Value of Laparoscopy for Resection of Small-Bowel Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Including Central Mesenteric Lymphadenectomy

BACKGROUND

Literature on laparoscopic resection of small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms consists of single case descriptions or small selected case-series only, likely because of challenging mesenteric lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated an institutional change in approach from open to laparoscopic resection of small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasm independent from lymph node involvement.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective comparative cohort study.

SETTING

This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients with small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic or open segmental bowel resection with central mesenteric lymphadenectomy was the studied intervention.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Complexity of lymphadenectomy was assessed by determining the distance between suspect lymph nodes and main mesenteric branches on preoperative CT. Number of (tumor-positive) lymph nodes, conversion to open surgery, and postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification and length of stay were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients were identified, of whom 11 (32%) underwent open and 23 (68%) laparoscopic surgery. Distances between lymph nodes and main mesenteric branches and number of examined and tumor-positive lymph nodes did not differ significantly. Laparoscopy was converted in 7 patients (30%). Major postoperative complications (grades 3-5) occurred in 1 patient (9%) in the open surgery group (grade 5) and 2 patients (9%) in the laparoscopic surgery group (grade 3b). The length of stay was 8 days (range, 6-18 d) in the open surgery group and 4 days (4-8 d) in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.036).

LIMITATIONS

Long-term outcomes could not reliably be assessed because of the relatively short follow-up time of the laparoscopy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic bowel resection with central mesenteric lymphadenectomy for small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasm appears safe and associated with similar pathologic outcome and shorter length of stay in the setting of a tertiary referral center. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B512.

VALOR DE LA LAPAROSCOPIA PARA LA RESECCIN DE NEOPLASIAS NEUROENDOCRINAS DEL INTESTINO DELGADO, INCLUIDA LA LINFADENECTOMA MESENTRICA CENTRAL

ANTECEDENTES:La literatura sobre la resección laparoscópica de neoplasias neuroendocrinas del intestino delgado consiste en descripciones de casos únicos o en series de pequeños casos seleccionados, probablemente debido a la dificultad de la linfadenectomía mesentérica.OBJETIVO:Evaluamos un cambio institucional en el enfoque de la resección abierta a laparoscópica de SB-NEN independientemente de la afectación de los ganglios linfáticos.DISEÑO:Este es un estudio de cohorte comparativo retrospectivo.AJUSTE:Este estudio se realizó en un centro de referencia terciario.PACIENTES:Pacientes con neoplasias neuroendocrinas de intestino delgado.INTERVENCIONES:Resección intestinal segmentaria laparoscópica o abierta con linfadenectomía mesentérica central.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La complejidad de la linfadenectomía se evaluó determinando la distancia entre los ganglios linfáticos sospechosos y las principales ramas mesentéricas en la TC preoperatoria. Número de ganglios linfáticos (tumor positivos), conversión a cirugía abierta, complicaciones postoperatorias según Clavien-Dindo y duración de la estancia.RESULTADOS:Se identificaron 34 pacientes, de los cuales 11 (32%) fueron sometidos a cirugía abierta y 23 (68%) laparoscópica. Las distancias entre los ganglios linfáticos y las principales ramas mesentéricas y el número de ganglios linfáticos examinados y con tumores positivos no difirieron significativamente. La laparoscopia se convirtió en 7 pacientes (30%). Se produjeron complicaciones posoperatorias importantes (grados 3-5) en un paciente (9%) en el grupo de cirugía abierta (grado 5) y en 2 (9%) pacientes en el grupo de cirugía laparoscópica (grado 3b). La estancia intrahospitalaria fue de 8 días (rango 6-18) en el grupo de cirugía abierta y 4 días (4-8) en el grupo laparoscópico (p = 0.036).LIMITACIONES:Los resultados a largo plazo no se pudieron evaluar de manera confiable debido al seguimiento relativamente corto del grupo de laparoscopia.CONCLUSIONES:La resección intestinal laparoscópica con linfadenectomía mesentérica central para SB-NEN parece segura y se asocia con un resultado patológico similar y una estadía más corta en el contexto de un centro de referencia terciario. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B512.

Left ventricular ischemia after arterial switch procedure: Role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and cardiac CT

Transposition of the great arteries is a congenital heart defect defined by an abnormal connection between the aorta, pulmonary artery, and the ventricles, resulting in parallel systemic and pulmonary circulations. Long-term follow-up data of patients who underwent correction via an arterial switch operation have recently shown that as a result of re-implantation of the coronary arteries in the neo-aorta, coronary stenosis and occlusion are relatively common complications. In this report, we discuss two cases illustrating the added value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and cardiac CT for the assessment of these patients. Based on the available literature we conclude that MPI and cardiac CT are excellent non-invasive methods to evaluate coronary anatomy and myocardial function also in this specific group of patients.