W Graf

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden

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Publications (77)263.13 Total impact

  • Article: Efficacy and quality of life 2 years after treatment for faecal incontinence with injectable bulking agents.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid/dextranomer (NASHA(®) Dx) gel as injectable bulking therapy has been shown to decrease symptoms of faecal incontinence, but the durability of treatment and effects and influence on quality of life (QoL) is not known. The aim of this study was to assess the effects on continence and QoL and to evaluate the relationship between QoL and efficacy up to 2 years after treatment. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (5 males, mean age 61, range 34-80) were injected with 4 × 1 ml NASHA Dx in the submucosal layer. The patients were followed for 2 years with registration of incontinence episodes, bowel function and QoL questionnaires. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients reported sustained improvement after 24 months. The median number of incontinence episodes before treatment was 22 and decreased to 10 at 12 months (P = 0.0004) and to 7 at 24 months (P = 0.0026). The corresponding Miller incontinence scores were 14, 11 (P = 0.0078) and 10.5 (P = 0.0003), respectively. There was a clear correlation between the decrease in the number of leak episodes and the increase in the SF-36 Physical Function score but only patients with more than 75 % improvement in the number of incontinence episodes had a significant improvement in QoL at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Anorectal injection of NASHA Dx gel induces improvement of incontinence symptoms for at least 2 years. The treatment has a potential to improve QoL. A 75 % decrease in incontinence episodes may be a more accurate threshold to indicate a successful incontinence treatment than the more commonly used 50 %.
    Techniques in Coloproctology 12/2012; · 1.29 Impact Factor
  • Article: Response to comments on 'Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy'.
    European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 07/2012; 38(10):1012. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Outcome differences between debulking surgery and cytoreductive surgery in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare debulking surgery and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in patients with Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) regarding efficacy and safety. Data were extracted from medical records and treatment outcomes were analyzed for all 152 patients with PMP who were scheduled for debulking surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) or CRS and IPC at Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, between September 1993 and December 2008. One hundred and ten patients (73%) were treated with CRS and IPC and 40 (27%) with debulking surgery and IPC. In two patients (1%), surgery was defined as open and close. Patients with CRS and IPC had a 74% 5-year overall survival (OS) rate compared with 40% for those treated with debulking surgery (P < 0.001). Patients with no residual macroscopic tumour (R1 resection) had a better 5-year OS rate of 94% compared with 28% for patients with macroscopic residual tumour (R2) (P < 0.001). Grades II-IV adverse events were seen in 29% of debulked patients and in 47% of CRS/IPC patients (P = 0.053). CRS and IPC seems more efficient than debulking surgery and IPC but with numerically higher morbidity. Therefore, if surgically possible, CRS should be the treatment of choice for PMP patients. However, debulking surgery may still be of benefit to selected patients for palliative purposes.
    European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 07/2012; 38(10):962-8. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis: prognosis and treatment of recurrences in a cohort study.
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    ABSTRACT: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) treatment of colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is gaining acceptance, but controversy remains. The primary aims were to analyse the outcome and prognostic variables of colorectal PC patients treated with CRS and IPC, and to report on the outcome of additional surgical treatments of subsequent recurrences. Patients referred for treatment of colorectal PC between 1996 and 2010 were included in a cohort. The following data was collected: clinicopathological parameters, survival, recurrences, perioperative chemotherapy and type of IPC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, HIPEC; or sequential postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, SPIC). Multivariable analyses were conducted on potential prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). In the 151-patient cohort, the median OS was 34 months (range: 2-77) for CRS and HIPEC with five-year survival predicted at 40% (five-year disease-free survival 32%). For CRS and SPIC, the OS was 25 months (range: 2-188) with five-year survival at 18%. Open-and-close patients survived 6 months (range: 0-14) with no five-year survival (HIPEC vs. SPIC p = 0.047, SPIC vs. open-and-close p < 0.001). Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was a noteworthy independent prognostic factor in the multivariable analysis. OS for patients undergoing additional surgical treatment of recurrences was 25 months vs. 10 months with best supportive care or palliative chemotherapy (p = 0.01). Substantial long-term survival is possible in patients with colorectal PC. HIPEC was associated with better OS than SPIC and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy may improve the outcome in patients. Good OS is achievable in selected patients undergoing additional surgical treatment of isolated liver or peritoneal recurrences after prior complete CRS.
    European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 04/2012; 38(6):509-15. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intraoperative hyperthermic versus postoperative normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colonic peritoneal carcinomatosis: a case-control study.
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    ABSTRACT: Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy has improved prognosis in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The main modes of intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment are peroperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and normothermic sequential postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (SPIC). The aim of this study was to compare HIPEC and SPIC with respect to overall survival, disease-free survival, morbidity, and mortality in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancer. A matched case-control study was conducted in patients with surgical macroscopic complete removal of carcinomatosis; matching was according to the peritoneal cancer index score. Thirty-two patients were included, 16 in each group (HIPEC and SPIC). Overall survival, disease-free survival, morbidity, mortality, and clinicopathological parameters were compared. Median overall survival was 36.5 months in the HIPEC group and 23.9 months in the SPIC group (P = 0.01). Median disease-free survival for these groups was 22.8 (HIPEC) and 13.0 months (SPIC; P = 0.02). Morbidity was not statistically different, 19% in SPIC and 37% in HIPEC. Postoperative mortality was observed in one patient in each group. HIPEC was associated with improved overall survival and disease-free survival compared with SPIC at similar morbidity and mortality, suggesting that HIPEC is the treatment of choice in colonic peritoneal carcinomatosis.
    Annals of Oncology 06/2011; 23(3):647-52. · 6.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: Ultrasonography findings and tumour quantification in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei.
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    ABSTRACT: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a disease with various clinical presentations and the diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) is under investigated. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common US finding in PMP and to investigate US sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value in quantifying tumour burden in different abdomino-pelvic regions in PMP patients. Between February 2006 and December 2008, 54 patients were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) due to PMP. The results from preoperative US examination with and without intravenously administrated contrast (SonoVue) were compared to surgical findings. The mean US peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 6 (range 0-25) and the surgical PCI was 18 (range 3-27) p<0.0001. The histo-pathological subtypes did not influence the US findings. Ascites, bowel loops adhesions and omental cake were mostly visualised correctly by US. The sensitivity of US in quantification of tumour nodules was 91.5% (range 74-100%) and specificity was 33.8% (range 18-55%). The positive predictive value of US examination in PMP was 22% (range 11-44%) and the negative predictive value was 93% (range 77-100%). US can detect the most common PMP findings (ascites and omental cake). The sensitivity of US to quantify PMP tumour burden in different abdominio-pelvic region was relatively high, however, this imaging tool had low specificity.
    European journal of radiology 02/2011; 81(4):648-51. · 2.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Postoperative adverse events and long-term survival after cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
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    ABSTRACT: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is fatal without special combined cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC). This study was designed to identify factors that may increase the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality from combined CRS and IPC interventions for PC. Survival based on primary tumour type and extent of surgery is reported. Between May 1991 and November 2004, 123 patients were treated with CRS and IPC for PC. Based on the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for grade 3 and 4, data on 30 days postoperative morbidity and 90 days mortality were analysed. Grade 3-4 adverse events were observed in 51 patients (41%) and were associated with stoma formation, duration of surgery, peroperative blood loss and peritoneal cancer index (PCI). Excision, or electrocautery evaporation, of tumour from small bowel surface was correlated to bowel morbidity. Five patients had treatment-related mortality (4%) within 90 days. Survival was associated with macroscopic radical surgery, prior surgical score, PCI and primary tumour type. CRS and IPC for PC are associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, in light of the potential benefit indicated by long-term survival, the adverse event from this treatment is considered acceptable.
    European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 06/2008; 35(2):202-8. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Heterogeneous activity of cytotoxic drugs in patient samples of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
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    ABSTRACT: To investigate if the pattern of cytotoxic drug sensitivity in vitro in patient samples of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is supportive to the current standardized approach for drug selection for perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC). The cytotoxic effect of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin-C, doxorubicin and melphalan was investigated in vitro on tumour cells from 223 patient tumour samples of different PC origins. Considerable differences in cytotoxic drug sensitivity between tumour types of the PC entity and within each tumour type were observed. Cisplatin showed high cross-resistance with oxaliplatin but low cross-resistance with doxorubicin and irinotecan. No cross-resistance was found between irinotecan and doxorubicin. The dose-response relationships for melphalan and irinotecan in individual samples showed great variability. The activity in vitro of cytotoxic drugs commonly used in IPC for PC is very heterogeneous. Efforts for individualizing drug selection for PC patients undergoing IPC seem justified.
    European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 06/2008; 34(5):547-52. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Swedish experience with peritonectomy and HIPEC. HIPEC in peritoneal carcinomatosis.
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    ABSTRACT: Peritonectomy with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown a survival benefit in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This prospective non-randomized study was designed to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity and survival after peritonectomy HIPEC in patients with this condition. Data were prospectively collected from all patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis treated by means of peritonectomy and HIPEC at Uppsala University Hospital between October 2003 and September 2006. Depending on the primary tumor, mitomycin C or a platinum compound was used as a chemotherapeutic agent for perfusion. A total of 103 patients were treated. Primary tumors were pseudomyxoma peritonei (47 patients), colorectal cancer (38 patients), gastric cancer (6 patients), ovarian cancer (6 patients) and mesothelioma (5 patients). Postoperative morbidity was 56.3% and was significantly lower in patients treated with mitomycin C for pseudomyxoma peritonei (42%) than in those with another diagnosis treated with platinum compound (71%, P < 0.05). Postoperative mortality was less than 1%. At 2 years, overall survival was estimated to be 72.3%, and disease-free survival was 33.5%. Factors influencing overall and disease-free survival were tumor type and optimal cytoreduction. Postoperative morbidity is dependent mainly on a tumor type; however, the chemotherapeutic agent used might also influence morbidity. Survival is determined by optimal cytoreduction and tumor type. Irrespective of age, patients with good performance status benefit from this treatment.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 03/2008; 15(3):745-53. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anorectal manovolumetry in the decision making before surgery for slow transit constipation.
    E Lundin, W Graf, U Karlbom
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    ABSTRACT: Colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation (STC) is being challenged by other operations, such as segmental resections. The importance of preoperative anorectal physiology testing may therefore be increased. The aim of this study was to identify anorectal abnormalities in patients with STC, which may influence the surgical approach. Fifty consecutive patients with STC (43 women; median age, 49 years) and 28 controls (23 women; median age, 50 years) were examined with anorectal manovolumetry. Anal pressures and rectal volumes were recorded, at stepwise rectal distension. Anal resting pressure was lower in patients (median, 54 cm H(2)O; range, 22-130) than in controls (median, 68 cm H(2)O; range, 35-100) (p<0.05). Squeeze pressure tended to be lower in patients (median, 147 cm H(2)O; range, 53-382) than in controls (median, 177 cm H(2)O; range, 65-423) (p=0.09). Rectal sensory thresholds did not differ significantly between patients and controls, although 10 patients had a threshold for filling above the 95(th) percentile of controls. Rectal compliance was increased in patients in the pressure interval 5-35 cm H(2)O (p<0.05-0.01). The threshold and amplitude of the recto-anal inhibitory reflex did not differ significantly, but the recovery of resting pressure after eliciting the reflex was lower in patients than in controls in the pressure interval 10-50 cm H(2)O (p<0.05-0.001). More than half of the patients with STC deviated in some parameter. An impaired internal sphincter function and increased rectal compliance were seen. One fifth of the patients had impaired rectal sensation.
    Techniques in Coloproctology 09/2007; 11(3):259-65. · 1.29 Impact Factor
  • Article: Segmental colonic transit studies: comparison of a radiological and a scintigraphic method.
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    ABSTRACT: Colonic transit studies are used to diagnose slow transit constipation (STC) and to evaluate segmental colonic transit before segmental or subtotal colectomy. The aim of the study was to compare a single X-ray radio-opaque marker method with a scintigraphic technique to assess total and segmental colonic transit in patients with STC. Thirty-one female patients (median age 46 years) with severe constipation and a prolonged or borderline prolonged colonic transit time on radio-opaque marker study were included in the study. They were subsequently investigated with (111)Indium-DTPA colonic transit scintigraphy, with a median time between the investigations of 4(range 1-27) months. Normal values of healthy female controls were used for comparison. There was no difference between the two methods in terms of prolonged or normal total colonic transit time. Twenty-nine of 31 female patients had a prolonged transit time only in one or two segments on the marker study. On scintigraphy, the transit time was prolonged for patients in the left (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), but not in the right colon. With respect to prolonged or normal segmental transit time, there was a significant difference between the two methods only in the descending colon (P = 0.02). However, the results varied considerably for individual patients. Segmental colonic delay was a common finding. The two methods gave similar results for groups of patients, except in the descending colon. The variation of the results for individuals suggests that a repeated transit test may improve the assessment of total and segmental transit.
    Colorectal Disease 05/2007; 9(4):344-51. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Randomized clinical trial of local gentamicin-collagen treatment in advancement flap repair for anal fistula.
    U-M Gustafsson, W Graf
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    ABSTRACT: Endoanal advancement flap repair is widely used in sphincter-preserving surgery for anal fistula, but the high recurrence rate is a major problem. A possible cause of non-healing is local infection of the flap. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether local antibiotic treatment with gentamicin-collagen improves healing after endoanal advancement flap repair for anal fistula. Eighty-three patients (52 men and 31 women; mean age 47 (range 17-71) years) who had endoanal advancement flap repair for anal fistula between September 1998 and January 2004 were randomized to surgery with (42 patients) or without (41 patients) application of gentamicin-collagen beneath the flap. Patients were evaluated at 1-3 and 12 months after surgery for healing and/or recurrence. The overall healing rate with no recurrence at 1 year after surgery was 57 per cent (47 of 83). Twenty-six of 42 patients randomized to gentamicin-collagen healed primarily compared with 21 of 41 patients randomized to surgery only. There were no overall differences in healing rate according to sex, previous fistula surgery, complexity of fistula, smoking habit or body mass index. Endoanal advancement flap repair for anal fistula has a fairly high primary recurrence rate. Healing was not significantly improved by local application of gentamicin-collagen.
    British Journal of Surgery 11/2006; 93(10):1202-7. · 4.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Scintigraphic assessment of slow transit constipation with special reference to right- or left-sided colonic delay.
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    ABSTRACT: Subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation has several side-effects. The motor abnormality in some patients may be segmental which could motivate a limited resection of the colon. Therefore a diagnostic tool to identify a segmental colonic motor dysfunction is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a scintigraphic method to assess colonic transit with special reference to right- or left-sided delay. Twenty-three constipated patients (19 women, mean age 50 years) with slow colonic transit on radio-opaque marker studies and 13 healthy individuals (11 women, mean age 46 years) were studied. All subjects were examined with oral (111)Indium-DTPA scintigraphy. The scintigraphic results for patients and controls were presented as geometric centre of radioactivity and percent activity over time in the right, the left and the recto-sigmoid colon. The inter-observer variation in the interpretation of the scans was also evaluated. There was no difference in transit time between the groups of patients and controls in the right colon whereas the patients had a significant delay in the left colon (P < 0.05). Two patients had a marked delay in the right colon followed by relatively rapid transit in the left colon. The inter-observer correlation was good comparing the right, the left and the recto-sigmoid colon (r = 0.58-0.98, P < 0.01-0.001). The results indicate that colonic scintigraphy with oral (111)Indium-DTPA may help to select patients for a left or, in a few cases, a right hemicolectomy for slow transit constipation.
    Colorectal Disease 11/2004; 6(6):499-505. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: clinical and functional results.
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    ABSTRACT: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has become increasingly common in the management of rectal adenomas and also in selected cases of rectal carcinomas. The aim of this study was to assess the results in a consecutive series of patients after introducing the TEM technique. All 58 patients operated with TEM from January 1996 to January 1999 were evaluated in a retrospective review. Forty-eight patients answered a clinically validated questionnaire a median of 22 months after TEM. Eighty patients who had undergone transanal excision and 12 who had undergone York Mason's procedure served as a reference group with respect to recurrence rates. The complication rate was 5% (immediate) and 14% (long-term). The overall 30-day mortality rate was zero. An impairment of continence was seen in 18 (37%) patients. Of these, all 18 experienced varying degree of incontinence to liquid stool, 14 also to flatus and 5 of them even to solid stool. The recurrence rate was 11% in adenomas and 14% in cancers; T1, 1 (10%) recurrence and T2, 1 (50%) recurrence. There was a correlation between operating time and impairment of continence as well as recurrence rate. TEM is a safe procedure, having a low recurrence rate and an acceptable functional outcome.
    Colorectal Disease 10/2004; 6(5):336-42. · 2.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Randomized clinical trial comparing conservative and surgical treatment of neurogenic faecal incontinence.
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    ABSTRACT: The treatment of choice in idiopathic (neurogenic) faecal incontinence is controversial. In a randomized study levatorplasty was compared with anal plug electrostimulation of the pelvic floor with respect to functional outcome and physiological variables. Thirty-one patients underwent levatorplasty and 28 anal plug electrostimulation of the pelvic floor over 3 years. The results were evaluated at 3, 12 and 24 months after completion of treatment by means of a validated questionnaire and anorectal manometry and manovolumetry. Incontinence scores were significantly reduced during the entire observation period in both groups (P < 0.001) as was the use of pads (P = 0.003 to P < 0.001). The proportion of patients reporting improvement in physical and social handicap was greater in the levatorplasty group after 3, 12 and 24 months (P = 0.036 to P < 0.001). No significant changes in physiological variables were observed in either group. Better results were obtained with levatorplasty than with anal plug electrostimulation of the pelvic floor in patients with idiopathic (neurogenic) faecal incontinence. Levatorplasty should be therefore be considered the treatment of choice for this condition.
    British Journal of Surgery 09/2004; 91(9):1131-7. · 4.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anorectal physiology in relation to clinical subgroups of patients with severe constipation.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate anorectal physiology in relation to clinically defined subgroups of patients with idiopathic constipation and to analyse relationships between anorectal physiology and rectal evacuation. One hundred consecutive patients with idiopathic constipation were clinically categorized as slow transit (n=19), outlet obstruction (n=52) and a group with mixed symptoms (n=29). They were examined by recording anal pressures and also rectal volumes in response to stepwise increases in rectal pressure (5-60 cm H2O). The manovolumetric results were compared with 28 sex and aged matched controls. Rectal evacuation was measured by computer-based image analysis of rectal emptying rate in defaecography. The rectal pressure thresholds for filling, urge and pain did not differ between the groups but there were proportionally more patients in the slow transit and mixed group with thresholds for filling exceeding 25 cm H2O (P=0.04). In total, 18% of patients had impaired sensitivity which was associated with long duration of symptoms (P < 0.05). Patients with grossly impaired rectal sensitivity (filling threshold > 40 cm H2O) had impaired rectal evacuation (P < 0.05). The rectal compliance was increased in the slow transit and mixed group (P < 0.01-0.05) in the pressure interval 5-15 cm H2O. Anal resting and squeeze pressures did not differ between the groups although 7/19 in the slow transit group had values around the lower limit of controls. Slow wave frequency was lower in all patient groups (P < 0.001 vs. controls). Rectal evacuation was not related to sphincter function or to rectal compliance. Clinical categorization of constipated patients defines groups where altered anorectal physiology is not uncommon. Constipation with symptoms of infrequent defaecation may be associated with impaired rectal sensitivity and increased rectal compliance whereas outlet obstruction symptoms are not clearly related to changes in anorectal physiology.
    Colorectal Disease 09/2004; 6(5):343-9. · 2.93 Impact Factor
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    Article: Uptake of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in peritoneal metastases in relation to the route of drug administration and tumour debulking surgery. an autoradiographic study in the rat.
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    ABSTRACT: Patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer have a poor prognosis. Aggressive treatment by debulking surgery and intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy has been suggested as an alternative therapy. However, the drug penetrance into the tumour in relation to the administration route and surgical reduction of the tumour is not well known. We compared locoregional administration with intravenous (i.v.) injection. Thirty-four in-bred rats with peritoneal metastases were randomly allocated into eight groups and injected with 14C-labelled 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) either through the i.v. or i.p. route, with or without a preceding tumour debulking, and were sacrificed after 2 or 8 h. Tumour radioactivity was visualised by autoradiography and quantified by a computer-based image analysis. After 8 h, 19 debulked and i.p.-injected tumours had a higher drug uptake, 63.2+/-28 (mean+/-standard deviation (SD)) kBq/g than 62 native i.p.-injected tumours (32.8+/-14) or 22 debulked and i.v.-injected tumours (18.5+/-18, P=0.002). After 8 h, 9 small tumours (<median 571 pixels) which underwent i.p. injection and tumour reduction had a higher drug uptake (77.4+/-26) than 29 non-debulked and i.p.-injected (35.1+/-17) or eight debulked and i.v. injected tumours (23.0+/-16, P=0.004). For larger tumours (>/=median 571 pixels), 16 debulked and i.p.-injected tumours had a higher radioactivity (drug uptake) (150.7+/-63) at 2 h than 49 i.p.-injected native tumours (48.5+/-59) or 11 reduced and i.v.-injected tumours (19.9+/-13, P=0.03). At 8 h, 10 debulked and i.p.-injected tumours had a higher drug uptake (50.3+/-24) than 33 native and i.p.-injected (30.8+/-10) or 14 debulked and i.v.-injected tumours (16.0+/-19, P=0.001). These results indicate that a debulking procedure and locoregional treatment of peritoneal metastases is associated with an increased level of 5-FU in the tumours.
    European Journal of Cancer 02/2004; 40(1):142-7. · 5.54 Impact Factor
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    Article: Improved survival in patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer: a preliminary study.
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    ABSTRACT: Patients with peritoneal or local metastases from colorectal cancer have a poor prognosis. However, aggressive treatments by debulking surgery and infusional intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy have been tried and appear to benefit selected patients. We assayed the effects of debulking surgery and i.p. chemotherapy with respect to survival and compared the results with matched control patients treated by intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy. In all, 18 patients with peritoneal and/or local metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma underwent debulking surgery followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 550 mg m(-2) day(-1) i.p. and leucovorin (LV) 60 mg m(-2) day(-1) i.v. The chemotherapy was started the day after surgery and was given daily for 6 days and repeated monthly for totally eight courses. The control patients, matched for age, gender, performance status and metastatic site, were randomly selected from controlled clinical chemotherapy trials and treated with i.v. 5-FU+LV or i.v. methotrexate+5-FU+LV. There was no treatment-related mortality. The median survival among i.p. patients was 32 months compared to 14 months in the control group. In all, 11 patients who underwent macroscopically radical surgery had a longer survival than those who were not radically operated (P=0.02). These results indicate that patients with peritoneal metastases and/or locally advanced cancers but without distant metastases may benefit from cytoreductive surgery combined with i.p. chemotherapy.
    British Journal of Cancer 02/2004; 90(2):403-7. · 5.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Outcome of segmental colonic resection for slow-transit constipation.
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    ABSTRACT: The standard surgical treatment for slow-transit constipation (STC) is subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis. A segmental resection may serve the same purpose, but with a reduced risk of side-effects such as diarrhoea or incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional results following segmental resection in a consecutive series of patients with STC. Selection criteria included prolonged segmental transit on oral 111In-labelled diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid scintigraphic transit study, and disabling symptoms resistant to medical therapy and treatment of outlet obstruction. Twenty-eight patients (26 women, median age 52 years) were treated with segmental resection and followed prospectively with a validated questionnaire. After a median of 50 (range 16-78) months, 23 patients were pleased with the outcome. The median (range) stool frequency increased from 1 (0-7) to 7 (0-63) per week (P < 0.001). The number of patients passing hard stools and straining excessively decreased (P = 0.016 and P = 0.041, respectively). The median incontinence score was unchanged. Rectal sensory thresholds were higher in patients in whom the treatment failed (P < 0.001). With a symptomatic relief comparable to that after ileorectal anastomosis and less severe side-effects, segmental colectomy may be a better alternative for selected patients with STC. Thorough preoperative evaluation is important and impaired rectal sensation may predict a poor outcome.
    British Journal of Surgery 10/2002; 89(10):1270-4. · 4.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Endoanal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative assessment of anal fistula: a comparative study.
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    ABSTRACT: To compare endoanal ultrasound (EUS) with a 10-MHz probe vs. bodycoil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative evaluation of anal fistula. 23 patients with fistula in the anal region underwent preoperative 0.5 T bodycoil MRI and 10 MHz EUS which included probing in 6 patients. The results of the EUS and MRI were compared against the surgical findings as a reference method. In classification of the primary tract there was agreement between EUS and surgical findings in 14 (61%) and between MRI and surgery in 11 (48%). Concerning the presence of an internal opening the corresponding figures were 17 (74%) and 10 (43%) and in judging the presence of an extension or an abscess 15 (65%) vs. 11 (48%), respectively. In three out of eight patients with nonhealing or recurrence after surgery preoperative imaging had shown an extension and/or an abscess that was not identified by the surgeon. EUS, sometimes complemented with probing, is well comparable to bodycoil MRI in classifying and describing the topography of an anal fistula.
    Colorectal Disease 06/2001; 3(3):189-97. · 2.93 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 1990–2012
    • Uppsala University
      • Department of Surgical Sciences
      Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
  • 1995–2008
    • Uppsala University Hospital
      • Department of Surgical Sciences
      Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
  • 1991–1999
    • Akademiska Sjukhuset
      Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden