Postoperative radiotherapy after flap reconstructive surgery in patients with head and neck cancer: A retrospective monocentric study with flap delineation to assess toxicity and relapse.

PURPOSE: Flaps are increasingly used during reconstructive surgery of head and neck cancers to improve functional outcomes. There are no guidelines as to whether the whole flap or its anastomotic border should be included in the primary tumour target volume of postoperative radiotherapy to prevent local relapses. Relapse and toxicity rates can increase substantially if the whole flap received full dose. Our aim was to determine whether flaps were included in the primary tumour target volume and to report the patterns of relapse and toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients in 2014 through 2016, with or without a flap, receiving postoperative radiotherapy were selected in a retrospective monocentric control study. Flaps were homogenously delineated blind to treating radiation oncologists using a flap-specific atlas. Tumour recurrence, acute and late toxicity were evaluated using univariate and propensity score analyses. RESULTS: A hundred patients were included; 54 with a flap. Median flap volume included in the tumour volume was 80.9%. Twelve patients experienced local recurrences: six with a flap, among whom two within their flap (3.7%). Patients with flaps had larger median tumour volumes to be irradiated (25cm3 versus 58cm3, p<0.001) and higher acute/late toxicity rates (p<0.001) even after adjustment on biases (more advanced T stage, oral cavity, active smoking in patients with flaps). Locoregional recurrence and survival rates were similar between patients with/without a flap. CONCLUSION: Recurrences within a flap were rare in this series when including the whole flap body in the 60Gy-clinical target volume but inclusion of the flap in the primary tumour target volume increased toxicity. Multicentric studies are warranted.

Flap delineation guidelines in postoperative head and neck radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstructive surgery in head and neck cancers frequently involves the use of autologous flaps to improve functional outcomes. However, the literature suggests that postoperative radiotherapy deteriorates functional outcomes due to flap atrophy and fibrosis. Data on patterns of relapse after postoperative radiotherapy with a flap are lacking, resulting in heterogenous delineation of postoperative clinical target volumes (CTV). Flap delineation is unusual in routine practice and there are no guidelines on how to delineate flaps. Therefore, we aim to propose a guideline for flap delineation in head and neck cancers to assess dose-effects more accurately with respect to flaps. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Common flaps were selected. They were delineated by radiation oncologists and head and neck surgeons based on operative reports, on contrast-enhanced planning CTs and checked by a radiologist. Each flap was divided into its vascular pedicle and its soft tissue components (fat, fascia/ muscle, skin, bone). RESULTS: Delineation (body and pedicle) of Facial Artery Musculo-Mucosal, pectoralis, radial forearm, anterolateral thigh, fibula and scapula flaps was performed. Based on information provided in operative reports, i.e. tissue components, size and location, flaps can be identified. The various tissue components of each flap can be individualized to facilitate the delineation. CONCLUSION: This atlas could serve as a guide for the delineation of flaps and may serve to conduct studies evaluating dose-effects, geometric patterns of failure or functional outcomes after reconstructive surgery. Changes in postoperative CTV definitions might be needed to improve risk/benefit ratio in the future based on surgery-induced changes.

[Impact of reconstructive or minimal invasive surgery on the assessment of current definitions of postoperative clinical target volume for head and neck cancers]. / Impact de la chirurgie reconstructrice avec lambeaux et de la chirurgie mini-invasive sur la définition du volume cible anatomoclinique des cancers de la sphère ORL.

Advances in the reconstructive surgery and minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic surgery of head and neck is poorly evaluated in terms of their impact on radiotherapy planning and outcomes. These surgical advances have resulted in reduced morbidity with equivalent or better tumor control. In the absence of a recommendation on how to delineate target volumes in patients with flaps or to consider margins after endoscopic endonasal surgery, radiotherapy practices are inevitably heterogeneous. Efforts are needed to increase the therapeutic index of postoperative radiotherapy in these situations. We analysed the rare existing literature and outlined a preliminary basis for a recommendation. Strengthening of multidisciplinarity to accurately define target volumes in these complex and relatively new situations, and "delineation concertation meetings" between radiologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists could probably contribute to improved outcomes.

Safety and accuracy of endovascular aneurysm repair without pre-operative and intra-operative contrast agent.

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic kidney disease is a major limitation for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). The aim of this study is to assess the safety and accuracy of fusion imaging, when performing EVAR in the absence of pre- and intra-operative contrast agents. METHODS: From October 2013 to February 2014, every patient requiring EVAR and presenting with severe chronic renal impairment underwent a specific pre-operative imaging assessment, based on a non-enhanced CT scan. Centrelines were manually extracted and key points were placed at the landing zones. In house software makes it possible to artificially enhance the contrast between vascular structures and the surrounding tissue, by increasing the values attributed to the vascular structure voxels (500 Hounsfield units). EVAR was performed in a hybrid room (Zeego, Siemens), and the artificially enhanced CT scan was used for the construction of fusion imaging. The 3D vascular volume, together with the centrelines and key points, was overlaid onto the 2D live fluoroscopic image. RESULTS: Six patients (mean age 77.1 years) were treated by EVAR (5 abdominal aneurysms and 1 thoracic aneurysm), using fusion imaging without a contrast agent. The median pre-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 17.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. No contrast was used during the procedure. No intra-operative endoleak was observed on the duplex scan. No deterioration was observed in the eGFR at 1 week (eGFR = 21.7, p = .49), nor at 1 month follow up (eGFR = 21, p = .28). The stent graft positioning error was assessed in terms of the difference between the effective and planned landing zones, measured on pre- and post-operative CT scans. The mean error was 1.3 mm at the proximal landing zone, and 6.5 mm at the distal landing zone. CONCLUSION: EVAR without the use of pre-operative and intra-operative contrast agents appears to be safe and accurate for patients with severe chronic kidney disease.

Cerebral oxygen saturation is improved by xenon anaesthesia during carotid clamping.

INTRODUCTION: The cerebral protective effect of xenon anesthesia could be of interest during carotid surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of xenon on cerebral oxygen saturation with those of propofol during carotid clamping. METHODS: After approval of Research Ethics Board and patient informed consent, 74 patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were enrolled. Patients were not randomized but were well matched by preoperative characteristics. Patients in the Xenon group were the ones scheduled for surgery in the operative theater equipped with the xenon anesthesia system. Anesthesia was started with a target control infusion of propofol and remifentanil. Patients were then divided into the control group (37 patients) with anesthesia maintained with target control infusion propofol and remifentanil and the Xenon group with anesthesia maintained with xenon (target inspired concentration of 60%) and target control infusion remifentanil. Remifentanil and xenon or propofol were stopped at the end of skin closure. RESULTS: A cerebral oxygen saturation decrease below 55% was less frequently observed in the Xenon group during carotid cross-clamping (7/37 patients vs 15/37; p=0.01). Compared with values observed before clamping, the decrease in cerebral oxygen saturation during clamping was significantly less important in the Xenon group (12±11% vs 17±14%, p=0.04). Blood pressure and heart rate were not different between groups during carotid clamping. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that xenon anesthesia may be associated to higher cerebral oxygen saturation values when compared to propofol anesthesia during cross-clamping for carotid endarterectomy.

[Paradoxical embolism and ischemia of the digestive tract]. / Embolie paradoxale et ischémie digestive.

The digestive tract is an uncommon location of acute ischemia, especially when caused paradoxical embolism. We report the case of a 69-year-old patient initially hospitalized for a acute ischemia of the upper limb. Physical examination and complementary tests enabled the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism with bilateral pulmonary embolism leading to elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which opened the oval foramen. The patient also presented ischemia involving the digestive trunks, the upper limb and the kidneys. Rapid diagnosis is a major challenge in this condition controlling the prognosis of this uncommon disease.

Peripheral venous hypertension of the hand: a complication of a proximal radial artery arteriovenous fistula.

Venous hypertension due to dialysis access is usually secondary to outflow obstruction. The bidirectional proximal radial artery arteriovenous fistula (PRAVF) has been proposed as a procedure to increase autogenous fistula utilization and is rarely reported to cause peripheral venous hypertension. We report here a case of peripheral venous hypertension from a PRAVF, the first report to our knowledge caused by a peripheral outflow obstruction. A proximal occlusion in the medial cephalic vein led to retrograde flow through the median antebrachial vein into the hand. We briefly discuss this complication and considerations of its management in relation to the bidirectional PRAVF creation.

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome after left internal mammary bypass in a patient with Takayasu's disease.

We report the case of a 56-year-old symptomatic woman who underwent 2 coronary bypasses (left internal mammary artery on the left anterior artery and saphenous venous bypass on the circumflex) for a tight stenosis of the left main coronary. An inflammatory syndrome had been explored for 1 year without specific diagnosis. Eight months later, coronary angiography was performed for recurrence of angina: both bypasses were patent without stenosis and the left main stenosis was unchanged, but significant stenosis of the subclavian artery was found just before the LIMA. The diagnosis of Takayasu's disease was suspected in accordance with the ARC criteria and corticosteroids were started. One year later, because of recurrent angina, the patient was surgically treated with subclavian, vertebral and internal mammary endofibrectomy and an inverted saphenous vein graft from the subclavian to the axillary artery for extensive supra-aortic lesions. The patient remains symptom free at 1 year follow-up.

[Endarteriectomy of the femoral tripod: long-term results and analysis of failure factors]. / Endartériectomie du trépied fémoral: résultats à long terme et analyse des facteurs d'échec.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report immediate and long term results of endarteriectomies of the common femoral artery (CFA) and/or femoral tripod and to analyse predictive factors of failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 1995, 110 endarteriectomies were performed in 101 patients, 52% of them in limb salvage situation. The arteriogram showed a thrombosis or stenosis of the common femoral artery in 100% of cases. There was a stenosis of the deep femoral artery (DFA) in 79% of cases. The superficial femoral artery (SFA) was thrombosed in 40% of cases. One artery only of the lower leg was permeable in 43.3% of cases. Run off was judged bad in 38% of patients. RESULTS: The endarteriectomy could be realised in 93 patients (84.5%). It concerned the only common femoral artery in 20% of cases (patch angioplasty in 55% of cases), common and deep femoral arteries in 50.5% of cases (82% of patch), CFA, DFA and SFA at its origin in 29.1% of cases (93% of patch). Perioperative mortality rate was 1%. Local morbidity rate was 21.6% with 18% of minor complications and 3.6% of complications requiring a second operation. There were 2% of vascular complications (1 thrombosis and 1 false-aneurysm). Mean follow-up was 43 months in 90 patients. There were restenosis or thrombosis (5.5%), false-aneurysms (2.2%) and amputations (6.6%). Femoro-popliteal (10%) and iliac complementary bypasses (6.6%) were necessary. Permeability was 94.9% at 3 years and 88.8% at 5 years. Clinical results were considered good in 80.7% of the cases at 3 years and in 71.7% at 5 years. With univariate analysis, the predictive factors for failure were: limb salvage (P < 0.01), altered popliteal run off (P < 0.03) and extended distortion of the deep femoral artery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Isolated endarteriectomy of the femoral tripod is a low risk and effective technique. A femoropopliteal revascularisation should be associated in case of a major alteration of the deep femoral artery.

Influence of preoperative high-dose radiotherapy on postoperative outcome and colonic anastomotic healing: experimental study in the rat.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of rectal cancer is followed by local recurrence in up to 30 percent of cases. Recently, preoperative low-dose radiotherapy has been shown to improve both local recurrence rate and overall survival. Down-staging of locally advanced tumors, however, requires preoperative doses of at least 50 to 60 Gy. Most experimental studies investigating the effect of preoperative radiotherapy have made use of a single dose or a limited number of fractionated doses. Moreover, in most studies, both limbs of the anastomosis were irradiated, in contrast to clinical practice, in which one limb of the anastomosis consists of nonirradiated bowel. We studied the effect of a fractionated, clinically relevant scheme of high-dose preoperative radiotherapy on colonic anastomotic healing in the rat. METHODS: Male Wistar rats randomly received 0, 40, 60, or 80 Gy of preoperative radiotherapy on one limb of the anastomosis only. Radiotherapy doses were validated with implanted dosimeters; before the start of radiotherapy, the cecum was fixed outside the radiation field. A clinically used fractionation scheme of 2 Gy per day, 5 days per week for 4 to 8 weeks was used. The day after radiotherapy completion, a side-to-side colorectal anastomosis was performed. Rats were killed 10 days after surgery. The following parameters were determined: presence of abscess or peritonitis, anastomotic complications (stenosis, leak, or dehiscence), intestinal obstruction, anastomotic bursting pressure, and anastomotic hydroxyproline content. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in peritonitis rate, anastomotic complications, anastomotic bursting pressure, or hydroxyproline content. Irradiated animals gained weight more slowly than the control group. CONCLUSION: In this rat model, preoperative high-dose radiotherapy using a clinically relevant fractionation scheme does not affect outcome or anastomotic healing when only one limb of the anastomosis is irradiated.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the popliteal artery by femoral exostosis in a young child.

Exostosis is a solitary benign bone tumor frequently observed in children. It may be totally quiescent or provoke complications. We report a case of pseudo-aneurysm of the popliteal artery caused by an exostosis on the lower metaphysis of the femur in a 12-year-old boy. This unusual complication mostly reported in young males (mean age 19 years) occurs in the context of an initial trauma in half the cases. Surgical treatment is a semi-emergency requiring both bone and arterial repair. Preventive surgery should be discussed for all cases of exostosis with a risk of arterial damage due to the gravity of the potential vascular complications.

[Adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) and the Swedish adjustable gastric banding (SAGB, Obtech) in treatment of morbid obesity]. / Das anpassbare Silicon Gastric Banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) und das Schwedische anpassbare Gastric Banding (SAGB, Obtech) zur Behandlung der morbiden Obesitas.

INTRODUCTION: Two different adjustable silicone gastric bandings were laparoscopically applied and compared regarding per- and postoperative complications and successful weight loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 consecutive patients received a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and were prospectively documented. In the learning phase (LP) 50 patients were treated with an Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) using an intragastric balloon calibration technique according to Belachew. Group I (n = 29) received the same band using a surgical technique with tunneling behind the oesophagus towards His' angle, while the second group (n = 41) received a Swedish Adjustable Gastric Banding (SAGB), using the same technique as in group I. A BMI of > 35, complications secondary to obesity and failed diets were the indication for the operation. Thirty patients were male, 90 female, with a mean age of 37 years (18-60). RESULTS: In the LP 8 patients had to be reoperated (16%) for band slippage and/or pouch dilatation, in group I 6 (19%) and in group II 1 (3%) (P = 0.02, II vs I). The mean hospital stay was 3.7 +/- 0.5, 3.4 +/- 0.8 and 3.3 +/- 0.4 days in LP, I und II, respectively. LONG-TERM RESULTS: After a mean of 24 months (19-42) the loss of body weight was 8.4 kg after 3, 13.9 kg after 6, 22.1 kg after 12 and 27.8 kg after 18 months in the LP. In group I after a mean of 14 months (12-19) 10.3 kg after 3, 18.7 kg after 6, 24.8 kg after 12 months. In group II after a mean of 10 months (6-16) the loss of body weight was 7.9 kg after 3 and 19.4 kg after 6 months. CONCLUSION: In our experience it appears that the SAGB is easy to handle and less prone to complications such as dysphagia and slipping, probably due to good fixation of the band due to its width. A prospective randomized trial is warranted.

Sealing of polyester prostheses with autologous fibrin glue and bone marrow.

The purpose of this study was to develop a sealing technique for polyester prosthetic grafts able to promote healing and reduce intimal hyperplasia. The porcine experimental model was aortoiliac bypass with a 6-mm diameter knitted polyester prosthetic graft implanted for 14 and 90 days. Animals were divided into three groups according to sealing technique as follows: pre-clotting with blood (group I, n = 12), sealing with autologous fibrin glue (group II, n = 14), and sealing with autologous fibrin glue and bone marrow cells (group III, n = 16). Feasibility and quality of sealing were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy prior to implantation and by assessment of blood loss. After removal, prostheses were cut into three segments comprising the proximal anastomosis, midsection, and distal anastomosis. Pieces were fixed, embedded in paraffin, and serially sectioned for histologic study. Histological study focused on the degree of stenosis and hyperplasia of the neointima of each prosthesis. The results of this short-term study indicate that sealing of polyester vascular prosthetic grafts with autologous fibrin glue and bone marrow cells is effective in reducing intimal hyperplasia. However further study will be needed to assess long-term healing.

[Isolated popliteal arteries: results of surgical treatment and causes of failure]. / Artères poplitées suspendues: résultats du traitement chirurgical et causes des échecs.

UNLABELLED: Isolated popliteal artery is defined as an obstruction of a superficial femoral artery with a patent popliteal segment followed by an obstructed distal popliteal artery or a patent leg artery less than 5 cm long. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of surgical treatment and the causes of failures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1988 to 1996, 31 patients with isolated popliteal artery were operated on with femoropopliteal bypass. The age of the patients ranged from 45 to 92 years, (mean: 79 years); all had critical ischemia that threatened limb viability. All underwent preoperative arteriography and diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative arteriography. RESULTS: In the postoperative course, there were 22 patent bypasses (68%) with minor amputation in five patients, and nine thromboses that required a major amputation in seven patients, a trans-metatarsal amputation in one, and a medical treatment in one. With a mean 37-month follow-up, seven thromboses required a major amputation in five patients, a new bypass in one and a medical treatment in one. The death rate was 34% at two years. The actuarial patency rates of the bypasses were 51% at one year, 38% at two years and 25% at five years. The limb salvage rate was identical. The patency rates were 65% at one, two and five years for venous bypasses and 38%, 13% and 0% respectively for PTFE bypasses. Statistical analysis showed two causes of failure: the absence of a run-off branch and the use of PTFE prostheses. No other statistically significant cause of failure was demonstrated among those analysed. Favourable anatomic conditions for a bypass to a leg artery were not predictive of failure of a femoro-popliteal bypass on the isolated arterial segment. CONCLUSION: Bypass to isolated popliteal artery is indicated in patients whose limb viability is jeopardized. Results may be considered as satisfactory especially if there is a run-off branch and if a venous graft is available for the bypass.

Fat- and bone marrow-impregnated small diameter PTFE grafts.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate an alternative and simple technique which consists in impregnation of a synthetic prosthesis with either autogenic omental fat or bone marrow. These tissues have been selected based on previous works and because they contain multiple cellular and extracellular compounds with biological healing properties (i.e. angiogenesis, endothelialisation, etc.). DESIGN: PTFE grafts of Group 1 were impregnated with fatty tissue, those of Group 2 with bone marrow and those of Group 3 served as controls. MATERIALS: nine mongrel dogs divided among these three groups. PTFE grafts are 3 mm in diameter. METHODS: in each animal, both iliac arteries were submitted to an end-to-side ilio-iliac bypass. At 3 months, pathology assessment was performed. RESULTS: group 1: all grafts were thrombosed and intimal hyperplasia was found occluding the anastomotic sites. Group 2: 4/6 grafts were patent and their mid-portion presented a thin neointima which did not totally cover the anastomotic sites. Group 3: 2/5 grafts were patent and their mid-portion as well as the anastomotic sites were covered with neointima which was hyperplastic in some areas. CONCLUSIONS: addition of bone marrow cells may contribute to improve the quality of the healing process.

Alternative technique for creation of a proximal gastric pouch in laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) has become a widely used procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. The original operation, as described by Kuzmak, has been subjected to modifications. Construction of a proximal gastric pouch is an important part of the operation. Until now, we used the technique of Niville. Since this was often complicated by gastric bleeding and/or serosal tears, we developed a new technique to construct a pouch. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A new technique, using a thread previously fixed to that portion of the fundus that will be used to construct the pouch, is described. CONCLUSION: A safe and easy adaptation of the LASGB technique is proposed to create the gastric pouch.

Retrospective analysis of laparoscopic gastric banding technique: short-term and mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Although adjustable gastric banding shows good results concerning weight loss, several complications such as excessive vomiting, total dysphagia, and slipping of the stomach through the band with pouch dilatation may occur rather frequently. Different types of adjustable bands are available to prevent these short- and mid-term complications. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 120 consecutive laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings were performed. In group I, 50 patients were treated with adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) by an intragastric balloon calibration technique. Group II (n = 29) received the same band by a surgical technique with tunneling behind the esophagus toward the angle of His. Group III (n = 41) received Swedish adjustable gastric banding (SAGB) by the same technique as in Group II. RESULTS: Weight loss was approximately 15% of the excess weight after 3 months, 30% after 6 months, and 45% after 12 months in all groups. Total dysphagia was significantly more frequent in Groups I and II. The incidence of slipping of the band and pouch dilatation was more frequent in Group II. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the ASGB band is rather small and can cause total dysphagia independently of surgical technique. The SAGB is easy to perform and seems less vulnerable to complications like dysphagia and slipping of the band, probably because of the individual adjustment of the stoma diameter during surgery and good fixation of both band and ventral pouch with separate posterolateral sutures.

Impregnated polyester arterial prostheses: performance and prospects.

Impregnated polyester arterial prostheses have gained wide acceptance by most vascular surgery teams, probably because these prostheses are easy to use, without any preclotting. We offer here a synthesis of the main studies that have appraised the experimental and clinical performance of these prostheses, and we delineate their major prospects.

[Biomechanical study of the vasomotor system of the arterial smooth muscle after long-term cryopreservation of a human arterial graft at two different temperatures -80 and -150C]. / Etude biomécanique et de la vasomotricité du muscle lisse artériel après cryocongélation de longue durée de greffon artériel humain à deux températures différentes -80 degrees et -150 degrees C.

We conducted two parallel studies on cryopreserved arterial homografts: a biomechanical study based on traction tests and a functional study coupled with a histology examination. Twenty-four arterial segments from 6 donors (2 iliac and 2 superficial femoral segments per donor) were cryopreserved at -150 degrees C and -80 degrees C. Cryopreservation lasted at least 6 months. Lengthening at rupture, the Young elasticity module, and rupture stress were calculated from the traction test. Results were significantly different depending on the preservation temperature. The functional properties of the cryopreserved arterial grafts were evaluated by studying the vasomotricity capacity of the vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and the endothelium. The expected results (direct contracture of VSM induced by PHE and endothelial dependent relaxation of VSM induced by ACH) were measured on fresh arteries. Cryopreserved arteries showed no response to physiological doses of PHE and ACH, whatever the preservation temperature. In one-third of the cases, a lower amplitude vasoconstriction was obtained using nonphysiological doses of PHE; there was no relaxation with ACH.