Annals of surgical oncology
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The efficacy of laparoscopic celiac plexus block (CPB) in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer has not been reported. ⋯ This study documents the efficacy of laparoscopic CPB. The procedure was associated with minimal morbidity, brief operative times, outpatient management, and reduction in pain scores similar to that reported with other approaches to celiac neurolysis.
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Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) represent a high-risk group of patients due to tumor or patient-related characteristics. The optimal management of these patients has not been fully defined. ⋯ A neoadjuvant approach to borderline resectable PDA identifies patients who are most likely to benefit from pancreatic resection. Preoperative capecitabine-based chemoradiation is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for these patients. Neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable PDA warrants further investigation using treatment schedules that can safely intensify irradiation dose.
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Bilateral mastectomy in women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer is on the rise in the USA. One contributing factor is increased awareness of contralateral breast cancer risk. Positive testing for deleterious mutation in BRCA1/2 is a concrete measure of this contributing factor. We hypothesize that breast cancer surgery trend change is temporally associated with the introduction of BRCA1/2 genetic testing around 1996. ⋯ Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in unilateral mastectomy with a rise in bilateral mastectomy after the period 1996-2000, a period which encompassed the year when genetic testing of the two BRCA1/2 genes became commercially available, hence supporting our hypothesis.
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Few studies have examined the need for vitamin D supplementation after total thyroidectomy. This study examines the role of postoperative day (POD) 1 serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in predicting the need for long-term vitamin D supplementation after total thyroidectomy. ⋯ Postoperative PTH levels better predict long-term hypocalcemia requiring vitamin D supplementation than serum calcium levels. A PTH level ≥5.0 may identify patients who can be safely discharged without routine vitamin D supplementation.
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To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative ultrasonography (US) and US-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) for detecting axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis. ⋯ The combination of axillary US and US-FNA is useful in preoperative work-up of breast cancer patients and provides valuable information for planning proper breast cancer management.