[Retroperitoneal hematoma in pelvic fractures]. / Hematomul retroperitoneal in fracturile pelvisului.

Retroperitoneal trauma implies a wide variety of organs in multiple systems (digestive, urinary, circulatory, musculoskeletal); although their common result is the retroperitoneal hematoma, their management is completely different, an intervention indicated for a particular lesion being able to completely decompensate other lesions in case of insufficient diagnostic. The present material highlights the recent diagnostic and therapeutic particularities in retroperitoneal hematoma from pelvic fractures. We noted a recent trend in diminishing the role of the fracture pattern on standard pelvis X-ray in assessing the risk of hemodinamic instability, new markers being indicated as more predictive. CT scan with contrast substance, when applies, remains the gold standard in identifying the source of the vascular bleeding and in guiding the subsequent therapeutic maneuvers. The angiographic embolisation in arterial lesions remains the main therapeutic procedure in hemodinamical unstable patients, with the possibility of repeating it when needed; the C-clamp external fixator application is associated. The pre-peritoneal packing constantly gains support as an emergency hemostasis maneuver. The treatment should be adapted in each case, the hemodinamic instability being the trigger in initiation and repetition of the emergency therapeutic interventions mentioned above.

[Therapy of malignant liver tumors using microwave and radiofrequency ablation]. / Terapia tumorilor hepatice maligne cu microunde si unde de radiofrecventa.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficiency for thermo-ablation with microwave and radiofrequency on patients with malignant liver tumors. From January 2002 to January 2005, in our Center of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation in 53 patients 70 sessions of thermoablation were carried out. The mean age was 58 years (25-79 years). Sex ratio men: women was 1.8 (34:19). The diagnosis was hepatocarcinoma in 38 patients (72%), liver metastases from colorectal cancer in 9 (17%) and from non-colorectal cancer (6-11%). The most tumors were single (36-68%). The mean diameter was 39.5 mm (9-94 mm). Percutaneous approach was used in 14 interventions (20%), laparoscopic in 2 (3%) and open approach in 54 cases (77%). We performed 54 sessions of microwave ablation in 42 patients and 8 sessions of radiofrequency ablation in 5 patients. Both methods were applied in 6 patients during 8 sessions. Tumor ablation was done together with liver resection in 10 patients (19%) and resections of other organs in other 8 patients (15%). Morbidity was 12%. The encountered complications were ascites, right pleural effusion and liver abscesses. There was no death. Total and partial necrosis was observed in 27, respectively 20 patients. Local recurrence occurred in one patient but distal liver recurrences were diagnosed in 13 patients. After thermoablation for partial necrosis, local or distal recurrences patients received arterial chemoembolization (5), systemic chemotherapy (23), liver resection (1) and transplantation (1). The mean survival at 1 year and 3 years was 77% and respectively 38%. Microwave or radiofrequency ablation is a simple treatment method, with proved efficiency and minimal risks whose main indication is unresectable tumor.

[Current treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Analysis of a series of 123 cases over a 5-year period]. / Tratamentul multimodal al carcinomului hepatocelular. Analiza unei experiente clinice de 123 de cazuri în 5 ani.

We analyze a 123-cases experience over a 5-year period in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver resection, transplantation and hyperthermic ablation of the tumor were used according to the indication and patient selection. Systemic chemotherapy followed resection in 18 cases and hyperthermic ablation in 5 cases. Chemo-embolisation was performed in patients to be transplanted and in other two patients with tumor destruction. A number of 86 liver resections were performed in 84 patients (2 re- resections in 1 patient, subsequently transplanted) - 43 on normal liver and 41 on cirrhotic liver. Postoperative mortality was 4.7% in non-cirrhotic and 4.9% in cirrhotic patients. Survival in non-cirrhotic patients was 77% at 1 year, 65% at 2 years, and constant - 45% at 3 and 4 years, whereas in cirrhotic patients it was 60%, 56%, 56% and 36% (Kaplan-Meyer actuarial survival rates). Nine patients underwent liver transplantation (4 OLTs, 3 living donor LT, 1 split LT and 1 "domino" LT); postoperative mortality was 11% (1 patient). At present five patients are alive and well. One patient died by peritoneal carcinomatosis at 10 months; another patient died at 6 months by severe cholestatic recurrent C virus hepatitis and one patient was discharged with permanent severe neurologic disturbances. In 31 patients hyperthermic ablation of the tumor was used with zero mortality. Actuarial survival rates were 75% at one year and 67% at 2 years. In conclusion, in non-cirrhotic patients with HCC resection is the treatment of choice. In cirrhotic patients limited resections should be preferred and liver transplantation is the best solution in selected cases; local ablative methods may be used for some unresectable tumors. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy has to be determined in future comparative studies.