Robotic transanal total mesorectal excision: Is the future now?

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard surgical treatment for the curative radical resection of rectal cancers. Minimally invasive TME has been gaining ground favored by the continuous technological advancements. New procedures, such as transanal TME (TaTME), have been introduced to overcome some technical limitations, especially in low rectal tumors, obese patients, and/or narrow pelvis. The earliest TaTME reports showed promising results when compared with the conventional laparoscopic TME. However, recent publications raised concerns regarding the high rates of anastomotic leaks or local recurrences observed in national series. Robotic TaTME (R-TaTME) has been proposed as a novel technique incorporating the potential benefits of a perineal dissection together with precise control of the distal margins, and also offers all those advantages provided by the robotic technology in terms of improved precision and dexterity. Encouraging short-term results have been reported for R-TaTME, but further studies are needed to assess the real role of the new technique in the long-term oncological or functional outcomes. The present review aims to provide a general overview of R-TaTME by analyzing the body of the available literature, with a special focus on the potential benefits, harms, and future perspectives for this novel approach.     

Retrorectal tumors: A challenge for the surgeons

Retrorectal or presacral tumors are rare lesions located in the presacral area and considered as being derived from multiple embryological remnants. These tumors are classified as congenital, neurogenic, osseous, inflammatory, or miscellaneous. The most common among these are congenital benign lesions that present with non-specific symptoms, such as lower back pain and change in bowel habit. Although congenital and developmental tumors occur in younger patients, the median age of presentation is reported to be 45 years. Magnetic resonance imaging plays a crucial role in treatment management through accurate diagnosis of the lesion, the evaluation of invasion to adjacent structures, and the decision of appropriate surgical approach. The usefulness of preoperative biopsy is still debated; currently, it is only indicated for solid or heterogeneous tumors if it will alter the treatment management. Surgical resection with clear margins is considered the optimal treatment; described approaches are transabdominal, perineal, combined abdominoperineal, and minimally invasive. Benign retrorectal tumors have favorable long-term outcomes with a low incidence of recurrence, whereas malignant tumors have a potential for distant organ metastasis in addition to local recurrence.     

The association between decision-making skills and subjective decision outcomes among administrative officers in the Swedish Social Insurance Agency

Social insurance administrative officers’ decision-making skills influence their efficiency at work and their general well-being. At work their tasks are characterised by complexity and a need for order and accountability. Moreover, cases should usually be handled and finalised within the imposed time frames. We investigated skills related to decision-making success among social insurance officers. In total, 118 administrative officers at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (66% response rate) responded to questions on scales and measures relating to cognitive-rational, socio-emotional and time approach features of decision-making skill. In addition, they responded to questions on three scales pertaining to outcomes of everyday decisions in terms of subjective everyday difficulties, tendencies to burnout and depressive symptoms. The results showed that cognitive-rational competence was associated with lower reports of subjective everyday difficulties and depressive symptoms and thereby contributed to the explained variance in decision outcomes. Furthermore, socio-emotional and time approach features of decision-making skills contributed to the explanation for subjective everyday difficulties, tendencies to burnout and depressive symptoms. The results corroborate the basic assumption and usefulness of a broad approach in the definition and assessment of decision-making skills in human service professions in general, and of administrative officers in social insurance agencies in particular. Recommendations for future research and the implications of the results are discussed.     

The surgical anatomy of the superior gluteal nerve and anatomical radiologic bases of the direct lateral approach to the hip

Summary In view of the increasing popularity of the direct lateral approach to the hip joint for hemi- or total hip arthroplasty, the location of the superior gluteal nerve (SGN) was studied. This nerve is in danger when using a transgluteal incision. In 20 embalmed specimens the relation of the SGN to the tip of the greater trochanter (TT) was studied as well as the relation to the iliac crest. For this purpose macroscopy, microscopy and CT were used. In 13 hips a so-called most inferior branch was found at an average of 1 cm distal to the inferior branch, the main trunk of the nerve. There was substantial variation in the course of both the inferior and the most inferior branch of the SGN. In order to prevent nerve damage, proximal extension of the transgluteal incision should be limited to 3 cm cranial to TT. Furthermore the incision has to be confined to the distal one third of the distance TT-iliac crest. In tall people extra care should be taken.

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Anatomie chirurgicale du nerf glutéal supérieur et bases anatomo-radiologiques de l'abord latéral direct de la hanche

Résumé Les recours de plus en plus fréquent à la voie latérale directe de la hanche pour les prothèses totales ou cervico céphaliques nous a conduit à étudier la localisation du nerf glutéal supérieur (SGN) qui est exposé lors de l'incision transglutéale. Les rapports du SGN avec le sommet du grand trochanter (TT) et avec la crête iliaque ont été étudiés sur 20 cadavres embaumés. Nous avons eu recours à l'étude macroscopique, microscopique ainsi qu'au scanner. Dans 13 cas nous avons mis en évidence une branche très inférieure, donc plus distale, située 1 cm en moyenne en dessous de la branche inférieure habituelle de bifurcation du tronc principal. Il existait des variations importantes dans les trajets de ces deux branches inférieures. Afin de prévenir une lésion chirurgicale du nerf, l'incision transglutéale ne doit pas aller au delà de 3 cm du sommet du grand trochanter, de plus l'incision doit être confinée en dessous du tiers distal de la ligne joignant le grand trochanter à la crête iliaque.

     

Anatomic study of femoral vein occlusion during simulated hip arthroplasty

Summary An anatomic study was undertaken to establish whether positioning of the leg and surgical approaches for total hip replacement (THR) cause changes in the femoral v. which may contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The patency of 32 femoral vv. of 18 cadavers was inspected at different levels during simulated THR. Before and after removal of the femoral head through a transgluteal or posterior approach, a wide-angle endoscope was inserted into the femoral v. via the external iliac v. Blood flow was simulated by proximal irrigation with saline through the popliteal v. After removal of the femoral head distinct changes were observed in both approaches. In the transgluteal approach the changes were dependent on the degree of adduction and the body build of the cadaver. Initially, an oval form was seen in a constricted lumen with an increasingly oblique oval deformation and a final facet-like closure, usually at about 5 to 7.5 cm below the inguinal ligament. In total adduction this stenosis occured regardless of build. Using a posterior approach, the necessary internal rotation caused a closure of the vein in 50% of cases. In combination with flexion and adduction there was stenosis in all cadavers regardless of body build. Our results indicate that the duration of the adducted position of the thigh during THR via a transgluteal approach should be minimised, as there is a reduction in blood flow with even minor degrees of adduction. In the posterior approach the stenosis occurs earlier, and is independent of the build of the cadaver.

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Étude anatomique de la sténose de la veine fémorale au cours des arthroplasties totales de hanche

Résumé L'étude anatomique a été réalisée pour établir la relation entre les différentes positions du membre inférieur au cours des arthroplasties totales de hanche et la survenue d'une thrombose veineuse profonde. Cette étude a été réalisée sur 18 cadavres, dont 32 vv. fémorales ont pu être examinées à différents temps de l'arthroplastie totale de hanche, avant et après ablation de la tête fémorale, par voie trans-glutéale ou par voie postérieure. Un endoscope (grand angle) a été introduit dans la v. fémorale par la v. iliaque externe. Le flux sanguin a été simulé par irrigation antérograde avec du sérum salé à travers la v. poplitée. Après l'ablation de la tête fémorale, il a été noté des différences significatives entre la voie d'abord trans-glutéale et la voie d'abord postérieure pour ce qui concerne l'aspect de la lumière de la v. fémorale et le flux sanguin. En ce qui concerne la voie trans-glutéale, ces modifications dépendaient du degré d'adduction et de la corpulence du cadavre. L'aspect de la lumière de la v. fémorale était initialement ovale, puis évoluait progressivement vers la sténose complète qui se situait à peu près entre 5 et 7,5 cm audessous du ligament inguinal. En adduction complète de la cuisse, la sténose se produisait, quelle que soit la corpulence du cadavre. En ce qui concerne la voie d'abord postérieure, la rotation médiale, indispensable à l'accès pour la mise en place de l'élément prothétique fémoral, causait une sténose de la v. fémorale dans 50% des cas. En ce qui concerne la combinaison des mouvements d'adduction et de flexion de la hanche, elle était responsable d'une sténose de la v. fémorale dans tous les cas, et ceci quelle que soit la corpulence du cadavre. Nos résultats indiquent que le durée de la position d'adduction de la cuisse durant l'arthroplastie totale de hanche par voie transglutéale devrait être diminuée car la réduction du flux sanguin dans la v. fémorale survient, même pour des petits degrés d'adduction. Dans la voie d'abord postérieure, la sténose survient plus tôt, elle ne dépend pas de la corpulence du cadavre.

     

肘内侧入路的临床应用解剖及其意义

目的:为肘内侧入路手术避免损伤重要结构提供解剖学基础。方法:选教学用的固定尸体标本24具(男18女6)48侧,按手术入路层次,对肘内侧入路的相关血管神经进行解剖学观测。结果:(1)臂内侧皮神经于臂中部的内侧面浅出,直径为(1.05±0.35)mm;前臂内侧皮神经于臂内侧中下1/3肱二头肌内侧沟伴贵要静脉浅出,直径为(1.50±0.55)mm。(2)尺神经干在肘部发出1~3肘关节支、1~4尺侧腕屈肌支和1~4指深屈肌支。(3)尺侧上副动脉、尺侧下副动脉和尺侧返动脉后支从肱动脉的起点处至尺神经垂直距离分别为(1.65±0.35)cm、(2.43±0.54)cm、(1.86±0.41)cm;与尺神经伴行至内上髁的距离分别为(14.38±1.82)cm、(4.51±1.16)cm、(5.91±0.67)cm。肘部附近尺侧下副动脉和尺侧返动脉后支与尺侧上副动脉在尺神经外膜相吻合。结论:(1)肘内侧入路浅层必须寻找和保护臂内侧皮神经和前臂内侧皮神经;(2)肘内侧入路保护尺神经血供及其肌支是临床手术成败的关键。     

Non-traumatic brain abscess

Between 1953 and 1989 eighty cases of non-traumatic brain abscess were treated in our department. We have re-examined the clinical and neuroradiological features of this pathological process and present our therapeutic approach and results. We believe that the optimal treatment for brain abscess consists of surgical removal.The prognosis for these lesions has undergone a marked improvement over the last two decades in response to neuroradiological, microbiological and surgical advances. The most influential prognostic factor seems to be preoperative clinical status.     

无框架脑立体定向手术在微创神经外科中的应用

目的 探讨无框架脑立体定向手术在微创神经外科的应用价值。方法 术前行MRI或CT检查,将数据输入导航系统,进行头颅或脊髓三维模型重建,设计手术切口和入路,术中实时定位。1999年11月－2001年6月进行无框架脑立体定向手术200例,其中颅内动静脉畸形43例,动脉瘤39例,脑膜瘤30例,海绵状血管瘤27例,胶质瘤19例,神经鞘瘤8例,垂体腺瘤5例,血管网织细胞瘤4例,转移癌3例,其他14例;脊髓肿瘤8例。结果 病灶和重要解剖结构定位准确,病灶定位误差均在2mm以内,术后神经功能损害10例,占5．0％,无手术死亡。结论 无框架脑立体定位手术对脑和脊髓手术,尤其是切除脑深部病灶很有帮助,可以准确发现病灶,保护正常神经组织,改变了传统神经外科手术模式,是微创神经外科的保障。     

岩斜区肿瘤显微外科治疗手术入路选择（附17例报告）

目的：探讨岩斜区肿瘤外科治疗手术入路选择。方法：回顾性分析我院自1997年至2000年6月显微外科手术治疗的17例岩斜区肿瘤。12例肿瘤直径大于4cm。采用6种手术入路：颞下-小脑幕;天幕上下联合;颞下-乙状窦前;枕下乳突后;枕下远外侧;额眶颧入路。结果：肿瘤全切除12例（71%）,术后恢复良好者11例（65%）,术后新增颅神经损害6例（35%）。结论：选择和掌握适合的颅底手术入路,采用显微外科技术入路,采用显微外科技术切除岩斜区肿瘤可取得满意效果。     

60岁以上患者人工股骨头置换分析

目的探讨60岁以上患者人工股骨头置换手术治疗时术前准备,手术入路及疗效.方法回顾性分析87例60岁以上患者人工股骨头置换术手术治疗的临床资料.结果①72例经髋关节前外侧入路手术,其中61例术前采用下肢皮牵引带牵引,11例术前采用骨牵引,术中复位均较容易;术后优良者占93.1%,很好者占4.2%,好者占2.7%,十年内无后脱位和修正者.②15例经髋关节后侧入路手术.其中12例术前采用骨牵引,术中复位较容易;术后优良者占80%,好者占13.3%,尚可占6.7%;术后后脱位者2例,十年内修正者2例;另3例术前采用下肢皮牵引,术中难复位2例,稍难复位1例;五年内无后脱位者,2例进行修正术.结论60岁以上患者人工股骨头置换手术采用髋关节前外侧入路较理想,术前采用下肢皮牵引带牵引即可,不需骨牵引;股骨距(即股骨颈内侧皮质)残留长度和术后早期功能锻炼是决定疗效的关键.