Massive Leiomyomatous Uterine Proliferation Following Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumors affecting > 50% of premenopausal women. The incidence, burden and symptoms from uterine fibroids are higher in women of African descent compared to Caucasians. Despite increasing number of African American females being evaluated for and undergoing kidney transplantation (KT), perioperative management guidelines for uterine fibroids currently do not exist. We present a case of a 40 y/o African American female with known symptomatic uterine fibroids preoperatively and medically managed, who underwent a successful KT and 4 years later progressively developed massive leiomyomatous uterine proliferation, causing a complete lateral displacement of the transplanted kidney with severe hydronephrosis, transplant ureteral obstruction and secondary urinary tract infections with bacteremia. This obstruction required a percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement followed by an interval transabdominal hysterectomy, which was complicated by transplant ureteral transection requiring ureteral reimplantation, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, follow-up and outpatient antibiotic regimen. There is a need for management guidelines for uterine fibroids incidentally encountered during the KT evaluation process to avoid similar preventable post-KT complications in patient populations most commonly affected. Literature review and perioperative management/surveillance strategies are provided.

Liver transplantation for fulminant genotype 2a/c hepatitis C virus marked by a rapid recurrence followed by cure.

Although chronic hepatitis C is still the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States and Europe, acute liver failure caused by hepatitis C is distinctly uncommon and transplantation for fulminant hepatitis C virus (HCV) has not been documented in the United States. We present a case report of fulminant hepatic failure caused by genotype 2a/c HCV not only treated with LT but also complicated by severe, rapid recurrence of HCV within 6 days of transplantation. The risk factor for the initial infection was likely sexual, and there were no explanations for acute hepatitis post-transplant other than recurrent hepatitis C. Treatment with all-oral direct antiviral agents was swiftly initiated during the index hospitalization, leading to resolution of the acute hepatitis and resulting in sustained virologic response. It can only be speculated whether this was an infection with the JFH-1 strain or another similarly virulent genotype 2a/c HCV infection.

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for survival following doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center analysis, tumor- and patient-related factors were recorded for univariate and multivariate analyses via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Infiltrative HCC phenotype and portal vein invasion (PVI) were correlated, and patients with either or both were classified as having radiographically advanced (RAdv) HCC. The primary endpoint was overall survival, which was calculated from the time of first DEB chemoembolization procedure. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients underwent 248 procedures, of which 215 (86.7%) were outpatient procedures. Mean length of stay was 0.33 days, and 25 patients (10.1%) were readmitted within 30 days. A total of 33 patients underwent liver transplantation and were excluded from survival analyses. A total of 130 had cirrhosis; 62, 50, and 18 had Child class A, B, and C disease, respectively. Forty-one patients had infiltrative HCC phenotype, 28 of whom also had PVI. Multivariate analysis of survival in all patients showed α-fetoprotein (AFP), performance status (PS), RAdv HCC, Child classification, albumin level, and ascites to predict survival. In patients without RAdv HCC, AFP, PS, Child classification, albumin level, and International Normalized Ratio were independent predictors. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor for death. CONCLUSIONS: Independent prognostic factors in patients with HCC undergoing DEB chemoembolization have been identified. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor. These data can be used in HCC patient selection and counseling for DEB chemoembolization.

Assessment of adhesion formation to intra-abdominal polypropylene mesh and polytetrafluoroethylene mesh.

BACKGROUND: The development of intra-abdominal adhesions, bowel obstruction, and enterocutaneous fistulas are potentially severe complications related to the intraperitoneal placement of prosthetic biomaterials. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of adhesion formation to polypropylene mesh and two types of polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh when placed intraperitoneally in a rabbit model that simulates laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. A 10-cm midline incision was performed for intra-abdominal access and a 2 cm x 2 cm piece of mesh (n = 60) was sewn to an intact peritoneum on each side of the midline. Two types of ePTFE mesh (Dual Mesh and modified Dual Mesh, W.L. Gore & Assoc., Flagstaff, AZ) and polypropylene mesh were compared. The rate of adhesion formation was evaluated by direct visualization using microlaparoscopy (2-mm endoscope/trocar) at 7 days, 3 weeks, 9 weeks, and 16 weeks after mesh implantation. Adhesions to the prosthetic mesh were scored for extent (%) using the Modified Diamond Scale (0 = 0%, 1 50%). At necropsy the mesh was excised en bloc with the anterior abdominal wall for histological evaluation of mesothelial layer growth. RESULTS: The mean adhesion score for the polypropylene mesh was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than Dual Mesh at 9 weeks and 16 weeks and modified Dual Mesh at 7 days, 9 weeks, and 16 weeks. Fifty-five percent (n = 11) of the polypropylene mesh had adhesions to small intestine or omentum at necropsy compared to 30% (n = 6) of the Dual Mesh and 20% (n = 4) of the modified Dual Mesh. There was a significantly greater percentage (P < 0.003) of ePTFE mesh mesothelialized at explant (modified Dual Mesh 44.2%; Dual Mesh 55.8%) compared to the polypropylene mesh (12.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Serial microlaparoscopic evaluation of intraperitoneally implanted polypropylene mesh and ePTFE mesh in a rabbit model revealed a progression of adhesions to polypropylene mesh over a 16 week period. The pore size of mesh is critical in the development and maintenance of abdominal adhesions and tissue ingrowth. The macroporous polypropylene mesh promoted adhesion formation, while the microporous nature of the visceral side of the ePTFE served as a barrier to adhesions.

Comparison of wound-healing characteristics with feedback circuit electrosurgical generators in a porcine model.

The type of incisional instrument used to create a surgical wound can influence the rate of wound healing and overall wound strength. The purpose of this study was to evaluate several facets of wound healing within incisions created in the small intestine, uterus, and skin in a porcine model by using feedback circuit electrosurgical generators and a standard steel scalpel blade in a porcine model. Eighteen pigs were evaluated by creating surgical incisions in the skin, uterus, and small intestine utilizing 2 computerized electrosurgical generators (FX, ValleyLab, Boulder, CO, and PEGASYS, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH) and a scalpel blade. All incisions were reapproximated with absorbable suture. Incision sites were evaluated histologically at 3, 7, or 14 days postincision according to randomization. The skin and small intestine samples were tested for wound tensile strength at 7 and 14 days. There were no statistically significant differences demonstrated with tensile strength testing comparing the electrosurgical devices to the scalpel-blade incisions for skin or small intestine at all time points. The only significant difference detected with respect to wound tensile strength was when different organ types were compared, regardless of device used (i.e., skin, 19.5 N/cm2 vs. small intestine, 5.78 N/cm2). Histologic evaluation demonstrated that the wounds created by the electrosurgical generators displayed decreased overall wound healing at 3, 7, and 14 days compared to the scalpel group. These findings indicate that the electrosurgical devices tested delay wound healing at the surgical site, but fail to demonstrate any significant difference in overall wound tensile strength. Wound healing may occur at a more rapid rate when a traditional scalpel blade is used to create the surgical incision, but no difference in global wound dynamics could be detected.

Surgical experience in fifty-five consecutive reoperative fundoplications.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery has dramatically changed the way heartburn and regurgitation have been managed over the last 10 years. The possibility of surgical correction with limited morbidity has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of fundoplications performed. Given that the rate of operative failure can be expected to be constant the need for surgical management of recurrent symptoms will become more prevalent. Between August 1996 and December 2001 55 patients presented with recurrent symptoms after a previous antireflux surgery. The presentation, management, and operative outcomes of patients undergoing reoperative fundoplication were studied. The 55 patients (25 male and 30 female) had a mean age of 47.1 years (range 22-69 years). Mean laparoscopic operative time was 234 minutes (range 180-330 minutes), and mean open time was 261 minutes (range 150-390 minutes). A laparoscopic repair was attempted in 45 patients and was completed without conversion in 37 (82.3%); seven of the eight patients requiring conversion had at least one prior open antireflux procedure. Average length of stay was 4.6 days (range one to 46 days); laparoscopic patients were in the hospital an average of 2 days (range one to 6 days). There were eight (12.7%) perioperative complications, no esophageal leaks, and no deaths. Average follow-up was 21.3 months (range 1-65 months). In patients who had a definitive antireflux procedure (53) 49 (92.5%) reported good to excellent outcomes; four had fair outcomes. All stated they were improved. Four patients reported occasional dysphagia, three reported intermittent nausea, five have infrequent to frequent chest pain, and four have diarrhea at least weekly. Despite being technically difficult reoperative fundoplication effectively alleviates dysphagia, regurgitation, and reflux symptoms in the majority of patients with low operative morbidity. The operation can be completed laparoscopically in most of those whose original operation was performed laparoscopically.