Short-term efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted vs open radical gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

AIM: To investigate the short-term benefits of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy (LARG) and open radical gastrectomy (ORG) in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 400 patients with gastric cancer aged ≤ 65 years who were treated at General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Region were enrolled. Among these, 200 patients underwent LARG between October 2008 and August 2012 (LARG group); and 200 patients underwent ORG between March 2000 and September 2008 (ORG group). The short-term therapeutic benefits between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The LARG procedure offered significantly better benefits to the patients compared to the ORG procedure, including less intraoperative blood loss (103.1 ± 19.5 mL vs 163.0 ± 32.9 mL, P < 0.0001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (6.8 ± 1.2 d vs 9.5 ± 1.6 d, P < 0.0001), less frequent occurrence of postoperative complications (6.5% vs 13.5%, P = 0.02), shorter time to mobilization (1.0 ± 0.3 vs 3.3 ± 0.4 d, P < 0.0001), shorter time to bowel opening (3.3 ± 0.7 d vs 4.5 ± 0.7 d, P < 0.0001), and shorter time to normal diet (3.0 ± 0.4 vs d 3.8 ± 0.5 d, P < 0.0001). However, LARG required a longer time to complete than the ORG procedure (192.3 ± 20.9 min vs 180.0 ± 26.9 min, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Compared to ORG, LARG is safer, more effective, and less invasive for treating gastric cancer, with better short-term efficacy.

Clinical importance of surgical treatment of low rectal carcinoma in anus-preserving procedure--an analysis of 86 cases.

We investigated the methods and experiences of an anus-preserving procedure in curative resection of low rectal carcinoma. Eighty-six patients with low rectal carcinoma underwent Dixon's procedure with device assistance. Patients were then observed for the effects of operation. The operation was successful in all patients. Pathologic examination of specimens revealed negative margins. Complications such as anastomotic leakage were found in 7 cases. All patients recovered well. Device assistance may contribute to the successful performance of anus-preserving procedure in low rectal carcinoma. Whether the anus can be preserved or not depends on the accurate measurement of the distal length of the rectum. A meticulous hemostasis and avoidance of tension on the stoma are key measures for avoiding anastomotic leakage.

[Clinical evaluation of radiofrequency ablation therapy in patients with hepatic cavernous hemangiomas].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy in patients with hepatic cavernous hemangioma (HCH) and investigate its optimal operative approach. METHODS: Between March 2001 and June 2004, a total of 68 patients, 18 males and 50 females, age 43.1 (30-64), with 104 HCHs 2.5-11 cm in diameter with the mean size of 5.6 cm, were treated by ultrasound-guided RFA, via percutaneous (n = 19), laparoscopic (n = 29), or open surgical (n = 20) approach. In 7 patients with hepatic lesions larger than 7 cm in diameter, Pringle maneuver was used to occlude the hepatic blood flow during the laparoscopic and open RFA therapy. All patients were followed up with helical computed tomographic (CT) scans and ultrasonography for 19 months (6-36 months). RESULTS: Additional intrahepatic lesions not detected preoperatively were found in 2 patients (with 2 new lesions) via laparoscopy and 3 patients (with 4 new lesions) via celiotomy. All patients were treated with RFA successfully. The mean blood loss in the Pringle group (90.0 ml +/- 22.4 ml) was significantly fewer than that in the non-Pringle group (249 ml +/- 56 ml) (P < 0.01). The mean RFA time per lesion in the Pringle group (29.0 min +/- 7.5 min) was shorter markedly compared to the non-Pringle group (55.4 min +/- 12.4 min) (P < 0.01). In the laparoscopic RFA group, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed simultaneously in 15 patients with chronic calculous cholecystitis and in another 2 patients because of tumors abutting the gallbladders, and laparoscopic fenestration with intraperitoneal drainage was performed in 3 patients with simple hepatic cysts. In the open RFA group, cholecystectomy was performed in 5 patients with gallbladder diseases, partial cystectomy was performed in one patient with a hepatic cyst, and choledochotomy was performed in 3 patients with common bile duct stones. Postoperative fever and abnormal serum transaminase (ALT and AST) levels were observed in 29 patients (42.6%). A transient hematuria occurred in one patient after open RFA. No specific complications developed during or after RFA. The follow-up showed a complete lesion necrosis rate of 99% (103/104). One patient showed an incomplete lesion necrosis in the margin of RFA site 6 months after percutaneous RFA therapy and obtained retreatment with percutaneous RFA. CONCLUSION: RFA therapy is a safe, feasible and effective treatment options for patients with HCHs. This procedure can be performed via percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open approach. To prevent the RFA-related complications and to increase the therapeutic efficacy of RFA, the choice of optimal operative approach should be based on the lesion size, number, and location and on the patient's clinical status. Hepatic inflow occlusion by Pringle maneuver during laparoscopic or open RFA therapy can reduce the blood loss and increase the therapeutic efficacy significantly.