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Rationale: We are reporting the first-to our knowledge-case of duodenal Plexiform Fibromyxoma causing obscure upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Patient concerns: Plexiform fibromyxoma triggered recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding episodes in a 63-year-old man who remained undiagnosed, despite multiple hospitalizations, extensive diagnostic workups and surgical interventions (including gastrectomies), for almost 17 years. Diagnoses-Interventions: During hospitalization for the last bleeding episode, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an intestinal hemorrhagic nodule. The lesion was deemed unresectable by endoscopic means. An abdominal computerized tomography disclosed no further lesions and surgery was decided. The lesion at operation was found near the edge of the duodenal stump and treated with pancreas-preserving duodenectomy (1st and 2nd portion). Outcomes: Postoperative recovery was mainly uneventful and a 20-month follow-up finds the patient in good health with no need for blood transfusions. Plexiform fibromyxomas stand for a rare and widely unknown mesenchymal entity. Despite the fact that they closely resemble other gastrointestinal tumors, they distinctly vary in clinical management as well as the histopathology. Clinical awareness and further research are compulsory to elucidate its clinical course and prognosis.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are presumed to evolve from low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Resection of lesions before the development of pancreatic cancer may prevent the development of an incurable process as, once IPMNs progress to invasive cancer, the prognosis may be as poor as resected conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Resection of IPMNs, particularly in the setting of high-grade dysplasia, is presumed to provide a survival benefit. IPMNs also present many challenges as the identification of high-grade dysplasia and early invasive carcinoma and the timing and frequency of malignant progression are not yet established. The limited predictive accuracy presents a challenge as pancreatic resection is associated with a risk of substantial morbidity and mortality; 20-30% and 2-4%, respectively. Diagnostic armamentarium contains pancreas-protocol computed tomography (CT) scan, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The most promising method is endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) as this technique allows analysis of cyst fluid using biomarkers. Until now, in clinical practice, we utilize two biomarkers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9); however, DNA analysis of pancreatic cystic fluid and genomic analysis could offer new tools to the diagnosis and administration of IPMNs. Novel genomic and serum biomarkers could play an important future role to identify those individuals who will benefit from an early operation and those who will benefit from watchful waiting approach. More prospective studies are needed.

Background/Aim: Complete resection, surgical expertise and individualization of patient management in comprehensive oncology centres result in better clinical outcomes in patients presenting with retroperitoneal sarcomas. Patients and Methods: Clinical outcomes of primary and recurrent retroperitoneal sarcoma resections performed between January 2002 and December 2016 in two large surgical oncology, but non-sarcoma specialist centers, were reviewed to determine the efficacy of complete surgical resection as the principle instrument for treatment. The histological type, tumor size and grade, as well as organ resection, were recorded and subsequently reviewed. Results: Our study included 108 cases of sarcoma resection (60 first-time, 38 second-time and 10 third-time laparotomies) in 60 patients (35 males and 25 females). Most patients had complete resection: 57 had a macroscopically complete (R0/R1) resection and three had R2 resection. The 90-day mortality rate was zero and morbidity was minimal. Five-and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 88% and 79%, respectively, whereas the corresponding disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 65% and 59%, respectively. High-grade tumors were associated with decreased DFS (hazard ratio(HR)=3.35; 95% confidence interval(CI)=1.23-9.10; p=0.018) and decreased OS (HR=7.18; 95% CI=1.50-34.22; p=0.013). Conclusion: Complete surgical resection of retroperitoneal sarcomas combined with individualized patient management when offered by experienced surgical oncology teams, adhering to international guidelines, can succeed in providing patients with good long-term outcomes, comparable to those achieved at sarcoma-specialist centers.

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is currently considered as the definitive treatment for iatrogenic bile duct injuries and the principal representative of biliary diversion procedures. This technique has met many milestones of extensive evolution, particularly the last years of concomitant technological evolution (laparoscopic/robotic approach). Anastomotic strictures and leaks, which may have deleterious effects on the survival and quality of life of a patient with biliary obstruction of any cause, made the need of the development of a safe and efficient RYHJ compulsory. The aim of this technical analysis and the juxtaposed discussions is to elucidate with the most important milestones and technical tips and tricks all aspects of a feasible and reliable RYHJ technique that is performed in our center for the last 25 years in around 400 patients.

Background. To evaluate the effect of timing of management and intervention on outcomes of bile duct injury. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 92 patients between 1991 and 2011. Data concerned patient’s demographic characteristics, type of injury (according to Strasberg classification), time to referral, diagnostic procedures, timing of surgical management, and final outcome. The endpoint was the comparison of postoperative morbidity (stricture, recurrent cholangitis, required interventions/dilations, and redo reconstruction) and mortality between early (less than 2 weeks) and late (over 12 weeks) surgical reconstruction. Results. Three patients were treated conservatively, two patients were treated with percutaneous drainage, and 13 patients underwent PTC or ERCP. In total 74 patients were operated on in our unit. 58 of them underwent surgical reconstruction by end-to-side Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, 11 underwent primary bile duct repair, and the remaining 5 underwent more complex procedures. Of the 56 patients, 34 patients were submitted to early reconstruction, while 22 patients were submitted to late reconstruction. After a median follow-up of 93 months, there were two deaths associated with BDI after LC. Outcomes after early repairs were equal to outcomes after late repairs when performed by specialists. Conclusions. Early repair after BDI results in equal outcomes compared with late repair. BDI patients should be referred to centers of expertise and experience.

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is currently the most efficient curative approach for a wide variety of liver tumors. The application of modern techniques and new surgical devices has improved operative outcomes. Radiofrequency ablation is used more often for liver parenchymal transection. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation-assisted liver resection. METHODS: A retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation-assisted liver resection was performed. Intraoperative blood loss, need for transfusion or intraoperative Pringle maneuver, the duration of liver parenchymal transection, perioperative complications, and postoperative morbidity and mortality were all evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty minor and ninety-five major liver resections were performed. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 251 mL, with a transfusion rate of 11.7%. The Pringle maneuver was necessary in 12 patients (8.3%). The mean duration for parenchymal transection was 51.75 minutes. There were 47 patients (32.4%) with postoperative complications. There is no mortality within 30 days after surgery CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation-assisted liver resection permits both major and minor liver resections with minimal blood loss and without occlusion of hepatic inflow. Furthermore it decreases the need for blood transfusion and reduces morbidity and mortality.

Background: Hemorrhage is undoubtedly one of the main factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in liver resections. Vascular occlusion techniques are effective in controlling intraoperative bleeding, but they cause liver damage due to ischemia. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of using a combined technique for hepatic parenchymal transection without liver inflow occlusion. Methods: Three hundred and thirteen consecutive patients who underwent liver resection in four hepato-pancreato-biliary units. Hepatic parenchymal transection was carried out using a combined technique of saline-linked radiofrequency precoagulation and ultrasonic aspiration without liver inflow occlusion. Results: During the study period 114 minor and 199 major hepatic resections were performed. The mean amount of intraoperative blood loss was 377 ml (SD 335 ml, range 50 to 2,400 ml) and the blood transfusion rate was 10.5%. The median amount of blood loss during parenchymal transection and parenchymal transection time was 222 ml (SD 224 ml, range 40 to 2,100 ml) and 61 minutes (range 12 to 150 minutes) respectively. There were two postoperative deaths (0.6%). Complications occurred in 84 patients (26.8%) and most complications were minor. Conclusions: Combined technique of saline-linked radiofrequency ablation and ultrasonic aspiration for liver resection is a safe method for both major and minor liver resections. The method is associated with decreased blood loss, reduced postoperative morbidity, and minimal mortality rates. We believe that this combined technique is comparable to other techniques and should be considered as an alternative.

Arteriovenous fistulas between the inferior mesenteric artery and vein are rare, with only 26 primary and secondary cases described in the literature. Secondary fistulas occur following operations of the left hemicolon and manifest as abdominal pain, abdominal mass, gastrointestinal bleeding, colonic ischemia and portal hypertension. Symptom intensities are flow-dependent, and can range from minimal symptoms to severe heart failure due to left to right shunt. Diagnosis is usually established by radiological or intraoperative examination. Treatment options include embolization and/or surgical resection. Therapeutic decisions should be adapted to the unique characteristics of the fistula on an individual basis. A new case of a primary arteriovenous fistula is described and discussed along with a complete review of the literature. The patient in this report presented with signs and symptoms of colonic ischemia without portal hypertension. The optimal treatment for this patient required a combination of embolization and surgical operation. The characteristics of these rare inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulas are examined and some considerations concerning diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that should be followed are presented. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Bladder cancer constitutes the ninth most common cancer worldwide and approximately only 30% of cases are muscle invasive at initial diagnosis. Regional lymph nodes, bones, lung, and liver are the most common metastases from bladder cancer and generally from genitourinary malignancies. Muscles constitute a rare site of metastases from distant primary lesions even though they represent 50% of total body mass and receive a large blood flow. Skeletal muscles from urothelial carcinoma are very rare and up to date only few cases have been reported in the literature. We present a rare case of 51-year-old patient with metastases to sartorius muscle 8 months after the radical cystectomy performed for a muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Tumors of the paratesticular region most often arise from the soft tissue surrounding the spermatic cord and the epididymis or from the soft tissue (dartos muscle) of the scrotal wall. Paratesticular tumors, despite their rarity, present a high incidence of malignancy (30%), and the therapeutic approach of choice is surgical resection with negative margin. The grade, the histology type, the presence of metastases during the diagnosis, the size of the tumor, the age of the patients, and the surgical margins are all important prognostic factors. We present a case report of a 86-year-old patient with a high grade paratesticular and scrotum sarcoma of soft tissues which was presented as a hard painful mass of the scrotum. The patient was subjected to high ligation of the spermatic cord and received no further treatment and 6 months after the operation no local or systematic recurrence was observed.

The Rapunzel syndrome refers to an uncommon and rare form of trichobezoar that extends past the stomach into the small intestines. The Rapunzel syndrome is usually found in young female patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, mainly trichotillomania and trichophagia. We describe a case of Rapunzel syndrome in a 15-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. We performed a surgical laparotomy and successfully removed a huge trichobezoar extending into the small intestine.

Since ancient times biliary surgery has been one of the major interests of doctors and other scientists around the world. From the ancient Greeks and Egyptians to the greatest scientists of modern times biliary surgery has advanced remarkably. Especially during the last century huge progress has been made in this field. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed and combined with general anesthesia and antisepsis that have made biliary surgery particularly safe for every patient and have made cholecystectomy one of the most common operations in the world today.

In the last thirty years, the widespread use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has radically changed the management of patients with diseases of the extrahepatic biliary tract and pancreas. Pneumothorax is a rare complication of ERCP. We report two cases of pneumothorax following elective ERCP for ductal stone clearance. The first patient was a 45-year-old female, who developed respiratory distress, abdominal pain, and profoundly abdominal distention immediately after the procedure. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a right-side pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumoretroperitoneum. The second patient was a 94-year-old female, who developed tension pneumothorax with clinical signs of shock during the procedure. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a right-side pneumothorax without free air in the mediastinum and retroperitoneal space. The imaging findings suggest that the occurrence of this rare complication in our patients was caused by entirely different pathophysiological mechanisms. Both patients were successfully treated with chest tube insertion, and no further intervention was required. Clinicians should be aware of this serious complication because delayed diagnosis may involve significant morbidity and mortality risks.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) compose the largest category of well-recognized nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract (GI). GISTs of the gallbladder are extremely rare tumors. Only four malignant, two benign and one GIST-like tumor of the gall bladder have ever been described. The four malignant GISTs were all positive for CD 117 antigen (c-kit). We present for the first time a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the gallbladder, immunoreactive for platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and negative for CD 117 antigen (c-KIT).