Vascular reconstruction after extended resection of a retroperitoneal fibromatosis.

We report the case of a 25-year-old man who underwent successful en-bloc resection of a retroperitoneal fibromatosis, extended to the right kidney and testis, with excision of the right iliac arteries and veins. Arterial replacement was done by means of a right iliofemoral prosthetic graft. A right femorocaval prosthetic graft with a temporary arteriovenous fistula was used for venous replacement. The patient is still alive and after 3 years shows no sign of recurrence on successive computed tomographic scans. He has preserved patency of the right arterial and venous iliac grafts. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of simultaneous arterial and venous iliac replacement successfully performed after excision of a retroperitoneal tumor.

[Locoregional extension of advanced cancer of the uterine cervix:prospective evaluation of results of clinical examination, endocavitary ultrasonography, TDM, MRI and histology]. / Extension locorégionale des cancers avancés du col utérin: évaluation prospective des résultats de l'examen clinique, des échographies endocavitaires, de la TDM, de l'IRM et de l'histologie.

Between January 1988 and January 1991, 37 advanced cervical cancer patients were operated and explorated by: clinical examination and endoluminal ultrasonography under general anesthesia (endovesical, endovaginal and endorectal US); tomodensitometry (26 cases); MR imaging (14 cases) and cytoscopy (33 cases). Results of these explorations have been compared with post-operative histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy of each exploration were calculated for several anatomical structures. Vesical posterior wall has been analysed in about 37 cases, vesico-vaginal structure in about 36 cases, rectal anterior wall and recto-vaginal structure in about 36 cases, parametrium and pelvic sides walls in about 35 cases. Accuracy for clinical examination, endoluminal US, TDM and IRM were respectively: 76, 85, 73, 86%, and respectively 85% by cytoscopy for vesical posterior wall; 72, 88, 65, 78% for vesico-vaginal structure; 92, 97, 83, 64% for rectal anterior wall; 78, 94, 74, 57% for recto-vaginal structure; 84, 89, 69, 73% for vagina; 81, 78, 81, 81% for parametrium; 94%, 93% and 87.5% by TDM and IRM for pelvic side wall. Contribution of endoluminal US is effective for advanced cervical cancer loco-regional staging. Endoluminal US have a good accuracy, are realised under general anesthesia without any discomfort for patients and are little expensive.

[Early adjuvant intraportal chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil after hepatic resection of colorectal metastasis: a preliminary clinical and pharmacokinetic study]. / Chimiothérapie intraportale adjuvante précoce par le 5-fluoro-uracile après resection hépatique pour métastases d'origine colorectale: étude préliminaire clinique et pharmacocinétique.

Intraportal continuous infusion of 5-FU (600 mg/m2/24 h during 7 days) was administered in the immediate postoperative course of 6 consecutive patients with colorectal metastases resected for cure (one segmentectomy and 5 nonanatomical local resections). One month later, a systemic continuous infusion of 5-FU was delivered at the same dose. The tolerance of intraportal chemotherapy was good despite 2 patients with mild digestive toxicity. The plasma concentrations of both unchanged 5-FU and 5,6-dihydro-5-FU (the primary metabolite of 5-FU), were determined in 2 patients using Gas Chromatography--Mass Spectrometry. The 5-FU clearance was higher after intraportal infusion than after systemic infusion (x 1.5 to 3). Hepatic extraction was variable (0.32-0.70) and lower than in reported experimental data on dogs (0.90-0.99). 5,6-dihydro-5-FU concentrations were constantly higher than 5-FU concentrations in plasma. The patient with lower hepatic extraction had the higher 5,6-dihydro-5-FU plasma concentrations. These findings suggest a predominant extrahepatic formation of plasmatic 5,6-dihydro-5-FU.

[Feasibility and tolerance evaluation of 2 routes of preoperative administration of interleukin 2]. / Faisabilité et évaluation de la tolerance de deux schémas d'administration préopératoire d'interleukine 2.

Preoperative interleukin 2 (IL2) administration has been performed, in order to diminish the post-operative immunodepression in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to compare two different ways of preoperative IL2 administration, ie, intravenous (iv) and subcutaneous (sc), in terms of feasibility and tolerance. Nineteen surgical procedures were performed in 18 patients: a) 10 following the administration of 12 IU/m2/24 hours IL2 IV, with a continuous infusion, from day 5 to day 3 before surgery; b) 9 following the administration of 18 IU IL2, in 2 SC injections per day, from day 4 to day 2 before surgery. Tolerance was evaluated by both clinical and biological parameters, before, during, and after surgery. Hyperthermia and capillary leak syndrome were more important in the iv versus sc injection group. Insomnia and digestive troubles were more frequent in the iv injection group as well. However, we noticed few and equivalent cutaneous and respiratory complications in both groups. In conclusion, the tolerance of IL2 was better after sc versus iv injection. However, the toxicity of iv infusion of IL2 was moderate and could be limited by preventive treatments; moreover there was no consequence on the scheduled surgical procedure.

Construction of a urinary sphincter by means of an electrically stimulated striated muscle: experimental procedure and urodynamic results on canine model.

A canine model of urinary neosphincter using electrically stimulated autologous striated muscle is described. The superior belly of canine sartorius was activated by a pacemaker with an intermittent low frequency stimulation (0.5-1 pulse per sec) during 7 weeks. Then, the muscle graft was passed around the urethra and sutured back on to itself to form a neosphincter. The surgical procedure was easy to perform and with no complication. Urethral pressure profile was performed initially (T0), and when the muscle was in peri-urethral position, before (T1) and during electrical stimulation (T2). The continence parameter readings (maximal urethral closure pressure MUP, functional length FL, continence zone CZ, and continence area CA) increased from T0 to T1, and from T1 to T2. We noted: 1) 28%, 38%, 52%, and 86% increases for the MUP, FL, CZ, and CA respectively from T0 to T1, 2) 10%, 41%, 30%, and 43% increases for MUP, FL, CZ, and CA respectively from T1 to T2. Chronic low frequency stimulation could transform a skeletal fast-twitch type 2 muscle into a slow-twitch fatigue-resistant type 1 muscle. In this study, morphological changes of the stimulated muscle were noted, whereas phenotype was unchanged. This dynamic autologous neosphincter may be a new alternative to the artificial urinary sphincter prosthesis with fewer complications. Further studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of such a neosphincter as continent system for bladder substitution after pelvic exenteration for pelvic cancers.

The value of histological study by surface analysis of preserved and injected pancreatic grafts: a prospective controlled study in dogs.

To evaluate the effects of pancreas preservation and pancreatic duct obliteration on the endocrine pancreas, three groups of dogs were used: a control group (six) in which histologic analysis of normal pancreas was performed and two randomized groups (seven) from which the caudal pancreas was auto-transplanted, injected with fibrin glue and removed on the 28th day. In Group A, each graft was flushed out with Euro-Collins' solution and immediately transplanted. In Group B, each graft was preserved 24 hours in a preservation solution and transplanted. Islet surface ratios on the sections and mean islet surfaces were greater in the control group than in Group A (p = 0.011 and 0.023) and no different between control group and Group B (p = 0.334 and 0.099). This surface analysis study suggests that the mode of management of grafts in itself explains the alteration of endocrine pancreas and that obliteration of the pancreatic ducts has little influence on this alteration.

Tolerance and feasibility of perioperative treatment with interferon-alpha 2a in advanced cancers.

BACKGROUND: Major surgery impairs the cellular immune response. In order to stimulate the immunological system during the perioperative period, we have studied the clinical and biological tolerance, and the immunological and histological effects of a perioperative treatment using progressive doses of Interferon-alpha 2a, from the third preoperative day (D-3) until the tenth postoperative day (D10). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients undergoing a major surgical procedure for advanced cancer were included. The clinical and biological parameters evaluated were the body temperature and the blood cell counts. Immunological effects were evaluated by counting the total number of lymphocytes, lymphocyte subsets, natural killer cells (NK), and by analysis of the NK activity, and lymphokine-activated killer cell (LAK) assay. RESULTS: Hyperthermia was the most toxic effect of Interferon-alpha but the overall toxicity was minor, even at the highest dose level. In the early postoperative period there was a significant decrease in total lymphocytes, and in most lymphocyte subset counts when compared with D-3. Overall NK and LAK activities significantly increased from D-3 to D-1 (p < 0.02). A postoperative decrease in NK activity was noted that was not significant when compared to pretherapeutic values, whereas a significant decrease in LAK activity did occur on D4 despite the interferon treatment (p < 0.03). Since we found a dose-dependent effect on some lymphocyte subsets, there was not a clear dose-dependent effect on NK and LAK activities. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative alpha 2a administration is a safe treatment in advanced cancer patients that may allow a postoperative preservation of NK activity and a destruction of potential circulating metastatic cells. Further studies are ongoing on perioperative immunotherapy in advanced cancer patients.

[Adenomyoma of the distal common bile duct. An uncommon cause of stenosis of the extrahepatic bile duct]. / Adénomyome du bas cholédoque. Une cause exceptionnelle de sténose de la voie biliaire principale.

We report the case of a 68-year-old man with adenomyoma of the distal common bile duct, fortuitously discovered on a surgical specimen of a Whipple procedure. To our knowledge, three similar cases have been reported; all patients were operated on with the diagnosis of malignancy: adenomyoma was always discovered on the surgical specimen. Adenomyomas are rare tumors and their origin is discussed. Adenomyoma of the distal common hile duct should be considered as enteropancreatic heterotopia.

Staging of rectal cancer: a prospective study of digital examination and endosonography before and after preoperative radiotherapy.

Between January 1988 and January 1992, 34 patients with rectal cancer were evaluated both by clinical examination and endosonography before and after pre-operative radiotherapy. Two criteria were correlated with histologic findings: confinement to the rectal wall or spread beyond, the presence of mesorectal lymph node involvement. The 32 patients who underwent endosonography before radiotherapy were staged as: uT2: 4, uT3: 26, uT4: 2 cases. Fifteen days after irradiation, endosonography showed tumour regression in all cases; uT stage was different in 15 patients, uN stage in 4 cases. Comparison of the pre-operative local invasion beyond the rectal wall with postoperative histopathy revealed a correlation with: digital examination after radiotherapy in 20 of the 31 patients with palpable tumours; endosonography before irradiation in 18 of the 32 staged tumours; endosonography after irradiation in 25 of the 32 staged tumours. The presence of mesorectal lymph node involvement determined by histologic examination was correlated with the results of endosonography after radiotherapy for 22 of the 32 staged tumours. Endosonography provides a good assessment of the tumour stage before irradiation. Since radiotherapy alters endosonographic staging of rectal cancer, this staging should be included in survival studies.

[Gastrocolonic excision of cancer. Retrospective analysis of the immediate postoperative course and long-term survival in 18 patients]. / Les exérèses gastrocoliques pour cancer. Analyse rétrospective des suites immédiates et de la survie éloignée chez dix-huit malades.

Eighteen patients underwent gastrocolic resection for cancer. Thirteen had primary gastric cancer and 5 had primary colon cancer (two of these 5 patients had local-regional recurrence after right hemicolectomy). Twelve resections were curative and 6 palliative. Twelve patients had more than 2 organs resected. Involvement of adjacent tissues or organs was present in 15 patients (11/13 gastric cancer and 4/5 colon cancer: 83%). All patients had immediate colonic anastomosis. The mean duration of postoperative stay was 22 +/- 8 days (SD). Mortality was 5.6% (1/18). Seven patients had post-operative complications (41%; 7/17); 3 of these 7 patients had anastomotic leakage (one colonic and two pancreatic fistulae; 3/17: 17.6%); the mean duration of postoperative stay for these three patients was 27 +/- 4 jours, (p less than 0.004). One colonic fistula complicated the 18 colonic anastomoses (5.5%). There was no reoperation in this series. The estimated 2-year survival for the entire group was 20%. The median survival was 9.5 mois; the median survival was 13.5 months after curative resections and 5 months after palliative procedure (p less than 0.01). The median survival was 8 months for gastric adenocarcinoma and 36 months for colon adenocarcinoma (p less than 0.05). Despite the poor results in gastric cancer extending to adjacent organs, complete excision is still recommended whenever feasible. Complete excision of advanced colon cancer may lead to prolonged disease-free survival depending on the lymph node status. With an acceptably low mortality, resection remains a better procedure than palliative diversion or exclusion for these advanced tumours.

[Cancer of the rectum. Results of a prospective study comparing preoperative rectal touch and transrectal ultrasonography with postoperative histopathology before and after preoperative radiotherapy]. / Cancer du rectum. Résultats d'une étude prospective comparant les données du toucher rectal et de l'échographie endo-rectale, aux données de l'histologie, avant et après radiothérapie pré-opératoire.

Between January 1988 and December 1990, 23 patients with rectal cancer were evaluated by clinical staging (23) and transrectal sonography before (22, one complete stenosis) and after radiotherapy (21). Two criteria were correlated with histological findings: a) the confinement to the rectal wall or spread beyond and b) the presence of meso-rectal lymph node involvement. The 22 patients who underwent transrectal sonography before radiotherapy were staged as uT2: 3 cases, uT3: 17 cases and uT4:2 cases. Fifteen days after irradiation, transrectal sonography showed a regression on the tumor in all cases; the uT stage was different in 9 patients but there was no change in the uN stage. The comparison of the preoperative clinical and sonographic assessment of local invasion beyond the rectal wall with postoperative histopathology revealed a correlation: a) with digital examination in 13 of the 21 patients with palpable tumors, b) with transrectal sonography before irradiation in 12 of the 22 staged tumors, c) with transrectal sonography after irradiation in 17 of the 21 staged tumors. The presence of meso-rectal lymph node involvement determined by histologic examination was correlated with the results of transrectal sonography for 14 of the 21 staged tumors. Transrectal sonography provides a good assessment of the tumor stage before irradiation. This stage should be considered for the study of survival.

[Pancreatic conservation after autotransplantation in dogs. Value of histologic surface analysis]. / Conservation pancréatique aprés auto-transplantation chez le chien. Intérêt d'une étude histologique par analyse de surface.

A study of an artificial conservation fluid (hyperosmolar, pH = 8, rich in lactobionate and raffinose) was carried out by means of an experimental procedure involving segmental pancreatic autotransplants in dogs. The study covers 14 transplants, seven carried out without conservation and seven with 24-hour conservation at 4 degrees C. The caudal pancreas was removed after splenectomy and either transfused with 250 ml of 4 degrees C Euro-Collins before immediate transplant or with 250 ml of 4 degrees C conservation fluid for 24 hours before the transplant. The caudal pancreas was transplanted onto the right iliac vessels, while an arterio-venous fistula was created on the distal splenic vessels and the pancreatic duct was injected with modified tissucol. At the same time as the transplant, a cephalic pancreatectomy was performed. Laboratory tests included an intra venous glucose tolerance test monitored on days 0 and 28 and blood glucose and serum amylase measured every three days from days 1 to 28. The histological study of the pancreatic tissues 28 days after the transplants involved the light microscopic evaluation of the degree of fibrosis, inflammation of the pancreas, cystosteatonecrosis and peripancreatic inflammation. We used a computerized method to measure the surface area of the islets of Langerhans, as revealed by immunocytochemistry, and the surface area of fibrosis. The blood glucose and the serum amylase analyses from days 1 to 28, and the blood glucose variations during the intra venous glucose tolerance test, showed no differences between the two groups. Standard laboratory parameters were similar in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Prediction of response to antineoplastic agents]. / Prévision de la réponse aux agents anticancéreux.

It now seems possible to predict response to anti-cancer drugs by means of several methods classified into three groups. Methods in the first group are aimed at determining the intracellular mechanisms required for the drugs to act on the tumoral cells; apart from hormone receptor assays, few of these have practical applications. Methods in the second group are concerned with the action of cytostatic drugs on malignant cells; clonogenic cultures and human tumour xenografts in mice are already routinely used. Finally, methods to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs are being developed. These three groups of methods can be used in the pre-clinical screening of these drugs or at the clinical trial phase to predict individual responses to chemotherapy.

[Perineal gangrene. Apropos of 12 cases]. / Gangrène périnéale. A propos de 12 observations.

Twelve cases of necrotizing infections of the perineum were seen over a 18 months period. The etiology was various. This serious affection seems to be more frequent now. The diagnosis is often late, particularly in the rectal injuries with a foreign body. Cellulitis was constant. Severe myonecrosis was present in 6 cases. Anaerobic organisms were found in 50% of the cases. Treatment consisted of initial radical debridement and repeated surgery, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen which was systematically used in our cases. The importance of a diverting colostomy that was done in 10 cases was emphasized. The aggressiveness and advancing nature of the infection with myonecrosis, delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment, were the primary factors responsible for death. 4 of the 12 patients died.

[Obstruction of pancreatic ducts with a fibrin glue. Study after segmentary autotransplantation in dogs]. / Oblitération des canaux pancréatiques par une colle de fibrine. Etude après autotransplantation segmentaire chez le chien.

The effects of the main pancreatic duct with a fibrin sealant have been investigated on an experimental model of segmental pancreatic transplantation in the dog. Fourteen segmental pancreatic transplantations were performed. A cephalic pancreactectomy was performed during the same operating time. The main duct was obstructed with a fibrin sealant (Tissucol modified by addition of a solution of aprotinine concentrated at 10,000 KUI per mL). Biological follow-up consisted in: 1) Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Testing at Day 0 and Day 28 with glycaemia's integral calculus and K V Alues. 2) Measurements of glycaemia and serum amylase every three days from day 0 to day 28. Histological examination of the pancreatic tissue before and after transplantation involved a microscopy analysis reporting the degree of fibrosis and necrosis. The areas of the Langherans islets and of the fibrosis were calculated with informatic area analysis. The study was carried on non diabetic dogs at Day 28. The glycaemia's calculus of IVGTT were not significantly different before and after transplantation (p = 0.291). On the other hand, there was a significant difference of the K Values before and after transplantation (p = 0.006). Histology after transplantation revealed important lesions of fibrosis and normal or hypertropic Langherans islets in most cases. Pancreatic ducts presented with linings thickened with fibrosis. There was no fibrin sealant in the lumen. Obstruction of pancreatic ducts with a fibrin sealant induces an important fibrosis of the pancreatic exocrin tissue allowing the preservation of a satisfactory endocrine function. This technic may be used in clinical practice during the segmental pancreatic transplantations or after cephalic pancreatico-duodenectomy.

[Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. A rare tumor of the right iliac fossa]. / Cystadénocarcinome mucineux de l'appendice. Une tumeur rare de la fosse iliaque droite.

An observation of a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix, in the tumor form, revealed by a painful syndrome of the right iliac fossa in a 62-year man is reported. It is a rare malignant tumor as less than 0.5% of the appendicectomy parts present a malignant mucosecreting tumor. In our observation, the diagnosis was allowed by pre-operation imaging. An increase of the serous amount in the tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen) (CEA) and CA 19-9 was found before the intervention and the immunodetections performed on the operation part were positive for CEA and CA 19-9. The serous amounts of these markers were normalized after operation. To the author's knowledge, the interest of dosing the serous tumor markers in the observation of such a type of tumor is not mentioned in the literature. The recurrences are frequent and sometimes late even when the initial excision has been macroscopically satisfactory. A new increase of the serous amount of the markers could allow for an earlier detection of a recurrence during the patient follow-up. At present, the prognosis of these malignant forms remains very poor as the 5-year survival does not exceed 25%.

[Digestive localizations of non Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma. Clinical, therapeutic and prognostic aspects. Apropos of 29 cases]. / Localisations digestives des lymphomes malins non hodgkiniens. Aspects cliniques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques. A propos de 29 observations.

29 cases of non Hodgkin's lymphoma (L.N.H.) involving the gastrointestinal (G.I.) tract were reviewed. Primary G.I. involvement was found in 15 patients (2 occurred after Hodgkin's disease), secondary G.I. involvement in 14 patients. Clinical, barium x-ray studies and endoscopic data, prognostically features, mode and results of therapy were analysed in the two groups. Patients were staged using modified (stage IIE) Ann Arbor system; tumors were classified by the "working formulation of N.H.L. for clinical use" (1982). Patients with primary G.I. stage I E - II E N.H.L. were treated with surgery and radiotherapy or surgery with systemic multiple drugs therapy for patients at high risk for recurrence. Disseminated disease and secondary G.I. N.H.L. were treated by chemotherapy; palliative surgery, with high mortality rate, and radiotherapy were occasionally indicated. 3 patients died and 3 had recurrences (5/6 within 2 years) in the first group. Only 2 patients achieved complete remission in secondary G.I.N.H.L. (median survival time: 14 months). Coeliotomy is necessary for unproved diagnosis or emergencies. This study would indicate that the role of surgery remains important in primary localized G.I. stage I E - II E N.H.L.: although diagnosis might be clearly established on endoscopic biopsies; despite results of primary chemotherapy or radiotherapy on controlling local tumor as reported by others authors. Surgical exploration was an essential step in establishing the extent of disease to plan therapy. Resection prevented the possible local complication associated with primary radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The relative risk of treatment induced second malignancies must be considered in the design of adjuvant therapy.

[The Miami pouch: a reliable continent urinary diversion after pelvic exenteration]. / La poche de Miami: une dérivation urinaire continente fiable après exentération pelvienne.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the technique and present the results obtained with the Miami reservoir, a continent urinary diversion, after pelvic exenteration for advanced gynaecological tumours. METHODS: A Miami reservoir was performed in 12 patients between January 1993 and January 1995. A detubed right colonic reservoir was created using automatic resorbable staples. The ureters were reimplanted into the reservoir using an anti-reflux system and continence was ensured by forming a tube with the terminal loop of ileum and by using a Bauhin valve, which can be reinforced when it is incompetent. Regular postoperative follow-up was conducted (6 to 26 months) with monitoring of laboratory parameters, intravenous urography, opacification of the reservoir, urodynamic assessment of the continent diversion. RESULTS: There were no surgical complications related to the urinary diversion. Urinary continence was obtained in every case and after medical treatment of residual peristaltic contractions of the detubed colonic reservoir in 2 patients. Protection of the upper urinary tract was satisfactory after 2 years of follow-up, without stenosis or reflux of the uretero-colonic anastomoses. The mean capacity of the colonic reservoir was 465.5 +/- 101 ml at 6 months, with filling pressures lower than 20 cm H2O. CONCLUSION: The Miami reservoir is a continent urinary diversion which is relatively easy to perform and reliable in terms of continence and protection of upper tract. However, a longer postoperative follow-up is required. The quality of life of young patients after pelvic exenteration is improved due to this type of contingent diversion which avoids the need for an abdominal urine collector, although it requires intermittent self-catheterization.