Gemcitabine alone or in combination with cisplatin in patients with biliary tract cancer: a comparative multicentre study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: A British randomised study of gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) combination showed promising results in biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients. In our study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of this combination compared with gemcitabine alone (G) in Japanese BTC patients. METHODS: Overall, 84 advanced BTC patients were randomised to either cisplatin 25 mg m(-2) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8 of a 21-day cycle (GC-arm), or single-agent gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle (G-arm). Treatments were repeated for at least 12 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred, up to a maximum of 48 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included in the analysis. For the GC and G-arms, respectively, the 1-year survival rate was 39.0 vs 31.0%, median survival time 11.2 vs 7.7 months, median progression-free survival time 5.8 vs 3.7 months and overall response rate 19.5 vs 11.9%. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities (GC-arm/G-arm) were neutropenia (56.1%/38.1%), thrombocytopenia (39.0%/7.1%), leukopenia (29.3%/19.0%), haemoglobin decrease (36.6%/16.7%) and gamma-GTP increase (29.3%/35.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Gemcitabine plus cisplatin combination therapy was found to be effective and well tolerated, suggesting that it could also be a standard regimen for Japanese patients.

Subtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy for treating medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy.

A SUBTEMPORAL AMYGDALOHIPPOCAMPECTOMY technique has been developed for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. The conventional subtemporal approach has been modified to diminish temporal lobe retraction and the risk of damage to the temporal lobe. In the new technique, the surgeons' position has moved from above to below and the approach has been changed from anterolateral to posterolateral, thereby avoiding the voluminous and steeply inclined anterior temporal lobe. By this modified approach, it was unnecessary to remove the roof of the external auditory meatus and it was estimated that both the retraction pressure and the extent of temporal lobe retraction were reduced. To date, surgeons using this approach have operated on four patients with temporal lobe epilepsy whose epileptic foci were in the mesial temporal structure; the inferior temporal gyrus, the temporal tip, the vein of Labbé, and the ventral bridging veins were preserved. After surgery, two patients became completely free of seizures and the other two showed over 90% reduction in seizure frequency without neurological sequelae. Postoperative visual field examination revealed full visual fields without quadrantanopsia. This approach can preserve the temporal stem and lateral temporal lobe, it can be used to remove as much of the posterior hippocampus as necessary, and it can be extended to conventional lobectomy if it is indicated.

Cervical posterior fusion with wave-shaped rod under local anesthesia for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: review of 12 patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical evaluation of cervical interspinous fusion under local anesthesia in elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of cervical posterior fusion with wave-shaped rods inserted under local anesthesia for elderly high-risk patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A substantial number of patients cannot undergo surgical interventions under general anesthesia because of their general medical complications. Although such patients would become unable to walk, which might induce a worsening of their general condition, conservative treatments had been adopted as the only treatment for these patients. The authors have obtained satisfactory results by means of posterior interspinous fusion under local anesthesia even in the high-risk patients with severe cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The aims of this surgical technique were to adjust cervical alignment and to stabilize the motion segment(s) without decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 1989 and August 1998, 12 elderly patients (3 men and 9 women) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with posterior interspinous fusion using wave-shaped rods inserted under local anesthesia. The average age at the surgery was 76.9 years. The average follow-up period was 5 years 6 months. All patients were unable to walk without any assistance because of their advanced myelopathy. It was felt that all of them would be unable to accept general anesthesia because of their generally poor medical conditions. Preoperative severity of the clinical symptoms and postoperative recovery were evaluated by a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, which had 17 points at full mark. RESULTS: The average duration of the surgical procedure was 122.8 minutes. The average total blood loss was 118.6 g. No instrument failures were denoted. Neither neural deterioration nor major complication was observed relating to the surgery. Radiographic bony union of the grafted bone was achieved in all patients. Progression of myelopathy was arrested in all 12 patients, and clinical symptoms were improved in 10 patients. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores had increased from 5.0 to 10.2 points. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve high-risk patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with posterior interspinous fusion using wave-shaped rods inserted under local anesthesia. This method was evaluated as an effective surgical salvage without any mortal complications even in the elderly high-risk patients.

Preoperative embolization of the common hepatic artery in preparation for radical pancreatectomy for pancreas body cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess preliminary results of preoperative embolization of the common hepatic artery in preparation for distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac and common hepatic arteries for carcinoma of the body of the pancreas involving these arteries. METHODOLOGY: Four patients underwent the embolization with coils 1-7 (median: 5) days before surgery. A detachable coil was used to obtain the best position of the first coil as an anchor in 3 patients. RESULTS: Immediately after embolization, collateral pathways developed from the superior mesenteric artery via the pancreatoduodenal arcades to the proper hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries in all 4 patients; however, they were relatively poor in one patient. There were no complications after embolization. The pulsation of the proper hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries was well palpable during surgery, although it had been compromised sometimes in previous cases without embolization. There were no ischemia-related complications in the 2 patients who underwent radical surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative embolization of the common hepatic artery is a safe technique and has the potential to enlarge the collateral pathways by the time of distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac artery and prevent postoperative fatal ischemia-related complications.

[Value of paraaortic lymphadenectomy for gallbladder carcinoma].

Seven reports of paraaortic lymphadenectomy for advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder were reviewed and positive paraaortic nodes were found in 20-40% of the resected patients and 10-15% of those with subserosal cancer invasion. The rate of patients with positive paraaortic nodes/all patients with positive nodes was 30-50%. Paraaortic lymphadenectomy did not improve the surgical outcome, and most of the patients with positive paraaortic nodes died within 1 year even after aggressive surgery with extensive lymph node dissection. Therefore it is important to clarify the value of paraaortic lymph node dissection for patients with possibly positive paraaortic node metastasis and those with histologically positive nodes excluding the paraaortic area. Although pancreatoduodenectomy for prophylactic lymphadenectomy around the head of the pancreas has been carried out in some institutions, the procedure does not seem to be effective because the main lymphatic route from the gallbladder has a direct connection with the paraaortic nodes via the pericholedochal, periportal, and/or the posterior nodes along the common hepatic artery. The present authors recommend a D2 plus paraaortic lymph node dissection (ext D2) as a standard surgical strategy for carcinoma of the gallbladder.

Postoperative pain management outcomes among adults treated at a tertiary hospital in Moshi, Tanzania.

Inadequately controlled postoperative pain (POP) subjects individuals to complications which may be fatal or leading to prolonged hospital stay. Complications from inadequately controlled POP may alleviate the existing shortage of hospital human resource for health in health facilities in developing countries. The burden and challenges of POP management at health facilities in Tanzania is not known. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate postoperative pain management and patient satisfaction with care given at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC). This descriptive prospective hospital based study, was conducted at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania from August 2011 to March 2012. POP and patients' satisfaction with pain relief scores were assessed using pain and satisfaction numerical rating scales. Pain assessment was done at 24 hours and 48 hours after operation. Satisfaction was assessed on 48 hours post surgery. All adult patient aged 18 years and above whom were operated in general surgery ward, KCMC and accepted by signing consent were involved in the study. Patients suffering from nervous system were excluded from the study. A total number of 124 patients were recruited and participated in the study. Sixty-five (52.4%) were males and 59 (47.6%) females. Mean age (SD) years 40.9 ± 15.4. The largest percentage of individuals had mild pain both at rest (45.2%) and during movement (44.4%). Patients whose analgesia was administered intravenously were more likely to be satisfied with POP management than those given intramuscular analgesics (P = 0.028). Analgesia used in combination increased significantly the proportion of pain free individuals 48 hours postoperative compared to 24 hours postoperative (P = 0.003). In conclusion, the postoperative pain management is still a challenge in our centre as nearly half of the patient had mild pain in.the first 48 hours post surgery.

Angiographic changes in the hepatic artery after skeletonization resection for biliary tract cancer.

Using preoperative and postoperative arteriography, angiographic changes in the hepatic artery were studied after skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament and hepatic resection for biliary tract carcinoma. Of 52 patients evaluated (32 with carcinoma of the bile duct, 20 with gallbladder cancer), no angiographic changes were apparent after operation in 30 (58 per cent) and there were pathological findings in 22 (42 per cent; smooth stenosis in five patients, irregular stenosis in seven, a beaded appearance in four, dilatation in two, obstruction in four). Based on angiographic findings, patients were classified into three subgroups (no change, 30 patients; irregular form, 18; obstructed, four). Postoperative liver function was also evaluated. No definite correlation was evident between angiographic findings and the incidence of hepatic failure or liver dysfunction in the first month after operation. Given that connective tissue and lymph node dissection in the hepatoduodenal ligament is essential for curative resection of biliary tract carcinoma, these findings suggest that skeletonization is an acceptable operative procedure.

International cooperation with Islamabad Children's Hospital, Pakistan: the JICA project.

The experience gained during 7 years of cooperation between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Islamabad Children's Hospital (JICA-ICH project, July 1986-June 1993) is described. Islamabad Children's Hospital achieved the goals of the project and became a centre for excellence in health care, education and research for children, fulfilling the objectives of the project. This achievement was evaluated as one of the most successful projects in medical cooperation ever performed by JICA by a third party evaluation team. The problems arising and the lessons experienced through the process are discussed. The importance of the role which should be undertaken by pediatricians in international cooperation with developing countries is emphasized.

PIP: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided the funds for the construction of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' children's hospital (ICH) in Islamabad. JICA worked with ICH between July 1986 and June 1993. Japan sent 67 specialists to ICH and Pakistan sent 34 counterparts to Japan for training. JICA also provided equipment. The high mineral content (e.g., calcium) of the local water damaged equipment. There is no competent Pakistani medical engineer to repair the equipment. The project has addressed the shortage of nurses. Feed back and horizontal discussions among physicians and nurses or paramedics are uncommon. Exposure to colleagues in Japan changed behavior of the Pakistani counterparts returning from Japan, resulting in greater competence and in them behaving responsibly, being loyal, and adopting problem saving attitudes. Inadequate understanding of management by most counterparts, except physicians or senior level professionals, hurt the function and efficacy of ICH. ICH was governed by budget controls of the Pakistan Ministry of Health and of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, which sometimes kept ICH from receiving essential operating costs. ICH had too many outpatients and limited space for the clinical laboratory. A filter-clinic set up in a new OPD building solved the space problem. A too bureaucratic policy initially hindered the project. Despite these obstacles, ICH is a center of excellence in health care, education, and research. 82 physicians and 113 nurses work at ICH. ICH carries out much maternal and child health activity. ICH serves as a postgraduate teaching institution for pediatricians and for pediatric nurses. The Canadian International Development Agency evaluated the JICA ICH project and rated ICH as one of the most successful JICA medical projects.

Mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm with hematemesis.

Mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm is a rare condition which can lead to potentially fatal hemorrhage. In most cases it presents respiratory symptoms due to rupture into pleural parenchyma. But when it develops mediodorsally and compresses the esophagus, it may cause dysphagia or hematemesis. Here we report a case of mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm which presented with hematemesis. Computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed what seemed to be a submucosal tumor on the esophagus. We were able to correctly diagnose the aneurysm using magnetic resonance imaging and probe thoracoscopy, and were able to successfully treat with transluminal artery embolization.

Treatment strategy for mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: value of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and cholangioscopy.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas that secrete macroscopically excessive mucin into the biliary system are rare, and few of the previously reported cases have achieved a curative resection. We defined these tumors as "mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas" and clarify the optimal preoperative and surgical management for them. Eleven patients with mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas underwent surgical resection in our department. The clinical, radiologic, surgical, and pathologic findings were studied. The clinical presentation of the 11 patients included repeated abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. Conventional cholangiographies, such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, could not offer precise information about tumor location and extension because of abundant mucin in the biliary system. Using percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS), we were able to drain the mucin and determine precisely the cancer extension into intrahepatic segmental bile ducts. Based on these findings, various types of liver resection with or without extrahepatic bile duct resection were planned, and 10 patients obtained curative resection. The cumulative 5-year survival rate after curative resection was 78%. In patients with mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, PTBD and PTCS are important for evaluating the cancer extension. Rational surgery based on accurate preoperative diagnosis improved the prognosis of patients with this disease.