Enucleation after Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Patients with Uveal Melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: In the past enucleation was the treatment of choice for all the patients with uveal melanoma. Nowadays, we prefer glope-sparing treatment modalities, except for large tumors, tumors with extrascleral extension and painful blind eyes. Most of the patients perform radiotherapy or local resection techniques. In Slovak Republic, the only one possibility is a stereotactic radiotherapy on a linear accelerator LINAC. Nevertheless, enucleation after radiotherapy is necessary for some patients. The causes are postradiation complications, mainly neovascular glaucoma, tumor recurrence, tumor progression or patient´s decision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective non-randomised study of 168 eyes of the patients with choroidal or ciliary body melanoma, who performed one-day session stereotactic radiosurgery at the linear accelerator LINAC during period 2007-2016. The data about postradiation complications were analysed based on the medical records of the patients and the data about enucleated eyes based on the histopathological findings. RESULTS: The occurence of enucleation after radiotherapy in our cohort was 17 % (28 patients), with median time period after radiotherapy 21,5 months. The most common cause was neovascular glaucoma (82 %), then tumor progression (14 %) and patient´s decision (4 %). The most common histopathological finding was spindle-cell melanoma. DISCUSSION: Others authors describe similar enucleation rate and causes. The histopathological findings indentified more viable melanoma cells in eyes enucleated for tumor progression in comparison with enucleation for other causes. Enucleation may be more difficult and the occurence of postoperative complications can be higher in the eyes after radiotherapy rather than primary enucleation. CONCLUSION: The management of the patients with uveal melanoma is difficult, and requires the cooperation of ophthalmologist, oncologist, radiation physicist and pathologist. Even if we make effort to preserve the eye, enucleation after radiotherapy is necessary in some patients.

Secondary glaucoma in small versus large uveal melanoma patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery on linear accelerator.

AIM: Secondary radiation-related side effects like secondary glaucoma (SG) of different modalities of treatment in uveal melanoma patients can appear in certain interval after therapy. This study describes the incidence of SG in patients after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). METHOD: The data of 230 patients treated by SRS were reviewed for SG. Group of 83 patients who were observed 5 years after treatment in one center with follow-up regularly at least 4 times per year were analyzed. RESULTS: In group of 83 patients with the median age 59 years, the median tumor volume at baseline was 0.41 cm3. The survival without SG after single dose SRS was 94 % in 1.5 year, 77 % in 2 years, 57 % in 3 years, 43 % in 3.5 years, and 18 % in 4.5 year after irradiation. In 6 patients (7.2 %) secondary enucleation was necessary due to SG. Both predictors (tumor volume and age of patient) at the time of SRS were not statistically significant by Cox proportional-hazards regression. CONCLUSIONS: Complications like SG in 5 year interval after irradiation can lead to secondary enucleation of the eye globe (Fig. 3, Ref. 44).

Pathophysiology and risk factors for cholelithiasis in patients with Crohn's disease.

Cholelithiasis is more common in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than in the healthy population. The aim here was to examine risk factors for cholelithiasis in a cohort of CD patients and to compare the prevalence of cholelithiasis in a cohort of CD patients with that in a control group. This was a single-center retrospective case-control study. The cohort comprised all consecutive CD patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound from January 2007 to January 2018. The control group comprised age- and gender-matched non-CD patients referred for upper gastrointestinal tract dyspepsia. The study included 238 CD patients and 238 controls. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in the CD and control groups was 12.6 % and 9.2 %, respectively (risk ratio (RR), 1.36; p=0.24). Univariate analysis revealed that cholelithiasis was associated with multiple risk factors. Multivariate analysis identified age (OR, 1.077; 95 % CI, 1.043-1.112; p<0.001) and receipt of parenteral nutrition (OR, 1.812; 95 % CI, 1.131-2.903; p=0.013) as independent risk factors for cholelithiasis in CD patients. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in CD patients was higher than that in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Age and receipt of parenteral nutrition were independent risk factors for cholelithiasis in CD patients.

Impact of smoking cigarette on the mRNA expression of cytokines in mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease.

It is well known that smoking is the risk factor in the development and clinical course of Crohn s disease (CD), but on the other hand, smoking is a protective factor against ulcerative colitis (UC). The pathways that are influenced by smoking in CD and UC are poorly understood. The aim of our study was to analyse the influence of smoking on the mRNA expression of cytokines in mucosa in patients with CD and UC. We performed a cross-sectional study. The cohort consisted of 86 IBD patients (48 CD patients and 38 UC patients) and took place at the IBD Centre at the University Hospital Bratislava-Ruzinov. We took the demographic and clinical data of each patient, including information about their smoking habits. We performed a colonoscopy on each patient and took biopsies from both inflamed and non-inflamed sigma (CD, UC) and terminal ileum (CD). mRNA was extracted from mucosal biopsy samples for each cytokine and was normalized to a housekeeping gene (GAPDH). Finally, we compared the mRNA expression of target cytokines in the mucosa of smokers and non-smokers in IBD patients. Smokers with Crohn s disease have a significantly higher mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF ? (p=0.003) in inflamed mucosa in sigma compared with non-smokers. In smokers with ulcerative colitis, we observed significantly higher mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL 10 (p=0.022) in non-inflamed mucosa of sigma. Similarly, smokers with UC have a significantly decreased mRNA expression of cytokine TLR 2 (p=0.024) and CCR1 (p=0.049) in non-inflamed mucosa of sigma. Based on our results, smoking has a positive influence on cessation and the clinical course of UC due to the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL 10 in mucosa. On the other hand, smokers with CD have a higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF ?, which could be associated with a worsening of the disease and response to therapy.

Use of intraabdominal VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) lowers mortality and morbidity in patients with open abdomen.

OBJECTIVE: Authors compare two groups of patients with open abdomen. The objective is to compare and evaluate two treatment modalities, namely Kern laparostomy and vacuum-assisted closure in terms of mortality, closure of abdominal wound, and fistula management, all these stratified by BMI and CRP. BACKGROUND: Open abdomen can be considered a "patient salvage technique", used in patients with abdominal sepsis, as well as in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome, and in damage control surgery. Various management techniques are known, of which Kern laparostomy is most widely used. Newer techniques using negative pressure have emerged, still waiting for their wider acceptance and use. The authors present their study, in which they compare Kern laparostomy and intraabdominal VAC in patients with open abdomen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study consists of 44 patients treated at the authors´ clinics, while group KERN consisted of patients managed by Kern laparostomy, and group VAC was managed by intraabdominal VAC. The groups were compared in terms of mortality, abdominal closure, appearance of enteroatmospheric fistulas, primary closure of fistulas, and possibility of diversion of enteral contents. All outputs were stratified by CRP (C-reactive protein) and BMI (Body Mass Index). RESULTS: In VAC group, a significant decrease in mortality was seen, as well as significantly higher closure of abdominal wall, and significantly higher possibility of diversion of enteral content from fistulas. No statistically significant findings were observed in stratification with CRP and BMI. CONCLUSION: Intraabdominal VAC offers patients lower morbidity and mortality and should be defined as a treatment of choice in patients with open abdomen (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref. 15).

[Diverticulum of the greater curvature of the stomach as a cause of anaemia]. / Divertikul velkej kurvatúry zalúdka ako prícina anemizácie.

Gastric diverticula represent a rare pathological condition. They are usually asymptomatic and are often found only by accident during radiologic or endoscopic examination, or during autopsy. Their incidence is low and evenly distributed between men and women. Gastric diverticula are most frequently located on the posterior wall of the cardia and on the lesser curvature of the stomach. The authors present a case study of a 58-year-old patient with severe sideropenic anaemia, a marked weight loss and non-specific dyspeptic symptoms. The suspicion of a diverticulum was raised by a gastroenterologist during gastrofibroscopy and confirmed by a radiologist following a dynamic CT examination of the stomach. The diverticulum had an atypical location beneath the cardia on the greater curvature. The patient was indicated for surgery. During conventional laparotomy, resection of the diverticulum was performed using a linear stapler. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histology confirmed a false diverticulum. The patient is doing well, is asymptomatic, has put on 7 kg since the operation and her blood count is normal.

Rare conditions of gastrointestinal bleeding.

The aim of this paper is to analyze and discuss an infrequent topic, i. e. rare conditions of gastrointestinal bleeding.Bleeding from gastrointestinal system is a common cause of acute abdomen and the most frequent causes are generally known.Clinicians, first of all emergency medicine staff, surgeons and internists (gastroenterology specialists), general practitioners, or less frequently other specialists, sometimes meet with less common causes of acute or chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal organs. It is quite important to be aware of the possibility the bleeding being caused by some rare condition, which is not so often met in medical practice, because of their great diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The low index of expectation of such a rare etiological unit could be the reason why destiny of such patients can be extremely problematic and why clinicians may fail at management of these patients (Fig. 4, Ref. 8).

[Cholecystoduodenal fistule as a consequence of calculouse cholecystitis in a female elderly patient]. / Cholecystoduodenálna fistula ako dôsledok kalkulóznej cholecystitídy pacientky vysokého veku (Kazuistika).

Bilioenteric fistules are fairly rare, cholecystoduodenal fistules are the commonest type, accounting for 70-80% of cases. Cholecystoduodenal fistules usually occur as a consequence of cholecystolithiasis and cholecystitis. Their symptomatology is atypical and fistules are frequently detected during surgery. Preoperative diagnostic procedures include visualization methods, such as US, CT, MRI, resp.ERCP. Both conventional laparotomy, as well as laparoscopy may be used in the treatment of the disease. Each of the methods has its pros and cons. The authors present a case review of a 85-year old female patient with a cholecystoduodenal fistule, diagnosed prior to the surgical procedure. Conventional laparotomy was elected as a method of treatment and the outcome was successful.

Rectal prolapse.

It is not so much the diagnosis that offers the surgeon a wide range of opportunities in the technical solutions of rectal prolapse. Currently there are at least 130 different techniques used in the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse and in fact none of these procedures has been shown most effective for any one patient. In this study, our intent is to describe the experiences of the authors with the treatment of rectal prolapse, to estimate the actual level of expertise of the surgeons in treatment of rectal prolapse, and to describe in which way to proceed in the future (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref. 27). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Diagnosis and management of local and locoregional recurrence of colorectal carcinoma.

All intraabdominal forms of recurrence of colorectal carcinoma, other than metastases in the liver, are considered a locoregional treatment failure. Maximum frequency of local recurrence of CRC occurs in the first two years following the initial potentially curative resection. Intensive follow-up in this period is therefore reasonable. It should be based on case history, clinical examination and examination of tumor markers (particularly CEA). Other examinations are indicated only for patients with abnormal findings or during normal annual check-ups. The salvage surgery for CRC recurrence covers a large scale of surgical performances from limited local resections up to extensive surgery including pelvic exenteration and peritonectomy. The potentially curative resection (R0 and R1) of colorectal carcinoma is a sole confirmed factor that has a direct positive influence on the overall survival of patients (Fig. 5, Ref. 21).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

In the last 3 years 9 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) underwent surgery at our department. All cases were with very atypical process. From these patients 3 interesting cases are described in more details. A 75-years-old woman with gastroscopically verified endoluminal tumour in the proximal third of stomach, 6x7 cm, 76-years-old man with a large endoluminal tumour in D2-D3 part of the duodenum, 4x4 cm, and 62-years-old man with verified extraluminal tumour by CT examination in the middle part of stomach. In all cases, gastrointestinal stromal tumour was histologically confirmed. Work is well photo-documented pre-surgically with endoscopic and CT-findings and during surgery: individual steps during the removal of these tumours. In assessment of the size and number of mitoses, tumours belonged to a group with highly malignant potential. Patients are regularly checked in 3-months intervals and also examination by positron emission tomography was performed--it seems to have the best demonstrability of possible relapse. All three patients live and are subjectively and objectively without significant problems (Tab. 5, Fig. 5, Ref. 7). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Arterialized venous free flaps--a reconstructive alternative for large dorsal digital defects.

Venous free flaps should be considered as potential reconstructive options for large dorsal digital defects with exposed bone, joint and/or extensor tendons, if local flaps are inadequate or unusable. We describe our experience of thirteen venous free flaps in twelve patients with large dorsal digital defects. Our survival rate for these flaps is comparable to the published data. The forearm donor site was closed primarily in all cases with minimal morbidity. The flaps should be monitored with Doppler devices as clinical evaluation is misleading secondary to the venous congestion inherent in these flaps. This reconstructive option has become a well-established procedure in our hands and is the alternate reconstructive method of choice for large dorsal digital defects where local flaps are not usable or inadequate due to complex hand injuries or multiple finger defects.

[Short bowel syndrome and limits of small intestinal resections]. / Short bowel syndróm a limity resekcnej chirurgie tenkého creva.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a malabsorption syndrome resulting from anatomical or functional loss of a significantly long small intestinal segment. A loss over 80% of the small intestinal length is associated with increased urgency for supportive parenteral nutrition and results in reduced overall survival of the patients. The ileocaecal valve (valvula Bauhini) loss results in bacterial contamination of the small intestine, affecting tolerability of the oral, ev. enteral nutrition. The authors present a case review of a 27-year-old patient with repetitive small intestinal resections. The last procedure included the Bauhini valve and, finally, the patient has only 70 cm of the jejunum preserved.

[Biliary ileus--potential complication of cholecystolithiasis]. / Biliárny ileus-- nad'alej reálna komplikácia cholecystolitiázy.

Biliary ileus is a rare complication of cholecystolithiasis. The condition occurs predominantly in the elderly with incidence rates of 1-4%, according to the literature data. Most commonly, it develops as a complication of cholelithiasis which remained untreated or was managed conservatively, or as a complication of a gallbladder decubitus necrosis. The condition results in a cholecysto-duodenal fistula. In this case, the cholecystolithiasis is latent or is clinically manifested in a third of the patients. A total of 1560 cholecystectomies (1345 L-CHE and 215 conventional CHE) were performed in our clinic during a five-year period. Biliary ileus was an indication for operation only in two subjects, during the studied period. In the both cases, the diagnosis was established intraoperatively, although upon re-examination of the visualization modalities views (upright native abdominal views, CT scans) the authors concluded that the primary cause of the ileus could have already been identified, based on the above views.

[Laparoscopic vagotomy in the treatment of recurrent duodenal ulcer]. / Laparoskopická vagotómia v liecbe recidivujúceho ulkusu duodéna.

The paper represents our results of laparoscopic vagotomies. In 1993 was the first successful laparoscopic vagotomy in Slovakia performed, at the 1st Department of Surgery, Faculty Hospital, Bratislava. From this time 10 operations with front superselective and dorsal truncal vagotomy were performed. Effectiveness of vagotomy was controlled after 12 months by examination of the gastric acidity. Decrease of gastric acidity in average above 61% was reached. Laparoscopic vagotomy, despite dominant conservative treatment of peptic ulcer, is the method of choice, if the conservative treatment is unsuccessful. (Fig. 3, Ref. 6.)

[Inflammatory complications in reconstructive surgery after esophagectomy]. / Zápalové komplikácie rekonstrukcných operáctí po ezofágektómii.

The authors evaluated in their retrospective study the portion of inflammatory complications on morbidity and mortality at restorative operations after oesophagectomies, performed at Ist Department of Surgery of the Teaching Hospital of Commenius University in Bratislava in the year of 1975-1998. The inflammatory complications still remain a serious problem after oesophagectomy with a great portion on postoperative mortality.

[Advantages of continuous resorbable mattress sutures in closing extensive laparotomies]. / Výhody pokracujúceho rezorbovatel'ného sl'uckového stehu pri uzatváraní vel'kých laparotómií.

In a group of 170 patients the mean time taken to close the abdominal cavity was 10 minutes, suppuration and fistulation resp. was observed in 2% of patients after 6 weeks. In 1.1% dehiscence occurred and in 3.5% hernia in the scar. All this applies to patients with severe malignity and hypoproteinaemia. Smead Jones technique of a continuous absorbable suture without knots is not only quick, safe, effective, cheap but also reliable in risk patients and obese patients with impaired healing, but only when its basic principles are respected: reliable anchoring and termination in fasciae, regularly alternating distances of stitches.