Totally Laparoscopic Colectomy with Intracorporeal Side-to-End Colorectal Anastomosis and Transrectal Specimen Extraction for Sigmoid and Rectal Cancers.

BACKGROUND: The techniques of intracorporeal anastomosis and specimen extraction after laparoscopic colectomy via a natural orifice have gained interest increasingly. We evaluated the feasibility of our unique techniques for colorectal reconstruction and report immediate postoperative outcomes in patients with rectosigmoid cancer. METHODS: Patients with sigmoid or rectal cancer were selected depending on the size of the tumor and its distance from the anal verge. Demographic data, operative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. After complete resection of the tumor, all patients underwent an intracorporeal side-to-end colorectal anastomosis following transrectal specimen extraction. RESULTS: Laparoscopic resection with our technique of intracorporeal anastomosis was successful in 32 patients. The average operative time was 192 ± 29 min, and mean blood loss was 51 ± 18 ml. All patients experienced mild postoperative pain, and bowel function returned before postoperative day 3 in most patients. They had an uneventful postoperative course with a median hospital stay of 6 days. Major perioperative complications or anastomotic leak were not encountered in this study. The mean size of the lesion was 3.3 ± 1.8 cm, and the mean number of harvested nodes was 14 ± 6. During the follow-up period, there were no functional disorders associated with the intracorporeal anastomosis or transrectal specimen extraction. CONCLUSIONS: Intracorporeal side-to-end colorectal anastomosis with transrectal specimen extraction in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a safe and effective procedure for patients with rectosigmoid malignancy.

Paravesical gossypiboma following inguinal herniorrhaphy: Laparoscopic retrieval.

Retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) following an inguinal herniorrhaphy is a rare condition and may cause medicolegal problems. Differential diagnosis for the lesion should be made meticulously. We report a case of a 45-year-old man who had a herniorrhaphy about 8 years previously. He presented one episode of painless gross hematuria. Laboratory and imaging studies excluded any significant lesion in the urological organs. Abdominal CT scan demonstrated a heterogeneous neoplasm of 4 cm in size in the left paravesical area that was retrieved laparoscopically. Abdominal CT and clinical suspicion are helpful for diagnosis. Laparoscopy may be used to confirm the diagnosis and to remove the retained surgical gauze, and considered as an alternative therapy for some selected patients.

Clinical characteristics of second primary cancer in colorectal cancer patients: the impact of colorectal cancer or other second cancer occurring first.

BACKGROUND: Due to improvements in early detection, treatment, and supportive care, the number of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors is increasing; therefore, careful attention should always be paid to the second primary cancer (SPC) in treating these CRC patients. The present study attempts to determine the correlation and clinical aspects of CRC to other cancers in patients suffering from SPC involving CRC. METHODS: From January 2002 and June 2010, 1,679 cancer cases, CRC was accompanied by SPC in 89 patients (5.3%), including 16 (18%) synchronous and 73 (82%) metachronous SPC patients. These patients were subsequently classified into two groups: the first group had CRC diagnosed first as CRC first (CRCF); and the second group had another type of cancer diagnosed before the diagnosis of CRC as other cancer first (OCF). Of these 73 patients, 22 (30.1%) were in the group of CRCF, whereas 51 (69.9%) were in the group of OCF. Patients' clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the sites of cancers between the two groups: 14 (27.5%) patients in the OCF group had gastric cancer, compared to one (4.5%) patient in the CRCF group (P = 0.026). Although there was no difference of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers between the OCF and CRCF groups (P = 0.165), there were six (27.3%) CRC patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the CRCF group, which was significantly higher than the two (3.9%) patients in the OCF group (P = 0.003). Furthermore, the cancer-specific survival rate of the CRCF patient group was significantly higher than that of the OCF patient group (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis, gastric cancer patients compared to other secondary cancers were at a higher risk of developing subsequent CRC as SPC; alternatively, patients with CRC were at a higher risk of developing HCC as SPC subsequently, no matter whether patients were HBV or HCV carriers. Therefore, careful attention should always be paid to the possibility of secondary CRC to construct effective surveillance when treating cancer patients.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenomegaly using a homemade retrieval BAG.

INTRODUCTION: Operating on an enlarged spleen via the laparoscopic approach presents several challenges. A homemade bag may facilitate retrieval of the enlarged spleen assisted by a laparoscope and save medical expense. AIM: To assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic splenectomy for moderate or massive splenomegaly using our technique and a homemade retrieval bag. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for moderate or massive splenomegaly which was defined as the major axis exceeding 17 cm by abdominal computed tomography. A homemade retrieval bag made from a commercial sterile infusion container which costs about US$ 1-2 per piece was used for spleen retrieval. Two transabdominal sutures for suspension of the retrieval bag were made to aid specimen removal in this technique. RESULTS: There were 31 males and 19 females with mean age of 56 ±11 years. Laparoscopic splenectomy was successfully completed in 49 of these 50 patients. Overall, mean operative time was 149 ±31 min (range: 100-252 min). Median estimated blood loss was 189 ±155 ml (range: 50-920 ml). There were 12 minor complications but no mortality. Time to discharge after surgery ranged from 3 to 9 (mean: 4.7 ±1.7 days). The average splenic weight was 729 ±74 g (range: 632-930 g). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that laparoscopic splenectomy is feasible and safe for moderate or massive splenomegaly and may be a well-tolerated alternative to open splenectomy. Not only is the cost of our homemade retrieval bag low, but also it is easy to make and ready to use.

Laparoscopic management for acute malignant colonic obstruction.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of staged laparoscopic colectomy for acute malignant colon obstruction. METHODS: Through a laparoscopic approach, emergency blowhole colostomy and subsequent elective resection were performed. RESULTS: There were 14 men and 8 women, ages ranging from 42 to 79 years. All patients underwent laparoscopic blowhole colostomy for fecal diversion. Of these stomas, 6 were located at the splenic flexure, 7 at the descending colon, and 9 at the sigmoid colon. Subsequently, 20 of the 22 patients achieved an elective laparoscopic resection including takedown of the stoma. They were left hemicolectomy in 11 and anterior resection in 9. The mean total length of hospital stay was 20 ± 4.6 days (range, 16 to 33 d) in these 20 patients. The remaining 2 patients did not undergo reversal of the colostomy. The median follow-up period was 23 months. Seven patients died of disease progression and 15 patients remained alive and well. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that staged laparoscopic colon resection is a feasible and effective technique for acute malignant colonic obstruction. The length of hospital stay is justified as compared with conventional single-staged resection. Our technique can also be recommended when colonic stenting is not available.

The impact on clinical outcome of high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Taiwanese patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Both colorectal cancer (CRC) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are important public health problems worldwide. As there are controversies about survival impact on CRC patients with preexisting DM, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the incidence and the survival impact of preexisting DM on the long-term outcomes of patients with CRC in Taiwan. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2008, 1,197 consecutive patients with histologically proven primary CRC, who received surgical treatment at a single institution, were enrolled. The clinicopathologic features between these patients with and without DM were retrospectively investigated. Moreover, we intended to analyze the impact of DM on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates. RESULTS: Of 1,197 CRC patients, 23.6% of patients had either a reported history of DM or were currently taking one or more diabetes-controlling medications. CRC patients with DM were significantly older than those without DM (P <0.001), and had a higher incidence of cardiac disease and higher body mass index than those without DM (both P<0.001). There were no significant differences in gender, tumor size, tumor location, histological type, AJCC/UICC cancer stage, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, comorbidity of pulmonary disease or renal disease, and OS, and CSS between two groups. Additionally, DM patients had a higher incidence of second malignancy than patients without DM (9.54% vs 6.01%, P=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: A considerably high prevalence of DM in CRC patients but no significant impact of DM on survival was observed in the single-institution retrospective study, regardless of cancer stages and tumor locations. Therefore, treatment strategies for CRC patients with DM should be the same as patients without DM.

Experience with adjuvant chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix with oxaliplatin/fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX4).

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition characterized by mucinous tumors, disseminated intra-peritoneal implants, and mucinous ascites. So far its diagnosis remains challenging to most clinicians. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old male patient had suffered from acute onset of abdominal pain and abdominal distension for one day prior to his admission. Physical examination revealed tenderness over the right lower quadrant of the abdomen without diffuse muscle guarding. A large amount of ascites was identified by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Paracentesis showed the appearance of sticky mucinous ascites. He underwent laparotomy under the impression of pseudomyxoma peritonei. There was a lot of mucinous ascites, one appendiceal tumor and multiple peritoneal implants disseminated from the subphrenic space to the recto-vesicle pouch. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal origin, was confirmed by histopathology. We performed an excision of the appendiceal tumor combined with copious irrigation and debridement. After the operation, he received 10 cycles of systemic chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 regimen, without specific morbidity. Follow-up of abdominal CT and colonoscopy at post-operative 17 months showed excellent response without evidence of local recurrence or distal metastasis. He made an uneventful recovery (up to the present) for 21 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: This case report emphasizes the possible new role of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with this rare clinical syndrome.

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of Starion vs Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed hemorrhoids.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and outcome of the Starion and Ligasure vessel sealing systems for sutureless hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with Grades III and IV hemorrhoids were randomized into two groups: 1) Starion hemorrhoidectomy (32 patients), and 2) Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy (32 patients). The patient demographics, operative details, numbers of parenteral analgesic injections, postoperative pain scores (assessed by an independent assessor), operating time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, early and delayed complications, and time off from work or normal activity were recorded. The patients were regularly followed-up at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The mean blood loss, mean operating time, duration of hospital stay, and time off from work or normal activity were not significantly different between the two methods (all P > 0.05), except for a lower pain score (P = 0.032) and reduced numbers of parenteral analgesic injections (P < 0.001) in Starion hemorrhoidectomy. In addition, there were no differences in the early and delayed postoperative complications between the two methods (all P > 0.05). Unfortunately, two patients with symptomatic anal stenosis requiring treatment were encountered by Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy, but none by Starion hemorrhoidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Starion hemorrhoidectomy with submucosal dissection is a safe and effective procedure, comparable to Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy. Patients derive a short-term benefit of less pain and reduced parenteral analgesic use by Starion hemorrhoidectomy. The superiority of no cases complicated with symptomatic anal stenosis requiring treatment by Starion hemorrhoidectomy seems to offer a better therapeutic alternative for prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Perforated colonic cancer presenting as intra-abdominal abscess.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The various presentations of carcinoma of the colon are well known. Abscess formation occurs in 0.3 to 0.4% and is the second most common complication of perforated lesions. Perforation and penetration of adjacent organs with intra-abdominal abscess formation as the initial presentation is uncommon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made between January 1998 and December 2003 at the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Six colon cancer patients with intra-abdominal abscess as the initial presentation were enrolled into this study. Among them, two were men and four were women. RESULTS: During the 6-year period, there were 756 patients with colonic carcinoma but only six of those patients (0.79%) presented with abscess formation as the initial finding. The initial pre-operative diagnosis was ruptured colonic diverticulitis with abscess formation in three patients, and the other three patients were as follows: one ruptured appendicitis with abscess, one right subcutaneous inguinal abscess, and one omphalitis with abdominal wall abscess. Subsequent colonoscopy was performed in two patients, and colon cancer was recognized. The most common associated symptoms/signs were palpable abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and anemia. All of them underwent a one-stage surgical procedure, and adjuvant chemotherapy was given. One patient died of peritoneal carcinomatosis and liver metastases 1 year post-operatively. The other five patients are still alive. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of abscess formation as the first evidence of colonic carcinoma pre-operatively. The one-stage resection of the lesion seems to be an acceptable treatment. For patients with intra-abdominal abscess, clinicians should be aware of this differential because it is easily ignored pre-operatively.

The differentially mutational spectra of the APC, K-ras, and p53 genes in sporadic colorectal cancers from Taiwanese patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), K-ras and p53 gene mutations are the most common genetic alterations present in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to analyze tumor mutation frequencies and spectra in a large cohort of Taiwanese patients with CRC. METHODOLOGY: APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations in primary tumor tissues and their paired normal tissues of 123 CRC patients were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Of these 123 CRC patients, 43.1%, 44.7%, 35% of tumor tissue specimens presented mutations in APC, K-ras, and p53 genes, respectively. Overall, gene mutations in APC, K-ras and/or p53 were present in 78% (96/123) of tumor tissues. Among 96 CRC patients harboring gene mutations, 49 (51%) contained mutations of at least two different genes and 47 (49%) contained mutations of one gene only. The most common combination of gene mutations was APC and K-ras mutations (21.9%), followed by K-ras and p53 mutations (12.5%) and then APC and p53 mutations (10.4%). In addition, there were only 6.3% (6/96) of tumor tissues from CRC patients simultaneously containing mutations of APC, K-ras and p53 genes. The most common mutation spectrum of these genes was missense mutations, at a frequency of 38.8%, 92.7% and 70.5% for APC, K-ras and p53 genes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data support that the frequencies and patterns of somatic mutation of the APC, Kras and p53 genes in CRCs are considerably variable and distinct among populations, for which the interaction between exogenous environmental factors and endogenous gene alterations may be important determinants.

Multivariate analysis of prognostic determinants for colorectal cancer patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels: prognostic value of postoperative serum CEA levels.

High preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels have been well investigated and found to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it has been observed that the outcome varies after curative resection, along with postoperative serum CEA levels; some patients continue to have high postoperative serum CEA levels while postoperative CEA levels return to normal in others. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of postoperative serum CEA levels in CRC patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels. Between January 2002 and December 2004, 423 CRC patients underwent operation in our hospital; 181 (42.8%) had high preoperative serum CEA levels and were enrolled in this study. Among the 181 patients, 165 patients had curative resection; the remaining 16 had stage IV disease, so they underwent palliative surgery and were subsequently excluded from analysis. Pre- and postoperative serum CEA levels were measured and analyzed. All patients had curative resection and were divided into two groups according to postoperative serum CEA levels: one group comprised patients with postoperative serum CEA > or = 5 ng/mL (n = 80) and the other group comprised patients with postoperative serum CEA levels < 5 ng/mL (n = 85). Postoperative serum CEA levels were significantly related to location of primary tumors (p = 0.042), lymph node metastases (p = 0.009), TNM stage (p = 0.001), and postoperative relapse (p = 0.004). The results of multivariate analysis showed that both lymph node metastases and high postoperative serum CEA levels (> or = 5 ng/mL) were independent prognostic factors for CRC patients after curative resection. Postoperative serum CEA levels can be a single independent prognostic determinant in CRC patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels. Intensive follow-up and adjuvant therapy may be necessary in CRC patients who continue to have high postoperative serum CEA levels even after curative resection.

Intestinal obstruction during pregnancy.

Intestinal obstruction is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy. We reviewed and analyzed the medical records of four pregnant women with intestinal obstruction, treated at the Department of Surgery in the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital during a period of 19 years, between June 1984 and December 2002. Their ages ranged from 22 to 35 years (mean, 28 yrs). Three cases had had prior lower abdominal surgery. Adhesion was the unique finding in all four patients during the operation. Enterolysis was needed to release the intestinal obstruction in three of the patients; the fourth required resection and anastomosis of the ileum as a result of volvulus. Premature labor was prevented with tocolysis in two patients. The results of this study lead us to emphasize the importance of close observation and early surgery to avoid intestinal strangulation if a pregnant woman who develops intestinal obstruction has an old surgical scar on her abdomen. Premature labor may be avoided with tocolysis.

Randomized controlled trial of LigaSure with submucosal dissection versus Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed hemorrhoids.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes between the LigaSure vessel sealing system and the conventional closed Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy procedure performed by diathermy. METHODS: A series of 84 patients with grades III and IV hemorrhoids were randomized into two groups: (1) LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy with submucosal dissection (42 patients) and (2) Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy (42 patients). The patient demographics, operative details, parenteral analgesic requirement, postoperative pain score (assessed by an independent assessor), operating time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, early and delayed complications, and time off from work or normal activity were recorded. The patients were regularly followed up at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, duration of symptoms, grade of the hemorrhoid(s), or number of hemorrhoids resected. The mean operating time for LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy with submucosal dissection was significantly shorter than that for the Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy (11.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 34.2 +/- 0.7 minutes; P < 0.0001). Patients treated with the LigaSure method had significantly less blood loss (P < 0.0001), a better pain score (P < 0.0001), less parenteral analgesic requirement (P < 0.0001), shorter hospital stay (P < 0.0001), and less time off from work or normal activity (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the early and delayed postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy with submucosal dissection is a safe, effective procedure for grade III and IV hemorrhoids. Patients derive greater short-term benefits: reduced intraoperative blood loss, operating time, and postoperative pain as well as earlier resumption of work or normal activity. Long-term follow-up with a larger number of patients is required to confirm the long-term results of this procedure.

Death from colonic disease in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinomas and renal failure were reported the causes of death in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Death from colonic disease in epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is never reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We demonstrate a male patient with RDEB. He suffered megacolon due to fecal impaction and died from sigmoid colon perforation with peritonitis at age 35 years. CONCLUSION: Constipation is a common clinical feature of RDEB, but fetal complications of chronic constipation are rarely reported. To the author's best knowledge, it has not been reported or recognized in the English literature previously. The aggressive assessment of constipation with fecal impaction is recommended in patients with RDEB.

Laparoscopic assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters for selected patients with previous abdominal operation.

Peritoneal dialysis is an established alternative method for the management of patients with end-stage renal disease. Recently, laparoscopy has been utilized in assisting the insertion of catheters under direct vision. The efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for patients with a history of abdominal surgery remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate laparoscopy in the placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters for selected patients with previous abdominal operation. Laparoscopic assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters was performed in 20 patients, who were carefully selected preoperatively and who also underwent previous abdominal operation between April 1999 and July 2001. Previous abdominal operation included appendectomy, ovarian resection, hysterectomy, cesarean section, open cholecystectomy, segmental resection of the small intestine, and truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty. The procedure was performed using two 10-mm and one 5-mm abdominal trocar. All of the patients tolerated this procedure without significant surgical complications. However, 3 patients developed temporary hemoperitoneum, and 1 patient developed dialysate leakage. The overall success rate of catheter function (> 30 days after laparoscopy) was 90%, except in 2 cases where the catheter functioned poorly due to severe intra-abdominal adhesions. Simultaneous laparoscopic adhesiolysis was successfully performed in 5 cases. Laparoscopic implantation of peritoneal dialysis catheters appears to be a straightforward procedure, even for patients with previous abdominal operation. We believe that this technique may extend the application of peritoneal dialysis treatment in patients with previous abdominal surgery after discreet evaluation preoperatively.

APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations in colorectal cancer patients: correlation to clinicopathologic features and postoperative surveillance.

Current researches have proposed a genetic model for colorectal cancer (CRC), in which the sequential accumulation of mutations in specific cancer-related genes, including adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), K-ras, and p53, drives the transition from normal epithelium through increasing adenomatous dysplasia to colorectal cancer. To identify patients with an increased risk of tumor recurrence or metastasis and evaluate the prognostic values of APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations, we investigated the frequency of these three mutated genes in tumors and sera of CRC patients. APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations in primary tumor tissues and their paired preoperative serum samples of 118 CRC patients were detected by using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, followed by direct DNA sequencing of the PCR-amplified genomic DNA. Subsequently, serum molecular markers were analyzed for their correlation with patients' clinicopathologic features and presence of postoperative recurrence/metastasis. We did not observe any significant difference in the association of APC or K-ras or p53 gene mutations in primary tumors with patients' demographic data (all were P > 0.05). In contrast, both serum APC and p53 molecular markers were closely correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (both P < 0.05). Moreover, the serum overall molecular markers (at least one of the three markers) were prominently associated with depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.033), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), and TNM stage (P < 0.001). In addition, a significantly higher postoperative metastasis/recurrence rate in patients positive for overall molecular markers compared to those negative for these molecular markers were also demonstrated (P < 0.001). APC and K-ras molecular markers were more frequently observed in patients with locoregional metastasis (both P < 0.05), while p53 molecular marker was usually detected in the cases of peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.004). Our findings suggest that serum molecular markers are potentially useful in the determination of colorectal cancer patients harboring gene mutations at high risk of metastasis. Serial analysis is warranted in order to assess their long-term prognostic significance and the therapeutic implications.

Giant lipoma of spermatic cord mimcs irreducible inguinal hernia: a case report.

Inguinal herniorrhaphy is the most common general surgical operation performed. Although fatty protrusions are often observed along the path of the spermatic cord, true lipomas are not commonly reported. We encountered a 42-year-old male patient who developed a large lipoma of the right spermatic cord with indirect inguinal hernia. After herniorrhaphy and tumor excision, the patient had an uneventful convalescence. There has been no recurrence up to the time of writing (20 months).