Effects of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on postsurgical morbidity and mortality in cT3-4 +/- cM1lymph cancer of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction.

OBJECTIVE: Very few studies have examined post-operative morbidity after resection of oesophageal carcinoma, especially in patients treated with induction chemo- and radiotherapy for locally advanced stages. This study assessed the effects of induction chemoradiotherapy on post-operative course after resection of locally advanced oesophageal carcinoma (cT3-4 + cM1lymph). METHODS: Induction therapy consisted of 5-fluorouracil days 1-5 and days 21-25, cisplatin day 1 + day 21 and concomitant radiotherapy 18-20 fractions of 2Gy (total dose 36-40Gy). Induction chemoradiotherapy was completed in 109 patients. Surgery was performed in 90 patients (operability: 90/109 = 83%): 85 patients underwent resection with curative intent (resectability: 85/109 = 78%), bypass operation was performed in five patients. Nineteen patients could not be operated on. Results were compared to a matched group of pT3M1LYM/pT4 patients (n = 86) who underwent primary surgery in the same period. RESULTS: Resection was complete (R0) in 68 patients (68/90 = 76%). Mean duration of surgery was 428 min (range: 240-690). Peroperative complications were haemorrhage in three patients (3/90 = 3.3%), tracheobronchial perforation in three patients (3/90 = 3.3%). Median total hospital stay was 20.5 days (range: 8-355). Mean duration of intubation was 7 days (range: 1-190); 67 patients (67/90 = 74.4%) were intubated for less than 24 h. Non-tumour related hospital mortality after resection was 8.3% (7/84 patients). Mortality after two-field lymphadenectomy was 5.2 versus 11.7% after three-field lymphadenectomy. After primary surgery (n = 86) overall mortality was 2.3% (P = 0.015) and nil after two- and three-field lymphadenectomy (P = 0.011). Medical morbidity consisted of pneumonia in 43 patients (43/90 = 48%), atelectasis in ten patients (10/90 = 11%), dysrhythmia in 21 patients (21/90 = 23%), sepsis in 11 patients (11/90 = 12%) and adult respiratory distress syndrome in ten patients (10/90 = 11%). Surgical morbidity included pleural effusion in 16 patients (16/90 = 18%), tracheal fistula in two patients (2/90 = 2%), chylothorax in two patients (2/90 = 2%) and acute pancreatitis in one patient (1/90 = 1%). Ten patients (10/90 = 11%) had a radiologically confirmed anastomotic leak; however only in four out of them with clinical manifestation; treatment was conservative in all four patients. Major morbidity occurred in 27 patients (27/90 = 30%). Overall rate of morbidity was significantly higher after three-field lymphadenectomy (85%) as compared to two-field lymphadenectomy (68.7%; P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Chemoradiotherapy followed by resection of cT3-4 +/- cM1lymph oesophageal carcinoma is feasible with acceptable mortality. Mortality, however, seems to be significantly higher when compared to a group of pT3M1LYM/pT4 patients who underwent primary surgery (8.3 versus 2.3%; P = 0.015) in the same period in our department.

[A diagnostic strategy for isolated pulmonary nodules less than 2 cm in diameter]. / Gestion diagnostique d'un nodule isolé de plus de 2 cm de diamètre.

The object of this study is to determine the best diagnostic strategy for isolated pulmonary nodules less than 2 cm in diameter starting from decision analysis. The diagnostic pathway included strategies: 1. Observation with a thoracic tomodensitometry (TDM) every 3 months. 2. Percutaneous needle biopsy. 3. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection. 4. Resection by thoracotomy. Observation was the best strategy for non-smokers in their 40's with a cost of 57-69 Francs per year of life gained. Needle biopsy was the best strategy for a 1 cm nodule in patients of 50 years, smokers and non-smokers (life expectancy 29.38 and 24.44 years). The best strategy for a 2 cm nodule was needle biopsy in 40 year old smokers (life expectancy 34.18 years) and in non-smokers aged 50-60 years with a life expectancy from 20.0 to 28.2 years. VATS was the best strategy for a 1 cm nodule in smokers over the age of 60 for a 2 cm nodule over the age of 50. The costs were 1 811, 3 214, 1 873, 1 811 and 6 093 Francs respectively per year of life gained. During the sensitivity analysis VATS remained the best strategy provided the post-operative mortality remained below 2%. When the risk of malignancy is only moderate needle biopsy may be recommended but when the risk of malignancy is high it is preferable to advise VATS as the method of diagnosis.

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic metastases from renal carcinoma]. / Traitement chirurgical des métastases pancréatiques des cancers du rein.

OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic metastases from renal carcinoma are poorly known. The aim of this study was to report clinical and radiological manifestations, the treatment performed, and the observed survival in 7 patients with this rare entity. RESULTS: All patients were operated on. One patient had nonresectable tumor. Six patients underwent curative resection. There was one postoperative death. Follow-up after pancreatectomy ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Two patients developed extra-pancreatic metastases one year and 3 years after pancreatectomy respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic metastases from renal carcinoma are rare and often occur several years after nephrectomy. However their resection is often possible and allows a good long-term survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1988 to 2000, 7 patients (5 men and 2 women, mean age = 66 years) with pancreatic metastases from a renal cell carcinoma were observed in the same center. One patient had synchronous metastasis; in the 6 others, metastases were diagnosed 4 to 16 years after nephrectomy, and were revealed by pain (n = 2), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1), faintness (n = 1) or routine follow-up (n = 2). The diagnosis of metastases was made by contrast-enhanced abdominal CT-scan.

Risk analysis and long-term survival in patients undergoing resection of T4 lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the risk group of patients with T4 lung cancer who could more likely benefit from surgical resection. METHODS: Between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1998, 77 patients underwent pulmonary resection for T4 lung cancer: lobectomy (n = 20), bilobectomy (n = 4) and pneumonectomy (n = 53). The T4 sites of mediastinal involvement were: Intrapericardiac portions of the pulmonary artery (n = 30), left atrium (n = 19), aorta (n = 8), superior vena cava (n = 8), carina (n = 7), the esophagus (n = 8) and the vertebral body (n = 6). Ten patients had multiple neoplastic nodules in the same lobe of the lung. RESULTS: Overall survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 46, 31 and 21%, respectively. Factors adversely affecting survival with univariate analysis included the localization of tumours in the lower lobe (P = 0.04) and both the involvement of superior and inferior mediastinal lymph nodes (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis included two factors adversely affecting survival: the location of the primary tumour and the nodal stations involved. Regression tree analysis classified the patients into low-risk group (primary tumour in upper lobe or in main stem bronchus and pN0 or pN1 or superior or inferior mediastinal nodes involved), intermediate-risk group (primary tumour in upper lobe or in main stem bronchus and both superior and inferior mediastinal nodes involved, primary tumour in inferior lobe and pN0 or pN1 or inferior mediastinal nodes involved) and high-risk group (primary tumour in inferior lobe and both superior and inferior nodes involved). The 3-year survival rates were 36% for the low-risk group, 4% for the intermediate-risk group and 0% for the high-risk group (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T4 lung cancer, the surgery can justify itself for tumours in the upper lobe or in the main stem bronchus and with pN0 or pN1.

[Bleeding gastroduodenal ulcer: results of surgical management]. / Ulcère gastroduodénal hémorragique: résultats du traitement chirurgical.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the mortality and morbidity after surgery for bleeding peptic ulcer while the population is aging and while the medical treatment and endoscopic procedures are improving. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study between 1994 and 1999 included 49 patients, 15 women, 34 men, aged 72 +/- 14 years. Patients were separated into three groups: ten with uncontrollable haemorrhages, 28 with recurrent haemorrhages and 11 with persistent haemorrhages. These patients were classified ASA II (n = 6), ASA III (n = 20), ASA IV (n = 21) and ASA V (n = 2). The surgical procedures for gastric ulcers (n = 5) were resection-oversewing (n = 2) or partial gastric resection (n = 3). The surgical procedures for duodenal ulcers (n = 44) were oversewing (n = 30), partial gastric resection (n = 10) or exploratory duodenotomy (n = 4). RESULTS: The overall postoperative mortality rate was 20.4% (10/49). The mortality rate was 40% (4/10) in patients with massive haemorrhage, 7% (2/28) in patients with recurrent haemorrhage, and 36% (4/11) in patients with persistent haemorrhage. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate in relation to the surgical procedures. The morbidity rate was 45%, including three bleeding recurrences after suture and three duodenal leakages after partial gastric resection. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality rate after surgery for bleeding peptic ulcer is still high. Recurrent haemorrhages don't worsen the prognosis. Delayed surgery for persistent haemorrhage is associated with a severe prognosis.

Identification of prognostic factors determining risk groups for lung resection.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary resection belongs to a group of surgical procedures with significant morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to classify postoperative complications and to identify prognostic factors determining risk group. METHODS: In a prospective study 500 patients undergoing lung resection (wedge resection, n = 141; lobectomies, n = 245; bilobectomies, n = 12; and pneumonectomies, n = 102) were included. In 178 patients (36%) pulmonary resections were extended to structures or thoracic organs. Sleeve resection of the bronchus to preserve lung parenchyma was performed in 22 patients. RESULTS: Classification of postoperative complications fell into four categories: patients without postoperative complications; patients with moderate complications (n = 137); patients with severe complications (n = 38); and death (n = 33). Factors adversely affecting postoperative complications by multivariate analysis included pulmonary pathology, bronchoplastic technique, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), extended resection, type of lung resection, comorbidity indices, and preoperative chemotherapy. Four risk groups were determined. Risk group I (n = 60) with the best prognosis included patients with FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing wedge resection for a benign lesion or metastasis. Risk group II (n = 161) included patients with FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing major pulmonary resection for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with FEV1 less than 80% undergoing wedge resection for benign lesion or metastasis. Risk group III (n = 233) with a fair prognosis included patients with comorbidity indices less than 4 and FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing extended pulmonary resection for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with FEV1 less than 80% and emphysema. Risk group IV (n = 46) with the worst prognosis included patients with FEV1 less than 80% undergoing an extended lung resection or bronchoplastic procedures for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with comorbidity indices greater than or equal to 4 undergoing extended lung resection for lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective study, based on these prognostic factors, a practical, easy-to-use risk group system of lung resection is proposed as a tool to aid the decision to perform lung resection.

[Mechanical value of prostheses and fixation with staples in repair of abdominal eventrations]. / Etude expérimentale: valeur mécanique des prothèses et fixation par agrafes, dans la cure des éventrations abdominales.

From an experimental study on fresh corpses, using a system which allows reproductible measures, we evaluated the physical strain to which prosthetic meshes are subjected during the initial phase of repair of abdominal eventrations treated by mesh. We also studied the various systems of staple fixation. The adhesivity or resistance-to-tear of the mesh is minimally dependent on the texture of the plaque; additionall, we also demonstrated the role of the size of the mesh. Stapling may compensate for the lack in size and increase the resistance-to-slip with larger values for radial stapling as compared to tangential stapling. Other fields of applications are possible. The use of glue or absorbable staples is considered.