Postoperative Medical Treatment Research Articles

Echocardiographic evaluation of changes in diastolic dysfunction after CABG surgery, effect of novel therapy with Ivabradine

Methods Two groups of patients with triple-vessel coronary disease were evaluated. Each group consisted of 15 patients,aged between 40 and 70, 70% being males and 30% females.The patients in both groups had similar systolic left ventricular function and some degree of diastolic dysfunction. Group I patients had standard postoperative medical treatment, and in Group II supplemental therapy with Ivabradine 5 – 7.5 mg bid was added early after surgery. Patients with concomitant valvular and/or pericardial disease were excluded. The echocardiography was performed with M-mode and Two-dimensional examination, Pulsed wave Doppler imaging and Tissue Doppler imaging. The following echocadiographic criteria for diastolic dysfunction evaluation were used: LA dimension mm; LA Volum mL/m2; E/A; E m/s and A m/s; DTE ms; e’ cm/s and a’ cm/s; E/e’; Ar – A dur ms (Ar = duration of pulm. venous A-wave, Adur=duration of mitral inflow (Ar = duration of pulm. venous A-wave, Adur = duration of mitral inflow A-wave); IVRT ms; S/D. Patients were examined before, 7 days and 3 months after surgery. Results We observed a tendency towards normalization of e’ wave, and E/e’ in Group II. Reduced Ar-Adur was found as well. Changes in DTE and LA volume were another tendency, found in Group II.Such tendencies are not observed in Group I. Significant changes of variables within the Ivabradine treated group, reaching the normal range, are shown in graphics.

Recurrence of endometriosis; risk factors, mechanisms and biomarkers; review of the literature

Endometriosis has a wide clinical spectrum and induces a chronic inflammatory process. The incidence of endometriosis in women with dysmenorrhoea is up to 40-60%, whereas in women with subfertility is up to 20-30%. Recurrence of endometriosis varies greatly among different studies. The overall recurrence rates range between 6 to 67% according to the criteria that are taken into consideration. Which of the various reasons is more predictive for recurrence is still unclear and controversial. The main aim of post-operative medical treatment is suppressing ovarian activity leading to atrophy of endometriotic lesions. The success of treatment depends on the resorption of all residual visible lesions and the eradication of microscopic implants. The recurrent lesions might originate from residual lesions or from de novo cells. Determining risk factors for recurrence may allow the identification of subgroups at risk for disease control. Potential biomarkers for recurrence could also maintain targeted therapy.

English

Introduction Goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a common endocrine abnormality. Goitres can result from biosynthetic defects, iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease or nodular diseases. If left untreated, they can compress the trachea or oesophagus and cause clinical symptoms such as dyspnea or dysphagia. We present a case of a giant intrathoracic goitre. Case report A 68-year-old woman presented a slowly growing mediastinal mass for three years. The huge mass was surgically removed without complications, proven pathologically an intrathoracic goitre. The possible optimal surgical approach for this kind of huge mass and postoperative medical treatment were discussed. Conclusion Given that most intrathoracic goitres arise from and maintain some attachment to the cervical thyroid gland and most of its blood supply would originate from the neck, the optimal surgical approach should start with a cervical approach to reduce the possibility of uncontrollable bleeding.

EComment. How to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation after atrium ablation?

I read with great interest the article by Wang et al. on the effectiveness of biatrial pacing in reducing early postoperative atrial fibrillation after the maze procedure [1]. I congratulate Wang and coworkers on their well-designed analysis and the interesting results in their publication. The most important factors to re-establish postoperative sinus rhythm in patients with long-term atrial fibrillation (AF) before cardiac surgery are dilatation of the left atrium, time of onset of AF and effectiveness and completeness of the procedure to remove the re-entry circuits in the atrium. I did not publish data on recurrence of AF after left atrium (radio)ablation in the postoperative period. My experience led me to use a loading dose of 300 mg of amiodarone intraoperative intravenous and then 900 mg intravenous 24 hours postoperatively. This was followed by 200 mg daily at discharge for 6 months. I used single or biatrial pacing according to the patient condition at completion of the surgery. This allowed me to mostly re-establish a long-term sinus rhythm postoperatively. All the factors mentioned above and the postoperative medical treatment play a role in letting the atrium restore its sinus rhythm. Conflict of interest: none declared.

Long‐term adjuvant therapy for the prevention of postoperative endometrioma recurrence: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Ovulation seems crucial in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometriomas. Therefore, suppression of ovulation should be protective against cyst relapse after excision. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effect of long-term postoperative medical treatment on the risk of endometrioma recurrence. A MEDLINE search was conducted to identify all the comparative studies published in the last 12 years in the English language literature on the relation between long-term postoperative adjuvant therapy and risk of endometrioma recurrence. Of the 12 articles assessed in detail, four were finally selected based on surgery for endometriotic cysts, postoperative medical treatment use for ≥ 12 months vs. expectant management, and ultrasonographic and/or histological diagnosis of endometrioma recurrence. A total of 965 women were enrolled, 726 of whom were in three cohort studies and 239 in one randomized controlled trial. Oral contraceptives (OCs) were always used as postoperative adjuvant treatment. The absolute effect of postoperative OC use was assessed by comparing "always" and "never" users. A recurrent endometrioma was identified in 33 of 423 (8%) "always" OC users and in 117 of 341 (34%) women who underwent expectant management (pooled odds ratio 0.12; 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.29). To define the effect of duration of use, "always" users were compared with "ever" users, and "ever" with "never" users, with a pooled odds ratio of, respectively, 0.21 (95% confidence interval 0.11-0.40) and 0.39 (95% confidence interval 0.23-0.66). Postoperative OC use dramatically decreased the risk of ovarian endometrioma recurrence, especially in women who used OCs regularly and for prolonged periods.

Adolescent Endometriosis in China: A Retrospective Analysis of 63 Cases

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment modalities and prognosis of endometriosis in adolescents in China. DesignRetrospective study. SettingData were collected from records of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1992–2010. ParticipantsThis study consisted of 63 patients ≤20 years old with surgically diagnosed endometriosis. Their clinical presentations, auxiliary examinations, surgical outcomes, and post-operative medical treatments were analyzed. The follow-up information of 35 cases was collected. ResultsMean age at diagnosis was 18.41 ± 1.84 years with a much earlier disease onset in adolescents with genital tract malformations. Of the 35 patients with follow-up time that ranged from 12–98 months, nine in 15 patients who didn't proceed with medical treatment after operation had a recurence (9/15), seven in 15 patients who took oral contraceptive pills (OCP) or progestin only pills had reoccurrence recurred (7/15), and none of the five patients received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy recurred (0/5). In this study, multiple sites lesions was defined as more than one site being involved of the following four sites: the left ovary, the right ovary, the rectovaginal pouch and the uterosacral ligament. Among the 15 cases without postoperative medical therapy, all five cases with multiple sites lesions had recurrence (5/5), while only four of the other 10 cases had relapse (4/10). The difference was of statistical significance (Fisher exact test, P = 0.044). ConclusionMultiple sites lesions found in operation was a risk factor of recurrence. GnRHa was effective to prevent the recurrence.

Complications of Peristomal Recurrence of Crohn's Disease

Patients with Crohn's disease and colonic inflammation that proves refractory to medical therapy often require a proctocolectomy and end ileostomy. Disease recurrence can occur despite creation of an end ileostomy and may lead to peristomal complications such as fistula formation, abscesses, stoma retraction, or strictures. We present the case of a 51-year-old man with medically refractory ileocolonic Crohn's disease who underwent a proctocolectomy with end ileostomy. The disease course was complicated by recurrence of ileal Crohn's disease despite biological therapy. The patient presented with peristomal complications including an enterocutaneous fistula, stoma retraction, and an ileal stricture necessitating surgical revision of the ileostomy. Review of literature confirms an approximately 30% risk of recurrence of Crohn's disease after an end ileostomy. A penetrating phenotype and preexisting ileal disease are risk factors for disease recurrence. A thorough evaluation of the stoma/peristomal area and evaluation of the small bowel by ileoscopy and small bowel imaging are required to assess the extent of disease and extraluminal complications such as stomal retraction and fistulas that require further surgical intervention. While postoperative medical treatment with immunosuppression or biological therapy is often employed, these therapies are unproven to prevent postoperative recurrence in the setting of a stoma.

Short-term and long-term outcomes of postinfarction ventricular septal perforation

Ventricular septal perforation represents a serious complication after acute myocardial infarction. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term and longterm outcomes of postinfarction ventricular septal perforation (VSP). We evaluated outcomes for VSP repair for 42 patients over 19 years. A retrospective analysis of clinical records, risk factors for hospital death, and long-term survival was performed. In-hospital mortality was 33.3%. The most common cause of hospital death was left-sided heart failure. A low ejection fraction and short time interval from acute myocardial infarction to the onset of VSP were significant risk factors. The actuarial survival rates of in-hospital survivors at 5 and 10 years were 81.7% and 43.5%, respectively. There were 17 cardiac events among the survivors during the follow-up period. The most influential factor affecting long-term outcomes was the number of diseased coronary arteries. The long-term survival outcome of VSP patients during the postoperative period was comparatively good, but the prognosis of VSP patients with multivessel disease was not satisfactory because of congestive heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia. We believe that postoperative medical treatment for preventing cardiac remodeling is important for improving long-term survival outcomes in such patients.

Glaucoma Associated With Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis

To evaluate outcomes of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) and associated incidence of glaucoma. Retrospective cohort study. All patients who underwent KPro surgery at 1 institution from 2003 to 2009 with at least 3 months of follow-up. Preoperative visual acuity, diagnosis, history of glaucoma, and intraoperative and postoperative parameters were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors that may influence increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma development or progression after surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), IOP, postoperative medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma, and KPro retention and complications. Thirty-six KPro procedures were performed in 30 eyes of 29 patients with a mean (±SD) follow-up of 17 ± 19 months (range, 3-67 months). The main indication for KPro implantation was corneal graft failure (77%). Primary KPro procedures were performed in 23% of eyes for limbal stem cell deficiency secondary to chemical burns and aniridia and for herpetic disease. Median preoperative BCVA was hand motions with an overall improvement to 20/330 (range, 20/20 to hand motions) at 9 months postoperatively; mean BCVA was 20/600 (range, 20/40 to NLP) at the last follow-up. Twenty eyes (67%) had a preoperative history of glaucoma, with 8 of those eyes (40%) having undergone previous glaucoma surgery. Twenty-one eyes (70%) underwent concomitant glaucoma surgery. Postoperative increased IOP (22 mm Hg or higher) was noted in 15 eyes (50%), although definite glaucoma development or progression was noted in 7 of those 15 eyes (23% of total eyes). Mean BCVA at the last follow-up in eyes with glaucoma development or progression was 3/200 compared with 20/563 in the remaining 23 eyes. Six patients (20%) required repeat KPro implantation, and retroprosthetic membranes developed in 23 eyes (77%). No patient had vitritis or infectious endophthalmitis develop. The Boston type I KPro is an effective option for management of eyes with poor prognosis for primary or repeat penetrating keratoplasty. Visual potential is limited by preoperative comorbidities; however, glaucoma development or progression of preexisting glaucoma is a significant cause of postoperative visual loss. Rigorous perioperative management of elevated IOP is essential for long-term success of KPro surgery.

Extensive Surgical and Comprehensive Postoperative Medical Management for Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis has a major impact on the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and may contribute to progression of chronic lung disease. Despite multiple sinus surgeries, maxillary sinus involvement is a recurrent problem. The modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy (MEMM) permits debridement in the clinic, improves mucus clearance with nasal irrigations, and increases access for topical delivery of therapeutics. However, clinical outcomes of aggressive sinus surgery with regimented postoperative medical treatment have not been systematically evaluated. CF patients completed the 22-Item Sinonasal Outcome Test questionnaires before sinus surgery (and bilateral MEMM) and at sequential postoperative visits. Objective measures included Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score and pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume at 1 second percent [FEV(1)%] predicted). Culture-directed antibiotic therapy, prednisone, and topical irrigations were initiated postoperatively. Twenty-two patients (mean age, 26.5 years; 4.9 prior sinus operations) underwent MEMM and sinus surgery. Symptom scores were significantly reduced at 60 days (primary outcome, 64.7 ± 18.4 presurgery versus 27.5 ± 15.3 postsurgery; p < 0.0001) and up to a year postoperatively (27.6 ± 12.6; p < 0.0001). Endoscopic scores were also reduced after surgery (10.4 ± 1.1 presurgery versus 5.7 ± 2.4 [30 days], 5.7 ± 1.4 [60 days], 5.8 ± 1.3 [120 days], and 6.0 ± 1.1 [1 year]; p < 0.0001)]. There were no differences in FEV(1)% predicted up to 1 year postoperatively, but hospital admissions secondary to pulmonary exacerbations significantly decreased (2.0 ± 1.4 versus 3.2 ± 2.4, respectively; p < 0.05). Prospective evaluation indicates sinus surgery with MEMM is associated with marked improvement in sinus disease outcomes. Additional studies are necessary to confirm whether this treatment paradigm is associated with improved CF pulmonary disease.

Matrix metalloproteinase activity in stifle synovial fluid of cranial cruciate ligament deficient dogs and effect of postoperative doxycycline treatment

This prospective clinical study investigated the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in stifle synovial fluid (SF) of 13 dogs with acute cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture, and the effect of a postoperative doxycycline treatment. MMP-2, 3, 9 and 13 activities were compared with respect to the time of sampling (preoperatively or 1 month after surgical stabilisation) and the type of postoperative adjuvant treatment (doxycycline or not). No significant activity was detected for both MMP-3 and MMP-13. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were found to be significantly highly increased in SF of CCL ruptured stifles compared to control stifles of unaffected dogs. No significant effect from surgical stabilisation and postoperative doxycycline treatment on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities was found, indicating that doxycycline may not be an appropriate postoperative medical treatment after CCL rupture.

Chirurgie des endométriomes ovariens : de la physiopathologie à la prise en charge pratique pré-, per- et postopératoire

Good knowledge of physiopathology, surgical techniques and of the literature allows for an adequate treatment of ovarian endometrioma. Preoperative medical treatment has not shown to be efficient and might be adapted to each patient (continuation or initiation of hormonal treatment in case of symptomatology, will for contraception, association with functional cyst). Laparoscopy is the mandatory surgical approach. Cystectomy is the surgical technique of choice but may affect normal ovarian tissu. Surgical technique should be meticulous in particular with respect to the hilum of the ovary. Exclusive coagulation using bipolar is not recommended. A hybrid technique associating both cystectomy and vaporization (laser or Plasmajet ©) at the level of the hilum of the ovary could be interesting. Hemostasis should be spontaneous or obtained with bipolar coagulation with parcimony. Ovarian suture is a solution. Extra-ovarian lesions should be carefully searched for and treated. Anti-adhesion products should be applied. Postoperative medical treatment decreases recurrence and should be systematic for patients who do not want to conceive. Multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Does laparoscopic management of deep infiltrating endometriosis improve quality of life? A prospective study

BackgroundDeep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can affect importantly patients' quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the laparoscopic management of DIE on QOL after six months from treatment.MethodsIt is a prospective cohort study. In a tertiary care university hospital, between April 2008 and December 2009, 100 patients underwent laparoscopic management of DIE and completed preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively a QOL questionnaire, the short form 36 (SF-36).Quality of life was measured through the SF-36 scores. Intra-operative details of disease site, number of lesions, type of intervention, period of hospital stay and peri-operative complications were noted.ResultsSix months postoperatively all the women had a significant improvement in every scale of the SF-36 (p < 0,0005). Among patients with intestinal DIE, significant differences in postoperative scores of SF-36 were not detected between patients submitted to nodule shaving and segmental resection (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the SF-36 scores at 6 months from surgery between patients who received postoperative medical treatment and patients who did not (p > 0.05).ConclusionsLaparoscopic excision of DIE lesions significantly improves general health and psycho-emotional status at six months from surgery without differences between patients submitted to intestinal segmental resection or intestinal nodule shaving.

Comparison of octreotide LAR and lanreotide autogel as post-operative medical treatment in acromegaly

Long-acting somatostatin analogs are frequently used as adjuvant treatment of acromegaly patients after noncurative surgery. This sudy aims to compare the efficacy of octreotide long-acting release (OCT) and lanreotide Autogel (LAN) in acromegaly patients. Sixty-eight patients not cured by transsphenoidal endoscopic or microscopic pituitary surgery between 2003 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed (25 men; 43 women; mean age 41.1 ± 10.9 years [range 18–65 years]). The patients were assigned randomly to OCT (n = 36) and LAN (n = 32) groups. Evaluations included insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and growth hormone (GH) after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after starting medical treatment; pituitary magnetic resonance imaging was performed before treatment and after 3 and 12 months. Patients achieving IGF-I levels within the age and gender normal range and GH level <1 μg/l following OGTT were considered a ‘biochemical cure’. Mean IGF-I and GH values and tumor volumes (cm3) in the LAN and OCT groups were similar in the post-operative period before initiation of medical treatment. A statistically significant decrease in GH and IGF-I levels was obtained for both treatment groups at each follow-up visit compared to the previous value. Tumor shrinkage after 12 months of treatment was statistically significant in both groups but the percentage tumor shrinkage (28.5% vs. 34.9%, P = 0.166) and rate of patients achieving biochemical cure (63.9 and 78.1%, P = 0.454) were similar between OCT and LAN groups, respectively. OCT and LAN treatment options have similar efficacy for ensuring biochemical cure and tumor shrinkage in acromegaly patients who had noncurative surgery.

A multicenter comparison between autologous saphenous vein and heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft in the treatment of critical limb ischemia in diabetics

The aim of this study was to evaluate early and follow-up results of below-knee bypasses performed using a bioactive heparin-treated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) in a multicenter retrospective registry involving seven Italian vascular centers and to compare them with those obtained in patients operated on with autologous saphenous vein (ASV) in the same centers in the same period of time. Over an 8-year period, ending in 2009, a heparin-bonded prosthetic graft (Propaten Gore-Tex; W. L. Gore & Associates Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) was implanted in 180 diabetic patients undergoing below-knee revascularization for CLI in seven Italian hospitals (group 1). In the same period in these seven centers, 133 below-knee bypasses with ipsilateral ASV in diabetics with CLI were performed (group 2). Data concerning these interventions were retrospectively collected in a multicenter registry with a dedicated database. Early (<30 days) results were analyzed in terms of graft patency, major amputation rates, and mortality. Follow-up results were analyzed in terms of primary and secondary graft patency, limb salvage, and survival. The interventions consisted of below-knee bypasses in 132 cases in group 1 (73%) and in 45 cases in group 2 (33%; P < .001); 48 patients in group 1 (27%) and 88 patients in group 2 (67%; P < .001) had distal tibial anastomosis. Patients in group 1 had more frequently adjunctive procedures performed at distal anastomotic sites to improve run-off status. Postoperative and long-term medical treatment consisted of single antiplatelet therapy in 93 cases (52%) in group 1 and in 64 cases (48%, P = ns) in group 2, of double antiplatelet therapy in 18 cases (10%) in group 1 and in four cases (3%; P = .05) in group 2 and of oral anticoagulants in 69 patients in group 1 (38%) and in 65 (49%; P = .02) in group 2. Mean duration of follow-up was 28.3 ± 21.4 months; 308 patients (98%) had at least one postoperative clinical and ultrasonographic examination and 228 (72%) reached at least a 1-year follow-up. Estimated 48-month survival rates were 76.6% in group 1 and 72.7% in group 2 (P = > .9, log-rank 0.08). Primary patency rate at 48 months was significantly better in group 2 (63.5%) than in group 1 (46.3%; P = .03, log-rank 4.1). Assisted primary patency rates at 48 months were 47.3% (SE 0.05) in group 1 and 69% (SE 0.05) in group 2 (P = .01, log-rank 6.3). The rates of secondary patency at 48 months were 57.5% in group 1 and 69.6% in group 2 (P = .1, log-rank 2.3); the corresponding values in terms of limb salvage and amputation free-survival rates were 75.4% and 82.4% (P = .3, log-rank 1), and 59.9% and 64.4% (P = .3, log-rank 0.9), respectively. Data from this large, retrospective registry confirmed that the indexed heparin-bonded ePTFE graft provides satisfactory early and midterm results in diabetic patients undergoing surgical treatment of CLI. While autologous saphenous vein maintains its superiority in terms of primary patency, secondary patency rates are not statistically different, even in the presence of a trend for improved secondary patency with vein graft; and also limb salvage rates are comparable.

Epiglottic abnormalities in mature nonracehorses: 23 cases (1990–2009)

To identify history, clinical signs, endoscopic findings, treatment, and outcome of mature (> 8 years old) nonracehorses with epiglottic abnormalities. Retrospective case series. 23 horses with an epiglottic abnormality. Medical records of horses examined between 1990 and 2009 because of an epiglottic abnormality were reviewed to obtain information on signalment, history, clinical signs, clinical examination findings, upper airway endoscopic findings, diagnosis, surgical procedure, clinical management, postoperative care, and outcome. Mean ± SD age was 16 ± 6 years (range, 9 to 30 years). Sixteen of the 23 (70%) horses had a primary complaint of a chronic cough. Thirteen (57%) horses had epiglottic entrapment, 7 (30%) had a subepiglottic granuloma, and 3 (13%) had a subepiglottic cyst. All 23 horses were treated surgically, with 1 (4%) requiring further surgical treatment. Follow-up examinations and conversations with owners indicated resolution of the primary complaint in 17 of the 23 (74%) horses, with 4 (24%) requiring prolonged medical treatment because of postoperative subepiglottic inflammation. Of the 6 horses without complete resolution, 4 (67%) had signs of recurrent airway obstruction and 2 (33%) developed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate following laryngotomy and subepiglottic membrane resection. Results suggested that coughing is a common complaint in mature nonracehorses with epiglottic abnormalities. Therefore, upper airway endoscopy is recommended in the evaluation of older horses with a cough. Surgical treatment can be beneficial in most horses, with some requiring further postoperative medical treatment.

Pilzsinusitis

The incidence of fungal sinusitis is subjected to significant geographical variation. Basically, invasive and non-invasive fungal sinusitis is distinguished. Invasive fungal sinusitis is observed mainly in immunocompromised hosts. The diagnopsis is based on positive fungus detection combined with characteristic clinical features. The treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis is based on surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy. Non-invasive fungal sinusitis is either treated with surgery alone or surgery combined with systemic steroid therapy. The majority of studies showed no benefit of postoperative antimycotic medical treatment in patients with non-invasive fungal sinusitis.

Diagnosis and treatment of ureter endometriosis

To investigate strategies of diagnosis and treatment of ureter endometriosis. From 1983 to 2010, the cases registered in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and confirmed as ureter endometriosis by surgery were enrolled in this study. Clinical manifestations, pre-operative examinations, surgical categories and routes, surgical and pathological findings, post-operative medical treatment, relapse and relating factors were collected and studied. Totally 46 patients with ureter endometriosis underwent one or two surgeries. Forty-eight per cent (22/46) of patients were not be diagnosed with ureter endometriosis pre-operatively, and 46% (21/46) only presented dysmenorrhea or even no symptoms. Ureterolysis (72%, 33/46) and laparotomy (63%, 29/46) were the most common surgical category and surgical approach. There were 64% (25/39) of patients had left ureter involved and 80% (37/46) had extrinsic ureter endometriosis. Fifteen per cent (7/46) of patients had relapsed disease with median recurrent time of 24 months (13-49 months), and they all received second surgeries. Logistic regression analysis showed that only gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue agents were related with recurrence when compared with those patients without medical treatment post-operatively significantly (OR=23.2, 95%CI: 2.4-221.7, P=0.002). Ureter endometriosis was related with reproductive tract endometriosis. It has insidious process resulting in difficulty for early diagnosis. It's important to treat pelvic deep infiltrating endometriosis and ovarian endometrioma to prevent ureter from further involvement. Post-operative treatment of pelvic endometriosis is the key point of preventing relapse of ureter endometriosis.

Cardiac support device, restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty, and optimized medical treatment: A multimodality approach to nonischemic cardiomyopathy

Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with functional mitral regurgitation carries a poor prognosis. Mitral valve surgery with implantation of a cardiac support device can treat mitral regurgitation and promote left ventricular reverse remodeling. This observational study evaluates clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of an individualized medico-surgical approach, focusing on mitral regurgitation recurrence and left ventricular reverse remodeling. Sixty-nine consecutive patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association class III/IV) with functional mitral regurgitation (grade 3+/4+) and left ventricular remodeling (end-diastolic volume 227 ± 73 mL, ejection fraction 26% ± 8%) underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty (median ring size 26), with (n = 41) or without (n = 28) a cardiac support device and optimal postoperative medical treatment. Patients were clinically and echocardiographically evaluated at up to 3.1 years' median follow-up. Early mortality was 5.8%. Actuarial survival at 1, 2, and 5 years was 86% ± 4%, 79% ± 5%, and 63% ± 7%. New York Heart Association class improved from 3.1 ± 0.4 to 2.0 ± 0.5 (P < .01). Cardiac support device implantation in addition to mitral valve surgery, applied in patients with more advanced left ventricular remodeling, resulted in similar clinical outcome, greater left ventricular end-diastolic volume decrease (33% vs 18%; P = .007), and in a trend toward less recurrent mitral regurgitation of grade 2+ or more (actuarial freedom at 3 years 89% ± 8% vs 63% ± 11%; P = .067). An individualized medico-surgical approach to nonischemic cardiomyopathy combining restrictive mitral annuloplasty, cardiac support device implantation, and optimal medical management leads to favorable survival and improved functional status, low incidence of significant recurrent mitral regurgitation, and sustained left ventricular reverse remodeling.

Surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum: pleading for a symptom-guided approach

Two surgical approaches are usually employed in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum (DIER): colorectal resection removing the rectal segment affected by the disease, and nodule excision either without opening the rectum (shaving) or by removing the nodule along with the surrounding rectal wall (full thickness or disc excision). Although the present available data are from retrospective series reported by surgeons who generally perform only one technique, there is no evidence to support the risk of recurrences as a valid argument in favour of colorectal resection over rectal nodule excision. The advantage of a lower morbidity associated with nodule excision is not necessarily at the cost of an increased rate of pain recurrences, especially in women benefiting from post-operative medical treatment. The symptom-guided surgical approach in DIER primarily focuses on the relief of digestive symptoms and pelvic pains, rather than on mandatory 'carcinologic' resection of lesions. In addition, the risk of new post-operative unpleasant symptoms as a result of a compulsory and systematic excision of all endometriotic foci may be avoided. In a majority of cases, pelvic anatomy and digestive function can be restored by shaving or disc excision, as well as by colorectal resection; thus digestive complaints can be resolved even when the rectum is conserved. The most accurate evaluation of the results of DIER surgery should be provided by post-operative evolution in digestive function. Even though quality of life is improved for the majority of patients managed by colorectal resection, the question is whether or not a greater health improvement can be achieved by performing nodule excision, which avoids various post-operative and functional digestive complications. In addition, continuous medical treatment leads to a decrease in endometriotic nodules and prevents post-operative pain recurrences. Instead of choosing between medical and surgical management in the treatment of DIER, it is most likely that the two therapies should be associated.