Comparison of single-port laparoscopy and conventional laparoscopy for extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy

Background

Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) is used to treat gynecological cancers. This laparoscopic approach was first described using a multiport technique, and more recently, a single-port technique was developed. Our aim was to experimentally compare both approaches—conventional laparoscopy (CL) and single-port laparoscopy (SPL)—via the extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach.

Methods

From November 2006 to July 2012, extraperitoneal PAL was performed by CL or SPL using the GelPOINT device (Applied Medical). The surgical outcomes of the 2 groups were statistically analyzed.

Results

The study involved 69 patients; 36 underwent PAL with CL, and 33 patients underwent PAL with SPL. The mean operative times were 211.2 (range, 132–390) min and 159.6 (range, 120–255) min for the CL and SPL groups, respectively. The mean blood loss was not significantly different between the CL (52.5 mL; range, 0–100 mL) and SPL (40.5 mL; range, 0–100 mL, p = 0.62) groups. The average lymph node count was lower in the CL group (11.1; range, 4–29) compared to the SPL group (15; range, 3–19) (p = 0.03). However, this difference was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.16). The mean hospital stay was lower for the SPL group (2.2 days; range, 1–8 days) than the CL group (3.1 days; range, 1–5 days). In this case, the significant difference found in the univariate analysis (p = 0.02) was confirmed by the multivariate analysis (p = 0.0003). There were no conversions to open technique and no major complications.

Conclusions

The SPL method appears to be a feasible approach, with surgical outcomes that are not statistically different from the CL method. The cosmetic aspect, the role of SPL in decreasing postoperative pain, and its impact on hospital stay must be confirmed prospectively in larger series.     

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal aortic dissection: does single-port surgery offer the same possibilities as conventional laparoscopy?

Background

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of single-port surgery (SPS) for laparoscopic extraperitoneal aortic dissection.

Methods

From December 2010 to April 2011, all patients referred for aortic lymph node staging underwent a laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach with a single-port device. The extraperitoneal approach was performed using only one 3–4?cm incision on the left side. Gelpoint from Applied Medical (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA), a 10-mm 0° laparoscope, and 5-mm standard instruments were used.

Results

The study enrolled 13 patients. Aortic dissection was complete for 11 patients and incomplete for 2 patients. The mean lymph node count was 16 (range, 7–40). The mean blood loss was 40.7?ml (range, 0–100?ml), and no transfusion was necessary. The mean hospital stay was 1.7?days (range, 1–4?days) for this series.

Conclusion

The study results demonstrate the feasibility of single-port-access laparoscopy for extraperitoneal aortic lymphadenectomy. The lymph node count was similar to that described in the published experience of conventional laparoscopic extraperitoneal dissection. This preliminary report shows that SPS is usable for extraperitoneal aortic dissection and that it is possible to perform this procedure using only one skin incision compared with the three or four incisions required for conventional laparoscopy.     

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation: Indications,techniques and results

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the field of lung transplantation has rapidly expanded over the past 30 years. It has become an important tool in an increasing number of specialized centers as a bridge to transplantation and in the intra-operative and/or post-operative setting. ECMO is an extremely versatile tool in the field of lung transplantation as it can be used and adapted in different configurations with several potential cannulation sites according to the specific need of the recipient. For example, patients who need to be bridged to lung transplantation often have hypercapnic respiratory failure that may preferably benefit from veno-venous (VV) ECMO or peripheral veno-arterial (VA) ECMO in the case of hemodynamic instability. Moreover, in an intra-operative setting, VV ECMO can be maintained or switched to a VA ECMO. The routine use of intra-operative ECMO and its eventual prolongation in the post-operative period has been widely investigated in recent years by several important lung transplantation centers in order to assess the graft function and its potential protective role on primary graft dysfunction and on ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review will assess the current evidence on the role of ECMO in the different phases of lung transplantation, while analyzing different studies on pre, intra- and post-operative utilization of this extracorporeal support.     

Positive feedback to a muscle receptor stabilized by concurrent self-inhibition

The two non-spiking afferent neurones (T and S fibres) of the crab's thoracic-coxal muscle receptor organ mediate antagonistic reflex controls upon the specific receptor motoneurone (Rm1). Depolarization of the ‘in-series’ T fibre, by receptor muscle stretch or intracellular current injection, reflexly excites Rm1, whereas length- or current-induced S fibre depolarization inhibits Rm1. The latter, autogenetic negative feedback stabilizes the concurrent positive feedback over the physiological range of receptor muscle lengths.     

Relationship between CA 15-3 serum levels and disease extent in predicting overall survival of breast cancer patients with newly diagnosed metastatic disease.

In order to study the relationship between circulating levels of CA 15-3 and the disease extent in predicting survival, we prospectively followed 312 breast cancer (BC) patients, from October 1988 to March 1995, from the time of first relapse. CA 15-3 values were assessed before treatment onset. Disease extent was defined as the percentage of liver or lung involvement and the number of bone segments positive at scintigraphy. The covariates were primary tumour characteristics (T, N and hormone receptor status) and patient characteristics at recurrence (menopause, performance status and age). Higher CA 15-3 serum levels were found in patients with visceral metastases or with pleural effusion. A logistic regression model selected disease extent in liver, lung and bone as independent variables for the determination of abnormal CA 15-3 values. Univariate survival analysis confirmed the positive prognostic influence of low CA 15-3 serum levels, absence of visceral metastases and the presence of only one metastatic site. Multivariate Cox''s survival analysis selected disease extent in liver, lung, bone and soft tissue but not level of CA 15-3 as prognostic factors. In conclusion, CA 15-3 is not an independent variable in determining survival, its prognostic role being linked to the disease extent. This association suggests that CA 15-3 may be useful in assessing disease extent when this is not easily assessable.     

Surgery of frontal sinus osteoma

Frontal sinus osteomas are 57% of all paranasal sinus osteomas, with an incidence of 00.1 to 3%. Surgical removal of the frontal sinus osteomas is done in symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients can be managed conservatively or submitted to surgery in spite of its location or extension. Five patients having the diagnosis of frontal sinus osteoma were operated on between 1995 and 1999. Medium age was 38.4 years (from 12 to 55 years), 3 male and 2 female. Symptoms occurred from 6 months to 3 years, average of 10.5 months. Four patients had previous headache and one had epistaxis. All patients had standard radiological exams and computed tomography with coronal and axial studies of paranasal sinus. In two patients the diameter of the osteoma was larger than 3 cm and in three smaller than 3 cm. The choice between coronal and supraciliar approach was made according to esthetics, supraciliar approach was made in only one bald patient even with the tumor being large and extending to ethmoidal sinus. Any intra operative difficulty was related to the choice of the approach. Naso-frontal ostium was not obstructed in intra operative course. Minimal postoperative follow up was of two years. Osteomas were radically removed in all patients with no recurrence or residual tumor. Clinical findings, radiological exams and surgical approaches are discussed. No postoperative complications occurred.