Surgery for Infrarenal Retroperitoneal Node Metastases from Colon Cancer.

PURPOSE: Treatment of retroperitoneal lymph node metastases (RPN) from colon cancer (CC) is a therapeutic challenge. Available evidence supporting a curative approach is weak and uncertainties remain concerning the extent of the dissection, the optimal timing for surgery, and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy. We report the outcomes of a curative intent strategy in a recent monocentric series of patients. METHODS: We did a retrospective review of all curative intent surgical treatment of RPN from CC performed consecutively in a French university hospital from June 2015 to April 2021. Demographics, clinicopathological, and molecular characteristics were evaluated. We describe recurrence-free and overall survival and factors related to recurrence. RESULTS: Records from 18 patients were reviewed. The median age was 69 years. Most of the patients were male (55%), ASA 1-2 (94%), had a left-sided primary colon cancer (73%), and had metachronous RPN (62%). Thirteen patients (72%) experienced recurrence. Recurrence was often limited to RPN (27%) or liver (22%). Four patients underwent a second surgery for RPN recurrence. Median disease-free and overall survival were 22 months and 50 months after RPN surgery. We did not find any factor associated with recurrence. Short-term recurrence (< 6 months) was associated with shorter overall survival (0.031). CONCLUSION: The current results suggest that RPN resection is feasible and associated with long survival in selected patients. Further studies evaluating the benefit of curative strategies including radical surgery for patients with potentially resectable RPN are warranted.

Robotic, transanal, and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for locally advanced mid/low rectal cancer: European multicentre, propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard surgery for low/mid locally advanced rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare three minimally invasive surgical approaches for TME with primary anastomosis (laparoscopic TME, robotic TME, and transanal TME). METHODS: Records of patients undergoing laparoscopic TME, robotic TME, or transanal TME between 2013 and 2022 according to standardized techniques in expert centres contributing to the European MRI and Rectal Cancer Surgery III (EuMaRCS-III) database were analysed. Propensity score matching was applied to compare the three groups with respect to the complication rate (primary outcome), conversion rate, postoperative recovery, and survival. RESULTS: A total of 468 patients (mean(s.d.) age of 64.1(11) years) were included; 190 (40.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic TME, 141 (30.1%) patients underwent robotic TME, and 137 (29.3%) patients underwent transanal TME. Comparative analyses after propensity score matching demonstrated a higher rate of postoperative complications for laparoscopic TME compared with both robotic TME (OR 1.80, 95% c.i. 1.11-2.91) and transanal TME (OR 2.87, 95% c.i. 1.72-4.80). Robotic TME was associated with a lower rate of grade A anastomotic leakage (2%) compared with both laparoscopic TME (8.8%) and transanal TME (8.1%) (P = 0.031). Robotic TME (1.4%) and transanal TME (0.7%) were both associated with a lower conversion rate to open surgery compared with laparoscopic TME (8.8%) (P < 0.001). Time to flatus and duration of hospital stay were shorter for patients treated with transanal TME (P = 0.003 and 0.001 respectively). There were no differences in operating time, intraoperative complications, blood loss, mortality, readmission, R0 resection, or survival. CONCLUSION: In this multicentre, retrospective, propensity score-matched, cohort study of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, newer minimally invasive approaches (robotic TME and transanal TME) demonstrated improved outcomes compared with laparoscopic TME.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. PARA-AORTIC LYMPH NODES SAMPLING DURING PANCREATODUODENECTOMY FOR PANCREATIC CANCER.

BACKGROUND: Para-aortic lymph nodes involvement in pancreatic head cancer has been described as an independent adverse prognostic factor. To avoid futile pancreatic resection, we systematically perform para-aortic lymphadenectomy as a first step. AIMS: To describe our technique for para-aortic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A 77-year-old female patient, with jaundice and resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy associated with infracolic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The infracolic anterior technique has two main advantages. It is faster and prevents the formation of postoperative adhesions, which can make subsequent surgical interventions more difficult. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend systematic para-aortic lymphadenectomy as the first step of pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma by this approach.

Pancreatic cancer orthotopic graft in a murine model.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers with increasing incidence. Even if progress have been made, the five-year overall survival remains lower than 10%. There is a desperate need in therapeutic improvements. In the last two decades, new in-vitro models have been developed and improved, including tridimensional-culture spheroids and organoids. However, animal studies remain mandatory in the upscaling before clinical studies. Orthotopic and syngeneic grafting is a robust model to test a drug efficiency in a tumor and its microenvironment. METHODS: We described a method for orthotopic and syngeneic graft of KRAS mutated, p53 wildtype, 8305 cells in a C57BL/6J mouse model. RESULTS: With this microsurgical method, 30 mice were grafted, 24 by a junior and six by a senior, resulting in 95,8 and 100% of (partial and total) successful tumoral implantation, respectively. Twenty mice underwent ultrasound follow-up. It was an efficient method for the tumoral growth evaluation. At day 16 after grafting, 85% of the tumors were detectable by ultrasound, and at day 22 all tumors were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The presented method appears to be a robust and reliable method for pre-clinical studies. A junior master student can provide positive results using this technique, which can be improved with training.

Contemporary Outcomes for the Curative Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Pulmonary Metastases.

PURPOSE: Treatment of pulmonary metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is the standard of care by several guidelines from Europe and the USA, but the validity of this strategy has been recently questioned, and the available evidence supporting this strategy is weak. We report the outcomes of a curative intent strategy in a very recent and homogenous series of patients. METHODS: We did a retrospective review of all curative intent surgical or ablative treatment of PM from CRC performed consecutively in 3 French institutions from January 2015 to December 2019. Demographics, clinicopathological, and molecular characteristics were evaluated. Cox regression models were used to identify prognostic factors related to local recurrence and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Records from 152 patients were reviewed. One-hundred thirty-five patients (88%) had surgical metastasectomy. Median age was 67 years. Most of the patients had a single lesion (66%), and 16% had synchronous PM. Eighty-one patients (53%) experienced recurrence, and the thorax was the most common site of recurrence. Median disease-free survival and overall survival were 35 months and 78 months after PM treatment. At the end of the study, only 17% of the patients died. Pulmonary tumor burden was correlated with disease-free survival in univariate analysis, but multivariate analysis did not find any prognostic factor independently associated with local recurrence or survival. CONCLUSION: Our finds corroborate existing recommendation for the invasive treatment of PM from CRC in selected patients.

From left to right. para-aortic lymph nodes sampling during pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer / Da esquerda para a direita. ressecção de linfonodos para-aórticos durante duodenopancreatectomia para câncer pancreático

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Para-aortic lymph nodes involvement in pancreatic head cancer has been described as an independent adverse prognostic factor. To avoid futile pancreatic resection, we systematically perform para-aortic lymphadenectomy as a first step. AIMS: To describe our technique for para-aortic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A 77-year-old female patient, with jaundice and resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy associated with infracolic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The infracolic anterior technique has two main advantages. It is faster and prevents the formation of postoperative adhesions, which can make subsequent surgical interventions more difficult. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend systematic para-aortic lymphadenectomy as the first step of pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma by this approach.

RESUMO RACIONAL: O envolvimento dos gânglios linfáticos para-aórticos no câncer da cabeça do pâncreas tem sido descrito como um fator prognóstico adverso independente. Para evitar a ressecção pancreática inútil, realizamos sistematicamente linfadenectomia para-aórtica. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a técnica de linfadenectomia para-aórtica. MÉTODOS: Paciente do sexo feminino, 77 anos, com quadro de icterícia e adenocarcinoma da cabeça do pâncreas ressecável, submetida à duodenopancreatectomia associada à linfadenectomia infracólica. RESULTADOS: Esta técnica anterior infracólica tem duas vantagens principais: é mais rápida e evita a formação de aderências pós-operatórias, o que pode dificultar as intervenções cirúrgicas subsequentes. CONCLUSÕES: Recomendamos a linfadenectomia para-aórtica sistemática como o primeiro passo da duodenopancreatectomia para o adenocarcinoma da cabeça do pâncreas por esta abordagem.

Granulomatous splenic mass with necrosis revealing an EBV-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a variant of follicular dendritic cell neoplasm most often arising in the liver or spleen. Two histological patterns can be identified in this variant, namely a granulomatous and an eosinophil-rich one. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with a splenic mass. After being removed, the mass was gray-whitish with an area of necrosis. Histology showed a diffuse distribution of epithelioid granulomas in a background of a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Rare atypical cells EBV+ and CD21+ were present in the intergranulomatous areas. Differential diagnosis for the granulomatous type EBV+ inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma includes infection, sarcoidosis, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, T cell lymphoma and vasculitis. The origin of this neoplasm is the follicular dendritic cell, and, due to its similarities with a myofibroblast, differential diagnosis can be challenging. Immunohistochemistry for dendritic markers and in situ hybridization for EBER remain diagnostic keys.

Acute Pancreatitis as the Initial Presentation of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma does not Impact Short- and Long-term Outcomes of Curative Intent Surgery: A Study of the French Surgical Association.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) can be one of the earliest clinical presentation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Information about the impact of AP on postoperative outcomes as well as its influences on PDAC survival is scarce. This study aimed to determine whether AP as initial clinical presentation of PDAC impact the short- and long-term outcomes of curative intent pancreatic resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2009, 1449 patients with PDAC underwent pancreatic resection in 37 institutions (France, Belgium and Switzerland). We used univariate and multivariate analysis to identify factors associated with severe complications and pancreatic fistula as well as overall and disease-free survivals. RESULTS: There were 764 males (52,7%), and the median age was 64 years. A total of 781 patients (53.9%) developed at least one complication, among whom 317 (21.8%) were classified as Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3. A total of 114 (8.5%) patients had AP as the initial clinical manifestation of PDAC. This situation was not associated with any increase in the rates of postoperative fistula (21.2% vs 16.4%, P = 0.19), postoperative complications (57% vs 54.2%, P = 0.56), and 30 day mortality (2.6% vs 3.4%, P = 1). In multivariate analysis, AP did not correlate with postoperative complications or pancreatic fistula. The median length of follow-up was 22.4 months. The median overall survival after surgery was 29.9 months in the AP group and 30.5 months in the control group. Overall recurrence rate and local recurrence rate did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: AP before PDAC resection did not impact postoperative morbidity and mortality, as well as recurrence rate and survival.

PERINEAL REPAIR AFTER ABDOMINOPERINEAL EXCISION WITH RECTUS ABDOMINIS MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP.

BACKGROUND: Myocutaneous flap of the rectus abdominis filling the perineal defect after APR.. Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APR) remains the only potential curative treatment for very low rectal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Yet, it implies a significant perineal exenteration and has set the attention on the perineal reconstruction. AIM: To present technique used in one case of APR for anal cancer, with resection of the vaginal posterior wall with large perineal defect which has called for the necessity of a flap for reconstruction. METHOD: To cover the large perineal defect and reconstruct the posterior vaginal wall was perform a standardized and reproducible surgical technique using oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous (ORAM) flap. The overlying skin of this flap is thick and well vascularized by both superficial branches and perforators of the superior epigastric artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery which serves as the vascular pedicle for the ORAM flap. RESULTS: This procedure was applied in a 65-year-old woman with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the anus infiltrating the posterior wall of the vagina. Was performed an APR with en-bloc resection of the vaginal posterior wall in order to achieve tumor-free margins. Postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged home at postoperative day 9. Final pathological report confirmed the oncological adequacy of the procedure (R0) and showed a rypT4N0 lesion. CONCLUSION: Flap reconstruction is an effective way to cover the perineal wound reducing both perineal complication rate and wound healing delay. The ORAM is particularly interesting for female whose tumors require resection and subsequent reconstruction of the posterior wall of the vagina.

Minimally invasive versus open right hepatectomy: comparative study with propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive liver resections (MILRs) have been increasingly performed in recent years. However, the majority of MILRs are actually minor or limited resections of peripheral lesions. Due to the technical complexity major hepatectomies remain challenging for minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the short and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive right hepatectomies (MIRHs) with contemporary patients undergoing open right hepatectomies (ORHs) METHODS: Consecutive patients submitted to anatomic right hepatectomies between January 2013 and December 2018 in two tertiary referral centers were studied. Study groups were compared on an intention-to-treat basis after propensity score matching (PSM). Overall survival (OS) analyses were performed for the entire cohort and specific etiologies subgroups RESULTS: During study period 178 right hepatectomies were performed. After matching, 37 patients were included in MIRH group and 60 in ORH group. The groups were homogenous for all baseline characteristics. MIRHs had significant lower blood loss (400 ml vs. 500 ml, P = 0.01), lower rate of minor complications (13.5% vs. 35%, P = 0.03) and larger resection margins (10 mm vs. 5 mm, P = 0.03) when compared to ORHs. Additionally, a non-significant decrease in hospital stay (ORH 9 days vs. MIRH 7 days, P = 0.09) was observed. No differences regarding the use of Pringle's maneuver, operative time, overall morbidity or perioperative mortality were observed. OS was similar between the groups (P = 0.13). Similarly, no difference in OS was found in subgroups of patients with primary liver tumors (P = 0.09) and liver metastasis (P = 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: MIRHs are feasible and safe in experienced hands. Minimally invasive approach was associated with less blood loss, a significant reduction in minor perioperative complications, and did not negatively affect long-term outcomes.

Appendicitis is a Severe Disease in Elderly Patients: A Twenty-Year Audit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Life expectancy has increased substantially. Elderly patients currently represent a large part of patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of elderly patients who underwent appendectomy in a single French tertiary center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2014. We used the French threshold of ≥ 75 y-old to define elderly patients. Hence, elderly patients who underwent appendectomy were compared to the younger group. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,060 consecutive patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 52% of cases. Similar rates of laparoscopic approach were recorded in both groups, but conversion to open surgery was six times more frequent in elderly patients (17% vs. 3%; P < .0001). A higher incidence of complicated appendicitis was observed in the elderly group (63% vs. 13.6%; P < .0001). Complications occurred more frequently in the elderly group (46% vs. 8%; P < .0001). 30-d mortality was 0.15% for patients < 75 y and 6.15% for elderly patients (P < .0001). Unsuspected presence of an appendiceal neoplasm was higher (7.7%) in the elderly population. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fact that appendicitis in the elderly is associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis, morbidity, and mortality.

Perineal repair after abdominoperineal excision with rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap / Reconstrução do períneo após amputação abdominoperineal com retalho pediculado do músculo reto abdominal

ABSTRACT Background: Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APR) remains the only potential curative treatment for very low rectal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Yet, it implies a significant perineal exenteration and has set the attention on the perineal reconstruction. Aim: To present technique used in one case of APR for anal cancer, with resection of the vaginal posterior wall with large perineal defect which has called for the necessity of a flap for reconstruction Method: To cover the large perineal defect and reconstruct the posterior vaginal wall was perform a standardized and reproducible surgical technique using oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous (ORAM) flap. The overlying skin of this flap is thick and well vascularized by both superficial branches and perforators of the superior epigastric artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery which serves as the vascular pedicle for the ORAM flap. Results: This procedure was applied in a 65-year-old woman with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the anus infiltrating the posterior wall of the vagina. Was performed an APR with en-bloc resection of the vaginal posterior wall in order to achieve tumor-free margins. Postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged home at postoperative day 9. Final pathological report confirmed the oncological adequacy of the procedure (R0) and showed a rypT4N0 lesion. Conclusion: Flap reconstruction is an effective way to cover the perineal wound reducing both perineal complication rate and wound healing delay. The ORAM is particularly interesting for female whose tumors require resection and subsequent reconstruction of the posterior wall of the vagina.

RESUMO Racional: A amputação abdominoperineal do reto (APR) continua sendo o único tratamento curativo nos casos de adenocarcinoma retal muito baixo e carcinoma espinocelular do ânus. No entanto, implica em exenteração perineal significativa e exige atenção na reconstrução perineal. Objetivo: Propor, ilustrando com um caso clinico, proposta de APR para câncer anal com ressecção da parede posterior da vagina com cobertura do grande defeito perineal através de reconstrução com retalho miocutâneo oblíquo do reto abdominal (ORAM). Método: Para cobrir o defeito e reconstruir a parede vaginal posterior, realizou-se técnica de retalho miocutâneo oblíquo do reto abdominal (ORAM). A pele subjacente desse retalho por ser espessa e bem vascularizada por ramos perforantes superficiais da artéria epigástrica superior e pela artéria epigástrica inferior profunda serviu como pedículo vascular. Resultado: Este procedimento foi aplicado em uma mulher de 65 anos com recidiva de carcinoma espinocelular do ânus infiltrado na parede posterior da vagina. Foi realizada APR com ressecção em bloco da parede posterior vaginal com o objetivo de obter margens livres de tumor. O pós-operatório transcorreu sem intercorrências e a paciente recebeu alta hospitalar no 9° dia pós-operatório. O relatório patológico final confirmou a adequação oncológica do procedimento (R0) e mostrou uma lesão rypT4N0 de 6,5 cm. Conclusão: A reconstrução perineal com utilização de retalho é maneira eficaz de fechar a ferida operatória, reduzindo a taxa de complicações perineais e o atraso na cicatrização. O retalho de tipo ORAM é particularmente interessante para mulheres cujos tumores requerem ressecção e subsequente reconstrução da parede posterior da vagina.

Experience With Transitioning From Laparoscopic to Robotic Right Colectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The number of robotic colorectal procedures performed has rapidly increased, but there are only sparse data available about the robotic learning curve of expert laparoscopic colorectal surgeons. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 101 minimally invasive right colectomies consecutively performed by a single surgeon with 20 years of clinical practice fully dedicated to laparoscopic surgery. Thus, the last 59 laparoscopic resections were compared with the first 42 robotic resections. RESULTS: The duration of the procedure was longer in the robotic group, but the conversion rate was the same in both groups. There was no difference between groups in rates of overall and severe postoperative complications, reoperation, hospital length of stay, and readmission. Number of harvested lymph nodes and oncological quality of resection defined by the pathologist were the same. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the transition from the right laparoscopic colectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis to the robot-assisted right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis when performed by a surgeon with experience in laparoscopic colorectal surgery may not entail any increase on the morbidity rate or reduce the oncologic quality of the resection.

Laparoscopic liver resection: Experience based guidelines.

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been progressively developed along the past two decades. Despite initial skepticism, improved operative results made laparoscopic approach incorporated to surgical practice and operations increased in frequency and complexity. Evidence supporting LLR comes from case-series, comparative studies and meta-analysis. Despite lack of level 1 evidence, the body of literature is stronger and existing data confirms the safety, feasibility and benefits of laparoscopic approach when compared to open resection. Indications for LLR do not differ from those for open surgery. They include benign and malignant (both primary and metastatic) tumors and living donor liver harvesting. Currently, resection of lesions located on anterolateral segments and left lateral sectionectomy are performed systematically by laparoscopy in hepatobiliary specialized centers. Resection of lesions located on posterosuperior segments (1, 4a, 7, 8) and major liver resections were shown to be feasible but remain technically demanding procedures, which should be reserved to experienced surgeons. Hand-assisted and laparoscopy-assisted procedures appeared to increase the indications of minimally invasive liver surgery and are useful strategies applied to difficult and major resections. LLR proved to be safe for malignant lesions and offers some short-term advantages over open resection. Oncological results including resection margin status and long-term survival were not inferior to open resection. At present, surgical community expects high quality studies to base the already perceived better outcomes achieved by laparoscopy in major centers' practice. Continuous surgical training, as well as new technologies should augment the application of laparoscopic liver surgery. Future applicability of new technologies such as robot assistance and image-guided surgery is still under investigation.

Video assisted resections. Increasing access to minimally invasive liver surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perioperative outcomes, safety and feasibility of video-assisted resection for primary and secondary liver lesions. METHODS: From a prospective database, we analyzed the perioperative results (up to 90 days) of 25 consecutive patients undergoing video-assisted resections in the period between June 2007 and June 2013. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.4 years (23-73) and 16 (64%) patients were female. Of the total, 84% were suffering from malignant diseases. We performed 33 resections (1 to 4 nodules per patient). The procedures performed were non-anatomical resections (n = 26), segmentectomy (n = 1), 2/3 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), 6/7 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), left hepatectomy (n = 2) and right hepatectomy (n = 2). The procedures contemplated postero-superior segments in 66.7%, requiring multiple or larger resections. The average operating time was 226 minutes (80-420), and anesthesia time, 360 minutes (200-630). The average size of resected nodes was 3.2 cm (0.8 to 10) and the surgical margins were free in all the analyzed specimens. Eight percent of patients needed blood transfusion and no case was converted to open surgery. The length of stay was 6.5 days (3-16). Postoperative complications occurred in 20% of patients, with no perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: The video-assisted liver resection is feasible and safe and should be part of the liver surgeon armamentarium for resection of primary and secondary liver lesions.

Video assisted resections. Increasing access to minimally invasive liver surgery? / Ressecções videoassistidas. Ampliação do acesso à cirurgia hepática minimamente invasiva?

Objective: To evaluate perioperative outcomes, safety and feasibility of video-assisted resection for primary and secondary liver lesions. Methods : From a prospective database, we analyzed the perioperative results (up to 90 days) of 25 consecutive patients undergoing video-assisted resections in the period between June 2007 and June 2013. Results : The mean age was 53.4 years (23-73) and 16 (64%) patients were female. Of the total, 84% were suffering from malignant diseases. We performed 33 resections (1 to 4 nodules per patient). The procedures performed were non-anatomical resections (n = 26), segmentectomy (n = 1), 2/3 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), 6/7 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), left hepatectomy (n = 2) and right hepatectomy (n = 2). The procedures contemplated postero-superior segments in 66.7%, requiring multiple or larger resections. The average operating time was 226 minutes (80-420), and anesthesia time, 360 minutes (200-630). The average size of resected nodes was 3.2 cm (0.8 to 10) and the surgical margins were free in all the analyzed specimens. Eight percent of patients needed blood transfusion and no case was converted to open surgery. The length of stay was 6.5 days (3-16). Postoperative complications occurred in 20% of patients, with no perioperative mortality. Conclusion : The video-assisted liver resection is feasible and safe and should be part of the liver surgeon armamentarium for resection of primary and secondary liver lesions.

Objetivo: avaliar os resultados perioperatórios, segurança e exequibilidade das ressecções videoassistidas para lesões hepáticas primárias e secundárias. Métodos: a partir de um banco de dados prospectivo, foram analisados os resultados perioperatórios (até 90 dias) de 25 pacientes consecutivos submetidos à ressecções videoassistidas, no período entre junho de 2007 e junho de 2013. Resultados: a média de idade foi 53,4 anos (23 a 73 anos), sendo 16 (64%) pacientes do sexo feminino. Do total, 84% eram portadores de patologias malignas. Foram realizadas 33 ressecções (1 a 4 nódulos por paciente). Os procedimentos realizados foram: ressecções não regradas (n=26), segmentectomia (n=1), bissegmentectomia 2/3 (n=1), bissegmentectomia 6/7 (n=1), hepatectomia esquerda (n=2), hepatectomia direita (n=2). Do total, 66,7% dos procedimentos foram em segmentos póstero-superiores, necessitaram de resecções múltiplas ou ressecções maiores. O tempo médio de operação foi 226 minutos (80-420 min) e o tempo de anestesia de 360 minutos (200-630 min). O tamanho médio dos nódulos ressecados foi 3,2cm (0,8 a 10 cm) e as margens cirúrgicas foram livres em todos os espécimes analisados. Foram transfundidos 8% dos pacientes e nenhum caso foi convertido. O tempo de internação foi 6,5 dias (3 a 16 dias). Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 20% dos pacientes, não havendo mortalidade perioperatória. Conclusão: a ressecção hepática videoassistida é exequível e segura, devendo fazer parte do armamentário do cirurgião de fígado para ressecções de lesões hepáticas primárias e secundárias.

How to Avoid Nontherapeutic Laparotomy in Patients With Multiple Organ Failure of Unknown Origin. The Role of CT Scan Revisited.

Diagnosis of intra-abdominal diseases in critically ill patients remains a clinical challenge. Physical examination is unreliable whereas exploratory laparotomy may aggravate patient's condition and delay further evaluation. Only a few studies have investigated the place of computed tomography (CT) on this hazardous situation. We aimed to evaluate the ability of CT to prevent unnecessary laparotomy during the management of critically ill patients. Charts of all consecutive patients who had undergone an emergency nontherapeutic laparotomy from 1996 to 2013 were retrospectively studied and patient's demographic, clinical characteristics, and surgical findings were collected. During this period 59 patients had an unnecessary laparotomy. Fifty-one patients had at least one preoperative imaging and 36 had a CT scan. CT scans were interpreted to be normal (n = 12), with minor anomalies (n = 10), or major anomalies (pneumoperitoneum, portal venous gas/pneumatosis intestinalis, thickened gallbladder wall, and small bowel obstruction signs). Surgical exploration was performed through laparotomy (n = 55) or laparoscopy. Overall mortality was 37% with a median survival after surgery of 7 days. In univariate analysis, hospitalization in ICU before surgical exploration was the only factor related to death. In our series CT scans, objectively interpreted, helped avoid unnecessary surgical exploration in 61% of our patients.

Metástases hepáticas de câncer colorretal: estudo do impacto prognóstico das vias de disseminação tumoral e da presença de mucina em pacientes submetidos à ressecção hepática com intenção curativa / Colorectal cancer liver metastasis: clinical impact of the mechanisms of intrahepatic tumor dissemination and the presence of mucin in surgically resected patients

INTRODUÇÃO: A ressecção de metástases hepáticas (MH) do câncer colorretal (CCR) é considerada segura e potencialmente curativa. Apesar dos avanços no diagnóstico e nas estratégias cirúrgicas até 70% dos pacientes operados vão apresentar recidiva. Os critérios prognósticos clínico-patológicos disponíveis são insuficientes e a utilidade de modelos prognósticos é considerada inconsistente. Deste modo, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de novos critérios que se apoiam em outras variáveis biológicas. A disseminação intra-hepática de metástases de câncer colorretal pode ocorrer através de diferentes vias: linfática, sanguínea (vasos portais), através dos sinusóides ou de ductos biliares. Embora estas vias tenham sido bem descritas, o valor prognóstico de cada uma após a ressecção hepática não está completamente definido. O adenocarcinoma colorretal mucinoso (ACM) é um subtipo de carcinoma colorretal com importante produção mucina, e que está associado clinicamente a tumores proximais, estágio avançado no momento do diagnóstico, instabilidade de microssatélites e mutação do gene BRAF. Há controvérsias sobre o impacto prognóstico da histologia mucinosa nos tumores colorretais primitivos e o seu papel nas lesões metastáticas hepáticas permanece desconhecido. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi determinar a frequência e elucidar o impacto prognóstico de quatro vias diferentes de disseminação intra-hepática assim como da histologia mucinosa em uma série consecutiva de pacientes operados por MH de CCR. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Os prontuários de 132 pacientes submetidos à ressecção cirúrgica de MH de CCR entre dezembro de 1999 e janeiro de 2010 foram revisados. Os pacientes que faleceram por complicações pós-operatórias (n= 3), aqueles com ressecções incompletas (R2; n= 2), ou nos quais não havia material disponível para o estudo (n= 14) foram excluídos. Os 113 pacientes restantes tiveram suas variáveis clínico-patológicas e resultados (recidiva e sobrevida) avaliados. Os...

BACKGROUND: Resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is generally accepted as a safe and potentially curative treatment. Despite advances in diagnosis and surgical strategies, up to 70% of patients will present recurrence of the disease after resection of CRCLM. Clinicopathological prognostic factors are inadequate to determine disease prognosis and the utility of prognostic models on general population is considered highly inconsistent. Herein, future attempts to develop prognostic scores may include additional biologic variables. Intrahepatic spread from CRLM may take place through four different routes: lymphatic vessels, portal vessels, sinusoids and biliary ducts. Although these routes have been well described, their prognostic value after hepatectomy is not completely understood. Colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a subtype of colorectal adenocarcinoma with prominent mucin production associated with tumor proximal location, advanced stage at diagnosis, microsatellite instability, and BRAF mutation. There are controversies about the prognostic impact of mucinous histology on colorectal cancer and the prognostic implication of MAC in CRCLM is unknown. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency and elucidate the prognostic implication of four different routes for intrahepatic dissemination and the mucinous histology in a consecutive series of resected CRCLM. METHODS: Medical records of 132 patients who underwent a first resection of CRCLM between December 1999 and January 2010 were reviewed. Patients who died from postoperative complications (n=3), those with incomplete resections (R2; n=2), or no available tissue for the study (n=14) were excluded. The remaining 113 patients had their clinicopathologic variables and outcome parameters evaluated. Resected specimens were submitted to routine histological evaluation and were grouped according to metastasis mucinous content: > 50%, MAC; < 50%, adenocarcinoma with...

Metastatic gallbladder adenosquamous carcinoma to the skin†.

Cutaneous metastasis (CM) is an uncommon manifestation of visceral malignancies. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare variation in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), associated with worse prognosis. We present the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with an inflamed lump on her abdominal wall. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large mass from the gallbladder invading the abdominal wall. She underwent liver resection with regional lymphadenectomy. Pathology analysis revealed a 12-cm pT3N0 GBC. Hospital discharge occurred at post-operative Day 20. She recurred and died 10 months after surgery. Survival after the diagnosis of CM is dismal. The present case was a diagnostic trap. First, the patient's skin lesion presented as a cutaneous abscess and biopsy revealed a squamous cell cancer. A CT scan suggested a continuous mass involving the abdominal wall. CM was only suspected during surgery when no continuity between the tumour and the abdominal wall was identified.