Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for patients with body mass index of ≤35 kg/m

BACKGROUND: Many mild-to-moderately obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] 30-35 kg/m(2)) have serious diseases related to their obesity. Nonoperative therapy is ineffective in the long term, yet surgery has never been made widely available to this population. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2004, 93 patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the LAP-BAND. All patients were referred by their primary physician, entered into a comprehensive bariatric surgery program at one Australian center, and operated on by one surgeon. Data on all patients were collected prospectively and entered into an electronic registry. The study parameters included preoperative age, gender, BMI, presence of co-morbidities, percentage of excess weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.6 years (range 16-76), mean weight was 98 kg, and the mean BMI was 32.7 kg/m(2) (range 30-34). Of the 93 patients, 42 (45%) had co-morbidities, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The proportion of patients in follow-up was 79%, 85%, and 89% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The mean weight was reduced to 71 kg at 1 year, 72 kg at 2 years, and 72 kg at 3 years. The mean BMI was reduced to 27.2 +/- 2.2, 27.3 +/- 3.1, and 27.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2), respectively, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 57.9% +/- 24.5%, 57.6 +/- 29.3%, and 53.8% +/- 32.8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. At 3 years, the BMI was 18-24 kg/m(2) in 34%, 25-29 kg/m(2) in 51%, and 30-35 kg/m(2) in 10%. At 3 years, the percentage of excess weight loss was <25% in 10%, 25-50% in 24%, 50-75% in 51%, and >75% in 10%. The co-morbidities improved or completely resolved in most patients. No mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: We are very encouraged by this series of low BMI patients treated with the LAP-BAND. Their weight loss has been good, the complications have been minimal, and the co-morbidities have partially or wholly resolved. With additional study, it is reasonable to expect the weight guidelines for bariatric surgery to be altered to include patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2).     

Prospect of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Early Gastric Cancer: Our Devices in Insulated‐Tip Electrosurgical Knife Method

In Kobe University Hospital, a new method for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) using insulated‐tip electrosurgical knife (IT‐EMR) for early gastric cancer (EGC) was introduced from November 2001. To achieve an effective and safe IT‐EMR procedure, we use a high‐frequency surgical unit for cutting and coagulation (ERBOTOM ICC 200) with automatically controlled cutting mode (ENDOCUT). In this study, we show not only our results of IT‐EMR for EGC in comparison with those of the conventional strip biopsy method, but also the optimal conditions for the apparatus of a high‐frequency surgical unit to prevent complications such as bleeding and perforation.     

IMPROVED BALLOON‐TIPPED TRANS‐ANAL ILEUS TUBE

Background: For management of bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer, endoscopic trans‐anal decompression technique has been first reported by Lelcuk et al. in 1986 using balloon dilatation technique. Since then, various types of trans‐anal decompression tubes have been clinically used for patients suffering from left side obstructing colorectal cancer as an emergent decompressing device. At present, two types of trans‐anal ileus tube (trans‐anal decompression tube) have been available for clinical use, but they have two main problems that are late colon perforations caused by the tip of the tube and tube obstruction by stool. Methods: Analysis on three late colon perforations experienced with the use of conventional devices drew possible improvements to make a trans‐anal ileus tube less harmful. To overcome the pitfalls inherent to conventional tubes, the author has developed an improved trans‐anal ileus tube with a balloon installed at the very end of the tube (‘balloon‐tipped type’) made of silicone, measuring 1200 or 1700 mm in total length and 22 Fr in outer diameter. It has been used for 12 cases with obstructing colorectal cancer etc. and its outcomes were compared with those obtained by the use of conventional trans‐anal ileus tube. Results: No late perforations have been encountered, but tube obstruction did occur in one of 12 cases. Conclusion: The new trans‐anal ileus tube with a balloon installed at the tip of ileus tube is considered to be safer and especially effective in preventing late colon perforation and tube obstruction.     

Predictors of gastric emptying in Parkinson''s disease

Predictors of gastric emptying (GE) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) of a solid and liquid meal are not well defined. For measurement of GE 80 patients with PD were randomly assigned to receive either a solid meal (250 kcal) containing 13C-octanoate (n = 40) or a liquid meal (315 kcal) with 13C-acetate (n = 40). All patient groups were off medication affecting motility and were matched for age, gender, body mass index, disease duration and severity, using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Gastric emptying was compared with a healthy control group (n = 40). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine predictors of gastric emptying. Exactly 88% and 38% of PD patients had delayed GE of solids and liquids respectively. Solid and liquid emptying was similar in women and men. There were no differences in GE in PD patients < 65 years of age when compared with patients > or = 65 years. Multiple regression analysis showed that motor handicaps such as rigour and action tremor are independent predictors of solid GE (r = 0.68, P < 0.001). The severity of motor impairment, but not any other neurological symptom, as assessed by UPDRS is associated with gastroparesis in PD and solid emptying is more likely to be delayed.     

人端粒酶RNA的cDNA探针制备及其对胃粘膜细胞端粒酶RNA表达的检测

目的 建立人端粒酶RNA表达的检测方法。方法 制备人端粒酶RNA，(human telomeraseRNA，hTR)的cDNA探针，分别应用RNA斑点杂交与端粒重复序列扩增法(TRAP)分析检测不同胃粘膜的端粒酶RNA的表达与端粒酶活性。结果 人端粒酶RNA的cDNA探针制备成功。18例活检胃癌组织及45例手术胃癌组织RNA斑点杂交检测的阳性率均为l00％，相应TRAP分析的阳性率分别为88．89％、86．67％，低于RNA斑点杂交(P＜0．05)。同时RNA斑点杂交结果提示在非癌胃组织中随着肠化程度增高人端粒酶RNA表达也增强。结论 RNA斑点杂交检测人端粒酶RNA，具有高度的敏感性和特异性，弥补了TRAP分析敏感性不足的缺点。     

Intimate Saboteurs

Background: The bariatric patient exists in dynamic relationship with family members and friends who have considerable influence upon the patient and his or her surgical outcome. When family members and friends behave as intimate saboteurs, they attempt to hamper, hurt, or subvert the bariatric patient's goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. Successful or not, intimate saboteurs provide significant treatment challenges for the patient and the treatment team. Methods and Patients: Patient profiles provide examples of intimate sabotage. The psychological construct of Family Systems Theory is used as a plausible explanation for the sabotage of friends and family. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary professionals treating the bariatric patient must be aware of the critical influence of intimate saboteurs and the tactics they use to sabotage. Treatment guidelines recommended by Family Systems Theory are presented as strategies to mitigate the influence of intimate saboteurs.     

460例胃癌纤维胃镜活检标本的病理观察

本文分析了460例胃癌胃粘膜活检资料,结果:男:女为2.36:1:51～60岁年龄组发病率最岛(37.17％);发生部位以胃窦部最多见,占46.74％;组织学分类以低分化腺癌最多,占51 52％;在伴随病变中,畅化生的检出率为21.74％,胃腺囊为35％,胃粘膜上皮异型增生为32.61％。本组材料提示,不完全性大肠型肠化生、异型胃腺囊及胃粘膜中度以上异型增生与胃癌有密切关系。     

Laparoscopic Local Resection Based on Sentinel Node Evaluation for Early Gastric Cancer: A Preliminary Report

We previously reported that lymphatic mapping using isosulfan blue can be used to identify sentinel nodes (SNs). This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using the SN technique in treating early gastric cancer and to explore its usefulness for minimal invasive surgery. Twenty-three patients with early gastric cancer who underwent SN biopsy were retrospectively evaluated. Based on SN evaluation, individualized surgery was performed in five patients with T1N0M0 gastric cancer. When pathological examination of frozen sections revealed metastasis in SNs, we performed a standard D2 gastrectomy. Laparoscopic local resection was applied when the SN biopsy was negative. Our results showed that the success rate with SN biopsy in early gastric cancer was 100%, as were the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. All five patients with early gastric cancer had SNs negative for metastases both by frozen section and by postoperative pathology. Thus, all these patients underwent laparoscopic local resection without extended lymphadenectomy. We conclude that SN biopsy is a useful tool to individualize the operative procedure, and laparoscopic local resection can be safely performed using SN guidance in selected patients with early gastric cancer.     

妇女叶酸增补中需要关注的问题

妇女围孕期增补叶酸能够有效预防神经管缺陷等疾病的发生。随着对叶酸研究的不断深入，叶酸补充中出现了诸多问题。本文简要综述了叶酸在服用方式以及基础和临床研究中出现的值得讨论、已经引起关注和需要进一步研究探讨的问题，并提出了深入研究叶酸可能的发展趋势。