Port site metastasis after diagnostic laparoscopy for upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies: an uncommon entity

Port-Site Metastasis After Laparoscopic Gastrectomy Extending to the Thigh: A Case Report

Port-site metastasis (PSM) is rare following laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Previous reports focused on localized lesions treated with excision; contrastingly, case reports describing extensive invasion into the lower extremity skeletal muscles causing deterioration in activities of daily living are nonexistent. A 55-year-old male underwent a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The pathological findings revealed a stage IIIA tumor. Two years later, skin hardening was observed on the left upper abdominal wall. Computed tomography displayed a 13-cm-long, flat tumor along the skeletal muscle around the left upper 12 mm port site and right hydronephrosis. The patient was diagnosed with PSM and retroperitoneal recurrence. Despite chemotherapy, three years postoperatively, PSM widely spread from the left upper abdomen to the left thigh, eventually inducing opioid-resistant leg pain and subsequent walking difficulties. Palliative radiotherapy could not improve these symptoms. The patient died three years and five months postoperatively. Extensively invasive PSM can induce refractory cancer pain and physical disorders. Therefore, early detection and palliative resection of PSM may help maintain the quality of life of patients with gastric cancer.

Systematic review of diagnostic tools for peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer-staging laparoscopy and its alternatives

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer burden and mortality, often resulting in peritoneal metastasis in advanced stages with negative survival outcomes. Staging laparoscopy has become standard practice for suspected cases before a definitive gastrectomy or palliation. This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy of other diagnostic modalities instead of staging laparoscopy as the alternatives are able to reduce cost and invasive staging procedures. Recently, a radiomic model based on computed tomography and positron emission tomography (PET) has also emerged as another method to predict peritoneal metastasis.

AIM

To determine if the efficacy of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and PET is comparable with staging laparoscopy.

METHODS

Articles comparing computed tomography, PET, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiomic models based on computed tomography and PET to staging laparoscopies were filtered out from the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Reference Citations Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/). In the search for studies comparing computed tomography (CT) to staging laparoscopy, five retrospective studies and three prospective studies were found. Similarly, five retrospective studies and two prospective studies were also included for papers comparing CT to PET scans. Only one retrospective study and one prospective study were found to be suitable for papers comparing CT to magnetic resonance imaging scans.

RESULTS

Staging laparoscopy outperformed computed tomography in all measured aspects, namely sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Magnetic resonance imaging and PET produced mixed results, with the former shown to be only marginally better than computed tomography. CT performed slightly better than PET in most measured domains, except in specificity and true negative rates. We speculate that this may be due to the limited F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in small peritoneal metastases and in linitis plastica. Radiomic modelling, in its current state, shows promise as an alternative for predicting peritoneal metastases. With further research, deep learning and radiomic modelling can be refined and potentially applied as a preoperative diagnostic tool to reduce the need for invasive staging laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Staging laparoscopy was superior in all measured aspects. However, associated risks and costs must be considered. Refinements in radiomic modelling are necessary to establish it as a reliable screening technique.

Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in patients with advanced gastric cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to determine its safety and feasibility.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 51 patients who underwent gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer [cT3-4/N1-3 or macroscopic type 3 (> 80 mm) or type 4] following NAC between November 2009 and January 2018. After excluding two patients who underwent palliative surgery due to peritoneal dissemination, 49 patients were ultimately selected for this cohort study. The patients were then divided into the LG group and open gastrectomy (OG) group, after which the clinicopathological characteristics as well as short- and long-term outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Compared with the OG group, the LG group demonstrated a significantly lower amount of intraoperative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The overall complication rates were 10% (2 of 20 patients) and 24% (7 of 29 patients) in the LG and OG groups (P = 0.277), respectively. No significant differences in 5-year disease-free (LG 44.4% vs. OG 53.3%; P = 0.382) or overall survival rates (LG 46.9% vs. OG 54.0%; P = 0.422) were observed between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the surgical procedure (LG vs. OG) was not an independent risk factor for disease-free (P = 0.645) or overall survival (P = 0.489).

CONCLUSIONS

LG may be a potential therapeutic option for patients with gastric cancer following NAC considering its high success rates and acceptable short- and long-term outcomes.

Long-term oncological outcomes in laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: A meta-analysis of high-quality nonrandomized studies

BACKGROUND

Multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and several meta-analyses have confirmed that laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) is a safe and feasible procedure for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in terms of short-term outcomes. However, the long-term oncological outcomes of LG for AGC are still needed for further evaluation. This study aimed to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of LG with open gastrectomy (OG) for patients with AGC.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search in various databases from January 1997 to August 2018. Studies comparing the long-term oncological outcomes between LG with OG were evaluated and data were extracted accordingly. We performed the meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies with 4494 patients (2273 in LG group and 2221 in OG group) were included. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.05, P = 0.28), disease-free survival (DFS) rate (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.06, P = 0.27), and recurrence rate (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.04, P = 0.13) were comparable in LG and OG. Subgroup analysis showed the publication year, study region, sample size, extent of resection, extent of lymphadenectomy, retrieved lymph nodes, proportion of stage III, and patients with serosa-positive (pT4a) did not influence the estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with AGC, LG is a feasible surgical procedure alternative to OG in terms of long-term oncological outcomes.

Photodynamic diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis in human pancreatic cancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid during staging laparoscopy

Peritoneal metastasis is an important prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. The present study evaluated the possibility of diagnosing peritoneal metastasis by a photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA-PDD). In vitro, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation was examined in the AsPC-1-GFP cell line following 5-ALA hydrochloride administration. In vivo, AsPC-1-GFP cells were injected into the peritoneal cavities of mice. Three weeks later 5-ALA hydrochloride was intraperitoneally administered to the mice. The peritoneal nodules were observed under fluorescence excitation. A total of 34 patients were enrolled in the present study who were clinically diagnosed with pancreatic malignancy. 5-ALA hydrochloride was orally administered to the patients prior to surgery. During the operation the abdominal cavity was observed under white light and fluorescence. In vitro and in vivo, it was confirmed that PpIX-induced red fluorescence. In 9 patients peritoneal nodules suspected to be peritoneal metastasis were observed under white light. In 4 of the 9 patients nodules were detected on the basis of the fluorescence images. Fluorescent nodules were histopathologically diagnosed as metastatic. In the present study it was confirmed that 5-ALA-PDD holds promise for the rapid diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Skin: A mirror of internal malignancy

Skin manifestations are a reflection of many of the internal diseases. Sometimes, skin disease may be the only manifestation of the internal disease. Internal malignancies may give rise to a number of cutaneous manifestations through their immunological, metabolic, and metastatic consequences. Curth proposed criteria to establish a causal relationship between a dermatosis and a malignant internal disease. Malignancy can present with a plethora of cutaneous manifestations. Here, we describe in brief about various skin manifestations of internal malignancies.

Abdominal wall recurrence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: case report

Introduction

The gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are mesenchymal tumors, most commonly affecting the stomach and small bowel. Only few cases of port-site recurrence after laparoscopic treatment have been reported. We herein report the case of a parietal recurrence on the extraction incision site, 7 years after laparoscopic surgery for small bowel GIST.

Case report

A 47 years-old female patient was hospitalized in November 2007 for isolated pelvic pain. CT scan showed an intestinal tumor with a benign aspect measuring 50 mm. A laparoscopy-assisted resection was performed. Surgical exploration found a 7 cm small bowel tumor. It was extracted through a supra-pubic transversal incision without a wound protector and then resected. Histologic analysis revealed an intestinal GIST with high aggressive potential (five mitosis per field), with CD117 positive at the immunohistochemical examination. The patient had no adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven years later, the patient was readmitted for an abdominal mass at the site of the supra-pubic scar. Abdomino-pelvic CT scan showed a 10 × 7.5 cm solid mass of the abdominal wall. Percutaneous biopsies were done and the pathological analysis revealed a mesenchymal-cell tumor, positive to CD117 and DOG1 at the immunohistochemical examination. Final diagnosis was abdominal wall recurrence of GIST secondary to tumor-contamination during the first surgery.

Conclusion

Abdominal wall recurrence of GIST after laparoscopic surgery is rarely reported. This complication should be avoided with preventive measures such as the use of extraction bags or wound protectors.

Short-term surgical and long-term survival outcomes after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer

Background

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for gastric cancer has gradually gained popularity. However, the long-term oncological outcomes of LDG have rarely been reported. This study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes of LDG, and evaluate the early surgical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG).

Methods

Clinical outcomes of 240 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent LDG at our institution between October 2004 and April 2013 were analyzed. Early surgical outcomes of LADG and TLDG were compared and operative experiences were evaluated.

Results

Of the 240 patients, 93 underwent LADG and 147 underwent TLDG. There were 109 T1, 36 T2, 31 T3, and 64 T4a lesions. The median follow-up period was 31.5 months (range: 4–106 months). Tumor recurrence was observed in 40 patients and peritoneal recurrence was observed most commonly. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates according to tumor stage were 90.3% and 93.1% in stage I, 72.7% and 67.6% in stage II, and 34.8% and 41.5% in stage III, respectively. No significant differences in early surgical outcomes were noted such as operation time, blood loss and postoperative recovery between LADG and TLDG (P >0.05).

Conclusions

LDG for gastric cancer had acceptable long-term oncologic outcomes. The early surgical outcomes of the two commonly used LDG methods were similar.

Laparoscopic versus open D2 gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The oncologic safety and feasibility of laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer are still uncertain. The aim of this study is to compare our results for laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy with those for open D2 gastrectomy.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2008, a total of 336 patients with clinical T2, T3, or T4 tumors underwent laparoscopic (n = 186) or open (n = 150) gastrectomy involving D2 lymph node dissection with curative intent. To produce this study population, 123 patients in the open group who matched those of the laparoscopic group with regard to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, tumor location, and clinical tumor stage were retrospectively selected. The short- and long-term outcomes of these patients were examined.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy was associated with significantly less operative blood loss and shorter hospital stay, but longer operative time, compared with open D2 gastrectomy. The mortality and morbidity rates of the laparoscopic group were comparable to those of the open group (1.1 % vs. 0, P = 0.519, and 24.2 % vs. 28.5 %, P = 0.402). The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 65.8 and 68.1 % in the laparoscopic group and 62.0 and 63.7 % in the open group (P = 0.737 and P = 0.968). There were no differences in the patterns of recurrence between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy provides reasonable oncologic outcomes with acceptable morbidity and low mortality rates. Although operation time is currently long, this approach is associated with several advantages of laparoscopic surgery, including quick recovery of bowel function and short hospital stay. Laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy may offer a favorable alternative to open D2 gastrectomy for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Abdominal Scar Recurrences of Cervical Cancer: Incidence and Characteristics: A Case-Control Study

Background:

Tumor recurrence in the surgical scar after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer has been reported, but the incidence is unknown. Facts about patient and tumor characteristics and follow-up are lacking. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and characteristics of cervical cancer scar recurrences.

Methods:

All patients who were surgically treated for cervical cancer in our center between 1984 and 2007 were reviewed for scar recurrences. For each case, 5 random controls were selected. Clinical characteristics were compared between the cases and controls.

Results:

Eleven (1.3%) of 842 patients developed a scar recurrence. Mean time between surgery and scar recurrence was 16 months (range, 2-45 months). For 8 patients (73%), the scar recurrence was the first disease recurrence. Five patients (45%) died, and 2 (18%) were lost to follow-up. Mean time between scar recurrence and death was 9 months. Ninety-one percent of the cases had recurrent disease besides the scar recurrence during follow-up. The case group had a higher percentage of advanced FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage and postoperatively found involvement of parametria or resection margins and tumor diameter greater than 4 cm, whereas lymph nodes were more often involved in the control group.

Conclusions:

The incidence of scar recurrences after primary surgery for cervical cancer was 1.3%. Time to development was variable, and prognosis was poor. Besides higher FIGO stage and concurrent unfavorable pathological characteristics, we found no outstanding characteristics of patients with scar recurrence. Scar recurrences go hand in hand with recurrent disease at other locations and seem a manifestation of tumors with extensive metastatic potential.

Laparoscopic pancreatic resection for cancer

Laparoscopic (lap) organ resection is now commonly performed for the management of solid tumors of the kidney, colon, adrenal glands and prostate. Surgeons have been slower to adopt minimally invasive approaches to the pancreas owing to operative complexity and complication potential. The majority of existing reports concerning lap pancreatectomy are single-center studies that describe experience with fewer than 20 cases. Only recently have larger experiences surfaced demonstrating the safety and efficacy of lap tumor enucleation and lap left pancreatectomy. As neoplastic disease is the most common indication for pancreatic resection, understanding the effects of the lap approach to pancreatectomy on cancer outcome is crucial. In addition to concerns of port-site tumor recurrence and tumor dissemination due to lap manipulation in the setting of pneumoperitoneum, adequacy of resection as defined by margin status and nodal assessment must be considered. This review covers the development and current state-of-the-art of lap pancreatic surgery for cancer. Existing data are reviewed for both open and lap pancreatic resections, with particular attention to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Projections of future advances in the field of lap pancreatic surgery are provided.

The port site recurrence after a thoracoscopic and video-assisted esophagectomy for advanced esophageal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Thoracoscopic or video-assisted thoracic esophagectomies have been performed for the last 10 years. Nevertheless, some reports have showed a risk of dissemination with endoscopic or video-assisted surgery for malignant disease. This institute experienced three cases of port site recurrence after a thoracoscopic esophagectomy for advanced esophageal cancer. Following those cases, induction chemo-radiation therapy was performed for patient with advanced esophageal cancer before thoracoscopic or video-assisted esophagectomy. Since introducing induction chemo-radiation therapy, no patients have experienced port site recurrence after a thoracoscopic or video-assisted esophagectomy for advanced esophageal cancer. In this study, the two patients groups are compared before and after the introduction of induction chemo-radiation therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 1995 and December 2005, thoracoscopic and video-assisted esophagectomies were performed on 112 (72.7%) patients out of 154 who underwent a surgical resection for thoracic and abdominal esophageal cancer. The histologic type of cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in 109 (97.4%) patients and adenocarcinoma in 3 (2.6%). Ninety-one patients were men and 21 were women. The tumor was located in the upper thoracic esophagus in 22 (19.6%) patients, the middle thoracic esophagus in 49 (43.8%), the lower thoracic esophagus in 34 (30.4%), and the abdominal esophagus in 7 (6.2%).

RESULTS

Before December 1999, port site recurrence occurred in three cases of those of 29 patients with clinical T2-T4 esophageal cancer from 3 to 6 months after surgery, and pleural dissemination was observed in two of those patients. Since January 2000, induction chemo-radiation therapy (low-dose fluorouracil and platinum + 40 Gy radiation) has been performed to 31 patients with clinical T2-T4 disease, and port site recurrence has not occurred in any patients who received trimodality therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We think that the trend toward less port site recurrences with induction therapy should be examined in future studies of video-assisted thoracic surgery esophagectomy to confirm our findings.

The rate of port-site metastases after 2251 laparoscopic procedures in women with underlying malignant disease

BACKGROUND

The aim was to describe the rate of laparoscopic trocar-related subcutaneous tumor implants in women with underlying malignant disease.

METHODS

An analysis of a prospective database of all patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic procedures for malignant conditions performed by the gynecologic oncology service.

RESULTS

Between July 1991 and April 2007, laparoscopic procedures were performed in 1694 patients with a malignant intraabdominal condition and in 505 breast cancer patients undergoing risk-reducing, diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopic procedures without intraabdominal disease. Port-site metastases were documented in 20 of 1694 patients (1.18%) who underwent laparoscopic procedures for a malignant intraabdominal condition. Of these, 15 patients had a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian or fallopian tube carcinoma, 2 had breast cancer, 2 had cervical cancer, and 1 had uterine cancer. Nineteen of 20 patients (95%) had simultaneous carcinomatosis or metastases to other sites at the time of port-site metastasis. Patients who developed port-site metastases within 7 months from the laparoscopic procedure had a median survival of 12 months whereas patients who developed port-site metastasis >7 months had a median survival of 37 months (P=0.004). No port-site recurrence was documented in patients undergoing risk-reducing, diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopic procedures for breast cancer without intraabdominal disease.

CONCLUSION

The rate of port-site tumor implantation after laparoscopic procedures in women with malignant disease is low and almost always occurs in the setting of synchronous, advanced intraabdominal or distant metastatic disease. The presence of port-site implantation is a surrogate for advanced disease and should not be used as an argument against laparoscopic surgery in gynecologic malignancies.

Laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy versus open distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic-assisted gastric surgery has become an option for the treatment of early gastric cancer. However, there are few reports of laparoscopic surgery in the management of advanced gastric cancer. In this study we describe our experience with laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS

Between November 2004 and June 2007, 47 patients with AGC underwent LADG at our hospital, and 45 of those patients were enrolled in this study. These patients were compared with 83 patients who had AGC and underwent conventional open distal gastrectomy (ODG) during the same period.

RESULTS

Operation time was significantly longer in the LADG group than in the ODG group. Estimated blood loss in the LADG group was significantly less than in the ODG group. Time to ambulation and first flatus and duration of analgesic medication were significantly shorter in the LADG group. The morbidity and mortality rate were also lower than in the ODG group, with no statistically significant difference. The distance of the proximal resection margin showed no significant difference compared with ODG (6.3 +/- 0.9 versus 6.5 +/- 0.9 cm; p = 0.228). The mean number of nodes resected with LADG was 35.6 +/- 14.2, and that with ODG was 38.3 +/- 11.4 (p = 0.269). The mean follow-up for the LADG group was 23.6 months (range 9-40 months). In the LADG group, recurrence was observed in six patients (13.3%). Three patients had recurrence and died after 10 (IIIB), 11 (IIIA), and 13 (IIIB) months.

CONCLUSIONS

LADG with extended lymphadenectomy for AGC is a feasible and safe procedure and has several advantages. Moreover, this method can achieve a radical oncologic equivalent resection. Indications for LADG with extended lymphadenectomy could be expanded in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma. Is it a feasible option for patients with liver cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has gained growing acceptance, but this does not hold for laparoscopic surgery of the liver, above all for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. This approach mainly includes diagnostic procedures and interstitial therapies. However, we believe there is room for laparoscopic liver resections in well-selected cases. The aim of this study is to assess: (a) the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, (b) the safety and the respect of oncological criteria, and (c) the potential benefit of laparoscopic ultrasound in guiding liver resection.

METHODS

A prospective study of laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma was undertaken in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Hepatic involvement had to be limited and located in the left or peripheral right segments (segments 2-6), and the tumor had to be 5 cm or smaller. Tumor location and its transection margins were defined by laparoscopic ultrasound.

RESULTS

From January 1997, 22 out of 250 patients with HCC (9%) underwent laparoscopic liver resections. The mean patient age was 61.4 years (range, 50-79 years). In three patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. The laparoscopic resections included five bisegmentectoies (2 and 3), nine segmentectomies, two subsegmentectomies and three nonanatomical resections for extrahepatic growing lesions. The mean operative time, including laparoscopic ultrasonography, was 199 +/- 69 min (median, 220; range, 80-300). Perioperative blood loss was 183 +/- 72 ml (median, 160; range, 80-400 ml). There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in two out of 19 patients: an abdominal wall hematoma occurred in one patient and a bleeding from a trocar access in the other patient requiring a laparoscopic re-exploration. Mean hospital stay of the whole series was 6.5 +/- 4.3 days (median, 5; range, 4-25), while the mean hospital stay of the 19 laparoscopic patients was 5.4 +/- 1 (median, 5; range, 4-8).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic treatment should be considered in selected patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis in the left lobe or segments 5 and 6 of the liver. It is clear that certain types of laparoscopic resection are feasible and safe when carried out by adequately skilled surgeons with appropriate instruments.

Port site metastasis following diagnostic laparoscopy for a malignant Gastro-intestinal stromal tumour

Background

Gastro-Intestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare and our understanding of their natural history and optimal treatment are continually evolving. Port site metastasis after laparoscopy for a GIST is an extremely rare phenomenon.

Case presentation

We report a case with relevant imaging and discuss factors that may have contributed to the development of this isolated metastasis.

Conclusion

Percutaneous methods of sampling GIST tumours for analysis should be avoided if at all possible. When necessary, prophylactic measures should be utilised to minimise the risk of seeding.

[The role of laparoscopy assessing the resectability of hepatic malignancies]

INTRODUCTION

Regarding the prognosis of hepatic malignancies, surgical resection can provide a 40% 5-year survival, however liver transplantation (OLTX) shows even better results. Unfortunately, many patients have non-resectable disease due to either the number and the position of the tumours or its distant spread. It is relatively frequent that it turns out only at the time of the surgical exploration that the patient is inoperable. Hence, in addition to preoperative clinical evaluation and imaging, laparoscopy can be valuable in further staging and assessment of resectability in selected cases.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

310 patients underwent hepatic resection between 1 January 2000 and 31 March 2006. A retrospective analysis was carried out of 39 patients, who underwent laparoscopy prior to the planned hepatectomy. 22 patients (56%) were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while 17 patients (44%) had hepatic metastases.

RESULTS

Altogether 70% of the patients were found to have non-resectable tumour on laparoscopy. However, when these patients underwent laparotomy, non-resectable disease was found in 50% of them. Laparoscopy was helpful to demonstrate non-resectability of the tumour when carcinosis peritonei or multifocal lesions were present, but central or venous invasion could not be assessed adequately with this technique.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy can be an important component of the preoperative staging of malignant hepatic tumours. Further, it can help to avoid unnecessary laparotomies. However, this procedure is recommended in selected patients only, and its general use is not indicated.

Laparoscopic Management of Acutely Presenting Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Study of 9 Cases and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare. Nevertheless, some may present with a life-threatening hemorrhage or intestinal obstruction. The aim of this study was to review the various modes of the presentation of GIST, especially hemorrhage and obstruction, and to assess the role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of acute cases and the correlation of such cases with malignant potential.

METHODS

Data were collected from the hospital in the patient records as well as a prospective database. Their presentation, management, histologic features, and follow-up periods were analyzed.

RESULTS

Nine cases of GIST were collected. Five (56%) presented with hemorrhage, 3 (33%) with intestinal obstruction, and 1 (11%) with a tender epigastric mass. Six patients had a gastroscopy procedure, and 6 had a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Five (67%) patients underwent a partial gastrectomy (3 laparoscopic and 2 open procedures), 1 had a laparoscopic localized resection of a gastric GIST, and 3 (33%) had a resection and anastomosis of the bowel. All patients presented acutely, and 78% had emergency surgery performed. The laparoscopic approach was attempted in 6 patients (67%), and was successful in 4 (67%). All patients who had a laparoscopic treatment performed had less pain, a quicker recovery, and a shorter hospital stay, as compared to those patients who had open surgery. Five cases were malignant tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed a positive c-kit and CD34 for all tumors. The median follow-up was 24 months with one recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience showed that GISTs can present acutely and may need immediate surgical intervention. A laparoscopic treatment is safe and practical in experienced hands. Tumor size and hemorrhage at presentation can predict a patient's malignant potential.

Current status of minimal access surgery for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the subject of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and determine the relative merits of laparoscopic (LG) and open gastrectomy (OG) for gastric carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A search of the Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, Current Contents and PubMed databases identified individual retrospective and prospective series on LG (proximal, distal and total). Furthermore, all clinical trials that compared LG and OG published in the English language between January 1990 and the end of December 2006 were also identified. A large number of outcome variables were analysed for individual series and comparative trials between LG and OG and results discussed and tabulated.

RESULTS

The majority of the literature is published from Japan showing both oncological adequacy and safety of LG. The majority of early series and comparative studies have utilized laparoscopic resection for early and distal gastric cancer. However, with increasing advanced laparoscopic experience, advancement in digital technology and improvement in instrumentation, more advanced gastric cancers and more extensive procedures such as laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy and laparoscopy-assisted D2 dissection are becoming more common. To date lymph node harvesting, resection margins and complication rates seem to be equivalent to open procedures. Furthermore, the earlier fears of port-site metastases have not been borne out.

CONCLUSIONS

The available data suggests that LG seems to be associated with quicker return of gastrointestinal function, faster ambulation, earlier discharge from hospital, and comparable complications and recurrence rate to OG. However, the operating time for LG remains significantly longer compared to its open counterpart, although with experience it is achieving parity with OG. However, the majority of the comparative trials (if not all) probably do not have the power to detect differences in the outcome. As far as the RCT's (LG vs. OG) are concerned, the numbers of patients in such trials are small and the majority of patients were operated upon for early distal gastric cancer and, therefore, any meaningful conclusions regarding the advantages or disadvantages of LG for both the ECGs and extensive and advanced gastric tumours are difficult to justify.

Comparison of laparoscopically assisted and open radical distal gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer management

BACKGROUND

The feasibility and safety of laparoscopically assisted gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer has rarely been studied. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and cancer clearance of laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

Of the 44 patients with distal gastric cancer who underwent radical distal gastrectomy from March 2004 to May 2005, 35 were treated with D2/D2(+) lymphadenectomy. These patients were compared with 58 patients who, during the same period, underwent a conventional open radical distal gastrectomy.

RESULTS

The mean total number of retrieved lymph nodes (30.11 +/- 16.97) and the mean tumor margin were comparable with those in the open group. The mean operative time for laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy was significantly longer than for open surgery (282.84 +/- 32.81 min vs 223.75 +/- 23.25 min). The patients in the laparoscopic surgery group had less blood loss, shorter times of analgesic injection, and a faster recovery. The rates of complications were comparable between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although laparoscopically assisted radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is more time consuming than open surgery, it is a safe, feasible procedure that achieves cancer clearance similar to open surgery and leads to a quick postoperative recovery.

PET/CT detects abdominal wall and port site metastases of colorectal carcinoma

Abdominal wall metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) may be resected with curative results. Such lesions, often indicators of additional intra-abdominal lesions, may appear in surgical scars, stomas and port site metastases after laparoscope-assisted surgery (LAS). Post-operative changes, primarily surgical scars, alter local physical findings making early detection of small lesions challenging. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the contribution of PET/CT to the diagnosis of recurrent colorectal cancer in the post-operative abdominal wall. 120 patients were referred for PET/CT with suspected recurrent CRC based on clinical, radiological or laboratory findings. All underwent whole body PET/CT imaging. 12 of these 120 (10%), were found to have abdominal wall lesions. A total of 16 abdominal wall lesions were detected, located to surgical scars, stomas, drain and laparoscope ports. Additional findings on PET/CT in this group included liver metastases, intra-abdominal lesions and retroperitoneal lymph node involvement. In general, the patients in this small group were young with high grade tumours presenting in advanced stages. In conclusion, PET/CT appears to be a sensitive tool for the diagnosis of abdominal wall recurrence of CRC. The accuracy of localization afforded by the fused functional and anatomic images makes PET/CT a likely tool for diagnosing abdominal wall lesions, including port site metastases of other aetiologies.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a large gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach

We report two cases of large gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach that were successfully treated by hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). Two patients, a 56-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, were admitted to our department for the treatment of a large submucosal tumor of the stomach. After gastrointestinal endoscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, we suspected that the masses, measuring 7.0 cm and 8.0 cm in diameter, respectively, were GISTs in the stomach. However, preoperatively, we could not rule out the possibility of malignant neoplasms, because they had been bleeding or gradually growing. Hand-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection was safely performed for the diagnosis and treatment of the submucosal tumor of the stomach. The immunohistochemical diagnosis in both patients was GIST of the stomach with intermediate-grade malignancy. HALS may be a good indication for large GISTs of the stomach that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, whether they are malignant or benign, because it is safe and minimally invasive, promoting rapid recovery.

Improved preoperative tumor staging by 5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

We report our data in 35 patients who underwent preoperative conventional and fluorescence-based staging laparoscopy. We use the data to address the questions of whether fluorescence examination increases the yield of metastatic lesions and alters treatment intervention.

METHODS

Fluorescence laparoscopy was successfully performed in 30 patients with GI malignancies. After sensitization with 5-aminolevulinic acid, conventional white-light mode and fluorescence-light laparoscopies were sequentially performed. A suspected malignancy was biopsied.

OBSERVATIONS

In 5 patients, examinations were incomplete because of adhesions. In 9 of 10 patients, hepatic or peritoneal metastases were detected by white-light examination. In 4 of these 9, blue-light examination yielded more metastatic lesions. In one patient with no lesions by white- or blue-light examination, surgery revealed hepatic metastasis in a location not accessible to laparoscopic examination. In 18 patients, surgery confirmed the absence of metastatic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

A fluorescence, blue-light examination yielded more lesions than the conventional white-light examination but did not alter treatment intervention and did not enhance yield when metastatic lesion is in an inaccessible location. Continued research should focus on whether treatment intervention will be altered by the fluorescence examination.

The Physiologic Effects of Laparoscopy

The use of laparoscopic approaches to surgical disease continues to advance quickly. Laparoscopy applied to oncologic surgery continues to be debated. We review the experience of laparoscopy as it relates to surgery for tumors. Specifically, we discuss the physiologic changes and tumor response to laparoscopy, as well as the current concepts explaining port site recurrence.

New Approaches to the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Liver Cancer

Unlike laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic hepatectomy has been slow to gain acceptance because of its association with technical difficulties. Many surgeons feel there are few advantages in laparoscopic hepatectomy when compared to open surgery. The liver is the organ most susceptible to bleeding while dissecting the parenchyma and the resected liver usually requires a wide abdominal incision to deliver the resected specimen. Both the improvement of surgeons' skills and the development of technology have improved results, however, the indication of laparoscopic hepatectomy for malignancy is still controversial. This article focuses on the current status of minimally invasive treatment for liver malignancy.

Subcutaneous metastasis at a surgical drain site after the resection of pancreatic cancer

The aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer makes surgical control of disease an arduous challenge. Tumor seeding during resection is a feared complication during operations performed for this disease. Recurrence within the peritoneal cavity commonly occurs after resection for curative intent. Cutaneous metastasis, however, is a rare event. The majority of skin metastasis reported in the literature occurred after palliative procedures, in which the tumor burden remains. In this report, we describe an unusual case of cutaneous recurrence at the site of a surgical drain after resection for curative intent and discuss the impact of surgery on tumor-growth characteristics.

Subcutaneous Tumor Implantation After Laparoscopic Procedures in Women With Malignant Disease

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence of clinically detected laparoscopy-related subcutaneous tumor implantation in women with malignant disease who were treated by a gynecologic oncology service.

METHODS

We reviewed all cases of primary or metastatic malignancy who underwent a transperitoneal laparoscopy. Open laparoscopy technique was used in all cases with the Hasson trocar, usually placed near the umbilicus. A carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum was used in all cases, with maximum intraabdominal pressure set at 15 mm Hg. All trocar sites more than 5 mm were closed at the fascia level. Identifying subcutaneous implantation was performed by a detailed review of all available medical records and by review of a prospectively maintained comprehensive complications database.

RESULTS

In a 12-year period (July 1991 to July 2003), 2,593 laparoscopic procedures were performed, including 1,335 transperitoneal laparoscopies in 1,288 women with malignant disease. Malignant disease sites included adnexa/peritoneum (584), uterine corpus (355), uterine cervix (100), and other (249). There were no "isolated" trocar-related subcutaneous tumor implantations during the study period. Subcutaneous tumor implantations (n = 13, 0.97%) usually occurred with carcinomatosis, with synchronous metastases to other sites, and in the setting where the preceding laparoscopy was performed in the presence of advanced or recurrent abdominopelvic disease.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy-related subcutaneous tumor implantation is rare (0.97%) in women undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopy with malignant disease. Subcutaneous implantation appears to occur in patients with known metastatic disease and is detected in the setting of synchronous advanced intraabdominal or pelvic metastasis and progression of carcinomatosis. The risk of subcutaneous tumor implantation should not be used as an argument against laparoscopy in the majority of women with gynecologic malignancies managed by gynecologic oncologists.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II-2

Influence of laparoscopy on postoperative recurrence and survival in patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection

Background

Use of laparoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer has been associated with port-site and peritoneal tumour metastases. The effect of laparoscopy on tumour recurrence and long-term survival in patients undergoing resection of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown.

Methods

Between June 1994 and December 2001, 59 patients with ruptured HCC underwent surgical exploration with a view to hepatic resection. Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 33 patients; the other 26 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy without laparoscopy. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

Exploratory laparotomy was avoided in 12 of 13 patients with irresectable HCC who had a laparoscopy. The hospital stay of these 12 patients was significantly shorter than that of eight patients found to have irresectable HCC at exploratory laparotomy (median 11 versus 15 days; P = 0·043). Twenty patients had a laparoscopy followed by open resection of HCC, whereas 18 patients underwent laparotomy and resection without laparoscopy. There were no significant differences in disease-free (16 versus 19 per cent; P = 0·525) and overall (32 versus 48 per cent; P = 0·176) survival at 3 years between the two groups. The tumour recurrence pattern was similar between the two groups, and there were no port-site or wound metastases.

Conclusion

Use of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with ruptured HCC helps avoid unnecessary exploratory laparotomy. The present data suggest that laparoscopy does not have an adverse effect on tumour recurrence or survival in patients who undergo resection.

Portsite recurrence after laparoscopy for staging of retroperitoneal sarcoma

A 40-year-old woman underwent diagnostic and staging laparoscopy for a 12 cm retroperitoneal tumor, during which large-core biopsy was performed, which revealed an intermediate-grade leiomyosarcoma. Subsequent open resection (with en bloc resection of pancreatic tail and left kidney) was performed in a specialist unit. Complete tumor clearance was obtained with negative microscopic margins. Nine months later a laparoscopic portsite recurrence was detected clinically and confirmed histologically at resection. Laparoscopy is an unnecessary and inappropriate investigation in retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma.