French intensive training course in laparoscopic surgery (HUGOFirst) on live porcine models: Validation of a performance assessment scale and residents' satisfaction in a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation as a method for practical teaching of surgical residents requires objective evaluation in order to measure the student's acquisition of knowledge and skills. The objectives of this article are to publish our evaluation and validation grids and also the measure of student satisfaction. METHOD: A teaching platform based on practical exercises with a porcine model was created in 2009 at seven French University Hospitals. Three times a year, 31 Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées Complémentaires (DESC) surgical residents underwent timed assessment of the performance of five surgical tasks: trocar insertion (trocars) testing the convergence of instruments (convergence), intra-corporeal knot tying (knots), running of the small intestine to find a lesion (exploration), and performance of a running suture closure of the peritoneum (closure). Two experts evaluated performances prospectively on grid score sheets specifically designed and validated for these exercises. We measured time, scores on a rating scale, and the interest and satisfaction of the residents. RESULTS: Data for 31 residents between May 2011 and March 2012 were analyzed. Rating scales were statistically validated and correlated (Kappa correlation coefficient K>0.69) for each task. The performance times of the most experienced residents decreased significantly for all tasks except for small bowel exploration (P=0.2). After four sessions, times were significantly improved with better quality (fewer errors and higher average scores [>88%]), regardless of the residents' experience. Of the participants, 92% were satisfied, 86% thought that the sessions improved their technical skills and 74% thought it had a favorable impact on their clinical practice. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the performance of surgical techniques can be improved through simulation, that HUFEG grids are valid, and that this teaching program is popular with surgical residents.

Professional risks when carrying out cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A French multicentric survey.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, many surgical teams have developed programs to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis with extensive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Currently, there are no specific recommendations for HIPEC procedures concerning environmental contamination risk management, personal protective equipment (PPE), or occupational health supervision. METHODS: A survey of the institutional practices among all French teams currently performing HIPEC procedures was carried out via the French network for the treatment of rare peritoneal malignancies (RENAPE). RESULTS: Thirty three surgical teams responded, 14 (42.4%) which reported more than 10 years of HIPEC experience. Some practices were widespread, such as using HIPEC machine approved by the European Community (100%), individualized or centralized smoke evacuation (81.8%), "open" abdominal coverage during perfusion (75.8%), and maintaining the same surgeon throughout the procedure (69.7%). Others were more heterogeneous, including laminar flow air circulation (54.5%) and the provision of safety protocols in the event of perfusate spills (51.5%). The use of specialized personal protective equipment is ubiquitous (93.9%) but widely variable between programs. CONCLUSION: Protocols regarding cytoreductive surgery/HIPEC and the associated professional risks in France lack standardization and should be established.

[Sexual functions after treatment for rectal cancer: impact of doses in autonomic pelvic nerves]. / Fonctions sexuelles après traitement du cancer rectal : impact des doses aux plexus pelviens autonomes.

PURPOSE: Prospective evaluation of sexual function after treatment of rectal cancer and identification of predictive factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients were treated with curative intent by chemoradiation and surgery for localized rectal adenocarcinoma. Sexual toxicity was assessed four times (before treatment and at 2, 6 and 12 months) using validated questionnaires: QLQ C30 and EORTC CR38 for all, simplified IIEF for men and FSFI for women. A correlation was sought between the toxicity and clinical and dosimetric parameters by Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: In men, erections and sexual satisfaction decreased significantly from the acute phase and then stabilized (respective scores of 84.5 and 86/100 in the initial phase, 66 and 70.4 at the end of radiotherapy, 70 and 70 at 6 months and 68.5 and 70 at 12 months). For women, the changes were not significant. This study confirms some risk factors for sexual toxicity already mentioned (original function, age, tumor volume) and highlights new (dose to the seminal vesicles and above all, doses to pelvic autonomic plexus). CONCLUSION: Sexual effects of combined treatment of rectal cancer have only recently been described but remain undervalued and poorly understood. The impact of the autonomic pelvic plexus doses is a completely new data that could be extended in the development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Incidentally-discovered gallbladder cancer: When, why and which reoperation?

Cancer of the gallbladder, a rare entity with a poor prognosis, is often discovered incidentally during or after cholecystectomy. It tends to disseminate early via lymphatic, peritoneal, endobiliary, and hematogenous pathways. Diagnosis is made intra-operatively in only a quarter of cases, by examination of the opened cholecystectomy specimen in the operating room by the surgeon; this procedure should be routine. For incidentally-discovered cancers, survival was 28% at five years. Prognostic factors include age, TNM stage, gallbladder perforation during cholecystectomy and less-than-optimal resection at re-operation. Whether the laparoscopic route for the initial cholecystectomy has an impact on survival remains a subject of debate. R0 surgery is the only potentially curative treatment: simple cholecystectomy with clear margins is adequate resection for stage T1a tumors; extended cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy and possibly resection of the bile duct is required for more advanced stages. After curative resection, neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not, so far, proven effective. Improvement of surgical practices (systematic review of cholecystectomy specimens in the OR, prevention of gallbladder perforation with bile spillage during surgery, early re-intervention for optimal resection) could improve the prognosis of these cancers.

[Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach. A case report]. / Adénocarcinome hépatoïde de l'estomac. A propos d'un cas.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach is a very rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Lymph nodes involvement and/or liver metastases are frequently observed. Diagnosis should be pointed out if elevated serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is detected with gastric tumor. Histologically, the tumor is an adenocarcinoma of intestinal type including foci of hepatoïd differenciation. Immunohistochemistry is positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotripsin, and for AFP. We report a case of a 66 year-old man presenting an advanced stage of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach, treated by gastrectomy followed by chemotherapy. The patient died four months after the surgery because of progressing liver metastatic disease.

[Biliary-enteric anastomosis malfunction: retrospective study of 20 surgical cases. Review of literature]. / Dysfonctionnement des anastomoses biliodigestives: à propos d'une série chirurgicale de 20 cas. Revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study of 20 procedures for malfunction of a biliary-enteric anastomosis include 7 choledochoduodenal anastomosis (CD) and 13 choledocho- or hepaticojejunal anastomosis (HJ). METHODS AND RESULTS: The malfunctions were revealed by angiocholitis (N=16) jaundice (N=4) acute abdominal syndrome (N=1). Among the 7 CD, the median waiting period before reoperation has been 14 years, the procedures were justified by a biliary disorder in 5 cases (1stricture, 4 stones or food obstruction) or by a duodenal stricture (2 cases). The CD have been converted into HJ. The operative mortality was null, the morbidity rate was of 14%. A recurrence of angiocholite occurred in the long-term followed-up. About HJ, the waiting time before reoperations was 6 years and 9 months, the procedures were justified by anastomotic anastomosis stricture (7) calculi without stricture (4) Roux-en-Y limb anomalies (2). Two Roux-en-Y limbs have been lengthened. The anastomoses have been redone when necessary. The side-to-side HJ were converted in end-to-side HJ. The operative mortality was null, the morbidity rate of 8%. In the long term followed-up, 2 stenosis recurrence and 1 lithiase recurrence occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Malfunctions of biliodigestives anastomosis are revealed by angiocholitis that can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis. The complications treatment of CD is easy and effective. The complications evolution of HJ depends of initial pathology.

[Bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy: early repair results]. / Plaies des voies biliaires lors d'une cholécystectomie sous coelioscopie: résultat des réparations précoces.

STUDY AIM: To compare the early repair results in bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy to a later repair and so the early reconstruction by an end-to-end anastomosis to a Roux-en-Y bypass. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1990 to 2003, twelve patients were treated for bile duct injury, not diagnosed at the time of cholecystectomy and had an early repair within 30 days after the cholecystectomy. They had either a duct to duct anastomosis or a Roux-en-Y bypass at the time of the reconstruction. RESULTS: The level of the injury was Bismuth II (N=7), III (N=1), IV (N=2) and V (N=1) referral to Bismuth classification and one isolated right sectoral duct injury. Four patients had an duct to duct anastomosis and eight an hepaticojejunostomy at a median of 15.3 days after cholecystectomy. With one patient lost to follow up, the overall success rate in this series was 81.8% after reconstruction with a mean 40 months follow up. The reconstruction by an end to end anastomosis was successful in 100% of patients (with a mean 31.2 months follow up) and in 71.4% of patients after a Roux-en-Y biliary reconstruction (with a mean 45 months follow up). CONCLUSION: Good results may be performed, by an early repair in bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, either by an duct to duct anastomosis or a Roux-en-Y bypass.

[Bisegmentectomy 7-8: importance of preoperative diagnosis of a right inferior hepatic vein]. / Bisegmentectomie 7-8: intérêt du repérage pré-opératoire d'une veine hépatique inférieure droite (VHID).

The extent of hepatic resection is often determined by the hepatic veins and their relation to the tumor. A need to transect the right hepatic vein at its entry into the vena cava indicates a need to remove the entire right posterior segment. About six cases, the aim of the study was to remind that under certain circumstances the posteroinferior area may be preserved. The circumstances which allow such preservation are the presence of a stout inferior right hepatic vein and the ability to recognize the presence of the vein in the preoperative staging. In patients with possible impaired hepatic function (cirrhosis, chemotherapy), preservation of hepatic parenchyma is an important consideration during resection for hepatic tumors.

[The importance of lymph node dissection in medullary thyroid macrocarcinomas]. / Importance du curage ganglionnaire dans les macrocarcinomes médullaires de la thyroïde.

UNLABELLED: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is often regarded as good medium-term forecast. The 5- and 10-years survival rates are, respectively, appraised at 78-85% and 70-78%. These rates take no care, however, of the fact that 50-56% of the patients keep a pathological calcitonine (CT) level giving evidence of an evolutive disease. The treatment is based on the total thyroidectomy and cervical lymphadectomy. This treatment remains often incomplete and the results of reintervention are disappointing. AIM OF THE STUDY: About 48 patients, we wanted to demonstrate the importance of a complete lymph node dissection performed in the neck as soon as possible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1979 and 2000, 48 patients were treated for macroMTC (size >1 cm). The duration of follow-up was of 1-29 years (mean 9.3 years). The complete (central and lateral) neck dissection was initially made only in 22 cases. The selected criterion to assess the result was the normalization of the basal CT level. RESULTS: The rate of node involvement was 66.6% if the complete lymphadectomies (n = 22), the secondary neck dissections (n = 15), the incomplete (n = 10) and not made lymphadectomies (n = 2) were gathered. In case of primary or secondary complete lymphadectomies, the rate of node involvement was 81%. The 22 primary complete lymphadectomies performed in 13 patients (59%) allowed to normalize the basal CT level and among 17 (77.2%) to decrease this rate over 90%. All the incomplete neck dissection failed in case of positive nodes. CONCLUSION: The frequency of node involvement in macroMTC is about 80%. It does not have a preferential territory and the bilaterality is frequent (28-49%): that justifies a bilateral complete neck dissection. Initial surgical treatment seems essential in regard to the rate of normalization of basal CT level, which is, when a first complete lymphadectomy is done and in case of iterative surgery, respectively 59 and 26.6%. A complete lymphadectomy is still too rarely carried out: 22 times (45.8%) in our own experience and from 14 to 42% in the literature.

Laparoscopic liver resection of benign liver tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic liver resection for benign liver tumors in a multicenter setting. BACKGROUND: Despite restrictive, tailored indications for resection in benign liver tumors, an increasing number of articles have been published concerning laparoscopic liver resection of these tumors. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 18 surgical centres in Europe regarding their experience with laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors. Detailed standardized questionnaires were used that focused on patient's characteristics, clinical data, type and characteristics of the tumor, technical details of the operation, and early and late clinical outcome. RESULTS: From March 1992 to September 2000, 87 patients suffering from benign liver tumor were included in this study: 48 patients with focal nodular hyperplasia (55%), 17 patients with liver cell adenoma (21%), 13 patients with hemangioma (15%), 3 patients with hamartoma (3%), 3 patients with hydatid liver cysts (3%), 2 patients with adult polycystic liver disease (APLD) (2%), and 1 patient with liver cystadenoma (1%). The mean size of the tumor was 6 cm, and 95% of the tumors were located in the left liver lobe or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Liver procedures included 38 wedge resections, 25 segmentectomies, 21 bisegmentectomies (including 20 left lateral segmentectomies), and 3 major hepatectomies. There were 9 conversions to an open approach (10%) due to bleeding in 45% of the patients. Five patients (6%) received autologous blood transfusion. There was no postoperative mortality, and the postoperative complication rate was low (5%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 2-13 days). At a mean follow-up of 13 months (median, 10 months; range, 2-58 months), all patients are alive without disease recurrence, except for the 2 patients with APLD. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors is feasible and safe for selected patients with small tumors located in the left lateral segments or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Despite the use of a laparoscopic approach, selective indications for resection of benign liver tumors should remain unchanged. When performed by expert liver and laparoscopic surgeons in selected patients and tumors, laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumor is a promising technique.

Percutaneous ethanol injection vs. resection in patients with small single hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective case-control study with cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ethanol injection and hepatic resection are the most widely used curative therapeutic options for patients with compensated liver disease and small hepatocellular carcinoma. AIM: To compare percutaneous ethanol injection and hepatic resection in a selected group of consecutive French patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma, smaller than or equal to 50 mm, in terms of survival, recurrence rate of malignancy and direct costs. METHODS: The analysis of two contemporary cohorts of Child-Pugh A or B patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma of < or = 50 mm treated by percutaneous ethanol injection (n=55) or hepatic resection (n=50). RESULTS: Long-term survival was not significantly different between the two groups when the size of hepatocellular carcinoma was less than 30 mm. However, the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 30 mm was higher after hepatic resection than after percutaneous ethanol injection (P=0.044). The cumulative direct costs were significantly higher in patients treated by hepatic resection than in those treated by percutaneous ethanol injection regardless of the tumour size. The calculated costs per month of survival in patients treated with percutaneous ethanol injection and hepatic resection were 999 vs. 3865 euros, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ethanol injection is more cost effective than hepatic resection in patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma smaller than 30 mm. However, in patients with a larger tumour, long-term survival is higher after hepatic resection.

[Parathyroid cyst. Report of ten cases]. / Les kystes parathyroïdiens. A propos de dix observations.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the characteristics of the parathyroid cysts (PC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Ten patients with PC were included in this retrospective study. The PC were discovered as follows: cervical mass (n = 3), hyperparathyroidism (n = 3), incidentally during thyroid surgery (n = 3) and screening for obesity (n = 1). Intracystic parathormone determination was performed after fine needle aspiration in 2 cases. RESULTS: Mean cyst measurements were 27 mm (ext: 5-70 mm) to 22 mm (5-45 mm). Nine cysts were cervical (resection by cervicotomy), and one was mediastinal (resection by sternotomy). In addition to the resection of the PC, 3 adenomas, 1 hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands and 3 benign thyroid diseases were recognized and treated during the cervicotomies. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of PC is not common and must be based primarily on the study of the cyst liquid obtained by percutaneous puncture (intracystic parathormone measurement).

[Locoregional recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancers: diagnosis-treatment]. / Récidives locorégionales des cancers différenciés de la thyroïde: diagnostic-traitement.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the improvement of the diagnosis and the treatment of local recurrences (LR) in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among a total of 57 patients, two groups were compared: group I: 31 patients operated on from 1974 to 1990; group II: 26 patients operated on from 1991 to 2000. In the group I, the diagnosis of the cervical recurrence was supported by imaging study (ultrasonography, tomodensitometry), in the group II by radioiodinescan and serum thyroglobuline (Tg) measurement. The main difference was the consideration of Tg measurement to detect the recurrence in the group II. A high level of Tg was the only abnormality for 9 patients of the group II. RESULTS: A nodal recurrence was respectively present in the group I and II in 88.8% and 92% of the cases. Re-operation consisting in thyroid totalisation and bilateral lymphadenectomy was respectively performed in 71% and 100% of the cases. Surgery associated with iodine 131 therapy was respectively the treatment for 45.1% and 88.4% of the cases. After a median follow up of 66.2 months; results of the group I were as follow: normal or undetectable Tg: 10 (33.3%), second or more cervical recurrences: 7, distant metastases: 11, death in relation to thyroid cancer: 11. After a median follow up of 36.3 months, results of the group II were as follow: normal or undetectable Tg: 17 (65.4%), second or more cervical recurrences: 6, distant metastasis: 5, death in relation to thyroid cancer: 1. The best results concerned patients with an isolated elevated Tg without anatomical location of the first LR. CONCLUSION: LR diagnosis is difficult and needs imaging study, radioiodine-scan and serum Tg determination together. Re-operation associated with radioiodine-therapy is the treatment of choice. Elevated serum Tg is suffisant to indicate re-operation even if no anatomical substrate is found. Iodine-radiotherapy alone is generally unable to obtain undetectable serum Tg.

[Percutaneous drainage of perisigmoid abscesses of diverticular origin]. / Le drainage percutané des abcès périsigmoïdiens d'origine diverticulaire.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this multicentric retrospective study was to report the results on the percutaneous drainage of perisigmoid abscesses during acute sigmoid diverticulitis in 12 patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 1993 and March 2000. 12 patients with a perisigmoid diverticular abscess were treated by antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage of the abscess. The patient population consisted of eight males and four females (mean age: 50.2 years). The diagnosis was established in two out of seven cases by enema, in four cases out of seven by abdominal ultrasonography, and in eight cases out of 11 by CT scan. Percutaneous drainage was carried out in all cases, and was guided by ultrasonography (n = 3) and CT scan (n = 9). The mean duration of drainage was 6.5 days. RESULTS: No drainage-associated complications were observed. Drainage combined with antibiotic treatment provided satisfactory results in ten out of 12 cases. Two cases of failure of the method occurred, and the patients involved were operated on day 4 and week 5 by colectomy with protective lateral ileostomy. There was an early recurrence of the abscess in three patients, who were treated by the Hartmann procedure in one case, and by one-stage colectomy in two cases. Five patients underwent a secondary one-stage colectomy. Two patients in whom no residual abscess was detected were not operated on at the time of the study. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage of perisigmoid diverticular abscesses combined with antibiotic therapy provided efficient treatment in ten out of 12 cases. Secondary one-stage colectomy was performed in seven out of the eight patients requiring further surgery.

Resection of hepatic and pulmonary metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

The resection of liver and lung metastases is now regarded as valid therapy, although the surgical procedure of both metastatic sites has not been clearly defined. Nine consecutive patients who underwent resection of both liver and lung metastases from colorectal cancer (5 Dukes' stage B, 3 C, 1 D) between 1986 and 1999 were studied retrospectively. A total of 19 resections were performed: 8 hepatectomies, 2 liver wedge resections, and 9 lung lobectomies. No operative or hospital deaths occurred, and mean postoperative hospital stay per procedure was 12 days. Mean survival after resection of the primary colorectal tumor was 66.3 (range: 26-96) months. The median interval was 24.2 (range: 2-39) months from resection of the liver metastasis and 30.4 (range: 3-45) months from resection of the lung metastasis. At the last follow-up, 6 patients were still alive, 4 of whom were free of recurrence 59, 69, 74, and 76 months, respectively, after resections. Three patients died with metastases. Aggressive treatment of liver and lung secondaries from colorectal cancer was performed without hospital mortality and acceptable morbidity. Longer survival times warrant the use of this alternative therapy for selected patients. In association with new effective chemotherapies, it will be possible to select patients who will benefit from surgery.

Hepatic resections for non-colorectal metastases: forty resections in 35 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic resection, though now an accepted practice for colorectal primary tumors, is poorly documented for non-colorectal metastases. However, the few series reported suggest that this approach may lead to a significant increase in survival. METHODOLOGY: Study of 40 cases of resection in 35 patients with non-colorectal hepatic metastasis to define the role of hepatic resection between 1986 and 1997. RESULTS: Resection was performed for 5 metastases of ovarian and fallopian tube carcinoma, 8 gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas, 8 endocrine tumors, 8 sarcomas and 6 miscellaneous metastases, involving 17 lobectomies, 3 trisegmentectomies, 5 lateral segmentectomies and 15 non-anatomical local resections. Survival at 1, 2 and 5 years was 54 +/- 8, 42 +/- 8 and 27 +/- 8%, respectively. Hepatic metastases of gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas were found to have the poorest prognosis (median time: 13 months), and genital tract adenocarcinomas the best (27 months). CONCLUSIONS: Some carefully selected patients may benefit from liver resection for non-colorectal metastases.

[Hepatic resections for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine metastases. Results of 32 hepatectomies in 27 patients]. / Résections hépatiques pour métastases non colorectales, non neuroendocrines. Résultats de 32 hépatectomies chez 27 patients.

STUDY AIM: Liver resections for metastases are commonly performed in colorectal primary tumors and poorly documented in non colorectal tumors. The aim of this study was to report a series of 32 liver resections in 27 patients for different types of non colorectal, non neuroendocrine liver metastases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1986 to 1997, 27 patients (20 women and 7 men, mean age: 56.8 years) were operated on in the same center for liver metastases. Initial cancer was female genital tract (ovarian and fallopian tube) adenocarcinomas (n = 5), gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas (n = 8), sarcomas (n = 8), and miscellaneous cancers (n = 6). Liver resections included atypical resections (n = 9), right hepatectomies (n = 11), extended right hepatectomies (n = 2), left hepatectomies (n = 4) and resections of 2 or 3 segments (n = 6). RESULTS: There was no perioperative death. Postoperative morbidity included 8 complications in seven patients, requiring reintervention in three patients. Follow-up was complete for all patients. Survival rate at one, two and five years was 59, 44 and 29% respectively. The longest median survival time was observed in genital tract adenocarcinomas (27 months), whereas the other types of malignancies had a 13- to 17-month mean survival rate. CONCLUSION: These results are almost similar to those observed in liver resections for colorectal metastases. Some carefully selected patients may benefit from liver resection for non colorectal, non neuro-endocrine metastases.

[Malignant obstructive jaundice: the role of percutaneous metallic stents]. / Ictères obstructifs néoplasiques: apport des prothèses métalliques percutanées.

OBJECTIVES: Efficiency evaluation of percutaneous metallic stents in palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. METHODS: One hundred sixteen percutaneous metallic stents were implanted in 80 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Thirty-five patients had hilar obstruction, 32 patients obstruction of the common bile duct and 12 patients obstruction of a bilioenteric anastomosis. RESULTS: Adequate biliary drainage was achieved in 79 patients. Early complications occurred in 23.75% of patients; 12.5% of patients died within 30 days. The procedure-related mortality rate was 5%; 18.75% of patients showed recurrent jaundice after an average of 175 days. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous metallic stents are an efficient means of treating malignant biliary strictures, particularly of upper biliary obstructions. However, this treatment has risks and limits that require careful patient recruitment.

Interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos termination associated with congenital absence of portal vein.

The authors report an exceptional and well-documented case of interruption of the retrohepatic segment of the inferior vena cava with an "azygos continuation", combined with absence of the portal vein. The only known combination of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava and the portal vein was that of an "azygos continuation" and a preduodenal portal vein. The double interruption, portal and inferior caval, may be associated with a disturbance of preferential flows induced by the left umbilical thrust. According to hemodynamic theory, the left umbilical flow is the determining factor in organogenesis of the portal vein and the retrohepatic segment of the inferior vena cava.