Incidence of port-site metastasis after undergoing robotic surgery for biliary malignancies.

AIM: To investigate the incidence of clinically detected port-site metastasis (PSM) in patients who underwent robotic surgery for biliary malignancies. METHODS: Using a prospective database, the patients undergoing fully robotic surgery for biliary malignancies between January 2009 and January 2011 were included. Records of patients with confirmed malignancy were reviewed for clinicopathological data and information about PSM. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with biliary tract cancers underwent robotic surgery, and sixty patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 67 year (range: 40-85 year). During a median 15-mo follow-up period, two female patients were detected solitary PSM after robotic surgery. The incidence of PSM was 3.3%. Patient 1 underwent robotic anatomatic left hemihepatectomy and extraction of biliary tumor thrombi for an Klatskin tumor. She had a subcutaneous mass located at the right lateral abdominal wall near a trocar scar. Patient 2 underwent robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal biliary cancer. She had two metachronous subcutaneous mass situated at the right lateral abdominal wall under a same trocar scar at 7 and 26 mo. The pathology of the excised PSM masses confirmed metastatic biliary adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PSMs after robotic surgery for biliary malignancies is relatively low, and biliary cancer can be an indication of robotic surgery.

Diagnosis and management of autoimmune pancreatitis: experience from China.

AIM: To determine the clinical, radiographic and pathologic characteristics, diagnostic and treatment modalities in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). METHODS: In this retrospective study, the data of patients with diagnosed chronic pancreatitis (CP) between 1995 and 2006 in Chinese PLA General Hospital were included to screen for the cases with AIP, according to the following diagnostic criteria: (1) diagnostic histopathologic features, and abound IgG4-positive plasma cells on pancreatic tissues; (2) characteristic imaging on computed tomography and pancreatography, together with increased serum IgG, gamma-globulin levels or presence of autoantibodies; (3) response to steroid therapy. The clinical, radiographic and pathologic characteristics, diagnostic and treatment modalities, and outcome of AIP cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five (22 male, 3 female; mean age 54 years, 36-76 years) out of 510 CP patients were diagnosed as AIP, which accounted for 49% (21/43) of CP population undergoing surgical treatment in the same period. The main clinical manifestations included intermittent or progressive jaundice in 18 cases (72%), abdominal pain in 11 (44%), weight loss in 10 (40%), and 3 cases had no symptoms. The imaging features consisted of pancreatic enlargement, especially in the head of pancreas (18 cases), strictures of main pancreatic duct and intrapancreatic bile duct. Massive lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltration in pancreatic tissues were showed on pathology, as well as parenchymal fibrosis. Twenty-three patients were misdiagnosed as pancreaticobiliary malignancy, and 21 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, the remaining 4 patients dramatically responded to steroid therapy. No pancreatic cancer occurred during a mean 46-mo follow-up period. CONCLUSION: AIP patients always are subjected to mistaken diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and an unnecessary surgical exploration, due to its similarity in clinical features with pancreatic cancer. The differential diagnosis with high index of suspicion of AIP would improve the diagnostic accuracy for AIP.

[Experience of diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma arising from congenital biliary duct cyst].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of carcinoma arising from congenital biliary duct cyst. METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of 185 patients with congenital biliary duct cyst admitted to Chinese PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 185 patients, twenty-seven cases had carcinomas arising from congenital biliary duct cyst, and the frequency of malignant transformation was 14.6%, which closely related to the age (P < 0.001). The incidences of malignancy for different age groups were: 0 for 0-9 age group, 5.1% for 0-19, 9.1% for 20-29, 16.2% for 30-39, 26.7% for 40-49, 33.3% for 50-59, and 50% for over 60, respectively. Six patients had the history of cyst-enterostomy. Abdominal pain, fever, jaundice and weight loss were the main clinical manifestations. Abdominal ultrasonography, CT, MRI or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, MRCP and endoscopic retrograde choledochopancreatography (ERCP) were the main diagnostic methods. For twenty patients (74.1%), a definite diagnosis was made preoperatively, but it's hard to make an early diagnosis. Nine patients (33.3%) underwent curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital biliary duct cyst is a premalignant lesion, and the incidence of carcinogenesis increases remarkably with age. The most effective method for prevention of carcinogenesis in choledochal cyst is complete excision of choledochal cyst during childhood, and the prognosis is poor for patients with biliary malignancy.

[Radiofrequency ablation for hypersplenism due to portal hypertension: clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and clinical prospects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. METHODS: The laboratory and radiologic data over one-year period of patients undergone splenic RFA were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients undergone splenic RFA has closely followed-up over 1 year. During hospitalization, no procedure-related complications occurred, only minor complications including hydrothorax (3/9 patients) and mild abdominal pain (4/9 patients) were observed. After treatment, average 30.7% (20%-43%) of spleen volume was ablated, and the platelet count reached peak on 14th post-procedure day. White blood cell and platelet counts, liver function, and hepatic artery blood flow had gained significant improvements comparing with those before RFA procedures. Hyperplasia/regeneration was also occurred in cirrhotic liver after splenic RFA. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective and minimally invasive approach for the management of hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Increased hepatic artery blood flow can contribute to significant improvement of liver function, and maybe potentially stimulate liver regeneration in cirrhotic liver.

Diagnosis and management of regional portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Regional portal hypertension (RPH) results from splenic vein thrombosis/occlusion, with emergence of gastric varices and severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Its diagnosis and management are summarized below. METHODS: We reviewed our experience in 16 consecutive patients with RPH at Chinese PLA General Hospital between 2001 and 2004. The clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and therapeutic modalities were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 16 patients with RPH, 12 had co-existing pancreatic diseases and 4 were of obscure origin. The main clinical findings were splenomegaly in 16 (100%), epigastric pain (mainly left upper abdomen) in 10 (63%), gastrointestinal bleeding in 7 (44%) and abdominal mass in 3 (19%). All had normal liver function tests. The main diagnostic methods used were ultrasound (US), computerized tomography (CT) and endoscopy. Splenic vein thrombosis could be identified by color Doppler ultrasound (7/7), enhanced CT could show its enlarged and tortuous short gastric vein, gastroepiploic vein, and collateral vessels around the splenic hilum (16/16). Isolated gastric varices (4/5) were mainly shown by esophagogastroscopy. Splenectomy was effective in controlling the variceal bleeding, but portal vein thrombosis occurred in 1 case. Endoscopic sclerotherapy had been carried out repeatedly in 2 cases, but was less effective (1/2, 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Precise diagnosis of RPH can be achieved by clinical manifestations, US and CT. Therapeutic options should be individualized basing on the underlying diseases, however, splenectomy is more preferable for patients with bleeding varices, and endoscopic sclerotherapy can be tried.

[Clinical research on radiofrequency ablation for hypersplenism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the security and curative effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hypersplenism due to portal hypertension in the near future. METHODS: 12 patients of the disease were treated with RFA. The blood count showed that WBC is (2.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(9)/L, PLT (25 +/- 10) x 10(9)/L, RBC (3.08 +/- 0.56) x 10(9)/L. In manners of systemic anaesthesia, through skin or in the operation or under the celioscopes the RFA needles are inserted the upper and middle parts of spleen in the instructing of US. Average time of RFA is (36.4 +/- 5.4) s. RESULTS: After the RFA, 1 case develop hematoma under the envelope of liver, and 1 case developed skin burn; 6 patients appeared middle or little fluid in the left thorax, 2 of them were drawn through puncture. The volume of spleen and damaged part of spleen from RFA were determined by enhanced CT in the days of 10 after RFA, the percentage of damaged part of spleen from RFA is 49.1% (23.3% - 88.9%). In the days of 14 after RFA, RBC is (5.5 +/- 0.9) x 10(9)/L, PLT is (124 +/- 21.36) x 10(9)/L; In the days of 33 after RFA, RBC is (5.4 +/- 1.1) x 10(9)/L, PLT is (205 +/- 34) x 10(9)/L. The levels of WBC and PLT in the blood after RFA are significantly higher than those of levels of WBC and PLT before RFA (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation for Hypersplenism due to portal hypertension of hepatitis hepatocirrhosis is safety and credibility and has excellent curative effect in the near future.

[The feasibility and safety of radiofrequency ablation for secondary splenomegaly and hypersplenism in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in spleen to treat secondary splenomegaly and hypersplenism in dogs. METHODS: Fourteen healthy mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 4) and group B (n = 10) Both groups underwent ligation of the splenic vein and its collateral branches to induce congestive splenomegaly. At the end of the 3rd week, radiofrequency thermal ablation of the spleen was performed in the group B via laparotomy. After splenic RFA, the procedure-related complications were observed, CT scan was performed and the spleens were obtained according to schedule. The radiofrequency (RF) thermal lesions and its histo- pathological changes of the spleen were examined regularly. RESULTS: There were no morbidity and mortality in the experimental dogs. CT findings revealed that splenomegaly could sustained over 2 months after ligation of the splenic vein. The segmental RF lesions included hyperintense zone of coagulative necrosis and more extensively peripheral hypo-intense infarcted zone. The latter was called as "bystander effect". The infarcted zone would be absorbed and subsequently disappeared between 4 and 6 weeks after RFA, and the size of the remnant spleen shrunk, but the lesion of coagulative necrosis hardly altered. The fundamental histopathological changes of splenic lesions caused by RF thermal energy included local coagulative necrosis and the peripheral thrombotic infarction zone. Subsequently, tissue absorption and fibrosis occurred in the zone of thrombotic infarction. Simultaneously occluded vessels, fibrin deposition, and disappearance of normal splenic sinuses resulted in the condensed structure of the viable remnant spleen, which were the pathological basis responsible for the shrunk spleen. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible and safe to perform RFA in the spleen to treat experimental splenomegaly and hypersplenism. The RFA technique could be safely performed clinically via laparotomy or laparoscopic procedure to strictly isolate the spleen from the surrounding organs.

Experimental study on the feasibility and safety of radiofrequency ablation for secondary splenomagely and hypersplenism.

AIM: To assess the feasibility and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of secondary splenomagely and hypersplenism. METHODS: Sixteen healthy mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups, group I (n=4) and group II (n=12). Congestive splenomegaly was induced by ligation of splenic vein and its collateral branches in both groups. At the end of 3rd week postoperation, RFA in spleen was performed in group II via laparotomy, complications of RFA were observed, CT scan was performed and the spleens were obtained. The radiofrequency (RF) thermal lesions and histopathology of spleen were examined regularly. RESULTS: No complication or death was observed in both groups; CT revealed that the splenomegaly lasted over 2 months after ligation of splenic vein; the segmental RF lesions included hyperintense zone of coagulative necrosis and more extensive peripheral hypointense infarcted zone, the latter was called "bystander effect". The infarcted zone would be absorbed and subsequently disappeared in 4-6 weeks after RFA accompanied with shrinkage of the remnant spleen. The fundamental histopathological changes of splenic lesions caused by RF thermal energy included local coagulative necrosis, peripheral thrombotic infarction zone, subsequent tissue absorption and fibrosis in the zone of thrombotic infarction, the occlusion of vessels in remnant viable spleen, deposition of extensive fibrous protein, and disappearance of congestive splenic sinusoid - "splenic carnification". Those pathologic changes were underline of shrinkage of spleen. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and safe to perform RFA in spleen to treat experimental splenomegaly and hypersplenism. The RFA could be safely performed clinically via laparotomy or laparoscopic procedure while spleen was strictly separated from surrounding organs.