Safety and efficacy of surgical treatment for brainstem hemangioblastoma: a meta-analysis.

Brainstem hemangioblastomas are benign, highly vascular tumors located in the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata. Although surgical resection is currently considered the main therapeutic option for symptomatic lesions, evidence supporting the application of microsurgery has not been systematically assessed. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment for brainstem hemangioblastomas. A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify all English language publications reporting the outcomes of surgical treatment for brainstem hemangioblastomas. Studies from January 1990 to July 2019 with ≥ 10 cases were included. We analyzed the surgical outcomes, including gross total resection, mortality, neurological morbidity, and functional outcome according to the McCormick Scale or Karnofsky Performance Scale. Thirteen studies with 473 cases were included. The pooled proportion of gross total resection was 98% (95% confidence interval (CI), 94-100%). Overall mortality and neurological morbidity were 4 (95% CI, 2-6%) and 13% (95% CI, 7-20%), respectively. Favorable functional outcomes at the last follow-up were achieved in 85% (95% CI, 78-92%) of all patients. Improved or stable functional outcomes at long-term follow-up were achieved in 94% (95% CI, 89-97%) of patients. This meta-analysis revealed that surgical treatment for brainstem hemangioblastomas is technically feasible and effective with lasting patient benefits and cure.

Contemporary Treatment of Intracranial Blood Blister Aneurysms - A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Blood blister aneurysms (BBAs) are rare aneurysms affecting non-branched points of intracerebral arteries. Due to their small size and fragility, BBAs are prone to rupture, and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Several treatment options have been suggested yet there is no consensus regarding the best modality to reduce morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted searching for articles discussing the treatment of BBAs. Inclusion criteria included: articles published between January 2010 and August 2020, English language, with each paper including at least 15 patients. Studies included required detailed reporting of patient demographics, treatment, and patient outcomes (including complications, recurrence, neurologic functional status, and mortality). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 25 studies with 883 patients were included. Most were female (n = 594, 67.3%) and aneurysms were overwhelmingly located in the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (99%). Aneurysms were variable in size and mostly presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Endovascular treatment (n = 518, 58.7%) was more common than microsurgery (n = 365, 41.1%) while only 2 patients were managed conservatively. Complications were more common in patients treated microsurgically. Microsurgical procedures had an unfavorable outcome (mRS 4-6, GOS 1-3) rate of 27.8% (n = 100/360) while that of endovascular procedures was 14.7% (n = 70/477). Endovascular procedures had a lower mortality rate than microsurgical interventions (8.4% vs 11%). CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates that endovascular treatment of blood blister aneurysm has reduced morbidity and mortality when compared with microsurgical treatment. Small sample sizes and substantial study heterogeneity makes strong conclusions difficult.

The clinical application of microincision vein harvesting of the great saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to summarize the clinical application of microincision vein harvesting (MVH) of the great saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: From July 2014 to October 2017, 160 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Among them, 80 patients received MVH of the great saphenous vein, and 80 received open venous harvesting (OVH). The results of the sampling operation, complications during hospitalization, and the long-term patency of the great saphenous vein were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All the patients in both groups received successful operations. The difference in the length of the veins obtained and the injury of the veins was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference in the long-term patency rate of the graft vessels between the two groups was not statistically significant. The in-hospital mortality rate was the same in both groups. The MVH group had noticeable advantages over the OVH group in terms of the vein collection times, the incision length, and the complications experienced when performing the leg incisions (P < 0.01). The time relating to the patients' observed early out-of-bed activity was significantly longer in the MVH group. Furthermore, the patients' hospitalization length was significantly shorter in the MVH group compared to the OVH group (P < 0.05). The MVH group had significant advantages in pain score and patient satisfaction, and this difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The MVH procedure met the requirements of CABG in vein grafting. When compared with OVH, MVH can significantly reduce leg incision complications and improve patients' overall satisfaction with their hospital experience.

A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Readmission Rates Associated With Microsurgical Clipping and Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), microsurgical clipping, and endovascular therapy (EVT) with coiling are modalities for securing the ruptured aneurysm. Little data is available regarding associated readmission rates. We sought to determine whether readmission rates differed according to treatment modality for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to identify adults who experienced aSAH and underwent clipping or EVT. Primary outcomes of interest were the incidences of 30- and 90-day readmissions (30dRA, 90dRA). Propensity score matching was used to generate matched pairs based on age, comorbidities, hospital volume, and hemorrhage severity. RESULTS: We identified 13,623 and 11,160 patients who were eligible for 30dRA and 90dRA analyses, respectively. Among the patients eligible for 30dRA and 90dRA, we created 4282 and 3518 propensity score-matched pairs, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of 30dRA (12.4% for clipping versus 11.2% for EVT; P = .094). However, 90dRA occurred more frequently after clipping (22.5%) compared to EVT (19.7%; P = .003). Clipping was associated with poor outcome after 30dRA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-1.88, P < .001) and after 90dRA (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.34-1.91, P = .001). Mean duration to readmission and cost of readmission did not vary, but clipping was associated with longer lengths of stay during readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms is associated with a greater incidence of 90dRA, but not 30dRA, compared to EVT. Poor outcomes after readmission are more common following clipping.

Surgical morbidity and mortality in patients after microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the importance of clinical factors in the prediction of postoperative complications in patients with microvascular reconstruction for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). DESIGN: A retrospective review of case notes was performed. SETTING: Patients treated at a single institute. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 259 patients with HNSCC treated with radical surgery and microvascular reconstruction between 1993 and 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We allocated the patients to three groups using a preoperative comorbidity score based on risk factors: group A (≥3 risk factors, n = 16), group B (2 risk factors, n = 49) and group C (0 or 1 risk factor, n = 194). RESULTS: Surgical mortality in this cohort was 1.9% (5 of 259 patients). The preoperative comorbidity score was associated with surgical mortality (P < .001). Pharyngocutaneous fistula (P = .001) and flap compromise (P = .023) were more frequent as preoperative comorbidity score increased. Preoperative comorbidity score (P < .001), advanced age (P = .007), advanced pathologic T stage (P = .028), advanced pathologic N stage (P = .005), preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy (P < .001), history of cardiovascular disease (P = .015) and pulmonary disease (P = .007), and diabetes (P < .001) had significant adverse effects on 5 year disease-specific survival (DSS) in a univariate analysis. The 5-DSS rates of groups A, B and C were 30%, 37% and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative comorbidity score was significantly correlated with 5 year DSS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81-6.99; P < .001 for group A and HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.15-3.18; P = .013 for group B compared with group C). CONCLUSION: Patients with a high preoperative comorbidity score have an increased risk of surgical mortality and morbidity after microvascular reconstruction for HNSCC.

Manejo de la enfermedad aneurismática múltiple. Experiencia en un Hospital de Especialidades.

Objective: To establish the frequency and results in patients carriers with multiple aneurysms (MA) treated by microsurgery and/or neurological endovascular therapy (NET) in the Hospital of Specialties on The National Medical Center La Raza. Method: It is an ambispective, descriptive and longitudinal study that includes patients carriers of MA treated in the National Medical Center La Raza from March the 1st of 2009 to April the 30th of 2014. Results: 62 patients carriers of 151 aneurysms were treated. According to the type of treatment, 30 patients (49%) were included in the surgical group (GQ), 25 (40%) in the endovascular group (GE) and 7 (11%) in the combinated group (GC). The number of aneurysms was distributed this way: 69 (46%) in the GQ, 61 (40%) in the GE and 21 (14%) in the GC. At GQ, it was not possible to exclude all their aneurysms on 21% of the patients, while it was feasible in only 27%. In all GE patients (40%) the exclusion of all aneurysms was achieved. The GC, meaning surgical cases that were not completed by NET, formed 11% of the cases. At GQ there was a rate of 6% of complications, meanwhile at GE it was 0.5%.

Microsurgery and endovascular treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms.

Aneurysms located on the posterior inferior cerebellar artery are rare, and treatment guidelines for them have not yet been established. In this paper, we present the results of a retrospective study which analyzes the management and treatment of 15 patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms from 2004 to 2013. The aneurysms were ruptured and presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Of the 15 aneurysms, ten were of saccular, three fusiform, and two were dissecting. Computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography revealed other aneurysms or intracerebral artery hypoplasia in seven patients. Either surgical or endovascular treatment was performed depending on the localization and morphology of the aneurysm. Six aneurysms were coiled, and surgery was performed in nine cases. Of the nine surgically treated patients, six (75%) had good outcomes. Of the six patients treated using endovascular procedures, three patients (50%) recovered. Patient outcomes were classified using the Hunt&Hess scale. Patients with Hunt&Hess 1-3 recovered without a neurological deficit. On the other hand, patients with Hunt&Hess 4-5 had a risk of up to 93% of death or a poor outcome. In two cases of endovascular and in two cases before any therapy, aneurysmal rebleeding occurred and resulted in deterioration of clinical state of the patient and a poor prognosis with high risk of death. This study shows the necessity of acute treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm, of thorough diagnostic, and of interdisciplinary cooperation.

[Microsurgical techniques for dorsal wall aneurysms in the internal carotid artery].

OBJECTIVE: To seek a reasonable microsurgical technique for dorsal wall aneurysms in the internal carotid artery (ICA), and to evaluate its efficacy.
 Methods: A total of 21 patients with dorsal wall aneurysms in the ICA who received microsurgical techniques were retrospectively analyzed. The directive surgical clapping was applied for saccular aneurysm, while the techniques of stitching and wrapping, simple wrapping, and trapping with extracranial-intracranial bypass were used for cystic and blood blister false aneurysms.
 Results: One patient died after operation, 1 patient suffered rebleeding and gave up treatment, the remaining 19 patients achieved saticfactory outcomes.
 Conclusion: According to types of aneurysm wall, the different microsurgical treatments should be applied, and good outcomes can be achieved for patients with dorsal wall aneurysms in the ICA.

Treatment strategies for primary early-stage sinonasal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective bi-institutional case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate different treatment strategies for primary early-stage (pT1-T2) sinonasal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. From 2000 to 2011, 61 cases were radically resected using an endoscopic endonasal approach. Surgery as a single treatment modality was adopted for 33 patients (study group) while it was followed by postoperative radiotherapy (poRT) in 28 patients (control group). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 61 and 67 months for the study and control group respectively. Patients were stratified according to the pT classification and no statistically significant differences were found in terms of Overall (OS) and Recurrence-free (RFS) survival. When analyzing the high-grade tumors (47 cases), statistically significant differences were observed between the control and study groups both in terms of OS (90.5% ± 6.5% versus 57.6% ± 15.4%, P = 0.03) and RFS (92.3% ± 7.39% versus 80.2% ± 8.88%, P = 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, OS was independently determined by poRT (Hazard Ratio = 0.16; P = 0.03) thus confirming its protective role for high-grade adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that endoscopic endonasal surgery could be used as a single treatment modality for primary early-stage low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma, resected with negative margins. Surgery followed by poRT offers the best treatment strategy not only for advanced-stage lesions but also for high-grade adenocarcinomas, regardless of the stage of disease at presentation.

Surgical management and outcome of rectal carcinoids in a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Rectal carcinoids are an uncommon entity comprising only 1%-2% of all rectal tumors. Rectal carcinoids are frequently diagnosed during colonoscopy, but management after polypectomy is still controversial. The aims of this study were to review the surgical procedures for rectal carcinoids and to compare the outcomes of patients after different treatment modalities in a university hospital in Hong Kong. METHODS: All rectal carcinoids diagnosed between January 2003 and September 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, including clinicopathological characteristics, their management, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: There were 54 patients with a median age of 60 years, and 32 were males (59.3%). All patients underwent colonoscopy, and the most had rectal bleeding (53.7%). Two patients were diagnosed incidentally in the surgical specimens of rectal tissues. Eighteen patients were diagnosed to have rectal carcinoids after snaring polypectomy, and no further intervention was required. Twenty-five patients had local resection either by means of transanal resection or transanal endoscopic operation. Radical resection was performed in seven patients in which one had T3N1 disease and the others did not have any lymph node metastasis. In the median follow-up of 30 months (10-108 months), there was no recurrence in the "incidental" or post-polypectomy group. However, two patients with transanal resection and two patients with radical resection developed hepatic metastases after 13-24 months post-treatment. The 5-year overall survival was 100% in patients having snaring polypectomy only, 83% for those with local resection, and 63% in patients who underwent radical surgery (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that that local resection was an effective treatment for small rectal carcinoids and generally brought about good oncological and surgical outcomes. For larger tumors, radical resection seemed to provide acceptable oncological outcomes. Regular surveillance with colonoscopy and endorectal ultrasound is highly recommended for high-risk patients for long-term management. By sharing our experience, we hope to provide more evidence on the management on rectal carcinoids which, together with evidence from further studies, may guide us in the long-term management of these patients in the future.

Innovative, simplified orthotopic lung transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Various techniques of orthotopic single lung transplantation in rats have been reported; however, their widespread use has been limited owing to the complexity of the procedure. We report a novel microsurgical lung transplantation model in rats with a high survival rate that can be performed by one surgeon alone. METHODS: A total of 90 left lung allografts were transplanted from Fischer to Wistar Kyoto rats. We developed a triple axis precision system to place and stabilize the vascular clips intrathoracically to clamp the bronchovascular structures, thereby avoiding interference with the heart and contralateral lung movement. A single-suture bronchial anastomosis technique and proximal cuffing approach for vascular anastomosis was used, rendering surgical assistance unnecessary. RESULTS: In our recent series, both short-term (12 h) and long-term (21 d) survival was 100%. The lungs showed excellent perfusion and ventilation immediately on transplantation. Blood gas samples drawn from the left pulmonary vein and the histologic sections revealed excellent graft function. The donor operation lasted 20 ± 2 min, donor left lung dissection required 20 ± 2 min, and implantation required 90 ± 5 min. CONCLUSIONS: The present innovative method of left orthotopic single lung transplantation can be performed by one experienced surgeon alone, with excellent results and a high degree of reproducibility.

Prognostic value of peritumoral edema and angiogenesis in intracranial meningioma surgery.

PURPOSE: In a series of 78 consecutive patients we analyzed the influence of peritumoral edema (PTE) and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor/ VEGF expression) on the prognosis of morbidity and postoperative complications after intracranial meningioma surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of clinical, neuroradiological and histological data of 78 microsurgically treated patients with intracranial supratentorial meningioma, with follow-up period of at least one year. RESULTS: The severity of PTE showed significant correlation with VEGF expression, and all patients with large PTE (>40 mm) had strong VEGF expression (>50%). Treatment outcome was significantly better in patients with low VEGF expression (p<0.05). All of the monitored postoperative complications were more frequent in the group with PTE.The duration of intensive care treatment in the group with PTE (mean 6.85 days) was significantly longer than in the group without PTE (mean 3.68 days) (p=0.003). In the group without PTE, the outcome was significantly better than in patients with PTE (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: PTE in intracranial meningiomas has significant influence on the prognosis in surgically treated patients in terms of increased risk of morbidity and postoperative complications. VEGF expression is strongly correlated with PTE formation, which also affects the outcome in the management of patients with intracranial meningioma.

Restenosis after microsurgical non-patch carotid endarterectomy in 586 patients.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in patients with symptomatic (>50%) and asymptomatic (>60%) carotid artery stenosis. Here we report the midterm results of a microsurgical non-patch technique and compare these findings to those in the literature. METHODS: From 1998 to 2009 we treated 586 consecutive patients with CEA. CEA was performed, under general anesthesia, with a surgical microscope using a non-patch technique. Somatosensory evoked potential and transcranial Doppler were continuously monitored. Cross-clamping was performed under EEG burst suppression and adaptive blood pressure increase. Follow-up was performed by an independent neurologist. Mortality at 30 days and morbidity such as major and minor stroke, peripheral nerve palsy, hematoma and cardiac complications were recorded. The restenosis rate was assessed using duplex sonography 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 439 (75%) patients had symptomatic and 147 (25%) asymptomatic stenosis; 49.7% of the stenoses were on the right-side. Major perioperative strokes occurred in five (0.9%) patients [n = 4 (0.9%) symptomatic; n = 1 (0.7%) asymptomatic patients]. Minor stroke was recorded in six (1%) patients [n = 4 (0.9%) symptomatic; n = 2 (1.3%) asymptomatic patients]. Two patients with symptomatic stenoses died within 1 month after surgery. Nine patients (1.5%) had reversible peripheral nerve palsies, and nine patients (1.5%) suffered a perioperative myocardial infarction. High-grade (>70%) restenosis at 1 year was observed in 19 (3.2%) patients [n = 12 (2.7%) symptomatic; n = 7 (4.7%) asymptomatic patients]. CONCLUSIONS: The midterm rate of restenosis was low when using a microscope-assisted non-patch endarterectomy technique. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rate was comparable or lower than those in recently published surgical series.

[Microsurgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute (recent experience)].

Recently the number of AVM resections in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute has been increased dramatically. Aim of this study was to assess the results of open surgery in our clinic in modern neurosurgical era. Consecutive series if 160 patients with AVM treated using microsurgical technique since 2009 till 2011 was analyzed. Spetzler-Martin score distribution was: grade I--29 (18.1%) cases, grade II--84 (52.5%), grade III--38 (23.8%), grade IV--9 (5.6%). Patients with grade V AVMs were not operated. Treatment options included: AVM resection in 143 (89.4%) cases, embolization followed by resection in 15 (9.3%) and clipping of afferents in 2 (1.3%). Glasgow outcome scale score distribution was the following: V (good recovery)--70 (43.7%), IV (moderate disability)--71 (44.4%), III (severe disability)--16 (10%), II (vegetative state)--1 (0.6%) and I (death)--2 (1.3%). Microsurgery remains the primary option for radical treatment of cerebral AVMs. Careful selection of patients and planning of surgery are crucial for good outcomes.

[Substantiation of differentiated management of patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms].

The study was performed to substantiate optimal tactics of management of patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms based on analysis of surgical results. This study included 233 (20%) patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms who were treated in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute since 1995 till 2007. We analyzed results of single-stage (microsurgical technique) and multistage (microsurgical technique and step-by-step application of endovascular and microsurgical techniques) approaches. The following factors were investigated: severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess scale), localization of aneurysms in different arterial systems, quantity and size of aneurysms.. Postoperative mortality was 4.7%. Poor outcomes were observed in 37 (16%) patients. In multi-stage surgical treatment the number of totally occluded aneurysms was significantly higher (92% vs. 79%, p < 0.05) as the number of palliative operations and untreated aneurysms was lower (5.8% vs. 16%, p < 0.05). The best technical and clinical results were obtained in the group of patients who were treated using step-by-step application of endovascular and microsurgical techniques. Despite coexistence of aneurysms of both carotid systems with vertebrobasilar aneurysms in 15% of this group, poor outcomes were not observed and total occlusion of aneurysms was performed in 91.4% of cases. Obtained technical and clinical results of treatment of multiple aneurysms prove that multi-stage surgical management is the therapy of choice in surgery of multiple aneurysms. Our data demonstrate high effectiveness of multimodal approach with integration of endovascular and microsurgical methods. Combination of both techniques is preferential in coexistence of aneurysms of carotid and vertebrobasilar systems.

Intraoperative MRI-guided resection of glioblastoma multiforme: a systematic review.

We did a systematic review to address the added value of intraoperative MRI (iMRI)-guided resection of glioblastoma multiforme compared with conventional neuronavigation-guided resection, with respect to extent of tumour resection (EOTR), quality of life, and survival. 12 non-randomised cohort studies matched all selection criteria and were used for qualitative synthesis. Most of the studies included descriptive statistics of patient populations of mixed pathology, and iMRI systems of varying field strengths between 0·15 and 1·5 Tesla. Most studies provided information on EOTR, but did not always mention how iMRI affected the surgical strategy. Only a few studies included information on quality of life or survival for subpopulations with glioblastoma multiforme or high-grade glioma. Several limitations and sources of bias were apparent, which affected the conclusions drawn and might have led to overestimation of the added value of iMRI-guided surgery for resection of glioblastoma multiforme. Based on the available literature, there is, at best, level 2 evidence that iMRI-guided surgery is more effective than conventional neuronavigation-guided surgery in increasing EOTR, enhancing quality of life, or prolonging survival after resection of glioblastoma multiforme.

Intraoperative MRI guidance and extent of resection in glioma surgery: a randomised, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative MRI is increasingly used in neurosurgery, although there is little evidence for its use. We aimed to assess efficacy of intraoperative MRI guidance on extent of resection in patients with glioma. METHODS: In our prospective, randomised, parallel-group trial, we enrolled adults (≥18 years) with contrast enhancing gliomas amenable to radiologically complete resection who presented to Goethe University (Frankfurt, Germany). We randomly assigned patients (1:1) with computer-generated blocks of four and a sealed-envelope design to undergo intraoperative MRI-guided surgery or conventional microsurgery (control group). Surgeons and patients were unmasked to treatment group allocation, but an independent neuroradiologist was masked during analysis of all preoperative and postoperative imaging data. The primary endpoint was rate of complete resections as established by early postoperative high-field MRI (1·5 T or 3·0 T). Analysis was done per protocol. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01394692. FINDINGS: We enrolled 58 patients between Oct 1, 2007, and July 1, 2010. 24 (83%) of 29 patients randomly allocated to the intraoperative MRI group and 25 (86%) of 29 controls were eligible for analysis (four patients in each group had metastasis and one patient in the intraoperative MRI group withdrew consent after randomisation). More patients in the intraoperative MRI group had complete tumour resection (23 [96%] of 24 patients) than did in the control group (17 [68%] of 25, p=0·023). Postoperative rates of new neurological deficits did not differ between patients in the intraoperative MRI group (three [13%] of 24) and controls (two [8%] of 25, p=1·0). No patient for whom use of intraoperative MRI led to continued resection of residual tumour had neurological deterioration. One patient in the control group died before 6 months. INTERPRETATION: Our study provides evidence for the use of intraoperative MRI guidance in glioma surgery: such imaging helps surgeons provide the optimum extent of resection. FUNDING: None.

The patterns and risk factors of hearing loss following microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to reveal the risk factors including intraoperative brain stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) changes and to define parameter and warning values of BAEP beyond which the probability of hearing impairment rises significantly. METHODS: From April 1997 to February 2009, 1156 patients underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) and their medical records and audiologic data. The intraoperative BAEP monitoring was performed in all operations during surgery from the time of administration of general anesthesia until the time of skin closure. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and Speech Discrimination Score (SDS) were performed on all patients before and after surgery for categorizing the patterns of hearing loss. There were 825 females and 331 males with a mean age of 48.7 years (range 17-75 years). The mean symptom duration was 67.8 months (range 1-420 months). RESULTS: At the 1-year follow-up examination, 1091 (94.4%) patients of the total 1156 patients exhibited a cured state, and 65 (5.6%) patients had residual spasms. Hearing loss occurred in 46 patients (3.9%). In 26 patients, PTA was decreased more than 15 dB with a proportional decrease of the SDS. In 10 patients, poor SDS without hearing loss occurred. Total deafness was developed in 10 patients. A higher incidence of BAEP change and a poor recovery especially amplitude in wave V during surgery was observed in patients with poor SDS (eight patients) and total deafness (seven patients) (p = 0.000). Reduction of amplitude more than 50% in wave V was a strong indicator for a worse outcome of the hearing capacity. The difference in other risk factors according to hearing loss pattern was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Only female was significant (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative BAEP change and a poorer recovery, especially reduction of amplitude more than 50% in wave V, was a strong indicator for a worse outcome of the hearing capacity. Vigilant intraoperative monitoring of the BAEP and adequate steps for recovery of the BAEP change could prevent hearing loss after MVD for HFS.

Laser Microsurgery Versus Radiotherapy Versus Open Partial Laryngectomy for T2 Laryngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of Oncological Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current systematic review is to update the pooled survival outcome of patients with T2 glottic carcinoma treated with either laser surgery (CO2 transoral laser microsurgery [CO2 TOLMS]), radiotherapy (RT), or open partial laryngectomy (OPL). METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the MEDLINE database, Scopus, and Google scholar. The inclusion criteria were studies of patients with T2N0 glottic tumor, treated with either primary CO2 TOLMS, definitive curative RT, or primary OPL, and with reported oncological outcome at 5 years calculated with a Kaplan-Meier or Cox regression method. RESULTS: The results of the current review show that local control (LC) is higher with OPL 94.4%, while there are no differences in LC at 5-year posttreatment for patients treated with RT, compared to those treated with CO2 TOLMS (respectively, 75.6% and 75.4%). Primary treatment with OPL and CO2 TOLMS results in higher laryngeal preservation than primary treatment with RT (respectively 95.8%, 86.9%, and 82.4%). CONCLUSION: First-line treatment with OPL and CO2 TOLMS should be encouraged in selected T2 patients, because it results in higher laryngeal preservation and similar LC compared to primary treatment with RT. The involvement of the anterior commissure in the craniocaudal plane and T2b impaired vocal cord mobility have a poorer prognosis and LC compared to patients with T2a tumors for both CO2 TOLMS and RT.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal tumor: the first French single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) allows complete local excision of rectal tumor, especially in the middle and upper part of the rectum, and provides an alternative to conventional surgery. This is a report of the first French single-center experience to assess the feasibility and postoperative results for rectal tumor excised by TEM. METHODS: From October 2007 to December 2008, 27 patients underwent TEM for excision of either rectal adenoma (n=19) or carcinoma (n=8). The median distance from the anal verge was 60mm (range: 10-140). RESULTS: TEM excision was performed in 26/27 patients. Intraoperative technical difficulties were recorded in two patients (peritoneal perforation and gas leakage, respectively). The morbidity rate was 22% (n=6), including two patients (7%) with major complications (delayed rectal bleeding) requiring readmission to hospital for both, and surgical hemostasis for one. R0 resection rates for adenoma and carcinoma were 84% and 75%, respectively. Immediate salvage surgery was performed in one patient because of a T2R1 carcinoma. At the time of the median follow-up at nine months (range: 2.5-17.5), no patient had experienced a recurrence. CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe and effective procedure with low morbidity for local rectal tumor resection. It allows local excision of benign tumors, especially those that are inaccessible to conventional local surgery resection, thereby avoiding radical surgery. In cases of carcinoma, its role in local surgery remains controversial and is yet to be defined.