Transient thrombocytosis after endovenous laser treatment for primary varicose vein of the lower extremity.

We presented a case of a completely occluded great saphenous vein and transient thrombocytosis following endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) for primary varicose veins of the lower extremity. A 54-year-old man with a left saphenous varicose vein underwent EVLT surgery. Twelve-watt laser irradiation was delivered over the length of 33 cm of the saphenous vein. The cumulative exposure was 1042 J. Nine days after treatment, the platelet count increased up to 610 ⋅ 10(3) /mm(3) and returned to normal after 2 months. A complete occlusion of the great saphenous vein commonly occurs after EVLT, but no case of transient thrombocytosis has been reported.

[Noticeable clinical response to S-1/CDDP combination therapy for Virchow node recurrence after surgery for advanced gastric carcinoma with marked involvement of the esophagus - report of a case].

We have recently experienced a case in which S-1/CDDP combination therapy proved remarkably efficacious for a rapid, extensive lymph node recurrence with metastasis into a Virchow node that had developed after resection of advanced gastric carcinoma accompanied with a marked invasion of the esophagus. The patient, a woman aged 73, underwent a total gastrectomy upon left thoracolaparotomy for a gastric carcinoma at the cardia with a 5-cm involvement of the esophagus. On day 65 post-operation, a diagnosis of Virchow node and para-aortic lymph node recurrence was made on the basis of CT scan findings. Of tumor markers checked, CEA and CA19-9 were noted to be increased to as high as 37.55 ng/mL and 3,235 U/mL, respectively. The patient received three courses of S-1/CDDP combination therapy, with a consequent noticeable contraction of the Virchow node and enlarged para-aortic lymph node. Further, she was given two courses of S-1 therapy, which resulted in normalization of tumor markers. The patient has since been on continued chemotherapy without any sign of recurrence.

Outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse in patients older than 70 years versus younger patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse in patients above 70 years of age, compared with that in younger patients. METHODS: Between October 1997 and September 2001, 14 consecutive patients with complete rectal prolapse underwent laparoscopic rectopexy. Nine patients were aged 70 years or older, and five were aged under 70 years. All of the patients were ambulant and well enough to tolerate surgery under general anesthesia. Each patient was monitored pre- and postoperatively, for fecal incontinence, constipation, recurrent prolapse, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 34.5 (range 5-54) months. No significant differences were noted in the hospitalization, incidence of complications, recurrence rate, and functional outcome. CONCLUSION: The outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy in elderly patients is similar to that in younger patients. Therefore, advanced age alone should not be a contraindication to laparoscopic rectopexy.