 24 casos.

Cystic neoplasms are an uncommon group among pancreatic tumors. These lesions are seen more frequently in recent surgical practice, probably because of advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques. We report 24 patients with cystic tumors of the pancreas, including twelve patients with serous cystadenoma, ten with mucinous cystadenoma and two patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Twenty-two patients were women and two were man. The median age of patients was 53.5 years (range, 21 to 80 years). Mild abdominal pain was the main symptom; in 71% of patients and weight loss in 29% of patients. The lesions were incidental findings 8% of patients. The mean size of the cysts was 7.8 cm (range, 2.3 to 15cm). Eleven cystic neoplasms were located in the head, three in the neck, five in the body, two in the tail of pancreas and three in the body and tail. All patients underwent surgical exploration. There was no perioperative mortality. Total tumor resection provides the best chance of cure and may remove the risk of malignant transformation of the cystadenomas, particularly of the mucinous type.

[Lymphoma of the biliary tract: report of 2 cases]. / Linfoma das vias biliares: relato de dois casos.

We report two cases one a primary non Hodgkin lymphoma of the hepatic common duct and the other a secondary involvement of the biliary tract in a patient with a Hodgkin's disease. In the first case a local resection of the biliary lymphoma was undertaken being the patient alive six months after the procedure. The second case died early after the operative biliary external drainage in a septic shock before any specific treatment could be initiated.

[Protective effect of pancreatic enzyme depletion in the course of acute pancreatitis--experimental study in rats]. / Efeito protetor da depleção de enzimas pancreáticas na evolução da pancreatite aguda--estudo experimental em ratos.

This study was performed to assess the effects of the reduction of pancreatic enzymatic content in the evolution of acute pancreatitis (A.P.) in rats. We hypothesized that cerulein in physiologic dose reduces the enzymatic content of the pancreas and may decrease the mortality of A.P.. Four groups of rats have been studied. In the group I cerulein in a total dose of 8 ug/Kg was given, Group II was a control group, Group III received cerulein in inframaximal dose (0.4 micrograms/Kg) and Group IV was a control group with free access to diet and water. Acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of taurocholic acid into the pancreatic duct. The mortality was 60% in group I, 56% in group II, 23% in group III and 34% in group IV. These results suggest that by decreasing enzymatic content of the pancreas the severity of acute pancreatitis may be reduced.

Mononuclear phagocytic system in acute pancreatitis.

1. Functional alterations of the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of infection in acute pancreatitis (AP). In the present study, MPS activity was investigated in rats and hepatic blood flow (HBF) was also determined. 2. A total of 122 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1, AP group (N = 51); 2, sham-operated (SO) (N = 49); 3, intact group (IG) (N = 22). AP was induced by retrograde injection of 0.5 ml of 2.5% sodium taurocholate saline into the main biliopancreatic duct under ketamine chloride anesthesia. SO animals were submitted to the same surgical steps as AP animals except for AP induction. 3. Each experimental group was subdivided into two subgroups. The first subgroup was submitted to the study of MPS activity as follows: each group was injected with colloidal 198Au and liver clearance parameters were determined 2 h (N = 11), 12 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) later in the AP group, and 2 h (N = 9), 12 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 11) later in the SO group. In the second subgroup, HBF was assessed using 131I-bromosulphalein at 2 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) in the AP group and at 2 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) in the SO group. The IG was submitted to both radioactive tracer studies. Each animal was used for only one experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mononuclear phagocytic system in acute pancreatitis

1. Functional alterations of the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of infection in acute pancreatitis (AP). In the present study, MPS activity was investigated in rats and hepatic blood flow (HBF) was also determined. 2. A total of 122 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1, AP group (N = 51); 2, sham-operated (SO) (N = 49); 3, intact group (IG) (N = 22). AP was induced by retrograde injection of 0.5 ml of 2.5 per cent sodium taurocholate saline into the main biliopancreatic duct under ketamine chloride anesthesia. SO animals were submitted to the same surgical steps as AP animals except for AP induction. 3. Each experimental group was subdivided into two subgroups. The first subgroup was submitted to the study of MPS activity as follows: each group was injected with colloidal 198Au and liver clearance parameters were determined 2 h (N = 11), 12 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) later in the AP group, and 2 h (N = 9), 12 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 11) later in the SO group. In the second subgroup, HBF was assessed using 131I-bromosulphalein at 2 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) in the AP group and at 2 h (N = 10) and 24 h (N = 10) in the SO group. The IG was submitted to both radioactive tracer studies. Each animal was used for only one experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Duodenal perforation following endoscopic papillotomy: report of 3 cases]. / Perfuração duodenal pós-papilotomia endoscópica: relato de três casos.

Duodenal perforation is a rare complication of endoscopic sphincterotomy and its treatment is controversial. The authors report three cases of duodenal perforation by endoscopic sphincterotomy. In two cases with history of a previous biliary infection, surgical treatment had to been performed because of a peripancreatic abscess.

[Cholecystectomy in patients with sickle-cell anemia]. / Colecistectomia em pacientes portadores de anemia falciforme.

The surgical treatment of cholelithiasis in patients with sickle cell anemia is rather frequently followed by the operative complications. In order to study the influence of pre-operative factors and post operative complications, 31 consecutive patients distributed in two groups has been studied. In group I, all the patients have been operated by conventional procedures with 43.75% of complications. In group II, a more appropriated technique and a better metabolic control ensured a lower morbidity (6.67%). There was no pos operative death in this series. Pre operative bilirubin levels was the only condition associated with increased pos operative morbidity.