ObjectiveTo summarize the current status and the management of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) in the elderly and to explore the therapeutic principles and methods. MethodsForeign and domestic literatrues on management of CRCLM were reviewed and analyzed. ResultsColorectal cancer was still one of the most common malignancy and the most common site for metastasis was liver. In the past years, the incidence of colorectal cancer in the elderly was gradually going up. A similar outcome can be achieved for the appropriate elder metastasis patients compared to the young group, although they were in worse physical conditions. Surgical resection was still the only possible treatment for cure to the resectable CRCLM, chemotherapy and biological therapy were also valuable adjunct therapies. For unresectable liver metastases, alternative treatments were recommended, such as radiofrequency ablation and hepatic artery infusion, etc. ConclusionAccording to the characteristic of CRCLM and the physical features of the eldrly patients, a better outcome should be obtained through multipledisciplinary individualized therapy.
Objective To explore and summarize the curative effect and experience of emergency devascularization for treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension. Melthods The clinical data of 42 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension， undergoing emergency devascularization from March 2006 to July 2011 in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 42 cases， 29 patients underwent emergency splenectomy plus esophagogastric devascularization， 8 patients underwent emergency spleen artery ligation plus esophagogastric devascularization， and 5 patients only underwent emergency esophagogastric devascularization. The hemostasis rate at 3 hours after emergent disconnection operation was 100%. One patient died of liver failure on 8 days after operation. Three patients supervened with hemorrhage in abdominal cavity on 2 days after operation， and succeeded in hemostasis by conservative treatment. Other patients were successfullydischarged from hospital after postoperative rehabilitation for 2-4 weeks. All cases were followed up regular in 1 year after operation， 5 patients were lost to follow-up. Among the 36 cases followed up， rehaemorrhagia occurred in 1 patientin 8 months after operation， cured by endoscopic variceal ligation subsequently. A primary liver cancer occurred in 1 patient during physical examination in 7 months after operation， followed by partial hepatectomy. Other patients could complete daily life and work. Conclusions The patients suffering from upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension are likely to benefit from appropriate operations. Decisive emergency devascularization can stop the bleeding rapidly and effectively， and save the lives of those patients.