[Adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus. A study of 28 resected cases]. / Adénocarcinome sur endobrachyoesophage. Etude de 28 cas réséqués.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report a series of 28 patients with adenocarcinoma (ADK) arising in Barrett's esophagus (BE), treated by esophagectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1998, 28 patients were operated on for ADK in BE. There were 27 men and one woman (mean age: 65 years) classified as ASA I (n = 2), ASA II (n = 15) and ASA III (n = 11). Eighteen patients had a long story of gastro-esophageal reflux disease which required surgical repair in five of them. Dysphagia was the main symptom (n = 19). Surgical procedures included 15 Ivor Lewis operations, nine esophagectomies without thoracotomy and four esophagogastrectomies by the left thoracic approach. RESULTS: Pathological examination of the specimens showed an EBO with adenocarcinoma (n = 27) and a high grade dysplasia (n = 1). Among five patients with a previously known BE, three under endoscopic surveillance had high grade dysplasia (n = 1) and limited T1 tumor (n = 2), while the other two patients without surveillance developed an invasive tumor (T3N1). There were three postoperative deaths (mortality rate: 10%), all arising from pulmonary failure. Median survival was 16.6 months. All patients resumed a normal diet. The actuarial survival rates were 63%, 42% and 15.2% respectively at 1, 2 and 4 years. A multivariate analysis could identify 3 prognostic factors: ASA score previously known BE under surveillance, length of BE. CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinoma arising in BE is very often diagnosed too late. Patients with high risk BE require an endoscopic survey. High grade dysplasia detected in two successive examinations by two different pathologists may require prophylactic esophagectomy, but local endoscopic management presently under evaluation could be efficient in the future.

[Prognostic factors in colorectal adenocarcinoma]. / Fattori prognostici dell'adenocarcinoma colorettale.

Aim of this study was to analyse prognostic factors of improved survival after resection of colorectal cancer. We studied 715 patients by retrospective review operated for colorectal adenocarcinoma. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Maier method. Comparisons were made by log rank analysis. The overall survival is 75% at 1 years, 41.0% at 5 years, 29.7% at 10 years. A significant difference was noted in the survival rate according to age of the patients (p < 0.01), preoperative serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (p < 0.05), the performance status (p < 0.05), intestinal obstruction (p < 0.01), clinicopathological stage of the tumour (p < 0.05). Other factors including the sex, the clinical diagnosis of anaemia, the site of the tumour and histological grade had no apparent influence on survival. To define high-risk groups of recurrence is important for adjuvant therapy and follow-up study.

Decreased folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity in tumors resistant to fluorouracil-folinic acid treatment: clinical data.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is the main target for fluorouracil (FU). Optimal cellular concentrations of reduced folates in polyglutamated forms [via folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS)] are necessary for achieving maximal TS inhibition. The aim of this multicentric prospective study was to analyze the link between clinical response to FU therapy for liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma and tumoral TS and FPGS activities. Forty-four advanced colorectal cancer patients (15 women and 29 men; median age 63, range, 27-78 years) receiving a standard FU-folinic acid protocol were included. A single hepatic tumoral biopsy was obtained systematically at the time of diagnosis. For 24 patients, a biopsy in the primary colon tumor was available. TS and FPGS activities were measured by radioenzymatic assays. Clinical response on hepatic metastases was 1 complete response, 12 partial responses, 14 stabilizations, and 17 progressions. In hepatic biopsies, TS activity (median, 185; range, <10-3111 fmol/min/mg protein) and FPGS activity (median, 1270; range, <400-3730 fmol/min/mg protein) exhibited a wide variability. TS activity in primary tumors (median, 461; range, 35-2565 fmol/min/mg protein) was significantly higher than in hepatic metastases. No difference was observed between primaries and metastases for FPGS. FPGS activity expressed in liver metastases was significantly correlated to that expressed in primaries. The distribution of TS activity in liver metastases was not significantly different between responsive and nonresponsive patients. However, FPGS activity measured in liver metastases was significantly higher in responsive patients (median, 1550 fmol/min/mg protein) than in nonresponsive patients (median, 1100 fmol/min/mg protein). A discriminant analysis revealed that 24 of the 25 patients exhibiting a liver FPGS activity 320 fmol/min/mg protein were nonresponding patients. These data establish for the first time the potential importance of tumoral FPGS activity for assessing FU-folinic acid responsiveness in the clinical setting.

Efficacy and safety of videothoracoscopic lung biopsy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of videothoracoscopic lung biopsy (VTLB) in the diagnosis of infiltrative lung disease (ILD) and compare the results of VTLB with the results previously obtained in patients with open lung biopsy at the same institution. METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing VTLB between May 1991 and December 1994 were retrospectively studied and compared with 25 patients who have undergone OLB during the period from January 1987 to April 1991. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, and severity of lung disease. RESULTS: Three of 41 patients (7%) who underwent VTLB with minithoracotomy. There was no significant difference between the group of VTLB (38 patients) and the group OLB (25 patients) with regard to, the number of biopsies (VTLB 1.8 +/- 0.4 versus OLB 2 +/- 0.6), or diagnostic yield (VTLB 37/38 versus OLB 25/25). In contrast, patients who underwent VTLB demonstrated a significant reduction of the operative time (VTLB 45.3 +/- 12.2 min), length of chest tube drainage (3.55 +/- 1.2 days), hospital stay (5.5 +/- 1.3 days), and analgesia (buprenorphine 0.85 +/- 0.44 mg; paracetamol 5.9 +/- 2.5 g) compared to patients who underwent OLB (55.6 +/- 11.2 min, 5.2 +/- 1.5 days; 7.1 +/- 2.3 days; buprenorphine 1.17 +/- 0.5 mg, paracetamol 8.9 +/- 2.3 g). Morbidity and mortality were similar in the two groups (morbidity VTLB 10.5%, OLB 12%; mortality VTLB 5.2%, OLB 8%). Regardless of the biopsy technique, the most serious complications and deaths occurred with the same frequency in those patients with a severe underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS: VTLB is a valid alternative to OLB in most cases. Along with a comparable efficacy, VTLB has several advantages that should make it the method of choice for patients with only minimally impaired respiratory function. In contrast, the role and advantages of VTLB compared to OLB in patients with severe lung disease, require further investigation.

Pleuropericardial cysts: treatment by videothoracoscopy.

Four cases of pleuropericardial cyst (three symptomatic, one in an unusual location) were treated by videothoracoscopy. Complete resection of the cyst was possible in all cases. The postoperative course was uneventful and patients were discharged on the 4th or 5th day. Pleuropericardial cysts account for 5 to 10% of all mediastinal tumors. Clinical latency and a benign course are characteristic features. In most cases, computed tomography (CT) confirms the diagnosis. When the cyst is symptomatic or the diagnosis is in doubt (atypical location, high density on CT scans), videothoracoscopy offers an alternative to transpleural puncture with evacuation or excision via thoracotomy.

Technique for the repair of diaphragmatic eventration.

In contrast to the large thoracotomy incisions required by standard surgical techniques for repair of diaphragmatic eventration, the procedure we developed can be performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy, thus offering patients the advantages of a minimally invasive operation. Using two superposed series of transverse back-and-forth continuous sutures, the diaphragm is invaginated, then stretched. The first suture line holds the diaphragm down and maintains the excess within the abdomen; the second suture line places the desired tension on the diaphragmatic dome. Successful repair of 3 cases by this technique is described.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax: technique and results of one hundred cases.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the technique and results for an initial series of 100 pneumothoraces treated by video-assisted thoracoscopy. METHODS: From May 1991 to November 1994, 97 patients (78 male and 19 female patients) aged 37.2 +/- 17 years (range 14 to 92 years) underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (primary in 75 patients, secondary in 22 patients). RESULTS: The procedure was unilateral in 94 patients and bilateral in three patients (total 100 cases). Pleural bullae were resected with an endoscopic linear stapler; a lung biopsy was performed in the absence of any identifiable lesion. Pleurodesis was achieved by electrocoagulation of the pleura (n = 3), "patch" pleurectomy (n = 3), subtotal pleurectomy (n = 20), or pleural abrasion (n = 74), including conversion to standard thoracotomy in five. One of these five patients had primary pneumothorax and four had secondary pneumothorax. There were no postoperative deaths. A complication developed in 10 patients: five patients with a primary pneumothorax (6.6%) and five with a secondary pneumothorax (27.7%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.25 +/- 3.2 days. Mean follow-up is 30 months (range 7 to 49 months). Pneumothorax recurred in 3% of patients, all of whom were operated on at the start of our experience. Three percent of the patients had chronic postoperative chest pain. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopy is a valid alternative to open thoracotomy for the treatment of spontaneous primary pneumothorax. Its role for the management of secondary pneumothorax remains to be defined. In the long term, the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis and surgeon experience should yield the same results as standard operative therapy.

[Acute pancreatitis treated in a surgery ward. Apropos of 57 cases]. / Pancréatites aiguës traitées en milieu chirurgical. A propos de 57 cas.

The aim of this study was to examine the results of a policy in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP): initial abstention, management in intensive care unit, surgery in cases of complication (infection and/or failure of medical treatment). The modalities of the surgical treatment were guided by CT scan findings: transperitoneal approach for diffuse lesions, posterior approach for localized lesions. From 1986 to 1994, 57 patients (32 males, 25 females, mean age 59.2 years) were referred to our department for AP. Etiology was gallstones in 29 cases, alcohol in 14 cases (Ranson < 3), moderate in 27 cases (Ranson < or = 5) and serious in 12 cases (Ranson > or = 6). According to the initial CT scan findings (56 cases), 9 patients were classified grade A, 11 grade B, 13 grade C, 8 grade D ans 15 grade E. Thirty eight patients were managed conservatively (mean Ranson stage 3.3), while 19 patients underwent surgical treatment (mean Ranson stage 4.6), in emergency for misdiagnosis (4 cases), or secondarily because of failure of medical management (15 cases). Surgery consisted in necrosectomy with active drainage in 13 cases and drainage alone in 6 cases. Associated maneuvers included: cholecystectomy in 8 cases, cholecystostomy in 2 cases, jejunostomy in 7 cases and colic resection for necrosis in 3 cases. Two patients (5%) managed conservatively died (multiple organ failure and cardiac insufficiency) while 4 patients (21%: NS) who underwent surgery died (2 multiple organ failures, 1 septic shock, 1 myocardic infarction). Mortality was correlated with the Ranson score: 42% for serious AP, 3.7% for moderate AP and nil for mild AP (p < 0.01). It was not correlated with CT scan grade, the onset or the type of operation. These results allow us to conclude that surgical treatment should be indicated only in cases of failure of conservative management, the best indication being uncontrolled sepsis. In this situation, active drainage provides good results since only one sepsis recurred among the 14 patients who underwent this procedure.

Management of pleural effusion of cirrhotic origin.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications and limitations of surgical videothoracoscopy for management of pleural effusion, an infrequent and often recurring complication of cirrhotic ascites whose pathogenesis involves direct passage of ascitic fluid into the pleural space through minute defects in the diaphragm. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS/INTERVENTIONS: Eight cirrhotic patients with ascites and recurrent pleural effusion underwent surgical videothoracoscopy to localize and close any diaphragmatic defects and to achieve pleurodesis by application of talc. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Diaphragmatic defects were localized and closed in six patients; postoperative mean volume and duration of drainage were, respectively, 0.408 +/- 0.157 mL and 7.6 +/- 1.75 days. None of these six patients developed recurrent pleural effusion (follow-up, 7 to 36 months). In the 2 patients in whom no defect was found, drainage had to be maintained for 15 days and 18 days (drainage volumes, 3 and 4 L). At hospital discharge, both patients had a stable recurrent effusion occupying the lower third of the cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of videothoracoscopy appears particularly indicated for these fragile patients when medical therapy fails. The procedure's efficacy is immediate and durable once defects are identified and closed. If the technique proves unsuccessful, it does not hinder subsequent use of other methods.

Surgical management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis.

To define the current indications for surgical management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis and analyze the results of operative procedures, the records of 59 patients operated on between January 1987 and December 1993 were reviewed. Three patient categories were defined. Group I patients (n = 25) underwent operation for diagnostic purposes: solitary mediastinal node or mediastinal adenopathy associated with pulmonary lesions (n = 10), pulmonary infiltrates (n = 4), pulmonary nodules or masses (n = 10), or chronic pleurisy (n = 1). Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates in this group were both 4%. Group II patients (n = 18) underwent operation for active lesions: intrapulmonary cavity (n = 6), destroyed lung parenchyma (n = 6), or chronic loculated pleural effusion (n = 6). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 16.6% and 5.5%, respectively. Group III patients (n = 16) underwent operation for a complication of therapy or for sequelae of previously "cured" tuberculosis: calcified pyothorax (n = 8), empyema (n = 2), fistulized nodes (n = 2), bronchiectasis (n = 3), or aspergilloma (n = 1). Morbidity and mortality rates in this group were 31.25% and 12.5%, respectively. Surgery continues to have both diagnostic and therapeutic indications for management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis, despite the morbidity and mortality rates associated with operative procedures.

Link between dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-fluorouracil (FU) catabolism, which occurs mainly in the liver. Several cases of severe FU-related toxicity have been reported in patients exhibiting a marked DPD deficiency measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, it has been shown that PBMC-DPD activity correlates to systemic FU clearance. The purpose of the present study was to closely evaluate the link between DPD activity measured in PBMCs and in liver samples obtained from the same patients. This prospective study was conducted on 27 patients (18 men and 9 women) who underwent laparotomy for various pathologies. Liver biopsies were performed in normal liver and immediately stored in liquid nitrogen. Biological liver function tests were within normal values for all patients. Concomitantly to the liver biopsy, a blood sample was taken and PBMCs were immediately isolated and stored at -80 degreesC. Liver-DPD and PBMC-DPD activities were measured by a radioenzymatic assay using 14C-FU as substrate (sensitivity limit, 5 pmol/min/mg protein; interassay reproducibility, 10%). Liver-DPD (mean, 178; median, 186; range, 54-290 pmol/min/mg protein) and PBMC-DPD (mean, 196; median, 205; range, 80-275 pmol/min/mg protein) exhibited the same pattern of distribution. Neither liver-DPD nor PBMC-DPD was significantly different between men and women. A significant linear correlation was demonstrated between liver- and PBMC-DPD activity (liver-DPD = 0.6 x PBMC-DPD + 59, r = 0.56, P = 0.002). Interestingly, the patient who exhibited the lowest PBMC-DPD activity (80 pmol/min/mg protein, at risk value for developing FU-related side effects) also had very low liver-DPD activity (98 pmol/min/mg protein). In conclusion, in patients with normal liver function, DPD activity measured in PBMCs reflects DPD activity expressed in the liver. The demonstrated link between liver- and PBMC-DPD activity reinforces the interest in DPD investigation in PBMCs for selecting, before FU-containing chemotherapy, patients at risk of developing severe toxicities due to impairment of FU clearance.

Should cavitated bronchopulmonary cancers be considered a separate entity?

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to identify any clinical, histologic, and prognostic features specific to cavitated bronchopulmonary tumors. METHODS: A total of 353 patients with lung cancer were categorized in two groups on the basis of chest radiograph and computed tomographic findings: 35 patients with cavitated cancers (group I) and 318 patients with noncavitated neoplasms (group II). Cavitation was defined as the presence of air in the tumor at the time of diagnosis and before any treatment or aspiration biopsy. The two groups were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning age, smoking history, or the interval to diagnosis, but diabetes (14.3% versus 5%) and fever (28.6% versus 13.5%) were significantly more frequent in group I than in group II. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in tumor site or endoscopic appearance. Cavitated tumors were 1.5 times larger than the noncavitated lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma was significantly more frequent in group I than in group II (82.8% versus 61%). Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was, respectively, 58.6%, 36.1%, and 22.2% in group I versus 48.2%, 35%, and 23.8% in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several specific features, there appears to be no justification for considering cavitated neoplasms separately from other forms of lung cancer.

[Results of surgical treatment of complicated paraesophageal hernias]. / Résultats du traitement chirurgical des hernies para-oesophagiennes compliquées.

From January 1979 to May 1995, 18 patients (4 men, 14 women) with a mean age of 75.4 +/- 12.5 yr underwent surgery for a complicated paraesophageal hiatus hernia. In 5 patients, the complication was the first sign of the diagnosis. Thirteen patients had a history of digestive, respiratory, or cardiac symptoms (mean duration of symptoms 74 mo.; range 2-240 mo.); 9 of them were aware that they had a hiatus hernia. Ten patients presented with acute obstruction (associated with a perforation in 1 case, jaundice in 1 case, and righy lower lobe pneumonia in 1 case). Hemorrhage occurred in 6 patients (hematemesis 4 cases, melena 2 cases). One patient had a perforation and another had an abscess of the lower right lobe. Surgery was performed via a transabdominal approach in all cases (5 times as an emergency, 12 times as a delayed emergency procedure, and once as an elective procedure). The procedure was delayed in 13 cases because of successful nasogastric decompression. All patients underwent reintegration of the stomach, diaphragmatic repair and gastropexy. An antireflux procedure was performed in 14 cases. Seven patients had an ancillary procedure (including one splenectomy following decapsulation). There were no postoperative deaths. Two patients who underwent emergency surgery developed a benign complication. The outcome of 17 patients is known; none of them developed a recurrence. One patient who did not undergo an antireflux procedure presented with gastroesophageal reflux; another experienced pain during eructation. In conclusion, nearly two-thirds of all patients who present with an acute complication can benefit from medical preparation before surgery, a strategy that improves results.

[Para-esophageal hernias. Apropos of 42 cases]. / Les hernies para-oesophagiennes. A propos de 42 observations.

Between 1979 and May 1994, 42 patients (11 males, 31 females, mean age 72.8 +/- 12.4 years) underwent surgery for paraoesophageal hiatal hernia. In 37 cases, clinical signs had been observed for 64 months on the average: digestive (32), respiratory (15), cardiac (9). Nine patients had iron deficiency anaemia. Eighteen patients had a complication (acute obstruction: 10, haemorrhage: 6, perforation: 2, lung infection: 2). In 5 cases, the complication was the inaugural sign. Surgery was performed in a emergency situation in 5 cases and deferred emergency in 12 and surgery was elective in 25. An antireflux procedure was used in 36 cases (Lortat-Jacob (2), Toupet (5), Dor (2), Nissen-Rossetti (27)). Another procedure was also needed in 12 patients. There were no postoperative deaths and complications occurred in 6 patients (14.9%). Outcome was known in 40 patients with a mean follow-up of 40.5 months (range 3 to 140 months). Functional results was very good in 35 patients (87.5%), good in 3 (7.5%) and poor in 2 (5%). The most satisfactory immediate results were obtained for patients who had elective surgery and in those with a deferred emergency. Use of the Nissen-Rossetti procedure did not have any deleterious effect on these results and no long-term inconveniences.

[Vesico-sigmoidal fistulas of diverticular origin]. / Fistules sigmoïdo-vésicales d'origine diverticulaire.

From 1984 to 1993, 11 patients (7 men and 4 women, mean aged 70 years) underwent surgical procedure for sigmoido-vesical fistula due to diverticulitis. Fecaluria and/or pneumaturia was present in 10 patients. The diagnosis of sigmoido-vesical fistula due to diverticulitis was confirmed by urologic and colonic investigations. All patients underwent surgical treatment. One patient underwent creation of a diverting colostomy alone because of a poor general status. Definitive surgical correction of the fistula with resection of the diverticular colon was attempted in the remaining 10 patients, including colo-rectal anastomosis. A temporary diverting colostomy was performed in 5 cases. There was no post operative death. One small wound infection occurred. All the diverting colostomies have been closed, meanly 2 months after the operation. Concerning long-term results, 3 patients died from an independant reason. All the other patients are alive and asymptomatic from the urologic as well as the digestive point of view. Based on these results, we advocate single stage repair, including correction of the fistula and resection of the diverticular colon with colo rectal anastomosis, in cases of good local and general conditions.

Surgical management of thoracic manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: indications and results.

The records of 97 patients with thoracic complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were analysed to determine the reasons for surgery and the results of these procedures. Of the patients, 79 underwent surgery; the remaining 18 were managed non-surgically. A total of 36 procedures were performed for diagnostic purposes: mediastinoscopy (21 patients), lung biopsy (15 patients). Therapeutic procedures were performed in 61 patients to treat pneumothorax (23 cases) or empyema thoracis (18 cases), for resection of pulmonary lesions (13 cases), and to treat various other pathologies (seven cases). Ten patients died in hospital: seven after surgery and three after a nonsurgical procedure. Eleven patients developed a postoperative complication. Hospital mortality varied from 0 per cent to 20 per cent, depending on the procedure. The mortality rate appears to be linked to the stage of HIV infection at the time of therapy rather than to the type of procedure performed. Surgical decisions must take into account the patient's Centers for Disease Control stage and physiological status, therapeutic possibilities, and the prognosis of the pathology requiring treatment.

[Current surgical methods for the etiological diagnosis of mediastinal adenopathies]. / Méthodes chirurgicales actuelles pour le diagnostic étiologique des adénopathies médiastinales.

The aim of this work was to determine the role of video-thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy for the diagnosis of lymph node enlargement in the mediastinum of unknown aetiology. From January 1992 to December 1993, 26 patients were seen for surgical biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes. Relative localization and the requirement for an associated gesture determined the choice between axial mediastinoscopy, parasternal scopy and videothoracoscopy. Mediastinoscopy was performed for peritracheal or right hilar (Baréty) nodes and parasternal scopy for anterior mediastinal masses. Videothroacoscopy was performed when the lymph nodes were localized at the preceding sites or when an associated manoeuver was required. Mediastinoscopy was performed in 16 patients. Lymphorrea which subsided after 4 days occurred in one patient and the mean hospital stay was 2.6 days. Diagnosis was achieved in 15 cases. The delay from procedure to treatment was 11 days on the average. Parasternal scopy was used 3 times and gave the diagnosis in all cases. Videothoracoscopy was used for 7 patients including 2 cases with pulmonary biopsies. Diagnosis was established 7 times and the delay to treatment was 12 days. No diagnostic thoracotomie were performed during this period. When access to the mass to be biopsied is difficult with mediastinoscopy (aorto-pulmonary, subcarenal, triangular ligament) videothoracotomy can be useful. Post-operative follow-up is simple and a specific treatment can be instaured rapidly. Videothoracotomy should be an important supplementary method for mediastinoscopy and helping avoid thoracotomy.