Brachytherapy: An emblematic example of extreme hypofractionated regimen

In order to provide more convenient irradiation regimens for patient comfort, radiation facility organization and health expenses, new hypofractionated protocols have been evaluated. Moderately (dose/fraction: 2.3 to 3 Gy), then ultra (dose/fraction: 5.2 to 6.1 Gy) hypofractionated irradiations were first validated. The current question is: is it possible to go forward using extreme hypofractionated regimens (EHR) based on 1 to 3 fractions. Different irradiation techniques are under investigation. However, brachytherapy remains the smartest way to deliver a high dose in a small volume. We report prospective and retrospective study results which evaluated EHR for breast and prostate brachytherapy. While oncological outcome and toxicity profile appear extremely encouraging for low-risk breast cancer after a 1 to 4 fractions (6.25 to 20 Gy/fraction), the use of a single fraction of 19 to 23 Gy appears debatable for prostate cancer. Brachytherapy represents an emblematic example of EHR but longer follow-up and more mature results are awaited in order to specify the right indications and refine the EQD2 calculation method including new biological and technical factors.     

Metastatic stage vs complications at radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy

BackgroundTo investigate perioperative complication rates at radical nephrectomy (RN) according to inferior vena cava thrombectomy (IVC-T) status and stage (metastatic vs non-metastatic) within kidney cancer patients.Materials and methodsWe ascertained perioperative complication rates within the National Inpatient Sample database (2016–2019). First, log-link linear Generalized Estimating Equation function (GEE) regression models (adjusted for hospital clustering and weighted for discharge disposition) tested complication rates in IVC-T patients, according to metastatic stage. Subsequently, a subgroup analysis relied on RN patients with or without IVC-T. Here, multivariable logistic regression models tested complication rates in RN patients according to IVC-T status, after propensity score matching including metastatic stage.ResultsOf 26,299 RN patients, 461 (2%) patients underwent IVC-T. Of those, 252 (55%) were non-metastatic vs 209 (45%) were metastatic. Rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), transfusion, cardiac, thromboembolic and other medical complications in non-metastatic vs metastatic patients were 40 vs 40%, 25 vs 22%, 21 vs 23%, 19 vs 14% and 38 vs 40%, respectively (all p ≥ 0.2). Metastatic stage in IVC-T patients did not predict differences in complications in log-link linear GEE regression models (all p > 0.1). However, in logistic regression models with propensity score matching, relying on the overall cohort of RN patients, IVC-T status was associated with higher complication rates (all p < 0.001): AKI (Odds ratio [OR]:2.60; 95%-CI [95%-Confidence interval: 1.97–3.44), transfusions (OR:2.40; 95%-CI: 1.72–3.36), cardiac (OR:2.27; 95%-CI: 1.49–3.47), thromboembolic (OR:9.07; 95%-CI: 5.21–16.58) and other medical complications (OR:2.01; 95%-CI: 1.52–2.66).ConclusionsThe current analyses indicate that presence of concomitant IVC-T is associated with higher complication rate at RN. Conversely, metastatic stage has no effect on recorded complication rates.     

Effect of pneumatic leg compression on post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

Post-induction hypotension is common and associated with postoperative complications. We hypothesised that pneumatic leg compression reduces post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. In this double-blind randomised study, patients were allocated randomly to the pneumatic leg compression group (n = 50) or control (n = 50). In the intervention group, pneumatic leg compression was initiated before induction of anaesthesia. In the control group, pneumatic leg compression was initiated 20 min after anaesthesia induction. The primary outcome was the incidence of post-induction hypotension in these groups. Post-induction hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg during the first 20 min after induction. Haemodynamic variables and area under the curve of post-induction systolic blood pressure over time were assessed. Complications associated with pneumatic leg compression were recorded, including: peripheral neuropathy; compartment syndrome; extensive bullae beneath the leg sleeves; and pulmonary thromboembolism. The incidence of post-induction hypotension decreased in the pneumatic leg compression group compared with that in the control group; 5 (10%) vs. 29 (58%), respectively, p < 0.001. In the pneumatic leg compression group, the lowest systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures 20 min after induction of anaesthesia were significantly greater than the control group. Pneumatic leg compression resulted in an increased area under the curve of systolic blood pressure in the first 20 min after induction, p = 0.001. There were no pneumatic leg compression-related complications. Pneumatic leg compression reduced post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, suggesting that it is an effective and safe intervention to prevent post-induction hypotension among elderly patients undergoing general anaesthesia.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性结石性胆囊炎的疗效

目的探讨分析对急性结石性胆囊炎患者采用腹腔镜胆囊切除术进行治疗的临床效果,以及对患者的胃肠功能和C反应蛋白所造成的影响。方法本次研究对象乃是我院肝胆外科于2017年4月-2019年4月期间收治的急性结石性胆囊炎患者62例,按照患者就诊的先后顺序对其进行平均分组,比较两组患者的术后肠鸣音恢复时间、肛门排气时间、排便时间、C反应蛋白水平以及并发症发生率。结果腹腔镜手术组患者的术后肠鸣音恢复时间(13.6±3.5)小时、肛门排气时间(16.5±2.7)小时以及排便时间(25.7±3.3)小时,均明显少于开腹式手术组患者(P<0.05);腹腔镜手术组患者的术后并发症发生率(6.45%)明显低于开腹式手术组患者(25.80%)(P<0.05);腹腔镜手术组患者的C反应蛋白水平为(10.4±2.5)mg/L,少于开腹式手术组患者(P<0.05)。结论根据本次研究的结果可以确认,对急性结石性胆囊炎患者采用腹腔镜胆囊切除术进行治疗能够取得更好的效果,可以促使患者的胃肠功能在术后更快的恢复,提高患者的C反应蛋白,从而有效避免患者出现并发症。     

Recognition and management of phaeochromocytoma

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours. These tumours may be identified incidentally, as part of a work-up for multiple endocrine neoplasia or following haemodynamic surges during unrelated procedures. Advances in preoperative management and improved management of intraoperative haemodynamic instability have significantly reduced surgical mortality from around 40% to less than 3%. Surgery is the definitive treatment in most cases and laparoscopic resection where possible is associated with improved outcomes. Anaesthetic management of PPGL cases represents a unique haemodynamic challenge both before, during and after tumour resection. In this article we describe the physiology of these tumours, their diagnosis, preoperative optimization methods, intraoperative anaesthetic management and management of postoperative complications.     

单孔加一孔联合ERAS在高位直肠及乙状结肠癌中的应用

目的 探讨单孔加一孔腹腔镜手术联合 ERAS 治疗高位直肠及乙状结肠癌的近期疗效。方法 回顾性分析 2017 年 11 月至2018 年 10 月在福建省肿瘤医院胃肠肿瘤外科进行加速康复外科干预的 92 例高位直肠及乙状结肠癌患者资料，根 据手术方式的不同，分为单孔加一孔手术联合快速康复外科组39 例及常规腹腔镜手术联合ERAS 组 53 例，对比两组围术 期情况。结果 两组患者基线资料无明显统计学差异（P ＞ 0.05），且在手术时间、出血量、上下切缘、清扫淋巴结数量及 并发症方面无明显统计学差异（P ＞ 0.05）。但单孔加一孔手术联合ERAS 组较常规手术联合ERAS 组，总切口长度更短 [（6.7±1.1）cm 比（8.5±1.3）cm，P=0.000]，术后首次下床时间更早 [（22.2±5.2）h 比（27.1±7.9）h，P=0.001]，首次排便 时间更早[（70.2±19.8）h比（83.1±20.4）h，P=0.005]，术后第一天C反应蛋白值更低[（43.5±28.6）mg/L比（57.2±33.2） mg/L，P=0.038]，术后住院时间更短 [（7.0±1.7）d 比（8.1±2.1）d，P=0.010]，且术后 2~4 天疼痛评分更低（P ＜ 0.05）。 结论 经验丰富的腔镜医师采用单孔加一孔手术治疗高位直肠及乙状结肠癌并联合 ERAS 干预是安全可行的，且单孔加一孔 手术可减低操作难度，具有疼痛轻、术后恢复快等优势，值得临床推广。     

腹腔镜下子宫双侧动脉阻断术联合清宫术治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠疗效分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜下子宫双侧动脉阻断术联合清宫术治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠疗效及对内分泌的影响.方法 选择2011年1月至2015年12月剖宫产瘢痕妊娠患者57例,其中A组32例患者给予超声引导下清宫术治疗,B组25例患者给予腹腔镜下子宫双侧动脉阻断术联合清宫术治疗,比较两组患者出血量、住院时间、月经复潮时间、术后人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)降至正常时间,并发症情况及术前(T0)、术后第1d(T1)、第3d(T2)神经内分泌激素水平.结果 ①B组患者出血量低于A组,住院时间、月经复潮时间短于A组,比较差异有统计学意义(t出血量=31.85,k院时间=9.36,t月经复t潮时间=16.37,均P＜0.05);②B组患者并发症发生率为8.00％,低于A组的15.63％,比较差异有统计学意义(x2=9.35,P＜0.05);③B组T1、T2血清COR、β-EP、GLU水平低于A组(CORF交互=17.67,β-EPF交互=132.36,6LUF交互=155.38,均P＜0.05).结论 腹腔镜下子宫双侧动脉阻断术联合清宫术治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠微创优势明显,安全性高,对内分泌影响较轻.     

Connectivity measures suggest a sub-cortical generator of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome

ObjectiveThe clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome (AS) have been evaluated in single case or small cohorts, with contrasting results. We evaluated the features of myoclonus in a wide cohort of AS patients.MethodsWe performed polygraphic EEG-EMG recording in 24 patients with genetically confirmed AS and myoclonus. Neurophysiological investigations included jerk-locked back-averaging (JLBA), cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and generalised partial directed coherence (GPDC). CMC and GPDC analyses were compared to those obtained from 10 healthy controls (HC).ResultsTwenty-four patients (aged 3–35 years, median 20) were evaluated. Sequences of quasi-continuous rhythmic jerks mostly occurred at alpha frequency or just below (mean 8.4 ± 1.4 Hz), without EEG correlate. JLBA did not show any clear transient preceding the jerks. CMC showed bilateral over-threshold CMC in alpha band that was prominent on the contralateral hemisphere in the patient group as compared to HC group. GPDC showed a significantly higher alpha outflow from both hemispheres toward activated muscles in the patient group, and a significantly higher beta outflow from contralateral hemisphere in the HC group.ConclusionsThese neurophysiological findings suggest a subcortical generator of myoclonus in AS.SignificanceMyoclonus in AS has not a cortical origin as previously hypothesised.     

新型四腔水箱在腹外科腔镜电凝线清洗消毒中的应用研究

摘要〓目的〓研究四腔水箱在腹外科腔镜电凝线擦拭法清洗消毒中的应用效果。方法〓通过目测法和ATP生物荧光法,对本研究的四腔水箱用于腹外科腔镜电凝线的清洗效果进行评价。结果〓传统治疗碗清洗的206件腔镜电凝线清洗质量合格率为86.4%,四腔水箱清洗的206件腹腔镜电凝线清洗质量合格率为94.6%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。用四腔水箱清洗腔镜电凝线擦拭过程中的护理人员满意度较高。结论〓四腔水箱可提高腹外科腔镜电凝线清洗质量和护理人员满意度。