10 ns PEFs induce a histological response linked to cell death and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in an immunocompetent mouse model of peritoneal metastasis.

PURPOSE: The application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) could be an effective therapeutic strategy for peritoneal metastasis (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the sensitivity of CT-26 CRC cells to nsPEFs in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, and to observe the subsequent in vivo histologic response. METHODS: In vitro cellular assays were performed to assess the effects of exposure to 1, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 10 ns pulses in a cuvette or bi-electrode system at 10 and 200 Hz. nsPEF treatment was applied alone or in combination with oxaliplatin and mitomycin. Cell death was detected by flow cytometry, and permeabilization and intracellular calcium levels by fluorescent confocal microscopy after treatment. A mouse model of PM was used to investigate the effects of in vivo exposure to pulses delivered using a bi-electrode system; morphological changes in mitochondria were assessed by electron microscopy. Fibrosis was measured by multiphoton microscopy, while the histological response (HR; hematoxylin-eosin-safran stain), proliferation (KI67, DAPI), and expression of immunological factors (CD3, CD4, CD8) were evaluated by classic histology. RESULTS: 10 ns PEFs exerted a dose-dependent effect on CT-26 cells in vitro and in vivo, by inducing cell death and altering mitochondrial morphology after plasma membrane permeabilization. In vivo results indicated a specific CD8+ T cell immune response, together with a strong HR according to the Peritoneal Regression Grading Score (PRGS). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of nsPEFs on CT-26 were confirmed in a mouse model of CRC with PM.

French intensive training course in laparoscopic surgery (HUGOFirst) on live porcine models: Validation of a performance assessment scale and residents' satisfaction in a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation as a method for practical teaching of surgical residents requires objective evaluation in order to measure the student's acquisition of knowledge and skills. The objectives of this article are to publish our evaluation and validation grids and also the measure of student satisfaction. METHOD: A teaching platform based on practical exercises with a porcine model was created in 2009 at seven French University Hospitals. Three times a year, 31 Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées Complémentaires (DESC) surgical residents underwent timed assessment of the performance of five surgical tasks: trocar insertion (trocars) testing the convergence of instruments (convergence), intra-corporeal knot tying (knots), running of the small intestine to find a lesion (exploration), and performance of a running suture closure of the peritoneum (closure). Two experts evaluated performances prospectively on grid score sheets specifically designed and validated for these exercises. We measured time, scores on a rating scale, and the interest and satisfaction of the residents. RESULTS: Data for 31 residents between May 2011 and March 2012 were analyzed. Rating scales were statistically validated and correlated (Kappa correlation coefficient K>0.69) for each task. The performance times of the most experienced residents decreased significantly for all tasks except for small bowel exploration (P=0.2). After four sessions, times were significantly improved with better quality (fewer errors and higher average scores [>88%]), regardless of the residents' experience. Of the participants, 92% were satisfied, 86% thought that the sessions improved their technical skills and 74% thought it had a favorable impact on their clinical practice. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the performance of surgical techniques can be improved through simulation, that HUFEG grids are valid, and that this teaching program is popular with surgical residents.

Professional risks when carrying out cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A French multicentric survey.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, many surgical teams have developed programs to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis with extensive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Currently, there are no specific recommendations for HIPEC procedures concerning environmental contamination risk management, personal protective equipment (PPE), or occupational health supervision. METHODS: A survey of the institutional practices among all French teams currently performing HIPEC procedures was carried out via the French network for the treatment of rare peritoneal malignancies (RENAPE). RESULTS: Thirty three surgical teams responded, 14 (42.4%) which reported more than 10 years of HIPEC experience. Some practices were widespread, such as using HIPEC machine approved by the European Community (100%), individualized or centralized smoke evacuation (81.8%), "open" abdominal coverage during perfusion (75.8%), and maintaining the same surgeon throughout the procedure (69.7%). Others were more heterogeneous, including laminar flow air circulation (54.5%) and the provision of safety protocols in the event of perfusate spills (51.5%). The use of specialized personal protective equipment is ubiquitous (93.9%) but widely variable between programs. CONCLUSION: Protocols regarding cytoreductive surgery/HIPEC and the associated professional risks in France lack standardization and should be established.

[Adrenal metastasis: survival following surgical resection]. / Métastase surranélienne: survie après chirurgie d'exérèse.

GOAL: This study aims to determine the post-surgical survival after resection of adrenal metastasis from extra-adrenal primary cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of sixteen patients undergoing surgery for adrenal metastasis between 1995 and 2005 analyzed age, type of primary cancer, interval to detection of adrenal metastasis, type of surgery performed, and survival (Kaplan-Meier curve). RESULTS: The study included 10 men and 6 women with a mean age of 55.5 years (25-74). Adrenal metastasis causes no clinical signs or symptoms. Diagnosis was made on the basis of CT scan in 12 cases and PET scan in 4 cases. The primary cancer site was lung (6), kidney (3), melanoma (2), colorectum (2), esophagus (1), pancreas (1), and B-cell lymphoma (1). Metastasis was confined to the adrenal in 7 cases and associated with other-site metastasis in 9. The interval from diagnosis of the primary cancer to detection of the adrenal metastasis ranged from 9 months to 11 years. Surgery consisted of radical resection in 5 cases, metastasectomy in 10 cases, and biopsy in one case. The overall survival was 12 months (range 2-120 months); when the diagnosis of the metastasis was synchronous with that of the primary, survival was just 8 months. CONCLUSION: The survival after surgery for adrenal metastasis is poor; it is even more dismal when the metastasis is diagnosed synchronously with the primary tumor. Surgical management depends on the primary neoplasm and the extent of metastases.

[Hepatic haemangioendothelioma: case report and review of literature]. / Hémangioendothéliome épithélioïde du foie: à propos d'un cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

A 37 year old-woman complained about persistant pain of right abdominal quadrant. We discovered many hepatic lesions. Histology revealed benign processus. Evolution was marked by peritoneal carcinomatosis. After reexamination of histology we discovered hepatic haemangioendothelioma. The patient died 18 month after diagnosis although chemotherapy.

[Inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulas. Report of a case]. / Les fistules artérioportales mésentériques inférieures. A propos d'un cas.

We report a case of postoperative inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula. Arteriovenous fistula represents a rare disease. Symptoms are due to portal hypertension and distal ischemy. Treatment of these fistulas is embolization. Surgery is possible by ligature or excision of the fistula because vascularisation is obtained by Riolan arcade and hypogastric artery.

[Spontaneous splenic rupture due to splenic metastasis of lung cancer]. / Rupture spontanée de rate révélatrice d'une métastase splénique d'un cancer du poumon.

We report the case of a patient who underwent splenectomy for spontaneous rupture of the spleen due to splenic metastasis. Pathologic examination revealed diffuse infiltration by carcinoma. Chest X-ray revealed a right lung superior lobe tumor, related to poorly differentiated carcinoma. Total splenectomy is a good option for diagnosis and treatment of splenic metastases.

[Aberrant pancreas: report of five cases]. / Les pancréas aberrants: à propos de cinq cas.

We herein report five cases of heterotopic pancreas localized on common bile duct, gastric antrum, duodenum (two cases including one with cystic dystrophy), and jejunum. The choledocal localization was revealed by jaundice. The duodenal localization with cystic, diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound, was revealed by onsets of acute pancreatitis. All localizations were treated by resection: antrectomy, bowel resection, and pancreaticoduodenectomy. Postoperative course was uneventful. Review of the literature shows that, even in uncomplicated cases, resection is usually performed.

[Apropos of a case of bilateral axillary supernumerary breasts]. / A propos d'un cas de seins surnuméraires axillaires bilatéraux.

We herein report a case of axillary localization of supernumerary breast. It is a matter of axillary bilateral masses mistaken as lipoma at clinical examination and ultrasonography. We here explain this confusion between lipoma and supernumerary breast. The aim of this work is to specify clinical characters of an axillary mass that must lead to suspect a supernumerary breast.

[Nephro-uretero-sigmoidectomy for colonic carcinoma associated with destruction of kidney after ureterosigmoidostomy: a case report]. / Néphro-urétéro-sigmoïdectomie pour cancer colique avec destruction rénale après urétéro-sigmoïdostomie: à propos d'un cas.

A patient underwent at his birth, an ureterosigmoidostomy for exstrophic bladder. Fifty-six years later, she presented a carcinoma on the right ureterosigmoidostomy associated with chronic urinary infection. She underwent a right ureteronephrectomy and sigmoidectomy. Chronic alterations of the colic mucin by urines lead to carcinoma.

Right hepatectomies without vascular clamping: report of 87 cases.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Portal triad clamping and total or intermittent hepatic vascular exclusion are usually used to reduce blood loss during major liver resections. We report, in this retrospective study, the results of right hepatectomy without vascular clamping. METHODS: From January 1986 to July 2001, 87 right hepatectomies, including 14 extended right hepatectomies, were performed without vascular clamping. There was 53 men and 34 women, with a mean age of 60.2 +/- 12.5 years. Indications were 58 metastases, 16 hepatocellular carcinomas, 5 cholangiocarcinomas, 4 adenomas, 3 angiomas, and 1 carcinoid tumor. All the procedures were carried out using an ultrasonic dissector and intraoperative ultrasonography with only vascular control (looping of the hepatic pedicle and supra; and infrahepatic vena cava). RESULTS: There were four postoperative deaths and 23 complications (26%), including hepatocellular failure (6), pulmonary complications (6), transient bile leakage (5), digestive bleeding (2), subphrenic abscess (1), inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis (1), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 1), and evisceration (1). Forty-two patients (48%) had no blood transfusion. The mean blood transfusion requirement was 1.5 +/- 2.7 units. The mean operative length was 280 +/- 60 min and the mean hospital stay was 12.8 +/- 8.1 days. Liver function test results were similar to those in other studies on days 1, 4, and 7 postoperatively, with a return to normal values after 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience with major liver resections, vascular clamping is not necessary.

Development of colonic stenosis following severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Colonic necrosis after acute pancreatitis is rare. When it does occur, it is commonly due to ischaemia or inflammation and may necessitate early colonic resection. CASE OUTLINE: A 72-year-old man developed colonic necrosis 6 weeks after severe acute pancreatitis. CT scan revealed a bulky mass near the left colon. Barium enema and colonoscopy revealed stenosis of the left colonic flexure, and this segment of bowel was successfully resected. DISCUSSION: Severe acute pancreatitis must be recognised as a cause of colonic ischaemia and necrosis. The possible pathogenic mechanisms include severe local inflammation and an ischaemic process. This complication is associated with a very poor prognosis despite surgical intervention, but a timely resection may prevent further problems.

[Composite, non-resorbable parietal prosthesis with polyethylene terephtalate-polyurethane (HI-TEX PARP NT): prevention of intraperitoneal adhesions. Experimental study in rabbits]. / Prothèse pariétale composite et non résorbable en polyéthylène téréphtalate-polyuréthane (HI-TEX PARP NT): prévention des adhérences intrapéritonéales. Etude expérimentale chez le lapin.

The authors report an experimental study in the rabbit with a new composite non absorbable mesh in Polyethylene Terephtalate-Polyurethane used for incisional hernia repair in intraperitoneal positioning. This new mesh has one permeable side in polyethylene terephtalate for rapid tissue fixation and another side in polyruethane, hydrophob in order to avoid cell penetration. Eighteen rabbits were operated. A wound was created in aponeurose, muscle and peritoneal abdominal wall. The mesh was placed in intraperitoneal positioning and was taken off at 4, 9 and 13 months for histologic examination and electronic microscopical examination. Tolerance, adhesion, tissular reaction and neoperitoneum formation have been studied. All the meshes were well integrated and without sepsis. In 18% of cases small and monocclusive intraperitoneal adhesions were found. This new composite mesh in intraperitoneal positioning gave good results at medium-term in the rabbit. It's an attractive alternative for incision hernias repair with intraperitoneal mesh.

[Video-guided retrosternoscopy: a new approach in retrosternal esophagoplasty]. / La "vidéorétrosternoscopie", une nouvelle approche dans l'oesophagoplastie rétrosternale.

In this study, the authors described a new videoscopically guided approach for tunneling in esophagoplasty and insertion of an esophageal prosthesis.

Rupture of mesenteric artery branch aneurysm.

We describe a case of ruptured mesenteric artery branch aneurysm. Since it is characterized by nonspecific clinical manifestations, aneurysm in this uncommon location is usually diagnosed following complications. Definitive diagnosis requires Doppler ultrasound followed by arteriography. The purpose of this report is to describe the pitfalls of diagnosis and define an appropriate management strategy. Unlike abdominal aortic aneurysm, isolated aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) branches are rare. Most cases are diagnosed after the occurrence of complications. Early diagnosis would be useful, since the natural course can be tragic without timely treatment. In this report, we describe one case of ruptured mesenteric artery branch aneurysm and review the literature for relevant data on the circumstances of discovery, methods of investigation, and appropriate management of these lesions.

Early experience with laparoscopic approach for solid liver tumors: initial 16 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with solid liver tumors. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although the laparoscopic approach has become popular in the surgical field, the value of laparoscopy in liver surgery is unknown. METHODS: Fifteen patients with solid liver tumors underwent 16 consecutive laparoscopic resections at the authors' institution between 1994 and 1999. Indications were symptomatic hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, liver cell adenoma, isolated metastasis from a colon cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The laparoscopic procedure was performed using four to seven ports (four 10-mm, two 5-mm, and one 12-mm). RESULTS: One patient underwent a major hepatic resection (right lobectomy); the others underwent minor hepatic resections (left lateral segmentectomies, IVb subsegmentectomies, segmentectomy, and nonanatomical excisions). The laparoscopic procedure was uneventful in 15 patients; one patient required conversion to open laparotomy because of inadequate free surgical margins. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery of the liver is feasible. The use of this new technical approach offers many advantages but requires extensive experience in hepatobiliary surgery and laparoscopic skills. The authors' experience suggests that laparoscopic procedures should be reserved for benign tumors in selected cases. Its application must be verified by further studies.

[Laparoscopic treatment of solid and cystic tumors of the liver. Study of 33 cases]. / Traitement laparoscopique des tumeurs solides et kystiques du foie. Etude de 33 cas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Laparoscopic liver surgery is still in its early stages. The aim of this study was to report our experience in the laparoscopic management of solid and cystic liver tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1991 to December 1999, 32 patients with various lesions of the liver underwent laparoscopic liver surgery. One group of patients presented with cysts (n = 15) (11 giant solitary cysts and 4 polycystic liver diseases) and one group of patients presented with solid tumours (n = 18): focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 8), haemangioma (n = 6), adenoma (n = 2), isolated metastasis from a colonic cancer (n = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1). Fifteen cyst fenestrations and eighteen liver resections were performed via a laparoscopic approach including 1 right lobectomy, 5 left lateral segmentectomies, 2 subsegmentectomies IVb, 1 segmentectomy III and 9 non-anatomical resections. RESULTS: Conversion to laparotomy was performed in one case (3%) at the end of the operation (patient who had successfully undergone left lateral segmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma) to check the resection margins and surgical transection had been performed in healthy parenchyma. Mean diameter of solid tumours was 6.5 cm and 15.7 cm for solitary cysts. The mean operating time for hepatic resections was 232 minutes. There was no postoperative mortality. Complications occurred in one case for each group and consisted in intestinal stricture through a port site requiring intestinal resection. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.6 days for solid tumours and 7.5 days for cystic lesions. In the group of cystic lesions, the recurrence rate was 50% with a 5.5-months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver surgery can be safely performed, but requires a good experience in open hepatic surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic approach is indicated in patients with symptomatic or atypical benign solid tumour, giant solitary cyst and polycystic liver disease, located anteriorly on the liver. Indications for malignant lesions have not been clearly defined and require further information.

[Bilobar Thyroid Agenesis]. / Agénésie bilobaire de la thyroïde.

A case of a 27-year-old female patient presenting with bilateral agenesis of the thyroid gland and a benign euthyroid adenoma of the isthmus and the pyramidal lobe is reported. The patient had for several years been followed for a cystic nodule that was presumed to have developed from the left thyroid lobe, having recently increased in size. Scintigraphic and echographic studies evoked the absence of right lobe. Direct examination at cervicotomy found hypoplasia of the two lobes. This report highlights the similarity of this rare anomaly to widely known hemiagenesis.