[Classification and staging systems for hilar cholangio-carcinoma (Klatskin tumors): clinical application and practical relevance]. / Sisteme de clasificare si stadializare pentru colangio- carcinomul hilar (tumora Klatskin): aplicatie clinica si relevanta practica.

Hilar cholangiocarcinomas or Klatskin tumors have been classified in 1975 by French surgeons Henri Bismuth and Marvin B. Corlette and this remains largely used in clinical practice. The authors present the TNM classification and the changes introduced by the sixth and seventh edition of Union for International Cancer Control regarding the tumors of the proximal bile duct and describe Blumgart classification for tumors of this site. The usefulness of these systems is assessed considering the last six years experience of the service.

[Low anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision--immediate results]. / Rezectia anterioara joasa de rect cu excizie totala de mezorect. Rezultate imediate.

AIM: this study was aimed at analyzing the immediate postoperative course in rectal cancer patients who underwent a low anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on a series of 75 patients operated between January 1, 2004 and December, 31 2010 at the 1lrd Surgical Unit of the Iasi "St. Spiridon" Hospital,. Low anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision was performed in all the patients. Data from medical files regarding the immediate postoperative course were analyzed. RESULTS: Neoadjuvant therapy was instituted in 32 patients. There were 28 mechanical colorectal anastomoses and 47 manual anastomoses. Protective ileostomy was performed in 46 cases, including I manual anastomosis and 35 mechanical anastomosis cases. Anastomotic fistulas occured in II patients (6 with manual suture and 5 with stapler). Wound complications were identified in 5 cases, while retraction of ileostomy in 2. Two patients died from anastomotic fistula causing abdominal sepsis and multiple organ failure. In both cases ileostomy was performed at the reintervention, concomitantly with drainage of the abdominal abscesses. CONCLUSIONS: Healing of the colorectal anastomosis remains the major problem with low anterior resection of the rectum. Protective ileostomy reduces the risk of serious complications in the event of anastomotic fistula.

[Stromal tumors of jejunum and ileum]. / Tumorile stromale de jejun si ileon.

UNLABELLED: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract and 25% are in the small intestine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on 73 patients diagnosed with intestinal cancer in three hospitals in Iasi and Galati, in a period of 12 years (1998-2009). RESULTS: Stromal tumors represents 11.5% of malignant tumors of jejunum and ileum, and the average age of diagnosis was 55 years; male to female incidence was 1 : 2 (chi2 = 0.66, p > 0.05). 66.66% of patients came from urban areas (chi2 = 0.66, p > 0.05). The most frequent signs and symptoms were abdominal meteorism and abdominal pain (83%). There were no correlations between admission and discharge diagnosis. CD117 was present in all patients; CD34 was present in 66.66% of them. Survival at 2 years was 66.67% and at 5 years was 33.33%. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis is often difficult to make, many patients come to doctors in advanced-stage and the five-year survival rate is slow. The most frequent tumor markers were CD117 and CD34.

[Pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer, 54 cases]. / Duodenopancreatectomia cefalica in cancerul de cap de pancreas--consideratii asupra 54 cazuri.

UNLABELLED: Pancreatic cancer has an increase rate in western countries. From the first pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed by Kausch in 1909, the value of the resection in the treatment of pancreatic head cancer was disputed. AIM: To assess the PD with or without pylorus preservation as surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical records of patients undergoing PD for pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: From January 1995 till December 2005, in the First and Third Surgical Units, "St. Spiridon" University Hospital Iasi, Romania, were performed 137 PD. From these, 54 cases were histologic diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; 23 cases underwent pylorus preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy (PPPD) and 31 patients, classical Whipple procedure (PDW). Mean age was 59.07 +/- 1.42 years old (26-75 years old), and male to female ratio was 29 to 25. Jaundice was presented in 51 cases (94.4%), abdominal pain at 39 patients (72.2%) and Curvoisier-Terrier sign at 37 cases (68.7%). Fever was observe only in 4 cases (7.4%). Other biological and imaging parameters (e.g. main diameter of the biliary duct, tumor and wirsung ) were also discussed, but no significant difference was found between PPPD and PDW. Pancreatico-jejunostomy was performed in 41 cases (28 during the PDW and 13 in PPPD) and 13 pancreatico-gastrostomy (3 during PDW and 10 during PPPD). Mean operating time and mean blood loss in the PDW group were 358.22 +/- 10.53 minutes and 587.74 +/- 60.87 mL. After PPPD, these figures were 326.08 +/- 15.04 minutes and 571.74 +/- 90.50 mL, but no significant difference was noted. Delayed Gastric Emptying (DGE) was presented at 15 patients: 8 in PPPD group and 7 in PDW group (p=0.322). Postoperative morbidity rate (excluding DGE) was 33.33% (8 cases in PDW group and 10 in PPPD group). Pancreatic leak has a rate of 5.55% (3 cases--one in PPPD group vs two in PDW group), biliary leak has a rate of 12.96% (4 in PPPD group vs 3 in PDW group)and duodeno-jejunal anastomotic fistula appeared in one cases (PPPD). Acute postoperative pancreatitis is presented in one case (PPPD group) and postoperative hemorrhage appeared in 4 cases (2 in PPPD and 2 after PDW). Hospital stay was 19.91 +/- 2.28 days in PPPD group vs 18.87 +/- 2.24 days in PDW group (p = 0.751). Postoperative mortality rate was 5.5% (one case after PPD and 3 cases after PDW). Histological exam diagnosed ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 51 cases (94.44%). Mean long-term survival rate was 20.98 months (10.52-31.45 months; 95 CI) and no difference was revealed between PPPD and PDW (log rank test - p = 0.796). CONCLUSION: PD should be performed for any pancreatic tumor even without preoperative histologic confirmation. The results after PPPD (postoperative morbidity and mortality, long-term survival) are similar to that following conventional Whipple procedure, if the principles of viable and tumor free margins are observed.

[Radiofrequency ablation in the multimodal treatment of liver metastases--preliminary report]. / Utilizarea termoablatiei prin radiofrecventa in tratamentul multimodal al metastazelor hepatice.

UNLABELLED: Although the "gold standard" in the multimodal treatment of liver primary and secondary tumors is the surgical ablation, the rate of resection, despite the last decades advances, remains still low (10 - 20%). In addition, the interest for non-surgical ablation therapies is increasing. Among them, regional or systemic chemotherapy, intra-arterial radiotherapy as well as locally targeted therapies--cryotherapy, alcohol instillation and radiofrequency (RF) are the most valuable options as alternative to the surgical approach. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between February 2005 - January 2007, 9 patients with liver metastases underwent open RF ablation of their secondaries in the III-rd Surgical Unit, "St. Spiridon" Hospital. An Elektrotom 106 HiTT Berchtold device with a 60W power generator and a 15 mm monopolar active electrode was used. RESULTS: Destruction of the tumors was certified with intraoperative ultrasound examination. Pre- and postoperative CarcinoEmbryonic Antigen (CEA) together with imaging follow-up was carried out, in order to determine local or systemic recurrencies. Six patients died between 6 month - 4 years after the RF ablation. Median survival is 29.2 months. CONCLUSION: RF ablation is a challenge alternative in non-resectable liver tumors.

[The role of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer]. / Locul limfadenectomiei in tratamentul cancerului tiroidian diferentiat.

Papillary and follicular carcinoma represent almost 90% of the thyroid malignancies, being responsible for 70% of the mortality generated by thyroid cancer. Lymph node involvement, far more significant in the papillary form, increases the risk of local recurrence and affects long-term survival. Due to the lack of prospective randomised studies to assess the benefit of lymph node dissection in addition to total thyroidectomy, there is no consensus regarding the need of routine vs elective central compartment lymphadenectomy. Routine lymph node dissection of the central compartment is supported by the argument that it reduces the amount of neoplastic thyroid tissue and, therefore, optimises the effectiveness of radioiodine in DTC patients. Moreover, it provides an accurate staging by the detailed histopathological analysis and allows an optimal postoperative thyroid scanning. No additional morbidity of central lymphadenectomy is reported, compared to total thyroidectomy alone, if performed by a specialised surgeon. However, reinterventions for recurrence in the central compartment, carry a significantly higher risk of recurrent nerve and parathyroids damage. Unlike central compartment, it is generally agreed that lymphadenectomy of the lateral neck, as modified radical neck dissection, is employed when there is evidence of neoplastic lymph node involvement, wether macroscopic, imaging or by pathological data.

[The ostomy support team. A reality for ostomates]. / Elemente de management ale colostomelor. Echipa de suport si consiliere a pacientilor stomizati.

Stoma is a Greek word meaning mouth or opening. There are many types of surgical stomas and they may be raised on many areas of the abdominal wall. A stoma may be temporary or permanent, may be needed in any age group and may be sited on any part of the abdomen. The specific digestive pathology that could have as result of the surgical management a stoma is represented by colon, rectal and anal cancer, diverticular disease of the colon and rectum, Crohn's disease, ischaemic bowel, volvulus, trauma, Hirschprung disease, imperforate anus, fecal incontinence. This paper aim is to asses the management of fecal stomas and the necessity of a trained ostomy support team.

[Internal hernia--a rare cause of intestinal obstruction]. / Hernia interna--o cauza rara de ocluzie intestinala.

Internal hernia is rare its frequency ranging between 0.6 and 5.8%. It results from the protrusion of one or more abdominal viscera (usually small bowel) through an intraperitoneal opening. The opening can be normal (e.g. Winslow foramen), congenital (paraduodenal fossa, ileocecal fossa), or abnormal anatomical entities (after trauma or surgery). The clinical diagnosis of internal hernia is difficult because of the lack of specific signs and symptoms. There is a 63.6% lifetime risk of strangulation and bowel ischemia. In such cases, computed tomography is essential in the preoperative diagnosis because of the high mortality rate (20%) (which justifies its costs).

[The impact of patient and tumor related prognostic factors on survival in non-medullary differentiated thyroid cancer. A study of 125 cases]. / Impactul factorilor prognostici legati de pacient si tumora asupra supravietuirii in cancerul tiroidian diferentiat nonmedular. Un studiu pe 125 cazuri.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of patient--(age) and tumor--related factors (size, extrathyroidal invasion, distant metastasis, multicentricity and lymphatic metastasis) on survival of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A clinical retrospective study was carried out on a series of 125 patients operated for non medullary DTC in the IIIrd Surgical Unit, in the period 1990-2005. The disease specific survival (DS) was calculated using the Kaplan Meyer method and Cox regression univariate and multivariate analysis was used to assess the impact of prognostic factors on DS. RESULTS: The actual DS at 5, 10, and 15 yrs was 81.3%. Clinicopathological factors significant on univariate and multivariate regression were age over 45 yrs (p = .01), tumor size > 4 cm (p = .00), macroscopical extrathyroidal invasion (p = .000) and distant metastasis (p = .000).

Safety and efficacy of conservative management in acute severe pancreatitis.

Acute severe pancreatitis represents a disease with multiple complications and a high mortality rate. The clinical evolution is related to the acute systemic inflammatory response syndrome, due mainly to inflammatory mediators and pancreatic enzymes and to the infectious complications representing a peak in the incidence of death. This study aims to retrospectively analyse the outcome of patients diagnosed with acute severe pancreatitis, conservatively treated versus those surgically managed. This study includes 151 patients, each having been diagnosed with acute severe pancreatitis (CT using Balthazar's) distributed in term of age, sex and severity parameters. The conservative treatment has included antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The imaging and biological parameters were further statistically analysed. The clinical-biological evolution has been paralleled by the CT severity index. The conservatively treated group had a better clinical-biological outcome (p<0.05), when compared with the surgically treated group. Morbidity was significantly higher in the group exposed to surgical treatment. Conservative treatment should be the first option in acute severe pancreatitis management.

[The assessment of empiric antibiotherapy in acute secondary peritonitis]. / Evaluarea tratamentului antibiotic empiric în peritonitele acute secundare de cauza, digestiva.

UNLABELLED: The adequate use of antibiotics, according to the international guidelines of antimicrobial therapy, is, in addition to surgery, an important part of the management of intra-abdominal infections. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of empiric antibiotherapy in acute peritonitis of digestive cause. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on a series of 75 cases of acute peritonitis, admitted in the IIIrd Surgical Unit, in the period 2003-2005. Perforated duodenal ulcer was the cause of diffuse peritonitis in 46 % of the cases, followed by acute appendicitis (31%) and traumatic perforation of the small bowel (11 %). The most frequent bacteria encountered was E. coli (62 %), while Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Acinetobacter were present in nearly 8% of the cases. Ertapenem as single agent was preferred in 36.8% of the patients and an association of third generation cephalosporins or aminoglycoside with metronidazole in 33.4%. RESULTS: the efficiency of the treatment was assessed in regard to clinical (fever) and laboratory (leucocytosis) data, the duration of treatment and hospital stay. The outcome was appreciated as good in almost 73% of the patients treated with ertapenem, and 52% respectively for combined therapy. CONCLUSION: the authors recommend the use of penems as monotherapy in the empiric treatment of acute peritonitis following digestive perforation.

[Perforated gastroduodenal stress ulcer]. / Ulcerul gastro-duodenal de stres perforat consideratii asupra patru cazuri.

Experimental and clinical data support the role of oxidative stress in the development of gastro-duodenal inflammatory lesions and peptic ulcer. Although quite common, stress ulcer remains a minor concern in the The authors review the literature data and perform a retrospective study on 205 personal cases of gastroduodenal ulcers, diagnosed and operated in the period 1986-2005. Of these, 58 (28.29%) were perforated ulcers, including 4 cases (6.8%) caused by various psychic traumas. All the patients presented symptoms and signs characteristic for perforated ulcer and were undoubtedly of psychogenic cause. The surgical treatment consisted in the closure of the perforation and peritoneal drainage. Besides medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease consisting of antisecretory drugs, antioxidants and sedatives were used. Postoperative follow-up showed a rapid and uneventful recovery in all cases. In conclusion, surgery is the mainstay of treatment in perforated ulcer, but additional stress therapy promotes healing and may reduce postoperative morbidity in cases with certain involvement of psychic trauma.

[Rare caecal pseudotumours]. / Pseudotumora cecala de cauza rara.

Among the rarely caecal pseudotumours are those caused by a coagulation disorder. The clinical course of caecal pseudotumours is highly variable. Most patients are diagnosed with acute appendicitis, but the real diagnosis is confirmed after laboratory investigation and histopathologic exam. Our patient presented the symptoms of an inferior digestive bleeding. The persistence of the clinical symptoms and the haematological degradation determined the surgical intervention. Intraoperative were found two caecal tumours. The hystological exam, biochemical and haematological analysis worked up the final diagnosis: a caecal pseudotumour in the context of Antithrombin III deficiency.

[Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma]. / Mezoteliomul malign peritoneal.

Mesothelioma is a neoplasm originating from the mesothelial surface lining cells of the serous human cavities. It may involve the pleura, less frequently the peritoneum rarely, the pericardium, the tunica vaginalis testis and ovarian epithelium. Asbestos has been widely used in industry. A causal relationship between asbestos exposure and pleural, peritoneal and pericardial malign mesothelioma was suggested, the risk of cancer being correlated to cumulate exposure. Studies from National Cancer Institute, USA, show that the malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive asbestos related malignancy. The symptomatology is insidious and poses difficult problems in diagnosis and treatment. This paper presents the case of a 59 year old patient with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma who worked almost 40 years as an electrician, exposed to asbestos fibers. He was hospitalized for important weight loss, abdominal pain and tiredness being diagnosed after imaging tests with a giant tumor, localized at the abdominal upper level, which seems to originate from the spleen's superior pole. During surgery we discovered a tumor with cystic parts, intense vascularized, which turn to be adherent in the upper side to the lower face of the left midriff cupola, to the spleen superior pole and 1/3 middle level of the great gastric curve. It was performed surgical ablation of the tumor, splenectomy with favorable postoperative evolution, the patient being now under chemotherapy treatment.

[Tailored surgical treatment for post-caustics stenosis of the upper digestive tract with complicated lesions. Clinical experience at our department in the last ten years]. / Diversificarea tratamentului chirurgical al stenozelor postcaustice ale tubului digestiv superior în relatie cu complexitatea leziunilor. Experienta clinicii a III-a chirurgie în ultimii 10 ani.

The ingestion of caustic substances generates severe lesions of superior digestive tract, leading to stenosis in 50% of patients, of which almost 50% will require surgical treatment. A number of 29 patients with caustic lesions were treated in the IIIrd Surgical Unit from 1993 to 2004. The most frequent corrosive agent was a strong alkaline solution. The location of the post caustics strictures was esophageal in 18 cases, esophagogastric in 7 cases and laryngo-pharyngo-esophageal in 4 cases. Surgical procedures consisted of 8 esophagoplasties with ascending colon and ileum, 12 with left colon, 3 with transverse colon and splenic flexure, and in 5 cases transhiatal resection with cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis. 5 patients required gastric resections of variable extent, in addition to the esophageal reconstruction: antrectomy with trunk vagotomy--1 case, subtotal gastrectomy--3 cases and total gastrectomy--1 case. In the group with pharyngeal lesions, esophageal reconstruction followed pharyngoplasty with cutaneous tube performed in the ENT department. Hospital mortality rate was 3,4 % (1 case). Postoperative morbidity of 20,6 % consisted of cervical anastomosis leakages in 2 cases and pleural effusions in 4 cases. Surgical treatment of the post caustics strictures of the upper digestive tract must be adapted to the location and severity of the lesions, requiring adequate operative experience and special pre- and postoperative care.

[Differentiated thyroid cancer--peculiar morphological and clinical forms]. / Cancerul tiroidian diferentiat forme anatomoclinice particulare.

The most common clinical presentation of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), consisting of papillary and follicular adenocarcinoma (with their histological variants), is the solitary thyroid nodule. A review of the literature is performed in order to describe particular forms of DTC, in terms of incidence, diagnosis and treatment: occult carcinoma, carcinoma on aberrant thyroid tissue, "functional" thyroid carcinoma and familial non-medullary carcinoma. A particular interest is shown to the coexistence of malignancy with benign thyroid diseases, such as goiter, hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as well as parathyroid adenoma. In conclusion, the authors emphasize that the association of carcinoma with benign thyroid conditions is not rare and it substantiate an aggressive approach in regard to diagnosis and treatment, increasing the indication for surgery and, moreover, for total thyroidectomy.

[Metachronous primary cancers of the colon and stomach]. / Cancere primare metacrone la nivelul colonului si stomacului.

We report herein a case of 69 years old woman who, in the course of 11 years, developed two cancers: carcinoma of the colon fistulization in duodenum and adenocarcinoma of the stomach. No polyposis has been found. This patient successfully underwent a right hemicolectomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy (Traverso-Longmire procedure). A decade later, she suffered a total gastrectomy with distal pancreatectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery. Although patients with primary multiple cancers are not common, it is nonetheless important for clinicians to consider the possibility of metachronous cancers in patients who were treated for a primary malignant tumor.

[Current strategy in colorectal cancer screening]. / Strategia actuala de screening in cancerul colorectal.

Screening programs should begin by classifying the individual patient's level of risk based on personal, family, and medical history, which will determine the appropriate approach for each subject. The individual's risk status determines when screening should be initiated and what tests and frequency are appropriate. To achieve these aims, care systems should establish standards and operating procedures. This review focuses on colorectal cancer screening methodology highlighting the latest available strategies.

[Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma--indications, limitations, realities]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al carcinomului hepato-celular--indicatii, limite, exigente actuale.

The present study analyzes the importance of the factors in improving the resectability, obtaining morbidity and mortality rates in accordance to the actual exigencies. In The III-rd Surgical Clinic, "Sf.Spiridon" Hospital, Iasi, during 1998-2003, 24 cases of CHC (19 men, 5 women with a median age of 58.5 years), usually developed on a cirrhotic liver, benefited by surgical approach. The tumoral mass (median size 7.8 cm) was situated in the left liver (15 cases--62.5%), right liver--13 cases and for 1 case with multiple localization (the segments VI-VII and III). For 12 cases (50%) various extensions of liver resections have been undergone: left lobectomies II-III--4 cases, left hepatectomy--1 case, segmentectomies VI--3 cases, segmentectomy III + bisegmentectomy VI-III--1 case, atypical hepatectomy--3 cases. Only 2 cases benefited by right portal vein ligation prior to resection. In 12 cases intraoperative exploration and US examination (4 cases) contraindicated the resection. One patient deceased on the entire lot (4.16%); post-resection mortality--8.33%. In conclusion, the early diagnostic of CHC developed on cirrhotic liver, the patients selection, the use of laparoscopy and intraoperative US, the available devices (CUSA dissector), selective ligation of portal branch prior to resection represents imperative elements in improving the resectability in safe conditions for the patient.

[Surgical treatment of Graves' disease]. / Tratamentul chirurgical în boala Basedow.

The surgical treatment of the Graves' disease is no longer a final solution but the main option, as for all the benign thyroid diseases. Between January 1994 and December 2003 in the 3rd Surgical Unit of the Sf. Spiridon Hospital of Iasi 805 operations were performed for benign thyroid disorders, 78 of which were performed for the Graves' disease. All the patients had been investigated and diagnosed in the Endocrinology Unit of the same hospital, where the necessary medical treatments had been administered. The patients transferred to Surgery had a medium age of 38 (extremes 17-79 years). Women had a greater proportion, as expected (sex ratio F: M = 4.57:1). Some patient had concurrent diseases (5 cases with atrial fibrillation and 3 with chronic hypocalcaemia). 58 total and 20 subtotal thyroidectomy were performed. There were few immediate (3 bleedings which needed reoperation for haemostasis) and late complications (2 cases of postoperative hypocalcaemia which received medical treatment). 4 relapses after previously performed subtotal thyroidectomy were diagnosed and treated. Total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice for the Graves' disease. The frequency of complications is similar to that occurred after subtotal thyroidectomy, the functional results are immediate, predictable and stable, and the substitutive treatment is very efficient and easy to administer.