[Laparoscopic resection of primary and metastatic malignant tumors of the adrenals].

An analysis was made of experience with treatment of 24 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenocortical carcinomas (in 7 patients) and metastases in adrenals (in 17 cases). Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was shown to be a safe and effective method of treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the adrenals. The method can replace open operative intervention in the majority of patients with metastases to adrenals and primary cancer of the adrenals.

[Laparoscopic resection of malignant liver tumors: immediate and long-term results].

The study was concerned with laparoscopic liver resection for cancer (140) (1998-2009). Faulty intraoperative performance and postoperative complications were evaluated according to Clavien and Satava. 188 resections were performed in the course of 154 operations. Median operation duration and blood loss were 180 min and 300 ml, respectively. Most patients started taking water on the same day and eating the next day. There were 16 incidents including 6 (3.9%) cases involving change of surgical strategy. Surgical complications were reported in 22 (14.3%) cases including one death from multiple organ failure. Median postoperative intensive care duration and inpatient stay were zero and 3 days, respectively; median follow-up--24-105 months; 3-5 year survival--(68 +/- 6%) and (46 +/- 8%), respectively. 3-year survival in patients with colorectal metastasis to liver, metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and those of hepatocellular carcinoma was 71, 50 and 47%, respectively. Laparoscopic liver resection is a safe and effective method of tumor treatment. It is least invasive and followed by good end results.

Single-centre experience of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection is regarded as safe and feasible in selected patients with benign pancreatic tumours. Few data exist on laparoscopic surgery for malignant lesions and larger neoplasms in unselected patients. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted to Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, from March 1997 to March 2009 for surgery of lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas, and selected patients with lesions in the pancreatic head, who underwent surgery by a laparoscopic approach with curative intent. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients had 170 operations, including 138 pancreatic resections, 18 explorations, nine resections of peripancreatic tissue and five other therapeutic procedures. Four patients had repeat procedures. There were 53 endocrine tumours (31.0 per cent), 28 pancreatic carcinomas (16.4 per cent), five cases of metastases (2.9 per cent), 48 cystic tumours (28.1 per cent) and 37 other lesions (21.6 per cent). The total morbidity rate was 16.5 per cent. Fistula was the most common complication (10.0 per cent). Three patients needed reoperation for complications. There were three hospital deaths (1.8 per cent). Median hospital stay following surgery was 4 days. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection of lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas in an unselected patient series was safe and feasible, and should be the method of choice for this patient group in specialized centres.

Intradermal ras peptide vaccination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as adjuvant: Clinical and immunological responses in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

K-RAS mutations are frequently found in adenocarcinomas of the pancreas, and induction of immunity against mutant ras can therefore be of possible clinical benefit in patients with pancreatic cancer. We present data from a clinical phase I/II trial involving patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas vaccinated by i.d. injection of synthetic mutant ras peptides in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Forty-eight patients (10 surgically resected and 38 with advanced disease) were treated on an outpatient basis. Peptide-specific immunity was induced in 25 of 43 (58%) evaluable patients, indicating that the protocol used is very potent and capable of eliciting immune responses even in patients with end-stage disease. Patients followed-up for longer periods showed evidence of induction of long-lived immunological memory against the ras mutations. CD4(+) T cells reactive with an Arg12 mutation also present in the tumor could be isolated from a tumor biopsy, demonstrating that activated, ras-specific T cells were able to selectively accumulate in the tumor. Vaccination was well tolerated in all patients. Patients with advanced cancer demonstrating an immune response to the peptide vaccine showed prolonged survival from the start of treatment compared to non-responders (median survival 148 days vs. 61 days, respectively; p = 0.0002). Although a limited number of patients were included in our study, the association between prolonged survival and an immune response against the vaccine suggests that a clinical benefit of ras peptide vaccination may be obtained for this group of patients.

Asymptomatic common bile duct stones.

Patients with asymptomatic bile duct stones exhibit typical signs, such as elevated liver function tests, dilated bile ducts on ultrasound, a history of jaundice, or pancreatitis. The incidence of asymptomatic bile duct stones is about 10%, but up to 2% of patients show no signs of the disease. Bile duct stones can be diagnosed by using clinical judgement, scoring systems, or discriminant function tests. Which diagnostic modality is most reliable, cost-effective and safe, varies with different hospitals. Which therapy is most effective, safe and the cheapest also varies with different departments, but in the future an increasing number of departments will use the one-stage laparoscopic approach.

Gut perforation caused by biliary endoprosthesis.

Two cases are reported of perforation of the gut caused by biliary endoprosthesies in the three-year period 1993-1995. The first patient was an 81-year-old man who had perforation of the terminal ileum caused by a straight 10 French/7 cm stent which had been dislodged from the bile duct; he underwent laparotomy but did not recover. The second patient was an 86-year-old man who had perforation of the sigmoid colon caused by a straight 7 French/5 cm stent left in the duodenum during a stent exchange procedure; he was successfully treated laparoscopically. Two cases of gut perforation in a three-year period is a rather high rate of this rare complication of placement of biliary endoprostheses.

[Laparoscopic splenectomy]. / Laparoskopisk splenektomi.

From 1995 to 1998, 14 patients have been treated with laparoscopic splenectomy. Seven patients had immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), six hereditary spherocytosis and one chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia with trombocytopenia. 12 of the patients had normal or nearly normal sized spleen. Median duration of surgery was 156 minutes and the median postoperative hospital stay four days. All operations were completed laparoscopically. Three patients had postoperative fever without any sign of infection, one developed urinary retention and one was readmitted with pneumonia. The patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia died 15 days postoperatively from an intracerebral bleeding. Two patients suffer from relapse of trombocytopenia, one is treated with steroids. Laparoscopic splenectomy can be performed safely in patients with normal sized spleen with all the advantages of minimal access surgery. However, problems related to identification of accessory spleens and splenectomy in patients with splenomegali, should be further evaluated.

Laparoscopic and open operation in patients with perforated peptic ulcer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of laparoscopic and open operations in patients with perforated peptic ulcer. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Central hospital, Norway. SUBJECTS: 74 patients (36 men, 38 women, median age 69.5 years (18-86)) admitted with perforated peptic ulcers from November 1991-May 1996. INTERVENTIONS: Suture of the ulcer, patching with the greater omentum and lavage, in 49 by open operation and 25 laparoscopically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of postoperative hospital stay, operating time, number of doses of analgesic, postoperative body temperature, complications, and mortality. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p = 0.0001) in median operating time: 100 minutes (range 48-160) in the laparoscopic group and 50 minutes (range 20-160) in the open group. The median hospital stay was 8 days in both groups: range 3-23 days in the laparoscopic group and 2-28 days in the open group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to median number of doses of analgesic, median body temperature, complications or mortality. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic operation for perforated peptic ulcer can be considered as safe as open operation.

Diagnostic laparoscopy in 1043 patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis, the number of complications associated with the laparoscopic technique, and the effect of leaving a macroscopically normal-looking appendix in place. DESIGN: Three prospective protocols. SETTING: Three departments of surgery, one in Norway and two in Sweden. SUBJECTS: 1043 patients aged 15 years or over. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis who were to be operated on. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity, mortality, and histological appearance of removed appendices, and outcome whether or not the patient was operated on. RESULTS: 819 patients had appendectomies (61% laparoscopically and 39% by conversion to open operation) with a total complication rate of 10%. In 211 patients a diagnostic laparoscopy was done as a single procedure. There were 181 women in this group and 86 of them had gynaecological disorders. The complication rate was 2% among these 211 patients and after a follow up of two years no patients had been readmitted for appendicectomy. 13 patients were subjected to other open procedures. The overall mortality was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic laparoscopy is safe and can be recommended in patients with suspected acute appendicitis, particularly in women. A macroscopically normal-looking appendix can be left in place.

An experimental study on effects of monopolar diathermy on the bile ducts.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of monopolar diathermy on the bile ducts in pigs. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University hospital, Norway. MATERIAL: 18 pigs. INTERVENTIONS: Laparotomy, application of diathermy at standard sites along the cystic duct, the bile ducts, and a cystic duct containing a metal clip, 3 to 12 times of 5 seconds' duration at each site. Temperature was subsequently recorded at standard measurement points on the bile ducts. Twelve pigs were killed after three weeks for assessment of the bile ducts at necropsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Increase in temperature in the bile duct walls and late changes in the bile ducts. RESULTS: Temperature increased by 4-6 degrees C during 6 of 330 diathermy applications along the cystic duct, by 4-18 degrees C in 8 of 126 applications along the common bile duct, and by 4-11 degrees C at the clip in 9 of 54 applications. There were no macroscopic or microscopic changes in the bile ducts. CONCLUSION: Monopolar diathermy induced unexpected distant increases in the temperature of the bile duct walls and at a clip on the cystic duct probably because diathermy current energy was distributed along channels of high current conductivity.

Prediction of common bile duct stones prior to cholecystectomy: a prospective validation of a discriminant analysis function.

BACKGROUND: Selection routines for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with symptomatic gallstone disease should give a low frequency of both false-negative ERCP results and residual common bile duct stones (CBDS). OBJECTIVE: To validate a discriminant function (DF) based on retrospectively collected data, for characterization of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease as regards presence of CBDS, and to compare clinical, ultrasonographic, and DF characterization. DESIGN: Prospective registration of CBDS criteria in consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstone disease. SETTING: A department of surgical gastroenterology in a Norwegian central hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred ninety-two patients with gallbladder stones. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy or ERCP with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the clinical, ultrasonographic, and DF characterizations, and test of the validity of the DF. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients had CBDS. The clinical criteria of CBDS were present in 152 patients (79.2%): 21.1% of these patients had CBDS and there were no false-negative results (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 25%). The risk of CBDS in patients with normal bile ducts at ultrasonographic examination was 8 of 124, and in patients with dilated ducts or suspected CBDS, 17 of 47 (sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 80%). The DF was positive in 50 patients (26%): 60% of these had CBDS, and there were 2 false-negative results (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 88%). A discriminant analysis of the prospectively registered data selected the same set of CBDS criteria, and a new DF did not alter the characterization of any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characterization had a higher sensitivity for CBDS detection than ultrasonography alone, but a lower specificity. The DF analysis was both more sensitive and specific than ultrasonography, and seemed efficient in selecting symptomatic gallstone patients for ERCP. It was reproducible and simple to use.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms--clinical findings and effect of ranitidine treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to study the demography, effect of treatment with ranitidine and relapse pattern in patients with reflux symptoms. METHODS: Patients with reflux symptoms were examined by endoscopy and included in a double-blind, comparative trial of placebo and ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. for two weeks. At two weeks satisfied patients continued the same treatment. Non-satisfied patients were randomised to ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. or q.i.d for another two weeks. After four weeks medication was stopped and satisfied patients were followed for 24 weeks. No further endoscopy was performed. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-seven patients were randomised. At two weeks there was no significant difference between placebo and ranitidine, regarding the proportion of patients with complete relief from symptoms or satisfied with treatment. Ranitidine was superior to placebo in improving symptoms at two weeks. Ranitidine, 150 mg q.i.d. offered no additional advantage in weeks three to four over prolonging treatment with 150 mg b.i.d. after the first two weeks. Patients with oesophagitis at inclusion relapsed more than those with symptoms only, 67% compared with 52%, (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of ranitidine was marginal compared to placebo. The relapse rate was high after treatment stopped.

[Laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The first experiences from the Central Hospital of Akershus]. / Laparoskopisk kolorektalkirurgi. De første erfaringene fra Sentralsykehuset i Akershus.

Between November 1993 and August 1997, 49 patients (29 women and 20 men) were selected to 51 laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted colonic or rectal operations. Five operations were converted to open surgery because of technical problems and adhesions. 46 operations could be performed as planned. The median age was 67 years (20-88 years). A variety of procedures were carried out, including construction of deviating sigmoideostomas without resection (n = 17), segmental resections of colon (n = 15), rectopexi (n = 6), stoma closure (n = 4), abdominoperineal resection (n = 3) and suture of an iatrogenic perforation of the large bowel (n = 1). Eight of the patients with a bowel resection had carcinoma. The median duration of the procedures was 112 minutes (38-293 minutes) and the length of hospitalisation eight days (2-40 days). 13 patients (28%) developed complications. One of these patients died and four were reoperated. These first experiences show that we are able to perform a variety of colorectal surgery laparoscopically. An experienced, well organised operating team with modern laparoscopic equipment is essential to this type of surgery. Prospective, randomised studies have to be done to assess the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach.

Randomized controlled trial with sequential design of laparoscopic versus conventional appendicectomy.

BACKGROUND: A prospective study including 272 patients with suspected appendicitis was performed. The aims were to evaluate the representativity of the study group and to compare diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy with conventional appendicectomy. METHODS: The study was an open, randomized, single-centre trial with sequential design. One hundred and eight patients were randomized between laparoscopy or conventional appendicectomy, of whom 84 had acute appendicitis. Duration of postoperative convalescence was the major endpoint. RESULTS: The study patients were representative of the eligible population regarding age and stage of appendicitis. The risk of unnecessary appendicectomy was significantly (P = 0.03) lower after laparoscopy. The mean difference in duration of postoperative convalescence was 4.7 days in favour of of laparoscopic appendicectomy (P = 0.07), and 26 min in duration of operation in favour of conventional appendicectomy (P < 0.01). No differences were detected in postoperative hospital stay, pain assessment or complications. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic procedure is at least as good as conventional appendicectomy. Initial laparoscopy reduces the rate of misdiagnosis.

An experimental study on effects of occlusion of the cystic duct in mice with or without emptying of the gallbladder.

To study consequences of cystic duct occlusion, 121 NMRI mice were operated: 40 had cystic duct ligature (L group), 41 had cystic duct ligature and evacuation of bile from the gallbladder (LE group), and 40 were sham-operated (S group). Ten mice from each group were sacrificed at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. All but 2 mice showed signs of wellbeing during the observation time, and weight gain was the same in the three groups. Distended gallbladder occurred in 14 animals, 7 each in the L and the LE group, more frequent after 3 and 6 months. In the remainder mice the gallbladders were smaller than at the time of operation (p < 0.0001). Fibrosis and adhesions around the gallbladder were frequent in the L and the LE groups, and more pronounced in the latter (p = 0.0001). At microscopy there were signs of inflammation in the gallbladder wall in 16 cases in the L group, 28 in the LE group and 2 in the S group, and the degree of inflammation was more pronounced in the LE group than in the L group (p = 0.002). Eleven mice in the LE group had empyema, and slight intralumininal inflammation was more frequent in the LE group than in the L group (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, despite a high incidence of microscopic inflammation the study gave no indication that occlusion of the cystic duct did serious harm to the mice in this series.

Selection criteria for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) in patients with gallstone disease.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used in patients referred to cholecystectomy when clinical information, biochemical values, or ultrasonography (clinical characterization) have indicated possible presence of common bile duct stones. A retrospective study of 599 patients treated for gallstone disease was used to develop a characterization procedure for predicting common bile duct stones by a discriminant analysis procedure. The variables selected by the analysis as the best combination for CBDS prediction were age (years), the values of bilirubin (micromol/l), ALAT (U/l) and gamma GT (U/l). The characterization was false positive in 22 cases (3.7%) and false negative in 11 cases (1.8%), compared to 198 false positive cases (33.1%) and three false negative cases (0.5%) by the clinical characterization. A leaving-one-out correction did not change the results. In a test set of 157 cholecystectomy patients, clinical characterization was false positive in 44.6% of the patients, compared to 4.5% false positive results when using the discriminant analysis procedure. The discriminant analysis procedure would have missed one patient with common bile duct stones. Selection by the discriminant analysis characterization procedure seems to reduce the frequency of preoperative ERCP significantly without an increase in undetected common bile duct stones.

Hands-on endoscopy training: an evaluation of the SADE endoscopy course. Scandinavian Association of Digestive Endoscopy.

The Scandinavian Association of Digestive Endoscopy course in advanced practical endoscopy has been arranged on a regular basis since 1980, representing a joint Scandinavian effort to offer hands-on endoscopy training with expert supervision at major endoscopy centers. The course has been aimed at gastroenterologists with previous endoscopic experience, focusing on special techniques, practical hints and expert solutions in special cases. Three days of practical training throughout Scandinavia are completed with two days of review lectures, case reports and special techniques. An inquiry among previous course participants indicates that the course has indeed been of practical value for their daily work, and that personal training as well as watching "experts at work" were useful for their ensuing endoscopic practice. The course model does, however, require close co-operation with the endoscopy units hosting the practical part of the course.

Comparison of sequential and fixed-sample designs in a controlled clinical trial with laparoscopic versus conventional cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare a fixed-sample and a sequential design with regard to study duration, sample size, and medical results in a real-life situation. METHODS: A randomized study comparing laparoscopic and conventional cholecystectomy was carried out with a fixed-sample design, parallel with a sequential design. The main variable was duration of postoperative convalescence. RESULTS: In the fixed-sample trial the necessary number of patients was calculated to be 72. The sequential trial was conclusive after inclusion of 24 patients and reduced the duration of the study from 43 to 18 weeks. Additionally, the sequential trial reached the same conclusions as the fixed-sample trial in all the observed variables except for one. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that sequential design should be used more frequently in clinical trials, to involve the smallest possible number of patients necessary to reach a conclusion.