Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in semisupine position: a modified approach for renal calculus

Conventional percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is usually performed in a prone position, which compresses the thorax and results in difficulty in rescue during operation. When PCNL is performed in a supine position, the flank renal puncture area is limited, so it is difficult to treat disseminated and complex renal calculi. Herein, we introduce a modified semisupine position for performing PCNL, which has numerous benefits as well as safe and effective. Between May 2002 and May 2009, a total of 452 patients with renal calculi were treated with semisupine PCNL. The patient was placed in 45° semisupine position during the procedure, with the affected flank arched as much as possible. In this series, no one converted to open surgery. The average operating time was (115.2 ± 44.5) min. Single tract PCNL was performed for 80.97% of the cases, two tracts 13.94%, three tracts 4.65%, and four tracts 0.44%. The upper, middle, and lower calix tracts accounted for 12.1, 63.0, and 24.9%, of procedures, respectively. Stone-free rate was 85.7% overall, 92.2% for single calculus (83/90), and 72.9% for staghorn calculi (78/107). Major postoperative complications occurred in 3.3% of the cases. This study demonstrated PCNL in a semisupine position is an effective alternative for treating renal calculi, which combines the advantages of PCNL in a prone position, and PCNL in a supine position. The semisupine position allows easier irrigation of stone fragments, is more comfortable for the patient, and facilitates monitoring of anesthesia.     

FDG-PET Parameters as Prognostic Factor in Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Review

Background  

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been used extensively to explore whether FDG Uptake can be used to provide prognostic information for esophageal cancer patients. The aim of the present review is to evaluate the literature available to date concerning the potential prognostic value of FDG uptake in esophageal cancer patients, in terms of absolute pretreatment values and of decrease in FDG uptake during or after neoadjuvant therapy.     

Revision of Failed Bariatric Procedures to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

Bariatric surgery for morbid obesity has been established as an effective treatment method and has been shown to be associated with resolution of co-morbidities. Despite its success, some patients may require revision because of weight regain or mechanical complications. From September 2005 to December 2009, 42 patients underwent revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). All procedures were performed by one surgeon. Demographics, indications for revision, complications, and weight loss were reviewed. Thirty-seven patients were treated with laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 1) RYGB after failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Four patient were treated with laparoscopic (n = 3) or open (n-1) RYGB after failed vertical banded gastroplasty, and one patient underwent open redo RYGB due to large gastric pouch. Conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery was 2.5% (one patient). Mean operative time was 145.83 ± 35.19 min, and hospital stay was 3.36 ± 1.20 days. There was no mortality. Early and late complications occurred in six patients (14.2%). The mean follow-up was 15.83 ± 13.43 months. Mean preoperative body mass index was 45.15 ± 7.95 that decreased to 35.23 ± 6.7, and mean percentage excess weight loss was 41.19 ± 20.22 after RYGB within our follow-up period. RYGB as a revisional bariatric procedure is effective to treat complications of restrictive procedures and to further reduce weight in morbidly obese patients.     

Impact of Bariatric Fellowship Training on Perioperative Outcomes for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in the First Year as Consultant Surgeon

There have been few reports of improved perioperative outcomes for laparoscopic gastric bypass in the surgeon’s independent practice following completion of fellowship training but none from outside of USA. The aim was to evaluate the impact of fellowship training on perioperative outcomes for gastric bypass in the first year as consultant surgeon. Data of all patients undergoing primary bariatric procedures by the author were extracted from prospectively maintained database. Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding were excluded. Data on patient demographics, operative time, conversion to open, length of stay, 30-day complications and mortality were analysed. The Obesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score (OS-MRS) was used for risk stratification. The risk score and perioperative outcomes were compared to mentors’ post-learning curve results from host training institution. Out of 83 primary bariatric procedures performed, 74 (63 females, 11 males) were gastric bypasses in first year. The mean age was 45.1 (25–66) years and body mass index was 47.7 (36–57) kg/m². There were no immediate postoperative complications, no conversions to open surgery and no mortality. One patient was re-admitted within 30 days (1.4%) with small bowel obstruction following internal hernia and needed re-laparoscopy. As compared with host training institution, the OS-MRS distribution and perioperative outcomes of the author did not differ significantly from that of mentors’ post-learning curve results. Bariatric fellowship ensured skills acquisition for the author to safely and effectively perform gastric bypass without any learning curve and with surgical outcomes similar to that of experienced mentor at host training institution. Fellowships should be an essential part of bariatric training worldwide.     

Randomized Clinical Trial of Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Management of Patients with BMI < 50 kg/m<Superscript>2</Superscript>

Background  

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is currently the gold standard bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relatively innovative procedure which has been increasingly applied lately as a sole bariatric procedure. A randomized trial was conducted in a Greek population to evaluate perioperative safety and 3-years results.     

The Multifaceted Roles of Autophagy in Tumors—Implications for Breast Cancer

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation process that is crucial for adaptation to stress as well as in cellular homeostasis. In cancer, our current understanding has uncovered multifaceted roles for autophagy in tumor initiation and progression. Although genetic evidence corroborates a critical role for autophagy as a tumor suppressor mechanism, autophagy can also promote the survival and fitness of advanced tumors subject to stress, which has important implications during breast cancer progression and metastasis. Here, I discuss the mechanisms and the evidence underlying these diverse roles for autophagy in cancer and speculate on specific circumstances in which autophagy can be most effectively targeted for breast cancer treatment.     

Long-Term Effects of Neridronate and its Discontinuation in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

In patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) not suitable for surgical correction, a skeletal protection with bisphosphonates is considered a reasonable option, but the long-term effects after treatment discontinuation are not well known. Sixty postmenopausal women with PHPT were given 400–600 IU vitamin D₃ daily and 100 mg neridronate IV every 2 months for 2 years with 2 additional years of follow-up without antiresorptive therapies. Bone mineral density (BMD) progressively rose by 6.7 ± 7.6% (SD) and by 2.9 ± 4.5% at the spine and femoral neck, respectively. During follow-up, mean BMD progressively fell, but after 2 years it was still 3.9 ± 5.5% higher than baseline values at the spine. Bone alkaline phosphatase and serum C-telopeptide of type I collagen decreased significantly within 6 months (28 and 49% versus baseline, respectively) and rose to baseline values within 6–12 months during follow-up. Serum PTH significantly rose from baseline during treatment, but it remained significantly higher than baseline during follow-up. The PTH changes were significantly correlated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels. In conclusion, in this study we observed that in patients with mild PHPT treatment with bisphosphonates is associated with the expected changes in bone-turnover markers and that the significant increases of both hip and spine BMD are partially maintained for at least 2 years after treatment discontinuation at the vertebral site. The marked increases in serum PTH levels, particularly in subjects with low 25OHD levels, persist after treatment discontinuation and this raises the suspicion that this might reflect a worsening of PHPT.     

Stand-alone 3D-ultrasound navigation after failure of conventional image guidance for deep-seated lesions

Image guidance has proven to be an important tool in surgery for deep-seated or eloquently located cavernomas. However, neuronavigation depending on preoperative images can fail. Thus, the displayed anatomy might be distorted already during the approach. This report demonstrates the use of three-dimensional intraoperative ultrasound (3D-US) as a rescue tool, when conventional navigation is erroneous. Two patients with symptomatic cavernomas, the one located subcortically in the right peritrigonum, the other in the left thalamus, were operated in our clinic via an image-guided approach. An integrated ultrasound-navigation system was used for neuronavigation. In both cases, navigation based on preoperative MRI failed after the craniotomy because patient-to-image registration was lost. In both cases, a simple registration of the patient’s orientation was performed. Then a 3D-US volume was acquired and navigation was performed using the 3D-US data set. This is accurate as image acquisition and navigation are done in the same system. The cavernoma was visualized without difficulties in both cases. It could be reached directly via the ultrasound-guided approach. Patients’ symptoms improved postoperatively and a complete resection could be documented. Two cavernomas were successfully resected using 3D-US guidance. In our experience, stand-alone 3D-US navigation is an effective option if conventional MRI-based navigation fails.     

The Endurant Stent Graft System: 15-month follow-up report in patients with challenging abdominal aortic anatomies

Objective  

The objective of this study is to report a 15-month follow-up with the Endurant Stent Graft System in patients with challenging aortic anatomies.