Survival after adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or surgery alone in resectable adenocarcinoma at the gastro-esophageal junction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Longterm survival after curative resection for adenocarcinoma at the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) range between 18% and 50%. In the pivotal Intergroup-0116 Phase III trial by Macdonald et all, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved both disease-free and overall survival in curatively resected patients with mainly gastric adenocarcinoma. We compared survival data for curatively resected patients with adeno-carcinoma solely at the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ), treated with surgery alone or surgery and adjuvant chemoradio-therapy. METHODS: From 2003 to 2009, 211 patients underwent curative resection. Surgery alone was performed in 95 pa-tients and 116 patients received adjuvant therapy after resection. All patients underwent Lewis-Tanner operation with D1 node resection including coliac nodes (D1+). Informations about recurrence and death were collected from the Danish Cancer Register and the Central Death Register. Patients who died after experiencing severe complications after surgery were excluded from the survival analysis. Patients with T0N0 or T1N0 were also excluded because patients of this category were not given adjuvant therapy according to the Macdonald protocol. RESULTS: Patients with positive node status in the resected specimen, the 3-year disease-free survival after adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 91) or surgery alone (n = 43) was 24% and 37%, respectively. Median time of survival was prolonged by 10 month in favour of those who received chemoradiotherapy. However, after controlling for the confounding effect of age and node status, only positive node status in the resected specimen had significant partial effect on survival. CONCLUSION: Chemoradiotherapy according to the Intergroup-0116 protocol might still be a reasonable option after curative resection in patients with GEJ adenocarcinomas and positive lymph node status, who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Randomized clinical trial of virtual reality simulation for laparoscopic skills training.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact of virtual reality (VR) surgical simulation on improvement of psychomotor skills relevant to the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixteen surgical trainees performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on patients in the operating room (OR). The participants were then randomized to receive VR training (ten repetitions of all six tasks on the Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR)) or no training. Subsequently, all subjects performed a further laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the OR. Both operative procedures were recorded on videotape, and assessed by two independent and blinded observers using predefined objective criteria. Time to complete the procedure, error score and economy of movement score were assessed during the laparoscopic procedure in the OR. RESULTS: No differences in baseline variables were found between the two groups. Surgeons who received VR training performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy significantly faster than the control group (P=0.021). Furthermore, those who had VR training showed significantly greater improvement in error (P=0.003) and economy of movement (P=0.003) scores. CONCLUSION: Surgeons who received VR simulator training showed significantly greater improvement in performance in the OR than those in the control group. VR surgical simulation is therefore a valid tool for training of laparoscopic psychomotor skills and could be incorporated into surgical training programmes.

Gastrointestinal transit after laparoscopic versus open colonic resection.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal rehabilitation with epidural analgesia, early oral nutrition and mobilization, and laxative use has decreased the duration of ileus after colonic surgery to about 2 days, as compared with the usual 3 to 5 days of rehabilitation required after open surgery and the slightly shorter time required with laparoscopic surgery. Gastrointestinal transit after colonic resection with laparoscopy or laparotomy was assessed. METHODS: In this study, 32 patients randomized to laparoscopic or open colonic resection received 4 MBq of 111indium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, a tracer, at the end of surgery. Images of the abdomen were obtained 24 and 48 h postoperatively. An opaque abdominal dressing blinded care personnel and patients to the procedure. RESULTS: Defecation occurred on median day 2 postoperatively in both groups. At 48 h postoperatively, 53% of the tracer was excreted by patients in the laparoscopic group, as compared with 26% in the open group ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative ileus and gastrointestinal transit normalized within 48 h after colonic resection in the patients who received multimodal rehabilitation. No significant difference was observed between the patients who underwent the laparoscopic procedure and those who underwent the open procedure.

Impact of hand dominance, gender, and experience with computer games on performance in virtual reality laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of gender and hand dominance on operative performance may be a subject of prejudice among surgeons, reportedly leading to discrimination and lack of professional promotion. However, very little objective evidence is available yet on the matter. This study was conducted to identify factors that influence surgeons' performance, as measured by a virtual reality computer simulator for laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This study included 25 surgical residents who had limited experience with laparoscopic surgery, having performed fewer than 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The participants were registered according to their gender, hand dominance, and experience with computer games. All of the participants performed 10 repetitions of the six tasks on the Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) within 1 month. Assessment of laparoscopic skills was based on three parameters measured by the simulator: time, errors, and economy of hand movement. RESULTS: Differences in performance existed between the compared groups. Men completed the tasks in less time than women ( p = 0.01, Mann-Whitney test), but there was no statistical difference between the genders in the number of errors and unnecessary movements. Individuals with right hand dominance performed fewer unnecessary movements ( p = 0.045, Mann-Whitney test), and there was a trend toward better results in terms of time and errors among the residence with right hand dominance than among those with left dominance. Users of computer games made fewer errors than nonusers ( p = 0.035, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides objective evidence of a difference in laparoscopic skills between surgeons differing gender, hand dominance, and computer experience. These results may influence the future development of training program for laparoscopic surgery. They also pose a challenge to individuals responsible for the selection and training of the residents.

[Changed working plans can improve medical training]. / En aendret arbejdstilrettelaeggelse kan medføre en forbedret laegeuddannelse.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of clinical medical training in Denmark has been closely debated and criticised in recent years. Reorganisation of the daily working plans is one of the recommendations for improvement. METHOD: In the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, we made changes in the daily working plans in order to improve supervision and training. These changes included firmer attachment of the young residents to specialised medical teams in the department and the creation of more supervised working situations. The morning rounds were done by all the senior and junior doctors in the team together, which meant that the rounds could be completed in half-an-hour and consequently more senior doctors were available for supervision during the rest of the day. This was adopted by the outpatient clinic, the endoscopy unit, and the operating rooms, where activities did not start until after the rounds. RESULTS: The changes led to a considerable increase in the number of working situations with supervision. Assessment by a questionnaire showed that residents also found significant improvements in supervision during all clinical activities. Overall satisfaction with the department and working conditions increased. CONCLUSION: Many different aspects must be considered if clinical medical training is to improve. One key factor is a thorough revision of the daily working plans, so as to establish as many supervised teaching situations as possible.

Rapid rehabilitation in elderly patients after laparoscopic colonic resection.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of the laparoscopic surgical technique has reduced hospital stay after colonic resection from about 8-10 to 4-6 days. In most studies, however, specific attention has not been paid to changes in perioperative protocols required to maximize the advantages of the minimally invasive procedure. In the present study the laparoscopic approach was combined with a perioperative multimodal rehabilitation protocol. METHODS: After laparoscopically assisted colonic resection, patients were treated with epidural local anaesthesia for 2 days, early mobilization and enteral nutrition. Routine use of morphine and traditional tubes, drains and prolonged bladder catheterization was avoided. RESULTS: Laparoscopic resection was intended in 50 consecutive patients, of median age 81 years. The conversion rate to open resection was 22 per cent. In patients in whom the procedure was completed laparoscopically the median hospital stay was 2.5 days; defaecation occurred in 92 per cent of patients within 3 days. Patients were mobilized for more than 8 h daily from day 2. CONCLUSION: Recovery after colonic surgery was improved considerably by combining the use of a laparoscopic technique with a multimodal rehabilitation protocol of pain relief, early mobilization and oral nutrition.

Preoperative prediction model of outcome after cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones.

BACKGROUND: After cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease 20%-30% of the patients continue to have abdominal pain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether preoperative variables could predict the symptomatic outcome after cholecystectomy. METHODS: One hundred and two patients were referred to elective cholecystectomy in a prospective study. Median age was 45 years; range, 20-81 years. A preoperative questionnaire on pain, symptoms, and history was completed, and the questions on pain and symptoms were repeated 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative cholescintigraphy and sonography evaluated gallbladder motility, gallstones, and gallbladder volume. Preoperative variables in patients with or without postcholecystectomy pain were compared statistically, and significant variables were combined in a logistic regression model to predict the postoperative outcome. RESULTS: Eighty patients completed all questionnaires. Twenty-one patients continued to have abdominal pain after the operation. Patients with pain 1 year after cholecystectomy were characterized by the preoperative presence of a high dyspepsia score, 'irritating' abdominal pain, and an introverted personality and by the absence of 'agonizing' pain and of symptoms coinciding with pain (P < 0.000001). In a constructed logistic regression model 15 of 18 predicted patients had postoperative pain (PVpos = 0.83). Of 62 patients predicted as having no pain postoperatively, 56 were pain-free (PVneg = 0.90). Overall accuracy was 89%. CONCLUSION: From this prospective study a model based on preoperative symptoms was developed to predict postcholecystectomy pain. Since intrastudy reclassification may give too optimistic results, the model should be validated in future studies.

Processing-independent analysis in the diagnosis of gastrinomas.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates whether a new analytic principle, processing-independent analysis (PIA), offers better specificity and sensitivity than the conventional gastrin radioimmunoassay in the diagnosis of gastrinomas. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of alpha-amidated gastrins and the total progastrin product were measured with radioimmunoassay and with PIA, respectively, in 512 samples taken for gastrin measurement and in a selected group of gastrinoma patients (n=10). RESULTS: Among the 512 patients were 9 with gastrinomas. In plasma from these patients the median degree of amidation (ratio of alpha-amidated gastrins to total progastrin product) was 75% (range, 25-98%), whereas in the other groups the medians varied from 41% to 86%. In the second group of gastrinoma patients all had a degree of amidation of less than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: In screening for gastrinomas PIA offered no diagnostic advantages in comparison with conventional gastrin radioimmunoassay. However, in selected patients who in spite of normal or slightly increased concentrations of amidated gastrins were still suspected of having gastrinoma, additional measurement of the total progastrin product showed incomplete processing of progastrin and thus proved helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

The effect of ranitidine on postoperative infectious complications following emergency colorectal surgery: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To study the potential effect of ranitidine on postoperative infectious complications following emergency colorectal surgery. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was carried out in three university clinics and two county hospitals in Denmark. PATIENTS AND TREATMENT: One hundred and ninety-four consecutive patients undergoing acute colorectal surgery for perforated and/or obstructed large bowel were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive ranitidine 100 mg i.v. twice a day commencing at induction of anesthesia and continued for five days (group I) or i.v. placebo (group II). All patients were given 1.5 g metronidazole plus 3.0 g cefuroxime at the time of surgery. Patients with perforation of the colon or rectum were given metronidazole and cefuroxime for further 3 days. All patients were assessed daily until discharge from the hospital. Thirty patients were withdrawn from the study (for reasons such as other diagnosis, refused to continue, medication not given as prescribed). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were observed for signs of infectious complications; such as wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, septicemia, and pneumonia. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to age, sex, weight, duration of surgery, blood transfusions, and site of the procedure, as well as the histologic nature of the underlying disease process. However, the Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) was significantly higher in group I compared with group II (p < 0.05). Wound infection, intraabdominal abscess, septicemia, and pneumonia were 12.9%, 5.2%, 3.8% and 14%, respectively in group I. In group II, the infectious complications were 16.1%, 6.8%, 6.9% and 22%, respectively. Twelve patients (13.8%) in the placebo group developed more than one complication compared with 5 patients (6.5%) in the ranitidine group. CONCLUSION: Ranitidine may have a beneficial effect on postoperative infectious complications in patients following acute colorectal surgery.

[Laparoscopic fundoplication in gastroesophageal reflux]. / Laparoskopisk fundoplikation ved gastroøsofageal refluks.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic disorder requiring lifelong medical therapy or surgery. In the present study we evaluated the postoperative course and effect of laparoscopic fundoplication on GORD in 27 patients with a median age of 44 (range 27-73) years. Fifteen were operated on with a Watson procedure, and 12 patients had a Nissen procedure. Median stay and convalescence after surgery was one and 10 days respectively. Three patients had to be converted into open surgery (bleeding: two, unclear anatomy: one). No major complications were seen, but four patients had postoperative complications (stenosis requiring dilatation: one, subcutaneous emphysema: one, wound sepsis: one, hernia: one. The two latter complications were seen in converted patients). Two patients had prolonged dysphagia, and two patients needed slight dietetic advice for gasbloat syndrome. In 25 of 27 patients good control of GORD was accomplished as judged by symptomatology, endoscopy and 24-hour pH measurements. It is concluded that laparoscopic fundoplication offers good control of GORD with few complications, and short hospital stay and convalescence.

[Laparoscopic excision of the rectum. An advanced technique or true clinical progress?]. / Laparoskopisk rectumeksstirpation. En avanceret teknisk øvelse eller et reelt klinisk fremskridt?

A very high postoperative morbidity is seen after conventional open abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. The use of laparoscopic technique for this operation implies theoretical benefits, but only sparse clinical data have been published and advantages have not yet been convincingly documented. In the light of our experiences with laparoscopic colonic resections in high-risk patients and in two patients with abdominoperineal excision we propose the following perioperative regime for elderly patients undergoing rectal excision: Laparoscopic operation followed by continuous epidural analgesia, opioid-free pain treatment, restricted administration of fluids perioperatively, early enteral nutrition and enforced mobilisation as well as intensified training in colostomy care-that should already be started preoperatively. Preliminary results suggest that morbidity and the need for hospital stay can be considerably reduced by such an approach. A prospective evaluation of this strategy on the immediate postoperative results will be followed by long-term results concerning survival, local recurrence rates, distant metastases and the risk of port-site metastases.

[Two days' hospital stay after laparoscopic colon resection]. / To døgns indlaeggelse efter laparoskopisk colonresektion.

In order to reduce surgical stress-induced dysfunction and morbidity in the postoperative period after colon cancer surgery in old people, we performed the operations laparoscopically and optimized the postoperative regime especially as regards to treatment of pain, early oral intake and mobilisation. The patients were treated with continuous epidural infusion of local anaesthetic for 48 hours postoperatively. Morphine was avoided. Normal oral intake was allowed immediately after operation and active mobilisation was ensured. Twenty patients with a median age of 81 years (71-92 years), who preoperatively were able to take care of themselves at home, entered the study. In four the operation was converted to open surgery due mainly to growth of the cancer into neighbouring organs. One patient had to have an open reoperation due to small bowel strangulation. Fifteen followed the scheduled programme. They all had normal bowel function on day one or two and were mobilised for eight hours on day two and 12 hours on day three. Accordingly postoperative hospital stay was only two days (median), and the high level of activity continued at home after discharge. The combination of laparoscopic mini-invasive surgical technique and a postoperative regime that optimized pain treatment, early oral intake and active mobilisation considerably reduced postoperative convalescence after colon cancer surgery in old patients.

Gastroenteropancreatic tumours and prohormones.

The structures and post-translational maturation of pancreatic and gastrointestinal prohormones are reviewed with emphasis on Danish contributions to today's knowledge. The review describes general, cell-specific, and tumour-specific prohormone-processing patterns. Since prohormone-processing in endocrine tumours is often attenuated, conventional assays that measure only the phenotypic endpoint of hormone gene expression (i.e. the bioactive hormone) do not quantitate tumour activity accurately. In contrast, measurements that include also prohormones and processing intermediates provide more accurate data on hormone synthesis in gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours. In order to comply with such demands we have developed a new analytical principle (processing-independent analysis (PIA)) which quantitates the entire translation product irrespective of the degree of processing. The significance of PIA in routine diagnostics awaits prospective evaluation. We hope that the present review illustrates how the tumour biology of endocrine cells in the pancreas and the gut has been an essential research area in Danish gastroenterology and endocrinology--one purpose being improvement of early diagnosis of endocrine tumours in the gut and the pancreas.

[A local course on conventional and laparoscopic surgical techniques. A supplement to surgical education]. / Lokalt kursus i konventionel og laparoskopisk kirurgisk teknik. Et supplement til den kirurgiske uddannelse.

In order to increase the possibilities for learning accurate surgical technique in gastrointestinal surgery, we have established a local course for operative training of the registrars. We used organs from pigs--stomach, intestines and liver/gallbladder. They were collected from the local abattoir with assistance from a vet. Conventional gut anastomosis and gastroenteroanastomosis were performed with "two-layer" and "one-layer" techniques. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed with the liver-gallbladder organ block placed in a "black box", in which the organ was perfused with red fluid--a Pulsatile Organ Perfusion System. The registrars' evaluations of the course were very positive. They all thought that the course gave them opportunities for surgical training that were not available in the busy daily routine. The course now forms part of the education programme for surgical registrars in our department.

Recovery after laparoscopic colonic surgery with epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation.

The rate of postoperative recovery is determined by pain, stress-induced organ dysfunction, and limitations in conventional postoperative care. We attempted to provide "stress-free" colonic resection for neoplastic disease in eight elderly high-risk patients by a combination of laparoscopically assisted surgery, epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation. Effective pain relief allowed early mobilisation, and hospital stay was reduced to 2 days without nausea, vomiting, or ileus. Postoperative fatigue and impairment in functional activity were avoided. Major advances in postoperative recovery can be achieved by early aggressive perioperative care in elderly high-risk patients undergoing colonic surgery.

[Pain and convalescence after ambulatory inguinal herniotomy during local anesthesia]. / Smerter og rekonvalescens efter ambulant ingvinal herniotomi udført i lokal anaestesi.

Postoperative pain and convalescence following ambulatory inguinal herniotomy in local infiltration anesthesia was evaluated in this descriptive study. Sixty consecutive patients (median age 63 yr) were included. Per- and postoperative pain treatment were pre- and postoperative oral tenoxicam and methadone plus infiltration of the surgical field with up to 60 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. Intraoperative pain intensity was slight and was treated with supplemental bupivacaine. Patients were totally relieved of pain at rest and during mobilisation in the first hours after surgery, but more than half of the patients had moderate pain from the first to the third postoperative day and still had light pain seven days after surgery. Normal daily activity was re-established five days postoperatively (median). Fifty-two patients were satisfied with the anesthesia and eight patients not satisfied due to fear of intraoperative pain. This study shows that inguinal herniotomy can be performed routinely as an outpatient procedure under local infiltration anesthesia. However, late postoperative pain was significant and should be improved with multi-modal analgesia.