Prophylactic pancreaticoduodenectomy for premalignant duodenal polyposis in familial adenomatous polyposis.

The frequency of duodenal adenomas in patients with, familial adenomatous polyposis is high. Duodenal adenoma has malignant potential, and duodenal adenocarcinoma is one of the main causes of death in patients who have had previous proctocolectomy. A conservative approach to the treatment of duodenal adenomas (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, endoscopy, polypectomy through duodenotomy) is inefficient and unsafe. When invasive cancer occurs in duodenal adenomas, the result of surgery is poor. We have performed prophylactic pancreaticoduodenal resection (PDR) for nonmalignant severe duodenal polyposis in five patients since 1991. No operative mortality was observed. One patient developed a pancreatic fistula which was successfully managed by medical treatment. The mean follow-up was 35 months. All five patients are still alive and have a good functional outcome. Prophylactic PDR may be indicated in familial adenomatous polyposis when duodenal polyposis is severe. Stages III and IV of Spigelman's classification, periampullary adenoma, age above 40, and family history of duodenal cancer are factors that may lead to the decision to perform prophylactic PDR.

[Splenectomy for splenomegaly of more than 1000 grams. A retrospective study of 36 patients]. / Splénectomie pour splénomégalie de plus de 1000 g. Etude rétrospective sur 36 patients.

Splenectomy for massive splenomegaly is frequently performed for hematologic disorders for diagnostic and therapeutic indications. The role of splenectomy is complex and controversial. The aims of our retrospective study were to focus on postoperative complications and advantages of splenectomy for massive splenomegaly. Thirty six patients with splenomegaly weighing 1000 g or more, underwent splenectomy at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Lyon Sud, from January 1st, 1982, to December 31, 1995. Thirty-one (85%) of these patients had hematologic malignancy and more than half of them were older than sixty years. The main indications for splenectomy were hypersplenism (18 patients) and diagnosis (14). Preliminary ligation of the splenic artery was performed in 25 patients (42%). All patients had drainage. The mortality and morbidity rates were 5.5% and 20%, respectively. No major septic or thromboembolic complications occurred. There was only one major bleeding complication. The advantages of splenectomy included histopathological diagnosis in 13 of 14 patients with splenomegaly of unknown origin, permanent pain relief in all cases, and immediate correction of hematological cytopenia in 27 cases (75%). We conclude that the large weight of the spleen does not constitute a contraindication to splenectomy, but indications must be carefully selected, and the operative and perioperative management, must be appropriate.

[Morbidity of lateral loop ileostomy]. / Morbidité de l'iléostomie latérale de protection.

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the morbidity of twisted loop ileostomy (TLI). Between 1985 and 1994, 83 TLI were performed in 79 patients. Before TLI closure, 13 patients (16%) presented complications, requiring surgery in 5 cases. Small bowel obstruction (7 cases: 8%) and high stoma output (4 cases: 5%) were the commonest complications. After stoma closure (performed in 76 cases), 8 patients (10.5%) presented complications, requiring surgery in 3 cases. The most commonest complication was enteric fistula (4 cases: 5.3%) requiring reoperation in 2 cases. This procedure adds a separate set of postoperative complications, which tend to be minor in nature without any permanent sequelae and which can be minimized by a meticulous surgical technique. This technique remains a safe and effective procedure for fecal diversion.