Peri-interventional Morbidity Research Articles

Endoscopic and surgical treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis—a comparison of short- and long-term outcome

BackgroundAcute necrotizing pancreatitis is still related to high morbidity and mortality rates. Minimal-invasive treatment options, such as endoscopic necrosectomy, may decrease peri-interventional morbidity and mortality. This study aims to compare the initial operative with endoscopic treatment on long-term parameters, such as endocrine and exocrine functionality, as well as mortality and recurrence rates.MethodsWe included 114 patients, of whom 69 were treated with initial endoscopy and 45 by initial surgery. Both groups were further assessed for peri-interventional and long-term parameters.ResultsIn the post-interventional phase, patients in the group of initial surgical treatment (IST) showed significantly higher rates of renal insufficiency (p < 0.001) and dependency on invasive ventilation (p < 0.001). The in-house mortality was higher in the surgical group, with 22% vs. 10.1% in the group of patients following initial endoscopic treatment (IET; p = 0.077). In long-term follow-up, the overall mortality was 45% for IST and 31.3% for IET (p = 0.156). The overall in-hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were significantly shorter after IET (p < 0.001). In long-term follow-up, the prevalence of endocrine insufficiency was 50% after IST and 61.7% after IET (p = 0.281). 57.1% of the patients following IST and 16.4% of the patients following IET had persistent exocrine insufficiency at that point (p = < 0.001). 8.9% of the IET and 27.6% of the IST patients showed recurrence of acute pancreatitis (p = 0.023) in the long-term phase.ConclusionIn our cohort, an endoscopic step-up approach led to a reduced in-hospital stay and peri-interventional morbidity. The endocrine function appeared comparable in both groups, whereas the exocrine insufficiency seemed to recover in the endoscopic group in the long-term phase. These findings advocate for a preference for endoscopic treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis whenever feasible.

P11.62.A GENDER-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN PATIENTS CHARACTERISTICS, AND TREATMENT OUTCOME IN A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MICROSURGERY AND RADIOSURGERY OF VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA

Abstract BACKGROUND Gender-related differences in patients with sporadic, unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) are poorly investigated so far. In studies focusing on natural history, tumor growth was described to be indifferent in either sex. However, it remains unclear whether patient’s sex affects the treatment response to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or microsurgical resection (SURGERY). This study elucidates sex-related differences in VS care. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a retrospective multi-center cohort study. Data was retrospectively collected from two large centers involved in the treatment of vestibular schwannomas for patients between 2005 und 2011 to enable long-term follow-up (FU). Tumor size was classified by Koos Classification. Previously treated VS and patients with Neurofibromatosis were excluded. Clinical state was reported by House and Brackmann (H&amp;B) and Gardner-Robertson (G&amp;R) scale (with H&amp;B&amp;lt;3 and G&amp;R 1-2 considered as good outcome), and Recurrence-free-survival (RFS) was assessed radiographically by contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Data on VS-associated symptoms like trigeminal affection, tinnitus, and vertigo/imbalance were also collected. RESULTS The study population included N=901 patients, who were treated in both centers. N=502 (56%) VS patients were female and N=399 (44%) were male. At time of treatment, women (56 years SD±13.50) were significantly older in age then men (53 years SD±13.80) (p=0.001). Tumor size, cystic morphology, intracanalicular extension, provided care (SRS, SURGERY), treatment related complications, and extent of surgical resection were insignificant in both gender-groups. The incidence of relevant preoperative vertigo was higher in women (67%) then in men (55%) (p=0.002). Pre- and postoperative facial function, hearing loss, and trigeminal symptoms were similar in both groups. Overall incidence of recurrence was insignificant (p=0.106). However, the in subgroups, tumor control with SRS was significantly worse in women compared to men (p=0.035). CONCLUSION Provided Care, functional outcome and peri-interventional morbidity were the same in either sex. Relevant vertigo was significantly more often present in women. The incidence of recurrence is higher in women with VS, when treated with SRS compared to men, although tumor characteristics were similar. Additional research is needed to elucidate gender-related difference in tumor biology affecting the response to VS treatment.

Evidence on Indications and Techniques to Increase the Future Liver Remnant in Children Undergoing Extended Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data

BackgroundTechniques to increase the future liver remnant (FLR) have fundamentally changed the indications and criteria of resectability in adult liver surgery. In pediatric patients however, these procedures have rarely been applied and the potential benefit or harm as well as suited indications are unclear.MethodsA systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was conducted. Based on a PRISMA-compliant, predefined methodology, all studies reporting pediatric patients (< 18y) undergoing liver resection with either associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for stages hepatectomy (ALPPS) or preoperative portal vein embolization or ligation (PVE/PVL) were included. Baseline data, periinterventional morbidity, increase of FLR and outcomes were analyzed.Results15 studies reporting on 21 pediatric patients with a mean age of 4 years and 7 months (range 1.8 months – 17 years) were included. 12 ALPPS procedures, 8 PVE and 1 PVL were performed. The applied criteria for performing ALPPS or PVE were heterogenous and thresholds for minimally acceptable FLR varied. Mean FLR [% of total liver volume] before the intervention was 23.6% (range 15.0 – 39.3%) in the ALPPS group and 31.4% (range 21.5 – 56.0%) in the PVE group. Mean increase of FLR before stage 2 resection was 69.4% (range 19.0 – 103.8%) for ALPPS and 62.8% (range 25.0 – 108.0%) after PVE. No postoperative death occurred, one early intrahepatic recurrence after an ALPPS procedure was reported. Overall postoperative morbidity was 23.8%.ConclusionValidated criteria for minimal FLR in pediatric liver resection are lacking and so are clear indications for ALPPS or PVE. In special cases, ALPPS and PVE can be valuable techniques to achieve complete resection of pediatric liver tumors. However, more data are needed, and future studies should focus on a definition and validation of posthepatectomy liver failure as well as the minimally needed FLR in pediatric patients undergoing extended hepatectomy.Systematic Review Registration[www.clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021274848].

Neuro-ophthalmological evaluation including optical coherence tomography surrounding venous sinus stenting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension with papilledema: a case series

Venous sinus stenting (VSS) for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been demonstrated to achieve significant symptom improvement while harboring a low periinterventional morbidity profile. Comprehensive neuro-ophthalmological monitoring represents a cornerstone of disease monitoring. The value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) requires further exploration. Patients with IIH and papilledema who underwent VSS between 04/2018 and 02/2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and radiological were analyzed. Neuro-ophthalmological data included visual acuity, visual fields, fundoscopy categorized via Frisén scale, and OCT obtained retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were analyzed. Of 39 IIH patients who underwent cerebral angiography with transverse-sigmoid sinus pressure evaluation, 18 patients with IIH and papilledema underwent 21 transverse-sigmoid sinus stenting (TSST) procedures. After TSST, manometry showed a significant reduction of maximum transverse sinus pressures and trans-stenotic gradient pressures (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Chronic headaches, visual disturbance resolved and pulsatile tinnitus improved significantly. Visual fields remained similar, while papilledema Frisén scales and visual acuity significantly improved. The OCT calculated RNFL thickness significantly decreased in all patients. Stratification according to a minimal-low degree (Frisén 1-2) and moderate-marked degree (Frisén 3-4) papilledema demonstrated a significant reduction of RNFL thickness in both groups. Venous sinus stenting provides favorable clinical and neuro-ophthalmological outcomes. This study demonstrates that neuro-ophthalmologic testing augmented with OCT evaluation provides objective data that can be used as a biomarker for treatment success for managing patients with different extents of papilledema and may inform patient management.

Treatment rationale for coronary heart disease in advanced CKD.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by coronary artery disease (CAD) in most patients. In this article we describe differences in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of CAD compared with patients without kidney impairment. The histological phenotype as well as the clinical presentation of acute and chronic coronary syndromes differ from those of patients with normal kidney function. The risk of cardiovascular events including death is strikingly increased with higher stages of CKD. Traditional but even more nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors are contributing to this increase. Screening and diagnostic procedures show limited sensitivity and specificity. Lifestyle modification is important for reducing the progression of both CKD and CAD. Aspecial emphasis should be placed on physical exercising. Equally important is astrict antihypertensive therapy due to the very high incidences of hypertension in CKD patients. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-system is imperative providing that adverse effects can be managed. Target blood pressure should be at 130 mm Hg systolic. Antiglycemic treatment should be implemented with metformin and SGLT2-inhibitors as first-line therapy, and glomerular filtration rate thresholds must be respected for both drugs. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased with worsening kidney function. Statins are indicated for up to stage5 CKD. When arevascularization procedure is indicated (percutaneous intervention or bypass grafting), higher rates or peri-interventional morbidity and mortality must be anticipated. Taken together, the available literature on patients with CKD and CAD is clearly restricted compared with that on CAD patients with preserved kidney function. Mechanisms of arteriosclerosis and atheromatosis in CKD deserve more attention in the future. One major innovation in the field is SGLT2-inhibitor treatment with its concordant advantages for kidney and cardiac protection.

Abstract TMP99: Assessment of Management and Outcomes of a First Hemorrhage in Patients With Untreated Arteriovenous Malformations

Introduction: Invasive interventions are commonly used to prevent re-rupture of ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), but are controversial for managing unruptured AVMs. This study uses a retrospective design to identify influential factors and outcomes in our multimodal treatment program for AVMs following a first rupture. Methods: We reviewed data from a single institution for 89 patients aged 18 years or older, with a first intracranial hemorrhage due to untreated AVMs between 2002 and 2015. We analyzed patient-specific variables and initial modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score groups (A, 0-2; B, 3-5) to compare group differences. Group outcomes were also assessed via multivariate regression. Results: Locations of Hemorrhage were as follows: 43 (48.3%) intraparenchymal, 16 (18.0%) intraventricular, 6 (6.7%) subarachnoid, and 24 (27.0%) combined. Spetzler-Martin grades included 50 grade I/II, 26 grade III, and 13 grade IV/V AVMs. Interventions were utilized in 79 patients (20 surgical resection, 28 Gamma Knife surgery [GKS], and 31 combined with embolization), and conservative management in 10. Mean follow-up was 77.2±45.4 months. Peri-interventional morbidity was 5.1% and the mortality rate was zero. Re-bleeding was observed in 2 patients before intervention and 3 patients after GKS. The group A (N=69) was significantly younger (44.1±16.7 vs. 53.3±13.1, P=0.02), more likely to have a nidus fed by a perforator (30.4% vs. 5.3%, P=0.02), and more likely to undergo GKS with or without embolization (56.5% vs. 25.5%, P=0.01) than the group B (N=19). Significantly more patients in the group A had final mRS scores ≤2 than the group B (95.5% vs. 36.8%, P&lt;0.0001). Multivariate analyses indicated that a nidus fed by a perforator was the only independent pre-hemorrhagic factor for an initial mRS 0-2, which was the only independent pre-treatment factor for a good outcome. Conclusion: Although our treatment results seemed favorable, initial severity influenced the outcome after an untreated AVM-related first intracranial hemorrhage. Further analyses of the factors associated with severe hemorrhage of AVMs may improve both the outcome of ruptured AVMs and the management of unruptured AVMs.

Anaesthesia and peri-interventional morbidity of rigid bronchoscopy: A retrospective analysis

BackgroundRigid bronchoscopy is an invasive procedure that requires general anaesthesia with different ventilation strategies. Various mechanical and systemic complications can arise from the procedure and anaesthetic technique employed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the two common anaesthetic techniques and the peri-interventional morbidity of rigid bronchoscopy.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed all the rigid bronchoscopies conducted in Singapore General Hospital between 1999 and 2014. Patient characteristics, type of procedures, type of anaesthesia, duration of procedure, ventilation strategies, various intra-operative medications, pre-operative and post-operative arterial blood gas, oxygen saturation and pulmonary function test, and peri-interventional complications were collected. Continuous data were reported as mean and categorical data were reported as percentages.ResultsMajority of patients that underwent rigid bronchoscopy received total intravenous anaesthesia (81%). A significantly higher proportion of patients in the volatile groups were scheduled for biopsy (29.4%) using rigid bronchoscopy. Choice of ventilation strategies were largely similar in both groups. A higher complication rate of hypertension (11.8%), acute myocardial infarction (11.8%) and pneumothorax (17.6%) was seen in the volatile group.ConclusionThe choice of anaesthetic technique possibly affects the complication of patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy. Volatile anaesthetics appeared to be driven by presumably shorter procedure, but was associated with higher systemic complication.

Options and Limitations in Endovascular Therapy for Acute and Chronic Mesenteric Arterial Occlusions

The significance of endovascular therapy for mesenteric ischaemia (MI) is being debated. Despite initially lower mortality and morbidity, inconsistent early and late results led to questions concerning indications and technical applications of the procedure. 91 patients with MI underwent endovascular treatment in a period of 11 years. In 78 (85.7 %) patients a stent was deployed and in 13 (14.3 %) an angioplasty was performed, principally of the superior mesenteric artery (n = 81/91, 89 %). Follow-up consisted of a clinical and an ultrasound examination in all cases. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years. Our results were compared to those in the literature. Endovascular treatment of the intestinal arteries accounted for 0.6 % of all vascular procedures. Seven of 91 patients (7.7 %) died after an initial PTA/stenting. The overall peri-interventional morbidity was 6.6 % (n = 6/91). Medium- to long-term complications were encountered in 20 patients (22 %), primarily during the first year (85 %). Six of 91 patients developed an in-stent stenosis (6.6 %) and 14/91 patients (15.4 %) stent occlusion. Additionally 2 dislocated stents (2.2 %) and an arterial perforation with bleeding into the mesentery (1.1 %) were seen. Although 3 of these 20 patients were successfully treated with an additional PTA or stenting (15.0 %; n = 3/91, 3.3 %), surgical conversion was necessary in 9 (n = 9/20, 45 %; n = 9/91, 9.9 %). The postoperative mortality was respectively 22.2 % (n = 2/9; n = 2/91, 2.2 %). In the case of acute MI, endovascular procedures are only indicated for patients without peritonitis. In chronic MI, the indication for endovascular treatment depends on the type of occlusion and the vascular anatomy. Despite favourable early results, the outcome of endovascular treatment deteriorates with time reaching a 1-year patency rate of 63 % in a multicentre analysis. This leads to secondary procedures in 30 %. A surgical conversion carries a high mortality. The endovascular treatment of intestinal artery disease cannot be considered the treatment of choice, it is rather an alternative method in patients with functional or local contraindications to surgery. Life-long follow-up is necessary to prevent stent complications with fatal consequences. A prospective randomised study concerning the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of surgical and endovascular therapy of intestinal artery occlusive disease is required.

Zunehmend individualisierte Versorgungsmöglichkeiten des seltenen isolierten Iliakalarterienaneurysmas - gefäßchirurgisch-operativ oder endovaskulär radiologisch-interventionell

Isolated aneurysms of the iliac artery are rare but in case of rupture potentially life-threatening. The aim of this systematic, clinical, prospective observational study was to retrospectively evaluate prospectively collected perioperative data obtained in consecutive patients with an isolated iliac artery aneurysm with regard to the diagnostic and therapeutic management including the outcome characterised by periinterventional morbidity, lethality, and overall survival over an intermediate time course of the follow-up. From 01/01/2002 to 03/31/2013, overall 35 patients with an isolated iliac artery aneurysm were diagnosed (females, n = 3 [8.6 %]; mean age, 70 [46-83] years). The mean hospital stay was 13 days. There were 24 aneurysms at the common iliac artery (AIC; 69 %), 8 at the internal iliac artery (AII; 23 %) and 3 at the external iliac artery (AIE; 9 %). Three patients (9 %) with an aneurysmatic rupture were admitted. The therapeutic options comprised: 12 patients underwent open resection and subsequent implantation of a prosthesis (34 %), 17 individuals were treated with an endovascular repair (49 %); 5 cases were managed with a "wait and see" policy (14 %). There was no lethality among the elective interventions whereas the lethality of emergency cases was 33 % (n = 1). Subdividing the patients treated with open surgery versus endovascular repair indicates significant differences of the preoperative characteristics, e.g., of the proportions of AIC in the distribution of aneurysmatic sites (75 % vs. 59 %; p = 0.007) reflecting the differential indication. Isolated iliac artery aneurysms can be approached with open surgery or with an endovascular repair depending on elective or emergency circumstances. In addition, clinical status of the patient and personal experience need to be taken into account. Depending on aneurysmatic site, extension, combination with accompanying findings and implantation sites at the proximal and distal sites of the aneurysm, the less invasive and less traumatic image-guided radiological approach can provide acceptable therapeutic success with regard to the sufficient exclusion of the aneurysm and can be increasingly used according to the individual patient and his/her findings.

Die interventionelle/endovaskuläre Therapie des infrarenalen abdominellen Aortenaneurysmas

The catheter-based interventional therapy (endovascular aortic repair EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has gained an established place in the spectrum of therapeutic options. The procedure is characterized by low peri-interventional morbidity and mortality. Multislice computed tomography (CT) has a dominant role in defining the correct indications and in selecting an appropriate stent graft prior to the intervention. The rate of acute conversions could be reduced from 2.9% to 0 % in our own elective patient population since 2010. In our vascular centre the proportion of patients treated by EVAR was 39.5 % (102 out of 258). The procedure is used routinely in patients who have an increased risk for general anesthesia or open surgery due to concomitant diseases. It is also used in patients with a reduced local operability due to prior surgery, abdominal diseases or radiation therapy. Arterial closure devices allow a completely percutaneous approach in a certain group of patients. However, after EVAR a life-long surveillance is mandatory because delayed therapy failure has been described. In younger patients who do not have a higher risk open surgery is still an option. The paper describes techniques, results und complications of EVAR.

DeGIR-Qualitätsreport 2011 - Bericht über die Behandlungsqualität minimalinvasiver Methoden

In 1994 the German Society of Interventional Radiology (DeGIR) introduced a voluntary quality mangement program. Out of a total of 82 881 of the year 2011, 36 467 patients, who received interventional recanalisation of pelvic or lower extremity arteries were chosen for an in depth analysis. In 33 104 (90.8 %) cases indication for interventional treatment was determined by at least one further discipline or even a multidisciplinary conference. Most treated patients were classified as Fontaine II or higher. Technical success rate over all procedures and regions was 96.2 % showing a very low failure rate of only 3.8 %. The overall complication rate was 3.2 %, periinterventional morbidity (complication C, D or E according to SIR classification) was 1.37 % and periinterventional mortality was 0.07 % (24 cases). X-ray exposure was recorded as well showing an average fluoroscopy time of 12 minutes and a dose-area product of 5034 cG × cm2. The voluntary quality management system was well accepted by the interventional radiologists. The software allows to compare the individual data of a single institution with the pooled data of all 192 participating radiology departments.

Mo1372 A Multi-Centre Audit to Determine Factors Associated With Success and Failure in Treating Colonic Obstruction With Self-Expanding Metal Stents (SEMS)

Colonic decompression using SEMS to avoid colostomy is used mainly for either palliation of inoperable patients or as bridge to curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Considerable variation in practice persists however due to lack of expertise and a belief that stenting is technically difficult and hazardous. Most reported series include only small numbers, however, and the true success rate in routine practice is unclear. To determine patient outcomes following colonic stenting and factors associated with complications. All colonic stents inserted for large bowel obstruction in 5 United Kingdom Teaching hospitals between April 2005-2010, were audited retrospectively for outcomes including relief of obstruction, survival, complications and re-intervention. 334 patients underwent stent insertion for colonic obstruction (mean age 71 years, mean ASA grade III). 76% were for palliation, 15.5% as a bridge to surgery and 8.5% for other indications (mostly benign strictures). The procedure was successful in 86%, with an immediate complication rate of 14% due to: inability to deploy (6%), intraprocedural perforation (2.7%), malposition (0.6%), immediate migration (2%), insufficient expansion (1%) and peri-interventional morbidity (1.2%). Technical success did not vary by indication (p=0.4) but using a through the scope (TTS) technique (65% of procedures) produced a higher success rate than radiological placement (93% v 80%; p=0.01) and was associated with fewer complications (12% v 20%; p=0.05). Perforation rates were lower for operators performing >20 procedures (p=0.04). SEMS diameter >25mm was associated with less technical difficulties (p=0.02) and SEMS of 30mm diameter were all successful.Tumour position (above or below the splenic flexure) did not affect success (p=0.3) or complications (p=0.6). 64% of the palliative group required no further intervention but 21% underwent subsequent colostomy and 5 perforated. For the “bridge” patients, 75% went on to have a single stage primary anastomosis. 30-day mortality was 14.6% for the palliative group, 7.7% for bridge to surgery, 17% for benign obstruction and 33% for extra-colonic malignant obstruction. This large audit reports a range of problems with colonic stenting similar to that seen in other smaller series but suggests that experienced operators using a TTS technique and larger diameter SEMS may achieve better outcomes. The high re-intervention rate in palliative stenting is disappointing. Significant mortality following stenting for extra-colonic malignant obstruction and benign strictures suggests that stenting should be used very selectively for these indications.

Multi-centre audit to determine factors associated with success and failure in treating colonic obstruction with self expanding metals stents (SEMS)

IntroductionUK cancer guidelines recommend patients with malignant colonic obstruction are considered for stenting either as a bridge to curative surgery or as a palliative procedure. Considerable variation in practice persists...

Incurable Stenosing Colorectal Carcinoma: Endoscopic Stent Implantation or Palliative Surgery?

Palliative surgery for the treatment of incurable obstructive colorectal carcinoma is associated with a considerable perioperative morbidity and mortality but no substantial improvement of the prognosis. The aim of the present study was to study the effectiveness of colorectal stenting compared with palliative surgery in incurable obstructive colorectal carcinoma. From April 1999 to April 2005, data of consecutive patients with incurable stenosing colorectal carcinoma, either treated with stent implantation or palliative surgical intervention, were prospectively recorded with respect to age, sex, tumor location (including metastases), ASA-score, peri-interventional morbidity, mortality, rates of complications, and re-interventions as well as survival. Of 40 patients, 38 (95%) were successfully treated with a stent. Two patients (5%) underwent surgical intervention after stent dislocation. In contrast, 38 patients primarily underwent palliative surgical intervention. Stent patients were significantly older (P=0.020), had a higher ASA-score (P=0.012), and had more frequently distant metastases (P=0.011). After successful stent implantation, no early complications were observed, but late complications occurred in 11 subjects (29%). Following palliative surgical intervention, postoperative complications occurred in 12 individuals (32%) . Postoperative mortality was 5% in the surgery group, whereas no patient died following stent implantation. There was no significant differences in the survival of both groups (9.9 vs. 7.8 months, respectively; log rank: 0.506). Palliative treatment of incurable obstructive colorectal carcinoma using stents is an effective and suitable alternative to palliative surgery with no negative impact on the survival but less peri-interventional morbidity and mortality as well as comparable overall morbidity.

Palliative stent implantation in the treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction

Palliative surgical interventions for the management of colonic obstruction in cases of metastasized or locally irresectable colorectal carcinoma show remarkable morbidity and mortality rates for mostly older and multimorbid patients. For manifest obstruction, placement of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is considered to be a suitable minimally invasive therapeutic option. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of stent-based treatment for malignant large bowel obstruction. From January 1999 to June 2005, consecutive patients who had undergone placement of a SEMS for malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled and monitored. Manifest incontinence and rectum carcinoma within 5 cm above the anocutaneous line were contraindications for SEMS implantation. For all further locations of tumor-induced stenosis, a stent was implanted using endoscopy and fluoroscopy. This case series was characterized in terms of age, carcinoma localization, complications, morbidity and mortality, and the necessity for further interventions. For 44 of 48 patients (92%), stents were placed successfully and obstruction was abolished. The four remaining patients experienced stent dislocation. The median of age of the patients was 77.7 years (range, 47-96 years). The distribution of malignant stenoses was as follows: rectum (n = 16, 33.3%), sigmoideal colon (n = 21, 43.8%), descending colon (n = 4, 8.3%), splenic flexure (n = 2, 4.2%), transversal colon (n = 3, 6.2%), hepatic flexure (n = 1, 2.1%), and ascending colon (n = 1, 2.1%). There was no peri-interventional morbidity or mortality. The median in situ time for the stents was 251 days (mean, 422 days), with 13 of 44 patients treated with palliative therapy showing complications (29.5%). Six patients were treated endoscopically, and three individuals underwent surgical intervention. For four patients, no further intervention was required. Overall, there was no treatment-related mortality. For palliative treatment of malignancy-induced colorectal obstruction, SEMS is an efficient tool associated with low morbidity and minimal mortality. From a technical point of view, all tumor locations are accessible.

Anesthesia and periinterventional morbidity of rigid bronchoscopy for tracheobronchial foreign body diagnosis and removal

Undiagnosed tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) or delayed extraction can lead to serious morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate anesthetic and periinterventional morbidity of a straightforward regime using rigid bronchoscopy to rule out or remove a tracheobronchial foreign body in children with suspicion of FBA. We retrospectively analyzed rigid bronchoscopy charts of children with suspicion of acute (< or = 24 h) and subacute (>24 h-2 weeks) tracheobronchial FBA (1990-2003). Patient characteristics, duration of fasting, technique/course of anesthesia induction, and duration/course of rigid bronchoscopy were taken. Anesthetic, periinterventional complications and length of hospital stay were noted. Data are given in median (range [interquartile range]). A total of 287 children were included in this study. Median age was 1.7 years (0.2-14.2 [1.2-2.5]); in 72.1% a tracheobronchial foreign body was found and removed. Fasting time before induction of anesthesia was 5 h (1-14 [4.0-7.0]). Anesthesia adverse events were seen in 0.7%, whereas periinterventional complication from rigid bronchoscopy was observed in 7.6%. Hospital discharge within 4 h after bronchoscopy was possible in 65.2%. Complications of delayed diagnosis (>24 h) were prolonged duration of rigid bronchoscopy because of severe mucosal changes or difficulties in foreign body extraction. General anesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy to rule out a tracheobronchial foreign body in children carries low morbidity. Most of the complications originated from the foreign body itself especially in patients with late diagnosis. The risk for serious complications caused by retained foreign bodies outweighs the low morbidity of explorative rigid bronchoscopy in children with suspected FBA or children with prolonged cough or pulmonary infection unresponsive to medical treatment.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors using the LeVeen 4 cm array probe

The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a radiofrequency ablation system in clinical practice. In 35 patients (age 63,9 +/- 12,6 years, range 22 - 83) a total of 65 liver tumors were percutaneously treated using a 200 watt radiofrequency generator and a LeVeen 4 cm array probe (RF3000, Boston Scientific). The interventions were performed under CT guidance in local anaesthesia and sedation. Adapted to the tumor size, the LeVeen Probe was repositioned during the procedure with an additional safety margin of 1 cm. Primary tumors were colorectal in 22, and mamma tumors (n = 4), zystic pancreas tumors (n = 2), gastric cancer (n = 1), zystadenocarcinoma of the liver (n = 1), lung cancer (n = 1), gastrointestinal stroma tumor (n = 1), duodenal carcinoma (n = 1), cholangiocellular carcinoma (n = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1). Post interventional control and follow-up was performed with multislice-CT (collimation 2.5 mm, unenhanced and contrast enhanced, arterial and portal filling) at 4 weeks, and every three months. One to 4 metastases were treated per patient during one or up to 4 procedure sessions. Mean lesion size was 2,3 +/- 1,2 cm (range 0,2 to 7,0). The corresponding size of the necrosis achieved was 4,6 +/- 1,4 cm (range 2,0 - 8,2). Primary technical success with complete tumor ablation was reached in 60 of 65 lesions. In 4 cases two treatment sessions were necessary in order to achieve the intended results. In one case the procedure was aborted because of a close relationship between lesion and right colon. 63 tumors were treated in sedation and local anesthesia. General anesthesia was necessary in two cases, in one who refused intervention in sedation, and in another case with insufficient analgetic effect. Morbidity was 9.2 %: Bleeding complications (n = 3, one arterial bleeding from the ablation tract, two intrahepatic bleedings with extrahepatic hematoma) were confirmed by selective angiography of the hepatic artery and were treated with coil embolisation of the respective segmental arteries. One case with subcapsular tumor ablation suffered from a large subcapsular hematoma requiring a blood transfusion. In one case with a subphrenic location of the metastasis, the needle electrode had passed the costophrenic recessus and resulted in an hematothorax. This patient was treated by pleural drainage for two days. One patient suffered from fever up to 39 degrees C and inflammation of the biliary tract and received a cholecystectomy 22 days post interventionally. There was no peri interventional mortality. Mean follow-up is 5,6 +/- 3,3 months (range 0 to 13). 21 of 35 patients showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. One case is scheduled for a second treatment session for complete tumor ablation. 13 of 35 patients suffered from tumor recurrence, either local recurrences and/or new metastases. At the sites of prior RF-ablation 9 local recurrences were detected in 7 patients, two cases with isolated local recurrences and 5 cases with local recurrences and new metastases. 6 Patients showed no evidence for local recurrences but new metastases. In these 11 cases a total of 37 metastases were found at new locations. In three patients tumor recurrence was treated by means of a second RF-ablation. The remaining 10 patients received chemotherapy. RF-ablation can be performed in local anaesthesia and sedation with low peri interventional morbidity and mortality. Using the LeVeen probe and a 200 watt generator, appropriate necroses can be achieved. CT follow-up is required every three months because of the tumor recurrence rate and reinterventions may be required.

Serious complications that require surgical interventions after endoluminal stent-graft placement for the treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms

Background: Endoluminal stent-graft placement for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms has gained widespread acceptance because it is associated with lower peri-interventional morbidity than conventional transabdominal surgery. In this study the long-term morbidity of the procedure was evaluated. Methods and Results: Between September 1994 and December 1998, 150 patients (age, 69.6 ± 8.49 years; 142 men, 8 women) with abdominal aortic aneurysms were treated with the placement of an intravascular nitinol stent-graft (Stentor [55] and Vanguard-System [95]); there were eight tubular grafts and 142 bifurcated grafts. Initial placement of the stent-graft was successful in 144 patients. Mean follow-up was 49 ± 25 months. In 13.3% of stent-graft placements we encountered the following complications: 4 cases of migration or dislocation of the prosthesis (30.5 ± 7.4 months after placement); 2 ruptures of the aorta (26.7 and 15.0 months after placement); 3 recurrent thromboses of the stent-graft (25.5 ± 5.3 months after placement); 3 endoleaks (27.5 ± 15.7 months after placement); and 5 infections of the prosthesis (26.6 ± 16.5 months after placement). There was no correlation between the complications and the type of stent used. All of these patients were treated by surgical replacement of the prosthesis with a Dacron graft. Conclusions: (1) The results suggest that most complications are due to a continuation of the disease process leading to loosening of the prosthesis. (2) Explantation of the prosthesis and surgical repair is feasible but bears additional risks. (3) Because the onset of reperfusion of the excluded aneurysm cannot be predicted, all patients with infrarenal aortic stent-grafts require frequent computer tomographic follow-up. (4) Finally, the results call for further improvements in the design of the stent-graft. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:198-203.)