[Splenic metastasis from a bronchial carcinoma]. / Métastase splénique d'un cancer broncho-pulmonaire.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated splenic metastases from a bronchial carcinoma, without other visceral metastatic involvement, are exceptionally uncommon. CASE REPORT: The authors report the finding of an isolated splenic metastasis 21 months after a left pneumonectomy for an undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, initially staged pT3N1M0. The splenic metastasis presented as a major deterioration in general health and sharp pains in the left hypochondrium. Splenectomy confirmed the metastatic nature of the splenic tumour and relieved the severe abdominal pains. Two years after the splenectomy and with out adjuvant treatment the patient remains in complete remission. CONCLUSION: Splenectomy for a metastasis from a bronchial carcinoma should avoid the later complications of this type of metastasis: severe abdominal pain, splenic rupture and compression of neighbouring vessels. If the bronchial carcinoma is controlled locally and the splenic metastasis is isolated, splenectomy offers, perhaps, a further chance of prolonged survival.

Omentoplasty in the prevention of deep abdominal complications after surgery for hydatid disease of the liver: a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial. French Associations for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: Omentoplasty (OP) is thought to fill residual cavity, to assist healing of raw surfaces, and to promote resorption of serosal fluid and macrophagic migration in septic foci. Results published to date, whether retrospective or prospective, are not controlled and are discordant. STUDY DESIGN: The authors investigated whether OP, either filling the residual cavity after unroofing, or covering the hepatic raw surface after pericystectomy, could reduce the rate or severity of deep abdominal complications (DAC) after surgical treatment of hydatid disease of the liver. Between January 1993 and December 1996, 115 consecutive patients (51 males and 64 females, mean age 42+/-16 years [range 10 to 80 years]) with previously unoperated uni- or multilocular hydatid disease of the liver, complicated or not, without other abdominal hydatid disease, were randomly allotted to OP (n = 58) or not (NO) (n = 57) after unroofing, total, or partial pericystectomy. Patients were divided into 2 strata according to the site of the cyst with respect to the diaphragm: a) posterosuperior segments II, VII, and VIII or b) anterior segments III, IV, V, and VI. Main outcomes measures included deep bleeding, hematoma, infection, or bile leakage. Subsidiary measures included wound complications, extraabdominal complications, duration of operation, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable regarding patient demographics, cyst characteristics, intraoperative procedures, search for bile leaks, and intraoperative transfusion requirements. On the other hand, more patients (86%) in NO had associated drainage of the abdominal cavity than in OP (64%) and the duration of operation was 9 minutes longer in OP, but neither of these differences was statistically significant. Less DAC occurred in OP (10%) than in NO (23%) (a posteriori gamma risk < 0.05) and fewer deep abdominal abscesses (0 versus 11%) (p < 0.03). Median duration of hospital stay, however, was similar. CONCLUSIONS: OP decreases the rate of DAC and especially deep abdominal abscess after surgical treatment (unroofing or pericystectomy) for hydatid disease of the liver and should be recommended in this setting.

Prevention of deep abdominal complications with omentoplasty on the raw surface after hepatic resection. The French Associations for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been suggested to treat the hepatic raw surface after resection. Among these, omentoplasty (OP) has been employed occasionally but there are no clinical studies that clearly demonstrate its usefulness. METHODS: Of 172 randomized patients undergoing hepatic resection between January 1991 and December 1994, 5 were withdrawn for protocol violation, leaving 167 who were randomly allotted to undergo OP (n = 87) on the hepatic raw surface or not (NO; n = 80). This procedure was performed for malignant tumor in 125 cases, benign tumor in 33, and for other causes in 15. Six patients had more than two types of lesions, and 32 patients had associated cirrhosis. Sixty-five major and 102 minor hepatic resections were performed. The main outcome measures studied were the number of patients with deep abdominal complications (DAC; deep bleeding or hematoma, deep infection, with or without pus discharge through drains, bile leakage), as well as repeat operations and postoperative death. Patients were divided into two strata according to the site of the lesion with respect to the diaphragm: (1) in contact (posterosuperior segments II, VII and VIII) or (2) not in contact (anterior segments III, IV, V, and VI). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable as regards patient demographics, intraoperative procedures, intraoperative search for bile leaks and intraoperative transfusion requirements. Fewer patients had DAC in OP (n = 11) than in NO (n = 15) (difference not significant). Ten patients (6%) required repeat operations: 4 in OP without immediate mortality and 6 in NO, 3 followed by death. One further patient in OP required repeat operation after discharge and died. Four patients died in OP and 7 in NO, 1 and 4 of DAC, respectively (not significant). Deep abdominal complications were significantly associated with major hepatic resection (P <0.05) whereas postoperative death was significantly correlated with cirrhosis (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OP on the raw surface after hepatic resection lowers the rate of all complications related to DAC (except biliary leaks) and their severity (repeat operations and death) but not significantly so. OP is not recommended as a routine measure to complete elective hepatic resections.

[Total gastrectomy versus partial gastrectomy of adenocarcinoma of the antrum. A French prospective controlled study]. / Gastrectomie totale contre gastrectomie partielle pour adéno-cancer de l'antre. Une étude française prospective contrôlée.

In a prospective multicentric trial we compared the post-operative mortality and the 5-year survival of elective total gastrectomy (TG) versus subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for adenocarcinoma of the antrum operated on with intent of cure. Two hundred and one patients were included in the study: thirty two were excluded after pathological examination (linitis plastica, superficial cancer, lymphoma). One hundred and sixty nine patients remained for analysis with 93 TG and 76 SG. Elective TG did not increase post-operative mortality (1.3%) in comparison with SG (3.2%). There was no difference in the 5-year survival rate (48%). Analysis of survival showed no difference in the two techniques when related to nodal involvement and serosal extension. It is concluded that both operations TG and SG can be performed safely in patients with adenocarcinoma of the antrum; however TG did not increase the survival rate.

[Is preoperative systematic chest x-ray useful in general surgery? A multicenter prospective study of 3959 patients. ACAPEM. Association des Chirurgiens de l'Assistance Publique pour les Evaluations Médicales]. / La radiographie thoracique préopératoire systématique en chirurgie générale est-elle utile?

In order to define which patients may not require a routine preoperative chest X-ray, a prospective multicenter study was carried out. It included 3,959 consecutive fifteen, or more, year-old patients, free from any cancer, scheduled for a general or gastrointestinal surgical procedure other than thoracotomy, and had a plain chest X-ray beforehand. This investigation was prescribed before surgery, either by the surgeon or the anaesthetist. Patients were classified according to selected risk factors: age, smoking, emergency surgery, a past history of lung, heart or vascular disease, abnormal clinical findings related to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and a previous chest film made less than one year before. There were 2,092 patients in Group I (no risk factors), 916 in group II (one risk factor), 645 in Group III (two risk factors), and 276 in group IV (three risk factors). Three endpoints were selected: a modification of operative schedule or anaesthetic technique, a change in surgical procedure, and the diagnosis of postoperative complications. A rate of 23.2% of preoperative chest films were considered to be abnormal. This rate increased with age and the number of risk factors: 6.2% in Group I and 72.5% in Group IV. Surgical and anaesthetic procedures were modified as a result of the chest X-ray in only 0.5% of patients: 0.1% in Group I, 0.3% in Group II, 1.2% in Group III and 1.4% in Group IV. When pulmonary or cardiac complications did occur after the surgery, the preoperative chest film was of no help for making this diagnosis in more than 50% of cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Role of extracorporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of gallbladder lithiasis. A multicenter prospective study]. / Place de la lithotritie extra-corporelle dans le traitement de la lithiase vésiculaire. Etude prospective multicentrique.

Extra corporeal shock-wave lithotripsy changed dramatically the treatment of renal calculi. This procedure is now used to treat biliary lithiasis. In gallstones, the impact will depend on its efficiency, risk, and easiness. The ACAPEM studied prospectively the results achieved with this method. They are currently available for 219 patients.

Perineal wound management after abdominoperineal rectal excision for carcinoma with unsatisfactory hemostasis or gross septic contamination: primary closure vs. packing. A multicenter, controlled trial. French Association for Surgical Research.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the results of two methods on the rate of postoperative perineum healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, multicenter trial of 234 consecutive patients undergoing abdominoperineal rectal excision for carcinoma, 48 had unsatisfactory hemostasis or intraoperative gross septic contamination. Three patients were withdrawn because of protocol violation. Of the 45 remaining patients, 21 were randomized to undergo primary closure of the perineum with drainage while 24 underwent packing. Preoperative factors (sex, age, degree of obesity, weight loss, anemia, or presence of ascites), intraoperative findings (Dukes stage, degree of hemostasis, gross septic contamination), and postoperative oncologic courses (recurrence, mortality rate) were similar in both groups. All patients were followed for at least 12 months or until their demise. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the number of early (one vs. zero) or late (five vs. four) deaths between primary closure and packing groups, respectively. Median duration of hospital stay was 25 and 27 days, respectively. Primary closure was associated with a significantly higher rate of healed perineums at one month (30 percent vs. 0 percent) (P = 0.01) and a shorter delay to complete cicatrization (median, 47 vs. 69 days) (P < 0.01). From three months onward, there was no difference in healing between the two groups, but two patients in the packing group had not healed at one year. Conversely, hematoma, perineal abscess, and reoperations were significantly more frequent (P < 0.01) in the primary closure group. CONCLUSION: Primary closure associated with drainage after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma expedites perineal healing but morbidity is higher.

Management of the pelvic space with or without omentoplasty after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum: a prospective multicenter study. The French Association for Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perineal healing with or without omentoplasty after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre study. SETTING: 15 centres (three university, nine non-university teaching hospitals and three private clinics), France. SUBJECTS: 186 consecutive patients (between January 1983 and August 1990): 21 were withdrawn because of protocol violation leaving 165 for analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the distal third of the rectum followed by omentoplasty (n = 64) to the pelvic space or not (n = 101). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of healed perineums at one month, and the time interval to complete healing. RESULTS: 7 patients (4%) died, 4 of whom had had omentoplasty and 3 who had not (one perineal abscess). The number who developed immediate postoperative complications (11/64, 17% and 18/101, 18%) and median duration of hospital stay (21 days, range 8-191, and 22 days, range 8-132) were similar. The median time to complete healing (20 and 21 days), the rate of healed perineums at one month (42/62 and 67/99, both 68%) and the number of persisting sinuses at 12 months were also similar. The number of dehiscences of the perineum was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the no omentoplasty group (16 compared with 3). There were 3 late deaths in the omentoplasty group and 7 in the no omentoplasty group, 1 and 5 with local recurrence, respectively. There were more recurrences in the no omentoplasty group but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was not randomised, the results suggest that omentoplasty to the pelvic space promotes perineal healing after abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma of the rectum by significantly reducing the need for secondary opening.

Are routine preoperative chest radiographs useful in general surgery? A prospective, multicentre study in 3959 patients. Association des Chirurgiens de l'Assistance Publique pour les Evaluations médicales.

OBJECTIVE: To find out which patients about to undergo general or gastrointestinal operations could have the routine preoperative posteroanterior chest radiograph omitted. DESIGN: Prospective open multicentre study. SETTING: 8 Public hospitals, France. SUBJECTS: 3959 consecutive patients about to undergo operations for benign disease were divided into 4 groups depending on the number of risk factors for cardiopulmonary complications (coexisting bronchopulmonary or cardiac conditions, abnormal clinical cardiopulmonary findings): group 1 (n = 2092) had no risk factors, group 2 (n = 946) had 1, group 3 (n = 645) had 2, and group 4 (n = 276) had 3 risk factors or more. INTERVENTIONS: Routine posteroanterior chest radiographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whether the findings on the radiograph (read by the anaesthetist) led to modifications in the type of anaesthesia or operative technique, or both, and whether radiographs were helpful in the postoperative management. RESULTS: 912 (23%) of the radiographs showed some abnormality. Changes were made in anaesthetic or surgical policy in 22 (0.1%), 11 (0.3%), 8 (1%), and 4 (1%) of patients in groups 1-4, respectively. The preoperative films were of some help in the management of about half the patients who developed postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chest radiographs should be routine for patients about to undergo general and gastrointestinal operations with three or more risk factors, and done selectively for patients with one or two. Routine preoperative films are unnecessary for patients with no risk factors.

Passive vs. closed suction drainage after perineal wound closure following abdominoperineal rectal excision for carcinoma. A multicenter, controlled trial. The French Association for Surgical Research.

PURPOSE: Because evacuation of effusion or collection could depend on the type of drainage, we compared the effects of closed suction drainage with passive drainage through tubes or undulated drains after abdominoperineal rectal excision for carcinoma on early and late perineal wound healing. METHODS: Of 234 consecutive patients undergoing abdominoperineal rectal excision for carcinoma between January 1983 and August 1990, unsatisfactory hemostasis or gross intraoperative septic contamination were recorded in 48 patients who were not included in the trial. After rectal excision and closure of the perineum, the remaining 186 patients were randomized to receive passive drainage (PD; n = 96) or closed suction drainage (SD; n = 90). Eighteen patients were withdrawn because of protocol violation, and three were lost to follow-up, leaving 165 (89 PD and 76 SD) patients for analysis. Preoperative factors (sex, age, degree of obesity, weight loss, anemia, or presence of ascites), intraoperative and pathologic findings (Dukes stage), and postoperative courses (recurrence, late mortality) were similar in both groups. All patients were followed up for 12 months or until death. RESULTS: The rate of perineums healed at one month was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in PD (55/89 = 61 percent) compared with SD (54/72 = 75 percent) patients. At three months, the rate of healed perineums no longer differed between the two groups (70/87 = 81 percent vs. 60/72 = 84 percent). The number of vaginal fistulas, secondary reopenings, and perineums not healed at 12 months was similar in both groups. Median duration to complete healing was similar in both groups (23 vs. 21 days, respectively). On the other hand, three retained drains were seen in PD patients only. The median duration of hospital stay was identical in both groups (22 days). Seven patients died in the early postoperative period, including one in the PD group and six in the SD group. There was no significant difference in the number of late deaths (3 vs. 7) in PD and SD patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that closed suction drainage should be used after abdominoperineal rectal excision with satisfactory hemostasis or absence of gross introperative septic contamination.

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of biliary calculi]. / La lithotritie extra-corporelle comme traitement de la lithiase vésiculaire.

The authors present their experience from February 1988 with biliary lithotripsy in 125 patients. They review the protocol inclusion criteria and the various forms of complementary medical treatment. From this group, 30% of the patients underwent cholecystectomy, 45% received medical treatment and only 25% did not eventually require complementary medical therapy.

Tuberculous aneurysm of the femoral artery: a complication of bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine immunotherapy--a case report.

A case of bilateral femoral mycotic aneurysms resulting from bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine, is reported in a 74-year-old man treated by intravesical immunotherapy. The diagnosis was made after histologic and bacteriologic examinations and biochemical analysis of the acid-fast-baccilli. Treatment consisted of resection and replacement of the femoral arteries, with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft on the left side and a saphenous vein graft on the right side. After surgery the patient was treated with antituberculous chemotherapy for 1 year. The patient was doing well 18 months later.

Total versus subtotal gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the gastric antrum. A French prospective controlled study.

In a multicentric trial the postoperative mortality and the 5-year survival of elective total gastrectomy (TG) was compared with subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for adenocarcinoma of the antrum operated on with intent of cure. Two hundred and one patients were included in the study; 32 were excluded after pathologic examination (linitis plastica, superficial cancer, lymphoma). One hundred sixty-nine patients remained for analysis, with 93 undergoing TG and 76 undergoing SG. Elective TG did not increase postoperative mortality (1.3%) compared with SG (3.2%). There was no difference in the 5-year survival rate (48%). Analysis of survival showed no difference in the two techniques when related to nodal involvement and serosal extension. It is concluded that both TG and SG can be performed safely in patients with adenocarcinoma of the antrum; however TG did not increase the survival rate.

Extra-corporeal shock waves lithotripsy monotherapy for gallstones: a french experience

Estudo multicentrico, prospectivo, efetuado por cirurgioes de seis diferentes hospitais de Paris. Os criterios de selecao foram: doenca litiasica sintomatica, vesicula funcionante e presenca de um a cinco calculos de diametro superior a 30 mm. O aparelho utilizado foi o "French Sonolith 3000" e foi respeitado o limite de 2500 choques por sessao. Foram realizadas mais de quatro sessoes. Foram analisados 153 pacientes. Depois das sessoes, 31 tiveram dor no quadrante superior direito do abdome, dois colica biliar, dois febre e tres hematuria transitoria. Apos a ultima sessao, 26 por cento dos doentes nao tinham calculos residuais ou fragmentos de menos de 2 mm (bons resultados), 39 por cento apresentaram fragmentos de mais de 5 mm e 20 por cento nao haviam tido fragmentacao dos calculos. Bons resultados foram observados em: 1) 27 por cento dos calculos radiolucentos e 24 por cento dos calcificados; 2) 33 por cento dos casos de calculo unico, 13 porcento dos de dois calculos e 21 por cento dos de tres a cinco calculos; 3) 29 por cento dos doentes de calculos de menos de 10 mm, 27 por cento dos que tinham calculos de 10 a 20 mm e 18 por cento naqueles cujo diametro era de 20 a 30 mm. Dois enfermos necessitaram de esfincterotomia endoscopica logo depois de litotripsia para retirada de fragmentos coledocianos;...