AneuRx Device Migration: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Consequences

Success after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is dependent on device positional stability. The quest for such stability has motivated different endograft designs, and the risk factors entailed remain the subject of debate. This study aims at defining the incidence, risk factors, and clinical implications of device migration after EVAR with the AneuRx® endograft. In this study we included all consecutive 109 patients submitted to primary AneuRx placement for infrarenal aortic or aortoiliac aneurysms. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed for the following anatomic characteristics: neck length, diameter, angulation, calcification, and thrombus load; and sac diameter and thrombus load. Percentage of device oversizing relative to the proximal neck diameter was determined. All postoperative CT scans were reviewed, and the distance between the lowest renal artery and the craniad end of the device was measured. A 5-mm increase in such distance was considered indicative of device migration. Migration cumulative incidence was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and its association with any of the preoperative anatomical characteristics was tested using Cox proportional hazards models. Median follow-up time was 9 (range, 1-31) months. Migration occurred in nine patients, corresponding to a 15.6% estimated probability of migration at 30 months (SE=5.1%). Migration was associated with the risk of proximal type I endoleak (hazard ratio=3.39, 95% confidence interval=1.46-7.87; p=0.007). This type of endoleak occurred in three of the migration-affected patients (33.3%); all of them were resolved by additional cuff placement at the proximal landing zone. No other migration-related reinterventions were performed. The only significant associations between anatomic factors and device migration probability were the protective effects of longer necks (odds ratio [OR]=0.71 for each additional 5 mm, p=0.045) and longer overlapped portions of neck and device (OR=0.56 for each additional 5 mm, p=0.003). There was a trend toward higher probability of migration among reverse-tapered necks (OR=1.75, p=0.109). Percentage of device oversizing correlated with early neck dilation (between preoperative and first postoperative diameters, correlation coefficient=0.4, p < 0.0001), but not with late neck dilatation (between first postoperative and 1.5-year scan diameters, correlation coefficient=0.29, p=0.112). There was a trend toward higher mean percentage of late dilation among migrators (11.4%, standard error of the mean [SEM] 2.6) than nonmigrators (5.7%, SEM=1) (p=0.08), but both groups had similar mean percentages of early dilation (3%, SEM=1.6%, vs. 5.5%, SEM=0.6%; p=0.365). This result indicates that device migration is not a rare event after AneuRx implantation. This phenomenon is associated with proximal type I endoleaks. Deployment of the endograft immediately below the renal arteries might help to prevent migration, since use of greater lengths of overlapped device relative to the proximal neck has a protective effect. Migration seems to be independent of the degree of device oversizing.Presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Anaheim, CA, June 4-5, Sergio M. Sampaio is a recipient of the Edward S. Rogers Clinical Research Fellowship in Vascular Surgery.     

Parathyroid Autotransplantation during Total Thyroidectomy—Does the Number of Glands Transplanted Affect Outcome?

Parathyroid autotransplantation is a technique for ensuring the continued function of parathyroid tissue at the time of total thyroidectomy (TT). The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the number of parathyroids transplanted affects the incidence of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism. A retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing a TT in a single unit between July 1998 and June 2003. The number of parathyroids transplanted, the final pathology, and the incidence of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism were documented. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. A total of 1196 patients underwent a TT during the 5 years studied. Of these, 306 (25.6%) had no parathyroids transplanted, 650 (54.3%), 206 (17.2%), 34 (2.8%) had 1,2, or 3 glands autotransplanted, respectively. The incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism was 9.8% for no gland transplants, 11.9%, 15.1%, and 31.4% for 1,2,and 3 gland transplants, respectively (p < 0.05). The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was 0.98%, 0.77%, 0.97%, and 0%, respectively (p = NS). The incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism was higher when surgery was performed for Graves’ disease. Temporary hypocalcemia is closely related to the number of autotransplanted parathyroids during TT. The long-term outcome is not affected by the number of parathyroids autotransplanted. A “ready selective” approach to parathyroid autotransplantation is an effective strategy for minimizing the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism.     

Significance of Histological Response to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Background Neoadjuvant (preoperative) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for pancreatic cancer offers theoretical advantages over the standard approach of surgery followed by adjuvant CRT. We hypothesized that histological responses to CRT would be significant prognostic factors in patients undergoing neoadjuvant CRT followed by resection. Methods Since 1994, 193 patients with biopsy-proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma have completed neoadjuvant CRT, and 70 patients have undergone resection. Specimens were retrospectively examined by an individual pathologist for histological responses (tumor necrosis, tumor fibrosis, and residual tumor load) and immunohistochemical staining for p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor. Factors influencing overall survival were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier (univariate) and Cox proportional hazards (multivariate) methods.Results The estimated overall survival (median±SE) in the entire group of patients undergoing resection was 23±4.2 months, with an estimated 3-year survival of 37%±6.6% and a median follow-up of 28 months. Complete histological responses occurred in 6% of patients. Overexpression of p53 was more common in patients with large residual tumor loads. Tumor necrosis was an independent negative prognostic factor, as were positive lymph nodes, a large residual tumor load, and poor tumor differentiation.Conclusions Histological response to neoadjuvant CRT—as measured by residual tumor load—may be useful as a surrogate marker for treatment efficacy. Characterization of the tumor cells that survive neoadjuvant CRT may help us to identify new or more appropriate targets for systemic therapy.     

下消化道出血221例分析

0　引言　下消化道出血是消化科的常见病 ,是指十二指肠空肠移行部 ,屈氏韧带以下的小肠和大肠疾病引起的肠道出血 .有人认为一般不包括痔和肛裂出血 [1 ] .临床最常见为慢性出血 ,但有时出血量大危及生命 ,需要做紧急处理 ,现将我院1992 - 0 1/ 1999- 0 8门诊及病房收治的 2 2 1例下消化道出血进行分析 ,报告如下 :1　临床资料　男 12 0例 ,女 10 1例 ,年龄 14～ 72 (平均 42 )岁 ,病程 16 h～ 10 a.患者分别以脓血便、暗红色血便、鲜血便或果酱色血便为主诉前来就诊 ,其中有休克症状的大出血者6例 .血 Hb<110 g·L- 1 40例 ,<80 g·L- 1…     

Familial eosinophilic cellulitis, dysmorphic habitus, and mental retardation

Background: Eosinophilic cellulitis is a polymorphous, chronic disease characterized by eosinophil infiltration and granulomatous inflammation. Objective: Our purpose was to describe the clinical, histologic, and immunohistologic findings in three family members who have had eosinophilic cellulitis since childhood associated with mental retardation and abnormal body habitus. Methods: Family members were evaluated. Multiple skin biopsy specimens were obtained and examined after hematoxylin-and-eosin staining, by immunofluorescence and by electron microscopy. Blood specimens were analyzed by immunoassays for eosinophil granule proteins and eosinophil active cytokines. Results: Three short-statured, mentally retarded family members with abnormal body habitus in at least two generations had recurrent eosinophilic cellulitis. Peripheral blood and bone marrow eosinophilia was present. Plasma eosinophil granule major basic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels were elevated with normal plasma eosinophil cationic protein levels. Eosinophil survival in culture was increased by patients’ plasma and was blocked with monoclonal interleukin-5 antibody. The level of plasma interleukin-5 was elevated. Lesional skin biopsy specimens showed massive staining for three eosinophil granule proteins. Electron microscopy showed eosinophil disruption. Conclusion: Eosinophilic cellulitis, mental retardation, and abnormal body habitus were likely inherited as a dominant syndrome in this family in which eosinophil involvement was striking. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:919-28.)     

Recovery from anaesthesia in children

There are no published comprehensive surveys of paediatric recovery room experience and the incidence of complications. A prospective survey was made of 16,700 consecutive admissions to the recovery room at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital during the years 1985-1988. The incidence of respiratory complications was low, with laryngospasm 0.85%. The incidence of hypotension was higher than that in adult studies; over 50% of children recorded a decrease in blood pressure in the recovery room of more than 20%, compared to values before operation. The incidence of vomiting in the recovery room was also lower than in comparable adult studies. Certain aspects of recovery room practice changed during the 4 years of the study; these included routine oxygen administration, parents in the recovery room, and our approach to postoperative analgesia. The implications of these changes are discussed.     

Total intravenous anaesthesia for laparoscopy

Two techniques of total intravenous anaesthesia for laparoscopy were compared in 80 patients. Group 1 received alfentanil, propofol and vecuronium, and Group 2 alfentanil, midazolam, ketamine and vecuronium. Haemodynamic stability after induction and the pressor response to tracheal intubation were significantly different. There was no significant difference in recovery times between the two groups and little difference in other postoperative sequelae.     

Strabismus in adults with uveal melanoma following episcleral plaque brachytherapy

PURPOSE: To ascertain the incidence of persistent strabismus in patients treated with plaque brachytherapy and its subsequent treatment. METHODS: A single center retrospective case note review of adult patients with persistent diplopia or strabismus following plaque brachytherapy for all types of intraocular tumors between 1996 and 2004. RESULTS: A total of 929 consecutive adults underwent plaque brachytherapy during the study period at a single center. Sixteen patients (1.7%) with treated uveal melanoma developed persistent diplopia or strabismus. In 11 patients (69%) the timing of onset was in the first year, in 2 (13%) in the second year, and one each (6% each) in years 5, 7, and 8. Two patients (13%) did not require any intervention. Fourteen patients (88%) required treatment: 7 (50%) were treated with prisms only, 3 (21%) underwent botulinum toxin (BTXA) injections, and 4 (29%) were treated with extraocular muscle surgery (3 required one operation and one required 2 procedures). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ocular motility disorders following plaque brachytherapy in our cohort was 1.7% over 8 years and we include this in the consent process for conservative treatment of intraocular tumors. Options for treatment for persistent diplopia or strabismus include prisms, botulinum toxin injection, or surgery.