Use of serum and peritoneal CEA and CA19-9 in prediction of peritoneal dissemination and survival of gastric adenocarcinoma patients: are they prognostic factors?

Introduction To evaluate the impact of serum and peritoneal levels of tumour markers on peritoneal carcinomatosis and survival in gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were evaluated with regard to serum and peritoneal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9. Numeric values and groupings based on serum and peritoneal cutoff values were used. Development of peritoneal carcinomatosis, including positive washing cytology, was regarded as main outcome. Gastric cancer outcomes as disease free and overall survival were analysed. Results There were 67 patients with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years. Positive peritoneal washing cytology was significantly associated with serum CA19-9 and high serum CA 19-9 group (P = 0.033 and P = 0.011, respectively). High peritoneal CEA was shown to be significantly associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis (P = 0.032). After a median follow up of 17 months, 48 patients (71.7%) were alive. Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis showed significant poorer prognosis as shown by overall survival rate of 28.6%. Only serum CEA was significantly associated with lower disease free and overall survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Discussion and conclusion Serum CEA is shown to be significantly associated with poor prognosis for gastric cancer patients. Serum level of CA19-9 and high peritoneal CEA levels are significant predictors for positive peritoneal washing cytology and the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis, respectively. Therefore, the possible impact of serum and peritoneal tumor markers especially on the staging and prognosis of gastric cancer remains to be clarified by future studies.

Role of obesity and abdominal shape morphometric features to predict postoperative complications and quality of lymph node dissection of gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Obesity and abdominal shape morphometric features have been thought to be independent risk factors for surgical outcomes after gastrectomy.A total of 113 patients undergoing surgery for primary gastric adenocarcinoma from June 2011 to January 2015 were retrospectively included. Body mass index, visceral fatty area, anterior-posterior abdominal and transverse diameters and depth ratio at levels of the umbilicus, the gastroesophageal junction and the root of the celiac artery were measured or calculated. Patients were grouped according to body mass index (<25.0 kg/m2or ≥25.0 kg/m2) or median value of these parameters. Surgical outcomes including postoperative complications, total and metastatic lymph node numbers and their ratio were compared.There was a significant association between body mass index and abdominal shape indexes. Body mass index and abdominal shape indexes showed no statistical significance on development of complications. But, lymph node numbers and their ratio were negatively affected by depth ratio at the root of the celiac artery.Our findings showed that gastrectomy with curative intent can be performed safely in patients with higher body mass index and abdominal shape indexes. Therefore, there is no need to perform any change in surgical strategy according to these measurements and calculations.

Glisson's capsule cauterisation is associated with increased postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has three components: parietal, visceral and referred pain felt at the shoulder. Visceral peritoneal injury on the liver (Glisson's capsule) during cauterisation sometimes occurs as an unavoidable complication of the operation. Its effect on postoperative pain has not been quantified. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between Glisson's capsule injury and postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS The study was a prospective case-control of planned standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy with standardized anaesthesia protocol in patients with benign gallbladder disease. Visual analogue scale (VAS) abdominal pain scores were noted at 2 and 24 hours after the operation. One surgical team performed the operations. Operative videos were recorded and examined later by another team to detect presence of Glisson's capsule cauterisation. Eighty-one patients were enrolled into the study. After examination of the operative videos, 46 patients with visceral peritoneal injury were included in the study group, and the remaining 35 formed the control group. RESULTS VAS pain score at postoperative 2 and 24 hours was significantly higher in the study group than control (P = 0.027 and 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Glisson's capsule cauterisation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with increased postoperative pain. Additional efforts are recommended to prevent unintentional cauterisation.

Incidental findings during routine pathological evaluation of gallbladder specimens: review of 1,747 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases.

Introduction Cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases can lead to previously undiagnosed gallbladder cancer during histopathological evaluation. Despite some controversy over its usefulness, histopathological evaluation of all gallbladder specimens is common in most hospitals. We evaluated the results of routine pathology of the gallbladder after cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases with regard to unexpected primary gallbladder cancer (UPGC). Methods Patients undergoing cholecystectomy because of benign gallbladder diseases between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. All gallbladder specimens were sent to the pathology department, and histopathological reports were examined in detail. The impact of demographic features on pathological diagnoses and prevalence of UPGC assessed. Data on additional interventions and postoperative survival for patients with UPGC were collected. Results We enrolled 1,747 patients (mean age, 48.7±13.6 years). Chronic cholecystitis was the most common diagnosis (96.3%) and was associated significantly with being female (p=0.001). Four patients had UPGC (0.23%); one was stage T3 at the time of surgery, and the remaining three cases were stage T2. Conclusions Routine histopathological examination of the gallbladder is valuable for identification of cancer that requires further postoperative management.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: where are we now?

PURPOSE: Although the advantages of laparoscopic procedures has been well studied over the last two decade, laparoscopic appendectomy could not to be a standard therapy due to some disadvantages such as longer operative time and higher cost.The objective of our study is to re-evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy with current data. METHODS: Between January 2012 and July 2012, the data of the patients who had appendectomy were recorded prospectively. Patients' demographics, duration of procedure, length of hospital stay, need of analgesics, postoperative visual analogue scale scores and morbidity were assessed. RESULTS: Of 241 patients, 120 (49.8%) underwent open and 121(50.2%) laparoscopic appendectomy. The operating time was similar for both groups (p=0.855). The visual analog scale scores of 1st (p=0.001), 6th (p=0.001) and 12th (p=0.028) hours were higher in open the appendectomy group. The total need of analgesics significantly was higher in open group (p=0.001).There was no statistical difference in terms of total morbidity rate between open and laparoscopic appendectomy groups (p=0.617). CONCLUSION: Two operative techniques are similar in terms of length of hospital stay, operative time, and postoperative complications. Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces the need for analgesics and visual analog scale scores; therefore,it should be considered as the gold standard for surgical treatment of acute appendicitis.

A reliable pancreaticojejunal anastomosis with V-Loc 180 wound closure device for soft pancreatic stump.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although mortality rates decreased in recent years, pancreaticoduodenectomy is still associated with high morbidity rates. Pancreatic fistula is the leading cause of morbidity after pancreaticojejunal anastomosis and commonly occurs in soft pancreas. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of conventional modified invaginated end to side pancreaticojejunostomy with a new practical method using V-Loc 'rM 180 wound closure device in soft pancreas. METHODOLOGY: Between December 2011 and August 2013, a total of 90 pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures were performed in our hospital. 28 of them were defined as soft pancreas according to attending surgeon and included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups consecutively and analysed for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate, length of stay, operation time, cost and particular duration of anastomosis. Pancreatic fistulas were classified according to International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) definition. RESULTS: 1 grade A and 2 grade B fistulas appeared in V-Loc group (Group 1), whereas 1 grade A, 2 grade B and 1 grade C fistulas appeared in conventional anastomosis group (Group 2). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticojejunostomy with V-Loc suture is a convenient method in soft pancreas and can be performed safely.

Appendiceal mucocele: clinical and imaging features of 14 cases.

PURPOSE: Appendiceal mucocele as a cystic dilatation filled with mucinous material is a very rare disease of the appendix vermiformis. Its preoperative diagnosis is still acking behind common use of imaging techniques. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patients with a pathological diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele with regard to clinical and imaging features. RESULTS: The study group included 14 patients with a mean age of 51 years (range from 17 to 82 years). Predominant symptoms were pain and feeling of fullness in the right iliac fossa in 9(64%) and 5 (36%) patients, respectively. For imaging purposes, use of computed tomography resulted in preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele in half of the patients(50%). 93% of the cases underwent appendectomy, and righth emicolectomy was performed in one patient (7%). Mucocele and cystadenoma were detected in 11 (79%) and 3 (21%)patients, respectively. Presence of acute appendicitis and coloncarcinoma were confirmed afterwards histologically in 4 (29%)and one (7%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the common use of imaging studies,preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele is still not possible in most of the cases. During surgical treatment,which is tailored according to imaging and intraoperative findings, precautionary measures to avoid intraperitoneal rupture and dissemination should be taken.

Surgical treatment of substernal goiter.

BACKGROUND: Substernal goiter differs from its cervical counterpart in regard to its clinical presentation, surgical management, pathological analysis and postoperative complication. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1320 thyroidectomies performed at the Hacettepe University Hospital between 1990 and 1997. RESULTS: 30 (2.3%) of 1320 thyroidectomies underwent operation for removal of substernal goiters in an 8-year period. The most common symptom was cervical mass (67%) and 33% of the patients were asymptomatic. Computerised tomography was the most accurate pre-operative test for detecting substernal extension. Substernal goiters were removed by collar incisions in 93% of the cases. The pathology was generally found to be benign (94%), but follicular carcinoma was present in two (6%) patients. There was no mortality and no complications were observed in 73% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of substernal goiter is an indication for removal given the lack of any effective medical therapy, low surgical morbidity, risk of malignancy and acute obstructing symptoms.