Peritoneal metastasis of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A retrospective international multicentric data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to evaluate outcome data after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal metastasis originating from advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (PMOC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective international multi-institutional registry was established through collaborative efforts of participating units affiliated with the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and ninety-one patients from 11 specialized units underwent CRS and HIPEC that of those 326 (21.9%) upfront surgeries, 504 (33.8%) interval surgery, and 661(44.3%) recurrent cases. Complete Cytoreduction(CC0/1) was achieved in 1213 patients (81.3%). Treatment -related mortality was 0.8%, major operative complications (Grades 3-5) was 25.1%. Factors associated with major operative complications include prior surgical score (PSS for recurrent cases; RC) PSS>2,p = 0.000), PCI(≤15, >15 cut-off level; p ≤ 0.000), completeness of cytoreduction (CC, p=0.000), high CA125 levels (>25 mg/dl), presence of ascites, high CRP (>5 mg/dl) levels and low albumin levels (below to 2.5 mg/dl) (p ≤ 0.05). The median survival was 58 months in upfront surgery(UFS), 60 months in interval surgery(IS), and 42 months in RC. The overall survival for five years was 45% for UFS, 37% for IS, 28% for RC cases. CCscore (p = 0.000), CA125, CRP and albumin levels (p ≤ 0.05) were predictors for progression free survival. PCI(p ≤ 0.000), major postoperative complications (p = 0.004), incomplete CRS(CC2/3)(p < 0.001), prior chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 3-8; p < 0.001) and PSS>2 for RC were independent predictors of poor overall survival. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment strategy for PMOC may be performed safely with acceptable morbidity and mortality in the specialized units.

The impact of laparoscopic resection rectopexy in patients with total rectal prolapse.

Total rectal prolapse is a disabling disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain management, hospital stays, constipation, and continence status among military personnel who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Forty patients (mostly men) underwent laparoscopic rectopexy (LR) or laparoscopic resection rectopexy (LRR). Colonic transit time, postoperative pain scores, preoperative and postoperative anal function, and changes in constipation were assessed. The median operation times for LR and LRR were 126 and 223 minutes, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stays were 3 and approximately 6 days for LR and LRR, respectively. Patients needed fewer analgesics in a short postoperative period. However, there was no difference between the two groups in analgesic requirements. Continence improved for approximately 71% of patients, but constipation was treated for 50% of affected patients. No recurrences were noted in the follow-up periods, which were 13 and 22 months for the LRR and LR groups, respectively. The quality of life for the patients who underwent LR was not as good as that for the patients who underwent LRR, at the end of 1 year. We eliminated total rectal prolapse and almost cured incontinence by using laparoscopy, although the disadvantageous aspects were long operation times and suboptimal healing with respect to constipation and related symptoms. LRR is the more feasible procedure, with the emphasis on elimination of incontinence and constipation, producing a better quality of life for patients, in addition to short hospitalizations, necessity for analgesia for a short time, and return to hard training field activities in a short time among military personnel.

A case of giant appendiceal mucocele.

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare clinical condition that causes distension of the appendix lumen with mucus. A seventy-three-year-old female patient presented with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Abdominal examination revealed mild tenderness, right lower quadrant pain upon palpation, rebound tenderness and muscular rigidity, and a palpable mass. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography scans demonstrated a cystic lesion in the right iliac fossa, adherent to the cecum, suggesting an abdominal abscess. An emergency operation was performed, during which a diagnosis of a mucocele of the appendix was made. Surgical treatment included appendicectomy, partial resection of the ileum, and resection of the cecum. Histopathologic examination confirmed the operative diagnosis. The role of imaging and clinical approach is emphasized in the treatment of an appendiceal mucocele, especially in emergency settings.

The distribution of the bft alleles among enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains from stool specimens and extraintestinal sites.

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) has been implicated in diarrhoeal illness in animals and humans. Recent data suggest that ETBF is associated with flares of inflammatory bowel disease. Toxigenicity is attributed to expression of a toxin referred to as fragilysin, which stimulates fluid accumulation in ligated intestinal segments and alter the morphology of human intestinal cells. Three different isoforms or variants of the enterotoxin gene, designated bft-1, bft-2, and bft-3, have been identified. In this study we investigated the distribution of bft alleles among ETBF strains in stool specimens from patients with colon cancer (n: 31), the control patients (n: 8) and extraintestinal sources (n: 15). We used restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the PCR-amplified enterotoxin gene and sequencing the PCR-product to detect the isoforms of bft gene. Among the stool strains, bft-1 was found to be more common than bft-2; as it was detected 27 of 31 strains from colon cancer patients and 7 of 8 control strains. The bft-1 isoform was also found in almost all isolates from extraintestinal sites. No bft-3 subtype was detected among all tested strains.

Colonic volvulus associated with Chilaiditi's syndrome: report of a case.

Hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the intestine, known as Chilaiditi's syndrome, is a rare and often asymptomatic anomaly, typically found as an incidental radiographic sign. We report a case of Chilaiditi's syndrome associated with transverse colon volvulus, predisposed by segmental agenesis of the right lobe of the liver. A 45-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Plain chest X-ray and abdominal computed tomography showed colonic interposition and segmental agenesis of the right lobe of the liver. Laparotomy revealed a clockwise volvulus of the transverse colon associated with interposition and incarceration of the colon through the space of the agenetic segment of the liver. The transverse colon, which was adherent to the agenetic space in the liver and diaphragm, was dissected away and repositioned, and the volvulus was reduced. To our knowledge, this is only the sixth reported case of a colonic volvulus associated with Chilaiditi's syndrome and the first case associated with segmental agenesis of the right lobe of the liver.