Peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer: results from the German database.

Background: Patients with peritoneal metastases of gastric cancer have a poor prognosis with a median survival of 7 months. A benefit of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) could be shown in several selected patient cohorts but remains controversial. The aim of this study was, to reflect the results of a national German HIPEC registry initiated by the German Society of General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV).

[Low Anterior Resection Syndrome - Diagnosis - Therapy - Prophylaxis].

Background: As 5-year survival after rectal cancer surgery has reached 80%, there is increasing interest in quality of life. Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is an overall measure of the postoperative functional disorder due to the surgical resection.

Material And Methods: A thorough review of the literature was undertaken to help to define LARS and develop an understanding of its pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapy, and prophylaxis.

Arguments in favour of a homologous concept for hemodialysis access procedures. Feasibility and results.

Objectives: Autologous arterio-venous (AV) fistulas seem to be superior to prothetic grafts in hemodialysis access surgery. We used an algorithm which enabled us to use autologous vein in over 99% of all fistula operations.

Design: All patients undergoing hemodialysis surgery during a three year period (n = 102) were enrolled in an open prospective observation study with the end points feasibility, perioperative complications and patency.

Gallbladder bile tumor marker quantification for detection of pancreato-biliary malignancies.

Background: The pre-operative differentiation of tumors of the pancreas, Papilla of Vater and the biliary tract is still unsatisfactory. Tumor marker analysis of the pancreatic juice did not improve the pre-operative diagnosis by a great deal.

Methods: Bile from resected gallbladders of patients suffering from carcinomas of the pancreato-biliary system was analysed for CA 19-9, CEA, CA 72-4, CA 125 and AFP concentrations.

A phase II study of high-dose octreotide in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma.

This report describes the results of a phase II trial to evaluate the safety, feasibility and response of patients with irresectable, histologically proven, stage II-IV adenocarcinoma of the pancreas receiving high-dose octreotide treatment. Octreotide was self-administered subcutaneously (3 x 2000 micrograms per day) by 49 patients. Therapy was discontinued after progression of the disease.