Search

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has proven to be safe and effective. However, the value of laparoscopic resection for malignancy in terms of cancer outcome can only be assessed by large prospective randomized clinical trials with sufficient follow-up. Methods: COLOR (COlon carcinoma Laparoscopic or Open Resection) is a European multicenter randomized trial which has started in September 1997. In 24 hospitals in Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, 1,200 patients will be included. The primary end point of the study is cancer-free survival after 3 years. Results: Within Conclusions: Although laparoscopic surgery appears of value in colorectal malignancy, results of randomized trials have to be awaited to determine the definitive place of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer. Considering the current accrual rate, the COLOR study will be completed in 2002.

Aims: In a prospective, randomized, single, general surgery center trial, comparison of the safety and efficacy of two low molecular weight heparin (LMWH; anti-Xa heparin sodium and weight-adapted nadroparin calcium) regimens was made. Patients and Methods: Eleven hundred and ninety patients undergoing various elective and emergency operations were randomized to receive daily either a fixed dose of 3,000 IU anti-Xa heparin sodium or a variable body weight-dependent dose of nadroparin calcium (weight 100 kg, 6,150 UI) once until discharge. The first injection was administered 2.5–6 h before elective and emergency operations, respectively. Patients with clinical suspicion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) underwent phlebography. Patients with signs of pulmonary embolism (PE) were further investigated by a ventilation-perfusion scan. Results: Statistically, there were no significant differences in the incidence of clinically evident DVT, PE or LMWH-related complications between both prophylactic regimens. Only 4 of the total of 15 hemorrhagic complications (4 wound hematomas in the nadroparin calcium group) were not classified as clearly surgically related, Two DVTs were confirmed by phlebography (both in the nadroparin calcium group). PE was confirmed by ventilation-perfusion scans (1 fatal, 1 on autopsy) in 1 patient with heparin sodium and in 6 patients with nadroparin calcium. Conclusions: Both regimens were equally safe and the risk of clinically evident DVT and PE was similar.

Background: Only a few isolated case reports of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries have been published. We present the first documented series of patients with extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms treated at a single institution, and discuss the etiology and management of this condition. Study Design: A retrospective review of all cases of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries between 1989 and 1997. Results: A total of seven patients with extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries all had upper abdominal pain; five patients were also in shock secondary to a gastrointestinal bleeding from ruptured pseudoaneurysms. The most common factor of the pseudoaneurysms was previous pancreatobiliary surgery in five patients with blunt truncal trauma and chronic pancreatitis in the remaining two patients. Initial endoscopy and ultrasonography were unrevealing, whereas dynamic computed tomography (CT) scan and angiography were diagnostic. The median size of the pseudoaneurysms was 3.6 cm (range 2.1–5.7). Treatment consisted of superselective transcatheter microcoil embolization in five hemodynamically unstable patients and surgical resection of the pseudoaneurysms with vascular reconstruction in the two stable patients. Mortality and morbidity were 0% and 43%, respectively. In a median followup of 35 months (range 2–96), no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm has been found. Conclusions: A high index of suspicion combined with appropriate diagnostic modalities are required for the diagnosis of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms. In high-risk patients, superselective transcatheter microcoil embolization should be considered the treatment of choice.