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Es wird eine 16-jahrige Patientin vorgestellt, welche mit der Verdachtsdiagnose einer Milzzyste eingewiesen wurde. Es wurde die Indikation zur Laparoskopie gestellt, da sie uns eine genau Organzuordnung, eine makroskopische Beurteilung und Einschatzung der Dignitat sowie eine Entdachung ermoglichte. In der Zusammenschau des perioperativen Befundes und der Histologie und Zytologie lies sich die Diagnose einer Mesothelzyste des Zwerchfells stellen. Die linksseitige Lokalisation einer Mesothelzyste des Zwerchfells stellt eine diagnostische Herausforderung dar. Auch wenn die Laparoskopie viele Vorteile bei unklaren Zysten im Abdomen hat, stellt die Sklerotherapie mit Ethanol eine erfolgversprechende Alternative bei klar abzugrenzenden Zysten mit serosem Inhalt dar. Allerdings ist sie mit mehr Nebenwirkungen verbunden als die Laparoskopie.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from esophagogastric varices is a common scenario, especially in patients with portal hypertension induced by liver cirrhosis or other diseases with thrombosis of the splenic vein. However, accessory spleen as pathophysiological cause of a regional, left-sided portal hypertension and consecutive development of isolated gastric varices is rare. We report a case of recurrent gastric variceal bleeding resulting from sinistral portal hypertension associated with an accessory spleen in a patient who had traumatic splenectomy many decades before. The accessory spleen is an extremely rare cause for the development of regional, left-sided portal hypertension leading to isolated gastric varices. Minimally invasive splenectomy is a safe and efficient treatment option.

IF 13.926 (2017); International audience; BackgroundThis open-label, phase III trial compared chemoradiation followed by surgery with or without neoadjuvant and adjuvant cetuximab in patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma.Patients and methodsPatients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to two cycles of chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, cisplatin 75 mg/m2) followed by chemoradiation (45 Gy, docetaxel 20 mg/m2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m2, weekly for 5 weeks) and surgery, with or without neoadjuvant cetuximab 250 mg/m2 weekly and adjuvant cetuximab 500 mg/m2 fortnightly for 3 months. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsIn total, 300 patients (median age, 61 years; 88% male; 63% adenocarcinoma; 85% cT3/4a, 90% cN+) were assigned to cetuximab (n = 149) or control (n = 151). The R0-resection rate was 95% for cetuximab versus 97% for control. Postoperative treatment-related mortality was 6% in both arms. Median PFS was 2.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0 to not reached] with cetuximab and 2.0 years (95% CI, 1.5–2.8) with control [hazard ratio (HR), 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58–1.07; P = 0.13]. Median overall survival (OS) time was 5.1 years (95% CI, 3.7 to not reached) versus 3.0 years (95% CI, 2.2–4.2) for cetuximab and control, respectively (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52–1.01; P = 0.055). Time to loco-regional failure after R0-resection was significantly longer for cetuximab (HR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31–0.90; P = 0.017); time to distant failure did not differ between arms (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.64–1.59, P = 0.97). Cetuximab did not increase adverse events in neoadjuvant or postoperative settings.ConclusionAdding cetuximab to multimodal therapy significantly improved loco-regional control, and led to clinically relevant, but not-significant improvements in PFS and OS in resectable esophageal carcinoma.Clinical trial informationNCT01107639

The value of tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) on overall survival (OS) of patients with relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer (ROC) is not well defined. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the operative and clinical outcome after TCS. We systematically evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing TCS. Tumor dissemination pattern, operative morbidity, residual tumor, and survival are described based on a validated intraoperative documentation tool. Predictors of survival and complete tumor resection are analyzed with Cox regression or logistic regression models. Between October 2000 and December 2008, 135 patients (median age, 51 years; range, 22–80 years) of mainly initial FIGO stage ≥III (106 patients, 78.5%) were evaluated. In 53 patients (39.3%) a complete tumor-resection was obtained. The 1-month operative mortality was 6%. During a median follow-up period of 9.6 months (range, 0.1–75 months), 78 patients (57.8%) died, while 52 patients (38.5%) experienced a further relapse. Median OS was 19.1 months for the total collective (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 14.84–23.35). Median OS was 37.8 months (95% CI, 12.7–62.7) for patients without residual tumor; versus 19.0 months (95% CI, 9.8–28.2) for residual tumor ≤1 cm and 6.9 months (95% CI, 3.05–10.7) for residual tumor >1 cm (P

INTRODUCTION: Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is a particular tumour -en-tity because two substantially different surgical procedures are required according to the location. There is no difference in long-term prognosis -between the tumour types in spite of the different surgical procedures. We were interested to eval-uate the clinical and pathological prognostic -factors of the AEGs which were operated in our department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 108 patients were oper-ated for AEG between 1.1.2000 and 1.4.2006 in our institution. 32 (29.6 %) patients with distal esophageal cancer (type I according to Siewert) underwent a transthoracic esophagectomy with gastric pull-up and two-field lymphadenectomy. 57 (52.8 %) patients with type II and 19 (17.6 %) -patients with type III cancers received an ex-tended gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. The retrospective analysis was focused on clinical and pathological parameters. Possible differen-ces between the tumour types were also eval-uated. Median follow-up was 11.4 months (range: 1-57 months). RESULTS: Follow-up data were complete for 107 patients. A median survival of 17.4 ± 3.25 months and a cumulative survival of 30 % were inde-pendent of the tumour location and the surgical procedure. Overall hospital mortality was 3.7 %. The univariate analysis showed that survival was significantly associated with the T category, lymph node status, lymphangio- and angioinva-sion and tumour grading. In the multivariate analy-sis, only lymph node status was identified as an -independent prognosis factor for survival. Where-as the R status was not a prognostic factor per se, how-ever, patients with an R0 situation with-out lymphangio- and angioinvasion had a significantly better survival compared to all other patients (p = 0.001). An increased angioinvasion rate was observed in type III tumours (52.6 %) in comparison to type I (21.9 %) and type II (21.1 %) tumours. CONCLUSION: The prognostic factors of our patients determined substantially the prognosis of the patients. Patients with lymph- or haemangioinvasion should regarded as high-risk patients -independent of the R status. Close oncological follow-up in-clud-ing potential adjuvant treatment in these patients is recom-mended.

BACKGROUND: An elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased incidence of cancer at the gastro-oesophageal junction. Less is known about the postoperative complication rate and prognosis in relation to the BMI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 108 patients with cancer of the cardia and a BMI below (group 1, n = 56) or above (group 2, n = 52) 25 kg / m 2 , who were operated from 2000 to 2006 in our department. According to the Siewert classification, the tumours were subdivided into 3 types. Patients with type I cancers (n = 26) received a transthoracic oesophageal resection with gastric pull up. Patients with type II (n = 61) or type III (n = 21) cancers underwent an extended gastrectomy. The complication rates and survival were analysed. RESULTS: The complications were pulmonary (respiratory insufficiency n = 12, pneumonia n = 12, bronchitis n = 7, pulmonary embolism n = 2), surgical (anastomotic leakage n = 7, abscesses n = 8, bleeding n = 2, chylus fistula n = 1), or functional (dysphagia n = 5, nausea n = 5, heart burn n = 4, delayed enteral passage n = 6, vomiting n = 9). Patients of group 2 showed more delayed enteral passages (5 vs. 1) and more vomiting (7 vs. 2) than those of group 1. The median stay in the intensive care unit was shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (3 vs. 5 days) (p = 0.021). Overall hospitalisation was 14 days in the mean in both groups. We found no significant difference in the postoperative mortality of 6.5 % (n = 7) between the two groups. Overall survival after a follow-up of 42 months was 34 % (group 1) and 25 % (group 2). The difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.961). Patients with an elevated BMI show slightly more complications than those with a lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that patients with elevated BMI have slightly more complications and an identical long term survival as patients with normal body weight.

Previously, we have found that acetaldehyde, a volatile component of cigarette smoke, stimulates the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway and inhibits ciliary motility. A "smokeless" cigarette (Eclipse) now exists in which most of the tobacco is not burned, reducing the pyrolyzed components in the extract. We hypothesized that acetaldehyde is a component of cigarette smoke that activates PKC in the airway epithelial cell, and therefore the Eclipse cigarette would not activate epithelial cell PKC. In this study, bovine bronchial epithelial cells (BBEC) were incubated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or Eclipse smoke extract (ESE). We found that PKC activity was significantly higher in cells exposed to 5% CSE than cells exposed to 5% ESE or media. When acetaldehyde levels of both extracts were measured by gas chromatography, CSE was found to have 15-20 times greater concentration (microM) of acetaldehyde than ESE. When BBEC were treated with 5% CSE, ciliary beating was further decreased from baseline levels. This decrease in ciliary beating was not observed in cells treated with ESE, suggesting that acetaldehyde contained in CSE slows cilia. These results suggest that volatile components such as acetaldehyde in cigarette smoke may inhibit ciliary motility via a PKC-dependent mechanism.

Despite advanced surgical techniques and improved perioperative intensive medical care of the patients, including immunosuppressive therapy, bile duct complications remain a profound clinical problem in liver surgery and liver transplantation, associated to extensive morbidity and mortality. Although, postoperative leakages are significant in liver surgery, bile duct stenosis remains a major problem after liver transplantation. Due to the development of various different methods of segmental liver transplantation, the spectrum of biliary complications has been significantly enhanced. Crucial for the prognosis is the early diagnosis and therapy of bile duct complications, and a prerequisite for a long-term therapeutical success is the interdisciplinary collaboration between the surgeons, endoscopists and radiologists.

Previous studies have reported on the association between perioperative morbidity and diminished oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing resection for colorectal or pancreatic cancer. However, the effect of anastomotic leak (AL) on the survival of patients with gastric or esophageal cancer remains unclear.Clinicopathologic data of patients who underwent resection for gastric or esophageal cancer between 2005 and 2012 were assessed, and predictors for overall survival and disease-free survival were identified. In addition, we evaluated the impact of AL on oncologic outcomes.Curative resection for gastric or esophageal cancer was performed in 471 patients. The primary tumor was located in the stomach and esophagus in 53% and 47% of the patients, respectively. Forty-one patients (8.7%) suffered an AL. The AL rate was significantly higher following resection for esophageal cancer compared with the resection for gastric cancer (12.9% vs 5.3%, P = .001). Postoperative mortality (4%) was not significantly associated with the occurrence of AL (4% without AL vs 7% with AL, P = .2). After a median follow-up time of 35 months, the median overall survival and disease-free survival were 101 and 93 months, respectively. Factors associated with worse overall survival in multivariate analysis included AL (P = .001), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (P .0001), advanced Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage (P .0001), and poorly differentiated carcinoma (G3; P = .04). In the multivariate analysis for predictors of disease-free survival, AL (P = .037), advanced UICC stage (P .0001), poorly differentiated carcinoma (G3; P = .044), and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa (P = .004) were independently associated with a high risk for recurrence.AL following resection for gastric and esophageal cancer has a negative prognostic impact on long-term survival, independent from tumor stage and biology. Further investigation of the interactions between AL and the development of tumor recurrence as well as the establishment of standardized perioperative care protocols are necessary for the improvement of outcomes after gastric and esophageal resection.

Background and study aims: The use of fibrin glue derived from humans or animals has been reported as an alternative method of mesh fixation, instead of staples, in inguinal hernia repair. However, fibrin sealants involve the potential risks of virus transmission or immunological reactions to foreign proteins. This risk could be avoided by using autologous fibrin derived from the patient. A feasibility study on the use of autologous fibrin was therefore carried out in patients undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal inguinal hernia repair. Patients and methods: In a series of 10 patients undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal inguinal hernia repair, autologous fibrin was produced from 120 ml of the patient's blood during the hernia repair. The process took an average of 20 min. The peri-operative and postoperative results were compared with those in a control group of 20 patients in whom conventional fibrin was used. Results: Producing and applying the autologous fibrin was uncomplicated. No differences in the outcome were observed between the two groups. One patient in the conventional fibrin group developed a seroma. None of the patients reported persistent pain. No recurrences were observed after a mean follow-up period of 9 months (range 6-12 months) in the conventional fibrin group and 7 months (range 6-8 months) in the autologous fibrin group. Conclusions: This feasibility study suggests that autologous fibrin sealant allowed adequate mesh fixation that did not differ from that in a control group in whom conventional fibrin glue was used. Autologous fibrin may be an interesting alternative; for a variety of laparoscopic and endoscopic applications.

Objectives: To use particle image velocimetry (PIV) to study the haemodynamics and shear stress associated with cuffed and straight PTFE-venous anastomoses. Methods: Silastic models of a straight and cuffed (Venaflo™) PTFE-venous anastomoses were attached to a pulsatile flow ‘Berlin Heart’ circuit filled with glycerine/water and hollow glass tracer spheres. Instantaneous velocity fields were obtained PIV and shear rates and patterns calculated from frame-by-frame analysis. Results: A high velocity jet struck the anastomotic ‘floor’ and was deflected toward the venous outflow. Shear stresses near the floor were significantly higher, in the straight anastomosis. Sites of high shear stress correlated well with the known sites of intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions: A cuffed anastomosis type may be favourable in terms of local haemodynamics so enhancing the long-term patency of PTFE-venous grafts.

The case of a 58-year-old male patient who developed a chronic pain syndrome after laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh for treatment of a large symptomatic umbilical hernia combined with rectus diastasis is reported. Twelve months after an uncomplicated initial surgery, the patient presented with progressive signs of a foreign body sensation and pain in the anterior abdominal wall. Computed tomography examination revealed no pathologic findings but a marked shrinkage of the mesh implant. Because of further progressive symptoms, explorative laparotomy was performed. Mesh shrinkage and adhesions with a surrounding chronic tissue reaction were found as the cause of the pain syndrome. This case demonstrates a case of a chronic pain syndrome due to mesh shrinkage 12 months after initial ventral hernia repair. Mesh shrinkage should therefore be taken into consideration in patients with progressive pain chronic syndromes after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

4019 Background: We compared chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery with the addition of neoadjuvant and adjuvant cetuximab (cetux) in patients with esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Pts with resectable esophageal cancer (T2N1-3;T3-4aNx) received two cycles of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel 75mg/m2, cisplatin 75mg/m2) followed by chemoradiation (45 Gy, docetaxel 20mg/m2 and cisplatin 25mg/m2 weekly) and surgery or the same treatment with addition of neoadjuvant cetux 250mg/m2 weekly and adjuvant cetux 500mg/m2 bi-weekly for three months. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). After a median follow-up of 4y 166 of the planned 180 events occurred (plateau reached). Results: 300 pts were treated between 2010-13: 88% male, median age 61y, 63% adenocarcinoma, 85% cT3/4a, 90% cN+. 84% completed neoadjuvant therapy, 87% were operated (cetux: 89%, control: 86%), 67% started and 50% completed adjuvant cetux-therapy. The R0 resection rate was 95% in the cetux-arm and 97% in the control-arm, there were 10 and 14 treatment-related deaths and 9 and 4 postoperative in-hospital deaths, respectively. Major differences in adverse events (grade >2) with addition of cetux were higher rate of allergic reactions and hypomagnesemia, but lower rate of dysphagia (-15%) and esophagitis (-4%) during chemoradiation. Conclusions: The addition of cetuximab to a multimodal therapy showed a statistically significant reduction of loco-regional recurrences which led to a statistically non-significant, but clinically relevant improvement of PFS and OS. Clinical trial information: NCT01107639. [Table: see text]

Passive infrared (FTIR) and correlation spectrometer (COSPEC) measurements were conducted at Popocatepetl volcano during February 10 to 26, 1998 from sites 4 to 17 km distant from the summit. Volcano behavior was relatively quiet and SO 2 flux averaged 1670±1420 t/day (51 measurements), relatively small for Popocatepetl. Concurrent HCl/SO 2 and HF/SO 2 ratios were 0.17±0.01 and 0.031±0.003, respectively, about the same as ratios measured from 1994 to 1997. The amount of CO 2 in the volcanic plume was quantified using FASCODE in which atmospheric CO 2 is numerically subtracted from the total infrared spectrum to obtain the residual magmatic CO 2 . Surprisingly, CO 2 /SO 2 mass ratios rose dramatically to values as high as 140, about 30 times higher than typical values of 2 to 8 measured from 1994 to 1996. These excursions in high CO 2 /SO 2 ratios were short-lived, lasting no longer than about 0.5 to 3.0 h but CO 2 flux occasionally exceeded 100,000 t/day. We estimate that the average CO 2 /SO 2 ratio for the period was about 23, yielding an average CO 2 flux of roughly 38,000 t/day. Chemical and petrographic analyses of lava and pumice erupted during explosions on June 30, 1997 and January 1, 1998 show conclusively that Popocatepetl produces mixed products formed by injection of mafic magma into a more silicic chamber at temperatures and pressures of roughly 1040°C and 5 kbar. In addition, Popocatepetl eruptive products include xenoliths of metamorphosed carbonate rocks containing wollastonite and other calc-silicate minerals indicating reaction of magma with Cretaceous limestone underlying the volcano. Using a normal CO 2 /SO 2 ratio of 4 for reference, we calculate an average excess CO 2 production of 32,000 t/day for 17 days. This would require assimilation of only 5×10 −4 km 3 of limestone, an amount easily accessible in the 3-km-thick Cretaceous section beneath the volcano. We also examine two scenarios in which excess CO 2 is produced by degassing of subjacent basalt magma, but these explanations seem less plausible to us. Because many other volcanoes are underlain by carbonate sequences, short-duration bursts of CO 2 flux, and increased CO 2 /SO 2 ratio, might be observed at other sites, if simultaneous, real-time measurements of major gas species are made.

Previously, we have found that acetaldehyde, a volatile component of cigarette smoke, stimulates the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway and inhibits ciliary motility. A "smokeless" cigarette (Eclipse) now exists in which most of the tobacco is not burned, reducing the pyrolyzed components in the extract. We hypothesized that acetaldehyde is a component of cigarette smoke that activates PKC in the airway epithelial cell, and therefore the Eclipse cigarette would not activate epithelial cell PKC. In this study, bovine bronchial epithelial cells (BBEC) were incubated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or Eclipse smoke extract (ESE). We found that PKC activity was significantly higher in cells exposed to 5% CSE than cells exposed to 5% ESE or media. When acetaldehyde levels of both extracts were measured by gas chromatography, CSE was found to have 15-20 times greater concentration (microM) of acetaldehyde than ESE. When BBEC were treated with 5% CSE, ciliary beating was further decreased from baseline levels. This decrease in ciliary beating was not observed in cells treated with ESE, suggesting that acetaldehyde contained in CSE slows cilia. These results suggest that volatile components such as acetaldehyde in cigarette smoke may inhibit ciliary motility via a PKC-dependent mechanism.

Der posttraumatische pyogene Leberabsces ist ein seltenes Krankheitsbild. Wir stellen den Fall eines 38 jahrigen Patienten vor, der sich 3 Monate nach einem stumpfen Bauchtrauma mit einem ausgedehnten, multilocularen Leberabsces und rechtsseitigem Pleuraempyem in unserer Klinik vorstellte. Die definitive Therapie bestand aus einer Hemihepatektomie rechts und Pleuradrainage. Symptomatik, Diagnose und die verschiedenen therapeutischen Moglichkeiten werden anhand dieses Fallberichts erortert.

A two-stage light gas gun and single-pulse multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) have been used to obtain carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and oxygen vibrational spectra for several high-pressure/high-temperature, dense fluid, carbon monoxide–oxygen, and nitrogen–oxygen mixtures. The experimental spectra were compared to synthetic spectra calculated with a semiclassical model for CARS intensities and using best fit vibrational frequencies, peak Raman susceptibilities, and Raman linewidths for each mixture component. Up to a maximum shock pressure of 6.75 GPa for carbon monoxide–oxygen mixtures, the CO and O2 vibrational frequencies were found to increase monotonically with pressure and depended on the carbon monoxide–oxygen mixture ratio. For the nitrogen–oxygen mixtures, the N2 vibrational frequency increased monotonically with pressure to a maximum experimental pressure of 12.9 GPa, however the O2 vibrational frequency increased with pressure to about 11 GPa and then appeared to decrease slig...

Background: To evaluate surgical outcome and survival benefit after quaternary cytoreduction (QC) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) relapse. Methods: We systematically evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing QC in our institution over a 12-year period (October 2000–January 2012). All relevant surgical and clinical outcome parameters were systematically assessed. Results: Forty-nine EOC patients (median age: 57; range: 28–76) underwent QC; in a median of 16 months (range:2–142) after previous chemotherapy. The majority of the patients had an initial FIGO stage III (67.3%), peritoneal carcinomatosis (77.6%) and no ascites (67.3%). At QC, patients presented following tumour pattern: lower abdomen 85.7% middle abdomen 79.6% and upper abdomen 42.9%. Median duration of surgery was 292 min (range: a total macroscopic tumour clearance could be achieved. Rates of major operative morbidity and 30-day mortality were 28.6% and 2%, respectively. Mean follow-up from QC was 18.41 months (95% confidence interval (CI):12.64–24.18) and mean overall survival (OS) 23.05 months (95% CI: 15.5–30.6). Mean OS for patients without vs any tumour residuals was 43 months (95% CI: 26.4–59.5) vs 13.4 months (95% CI: 7.42–19.4); P=0.001. Mean OS for patients who received postoperative chemotherapy (n=18; 36.7%) vs those who did not was 40.5 months (95% CI: 27.4–53.6) vs 12.03 months (95% CI: 5.9–18.18); P

six patients (2.2%) died during the hospital stay or within 30 days after the primary operation. Conclusions: The DHBA has been successfully implemented and will provide valuable insight in the quality of care of patients undergoing liver surgery in the Netherlands. Initial outcomes seem comparable with international standards. Reducing variation between individual hospitals could lead to further improvement.

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and King's College Hospital (KCH) criteria are accepted prognostic models acute liver failure (ALF), while the use of (APACHE) scores predict to outcomes of emergency liver transplantation is rare.The present study included 87 patients with ALF who underwent liver transplantation. We calculated (KCH) criteria, as well as MELD, APACHE II, and APACHE III scores at the listing date for comparison with 3-month outcomes.According to the Youden-Index, the best cut-off value for the APACHE II score was 8.5 with 100% sensitivity, 49% specificity, 24% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV). Patients with8.5 points had a significantly higher survival rate (P.05). The proposed APACHE III cut-off was 80. The APACHE III score demonstrated the highest specificity and PPV (90% specificity, 50% PPV). The NPV was 92%. With a 90-point threshold the specificity increased to 98% with 75% PPV and 89% NPV. Only 1 of 4 patients with a score90 survived transplantation (P = .001). MELD score and KCH criteria were not significant (P.05). According to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, only the APACHE III score adequately describe the data.The APACHE III score was superior to KCH criteria, MELD score, and APACHE II score to predict outcomes after transplantation for ALF. It is a valuable parameter for pretransplantation patient selection.

Single‐pulse multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) was used to obtain vibrational spectra of 20%/80% liquid nitrogen/argon mixtures, shock compressed to several high‐pressure/high‐temperature states. A semiclassical model for CARS spectra was used to extract best fit vibrational frequencies, peak Raman susceptibilities, and Raman linewidths from the data. Up to a maximum single shock pressure of 17.1 GPa, the N2 vibrational frequency was found to increase monotonically with pressure. The vibrational frequencies measured in both the singly and doubly shocked N2/Ar mixtures correspond within experimental error to those for pure nitrogen at equivalent pressures and temperatures, implying that the influence of the interaction potential on the N2 vibrational frequency for the N2/Ar collision is not significantly different from that of a N2/N2 collision at these conditions. The transition intensity and linewidth data suggest that thermal equilibrium of the vibrational levels is attained in less...

Vibrational spectra of liquid nitrogen/carbon monoxide mixtures, shock compressed to several high‐pressure/high‐temperature states, were obtained using single‐pulse multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). The experimental spectra were compared to synthetic spectra calculated with a semiclassical model for CARS intensities and using best fit vibrational frequencies, peak Raman susceptibilities, and Raman linewidths. Up to a maximum shock pressure of 9.3 GPa, both the N2 and CO vibrational frequencies were found to increase monotonically with pressure but depended strongly on the nitrogen/carbon monoxide mixture ratio. An empirical fit of the Raman frequency shifts incorporating previously published neat nitrogen and carbon monoxide data, using a functional form dependent on pressure, temperature, and mixture ratio, accurately describes both the N2 and CO shifts. The transition intensity and linewidth data suggest that thermal equilibrium of the vibrational levels is attained in less than 10...

Quantitative measurements were made in the 1700-2636-A wavelength interval at 22 degrees C of the pure HNO(3) vapor absorption spectrum. Absorption coefficients, which were found to be both pressure and length dependent, were determined using six absorption cell lengths between 0.1 cm and 10.0 cm, and numerous gas pressures in the 0.0004-0.066-atm range. The statistical spectral band model with a Voigt line profile was applied to the data and the band model parameters were derived. The results were used to estimate the absorption of uv radiation by stratospheric HNO(3).

In contrast to children, intussusception is an unusual cause of an abdominal emergency in adults. We report on a 65-year-old patient who complained of inconstant crampy abdominal pain for a period of over 6 months. He was admitted to our hospital because of acute intestinal obstruction. Sonography and computer tomography suggested an intussusception. At surgery the diagnosis of an ileo-ileal invagination was confirmed and resection of a segment of the ileum was performed. As shown by macroscopic findings intussusception had existed for several days. Histologically, the underlying disease causing the intussusception was a leiomyoma arising from the submucosa.

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is a particular tumour entity because two substantially different surgical procedures are required according to the location. There is no difference in long-term prognosis between the tumour types in spite of the different surgical procedures. We were interested to evaluate the clinical and pathological prognostic factors of the AEGs which were operated in our department.108 patients were operated for AEG between 1.1.2000 and 1.4.2006 in our institution. 32 (29.6 %) patients with distal esophageal cancer (type I according to Siewert) underwent a transthoracic esophagectomy with gastric pull-up and two-field lymphadenectomy. 57 (52.8 %) patients with type II and 19 (17.6 %) patients with type III cancers received an extended gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. The retrospective analysis was focused on clinical and pathological parameters. Possible differences between the tumour types were also evaluated. Median follow-up was 11.4 months (range: 1-57 months).Follow-up data were complete for 107 patients. A median survival of 17.4 +/- 3.25 months and a cumulative survival of 30 % were independent of the tumour location and the surgical procedure. Overall hospital mortality was 3.7 %. The univariate analysis showed that survival was significantly associated with the T category, lymph node status, lymphangio- and angioinvasion and tumour grading. In the multivariate analysis, only lymph node status was identified as an independent prognosis factor for survival. Where-as the R status was not a prognostic factor per se, how-ever, patients with an R0 situation without lymphangio- and angioinvasion had a significantly better survival compared to all other patients (p = 0.001). An increased angioinvasion rate was observed in type III tumours (52.6 %) in comparison to type I (21.9 %) and type II (21.1 %) tumours.The prognostic factors of our patients determined substantially the prognosis of the patients. Patients with lymph- or haemangioinvasion should regarded as high-risk patients independent of the R status. Close oncological follow-up including potential adjuvant treatment in these patients is recommended.

Introduction Liver tumors should be surgically treated whenever possible. In the case of bilobar disease or coexisting liver cirrhosis, surgical options are limited. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been successfully used for irresectable liver tumors. The combination of hepatic resection and RFA extends the feasibility of open surgical procedures in patients with liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods RFA was performed with two different monopolar devices using ultrasound guidance. Intraoperative use of RFA for the treatment of liver metastases or HCC was limited to otherwise irresectable tumors during open surgical procedures including hepatic resections. Irresectability was considered if bilobar disease was treated, the functional hepatic reserve was impaired or appraised marginal for allowing further resection. Results Ten patients with both liver metastases and HCC, and two patients with cholangiocellular carcinoma were treated. Complete initial tumor clearance was achieved in all patients. Two patients of the metastases group and five patients of the HCC group suffered from local recurrence after a median of 12 months (1–26) (local recurrence rate 32%). Five patients of the metastases group and six patients of the HCC group developed recurrent tumors in different areas of the ablation site after a median time of 4 months (2–18) (distant intrahepatic recurrence in 55%). Survival at 31 months was 36%. Conclusion RFA extends the scope of surgery in some candidates with intraoperatively found irresectability.

An elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased incidence of cancer at the gastro-oesophageal junction. Less is known about the postoperative complication rate and prognosis in relation to the BMI.We investigated 108 patients with cancer of the cardia and a BMI below (group 1, n = 56) or above (group 2, n = 52) 25 kg / m (2), who were operated from 2000 to 2006 in our department. According to the Siewert classification, the tumours were subdivided into 3 types. Patients with type I cancers (n = 26) received a transthoracic oesophageal resection with gastric pull up. Patients with type II (n = 61) or type III (n = 21) cancers underwent an extended gastrectomy. The complication rates and survival were analysed.The complications were pulmonary (respiratory insufficiency n = 12, pneumonia n = 12, bronchitis n = 7, pulmonary embolism n = 2), surgical (anastomotic leakage n = 7, abscesses n = 8, bleeding n = 2, chylus fistula n = 1), or functional (dysphagia n = 5, nausea n = 5, heart burn n = 4, delayed enteral passage n = 6, vomiting n = 9). Patients of group 2 showed more delayed enteral passages (5 vs. 1) and more vomiting (7 vs. 2) than those of group 1. The median stay in the intensive care unit was shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (3 vs. 5 days) (p = 0.021). Overall hospitalisation was 14 days in the mean in both groups. We found no significant difference in the postoperative mortality of 6.5 % (n = 7) between the two groups. Overall survival after a follow-up of 42 months was 34 % (group 1) and 25 % (group 2). The difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.961). Patients with an elevated BMI show slightly more complications than those with a lower BMI.Our data show that patients with elevated BMI have slightly more complications and an identical long term survival as patients with normal body weight.

Vibrational spectra of liquid carbon monoxide shock compressed to several high pressure/high temperature states were recorded using single‐pulse multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering. Vibrational frequencies, third‐order suceptibility ratios, and linewidths are reported for the fundamental and first excited‐state transition. The observed vibrational frequency shift with shock pressure was substantially less than that observed previously in nitrogen, implying a significant difference in the details of their inter‐ and intramolecular potentials. The transition intensity and linewidth data suggest that thermal equilibrium of the vibrational levels is attained in less than 10 ns at these shock pressures, and the vibrational temperatures obtained are comparable to calculated equation‐of‐state temperatures. The measured linewidths suggest that the vibrational dephasing time decreased to ∼2 ps at our highest pressure shock state.

The vibrational spectroscopy of the four hydrogen/deuterium isotopomers of nitromethane was investigated. Infrared, Raman, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) of the isotopomers were used to determine vibrational frequencies for each isotopomer. Results for the d{sub 0}, d{sub 2}, and d{sub 3} isotopomers agree well with literature values. Gas- and liquid-phase spectra for the d{sub 1} isotopomer are presented, and the measured vibrational frequencies compare well with a theoretical prediction. In addition, high-resolution Raman spectra of the CN stretch mode were used to analyze the elements of the anharmonic coupling matrix involving this mode. Finally, the relative differential Raman scattering cross section of the Cn stretch mode of each isotopomer was determined.

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and spontaneous Raman spectroscopy have been used to obtain vibrational spectra of shock‐compressed and static high‐pressure fluid nitrogen, respectively. Vibrational frequencies were obtained from the CARS data using a semiclassical model for these spectra. Spontaneous Raman vibrational frequencies were determined by fitting data using a Lorentz‐shape line. A functional form was found for the dependence of the vibrational frequency on pressure and temperature to 40 GPa and 5000 K, respectively. By fitting the vibrational data to this form, a pressure scale based on the fluid nitrogen vibron has been calibrated for use at very high temperature. The nitrogen vibron pressure scale was used to determine the fluid‐δ nitrogen phase boundary up to 20 GPa and 900 K.

During hypoxic heart failure, inorganic phosphate (Pi) accumulates. We report the effects of Pi on force development and on myofibrillar ATPase-activity of human skinned atrial fibers, both at normal and at reduced levels of Mg-ATP. Pi (10 mM) depressed force production at maximal calcium activation (pCa 4.3) by about 40%. At higher pCa values (pCa 5.6), force inhibition was even more pronounced, but at low concentrations of Mg-ATP (10 microM), Pi was less effective. In contrast to contractile force, myofibrillar ATPase was only inhibited by about 10% at pCa 4.3, whereas it could be inhibited by 40-50% at submaximal calcium activation (pCa 5.6). As Pi inhibited contractile force more than ATPase activity, the ratio of ATPase-activity to force (tension cost) was increased by inorganic phosphate. ATPase-activity and tension cost were significantly reduced by lowering Mg-ATP concentration to 10 microM, whereas contractile force was less affected. Pi did not affect ATPase under these conditions at 10 mM Mg-ATP. Pi also shifted the calcium-force relationship towards higher Ca++ concentrations, that is, it decreased calcium sensitivity. In contrast, the calcium sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase was less affected. These findings suggest that inorganic phosphate may affect the myocardium by altering crossbridge kinetics rather than the calcium affinity of troponin-C. Because of its inhibitory effect on myofibrillar ATPase, inorganic phosphate may be partly cardioprotective in the hypoxic myocardium. However, this "energy sparing' effect is probably offset by the greater "tension cost' that decreases the "efficiency' of tension maintenance in the presence of inorganic phosphate.

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute abdomen in pregnancy. However, due to the potential fetal risk associated with the CO2-pneumoperitoneum and various operative technical reasons there is still controversy about the role of laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnant women.Between January 2000 and November 2005, 283 women between 17 and 45 years with suspected appendicitis underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at our institution. Fifteen of these patients (5.3 %) were pregnant at the time of surgery (mean age, 28 years; range, 18-40 years; mean gestational age, 21.9 weeks; range, 14-34 weeks). Perioperative obstetric monitoring included fetal ultrasound, including Doppler sonography and cardiotocography. Clinical data were collected prospectively. Complete follow-up data were available in 14 patients.All 15 patients underwent successful laparoscopic appendectomy. Mean operation time was 53 minutes (range, 30-100 minutes). The histologic appendicitis / appendectomy ratio was 73 %. One patient showed a postoperative pyelonephritis, another a cystitis. Average length of hospital stay was 5.5 days (range, 3-10 days). All fourteen pregnancies with complete follow-up resulted in delivery of healthy infants. The mean gestational age at delivery was 39.6 weeks (range, 35-42 weeks). Two patients (14.3 %) had a preterm delivery at 35 weeks with uncomplicated outcome. One patient underwent caesarean section at 41 weeks after chorioamnionitis.Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective method to treat acute appendicitis in pregnant women regardless of the trimester. For the best outcome the operation should be performed in a center where surgeons, perinatologist, obstetricians and anesthesiologists work together as a part of an interdisciplinary team.

SUMMARY. Postoperative chylothorax after injury of the thoracic duct during esophagectomy is a rare but severe complication which may lead to serious problems such as loss of fat and proteins, and immunodeficiency. Without treatment mortality can rise to over 50%. From 1988 to 2005, we treated 10 patients with postoperative chylothorax after 409 resections of the esophagus (2.4%). Of these 10 patients nine underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with gastric pull-up to enable an intrathoracic (n = 7) or cervical (n = 2) anastomosis and one patient received a transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric pull-up and cervical anastomosis. The average amount of postoperative chylus was 2205 mL (200–4500 mL) per day. After a median postoperative interval of 10 days, relaparotomy and transhiatal double ligation of the thoracic duct was performed in nine out of 10 patients. One patient could be managed conservatively. The average amount of chylus was reduced to 151 mL per day (90.5%). Seven patients had no complications, and three suffered from postoperative pneumonia. Two of the patients with pneumonia recovered, and one died. Discharge from hospital, after ligation of the thoracic duct, was possible after a median time of 18 days (11–52). Ligation of the thoracic duct via relaparotomy appeared to be a simple and safe method to treat postoperative chylothorax.

Traumatic aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery, although uncommon, are nevertheless life-threatening because of their high risk of rupture. In this case report the aneurysm was accompanied by a burst fracture of the second lumbar spine nearly at the same height. In a prolonged case the diagnosis of the injury was delayed. The clinical manifestation of repeated episodes of abdominal pain did not recur after resection of the aneurysm and interposition of a venous autograft.

Injuries of the biliary tract following laparoscopic cholecystectomy have increased with the widespread use of the procedure. Compared to the conventional open choelycstectomy, the incidence of bile duct injuries is at least twofold higher after the laparoscopic procedure. A number of risk factors for the occurrence of bile duct injuries have been well described, including severe inflammation, bleeding, anatomical variations and lack of surgical experience. The appropriate management of bile duct injuries depends on the time of diagnosis after the injury and the type of injury. While peripheral leakages and short strictures can be treated endoscopically, extended injuries and long strictures require surgical reconstruction. The best long-term results are achieved with a tension-free, end-to-side mucosa-to-mucosa Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair offers more rapid recovery and less pain than with the traditional open approach. However, injury to the nerves of the lumbar plexus with subsequent chronic pain or neuralgia has a reported incidence of 2% during laparoscopic hernia repair, particularly when the transabdominal preperitoneal technique (TAPP) is used. These complications are inherent to the use of staples for fixation of the mesh. To avoid nerve irritation, we considered the use of fibrin sealant for the fixation of the mesh instead of staples. The aim of this study was to evaluate this technique and to compare the short-term follow-up of these patients with patients who underwent the staple repair technique. This is the first reported use of fibrin sealant in laparoscopic TAPP hernia repair.Between September and November 2004, we performed 17 consecutive laparoscopic hernia repairs (TAPP) in 14 patients (3 bilateral hernias) with primary hernias. The prosthetic mesh was fixed (10 x 15 cm) with 1 ml fibrin. The fibrin was applied using a special laparoscopic applicator. The peritoneum was closed with absorbable sutures. The postoperative course of these patients was compared with a cohort of matched patients who received the traditional staple fixation of the prosthetic mesh.Patients were evaluated at a median follow-up of 10.4 months (3.8-16.0 months). All patients underwent postoperative physical examinations. No recurrent hernia was found. There were 2 seromas and one hematoma in the stapled group. In the stapled group, one patient had pain in the area of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. There was no postoperative complication in the non-stapled group.Fibrin fixation of the mesh during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair is feasible without higher risk of recurrences. In addition the fibrin fixation method may decrease postoperative neuralgia and reduce the incidence of postoperative seromas and hematomas.

The aim of the present study is to analyse our experience in the treatment of bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to propose an algorithm for the management.From January 1990 to March 2002 175 patients with biliary tract injury sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were treated at our institution. We divided the injuries into five basic types according to the mechanism, localisation and time of manifestation of the lesion. Risk factors affecting the outcome after operative repair were analysed by uni- and multivariate analysis.There were 46 patients with peripheral bile leak (Type A). Endoscopic treatment was successful in 92 %. 8 patients presented with an occlusion of the common bile duct (CBD) (Type B). Five of 6 patients with an incomplete occlusion of the CBD could be treated by endoscopic options. Of 52 patients that presented a lateral lesion of the CBD (Type C), endoscopic treatment was successful in 35 patients (67 %), but surgical treatment was necessary in 17 (33 %). 27 patients with a complete transsection of the CBD required surgical reconstruction. Endoscopic treatment was successful in 34 of 42 patients with a late stenosis of the CBD. 11 of 55 patients (20 %) developed postoperative biliary complications. Univariate analysis identified three factors to be significant predictors of outcome: 1. attempts of repair before referral, 2. combined bile duct and hepatic artery injury, 3. Reconstruction in a situation of peritonitis. After a median follow-up of 44.6 months (2-109) a successful outcome was obtained in 51 of 55 (93 %) patients, including those requiring a secondary procedure for recurrent stricture.Peripheral leakages, small lateral lesions and short stenosis usually can be treated endoscopically. Extended lateral injuries, complete CBD transsections and long stenoses require surgical therapy. For a successful therapy a specialized multidisciplinary team is crucial.

A 31-year-old man presented with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. His past medical history was uneventful, specifically there was no personal or environmental asbestos exposure. The patient was treated by complete tumor resection including peritonectomy. Because of the histologic diagnosis of a low malignant, unusual highly differentiated epithelioid tumor with very low proliferative activity a postoperative chemotherapy was not administered. After a follow-up of 20 months, the patient is in excellent clinical condition and there is no evidence of disease by computed tomography. The present paper reports a case of this rare variant of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

In contrast to children, intussusception is an unusual cause of an abdominal emergency in adults. We report on a 65-year-old patient who complained of inconstant crampy abdominal pain for a period of over 6 months. He was admitted to our hospital because of acute intestinal obstruction. Sonography and computer tomography suggested an intussusception. At surgery the diagnosis of an ileo-ileal invagination was confirmed and resection of a segment of the ileum was performed. As shown by macroscopic findings intussusception had existed for several days. Histologically, the underlying disease causing the intussusception was a leiomyoma arising from the submucosa.

Iatrogenic bile duct lesions are serious complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and include biliary leakage and major bile duct injury. The incidence of biliary lesions following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is up to threefold higher than that of the open procedure. A total of 108 patients with bile duct lesions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were treated at our institution. Endoscopic treatment was successful in 68 cases, 6 patients were treated by external drainage, and 34 patients required surgical therapy. Selection criteria for the type of treatment included the etiology, anatomical situation, and diagnostic interval of the biliary lesion. We suggest a classification of bile duct injury and a proposal for diagnosis and treatment of these complications.

Volcanic gases provide important insights on the internal workings of volcanoes and changes in their composition and total flux can warn of impending changes in a volcano’s eruptive state.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and spontaneous Raman spectroscopy have been used to obtain vibrational spectra of shock-compressed and static high-pressure fluid nitrogen, respectively. Vibrational frequencies were obtained from the CARS data using a semiclassical model for these spectra. Spontaneous Raman vibrational frequencies were determined by fitting data using a Lorentz shape line. A functional form was found for the dependence of the vibrational frequency on pressure and temperature to 40 GPa and 5000 K, respectively. The result is compared to a recent theoretical model. 6 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

Post-traumatic pyogenic liver abscess is a rare disease. We present the case of a 38-year-old man with multilocular liver abscess and pleural empyema following blunt abdominal trauma. The patient had a prodrome lasting 3 months before presenting in our department. The therapy included partial hepatectomy and pleural drainage. Clinical signs, diagnosis and possible therapy are discussed in this case report.