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PURPOSE Prospective data on the efficacy of a watch-and-wait strategy to achieve organ preservation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with total neoadjuvant therapy are limited. METHODS In this prospective, randomized phase II trial, we assessed the outcomes of 324 patients with stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma treated with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (INCT-CRT) or chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy (CRT-CNCT) and either total mesorectal excision (TME) or watch-and-wait on the basis of tumor response. Patients in both groups received 4 months of infusional fluorouracil-leucovorin-oxaliplatin or capecitabine-oxaliplatin and 5,000 to 5,600 cGy of radiation combined with either continuous infusion fluorouracil or capecitabine during radiotherapy. The trial was designed as two stand-alone studies with disease-free survival (DFS) as the primary end point for both groups, with a comparison to a null hypothesis on the basis of historical data. The secondary end point was TME-free survival. RESULTS Median follow-up was 3 years. Three-year DFS was 76% (95% CI, 69 to 84) for the INCT-CRT group and 76% (95% CI, 69 to 83) for the CRT-CNCT group, in line with the 3-year DFS rate (75%) observed historically. Three-year TME-free survival was 41% (95% CI, 33 to 50) in the INCT-CRT group and 53% (95% CI, 45 to 62) in the CRT-CNCT group. No differences were found between groups in local recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, or overall survival. Patients who underwent TME after restaging and patients who underwent TME after regrowth had similar DFS rates. CONCLUSION Organ preservation is achievable in half of the patients with rectal cancer treated with total neoadjuvant therapy, without an apparent detriment in survival, compared with historical controls treated with chemoradiotherapy, TME, and postoperative chemotherapy.

Current guidelines recommend restaging with MRI after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, but the accuracy of restaging MRI in estimating circumferential margin involvement requires additional clarification.The objective of this study was to measure the accuracy of circumferential resection margin assessment by MRI after neoadjuvant therapy and identify characteristics associated with accuracy.MRI data were retrospectively analyzed for concordance with the findings of whole-mount pathology analysis of the corresponding surgical specimens. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify characteristics associated with accuracy.This study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer center.Included in the study were consecutive patients who underwent total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer between January 2018 and March 2020 after receiving neoadjuvant therapy and undergoing restaging with MRI.The primary outcome of this study included accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for categorizing the circumferential resection margin as threatened; mean and paired mean differences were in proximity of the margin.Of the 94 patients included in the analysis, 39 (41%) had a threatened circumferential resection margin according to MRI at restaging, but only 17 (18%) had a threatened margin based on pathology. The accuracy of MRI in identifying a threatened margin was 63.8%, with margin proximity overestimated by 0.4 cm on average. In multivariate logistic regression, anterior location of the margin and tumor proximity to the anal verge were independently associated with reduced MRI accuracy.A limitation was the retrospective design at a single institution.The knowledge that MRI-based restaging after neoadjuvant therapy overestimates circumferential margin proximity may render some surgical radicality unnecessary and thereby help avoid the associated morbidity. With the recognition that MRI-based assessment of margin proximity may not be reliable for anterior margin and for distal tumors, radiologists may want to use greater caution in interpreting images of tumors with these characteristics and to acknowledge the uncertainty in their reports. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B814.ANTECEDENTES:Las pautas actuales recomiendan la re-estadificación por medio de la resonancia magnética luego de terapia neoadyuvante en los casos de cáncer de recto, pero la precisión de la reevaluación con la IRM para estimar el grado de implicación del margen circunferencial requiere aclaraciones adicionales.OBJETIVO:Medir el grado de exactitud en la evaluación del margen de resección circunferencial mediante resonancia magnética después de la terapia neoadyuvante e identificar las características asociadas con la precisión.DISEÑO:Se analizaron retrospectivamente los datos de resonancia magnética para determinar la concordancia entre los hallazgos del análisis de la pieza de anatamopatología y las muestras quirúrgicas correspondientes. Se realizó el análisis de regresión logística univariada y multivariada para identificar las características asociadas con la exactitud.AJUSTE:Centro oncológico integral.PACIENTES:Todos aquellos que se sometieron consecutivamente a una excisión total del mesorrecto por cáncer rectal entre Enero 2018 y Febrero 2020 luego de recibir terapia neoadyuvante y someterse a una re-estadificación por imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM).PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La exactitud, la sensibilidad y especificidad; los valores predictivos positivos y negativos para categorizar el margen de resección circunferencial como amenazado; la diferencia media y las medias pareadas de proximidad a los margenes.RESULTADOS:De los 94 pacientes incluidos en el análisis, 39 (41%) tenían un margen de resección circunferencial amenazado según la resonancia magnética en la re-estadificación, pero solo 17 (18%) tenían un margen amenazado basado en la patología. La precisión de la resonancia magnética para identificar un margen amenazado fue del 63,8%, con la proximidad del margen sobreestimada en 0,4 cm en promedio. En la regresión logística multivariada, la ubicación anterior de los bordes de resección y la proximidad del tumor al margen anal se asociaron de forma independiente con la reducción en la precisión de la resonancia magnética.LIMITACIONES:Diseño retrospectivo en una institución única.CONCLUSIONES:El saber que la re-estadificación basada en la IRM, luego de terapia neoadyuvante sobreestima la proximidad de la lesión a los márgenes circunferenciales, hace innecesaria cierta radicalidad quirúrgica complementaria, lo que ayuda a evitar morbilidad asociada. Reconociendo que la evaluación de proximidad de los márgenes de resección basada en la resonancia magnética, no puede ser confiable en casos de márgenes anteriores y en casos de tumores distales. Los radiólogos recomiendan tener más precaución en la interpretación de imágenes de tumores con estas características y reconocen cierto desasosiego en sus informes. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B814.

PURPOSE: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of rectal cancer patients with local recurrence at a perianastomotic site (PA), a surgical field (SF) site, or in lateral lymph nodes (LLN). METHODS: A total of 114 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for recurrent, non-metastatic rectal cancer at a single comprehensive cancer center between 1997 and 2012 were grouped on the basis of radiographic assessment of type of recurrence: PA, 76 (67%) patients; SF, 25 (22%) patients; LLN, 13 (11%) patients. Demographic, clinical, and pathological features were compared between the three groups, as were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Recurrence type was associated with positive circumferential margin in the primary resection (PA, 4 [6%]; SF, 4 [19%]; LLN, 3 [25%]; P = 0.027), prior neoadjuvant therapy for the primary tumor (PA, 57 [75%]; SF, 18 [72%]; LLN, 4 [31%]; P = 0.007) and location of the primary tumor in the upper rectum (PA, 33 [45%]; SF, 5 [23%]; LLN, 1 [8%]; P < 0.001). Patients with PA had longer median DFS (PA, 5.1 years; SF, 1.5 years; LLN, 1.2 years; P = 0.036). There was a non-significant trend toward longer OS and higher rates of R0 resection for PA. CONCLUSION: Type of recurrence after salvage surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer is associated with longer DFS in patients with PA recurrence.

A small proportion of rectal adenocarcinomas develop in patients many years after the treatment of a previous cancer using pelvic radiation, and the incidence of these rectal cancers depends on the length of follow-up from the end of radiotherapy. The risk of radiation-associated rectal cancer (RARC) is higher in patients treated with prostate external beam radiotherapy than it is in patients treated with brachytherapy. The molecular features of RARC have not been fully investigated, and survival is lower compared to non-irradiated rectal cancer patients. Ultimately, it is unclear whether the worse outcomes are related to differences in patient characteristics, treatment-related factors, or tumor biology. Radiation is widely used in the management of rectal adenocarcinoma; however, pelvic re-irradiation of RARC is challenging and carries a higher risk of treatment complications. Although RARC can develop in patients treated for a variety of malignancies, it is most common in patients treated for prostate cancer. This study will review the incidence, molecular characteristics, clinical course, and treatment outcomes of rectal adenocarcinoma in patients previously treated with radiation for prostate cancer. For clarity, we will distinguish between rectal cancer not associated with prostate cancer (RCNAPC), rectal cancer in non-irradiated prostate cancer patients (RCNRPC), and rectal cancer in irradiated prostate cancer patients (RCRPC). RARC represents a unique but understudied subset of rectal cancer, and thus requires a more comprehensive investigation in order to improve its treatment and prognosis.

Background The advent of immune checkpoint inhibition therapy has dramatically improved survival in patients with skin melanoma. Survival outcomes after resection of anorectal melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibition have not been reported. Objective This study aimed to compare survival outcomes following surgical resection of anorectal melanoma between patients who received immune checkpoint inhibition and patients who did not. Design This study is a retrospective analysis of data from a prospectively maintained database. Setting This study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer center. Patients Patients who underwent surgery for anorectal melanoma between 2006 and 2017 were included. They were stratified according to the use of immune checkpoint inhibition. Main outcome measures The primary outcomes measured were overall and disease-specific survival. Results Of the 47 patients included in the analysis, 29 (62%) received immune checkpoint inhibition therapy. Twenty-two (76%) of the 29 patients received immune checkpoint inhibition after detection of metastasis or disease progression rather than in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting. Overall survival did not differ significantly between patients who received immune checkpoint inhibition therapy and patients who did not (median, 52 and 20 months; 5-year rate, 41% vs 35%; p = 0.25). Disease-specific survival also did not differ significantly. Our analysis did not identify any clinical or pathological features associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibition therapy or with survival. Limitations This study was limited by its relatively small sample and retrospective design and by the heterogeneous treatment regimen in the immune checkpoint inhibition group. Conclusions Immune checkpoint inhibition therapy by itself does not appear to improve survival in patients who undergo resection or excision of anorectal melanoma. Combinations of immune checkpoint inhibition with other therapeutic modalities warrant further investigation. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B499. MELANOMA DE LA MUCOSA ANORRECTAL EN LA ERA DE LOS INHIBIDORES DEL PUNTO DE CONTROL INMUNOLOGICO: ?DEBEMOS DE CAMBIAR NUESTRO PARADIGMA DEL MANEJO QUIRURGICO: El advenimiento de la terapia de los inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico, han mejorado dramaticamente la supervivencia en pacientes con melanoma de piel. No se han informado los resultados de supervivencia despues de la reseccion del melanoma anorrectal, tratado con inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico.Comparar los resultados de supervivencia despues de la reseccion quirurgica de melanoma anorrectal entre pacientes que recibieron y no recibieron inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico.Analisis retrospectivo de una base de datos mantenida prospectivamente.Centro oncologico integral.Pacientes que se sometieron a cirugia por melanoma anorrectal entre 2006 y 2017. Los pacientes fueron estratificados segun el uso de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico.Supervivencia global y especifica de la enfermedad.De los 47 pacientes incluidos en el analisis, 29 (62%) recibieron terapia de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico. Veintidos (76%) de los 29 pacientes recibieron inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico despues de la deteccion de metastasis o progresion de la enfermedad, en vez de administracion adyuvante o neoadyuvante. La supervivencia global no vario significativamente entre los pacientes que recibieron o no recibieron terapia de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico (mediana, 52 y 20 meses, respectivamente; tasa a 5 anos, 41% frente a 35%, respectivamente; p = 0,25). La supervivencia especifica de la enfermedad tampoco vario significativamente. Nuestro analisis no identifico ninguna caracteristica clinica o patologica, asociada con la respuesta a la terapia de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico o con la supervivencia.Muestra relativamente pequena y diseno retrospectivo. Regimen de tratamiento heterogeneo en el grupo de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico.La terapia por si sola, de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico, no parece mejorar la supervivencia en pacientes que se someten a reseccion o escision de melanoma anorrectal. Las combinaciones de inhibidores del punto de control inmunologico con otras modalidades terapeuticas, merecen una mayor investigacion. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B499. (Traduccion-Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy).

Easy and safe methods of fascia closure are needed in order to reduce the risk for trocar site hernias without affecting procedure time significantly. Here we present a method for port site closure using heat induced collagen denaturation.Controlled heat-induced collagen denaturation was applied to laparoscopic trocar sites in living porcine animal models. These were compared to control trocar sites which were left open. Port sites were evaluated visually at days 14 and 28 after the procedure, and both visually and pathologically at post-procedural day 42.A total of 12 port sites were evaluated in three pigs. No incisional hernias were noted at any of the trocar sites in both groups. Histological evaluation revealed that one of the six control ports appeared to have a complete transfascial defect, whereas none of the study group trocars showed this finding. Furthermore, the study port sites showed a more robust scarring pattern.Heat-induced collagen denaturation in this preliminary study was found to be safe and allowed better scarring of the healing port sites. We believe that this technology may offer a safe and efficient closure of laparoscopic trocar sites. More studies are needed to further evaluate the true effectiveness of this technology.

This study evaluates the relationship of tumour and anatomical features with operative difficulty in robotic low anterior resection performed by four experienced surgeons in a high-volume colorectal cancer practice.Data from 382 patients who underwent robotic low anterior resection by four expert surgeons between January 2016 and June 2019 were included in the analysis. Operating time was used as a measure of operative difficulty. Univariate and multivariate mixed models were used to identify associations between baseline characteristics and operating time, with surgeon as a random effect, thereby controlling for variability in surgeon speed and proficiency. In an exploratory analysis, operative difficulty was defined as conversion to laparotomy, a positive margin or an incomplete mesorectum.Median operating time was 4.28 h (range 1.95-11.33 h) but varied by surgeon from 3.45 h (1.95-6.10 h) to 5.93 h (3.33-11.33 h) (P 0.001). Predictors of longer operating time in multivariate analysis were male sex, higher body mass index, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, low tumour height, greater sacral height and larger mesorectal area at the S5 vertebral level. Conversion occurred in two cases (0.5%), and incomplete mesorectum and positive margins were found in nine (2.4%) and 19 (5.0%) patients, respectively. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and larger pelvic outlet were the only characteristics associated with the exploratory measure of difficulty.Predicting operative difficulty based on easy to identify, preoperative radiological and clinical variables is feasible in robotic anterior resection.

Oral anticoagulants (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) agents are increasingly prescribed to prevent and treat acute and chronic thrombotic conditions. The direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), a newer class of AC, raise concerns in the trauma setting. Our study aims to compare the mortality rates and other outcomes among adult trauma patients based on pre-admission AC/AP status. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a prospectively collected database of trauma patients previously on DOAC, warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel. A matched control group of trauma patients not receiving AC/AP was used for comparison. Our primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality according to antithrombotic medication class. Secondary endpoints included length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, need for blood transfusion, and discharge to a dependent setting. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. There were 996 exposed patients and 234 controls, with no major clinically significant difference among study groups in terms of gender, injury site, injury severity, mechanism, and comorbidities. The mortality rates were 2.14% (control, 5/234), 2.88% (DOAC, 3/104), 3.34% (aspirin, 17/509), 7.63% (warfarin, 18/236), 9% (clopidogrel, 8/89), and 13.79% (aspirin + clopidogrel, 8/58) (p

A proportion of patients with rectal cancer who undergo neoadjuvant treatment end up with a complete pathological response. Because these patients have excellent oncological outcomes, many have questioned if surgical treatment in this population constitutes overtreatment. There is growing interest in watch and wait with selective organ preservation for rectal cancer patients. We review the fundamentals and key considerations of this approach including patient selection, available treatment regimens, assessment of response, long-term monitoring of response, and long-term oncological and functional outcomes.

Opioid-induced immunomodulation may be important in colon adenocarcinoma, where tumour DNA mismatch repair (MMR) can determine the level of immune activation with consequences for therapeutic response and prognosis. We evaluated the relationship between intraoperative opioid exposure, MMR subtype, and oncological outcomes after surgery for colon adenocarcinoma.Intraoperative opioid use (standardised by calculating morphine milligram equivalents) during stage I-III colon adenocarcinoma resection was reviewed retrospectively. Tumours were classified as DNA mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or proficient (pMMR) by immunohistochemistry. The primary outcome was local tumour recurrence, distant tumour recurrence, or both (multivariable analysis). The exposures of interest were intraoperative analgesia and tumour subtype. Opioid-related gene expression was analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon Adenocarcinoma transcriptomic data.Clinical and pathological data were analysed from 1157 subjects (median age, 60 [51-70] yr; 49% female) who underwent curative resection for stage I-III colon adenocarcinoma. Higher intraoperative opioid doses were associated with reduced risk of tumour recurrence (hazard ratio=0.92 per 10 morphine milligram equivalents; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.87-0.98; P=0.007), but not with overall survival. In tumours deficient in DNA MMR, tumour recurrence was less likely (HR=0.38; 95% CI, 0.21-0.68; P=0.001), with higher opioid dose associated with eightfold lower recurrence rates. Gene expression related to opioid signalling was different between dMMR and pMMR tumours.Higher intraoperative opioid dose was associated with a lower risk of tumour recurrence after surgery for stage I-III colon adenocarcinoma, but particularly so in tumours in which DNA MMR was deficient.

Introduction: Prostate cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) are at risk of developing radiation-associated rectal cancer (RARC). Previous literature reports worse overall survival in these patients compared to those with non-radiation associated primary rectal cancer (PRC), yet the genomic and clinical characteristics of RARC are not well understood. We compared molecular profiles of RARC and PRC patients to better understand the mechanism of RARC tumorigenesis and its interplay with clinical outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 22 patients who had stage I-IV rectal cancer (within 12 cm of the anal verge) and had received previous RT for prostate cancer. Patients were excluded if they had a latency period between cancers of Citation Format: Dana M. R. Omer, Anisha Luthra, Hannah M. Thompson, Jonathan B. Yuval, Paul B. Romesser, Philip B. Paty, Julio Garcia-Aguilar, Francisco Sanchez-Vega. Identifying unique genomic and clinical characteristics of radiation-associated rectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Colorectal Cancer; 2022 Oct 1-4; Portland, OR. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(23 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A026.

Background Women of childbearing age constitute a substantial proportion of patients who undergo weight-loss procedures. However, little is known regarding family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices among bariatric surgeons. Objectives We explored the reproductive-health and contraceptive practices among bariatric surgeons. Setting A national society of bariatric surgeons. Methods A cross-sectional study. Anonymous surveys were sent to all members of the Israeli Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ISMBS). Results The ISMBS survey elicited a response rate of 96% (n=48). Most (89.6%, n=43) considered female reproductive health perioperative counseling very important and the majority of respondents (66.7%, n=32) felt comfortable discussing these issues. Nevertheless, only 54.2% (n=25) reported to routinely have family-planning and pregnancy conversations with their patients. There was a general awareness that women should delay conception after surgery, however, only a minority of bariatric surgeons consistently either recommended the use of contraception after surgery (39.6%, n=19) or referred patients for contraceptive advice (25.0%, n=12). Most (81.3%, n=39) practitioners reported not having accurate contraceptive knowledge and felt that collaboration with other bariatric health care providers would provide patients with optimal reproductive-health counseling. Conclusions Bariatric surgeons acknowledged the importance of reproductive-health care and the need to delay conception among women undergoing bariatric surgery. However, they inconsistently addressed family planning and contraceptive issues and reported lack of accurate knowledge in this regard. This highlights the need for multidisciplinary collaboration between bariatric health-care providers in order to improve reproductive and contraceptive care in these patients.

BACKGROUND. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients with peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer (pmCRC) who underwent cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/IPC) in relation to the location of the primary tumor. Regional therapy including cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been associated with improved survival in patients with pmCRC. Location of the primary tumor has been shown to be prognostic in patients with metastasis. METHODS. A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent complete cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy from 2010 to 2017, examining patient and tumor characteristics, overall and recurrence-free survival, recurrence patterns, and tumor mutational profiles. RESULTS. Ninety-three patients were included in the study: 49 (53%) with a right-sided and 44 (47%) with a left-sided primary tumor. Patients with a right-sided tumor had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (median, 6.3 months [95% CI, 4.7–8.1] vs 12.3 months [95% CI, 3.6–21.7]; P = 0.02) and overall survival (median, 36.6 months [95% CI, 26.4–46.9] vs 83.3 months [95% CI 44.2–122.4]; P = 0.03). BRAF and KRAS mutations were more frequent in right-sided tumors, and APC and TP53 mutations were more frequent in left-sided tumors, which were more chromosomally instable. BRAF mutations were associated with early recurrence. CONCLUSIONS. Tumor sidedness is a predictor of oncological outcomes after CRS/IPC. Tumor sidedness and molecular characteristics should be considered when counseling patients regarding expected outcomes and when selecting or stratifying pmCRC patients for clinical trials of regional therapy.

POEM (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) is rapidly becoming a valid option for surgical myotomy in achalasia patients. Several techniques to perform POEM are described, but all concentrate on the division of the circular muscle fibers in a proximal-to-distal fashion. Our aim is to present the distal-to-proximal, or the bottom-up technique using the Flush/Dual knife, which overcomes the disadvantages of the standard technique. A retrospective study on a prospectively maintained database was performed on all patients treated by POEM in our institution. Clinical presentation, operating time, adverse events, and outcomes were studied. POEM was performed on 105 achalasia patients. The first 15 cases were performed using the standard technique and were compared to the next 90 cases performed using the bottom-up technique. The average preop Eckardt scores in the standard and bottom-up groups were 9.5 and 8.8, respectively, declining to 1.4 and 0.5, 3 months post myotomy (p

Introduction/Purpose: Colorectal cancer has worse outcomes among Black patients; however, few studies have evaluated differences in recurrence rates after surgery. Our goal was to compare recurrence between Black and white patients with colon cancer treated at a comprehensive cancer center with a standardized quality of care. Methods: A retrospective review of Black and white patients with Stage 0-III colon cancer undergoing surgical resection from 2006-2018 was conducted. Patients with neoadjuvant therapy, adjuvant radiation, and missing median family income or body mass index data were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected and compared between the groups. Median family income was estimated using patients' zip codes and Census data. Freedom from Recurrence (FFR) was the primary endpoint with an event defined as colon cancer recurrence. A Kaplan-Meier curve evaluated differences between the racial groups with a log-rank test to assess significance. A multivariable analysis using Cox proportional hazards was conducted, and a p value of Citation Format: Hannah M. Thompson, Jonathan B. Yuval, Anisha Luthra, Fan Wu, Tolulope Iwayemi, Iris H. Wei, Emmanouil P. Pappou, J. Joshua Smith, Garrett M. Nash, Julio Garcia-Aguilar, Francisco Sanchez-Vega. Racial disparities and the impact on recurrence and survival in non-metastatic colon cancer patients undergoing colectomy at a comprehensive cancer center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-228.

Background Bariatric surgery is associated with increased thromboembolic risk, which may extend well beyond hospital stay. The hemostatic mechanisms implicated in this risk are not well established. Objectives We aimed to determine the dynamics of hemostatic changes and procoagulant potential among patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, during both the early and late postoperative periods. Setting A university hospital. Methods Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were recruited consecutively to this study. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, before discharge (postoperative day [POD] 3), and at the first follow-up visit (POD10). All samples were tested for complete blood count, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand factor, factor VIII, fibrinogen, and thrombin generation. Results The median preoperative body mass index of the 26 participants was 41.3 (38.7–43.3) kg/m 2 . Compared with preoperative evaluation, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen and activity, and factor VIII levels were significantly higher at POD3 and POD10 ( P P = .005 for both comparisons) and POD10 ( P = .0009 and P = .007). Conclusions As determined by thrombin generation, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was associated with hypercoagulability, which persisted during POD10. This finding suggests a possible benefit of extended thromboprophylaxis. Nevertheless, our results should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of a control group.

Emergency laparotomy (EL) is an increasingly common procedure in the elderly. Factors associated with mortality in the subpopulation of frail patients have not been thoroughly investigated. Sarcopenia has been investigated as a surrogate for frailty and poor prognosis. Our primary aim was to evaluate the association between easily measured sarcopenia parameters and 30-day postoperative mortality in elderly patients undergoing EL. Length of stay (LOS) and admission to an intensive care unit were secondary end points.We conducted a retrospective cohort study, over a 5-year period, of patients aged 65 y and older who underwent EL at a tertiary university hospital. Sarcopenia was evaluated on admission computed tomography scan by two methods, first by psoas muscle attenuation and second by the product of perpendicular cross-sectional diameters (PCSDs). The lowest quartile of PCSDs and attenuation were defined as sarcopenic and compared with the rest of the cohort. Attenuation was stratified for the use of contrast enhancement. Multivariant logistic regression was performed to determine independent risk factors.During the study period, 403 patients, older than 65 y, underwent EL. Of these, 283 fit the inclusion criteria and 65 (23%) patients died within 30 d of surgery. On bivariate analysis, psoas muscle attenuation, but not PCSDs, was found to be associated with 30-day mortality (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.34-4.38, P = 0.003) and longer LOS (35.7 d versus 22.2 d, Δd 13.5, 95% CI = 6.4-20.7, P 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, psoas muscle attenuation, but not PCSDs, was an independent risk factor for 30-day postoperative mortality (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.16-4.76, P = 0.017) and longer LOS (Δd = 14.4, 95% CI = 7.7-21.0, P 0.001). Neither of the sarcopenia parameters was associated with increased admission to an intensive care unit.Psoas muscle attenuation is an independent risk factor for 30-day postoperative mortality and LOS after EL in the elderly population. This measurement can inform clinicians about the operative risk and hospital resource utilization.

Esophageal achalasia is a rare condition, characterised by progressive dysphagia due to innervation of the esophageal muscles and non-relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. The standard of care of surgical treatment is laparoscopic Heller myotomy. POEM-Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a new approach offering incision-less and selective myotomy.This study aims to describe our experience and outcomes using this new surgical technique.We performed a retrospective study using prospectively maintained data of all achalasia patients treated by POEM in our department. Data collected included patient demographics, gender, age, BMI, data related to the disease course in addition to data related to the surgery itself as well as both short and long term post-operative follow-up.Over the course of five years we performed 86 POEM operations, demonstrating a decrease in the Eckardt score from a mean of 8.87 to a mean of 0.7 in the immediate postoperative. Mean operative time was 86 minutes, with mean hospitalization time of 4 days. Intraoperative complications included 2 mucosal injuries while post-operative complications included 4 incomplete mucosal closures, 5 recurrent dysphagia and 5 patients with reflux requiring medical therapy.In the last decade, POEM procedure is being performed worldwide and has been performed in our department for the past five years. Our results show a success rate of 94.2% with minor complications. In our institution, as in many institutions globally, POEM is the preferred method for treating achalasia.

3509 Background: Clinical response following neoadjuvant therapy is paramount to identifying locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients suitable for Watch and Wait (WW). A 3-tier schema was devised to stratify clinical response. Patients with a complete clinical response (cCR) are considered for WW, while those with an incomplete clinical response (iCR) are recommended for total mesorectal excision (TME). A near complete response (nCR) tier captures patients with significant, but not complete, response to be considered for WW. This schema’s efficacy has yet to be validated. We investigated survival and organ preservation (OP) rates based on this 3-tier clinical response assessment in patients with LARC who underwent total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) in a prospective, multi-center clinical trial. Methods: Patients with MRI stage II and III rectal adenocarcinoma were randomized to either induction chemotherapy (FOLFOX or CAPEOX) followed by chemoradiation or chemoradiation followed by consolidation chemotherapy (FOLFOX or CAPEOX). At 8+/-4 weeks following TNT, response on digital rectal and endoscopic examinations was evaluated by the 3-tier schema. The date of this restaging clinical response assessment was used as time zero. The endpoints of rate of OP, disease-free survival (DFS), TME-free DFS, and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method with differences analyzed by the log-rank test. Results: Clinical response assessments were available for 294 patients. The median time to assessment after neoadjuvant therapy was 7.9 weeks. Based on the 3-tier schema, 124 patients were categorized as cCR, 113 as nCR, and 57 as iCR. Baseline age, sex, average distance from the anal verge, clinical T classification, and clinical N classification were similar between the response groups. The table shows the 3-year rates of OP, DFS, TME-free DFS, and OS. The median follow-up was 2.36 years. Of the patients with a nCR, the 3-year TME rate was 48% compared with 21% in the cCR group. Conclusions: The 3-tier clinical response assessment has prognostic implications for OP and DFS in patients with LARC who underwent TNT. In patients with a nCR, more than half achieved OP at 3 years. This information should be utilized to counsel patients regarding their expected outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT02008656. [Table: see text]

The beneficial effect of bariatric surgery (BS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is well established. Conversely, little is known about the efficacy of BS in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients, despite the increasing prevalence of obesity in this population. A retrospective review was carried out on a prospectively collected bariatric surgery registry of all patients undergoing BS at two university hospitals between 2010 and 2015. Patients with T1DM were identified, and detailed chart reviews were obtained. In this time period, we operated on thirteen patients with T1DM. Eight were female (61.5 %). Median age at time of surgery was 38 ± 8.3 (range 28–53) years. The procedures performed were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (n = 10) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 3). On median postoperative follow-up of 24 (range 2.5–51) months, mean body mass index significantly decreased from 39.9 ± 4.1 to 30.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2 (P

4008 Background: Organ preservation (OP) with a watch and wait strategy (WW) and total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) are new treatment paradigms for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The safety and efficacy of WW and of TNT have not been studied prospectively. Methods: Patients with MRI stage II and III rectal adenocarcinoma were randomized to 4 months of FOLFOX or CAPEOX before (Induction) or after (Consolidation) fluorouracil or capecitabine based chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Patients were re-staged 8-12 weeks after finishing TNT with digital rectal exam, flexible sigmoidoscopy and MRI. Patients with complete or near-complete clinical response were offered WW. Those with incomplete response had total mesorectal excision. The trial was designed so that each arm served as its own single-stage study that discriminates between 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates of 75% (historical null) and 85%, with 86% power, and a two-sided type I error of 5%. Secondary objectives included comparing DFS, OP, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates between the two arms using the log-rank test. Results: Of 324 patients enrolled, 307 (152 I, 155 C) are currently evaluable for the time-to-event analysis as of 2/1/2020. Median follow-up is 2.1 years; 52 DFS events were observed. Patient demographics and tumor characteristics were generally balanced across the two arms. Full compliance with systemic chemotherapy was 82% and 81% for the I- and C-arms, respectively. The median radiation dose was 5400 cGy for both arms. Table shows 3-y DFS, DMFS, and OP rates. Conclusions: A WW strategy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that achieve a clinical complete response to TNT results in organ preservation for a high proportion of patients without compromising survival. Up-front CRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy resulted in a numerically higher WW rate compared to induction chemotherapy followed by CRT. Clinical trial information: NCT02008656 . [Table: see text]

In high-risk patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC), percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) can serve as a bridging option to cholecystectomy [laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)] or as definitive treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of the need for permanent PC. Data from 257 PCs performed for ACC (mean age 67.3 ± 14) was collected for a 10-year period. Demographic and clinical characteristics at initial admission, co-morbidities were analyzed. Patients who underwent interval LC were defined as the surgery group (SG; n = 163, 63.4 %) and the remaining patients as the non-SG (NSG; n = 94, 36.6 %). Patients in the SG were significantly younger and had a shorter length of hospital stay (p

The role of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in the management of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to report operative outcomes in a large cohort of patients undergoing PC before their delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC).All patients who underwent DLC because of ACC between 2003 and 2012 were included. Outcomes of patients with and without previous PC were compared.Of 639 patients who underwent DLC because of ACC at our institution during a 10-year time interval beginning 2003, 163 (25.5%) patients had PC before their DLC. Patients who underwent PC were older (64 ± 1 years vs 48 ± 0.8 years, P.001) and had more comorbid conditions (P.001). Accumulated duration of stay was longer in the PC group (16.2 ± 0.4 days vs 9.7 ± 0.1 days, P.001). Rate of conversion to open procedure was greater in the PC group (11% vs 4%, P = .001) and operative time was longer (142 ± 4 minutes vs 107 ± 4 minutes, P.001). Patients in the PC group had a greater rate of biliary-related complications (10% vs 4%, P = .003) and surgical-site infections; both superficial (5% vs 1%, P = .004) and deep (7% vs 3%, P = .04). On multivariable analysis PC was an independent risk factor for conversion to open cholecystectomy (odds ratio 2.67 95% CI 1.18-6.72) as well as to biliary-related complications (odds ratio 4.85 95% CI 1.57-14.92).DLC for ACC in patients with previous PC is associated with longer duration of stay, more readmissions, and, most importantly, greater conversion rate, biliary related complications, and surgical-site infections.

Background: Achieving complete cytoreduction of peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) can be challenging. In most cases, delivery of heated intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is straightforward. However, using the closed technique in some cases may be technically challenging; for example, in patients requiring abdominal closure using a large synthetic mesh. In cases where groin hernias are present, it is imperative to resect the hernia sac, since it may contain tumor deposits. In cases with major inguinal involvement where disease may spread out of the hernia sac or in cases where a hernia repair was performed while disease is present, inguinal perfusion should be considered. Aim: To describe our experience with combined intra-peritoneal and inguinal perfusion of HIPEC following cytoreductive surgery. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC at our institution. A prospectively maintained database containing data of patients treated by CRS and HIPEC (n=122) was reviewed. All patients with macroscopic inguinal involvement by PSM with complete cytoreduction perfused by HIPEC were included. Results: We identified five cases who underwent CRS and combined intraperitoneal and inguinal perfusion after resection of large inguinal tumor deposits (n=4) or after a recent hernia repair with hernial sac involvement by mucinous adenocarcinoma (n=1). All five patients were successfully perfused using an additional outflow catheter placed in the groin. Discussion: In cases of inguinal involvement by PSM, complete cytoreduction should be achieved and perfusion of the involved groin considered as it is feasible and safe.

Our aim was to evaluate the advantages and limitations of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in a tertiary center. A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to our institution with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) between January 2003 and December of 2012 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics and comorbidities, presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging results, length of stay (LOS), time to surgery, and surgical complications. A total of 1078 patients were admitted with ACC. There were 593 females (55%), and the mean age was 57 ± 0.6 years. Mean LOS at initial admission, re-admission until surgery, and following surgery was 7.9 ± 0.2, 1.5 ± 0.1, and 3.4 ± 0.2 days, respectively. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) tube was inserted in 24% of the patients. Only 640 (59%) patients eventually underwent LC. Mean time to surgery was 97 ± 9.8 days, and 16.4% of patients were readmitted in this time period resulting in a mean total LOS of 10.6 ± 0.2 days. Conversion rate to open surgery was 5.8% and bile duct injury occurred in 1.1%. Postoperative complications occurred in 9.8% of the patients, and 30-day mortality was 0.6%. Patients with more severe inflammation according to Tokyo Criteria grade were more likely to undergo PC, were more likely to be readmitted while waiting for LC, and also had more postoperative complications. Delayed LC is associated with significant loss of follow-up, long LOS, and higher than expected use of PC. Conversion rates are lower than in the literature while rates of bile duct injury and mortality are comparable. We believe these data as well as the available literature are sufficient to change our hospital policy regarding the surgical treatment of ACC from delayed to early same admission surgery in appropriate cases.

Save for perforated appendicitis, perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is the most common intra-abdominal hollow viscus perforation that requires surgical intervention. The estimated annual incidence is approximately 5–10/100,000. Perforation occurs in 2–10 % of patients with peptic ulcer disease and is the leading cause of death due to PUD. Ulcer perforation is most commonly found in the anterior portion of the first part of the duodenum and usually is of a diameter smaller than 5 mm.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a common surgical procedure, yet there is no consensus on what bougie size is best for LSG. We reviewed the literature and assessed the relationship between the size of bougie used and the incidence of leak as well as weight loss parameters. We wanted to determine if there is an ideal bougie size for LSG. A search of the medical literature was undertaken. We limited the search to articles published in the last 5 years written in English and investigating humans. We analyzed 32 publications comprising 4,999 patients. We determined the frequency of staple line leaks as well as weight loss parameters in relation to bougie size. This study was exempt from our institutional review board. The use of bougies of 40 French (F) and larger was associated with a leak rate of 0.92 % as opposed to 2.67 % for smaller bougies (p

Bezoars are collections of undigested foreign material that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common are phytobezoars, which are formed from plant fibers, especially those related to the ingestion of persimmon. Patients who undergo abdominal surgery, including bariatric surgery for obesity, and particularly gastrectomy, are prone to bezoar formation due to reduced gastric motility, loss of pyloric function, and hypoacidity. Bezoars can form months to years postoperatively. Our objective was to review the published literature regarding phytobezoar formation after bariatric surgery. We investigated the entire scientific literature on phytobezoars as a complication after bariatric surgery using PubMed and Embase searches of all reports published to date. We used the following keywords: "phytobezoars" or "bezoars" and "bariatric surgery" or "laparoscopic adjustable gastric band" or "laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy" or "Roux-en-Y gastric bypass" or "single anastomosis gastric bypass" or "biliopancreatic diversion." Seventeen eligible articles were included in the study. We provide an overview of the incidence, classification, and manifestations of bezoar formation as a rare, late morbidity of bariatric surgery. Treatment options include chemical enzyme therapy, endoscopic dissolution and removal, or surgery. Nutritional counseling regarding bezoar formation and prevention of recurrence after bariatric surgery should emphasize changing eating habits, including sufficient drinking and chewing and avoiding the overindulgence of foods with high-fiber content, especially citrus pith and persimmons. Clinicians should be aware of this potential rare complication. Additional studies are needed to examine the eating habits and food choices of bariatric patients with bezoar complications and to elucidate more clearly the risk factors for this pathologic condition.

Although rare, complications can arise during the establishment of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery. These include injury to blood vessels, hollow viscera, solid organs, and CO2 embolism. We report a case of trauma to the liver following the insertion of a Veress needle causing CO2 embolism during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Opening pressures on insertion were high. Respiratory and cardiovascular changes alerted the anesthesiologists to the possibility of CO2 embolism. The patient was treated with inotropic drugs, placed in Durant’s position, and the operation was aborted. Ultrasound demonstrated gas bubbles within the liver parenchyma and the heart chambers. The patient was transferred to the surgical intensive care unit where she experienced a grand mal seizure. She was later taken to a nearby hospital for hyperbaric oxygen therapy during which she suffered 3 additional seizures. She had subsequent resolution of all neurological symptoms. The first entry into the peritoneum deserves the full attention of the operating room team, because this is when most CO2 embolisms occur. The team should be prepared to take immediate action on suspicion of embolism. Gas embolism can occur not only by direct cannulation of blood vessels, but also by injury to solid organs, especially the liver. All overweight patients should be suspected of having hepatomegaly and the location of initial entry into the peritoneum should shift accordingly. In selected patients, one should use a direct visualization approach, because this approach has fewer complications and they are more readily identified.

Nutritional deficiencies are common among morbidly obese patients. Data are scarce for patients who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).The aim of the study is to clarify the prevalence of deficiencies and to identify risk factors for postoperative deficiencies.Hebrew University, Israel.Preoperative and 1-year postoperative data were collected. We included anthropometric parameters, obesity-related co-morbidities, and laboratory findings.There were 192 candidates. Seventy-seven of them completed follow-ups at 12 months. Before surgery, 15% had anemia. Deficiencies of iron, folate, and B12 were 47%, 32%, and 13%, respectively. Women were more deficient in iron (56% women, 26% men, P.001). Before surgery, low levels of vitamin D and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) were 99% and 41%, respectively. One year postsurgery, the deficiencies of hemoglobin and vitamin B12 worsened (20% and 17%, P.001, P = .048, respectively). One year postsurgery, deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin D, and PTH improved (28%, 21%, 94%, and 10%, respectively). Deficiencies of hemoglobin, folate, and B12 before surgery were predictors for deficiencies 1 year after surgery (P = .006 OR = .090; P = .012 OR = .069; P = .062 OR = .165, respectively).LSG had a modest effect on nutritional deficiencies in our patients at 1-year postsurgery. Focusing on the preoperative nutritional status and tailoring a specific supplemental program for each individual should prevent postoperative deficiencies.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare neoplasm of the alimentary tract. Previous reports described an incidence of 1 per 100,000. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) provides pathological specimens of the majority of the stomach. We examined the pathology from LSG and the incidence and location of GIST. The aim of this study was to study the incidence of asymptomatic GISTs found during LSG at our institution. A search was conducted in a prospectively maintained bariatric registry. Data collected included the following: gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and concomitant hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Histopathology reports were reviewed for incidental GIST. We compared the patients with incidental GIST to the rest of the cohort. Pathology reports of 827 patients that underwent LSG between 2007 and 2014 were reviewed. Five patients had GIST in the resected stomach, an incidence of 0.6 %. The group of patients with GIST had lower BMI and older age compared to the remaining 822 patients. All tumors were located close to the lesser curvature. The incidence of GIST found in this cohort is significantly higher than previously reported. This may be due to an association between these tumors and obesity or because asymptomatic GISTs are underdiagnosed in the general population. These tumors are particularly common in older patients and special attention must be given when performing LSG on this subpopulation. The stomach should be inspected thoroughly before resection. A tumor on the lesser curvature may necessitate changing the surgical plan or aborting the procedure.

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the alimentary tract may present with severe bleeding. Localization and treatment of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is challenging in cases of negative bi-directional endoscopy. Case presentation A previously healthy 64-year-old Caucasian female presented with clinical signs of active gastrointestinal bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was normal, and colonoscopy revealed passage of blood from the small bowel. Computerized tomography angiography demonstrated a hypervascular lesion with active extravasation located in the jejunum. Angiography of the superior mesenteric artery revealed a focal hypervascular mass in the jejunum, and super selective distal coil embolization of the feeding vessel was performed. When the patient was taken for laparoscopic exploration, a 2.5 cm tumor arising from the anti-mesenteric border of the proximal jejunum was identified and resected with primary anastomosis. Pathological results demonstrated a gastrointestinal stromal tumor with a low proliferation index of 1%. Small erosions in the adjacent mucosa confirmed the locus of bleeding. Conclusions Computerized tomography is a useful tool for initial diagnosis of submucosal alimentary tumors in patients with obscure but clinically overt gastrointestinal bleeding. Selective angiography, following positive computerized tomography findings, is an important modality to allow both localization and hemostasis in actively bleeding small bowel tumors, but the procedure carries the risk of bowel necrosis. Complete surgical resection remains the mainstay for treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background & Aims Anemia is associated commonly with acute and chronic inflammation, but the mechanisms of their interaction are not clear. We investigated whether microRNA 122 (MIR122), which is generated in the liver and is secreted into the blood, is involved in the development of anemia associated with inflammation. Methods We characterized the primary transcript of the human liver-specific MIR122 using Northern blot, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends analyses. We studied regulation of MIR122 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (Huh7 and HepG2) as well as in C57BL/6 and mice with disruption of the tumor necrosis factor ( Tnf ) gene. Liver tissues were collected and analyzed by bioluminescence imaging or immunofluorescence. Inflammation in mice was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by cerulein injections. Mice were given 4 successive injections of LPS, leading to inflammation-induced anemia. Steatohepatitis was induced with a choline-deficient, high-fat diet. Hemolytic anemia was stimulated by phenylhydrazine injection. MIR122 was inhibited in mice by tail-vein injection of an oligonucleotide antagonist of MIR122. MicroRNA and messenger RNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The primary transcript of MIR122 spanned 5 kb, comprising 3 exons; the third encodes MIR122. Within the MIR122 promoter region we identified a nuclear factor-κB binding site and showed that RELA (NF-κB p65 subunit), as well as activators of NF-κB (TNF and LPS), increased promoter activity of MIR122. Administration of LPS to mice induced secretion of MIR122 into blood, which required TNF. Secreted MIR122 reached the kidney and reduced expression of erythropoietin (Epo), which we identified as a MIR122 target gene. Injection of mice with an oligonucleotide antagonist of MIR122 increased blood levels of EPO, reticulocytes, and hemoglobin. We found an inverse relationship between blood levels of MIR122 and EPO in mice with acute pancreatitis or steatohepatitis, and also in patients with acute inflammation. Conclusion In mice, we found that LPS-induced inflammation increases blood levels of MIR122, which reduces expression of Epo in the kidney; this is a mechanism of inflammation-induced anemia. Strategies to block MIR122 in patients with inflammation could reduce the development or progression of anemia.