Vestigial retrorectal cystic tumors in adults: a review of 30 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Retrorectal tumors are uncommon. This is a report on a series of vestigial retrorectal cystic tumors in adults that were surgically removed at two medical centers in France. We also assessed the significance of imaging and, in particular, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the management of these lesions. METHODS: The medical files of adult patients operated on for vestigial retrorectal cystic tumors over the past 15 years were retrospectively studied and, in particular, the radiological studies, the treatment and the histopathology. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent surgery for vestigial retrorectal cystic tumor. A preoperative diagnosis was possible in almost all cases. The surgical procedure was justified by preoperative imaging and included the transanal approach (three cases), posterior approach (23 cases), anterior approach (two cases) and combined posterior and anterior approach (two cases). Imaging can identify a multilobular lesion that may require the use of a coccygeal approach to achieve complete resection. During a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (range 0.5-15 years), two patients had a local recurrence (successfully surgically removed), and a further two patients were lost to follow-up. Only one lesion was malignant. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative imaging, and especially magnetic resonance imaging, enables both a specific diagnosis and the selection of the optimal surgical procedure for the treatment of vestigial retrorectal cystic tumors in adults.

[Rectal amputation by pure perineal approach with laparoscopic colostomy: a palliative therapeutic option for low rectal or anal cancers for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities]. / Amputation du rectum par voie périnéale pure avec colostomie coelio-assistée: une option thérapeutique palliative pour les cancers du bas rectum ou de l'anus chez le sujet âgé ou multitaré.

Rectal syndrome caused by locoregional evolution of low rectal cancers and anal cancers is prevented and treated by surgical resection. But, for old patients with multiple tares, carcinologic surgical resection as abdominoperineal amputation can not be considered. Management of rectal syndrome becomes a therapeutic challenge. We reported a prospective serie of 5 patients more than 80 years old with multiple tares, treated by rectal amputation by pure perineal approach with laparoscopic colostomy. This surgery avoided for all patients trying rectal symptoms and maintained acceptable quality of life with fast coming back at home. The palliative treatment of low rectal cancers or anal cancers combining rectal amputation by pure perineal approach with laparoscopic colostomy may be an interesting therapeutic option for patients who cannot undergoing aggressive carcinologic surgical treatment.

[Reinterventions for complication and defect of coloesophagoplasty]. / Réinterventions pour complications et séquelles d'oesophagoplastie colique.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To report a series of 17 patients operated for a complication oesophagocoloplasty, with evaluation of therapeutic modalities, and both early and distant results. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From 1985 to 2003, 17 patients with a mean age of 50 years (range: 23-76) were reoperated after coloplasty pediculated on left superior colic vessels. Initial diseases were caustic ingestion (N=7), cancer (N=6), oesophageal perforation (N=2), gastric lymphoma (N=1) and oesotracheal fistula (N=1). Coloplasty has been performed as a first-intent procedure in 13 cases and as a second-intent procedure after failure of a previous operation in 4 cases. Nine patients were initially operated in another center and were subsequently referred in our unit. Complications needing reoperation were graft necrosis in 8 cases (47%) and stricture in 9 cases (53%). All patients with necrosis were reoperated within the 10 first postoperative days. RESULTS: Necroses were treated by complete (N=5) or partial (N=3) resection of the coloplasty. Strictures were treated by resection-reanastomosis (N=3), right ileocoloplasty (N=2), colic stricturoplasty (N=2), a free antebrachial flap (N=1) and a tubulized latissimus dorsi myocutaneous pedicled flap (N=1). The 30-day mortality rate was 12% (N=2) and the overall morbidity rate was 66%. All deaths occurred after reoperation for necrosis. Eleven patients (65%) kept or recovered digestive continuity (including the 9 with stenosis) and 8 (73%) eat normally. Four patients with transplant necrosis died before reestablishment. Four patients operated for necrosis died before restoration of digestive continuity and 2 patients are still awaiting restoration. CONCLUSION: Use of colon as an oesophageal substitute is risky. Reoperations for stenosis allows satisfactory oral feeding, while reoperation for necrosis is associated with both high early mortality and a low rate of restoration or digestive continuity. This later requires a range of complex surgical procedures.

[Intussusception of the small intestine due to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a case report and review of the literature]. / Invagination intestinale dans le cas d'un syndrome de Peutz-Jeghers et revue de la littérature.

One case of small bowel's intussuception has been found in one patient with abdominal pains. Since 13 years this patient has a Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. A resection of the small bowel has been performed followed by total intraoperative enteroscopy. Besides small bowel, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can affect many organs with an increased risk for cancer for patients affected by this genetic disease.

[Is preoperative localization of insulinomas necessary?]. / La localisation préopératoire des insulinomes est-elle utile?

STUDY AIM: To appreciate the impact of preoperative localization in surgical treatment of insulinomas. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1986 to 2001, 29 patients were surgically treated for suspected insulinoma. Preoperative imaging assessment was performed in 26 patients: ultrasonography (n = 21), computed tomography (n = 23), endoscopic ultrasonography (n = 13), intraoperative ultrasonography (n = 22) (2 of them under laparoscopic approach). RESULTS: The sensibility of the localization procedures was as follows: ultrasonography = 9.6%, computed tomography = 39%, endoscopic ultrasonography = 92.3%, surgical exploration 79.3%, intraoperative ultrasonography 86.3%. The sensibility of intraoperative palpation associated which intraoperative ultrasonography was 100%. Surgical procedures included: 11 enucleations, 10 segmental resections of the tail, 1 left pancreatectomy, 3 median pancreatectomies, 4 subtotal pancreatectomies. There was no postoperative mortality and postoperative morbidity rate was 17%, including 4 pancreatic leakages. Histological examination found solitary tumor in 22 patients (1 of them was a malignant tumor), multiple tumors (MEN 1) in 4 patients and factitious hypoglycemia in 3 patients. All the insulinomas were resected. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative evaluation of the pancreas with intraoperative ultrasonography was associated which a right localization in 100% of insulinomas. The place for preoperative imaging seems to be limited. A laparoscopic approach in sporadic insulinomas could modify this attitude.

[Current management of pheochromocytoma: about 50 cases]. / Traitement actuel des phéochromocytomes: à propos de 50 cas.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess our experience of the laparoscopic surgery of pheochromocytoma. We report indications and results of laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between january 1994 and may 2002, 50 patients underwent laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy for pheocromocytoma. The perioperative hemodynamic parameters were assessed for each patient. In each case, urinary metanephrine levels were measured at the second month postoperatively. The long term outcome was assessed in 44 patients. The mean follow-up was 39 months. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent open adrenalectomy: 8 patients for unilateral tumors (tumor size was > 8 cm in 7 cases) and 2 patients for bilateral tumors (1 recurrence and 1 cystic polylobed tumor). Fourty patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy: in 32 cases, including 1 patient with a bilateral tumor, no conversion was performed (tumor size was < 5 cm in 29 cases). In 8 cases (20%), a conversion to an open operation was performed. The reasons to convert were bleeding and periadrenal fibrosis in 7 cases. In laparoscopic adrenalectomy group, hemodynamic troubles were not more frequent, the hospital stay was shorter and there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the Gold standard procedure for patients with pheochromocytoma. But open adrenalectomy is sometimes indicated: tumor size > 8 cm, periadrenal fibrosis, and recurrence tumor.