From longitudinal gastric resection to sleeve gastrectomy--revival of a previously established surgical procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy is becoming increasingly popular within bariatric surgery. Initially introduced as a component of complex interventions and later as part of a two-stage operation in high-risk patients, the procedure is now more common as one-stage operation and subject of avid scientific discussion. However, the concept of longitudinal gastric resection is not new. The procedure was already established in ulcer surgery but soon faded into insignificance. This article aims to trace the historical development of resection of the greater curvature with particular reference to its origin in ulcer and bariatric surgery. The contribution of ulcer surgery to modern sleeve gastrectomy is highlighted. Furthermore, the current value of sleeve gastrectomy within the spectrum of bariatric surgical procedures will be discussed. Relevant medical literature from PubMed to April 2010 was reviewed. DISCUSSION: Besides bariatric surgery modern sleeve gastrectomy has one more so far largely neglected origin: segmental and later longitudinal gastric resection used in ulcer surgery. Experience and achievements from ulcer surgery simplified and facilitated development of sleeve gastrectomy which is not the desired universal procedure for bariatric surgery but certainly an attractive treatment option. It should be performed in a more standardized manner and with due regard to future long-term results.

A case of port-site recurrence after laparoscopic adrenalectomy for solitary adrenal metastasis.

The case of a patient with bilateral adrenal metastases from lung cancer is described. A left open adrenalectomy at the time of the lung resection had a long-term curative effect. Several months later a right laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, but 2 months later a loco-regional recurrence with a port-site metastasis was diagnosed on the right side. Open adrenalectomy, by avoiding the potential for port-site metastasis, may be oncologically superior to laparoscopic adrenalectomy in this situation.

Amelioration of microcirculatory damage by an endothelin A receptor antagonist in a rat model of reversible acute liver failure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular damage in acute liver failure (ALF) is aggravated by proinflammatory and cytotoxic mediators released from sinusoidal-lining cells. We studied a selective endothelin A receptor (ETAR) antagonist for its potential influence on the microcirculation in the setting of ALF. METHODS: Seventy Wistar rats were divided into five groups: (I) induction of ALF by a 70% liver resection combined with injection of 400 microg/kg endotoxin, (II) ALF treated with the ETAR antagonist LU 135252 (1 mg/kg b.w. i.v.), (III) sham operation, (IV) injection of endotoxin, (V) 70% liver resection. Liver microcirculation was measured by intravital microscopy. Parenchymal injury, growth fractions, endothelin (ET)-1 and ETAR were studied by histology and immunohistology. Survival, liver function, and morphology were followed up to 14 days. RESULTS: 100% mortality, impaired liver function, widespread endothelial lesions, highest ET-1 and ETAR levels, a decreased perfusion rate, reduced sinusoidal diameter, as well as an increase in both leukocyte-endothelium interactions and sinusoidal blood flow were observed after induction of ALF. ETAR antagonist-treated rats showed decreased ET-1 and ETAR levels as well as improved microcirculatory function, morphology, liver function, and 85% survival. CONCLUSIONS: Microcirculatory disturbances correlate with liver dysfunction in ALF. ETAR blockade represents a new therapeutic approach to ALF by reducing microcirculatory lesions and their sequelae.