Timing of colostomy reversal following Hartmann's procedure for perforated diverticulitis.

AIM: Hartmann's procedure is the surgical treatment of choice for perforated acute diverticulitis. Hartmann's reversal (HR) that is performed at a later stage may be challenging. The optimal timing for HR is still a subject for controversy. The aim of this study is to assess whether the timing of HR affects surgical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective-cohort multi-center study was conducted, including all patients who underwent HR for acute diverticulitis from January 2004 to June 2015 in 5 medical centers. Patient data included demographics, surgical data and post-operative outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients were included in the database. Median time from Hartmann's procedure to reversal was 182.7 days, with the majority of patients (76 patients, 62.2%) operated 60 to 180 days from the Hartmann's procedure. Fifty-seven patients (46.7%) had post-operative complications, most commonly wound infections (27 patients, 22.1%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and a propensity score match analysis (P=0.43) correlating between days to HR from the index procedure showed no specific cut-off point regarding post-operative complications (P=0.16), Major (Clavien-Dindo score of 3 or more) complications (P=0.19), Minor (Clavien Dindo 1-2) and no complications (P=0.14). Median length of stay was 10.9 days (range 3-90) and Pearson correlation failed to demonstrate a correlation between timing of surgical intervention and length of stay (P=0.4). CONCLUSION: Hartmann's Reversal is a complex surgical procedure associated with high rates of complications. In our series, timing of surgery did not affect surgical complications rate or severity or the length of hospital stay.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: Management and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of pancreas is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with a low metastatic potential. Our aim was to study the clinical-pathological characteristics, and long-term outcome of this tumor. MATERIALS: Rretrospective single center study of patients operated for SPN of pancreas. Clinical and pathological data were collected. RESULTS: From 1995 to 2016, 1320 patients underwent pancreatic resection. SPN was confirmed in 32 cases (2.46%), including 29 (90.6%) female and three (9.4%) male, with a mean age of 28.4 ± 12.2 years. SPN was the most common pathology among female patients under age of 40 (72.4%). Abdominal pain was the most frequent presenting symptom (48%), whereas none of the patients presented with jaundice. Mean tumor diameter was 5.9 cm (range, 0.9-14 cm). All patients underwent margin-negative surgical resection. Two patients demonstrated gross malignant features, including liver metastases at presentation (n = 1), and adjacent organ and vascular invasion (n = 1). Microscopic malignant features were present in thirteen patients (40.6%). Recurrence occurred in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (n = 1, 7 years post resection) and in the liver (n = 2, 1 and 5 years post resection). Mean follow-up was 49.2 months (range, 1-228 months). Five and 10-year disease-free survival was 96.5% and 89.6% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SPNs are low-grade tumors with a good prognosis. Margin-negative surgical resection is curative in most patients. However, almost 15% of patients demonstrate malignant features including invasion of adjacent organs or metastatic disease. Patients with malignant disease are still expected to have long survival, and aggressive surgical approach is advocated.

Does residual microscopic disease after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer translate into a good clinical outcome?

AIM: This study aimed to assess the progression-free and overall survival of patients with residual microscopic disease following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and rectal resection for locally advanced rectal cancer. METHOD: Two-hundred and thirty-four consecutive rectal cancer patients who had neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical resection (from May 2000 to April 2012) were divided according to pathological tumour response: residual microscopic disease (MIC), complete response (pCR) and partial/no response (non-CR). Data on the neoadjuvant regime, treatment-to-surgery interval, final pathology, type of operation, operative time, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, disease recurrence and mortality were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were 13 (5.5%) MIC patients, 48 (20.5%) with pCR and 173 (73.9%) with non-CR group. The groups were demographically comparable. MIC patients had more retrieved lymph nodes compared with the non-CR and pCR patients (median 13 compared with 8 and 10, respectively, P = 0.0086). The 5-year overall survival rates were 93.4% for the pCR and MIC patients vs 82.1% for the non-CR patients (P = 0.0324). The 5-year progression-free survival was 85.2% for the pCR and MIC patients vs 73.8% for the non-CR patients (P = 0.086). CONCLUSION: We have identified and assessed a new pathological subgroup of rectal cancer patients who had residual microscopic disease after neoadjuvant therapy. The survival analysis aligned them closely with pCR patients.

Number of evaluated lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes, lymph node ratio, and log odds evaluation in early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: numerology or valid indicators of patient outcome?

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the prognostic significance and universal validity of the total number of evaluated lymph nodes (ELN), number of positive lymph nodes (PLN), lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in a relatively large and homogenous cohort of surgically treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. METHODS: Prospectively accrued data were retrospectively analyzed for 282 PDAC patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) at our institution. Long-term survival was analyzed according to the ELN, PLN, LNR, and LODDS. RESULTS: Of these patients, 168 patients (59.5 %) had LN metastasis (N1). Mean ELN and PLN were 13.5 and 1.6, respectively. LN positivity correlated with a greater number of evaluated lymph nodes; positive lymph nodes were identified in 61.4 % of the patients with ELN ≥ 13 compared with 44.9 % of the patients with ELN < 13 (p = 0.014). Median overall survival (OS) and 5-year OS rate were higher in N0 than in N1 patients, 22.4 vs. 18.7 months and 35 vs. 11 %, respectively (p = 0.008). Mean LNR was 0.12; 91 patients (54.1 %) had LNR < 0.3. Among the N1 patients, median OS was comparable in those with LNR ≥ 0.3 vs. LNR < 0.3 (16.7 vs. 14.1 months, p = 0.950). Neither LODDS nor various ELN and PLN cutoff values provided more discriminative information within the group of N1 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirms that lymph node positivity strongly reflects PDAC biology and thus patient outcome. While a higher number of evaluated lymph nodes may provide a more accurate nodal staging, it does not have any prognostic value among N1 patients. Similarly, PLN, LNR, and LODDS had limited prognostic relevance.

Clinical recurrence and re-resection rates after extensive vs. segmental colectomy in Crohn's colitis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to document long-term clinical recurrence and re-resection rates of segmental and extended colectomy in patients with Crohn's colitis and to identify risk factors causing recurrence. METHODS: Records of patients with isolated colonic Crohn's disease who underwent colectomy between 1995 and 2013 and were followed at our medical center were identified. Data on age at diagnosis, gender, smoking, disease location at diagnosis, perianal and rectal disease, indication for surgery, preoperative disease duration, type of operation, primary anastomosis at first operation, length of resected specimen, recurrence of symptoms, postoperative medication, reoperation, and total follow-up time were retrieved. RESULTS: Thirty-five suitable patients (18 segmental colectomy, 17 extensive colectomy; 17 males; mean age at operation 36.6 years) were identified. Mean age at primary operation was 36 years. The mean preoperative disease duration was 121 months. Postoperative medical treatment was needed in 10 (56 %) patients undergoing segmental colectomy and in 16 (94 %) of those undergoing extensive colectomy (p = 0.01). There was longer reoperation-free survival in the segmental colectomy patient group (p = 0.02) and also a trend toward longer symptom-free survival compared to the extensive colectomy patient group (p = 0.105). There was no correlation between the length of resected bowel and recurrence. Patients operated on at a younger age did not have a higher rate of recurrence of symptoms. Shorter disease duration, smoking, and male gender were risk factors for clinical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental resection with primary anastomosis can be safely performed in patients with limited Crohn's colitis with reasonable clinical recurrence rates.

Laparoscopic versus open liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Application of minimally invasive surgery for oncologic liver resection is still limited to expert centers. We describe our experience in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for colorectal liver metastases (CLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 2010 and February 2015, 174 patients underwent resection of CLM. LLR was chosen according to surgeon's preferences. Data was retrieved from the institutes' electronic charts and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: LLR was performed in 42 patients (24.5%) and OLR in 132. Increased number of metastases were found in OLR (2.82 ± 2.81 versus 1.78 ± 1.16, P = 0.02), with no difference in maximal lesion size (33.1 ± 22 versus 34.9 ± 27.5 cm, P = 0.7). Altogether 55 patients underwent major hepatectomy, and 50 of the OLR group (37.8%, 37 right hepatectomy and 7 left hepatectomy) (P = 0.02). In 5 patients (11.6%) a conversion to open surgery was indicated. Operative time was longer in LLR. Estimated blood loss was decreased in laparoscopic minor resections. One OLR patient died during the postoperative period (0.7%). Eight patients in the OLR group had major complications, versus 1 in the LLR group (P = 0.0016). Reoperation within 30 days was performed in 4 OLR patients and none in the LLR group. Patients in the LLR group had shorter length of stay (LOS) (6.78 ± 2.75 versus 8.39 ± 5.64 days, P = 0.038). R0 resection was 88% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with CLM, LLR is feasible, safe and may achieve shorter LOS without inferior oncologic outcome.

Restorative proctocolectomy impairs fertility and pregnancy outcomes in women with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: The effect of restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) on fertility and pregnancy in women with ulcerative colitis (UC) was evaluated. METHOD: Post-RPC female patients with UC who were attempting to become pregnant filled out questionnaires on fertility and pregnancy. Demographic and pouch data of pregnancies ending with delivery were collected from a prospective database. RESULTS: Forty-one women, 44 ± 10 years of age, completed the questionnaires. The median follow-up period post-RPC was 167 (range, 20-352) months. Before RPC, 26 women had 70 pregnancies and 62 deliveries. After RPC, 17 women had 32 pregnancies and 26 deliveries (P = 0.0035). Post-RPC, 10 (37%) of 27 patients failed to conceive compared with 26/26 successful attempts before RPC (P = 0.0006). The number of offspring per patient was 2.38 ± 1.27 before, and 0.68 ± 0.93 after, RPC (P < 0.0001). A higher number of spontaneous pregnancies occurred before (56/62; 90%) than after (15/25; 60%) RPC (P = 0.0004). The time to conception was longer (5.0 ± 11.6 vs 16.3 ± 25.1 months; P = 0.039) and there were more in-vitro fertilization procedures (three vs six) post-RPC. The gestation period was similar, but after RPC more deliveries were by Caesarean section (12.9% vs 46.2%; P = 0.0007). Babies born before RPC weighed more than those born after RPC (3.16 ± 0.61 kg vs 2.79 ± 0.68 kg, respectively; P = 0.0327). CONCLUSION: RPC is associated with an increased risk of infertility, similar duration of gestation and lower birthweight. Female candidates for RPC who have not finished family planning should be counselled accordingly.

Risk factors for chronic pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: The association between various demographic, clinical and pathological parameters and the evolution of chronic pouchitis was evaluated. METHOD: All ulcerative colitis patients who underwent ileal pouch anal anastomosis (1981-2009) were followed prospectively in a comprehensive pouch clinic. We examined risk factors including the presence of appendiceal inflammation and backwash ileitis in the colonic specimen, gender, ethnicity, age at disease onset, disease duration, extent of colitis, presence of extraintestinal manifestations (e.g. primary sclerosing cholangitis), family history of inflammatory bowel disease, indication for surgery, medical treatment, age at operation, staged procedure, diverting ileostomy and length of follow-up. Univariate analysis was performed on all risk factors followed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The 201 enrolled patients (106 women, age at surgery 35 ± 15 years) were followed for a mean of 108 months. One hundred and thirty-eight (69%) had either a normal pouch or episodes of acute pouchitis and 63 (31%) developed chronic pouchitis. On univariate analysis the presence of an ileostomy (P = 0.017), pancolitis (P = 0.008), shorter disease duration (P = 0.04) and longer follow-up (P = 0.01) were identified as risk factors for chronic pouchitis. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with pancolitis (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.20-8.85) and longer follow-up (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18) were more likely to develop chronic pouchitis. There was also an association to disease duration but this did not reach a level of significance. CONCLUSIONS: Pancolitis and longer follow-up are directly related to the development of chronic pouchitis.

Colorectal carcinoma in inflammatory bowel disease: a comparison between Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.

AIM: The study assessed the clinicopathological features and survival rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC), which accounts for ∼ 15% of all IBD associated death. METHOD: The medical records of patients operated on for CRC in three institutions between 1992 and 2009 were reviewed, and those with Crohn's colitis (CC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were identified. Data on age, gender, disease duration, colitis severity, surgical procedure, tumour stage and survival were retrieved. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (40 UC and 13 CC, 27 men, mean age at operation 54 years) were found. All parameters were comparable between the groups. Mean disease duration before CRC was 22.7 years for UC and 16.6 years for CC patients (P = 0.04). CRC was diagnosed preoperatively in 43 (81%) patients. Twenty-eight patients had colon cancer, 23 had rectal cancer and two patients had more than one cancer. All malignancies were located in segments with colitis. Over one-half were diagnosed at an advanced stage (36% stage III; 17% stage IV). At a mean follow up of 56 ± 65 months, 60% were alive (54% disease free) and 40% were dead from cancer-related causes. The 5-year survival rate was 61% for the UC and 37% for the CC patients (P = NS). CONCLUSION: CRC in IBD patients is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, a factor that contributes to poor prognosis. The risk of CRC in CC patients is comparable to those with UC. Long-term surveillance is recommended for patients with long-standing CC and UC.

Doppler ultrasound for the assessment of conservatively treated blunt splenic injuries: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The type and need for follow-up of non-operatively managed blunt splenic injuries remain controversial. The use of Doppler ultrasound to identify post-traumatic splenic pseudoaneurysms, considered to be the main cause of "delayed" splenic rupture, has not been well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year prospective study was performed from 2004 to 2008. All patients with blunt splenic injury diagnosed with computerized tomography, who were treated non-operatively, were included in the study. Doppler ultrasound examination was performed 24-48 h post-injury. Consecutive Doppler ultrasound examinations were done on 7, 14 and 21 days post-injury for patients diagnosed with a splenic pseudoaneurysm. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Ambulatory follow-up continued for 4 weeks after hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were enrolled in the study. Grading of splenic injury demonstrated 19 (50%) patients with Grade I, 16 (42%) with Grade II and 3 (8%) with Grade III injuries. Two patients (5%) had pseudoaneurysms. All pseudoaneurysms underwent complete resolution within 2 weeks after diagnosis. No patients received blood products, or had angio-embolization or surgery during the study period. All patients were found to be asymptomatic and stable at the 4-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler ultrasound can be an effective and a safe noninvasive modality for evaluation and follow-up of patients with blunt splenic injury. The utility and cost-effectiveness of routine surveillance requires further study.

Long-term outcome of loose seton for complex anal fistula: a two-centre study of patients with and without Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Complex anal fistulas traverse a significant portion of the external sphincter muscle, making their treatment a surgical challenge. Several surgical options are used with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to analyse the results of permanent loose seton in the management of high anal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD) patients and two-stage seton fistulotomy in patients without CD. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 77 patients with complex anal fistula treated by loose seton over a 4-year period, in two medical centres. Recorded parameters included demographics, medical history, type of fistula, disease duration, previous surgery, morbidity, recurrence and mortality. RESULTS: Sixty patients without CD underwent 107 fistula-related surgical procedures, and 17 CD patients underwent 29 procedures. Early postoperative complications were recorded in eight (10%) patients. Perioperative complications, mainly local sepsis or bleeding, were recorded in eight (10%) patients. Long-term complications were observed in nine non-CD and four CD patients. During a median follow-up period of 24 months, the recurrence rate was 40% in CD patients and 47% in patients without CD. Five patients (four non-CD patients and one CD patient) developed some degree of faecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: The fistula recurrence rate following two-stage seton fistulotomy in non-CD patients was high. In CD patients the use of permanent loose seton is effective in controlling local sepsis in about half of patients and has low rates of subsequent incontinence.

Is stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis a safe option in ulcerative colitis patients with dysplasia or cancer?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the oncological and clinical outcome of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with coexisting colorectal cancer/dysplasia following stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-five UC patients who underwent stapled IPAA were followed prospectively in a comprehensive pouch clinic. They were divided into three groups: colorectal cancer, dysplasia, and no cancer/dysplasia. Demographic parameters, clinical data, and oncological and functional outcome of the three groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had cancer and 14 had dysplasia. Two of the three cancer patients who developed metastatic disease died. One patient who had rectal cancer was found to have cancer cells in the rectal cuff 10 years after IPAA. All other cancer/dysplasia patients were disease-free at 62 months (median). The 5-year survival rate was 87.5% for the cancer group and 100% for the others (p < 0.0001). Chemotherapy (nine patients) did not affect pouch function. Two rectal cancer patients who received radiotherapy did not maintain a functioning pouch. Overall pouch failure rates were 19%, 7%, and 6% for cancer, dysplasia, and no-cancer/dysplasia patients, respectively (p = 0.13). The mean frequency of bowel movements in 24 h was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled IPAA is a reasonable option for UC patients with cancer/dysplasia. Chemotherapy is safe, but the effect of radiation on pouch outcome is worrisome. Close long-term follow-up for UC patients with cancer/dysplasia is recommended for early detection of possible recurrence.

Efficacy of high vs low dose TNF-isolated limb perfusion for locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

AIMS: The administration of a high dose of rTNF-alpha (3-4 mg) and Melphalan via isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for patients with locally advanced limb STS was shown to be effective. Reports that a low dose of TNF (1mg) is as effective, led to the adoption of the low dose regimen as the treatment of choice. The purpose of this study was to compare two groups of patients with locally advanced limb STS, that was treated with high and low dose TNF-ILP, in terms of limb preservation. METHODS: Retrospective study of 41 patients who underwent ILP, with "high dose" (HD) and "low dose" (LD) TNF. ILP/TNF was performed on candidates to either amputation or significantly mutilating surgery without this treatment. In both groups, all patients, with the exception of three in each group, underwent resection of the residual tumor or tumor bed or limb 8-12 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: In the HD group, marked tumor softening occurred within 48 h, and in tumors protruding through the skin, hemorrhagic necrosis was evident within 24h. The overall response rate was 65.2%. Five patients achieved a CR and 10 had a PR; in five of these patients >90% necrosis of the tumor occurred. In eight patients, only minimal regression was observed (stabilization of disease). The rate of limb sparing was 69.5%. In the LD group, the overall response rate was 30.7%. CR was achieved in one patient. PR was observed in two. Two patients were lost to follow up. Of the remaining 15 patients, limb preservation was achieved in 53.3%. CONCLUSION: Despite the retrospective comparison and possible selection bias, it is possible to raise the concern that at least some patients may benefit from a higher TNF dose perfusion in ILP for advanced limb STS.

[The surgical approach to adrenal tumors].

INTRODUCTION: Adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for active, hormone producing, adrenal tumors and for most adrenal malignancies. However, this operation is still perceived by many as a risky, complex procedure resulting in a high rate of complications and even death. GOAL: To describe the experience of a single surgical department with the resection of adrenal tumors. PATIENTS: During a 10 year period 96 patients with a variety of adrenal tumors underwent operations. Forty nine were preoperatively diagnosed with a hormone producing tumor and 38 were operated on for a suspected malignancy. Symptoms and signs were in accordance with tumor type. Twenty five of the patients were asymptomatic and tumors were diagnosed incidentally. RESULTS: Overall, 97 adrenalectomies were performed--48 of the right adrenal, 47 left and one bilateral. Sixty three patients were operated on via an open approach and 33 laparoscopically of which one was converted to an open procedure (3% conversion rate). The average length of the operation was 140 minutes for the open procedure and 120 minutes for the laparoscopy. Complications occurred in 23% of patients, with a higher rate for the open approach (30% vs. 12%). The average length of hospital stay was 6.8 days for the open procedure and 3.4 for the laparoscopic adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy is a safe and efficient operation. The laparoscopic technique is an important addition to the treatment arsenal of adrenal tumors and is becoming the gold standard for small, benign tumors.

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a surgical disease.

BACKGROUND: We designed a study to assess the safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). METHODS: Over a period of 55 months, 104 patients underwent LS for chronic ITP. The perioperative course was documented and the long-term follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.9 years (range, 8-83) and 72 patients were female. Patients were operated on with a mean platelet count of 110,000/ml. Fifty-one patients were operated on with a platelet count of < 100,000; 18 of them had a count of < 50,000/ml and 11 had a count of < 10,000/ml. There were no conversions to laparotomy. Bleeding occurred in 14 patients, and five of them received a blood transfusion. The mean operating time was 56.5 min (range, 25-240). There were minor complications in five patients and major complications in three. The mean hospital stay was 2.1 days (range, 0-13). Over a mean follow-up period of 36 months (range, 4-62), all but four patients were available for follow-up. Eighty-four patients are in complete remission. Seven patients are in partial remission, with a platelet count of 50,000-100,000 \ml without medical treatment. Eleven patients did not respond or relapsed following a short initial response; three of them underwent later removal of an accessory spleen, two with partial response. All but two relapses occurred within 70 days of the operation. CONCLUSION: LS is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic ITP and yields excellent long-term results. Until another form of treatment emerges, LS should be considered the treatment of choice for this disease and recommended to the patient at an early stage of the disease.

Tumour necrosis factor mediates bacterial translocation after haemorrhagic shock and endotoxaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of bacterial translocation after haemorrhagic shock and reperfusion, and the involvement of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in its mediation. DESIGN: Controlled, randomised prospective experiment. SUBJECTS: 87 rats in 7 groups. INTERVENTIONS: Haemorrhagic shock was induced in rats for 1 hour. Endotoxaemia was induced in a second group by the injection of lipopolysaccharide. A third group was injected with exogenous TNF. Some of the animals were further treated with anti-TNF. MEASUREMENTS: After 24 hours, bacterial translocation in blood and in several remote organs, and serum TNF concentrations were measured. RESULTS: High bacterial counts were found in all remote organs of rats with haemorrhagic shock or endotoxaemia. Their serum TNF concentrations were significantly higher than in the corresponding sham-operated controls. Anti-TNF significantly reduced the extent of bacterial translocation. Rats, the only treatment of which was exogenous TNF, developed substantial bacterial translocation. CONCLUSION: Bacterial translocation is associated with increased serum TNF, and can be minimised by anti-TNF. This, and the triggering of translocation in unprovoked animals by TNF alone, suggest that TNF may be the stimulator, and not the consequence, of bacterial translocation.

[Diagnostic laparoscopy--a useful tool in abdominal lymphoma].

Imaging-guided (CT/US) percutaneous biopsy has significantly improved diagnosis of intra-abdominal lymphoma. However, in many cases the tissue retrieved may be inadequate for specialized studies such as immunophenotyping or cytogenetic analysis that may be required for a complete analysis of lymphoma or determination of therapy. The success of diagnostic laparoscopy in the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal malignancies suggests that it could be used for intra-abdominal lymphomas as well. We describe our experience in 15 patients with suspected lymphoma who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy during 1995-98. Preoperative investigation performed in all included percutaneous FNA in 9 without conclusive diagnosis. Laparoscopy was diagnostic for lymphoma in 14 (93%) while in 1 there was a false negative result due to sampling error and the lymphoma was only diagnosed at a second laparoscopy. There was no mortality nor any major complication. Average hospital stay was 2 days and patients were then referred for further oncological treatment. Our experience shows that diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and efficient tool and without major complications in diagnosing abdominal lymphoma.

Kidney allograft outcome in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, with both organs coming from the same donor, the addition of a pancreas to the kidney transplant does not jeopardize the kidney allograft outcome despite higher postoperative SPK morbidity. Pancreas allograft outcome has recently improved due to better organ selection and more accurate surgical techniques. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the positive impact of SPK on kidney allograft outcome versus kidney transplantation alone in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with end-stage renal failure. METHODS: We performed 39 consecutive SPKs in 14 female and 25 male IDDM patients with renal failure after an average waiting time of 9 months. Multi-organ donor age was 30 years (range 12-53). The kidneys were transplanted in the left retroperitoneal iliac fossa following completion of the pancreas transplantation; kidney cold ischemia time was 16 +/- 4 hours. Induction anti-rejection therapy was achieved with polyclonal antithymocytic globulin and methylprednisolone, and maintenance immunosuppression by triple drug therapy (prednisone, cyclosporine or tacrolimus, and azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil). Infection and rejection were closely monitored. RESULTS: All kidney allografts produced immediate urinary output following SPK. Two renal grafts had mild function impairment due to acute tubular damage but recovered after a short delay. Three patients died from myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event and abdominal sepsis on days 1, 32 and 45 respectively (1 year patient survival 92%). An additional kidney allograft was lost due to a renal artery pseudo-aneurysm requiring nephrectomy on day 26. Nineteen patients (49%) had an early rejection of the kidney that was resistant to pulse-steroid therapy in 6. No kidney graft was lost due to rejection. Patients with acute kidney-pancreas rejection episodes suffered from severe infection, which was the main cause of morbidity with a 55% re-admission rate. Complications of the pancreas allograft included graft pancreatitis and sepsis, leading to a poor kidney outcome with sub-optimal kidney function at 1 year. Kidney graft survival at one year was 89% or 95% after censoring the data for patients who died with functioning grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Eligible IDDM patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy should choose SPK over kidney transplantation alone from either a cadaver or a living source.

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and melphalan in advanced soft-tissue sarcomas: histopathological considerations.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and melphalan was used as induction treatment in locally advanced extremity soft-tissue sarcomas for limb sparing surgery. The typical histopathological changes that occur in these tumoral masses are described in a series of 30 patients. METHODS: Fresh tumor specimens of 27 high grade extensive soft-tissue sarcomas and 3 recurrent desmoid tumors of the extremities were collected 6 to 8 weeks after hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-alpha plus melphalan. The specimens were studied for surgical margins, extent and type of tumor necrosis, lymph node involvement, perineural and vascular invasion, and the effects on adjacent normal tissues such as nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. RESULTS: The typical histological changes were central cystic hemorrhagic necrosis with pericystic extensive fibrosis. Some nonspecific changes were noted in the soft tissues around the mass. In eight cases, more than 90% necrosis was found. In 17 cases, the extent of necrosis ranged between 60% and 90% (80%-90% in 4 of 17 cases). In five cases, less than 60% necrosis was noted. The best responses (>90% necrosis) were observed in distally located tumors. The responsive types were malignant fibrous histiocytoma, followed by myxoid liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma. Desmoid tumors showed less necrosis than high grade sarcomas. Vascular invasion was observed in two cases and intralesional venous thrombosis in one case. No perineural invasion or lymph nodes involvement were observed. The soft tissues adjacent to the tumor bed did not show major morphological changes. No correlation was found between the histological changes and each of the following: the anatomical (upper vs. lower limb) or compartmental location of the tumor; whether the tumor was primary or recurrent; and the types of previous treatment (systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy) and tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first serial histological description of the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and melphalan administered via hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion on the tumoral masses of limb soft-tissue sarcomas. The small number of specimens and, especially, the variability of tumors preclude definite conclusions. Larger numbers and more homogeneity are needed in future studies.