Purpose: Although case reports on the use of octreotide for malignant ascites are occasionally seen, it remains unclear whether or not octreotide is effective in such cases. The aim of this study was to clarify the utility of octreotide for malignant ascites. Methods: This study was a retrospective study based on a survey of medical records. The subjects were taken from among cancer patients at our hospital who were given octreotide between April 1, 2008 and October 31, 2011 with the aim of reducing gastrointestinal symptoms accompanying gastrointestinal obstruction. These subjects were patients who had malignant ascites during the time octreotide was used and whose ascites could be evaluated by computed tomography before and after octreotide was started. Evaluation of ascites was classified into five levels of obviously decreasing, slightly decreasing, no change, slightly increasing, and obviously increasing. Results: Forty-nine patients used octreotide during the same period. Seven of these 49 patients met the eligibility criteria. The level of ascites was not classified as obviously decreasing or slightly decreasing in any of the patients. One patient was classified as no change. The other six were all slightly increasing or obviously increasing. Conclusion: In this study octreotide was not shown to be usuful for malignant ascites.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate repair requires a deep and small surgical field and is usually performed by surgeons wearing surgical loupes. Surgeons with loupes can obtain a wider surgical view, although headlights are required for the deepest procedures. Surgical microscopes offer comfort and a clear and magnification-adjustable surgical site that can be shared with the whole team, including observers, and easily recorded to further the education of junior surgeons. Magnification adjustments are convenient for precise procedures such as muscle dissection of the soft palate. METHODS: We performed a comparative investigation of 18 cleft operations that utilized either surgical loupes or microscopy. Paper-based questionnaires were completed by staff nurses to evaluate what went well and what could be improved in each procedure. The operating time, complication rate, and scores of the questionnaire responses were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The operating time when microscopy was used was not significantly longer than when surgical loupes were utilized. The surgical field was clearly shared with surgical assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists, and students via microscope-linked monitors. Passing surgical equipment was easier when sharing the surgical view, and preoperative microscope preparation did not interfere with the duties of the staff nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical microscopy was demonstrated to be useful during cleft operations.
Cleft Lip* ; Cleft Palate ; Education ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Palate* ; Palate, Soft ; Surgeons ; Surgical Equipment

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate repair requires a deep and small surgical field and is usually performed by surgeons wearing surgical loupes. Surgeons with loupes can obtain a wider surgical view, although headlights are required for the deepest procedures. Surgical microscopes offer comfort and a clear and magnification-adjustable surgical site that can be shared with the whole team, including observers, and easily recorded to further the education of junior surgeons. Magnification adjustments are convenient for precise procedures such as muscle dissection of the soft palate. METHODS: We performed a comparative investigation of 18 cleft operations that utilized either surgical loupes or microscopy. Paper-based questionnaires were completed by staff nurses to evaluate what went well and what could be improved in each procedure. The operating time, complication rate, and scores of the questionnaire responses were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The operating time when microscopy was used was not significantly longer than when surgical loupes were utilized. The surgical field was clearly shared with surgical assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists, and students via microscope-linked monitors. Passing surgical equipment was easier when sharing the surgical view, and preoperative microscope preparation did not interfere with the duties of the staff nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical microscopy was demonstrated to be useful during cleft operations.
Cleft Lip* ; Cleft Palate ; Education ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Palate* ; Palate, Soft ; Surgeons ; Surgical Equipment