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In this multi-institutional study of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we sought to identify factors associated with perioperative transfusion requirement as well as the association between blood transfusion and perioperative and oncologic outcomes. The surgical databases across six high-volume institutions were analyzed to identify patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 2005 to 2010. For statistical analyses, patients were then stratified by transfusion volume according to whether they received 0, 1–2, or >2 units of packed red blood cells. Among 697 patients identified, 42 % required blood transfusion. Twenty-three percent received 1–2 units, and 19 % received >2 units. Factors associated with an increased transfusion requirement included older age, heart disease, diabetes, longer operative time, higher blood loss, tumor size, and non-R0 margin status (all p 2 units (hazard ratio, 1.92, p = 0.009) and postoperative transfusions as independent factors associated with decreased disease-free survival. This multi-institutional study represents the largest series to date analyzing the effects of perioperative blood transfusion on patient outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While blood transfusion was not associated with increased rate of infectious complications, allogeneic blood transfusion did confer a negative impact on disease-free and overall survival.

Background Single institution reports demonstrate variable safety profiles when liver-directed therapy with Yttrium-90 (Y-90) is followed by hepatectomy. We hypothesized that in well-selected patients, hepatectomy after Y90 is feasible and safe. Methods Nine institutions contributed data for patients undergoing Y90 followed by hepatectomy (2008–2017). Clinicopathologic and perioperative data were analyzed, with 90-day morbidity and mortality as primary endpoints. Results Forty-seven patients were included. Median age was 59 (20–75) and 62% were male. Malignancies treated included hepatocellular cancer (n = 14; 30%), colorectal cancer (n = 11; 23%), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 8; 17%), neuroendocrine (n = 8; 17%) and other tumors (n = 6). The distribution of Y-90 treatment was: right (n = 30; 64%), bilobar (n = 14; 30%), and left (n = 3; 6%). Median future liver remnant (FLR) following Y90 was 44% (30–78). Resections were primarily right (n = 16; 34%) and extended right (n = 14; 30%) hepatectomies. The median time to resection from Y90 was 196 days (13–947). The 90-day complication rate was 43% and mortality was 2%. Risk factors for Clavien-Dindo Grade>3 complications included: number of Y-90-treated lobes (OR 4.5; 95% CI1.14–17.7; p = 0.03), extent of surgery (p = 0.04) and operative time (p = 0.009). Conclusions These data demonstrate that hepatectomy following Y-90 is safe in well-selected populations. This multi-disciplinary treatment paradigm should be more widely studied, and potentially adopted, for patients with inadequate FLR.

In patients undergoing pancreatic resection (PR), identification of subgroups at increased risk for postoperative complications can allow focused interventions that may improve outcomes.Patients undergoing PR from 2005-2010 were selected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and categorized as having any history of cardiac disease (angina, congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac stent, or bypass) or as having acute cardiac disease (symptoms of CHF or angina within 30 days or MI within 6 months). These variables were utilized to examine the relationship between cardiac disease and outcomes after PR.The rate of serious complications and perioperative mortality in patients with any history of cardiac disease vs. those without was 34 vs. 24 % (p0.001) and 4.5 vs. 2.0 % (p0.001), respectively, and in patients with acute cardiac disease compared to patients without was 37 vs. 25 % (p0.001) and 8.6 vs. 2.2 % (p0.001), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the two cardiac disease variables remained associated with mortality.In patients undergoing PR, cardiac disease is a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes. These observations are critical for meaningful informed consent in patients considering pancreatectomy.

Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma to increase the likelihood of achieving R0 resection. A consensus has not been reached on the degree of venous involvement that constitutes borderline resectability. This study compares the outcome of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without vein resection without neoadjuvant therapy. A multi-institutional database of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy was reviewed. Patients who required vein resection due to gross vein involvement by tumor were compared to those without evidence of vein involvement. Of 492 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, 70 (14 %) had vein resection and 422 (86 %) did not. There was no difference in R0 resection (66 vs. 75 %, p = NS). On multivariate analysis, vein involvement was not predictive of disease-free or overall survival. This is the largest modern series examining patients with or without isolated vein involvement by pancreas cancer, none of whom received neoadjuvant therapy. Oncological outcome was not different between the two groups. These data suggest that up-front surgical resection is an appropriate option and call into question the inclusion of isolated vein involvement in the definition of “borderline resectable disease.”

Objectives of this study were to compare radial time-resolved phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D Flow-MRI) with perivascular ultrasound (pvUS) and to explore a porcine model of acute pre-hepatic portal hypertension (PHTN). Abdominal 4D Flow-MRI and pvUS in portal and splenic vein, hepatic and both renal arteries were performed in 13 pigs of approximately 60 kg. In six pigs, measurements were repeated after partial portal vein (PV) ligature. Inter- and intra-reader comparisons and statistical analysis including Bland–Altman (BA) comparison, paired Student’s t tests and linear regression were performed. PvUS and 4D Flow-MRI measurements agreed well; flow before partial PV ligature was 322 ± 30 ml/min in pvUS and 297 ± 27 ml/min in MRI (p = 0.294), and average BA difference was 25 ml/min [−322; 372]. Inter- and intra-reader results differed very little, revealed excellent correlation (R 2 = 0.98 and 0.99, respectively) and resulted in BA differences of −5 ml/min [−161; 150] and −2 ml/min [−28; 25], respectively. After PV ligature, PV flow decreased from 356 ± 50 to 298 ± 61 ml/min (p = 0.02), and hepatic arterial flow increased from 277 ± 36 to 331 ± 65 ml/min (p = n.s.). The successful in vivo comparison of radial 4D Flow-MRI to perivascular ultrasound revealed good agreement of abdominal blood flow although with considerable spread of results. A model of pre-hepatic PHTN was successfully introduced and acute responses monitored. • Radial 4D Flow-MRI in the abdomen was successfully compared to perivascular ultrasound. • Inter- and intra-reader testing demonstrated excellent reproducibility of upper abdominal 4D Flow-MRI. • A porcine model of acute pre-hepatic portal hypertension was successfully introduced. • 4D Flow-MRI successfully monitored acute changes in a model of portal hypertension.

Background Patient satisfaction is widely reported and impacts satisfaction despite a limited understanding of the clinical and structural determinants. Patients with diverticulitis are admitted to various services, with variable disease severities. They, therefore, represent a unique group to delineate relationships between these factors and satisfaction. We examined the factors that impact hospital satisfaction in patients with diverticulitis. Materials and methods Patients admitted between 2009 and 2012 were identified using International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes. The primary outcome of patient satisfaction was the Press Ganey Survey overall hospitalization satisfaction question because of a high response rate. This is a precursor survey to the widely available Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Systems and Providers Survey. There was high concordance between these items. Clinical and structural variables were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they gave the topbox response for the overall hospital rating. Results Sixty-six patients were identified (56% female, 63 ± 14 years, length of stay: 5 ± 5 d). Seventy-four percent patients rated the hospitalization as topbox. Forty-four percent were admitted to a surgical service, and 21% of all patients underwent an operation. When comparing the topbox to the nontopbox group, demographics and disease severity were similar. Treatment modality, admitting service, and outpatient intravenous antibiotics did not influence patient satisfaction. Conclusions Clinical and structural variables did not impact overall hospital satisfaction for patients admitted with diverticulitis. This indicates that less-tangible aspects of in-hospital care may be the primary determinants of hospital satisfaction in this group. Efforts aimed at defining these variables are needed to improve patient satisfaction.

The current guidelines do not delineate the types of providers that should participate in early breast cancer follow-up care (within 3 years after completion of treatment). This study aimed to describe the types of providers participating in early follow-up care of older breast cancer survivors and to identify factors associated with receipt of follow-up care from different types of providers. Stages 1–3 breast cancer survivors treated from 2000 to 2007 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End results Medicare database (n = 44,306). Oncologist (including medical, radiation, and surgical) follow-up and primary care visits were defined using Medicare specialty provider codes and linked American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile. The types of providers involved in follow-up care were summarized. Stepped regression models identified factors associated with receipt of medical oncology follow-up care and factors associated with receipt of medical oncology care alone versus combination oncology follow-up care. Oncology follow-up care was provided for 80 % of the patients: 80 % with a medical oncologist, 46 % with a surgeon, and 39 % with a radiation oncologist after radiation treatment. The patients with larger tumor size, positive axillary nodes, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive status, and chemotherapy treatment were more likely to have medical oncology follow-up care than older patients with higher Charlson comorbidity scores who were not receiving axillary care. The only factor associated with increased likelihood of follow-up care with a combination of oncology providers was regular primary care visits (>2 visits/year). Substantial variation exists in the types of providers that participate in breast cancer follow-up care. Improved guidance for the types of providers involved and delineation of providers’ responsibilities during follow-up care could lead to improved efficiency and quality of care.

Descriptions of “evidence-based” approaches to medical care are now ubiquitous in both the popular press and medical journals. The term evidence-based medicine (EBM) was first coined in 1992, and over the last two decades, the field has experienced rapid growth, and its principles now permeate both graduate medical education and clinical practice. The field of EBM has been in constant evolution since its introduction and continues to undergo refinements as its principles are tested and applied in a wide variety of clinical circumstances. This review presents a brief history of EBM, EBM: fundamental tenets, a critical appraisal of a single study, reporting guidelines for single studies, a critical appraisal of a body of evidence, evidence-based surgery, and limitations in EBM. Tables list strength of evidence for treatment decisions (EBM working group), Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine revised levels of evidence for treatment benefits , “4S” approach to finding resources for EBM, critical appraisal of individual studies examining therapeutic decisions, reporting guidelines by study design, and key resources for evidence-based surgery. This review contains 6 tables and 85 references

Several groups have defined pancreatic surgery quality metrics that identify centers delivering quality care. Although these metrics are perceived to be associated with good outcomes, their relationship with actual outcomes has not been established.A national cadre of pancreatic surgeons was surveyed regarding perceived quality metrics, which were evaluated against the Central Pancreas Consortium (CPC) database to determine actual performance and relationships with long-term outcomes.The most important metrics were perceived to be participation in clinical trials, appropriate clinical staging, perioperative mortality, and documentation of receipt of adjuvant therapy. Subsequent analysis of 1399 patients in the CPC dataset demonstrated that a R0 retroperitoneal and neck margin was obtained in 79% (n = 1109) and 91.4% (n = 1278) of cases, respectively. 74% of patients (n = 1041) had10 lymph nodes harvested, and LN positivity was 65% (n = 903). 76% (n = 960) of eligible patients (surgery first approach) received adjuvant therapy within 60 days of surgery. Multivariate analysis demonstrated margin status, identification of10 lymph nodes, nodal status, tumor grade and delivery of adjuvant therapy within 60 days to be associated with improved overall survival.These analyses demonstrate that systematic monitoring of surgeons' perceived quality metrics provides critical prognostic information, which is associated with patient survival.

ObjectivesCriteria for the selection of patients for adjuvant chemotherapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) are lacking. Some authors advocate treating patients with lymph node (LN) involvement; however, nodal assessment is often inadequate or not performed. This study aimed to identify surrogate criteria based on characteristics of the primary tumour.MethodsA total of 58 patients who underwent resection for IHCC between January 2000 and January 2010 at any of three institutions were identified. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS).ResultsMedian OS was 23.0months. Median tumour size was 6.5cm and the median number of lesions was one. Overall, 16% of patients had positive margins, 38% had perineural invasion (PNI), 40% had lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and 22% had LN involvement. A median of two LNs were removed and a median of zero were positive. Lymph nodes were not sampled in 34% of patients. Lymphovascular and perineural invasion were associated with reduced OS [9.6months vs. 32.7months (P= 0.020) and 10.7months vs. 32.7months (P= 0.008), respectively]. Lymph node involvement indicated a trend towards reduced OS (10.7months vs. 30.0months; P= 0.063). The presence of either LVI or PNI in node-negative patients was associated with a reduction in OS similar to that in node-positive patients (12.1months vs. 10.7months; P= 0.541). After accounting for adverse tumour factors, only LVI and PNI remained associated with decreased OS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio4.07, 95% confidence interval 1.60–10.40; P= 0.003).ConclusionsLymphovascular and perineural invasion are separately associated with a reduction in OS similar to that in patients with LN-positive disease. As nodal dissection is often not performed and the number of nodes retrieved is frequently inadequate, these tumour-specific factors should be considered as criteria for selection for adjuvant chemotherapy.

hpb_432 228..235 Background: The effect of diabetes on survival after resection pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) is unclear. The present study was undertaken to determine whether pre-operative diabetes has any predictive value for survival. Methods: A retrospective review from seven centres was performed. Metabolic factors, tumour char- acteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing resection for PDAC were collected. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Of the 509 patients in the present study, 31.2% had diabetes. Scoring systems were devised to predict OS and DFS based on a training set (n = 245) and were subsequently tested on an independent set (n = 264). Pre-operative diabetes (P 2c m (P = 0.001), metastatic nodal ratio >0.1 (P < 0.001) and R1 margin (P < 0.001) all correlated with DFS and OS on univariate analysis. Scoring systems were devised based on multivariable analysis of the above factors. Diabetes and the metastatic nodal ratio were the most important factors in each system, earning two points for OS and four points for DFS. These scoring systems significantly correlated with both DFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pre-operative diabetes status provides useful information that can help to stratify patients in terms of predicted post-operative OS and DFS.

Background Low platelet count is a marker of portal hypertension but is not routinely included in the standard preoperative evaluation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because it pertains to liver function (Child/model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] score) and tumor burden (Milan criteria). We hypothesized that low platelet count would be independently associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality after resection. Study Design Patients treated with liver resection for HCC between January 2000 and January 2010 at 3 institutions were eligible. Preoperative platelet count, Child/MELD score, and tumor extent were recorded. Low preoperative platelet count (LPPC) was defined as 3 /μL. Postoperative liver insufficiency (PLI) was defined as peak bilirubin >7 mg/dL or development of ascites. Univariate and multivariate regression was performed for predictors of major complications, PLI, and 60-day mortality. Results A total of 231 patients underwent resection, of whom 196 (85%) were classified as Child A and 35 (15%) as Child B; median MELD score was 8. Overall, 168 (71%) had tumors that exceeded Milan criteria and 134 (58%) had major hepatectomy (≥3 Couinaud segments). Overall and major complication rates were 55% and 17%, respectively. PLI occurred in 25 patients (11%), and 21 (9%) died within 60 days of surgery. Patients with LPPC (n = 50) had a significantly increased number of major complications (28% versus 14%, p=0.031), PLI (30% versus 6%, p=0.001), and 60-day mortality (22% versus 6%, p=0.001). When adjusted for Child/MELD score and tumor burden, LPPC remained independently associated with increased number of major complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.1 to 6.8, p=0.026), PLI (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 11.1, p=0.008), and 60-day mortality (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 14.6, p=0.009). Conclusions LPPC is independently associated with increased major complications, PLI, and mortality after resection of HCC, even when accounting for standard criteria, such as Child/MELD score and tumor extent, used to select patients for resection. Patients with LPPC may be better served with transplantation or liver-directed therapy.

Evaluation of risk factors for adverse outcomes following distal pancreatectomy (DP) has been limited to data collected from retrospective, primarily single-institution studies. Using a large, multi-institutional prospectively collected dataset, we sought to define the incidence of complications after DP, identify the preoperative and operative risk factors for the development of complications, and develop a risk score that can be utilized preoperatively. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant use file was utilized to identify patients who underwent DP from 2005 to 2008 by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality. A scoring system was developed to allow for preoperative risk stratification. In 2,322 patients who underwent DP, overall 30-day complication and mortality were 28.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Serious complication occurred in 22.2%, and the most common complications included sepsis (8.7%), surgical site infection (5.9%), and pneumonia (4.7%). On multivariate analysis, preoperative variables associated with morbidity included male gender, high BMI, smoking, steroid use, neurologic disease, preoperative SIRS/sepsis, hypoalbuminemia, elevated creatinine, and abnormal platelet count. Preoperative variables associated with 30-day mortality included esophageal varices, neurologic disease, dependent functional status, recent weight loss, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and elevated blood urea nitrogen. Operative variables associated with both morbidity and mortality included high intraoperative transfusion requirement (≥3 U) and prolonged operation time (>360 min). Weighted risk scores were created based on the preoperatively determined factors that predicted both morbidity (p

The Hepp-Couinaud technique describes side-to-side HJ to the main left hepatic duct but a side-to-side approach is not consistently used when repairing other ducts. Compared with end-to-side repairs, side-to-side anastomoses require less dissection, theoretically preserving blood supply to the bile ducts, and usually permit wider anastomoses.We report the treatment results of 113 consecutive biliary injuries, with intention to perform side-to side anastomosis in all.113 biliary injuries, 109 associated with cholecystectomy, were treated from 1992-2006. Injury types were B (7 patients, 6%); C (11 patients, 10%); E1 (8 patients, 7%); E2 (37 patients, 33%); E3 (20 patients, 18%); E4 (24 patients, 21%); E5 (6 patients, 5%). 19% of repairs were early (within 1 week after cholecystectomy), 58% were delayed (at least 6 weeks after cholecystectomy), and 22% were reoperations for recurrent strictures. In 92% of cases, side-to-side repair was accomplished. 23/113 (20%) developed postoperative complications, with one postoperative death. Mean follow-up was 4.9 years. Excellent anastomotic function was achieved in 107/112 (95%). "Poor" anastomotic results occurred in 5 patients: 2 patients with E4 injuries had postoperative anastomotic stenting3 months, and 3 developed strictures requiring percutaneous dilation. There have been no reoperations for biliary strictures.HJ using side-to-side anastomosis has theoretical advantages and is usually possible. In some high right-sided injuries it could not be achieved. 95% excellent anastomotic function without intervention attests to the benefit of the method, especially as postoperative stenting3 months was considered to be a "poor" result.

Background Abnormalities of liver function tests (LFT) are sometimes taken as evidence of a less than optimal result after repair of a biliary injury. Rather than indicating liver or anastomotic dysfunction, moderate LFT elevations can be "normal" for these patients. This study's aim was to determine LFT reference values after biliary-enteric anastomosis for biliary injury repair in persons who have had an excellent postoperative course for > 6 months. Study Design Of 113 patients repaired, 73 were identified with the following characteristics: LFT available at ≥ 6 months after repair, no biliary tract symptoms, no underlying liver disease, and biliary injury sustained during cholecystectomy. Outside LFT results were standardized to Barnes-Jewish Hospital reference values. One set of LFT per patient was collected at the following times points after repair: 6 months to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and > 5 years. Results For each distribution, the 97.5 th p97.5ercentile values for alkaline phosphatase (≥ 166 IU/L) and total bilirubin (≥ 1.3 mg/dL) were elevated relative to Barnes-Jewish Hospital standard values. Values for alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were more variable. Conclusions Moderate LFT elevations exceeding standard reference values are common after repair of a biliary injury in patients who have had excellent results. Alkaline phosphatase values fall with time after repair so that comparisons should take into account time from repair. Values ≤ 97.5 th percentile limits described here should not be taken as evidence of liver or anastomotic dysfunction.

Patient satisfaction is often measured using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. Our aim was to examine the structural and clinical determinants of satisfaction among inpatients with prolonged lengths of stays (LOS).Adult patients who were admitted between 2009 and 2012, had a LOS of 21 days or more, and completed the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, were included. Univariate analyses assessed the relationship between satisfaction and patient/system variables. Recursive partitioning was used to examine the relative importance of the identified variables.One hundred one patients met inclusion criteria. The average LOS was 35 days and 58% were admitted to a surgical service. Satisfaction with physician communication was significantly associated with fewer consultations (P.01), nonoperative admission (P.001), no intensive care unit stay (P.01), nonsurgical service (P.01), and non-emergency room admissions (P = .03). Among these, having fewer consultations had the highest relative importance.In long stay patients, having fewer inpatient consultations was the strongest predictor of patient satisfaction with physician communication. This suggests that examination of patient-level data in clinically relevant subgroups may be a useful way to identify targets for quality improvement.

Postoperative complications (POCs) can negatively impact survival after oncologic resection. POCs may also decrease the rate of adjuvant therapy completion. We evaluated the impact of complications on gastric cancer survival and analyzed the combined effect of complications and adjuvant therapy on survival. We analyzed 824 patients from 7 institutions of the U.S. Gastric Cancer Collaborative who underwent curative resection for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2012. POC were graded using the modified Clavien–Dindo system. Survival probabilities were estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier and analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. Median follow-up was 35 months. The overall complication rate was 41 %. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients who experienced complications were 27 and 23 %, respectively, compared with 43 and 40 % in patients who did not have complications (p

Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) have been increasingly emphasized, however, determining clinically valuable PRO has been problematic and investigation limited. This study examines the association of readiness for discharge, which has been described previously, with patient satisfaction and readmission.Data from adult patients admitted to our institution from 2009 to 2012 who completed both the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and the Press Ganey surveys post discharge were extracted from an existing database of patients (composed of 220 patients admitted for small bowel obstruction and 98 patients with hospital stays ≥ 21 days). Using the survey question, "Did you feel ready for discharge?" (RFD), 2 groups were constructed, those RFD and those with lesser degrees of readiness (ie, less ready for discharge [LRFD]) using topbox methodology. Outcomes, readmission rates, and satisfaction were compared between RFD and LRFD groups.Three hundred and eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria; 45% were female and 94% were Caucasian. Median age was 62.3 years (interquartile range 52.5 to 70.8 year). Median length of stay was 10 days (interquartile range 6.0 to 24.0 days) and 69.2% were admitted with small bowel obstruction. The 30-day readmission rate was 14.3% and 55% indicated they were RFD. Those RFD and LRFD had similar demographics, comorbidity scores, and rates of surgery. Those RFD had higher overall hospital satisfaction (87.3% RFD vs 62.4% LRFD; p0.001), higher physician communication scores (median 3.0 RFD vs 2.0 LRFD; p0.001), and higher nursing communication scores (median 3.0 RFD vs 2.0 LRFD, p0.001). Readmission rates were similar between the groups (11.4% RFD vs 18.2% LRFD; p = 0.09).Readiness for discharge appears to be a clinically useful patient-reported metric, as those RFD have higher satisfaction with the hospital and physicians. Prospective investigation into variables affecting patient satisfaction in those LRFD is needed.

This study utilized a multi-institutional database to evaluate risk factors for readmission in patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma with the intent of describing both perioperative risk factors and the relationship of readmission to survival.Patients who underwent curative resection of gastric adenocarcinoma from 2000 to 2012 from seven academic institutions of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were analyzed. In-hospital deaths and palliative surgeries were excluded, and readmission was defined as within 30 days of discharge. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed and survival analysis conducted.Of the 855 patients, 121 patients (14.2 %) were readmitted. Univariate analysis identified advanced age (p 0.0128), American Society of Anesthesiology status ≥3 (p = 0.0045), preexisting cardiac disease (p 0.0001), hypertension (p = 0.0142), history of smoking (p = 0.0254), increased preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN; p = 0.0426), concomitant pancreatectomy (p = 0.0056), increased operation time (p = 0.0384), estimated blood loss (p = 0.0196), 25th percentile length of stay (7 days, p = 0.0166), 75th percentile length of stay (12 days, p = 0.0256), postoperative complication (p 0.0001), and total gastrectomy (p = 0.0167) as risk factors for readmission. Multivariable analysis identified cardiac disease (odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.6-3.3, p 0.0001), postoperative complication (OR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.6-5.4, p 0.0001), and pancreatectomy (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.1-4.1, p = 0.0202) as independent risk factors for readmission. There was an association of decreased overall median survival in readmitted patients (39 months for readmitted vs. 103 months for non-readmitted). This was due to decreased survival in readmitted stage 1 (p = 0.0039), while there was no difference in survival for other stages. Stage I readmitted patients had a higher incidence of cardiac disease than stage I non-readmitted patients (58 vs. 24 %, respectively, p = 0.0002).Within this multi-institutional study investigating readmission in patients undergoing curative resection for gastric cancer, cardiac disease, postoperative complication, and concomitant pancreatectomy were identified as significant risk factors for readmission. Readmission was associated with decreased overall median survival, but on further analysis, this was driven by differences in survival for stage I disease only.

Data are lacking on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing major hepatectomy requiring bile duct resection (BDR) for the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases.Patients who underwent major hepatectomy (≥3 segments) for metastatic colorectal cancer from 2000-2010 at three US academic institutions were included. The primary outcome was disease-specific survival (DSS).Of 429 patients, nine (2.1%) underwent BDR, which was associated with pre-operative portal vein embolization (25.0% vs. 4.3%; P = 0.049). There were no significant differences in age, ASA class, margin status, number of lesions, tumor size, cirrhosis, perineural invasion, or lymphovascular invasion. BDR was independently associated with increased postoperative major complications (OR: 6.22; 95%CI:1.44-26.97; P = 0.015). There were no differences in length of stay, reoperation, readmission, or 30-day mortality. Patients who underwent BDR had markedly decreased DSS (9.3 vs. 39.9 mo; P = 0.002). When accounting for differences between the two groups, the need for BDR was independently associated with reduced DSS (HR: 3.06; 95%CI:1.12-8.34; P = 0.029).Major hepatectomy with concomitant bile duct resection is seldom performed in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases and is associated with higher major morbidity and reduced disease-specific survival compared to major hepatectomy alone. Stringent selection criteria should be applied when patients may need bile duct resection during hepatectomy for colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Limited data exist on the prognosis of preoperative Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for GAC from 2000 to 2012 at seven academic institutions comprising the United States Gastric Cancer Collaborative were included in the study. The primary end points of the study were overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Of 559 patients, 104 (18.6 %) who tested positive for H. pylori were younger (62.1 vs 65.1 years; p = 0.041), had a higher frequency of distal tumors (82.7 vs 71.9 %; p = 0.033), and had higher rates of adjuvant radiation therapy (47.0 vs 34.9 %; p = 0.032). There were no differences in American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class, margin status, grade, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, nodal metastases, or tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. H. pylori positivity was associated with longer OS (84.3 vs 44.2 months; p = 0.008) for all patients. This relationship with OS persisted in the multivariable analysis (HR 0.54; 95 % CI 0.30–0.99; p = 0.046). H. pylori was not associated with RFS or DSS in all patients. In the stage 3 patients, H. pylori was associated with longer OS (44.5 vs 24.7 months; p = 0.018), a trend of longer RFS (31.4 vs 21.6 months; p = 0.232), and longer DSS (44.8 vs 27.2 months; p = 0.034). Patients with and without preoperative H. pylori infection had few differences in adverse pathologic features at the time of gastric adenocarcinoma resection. Despite similar disease presentations, preoperative H. pylori infection was independently associated with improved OS. Further studies examining the interaction between H. pylori and tumor immunology and genetics are merited.

A 5 cm margin is advocated for distal gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). The optimal proximal resection margin (PM) length for proximal GAC is not established.Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for proximal GAC from 2000 to 2012 at 7 centers in the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were included. PM length was sequentially dichotomized and analyzed at 0.5 cm increments (0.5-6.5 cm). Outcomes after negative margin (R0) and positive microscopic margin (R1) resections were compared. Primary endpoints were local recurrence (LR) and overall survival (OS).All patients (n = 162) had R0 distal margins. 151 (93.2%) had an R0-PM with mean length of 2.6 cm (median:1.7 cm; range:0.1-15 cm). A greater PM distance was not associated with LR or OS. An R1-PM was associated with higher N-stage (N3:73% vs. 26%; P = 0.007) and increased LR (HR6.1; P = 0.009) but not associated with decreased OS. On multivariate analysis, an R1-PM was also not independently associated with LR.For resection of proximal gastric adenocarcinoma, proximal margin length is not associated with local recurrence or overall survival. An R1 margin is associated with advanced N-stage but is not independently associated with recurrence or survival. When performing resection of proximal gastric adenocarcinoma, efforts to achieve a specific margin distance, especially if it necessitates an esophagectomy, should be abandoned.

The prognostic effect of perioperative blood transfusion on recurrence and survival in patients undergoing resection of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) remains controversial.All patients who underwent resection for GAC from 2000 to 2012 at the 7 institutions of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were identified. The effect of transfusion on recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in the context of adverse clinicopathologic variables was examined by univariate and multivariate regression analyses.Of 965 patients, 765 underwent curative intent R0 resection. Median follow-up was 44 months; 30-day mortalities were excluded. Median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 200 mL, and 168 patients (22%) received perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions. Transfused patients were less likely to receive adjuvant therapy (44% vs 56%; p = 0.01). Transfusion was associated with significantly decreased median RFS (13.5 vs 37.2 months, p0.001). Median OS was similarly decreased in patients receiving transfusions (18.6 vs 49.8 months, p0.001). On multivariate analysis, transfusion remained an independent risk factor for decreased RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.63; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.37; p = 0.010) and decreased OS (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.67; p = 0.004), regardless of EBL or need for splenectomy. Timing (intraoperative vs postoperative) and volume of transfusion did not alter the negative prognostic effect of transfusion on survival.Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with decreased RFS and OS after resection of gastric cancer, independent of adverse clinicopathologic factors. This supports the judicious use of perioperative transfusion during resection of gastric cancer.

Background For patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO), surgical care has been associated with improved outcomes; however, it remains unknown how it impacts satisfaction. Methods Patients admitted for SBO who completed the hospital satisfaction survey were eligible. Only those with adhesions or hernias were included. Chart review extracted structural characteristics and outcomes. Results Forty-seven patients were included; 74% (n = 35) were admitted to a surgical service. Twenty-six percent of the patients (n = 12) were admitted to medicine, and 50% of those (n = 6) had surgical consultation. Patients with surgical involvement as the consulting or primary service (SURG) had higher satisfaction with the hospital than those cared for by the medical service (MED) (80% SURG, 33% MED, P = .015). SURG patients also had higher satisfaction with physicians (74% SURG, 44% MED, P = .015). Conclusion Surgical involvement during SBO admissions is associated with increased patient satisfaction, and adds further weight to the recommendation that these patients be cared for by surgeons.

Conflicting data exist on the prognostic implication of signet-ring cell (SRC) histology in gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). All patients who underwent curative-intent resection of GAC from the seven institutions of the U.S. Gastric Cancer Collaborative between 2000 and 2012 were included. Primary end points were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Stage-specific analyses were performed. A total of 768 patients met the inclusion criteria. SRC was present in 40.6 % of patients and was associated with female sex (52.9 vs. 38.6 %; p

The effect of routine drainage after abdominal surgery with enteric anastomoses is controversial. In particular, the role of peritoneal drain (PD) placement after total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma is not well established. Patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) at seven institutions from the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative, from 2000 to 2012, were identified. The association of PD placement with postoperative outcomes was analyzed. Overall, 344 patients were identified and 253 (74 %) patients received a PD. The anastomotic leak rate was 9 %. Those with PD placement had similar American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor size, TNM stage, and the need for additional organ resection when compared with their counterparts. No difference was observed in the rate of any complication (54 vs. 48 %; p = 0.45), major complication (25 vs. 24 %; p = 0.90), or 30-day mortality (7 vs. 4 %; p = 0.51) between the two groups. In addition, no difference in anastomotic leak (9 vs. 10 %; p = 0.90), the need for secondary drainage (10 vs. 9 %; p = 0.92), or reoperation (13 vs. 8 %; p = 0.28) was identified. On multivariate analysis, PD placement was not associated with decreased postoperative complications. Subset analysis, stratified by patients who did not undergo concomitant pancreatectomy (n = 319) or those who experienced anastomotic leak (n = 31), similarly demonstrated no association of PD placement with reduced complications or mortality. PD placement after total gastrectomy for GAC is associated with neither a decrease in the frequency and severity of adverse postoperative outcomes, including anastomotic leak and mortality, nor a decrease in the need for secondary drainage procedures or reoperation. Routine use of PDs is not warranted.

No discussion of genetic testing is complete without consideration of the ethical implications and anticipated societal ramifications. This challenging relationship between the science and the ethics of medical genetics is widely recognized and forms the basis for public concern over undergoing genetic testing. The central ethical tenants of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice are discussed as they apply to the rapidly increasing availability of genetic testing. Specifically, the issues of informed consent, privacy, and genetic discrimination are described in their ethical context and illustrated with case presentations.

Background: Although the laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach to hernia repair has been associated with less pain and a faster postoperative recovery than traditional open repair, many practicing surgeons have been reluctant to adopt this technique because of the lengthy operative times and the learning curve for this procedure. Methods: Data from all patients undergoing TEP repair since 1997 and open mesh repair (OPEN) since 1999 were collected prospectively. Selection of surgical approach was based on local hernia factors, anesthetic risk, previous abdominal surgery, and patient preference. Statistical analyses were performed using unpaired t-tests and chi-squared tests. Data are mean ± SD. Results: TEP repairs were performed in 147 patients and open repairs in 198 patients. Patients in the OPEN group were significantly older (59 ± 19 years OPEN vs 51 ± 13 years TEP) and had a higher ASA (1.9 ± 0.7 OPEN vs 1.5 ± 0.6 TEP; p < 0.01). TEP repairs were more likely to be carried out for bilateral (33% TEP, 5% OPEN) or recurrent hernias (31% TEP, 11% OPEN) than were open repairs (p < 0.01). Concurrent procedures accompanied 31% of TEP and 12% of OPEN repairs (p < 0.01). Operative times (min) were significantly shorter in the TEP group for both unilateral (63 ± 22 TEP, 70 ± 20 OPEN; p = 0.02) and bilateral (78 ± 27 TEP, 102 ± 27 OPEN; p = 0.01) repairs. Mean operative times decreased over time in the TEP group for both unilateral and bilateral repairs (p < 0.01). Patients undergoing TEP were more likely (p < 0.01) to develop urinary retention (7.9% TEP, 1.1% OPEN), but were less likely (p < 0.01) to have skin numbness (2.8% TEP, 35.8% OPEN) or prolonged groin discomfort (1.4% TEP, 5.3% OPEN). Conclusions: Despite a higher proportion of patients undergoing bilateral repairs, recurrent hernia repair, and concurrent procedures, operative times are shorter for laparoscopic TEP repair than for open mesh repair. TEP repairs can be performed efficiently and without major complications, even when the learning curve is included.

Background Resident workhours have received much attention, yet there is little information concerning faculty workhours. In addition, the perspectives of surgical faculty on the anticipated effects of reducing resident hours have not been studied. Study design An anonymous survey was distributed to all clinical faculty in the Departments of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, and Otolaryngology at a single, large academic institution. Surgeons completed a detailed retrospective report of hours worked during a 1-week period. Opinions regarding resident workhour restrictions were also elicited. Chi-square or Student's t -tests were used to determine p values as appropriate, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Of 120 surveys distributed, 102 (85%) were returned. Subspecialty departments comprised 51% of respondents with 49% from general surgeons. The mean number of hours worked per week by faculty was 70.4 ± 12.5 (SD) (73.8 ± 14.1 for general surgeons versus 67.1 ± 9.9 for subspecialists, p=0.006), with only 44.1% having at least 1 day per week free from clinical duties. Up to 95% of general surgeons are paged overnight at least once per week (mean 13.6 ± 11.2 calls/week), with 73% returning from home at least once during the week (mean 1.8 ± 1.1 returns/week). Importantly, 84% of general surgeons believe reducing resident workhours will increase faculty hours, compared with 57% of subspecialists (p = 0.004). In addition, 87% predict that reducing resident hours will compromise surgical education, with only 11% believing the benefits of hour reduction will outweigh the negatives. Conclusions The recommended limit for resident workhours closely approximates the average number of hours worked by surgical faculty in an academic center. Despite this, significant concern exists among the majority of surgical faculty regarding the impact of resident workhour restriction, both on faculty workhours and on resident education.

371 Background: Insurance status predicts access to medical care in the United States. Previous studies show uninsured and government insured patients have worse outcomes than those with private insurance. However, the impact of insurance status on survival in patients with Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors (GI-NETs) is unclear. We evaluate the association between insurance status and survival in patients with GI-NETs. Methods: Our analysis includes 2022 patients who had surgical resection of GI-NETs at 8 institutions in the U.S. Neuroendocrine Study Group. Patients were categorized based on insurance as private (PI), government (GovI) or uninsured (UI). Factors associated with insurance status were assessed by uni- and multi-variate analysis. Primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: Patient demographics between the insurance categories were similar in ECOG performance status and tumor size at presentation. GovI patients had a higher median age than PI or UI (66 vs. 54 vs. 56 years respectively; p

TPS874 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the few cancers in which aggressive local approaches to treat systemic metastases have resulted in clinical benefit. Despite these approaches 70-80% of patients (pts) with resectable metastatic disease will recur. The one-year recurrence rate for this population is ~40-50%. Immunotherapeutics have yet to be studied in this setting. To sensitize microsatellite stable (MSS) CRCs to immune therapies adjunctive therapies are required. Gross tumor microenvironments suppress systemic anti-cancer immune responses. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is commonly utilized to treat liver metastatic CRC, using very high doses of focused radiation to ablate tumors. This causes localized inflammation, a potential increase in immunogenic intra-tumoral and intra-lymphatic antigen release, and a rapid influx of responding immune cells. We hypothesize that radiotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, and surgical removal of the remaining immunosuppressive gross disease will enhance the immunogenicity of CRC and potentiate the effectiveness of PD-1 blockade. Methods: This is a single arm phase 1b investigator-initiated study (NCT02837263) to evaluate the use of pem in combination with ablative radiotherapy for the treatment of oligometastatic CRC. This study examines the sequential use of SBRT, then pem followed by resection of all known sites of disease and 6 months of adjuvant pem. Pts with MSS CRC with resectable liver metastatic disease who have received prior FOLFOX are eligible. The primary endpoints are safety/tolerability and the rate of cancer recurrence at 1 year. Secondary endpoints include time to disease recurrence, disease free survival and overall survival. This study is currently enrolling with a planned total accrual of 15 patients. Correlative studies examine PD-L1 status, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, evidence of an abscopal effect, versican proteolysis as a novel immune biomarker, and the ability of multiparametric fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET MR and fluorothymidine (FLT) PET CT to detect immune infiltration. Clinical trial information: NCT02837263.

216 Background: Neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts are important biomarkers of the tumor-induced systemic inflammatory response. A lower monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with a favorable prognosis for certain tumors. However, this association has not yet been demonstrated in resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of MLR and NLR in patients with resectable PNETs with regards to overall survival (OS). Methods: Eligible patients undergoing surgery for PNETs between 2000 and 2016 were identified using a national multi-center cohort dataset. Their pre-operative neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts were imported and NLR and MLR were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut offs for NLR and MLR. Univariate analyses were used to compare patient factors and tumor characteristics in different groups. The difference in OS between high and low groups was explored with the use of Kaplan Meier curves and compared using log-rank tests. Results: A total of 635 patients were analyzed. Univariate analysis revealed that higher lymphocyte, low monocyte and low neutrophil counts were associated with improved OS (P = 0.0002, 0.014 and 0.011 respectively). The mean NLR and MLR level was 4.11 ± 0.219 and 0.4295 ± 0.0196, respectively. Lower NLR ( < 4) and lower MLR ( < 0.25) were significantly associated with improved OS (p < 0.001 & p < 0.0001). Median survival was 141 months in the low NLR group (n = 474) and 119 months in the high NLR group (n = 161). The median survival in the high MLR group (n = 464) was 120 months and has not been reached in the low MLR group (n = 171). On multivariate analysis, low MLR was independent predictor of improved OS when controlling for age, race and comorbidities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: For resectable PNETs, low pre-operative NLR and MLR levels are significantly associated with improved survival. NLRs and MLRs may serve as valuable markers to stratify PNET patients for subsequent therapies and clinical trial enrollment.

Importance No consensus exists regarding the definition of high-risk surgery in older adults. An inclusive and precise definition of high-risk surgery may be useful for surgeons, patients, researchers, and hospitals. Objective To develop a list of high-risk operations. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study and modified Delphi procedure. The setting included all Pennsylvania acute care hospitals (Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council [PHC4] April 1, 2001, to December 31, 2007) and a nationally representative sample of US acute care hospitals (Nationwide Inpatient Sample [NIS], Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2006). Patients included were those 65 years and older admitted to PHC4 hospitals and those 18 years and older admitted to NIS hospitals. We identified International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification ( ICD-9-CM ) procedure codes associated with at least 1% inpatient mortality in the PHC4. We used a modified Delphi procedure with 5 board-certified surgeons to further refine this list by excluding nonoperative procedures and operations that were unlikely to be the proximate cause of mortality and were instead a marker of critical illness (eg, tracheostomy). We then cross-validated this list of ICD-9-CM codes in the NIS. Main Outcomes and Measures Modified Delphi procedure consensus of at least 4 of 5 panelists and proportion agreement in the NIS. Results Among 4 739 522 admissions of patients 65 years and older in the PHC4, a total of 2 569 589 involved a procedure, encompassing 2853 unique procedures. Of 1130 procedures associated with a crude inpatient mortality of at least 1%, 264 achieved consensus as high-risk operations by the modified Delphi procedure. The observed inpatient mortality in the NIS was at least 1% for 227 of 264 procedures (86%) in patients 65 years and older. The pooled inpatient mortality for these identified high-risk procedures performed on patients 65 years and older was double the pooled inpatient mortality for correspondingly identified high-risk operations for patients younger than 65 years (6% vs 3%). Conclusions and Relevance We developed a list of procedure codes to identify high-risk surgical procedures in claims data. This list of high-risk operations can be used to standardize the definition of high-risk surgery in quality and outcomes–based studies and to design targeted clinical interventions.

To determine pathologic features associated with recurrence and survival in patients with lymph node-negative gastric adenocarcinoma.Multi-institutional retrospective analysis.Lymph node status is among the most important predictors of recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Pathologic features predictive of recurrence in patients with node-negative disease are less well established.Patients who underwent curative resection for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2012 from 7 institutions of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were analyzed, excluding 30-day mortalities and stage IV disease. Competing risks regression and multivariate Cox regression were used to determine pathologic features associated with time to recurrence and overall survival. Differences in cumulative incidence of recurrence were assessed using the Gray method (for univariate nonparametric analyses) and the Fine and Gray method (for multivariate analyses) and shown as subhazard ratios (SHRs) and adjusted subhazard ratios (aSHRs), respectively.Of 805 patients who met inclusion criteria, 317 (39%) had node-negative disease, of which 54 (17%) recurred. By 2 and 5 years, 66% and 88% of patients, respectively, experienced recurrence. On multivariate competing risks regression, only T-stage 3 or higher was associated with shorter time to recurrence [aSHR = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-5.2]. Multivariate Cox regression showed T-stage 3 or higher [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8], lymphovascular invasion (HR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.4), and signet ring histology (HR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6) to be associated with decreased overall survival.Despite absence of lymph node involvement, patients with T-stage 3 or higher have a significantly shorter time to recurrence. These patients may benefit from more aggressive adjuvant therapy and postoperative surveillance regimens.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine if laparoscopic colon surgery has changed the incidence of wound complications after colon resection. METHODS: Eighty-three patients were randomized to undergo either laparoscopic (LCR) or open colon resection (OCR) for cancer at our institution as part of a multicenter trial. Data were tabulated from review of the prospective database and physician records. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were randomized to LCR and 46 to OCR. Seven patients in the LCR group were converted to OCR. LCR was performed using a limited midline incision for anastomosis and specimen extraction. Incision length was significantly greater (p

During pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for ductal adenocarcinoma, a frozen section (FS) neck margin is typically assessed, and if positive, additional pancreas is removed to achieve an R0 margin. We analyzed the association of this practice with improved overall survival (OS).Patients who underwent PD for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from January 2000 to August 2012 at 8 academic centers were classified by neck margin status as negative (R0) or microscopically positive (R1) on the basis of FS and permanent section (PS). Impact on OS of converting an FS-R1-neck margin to a PS-R0-neck margin by additional resection was assessed.A total of 1399 patients had FS neck margins analyzed. Median OS was 19.7 months. On FS, 152 patients (10.9%) were R1, and an additional 51 patients (3.6%) had false-negative FS-R0 margins. PS-R0-neck was achieved in 1196 patients (85.5%), 131 patients (9.3%) remained PS-R1, and 72 patients (5.1%) were converted from FS-R1-to-PS-R0 by additional resection. Median OS for PS-R0-neck patients was 21.1 months versus 13.7 months for PS-R1-neck patients (P0.001) and 11.9 months for FS-R1-to-PS-R0 patients (P0.001). Both FS-R1-to-PS-R0 and PS-R1-neck patients had larger tumors (P = 0.001), more perineural invasion (P = 0.02), and more node positivity (P = 0.08) than PS-R0-neck patients. On multivariate analysis controlling for adverse pathologic factors, FS-R1-to-PS-R0 conversion remained associated with significantly worse OS compared with PS-R0-neck patients (hazard ratio: 1.55; P = 0.009).For patients who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, additional resection to achieve a negative neck margin after positive frozen section is not associated with improved OS.

BackgroundAccurate assessment of complications is critical in analysing surgical outcomes. The post-operative morbidity index (PMI), derived from the Modified Accordion Severity Grading System and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), is a quantitative measure of post-operative morbidity. This study utilizes PMI to establish the complication burden for a distal pancreatectomy (DP).MethodsFrom 2005–2011, nine centres contributed ACS-NSQIP complication data for 655 DPs. Each complication was assigned an Accordion severity weight ranging from 0.11 for grade 1 to 1.00 for grade 6 (death). The PMI is the sum of complication severity weights divided by the total number of patients.ResultsACS-NSQIP complications occurred in 177 patients (27.0%). The non risk-adjusted PMI for DP is 0.087. Bleeding/Transfusion and Organ Space Infection were the most common complications. Frequency and burden differed across Accordion grades. While grade 4–6 complications represented only 15.4% of complication occurrences, they accounted for 30.4% of the burden. Subgroup analysis demonstrates that the PMI did not vary based on laparoscopic versus open approach or the performance of a splenectomy.DiscussionThis study uses two validated systems to quantitatively establish the morbidity of a DP. The PMI allows estimation of both the frequency and severity of complications and thus provides a more comprehensive assessment of risk.

Background: The management of hepatic hemangiomas remains ill defined. This study sought to investigate the indications, surgical management and outcomes of patients who underwent a resection for hepatic hemangiomas. Methods: A retrospective review from six major liver centres in the United States identifying patients who underwent surgery for hepatic hemangiomas was performed. Clinico-pathological, treatment and peri-operative data were evaluated. Results: Of the 241patients who underwent a resection, the median age was 46 years (interquartile range (IQR): 39-53) and 85.5% were female. The median hemangioma size was 8.5 cm (IQR: 6-12.1). Surgery was performed for abdominal symptoms (85%), increasing hemangioma size (11.3%) and patient anxiety (3.7%). Life-threatening complications necessitating a hemangioma resection occurred in three patients (1.2%). Clavien Grade 3 or higher complications occurred in 14 patients (5.7%). The 30- and 90-day mortality was 0.8% (n = 2). Of patients with abdominal symptoms, 63.2% reported improvement of symptoms post-operatively. Conclusion: A hemangioma resection can be safely performed at high-volume institutions. The primary indication for surgery remains for intractable symptoms. The development of severe complications associated with non-operative management remains a rare event, ultimately challenging the necessity of additional surgical indications for a hemangioma resection.

80 Background: Lymph node (LN) status is a predictor of recurrence after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Clinicopathologic predictors of recurrence in patients with node-negative disease are less well established. Methods: Patients who underwent surgery with curative intent for gastric adenocarcinoma from between 2000-2012 from participating institutions of the U.S. Gastric Cancer Collaborative were analyzed. Patients who died within 30 days of surgery were excluded. Univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) analysis of clinicopathologic factors was associated with recurrence was performed. Results: Nine-hundred sixty-five patients from seven institutions were included in the analysis. Three-hundred forty-five (36%) had LN- disease, of whom 63 (18%) had disease recurrence after a median follow-up of 24 months. The most common patterns of recurrence were: peritoneal alone (44%), liver (22%), or combined liver/peritoneal (9%). This distribution did not differ significantly from LN+ disease. UV analysis identified tumor size, linitis plastica, diffuse histology, poor differentiation, signet ring histology, T stage ≥3, perineural invasion, and lymphvascular invasion as risk factors for recurrence (Table). On MV analysis, T stage≥3 (OR 3.6, 95% CI=1.7-7.5) and poorly differentiated histology (OR 2.4, 95% CI=1.2-4.9) were independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusions: Despite the presence of negative lymph nodes, patients with T stage ≥3 and poorly differentiated histology are at high risk of recurrence after gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the stomach. These factors, along with other patient and treatment-related variables, may be used to select patients who may benefit from more aggressive adjuvant therapy and to guide subsequent monitoring for disease recurrence. [Table: see text]