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Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the pancreas is extremely rare. Although the diagnosis of PNET is suggested by the light microscopic appearance of the tumor, it should be confirmed by the immunohistochemical evaluation of the c-myc expression and if possible, further determination of the particular chromosome translocation, t(11;22)(q24,q12). In this report, we present a male patient with pancreatic PPNET who had been followed up for 50 months. The related literature is also reviewed. In our case, the pathologic diagnosis was based on the positive immunoreactivity for CD99 in many of the tumor cells. The complementary cytogenetic studies were not possible in the private setting of the patient's treatment. The patient was 31 years old when first operated. Within 4 months of the first operation he had local recurrence. In the third year of his follow-up he had been discovered to have pulmonary metastases and another metastatic tumor in his lung was diagnosed the year after. The metastatic foci were primarily treated by surgical resections. He had chemotherapy after each resection of pulmonary metastatic foci. After 50 months of the initial surgical intervention, he succumbed to widespread thoracic and bone metastases. Because of the extreme rarity of PPNET in the pancreas, and its rather protracted course, we think our case may further contribute to the ever expanding database for this particular entity.

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.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of gastric duplication cysts. Methods: A 38-year-old female patient presented with dyspepsia and repeated episodes of epigastric pain. She was operated with the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst according to her US and CT scans, and found to have a gastric duplication cyst. A cyst about 80×80 mm, localized on the posterior wall of the corpus of the stomach close to the fundus, was dissected from the surrounding tissues and partially from the gastric wall. The cyst did not have muscle layer on the common wall with the stomach, so the cystic mucosa was stripped away from the gastric muscle layer. The gastric lumen was not entered. Results: Although gastric duplication cysts do not have specific symptoms and signs, CT, MR and endoscopic ultrasonography may help the preoperative diagnosis, but the diagnosis is usually confirmed at laparotomy. Needle aspiration may cause complications. Conclusion: Because of the complications that may occur after needle aspiration and malignant potential of the tissue, the treatment of these cysts is surgical.

Recurrence of hepatic hydatid disease is still a serious problem in endemic areas like our country. In this study, we present the causes and management of recurrences after surgical therapy of the hepatic hydatid cysts. Hepatic hydatid cyst patients treated surgically and followed afterward at Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of General Surgery between January 1998 and January 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. During this period, 172 primary patients with hepatic hydatid disease were attended to at our clinic. Morbidity and mortality rates for this series were 5.8% and 0.58%, respectively. Recurrence rate was 4.65% during the follow-up period of 60.5 months (range, 25-84 months). Primary causes of recurrence were thought to be unnoticed cysts with exophytic development due to inadequate incision and exposition and spreading of the disease during conservative operative interventions. It is concluded that selection of the proper incision allowing complete exposition, and performance of pericystectomy in solitary, peripherally located cysts prevent recurrence.

Background: After partial hepatectomy, liver regeneration occurs with the hepatocyte mass to its almost previous size. Biliary stricture due to hypertrophied liver rotation following partial hepatectomy is uncommon and its management still remains controversial. We encountered extrahepatic biliary stricture due to hypertrophied left lobe rotation in 2 patients who had right hepatic lobectomy for liver trauma. Herein, we present our experience with the modified Longmire procedure for the management of this complication. Results: There were no complications during the early postoperative period in either of the patients. After the Longmire procedure, the first patient was followed for 5 months with some elevation in liver enzymes and the other was followed for 14 months with normal liver function tests. Both of the patients are completely symptom free postoperatively. Conclusion: The present experience suggests that the modified Longmire procedure is the most promising surgical approach to the management of biliary stricture due to hypertrophied left lobe rotation after right hepatic lobectomy.

Esophagectomy without opening the thoracic cavity — transhiatal esophagectomy — (THE) were performed in 47 patients with malignant tumors localized at various levels of the esophagus. Pulmonary function studies were performed in all patients and they are categorized as low, moderate, or high risk for probable postoperative pulmonary complications according to the risk category system. Nine of these patients were classified as high risk, seven as moderate risk, and the rest as low risk. In all patients but four, reconstruction was accomplished by using their stomachs as a substitute. In the remaining patient, intestinal continuity was established by a left and right colonic interposition. Three patients were lost in the early postoperative period. Two patients categorized as low risk died from pulmonary thromboembolism and cardiac failure, respectively. One patient categorized in the high risk group died of coronary thrombosis. Postoperative complications included transient hoarseness due to recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis in one patient, right pleural effusion in one patient, pneumothorax in two patients, and thrombophlebitis in one patient. In the high risk patient group, there were no pulmonary complications. This clinical study demonstrated the protective effect of THE in patients with serious pulmonary problems.