World journal of gastroenterology : WJG
-
During the last several decades, colorectal cancer surgery has experienced some major perioperative improvements. Preoperative risk-assessment of nutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia followed by interventions for patient optimization or an adapted surgical strategy, contributed to improved postoperative outcomes. Enhanced recovery programs or fast-track surgery also resulted in reduced length of hospital stay and overall complications without affecting patient safety. ⋯ Laparoscopic surgery for colon and rectal cancer is associated with better short-term outcomes, whereas long-term outcomes regarding survival and recurrence rates are comparable. Nevertheless, long-term results in rectal surgery remain to be seen. Early recognition of anastomotic leakage remains a challenge, though multiple improvements have allowed better management of this complication.
-
Chronic hepatitis C is a public health problem worldwide. Unfortunately, not all patients may benefit from antiviral therapy due to thrombocytopenia. Its causes are represented by portal hypertension and platelet sequestration in the spleen, decreased serum levels or activity of thrombopoietin, the bone marrow suppression induced by hepatitis C virus and a possible adverse effect of interferon. ⋯ We present a minireview on the results of treatment with eltrombopag in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus, highlighting the benefits and mentioning possible adverse effects. In some studies eltrombopag increased the number of virological responses after clasical antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and reduced the transfusional requirements of those who had to be subjected to invasive surgery. Eltrombopag is a solution for many of these patients, which allows them receiving antiviral therapy and sometimes getting a sustained virological response, but they must be well monitored to prevent possible thromboembolic or bone marrow complications or liver failure occurrence.
-
World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2014
Case ReportsA case of Clostridium difficile infection complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with fecal microbiota transplantation.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening disorder caused mainly by pneumonia. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common nosocomial diarrheal disease. ⋯ Fecal microbiota transplantation is a highly effective treatment in patients with refractory CDI. Here we report on a patient with refractory CDI and acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by pneumonia who was treated with fecal microbiota transplantation.
-
World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2014
ReviewCurrent treatment options for colon cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), the dissemination of cancer cells throughout the lining of the abdominal cavity, is the second most common presentation of colon cancer distant metastasis. Despite remarkable advances in cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapy for colon cancer over the last 15 years, it has been repeatedly shown that these therapies remain ineffective for colon cancer PC. Recently, there has been a rapid accumulation of reports that cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) prolongs the life of colon cancer PC patients. Here, we will review the clinical presentation, the mechanisms of disease progression, and current treatment options for colon cancer PC, with a focus on the benefits and limitations of CRS-HIPEC.
-
World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2014
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: Improving the preoperative staging of hepatocellular carcinoma and guiding individual treatment.
To investigate the clinical role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) or magnetic resonance imaging to improve the preoperative staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and guide surgical decision-making. ⋯ CEUS combined with CT or MRI improves the accuracy of preoperative staging for hepatocellular carcinoma and may help to guide individualized treatment for patients with HCC. CEUS may better identify non-malignant lesions in patients with small tumors and discover new malignant lesions in patients with large tumors.