Epidural Versus Paravertebral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Open Liver Resection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many studies have found no difference between thoracic epidural block and unilateral thoracic paravertebral block after thoracotomy, no previous studies have compared epidural block with bilateral thoracic paravertebral block (bTPVB) in patients undergoing open liver resection. We aimed to investigate whether there was a significant analgesic advantage of thoracic epidural over bTPVB after liver resection. METHODS: This randomized, prospective, open-label study included adult patients undergoing elective open liver resection. Patients were randomized to receive either thoracic epidural block or bTPVB, through which ropivacaine (0.2%) was infused for 3 days. The primary outcome was pain Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) score (0-10) at rest and with postoperative incentive spirometry. Secondary outcomes included VRS at rest, inspired volumes during incentive spirometry, patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone utilization, measures of hemodynamic stability, and postoperative bowel function. RESULTS: Eighty patients completed the study and received thoracic epidural block (n = 41) or bTPVBs (n = 39). No catheter-related complications were noted. The primary outcome, pain (VRS) with incentive spirometry, was significantly lower in the epidural group (epidural vs bTPVB, mean [SD]) (4.5 [2.7] vs 5.4 [2.7] at 24 hours postoperatively, and 3.2 [2.1] vs 4.6 [2.4] at 48 hours postoperatively). Maximal inspired volumes at 24 hours postoperatively (917 [379] vs 1042 [468] mL) and cumulative utilization of patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone during the first 48 hours postoperatively (10.7 [7.9] vs 13.6 [8.5] mg) were not significantly different between groups. Decrease in mean arterial pressure from baseline at 24 hours postoperatively was greater for the epidural group (-12.6 [15.8] vs -3.8 [16.2]; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is a modest analgesic advantage of thoracic epidural over bTPVBs for patients after open liver resection.

Laparoscopic versus open liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer: a metaanalysis of 610 patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains controversial. The objective of this manuscript was to perform a metaanalysis comparing outcomes of LLR with open liver resection (OLR) in patients with hepatic mCRC, and to identify which patients were suitable candidates for LLR. STUDY DESIGN: A PubMed search identified 2,122 articles. When filtered for case-matched articles comparing LLR with OLR for mCRC, 8 articles were identified consisting of 610 patients (242 LLR, 368 OLR). A random effects metaanalysis was performed. RESULTS: The 2 groups were well-matched for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor size, number of metastases, extent of major hepatectomy, and use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy. The mean number of metastases in the LLR and OLR groups were 1.4 and 1.5, respectively (P = .14). Estimated blood loss was less in LLR group (262 vs 385 mL; P = .049). Transfusion rate was significantly less in LLR group (9.9 vs 19.8%; P = .004). There was no difference in operative time (248.7 vs 262.8 min; P = .85). Length of stay (LOS) was less in the LLR group (6.5 vs 8.8 days; P = .007). The overall complication rate was less in LLR group (20.3% vs 33.2%; P = .03). Importantly, there was no difference in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) rates. CONCLUSION: In carefully selected patients with limited mCRC (1 or 2 tumors), LLR provides marked perioperative benefits without compromising oncologic outcomes or long-term survival. Specifically, LLR offers decreased blood loss, LOS, and overall complication rates with comparable 5-year OS and DFS.

Liver transplantation in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

From March 1980 to July 1987, 1000 patients with various end-stage liver diseases received orthotopic liver transplants. Of the 1000 patients, three hundred two had definite histories of bleeding from esophageal varices before transplantation. There were 287 patients with nonalcoholic liver diseases and 15 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. All patients had very poor liver function, which was the main indication for liver transplantation. One- through 5-year actuarial survival rates of the 302 patients were 79%, 74%, 71%, 71%, and 71%, respectively. These survival rates are far better than those obtained with other available modes of treatment for bleeding varices when liver disease is advanced. Long-term sclerotherapy is the treatment of primary choice for bleeding varices. Patients in whom sclerotherapy fails should be considered for liver transplantation unless clear contraindications exist.

Experience with Orthoclone OKT3 monoclonal antibody in liver transplantation.

Experience with the use of Orthoclone OKT3 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of acute cellular rejection in a series of 130 human orthotopic liver transplantations is reviewed. Treatment was highly effective in reversing rejection, in reducing the rate of retransplantation, and in lowering patient mortality. OKT3 was also useful for cyclosporine sparing in patients with poor renal function, hypertension, or CNS toxicity. There was a significant incidence of opportunistic infection associated with the use of OKT3.

Hydrocephalus and mental retardation in craniosynostosis.

We prospectively studied craniosynostosis, regardless of neurologic status, by cranial computed tomography or psychometric testing in 56 children. None of the 27 children with simple craniosynostosis (single or multiple suture involvement) had evidence of hydrocephalus on CT scan. Of the 24 patients with simple craniosynostosis who underwent psychometric testing, 17 were of average intelligence; six were in the low average range. The single mentally retarded child had a history of severe perinatal asphyxia. Hydrocephalus occurred more frequently (five of 23 cases) in children with complex craniosynostosis syndromes, including Pfeiffer syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and kleeblattschädel deformity. More striking than hydrocephalus, however, was the finding of dysmorphic ventricular dilation in eight patients, including the three children with Apert syndrome and four with Crouzon syndrome. Nineteen of the 25 children with complex craniosynostosis syndromes receiving psychometric testing were of normal intelligence. Four children with borderline normal intelligence had either hydrocephalus or ventricular dilation. The two children with mental retardation were sisters with Crouzon syndrome whose family included other retarded individuals. This study indicates that the incidence of hydrocephalus and mental retardation in craniosynostosis is lower than reported previously.

A new syndrome of refractory sideroblastic anemia with vacuolization of marrow precursors and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.

In the past decade, we have studied four unrelated children with what we believe is a previously unreported disorder affecting the bone marrow and exocrine pancreas. During infancy these patients had the onset of severe, transfusion-dependent, macrocytic anemia plus a variable degree of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Their bone marrows had normal cellularity but were characterized by remarkable vacuolization of erythroid and myeloid precursors, hemosiderosis, and ringed sideroblasts. The vacuoles probably represented manifestations of cellular degeneration and death. In two patients, in vitro bone marrow cultures showed abnormal erythroid and myeloid progenitor cell growth and, in one child, abnormal vacuolated erythroid colonies. Family histories were unrevealing, parents were hematologically normal, and both sexes were involved. There was no evidence of specific nutritional deficiencies or exposure to agents associated with marrow vacuolization. A number of therapeutic interventions produced no effect. One child had clinical malabsorption. This child and one other had extensive pancreatic fibrosis at autopsy. The other two patients had findings indicating exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. Two children had splenic atrophy. This new syndrome, with associated bone marrow and exocrine pancreatic dysfunctions, differs in several respects from the syndrome of pancreatic liposis and neutropenia described by Shwachman et all and Bodian et al, and from other conditions with vacuolization of the marrow or sideroblastosis.