[Small bowel tumours from barium meal to capsule endoscopy and from open to laparoscopic approach]. / Tumorile intestinului subtire de la tranzitul baritat la enteroscopie, de la abordul clasic la cel laparoscopic.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the small bowel are rare and present with nonspecific symptoms. That causes a significant delay in diagnosis and consequently a worse outcome for the patient. METHODS: In a retro-prospective study we evaluated a series of 63 patients with small bowel tumors operated in the First Surgical Clinic Iasi, during 1992-2010: 18 duodenal tumors, 26 jejunum tumors and 19 ileum tumors. There were 18 (28.6%) cases with benign tumors and 45 (71.4%) cases with malignant tumors (41 primary tumors and 4 secondary tumors). We discuss problems related to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these tumors in the presence of new explorations (capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy) and minimally invasive approach. RESULTS: Duodenal tumors were malignant in 14 cases (11 adenocarcinomas, 3 malignant GIST tumors) and benign in 4 cases (adenoma, lipoma, GIST tumor, schwannoma) which led to stenosis in 5 cases, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 3 cases. Positive diagnostic was confirmed with barium meal and endoscopy. The jejunal and ileal tumors were mostly malignant 31 cases (13 carcinomas, 10 lymphomas, 2 malignant GIST and one sarcoma) with only 14 cases of benign tumors (5 GIST). Their tendency was to present as emergencies: 17 obstructions and 5 peritonitis. Modem imagistic proved useful as diagnostic tool: capsule endoscopy, CT-scan and enteroscopy. The benign tumors benefited from local resection (5 cases) and segmental enterectomy (12 cases), while malignant tumors were managed using Whiple's procedures (10 cases), duodenal-jejunal resections (1 case), segmental enterectomy (29 cases), ileocolectomy (2 cases) and three bypasses. Laparoscopic approach was performed in 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of small bowel tumors remains low. For diagnosis, CT-scan, enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy are very useful; unfortunately the last method is not practicable in emergency. Surgery is the best choice plus chemotherapy for some malignant tumors. Laparoscopic approach is feasible in selected cases.

[The absence of haptic perception in laparoscopic cholecystectomy--risk factor for biliary lesions]. / Absenta perceptiei haptice în colecistectomia laparoscopica--factor de risc pentru leziuni biliare.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injuries are the main serious technical complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Each lesion is peculiar in its features as well as the surgeon's reaction when face it. AIM: To reveal the place of the human error according to accepted principles of cognitive psychology, beside other risk-factors involved in biliary accidents during LC. METHOD: Retrospective study on 18 patients treated for severe biliary lesions during LC in 1st Surgical Clinic of "Sf. Spiridon" Hospital, Iasi, Romania, between March 1993 and March 2008. According to Strasberg's classification the lesions were: type C (n=1; 3%), type D (n=13; 39.4%), type E1-2 (n=2; 6.1%) and type E5 (n=2; 6.1%). In the medical records we followed up the technical aspects of the procedure (section, dissection, clips) and the lesional and anatomic factors attended at the moment of LC. We also assessed the concerned surgeons experience based on the number of the LC at time of the biliary accident. RESULTS: In our experience (10046 LC) the incidence of the biliary injuries was 0.1% only. We met four lesional and/or anatomic factors (mean) on each case with biliary lesion. Only five cases (27.7%) were detected intraoperatively, but Spearman's correlation between time of detection and surgeons experience is insignificant. CONCLUSION: Our results, rounded with cognitive psychology data from literature, suggest the role of the absence of haptic perception during laparoscopic procedures, in the occurrence of some errors, even in circumstances with "perfect visibility".

The histopathologic type of the periampullary tumors. Is it important for survival?

BACKGROUND: The ampulla of Vater is a junction with four histologic epithelial types: ampullary, duodenal, pancreatic and biliary. The tumors of this region are named periampullary adenocarcinomas, but the histologic type of these malignancies seems to have an important significance for survival. AIM: Our purpose is to determine whether the histologic type of the resectable vaterian adenocarcinomas is a prognostic factor. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 38 patients who underwent RO-R1 pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary adenocarcinomas between 1998 and 2007 in one single surgical center. The histopathologic reports and the microscopic samples were reevaluated independently by two senior pathologists. Using our database we assessed the overall survival based on histologic type, tumor stage, lymph nodes involvement, tumor size and the level of differentiation. RESULTS: The histologic type of the adenocarcinomas was intestinal in 23 cases (60.5%) and pancreatobiliary in 15 cases (39.5%). The median overall survival was significantly higher in patients with well differentiate intestinal-type in T1-T2 stage without nodes involvement. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis the regional lymph nodes involvement and the differentiation degree remained significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The intestinal type of periampullary adenocarcinomas has a long survival, but the lymph nodes involvement and the lower degree of differentiation are associated with a high risk of death in these malignancies.

[Abdominal wall endometriosis after gynecologic procedures: an under-appreciated diagnosis in general surgery]. / Endometrioza parietala abdominala dupa chirurgia ginecologica: un diagnostic subapreciat in chirurgia generala.

UNLABELLED: Incisional endometriosis is a clinical entity described in the gynecologic literature but it is not well recognized among general surgeons. The preoperative diagnosis is often mistaken for a suture granuloma, abscess, lipoma, cyst or incisional hernia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective review of six cases of incisional endometriosis in our hospital aimed at determining which, if any, factors would suggest the diagnosis preoperatively. All general surgery patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis in their pathology specimens from January 1990 to February 2006 were reviewed. RESULTS: All six patients had previous cesarean sections through either a Pfannenstiel (n = 4) or lower midline (n = 2) incision. Ages ranged from 28 to 43 years (mean 34.3 years). All patients presented with a palpable painful lesion located in the area of cesarean section incision. Three of the patients had a change in symptoms with their menstrual cycle. The duration of symptoms ranged between 2 months to 6 years. All patients underwent surgical excision. The size of the excised endometrioma ranged from 3 cm to 9 cm (mean 5.3 cm). CONCLUSION: Incisional endometriosis seems to be common in women with a history of cesarean section. Most patients presented with a painful abdominal mass. Three patients presented cyclic changes in pain and size of the mass with menses, but this may be due to physician's lack of awareness and questioning. The management of choice is to remove the lesion completely even if fascial excision is required.

[Long-term results after surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma, stage I-III. Problems of prognosis]. / Rezultate la distanta dupa tratamentul chirurgical al adenocarcinomului colo-rectal stadiile I-III. Probleme de prognostic.

UNLABELLED: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study on 142 consecutively cases with stage I to III colorectal adenocarcinomas (TNM AJCC/UICC) in which patients underwent potentially curative surgery in one single public health service (1st Surgical Clinic Iasi, Romania) between 2004 and 2005. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The mean follow-up was 23.26 +/- 9.78 months (range 2 to 42 months). There were 85 men (59.9%) and 57 women (40.1%) with mean age 63.38 +/- 11.84 years (range 28 to 88 years). The surgical procedures performed were the following: right colectomy (n = 54; 30%); transverse colectomy (n = 2; 1.4%); left colectomy (n = 19; 13.4%); segmental colon resection with anastomosis (n = 5 ; 3.5%); Hartmann procedure (n = 18; 12.7%); anterior rectal resection (n = 11; 7.7%) and abdominoperineal resection (n = 33; 23.2%). With regard to postoperative adjuvant therapy most patients were given chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. The mean overall survival (months) and 42-months survival rates were calculated. The patients were censored in the survival calculation (Kaplan-Meier method) and Cox regression if they were alive at the endpoint of the follow-up. Some patients were censored because they were "lost to follow-up". Statistical significance is p < 0.05. RESULTS: The factors with a significant negative influence in overall survival and 42-months survival rates were: the age over 70 years, the emergency surgery related to cancer's complications, the advanced AJCC/ UICC stage, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, the recurrence of disease, the moderate and lower differentiated adenocarcinoma and incomplete or not performed chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Even with a radical surgical approach the advanced stage of colorectal adenocarcinoma has a low prognostic, but some other factors have also a high significance in postoperative outcome. Related to other prognostic factors we performed a review of literature.

[Hydatic cyst of the liver. Considerations on 337 cases]. / Chistul hidatic hepatic. Consideratii asupra a 337 cazuri.

Hydatid disease of the liver is still endemic in certain parts of the world. The modern treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver varies from surgical intervention to percutaneous drainage or medical therapy. Surgery is still the treatment of choice and can be performed by the conventional or laparoscopic approach. The aim of the study is to analyze the results of the surgical treatment in hydatid disease of the liver in First Surgical Clinic, Iasi. The study concerned a period of 12.5 years (1992 - 31.07.2004) and it included 337 cases. There were performed radical procedures (ideal cystectomy - 17 cases - 5.04%, hepatic segmentectomy - 8 cases - 1.48%, atypical hepatectomy - 10 cases - 2.96%) or conservative procedures (de-roofing - 37 cases - 10.97%, subtotal pericystectomy - 34 cases -10.80%, total pericystectomy - 19 cases - 5.63%, partial pericystectomy - 212 cases -62.90%). In 35 cases (10.38%) the operation was started laparoscopically and 12 cases needed conversion. Postoperative course was complicated in 112 cases (33.32%) (external biliary fistula, cavity suppuration, residual cavity hydatid relapse). Radical methods constituted operations that had excellent results, but they are feasible in few cases. Conservative procedures, relatively simple and still accepted, have a higher rate of morbidity. The laparoscopic approach is more and more used, with good results.

[Meckel's diverticulum in laparoscopic era]. / Diverticulul Meckel în era chirurgiei laparoscopice.

A recent case of a Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed and successfully laparoscopically treated, triggered off a retrospective study on a series of 34 cases with Meckel's diverticulum admitted to the First Surgical Clinic between 1990-2003. We encountered 12 uncomplicated cases and 22 cases with a large panel of complications: 11 intestinal obstructions (volvulus 9, intussusceptions on a tumor-2), 9 cases with diverticulitis, 1 gastrointestinal bleeding and 1 case with Littre's inguinal hernia. Positive diagnosis was established intraoperatively and the surgical treatment was adapted according to the local situation (excision of the diverticulum or enterectomy). Out of 12 patients with uncomplicated Meckel's diverticulum 8 were subjected to prophylactic excision of the diverticulum. In 6 of these microscopic examinations were inclusions of gastric mucosa. Laparoscopy is safe, relatively inexpensive and efficient in the diagnosis and treatment of Meckel's diverticulum.

[Tendencies and results in rectal cancer treatment]. / Tendinte si rezultate în tratamentul actual al cancerului rectal.

UNLABELLED: Rectal cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide despite of multimodal treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the management strategies for rectal cancer and to determine morbidity after multimodal therapy. METHOD: Retrospective study about 276 patients with rectal cancer surgically treated in 1st Surgical Clinic of "St. Spiridon" Hospital Iasi, Romania, between 1998-September 2003. RESULTS: There were 166 men (60.14%) and 110 women (38.86%) with mean age 63.6 years (extreme 20-81 years). The tumor's staging was: stage I--12 cases (4.5%); stage II--59 cases (21.3%); stage III--134 cases (48.2%), stage IV--71 cases (25.7%). 37 patients (13.4%) received preoperative radiotherapy (20 Gy). The tumor was resectable in 204 cases (74%) with curative purpose in 190 cases (68.8%). The postoperative therapy was performed in 198 cases (71.7%). The postoperative morbidity was documented in 32 cases and 24 patients died during hospitalisation (8.7%). Long-term results are also exposed with a review of literature. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer has been notoriously difficult to treat successfully but there are numerous attempts modifying existing therapeutic regimens or designing new ones.

[Endo-Lap method in the management of biliary lithiasis (gallbladder and common bile duct)]. / Metoda Endo-Lap în tratamentul litiazei biliare (veziculare si a caii biliare principale).

AIM: To present the results of the biliary endoscopic approach (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the management of biliary lithiasis (gallbladder and common bile duct--CBD). PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1997 to March 2003 37 patients with biliary lithiasis were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with stone extraction, followed after 24-48 hours by LC. The indications for ERCP were presence of an obstructive jaundice (n=32) and a dilated CBD at the ultrasound examination (n=5). RESULTS: Selective biliary cannulation was obtained in 35 (94.6%) cases, in all of them with successful papillotomy. Stones were found in all patients. CBD clearances for calculi (from 1 to 8) was obtained in 33 of 35 patients (94.3%), the rest of 2 being managed by open laparotomy. Antibiotics were administrated in all patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed after 24-48 hours, with one conversion (3%). Postoperative morbidity was 12.1%: 2 transitory pancreatic reactions and 2 wound infections. CONCLUSION: Endo-Lap method is a useful management alternative for combined gallbladder and CBD lithiasis. It has all the advantages of the two mini-invasive procedures (fast recovery, short hospitalization, low costs) and a less postoperative morbidity in patients with high risk.

[Congenital cystic disease of the biliary system in adults]. / Dilatatia chistica congenitala a cailor biliare la adult.

Congenital cystic disease of the biliary system is a complex syndrome of ectasies of the intra-, extra- or both situation of biliary tree. This disease has an unsure etiopathogeny. It is uncommon through the third age, with a greater incidence in child, teen-ager and young adult. The goal of our study is to evaluate the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and histological aspects of the congenital biliary cysts. We performed a retrospective study from March 1988 to July 2003 about 11 patients with this disease treated in our surgical clinic. Clinical features, methods of diagnosis and surgical treatment were assessed. All patients were females with mean age 51 years (extreme 26-77 years). The symptoms were: right upper quadrant pain--11 cases (100%), jaundice--6 cases (54.5%), fever--3 cases (27%), palpable abdominal mass--2 cases (18%), weight loss--1 case (9%). The imaging diagnosis was helpful (ultrasonography, CT, ERCP, percutaneous cholangiography and preoperative cholangiography). In concordance with Todani classification the patients were included in the following types: Ia--3 cases (27%), I b--1 case (9%), I c--3 cases (27%), IV a--2 cases (18%), IV b--1 case (9%), V--1 case (9%). All patients were operated on: after cholecystectomy and transcystic cholangiography (11 cases--100%) we performed the total excision of the cyst--9 cases (82%) with choledochal jejunostomy (Roux-en-Y)--6 cases (54.5%), choledochal jejunostomy (omega)--1 case (9%) and choledochal duodenostomy--2 cases (18%). In one case of neoplasic cyst with portal invasion we performed a cyst-jejunostomy (omega) and in one case of Caroli disease with total obstruction of the distal choledoc, the solution of choice was choledocal-duodenostomy. The microscopic pathology of the cyst wall showed: chronic intramural inflammation--9 cases (82%) and the absence of the nervous intramural terminations--1 case (9%). The additional lesions was: hepatic cirrhosis--1 case (9%) and hepatic fibrosis--3 cases (27%). We found three cases with neoplasia: malign cyst with advanced local invasion--1 case (9%), pancreatic carcinoma--1 case (9%) and gallbladder carcinoma (microscopic finding)--1 case (9%). The postoperative morbidity includes biliary fistula--2 cases (18%) and wound infection--2 cases (18%). Long-term follow-up revealed cholangitis in one case--9%. The cystic dilatations of the common bile duct is an exclusive indication for surgery as soon as it was discovered.