A prospective, randomized trial of pancreatectomy combined with isolated hepatic perfusion via a dual route or conventional postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic head carcinoma.

Prognosis of locally advanced pancreatic head carcinoma after Whipple remains poor. This study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of regional lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy of isolated hypoxic perfusion (IHP) via dual-route, and to analyze the effect for survival period. Consecutive patients subjected to our department from January 1, 2006 to December 31 2011 for locally advanced pancreatic head carcinoma were prospectively divided into two groups according to therapeutic modality, and clinical and follow-up data was recorded. In study group, operation duration and postoperative stay time were shorter, blood loss and blood transfusion were less, and incidence of complications was lower. The mean and median survival time was 17.4 ± 0.76 months and 18.0 months in study group, longer than control group of 14.1 ± 0.85 months and 17.6 months. Regional lymphadenectomy can be performed with low mortality and morbidity, and combined postoperative IHP via dual-route can improve survival time.

+Gz-induced post-cholecystectomy syndrome in rabbit model by using a telemetric method.

Aviation-related mechanism may exist in the post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) of aircrew patients. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis on vivo rabbit model and to explore the mechanism by using a novel telemetric method. We constructed a bile duct-to-intestinal bridge bypass on 30 rabbits, with a telemetry implant attached to the Oddi's sphincter. Then a telemetric recording system was used to record the biliary pressure fluctuation through the subcutaneous bridge and the changes of electromyography of the Oddi's sphincter under different +Gz acceleration. Self-control comparison was made before and after cholecystectomy. The fully implantable device was very well accepted by rabbits and the data could reflect the real experimental environment simultaneously. Biliary pressure in common bile duct increased accordingly with +Gz acceleration increased, but bile secretion didn't change. Although +Gz acceleration could increase the frequency of burst of spike potentials in the Oddi's sphincter, the frequency didn't change with the +Gz acceleration increased, and the spike activity didn't change obviously before cholecystectomy. After cholecystectomy, the biliary pressure in common bile duct remained high in 12 rabbits (40%) under +Gz exposure, and the pressure value didn't change as the +Gz acceleration increased. The long-time changes in electromyography of the Oddi's sphincter were observed in the same 12 rabbits, with symptoms of PCS developed in 9 of them. +Gz exposure is an important external factor leading to the biliary physiology disorder, and it may induce PCS in some aircrew patients with individual susceptibility, which means gallbladder maybe a dominant factor in regulating the biliary physiology in theses aircrew patients.

Angiographic embolization in the treatment of intrahepatic arterial bleeding in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Angiographic embolization (AE) as an adjunct non-operative treatment of intrahepatic arterial bleeding has been widely used. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selective AE in patients with hepatic trauma. METHODS: Seventy patients with intrahepatic arterial bleeding after blunt abdominal trauma who had undergone selective AE in 10 years at this institution were retrospectively reviewed. The criteria for selective AE included active extravasation on contrast-enhanced CT, an episode of hypotension or a decrease in hemoglobin level during the non-operative treatment. The data of the patients included demographics, grade of liver injuries, mechanism of blunt abdominal trauma, associated intra-abdominal injuries, indications for AE, angiographic findings, type of AE, and AE-related hepatobiliary complications. RESULTS: In the 70 patients, 32 (45.71%) had high-grade liver injuries. Extravazation during the early arterial phase mainly involved the right hepatic segments. Thirteen (18.57%) patients underwent embolization of intrahepatic branches and the extrahepatic trunk and these patients all developed AE-related hepatobiliary complications. In 19 patients with AE-related complications, 14 received minimally invasive treatment and recovered without severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: AE is an adjunct treatment for liver injuries. Selective and/or super-selective AE should be advocated to decrease the incidence and severity of AE-related hepatobiliary complications.

Endoscopic management for pancreatic injuries due to blunt abdominal trauma decreases failure of nonoperative management and incidence of pancreatic-related complications.

INTRODUCTION: The actual benefit of endoscopic techniques in the non-operative management (NOM) of pancreatic injury is still unclear, with its role and effectiveness in the NOM of pancreatic injury remains defined and doubted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and long-term results of endoscopic techniques in the NOM of blunt pancreatic injury, and to determine whether NOM can be performed safely for selective patients with pancreatic injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records and follow-up data of all patients with blunt pancreatic injuries over 16-year period from October 1, 1996, to September 30, 2012 at our department were retrospectively reviewed. Failure of NOM (FNOM) occurred if laparotomy was required after attempted NOM. RESULTS: 132 patients (32% of all patients with blunt pancreatic injury) underwent NOM, including 58 who underwent endoscopic management (EM) and 74 who were observed without EM (NO-EM). FNOM of overall NOM was 20%, including 30% of NO-EM and 9% of EM. There was no significant difference in FNOM for NO-EM versus EM for grade I, however, a significant decrease in FNOM was noted with the addition of EM for grade II and III. EM was a statistically significant independent risk factor. Regular follow-up of 1 year showed that, for patients from grade I to III, 53 patients (42%) from operative management (OM) and 34 patients (46%) of the NO-EM developed various pancreatic-related complications, while only 15 patients (26%) of the EM developed such complications, and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: Application of strictly defined selection criteria for NOM and EM in patients with blunt pancreatic injury resulted in one of the lowest FNOM rates (9%) and pancreatic-related complications incidence (25%). Selective application of EM for hemodynamically stable patients with blunt pancreatic injury will extend the indications for, and improve success of NOM.