The role of intraoperative ultrasound in establishing the surgical strategy regarding hepato-bilio-pancreatic pathology.

Intraoperative ultrasound examination plays a more and more important role in open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery,satisfying the surgeon's need to correctly characterize lesions,bringing various benefits regarding topography and local regional extension, relations between neighbouring structures and, finally, disease staging. Intraoperative ultrasound is used especially in hepato-bilio-pancreatic tract interventions, given its diagnostic and therapeutic values. Between 2009-2012 in the IOB First Surgery Clinic 57 intraoperative echo graphies were performed, in patients with hepato-bilio-pancreatic pathologies, leading to intraoperative guided punctures with diagnostic or therapeutic purpose (in case of hepatic abscesses),detection of new hepatic metastases, their ablation under ultrasound guidance, exploration of the local-regional topography with the aim of an optimal hepatic resection. Intraoperative ultrasound allowed radioablation under echographic guidance in 43 patients, the majority presenting multiple hepatic metastases in different areas, this method also enabling control over complete lesional destruction. Also, in 11 cases (22.915), a number of hepatic 20 metastases which had not been visible on preoperative imaging scans were detected, and afterwards treated through RFA; also, in 14 cases intraoperative echography revealed the presence and nature of the hepatic tumours, leading to a correct histopathological diagnostic and an adequate therapy. The method was useful in pancreatic pathologies as well, in complicated forms of acute or chronic pancreatitis, tracking the Wirsung duct within the scleral and calcified mass of pancreatic tissue, through an ultrasound guided puncture, as well as in locating pancreatic cystic masses,determining the optimal puncture or pericystic-digestive drainage areas. Intraoperative ultrasound is an inexpensive, easy method, which allows real time exploration throughout the entire surgical process of hepato-bilio-pancreatic lesions, aiding the surgeon in modifying decisions regarding the intervention and preventing complications.

Intraoperative cholangiography still a current investigation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for patients requiring gallbladder removal. Although the advantages of the laparoscopic technique are widely accepted, the introduction of this technique has doubled the rate of iatrogenic lesions of extrahepatic bile ducts. Research methods for biliary tree also evolved, but intraoperative cholangiography, the traditional exploring method used for the biliary tree in classic cholecystectomy remains a valuable investigation in the laparoscopic technique. We performed a retrospective study on a group of patients who underwent cholecystectomy (laparoscopic or classic). Of these, intraoperative cholangiography was performed on a total of 108 patients. Patients who underwent cholangiography motivated by preoperative investigations were excluded from the group and the study operates on patients in whom the decision to perform cholangiography was taken during surgery (45 cases). We have analyzed the criteria that led to the motivation investigation (dilated cystic duct, suspected biliary duct stones, suspicion of iatrogenic biliary injury) results and subsequent therapeutic conduct. The results showed that in 90% of the patients, the suspected diagnosis was confirmed by cholangiography (10 cases with normal cholangiography aspect, oddita 9 cases, 11 cases with bile duct stones, 2 cases with biliary tumor and 13 cases of iatrogenic biliary injury). In conclusion, the decision to perform intraoperative cholangiography proved salutary, the suspected diagnosis was confirmed and the course of treatment was adjusted accordingly.

Extending indication for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in cancer surgery.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) represents one of the successful methods for the thermal ablation of unresectable tumors. The tumoricidal effect of this method consists in the tissular conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy. The term refers to the electric current, whose frequencies reach high values, 480 KHz on average. The method involves the insertion of bipolar needles in parenchymal tumors. The thermal tissue damage depends on both the temperature reached and the duration. The most frequent use is for unresectable hepatic tumors (metastases, hepatoma) or for those with a contraindication for surgery, visible on ultrasound. We have also widened the indications to other tumoral locations: cervical cancer (stages II, III, IV) accompanied by metrorrhagia, RFA being used hemostatically and with the purpose of reducing the size of the tumor, genital tumors, lateral-aortic lymph blocks to reduce the tumoral mass, metastases (the psoas muscle, the sacrum), retroperitoneal sarcoma, with a hemostatic role and also to reduce the size of the tumor. The paper aims to present a preliminary situation based on 24 cases. The results have shown the usefulness of the application of RFA with the purpose of reducing the tumoral mass and the hemostatic role of the method. No complications were recorded.

[Radiofrequency ablation for liver metastases--mini invasive therapeutic option for patients with unresecable tumors]. / Distructia prin radiofrecventa a metastazelor hepatice--optiune terapeutica miniinvazia optimala la pacientii non-rezecabili chirurgical.

UNLABELLED: Radiofrequency ablations (RFA), a new therapeutic option for liver metastases, proceeded by open surgery or laparoscopic approach, provide an acceptable control of local tumor process, involved lower risks than resection surgery. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed this procedure, for classic indication in hepatic metastatic tumors, based on four years experience, focused on perioperative complications, recurrence rate and long distant evolution. METHOD: Between December 2006 and December 2010, 61 patients with liver metastases underwent RFA; 46 cases had metastatic lesions from colo-rectal cancer, 9 cases from breast cancer, 4 cases from gastric cancer and 2 cases from ovarian cancer. RFA was performed in 55 patients via open surgery and laparoscopic approach in 6 patients. Postoperative course was followed with CT scan at 1 month, and then at 3 month interval, in correlation with tumor markers level. RESULTS: Perioperative complications occurred in 8 cases, consist of prolonged fever, severe hepatic cytolysis, without other complications such, biliary tract injury, hemorrhage, and peritonitis; no mortality caused by RFA procedure. 10 cases had local recurrence, at 6 and 25 month after post RFA procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Initial experience shows that RFA is a safe procedure for treatment of liver metastases, with low rate of morbidity and local recurrence, indicated for patients with unresecable lesions or high risks for surgical resection.