Application of continuous two-layer suture of gallbladder incision with a single absorbable suture on laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of continuous two-layer suture of gallbladder incision with a single absorbable suture on laparoscopic minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy. Methods The clinical data of 74 cases underwent laparoscopic minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy were retrospectively analyzed. Main surgical procedures included the longitudinal incision of gallbladder wall, choledochoscopy and the removal of all stones and the closure of the gallbladder incision. The mucous incision was first closed using a 4-0 absorbable suture with continuous everting suture. Using the same suture, the seromuscular incision was then closed with continuous invering suture. The operation time, suturing time, complications and postoperative hospitalization time were also documented. Results Laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy was successfully performed in all cases using the suturing technique introduced in Methods. The operation time was 33~78 min (average 45.11 ± 14.96 min). Suturing time for gallbladder incision was 9 ~ 22 min (average 14.86 ± 3.88 min). No severe complications occurred, such as bile leakage, peritonitis, residual gallstone, hemorrhage or infection. The postoperative hospitalization time was 2~4 d (average 3.21 ± 0.69 d). A postoperative follow-up of 3 ~ 62 months (average 35.50 ± 18.94 months) indicated gallbladder stone recurrence of 2 cases, with a recurrence rate of 2.7%. Continuous two-layer suture of gallbladder incision with a single absorbable suture is a safe, practical and reliable technique for the closure of the gallbladder incision in laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy.

High plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count unfavorably impact survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases / 癌症

High expression of fibrinogen and platelets are often observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with local regional or distant metastasis. However, the role of these factors remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count, as well as to determine the overall survival of NSCLC patients with brain metastases. A total of 275 NSCLC patients with brain metastasis were enrolled into this study. Univariate analysis showed that high plasma fibrinogen concentration was associated with age≥65 years (P = 0.011), smoking status (P = 0.009), intracranial symptoms (P = 0.022), clinical T category (P = 0.010), clinical N category (P = 0.003), increased partial thromboplastin time (P < 0.001), and platelet count (P < 0.001). Patients with low plasma fibrinogen concentration demonstrated longer overall survival compared with those with high plasma fibrinogen concentration (median, 17.3 months versus 11.1 months; P≤0.001). A similar result was observed for platelet counts (median, 16.3 months versus 11.4 months; P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that both plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count were independent prognostic factors for NSCLC with brain metastases (R2 = 1.698, P < 0.001 and R2 = 1.699, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that high plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count indicate poor prognosis for NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Thus, these two biomarkers might be independent prognostic predictors for this subgroup of NSCLC patients.

Managing esophageal fistulae by endoscopic transluminal drainage in esophageal cancer patients with superior mediastinal sepsis after esophagectomy / 癌症

The management of postoperative leaks into the mediastinum after esophagectomy remains a challenge. We describe our clinical management of this complication through endoscopic transluminal drainage. Between 2008 and 2011, 4 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent McKeown-type esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy experienced complicated anastomotic fistulae in the presence of superior mediastinal sepsis. All 4 patients underwent endoscopic transluminal drainage, and all survived. The mean healing period was 50 days (range, 31 to 58 days), the mean stay in the intensive care unit was 7.3 days (range, 1 to 18 days), and the mean hospital stay was 64.5 days (range, 49 to 70 days). Endoscopically guided transluminal drainage should be considered for ESCC patients with superior mediastinal fistulae after esophagectomy.

The predictive value of histological tumor regression grading (TRG) for therapeutic evaluation in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy / 癌症

Response criteria remain controversial in therapeutic evaluation for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We aimed to identify the predictive value of tumor regression grading (TRG) in tumor response and prognosis. Fifty-two patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy and radical 2-field lymphadenectomy between June 2007 and June 2011 were included in this study. All tissue specimens were reassessed according to the TRG scale. Potential prognostic factors, including clinicopathologic factors, were evaluated. Survival curves were generated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Prognostic factors were determined with multivariate analysis by using the Cox regression model. Our results showed that of 52 cases, 43 (83%) were squamous cell carcinoma and 9 (17%) were adenocarcinoma. TRG was correlated with pathologic T(P = 0.006) and N (P < 0.001) categories. Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 33 months. The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 71% and 44%, respectively. Univariate survival analysis results showed that favorable prognostic factors were histological subtype (P = 0.003), pathologic T category (P = 0.026), pathologic N category (P < 0.001), and TRG G0 (P = 0.041). Multivariate analyses identified pathologic N category (P < 0.001) as a significant independent prognostic parameter. Our results indicate that histomorphologic TRG can be considered as an alternative option to predict the therapeutic efficacy and prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.