Outcome of operation in patients with adrenocortical cancer invading the inferior vena cava--a European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) survey.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with adrenocortical cancer (ACC) continue to present with advanced disease. Invasion into the inferior vena cava (IVC) defines stage III disease and the management of such patients raises additional difficulties. METHOD: A multicentre survey was organized by emailing a standardized proforma to members of the European Society of Endocrine Surgery (ESES). Anonymised retrospective clinical data were collected. RESULTS: Replies were received from 18 centres in nine countries. ACC with IVC invasion was encountered in 38 patients (18F:20M, age 15-84 years, median 54 years). There were 16 nonfunctioning tumours and 22 functioning tumours predominantly right-sided (26R:12L) and measuring 18-255 mm (median 115 mm). Fourteen patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Tumour thrombus extended in the prehepatic IVC (n = 21), subdiaphragmatic IVC (n = 6) or into the SVC/right atrium (n = 3). Open adrenalectomy was associated with resection of surrounding viscera in 24 patients (nephrectomy n = 16, liver resection n = 14, splenectomy n = 3, Whipple procedure n = 2). IVC was controlled locally (n = 27), at suprahepatic levels (n = 6) or necessitated cardiac bypass (n = 5). Complete resection (R0, n = 20) was achieved in the majority of patients, with a minority having microscopic persistent disease (R1, n = 7) or macroscopic residual disease (R2, n = 4). Perioperative 30-day mortality was 13% (n = 5). Postoperative Mitotane was used in 23 patients and chemotherapy in eight patients. Twenty-five patients died 2-61 months after their operation (median 5 months). Currently, 13 patients are alive at 2-58 months (median 16 months) with known metastatic disease (n = 7) or with no signs of distant disease (n = 6). CONCLUSION: This dataset is limited by the lack of a denominator as it remains unknown how many other patients with ACC presenting with IVC invasion did not undergo surgery. The relatively low perioperative mortality and the long disease-free survival achieved by some patients should encourage surgeons with adequate experience to offer surgical treatment to patients presenting with advanced adrenocortical cancers.

Selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: Past and future.

The aim of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is to ensure a rate of disease-free survival similar to that of patients transplanted due to benign disease. Therefore, we are forced to adopt strict criteria when selecting candidates for LT and prioritizing patients on the waiting list (WL), to have clarified indications for bridging therapy for groups at risk for progression or recurrence, and to establish certain limits for downstaging therapies. Although the Milan criteria (MC) remain the standard and most employed criteria for indication of HCC patients for LT by far, in the coming years, criteria will be consolidated that take into account not only data regarding the size/volume and number of tumors but also their biology. This criteria will mainly include the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) values and, in view of their wide variability, any of the published logarithmic models for the selection of candidates for LT. Bridging therapy is necessary for HCC patients on the WL who meet the MC and have the possibility of experiencing a delay for LT greater than 6 mo or any of the known risk factors for recurrence. It is difficult to define single AFP values that would indicate bridging therapy (200, 300 or 400 ng/mL); therefore, it is preferable to rely on the criteria of a French AFP model score > 2. Other single indications for bridging therapy include a tumor diameter greater than 3 cm, more than one tumor, and having an AFP slope greater than 15 ng/mL per month or > 50 ng/mL for three months during strict monitoring while on the WL. When considering the inclusion of patients on the WL who do not meet the MC, it is mandatory to determine their eligibility for downstaging therapy prior to inclusion. The upper limit for this therapy could be one lesion up to 8 cm, 2-3 lesions with a total tumor diameter up to 8 cm, or a total tumor volume of 115 cm(3). Lastly, liver allocation and the prioritization of patients with HCC on the WL should take into account the recently described HCC model for end-stage liver disease, which considers hepatic function, HCC size and the number and the log of AFP values. This formula has been calibrated with the survival data of non-HCC patients and produces a dynamic and more accurate assessment model.

[Colorectal laparoscopy in the Canary Islands. A multicenter study of 144 patients]. / Laparoscopia colorrectal en Canarias. Estudio multicéntrico en 144 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the short-term results of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) in the Canary Islands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to hospitals performing laparoscopy and retrospective data on demographic, perioperative and pathological variables in 144 patients who underwent LCRS between May 1993 and May 2003 were obtained. RESULTS: Sixty-five men and 79 women underwent colon (n=126) and rectal (n=18) surgery in the last 16 months of the study period. The most frequently performed procedure was sigmoidectomy in 85 patients (59%). The most frequent diagnosis was colon adenocarcinoma in 73 patients (50%), followed by diverticular disease in 36 patients (25%). The mean values of the variables studied were: body mass index, 27.3 (range, 22-35); operating time, 175 min (range, 60-255); blood loss, 183.6 ml (range, 50-500). Peristalsis reinitiated at 45 h; oral diet was introduced at 67 h and the overall mean length of hospital stay was 7.8 days (range, 3-30). The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with complications (14.5 vs 6.4; p <.01). There were 7 conversions (4.86%). There were no perioperative deaths. The overall morbidity rate was 28%. The most frequent early complication was surgical wound infection in 9 patients (6.2%). Anastomotic leak was detected in 5 patients (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: LCRS has been shown to be a safe and effective technique that has recently increased in the centers surveyed. The factor with the greatest influence on length of hospital stay was the development of postoperative complications.

Laparoscopia colorrectal en Canarias. Estudio multicéntrico en 144 pacientes / Colorectal laparoscopy in the Canary Islands. A multicenter study of 144 patients

Introducción. Analizar los resultados a corto plazo de la cirugía laparoscópica colorrectal (CLCR) en Canarias. Material y métodos. Enviamos una encuesta a los hospitales que realizan esta actividad y obtuvimos retrospectivamente datos sobre las variables demográficas, peroperatorias y anatomopatológicas de 144 pacientes intervenidos de CLCR desde mayo de 1993 hasta mayo de 2003. Resultados. Se intervino quirúrgicamente a 65 varones y 79 mujeres, 68 (47,2%) en los últimos 16 meses del período estudiado. Se realizaron 126 procedimientos colónicos y 18 rectales. El procedimiento más realizado fue la sigmoidectomía, con 85 casos (59%). El adenocarcinoma, con 73 casos (50%), fue el diagnóstico más habitual, y la diverticulosis, con 36 casos (25%), fue el segundo en frecuencia. Los valores medios de las variables estudiadas fueron: índice de masa corporal medio, 27,3 (rango, 22-35); tiempo quirúrgico, 175 min (rango, 60-255), y pérdidas hemáticas, 183,6 ml (rango, 50-500). La peristalsis se presentó a las 45 h, la dieta oral se inició a las 67 h y la estancia hospitalaria media global fue de 7,8 días (rango, 3-30). Los pacientes que presentaban complicaciones tuvieron una estancia significativamente mayor (14,5 frente a 6,4 días; p < 0,01). Hubo 7 conversiones (4,86%). No se registró ninguna muerte. La tasa de morbilidad global fue del 28%. La complicación precoz más frecuente fue la infección de la herida en 9 ocasiones (6,2%). Se detectaron 5 casos de fuga anastomótica (3,4%). Conclusiones. La CLCR se ha mostrado como una técnica segura y eficaz, y su uso se ha incrementado en todos los centros consultados en el último año. La aparición de complicaciones posquirúrgicas fue el factor que más influyó en la estancia hospitalaria (AU)

Introduction. To analyze the short-term results of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) in the Canary Islands. Material and methods. A questionnaire was sent to hospitals performing laparoscopy and retrospective data on demographic, perioperative and pathological variables in 144 patients who underwent LCRS between May 1993 and May 2003 were obtained. Results. Sixty-five men and 79 women underwent colon (n=126) and rectal (n=18) surgery in the last 16 months of the study period. The most frequently performed procedure was sigmoidectomy in 85 patients (59%). The most frequent diagnosis was colon adenocarcinoma in 73 patients (50%), followed by diverticular disease in 36 patients (25%). The mean values of the variables studied were: body mass index, 27.3 (range, 22-35); operating time, 175 min (range, 60-255); blood loss, 183.6 ml (range, 50-500). Peristalsis reinitiated at 45 h; oral diet was introduced at 67 h and the overall mean length of hospital stay was 7.8 days (range, 3-30). The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with complications (14.5 vs 6.4; p <.01). There were 7 conversions (4.86%). There were no perioperative deaths. The overall morbidity rate was 28%. The most frequent early complication was surgical wound infection in 9 patients (3.4%). Conclusions. LCRS has been shown to be a safe and effective technique that has recently increased in the centers surveyed. The factor with the greatest influence on length of hospital stay was the development of postoperative complications (AU)