Influence of interferon therapy on outcome after surgery for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Influence of interferon (IFN) therapy on postoperative outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still inconclusive. Of 518 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCV-related HCC, 312 patients with Japan integrated staging score 0-2 were included in this study. Of 50 patients underwent IFN therapy, 29 patients who obtained a normalized alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity irrespective of disappearance of serum HCV RNA were classified as the response group, while 21 patients were classified as the non-response group because their ALT activities were not normalized and serum HCV RNA persisted.

Immunohistologic attempt to find carcinogenesis from hepatic progenitor cell in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To clarify whether hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originates from hepatic progenitor cells and whether there is any correlation with the clinicopathologic factors of HCC, we reviewed 217 resected HCC specimens.

Methods: Immunohistochemical examination of cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK19, CD34, and CD117 (c-KIT) was performed. Overexpression of CK7 and CK19 indicates differentiation from cholangiocellular and hepatic progenitor cells, while overexpression of CD34 and CD117 indicates hepatic stem cells.

Pre- and postoperative x-ray and computed tomography evaluation in acute nasal fracture.

Between January 1997 and July 2003, 156 acute nasal fractures were treated by closed reduction in Ishikiri-Seiki Hospital. For all patients, x-ray and computed tomography (CT) taken pre- and postoperatively were used to classify fractures and evaluate postoperative conditions. Acute nasal fractures requiring surgery were classified into the following 5 types.

Treatment of saddle type nasal fracture using Kirschner wire fixation of nasal septum.

For nasal fracture presenting saddle nose deformity, the nasal septum was fixed with the frontal process of the maxillary bone by Kirschner wire. Good results were confirmed with computed tomography, and there was no secondary deformity. This method is easy and provided a firm support for nasal septum.

Double opposing V-Y hinge flap.

A relatively large earlobe hole was closed with triangular flaps on both sides using a V-Y plasty. The design and elevation of this flap are simple and easy. This flap can close relatively large earlobe holes, preventing earlobe deformity.

Fingertip replantation using a single volar arteriovenous anastomosis and drainage with a transverse tip incision.

Four cases of fingertip replantation using a single volar arteriovenous anastomosis and drainage with a transverse tip incision are reported. Because of lack of suitable arteries for anastomosis in the amputated finger, in each case a volar radial vein was anastomosed to the proximal digital artery and external drainage was performed through a transverse tip incision. In 3 cases the replanted fingertip survived completely; partial necrosis occurred in 1 case.