Global, Regional, and National Burdens of Hearing Loss for Children and Adolescents from 1990 to 2019: A Trend Analysis.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of global, regional, and national trends in the burden of hearing loss (HL) among children and adolescents from 1990 to 2019, using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Over this period, there was a general decline in HL prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) globally, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of -0.03% (95% uncertainty interval [UI], -0.04% to -0.01%; p = 0.001) and -0.23% (95% UI, -0.25% to -0.20%; p < 0.001). Males exhibited higher rates of HL prevalence and YLDs than females. Mild and moderate HL were the most common categories across all age groups, but the highest proportion of YLDs was associated with profound HL [22.23% (95% UI, 8.63%-57.53%)]. Among females aged 15-19 years, the prevalence and YLD rates for moderate HL rose, with AAPCs of 0.14% (95% UI, 0.06%-0.22%; p = 0.001) and 0.13% (95% UI, 0.08%-0.18%; p < 0.001). This increase is primarily attributed to age-related and other HL (such as environmental, lifestyle factors, and occupational noise exposure) and otitis media, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions for this demographic. Southeast Asia and Western Sub-Saharan Africa bore the heaviest HL burden, while High-income North America showed lower HL prevalence and YLD rates but a slight increasing trend in recent years, with AAPCs of 0.13% (95% UI, 0.1%-0.16%; p < 0.001) and 0.08% (95% UI, 0.04% to 0.12%; p < 0.001). Additionally, the analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between sociodemographic index (SDI) and both HL prevalence (r = -0.74; p < 0.001) and YLD (r = -0.76; p < 0.001) rates. However, the changes in HL trends were not significantly correlated with SDI, suggesting that factors beyond economic development, such as policies and cultural practices, also affect HL. Despite the overall optimistic trend, this study emphasizes the continued need to focus on specific high-risk groups and regions to further reduce the HL burden and enhance the quality of life for affected children and adolescents.

Management of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (P-AVM) is a rare vascular malformation. Fewer than 200 cases have been reported. The clinical manifestations lack specificity. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and jaundice, which is easily confused with other disorders. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 42-year-old man received TAE due to abdominal pain caused by P-AVM in a local hospital, melena and abdominal pain occurred in a short time after TAE. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed as P-AVM which was confirmed by computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography. INTERVENTIONS: A pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was successfully performed after diagnosis was made. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered with no complications two weeks after surgery, and no sign of recurrence was found during the 4-mo follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In our experience, TAE may have limitations in the treatment of P-AVM and surgical resection should be considered as the treatment of choice.

Analysis of delayed discharge after day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Delayed discharge is the existing obstacle to further enhancing quality of recovery after Day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC/DS). This study aims to analyze the reasons for delayed discharge after LC/DS. METHODS: The 745 patients with delayed discharge after LC/DS were retrospectively studied. The reasons for delayed discharge and data related to patients were collected and analyzed. Psychosocial reasons were defined by meeting discharge criteria but refusing to discharge, and complications were defined and graded using the "Clavien-Dindo" classification system. Differences were statistically significant when p-value < 0.01 level. RESULTS: The reasons for delayed discharge included psychosocial reasons (P, n = 324), conversion to open surgery (CO, n = 21) and Clavien-Dindo I (n = 72), II (n = 307), IIIa (n = 17), IVa (n = 4) complications. Group P had a shorter length of postoperative hospital stay (PHT) compared to groups I, II, IIIa, IVa and CO (p < 0.01, respectively). Group II had a longer operation time (p < 0.01) but no longer length of PHT (p = 0.814) compared to group I. The length of PHT in group IIIa was longer than that in groups I and II (p < 0.01, respectively), but the length of PHT in group IVa was no longer than that in groups I, II, and IIIa (p = 0.047, p = 0.044 and p = 0.849, respectively). Group CO had a longer operation time (p < 0.01, respectively), a more blood loss (p < 0.01, respectively) and a longer length of PHT (p < 0.01, respectively) compared to groups P, I, II, and IIIa. CONCLUSION: Patients who are delayed discharge due to psychosocial reasons have a rapid postoperative recovery. The slower postoperative recovery and upgraded complication classifications are related and optimized medical procedures promote the recovery. It is reasonable for patients who undergo conversion to open surgery to experience a slow postoperative recovery.

Perioperative and long-term outcomes of liver resection for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma without versus with hepatic inflow occlusion: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) imposes a huge burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asia. Surgical resection remains an important therapeutic strategy for HCC. Hepatic inflow occlusion, known as the Pringle maneuver, is the most commonly used method of reducing blood loss during liver parenchymal transection. A major issue with this maneuver is ischemia-reperfusion injury to the remnant liver, and the hemodynamic disturbance it induces in the tumor-bearing liver raises an oncological concern. Given the technical advances in living donor liver transplantation, vascular occlusion in liver resection can be avoided in experienced hands. The aim of this study is to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of liver resection for HBV-related HCC without versus with hepatic inflow occlusion. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will include eligible patients with HBV-related HCC elected for liver resection. Fifty-seven patients will be enrolled in each randomization arm to detect a 20 % difference in the serum level of total bilirubin on postoperative day 5 (80 % power and α = 0.05). The secondary endpoints include procedural parameters, perioperative liver function and inflammatory response, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term outcomes. Patients will be followed for up to 5 years. Data will be statistically analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: This prospective randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of liver resection for HBV-related HCC without versus with vascular occlusion. The clinical implications of these outcomes may change current surgical practice and fill the oncological gaps therein. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02563158 . Registered on 28 September 2015.

Robotic radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: perioperative and long-term outcomes of an initial series.

BACKGROUND: Radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCa) is one of the most challenging abdominal procedures. Robotic-assisted approach is gaining popularity in hepatobiliary surgery but scarcely tried in the management of HCa. We herein report our initial experience of robotic radical resection for HCa. METHODS: Between May 2009 and October 2012, 10 patients underwent fully robotic-assisted radical resection for HCa in a single institute. The perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed and compared with a contemporaneous 32 patients undergoing traditional open surgery. RESULTS: The 10 patients presented one of Bismuth-Corlette type II, four of IIIa, one of IIIb and four of IV. There was no significant clinicopathological disparity between the robotic and open groups. The robotic radical resection involves hemihepatectomy plus caudate lobectomy or trisectionectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection, radical lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. No conversion to laparotomy occurred. Robotic resection compared unfavorably to traditional open resection in operative time (703 ± 62 vs. 475 ± 121 min, p < 0.001) and morbidity [90 (9/10) vs. 50 %, p = 0.031]. No significant difference was found in blood loss, mortality and postoperative hospital stay. Major complications (≥Clavien-Dindo III) occurred in three patients of robotic group. One patient died of posthepatectomy liver failure on postoperative day 18. The hospital expenditure was much higher in robotic group (USD 27,427 ± 21,316 vs. 15,282 ± 5957, p = 0.018). The tumor recurrence-free survival was inferior in robotic group (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Fully robotic-assisted radical resection for HCa is technically achievable in experienced hands and should be limited to highly selective patients. Our current results do not support continued practice of robotic surgery for HCa, until significant technical and instrumental refinements are demonstrated.

Efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is commonly used to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but less is known regarding safety and efficacy of TACE in patients with HCC and portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of TACE treatment on 1-year survival in patients with HCC and PVTT. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL databases (until July 2013) were searched for studies that evaluated the efficacy of TACE with regard to survival in patients with HCC and PVTT. One-year survival rate, the primary end point, was compared between patients who received TACE and those who received control treatment. RESULTS: Five prospective studies were identified that assessed the efficacy of TACE on survival. These studies included 600 patients: 335 received TACE therapy and 226 received control treatments. Three of the five studies reported 1-year survival data and were used in the meta-analysis. The combined odds ratio (3.079, 95% confidence interval = 1.094-8.662) indicated that patients who received TACE had a significantly better 1-year survival rate compared with patients in the control group (P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: There are several limitations to this analysis that should be considered when interpreting the findings. The studies used different treatment regimens as controls or with TACE. These differences across the studies may have altered the 1-year survival outcomes in each study and confounded our analysis. This meta-analysis showed that TACE improves the 1-year survival of patients with HCC and PVTT. However, additional prospective controlled trials are required to further substantiate these findings.

Application of single-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: To investigate the simplicity, reliability, and safety of the application of single-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy completed by the same surgical group between January 2011 and April 2014 in the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army. In total, 51 cases received single-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis and 51 cases received double-layer pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. The diagnoses of pancreatic fistula and clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy were judged strictly by the International Study Group on pancreatic fistula definition. The preoperative and intraoperative data of these two groups were compared. χ(2) test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the incidences of pancreatic fistula, peritoneal catheterization, abdominal infection and overall complications between the single-layer anastomosis group and double-layer anastomosis group. Rank sum test were used to analyze the difference in operation time, pancreaticojejunal anastomosis time, postoperative hospitalization time, total hospitalization time and hospitalization expenses between the single-layer anastomosis group and double-layer anastomosis group. RESULTS: Patients with grade A pancreatic fistula accounted for 15.69% (8/51) vs 15.69% (8/51) (P = 1.0000), and patients with grades B and C pancreatic fistula accounted for 9.80% (5/51) vs 52.94% (27/51) (P = 0.0000) in the single-layer and double-layer anastomosis groups. Although there was no significant difference in the percentage of patients with grade A pancreatic fistula, there was a significant difference in the percentage of patients with grades B and C pancreatic fistula between the two groups. The operation time (220.059 ± 60.602 min vs 379.412 ± 90.761 min, P = 0.000), pancreaticojejunal anastomosis time (17.922 ± 5.145 min vs 31.333 ± 7.776 min, P = 0.000), postoperative hospitalization time (18.588 ± 5.285 d vs 26.373 ± 15.815 d, P = 0.003), total hospitalization time (25.627 ± 6.551 d vs 33.706 ± 15.899 d, P = 0.002), hospitalization expenses (116787.667 ± 31900.927 yuan vs 162788.608 ± 129732.500 yuan, P = 0.001), as well as the incidences of pancreatic fistula [13/51 (25.49%) vs 35/51 (68.63%), P = 0.0000], peritoneal catheterization [0/51 (0%) vs 6/51 (11.76%), P = 0.0354], abdominal infection [1/51 (1.96%) vs 11/51 (21.57%), P = 0.0021], and overall complications [21/51 (41.18%) vs 37/51 (72.55%), P = 0.0014] in the single-layer anastomosis group were all lower than those in the double-layer anastomosis group. CONCLUSION: Single-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis appears to be a simple, reliable, and safe method. Use of this method could reduce the postoperative incidence of complications.

Living donor liver transplantation using dual grafts: Experience and lessons learned from cases worldwide.

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), insufficient graft volume could result in small-for-size syndrome in recipients, whereas major liver donation predisposes the donor to a high risk of posthepatectomy liver failure. Dual graft LDLT is therefore introduced to obtain combined graft sufficiency. To date, 367 patients have been reported worldwide. We reviewed all the relevant literature, with a special focus on 43 case reports containing enough data to extract and analyze. A simple decision-making algorithm was developed. Dual graft LDLT is indicated when (1) a single donation is unacceptable due to graft-to-recipient size mismatch; (2) the future liver remnant is insufficient in the single donor after major resection; or (3) there is a significant underlying disorder or anatomical variation within the donor liver. The outcome of dual graft LDLT is reported to be comparable with that of single donor LDLT. Unilateral graft atrophy was found in 7 of the 43 patients, predominantly in the right-sided, heterotopic and initially smaller grafts. Technically, the heterotopic implantation and complex vascular reconstruction are the most demanding. Elaborate surgical planning and modification are needed. Ethical concerns about involving a second living donor need to be addressed. In conclusion, dual graft LDLT should be prudently performed in select cases by surgeons of proven expertise when single donation is unacceptable and a second living donor is available. The decision-making criteria need to be standardized. More surgical modification and clinical research are needed.

[Clinical application of precise liver surgery techniques for donor hepatectomy in living donor liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of techniques of precise liver surgery for donor hepatectomy in living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: Eighty-nine donors aged from 19 to 57 years were performed by the same surgical team from June 2006 to December 2013 in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital.Individualized surgical program were developed according to preoperative imaging examination and hepatic functional reserve examination. The evaluation included liver function, liver volume, vascular anatomy and bile duct anatomy. According to the results after the operation, preoperative evaluation accuracy, postoperative donor liver function and postoperative complications were analyzed. ANOVA analysis was used to compare the difference of graft volume by two-dimensional, three-dimensional calculation method and actual postoperative graft weight. Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis were used to verify the correlation between the estimated graft volume each method and actual graft postoperative weight. RESULTS: All the 89 cases operation protocol as following, there were 5 cases with left lateral lobe graft, 10 cases with left lobe liver graft, 74 cases with right lobe graft. There were 59 cases with middle hepatic vein (MHV) harvested, and 30 cases without MHV. The mean graft volume by two-dimensional, three-dimensional calculation method and actual postoperative graft weight were (656.2±134.1) ml, (631.7±143.2) ml and (614.5±137.7) ml respectively. ANOVA analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant difference in the three methods (P>0.05). Compared to the actual postoperative graft weight, the average error rate of the two methods were 7.9% and 5.3% respectively. Pearson correlation test showed the graft volume calculated by two-dimensional and three-dimensional methods had a significantly positive correlation with actual graft weight (r=0.821, 0.890, P<0.01) and linear regression analyze showed the R2 were 0.674 and 0.792, respectively. The accuracy rate of preoperative evaluation about portal vein, hepatic vein, hepatic artery and bile duct were 100%, 100%, 97.8% and 95.5%, respectively. The preoperative plan and postoperative practical scheme coincidence rate was 95.5%. Overall donor complication rate was 7.4%. All donors were alive. Sixteen donors received right lobe hepatectomy with gallbladder preserved had a good liver function and gallbladder function. CONCLUSION: Through the precise preoperative evaluation, surgical planning, fine operation and excellent postoperative management, precise liver surgery technique can ensure the safety of donor in living donor liver transplantation.

STAT3 regulates the migration and invasion of a stem­like subpopulation through microRNA­21 and multiple targets in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Despite advances in the detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognosis remains poor partly due to recurrence or extra/intrahepatic metastasis. Stem­like cancer cells are considered the source of malignant phenotypes including metastasis in various types of cancer. HCC side population (SP), considered as stem­like cancer cells, plays an important role in the migration and invasion in HCC, while the mechanisms involved remain unknown. In the present study, high levels of STAT3 and phospho­STAT3 were observed in MHCC97H SP cells compared with the main population (MP) cells. Inhibition of phospho­STAT3 led to a reduction of miR­21 expression, an increase of PTEN, RECK, and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) expression as well as the migration and invasion of SP cells. A set of rescue experiments was performed using different combinations of STAT3 inhibitor, miR­21 mimics and siRNAs to observe the expression of miR­21 targets, cell migration and invasion alterations. Data indicated that the alterations induced by STAT3 inhibition were partly reversed by the upregulation of miR­21. Additionally, the cells migration and invasion when silencing the targets of miR­21 were also reversed by STAT3 inhibition. In conclusion, the present study revealed the aberrant expression of STAT3 and miR­21 in HCC SP cells. Targeting STAT3 may limit HCC migration and invasion, which is likely to involve the regulation of miR­21 and its targets PTEN, RECK and PDCD4. Strategies directed towards STAT3 may therefore be a novel approach for the treatment of HCC.

Endoscopic or laparoscopic approach for hepatolithiasis in the era of endoscopy in China.

BACKGROUND: Many endoscopic procedures have been used to treat hepatolithiasis, including as laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH), laparoscopic intrahepatic duct exploration (LIDE), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, long-term results of such treatments are rarely reported. The series aimed to evaluate the immediate outcomes and long-term results of these treatments and their optimal indications. METHODS: From January 2002 to April 2010, a total of 124 continuous patients with hepatolithiasis were primarily treated with endoscopic surgery, including LH (LH group, n = 37), LIDE (LIDE group n = 41), and ERCP (ERCP group, n = 46) at our two institutes. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' demographic variables, operative outcomes, complete clearance rate, and cholangitis recurrence rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Complete stone clearance was achieved in 94.6 % of LH, 78.0 % of LIDE, and 67.4 % of ERCP patients. After a median follow-up period of 5.0 years (rang 2-8 years), we observed stone recurrence in 26.6 % (33/124) of patients and recurrent cholangitis in 24.2 % (30/124) of patients. Stricture, stones in both lobes, and non-hepatectomy treatments were significant risk factors for incomplete stone clearance on multivariate analysis. In addition, recurrent cholangitis was associated with non-hepatectomy therapy, Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, residual stones, and intrahepatic bile strictures. CONCLUSION: In this study with 2-8 years of follow-up, residual stones, biliary stricture, Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and ERCP therapy were associated with recurrent stones and/or cholangitis after treatment, indicating that the modification of Sphincter of Oddi function and maintaining its normal pressure are very important.

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: To explore the morbidity and risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: The data from 196 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, performed by different surgeons, in the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army between January 1(st), 2013 and December 31(st), 2013 were retrospectively collected for analysis. The diagnoses of POPF and clinically relevant (CR)-POPF following pancreaticoduodenectomy were judged strictly by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze the following factors: patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pancreatic duct diameter, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatic drainage and pancreaticojejunostomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the main independent risk factors for POPF. RESULTS: POPF occurred in 126 (64.3%) of the patients, and the incidence of CR-POPF was 32.7% (64/196). Patient characteristics of age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy showed no statistical difference related to the morbidity of POPF or CR-POPF. Pancreatic duct diameter was found to be significantly correlated with POPF rates by univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis, with a pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm being an independent risk factor for POPF (OR = 0.291; P = 0.000) and CR-POPF (OR = 0.399; P = 0.004). The CR-POPF rate was higher in patients without external pancreatic stenting, which was found to be an independent risk factor for CR-POPF (OR = 0.394; P = 0.012). Among the entire patient series, there were three postoperative deaths, giving a total mortality rate of 1.5% (3/196), and the mortality associated with pancreatic fistula was 2.4% (3/126). CONCLUSION: A pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm is an independent risk factor for POPF. External stent drainage of pancreatic secretion may reduce CR-POPF mortality and POPF severity.

Double stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase promotes the tumorigenic phenotype in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating STAT3.

Previously known as a first-response protein upon viral infection and other stress signals, double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR, also termed EIF2AK2) has been found to be differentially expressed in multiple types of tumor, including hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that PKR may be involved in tumor initiation and development. However, whether and how PKR promotes or suppresses the development of hepatocellular carcinoma remains controversial. In the present study, PKR expression was investigated using qPCR and western blot analysis, which revealed that PKR expression was upregulated in liver tumor tissues, when compared to that of adjacent normal tissues, which were obtained from four primary liver cancer patients. Furthermore, in vitro cellular assays revealed that PKR exerts a key role in maintaining the proliferation and migration of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mouse models with xenograft transplantations also confirmed a tumorigenic role of PKR in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, a transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), was revealed to mediate the tumor-promoting function of PKR in HepG2 cells, as shown by in vitro cellular proliferation and migration assays. In conclusion, the results suggested a tumorigenic role of PKR in liver cancer and a detailed mechanism involving an oncogenic transcription factor, STAT3, is described. Therefore, PKR may present a potential novel therapeutic target for the treatment of liver cancer.

Percutaneous transhepatic and endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant biliary tract obstruction: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various malignant tumors can obstruct the extrahepatic biliary tract. Two major techniques for restoring bile flow in this circumstance are endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of the two techniques. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database were searched for articles published between January 1980 and December 2013. The outcome measures were therapeutic success rate (primary), 30-day mortality rate and overall complications. RESULTS: Of 264 screened articles, 3 randomized controlled trialscomprising an aggregate total of 183 cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis showed no significant difference in restoration of bile flow between patients treated with EBD and those treated with PTBD (odds ratio (OR) = 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32 to 17.16, P = 0.401).However, the result of sensitivity analysis indicated that the study conducted by Speer et al. influenced the pooled estimates. After the Speer et al. study was excluded, the therapeutic success rate of patients treated with PTBD was significantly greater than that of those who underwent EBD (OR = 5.48, 95% CI: 2.26 to 13.28, P < 0.001). The 30-day mortality and complication rates were similar in the EBD and PTBD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our meta-analysis indicate that PTBD had a higher therapeutic success rate than EBD in the treatment of malignancy-induced biliary obstruction. The mortality and complication rates of the two techniques were similar.

The preliminary experience in simultaneous treatment of rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases with laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is no consensus for laparoscopy first in patients with rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases, whose metastases are confined to the liver. This study aimed to evaluate its indications for one-stage surgery in laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases, who had undergone laparoscopic colorectal resection and simultaneous treatment for liver metastases, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Concomitant with laparoscopic colorectal resection, eight patients received liver resection simultaneously; 10 patients underwent a variety of down-staging management including local ablation, right hepatic portal vein ligation, and implantation of chemotherapy pumps into the hepatic artery. The colo-anal/rectal anastomoses were performed with a stapler or "pull-though" mode though the anus. Three patients underwent two-stage liver resection following tumor down-staging. Median survival time was 22.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy approach for rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases is feasible in selected patients. Colon pull-through anastomosis was a potential method to avoid abdominal incision and decrease the risk of anastomotic leakage. It is worth further investigation regarding its advantages over traditional modalities with a prospective randomized controlled study.

Proper surgical technique approved for early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for non-critically ill elderly patients with acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Either percutaneous cholecystostomy or cholecystectomy are definitive recommendations regarding treatment of elderly or critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). In this study, we investigated whether early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) is appropriate for non-critically ill elderly patients with AC with modified surgical technique. METHODOLOGY: A total of 230 non-critically ill elderly patients, who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with "suction-curettage" dissection or "open-gallbladder" technique, were retrospectively reviewed, and were divided into three groups based on the length of time from onset of symptoms to surgical intervention (from ELC to delayed intervention). Among the three groups, the operative difficulty, morbidity, mortality, conversion rate, postoperative hospitalization and total hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups with respect to clinical characteristics, conversion rate, the incidences of major postoperative complications and mortality rate. However, the mean operative time and in-hospital stay were significantly shorter, and the estimated blood loss was significantly less in the ELC group than in the delay group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: With "suction-curettage" dissection or "open-gallbladder" technique, LC is a safe and effective treatment for AC in elderly patients at any time. There is no advantage to postponing an early operation in elderly patients with AC.

[Surgical management and outcome of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas: a series of 58 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the surgical management of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) and its characteristics of outcome. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with SPTP of the pancreas admitted from January 2001 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 male and 51 female patients, with an average age of 30 years (ranging 9 to 70 years). Most patients were symptomatic before admission; the most common symptom was abdominal pain. Of the 58 patients, 21 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 30 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy, 6 patients underwent central pancreatectomy, 1 patient underwent simple tumor enucleation, and 1 patients underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. RESULTS: The average length of stay in hospital was 23.8 days (ranging 12 to 64 days). Thirteen patients (22.4%) developed postoperative complications, including grade A postoperative pancreatic fistula of 8 cases, gastrointestinal tract bleeding of 1 case, pleural effusion of 2 cases, wound infection and fat liquefaction of 2 cases. Two patients underwent reoperation due to gastrointestinal tract bleeding or wound infection. There was no hospital death. Forty-four patients were followed-up for 7 to 136 months with an average of 41 months. All the 44 patients were alive, while 8 patients developed dyspepsia and 4 patients developed diabetes mellitus. There were no tumor recurrences or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: SPTP is found primarily in young women. Excellent prognosis would be achieved with surgical resection.

Perioperative analysis of laparoscopic liver resection with different methods of hepatic inflow occlusion.

BACKGROUND: During liver resection, bleeding remains the most important challenge. A reduction in blood loss and avoiding the need for a blood transfusion are important objectives for liver surgeons today. The authors compared the intra- and postoperative course of patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resections under intermittent total pedicle occlusion (IPO), hemihepatic vascular occlusion (HVO), and selective vascular occlusion (SVO). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted of patient data from 41 cases of laparoscopic liver resection in three groups of patients under different occlusion methods, including 15 cases of IPO, 15 cases of HVO, and 11 cases of SVO. The advantages and disadvantages of the various methods were compared, as well as blood loss, operation time, changes in postoperative liver function, and complications. RESULTS: There was no operative death in any of the 41 patients. Generally, there was no significant difference among the three groups in blood loss, clamping time, or operative time. After the operation, the effect on liver function for the HVO and SVO groups was significantly less severe than that for the IPO group (P<.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was mainly related to IPO and the larger amount of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Both HVO and SVO are feasible in laparoscopic hepatectomy and have the advantage of reducing liver remnant ischemia injury and modality rate over IPO. HVO is easy to do for left lateral lobe or resection of the left half of the liver. SVO is suitable for right lobe resection.

Short-term outcomes from a multicenter retrospective study in China comparing laparoscopic and open surgery for the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery for confirmed infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) represents a relatively new solution. There are no studies comparing the outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery for patients with IPN. The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic management for patients with IPN and to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with IPN who underwent open surgery (Open-group) or laparoscopic surgery (Lap-group) were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, white blood cell count, and APACHE II score upon admission, operative findings, major complications, and mortality were compared between the Open-group and the Lap-group. The Lap-group was further divided into two subgroups (early and late), and the operative difficulty was compared between the two subgroups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the Open-group and the Lap-group with respect to demographic data, white blood cell count, and APACHE II score. Although the mean operative time was significantly shorter in the Open-group than in the Lap-group, the estimated blood loss was significantly greater in the Open-group than in the Lap-group, as was the rate of complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay in the Open-group was significant longer than in the Lap-group, too. In the Lap-group, the mean operating time, estimated blood loss, and conversion rate in the early subgroup were significantly lower than in the late subgroup. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic necrosectomy and the placement of an intermittent irrigation and continuous suction drainage system for IPN is feasible, effective, and of minimal invasiveness. The late laparoscopic necrosectomy is relatively difficult.

Growth-inhibitory effects of MOB2 on human hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.

AIM: To investigate the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects of the gene MOB2 on human hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. METHODS: The full-length cDNA of the MOB2 gene was amplified from human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The correct full-length MOB2 cDNA was subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C1. After lipofection of the MOB2 gene into cancer cells, the levels of MOB2 protein in the cancer cells were detected by immunoblotting. To transfect the recombined plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2 into SMMC-7721 cells, the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium with 10% fetal calf serum and glutamine, and then mixed with liposomes, Lipofectamine 2000 and the plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2. RESULTS: We observed the growth and proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells containing pEGFP-CI-MOB2 and analyzed their apoptosis and growth cycle phases by flow cytometry. We successfully transfected the recombined plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2 into SMMC-7721 cells and screened for a single clone cell containing MOB2. After transfection, MOB2 enhanced growth suppression, induced apoptosis, increased the ratio of G0/G1, significantly inhibited the advance of cell cycle phase, and arrested cells in G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSION: MOB2 overexpression induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth of human hepatic cancer cells, which may be useful in gene therapy for hepatic carcinoma.