Prognostic Factors and Availability of D2 Lymph Node Dissection for the Patients with Stage II Gastric Cancer: Comparative Analysis of Subgroups in Stage II

BACKGROUND: According to the fifth edition of the UICC TNM classification, stage II gastric cancer has three subgroups: T1N2M0, T2N1M0, and T3N0M0. This study was designed to investigate the prognosis of stage II gastric cancer according to the T and N category to verify the accuracy of TNM staging for stage II and to determine the prognostic factors for patients with stage II gastric cancer by subgroup. METHODS: Clinicopathologic data from 326 patients with stage II gastric cancer were studied. We stratified the patients into T2N1 and T3N0 groups and performed comparative analysis between the two groups as well as univariate and multivariate survival analyses for each group. RESULTS: The five-year survival rate for patients with T2N1 disease was 75.6%, whereas for patients with T3N0 disease it was 68.3%. There was no significant difference in survival between T2N1 and T3N0 groups (p = 0.174). Univariate survival analysis showed that age, gender, histological type, and the extent of lymph node dissection were significant prognostic factors for stage II gastric cancer. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only gender and the extent of lymph node dissection were significant variables. Among these variables, gender was an independent prognostic factor for survival only in the T2N1 group. On the other hand, the extent of lymph node dissection was an independent prognostic factor in the T3N0 group, not in the T2N1 group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in survival between the T2N1 and the T3N0 groups. Thus, our data support the accuracy of the TNM staging classification for stage II gastric cancer. We found a significant survival benefit with D2 dissection for T3N0 but not T2N1. However, before recommending limited lymph node dissection for T2N1 stage disease, development of a preoperative method for prediction of depth of invasion and lymph node status is needed.     

Arthrodesing Operations on the Feet

Dr. Edwin Warner Ryerson was born in New York City, graduated from Harvard, then trained at Boston Children’s Hospital [1]. After visiting centers in Berlin and Vienna he moved to Chicago in 1899, where he accepted a post at Rush Medical College. In 1916 he was named professor and head of orthopaedics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Owing to WWI he entered military service in 1918–1919. Afterward he became head of orthopaedics at Northwestern University until his retirement from the university in 1935. He continued in private practice until 1947, when he retired to Florida. Dr. Ryerson maintained a lifelong interest in teaching and service to the orthopaedic community. He became a member of the American Orthopaedic Association in 1905 and was President in 1925. Dr. Ryerson was active in the Clinical Orthopaedic Society, which also had a role in forming American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [4]. In the archives of the AAOS, he was described as “a forensic and parliamentary expert” [6]. He was a founding member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1934, became its vice President in 1935, and served on the Board until 1940 [11].     

Quality of Life After TKA for Patients With Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Total knee arthroplasty frequently is required during early adulthood in patients with advanced juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. We queried patients on issues of importance to them, asked whether they were satisfied with surgical outcomes, and ascertained their postoperative status. We retrospectively reviewed 14 adult patients (22 knees) with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with primary total knee arthroplasty between 1989 and 2001. All patients were evaluated by pain and stiffness visual analog scales, range of motion, the Patient-Specific Index, Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, EuroQuol in five dimensions, and SF-36 Health Survey. Preoperative scores were assessed by recall. Patients had a minimum followup of 2 years (mean, 8 years; range, 2-13 years). Quality of life improved after TKA as measured by the Patient-Specific Index. Eighteen of 22 patients rated themselves satisfied with the functional outcome of their surgery; all patients were satisfied with pain relief. Final SF-36, EuroQuol in five dimensions, and WOMAC scores were low compared with age-matched population norms. A mean postoperative flexion arc of 77 degrees (range, 30 degrees -130 degrees ) was observed. Total knee arthroplasty had a major positive impact on quality of life as reported by patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.     

Combined Major Hepatectomy and Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Locally Advanced Biliary Carcinoma: Long-Term Results

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to define the role of combined major hepatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy in the surgical management of biliary carcinoma and to identify potential candidates for this aggressive procedure. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 28 patients who underwent a combined major hepatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 17) or gallbladder carcinoma (n = 11). Major hepatectomy was defined as hemihepatectomy or more extensive hepatectomy. Altogether, 11 patients underwent a Whipple procedure, and 17 had a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. The median follow-up time was 169 months. RESULTS: Morbidity and in-hospital mortality were 82% and 21%, respectively. Overall cumulative survival rates after resection were 32% at 2 years and 11% at 5 years (median survival time 9 months). The median survival time was 6 months with a 2-year survival rate of 0% in 11 patients with residual tumor, whereas the median survival time was 26 months with a 5-year survival rate of 18% in 17 patients with no residual tumor (P = 0.0012). Residual tumor status was the only independent prognostic factor of significance (relative risk 4.65; P = 0.003). There were three 5-year survivors (two with diffuse cholangiocarcinoma and one with gallbladder carcinoma with no bile duct involvement) among the patients with no residual tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Combined major hepatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy provides survival benefit for some patients with locally advanced biliary carcinoma only if potentially curative (R0) resection is feasible. Patients with diffuse cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma with no bile duct involvement are potential candidates for this aggressive procedure.     

Is a T-tube Necessary after Common Bile Duct Exploration?

BACKGROUND: T-tube drainage used to be standard practice after surgical choledocholithotomy, but there is now a tendency in some centers to close the common bile duct (CBD) primarily. This study was designed to review the complications associated with T-tube drainage after CBD exploration and to determine whether primary closure of the bile duct reduces postoperative morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective audit was performed on patients undergoing CBD exploration between July 1997 and March 2007, who were identified from the theatre database of one teaching hospital. Intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were recorded from the clinical notes. RESULTS: During the study period, 158 patients (97 women; median age 65 (range, 25-90) years) underwent CBD exploration. A T-tube was inserted in 91 patients (group I) and the CBD was closed primarily in 67 (group II). One or more biliary complications occurred in 26 patients (16.5%): 20 (22.0%) in group I and 6 (8.9%) in group II (p = 0.03). In group I, 15 had a biliary leak (3 needed reoperation), 2 had accidental slippage of the tube, 2 an entrapped T-tube, and 1 a retained stone. In group II, six patients had biliary leakage, two of whom were re-explored. Six patients in group I also had peritubal infection, necessitating the use of antibiotics. There were three deaths: two in group I (1 T-tube-related) and 1 in group II (p = 1, not significant). CONCLUSION: There is a lower biliary complication rate associated with primary closure of the CBD than after T-tube drainage.     

Mesh fixation using staples in Lichtenstein’s inguinal hernioplasty: fewer complications and fewer recurrences

BACKGROUND: Fixation of the mesh in Lichtenstein's inguinal hernioplasty is traditionally performed with polypropylene sutures. A modification of this technique uses staples for securing of the mesh. METHOD: A retrospective comparative study of 149 elective repairs of a primary inguinal hernia was performed: a control group of 67 patients undergoing mesh fixation using sutures and a study group of 82 patients undergoing staple fixation. Operating time, recurrence, postoperative pain, complications and costs were studied. RESULTS: Seven recurrences (11%) occurred in the polypropylene group as compared to one recurrence (1%) in the staple group (P < 0.01). There was a trend of fewer complications in the staple group. Operative time and long-term postoperative pain did not differ significantly between the two groups. The costs per surgery for mesh fixation and skin closure were 11.13 for the suture group and 24.35 for the staple group. CONCLUSION: Staple fixation of the mesh in Lichtenstein's inguinal hernioplasty can be considered equal to traditional fixation with sutures with regard to operating time and postoperative pain. However, staple fixation seems to show fewer recurrences and fewer complications.     

Outcome of Invasive and Noninvasive Intraductal Papillary-Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas (IPMN): A 10-year Experience

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) were officially introduced into the TNM classification in 1996. Based on a two-center database, we reevaluated histopathological findings, clinicopathological pattern, predictive markers for malignancy, and outcome. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2006, a total of 1424 pancreatic resections were performed in the University Hospitals Dresden and Mannheim. Pathologists of both institutions reviewed the IPMN diagnoses and other with cystic or solid tumor diagnoses. All possible markers, such as diabetes, jaundice, etc., were analyzed for prediction of malignancy. We performed a survival analysis based on the morphologic classification to determine the prognosis of IPMN. RESULTS: There were 43 patients of primarily diagnosed IPMN along with 1174 patients with diagnoses, such as ductal adenocarcinoma. In 207 patients, the diagnoses revealed other cystic or small solid tumors. A histopathological review of the latter patients revealed 54 IPMNs, resulting in a total of 97 IPMN patients (29 noninvasive, 68 invasive). All IPMN patients had a median survival of 36 months. Recurrence occurred more frequently in invasive IPMN. Predictive markers of malignancy were pain, preoperative weight loss, jaundice, and elevated CA 19.9. The strongest independent prognostic factor was invasive growth. The survival analysis revealed excellent prognosis for noninvasive IPMN. CONCLUSIONS: Since the introduction of IPMN in 1996, even specialized centers have had to deal with a learning curve. By reevaluating all cystic or small solid tumors, centers can improve and their patients' treatment can be optimized. Because the preoperative diagnostic methods are not sensitive enough to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, surgery is advocated for all main duct IPMN, because they have a high malignant potential. For branch duct IPMN, surgery is advocated if the lesion is symptomatic, >3 cm, or has enlarged nodules.     

中西药物保留灌肠合并针灸治疗溃疡性结肠炎的临床研究

目的 观察中西药物保留灌肠合并针灸治疗溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的疗效.方法 对确诊的63例UC患者随机分为两组,治疗组(32例)用中西药物150 mL睡前保留灌肠合并针灸治疗,每日1次,疗程4周;对照组(31例)用强的松龙100 mg、庆大霉素16万u加生理盐水150 mL睡前保留灌肠,每日1次,疗程4周.然后比较疗效.结果 治疗组疗效明显高于对照组,总有效率分别为96.9%和77.4%,1年复发率分别为9.37%和25.8% (P<0.05).两组差异有统计学意义.结论 中西药物保留灌肠合并针灸治疗UC疗效显著,复发率低,有临床应用价值.     

Shape of the joint gap for 90° and 120° knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: The joint gap is set rectangular at 90 degrees flexion during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the condition of the joint gap in deep knee flexion is obscure. METHODS: The method for obtaining a posteroanterior view radiograph of the knee at 90 degrees flexion (the epicondylar view) was modified, and a method to obtain an anteroposterior view radiograph at 120 degrees flexion (deep flexion view) was established. With this method, subjects lie on the radiography table with their thighs placed on a device so their lower legs hang down in neutral rotation with a 1.5-kg weight attached to the ankle. The joint gap angle and medial and lateral joint space widths were measured on epicondylar view and deep flexion view radiographs in 20 normal male subjects, 20 normal female subjects, and 20 subjects after TKA. RESULTS: The joint gap was almost rectangular at two flexion angles in normal subjects. In the implanted knees, the gap angle was 1.4 degrees varus +/- 3.3 degrees (mean +/- standard deviation), and no significant difference was found between medial and lateral joint space widths at 90 degrees flexion. In contrast, the gap angle was 2.5 degrees varus +/- 2.5 degrees and the lateral joint space width was significantly wider than the medial joint space width at 120 degrees flexion (P < 0.001). The gap angle was more varus with a significant difference in the implanted knees than that in the normal subjects at 120 degrees flexion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The joint gap was trapezoidal with a wider lateral side at 120 degrees flexion even though it was almost rectangular at 90 degrees flexion after TKA.     

Perivalvular leakage 25 years after initial mitral valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley prosthesis

An 80-year-old woman had undergone initial mitral valve replacement using a Björk-Shiley mechanical valve owing to mitral stenosis 25 years earlier. Suddenly, she had anemia and an increased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Transesophageal echography (TEE) showed perivalvular leakage. In a redo operation, two side-by-side stitches of the valve on the posterior annulus were loosened without cutting and the sewing cuff at that site was floated over the annulus, leading to the perivalvular leakage. The valve was easily removed; and round, hard, degenerative calcified tissue composed of remnant mitral valve in the suture site during the initial operation was found just under the sewing cuff. After resection of this calcified round tissue, a 25-mm bioprosthesis was put in place. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful, and 47 days after surgery she was discharged without perivalvular leakage or anemia.