Background: Radial nerve palsy (RNP) associated with humeral shaft fracture is a common injury pattern in trauma patients. The management of RNP associated with humeral fractures in high-energy trauma is controversial and poses a challenge to surgeons treating it. Purpose: Based on a review of our experience over the past 15 years, we determined the prognostic factors of radial nerve recovery after humeral fractures, evaluated the diagnostic role of nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), and compared the outcomes of different treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: The data of 26 patients having RNP associated with humeral shaft fractures over a 15-year period were collected for a retrospective review. For statistical analysis, the patients were divided into groups on the basis of their recovery from RNP and the treatment strategies used. Results: The incidence of RNP associated with humeral fractures was 2.05%. In total, 91.3% of patients with primary RNP in this series experienced high-energy trauma. Spontaneous recovery was observed in 9 of 26 patients (34.6%). Radial nerve lesions were found in 7 of 8 patients with high-energy trauma. The severity of humeral shaft fractures was found to be a significant prognostic factor for spontaneous recovery from RNP. The rate of spontaneous recovery was significantly higher in the AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association Type A humeral shaft fractures (P = 0.028) and lower in Type C fractures (P = 0.055). The median time to detect initial radial nerve recovery using EMG was 34 and 75 days after injury (P = 0.033). In high-energy trauma, tendon transfers were associated with more predictable outcomes than nerve reconstruction (favorable functional recovery: 100% for tendon transfers vs. 25% for nerve reconstruction, P = 0.007). Moreover, tendon transfers were associated with a shorter overall treatment duration (median treatment duration: 190 days for tendon transfers vs. 422 days for nerve reconstruction, P = 0.007). Conclusion: The prognosis of RNP associated with humeral shaft fractures in high-energy trauma is less favorable, with a low rate of spontaneous recovery. EMG is helpful for the early detection of initial nerve recovery. The outcomes of tendon transfers in high-energy trauma are predictable and the treatment duration is shorter. First-intention tendon transfer is a reasonable treatment strategy in patients with difficult nerve exploration, lower requirement for functional recovery, and lower compliance with treatment.

Background: With improvements in the prognosis of gastric cancer, the clinical importance of treating patients with both gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing because of the high prevalence of HCC in Taiwan. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 5468 patients who received a diagnosis of primary gastric cancer at National Taiwan University Hospital between 1980 and 2010. Of these, we identified 18 patients with HCC. Results: Regarding the double cancer cases, six patients received a diagnosis of synchronous cancers, six patients received a diagnosis of HCC during follow-up for gastric cancer, and six patients had undergone HCC treatment before receiving a gastric cancer diagnosis. All the patients who received an HCC diagnosis after gastric cancer underwent curative therapy, except for one patient who had a large hepatic tumor. By contrast, of the patients who received an HCC diagnosis first, only one received an early gastric cancer diagnosis, and the remaining patients received an advanced gastric cancer diagnosis. Despite the presence of double cancers, surgical mortality did not occur in the patients who underwent curative-intended treatment. Conclusion: The study results suggest the necessity of closely following up patients with gastric cancer or HCC for the early diagnosis and treatment of the other malignancy. Aggressive treatments including surgery and radiofrequency ablation are safe and can prolong survival in some patients.

Background: The double-stapling technique (DST) and triple-stapling technique used in laparoscopic anterior resection are considered risk factors of leakage or anastomotic leakage. A high anastomotic leakage rate could be avoided by the single-stapling technique (SST). Purposes: This study analyzed the feasibility, as well as the operative and immediate postoperative outcomes of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) with single-stapled anastomosis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 82 patients from China Medical University Hospital who underwent elective surgery from January 2012 to April 2015 for benign or malignant lesions that were between 10 and 40 cm from the anal verge, ≤5 cm in diameter on radiological examination, and in stage T1-T3/Nx/M0. All patients were monitored according to the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Results: NOSE with SST was feasible and showed intraoperative complication and morbidity rates of 2% and 7.3%, respectively. No patients needed conversion to open surgery. The rate of conversion to NOSE with DST was 6.1%. Moreover, the anastomotic leakage rate was 2.4%. Total hospital stay required was 4.8 ± 3.4 days. The first postoperative bowel movement observed was at 1.2 ± 0.5 days. Conclusions: Although SST is technically challenging, NOSE with SST is as feasible and as NOSE with DST.

Background: Lactate is a widely used biomarker for patients with conditions such as infection or trauma. The value of lactate level in risk stratification is rarely investigated for patients admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), regardless of diagnosis. Purposes: This study examines whether arterial lactate levels at the approximate time of admission can predict short-term mortality in all unscheduled surgical ICU patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all unscheduled surgical ICU admissions from July 2010 to June 2013 was conducted. Patients were stratified into low (<2.0 mmol/L), intermediate (2.0–3.9 mmol/L), and high (≥4.0 mmol/L) lactate groups according to initial lactate measurements. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Results: Of 1404 eligible admissions, 163 (11.6%) of them died within 28 days. Admission lactate levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that both intermediate and high lactate levels were independent risk factors for mortality. Patients with a high lactate level had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.91; P = 0.015) relative to patients with a low lactate level. Patients with an intermediate lactate level had an OR of 1.73 (95% CI 1.07–2.79; P = 0.025) relative to patients with a low lactate level. Other independent predictors of mortality included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, existence of malignancy, and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: An admission arterial lactate level of 2.0 mmol/L or higher at the time of ICU admission can be used to identify high-risk surgical patients.

Pancreatic body or tail cancer with invasion to major vessels, including the common hepatic artery and the celiac artery, was previously considered to be unresectable. However, an increasing number of surgeons have aggressively adopted distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) in this scenario to attempt curative resection, thus improving long-term survival. In this paper, we present the case of a 45-year-old man with pancreatic body cancer invading the celiac axis who underwent DP-CAR with negative margins (R0) and subsequently exhibited an uneventful postoperative course. We also reviewed literature, which unequivocally demonstrates a comparable oncological outcome between pancreatic body or tail cancer with and without celiac artery resection. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first documented case in which DP-CAR was successfully performed in Taiwan.

Primary intramedullary spinal cord germinoma (PISCG) is very rare, and its preoperative diagnosis is therefore difficult. In addition, its treatment protocols and long-term outcomes are not yet established. Here, we report the case of a patient with a primary conus medullaris germinoma who initially presented with ejaculatory disturbance and coccygeal hypoesthesia. After the total excision of the germinoma and radiotherapy, no tumor recurrence was noted for 22 years. We have also reviewed the distribution of PISCG in spinal segments and its treatment modalities.

Background: A presacral tumor (PT) is a rare, congenital abnormality. PTs may present similarly to Hirschsprung disease (HD) in early infancy. Through this case report, we share our experiences regarding patients with a PT mimicking HD. Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients with a PT at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The parameters investigated included age, sex, presentation, imaging findings, operation procedures, pathology, and bowel and bladder function outcomes. Results: Three patients who were aged 38, 15, and 1.5 years at the latest follow-up were identified. All patients were initially diagnosed with HD; of these patients, one had concomitant anal stenosis. The patients individually received abdominal Duhamel, abdominal Soave, and transanal Soave procedures. PTs were incidentally found after pull-through through a laparotomy in two patients and imaged in one patient. All patients had sacral bone defects that were evident on plain radiographs. The PTs in two cases were separately excised through laparotomy and the posterior approach. Postoperative bowel dysfunction was noted in all patients and was treated with permanent colostomy and regular enemas and laxatives. Two of the three patients developed neuropathic bladders and subsequent upper urinary tract injury. Sexual dysfunction was noted in the adult patient. Conclusions: PTs may mimic HD, delaying their diagnosis. Sacral dysgenesis evident on plain radiographs is the key to early detection. Long-term surveillance is imperative.

A 55-year-old male patient received an anoplasty at infancy for low-type anorectal malformation, and intractable constipation was observed since. The patient presented with colitis at the emergency department. Computed tomography revealed feces with a megarectosigmoid of diameter 18 cm. Hirschsprung disease was suspected on the basis of the imaging findings. Therefore, a rectal biopsy was performed, which indicated the presence of normal ganglion cells. Bowel management was implemented with one large-volume enema to empty the huge rectal pouch daily. The patient was free of constipation and had an improved nutritional status with appropriate weight gain in 3 months. A laparoscopic Swenson pull-through was performed. The hospital course was uneventful. Enemas, loperamide, and water-soluble fibers were required for frequent soiling because of postoperative hypermotile colon. The treatments were weaned off gradually. At the latest follow-up (2 years postoperatively), the patient had regular voluntary bowel movements with complete bowel control.