Laparoscopic extramucosal pyloromyotomy versus open pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: which is better?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of laparoscopic pyloromyotomy compared with open transumbilical fold pyloromyotomy. METHODS: Thirty consecutive laparoscopic extramucosal pyloromyotomies (LP) performed from 1994 to 1997 were compared with 30 consecutive open pyloromyotomies (OP) performed during the same period with regard to age at operation, body weight, thickness of hypertrophied pyloric muscle, operating time, time of return to full feeding, frequency of postoperative emesis, surgical complications, and degree of surgical stress reflected by interleukin-6 (IL-6). LP was performed according to conventional techniques, and OP was performed using a transumbilical fold approach. RESULTS: The groups were matched for age at operation, preoperative clinical and physical status, laboratory data, and size of the hypertrophied pylorus assessed by ultrasonography. There was a learning curve with LP; the average operating time required for the first 10 cases was significantly longer than the time required for OP, but later cases took just as long as OP cases. Time taken to full feeding was significantly shorter in the LP group than the OP group (LP, 38 hours v OP, 64 hours). One case was converted from LP to OP because of mucosal perforation. The incidence of postoperative emesis was significantly higher in the OP group than in the LP group (OP, 25% v LP, 3%). The mean length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in LP (P < .01). The intraoperative peak values of IL-6 in LP were significantly lower than those in the OP group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of LP are improved cosmesis, decreased surgical stress with earlier postoperative recovery, and shorter hospitalization. Because LP uses reusable devices, and the mean period of hospitalization is shorter, average operating costs could be reduced, representing a net saving in total hospital charges.     

A rational approach to the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: do the results match the claims?

The currently accepted premise that the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) should be made on clinical grounds, with ultrasound (US) and upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) reserved for those with a negative clinical examination, was tested. Variable clinical skills of initial examiners, including pediatric surgeons, made abdominal palpation no more sensitive or specific than US or UGIS. For those with a negative clinical examination, proceeding directly to a UGIS will result in monetary savings, especially if good clinical performance decreases the probability of HPS among those without palpable pyloric "tumors." The benefits of a "US first" approach (no radiation, better patient and parent acceptance, no contrast medium) are less apparent but no less important and increase as clinical experience declines and performance of US improves. Criteria for the clinical or sonographic diagnosis of HPS should be kept strict to avoid false-positive results; false-negatives and other causes of vomiting should be identified by UGIS.     

Surgical management of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis--can it be performed by general surgeons?

INTRODUCTION: Debate exists as to whether IHPS can be treated in district general hospitals as effectively as in specialist paediatric surgical units. AIM: To review the surgical treatment of IHPS in babies admitted to a district general hospital under the care of two consultant general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case notes of 66 babies operated on for IHPS over a 42 month period between April 1995 and September 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, operative details, hospital stay, and overall complications were all documented. RESULTS: Peri-operative complications occurred in 2 patients, both requiring omental patches for duodenal perforation. Nine patients had 1 or 2 episodes of postoperative vomiting; 4 had either a wound or urinary tract infection; and 1 baby developed an incisional hernia. There was no mortality. DISCUSSION: The complication rate seen in this series is comparable to that of specialist centres, and supports current guidelines suggesting that IHPS can be managed by general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest in a district general hospital.     

Penile agenesis and congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: An association or a random coexistence?

A neonate with penile agenesis and congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is presented. The patterns of associated anomalies with penile agenesis, and those of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis are discussed.     

Diaphyseal femoral fractures in children: should we change the present mode of treatment?

Three hundred thirty-nine diaphyseal fractures of the femur in 327 children were studied retrospectively. There were 196 boys and 131 girls, with a mean age of 5.59 years (range, 1 day-14 years). The majority of the children were < 6 years of age. In 67.8% of the children, the fracture was caused by a road traffic accident. Seventy-seven of the children had associated injuries. The minimum hospital stay was 15 days, and the maximum was 42 days (mean, 32.6 days). The most common site of fracture was at the middle third (N = 206), and 133 were the transverse type. The mode of treatment was balance skin traction in 146, skeletal traction in 72, hip spica in 22, internal fixation in 16, and external fixators in 5. The average follow up was 7.8 years. Complications were few. Our experience indicates that with a conservative mode of treatment, there is no risk of overgrowth, and a rotational malalignment of up to 20 degrees corrects during growth. We believe that diaphyseal fractures of the femur in children can be safely managed nonoperatively and economically, contrary to the present advocacy of operative treatment. The operative mode of treatment should be used in selected cases.     

Centration of myopic refractive ablation: should we center treatment on the pupil or the visual axis?

Lasers in Medical Science - The purpose of this study is to compare pupil versus corneal vertex-centered ablation for myopic laser refractive surgery. This study is a retrospective...     

Revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: the treatment of choice?

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is an important cause of renal dysfunction and secondary hypertension, and is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and increased mortality. The natural history of ARAS is characterized by anatomic disease progression and/or renal dysfunction in only a minority of patients. Medical therapy for ARAS is directed primarily toward blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk factor reduction. Renal artery revascularization is an additional treatment option for ARAS associated with ischemic nephropathy or severe, poorly controlled hypertension despite aggressive medical therapy. Unfortunately, the benefits associated with revascularization versus medical therapy alone remain unproven. Renal artery revascularization may be accomplished through open surgical revascularization or angioplasty and stenting. Although surgical renal revascularization is associated with more durable results and relatively lower risk for postoperative renal function decline, the increased risk of death or major complications associated with this management approach limit its use in patients with significant comorbidities. Renal artery angioplasty and stenting is being utilized with increasing frequency but is of uncertain benefit and is associated with rates of post-intervention renal function improvement and deterioration that are approximately equal. Renal function outcomes associated with angioplasty and stenting may be improved through a selective treatment approach and utilization of distal embolic protection. Renal artery revascularization represents the only treatment alternative for patients unresponsive to medical management, and is therefore the 'treatment of choice' in this select group. Results of ongoing randomized trials are eagerly anticipated and may provide useful guidance for future management of ARAS.     

Frequency volume charts in the assessment and evaluation of treatment: how should we use them?

Frequency volume charts are an essential adjunct to both the assessment of patients at presentation and the evaluation of new treatments for filling and voiding dysfunction. Since 24 hour frequency can be altered significantly by fluid intake and insensible fluid loss. We critically evaluated the usefulness of the different parameters measured on a frequency/volume chart (FVC) to determine which provided the most reliable information. Sixty-three patients were asked to complete 2 FVCs over 3 or more days with at least one week between the two measurements. Fifty-one patients completed the diaries and the changes in mean voided volume and urinary frequency were analyzed. Eight patients had significant differences in their mean voided volume or their 24 hour frequency, 2 patients had a significant difference in both mean voided volume and 24 hour frequency. There was an excellent correlation for both the mean voided volume (r = 0.86) and the 24 hour frequency (r = 0.9). The individual variation, using repeated measures analysis, was greater for the 24 hour frequency. There is natural variation of 24 hour frequency between diaries that may invalidate apparently successful treatment outcomes. We recommend the use of the mean voided volume as part of the evaluation of new treatments in chronic voiding dysfunction and urinary incontinence.     

Calibration of papillotomy in the surgical treatment of papillary stenosis: the “little train”

Although laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery have brought about an indisputable revolution in biliary surgery, many surgeons still prefer open surgery for lithiasis of the common bile duct, and if it is associated with a papillary pathology, they perform a papillotomy. However, great controversy regarding the site, modalities, and extension of the papillary section has now developed among surgeons. Our technique is not original; however, we do propose a calibration of the papillotomy, carried out by constructing a little train made up of several consecutive Nélatons of increasing caliber to identify the sphincter fibers and to obtain sections proportionate to the size of the bile duct. Of the 115 patients in this series who were treated by open papillotomy, only 1 developed acute pancreatitis; 2 demonstrated bleeding, 1 of whom required surgical exploration.     

Locally-advanced prostate cancer in the elderly: should we revisit our treatment paradigms?

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the most common malignancy in adult males with an estimated number of 280 000 newly diagnosed cases only in the United States in 2015.1 Due to the introduction of PSA in clinical practice, the majority of the patients are currently diagnosed with organ-confined and sometimes indolent disease. However, a nonnegligible proportion of individuals are still diagnosed with locally-advanced tumors. In their recently published article, Bekelman et al.2 focused on elderly patients with locally-advanced PCa in the attempt to determine the best treatment approach in this patient category, and concluded that, even in these individuals, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus radiotherapy (RT) may confer a survival benefit relative to ADT alone. The importance of the current article resides in the fact that it focuses on a patient population that has not been, or has been only scarcely, included in previous studies on the same topic.The survival benefit of RT plus ADT versus ADT alone in patients with locally-advanced PCa has been recently demonstrated by two randomized controlled trials (RCTs).3,4 Specifically, Widmark et al. recruited 875 patients from 47 Scandinavian centers who were randomized to receive either ADT or ADT plus RT.3 Inclusion criteria for this study were age ≤75 and a life expectancy ≥10 years. According to this trial, the 10-year cancer-specific mortality rate was 23.9% in the ADT group relative to 11.9% in the ADT plus RT group. The same study demonstrated a slightly higher, but still acceptable, proportion of urinary, rectal and sexual problems in the latter group of patients. Similarly, Warde et al.4 evaluated the outcomes of 1205 individuals randomly assigned to be treated either with ADT or with ADT plus RT. Patients aged ≤80 years and with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status between 0 and 2 were included. At 7 years, an 8% overall survival benefit was observed in the ADT plus RT group relative to patients receiving ADT alone. As in the previous study, gastrointestinal toxicities were most frequent in the ADT plus RT group.While both of these RCTs represent well-designed and well-conducted studies supporting the effectiveness of ADT plus RT in locally-advanced PCa, their strict inclusion criteria may limit the applicability of their findings to the general population. To overcome this issue and provide further evidences supporting the role of ADT plus RT in patients with high-risk PCa, Bekelman et al.2 used a population-based (SEER-Medicare) dataset to extrapolate three different groups of patients with locally-advanced PCa diagnosed between 1995 and 2007: (1) the RCT cohort (n = 12.924), consisting of patients selected according to the same inclusion criteria defined by the two previously cited studies; (2) the elderly cohort (n = 14.340), consisting of men aged between 76 and 85 years with locally-advanced PCa; (3) the screen-detected cohort (n = 4277), consisting of patients aged between 65 and 85 years with high-risk clinically undetectable disease. Besides standard survival analysis, the authors also adopted two statistical methodologies, namely the propensity score approach and instrumental variable analysis in order to adjust for possible confounders. In all of the three scenarios (unadjusted, propensity-score and instrumental variable adjusted), ADT plus RT resulted in a significant increase both in cancer-specific and overall mortality rates as compared to ADT alone. Interestingly, the survival benefit was observed not only in the RCT cohort, but also in the elderly and in the screen-detected ones. In consequence, this study provides evidences to expand the indications for ADT plus RT also to these patients. This is even more important when considering that, despite the potential survival benefits, older patients with locally-advanced PCa are less likely to receive local therapies relative to their younger counterparts.5However, while the population-based nature of this study may support the generalizability of its findings, it also represents a potential limitation that should be taken into account when interpreting the results. As correctly stated by the authors, several important data, such as total PSA and radiation dose/field, were missing. The retrospective nature of the dataset along with the risk of a misclassification bias also represents a limitation. In addition, no information was provided regarding the toxicities of ADT plus RT versus ADT alone and whether differences in the rate of side effects existed between the three groups. Finally, the oncological outcomes and morbidities of ADT plus RT in locally-advanced PCa should also be compared to those of radical prostatectomy with or without adjuvant RT, especially in carefully selected patients with a life expectancy ≥10 years.In conclusion, the study by Bekelman et al.2 adds important evidences regarding the oncological effectiveness of ADT plus RT relative to ADT alone in locally-advanced PCa even in older individuals. However, the clinical applicability of their findings should be further corroborated by prospective randomized trials focusing on this patient category.     

Fate of excluded popliteal artery aneurysms: should we change our current treatment?

Surgical repair of popliteal artery aneurysms is usually performed by vascular exclusion and femoro-popliteal bypass grafting via a medial route. The vascular exclusion of a popliteal artery aneurysm may, however, prove ineffective long-term. We report on a patient with a large popliteal artery aneurysm observed twelve years after conventional surgical treatment and discuss alternative surgical options to be considered for long-lasting effective popliteal artery aneurysm treatment.     

Asymptomatic carotid stenosis and unrelated operations: should we be more aggressive?

BACKGROUND: Carotid lesions will often remain asymptomatic during the perioperative period, so prophylactic carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has not been advocated before other operations. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical manifestations of new neurologic symptoms occurring in patients with previously asymptomatic carotid occlusive disease who have undergone recent operations. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of patients developing neurologic symptoms attributable to carotid occlusive disease after unrelated operations. RESULTS: Eleven patients (mean age 68+/-6.4 years, 8 men, 3 women) developed new neurologic symptoms from previously asymptomatic extracranial carotid stenoses after 11 unrelated procedures. Neurologic events included hemispheric stroke (n = 10) and amaurosis fugax (n = 1). Two intraoperative strokes occurred (one mastectomy, one prostatectomy). Other events occurred a mean of 5.8+/-5 (range 1 to 16) days after aortic surgery (n = 2), infrainguinal bypass (n = 3), contralateral CEA for symptomatic disease (n = 2), incisional herniorrhaphy (n = 1), and prostate surgery (n = 1). Responsible internal carotid artery lesions were all stenoses greater than 80%; seven were clearly greater than 90%. Those suffering intraoperative stroke or stroke within 24 hours of operation (n = 3) were not receiving antithrombotic therapy. All other events (n = 8) occurred despite the use ofantiplatelet or anticoagulant agents. Four underwent emergent CEA. Four had elective CEA performed after reaching a neurological recovery plateau. CONCLUSIONS: Critical, asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenoses may cause neurologic symptoms after unrelated surgical procedures.     

Incidental carcinoma of the prostate: can we and should we recommend radical prostatectomy?

INTRODUCTION: There is controversy regarding tumor control of incidental prostate cancer (PC). We evaluated in a large cohort if we can recommend radical prostatectomy after TURP. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 52 (4.3%) from a total of 1207 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy the diagnosis had been made by TURP. In a retrospective analysis we evaluated morbidity, histopathological results, and tumor control of pT1a/b tumors. RESULTS: The number of incidentally detected PC decreased with time. In 5.8% in the TURP group and in 0.5% of the needle biopsy group, there was no residual tumor found (p<0.001). Morbidity was similar +/- TURP with the exception of operation time (206 vs 188 min) and catheter duration (19.3 vs 17.3 days). Postoperative continence was identical. There was no difference in tumor control for local recurrence-free survival and PSA-free survival with and without TURP. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of incidentally detected PC by TURP decreases over time, but in almost all cases we found clinically relevant cancer. TURP is not an adverse prognostic factor and morbidity is similar compared with patients who were diagnosed by needle biopsy. Our data confirm that we should recommend radical prostatectomy to patients who are candidates for further curative therapy.     

Endarterectomy vs stent angioplasty: what is the optimal treatment of carotid stenosis?

Very few operations have been subject to more scientific scrutiny than carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Since its introduction in the 1950s, CEAs have been performed in great numbers with the goal of preventing ischemic stroke. In the mid 1980s concern about over utilization of CEA and reports of excessive perioperative stroke morbidity and mortality prompted the initiation of several multicenter, randomized trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of CEA. As the results of these trials became available, the number and frequency of CEA in the United States increased significantly. However, now a new wave of uncertainty has arisen related to the availability of an alternative to CEA, carotid angioplasty and stent (CAS). Now, more than ever, there is uncertainty as to the proper management of carotid artery stenosis. In this review we summarize the existing data regarding the efficacy of CEA and compare these data to a critical analysis of the recent results of CAS.     

Proximal fractures of the humerus in patients older than 75?years of age: should we consider operative treatment?

Background

Over 75 % of patients presenting with a proximal humerus fracture are 70 years or older. Very little is known about the outcome after operative treatment of these fractures in very old patients. This study was performed to gain more insight in safety and functional outcome of surgical treatment of proximal humerus fractures in the elderly.

Materials and methods

In this observational study, we analyzed all operatively treated patients, aged 75 or older, with a proximal humerus fracture between January 2003 and December 2008 in our center. Patient selection was on clinical grounds, based on physical, mental, and social criteria. Complications were evaluated. We used the DASH Questionnaire to investigate functional outcome, pain, and ADL limitations.

Results

Sixty-four patients were treated surgically for a displaced proximal fracture of the humerus: 15 two-part, 32 three-part, and 17 four-part fractures. Mean DASH scores were 37.5, 36.9, and 48.6, respectively. Regarding the operative methods, overall good results were obtained with the modern locked plate osteosynthesis (mean DASH 34.4). Prosthetic treatment, mostly used in highly comminuted fractures, often resulted in poor function (mean DASH 72.9). Persistent pain and ADL limitations were more present in more comminuted fractures (64 and 50 % in patients with 4-part fractures vs. 14 % in 2-part fractures). There were no postoperative deaths within 3 months of surgery, and fracture-related and non-fracture-related complication rates were low (non-union 3 %; 1 myocardial infarction).

Conclusion

This study shows that it is safe and justifiable to consider surgical treatment of a severely dislocated proximal humerus fracture in selected patients aged 75 and older.

Level of evidence

According to OCEBM Working Group, Level IV.     

Temporary hypotension following endarterectomy for severe carotid stenosis: should we treat it?

In patients with severe carotid stenosis, the author has observed that temporary low blood pressure often occurs in the postoperative period. The hypotension typically develops 2 to 4 hours following operation, is asymptomatic, and resolves within 12-24 hours. In recent years treatment has consisted of simple observation, avoiding the use of vasopressors. Other reports of hemodynamic instability following carotid endarterectomy emphasize high blood pressure. The author rarely observes postoperative hypertension in his practice and has wondered if technical factors explain the difference. A consecutive series of primary carotid endarterectomies recently performed by the author was prospectively studied to determine the incidence of postoperative hypotension. Forty-nine of 180 consecutive patients (27%) developed hypotension below 90 mm Hg systolic (range 65-90). All had severe stenosis as an indication for operation. Only 1 patient required treatment for symptoms related to the low blood pressure. Simple observation of the remaining 48 patients with postoperative hypotension did not result in complications nor delay discharge. Data management, selection of patients, surgical technique, and results are discussed. Temporary postoperative hypotension in patients with severe carotid stenosis is common and appears to be benign. The author speculates that this phenomenon may protect ischemic brain tissue from sudden hyperperfusion, and as such should not be treated with vasopressor medication unless symptoms are present.