Systematic use of isolated pancreatic anastomosis after pancreatoduodenectomy: Five years of experience with zero mortality

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to perform a comprehensive evaluation of 5 years of experience with the technique of isolated pancreatic anastomosis reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy from the perspective of safety and surgical efficacy using a prospective database.

METHODS

The study included all consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy from April 2009 to April 2014 at a single referral center for hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases. The primary endpoint was the safety of the procedures, which was assessed as the occurrence of complications during hospitalization. Ninety-day mortality was also assessed. Postoperative pancreatic fistulas were classified as grade A, B, or C according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula classification.

RESULTS

The study group included 214 consecutive patients with a median age of 60 years who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Portal vein resection was performed on 41 patients. Indications for resection were 165 pancreatic head tumors, 33 ampullary tumors, 7 chronic pancreatitis, 3 distal bile duct tumors, and 6 duodenal tumors. There was no perioperative or 90-day mortality in this series. Complications occurred in 68 patients (32%), and 42 patients presented with pancreatic fistulas (19.6%). Grade A fistulas were present in 38 patients. Three patients presented persistent pancreatic fistula and were treated with percutaneous drainage. One patient developed combined pancreatic and biliary fistulas and was reoperated on for pancreatic abscess drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of isolated pancreatic anastomosis by diverting the pancreatic from biliary secretion may contribute to reducing the severity of pancreatic fistulas and therefore the severity of this complication.

Laparoscopic resection of left liver segments using the intrahepatic Glissonian approach

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in laparoscopic techniques have resulted in growing indications for laparoscopic hepatectomy. However, this procedure has not been widely developed, and anatomic segmental liver resection is not currently performed due to difficulty controlling the segmental Glissonian pedicles laparoscopically. This study aimed to report a novel technique for laparoscopic anatomic resection of left liver segments using the intrahepatic Glissonian approach based on small incisions according to anatomic landmarks such as Arantius' and round ligaments.

METHODS

Nine consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection using the intrahepatic Glissonian technique from April 2007 to June 2008. Five patients underwent laparoscopic bisegmentectomy 2-3, one laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy, two resections of segment 3, and one resection of segment 4.

RESULTS

One patient required a blood transfusion. The mean operation time was 180 min (range, 120-300 min), and the median hospital stay was 3 days (range, 1-5 days). No patient had postoperative signs of liver failure or bile leakage. No postoperative mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION

The main advantage of the intrahepatic Glissonian procedure over other techniques is the possibility of gaining a rapid and precise access to the left Glissonian sheaths facilitating left hemihepatectomy, bisegmentectomy 2-3, and individual resections of segments 2, 3, and 4. The authors believe that the intrahepatic Glissonian technique facilitates laparoscopic liver resection and may increase the development of segment-based laparoscopic liver resection.

Laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy for hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND

Liver resection is the definitive treatment for unilateral hepatolithiasis. Recently, laparoscopic major hepatectomias have become more common and are being performed in highly specialized centers. However, few laparoscopic liver resections for hepatolithiasis have been reported. Chen et al. reported two cases of laparoscopic left lobectomy for hepatolithiasis, but to our knowledge, right hepatectomy has never been reported to date. This video demonstrates technical aspects of a totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy in a patient with hepatolithiasis.

METHODS

A 21-year-old woman with right-sided nonoriental primary intrahepatic stones was referred for surgical treatment. The operation followed four distinct phases: liver mobilization, dissection of the right portal vein and right hepatic artery, extrahepatic dissection of the right hepatic vein, and parenchymal transection with harmonic shears and linear staplers for division of segment 5 and 8 branches of the middle hepatic vein. No Pringles' maneuver was used. In contrast to liver resection for other indications, the right bile duct was enlarged and filled with stones. It was divided during parenchymal transection and left open. After removal of the surgical specimen, the biliary tree was flushed with saline until stone clearance, under radioscopic surveillance, was complete. The right hepatic duct then was closed with running suture.

RESULTS

The operative time was 240 min, and the estimated blood loss was 120 ml, with no blood transfusion. The hospital stay was 5 days. At this writing, the patient is well and asymptomatic 7 months after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible for patients with hepatolithiasis and should be considered for those suffering from intrahepatic stones.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-007-9666-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Oral appliances and functional orthopaedic appliances for obstructive sleep apnoea in children

BACKGROUND

Apnoea is a breathing disorder marked by the absence of airflow at the nose or mouth. In children, risk factors include adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, neuromuscular disorders and craniofacial anomalies. The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in childhood is adenotonsillectomy. This approach is limited by its surgical risks, mostly in children with comorbities and, in some patients, by recurrence that can be associated with craniofacial problems. Oral appliances and functional orthopaedic appliances have been used for patients who have OSAS and craniofacial anomalies because they change the mandible posture forwards and potentially enlarge the upper airway and increase the upper airspace, improving the respiratory function.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances for OSAS in children.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A sensitive search was developed for the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 3); PubMed (January 1966 to September 2005); EMBASE (1980 to September 2005); Lilacs (1982 to September 2005); BBO-Bibliografia Brasileira de Odontologia (1986 to September 2005); and SciELO (1997 to September 2005). There was no restriction of language or source of information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing all types of oral and functional orthopaedic appliances with placebo or no treatment, in children 15 years old or younger.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

reduction of apnoea to less than one episode per hour.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

dental and skeletal relationship, sleep parameters improvement, cognitive and phonoaudiologic function, behavioural problems, drop outs and withdrawals, quality of life, side effects (tolerability), economic evaluation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were independently extracted by two review authors. Authors were contacted for additional information. Risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all important dichotomous outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

The initial search identified 384 trials. One of them, reporting results from a total of 23 patients, was suitable for inclusion in the review. Data provided in the published report did not answer all the questions from this review, but some of them were, and the presented results favour treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

At present there is no sufficient evidence to state that oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances are effective in the treatment of OSAS in children. Oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances may be helpful in the treatment of children with craniofacial anomalies which are risk factors for apnoea.

Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children

BACKGROUND

Anterior open bite occurs when there is a lack of vertical overlap of the upper and lower incisors. The aetiology is multifactorial including: oral habits, unfavourable growth patterns, enlarged lymphatic tissue with mouth breathing. Several treatments have been proposed to correct this malocclusion, but interventions are not supported by strong scientific evidence.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate orthodontic and orthopaedic treatments to correct anterior open bite in children.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Search strategies were developed for MEDLINE and revised appropriately for the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register; CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 4); PubMed (1966 to December 2005); EMBASE (1980 to February 2006); Lilacs (1982 to December 2005); Brazilian Bibliography of Odontology (BBO) (1986 to December 2005); and SciELO (1997 to December 2005). Chinese journals were handsearched and the bibliographies of papers were retrieved.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of orthodontic or orthopaedic treatments or both to correct anterior open bite in children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility of all reports identified. Risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous data. The continuous data were expressed as described by the author.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight trials were potentially eligible, but only three randomised controlled trials were included comparing: effects of Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training versus no treatment; repelling-magnet splints versus bite-blocks; and palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup versus no treatment. The study comparing repelling-magnet splints versus bite-blocks could not be analysed because the authors interrupted the treatment earlier than planned due to side effects in four of ten patients.FR-4 associated with lip-seal training (RR = 0.02 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.38)) and removable palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup (RR = 0.23 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.48)) were able to correct anterior open bite.No study described: randomisation process, sample size calculation, there was not blinding in the cephalometric analysis and the two studies evaluated two interventions at the same time. These results should be therefore viewed with caution.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

:There is weak evidence that the interventions FR-4 with lip-seal training and palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup are able to correct anterior open bite. Given that the trials included have potential bias, these results must be viewed with caution. Recommendations for clinical practice cannot be made based only on the results of these trials. More randomised controlled trials are needed to elucidate the interventions for treating anterior open bite.

Small Bowel and Colon Transplantation in Rats Using Porto-Portal Cuff Anastomosis

Portal versus systemic venous drainage and colon grafting are major controversies in the techniques of intestinal transplantation. The rat is the best animal for research in this field. Nevertheless, this model requires complex microvascular anastomoses that are responsible for the high incidence of technical failures. A cuff technique is an easier anastomosis method than a hand-suture. We describe a simplified rat model of small bowel and colon transplantation using a porto-portal cuff anastomosis. DONOR: The entire small bowel, cecum, and ascending colon are harvested on a vascular pedicle, consisting of a long aortomesenteric conduit and portal vein. The right colonic vessels are preserved. The graft is flushed and a cuff device is placed on the end of the portal vein. RECIPIENT: The graft is implanted through an end-to-side aorto-aorta hand-sewn anastomosis. A segment between the first and second jejunal branch is isolated between clamps to insert into the portal cuff. After reperfusion, the recipient's mesentery is divided just below the cuff anastomosis. The recipient jejunum, ileum, and ascending colon are removed en bloc, and the graft is anastomosed in continuity with the remaining naive intestine concluding the operation. This simplified technique surmounts the technical obstacles in rats because it is easily and quickly performed, maintaining the physiological portal drainage, preserving graft ileocecal valve and ascending colon, and reaching acceptable success after a short period of training.

Modified pharyngogastrostomy by a stapler technique

Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy is the gold standard treatment for the majority of larynx, pharynx and cervical esophagus advanced tumours. Reconstruction of these pharyngoesophageal defects is complex, and implicates additional time, morbity and mortality to the procedure. Gastric pull up and pharyngogastrostomy with hand sewing technique is the commonest way of doing it. The authors describe a modified technique to execute it using a stapler device.

Interferon alpha-2B and liver resection to treat multifocal hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a relevant approach to avoid liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare malignant tumor of vascular origin with frequent multifocal appearance. Liver resection may cause tumor spread. Liver transplantation has been indicated for unresectable nodules. We hypothesized that adjuvant interferon treatment is effective to prevent metastasis after liver resection. We report a case of multifocal hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma successfully treated with interferon pulse therapy and bilobar hepatic resection.

METHODOLOGY

CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed three nodules in the liver (segments IV, VI and VII). Histopathology and specific immunostaining of a percutaneous nodule biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. The treatment protocol included daily interferon alpha 2b 9 weeks before and 1 week after resection of liver segments IV, VI and VII.

RESULTS

The postoperative outcome was complicated by a self-limited biliary fistula. The patient remains tumor free at 3 years after liver resection and currently enjoys excellent health.

CONCLUSION

Interferon pulse therapy and hepatic resection was a good option to treat multifocal bilobar hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; it may prevent metastasis dissemination.

Early mortality in liver transplantation: bilirubin as predictor of outcome

The shortage of donor organs and the long waiting lists have increased the need to better select liver transplant candidates using predictors of success. We reviewed the results of 29 liver transplantations performed from January 2002 to February 2003 analyzing the correlations with early mortality (30 days) of patient data, pretransplant laboratory data, warm ischemia time, intraoperations blood unit transfusions, and postoperative complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and infection. Overall early mortality was 27.6% and 44% in fulminant hepatic failure (n = 9), there were four retransplants with one death, and two intraoperative deaths. Only pretransplant bilirubin (P =.045) and postoperative lactate levels (P =.002) were significantly different between alive versus dead patients. In this small population bilirubin was more related to death than the MELD score. Lactate levels, nonspecific predictor of death in shock syndromes were probably related to septic complications.

A simple technique for removal of the gallbladder during microlaparoscopic cholecystectomy

With the advent of mini-instruments, laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been performed with two or three trocars instead of the standard four ports. However, removal of the gallbladder is a difficult aspect with these microlaparoscopic techniques. To remove the gallbladder through the 11-mm umbilical port, a 5-mm telescope should be used. However this telescope is not always available. Other techniques are suitable only for patients with limited or no inflammation of the gallbladder. An efficient, simple, and inexpensive technique is described that allows removal of the gallbladder through an 11-mm trocar without the need for a 5-mm telescope. It permits removal of the specimen in acute suppurative or thick-wall cholecystitis independently of the technique used.

Biliary reconstruction without T-tube in liver transplantation

Biliary complications have been reported in 9% to 34% of liver transplant patients. Although most centers seem to prefer a duct-to-duct anastomosis without a T-tube when feasible, the best method of biliary reconstruction remains controversial. The aim of this study was to review our experience on reconstruction of the biliary tract without drainage. Forty-one patients underwent 45 liver transplants over two periods. Forty patients underwent 15 liver transplants from October 1992 to March 1995; and 27 underwent 30 liver transplants from January 2002 to February 2003. Our standard biliary reconstruction was an end-to-end anastomosis without drain. The overall actuarial survival was 72.7% at 1 year, 64.7% at 3 years, and 56.6% at 5 years. The mean follow-up was 23 months. Eight patients (22.2%) developed biliary tract complications: five patients papillary dysfunction (13.9%); two, biliary stricture (5.5%); and one, biliary sludge without evidence of stricture (2.8%). Papillary dysfunction represented 62.5% of all complications. Biliary reconstruction without drainage may be routinely performed since the complications are only those not related to the T-tube.