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Background: The surgical management of esophageal perforation (EP) often results in mortality and significant morbidity. Recent less invasive approaches to EP management include endoscopic luminal stenting and minimally invasive surgical therapies. We wished to establish therapeutic efficacy of minimally invasive therapies in a consecutive series of patients., Study Design: An IRB-approved retrospective review of all acute EPs between 2007 and 2013 at a single institution was performed. Patient demographic, clinical outcomes data, and hospital charges were collected., Results: We reviewed 76 consecutive patients with acute EP presenting to our tertiary care center. Median age was 64 ± 16 years (range 25 to 87 years), with 50 men and 26 women. Ninety percent of EPs were in the distal esophagus, with 67% of iatrogenic perforations occurring within 4 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. All patients were treated within 24 hours of initial presentation with a removable covered esophageal stent. Leak occlusion was confirmed within 48 hours of esophageal stent placement in 68 patients. Median lengths of ICU and hospital stay were 3 and 10 days, respectively (range 1 to 86 days). One-third of the patients were noted to have prolonged intubation (>7 days) and pneumonia that required a tracheostomy. One in-hospital (1.3%) mortality occurred within 30 days. Median total hospital charges for EP were $85,945., Conclusions: Endoscopically placed removable esophageal stents with minimally invasive repair of the perforation and feeding access is an effective treatment method for patients with EP. This multidisciplinary method enabled us to care for severely ill patients while minimizing morbidity and mortality and avoiding open esophageal surgery., (Copyright © 2014 American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United States has been steadily increasing, and there is an established relationship between obesity and the risk of developing certain cancers. Patients who have undergone prior gastric bypass (GB) and present with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer represent a new and challenging cohort for surgical resection of their disease. We present our case series of consecutive patients with previous GB who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE)., Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients with a history of GB who underwent a MIE for esophageal cancer between July 2010 and August 2012., Results: Five patients were identified with a mean age of 57 years. Mean follow-up was 9.1 months. Four patients had undergone laparoscopic GB, and 1 patient had an open GB. Two patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced disease. Minimally invasive procedures were thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in 4 patients and colonic interposition in 1 patient. Mean operative time was 6 hours and 52 minutes. Median length of stay was 7 days. There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients and included pneumonia/respiratory failure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and pyloric stenosis. All patients are alive and disease free at last follow-up., Conclusions: Minimally invasive esophagectomy after prior GB is well tolerated, is technically feasible, and has acceptable oncologic and perioperative outcomes. We conclude that precise endoscopic evaluation before bariatric surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is essential, as is the necessity for continuing postsurgical surveillance in patients with known Barrett's esophagitis and for early evaluation in patients who develop new symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after bariatric surgery., (Copyright © 2014 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Esophagectomy is a surgical operation which requires technical expertise to decrease the morbidity and mortality frequently associated with this advance procedure. Various minimally invasive esophagectomy techniques have been developed to decrease the negative impact of esophageal resection. Recently, robotic assisted esophagectomies have been described with a wide variety in technique and outcome disparity. This article is a summation review of the current literature regarding the various techniques and surgical outcomes of robotic assisted esophagectomies.

Objective: Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy is a safe and effective means of providing enteral nutrition in the preoperative phase to esophageal cancer patients., Design: This research is a retrospective case series., Setting: This study was conducted in a university tertiary care center., Patients: Between August 2007 and April 2012, 153 laparoscopic feeding jejunostomies were performed in patients 10 weeks prior to their definitive minimally invasive esophagectomy., Main Outcome Measures: The outcome is measured based on the technique, safety, and feasibility of a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy in the preoperative phase of esophageal cancer patients., Results: One hundred fifty-three patients underwent a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy approximately 1 and 10 week(s) prior to the start of their neoadjuvant therapy and definitive minimally invasive esophagectomy, respectively. Median age was 63 years. Of the patients, 75 % were males and 25 % were females. One hundred twenty-seven patients had gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and 26 had squamous cell carcinoma. All patients completed their neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The median operative time was 65 min. We had no intraoperative complications, perforation, postoperative bowel necrosis, bowel torsion, herniation, intraperitoneal leak, or mortality as a result of the laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy. Four patients were noted to have superficial skin infection around the tube, and 11 patients required a tube exchange for dislodgment, clogging, and leaking around the tube. All patients progressed to their definitive surgical esophageal resection., Conclusion: A laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy is technically feasible, safe, and can provide appropriate enteral nutrition in the preoperative phase of esophageal cancer patients.

Background and Objectives: We sought to determine whether training with a simple collapsible mobile box trainer leads to improved performance of fundamental laparoscopic skills (FLSs) during a 6-month interval versus validated laparoscopic box trainers and virtual-reality trainers, only accessible at a simulation training center., Methods: With institutional review board approval, 20 first- and second-year general surgery residents were randomized to scheduled training sessions in a surgical simulation laboratory or training in the use of a portable, collapsible Train Anywhere Skill Kit (TASKit) (Ethicon Endo-Surgery Cincinnati, OH, USA) trainer. Training was geared toward the FLS set for a skill assessment examination at a 6-month interval., Results: The residents who trained with the TASKit performed the peg-transfer, pattern-cut exercise, Endoloop, and intracorporeal knot-tying FLS tasks statistically more efficiently during their 6-month assessment versus their initial evaluation as compared with the group randomized to the simulation laboratory training., Conclusions: Using a simple collapsible mobile box trainer such as the TASKit can be a cost-effective method of training and preparing residents for FLS tasks considering the current cost associated with virtual and highdefinition surgical trainers. This mode of surgical training allows residents to practice in their own time by removing barriers associated with simulation centers.

Objective: Thoracoscopic dissection of the esophagus and laparoscopic dissection of the stomach with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is a safe method for resection of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction malignancy., Setting: The setting was at University Tertiary Care Center., Patients: Subjects are patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction malignancy undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis., Main Outcome Measures: Technique of a 6-cm side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is described., Results: The technique of minimally invasive esophagectomy with side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is described., Conclusions: Thoracoscopic dissection of the esophagus, laparoscopic dissection of the stomach, and a side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is safe, oncologically appropriate, and provides excellent functional results.

Background: Joint pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint of morbidly obese patients that can result in gait abnormalities, perceived mobility limitations, and declining quality of life (QOL). It is not yet known whether weight loss 3 months after bariatric surgery can induce favorable changes in joint pain, gait, perceived mobility, and QOL. Our objectives were to examine whether participants who had undergone bariatric surgery (n = 25; laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding) demonstrate improvements in joint pain, gait (speed, stride/step length, width of base of support, toe angles, single/double support, swing and stance time, functional ambulatory profile), mobility, and QOL by 3 months compared with nonsurgical controls (n = 20). The setting was an orthopedics laboratory at a university hospital in the United States., Methods: The present study was a prospective, comparative study. Numeric pain scales (indicating the presence and severity of pain), mobility-related surveys, and the Medical Outcomes Study short-form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) were completed, and gait and walking speed were assessed at baseline and at month 3., Results: The bariatric group lost an average of 21.6 ± 7.7 kg. Significant differences existed between the 2 groups at month 3 in step length, heel to heel base of support, and the percentage of time spent in single and double support during the gait cycle (all P <.05). The severity of low back pain and knee pain decreased by 54% and 34%, respectively, with no changes in the control group (P = .05). The walking speed increased by 15% in the bariatric group (108-123 cm/s; P <.05) but not in the control group. Compared with the control group, fewer bariatric patients perceived limitations with walking and stair climbing by month 3. The bariatric group had a 4.8-cm increase in step length, 2.6% increase in single support time during the gait cycle, and 2.5-cm reduction in the base of support (all P <.05). The SF-36 physical component scores increased 11.8 points in the bariatric group compared with the control group, which showed no improvement by month 3 (P <.0001)., Conclusions: Improvements in some, but not all, gait parameters, walking speed, and QOL and of perceived functional limitations occur by 3 months after a bariatric procedure., (Copyright © 2012 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Centralization of cancer care needs to be based on evidence that regionalization will improve outcomes in a given region. We analyzed outcomes for esophagectomy performed in Florida using the Agency for Health Care Administration database. We determined the risk-adjusted mortality rate for the procedure in low-volume and high-volume centers. From 1997 to 2006, 991 esophagectomies were performed in Florida. The incidence of esophagectomy significantly increased from 1997 to 2001 compared with 2002 to 2006, and the postoperative mortality decreased in the latter time period (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; confidence interval [CI], 1.16-3.03). The risk-adjusted postoperative mortality was significantly lower (OR, 0.54; CI, 0.32-0.92) in high-volume centers (5.1 vs 10.4%). The anastomotic leak rates were 8.2 per cent in both high- and low-volume centers. In the largest population-based study for esophagectomy in Florida, outcomes are better in high-volume centers. These data support the regionalization of esophagectomy to high-volume locations in Florida to reduce procedure-related mortality.

Introduction: Esophagectomy is a complex invasive procedure that requires exploration of multiple body cavities for removal and subsequent restoration of gastrointestinal continuity. In many institutions, esophagectomy morbidity and mortality rates remain high despite improvement of intensive care treatment. We reviewed our minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) experience of a consecutive series of 100 patients to analyze trends in morbidity and mortality as we transitioned from open to MIE., Methods: A total of 105 consecutive patients who underwent operative exploration for esophagectomy from August 2007 to January 2011 were reviewed. The preoperative evaluation, operative technique, and postoperative care of these cases were evaluated and analyzed for 100 patients who have had a MIE and compared with 32 open esophagectomies 2 years prior., Results: During the time frame of the study, 105 patients underwent an exploration for attempted esophagectomy. Resection was completed in 100 patients and was done for malignant disease in 95 patients and benign disease in 5 patients. There was one in hospital mortality due to a pulmonary embolism. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications consisting of transient left recurrent nerve injury (7 vs. 12.5%) or pneumonia (9 vs. 15.6%) in those who underwent MIE compared with open resection. However, wound infections were significantly less in patients who underwent MIE compared with open esophagectomy (1 vs. 12.5%, respectively, p = 0.01). Anastomotic leak (4 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.05) also was lower in those who underwent MIE. Median length of stay (LOS) was significantly less in patients who underwent MIE compared with open esophagectomy (7.5 vs. 14 days, p < 0.05). Finally, there was a trend toward improvement in median LOS in the 30 patients who underwent MIE during the most recent time period compared with the initial 17 patients who underwent MIE (7.5 vs. 10 days, p = 0.05), Conclusions: Our results support the continued safe use of esophagectomy for selected esophageal diseases, including malignancy. Morbidity, especially wound infection, anastomotic leak, and length of stay is decreasing with the incorporation of minimally invasive techniques.

Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is technically demanding, and implementation has been hindered by a steep learning curve. Despite widespread concern about the successful performance of this procedure following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACR) treatment, we hypothesized that safe and effective MIE could be performed in this setting., Materials and Methods: We reviewed our prospective database of patients undergoing MIE for esophageal cancer at our institution between January 2008 and February 2010. We analyzed the association of NACR on perioperative outcomes and compared them with those patients undergoing MIE without NACR. NACR was used in ≥T2 or N+ tumors., Results: A total of 61 consecutive patients underwent a planned MIE. A complete MIE or hybrid procedure was performed in 58 patients (95%), while 3 patients were unresectable. Median age was 67 years (range 38-85). Anastomoses were performed in the cervical region in 47 patients (81%) while 11 patients had an anastomosis in the right chest. Serious complications included: 3 cervical anastomotic leaks (5%), 2 thoracic duct leaks (4%), 12 pneumonias (21%), 10 atrial fibrillations (18%), and 1 death in a patient not undergoing NACR. NACR was used in 41 patients. There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, or negative pathologic margins in patients undergoing NACR with MIE vs. MIE alone (P=NS). Median number of lymph nodes excised and PostOp LOS was 15 and 11 in patients undergoing NACR compared with 13 and 9 in those undergoing MIE alone (P=NS)., Conclusion: MIE is safe following NACR. Excellent results can be achieved with this operation in patients with advanced tumors.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in morbidly obese patients and a high body mass index is a risk factor for the development of this co-morbidity. The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on GERD is poorly known., Methods: We studied the effect of LSG on GERD in patients with morbid obesity. A retrospective review of 28 consecutive patients undergoing LSG for morbid obesity from September 2008 to September 2010 was performed., Results: A total of 28 patients, 18 women and 10 men, were identified, with a mean age of 42 years (range 18-60). The mean weight and body mass index was 166 kg and 55.5 kg/m2, respectively. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 40% (range 17-83), with a mean follow-up time of 32 weeks (range 8-92). All patients had a pre- and postoperative upper gastrointestinal radiographic swallow study as a part of their routine care. Of these patients, 18% were noted to have new-onset GERD on their postoperative upper gastrointestinal swallow test after their LSG procedure. Using the GERD score questionnaire, all patients were interviewed to evaluate their reflux symptoms. We had a 64% response rate, with 22% of patients indicating new-onset GERD symptoms despite receiving daily antireflux therapy. All respondents were extremely happy with their surgery and weight loss to date., Conclusion: LSG might increase the prevalence of GERD despite satisfactory weight loss. Additional studies evaluating esophageal manometry and ambulatory 24-hours pH-metry are needed to better evaluate the effect of LSG on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms., (Copyright © 2011 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a technically demanding procedure that requires expertise in laparoscopy and esophageal surgery. The authors hypothesized that the safe and effective development of such a program could be performed at a Veterans Administration health care system using existing faculty members., Methods: Length of stay, operative factors, and morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing MIE from December 2007 to August 2009 were reviewed., Results: Eighteen consecutive patients underwent planned MIE. They were all men, with a median age of 60 years (range, 43-69 years) and a median American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3. Eighty-three percent were able to undergo MIE resection. Eighty-nine percent of patients received neoadjuvant therapy. The median operative duration was 420 minutes (range, 300-480 minutes). There was 1 death within 30 days because of a pulmonary embolus and 1 anastomotic leak. Three patients had postoperative pneumonias. The median and mean length of stay were 10 and 13 days, respectively (range, 6-50 days). Negative margins were achieved in all patients. The mean number of lymph nodes resected was 15 (range, 6-30)., Conclusions: The development of an MIE program is feasible at a Veterans Administration hospital when combining the expertise of minimally invasive and esophageal surgeons., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Teaching of laparoscopic skills is a challenge in surgical training programs. Because of the highly technical nature and the steep learning curve, students and residents must learn laparoscopic skills before performing them in the operating room. To improve efficiency of learning and patient safety, research in simulation is essential. Two types of simulators currently in use include virtual reality and box trainers. Our study examined which simulator technique was most effective in teaching novice trainees laparoscopic techniques., Design: This is a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial that enrolled fourth-year medical students and surgical interns to participate in a supervised 6-month laparoscopic training program with either computer simulators or box trainers. Subjects were randomized and trained on appropriate laparoscopic camera skills, instrument handling, object positioning, dissection, ligation, suturing, and knot tying. Students within one group were not allowed to practice, learn or train on the opposing trainers. At time points 0, 2, and 6 months all subjects completed a series of laparoscopic exercises in a live porcine model, which were captured on DVD and scored by blinded expert investigators., Results: Scores improved overall from the pretest to subsequent tests after training with no difference between the virtual reality and box simulator groups. In the medical students specifically, there was overall improvement, and improvement in the needle-transfer and knot-tying skills specifically, with no difference between the box simulator and virtual reality groups. For the interns, both groups showed significant overall improvement with no difference between the virtual reality and box simulator groups or on individual skills., Conclusions: We conclude that laparoscopic simulator training improves surgical skills in novice trainees. We found both the box trainers and the virtual reality simulators are equally effective means of teaching laparoscopic skills to novice learners., (Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Perforations are an uncommon but serious complication of endoscopy. Although they are well recognized, no universally accepted strategy for their management exists. The need for management algorithms in situations that call for multiple interventions in a short time, with coordinated effort encompassing multiple providers from different specialties, has long been recognized, but no such clinical care pathway has been developed for the management of endoscopic perforations. Since perforations are uncommon, a predetermined plan of action can streamline patient management. Furthermore, such a plan demonstrates preparedness on the part of the gastroenterologist. We developed an endoscopic perforation management strategy based on the best available scientific evidence and our specific resources. We report our experience in the hope that it may form a useful framework for gastroenterologists attempting to do the same at their own institution.

Background: Attempts to improve the third year surgery clerkship led to the implementation of faculty-led small group teaching instead of large group lecture-style dissemination of the general surgical curriculum. The intent was to facilitate better faculty-to-student relationships, provide more favorable balance between classroom and clinical surgery, and enhance overall surgical education., Methods: Didactic student sessions were reduced from 33 lectures to 8 small group sessions and surgical specialty lectures. A case-based surgical curriculum was utilized and students were organized into small groups led by assigned faculty members. A uniform schedule of topics was prearranged to ensure continuity and avoid duplication of material. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) surgery subject examination raw score and percentile rank assignments were analyzed for 1 medical graduating class taught using the traditional method and compared with the subsequent class taught in small groups. A survey was administered to assess student and faculty regarding the new format., Results: Average NBME percentile rank score for students educated in small groups versus lecture-only groups improved significantly (61.2 vs 55.9, p = 0.04, Student t test). The students reported increased time spent preparing for small group over lecture and more satisfaction with the small group teaching environment. Faculty members reported an increase in time needed to deliver the session but otherwise gave strong positive feedback., Conclusions: Concerns that student performance on standardized testing would suffer from the proposed change were not substantiated as performance on NBME subject examinations actually improved. Additional preparation time, method preference, favorable balance of classroom to clinical exposure, and direct interactions with faculty may be responsible for the observed increase in NBME examination percentile scores. Faculty members were overwhelmingly in favor of the new model and the additional direct contact with students may prove beneficial in junior faculty promotion and career development., (Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Esophageal cancer in the United States carries a poor prognosis with overall 5 year survival rate of approximately 10%. Due to this dismal outcome, data analyzing factors predictive of survival for greater than 5 years are not available., Methods: Single institution retrospective review of esophageal resection for curative intent from 1984 to 2004. We identified 50 actual 5 year survivors (long term survivors, LTS) out of 266 patients (19%) with invasive esophageal cancer and, using multivariate logistic regression, compared characteristics between the LTS, and short-term (<5 year) survivors (STS)., Results: There was no significant difference in clinical T stage or N stage by EUS (P = 0.81) or in the utilization of neoadjuvant therapy in the LTS versus STS (58% vs. 62%, respectively, P = 0.36). The LTS group was significantly more likely to have pathologic complete response (69% vs. 41%, P < 0.001), lower pathologic T stage, i.e., pT0, pTis, or pT1 (83% vs. 45%, P < 0.001), pN0 stage (97% vs. 68%, P < 0.001), favorable tumor differentiation (well or well to moderate, 39% vs. 13%, P < 0.001), and absence of angiolymphatic (88% vs. 69%, P < 0.01) or perineural invasion (95% vs. 83%, P = 0.04). In comparing the factors predictive of outcome in LTS versus the STS with increasing relative risk, absence of perineural invasion (RR 0.41 (0.27, 0.61)), negative margins (RR 0.41 (0.29, 0.57)), absence of angiolymphatic invasion (RR 0.39 (0.30, 0.51)), pN0 stage (RR 1.37 (1.23, 1.52)), pT0 or pT1 (RR 1.85 (1.64, 2.07)), pathologic complete response (RR 2.02 (1.76, 2.31)), and favorable tumor grade (RR 3.00 (2.49, 3.61)) were associated with improved survival., Conclusion: Tumor biological factors including favorable tumor grade may be the most important influence on 5 year actual survival in esophageal cancer., (Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: An intrathoracic linear stapled side-to-side anastomosis for gastroesophageal junction malignancy is feasible, results in low leak rates and less stenosis., Design: Retrospective case series., Setting: University tertiary care center., Patients: Between March 2008 and January 2009, six patients with gastroesophageal junction malignancy undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy with an intrathoracic linear stapled side-to-side anastomosis were identified and their clinicopathological data analyzed., Main Outcome Measures: Technique of a 6-cm side-to-side stapled intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis., Results: Six patients underwent a minimally invasive esophagectomy with a side-to-side stapled intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis. Median age was 61.5 years. All patients had gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and completed neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The median operative time was 360 min. No patient received a blood transfusion. The 30-day mortality was 0. The median length of hospital stay was 8 days. The median number of nodes harvested was 18. At a median follow-up of 9 months, all patients were alive. There have been no anastomotic strictures to date., Conclusion: A 6-cm side-to-side stapled intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis is feasible and is associated with a low anastomotic leak rate.

We present a case of a 23-year-old gentleman who presented with dysphagia, weight loss, and recurrent esophageal strictures requiring multiple dilatations. An endoscopic ultrasound with esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a mass present in the distal esophagus. Fine needle aspiration suggested that the mass in the lower esophagus resembled a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. After surgical resection, final pathologic analysis revealed that the tumor was comprised of benign-appearing fibroinflammatory cells with an increase and predominance of IgG4-positive plasma cells. The microscopic appearance was consistent with a benign condition as a result of an IgG4-related process. He did not, however, have any other symptoms indicative of systemic autoimmune disease or connective tissue disorders. We present the pre-operative imaging, operative management, pathologic diagnosis, and literature review of this rare condition and the first known report of autoimmune esophagitis as part of the IgG4 spectrum of diseases.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is intended to prevent postoperative wound infections, a major source of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Cefuroxime is a well-established second-generation cephalosporin that is given preoperatively in surgery units at a standard dose of 1.5 g. It is therefore important to determine whether cefuroxime distributes to the interstitial space fluid (ISF) of subcutaneous (s.c.) soft tissues, especially in obese patients who are at a higher risk of surgical site infections. In a single centre, prospective, open-label study, six morbidly obese patients [body mass index (BMI)> or =40] undergoing abdominal surgery received a single intravenous dose of 1.5 g cefuroxime within 1h of incision. Blood and microdialysis samples from the ISF of skeletal muscle and s.c. adipose tissue were collected before, throughout and after surgery for up to 6h post-dosing. Cefuroxime concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV). Total peak concentrations in plasma (C(max)) (66.8+/-18.9 microg/mL) were higher than free C(max) levels in the ISF of muscle (60.1+/-15.2 microg/mL) and s.c. adipose tissue (39.2+/-26.4 microg/mL). Mean area under the free concentration-time curve ratios of muscle/total plasma (1.0+/-0.2) or s.c. adipose tissue/total plasma (0.6+/-0.5) indicate that cefuroxime distributes into the ISF of these tissues. In conclusion, the findings of this pilot study indicate that cefuroxime distributes into the ISF of muscle and s.c. adipose tissue of morbidly obese patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Concentrations in the ISF of soft tissues following a single 1.5 g dose may be high enough to prevent infections with Gram-positive organisms but may be insufficient to prevent infections with Gram-negative organisms.

In recent years, improved laparoscopic skill sets have expanded surgical management of pancreatic disease to encompass pancreatic resection, tumor enucleation, debridement, and drainage. With the aid of radiologically guided drainage catheters, necrosectomy for acute pancreatitis can be delayed and accomplished laparoscopically in a select patient population. Pancreatic pseudocysts from chronic pancreatitis can now be approached via minimally invasive strategies, including emerging combined laparoscopic procedures and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. It is clear that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is possible in experienced hands; pancreatic neoplasms in the body and tail are more suitable for laparoscopic procedures because distal pancreatic resection requires no reconstruction of the biliary or enteric tract. Laparoscopic staging of pancreatic tumors has decreased as preoperative radiographic imaging becomes more sensitive. Similarly, laparoscopic palliative procedures have decreased because of the emergence of other minimally invasive options for relieving gastric outlet obstruction and biliary obstruction. Nonetheless, major advances in minimally invasive pancreatic surgery will continue as technology and skill sets advance.

Background: Pancreatic pseudocysts are a common complication associated with acute and chronic pancreatitis. Fifteen percent and 40% of patients diagnosed with either acute or chronic pancreatitis, respectively, develop pseudocysts (Grace and Williamson, Br J Surg, 80:573-581, 1993). The treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts has evolved since the early 1980s, and changes in management have lead to an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of pseudocysts as well as necessary treatment paradigms., Conclusions: It has become evident that not all pseudocysts are equal. Pseudocysts arising in the setting of acute pancreatitis have a different pathophysiologic basis than those arising from chronic pancreatitis. Moreover, even those pseudocysts that arise in acute pancreatitis exhibit unique features. Pseudocysts that develop from a mild episode of pancreatitis, complicated by pancreatic duct disruption, differ significantly from those developed as a consequence of severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis with severe distortion of the pancreatic parenchyma or pancreatic duct. This review will focus on the surgical therapy of pancreatic pseudocysts in the context of the underlying pathophysiology and alternative nonoperative therapies.

Thoracic esophageal perforation after blunt trauma is a rare injury with high mortality. Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment are paramount to survival. We report a case of delayed presentation that emphasizes the diagnostic difficulties in this traumatic injury. A review of the prevalence, diagnosis, and management is also discussed.

Annular pancreas is a congenital anomaly resulting from malrotation of the pancreatic ventral bud. Although annular pancreas in the adult is rare, it may be recognized with increased frequency as a result of more liberal use of pancreatic imaging studies in patients with chronic abdominal pain and suspected chronic pancreatitis. Malignancy in the setting of annular pancreas is an uncommon event that has been reported previously but has almost always been related to the annular (ventral) segment. We report an interesting case in which pancreatic adenocarcinoma diffusely involving the dorsal (nonannular) segment presented in a middle-aged female patient. This unusual presentation points out the importance of considering neoplasia as part of the differential diagnosis and the possibility of pancreatic pathology in the dorsal, nonannular segment when there is no obvious duodenal or biliary obstruction involving the annular ventral segment.

Sturge-Weber syndrome is characterized by the presence of a port-wine nevus, epilepsy, stroke-like episodes, headache, and developmental delay. We studied 20 cases to test the hypothesis that decreased cerebral blood flow alters neurologic function by affecting cellular glucose metabolism. Group A consisted of 10 patients with a mean age of 1.75 years and early seizure onset (6.8 months), whereas group B was composed of older patients (mean age, 15.3 years) with later onset of seizures (3.7 years). Neurologic disease was more severe in group A, but group B had more widespread structural brain defects - shown on computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance imaging - and metabolic brain defects shown on hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime and [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose single photon emission computed tomographic scans. Six group A cases had hypoperfusion at baseline and five of nine had worsening of perfusion and glucose metabolism 1 year later. A total of 119 stroke-like episodes occurred in six group A cases and eight group B cases; there were 65% fewer strokes in children treated with aspirin. The data suggest that progressive hypoperfusion and glucose hypometabolism are associated with neurologic deterioration in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Longitudinal studies are needed to better define the natural history of disease and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aspirin therapy.

Abnormal cerebral venous drainage is associated with hypoxia and glucose deprivation, which can account for progressive neurologic deterioration in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Although developmental delay is common in Sturge-Weber syndrome, bihemispheric calcification is uncommon. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to study the neuroanatomy, while single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used concurrently to evaluate perfusion and glucose metabolism using 99mTc hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), respectively. Ten patients (10 to 22 years of age) with previously diagnosed Sturge-Weber syndrome, port-wine nevi, and clinical evidence of seizures or stroke-like episodes were studied. Five children with onset of seizures in the first year of life had overall clinical severity comparable to that of children with later-onset seizures. Calcification was present in both hemispheres in one patient; six additional patients had other radiologic evidence of bihemispheric disease; SPECT studies detected bihemispheric disease in four cases. Our study is the first to concurrently evaluate structure, perfusion, and glucose metabolism in Sturge-Weber syndrome and to show a mismatch between functional and structural brain imaging in both cerebral hemispheres. Widespread abnormalities of cerebral perfusion and glucose metabolism might explain the high prevalence of developmental delay associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome. Longitudinal studies are needed to define better the natural history of neurologic deterioration and radiologic progression that relates to central nervous system circulatory dysfunction in Sturge-Weber syndrome.