Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with pathologic stage C ( T3N0) adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Objectives. This report is an update on the outcomes in the management of pathologic Stage C (T3N0) prostate cancer (CaP) with postoperative irradiation.Methods. Between 1976 and 1994, 311 patients with pathologic Stage C CaP were treated with radical prostatectomy. Pathologic stage was as follows: C1, 60 patients (19%), C2, 146 patients (47%), and C3, 105 patients (34%). Gleason score was 2 to 4 in 10 patients (3.2%), 5 to 6 in 121 (39%), 7 in 101 (32%), and 8 to 10 in 76 (24%); median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 11.9 ng/mL. Postoperative irradiation consisted of a median dose of 48 Gy. Follow-up was up to 18 years (median 5).Results. The 10-year actuarial survival was 81% and 10-year disease-free survival was 51%. Pathologic stage and Gleason score were independently predictive of recurrence, each with P >0.001 after controlling for the other. Patients with pathologic Stage C3 and Gleason score 7 to 10 were in the worst prognostic category and had 5.4 times the risk of recurrence compared with patients with pathologic Stage C1–C2, Gleason score 2 to 6. Preoperative PSA was a good (P = 0.02) predictor of disease-free survival. Clinical recurrence was seen in 28 patients (9%), including 10 (3.2%) with local recurrence. PSA recurrence (PSA greater than 0.05 ng/mL) developed in 68 patients (22%).Conclusions. With the known limitations of a nonrandomized clinical trial, on the basis of the experience of this study we recommend the use of moderate dose, limited-field postoperative radiotherapy in patients with pathologic Stage C disease with Gleason score greater than 4.     

Cerebral cortical oxygenation: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Cerebral hypoxia (cerebral cortical oxygenation [Pbro2] < 20 mm Hg) monitored by direct measurement has been shown in animal and small clinical studies to be associated with poor outcome. We present our preliminary results observing Pbro2 in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was performed. Institutional review board approval was obtained. All patients with TBI who required measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and Pbro2 because of a Glasgow Coma Scale score < 8 were enrolled. Data sets (ICP, CPP, Pbro2, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Pao2, and Paco2) were recorded during routine manipulation. Episodes of cerebral hypoxia were compared with episodes without. Results are displayed as mean +/- SEM; t test, chi2, and Fisher's exact test were used to answer questions of interest. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one data sets were abstracted from 20 patients. Thirty-five episodes of regional cerebral hypoxia were identified in 14 patients. Compared with episodes of acceptable cerebral oxygenation, episodes of cerebral hypoxia were noted to be associated with a significantly lower mean Pao2 (144 +/- 14 vs. 165 +/- 8; p < 0.01) and higher mean PEEP (8.8 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.1 +/- 0.3; p < 0.01). Mean ICP and CPP measurements were similar between groups. In a univariate analysis, cerebral hypoxic episodes were associated with Pao2 < or = 100 mm Hg (p < 0.01) and PEEP > 5 cm H2O (p < 0.01), but not ICP > 20 mm Hg, CPP < or = 65 mm Hg, or Pac2 < or = 35 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Cerebral oxymetry is confirmed safe in the patient with multiple injuries with TBI. Occult cerebral hypoxia is present in the traumatic brain injured patient despite normal traditional measurements of cerebral perfusion. Further research is necessary to determine whether management protocols aimed at the prevention of cerebral cortical hypoxia will affect outcome.     

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the United States

Background

Although laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are the most common bariatric procedures performed in the past decade, little is known about their long-term (>5?years) outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective outcome study investigated 148 consecutive patients from a single practice who underwent LAGB from November 2000 to March 2002. The group was matched with 175 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB from June 2000 to March 2005. Follow-up data for 5?years or longer was available for 127 LAGB patients (86%) and 105 LRYGB patients (60%).

Results

After an initial 4?years of progressive weight loss, body mass index (BMI) loss stabilized at 5–7?years at approximately 15?kg/m² for the LRYGB patients and at about 9?kg/m² for the LAGB patients with band in place (P?P?P?P?Conclusions Over the long term, LRYGB had an approximate reduction of 15?kg/m² BMI and 60% EWL, a significantly better outcome than LAGB patients experienced with band intact. The main issue with LAGB was its 50% failure rate in the long term, as defined by poor weight loss and percentage of band removal. Nevertheless, LAGB had a remarkably safe course, and it may therefore be considered for motivated and informed patients.     

Irrigation with bupivacaine at the surgical bed for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bupivacaine irrigated at the surgical bed on postoperative pain relief in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

Methods:

This study included 60 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy who were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. The placebo group (n=30) received 20cc saline without bupivacaine, installed into the gallbladder bed. The bupivacaine group (n=30) received 20cc of 0.5% bupivacaine in at the same surgical site. Pain was assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours by using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results:

A significant difference (P=.018) was observed in pain levels between both groups at 6 hours postoperatively. The average analgesic requirement was lower in the bupivacaine group, but this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

In our study, the use of bupivacaine irrigated over the surgical bed was an effective method for reducing pain during the first postoperative hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

RWMAs in critically ill patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries

Introduction

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is estimated to occur in 10%–25% of the general intensive care unit (ICU) population and is frequently seen as regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Although RWMA is mostly attributed to myocardial ischemia or infarction, some studies have suggested that nonischemic RWMA might also be prevalent. We sought to establish that RWMA can be seen in critically ill patients with normal coronary arteries and to explore reasons for RWMA in this population.

Methods

In this retrospective study, data from the hospital angiography register and the ICU register were collated between 2012 and 2019. Patients were identified who underwent angiography in conjunction with their ICU stay and had RWMA on echocardiography. Patients were divided into either those with non-obstructed or those with obstructed coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) examinations were reviewed if they had been performed on patients with non-obstructed coronaries.

Results

We identified 53 patients with RWMA and non-obstructed coronary arteries and 204 patients with RWMA and obstructed coronary arteries. Patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries were more often female, younger, and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors. They less commonly had ST elevation, but more frequently had T-wave inversion or serious arrhythmias. Troponin levels were higher in patients with obstructed coronary arteries, but NT-proBNP was similar between the groups. There were no differences in risk-adjusted 90-day mortality between patients with non-obstructed versus obstructed coronary arteries (OR 1.21, [95% CI 0.56–2.64], p = .628). In those with non-obstructed coronary arteries, follow-up echocardiography was available for 38 patients, of whom 30 showed normalization of cardiac function. Of the 14 patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries on whom cMRI was performed, 7 had a tentative diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome or myocardial stunning; 4 had a myocardial infarction (preexisting in 3 cases); 1 patient had acute myocarditis; 1 patient had post-myocarditis; and 1 patient was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

RWMA can be seen to occur in critically ill patients in the absence of coronary artery obstruction. Several conditions can cause regional hypokinesia, and cMRI is useful to evaluate the underlying etiology.     

Small Trocar Perforation of the Small Bowel: A Case Report

Although laparoscopy is one of the most common surgical procedures done today, bowel perforations can and do occur during the initial insertion of the Veress needle and/or trocar. Recent advances in microlaparoscopy have reduced the morbidity of this complication when encountered. We report a case of small bowel perforation following insertion of a Veress needle with its 2 mm trocar and our minimally invasive intra-operative and postoperative management of the patient.     

Successful Treatment of Recurrent Pilonidal Sinus with Laser Epilation

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease is a chronic disease of the natal cleft. Recurrent follicular infection is the causative factor. Surgical treatment has a significant failure rate, and recurrence is common. Laser removal of hair in the natal cleft could be an alternative to surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of laser hair removal in the natal cleft on pilonidal disease. METHODS: Six young men with recurrent pilonidal disease were treated with laser epilation in our clinic from 2000 to 2003. Most patients had a history of one or more surgical treatments in the area, and all patients had suffered recurrent folliculitis for years. An alexandrite laser was mostly used, although, occasionally, an intense pulsed light device was used. The number of epilation treatments ranged from 3 to 11, performed at 6- to 8-week intervals. RESULTS: All patients experienced progressive resolution of the folliculitis with the laser epilation treatments. No more surgical treatments have been needed. The treatments were simple and quick, and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: Laser epilation of the natal cleft should be considered a first choice treatment for recurrent pilonidal disease. Preventive laser epilation of the natal cleft in patients with recurrent folliculitis could avoid future surgery.     

Bilateral tumors of the testis in 21-alpha hydroxylase deficiency without adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital 21-alpha hydroxylase deficiency is a syndrome characterized by a cortisol synthesis deficiency and, rarely, by testicular masses. We present a case of bilateral nodular hyperplasia of the testis without adrenal hyperplasia in a patient affected by 21-alpha hydroxylase deficiency. This mass mimicked a testicular tumor and made differential diagnosis with a Leydig cell tumor extremely difficult. Multiple hard nodules (1 cm in diameter) could be palpated in both testes but were more prominent on the right. After an unsuccessful 30-day trial of an adrenocorticotropic hormone suppression regimen with dexamethasone (0.5 mg/qid), a right total orchifunicolectomy was performed. The final histological diagnosis was that of multiple, well-circumscribed nodules consisting of cord-like and microalveolar-like gonadal stroma, typical of an adrenogenital syndrome, and fibrosis. Differential diagnosis between testicular nodules in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Leydig cell tumors is a major clinical challenge. In cases of cortisol suppression resistant testicular masses, a serum adrenal hormone profile obtained from the gonadal vein and histology of the testicular nodule (with parenchyma sparing surgery) are recommended to obtain a correct diagnosis.