Intraoperative Endoscopic Resection of Left Ventricular Tumors

Two cases involving patients who underwent a successful endoscopic resection of a left ventricular tumor are presented herein. One was an 82-year-old woman with a left ventricular papillary fibroelastoma, who underwent previous coronary artery bypass grafting. In an attempt to make the procedure less invasive, we used an endoscope. With a full sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and cardioplegic protection, the endoscope was inserted into the left ventricular cavity through the mitral valve. The other patient was a 63-year-old man with left ventricular papillary fibroelastoma, in whom we performed an endoscopic transaortic resection. The endoscope provided an excellent view, and the tumors were easily extracted in both cases without any complications.     

Laparoscopic Liver Resection for Tumors in the Left Lateral Liver Section

Background:

The laparoscopic approach is increasingly adopted for liver resections today especially for lesions located in the left lateral liver section. This study was conducted to determine the impact of the introduction of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) as a surgical option for suspected small- to medium-sized (<8 cm) tumors located in the left lateral section (LLS).

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of 156 consecutive patients who underwent LLR or open liver resection (OLR) of tumors located in the LLS. The study was divided into 2 consecutive periods (period 1, January 2003 through September 2006, and period 2, October 2006 through April 2014); LLR was available as a surgical option only in the latter period. Comparisons made were LLR versus OLR, LLR versus OLR (in period 2 only), and resections performed in period 1 versus period 2.

Results:

Forty-two patients underwent LLR with 4 conversions. LLR was significantly associated with a longer median operative time [167.5 minutes (range, 60–525) vs 105 minutes (range, 40–235); P < .001], decreased need for the Pringle maneuver [n = 1 (2%) vs 22 (19%); P = .008], and shorter postoperative stay [n = 4 (range, 1–10) days vs 5 days (range, 2–47); P < .001] compared with open resection. Comparison of the 42 patients who underwent LLR with the 64 contemporaneous patients who underwent OLR demonstrated similar outcomes. Again, LLR was associated with a significantly longer operation, decreased need for the Pringle maneuver, and shorter hospital stay.

Conclusions:

LLR can be safely adopted to treat lesions in the LLS. The procedure is associated with a shorter postoperative stay and a decreased need for the Pringle maneuver, but longer operative time compared with that required for OLR.     

Islet Autotransplantation After Left Pancreatectomy for Non-Enucleable Insulinoma

Insulinoma is a rare, almost always benign endocrine tumor of the pancreas, clinically characterized by hyperinsulinemic, hypoglycemic episodes. Surgical excision is the therapy of choice, which may lead to postpancreatectomy diabetes mellitus in the case of extensive pancreatic resection. We present the cases and the metabolic follow up of two patients, 81 and 73 years old, with insulinoma localized close to the main duct in the pancreatic neck. Both patients underwent an 80% left pancreatectomy, avoiding a pancreatico-enteric anastomosis. In order to prevent postpancreatectomy diabetes, the islets from the tumor-free part of the resected pancreas were isolated and injected via a right colic vein into the portal system. After a follow up of 6 and 3 years respectively, both patients remained insulin-independent without any dietary restrictions. Fasting and glucagon-stimulated C-peptide-levels and glycosylated hemoglobin remained within normal range. There were no signs of recurrent insulinoma. Liver biopsy performed in one patient at 1 year after autotransplantation, showed intact, insulin-producing islets within the portal spaces. In conclusion, autologous islet transplantation can preserve the insulin secretory reserve after extended left pancreatectomy for the treatment of benign tumors in the pancreatic neck.     

Resection of Suprarenal Aortic Aneurysm With Autotransplantation of the Kidney

This is a report of a patient with renovascular hypertension associated with a suprarenal aortic aneurysm that was treated by nephrectomy, resection of the aneurysm and autotransplantation of the kidney. The autografted kidney was preserved on the Mox-100 perfusion-preservation apparatus for over four hours, during which time the aneurysm was resected and replaced with a Dacron bifurcated graft. The authors believe this is the safest method for the management of aneurysms of the suprarenal aorta, especially when associated with renovascular disease, and it deserves wider application in treating major renovascular disease.     

经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术与等离子切除术的对比研究

目的：对比经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术（TuRBT）与经尿道膀胱肿瘤等离子切除术（PKRBT）治疗膀胱肿瘤的效果。方法：将100例膀胱肿瘤患者随机分为两组：TURBT组55例,肿瘤直径（19±7）mm;T1 36例,T2 19例,G1 34例,G2 21例;其中膀胱侧壁肿瘤21例,多发肿瘤18例。PKRBT组45例,肿瘤直径（18±8）mm;T1 29例,T2 16例,G1 26例,G2 19例;膀胱侧壁肿瘤18例,多发肿瘤14例。统计患者术中失血量、手术时间、是否发生闭孔反射、术后2年内是否复发。结果：两组患者均一次手术完成,均未输血,无严重并发症发生。TURBT组手术时间（26．8±9．2）min,术中失血（47±25）ml,两年内复发率38．2％;PKRBT组手术时间（25．3±10．3）min,术中失血（41±23）ml,两年内复发率40％,两组比较无统计学意义。有膀胱侧壁肿瘤的患者术中发生闭孔神经反射率TURBT组为61．9％（13／21）,PKRBT组为27．8%（5／18）,两组比较有统计学意义。结论：PKRBT是一种安全、有效的手术方法,具有使用生理盐水冲洗,安全性高;低温切割,创面无焦伽;切割精确,止血效果良好,手术野清晰,闭孔神经反射发生率低等优点。     

Radical Surgical Resection for Carcinoid Tumors of the Ampulla

Ampullary carcinoid tumors are extremely rare. The present study describes the clinicopathological features and outcomes for 10 ampullary carcinoid patients who underwent radical resection from 1998 to 2005. During this study period, 294 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary neoplasms in our institution. The mean patient age was 58.0 ± 13.4 years, and seven were male. Initial clinical manifestations were jaundice in four patients, nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms in five, and completely asymptomatic in one. Standard pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in three patients, and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in seven, and there were no major complications. The mean tumor size and volume were 2.1 ± 1.3 cm and 4.1 ± 6.9 ml, respectively. Synaptophysin staining was positive in ten patients and chromogranin staining positive in eight. R0 resection was achieved in all ten patients. Overall and disease-free survival rates were 90 and 80% at 1 year, and 64 and 56% at 3 years, respectively. The liver was the most common site of initial metastasis after curative resection. Univariate analyses revealed that a maximal tumor diameter ≥2 cm and tumor extension beyond the ampulla were risk factors for tumor recurrence. In conclusion, while the majority of ampullary carcinoids are indolent, this tumor is associated with a relatively poor prognosis. We believe that radical resection, with the aim of complete tumor removal and cure, is the treatment of choice.     

Left ventricular dysfunction after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of suspected constrictive pericarditis. After the diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization, an elective pericardiectomy was performed without complication. Four days after surgery dyspnea developed in the patient, and he was found to have an acute decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography. The patient's symptoms and the LVEF improved over time and returned to normal 4 weeks after surgery. Transient hemodynamic dysfunction of the left ventricle has previously been reported after pericardiectomy or pericardiocentesis; however, we know of no reports in the literature that confirm an acute reduction in LVEF by echocardiography after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.     

Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Tumors From Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the surgical results and clinicopathologic features of hepatic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma to identify patients with a better probability of survival. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Many studies have reported the benefit of hepatic resection for metastatic tumors from colorectal cancer. However, indications for a surgical approach for gastric adenocarcinoma involving the liver have not been clearly defined. METHODS: Ninety (11%) of 807 patients with primary gastric cancer were diagnosed with synchronous (n = 78) or metachronous (n = 12) hepatic metastases. Of these, 19 underwent 20 resections intended to cure the metastatic lesion in the liver. The clinicopathologic features of the hepatic metastases in, and the surgical results for, the 19 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The actuarial 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates after hepatic resection were, respectively, 77%, 34%, and 34%, and three patients survived for more than 5 years after surgery. Solitary and metachronous metastases were significant determinants for a favorable prognosis after hepatic resection. Pathologically, a fibrous pseudocapsule between the tumor and surrounding hepatic parenchyma was found in 13 of the 19 patients (68%). The presence of a peritumoral fibrous pseudocapsule and a well-differentiated histologic type of metastatic nodule were significant prognostic factors. Factors associated with the primary lesion were not significant prognostic determinants in patients who underwent curative resection of the primary cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Solitary and metachronous metastases from gastric cancer should be treated by a surgical approach and confer a better prognosis. A new prognostic factor, the presence of a pseudocapsule, may be helpful in defining indications for postoperative adjuvant treatment.     

Expanding the Indications for Laparoscopic Gastric Resection for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Objective:

Laparoscopic resection of large gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has been controversial. This generally has been limited to small lesions. We hypothesize that laparoscopic mobilization and resection using, in some cases, extracorporeal anastomosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an oncologically safe alternative to open surgery even when tumors are large.

Methods:

Four patients underwent a laparoscopic approach for gastric GIST tumors >2 cm at Methodist Dallas Medical Center over a 6-month period. Patient demographics, operative findings, postoperative course, and pathologic characteristics were examined.

Results:

The mean age in this patient group was 58 years (range, 36 to 77). Gastrointestinal bleeding and dyspepsia were the most common symptoms. Seventy-five percent of the patients were females. Mean tumor size was 10 cm (range, 2.5 to 20) with distribution in the stomach as follows: 75% greater curvature and 25% antrum. Tumors were removed by wedge, sleeve, and partial gastrectomies. Two of these tumors showed a high grade and the other 2 a moderate grade of differentiation. The number of mitoses was <5/50 HPF in all the tumors. No intraoperative spillage occurred in any patients, even with the largest tumor (20 cm). Importantly, all tumors were excised with a negative gross and microscopic margin. Average length of stay was 4 days. No patients required reoperation, and there were no complications postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Minimally invasive assisted approaches may be an option to treat large GIST tumors. Obeying principles of minimal touch, no spillage, and obtaining a negative margin, a safe operation with a laparoscopic approach is feasible, even in giant tumors. The large size of diagnosed GIST tumors should not preclude a minimally invasive approach.     

Laparoscopic Resection of Retroperitoneal Neural Tumors

Purpose

Retroperitoneal neural tumor (RNT) is rarely excised laparoscopically, and the laparoscopic management of RNT remains controversial. We herein report 4 cases of laparoscopic excision of RNT that resulted in diverse clinical outcomes.

Patients and Methods

Between August 2005 and January 2011, we performed laparoscopic excision of RNT in 4 patients. The mean tumor size was 4.5 cm. The mean operative time was 297 minutes and the mean amount of blood loss was 55 ml. The surgeries were uneventful, with no operative complications or evidence of intra-abdominal bleeding. However, 2 patients required reoperation for delayed hemorrhage and urinoma formation, respectively.

Results

The postoperative pathological diagnoses were schwannoma in 3 patients and ganglioneuroblastoma in 1 patient. All patients were well with no signs of peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy, and CT and/or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT performed during follow-up indicated no evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Obtaining extensive preoperative knowledge of the source neural and vascular anatomy of the tumor is important for the surgical planning of laparoscopic resection of RNT. When a great deal of care is taken to divide the tumor and the source nerves and vital vessels, safe execution of RNT can be achieved for minimal postoperative mortality and morbidity.Key Words: Laparoscopy, Retroperitoneal neural tumor, Schwannoma, Ganglioneuroblastoma