Das Lymphgefäßsystem (LGS I und II) aus chirurgischer Sicht

[Surgery without anatomy?]

Anatomy is the basis of all operative medicine. While this branch of scientific medicine is frequently not explicitly mentioned in surgical publications, it is nonetheless quintessential to medical education. In the era of video sequences and digitized images, surgical methods are frequently communicated in the form of cinematic documentation of surgical procedures; however, this occurs without the help of explanatory drawings or subtexts that would illustrate the underlying anatomical nomenclature, comment on fine functionally important details or even without making any mention of the surgeon. In scientific manuscripts color illustrations frequently appear in such overwhelming quantities that they resemble long arrays of trophies but fail to give detailed explanations that would aid the therapeutic translation of the novel datasets. In a similar fashion, many anatomy textbooks prefer to place emphasis on illustrations and photographs while supplying only a paucity of explanations that would foster the understanding of functional contexts and thus confuse students and practitioners alike. There is great temptation to repeat existing data and facts over and over again, while it is proportionally rare to make reference to truly original scientific discoveries. A number of examples are given in this article to illustrate how discoveries that were made even a long time ago can still contribute to scientific progress in current times. This includes the NO signaling molecules, which were first described in 1775 but were only discovered to have a pivotal role as neurotransmitters in the function of human paradoxical sphincter muscles in 2012 and 2015. Readers of scientific manuscripts often long for explanations by the numerous silent coauthors of a publication who could contribute to the main topic by adding in-depth illustrations (e. g. malignograms, evolution and involution of lymph node structures).

[Prediction of prognosis of pancreatic cancer based on the homing area]

The homing area is a genetically defined location where primary malignancy originates and local recurrences occur. In order to be completely successful, curative resections of malignant tumors have to eradicate the homing area. This is possible in colon resection where the borders of the homing area are distant from the tumor and the lymph nodes can easily be resected to remove possible node metastases. In contrast, the homing area of the pancreas comprises only the gland itself, similar to all other glandular organs. The high specificity of the homing area is demonstrated by the finding that even pancreatic islets are spared by the malignant disease. During fetal development the pancreas loses most of the original dorsal and ventral mesentery. Via short lymphatic pathways, metastatic cells leave the gland in a centrifugal manner and find their way to regional lymph nodes that often share drainage with other neighboring organs. The lymph nodes are arranged in multiple layers and not in flat mesentery-like structures. Radical resections are therefore difficult to achieve.

Ninety and still active in research

BACKGROUND

Here, we review Prof. Stelzner's career and scientific achievements, which include his personal attitude to genuine creative thinking and its application to surgery and research.

DISCUSSION

The stations of his clinical career are highlighted together with his excursions into philosophical and historical topics. From the vast number of publications and research activities, we describe major contributions to morphology including recent contributions through functional examination techniques. We reflect on his research on perianal fistulas. Modern-day understanding of continence of the anal sphincter apparatus and other visceral sphincter systems were fields of his research.

CONCLUSION

His efforts in comparative anatomy and morphology are commended. An open mind throughout his life with sharp scientific reasoning opened him a world of solid arguments based on evidence to prove his view, sometimes after decades. Exemplary are the discussions about the adenoma-carcinoma sequence or his views on anatomical structures limiting the spread of cancer cells. We note his continuing research activities well beyond normal pension age. At the age of over 90, he is still a very sought-after conference speaker.

Lymph node metastases in soft tissue sarcomas: a single center analysis of 1,597 patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the clinical course of patients with the rare finding of regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) from soft tissue sarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 28 out of 1,597 consecutive soft tissue sarcoma patients with RLNM were from the patients' charts and interviewing patients and general practitioners. Survival, including possible influencing factors, was statistically calculated.

RESULTS

RLNM was seen in 21.4% for epithelioid sarcoma and 17.6% for clear cell sarcoma. All other entities presented RLNM rates below 10%. At follow-up after an average of 9.6 years, only three patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Survival was independent from surgical resection status of the primary tumor and the RLNM as well as from adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. Tumor entity as well as the length of the time period from primary to RLNM affect survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment as well as radiation and chemotherapy may improve survival in selected cases but probably have their value much more in terms of local disease control and improvement life quality of patients who probably already suffer from an aggressive systemic disease at time of nodal involvement.