[Transanal endoscopic microsurgery--our initial experience]. / Chirurgia transanala endoscopica--experienta noastra initiala.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to describe a single institution's experience with transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) in patients with benign and malignant rectal tumors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a prospective descriptive survey. Between January 2006 and January 2010, 14 patients underwent transanal endoscopic microsurgery excision of benign (8) or malignant (6) rectal tumors, located 4 to 15 cm from the dentate line. Median age was 59.7 years and the mean follow up was 29 months. RESULTS: The average tumor size was 3.4 cm, median operating time was 40 min. Median length of hospital stay was 4.35 days. During the follow-up period, benign tumor recurrence was observed in one patient (7.14%), managed by repeated TEMS. Histologic staging of malignant tumors was T1 (2) and T2 (4). In two patients with inadequate resection margins open radical surgery was performed. One had recurrent disease, which was managed by radical surgery. No cancer-related deaths were observed during the follow-up period. There was no operative mortality. No major postoperative complications were recorded. Anal incontinence persisted for 3 weeks in one patient. CONCLUSION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery excision is a safe and precise technique and should become a procedure of choice for benign rectal tumors and selected early malignant neoplasms.

Gastrojejunocolic fistula: report of six cases and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Six gastrojejunocolic fistulae were recorded at our service between 1995-2005. All the fistulae occurred in men who had gastric resection performed for duodenal ulcer. METHOD: Diarrhea, weight loss, postprandial pain and fecal breath were the clinical findings present in descending frequency. Preoperative diagnosis was possible in 5 patients by endoscopy and barium contrast studies. In five patients the option was a one-stage procedure with revision gastrectomy and segmental resection of the transverse colon. In one case simple dismantling of the fistula was performed. RESULTS: Although in two patients anastomotic leakage developed no mortality was recorded.

[Improvement in the quality of life for patients with adjustable gastric banding: initial results]. / Ameliorarea calitatii vietii la pacientii cu inel gastric reglabil: rezultate initiale.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the improvement in quality of life for patients that have undergone the laparoscopic gastric banding, using the BAROS and Moorehead-Ardelt II questionnaires. METHODS: We selected a 20 patient group (65% women) that underwent this surgical procedure in our clinic. The initial average weight was 123.45kg, and the body-mass index of 42.36. The average age was 29.25 years. The pars flaccida technique was used in 18, and the perigastric approach in 2 cases. RESULTS: No complications or intraoperative accidents occurred. The mean operation time was 115.5 minutes. Elective conversion was needed in one case with a BMI of 55. The average hospital stay was of 3.2 days. The follow-up was conducted at least through phone in 95% of cases, and its average duration was of 10 months. The only postoperative complications were infections of the subcutaneous port (5 cases - 25%) which needed removal of the port, but not of the banding. The average loss of excess weight was 48.23%. Using the BAROS score to determine the overall improvement of quality of life, 30% of the patients scored as "Very Good", 50% as "Good", 20% as "Fair". Using the Moorehead-Ardelt QLQ II score, 65% scored as "Very Good", 30% as "Good" and 5% as "Fair". CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding significantly improves the quality of life for most patients with this procedure.

[Ascending colon perforation by ingested fruit stones]. / Perforatia colonului ascendent prin sâmburi ingerati.

BACKGROUND: Ingested foreign bodies present problems due to the related complications, perforation being the most frequent. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a descriptive study of two cases of ascending colon perforation by numerous ingested fruit stones. The main symptoms were abdominal pain with tenderness in the lower right quadrant. RESULTS: In both cases the diagnosis was made at operation, with right hemicolectomy and termino-lateral ileo-colic anastomosis. Post-operative outcome was uneventful with the exception of a wound infection. The possible mechanism of the delayed perforation is discussed. Diagnosis and treatment modality alternatives in foreign body ingestion and the literature data are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed perforations by ingested fruit stones can be difficult to diagnose preoperatively but if operated in due time are curable by resection of the affected bowel.

[Management of colorectal resections for treatment of neoplastic intestinal occlusions. Experience of surgery clinic No III, Cluj-Napoca]. / Managementul rezectiilor colorectale în tratamentul ocluziilor intestinale neoplazice. Experienta Clinicii Chirurgie III Cluj-Napoca.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the clinical results of different techniques of resection for malignant colorectal (primary or staged) obstruction. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective nonrandomized clinical study were 165 patients with malignant colorectal occlusion who underwent surgery treatment in our Department between 2002-2006. Patients with peritonitis or treated by means of permanent colostomy, palliative anastomosis, primary Hartman resection and rectal excision were excluded. RESULTS: Patients with large bowel obstruction caused by obstructive malignant colorectal lesions underwent either one-stage primary resection with anastomosis (77 patients) or staged interventions (88 patients). There were no differences in age, sex, comorbidities, tumor staging, serum preoperative levels of hemoglobin and proteins between the two groups of patients defined by the different surgical techniques. Regarding mortality and morbidity following surgical treatment for large bowel obstruction no significant difference among the two groups (p > 0.05) or the fistula rate (p = 0.435) was obtained. Moreover, results showed a higher incidence of mortality (11.8% vs 7.8%), morbidity (13.6 vs 10.4) and increased hospitalization period (p = 0.03) among the patients that undergone series resections. CONCLUSIONS: One stage primary resections with anastomosis of the large bowel can be performed safely in case of emergency whenever patient comorbidities and local conditions do not stand as major restrictions.

[Laparoscopic antireflux surgery--long-term results]. / Montaje antireflux efectuate pe cale laparoscopica--rezultate pe termen lung.

METHOD AND MATERIAL: Between 1995 and 2005 a number of 98 antireflux laparoscopic procedures have been performed. The patients have answered to a 7 point questionnaire regarding the disappearance of specific gastro-esophageal symptoms, the necessity of medical adjuvant treatment as well as regarding the measure in which surgery brought a real subjective improvement. The average follow-up was 57 months (4.7 years). RESULTS: 43 laparoscopic patients have answered the questions. 10 patients had dysphagia, most of which had a spontaneous remission. Only 3 of those patients needed an endoscopic dilatation. Bloating was still possible for 33 of the patients. Retrosternal pain remained present for 14 patients. Intestinal transit disorders have showed up in 11 cases. Reflux persisted at a variable degree in 12 patients. Only 7 patients continue to follow a systematic drug treatment. 35 patients consider that the surgery has brought an improvement of their disease.

Survival prognostic factors in patients with resection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Case selection criteria for resection of liver metastasis after colorectal cancer are still incompletely elucidated and represent a subject of great interest recently. Our aim was to evaluate 2-year survival after resection and to identify the survival risk and prediction factors in those cases. METHODS: 63 patients diagnosed and undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastatic disease to the liver at the Surgical University Hospital No.3 (Cluj-Napoca, Romania) between 01.01.2002 and 31.12.2005 were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were: palliative treatment as well as surgical treatment performed in a different surgical centre. After the surgical treatment, patients were followed regularly using clinical assessment on a 3 monthly basis with abdominopelvic ultrasound or computerised tomography annually. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, coexisting medical diseases, blood tests results, tumour site, maximal tumour diameter after resection, duration of surgery, surgical procedure and the clinical outcome until last follow-up, including date of death where appropriate. RESULTS: 2-year post-operative survival was 65.1%. In univariate analysis: age (< 65 vs > = 65 years, p = 0.041), metastasis number (< 3 vs > = 3 tumors, p = 0.049), maximal tumor dimension (< 3 vs > = 3 cm, p = 0.047), glutamine-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) preoperative level (< 42 vs > = 42 mg/dl, p = 0.018) were significant factors correlated to median survival time. However, non of the above mentioned factors presented independent prediction power in multivariate analysis (Cox regression, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support liver metastasis resection without prior case selection except for technically-operative criteria selection.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an overnight admission]. / Internarea de o zi în colecistectomia laparoscopica.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the feasibility and desirability of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in an overnight versus a several day admission. BACKGROUND: Although LC is performed in U.S.A. as outpatient surgery this has not been generally accepted in Europe. The main objections, are the risk of complications becoming apparent at home. Considering the specific local conditions and the general attitude towards early discharge we tried to assess the degree of feasibility and acceptance of a overnight admission in our patients. METHODS: Two groups of forty patients each, with symptomatic gallstones, received LC either in an overnight or a several day admission. Preoperative and intraoperative data and postoperative recovery were prospectively assessed. RESULTS: The general and female age, the duration and frequency of the biliary pain, the duration and the degree of difficulty of the operation and the necessity of the subhepatic drainage were all significant in favour of the group with a shorter stay. No postoperative complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Overnight LC is safe and effective in treating patients requiring LC. The option of the patient must also be considered.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for porcelain gallbladder]. / Colecistectomie laparoscopica pentru vezicula de portelan.

The porcelain gallbladder is uncommon type of chronically inflamed gallbladder wall considered to be associated with a high frequency of adenocarcinoma and subsequently not suitable for a laparoscopic approach. In 12,000 patients chosen for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 4 porcelain gallbladders were diagnosed. In 2 cases the laparoscopic approach was successful. One conversion was due to an unconfirmed suspicion of gallbladder cancer and the other one to a fistula between the gallbladder and the common bile duct. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of porcelain gallbladder must not be excluded from the laparoscopic approach yet a low threshold for conversion must be maintained in those with a cancer suspicion.

Mini-invasive treatment of complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Even though laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the customary method for treating gallstones, some incidents and complications appear rather more frequently than with the open technique. Several aspects of these complications and their treatment possibilities are analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the last 9 years 9542 laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been performed, of which 13.9% were carried out for acute cholecystitis, 38.4% in obese patients and 7.6% in patients aged > 65 years. RESULTS: The main postoperative complications were bile leakage and choleperitoneum (54 cases), haemorrhage (15 cases), subhepatic abscess (10 cases) and retained bile duct stones (11 cases). Classic re-interventions were practiced in 28.8% of cases with complications. Mini-invasive techniques were used in 42.2% of cases with complications: laparoscopic re-interventions (15 cases) for choleperitoneum, haemoperitoneum and subhepatic abscess and endoscopic sphincterotomy (22 cases) for prolonged bile leak on subhepatic drain and for early diagnosed remnant lithiasis of the common bile duct. All cases healed. Another 26 patients were treated conservatively. DISCUSSION: With a precise diagnosis and a good indication, the mini-invasive treatment of complications was completed with good results. 16 laparoscopic re-operations and 22 endoscopic sphyncterotomies were performed (for the treatment of bile leakage and remnant gallbladder stones).

[Hepatic hydatid cyst ruptured in the peritoneum]. / Chistul hidatic hepatic rupt în cavitatea peritoneala.

Romania is an endemic region for hydatid cyst and has a high incidence of hepatic hydatid cysts. If the intrabiliary rupture is the most frequent complication encountered, rupture in the peritoneum is rare, with exact data not available. Between 1993-2002 160 patients with hepatic hydatid cysts were operated. Six of them had an intraperitoneal ruptured cyst. Ultrasound raised the suspicion of hepatic hydatid cyst ruptured in the peritoneum in 4 cases, in one case the intact cyst migrated in the lower abdomen were it was mistaken for an ovarian cyst. After a thorough lavage with hypertonic serum, the parasite was evacuated, the pericyst partially removed and the cavity collapsed with non-absorbable sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful. Prophylaxis with benzimidazolic drugs started days 2-3 PO. At a follow-up between 1-4 years no peritoneal hydatidosis was detected. In the intraperitoneal ruptured hydatid cyst the hypertonic serum and benzimidazolic drugs can be useful in preventing peritoneal seedings.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidents and complications. A retrospective analysis of 9542 consecutive laparoscopic operations.

BACKGROUND: Even though laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the customary method for treating gallstones, some incidents and complications appear rather more frequently than with the open technique. Several aspects of these complications and their treatment possibilities are analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the last 9 years 9542 LCs have been performed at this centre, of which 13.9% were carried out for acute cholecystitis, 38.4% in obese patients and 7.6% in patients aged >65 years. RESULTS: The main operative incidents encountered were haemorrhage (224 cases, 2.3%), iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder (1517 cases, 15.9%) and common bile duct (CBD) injuries (17 cases, 0.1%). Conversion to open operation was necessary in 184 patients (1.9%), usually due to obscure anatomy as a result of acute inflammation. The main postoperative complications were bile leakage (54 cases), haemorrhage (15 cases), sub-hepatic abscess (10 cases) and retained bile duct stones (11 cases). Ten deaths were recorded (0.1%). DISCUSSION: Most of the postoperative incidents (except bile duct injuries) were solved by laparoscopic means. Among patients with postoperative complications 28.9% required revisional surgery. In 42.2% of cases minimally invasive procedures were used successfully: 15 laparoscopic re-operations (for choleperitoneum, haemoperitoneum and subhepatic abscess) and 22 endoscopic sphincterotomies (for bile leakage from the subhepatic drain and for retained CBD stones soon after operation). The good results obtained allow us to recommend these minimally invasive procedures in appropriate patients.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidents and complications. Analysis of 8002 consecutive cholecystectomies performed at the Surgical Clinic III Cluj-Napoca]. / Colecistectomia laparoscopica: accidente si complicatii. Analiza a 8002 colecistectomii laparoscopice operate în Clinica Chirurgie III Cluj-Napoca.

Incidents and postoperative complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are analyzed based on a series of 8002 patients who underwent the procedure during a period of seven years. Conversion rate was 2.02% (161 cases) and 6 (0.07%) death were encountered. Intraoperative hemorrhage (2.43%) could be controlled by intraoperative haemostasis in all but 8 patients (bleeding from the hepatic bed and from the cystic artery) which required conversion. Lesions of the bile ducts occurred in 16 patients (0.2%), 13 of them being identified during the operation and solved by conversion or laparoscopic choledochorraphy (for a tangential lesion). Postoperative complications required re-intervention in 45 patients: 11 for bile leak, 19 for choleperitoneum, 6 for hemorrhage, 4 for subhepatic abscesses and 5 for remnant CBD lithiasis. There was 1 puncture of the Douglas pouch in a case of choleperitoneum, 7 laparoscopic re-interventions and 25 open surgery re-interventions. EST solved postoperative bile leaks (from the gallbladder bed) successfully in 7 cases and remnant CBD lithiasis (5 cases). So, 44% of the cases were treated by minimally invasive means (laparoscopic re-interventions or endoscopic procedures). The majority of the incidents and postoperative complications were linked to the presence of an acute cholecystitis and were partially due to some technical limits of the laparoscopic technique of the gallbladder bed peritonisation. The minimally invasive treatment of postoperative complications, was very efficient and offered optimum healing conditions.