Laparoscopy as the initial approach for epiphrenic diverticula.

BACKGROUND: Most epiphrenic diverticula traditionally have been approached through a left thoracotomy. Because laparoscopy provides excellent exposure to the distal esophagus and decreases the morbidity of thoracoscopy or thoracotomy, we have used it preferentially since 1997 and routinely since 2001. This study describes our experience with this approach. METHODS: From 1997 to 2008, 23 patients underwent surgery for epiphrenic diverticula at the University of Washington so that all patients are ≥2 years out. Our initial approach was via laparoscopy in 19 patients, VATS in 2, and open thoracotomy in 2. Details of the operation and postoperative course were recorded in our database. The patients were contacted by one of the investigators regarding current symptoms. RESULTS: The median age was 57 (range 23-83) years. The medium follow-up was 45 months. Eighteen patients had esophageal manometry at our institution; 12 of them were abnormal (66.67%). The median diameter of diverticula was 4 (range 2-10) cm. From the 19 patients approached by laparoscopy, there was one conversion to open thoracotomy in a patient with an associated leiomyoma. Both patients approached by VATS were converted to thoracotomy. Patients initially approached by laparoscopy had a median length of stay of 3 days. There was one contained esophageal leak. One patient died within 30 days from complications of the operation. Ninety-two percent of patients reported improvement of their dysphagia and 77% improvement of regurgitation. None of the patients developed recurrent diverticula. Eighty-five percent of the patients rated the results of the operation as good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Most epiphrenic diverticula can be treated successfully by using a laparoscopic approach. Morbidity and conversion rates are low and symptom control is excellent.

Near-infrared fluorescent coatings of medical devices for image-guided surgery.

Rapidly expanding field of image-guided surgery needs new materials for near-infrared imaging with deep tissue penetration. Here, we introduce near-infrared coating of equipment (NICE) for image-guided surgery based on a series of lipophilic cyanine-7.5 dyes with bulky hydrophobic counterions and a biocompatible polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate). The NICE material exhibits superior brightness (15-20-fold higher) and photostability compared to fluorescent coatings based on commonly used indocyanine green (ICG). It can be deposited on different surfaces and devices, such as steel and gold fiducials, silicone and PVC catheters, polymeric surgical sutures and gauzes. Such coated medical devices show excellent stability in air and buffer for ≥150 days. Accelerated ageing revealed their shelf-life of ≥3 years. They are also stable in serum-containing media, whereas ICG-based coating shows rapid dye leakage. NICE is compatible with standard sterilization protocols based on ethylene oxide and vapor. Moreover, our coating material is biocompatible, where cultured cells spread effectively without signs of cytotoxicity. Ex vivo studies suggest that NICE on fiducials can be visualized as deep as 0.5 cm, and NICE on catheters enables their visualization inside ureters and esophagus. Finally, NICE on different medical devices has been validated for image-guided surgery in porcine and human cadaver models. Thus, the developed NIR coating material emerges as a powerful tool for a variety of medical applications.

Handling topological changes during elastic registration : Application to augmented reality in laparoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: Locating the internal structures of an organ is a critical aspect of many surgical procedures. Minimally invasive surgery, associated with augmented reality techniques, offers the potential to visualize inner structures, allowing for improved analysis, depth perception or for supporting planning and decision systems. METHODS: Most of the current methods dealing with rigid or non-rigid augmented reality make the assumption that the topology of the organ is not modified. As surgery relies essentially on cutting and dissection of anatomical structures, such methods are limited to the early stages of the surgery. We solve this shortcoming with the introduction of a method for physics-based elastic registration using a single view from a monocular camera. Singularities caused by topological changes are detected and propagated to the preoperative model. This significantly improves the coherence between the actual laparoscopic view and the model and provides added value in terms of navigation and decision-making, e.g., by overlaying the internal structures of an organ on the laparoscopic view. RESULTS: Our real-time augmentation method is assessed on several scenarios, using synthetic objects and real organs. In all cases, the impact of our approach is demonstrated, both qualitatively and quantitatively ( http://www.open-cas.org/?q=PaulusIJCARS16 ). CONCLUSION: The presented approach tackles the challenge of localizing internal structures throughout a complete surgical procedure, even after surgical cuts. This information is crucial for surgeons to improve the outcome for their surgical procedure and avoid complications.

[Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation]. / Anatomia das vias biliares em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático inter vivos.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations of the biliary tree are frequent and increase complications after liver transplantation. AIM: To describe the anatomy of the bile ducts of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation. METHODS: From March 1998 to September 2002, the study was retrospective (23 transplantations). From October 2002 to August 2003, the study was prospective (17 transplantations). We studied the hepatic anatomy of 80 consecutive patients (40 donors and 40 recipients) of the living-related liver transplantation program of the "Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná" and the "Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças", Curitiba, PR, Brazil; 51 were male (27 recipients 24 donors) and 29 female (13 recipients and 16 donors). The median age among the donors was 32.6 years and among the recipients was 36.3 years. Thirty-two recipients were adults and 8 recipients were under 15 years old. The bile duct anatomy was studied by magnetic resonance cholangiography in 33 patients, and anomalies were seen in 3 of them (9.1%). RESULTS: The most prevalent variation of bile ducts was the fusion of the right posterior duct with the left duct (6.06%; n=2). In the 40 harvesting operations, the right bile duct was single in 25 patients (87.5%), among the 32 right-lobe donors, double in 2 (6.25%) and triple in 2 (6.25%). All of the eight left livers procured had single bile ducts. Among the 40 recipients, the common bile duct was bifurcated in 2 of them (5%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of biliary anomalies is high in patients subjected to living liver transplantation and some anomalies are not diagnosed with preoperative imaging exams.

Interstitial lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease: key role of esophageal function tests in the diagnosis and treatment.

CONTEXT: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in patients with respiratory disorders and interstitial lung fibrosis from diverse disease processes. However, a cause-effect relationship has not been well demonstrated. It is hypothesized that there might be more than a coincidental association between GERD and interstitial lung damage. There is still confusion about the diagnostic steps necessary to confirm the presence of GERD, and about the role of effective control of GERD in the natural history of these respiratory disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of GERD in patients with respiratory disorders and lung involvement; the sensitivity of symptoms in the diagnosis of GERD; and the role of esophageal function tests (manometry and 24- hour pH monitoring) in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. METHODS: Prospective study based on a database of 44 patients (29 females) with respiratory disorders: 16 patients had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 11 patients had systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had polymyositis associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had Sjögren associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had rheumatoid artrithis associated interstitial lung disease, 1 patient had undifferentiated connective tissue diseases associated interstitial lung disease and 10 patients had sarcoidosis. The average forced vital capacity (% predicted) was 64.3%. All patients had esophageal function tests. RESULTS: Thirty patients (68%) had pathologic reflux (average DeMeester score: 45, normal <14.7). The average number of reflux episodes recorded 20 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter was 24. Sensitivity and specificity of heartburn were 70% and 57%, of regurgitation 43% and 57%, and of dysphagia 33% and 64%. Twelve patients with GERD underwent a laparoscopic fundoplication which was tailored to the manometric profile: three patients in which peristalsis was normal had a total fundoplication (360°) and nine patients in which the peristalsis was absent had a partial anterior fundoplication (180°). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that: (a) abnormal reflux was present in about 2/3 of patients with respiratory disorders (idiophatic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disorders and sarcoidosis), and it extended to the upper esophagus in most patients; (b) the sensitivity and specificity of reflux symptoms was very low; and (c) esophageal function tests were essential to establish the diagnosis of abnormal reflux, to characterize the esophageal function and guide therapy. Long term follow-up will be necessary to determine if control of reflux alters the natural history of these respiratory disorders.

Interstitial lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease: key role of esophageal function tests in the diagnosis and treatment / Papel-chave dos testes de fisiologia do esôfago no diagnóstico e tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofagiano em pacientes com doença intersticial pulmonar

CONTEXT: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in patients with respiratory disorders and interstitial lung fibrosis from diverse disease processes. However, a cause-effect relationship has not been well demonstrated. It is hypothesized that there might be more than a coincidental association between GERD and interstitial lung damage. There is still confusion about the diagnostic steps necessary to confirm the presence of GERD, and about the role of effective control of GERD in the natural history of these respiratory disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of GERD in patients with respiratory disorders and lung involvement; the sensitivity of symptoms in the diagnosis of GERD; and the role of esophageal function tests (manometry and 24- hour pH monitoring) in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. METHODS: Prospective study based on a database of 44 patients (29 females) with respiratory disorders: 16 patients had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 11 patients had systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had polymyositis associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had Sjögren associated interstitial lung disease, 2 patients had rheumatoid artrithis associated interstitial lung disease, 1 patient had undifferentiated connective tissue diseases associated interstitial lung disease and 10 patients had sarcoidosis. The average forced vital capacity ( percent predicted) was 64.3 percent. All patients had esophageal function tests. RESULTS: Thirty patients (68 percent) had pathologic reflux (average DeMeester score: 45, normal <14.7). The average number of reflux episodes recorded 20 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter was 24. Sensitivity and specificity of heartburn were 70 percent and 57 percent, of regurgitation 43 percent and 57 percent, and of dysphagia 33 percent and 64 percent. Twelve patients with GERD underwent a laparoscopic fundoplication which was tailored to the manometric profile: three patients in which peristalsis was normal had a total fundoplication (360°) and nine patients in which the peristalsis was absent had a partial anterior fundoplication (180°). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that: (a) abnormal reflux was present in about 2/3 of patients with respiratory disorders (idiophatic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disorders and sarcoidosis), and it extended to the upper esophagus in most patients; (b) the sensitivity and specificity of reflux symptoms was very low; and (c) esophageal function tests were essential to establish the diagnosis of abnormal reflux, to characterize the esophageal function and guide therapy. Long term follow-up will be necessary to determine if control of reflux alters the natural history of these respiratory disorders.

CONTEXTO: A doença do refluxo gastroesofagiano (DRGE) é comum em pacientes com lesões intersticiais pulmonares. Todavia, a relação de causa e efeito não foi claramente demonstrada. Tem sido formulada a hipótese de que a frequente coexistência de DRGE e dano pulmonar intersticial não seja meramente uma coincidência. Ainda existe controvérsia em relação a melhor forma de se confirmar o diagnóstico de DRGE e se o controle efetivo do refluxo tem influência na história natural destas enfermidades respiratórias. OBJETIVO: Determinar: (a) a prevalência da DRGE em pacientes com doenças respiratórias e envolvimento pulmonar intersticial; (b) a sensibilidade dos sintomas típicos de DRGE para o diagnóstico; (c) o papel dos exames de fisiologia do esôfago (manometria esofágica e pHmetria de 24 horas) no diagnóstico e manejo destes pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de 44 pacientes (29 sexo feminino) com doenças respiratórias: 16 pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática, 11 com doença intersticial pulmonar associada à esclerose sistêmica, 2 com doença intersticial pulmonar associada à polimiosite, 2 com doença intersticial pulmonar relacionada à síndrome de Sjögren, 2 com doença intersticial pulmonar associada à artrite reumatóide, 1 com doença intersticial pulmonar associada à doença indiferenciada do tecido conjuntivo e 10 pacientes com sarcoidose e acometimento pulmonar. A capacidade vital forçada média ( por cento predito) foi de 64,3 por cento. Todos os pacientes fizeram manometria esofágica e pHmetria de 24 horas. RESULTADOS: Trinta pacientes (68 por cento) tiveram refluxo patológico (média do escore de DeMeester de 45; normal <14.7). A média de episódios de refluxo detectados 20 cm acima do esfíncter inferior do esôfago foi de 24. A sensibilidade e especificidade de queimação retroesternal foi de 70 por cento e 57 por cento, de regurgitação de 43 por cento e 57 por cento e de disfagia de 33 por cento e 64 por cento. Doze pacientes com ...

Anatomia da artéria hepática em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático intervivos / Hepatic artery anatomy in living related liver transplantation

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a anatomia da artéria hepática nos doadores e receptores do transplante hepático intervivos realizados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná e do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças de Curitiba. MÉTODO: A avaliação foi retrospectiva de março de 1998 até setembro de 2002 (23 transplantes), quando os dados passaram a ser captados de forma prospectiva (17 transplantes), até agosto de 2003. Foram obtidos dados de 80 pacientes consecutivos (40 doadores e 40 receptores), submetidos a transplante hepático intervivos, sendo 32 transplantes com receptor adulto e 8 transplantes pediátricos (receptor com idade inferior a 15 anos). Entre os 80 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 51 eram do sexo masculino (27 receptores e 24 doadores) e 29 eram do sexo feminino (13 receptores e 16 doadores). A idade média dos doadores foi de 32,6 anos e a dos receptores de 36,3 anos. RESULTADOS: No estudo da anatomia da artéria hepática, realizaram-se arteriografias em 43 pacientes, e variações anatômicas foram encontradas em 18 casos (41,86 por cento), sendo a mais comum a artéria hepática direita ramo da artéria mesentérica superior (12,5 por cento; n=5); no estudo da anatomia arterial realizado nas cirurgias, foram verificadas variações em 16 casos (20 por cento) entre os 80 casos estudados, sendo a mais comum a artéria hepática direita como ramo da artéria mesentérica superior (7,5 por cento; n=6). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que a prevalência de variações na anatomia da artéria hepática é elevada.

Anatomia das vias biliares em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático inter vivos / Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation / Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation

RACIONAL: Variações anatômicas das vias biliares são freqüentes e aumentam as complicações dos transplantes hepáticos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a anatomia das vias biliares nos doadores e receptores do transplante hepático inter vivos realizados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná e do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR. CASUíSTICA E MÉTODOS: A avaliação foi retrospectiva de março de 1998 até setembro de 2002 (23 transplantes), quando os dados passaram a ser captados de forma prospectiva (17 transplantes), até agosto de 2003. Foram obtidos dados de 80 pacientes consecutivos (40 doadores e 40 receptores), submetidos a transplante hepático inter vivos, sendo 32 transplantes com receptor adulto e 8 transplantes pediátricos (receptor com idade inferior a 15 anos). Entre os 80 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 51 eram do sexo masculino (27 receptores e 24 doadores) e 29 do feminino (13 receptores e 16 doadores). A idade média dos doadores foi de 32,6 anos e a dos receptores de 36,3 anos. RESULTADOS: Nas cirurgias de captação do lobo hepático direito, a via biliar direita foi única em 25 entre 29 casos (86,2 por cento), dupla em dois (6,9 por cento) e tripla em dois (6,9 por cento). Nos oito casos em que o setor lateral esquerdo ou o lobo hepático esquerdo foram captados, a via biliar foi única. Entre os 33 pacientes submetidos a colangiografia por ressonância magnética, variações foram verificadas em três pacientes (9,1 por cento), sendo a mais comum o ducto biliar posterior direito tributário do ducto hepático esquerdo (6,06 por cento; n = 2). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de anomalias biliares nos transplantes inter vivos de fígado é elevada e algumas não são diagnosticadas com os exames de imagem pré-operatórios.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations of the biliary tree are frequent and increase complications after liver transplantation. AIM: To describe the anatomy of the bile ducts of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation. METHODS: From March 1998 to September 2002, the study was retrospective (23 transplantations). From October 2002 to August 2003, the study was prospective (17 transplantations). We studied the hepatic anatomy of 80 consecutive patients (40 donors and 40 recipients) of the living-related liver transplantation program of the "Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná" and the "Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças", Curitiba, PR, Brazil; 51 were male (27 recipients 24 donors) and 29 female (13 recipients and 16 donors). The median age among the donors was 32.6 years and among the recipients was 36.3 years. Thirty-two recipients were adults and 8 recipients were under 15 years old. The bile duct anatomy was studied by magnetic resonance cholangiography in 33 patients, and anomalies were seen in 3 of them (9.1 percent). RESULTS: The most prevalent variation of bile ducts was the fusion of the right posterior duct with the left duct (6.06 percent; n=2). In the 40 harvesting operations, the right bile duct was single in 25 patients (87.5 percent), among the 32 right-lobe donors, double in 2 (6.25 percent) and triple in 2 (6.25 percent). All of the eight left livers procured had single bile ducts. Among the 40 recipients, the common bile duct was bifurcated in 2 of them (5 percent). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of biliary anomalies is high in patients subjected to living liver transplantation and some anomalies are not diagnosed with preoperative imaging exams.

Anatomia das veias hepáticas em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático intervivos / Hepatic veins anatomy of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation

Anomalias das veias hepáticas são comuns e podem aumentar as complicações do transplante hepático intervivos. Objetivo - avaliar a anatomia das veias hepáticas nos doadores e receptores do transplante hepático intervivos realizados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universida Federal do Paraná e do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças de Curitiba / Anomalies of the hepatic veins are common and may increase complications after living related liver transplantation. Aim - to describe the anatomy of the hepatic artery of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation...