[Implantable doppler probe for microsurgical free flap monitoring in cervico-facial reconstructive surgery]. / Le micro-doppler implantable dans la surveillance des lambeaux microanastomosés en chirurgie reconstructrice cervico-faciale.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The use of free flaps in head and neck reconstructive surgery requires postoperative monitoring, usually by conventional clinical tests. Nevertheless, clinical testing is not applicable to buried free flaps that are more frequently used in the head and neck area. The purpose of this study was to describe the use and to evaluate the implantable doppler system in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Among 162 patients who underwent free flap reconstruction in our department, between June 2008 and October 2012, 23 patients had postoperative monitoring using implantable doppler system. Probe placement, monitoring parameters and postoperative course was analyzed. RESULTS: Our series included 15 forearm free flaps, seven fibular flaps and one scapular flap. Indications for reconstruction were following the removal of a malignant tumor in 18 cases, a benign tumor in two cases and an osteoradionecrosis in three cases. Free flap monitoring by conventional clinical tests was not possible in 19 patients. Doppler signal was detected continuously during seven days in 82% of cases. A loss of signal was observed in three cases. Surgical exploration was required in one patient. CONCLUSION: Implantable doppler for free flap monitoring is a safe, reliable and efficient technique and cost is reasonable. The use of implantable doppler system seems particularly useful in head and neck reconstruction for buried free flaps, which are not accessible to conventional clinical tests.

Transition voltage spectroscopy and the nature of vacuum tunneling.

Transition voltage spectroscopy (TVS) has been proposed as a tool to analyze charge transport through molecular junctions. We extend TVS to Au-vacuum-Au junctions and study the distance dependence of the transition voltage V(t)(d) for clean electrodes in cryogenic vacuum. On the one hand, this allows us to provide an important reference for V(t)(d) measurements on molecular junctions. On the other hand, we show that TVS forms a simple and powerful test for vacuum tunneling models.

Controlling the interparticle distance in a 2D molecule-nanoparticle network.

Mechanically controllable break junctions allow for an impressive level of control over the distance between two electrodes, but lack stability at room temperature. On the other hand, two-dimensional (2D) networks of nanoparticles bridged by molecules form a stable device structure for investigating molecular conductance properties. Here, we combine both techniques to create a robust platform for molecular charge transport with control over the inter-electrode distance on the picometer scale. The resistance change due to bending of our structures is dependent on the molecular species present between the nanoparticles.

[Mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap. Experience of virtual reconstruction using Osirix®, a free and open source software for medical imagery]. / Reconstruction mandibulaire par lambeau microanastomosé de fibula. Modélisation radiologique préopératoire par le logiciel Osirix(®).

The techniques of free tissue transfers are mainly used for mandibular reconstruction by specialized surgical teams. This type of reconstruction is mostly realized in matters of head and neck cancers affecting mandibular bone and requiring a wide surgical resection and interruption of the mandible. To decrease the duration of the operation, surgical procedure involves generally two teams, one devoted to cancer resection and the other one to raise the fibular flap and making the reconstruction. For a better preparation of this surgical procedure, we propose here the use of a medical imaging software enabling mandibular reconstructions in three dimensions using the CT-scan done during the initial disease-staging checkup. The software used is Osirix®, developed since 2004 by a team of radiologists from Geneva and UCLA, working on Apple® computers and downloadable free of charge in its basic version. We report here our experience of this software in 17 patients, with a preoperative modelling in three dimensions of the mandible, of the segment of mandible to be removed. It also forecasts the numbers of fragments of fibula needed and the location of osteotomies.

[Anatomic study of the location of the thoracoacromial pedicle. Application to the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap]. / Etude anatomique de la localisation du pédicule thoracoacromial. Intérêt dans les lambeaux musculocutanés de grand pectoral.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The thoracoacromial pedicle is the major pedicle of the pectoralis major flap which is still frequently used in cervicofacial loss of substances reconstruction. The classical landmark of this pedicle is the intersection between the acromioxyphoid line and the medioclavicular line. The aim of this study was to determine the exact location of the pedicle compared to the classical landmark in case of narrow pectoralis major flap. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty-one pectoralis major pedicles have been dissected from 12 fresh cadavers. For each dissection have been determined: the medial or lateral situation of the pedicle compared to the intersection of the medioclavicular line and the acromioxyphoid line and the distance between these two points, the angle between the real axis of the pedicle and the acromioxyphoid line. RESULTS: The pedicle was lateral to the acromioxyphoid line in 19 cases, in close contact to the lateral border of the muscle. CONCLUSION: A narrow pectoralis major flap has to be harvested between the acromioxyphoid line and the lateral border of the pectoralis major.

How do fiber-supplemented formulas affect antroduodenal motility during enteral nutrition? A comparative study between mixed and insoluble fibers.

BACKGROUND: Fiber supplementation during enteral nutrition has been recommended, but the effect of soluble compared with insoluble fiber supplements on antroduodenal motility is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare antroduodenal motor patterns in 8 healthy volunteers during and after gastric infusion of 3 different diets: a fiber-free diet, an insoluble-fiber diet, and a mixed-fiber diet (50% soluble fiber and 50% insoluble fiber). DESIGN: Manometric studies with the 3 different diets (2100 kJ) were performed in random order. Antroduodenal motility was monitored continuously for 6 h by using a pneumohydraulic system to calculate the number, amplitude, and duration of the pressure waves; the area under the curve (AUC); and the percentage of time occupied by motor activity before, during, and after each type of infusion. Variations in antral areas were measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The gastric motor response was significantly higher, whatever the diet, in the distal antral recording site than in the 2 more proximal sites. In the proximal but not the distal antrum, the number of waves, the AUC, and the percentage of time occupied by motor activity were higher (P: < 0.04) with the mixed-fiber than with the insoluble-fiber diet. No significant differences in variations of antral area were observed among the 3 diets. In the duodenum, motor variables were not significantly different among the 3 diets. CONCLUSIONS: A gastric infusion induced a greater motor response in the distal than in the proximal antrum. A mixed-fiber diet was associated with significantly greater proximal antral motility than was an insoluble-fiber diet. There was no significant difference among the 3 formulas in duodenal motor variables or in variations in antral area as measured by ultrasound.

Endoscopic injection of adrenaline for severe peptic ulcer haemorrhage in high surgical risk patients.

Endoscopic adrenaline-hypertonic injection was attempted in 40 patients admitted for oesophagogastroduodenal ulcer haemorrhage unresponsive to conventional medical treatment and presenting with severe underlying disease or advanced age (less than 80 years). The results were compared with our own historical controls (43 patients) treated by conventional therapy, meeting the same inclusion criteria. Permanent haemostasis was achieved in 32 patients in the injection group and 30 in the control group (NS) but emergency surgery was less frequent in the injection group (2 vs 25, p less than 0.001). Blood transfusion requirements were less in the injection group (8.5 +/- 6.2 vs 10.2 +/- 5.4, p less than 0.05) but length of hospital stay was not really different (15.7 days +/- 9.3 vs 20.9 +/- 14.4). Unfortunately, mortality was not reduced in the injection group (14/40 vs 17/43). Two lethal complications attributable to injection treatment occurred. This treatment could represent an alternative to conventional haemostatic treatment in high surgical risk patients with severe clinical bleeding, avoiding emergency surgery. In spite of the fact that we selected high-risk patients, endoscopic treatment was not able to lower the mortality (about 37%). Due to severe unpredictable side effects and potential risks of long-term massive rebleeding, this treatment should be performed electively in patients with severe clinical bleeding, as first line treatment when surgical risk factors exist or immediately before surgery in low risk patients.

Does percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux during the enteral feeding of elderly patients?

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is reported to be a safe method for enteral feeding, although its ability to prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) during enteral feeding remains controversial. In 12 elderly patients fed enterally to avoid the risk of tracheal aspiration, we have compared two 24-h oesophageal pH profiles, one recorded when enteral feeding was delivered at first via a nasogastric tube (NGT), and the other via a PEG. The second recording was always performed at least 8 days after gastrostomy placement. Enteral nutrition consisted of 500 ml of a polymeric diet delivered 3 times a day at 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00. After gastrostomy placement, enteral feeding was associated with a pathological acid reflux in 8 out of 12 patients. In all of these 8 patients, GOR was mostly related to a high number of reflux episodes. In 4 out of 8 patients, GOR occurred only during the 3 h following the administration of the nutritive diet. In 4 of the patients, GOR did not occur any more after removal of the NGT, whilst gastrostomy placement was followed by GOR in 5 patients. GOR during enteral feeding via PEG is common in elderly subjects. We have shown that a chronological relationship existed in some patients between the endoscopic procedure and the onset of a pathological GOR.

Clinical, social and rehabilitation status of long-term home parenteral nutrition patients: results of a European multicentre survey.

BACKGROUND: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a lifesaving treatment in patients with intestinal failure. Dependency of nutritional support becomes permanent for the majority of patients who had received HPN for at least 2 years. The alternative to long term HPN in selected patients is intestinal transplantation. AIMS: To study some of the clinical, social and rehabilitation aspects of long-term HPN treatment. METHODS: A survey was performed in nine European HPN centres. The questionnaire covered epidemiologic data, underlying diseases, intestinal anatomy, nutritional support and status, marital status, rehospitalization rate, HPN complications, rehabilitation score, drugs use, coexistent diseases and interest in intestinal transplantation. For some items, data were collected within 12 months prior to the evaluation. RESULTS: This survey included 228 patients with a median age of 49 years. The median duration of HPN was 7 years (range 2--24 years). Short bowel length less than 100 cm was reported in 65% of patients with a predominance of end-jejunostomy or jejuno-colonic anastomosis. Global subjective nutritional status was normal in 79% of the patients, who were supplied with a mean number of 5.6 bags of parenteral nutrition weekly. Rehospitalizations within the 12 months prior to evaluation accounted for a mean period of 23 days and were due to HPN complications in half of the cases. Catheter-related sepsis was the most frequent HPN-complication. Bone metabolism disorders, which seemed to be more common than liver diseases, were directly related to HPN duration. One-third of the HPN patients was regularly consuming analgesics or opiates. HPN impair complete rehabilitation status but may improve the status of patients who had a very low rehabilitation score before starting HPN. An interest of intestinal transplantation was noted in only 10% of medical teams and in 8% of HPN patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest European survey on long-term HPN patients with long standing or permanent intestinal failure. Data enlighten clinical, social and rehabilitation aspects of patients who could face the option of intestinal transplantation in the future.

Use of gastro-omental free flaps in major neck defects.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of extensive neck defects with minimum deformity and rapid return to normal food intake is successfully achieved by the use of gastro-omental flaps. We report a series of 18 patients who underwent such reconstructive surgery for major full-thickness defects involving the skin in addition to the larynx and pharynx. Fifteen patients had earlier undergone radiotherapy and 3 chemoradiotherapy; 14 of them had undergone previous surgery. The cause of the defect was tumor recurrence in 10 patients, a pharyngostoma in 6, and postoperative cellulitis in 2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Harvesting of the flap included elevation of a segment of the greater curvature of the stomach together with the omentum pediculated on the right gastroepiploic vessels. In 8 patients with a circumferential pharyngeal defect, the graft was used in the form of a tube; in the other 10, the graft was converted into a patch to reconstruct the missing anterior pharyngeal wall. In all cases, the omentum was used to fill in the defect. In 5 patients, neck vessels were chosen as recipient vessels, and axillary vessel systems were selected in 13 because the surgical approach to neck vessels was contraindicated. RESULTS: There was no instance of total flap necrosis. Fifteen patients had an uneventful postoperative course, and oral food intake was begun on the 15th day. The remaining 3 patients developed fistulas, which healed spontaneously. The omentum was left to granulate in all patients, and skin grafts were required in 5 patients only. No abdominal complications occurred in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gastro-omental free flaps are a method of choice that should be seriously considered for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the neck.

Surgical treatment of carcinoma of the proximal esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Proximal esophageal cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the treatment is often limited to palliation. Surgery offers the best relief of dysphagia but it remains controversial, because a cure is unlikely even at the price of laryngeal mutilation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 40 patients with transhiatal esophagectomy for cancer of the proximal esophagus. The esophageal substitute was a stomach tube in 37 patients and colon in 3 patients. The larynx was preserved in 27 patients whose tumors did not extend to cricopharyngeus. Adjuvant treatment consisted of postoperative radiotherapy for 22 patients, chemotherapy for 1 patient, and a multimodality regimen for 4 patients. RESULTS: The postoperative complication and hospital mortality rates with gastric tube transpositions were 22% and 8%, respectively, with a 3% fistula rate. The 1- and 3-year overall survival rate was 53% and 21%, respectively. The unfavorable prognostic factors were tumor wall penetration, lymph nodal involvement, and cricopharyngeal involvement. Local recurrence of cancer was the major cause of failure. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric tube transposition offers good palliation of dysphagia with low morbidity and mortality for proximal esophageal cancer. The laryngeal preservation can be attempted for tumors located close to, but not involving, the cricopharyngeus in order to retain speech in patients with a limited life expectancy.

Advanced carcinoma of the tongue: total glossectomy without total laryngectomy. Review of 80 cases.

Opinions are divided over the validity of total glossectomy without associated total laryngectomy for advanced carcinoma of the tongue. This retrospective study evaluates the oncologic and functional results obtained in 80 patients who underwent total glossectomy as a primary procedure or as salvage surgery. Satisfactory swallowing ability was obtained in 41 patients, and speech was understandable in 49 patients. The survival rate at 1 year was 65%, with early recurrence of the disease, which was especially frequent in patients with prior radiotherapy, being the major cause of death. The study confirms the poor prognosis of cases with mandibular involvement, and the fact that partial laryngectomy, when required, impairs functional results. In the light of the authors' experience, total glossectomy without total laryngectomy should only be undertaken in motivated and well-supported patients able to accomplish the difficult rehabilitation process.

Prognostic value of lymph node involvement in oral cancers: a study of 137 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of lymph node involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 137 patients with T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity treated by surgery and radiotherapy (84 N0, 23 N1, 16 N2,14 N3). Twenty-three patients in the N0 group had a history of surgery or radiotherapy. One hundred fourteen patients underwent limited or radical neck dissection unilaterally or bilaterally. METHODS: The histological charts were reviewed and correlated with preoperative lymph node clinical stage. The local failure rate and the overall survival curves were calculated with respect to clinical and histological stages. The causes of death were analyzed. RESULTS: No evidence of lymph node metastasis was found in 47.4% of cases (54 of 114 patients). Among the node-positive (N+) patients, 39 had rupture of the lymph node capsule (R+). In the N0 group, 27.8% of patients were N+. Regional control rates after surgery and radiotherapy were 95% at 1 year and 85.4% at 5 years. The local failure rates were 6% in N0, 8.7% in N1, 31.2% in N2, 51.7% in N3, 9% in node-negative (N-), and 29% in N+R+ patients. The overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were, respectively, 44.7% and 34.8% in the N0 group, 37.7% and 37.7% (same rate at 3 and 5 years) in the N1 group, and 31.2% and 15.8% in the N2 group. None of the patients in the N3 group survived beyond 2 years. The overall survival rates at 5 years were 42.8% and 17.5% in the N- and N+ groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with locally advanced tumors (T4), clinical nodal status and histological nodal invasion were key prognostic factors. The presence of occult metastases in the N0 group justifies routine neck dissection.

Efficacy of antibiotic-lock technique with teicoplanin in staphylococcus epidermidis catheter-related sepsis during long-term parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: The antibiotic-lock technique has been suggested to treat catheter-related sepsis in parenteral nutrition and to avoid catheter removal. METHODS: To determine the incidence of catheter-related sepsis, the bacteria involved, and the efficacy of the antibiotic-lock technique with teicoplanin, all patients (n = 263) undergoing parenteral nutrition from January 1997 to December 1999 in one center, with patients at the hospital (n = 209) and at home (54) were retrospectively studied. The antibiotic-lock technique with teicoplanin was systematically used in all suspected infections and maintained in staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) infections. RESULTS: A total of 21 of 263 patients had 34 infections (0.11/patient per year): 12 of 209 hospitalized and 9 of 54 home patients. A total of 10 of 34 infections were due to non-SE, and the catheter was immediately removed. The other 24 of 34 infections were due to SE; in 5 of 24, the catheter was removed after 48 hours of the antibiotic-lock technique because of persistent fever or thrombosis. A total of 5 of 12 patients had 2 or more infections on the same catheter. The antibiotic-lock technique prevented short-term catheter removal in these cases, but a second infection occurred within a median of 50 days. In 4 of 5 cases, a third infection occurred in a mean delay of 90 days so that the catheter was removed. In 3 of 5 patients, bacteria was analyzed with pulsed field gel electrophoresis, which showed that recurrent infections were due to the same strain in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the incidence of catheter-related sepsis was low and mostly related to SE. Our results do not support the use of the teicoplanin antibiotic-lock technique in SE infections.

Duodenojejunal motility after oral and enteral nutrition in humans: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel motility during enteral nutrition (EN) remains poorly known. Our aim was to compare, in six healthy volunteers, the duodenojejunal motor patterns after a 750-kcal meal either ingested or infused intraduodenally at two different infusion rates: 2 kcal/min for 6 hours (6-hour EN) or 1 kcal/min for 12 hours (12-hour EN). METHODS: In each volunteer, the three manometric studies were carried out in a random order with an interval of > or = 1 week between each recording. Number of phase III (PIIIs), their characteristics, number of waves (NW), and area under the curve (AUC) were determined. RESULTS: PIIIs were interrupted by each type of nutrition in every volunteer. In five of six during 6-hour EN and in six of six during 12-hour EN, the first PIII returned before the end of EN. The mean duration of the fed pattern was similar in the three studies. During the interruption of PIIIs after oral meal, duodenojejunal motility was characterized by uninterrupted random contractions. By contrast, in four of six during the 6-hour EN and in five of six during 12-hour EN, it was organized as regular short bursts of contractions separated by motor quiescence. In all studies during the disruption of PIIIs, NW and AUC values decreased progressively with time and were higher at the jejunum level than in the duodenum (p < .001). However, at each level of recording, NW and AUC values were similar in the three types of feeding. After the return of PIIIs, the number, duration, and propagation velocity of PIIIs, NW, and AUC values were similar in the three studies. CONCLUSIONS: EN interrupts PIIIs, but, in most cases, PIIIs reappear before the end of EN. During the interruption of PIIIs, the organization of the contractions is qualitatively different from the fed pattern observed after oral feeding. For the same caloric value of the meal, the quantitative duodenojejunal motor response is not affected by the infusion rate, and the more important jejunal, rather than duodenal motor response found after an oral meal, is observed during EN. During EN, after the return of PIIIs, despite the persistence of a nutrient infusion into the duodenum, the small bowel motor patterns are not qualitatively or quantitatively different from those recorded in fasting subjects.

Neurologic disorders due to brain manganese deposition in a jaundiced patient receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Neurologic and radiologic disorders have been reported in patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). On the basis of elevated serum manganese levels, some of these abnormalities have been attributed to manganese intoxication. Alterations of the basal ganglia signal intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs) have been previously reported, but the precise nature of these alterations remains controversial although the deposition of manganese has been suggested in patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy due to liver failure. METHODS: We report the case of a patient who was receiving PN and exhibited a chronic cholestasis. Neurologic disorders appeared after several months of PN, when a hypersignal in the basal ganglia and white matter was found on T1-weighted MRIs of the brain in association with elevated serum and manganese levels. RESULTS: Elevated autopsic concentrations of manganese were found in the radiologic abnormal cerebral areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our observation is the first demonstration of a relationship between high intracerebral manganese levels, radiologic abnormalities, and neurologic disorders during long-term PN. Moreover, serum manganese levels are not a good indicator of cerebral levels. In fact, in our patient, serum manganese levels returned to normal, whereas those of cerebral manganese remained increased.

Rupture of the right ventricular free wall. An unusual complication of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

Of 2171 patients who underwent open heart surgery between 1981 and 1986, 41 (1.8%) developed postoperative mediastinitis and were treated by closed irrigation drainage or open chest therapy. Six patients, (mean age 59 years) developed rupture of the right ventricular free wall. The primary procedures were: resection of akinetic fibrous plaque (2), mitral valve replacement (1), coronary bypass grafting (1), removal of a left atrial myxoma (1) and repair of post-infarction rupture of the left ventricle (1). In 2 patients, rupture occurred in the operating theatre during revision of the irrigation drainage. Both patients died after repair. In 4 patients, rupture occurred during coughing. One died before surgery. In the 3 other cases, the defects were repaired either by direct suture (2 patients) or with a pericardial patch (1 patient) with the aid of normothermic extracorporeal circulation. Three days later, a muscular flap (pectoral or dorso-lumbar) was mobilized to protect the mediastinal viscera. All 3 patients are alive and well. When bleeding occurs during treatment of mediastinitis, an immediate exploration with extracorporeal circulation to close the defect should be considered.

Gastric tube transposition for cancer of the hypopharynx and cervical oesophagus.

A study of 20 cases of gastric tube transposition following total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy during an eight-year period is presented. The site of the tumour was: hypopharynx in 13 cases (12 pyriform sinus, 1 post-cricoid); and cervical oesophagus in seven cases. There were nine (45 per cent) Stage III lesions and 11 (55 per cent) Stage IV lesions (UICC, 1987). Post-operative morbidity rate was 15 per cent. Hospital mortality rate was 10 per cent (cause of death was myocardial infarction). Anastomotic fistula rate was five per cent. Excluding hospital mortality, the three year actuarial survival rate was 35 per cent for the whole series and 53 percent for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. The actuarial survival rate for patients with oesophageal cancer at one and two years was 41 and zero per cent respectively. The transposition of a tubed stomach provided successful swallowing in two-thirds of the patients for a period of more than a year and these patients developed good neoesophageal speech.

[Syndromes of venous mesenteric ischemia: infarction and transient ischemia]. / Les syndromes d'ischémie veineuse mésentérique: infarctus et ischémie transitoire.

The reports of 8 patients with acute or subacute abdominal pain related to venous mesenteric ischemia were reviewed. None of the patients presented local or regional predisposing factors for venous thrombosis. In 4 patients, a localized segment of ischemic small bowel (median length 125 cm; range: 30-350) was resected without immediate anastomosis and postoperative anticoagulation therapy was given. Two of these patients developed recurrent ischemia involving the bowel adjacent to the stoma, treated successfully in 1 case by a repeat resection. The 4 other patients hospitalized with intestinal obstructive symptoms (1 case) or abdominal angina (3 cases) were treated by long term anticoagulation in 3 cases and artificial nutrition in 2 cases. None of them developed mesenteric infarction with a median follow up of 34 months. In 7 of the 8 patients, a coagulopathy was found: primary myeloproliferative disorder (1 case), hypercoagulation state (5 cases), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (1 case). These observations suggest that venous mesenteric ischemia included two different entities on the basis of clinical and morphological criteria: mesenteric infarction and subacute transient ischemia without bowel infarction. Most of apparently idiopathic cases of acute or subacute venous mesenteric ischemia are related to hypercoagulation states requiring a long term anticoagulation.