PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jan-Sing Hsieh

Publications and source records attributed to Jan-Sing Hsieh.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Efficacy of medium-chain triglycerides compared with long-chain triglycerides in total parenteral nutrition in patients with digestive tract cancer undergoing surgery.

The objectives of this prospective, randomized study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the short-term use of medium-chain triglyceride/long-chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) fat emulsions, and to compare the hematologic and biochemical effects of MCT/LCT fat emulsions with LCT fat emulsions in gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer patients following surgery. Thirty patients with GI tract cancer requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were equally randomized to receive MCT/LCT or LCT emulsions for 7 days. After 7 days, no sign of complications directly related to administration of fat emulsions was observed and there were no marked differences in anthropometry, length of hospital stay, and surgical complication rates between the two groups. However, MCT/LCT significantly improved plasma prealbumin concentration (p = 0.005). Changes in complements C3 and C4, total lymphocyte count, and immunoglobulins after TPN were not significantly different between the groups. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels remained constant. The serum insulin level in the MCT/LCT group was higher than in the LCT group (p = 0.048). Our data revealed that MCT/LCT fat emulsions significantly enhanced nutritional status in patients with GI tract cancer, indicated by higher prealbumin levels, which might be partially due to the higher circulating insulin levels in the MCT/LCT group.

Aged↗

APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations in colorectal cancer patients: correlation to clinicopathologic features and postoperative surveillance.

Current researches have proposed a genetic model for colorectal cancer (CRC), in which the sequential accumulation of mutations in specific cancer-related genes, including adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), K-ras, and p53, drives the transition from normal epithelium through increasing adenomatous dysplasia to colorectal cancer. To identify patients with an increased risk of tumor recurrence or metastasis and evaluate the prognostic values of APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations, we investigated the frequency of these three mutated genes in tumors and sera of CRC patients. APC, K-ras, and p53 gene mutations in primary tumor tissues and their paired preoperative serum samples of 118 CRC patients were detected by using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, followed by direct DNA sequencing of the PCR-amplified genomic DNA. Subsequently, serum molecular markers were analyzed for their correlation with patients' clinicopathologic features and presence of postoperative recurrence/metastasis. We did not observe any significant difference in the association of APC or K-ras or p53 gene mutations in primary tumors with patients' demographic data (all were P > 0.05). In contrast, both serum APC and p53 molecular markers were closely correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (both P < 0.05). Moreover, the serum overall molecular markers (at least one of the three markers) were prominently associated with depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.033), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), and TNM stage (P < 0.001). In addition, a significantly higher postoperative metastasis/recurrence rate in patients positive for overall molecular markers compared to those negative for these molecular markers were also demonstrated (P < 0.001). APC and K-ras molecular markers were more frequently observed in patients with locoregional metastasis (both P < 0.05), while p53 molecular marker was usually detected in the cases of peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.004). Our findings suggest that serum molecular markers are potentially useful in the determination of colorectal cancer patients harboring gene mutations at high risk of metastasis. Serial analysis is warranted in order to assess their long-term prognostic significance and the therapeutic implications.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Analysis of progressively overexpressed genes in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancers using cDNA microarray.

The identification of differentially expressed genes has important implications in understanding the biology of colorectal tumorigenesis and progression, as well as developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this study, cDNA microarray technology was used to identify colorectal tumor-related functional genes, which are overexpressed continuously from colorectal adenoma to adenocarcinoma. A set of 23 genes with progressive overexpression in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) was identified by cDNA microarray, then analyzed by sequencing and Northern blot analysis. Validation of our array results was simultaneously performed by exploring the SAGEmap database. Furthermore, the gradually over-expressed genes from adenoma to adenocarcinoma were validated by Northern blot analysis with additional samples from three patients with synchronous colorectal adenocarcinoma and adenoma and four patients with CRC. Of these 23 genes, one was a function-unknown gene, designated as Homo sapiens chromosome 21q22.1 anonymous mRNA sequence (Genbank accession no. AF003738), and 22 were function-known genes. Searching through the Gene Ontology Browser at the Cancer Genome Analysis Project website revealed that the biological roles of these 22 function-known genes are involved in cell motility, cell adhesion, chemokine activity, signal transduction, cytoskeleton organization, proteolysis, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. The genes identified in the present study offer valuable information on colorectal carcinogenesis and metastasis, and represent a potential source of novel targets for new strategies for CRC diagnosis and therapy.

Blotting, Northern↗

Preoperative evaluation of endoscopic ultrasonography and portography in selecting devascularization surgery for esophagogastric varices.

This study assesses the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and portography in selection of mode of devascularization surgery for esophagogastric varices (EGV) in patients with portal hypertension and reports our experience in the treatment of EGV with modified devascularization surgery. Forty-two cirrhotic patients with EGV were treated with devascularization surgery for variceal hemorrhage. Preoperatively, percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP) and EUS were used as the guiding mode for therapy of EGV. In addition to devascularization and splenectomy, esophageal transection (ET) was performed in 26 patients with upward-flow varices (UFV), whereas 16 patients with downward-flow varices (DFV) underwent proximal gastrectomy instead of ET. In both UFV and DFV groups, grade II of intramural varices and extramural collaterals were most commonly observed on EUS imaging. There was no significant difference of EUS grading between these two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications, mortality, and recurrent varices were not significantly different between these two groups. The overall 5-year survival rate for UFV group was 69.2 per cent, whereas that for the DFV group was 68.7 per cent (P > 0.05). Our study shows that devascularization surgery is highly effective for the prevention of recurrent bleeding from EGV, and it provides an alternative treatment modality. Combined PTP and EUS are very helpful in determining adequate modalities of devascularization surgery.

Adult↗

Gastric cancer cell detection in peritoneal lavage: RT-PCR for carcinoembryonic antigen transcripts versus the combined cytology with peritoneal carcinoembryonic antigen levels.

Free cancer cells exfoliated from the serosal surfaces of primary cancers are considered to be responsible for peritoneal dissemination, which are both the most frequent pattern of treatment failure and the most important cause of death in gastric cancer patients. Detection of free cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity at the time of surgery, therefore, is thought to be of great value in predicting peritoneal recurrence and accordingly the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. This study was designed to determine whether free cancer cells in peritoneal lavage fluid from gastric cancer patients could be identified by a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method specific to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA. Simultaneously, the results from conventional cytological examination were evaluated and the levels of CEA in peritoneal lavage were determined. Of the 40 gastric cancer patients enrolling in this investigation, 11 (27.5%) were positive for CEA mRNA in their peritoneal lavage, whereas only 6 (15%) and 8 (20%) were shown to be positive by cytological examination and peritoneal CEA (pCEA) assay, respectively. Furthermore, RT-PCR positive for CEA mRNA was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion (P<0.001), lymph node metastases (P=0.004), the TNM stage (P<0.001) and peritoneal recurrence (P<0.001). The technique of RT-PCR was more sensitive than conventional cytological examination and pCEA levels in the detection of peritoneal free cancer cells as well as in the prediction of peritoneal recurrence. In addition, CEA RT-PCR had a high concordance rate (82.5%) with the combination of cytology with pCEA levels. These observations suggest that it is feasible to identify free cancer cells in peritoneal lavage by using a CEA mRNA-specific RT-PCR method, and this assay can be a promising diagnostic modality for evaluating the risk of peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer patients following operations.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Molecular detection of APC, K- ras, and p53 mutations in the serum of colorectal cancer patients as circulating biomarkers.

Early detection of tumor DNA in serum/plasma prior to the development of recurrence or metastases could help improve the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after tumor resection. Recent advances in the detection of tumor DNA in the serum/plasma has opened up numerous new areas for investigation and new possibilities for molecular diagnosis. APC and K- ras mutations are considered to be early-stage developments of CRCs, whereas p53 mutations are thought to be relatively late events in the tumorigenesis of CRCs. The aim of this study was to search for the presence of genetic mutations in the DNA extracted from the serum of CRC patients and healthy subjects. We simultaneously evaluate the significance of APC, K- ras, and p53 gene mutations in cancer tissues and their paired serum samples of 104 CRC patients by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) followed by direct sequencing. Additionally, analysis was carried out to detect the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in CRC patients. Overall, we found at least one of the gene mutations in tumor tissues from 75% (78/104) of the CRC patients. Comparison of the three molecular markers showed that the detection rates in the serum were 30.4%, 34.0%, and 34.2% for APC, K- ras, and p53 genes, respectively. Of these patients, 46.2% (36/78) were identified as having positive serum results, whereas all healthy controls remained negative. The overall positive tumor DNA detection rates in the serum were 0% (0/7) for Dukes' A classification, 22.4% (11/49) for Dukes' B, 48.7% (19/39) for Dukes' C, and 66.7% (6/9) for Dukes' D. The detection rate increased as the tumor stage progressed ( p = 0.012). Concurrently, a significant difference was observed between lymph node metastases and positive serum tumor DNA detection ( p < 0.001). A significantly higher postoperative metastasis/recurrence rate in patients harboring gene mutations with serum tumor DNA than those without serum tumor DNA was also demonstrated ( p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation between the postoperative metastasis/recurrence and serum CEA levels was observed ( p = 0.247). These data suggest that the identification of circulating tumor DNA using the molecular detection of APC, K- ras, and p53 gene mutations is a potential tool for early detection of postoperative recurrence/metastases. Moreover, these genes may be potential molecular markers of poor clinical outcome in CRC patients.

Aged↗

Alterations of APC, c-met, and p53 genes in tumor tissue and serum of patients with gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is one of the most significant causes of cancer-related death worldwide. A genetic model consisting of sequential accumulations of alterations in specific genes for gastric cancer has been proposed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The significance of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and p53 gene mutations in cancer tissues and their paired serum of 34 gastric cancer patients was investigated using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP), followed by direct sequencing. c-met mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Additionally, analyses were carried out to detect the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and their correlation to these three molecular markers. Finally, serum molecular markers and their correlation to the presence of postoperative recurrence/metastasis were analyzed. RESULTS: Of all, 32.4% of patients presented mutations in APC and p53, respectively, and 58.8% presented the overexpression in c-met, overall, at least one of these genetic alterations in 79.4% of tumor tissues. Comparison of three molecular markers showed that the individual detection rate in the serum of patients with tumors harboring the same abnormalities was 18.2, 70.0, and 36.4% for APC, c-met, and p53 genes, respectively. In general, 59.3% of serum from cancerous tissues with gene alterations was demonstrated as positive, whereas all healthy volunteers' sera remained negative. Regarding gene alterations in tumor tissues, c-met overexpression was significantly related to the tumor size (P = 0.017), depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.007), lymph-node metastasis (P < 0.001), and TNM stage (P = 0.001). In the serum, c-met overexpression was closely associated with lymph-node metastasis (P = 0.008) and TNM stage (P = 0.016). The overall positive tumor gene detection rate in the serum was prominently correlated to the serum CEA levels (P = 0.038). In addition, a significantly higher postoperative metastasis/recurrence rate in patients harboring gene mutations with serum molecular markers than those without serum molecular markers was also demonstrated (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that serum molecular markers can be detected in a substantial proportion of gastric cancer patients, and these may offer an auxiliary approach in the noninvasive detection and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Giant lipoma of spermatic cord mimcs irreducible inguinal hernia: a case report.

Inguinal herniorrhaphy is the most common general surgical operation performed. Although fatty protrusions are often observed along the path of the spermatic cord, true lipomas are not commonly reported. We encountered a 42-year-old male patient who developed a large lipoma of the right spermatic cord with indirect inguinal hernia. After herniorrhaphy and tumor excision, the patient had an uneventful convalescence. There has been no recurrence up to the time of writing (20 months).

Adult↗

Pseudo-colonic carcinoma caused by abdominal actinomycosis: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal actinomycosis is an infrequent chronic, suppurative infection caused by the aerobic gram-positive bands Actinomyces israelii. PATIENT PRESENTATION: We report two cases of abdominal actinomycosis, simulating colon cancer. Before operation, both patients presented with abdominal pain and a palpable mass. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an infiltrating irregular mass in the cecum and transverse colon, respectively. Surgical intervention was then performed under the impression of colonic malignancy. CONCLUSION: Postoperatively, pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of abdominal actinomycosis in which the characteristic finding of sulfur granules in the resected specimen was demonstrated. After surgery, the patients continued antibiotic treatment with ampicillin for 2 months at our OPD and had no signs of recurrence 1 year after surgery.

Abdominal Pain↗

Effect of spontaneous portosystemic shunts on hemorrhage from esophagogastric varices.

The role of a massive spontaneous portosystemic shunt (MSPSS) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes and portal hemodynamic changes following ligation of the MSPSS during devascularization surgery. Portography and gastroendoscopy were performed before and after surgery for hemodynamic and follow-up studies. Three types of MSPSS were demonstrated portographically: 22 portoumbilical shunts, 18 splenorenal shunts, and 2 inferior mesenteric-caval shunts. A total of 40 MSPSS patients with esophagogastric variceal (EGV) bleeding underwent surgery: 26 had ligation of the MSPSS, and the remaining 14 served as the nonligation group. Neither the preoperative mean portal pressure (MPP) nor the postoperative MPP were significantly different between the ligation and nonligation groups (p>0.1), and there was no significant difference regarding surgical mortality, recurrent varices, or cumulative survival rate for the two groups in the follow-up study. However, postoperative portography demonstrated persistent drainage of portal flow and decreased intrahepatic portal perfusion in the nonligation patients. Clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy subsided after ligation of the MSPSS in three patients. Therefore ligation of the MSPSS, which may be responsible for the development of encephalopathy, is recommended during devascularization surgery for EGV in cirrhotic patients.

Adult↗

High frequency of activated K-ras codon 15 mutant in colorectal carcinomas from Taiwanese patients.

Colorectal carcinogenesis is regarded as a multistep process resulting from accumulation of genetic alterations, including activation of protooncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes via signal transduction trigger the stage-wise progression to malignancy. The reported incidence of K-ras mutation detected in general tissue samples ranges from 21-60% in primary colorectal cancers (CRC). To assess the prevalence and spectrum of K-ras mutations in Taiwanese patients with CRC, we analyzed 65 CRC patients by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by direct sequencing. K-ras mutations were detected in 43.1% (28 of 65) of the tumors. The mutational hot spots were located at codons 12, 13, 15 and 20, especially with the highest frequency at codon 15. To understand whether the codon 15 mutations in CRC were associated with activation of K-ras oncogene and the alterations of its biocharacteristics, mutant K-ras genes were cloned from tumor tissues and then inserted into expression vector pBKCMV to construct the prokaryotic expression plasmid pK15MCMV. Mutant K-ras genes were expressed at high levels in E. coli and the mutant K-ras proteins were shown to be functional with respect to their well-known specific, high-affinity, GDP/GTP binding. The purified K-ras protein from E. coli was then measured for its intrinsic GTPase activity and the extrinsic GTPase activity in the presence of GTPase-activating protein for ras. We found that the extrinsic GTPase activity of the codon 15 mutant K-ras proteins (p21(K-ras15M)) in the presence of GAP is much lower than that of the wild-type K-ras protein (p21 BN), whereas the intrinsic GTPase activity is nearly the same as that of the wild-type K-ras protein. The results indicated that mutation at the codon 15 of K-ras gene indeed decreased GTPase activity in CRC, however, its association with tumorigenesis of CRC needs be clarified by further studies.

Adult↗

Mutation analysis of the putative tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1 in advanced gastric carcinomas.

A novel tumor suppressor gene, PTEN/MMAC1, located on chromosome band 10q23.3, encodes a 403-amino acid, dual-specificity protein phosphatase. The defects in this gene are responsible for the development of some advanced cancers. Inactivating alterations, including mutations and deletions, in the PTEN/MMAC1 gene have been identified in several types of human cancers and cancer cell lines. To clarify the participation of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene in advanced gastric carcinogenesis, we screened their frequency of mutations in primary advanced gastric adenocarcinoma tissues. Cancer specimens and their corresponding normal tissues were obtained surgically from 60 patients with pathologically proven advanced gastric carcinoma at the Department of Surgery of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. All nine exons of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction and screened for mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and followed by direct sequencing. After neutral polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 17 patients (28.3%) showed an apparent electrophoretic mobility shift between the cancer and its paired normal tissue. These results from direct sequencing indicated that mutations consisted of eight cases (47.1%) of missense mutation, five silent mutations (29.4%), two nonsense mutations (11.8%), a 12-bp deletion (5.9%), and a mutation within the splice donor site of intron 6 (5.9%). The mutation hot spots at codons 45, 66, 82 and 204 in advanced gastric cancer have not been observed previously. Based on the present analysis, our study implicated that the mutations of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene do not occur at a significant rate in human advanced gastric carcinoma, but the rare clustered mutation site (exons 2-6) perhaps suggested that PTEN/MMAC1 might contribute to the gastric carcinogenesis and its progression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Role of MUC1 and MUC5AC expressions as prognostic indicators in gastric carcinomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between the expression of MUC1 and MUC5AC mucins and the clinicopathological features in human gastric carcinomas using the mouse monoclonal antibodies VU-4H5 and Clone 45M1, respectively. Furthermore, the possibility of using phenotypes (MUC1+/MUC5AC+, MUC1+/MUC5AC-, MUC1-/MUC5AC-, MUC1-/MUC5AC+) to predict prognosis of the patients is evaluated. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissues from 76 cases of gastric cancer were examined for the expression of MUC1 and MUC5AC mucin antigens immunohistochemically using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. RESULTS: Of the 76 cases, MUC1 and MUC5AC immunoreactivities were observed in 49 (64.5%) and in 32 (42.1%) of gastric carcinoma tissues, respectively. MUC1 expression was significantly correlated to the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, and tumor stage. On the other hand, MUC5AC was inversely associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and tumor stage. Multivariate analyses indicated that tumor stage and MUC1 mucin expression were independently correlated with overall survival. The patients with MUC1+/MUC5AC- antigen staining in carcinoma tissues showed the lowest survival rate among four phenotypes. In contrast, the patients with MUC1-/MUC5AC+ antigen staining in carcinoma tissues showed the highest survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether these data suggest that combined evaluation of MUC1 and MUC5AC mucin staining may be clinically helpful to predict outcome in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult↗

Overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in gastric mucosa of rats with portal hypertension: correlation with gastric mucosal damage.

BACKGROUND: An increased biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the hyperdynamic circulation and development of collaterals of portal hypertension (PHT) because of its potent vasodilatory effects. NO is synthesized from L-arginine by three different isozymes of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, iNOS and eNOS). Thus, the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) might account for NO overproduction in PHT. However, in previous investigations, the role of iNOS in the pathogenesis of PHT gastropathy remained controversial. Our current study was in both molecular and protein levels to determine whether the expression of iNOS is responsible for PHT gastropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PHT was induced experimentally by partial ligation of the portal vein. Fourteen days after partial ligation of the portal vein, the rats were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle or L-NAME (NOS inhibitor) at doses of 5 mg/kg/day, 10 mg/kg/day, or 25 mg/kg/day by gastric lavage twice a day for 1 week. Sham operated rats served as controls. Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization are used to compare the expression of gastric mucosa iNOS mRNA in the PHT rats and the controls. NO was measured by the Griess method after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with nitrate reductase. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the iNOS protein. In addition, the severity of gross gastric mucosal lesions was evaluated macroscopically by a gross ulcer index. RESULTS: The iNOS expression at both mRNA and protein was prominently increased in PHT rats, accompanied with the enhanced NO production. The gastric mucosa iNOS mRNA and serum NO levels were significantly decreased after L-NAME administration (P < 0.05). However, the markedly reduced gastric mucosal damage in PHT rats was observed only at high does of L-NAME (25 mg/kg/day) administration. CONCLUSION: PHT triggers overexpression of iNOS mRNA and proteins in rat gastric mucosa, but that this alone does not account for PHT gastropathy.

Animals↗

Rectal perforation secondary to surgical drains after low anterior resection: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Routine pelvic drainage after resection of the rectum followed by immediate anastomosis is not only advisable but also essential for decreasing fluid accumulation and subsequent abscess formation. In spite of infrequency, complications secondary to placement of these surgical drains occur. Herein we report two cases of rectal perforation caused by prophylactic drainage of pelvic cavity after low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma. Postoperatively, both patients were found with discharge of faecal material from the surgical drains. Anastomotic dehiscence was tentatively impressed until a definite diagnosis was obtained. The drain tube penetrated into the rectal lumen without anastomotic leakage and that was ultimately confirmed by colonoscopy. The possibility of rectal perforation should be kept in mind when draining the pelvic cavity after low anterior resection for the rectal carcinoma. Furthermore, significance of colonoscopy in the early postoperative period should be emphasized.

Aged↗

Emergency one-stage surgery for obstructing left-sided colorectal carcinomas.

A one-stage operation for obstructing left-sided colorectal carcinoma remains controversial. This study was performed to compare our surgical management of patients with left-sided colorectal cancer (at or distal to splenic flexure) obstruction presenting to the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital from January 1995 to December 2000. Ninety-six patients underwent immediate operation within 24 hours of admission. Of these, 73 patients (76%) who underwent immediate tumor resection and anastomosis in one stage after appropriate resuscitation were enrolled into our study. In one-stage operation subtotal coloectomy with ileocolic or ileorectal anastomosis (group 1) was performed in 46 patients (63%), and intraoperative bowel preparation followed by immediate resection (group 2) was undertaken in 27 patients (37%). In comparing the two groups, there was no significant difference in the postoperative mortality (8.7% in group 1 vs. 7.4% in group 2) or cumulative 5-year survival rate (36.7% in group 1 vs. 35.7% in group 2) (all p > 0.05). However, mean operation time (178 +/- 12 min in group 1 vs. 238 +/- 12 min in group 2) and postoperative wound infection rate were significantly lower (10.9% in group 1 vs. 29.6% in group 2). The incidence of postoperative diarrhea was more prominent in the group 1 than group 2 (32.6% in group 1 vs. 11.1% in group 2) (all p < 0.05). The results of our current study showed that primary resection and anastomosis by subtotal colectomy is an acceptable means for the treatment of patients with obstructing left-sided colorectal carcinomas when the patient's condition is feasible.

Adult↗

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the rectum with diffuse and multiple skin metastases--a case report.

Metastatic skin signet-ring cell carcinoma originating from stomach or colon is rare. We reported a 45-year-old male who underwent abdominoperineal resection for an advanced rectal signet-ring cell carcinoma which developed multiple skin metastases in the scalp, face, neck, back and abdomen despite adjuvant chemotherapy performed postoperatively. He died from lung metastases 15 months after resection of the primary rectal tumor.

Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell↗

Laparoscopic assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters for selected patients with previous abdominal operation.

Peritoneal dialysis is an established alternative method for the management of patients with end-stage renal disease. Recently, laparoscopy has been utilized in assisting the insertion of catheters under direct vision. The efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for patients with a history of abdominal surgery remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate laparoscopy in the placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters for selected patients with previous abdominal operation. Laparoscopic assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters was performed in 20 patients, who were carefully selected preoperatively and who also underwent previous abdominal operation between April 1999 and July 2001. Previous abdominal operation included appendectomy, ovarian resection, hysterectomy, cesarean section, open cholecystectomy, segmental resection of the small intestine, and truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty. The procedure was performed using two 10-mm and one 5-mm abdominal trocar. All of the patients tolerated this procedure without significant surgical complications. However, 3 patients developed temporary hemoperitoneum, and 1 patient developed dialysate leakage. The overall success rate of catheter function (> 30 days after laparoscopy) was 90%, except in 2 cases where the catheter functioned poorly due to severe intra-abdominal adhesions. Simultaneous laparoscopic adhesiolysis was successfully performed in 5 cases. Laparoscopic implantation of peritoneal dialysis catheters appears to be a straightforward procedure, even for patients with previous abdominal operation. We believe that this technique may extend the application of peritoneal dialysis treatment in patients with previous abdominal surgery after discreet evaluation preoperatively.

Abdomen↗