Decompressive percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in advanced cancer patients with small-bowel obstruction is feasible and effective: a large prospective study

Readmission and Disposition in Patients With Malignant Bowel Obstructions Following Gastrostomy Tube

BACKGROUND

Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) can develop malignant bowel obstructions (MBOs) requiring inpatient admission and nasogastric tube decompression. Palliative decompressive gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) may affect patient disposition, allowing for self-management and reduction in inpatient services. Therefore, we sought to assess disposition and inpatient readmission rates in patients admitted with PC and MBO following G-tube placement.

METHODS

The Vizient® Clinical Data Base was queried for inpatient admissions from October 2018 to May 2022 utilizing ICD-10 codes to identify patients admitted with PC and bowel obstruction, with or without G-tube placement. Demographics and hospital outcomes were recorded. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

From 750 patients, 59 (7.9%) had a G-tube placed. Compared to patients without G-tubes, those with G-tubes had lower rates of disposition to home (32.2% vs 70.0%, P < .001) and higher rates of disposition to hospice (home: 30.5% vs 7.8%, P < .001, facility: 10.2% vs 3.9%, P = .02). There was no significant difference in the rate (17.3% vs 22.3%, P = .40) or risk (OR = 1.44, 95% CI .69-3.01) of 30-day readmissions with G-tubes. However, palliative care consultation (OR 33.77, 95% CI 19.16-59.52) and G-tube placement (OR 5.82, 95% CI 2.56-13.25) were independent predictors for hospice.

DISCUSSION

Placement of G-tubes in patients with PC and MBO was associated with higher rates of disposition to hospice but there is no difference in 30-day readmission rates compared to those without G-tubes. Further prospective studies are needed to understand the role of G-tube placement in patients with MBO in relation to outcomes and disposition.

Percutaneous Image-Guided Transesophageal Long Intestinal Tube Placement for Palliative Decompression in Advanced Cancer Patients with Unresectable Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and efficacy of long intestinal tube placement following percutaneous image-guided esophagostomy for palliative decompression of incurable malignant small bowel obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2013 and June 2022, a single-institution retrospective study was conducted to examine patients undergoing percutaneous transesophageal intestinal intubation for an occluded intestinal segment. Patients' baseline characteristics, procedural details, and clinical courses were reviewed. Severe complications were defined as those with ≥ 4 grade according to the CIRSE classification.

RESULTS

This study included 73 patients (mean age, 57.7 years) who underwent 75 procedures. All bowel obstructions were caused by peritoneal carcinomatosis or similar disease, which precluded transgastric access in almost 50% of the patients due to massive cancerous ascites (n = 28), diffuse gastric involvement (n = 5), or omental dissemination in front of the stomach (n = 3). Technical success (appropriate tube positioning) was achieved in 98.7% (74/75) of procedures. The cumulative 1-month overall survival and sustained clinical success (adequate bowel decompression) rates were estimated at 86.8% and 88%, respectively, using Kaplan-Meier analysis. At the median survival of 70 days, the disease progression required other gastrointestinal interventions, including additional tube insertion, repositioning, or venting enterostomy in 16 patients (21.9%). The severe complication rate was 4% (3/75); one patient aspirated to death due to tube clogging and two encountered fatal perforation of isolated intestinal loops developing far beyond the tip of the indwelling tube.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous image-guided transesophageal intestinal intubation achieves feasible bowel decompression as palliative care in advanced cancer patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4, Case Series.

MASCC multidisciplinary evidence-based recommendations for the management of malignant bowel obstruction in advanced cancer

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations on the management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) for patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) MBO study group conducted a systematic review of databases (inception to March 2021) to identify studies about patients with advanced cancer and MBO that reported on the following outcomes: symptom management, bowel obstruction resolution, prognosis, overall survival, and quality of life. The review was restricted to studies published in English, but no restrictions were placed on publication year, country, and study type. As per the MASCC Guidelines Policy, the findings were synthesized to determine the levels of evidence to support each MBO intervention and, ultimately, the graded recommendations and suggestions.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified 17,656 published studies and 397 selected for the guidelines. The MASCC study group developed a total of 25 evidence-based suggestions and recommendations about the management of MBO-related nausea and vomiting, bowel movements, pain, inflammation, bowel decompression, and nutrition. Expert consensus-based guidance about advanced care planning and psychosocial support is also provided.

CONCLUSION

This MASCC Guideline provides comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations about MBO management for patients with advanced cancer.

Malignant Bowel Obstruction Management Over Time: Are We Doing Anything New? A Current Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION

Malignant bowel obstruction from peritoneal carcinomatosis affects a significant proportion of luminal gastrointestinal and ovarian oncology patients, and portends poor long-term survival. The management approach for these patients includes a range of medical therapies and surgical options; however, how to select an optimal treatment strategy remains enigmatic. The goal of this narrative review was to summarize the latest evidence around multimodal malignant bowel obstruction treatment and to establish if and where progress has been made.

METHODS

A targeted literature search examining articles focused on the management of malignant bowel obstruction from peritoneal carcinomatosis was performed. Following data extraction, a narrative review approach was selected to describe evidence and guidelines for surgical prognostic factors, imaging, tube decompression, medical management, nutrition, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Outcomes in the literature to date are summarized for various malignant bowel obstruction treatment strategies, including surgical and non-surgical approaches, as well as a discussion of the role of total parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy in holistic malignant bowel obstruction management.

CONCLUSION

There has been little change in survival outcomes in malignant bowel obstruction in over more than a decade and there remains a paucity of high-level evidence to direct treatment decision making. Healthcare providers treating patients with malignant bowel obstruction should work to establish consensus guidelines, where feasible, to support medical providers in ensuring compassionate care during this often terminal event for this unique patient group.

Intestinal occlusion by gynecological cancers treated by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and lanreotide: an Aviano National Cancer Institute experience

The Commentary reports on our experience in Centro di Riferimento Oncologico IRCCS Aviano about the integrated and combined treatment with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and lanreotide in patients with bowel obstructions by ovarian cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis. We treated patients with gynecological cancers and bowel obstruction with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and, when patients were partially responsive, with lanreotide. We registered a constant overall benefit for the quality of life and for the control of symptoms, which is very important especially during the home care follow-up of terminal patients.

Illness Understanding, Prognostic Awareness, and End-of-Life Care in Patients With GI Cancer and Malignant Bowel Obstruction With Drainage Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

PURPOSE

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is common in advanced GI cancer, and MBO management, including drainage percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (dPEG), is palliative. How patients understand the goals of dPEG and its impact on disease is inadequately understood in the literature. Therefore, we analyzed these issues in patients with GI cancer.

METHODS

Demographics, clinical variables, and patient outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Illness understanding and future expectations were retrieved from palliative care notes. We described additional treatment and outcomes after dPEG and estimated overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

From January 2015 to June 2017, 125 admitted patients with metastatic GI cancer underwent dPEG for MBO. Cancers were most commonly colorectal (34%) and pancreatic/ampullary (25%). During the dPEG admission, 32% (40 of 125) of patients had a palliative care consultation, and 22% (28 of 125) were asked about illness understanding and future expectations. All (28 of 28) reported good understanding of the advanced nature of their disease, but few were accurate about prognosis given their stage IV disease (10 of 28). Of the 117 (94%) discharged, 13% (15 of 117) received additional chemotherapy, which rarely prevented progression; half (63 of 117) had a do-not-resuscitate order; and most (101 of 117) were enrolled in hospice at death. Median time to death was 37 days (95% CI, 29 to 45 days); 6-month OS was 3.7% (95% CI, 1.2% to 8.4%).

CONCLUSION

dPEGs are placed close to end of life in patients with advanced GI cancer. A minority of patients receive additional chemotherapy post-dPEG. Many have adequate disease understanding, but chemotherapy benefit is low, and future expectations vary. This may be an opportunity for improved communication regarding palliative procedures in advanced cancer.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Palliative Care Considerations

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for palliative care specifically related to peritoneal surface malignancies. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

Endoscopic management of gastric outlet obstruction disease

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a variety of symptoms. It may be caused by motor disorders and by benign or malignant mechanical disease. Endoscopic management of benign disease is mainly based on balloon dilation, augmented by the use of covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in refractory disease. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is increasingly used as an alternative method, although more studies with longer follow up are needed before it can be considered as a recommended therapy. Surgery remains the last resort. Endoscopic management of malignant GOO is based on SEMS placement as an alternative to palliative surgery, because it is a cost-effective method. The use of a covered or uncovered stent depends on patient-related variables, which include the stricture site, concomitant involvement of the bile duct, the patient's prognosis, probably the tumor type, and the use of chemotherapy. EUS-GE is a promising technique but needs more studies with longer follow up before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

Endoscopic management of gastric outlet obstruction disease

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a variety of symptoms. It may be caused by motor disorders and by benign or malignant mechanical disease. Endoscopic management of benign disease is mainly based on balloon dilation, augmented by the use of covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in refractory disease. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is increasingly used as an alternative method, although more studies with longer follow up are needed before it can be considered as a recommended therapy. Surgery remains the last resort. Endoscopic management of malignant GOO is based on SEMS placement as an alternative to palliative surgery, because it is a cost-effective method. The use of a covered or uncovered stent depends on patient-related variables, which include the stricture site, concomitant involvement of the bile duct, the patient’s prognosis, probably the tumor type, and the use of chemotherapy. EUS-GE is a promising technique but needs more studies with longer follow up before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

Updates in palliative care - recent advancements in the pharmacological management of symptoms

Symptom management is an important part of both palliative care and end-of-life care. This article will examine the recent research evidence about drugs commonly used for symptom management in adult patients receiving palliative care. In particular, the management of symptoms where recent palliative care-based evidence has changed recommended practice will be reviewed. This includes: breathlessness, delirium, nausea and vomiting in bowel obstruction, opioid-induced constipation and upper respiratory tract secretions. For each symptom, a review of recent pharmacological evidence has been undertaken, with emphasis on potential important changes to physicians' practice.

Bowel Obstruction: Decompressive Gastrostomies and Cecostomies

Over the past 30 years, image-guided placement of gastrostomies and cecostomies for gastrointestinal decompression has developed into a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic bowel obstruction. Gastrostomies and cecostomies relieve patient symptoms, can prevent serious complications such as colonic perforation, and may bridge patients to more definitive treatment for the underlying cause of obstruction. This article will review the history of decompressive gastrostomies and cecostomies as well as the indications, contraindications, technique, complications, and outcomes of these procedures.

Treatment Patterns, Outcomes, and Costs for Bowel Obstruction in Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess treatment patterns, outcomes, and costs for bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer.

METHODS/MATERIALS

All patients with stage II to IV ovarian cancer who were admitted for bowel obstruction greater than or equal to 6 months after cancer diagnosis from 2000 to 2011 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry-Medicare database. Management strategies and outcomes of bowel obstruction were compared.

RESULTS

Among 1397 women with bowel obstruction, 562 (40%) underwent surgery, and 154 (11%) had a gastrostomy or jejunostomy (G/J) tube placed. Thirty-four percent of patients who underwent surgery subsequently received chemotherapy, compared with 8% of those managed with a G/J tube (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-8.8). Thirty-day complications were higher for patients in the surgery group compared with those in the tube group (69% vs 46%; odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8-3.7), as were mean adjusted 30-day total costs ($28,872 vs $18,528, P < 0.001). Median survival was greater for women who underwent surgery compared with those who had a G/J tube (5.3 vs 1.2 months; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.25-0.38). The median survival of patients in whom surgical correction failed and required G/J tube placement during the same inpatient admission was 2.6 months. Women who received postintervention chemotherapy had improved survival compared with those who did not in both the surgery (17.0 vs 2.8 months, P < 0.001) and G/J tube (5.7 vs 1.0 months, P < 0.001) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with ovarian cancer who develop bowel obstruction, surgery may benefit a subset of patients, likely related to the ability to receive subsequent chemotherapy. Efforts to identify those who derive no benefit may reduce unnecessary laparotomy, along with its associated complications and costs. Given this population's limited survival, patient preferences should be evaluated in future studies assessing the management of bowel obstruction.

恶性肠梗阻的治疗现状与进展

恶性肠梗阻(malignant bowel obstruction, MBO)是晚期肿瘤常见并发症之一, 严重影响患者的生活质量. 恶性肿瘤本身的复杂性导致肠梗阻治疗的复杂性、难治性. 近年来, 随着腹腔镜、内镜技术及介入技术的发展以及对姑息手术适应证的把握, 肠梗阻患者的生存质量及治疗率得以提高, 但尚存在一定争议, 且在药物治疗方面暂无显著进展. 另外, 中医药在该领域亦有较多研究, 显示出一定的效果, 但尚缺乏前瞻性的随机对照研究. 临床处理要充分考虑治疗可能带来的益处及风险, 慎重选择个性化的治疗方案. 本文对国内外近年来MBO的中西医诊疗进展进行系统综述, 以期对临床诊疗具有一定的指导意义.

A Systematic Review of the Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Small Bowel Obstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study aimed to systematically review small bowel obstruction (SBO), focusing on recent changes in diagnosis/therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

SBO incidence is about 350,000/annum in the USA. Etiologies include adhesions (65%), hernias (10%), neoplasms (5%), Crohn's disease (5%), and other (15%). Bowel dilatation occurs proximal to obstruction primarily from swallowed air and secondarily from intraluminal fluid accumulation. Dilatation increases mural tension, decreases mucosal perfusion, causes bacterial proliferation, and decreases mural tensile strength that increases bowel perforation risks. Classical clinical tetrad is abdominal pain, nausea and emesis, abdominal distention, and constipation-to-obstipation. Physical exam may reveal restlessness, acute illness, and signs of dehydration and sepsis, including tachycardia, pyrexia, dry mucous membranes, hypotension/orthostasis, abdominal distention, and hypoactive bowel sounds. Severe direct tenderness, involuntary guarding, abdominal rigidity, and rebound tenderness suggest advanced SBO, as do marked leukocytosis, neutrophilia, bandemia, and lactic acidosis. Differential diagnosis includes postoperative ileus, narcotic bowel, colonic pseudo-obstruction, mesenteric ischemia, and large bowel obstruction. Medical resuscitation includes intravenous hydration, correcting electrolyte abnormalities, intravenous antibiotics, nil per os, and nasoenteral suction. Abdominal CT with oral and intravenous gastrografin contrast is highly sensitive and specific in detecting/characterizing SBO. SBO usually resolves with medical therapy but requires surgery, preferentially by laparoscopy, for unremitting total obstruction, bowel perforation, severe ischemia, or clinical deterioration with medical therapy. Overall mortality is 10% but increases to 30% with bowel necrosis/perforation. Key point in SBO is early diagnosis, emphasizing abdominal CT; aggressive medical therapy including rehydration, antibiotics, and nil per os; and surgery for failed medical therapy.

Bowel dysfunction in non-surgical cancer patients

Intestinal dysfunction is common in non-surgical tumor patients, and it manifests as disorder of digestion and absorption, defect of anatomical structure and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Tumor itself and its complications, surgery, and chemoradiotherapy can induce intestinal mucosal ischemia and hypoxia, intestinal smooth muscle degeneration, necrosis and apoptosis, abnormal intestinal motility, disorder of intestinal microflora, and dysfunction of intestinal immune barrier, all of which result in intestinal dysfunction. Tumor syndrome and its complications that can result in intestinal dysfunction include malignant intestinal obstruction, postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome, radiation enteritis, and chemotherapy induced damage to intestinal barrier function, enteric dysbacteriosis, cancerous cachexia, gastrointestinal adverse reactions caused by chemoradiotherapy, somatic symptoms of depression and so on. All of these directly lead to rapid nutritional deficiencies, and interfere with the implementation of antitumor treatment. Management of intestinal dysfunction can improve the efficacy of antitumor treatment and the life quality of patients.