Minimally invasive evaluation and treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Minimally invasive techniques used in the evaluation and treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) include ultrasonography (US), computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, percutaneous and operative ablation therapy, standard laparoscopic techniques, robotic techniques, and experimental techniques of natural orifice endoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic techniques range from simple staging laparoscopy with or without laparoscopic intraoperative US, through intermediate techniques including simple liver resections (LRs), to advanced techniques such as major hepatectomies. Hereins, we review minimally invasive evaluation and treatment of CRLM, focusing on a comparison of open LR (OLR) and minimally invasive LR (MILR). Although there are no randomized trials comparing OLR and MILR, nonrandomized data suggest that MILR compares favorably with OLR regarding morbidity, mortality, LOS, and cost, although significant selection bias exists. The future of MILR will likely include expanding criteria for resectability of CRLM and should include both a patient registry and a formalized process for surgeon training and credentialing.

Outcome based on management for duodenal adenomas: sporadic versus familial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Management and outcomes for duodenal adenomas may vary based on etiology, familial versus sporadic. We reviewed the records of patients managed at our institution for duodenal adenomatous polyps for the 20-year period ending July 2006. DISCUSSION: Methods of polyp resection (endoscopic, local surgical resection, or definitive surgical resection) within both sporadic and familial patient groups were compared. Patients with known cancer were excluded. Two hundred seventy-eight patients with duodenal polyps were followed during this time period: 110 patients (39.6%) with sporadic polyps and 168 (60.4%) with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Sporadic patients presented at a mean age of 66.5 years. Endoscopic resection was attempted in 44 patients (40%) with morbidity in 9% and local recurrence rate of 52% with a mean follow-up of 43 months. Surgical resection was performed in 46 patients (42%): 27 by definitive resection and local resection in 19. At a mean follow-up of 41 months, there were no local recurrences in the patients treated by definitive resection and six recurrences (32%) after local resection. Morbidity was 39%. There was a significant difference in local recurrence when comparing definitive resection to both endoscopic and local resection (p<0.001, p=0.002, respectively), but no significant difference between endoscopic and local excision (p=0.13). Cancer was discovered in the surgical specimens of 11 patients (24%) with benign preoperative biopsies. FAP patients began surveillance at a mean age of 39.5 years, and mean surveillance duration was 100 months. Endoscopic resection/ablation was attempted in 40 patients (24%) with a morbidity of 7.5%. With a mean follow-up of 77.5 months, the local recurrence rate was 72.5%. Surgical resection was performed in with local recurrence rates of 9% and 100%, respectively. Surgical morbidity was 48%. Local recurrence was significantly lower following definitive resection compared to endoscopic or local resection (p<0.001), but there was no difference in local recurrence between the latter two groups (p=0.29). Four patients (8%) undergoing surgery were discovered to have invasive cancer despite benign endoscopic biopsies. In summary, endoscopic and local surgical management for both sporadic and familial duodenal polyps are associated with a high rate of local recurrence. Definitive resection in the form of pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreas-sparing duodenectomy, or segmental duodenectomy offers the best chance for polyp eradication and prevention of carcinoma, regardless of polyp etiology.

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is effective management for familial adenomatous polyposis.

Duodenal adenocarcinoma remains the leading cause of cancer death in familial adenomatous polyposis patients following colectomy. Stratification based on Spigelman's criteria provides a means for determining therapy. Spigelman stage IV patients have been selected for pancreas-sparing duodenectomy. Twenty-one patients underwent resection between 1992 and 2004, with a mean age of 58 +/- 11 years. The mean time from colectomy to duodenectomy was 27 +/- 13 years. Invasive cancer was found in the distal duodenum in one patient. Operative time averaged 327 +/- 61 minutes with a mean blood loss of 503 +/- 266 ml. There was no mortality, and eight patients (38%) had 14 complications: six (29%) with delayed gastric emptying, four (19%) with biliary/pancreatic anastomotic leak, one with pancreatitis, and one with wound infection. There were two reoperations: one for delayed gastric emptying and one for an early biliary leak. Mean length of stay was 15 +/- 10 days. Two late complications occurred: a stomal ulcer and an intestinal obstruction at 48 and 24 months, respectively. Mean follow-up was 79 months (range, 3-152 months). Two patients developed polyps in the advanced jejunal limb and were endoscopically treated. Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy represents a definitive treatment for advanced duodenal polyposis and can obviate the need for pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Percutaneous transesophageal gastrostomy tube for decompression of malignant obstruction: report of the first case and our series in the US.

BACKGROUND: Historically, surgical gastrostomies, gastrojejunostomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy have been used palliatively. Recently, enteral stenting has also provided a means of reestablishing gastrointestinal flow in proximal and colonic obstructions. STUDY DESIGN: Seven patients with known intraabdominal malignancy leading to gastrointestinal obstruction were evaluated for PTEG. Ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, and a rupture-free balloon were used in placement. An endoscope was not used. Consent was obtained from all patients. The procedure was performed by a single surgical endoscopist in an endoscopy suite. Patients had appropriate hemodynamic monitoring with pulse oximetry, and they were given preprocedure antibiotics and sedation. RESULTS: PTEG was successfully placed and alleviated symptoms in all seven patients. One complication occurred; in the fourth patient subcutaneous emphysema developed on postoperative day 1, and was managed nonoperatively. All patients were discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: PTEG is a safe and effective technique for decompression in malignant gastrointestinal obstruction.

Subxiphoid incisional hernias after median sternotomy.

BACKGROUND: Subxiphoid hernias are difficult to repair. This study attempts to identify risk factors associated with incisional hernia formation after median sternotomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing subxiphoid incisional hernia repair between 1995 and 2002. The study group was compared with a group undergoing similar cardiothoracic procedures as to body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, complications, tobacco use, length of stay, ICU stay, bypass time, transfusion requirements, and wound infections. Statistical analysis utilized Student's t-test, chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 117 subxiphoid hernias were repaired; 45 were used for comparison with a matched cohort of 79 patients. Average time between sternotomy and hernia repair was 24.3 months (+/-16.8) with 22 (49%) patients developing hernias within 2 years. Mean followup was 48 months. The study group differed significantly from the nonhernia group in age (56.6 +/- 13.0 versus 62.2 +/- 8.9, p = 0.01), mean length of stay (16.3 +/- 22.8 versus 10.2 +/- 6.7, p = 0.03), BMI (29.6 +/- 4.5 versus 27.2 +/- 4.5, p = 0.01), number of transplantation patients (10 versus 1, p = 0.0003), and presence of sternal wound infection (18% versus 3.9%, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed significance in regard to transfusion requirements (p = 0.015) and approached statistical significance with BMI (p = 0.058). Of the 45 patients undergoing hernia repair, 31(69%) had a mesh repair and 10 (32%) patients recurred. Six (43%) patients without a mesh repair recurred. Seventy-five percent of the patients with sternal wound infections developed recurrent hernias. CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion requirements, BMI, and sternal wound infections might be associated with subxiphoid hernias after median sternotomy. Sternal wound infection increases the risk of recurrent incisional hernia.

Prospective evaluation of sestamibi scan, ultrasonography, and rapid PTH to predict the success of limited exploration for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of localizing studies and rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) to predict the success of a limited approach in patients who then underwent bilateral exploration. METHODS: Preoperative sestamibi-iodine subtraction scan and neck ultrasonography (US) were used to direct a focal (1-gland) and unilateral (1-sided) parathyroid exploration by using rapid intraoperative PTH determinations in 350 patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Regardless of the findings, the contralateral side was then explored. RESULTS: A single gland was predicted by sestamibi in 290 patients (83%), US in 298 patients (85%), and concordance of both in 205 patients (59%). Unilateral parathyroid exploration, directed by these studies, would correctly identify single-gland disease in only 68%, 74%, and 79%, respectively. The addition of intraoperative PTH would increase the success rate to 73%, 77%, and 82%, respectively. The finding of 2 normal or 2 abnormal glands on 1 side would force bilateral exploration, and additional unsuspected pathology was found in 13%, 13%, and 9%, respectively. This failure rate would increase to 21%, 18%, and 15%, respectively, if the analysis assumed a focal rather than unilateral approach to the initial exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Even in patients with concordant sestamibi and US scans, and an appropriate PTH drop, additional abnormal parathyroid glands were found on complete exploration in 15%. A bilateral approach offers the best opportunity for the long-term cure of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Relational factors in understanding satisfaction in the lasting relationships of same sex and heterosexual couples.

Satisfying relationships are important to the well-being of individuals and families. Because of increased longevity, many couples are staying together for extended periods of time. Thus, it is valuable to understand the factors that contribute to a sense of satisfaction among partners in lasting relationships. Relatively little attention has been paid in the research literature to relationships among older couples who have remained together for many years. Even less attention has been paid to the lasting relationships of couples of color and to gay male and lesbian couples. This paper focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to satisfaction of partners in the long-term relationships of a purposive sample of heterosexual and same-sex couples. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 216 partners in 108 relationships that had lasted an average of 30 years. Using logistic regression analysis, two factors were identified as predictive of satisfaction during the recent years of these relationships: containment of relational conflict and psychologically intimate communication between partners. Based on these findings, a theoretical model for understanding satisfaction in lasting relationships is discussed.