Defining distal splenopancreatectomy by the mesopancreas.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of the pathologic CRM (circumferential resection margin) staging system for pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinomas (hPDAC) resulted in a dramatic increase of R1 resections at the dorsal resection margin, presumably because of the high rate of mesopancreatic fat (MP) infiltration. Therefore, mesopancreatic excision (MPE) during pancreatoduodenectomy has recently been promoted and has demonstrated better local disease control, fueling the discussion of neoadjuvant downsizing regimes in MP + patients. However, it is unknown to what extent the MP is infiltrated in patients with distal pancreatic (tail/body) carcinomas (dPDAC). It is also unknown if the MP infiltration status affects surgical margin control in distal pancreatectomy (DP). The aim of our study was to histopathologically analyze MP infiltration and elucidate the influence of resection margin clearance on recurrence and survival in patients with dPDAC. Furthermore, the results were compared to a collective receiving MPE for hPDAC. METHOD: Clinicopathological and survival parameters of 295 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for PDAC (n = 63 dPDAC and n = 232 hPDAC) were evaluated. The CRM evaluation was performed in a standardized fashion and the specimens were examined according to the Leeds pathology protocol (LEEPP). The MP area was histopathologically evaluated for cancerous infiltration. RESULTS: In 75.4% of dPDAC patients the MP fat was infiltrated by vital tumor cells. The rates of MP infiltration and R0CRM- resections were similar between dPDAC and hPDAC patients (p = 0.497 and 0.453 respectively). MP- infiltration status did not correlate with CRM implemented resection status in dPDAC patients (p = 0.348). In overall survival analysis, resection status and MP status remained prognostic factors for survival. In follow up analysis. surgical margin clearance in dPDAC patients was associated with a significant improvement in local recurrence rates (5.2% in R0CRM- resected vs. 33.3 in R1/R0CRM + resected, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: While resection margin status was not affected by the MP status in dPDAC patients, the high MP infiltration rate, as well as improved survival in MP- dPDAC patients after R0CRM- resection, justify mesopancreatic excision during splenopancreatectomy. Larger scale studies are urgently needed to validate our results and to study the effect on neoadjuvant treatment in dPDAC patients.

Mesopancreatic excision for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma improves local disease control and survival.

BACKGROUND: Survival in ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head (hPDAC) is poor. After implementation of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) into standard histopathological evaluation, the margin negative resection rate has drastically dropped. However, the impact of surgical radicality on survival and the influence of malignant infiltration of the mesopancreatic fat remains unclear. At our institution, a standardized dissection of the mesopancreatic lamina and peri-pancreatic vessels are obligatory components of radical pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of our study was to histopathologically analyze mesopancreatic tumor infiltration and the influence of CRM-evaluated resection margin on relapse-free and overall survival. METHOD: Clinicopathological and survival parameters of 264 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for hPDAC were evaluated. RESULTS: The rate of R0 resection R0(CRM-) was 48.5%, after the implementation of CRM. Mesopancreatic fat infiltration was evident in 78.4% of all consecutively treated patients. Patients with mesopancreatic fat infiltration were prone to lymphatic metastases (N1 and N2) and had a higher rate of positive resection margin (R1/R0(CRM+)). In multivariate analysis, only R0 resection was shown to be an independent prognostic parameter. Local recurrence was diagnosed in only 21.1% and was significantly lower in patients with R0(CRM-) resected hPDACs (10.9%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Mesopancreatic excision is justified, since mesopancreatic fat invasion was evident in the majority of our patients. It is associated with a significantly improved local tumor control as well as longer relapse-free and overall survival.

Surgical margin clearance and extended chemotherapy defines survival for synchronous oligometastatic liver lesions of the ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: The role of surgery for circumscribed synchronous hepatic lesions of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains controversial. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare survival outcome (OS) after surgery of patients with hepatic metastases (M1surg) to patients with only localized disease. METHODS: Correlation analysis of clinicopathological data and OS after resection of M1surg patients and patients with localized PDACs (M0) was performed. Patients were included for survival analysis only if a complete staging including perineural, venous and lymphatic invasion was available. RESULTS: Out of the study collective, 35 patients received extended surgery (M1surg), whereas 131 patients received standardized surgery for localized disease (M0). Length of hospitalization and mortality was similar in both groups. FOLFIRNOX as an adjuvant treatment regime was administered in ~ 23 and ~ 8% of M1surg and M0 patients, respectively. In subgroup analysis of R0 resected patients and in multivariate analysis of the total cohort, there was no difference in overall survival between both groups. Only the resection status (R1 vs R0) and venous invasion (V1) were identified as independent prognostic factors. Site of recurrence in R0 resected M1surg patients and in M0 patients were homogenously distributed. CONCLUSION: This is the first study demonstrating a survival benefit after extended surgery for synchronously hepatic-metastasized PDACs. We found no difference in survival outcome of metastasized patients when compared to patients with localized disease. FOLFIRINOX as an adjuvant treatment regime for resected M1surg presumably is worthwhile. Larger multicenter studies are still needed to validate our results.

Site of relapse of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas affects survival after multimodal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies. To date, no guidelines exists for isolated resectable metachronous disease. It is still unknown, which patients may benefit from relapse surgery. The aim of our study was to compare disease free survival (DFS) and post relapse survival (PRS) in patients with isolated local recurrence, metachronous hepatic or pulmonary metastases. METHODS: Patients with isolated resectable local recurrence, metachronous hepatic or pulmonary metastases were included for survival analyses. PRS of surgically treated patients (local (n = 11), hepatic (n = 6) and pulmonary metastases (n = 9)) was compared to conservatively treated patients (local (n = 17), hepatic (n = 37) and pulmonary metastases (n = 8)). RESULTS: Resected PDAC patients suffering from isolated metachronous hepatic metastases initially had a higher T-stage and venous invasion (V1) compared to the other patients. DFS in the metachronous pulmonary metastases group was longer compared to DFS of the hepatic metastases and local recurrence groups. Surgical resection significantly improved PRS in patients with local recurrence and pulmonary metastases, when compared to patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Very-long term survivors (> 5 years) were detected following secondary resection of local recurrence and 45% of these patients were still alive at the end of our study period. CONCLUSION: Although DFS in PDAC patients suffering from isolated local recurrence was dismal and comparable to that of patients with isolated hepatic metastases, very-long term survivors were present only in this group. These results indicate that a surgical approach for isolated local recurrence, if anatomically possible, should be considered.

Expression of collagen types I, II and III in juvenile angiofibromas.

Extracellular matrix components have rarely been the focus of interest in juvenile angiofibroma (JA) studies. Although JAs are known to be collagen-rich tumours, single collagens have not been analysed so far. This investigation aimed to study the expression of the fibrillar collagen types I, II and III in JAs using quantitative RT-PCR (n = 15), Western blot analysis (n = 7) and immunohistochemical staining (n = 9). Nasal mucosa (NM) specimens were used as control tissues. ELISA investigation (n = 3) was performed to determine the concentration of C-terminal propeptide of type I collagen in blood serum before and after JA resection. Quantitative RT-PCR found significantly elevated Col1A1 (p < 0.001), Col1A2 (p < 0.001) and Col3A1 (p < 0.001) mRNA levels in JAs, compared with NM. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining proved that there is a significant collagen type I and III protein expression in JAs. In none out of 3 patients, ELISA investigation found evidence for elevated concentrations of C-terminal propeptide of type I collagen before tumour resection, compared with postsurgical measurements. Results of the findings using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry determined that type II collagen is practically absent in JAs. Based on these findings, type I and III collagen are confirmed as being major components of the extracellular matrix in JAs. However, our findings are not encouraging as regards the use of C-terminal Col I propeptide as a suitable serum tumour marker. Our findings confirming that collagen type II expression is practically absent in JAs refutes the theory that JAs originate in cartilage tissue.

Left ventricular geometry and cardiac function during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: This investigation was designed to study the changes in function and geometry of the left ventricle during two critical steps of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass procedures: placement of an epicardial stabilizer and occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. METHODS: Between February 1997 and January 1998, 28 patients underwent bypass grafting with the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery (minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass technique). Transesophageal echocardiography was used for determination of fractional area change and to assess left ventricular (LV) diameters in two dimensions and at the apex. RESULTS: Placement of the epicardial stabilizer resulted in a small decrease in LV end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions; cardiac function remained unchanged. Subsequent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery caused a moderate decline in cardiac index and fractional area change, an increase in LV diameters, and the development of hypokinetic segments within the LV myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an epicardial stabilizer provides a safe and effective means to stabilize the operative field during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass procedures. Monitoring of LV function by transesophageal echocardiography enhances the safety of such procedures and is highly recommended.

Accuracy of radiological tumour size assessment and the risk for re-excision in a cohort of primary breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Re-operations after breast conserving surgery (BCS) are necessary, when specimen margins are not free of breast cancer cells. This study explored the accuracy of preoperative tumour size assessment and its influence on the rate of re-excisions and mastectomies. METHODS: The study included 1591 patients with invasive breast cancer, who were planned for BCS. Patient, staging and tumor characteristics were evaluated concerning their influence on re-excision and mastectomy rates. Patient and tumor characteristics comprised histopathological tumour size, HER2 status, multifocality, in situ component, grading (G), nodal status and hormone receptor (HR) status. Staging characteristics included deviation from pathological tumour size as measured by clinical examination, sonography and mammography. RESULTS: In 1316 patients (83%) sufficient treatment was possible with one operation. 275 patients (17%) had to undergo at least one further surgery as a result of positive specimen margins. In 138 patients (9%) mastectomy was ultimately necessary. In patients with a positive HER2 status, a larger tumour size, underestimation by ultrasound, an in situ component and multifocality, the risk for a re-operation was about doubled. Tumour size deviation in the mammogram or the clinical tumour size assessment did not have significant influence to the re-excision rates. CONCLUSION: Tumour size and accurate presurgical assessment of the tumour size itself are independent predictors for the need of a second surgery or even a mastectomy in patients for whom a primary BCS was planned.

The different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome: no advantages for identifying women with aggravated insulin resistance or impaired lipids.

BACKGROUND: According to the classification of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) published by the Androgen Excess Society (AES), 10 different phenotypes of the condition are possible. The question remains of whether using these phenotypes might enable us to identify women with impaired insulin resistance or an impaired lipid profile among patients with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort analysis was performed of 313 women with diagnosed PCOS and 80 control individuals. The screening panel included a physical examination, weight and height measurement, ultrasonography of the ovaries, and hormone, glucose, lipid, and insulin resistance measurements. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in insulin resistance parameters between the different phenotypes. There were no statistically significant differences in body mass index (BMI) in any of the groups, but BMI showed the best correlation with insulin resistance in all women with PCOS and controls. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was inversely correlated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS and controls. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) was negatively correlated with insulin resistance, and free testosterone was positively correlated with it, only in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Using the different phenotypes described in the AES classification shows no advantages for identifying women with aggravated insulin resistance or impaired lipid profile among patients with PCOS.

Challenging the advanced: cardiac surgery without awareness of a pheochromocytoma.

We report the case of a 75-year-old male patient who underwent bypass surgery. Intraoperatively unstable hemodynamics with excessive arterial blood pressure was observed. This resulted in the tearing of an anastomosis, which subsequently required hemostasis for repeated bleeding. Postoperatively, laboratory findings and diagnostic imaging confirmed the diagnosis made intraoperatively of a pheochromocytoma. Any surgery without awareness of the possibility of a pheochromocytoma will dramatically increase intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality, especially in cardiac surgery. The uncontrolled release of catecholamines raises arterial blood pressure which can become life-threatening and lead to serious intraoperative complications, as well as cerebrovascular and cardiac comorbidity.