The propeptide of subtilisin BPN'' as a temporary inhibitor and effect of an amino acid replacement on its inhibitory activity

PURPOSE: To determine the potential benefits of applying laparoscopic techniques for the intraabdominal insertion of aortofemoral grafts and to compare results with those of conventional surgery. METHODS: Having previously demonstrated the feasibility of a totally laparoscopic aortofemoral bypass technique using carbon dioxide peritoneal insufflation in a porcine model, we now report our first human experience with this laparoscopic technique in a 49-year-old man. RESULTS: The patient's postoperative course was marked by his minimal requirements for analgesia, early ambulation, and discharge from the hospital in the morning of the third postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of a laparoscopic approach to aortobifemoral bypass grafting in terms of financial savings and earlier rehabilitation in this patient was significant. This less-invasive procedure warrants further investigation.     

Effects of peritoneal insufflation on hepatic and renal blood flow

The effects of peritoneal insufflation with carbon dioxide on hepatic and renal blood flow have not been reported hitherto. We evaluated these effects in a porcine model of abdominal laparoscopic surgery. Seven anesthetized pigs underwent peritoneal insufflation in a step-wise manner to create intraabdominal pressures of 6, 12, 18 and 24 mmHg, and changes in the arterial and venous pressure, arterial blood gases, and hepatic and renal blood flow were monitored. Both the hepatic and renal blood flow decreased as the intraabdominal pressure increased. Therefore, in order to carry out laparoscopic abdominal surgery safely in patients with hepatic or renal impairment, low intraabdominal pressures or noninsufflating techniques are recommended.     

Usefulness of CO2 US angiography in treating hepatocellular carcinoma

We evaluated the usefulness of CO2 US angiography in the detectability of and the effectiveness of TAE and/or PEIT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twenty-three patients with HCC underwent CO2 angiography during the interventional procedure to treat HCC after examination of CT and conventional US. CO2 US angiography was observed on the US monitor by injecting CO2 microbubbles through a catheter placed in the hepatic artery. Contrast materials for CO2 US angiography were 3 ml of CO2 microbubbles prepared by vigorously mixing 3 ml of normal saline with 3 ml of 20% Intralipid, 3 ml of 20% albumin or 3 ml of the patient's own blood. In all patients, CO2 US angiography revealed equal or superior tumor detectability as compared with CT, conventional US and angiography. For demonstrating the inner structure of HCC, the image of CO2 microbubbles mixed with Intralipid was better than that of CO2 microbubbles mixed with albumin. In 9 of 23 patients, CO2 US angiography depicted nodules that had not been seen in the other images. TAE was performed in 21 patients with HCC who showed hypervascularity. In one patient in whom it was difficult to clearly depict the small lesion of HCC by conventional angiography and US, PEIT was successful under CO2 US angiography. The detectability of HCC was higher in CO2 US angiography than in CT, conventional US or angiography. The distribution of blood supply to HCC was observed easily by CO2 US angiography. In TAE of HCC, CO2 US angiography was useful to determine the dose of embolization materials without having to perform repeated angiography. It was possible to perform PEIT easily for non-detectable tumors without CO2 US angiography. CO2 US angiography was useful to evaluate the stage of HCC and to perform TAE and PEIT.     

Effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, air pneumoperitoneum, and gasless laparoscopy on body weight and tumor growth

BACKGROUND: The oncologic consequences of intraperitoneal carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation during the laparoscopic resection of cancer are under debate. The effect of other insufflating gases or gasless laparoscopy on cancer requires study. OBJECTIVE: To study body weight and tumor growth in rats after CO2 pneumoperitoneum, air pneumoperitoneum, and gasless laparoscopy. METHODS: On day 1, an 8-mg bolus of ROS-1 tumor was placed under the renal capsule of both kidneys in rats. In experiment A, rats had either CO2 insufflation (n=10) or a gasless laparoscopic bowel resection (n=10) on day 3 and were humanely killed after 7 days. In experiment B, rats had either a laparoscopic bowel resection with CO2 insufflation (n=11) or insufflation with air (n=11) on day 3 and were killed after 7 days. In both experiments, postoperative weight loss and tumor growth were measured, and the differences were tested with an analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Renal subcapsular tumor growth in the group having gasless laparoscopy was less than that in the group having CO2 pneumoperitoneum (P=.04). Postoperative weight loss in these groups showed no differences (P=.55). No differences in tumor growth or weight loss were found between rats having insufflation with CO2 and those having insufflation with air (P=.61 and P=.68, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The restoration of body weight after a laparoscopic surgical procedure was similar with CO2, air, or gasless laparoscopy. Gasless laparoscopy was associated with less renal subcapsular tumor growth than was insufflation with CO2. Therefore, the application of gasless techniques in laparoscopic oncologic surgical treatment demands further study.     

Current status of treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma

In recent years ethanol injection therapy (PEI) and transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization (TAE) have come to be widely used in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma, and the introduction of microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) more recently has made it possible to perform a variety of non-surgical treatments even in cases in which surgical resection has been indicated until now. There have also been reports based on survival rates that results comparable to those obtained by surgical resection can be achieved with non-surgical methods. The main issue is whether PEI or resection should be selected to treat small hepatocellular carcinomas. However, the recurrence rate after PEI is higher than after surgical resection, and according to our results, in patients with solitary lesions, especially when the tumor diameter is 2 cm or less, the level of malignancy in many cases is also low biologically, and postoperative survival rates (recurrence-free survival rates) are favorable [5 years : 85.0% (64.3%); 10 years: 67.9% (42.2%)]. After thoroughly evaluating liver function in these cases, while surgical resection should be considered first, it is also important to use a combination of various treatment methods rather than always resort to a single method.     

Alterations in hepatic function during laparoscopic surgery. An experimental clinical study

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have been done on the consequences of pneumoperitoneum on hepatic function. At present, there is no consensus on the physiopathological hepatic implications of pneumoperitoneum. The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effects of pneumoperitoneum on hepatic function in 52 patients treated with laparoscopic procedures. METHODS: Thirty-two laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 20 nonhepatobiliary laparoscopic procedures were performed in 52 patients (12 men and 40 women) with a mean age of 44 years (range, 15-74). All patients had normal values on preoperative liver function tests. The anesthesiologic protocol was uniform, with drugs at low hepatic metabolism. The 32 cholecystectomies were randomized into 22 performed with pneumoperitoneum at 14 mmHg and 10 performed at 10 mmHg. All nonhepatobiliary laparoscopic procedures were performed with a pneumoperitoneum of 14 mmHg. The postoperative serologic levels of AST, ALT, bilirubin, and prothrombin time were measured at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. The serologic changes were related to the procedure, the duration, and the level of pneumoperitoneum. RESULTS: Mortality and morbidity were nil. All 52 patients had a postoperative increase in AST, ALT, bilirubin, and lengthening in prothrombin time. Slow return to normality occurred 48 or 72 h after operation. The increase of AST and ALT was statistically significant and correlated both to the level (10 versus 14 mmHg) and the duration of pneumoperitoneum. CONCLUSIONS: The duration and level of intraabdominal pressure are responsible for changes of hepatic function during laparoscopic procedures. Although no symptom appears in patients with normal hepatic function, patients with severe hepatic failure should probably not be subjected to prolonged laparoscopic procedures.     

Radiation and concurrent carboplatin administration in locally advanced head and neck cancer. A Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group Study

We report our first experience with a laparoscopic treatment of congenital choledochal cysts involving the total cyst resection and the reconstruction of the biliary and gastrointestinal tracts through a transmesocolic hepatic-jejunal Roux-en-Y loop anastomosis. The procedure was carried out in a 14-kg 6-year-old girl with a congenital choledochal cyst of the first type, according to the Alonso-Lej classification. The cyst was divided using a Multifire EndoGIA 30 stapler. Hepatic-jejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses were made with 4.0 chrome catgut interrupted sutures. Intestinal recanalization occurred on the 2nd postoperative day and the postoperative course was uneventful. The laparoscopic approach affords several advantages: excellent intraoperative visualization of tiny structures and, therefore, great surgical accuracy; early resumption of peristalsis; no postoperative pain; no laparocele; prevention of adhesions; excellent esthetics; and quicker resumption of school and sports activities.     

Controlled trial of laparoscopic-assisted vs open colon resection in a porcine model

BACKGROUND: Several series of laparoscopic colon resection have been reported in the literature with varied results; however, no controlled series of laparoscopic vs open colon resection has been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative safety and adequacy of laparoscopic colon resection in a controlled trial using a porcine model. METHODS: Domestic pigs (n = 23) were randomly divided into two groups. Animals underwent either an open or laparoscopic-assisted segmental resection of the sigmoid colon. The open resections were performed through a 20-cm midline incision and the laparoscopic technique utilized five 12-mm ports. Laparoscopic resection took twice as long to complete as open resection (P < 0.001). Return of gastric function was significantly faster in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (P < 0.032). RESULTS: No significant differences were found in total length of resection, proximal or distal margins, number of lymph nodes recovered, length of mesenteric vessel resected, or time to return of bowel function. At vivisection, more adhesions to the abdominal wall were noted in the open group (P < 0.002). One death occurred in the laparoscopic group 2 h postoperatively (8.3% mortality) while all open group pigs survived. However, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality rates by chi-square analysis (P > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Despite longer operative time, laparoscopic intervention is technically feasible, safe, and may offer significant postoperative benefits due to fewer abdominal adhesions.     

Pathophysiological and clinical aspects of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum (CO2-PP)

Experimental studies demonstrated a severe cardiac load of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum caused by an accelerated after- and a decreased preload. Patients displaying cardiovascular risks are therefore often rejected from laparoscopic surgery. Hence, the pathophysiological changes and the intraoperative risk of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum in high-risk cardiopulmonary patients (NYHA II-III, n = 15) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy are described. The changes in cardiac after- and preload seem to be due to the elevated intraabdominal pressure rather than transperitoneally resorbed CO2 and are reversible by desufflation. In one patient conversion to open operation had to be performed because of a severe drop in cardiac output and right ventricle ejection fraction. Mixed oxygen saturation was predicting intraoperative worsening in this case. The described pathophysiological changes may seem to be well tolerated even in high-risk cardiac patients. Monitoring of hemodynamics should include an arterial catheter line and blood gas analyses. Pharmacologic interventions or pressureless laparoscopic procedures might not be necessary as long as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed.     

Respiratory mechanics during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the effects of the abdominal wall lift

The abdominal wall lift (AWL) has been proposed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to reduce hemodynamic effects caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) and high intraabdominal pressures (IAP). Data concerning effects of AWL on respiratory mechanics are scant. We therefore used a noninvasive method to evaluate whether the AWL could offset these effects. The PETCO2, airflow, and airway pressure were continuously measured in nine patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy using an AWL with minimal CO2 insufflation. We used a least-squares method to calculate maximal airway pressure (Pmax), elastance (Ers), and resistances (Rrs) of the respiratory system. After CO2 insufflation, the initiation of AWL resulted in a significantly decreased IAP (from 13 to 6 mm Hg; P < 0.001) and Rrs (from 20.6 to 17.8 cm H2O.L(-1).s(-1); P = 0.029), whereas Ers was partly modified (34.0 to 33.3 cm H2O/L; not significantly different). With AWL, we hypothesized that the diaphragm remained flat and stiff, outweighing the beneficial effect of the decrease of IAP on Ers. PETCO2 significantly increased after AWL and at the end of the procedure. We conclude that AWL partly reverses the impairment of the respiratory mechanics induced by CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic surgery. IMPLICATIONS: The abdominal wall lift (AWL), acting on the abdominal chest wall, had some benefits during laparoscopic surgery by limiting CO2 peritoneal insufflation and several side effects, such as hemodynamics. We examined the consequences of this technique on respiratory mechanics in nine patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our findings suggest that the AWL decreases intraabdominal pressure and respiratory resistances without a significant effect on respiratory elastance.     

Surgical landmarks during mastoidal and petrosal operations

We performed a laparoscopy-assisted hepatectomy on a 52-year-old woman with a large hepatic cavernous hemangioma (longest diameter, 8.5 cm). With the use of Pringle's maneuver, the left lateral segment of the liver was resected with a Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) while lifting the abdominal wall. Postoperative hepatic dysfunction was mild and transient, resolving spontaneously early after surgery. We intend to expand the indications of this minimally invasive procedure for hepatic resection.     

Intermittent sequential compression of the lower limbs prevents venous stasis in laparoscopic and conventional colorectal surgery

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the influence of intraoperative intermittent sequential compression (ISC) on venous blood return from the lower limbs during laparoscopic and conventional colorectal colectomy. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing laparoscopic (n = 25) or conventional (n = 25) colorectal surgery were included in a prospective study. Peak venous flow (PFV) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the femoral vein were assessed by Doppler ultrasound examination intraoperatively. RESULTS: Age, gender, and body mass index were comparable between both groups. Baseline PFV was 21 +/- 6.6 cm/s in the conventional and 18.4 +/- 6.4 cm/s in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.2). ISC increased PFV to 156 +/- 29 percent of the baseline value in the conventional group and to 161 +/- 29 percent in the laparoscopic group. PFV decreased after abdominal insufflation to 127 +/- 19 percent of the baseline value in the laparoscopic group and after laparotomy to 134 +/- 27 percent in the conventional group (P = 0.3). PFV decreased slightly in both groups during surgery but remained well above the baseline value. Baseline CSA was 1.02 +/- 0.17 cm2 in the conventional group and 1 +/- 0.23 cm2 in the laparoscopic group. ISC decreased CSA to 0.91 +/- 0.18 cm2 (conventional) and 0.85 +/- 0.18 cm2 (laparoscopic) after initiation of ISC. CSA was 0.92 +/- 0.18 cm2 after abdominal insufflation in the laparoscopic group, and it was 0.93 +/- 0.18 cm2 after laparotomy in the conventional group (P = 0.4). During surgery, there were no differences in absolute CSA or CSA changes compared with the baseline value in both groups. Postoperative circumference of the calf and thigh were not different between both groups. Postoperative thromboembolic complications did not occur. CONCLUSION: ISC effectively increases venous blood flow from the lower limbs during conventional and laparoscopic colorectal resections and may decrease the risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, ISC is strongly recommended in every prolonged laparoscopic procedure.     

Embryogenesis and functional development of the chick''s basilar papilla

BACKGROUND: After laparoscopy with carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation early postoperative recovery is often complicated with drowsiness and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: 25 ASA I-II patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under standardized anaesthesia were studied in a randomized, prospective study. The conventional CO2 pneumoperitoneum was compared with the mechanical abdominal wall lift (AWL) method with minimal CO2 insufflation with special reference to postoperative recovery. RESULTS: Postoperative drowsiness was of a significantly longer duration with the conventional method (p < 0.001) compared with the AWL technique. There was a positive correlation with the total amount of CO2 used and the duration of drowsiness (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). PONV was seen significantly more often in patients with CO2 insufflation of more than 121 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Avoiding excessive CO2 is beneficial for smoother and more uneventful recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Pulmonary function following laparoscopic or conventional colorectal resection: a randomized controlled evaluation

BACKGROUND: Laparotomy causes a significant reduction of pulmonary function, and atelectasis and pneumonia occur after elective conventional colorectal resections. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypothesis that pulmonary function is less restricted after laparoscopic than after conventional colorectal resection. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. SETTING: The surgical department of an academic medical center. PATIENTS: Sixty patients underwent laparoscopic (n = 30) or conventional (n = 30) resection of colorectal tumors. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, localization or stage of tumor, or preoperative pulmonary function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, peak expiratory flow, mid-expiratory phase of forced expiratory flow, and oxygen saturation of arterial blood. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity (mean +/- SD values: conventional resection group, 1.73+/-0.60 L; laparoscopic surgery group, 2.59+/-1.11 L; P<.01) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (conventional resection group, 1.19+/-0.51 L/s; laparoscopic surgery group, 1.80+/-0.80 L/s; P<.01) were more profoundly suppressed in the patients having conventional resection than in those having laparoscopic surgery. Similar results were found for the peak expiratory flow (conventional resection group, 2.51+/-1.37 L/s; laparoscopic resection group, 3.60+/-2.22 L/s; P<.05) and the midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow (conventional resection group, 1.87+/-1.12 L/s; laparoscopic surgery group, 2.67+/-1.76 L/s; P<.05). The oxygen saturation of arterial blood, measured while the patients were breathing room air, was lower after conventional than after laparoscopic resections (P<.01). The recovery of the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second to 80% of the preoperative value took longer in patients having conventional resection than in those having laparoscopic resection (P<.01). Pneumonia developed in 2 patients having conventional resection, but no pulmonary infection occurred in the laparoscopic resection group (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary function is better preserved after laparoscopic than after conventional colorectal resection. Pulmonary complications may be reduced after laparoscopic resections because of the better postoperative pulmonary function.     

Percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. A multicenter survey of evaluation practices and complication rates

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) has become a widely used procedure in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the criteria for selecting patients are not standardized, and little information is available about the complications of the procedure. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 11 experienced Italian centers. It investigated: the size and the number of HCC nodules suitable for treatment and the Child-Pugh risk class of the associated cirrhosis; the performance of the procedure; the number and characteristics of the patients treated; and, finally, any complications. RESULTS: Most of the centers performed PEI in single HCC nodules less than 5 cm in diameter or in multiple nodules if fewer than three, the larger being less than 3 cm. Patients in Child-Pugh's classes A, B, and C with single nodules were generally considered for PEI. A prothrombin time of less than 40% and a platelet count of less than 40,000/mm3 contraindicated PEI in most of the centers. PEI was generally performed on outpatients, using Chiba or spinal needles. One thousand and sixty-six patients (8118 sessions) were enrolled; 74% had a single HCC nodule and 26% multiple nodules. All except four had cirrhosis; 53% were in Child class A, 38% in class B, and 9% in class C. The mean number of sessions needed to destroy an HCC nodule was 6.7 (range, 2-14), with a mean alcohol injection volume of 5.0 ml per session (range, 2-20 ml). One death (0.09%) and 34 complications (3.2%) were reported. Among the complications we call attention to the hemorrhagic ones (eight cases) and tumoral seeding (seven cases). Severe pain experienced during the maneuver led to discontinuation of the procedure in 3.7% of the patients; 13.5% of the patients required analgesics and 24% had fever after PEI. CONCLUSIONS: Some procedural aspects of PEI treatment differ among the various centers a standardization is advisable. In the present survey PEI is a low-risk technique.     

Vessel size, antioxidants, and restenosis: never too small, not too little, but often too late

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic laparoscopy has been used in abdominal trauma patients, although its role is not well defined. The safety of laparoscopic evaluation in trauma patients with severe intraabdominal hemorrhage has not yet been analyzed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum (COI) in hemorrhaged animals through a retroperitoneal hematoma (RH). METHODS: Twenty-two 15-20-kg mongrel dogs were monitored for systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, inferior vena cava pressure, and arterial blood gases. After 1 h of baseline, all animals were submitted to a RH. After 45 min the dogs were randomized into two groups. Control (CTR): dogs were submitted only to a RH; pneumoperitoneum (PN): dogs were submitted to a RH and 45 min later they were insufflated to an intraabdominal pressure of 10 mmHg with medical-grade CO2 gas for 30 min. Echocardiography was performed, only in PN animals, at baseline, 45 and 60 min after RH. RESULTS: RH induced a shock condition with low, sustained levels of arterial pressure, cardiac index, left ventricular stroke index, base excess, and oxygen delivery which were further depressed following COI. Three deaths occurred in the PN group, all of them toward the end of COI. During COI, hypercapnia was observed in one animal. COI did not impair systolic function or ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: COI with an IAP of 10 mmHg may be deleterious in animals with hemorrhagic shock due to an intraabdominal lesion. These findings could be clinically significant in abdominal trauma patients.     

Neuroendocrine effect of a short-term treatment with DHEA in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Most publications during the past decade have condemned the use of anatomic resection for liver trauma and advocated a conservative surgical approach when operative intervention was required. This policy has been supported by the high mortality rate reported by most authorities. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of anatomic hepatic resection for liver trauma in an institution in which the hepatobiliary surgeons are responsible for the management of severe liver injuries. METHODS: During the period 1983 to 1996, 287 patients with liver injuries were admitted to the hospital and 37 patients with severe liver trauma underwent anatomic resection. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. The resections performed included right hemihepatectomy (n = 27), left hemihepatectomy (n = 1), left lateral segment resection (n = 5), and segmental resection (n = 4). RESULTS: There were three postoperative deaths after right hemihepatectomy (11.1%) and an overall mortality rate of 8.1%. There were no intraoperative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 22 patients (60%) and were most frequent in patients with concomitant injuries to other systems. Liver-related morbidity occurred in seven patients (19%). The median postoperative stay was 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic hepatic resection for trauma is associated with low mortality and liver-related morbidity rates when performed by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons, and its role in the management of severe hepatic trauma should be reevaluated.     

Instability of quartet analyses of molecular sequence data by the maximum likelihood method: the Cetacea/Artiodactyla relationships

As laparoscopic techniques show definite advantages in terms of pain and postoperative pulmonary function, high-risk patients especially benefit from such procedures. Pathophysiological changes caused by the pneumoperitoneum can be managed with invasive monitoring and resulting therapy. The increase in systemic vascular resistance with reduction in cardiac output can be kept to a minimum using low intraabdominal pressures (8-10 mmHg) under adequate muscular relaxation. Additional peripheral vasodilators and positive inotropic medication may be necessary. As the adverse hemodynamic effects end almost instantaneously with the reduction of the intraabdominal pressure, it is allways possible to revert to an open procedure after a laparoscopic try. If ventilation can not be increased adequately to maintain isocapnia in a patient suffering from pulmonary disease, the resulting increase in paCO2 will usually be moderate. In some instances it may be necessary to prolong artificial ventilation postoperatively, until isocapnia is reached with minuteventilation as at the beginning of anaesthesia.     

Postoperative pain and fatigue after laparoscopic or conventional colorectal resections. A prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Conventional colorectal resections are associated with severe postoperative pain and prolonged fatigue. The laparoscopic approach to colorectal tumors may result in less pain as well as less fatigue, and may improve postoperative recovery after colorectal resections. METHODS: Sixty patients were included into a prospective randomized trial to determine the influence of laparoscopic (n = 30) or conventional (n = 30) resection of colorectal tumors on postoperative pain and fatigue. Major endpoints of the study were dose of morphine sulfate during patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), visual analog scale for pain while coughing (VASC), and visual analogue scale for fatigue (VASF). Efficacy of pain medication was assessed by visual analogue score at rest (VASR). RESULTS: Preoperative age, sex, stage, and localization of tumors were comparable in both groups. The PCA dose of morphine given immediately after surgery until postoperative day 4 was higher in the conventional group (median, 1.37 mg/kg; 5-95 percentile 0.71-2. 46 mg/kg) than the laparoscopic group (0.78 mg/kg; 0.24-2.38 mg/kg, p < 0.01). Postoperative VASR was comparable between both groups, but VASC was higher from the first to the seventh postoperative day (p < 0.01). Postoperative fatigue was higher after conventional than after laparoscopic surgery from the second to the seventh day (p < 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that analgetic requirements are lower and pain is less intense after laparoscopic than after conventional colorectal resection. Patients also experience less fatigue after minimal invasive surgery. Because of these differences, the duration of recovery is shortened, and the postoperative quality of life is improved after laparoscopic colorectal resections.     

Effect of percutaneous ethanol injection for postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in combination with transcatheter arterial embolization

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to clarify the effect of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in combination with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on prolonging the survival time of patients with postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 97 consecutive patients (pts) treated for postoperative recurrent HCC between February 1987 and March 1993. Of these, 25 pts received both TAE and PEI and 72 pts received TAE alone. In the TAE & PEI group, treatment was selected according to the indications: 15 pts received TAE for multiple recurrences following PEI, and the other 10 pts received PEI for a new or residual lesion following TAE. Fourteen demographic, pathological, and clinical variables were evaluated to estimate the relative risk of pts treated with TAE & PEI or with TAE alone. RESULTS: The 1-, 3- and 5- year survival rates in the TAE & PEI group were 100%, 73.2% and 27.2%, respectively, and those in the TAE alone group were 88.9%, 30.2% and 5.5%, respectively. Based on multi-variate Cox regression analysis, the relative risk of cancer death in the TAE & PEI group was 0.32 (95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.67). CONCLUSION: The combination of TAE and PEI had a positive palliative effect and increased survival time of patients with postoperative recurrent HCC, compared to results obtained by TAE alone.