Extra-Glissonian approach in liver resection.

BACKGROUND: In this study we analyzed our most recent experience in the use of the extraglissonian approach to the hilar structures in two circumstances: pedicle transection during major liver resections, and selective clamping in minor hepatectomies. METHODS: The major liver resections study group consisted of 89 cases. Extraglissonian approach and stapler transection of hilar structures was used in 61 (69%). The study group of minor liver resections consisted of 103 cases. Extraglissonian approach and selective clamping was used in 27 cases (26%). RESULTS: In major hepatectomies pedicle stapling and hilar dissection demonstrated a similar operative time (240 vs. 260 min; P = 0.230); no differences were observed in the amount of haemorrhage (800 ml vs. 730 ml; P = 0.699), number of patients transfused (16 vs. 6; P = 0.418) and volume of blood transfused (4 PRC vs. 4 PRC; P = 0.521). Duration of vascular pedicle occlusion was 35 vs. 30 min respectively (P = 0.293). Major complications (grade >or=3a) occurred in 18 (20%) patients and mortality rates (4.9% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.882) were similar for both group. In minor liver resections there were no differences between Pringle and selective clamping in operative time (240 vs. 240 min; P = 0.321), haemorrhage (435 ml vs. 310 ml; P = 0.575), number of patients transfused (18 vs. 7; P = 0.505) and volume blood transfused (4 PRC vs. 3 PRC; P = 0.423). Major complications (grade >or=3a) occurred in 14 (14%) patients, and mortality (2.6% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.719) were similar for both groups. However, the duration of pedicle clamping was significantly longer in the selective clamping group (26 +/- 21 minutes vs. 44 +/- 18 minutes) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The extraglissonian approach can be extremely useful in liver surgery. Selective clamping with extraglissonian approach avoids ischemia to the other hemiliver. Selective clamping it is also important from the homodynamic point of view because there is no splanchnic stasis and low fluid replacement.

Las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con colangiocarcinoma e ictericia son seguras / Major hepatectomies are safe in patients with cholangiocarcinoma and jaundice

Introducción En el tumor de Klatskin la única posibilidad de cura es la extirpación quirúrgica radical. No obstante, la resección quirúrgica es difícil. Objetivo El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar la necesidad de drenaje biliar preoperatorio, el índice de resecabilidad, el porcentaje de hepatectomías, la morbimortalidad y la supervivencia a largo plazo. Material y métodos Desde el año 2005 hasta el año 2008, se estudió a 26 pacientes con tumor de Klatskin mediante tomografía computarizada helicoidal con multidetectores y colangiorresonancia magnética en casos especiales. Siete pacientes se consideraron irresecables (27%). A los restantes 19 pacientes se les realizaron 8 hepatectomías izquierdas, 5 derechas y 6 resecciones exclusivamente de la vía biliar con linfadenectomía y hepático yeyunostomía a todos ellos. La resecabilidad fue del 73%, la transfusión del 53% y el drenaje biliar preoperatorio se utilizó en 7 casos (37%). La morbilidad fue del 58% y la mortalidad del 10%. La supervivencia y la recidiva a los 48 meses fueron respectivamente del 63 y del 37%.Al comparar la evolución de los 9 pacientes con bilirrubina inferior a 15mg/dl y los 10 pacientes con bilirrubina superior a 15mg/dl, no hubo diferencias en los datos epidemiológicos. Seis pacientes (67%) con bilirrubina baja frente a un paciente (10%) del grupo de bilirrubina alta habían recibido un drenaje biliar preoperatorio (p=0,02). La bilirrubina del grupo no ictérico era de 4,7±4,3 frente a 22,1±3,9 del grupo con ictericia (p<0,001). No hubo diferencias en la evolución postoperatoria. En conclusión, la resecabilidad y la supervivencia postoperatoria de los pacientes con tumor de Klatskin han mejorado sensiblemente en los últimos años. En casos seleccionados, las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con ictericia sin desnutrición ni colangitis preoperatoria son seguras (AU)

Background Surgical resection is the only possibility of long term survival in patients with Klatskin tumours. However, surgical resection is a challenging problem and hepatic resection is often necessary. Objective The aim of our study was to assess the need for biliary drainage, resection rate and outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre. Patients and methods From 2005 to 2008, 26 patients with Klatskin tumours were identified and assessed prospectively with multidetector CT and MR cholangiography in special cases. Seven patients (27%) were deemed to be unresectable in pre-operative staging. A total of 19 surgical procedures were performed, 8 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies and 6 resections exclusively of the biliary tree. Resection rate was 73%, transfusion rate 53% and preoperative biliary drainage was performed only in 7 cases (37%). Major complications occurred in 11 (58%), including two post-operative deaths (10%).There were no differences in the epidemiological data, when we separately analysed the outcomes of the 9 patients with bilirubin <15mg/dL and the 10 patients with bilirubin >15mg/dL. Biliary drainage was required in 6 (67%) patients in the group with low bilirubin levels vs. 1(10%) in the other group (P=0.02). The mean bilirubin level in the jaundiced group was 22.1±3.9 vs. 4.7±4.3 (P<0.001) in the other group. There were no differences in the postoperative outcome between both groups. Conclusion Resection and survival rates have increased recently but still carries the risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Major hepatectomies in selected patients without percutaneous biliary drainage are safe (AU)

[Major hepatectomies are safe in patients with cholangiocarcinoma and jaundice]. / Las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con colangiocarcinoma e ictericia son seguras.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the only possibility of long term survival in patients with Klatskin tumours. However, surgical resection is a challenging problem and hepatic resection is often necessary. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the need for biliary drainage, resection rate and outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2008, 26 patients with Klatskin tumours were identified and assessed prospectively with multidetector CT and MR cholangiography in special cases. Seven patients (27%) were deemed to be unresectable in pre-operative staging. A total of 19 surgical procedures were performed, 8 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies and 6 resections exclusively of the biliary tree. RESULTS: Resection rate was 73%, transfusion rate 53% and preoperative biliary drainage was performed only in 7 cases (37%). Major complications occurred in 11 (58%), including two post-operative deaths (10%). There were no differences in the epidemiological data, when we separately analysed the outcomes of the 9 patients with bilirubin<15 mg/dL and the 10 patients with bilirubin>15 mg/dL. Biliary drainage was required in 6 (67%) patients in the group with low bilirubin levels vs. 1(10%) in the other group (P=0.02). The mean bilirubin level in the jaundiced group was 22.1+/-3.9 vs. 4.7+/-4.3 (P<0.001) in the other group. There were no differences in the postoperative outcome between both groups. CONCLUSION: Resection and survival rates have increased recently but still carries the risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Major hepatectomies in selected patients without percutaneous biliary drainage are safe.

Duodenopancreatectomía cefálica en tumores periampulares. Disección de la arteria mesentérica superior como abordaje inicial. Descripción de la técnica y evaluación de nuestra experiencia inicial / Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy in periampullary tumours. Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery as aninitial approach. Description of the technique and an assessment of our initial experience

Introducción. La duodenopancreatectomía cefálica (DPC) con abordaje inicial de la arteria mesentérica superior (AMS) ha sido descrita como una técnica útil para reducir las pérdidas de sangre y evitar una intervención inútil si hay afectación arterial. Objetivos. Analizar los resultados de dos modificaciones recientes en la técnica quirúrgica de la DPC introducidas en nuestro grupo: disección primaria de la AMS y la gastroenterostomía antecólica. Pacientes y método. Se dividió a los pacientes en 2 grupos, según hayan recibido o no disección inicial de la AMS. También se analizaron los resultados según el tipo de reconstrucción gástrica. Se comparan los resultados perioperatorios y a largo plazo. Resultados. La mortalidad general fue del 5% sin diferencias entre la DPC con abordaje inicial de la AMS y la técnica convencional. La tasa de transfusión (p < 0,001), el volumen transfundido (p = 0,001) y la incidencia general de complicaciones fue menor (p = 0,01) en el grupo con disección de la AMS. La estancia postoperatoria también fue significativamente menor (p # 0,001). A pesar de que la afectación ganglionar fue más frecuente en los pacientes operados con abordaje inicial de la AMS (p = 0,001), la tasa de recidiva fue la misma que con la técnica convencional. Dentro del grupo con disección inicial de la AMS, aquellos con reconstrucción antecólica presentaron con menor frecuencia retraso en el vaciamiento gástrico (p = 0,008). Conclusiones. La DPC con abordaje inicial de la AMS es una técnica segura. La transfusión, las complicaciones y la estancia hospitalaria son mejores. Cuando se asocia a reconstrucción duodenoyeyunal antecólica, los retrasos de vaciamiento gástrico son menos frecuentes (AU)

Introduction. Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with initial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) has been described as a useful technical variant to reduce blood loss and to avoid an unnecessary intervention in those cases with arterial involvement. Objectives. To analyse the results of two recent technical modifications of PD introduced by our group: initial dissection of SMA and antecolic gastroenterostomy. Patients and method. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without initial dissection of the SMA. The results were also analysed according to the type of gastric reconstruction. Perioperative and long-term results are compared. Results. The overall mortality was 5%, with no significant differences between the initial SMA dissection and conventional PD. The transfusion rate (p < 0.001), the volume of blood products transfused (p = 0.001), and the overall complication rate were lower (p = 0.01) in the initial SMA dissection group. Also the postoperative hospital stay was significantly lower (p # 0.001). Despite a higher frequency of lymph node involvement in patients treated with initial SMA dissection (p = 0.001), the recurrence rate was similar between both groups. Among patients with initial SMA dissection, those who received antecolic reconstruction had a lower rate of delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.008). Conclusions. Initial SMA dissection PD is a safe technique. The transfusion rate, morbidity and postoperative hospital stay are better when compared with conventional CPD. When an antecolic duodenal-jejunal reconstruction is associated, delayed gastric emptying cases are less frequent (AU)

[Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy in periampullary tumours. Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery as aninitial approach. Description of the technique and an assessment of our initial experience]. / Duodenopancreatectomía cefálica en tumores periampulares. Disección de la arteria mesentérica superior como abordaje inicial. Descripción de la técnica y evaluación de nuestra experiencia inicial.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with initial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) has been described as a useful technical variant to reduce blood loss and to avoid an unnecessary intervention in those cases with arterial involvement. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the results of two recent technical modifications of PD introduced by our group: initial dissection of SMA and antecolic gastroenterostomy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients were divided into two groups: with and without initial dissection of the SMA. The results were also analysed according to the type of gastric reconstruction. Perioperative and long-term results are compared. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 5%, with no significant differences between the initial SMA dissection and conventional PD. The transfusion rate (p < 0.001), the volume of blood products transfused (p = 0.001), and the overall complication rate were lower (p = 0.01) in the initial SMA dissection group. Also the postoperative hospital stay was significantly lower (p

A comparison of a triple-injection axillary brachial plexus block with the humeral approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomized, and single-blind study compared effectiveness, performance, onset, and total anesthetic time and complications of the multiple axillary block (median, radial, and musculocutaneous nerves) with the humeral approach. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In group A (axillary) median, radial, and musculocutaneus nerves were located by a nerve stimulator and injections were made. In group H (humeral) all 4 terminal nerves of the brachial plexus were located and injections were made. A total of 40 mL mepivacaine of 1% was used. RESULTS: Complete sensory block of all 6 peripheral nerves occurred in 94% and 79% of patients in groups A and H, respectively (P < .05). The time to perform the block was shorter in group A (8 +/- 4 minutes v 11 +/- 4 minutes; P < .001); onset time was shorter in group A (16 +/- 8 minutes v 21 +/- 9 minutes; P < .05); total anesthetic time was shorter in group A (24 +/- 8 minutes v 33 +/- 10 minutes; P < .0001). Complete motor block was greater in group A (88% v 66%; P < .05). More vascular punctures occurred in group A (22% v 8%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: The triple-injection axillary block was more effective than the humeral approach as it was associated with more cases of sensory and complete motor block and gave shorter performance and onset times.