Asian Journal of Surgery RSS feed: Articles in Press. The Asian Journal of Surgery , founded in 1978, is an indexed, peer-reviewed journal that is published quarterly. Today, the Asian Journal of Surgery is the official publication of seven professional surgical associations in the Asia-Pacific region, including: Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons Asian Association of Pediatric Surgeons Asian Surgical Association Asian Society for Vascular Surgery Association of University Surgeons of Asia College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine, Malaysia Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia The Asian Journal of Surgery enjoys a growing reputation as an important medium for the dissemination of recent developments in surgery and its related disciplines to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The Asian Journal of Surgery invites original contributions as Current Opinions, Original Articles, Case Reports, and Reviews across the entire spectrum of clinical and experimental surgery. Subscription information ISSN 1015-9584 (print edition) Annual subscription price Institutional: US$280 plus US$20 for postage Personal (members of affiliated organizations): US$120 plus US$20 for postage Personal (non-members): US$150 plus US$20 for postage Orders should be addressed to: Asian Journal of Surgery c/o Department of Surgery National Taiwan University Hospital No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road Taipei 100, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-23123456-65104 Fax: 886-2-2356-8810 E-mail: ajsurg@ntu.edu.tw Change of address: allow 6 weeks for all notification of changes to take effect. All communications during this time should include both old and new addresses (with postal codes). http://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com//inpress?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. Asian Journal of Surgery1015-95842012-02-20 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000157/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Colonic volvulus is a rare disease in children. Delayed diagnosis of the condition can often be fatal, especially in pediatric patients with mental retardation. We herein present the case of a female pediatric patient with colonic volvulus, prune belly syndrome, and mental retardation. Preoperative CT scans showed the characteristic signs of this disease. The volvulus occurred in the proximal colon of the colostomy. The release of the colonic volvulus and reconstruction of the colostomy were performed without the resection of the ischemic colon. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful.Colonic volvulus detected by CT scan in a case with mental retardation and prune belly syndrome - Corrected ProofYoichiro Oka, Kouji Masumoto, Masatoshi Nakamura, Akinori Iwasaki10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.003Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-20Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-20CASE REPORThttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000182/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Background/Objective: About 20% of biliary atresia (BA) survivors have attacks of esophageal variceal bleeding. We propose a method to evaluate the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) using noninvasive indices by multislice computed tomography (CT).Methods: We reviewed 31 potential living-related liver recipients aged 99–5314 days (mean, 1474 days) who underwent CT examinations using a 64-slice multislice CT scanner. Of the 31 patients, 19 patients (Group A) with fecal occult blood had EVB on esophagogastroduodenoscopy; the rest belonged to Group B. Splenic diameters (mm) were divided by body heights (m) and platelet counts (1000/mm3) to produce standardized ratios of transverse splenic length/body height/platelet count (SLHPR). The transverse diameters of paraesophageal veins (PVs) and perigastric veins (PGVs) were measured adjacent to the lower thoracic esophagus and within the lesser sac, respectively.Results: According to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the SLHPRs (r=0.833), transverse PV (r=0.957), and PGV (r=0.987) diameters were better predictors of EVB than demographic and laboratory variables. However, the transverse diameters of PGVs and PVs were the most accurate predictors of the EVB.Conclusion: For candidates awaiting liver transplantation, screening by noninvasive SLHPR and the transverse diameters of PGVs and PVs by CT may help to identify BA patients with a high risk of EVB.Computed tomography indices and criteria for the prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding in survivors of biliary atresia awaiting liver transplantation - Corrected ProofCheng-Ta Yang, Huey-Ling Chen, Ming Chih Ho, Steven Shinn-Forng Peng10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.006Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-20Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-20ORIGINAL ARTICLEhttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000133/abstract?rss=yesSummary: We report a 26-year-old man with 6 years, history of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with liver, peritoneum and lung metastases. He presented with left eye ptosis, diplopia, left facial numbness and a left temporal fossa mass that was confirmed to be GIST with left skull and left orbit metastases. Craniectomy with cranioplasty, tumor excision and decompression were performed. There was an improvement of his visual symptoms and facial numbness. To our knowledge, this is one of the few reports of surgical management of GIST, metastasized to skull and orbit, with good symptomatic relief.Duodenal GIST metastasized to skull and orbit managed by surgery – A case report - Corrected ProofLai-Fung Li, Yat-Hang Tse, Siu-Lun Ho, Kin-Wing Yan, Wai-Man Lui10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.001Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-17Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-17CASE REPORThttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000145/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Objective: The aims of the study were to assess factors responsible for the reduction of preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing breast and abdominal surgeries. In particular, we investigated whether question prompt lists (QPL), patients’ knowledge, or the communication skills of surgeons had effects on anxiety reduction.Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to QPL and control groups. Anxiety was assessed on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory.Results: Both groups showed significant reduction in anxiety between initial consultation and one day prior to surgery, with QPL patients showing a trend towards a greater reduction of anxiety after surgery and a significant reduction at the first outpatient follow-up. Satisfaction with consultation and the doctor’s ability to answer questions concerning diagnosis, and treatment were significantly associated with anxiety reduction.Conclusion: Effective anxiety reduction hinged on doctors’ communication abilities and patients’ satisfaction with the consultation.Doctor–patient communication, knowledge, and question prompt lists in reducing preoperative anxiety – A randomized control study - Corrected ProofLeslie Lim, Pierce Chow, Chow-Yin Wong, Alexander Chung, Yiong-Huak Chan, Wai-Keong Wong, Khee-Chee Soo10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.002Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-16Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-16ORIGINAL ARTICLEhttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000170/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Objective: Based on a large series of histopathologically confirmed hepatic angiomyolipomas, we retrospectively studied the typical diagnostic features of hepatic angiomyolipoma and proposed a treatment strategy for this disease.Materials and methods: From December 1997 to December 2007, 74 consecutive patients who received definitive treatment for hepatic angiomyolipoma, at a single tertiary center, were studied.Results: There was a marked female predominance (54 females vs. 20 males) and the mean age was 42 years. Forty patients had no symptoms and the tumors were detected incidentally during a medical check-up. From this study, we proposed the typical diagnostic features of hepatic angiomyolipoma to be the absence of risk factors for malignancy, normal tumor marker levels, and typical imaging features on ultrasound (USG), abdominal contrast computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Only 23% of patients could have been diagnosed before surgery using these features. One patient (1.4%) had a malignant angiomyolipoma, and died with distant metastases 14 months after surgery. After a median follow-up of 64 months, there was no recurrence in the other 73 patients.Conclusion: Patients with typical diagnostic features suggestive of hepatic angiomyolipoma could be observed with regular surveillance. Definitive treatment should be performed when the tumor has symptoms/complications, when the tumor is enlarging, or when a malignant lesion cannot be ruled out.Diagnostic difficulties and treatment strategy of hepatic angiomyolipoma - Corrected ProofWei-Gao Hu, Eric C.H. Lai, Hui Liu, Ai-Jun Li, Wei-Ping Zhou, Si-Yuan Fu, Ze-Ya Pan, Gang Huang, Yin Lei, Wan Yee Lau, Meng-Chao Wu10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.005Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-16Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-16ORIGINAL ARTICLEhttp://www.e-asianjournalsurgery.com/article/PIIS1015958411000388/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Background/Objective: Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite crystal. Cytoprotective effects of clinoptilolite have been reported. However, so far there are no data about the effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy. In this experimental study, the effects of clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy on oxidative stress were evaluated.Methods: There were four experimental groups (n=8): Group S, the sham group; Group H, the hepatectomy group; Group HC, the clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy group; and Group CS, the clinoptilolite-treated sham group. A 70% partial hepatectomy was performed for Group H and HC. Clinoptilolite (5mg/kg) was given to the rats orally (via gavage tube) twice a day for 10 days after hepatectomy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu-Zn super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress.Results: Plasma and liver tissue MDA levels of Group HC were significantly lower than the H group (p=0.018 and p=0.000, respectively). Liver tissue Cu-Zn SOD activity and GSH levels of Group HC were significantly higher than Group H (p=0.003, p=0.007, respectively).Conclusion: Clinoptilolite administration reduces oxidant activity and supports antioxidant response after partial hepatectomy.Effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy in rats - Corrected ProofKaya Saribeyoglu, Erman Aytac, Salih Pekmezci, Seha Saygili, Hafize Uzun, Gulsen Ozbay, Seval Aydin, Hakki Oktay Seymen10.1016/j.asjsur.2011.11.007Asian Journal of Surgery (2012)2012-02-16Asian Journal of Surgery2012-02-16ORIGINAL ARTICLE