Outcomes of kidney allograft in recipients with kidney disease of unknown etiology

The etiology of renal disease is important because the primary renal pathology may affect the outcomes of kidney allograft with respect to recurrence, rejection, and survival. However, for a significant number of patients who undergo kidney transplantation, the disease etiology is unknown. Here, allograft outcomes for patients with kidney disease of unknown etiology (UEK) at three affiliated Korean hospitals were identified. The incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR) for UEK was 22.9%, which was similar to the rates for diabetic nephropathy (DN, 24.4%) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 20.0%; p = 0.345). The cumulative incidence of post‐transplant glomerulonephritis (PTGN) among patients with UEK was significantly lower than that among patients with IgAN (p < 0.001). Overall graft survival of the UEK group was superior to that of the DN group (hazards ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.92, p = 0.030). Preemptive transplantation for UEK significantly reduced the incidence of BPAR (preemptive vs. non‐preemptive 9.6% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.001), but graft survival and recurrence were not affected by preemptive transplantation. The outcomes of kidney transplantation for patients with UEK were not inferior to those for patients with IgAN or DN. Preemptive kidney transplantation may be encouraged for UEK patients.     

Intra‐operative cardiac arrests during liver transplantation – a retrospective review of the first 15 yr in Asian population

Although many report intra‐operative cardiac arrests (ICAs) in liver transplantation (LT), the incidence, major causes, and outcome remain unclear. We aimed to investigate retrospectively, the incidence, nature, and outcome of ICA in Asian population and to identify risk factors for ICA. Consecutive 1071 LTs in an institution during 1996–2011 (adult 920, pediatric 151/living donor liver transplantation, LDLT 841, deceased donor liver transplantation, DDLT 230) were reviewed. ICA occurred in 14 adult LTs (1.5%), but none in pediatrics. ICA occurred 1.0% and 3.3% in LDLT and DDLT, respectively. Stages of ICA incidence were three at pre‐anhepatic, one at anhepatic, and 10 at neohepatic stage. Post‐reperfusion syndrome (PRS) with hyperkalemia and bleeding were the major causes of ICA. While LDLT showed miscellaneous causes for ICA at various stages, DDLT incurred ICAs at neohepatic stage only. Interestingly, we did not find pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) to incur ICA. Risk factor analysis showed no association of pre‐operative patient condition, donor types, and intra‐operative parameters. In this review, the incidence of ICA was low in Asian population with LDLT predominance, and while PTE was not the cause of ICA, the neohepatic stage with PRS and bleeding was the most vulnerable period to anticipate ICA.     

Treatment outcomes according to neuropathic bladder sphincter dysfunction type after treatment of oxybutynin chloride in children with myelodysplasia

Purpose

We investigated the treatment outcomes according to neuropathic bladder sphincter dysfunction (NBSD) type after oral oxybutynin (OBT) treatment in children with NBSD caused by myelodysplasia.

Methods

Among 334 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with NBSD caused by myelodysplasia, only children treated with oral OBT for more than 1 year with pre- and post-treatment urodynamic studies and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were retrospectively reviewed. We compared pre- and post-treatment urodynamic parameters including maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), MCC/estimated bladder capacity (EBC), and compliance by NBSD type in children. We also compared renal scarring on pre- and post-treatment DMSA by NBSD type in children.

Results

Our study population was comprised of 81 children (45 boys and 36 girls), with a mean age of 4.2 ± 3.4 years. The mean follow-up duration was 4.5 (range 1.0–15.1) years. After OBT treatment, MCC was increased significantly in all types of NBSD from 110.3 ± 62.2 to 202.3 ± 103.9 ml (p < 0.05), compliance was significantly improved from 6.4 ± 6.1 to 11.1 ± 9.6 ml/cmH₂O (p < 0.05), but MCC/EBC was slightly decreased from 75.2 ± 46.9 to 69.8 ± 33.3 % (p = 0.40). Sub-analyzed by NBSD type, the pre-treatment compliance of children with acontractile detrusor with spastic sphincter (n = 16) was markedly decreased compared with other types of NBSD. Acontractile detrusor with spastic sphincter demonstrated the worst renal deterioration on DMSA.

Conclusions

Although increases in MCC/EBC were limited, oral OBT treatment markedly improved MCC and compliance in all NBSD types. Children who had acontractile detrusor with spastic sphincter had a relatively high probability of renal deterioration and required specific attention.     

A preliminary study of the variability in location of the ureteral orifices with bladder filling by fluoroscopic guidance: the gender difference

Background and purpose

To determine landmarks for stent positioning in both ureteral orifices (UOs) and the gender differences in their location in men and women.

Patients and methods

The location of the UO and the bladder neck (BN) was measured fluoroscopically by the intravesical distal location of an open-ended catheter marked with radiopaque materials. We compared the location in men (n = 12) and women (n = 12) with a full bladder (hydrostatic pressure of 50 cmH₂O) or an empty bladder.

Results

The mean distances from BN to UO in men and women were significantly different both in an empty bladder (2.5 ± 0.4 and 2.1 ± 0.3 cm, respectively) and in a full bladder (2.9 ± 1.0 and 2.3 ± 0.6 cm, respectively). The location of UO was changed by bladder filling in women but not in men. In women, most UOs were found superior to the symphysis pubis (SP) in empty bladder (66.6 %). Most of this location was observed at behind the upper boarder of SP in full bladder of women (75 %). The BN of women was located at the lower level in basal state compared to men. Also, the location of BN was markedly changed by bladder fulling in women (p = 0.04) but not in men.

Conclusions

Significant gender differences were observed in the location of UO and BN. Clinicians should keep in mind the anatomical differences between men and women during fluoroscopic-guided procedure.     

Role of Cholecystectomy and Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with T2 Gallbladder Cancer

Background

Incidental findings of gallbladder cancer (GBCA) have dramatically increased as an initial presentation of the disease because of the expansion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the optimal management of T2 GBCA remains at issue.

Methods

We compared our 10-year experience with the consensus surgical strategy for T2 GBCA. Between January 2000 and December 2009, 70 patients at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea, underwent surgical treatment for GBCA stage T2. The medical records of 70 patients with T2 GBCA were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Radical cholecystectomy was performed on only 32 (45.8 %) patients. In patients with T2 GBCA and positive lymph nodes (LN), the overall survival rate between cholecystectomy with LN dissection and radical cholecystectomy did not show a significant difference. Twenty patients experienced recurrence during the follow-up period. Among the 11 patients who underwent cholecystectomy with liver resection, only 2 (18.2 %) patients had an intrahepatic recurrence. Of the 9 patients who underwent cholecystectomy without liver resection, 3 (33.3 %) patients had an intrahepatic recurrence. However, recurrences at the gallbladder bed occurred only in one and two patients, respectively, and were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

There was a large gap between clinical practice and treatment guidelines. Though relatively few patients enrolled in this study experienced recurrence, cholecystectomy and LN dissection without liver resection showed similar survival and recurrence patterns compared with those of radical cholecystectomy. To improve consistency between clinical practice and consensus guidelines, the role of limited resection for T2 lesions needs further evaluation.     

Postoperative Complications Influence Prognosis and Recurrence Patterns in Periampullary Cancer

Background

The present study was performed to elucidate the influence of postoperative complications on the prognosis and recurrence patterns of periampullary cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

Clinical data were reviewed from 200 consecutive patients who had periampullary cancer and underwent PD between October 2003 and July 2010, and survival outcomes and recurrence patterns were analyzed. Postoperative complications were classified according to a modification of Clavien’s classification.

Results

Overall, 86 major complications of grade II or higher occurred in 71 patients. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of postoperative complications of grade II or higher: group Cx?, absence of complications (n = 129); and group Cx+, presence of complications (n = 71). There were no differences in gender, mean age, tumor node metastasis stage, biliary drainage, type of resection, and radicality between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates of the group Cx+ patients (31.0 and 22.3 %, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the group Cx? patients (49.0 and 40.0 %; P = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). The multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications (P = 0.001; RR = 1.887; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.278–2.785), a T stage of T3 or T4 (P = 0.001; RR = 2.503; 95 % CI 1.441–4.346), positive node metastasis (P = 0.001; RR = 2.093; 95 % CI, 1.378–3.179), R1 or R2 resection (P = 0.023; RR = 1.863; 95 % CI 1.090–3.187), and angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.013; RR = 1.676; 95 % CI 1.117–2.513) were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Regarding recurrence patterns, group Cx+ patients exhibited more distant recurrences than did group Cx? patients (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Postoperative complications affect prognosis and recurrence patterns in patients with periampullary cancer after PD.     

Application of PEEP using the i-gel during volume-controlled ventilation in anesthetized, paralyzed patients

Purpose

This prospective, randomized trial was designed to assess whether the i-gel supraglottic airway device is suitable for volume-controlled ventilation while applying positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH₂O under general anesthesia. It was believed that this device might improve arterial oxygenation.

Methods

Forty adult patients (aged 20–60 years) scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this study. Twenty patients were ventilated without external PEEP [zero positive end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) group], and the other 20 were ventilated with PEEP 5 cmH₂O (PEEP group) after placing an i-gel device. Volume-controlled ventilation at a tidal volume (TV) of 8 ml/kg of ideal body weight, leak volume, and arterial blood gas analysis were investigated.

Results

The incidences of a significant leak were similar in the ZEEP and PEEP groups (3/20 and 1/20, respectively; P = 0.605), as were leak volumes. No significant PaO₂ difference was observed between the two groups at 1 h after satisfactory i-gel insertion (215 ± 38 vs. 222 ± 54; P = 0.502).

Conclusions

The use of an i-gel during PEEP application at 5 cmH₂O did not increase the incidence of a significant air leak, and a PEEP of 5 cmH₂O failed to improve arterial oxygenation during controlled ventilation in healthy adult patients.     

Argon plasma coagulation is safe and effective for treating smaller gastric lesions with low-grade dysplasia: a comparison with endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background and aims

The best therapeutic modality has not been established for gastric low-grade adenomas or dysplasia (LGD), which can progress to invasive carcinoma despite a low risk. This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy, safety, and local recurrence after argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment of gastric LGD compared with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Patients and methods

A total of 320 patients with gastric LGD ≤2.0 cm treated with APC or ESD between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared local recurrence rate, complication rate, procedure time, and admission to hospital between APC and ESD groups.

Results

Of the 320 patients, 116 patients were treated with APC and 204 with ESD. During follow-up, local recurrence was more common in the APC group (3.8 %, 4/106) than the ESD group (0.5 %, 1/188; log-rank test P = 0.036). However, all patients with local recurrence (n = 5) were treated by additional APC, and followed up without further recurrences. ESD was complicated by two perforations (1.0 %, 2/204) compared with no perforations in the APC group (0 %, 0/116). Bleeding complications were not different between the APC (1.7 %, 2/116) and ESD (2.0 %, 4/204) groups. Procedure time was shorter in the APC (7.8 ± 5.1 min) than the ESD (53.1 ± 38.1 min) group (P < 0.001). The proportion of hospitalization was less in the APC group (31.0 %, 36/116) than the ESD group (100.0 %, 204/204) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

APC can be a good treatment option for patients with LGD ≤2.0 cm.     

Comparing the short-term outcomes of totally intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with extracorporeal gastroduodenostomy after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a single surgeon’s experience and a rapid systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Since delta-shaped gastroduodenostomy was introduced, many surgeons have utilized laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with totally intracorporeal Billroth I (ICBI) for gastric cancer, because it is expected to have several advantages over laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with extracorporeal Billroth I (ECBI). In this study, we compared these two reconstruction options to evaluate their outcomes.

Methods

The data of 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent LDG performed by a single surgeon between April 2009 and February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into ECBI (n = 106) and ICBI (n = 60) groups, and then the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, symptoms, and change in BMI at 3 months after surgery were compared. Furthermore, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Results

The operative time was significantly shorter in the ICBI group (197.4 ± 45.5 vs. 157.1 ± 43.9 min), but blood loss was similar between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, soft diet initiation, visual analogue scale, frequency of analgesics injection, and postoperative white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels between the groups. The surgical complication rates were 5.7 and 13.3 % in the ECBI and ICBI groups, respectively, and one case of anastomosis leakage was observed in each group. At 3 months after surgery, reflux symptoms were more frequent in the ICBI group, but other gastrointestinal symptoms and the change of BMI were similar between the groups. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, frequency of analgesic usages, and rates of anastomosis complications between the groups.

Conclusions

We could not demonstrate the clinical superiority of ICBI over ECBI based on our data and a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis. The anastomosis method may be selected according to patient conditions and the surgeon’s preference.