PREVALENCE OF HEPATIC ARTERIAL VARIATIONS WITH IMPLICATIONS IN PANCREATODUODENECTOMY.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the usual surgical option for curative treatment of periampullary cancer and carries a significant mortality. Arterial anomalies of the celiac axis are not uncommon and might lead to iatrogenic lesions or requiring arterial resection/reconstruction in a pancreatoduodenectomy. AIM: Determine the prevalence of arterial variations having implications in pancreatoduodenectomy. METHODS: Celiac trunk and hepatic arterial system anatomy was retrospectively evaluated in 200 abdominal enhanced computed tomography studies. RESULTS: Normal anatomy of hepatic arterial system was found in 87% of cases. An anomalous right hepatic artery was identified in 13% of cases. In 12 cases there was a substitute right hepatic artery arising from superior mesenteric artery and in two cases an accessory right hepatic artery with similar origin. A hepatomesenteric trunk was identified in seven cases and in five there was a right hepatic artery directly from the celiac trunk. All cases of anomalous right hepatic artery had a route was behind the pancreatic head and then, posteriorly and laterally, to the main portal vein before reaching the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic artery variations, such as anomalous right hepatic artery crossing posterior to the portal vein, are frequently seen (13%). These patients, when undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, may require a change in the surgical approach to achieve an adequate resection. Preoperative imaging can clearly identify such variations and help to achieve a safer pancreatic head dissection with proper surgical planning.

Prevalence of hepatic arterial variations with implications in pancreatoduodenectomy / Prevalência de variações arteriais hepáticas com implicações em pancreatoduodenectomia

ABSTRACT Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the usual surgical option for curative treatment of periampullary cancer and carries a significant mortality. Arterial anomalies of the celiac axis are not uncommon and might lead to iatrogenic lesions or requiring arterial resection/reconstruction in a pancreatoduodenectomy. Aim: Determine the prevalence of arterial variations having implications in pancreatoduodenectomy. Methods: Celiac trunk and hepatic arterial system anatomy was retrospectively evaluated in 200 abdominal enhanced computed tomography studies. Results: Normal anatomy of hepatic arterial system was found in 87% of cases. An anomalous right hepatic artery was identified in 13% of cases. In 12 cases there was a substitute right hepatic artery arising from superior mesenteric artery and in two cases an accessory right hepatic artery with similar origin. A hepatomesenteric trunk was identified in seven cases and in five there was a right hepatic artery directly from the celiac trunk. All cases of anomalous right hepatic artery had a route was behind the pancreatic head and then, posteriorly and laterally, to the main portal vein before reaching the liver. Conclusions: Hepatic artery variations, such as anomalous right hepatic artery crossing posterior to the portal vein, are frequently seen (13%). These patients, when undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, may require a change in the surgical approach to achieve an adequate resection. Preoperative imaging can clearly identify such variations and help to achieve a safer pancreatic head dissection with proper surgical planning.

RESUMO Racional: Pancreatoduodenectomia consiste no procedimento cirúrgico usual para tratamento curativo de neoplasias periampulares e apresenta mortalidade significativa. Variações arteriais do tronco celíaco não são incomuns e podem favorecer lesões iatrogênicas ou exigirem realização de ressecção/reconstrução arterial durante pancreatoduodenectomia. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de variações arteriais que apresentam implicações durante pancreatoduodenectomia. Métodos: A anatomia do tronco celíaco e sistema arterial hepático foi investigada retrospectivamente em 200 exames tomográficos contrastados do abdome. Resultados: Anatomia normal do sistema arterial hepático foi observada em 87% dos casos. Presença de uma artéria hepática direita anômala foi identificada em 13%. Em 12 casos houve uma artéria hepática direita substituta originária da artéria mesentérica superior, em dois uma artéria hepática direita acessória com origem similar. Tronco hepaticomesentérico foi identificado em sete casos e em cinco houve uma artéria hepática direita originária diretamente do tronco celíaco. Em todos casos de artéria hepática direita anômala seu curso foi por trás da cabeça do pâncreas e com trajeto passando posteriormente ao tronco da veia porta e após percorrendo sua face lateral direita antes de alcançar o fígado. Conclusões: Variações arteriais hepáticas, como artéria hepática direita anômala com trajeto posterior à veia porta, são frequentes (13%). Nestes pacientes, quando submetidos à pancreatoduodenectomia, pode ser necessária alteração na abordagem cirúrgica para ressecção adequada. Exames de imagem pré-operatórios podem claramente identificar estas variações e auxiliar na realização de dissecção segura da cabeça do pâncreas com adequado planejamento cirúrgico.

Extreme liver resections with preservation of segment 4 only.

AIM: To evaluate safety and outcomes of a new technique for extreme hepatic resections with preservation of segment 4 only. METHODS: The new method of extreme liver resection consists of a two-stage hepatectomy. The first stage involves a right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation and induction of left lobe congestion; the second stage involves a left lobectomy. Thus, the remnant liver is represented by the segment 4 only (with or without segment 1, ± S1). Five patients underwent the new two-stage hepatectomy (congestion group). Data from volumetric assessment made before the second stage was compared with that of 10 matched patients (comparison group) that underwent a single-stage right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation. RESULTS: The two stages of the procedure were successfully carried out on all 5 patients. For the congestion group, the overall volume of the left hemiliver had increased 103% (mean increase from 438 mL to 890 mL) at 4 wk after the first stage of the procedure. Hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (i.e., segment 4 ± S1) was higher than that of segments 2 and 3 (144% vs 54%, respectively, P < 0.05). The median remnant liver volume-to-body weight ratio was 0.3 (range, 0.28-0.40) before the first stage and 0.8 (range, 0.45-0.97) before the second stage. For the comparison group, the rate of hypertrophy of the left liver after right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation was 116% ± 34%. Hypertrophy rates of segments 2 and 3 (123% ± 47%) and of segment 4 (108% ± 60%, P > 0.05) were proportional. The mean preoperative volume of segments 2 and 3 was 256 ± 64 cc and increased to 572 ± 257 cc after right hepatectomy. Mean preoperative volume of segment 4 increased from 211 ± 75 cc to 439 ± 180 cc after surgery. CONCLUSION: The proposed method for extreme hepatectomy with preservation of segment 4 only represents a technique that could allow complete resection of multiple bilateral liver metastases.

Thyroid surgery performed on an overnight basis: a 17 years of experience

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the results of thyroid surgeries with hospitalization periods shorter than 18 hours performed in a surgical endocrinology service, correlating these results with type of procedure, the definitive diagnosis and complications associated with the procedure.Subjects and methods The procedures performed, complications associated, hospitalization period, and relationships among these variables were assessed in consecutive patients subjected to different types of thyroid surgeries from January 1997 to March 2014 by the same group of surgeons. Data were analyzed by frequency, and the associations between the hospitalization period and other variables were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, using a multiple comparisons test with Bonferroni correction.Results Among the 3,411 surgeries performed, 799 of them were malignant neoplasia, 2,505 were benign tumors and 107 were Graves’ disease. The following procedures were performed: total thyroidectomy (1597 patients); total thyroidectomy with neck exploration (369 patients); lobectomy plus isthmectomy (1084 patients); total thyroidectomy complementation (145 patients); total thyroidectomy with neck dissection (84 patients); modified radical total thyroidectomy (13 patients); nodulectomy (11 patients); unresectable (9 patients); central neck dissection (48 patients); lateral neck dissection (38 patients); and others (13 patients). The following surgical complications, characteristic of the procedure: hemorrhage in 41 (1.2%) patients, hypoparathyroidism in 10 (0.3%) patients and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in 23 (0.7%) patients. Hospitalization shorter than 18 hours was observed in 97% of patients.Conclusion Thyroid surgery can be safely performed in virtually all patients on an overnight basis in specialized services.

Thyroid surgery performed on an overnight basis: a 17 years of experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the results of thyroid surgeries with hospitalization periods shorter than 18 hours performed in a surgical endocrinology service, correlating these results with type of procedure, the definitive diagnosis and complications associated with the procedure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The procedures performed, complications associated, hospitalization period, and relationships among these variables were assessed in consecutive patients subjected to different types of thyroid surgeries from January 1997 to March 2014 by the same group of surgeons. Data were analyzed by frequency, and the associations between the hospitalization period and other variables were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, using a multiple comparisons test with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Among the 3,411 surgeries performed, 799 of them were malignant neoplasia, 2,505 were benign tumors and 107 were Graves' disease. The following procedures were performed: total thyroidectomy (1597 patients); total thyroidectomy with neck exploration (369 patients); lobectomy plus isthmectomy (1084 patients); total thyroidectomy complementation (145 patients); total thyroidectomy with neck dissection (84 patients); modified radical total thyroidectomy (13 patients); nodulectomy (11 patients); unresectable (9 patients); central neck dissection (48 patients); lateral neck dissection (38 patients); and others (13 patients). The following surgical complications, characteristic of the procedure: hemorrhage in 41 (1.2%) patients, hypoparathyroidism in 10 (0.3%) patients and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in 23 (0.7%) patients. Hospitalization shorter than 18 hours was observed in 97% of patients. CONCLUSION: Thyroid surgery can be safely performed in virtually all patients on an overnight basis in specialized services.

Ischemic versus pharmacologic hepatic preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury has a significant impact on liver resection and transplantation. Many strategies have been developed to reduce the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury, including pharmacologic and ischemic preconditioning; however, studies comparing these two methods are lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental study was performed in a swine model. Eighteen swine were randomly assigned to three different groups: an ischemic preconditioning (IschPC) group, a pharmacologic preconditioning (PharmPC) group, and a control group. All animals underwent a 40-min liver ischemia, followed by 40 min of reperfusion. The IschPC group received a short period of ischemia (10 min) and a short period of reperfusion (15 min) before prolonged ischemia. The PharmPC group received inhaled sevoflurane for 30 min before prolonged ischemia. The control group did not receive any intervention before prolonged ischemia. Blood samples and liver tissue were obtained after ischemic and reperfusion periods. Injury was evaluated by measure of DNA damage (using COMET assay) and serum biochemical markers (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bilirubin, and C-reactive protein [CRP]). RESULTS: No significant difference was found in serum biochemical markers, except for the C-reactive protein level that was lower in the PharmPC group than in the control group soon after hepatic ischemia. Soon after prolonged ischemia, DNA damage index, both in blood samples and in liver tissue samples, was similar among the groups. However, an increase in DNA damage after reperfusion was higher in the control group than in the PharmPC group (P < 0.05). The increase in DNA damage in the IschPC group was half of that observed in the control, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an early protective effect of PharmPC (lower levels of C-reactive protein soon after ischemia). The protective effect observed after reperfusion was higher with PharmPC than with ischemic preconditioning. The simultaneous use of both methods could potentiate protection for ischemia-reperfusion.

Angiossarcoma pouco diferenciado primário de glândula salivar parótida: relato de caso / Primary poorly differentiated angiosarcoma of the parotid gland

As neoplasias mesenquimais primárias das glândulas salivares são raras. Os autores descrevem um caso de angiossarcoma primário da glândula parótida em um homem com 84 anos (AU)

Primary mesenchymal neoplasms of the salivary glands are rare. The authors report a case of primary angiosarcoma of the parotid gland in a 84-year old male (AU)

Retalhos miocutâneos de músculo peitoral maior: resultados e complicações em uma série de 116 casos / Myocutaneous flap of pectoralis major muscle: results and complications in a serie of 116 cases

Introdução: Os retalhos miocutâneos representam uma importante arma com que conta o cirurgião plástico quando se depara com grandes defeitos a serem cobertos após ressecção de tumores. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem por objetivo relatar a incidência de complicações com o uso de retalhos miocutâneos de músculo peitoral maior para reconstrução em cirurgia oncológica, em especial de cabeça e pescoço. Método: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo. Foram estudados pacientes operados por lesões malignas de cabeça e pescoço,nos quais se usou a técnica em discussão. Resultados: Foram avaliados 116 pacientes operados no período entre março de 1994 e julho de 2009. Houve 2 perdas totais de retalho,14 perdas parciais e formação de 17 fístulas. Conclusão: A incidência de complicações foi relativamente alta, o que relacionamos com o avançado estádio de doença dos pacientes operados e estado nutricional dos mesmos, além do porte das cirurgias. Apesar disso, os autores consideram o retalho miocutâneo de músculo peitoral maior um grande aliado parao cirurgião plástico que trabalha em reconstrução de cabeça e pescoço.

Introduction: The myocutaneous flap is an important tool on which the plastic surgeon relies when handling major defects after tumors resection. Purpose: The objective of this study is reporting the incidence of post-operative complications with myocutaneous flap of pectoralis muscle for repairs in oncologic surgery, especially head and neck. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed. Patients with head and neck malignancies submitted to this technique were studied. Results: Between March/1994 and July/2009, 116 patients submitted to oncologic surgery were evaluated. There were 2 total flap losses, 14 partial flap losses and 17 fistulas. Conclusion: The incidence of surgical complications was relatively high, what we believe to be linked with the advanced oncologic disease stage in our population, their nutritional condition and the nature of the surgery. Despite that, the authors consider that the myocutaneous flap of pectoralis muscle is a good choice for plastic surgeons working in head and neck reconstruction.