[Phaeochromocytoma as an unusual aetiology of cardiogenic shock]. / Le phéochromocytome comme cause inhabituelle de choc cardiogénique.

The authors reported a case involving a young patient with a cardiogenic shock associated to an acute pulmonary oedema. According to the seriousness of the shock, an external ventricular assist device (VAD) was initially inserted and replaced thereafter because of the cardiovascular instability, by an external pneumatic biventricular assist device. A cardiogenic shock induced by an acute adrenergic myocarditis due to a phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed. The patient was weaned from the VAD on day 84 and was scheduled for elective surgery of the phaeochromocytoma on day 93. The authors discussed the time of the surgery according to the anticoagulation therapy necessary to the VAD and the necessary caution taken if a cardiogenic shock appeared around surgery.

Thoracoscopic plication of the diaphragm for postoperative phrenic paralysis: a report of two cases.

Unilateral phrenic nerve paralysis after cardiothoracic surgery is not uncommon. When symptomatic, it can require surgical treatment. Plication of the diaphragm through a thoracotomy is known to provide excellent long-term results. Plication is now being performed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We report the cases of two patients with postoperative left phrenic nerve paralysis who underwent plication of the diaphragm using VATS and achieved total relief of all symptoms.

Elective laparoscopic colonic resection for diverticular disease: results of a multicenter study in 179 patients.

BACKGROUND: We undertook a retrospective multicenter study of elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis in order to assess the safety and the results of the procedure performed by a large number of surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and April 1999, the French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery recruited retrospectively 179 patients from 10 surgical units, operated on for elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. There were 94 men and 85 women with a mean age of 58 years (range, 30-82). The indications for surgery were acute attacks in 123 cases, complicated diverticulitis in 47 cases, and miscellaneous in 9 cases. RESULTS: The performed procedure was a successful laparoscopic assisted sigmoidectomy in 154 cases (with totally intracorporeal anastomosis in 136 cases and hand-sewn anastomosis via small incision in 18 cases). The mean operation time was 223 min +/- 79 (range, 100-480). There was no mortality and 23 complications occurred in 23 patients (14.9%). Postoperative ileus lasted 2.5 +/- 0.9 days (range, 1-6), and oral intake started after 3.3 +/- 1.3 days (range, 1-12). The mean postoperative stay was 9.3 days (range, 4-50). Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 25 cases (13.9%). The essential causes of conversion were obesity, severe adhesions, and colonic inflammation. The mean postoperative stay for the 25 converted patients was 13 +/- 8.5 days (range, 7-42). CONCLUSION: Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis is feasible and is safe. The complication and mortality rates are similar to those observed after open procedures. For experienced surgical teams, laparoscopic colonic resection is a good approach for selected patients suffering from symptomatic diverticulitis.

[Late intestinal fistula following implantation of parietal abdominal prostheses]. / Fistules intestinales tardives après implantation de prothèse pariétale abdominale.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe an unusual complication of the nonabsorbable meshes used for repair of incisional hernia or inguinal hernia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included eight observations of intestinal fistulas that occurred between 1 and 13 years after using Mersilène (Dacron) mesh for repair of an incisional hernia (7 cases) and an inguinal hernia (1 case). There were 6 men and 2 women (mean age: 58 years, range: 35-85 years) with an external intestinal fistula (n = 6) or an internal intestinal fistula (n = 2). All the patients required a reoperation for extraction of the mesh and treatment of the bowel injuries. RESULTS: There was one secondary death in a 85 years old woman in relation with a vascular complication after incomplete excision of the prosthesis. In five patients out of six, there was a recurrence of the incisional hernia. CONCLUSION: The intestinal fistulas associated with prosthetic repair of the abdominal wall are mostly observed with intraperitoneal mesh but this factor is not exclusive. Their frequency after repair of incisional or inguinal hernia with non absorbable mesh is estimated between 0.3 and 3.5%. The use of nonabsorbable mesh should be limited to the indications of strict necessity, without any septic context or emergency surgery. The contact of the mesh with the bowel should be formally avoided.

[Laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcers. Results of a retrospective multicentric study. French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery]. / Le traitement laparoscopique de l'ulcère duodénal perforé. Résultats d'une étude rétrospective multicentrique. Société française de chirurgie laparoscopique (SFCL).

STUDY AIM: The aim of this multicentric retrospective study was to report procedures, mortality and morbidity rate in a series of patients operated on for perforated duodenal ulcer with a laparoscopic approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four-hundred and nineteen patients from 18 centers were included. The duration of the study was ten years (1990 to 1999). There were 299 men and 120 women aged from 19 to 98 years (mean: 48 years). The ASA scores were as follows: I (48.7%), II (31.3%), III (17.5%), IV (2.5%). The mean duration between the onset of perforation and the time of operation was 13.4 hours (range: 1-70). The surgical procedures were suture (76.7%), epiploplasty (9.9%), only irrigation of the abdominal cavity (2.7%). RESULTS: Conversion into laparotomy was performed in 10.6% of the patients. Mean operative time was 85 minutes. The morbidity and mortality rates were 13.4 and 1.4% respectively. Seventeen patients were reoperated because of fistula (n = 5), intra-abdominal abscess (n = 5), small bowel obstruction (n = 4), bleeding ulcer (n = 1), iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder (n = 1) and small bowel (n = 1). Mean hospital stay was 8.5 days. All patients were discharged with a medical treatment of the peptic ulcer disease and in most of the cases, with antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Six patients out of 96 with a medical history of chronic peptic ulcer underwent a vagotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenal ulcer is a safe option providing low rates of morbidity, reoperation and mortality, and can be considered the treatment of choice.

[Laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic diseases. Study of 275 cases. French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery]. / Splénectomie laparoscopique pour maladies hématologiques. Etude de 275 cas. Société Française de Chirurgie Laparoscopique.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the results of laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic diseases by a multicenter retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 1998, 275 patients (mean age: 40.4 years [18-93]) underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n = 209, 76%), for hemolytic anemia (HA) (n = 37) including hereditary spherocytosis (n = 13) and auto-immune anemia (n = 24), lymphoma (n = 12), tumor (n = 6) and uncommon hematologic syndromes (n = 11). Laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted in every patient. The lateral approach was most commonly used with an anterior approach to the splenic hilar vessels, which were cut after hemostasis using a stapling gun; other techniques were also employed. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 165 minutes (45-360); it was shorter in the case of conversion (144 minutes) and became shorter with the operator's experience. Conversion was necessary in 55 patients (20%), due to hemorrhage in 2/3 of cases, related to splenic vessels (20 cases), short gastric vessels (9 cases), or injury of the spleen (8 cases). In ten cases (2%), conversion was necessary for extraction of the spleen. Conversion rate varied from 5.3 to 46.7%, depending on the surgical team. Univariate analysis of factors predisposing to conversion identified four causes: obesity; technique used to achieve hemostasis of the splenic hilar vessels; operator's experience; and presence of splenomegaly. An accessory spleen was found in 44 patients (16%). The weight of the spleen was more than 350 g in 43 patients (15.6%). There were no deaths. There were no significant complications in 236 patients (85.8%) and the mean hospital stay was 6.4 days. In comparison with patients who had a conversion, bowel function returned significantly earlier, use of analgesia was reduced and hospital stay was shorter. The overall morbidity rate was 13.8% (n = 38); morbidity rate was only 10.4% (n = 22) for laparoscopic splenectomy. In these 22 patients, the complications were: subphrenic collections (n = 5, 2.2%), abdominal wall infections (n = 5), thromboembolic events (n = 2), anemia (n = 2), pneumonia (n = 1), peptic ulcer (n = 1), bowel obstruction (n = 1), splenic vein thrombosis (n = 1). Re-operations were required in 4 patients (1.8%) because of hemorrhage, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction. Morbidity rate was significantly increased in the case of conversion (27%), obesity (20%), malignant disease (30%) and splenomegaly (21.8%). Forty-four patients (16%) received perioperative or postoperative blood transfusion and 23 (8.3%) received platelet transfusion. Mean time to return to normal activity was 21 days and was shorter in the absence of conversion (18.5 days versus 35 days). In patients with ITP, the mean platelet count was 240,000 after 3 months, and the failure rate was 8.3%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a real alternative to conventional splenectomy for some hematologic diseases, particularly ITP and HA. The advantages are an uneventful postoperative course, a lower morbidity rate, a shorter hospital stay and an earlier return to normal activity. The limits of this technique are related to the operator's experience, the size of the spleen, the nature of the underlying disorders and patient characteristics, mainly obesity.

[Laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct lithiasis. Study of 56 cases]. / Traitement laparoscopique de la lithiase de la voie biliaire principale. Etude de 56 cas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones in an unicentric series of 56 patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 1993 to April 1998, 56 patients, 38 women, 18 men (mean age: 59.2 years), underwent a common bile duct exploration for lithiasis through a laparoscopic approach. The patients were hospitalised for angiocholitis (n = 13), cholecystitis (n = 11), biliary pain (n = 29, nine with jaundice), pancreatitis (n = 3), abnormality of hepatic profile (n = 1). All the patients underwent an intraoperative cholangiography. Removal of the stones was tried in 50 cases through a choledochotomy, in four through the cystic duct, using Mirrizi forceps, or Dormia and Fogarty catheters in case of failure. External biliary drainage and postoperative cholangiography were done systematically. The average diameter of the common bile duct was 10.5 mm (6-20 mm). RESULTS: In 41 patients, removal of the stones was laparoscopically successful. In 11 patients, a conversion into laparotomy was necessary for several reasons. In three patients with common bile duct of small diameter, the stones were abandoned for a further endoscopic sphincterotomy. There was no mortality and the morbidity rate was 7%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.6 days (4-20) for all the series and 7.8 days in case of successful laparoscopic management. CONCLUSION: In 73% of the patients, the treatment of the common bile duct lithiasis could be achieved laparoscopically, but conventional approach and endoscopic sphincterotomy are still useful in case of failure of the laparoscopic management.

[Medico-economic evaluation of treatment of inguinal hernia: Shouldice vs. laparoscopy]. / Evaluation médico-économique de la cure de hernie inguinale: Shouldice vs laparoscopie.

Between May 1994 and September 1995, 64 men were included in a randomized prospective study comparing conventional Shouldice repair (S group) and transperitoneal laparoscopic repair with polypropylene mesh (L group). Cost evaluation was divided into distinct parts: drugs, non usable surgical materials, medico-technical procedures food and employees costs. In group S, mean operating time was 56', total cost was 3,922 FF in the case of unilateral hernia and 4,808 FF and respectively 77' in the case of bilateral hernia. In group L, mean operative time was 89', total cost 8,949 FF (disposable trocars) and 7,136 FF (non-disposable trocars) in the case of unilateral hernia and 116', 9,570 FF and 7,763 FF in case of bilateral hernia. Postoperative stay was 4.2 days in group S and 4 days in group L. Return to work was 28.6 days in group L and 35.5 days in group S (ns). In conclusion laparoscopic hernia repair does not decrease post operative pain, hospital stay and return to work, but is twice as expensive.

Laparoscopic anatomical hepatic resection. Report of four left lobectomies for solid tumors.

Four patients underwent a laparoscopic left hepatic resection for solid tumor, two for metastasis from colonic cancer, and two for focal nodular hyperplasia (final diagnosis). The procedure was performed according to the rules of conventional hepatic surgery and cancer surgery. No blood transfusion was necessary. No surgical complication occurred. In malignant disease, laparoscopy allows a good staging and the performance of a real no-touch technique; the specimen is removed in a plastic bag without contact to the abdominal wall. In symptomatic benign disease the esthetic benefit of the laparoscopic approach is real. In asymptomatic benign disease, laparoscopy could allow large biopsies in the case of uncertain diagnosis or dangerous resection. It allows safe resections in the case of small, well-located tumors. This approach requires sophisticated material and extensive experience in both laparoscopy and hepatobiliary surgery.

[Contribution of laparoscopy in the management of abdominal stab wounds]. / Apport de la coelioscopie dans la prise en charge des plaies par arme blanche de l'abdomen.

Laparotomy is useless in 5 to 39% of patients suffering from penetrating abdominal trauma. The objective of this study is to try to determine the value of laparoscopy in the management of such patients. Thirteen patients underwent laparoscopy for abdominal wound. 11 of these patients had a penetrating abdominal trauma and only 4 of them suffered from lesions requiring surgical treatment (2 intestinal wounds, 1 gastric wound and 1 coeliac artery disruption). No treatment was required in 30 cases (1 wound of intestinal serosa and 2 superficial hepatic wounds). In the last 6 cases no intra-abdominal wound was found. There was no mortality or morbidity. No lesions were missed at laparoscopy. Laparoscopy avoided useless laparotomy in 9 out of 13 patients. This suggests that laparoscopy is a reliable method in the management of patients suffering from abdominal wounds, allowing a very sensitive and specific diagnosis of penetration and visceral injuries. In some cases, is allows laparoscopic treatment of the visceral injury.

[Pancreatic somatostatinoma and MEN 1. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]. / Somatostatinome pancréatique et NEM 1. A propos d'une observation. Revue de la littérature.

The pancreatic somatostatinoma belongs to the type of rare endocrine tumors of the pancreas. We report the observation of a 54 year old woman. Previously she was suffering from diabetes mellitus. An abdominal ultrasonography revealed an endocrine tumor of the pancreatic tail. There was no specific symptomatology, with the exception for the hyperglycaemia. The diagnosis of somatostatinoma was certified post operatively by the immunocytochemistry of the tumor. Then, the patient developed a hypercalcaemia associated with an increase of parathyroid hormone. The surgery of the neck revealed three hyperplastic parathyroids, inducing this association as a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). The patient did not develop pituitary tumor. Afterwards, scintigraphy with 111 Indium- octreotide showed a residual tumor at the head of pancreas. Basal levels of somatostatine and calcium, pentagastrine test, computed tomography scan, arteriography were negative. The presence of a second somatostatinoma was confirmed by surgery and immunohistology. One year after the surgery, the patient remains clinically well. The pancreatic localization of the somatostatinoma in a MEN 1 is poorly documented. Its malignant nature can only be assured by the presence of metastases. The genetic detection of the MEN 1 becomes possible. Above all, the treatment is based on surgery and/or chemotherapy (Fluoro-Uracile; Streptozotocine). In our case, 111 In-octreotide scintigraphy was the only method demonstrating a residual focus, suggesting it could be an element of reference for the diagnosis and survey of somatostatinoma the watch of patients having a treatment for somatostatinoma.

[Place of celio-video-surgery in splenectomy for hematologic diseases]. / Place de la coelio-vidéo-chirurgie dans les splénectomies pour maladie hématologique.

In order to evaluate the place of the laparoscopic approach in splenectomy for haematological disease, the authors prospectively studied a series of 25 consecutive patients requiring splenectomy. There were 11 cases of thrombocytopenic purpura, 9 lymphomas, 2 cases of herediary spherocytosis, 1 Felty syndrome, 1 idiopathic myelofibrosis and 1 Hodgkin disease. Twelve patients (48%) underwent an immediate conventional procedure for huge splenomegaly (10), obesity (1), unavailability of video-equipment. Thirteen patients (52%) underwent a laparoscopic approach. Five of these operations were converted into a conventional approach for various reasons. In the other 8 patients, the spleen was completely released laparoscopically. In two of these 8 patients, the spleen was removed via a sub-pubic Pfannenstiel incision due toits volume. The last 6 spleens (24%) were removed in a plastic bag, corresponding to 5 cases of one thrombocytopenic purpura and one Hodgkin disease. None of these patients were obese. These results suggest that the laparoscopic approach is indicated in case of moderate splenemegaly in non-obese patients.

Pathologic assessment of tumor regression after preoperative chemoradiotherapy of esophageal carcinoma. Clinicopathologic correlations.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation for esophageal carcinoma are under investigation. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if pathologic assessment of tumor regression correlated with disease free survival. METHODS: Ninety-three resected specimens from patients treated with cis-dichloro-diamino cisplatin and irradiation before surgery were examined on semiserial sections. Patients selected for surgery were all Status 1 according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Histologic typing was based on the WHO classification. Tumor regression grade (TRG) was quantitated in five grades: TRG 1 (complete regression) showed absence of residual cancer and fibrosis extending through the different layers of the esophageal wall; TRG 2 was characterized by the presence of rare residual cancer cells scattered through the fibrosis; TRG 3 was characterized by an increase in the number of residual cancer cells, but fibrosis still predominated; TRG 4 showed residual cancer outgrowing fibrosis; and TRG 5 was characterized by absence of regressive changes. Survival curves were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. A quantification of the relationship between treatment failure and confounding variables (age, tumor location, tumor size, esophageal wall involvement by residual cancer and/or regressive changes, histology, treatment, adequacy of surgery, pathologic lymph node status, and tumor regression grade) was done using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of specimens were TGR 1-2; 20%, TGR 3; and 33%, TGR 4-5. Univariate analysis found that tumor size, pathologic lymph node status, tumor regression grade, and esophageal wall involvement were highly correlated with disease free survival (P < 0.05). After multivariate analysis, only tumor regression (i.e., TRG 1-3 versus TRG 4-5) remained a significant (P < 0.001) predictor of disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of tumor regression in the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. These findings suggest that tumor regression grade should be considered when evaluating therapeutic results.

[Celioscopic treatment of perforations of duodenal ulcers. 6 cases]. / Traitement coelioscopique des perforations d'ulcère duodénal. 6 observations.

Traditionally, perforations of duodenal ulcers are managed by suturing followed by peritoneal lavage and the underlying cause is addressed secondarily. Laparoscopy provides a means of meeting the different therapeutic needs. From May to October 1993, we treated 6 consecutive perforations of duodenal ulcers laparoscopically. In 5 cases, the perforation was the first manifestation of acute duodenal ulceration and the other case was chronic. The laparoscopic operation included peritoneal lavage and simple suture of the ulcer. The immediate post-operative period was uneventful. With a current follow-up of 3.6 months, 5 patients are asymptomatic and ulcer cicatrization has been confirmed by fibroscopy. In the sixth case with a past history of chronic duodenal ulcer, re-operation was required after a delay of 2 months for acido-fundic vagotomy (performed laparoscopically). The local presentation was satisfactory in this patient. Extensive peritoneal lavage, which can be performed with laparoscopy together with suture when the ulcer is recent, allows managing such patients according to Taylor's method. The usefulness of vagotomy can then be addressed and performed later laparoscopically after the initial lavage. This new approach offers a means of complete cure and has all the advantages of the classical technique.