Asiye Perek

COLOR: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic and Open Resection for Colon Cancer

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has proven to be safe and effective. However, the value of laparoscopic resection for malignancy in terms of cancer outcome can only be assessed by large prospective randomized clinical trials with sufficient follow-up. Methods: COLOR (COlon carcinoma Laparoscopic or Open Resection) is a European multicenter randomized trial which has started in September 1997. In 24 hospitals in Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, 1,200 patients will be included. The primary end point of the study is cancer-free survival after 3 years. Results: Within <2 years, more than 540 patients have been randomized for right hemicolectomy (45%), left hemicolectomy (10%) and sigmoidectomy (45%). 33 patients (6%) were excluded after randomization. The accrual rate is approximately 25 patients/month. Current survival rates for the whole study group are: stage I: 95%, stage II: 98%, stage III: 93%, stage IV: 64%. For all patients with stage I disease, the mortality was not cancer related. Conclusions: Although laparoscopic surgery appears of value in colorectal malignancy, results of randomized trials have to be awaited to determine the definitive place of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer. Considering the current accrual rate, the COLOR study will be completed in 2002.

Gastric duplication cyst.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of gastric duplication cysts. Methods: A 38-year-old female patient presented with dyspepsia and repeated episodes of epigastric pain. She was operated with the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst according to her US and CT scans, and found to have a gastric duplication cyst. A cyst about 80×80 mm, localized on the posterior wall of the corpus of the stomach close to the fundus, was dissected from the surrounding tissues and partially from the gastric wall. The cyst did not have muscle layer on the common wall with the stomach, so the cystic mucosa was stripped away from the gastric muscle layer. The gastric lumen was not entered. Results: Although gastric duplication cysts do not have specific symptoms and signs, CT, MR and endoscopic ultrasonography may help the preoperative diagnosis, but the diagnosis is usually confirmed at laparotomy. Needle aspiration may cause complications. Conclusion: Because of the complications that may occur after needle aspiration and malignant potential of the tissue, the treatment of these cysts is surgical.

Partial Fistulotomy and Modified Cutting Seton Procedure in the Treatment of High Extrasphincteric Perianal Fistulae

Aim: In our prospective study the method of partial distal fistulotomy and modified cutting seton for high extrasphincteric perianal fistulae is discussed. Methods: 10 patients (9 males and 1 female) with high extrasphincteric perianal fistulae were treated with partial distal fistulotomy and modified cutting seton. Four or five threads were introduced through the tract; one was tied tightly at the end of the operation, others were tightened every 10th day. While the tied thread cut the tissue, the others drained the tract. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 9 years. Results: None of the patients developed major fecal incontinence. 2 of the 10 patients complained of incontinence due to flatus. Conclusion: Distal fistulotomy and modified cutting seton can be used in perianal fistulae with high anal or rectal opening, because it combines the effects of both cutting and loose setons and because the postoperative results regarding continence are satisfactory.

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Pancreas

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the pancreas is extremely rare. Although the diagnosis of PNET is suggested by the light microscopic appearance of the tumor, it should be confirmed by the immunohistochemical evaluation of the c-myc expression and if possible, further determination of the particular chromosome translocation, t(11;22)(q24,q12). In this report, we present a male patient with pancreatic PPNET who had been followed up for 50 months. The related literature is also reviewed. In our case, the pathologic diagnosis was based on the positive immunoreactivity for CD99 in many of the tumor cells. The complementary cytogenetic studies were not possible in the private setting of the patient’s treatment. The patient was 31 years old when first operated. Within 4 months of the first operation he had local recurrence. In the third year of his follow-up he had been discovered to have pulmonary metastases and another metastatic tumor in his lung was diagnosed the year after. The metastatic foci were primarily treated by surgical resections. He had chemotherapy after each resection of pulmonary metastatic foci. After 50 months of the initial surgical intervention, he succumbed to widespread thoracic and bone metastases. Because of the extreme rarity of PPNET in the pancreas, and its rather protracted course, we think our case may further contribute to the ever expanding database for this particular entity.

Contents Vol. 17, 2000

421 Postgraduate Course: Common Laparoscopic Procedures from Revolution to Standard of Care Chairpersons: Hunter, J. (USA); Lacy, A. (Spain) Ongoing Clinical Trials Section Editor: S. Galandiuk, MD, Louisville 427 Oncology 431 Inflammatory Bowel Disease 431 Surgical Infection/Sepsis 433 Miscellaneous 435 Questionnaire for Trial Submission 437 EDS News 438 Announcement Review 439 Human Islet Autotransplantation to Prevent Diabetes after Pancreas Resection White, S.A.; Robertson, G.S.M.; London, N.J.M.; Dennison, A.R. (Leicester)

Transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma in Turkey: with special reference to respiratory function.

Esophagectomy without opening the thoracic cavity — transhiatal esophagectomy — (THE) were performed in 47 patients with malignant tumors localized at various levels of the esophagus. Pulmonary function studies were performed in all patients and they are categorized as low, moderate, or high risk for probable postoperative pulmonary complications according to the risk category system. Nine of these patients were classified as high risk, seven as moderate risk, and the rest as low risk. In all patients but four, reconstruction was accomplished by using their stomachs as a substitute. In the remaining patient, intestinal continuity was established by a left and right colonic interposition. Three patients were lost in the early postoperative period. Two patients categorized as low risk died from pulmonary thromboembolism and cardiac failure, respectively. One patient categorized in the high risk group died of coronary thrombosis. Postoperative complications included transient hoarseness due to recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis in one patient, right pleural effusion in one patient, pneumothorax in two patients, and thrombophlebitis in one patient. In the high risk patient group, there were no pulmonary complications. This clinical study demonstrated the protective effect of THE in patients with serious pulmonary problems.