Papillary thyroid cancer and its surgical management.

The surgical management in papillary thyroid cancer has been highly controversial. In the Department of Surgery (II), Kanazawa University Hospital, the surgical management especially for cervical lymph node metastases has changed since 1973 from a conservative approach to an aggressive one. In order to determine whether an aggressive approach is warranted, a retrospective multivariate analysis was carried out on 106 cases of papillary thyroid cancer. The patients have been followed for 10-28 years. Multivariate analysis was conducted following Cox's model. By this analysis, aggressive management appeared to have no impact on survival or relapse-free survival. However, age, sex, tumor size, and cervical lymphadenopathy were confirmed to be important prognostic factors in survival and/or relapse-free survival.     

ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR RECURRENT GASTRIC TUMORS

Endoscopic resection has been accepted as the standard treatment for intramucosal gastric tumors of differentiated type. However, the indication was limited to small tumors to achieve en bloc resection and prevent local recurrence in cases of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) such as the strip biopsy and the cap technique. To avoid multi‐fragmental resection, we have developed endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as a new endoscopic resection technique. ESD is a remarkable technique, because we make it possible to remove the lesions en bloc regardless of size, shape, coexisting ulcer, and location. However, it is difficult or impossible to resect recurrent tumors en bloc in conventional EMR owing to hard fibrosis, and some patients need laparotomy. Using ESD, we can dissect the submucosal layer as we directly look at the submucosa, and remove the lesion safely and reliably even in cases of hard fibrosis. The key to treatment of recurrent tumors in ESD are as follows: (i) using enough submucosal injection solution (we use a mixture of Glyceol and 1% 1900 kDa hyaluronic acid preparation); (ii) incising the mucosa without fibrosis; (iii) understanding characteristics of various cutting devices, and changing other devices in difficult situations. In these ways we can remove the majority of the recurrent tumors en bloc. Hence, we consider that ESD is a very effective treatment which achieves excellent en bloc and complete resection rates and enables patients with intramucosal gastric tumors to a recurrent‐free survival even in recurrent tumors.     

INTRAOPERATIVE BLEEDING IN ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION IN THE STOMACH AND STRATEGY FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

To control intraoperative bleeding is an important key to successful endoscopic submucosal dissection. The distribution of submucosal vessels encountered during the procedure differ in places in the stomach and are roughly categorized into three groups: those located in the antrum, those in the lesser curvature, and those on the anteroposterior corpus wall which consists of oblique muscle layers. Therefore, knowledge of a suitable setting of diathermy and adjusted depth of dissection in the submucosal layer for each site is imperative. The combination of utilizing the distal attachment forced or swift coagulation (trimming with coagulation mode) have enable the treatment with an insulation tipped knife safer.     

Effects of Dopexamine on Lipid Peroxidation During Aortic Surgery in Pigs: Comparison with Dopamine

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the dose-related effect of dopexamine and dopamine on free radical production and lipid peroxidation estimated by MDA measurements in an ischaemia-reperfusion model of supraceliac aortic repair. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded experimental study. MATERIALS: Twenty-five healthy pigs. METHODS: All experiments were performed under general endotracheal anaesthesia. Supraceliac aortic cross clamping was performed in all pigs. The pigs were randomly assigned into five groups (n=5 in each group) and received a continuous intravenous infusion of normal saline (CTL), dopamine 2 microg kg(-1)min(-1) (dopa 2), dopamine 8 microg kg(-1)min(-1) (dopa 8), dopexamine 2 microg kg(-1)min(-1) (dopex 2), dopexamine 8 microg kg(-1)min(-1) (dopex 8). Cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gas analysis and blood sampling for plasma MDA measurements (to reveal lipid peroxidation) were recorded after induction of anaesthesia (baseline), 60 and 120 min after cross-clamping of aorta (ischaemia phase), and 60 and 120 min after restoration of flow (reperfusion phase). RESULTS: Dopexamine and dopamine at 8 microgkg(-1)min(-1) reduced MDA at 60 and 120 min after reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Dopexamine seems superior to dopamine in reducing oxygen free radicals and subsequent lipid peroxidation during reperfusion after supraceliac aortic cross clamping in pigs.     

Anatomy and pathophysiology of the popliteal tendon area in the lateral meniscus: 1. Arthroscopic and anatomical investigation

An arthroscopic and anatomical investigation was performed to define the abnormal conditions of the popliteal tendon area in a lateral meniscus. Arthroscopic findings for 100 patients and anatomical observations of 10 amputated knees were analyzed. Five of the 10 dissected menisci were also examined histologically. Menisco-tibial coronary ligaments were classified into two types, as follows: type I--a coronary ligament covering an entire popliteal tendon beneath the meniscus; type II--a popliteal tendon visible beneath the meniscus through defects of the coronary ligament. Twenty-one of 100 cases were classified as type I, and 79 were classified as type II. Three of the 10 anatomical dissections were type I, and the remaining 7 were type II. Menisci in which the type I coronary ligaments were thought to be torn and menisci with type II coronary ligaments showed a rather marked mobility, but no conclusion could be reached.     

Diagnosis and management of severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta and aortic arch during cardiac surgery: focus on aortic replacement

Objective: Severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta and arch frequently causes difficulties during heart operations, hindering surgical manoeuvres and potentially leading to systemic embolism. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of replacing the atherosclerotic ascending aorta in this setting. Methods: Aortic atherosclerosis was characterized by epiaortic ultrasonographic scanning in 90.1% of 1927 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac operations, and by computed tomographic chest scanning in selected cases. Thirty-six of the 152 patients requiring major derangements from our standard practice due to aortic atherosclerosis underwent replacement of the ascending aorta and constitute the study group. Replacement of the aorta was extended to the arch in 13 cases (36.1%). It was associated with single or multiple valve surgery in 34 patients (94.4%) and with coronary revascularization in 30 (83.3%). Two patients (5.6%) underwent coronary bypass grafting without valve surgery. A cryoablation procedure was associated in three patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was employed in 34 patients (94.4%), while proximal aortic disease allowed conventional distal crossclamping in 2 cases. The risk of operative mortality was estimated by the logistic EuroSCORE both with and withholding the variable ‘surgery of the thoracic aorta’. All survivors were followed-up for 1–41 months (16 ± 12). Results: Two patients died in the hospital (5.6%) and two during follow-up, for a cumulative survival of 91.3% and 85.6% at 1 and 3 years, respectively (hospital deaths included). The hospital death rate compared favourably with the expected estimates of 25.5% (p < 0.05) and 10.3% (p = 0.67) obtained by the EuroSCORE full model and without ‘aortic surgery’, respectively. In-hospital adverse neurologic events occurred in six patients (16.7%), including stroke in one patient (2.8%) and neurocognitive disturbances in five (13.9%), although they were all transient and cleared before discharge. Excess bleeding required re-exploration in four patients (11.1%), and one more patient underwent emergency grafting for acute postoperative coronary occlusion. Ten patients (38.5%) were intubated for longer than 24 h. Conclusion: Despite significant perioperative morbidity, replacement of the severely atherosclerotic aorta is worth consideration to avert expectedly higher death and stroke rates.     

Peripheral Seeding of Mycotic Aneurysms from an Infected Aortic Stent Graft

Aortic stent graft infection is rare and there are no reported cases of seeded peripheral mycotic aneurysms complicating this condition. We describe the case of a 54 year old man who developed a late stent graft infection at three years, resulting in the peripheral seeding of three mycotic aneurysms with two incidents of rupture. He was successfully treated with extra-anatomic bypass of the aorta and both surgical and endovascular repair of his peripherally seeded mycotic aneurysms.     

内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗直肠类癌

目的探讨内镜黏膜下剥离术（ESD）治疗直肠类癌的应用价值。方法肠镜发现直肠黏膜下肿块后进行微探头超声检查，对诊断为类癌者应用头端弯曲的针形切开刀进行内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗：（1）黏膜下注射生理盐水抬高病灶，使病灶与肌层分离；（2）预切开病灶周围黏膜；（3）剥离病变下方黏膜下层结缔组织，完整切除病灶。结果5例直肠类癌患者，肿瘤直径0.4～1.2（平均1．1）cm，均成功完成ESD治疗。ESD手术时间（自黏膜下注射至完整剥离病变）20-45（平均35）min；术中创面少量出血，均经电凝、氩离子血浆凝固和止血夹成功止血。不需再次肠镜下止血。1例剥离深至肌层，出现皮下气肿，保守治疗好转。术后全部经病理确诊。基底和切缘未见病变累及。1个月后肠镜复查，创面基本愈合。结论ESD是治疗直肠类癌的新方法．以往需要外科手术切除的肿瘤通过ESD可以达到同样的治疗效果。     

MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT BLEEDING DURING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION USING THE FLUSH KNIFE FOR GASTRIC TUMORS

The gastric vasculature responsible for intraoperative bleeding in endosocpic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the ramified vascular network occupying the middle of the submucosal layer and large vessels penetrating the muscle layer. Appropriate management for these vessels must be addressed. The trimming of the ramified vascular network can be safely performed with coagulation mode following shallow mucosal cutting. A large penetrating vessel usually requires precoagulation prior to dissection. These procedures are effectively performed with the water jet short needle knife (Flush knife).     

Ross术后中远期主动脉瓣反流的危险因素分析

Objective To analyze the risk factors of the postoperative mid- and long-term aortic valvular regurgitation after ROSS procedure(pulmanary valve homograft transplantation). Methods Between March 1998 and July 2007,47 patients[25male, 22 female, mean age (13.31±5.79) years, ronge 1-34 years] with aortic valvular disease underwent the Ross procedure at our insti tution. There were 6 patients suffering fron rheumatic heart disease and 41 patients suffering from congenital heart disease. The aver age aortic blood flow velocity was (4.67±3.47) m/s, the average pressure gradient across aortic valve (88.26±58.06)mm Hg, LVEDD (45.53 ±10.78) mm, EF 0.69±0.08. All the patients were followed up in out-patient departement by ultrasonic cardio gram. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the risk factors of the postive aortic valvular regurgitation. Results There was no poetoperative death in hospital. The mean follow-up periods was (36.15±22.1) months, rasnge from 12 to 110 months and none long-dated death. Compared with the data recorded in hospital, the diamenters of the aortic sinus and aortic annu lus enlarged significantly, respectively from (26.16±5.10) mm to (32.37±6.84) tam and from (19.41 ～3.98) mm to (23.45± 5.86) mm. The average flow velocity d the homograft (new aortic valve) was(1.39±0.48) m/s, graclient pressure (8.17+6.16) mm Hg. Mild aortic regurgitstion was present in 5 patients (10.6%), moderate aortic tegmgitafion in 2 pmieats (4.3%) and aevere aortic regurgitation in 1 petient (2.1%). The rate of free from regurgitation was 82.9%. Multiple logistic analyses identified the per esence of bicuspid aortic valve, enlargement of aortic annulus and age above 14 years as the risk factors for posterative aortic regurg itation. Conclusion The Ross procedure is a safe and effective procedure with good clinical results in mid-and long-term follow-up. However, the presence of bicuspid aortic valve, enlargement of aortic annulus and age above 14 years preoperatively were identified as the risk factors for postoperative aortic regurgitation.