The treatment of advanced melanoma: Current approaches and new challenges

In recent years, advances in melanoma treatment have renewed patient hope. This comprehensive review emphasizes the evolving treatment landscape, particularly highlighting first-line strategies and the interplay between immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies. Ipilimumab plus nivolumab has achieved the best median overall survival, exceeding 70 months. However, the introduction of new ICIs, like relatlimab, has added complexity to first-line therapy decisions. Our aim is to guide clinicians in making personalized treatment decisions. Various features, including brain metastases, PD-L1 expression, BRAF mutation, performance status, and prior adjuvant therapy, significantly impact the direction of advanced melanoma treatment. We also provide the latest insights into the treatment of rare melanoma subtypes, such as uveal melanoma, where tebentafusp has shown promising improvements in overall survival for metastatic uveal melanoma patients. This review provides invaluable insights for clinicians, enabling informed treatment choices and deepening our understanding of the multifaceted challenges associated with advanced melanoma management.

The predictive and prognostic role of single nucleotide gene variants of PD-1 and PD-L1 in patients with advanced melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors

Background

Despite having revolutionized the treatment paradigm for advanced melanoma, not all patients benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. To date, there are no predictive biomarkers for response or the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. Our aim was to investigate the predictive and prognostic role of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of genes involved in the PD-1 axis.

Methods

We analysed, in metastatic melanoma patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab, five PD-1 SNVs, namely PD1.3 G>A (rs11568821), PD1.5 C>T (rs2227981), PD1.6 G>A (rs10204525), PD1.7 T>C(rs7421861), PD1.10 C>G (rs5582977) and three programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) SNVs: +8293 C>A (rs2890658), PD-L1 C>T (rs2297136) and PD-L1 G>C (rs4143815). Association of SNV genotypic frequencies with best overall response to PD-1 inhibitors and development of irAEs were estimated through a modified Poisson regression. A Cox regression modelling approach was applied to evaluate the SNV association with OS.

Results

A total of 125 patients with advanced melanoma were included in the analysis. A reduction in irAEs risk was observed in patients carrying the PD-L1 +8293 C/A genotype compared with those carrying the C/C genotype (risk ratio = 0.45; 95% CL 0.22-0.93; P = 0.031). A trend for a reduction in irAEs was also observed with the PD1.5 T allele (risk ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence limits 0.48-1.01 versus C allele). None of the SNVs was associated with response to therapy. Finally, a survival benefit was observed in patients harbouring the PD1.7 C/C genotype (hazard ratio = 0.37; 95% confidence limits 0.14-0.96; P = 0.028) in the homozygous model.

Conclusions

Our study showed that PD-1.5 and PD-L1 +8293 SNVs may play a role as a predictive biomarker of development of irAEs to PD-1 inhibitors. PD1.7 SNV may also be associated with a reduction of the risk of death, although further translational research is needed to confirm these results.

Activity and safety of first-line treatments for advanced melanoma: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment options for advanced melanoma have increased with the US Food and Drug Administration approval of the anti-LAG3 plus anti-PD-1 relatlimab/nivolumab combination. To date, ipilimumab/nivolumab is the benchmark of overall survival, despite a high toxicity profile. Furthermore, in BRAF-mutant patients, BRAF/MEK inhibitors and the atezolizumab/vemurafenib/cobimetinib triplet are also available treatments, making the first-line therapy selection more complex. To address this issue, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the available first-line treatment options in advanced melanoma.

METHODS

Randomised clinical trials of previously untreated, advanced melanoma were included if at least one intervention arm contained a BRAF/MEK or an immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). The aim was to indirectly compare the ICIs combinations ipilimumab/nivolumab and relatlimab/nivolumab, and these combinations with all the other first-line treatment options for advanced melanoma (irrespective of BRAF status) in terms of activity and safety. The coprimary end-points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (≥ G3 TRAEs) rate, defined according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

RESULTS

A total of 9070 metastatic melanoma patients treated in 18 randomised clinical trials were included in the network meta-analysis. No difference in PFS and ORR was observed between ipilimumab/nivolumab and relatlimab/nivolumab (HR = 0.99 [95% CI 0.75-1.31] and RR = 0.99 [95% CI 0.78-1.27], respectively). The PD-(L)1/BRAF/MEK inhibitors triplet combinations were superior to ipilimumab/nivolumab in terms of both PFS (HR = 0.56 [95% CI 0.37-0.84]) and ORR (RR = 3.07 [95% CI 1.61-5.85]). Ipilimumab/nivolumab showed the highest risk of developing ≥ G3 TRAEs. Relatlimab/nivolumab trended to a lower risk of ≥ G3 TRAEs (RR = 0.71 [95% CI 0.30-1.67]) versus ipilimumab/nivolumab.

CONCLUSION

Relatlimab/nivolumab showed similar PFS and ORR compared to ipilimumab/nivolumab, with a trend for a better safety profile.

Neuromuscular and cardiac adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: pooled analysis of individual cases from multiple institutions and literature

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the management of multiple tumors, due to improved efficacy, quality of life, and safety. While most immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are mild and easily managed, in rare cases such events may be life-threatening, especially those affecting the neuromuscular and cardiac system. The management of neuromuscular/cardiac irAEs is not clear due to the lack of consistent data. Therefore, we carried out a pooled analysis of collected cases from selected Italian centers and individual data from published case reports and case series, in order to improve our understanding of these irAEs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected retrospective data from patients treated in six Italian centers with ICIs (programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed death-ligand 1 and/or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 inhibitor) for any solid tumor who experienced neuromuscular and/or cardiovascular toxicity. Then, we carried out a search of case reports and series of neuromuscular/cardiac irAEs from ICIs with any solid tumor.

RESULTS

This analysis includes cases from Italian institutions (n = 18) and the case reports identified in our systematic literature search (n = 120), for a total of 138 patients. Among these patients, 50 (36.2%) had complete resolution of their neuromuscular/cardiac irAEs, in 21 (15.2%) cases there was a clinical improvement with mild sequelae, and 53 (38.4%) patients died as a result of the irAEs. Factors significantly associated with worse outcomes were early irAE onset, within the first two cycles of ICI (Fisher P < 0.0001), clinical manifestation of both myositis and myocarditis when compared with patients who developed only myositis or myocarditis (chi-square P = 0.0045), and the development of arrhythmia (Fisher P = 0.0070).

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest collection of individual cases of immune-related myocarditis/myositis. Early irAE onset, concurrent development of myositis and myocarditis, as well as occurrence of arrhythmias are associated with worse outcomes and should encourage an aggressive immunomodulatory treatment.

Health-related quality of life in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in randomised controlled trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionised clinical practice in oncology in the last years, leading to a survival benefit in several tumour types. To investigate whether these benefits are associated with improved quality of life, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between ICIs and standard chemotherapy (CT) in patients with advanced solid tumours.

METHODS

Clinical trials comparing the efficacy of ICIs (either programmed death receptor-1 and programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 inhibitors, as single agent or in combination) versus CT were included. Trials evaluating treatment with ICIs plus CT versus CT alone were also included, whereas studies in which the control arm included other anticancer agents (such as targeted therapy and other ICIs) or placebo alone were excluded. The aim of our meta-analysis was to compare PROs in subjects treated with ICIs or ICIs plus CT (intervention) with those reported by patients receiving CT (control). The co-primary endpoints were time from baseline to first deterioration in PROs, defined as the time from baseline to the first clinically significant deterioration in PROs, and the changes in PROs from baseline to follow-up between ICI and CT treatment groups (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021247440).

RESULTS

A total of 8341 patients from 17 randomised trials of ICI versus CT were included in the analysis. Treatment with ICI delayed clinical deterioration over standard CT in Global Health Status/QoL EORTC QLQ-C30 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.89), and in both EQ-5D utility index (HR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52-0.82) and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS; HR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.80). The difference in mean change between the ICI-treated group and the CT-treated group was 5.82 (95% CI, 4.11-7.53) in favour of ICI. Similarly, in the EQ-5D, the mean change differences favoured treatment with ICIs in both Utility Index and VAS, with differences of 0.05 (95% CI, 0.03-0.07) and 5.41 (95% CI, 3.39-7.43), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ICIs are associated with higher levels of quality of life and longer time to clinical deterioration on several PROs scales compared with CT in different types of solid tumours.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: An Immunotherapy Fairy-Tale?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive, neuroendocrine cutaneous tumor. The incidence of MCC is growing worldwide, and the disease-related mortality is about three-fold higher than melanoma. Since a few years ago, very little has been known about this disease, and chemotherapy has been the standard of care. Nowadays, new discoveries about the pathophysiology of this neoplasm and the introduction of immunotherapy allowed to completely rewrite the history of these patients. In this review, we provide a summary of the most important changes in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma, with a focus on immunotherapy and a landscape of future treatment strategies.

Immunotherapy in Adolescents and Young Adults: What Remains in Cancer Survivors?

Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of treatments for advanced disease in multiple neoplasms. More and more patients are long survivors from a metastatic disease. Most recently, the extension of indications and evidence of efficacy in early disease settings, such as the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting in breast cancer, lung cancer, glioma, and gastric cancer, places more attention on what happens to patients who survive cancer. In particular, we evaluated what happens in young patients, a population in whom some immune-related effects are still poorly described. Immunotherapy is already a reality in early disease settings and the scientific community is lagging in describing what to expect in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. For instance, the impact of these therapies on female and male fertility is not clear, similarly to the interaction that may occur between these drugs and pregnancy. This review aims to highlight these little-known topics that are difficult to evaluate in ad hoc studies.

Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) accounts for approximately 20% of all keratinocytic tumors. In most cases, the diagnosis and treatments are made on small, low-risk lesions. However, in about 5% of cases, CSCC may present as either locally advanced or metastatic (i.e. with locoregional lymph nodes metastases or distant localizations). Prior to the introduction of immunotherapy in clinical practice, the standard treatment of advanced CSCC was not clearly defined, and up to 60% of patients received no systemic therapy. Thanks to a strong pre-clinical rationale, clinical trials led to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (European Medicines Agency) registration of cemiplimab, a PD-1 inhibitor that achieved encouraging results in terms of objective response, overall survival, and quality of life. Subsequently, the anti-PD-1 pembrolizumab received the approval for the treatment of advanced CSCC by the FDA only. In this review, we will focus on the definition of advanced CSCC and on the current and future therapeutic options, with a particular regard for immunotherapy.

Influenza vaccination in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is a concern that influenza vaccination may increase the incidence of immune-related adverse events in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available data on the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in cancer patients receiving ICIs.

METHODS

Studies reporting safety and efficacy outcomes of influenza vaccination in cancer patients receiving ICIs were included. Only descriptive statistics were conducted to obtain a pooled rate of immune-related adverse events in vaccinated patients.

RESULTS

Ten studies assessing the safety and eight assessing the efficacy of influenza vaccination in cancer patients receiving ICIs were identified, for a total of 1124 and 986 vaccinated patients, respectively. Most patients had melanoma or lung cancer and received a single agent anti-PD-1, but also other tumour types and immunotherapy combinations were represented. No severe vaccination-related toxicities were reported. The pooled incidence of any grade immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events was 28.9%. In the 6 studies specifying the incidence of grade 3-4 toxicities, the pooled incidence was 7.5%. No grade 5 toxicities were reported. No pooled descriptive analysis was conducted in studies reporting efficacy outcomes due to the heterogeneity of endpoints and data reporting. Nevertheless, among the eight studies included, seven reported positive efficacy outcomes of influenza vaccination.

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review support the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in cancer patients receiving ICIs. These results are particularly relevant in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Treatment beyond progression with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 based regimens in advanced solid tumors: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Treatment beyond progression with immunotherapy may be appropriate in selected patients based on the potential for late responses. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the impact of treatment beyond progression in patients receiving an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 based regimen for an advanced solid tumor.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify prospective clinical trials reporting data on overall response rate by immune-related criteria and/or the number of patients treated beyond conventional criteria-defined PD and/or the number of patients achieving a clinical benefit after an initial PD with regimens including an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agent which received the FDA approval for the treatment of an advanced solid tumor.

RESULTS

254 (4.6%) responses after an initial RECIST-defined progressive disease were observed among 5588 patients, based on 35 trials included in our analysis reporting this information. The overall rate of patients receiving treatment beyond progressive disease was 30.2%, based on data on 5334 patients enrolled in 36 trials, and the rate of patients who achieved an unconventional response among those treated beyond progressive disease was 19.7% (based on 25 trials for a total of 853 patients).

CONCLUSION

The results of our systematic review support the clinical relevance of unconventional responses to anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based regimens; however, most publications provided only partial information regarding immune-related clinical activity, or did not provide any information at all, highlighting the need of a more comprehensive report of such data in trials investigating immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced tumors.

Neoadjuvant treatments in patients with high-risk resectable stage III/IV melanoma

Introduction: In recent years, the introduction of targeted therapy and immunotherapy into clinical practice has radically changed the management of advanced melanoma. More recently, these treatments also became the standard of care in the adjuvant setting. However, high-risk resectable stage III melanoma (i.e. with clinically detected regional lymph node involvement and/or satellites/in transit metastases) still has a high risk of relapse, even after adjuvant treatment, suggesting that the activity of immunotherapy and targeted therapy may play a relevant role in a neoadjuvant setting.Area covered: In this review, we discuss the results of the main clinical trials conducted in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with resectable stage III and stage IV melanoma, with a focus on the hot topics and a look at the future perspectives of the field.Expert opinion: The long-term effects of immunotherapy and the high response rate of targeted therapy provided the strong rationale to start neoadjuvant clinical trials for patients with resectable stage III and oligometastatic stage IV melanoma. Neoadjuvant therapy may play an important role not only for its possible impact on overall survival, but also as a predictive biological marker to allow for a more accurate personalization of adjuvant treatments.

Preliminay study for the Italian validation of the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP)

Introduction

The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) is a brief, accessible scale designed for detecting cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to test the SCIP's validity as a cognitive test by comparison with standard neuropsychological scale using the Pearson's correlation.

Aims Test the convergent and discriminant validity of the SCIP within the Italian SCIP validation project.

Methods

Patients between 18 and 65 years who are in a stable phase of the disease, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar I disorder were enrolled in this study, from the community mental health department of Ferrara.

Results

The tests were administered to 110 patients (mean age: 45 ± 11,4) and to 86 controls (mean age: 35 ± 12,6) of both sex. SCIP presents high correlation with the R-BANS total score (P < 0.01) and the subscales (verbal learning test-immediate, working memory, verbal fluency test, verbal learning test-delayed, processing speed test, P < 0.01). There are significant differences (P < 0.01) in all SCIP dimensions between patient and control group (Table 1).

Conclusions

Our analysis confirm the results of the English, French and Spanish version of the SCIP regarding convergent and discriminant validity. The SCIP represents a valid, simple and brief screening tool for the cognitive evaluation of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depressive spectrum disorders in cancer: prevalence, risk factors and screening for depression: a critical review

BACKGROUND

Although depression and mood-related disorders are common in persons with cancer, these conditions remain frequently overlooked in clinical practice. Negative consequences of depressive disorder spectrum have been reported (e.g. suicidal ideation, increase physical complications and somatic symptoms, negative influence on prognosis), indicating the need for routine screening, assessment and management.

METHODS

A search of the major databases (Medline, Embase, PsycLIT, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library) was conducted on the reviews and meta-analyses available in order to summarize relevant data concerning depressive disorders spectrum in terms of prevalence, risk factors, and screening and assessment among patients with cancer across the trajectory of the disease.

RESULTS

The data show a prevalence of depression and depressive disorders between 5% and 60% according to the different diagnostic criteria, the tools used in the studies (e.g. semi-structured psychiatric interview and psychometric questionnaires), as well as the stage and type of cancer. Furthermore, despite the significant health care resources devoted to cancer care and the importance of addressing depressive symptoms, assessment and management of depressive spectrum disorders in cancer patients remains suboptimal.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine screening and adequate assessment of depressive spectrum disorders is necessary in patients with cancer in order to effectively manage the multifaceted and complex consequences on cancer care.

Hepatic artery aneurysm rupture in a woman with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. However, a small number of patients present with visceral aneurysms. Although such aneurysms are rare, their presence in patients who are usually treated with lifelong anticoagulation raises important therapeutic problems, in view of the risk of aneurysm rupture and acute abdominal hemorrhage. We report the case of a young woman with APS who presented with abdominal bleeding due to ruptured common hepatic artery aneurysm. She was successfully treated by proximal ligation. The features of such aneurysms are discussed. Lupus (2007) 16, 355—357.

[Duplication of hospitalizations of nursing home residents from 2007 to 2009--a retrospective analysis]

AIM

To demonstrate why the number of hospitalizations of nursing home residents has doubled although several studies have established that hospitalizations do not diminish their mortality rate.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of medical databasis from 815 patients of the eight nursing homes of Zürich, thereof 180 were hospitalized in 2007, 234 in 2008 and 401 in 2009. The reasons for a hospitalization have been classified in nine categories.

RESULTS

The category "fall with fractures" with a proportion of 29% contributes most to the augmentation of hospitalizations, followed by the categories "ambiguous condition" with 24% and "improving quality of life" with 17%. Hospitalizations for the sustained optimization of quality of life explain 62% of the increased hospitalization rate.

CONCLUSION

Nursing home residents are not hospitalized to keep them longer alive, but to optimize their quality of life.

Polymorphisms of steroid 5-alpha-reductase type I (SRD5A1) gene are associated to peripheral arterial disease

Although animal studies support the hypothesis that androgenic biological actions may affect experimental atherosclerosis progression, evidence for a relationship between androgen effects and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common clinical form of atherosclerosis, is weak or contradictory. Testosterone, the main androgen hormone, is converted in a 5alpha-reduced form by enzymatic activities in the target cells and some specific actions are mediated by such metabolites. Steroid 5-alpha reductase isoenzymes (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2) catalyze the conversion to the bioactive potent androgen dihydrotestosterone and other reduced metabolites and represent relevant regulators of local hormonal actions. In the present study we tested for the association of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 with symptomatic PAD patients. Two different SNP in the SRD5A1 were significantly associated which the PAD phenotype (p<0.03, odds ratio 1.73), while no association was found between PAD phenotypes and SRD5A2. Since the examined SRDA1 gene variant was previously associated with a low enzymatic activity, we suggest that a decreased local enzymatic conversion of testosterone may contribute to PAD genetic susceptibility.

Fibrin glue for mesh fixation in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair: indications, technique, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of prosthesis fixation were studied by means of fibrin glue (Tissucol, Baxter Healthcare) during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) treatment of inguinal and femoral hernias.

METHODS

Between September 2001 and December 2004, fibrin glue was used for mesh fixation during TAPP.

RESULTS

In this study, 320 hernias were treated for 230 patients (225 men and 5 women) with an average age of 45 years (range, 20-75 years). No perioperative complications were observed. After an average follow-up period of 26 months (range, 1-40 months), the only postoperative complications observed were six seromas (1.8%) and one trocar-site hematoma (0.3%). The mean operating time was 30 min for unilateral hernias and 50 min for bilateral hernias, whether primary or recurrent. Patients usually were discharged the day after surgery and returned to work after 5 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' experience demonstrates that fibrin glue (Tissucol) is an effective method for mesh fixation during TAPP.

Use of fibrin glue (Tissucol) as a hemostatic in laparoscopic conservative treatment of spleen trauma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fibrin glue in laparoscopic spleen-preserving procedures for traumatic rupture.

METHODS

From January 2002 to December 2005, six laparoscopic spleen-preserving procedures were performed for traumatic rupture using fibrin glue. Two of the cases had previous middle and lower abdominal surgery. Survey of the abdominal cavity was performed by inserting two 5- to 12-mm trocars, one 5-mm trocar, and a 30 degree scope. A complete survey of all the patients was performed.

RESULTS

None of the patients required laparotomy, and no postoperative bleeding occurred. The fibrin sealant achieved immediate hemostasis, and all the patients recovered without further splenic bleeding. The mean postoperative stay was 4.3 days (range, 4-5 days). All the patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months. Postoperative immunoglobulin scanning, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) results were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic management of spleen trauma can be used once a positive diagnosis has been made. It is useful for assessing the degree of splenic injury. A laparoscopic spleen-preserving procedure can be used safely for patients with stable vital data. It is an effective procedure for the evaluation and treatment of hemodynamically stable patients with splenic injuries for whom nonoperative treatment is controversial. The topical application of a fibrin sealant in splenic trauma achieves definitive hemostasis safely, rapidly, and reliably. It also is simple to use in either laparoscopic or open procedures.

Laparoscopic versus open incisional hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery, and it is often a source of morbidity and high costs for health care. This is a case-control study to compare laparoscopic versus anterior-open incisional hernia repair.

METHODS

170 patients with incisional hernia were enrolled in this study between September 2001 and December 2004. Of these, 85 underwent anterior-open repair (open group: OG), and 85 underwent laparoscopic repair (laparoscopic group: LG). The clinical outcome was determined by a median follow-up of 24.0 months for LG and OG.

RESULTS

No difference was noticed between the two groups in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index (BMI), and incisional hernia diameter. Mean operative time was 61.0 min for LG patients and 150.9 min for OG patients (p < .05). Mean hospitalization was 2.7 days for LG patients and 9.9 days for OG patients (p < .05). Mean return to work was 13 days (range, 6-15 days) in LG patients and 25 days (range, 16-30 days) in OG patients. Complications occurred in 16.4 % of LG patients and 29.4 % of OG patients, with a relapse rate of 2.3% in LG and 1.1% in OG patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term results indicate that laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is associated with a shorter operative time and hospitalization, a faster return to work, and a lower incidence of wound infections and major complications compared to the anterior-open procedure. Further studies and longer follow-up are required to confirm these findings.

Use of fibrin glue (Tissucol) in laparoscopic repair of abdominal wall defects: preliminary experience

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and tolerability of human fibrin glue (Tissucol) for the nontraumatic fixation of a composite prosthesis (Parietex) in the laparoscopic repair of small to medium-sized incisional hernias and primary defects of the abdominal wall.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 2003 to October 2005, 40 patients underwent laparoscopic repair at the hands of one surgeon with expertise in laparoscopic surgery; all meshes were implanted in an intraperitoneal position. Follow-up visits were scheduled for 7 days and 1, 6, and 12 months. These included assessments for pain and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Forty patients (24 females, 16 males) with a mean age of 50 years (range, 26-65 years) and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 (range 25 to 30) were included in the study. Sixteen patients had incisional hernias, and 24 had primary defects. The size of the defects varied from 2 to 7 cm. Adhesiolysis was necessary in 92.5% of cases (25/40). There were no intraoperative complications or conversions. After a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 3-24 months), no postoperative complications were observed. The mean surgical intervention time was 36 min (range, 12-40 min), with an average hospitalization time of 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of fibrin glue in the present study provided stable and uniform fixation of the prosthesis and minimized intraoperative and postoperative complications. Consequently, laparoscopic treatment of small to medium-sized abdominal defects using this approach is our therapeutic option of choice.

Prospective clinical study of laparoscopic treatment of incisional and ventral hernia using a composite mesh: indications, complications and results

The aim of this study is to establish the indications, safety, efficacy, feasibility and reproducibility of the laparoscopic technique in treating defects in the abdominal wall, including those of large dimensions, to standardise the surgical technique and to confirm the performance of the composite prosthesis used (Parietex, Sofradim). The study encompassed the period from January 2001 to December 2004 and included 178 nonselected patients (108 women and 70 men), with an average age of 56 years (range: 26-77 years) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 30 (range: 26-40). These patients were treated for either abdominal hernia (156 patients; 89.7%) or a primary defect (22 patients; 10.3%). The dimensions of the abdominal hernias treated varied from 4 to 26 cm (average: 12.1 cm). All patients were treated using the laparoscopic technique, and all meshes were placed in the intraperitoneal position. Eleven (7%) postoperative complications arose after an average follow-up period of 29 months (range: 1-48 months): seven seromas (4.4%) lasting for 4 weeks, with one becoming infected after being punctured repeatedly; we removed the infected prosthesis by laparoscopy; three (1.9%) patients with persistent neuralgia, which were resolved after 2 months with a prescription for FANS; one patient with a haematoma at the trocar site. There were also four recurrences (2.5%), all of which occurred between 1 and 3 months postsurgery: one in the 'small' group of abdominal hernias (less than 9 cm) and three in the 'large' group of abdominal hernias. With the exclusion of any primary defects, an adhesiolysis was carried out in 99.3% of the patients. In seven cases (4.4%) we carried out a raphe for speritonealisations of loops in the small intestine; in four patients (2.5%), following tenacious adhesion (one patient) and loops fixed to the previous scar by stitches (three patients), we carried out an intestinal perforation (ileus) which was sutured by laparoscopy. The average operating time was 65.6 min (range: 28-130 min), with an average postoperative period in the hospital of 2.1 days (range: 1-5 days). No conversion was observed, and mortality was zero. The results obtained during the clinical trial demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic technique and of the mesh used as well as the reproducibility of the technique in the intraperitoneal treatment of congenital and postincision defects in the abdominal wall, including those of large dimensions.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in acute appendicitis: a randomized prospective study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure, as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. It seems to be more effective than the corresponding open procedure. Aim of this study is to evaluate a group of patients randomly allocated either to laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) or to open appendectomy (OA).

METHODS

From January 1998 to December 2002, 252 consecutive and nonselected patients, 155 women and 97 men, were randomized either to LA or OA. Recorded data were operative time, postoperative length, of stay and complications.

RESULTS

Mean operative time was 45 min (range 30-120) for OA and 36 min (25-60) for LA, mean postoperative stay was 5.5 days (4-12) for OA and 3.4 days (2-8) for LA. Complication occurred in 20 patients (14.5%) for OA and in four patients (2.6%) for LA.

CONCLUSION

We believe that LA is effective in any kind of clinical situation, with low traumatic impact and best comfort for the patient.

[Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: indications, technique, complications and results in 10 years experience]

AIM

Inguinal hernia play a major role in a general surgical division. In the last 10 years laparoscopy has gained a key role even in the treatment of this disease. This study aims to review a single institution's experience with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia (TAPP).

METHODS

A retrospective study of 715 operations in 500 patients from 1992 to September 2002. Two hundred and eight six (56.6%) of these were monolateral hernias and 214 (43.4%) were bilateral while 215 (30%) were recurrent.

RESULTS

Of 214 operations recurrence rate was 0.43 with a mean operating time of 30 min (range 25-50) for monolateral hernias and of 70 min (range 45-120) for bilateral hernias. Mean length of stay was 2 days (range 1-10). Return to work occurred in 6 days while sports were resumed after 10 days. Complications occurred in 40 (8.6%) patients with only 2 (0.4%) major complications. Mean follow up time was 58.3 months.

CONCLUSION

According to personal experience, and in agreement with international literature, laparoscopy showed to be effective mostly in treating bilateral and recurrent hernias, particularly for faster recovery and less postoperative pain compared to traditional techniques.

Laparoscopic liver resection with radiofrequency

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In this report, the feasibility, efficacy and safety of laparoscopic liver resection with radiofrequency has been evaluated in a small series of patients.

METHODOLOGY

From January 1993 to May 2002 we carried out 7 laparoscopic liver resections (3 men and 4 women), five of which were for benign pathology and two for metastases from colorectal cancer. In four of the above resections we used an argon coagulator; the last three were accomplished by means of a radiofrequency instrument.

RESULTS

We had no perioperative or postoperative complications in this small series of patients. There were no deaths. Perioperative blood loss was of 120 mL (range 80-200) and the procedure took about 90 minutes (range 80-110). Hospitalization was of 4 days and pain was adequately controlled by 2 mL of Toradol twice a day.

CONCLUSIONS

We think that the advantages of laparoscopic techniques together with the efficacy of the radiofrequency instrument in hepatic surgery will allow the diffusion of this method and its extension to safe execution of major resections.

The role of diagnostic tests in therapeutic choices for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease has different clinical presentations that require different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This paper describes the appropriate use of diagnostic tests before and after treatment. Each diagnostic tool is examined from a practical point of view to determine the information it can provide and its possible pitfalls, and to comment on how it can influence therapeutic choices. Performing a preoperative diagnostic evaluation is especially stressed, so as not to select the wrong patient or the wrong procedure. Finally, failures of surgery are examined to understand their causes and to prevent them. The value of the most relevant examinations for diagnosing the causes of failures and choosing the appropriate solution are discussed.

Mini-invasive surgery may be advised in oncology

In the last decade mini-invasive surgery has consistently developed with good results, but also with some unjustified clinical applications. This review is aimed at defining evidence based indications and procedures ('clinical practice') and those still worthy of controlled studies in oncologic centers with expertise in mininvasive surgery ('clinical research'). At present, diagnostic and staging laparoscopy and thoracoscopy represent the 'standard' for different tumors. Conversely, therapeutic indications according to evidence based medicine criteria are still limited. Tumors treatment by mini-invasive surgery requires 'expertise' on the part of the surgical team; this can be achieved by extensive training of a correct use of instruments and methods following the general surgical principles of traditional 'open surgery'.

Laparoscopic colectomy: indications, standardized technique and results after 6 years experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of the present study was to perform a retrospective study of our experience in performing laparoscopic colon surgery after 6 years experience.

METHODOLOGY

From April 1992 to April 1998, 215 patients underwent colon laparoscopic surgery. There were 121 females and 94 males, whose average age was 66.7 (range: 31-92).

RESULTS

170 laparoscopic procedures were completed out of 215 (79%): 151 resections (22 for a benign lesion and 129 for a malignant one), 4 reversal of Hartmann's procedures, 6 rectopexy, 3 ileotransverstomies and 6 suture of traumatic colon perforation. There were 3 mortalities out of 215 (1.9%). The conversions were 45 out of 215 (20.9%); 22 (10.2%) cases were, however, converted to a laparoscopic facilitated procedure. The most common causes for conversion were the presence of bulky tumors and/or tumors that contaminated the adjacent structures (16/215), adhesions due to previous operations (9/215) and the patient's obesity (8/215). There were 39 complications (18.1%), 10 (4.6%) out of which required reoperation (2 anastomotic fistula, 2 anastomotic leak, 2 anastomotic stenosis, 2 hemorrhage, 1 colic iatrogenic perforation and 1 occlusion to rotation of anastomosis). There were only 2 recurrences (1.3%), 15 months (C2) and 8 months (B2) after the operation for intraoperative technical error. The average number of lymph nodes harvested in resected specimens was 12.8 (range: 1-41), whereas the mean distance of the tumor from the proximal margin of resection was 11.5 cm (range: 5-35), and from the distal margin 7.5 cm (range: 1-25). The average operative time was 165 min (range: 40-360), and the mean hospital stay was 9.2 days (range: 6-40).

CONCLUSIONS

A colon resection for a malignant lesion, if performed with the highest respect for the oncologic principles, proves that it is impossible to develop a wall and intraluminal recurrence, which, in our opinion, may be caused by an improper surgical technique. Therefore, neoplastic colon laparoscopic surgery must be the perogative of a few selected and specialized centers.

Intracorporeal knot-tying and suturing techniques in laparoscopic surgery: technical details

BACKGROUND

Intracorporeal suturing and knot-tying in laparoscopic surgery require great manual dexterity; these techniques must absolutely be mastered by every surgeon who is interested in pursuing the minimally invasive approach.

METHOD

The initial and final knot of a laparoscopic continuous suture can be accomplished in several ways and with easy technical solutions that are fully illustrated in the present study.

CONCLUSION

We think it is better to perform a continuous suture than an interrupted one. It is advisable, moreover, to use traditional suture materials (not specially created for laparoscopy) that cost less than the more sophisticated ones.

E.A.E.S. multicenter prospective randomized trial comparing two-stage vs single-stage management of patients with gallstone disease and ductal calculi

BACKGROUND

The current management of patients with gallstone disease and ductal calculi consists of endoscopic stone extraction (ESE) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Following the advent of techniques of laparoscopic ductal stone clearance, an alternative single-stage laparoscopic treatment was introduced for these patients. The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (E.A. E.S.) set up a ductal stone trial to compare the relative efficacy and outcome of these two management options.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial compared two management options. Group A (n = 150) received preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with ESE followed by LC during the same hospital admission, and group B (n = 150) received single-stage laparoscopic management.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in the clinical demographic details and the pretreatment biochemical findings. In group A, 14 of 150 patients received single-stage treatment; in group B, 17 of 150 were managed by the two-stage approach (protocol violation = 31/300, 10%). In group A patients managed in accordance with randomization, ERC was successful in 129/136 (95%) and preoperative ESE succeeded in 82/98 (84%) with ductal calculi detected by the ERC. Two patients had malignancies and one refused surgery. Thus, 133 patients underwent surgery. Of this group, 116 had LC only and 17 had LC and attempted laparoscopic duct exploration. There were eight conversions to open surgery (6%), 17 complications for both stages (12.8%), and two postoperative deaths (1.5%). In group B patients managed in accordance with randomization, intraoperative cholangiography was successful in 132/133 (99%). Twenty-one (16%) had normal findings, ductal calculi were found in 109, and other pathology was noted in two (periampullary cancer, severe pancreatitis). These two patients and one other (who had gross adhesion in the triangle of Calot) were converted at the start of the procedure. Transcystic ductal stone clearance was successful in 45 of 56 patients (80%), and laparoscopic direct common duct (CBD) exploration was successful in 47 of 55 patients (85%). This group includes 53 patients who underwent primary direct exploration and two failed attempts at transcystic extraction. The conversion rate was 13%. Postoperative complications were encountered in 21 patients (15.8%), and one patient died of a major myocardial infarction (0. 75%). The one postoperative death and the 10/11 biliary complications occurred in the laparoscopic supraduodenal CBD exploration subgroup. The conversion rate was higher in group B (17 vs eight; p = 0.08). Laparotomy in the postoperative period was required in three patients in group A and four patients in group B. The group B patients were in hospital for 3 days less than patients who had two-stage management (median, 6.0, IQR = 4.25-12 vs median, 9.0, IQR = 5.5-14; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate equivalent success rates and patient morbidity for the two management options but a significantly shorter hospital stay with the single-stage laparoscopic treatment. The findings indicate that in fit patients (ASA I and II), single-stage laparoscopic treatment is the better option, and preoperative ESE should be confined to poor-risk patients-i.e., those with cholangitis or severe pancreatitis.

Surgical palliation in pancreatic head carcinoma and gastric cancer: the role of laparoscopy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In all patients with pancreatic and gastric cancer we always make a laparoscopic exploration to complete the staging. Lately we have adopted the following technique for nonresectable cancers of the head of the pancreas: following endoscopic retrograde cholangiography we position a biliary stent to restore bile flow and obtain regression of jaundice, a laparoscopic-assisted gastroentero-anastomosis (GEA) is then performed as an antecolic isoperistaltic side-to-side gastrojejunostomy. Also in case of nonresectable gastric cancer we perform a laparoscopic-assisted gastrojejunostomy.

METHODOLOGY

From January 1994-February 1998 we performed a total of 25 laparoscopic assisted gastrojejunostomies. We adopted this minimally invasive technique for 11 out of 20 patients (55%) with nonresectable cancers of the head of the pancreas, 7 men and 4 women, whose median age was 73 (range: 60-89). A video-assisted gastrojejunostomy was also performed in 14 patients out of 28 (50%), 10 men and 3 women, with a median age of 70 (range: 58-76), with nonresectable distal gastric cancers and 1 woman with non-resectable and obstructing duodenal cancer. The operative time of the video-assisted procedure was 35 min (range: 25-40 min).

RESULTS

There were no intra-operative complications and no mortality. All the patients had a very satisfactory post-operative course, with only 1 (4%) with post-operative complications (hyperpyrexia in a patient due to an infection of the biliaryendoprosthesis, with precocious regression after replacement of the prosthesis) and minimal post-operative pain. Median post-operative hospital stay was 3 days (range: 2-4). Median survival after operation was 6 months (range: 2-12) for gastric cancer and 9 months (range: 5-15 months) for pancreatic head carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that this technique, for the obstructive syndrome of the pylorus and duodenum, offers these patients the best results/trauma ratio. Two currently remaining types of indications for a GEA, namely non-malignant ulcer and unresectable duodenal or antropyloric obstructive cancer.

Duodenal perforations after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Duodenal perforations after laparoscopic cholecystectomies are rarely reported. The aim of this study is to focus on this complication and to suggest ways to reduce its occurrence and avoid diagnostic mistakes and therapeutical delays that could be fatal. We reviewed four personal cases and a number of others reported in the literature. Duodenal perforations are caused by improper use of the irrigator-aspirator device when retracting the duodenum, or by electrosurgical and laser burns. A duodenal perforation should be suspected in cases of bile leakage, peritonitis, intraabdominal or retroperitoneal collections, high serum or drainage amylase concentration, absence of bile leakage from the biliary tree, and the existence of a retroduodenal mass. Diagnosis requires a gastrografin upper GI series. Differential diagnosis is mainly with biliary lesions and other causes of peritonitis. Relaparoscopy may require intraoperative upper GI endoscopy or Kocher's duodenal mobilization to detect the perforation. Early diagnosis allows primary repair, usually by laparoscopy. Perforations of the duodenal cap are easier to diagnose and have a better prognosis than those of the descending duodenum. A lumbar abscess is a frequent complication.

Laparoscopic treatment of peptic ulcers. A review after 6 years experience with Hill-Barker's procedure

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study illustrates our experience in treating duodenal ulcers by means of laparoscopy over a period of 6 years and the results after a lengthy careful follow-up.

METHODOLOGY

From October 1991 to October 1997 we submitted 35 patients, 28 men and 7 women of an average age of 51 years (range: 22-78), to vagotomy with minimally invasive access: 23 Hill-Barkers, 2 Taylors, 6 thoracoscopic truncal vagotomies, and 4 laparoscopic truncal vagotomies. Of the patients submitted to surgery with the Hill-Barker technique, 8 were resistant to medical therapy, 11 decided not to continue with long-term medical therapy, 3 assumed an irregular medical therapy, and 1 who had been suffering for a long time from an ulcerous disease required vagotomy in association with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In 16 patients a bleeding complication preceded surgery.

RESULTS

In our experience, the average duration of the operation with the Hill-Barker technique is 40 min (range: 30-80 min), with return to normal feeding in 1 day without any disorders and return home on day 3 (range: 2-5). The patients have been followed for 3-54 months. One patient (4.3%) was lost during the follow-up. Twenty-one (91.3%) out of the 23 submitted to anterior superselective and posterior truncal vagotomy were pain and ulcer-free without medical therapy. There was only one relapse (4.3%) after 7 months where the patient underwent left thoracoscopic truncal vagotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

In our opinion, as posterior truncal and anterior superselective vagotomy using the Hill-Barker technique guarantees the same excellent results, it is preferable due to the speed and ease of performance and to the low cost compared with other procedures which take more time (e.g., Taylor's section and suture of the anterior gastric wall) and require the use of particularly expensive equipment (e.g., Gomez-Ferrer's mechanical sectioning and suturing).

Peptic ulcer disease and thoracoscopic left truncal vagotomy

BACKGROUND

This study illustrates our experience in treating duodenal ulcer by means of thoracoscopy and laparoscopy over a period of six years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 1991 to October 1998, we submitted 38 patients (31 males and 7 females), average age 51 years (range 22-78 years), with duodenal ulcer to vagotomy with minimally invasive access: 23 Hill-Barkers, 2 Taylors, 9 thoracoscopic truncal vagotomies and 4 laparoscopic truncal vagotomies. The patients submitted to thoracoscopic truncal vagotomy had previous gastric surgery (5 ulcers of the neostoma in patients who had undergone gastric resection, 3 hemorrhagic gastritis of the gastric neostoma and 1 incomplete abdominal vagotomy).

RESULTS

The average time required for the thorascopic approach was 30 minutes (range 20-40 minutes) with return to normal feeding in 1 day, without any difficulty, and discharge on day 3 (range 2-5 days). The patients were followed for 3-54 months. Twenty-two patients (91.3%) out of 23 submitted to anterior superselective and posterior truncal vagotomy, and the patients submitted to thoracoscopic vagotomy, were pain free without medical therapy. One patient (4.3%) was lost to the follow-up. There was only one relapse (4.3%) after seven months where the patient underwent left thorascopic truncal vagotomy. We had no mortality and no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In our opinion, minimally invasive treatment of peptic ulcer disease may represent the "gold standard." It is simple, quick, effective and delivers the same excellent results of open surgery but with minimum trauma.

Laparoscopic appendectomy and minilaparoscopic approach: a retrospective review after 8-years' experience

BACKGROUND

This is a presentation of our 8-year experience in laparoscopic appendectomy, showing complications and results to determine the advantages and efficacy of laparoscopy.

METHODS

We used this technique from December 1990 to December 1998 on 282 consecutive and non-selected patients (169 females and 113 males) with an average age of 24 years (range 5-86 years). All patients were suffering from sub-acute appendicitis or chronic appendicopathies, except for 84 (29.7%) cases of acute appendicitis and 25 (8.9%) cases of gangrenous appendicitis with peritonitis. All patients with suspected appendicitis were evaluated with a laparoscopic exploration.

RESULTS

In 39 patients (13.9%), appendectomy was performed along with 19 enucleated or endocoagulated ovarian cysts, 8 adhesiolyses, 6 transperitoneal hernioplasties (4 right and 2 left), 2 cholecystectomies, 2 excisions of a Meckel diverticulum, 1 aspiration and suture of a right tubal pregnancy and 1 electrodesiccation of pelvic endometriosis. Thirty-five patients (12.5%) revealed the presence of a gynecological-type pathology. We performed 2 (0.7%) conversions to open exploration and experienced 6 (2.1%) complications, of which only 1 (0.35%) was a major complication: a delayed hemoperitoneum (1 liter), re-operated elsewhere, the cause of which was not identified. We performed 4 (1.4%) relaparoscopies for retrocecal abscess (three patients with primary gangrenous appendicitis and peritonitis presenting with an abscess in the right iliac fossa and in one patient with widespread intestinal adhesions with primary acute appendicitis). No patient with a diagnosis of a normal appendix developed an intraperitoneal abscess. Mortality was non-existent. The postoperative course, which was subjectively better than in cases operated in the traditional way, was, on an average, 2 days (range 1-18 days) for appendectomies carried out with the traditional laparoscopic technique and 1 day for appendectomies carried out with the minilaparoscopic technique (6 patients).

CONCLUSION

We believe that the laparoscopic technique can handle any type of clinical situation, as it can cure several pathologies during the same session with minimal trauma and maximum benefit for the patient. The advantages of a minilaparoscopy approach are based on its low invasiveness and small surgical wounds.

Extracorporeal knotting simplified with a new instrument

We report a quick, reliable, inexpensive method that uses a new, reusable instrument which can be used in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery to execute any kind of extracorporeal suture.

Laparoscopic re-operation from gastro-oesophageal reflux

Since 1994 until the present day, we have had to surgically re-operate in five cases of failure with laparoscopic operations aimed at correcting gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Two of these cases came from our own patients and three came under our observation from other centers. We applied fundoplication according to Nissen-Rossetti in three cases and the Rossetti-Hell operation in the other cases. One case involved recurrent gastro-oesophageal reflux with a short oesophagus and fundoplication raised into the mediastinum. In one other case, there was recurrent hiatal herniation with a rotary as well as axial component and consequent mediastinal occupation. The other three cases featured persistent post-operative dysphagia caused, in one case, by an error in the creation of the anti-reflux valve (perigastric cuff) and, in the other two, by erroneous choice of the anti-reflux operation: post-operative manometry showed important oesophageal hypo-dyskinesia which should have indicated partial fundoplication. All the patients underwent laparoscopic exploration. The patient with the short oesophagus had to be converted for the performance of a total duodenal diversion, while the remaining four patients underwent a total laparoscopic operation. The patient with recurrent hiatal hernia had the hernia reduced in the abdomen and combined anterior and posterior hiatoplasty. In another three cases, total fundoplication was transformed into partial fundoplication according to Toupet. The post-operative course and clinical results were excellent in all five patients. Stress is placed on the importance of accurate morphological and functional assessment of the oesophagus in the pre-operative stage so as to select the most suitable operation and in the post-operative stage in order to evaluate the causes of failure, the advantages of laparoscopy in terms of exposure of the operative field, the importance of certain technical details that optimize the results of the operation, and the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach also for the correction of most failures that demand re-operation.

Laparoscopic colectomy: the absolute need for a standard operative technique

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to review our experience performing laparoscopic colon surgery and to present the operative technique as used and standardized by us.

METHODS

From April 1992 to December 1996, 158 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic colon surgery. There were 92 females and 66 males, whose average age was 66.7 years (range 31-92); 134 patients (84.9%) were operated on for carcinoma, and the remaining 24 (14.1%) or benign disease.

RESULTS

There were 117 procedures completed laparoscopically out of 158 patients (74%); 103 colon resections (18 for benign disease and 95 for malignant disease), 7 Hartmann procedures, 3 for reversal of Hartmann's procedures, 1 rectopexy, and 3 ileotrasversostomies. Conversions were required in 41 out of 158 cases (25.9%); 19 of these cases, however, were converted to a laparoscopic-facilitated procedure. The most common causes for conversion were the presence of bulky tumors and/or tumors that contaminated adjacent structures (16/158), adhesions due to previous operations (8/158) or patient obesity (5/158). There were 31 complications (19.6%), 9 of which required re-operation. There was only one recurrence (0.9%) that manifested 15 months after the procedure, at both trocar and drainage sites, and with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This occurred in a patient with rectal neoplasia who suffered a perforation of the rectum during dissection, with bowel spillage. The average number of lymph nodes harvested in resected specimens was 12.8 (range 1-41), whereas the mean distance of the tumor from the proximal margin of resection was 11.5 cm (range 5-35), and from the distal margin 7.5 cm (range 1-25). The average operative time was 165 minutes (range 40-360), and the mean hospital stay was 9.2 days (range 6-40). There were three mortalities out of 158 patients (1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic colon resection for malignant lesions, performed with the highest respect for oncologic principles, has demonstrated that it is difficult to develop a barrier to wall and intraluminal recurrence. Recurrence, in our opinion, is caused by improper surgical technique. Therefore, neoplastic colon laparoscopic surgery must be the prerogative of selected and specialized centers.

EAES ductal stone study. Preliminary findings of multi-center prospective randomized trial comparing two-stage vs single-stage management

BACKGROUND

The current management of patients with ductal calculi and gallstone disease consists of endoscopic stone extraction (ESE) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The advent of techniques of laparoscopic ductal stone clearance has introduced an alternative single stage laparoscopic treatment for these patients. The EAES ductal stone trial was set up to compare the relative efficacy and outcome of these two management options.

METHODS

The study consists of a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial comparing two management options of patients undergoing LC and suspected of harbouring common duct stones. Patients registered into the trial are randomized to one of two arms: (i) Group A-preoperative ERC with ESE followed by LC during the same hospital admission. (ii) Group B-single stage laparoscopic management consisting of LC and laparoscopic stone extraction either by the trans-cystic duct route or by direct supraduodenal common duct exploration.

RESULTS

This preliminary analysis was carried out on 207 randomized patients with comparisons being made on the intention to treat principle. The two groups (A = 106, B = 101) were comparable with respect to clinical features. ASA grade, serum biochemistry and ultrasound findings.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings indicate equivalent success rates and patient morbidity between the two management options but a shorter hospital stay (cost benefit) with the single stage laparoscopic treatment. Trans-cystic duct extraction is a more benign procedure than laparoscopic supraduodenal CBD exploration and is accompanied by a significantly shorter hospital stay. The higher incidence of conversion in the single stage laparoscopic group compared to the two-stage arm is due to the preference for open common duct exploration when the laparoscopic attempt failed by the majority of participating surgeons. The results to-date suggest that in fit patients, single stage laparoscopic treatment is the better option and the role of ESE should change to selective use in those patients in whom laparoscopic ductal stone extraction has failed.

Laparoscopic choledochotomy with primary closure. Follow-up (5-44 months) of 31 patients

BACKGROUND

Thirty-three patients were candidates for laparoscopic choledochotomy. The indications for this operation are described.

METHODS

The procedure was completed 32 times (97%). We had 29 successful common bile duct (CBD) clearances, three negative explorations, and one failed clearance which needed to be converted to laparotomy. All the completed procedures ended with primary closure of the main duct. Median duration of surgery was 180 min (range 100-300), including three associated laparoscopic procedures.

RESULTS

There were three postoperative complications (9.4%), none major. Average postoperative hospital stay was 7.1 days (range 4-14). In May-June 1995 we controlled 31 out of the 32 consecutive patients (one patient was lost to follow-up) who had a successful laparoscopic choledochotomy from October 1991 to December 1994. Median follow-up was 22 months (range 5-44). Besides clinical control, 23 patients also had ultrasound (US) controls and 24 had blood tests. Eleven had intravenous cholangiotomography. Two patients died 11 and 22 months after the operation for unrelated causes and without biliary symptoms. Two patients had umbilical hernias. One had a small residual asymptomatic stone, which was removed endoscopically. None had signs of postoperative CBD stricture. At US, CBD was </=7 mm in 15 patients, 8-10 mm in four patients, and 10-12 mm in three patients. The last group had preoperative CBD dilation, too. We could compare preoperative and postoperative CBD diameters in 22 patients: 11 had no change; in nine it decreased; and two had a slight increase (8-10 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that laparoscopic choledochotomy with primary closure is a very good operation: It has a high success rate and low morbidity. Mortality is nil so far. Medium-term results are very positive: We had no CBD stricture and only one case of asymptomatic residual stone, which could have been avoided. Our results suggest that intraductal biliary drainage is useless, and its specific complications are well known.

Laparoscopic colorectal resection. A multicenter Italian study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the experience of six surgical units currently performing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS

From November 1991 to January 1994, 200 patients (103 male, 97 female; mean age 62.5 years) were candidates for, and received, laparoscopic colorectal resection for benign (54) or malignant (196) lesions. All the units excluded patients with locally advanced organ tumors and all cases with suspected perforation and ascites. One center submitted to laparoscopic resection only stage I and IV adenocarcinoma. All surgeons considered obesity a relative contraindication. The following data were analyzed: indications, conversion rate to open surgery, operative time, morbidity and mortality, resumption of gastrointestinal function, number of lymph nodes harvested, hospital stay.

RESULTS

Twenty-one out of 200 patients were converted to open surgery (10.5%); 37 patients had a complete laparoscopic procedure (17.1%); 137 had an assisted resection (68.5%); and the remaining 5 patients had a facilitated resection. The mean operative time was 208 min (90-480) for assisted resection and 275 min (54-550) for complete laparoscopic resection. The mortality rate was 1.7%; the overall morbidity was 19.6% (major complications 11.2%). All patients quickly became ambulatory and showed a prompt resumption of gastrointestinal functions, and less postoperative pain if compared with converted cases. The average number of lymph nodes was 12.1 (range 1-32). The mean hospital stay was 8.6 days (range 5-14.5). The mean follow-up was 16 months (range 6-24). The recurrence rate 11.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy seems to offer the possibility of minimally invasive treatment, but long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Laparocholecystectomy. 6,865 cases from Italian institutions

Data concerning 6,865 laparocholecystectomies have been collected retrospectively from 19 Italian groups. Only 5% of all patients were chosen for open cholecystectomy (OC). Acute cholecystitis was present in 5.6% of laparocholecystectomies (LC). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 3.1% of patients. Mortality was 0.06%, morbidity 2.53% (general anesthesia complications 0.07%; general complications 0.07%; omphalitis 0.7%; abdominal complications 1.69%). Main duct lesions occurred in 0.26% of the patients, biliary leaks in 0.48%, bleedings in 0.75%, perforations in 0.2%. Data from literature concerning OC are compared to ours: mortality and morbidity have been lowered by LC; general and abdominal-wall complications have been drastically reduced; main duct lesions are not different.

Laparoscopic liver tumour resection with the argon beam

Our initial experience with four minor resections for one malignant and three benign lesions is reported. Dissection was accomplished by mechanical fragmentation and hydrojet. Coagulation was effectively achieved by the argon beam system. Larger vessels were clipped. Three patients were treated laparoscopically and were rapidly discharged after an uneventful postoperative course. The other patient (small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic liver) had an intraoperative cardiac arrest, probably due to gas embolism. After restoration of normal cardiac activity, the operation was completed after conversion to an open approach. When using the argon coagulator it is necessary to prevent excessive intra-abdominal pressure due to the flow of argon gas and to avoid injury to the hepatic veins, which may cause gas embolism.

Laparoscopic posterior truncal vagotomy and anterior proximal gastric vagotomy

Simplified parietal cell vagotomies (Taylor's and Hill-Barker's procedures) were proposed more than a decade ago to make the operation easier and faster. Efficacy and safety have proven to be as good as with proximal gastric vagotomy. The Hill-Barker operation is particularly simplified by the laparoscopic approach, which enables the procedure to be performed very precisely. The limited trauma of minimally invasive vagotomy has increased the interest in peptic ulcer surgery, especially for patients with chronic duodenal ulcer disease who cannot or do not want to take long-term continuous medication, or who are resistant to it. We describe our technique of performing the laparoscopic Hill-Barker procedure. Our initial results with eleven patients show no operative mortality and minimal morbidity with early discharge and ulcer of all patients. Of the 9 cases which are evaluable, 8 are pain-free and one had an ulcer recurrence after incomplete vagotomy.

[Rationale for the use of bile salts after cholecystectomy: results of a controlled clinical study using tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA)]

Cholecystectomy causes alterations in bile composition. In particular it rises the proportion of highly detergent bile acids with the possible consequence of the manifestation of dyspepsia in a high percentage of patients: this is the well-known post-cholecystectomy syndrome. In this clinical trial we studied the activity and safety of tauroursodeoxycholic acid--TUDCA--(500 mg/die) in the prevention of dyspepsia in cholecystectomized patients, in comparison with no treated group. We enrolled 203 patients (101 TUDCA--group A--and 102 control-group B). The two groups were comparable for age (47.1 years in group A and 50.7 years in group B), sex (m/f: 28/73 and 37/65 in the two groups) and for other characteristics connected to surgical procedures. After operation all patients suffered from dyspepsia symptoms. In patients treated with TUDCA we registered a prompt regression in severity of symptoms when compared with no treated group: in fact we noted a significant difference only at the first control planned after one month from operation. No difference were registered at the other controls (two and three months after operation). Two patients in A and 3 in group B manifested adverse events. In conclusion, the treatment with TUDCA, a new hydrophilic bile acid, seems to contribute to the improvement of clinical course in cholecystectomized patients.