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Background: Cystic tumors in the presacral space represent a rare pathology. In case of symptoms, but particularly due to the danger of malignant degeneration, surgical removal is indicated. Due to the complex position in the pelvis with its proximity to important anatomic structures, the choice of the surgical approach is decisive., Methods: To present an overview of the recent knowledge of presacral tumors, a PubMed-based literature review was performed. Subsequently, we present 5 cases where different surgical strategies were evaluated including a video of a laparoscopic removal., Results: Presacral tumors can be of different histopathologic origins. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice, with open abdominal, open abdominoperineal, and posterior accesses available, as well as minimally invasive techniques., Conclusion: Laparoscopic resection of presacral tumors is a well-suitable option, but the decision must always be made individually., Competing Interests: The authors declares no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with cancer are characterized by a profound impairment of glucose utilization, with lipids being the preferred metabolic fuel. In contrast, the energy needs of malignant tumors are almost entirely met by glucose. We therefore studied the effects of a high-fat diet, particularly on body composition., Patients and Methods: Twenty-three moderately malnourished patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas were randomized to receive either a conventional diet supplying 35 nonprotein kcal and 1.1 g of protein/kg per day (group A, n = 11) or a fat-enriched artificial liquid diet (20 nonprotein kcal/kg per day) plus normal meals (group B, n = 12) for a period of eight weeks, i.e., from the first to the third chemotherapy cycle. The fat content of the artificial diet was 66% of the nonprotein calories. The day before the nutritional interventions, and again after four and eight weeks, body compartments were determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis, lymphocyte subpopulations were quantified using flow cytometry, and some aspects of the quality of life were rated using four linear analog self-assessment (LASA) scales. The statistical calculations were done as an exploratory data analysis., Results: The consumption of non-protein calories did not differ significantly between the two patient groups. An average weight gain in group B contrasted with an average weight loss in group A after four (P < 0.01) and eight weeks (P < 0.05). Fat-free mass showed an intergroup difference in favor of group B after eight weeks (P < 0.05). Body cell mass was maintained throughout the study in group B, but declined significantly up to weeks 4 and 8 in group A (intergroup difference: P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). A decrease in the total lymphocyte count by 559 cells/mul occurred with the fat-enriched diet (P < 0.05). Several aspects of the quality of life were rated to be better in group B than in group A, although not all differences reached statistical significance., Conclusion: In patients with cancer, a high-fat diet may possibly support the maintenance of both body weight and body cell mass. However, monitoring the lymphocyte count is advisable.

Between 1972 and 1995 a total of 251 patients with early gastric cancer underwent resection in our department of surgery. At the time of the operation 10.8% of the patients were proved to have lymph node involvement, and two already had distant metastases. A subtotal gastric resection was performed in 59.8% of cases (n = 150), a total gastrectomy in 33.8% (n = 85), and either a proximal or an atypical resection in 6.4% (n = 16). Since 1985 subtotal distal resection and total gastrectomy were accompanied by a systematic lymphadenectomy of compartments I and II. The overall postoperative morbidity was 18.3%, and the hospital mortality, 4.9%; it was only 1.6% within the last decade. Concerning these short-term results there were no statistically significant differences between the different surgical procedures. The cumulative overall 5-year-survival rate was 82.6%. There was no statistically significant influence of either the different surgical procedures or the histologic types according to the Japanese classification of early gastric cancer.

Background/aims: Quality-of-Life has become an increasingly important factor for long term survivors after surgery for gastric cancer. Quality-of Life also includes social and psychological aspects. Many gastric carcinomas are located in the distal two thirds of the stomach. In these cases, a subtotal gastric resection may be adequate if a proximal safety margin of 5 cm in intestinal type tumors according to Laurén and 10 cm in diffuse type cancers respectively can be achieved. On the other hand total gastrectomy "de principe" has been advocated for all gastric malignancies because of high local recurrence rates after subtotal resection. The aim of the present study was to assess the Quality-of-Life in long term survivors after resection for gastric cancer comparing subtotal gastric resection with total gastrectomy., Methodology: One hundred ninety-five patients were examined with the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life-Index (GLQI). Hard clinical data such as postoperative weight loss, frequency of daily meals and bowel emptying were evaluated. One hundred five patients were submitted for total gastrectomy and in 90 patients a subtotal gastric resection was performed. None of the patients had clinical, radiological or endoscopic evidence of recurrence., Results: After subtotal gastric resection, patients achieved statistically significant better scores concerning disease/therapy-related symptoms, physical functions resulting in a better overall score (p < 0.02). Following subtotal resection, patients had a significantly lower weight loss compared to patients after total gastrectomy (p < 0.02), a smaller number of daily meals (p < 0.001) and a lower frequency of bowel emptying/day (p = 0.031). There was no statistically significant difference in emotional status or social activities showing a similar acceptance of disease and therapy in both groups., Conclusions: In those cases where an adequate proximal safety margin can be achieved by a subtotal gastric resection, this procedure is preferable to a total gastrectomy. However preservation of the gastric stump should never be allowed to compromise oncological radicality.

In our hospital 35% of the patients undergoing resection for gastric carcinoma are over 70 years old. This group was divided into three age groups; clinico-pathological features, operative morbidity and mortality as well as long-term prognosis were compared with findings taken from a control group of subjects under 70 years old. No differences were noted in the distribution of the UICC stages and the incidence of early gastric cancer. The number of subtotal gastric resections was significantly higher in older patients. During the past 10 years the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates have decreased markedly and only minor differences in comparison with the control group have been recorded. However, the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in the age group above 80 years old (13.7%) than in the control group (48.7%). Univariate analysis of prognostic factors showed the UICC stage, lymph node metastases, resection line involvement and the patient's age to be of significance. In contrast, in the multivariate analysis age was not of prognostic value.

A mini-laparotomy as described by Hasson was used in a modified way in 1000 laparoscopic procedures. In comparison with the insertion of a Veress needle we find the open approach to be a safer and quicker way of obtaining pneumoperitoneum.

In the present study, 195 patients, following total gastrectomy (n = 105) or subtotal gastric resection (n = 90) for carcinoma without evidence of recurrence, were examined with regard to their quality of life using the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GLQI). After subtotal gastric resection patients achieved statistically significant better scores concerning disease-therapy-related symptoms and physical functions, resulting in a better overall score (p < 0.02). However, it seems to be questionable whether these statistically significant differences are of clinical relevance in the patient's daily life. Preservation of the gastric stump with the aim of improving postoperative quality of life should never be allowed to compromise oncological radicality.

Between 1972 and 1993 232 patients with early gastric cancer have been resected at the Surgical University Hospital of Mannheim. At the time of surgery 9.9% of the patients had lymph node involvement, 2 of them had distant metastases. In 59.9% of the cases (n = 138) a subtotal distal gastric resection, in 34.1% (n = 79) a total gastrectomy and in 6.4% (n = 15) a proximal or an atypical resection were performed. Following distal resection and total gastrectomy a radical lymphadenectomy of the compartments I and II was performed. The hospital lethality was 5.2%, the morbidity 18.1%. There were no statistical significant differences between the different surgical methods. The cumulative-5-year-survival rate was 80% without any statistically significant differences between the surgical methods and the histological types according to the Japanese classification of early gastric cancer.

The "surgeon's road" in an university department is marked by the demands of research, clinical work and teaching. The demands made by all 3 can hardly be met in the prescribed 6 years of training when adhering to the statutory 38.5 hours week. At present there are 1227 surgeons "on the road" at West German surgical departments (12% are women). Of these some 24% will reach a consultant post and less than 2% will become chairmen of a university department.