Role of computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis in head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis at the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps. A prospective study was done of 65 consecutive patients (49 male, 16 female; mean age 55 years) who had undergone head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction. All patients underwent 64-slice CTA of the carotid artery. Post-processing with volume rendering reconstruction of CTA images was done. There was excellent inter-observer agreement (weighted kappa=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.93) in grading of the degree of vascular stenosis. The true sensitivity of CTA for diagnosis of stenosis of the vascular pedicle to the flap was 63% (95% CI 63-100%). Patients with failed flaps showed complete occlusion (n=2) on CTA and underwent a replacement flap procedure. Patients with failing flaps showed severe stenosis (n=6) of the vascular pedicle on CTA and underwent revision surgery. There was no change in the degree of stenosis on follow-up CTA for patients with moderate stenosis (n=9). CTA is a reliable, non-invasive, high-quality imaging tool for the diagnosis and grading of vascular stenosis of the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps.

Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors.

BACKGROUND: Differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of a tumor is essential for accurate biopsy results and for treatment planning. PURPOSE: To determine the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with malignant head and neck tumors underwent postcontrast MR imaging. Diffusion MR imaging was done on a 1.5T unit using multislice single-shot echo-planar imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR images were acquired with a diffusion-weighted factor b of 0, 500, and 1000 s/mm(2), and an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was reconstructed. The ADC value was measured within the enhanced and nonenhanced part of the tumor, and the mean ADC values were calculated. The ADC value was correlated with biopsy results. RESULTS: The mean ADC value of a viable part of the tumor was 1.17+/-0.33 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, and of the necrotic parts of the tumor 2.11+/-0.05 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. The difference in the ADC value between the viable and necrotic parts of the head and neck tumors was statistically significant (P<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ADC value were 92.9%, 93%, and 94.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Creation of an ADC map is an excellent method for differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors. Thus, the ADC map can be used to select the best biopsy site and to detect tumor viability in post-treatment follow-up of patients after radiation therapy.

The S-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder substitute incorporating a new seromuscular antireflux technique (split ileal end) in a series of 50 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the function of our new technique, complications, continence, voiding patterns in those patients with the clinical evaluation of the S-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder substitute incorporating a new antireflux technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2002 and November 2006, 50 patients (44 men and 6 women) underwent radical cystectomy and S-shaped ileal neobladder reconstruction with our new antireflux technique (split seromuscular). The mean age of male patients was 58 years (45-71 years). The mean age of female patients was 50 years (45-55 years). In all patients an S-shaped ileal pouch was constructed incorporating the new antireflux technique. This antireflux has not yet been described in the literature before. All procedures are performed by the same surgeons and the mean follow-up was 30 months. Complications were registered as early (occurring within 3 months) or late (occurring after 3 months), and as diversion-related and diversion-unrelated. Continence and voiding patterns were also evaluated. RESULTS: There is no reflux in all patients except one. Early complications occurred in 8 patients. The most common early diversion-related complication was urinary leakage in 3 patients. No patients sustained an early diversion-related complication attributed to the new antireflux technique. Late complications occurred in 6 patients. Overall, 39 patients voided to completion without needing catheterization. A total of 7 patients required some form of clean intermittent catheterization to empty the new bladder completely including 5 of 44 men (12.5%) and 2 of 6 women (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The functional results with this pouch incorporating the new antireflux technique were efficient. Our S-shaped pouch has reduced the length of intestine (37 cm) that minimized the metabolic and malabsorption complications. Moreover it is simple.

Laparoscopic assisted cystectomy and lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer: initial experience.

This study discusses our initial experience in the field of laparoscopic management of bladder carcinoma. Ten patients with invasive bladder tumors of variable histology and ranging from stage T2 to T3b were submitted to this procedure. Intraoperative assessment, lateral dissection, posterior dissection, anterior dissection, and urethral transection were achieved laparoscopically. The specimen retrieval and continent pouch construction was performed through a limited abdominal incision. This new regimen allows precise radical lymphadenectomy, early postoperative mobility, fewer wound complications, and shorter hospital stay. The early postoperative results of this procedure are encouraging. Modification and continuous refinement of the technique is still ongoing.

Endoscopic laser treatment of progressive dysphagia in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study was designed to evaluate the treatment of malignant dysphagia by laser palliation. METHODOLOGY: Between November 1994 and May 1997, 104 patients with esophageal carcinoma were subjected to endoscopic palliation with Nd-YAG laser. They were 83 men and 21 women with mean age 57+ 6.32 years. The majority of cases (94%) presented with difficulty in swallowing. Patients were treated at one-week intervals until benefit was achieved. RESULTS: A tumor mass was observed in the lower third of the esophagus in 75 (72%) patients. The tumor mean length was 6 cm (range 3-10 cm). Histology revealed that 74 (71%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma and 30 (29%) patients had adenocarcinoma. Hospital mortality occurred in 6 (5.76%) cases because of esophageal perforation, fistula, or pyothorax, and late mortality occurred in 29 (27.9%) patients. Perforation occurred in 5 (4.8%). Improvement in dysphagia occurred after a mean of 3.3 (range 1-13) treatment sessions. Luminal patency allowing easy passing of the endoscope was achieved in 59 (93%) patients. Relief of symptoms and overall outcome improvement occurred in these patients in a relatively short time, there was body weight gain and an increase in serum albumin levels in 65% of patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, control of dysphagia by laser palliation suggests that endoscopic laser therapy should not be regarded as being in competition with other treatment techniques such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, dilatation or stents, in contrast it plays a complementary role to these palliative modalities.

A low-pressure rectosigmoid pouch created by side-to-side anastomosis with a stapling technique and sigmoid colon intussusception as an antireflux procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess a new procedure of urinary diversion after cystectomy for bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients (14 women and 18 men, mean age 54 years, range 35-70) treated by radical cystectomy for bladder cancer underwent urinary diversion using a new technique. After mobilization of the sigmoid colon, the splenic flexure and the upper rectum, two adjacent colotomies were made to complete a stapled side-to-side anastomosis, with intussusception and implantation of the ureters between the layers of the intussusceptum. Two ureteric stents (8F) were brought out through the iliac fossa, and a rectal tube introduced through the anus and the intussusception to the proximal colon. The reservoir was assessed by urodynamic studies, using the anorectal perfusion catheter. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were continent day and night, with mild soiling in the remaining four at night. Complications included a urinary fistula in three patients and a fecal fistula in one; all were treated conservatively. Metabolic complications occurred in only two patients. CONCLUSION: The pouch created has a low pressure, a high capacity and provides effective continence. Surgery remains adequately radical, by removing the prostate and the membranous urethra. The implanted ureters between the layers of the intussusceptum provided an effective antireflux mechanism and markedly improved kidney function. The intussusception prevents reflux of the pouch contents into the proximal colon and minimizes metabolic complications. The technique needs neither colostomy nor small intestinal manipulations.

Myomammary flap of pectoralis major muscle for breast reconstruction: new technique.

Simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy is still the preferred surgical technique for management of breast cancer, as it is always in the second stage (II). Breast reconstruction in Egypt is always accompanied by reduction mammoplasty of the other breast. The new method utilizes a myomammary flap from the other side. This flap depends on the other breast being of moderate or large size. The flap being transferred depends on the pedicle of the pectoralis major tunneled under the skin. The new technique utilizes the nipple on the healthy side to reconstruct the nipple of the new breast at the same time. A reduction mammoplasty was achieved in healthy contralateral huge breasts. A total of 23 female patients were submitted for breast reconstruction using a pectoralis major myomammary flap from the other relatively large breast. The flap depended on a blood supply from the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery. Good cosmetic results were achieved in 60% of cases, fair results in 25%, and unsatisfactory results in 15%. In conclusion, this new technique of breast reconstruction is suitable especially for patients with large, healthy breasts and for relatively poor patients.