Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: The Modern Psycho-Oncologic Approach for Romania-A Review.

Quality of life (QOL) is an important indicator of human satisfaction and well-being. QOL is significantly and persistently affected for patients after a cancer diagnosis. Despite some evidence suggesting that psycho-oncologic interventions can provide lasting benefits, the inclusion of such interventions in cancer therapy is not universal. This article provides an overview of the known approaches to the evaluation of QOL in cancer patients and various interventions for improving patients' outcomes, with a focus on the eastern European regional and specific Romanian context. With a mortality rate above and cancer care performance below the EU average and unequally distributed, Romania urgently needs a national coordination program, which is discussed in our review, highlighting the main psychological tools needed for the assessment and the challenges involved in implementing the program. In the end, we suggest some directions for the future development of the psycho-oncologic approach in the context of social considerations, policy, and the unexpected financial challenges the nation provides.

Retroperitoneal Haematoma - Still a Medical Challenge for Abdominal Trauma.

Introduction: The study is presenting a personal experience of a Trauma Centre Level I and is try to conclude on optimal medical attitude for patients with retroperitoneal hematoma, still a controversial topic for traumatologists. Material and Method: A retrospective analysis of 22 cases of post-traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma admitted on Bucharest Emergency Hospital between September 2018 August 2021 (including time of Covid-19 pandemic), is presented Results: The patients (males predominance, mean age 43, mean ISS of 23), benefited of nonoperative management on admission for 10 cases (45%) with a failure rate of 4/10 due to recurrent bleeding from spleen injuries and continuous bleeding from mesenteric vessels lesions. CT scan (73% - 16 cases) within 1 hour from the admission and emergency surgery were necessary for 12 cases (55%). 2 patients benefited of angioembolization on admission. Conservative attitude for retroperitoneal hematoma was adopted for 72% cases. Over-all mortality: 18% (4 patients, mean ISS of 36), among 82% polytrauma cases. Conclusions: Algorithm of treatment is adapted to every case of retroperitoneal hematoma but the following sequences are mandatory: rapid transportation to Trauma Centre Level I with medical help, correct resuscitation, immediate relevant imagistic (CT scan), emergency surgery prior to angioembolization (for hemodynamic instable patients) or after it, ICU stabilization of the patient and then definitive repair of the injuries. Despite all, mortality remains high.

Resection of Large Metachronous Liver Metastasis with Gastric Origin: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence suggests that surgical resection may be offered to a subgroup of patients with liver metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma. The aim of this case report is to illustrate the surgical resection of a single liver metachronous recurrence twelve months after a radical total gastrectomy for cancer. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old male patient with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 was referred to our hospital for a single, large liver metastasis, twelve months after a radical total gastrectomy and DII lymphadenectomy for upper third gastric adenocarcinoma. As the adjuvant treatment, the patient received 12 cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy. During the present admission, the abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a single liver metastasis located in the segments 5 and 6, of 105/85 mm in diameter. Surgical resection by an open approach of liver metastasis was decided. We performed a non-anatomical liver resection, without inflow control due to significant peritoneal adhesions in the liver hilum secondary to the previous lymphadenectomy. The patient was discharged after seven days, with an uneventful recovery. Six months after the second surgical procedure, the patient developed a local liver recurrence. The surgical resection of the liver recurrence was performed, with no postoperative morbidities, and the patient was discharged after eight days. Three months after the latest surgery, the patient is under adjuvant chemotherapy, with no imagistic signs of further recurrences. CONCLUSIONS:   Hepatic resection for liver metastasis of gastric origin may offer satisfactory oncological outcomes in a very selected subgroup of patients.

Complex Perineal Trauma with Anorectal Avulsion.

Introduction. The objective of this case report is to illustrate a severe perineal impalement injury, associated with anorectal avulsion and hemorrhagic shock. Results. A 32-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for an impalement perineal trauma, associated with complex pelvic fracture and massive perineal soft tissue destruction and anorectal avulsion. On arrival, the systolic blood pressure was 85 mm Hg and the hemoglobin was 7.1 g/dL. The patient was transported to the operating room, and perineal lavage, hemostasis, and repacking were performed. After 12 hours in the Intensive Care Unit, the abdominal ultrasonography revealed free peritoneal fluid. We decided emergency laparotomy, and massive hemoperitoneum due to intraperitoneal rupture of pelvic hematoma was confirmed. Pelvic packing controlled the ongoing diffuse bleeding. After 48 hours, the relaparotomy with packs removal and loop sigmoid colostomy was performed. The postoperative course was progressive favorable, with discharge after 70 days and colostomy closure after four months, with no long-term complications. Conclusions. Severe perineal injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Their management in high volume centers, with experience in colorectal and trauma surgery, allocating significant human and material resources, decreases the early mortality and long-term complications, offering the best quality of life for patients.

Primary Aortoduodenal Fistula: First you Should Suspect it.

A 59 year-old patient was admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical exam showed mild hypotension and blood samples revealed acute anemia (hemoglobin = 7.5 g/dl). Emergency computed tomography showed an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and extravasation of the arterial contrast material toward the digestive tract. The patient was transported to the operating room for emergency laparotomy, which showed an aortoduodenal fistula. After proximal and distal aortic vascular control, the two anatomical structures were dissected with duodenorrhaphy, patch repair of the aortic tear and omentum interposition. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, with discharge after 12 days.

Laparoscopic Transgastric versus Endoscopic Drainage of a Large Pancreatic Pseudocyst. A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic pseudocysts are the most common complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis. They account for 75% of the cystic lesions of the pancreas. CASE REPORT: A 37 year-old woman was admitted three months after an episode of severe acute pancreatitis with a large tumor mass located in her left abdomen, abdominal tenderness and asthenia. Abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) revealed a giant pancreatic pseudocyst of 23/15/12 centimeters. We performed an anterior laparoscopic transgastric cystogastrostomy. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful, and she was discharged nine days later. After another month she was re-admitted for general malaise and fever. We performed endoscopic evaluation of the cystogastrostomy patency followed by lavage of the pseudocyst cavity. After five days of broad spectrum antibiotic therapy the clinical course started to improve and the patient was discharged after another eight days. One- and two-year follow-ups revealed no remnant cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic transgastric cystogastrostomy is a feasible option for selected patients with pancreatic pseudocysts. Careful patients' evaluation in a multidisciplinary team, including imaging specialists, dedicated gastroenterologists with experience in advanced interventional techniques and pancreatic surgeons, balancing between watchful waiting and step-up minimally invasive approach offers the best tailored approach for a specific patient.

Extralevator vs conventional abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the short-term morbidity and long-term oncologic benefits of extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) with conventional abdominoperineal resection (CAPR) for patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: Electronic search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Korean Journal, and J-EAST database from 2007 until August 2015 was carried out. We considered randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized comparative studies comparing ELAPE with CAPR to be eligible, if they included patients with rectal cancers. RESULTS: A total of 1 randomized controlled trials and 10 nonrandomized comparative studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 1,736 patients in the ELAPE group and 1,320 in the CAPR group. The ELAPE was associated with a significantly lower intraoperative perforation rate. There were no differences regarding the circumferential margin involvement, R0 resections, and local recurrence rate. There was less blood loss in ELAPE patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ELAPE significantly lowered the intraoperative perforation rate, with no benefits regarding circumferential resection margin involvement and local recurrence rate.

Primary aortoduodenal fistula: first you should suspect it

ABSTRACT A 59 year-old patient was admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical exam showed mild hypotension and blood samples revealed acute anemia (hemoglobin = 7.5 g/dl). Emergency computed tomography showed an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and extravasation of the arterial contrast material toward the digestive tract. The patient was transported to the operating room for emergency laparotomy, which showed an aortoduodenal fistula. After proximal and distal aortic vascular control, the two anatomical structures were dissected with duodenorrhaphy, patch repair of the aortic tear and omentum interposition. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, with discharge after 12 days.

Probability of Survival Scores in Different Trauma Registries: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: A mixed score to predict the probability of survival has a key role in the modern trauma systems. The aim of the current studies is to summarize the current knowledge about estimation of survival in major trauma patients, in different trauma registries. METHOD: Systematic review of the literature using electronic search in the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science Core Collection and EBSCO databases. We have used as a MeSH or truncated words a combination of trauma "probability of survival" and "mixed scores". The search strategy in PubMed was: "((((trauma(MeSH Major Topic)) OR injury(Title/Abstract)) AND score (Title/Abstract)) AND survival) AND registry (Title/Abstract))))". We used as a language selection only English language literature. RESULTS: There is no consensus between the major trauma registries, regarding probability of survival estimation in major trauma patients. The German (RISC II), United Kingdom (PS Model 14) trauma registries scores are based of the largest population, with demographics updated to the nowadays European injury pattern. The revised TRISS, resulting from the USA National Trauma Database, seems to be inaccurate for trauma systems managing predominantly blunt injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of survival should be evaluated in all major trauma patients, with a score derived from a population which reproduce the current demographics.Only a careful audit of the unpredicted deaths may continuously improve our care for severely injured patients.

Laparoscopic Approach has Benefits in Gynecological Emergencies - Even for Massive Hemoperitoneum.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the laparoscopic with the open approach in hemoperitoneum of gynecological origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients admitted to a tertiary emergency hospital between January 2013 - January 2015. RESULTS: There were 56 patients, 27 in the laparoscopic group (LG) and 28 in the open group (OG). The gynecological emergency was a ruptured ovarian cyst in 20 (74%) versus 17 (59%) cases, and an ectopic pregnancy with tubal rupture in 7 (26%) versus 12 (41%) patients in both the laparoscopic and open approaches, respectively. The main outcome - mean intraoperative hemoglobin decrease - was 1.5 +- 1.2 g/dl in the laparoscopic and 1.9 ‚+-1.4 in the open approach (p=0.344). There were no differences regarding red blood transfusion rate, needs for analgesics, postoperative complications and in-hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach in acute abdomen of gynecologic origin is non-inferior to open surgery.

Right Hemihepatectomy for Colon Cancer Metachronous Liver Metastasis in a Patient with Crohn\'s Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Twenty percent of patients with colorectal cancer present stage IV disease at the time of diagnosis. The Crohn's disease increases 20 times the risk of colorectal cancer and worsens the patients' prognosis. The objective of this case report is to illustrate the surgical resection of a liver metachronous metastasis of colon cancer origin in a patient with Crohn's disease. CASE REPORT: A 53-year old female patient was admitted to our hospital for a colon cancer metachronous liver metastasis. The patient was diagnosed for more than ten years with colonic Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis. She had a Hartmann's type resection for sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma four years ago, and a secondary resection of the transverse colon with a right transverse colostomy for colonic stenosis one month before current admission. Abdominal Computed Tomography revealed a liver metastasis of 10/11 cm located in segments 6, 7, 8, in close contact with the right and middle hepatic veins and right Glissonian pedicle. A right hemihepatectomy was performed, using Pringle maneuver for 30 minutes. The patient was discharged after 12 days, without additional morbidities. Conclusions: Patients with liver metastases of colorectal origin in the presence of Crohn's disease come with significant clinical challenges. Inside the multimodality approach, liver resection represents the therapeutic approach associated with the best long-term oncological results.

Most small bowel cancers are revealed by a complication.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pattern of primary small bowel cancers in a tertiary East-European hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with small bowel cancers admitted to a tertiary emergency center, over the past 15 years. RESULTS: There were 57 patients with small bowel cancer, representing 0.039% of admissions and 0.059% of laparotomies. There were 37 (64.9%) men, mean age of 58 years; and 72 years for females. Out of 57 patients, 48 (84.2%) were admitted due to an emergency situation: obstruction in 21 (38.9%), perforation in 17 (31.5%), upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 8 (14.8%), and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 (3.7%). There were 10 (17.5%) duodenal tumors, 21 (36.8%) jejunal tumors and 26 (45.6%) ileal tumors. The most frequent neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 24 patients (42.1%), adenocarcinoma in 19 (33.3%), lymphoma in 8 (14%), and carcinoids in 2 (3.5%). The prevalence of duodenal adenocarcinoma was 14.55 times greater than that of the small bowel, and the prevalence of duodenal stromal tumors was 1.818 time greater than that of the small bowel. Obstruction was the complication in adenocarcinoma in 57.9% of cases, and perforation was the major local complication (47.8%) in stromal tumors. CONCLUSION: Primary small bowel cancers are usually diagnosed at advanced stages, and revealed by a local complication of the tumor. Their surgical management in emergency setting is associated to significant morbidity and mortality rates.

Most small bowel cancers are revealed by a complication / A maioria dos cânceres de intestino delgado são revelados por uma complicação

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the pattern of primary small bowel cancers in a tertiary East-European hospital. Methods A retrospective study of patients with small bowel cancers admitted to a tertiary emergency center, over the past 15 years. Results There were 57 patients with small bowel cancer, representing 0.039% of admissions and 0.059% of laparotomies. There were 37 (64.9%) men, mean age of 58 years; and 72 years for females. Out of 57 patients, 48 (84.2%) were admitted due to an emergency situation: obstruction in 21 (38.9%), perforation in 17 (31.5%), upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 8 (14.8%), and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 (3.7%). There were 10 (17.5%) duodenal tumors, 21 (36.8%) jejunal tumors and 26 (45.6%) ileal tumors. The most frequent neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 24 patients (42.1%), adenocarcinoma in 19 (33.3%), lymphoma in 8 (14%), and carcinoids in 2 (3.5%). The prevalence of duodenal adenocarcinoma was 14.55 times greater than that of the small bowel, and the prevalence of duodenal stromal tumors was 1.818 time greater than that of the small bowel. Obstruction was the complication in adenocarcinoma in 57.9% of cases, and perforation was the major local complication (47.8%) in stromal tumors. Conclusion Primary small bowel cancers are usually diagnosed at advanced stages, and revealed by a local complication of the tumor. Their surgical management in emergency setting is associated to significant morbidity and mortality rates.

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar o padrão de neoplasias malignas primárias do intestino delgado em um hospital terciário de Leste Europeu. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com câncer de intestino delgado, internados em um hospital terciário e de emergência, ao longo dos últimos 15 anos. Resultados Foram avaliados 57 pacientes com neoplasias malignas gastrintestinais, o que representou 0,039% das admissões e 0,059% das laparotomias realizadas. Total de 37 (64,9%) pacientes masculinos, média de idade de 58 anos, e de 72 anos para mulheres. Dentre os 57 pacientes, 48 (84,2%) foram internados em situação de emergência: obstrução intestinal em 21 (38,9%), perfuração em 17 (31,5%), hemorragia digestiva alta em 8 (14,8%), e hemorragia digestiva baixa em 2 (3,7%). Houve 10 (17,5%) tumores duodenais, 21 (36,8%) jejunais e 26 (45,6%) ileais. As neoplasias mais frequentes foram tumor estromal gastrintestinal, em 24 (42,1%) pacientes, adenocarcinoma em 19 (33,3%), linfoma em 8 (14%) e carcinoides em 2 (3,5%). A prevalência de adenocarcinoma duodenal foi 14,55 vezes maior do que a do intestino delgado, e a prevalência de tumores estromais duodenais foi 1,818 vez maior do que a do intestino delgado. A obstrução intestinal foi complicação do adenocarcinoma em 57,9% dos casos, e a perfuração foi a principal complicação local (47,8%) dos tumores estromais. Conclusão As neoplasias malignas primárias do intestino delgado foram geralmente diagnosticadas em estado avançado e reveladas por uma complicação local do tumor. O tratamento cirúrgico em situação de emergência está associado à significativa morbimortalidade.

Cushing syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion from a Meckel diverticulum neuroendocrine tumor: case report.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by neuroendocrine tumours (NET) is a rare condition, occult presentations often hampering the diagnosis. Although NET are relatively frequent in the ileon and Meckel diverticulum, we describe the first Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic adrenocorticotropic syndrome (CS-EAS) arising from a Meckel diverticulum. CASE PRESENTATION: A 44-year-old man was admitted with recent onset of diabetes, myopathy, edema and hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis consistent with Cushing's syndrome. Both basal and dynamic laboratory evaluation suggested CS-EAS. Laboratory testing also showed high serum levels of chromogranin A (CgA) and urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA). Pituitary and neck/thorax/abdomen/pelvis imaging proved to be normal, while somatostatin analogue ((99m)Tc-HYNIC-TOC) scintigraphy revealed increased focalized ileum uptake on the right iliac fossa. Pre-operative ketoconazole and sandostatin treatment controlled the hypercortisolism within a month. Pathological analysis of the resected submucosal 1.8 cm tumour of the Meckel diverticulum and a metastatic local lymph node confirmed a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (grade I), whereas immunohistochemistry was positive for ACTH, chromogranin A and synaptophysin. Post-operative clinical and biochemical resolution of Cushing's syndrome was followed by normalization of both CgA and 5HIAA, which were maintained at the 6 month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The identification, characterization and follow-up of this rare cause of ectopic ACTH secretion is important in order to assess the long-term prognostic and management.

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present article summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge about the role of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the systemic invasiveness of pancreatic cancer. METHOD: An electronic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Web of Science was used to identify relevant original articles and reviews. RESULTS: The EMT represents a key step during normal embryogenesis. However, increasing evidence reveals its essential role in the local progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Areas of interest are the cross-linking between cells undergoing the EMT and pancreatic cancer stem cells, and the correlation between the EMT and chemoresistance to standard therapies. During carcinogenesis, malignant pancreatic cells at the primary site acquire the ability to undergo the EMT, a transformation associated with increased mobility. The reverse process at secondary sites, the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), has devastating consequences, allowing neoplastic epithelial cells to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites. Consequences of the EMT are the loss of E-cadherin expression and the acquisition of mesenchymal markers including fibronectin or vimentin. Detailed knowledge of the molecular processes underlying the EMT has opened possibilities for new therapeutic agents. These include an EMT approach for patients with early cancers, to prevent invasion and dissemination, and anti-MET therapy for patients with established metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature shows a strong correlation between the EMT and the systemic aggressiveness of pancreatic tumors. Individualized therapy, targeting the process of EMT and its cross-linking with cancer stem cells, may increase survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Outcome of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Obese Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare early morbidity of obese and nonobese patients with minimally invasive adrenalectomies. METHOD: Retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database, between June 2003 - December 2012, in a universitary affiliated tertiary hospital. Selection criteria: Minimally invasive adrenalectomy. Obese patients were defined as BMI over 30 kg/m2. RESULTS: From 205 patient with laparoscopic adrenalectomies we counted 30 obese patients (OG), 25 of them female and only 5 men with a median age of 54,20 years versus 47,94 years for nonobese group (NOG) (p=0.008). In OG were 15 right sided tumor, 11 on the left side and 4 bilateral all treated with transperitoneal antero-lateral approach. Median operating time was 92.20 minutes for OG versus 91.13 minutes for NOG (p=0.924). In OG, 5 patients had previous abdominal surgeries and we counted 4 conversion to open surgery, 2 postoperative complications (6.6%) and no mortality. All OG patients have diverse comorbidities, 50% of them more then 3. Median specimen size was 5.92 cm for OG versus 4.85 cm for NOG (p=0.057). The histology of OG was: adenoma 11 cases, hiperplasia 13 cases and pheochromocytoma 6. In NOG we had: postoperative hospital stay was 6.57 days in OG versus 4.11 days in NOG (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Although obese patients had a higher rate for early morbidities, the minimally invasive approach has particular benefits for them. Although postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer, we believe that advantages of minimal invasive surgery for obese patients remains valid even in a BMI over 30.

Inhibin alpha-subunit, Melan A and MNF116 in pheochromocytomas.

AIM: The aim of this study was to make immunohistochemical analyses with Inhibin alpha-subunit, Melan A and MNF116 (pan-Cytokeratin antibody) in pheochromocytomas, because immunohistochemistry is useful for the distinction between adrenal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used 20 patients with pheochromocytomas submitted to laparoscopic (n=19) or classical (n=1) surgery and we have explored immuno-staining with Inhibin alpha-subunit, Melan A and MNF116 in these tumors. This can be helpful when we cannot make the distinction between adrenal tumors. RESULTS: Pheochromocytomas did not stain with Inhibin alpha-subunit, Melan A and MNF116. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, Inhibin alpha-subunit, Melan A and MNF116 were not sensitive for pheochromocytomas.

Selective Nonoperative Management of Abdominal Injuries in Polytrauma Patients: a Protocol only for Experienced Trauma Centers.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays we are facing a steep increase in non-operative management throughout the injured body areas, with a continuous increase in the injuries' grade. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and applicability of non-operative management in major trauma patients. METHODS: Prospective observational study, in a level I trauma center, during 30 months. INCLUSION CRITERIA: major trauma patients with abdominal visceral lesions. RESULTS: There were 207 major trauma patients whose average age was 35.8 ± 17.2 years, male being 69.6%. The most severe abdominal injuries were in the spleen (32.9%), the liver (19.2%) and the small bowel (11.6%). For the spleen lesions, the non-operative management was successful in 57.9% cases , with a failure rate of 11.6%. Non operative management was successful in 50% of liver injuries, its rate of success being independent of the hepatic injury grade. CONCLUSIONS: Selective non operative management of abdominal visceral injuries is safe and effective in major trauma patients. Nevertheless, we should stress that this type of protocol should be applied only by highly trained surgeons, able to early convert this management to difficult surgical strategies.

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) second-look peritoneoscopy for staging of limited peritoneal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, staging laparoscopy evolved as a useful tool in multimodality treatment of patients with abdominal malignancies, especially for detection of incurable peritoneal and liver metastasis. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new, evolving technique which represents the next logical progression in minimally invasive surgery and has theoretical advantages in comparison with standard laparoscopic surgery. A review of the current literature revealed a continuous increasing number of fundamental and clinical studies addressing NOTES approach in multimodal management of oncologic patients. Technical possibility to use this new minimally invasive approach for oncological resection of abdominal malignancies was proved by some investigators. HYPOTHESIS: NOTES can be used as an alternative method for staging patients with limited peritoneal carcinomatosis and may have better results compared to current imaging techniques for small diameter metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: With the continuous development of the NOTES techniques and technology, the second-look peritoneoscopy by NOTES may become an alternative method for staging in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Nevertheless, NOTES is at a very early stage of its development, and its implementation in oncologic surgery should be made very caution, and only after careful evaluation.

Multimodal management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by stress gastropathy.

BACKGROUND: The 1999 ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) recommendation regarding the prevention of stress-related mucosal disease and bleeding in critical care patients by using PPI and H2RA still holds. We tried to compare the results obtained by our group with the international data available and determine the benefits of this prophylactic therapy. METHODS: The present paper presents a retrospective single center report of 36 patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding caused by stress gastritis. Despite prophylaxis, the patients included in this study who were admitted in the ICU during a five year period (2003-2008) with various underlying conditions, had clinical and endoscopic diagnoses of bleeding from stress-related gastric mucosal disease. The initial treatment focused on patient stabilization first by medical intervention aimed at maintaining an elevated intragastric pH, in association with haemostatic drugs and blood transfusions; complementary endoscopic or surgical haemostatic therapy was employed for patients unresponsive to the initial management. RESULTS: Despite prophylactic acid suppressive therapy, upper GI bleeding findings were consistently present in high risk patients, 69.4% presenting hematemesis and 55.6% presenting coffee-ground gastric content. CONCLUSIONS: Each institution needs to have guidelines in place to establish the patients that actually have sufficient risk factors to justify stress gastritis prophylaxis.