The Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors - Experience of First Surgical Clinic Iasi.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare and characterized by widely variable clinical presentation and often challenging surgical management. Methods: Retrospective study conducted during the last 15 years at the First Surgical Clinic of the Iasi St Spiridon University Hospital, and which included all the patients diagnosed with pancreatic endocrine tumors by immunohistochemistry. Results: There were 26 cases diagnosed with PNET. The male/female ratios was 7/19 and mean age 41.93 +- 2.48 years (range 20-79 years). Of the PNET cases 13 were insulinomas, 5 gastrinomas, 2 gastrinomas associated with other endocrine neoplasms (Wermer syndrome), 5 non-functional endocrine pancreatic tumors and 1 ACTHoma. Clinical manifestations depended on tumor type: hypoglycemia and Whipple triad for insulinoma, Zollinger Ellison syndrome and complicated peptic ulcer (hemorrhage, perforation) for gastrinoma, Cushing syndrome for ACTHoma. Biological diagnosis included biological markers (e.g. insulin, gastrin and cortisol). Tumor site and size at diagnosis were determined by ultrasound, CT-scan, angiography, PETscan, octreoscan and intraoperative ultrasound. Surgical procedures for PNET insulinomas were: tumor resection - 6 cases; left splenopancreatectomy - 3 cases; left spleen-preserving pancreatectomy - 2 cases; pancreaticoduodenectomy - 2 cases. We also present 4 cases of gastrinoma with multiple ulcers and multiple surgical interventions for hemorrhage and perforation with peritonitis. The two patients with Wermer syndrome also had ulcers complicated with hemorrhage and peritonitis and parathyroid adenoma. Nonfunctional pancreatic endocrine tumors were diagnosed in 5 women of which in 3 the tumors were located in the pancreatic tail (in which splenopancreatectomy and left pancreatectomy with spleen preservation were performed) and in 2 in the pancreatic head (in which pancreaticoduodenectomy and Beger type operation were performed). Conclusions: Knowledge of clinical signs of secreting tumors and exploring the patients are of crucial importance for management of PNETs. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory for confirming the diagnosis and assessing the proliferation and biological behavior of the tumor, thus facilitating the administration of specific therapy. Aggressive surgical treatment is indicated, even in advanced stages.

Laparoscopic Treatment of Intraabdominal Cystic Lymphangioma.

UNLABELLED: The abdominal cystic lymphangioma (CL) in adults is a rare benign tumor of the lymphatic system. METHODS: We report a retrospective study from January 2002 to Decemberr 2014 concerning 18 patients who underwent surgical removal of a CL, 9 patients with laparoscopic approach included. The localization, size, and number, diagnostic, treatment and results have been reported for patients approached laparoscopically. RESULTS: There were 8 women and 1 man with median age at diagnosis was 35,6 years (range 20-51 years). Clinically, the main symptom was an abdominal pain found in 8 patients (88.8%). Physical examination revealed an abdominal mass in 5 patients (55.5%). The CL was asymptomatic in four patients; the discovery of CL was performed preoperatively during an ultrasound for another pathology (n=3) or intraoperatively (n=1). US exam CT scan usually allow the preoperative diagnosis. The most common site was shared equally between the mesentery (n = 3; 33%) and left retroperitoneum (n = 3;33%), followed by the right retroperitoneum and the posterior cavity of the lesser omentum and great omentum, each one case. The most common procedures performed were: laparoscopic total cystectomy of a closed cyst in two patients and evacuation of larger cysts followed by total cystectomy in seven patients. No conversion, no mortalities and no morbidity was noted. Mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. No recidive after 28 months in the average after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach is the gold standard in the treatment of intraabdominal CL.We recommend complete surgical excision to avoid recurrence.

Preoperative warm-up using a virtual reality simulator.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: All modern surgical procedures require a high level of cognitive and psychomotor skills achieved using different training methods, but could be influenced by fatigue and other psychological factors. We evaluated the effect of warm-up exercises on operative laparoscopic performances. METHODS: The surgical team operated on a consecutive series of 20 patients with gallstones. Patients were randomly allocated in 2 groups: group A to be operated on without warm-up exercises and group B to be operated on after a short-term warm-up. All the patients were operated on by the same surgical team. The full-time records of the operation were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. A modified simplified Global Rating Score (GRS) was used to assess the surgical procedures. A training module using the Lap Mentor simulator was designed for the warm-up. RESULTS: Better performances were noted by both observers in group B only regarding "Respect for tissue" scores (3.75 0.16 vs 4.43 0.20, P=.021 and 3.87 0.22 vs 4.57 0.20, P=.041) achieving significant or marginally significant differences for all categories; GRS scores for "time and motion" and "overall impression" tend to be better after warm-up, but differences failed to reach statistical significance in our series. CONCLUSION: Surgeons, even the most experienced in laparoscopic surgery, can increase specific psychomotor skills associated with a laparoscopic environment by doing simple exercises on a virtual reality simulator, just before an operation. These improvements are reflected in more accurate handling of tissue during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Posterior approach pancreaticoduodenectomy: best option for hepatic artery anatomical variants.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the best treatment for the patients with malignant tumors of the pancreatic head. However, the procedure is also recommended in some benign pancreatic tumors. The posterior approach allows early dissection of the superior mesenteric artery, portal vein and retroportal pancreatic lamina, before any pancreatic or digestive transection. We present a 42 year old woman diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor. The clinical and biological data suggested the diagnosis of insulinoma. The computed tomography showed a nodule located in the pancreatic head with a typical vascular pattern for endocrine tumor. The exam also revealed a rare vascular variant, a common hepatic artery which arises from the superior mesenteric artery. A pancreaticoduodenectomy has been performed. We used the posterior approach which allowed the correct dissection and exposure of the abnormal common hepatic artery. The postoperative course was uneventful. Posterior approach during the pancreaticoduodenectomies avoids arterial injuries that might compromise the liver arterial supply. It is especially indicated when preoperative imaging studies diagnose anatomic variants of the hepatic arteries.

Incomplete deployment of an expandable metallic stent in a patient with esophageal malignant stenosis.

The use of self expandable metallic stents (SEMS) in the palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophageal stenosis is a gold standard. Covered stents are used in all cases with overt air-digestive fistula or high potential for fistula development. The procedure is associated with a low incidence of procedure-related complications. We present a case with a major accident which developed during stent deployment. The delivery system became blocked and we found it impossible to fully deploy the stent, which remained attached to the introductory system. The stent was forcefully removed and replaced later on with a new stent. This is the first report of a SEMS related accident due to malfunction of the stent deployment system. Stent malfunction is unusual and unlikely to happen, but one should be aware and prepared for such unusual situations.

Adrenal schwannoma.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal schwannomas are very rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report the case of a left adrenal schwannoma incidentally discovered in a 55-year-old man during a postoperative checkup for a cutaneous malignant melanoma. METHODS: The biological evaluation was unremarkable, and the radiological examination revealed the adrenal mass that was first considered a metastatic lesion. Adrenalectomy was performed by the laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination established the correct diagnosis of schwannoma, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSIONS: A nonsecreting adrenal mass can be easily misjudged, especially in the context of a recently operated on malignancy. Unilateral adrenal metastasis needs pathological confirmation, as it can dramatically affect prognosis. Unusual tumors of the adrenal gland may be found incidentally, and a malignant context will generate difficulties in establishing the right management. Complete laparoscopic excision is the treatment of choice whenever feasible and will also clarify pathology.

Multiple peritoneal hydatid disease after rupture of a multivesicular hepatic hydatid cyst. Case report.

We report the peculiar case of a young woman with hepatic hydatid cysts, with numerous peritoneal disseminations (56 cysts) incidentally diagnosed during a caesarian section. The case was managed, surgically preceded and followed by systemic treatment with albendazole. Surgical treatment addressed both the hepatic cyst and the peritoneal hydatid disease aiming to preserve involved abdominal organs. The diagnosis of peritoneal hydatid disease is today more accurate due to the new imaging techniques and the surgical procedure should be tailored to each patient depending on size, location and complications of each cyst. Radical treatment is the best and represents a goal, but with multiple disease, a staged treatment and special care for organ preservation should prevail as recurrences are not unusual.