Height of Rectal Cancer: A Comparison between Rectoscopic and Different MRI Measurements.

PURPOSE: To compare rigid rectoscopy with three different MRI measurement techniques for rectal cancer height determination, all starting at the anal verge, in order to evaluate whether MRI measurements starting from the anal verge could be an alternative to rigid rectoscopy. Moreover, potential cut-off values for MRI in categorizing tumor height measurements were evaluated. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 106 patients (75 men, 31 female, mean age 64 ± 11.59 years) with primary rectal cancer underwent rigid rectoscopy as well as MR imaging. Three different measurements (MRI1-3) in T2w sagittal scans were used to evaluate the exact distance from the anal verge (AV) to the distal ending of the tumor (MRI1: two unbowed lines, AV to the upper ending of the anal canal and upper ending of the anal canal to the lower border of the tumor; MRI2: one straight line from the AV to the lower boarder of the tumor; MRI3: a curved line beginning at the AV and following the course of the rectum wall ending at the lower border of the tumor). Furthermore, agreement between the gold standard rigid rectoscopy (UICC classification: low part, 0-6 cm; mid part, 6-12 cm; and high part, >12 cm) and each MRI measuring technique was analyzed. RESULTS: Only a fair correlation in terms of individual measures between rectoscopy and all 3 MRI measurement techniques was shown. The proposed new cut-off values utilizing ROC analysis for the three different MRI beginning at the anal verge were low 0-7.7 cm, mid 7.7-13.3 cm, and high > 13.3 cm (MRI1); low 0-7.4 cm, mid 7.4-11.2 cm, and high > 11.2 cm (MRI2); and low 0-7.1 cm, mid 7.1-13.7 cm, and high > 13.7 cm (MRI3). For MRI1 and MRI3, the agreement to the gold standard was substantial (r = 0.66, r = 0.67, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that MRI1 and MRI3 measures can be interchangeably used as a valid method to determine tumor height compared to the gold standard rigid rectoscopy.

Increasing hernia size requires higher GRIP values for a biomechanically stable ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Increasing hernia sizes lead to higher recurrence rates after ventral hernia repair. A better grip might reduce the failure rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A biomechanical model delivering dynamic intermittent strain (DIS) was used to assess grip values at various hernia orifices. The model consists of a water-filled aluminium cylinder covered with tissues derived from pig bellies which are punched with a central defect varying in diameter. DIS was applied mimicking coughs lasting for up to 2 s with peak pressures between 180 and 220 mmHg and a plateau phase of 0.1 s. Ventral hernia repair was simulated with hernia meshes in the sublay position secured by tacks, glue or sutures as needed to achieve certain grip values. Grip was calculated taking into account the mesh: defect area ratio and the fixation strength. Data were assessed using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: Using a mesh classified as highly stable upon DIS testing (DIS class A) a reduced overlap without fixation led to early slippage (p < 0.001). With the application of 16 fixation points, transmural sutures were better than tacks with Securestrap® being better than Absorbatack® (p < 0.001). Plotting the likelihood of a durable repair as a function of the calculated grip higher grip values were needed with increasing hernia diameter to achieve biomechanical stability. This is important for clinical work since the calculated grip values both from a registry and from published data tend to drop as hernia sizes increase indicating biomechanical instability. CONCLUSION: The experimental work reported here demonstrates for the first time that higher grip values should be reached when repairing larger ventral hernias.

Bridging with reduced overlap: fixation and peritoneal grip can prevent slippage of DIS class A meshes.

PURPOSE: Ventral hernia repair can be performed safely using meshes which are primarily stable upon dynamic intermittent straining (DIS) at recommended overlap. In specific clinical situations, e.g., at bony edges, bridging of the hernial orifice with reduced overlap might be necessary. To gain insight into the durability of various applications, two different meshes with the best tissue grip known so far were assessed. METHODS: The model uses dynamic intermittent strain and comprises the repetition of submaximal impacts delivered via a hydraulically driven plastic containment. Pig tissue simulates a ventral hernia with a standardized 5 cm defect. Commercially available meshes classified as primarily stable at recommended overlap were used to bridge this defect at recommended and reduced overlap. RESULTS: Using Parietex Progrip®, the peritoneum adds sufficient stability at least to a 2.5 cm overlap. Using Dynamesh Cicat®, four gluing spots with Glubran® are sufficient to stabilize a 3.75 cm overlap. A 2.5 cm overlap is stabilized with eight bonding spots Glubran® and 8 bonding spots combined with four sutures stabilize a 1.25 cm overlap. Here again, an intact peritoneum stabilizes the reconstruction significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a pig tissue model, a total of 23 different conditions were tested. A DIS class A mesh can be easily stabilized bridging a 5 cm hernial orifice with reduced overlap. Caution must be exerted to extend these results to other DIS classes and larger hernial orifices. Further DIS investigations can improve the durability of hernia repair.

Assessing the GRIP of Ventral Hernia Repair: How to Securely Fasten DIS Classified Meshes.

Recurrences are frequently observed after ventral hernia repair. Based on clinical data, the mesh-defect area ratio (MDAR) can lead to lower recurrence rates. Using dynamic intermittent strain (DIS) in a pig tissue model, MDAR can be modified to give a measure called grip to better assess the mechanical stability of ventral hernia repair. The focus of this experimental study is to assess the different aspects of mesh overlap (OL) and fixation only in bridging repair of ventral hernias. DIS mimics coughing actions in an ex vivo model with the repetition of submaximal impacts delivered via a hydraulically driven plastic containment. Tissue derived from pig bellies simulates a ventral hernia with varying defect sizes. MDAR is calculated from the hernia orifice and the mesh OL. Commercially available meshes were strengthened with glue, tacks, and sutures to bridge the defects. The reconstructions are strained with up to 425 dynamic impacts. The grip of each repair is assessed using MDAR modified by the strength of the fixation. The DIS classification is based on bridging of a 5 cm ventral hernia orifice with an OL of 5 cm in a sublay position. The classification discriminates meshes properties upon DIS strain. MDAR is calculated to be 9 under these conditions. Decreasing the OL or increasing the hernia orifice reduces MDAR to numbers below 9. MDAR is modified to reach GRIP. Closure of the peritoneum adds about 4 to the grip given by MDAR. The multiplying factor of a transmural suture or one tack of Securestrap® or Protack® is 0.5 times the number of tacks applied. The multiplier given by a bonding spot of Glubran® is similar to that of an Absorbatack® being 0.33. Plotting the likelihood of a bridging repair to survive more than 400 DIS impacts versus the grip estimated from the factors given above, the grip to be passed for a durable repair is 10 for Parietex Progrip®, and Dynamesh Cicat® and 25 for Dynamesh IPOM®. Clinical data previously published can be reculculated to assess MDAR and permit an estimation of the grip of the reconstruction. In these recalculations, a correlation between MDAR and long-term recurrence rates is found. A dimensionless number called grip can be calculated. The grip can be modified by fixation in a reproducible way. A higher grip can improve the durability of ventral hernia repair. We believe that a higher grip leads to lower recurrence rates in the clinical setting.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with improved survival compared to level I & II axillary lymph node dissection in node negative breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The few long-term follow-up data for sentinel lymph node (SLN) negative breast cancer patients demonstrate a 5-year disease-free survival of 96-98%. It remains to be elucidated whether the more accurate SLN staging defines a more selective node negative patient group and whether this is associated with better overall and disease-free survival compared with level I & II axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). METHODS: Three-hundred and fifty-five consecutive node negative patients with early stage breast cancer (pT1 and pT2< or =3 cm, pN0/pN(SN)0) were assessed from our prospective database. Patients underwent either ALND (n=178) in 1990-1997 or SLN biopsy (n=177) in 1998-2004. All SLN were examined by step sectioning, stained with H&E and immunohistochemistry. Lymph nodes from ALND specimens were examined by standard H&E only. Neither immunohistochemistry nor step sections were performed in the analysis of ALND specimen. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 49 months in the SLN and 133 months in the ALND group. Patients in the SLN group had a significantly better disease-free (p=0.008) and overall survival (p=0.034). After adjusting for other prognostic factors in Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, SLN procedure was an independent predictor for improved disease-free (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10-0.73, p=0.009) and overall survival (HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14-0.84, p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective analysis providing evidence that early stage breast cancer patients with a negative SLN have an improved disease-free and overall survival compared with node negative ALND patients. This is most likely due to a more accurate axillary staging in the SLN group.

Adjuvant perioperative portal vein or peripheral intravenous chemotherapy for potentially curative colorectal cancer: long-term results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The perioperative use of a single course adjuvant portal vein infusion chemotherapy in patients with potentially curable colorectal cancer has been shown to significantly improve overall survival but did not reduce the occurrence of liver metastases (SAKK 40/81) [Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) Lancet 345(8946):349-353, 1995]. The objective of the present prospective, three-arm randomized multicenter trial was to assess whether peripheral venous administration of adjuvant chemotherapy regimen based on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C decreases the occurrence of liver metastases as well as prolongs disease-free and overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stages I-III colorectal cancer patients (n = 753) were randomized to receive either surgery alone (control arm), surgery plus postoperative portal venous infusion of 5-FU 500 mg/m(2) plus heparin given for 24 hours for seven consecutive days plus mitomycin C 10 mg/m(2) given on the first day (arm 2), or surgery and the same chemotherapy regimen administered by peripheral venous route (arm 3). RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival for the three treatment groups were 65% (control group), 60% (portal vein infusion, hazard ratio 1.18, p = 0.23), and 64% (intravenous infusion, hazard ratio 1.04, p = 0.76); the 5-year overall survival was 72% (control group), 69% (portal vein infusion, hazard ratio 1.21, p = 0.2), and 74% (intravenous infusion, hazard ratio 1.03, p = 0.86), respectively. A significant accumulation of early deaths were observed in the portal vein infusion group (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The present prospective randomized multicenter trial provides compelling evidence that short-term perioperative chemotherapy does not improve disease-free and overall survival in patients with potentially curative colorectal cancer. In contrary, the chemotherapy regimen administered in the present investigation seems to have potentially harmful effects, a finding which should be carefully considered in the planning of future trials. Postoperative short-term administration of 5-FU plus mitomycin C either through portal infusion or a central venous catheter is not recommended for routine use in patients with potentially curable colorectal cancer.

Long-term outcomes of breast cancer patients after endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection: a prospective analysis of 52 patients.

BACKGROUND: Reports on long-term outcomes after endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) of breast cancer patients are still lacking in the medical literature. The objective of this prospective study was to assess the oncological and functional outcomes in breast cancer patients after endoscopic ALND. METHODS: Fifty-five breast cancer patients were prospectively enrolled, of whom 52 were available for follow-up with a median of 71.9 months (range 11-96). The following oncological and functional endpoints were evaluated during follow-up at several time points: occurrence of local, axillary and distant metastases, seroma or infection, shoulder mobility (range of motion), numbness, pain, presence of lymphoedema as well as restriction in activities of daily living. RESULTS: In 52 patients endoscopic ALND of level I and II was successfully performed. Two port-site metastases (2/52, 4%) occurred, one of which in a patient with negative axillary lymph nodes. The same patient suffered from the only axillary recurrence (1/52, 2%). Three patients (3/52, 6%) developed lymphoedema. No other functional adverse events (shoulder mobility, pain, numbness, hypertrophic scar) were noticed at the end of the observation period. CONCLUSION: The present investigation with long-term follow-up after endoscopic ALND--the first one in the literature--reveals minor morbidity, good functional and cosmetic results. In contrary to conventional surgery, the endoscopic procedure is associated with the occurrence of port-site metastases, not seen in the open approach. Axillary recurrences do not appear more frequently when compared with results after conventional ALND. In the meantime the less invasive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the established standard technique in evaluating the axillary lymph node status.

Ileocecal reservoir reconstruction after total mesorectal excision: functional results of the long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to obtain functional results of the long-term follow-up after TME and ileocecal interposition as rectal replacement. METHODS: The study included patients operated on between March 1993 and August 1997 who received an ileocecal interposition as rectal replacement. Follow-up was carried out 3 and 5 years postoperatively. For statistical analysis, the paired t-test, rank test (Wilcoxon), and chi-square or Fisher's exact test were applied; level of significance, P<0.05. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in the studies. Of these, five were not available and four patients could not be evaluated (dementia 1, radiation proctitis 1, fistula 1, pouchitis 1). Seventeen patients died during the observation period; 12 died of the disease. Recurrence of the disorder occurred in 2 of 35 patients (5.7%); 26 and 18 patients, 3 and 5 years postoperatively, respectively remained in the study. At 5 years, 78% of the patients were continent; mean stool frequency was 2.5+/-1.6 per day. CONCLUSIONS: Functional results and subjective assessment of ileocecal interposition were constant at 3 and 5 years postoperatively. If construction of a colonic J-pouch is not possible due to lack of colonic length, especially after prior colonic resections, the ileocecal interpositional reservoir may offer an alternative to rectal replacement.

Perioperative detection of disseminated tumour cells is an independent prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present investigation was to assess the prognostic significance of disseminated tumour cells in peritoneal lavage, and peripheral and mesenteric venous blood in patients undergoing curative resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: The prognostic impact of perioperative cytological and immunocytochemical detection of disseminated colorectal cancer cells was evaluated prospectively. Peritoneal lavage fluid, and peripheral and mesenteric venous blood from 53 consecutive patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer were analysed. The dichotomous results (positive versus negative) from the cytological and immunocytochemical analysis were used as a predictor along with other co-variates in proportional hazard regression models of disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: Disseminated colorectal cancer cells were found in 13 of 53 patients (25 per cent) using cytology (CYT) and/or immunocytochemistry (ICC). The median follow-up at the time of the analysis was 37 months. In multivariate proportional hazard regression models CYT/ICC status was a significant predictor for disease-free (P = 0.002) and overall (P = 0.006) survival. CONCLUSION: Disseminated tumour cells detected by CYT and ICC represent an independent prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and may identify patients at high risk of recurrence.

Subjective and functional results after replacement of the stomach with an ileocecal segment: a prospective study of 20 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The optimal reconstruction procedure after gastrectomy is still a matter of debate. The ileocecal interpositional graft offers an excellent reservoir capacity, the preservation of duodenal passage, and a natural antireflux barrier (ileocecal sphincter). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the quality-of-life outcome in 20 patients undergoing ileocecal interpositional graft (13 subdiaphragmatic reconstruction, 7 intrathoracic reconstruction) after gastrectomy in a University Hospital and a Canton Hospital (mean follow-up 6 months), operative and postoperative morbidity, body weight, reflux, and dumping symptoms. In a smaller series of nine patients we performed functional tests such as gastric emptying measurements, glucose tolerance tests, and manometry of the gastric substitute. RESULTS: The mean gastrointestinal quality-of-life index in the subdiaphragmatic reconstruction group 114, and that in the intrathoracic reconstruction group was 106. Mild reflux and dumping symptoms were noted by no patients in the former group and by two of seven patients in the latter. In the smaller series of nine patients gastric emptying time was faster in the intrathoracic group, but no difference in plasma glucose level was found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction after gastrectomy with an ileocecal interpositional graft achieves good quality of life with an acceptable morbidity. The technique seems to reduce the occurrence of postoperative reflux and dumping symptoms.

[Malignant transformation of perianal Buschke-Löwenstein tumor. Extensive abdominoperineal rectum excision and reconstruction with transpelvic myocutaneous rectus abdominis muscle flap]. / Maligne entarteter perianaler Buschke-Löwenstein-Tumor. Ausgedehnte abdominoperineale Rektumamputation und Rekonstruktion mit transpelvinem myokutanem M.-rectus-abdominis-Lappen.

INTRODUCTION: The Buschke Löwenstein tumor (giant condyloma) in its perianal variant is an extremely rare disease caused by human papilloma virus. Although of histologically benign appearance, it infiltrates and destroys the surrounding tissue. There is a high risk of local recurrence and malignant transformation. The treatment of choice is wide surgical resection. CASE: A 56-year-old woman presented with perianal giant condyloma infiltrating the rectum and vagina. The extensive soft tissue defect resulting from wide resection was filled with a transpelvic myocutaneous rectus abdominis flap. Histology showed a squamous cell carcinoma arising in the Buschke Löwenstein tumor with clear resection margins. Therefore, the patient was irradiated locally after uneventful primary wound healing. CONCLUSION: A simultaneous reconstruction of a large pelvinoperineal soft tissue defect with the transpelvic myocutaneous rectus abdominis flap allows primary healing, accelerated rehabilitation, and safe adjuvant radiotherapy without risk of serious radiation damage to the small bowel by preventing it from protruding into the pelvic defect.

Prophylactic mastectomy--evaluation and treatment of high risk patients.

Prophylactic mastectomy is an aggressive strategy for breast cancer risk reduction. The indications and efficiency of this procedures are not yet clearly defined. Randomized, prospective studies, comparing different surgical procedures with other modalities of breast cancer risk reduction are lacking. The report evaluates the existing controversy, based on Medline search in the following sequence: risk factors, possibilities of risk reduction, effectiveness of risk reduction, technical considerations and recommendations. Patient selection is difficult and needs an interdisciplinary approach. The women have to be well informed about all treatment alternatives and various reconstructive procedures. An appropriate risk reduction strategy should be selected individually for each patient. Up to now, there exist only recommendations from different institutions but no definitive guidelines.

Developmental potentials of hematopoietic and neural stem cells following injection into pre-implantation blastocysts.

Pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells are able to differentiate in vivo into all cell types of the fetal and adult organism and in vitro they can differentiate into a variety of cell types. In contrast, multipotent somatic stem cells (SSCs) isolated from fetal and adult tissues differentiate into mature effector cells of their tissue. However, recent studies imply that SSCs can also generate cell types of heterologous tissues indicating unexpected broad differentiation potentials. In order to examine and compare the developmental potentials of SSCs, we exposed hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) to an environment that is permissive for the development of all cell types of the embryo, namely the mouse preimplantation blastocyst. Using this approach we were able to detect progeny of HSCs and NSCs frequently in developing chimeric animals. Analysis of 18 different adult tissues revealed minor preferences of HSCs for hematopoietic tissues, while progeny of NSCs were mostly detected in neural tissues. Furthermore we observe that human cord blood-derived CD34+ and CD34+/CD38- HSCs also engraft murine embryos and that human donor contribution persists into adulthood. Our studies show the existence of tissue specific engraftment preferences of HSCs and NSCs and that both stem cell types are non-ES cell-like.

Pseudotumor of the pancreatic head associated with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

A 68-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice. CT revealed a large mass in the pancreatic head that was initially interpreted as pancreatic carcinoma. Needle biopsy revealed only fibrous tissue with signs of chronic inflammation. Together with typical findings of an idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, the final diagnosis of multifocal idiopathic fibrosclerosis with focal pseudotumorous pancreatic head fibrosis could be made.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgical excision of rectal tumors: indications and results.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) allows local excision of rectal tumors located 4 to 18 cm above the anal verge. The technique is not yet generally established because of the necessary special instrumentation and tools, the unusual technical aspects of the approach, and the stringent patient selection criteria. The aim of this prospective, descriptive study was to analyze the currently accepted indications for TEM and to evaluate the use of this procedure for treating rectal cancer. Over a 4-year period 50 patients aged 31 to 86 years (mean 64 years) underwent TEM for treatment of rectal tumors located 12 cm above the anal verge (range 4-18 cm). The local complication rate was 4%. Altogether, 76% of lesions were benign, and 24% were T1 and T2 tumors. Of 12 cancer cases, 4 required reoperation by total mesorectal resection; the other 8 are currently under follow-up management. Over the follow-up period of 30.6 months (range 11-54 months) the recurrence rate of T1 tumors was 8.3%. TEM is a minimally invasive surgical technique that may benefit a small, specific population of patients with rectal tumors. Compared with conventional transanal resection, TEM provides superior exposure of tumors higher up in the rectum (i.e., up to 18 cm from the anal verge). The greater precision of resection combined with low morbidity (10%, relative to that of anterior resection) and short duration of hospitalization (5.5 days) make this technique a reliable and in some cases more effective surgical approach than laparotomy and low anterior resection.

[Cecum volvulus--a frequently misdiagnosed disease picture. Results of a retrospective study of 26 patients and review of the literature]. / Zoekumvolvulus--ein diagnostisch häufig verpasstes Krankheitsbild. Ergebnisse einer retrospektiven Studie von 26 Patienten und Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Cecal volvulus represents a rare disease which causes acute or chronic intermittent mechanical obstruction. Diagnosis of the acute form of cecal volvulus is often established too late with resulting high morbidity and mortality. This study characterizes the typical clinical symptoms, radiological signs and the frequent concomitant diseases, based on a rather large number of patients. We specifically evaluated possible differences concerning clinical presentation, therapy and postoperative course of patients with vital bowel as opposed to necrotic cecum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 26 consecutive patients hospitalised with cecal volvulus from January 1984 until February 2000 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with vital intestine (n = 14) were compared to those with necrotic cecum (n = 12). RESULTS: 38% of patients underwent previous abdominal surgery, 34% suffered from other acute disease, in 38% cecal volvulus was associated with a neuropsychiatric disorder. 58% of the patients showed symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The clinical pattern of patients with necrotic cecum was not significantly different from those of patients with vital intestine. Diagnosis of cecal volvulus could be established in 77% by plain abdominal X-ray alone or by an additional contrast enema. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the characteristic pattern of history, physical findings, plain abdominal X-ray and the frequently with cecal volvulus associated diseases most often allows to establish diagnosis of cecal volvulus without delay and other diagnostic procedures. Astonishingly we found no major difference between vital and necrotic cecum with regard to clinical presentation and postoperative course.

[Neurogenic appendicopathy: a frequent, almost unknown disease picture. Evaluation of 816 appendices and review of the literature]. / Neurogene Appendicopathie: Ein häufiges, fast unbekanntes Krankheitsbild. Auswertung von 816 Appendices und Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic appendicopathy (NA) represents an almost unknown pathology which clinically cannot be differentiated from acute appendicitis. The diagnosis can only be established histologically. Nerve proliferation and an increased number of endocrine cells are typical for NA. This study characterizes the epidemiology, histology, clinical appearance and therapy of NA. We evaluated the incidence of NA in macroscopically normal specimens from patients presenting the symptoms of acute appendicitis and in incidental appendectomies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 816 routine appendix specimens were examined at the Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, for the presence of NA. We analyzed the indication for appendectomy, the histological form and the age and sex of the patients. RESULTS: 140 appendices (17.1%) showed the histological criteria for NA. 25% of incidental appendectomies were positive for NA, as opposed to 53% of the macroscopically normal specimens of patients presenting the symptoms of acute appendicitis (P < 0.0001). NA is more frequent in men than in women (19.5% versus 14.5%, P = 0.057). Out of the total of 140 NA, 105 (12.9%) were classified as central, 12 (1.5%) as intramucosal and 5 (0.6%) as submucosal forms of NA. 18 times (2.2%) the histologic subtype of NA was not specified. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that NA is a frequent, often asymptomatic pathology. In more than half of the macroscopically normal specimens of patients presenting symptoms of acute appendicitis NA can be diagnosed, significantly more than in incidental appendectomies. Therefore it is imperative to remove and analyze a macroscopically normal appendix in a patient presenting symptoms of acute appendicitis if no other intraabdominal pathology can be found.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer perforations.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with chronic peptic ulcer disease have Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. In the past, immediate acid-reduction surgery has been strongly advocated for perforated peptic ulcers because of the high incidence of ulcer relapse after simple closure. Simple oversewing procedures either by an open or laparoscopic approach together with H. pylori eradication appear to supersede definitive ulcer surgery. METHODS: In 47 consecutive patients (mean age = 64 years, range 27-91) suffering from acute peptic ulcer perforation the preoperative presence of H. pylori (CLO test), the surgical procedure (laparoscopy or open surgery), the outcome of surgery, and the success of H. pylori eradication with a triple regimen were prospectively studied. RESULTS: Of these patients 73.3% were positive for H. pylori, regardless of the previous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thirty-eight per cent underwent a simple laparoscopic repair. Conversion rate to laparotomy reached a high of 32%. The main reasons for conversion were the size of the ulcer, and/or diffuse peritonitis for a duration of over 12 hours with fibrous membranes difficult to remove laparoscopically. In the H. pylori positive patients, eradication was successful in 96% of the cases. Mortality and morbidity rates were greater in the laparoscopic group (p < 0.05). Follow-up (median 43.5 months) revealed no need for reoperation for peptic ulcer disease and no mortality. CONCLUSION: We have found a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with perforated peptic ulcers. An immediate and appropriate H. pylori eradication therapy for perforated peptic ulcers reduces the relapse rate after simple closure. Response rate to a triple eradication protocol was excellent in the hospital setting.