Surgery for Renal Hyperparathyroidism in the Era of Cinacalcet: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are only few data on the influence of cinacalcet on the outcome of parathyroidectomy in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. Indication and timing of surgery have changed since its introduction, especially with regard to kidney transplantation. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2015, 196 consecutive operations in 191 patients were analyzed. About 80 operations (41%) were performed in patients receiving cinacalcet compared with 116 operations (59%) in patients without cinacalcet. Clinical data, preoperative medication, pre- and postoperative laboratory values, type and details of surgery including complications, as well as cardiovascular complications and kidney transplantation with graft function were recorded. RESULTS: Demographical data were similar in patients with or without cinacalcet treatment. A total of 54% of patients received a kidney graft before or after parathyroidectomy. Pre- and postoperative parathormone levels were similar in both groups (preoperatively 755 vs 742 ng/L, postoperatively 50 vs 46 ng/L, p > 0.10), whereas patients with cinacalcet showed significantly lower calcium levels preoperatively (2.28 vs 2.41 mmol/L, p = 0.0002). There was no difference in recurrence or persistence of hyperparathyroidism, duration of surgery, hospital stay, or complication rate. Creatinine levels in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism were similar after 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Cinacalcet did not influence outcome of patients with parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism and can be safely offered to patients not responding to medical treatment.

[Stenosis and iatrogenic perforation as complication following long-term stenting of the oesophagus]. / Narbige Stenose und iatrogene Perforation als -Komplikation nach Langzeitstenting des Ösophagus.

Anastomotic leaks after oesophagojejunostomy usually are treated by endoluminal stenting with self-expandable metal or plastic stents. Here we present a patient with more than 4 years of oesophageal stenting for anastomotic leakage after gastrectomy. During the attempted removal of the stent he experienced a perforation of the jejunum. Emergency surgery with complete resection of the stent and transhiatal oesophagojejunostomy was performed. Generally, early removal of oesophageal stents 4-6 weeks after implantation is recommended, as later attempts often fail and may lead to extensive surgery.

Splenic artery syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation: treatment with the Amplatzer vascular plug.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) for embolization of the splenic artery in patients with hepatic hypoperfusion after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (9 men and 4 women) with a mean age of 56 years (range 22-70) who developed splenic artery syndrome after OLT with decreased liver perfusion and clinically relevant impairment of liver function (increased transaminase or serum bilirubin levels, thrombocytopenia, and/or therapy-refractory ascites) were treated by embolization of the proximal third of the splenic artery using the AVP. The plugs ranged in diameter from 6 to 16 mm, and they were introduced through femoral (n = 9), axillary (n = 3), or brachial (n = 1) access using a 5F or 8F guiding catheter. RESULTS: The plugs were successfully placed, and complete occlusion of the splenic artery was achieved in all patients. Placement of two plugs was necessary for complete occlusion in 3 of the 13 patients. Occlusion took on average 10 min (range 4-35). There was no nontarget embolization or plug migration into more distal segments of the splenic artery. All patients showed improved arterial perfusion, including the liver periphery, on postinterventional angiogram. After embolization, liver function parameters (transaminase and bilirubin levels) improved with normalization of concomitant thrombocytopenia and a decrease in ascites volume. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience in a small patient population with SAS suggests that the AVP enables precise embolization of the proximal splenic artery, thus providing safe and effective treatment for poor liver perfusion after OLT due to SAS.