Explore the vast range of titles available.

Although early reports on laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) in patients with colon cancer suggested that it reduces perioperative morbidity, its influence on long-term results is unknown. Our study aimed to compare efficacy of LAC and open colectomy (OC) for treatment of non-metastatic colon cancer in terms of tumour recurrence and survival. From November, 1993, to July, 1998, all patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon were assessed for entry in this randomised trial. Adjuvant therapy and postoperative follow-up were the same in both groups. The main endpoint was cancer-related survival. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. 219 patients took part in the study (111 LAC group, 108 OC group). Patients in the LAC group recovered faster than those in the OC group, with shorter peristalsis-detection (p=0·001) and oral-intake times (p=0·001), and shorter hospital stays (p=0·005). Morbidity was lower in the LAC group (p=0·001), although LAC did not influence perioperative mortality. Probability of cancer-related survival was higher in the LAC group (p=0·02). The Cox model showed that LAC was independently associated with reduced risk of tumour relapse (hazard ratio 0·39, 95% CI 0·19–0·82), death from any cause (0·48, 0·23–1·01), and death from a cancer-related cause (0·38, 0·16–0·91) compared with OC. This superiority of LAC was due to differences in patients with stage III tumours (p=0·04, p=0·02, and p=0·006, respectively). LAC is more effective than OC for treatment of colon cancer in terms of morbidity, hospital stay, tumour recurrence, and cancer-related survival.

Liver resection treats primary and secondary liver tumors, though clinical applicability is limited by the remnant liver mass and quality. Herein, major hepatic resections were performed in pigs to define changes associated with sufficient and insufficient remnants and improve liver-specific outcomes with somatostatin therapy. Three experimental groups were performed: 75% hepatectomy (75H), 90% hepatectomy (90H), and 90% hepatectomy + somatostatin (90H + SST). Animals were followed for 24 h (N = 6) and 5 d (N = 6). After hepatectomy, portal pressure gradient was higher in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST (8 (3–13) mmHg vs. 4 (2–6) mmHg and 4 (2–6) mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001). After 24 h, changes were observed in 90H associated with stellate cell activation and collapse of sinusoidal lumen. Collagen chain type 1 alpha 1 mRNA expression was higher, extracellular matrix width less, and percentage of collagen-staining areas greater at 24 h in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST. After 5 d, remnant liver mass was higher in 75H and 90H + SST versus 90H, and Ki-67 immunostaining was higher in 90H + SST versus 75H and 90H. As well, more TUNEL-staining cells were observed in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST at 5 d. Perioperative somatostatin modified portal pressure, injury, apoptosis, and stellate cell activation, stemming changes related to hepatic fibrogenesis seen in liver remnants not receiving treatment.

Background and study aims On-demand endoscopic insufflation during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) adversely affects microcirculatory blood flow (MBF), even with low mean intra-abdominal pressure, suggesting that shear stress caused by time-varying flow fluctuations has a great impact on microcirculation. As shear stress is inversely related to vascular diameter, nitric oxide (NO) production acts as a brake to vasoconstriction. Objective To assess whether pretreatment by NO synthesis modulators protects gastrointestinal MBF during transgastric peritoneoscopy. Methods Fourteen pigs submitted to cholecystectomy by endoscope CO 2 insufflation for 60 min were randomized into 2 groups: (1) 150 mg/kg of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, n  = 7) and (2) 4 ml/kg of hypertonic saline 7.5 % (HS, n  = 7), and compared to a non-treated NOTES group ( n  = 7). Five animals made up a sham group. Colored microspheres were used to assess changes in MBF. Results The average level of intra-abdominal pressure was similar in all groups (9 mmHg). In NOTES group microcirculation decrease compared with baseline was greater in renal cortex, mesocolon, and mesentery (41, 42, 44 %, respectively, p  < 0.01) than in renal medulla, colon, and small bowel (29, 32, 34, respectively, p  < 0.05). NAC avoided the peritoneoscopy effect on renal medulla and cortex (4 and 14 % decrease, respectively) and reduced the impact on colon and small bowel (20 % decrease). HS eliminated MBF changes in colon and small bowel (14 % decrease) and modulated MBF in renal medulla and cortex (19 % decrease). Neither treatment influenced mesentery MBF decrease. Conclusions Both pretreatments can effectively attenuate peritoneoscopy-induced deleterious effects on gastrointestinal MBF.

Introduction In patients with advanced cirrhosis, stressful stimuli may reveal a silent reduced cardiac performance. During liver transplantation (LT), graft reperfusion strongly stresses the heart and may unmask latent myocardial dysfunction. Aim The objective of this study was to assess heart response to acutely increased preload after liver graft reperfusion and correlate this response with preoperative data and outcome. Methods Preoperative clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data, and patient outcome were retrospectively recorded for 235 liver recipients who had no known cardiac disease. Myocardial dysfunction was defined as less than 10 % increase of stroke volume after graft reperfusion (non-responder). Results We found 84 (35.7 %) non-responder patients. The non-responders showed higher Model for end-stage liver disease scores ( p  = 0.046), left atrial diameter (LAD) ( p  = 0.040), hepatic vein pressure gradient ( p  = 0.055), and hyperdynamic state than responders. The percentages of patients with hyponatremia ( p  = 0.048) and alcohol etiology ( p  = 0.025) were also higher among non-responders. Independent predictors of inadequate cardiac response in the multivariate analysis were low preoperative systemic vascular resistance (SVRI) [odds ratio (OR) 3.09, 95 % CI 1.15–4.82; p  = 0.027] and enlargement of LAD (OR 2.08, 95 % CI 1.49–2.74; p  = 0.044). Non-response was associated with higher rates of early cardiovascular events [hazard ratio (HR) 2.84, 95 % CI 1.09–4.22; p  = 0.039] and higher length of intensive care unit stay ( p  = 0.038). No differences were found in 1-year survival rates. Conclusions Latent cardiac dysfunction among LT recipients, considered to be abnormal stroke volume response to unclamping of portal vein, is very prevalent. SVRI and LAD were independent predictors of inadequate responses. This condition deserves special attention since it may aggravate the early postoperative course of LT.

The aim of this study was to assess liver viability after different periods of cardiac arrest and the predictive value of two markers of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: A pig liver transplantation model of non-heart-beating donors was studied. Four donor groups were designed; three groups were submitted to different periods of cardiac arrest (20, 30 and 40 min), and the fourth group served as the control group (without cardiac arrest). In the non-heart-beating donor groups, normothermic recirculation was established 30 min prior to total body cooling. Aminotransferase, α-glutathione-S-transferase, and hyaluronic acid determinations as well as liver biopsies, were serially performed. Results: Although hepatocellular function could be preserved after 40 min of cardiac arrest, histological lesions at 5 days were considered irreversible due to the presence of a necrotic biliary tract. An overall significant relationship was found between the time period of cardiac arrest (20, 30 or 40 min) and the levels of hyaluronic acid (p = 0.004) or α-glutathione-S-transferase (p = 0.01) obtained during liver procurement and transplantation. Conclusions: The period of cardiac arrest is the determinant factor of liver viability after liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors. As early markers of endothelial or hepatocellular damage, hyaluronic acid or α-glutathione-S-transferase levels may help to evaluate the ischemic injury of a potential donor.

ObjectiveTo compare changes in microcirculation blood flow (MCBF) between pulsatile and continuous flow insufflation.Summary background dataTransanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) was developed to improve the quality of the resection in rectal cancer surgery. The AirSeal IFS® insufflator facilitates the pelvic dissection, although evidence on the effects that continuous flow insufflation has on MCBF is scarce.MethodsThirty-two pigs were randomly assigned to undergo a two-team TaTME procedure with continuous (n = 16) or pulsatile insufflation (n = 16). Each group was stratified according to two different pressure levels in both the abdominal and the transanal fields, 10 mmHg or 14 mmHg. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used.ResultsAt an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of 10 mmHg, continuous insufflation was associated with a significantly lower MCBF reduction in colon mucosa [13% (IQR 11;14) vs. 21% (IQR 17;24) at 60 min], colon serosa [14% (IQR 9.2;18) vs. 25% (IQR 22;30) at 60 min], jejunal mucosa [13% (IQR 11;14) vs. 20% (IQR 20;22) at 60 min], renal cortex [18% (IQR 15;20) vs. 26% (IQR 26;29) at 60 min], and renal medulla [15% (IQR 11;20) vs. 20% (IQR 19;21) at 90 min]. At an IAP of 14 mmHg, MCBF in colon mucosa decreased 23% (IQR 14;27) in the continuous group and 28% (IQR 26;31) in the pulsatile group (p = 0.034).ConclusionTaTME using continuous flow insufflation was associated with a lower MCBF reduction in colon mucosa and serosa, jejunal mucosa, renal cortex, and renal medulla compared to pulsatile insufflation.

Background Metabolic and inflammatory disturbances associated with obesity are considered important trigger factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Identification of clinical markers indicating a hypercoagulability state could define a group of high-risk patients in the surgical setting. This study aimed to identify these markers using rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) analysis, an established method for hemostasis testing that can detect hyperfunctional stages of the clotting process. Methods From June to December 2010, this study investigated 109 consecutive obese patients (28 women and 22 men, mean age 46 years, body mass index 46.6 ± 7 kg/m 2 ) with no history of VTE who were candidates for bariatric surgery. Preoperative clinical and metabolic characteristics and ROTEM analysis were recorded. Hypercoagulable risk was defined when patients showed a clot strength ( G ) of ≥11 dynes/cm 2 . Results Of the 109 patients, 20 (18 %) were hypercoagulable according to ROTEM analysis. Metabolic/inflammatory biomarkers such as leptin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen levels, and platelet count were significantly higher in the high-risk patients. In the multivariate analysis, fibrinogen was an independent predictor of G  ≥ 11 dynes/cm 2 [odds ratio (OR) 2.92, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.80–5.21, p  = 0.023]. After adjustment to other data, only waist circumference affected the prediction [OR 4.42, 95 % CI 2.27–6.71, p  = 0.009]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that 3.95 g/l was the best cutoff point for fibrinogen predictability (sensitivity 100 %, specificity 41 %). Conclusion A hypercoagulability state in obese patients is associated with central obesity and high fibrinogen levels, which should be considered clinical hallmarks of this state. More aggressive perioperative prophylaxis for VTE should be recommended when these hallmarks are present in obese patients.

Insufflation with helium is used to prevent respiratory acidosis, hypercapnia, and cardiovascular instability associated with carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this prospective study was to compare CO2 with helium pneumoperitoneum with special reference to respiratory and hemodynamic changes at different times during the operation. Altogether 22 pheochromocytoma patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LpA) were included using CO2 in 11 patients (CO2LpA) and helium in 11 patients (HeLpA). The insufflation pressure was 12 mmHg. The two groups were comparable with regard to demographic data and preoperative management. CO2 and helium insufflation were associated with similar catecholamine increase. The most striking significant increase compared with the baseline was observed during tumor isolation: The mean plasma epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) levels increased 32.86‐fold and 25.92‐fold, respectively, in the CO2LpA patients and 27.43‐fold and 18.46‐fold, respectively, in the HeLpA patients. HeLpA did not result in significant hypercarbia or acidosis at any measured intraoperative point; this was without any alteration in minute ventilation to maintain these normal PaCO2, excess base (EB), and pH values. Significant increases of mean arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index, PaCO2, EB, and acidosis were seen in the CO2LpA patients at the time of tumor isolation and tumor removal compared with those in HeLpA patients. No patient required conversion to open surgery. There were no significant differences between CO2LpA and HeLpA regarding mean operative time (117.50 ± 93.68 vs. 106.87 ± 16.60 minutes), mean blood loss (168.54 ± 78.63 vs. 142.02 ± 109.26 ml), hospital stay (4 days), the need for analgesics, or mean time required to return to normal activity (12 days). There was one wound infection in the HeLpA group and one wound hematoma and one case of atelectasis in the CO2LpA group. Helium may be the agent of choice for abdominal insufflation in patients undergoing LpA for pheochromocytoma, eliminating the adverse hemodynamic and respiratory changes associated with CO2 insufflation.

Background Standard sleeve gastrectomy for the morbidly obese is feasible and safe using the hybrid transvaginal minilaparoscopic-assisted natural orifice surgery (MA-NOS) with available laparoscopic/endoscopic instruments and technology as illustrated by this technical report on a female patient. Methods The intervention was a transvaginal sleeve gastrectomy in a 67-year-old woman who was hypertensive, noninsulin-dependent with diabetes with morbid obesity (BMI, 37). Operative field view was maintained at all times with a gastroscope introduced through a transvaginal trocar. The surgeon positioned himself at the right side of the patient using a 2-mm needle port/mini-grasper placed in the left upper quadrant for traction of the greater curvature of the stomach. A 12-mm umbilical trocar was used as the port for insertion of the LigaSure device used for division of the short gastric vessels and the Endo-GIA stapler for creation of the gastric tube. The first assistant used a second mini-grasper for liver retraction and stomach positioning. The resected stomach was retrieved through the vagina. There were no intraoperative complications. The operative time was 150 minutes. Results The advantages of minimally invasive surgery seemed to be enhanced with this hybrid laparoscopic approach. Postoperative course was uneventful. All component steps of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were reproduced. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Conclusions Transvaginal hybrid MA-NOS sleeve gastrectomy is both feasible and safe. The hybrid technique ensured safety during the performance of the procedure. MA-NOS is a potential option to avoid abdominal incisions and related complications for the laparoscopic resection of large intra-abdominal organs. Combined hybrid laparoscopic NOS for humans is currently a safe and reliable approach for major surgery through the NOS approach in female patients. Hybrid surgery allows controlled implementation of NOS techniques in clinical practice, providing a stepwise progression to the pure NOS approach once the appropriate technology has been developed. Additionally, it is the best way to stimulate the active development and evaluation of the underpinning technologies and instruments for these novel endoscopic surgical approaches. Appropriate clinical indications for these new procedures are yet to be defined. LSG is associated with short-term excess weight loss and resolution of comorbidities comparable to those obtained with other restrictive procedures. The performance of sleeve gastrectomy is an option in selected patients undergoing bariatric surgical treatment, particularly in the super obese and those who are considered high risk because of comorbid disease.