Malignancies in renal transplant patients: 15 years experience in Thailand

The increased incidence of malignancies post-renal transplantation is well established. We performed a retrospective review of the 270 renal transplant patients from May 1, 1992 to April 30, 2007, including 18 cases (6.7%) of malignancy. The most common cancer in the study was transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract (7/18). The second most common cancer was hepatocellular carcinoma (3/18). In contrast to reports from Caucasian countries, we found only 2/18 patients had posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease and no report of skin cancer. Among the 18 patients with malignancy, 11 died (mortality rate = 61%). We encourage a more extensive study of malignancy post-renal transplantation at multiple centers with a tumor registry in Thailand.     

颅内动脉瘤外科治疗500例经验

目的 总结手术治疗动脉瘤的经验。方法 回顾性总结外科治疗的500例Ⅰ-Ⅴ级颅内动脉瘤患者的临床资料,包括动脉瘤的分级、手术时机的选择、控制性低血压麻醉、脑保护剂与载瘤动脉暂时阻断结合应用、经颅多普勒超声动态监测、脑血管痉挛治疗、直接手术中动脉瘤处理技术、血管内动脉瘤栓塞。结果 465例Ⅰ-Ⅳ级颅内动脉瘤患者的手术病死率为27%,1990年前手术的210例病死率为3.8%;1990年后手术的255例病死率为1.9%。35例动脉瘤栓塞的患者无死亡。结论 对颅内动脉瘤采取外科综合治疗措施能有效的改善患者的预后。     

颅内动脉瘤外科治疗500例经验

目的 总结手术治疗颅内动脉瘤的经验和措施。方法 回顾性总结外科治疗的500例Ⅰ-Ⅴ级颅内动脉瘤中层得的临床资料,包括动脉瘤的分级、手术时机的选择、控制性低血压麻醉、脑保护剂与暂时载瘤动脉阻断结合应用、经颅多普勒超声监测、抗血管痉挛治疗、直接手术夹闭和导管栓塞等。结果 465例手术治疗,手术病死率2.7%。1990年前210例病死率3.8%;1990年后255例病死率1.9%（35例动脉瘤栓塞无出血死亡）。结论 对颅内动脉瘤患者采取综合治疗措施能明显提高疗效。     

Laser-assisted tympanostomy in pediatric patients with serous otitis media.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prognostic factors related with cure rate, in pediatric patients with serous otitis media treated with laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes, in a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The procedure was performed on 124 ears in 88 individuals, from 3 to 14 years old. External auditory canal anatomy, type of anesthesia, tympanic membrane and middle ear fluid characteristics, myringotomy size, and laser parameters, in relation to cure rate, were accordingly studied. RESULTS: The overall cure rate by ear at the end of the 2-month follow-up period was 54.83%, whereas 45.17% still suffered from otitis media. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that the presence of a thick tympanic membrane is significantly correlated with pure outcome in children with serous otitis media, when laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes is performed favoring a worse cure rate (P < 0.023). Other parameters did not statistically correlate with the outcome. A 41% parental dissatisfaction rate was noticed. CONCLUSION: This study addresses selection bias for children with serous otitis media, candidates for laser-assisted tympanostomy. These are related to the duration of serous otitis media, the condition of middle ear mucosa, the thickness of the tympanic membrane, the type of anesthesia, and the cost of laser apparatus. There is likely to be a causal relationship between outcome and tympanic membrane appearance in children undergoing laser-assisted tympanostomy.     

Predictive factors of deep abdominal complications after operation for hydatid cyst of the liver: 15 years of experience with 672 patients

BACKGROUND: Operations are the mainstay of liver hydatid cyst (LHC) treatment. Operations are still associated with high morbidity and mortality because of specific postoperative complications (bile leaks, bilomas, deep bleeding, and deep suppurations) and deep abdominal complications (DAC). The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of DAC after LHC operation. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study of 672 patients with LHC treated at the Surgery Department "A" at Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco. Specific morbidity (DAC) and 30 variables were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify predictive factors for DAC. An associated risk scoring system was developed. RESULTS: Six hundred sixty-four patients underwent operations. Mortality rate was 0.8% (n = 5) and DAC rate was 18.4% (n = 121). Five independent predictive factors of DAC after LHC operation were retained, ie, presence of cyst preoperative complications (odds ratio [OR] = 3.10; 95% CI, 1.85 to 5.17), 3 or more cysts in the liver (OR = 2.55; 95% CI, 1.42 to 4.59), thick pericyst (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.27 to 5.29), biliary fistula (OR = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.38 to 3.72), and capitonnage alone as residual cavity management (OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.44). Multivariate model showed a good fit. Discriminating ability of the model was fair. In theoretical risk, scores ranged from 0 to 5. When the score was 2 or more, sensitivity of the scoring model was 80.3%, specificity was 58.5%, positive predictive value was 30.3%, and negative predictive value was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of these five factors will allow more appropriate therapeutic care after LHC operation.     

Carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel-filled breast implants. Our experience in 15 years

The author reports 15 years of laboratory and surgical experience with the use of breast implants pre-filled with carboxy-methyl-cellulose gel which he has used since 1984. Laboratory tests and results are presented. The author has undertaken a retrospective analysis of 380 clinical cases since 1984. He concludes that there is a future role for breast implants containing a non-toxic, visco-elastic and biodegradable filling gel in conjunction with the manufacture of increasingly reliable implant linings.     

The Sorin Bicarbon over 15 years clinical outcomes: multicentre experience in 1704 patients

Objectives: To present the results of a 15-year follow-up of the Sorin Bicarbon prosthesis (SBP) from a European multicentre study. Methods: From 1990 to 1996, a total of 1900 SBPs were implanted in 1704 patients, with a mean age of 59 ± 13 years, as aortic (AVR, 922 patients), mitral (MVR, 586) or mitro-aortic (DVR, 196) valve replacement. Most patients received an SBP for rheumatic or degenerative valve disease. Concomitant procedures were performed in 25% of cases, mainly coronary artery bypass grafting (14%) or tricuspid annuloplasty (7%). Results: There were 70 (4.1%) early deaths. Actuarial survival at 15 years is 61.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 56.4–66.0) for AVR, 63.4% (59.1–67.5) for MVR, 56.4% (47.3–64.6) for DVR. Late valve-related deaths were 260 with an actuarial freedom from valve-related deaths at 15 years of 76.4% (81.5–83.7). There were 27 cases of SBP thrombosis with an actuarial freedom from this complication at 15 years of 99.6% (98.6–99.9) after AVR, 95.8% (93.0–97.5) after MVR and 97.0% (92.8–98.7) after DVR. Thrombo-embolic episodes were 159; actuarial freedom from thrombo-embolism at 15 years is 88.8% (86.8–90.5). Haemorrhages related to anticoagulant treatment occurred in 293 cases with 39 fatal episodes; actuarial freedom at 15 years is 77.5% (74.2–80.4). There were 45 episodes of endocarditis, 21 required re-operation; actuarial freedom from endocarditis at 15 years is 96.8% (95.6–97.7). Re-operation was performed in 71 patients (non-structural valve deterioration in 28, endocarditis in 21, SBP thrombosis in 15 and non-valve-related causes in seven patients). No cases of structural failure were observed. Actuarial freedom from re-operation at 15 years is 97.6% (96.3–98.5) after AVR, 92.8% (90.1–94.8) after MVR and 90.7% (85.2–94.2) after DVR. Conclusions: The SBP continues to perform satisfactorily even in the long term with low incidence of valve-related mortality and morbidity confirming to be an extremely reliable and durable mechanical valve substitute.     

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly patients: a case-control study of 15 years of experience

Introduction

The aim of this study was to review the impact of age (≥75 years) on the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods

Three hundred seventy-nine patients under 70 years of age and 91 patients 75 years and older were analyzed. Quantification of comorbidities was performed using the Charlson Weighted Comorbidity Index. Outcome measures were postoperative complications and 30-day mortality.

Results

There was no difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications between the younger and older patients. Bivariate analysis revealed that patient age was not a risk factor of major complications (odds ratio = 1.2; 95% confidence interval, .6–2.3). Although bivariate analysis revealed that older age had a statistically significant odds ratio for 30-day mortality (odds ratio = 12.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–125.4), multivariate analysis revealed that it was a weighted comorbidity index score of 5 or more (P = .02) and long operative time (P = .01) that were independent predictors of 30-day mortality and not age per se.

Conclusions

Age is not an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.     

Mediastinitis in heart and lung transplantation: 15 years experience

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis after sternotomy carries a very high mortality, especially in patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the data for patients who had undergone cardiopulmonary transplantation between May 1985 and December 2000 was undertaken. A total of 776 patients had either a median sternotomy or a transverse sternotomy through a clam-shell incision. Transplantations were as follows: 591 heart (3 simultaneous heart and renal, and 1 heart and liver), 126 bilateral sequential lung, 57 heart-lung, 1 en bloc double-lung, and 1 heart and single-lung. RESULTS: In all, 21 (2.7%) recipients had mediastinitis. Of these, 14 had heart, 3 heart-lung, and 4 bilateral lung transplantation. There were 18 median and 3 transverse sternotomies. There were 6 deaths (28.6%). Treatment consisted of antibiotics alone in 2 patients and subxiphisternal drainage in another 2 patients. The sternum was reopened in 17 (80.95%) patients, with debridement and primary closure alone in 5 of these 17 patients and additional irrigation in the other 12. Those who had resternotomy, debridement, and substernal irrigation had a better outcome when compared with the outcomes of other modes of treatment (1 death among 12 patients) (p = 0.06). Age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, body mass index, time to diagnosis, and treatment did not differ between those who survived and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Early aggressive debridement with substernal irrigation is the best mode of treatment for patients with posttransplantation mediastinitis.     

Vascular complications in hepatic transplantation: single-center experience in 14 years

Purpose

To evaluate the spectrum of liver transplantation-related vascular complications that occurred in a single center over the past 14 years.

Materials and methods

Vascular complications and their clinical outcomes were reviewed among 744 liver transplant recipients. All patients underwent Doppler ultrasound with findings correlated with conventional or computed tomography angiography (CTA) in 111 patients.

Results

Among 70 recipients with vascular complications (%0.9), 14/26 patients with hepatic artery thrombosis underwent thrombectomy and arterial reanastomosis; six were retransplanted and six died. Among hepatic artery stenoses, three of nine were treated with balloon angioplasty and six underwent reanastomosis. Among 20 portal vein thromboses, 16 underwent thrombectomy, two patients retransplantation and two died. Seven patients with portal vein stenosis were followed. Two of six hepatic vein stenosis were restored with balloon angioplasty and three patients with metallic stent placement; the one other died. One patient with hepatic vein thrombosis died while the other patient was retransplanted.

Conclusion

Transplantation related hepatic vascular complications diagnosed and managed in timely fashion showed a low mortality rate in our series.     

Diamond-shaped anastomosis for duodenal atresia: an experience with 44 patients over 15 years

During the period between 1974 and 1988 44 patients were treated for congenital intrinsic duodenal obstruction using a diamond-shaped anastomosis (35 atresias, including two multiple atresias and nine stenoses). Neither gastrostomy nor transanastomotic tube was used. Postoperatively, oral feeding was started on days 2 to 6 (3.66 +/- 1.41 day). Intravenous fluid administration was discontinued on days 3 to 20 (7.54 +/- 3.58 day). Fourteen patients died, none related to the operative procedure. Of 30 survivors, 21 patients have been followed from 6 months to 15 years. Body weight was within the normal range at the latest visit. Current barium study performed in 19 patients showed no blind loop, megaduodenum, or anastomotic malfunction. The diamond-shaped anastomosis provides the following advantages: (1) early recovery of anastomotic function, and (2) avoidance of later complications, such as formation of a blind loop or anastomotic stenosis.     

Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study intracranial extension of pediatric sinusitis, an infrequent but potentially fatal complication. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Ten-year retrospective review at a tertiary children's hospital identified 21 cases of intracranial complications of sinusitis. RESULTS: Thirteen males and eight females with mean age of 13.3 years were identified. Overall 18 of 21 (81%) exhibited abscess formation, most commonly epidural. Only 3 of 21 (14%) had meningitis alone. All but 4 patients were managed surgically, requiring craniotomy in 13 of 21 (61.9%) and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in 10 of 21 (48%). Seven patients (33%) required multiple operations during admission. Nineteen patients (90%) had a total of 30 organisms cultured. Oral flora was observed in 12 of 21 (57%). Polymicrobial infections, seen in 9 of 21 (43%), were significantly associated with the need for craniotomy (P=0.02). Mean hospital stay was 15 days, and mean length of IV antibiotic was 5 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis often require craniotomy. Oral flora and polymicrobial infections were prominent in this series. EBM rating: C-4.     

Ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy and pyeloureterostomy: a review of 15 years of experience with 25 patients

We reviewed our 15-year experience with pyeloureterostomy and ureteroureterostomy in 25 children with ureteral duplication. Pyeloureterostomy was performed in 5 patients, including 4 with reflux and 1 with upper pole obstruction. The results were good in 4 and in 1 patient postoperative anastomotic obstruction developed. Ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy was performed in 20 patients, including 8 with reflux into 1 or both ipsilateral ureters, 7 with obstructed ectopic upper pole ureters without ureterocele, 4 with ectopic ureteroceles and 1 with incomplete ureteral duplication and obstruction of the common distal ureteral segment. At followup, which ranged from 3 months to 6 years, 17 patients had good postoperative results as demonstrated by improved upper tract drainage and absence of reflux. Of 6 patients who underwent simultaneous ipsilateral ureteral reimplantation at the time of ureteroureterostomy postoperative reflux was noted in 1, necessitating a second procedure. Ureteral stumps were left in 13 patients. Postoperative urinary infection occurred in only 3 of these patients, all as single episodes and 2 associated with persistent contralateral reflux. Significant luminal disparity at the time of ureteroureterostomy was noted in 18 patients and did not adversely affect results.