Search

Abstract: Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel node (SN) mapping with endoscopic submucosal blue dye injection during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: Thirty-four patients affected by gastric adenocarcinoma without gross clinical serosal invasion and distant metastasis were prospectively enrolled. At the start of the surgery, 2 ml of 2% patent blue was endoscopically injected into the submucosal layer at four points around the site of the primary tumor. Sentinel nodes were defined as nodes that were stained by the blue dye within 5–10 min after the dye injection. After identification and removal of sentinel lymph nodes, each patient underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D1 (n = 2) or D2 (n = 32) lymphadenectomy. Results: Of the 34 patients, 14 had positive nodules (41%). SNs were detectable as blue nodes in 27 (80%) of 34 patients. The mean number of dissected lymph nodes per patient was 31 ± 10 (range = 16–64) and the mean number of blue nodes was 1.5 (range = 1–4). Only five (sensitivity 36%) of 14 N(+) patients had at least one metastatic lymph node among the SNs identified. In these 14 patients the sentinel node was traced in 12 cases. Sentinel node status diagnosed the lymph node status with 74% accuracy. In early gastric cancer (n = 18), three patients had lymph node metastasis. These early gastric cancer patients with nodal metastases had at least one metastatic lymph node among the SNs identified (sensitivity 100%). Conclusions: Blue dye SN mapping during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy seems to be a feasible and accurate diagnostic tool for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage gastric cancer in which the accuracy of the method was 100%. However, in more advanced gastric cancer the results are not satisfactory. Validation of this method requires further studies on technical issues, including selection of the tracers.

In the past few years, minimally invasive therapy for pancreatic diseases has made significant strides but the role of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is still controversial.Four patients with a mean age of 44 ± 11 years were chosen for a laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathological diagnoses were ductal adenocarcinoma in one, neuroendocrine tumor in two, and metastatic malignant melanoma in one.The procedure was laparoscopically completed in all with a mean operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay of 416 ± 77 min, 325 ± 50 ml, and 12 ± 2 days, respectively. There were no complications attributable to this surgery and there were no deaths. The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 26 ± 17 (range 16-47). All the patients remained well at a median follow-up of 4.5 months (range 1-10).It can be inferred from this small but successful experience that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can be considered for the treatment of tumors of the pancreas or periampullary region.

Abstract: Background: Benign duodenal tumours are rare and less common than malignant tumours. They comprise a wide variety of pathologies. Schwannoma is an ectodermal neoplasm arising from the nerve sheath that envelops axons. A duodenal location is extremely rare. Therapy consists in the radical excision of the tumour. Our aim was to describe a minimally invasive technique used for the excision of duodenal schwannoma, so that a laparotomy has been avoided. Methods: A laparoscopic operation under general anaesthesia was undertaken with the patient in supine position with the legs abducted. No macroscopic peritoneal seedling was found. Therefore, a laparoscopic Kocher maneuver was performed. The retroperitoneum was entered using the harmonic scalpel and the dissection extended beyond the vena cava and the duodenum. The location and the size of the lesion have been confirmed using an intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound examination. The excision of the lesion was performed by use the harmonic scalpel. Then, the duodenal wall was sutured by use endoscopic stitches. The resected lesion was then placed in a retrieval bag and extracted through the port incision. Operating time was 300 min and blood loss 200 ml. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological findings showed a benign schwannoma. Conclusions: The minimally invasive technique may be a valid alternative to open surgery in the treatment of benign duodenal tumors.