前入路右半肝切除术与传统右半肝切除术治疗大肝癌的对比观察

Objective To compare the outcomes between anterior versus conventional approach right hepatectomy for large hepatocellutar carcinoma(HCC).Methods A total of 188 consecutive patients with large HCC(≥5 cm)undergoing right hepatectomy were reviewed retrospectively.Among them,92patients received anterior approach right hepatectomy(anterior group)while the other conventional right hepatectomy(conventional group).Their clinicopathologic data and survivals were compared.Results There were five surgical deaths(2.7%),two in the anterior group and three in the conventional group.The biochemical and tumor pathological data(except for tumor size) of these two groups were comparable.The mean intranperative blood loss,the number of patients with massive hemorrhage(＞3000ml)and the volume of blood transfusion of the anterior group were markedly less than those of conventional group.The 1-,3-year disease-free survival rates of the anterior group were significantly better than those of the conventional group anterior group were also markedly higher than those of conventional group.The Cox regression model indicated that tumor size[P=0.014,odd ratio(OD):1.074] and surgical procedure(P:0.009,OD=0.468) were independent risk factors correlated with disease-free survival.And the surgical procedure(P=0.003,OD=0.369) was the only independent risk factor for postoperative cumulative survival.Conclusion Anterior approach right hepatectomy can significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss.The postoperative survivals of large HCC patients are significantly improved by anterior approach right hepatectomy.     

A single center experience: post-transplantation adjuvant chemotherapy impacts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of post-transplantation adjuvant chemotherapy in the prevention of tumor recurrence and metastasis for hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） exceeding Milan criteria after liver transplantation.Methods A total of 117 patients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation （OLT） from August 2002 to February 2009 were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into four groups according to chemotherapy regimens and the impact of different chemotherapy regimens on survival,disease-free survival,and adverse effects were compared.Results One year survival rates for the gemicitabine,conventional chemotherapy,oxaliplatin plus capecitabine and the best supportive care （BSC） group were 87.5％,84.2％,81.6％,and 67.5％.The 3-year survival rates were 48.1％,25.9％,31.6％,and 33.7％,respectively for the four groups.One year disease free survival rates for the four groups were 69.8％,47.4％,53.8％,and 45.7％ respectively.And 3-year disease free survival rates were 43.2％,23.7％,23.6％,and 25.1％ for the four groups.Stratification analysis showed that the gemcitabine regimen and conventional chemotherapy could significantly improve the survival rate and disease free survival rate for HCC patients who had major vascular invasion and/or microvascular invasion after liver transplantation compared with BSC group.Conclusions For HCC patients beyond Milan criteria,especially who had vascular invasion and/or micorvascular invasion,post-transplantation adjuvant chemotherapy can significantly improve survival.Gemcitabine is a proper regimen for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Conventional chemotherapy can also benefit patients,but the adverse effects are not satisfactory.     

Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy and embolization in treatment of advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma

Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries in treating patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Forty-two patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (study group) were treated via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries after cytoreductive surgery and 7 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Primary cytoreductive surgery was performed in 43 patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (control group), and then followed by 8 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. The rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery, survival rate, blood loss during operation and operative time were investigated in the two groups. Statistical significance was asessed using Student’s t test, the Chi-squre test and the log-rank test. Results In the study group, the rate of optimum debulking after platinum-based chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries was 71.43%(30/42) (χ2=10.06, P<0.005), and 9 (21.43%) of the 42 patients showed no gross residual disease after surgery. Blood loss and operative time were significantly decreased in the study group as compared with those in the control group (665.24±37.61 ml: 849.31±41.20 ml, t1=33.21, P1<0.001; 4.23±0.21 hours: 6.15±0.38 hours, t2=28.92, P2<0.01). In the study group,the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 33.66 months (95% CI, 24.73 to 42.58) and 26.00 months (95% CI, 19.22 to 32.78), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 18.20 months. In the control group, the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 32.38 months (95% CI, 24.92 to 39.84) and 25.00 months (95% CI, 22.80 to 27.20), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 14.20 months.The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (χ2=6.48,P>0.05).Conclusions Neoadjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries is an alternative treatment for patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma, in whom the chance of optimal cytoreductive surgery is low. The treatment can reduce blood loss, decrease operative time, and increase the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery; but the median survival can’t be improved significantly.     

Effect of Astragalus Injection on Levels of Blood Selenium and Immunity Function in Children with Viral Myocarditis

Objective: To observe the effect of Astragalus Injection (AI) on levels of blood selenium (Se)and cytokines, and T cellular immune function with viral myocarditis (VM) in children. Methods: Eighty children with VM were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group consisted of 38 patients, to whom conventional therapy, including energy mixture, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, etc. were given. The treated group (n=42), to whom combination therapy of conventional therapy and AI were given. The levels of blood Se and cytokine, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and also evaluation of T lymphocyte subsets and cardiac function were observed. Results: The results showed that after treatment, the levels of blood Se were significantly higher (P＜0.01), while IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-αwere significantly lower (P＜0.01) than those before treatment in the control group. The left ventricular end diameter (LVED) were significantly decreased (P＜0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were significantly increased than those before treatment in the treated group(P＜0.01, P＜0.05). T lymphocyte subsets got normalized (P＜0.01), and compared with the control group, the difference was significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion: Astragalus membranaceus possesses anti-viral effect, adjusts the balance of cytokine and T cellular immunity, and improves the clinical manifestation and cardiac function. It is an effective approach in treating viral myocarditis.     

Effect of multiple-phase regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy on patients with resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma

Background Regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy （RIAC） has been more valuable to improve prognosis and quality of life of patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and adjuvant RIAC plays an important role in prolonging survival and reducing risk of liver metastasis after radical resection of pancreatic cancer, but the effect of preoperative or multiple-phase RIAC （preoperative combined with postoperative RIAC） for resectable pancreatic cancers has not been investigated. In this prospective study, the effect of multiple-phase RIAC for patients with resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma was evaluated, and its safety and validity comparing with postoperative RIAC were also assessed. Methods Patients with resectable pancreatic head cancer were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in group A （n=-50） were treated with new therapeutic mode of extended pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with multiple-phase RIAC, and those in group B （n=-50） were treated with extended pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with postoperative RIAC in the same period. The feasibility, compliance and efficiency of the new therapeutic mode were evaluated by tumor size, serum tumor markers, clinical benefit response （CBR）, surgical complications, mortality and toxicity of RIAC. The disease-free survival time, median survival time, incidence of liver metastasis, survival rate at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were also observed. Life curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The pain relief rate and CBR in group A was 80% and 84% respectively. Serum tumor markers decreased obviously and tumors size decreased in 26% of patients after preoperative RIAC in group A. No more surgical complications, mortality or severe systemic side effects were observed in group A compared with group B. The incidence of liver metastasis in group A was 34% which was lower than 50% in group B. The disease-free survival time and median survival time in group A were 15.5 months and 18 months respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 54.87%, 34.94%, 24.51% and 12.25% respectively. There was no significant difference of survival time or survival rates between two groups. Conclusions Multiple-phase RIAC is effective in combined therapy of resectable pancreatic head carcinomas by enhancing inhibition of tumor growth and reduction of liver metastasis, without negative effect on patients＇ safety or surgical procedure.     

Clinical and pathological features and surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Budd-Chiari syndrome （BCS） is characterized by liver sinusoidal congestion,ischemic liver cell damage,and liver portal hypertension caused by hepatic venous outflow constriction.The aim of this research was to investigate the clinicopathological features of BCS-associated hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and explore its surgical treatment and prognosis.Methods Clinical data from 38 patients with BCS-associated HCC who were surgically treated in our hospital from July 1998 to August 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with BCS-associated HCC and surgical treatment for BCS-associated HCC were investigated.Results Compared to the patients with hepatitis B virus （HBV）-associated HCC,the patients with BCS-associated HCC showed a female predominance,and had significantly higher cirrhosis rate,higher incidence of solitary tumors,lower incidence of infiltrative growth,higher proportion of marginal or exogenous growth,lower rate of portal vein invasion,and higher degree of differentiation.Median survival was longer in patients with BCS-associated HCC （76 months） than in those with HBV associated HCC （38 months）.Of 38 patients with BCS-associated HCC,22 patients who received combined surgery mainly by liver resection plus cavoatrial shunts exhibited hepatic venous outflow constriction relief,while the other 16 patients only underwent liver resection.The combined surgery group had significantly longer survival and lower incidences of post-operative lethal complications （P 〈0.05）.Multivariate analysis showed that relief of hepatic venous outflow obstruction was a protective factor for survival of patients with BCS-associated HCC,whereas portal vein invasion was a risk factor.Conclusions BCS-associated HCC has a more favorable biological behavior and prognosis than HBV-associated HCC.For patients with BCS-associated HCC,tumor resection accompanied with relief of hepatic venous outflow obstruction can reduce the incidence of complications and extend survival.     

Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site ureterolithotomy versus conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy

Background Laparoendoscopic single-site （LESS） surgery through the retroperitoneal approach has been seldom reported.We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of LESS and conventional laparoscopic surgery via the retroperitoneal approach in the management of large,impacted ureteral calculi.Methods Between November 2011 and July 2013,retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy was performed in 12 patients using a homemade single-port device comprising a surgical glove and several strips of tape.Another 16 patients underwent conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.We compared the operative time,complications,and surgical outcomes,retrospectively.Results All patients were completed without conversion to conventional laparoscopic or open surgery.The operative time of the LESS group and of the conventional laparoscopic group were （125.3±12.8） minutes and （116.9±14.4）minutes,respectively （P=0.119）.The intraoperative blood loss was （42.9±8.9） and （43.4±14.7） ml,respectively （P=0.914）.Postoperative radiologic evaluation revealed that the stones had been removed completely.Cosmetic results were superior in the LESS group （P=0.001）.Conclusion Retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy using a homemade single-port device can be considered a feasible and safe alternative to conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.     

Effect of Xiaoaiping injection on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Xiaoaiping Injection (XAP) on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with advanced HCC were assigned to a control group of 36 and a treatment group of 32.The control group was treated with best supportive treatment (BST) and the treatment group was given XAP plus BST. XAP was administered daily by iv and the treatment course was lasted for 30 days for both groups.The immediate therapeutic efficacy, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores, and the changes in immunity indicators (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) were measured and compared before and after treatment. The progression-free survival (PFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate in the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The immediate therapeutic efficacy and KPS of the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Patients in the treat-ment group had higher percentages of CD3 and CD4 T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood than those in the control group (P<0.05). The median survival time was 27.0 weeks in the treatment group and 24.5 weeks in the control group. The 6-months cumulative survival rates in the treatment and control groups were 33.3% and 25.0% , respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The PFS was 18 weeks in the treatment group and 15 weeks in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: XAP enhances the quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced HCC, improves their immunity and extends their PFS.     

The supraorbital keyhole approach with eyebrow incisions for treating lesions in the anterior fossa and sellar region

Background Keyhole surgery has developed since the 1990s as a less invasive therapeutic strategy for intracranial lesions, initially for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the results of surgical treatment of lesions in the anterior fosse and seller region via a supraorbital keyhole approach using eyebrow incisions. Methods Between April 1994 and July 2003, 54 patients with lesions in the anterior fossa and sellar region were operated on via the supraorbital keyhole approach. The surgical results were studied retrospectively and compared with that of patients with lesions at the same locations but treated via a conventional subfrontal approach. Results No significant difference in curative effect was found between the conventional subfrontal approach and the supraorbital keyhole approach. However, the supraorbital approach required a much smaller skin incision, causing less surgical trauma, while achieving excellent surgical exposure and good recovery. Conclusion The supraorbital keyhole approach using an eyebrow incision is safe, effective, and both suitable and convenient for treating lesions in the anterior fossa and sellar region, with almost no adverse consequences on the facial features of patients.     

SELECTION OF SURGICAL APPROACH TO TREAT TRAUMATIC INSTABILITY OF SUBAXIAL CERVICAL SPINE

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical therapy in treating traumatic instability of subaxial cervical spine through either anterior or posterior approach. Methods According to the A llen-Fergurson＇s classification, we retrospectively studied 42 cases of traumatic instability of subaxial cervical spine through either anterior or posterior surgical reconstruction. Patients requiring approach for either reduction or decompression were not included. Results The average follow-up interval was 3 years and 2 months. The anterior and posterior reconstructions were 24 and 18 cases, respectively. Before operation, the average scores of JOA and VAS were： 12.1 and 6. 9 for anterior group, and 12.3 and 7. 2 for posterior group. At the final assement, the scores of JOA and VAS improved to 16. 0 and 2.2 for anterior group, and 15. 7 and 2.6 for posterior group. The average ASIA motor scores of anterior and posterior group improved to 68. 2 and 65. 5 at the final follow-up from 58.4 and 59. 7 before operation, respectively. The ASIA grade （A-E） was converted to a numeric score. The average scores before operation in the anterior and posterior group were 3.3 and 3.4, and increased to 3.8 and 3. 7 at the final follow-up. After operation, there were different extent improvements of average radiological parameter, such as Cobb angle, vertebral body translation and disc height ratio. The average operation time and blood losing were 122 min and 125 mL for anterior group, and 153 min and 287 mL for posterior group. Fusion was achieved in all patients and 4 and 2 complications occurred at the anterior or posterior group. Conclusion The results showed that there were no obvious difference in parameters, such as neurological assements, functional grades, fusion rate, operation time and blood losing, between anterior and posterior group, except the virtues of anterior group in reconstruction and maintaining physiologic cervical lordosis and intervertrbal disc height occurred.