Gamma-detecting probe used intraoperatively to locate the sentinel lymph node in patients with malignant melanoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: University hospital, Spain. SUBJECTS: 40 patients with malignant melanoma (24 stage I/II, 16 stage III). INTERVENTION: The day before operation a lymphoscintigram with 99mTc-nanocolloid was taken and the first lymph node identified was considered to be the sentinel node. A hand-held gamma probe was used for intraoperative mapping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Identification of the sentinel node. RESULTS: Sentinel nodes were identified in 39/40 patients (98%). In 24 patients with stage I/II disease, 34 sentinel nodes were found (6 invaded and 28 clear of melanoma). A total number of 161 regional lymph nodes were harvested, none of them invaded by melanoma. In 16 patients with stage III disease, 22 sentinel nodes were located (14 invaded and 8 clear of melanoma). A total of 89 regional lymph nodes were excised in patients with invaded sentinel nodes (44 of which were invaded and 45 clear of disease). 41 lymph nodes were excised from patients with clear sentinel nodes, and all were also clear of melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this is a useful technique for the selection of patients with melanoma who may require lymphadenectomy.

[Association between human papillomavirus infection, premalignant lesions of anal cancer, and the human immunodeficiency virus: prospective study on subjects with condylomata acuminata]. / Asociación entre la infección por el virus del papiloma humano, las lesiones premalignas del cáncer anal y el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: estudio prospectivo en individuos con condilomas acuminados.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases the risk for anal premalignant lesions associated to human papillomavirus infection (HPV). The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of HPV and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in patients with anal warts, with and without anti-HIV antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HPV was identified using in situ hybridization and SIL was classified in high and low grade. RESULTS: HPV infection was more frequent in anti-HIV positive patients although the difference was not statistically significant. All patients with a high grade SIL were anti-HIV positive (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HIV infection was associated with a high rate of high-grade SIL.

Effect of spleen size on splenectomy outcome. A comparison of open and laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is gaining acceptance as an alternative to open splenectomy (OS). However, splenomegaly presents an obstacle to LS, and massive splenomegaly has been considered a contraindication. Analyses comparing the procedure with the open approach are lacking. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of spleen size on operative and immediate clinical outcome in a series of 105 LS compared with a series of 81 cases surgically treated by an open approach. METHODS: Between January 1990 and November 1998, 186 patients underwent a splenectomy for a wide range of splenic disorders. Of these patients, 105 were treated by laparoscopy (group I, LS; data prospectively recorded) and 81 were treated by an open approach (group II, OS analyzed retrospectively). Patients also were classified into three groups according to spleen weight: group A, <400 g; group B, 400-1000 g; and group C, >1000 g. Age, gender, operative time, perioperative transfusion, spleen weight, conversion rate, mode of spleen retrieval (bag or accessory incision), postoperative analgesia, length of stay, and morbidity were recorded in both main groups. RESULTS: Operative time was significantly longer for LS than for OS. However, LS morbidity, mortality, and postoperative stay were all lower at similar spleen weights. Spleens weighing more than 3,200 g required conversion to open surgery in all cases. When LS outcome for hematologic malignant diagnosis was compared with LS outcome for a benign diagnosis, malignancy did not increase conversion rate, morbidity, and transfusion, even though malignant spleens were larger and accessory incisions were required more frequently. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in malignant than in benign diagnosis (5 +/- 2.4 days vs. 4 +/- 2.3 days; p < 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with enlarged spleens, LS is feasible and followed by lower morbidity, transfusion rate, and shorter hospital stay than when the open approach is used. For the treatment of this subset of patients, who usually present with more severe hematologic diseases related to greater morbidity, LS presents potential advantages.

Residual splenic function after laparoscopic splenectomy: a clinical concern.

OBJECTIVE: To document the existence of residual splenic function after laparoscopic splenectomy in a series of 48 patients. DESIGN: A noncomparative descriptive case series. SETTING: A tertiary care center. PATIENTS: A series of 9 patients without clinical improvement after laparoscopic splenectomy of 48 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy for several hematologic disorders after a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 1-40 months). INTERVENTIONS: A computed tomographic scan and technetium Tc 99m sodium pertechnetate heat-damaged red blood cell scintigraphy were performed for patients with partial (platelet count <100x10(9)/L) or total (platelet count <50x10(9)/L) failure of improvement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Evidence of residual splenic tissue by image diagnosis. RESULTS: The condition of 9 of the 48 patients failed to improve after laparoscopic splenectomy. Six patients experienced a total failure of improvement and 3 experienced a partial failure of improvement (1 patient had human immunodeficiency virus-related thrombocytopenia and 8 had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Three patients had residual splenic function, which was revealed by scintigraphy. The results of a computed tomographic scan showed an accessory spleen in one patient and splenic implants in splenic fossa in another patient. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy has a promising role in the management of hematologic diseases requiring splenectomy, but it requires exquisite care to avoid parenchymal rupture and cell spillage and to avoid leaving accessory spleens, which can lead to the failure of surgical treatment.

[Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis simulating gallbladder neoplasm: therapeutic implications]. / Colecistitis xantogranulomatosa simulando una neoplasia de vesícula: implicaciones terapéuticas.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is an infrequent type of chronic cholecystitis whose histologic features, in some cases, show a macroscopic appearance which may lead to suspicion of a gallbladder neoplasm with the consequent contraindication of the laparoscopic approach. The incidence of XGC was reviewed in a prospective series of 514 cholecystectomies performed in the authors' department from January 1991 to January 1996. Fourteen cases (2.7%) of XGC were identified with a male/female ratio of 1/1.8 and a mean age of 71 +/- 9 years. The most frequent form of presentation observed was hepatic cholic (43%). Echography showed cholelithiasis in 13 patients (93%). In 3 cases (21%), clinical and echographic suspicion of neoplasm was established, two being in the gallbladder, thus contraindicating the laparoscopic approach. A third patient underwent surgery for suspicion of a colon neoplasm. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis presents a macroscopic appearance which may be interpreted as a gallbladder neoplasm in up to 25% of the cases thus leading to treatment with laparoscopy.