Gennaro Quarto

TEM in the treatment of recurrent rectal cancer in elderly

IntroductionTransanal microscopic surgery is an important application of minimally invasive surgery of rectum, allowing realization of complex transanal intervention.Patients and MethodsDuring the period between January 2002 and December 2010, seven patients, five men and two women, average age 75 years, with early rectal cancer recurrence were selected for this type of surgical palliative procedure. The selection of the patients is made by: transrectal ultrasonografy, colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasonografy, to rule out liver metastases, CT with and without enema, PET CT. Follow-up is approximately 12-30 months.ResultsThe pathologic staging confirms the complete excision of recurrences. Then patients are referred for more complementary therapies.DiscussionThe significance of conservative treatment for local recurrence of rectum adenocarcinoma is still controversial because the recurrence is an expression of tumor spread not controlled by oncological surgical and radio/chemo therapy.ConclusionIn selected subjects such as the elderly, based on equal oncological treatment, the reduction of surgical trauma, preservation of anatomical integrity and resolution of symptoms are important results.

Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroid surgery: A literature review

The minimally invasive approach to parathyroid glands represents an important field of application of radioguided surgery. As always happens, in all cases pertaining to hyper-specialized skills, scientific production has long been the prerogative of a few Authors, but the ever increasing technological diffusion, combined with excellent results often achieved, increases the interest in this technique. This is particularly true in the era of minimally invasive surgery. The Authors realize a review of the existing literature to allow an overall view of current knowledge on this particular topic and to guide future research.

Adrenocortical carcinoma: What the surgeon needs to know. Case report and literature review

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer and its prognosis is frequently unsatisfactory. Due to its rarity theres a lack of prospective randomized studies. Without experience in the approach of this kind of tumor, managing becomes challenging and, moreover, we have only few recommendations, based on weak evidence. We report a case that has some peculiarities and is an excellent food for thought. Then we deal with a literature review to highlight and summarize most significant aspects of epidemiology, clinic, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis in an exquisitely surgical point of view.

Ductal adenocarcinoma in anular pancreas

INTRODUCTION The annular pancreas is a congenital anomaly in which pancreatic tissue partially or completely surrounds the second portion of the duodenum. Its often located above of papilla of Vater (85%), rarely below (15%). This pancreatic tissue is often easily dissociable to the duodenum but there is same cases where it the tissue is into the muscolaris wall of the duodenum. MATERIAL AND METHODS We describe three case of annular pancreas hospitalized in our facility between January 2004 and January 2009. There were 2 male 65 and 69 years old respectively and 1 female of 60 years old, presented complaining of repeated episodes of mild epigastric pain. Laboratory tests (including tumor markers), a direct abdomen X-ray with enema, EGDS and total body CT scan were performed to study to better define the diagnosis. EUS showed the presence of tissue infiltrating the muscle layer all around the first part of duodenum. Biopsies performed found the presence of pancreatic tissue with focal areas of adenocarcinoma. Subtotal gastrectomy with Roux was performed. The histological examinations shows an annular pancreas of D1 with multiple focal area of adenocarcinoma. (T1aN0M0). RESULTS We performed a follow up at 5 years. One patients died after 36 months for cardiovascular hit. Two patients, one male and one female, was 5-years disease-free. DISCUSSION Annular pancreas is an uncommon congenital anomaly which usually presents itself in infants and newborn. Rarely it can present in late adult life with wide range of clinical severities thereby making its diagnosis difficult. Pre-operative diagnosis is often difficult. CT scan can illustrate the pancreatic tissue encircling the duodenum. ERCP and MRCP are useful in outlining the annular pancreatic duct. Surgery still remains necessary to confirm diagnosis and bypassing the obstructed segment.

Tailored treatment of intestinal angiodysplasia in elderly

Abstract Background: Angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon, but not rare, cause of bleeding and severe anemia in elderly. Different treatments exist for this kind of pathology. Methods: The aim of this work was to study 40 patients treated for intestinal angiodysplasia with two different kind of endoscopic treatments: argon plasma coagulation (APC) and bipolar electrocoagulation (BEC). Results: Age of patients was similar in both groups (76,2 ± 10.8 years vs 74,8 ± 8,7 years, P = 0,005). Angiodysplasia treated were located in small bowel, right colon, left colon, transverse colon and cecum. We analysed number of treatment, recurrence, hospital discharge, needs of blood transfusions before and after endoscopic treatment. Number of treatment was the same in both groups (1,2 ± 0,2 vs 1,1 ± 0,1, P < 0,001). We had more recurrence in patients treated with BEC (4/20 vs 2/20, P < 0,001). Hospital discharge was comparable in both groups (5,3 ± 3,1 days vs 5,4 ± 2,8 years, P < 0.001) Conclusions: Treatment of angiodysplasia in elderly is not easy. Different kinds of treatment could be adopted. APC and BEC are both safe and effective. The choice of a treatment should consider several factors: age, comorbidity, source of bleeding. In conclusion we think that treatment of bleeding for angiodysplasia in elder population should be a tailored treatment.

The use of intraoperative ultrasound for diagnosis and stadiation in pancreatic head neoformations

UNLABELLED The intraoperative staging of the pancreatic cancer is important to make a proper treatment. For this reason the intraoperative echography is playing an important role in the right treatment choice. The intraoperative echography, that can be performed with an open or laparoscopic probe, is used to confirm the preoperative diagnosis and assess the pancreatic cancer resecability. The intraoperative echography (IOUS) or laparoscopic intraoperative echography (LIOUS) are useful to identify the patients with a non resecable cancer and perform a faster neoadjuvant treatment. The LIOUS can also avoid an useless laparotomy. The aim of this study is to assess, both in our experience and in the cited literature, the concordance rate between the pancreatic cancer preoperative staging, performed with TC and MRI (when it is available), and intraoperative staging, performed with intraoperative laparotomic or laparoscopic echography. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have analyzed the treatment management of 34 patients, who were candidate to major surgery for suspected pancreatic head cancer and who underwent to intraoperative LIOUS or IOUS staging from 2001 to 2012. RESULTS LIOUS and IOUS have allowed to detect cases in which preoperative diagnosis, proved by CT and MRI, was not agreeing with intraoperative diagnosis (22 patients on 34, 64% discordance rate), avoiding the execution of a demolitive and uneseful surgery in order to guarantee the surveillance and lifes quality of patients. CONCLUSION We suggest to perform in every patients undergone to pancreatic surgery an intraoperative ultrasound exam, to detect unresecable and unpredicted lesions.

Uncommon primary hydatid cyst occupying the adrenal gland space, treated with laparoscopic surgical approach in an old patient

Abstract Hydatid disease (HD) is caused by Echinococcus Granulosus (EG), which is a larva endemic in many undeveloped areas. The most common target is the liver (59%–75%). The retroperitoneal space is considered as a rare localization. We report an uncommon case of HD located in the adrenal gland space. Presentation of case. This is a 78-year-old Moroccan woman, with right flank pain for eight months previously. She denied contact with dogs or sheep. Her physical examination was normal. There was no pathological alteration of laboratory exams. CT scan measuring 5 cm without clear signs for a sure diagnosis found a round lesion in the right adrenal gland. An abdominal MRI showed a round mass of 34 x 27 mm with fluid component without a clear plane of dissection from kidney and liver. A laparoscopic procedure was performed to obtain a histological diagnosis. We reached a conclusive diagnosis of Hydatid cyst of right adrenal gland space. Hydatid cysts often develop in the liver. The location in the adrenal bed is rare without clinical signs related to alteration of the gland’s secretion. Hydatid cyst identification in the adrenal gland space is based on ultrasonography, CT or MRI scans. The differential diagnosis includes various benign and malignant lesions. Laparoscopic procedure is the best approach available to obtain a histological diagnosis and a curative treatment. The best treatment for HD is the pericystectomy. Laparoscopic surgery can guarantee a radical resection of these lesions when it performed by an expert surgeon.

Prophylactic GSV surgery in elderly candidates for hip or knee arthroplasty

Abstract Aging is one of the major risk factors for varicose veins. The same is for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis. Most of the patients undergoing to Hip (THA) or Knee (TKA) arthroplasty are over sixteen. Varicose veins, excluding thrombophilia, are the most significant risk factors for VTE after THA and TKA. This study investigates on the usefulness of prophylactic treatment of GSV insufficiency in elderly patients undergoing to orthopedic surgery. A retrospective study enrolling 44 over-sixty five patients, undergoing to TKA or THA. 24 patients underwent to traditional surgery and 20 to EVLA. The presence of evident varicosities and/or a saphenic reflux lasting > 500 ms has been considered as operability criterion. Both in surgery and EVLA group has been performed the ablation of visible varicosities and only saphenic refluxing traits. Results: 1 case of symptomatic DVT was recorded after arthroplasty. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.006) of recovery time between surgery and EVLA groups has been detected. There is not a statistically significant difference in long-term recurrence rate between surgery and EVLA. Conclusions: It is useful to program GSV surgery, before treat hip or knee. This study showed a 50% decrease in the incidence of postoperative DVT.

Venous aneurysm complicating arteriovenous fistula access and matrix metalloproteinases

Abstract Introduction: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for placed for hemodialysis may be burdened by one particular complication-the formation of a venous aneurysm. It has been shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could represent markers of disease in both venous and arterial vessels. Materials and methods: This case study reports a rare case of enormous venous aneurysm-correlated MMP and NGAL levels in a woman with an AVF. Results: Significantly higher levels of plasma MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, and NGAL were detected in this patient during aneurysmal evaluation before the surgery; these levels significantly decreased 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: MMP and NGAL levels could represent a marker of aneurysmal disease, and their plasma evaluation could help physicians to stratify the risk of complications in patients with an AVF.

Melanoma in the elderly patient: a single institution retrospective analysis

Background Debate around the reliability of age as a prognostic factor in melanoma patient has been intense. Age is likely a prognosis affecting factor in melanoma, either directly or indirectly, as it causes differences in diagnosis, biologic behavior and therapy. Furthermore there is lack of data from widest randomized controlled trials, because of the exclusions criteria for the elderly. Therefore the management of elderly patients with melanoma remains challenging. We undertook this study to identify factors associated with outcome.