16 research outputs found

    NK-1 receptor gene expression is related to pain in chronic pancreatitis

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    Recent theories of pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) are neuroimmune interactions of intrapancreatic nerves and inflammatory cells and increase in levels of pain neurotransmitters such as substance P (SP). This study analyzed the expression and localization of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK-1R), which binds SP, and its association with pain and inflammation in CP. Pancreatic tissues from 31 patient (22 males, nine females; mean age 45.9 +/- 9.4 years) with CP were evaluated. Nine normal pancreases (five males, four females, mean age 42.9 +/- 9.5 years) served as controls. Quantitative PCR was used to determine the NK-1R mRNA expression levels and in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to localize expression sites of NK-1R mRNA and protein, respectively. We also analyzed whether an association exists between NK-1R mRNA expression and pain and inflammation. In CP samples. in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry localized NK-1R mRNA expression and protein mainly in the nerves, ganglia, blood vessels, inflammatory cells and occasionally in fibroblasts. In patients with mild to moderate and strong intensity of pain, NK-1R mRNA levels were increased 14- and 30-fold over controls, respectively. There was a significant relationship between NK-1R mRNA levels and intensity of pain (r = 0.46, P = 0.03), NK-1R mRNA and the frequency of pain (r = 0.51, P = 0.04), and NK-1R mRNA and duration of pain (r = 0.46. P = 0.01) in CP patients. but not with the degree of tissue inflammation. NK-1R signaling may be involved in the pain syndrome of CP. The expression of NK-1R in inflammatory calls and blood vessels also points to an interaction of immunoreactive substance P nerves, inflammatory cells and blood vessels, and further supports the existence of a neuroimmune interaction that probably influences the pain syndrome and chronic inflammatory changes so characteristic of CP. (C) 2001 international Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

    Laparoscopic management of appendicitis and symptomatic cholelithiasis during pregnancy

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    Background: Laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy is a challenging procedure that most surgeons are reluctant to perform. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy is safe in pregnant women. The management of these situations remains controversial. We report a single center study describing the successful management of 16 patients during pregnancy. Methods: More than 3,356 laparoscopic procedures were performed in our institutions between May 1990 and June 2005. Sixteen of these patients were operated on in the second and third trimester between 22 and 32weeks of estimated gestational age. We performed 11 laparoscopic appendectomies and 5 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. We also reviewed the management and operative technique used in these patients. Results: In this study, the laparoscopic appendectomy or cholecystectomy was performed successfully in all patients. Three patients were in their second trimester, weeks22, 23, and 25, and 13 were in the third trimester, weeks27 (three patients), 28 (five patients), 31 (three patients), and 32 (two patients). No maternal or fetal morbidity occurred. Open laparoscopy was performed safely in all patients and all patients delivered healthy babies. Conclusion: From our experience laparoscopic management of appendicitis and biliary colic during pregnancy is safe, however the second trimester is preferable for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pregnancy is not a contraindication to the laparoscopic approach to appendicitis or symptomatic cholelithiasis. We believe that laparoscopic operations, when performed by experienced surgeons, are safe and even preferable for the mother and the fetu

    Laparoscopic management of appendicitis and symptomatic cholelithiasis during pregnancy

    No full text
    BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy is a challenging procedure that most surgeons are reluctant to perform. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy is safe in pregnant women. The management of these situations remains controversial. We report a single center study describing the successful management of 16 patients during pregnancy. METHODS: More than 3,356 laparoscopic procedures were performed in our institutions between May 1990 and June 2005. Sixteen of these patients were operated on in the second and third trimester between 22 and 32 weeks of estimated gestational age. We performed 11 laparoscopic appendectomies and 5 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. We also reviewed the management and operative technique used in these patients. RESULTS: In this study, the laparoscopic appendectomy or cholecystectomy was performed successfully in all patients. Three patients were in their second trimester, weeks 22, 23, and 25, and 13 were in the third trimester, weeks 27 (three patients), 28 (five patients), 31 (three patients), and 32 (two patients). No maternal or fetal morbidity occurred. Open laparoscopy was performed safely in all patients and all patients delivered healthy babies. CONCLUSION: From our experience laparoscopic management of appendicitis and biliary colic during pregnancy is safe, however the second trimester is preferable for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pregnancy is not a contraindication to the laparoscopic approach to appendicitis or symptomatic cholelithiasis. We believe that laparoscopic operations, when performed by experienced surgeons, are safe and even preferable for the mother and the fetu

    Right Hepatectomy in Patients over 70 Years of Age: An Analysis of Liver Function and Outcome

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    Background: As a consequence of the increase in life expectancy, hepatobiliary surgeons have to deal with an emerging aged population. We aimed to analyze the liver function and outcome after right hepatectomy (RH) in patients over 70years of age. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2009, we prospectively collected data of 207 consecutive elective hepatectomies. In patients who had RH, cardiac risk was assessed by a dedicated preoperative workup. Liver failure (LF) was defined by the "fifty-fifty” criteria at postoperative day 5 (POD) and morbidity by the Clavien-Dindo classification. Liver function tests (LFTs) and short-term outcome were retrospectively analyzed in patients over (elderly group, EG) and younger (young group, YG) than 70years of age. Results: Eighty-seven consecutive RH were performed during the study period. Indication for surgery included 90% malignancy in 47% of patients requiring preoperative chemotherapy. ASA grade>2 (44 vs. 16%, p=0.027), ischemic heart disease (17 vs. 5%, p=0.076), and preoperative cardiac failure (26 vs. 2%, p<0.001) were more frequent in the EG (n=23) than in the YG (n=64). Both groups were similar regarding rates of normal liver parenchyma, chemotherapy and intraoperative parameters. The overall morbidity rates were comparable, but the serious complication (grades III-V) rate was relatively higher in the EG (39 vs. 25%, p=0.199), particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (100 vs. 29%, p=0.04) and those who had additional nonhepatic surgery (67 vs. 35%, p=0.110) and transfusions (44 vs. 30%, p=0.523). The 90-day mortality rate was similar (9% in the EG vs. 3% in the YG, p=0.28) and was related to heart failure in the EG. LFTs showed a similar trend from POD 1 to 8, and patients ≥70years of age had no liver failure. Conclusions: Age ≥70years alone is not a contraindication to RH. However, major morbidity is particularly higher in the elderly with diabetes. This high-risk group should be closely monitored in the postoperative course. Liver function is not altered in the elderly patient after R

    Long-term Outcome after Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Larger than 10cm

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    Background: The purpose of the present study was to analyze long-term survival and disease-free survival after liver resection for giant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)≥10cm compared to HCC<10cm in diameter. The surgical approach in the treatment of giant HCC may achieve long-term survival and disease-free survival comparable to treatment of smaller lesions. Methods: This retrospective analysis was a monocentric study conducted in a tertiary university center. It included 101 patients from 114 consecutive liver resections for HCC, separated into two groups: those with tumors less than 10cm in diameter (small HCC; n=79) and those with tumors larger than 10cm (giant HCC; n=22). The main outcome measures were overall five-year survival, five-year disease-free survival, recurrence rate, perioperative mortality at 30days, surgical complication rate, and re-intervention rate. Results: The two groups were homogeneously distributed, apart from cirrhosis, which was found more frequently in the group with small HCC (77 vs. 41%; p=0.0013). Both median survival (24 vs. 27months; p=0.0085) and overall 5-year survival (21 vs. 45; p=0.04) were significantly poorer in the small HCC group compared to the giant HCC group. There were no differences en terms of recurrence rate, pattern, and timing. Conclusions: Liver resection for HCC larger than 10cm is a valuable option in selected patients, one that provides overall survival and disease-free survival comparable to smaller lesions. Functional reserves of the liver, more than the size of the lesion, may be important in patient selection for surgical resectio

    Differential Expression of Metastasis-Associated Genes in Papilla of Vater and Pancreatic Cancer Correlates With Disease Stage

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    PURPOSE: Papilla of Vater cancer has a much better prognosis than pancreatic cancer. It is not known whether this is the result of differences in the tumor biology of the two malignancies. Because metastasis formation is a critical step in tumor progression and a negative prognostic factor, we compared the expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1, two metastasis-suppressing genes, in papilla of Vater cancer and pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis was performed in nine normal human papilla of Vater samples, 27 papilla of Vater cancers, 16 normal pancreatic samples, and 29 pancreatic cancers. Expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1 was analyzed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed to localize the respective proteins. RESULTS: There was no difference in nm23-H1 and KAI1 mRNA expression levels in normal versus cancerous papilla of Vater samples. In contrast, nm23-H1 and KAI1 RNA expression was upregulated in early tumor stages of pancreatic cancer and reduced in advanced tumor stages. When expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1 RNA was analyzed by use of in situ hybridization, normal epithelial cells of the papilla of Vater exhibited mRNA staining intensity similar to that of papilla of Vater cancer cells. Similar levels of nm23-H1 and KAI1 immunoreactivity also were observed in these samples. In contrast, early stage pancreatic cancer samples exhibited stronger nm23-H1 and KAI1 immunoreactivity than normal controls. Furthermore, early pancreatic cancer stages exhibited higher KAI1 and nm23-H1 immunostaining than advanced tumor stages. CONCLUSION: Differences in the expression patterns of the two tumor suppressor genes nm23-H1 and KAI1 may contribute to the different prognoses of papilla of Vater cancer and pancreatic cancer. Our findings support the hypothesis that biologic differences rather than earlier diagnosis influence the different outcomes of these two tumor entities. </jats:p

    Right Hepatectomy in Patients over 70 Years of Age: An Analysis of Liver Function and Outcome

    No full text
    BACKGROUND: As a consequence of the increase in life expectancy, hepatobiliary surgeons have to deal with an emerging aged population. We aimed to analyze the liver function and outcome after right hepatectomy (RH) in patients over 70 years of age. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2009, we prospectively collected data of 207 consecutive elective hepatectomies. In patients who had RH, cardiac risk was assessed by a dedicated preoperative workup. Liver failure (LF) was defined by the "fifty-fifty" criteria at postoperative day 5 (POD) and morbidity by the Clavien-Dindo classification. Liver function tests (LFTs) and short-term outcome were retrospectively analyzed in patients over (elderly group, EG) and younger (young group, YG) than 70 years of age. RESULTS: Eighty-seven consecutive RH were performed during the study period. Indication for surgery included 90 % malignancy in 47 % of patients requiring preoperative chemotherapy. ASA grade > 2 (44 vs. 16 %, p = 0.027), ischemic heart disease (17 vs. 5 %, p = 0.076), and preoperative cardiac failure (26 vs. 2 %, p < 0.001) were more frequent in the EG (n = 23) than in the YG (n = 64). Both groups were similar regarding rates of normal liver parenchyma, chemotherapy and intraoperative parameters. The overall morbidity rates were comparable, but the serious complication (grades III-V) rate was relatively higher in the EG (39 vs. 25 %, p = 0.199), particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (100 vs. 29 %, p = 0.04) and those who had additional nonhepatic surgery (67 vs. 35 %, p = 0.110) and transfusions (44 vs. 30 %, p = 0.523). The 90-day mortality rate was similar (9 % in the EG vs. 3 % in the YG, p = 0.28) and was related to heart failure in the EG. LFTs showed a similar trend from POD 1 to 8, and patients ≥70 years of age had no liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥70 years alone is not a contraindication to RH. However, major morbidity is particularly higher in the elderly with diabetes. This high-risk group should be closely monitored in the postoperative course. Liver function is not altered in the elderly patient after RH

    A multicenter randomized clinical trial of primary anastomosis or Hartmann's procedure for perforated left colonic diverticulitis with purulent or fecal peritonitis

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    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome after Hartmann's procedure (HP) versus primary anastomosis (PA) with diverting ileostomy for perforated left-sided diverticulitis. BACKGROUND: The surgical management of left-sided colonic perforation with purulent or fecal peritonitis remains controversial. PA with ileostomy seems to be superior to HP; however, results in the literature are affected by a significant selection bias. No randomized clinical trial has yet compared the 2 procedures. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with acute left-sided colonic perforation (Hinchey III and IV) from 4 centers were randomized to HP (n = 30) and to PA (with diverting ileostomy, n = 32), with a planned stoma reversal operation after 3 months in both groups. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary end point was the overall complication rate. The study was discontinued following an interim analysis that found significant differences of relevant secondary end points as well as a decreasing accrual rate (NCT01233713). RESULTS: Patient demographics were equally distributed in both groups (Hinchey III: 76% vs 75% and Hinchey IV: 24% vs 25%, for HP vs PA, respectively). The overall complication rate for both resection and stoma reversal operations was comparable (80% vs 84%, P = 0.813). Although the outcome after the initial colon resection did not show any significant differences (mortality 13% vs 9% and morbidity 67% vs 75% in HP vs PA), the stoma reversal rate after PA with diverting ileostomy was higher (90% vs 57%, P = 0.005) and serious complications (Grades IIIb-IV: 0% vs 20%, P = 0.046), operating time (73 minutes vs 183 minutes, P < 0.001), hospital stay (6 days vs 9 days, P = 0.016), and lower in-hospital costs (US \$16,717 vs US \$24,014) were significantly reduced in the PA group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized clinical trial favoring PA with diverting ileostomy over HP in patients with perforated diverticulitis
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