Multiple colorectal liver metastases resection can offer long-term survival: The concept of a chronic neoplastic disease.

BACKGROUND: Resection for colorectal liver metastases has evolved significantly and, currently, there are no limits to the number of resected nodules. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors after liver resection for patients with ≥4 colorectal liver metastases, emphasizing long-term survival. METHODS: The study population consisted of 137 patients with ≥4 colorectal liver metastases out of a total of 597 patients with colorectal liver metastases who underwent curative intent liver resection from January 2010 to July 2019 in a single hepatobiliary center. RESULTS: The probability of overall and disease-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 90.8%, 64.5%, 40.6%, and 37.7%, 19.3%, 18.1%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis for overall survival, the size of the largest metastatic nodule was the only unfavorable factor (P = .001). For disease-free survival, complete pathological response was a favorable factor (P = .04), and the following were negative factors: number of nodules ≥7 (P = .034), radiofrequency ablation during surgery (P = .04), positive primary tumor lymph nodes (P = .034), R1 resection (P = .011), and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen >20 ng/mL (P = .015). After the first and second years of follow-up, 59 patients (45.3%) and 45 patients (34.6%), respectively, were not receiving chemotherapy. After 5 years of follow-up, 21 (16.1%) multimetastatic patients were chemotherapy-free. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients with multiple colorectal liver metastases will present long-term survival and should not be denied surgery. The long-term survival rates, even in the presence of recurrence, characterize a chronic neoplastic disease.

Isolated Splenic Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma 11 Years after Surgery.

Splenic metastases are rare and usually occur in cases of disseminated disease. We report a case of a patient who had isolated splenic metastases with a previous history of left nephrectomy due to a renal cell carcinoma 11 years before. The aim of this report is to describe the case and review the literature of isolated splenic metastases due to renal carcinoma. This case emphasizes the importance of considering splenic metastatic disease even after many years of diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.

A rare case of idiopathic congenital megaduodenum in adult misinterpreted during childhood: case report and literature review.

Intestinal malformations are common disorders in newborn and favorable outcomes have been reported for such conditions. Although, if the patient is treated in a not experienced center, misinterpretation of the clinical and radiological findings may lead to errors in treatment and possible complications in adulthood. We report a case of a congenital megaduodenum which was misinterpreted as an intestinal malrotation resulting in late complications. The patient underwent a successful surgical resection of the duodenum with improvement of his clinical symptoms and nutritional status. This case report emphasizes the importance of considering megaduodenum in the differential diagnosis of patients with feeding impairment, even during adulthood. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve patients' outcome and reduce morbidity.

Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy procedure using ischemic bipartition: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: The associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) procedure is a recently introduced treatment strategy for patients with advanced primary or metastatic liver tumors and small future liver remnants. ALPPS procedure using ischemic bipartition of the liver is a modified technique that may reduce complications compared to classical ALPPS. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two patients with multiple colorectal liver metastasis with extensive involvement of the liver were considered unresectable before treatment because of small future liver remnant (FLR). DIAGNOSES: Two patients were diagnosed by imaging examination with volumetry of the liver. INTERVENTIONS: In the first stage, ischemic bipartition of the liver is achieved using radiofrequency ablation. The Glissonian pedicles from Segment 4 are identified and ablated, the FLR is cleared, and the right portal vein is ligated. In the second stage, the typical procedure is performed, and an extended liver resection is performed. OUTCOMES: The procedure was feasible with acceptable hypertrophy of FLRs. Blood transfusions were unnecessary, and severe postoperative complications were avoided. LESSONS: The ALPPS procedure with ischemic bipartition is safe and feasible and can produce results that are the same as those of the classical ALPPS procedure while reducing invasiveness during the first stage.

Downstaging and resection after neoadjuvant therapy for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is a rare malignant liver neoplasm, commonly observed in adolescents and young adults of both genders. The disease is more common in Caucasians and in patients without a prior history of liver disease. The best treatment option is a surgical resection associated with liver hilum lymph node dissection. However, there is no established systemic drug treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. We report on a patient with advanced FLHCC, initially considered unresectable due to invasion of the right and the middle hepatic veins and circumferential involvement of the left hepatic vein. Following the treatment with gemcitabine-oxaliplatin systemic chemotherapy, the patient exhibited a significant tumor reduction. As a result, a complete resection was performed with an extended right hepatectomy associated with a partial resection of the inferior vena cava, a wedge resection in segment 2, and lymphadenectomy of the hepatic hilum. The case was unusual due to the significant tumor downstaging with gemcitabine-oxaliplatin, potentially enabling curative resection. More studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the systemic drug treatment for FLHCC.

Rare cause of abdominal incidentaloma: Hepatoduodenal ligament teratoma.

The occurrence of a hepatoduodenal ligament teratoma is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. This case report describes the discovery of a hepatoduodenal ligament lesion revealed during abdominal ultrasonography for cholelithiasis-related abdominal pain in a 27-year-old female. Cross-sectional imaging identified a 5 cm × 4 cm heterogeneous mass of fat tissue with irregular calcification located in the posterior-superior aspect of the head of the pancreas. An encapsulated lesion showing no invasion to the common bile duct or adjacent organs and vessels was exposed during laparotomy and resected. Intraoperative cholangiography during the cholecystectomy showed no abnormalities. The postoperative course was uneventful. Pathological analysis of the resected mass indicated hepatoduodenal ligament teratoma. This case report demonstrates that cross-sectional imaging, such as computed tomography, can reveal suspected incidences of this rare type of teratoma, which can then be confirmed after pathologic analysis of the specimen. The prognosis after complete surgical resection of lesions presenting with benign pathological features is excellent.

Reduced population of interstitial cells of Cajal in Chagasic megacolon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Chagasic megacolon, there is a reduction in the population of interstitial cells of Cajal. It was aimed to evaluate density of Cajal cells in the resected colon of Chagasic patients compared to control patients and to verify possible association between preoperative and postoperative bowel function of megacolon patients and cell count. METHODOLOGY: Sixteen megacolon patients (12 female; mean age 54.4 (31-73)) were operated on. Pre- and postoperative evaluation using Cleveland clinic constipation score was undertaken. Resected colons were examined. Cajal cells were identified by immunohistochemistry (anti-CD117). The mean cell number was compared to resected colons from 16 patients (7 female; mean age 62.8 (23-84)) with non-obstructive sigmoid cancer. Association between pre- and postoperative constipation scores and cell count for megacolon patients was evaluated using the Pearson test (r). RESULTS: A reduced number of Cajal cells (per field: 2.84 (0-6.6) vs. 9.68 (4.3-13); p<0.001) were observed in the bowel of megacolon patients compared to cancer patients. No correlation between constipation score before (r=- 0.205; p=0.45) or after surgery (r=0.291; p=0.28) and cell count in megacolon was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with megacolon display marked reduction of interstitial cells of Cajal. An association of constipation severity and Cajal cells depopulation was not demonstrated.

Depopulation of interstitial cells of cajal in chagasic megacolon: towards tailored surgery? / Depleção de células intersticiais de Cajal no megacólon chagásico: a caminho do tratamento cirúrgico individualizado?

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of constipation in patients with Chagasic megacolon remains partially explained. In these patients, it was recently demonstrated a reduction in the population of interstitial cells of Cajal. AIM: To evaluate density of Cajal cells in the surgically resected colon of Chagasic patients in comparison to control patients, and to verify possible association between preoperative and postoperative bowel function of Chagasic patients and colonic cell count. METHOD: Sixteen patients with Chagasic megacolon were operated on. Clinical pre- and post-operative evaluation using the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score was undertaken. Resected colons were examined. Cajal cells were identified by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD117 antibody. The mean cell number was compared to resected colons from 16 patients with non-obstructive sigmoid cancer. Association between pre-and post-operative constipation scores and cell count for megacolon patients was evaluated using the Pearson coefficient correlation test (r). RESULTS: A reduced number of Cajal cells [cells per field: 2.84 (0-6.6) vs. 9.68 (4.3-13) - p<0.001] was observed in the resected colon of Chagasic patients when compared to colon cancer patients. No correlation between constipation score before (r=-0.205; p=0.45) or after surgery (r=0,291; p=0.28) and cell count for megacolon patients was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Chagasic megacolon display marked reduction of interstitial cells of Cajal when compared to non-Chagasic patients. An association of constipation severity and Cajal cells depopulation in Chagasic megacolon could not be demonstrated.

RACIONAL: A fisiopatologia da constipação intestinal nos pacientes portadores de megacólon chagásico permanece parcialmente esclarecida. Recentemente demontrou-se que nesses pacientes, o contingente de células intersticiais de Cajal está reduzido assim como ocorre em outros distúrbios funcionais gastrointestinais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a densidade de células intersticiais de Cajal no intestino ressecado de pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico eletivo de megacólon chagásico em comparação com a observada no cólon de pacientes controles, e verificar possível associação entre o grau de constipação intestinal de pacientes com megacólon chagásico no pré e no pós-operatório e o grau de despopulação de células de Cajal. MÉTODO: Dezesseis pacientes com megacólon chagásico foram operados. A avaliação da função intestinal através do escore de constipação da Cleveland Clinic foi registrada antes e após a operação. O espécime cirúrgico foi examinado e as células de Cajal foram identificadas pela técnica imunoistoquímica empregando o anticorpo anti-CD117 (c-kit). O número médio de células de Cajal nos megacólons foi comparado com o de cólons ressecados de 16 pacientes [7 mulheres; média de idade de 62,8 (23-84)] operados de câncer não-obstrutivo do sigmóide. A associação entre o escore de constipação no pré e no pós-operatório e a contagem de células de Cajal foi medida através do coeficente de correlação de Pearson (r). RESULTADOS: Redução significativa no número de células de Cajal (células por campo de 400X: 2,84 (0-6,6) vs. 9,68 (4,3-13) - ] foi observada nos megacólons quando comparados ao espécime de pacientes operados por câncer. Não foi observada associação entre o escore de constipação pré (r=-0.205; p=0.45) ou pós-operatório (r=0,291; p=0.28) a a contagem de células de Cajal para os pacientes com megacólon. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com megacólon chagásico exibem acentuada redução no número de células intersticiais de Cajal no intestino grosso...

Incidence and management of colonoscopic colon perforations: 10 years' experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This paper aimed to review experience with diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopies performed by a colorectal surgeon with special interest in colonoscopy over a 10-yr period and to assess incidence and management of colonic perforations. METHODOLOGY: All colonoscopies performed between 1997 and 2007 were studied. Data on patients, colonoscopic reports and procedure-related complications were collected from computerized database. Medical records of patients with colonic perforation were reviewed. RESULTS: 7,804 colonoscopies were performed. Five colonoscopic perforations were identified (0.06%). Three occurred during diagnostic and two during therapeutic colonoscopy. All were suspected during or immediately after colonoscopy except for one therapeutic perforation diagnosed two days after the procedure. All perforations were surgically managed by the author. Surgery included conventional and laparoscopic repair, colectomy and proctocolectomy. There was need for stoma in one patient with pancolonic Crohn's disease with sigmoid colon stenosis. This patient underwent total proctocolectomy. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of perforation during colonoscopy is low and can be managed with no mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Early operative intervention through primary repair represents is safe and effective. Managing colonic pathology demanding resection in the urgent setting may benefit selected patients with colonoscopy perforation.

Surgical outcomes after preceptored laparoscopic colorectal surgery: results of a Brazilian preceptorship program.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Safety of laparoscopic colectomy education methods remains unknown. This study aimed at comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing preceptored laparoscopic colectomy with patients operated on by the same preceptor. METHODOLOGY: A prospective analysis of 30 pre-ceptored operations performed by nine surgeons (PD group) between 2006 and 2008 was conducted. Data of 30 operations matched for diagnosis and surgery type conducted by the same preceptor (P group) were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age was 56.2 (26-80) and 55.2 (22-81) respectively in P and PD group (p = 0.804). Eleven (36.7%) were male in P group, 16 (53.3%) in PD group (p = 0.194). Preceptored operations were not significantly longer than operations performed by the preceptor (198 vs. 156 min)--p = 0.072. Length of hospital stay did not differ [4 days (3-12) in P group, and 5 (3-15) in PD group, p = 0.296]. Conversion occurred in 4 cases in PD and in 2 in P group (p = 0.389). Morbidity was similar (23.3% in P and 26.7% in PD group). One patient from P and two from PD group needed reoperation. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery preceptorship programs in surgeon learner's place are safe. Surgeons' introduction through basic and hands-on courses is required for skills acquisition needed to minimize adverse outcomes.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy vs closed diathermy-excision hemorrhoidectomy without suture-ligation: a case-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared stapled hemorrhoidectomy to closed diathermy-excision hemorrhoidectomy without suture-ligation regarding postoperative pain, complications and long-term efficacy. METHODOLOGY: A series of 108 patients had indication for stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Patients who underwent stapled hemorrhoidectomy (76) were compared to patients submitted to closed diathermy-excision hemorrhoidectomy (32) due to non-insurance cover. Primary endpoints were postoperative pain, complications, and clinical results after one year. Patients completed a 10-cm visual analog pain scale postoperatively and fulfilled a questionnaire before and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: After seven days, median and maximum daily pain scores were lower in the stapled group (P < 0.001). Resumption of activities occurred after 9 days (mean; range 2 to 17 days) after stapling and 14 days (7 to 24) after diathermy surgery - P < 0.001. There was no difference regarding complications during the follow-up. After one year, 45 (80.4%) patients in the stapled group and 18 (78.3%) in the diathermy group were asymptomatic (P = 1.000). After one year, none of the patients needed a second operation and there was no fecal incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled hemorrhoidectomy selectively indicated is less painful, not associated to greater morbidity and has the same long-term efficacy when compared to closed diathermy excision without suture-ligation.

[Desire for information and participation in therapeutic decisions concerning severe diseases, in patients of a university hospital]. / Desejo de informação e participação nas decisões terapêuticas em caso de doenças graves em pacientes atendidos em um hospital universitário.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the desire of the patients on being informed about diagnosis of severe diseases, the desire to have their families informed about this situation and to participate in therapeutic decisions. METHODS: 363 patients (outpatients and inpatients) of a General Internal Medicine division of a University Hospital were interviewed. The questionnaire contained specific questions on their desire to be informed of the diagnosis in case of cancer or AIDS and on their desire to have their families informed as well. Specific questions on whether they wanted to be informed of and participate of the therapeutic discussion process in case of abdominal tumors were also included. RESULTS: 96.1% of men and 92.6% of women showed the desire of being informed in case of cancer diagnosis and 87.7% of men and 84.2% of women wanted to have their families informed, 94.2% of men and 91% of women wanted to know the diagnosis of AIDS. While 86% of women and 76.6% of men wanted be informed in the case of a diagnosis of an abdominal tumor, only 58.5% of women and 39.6% of men wanted to give their opinion about in the case of different therapeutic alternatives. The desire to participate in therapeutic decisions was significantly lower (p<0.05) in men, people older than 60 years and inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the great majority of the population that seeks for medical support in a Brazilian university hospital wishes to be informed on this health condition, even in case of serious illness. In addition, there are intense familiar bonds that make patients want to have their families also informed.

Desejo de informação e participação nas decisões terapêuticas em caso de doenças graves em pacientes atendidos em um hospital universitário / Desire of information and participation in therapeutic decisions concerning severe diseases, in patients of a University Hospital

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desejo de pacientes serem informados sobre diagnóstico de doenças graves, de informação às suas famílias e de participação nas decisões terapêuticas. MÉTODOS: 363 pessoas atendidas no ambulatório ou internadas na enfermaria de um serviço universitário de Clínica Geral foram entrevistadas. O questionário continha perguntas sobre desejo de ser informado e de que familiares também fossem informados em casos de diagnósticos de câncer e síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (Aids) e de ser informado e participar de decisões terapêuticas em caso de tumores abdominais. RESULTADOS: Homens (96,1 por cento) e mulheres (92,6 por cento) mostraram desejo de serem informados do diagnóstico de câncer e 87,7 por cento dos homens e 84,2 por cento das mulheres desejaram que sua família também fosse informada; 94,2 por cento dos homens e 91 por cento das mulheres afirmaram querer saber do diagnóstico de Aids. Enquanto 86 por cento das mulheres e 76,6 por cento dos homens mostraram desejo de serem informados das opções terapêuticas em caso de tumor abdominal, apenas 58,5 por cento das mulheres e 39,6 por cento dos homens desejaram opinar sobre o tratamento. O desejo de participar das decisões terapêuticas foi menor nos homens, nas pessoas com mais de 60 anos e em quem estava internado (p<0.05). CONCLUSÕES: A grande maioria da população que procura um hospital universitário deseja ser informada sobre suas condições de saúde, incluindo eventuais diagnósticos de doenças graves. Por outro lado, existem vínculos familiares intensos, sendo que os pacientes desejam, também, que suas famílias sejam informadas.

Conventional approach x laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer treatment after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: results of a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection compared to conventional approach for surgical treatment of patients with distal rectal cancer presenting with incomplete response after chemoradiation. METHOD: Twenty eight patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma were randomized to undergo surgical treatment by laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection or conventional approach and evaluated prospectively. Thirteen underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and 15 conventional approach. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p<0,05) between the two studied groups regarding: gender, age, body mass index, patients with previous abdominal surgeries, intra and post operative complications, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay after surgery, length of resected segment and pathological staging. Mean operation time was 228 minutes for the laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection versus 284 minutes for the conventional approach (p=0.04). Mean anesthesia duration was shorter (p=0.03) for laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection when compared to conventional approach : 304 and 362 minutes, respectively. There was no need for conversion to open approach in this series. After a mean follow-up of 47.2 months and with the exclusion of two patients in the conventional abdominoperineal resection who presented with unsuspected synchronic metastasis during surgery, local recurrence was observed in two patients in the conventional group and in none in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is feasible, similar to conventional approach concerning surgery duration, intra operative morbidity, blood requirements and post operative morbidity. Larger number of cases and an extended follow-up are required to adequate evaluation of oncological results for patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection after chemoradiation for radical treatment of distal rectal cancer.

Conventional approach x laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer treatment after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: results of a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection compared to conventional approach for surgical treatment of patients with distal rectal cancer presenting with incomplete response after chemoradiation. METHOD: Twenty eight patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma were randomized to undergo surgical treatment by laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection or conventional approach and evaluated prospectively. Thirteen underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and 15 conventional approach. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p<0,05) between the two studied groups regarding: gender, age, body mass index, patients with previous abdominal surgeries, intra and post operative complications, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay after surgery, length of resected segment and pathological staging. Mean operation time was 228 minutes for the laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection versus 284 minutes for the conventional approach (p=0.04). Mean anesthesia duration was shorter (p=0.03) for laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection when compared to conventional approach : 304 and 362 minutes, respectively. There was no need for conversion to open approach in this series. After a mean follow-up of 47.2 months and with the exclusion of two patients in the conventional abdominoperineal resection who presented with unsuspected synchronic metastasis during surgery, local recurrence was observed in two patients in the conventional group and in none in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is feasible, similar to conventional approach concerning surgery duration, intra operative morbidity, blood requirements and post operative morbidity. Larger number of cases and an extended follow-up are required to adequate evaluation of oncological results for patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection after chemoradiation for radical treatment of distal rectal cancer

Doenca inflamatoria intestinal e gestacao / Inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy

As doencas inflamatorias intestinais podem se manifestar antes ou durante o periodo reprodutivo da mulher. Desta forma, gastroenterologistas e obstetras confrontam-se...

Gestacao e doenca hemorroidaria / Pregnancy and hemorrhoidal disease

Importantes alteracoes fisiologicas ocorrem na mulher no periodo gestacional, sendo que sintomas decorrentes da doenca hemorroidaria frequentemente iniciam-se nesta fase, podendo se agravar durante o parto. Muitas gestantes apresentam constipacao intestinal, fator desencadeante da...