早期卵巢癌腹腔镜与开腹分期手术的对比分析

目的探讨腹腔镜早期卵巢癌分期手术的有效性和安全性。方法回顾性分析2006年5月～2009年7月期间手术治疗的早期卵巢癌44例,其中腹腔镜组19例,开腹组25例,比较2组手术时间、术中出血量、术后排气时间、术后并发症、淋巴结切除数量及术后住院时间。结果与开腹组相比,腹腔镜组术中出血显著减少[(161.1±97.7)mlvs(398.0±278.6)ml,t=-3.945,P=0.000],术后肛门排气时间显著缩短[(1.7±0.8)dvs(2.7±1.0)d,t=-3.389,P=0.002)。2组手术时间[(283.0±74.7)minvs(266.6±65.5)min]、术后住院时间[(13.4±4.9)dvs(13.2±6.6)d]、盆腔淋巴结切除率[84.2%(16/19)vs96.0%(24/25)]和数量(20.8±6.5vs20.7±13.8)、术后并发症发生率[10.5%(2/19)vs20.0%(5/25)]差异均无显著性(P0.05)。结论小样本量的临床研究提示,早期卵巢癌腹腔镜分期手术具有出血少、恢复快等优势,可作为早期卵巢癌手术治疗的新选择。但远期效果仍待探索。     

Robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and staging for the treatment of endometrial cancer: a comparison with conventional laparoscopy and abdominal approaches

The treatment of endometrial cancer using a minimally invasive approach provides benefits to the patient; however, there are currently few papers comparing robotic total laparoscopic hysterectomy with staging to conventional laparoscopic and abdominal approaches. Analyses of 102 consecutive patients undergoing robotic total hysterectomy were compared to historical cohorts of 104 patients undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy and 78 patients undergoing abdominal total hysterectomy (laparotomy). The majority of all patients were FIGO??88 stage IB. Patient characteristics were similar, except for lower age (P?=?0.0236) and body mass index (P?=?0.0134) in the laparoscopy group when compared to laparotomy. Operative time was longer for the robotic group at 108.7?min, compared to 79.4?min for laparoscopy (P?=?0.0207) and 84.0?min for laparotomy (P?<?0.0001). Lymph node yield was significantly higher in the robotic group (16.0 nodes) when compared to both laparoscopy (5.0 nodes, P?<?0.0001) and laparotomy (11.4 nodes, P?=?0.0006). The perioperative complication rates were significantly decreased in both the robotic (10.8%) and laparoscopy (6.7%) groups when compared to laparotomy at 25.6% (P?=?0.0089; P?=?0.0002). Hospital stay was significantly reduced in both the robotic (1.9?days, P?<?0.0001) and laparoscopic (1.8?days, P?<?0.0001) groups when compared to laparotomy (4.1?days). Both minimally invasive approaches reduced morbidity. Robotic assistance resulted in improved lymph node yield. Robotic surgery for endometrial cancer is at least equivalent to laparoscopic and open techniques and may be the preferred method for treatment of endometrial cancer.     

Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of endometrial cancer: results of a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results and determine the contribution of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of women with endometrial cancer and compare with the open technique. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was carried out on 120 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery (96 women) and open procedures (24 women) for endometrial cancer between April 1996 and March 2000. RESULTS: Four patients whose laparoscopic surgery was completed by laparotomy were excluded from the study. The other 92 laparoscopic procedures were successfully completed. Laparoscopically assisted surgical staging (LASS) was performed based on the grade of the tumor and the depth of myometrial invasion. Sixty-seven of the patients underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO), and pelvic lymphadenectomy, and 25 women also had para-aortic lymph node sampling dissection. Eleven of these patients had positive pelvic or para-aortic nodes. The mean operating time for the laparoscopic procedure was significantly longer (173.8 min, P < 0.0001) than the time for the open procedure (135.0 min). The rate of complications was similar in both groups. The recovery time was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for early stage endometrial carcinoma is an attractive alternative to the abdominal surgical approach. The advantages of laparoscopically assisted surgical staging are patient related. Because the abdominal incision is avoided, the recovery time is reduced. Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection is a procedure that is appropriate, when applicable.     

Comparing Surgical Outcomes in Obese Women Undergoing Laparotomy,Laparoscopy, or Laparotomy With Panniculectomy for the Staging of Uterine Malignancy

Background Limiting surgical morbidity while maintaining staging adequacy is a primary concern in obese patients with uterine malignancy. The goal of this study was to compare the surgical adequacy and postoperative morbidity of three surgical approaches to staging the disease of obese women with uterine cancer. Methods The records of all patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥35 undergoing primary surgery for uterine corpus cancer at our institution from January 1993 to May 2006 were reviewed. Patients were assigned to three groups on the basis of planned surgical approach—standard laparotomy, laparoscopy, or laparotomy with panniculectomy. Standard statistical tests appropriate to group size were used to compare the three groups. Results In all, 206 patients with a BMI of ≥35 were grouped as follows: laparotomy, 154 patients; laparoscopy, 25 patients; and laparotomy with panniculectomy, 27 patients. Median BMI was 41 (range, 35–84). Regional lymph nodes were removed in 45% of the laparotomy patients, 40% of the laparoscopy patients, and 70% of the panniculectomy patients (P = .04). Compared with laparotomy, both laparoscopy and panniculectomy yielded higher median pelvic and total lymph node counts (P = .001). Operative time was shortest after standard laparotomy, and blood loss was greatest after panniculectomy. The incidence of all incisional complications was lower for panniculectomy (11%) and laparoscopy (8%) compared with standard laparotomy (35%) (P = .002). On multivariate analysis, a significantly lower risk of total incisional complications was seen for patients undergoing panniculectomy (risk ratio, .25; 95% confidence interval, .071–.88) and laparoscopy (risk ratio, .19; 95% confidence interval, .04–.94). Conclusions Both laparoscopic staging and panniculectomy in a standardized fashion were associated with an improved lymph node count and a lower rate of incisional complications than laparotomy alone. Although definitive conclusions are limited by low patient numbers, the substantial decrease in wound complications suggests that these two approaches should be considered for obese patients undergoing uterine cancer staging. Presented in part at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Winter Meeting; Beaver Creek, CO; February 1–3, 2007.     

Laparoscopic staging in gallbladder cancer

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy is beneficial in the staging of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal malignancies but its role in gallbladder cancer has not been investigated. We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in the staging of gallbladder cancer. Methods: From 1989 through 2001, 91 patients with gallbladder cancer, without any evidence of metastatic disease on imaging (ultrasound and/or computed tomographic scan), underwent staging laparoscopy. Peritoneal and surface liver metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were not obtained routinely. RESULTS: At laparoscopy, 34 (37%) patients had disseminated disease in the form of liver and/or peritoneal deposits; no further surgery was performed in 29 of these patients while 5 patients underwent surgical bypass procedures. Liver metastases were missed at laparoscopy in 2 patients and were subsequently found at laparotomy. Assessment of the gallbladder mass was possible in 33 (36%) patients, 6 of these were found to have extensive local disease and did not undergo any further surgery. Laparoscopic staging, thus avoided further surgery in 35 (38%) patients. Of the 51 patients without metastatic disease, who underwent laparotomy, 11 were found to have nonresectable locally advanced disease while 1 had liver metastases, which were missed at laparoscopy; 7 underwent bypass procedures only; 21 underwent simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy was done in 11 patients. The resectability rate (number of resections/operations) in patients undergoing laparoscopic staging was 57% (32/56) as compared with 43% (142/328) in those who did not undergo laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer detected liver and peritoneal metastases that were missed on imaging. It reduced the number of unnecessary surgical explorations and improved the resectability rate.     

Feasibility, Safety, and Cost Outcomes of Laparoscopic Management of Early Endometrial and Cervical Malignancy

Background:

The role of laparoscopy in the management of early stage endometrial and cervical cancer is continuously validated by many reports throughout the world. Interestingly, such data are still unavailable in many European countries, as it is in Greece. In this prospective study, we report on initial feasibility, safety, and cost outcomes of laparoscopic management of early stage endometrial and cervical cancer, recently introduced in our country.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective pilot study comprising a case series. Patients referred to a tertiary referral medical center with a recent diagnosis of endometrial or cervical cancer were evaluated, and those meeting inclusion criteria were offered laparoscopic surgical staging.

Results:

Out of 64 patients evaluated, 17 with early clinical stage endometrial cancer and 8 with early clinical stage cervical cancer underwent successful laparoscopic staging. Mean patient age was 61.6 and 39.2 years, mean BMI was 32.3 and 24.1kg/m², mean operative time was 243 and 284 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 190mL and 270mL, mean lymph node count was 27.2 and 29.1, and mean hospital stay was 2 and 3 days for endometrial and cervical cancer cases, respectively. The overall costs for the procedures performed were not greater than their laparotomy counterpart. One intraoperative complication was managed laparoscopically, and 2 cases occurred of postoperative lymphocyst formation.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first study of laparoscopic management of early endometrial and cervical cancer in Greece. Our preliminary data support the feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness of laparoscopic management of early endometrial and cervical cancer in our country and are in accordance with series reported in the international literature.     

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma benefit from staging laparoscopy

Background: Unnecessary laparotomy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer may both compromise the quality of life and delay the initiation of more appropriate therapy. Very often, peritoneal small liver metastases and true local status cannot be fully determined without surgery. Laparoscopy may spare laparotomy and decrease morbidity for patients with nonresectable advanced disease. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of laparoscopy in patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients undergoing pancreatic surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from October 2001 to April 2005. A total of 59 patients were included in the study. All patients were staged radiographically with a high resolution helical computed tomography scan and their tumors were considered resectable. Thirty-seven patients underwent staging laparoscopy while 22 proceeded directly to laparotomy. Results: Of the 37 patients who underwent laparoscopic staging, 9 (24.3%) were detected to have metastatic disease or advanced tumor; the remaining 28 (75.7%) patients with negative laparoscopy proceeded to laparotomy. Of those, 24 patients (85.7%) underwent pancreatic resection with curative intent, while 4 patients had metastatic or locally advanced disease at subsequent laparotomy which was missed on staging laparoscopy (false negative rate of 14.3%). Of the 22 patients who proceeded directly to laparotomy, 16 (72.7%) received curative Whipple resection and 6 (27.3%) were found to have advanced disease and received bypass procedures or biopsy alone. Conclusion: These findings suggest that staging laparoscopy is beneficial in a significant proportion of patients deemed resectable by routine noninvasive preoperative studies. We plan to add intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound to our staging protocol in order to decrease the false negative rate.     

Preliminary experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of integrating robot-assisted technology in the performance of laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies. METHODS: Seven patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures for gynecologic cancers. Data were collected and analyzed as a retrospective case series analysis. RESULTS: We attempted 7 robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures with no conversions to laparotomy. The median lymph node count for lymphadenectomy was 15 (range, 4 to 29). Mean operating time was 257 minutes (range, 174 to 345). The average estimated blood loss was 50 mL. One patient developed sinusitis and required intravenous antibiotics. The median hospital stay was 2 days. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic staging is a feasible technique that may overcome the surgical limitations of conventional laparoscopy.     

达芬奇机器人系统与腹腔镜在子宫内膜癌手术治疗中的对比分析

目的:对比并探讨达芬奇机器人手术系统与传统腹腔镜手术在子宫内膜癌手术治疗中的安全性、有效性,并进行自我效能分析.方法:回顾性分析2015年9月～2020年1月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院妇产科收治的同一术者进行初始手术治疗的137例子宫内膜恶性肿瘤患者,其中达芬奇机器人组64例,腹腔镜组73例.统计分析两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结切除数目、术后肛门排气时间、术后引流放置时间、住院时间、术后自我效能评价.结果:达芬奇机器人组和腹腔镜组比较,患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后肛门排气时间、术后引流放置时间、住院时间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);清扫淋巴结数量无差异(P>0.05).且达芬奇机器人组较腹腔镜组患者术后自我效能感评估更佳(P=0.001).结论:对于子宫内膜癌的手术治疗,达芬奇机器人手术系统较传统腹腔镜手术能够缩短患者恢复时间,在保证手术安全性下可以提高有效性.且达芬奇机器人较腹腔镜手术治疗子宫内膜恶性肿瘤患者术后自我效能感更佳,更利于子宫内膜癌患者术后心理康复.     

Staging of pancreatic and ampullary cancers for resectability using laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound

Background: Cancers of the pancreas and periampullary region are rarely curable. We set out to determine the efficacy of laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound in the staging of pancreatic and ampullary malignancies for resectability. Methods: Between January 1994 and September 1999, we retrospectively reviewed the laparoscopic staging (LS) of tumors already deemed resectable by standard radiologic criteria in 27 patients using laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS). Patients found to be resectable by LS evaluation underwent laparotomy (LA). We then compared the results of the LS and LA findings. Results: Of the 27 patients evaluated, 17 were men and 10 were women. Their mean age was 66 years. Preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans were done in all 27 patients (100%), and transabdominal and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was done in 21 (78%). By LS, seven patients (26%) were found to have unresectable disease. Two patients with mesenteric tumor infiltration (one with peritoneal implants, and one with a visible liver metastasis) were judged to be unresectable by laparoscopy alone. LUS revealed that one patient had portal vein (PV) occlusion and two had metastases to the lymph nodes or liver that were not revealed by preoperative studies or laparoscopy alone. Among 20 patients (74%) deemed resectable by LS, two (10%) were found to be unresectable at LA, one due to PV involvement and the other due to local tumor extension with superior mesenteric lymph node metastasis. Eighteen of those in whom resection was attempted (90%) were resectable, with no unexpected findings of distant lymph node or hepatic metastasis. Pathology examination showed that eight had regional metastases (44%). The sensitivity of LS in determining unresectability was 77% (seven true positives and two false negatives). The negative predictive value (reflecting resectability) was 90%. Laparoscopy alone had a sensitivity of 44%, with a negative predictive value of 78%. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of LS was 100%, reflecting no false positive examinations. Conclusions: LS can effectively stage most patients and reliably predict which of them will benefit from LA. Intervention for unresectable patients can then be limited to laparoscopic or endoscopic bypass. The main limitation is that LS may underestimate PV and regional lymph node involvement.     

早期子宫内膜癌腹腔镜与开腹手术的对比研究

目的探讨早期子宫内膜癌腹腔镜手术的有效性和安全性。方法回顾性分析我院2003年8月～2010年10月79例早期子宫内膜癌分别施行腹腔镜手术（腹腔镜组,n=56）和开腹手术（开腹组,n=23）的临床资料,比较2组手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结切除数量、术后排气时间、并发症、术后住院时间、术后病率和复发率。结果腹腔镜组术中出血量（157.1±111.2）ml明显少于开腹组（221.7±169.8）ml（t=1.349,P=0.049）。与开腹组比较,腹腔镜组术后肛门排气时间和住院时间明显缩短（t=4.055,P=0.000;t=2.310,P=0.028）。2组手术时间、盆腔淋巴结切除数目、术后并发症、术后病率均无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。术后随访至2011年2月,腹腔镜组50例随访4～82个月,平均28.7月,1例24个月复发,1例31个月穿刺部位转移,无死亡病例;开腹组20例随访17～64个月,平均39.0月,1例27个月复发,1例59个月死亡,2组复发率无统计学差异（精确概率法,P=0.493）。结论早期子宫内膜癌腹腔镜手术较开腹手术具有出血少、恢复快等优势,可作为子宫内膜癌手术的又一选择,远期疗效仍有待探索和证实。     

腹腔镜探查判断胆囊癌可切除性的临床意义

目的 初步评价腹腔镜探查在胆囊癌外科治疗中的应用价值.方法 自2007年1月至2010年3月在上海交大医学院附属新华医院普外科及第二军医大学东方肝胆外科医院腹腔镜科收治胆囊癌患者中,选择有手术切除可能的60例患者作为腹腔镜探查组,将同期符合相同条件行剖腹探查的192例胆囊癌患者作为对照组,比较两组手术切除率、腹腔广泛转移患者的手术时间及住院时间.计量资料采用t检验,计数资料采用x2检验.结果 腹腔镜探查组60例中27例患者的肝脏和(或)腹膜有肿瘤广泛转移,中止手术;33例转行剖腹探查,发现1例肝脏多处肿瘤转移、12例侵犯门静脉主干和(或)胰头、十二指肠,无手术切除可能,中止手术;其余20例中7例行胆囊癌姑息性切除,13例行胆囊癌根治性切除术.直接行剖腹探查组192例术中发现肝脏和(或)腹膜肿瘤广泛转移的82例及侵犯门脉主干和(或)胰头31例均中止手术,姑息性切除32例,根治性切除47例.两组手术切除率、腹腔广泛转移患者的手术时间及住院时间差异有统计学意义(x2=4.328,t=8.6501,t=5.8260;P＜0.05、P＜0.01、P＜0.01).结论 腹腔镜探查有助于手术决策的制定,减少不必要的非治疗性剖腹探查,能显著提高手术切除率,可以作为胆囊癌外科治疗中的常规操作.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the role of laparoscopic staging for the resectability of gallbladder cancer. Methods From Jan 2007 to Mar 2010,60 gallbladder cancer patients without of metastatic disease or main hepatic portal vessel invasion as assessed by preoperative imaging underwent staging laparoscopy for tumor resectability evaluation. Peritoneal and liver surface metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were obtained routinely. T test and x2 test were used. Results At laparoscopy, 27 (45%) patients were found with disseminated disease on peritoneal cavity or the surface of liver, hence, senseless open surgery was avoided. The other 33 patients were converted to open laparotomy, among those 1 patient was found with disseminated metastasis in the liver and 12 patients with the invasion of main hepatic portal vessel,pancreatic head, duodenum did not undergo any further surgery. Finally 7 patients received surgical bypass procedure and 13 patients underwent radical resection. During the same period, 192 clinically diagnosed gallbladder cancer patients undergoing open laparotomy without laparoscopic pre-assessment served as control. Among those in control group 79 patients received radical or palliative resection. The resectability rate was significantly different between the two groups ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer is helpful in detecting liver and peritoneal metastases overlooked by preoperative imaging, avoiding unnecessary open explorations.     

Robotic surgery compared with laparotomy for high-grade endometrial cancer

High-grade endometrial cancer often presents with occult metastatic disease and this presentation pattern can be considered a contraindication to minimally invasive surgery. We sought to compare the surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients with high-grade endometrial cancer who underwent surgical management/staging via the robotic approach versus the traditional open approach. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with high-grade endometrial cancer who were treated at a single institution from January 2008 through December 2011. High-grade endometrial histology was defined as FIGO grade 2 or 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell or uterine carcinosarcoma. Pre-operatively, all patients had clinical stage I disease based on a combination of physical examination and imaging studies. Baseline patient demographics, operative results, complications and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Eighty consecutive patients were included. Forty-seven patients underwent surgical management using the robotic approach and 33 patients underwent a traditional operation via laparotomy. The groups were well matched in terms of age, body mass index, medical co-morbidities, stage and histology. The average hospital stay for patients who underwent open surgery was significantly longer than for those who underwent a robotic approach [5.6 versus 1.4 days (p = 0.0001)]. Of the patients who underwent robotic surgery, 7/47 (15 %) experienced an operative complication versus 18/33 (55 %) in the open surgery cohort (p = 0.002). The average number of pelvic lymph nodes retrieved in each cohort was 12. The average number of para-aortic lymph nodes retrieved in each group was 4. On final pathologic analysis, 20 patients in the robotic surgery arm were found to have disease that had spread beyond the uterus (43 %), compared to 14 in the traditional surgery group (42 %). There were 11/47 (23 %) recurrences in the robotic surgery group during the study period, compared to 8/33 (24 %) in the laparotomy group. There were no significant differences in progression-free or overall survival between the two cohorts. Robotic surgery is safer than laparotomy for patients with high-grade endometrial cancer. The oncologic outcomes appear similar. Minimizing morbidity in this patient population is important since many are elderly and will require adjuvant therapy.     

Value of laparoscopic staging for Hodgkin disease

Because of the potential for complications with laparotomy and splenectomy, and the widespread use of combination chemotherapy as first-line treatment, surgical staging is now performed in only 30% of patients with Hodgkin disease. Laparoscopic staging has rarely been reported. Three patients with the nodular sclerosis cell type of Hodgkin disease underwent laparoscopic staging. Mean operative time was 207 minutes. No conversion to laparotomy was necessary. There were no peri- or postoperative complications and no deaths. Mean blood loss was negligible. The pathologist deemed all liver and lymph nodes biopsies adequate for histologic analysis. Stage IA and IIA were confirmed in two patients: one patient with stage IIA was upstaged to IIIA after surgery. Performed by an experienced team, laparoscopy is the procedure of choice for abdominal staging of patients with Hodgkin disease.     

Conversion in endometrial cancer patients scheduled for laparoscopic staging: a large multicenter analysis

Background

Data on patients with endometrial cancer converted to laparotomy are totally lacking. The aim of the present study was to evaluate surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer scheduled for laparoscopic staging but converted to laparotomy.

Methods

Data of consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for staging endometrial cancer in seven Italian centers were reviewed. Patients’ characteristics and surgical and oncological data were noted and analyzed according to surgery, i.e. laparotomy, laparoscopy, and laparoscopy converted to laparotomy.

Results

Seventy-one out of 512 (13.9 %) patients scheduled to laparoscopy were converted to laparotomy for reasons related to anesthesiology [38/71 (53.5 %)] or surgery [33/71 (46.5 %)]. The conversion rate varied among stages [41/460 (8.9 %), 13/27 (48.1 %), 17/25 (68.0 %) in patients with stage I, II, and endometrial cancers, respectively]. Significant (P < 0.05) differences among groups were detected in patients’ age, body mass index and previous pelvic surgery, and in the distribution of stages and histotype of endometrial cancers. The Kaplan–Meier procedure showed that the cumulative probability of first recurrence (P = 0.089, 0.590 and 0.084 for stage I, II and III, respectively) and of death (P = 0.108, 0.567 and 0.372 for stage I, II and III, respectively) categorized by stages did not attain statistical significance by log-rank testing after correction for confounding factors.

Conclusions

The surgical and oncological outcomes of converted patients are no different from those of patients staged successfully with laparoscopy or with laparotomy. The conversion to laparotomy should be not considered per se a complication.     

The role of staging laparoscopy for multimodal therapy of gastrointestinal cancer

Background: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and the therapeutic relevance of staging laparoscopy. Methods: Between June 1993 and February 1997 staging laparoscopy was performed in 389 patients with various neoplasms. Additionally, 144 selected patients of this group were examined with laparoscopic ultrasound using a semiflexible ultrasound probe (7.5 MHz). Results: Compared to conventional imaging methods, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound improved the accuracy of staging in 158 of 389 patients (41%). Statistical subgroup analysis of 131 patients with gastric cancer showed that the accuracy of staging laparoscopy in the detection of distant metastases (68%) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of ultrasound (63%) or computed tomography (58%). In the whole group, laparoscopy alone disclosed intraabdominal tumor dissemination or nonresectable disease in 111 patients. Laparoscopic ultrasound displayed additional metastases—i.e., liver metastases (n = 9), M1 lymph nodes (n = 15), or nonresectable tumors (n = 6) in 30 patients. Although metastastic disease was suggested by preoperative imaging, benign lesions were found in five patients with laparoscopy and in a further 12 patients with ultrasonography. The findings of staging laparoscopy changed the treatment strategy in 45% of the patients. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 5% of the cases, and complications related to laparoscopy occured in 4% of the patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound improves the staging of gastrointestinal tumors and has a significant impact on a stage-adapted surgical therapy. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 26 September 1997     

The Role of Laparoscopy in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity

Background: Laparoscopic surgery was established as a regular surgical technique 11 years ago. There are still some controversies among surgeons about the benefits of this method. Method: A retrospective 3-year analysis of immediate and long-term complication rates, hospitalization length, and weight loss following laparotomic and laparoscopic nonadjustable gastric banding in 150 and 145 patients, respectively, was undertaken. Some of the criteria usually used for comparison of results in laparotomy and laparoscopy in general surgery were used in this analysis as background for the comparison of the two groups of obese patients. One example of the different results of the laparotomic and laparoscopic approaches in bariatric surgery was provided by obese monozygotic twins who underwent surgery the same day in our department, one by laparotomy and the other by laparoscopy. There was a significant difference in hospitalization length, in required postoperative analgesia, and in levels of c-reactive protein. Results: There was no statistical difference in intraoperative complication rates in the two groups, but there was a significant difference in immediate and long-term postoperative complications of wound discharge and incisional hernias. The obese twins illustrate the significant difference in postoperative c-reactive protein levels and in length of operating time and hospitalization in favor of laparoscopy, and this difference supports our results in much larger groups of genetically unrelated patients who were studied. Conclusion: At the end of the 10-year period of laparoscopic surgery for bariatric procedures, the results were impressive. The laparoscopic approach to surgery for morbid obesity was of considerable value in terms of low morbidity and mortality.     

Laparoscopic lymph node dissection using ultrasonically activated shears: comparison with electrosurgery

PURPOSE: To assess and compare perioperative parameters in two groups of patients treated by different laparoscopic techniques of lymph node dissection (LND) for gynecologic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1996 and March 2001, 59 consecutive women with microinvasive cervical cancer (N = 5) or clinical stage I endometrial cancer (N = 54) underwent laparoscopic LND during a primary staging procedure using an electrosurgery (ELC) or ultrasonic (US) operative technique. The two groups were compared for perioperative outcomes. Differences between the two groups were determined by the Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. RESULTS: Laparoscopic LND and other staging procedures were completed successfully in 58 women (98.3%). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to perioperative outcomes (operation time, time for LND, blood loss, hospital stay, complications), but there was a significant difference (P = 0.0008) in the number of lymph nodes harvested: a mean of 13.7 in the ELC group and 17.5 in the US group. The pathologists found that the reading of histology slides was easier after US dissections because of the greater depth of thermal injury in the lymphatic tissue in ELC group. CONCLUSION: The US operative technique ensures efficient coagulation, cutting, dissection, and grasping for laparoscopic LND in patients with cervical and endometrial cancer.     

Staging Laparoscopy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: Is It Also Useful for the Group Which has an Aggressive Surgical Strategy?

Background Staging laparoscopy has been shown to be useful for increasing the accuracy of preoperative staging. However, controversy still exists regarding patient selection and subsequent treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the role of staging laparoscopy for a group that has a policy to perform aggressive surgery for advanced gastric cancer. Methods Twenty-four patients with clinical T3 or T4 gastric cancer expected to undergo curative resection, based on conventional preoperative diagnostic methods underwent staging laparoscopy. We examined the accuracy and the impact of staging laparoscopy on the further treatment options. Results The mean running time for the staging laparoscopy was 40.7 min (range: 25–75 min), and one complication was noted (4.2%). In regard to the tumor depth, 11 of 24 (45.8%) cases had a discrepancy after staging laparoscopy. In addition, 15 of 24 patients (62.5%) were found to have unsuspected peritoneal metastases, and 8 patients (33.3%) were excluded from laparotomy. The remaining 16 patients (66.7%), including 9 patients with localized peritoneal metastases (P1), underwent resection. The diagnostic accuracy for T factor was 81.3% in 16 laparotomy cases and overall accuracy of P factor was 91.7%. Conclusions Staging laparoscopy had a significant impact on decisions regarding the treatment plan in patients with advanced gastric cancer for a group that has an aggressive treatment strategy. This paper was supported in part by the Catholic Cancer Center.     

腹腔镜在胰腺肿瘤诊断和分期中的价值

目的:总结胰腺肿瘤剖腹手术前先行腹腔镜探查的价值。方法:对12例经B超和CT诊断或怀疑为胰腺肿瘤的病人,在剖腹手术前先行腹腔镜探查,其中2例联合使用腹腔镜超声检查(LUS)。结果:1例CT诊断疑为胰头肿瘤伴少量腹水者,腹腔镜明确为原发性腹膜炎,作冲洗引流而愈。2例影像学检查见胰体尾增厚,怀疑胰腺肿瘤者,腹腔镜检查未见明显异常,再作LUS检查,1例为胰腺囊肿,另1例未见异常。9例腹腔镜检查确诊为胰腺恶性肿瘤病人中,3例明确已有远处转移,从而避免了开腹;另6例腹腔镜探查提示可以切除,结果其中1例由于肠系膜血管被肿瘤包绕而无法切除,余5例(5/9=55.6%)进行了根治性切除。腹腔镜探查在评估胰腺癌不可切除性的敏感性为75%,特异性为100%,阳性预测值为100%,阴性预测值为83.3%。结论:腹腔镜探查可发现影像学检查不能发现的腹膜转移,结合腹腔镜超声检查可提高胰腺肿瘤诊断、分期的准确性,使部分病人避免了不必要的剖腹手术。