Search

Purpose: Molecular analysis of peritoneal fluid in staging laparoscopy of gastric cancer is performed to improve the detection of free intraperitoneal tumor cells. Nevertheless, its significance is controversial, especially in patients with negative cytology but positive molecular analysis. The aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of molecular analysis and its prognostic value. Methods: A retrospective analysis from April 2011 to October 2019 was performed. Cytology (Cyt) and molecular analysis were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) tumor makers. Results: During the study period, 138 staging laparoscopies were performed. Macroscopic carcinomatosis was found in 12.3%. Of the remaining 87.7%, 9.9% were Cyt + and 11.6% were Cyt- RT-PCR +. Of the latter, 9 responded to chemotherapy and underwent radical surgery. The sensitivity of cytology and molecular analysis was 0.70 and 0.76, respectively (p = 0.67). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of Cyt- RT-PCR + vs. Cyt + was similar (p = 0.1). The 2-year OS of Cyt-RT-PCR + subgroup who underwent radical surgery vs. Cyt-RT-PCR- patients was similar (p = 0.69), but disease-free survival was shorter in the first group (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Our results show that the sensitivity of molecular analysis is similar to that of cytology. The prognostic value of positive molecular analysis was similar to positive cytology in terms of 2-year overall survival, except in the subgroup of operated patients in whom the overall survival was similar to that of those with a negative molecular analysis, albeit with a shorter disease-free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Modern management of Oesophageal and oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) cancers requires a multidisciplinary approach, which was implemented at our health centre in 2005. This study aimed to assess the impact of this change on clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, covering all patients treated for oesophageal and OGJ cancer at the cancer centre established by the Bellvitge University Hospital and Catalonian Institute of Oncology, over two time periods, i.e. 2000-2004 and 2005-2008. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed using survival at 1 and 3 years as dependent variables. Results: Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2008, 586 patients were included. Number of patients with unknown stage at diagnosis was significantly reduced. Preoperative strategies at the oesophageal location clearly increased in the recent period. A multidisciplinary approach resulted in a significant reduction in surgical mortality (11.8 vs. 2 %) in the period 2005-2008. Analysis restricted to patients undergoing surgery with curative intent indicated a significant increase in 1- and 3-year survival in the latter period (68.4 vs. 89.8 and 38.2 vs. 57.1 %, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that variables associated with improved survival were: age; tumour stage; radical intent of treatment (surgery and radical combined chemoradiotherapy); and therapeutic strategy. Conclusion: Better selection of patients for therapy together with improved staging resulted in a significant improvement in 1- and 3-year survival in cases undergoing surgery with curative intent. These changes would support the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to clinical decision-making in cases of oesophageal and OGJ cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Preoperative gastric conditioning (GC) improves blood perfusion of the gastroplasty, one of the most important factors for anastomotic viability. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of GC before oesophageal surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer or Siewert I-II esophagogastric junction cancer, who required an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy., Materials and Methods: This was a randomized (1:1), open-label, single-centre, controlled, parallel-group, pilot clinical trial. Two study groups: 1) GC-group: patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and GC before surgery; 2) Surgery alone (SA)-group: patients who underwent only Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Feasibility was assessed by means of the number of patients in whom a GC was performed, and the cumulative incidence of postoperative AL. Secondary endpoints were conduit necrosis (CN), hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and anastomotic stricture., Results: Between 2015 and 2018, 38 patients were randomized and analysed: 20 to GC-group and 18 to SA-group. 17 GCs (85%) were successfully performed, right gastric artery occlusion failed in three patients. Morbidity after GC occurred in 5/22 patients (all Clavien-Dindo ≤ IIIa). The cumulative incidence of AL was 15.0% (3/20, 95%CI: 5.2-36.0%) in GC-group and 33.3% (6/18, 95%CI: 16.3-56.3%) in SA-group, p-value: 0.184. CN: 0/20 vs. 1/18 (p-value: 0.474); surgical morbidity (Clavien-Dindo III-V): 7/20 vs. 12/18 (p-value: 0.070); hospital stay (median [range] days): 12 [9-45] vs. 27.5 [10-166] (p-value: 0.067). When only successful GCs (three arteries) were included for analysis, ischemia-related gastric conduit failure (AL and CN) was lower in the GC group (p-value: 0.041)., Conclusions: Preoperative arteriographic GC before Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is a feasible and safe procedure and seems it may reduce AL in patients with oesophageal cancer or Siewert I-II esophagogastric junction cancer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2022 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Preoperative gastric ischemic conditioning (IC) improves the outcome of esophageal replacement gastroplasty and is associated with low morbidity. However, when the stomach cannot be used for esophageal replacement, a colonic replacement is required. The study aim was to assess the viability of right colon and terminal ileum IC in a rat model and the histological damage/recovery sequence and determine if neovascularization is a potential adaptive mechanism., Methods: The study was conducted in Rattus norvegicus with ileocolic vascular ligation. Seven groups of animals were established (6 rats per group) with groups defined by the date of their post-IC euthanasia (+1, +3, +6, +10, +15, and +21 days). Comparisons were made with a sham group. Viability of the model was defined as <10% of transmural necrosis. The evaluation of histological damage used the Chiu score in hematoxylin and eosin sections of paraffin-embedded specimens with CD31 immunohistochemical assessment of neovascularization by the median of submucosal vessel counts in 5 high-magnification fields., Results: Transmural colon necrosis occurred in 1/36 animals (2.78%) with no animal demonstrating transmural ileal necrosis. The maximum damage was observed in the colon on +1 day post-IC (average Chiu score 1.67, p = 0.015), whereas in the ileum, it was on days +1, +3, and +6 (average Chiu score 1.5, 1.3, and 1.17; p = 0.015, 0.002, and 0.015, respectively). In the +21-day group, histological recovery was complete in the colon in 4 (66.7%) of the 6 animals and in the ileum in 5 (83.3%) of 6 animals. There were no significant differences in quantitative neovascularization in any of the groups when compared with the sham group or when comparisons were made between groups., Conclusions: The tested animal model for IC of the colon and terminal ileum appeared to be feasible. Histological damage was maximal between the 1st and 3rd day following IC, but by day 21, recovery was complete in two-thirds of the rats. There was no evidence in this preliminary IC model that would suggest neovascularization as an adaptive mechanism., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Oesophageal reconstruction by gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis has a higher incidence of dehiscence. The aim of the study is to analyse the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis following angiographic ischaemic conditioning of the gastric conduit., Methods: Prospective analysis of patients who underwent gastric conditioning two weeks prior to oesophageal reconstruction, from January 2001 to January 2014. The conditioning was performed by angiographic embolization of the left and right gastric artery, and splenic artery. The main variable analysed was the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis. Secondary variables analysed were the result of the conditioning, complications arising from that procedure and in the postoperative period, and mean length of postconditioning and postoperative hospital stay., Results: Gastric conditioning was indicated in 97 patients, with neoplasia being the most frequent aetiology motivating the oesophageal reconstruction (76%). 96 procedures were successfully carried out, arterial embolization was complete in 80 (83%). The morbidity rate was 13%, with no mortality. Postoperative morbidity was 45%; the most frequent complications associated with the surgery were respiratory problems. Six (7%) patients experienced cervical fistula, and all received conservative treatment. The rate of postoperative mortality was 7%., Conclusions: In our serie the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis following angiographic ischaemic conditioning is 7%. Angiographic ischaemic conditioning is a procedure with acceptable morbidity., (Copyright © 2017 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Appendicular diverticulosis is a rare condition. It is important to know its insidious form of presentation for its early diagnosis and treatment, thus diminishing morbimortality. In case of incidental findings, an appendicectomy will be performed to prevent complications and the development of malignancy.

The aim of this study was to analyze the possible protective effects of a glutamine and arginine precursor (ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate [OKG]) on the mucosa of a transplanted intestine when administered with either a defined formula oral diet (DFD) or a standard chow. Isogenic male Lewis rats (250 g) were submitted to a laparotomy (groups 1 and 2) or to an orthotopic small bowel transplantation (SBT; groups 3-6). Groups 1, 3, and 5 received a DFD 14 days after surgery. Groups 2, 4, and 6 received standard chow. In addition, groups 5 and 6 received a daily oral supplementation of 1.4 g/kg of OKG. Weight changes and food intake were recorded daily. At the end of the study, bacterial translocation (BT) was measured in mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. The protein/DNA index was also determined in intestinal mucosa. SBT induced BT in all transplanted groups, especially in those fed DFD. Addition of OKG (groups 5 and 6) significantly reduced BT in comparison with groups 3 and 4 and improved the protein/DNA index as well as weight gain. It is concluded that OKG supplementation protects the intestinal barrier after SBT, and that this effect is more marked when it is added to a standard chow.

We report our results with a left colonic resection and intraoperative antegrade colonic irrigation technique with primary anastomosis. Thirty five consecutive patients operated on in the Emergency Surgical Ward are presented. Twenty five with large bowel occlusion and 10 with sigma perforation. Anastomotic leakage (2 patients, 5.7%) and postoperative hospital stay (mean 15 days) were similar to cases of elective surgery. The intraoperative antegrade colonic irrigation technique has become the first choice in our Department to treat any patient with left colonic occlusion or perforation. Only patients with faecal peritonitis or ischemic colon were excluded.