Artificial nucleus replacement: surgical and clinical experience

Objective: To assess long‐term clinical results of prosthetic disc nucleus (PDN) replacement for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Seventy‐two patients with lumbar disc herniation were implanted with a single PDN device from March 2002 to December 2003. Fifty‐eight (80.6%) patients attended clinical, functional, and radiographic follow‐up examinations for more than 48 months. Independent analysis was performed by careful review of the interviews, operative reports, preoperative and postoperative radiographs, and computed tomography scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: After implantation, a significant proportion of patients experienced pain relief. Improvements were noted in pain intensity, walking distance, neurological weakness, Oswestry and Prolo scores, intervertebral disc height and lumbar mobility. Intervertebral disc height was not well maintained, compared with the preoperative height it decreased 18% (P < 0.001). Several complications were associated with the implantation of PDN, including transient low‐back pain, implant dislocation, malposition of the implant, damage to the end plates and subsidence of implant. Conclusion: The clinical data show that PDN is preferred and can effectively increase the range of lumbar motion in patients with lumbar disc herniation. However, this study only represents cases in our centre.     

The effects of MRI signal intensity changes and clinical manifestations on prognosis after surgical intervention for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Objective: To investigate whether the magnetic resonance (MR) T2 image signal intensity ratio and clinical manifestations can predict the prognosis in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods: A total of 73 patients treated with anterior, posterior, or posterior‐anterior combined surgery for compressive cervical myelopathy were enrolled retrospectively in this study. 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on all patients before surgery. T2‐weighted images (T2WI) of sagittal signal intensity were obtained of the cervical spinal cord, and the regions of interest (ROI) were taken by 0.05 cm². MR T2WI of sagittal normal cord signal at the C7‐T1 disc level were also obtained, and the ROI were taken by 0.3 cm². Signal value was measured by computer and the signal ratio between regions 0.05 cm² and 0.3 cm² calculated. Where no intramedullary high signal intensity was noted on MR T2WI, the ROI were taken by 0.05 cm² of the region of most severe spinal cord compression. The 73 patients were divided into three groups by hierarchical clustering analysis with signal intensity ratio (group 1: low signal intensity ratio; group 2: middle signal intensity ratio; group 3: high signal intensity ratio). Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 11.0. Results: There were significant differences between the three groups according to the recovery rate (P < 0.001), age (P= 0.003), duration of disease (P= 0.001), Babinski sign (P < 0.001), pre‐ and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score (P= 0.006). With increases in both signal intensity ratio grade and age, the recovery rate and pre‐ and postoperative JOA scores gradually decreased, and the incidence of Babinski sign increased. There was no significant difference in sex among the three groups (P= 0.387). Multiple comparison tests further supported the above‐mentioned results. Conclusion: Patients with light or no intramedullary signal changes on T2WI had a good surgical outcome. However, increase of signal intensity ratio and occurrence of the pyramidal sign were associated with a poor prognosis after surgery.     

Non-invasive and minimally invasive staging of regional lymph nodes in penile cancer

Introduction  The management of the regional lymph nodes in penile cancer patients, particularly when these lymph nodes are impalpable, remains controversial. Prophylactic bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy is associated with high morbidity and is often unnecessary. However, there is no non-invasive or minimally invasive staging technique that can determine the lymph node status of penile cancer patients with 100% accuracy. Methods  We reviewed the current literature to examine the role of non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques for staging regional lymph nodes in penile cancer with particular reference to clinically impalpable disease. Results  Cross-sectional imaging (un-enhanced CT and MRI) modalities have a role in the assessment of patients with palpable inguinal basins and in locating distant metastases, but are unreliable in staging impalpable regional lymph nodes. The spatial resolution of lymphotropic nanoparticle enhanced MRI (LNMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are limited to several millimetres and so these modalities cannot reliably detect micro-metastases (<2 mm). Ultrasound (US) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are indicated in staging palpable inguinal basins but are unreliable in isolation in the assessment of impalpable lymph nodes. They are, however, useful as an adjunct to dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSLNB) in lowering false-negative rates. Conclusions  While we await staging modalities that can equal the results of DSLNB with fewer disadvantages, histological staging in the form of DSLNB remains the best minimally invasive staging modality we can offer at risk patients presenting with clinically node negative groins.     

Breast Conservation After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Background Tumor downstaging by preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast tumors allows breast conservation in women who were previously candidates for mastectomy. Nevertheless, lumpectomy success in such cases cannot be fully achieved. The aim of this study was to create a quantitative tool for preoperative evaluation of the success of breast conservation in such patients.Methods The study population included 100 consecutive patients with stage II and III breast cancer who were designated for lumpectomy and 19 patients who were designated for mastectomy. All patients received neoadjuvant therapy. Breast-conserving surgery was offered in accordance with clinical and esthetic criteria. Demographic details and clinical, imaging, and pathologic information were collected from medical files. A decision protocol for classifying patients to lumpectomy or mastectomy was built by using the Classification and Regression Trees procedure based on preoperative characteristics.Results Three factors were found to be the main predictors for successful breast conservation: absence of diffuse microcalcifications as seen in the pretreatment mammogram, a postchemotherapy tumor size of < 25 mm, and the existence of a circumscribed lesion on mammography.Conclusions The use of these criteria as a basis for decision on the type of surgery may decrease the performance of unnecessary procedures.     

经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术

目的 探讨经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术的临床效果及安全性. 方法 临床局限性前列腺癌患者15例,均行经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术.术前平均总PSA 8.1ng/ml,平均Gleason评分5.7±1.3.采用切开腹白线的"北京医院建立腹膜外操作间隙技术"建立腹膜外间隙.手术过程中分离,切割和止血均采用超声刀技术.记录患者手术时间,估计术中出血量、术中并发症、留置引流管时间、术后疼痛指数、术后住院时间、术后病理和PSA等临床资料,并对结果进行分析. 结果 15例手术14例腹腔镜完成,1例因吻合困难中转开放手术.手术时间(316±74)min;术中估计出血量(408±362)ml.5例(33%)患者接受了输血,无直肠及输尿管损伤.术后第1和2天疼痛指数分别为2.3和1.4分.术后留置导尿(14.1±2.9)d,平均住院时间(19.5±4.9)d.术后Gleason评分5.7±1.8.标本切缘阳性2例(13%).病理检查未发现淋巴结转移病例.随访1～12个月,完全控尿10例(67%),PSA<0.2 ng/ml 12例.结论 经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术是一种安全可行的局限性前列腺癌的手术方式.     

同时性尿路上皮多器官肿瘤

目的探讨同时性尿路上皮多器官肿瘤的临床特点，提高诊治效果。方法对获随访的65例同时发生于多个尿路器官的尿路上皮肿瘤进行回顾性总结。男39例，女26例。年龄45～79岁，平均66岁。肾盂癌合并输尿管癌21例，输尿管癌合并膀胱癌17例，肾盂癌合并膀胱癌14例，同时合并肾盂输尿管膀胱癌13例。T1 6例，T2 35例，T3 22例，T4 2例。G1 5例，G2 32例，G3 28例。随访6个月～14年。结果术前诊断同时存在尿路上皮多器官肿瘤59例（90．8％）。术前诊断准确率B超32．3％（21／65），IVU 45．3％（29／64），逆行肾盂造影56．8％（25／44），CT 81．5％（53／65），螺旋CT尿路三维重建91．7％（11／12），CT三维重建联合膀胱镜检查100．0％（12／12）。术后再发膀胱癌46例（70．8％），2年内再发36例。G1、G2、G3术后膀胱癌再发率分别为20．0％、81．3％和67．9％，G1与G2～G3两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。T1、T2、T3术后膀胱癌再发率分别为66．7％、80．0％和63．6％；T4 2例均于术后短期内死亡，无膀胱癌再发。术后即时膀胱灌注化疗术后膀胱癌再发率63．2％（12／19），未灌注化疗者73．9％（34／46）。3年生存率41．7％，5年生存率30，6％。结论螺旋CT三维成像加膀胱镜检查是发现同时性尿路上皮多器官肿瘤的良好方法。同时性尿路上皮多器官肿瘤术后容易再发膀胱癌，肿瘤细胞分化不良者术后膀胱癌的再发率高。术后密切观察，建议除定期膀胱镜检查外，尚需行尿路造影检查。     

Laparoscopic colectomy is associated with decreased postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction

Background  Major abdominal surgery is associated with early postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, which may lead to abdominal distention and vomiting, requiring nasogastric (NGT) tube insertion. This study aimed to compare the rates of early postoperative NGT insertion after open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods  A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent colorectal surgery with removal of the NGT at completion of surgery. Patients who required reinsertion of the NGT in the early postoperative course were identified. The reinsertion rate for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery was compared with that for the open group. Results  There were 103 patients in the open group and 227 in the laparoscopic group. In the laparoscopic group, 42 patients underwent conversion to open surgery. Reinsertion of the NGT was required for 18.4% of the patients in the open group, compared with 8.6% of the patients for whom the procedure was completed laparoscopically (p = 0.02). Conversion to open surgery resulted in a reinsertion rate of 17%. Conclusion  Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is associated with decreased postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, resulting in a significantly lower NGT reinsertion rate. Presented as a poster at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, (SAGES), Dallas, Texas, 26–29 April 2006, and at the annual meeting of the European Society for Endoscopic Surgeons (EAES), Berlin, Germany, 13–16 September 2006.     

Sperm quality improvement after date seed oil in Vitro supplementation in spontaneous and induced oxidative stress

In vitro supplementation with date seed oil （DSO） can protect spermatozoa against hydrogen peroxide （HiO2）- mediated damage and can improve sperm function, possibly owing to antioxidant properties. We tested the antioxidant effects of DSO on human sperm motility, sperm viability, reacted acrosome and lipid peroxidation assessed in vitro after H202-mediated oxidative damage in spermatozoa. Sixteen patients （mean age： 35 years; range： 25-45 years） referred to the Histology-Embryology Laboratory of the Medicine Faculty of Sfax for semen analysis after 12-24 months of sexual intercourse without conception were selected. After spermiogram, sperm selection by twointerface discontinuous Sill Select gradient was performed, and selected spermatozoa were used in four experimental assays： control; incubation with 100um H2O2; incubation with 0.1% DSO; and co-incubation with 0.1% DSO and 100 um H2O2. Motility and viability were determined using World Health Organization criteria. Acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation were assessed by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum and spectrophotometric measurement of malondialdehyde, respectively. Results showed that incubation with H2O2 alone led to a significant increase in lipid peroxidation （57.83%, P 〈 0.05） associated with a significant decrease in sperm motility, sperm viability （after 30 min and 24 h） and percentage of reacted acrosome （P 〈 0.05）. Date seed oil im- proved sperm motility after 24 h of incubation （P 〈 0.05） and protected spermatozoa against the deleterious effects of H2O2 on motility, viability, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation. We conclude that supplementation with DSO may have a function in antioxidant protection against male infertility.