Positive margins after radical prostatectomy: Implications for failure and role of adjuvant treatment

Surgery is one of the most common curative modalities in prostate cancer. Unfortunately, as with any therapy, patients can suffer recurrence. Postoperative adjuvant therapy has been shown to prevent or delay recurrence. The presence of positive margins puts the patient at a high risk for recurrence. Additional risk factors have been identified that can predict for recurrence, but it is still uncertain as to who warrants immediate treatment. We reviewed the extensive surgical literature for prognostic factors for recurrence in addition to positive margins. We attempted to be exhaustive, first searching PubMed and Medline for all papers for radical prostatectomy and then checking the articles cited in those papers. We sought out papers that reviewed the effect of positive margins and its modifying factors on outcome. With the supposition that patients with >70% risk of failure is enough to consider additional treatment, we were able to identify the factors that appear to consistently place patients at or above that level of recurrence. For patients with positive margins, any one of these factors places the patients at a very high risk of recurrence: positive lymph nodes or seminal vesicles, preoperative PSA > 20 ng/ml, or a Gleason score > 7. Many Gleason 7 patients with positive margins fall into the >70% risk of failure category, especially if they have additional risk factors (i.e., those with extraprostatic extension). While there are no absolutes, all these patients should be strongly considered for adjuvant therapy in addition to radical prostatectomy.     

Comparison of Lung Volume Measurements In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury By Two Different Methods

Abstract

Background/Objective: Few detailed studies have been performed among subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) using whole body plethysmography for measurement of static lung volumes. Because abdominal gas volumes and respiratory patterns among subjects with varying Ieveis of SCI may differ significantly from able-bodied individuals, methodological concerns related to this technique could conceivably Iead to inaccuracies in lung volume measurements. The purpose of this study was to compare lung volume parameters obtained by whole body plethysmography with those determined by the commonly used nitrogen washaut technique among individuals with SCI.

Participants: Twenty-nine clinically stable men, 14 with chronic tetraplegia (injury C4-C7) and 15 with paraplegia (injury below T5) participated in the study.

Methods: Lung volumes were obtained using whole body plethysmography and the open-circuit nitrogen washout technique. Within both study groups, data were evaluated by the paired Student’st test and by determination of correlation coefficients.

Results: No statistically significant differences for any lung volume parameter were found within either group. ln subjects with tetraplegia on paraplegia, respectively, strong correlation coefficients were found for measurements of totallung capacity (.8 6 and .97), functional residual capacity (.87 and .96), and residual volume (.77 and .85).

Conclusion: These findings indicate that body plethysmography is a valid technique for determining lung volumes among subjects with SCI. Because airway resistance measurements can also be obtained du ring same study sessions for assessment of airway caliber and bronchial responsiveness, body plethysmography is a useful tool for examining multiple aspects of pulmonary physiology in this population.     

Adenosine A1 Receptor Mrna Expression and the Effects of Systemic Theophylline Administration On Respiratory Function 4 Months After C2 Hemisection

Abstract

Background: Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that in an animal model of acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), respiratory function can be restored by theophylline. We also have shown that respiratory recovery occurs spontaneously after prolonged postinjury survival periods when a hemidiaphragm is paralyzed by an ipsilateral upper cervical (C2) spinal cord hemisection. Theophylline mediates functional recovery by central nervous system adenosine A1 receptor antagonism; however, it is unclear whether adenosine receptors are altered after prolonged postinjury periods and whether theophylline can further enhance restored respiratory function that occurs spontaneously.

Objective: To assess putative effects of systemic theophylline administration on further enhancing spontaneous respiratory muscle recovery 4 months after C2 hemisection in rats and to determine whether adenosine A1 receptor mRNA expression is altered in these animals.

Methods: Electrophysiologic assessment of respiratory activity in the phrenic nerves was conducted in C2 hemisected rats 4 months after hemisection under standardized conditions. Immediately thereafter, rats were killed and the cervical spinal cords were prepared for adenosine A1 receptor mRNA expression by in situ hybridization.

Results: Spontaneous recovery of respiratory activity in the ipsilateral phrenic nerve was detected in a majority (15/20) of C2 hemisected animals and amounted to 44.06% ± 2.3 8% when expressed as a percentage of activity in the homolateral phrenic nerve in noninjured animals. At the optimal dosage used in the acute studies, theophylline (15 mg/kg) did not enhance, but rather unexpectedly blocked, recovered respiratory activity in 4 out of 5 animals tested. At dosages of 5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, the drug blocked recovered respiratory activity in 3 out of 4 and 3 out of 5 animals tested, respectively. Quantitative analysis of adenosine A1 receptor mRNA expression did not reveal a significant difference between experimental animals and sham-operated animals.

Conclusion: The blockade or attenuation of spontaneously recovered respiratory activity following theophylline administration cannot be attributed to changes in adenosine A1 receptors because there were no significant differences in adenosine A1 mRNA expression with sham-operated animals. Lack of alteration in A1 mRNA expression 4 months after cervical SCI suggests that A1 receptor plasticity is not activated by chronic injury. Obliteration of spontaneous recovery with theophylline most likely involves a separate unknown mechanism. These findings suggest that there may be a limited therapeutic window for the clinical application of theophylline in SCI patients with respiratory deficits. Theophylline may be more effective clinically in the acute phase of injury rather than in the chronic phase.     

The Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 40th Annual Meeting: September 20 & 21, 2013, Vancouver,British Columbia

After studying the anatomy of 10 fresh cadavers, we developed a technique for the treatment of the cervical area during face lifts. We called this technique PLATYSMA-SUSPENSION and PLATYSMA-PEXY rather than plication. This technique consists of suspending the free edge of the platysma muscle and fixing it to a resistant tissue close to the earlobe (Loré’s fascia or temporo-parotid fascia). The anterior triangle of the neck was well defined and there was no need to undermine the platysma muscle because of a perfect sliding plane between the platysma and sternocleidomastoid muscles. This technique is both simple and effective. It generates long-lasting results, without the inconveniences or complications associated with other techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ten fresh cadavers (ie, 20 hemifaces) were subjected to the proposed technique. They were photographed and filmed at all stages.Ten more cadavers were dissected to study the submental area and we discovered that the best way to recreate the cervico mental angle and to rebuild the floor of the mouth is to use a digastric corset so that we could rebuild the retaining ligaments between the platysma/digastric and mylohyoïd muscles.More than 100 patients were operated by the senior author; they underwent platysma-suspension and platysma-pexy of the fascia described by Loré; associated in difficult necks (Knize 3 and 4 necks) with the digastric corset. The patients were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months.

CONCLUSION:

PLATYSMA-SUSPENSION and PLATYSMA-PEXY in the fascia described by Loré is an extremely long-lasting and effective technique in cervical lifting. It generates impressive results, even in the most inferior portion of the neck. It redefines the entire anterior triangle, especially the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the mandibular contours. Furthermore, PLATYSMA-SUSPENSION minimizes the risk of nerve injury and hematoma by preventing deep and unnecessary dissections because the superficial cervical fascia has a perfect sliding plane between the platysma and the deepest structures of the neck.In difficult necks, we do associate a digastric corset using a submental incision.Pre-op botulinum toxin injections appears to be of great interest leaving the muscle at rest during the post-operative phase.

• Can J Plast Surg. 2013 Winter; 21(4): 253–255.
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• 2: Facial Palsy: Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty and Smile Reanimation

Can J Plast Surg. 2013 Winter; 21(4): 253.

2: Facial Palsy: Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty and Smile Reanimation

D LabbéAuthor information Copyright and License information DisclaimerCaen, FranceCopyright ©2013 Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved     

An unexpected cause of cardiac arrest during laparoscopy in an infant with supravalvar aortic stenosis

Patients with congenital supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) with associated biventricular outflow tract obstruction and coronary artery abnormalities have a tenuous myocardial oxygen supply/demand relationship. They are at increased risk of acute myocardial ischemia and sudden death, especially during anesthesia. Furthermore, resuscitation during cardiac arrest is frequently unsuccessful. We report a case of perioperative cardiac arrest due to an unexpected cause in a 2 month old with SVAS during a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.     

Age- and gender-related differences in cortical geometry and microstructure: Improved sensitivity by regional analysis

ObjectiveWhile the importance of cortical structure quantification is increasingly underscored by recent literature, conventional analysis techniques obscure potentially important regional variations in cortical structure. The objective of this study was to characterize the spatial variability in cortical geometry and microstructure at the distal radius and tibia using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). We show that spatially-resolved analysis is able to identify cortical sub-regions with increased sensitivity to the effects of gender and aging.MethodsHR-pQCT scans of 146 volunteers (92 female/54 male) spanning a wide range of ages (20–78 years) were analyzed. For each subject, radius and tibia scans were obtained using a clinical HR-pQCT system. Measures describing geometry (cortical bone thickness (Ct.Th)), microstructure (porosity (Ct.Po), pore diameter (Ct.Po.Dm), and pore size heterogeneity (Ct.Po.Dm SD)), and cortical bone density were calculated from the image data. Biomechanical parameters describing load and stress distribution were calculated using linear finite element analysis. Cortical quadrants were defined based on anatomic axes to quantify regional parameter variation. Subjects were categorized by gender, and age, and menopausal status for analysis.ResultsSignificant regional variation was found in all geometric and microstructural parameters in both the radius and tibia. In general, the radius showed more pronounced and significant variations in all parameters as compared with the tibia. At both sites, Ct.Po displayed the greatest regional variations. Correlation coefficients for Ct.Po and Ct.Th with respect to load and stress distribution provided evidence of an association between regional cortical structure and biomechanics in the tibia. Comparing women to men, differences in Ct.Po were most pronounced in the anterior quadrant of the radius (36% lower in women (p < 0.01)) and the posterior quadrant of the tibia (27% lower in women (p < 0.01)). Comparing elderly to young women, differences in Ct.Po were most pronounced in the lateral quadrant of the radius (328% higher in elderly women (p < 0.001)) and the anterior quadrant of the tibia (433% higher in elderly women (p < 0.001)). Comparing elderly to young men, the most pronounced age differences were found in the anterior radius (205% higher in elderly men, (p < 0.001)) and the anterior tibia (190% higher in elderly men (p < 0.01)). All subregional Ct.Po differences provided greater sensitivity to gender and age effects than those based on the global means.ConclusionThese results show significant regional variation in all geometric and microarchitectural parameters studied in both the radius and tibia. Quantification of region-specific parameters provided increased sensitivity in the analysis of age- and gender-related differences, in many cases providing statistically significant differentiation of groups where conventional global analysis failed to detect differences. These results suggest that regional analysis may be important in studies of disease and therapeutic effects, particularly where microstructural parameters based on global analyses have thus far failed to identify a response in bone quality.     

Medicaid and privately financed orthodontic patients have similar occlusal and psychosocial outcomes

Objective: This study compares occlusal and psychosocial outcomes from comprehensive orthodontic treatment in Medicaid (MC) and privately financed (private pay, PP) patients. Methods: Two cohorts received comprehensive orthodontics: MC (n = 66); PP (n = 60). A calibrated, blinded examiner scored dental casts at baseline (pretreatment, T1) and after completing 2 years of treatment (posttreatment, T2) using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) and the Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need (ICON). The prevalence of patients in the validated ICON categories for treatment need, complexity, and improvement were calculated. Questionnaires to assess body image (BI) and expectations/experiences were administered. Occlusal measures at T2 were compared after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Psychosocial measures were compared between and within groups. Occlusal and psychosocial associations were evaluated. Results: MC was 1.3 years younger (P < 0.001) and had worse malocclusions at baseline (PAR 32 versus 25; P < 0.001); (ICON 64 versus 56; P = 0.06). After adjustment for age and initial severity, estimated average differences between groups at T2 (MC‐PP) were slight: 1.5 [95 percent confidence interval (CI) ?2.9, 5.9] and 2.4 (95 percent CI ?4.4, 8.9) for PAR and ICON, respectively. More PP completed treatment under 2 years (85 percent versus 62 percent; P = 0.03). At baseline, both groups needed treatment, but MC malocclusions were more complex (P = 0.05). At T2, both groups were acceptable and there were no differences in ICON improvement categories. Group differences in psychosocial measures and associations between psychosocial and occlusal measures were evident in the “teeth” domain but weak or lacking elsewhere. Conclusions: Occlusal and psychosocial outcomes from orthodontics in MC and PP were comparable, despite worse MC malocclusions at baseline.     

Nonsuicidal self-injury disorder: Clinician and expert ratings

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing clinical and public health problem that affects individuals from all age groups, most prominently young adults. NSSI involves numerous methods and functions. NSSI has long been associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and in fact, it is only referenced among the diagnostic criteria of BPD in the DSM-IV-TR. However, recent studies have provided strong evidence that NSSI occurs outside of BPD. For these reasons, a diagnosis of nonsuicidal self-injury is included in DSM-5 Section-III as a condition that requires further study. The primary purpose of the present study was to identify whether the proposed DSM-5 NSSI criteria adequately reflect the symptoms of a prototypic individual who engages in self-injury. Clinicians in private practice and expert NSSI researchers (n=119) were asked to describe their familiarity and agreement with the proposed DSM-5 NSSI criteria, as well as the degree to which each proposed criterion is a prototypic symptom. Overall, most participants reported that the proposed DSM-5 criteria for NSSI accurately captured the behavior of the prototypic self-injurer. The results of this study provide incremental support for the proposed DSM-5 NSSI diagnostic criteria.