脾切除贲门周围血管离断术治疗470例门静脉高压症疗效分析

目的总结脾切除贲门周围血管离断术治疗不合并肝癌及胆管癌的门静脉高压症患者的疗效。方法对不合并肝癌及胆管癌的门静脉高压症患者行脾切除贲门周围血管离断术并随访470例,其中肝炎后肝硬化436例,占92．8％。结果出血患者424例,手术止血率为993％（421／424）,围手术期病死率为1．4％（6／424）,主要死亡原因是上消化道出血、肝肾功能衰竭;急症及择期手术424例,预防手术46例,预防手术嗣手术期无死亡。平均随访时间4年,出血患者术后复发出血率为3．2％（15／470）,预防手术后无出血,肝性脑病发生率为1．9％（9／470）。结论脾切除贲门周围血管离断术防治门静脉高压症引起的上消化道出血效果好。合理选择手术适应证及手术时机、完全彻底断流、术后早期抗凝及近端脾静脉结扎预防术后肝外门静脉系统血栓形成是提高手术疗效的必要措施。     

原发性肝癌合并门静脉癌栓的外科治疗

目的:探讨原发性肝癌合并门静脉癌栓的外科治疗及提高疗效的方法。方法:采用肝叶切除和经门静脉残端或主干切开取癌栓术治疗32例PHC合并PVTT患者,12例术后联合门静脉、肝动脉介入化疗,5例合并门静脉高压联合行断流术、脾切除或脾动脉结扎术。总结其临床资料、治疗方法、术后并发症及疗效预后,并进行统计学分析。结果:①本组病例术中出血量、输血量、肝门阻断次数时间、术后并发症发生率与同期50例单纯肝癌切除组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。②术后并发症:9例肝功能不全,3例术后肝断面出血、5例右胸腔积液、2例上消化道出血,1例术后3个月死于肝功能衰竭,其余恢复良好。③疗效与预后:随访26例,1、2、3年生存率分别为50％、34.6％、15.4％;术后化疗、术前肝功能状况对预后有显著影响。结论:肝叶切除和经门静脉残端或主干切开取癌栓是治疗原发性肝癌合并门静脉癌栓最有效的方法,改善术前肝功能及术后联合化疗,对提高生存期意义重大;门静脉取癌栓联合贲门周围血管断流、和/或脾切除、脾动脉结扎术能有效治疗肝癌合并门静脉高压,减少上消化道出血并发症;对于难以切除的PHC合并PVTT应争取行TACE术,仍有二期手术切除的机会。     

选择性门静脉栓塞在原发性肝癌治疗中的应用

原发性肝癌（ＨＣＣ）治疗的整体效果仍不乐观，手术切除仍是首选方法，也是治愈的最有效方祛。临床上８０％以上ＨＣＣ患者合并肝硬化，且多为中晚期，其肝切除的程度受到很大的限制。缩小肝切除的体积可以减少手术后的并发症，但却增加了术后肝癌残留与复发的机会。过多的肝切除会导致术后肝功能衰竭、感染、出血，甚至死亡。因此，长期以来ＨＣＣ肝切除率一直不高，在２０％～３０％。 选择性门静脉栓塞（ｓｅｌｅｃｔｉｖｅ ｐｏｒｔａｌｖｅｉｎ ｅｍｂｏｌｉｚａｔｉｏｎ，ＳＰＶＥ）通过促使栓塞侧肝叶萎缩，对侧肝细胞增生，使预留…     

腹腔镜肝癌切除术(附27例报告)

经腹腔镜行肝癌切除术27例。其中10例行规则性肝叶切除,包括左半肝切除1例、左外叶切除7例、肝方叶切除2例,17例进行不规则性肝叶切除。7例由于术中出血（5例）或局部解剖困难（2例）中转开腹,无术中死亡。术中肝门阻断时间15—117min,平均54min;手术时间150—360min,平均240min。标本切缘距肿瘤边缘0．1—4．7em,平均1．1cm。2例术后出现腹水和肝性脑病。术后随访1．1—4．7a,8例术后复发,其中1例死亡,4例复发患者分别进行了原位肝移植、肝右叶切除、射频消融和肝动脉栓塞化疗。术后2a生存率64％。认为腹腔镜肝癌切除术实用、安全、有效。对位于肝脏边缘、肝脏表面或左半肝的恶性肿瘤可进行腹腔镜手术。     

肝细胞癌合并食道静脉曲张破裂出血的联合手术治疗

目的探讨肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC）合并食道静脉曲张破裂出血联合手术治疗的方法、病理生理基础和治疗效果。方法选取1999年12月-2007年12月采用肝部分切除联合脾切除、门奇断流术治疗HCC合并食道静脉曲张破裂出血患者共23例（联合手术组）,观察术前、术后外周血白细胞和血小板计数的变化、食管静脉曲张缓解情况、生存率和肿瘤复发率;并与同期行单纯肝切除术的39例HCC患者（单纯肝切除组）进行比较分析。结果联合手术组手术并发症和手术死亡率与单纯肝切除组相比差异无统计学意义;联合手术组术后白细胞及血小板计数回升明显,显著高于单纯肝切除组;已随访14例患者中,13例食道静脉曲张改善;随访期间无凶险感染发生;5年生存率和3年肿瘤复发率2组间比较,差异无统计学意义。结论对于HCC合并食道静脉曲张破裂出血,采用肝部分切除联合脾切除、门奇断流术进行治疗是安全有效的,联合脾切除、门奇断流术并不增加肝切除手术的风险,不影响远期生存率和肿瘤复发率。     

肝癌切除术中门静脉和胆管内癌栓的处理

肝细胞癌（ＨＣＣ）早期出现的血管和胆管内癌栓形成,是引起肝癌切除术后早期复发的重要原因。对１６例ＨＣＣ患者在作肝切除的同时将直视可见的门静脉及胆管内癌栓予以吸除,配合术后综合治疗,具有重要的预防ＨＣＣ早期复发的作用,胆总管探查取桂后保留Ｔ管并作长期局部化疗可能预防胆道癌桂的复发。１．资料：１９９５年６月～１９９６年６月间１６例均经术后病理证实的ＨＣＣ患者,男１５例,女１例,年龄２８～６２岁,平均４７岁。ＡＦＰ阳性（放射免疫法＞２５μｇ／Ｌ）１０例,阴性６例。９例术前Ｂ超、ＣＴ或ＭＲＩ提示有门静脉…     

巨脾型晚期血吸虫病与HBV及HCV感染的研究

本文作者对１２４例临床诊断为巨脾型晚期血吸虫病（晚血）的患者作了肝组织病理、ＨＢＶ和ＨＣＶ标志检测及随访观察。病理诊断为血吸虫病性肝纤维化７８例（６２．９％），血吸虫病性肝纤维化合并肝炎３１例（２５％），门脉性肝硬化１５例（１２．１％），三组患者ＨＢｓＡｇ及ＨＣＶ标志检出率分别为３５．９％、６４．５％及９３．３％，提示肝细胞病变及其严重程度与肝炎病毒感染有密切关系。以血吸虫病性肝纤维化为基本病变的１０９例中，ＨＢｓＡｇ或ＨＣＶ标志阳性组病死率为２２．９％（１１／４８），显著高于阴性组１．６％（１／６１）。１８例死亡患者中，ＨＢｓＡｇ和／或ＨＣＶ标志阳性１７例，占９４．４％。最常见的死亡原因是肝功能衰竭，第二位是原发性肝癌（ＨＣＣ）。ＨＢＶ及ＨＣＶ感染是发生肝衰竭及ＨＣＣ的关键因素，与晚血患者的死亡密切相关。     

脾切除联合食管胃底曲张静脉断流术后应用华法林对门静脉血栓的防治作用

目的 探讨脾切除联合食管胃底曲张静脉断流术后应用华法林对门静脉血栓的防治效果。方法 2010年4月~2015年9月收治的48例门静脉血栓（PVT）患者,在行脾切除联合食管胃底曲张静脉断流术后,对25例患者短期应用华法林治疗1个月,23例患者应用华法林6个月,常规行彩色多普勒超声检查判断门静脉血栓变化。随访比较两组门静脉血栓变化和预后情况。结果 随访2年,48例术前存在PVT患者在脾切除联合断流术后,PVT进展20例（41.7%）,其中长期应用华法林组6例（26.1%）,显著低于短期应用华法林组的14例（56.0%,P<0.05）;PVT显著进展11例（22.9%）,其中长期应用华法林组2例（8.7%）,也显著低于短期应用华法林组的9例（36.0%,P<0.05）;短期应用华法林组PVT再通、再出血、肝癌和死亡发生率分别为0.0%、4.0%、8.0%和4.0%,与长期应用华法林组（分别为4.3%、4.3%、4.3%和0.0%）比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）。结论 在脾切除联合食管胃底曲张静脉断流术后应用华法林防治门静脉系统血栓安全、有效,可使患者获益。     

一家族原发性肝癌9例报告

我们发现一家族患原发性肝癌（Ｐｒｉｍａｒｙ　ｈｅｐａｔｏｃｅｌｌｕｌａｒ　ｃａｒｃｉｎｏｍａ,　ＰＨＣ）９例,报告于下。１　　病例介绍先证者,男,４０岁,因腹胀、乏力、食欲减退１个月于１９９８年４月１３日入本院。体检：慢性肝病病容,肝肋下２　ｃｍ,Ⅱ度硬,脾可触及,ＳＧＰＴ　９７　ｕ,ＨＢｓＡｇ（＋）,ＡＦＰ（－）。诊断：慢性乙型肝炎。一个月后症状加重,出现肝区疼痛、黄疸、肝脏肿大、有结节,ＡＫＰ　２２.５　ｕ,ＡＦＰ＞１　０００　ｎｇ／ｍｌ。Ｂ超提示：肝硬化,肝区占位性病变。ＣＴ：原发性肝癌门…     

室性心动过速起源点标测与电消融及手术治疗

作者对８例室性心动过速（ＶＴ）患者进行９次ＶＴ起源点标测与电消融及手术治疗，其中１例直流电导管消融手术（ＤＣＣＡ）后１５个月复发，再次行消融术。８例中，１例为开胸术中心外膜标测，１例由体表ＥＣＧ定位，其余均为导管电极心内膜标测。８例共标出９个ＶＴ起源点，左室４个，右室５个。１例在开胸术中施行心外膜ＤＣＣＡ，２例手术切除ＶＴ起源点，其余５例６个起源点施行ＤＣＣＡ，其中３例次先行导管射频消融术（ＲＦＣＡ），不成功者而改用ＤＣＣＡ。结果显示，１例心内膜ＤＣＣＡ后１５个月ＶＴ复发，进行第２次心内膜ＤＣＣＡ后控制（术中先施行ＲＦＣＡ无效），２例分别施行心外膜与心内膜ＤＣＣＡ后仍发ＶＴ，分别服美西律与维拉帕米即可控制。前者随访１９个月、后者１２个月未再发作，其余５例随访１４～３４个月（２１．６±７．６）均未服药而无ＶＴ发作。这提示，对于顽固性ＶＴ患者，只要准确定位ＶＴ起源点，电消融或外科手术可望获得满意疗效。     

Postoperative survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma showing intraductal growth

Clinicopathologic variables favoring recurrence after hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma showing intraductal growth remain unclear. We investigated various clinicopathologic features in three patients who underwent resection for this type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. All underwent extended left hepatectomy plus resection of the caudate lobe and lymph node dissection. Lymph nodes showed no pathologic involvement. Although no cancer cells were seen in the mucosal layer by intraoperative pathologic examination at the bile duct stump in any patient, pathologic examination of resected specimens showed cancer cells invading beyond the mucosal layer in connective tissues surrounding the bile duct stump (interstitial invasion) of the Glisson's sheath in 2 patients. One of them died of cancer recurrence near the bile duct stump, while the third patient, without interstitial invasion, has survived for 10.6 years. In the intraductal growth type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, absence of cancer cells should be confirmed by intraoperative pathologic examination of not only the mucosal layer of the bile duct but also the connective tissue surrounding the bile duct, since interstitial invasion may be a risk factor for cancer recurrence.     

Treatment for extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma following successful hepatic resection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have improved its prognosis. Intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy can be treated with repeated hepatectomy, transhepatic arterial embolization (TAE), percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT), or microwave coagulo-necrotic therapy. However, treatment for extrahepatic recurrence is also important in prolonging survival in some patients. METHODOLOGY: After radical hepatectomy in 155 patients, extrahepatic recurrences were found in 15 patients that underwent subsequent treatment. The interval between completing treatment for the primary tumor and the discovery of metastasis, the location and mode of treatment of the metastasis, and the outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Distant metastasis was detected at a mean of 7 months after radical resection of the primary tumor. Location of the metastasis included lung, bone, and adrenal gland. Four patients had no intrahepatic recurrence and 11 patients had simultaneous intrahepatic recurrence. Six patients with intrahepatic and extrahepatic recurrence that underwent systemic chemotherapy had poor prognoses, and all died within 12 months as a result of progression of the intrahepatic tumor. Five patients with intra- and extrahepatic recurrence that underwent systemic chemotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy had relatively good outcomes; all survived for more than 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that to obtain a good prognosis for extrahepatic metastasis coexisting with intrahepatic recurrence, intrahepatic recurrence should be controlled by locoregional therapy, and extrahepatic metastasis should be controlled by systemic chemotherapy and/or irradiation therapy.     

Late postoperative complications in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Reports on the late postoperative complications in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) are limited. METHODOLOGY: Eighteen PBM patients with biliary dilatation and 12 without biliary dilatation were surgically treated at our institute. These 30 PBM patients were retrospectively reviewed, with particular attention to late postoperative complications. RESULTS: Nineteen patients without biliary malignancies underwent resection of the extrahepatic bile duct (BD) and hepaticojejunostomy. Two patients without biliary dilatation or malignancy underwent cholecystectomy alone. Nine patients with malignancies underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic BD resection in 7 patients, pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in 1, and PD + hepatectomy in 1. The median follow-up duration was 110 months. All patients without malignancies are presently alive in good healthy condition and have not developed any malignancy postoperatively. Late postoperative complications were seen in 6 (20%). Four patients with biliary dilatation were surgically or endoscopically treated for intrahepatic lithiasis 3, 12, 42 and 54 months after initial operation. One of them had a pancreatic protein plug 216 months after surgery, and was treated with papilloplasty after open laparotomy. In one patient without biliary dilatation, pancreatic protein plug and intrahepatic lithiasis were found 60 and 72 months after surgery, respectively, and both were treated endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS: Intrahepatic lithiasis and pancreatic protein plug are frequent late postoperative complications. The intrapancreatic residual choledochus or dilated pancreatic duct seems to be related to pancreatic protein plug. However, intrahepatic lithiasis may occur regardless of the pattern of the biliary tract dilatation. Careful, long-term follow-up is important in patients with PBM.     

原发性心脏恶性肿瘤的诊断与外科治疗经验

目的总结原发性心脏恶性肿瘤的诊断和外科治疗经验。方法2003年1月至2007年12月手术治疗4例原发性心脏恶性肿瘤,其中男1例,女3例,年龄26~43岁,平均35岁,本组除1例右心房肿瘤广泛侵犯右房室环及心包仅做活检外,其余3例均在全麻低温体外循环辅助下行肿瘤切除术,根据肿瘤的部位及侵润程度,完整切除2例,姑息切除1例,同期行室间隔修补、肺动脉成形1例,二尖瓣置换1例,三尖瓣成形1例。结果全组无围术期死亡。单纯探查活检术的患者2个月后死于心力衰竭;1例右心室梭形细胞肉瘤术后辅助放、化疗,术后18个月肿瘤复发死于右心衰竭;1例左心房恶性间皮瘤手术后3个月死于双肺广泛转移;1例左心房梭形细胞肉瘤术后随访5个月无肿瘤复发。结论原发心脏恶性肿瘤预后欠佳,早期诊断,及时手术治疗辅以综合治疗可望改善预后。     

Caution for Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Cholangitis: Lessons From 5 Cases of Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus Without a Detectable Intrahepatic Tumor

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) usually have no specific clinical symptoms at early stages. HCC with BDTT was usually misdiagnosed when the intrahepatic tumor was small, even undetectable.In this study, 5 cases of HCC with BDTT misdiagnosed as choledocholithiasis and cholangitis in the local hospital are described. We analyzed retrospectively and summarized our experiences of these 5 HCC patients with BDTT misdiagnosed in the local hospital during the past 5 years. The diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of the patients are discussed.Three patients underwent hepatectomy with thrombectomy and T-tube drainage. One patient underwent hepatectomy with the resection of the common bile duct and hepatojejunostomy, and palliative surgery was performed in 1 patient with portal vein tumor thrombus and intrahepatic metastasis. The patients were followed for 6–22 months; 4 patients died of tumor recurrence and metastasis or hepatic failure, despite 3 of these patients having received transhepatic arterial chemotherapy and embolization or radiofrequency ablation therapy.Early and accurate diagnosis of HCC with BDTT is very important. When patients have a history of abnormal recurrent cholangitis, HCC with BDTT should be highly suspected. Intraductal ultrasonography (US), intraoperative US, and histopathological examination are very valuable for the diagnosis. The prognosis of HCC patients with BDTT is dismal. Identification of this type of patient is clinically important, because surgical treatment may be beneficial.     

Surgical treatment of pulmonary recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although pulmonary recurrence is frequent among the extrahepatic recurrences after hepatectomy, the efficacy of surgical treatment for pulmonary recurrence after hepatectomy has not been confirmed. Surgical resection of pulmonary recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal metastases was reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the survival benefit. METHODOLOGY: From 1990 to 1995, 10 of the 17 patients with pulmonary recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal metastases underwent surgical treatment. Ten patients underwent resection of pulmonary recurrence. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 0%, and a postoperative complication was observed in 1 patient after pulmonary metastasectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate after pulmonary metastasectomy was 10.0%, and the median survival was 21.7 (range: 2.4-77.9) months. One patient underwent resection two times for remnant lung recurrence after first lung metastasectomy, and is alive with no evidence of recurrence 77.9 months after the first pulmonary resection, and 50.7 months after the third pulmonary resection. In 3 patients with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, the median survival time was 6.2 months (range: 2.4-9.7). The other hands, 7 patients with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma have a longer median survival time of 29.2 months (range: 16.0-77.9). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary metastasectomy after hepatectomy for metastases from colorectal cancer is a safe treatment, and might offer prolonged survival for highly selected patients.     

Partial splenectomy for portal hypertension in cystic fibrosis related liver disease

AIMS: To review the middle- and long-term effects of partial splenectomy (PS) on portal hypertension (PHT) and its complications in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) related liver disease risky PHT. METHOD: Over a 20 years period, 19 patients aged 7-23 years underwent partial PS for massive splenomegaly, hypersplenism, and/ or severe PHT. RESULTS: In all but three cases, PHT and hypersplenism have improved for long periods. Noticeable improvement of hepatic tests occurred simultaneously. In all patients PS resolved abdominal discomfort. Fifteen patients are alive and a stabilization of the liver disease occurred with a follow-up of 1-20 years (mean 7.9). One patient died following respiratory insufficiency 10 years after PS although PHT was stable. Manifestations recurred in 2 patients 5 and 6 years after PS. In two patients, the course of the disease evolved to hepatic insufficiency without recurrence of PHT 3 and 8 years after PS. PS did not give the expected results in three cases only, in which PHT was not modified or reoccurred during the following year. No severe complication was observed. Early (three patients) or late (one patient) eventration required surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that PS is a reliable and well-tolerated technique. Therefore, it is a therapeutic option for the management of PHT in CF patients with a preserved liver function. It can prevent and significantly delay a liver transplantation and its constraints.     

Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats

BACKGROUND: Post-hepatectomy liver failure as a result of insufficient liver remnant is a feared complication in liver surgery. Efforts have been made to find new strategies to support liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on postoperative liver function and liver regeneration in rats undergoing 70%partial hepatectomy. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups(n=24 in each group): 70% partial hepatectomy as control(PHC), 70% partial hepatectomy with splenectomy(PHS) or 70% partial hepatectomy with a micropump for terlipressin administration(PHT). Eight rats in each group were sacrificed on postoperative day(POD) 1,3 and 7. To assess liver regeneration, immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue using bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) and Ki-67 labeling was performed. Portal venous pressure, serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, albumin, bilirubin and prothrombin time as well as liver-, body-weight and their ratio were determined on POD 1, 3 and 7.RESULTS: The liver-, body-weight and their ratio were not statistically different among the groups. On POD 1, 3 and 7 portal venous pressure in the intervention groups(PHT:8.13 ±1.55, 10.38±1.30, 6.25±0.89 cm H_2O and PHS: 7.50±0.93,8.88 ±2.42, 5.75±1.04 cm H_2O) was lower compared to the control group(PHC: 8.63±2.06, 10.50±2.45, 6.50±2.67 cmH_2O). Hepatocyte proliferation in the intervention groups was delayed, especially after splenectomy on POD 1(Brd U: PHS vs PHC, 20.85% ±13.05% vs 28.11%±10.10%; Ki-67, 20.14%±14.10% vs 23.96% ±11.69%). However, none of the differences were statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS: Neither the administration of terlipressin nor splenectomy improved liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy in rats. Further studies assessing the regulation of portal venous pressure as well as extended hepatectomy animal models and liver function tests will help to further investigate mechanisms of liver regeneration.     

Second surgery after a pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with periampullary malignancies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few case reports have previously documented a second surgery after pancreaticoduodenectomy due to recurrence or other reasons in patients with periampullary malignancies. The present report summarized the experience of this clinic with secondary surgery after Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODOLOGY: During the past 7 years, 7 out of 95 patients with periampullary malignancies underwent a second surgery after pancreaticoduodenectomy at this institution. The clinical courses of these patients are presented and 2 interesting cases are shown in the present study. RESULTS: One patient with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma underwent a remnant splenopancreatectomy due to pancreatic recurrence 36 months after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The other patient with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma underwent a hepatectomy due to a solitary liver metastasis 47 months after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. These 2 patients have survived 4 and 13 months after the second surgery. In the 7 patients requiring secondary surgery, 5 underwent the procedure due to recurrent disease, and 4 of the 5 received the second surgery to remove the lesion. The mean interval between pancreaticoduodenectomy and the second operation was 32 months in the 5 patients with recurrent disease and 27 months in the all 7 patients. One of the 5 patients died of recurrent disease only 5 months after the second procedure because the surgery was a palliative bypass. However, the other 3 survived more than 1 year after the resection of the lesion at the recurrent site. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reports 2 rare cases with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma in which a recurrent tumor was removed after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this study, 4 patients undergoing a curative re-operation survived more than 1 year after the surgery. The present study was small, but the findings are significant because of the scarcity of reports of patients undergoing secondary surgery after PD.     

Is the follow-up of patients operated on for gastric carcinoma of benefit to the patient?

In patients operated on for gastric carcinoma, the main purpose of a follow-up program is to diagnose recurrent disease and initiate treatment at an early stage. One hundred and ninety-seven consecutive patients were studied, 43 of whom had not received a resection (27%). Resections were carried out in 144 patients, in either palliative (N = 20), or curative (N = 122) intent. The follow-up program included visits to the outpatient clinic at one month, six months, one year, and every year during the five post-operative years. Shorter intervals were employed as indicated by the functional or general status of the patients. One patient has been lost to follow-up. In palliative surgery, median survival was 3 months in patients undergoing laparotomy, 6 months following palliative surgery without resection, and 8 months following palliative resection. In patients who underwent curative resection, 65 are still alive without recurrent disease (57%). Thirty-six of them have been followed-up for more than 5 years. Seven patients died without recurrence. Of 42 patients with recurrence, 10 underwent a reoperation. The only resection was performed for liver metastasis. This patient died 14 months later. Survival in the 9 other patients did not exceed 6 months. This experience suggests that a follow-up program of patients operated on for gastric carcinoma is disappointing.