[Endoscopic hernia repair within the scope of a total management concept]. / Endoskopische Hernienreparation im Rahmen eines Gesamtkonzeptes.

From 1991 until 1998 there were 1832 hernioplasties in 1696 patients. Endoscopic procedures as there were the Trans Abdominal Hernioplasty (TAPP) and the Totaly Extraperitoneal Hernioplasty (TEP) are increasing as the Lichtenstein procedure. This is in opposite to the Shouldice operation. Endoscopic treatment is highly accepted and the results are as good as with other operations. The analysis of our patients shows that there is an indication for all the different procedures. We clame to use the optimal operation for each individual patient depending on clear criteria. Principally there are still the Shouldice operation without a net for the youngers and the Lichtenstein operation in local anaesthesia for elder and risk patients recommended. All others, especially those with bilateral and recurrent hernia profit from endoscopic procedures. Advantages and disadvantages for TAPP and TEP are demonstrated.

Primary gastric lymphomas: a clinicopathologic study with literature review.

Prognostic factors and treatment results were analysed in 28 consecutive patients with primary gastric lymphoma (PGL) diagnosed and treated, all by surgery and in many cases with additional chemotherapy (CT) and/or radiotherapy (RT), between 1977 and 1988. There were 13 patients in stage IE, 5 in IIE, and 10 in stage IV. The resection rate was 96.4% (27/28). Sixteen patients underwent an extended total and 11 a subtotal gastrectomy. Seventeen out of 25 cases (68%) were diagnosed by endoscopic biopsies. In 10 endoscopically diagnosed PGL cases the clinical staging and separation between stages IE and IIE from stage IV, due to ultrasonographic scan, computed tomography and bone marrow biopsy, was correct and the same with the surgical-pathological staging information. According to the Kiel-classification 18 patients had a low-grade and 9 patients a high-grade lymphoma. One patient could not be classified. All patients were completely followed-up, in an average time of 52 months. The probability of overall 5-year survival was 92% in stage IE, 75% in stage IIE, 88% in stages IE+IIE together, and 35% in stage IV. Extent of surgery (total vs. subtotal gastrectomy), Kiel-classification (low-grade vs. high-grade malignant histologic subtypes) and adjuvant CT in patients with stage IE (all 11 patients without CT remain in complete remission after an average of 45 months) did not significantly influence survival. The sole prognostic factor with proven impact on survival was the stage of disease (IE+IIE vs. IV: P = 0.001). For the Kiel-classification in particular there was no significant difference between low-grade and high-grade lymphomas with regard to the sex, symptomatic, extent of surgery, and stage at operation. These findings, together with data from the literature, suggest that gastric resection seems to be the optimal primary treatment in clinically assessed stages IE or IIE. In patients with stage IE disease, surgical resection can result in a cure, with no need for further therapy. The CT and/or RT can be effective in unresected and even bulky cases. Because of the difference in primary treatment, a preoperative clinical staging and separation between early stages from stage IV is always indicated.

[Adjuvant regional chemotherapy after resection of liver metastases of primary colorectal tumors]. / Adjuvante, regionale Chemotherapie nach Resektion von Lebermetastasen kolorektaler Primärtumoren.

Due to the pattern of tumor infiltration, hepatic resection may be accomplished in 20% of all patients with colorectal liver metastases. However, a new recurrence is observed very often and early. Up to date, systemic adjuvant treatment failed to improve the overall results. Taking into account the benefit of palliative intrahepatic chemotherapy, intraarterial therapy was performed as an adjuvant to removal of metastatic colorectal liver metastases in 51 out of 90 patients over an eight year period (1982-90). Due to abnormal arterial liver arteries 5 pat. got an intraportal catheter. The following monthly treatment schedules were applied: FUDR (fluorodesoxyuridine) 0.2-0.3 mg/kg/d/14 d (N = 12), FUDR 1,2 mg/kg/d/5d (N = 21), FUDR 1.0-1.7 mg/kg/d/5 and folinic acid 30 mg/m2/d (N = 18). Mortality (5.5%) and morbidity (36%) were not increased by catheter implantation. Local and systemic side effects were mainly stomatitis 0-22% and hepatobiliary toxicity 6-42%. Including an operative mortality of 5.5%, the median survival of 45 months was associated with a disease-free interval of 15 months. Intrahepatic recurrence was diagnosed after a median time of 26 months (extrahepatic recurrence was 25 months respectively). The following prognostic factors were associated with favourable survival: solitary metastasis (p > 0.001), curative resection, segmentectomy, normal serum levels of CA 19-9 and LDH. Although both groups were not comparable, due to more extended tumor infiltration in the treatment group (p = 0.03), adjuvant arterial chemotherapy delayed after curative resection intrahepatic recurrence to 52 versus 14 months (p = 0.036). Disease-free survival was improved to 19 versus 12 months (p = 0.08) resulting in a trend to better overall survival (p = 0.07).

Continuous regional treatment with fluoropyrimidines for metastases from colorectal carcinomas: influence of modulation with leucovorin.

Hepatic regional treatment represents an attempt to improve tumor response by increasing drug concentration with low systemic toxicities. Recently in vitro and clinical studies have shown that the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUDR) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) can be potentiated by high doses of leucovorin (LCV). Two pilot studies with intraarterial FUDR, 5FU, and LCV were initiated. Since 1982, 221 patients with colorectal liver metastases were treated by various forms of long-term monthly continuous regional treatment using implantable ports or pumps. FUDR (0.05 to 1.7 mg/kg/d) was administered alone or combined with 5-FU and leucovorin. In 61 patients curative liver resection was possible and was followed by adjuvant arterial treatment. Overall median survival time (MST) was 15 months and increased to 36 months after liver resection. This was influenced by the following important factors: treatment, number of metastases, extent of infiltration, tumor volume, and minimal intraoperatively diagnosed extrahepatic disease. The response rate varied from 69% to 23%. Time of development of extrahepatic progression was not delayed by additional systemic treatment. Local side effects significantly depended on the duration of arterial infusion. The rate of biliary sclerosis ranged from 19% to 0%. Occurrence of chemical hepatitis was between 7% and 38%. In contrast, after combined intraarterial treatment with LCV, systemic side effects, mainly stomatitis and diarrhea, were dose limiting. Despite the improvement of survival after regional treatment, further randomized trials are mandatory to compare regional with relevant systemic treatment.

[Primary open therapy of acute necrotizing pancreatitis by the "open abdomen"]. / Primär offene Therapie der akuten nekrotisierenden Pankreatitis durch das "offene Abdomem".

There is no agreement about a conservative surgical strategy in the therapy of acute necrotizing pancreatitis yet. This report describes our experience with "open packing" laparostomy. This procedure is only performed when renal and pulmonary insufficiency is proceeding, despite optimal conservative treatment. Since 1986 15 patients were treated in this manner. Three compartments are established: an upper compartment (stomach, liver, spleen--covered by the omentum majus, which is dissected from the colon transversum); a lower compartment (small bowel--covered by the left colon) and the mid compartment that permanently opens the bursa omentalis and the left retrocolic space. Initially a careful necrosectomy is performed, followed by a tamponade. At the intensive care unit changing of the tamponade and lavage of the bursa omentalis was done every day. So far two patients have died pursuing this therapeutic regimen.

A critical evaluation of effectivity of extended lymphadenectomy in patients with carcinoma of the stomach. An analysis of early results and long-term survival.

The therapeutic benefit of extended lymphadenectomy in patients with gastric cancer is not generally accepted. We therefore analyzed the data of 82 patients with total gastrectomy and extended lymphadenectomy (compartment I: lymph nodes 1-6 and compartment II: lymph nodes 7-11) from 1979 to 1986 (GL group) for morbidity, mortality and survival and compared these with the results of a historical control group of 81 patients from 1971 to 1986 (group G), who similarly had undergone total gastrectomy but only compartment-I lymphadenectomy (lymph nodes 1-6). The 30-day operative mortality in the GL group was 6% (5/82), which was no higher than that of the control group (9.5%, 4/42) during the same observation period (1979-1986). The comparison of the actuarial survival according to the old TNM system (UICC 1978) in both groups showed no significant differences: stages I and II P = 0.22, stage III P = 0.29, all curative cases (stages I+II+III) P = 0.12. In addition, the patients of the GL group were restaged according to the new TNM system (UICC 1987). The calculated 5-year survival rate in this group was: stage I, 89%; stage II, 64%; stage III, 21%; curative total (stages I+II+III), 62%; stage IV, 0%. All patients (n = 12) with involvement and dissection of lymph nodes of compartment II died within 38 months. Only two of these patients (17%) had a potentially curative operation. Our results indicate that compartment-II lymph node dissection did not influence the operative mortality or the prognosis compared with compartment-I lymphadenectomy. Since patients with positive lymph nodes in compartment II did not benefit from the extended lymph node dissection of this area, obviously because of systemic spread, the question of the effectiveness of the extended lymphadenectomy remains unresolved.

[Chemoembolization of primary liver cancer]. / Chemoembolisation beim primären Lebercarzinom.

At the University of Frankfurt/M. we perform chemoembolization of the liver in patients with inoperable liver cell carcinoma. Before application of embolization material vasoconstriction of healthy blood vessels is achieved by intraarterial injection of norepinephrine. This procedure improves selectivity of tumor embolization. Methods, indications, contraindications and results are presented.

[Elective portasystemic shunt: selection criteria, choice of procedure,results]. / Portosystemischer Elektiv-Shunt: Selektionskriterien, Verfahrenswahl, Ergebnisse.

The results of conservative medical (propranolol) and endoscopic therapy for bleeding esophageal varices show that the surgical shunt is indicated in both, acute and elective situations. The portocaval end-to-side-shunt should be preferred for hemodynamic reasons. However, special selection of patients is required to prevent postoperative liver failure. Linton, Drapanas and Warren shunts have a higher recurrence rate, but seem more appropriate for liver transplantation candidates. In our own series, preoperative diagnostic shunt-simulation by balloon-occlusion of the portal vein via an umbilical catheter has tremendously improved the results, even for child C-patients.

Prevention of extrahepatic disease during intraarterial floxuridine of colorectal liver metastases by simultaneous systemic 5-fluorouracil treatment? A prospective multicenter study.

Fifty-two (52) patients with nonresectable hepatic-only metastases from colorectal carcinoma (tumor volume less than 75%) were treated by intraarterial FUdR, 0.2 mg/kg/d x 14 days/month (IA) using implantable pumps (Infusaid). They were randomized either for IA or for IA + systemic 5-FU 700 mg/m2/d x 3 days/month (IA/IV). Forty-six (46) patients were evaluable (26 IA; 20 IA/IV). Both groups were comparable in respect to primary tumor stage, age, liver function tests, tumor markers and extent of tumor infiltration. Twenty-six (26) patients (56%) demonstrated a complete (CR) or partial response (PR) with at least a 50% decrease in CEA levels and a significant tumor volume reduction (IA 50%; IA/IV 65%). Quality of response was significantly correlated with median survival (MS) time of 25 months for CR and PR. Approximate MS for IA and IA/IV was 16 and 19.5 months, respectively, and approximate median survival time to extra- and/or intrahepatic progression was 9 months (IA) and 11 months (IA/IV). Incidence of extrahepatic recurrence was not influenced by any treatment (IA 62%; IA/IV 60%). Overall approximate median time to occurrence of extrahepatic disease was 12.5 months (IA 13; IA/IV 10). Liver disease progression was observed in 38 patients (IA 85%; IA/IV 80%). A median time of 8 months to diagnosis of liver disease progression was calculated for IA, and IA/IV was 11.5 months. Incidence of chemical hepatitis for IA and IA/IV was 54 and 45%, while biliary sclerosis occurred in 15% and 10% of the cases, respectively, and did not correlate with response rates. Systemic side effects (25%) were only observed in the IA/IV group and induced significantly more interruptions of therapy than in the IA group. It is concluded from this study that additional systemic 5-FU treatment does not prevent the occurrence of extrahepatic disease under local chemotherapy of the liver.

Temporary chemoembolization of colorectal liver metastases with degradable starch microspheres.

Increasing drug delivery to the tumor should induce improved tumor response. To study this the effect of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and mitomycin was evaluated in 11 patients with chemoembolization of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and previous floxuridine (FUDR) treatment. In 10 patients access to the hepatic artery was obtained either by infusaid pump or infusion chambers. Indications for chemoembolization were: Failure of continuous FUDR treatment (n = 7), biliary sclerosis (n = 2), incomplete liver perfusion (n = 2), extensive disease (n = 2). Preliminary observations showed a wide range of required DSM dose. Therefore each individual dose was determined by the use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Seventy-five percent of the DSM dosage, which induced reversed flow in the common hepatic artery, was selected for treatment. DSM was then administered four times every 2 hours/day/monthly. The last DSM doses were mixed with 10 mg mitomycin C. Observed response rates, controlled by chemotherapy (CT) and tumor markers, were: complete response 1/11; partial response 3/11; stable disease 2/11; progression 5/11. The median duration of response was 6.5 (range 3-21) months. DSM application induced redistribution of arterial flow towards previously unperfused portions of the liver. The required DSM doses decreased about 20-30% from the first to the last chemoembolization cycle. Although there was no systemic toxicity, embolization was associated with several local side effects. Moderate to heavy pain in spite of morphia and neuroleptics was experienced in 55% of all treatments. Some patients demonstrated an elevation in body temperature of up to 39 degrees C. Postembolization liver biopsies revealed more intense tumor necrosis associated with more severe hepato-toxicity than was seen with continuous FUDR treatment. It is concluded that the optimal sequence and dosage of mitomycin and DSM has to be further evaluated in prospective trials before clinical application.

[Prognostic significance of the Lauren classification of patients with stomach carcinoma. A statistical analysis of long-term results following gastrectomy]. / Prognostische Bedeutung der Lauren-Klassifikation bei Patienten mit Magenkarzinom. Eine statistische Analyse der Langzeitergebnisse nach Gastrektomie.

To evaluate the prognostic difference between the 2 major histological types of Lauren classification in gastric cancer, data on patients who underwent the same surgical procedure -- total gastrectomy -- were studied. 124 consecutive total gastrectomy cases treated from 1979 to 1986 were classified according to Lauren retrospectively into 2 groups, comprising 63 patients (50.8%) with intestinal type carcinoma and 61 in another group of diffuse (n = 44, 35.5%) or mixed type (n = 17, 13.7%) carcinoma. In regard to extent of total gastrectomy the two groups were comparable (splenectomy 50 times and compartment II lymphadenectomy 43 times in the intestinal type group, vs 49 and 39 times in the diffuse or mixed type group). The proportion of males (42 men, 21 women) and older patients (mean: 62 years) was greater in the intestinal type group than in the group of diffuse or mixed type carcinoma (34 men, 27 women, mean: 57 years). According to TNM stage no significant difference was observed in local tumor infiltration (pT stage), lymph node metastases (pN) and distal metastases (pM) between the two groups at the time of surgery. The stages of disease (UICC 1987) were similar in the two groups: Stage I: intestinal type 25.4% (16/63), diffuse or mixed type 23% (14/61), stage II: 19% (12/63) vs 14.7% (9/61), stage III: 14.3% (9/63) vs 19.7% (12/61), stage IV: 41.3% (26/63) vs 42.6% (26/61). The hospital mortality was 9.5% (6/63) in the intestinal-type group and 8.5% (5/61) in the group of diffuse or mixed carcinoma (no significant difference).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[European topic: liver surgery II--regional chemotherapy]. / Europäisches Thema: Leberchirurgie II--Regionale Chemotherapie.

The most important methods of regional chemotherapy are exemplified by 657 cases of primary and secondary liver only malignancies. I. Adjuvant portal therapy of the liver with resection of the colorectal primary malignancy seems to be advantageous for advanced tumors. II. It is still unresolved whether survival is prolonged by adjuvant treatment of the liver following curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. III. The median survival time (FUDR, pump) is 17 months for palliative local chemotherapy of unresectable colorectal liver metastases. IV. Primary non-resectable liver malignancies show the best results after chemoembolisation (Frankfurt method).