Management of inguinal hernia in children can be enhanced by closer follow-up by consultant pediatric surgeons.

AIM: To determine if follow-up by consultant pediatric surgeons (CPS) affects morbidity due to incarceration (INC) in children with indirect inguinal hernia (IH). METHODS: We educate parents so they can identify possible INC and advise them to attend our emergency department anytime for immediate review by on-call CPS. RESULTS: We reviewed 3,493 cases of IH by grouping them according to age at diagnosis: neonatal (G1; n = 96), 2-3 months (G2; n = 331), 4-6 months (G3; n = 118), 7-12 months (G4; n = 193), and over 12 months (G5; n = 2,755). Data per group were: mean gestational age (weeks): 32.1, 38.0, 36.4, 37.4, 38.7; mean birth weight (g): 1,645, 2,736, 2,471, 2,769, 2,930; mean age at elective hernia repair (HR) (months): 11.3, 4.9, 10.1, 12.9, 56.5; mean weight at elective HR (kg): 6.8, 6.4, 7.3, 9.1, 17.4; mean duration from diagnosis to elective HR (months): 10.9, 3.1, 6.3, 3.6, 3.0; mean follow-up: 6.7 years. Overall, INC occurred in 203/3,493 during follow-up. Incidence per group was: G1: 4/96, G2: 62/331, G3: 6/118, G4: 47/193, G5: 84/2,755. All INC were reduced manually without complications. HR complications occurred in 7/3,493 (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: With CPS follow-up, INC can be managed without morbidity, allowing elective HR to be performed later with fewer complications.

Identification of responders/non-responders to 5-fluorouracil based on individual 50% inhibitory area under the concentration curve of 5-fluorouracil obtained with collagen gel droplet-embedded culture-drug sensitivity test in colorectal cancer.

We previously reported the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of cancer cells obtained from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using the collagen gel droplet-embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST). Multiple drug concentrations and contact durations, and the area under the concentration curve (AUC) and growth inhibition rate (IR) were combined, resulting in the AUC-IR curve, which was approximated to the logarithmic curve. Moreover, the individualized AUC(IR50), the AUC value which gives 50% growth inhibition, was calculated using the AUC-IR curve. This study aimed to identify responders/non-responders to 5-FU based on the individual AUC(IR50) obtained with CD-DST in order to establish individualized chemotherapy for CRC patients. The individual AUC(IR50) was calculated from each AUC-inhibition rate regression curve in all patients using the CD-DST. The cumulative distribution of the individual AUC(IR50) in CRC patients was evaluated. The cumulative distribution of the individual AUC(IR50) was regressed over the sigmoid curve (logarithmic scale). The approximate expression was almost exactly y=ab^exp(-cx) (a=0.9739, b=1.7096E-21, c=0.8990, the sum of square residuals, 0.0279). In the 80 cases examined, no notable change was observed in the regression curve when the number of patients increased. A standard curve was obtained describing responders to 5-FU among all CRC patients. From this standard curve, we ascertained that non-responders accounted for approximately 5% of all patients. Moreover, we were able to classify responders into good or intermediate responders to 5-FU. The standard curve describing response to 5-FU in CRC patients offers a useful tool in the establishment of individualized chemotherapy.

Open versus laparoscopic treatment for pan-peritonitis secondary to perforated appendicitis in children: a prospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Reports on laparoscopic treatment (LT) of peritonitis secondary to perforated appendicitis (PA) in children often include localized peritonitis/appendiceal mass, without specifically referring to pan-peritonitis (PP). This study compared LT with open treatment (OT) in only those patients with PP secondary to PA. METHODS: PP was defined as generalized abdominal rigidity on presentation with purulent material intraoperatively found throughout the entire abdominal cavity. Based on this definition, we identified 23 cases of PP secondary to PA from all our cases of appendicitis from 2004 to 2008 and prospectively collected data. RESULTS: Surgical intervention was LT in 12 cases and OT in 11 cases. Appendectomy was successful in all cases without intraoperative complications. Mean age at surgery, sex ratio, preoperative mean white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein were similar. Mean operative time was 119 minutes for LT and 107 minutes for OT (P = NS). Mean volume of saline used for peritoneal lavage was 2730 mL for LT and 2950 mL for OT (P = NS). Duration of analgesic usage was significantly shorter in LT (P = 0.01). Postoperative wound infections were significantly less in LT (P = 0.04: LT 0, OT 4/11). Adhesive bowel obstruction occurred in one LT case and three OT cases (P = NS); none required surgery. There were two cases of intraabdominal abscess in each group, all were conservatively treated. Time taken to become afebrile, for white blood cell count and C-reactive protein to normalize, for intravenous antibiotics to be ceased, and for oral feeding to be commenced were not significantly different. Mean hospitalization was significantly shorter for LT (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: LT would appear to be superior for the treatment of PP secondary to appendicitis in children and would even seriously consider it as the procedure of choice.

Leucovorin and fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin or leucovorin and fluorouracil plus irinotecan as individualized first-line therapy based on a drug sensitivity test.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of oxaliplatin (l-OHP) or irinotecan (SN-38) to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) to establish whether leucovorin plus 5-FU should be administered in combination with l-OHP (FOLFOX) or SN-38 (FOLFIRI) in individualized first-line chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Specimens of primary tumors were obtained from 24 CRC patients who had received no preoperative chemotherapy. CD-DST was performed, and the inhibition rate (IR) was obtained under multiple incubation conditions. The effects of addition of l-OHP or SN-38 were evaluated for the same area under the concentration curve (AUC) of 5-FU based on linear regression analysis. Approximate expression and correlation coefficients (5-FU vs. 5-FU + l-OHP, 5-FU vs. 5-FU + SN-38; AUC of 5-FU=72 and 5-FU vs. 5-FU + l-OHP, 5-FU vs. 5-FU + SN-38; AUC of 5-FU=144) were y=0.94x+8.53 (R(2)=0.95, p<0.0004), y=0.77x+26.18 (R(2)=0.76, p<0.0004) and y= 0.91x+10.90 (R(2)=0.94, p<0.0004), y=0.52x+44.61 (R(2)=0.60, p<0.0004), respectively. Approximate expression of 5-FU vs. 5-FU + l-OHP almost fit the regression line (y=x+b(1)). This suggests that addition of l-OHP yields a constant additive effect, independent of the IR of 5-FU. However, approximate expression of 5-FU vs. 5-FU + SN-38 fit the regression line (y=ax+b(2), a<1, b(2)≥b(1)). This suggests that addition of SN-38 yields a greater additive effect due to the lower IR of 5-FU. These results indicate that FOLFIRI should be selected as the first-line chemotherapy for the treatment of poor responders to 5-FU.

[A case of gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination-efficacy of combination therapy with S-1 and docetaxel].

The efficiency of new anti-cancer drugs such as the S-1 system was demonstrated in a controlled study comparing treatment and non-treatment groups. We encountered a patient with gastric cancer demonstrating peritoneal dissemination, who was successfully treated by combination therapy using S-1 and docetaxel. A 62-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to appetite loss and nausea. Upper GI endoscopy demonstrated a type 3 gastric cancer extending from the upper to lower body of the stomach. In the pelvic cavity, an abdominal CT scan demonstrated massive ascites. An abnormally high CA72-4 (143.8 U/mL) level was detected in serum. Treatment with S-1 and docetaxel was started with the following regimen: daily oral administration of 80 mg/body S-1 for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest and infusion of 40 mg/m2 docetaxel on day 1. After 4 courses, the sites of dissemination had disappeared, and the serum CA72-4 value returned to normal. The patient clinically achieved good QOL by this method, which was very effective for non-resected gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination.

Evaluation of the individual 50% inhibitory area under the concentration curve of 5-fluorouracil based on the collagen gel droplet embedded culture drug sensitivity test in colorectal cancer.

We have previously reported the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of cancer cells from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using the collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) under multiple drug concentrations and contact durations. Moreover, the area under the concentration curve (AUC) and growth inhibition rate (IR) were combined, resulting in the AUC-IR curve, which was approximated to the logarithmic curve. In the present study, we used the AUC-IR curve to calculate the individualized AUCIR50, the AUC value that imparts 50% growth inhibition. Individual AUCIR50 was calculated in CRC patients, and its distribution was evaluated. The cumulative distribution of individual AUCIR50 was regressed over two lines (logarithmic scale). Among the 45 resectable CRC patients, those who achieved more than the individual AUCIR50 during post-operative 5-FU-based chemotherapy demonstrated a trend towards better disease-free survival compared to those who did not achieve AUCIR50. Of the Dukes' D patients (n=10), those who achieved more than twice the individual AUCIR50 during post-operative 5-FU-based chemotherapy demonstrated significantly better survival rates (p=0.05) than those who did not. In this study, the distribution of the individual AUCIR50 suggested that approximately 6% of patients demonstrated very low 5-FU sensitivity. Therefore, the individual AUCIR50 was useful in classifying good, intermediate and poor 5-FU response. Achievement of the individual AUCIR50 may be a prerequisite for individualized 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy. As well, the early achievement of twice the individual AUCIR50 may indicate an improved prognosis in Dukes' D patients. The individual AUCIR50 using CD-DST is useful in determining the individualized chemotherapy of CRC patients, thus CD-DST has the potential to facilitate the establishment of individualized chemotherapy for CRC.

Lapprotector use decreases incisional wound infections in cases of perforated appendicitis: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether Lapprotector, a protective film and ring device for protecting wounds, can prevent wound infection after open appendectomy. METHODS: We performed open appendectomy on 64 patients between 2004 and 2006. In September 2005, we started using Lapprotector to protect the site of incision (McBurney's point). Patients were divided into two groups as follows: Lapp(-), n = 32; Lapp(+), n = 32. Patient demographics were not statistically different and antibiotic protocols were identical. RESULTS: In the Lapp(-) group, the appendix was perforated in seven patients (21.9%) and not perforated in 25 patients (78.1%). In the Lapp(+) group, the appendix was perforated in nine patients (28.1%) and not perforated in 23 patients (71.9%). For perforated cases, incisional wound infection was seen in three out of seven patients (42.9%) in the Lapp(-) group and in no patient (0%) in the Lapp(+) group, a significant difference (p < 0.05, Chi-squared test). For nonperforated cases, wound infection was seen in only one out of 25 patients (4.0%) in the Lapp(-) group. CONCLUSION: We recommend using Lapprotector to prevent incisional wound infection in patients requiring open appendectomy, especially in cases where the appendix is perforated.

New primary management for appendiceal masses in children: laparoscopic drainage.

PURPOSE: The management of appendiceal masses (AM) in children remains controversial. In this study, we evaluated primary laparoscopic drainage (PLD) for efficacy. METHODS: Eleven (11) consecutive cases of AM (mean age, 8.1 +/- 2.8 years) treated between 2000 and 2004 were the subjects for this study. All had PLD on presentation. If the appendix was seen easily seen after PLD, a laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) was also performed. RESULTS: Eight (8) patients underwent PLD alone (LD group) and 3 underwent PLD and LA (LDLA group). In the LD group, the mean operating time was 87.9 +/- 23.2 minutes, oral feeding was commenced after a mean of 2.3 +/- 0.8 days, patients became afebrile within 4.3 +/- 3.1 days, intravenous antibiotics were ceased after 5.3 +/- 3.1 days, C-reactive protein normalized within 13.6 +/- 4.2 days, drains were removed within 4.0 +/- 1.3 days, and hospital stay ranged from 7 to 15 days. There were no intra- or postoperative complications related to the PLD procedure. Interval LA was performed 6.8 +/- 5.8 months after PLD in 6 of 8 LD group patients and was not performed in the remaining 2 owing to parental refusal. In the LDLA group, operating time ranged from 125 to 150 minutes, and oral feeding commenced 4, 5, and 5 days after LA, respectively. One (1) patient developed an adhesive bowel obstruction after LA, which resolved with conservative therapy; in the remaining 2, there were no complications. All 11 patients are well after a mean follow-up period of 3.7 +/- 1.0 years. A histologic examination of the excised appendices showed mild to severe inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that PLD be adopted for the primary management of appendiceal masses, as it would appear to be simple, safe, and effective.

Treatment of lymphangioma in children: our experience of 128 cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the optimal treatment for lymphangioma in children by analyzing the effectiveness and complications of treatment modalities. METHODS: We reviewed 128 patients with lymphangioma treated at our institution between 1979 and 2005. Periods of treatment were divided arbitrarily into 2 groups: period I, from 1979 to 1988 (n = 53); and period II, from 1989 to 2005 (n = 75). According to radiological appearance, patients were grouped into 4 types: single cystic (SI; n = 23), macrocystic (MA; n = 11), microcystic (MI; n = 69), and cavernous (CA; n = 25). RESULTS: Sclerotherapy as primary treatment was performed in only 2 patients (3.8%) in period I using bleomycin but increased significantly in period II to 48 patients (64.0%) using OK-432 (P < .01). Nevertheless, primary surgical excision (69/78 patients, 88.5%) was significantly more successful than sclerotherapy (32/50, 64.0%) (P < .01). The following are the locations and types of lesions: head/neck (n = 69; SI, 11; MA, 5; MI, 42; CA, 11), trunk (n = 34; SI, 6; MA, 6; MI, 15; CA, 7), and extremities/other (n = 25; SI, 6; MI, 12; CA, 7). The effectiveness of sclerotherapy in SI, MA, MI, and CA types was 90.9%, 100%, 68.0%, and 10.0%, respectively. Seventeen patients (SI, 1; MI, 8; CA, 8) who received primary sclerotherapy required surgical excision with good outcome. Complications after primary surgical excision were more serious compared with sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION: Sclerotherapy with OK-432 was not as effective as reported in the literature. We recommend OK-432 injection therapy alone for SI and MA types and surgical excision after pretreatment with OK-432 for MI and CA types.