Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS), a new method of imaging the biliary tree and related structures, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method: An IOUS probe (Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) with a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer was used during cholecystectomy in 124 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis (45 men, 79 women; mean age, 48±14 years). Results: The examination of the common bile duct (CBD) was excellent in 117 patients but unsatisfactory in 7 cases (5.6%) at the level of the head of the pancreas. In 5 patients, IOUS showed unsuspected choledocholithiasis: a subsequent intraoperational cholangiogram confirmed this. In five cases IOUS was able to help the surgeon to localize a Calot area obscured by inflammation. Postoperatively, one patient had an injury of the cystic duct stump: a nasobiliary tube resolved the bile leakage after 7 days. Another patient was submitted to postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for a choledocholithiasis recognized by a trans-cystic-tube cholangiography: the stone was suspected but not demonstrated either by laparoscopic IOUS or by intraoperative cholangiography. During the follow-up period, one patient had an episode of acute pancreatitis. ERCP showed a small stone wedged in the sphincter of Oddi. Conclusions: IOUS may be a real alternative to cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy since it is safer and offers a complete examination of the biliary tree. It has some disadvantages which can solved by additional experience.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography for reduction of thoracolumbar burst fractures

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasound monitoring in the reduction and stabilization of thoracolumbar burst fractures of the spine. Thirty-one patients underwent a posterior approach for reduction and stabilization of a thoracolumbar burst fracture, with complete follow-up available on 26. Intraoperative real-time sonography was used for monitoring retropulsed fragments during distraction and fracture impaction. Computed tomography was used to compare preoperative canal compromise and postoperative reduction. Average canal compromise preoperatively was 66.5%, and the average canal compromise postoperatively was 18.7%. Neurologic function was not changed in 16, improved in ten, and worsened in none. Average hospital stay was 21.6 days. No complications were directly attributable to the use of the ultrasound. The authors believe that ultrasonography provides a safe and accurate method of intraoperatively evaluating reduction of burst fracture of the thoracolumbar spine from the posterior approach.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography evaluation of posterior vertebral wall displacement in thoracolumbar fractures

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) was used to evaluate the location and compressive effects of intraspinal fragments in thoracolumbar fractures and the efficacy of reduction maneuvers in patients operated on for isolated or attached intraspinal fragments or for global posterior wall disruption. Dynamic IOUS was used to evaluate the effects of traction and lordosis. Fifty-eight patients were evaluated using a 7.5 MHz ultrasound probe, including 27 treated by impaction, 19 by removal of apparently isolated fragments, and 12 by traction followed by lordosis for global posterior wall disruption. IOUS had limitations and problems caused by split fragments and residual pedicular attachments that can compromise intraoperative maneuvers. The risk of secondary displacement of isolated fragments treated by impaction was very high. In particular, the pinching effect produced by T-shaped fractures was commonly responsible for secondary displacement. IOUS evaluation of canal clearance after fragment removal was satisfactory, but did not provide quantitative data. IOUS was easier to perform and apparently more reliable than intraoperative myelography. The dynamic IOUS data suggest that, except for severely tilted fragments that are completely free or remain attached to a pedicle, residual discal attachments significantly influence the likelihood of successful reduction.     

Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) is essential in the management of metastatic colorectal liver lesions

Metastatic tumors to the liver account for the majority of hepatic neoplasms. Improvement in resection has been shown to be beneficial and has remained the treatment of choice, carrying a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20 to 30 per cent. In evaluating candidates for surgery, intraoperative assessment for resectability is a key factor and dictates surgical approach, as well as patient prognosis. Historically, imaging techniques such as CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and CT arterial portography (CTAP) have been used in preoperative evaluation. However, the sensitivities of these diagnostic tools have been found to be less than optimal. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) has emerged as an important tool in accurately staging metastatic liver disease with a sensitivity of 98 per cent. From 1994 to 1996, 23 patients have undergone IOUS for evaluation of suspected liver neoplasms in an ongoing prospective study. All patients had colorectal carcinoma. All patients received preoperative CT scan, and 11 patients with positive CT scans had CTAP. Fifteen patients were found to have colorectal metastasis to the liver. Surgical management in 7 of the 15 patients was modified because of the use of IOUS. Two patients were found to have unresectable disease thus abandoning hepatic resection, two were found to have additional lesions undetected by preoperative evaluation and were resected, and in two patients margins of resection were changed. One patient was found to have benign hepatic cysts, and no resection was performed. The use of IOUS modified the management of 44 per cent of our patients with liver metastases. IOUS should be routinely used in patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic liver disease.     

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of thoracolumbar fractures

Many patients suffer neurologic deficits as a consequence of thoracolumbar fractures. A major surgical effort often entails decompression of the neural elements. Which patients would benefit from this endeavor remains to be determined. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as one of the foremost neurodiagnostic procedures. This study assessed the impact of MRI on the management of these injuries in 21 patients. Five anatomical parameters were evaluated. Significant associations were noted between the neurologic morbidity from the injury and (a) the relative level of the conus medullaris and; (b) the patency of the ventral subarachnoid space. On the basis of these data, a treatment protocol is presented. MRI has gained prominence as an investigative tool in cases of thoracolumbar trauma.     

Early self-rehabilitation in thoracolumbar fractures (a guide for patients)

The authors report the purposes and the contents of a guide entitled "Early self-rehabilitation in thoracolumbar fractures" currently used at the Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in the Macerata hospital, for patients affected with somatic "benign" fractures of the thoracolumbar passage (from T10 to L3). With elementary language and the support of simple images, several indications are given as to the anatomy and function of the column and its features, and the type of treatment used for fractures, so that the patient is aware of his or her lesion; the guide then becomes an actual manual for early and independent functional rehabilitation, capable of improving the physical and psychological state of the patient, in addition to favoring and accelerating healing. According to the authors, this study is useful in perfecting the relationship between physician and patient in the field of injuries of the vertebral column, which is often characterized by confusion and fear.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography in urologic oncology

Ultrasonography is a powerful nonionizing imaging modality that has generally been underused by American Urologists in the past. Innovative investigators and clinicians, however, are realizing the great potential of ultrasonography and are applying it increasingly not only in the clinic but in the operating room. In this commentary we outline some of the current and future uses of intraoperative ultrasonography in urologic oncology.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography in AVM surgery

Intraoperative ultrasonography was used for the surgical resection of arteriovenous malformations in three cases. In the first case, intraoperative ultrasonography clearly demonstrated residual micro-AVM, which had seemed to be resected completely during surgery. In the second case, diminished flow of the draining vein by clipping of the feeding artery was demonstrated by ultrasonography. In the third case, intraoperative ultrasonography revealed stasis of the flow in the varix by clipping of the feeding artery. Intraoperative ultrasonography is easy to use and less expensive compared with intraoperative digital subtraction angiography or MRI and it is also effective for identifying AVMs as well as the flow patterns of the feeding arteries or draining veins. Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful device for AVM surgery.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography through a burr-hole

Summary Intraoperative ultrasound diagnosis through a burr-hole was performed in 22 cases using a 5 MHz electronic sector-scanning transducer. The pathology along with the landmarks, such as ventricles and the interhemispheric fissure, were visualized. In two cases, a second burr-hole was placed nearby, and aspiration of the fluid was accomplished under real-time ultrasonic monitoring using the first hole as an acoustic window. Our results suggest a possibility of ultrasound-guided stereotactic surgery of the brain through twin burr-holes.     

经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折375例

目的探讨经皮椎体后凸成形术(PKP)治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折的疗效。方法自2007年1月～2010年3月,采用球囊骨水泥系统行PKP治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折375例(403椎)。结果本组均获随访6个月。患者的平均VAS评分术前为(7.32±1.83)分、术后第3天为(2.51±1.24)分、随访6个月时为(2.15±1.62)分,后两者与术前比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。术后X线复查,发现骨水泥少许渗漏的有34例(42椎),但无神经压迫症状。椎体前缘的平均高度术前为(15.32±2.05)mm、术后为(23.80±2.86)mm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);椎体中部的平均高度术前为(13.82±2.79)mm、术后为(22.32±2.54)mm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),提示伤椎高度恢复明显。Cobb角平均值由(26.20±8.91)°降至(12.70±8.92)°,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折采用PKP治疗能缓解疼痛、恢复椎体高度,疗效显著。     

Intraoperative fractures in cephalomedullary nailing for trochanteric fractures

IntroductionCephalomedullary nailing (CMN) is the standard treatment for internal fixation of trochanteric fractures. Complications related to CMN include intraoperative fracture (IF), which is difficult to detect using only plain radiographs. However, analyses of IFs using plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) with a large sample size of clinical cases are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to report the incidence of IFs diagnosed by CT, the risk factors for IFs, and a comparison of clinical outcomes between patients with and without IFs.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort study included 638 patients who underwent CMN fixation for trochanteric fractures. We evaluated IF using pre-and postoperative plain radiographs and CT. The primary outcome was reoperation and the secondary outcome was the proportion of patients who regained independent mobility at 3 months postoperatively. Furthermore, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine the association between risk factors and IFs.ResultsSeventy-five (11.8%) patients had IFs, including 53 patients with occult IFs (8.3%). The most common location of IF was at the interference with the lag screw entry (45.3%). The nail insertion procedure (17.3%) was the most common reason for IF. In the assessment of clinical outcomes, patients with IFs had no reoperations and independent mobility at postoperative 3 months was lower (69.6% vs. 79.1%). Regarding regaining independent walking in the IF group, IF distal to lag screw entry and obvious IF diagnosed with plain radiographs were poor factors. The multivariable analysis showed that only inadequate reduction on the anteroposterior view based on the plain radiograph was significantly associated with the incidence of IFs (odds ratio 3.91; 95% CI, 1.28–11.94; p = 0.017).ConclusionsThis multicenter study indicated that the incidence of IFs detected by CT in CMN treatment for trochanteric fractures was 11.8%. An inadequate reduction in the anteroposterior view based on plain radiographs was the only independent risk factor of IFs. In the assessment of clinical outcomes, patients with IF had no incidences of reoperation. However, patients with IFs tended not to regain independent mobility compared with those without IFs.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography imaging in spinal surgery (technique and indications).

Intraoperative ultrasonography was conducted in 20 patients; the technique of intraoperative ultrasonography for use in spinal surgery is described. The authors emphasize that this non-invasive method obtains real time images of considerable diagnostic importance, allowing for a significantly minor use of image intensifier, with a consequent reduction in doses for both the patient and the staff.     

术中超声用于机器人辅助肝切除术

机器人辅助肝切除术(RALR)克服了传统腹腔镜肝切除术(LLR)的瓶颈,使之具备完成更大型、更复杂手术的能力。术中超声(IOUS)用于RALR扩展了RALR适应证,提高了肿瘤完整切除率及手术安全性。本文结合笔者经验对IOUS辅助RALR的应用体会进行综述。     

Intraoperative ultrasonography of the pancreas in children

In children, lesions of the pancreas often are small, and precise localization is required for optimal surgical management. We have used newer-generation real-time ultrasonography of the pancreas intraoperatively in seven children. Five of these children had hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulinomas; one had a persistent small pancreatic pseudocyst with a disrupted secondary duct, and one had familial pancreatitis with a remarkably enlarged duct and a stone. Two of the five with adenomas had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome I (MEN I syndrome); in them, ultrasonography localized several adenomas preoperatively and several additional adenomas intraoperatively. This allowed a 90% pancreatectomy with enucleation of small adenomas in the remaining head. One child had a nonpalpable insulinoma deep in the head of the pancreas; intraoperative ultrasonography localized the lesion and permitted successful enucleation. Another child with a small pseudocyst and a disrupted secondary pancreatic duct ultimately required surgical drainage; intraoperative ultrasonography of the inflammatory mass immediately localized the small pseudocyst and thus decreased the operative time. The child with familial pancreatitis appeared to require a surgical drainage procedure; however, intraoperative ultrasonography demonstrated that the stone had passed spontaneously just prior to operation and the duct size had returned to normal, eliminating the need for the drainage procedure at that time.     

Intraoperative ultrasonography in surgery for liver tumors

Intraoperative ultrasonography was used in 37 patients during surgery for suspected liver tumors. The size, number, and site of the lesions were determined together with the relationship of the tumor to the intrahepatic vessel, as well as possible small daughter lesions within the liver. Final diagnosis in these patients was hepatocellular carcinoma in 19 cases, metastases from colorectal cancers in 15 cases, and benign lesions in three cases. Previously undetected small tumors were revealed in one patient with sigmoid cancer and in five patients with liver cell carcinoma who had cirrhosis. Vascular tumoral infiltrations were easily displayed and the surgical approach modified accordingly: a more extended resection was performed in two cases of huge central hepatic metastases. Intraoperative ultrasonography revealed seven cases of small (2 to 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic livers that were not visible or palpable, thus allowing a subsegmentary resection. Finally, in three cases of atypical tumors, an intraoperative echo-guided biopsy specimen was required to establish the benign nature of lesions and resection was avoided. Intraoperative ultrasonography facilitates the diagnosis of small liver tumors and can also aid the surgeon in his choice of technique, especially in cases of cirrhosis of the liver. A resection can be avoided altogether when multiple lesions are involved, or echo-guided subsegmentary resections can be performed in cirrhotic livers when a less extended resection is required. This technique makes it possible to establish the relationship between the tumor and intrahepatic vessels, thus preventing vascular injury and making radical hepatic resection safer.     

Neurologic evaluation in thoracolumbar vertebral fractures

A standardized and universal neurologic evaluation is of essential importance in defining the prognosis, treatment, and long-term results in patients with spinal cord injury. The American Spinal Injury Association was the first to publish a neurologic classification in 1992. This classification, which was subsequently submitted to numerous revisions, was also adopted by the International Medical Society of Paraplegia and by the national scientific associations of many other countries. In Italy, too, the ASIA/IMSOP form has been accepted as a standard for neurologic evaluation, but with the exception of specialized centers, it is still not well-known. The authors critically analyze the international terminology and its translation, they define the technical aspects of the neurologic examination in relation to priorities, and to the specific goals. Finally, they report several thoughts deriving from clinical practice in the Spinal Unit of Florence.