Pleural flap to prevent lobar torsion: a novel technique

Lobar torsion is reported as very rare but sometimes catastrophic complication if overlooked during the early postoperative period following a lobectomy, though it is totally preventable. In this novel technique, a piece of parietal pleural flap is harvested from the posterior wall of the chest using a hook diathermy while keeping its upper border as close to the apex as possible. Finally, distal end of the flap is secured to the upper edge of the lobe using a fine monofilament absorbable suture. This procedure not only protects the lobe from rotation but also maintains continuous expansion of the lung in the early postoperative period and may, therefore, be a good option to prevent such a serious complication in selected patients following a lobectomy.     

颈椎前路手术内置物并发症的分析

在颈椎前路减压、植骨、带锁钢板内固定技术日渐成熟的今天,越来越多的医院开展了该项手术。自1998年2月-2005年8月应用该方法治疗颈椎病215例,发生与内置物钢板及钛网相关的并发症14例,为此积累了一定的经验,现总结如下。1临床资料本组215例,男126例,女89例;年龄42～82岁,平均     

Chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced or recurrent olfactory neuroblastoma

Background: Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare sino‐nasal tumor arising from the olfactory epithelium and is often characterized by local invasion or metastasis. The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of this tumor is unclear. The purpose of this study was to review our institution’s experience of chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent olfactory neuroblastoma. Methods: Twenty‐one patients with histologically proven olfactory neuroblastoma were treated at our institution between 1992 and 2002. Twelve of these patients received chemotherapy in the setting of unresectable or recurrent disease and were retrospectively reviewed for clinical characteristics, treatment outcome or survival. Results: Eight patients of the 12 patients received cisplatin‐based chemotherapy and the remaining four patients received chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel plus irinotecan (three patients) or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine (1 patient). A partial response was achieved in five patients, with an overall response rate of 42%, although the chemotherapeutic regimens were heterogeneous. Two partial responses were obtained among the three patients who received docetaxel plus irinotecan. The response rate to chemotherapy was 83% in the younger age group (<40 years), as opposed to 0% in the older age group (≥40 years), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Our study indicated that olfactory neuroblastoma would be sensitive to chemotherapy, especially with young patients. Docetaxel plus irinotecan has the possibility of showing favorable response, and warrants further investigation.     

压力梯度长袜和间歇充气装置预防恶性肿瘤患者术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的效果

目的 观察单纯应用压力梯度长袜（CS）或与间歇充气装置（IPC）联合使用预防恶性肿瘤患者术后下肢深静脉血栓（DVT）形成的效果及可能的机制。方法 胸科、泌尿外科、肝胆外科恶性肿瘤根治手术患者240例，随机分为4组：对照组、单纯CS组、CS＋IPC全程组、CS＋IPC术后组，每组60例。术后3～8d内行双下肢深静脉超声检查，记录DVT例数及血栓发生部位（大腿或小腿）。随机选择对照组和CS＋IPC全程组各15例患者，分别于术前、切皮后2h及术后24h各采集外周静脉血2ml，测定D-二聚体（D-D）、纤溶酶原激活物抗原（tPA-Ag）、纤溶酶原激活物抑制物（PAI）、血管性血友病因子（vWF）、凝血酶原时间（PT）和活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）。结果 术后3-8d对照组、CS＋IPC全程组、CS＋IPC术后组和单纯CS组DVT发生率分别为49．3％、15．0％、23．3％和30．0％（P〈0．05）。所有发生DVT患者中，除CS组发现1例近端DVT外，其余均为远端DVT。发生DVT患者年龄、卧床时间、危险因素个数等与未发生血栓患者相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。凝血，纤溶指标：与对照组比较，切皮后2h，CS＋IPC全程组vWF升高，D-D、tPA-Ag降低（P〈0．05），术后24h对照组和cs＋IPC全程组间D—D、vWF、tPA-Ag及PAI差异无统计学意义。结论 CS＋IPC全程或术后使用均能降低高危患者术后DVT的发生，其中CS＋IPC全程使用预防效果最好，可能与IPC增加纤溶活性有关。     

CT模拟与三维计划对减低鼻咽癌放疗并发症的价值

目的了解引起鼻咽癌放射治疗并发症的影响因素,通过观察CT模拟及三维计划与X线模拟二维计划比较分析对鼻咽癌放射并发症的影响.方法临床观察从1995年～2005收治的并且能够随诊到的161例鼻咽癌病人放疗后出现的并发症.临床从张口受限、急性皮肤反应、颈部组织纤维化、口干症以及鼻腔粘连等并发症来观察结果.结果颈部组织纤维化中、重度,三维计划分别为8/108(7.4%)和1/108(0.9%);二维计划分别为8/53(15.1%)和4/53(7.5%).口干症中、重度三维计划分别为10/108(9.3%)和3/108(2.8%);二维计划分别为17/53(32.1%)和9/53(17.0%).急性皮肤反应中、重度三维计划分别为18/108(16.7%)和8/108(7.4%);二维计划分别为19/53(35.8%)和11/53(20.8%).张口受限三维计划为7/108(6.5%);二维计划为12/53(22.6%).鼻腔粘连三维计划为12/108(11.1%),二维计划为13/53(24.5%).结论CT模拟与三维计划可明显降低放疗并发症的发生.     

Symptomatic osteoradionecrosis of pelvic bones in patients with gynecological malignancies—result of a long-term follow-up

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of pelvic fractures as a result of radiation therapy in women with gynecological cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 3530 female patients treated at our institute between 1980 and 1998 with megavoltage radiation with or without brachytherapy for cancer in the pelvic area. Eligible were patients with vulvar, vaginal, cervical, endometrial, and fallopian tube cancer. Median follow-up was 88 months (range 0-240). Emphasis was put on treatment-related and patient-related risk factors. Of the eligible 3155 patients, 15 developed symptomatic bone fracture caused by osteoradionecrosis, which makes an overall incidence of 0.44% The diagnosis was based on anamnesis, clinical course, and X-ray or computed tomography images. Median time of onset was 44 months (range 6-197). All patients had pain as the first symptom. The only independent predictive factor for developing osteoradionecrosis seemed to be preexistent osteoporosis. Other risk factors that are related to osteoporosis include higher age, postmenopausal status, or steroid treatment. We did not find any significant treatment-related predictive factor for pelvic osteoradionecrosis. Patients with osteoporosis are probably at the highest risk for developing osteoradionecrotic fractures after pelvic radiotherapy. More studies are needed to find out other endogenous predictive factors.     

头皮冠状切口的并发症及其防治

目的：对采用头皮冠状切口所引发的并发症进行分析，探讨防治策略。方法：对我科2003-01～2006—07应用头皮冠状切口行颅颌面骨折修复重建、颌面部肿瘤切除与缺损修复、先天性颅颌面畸形矫正的221例中发生并发症的40例进行分析总结。结果：18例出现头皮麻木及感觉异常，9例有较宽切口瘢痕，6例出现脱发，4例发生颞窝凹陷，2例发生头皮下血肿，2例出现单侧面神经颞支损伤，1例发生鼻眶区肥厚。结论：头皮冠状切口具有切口隐蔽、面部疤痕不明显，显露充分的优点，但对其并发症也不容忽视。应根据具体情况选择合适的切口类型，术中精细的解剖、神经血管的良好保护以及正确的缝合方法可减少并发症的发生。     

Vaginal stenosis in patients treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis in patients with carcinoma of the cervix who had received pelvic and/or vaginal radiotherapy as part of their treatment. We also sought to determine if there were any predisposing factors for the development of stenosis. A retrospective chart review was undertaken for all the patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the cervix between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2000 and treated with pelvic and/or vaginal radiation at Westmead Hospital. Since January 1, 1990, data regarding vaginal stenosis has been prospectively recorded on all the patients. Data collected included patient demographics, stage of disease, treatments administered, and incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were treated. Mean age was 58.6 years. Thirteen percent of patients had stage IB disease, 45% had stage II disease, 39.5% had stage III disease, and 1.5% had stage IV disease. One hundred and seventy-nine patients returned for follow-up, and data regarding vaginal toxicity were available in 98%. Twenty-seven percent had grade 1 toxicity (partial stenosis or shortening but not complete occlusion), and 11% had grade 2 (complete occlusion). Stenosis of any grade was noted at a mean of 9.6 months and median of 7.5 months (range, 26 days-5.6 years) from completion of treatment. The only prognostic factor associated with increased risk of stenosis was age greater than 50 years (odds ratio 2.26). Vaginal stenosis is a common complication of pelvic and vaginal radiotherapy, occurring in 38% of patients. Stenosis occurs most often in the first year after treatment. Patients over the age of 50 are most at risk.     

Primary papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of broad ligament

A rare case of an advanced primary broad ligament carcinoma is discussed, with a review of the literature regarding its incidence, presentation and management. This patient showed a complete response to adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy following panhysterectomy and is presently without any evidence of disease, 15 months after completion of her treatment.     

Postoperative convalescence after inguinal hernia surgery: Prospective randomized multicenter study of laparoscopic versus Shouldice inguinal hernia repair in 1042 patients

Interest in inguinal hernia surgery has increased significantly with the introduction of new operating techniques during the past decade. This multicenter study compared short-term results in patients treated by the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal patch technique (TAPP; n=518) and the Shouldice technique (n=524). We evaluated demographics, operative data, complications, hospital stay, postoperative pain, use of analgesics, functional status, sick leave, and complaints up to 3 months postoperatively. The median operating time was shorter in the Shouldice group (55 vs. 65 min), but there were no significant differences in complication rates, and major complications were rare. The hospital stay was 1 day or less in over 98% of cases in both groups, but more operations were performed on outpatient basis in the Shouldice group. In the TAPP group postoperative pain and analgesic consumption were less, postoperative functional status was better, and sick leave was shorter (10 vs. 14 days). These results show that the two methods are equally safe and have few major complications. The TAPP operation is associated with less postoperative pain, better postoperative functional status, and shorter sick leave, but at the price of a longer operating time. Electronic Publication