Management of postoperative intraabdominal abscess in laparoscopic versus open appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Complicated appendicitis (gangrenous or perforated appendicitis) is a risk for postoperative intraabdominal abscess, but management of intraabdominal abscess may differ between laparoscopic and open appendectomy. METHODS: We reviewed 67 patients who underwent appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, including 26 who received laparoscopic appendectomy (LA group) and 41 who underwent open appendectomy (OA group). The operation was performed under general anesthesia in all 26 patients in the LA group and in 10 (24%) in the OA group. Patient characteristics, operative factors, and postoperative complications (especially postoperative intraabdominal abscess) were compared between the two groups. Management of postoperative intraabdominal abscess was also investigated. RESULTS: Postoperative intraabdominal abscess occurred in 3 patients (12%) in the LA group and in 10 (24%) in the OA group (p = 0.23). All 3 patients in the LA group were treated conservatively. Of the 10 patients in the OA group, 6 were treated conservatively, but 4 needed a reoperation, including 3 who had undergone right pararectal skin incision under spinal analgesia and in whom sufficient irrigation was not possible because anesthesia had worn off. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that insertion of abdominal drainage may be appropriate treatment for intraabdominal abscess after laparoscopic appendectomy. Light anesthesia may induce residual abscess in open appendectomy performed under spinal analgesia.

Colorectal cancer metastasis to the thyroid.

A 69-year-old Japanese woman underwent a curative operation for rectal cancer (T2, N0, M0, Dukes B, R0, and stage IIA of American Joint Committee on Cancer) 3 years ago. On subsequent routine follow-up, a right-side thyroid nodule and a regional lymph node of up to 1.5 cm in diameter was palpated. FDG-PET demonstrated high FDG accumulation in the right lobe of the thyroid gland, neck lymph nodes, and sacral periosteum. We diagnosed a local recurrence of rectal cancer and a primary thyroid cancer. We chose radiotherapy for the periosteal recurrence, and then right hemithyroidectomy with regional lymph node dissection for the thyroid tumor was performed. Pathological examination demonstrated mucinous carcinoma, the same as the previous surgical specimen from the rectum. She had been treated with postoperative chemotherapy and had been alive and well for 26 months with lung metastases. Although thyroid gland metastasis from colorectal cancer is rarely reported, physicians should consider the possibility of thyroid gland metastasis when performing routine follow-up examinations for recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with severe thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is risky for cirrhotic patients with severe thrombocytopenia. METHODOLOGY: Among 23 patients with histologically proven cirrhosis who underwent hepatic resection for HCC at our hospital since 2006, 7 had severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <5×104/mm3). The clinical background and surgical outcomes of these 7 patients were retrospectively evaluated and compared to those of the 16 cirrhotic patients without severe thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: All 7 patients had hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis. The median preoperative platelet count was 4.3×104/mm3 (range, 3.9-4.9×104/mm3) and the median operative time and intraoperative bleeding were 77min and 193cc, respectively. Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (57%) and all were managed conservatively. Four patients received an intraoperative platelet-rich transfusion, but this had no beneficial effect on intraoperative bleeding or postoperative changes in platelet counts. The cirrhotic patients with severe thrombocytopenia were significantly younger and had a significantly shorter operative time compared to those without severe thrombocytopenia. There were no other differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the indication for hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients should not be based on platelet counts alone. However, we note that the younger age and shorter operative time for the patients with severe thrombocytopenia might have contributed to the safety of hepatectomy.

Focal fatty change in the medial segment of the liver occurring after gastrectomy: report of a case.

A 70-year-old Japanese man underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Preoperative computed tomography detected no tumor in the liver. Six months after the operation, ultrasound examination revealed a hyperechoic mass, measuring 3 cm in diameter, in the medial segment of the liver. Dynamic computed tomography of the liver also revealed that low-density area with mosaic enhancement in the dorsal portion of the medial segment. Assay for hepatitis B surface antigen was positive. Levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein were normal. Computed tomography during arterial portography revealed a perfusion defect in the area corresponding to the mass lesion. Although laparotomy was performed, no abnormality was found in the dorsal portion of the medial segment on inspection and palpation during surgery. We therefore performed incisional biopsy and frozen histologic examination, which revealed fatty deposition in the hepatic parenchyma and no evidence of malignancy. Finally, histologic examination made a diagnosis of macrovesicular steatosis surrounded by normal liver parenchyma.