[Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the German DRG system. Analysis of case cost calculations of a maximum care university]

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) offers patients with peritoneal cancer of various origins the chance of a relevant increase in life expectancy. These cases are very complex from a medical viewpoint and very expensive from an economical aspect. An analysis of case cost calculations was performed to find out whether this procedure can on average be carried out cost-effectively by a maximum care university.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases from 2008 in which HIPEC was carried out were analyzed. The types of main diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, procedures, times from incision to suture and hospital stay were analyzed. On the basis of the case costs the proceeds and marginal returns were calculated from the diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and additional remuneration when applicable. The causes of positive and negative marginal returns were explained using the InEK cost matrix.

RESULTS

In 18 patients there were 9 different main diagnoses and 7 different "main procedures" (from a surgical perspective the most resource intensive procedures) and a total of 10 different DRGs were identified in the grouping algorithm. With an average of 2 operations (range 1-7) per patient the summed incision-to-suture time was 423 min (170-962 min). The patients stayed on average 6.4 days (1.3-17.6 days) in intensive care. The average case cost was 21,072€ (range 8,657-55,904€) and the proceeds 20,474€ (6,333-37,497€). Each case had on average a debit balance of 598€ (range from 11,843€ profit balance to 18,407€ debit balance) with an assumed base rate of 2,786€. The causes for positive or negative marginal profits were mostly operating times, incision-to-suture times and duration of intensive care.

CONCLUSIONS

The proceeds showed on average a deficit of only 3% compared to the costs. The operating times must be decreased by optimization particularly of the preoperative approach. Interventions should be carried out in one stage only and the intraoperative connecting and waiting times should be reduced in order to reduce the incision-to-suture times.

Initial results after implementation of a multimodal treatment for peritoneal malignancies

INTRODUCTION

Peritoneal carcinomatosis represents a clinical condition with a limited perspective concerning long term survival. The combination of surgical cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) represents a complex multimodal therapeutic management concept with promising results for prolongation of survival. For the identification of pitfalls during implementation of the HIPEC procedure into clinical practice an observational study was conducted.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2009 data from all patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis was prospectively collected and analysed.

RESULTS

During the observational interval a total of 42 patients underwent surgical treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis. In 34 patients the complete procedure with surgical cytoreduction and HIPEC was performed. Perioperative mortality (6%) and morbidity (35%) was similar to other reported series. Twenty-five patients (76%) survived the 18 months follow-up period after complete procedure.

CONCLUSION

The multimodal therapeutic treatment concept of surgical cytoreduction and following HIPEC leads to promising results for patients suffering from peritoneal carcinomatosis. However this treatment concept is afflicted with a relevant risk of postoperative complications.

[Laparoscopic "fast-track" sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis disease in Germany. Results of a prospective quality assurance program]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The natural course of sigmoid colon diverticulitis during conservative therapy and the assessment of the perioperative morbidity after sigmoid colon resection are differently evaluated by surgeons and gastroenterologists. The "fast-track" rehabilitation accelerates the reconvalescence and reduces the rate of postoperative general complications after colorectal surgery. The results of the laparoscopic "Fast-track" sigmoidectomy should be examined within a quality assurance program to better evaluate the perioperative risks following surgical management of diverticulitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective data collection within the voluntary quality assurance program "fast-track" Kolon II was performed. All participating clinics agreed on a multimodal, evidence-based standard perioperative treatment in terms of a "fast-track" rehabilitation for elective operations for sigmoid diverticulitis.

RESULTS

Data from 846 patients undergoing laparoscopic "fast-track" sigmoid colon resection in 23 surgical departments in Germany were collected and evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 63 years (range 23 - 91). 203 patients (24 %) had severe co-morbidities (ASA classification III - IV). A conversion to conventional open surgery was necessary in 51 cases (6 %). Complications occurred in 93 patients (11 %). 76 patients suffered a surgical complication (8.9 %) and 32 patients (3.8 %) a general complication. Two patients died postoperatively due to multi-organ failure following anastomotic leaks. The patients took solid food in median on day 1 after surgery (range, 0 - 5) and passed stool on day 2 (range, 0 - 22). Predefined discharge criteria (free of pain on oral medication, normal oral feeding, stool) were met on day 4 (range, 1 - 58) and the patients were discharged on day 7 (range, 3 - 72). The 30-day re-admission rate was 3.9 %.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing laparoscopic "fast-track" sigmoidectomy had a low rate of general complications and had a rapid reconvalescence with a short postoperative in-patient treatment as documented in a german quality assurance program.

Resection of ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands with the da Vinci® robotic system

Background

Mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma is a frequent cause of persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism, traditionally treated by open surgery. Thoracoscopic access is associated with reduced morbidity in mediastinal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of robot-assisted dissection for mediastinal ectopic parathyroid glands.

Methods

Two patients with recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism and three with complicated primary hyperparathyroidism were operated on between July 2004 and August 2008 for ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands. Fusion of single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography led to an exact identification of the culprit glands. Surgery was performed thoracoscopically with the da Vinci® robotic system using a three-trocar approach.

Results

All procedures were completed successfully with the robotic system. No perioperative morbidity or mortality was noted. Median operating time was 58 (range 42–125) min. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone reduction indicated complete resection. Median hospital stay was 3 (range 2–4) days.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted dissection is a promising approach for resection of ectopic parathyroid glands in remote narrow anatomical locations such as the mediastinum.

Volume therapy and cardiocircular function during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Surgical cytoreduction and simultaneous hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis is afflicted with a high incidence of postoperative complications. The knowledge of intraoperative volume therapy during surgery and chemotherapy is limited. On the other hand, the choice of a 'liberal' or 'restrictive' regimen of fluid administration has a deep impact on the postoperative morbidity. The aim of this observational trial was to report detailed data on volume replacement and cardiocircular function during the HIPEC procedure.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis were enrolled. The intraoperative volume administration was observed as well as the postoperative morbidity and mortality. Cardiofunctional data were assessed by the invasive transthoracic thermodilution technique.

RESULTS

The study showed that large amounts of volume (1,240 ml h(-1); range: 810-1,570 ml h(-1)) are given during the HIPEC procedure to replace fluid loss and maintain a stable circulatory function. Signs of a hyperdynamic status during intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy were not found.

CONCLUSIONS

During surgical cytoreduction and simultaneous HIPEC, large amounts of volume were administered. HIPEC in itself did not lead to an increased fluid requirement. Further prospective studies with larger populations are needed to investigate whether goal-oriented therapies and a restricted volume regimen can contribute to decrease the postoperative morbidity.

[Role of endovascular therapy for redo surgery in patients after aortoiliac aneurysm exclusion]

INTRODUCTION

Redo surgery or reintervention following conventional or endovascular aortoiliac reconstruction often requires exclusion of new aneurysms. In the present study the potentials of endovascular management of such lesions are investigated.

METHODS

All patients with endovascular reoperation for of newly developed aortoiliac aneurysms were identified from a prospectively run data-base. The indications and results of endovascular therapy were analysed retrospectively. In detail, data were analysed for the type of original operation, interval until and kind of reoperation, and results concerning survival, technical success and complications.

RESULTS

From 12 / 2003 through 3 / 2007 195 patients with aortoiliac aneurysms were operated. Endovascular repair was performed in 15 cases of previously excluded aneurysms. Mean age of these 15 patients (12 men) was 73 (64-85) years. Ten patients had a primary conventional (group A) and 5 patients had a primary endovascular (group B) aneurysm repair. The mean time interval between the first and second operation was 8.9 (1-26) years. The secondary endovascular therapy in group A was successful in all cases. In group B endoleaks type I a (n = 1), I a / b (n = 1), II (n = 2) and III (n = 1) were treated. One type II endoleak could only be treated successfully by conversion to open repair, the other one was successfully treated by reintervention. All but one patient are alive and -remained free of pathological findings during a median follow-up of 13 (2-39) months.

DISCUSSION

Because of the clearly elevated operation risk of redo surgery after conventional or endovascular aneurysm repair, endovascular aneurysm exclusion represents the method of first choice. The reasonable selection and combination of procedures allows for an optimal adaptation of therapy to the individual case.

Malignant melanoma metastasis as a cause of small-bowel perforation

BACKGROUND

Malignant melanoma is a disease with an increasing rate of incidence, currently at 10 cases per 100,000. In most cases, malignant melanoma metastasizes over the lymph vessels to parenchymal organs. Symptomatic metastases are found in the gastrointestinal tract in only about 2% of the patients.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old patient with a known metastasized malignant melanoma (brain, liver, bones) was admitted to the department of dermatology due to fatigue, headache and unspecified abdominal symptoms. Because of persistent abdominal symptoms, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was performed, showing a perforation of the ileum with an abscess on the basis of multiple small-bowel metastases. A segmental small-bowel resection with primary anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course of the patient was complicated by a subcutaneous wound infection and a prolonged period of convalescence (due to multiple brain metastases).

CONCLUSIONS

Novel therapy concepts and medication in the treatment of patients with malignant melanoma have improved life expectancy. These patients are therefore expected to suffer more frequently from complications of the primary disease. Interdisciplinary management and cooperation is required to adequately diagnose and handle such cases.

Strangulated appendix within a trocar site incisional hernia following laparoscopic low anterior rectal resection. A case report

Appendix strangulation caused by an incisional trocar site hernia following laparoscopy is an extremely rare entity. A 63-year-old man was admitted to our department with continuous abdominal pain and irreducible minimal swelling in the right abdomen. His surgical history was significant for rectal cancer one year previously. The patient had undergone a laparoscopic low anterior rectal resection with construction of a protective temporary end ileostomy (pT1, pN0, G2, M0). The ileostomy was reversed 3 months after initial surgery. An incarcerated herniation was diagnosed. Subsequent surgery surprisingly revealed that the right lower trocar point incisional hernia contained a strangulated appendix. Routine appendectomy was performed and the hernias were repaired using a typical sublay technique.

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: An argument for the developmental theory

Cystic adventitial disease is a rare non-atheromatous cause of popliteal artery disease. We report a case of a 54-year-old patient with claudication of the right calf caused by cystic adventitial disease. Intra-operatively, a communication between the adventitia and the knee joint was identified. Connections between the adventitial cyst and the nearby joint have been reported in the literature that support the developmental theory. This theory suggests that cystic adventitial disease is a developmental manifestation of mucin-secreting cells derived from the mesenchyme of the adjacent joint. This case is the first, to our knowledge, in which a communication between joint and adventitia has been clearly documented by operative findings.

Endovaskuläre Therapie eines infrarenalen Aortenaneurysmas bei heterotopem Nierentransplantat

INTRODUCTION

The indications for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) are mainly established in hostile abdomen, in patients with significant comorbidities which affect the general operability of the patient and, given the necessary infrastructure, also in ruptured aneurysm. Along to those, we present another possible indication in the presence of a kidney allograft in patients with aortic aneurysm.

METHODS

Based on a case report of aorto-biiliac stent-graft repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm in a patient with renal allograft, a systematic review of the literature was performed of all similar cases concerning surgical therapy in this constellation.

RESULTS

EVAR was performed using an aorto-biiliac system (Zenith) Trifab, COOK) in a 61-year-old male patient 11 years after heterotopic renal allotransplantation in the right iliac fossa. Preoperative renal function was normal. Because the donor renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient's external iliac artery the stent-graft was implanted from the left common femoral artery to minimize temporary allograft ischemia. The intra- and postoperative course was uneventful with a follow-up of presently 12 months. A primary type-II endoleak (retroleak from a lumbar artery) is being treated conservatively so far with embolization being a future option. At present there are 15 cases of EVAR in renal allograft patients that have been reported, all of them being successful.

DISCUSSION

All data existing in the literature reported to date as well as our own experience justify the first choice of EVAR in morphologically suitable cases. One major advantage of EVAR in this constellation is the avoidance of aortic cross clamping which poses the graft at risk of ischemia. Long-term results will be most important for definite assessment of EVAR. However, contrast media application during the operation and for CT surveillance should be considered as a major disadvantage.