Cryosurgery: is it an effective option for patients failing radiation?

Cryotherapy of the prostate represents a potential treatment for localized recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy. Current salvage cryotherapy of the prostate can result in undetectable serum PSA levels with low morbidity. Further refinements in technique and equipment may enhance cryosurgical results.     

Laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma. Is it a feasible option for patients with liver cirrhosis?

Background  Laparoscopic surgery has gained growing acceptance, but this does not hold for laparoscopic surgery of the liver, above all for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. This approach mainly includes diagnostic procedures and interstitial therapies. However, we believe there is room for laparoscopic liver resections in well-selected cases. The aim of this study is to assess: (a) the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, (b) the safety and the respect of oncological criteria, and (c) the potential benefit of laparoscopic ultrasound in guiding liver resection. Methods  A prospective study of laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma was undertaken in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Hepatic involvement had to be limited and located in the left or peripheral right segments (segments 2–6), and the tumor had to be 5 cm or smaller. Tumor location and its transection margins were defined by laparoscopic ultrasound. Results  From January 1997, 22 out of 250 patients with HCC (9%) underwent laparoscopic liver resections. The mean patient age was 61.4 years (range, 50–79 years). In three patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. The laparoscopic resections included five bisegmentectoies (2 and 3), nine segmentectomies, two subsegmentectomies and three nonanatomical resections for extrahepatic growing lesions. The mean operative time, including laparoscopic ultrasonography, was 199 ± 69 min (median, 220; range, 80–300). Perioperative blood loss was 183 ± 72 ml (median, 160; range, 80–400 ml). There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in two out of 19 patients: an abdominal wall hematoma occurred in one patient and a bleeding from a trocar access in the other patient requiring a laparoscopic re-exploration. Mean hospital stay of the whole series was 6.5 ± 4.3 days (median, 5; range, 4–25), while the mean hospital stay of the 19 laparoscopic patients was 5.4 ± 1 (median, 5; range, 4–8). Conclusion  Laparoscopic treatment should be considered in selected patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis in the left lobe or segments 5 and 6 of the liver. It is clear that certain types of laparoscopic resection are feasible and safe when carried out by adequately skilled surgeons with appropriate instruments.     

Operative treatment for hip fractures in patients 100 years of age and older: is it justified?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a unique group of elderly patients over 100 years of age who had hip fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis. SETTINGS: Academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients who had hip fractures between January 1990 and December 2001 and were over 100 years old were included. INTERVENTION: In this study, we evaluated the age, gender, type of fracture, type of treatment, background disease, rehabilitation, and time until death of all patients over 100 years, whether treated operatively or nonoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (17 females and 6 males) were identified with ages ranging from 100 to 107 (mean: 101.8). The group had 4 subcapital and 19 pertrochanteric fractures and between 1 and 4 major background diseases. Four patients were treated nonoperatively (1 due to major pneumonia and 3 refused the operative procedure). Three of those 4 patients died in the same month of admission, and 1 patient died during the second month. Among the 19 patients who underwent operation, 17 patients have died, living between 0 and 78 months (mean: 13.8) postoperatively. Two are still alive (21 and 45 months) after the operation. Eight patients died prior to 6 months, and 11 lived more than a year after the operation. A comparison between these 2 groups showed greater major background disease in the patients who died prior to 6 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most hip fractures in patients over 100 years of age are pertrochanteric. Patients with 2 or more major background diseases have an increased risk for dying in the first 6 months after the operation. Most patients having operations in this age group had a postoperative reduction in mobility status and in performing basic activities of daily living.     

Cytoreductive nephrectomy: is it a realistic option in patients with renal cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CRN) in improving survival in patients with renal cell cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case-notes of 268 consecutive patients who presented to our specialized renal cancer clinic between 1998 and 2001 were reviewed. All patients with metastatic disease were assessed for CRN. If their primary tumour was considered operable, they were assessed further using the European Cooperative Oncology Group performance score; only patients with a performance score of 0 or 1 were considered for surgery. RESULTS: In all, 168 patients underwent nephrectomy with curative intent for M0 disease and 11 were treated conservatively. Ninety-four patients with M+ disease (mean age 65 years, range 38-80) were considered for CRN. Thirty-eight patients had an inoperable primary. Of the remaining 56 patients, 20 had a performance status of 0 or 1 and were offered CRN. CONCLUSION: Metastatic disease at presentation occurred in 34% of all patients referred; 40% patients had an inoperable primary and 38% had a performance score of > or =2. With an active policy of considering all patients for CRN, only 7% of those with renal cancer were suitable for this procedure. CRN is unlikely to have a significant effect on overall survival within a population of patients with renal cancer.     

The nurse cystoscopist: a feasible option?

OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy achieved by a trained urology nurse practitioner (UNP) and consultant urologist in detecting bladder tumours during flexible cystoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients underwent flexible cystoscopy by both the UNP and consultant urologist, each unaware of the other's findings. Before comparing the findings, each declared whether there was tumour or any suspicious lesion requiring biopsy. RESULTS: Of 83 patients examined by flexible cystoscopy, 26 were found to have a tumour or a suspicious lesion. One tumour was missed by the UNP and one by the urologist; each tumour was minute. Analysis using the chance-corrected proportional agreement (Kappa) was 0.94, indicating very close agreement. CONCLUSION: A UNP can be trained to perform cystoscopy and detect suspicious lesions as accurately as can a consultant urologist. Legal and training issues in implementation are important.     

Lung biopsy: is it necessary?

OBJECTIVE: Lung biopsy is associated with substantial mortality rates. We reviewed our experience with this operation, primarily in patients with immunocompetence, to determine whether the results justify the continued performance of this procedure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all diagnostic lung biopsies performed at 3 university-affiliated hospitals between July 1, 1992, and December 31, 1998. RESULTS: There were 75 patients: 25 patients were treated electively, 17 were treated on an urgent basis, 27 patients on an emergency basis, and the urgency was unclear in 6 patients. Significant beneficial therapeutic changes were made in 15 of 25 elective procedures (60%), in 16 of 17 urgent procedures (94%), and in 11 of 27 emergency procedures (41%; P =.001). Significant beneficial therapeutic changes consisted of immunosuppression in 13 of 15 (87%) patients treated on an elective basis, in 9 of 16 (56%) treated on an urgent basis, and in 9 of 11 (82%) treated on an emergency basis in whom therapy was altered (P =.14). Operative death was 0 of 25 for elective operations (0%), 3 of 17 for urgent operations (18%), and 14 of 26 for emergency operations (54%). Multivariable analysis of operative death showed urgency to be the only significant predictor of death (P =.002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with immunocompetence, elective and urgent lung biopsies have acceptable operative mortality rates and frequently result in important beneficial therapeutic changes. Consequently biopsies are appropriate in these patients. Emergency biopsies are associated with high operative mortality rates and rarely result in a therapeutic change other than immunosuppression. These patients should not undergo lung biopsy if they are in stable condition and should be treated empirically with immunosuppression without operation if their condition is deteriorating.     

Outpatient thyroidectomy: is it a safe and reasonable option?

Background

Outpatient surgery is cost effective and convenient. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of outpatient thyroidectomy.

Methods

Retrospective review was performed of all thyroidectomy patients from a tertiary care center between January 2004 and March 2010.

Results

One hundred forty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Subtotal and hemithyroidectomies (n = 79) were compared against completion and total thyroidectomies (n = 72). Nine total thyroidectomy patients (12.5%) required unplanned overnight admission, compared with 4 hemithyroidectomy patients (5.1%) (P = .15). The majority were admitted for pain and nausea control. Overnight admissions were highest among men (32% vs 5%, P = .002) and patients with Graves' disease (36% vs 6%, P = .003). Postoperative complications occurred in 6 total thyroidectomy patients (8.3%) and 3 hemithyroidectomy patients (3.8%) (P = .31). Only 4 patients (2.6%) required readmission for complications. There were no deaths.

Conclusions

Outpatient thyroidectomy performed by an experienced surgeon is safe and feasible. Men and patients with Graves' disease have a higher probability of requiring postoperative admission.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach: Is it a safe and feasible treatment option for pheochromocytomas larger than 6 cm?

Objectives

To evaluate the surgical feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of large pheochromocytomas, and to identify the preoperative risk factors for intraoperative hypertension.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of pheochromocytomas. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two study groups based on tumor size: group A (n = 27, ≤6 cm) and group B (n = 24, ?6 cm).

Results

There was no significant difference in preoperative characteristics between the two groups except for tumor size (P = 0.001) and urinary metanephrine (P = 0.011). Group B patients required longer operating time (P = 0.008), had a greater estimated blood loss (P = 0.001) and hemoglobin change (P = 0.002). However, no significant differences were observed in perioperative complications and mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that symptomatic pheochromocytomas (P = 0.004) and tumor size (P = 0.007) were significant risk factors for intraoperative hypertension.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for pheochromocytomas can be regarded as a treatment option, even for tumors measuring >6 cm. Symptomatic pheochromocytomas and large tumor size seem to represent risk factors for intraoperative hypertension.

     

Hip resurfacing in an 88-year-old patient? Highlighting selection criteria for hip resurfacings in patients older than 65 years

The success of hip resurfacings in the older population is still to be determined, although it has been an attractive option in the much younger patients with arthrosis of the hip. We present a 95-year-old active, independent patient who underwent a Birmingham hip resurfacing at 88 years of age. More than 7 years after surgery, the original components are still in situ, and the patient is pain-free with a very active lifestyle at the age of 95 years. Hip resurfacings are not without risks, and we highlight the evolution of strict selection criteria for patients older than 65 years who may be suitable candidates for hip resurfacing arthroplasty.     

Early neonatal lobectomy for ILE; is it feasible?

IntroductionCongenital lobar emphysema (CLE) also called congenital lobar overinflation and infantile lobar emphysema is a rare congenital anomaly of lung often presents in the neonatal period, with hyperinflation of one or more pulmonary lobes.ImportanceAuthor is reporting here an uneventfully done earliest ever neonatal lobectomy for ILE.     

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it more than a challenge?

Background

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a promising technique with regard to reducing postoperative pain, decreasing complications, and improving cosmesis.

Methods

Between September 2008 and April 2009, 20 patients underwent cholecystectomy via SILS. The umblicus was the access point of entry to the abdomen for all the patients.

Results

Of the 20 cholecystectomies, 19 were performed with SILS. Failure of trocar insertion was the reason for conversion with the first patient. No complications or mortalities were associated with the technique. The mean operating time was 94 min.

Conclusion

The use of SILS for cholecystectomy is safe and feasible with reasonable operation times.