[Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery in radical resection of rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application experience and clinical effects of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: The clinical data of 156 patients with rectal cancer treated with hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery between August 2009 and April 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The operative procedures of 156 patients were completed successfully and 1 case was converted to laparotomy (0.6%). The mean operation time was (125 ± 35) minutes; the mean intraoperative blood loss was (118 ± 60) ml; the mean time of bowel function recovery was (60 ± 8) hours; the median postoperative hospital stay was (9.5 ± 2.2) days. The mean number of lymph nodes dissection was (14 ± 5). Five patients (3.2%) had postoperative complications. All the patients were followed up. There had been no local recurrence or trocar site implantation metastasis. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery approach for the curative resection of rectal cancer is safe and effective and has broad prospects in clinical application.

Combined use of chemotherapeutics and oncolytic adenovirus in treatment of AFP-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which is always refractory to most chemotherapeutic agents may result in poor survival of patients with advanced HCC. Oncolytic adenovirus is a new form for cancer gene therapy via its ability to replicate and kill tumor cells in a tumor-specific manner. In order to eradicate tumors effectively, the combination of chemotherapeutic agents and oncolytic adenovirus has been considered. This study aimed to systematically analyze the possibility of synergistic cytotoxicity of oncolytic adenoviruses in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: Several types of human HCC cell lines were used to determine the specificity and cytotoxicity of oncolytic adenovirus Ad5-HC and Ad5-AFP (IRES) by measuring cell viability in vitro and antitumor efficiency in vivo. The cytotoxicity of Ad5-HC and Ad5-AFP (IRES) combined with chemotherapeutic agents were also assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. RESULTS: Both Ad5-HC and Ad5-AFP (IRES) were significantly cytotoxic to HCC cells with great specificity in vitro and in vivo. The combination of oncolytic adenovirus with 5-FU, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel was synergistically effective for the killing of HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that oncolytic adenovirus sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and the combination therapy of chemotherapeutic agents and oncolytic adenovirus has an enhanced antitumor effect on HCC cells.

A Modified Spontaneously Closed Defunctioning Tube Ileostomy After Anterior Resection of the Rectum for Rectal Cancer with a Low Colorectal Anastomosis.

The aim of this study is to introduce a new technique of modified spontaneously closed defunctioning tube ileostomy after anterior resection of the rectum for rectal cancer with a low colorectal anastomosis. Patients with rectal cancer who underwent anterior resection of rectum with a low colorectal anastomosis and chose a modified defunctioning tube ileostomy between March 2012 and August 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the success of the operation procedures, post-operative hospital stay, and post-operative tube ileostomy-related complications were analyzed. One hundred fifty-two patients (87 males and 65 females; 57.1 ± 17.4 years) undergoing the modified defunctioning tube ileostomy after anterior resection for rectal cancer were included. The post-operative hospital stay was 11.9 ± 3.2 days. The tube was removed on days 22.6 ± 4.1 after operation and the ileostomy wound closed spontaneously within 13.1 ± 1.9 days. Twenty-five patients felt tube-associated pain or discomfort, which was relieved after a period of adaptation and appropriate tube adjustment. Nine patients suffered from tube blockage and were treated successfully with saline irrigation. Two patients had intestinal obstruction, which was resolved with conservative treatment. Three patients developed leakage of the distal anastomosis: two were successfully treated with conservative measures and the other completely recovered after reoperation. The modified spontaneously closed defunctioning tube ileostomy appears efficacious and safe. This technique may be used to protect the distal anastomosis and simultaneously decrease the ileostomy complications, and minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with stoma takedown.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopy with open total colectomy for slow transit constipation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) and open colectomy (OC) for patients with slow transit constipation (STC). METHODS: Data of patients with STC who underwent total colectomy from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed after clinical evaluation and an exclusion of secondary causes. These patients were further divided into the HALC and OC groups. Patients' outcomes, including intraoperative and postoperative data on their recovery and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients with STC were finally enrolled in the study, including 32 in the HALC group and 36 in the OC group. The baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. Compared with the OC group, patients in the HALC group had a shorter length of incision, a longer operative time and less blood loss volume. There was no conversion to OC for patients undergoing HALC and no intraoperative complications in both groups. Furthermore, after operation, patients in HALC group experienced less pain (3.4 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 1.0), earlier first passage of flatus (58.3 ± 6.3 h vs 73.4 ± 13.0 h), shorter length of postoperative hospital stay (8.8 ± 1.2 days vs 11.3 ± 1.7 days) but higher medical cost (RMB 33 979 ± 3 135 vs RMB 29 828 ± 3 216). The overall postoperative complications and the satisfaction in defecation were comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSION: HALC is a safe, minimally invasive and effective surgical alternative for treating STC, which is comparable to OC.