Laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia by topical lidocaine injection.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair is usually performed under general anesthesia (GA) for muscle relaxation. However, TEP hernia repair may be reluctant in high-risk patients of GA. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of the TEP under GA and local anesthesia (LA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with inguinal hernia who underwent TEP under GA or LA in a single center from December 2016 to May 2018. The outcomes, such as demographics, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS), and postoperative complications, were compared in each group. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients with inguinal hernia underwent TEP under GA (n = 52) or LA (n = 24). Total operation time (mean ± standard deviation; GA, 111.6 ± 23.0 min; LA, 76.3 ± 18.0 min; p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (GA, 38.3 ± 11.6 min; LA, 30.3 ± 15.6 min; p < 0.014) were shorter in LA group compared to GA group. There were no significant differences in postoperative VAS (1 h, p = 0.247; 4 h, p = 0.086; 12 h, p = 0.469; 24 h, p = 0.411), postoperative adverse effects (vomiting, p = 0.570; urinary retention, p = 0.214; headache, p = 0.494), and postoperative complications (seroma, p = 0.348; scrotal edema, p = 0.178; recurrence, p = 0.822) between LA group and GA group. CONCLUSION: Compared with GA, there were no differences in postoperative pain and complications in patients who underwent TEP hernia repair under LA. Furthermore, in LA group, total operation time and length of hospital stay were shortened.

Weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV) and bimonthly cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: A phase II clinical trial was performed to evaluate the activity and toxicity of bimonthly cisplatin and weekly 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 1997 to March 1998, 23 chemo-naive patients of advanced gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. The regimen consisted of weekly 24-h infusion of 5-FU (2,600 mg/m2) and LV 150 mg and bimonthly cisplatin (25-50 mg/m2) bolus for 12 weeks followed by a 2-week break. RESULTS: There were 10 male and 13 female patients with a median age of 52 years. A total of 428 chemotherapy treatments were given with a mean of 11. Seventeen patients were evaluable for response. There were 41% (7/17) partial response, 18% (3/17) stable disease and 41% (7/17) progressive disease. The grade III or IV toxicity included anorexia 35% (8/23), fatigue 26% (6/23), vomiting 17% (4/23) and mucositis 9% (2/23). One patient developed perforated duodenal stump after chemotherapy. One patient died of hyperammonemia-related coma. The median times to disease progression and overall survival were 3.5 and 7 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This regimen showed modest activity against gastric cancer. However, there was no survival advantage and there was greater toxicity than with weekly high-dose 5-FU-LV alone.

Hawaiian health practitioners in contemporary society.

Hawaiian medical practices in Hawai'i became fragmented and deteriorated following the arrival of Western civilization. With the resurgence of Hawaiian pride, interest has risen to preserve what remains of Hawaiian healing methods. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which Hawaiian healing modalities are still in existence and practiced in the 1990s by Hawaiian health practitioners. Twenty-five Hawaiian health practitioners on the island of O'ahu agreed to in-depth interviews on their specific training and current practices of Hawaiian healing. Data collection included demographic characteristics, cultural attributes, training patterns, healing modalities, motivation to practice, spirituality and health, use of Hawaiian medicines, and training of haumana (students). Common practices as well as differences between practitioners and specialties were explored. This study found that a small, but substantive, component of Hawaiian healing is practiced by a growing number of Hawaiian practitioners. Content analyses identified two major components of Hawaiian healing: (1) attributes of Hawaiian culture, and (2) elements of spirituality in health and healing. Three significant modalities remain: ho'olomilomi, massage; la'au lapa'au, herbal medicine; and ho'oponopono, conflict resolution. Seventeen or 68% reported being skilled in more than one healing modality and 56% were training haumana. All practitioners reported apprenticeships under one or more master healers or a recognized elder healer--often a family member. Prior to, and after, the administration of any healing modality, spiritual blessings were administered by all practitioners to initiate the healing process and end the healing session. Hawaiian values--such as lokahi, harmony between man, nature, and the gods--are essential for holistic health. Without lokahi, there is illness. In summary, this study provides data that previously did not exist on contemporary Hawaiian health practitioners. Public health planners and health care professionals may find this information useful in developing culturally competent health programs for Hawaiian clients or patients.

Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil as neoadjuvant chemotherapy: predicting response in head and neck squamous cell cancer.

In order to prospectively evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and predictive factors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a total of 120 patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer diagnosed from January 1992 to November 1993 were enrolled in this study. There were 118 male and 2 female patients, with a median age of 51 years (range 30-74 years). The primary sites were the oral cavity (77), oropharynx (15), hypopharynx (25) and larynx (3). Betel quid chewing was habitual in 91% of patients. All patients were previously untreated, and 94% had stage III or IV disease. Chemotherapy was given in two or three courses to 96 patients who were then assessed for response rate and predictive factors. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of cisplatin 100 mg/m2/day on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1 g/m2/day intravenous infusion continuously for 4 to 5 days for 4 weeks. The overall chemotherapy response rate was 56%, with a 3% complete response. By univariate analysis, both the T-stage and tumor volume were significant for predicting the response of the primary site. The age, histologic differentiation, tumor location and N-stage were unpredictive for response. The nodal response (43%) was less than that of the primary site (68%). By multivariate analysis, only the tumor volume (> or = 50 cm3) and the presence of nodal metastases were predictive for the combined TN response. Based on the World Health Organization toxicity criteria, 49 patients experienced grade 3 to 4 mucositis, and 24 patients had grade 3 to 4 vomiting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)