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Canadian Journal of Surgery logoLink to Canadian Journal of Surgery
. 1996 Jun;39(3):199–203.

Small-bowel resection for metastatic melanoma

Ibrahim F Al-Sheneber *,, Sarkis H Meterissian *, Antoine Loutfi *, A Kevin Watters , Henry R Shibata *
PMCID: PMC3950006  PMID: 8640618

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether complete resection of small-bowel metastases from melanoma improves patient survival.

Design

A computer-aided chart review.

Setting

Hospitals associated with McGill University.

Patients

Twenty patients (17 men, 3 women), identified from 1524 patients with melanoma, who underwent surgery to the small bowel for metastases. Patient age and clinical presentation, tumour site and stage were recorded.

Intervention

Exploratory laparotomy with complete or partial resection of involved small bowel.

Main Outcome Measures

Operative morbidity, mortality and length of survival related to the extent of small-bowel resection.

Results

Eleven patients had complete resection, 8 patients had partial resection and 1 patient had a palliative bypass only. Long-term survival (ranging from 2 to 10 years) was 36% in those who had complete resection and 0% in those who had partial resection; operative morbidity and mortality were 20% and 15% respectively.

Conclusion

Complete resection of small-bowel metastases in patients with metastatic melanoma can result in long-term survival.

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Articles from Canadian Journal of Surgery are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

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