Role of Sorafenib in Patients With Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation.

CONTEXT: The management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) is challenging, especially if it is not treatable by surgery or embolization. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to compare the survival rates of liver transplanted patients receiving sorafenib or best supportive care (BSC) for HCC recurrence not amenable to curative intent treatments. DESIGN: This is a retrospective comparative study on a prospectively maintained database. PARTICIPANTS: Liver transplanted patients with untreatable HCC recurrence receiving BSC (n = 18) until 2007 or sorafenib (n = 15) thereafter were compared. RESULTS: No group difference was observed for demographic characteristics at the time of transplantation and at the time of HCC recurrence. On the explant pathology of the native liver, 81.2% patients were classified within the Milan criteria, and 53.1% presented with microvascular invasion. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence was diagnosed 17.8 months (standard deviation: 14.5) after LT, with 17 (53.1%) patients presenting with early recurrence (≤12 months). The 1-year survival from untreatable progression of HCC recurrence was 23.9% for the BSC and 60% for the sorafenib group ( P = .002). The type of treatment (sorafenib vs BSC) was the sole independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio: 2.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-8.1; P = .033). In the sorafenib group, 8 (53.3%) patients required dose reduction, and 2 (13.3%) patients discontinued the treatment due to intolerable side effects. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib improves survival and is superior to the BSC in cases of untreatable posttransplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

[Magnetic oesophageal sphincter for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: results of a prospective clinical trial]. / Sfintere esofageo magnetico nel trattamento della malattia da reflusso gastroesofageo: risultati di uno studio prospettico.

The authors report the preliminary results of a prospective study in 30 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The aim was to assess the efficacy of an-original device designed to augment the lower oesophageal sphincter barrier using magnetic force. The device was placed laparoscopically around the oesophagogastric junction, at the level of the z line identified by intraoperative endoscopy. Transient dysphagia not requiring any treatment was recorded in 45% of patients. At 3 months postoperatively, the GORD-HRQL score was fond to be significantly decreased from 24.4 to 2.2 (p < 0.001) and the DeMeester score was normalised in 80% of patients. At one year follow-up, 100% of patients were off proton pump inhibitors, and 70% of them had a normal DeMeester score. All patients preserved the ability to belch.

Laparoscopic resection for incidentally detected Meckel diverticulum.

The management of Meckel diverticulum found unexpectedly during an abdominal operation remains controversial. Most published reports have included only patients undergoing diverticulectomy or bowel resection through laparotomy. We report a case of a carcinoid tumor in a Meckel's diverticulum which was incidentally detected and removed during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Although there is no compelling evidence in the literature to recommend prophylactic diverticulectomy, laparoscopic stapled resection represents a viable and safe approach in healthy individuals undergoing elective surgery for other purposes.

Laparoscopic Trans-Abdominal Right Adrenalectomy for a Large Primitive Adrenal Oncocytic Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND Adrenocortical oncocytic neoplasms (AONs) are extremely rare tumors. AONs are classified as: oncocytoma (AO), oncocytic neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (AONUMP), and oncocytic carcinoma (AOC). Among the 162 reported cases of AONs in the literature, 30 cases were classified as malignant. Adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for AON. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 48-year-old man with a primitive 12-cm mass affecting the right adrenal gland, detected by ultrasonography during follow-up for alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass of the right adrenal gland compressing the inferior vena cava (IVC) and dislocating the right lobe of the liver, with no invasion of kidney, liver, or IVC. Preoperative blood tests showed mild transaminase increase. Laparoscopic right adrenalectomy with lateral transperitoneal approach was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The lesion was diagnosed as a primitive adrenal oncocytic carcinoma (AOC). No recurrence was evidenced during 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Although AONs are very rare, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of adrenal masses due to their prognostic difference compared to non-oncocytic tumors. AOCs are a rare presentation of AONs. Only 30 cases are described in the literature. Laparotomic adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for AOC. We report the first case of laparoscopic lateral trans-abdominal adrenalectomy for a voluminous AOC (120×95×110 mm) and we review the literature regarding AOCs. Laparoscopy in experienced hands is safe and effective for the treatment of AONs. Despite the rarity of AOC, a case series should be performed to confirm the results of our case report.

Is duodenojejunal anastomosis to the left of the superior mesenteric vessels a feasible option for tumors of the angle of Treitz?

Tumors of the angle of Treitz are a rare entity. Only 3%-5% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) occur at the level of the duodenum, and their location at the duodenojejunal junction is very uncommon. Surgery is the treatment of choice, while adjuvant medical therapy is used on the basis of the degree of radicality of the excision and the tumor's proliferative profile. These factors primarily influence the prognosis. Due to the frailty of the vascular viability of the left duodenum, which can be injured during surgery, it is generally recommended to perform digestive reconstruction at the level of the right portion of the duodenum. We here report the case of a patient with a large GIST located at the duodenojejunal junction behind the ligament of Treitz. We found reconstructive digestive anastomosis at the level of the third part of the duodenum to be a safe procedure.

Comparison of ventilation and cardiovascular parameters between prone thoracoscopic and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position is associated with better surgical ergonomics compared to the left lateral decubitus position due to the effects of gravity pooling blood outside the operative field and the reduced need for lung retraction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological effects of prone thoracoscopic esophagectomy with single-lumen intubation on ventilation, respiratory gas exchange, and cardiovascular parameters. Thirty-two consecutive patients underwent esophagectomy either through a prone thoracoscopic approach or through a right thoracotomic approach. Samples of arterial and central venous blood, as well as ventilation and cardiovascular parameters were obtained at baseline, during induction of anesthesia, throughout the operation, and after extubation. Patients undergoing prone thoracoscopic esophagectomy showed higher oxygenation levels (p < 0.001), and a significantly lower mean pulmonary shunt fraction (p = 0.001). Perioperative hemodynamics remained stable throughout the surgical procedures. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position with two-lung ventilation was associated with a significant improvement of global oxygen delivery and a significant reduction of the pulmonary shunt when compared to the Ivor Lewis operation.

Proposal of a punch biopsy protocol as a pre-requisite for the establishment of a tissue bank from resected esophageal tumors.

With the development of tissue banking, a need for homogeneous methods of collection, processing, and storage of tissue has emerged. We describe the implementation of a biological bank in a high-volume, tertiary care University referral center for esophageal cancer surgery. We also propose an original punch biopsy technique of the surgical specimen. The method proved to be simple, reproducible, and not expensive. Unified standards for specimen collection are necessary to improve results of specimen-based diagnostic testing and research in surgical oncology.

Injury of the thoracic aorta during laparoscopic esophagectomy.

We report an unusual complication of laparoscopic esophagectomy for carcinoma. During posterior transhiatal dissection, massive bleeding occurred from the left side of the supradiaphragmatic thoracic aorta. A small tear was clearly visible and temporary bleeding control by packing and pressure with a grasper through one of the trocars was effective. A median laparotomy was performed and the aorta was sutured using a standard laparoscopic needle holder. The esophagectomy was successfully completed through a right thoracic approach. Injury to the intrathoracic aorta may occur during transhiatal dissection of the lower mediastinum. Use of a laparoscopic needle holder allowed to repair the supradiaphragmatic aorta through a laparotomy without the need of patient repositioning for a transthoracic approach.

Laparoscopic diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma presenting with pseudoachalasia.

Pseudoachalasia due to pleural mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. A 70-year-old woman presented with progressive dysphagia for solid and liquids and a mild weight loss. A barium swallow study revealed an esophageal dilatation and a smoothly narrowed esophagogastric junction. An esophageal manometry showed absence of peristalsis. Endoscopy demonstrated an extrinsic stenosis of the distal esophagus with negative biopsies. A marked thickening of the distal esophagus and a right-sided pleural effusion were evident at computed tomography (CT) scan, but cytological examination of the thoracic fluid was negative. Endoscopic ultrasound showed the disappearance of the distal esophageal wall stratification and thickening of the esophageal wall. The patient underwent an explorative laparoscopy. Biopsies of the esophageal muscle were consistent with the diagnosis of epithelioid type pleural mesothelioma. An esophageal stent was placed for palliation of dysphagia. The patient died four months after the diagnosis. This is the first reported case of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed through laparoscopy.