The use of neoadjuvant lobar radioembolization prior to major hepatic resection for malignancy results in a low rate of post hepatectomy liver failure

BackgroundNeoadjuvant yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly being used as a strategy to facilitate resection of otherwise unresectable tumors due to its ability to generate both tumor response and remnant liver hypertrophy. Perioperative outcomes after the use of neoadjuvant lobar TARE remain underinvestigated.MethodsA single center retrospective review of patients who underwent lobar TARE prior to major hepatectomy for primary or metastatic liver cancer between 2007 and 2018 was conducted. Baseline demographics, radioembolization parameters, pre- and post-radioembolization volumetrics, intra-operative surgical data, adverse events, and post-operative outcomes were analyzed.ResultsTwenty-six patients underwent major hepatectomy after neoadjuvant lobar TARE. The mean age was 58.3 years (17–88 years). 62% of patients (n=16) had primary liver malignancies while the remainder had metastatic disease. Liver resection included right hepatectomy or trisegmentectomy, left or extended left hepatectomy, and sectorectomy/segmentectomy in 77% (n=20), 8% (n=2), and 15% (n=4) of patients, respectively. The mean length of stay was 8.3 days (range, 3–33 days) and there were no grade IV morbidities or 90-day mortalities. The incidence of post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) was 3.8% (n=1). The median time to progression after resection was 4.5 months (range, 3.3–10 months). Twenty-three percent (n=6) of patients had no recurrence. The median survival was 28.9 months (range, 16.9–46.8 months) from major hepatectomy and 37.6 months (range, 25.2–53.1 months) from TARE.ConclusionsMajor hepatectomy after neoadjuvant lobar radioembolization is safe with a low incidence of PHLF.     

Five-Year Outcome After Epilepsy Surgery in Nonmonitored and Monitored Surgical Candidates

Summary: Purpose : We wished to compare outcome 5 years after temporal lobectomy in 28 patients selected for surgery on the basis of interictal EEG patterns with that in 46 patients who underwent EEG-video monitoring studies as part of their preoperative evaluation during the same era.
Methods : The 28 nonmonitored patients had interictal EEG patterns that demonstrated a consistent, unilateral, anterior-midtemporal epileptiform focus, without discordant findings from other studies. Outcomes were assessed for years 4 and 5 after operation.
Results : Twenty-six of 28 (92.9%) nonmonitored patients were seizure-free or had at least 75% reduction in seizures. Twenty-nine of 46 (63.0%) monitored patients were seizure-free or had at least 75% reduction in seizures. Preoperative interictal EEGs of 29 of these patients showed independently localized bitemporal, ex-tratemporal, midposterior temporal, or diffuse epileptiform patterns. The remaining 17 monitored patients had preoperative strictly unilateral anterior-midtemporal interictal discharges, and their outcome was comparable to the nonmonitored group, with 15 (88.8%) seizure-free or with at least 75% reduction in seizures.
Conclusions : A proportion of candidates for epilepsy surgery can be selected without ictal recordings provided that interictal EEGs demonstrate consistent unilateral anterior-midtemporal epileptiform discharges and that other data are not discordant.     

Ictal brain imaging in presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures

At the Indiana University Medical Center, 99 patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures (MI-CPS) had presurgical evaluation with subsequent anterior temporal lobectomy. The majority of the patients had single photon emission tomography (SPECT) performed interictally as well as during an actual epileptic seizure (ictal scan). Decreased regional cerebral perfusion (rCP) was seen in 54/94 (57%) of the interictal scans corresponding to the eventual site of the surgery. However, ictal scans provided a higher yield; increased rCP in the temporal lobe during an actual seizure was observed in 60/82 (73%) concordant to the side of surgery. SPECT is a useful, noninvasive method of localizing the epilepti-form focus in patients with MI-CPS considered for resective surgery. Both interictal and ictal SPECT need to be performed; combined interictal hypo-perfusion and ictal hyperperfusion in the same focal area are unique to epileptogenic lesions. Ictal SPECT studies can be performed in the majority of patients during the period of continuous video/EEG monitoring with only a little additional effort. Combining the results of functional brain imaging (interictal and ictal SPECT, PET) with clinical semiology of seizures, surface and sphenoidal EEG, magnetic resonance imaging and other non-invasive tests, anterior temporal lobectomy can be recommended in approximately two-thirds of the patients without resorting to potentially dangerous intracranial EEG monitoring.     

胸腔镜下胸交感神经干切断术治疗手汗症(附300例报告)

目的总结胸腔镜胸交感神经干切断术300例的临床经验。方法分析2003年1月至2006年1月经胸腔镜胸交感神经干T_2～T_4切断术治疗手汗症的临床资料。以患侧手掌皮肤温度较术前升高1℃～3℃或更高,转干燥者为有效。手掌皮肤温度较术前增加小于1℃仍为潮湿者为无效。结果300例手术均获成功,术后患者手掌多汗症状消失,双手转为干燥温暖状,术后掌温升高(2.8±0.8)℃;282例术后随访1～36个月无一例复发,术后转移代偿性多汗60例占21.2%。结论胸交感神经干切断术是治疗手汗症安全、微创和有效的方法。     

电视胸腔镜辅助胸壁小切口肺叶切除术

目的比较电视胸腔镜辅助胸壁小切口与胸部单纯小切口肺叶切除术的临床效果. 方法 64例按手术先后顺序编号,按照随机数字表分为2组,电视胸腔镜辅助胸壁小切口(A组)和单纯小切口开胸手术(B组)进行肺叶切除术. 结果 A组切口长度(5.3±0.6)cm比 B组(8.9±0.5)cm显著缩短(t=-24.360,P=0.000);A组术中出血量(279.7±74.0)ml显著少于B组(331.7±42.5)ml(t=-3.330,P=0.002);A组手术当日引流量(162.5±47.4)ml显著少于B组(202.0±49.2)ml(t=-3.220,P=0.002);A组并发症5例,B组11例(χ2=4.099,P=0.043);A组术后住院(8.0±2.2)d显著短于B组(9.7±1.9)d(t=-3.280,P=0.002);2组手术时间无统计学差异(t=-1.130,P=0.262).57例随访6～12个月,术后6个月A组1例Ⅲa期鳞癌局部复发,B组2例Ⅲa期小细胞肺癌、1例腺癌术后7～8个月远处转移、局部复发,上述4例均于1年内死亡.3例死于与手术无关的其他疾病,余50例无局部复发、远处转移. 结论电视胸腔镜辅助胸壁小切口比单纯微创小切口进行肺叶切除术创伤小、并发症少、恢复快.     

A new method of thoracoscopic sympathectomy in hyperhidrosis palmaris

Summary Although hyperhidrosis palmaris is a benign condition, it may cause considerable psychological, social, and occupational disturbances. There are many conservative measures used to treat hyperhidrosis, but surgical sympathectomy is the only permanent cure. Of the various surgical approaches to the upper thoracic sympathetic ganglia, one must select the approach that combines good functional results and a satisfactory cosmetic outcome with only minor complications. Twenty-one patients (10 men and 11 women) with hyperhidrosis palmaris underwent synchronous bilateral T2 sympathectomy between 1 October 1989 and 30 April 1990. These patients underwent a new method of thoracoscopic sympathectomy without preoperative pneumothorax. All were relieved of excessive sweating in their upper extremities immediately after the operation. In addition, the technique led to significant savings in operation and hospitalization time. We recommend thoracoscopic sympathectomy as the best approach for sympathectomy in cases of hyperhidrosis palmaris.     

A VATS lobectomy for lung cancer in a patient with an anomalous pulmonary vein: Report of a case

A video-assisted right upper lobectomy was successfully performed on a 58-year-old man with an anomalnous segmental pulmonary vein. The tumor was a peripherally located adenocarcinoma. The anomalous vein behind the right main bronchus was identified and safely divided. This case emphasized that to perform this procedure successfully, (1) a careful preoperative evaluation of the anatomy, including the presence of any possible vascular and/or bronchial anomalies, is necessary, and (2) if any anatomical structures cannot be determined intraoperatively, a conversion into an open procedure must immediately be undertaken.     

Thoracoscopic wedge resection

Summary Thoracoscopic surgery is decidedly expanded by the ability to perform pulmonary wedge resections of the lung by using the Endo-GIA-stapler. In addition to thoracoscopic biopsies, since July 1991 we have carried out wedge resections in 12 patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax (nine) or peripheral bronchial carcinoma (three). Postoperatively one air fistula persisted over 9 days. The chest tube was removed within 48 h in all other patients. There was no other major complication. The postoperative hospitalization period lasted 4.6 days (1–9 days). Operating time was 44 min (30–70 min). The benefit for the patient consists in the little-impaired breathing mechanics, the short hospital stay, and the favorable cosmetic result.