Background
The role of robotic surgery (RS) for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is under investigation. Surgical resection is the only curative modality of treatment but extremely complex and high risk ...of morbidity and mortality may occur. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of perioperative and oncological outcomes of RS for HC, across a comprehensive range of outcomes reported in recent literature.
Materials and Methods
PRISMA checklist was used as a basis for writing the systematic review and studies’ selection. Literature documenting RS for HC was analyzed by searching PubMed and Cochrane Library from 2009 to May 2022. The search terms, either independently or in combination, were used according to PICOT framework. The target population are patients treated with robotic surgical approach for HC.
Results
12 studies with 109 patients were included after screening process. The Bismuth classification in all series except one was: 21 type I, 7 type II, 12 type IIIa, 26 type IIIb and 4 type IV. Mean operative time for a total of 21 patients was 644 minutes. Other two case series reported a median operative time of 375 with a console time of 276 minutes. Mean blood loss for case reports and two case series was 662 milliliters. Blood transfusion rate for all operation was 33.3%. Overall Conversion rate was 2.8%. Pooled post operative morbidity and mortality was 39.8% and 1.8% respectively. Mean LOS for case reports and one case series for a total of 17 patients was 16 days. R0 resection rate for the 11 papers was 74.3%. Seven out of 12 studies reported on the oncological follow up: median observation time ranged from 5 to 60 months, recurrence rate was 52.6% (range 0-90%) reported only in 19 patients (10/19).
Conclusions
RS for HC was feasible and safe. However, although this systematic review could not be conclusive in most of the analyzed items, RS for the treatment of HC could represent the best tool for a future meticulous and precision surgery. The review’s results certainly indicate that further research in urgently is required on this field.
Background Adrenalectomy represents the definitive treatment in clinically evident Cushing's syndrome; however, the most appropriate treatment for patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) ...with an adrenal incidentaloma remains controversial. This study was aimed to assess whether adrenalectomy may improve cardiovascular and metabolic impairment and quality of life compared with conservative management. Methods Twenty patients with adrenal incidentaloma underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for SCS, whereas 15 were managed conservatively. Hormonal laboratory parameters of corticosteroid secretion, arterial blood pressure (BP), glycometabolic profile, and quality of life (by the SF-36 questionnaire) were compared at baseline and the end of follow-up. Results The 2 groups were equivalent concerning all the examined parameters at baseline. In the operative group, laboratory corticosteroid parameters normalized in all patients but not in the conservative-management group ( P < .001). In operated patients, a decrease in BP occurred in 53% of patients, glycometabolic control improved in 50%, and body mass index decreased; in contrast, no improvement or some worsening occurred in the conservative-management group ( P < .01). SF-36 evaluation improved in the operative group ( P < .05). Conclusion Adrenalectomy can be more beneficial than conservative management in SCS and may achieve remission of laboratory hormonal abnormalities and improve BP, glycemic control, body mass index, and quality of life.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a rare tumor that typically develops in the salivary glands and less frequently in other sites of the head and neck region. Only a few cases of resected ...metachronous liver metastases have been reported. Minimally invasive surgery is currently the gold standard of care for liver resections; furthermore, the use of Indocyanine Green (ICG) is continuously increasing in surgical practice, especially in cases of primary liver tumors and colorectal liver metastases, due to its capacity to enhance liver nodules. We report the case of a 54-year-old male with a single liver metastasis of AdCC, located in SIII, who presented in our center 9 months after resection of a primary tumor of the laryngotracheal junction and adjuvant proton therapy. A 25-mg injection of ICG (0.3 mg/kg) was administered 48 h before surgery in order to highlight the tumor and perform an ICG-guided resection. The lesion was clearly visible during surgery, and, given its position and the proximity to the main lobar vessels of the left lobe, we opted for a left lateral sectionectomy. The outcome was unremarkable, with no major postoperative complications. The administration of ICG 48 h before surgery seems to be a valid tool even in cases of AdCC liver metastases, providing surgeons with better visualization of the lesion and improving the precision of the resection.
Appendiceal tumors are incidentally detected in 0.5% cases of appendectomy for acute appendicitis and occur in approximately 1% of all appendectomies. Here, we report two cases of appendiceal ...collision tumors in two asymptomatic women. In both cases, imaging revealed right-lower-quadrant abdominal masses, which were laparoscopically resected. In both cases, histological examinations revealed an appendiceal collision tumor comprising a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). For complete oncological control, right hemicolectomy was performed in one patient for the aggressive behavior of NEN; however, histology revealed no metastasis. The other patient only underwent appendectomy. No further treatment was recommended. According to the latest guidelines, exact pathology needs to be defined. Proper management indicated by a multidisciplinary team is fundamental.
Background
ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing’s syndrome. Bilateral adrenalectomy is considered the treatment of choice, with subsequent lifetime ...steroid replacement, but unilateral adrenalectomy has been recently proposed to reduce the secreting tissue. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the long-term results of unilateral adrenalectomy in AIMAH concerning the main laboratory and clinical abnormalities and the patient’s quality of life.
Methods
Seven consecutive patients with confirmed AIMAH underwent unilateral adrenalectomy of the largest gland. ACTH and cortisol levels, arterial blood pressure (BP), glycometabolic parameters, and patient’s subjective perception of health-related quality of life (by the SF-36 questionnaire) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively.
Results
No surgery-related morbidity occurred. One patient with a large contralateral adrenal enlargement required a completion adrenalectomy after 7 months because of persistent hypercortisolism. At a median follow-up of 53 (range, 27–68) months, the remaining six patients were cured, because serum and urinary free cortisol levels significantly decreased and ACTH increased, thus regaining the normal range. Both systolic and diastolic BP levels significantly reduced: 50% of patients definitively became normotensive, and the remaining patients reduced the need for antihypertensive treatment; 40% of patients suffering from preoperative diabetes were cured, whereas 40% reduced the need for hypoglycemizing drug. SF-36 evaluation of the health-related quality of life confirmed a significant amelioration.
Conclusions
Unilateral adrenalectomy of the largest gland can be an effective and safe treatment for AIMAH in case of asymmetric involvement. It may achieve long-term remission of Cushing’s syndrome and improve BP values, glycemic control, and patient’s quality of life.
Background Primary hyperaldosteronism may be caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), which is correctable by unilateral adrenalectomy or by idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia, a bilateral ...disease without any indication for surgery. This study sought to assess the prevalence and the results of surgery in unilateral adrenal hyperplasia (UAH). Methods The study included 35 patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy because of primary hyperaldosteronism after unequivocal successful lateralization by adrenal venous sampling. Demographics, biochemical evaluation, and blood pressure were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Pathology was categorized as APA (isolated adenoma), nodular (multiple micromacronodules), and diffuse UAH (gland thickening without nodules). Results Pathology revealed 9 APAs and 23 nodular and 3 diffuse UAHs. Patients with APAs and UAHs were statistically similar regarding demographics and preoperative blood pressure levels. Bilateral adrenal involvement was evident at imaging in 10 patients (11% in APA versus 35% in UAH, P = NS). After surgery, biochemical cure of the disease was achieved in all patients; blood pressure levels normalized in 66.6% of patients and ameliorated in 22.2% in APA versus 34.6% and 50% in patients with UAH ( P = NS). At a long-term follow-up, only 1 patient with nodular UAH experienced a biochemical recurrence of disease. Conclusion UAH is not rare, sharing the same features of APA. When disease lateralization is confirmed by adrenal venous sampling, unilateral adrenalectomy achieves excellent long-term results.
Background Acupuncture is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for pain relief. Previous studies supported the effectiveness of several acupuncture techniques for postoperative pain. The aim of this ...randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing pain after thyroid surgery. Methods We randomized 121 patients to a control group (undergoing only standard postoperative analgesic treatment with acetaminophen) and an acupuncture group, undergoing also either electroacupuncture (EA) or traditional acupuncture (TA). Pain was measured according to intraoperative remifentanil use, acetaminophen daily intake, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and McGill Pain Questionnaire on postoperative days (POD) 1–3. Results Acupuncture group required less acetaminophen than controls at POD 2 ( P = .01) and 3 ( P = .016). EA patients required less remifentanil ( P = .032) and acetaminophen than controls at POD 2 ( P = .004) and 3 ( P = .008). EA patients showed a trend toward better NRS and McGill scores from POD 1 to 3 compared with controls. EA patients had a lower remifentanil requirement and better NRS and McGill scores than TA patients. No differences occurred between TA patients and controls. Conclusion Acupuncture may be effective in reducing pain after thyroid surgery. EA is more useful; TA achieves no significant effects.
CDC73 (HRPT2) germline mutations are responsible for more than half of cases of hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (HPT-JT) and for a subset of familial isolated HPT (FIHP). We performed a ...clinical, genetic, and histopathologic study in three unrelated Italian kindreds with HPT-JT and FIHP. We identified three germline inactivating mutations of the CDC73 gene in the probands and affected patients of the three kindreds, but also in some asymptomatic subjects. HPT-JT and FIHP patients had similar laboratory, clinical, and demographic features and shared primary HPT and other neoplasms, the most common of which was uterine polyposis. Genetic analysis of tumor samples demonstrated a second somatic CDC73 mutation only in a parathyroid adenoma and no cases with the loss of the wild-type allele or methylation of the CDC73 promoter, even though immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the loss of nuclear parafibromin expression in all tumors, including a uterine polyp. In conclusion, our results indicate that FIHP and HPT-JT associated with CDC73 mutations do not have distinct clinical, genetic, and histopathologic features, but may represent variants of the same genetic disease. This study also confirms that uterine involvement represents a clinical manifestation of the syndrome.
Background
Hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumor syndrome (HPT–JT) is a rare autosomal disease caused by inactivating germ-line mutations of
HRPT2
gene, with subsequent loss of Parafibromin expression. It is ...characterized by familial HPT, ossifying jaw tumors, and other associated neoplasms.
Methods
Clinical, histopathological, and genetic features of three large Italian unrelated HPT–JT kindred were assessed.
Results
Three different germ-line
HRPT2
inactivating mutations were identified. Seventeen affected members and six healthy mutation carriers were found. HPT was diagnosed in virtually all affected patients, at a median age of 36.3 years (range 11–71). In all cases, a single parathyroid involvement was found at surgery, although a metachronous multiglandular involvement causing recurrence after selective parathyroidectomy occurred in 17.6% of cases, after a mean disease-free interval of 13.7 years (range 5–27). Parathyroid carcinoma, atypical parathyroid adenoma, and jaw tumor occurred in one case; uterine involvement in 61.5% of women; other associated neoplasms were thyroid carcinoma (two cases) and renal and colon carcinoma (one case). Immunohistochemistry confirmed the loss of Parafibromin as the distinctive feature of the disease both in parathyroid and uterine tumors.
Conclusions
HPT–JT has a frequent single-gland parathyroid involvement and a relatively increased risk of parathyroid carcinoma. The penetrance of the disease is high but incomplete. Regardless of the denomination of the syndrome, jaw tumors occur rarely, while uterine involvement is frequently present. Selective parathyroidectomy may be an effective strategy, but a prolonged follow-up is required because of the risk of recurrences and malignancies. A systematic investigation is also required because of associated malignancies.
Aim: This study aimed to compare mini-invasive liver resection (MILR) (laparoscopic/robotic approach) and open liver resection (OLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients with regard ...to clinical and oncological outcomes through a comprehensive systematic review.Methods: The MEDLINE and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched from 2009 to December 2019 to identify relevant English written studies comparing MILR and OLR. The main endpoints were Child-Pugh score, serum total bilirubin level, comorbidity, presence/absence of cirrhosis, minor/major resection, challenge segment approach, operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, liver failure rate, morbidity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, length of hospital stay (LOS), postoperative mortality, number of lesions, tumor size, readmission rate, recurrence rate and survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after operation. Meta-analyses provided pooled relative risks and mean differences for these outcomes. Cut-off for "elderly age" was set at 65 years old. Results: Eight studies that evaluated 3051 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC, with 950 undergoing MILR and 2101 OLR, were included after the screening process. Blood loss, morbidity, and LOS showed statistical significance in favor of MILR. In particular, with respect to OLR, MILR decreased on average blood loss by 161.43 mL (95％CI: 250.24-72.61), risk of morbidity by 42％ (P < 0.01), LOS by 4 days (95％CI: 7-2), postoperative mortality risk by 47％ (although not significantly, P = 0.06). Major resections were significantly more common in the OLR group (P < 0.0001). Recurrence, although not significant (P = 0.06), must also be emphasized. The two surgical approaches were comparable with regard to the other outcomes investigated. Conclusion: Meta-analyses confirmed the advantages of MILR in terms of short perioperative outcomes, where it may promote the extension of liver resection to HCC patients with borderline liver function. MILR may be considered an important treatment option with significant benefits in the elderly and fragile patients. However, large well-designed prospective comparative studies or randomized controlled trials would be necessary to further confirm our conclusions.
PDF