Recurrence after hepatic resection in colorectal cancer liver metastasis -Review article-.

The outcomes and management of colorectal liver metastasis have undergone many changes. The incidence of recurrence after liver resection for hepatic metastasis remains very high. Liver resection, which provides the only curative treatment, is believed to have improved the long-term outcome of these patients. However, the management and outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastasis have greatly improved in the last decade, suggesting that the current use of aggressive multimodality treatments, including surgical resection combined with modern chemotherapeutic regimens, effectively prolong the life expectancy of these patients.

Monitoring the Laryngeal Nerves During Thyroidectomy. Initial 115 Cases Experience.

The lesions of the laryngeal nerves, despite low incidence, are the most severe long term complications after thyroidectomy. Visualization after careful dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is now the golden standard among thyroid surgeons. We assessed traditional landmarks for the identification of RLN and anatomic high risk situation. The study also presented our initial experience using neuro monitoring of RLN (IONM) during surgery. The results show a recognizable Zuckerkandl tubercle in 162 of the 222 cases (72,97%). After dissection RLN was found posterior from TZ in 154 cases (95,06%) and lateral from TZ in 8 cases (4,93%). The identification of the Zuckerkandl tubercle is a useful landmark for RLN localization. As concerning high risk situations we found 2 non recurrent laryngeal nerves (both on the right side). Extra laryngeal ramification of RLN is an anatomical reality with significant incidence (23,8% in our study) and major surgical involvement. Extra laryngeal ramification of RLN occurs more often between the cross point with inferior thyroid artery and larynx entry point. Monitoring the branches of RLN we obtain major EMG signal on the anterior one. The surgical meaning is that the anterior branch carries the most important motor fibers and we have to pay extra care in the correct identification and preservation of it. From a total of 222 visually identified RLN we have 215 nerves (96,84%) with positive EMG signal on monitoring. For 7 nerves (3,15%) we had no EMG signal. In 3 cases (2 total thyroidectomies and 1 lobectomy) involving 5 RLN there was a false negative result caused by electrode malposition or desoldering from endotracheal tube. Our initial experience shows that IONM is harmless, easy to handle and a useful tool for identifying the nerve and confirm its integrity. More extended studies are needed to show if intraoperative monitoring decreases the rate of RLN iatrogenic injury.

Evaluation of Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy Response (RCT) in Squamous Esophageal Cancer (ESC) and Implications in Therapeutic Conduct.

The multidisciplinary approach in ESC emerged as a result of efforts to maximize the treatment outcome of this disease.Surgical approach as the only therapeutic option is not always followed by a good distance survival. A concomitant neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in ESC may result in a favourable outcome for responding patients, reducing the size of the tumor and the degree of lymph node damage increasing resectability and the R0 resection rate, improving prognosis. For non-responding patients or if the disease continues to progress under RCT therapy, the surgical time is delayed, adverse effects of radiochemotherapy are added and postoperative morbidity and mortality are increased. The imaging methods for the assessment of response have only limited value and metabolic response; only FDG-PET manages to come close to pathological response. Determining the response degree is very important for the establishment of the surgical conduct: planned or necessity surgery, or non-surgical palliative therapy.

Surgical Treatment with Radiofrequencies for Outpatients with Surgical Benign Ano-Perianal Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, the occurrence of surgical benign ano-perianal diseases (SBAPD) is raising. Radiofrequency (RF) represents a surgical therapeutic method using high frequency radio waves to perform incisions, excisions and tissue coagulation. The main purpose of the study is to validate the possibility to use RF within the surgical treatment for outpatients with SBAPD; at the same time, a special consideration has been given to appreciate the efficiency of RF compared with other surgical methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study presents the results accumulated in 11 years (December 2003 - December 2014) in "PROCTOLINE" International Medical Center; also, we have taken into account the accomplishments on 783 outpatients, submitted to RF surgery for 10 different types of SBAPD. Various RF surgeries (cuttings, excisions, coagulations, curettages etc.) have been performed under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The necessary time was usually less than 45 minutes, while the post-operatory duration for a total healing was in the range of 7 to 45 days. The percentage of minor complications was quite a small one (8,3%). Also, we might appreciate excellent post-treatment results (maximum value of 11 years); Typically, the patients return for periodic postoperative examination at first and fourth week after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: RF represents an efficient, rapid and secure method for the treatment of SBAPD; it may be used in ambulatory, only under local anesthesia, offering to the patient a minimal post-operatory discomfort, as well as a rapid, esthetic and functional recovery of wound. By comparison with "classical surgery", the complications are rather minor ones and their percentage occurs in a lesser one.

Giant Esophageal GIST: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge - Case Report.

GIST are rare mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract (less than 1% of the digestive tract neoplasia). Of these, less than 1% are found in the esophagus. Surgery is the main treatment of GIST and is supported by targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinibmesylate. We present the case of a female patient of 51 years, admitted in our clinic for a bulky tumor in the posterior mediastinum, diagnosed after investigations performed for fatigue for the great efforts. Clinical examination was unspecific. Chest X-ray and thoraco-abdominal CT identified a widening of the mediastinum through a posterior mediastinal tumor mass, determining a deviation to the left of the thoracic esophagus without causing not abledysphagia or respiratory symptoms. It was decided surgery by thoracotomy in V right intercostal space and total excision of the tumor was performed. Histopathology examination confirmed the preoperative suspicion of esophageal GIST. Prognosis is reserved, the risk of relapse is very high given the fact that the tumor was extracted fragmented. Currently the patient is under treatment with imatinib mesylate and entered into clinical and imaging follow-up program, according to clinical guidelines.

Postoperative functional result and quality of life after oesophageal reconstruction based on the type of cervical anastomosis.

INTRODUCTION: The keystone of the rate of postoperative complications and functional outcome in oesophageal reconstruction is the technique method of performing cervical anastomosis.Despite new technologies and improved technique in specialized centres, post-anastomosis complications have not significantly improved. PURPOSE: The goal of our study is to analyse the causes that make anastomosis with the oesophagus hypopharynx a particular case. If anatomical and morphological aspects cannot be adjusted (poor histological structure and vascularity etc.), some important elements for performing a good anastomosis can be identified and corrected. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1981-2014, 195 oesophageal reconstructions were performed in our clinic. Our study involved an analysis of 72 cases (2000-2014), based on a statistical evaluation by Kaplan-Meier method that considered as eries of factors (oesophagus hypopharynx as anastomotic partner, stomach, jejuno-ileum, colon as visceral partner,pharyngotomy type, T-L, T-T, L-L, L-T type anastomosis,number of anastomotic layers). RESULTS were compared with those obtained by standard clinical and laboratory investigation,analysing the post-therapeutic outcome using three criteria (clinical aspects of swallowing, barium swallow and endoscopy) and by subjective assessment by each patient of his her state and complaints, with effects on long-term functional outcome (dysphagia, reflux, pain, asthenia, weight loss, hoarseness). RESULTS: Statistical analysis determined that only some of the analysed factors proved to be valuable. The higher the level of the anastomosis, the more intense the impairment of the digestive function. The jejunum and left colon proved to bemost effective anastomotic partners. The best method for implantation seems to be T-T or T-L and the number of anastomosis layers has no influence on postoperative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired data can influence to some extent the operatory technique, with a lower complication rate.Unfortunately, laborious technical aspects and specific anatomical limitations make this goal difficult to achieve.

Current endoscopic methods of radical therapy in early esophageal cancer.

During the last three decades, there has been an increasing incidence of the esophageal cancer at the global level, approx. 400,000 new esophageal cancers being currently diagnosed annually. This is the eighth leading cause of cancer incidence and the sixth leading cause of cancer death overall. If we refer to the countries of Western Europe and North America, we could see an increase in the esophageal adenocarcinoma in detriment of squamous cancer. As for the Asian region, referring in particular to China and Japan, 9 out of 10 esophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Considering that the incidence of gastric cancer in Japan is very high, the endoscopic screenings performed inevitably led to an increased rate of early detection of esophageal cancer, reaching approximately 20% of all esophageal cancers detected. This has led to the possibility of developing therapeutic endoscopic techniques with radical visa that we will describe while presenting comparative data from literature. Currently, however, there are not enough data on the effectiveness of these types of therapies, compared to surgery, in order to be transformed into standard therapeutic endoscopic treatment for early esophageal cancer. However, the combined therapy, resection/ endoscopic ablation + chemoradiotherapy, appears as an alternative to be taken into account. Abbreviations EEC = esophageal early cancer, BE = Barrett's esophagus, HGD = High-grade dysphagia, EUS = Ultra sound endoscopy, CT = Computer tomograph, UGE = Upper gastro endoscopy, PET-CT = Positron Emission Tomography, FNAB = Fine needle aspiration biopsy, EMR = Esophageal mucosal resection, ESD = Esophageal submucosal dissection, SCC = Squamous cellular cancer, PCT = Poli-chemotherapy, RT- Radio-therapy.

Endoscopic palliation of advanced esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer represents one of the most aggressive digestive tumors, with a survival rate at 5 years of only 10%. Globally, during the last three decades, there has been an increasing incidence of the esophageal cancer, approx. 400,000 new esophageal cancers being currently diagnosed annually. This represents the eighth leading cause of cancer incidence and the sixth leading cause of cancer death overall. Taking into account the population's global aging and thus, the increase in the number of patients who will not bear surgery, PCT and radiation, or the fact that they do not want it especially because of deficiencies and associated pathology, the endoscopic ablative techniques with palliation purposes represent the alternative. If we refer to the Western Europe countries and North America, we notice an increase of esophageal adenocarcinoma rate versus squamous cancer. As for the Asian region, referring in particular to China and Japan, 9 out of 10 esophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. For at least half of the patients with EC (esophageal cancer) there is no hope of healing because of the advanced regional malignant invasion (T3-4, N+, M+) with no chemo and radiotherapy response, poor preoperative patients' conditions or systemic metastasis. The low life expectancy does not justify the risky medical procedures, the goal of the therapy consisting in the improvement of the quality of life by eliminating dysphagia (reestablishing oral feeding) which represents the most common complication of EC, the respiratory tract complication caused by eso-tracheal fistulas or by eliminating chest pain. To treat dysphagia, which is the main target of palliation, combined methods like endoscopic, chemo and radio-therapy, can be used, each one with indications, benefits and risks.

Clinical and therapeutic considerations of GIST.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare tumors of the digestive tract, with an incidence of about 1.5 per 100,000/year. Clinical features may vary depending on location, size and aggressiveness. The diagnosis is confirmed by immunohistochemistry tests that identify CD 117 or DOG1 (typical receptors/markers for most GISTs) at the level of biopsy specimen. The treatment of localized GIST is based primarily on the surgery, while for metastatic GIST the targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors represents the current standard. The neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy indications guided and depending on genetic analysis included in the diagnostic and treatment algorithm as well as the strategy for cases surveillance are listed in the journal. All these data obtained from the literature have been integrated in a practical experience of 19 cases of GIST, operated in the clinic in the last 10 years for which we have proposed an adapted diagnostic algorithm.

Lesions of the laryngeal nerves during thyroidectomy - what's new?

Lesions to the laryngeal nerves, despite their low incidence, are the most severe long term complications after thyroidectomy.Visualization after careful dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is now the gold standard among thyroid surgeons. The Zuckerkandl tubercle (TZ) is a constant landmark for the identification of the RLN. Recent studies show the occurrence of two or more branches of RLN before entering the larynx. Knowledge about their existence could prevent lesions. Some high risk surgical situations are evidenced, such as: non recurrent laryngeal nerve emerging high from the vagus and the superior laryngeal nerve type Cernea 2. Several examination procedures are mandatory for a complete postoperative evaluation: video laryngoscopy and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) bring valuable objective and prognostic data. However, due to the unpredictability of the synkynesis process, the prognosis of recovery in RLN injuries remains difficult.

Motor criteria evaluation of iso-anisoperistaltic graft in oesophageal reconstruction -- an experimental study of isolated colic graft motility pattern in dogs.

In the medical literature there are more than one opinion in favour of the isoperistaltic interposed loop, considering it to render a higher propulsive activity and thus with much better functionality, with less intense symptoms of regurgitation,reflux or aspiration. Technically, however, due to anatomical relationships, anisoperistaltic graft interposition is more convenient. Is this detrimental to functionality? What is the best peristaltic model? At first sight, it seems that due to the local anatomy and surgical technique involved, we compromise at the expense of better functionality. To find the answer to these questions, starting from the typical pattern of colonic motility in the transverse and left colon, we need to identify new motor behaviour of the isolated colic segment. Because motor activity is generated by electric waves discharged from the area control centre, their electromyographic registration would allow finding the contractile pattern of a transplanted loop.

Intermesenteric appendicular abscess, a diagnostic challenge; case report and review.

The appendicular origin of an intermesenteric abscess is rarely suspected prior to surgery, due to atypical clinical presentation and poor sensitivity of exploratory methods. A 43-year-old male was admitted for recent pain and mild tenderness in the epigastrium, slight emesis, leucocytosis (C-reactive protein was not determined), with no pathological findings on simple abdominal radiological examination (Rx). Abdominal ultrasound(US) and endoscopy were irrelevant. The abdomen became moderately tender, distended; diffuse enteric gas,slightly impaired bowel movement could be demonstrated by anew Rx. CT (oral contrast) was performed in the 3rd day:edematous infiltration of the mesentery and of a left-flank digestive loop (jejunal, sigmoidian?), small-size fluid collection(with extraluminal air-level) and paretic loops in the proximity, but normal wall-appearance of the caecum and its surrounding fat; the CT result was inconclusive (perforated diverticulosis or malignancy?). Barium enema: normal,including the caecum. Installation of vesperal fever, progressive mid-abdominal pain, tenderness and formation of a mass were the rationale for open mid-line laparotomy, discovering a large intermesenteric abscess, secondary to perforated gangrenous intermesenteric appendicitis. Surgical outcome of appendectomy was normal. A high index of suspicion may be suggested by: atypical clinical presentation (fever; ileus;presence or formation of a tender, periumbilical, mass) and CT findings (abscess; extraluminal air; ileus).

Therapeutic strategies in colonic cancer.

Colonic cancer is the most common malignancy of the digestive tract, representing 13% of all malignancies. The aim of the study is to evaluate the current therapeutic strategy in patients with CC. Mortality from the disease is declining in many Western countries; this may be the result of screening for CC, resection of adenomas, early detection of tumoral lesions and the use of individualized therapeutic strategies. The multimodal treatment of the disease includes different sequences such as: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy,immunotherapy. Current advances in the research of mechanisms of carcinogenesis in CC make it possible to use genetic information in order to establish the prognostic and predictive factors for selecting the patients for individualized therapy. The current methods of CC evaluation allow the planning of individualized therapeutic strategies, which would lead to optimal results.

Prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer--preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations, evaluated by using two methods in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study involving 58 patients diagnosed with CRC and treated between 2003 and 2010 in the General and Esophageal Surgery Clinic of "Sf. Maria" Hospital, Bucharest. The macroscopic and microscopic examination of the resected specimens was also processed for genetic analysis in NIRDPBS, where KRAS status was determined by using two methods: PCR-RFLP and pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The clinical and biological parameters of the patients were assessed for 72 months in average. A relapse in 21 patients and a 5-year survival rate of 79.3% was discovered. The genetic analyses of KRAS gene found mutations in 22 cases (45.3%): 17 cases had mutations in codon 12, 5 cases in codon 13. The survival rate analyses of patients with wild KRAS gene compared with the patients carrying the mutation on codon 12 /13 revealed a superposition of the survival curve. The statistical analysis based on the TNM stage revealed different survival curves in stage I and II, shorter survival period in patients with KRAS mutation on codon 13 than in those with wild type gene (stage I--p_value=0.015; stage II--p_value=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: It was not found that KRAS gene status had any prognostic significance. Nevertheless, for stage I and II patients, the mutation found on codon 13 determined a statistic significant shorter survival rate than for those with wild type. The results obtained by using the pyrosequencing method for the determination of KRAS gene status proved that it represented a reliable and reproducible method.

Barrett esophagus: history, definition and etiopathogeny.

The injury of the esophageal epithelium may be determined by the reflux of the gastric acid in the esophagus. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is characterized by the replacement of the normal squamous epithelium with the columnar epithelium, when the healing of the lesion occurs. According to some studies, the incidence of the esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with BE is of about 0,5% per year. The term Barrett's esophagus is subjected to interpretation nowadays, so it lacks the clarity needed for the clinical and scientific communication on the subject of columnar metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa. The major pathogenetic factor in the development of BE is represented by the reflux disease. The cellular origin of BE is controversial and it represents an issue that needs to be resolved because it will have implications in the putative molecular mechanisms underlying the metaplastic process. The epigenetic or genetic changes, which alter protein expression, function, and/ or activity, in post-mitotic cells to drive transdifferentiation or in stem/ progenitor cells such that they are reprogrammed to differentiate into columnar rather than squamous cells, are driven by the inflammatory environment created by chronic reflux. In order to be able to develop better therapeutic strategies for the patients with this disease, an increasing interest in understanding the pathogenesis of BE at the cellular and molecular level presents these days.

Surveillance in Barrett esophagus.

The only known precursor of the esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is represented by the Barrett's esophagus (BE). EAC incidence has increased sharply in the last 4 decades. The annual conversion rate of BE to cancer is small but significant; therefore the identification of patients at a higher risk of cancer represents a dilemma. The endoscopic surveillance of BE aims to detect dysplasia and in particular high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal cancers that can be endoscopically treated before progressing to invasive cancer with lymph node metastases. Using standard white light endoscopy (WLE), these high-risk lesions are often subtle and hard to detect. In addition to high-definition standard endoscopy, chromoendoscopy (CE), virtual chromoendoscopy (e.g. narrow band imaging), and confocal laser endomicroscopy might increase the diagnostic efficiency for the detection of dysplastic lesions and can also increase the diagnostic efficiency for the detection of BE dysplasia or cancer. This ability to detect subtle mucosal abnormalities that harbor high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or intramucosal carcinoma might enable endoscopists skilled in the assessment of BE to perform targeted rather than random biopsies. The standard protocol will remain the careful examination by using conventional high-resolution endoscopes, combined with a longer inspection time, which is associated with an increased detection of dysplasia until these modalities have been demonstrated to enhance efficiency or be cost effective. Many of the limitations of the current clinical standard may be overcome in the future by the use of multi-modal imaging combined with molecular information.

Surgical virtual reality - highlights in developing a high performance surgical haptic device.

Just like simulators are a standard in aviation and aerospace sciences, we expect for surgical simulators to soon become a standard in medical applications. These will correctly instruct future doctors in surgical techniques without there being a need for hands on patient instruction. Using virtual reality by digitally transposing surgical procedures changes surgery in are volutionary manner by offering possibilities for implementing new, much more efficient, learning methods, by allowing the practice of new surgical techniques and by improving surgeon abilities and skills. Perfecting haptic devices has opened the door to a series of opportunities in the fields of research,industry, nuclear science and medicine. Concepts purely theoretical at first, such as telerobotics, telepresence or telerepresentation,have become a practical reality as calculus techniques, telecommunications and haptic devices evolved,virtual reality taking a new leap. In the field of surgery barrier sand controversies still remain, regarding implementation and generalization of surgical virtual simulators. These obstacles remain connected to the high costs of this yet fully sufficiently developed technology, especially in the domain of haptic devices.

Clinical importance of the determinant-based classification of acute pancreatitis severity.

PURPOSE: This classification should eliminate the confusion in terminology occurring over the last 20 years with direct implications in clinical practice. METHOD: The study was based on the web-based consultation of experts worldwide. 528 invitations were sent and 240 responses received from 49 countries from all continents. RESULTS: In an attempt to eliminate many confusions of the old classification, definitions that have built-in modern concepts of the disease have been issued, clinical evaluation of these severity has been improved and a standardized reporting data to objectively evaluate new treatments and to facilitate the communication of data between centers has been created. DISCUSSIONS: An ideal classification should reflect the whole area of clinical and paraclinical changes for one patient, at a given time. In the chosen classification, the main variable that characterizes the degree of severity is only the transitory or persistent organ dysfunction(s) failure(s). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant contribution to this update is redefining local complications based on their content,existence or non-existence of the wall, the place of their appearance and their evolution over time (local determinants).Systemic determinants take into account the presence of organ failures (transient or persistent). The presence of determinant factors has a cumulative effect.

Superior socio-medical alternative to feeding gastrostomy and jejunostomy in advanced esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of esophago gastric junction adenocarcinoma often occurs when the neoplastic process is surprised in advanced stages and blocks the esophageal-gastric junction causing dysphagia, stages in which curative therapy is more likely impossible to be accomplished. In these cases, the treatment goal is mainly to provide feeding capacity as naturally as possible and to start the adjuvant oncological treatment. The use of endoscopic esophageal prostheses provides the patient with the possibility to be fed orally and with a good social integration, but due to the technical incapacity to cross the tumoral stenosis with the endoscope, or due to the endoscopist s concerns regarding the sensitive areas (poles of the esophagus), there are reluctances in respect to this method (on average 20%). MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study aimed to determine the optimal therapeutic modality depending on the evolutive stages of the disease and to analyse the justification of the original procedure of laparogastroscopic esophageal stenting through tumoral drilling as a technical alternative to the reluctances or failures of endoscopic prosthesis and as a biological and social solution to the disabling gastrostomy for patients with advanced esophageal-gastric junction adenocarcinoma. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Staging was disarming, most patients were diagnosed in advanced stages, fact also supported by literature. Regarding esophageal stenting by transtumoral drilling, the results are significant especially in terms of postoperative morbidity CONCLUSIONS: Although our study regarding laparogastroscopic stenting by transtumoral drilling in esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma is limited, this original procedure brought us satisfaction whenever we used this approach.

Solitary ganglioneuromatosis of the descending colon, presenting as giant retroperitoneal tumour.

Ganglioneuroma (GN) is a benign neoplasia of the autonomous nervous system, colonic GN is uncommon in adults. There are three subgroups: polypoid GN, ganglioneuromatous polyposis and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. Ganglioneuromatosis is highly-associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b (MEN2B). A 68-year-old female, with a discrete retarded emission of stools, was admitted for a large tumor in the left flank; CT scan, urography and barium enema demonstrated a large retroperitoneal mass, presumed as sarcoma. Open surgery discovered a 16 10 11 cm solid and encapsulated tumor, attached to the retroperitoneal descending colon, with no macroscopic mucosal involvement; the pathologic diagnosis of the resected specimen (en-bloc tumorectomy with limited colectomy) was intramural colonic ganglio-neuromatosis. Anamnesis, physical examination and complete endoscopic explorations showed no evidence of personal bearing or familial aggregation of genetic syndromes. In adults, association of transmural ganglioneuromatosis to NF1 or MEN2B is not mandatory; presentation often mimics obstructive carcinoma and positive diagnosis is provided by pathological examination of the resected specimen. In this peculiar case, the loose tissue of the retroperitoneal space favoured a slow development of intramural ganglioneuromatosis, presenting as a gigantic retroperitoneal mass with no radiological evidence of its colonic origin.