Full Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy: Safety and Feasibility Analysis of a Multicenter Cohort of 236 Patients.

Introduction. Despite the widespread use of the robotic technology, only a few studies with small sample sizes report its application to pancreatic diseases treatment. Our aim is to present the results of a multicenter study on the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Materials and Methods. All RDPs for benign, borderline, and malignant diseases performed in 5 referral centers from 2008 to 2016 were included. Perioperative outcomes were evaluated. Results. Two hundred thirty-six patients were included. Spleen preservation was performed in 114 cases (48.3%). Operative time was 277.8 ± 93.6 minutes. Progressive improvement in operative time was observed over the study period. Conversion rate was 6.3%. Morbidity occurred in 102 cases (43.2%), mainly due to grade A fistulas. Reoperation was required in 10 patients. Postoperatively, 2 patients died of sepsis due to a grade C fistula. Hospital readmission was necessary in 11 cases. A R0 resection was always achieved, with a mean number of 16.2 ± 15 harvested lymph nodes. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is one of the largest RDP series. Safety and feasibility including the low conversion rate, the high spleen preservation rate, the adequate operative time, and the acceptable morbidity and mortality rates confirm the validity of this technique. Appropriate oncological outcomes have been also obtained.

Short-term and long-term outcomes after robot-assisted versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs): a multicenter comparative study.

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive surgery has increasingly gained popularity as a treatment of choice for pancreatectomy with encouraging initial results in robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). However, few data are available on the comparison between RDP and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Our aim, thus, is to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes as well as total costs of RDP and LDP for pNETs. METHODS: All RDPs and LDPs for pNETs performed in four referral centers from 2008 to 2016 were included. Perioperative outcomes, histopathological results, overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and total costs were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-six RDPs and 85 LDPs were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two cohorts. Operative time was 36.5 min longer in the RDP group (p = 0.009) but comparable to LDP after removing the docking time (247.9 vs 233.7 min; p = 0.6). LDP related to a lower spleen preservation rate (44.7% vs 65.3%; p < 0.0001) and higher blood loss (239.7 ± 112 vs 162.5 ± 98 cc; p < 0.0001). Advantages in operative time for RDP were documented in case of the spleen preservation procedures (265 ± 41.52 vs 291 ± 23 min; p = 0.04). Conversion rate, postoperative morbidity, and pancreatic fistula rate were similar between the two groups, as well as histopathological data, OS, and DFS. Significant advantages were evidenced for LDP regarding mean total costs (9235 (± 1935) € vs 11,226 (± 2365) €; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both RDP and LDP are safe and efficacious for pNETs treatment. However, RDP offers advantages with a higher spleen preservation rate and lower blood loss. Costs still remain the main limitation of the robotic approach.

Total vs proximal gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the upper third of the stomach: a propensity-score-matched analysis of a multicenter western experience (On behalf of the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer-GIRCG).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare surgical outcomes including postoperative complications and prognosis between total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) for proximal gastric cancer (GC). Propensity-score-matching analysis was performed to overcome patient selection bias between the two surgical techniques. METHODS: Among 457 patients who were diagnosed with GC between January 1990 and December 2010 from four Italian institutions, 91 underwent PG and 366 underwent TG. Clinicopathologic features, postoperative complications, and survivals were reviewed and compared between these two groups retrospectively. RESULTS: After propensity-score matching had been done, 150 patients (75 TG patients, 75 PG patients) were included in the analysis. The PG group had smaller tumors, shorter resection margins, and smaller numbers of retrieved lymph nodes than the TG group. N stages and 5-year survival rates were similar after TG and PG. Postoperative complication rates after PG and TG were 25.3 and 28%, respectively, (P = 0.084). Rates of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture were 12 and 6.6% after PG and 2.6 and 1.3% after TG, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002). 5-year overall survival for PG and TG group was 56.7 and 46.5%, respectively (P = 0.07). Survival rates according to the tumor stage were not different between the groups. Multivariate analysis showed that type of resection was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Although PG for upper third GC showed good results in terms of survival, it is associated with an increased mortality rate and a higher risk of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture.

Postoperative hyperglycemia in nondiabetic patients after gastric surgery for cancer: perioperative outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia (HG) is widely known to be associated with increased postoperative complications after colorectal surgery. Very few data on the effects of HG on patients after gastric surgery for cancer are reported in literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of postoperative HG in non-diabetic patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-three consecutive gastrectomies for cancer performed between January 2010 and December 2015 were considered. Diabetic patients, and those undergoing pancreatic resections were excluded. Postoperative blood glucose levels were monitored in the first 72 h after surgery. Postoperative complications, mortality, and postoperative course were analyzed in patients who experienced postoperative HG (blood glucose level; BGL > 125 mg/dl) compared with euglycemic patients (BGL ≤ 125 mg/dl). Differences between mild HG (BGL between 125 and 200 mg/dl) and severe HG (BGL ≥ 200 mg/dl) were also analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients (55.5 %) experienced postoperative HG. In 11 patients (6.4 %), a severe postoperative HG was found. Postoperative BGL > 200 mg/dl was related to worse outcomes than those experienced by euglycemic patients (and even than patients who experienced mild postoperative HG). The postoperative complications rate was 24.8 % (43 patients out of 173), but significantly higher in patients with postoperative severe HG compared to mild HG and normoglycemic patients (63.6, 30.6, and 13 %, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Poor postoperative glycemic control seems to be related to worse postoperative outcomes even in patients undergoing elective gastric surgery for cancer.

Krukenberg Tumors of Gastric Origin: The Rationale of Surgical Resection and Perioperative Treatments in a Multicenter Western Experience.

BACKGROUND: In case of Krukenberg tumor (KT) of gastric origin it is controversial and debated whether radical surgery in case of synchronous KT or metastasectomy in case of metachronous ones is associated with additional benefits. Role of perioperative treatments is unclear. METHODS: Among 2515 female patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer between January 1990 and December 2012 from 9 Italian centers, 63 presented simultaneously or developed KT as recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty patients presented with synchronous KT, while 33 developed metachronous ovarian metastases during follow-up. The differences between the two groups were analyzed and compared. The median age of 63 patients was 48.0 years (range 31-71). Resection was possible in 53 patients (20 synchronous and 33 metachronous). Twelve patients in the synchronous group and 15 patients of the metachronous group underwent hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after resection of KT. All of them underwent adjuvant chemotherapy after KT resection. The median survival for all population was 23 months (95 % confidence interval, 7-39 months). The median survival time in the metachronous group was 36 months, which was significantly longer than that in the synchronous group, 17 months, p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: KT remains a clinical challenge for gastric cancer therapy. The extent of disease and feasibility of removal of the metastatic lesion must be carefully evaluated prior to surgery to define the patients group who could benefit most from a resection associated with perioperative treatments.

A case report of a giant rectal adenoma causing secretory diarrhea and acute renal failure: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare depletion syndrome caused by a secretory villous adenoma or a carcinoma of the rectosigmoid tract. An aggressive hydroelectrolyte rebalancing is often needed, and curative treatment is obtained only with complete removal of the lesion, by endoscopy or surgery. Low clinical suspicion often delays the diagnosis, resulting in detrimental complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 75-year-old woman, presenting to the emergency department with acute renal failure and electrolyte imbalance, reporting an history of recurrent episodes of dehydration and chronic diarrhea. After being admitted to the nephrology department she underwent diagnostic investigation that revealed the presence of a giant adenoma of the rectum. The patients received supportive therapy and was subsequently treated with surgery, with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A prompt diagnosis plays an important role in the treatment of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome. We describe a case of this condition in detail and review the related literature, underlining the typical diagnostic features and exploring the possible therapeutic options.

Gastric stump cancer after distal gastrectomy for benign disease: clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze clinicopathologic features and long-term prognosis of gastric stump cancer (GSC) arising in the remnant stomach 5 years or later after partial gastrectomy for benign disease. METHODS: We reviewed the results of 176 patients resected with curative intent for GSC at 8 Italian centers belonging to the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG). The median (range) follow-up time for surviving patients was 71.2 (6-207) months. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six patients were men, the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 69.2 years, and the great majority (167 cases) underwent Billroth II reconstruction. R0 resection was achieved in 158 (90 %) patients, and in 94 (53 %) lymph node dissection was ≥D2. Postoperative mortality and complication rates were 6.2 and 43.2 %, respectively. T1 tumor was diagnosed in 45 (25 %) cases. Lymph node metastases were evident in 86 patients (49 %). Thirteen patients had involvement of the jejunal mesentery nodes (pJN+); five cases were T2-T3 and eight cases were T4. Overall 5-year survival rate was 53.1 %. Five-year survival rates were 68.1, 37.8, and 33.1 % for pT1, pT2-3, and pT4 tumors, respectively (P = 0.001). Five-year survival rate was 56.5 % for node-negative tumors (pN0), 32.3 % for tumors with nodal metastases without involvement of jejunal mesentery nodes (pN+), and 17.1 % for tumors with involvement of jejunal mesentery nodes (pJN+) (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that an aggressive surgical approach can achieve a satisfactory outcome in GSC.

Naso-gastric or naso-jejunal decompression after partial distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Final results of a multicenter prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Only a few, small, monocentric randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared routine vs. no placement of a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube decompression (NG/NJT) in patients undergoing partial distal gastrectomy (PDG) for gastric cancer. However, to our knowledge, no multicenter prospective RCT has analyzed the role of decompression after both the Billroth II (BII) procedure and Roux-en-Y (RY) gastrojejunostomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether NG/NJT prevents the consequences of postoperative ileus after PDG for gastric cancer after both BII reconstruction and RY. METHODS: Two hundred seventy patients undergoing PDG for gastric cancer were randomly assigned NG/NJT placement (NG/NJT group) or not (no-NG/NJT group) with either Billroth II gastrojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. The patients were monitored for postoperative complications, mortality, and postoperative course. RESULTS: By January 2010 to June 2012, among 270 patients undergoing PDG for gastric cancer, 134 were randomly assigned to NG/NJT placement (NG/NJT group) and 136 to no decompression (no-NG/NJT group). Time to passage of flatus was significantly shorter in the NG/NJT group than in the no-NG/NJT group, but only after RY reconstruction (3.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.3 ± 1.6 days, P < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative abdominal distention was significantly lower in the NG/NJT group than in the no-NG/NJT group after both BII and the RY procedure (P < 0.001). No significant differences in postoperative mortality or morbidity, especially anastomotic leakage or intra-abdominal sepsis, were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Routine placement of an NG/NJT after BII and RY PDG is not necessary in elective surgery for gastric cancer.

Trends in clinical features, postoperative outcomes, and long-term survival for gastric cancer: a Western experience with 1,278 patients over 30 years.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify temporal trends in long-term survival and postoperative outcomes and to analyze prognostic factors influencing the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) treated in a 30-year interval in a tertiary referral Western institution. METHODS: Between January 1980 and December 2010, 1,278 patients who were diagnosed with GC at the Digestive Surgery Department, Catholic University of Rome, Italy, were identified. Among them, 936 patients underwent surgical resection and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Over time there was a significant improvement in postoperative outcomes. Morbidity and mortality rates decreased to 19.4% and 1.6%, respectively, in the last decade. By contrast, the multivisceral resection rate steadily increased from 12.7% to 29.6%. The overall five-year survival rate steadily increased over time, reaching 51% in the last decade, and 64.5% for R0 resections. Multivariate analysis showed a higher probability of overall survival for early stages (I and II), extended lymphadenectomy, and R0 resections. CONCLUSIONS: Over three decades there was a significant improvement in perioperative and postoperative care and a steady increase in overall survival.

Management of duodeno-pancreato-biliary perforations after ERCP: outcomes from an Italian tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: The management of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) perforation is often unknown by many physicians, and there is a paucity of literature regarding the best surgical management approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of ERCP-related perforations to the duodeno-pancreato-biliary tract observed at the Digestive Surgery Department of the Catholic University of Rome was conducted to identify their optimal management and clinical outcome. RESULTS: From January 1999 to December 2011, 30 perforations after ERCP were observed. Seven patients underwent ERCP at another institution, and 23 patients underwent an endoscopic procedure at our hospital. Diagnosis of perforation was both clinical and instrumental. Fifteen patients (50 %) were successfully treated conservatively. Fifteen patients (50 %) underwent surgery after a mean time of 8.1 days (range 1-26 days) from ERCP: ten received a retroperitoneal laparostomy approach, three of them both an anterior and posterior laparostomy approach, and two an anterior laparostomy approach. Duodenal leak closure was observed after a mean (± standard deviation, SD) of 12.6 (± 4.6) and 24.6 (± 7.9) days after conservative and surgical treatment, respectively (p < 0.001). The overall and postoperative mortality rates were 13.3 % (4 of 30 patients) and 26.6 % (4 of 15 patients), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Post-ERCP perforation is burdened by a high risk of mortality. Early clinical and radiographic features have to be used to determine which type of surgical or conservative treatment is indicated. Half of patients can be treated conservatively, but in case of sepsis or unstable general conditions, early surgical procedure is indicated as the only possible chance of recovery.

Ki-67 grading of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors on histologic samples obtained by EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative determination of Ki-67 expression, an important prognostic factor for grading nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors (NF-PETs), remains an important clinical challenge. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, yield, and clinical impact of EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (EUS-FNTA) with a large-gauge needle to obtain tissue samples for histologic diagnosis and Ki-67 analysis in patients with suspected NF-PETs. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with a single pancreatic lesion suspicious for NF-PET on imaging. INTERVENTION: EUS-FNTA with a 19-gauge needle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility and yield of EUS-FNTA for diagnosis and Ki-67 expression determination. RESULTS: Thirty patients (mean [± SD] age 55.7 ± 14.9 years), with a mean (± SD) lesion size of 16.9 ± 6.1 mm were enrolled. EUS-FNTA was successfully performed without complications in all patients, with a mean (± SD) of 2.7 ± 0.5 passes per patient. Adequate samples for histologic examination were obtained in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%). Ki-67 determination could be performed in 26 of these 28 patients (92.9%, 86.6% overall), 12 of whom underwent surgical resection. Preoperative and postoperative Ki-67 proliferation indexes were concordant in 10 patients (83.3%), whereas 2 patients were upstaged from G1 to G2 or downstaged from G2 to G1, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Single center study with a single operator. CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected nonfunctioning low-grade to intermediate-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (p-NETs), retrieval of tissue specimens with EUS-FNTA by using a 19-gauge needle is safe, feasible, and highly accurate for both diagnosis and Ki-67 determination. A Ki-67 proliferative index acquired through this technique might be of great help for further therapeutic decisions.

Lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: still a matter of debate?

BACKGROUND: For more than a century the extent of surgical treatment of gastric cancer is a matter of debate. Through experience, evaluation and research, the outcome of gastric cancer has improved. Many aspects are of influence of outcome, but only a radical resection can offer long-term outcomes. In this review, we will discuss the history and current status of the extent of lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Some issues about the extent of gastric resection seem to have been settled. For survival it is not necessary to perform a total gastrectomy if free resection margins can be obtained with a subtotal gastrectomy. In the context of postoperative morbidity and mortality a subtotal gastrectomy is to be preferred. Microscopic resection line involvement has shown to be of great influence on prognosis. DISCUSSION: At this moment the main discussion centres around the extent of lymph node dissection, locoregional recurrence and to the influence of additional treatment. For many years it has been debated whether an extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is beneficial. Theoretically, removal of a wider range of lymph nodes by extended lymph node dissection increases the chances for cure. Such resection, however, may be irrelevant if there are no lymph nodes affected or if the cancer has developed into a systemic disease, or if it increases morbidity and mortality substantially. CONCLUSION: Relapse after curative surgery because of local recurrence or regional lymph node metastasis have been shown in up to 87.5% of patients. The extent of surgery, however, may be of influence on the locoregional recurrence rate.

A very advanced case of a T cell peritoneal lymphomatosis.

Small-bowel lymphoma is not a common disease, accounting for 15-20% of primary extranodal gastrointestinal lymphomas. Peritoneal lymphomatosis is considered a rare and aggressive presentation. We describe the case of a 55 years-old man affected by T-cell intestinal lymphoma, presenting with diffuse abdominal involvement, bowel dysfunction, severe ascites and pleural effusion, who underwent surgery. Clinical course led dramatically to death. Preoperative cytology and radiologic investigations did not yield diagnosis and were unable to differentiate between peritoneal carcinosis and lymphomatosis. It is suggested that, in such advanced cases, with rapidly deteriorating clinical conditions and huge systemic involvement, surgery is not indicated. On the contrary, maximum effort has to be spent to obtain a preoperative diagnosis.

Do perioperative blood transfusions influence prognosis of gastric cancer patients? Analysis of 927 patients and interactions with splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study was to assess the influence of perioperative blood transfusions on the prognosis of patients undergoing a potentially curative resection for gastric cancer and to investigate the interaction between transfusions and splenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2005, 927 patients from 6 Italian tertiary referral centers underwent curative resections for gastric cancer. Clinical and pathologic variables were prospectively collected. The influence of perioperative blood transfusions on survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Moreover, the influence of splenectomy both in transfused and nontransfused patients undergoing total gastrectomy was also evaluated. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival was 54.6%. The 5-year survival rate in transfused patients (n = 327) was 50.6% compared with 56.6% in nontransfused patients (n = 600) (P = .094). In the subgroup of patients who underwent total gastrectomy with spleen preservation (n = 209), 5-year survival rate was 46% and 51.4% in transfused and nontransfused patients, respectively (P = .418); those who underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy (n = 199) presented a 5-year survival rate of 45% in transfused group compared with 39.1% in nontransfused patients (P = .571). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates a slightly, but not significantly, negative effect of allogeneic blood transfusion on prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In the subgroup of patients who underwent total gastrectomy, splenectomy seems to invert this mild effect, with a positive influence on overall survival.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumors]. / Tumori stromali gastrointestinali.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) account for 1% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms and are the most common mesenchymal tumor of gastrointestinal tract. There are considered to originate fom the intestinal cell of Cajal, an intestinal pacemaker cell, characterized usually express the KIT protein on immunohistochemistry. The stomach (40-60%) and small intestine (30-40%) are the most common locations. Diagnosis of these tumors is difficult to establish, because symptoms are vague and traditional diagnostic tests are not specific. GISTs shows a wide variety of clinical behaviours ranging fom benign to frankly malignant, making the outcome totally unpredictable. Surgery is the standard treatment of local GIST while Imatinib (tyrosine kinasi inhibitor) is considered as the standard treatment of metastatic disease. Resistence to Imatinib is also becoming a major clinical problem but new tirosyne kinase inibitor are being studied to improve the treatment and survival. The present paper is a review of the salient features of epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapy and prognostic factors of GIST

Evaluation of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach to hemorrhoids.

PURPOSE: Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization is an innovative technique to treat hemorrhoids using a specially designed proctoscope for Doppler-guided transanal ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries. We analyzed results of experience at a single-institution with this transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization device. METHODS: Overall, 170 patients were submitted to transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization during the period July 2005 through October 2008. The operation consisted of hemorrhoidal dearterialization (of 6 arteries) in all patients, with major mucosal/submucosal pexy in 56 patients (32.9%). The first consecutive 11 patients (6.4%) were treated under general/spinal anesthesia, the remaining 159 (93.6%) by sedation with propofol, supported by analgesia with remifentanil. Following transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization surgery, patients were regularly evaluated at 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months, and once a year after operation. RESULTS: The mean age of the 170 patients was 47.3 +/- 13.0 years; 102 (60%) were men. Hemorrhoidal disease was grade II in 13 (7.6%); grade III in 141 (82.7%), and grade IV in 16 (9.6%). Postoperative bleeding requiring surgical hemostasis occurred in 2 cases (1.2%). Mean follow-up was 11.5 +/- 12 (range, 1-41) months. Hemorrhoidal thrombosis occurred in 4 patients (2.3%), chronic pain and fecal incontinence in none. Hemorrhoidal prolapse was reported at follow-up by 50 patients (29.5%), but prolapse was confirmed only in 18 (10.5%) and was mild; some patients reporting prolapse were found to have skin tags. Overall, long-term control of bleeding was obtained in 159 patients (93.5%) and control of prolapse in 152 (89.5%). Recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease requiring surgery was found in 7 patients (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization appears to be a very effective minimally invasive option to treat hemorrhoids and can be performed in a day-surgery setting. Future controlled trials comparing transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with other procedures will show the real potential of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization and define adequate indications for this approach.

Sacral nerve stimulation is a valid approach in fecal incontinence due to sphincter lesions when compared to sphincter repair.

PURPOSE: Anal sphincter lesions represent the major cause of fecal incontinence, particularly in women. Sphincteroplasty with overlap is the traditional treatment, but a significant reduction in benefits within 5 years of surgery has been reported. More recently, sacral nerve stimulation has been suggested following sphincteroplasty or as primary treatment. METHODS: Overall, 24 women with fecal incontinence in the presence of anal sphincter lesions underwent sphincteroplasty (14 patients, mean age 47.6 +/- 15.6 years, range 26-70) or definitive implant of sacral nerve stimulation (10 patients, mean age 60.7 +/- 17.6 years, range 26-73), using identical selection criteria. At baseline, patients were studied with clinical evaluation, 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound, and anorectal manometry (ARM), repeated at follow-up (median 60.0 months, range 6-96 in sphincteroplasty group; median 33.0 months, range 6-84 in sacral nerve stimulation group). RESULTS: At baseline, both groups presented similar characteristics. Two sphincteroplasty patients (14.3%) experienced relapse of fecal incontinence at 6 and 19 months after treatment, whereas good to excellent continence was observed in all of the sacral nerve stimulation patients. Compared to baseline, both groups showed a significant improvement in clinical parameters, and ARM data remained unchanged. In 12 of 14 sphincteroplasty patients, the repaired sphincter at endoanal ultrasound was found to overlap. At follow-up, comparison between sphincteroplasty and sacral nerve stimulation showed no significant differences in clinical and ARM parameters, if related to lesion of internal, external, or both sphincters. CONCLUSIONS: These data appear to confirm that sacral nerve stimulation could represent a valid alternative in the treatment of fecal incontinence patients presenting with sphincter lesion that was not preceded by sphincteroplasty.

[Iatrogenic lesion of the hepatic artery in the course of pancreatic surgery]. / Lesione iatrogena dell'arteria epatica in corso di chirurgia pancreatica.

The authors report a case of operative injury of the hepatic artery during a total spleno-pancreasectomy procedure for a mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. During the preparation of the structures of the hepatic pedicle, a "true" hepatic artery was not identified, but only a small arterial vessel measuring about 2 mm in diameter, just in front of the portal vein, apparently emerging from the parenchyma of the pancreatic head. To obtain complete mobilisation of the duodeno-pancreatic block from the portal vein, it was necessary to cut this small arterial vessel. In the postoperative period, the patient developed extensive liver ischaemia, which was gradually resolved, but resulted in multiple stenosis of the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary tree. At follow-up at three years, the patient was in fairly good condition, with a permanent percutaneous biliary drainage, but with no clinical or radiological signs of local or distant disease. Although interruption of hepatic arterial flow is usually well tolerated, this is not always the case. It is important to predict in what circumstances complications are likely to occur. The main determinants that should guide the surgeon faced with this problem are whether the portal circulation is normal, whether structures carrying collateral blood supply have been interrupted, and whether some form of biliary reconstruction is needed.

Billroth II reconstruction in gastric cancer surgery: A good option for Western patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report the short and long-term results of a cohort of patients who underwent Billroth II (BII) Distal Gastrectomy (DG) for gastric cancer (GC), in a tertiary referral Western center. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2015, a prospective observational study was conducted in candidate patients to elective gastrectomy for cancer. RESULTS: Among 514 patients observed with GC, a series of 258 patients underwent BII DG for middle/lower third GC. Postoperative mortality and complication rates were 1.5% and 12.4% respectively. The overall and disease-free 5-year survival rates were 78% and 69%, respectively. Young age, lymph nodes retrieved, radicality of resection, and early tumor stages were independent positive prognostic factors at multivariate analysis for 5-year overall survival. Abdominal complications and advanced tumor stages negatively influenced 5-year disease-free survival at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: BII provides excellent results in terms of short and long-term prognosis and should be regarded as an acceptable reconstructive option following DG for GC.