J. Visa

Laparoscopy-assisted colectomy versus open colectomy for treatment of non-metastatic colon cancer: a randomised trial

BACKGROUND Although early reports on laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) in patients with colon cancer suggested that it reduces perioperative morbidity, its influence on long-term results is unknown. Our study aimed to compare efficacy of LAC and open colectomy (OC) for treatment of non-metastatic colon cancer in terms of tumour recurrence and survival. METHODS From November, 1993, to July, 1998, all patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon were assessed for entry in this randomised trial. Adjuvant therapy and postoperative follow-up were the same in both groups. The main endpoint was cancer-related survival. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. FINDINGS 219 patients took part in the study (111 LAC group, 108 OC group). Patients in the LAC group recovered faster than those in the OC group, with shorter peristalsis-detection (p=0.001) and oral-intake times (p=0.001), and shorter hospital stays (p=0.005). Morbidity was lower in the LAC group (p=0.001), although LAC did not influence perioperative mortality. Probability of cancer-related survival was higher in the LAC group (p=0.02). The Cox model showed that LAC was independently associated with reduced risk of tumour relapse (hazard ratio 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.82), death from any cause (0.48, 0.23-1.01), and death from a cancer-related cause (0.38, 0.16-0.91) compared with OC. This superiority of LAC was due to differences in patients with stage III tumours (p=0.04, p=0.02, and p=0.006, respectively). INTERPRETATION LAC is more effective than OC for treatment of colon cancer in terms of morbidity, hospital stay, tumour recurrence, and cancer-related survival.

Surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: prognostic value of preoperative portal pressure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Although resection of hepatocellular carcinoma complicating cirrhosis is restricted to patients with preserved liver function, postoperative hepatic decompensation develops in some patients. The aim of this study was to determine the value of increased portal pressure in the development of postoperative hepatic decompensation. METHODS Twenty-nine cirrhotic patients with Child-Pughs class A disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (all except one < 5 cm) scheduled to undergo resection were evaluated by conventional criteria and by a systemic and hepatic hemodynamic study. Predictors of decompensation were assessed among a series of 44 clinical, analytical, tumoral, and hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS Eleven patients had unresolved decompensation 3 months after surgery. Bilirubin and blood ureic nitrogen levels, platelet count, wedged hepatic venous pressure, hepatic venous pressure gradient, and indocyanine green intrinsic clearance were significantly associated with unresolved decompensation, but only hepatic venous pressure gradient was significant, in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.0001; odds ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.22). The preoperative gradient of patients with unresolved decompensation was higher than that of patients without it (13.9 +/- 2.4 and 7.4 +/- 3.5 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Cirrhotics with increased portal pressure are at high risk of hepatic decompensation after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Surgical resection should therefore be restricted to patients without portal hypertension.

E.A.E.S. multicenter prospective randomized trial comparing two-stage vs single-stage management of patients with gallstone disease and ductal calculi.

AbstractBackground: The current management of patients with gallstone disease and ductal calculi consists of endoscopic stone extraction (ESE) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Following the advent of techniques of laparoscopic ductal stone clearance, an alternative single-stage laparoscopic treatment was introduced for these patients. The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (E.A.E.S.) set up a ductal stone trial to compare the relative efficacy and outcome of these two management options. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial compared two management options. Group A (n= 150) received preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with ESE followed by LC during the same hospital admission, and group B (n= 150) received single-stage laparoscopic management. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the clinical demographic details and the pretreatment biochemical findings. In group A, 14 of 150 patients received single-stage treatment; in group B, 17 of 150 were managed by the two-stage approach (protocol violation = 31/300, 10%). In group A patients managed in accordance with randomization, ERC was successful in 129/136 (95%) and preoperative ESE succeeded in 82/98 (84%) with ductal calculi detected by the ERC. Two patients had malignancies and one refused surgery. Thus, 133 patients underwent surgery. Of this group, 116 had LC only and 17 had LC and attempted laparoscopic duct exploration. There were eight conversions to open surgery (6%), 17 complications for both stages (12.8%), and two postoperative deaths (1.5%). In group B patients managed in accordance with randomization, intraoperative cholangiography was successful in 132/133 (99%). Twenty-one (16%) had normal findings, ductal calculi were found in 109, and other pathology was noted in two (periampullary cancer, severe pancreatitis). These two patients and one other (who had gross adhesion in the triangle of Calot) were converted at the start of the procedure. Transcystic ductal stone clearance was successful in 45 of 56 patients (80%), and laparoscopic direct common duct (CBD) exploration was successful in 47 of 55 patients (85%). This group includes 53 patients who underwent primary direct exploration and two failed attempts at transcystic extraction. The conversion rate was 13%. Postoperative complications were encountered in 21 patients (15.8%), and one patient died of a major myocardial infarction (0.75%). The one postoperative death and the 10/11 biliary complications occurred in the laparoscopic supraduodenal CBD exploration subgroup. The conversion rate was higher in group B (17 vs eight; p= 0.08). Laparotomy in the postoperative period was required in three patients in group A and four patients in group B. The group B patients were in hospital for 3 days less than patients who had two-stage management (median, 6.0, IQR = 4.25–12 vs median, 9.0, IQR = 5.5–14; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results demonstrate equivalent success rates and patient morbidity for the two management options but a significantly shorter hospital stay with the single-stage laparoscopic treatment. The findings indicate that in fit patients (ASA I and II), single-stage laparoscopic treatment is the better option, and preoperative ESE should be confined to poor-risk patients—i.e., those with cholangitis or severe pancreatitis.

Short-term outcome analysis of a randomized study comparing laparoscopic vs open colectomy for colon cancer

The authors examined the impact of the laparoscopic approach on the early outcome of resected colon carcinomas. The role of laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of colon carcinomas is questionable. Previous studies have suggested technical feasibility of surgical resections of these cancers by laparoscopic means and have implied a benefit to laparoscopic technique for patients undergoing colorectal resections. A prospective, randomized study was conducted comparing laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC) open colectomy (OC) for colon cancer. We present the preliminary results in relation to the short-term outcome and judge the feasibility of the laparoscopic procedure to as a way of performing accurate oncologic resection and staging. Benefit has been demonstrated with LAC in this setting. Passing flatus, oral intake, and discharge from hospital occurred earlier in LAC- than OC-treated patients The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LAC group than in the OC group. The overall morbidity was significantly lower in the LAC group. No significant differences were observed between both groups in the number of lymph nodes removed or the pathological stage following the Astler-Coller modification of the Dukes classification. The laparoscopic approach improves the short-term outcome of segmental colectomies for colon cancer. However, the further follow-up of these patients will allow us to answer in the near future whether or not the LAC may influence the long-term outcome.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Results of surgical treatment in a European series.

OBJECTIVE The authors analyze the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis who underwent liver resections. BACKGROUND Liver resection is the best option for HCC arising from hepatic cirrhosis. The experience of Western centers with these patients is shorter than the Asian series. METHODS Forty-eight consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HCC who underwent liver resections were studied after a similar diagnostic and therapeutic process. Survival and cumulative recurrence were calculated according to pathologic findings. RESULTS Factors influencing survival at 3 years were as follows: type of resection, absence of vascular invasion, size of the tumor, absence of satellite nodules, and the number of nodules. Factors influencing the rate of recurrence at 3 years were the presence of vascular invasion and the presence of satellite nodules. Patients with favorable prognostic factors have a good survival rate with an acceptable recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS Identification of prognostic factors may help in the selection of the appropriate treatment for these patients with HCC and cirrhosis.

Port site metastases and recurrence after laparoscopic colectomy. A randomized trial

AbstractBackground: This study was performed to prospectively assess the impact of the laparoscopic approach to the patterns of port site metastases (PSM) and recurrence rate (RR) of resected colon carcinomas as compared with conventional colectomies. Methods: All patients were included in a prospective randomized trial comparing laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) versus open colectomy (OC) for colon cancer. The randomization was stratified for localization of the lesion. Patients with metastasic disease at the time of the surgery were excluded. Follow-up in the outpatient clinic was done every 3 months for a minimum of 12 months. Endpoints for the study were metastasis at port site and laparotomy incision as well as recurrence rate. Results: Of 91 segmental colectomies performed from November 1993 to January 1996, there were 44 LAC and 47 OC. Patient data were similar in both groups (age, sex, Dukes stage, type of operation). Mean follow-up was 21.4 months, with a range of 13 to 41 months. There were no wounds or PSM in those series. RR was similar for both groups. For LAC, it was five of 31 (16.1%); for OC, it was six of 40 (15%). Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach has a recurrence rate similar to that for open procedures for colon cancer. However, additional follow-up of these patients is needed before we can determine whether or not the laparoscopic approach influences overall survival.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome in candidates for liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been defined as a clinical triad, including chronic liver disease, gas exchange defects (increased alveolar-arterial PO2 difference irrespective of the presence of arterial hypoxemia), and widespread intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. We determined the incidence and the clinical and pulmonary functional characteristics of HPS in candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and tested their predicted accuracy. METHODS We studied 80 patients with cirrhosis prospectively, and carried out contrast-enhanced (CE) echocardiography and lung function tests, including ventilation-perfusion (V(A)/Q) distributions. RESULTS Fourteen patients had HPS (incidence, 17.5%). Patients with HPS (49 +/- 12 (+/-SD) years) had more cutaneous spiders, finger clubbing and dyspnea (P < 0.05 each) and a lower diffusing capacity (DLCO, 56 +/- 18% predicted; P < 0.001) than non-HPS patients (n = 66). Mild to moderate V(A)/Q inequalities and increased intrapulmonary shunt were predominant in HPS patients, but oxygen diffusion impairment was observed in those with hypoxemia (n = 8) only. The DLCO showed a considerable area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.89). CONCLUSIONS HPS in cirrhotic patient candidates for OLT shows a high incidence and these patients present with distinctive clinical and functional features compared with non-HPS individuals. The presence of a low DLCO may be of help for the diagnosis of HPS.

EAES ductal stone study. Preliminary findings of multi-center prospective randomized trial comparing two-stage vs single-stage management.

AbstractBackground: The current management of patients with ductal calculi and gallstone disease consists of endoscopic stone extraction (ESE) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The advent of techniques of laparoscopic ductal stone clearance has introduced an alternative single stage laparoscopic treatment for these patients. The EAES ductal stone trial was set up to compare the relative efficacy and outcome of these two management options. Methods: The study consists of a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial comparing two management options of patients undergoing LC and suspected of harbouring common duct stones. Patients registered into the trial are randomized to one of two arms: (i) Group A—preoperative ERC with ESE followed by LC during the same hospital admission. (ii) Group B—single stage laparoscopic management consisting of LC and laparoscopic stone extraction either by the trans-cystic duct route or by direct supraduodenal common duct exploration. Results: This preliminary analysis was carried out on 207 randomized patients with comparisons being made on the intention to treat principle. The two groups (A = 106, B = 101) were comparable with respect to clinical features. ASA grade, serum biochemistry and ultrasound findings. Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate equivalent success rates and patient morbidity between the two management options but a shorter hospital stay (cost benefit) with the single stage laparoscopic treatment. Trans-cystic duct extraction is a more benign procedure than laparoscopic supraduodenal CBD exploration and is accompanied by a significantly shorter hospital stay. The higher incidence of conversion in the single stage laparoscopic group compared to the two-stage arm is due to the preference for open common duct exploration when the laparoscopic attempt failed by the majority of participating surgeons. The results to-date suggest that in fit patients, single stage laparoscopic treatment is the better option and the role of ESE should change to selective use in those patients in whom laparoscopic ductal stone extraction has failed.

Could age be an indication for laparoscopic colectomy in colorectal cancer

BackgroundThe incidence of colorectal carcinoma increases in the elderly. Regardless of age as an isolated factor, postoperative complications represent the main factor in increasing hospital mortality.MethodsThe aim of this study was to compare the short-term results (first 30 postoperative days) after laparoscopically assisted colectomy (LAC) and open segmental colectomy (OC) in colorectal carcinoma between two groups of patients, older than 70 and younger than 70 years of age. In the study from November 1993 to June 1998, 255 patients were evaluated to participate.ResultsPeristalsis, oral intake, and discharge from the hospital occurred earlier in LAC than in OC treated patients, in the two age groups. The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LAC than in the OC patients in the two age groups. No differences were observed in morbidity between LAC and OC in the group younger than 70 years of age. However, the overall morbidity was significantly lower in the LAC group in patients older than 70 years. One patient in the LAC group older than 70 years died.ConclusionThese results suggest that laparoscopically assisted colectomy may be particularly indicated in elderly patients.

Acute phase response in laparoscopic and open colectomy in colon cancer

PURPOSE: All types of trauma to the organism produce a systemic response that is proportional to the severity of the lesion caused. The more rapid clinical recovery during the postoperative period of patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomyvs. patients receiving conventional surgery suggests that laparoscopic surgery produces less surgical trauma. The aim of this randomized, prospective study was to compare acute phase postoperative response in patients diagnosed with colon neoplasm undergoing open segmentary colectomyvs. laparoscopic-assisted colectomy. METHODS: From June 1994 to July 1997 the results of 97 patients (58 submitted to open colectomy and 39 undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomy) were analyzed. Blood determinations of cortisol, prolactin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were performed before surgery and at 4, 12, 24, and 72 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The plasma levels of cortisol and prolactin were higher in the postoperative period with both surgical techniques with no significant differences being observed. The levels of interleukin-6 achieved a maximum peak at 4 hours after surgery, later showing a decrease and practically achieving basal levels at 72 hours in both groups. The levels of interleukin-6 were higher with significant differences at 4, 12, and 24 hours in the patients undergoing open colectomy. The plasma levels of C-reactive protein were significantly lower at 72 hours in patients receiving laparoscopic-assisted colectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this randomized, prospective study suggest that acute phase systemic response is attenuated in patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomy in comparison with patients receiving open colectomy.