Thoracic cancer surgery in the elderly.

The risk of thoracic cancer surgery in patients of advanced age, i.e. 75 years or older, was analysed by reviewing 119 consecutive patients from August 1986 to May 1998 with bronchial carcinoma (n = 87), pulmonary metastases (n = 22), mesothelioma and pleural carcinosis (n = 7) and mediastinal or chest wall tumours (n = 3). Repeated surgery in one case of bronchial carcinoma and in another of metastases gave a total of 124 operations. Of the patients, 22 were 80 years or older (21%) and 32% were female. The median age was 77 years (range 75-87 years). Six fatalities occurred within 30 days or during hospitalization. This corresponds to a 4.8% mortality for the whole series and 6.8% for the subgroup of bronchial carcinoma. The causes of death were surgical complications in two patients, one died from heart failure after simultaneous combined coronary artery bypass grafting and left lower lobectomy 2 hours after the operation from heart failure refractory to resuscitation. With this exception all these patients had stage II (n = 2) or stage III A (n = 3) bronchial carcinoma. It is concluded that cancer surgery in the elderly is safe provided appropriate selection is observed. Indications should be very restrictive for advanced cancer and for pneumonectomy.

Regional chemotherapy (with mitomycin C) and intra-operative hyperthermia for digestive cancers with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia with mitomycin C was used to treat 28 patients with far advanced digestive adenocarcinoma and histologically confirmed peritoneal carcinomatosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor was possible in 17 cases. After closure of the abdominal wall, intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia was performed for 90 to 120 minutes under general anesthesia and 32 degrees C hypothermia, through 3 intraperitoneal drains forming a closed circuit, using 10 mg/l of mitomycin C in 6 liters of peritoneal dialysate heated to an inflow temperature of 46-49 degrees C. No mortality occurred, and there were 2 post-operative complications, with transitory biological side effects. In 9 out of 10 patients with preoperative malignant ascites, the ascites cleared after treatment. One-year survival rate was 54.2%. These encouraging preliminary results show that intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia with mitomycin C is a safe and reliable treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis in far advanced digestive cancers.

The effect of laryngeal mask cuff pressure on postoperative sore throat incidence.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff pressure on the incidence of postoperative sore throat. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, observational study. SETTING: Operating room of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 200 consecutive adult patients requiring anesthesia for gynecologic procedures. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was induced with thiopental 3-5 mg/kg, fentanyl 2 micrograms/kg, vecuronium bromide 0.05mg/kg, and enflurane 0.8% to 2% and maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen (65%/35%) and enflurane. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In Group 1, cuff pressure measurement was continuously performed until the end of the operation. In Group 2, 5 minutes after induction of anesthesia and 2 minutes after insertion of the LMA, cuff pressure was also continuously observed and reduced to the minimal pressure required for airtightness. In the recovery room, after the operation, patients were questioned for postoperative sore throat 4, 8, and 24 hours after the operation following a scoring protocol (score 0 = no complaints, score 1 = minimal sore throat, score 2 = moderate sore throat, score 3 = severe sore throat: "never a LMA again". Continuous monitoring of cuff pressure revealed a steady increase of pressure (during the first 60 minutes increases of 43 cm H2O) in Group 1. In Group 2, after release of air, cuff pressures were significantly lower through the entire operation when compared with Group 1. In Group 1, 8 patients claimed to have a sore throat (Score 1, n = 4; Score 2, n = 3; Score 3, n = 1). In Group 2, no patient complained of sore throat. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in cuff pressure is seen during the first 60 minutes. Three minutes after insertion of the laryngeal mask, cuff pressure can significantly be reduced without any major gas leakage. Postoperative sore throat can be reduced when cuff pressure is continuously monitored and kept on low-pressure values.

[Digestive arterial obstructive diseases in three young women]. / Artériopathies oblitérantes digestives chez trois jeunes femmes.

The authors report three cases of severe intestinal ischaemia occurring in young women (age 29-44), all of them being smokers. In all cases, intestinal ischaemia was recognized lately and lead to death within two years. The occlusive arterial lesions concerned nearly exclusively the intestinal arteries. Microscopic lesions were heterogeneous and non-specific. In a case, an occlusive intimal fibrosis was noted; in another case, fibrosis of the media and the adventitia was observed; and in the last case, the lesions were suggestive of thromboangiitis obliterans. The authors advocate for the systematic recording of cases of intestinal ischaemia in young women, in order to identify the risk factors and pathogenic features of this rare condition.

[Effect of fibrin glue on lymphostasis during lymph node excisions. Prospective randomized study in 40 patients]. / Efficacité d'une colle de fibrine sur la lymphostase au cours des curages ganglionnaires. Etude prospective randomisée sur 40 patients.

To evaluate the efficacy of fibrin glue for lymphostasis during axillary and inguinal lymph node removal, we conducted a prospective randomized study including 40 patients. Post-operative mortality and morbidity rates were not different throughout the 2 groups. However they were significant decreasement in drainage duration, in drainage quantity and in hospital duration in the group "with" fibrin when compared with the group "without".

[Postoperative respiratory function and cholecystectomy by laparoscopic approach]. / Fonction respiratoire postopératoire et cholécystectomie par voie coelioscopique.

Open cholecystectomy is associated with characteristic changes in pulmonary function showing a restrictive pattern. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without opening of the peritoneal cavity could be an alternative in reducing postoperative respiratory dysfunction. Having given their informed consent, 13 healthy ASA1 patients (age: 41 +/- 18 yrs) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in this study, in order to assess their postoperative pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity [FRC], forced expiratory volume [FEV1], functional residual capacity [FRC]) before operation (T0) and 4 h (T4), 24 h (T24), 48 h (T48) after surgery. Anaesthesia technique was the same associating propofol-atracurium-fentanyl, 50% N2O/O2. Ventilation was adapted to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure up to 30-35 mmHg. Postoperative analgesic regimen consisted of paracetamol-ketoprofen. Mean length of surgery was 84 +/- 15 min; mean duration of anaesthesia was 110 +/- 24 min. An immediate and harmonious restrictive breathing pattern developed postoperatively. Postoperative FVC measured 65% (T4), 63% (T24), 72% (T48) of preoperative function (p < 0.025); postoperative FEV1 measured respectively 60, 66 and 75% of preoperative function (p > 0.001), without change in FEV1/CV and FRC; a significant hypoxia occurred (T0: 86 mmHg, T4: 80 mmHg, T24: 75 mmHg, T48: 81 mmHg [p < 0.05]). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy resulted in less postoperative respiratory dysfunction than conventional cholecystectomy, as previously reported; this restrictive pattern observed without changes in FRC was similar to that following lower abdominal surgery.

[Treatment of endoscopic colonic perforations by anastomosis in non exclusive lateral colostomy]. / Traitement des perforations coliques endoscopiques par abouchement à la peau en colostomie latérale non excluante.

The authors report two cases of colonic endoscopic perforation with peritonitis treated by minimal lateral colostomy. The evolution was favorable in this two cases with spontaneous closure of colostomy. We intended to remind the usefulness of this old and simple technique sometimes omitted in the therapeutic armentorium of the iatrogenic colic perforation, especially from endoscopic origin. Thus the risk of complications of an ideal surgery or the necessity of a second-time anastomosis after the initial colostomy can be avoided.

[Treatment of large abdominal eventrations with an intraperitoneal stapled plate. Apropos of a series of 27 patients]. / Traitement des grandes éventrations abdominales par plaque intra-péritonéale agrafée. A propos d'une série de vingt-sept patients.

Treatment of 27 large abdominal eventrations by intra-peritoneal prothesis fixed by staples is reported. Only one recurrence (3.5%) in the post-operative period, the good results observed, absence of grave complication, and great simplicity of this procedure lead the authors to recommend the use of intraperitoneal prosthesis in the treatment of post-operative eventration with major loss of parietal substance.

[An unusual complication of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis: gas in the portal vein with miliary liver abscesses]. / Une complication exceptionnelle de la sigmoïdite diverticulaire perforée: l'aéroportie avec abcès miliaires du foie.

A patient presented with gas in the portal vein and miliary liver abscesses due to perforation of a sigmoid diverticulitis abscess. The outcome was favorable after surgical treatment. Gas in the portal vein, a sign of extreme seriousness, is generally the result of intestinal necrosis from ileo-mesenteric artery infarction, responsible for more than 75% of deaths. Diagnosis of this exceptional complication, suggested from a straight abdominal film, was confirmed by hepatic ultrasound and scan imaging. Urgent surgical intervention can hopefully, as in the present case, result in the patient's survival.

[Endoluminal protection of colorectal anastomosis by Coloshield. Apropos of 14 cases]. / Protection endoluminale des anastomoses colo-rectales par Coloshield. A propos de quatorze cas.

Ideal exeresis with immediate anastomosis protected by an endoluminal shield (Coloshield) was performed in a series of 14 patients with left colic lesions for which the classical treatment would have been exeresis without anastomosis. No post-operative anastomotic fistulas were observed; one case of secondary stenosis of the anastomosis was treated successfully by endoscopic dilatation. The results of this series suggest that this technique is a reliable method of internal intestinal by-pass which offers real progress by allowing left colon exeresis with immediate anastomosis even in case with unfavourable local conditions.

Low-flow and minimal-flow anaesthesia using the laryngeal mask airway.

This study was designed to investigate whether the advantages of low- and minimal-flow anaesthesia can be combined with the laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Seventy female patients undergoing routine gynaecological surgery were investigated. After induction of anaesthesia and after positioning a laryngeal mask airway nos 3 and 4, patients were ventilated for 20 min with a fresh gas flow of 6 L min-1. Thereafter, the flow was reduced to 1 L min-1 in 50 patients and to 0.5 L min-1 in 20 patients. Once in the proper position, the LMA allowed flow reduction in all patients, indicating that no gas leakage occurred. It is concluded, that the application of low-flow and even minimal-flow anaesthesia is an alternative to high-flow anaesthesia. It can result in high annual savings and minimization of pollution. However, its use should be restricted to those anaesthesiologists who are experienced with the laryngeal mask airway and minimal-flow anaesthesia.

[Nausea and vomiting after gynecologic laparoscopies]. / Ubelkeit und Erbrechen nach gynäkologischen Laparoskopien.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in relation to the menstrual cycle in patients anaesthetised with isoflurane and propofol. METHODS: 150 patients were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 75). All patients received antiemetic treatment with 20 micrograms/kg droperidol i.v. before induction of anaesthesia. In the isoflurane group, patients were anaesthetised with thiopental, fentanyl, vecuronium, and isoflurane; in the propofol group, with propofol, fentanyl, and vecuronium. Patients were ventilated with nitrous oxide/oxygen in both groups. RESULTS: Under isoflurane-based anaesthesia PONV occurred in 22 (29%) patients, under propofol-based anaesthesia in 4 (5%) patients (p < 0.05). 41 study participants underwent laparoscopy during the first 8 days of the menstrual cycle. 12 (29%) of these patients developed PONV (p < 0.05 vs second and third phase of the menstrual cycle). 10 of these 12 study participants were in the isoflurane group. Postoperative shivering occurred in 38 (51%) patients anaesthetised with isoflurane and in 12 (16%) patients of the propofol group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PONV is significantly higher when patients undergo laparoscopy during the first 8 days of the menstrual cycle. When compared to isoflurane, propofol results in a significantly lower incidence of PONV and postoperative shivering and a lower occurrence of postoperative pain.

[New therapeutic approaches in the treatment of shock: hypertonic hyperoncotic solutions and vasopressin]. / Neue Therapieansätze bei der prähospitalen und hospitalen Schockbehandlung. Hyperton-hyperonkotische Lösungen und Vasopressin.

The extreme disturbance of hemodynamics in shock leads to a minimized oxygen delivery to several vital organs. If this state is not rapidly lifted, a multi-organ-failure can occur. In addition to the removal of the underlying causes, for example, bleeding or septic focus, measures must be started to stabilize hemodynamics. In most cases shock can be successfully treated with standard therapeutic interventions including the use of crystalloid or colloid solutions as well as the infusion of inotropes or vasopressors. Up to now, there is not enough evidence to show that hypertonic/hyperoncotic solutions are better for treating hypovolemic shock than standard infusions, other than in situations, where only an inadequate equipment is available. Experimental data support the use of vasopressin instead of fluid loading in case of uncontrolled intra-abdominal bleeding. According to these studies vasopressin seems to be associated with an improved hemodynamic stabilization and a significantly lower mortality rate. However, no clinical tests have been done so far to confirm these results. In septic shock the plasma-levels of vasopressin are low. It has been shown that the infusion of vasopressin contributes to stabilization of hemodynamics in septic shock, in lower, as well as in higher concentrations. On the other hand vasopressin worsens splanchnic perfusion. Therefore the routine use of vasopressin in the treatment of sepsis can not be recommended.

Bronchial carcinoids. A review of 22 cases.

This study investigated 22 patients with histologically proven primary bronchial carcinoids and in particular the relationship between assessment parameters and survival. In each patient, age, sex, smoking habits, mode of presentation, results of diagnostic investigations, methods of treatment and pathological examination of resected specimens were recorded. Follow-up was possible in all patients for at least 5 years. Patients with atypical carcinoids were 10 years older than patients with typical ones. Eleven patients were smokers, all the patients with atypical and 4 patients with typical carcinoid. The most common presenting mode was pneumonia. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 11 cases. The survival rate for patients with typical carcinoid was 100%, while it was 57% in patients with atypical carcinoids. Patients with limited disease had a survival of 100%, while in stage III/IV patients showed a lower survival rate (50%). In conclusion, carcinoid tumors of the lung are tumors showing a good prognosis. Five-year survival indicated a significant difference between typical and atypical carcinoids and between limited and extensive disease. A precise staging is recommended for a better treatment and follow-up.