Vein Wall Invasion Is a More Reliable Predictor of Oncological Outcomes than Vein-Related Margins after Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Early Stages of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with vein resection is the only potentially curative option for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with venous involvement. The aim of our study was to assess the oncological prognostic significance of the different variables of venous involvement in patients undergoing PD for resectable and borderline-resectable with venous-only involvement (BR-V) PDAC. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired data over a 10-year period. Of the 372 patients included, 105 (28%) required vein resection and vein wall involvement was identified in 37% of those. A multivariable analysis failed to identify the vein-related resection margins as independent predictors for OS, DFS or LR. Vein wall tumour involvement was an independent predictor of OS (risk x1.7-2) and DFS (risk x1.9-2.2) in all models, while it replaced overall surgical margin positivity as the only parameter independently predicting LR during an analysis of separate resection margins (risk x2.4). Vein wall tumour invasion may be a more reliable predictor of oncological outcomes compared to traditionally reported parameters. Future studies should focus on possible pre-operative investigations that could identify these cases and management pathways that could yield a survival benefit, such as the use of neoadjuvant treatments.

Para-aortic lymph node involvement should not be a contraindication to resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) are found in the aortocaval groove and they are staged as metastatic disease if involved by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The data in the literature is conflicting with some studies having associated PALN involvement with poor prognosis, while others not sharing the same results. PALN resection is not included in the standard lymphadenectomy during pancreatic resections as per the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery and there is no consensus on the management of these cases. AIM: To investigate the prognostic significance of PALN metastases on the oncological outcomes after resection for PDAC. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of data retrieved from a prospectively maintained database on consecutive patients undergoing pancreatectomies for PDAC where PALN was sampled between 2011 and 2020. Statistical comparison of the data between PALN+ and PALN- subgroups, survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method and risk analysis with univariable and multivariable time to event Cox regression analysis were performed, specifically assessing oncological outcomes such as median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: 81 cases had PALN sampling and 17 (21%) were positive. Pathological N stage was significantly different between PALN+ and PALN- patients (P = 0.005), while no difference was observed in any of the other characteristics. Preoperative imaging diagnosed PALN positivity in one case. OS and DFS were comparable between PALN+ and PALN- patients with lymph node positive disease (OS: 13.2 mo vs 18.8 mo, P = 0.161; DFS: 13 mo vs 16.4 mo, P = 0.179). No difference in OS or DFS was identified between PALN positive and negative patients when they received chemotherapy either in the neoadjuvant or in the adjuvant setting (OS: 23.4 mo vs 20.6 mo, P = 0.192; DFS: 23.9 mo vs 20.5 mo, P = 0.718). On the contrary, when patients did not receive chemotherapy, PALN disease had substantially shorter OS (5.5 mo vs 14.2 mo; P = 0.015) and DFS (4.4 mo vs 9.8 mo; P < 0.001). PALN involvement was not identified as an independent predictor for OS after multivariable analysis, while it was for DFS doubling the risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: PALN involvement does not affect OS when patients complete the indicated treatment pathway for PDAC, surgery and chemotherapy, and should not be considered as a contraindication to resection.

Two bladders, two colons and two uteruses.

Complete colonic duplication is rare and frequently asymptomatic. We present an interesting case of tubular colonic duplication with associated uterine didelphys and a longitudinal sagittal septum in the bladder, noted incidentally on cross-sectional imaging. The patient was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis affecting the duplicated colon and is currently in remission following medical therapy.

The Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: Descriptive Anatomy and Clinical Correlation.

BACKGROUND: The anterolateral ligament is a fibrous structure in the anterolateral aspect of the knee. Recently this liagament of the knee has gained spotlight in anatomical and imaging studies and has been designated as a new ligament of the knee joint. The anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been postulated to be a restraint against the anterolateral instability of the knee resulting in a positive pivot shift test. The purpose of this study is to provide detailed anatomical characteristics of ALL in the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the ALL were observed in 20 embalmed cadaveric specimens. In all but one left male knee specimen (95%) ALL was observed. After isolating the ALL, its length, thickness, width, and points of attachments and dimensions of lateral collateral ligament (LCL) were determined. RESULTS: The ALL was consistently present in the anterolateral region of the knee separate from the joint capsule. Its proximal attachment to the femur is anterior and distal to the attachment of the LCL. Distally the superficial fibers of the ALL inserted close to the Gerdy's tubercle at the level of the fibular head, and the deeper fibers merged with the lateral meniscus. The mean length of the ALL was 43.35 mm ± 4.04 mm in flexion and 40.38 mm ± 4.35 mm in extension. The average width of the ALL was 6.98 mm ± 0.95 mm at its origin and 9.36 mm ± 1.07 mm at its insertion. CONCLUSION: The ALL is hypothesized to affect internal tibial rotation and plays a role in the pivot shift phenomenon. ALL rupture could be responsible for rotatory laxity after isolated intraarticular reconstruction of the ACL.

Gross and microscopic study of insertion of levator palpebrae superioris and its anatomical correlation in superior palpebral crease formation and its clinical relevance.

BACKGROUND: To study insertion of LPS and correlate anatomically the formation of superior palpebral crease and its clinical relevance in section of Indian population. METHODS: Twenty-five human eyelids from cadavers ranging from 15-80 years were studied by dissection and histology. RESULTS: The levator aponeurosis traverses through interfascicular space of orbicularis oculi with twenty four inserting into subcutaneous tissue. Low septo aponeurotic sling or preaponeurotic fat was not observed. Lower one third tarsal insertion seen in twenty four specimens. Fibres become denser as it reaches the connective tissue anterior to tarsal plate. The crease was at different levels in relation to the tarsal insertion. CONCLUSION: The aponeurosis insertion is either to the skin, the subcutaneous tissue or into the interfascicular space of the orbicularis. The present study reaffirms the insertion of LPS to the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelid with an extension reaching lower one third of the tarsal plate. The tissues in the anterior tarsal plate are closely packed but to act as a single complex to form a dynamic crease has not been confirmed in the study. No gross or histological difference was observed in the skin of the eyelid in the vicinity of the crease. The pattern of insertion of LPS aponeurosis plays a direct role in the formation of superior palpebral crease an important role in surgeries for Ptosis. The eyelids studied were of Indian origin with crease, and further comparative studies needs to be done for the precise anatomical explanation of single fold eyelids.

Hormone refractory carcinoma prostate with peritoneal metastases and malignant ascites without skeletal involvement: A case report and review of literature.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is rare in prostate cancer especially in the absence of skeletal or other visceral metastases. We report a case of hormone refractory adenocarcinoma prostate presenting with only peritoneal metastases and massive malignant ascites. Palliation with docetaxel based cytotoxic chemotherapy resulted in clinical improvement of refractory ascites decreasing respiratory embarrassment and thereby improving the quality of life.

Absence of Gerota's fascia in pelvic ectopic kidney: implications in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

We report the anatomic alterations in pelvic ectopic kidney and its bearing on the performance of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and its likely effect on the ultimate oncologic outcome. A patient with Stage T2N0M0 renal tumor in a pelvic kidney underwent transperitoneal LRN. LRN was performed by mobilizing the specimen with an adequate amount of perirenal fat, because no distinct Gerota's fascia can be found in the pelvic kidney. At 1 year of follow-up, the patient was free of disease. LRN is a good option for managing localized renal tumor even in the pelvic kidney. The impact of the absence of Gerota's fascia in the pelvic kidney needs further evaluation.

Guidewire-assisted infundibular tilt: a technique for access into another calix during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Sometimes, during percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a stone fragment migrates into a parallel calix, necessitating a separate puncture. We describe a simple technique for removing such fragments. This technique is especially useful for patients who have moderate to severe hydronephrosis where the intercaliceal parenchyma is thin.