Treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: complementary aspects of microsurgical and endovascular procedures

OBJECT: Endovascular and surgical treatment must be clearly defined in the management of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. In this study the authors report their recent experience in using a combined surgical and endovascular team approach for ACoA aneurysms, and compare these results with those obtained during an earlier period in which surgical treatment was used alone. Morbidity and mortality rates, causes of unfavorable outcomes, and morphological results were also assessed. METHODS: The prospective study included 223 patients who were divided into three groups: Group A (83 microsurgically treated patients, 1990-1995); Group B (103 microsurgically treated patients, 1996-2000); and Group C (37 patients treated with Guglielmi Detachable Coil [GDC] embolization, 1996-2000). Depending on the direction in which the aneurysm fundus projected, the authors attempted to apply microsurgical treatment to Type 1 aneurysms (located in front of the axis formed by the pericallosal arteries). They proposed the most adapted procedure for Type 2 aneurysms (located behind the axis of the pericallosal arteries) after discussion with the neurovascular team, depending on the physiological status of the patient, the treatment risk, and the size of the aneurysm neck. In accordance with the classification of Hunt and Hess, the authors designated those patients with unruptured aneurysms (Grade 0) and some patients with ruptured aneurysms (Grades I-III) as having good preoperative grades. Patients with Grade IV or V hemorrhages were designated as having poor preoperative grades. By performing routine angiography and computerized tomography scanning, the causes of unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score < 5) and the morphological results (complete or incomplete occlusion) were analyzed. Overall, the clinical outcome was excellent (GOS Score 5) in 65% of patients, good (GOS Score 4) in 9.4%, fair (GOS Score 3) in 11.6%, poor (GOS Score 2) in 3.6%, and fatal in 10.3% (GOS Score 1). Among 166 patients in good preoperative grades, an excellent outcome was observed in 134 patients (80.7%). The combined permanent morbidity and mortality rate accounted for up to 19.3% of patients. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage were 6.2 and 1.5% for Group A, 6.6 and 1.3% for Group B, and 4 and 4% for Group C, respectively. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the procedure were 15.4 and 1.5% for Group A, 3.9 and 0% for Group B, and 8 and 8% for Group C, respectively. When microsurgical periods were compared, the rate of permanent morbidity or death related to microsurgical complications decreased significantly (Group A, 11 patients [16.9%] and Group B, three patients [3.9%]); Fisher exact test, p = 0.011) from the period of 1990 to 1995 to the period of 1996 to 2000. The combined rate of morbidity and mortality that was related to the endovascular procedure (16%) explained the nonsignificance of the different rates of procedural complications for the two periods, despite the significant decrease in the number of microsurgical complications. Among 57 patients in poor preoperative grade, an excellent outcome was observed in 11 patients (19.3%); however, permanent morbidity (GOS Scores 2-4) or death (GOS Score 1) occurred in 46 patients (80.7%). With regard to the correlation between vessel occlusion (the primary microsurgical complication) and the morphological characteristics of aneurysms, only the direction in which the fundus projected appeared significant as a risk factor for the microsurgically treated groups (Fisher exact test: Group A, p = 0.03; Group B, p = 0.002). The difference between endovascular and microsurgical procedures in the achievement of complete occlusion was considered significant (chi2 = 6.13, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The direction in which the fundus projects was chosen as the morphological criterion between endovascular and surgical methods. The authors propose that microsurgical clip application should be the preferred option in the treatment of ACoA aneurysms with anteriorly directed fundi and that endovascular packing be selected for those lesions with posteriorly directed fundi, depending on morphological criteria.     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with or without radiofrequency ablation in the management of patients with advanced hepatic malignancy

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is efficacious against hepatic malignancies by rendering tumors ischemic while delivering high-dose chemotherapy. The added benefit of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has not been determined. We sought to review our experience with TACE with or without RFA in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases in patients not amenable to resection. TACE and RFA were undertaken in 13 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 7) or colorectal liver metastases (n = 6). Concurrently 24 patients underwent TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 15) or colorectal liver metastases (n = 9). Patients undergoing TACE with or without RFA were similar in age, gender, and diagnosis. Overall follow-up was 9.1 months +/- 7.1. One-year survival was greater in patients undergoing TACE with RFA than with TACE alone (100% vs 67%, P = 0.04). Mean survival was longer after TACE with RFA compared with TACE alone (25.3 months +/- 15.9 vs 11.4 months +/- 7.3, P < 0.05). No patients suffered significant complications. The addition of RFA to TACE improves survival in patients with unresectable primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies. RFA with TACE should be in the armamentarium of surgeons caring for patients with malignant liver lesions.     

Laparoscopic approach in complicated diverticular disease

AIM: To analyze the results of laparoscopic colectomy in complicated diverticular disease.METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at an academic teaching hospital. Data were collected from a database established earlier, which comprise of all patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy for diverticular disease between 2000 and 2013. The series was divided into two groups that were compared: Patients with complicated disease(abscess, perforation, fistula, or stenosis)(G1) and patients undergoing surgery for recurrent diverticulitis(G2). Recurrent diverticulitis was defined as two or more episodes of diverticulitis regardless of patient age. Data regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, prior abdominal operations, history of acute diverticulitis, classification of acute diverticulitis at index admission and intra and postoperative variables were extracted. Univariate analysis was performed in both groups.RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty patients were included: 28%(72 patients) belonged to G1 and 72%(188 patients) to G2. The mean age was 57(27-89) years. The average number of episodes of diverticulitis before surgery was 2.1(r 0-10); 43 patients had no previous inflammatory pathology. There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to conversion rate and hospital stay(G1 18% vs G2 3.2%, P = 0.001; G1: 4.7 d vs G2 3.3 d, P < 0.001). The anastomotic dehiscence rate was 2.3%, with no statistical difference between the groups(G1 2.7% vs G2 2.1%, P = 0.5). There were no differences in demographic data(body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology and previous abdominal surgery), operative time and intraoperative and postoperative complications between the groups. The mortality rate was 0.38%(1 patient), represented by a death secondary to septic shock in G2.CONCLUSION: The results support that the laparoscopic approach in any kind of complicated diverticular disease can be performed with low morbidity and acceptable conversion rates when compared with patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for recurrent diverticulitis.     

Nephrotoxicity of insect and spider venoms in Latin America

One of the most important and lethal effects of animal venoms is nephrotoxicity. In Latin America, severe acute kidney injury has been reported after accidents with poisonous arthropods such as bees, caterpillars of the genus Lonomia, and spiders of the genus Loxosceles. In this article the characteristics of these venoms, their probable mechanisms of renal damage, and the clinical picture of the accidents are reviewed.     

Celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery: danger zone for left nephrectomy

We report two cases of iatrogenic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac axis (CA) during left nephrectomy. A patient with a urothelial carcinoma (open surgery) and one with coralliform calculi (laparoscopy) experienced injury to both the SMA and/or CA due to bulky perihilar adenopathy and kidney adherence to surrounding tissue. The cancer patient survived after fast repair. Repair was delayed in the second patient who subsequently died. It is essential to identify each arterial branch carefully on the preoperative CT-scan to identify any duplicate renal arteries and avoid mistaking the SMA and/or CA for the renal artery.     

Peripheral neural lesion-induced stress urinary incontinence in anaesthetized female cats

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the effect of acute unilateral and bilateral lesion of the pelvic and pudendal nerves, and nerves innervating the iliococcygeous and pubococcygeous muscles during sneezing in anaesthetized female cats, on intravesical pressure (IVP), urethral pressure (UPs) and external urethral sphincter (EUS) activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In seven anaesthetized female cats UPs along the urethra (UPs1–4) and IVPs were recorded in the emptied bladder during sneezing before and after unilateral and then bilateral peripheral neural lesions. UPs were measured using microtip transducer catheters with UP4 positioned in the distal urethra where the EUS is located. Urine leakage was also noted, after urethral catheter removal and bladder filling.

RESULTS

During sneezing, in intact cats, the magnitude of UP4 was larger than those of IVP and UPs1–3. The area under the curve of both anal sphincter and EUS electromyography was increased. There was no urine leakage. After unilateral neural lesions, the mean magnitude of response was similar all along the urethra and in the bladder. The distal UP response was significantly lower than that recorded in intact cats. In addition, there was urine leakage in six of the seven cats. Bilateral neural lesions caused permanent urine leakage and significant decreases in all the UP responses.

CONCLUSION

In female cats, during sneezing, neurally driven reflex contractions of EUS leading to an increase in distal UP contribute to active urethral closure mechanisms and ensure urinary continence.     

A prospective study comparing diathermy and scalpel incisions in tension-free inguinal hernioplasty

Although still controversial, the use of diathermy instead of scalpel for skin incision and underlying tissue dissection is gradually gaining wide acceptance. This is due to the observation that no change in wound complication rates or postoperative pain are reported with the use of electrocautery. However, these studies include operations without the use of prosthetic materials during abdominal wall closure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that a) application of extreme heat may result in significant postoperative pain and poor wound healing because of excessive tissue damage and scarring respectively, and b) skin incision with the use of diathermy entails increased risk of wound infection in the presence of an underlying prosthetic material. One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients submitted to inguinal hernioplasty using the tension-free technique and fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study were allocated alternately to either scalpel (n = 60), or diathermy (n = 57) groups. Eight patients had bilateral hernias. Five of them were allocated to the scalpel group and three to the diathermy group. According to the study protocol, they received both approaches for skin and underlying tissues incision, thus resulting in a total of 68 scalpel and 65 diathermy individual hernioplasties. Parameters measured included blood loss during the skin incision and underlying tissue dissection, postoperative pain and requirements for analgesics, the presence of wound dehiscence in the absence of infection, and postoperative wound infection on the day of discharge, on the day staples were removed, and 1 month after surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in relation to patient demographics, type of hernias, and operation details. Blood loss was minimal, and the amount of blood lost did not differ between the two groups. Diathermy group patients required less parenteral analgesics on the first postoperative day. A higher proportion of patients in the scalpel group continued to need oral analgesics on the second postoperative day compared to patients in the diathermy group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of wound strength. Infectious complications were totally absent. The use of diathermy for skin incision during inguinal hernioplasty is as safe as the use of scalpel in terms of wound healing and reduces the analgesics requirements in the postoperative period.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta exerts a strong protection from ischemic acute renal failure

Ischemic acute renal failure is characterized by damages to the proximal straight tubule in the outer medulla. Lesions include loss of polarity, shedding into the tubule lumen, and eventually necrotic or apoptotic death of epithelial cells. It was recently shown that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) increases keratinocyte survival after an inflammatory reaction. Therefore, whether PPARbeta/delta could contribute also to the control of tubular epithelium death after renal ischemia/reperfusion was tested. It was found that PPARbeta/delta+/- and PPARbeta/delta-/- mutant mice exhibited much greater kidney dysfunction and injury than wild-type counterparts after a 30-min renal ischemia followed by a 36-h reperfusion. Conversely, wild-type mice that were given the specific PPARbeta/delta ligand L-165041 before renal ischemia were completely protected against renal dysfunction, as indicated by the lack of rise in serum creatinine and fractional excretion of Na+. This protective effect was accompanied by a significant reduction in medullary necrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation. On the basis of in vitro studies, PPARbeta/delta ligands seem to exert their role by activating the antiapoptotic Akt signaling pathway and, unexpectedly, by increasing the spreading of tubular epithelial cells, thus limiting potentially their shedding and anoikis. These results point to PPARbeta/delta as a remarkable new target for preconditioning strategies.     

Performance of the Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD equations in adult Nigerians with chronic kidney disease

Background  Estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is required in the assessment of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order to provide information regarding the functional status of the kidneys. Current guidelines advocate the use of prediction equations, such as the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study-derived equations, over clearance of endogenous creatinine (Ccr) in achieving this aim. We were interested in knowing the accuracy of these equations in predicting the GFR in adult Nigerians with CKD. Methods  We conducted a review of records of patients who were evaluated for CKD at the Nephrology Clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital between 2001 and 2003. We compared the CG and MDRD equations against the Ccr in predicting the GFR in 130 patients (88 males and 42 females) with CKD. Results  The means ± standard deviation (SD) for the measured and predicted GFR by the CG and MDRD equations were similar (17.6 ± 25.8 ml/min, 19.9 ± 24.0 ml/min and 21.5 ± 28.2 ml/min, respectively; analysis of variance [ANOVA], F = 0.68, P = 0.5). The mean difference between CG and Ccr was −2.2 ± 14.8 ml/min, with discordance at Ccr values >25 ml/min. The mean difference between MDRD and Ccr was −3.9 ± 18.1 ml/min, with discordance at Ccr values >40 ml/min. Conclusion  The CG and MDRD equations provide reliable alternatives to measured Ccr in the estimation of the GFR in Nigerian patients with CKD.