Surgical ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with 2.45-GHz microwave: a critical appraisal of treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new generation of 2.45-GHz microwave to ablate hepatocellular carcinoma by surgical approach. DESIGN; Case series with prospective follow-up. SETTING: A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: From March 2009 to January 2011, 26 consecutive patients (19 men and 7 women) with a median age of 63 (range, 49-79) years with hepatocellular carcinoma were recruited. Five (19%) of the patients had recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after previous treatment. INTERVENTION: Microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas (one tumour, n=24; two tumours, n=2) using a laparoscopic (n=16) or open approach (n=10). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative mortality and morbidity, rate of incomplete ablation, recurrence rate, and survival rate. RESULTS: The median tumour diameter was 3.8 cm (range, 2.0-6.0 cm). Complications occurred in five (19%) of the patients; only one was ablation-related, and there was no operative mortality. One (4%) of the patients experienced incomplete ablation. Recurrent tumours were noted in 11 (42%) of the patients (5 were local, 2 were remote, and 4 were multifocal) after a median follow-up of 14 (range, 4-26) months. The failure rate for local disease control was 23%, and was 14% if patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. All but one patient survived until the time of censorship. The mean survival was 25 (standard deviation, 1) months. CONCLUSION: This new-generation microwave technique is safe and effective for local ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is a valuable treatment option for patients who are not candidates for hepatectomy.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: from four wounds to one.

OBJECTIVE: To review the initial results and surgical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: A university teaching hospital and a regional hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients undergoing single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy from August 2009 to March 2011. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the study period. The indications for surgery included symptomatic gallstones (n=43) and gallbladder polyps (n=7). The mean operating time was 78 (standard deviation, 24) minutes. Forty-five of the patients successfully underwent single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, giving a success rate of 90%. In the remaining five patients, additional working ports were constructed to obtain better exposure and dissection around Calot's triangle. On comparing the results of the initial 25 cases to the subsequent 25 cases, in the latter group the operating time was significantly shorter (86 vs 71 minutes; P=0.02), and the success rate was higher (80% vs 100%; P=0.05). During the median follow-up period of 6.8 months, four patients had complications, which included: postoperative urinary retention (n=2), one each with a haematoma and an incisional hernia. No patient endured bile duct injury, postoperative bile leakage, or haemorrhage in our series. CONCLUSION: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and safe for treatment of uncomplicated gallbladder diseases. There was a reduction in the operating time and increase in success rate with accumulation of experience. Nevertheless, surgeons should be cautious about the potential risks of this new technique.

Bronchoscopic management of airway obstruction in pediatric endobronchial tuberculosis.

The present report describes a case of severe airway obstruction caused by endobronchial tuberculosis in an 11-year-old girl who was successfully treated by bronchoscopic balloon dilation. This case illustrates the insidious presentation and the increasingly important role of bronchoscopic intervention in the management of endobronchial tuberculosis. In addition, a brief literature review of the condition in the pediatric age group is included.