Total versus subtotal gastrectomy: surgical morbidity and mortality rates in a multicenter Italian randomized trial. The Italian Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients included in a randomized trial comparing total versus subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There is controversy as to whether the optimal surgery for gastric cancer in the distal half of the stomach is subtotal or total gastrectomy. Although only a randomized trial can resolve this oncologic dilemma, the first step is to demonstrate whether the two procedures are penalized by different postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS: A total of 624 patients with cancer in the distal half of the stomach were randomized to subtotal gastrectomy (320) or total gastrectomy (304), both associated with a second-level lymphadenectomy, in a multicenter trial aimed at assessing the oncologic outcome after the two procedures. The end points considered were the occurrence of a postoperative event, complication, or death and length of postoperative stay. RESULTS: Nonfatal complications and death occurred in 9% and 1% of subtotal gastrectomy patients and in 13% and 2% of total gastrectomy patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis of postoperative events showed that splenectomy or resection of adjacent organs was associated with a twofold risk of postoperative complications. Random surgery and extension of surgery influenced the length of stay. The mean length of stay, adjusted for extension of surgery, was 13.8 days for subtotal gastrectomy and 15.4 days for total gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that subtotal and total gastrectomies, with second-level lymphadenectomy, performed as an elective procedure have a similar postoperative complication rate and surgical outcome. A conclusive long-term evaluation of the two operations and an accurate estimate of the oncologic impact of surgery on long-term survival, not penalized by excess surgical risk of one of the two operations, are consequently feasible.     

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Adenocarcinoma involving the distal esophagus usually is far advanced when the patient is first seen. Adenocarcinoma differs from squamous carcinoma of the esophagus since it is relatively unresponsive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus resembles gastric cancer in its tendency to form a bulky and locally invasive tumor with early regional lymph node metastases. It differs from gastric cancer in its tendency to spread proximally in the esophagus and in the relatively infrequent early involvement of the liver by metastases. From 1979-1986, 37 patients had resection for adenocarcinoma involving the distal esophagus. Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with American Joint Committee for Cancer Stage III or IV adenocarcinoma at the time of operation. Transhiatal esophagectomy in continuity with a proximal gastrectomy was done in 27 patients. Reconstruction was accomplished by cervical esophagogastrostomy using pedicled distal stomach. There were three postoperative deaths (30-day mortality rate: 8%). Anastomotic leak occurred in nine patients and caused significant morbidity in four patients. Eleven patients required dilation of the cervical anastomosis after operation for up to 6 months. Mediastinal recurrence affected three patients treated by transhiatal esophagectomy. The survival rate (Kaplan-Meier) was 44% at 1 year and 31% at 2 years. Resection of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus can be accomplished in most patients with acceptable risks of morbidity and mortality. Resection restores ability to swallow saliva and to consume a normal diet, and is associated with an appreciable improvement in the quality of life.     

Para-aortic lymph node involvement in gastric adenocarcinoma]

AIMS: To determine the significance of superextended lymphadenectomy (D4) in patients with gastric cancer. The incidence of para-aortic lymph node metastases (N4) was analysed as well as its relationship to the site of the tumour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The frequency of para-aortic lymph node metastases was assessed in 110 patients who underwent gastrectomy with D4 lymphadenectomy during the period from June 1988 to October 1999; five patients with plastic linitis and three with carcinoma of the gastric stump were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The postoperative mortality rate was 2.7% (n = 3) and the postoperative morbidity rate was 29.1% (n = 32). In our experience the most frequent postoperative complications were pancreatic fistulas (7.3%) and respiratory complications (6.4%). Among the 110 patients, the total number of dissected nodes was 5245 and the mean number of dissected nodes per case was 47.7. The total number of retrieved lymph nodes from the para-aortic station level was 639, with a mean number of 5.8 per patient. N4 nodal involvement was found in 20 (18.2%) out of 110 patients: 12 (33%) patients with a carcinoma located in the proximal third, two (6%) with a tumour located in the middle third and six (15%) with a carcinoma of the distal third of the stomach. CONCLUSION: The presence of para-aortic lymph node involvement in 18.2% of the patients suggests that D4 lymphadenectomy should be considered in the curative surgical treatment of advanced gastric cancer, especially if located in the proximal third of the stomach (N4 + in 33% of the patients).     

Reoperation as a quality indicator in colorectal surgery: a population-based analysis

OBJECTIVE: To describe unplanned procedures following colorectal cancer surgery that might be used as intermediate outcome measures, and to determine their association with mortality and length of stay. SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Variation in the quality of surgical care, especially for common illnesses like colorectal cancer, has received increasing attention. Nonfatal complications resulting in procedural interventions are likely to play a role in poor outcomes but have not been well explored. METHODS: Cohort analysis of 26,638 stage I to III colorectal cancer patients in the 1992 to 1996 SEER-Medicare database. Independent variables: sociodemographics, tumor characteristics, comorbidity, and acuity. Primary outcome: postoperative procedural intervention. Analysis: Logistic regression identified patient characteristics predicting postoperative procedures and the adjusted risk of 30-day mortality and prolonged hospitalization among patients with postoperative procedures. RESULTS: A total of 5.8% of patients required postoperative intervention. Patient characteristics had little impact on the frequency of postoperative procedures, except for acute medical conditions, including bowel perforation (relative risk [RR] = 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5-3.6), obstruction (RR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.4-1.8), and emergent admission (RR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.4). After a postoperative procedure, patients were more likely to experience early mortality (RR = 2.4; 95% CI = 2.1-2.9) and prolonged hospitalization (RR = 2.2; 95% CI = 2.1-2.4). The most common interventions were performed for abdominal infection (31.7%; RR mortality = 2.9; 95% CI = 2.3-3.7), wound complications (21.1%; RR mortality = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.4-1.3), and organ injury (18.7%; RR mortality = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications requiring additional procedures among colorectal cancer patients correlate with established measures of surgical quality. Prospective tracking of postoperative procedures as complication markers may facilitate outcome studies and quality improvement programs.     

Stomach adenocarcinoma: what form of gastrectomy?]

Three hundred and sixty consecutive cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were studied retrospectively between 1976 and 1987. Surgery was curative in 195 patients: 91 had a subtotal gastrectomy 83 a total gastrectomy and 21 a proximal gastrectomy. Subtotal and total gastrectomy were compared within this group in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality, abdominal comfort and 5-year actuarial survival: Postoperative mortality was greater after total gastrectomy (9.6 vs 2.2%, p = 0.04), as were anastomotic leaks (19 vs 2%, p = 0.0009). Mean weight loss was greater after total gastrectomy (p = 0.005). Comparison of patients with similar tumor staging and localization did not show any significant difference in 5-year actuarial survival. If subtotal gastrectomy is certainly justified for distal gastric cancer, it should be considered for some proximal localization.     

全胃切除术治疗胃底贲门癌的远期疗效

目的 探讨全胃切除术治疗胃底贲门癌的临床价值。方法对513例胃底贲门癌患者施行根治性手术,其中全胃切除术(TG组)326例,近侧胃大部切除术(PG组)187例。对2组患者的5、10年生存率,以及术后并发症的发生率和病死率进行对照分析。结果TG组5、10年生存率分别为43．6％、24．5％,明显高于。PG组的33．9％、14．1％,2组比较差异具有显著性意义(X^2=4．421、P＜0．05,X^2=5．726、P＜0．05)。TG组术后并发症的发生率和病死率分别为14．7％、3．1％,PG组分别为10．2％、2．1％,2组比较差异无显著性意义(X^2=1．796、P＞0．05,X^2=0．082、P＞0．05)。结论对于肿瘤大于3．0cm或有淋巴结转移的Ⅲ期胃底贲门癌患者,应施行全胃切除术,以提高远期疗效。全胃切除术不但不会增加术后并发症发生率和病死率,而且能有效地防止术后返流性食管炎的发生。     

1142例胃癌切除术围手术期死亡因素分析

目的研究影响胃癌围手术期死亡的主要因素,为指导选择合理的切除范围和手术方式提供依据。方法回顾1989年1月至2004年3月胃癌手术后1142例患者的临床资料,按照不同年代分为3组,第1组:1989年1月至1994年1月,405例;第2组:1994年2月至1999年1月,377例;第3组:1999年2月至2004年3月,360例。比较3组间的围手术期死亡率,采用Logistic多因素回归分析研究影响手术死亡率的危险因素。结果全组患者术后并发症发生率和死亡率分别为11.2%(128/1142)和3.6%(41/1142)。第1、2、3组的术后并发症发生率依次为13.1%、10.1%和10.3%;3组比较,P>0.05。3组手术死亡率依次为4.7%、3.4%和2.5%,3组比较,P>0.05。术后最常见的并发症是吻合口瘘(24.2%,31/128),影响手术死亡的主要因素为临床Ⅳ期、姑息性切除术、联合脏器切除及术前合并症的存在(P<0.05)。Logistic多元回归分析显示淋巴结的清除范围和手术方式不是影响手术死亡的主要因素(P>0.05)。结论胃癌晚期患者手术死亡率高,对胃癌Ⅳ期患者行姑息性切除手术时应避免施行不必要的淋巴结清除及联合脏器切除术。     

Superextended lymphadenectomy (D4) in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The incidence of paraaortic lymph node metastasis (N4) in relation with the site of the tumour, and survival in patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastric resection and superextended lymphadenectomy (D4), have been analyzed. METHODS: The frequency of paraaortic lymph node metastasis was studied in 132 patients who underwent gastrectomy with D4 lymphadenectomy during the period June 1988 - December 2000. Six patients with plastic linitis and 3 with carcinoma of the gastric stump were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: In personal experience the most frequent postoperative morbidity were respiratory complication (7.6%) and pancreatic fistula (6.8%). Among the 132 patients the total number of dissected nodes was 6362 and the mean number of dissected nodes per case was 48.2. The total number of retrieved lymph nodes from the paraaortic station was 755 with a mean number 5.7 per patients. N4 nodal involvement was found in 25 (19%) of 132 patients: 14 (36%) patients with carcinoma located in the proximal third, 5 (13%) with tumour located in the middle third and 6 (11%) with carcinoma of the distal third of the stomach. The median survival time and the overall cumulative 5-year survival rate for curatively (R0) resected patients were 74 months and 52% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of metastasis in paraaortic lymph nodes in 19% of our patients, the low morbidity and mortality, the good survival after superextended lymphadenectomy, suggest that this lymphadenectomy should be considered in the curative surgical treatment of advanced gastric cancer, especially if located in the proximal third of the stomach (N4 in 36% of cases).     

Stomach cancer: have changes in surgical strategy influenced the results? 20-year retrospective study

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare a group of patients who underwent resection for gastric adenocarcinoma (cancer of cardia excluded) and to assess the influence of radical lymphadenectomy on postoperative mortality and morbidity and 5-year survival rate. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred and six patients were operated on from 1975 to 1985 and 99 from 1986 to 1995 for gastric adenocarcinoma located in the distal portion of the stomach in 56% and 61% respectively and, undifferenciated in 56%. Gastric resection was a subtotal gastrectomy for cancers of the lower third and total gastrectomy for cancers of the middle and superior thirds. In the first group (1975-1985), a D1 lymphadenectomy was performed in all patients. In the second group (1986-1995) a D1.5 lymphadenectomy without systematic splenectomy and pancreatectomy was applied to 49 patients. RESULTS: In the second group, the proportion of curative resection was higher (85% versus 75%) along with a higher rate of total gastrectomy (42% versus 17%). The postoperative mortality rate was 2% in the first group and 1% in the second group. The morbidity rate was 33% in the first group and 15% in the second group with a rate of anastomotic leak of 11% and 2% respectively. Among the second group, the morbidity rate was 20% after D1,5 lymphadenectomy versus 10% after D1 lymphadenectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate was 29% in the first group versus 38% in the second group. In this latter group, the overall 5-year survival was 32% after D1 lymphadenectomy and 46% after D1,5 (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Radical lymphadenectomy without associated splenic or pancreatic resection in good general status patients may provide a better staging of resected gastric cancer without increase of the postoperative mortality. However, the influence of radical lymphadenectomy on long-term survival remains to be proven.     

Perioperative mortality and morbidity of outpatient versus inpatient robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A propensity matched analysis

ObjectivesTo compare the early (≤30 days) postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and were discharged the same surgery day to a propensity score matched patient population of RARP who stayed >1 day in hospital.MethodsThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data of the American College of Surgeons was queried to identify patients who underwent RARP with same day hospital discharge (OPG) and those who stayed >1 day (IPG). Each OPG patient was matched to 5 IPG patients using a propensity score. Rates of early postoperative mortality, morbidity, reoperation and readmission were described for both groups. The risks of morbidity and mortality in the OPG patients compared to IPG patients were reported as a relative risk (RR, 95% CI), for adjusting for the matched study design.ResultsA total of 258 patients in OPG were matched to 1,290 IPG patients. Early postoperative mortality was recorded in only 2 (0.2%) IPG patients. Comparing OPG to IPG, the overall morbidity (3.1% vs. 4.7%, RR: 0.65, CI: 0.32–1.35), reoperation rates (2.3% vs. 0.8%, RR: 1.82, CI: 0.63, 5.28), and readmission rates (2.6% vs. 3.9%, RR: 0.5, CI: 0.30, 1.55) were low and not significantly different between the 2 groups.ConclusionsThe overall rates of early postoperative morbidity, mortality, readmission, and reoperation were low among outpatient RARP patients. These outcomes were also not significantly different than a propensity score matched group of inpatient RARP patients.     

Subtotal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: impact of the surgical procedure on morbidity and prognosis—analysis of a 10-year experience

Background Against the background of the continuing controversy as to the surgical procedure of choice for gastric cancer, the aim of the present study was to evaluate perioperative morbidity, prognostic factors of survival, and long-term survival after subtotal, abdominal and abdominothoracic gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.Patients and methods Between January 1993 and December 2002, 338 consecutive patients underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Subtotal gastrectomy was carried out in 80 (23.7%) patients; 240 (71.0%) patients had abdominal gastrectomy, and 18 (5.3%) underwent abdominothoracic gastrectomy.Results At an overall 30-day mortality of 3.6% (hospital mortality, 5.2%), the total complication rate was 16.3%. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 43% in patients after subtotal gastrectomy, 39% in patients with abdominal gastrectomy, and 28% in patients with abdominothoracic gastrectomy after complete tumour clearance, without significant differences between the groups. Patients who underwent left pancreatectomy and had a higher ratio of metastatic/dissected lymph nodes were characterised by a significantly poorer prognosis.Conclusion The lower morbidity and mortality rate with a nearly identical long-term survival yielded by subtotal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy leads us to justify subtotal gastrectomy, especially in elderly patients with comorbidity and a high operative risk, on the condition that its performance is radical from an oncological point of view.     

Risk factors for complications following resection of large gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a low mortality rate after gastrectomy in Japan, most studies include many early gastric cancers. There have been few studies on the morbidity after gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics and risk factors for postoperative complications after resection of large gastric cancers based on three clinical factors: patient, operation and tumour. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 97 patients with a gastric tumour measuring 10 cm or more in diameter. Postoperative complications were recorded and the patients were divided into two groups: 38 with complications and 59 without. Patient, operative and tumour findings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 39 and 7 per cent respectively. The most frequent complication was pleural effusion (17 per cent), followed by anastomotic leakage (14 per cent), abdominal abscess (12 per cent), wound infection (12 per cent), pancreatic leakage (8 per cent) and peritonitis (6 per cent). Risk factors associated with postoperative complications were operating time (400 versus 337 min, P < 0.01), blood loss (1338 versus 782 ml, P < 0.01), pancreatic invasion (26 versus 8 per cent, P < 0.05) and raised serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (5 ng/ml or greater) (36 versus 17 per cent, P < 0.05), independent of patient age, nutritional status, type of gastrectomy, splenectomy or pancreatectomy, extent of lymph node dissection, tumour location, size and stage of disease. CONCLUSION: Even in Japan, the morbidity of gastrectomy for large gastric cancer is high and associated with operating time, blood loss, pancreatic invasion and serum CEA level.     

胃癌合并肝硬化术后并发症分析

目的 探讨合并肝硬化的胃癌根治术后并发症的发生情况及其影响因素.方法 回顾性分析1474例胃癌根治术患者的术后并发症发生情况,对41例合并肝硬化患者术后并发症影响因素进行Logistic回归分析.结果 肝硬化组和非肝硬化组患者术后并发症的发生率分别为51.22%和23.94%(x2=15.955,P＜0.01),术后两组的病死率分别为7.32%和0.91%(P=0.009).肝硬化组术后并发症依次为腹水5例,肝功能衰竭4例,切口感染、裂开4例,腹腔感染4例等,主要死亡原因分别为出血、空肠瘘和肝功能衰竭.肝硬化组术后并发症单因素Logistic回归分析显示:年龄(OR=1.277,95%CI:0.991～1.646)、合并腹水(OR=20.900,95%CI:2.349～185.933)、血浆白蛋白水平(OR=0.160,95%CI:0.041～0.629)、Child分级(OR=9.500,95%CI:1.046～86.261)、门静脉高压症(OR=4.000,95%CI:1.057～15.138)、食管静脉曲张(OR=4.400,95%CI:1.095～17.676)、术中输血(OR=3.714,95%CI:1.021～13.511)和术中失血量(OR=1.442,95%CI:1.023～2.034)与胃癌根治术后并发症的发生有关;多因素分析发现:合并腹水(OR=19.213,95%CI:1.569～231.255)、Child分级(OR=12.661,95%CI:0.721～222.458)、食管静脉曲张(OR=6.008,95%CI:0.857～42.097)和术中失血量(OR=1.574,95%CI:0.938～2.640)为并发症发生的独立危险因素.结论 合并有肝硬化的胃癌患者在根治术后的并发症发生率和病死率明显增高;合并腹水、Child分级、合并食管静脉曲张和术中失血量均与胃癌根治术后并发症的发生有关.     

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Laparoscopic Versus Open Distal Gastrectomy

Background

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been increasingly utilized in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma. This study aims to compare the morbidity/mortality and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted versus open distal gastrectomy since 2000.

Methods

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted including studies published between 2000 and present.

Results

Seventeen studies with a total of 7,109 distal gastrectomies (3,496 lap vs 3,613 open) were included. Across all studies, postoperative morbidity rates for laparoscopic gastrectomy were lower than that of open [median (range) 10 (0–36)?% vs 17 (0–43)?%]. Meta-analysis of postoperative morbidity rates in prospective studies only yielded pooled odds ratio of 0.52 (95 % CI 0.33–0.81) (P?=?0.004). In-hospital mortality rates were comparable between the two (range: laparoscopic 0–3.3 vs open 0–6.7 %). The long-term oncological outcomes of resection were difficult to analyze given variable reporting but appeared similar between the two. Meta-analysis of prospective studies showed that laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy was associated with significantly shorter hospital length of stay [standard mean difference (SMD)?=??0.78 (95 % CI?=??1.0 to ?0.56)], comparable intraoperative bleeding [SMD?=?0.64 (95 % CI?=??1.3–0.0430) P?=?0.066] and longer operative time compared to open gastrectomy [1.9 (95 % CI 0.05–3.8) P?=?0.045, with P?<?0.001].

Conclusion

This study supports the use of laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy for treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma with evidence of comparable, if not better, short-term postoperative parameters when compared to open distal gastrectomy. The long-term oncological outcomes appear similar but may require more evaluation.     

侵及邻近结构的胃底贲门癌手术方式的探讨

目的　探讨肿瘤侵及邻近结构 (tumorinvadesadjacentstructures ,T4 )的胃底贲门癌外科治疗的最佳方式。　方法　对 2 0 1例T4 胃底贲门癌进行外科治疗 ,其中探查手术 31例 ,联合脏器切除术 170例。对联合脏器切除术后 3、5年生存率及术后病死率和并发症发生率进行分析。　结果探查手术和联合脏器切除术患者的中位生存期分别为 4 9个月和 2 9 3个月 ,二者间差异有非常显著性意义 ( χ2 =37 0 80 ,P <0 0 1)。 170例施行联合脏器切除术患者的 3、5年生存率分别为 46 2 %、2 2 8% ;其中全胃切除术患者的 3、5年生存率分别为 5 4 9%、2 9 2 % ,明显高于近侧胃大部切除术患者的 32 2 %、12 5 % ( χ2 =7 5 89、P <0 0 1,χ2 =5 792、P <0 0 5 )。术后病死率和并发症发生率分别为4 1%和 2 4 1%。结论　对于T4 胃底贲门癌患者 ,只要术中没有发现肝脏血行转移、淋巴结广泛转移和腹膜种植转移等 ,局部病变允许行联合脏器整块切除 ,且患者的身体状况许可 ,就应尽可能施行联合脏器切除术 ,以达到根治的目的。全胃切除术能够提高疗效。     

胰十二指肠切除术中胰管支撑外引流与非引流的Meta分析

目的 系统评价胰十二指肠切除术中,胰管支撑外引流与非引流术后胰瘘的发病率、总的并发症发病率、病死率以及住院天数.方法 检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、中国生物医学数据库等,查找关于胰十二指肠切除术中,胰管支撑外引流与非引流的随机对照试验,采用RevMan5.2软件进行Meta分析.结果 纳入4个随机对照试验,总共416例患者,术中行胰管支撑外引流的患者207例,未行胰管支撑引流的患者209例.Meta分析结果显示：胰十二指肠切除术中行胰管支撑外引流与未行胰管支撑引流相比,行胰管支撑外引流能够显著降低胰十二指肠切除术后胰瘘的发病率[RR =0.57,95％ CI（0.41,0.80）,P=0.001],尤其是胰管直径≤3.0 mm者的术后胰瘘的发病率[RR =0.55,95％ CI（0.37,0.82）,P=0.003]和质地较软胰腺者的术后胰瘘的发病率[RR =0.67,95％ CI（0.45,0.99）,P=0.040],降低术后并发症的发病率[RR =0.79,95％ CI（0.64,0.98）,P=0.030],缩短住院天数[WMD=-3.98,95％ CI（-6.42,-1.54）,P=0.001];两组在胰管直径＞3.0 mm者的术后胰瘘的发病率[RR =0.37,95％ CI（0.08,1.83）,P=0.220],以及总的术后病死率[RR =0.86,95％ CI（0.28,2.65）,P=0.800]上差异无统计学意义.结论 胰十二指肠切除术中,行胰管支撑外引流能减少术后胰瘘的发病率,降低术后并发症的发生,缩短住院天数,值得在临床上推广应用.     

Differences between proximal and distal obstructing colonic cancer after curative surgery

Aim To study any possible differences in morbidity, mortality and overall survival rate after curative surgery for obstructive colon cancer according to tumour location. Method From January 1994 to December 2006, patients with colonic cancer presenting as obstruction were analysed. The two groups were defined as proximal and distal according to the tumour location with respect to the splenic flexure. In relation to the surgeon specialization, patients were operated on by a colorectal surgeon and by a general surgeon. Postoperative morbidity and mortality and cancer‐related survival at 3 years were analysed. Results Of the 377 patients included in the study, there were 173 patients (45.9%) in the proximal group and 204 patients (54.1%) in the distal group. The global morbidity was 54.9% without differences in postoperative morbidity except for anastomotic leakage, which was higher in the proximal group (P < 0.014). No differences in postoperative mortality were observed. After patients were stratified by the tumour node metastasis system, the differences between the groups, with respect to 3‐year overall survival, cancer‐related survival and probability of being free from recurrence, did not reach statistical significance. The overall survival after radical surgery for colonic obstruction was 57.6%. Conclusion Mortality and morbidity after emergency surgery for obstructing colon cancer are high. Specialization in colorectal surgery influences postoperative results in terms of lower anastomotic dehiscence rate after emergency proximal colon resection. After radical surgery, tumour location does not appear to influence the prognosis of obstructive colon cancer.     

Long-term benefit of extended lymphadenectomy with gastrectomy in distally located early gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Extended lymphadenectomy performed with gastrectomy has been reported to prolong survival of patients with early gastric cancer. However, some authors question the value of extensive lymphadenectomy in these patients, especially since much recent discussion of patient quality of life after gastrectomy has favored less invasive operations. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 485 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for early cancer in order to evaluate the effect of extended versus limited lymphadenectomy on postoperative survival. Various prognostic factors were examined for patients whose tumors were located in the distal third of the stomach. RESULTS: Although extended radical lymphadenectomy did not prolong postoperative survival when early gastric cancer was located in the middle or proximal third of the stomach, it did when the tumor occupied the distal third. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of extended radical lymphadenectomy was a significant prognostic factor for early gastric cancer patients when tumors were located in the distal third of the stomach.     

Stromal sarcoma of the stomach: therapeutic considerations.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience of the surgical treatment of primary gastric stromal sarcomas and to compare it with reported results. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Germany. SUBJECTS: 17 patients (13 men and 4 women, median age: 58 years) who were operated on for stromal sarcomas of the stomach from April 1987 to March 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent of resection, morbidity and mortality, histopathological features, survival. RESULTS: Stromal sarcomas made up 0.8% of all gastric malignancies. Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding were the main symptoms. 16/17 were resected succesfully. The main type of resection was total gastrectomy (n = 11, in 6 cases as extended gastrectomy), followed by wide local excision of the stomach wall (n = 4), and proximal gastrectomy (n = 1). Of all resections 10 were radical (R0) and 6 were palliative (R1/R2). 5 patients developed complications. One patient died postoperatively. Median tumour size was 70 mm (range 30-230). The serosa was penetrated in 11 cases, lymph node metastases were found in 3 patients, and distant metastases in 8. Overall median survival was 19 months (2-64) and 5 patients survived 5 years. After radical resection (n = 10) median survival was 39 months (2-64) and the above mentioned 5 patients survived 5 years. CONCLUSION: Stromal sarcomas of the stomach are rare, the resection rate is high and the type of resection varies with the extent of the tumour. Wide local excision may be sufficiently radical. Long-term results after radical resection seem to be better than those after gastric adenocarcinoma.     

进展期胃癌合并门静脉高压症的外科处理

目的总结合并门静脉高压症的进展期胃癌手术治疗经验。方法本组14例胃癌患者中合并肝硬化13例,食管静脉曲张10例,上消化道出血5例,所有患者均存在不同程度的脾功能亢进。胃上部癌2例,中上部癌2例,下部癌10例。行根治性远端胃次全切除 脾切除术5例,根治性远端胃次全切除 贲门周围血管离断术2例,根治性远端胃次全切除 脾动脉结扎2例,全胃切除 贲门周围血管离断术2例,根治性上半胃切除 贲门周围血管离断术2例,远端胃大部切除术1例。结果手术后因创面渗血、空肠瘘、肝功能衰竭死亡各1例,发生左膈下脓肿、肝功能衰竭、大量腹水各1例,并发症发生率为43%,死亡率为21%。结论合并门静脉高压症的胃癌手术复杂,手术后并发症的发生率和死亡率明显升高,应引起重视。