[The diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cystic tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the surgical option and the treatment of complications of pancreatic cystic tumors. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2009, 32 patients with pancreatic cystic tumors in our center were reviewed retrospectively. There were 6 male and 26 female, aging from 24 to 76 years. Of the 32 patients, 16 patients had serous cystadenoma, 9 patients had mucinous cystadenoma; 1 patients had mucinous cystadenocarcinoma; 4 patients had intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and 3 patients had pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. Tumor located in pancreatic head in 12 patients and in pancreatic body and tail in 20 patients. RESULTS: All patients received surgical treatment and there was no perioperative death. Pancreato-duodenectomy was performed in 10 patients, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in 1 patient, distal pancreactomy in 13 patients, including laparoscopic distal pancreactomy in 2 patients, pancreatic tumor resection in 3 patients, middle segmental resection in 4 patients; 1 patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma received palliative surgery. Complication included gastroparesis in 3 patients and pancreatic fistula in 5 patients, and all recovered by conservative treatment. These 29 patients were followed up 4 - 120 months, 3 patients died from tumor metastasis or other disease within 4 to 34 months after surgery. Others were alive and there was no tumor recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: CT scan should be the first choice of non-invasive examination for cystic pancreatic diagnosis. Positive and timely operation should be performed in the patient with cystic pancreatic tumor, and it acts as a cancer preventive treatment. The selection of surgical approach should be individualized, the principal of damage control surgery should be followed. Complications such as gastroparesis and pancreatic fistula should be paid more attention.

[Effects of early goal-directed fluid therapy on intra-abdominal hypertension and multiple organ dysfunction in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of early goal-directed fluid therapy with hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), multiple organ dysfunction and fluid balance in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. METHODS: According to the criteria of selection and exclusion, 120 SAP patients within 72 hours after the symptom occurred from 4 study sites were recruited. They were given standard medication according to "the guideline of diagnosis and treatment of SAP in China" in SICU or PICU. The patients were randomly divided into two groups with crystalloid (control group) and colloid plus crystalloid resuscitation (research group). The objective of fluid therapy was to keep steady hemodynamics for 8 days. IAP was measured three times daily by means of urinary bladder transduction. Function of liver, renal and lung were detected daily. APACHE II score and fluid balance were calculated daily. RESULTS: Total 120 cases were recruited into research group (n = 59) and control group (n = 61). The demography and baseline data were comparable. IAP was lower in research group than that in control group at day 4 and day 5 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in APACHE II scores between two groups pre- and after admission. The decline of daily IAP to baseline (DeltaIAP) in research group was significantly higher than in research group from day 2 to day 8(P < 0.05), whilst the decline of daily APACHE II score to baseline (DeltaAPACHE II score) in research group were significantly higher from day 4 to day 8 (P < 0.05). Negative fluid balance emerged much earlier in the research group (P = 0.036). Percentage of patients with negative fluid balance within 8 days was significantly higher in research group than that in control group (94.9% vs. 62.3%). The amount of positive fluid balance was significantly lower in research group (P = 0.039). IAP correlated significantly with APACHE II score (r(2) = 0.322, P = 0.000). PaO2/FiO2 was significantly higer in research group at day 4 and day 8. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to pay close attention to IAP in early fluid therapy of SAP patients. Early goal-directed fluid therapy with HES130/0.4 shortens the duration of positive fluid balance, decreases the amount of positive fluid balance, reduces APACHE II score, relieves IAH, and improves PaO2/FiO2.

[A survey of bile duct injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the reasons for bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and to determine the effect of multiple treatment after BDI. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The medical records of 110 patients diagnosed with BDI after LC from October 1993 to November 2007, in ten large hospitals in Guangdong of China, were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 110 patients with BDI, 58 cases (52.7%) were local patients, whereas 52 cases (47.3%) were transferred from outside hospitals. Reasons for BDI following LC were: (1) Lack of experience of the LC operator (48.2%); (2) LC performed during acute cholecystitis (20.0%); (3) The structure of Calot triangle was unclear (15.5%); (4) Variable anatomical position (11.8%); (5) Intra-operation bleeding (4.5%). The commonest sites of injury were the choledochus and common hepatic duct (76.4%). Following BDI, endoscopic stenting or operative repair was performed in 106 patients. The overall success rate was 95.3% (101/106), with a mortality rate was 0.9% (1/106). Cholangitis occurred in 3.8% (4/106) cases. Choledocho-enterostomy operation was performed in almost 60.0% (63/106) cases, and the success rate was 93.7% (59/63). Endoscopic stenting or operative repair was performed immediately following BDI in 23.6% (25/106) patients, the success rate was 100%; and within 30 days in 63.2% (67/106) patients. Eighty-eight out of 106 patients who underwent repair were successful following the first operative procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as an un-experienced operator and unclear anatomical position were causes of BDI following LC. Early operative repair should be regarded as the treatment of choice, in patients diagnosed with BDI. Early refer to an experienced hepatobiliary operator ensures a high success rate.

Surgical treatment of patients with intermediate-terminal pancreatic cancer.

AIM: To investigate the surgical treatment of patients with intermediate-terminal pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical data of 163 patients with intermediate-terminal pancreatic cancer who were surgically treated between August 1994 and August 2003. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients underwent palliative surgery. The mortality rate of those who underwent cholecystojejunostomy alone was 14.2%, the icterus or cholangitis recurrence rate was 61.9% with an average survival period of 7.1 mo. The mortality rate for those who received hepatic duct-jejunostomy (HDJS) was 5.7%, the icterus or cholangitis recurrence rate was 6.8% with an average survival period of 7.1 mo. But 31.8% of the patients developed duodenum obstruction within 6 mo after the surgery, six of seven patients with severe pain were given peri-abdominal aorta injection with absolute alcohol and their pain was alleviated. The other patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) and their icterus index returned to normal level within 40 d with an average survival period of 7.5 mo. CONCLUSION: Roux-en-Y HDJS combined with prophylactic gastrojejunostomy is recommended for patients with intermediate-terminal pancreatic cancer, and biliary prosthesis can partly relieve biliary obstruction in a short term.

Association and Intragenic Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Interactions of the XRCC1 Polymorphisms for Pancreatic Cancer Susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES: X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene is an important candidate gene for influencing human cancer risks. This study examined the main and interactive effect of 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln, c.1254C>T, c.1517G>C, c.1471G>A, C310T, 539del542, and T1915C) of XRCC1 in contribution to pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: A total of 298 PC patients and 298 healthy controls were enrolled. Selected SNPs in XRCC1 were genotyped. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method investigated gene-gene interactions. RESULTS: Single-locus analyses showed that, in the codominant model, the GO genotype of 539del542 might have a higher risk for PC (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.05-2.08). For T1915C polymorphism, the TC and CC genotypes both had a higher risk for PC (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.25-2.48; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.05-3.19, respectively); and a similar result was observed in the dominant model (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.28-2.46). A tendency of association between Arg280His and PC was also detected in the dominant model (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48-1.00). Furthermore, the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method showed that the 4-locus model was significant, involving Arg280His, 539del542, T1915C, and c.1517G>C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, XRCC1 polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of PC independently or in an interactive manner.

[Treatment and surgery of primary hepatic cancer with portal vengus tumor thrombosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the methods of surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombi in portal vein (TTPV). METHODS: To Analyze and summarize the clinical information from 138 HCC patients with tumor thrombi in portal vein collected during January 1990 and January 2003. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients receiving palliative therapy died from 1 to 8 months, and average survival time is 3.9 months. 101 patients had operation treatment, 23 of them underwent hepatoma resection, and average survival time was 10.9 months; 78 patients underwent hepatoma resection and removal of tumor thrombi, and average survival time was 26.8 months. 52 of whom underwent hepatic artery and portal vein chemoembolization, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates was 96.2%, 51.9%, 11.5%, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the 26 patients who didn't undergo chemoembolization were 76.9%, 23.1%, 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Operation treatment can comparatively extend the survival time of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in portal vein patients, and the best choice is hepatoma resection and removal of tumor thrombi, hepatic artery and portal vein chemoembolization after operation can enhance the effect.

miR-216a may inhibit pancreatic tumor growth by targeting JAK2.

This study was aimed to investigate miR-216a expression in pancreatic cancer and determine its effects on proliferation. miR-216a was found downregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues as compared to benign pancreatic lesions. JAK2 was identified as a miR-216a gene target. Further, in vivo treatment of PANC-1 tumors with miR-216a reduced JAK2 protein levels in the tumor and reduced tumor volume. In conclusion, miR-216a may function as a tumor suppressor regulating pancreatic cancer cells by targeting the JAK/STAT pathway. Further studies with a larger number of patient samples are necessary to fully explore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of miR-216a for pancreatic cancer.

Biological effect of ectopic expression of angiopoietin-1 and -2 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the biological effect of ectopic expression of angiopoietin-1 and -2 cDNA on SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line and study the possible role of the angiopoietin gene in the growth or metastasis of implantation carcinoma. METHODS: Angiopoietin-1 and -2 cDNA were subcloned into the pcDNA3 vector and subsequently transfected into a human SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line without detectable angiopoietin gene expression before transfection. Then HCC cells were injected subcutaneously into 30 nude mice and the tumor growth speed and amount of newborn vasculature in the HE stained tissue were observed every 2 days till 3 weeks or the death of animals. RESULTS: The tumor grew faster with angiopoietin-2 expression; much more blood vessels were seen in the tumor tissue than that without angiopoietin-2 expression. Angiopoietin-1 gene expression seems to have no obvious effect on the increase of vasculature and tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: The angiopoietin gene may play a role in the growth and progression of HCC and angiopoietin-2 seems to promote the angiogenesis of the tumor.

[Surgical treatments for hilar cholangiocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 102 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, 21 (20.6%) underwent surgical exploration and biopsy with an average survival time of 72 d, 18 (17.6%) received drainage with that of 8.3 months, and 63 (61.8%) were subjected to surgical resection and anastomosis with that of 25.7 months. The surgical approaches included resections of the perihepatic cholangiocarcinoma, of the quadrate lobe and outer bile ductule carcinoma, of the left half of the liver, of the caudal lobe and outer bile ductule carcinoma, and Roux-en-Y ligation of the intraheptic bile ductule-jeajunum. CONCLUSIONS: Resection is a the primary choice for treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and radical resection may prolong the patients' survival time and achieve better effect than simple drainage. In cases where resection is impossible, jaundice management should be carried out.

A new technique of hepatic segmentectomy by selective portal venous occlusion using a balloon catheter through a branch of the superior mesenteric vein.

BACKGROUND: We describe a new technique of segment-based liver resection by inserting a 6 French balloon catheter into the portal vein via a branch of the superior mesenteric vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The catheter was guided into the relevant portal branch supplying the liver segment that contained the tumor. Injection of methylene blue through the catheter delineated the liver segment(s) to be resected. This operation was carried out on 48 patients with a 0% in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival was 52.1% and the 5-year disease-free survival was 20.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience showed this technique to be a viable alternative for anatomical liver segmentectomy.

[Value of perioperative adjuvant therapy in liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of perioperative adjuvant chemotherapy in prevention of tumor recurrence and improvement of patient survival after liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Twenty patients with advanced HCC (pTNM stages III and IV a) receiving liver transplantation with preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (ADM+5-Fu+CDDP) were retrospectively reviewed in comparison with 16 patients receiving liver transplantation only for tumor recurrence, cumulative and tumor-free survivals. The feasibility and side-effects of the treatments were also studied. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was lower in the perioperative treatment group than in non-treatment group (12/20, 60.0% vs 11/16, 87.5%, P<0.05). The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 70.8% and 47.1% for the chemotherapy group and 43.8% and 20.5% for the non-chemotherapy group respectively, showing significant differences between them (P<0.05). The 1- and 2-year tumor-free survival rates were 60.6%, 40.5% and 33.6%, 15.6% in the two groups, respectively, with also significant differences (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative adjuvant treatment may significantly decrease the likeliness of tumor recurrence and prolong the survival of patients with advanced HCC after liver transplantation. Chemotherapy with ADM+5-Fu+CDDP can be effective and safe with only mild side-effects.