Operative blood loss adversely affects short and long-term outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Significance of Naples prognostic score for postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery

PURPOSE

The Naples prognostic score (NPS) is a sensitive scoring system that reflects both inflammatory and nutritional status. This study examined the significance of NPS in predicting postoperative complications following colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

The present study included data from 443 patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer. The patients were classified into low NPS (score 0-2) and high NPS (score 3-4) groups. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between NPS and postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ II).

RESULTS

Among all patients, 57 (13%) developed postoperative complications. A total of 340 patients (77%) were categorized into the low NPS group and 103 (23%) were categorized into the high NPS group. A multivariate analysis identified that high NPS (P < 0.001), tumor location in the rectum (P = 0.025), longer operation time (P = 0.027), and greater blood loss (P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Furthermore, high NPS was significantly associated with older age (P < 0.001), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score (P = 0.029), advanced T stage (P < 0.001), N stage (P = 0.036), and longer length of hospital stay (P < 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

NPS is a strong predictor of poor outcomes in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer, suggesting the importance of systemic inflammation and the nutritional status.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage and its impact on survival outcomes in radical multivisceral surgery for advanced ovarian cancer: an AGO-OVAR.OP3/LION exploratory analysis

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leakage is a significant complication following bowel resection in cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. Previous studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of anastomotic leakage on patients' postoperative course. However, there is still a lack of precise identification of the high-risk population and established strategies for preventing its occurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent bowel resection within the surgical phase III trial AGO-OVAR.OP3/LION investigating the impact of systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer were included in this analysis. All patients in the AGO-OVAR.OP3/LION trial had undergone complete cytoreduction with no macroscopic residual disease. We analyzed the occurrence of anastomotic leakage regarding surgical procedure (non-lymphadenectomy vs. lymphadenectomy and non-stoma vs. stoma) using the Fisher test. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage and its prognostic impact on survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall rate of anastomotic leakage was 7.1%. Notably, the Non-lymphadenectomy subgroup had a lower anastomotic leakage rate of 3.0% compared to the lymphadenectomy subgroup (11.2%, P = 0.005). The use of protective stoma placement resulted in an anastomotic leakage rate of 5.5% regardless of lymphadenectomy compared to the Non-Stoma subgroup (7.5%, P = 0.78). Increased blood loss (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per 100cc, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0001-1.09) and lymphadenectomy (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.41-11.40) were associated with a higher risk of anastomotic leakage. Although anastomotic leakage demonstrated a numerical detrimental impact on median progression-free survival (PFS) (18 months with anastomotic leakage vs. 19 months with Non-anastomotic leakage, hazard ratio [HR] 0.86; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.4, P = 0.53) and median overall survival (OS) (31 months with anastomotic leakage vs. 58 months with Non-anastomotic leakage, HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.2, P = 0.17), the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Anastomotic leakage rates were lower in the Non-lymphadenectomy arm, the current standard of care. Blood loss and lymphadenectomy, as surrogate markers for extensive surgery, were associated with increased risk for anastomotic leakage. These findings highlight the importance of strategies to reduce surgical complexity and perioperative risk to improve clinical outcomes.

The effect of preoperative embolization on giant cell tumors of the bone localized in the iliosacral region of the pelvis

INTRODUCTION

Giant cell tumors of the bone (GCTB) are aggressive neoplasms, with rare occurrences in the posterior pelvis and sacral area. Surgical challenges in this region include the inability to apply a tourniquet and limited cementation post-curettage due to proximity to neurovascular structures, leading to potential complications. This case-control study explores the impact of preoperative embolization on GCTB located in the iliosacral region.

METHODS

Five surgeries (January-December 2021) for pelvic GCTB (3 sacrum, 2 posterior ilium) were performed on four patients. Diagnosis was confirmed through preoperative CT-guided biopsies. One surgery involved curettage with PMMA cement filling, while four surgeries had curettage without cavity filling. Preoperative embolization of the tumor feeding vessel occurred approximately 16 h before surgery in two cases. Denosumab treatment was not administered.

RESULTS

Tumor volume, assessed by preoperative MRI, was comparable between patients with and without preoperative embolization (p = .14). Surgeries without embolization had a mean intraoperative blood loss of 3250 ml, erythrocyte transfusion volume of 1125 ml, and a mean surgical time of 114.5 min for two surgeries. Surgeries with preoperative embolization showed a mean intraoperative blood loss of 1850 ml, no erythrocyte transfusion requirement, and a mean surgical time of 68 min.

CONCLUSION

Curettage of GCTB in the posterior pelvis and sacrum presents challenges, with significant intraoperative blood loss impacting surgical time and transfusion needs. Preoperative embolization may be beneficial in reducing blood loss during surgery in these cases.

Current approach to the management of preoperative iron deficiency anemia in colorectal cancer patients: a review of literature

<b>Introduction:</b> The prevalence of preoperative anemia is the highest in the group of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and may reach over 75%. The prevalence of anemia in CRC patients increases even further following surgery. Approximately 75-80% of anemic CRC patients present with absolute or functional iron deficiency (ID). Preoperative anemia constitutes an independent risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), postoperative complications, prolonged length of hospital stay, and increased mortality. ABT is itself associated with increased morbidity and mortality.<b>Aim:</b> The aim of this review article was to present the pathophysiology and the current approach to the diagnostics and treatment of preoperative iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in CRC patients.<b>Material and methods:</b> Extensive search of medical literature databases was performed (Pubmed, Embase). The key words that were used were as follows: CRC, colorectal surgery, ID, IDA, intravenous iron, Patient Blood Management (PBM).<b>Results:</b> There are several laboratory parameters that can be used for IDA diagnosis, however, the simplest and most cost- -effective is reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET-He). Pathophysiologic features of IDA in CRC patients favor treatment with intravenous, as opposed to oral, iron formulations. Applying PBM strategies minimizes the exposure to ABT.<b>Conclusions:</b> Preoperative IDA is highly prevalent among CRC patients. Preoperative anemia is an independent risk factor for ABT, increased morbidity and mortality, as well as prolonged hospital length of stay. The same negative consequences are associated with ABT. Therefore, preoperative IDA in CRC patients needs to be screened for, diagnosed, and treated before surgery. Effective treatment of preoperative IDA in CRC patients is with intravenous iron formulations. ABT should be the treatment of last resort due to the risk of negative clinical consequences, including an increased rate of cancer recurrence.

Association of omental pedicled flap with anastomotic leak following low anterior resection for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Anastomotic leak following colorectal anastomosis adversely impacts short-term, oncologic, and quality-of-life outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of omental pedicled flap (OPF) on anastomotic leak among patients undergoing low anastomotic resection (LAR) for rectal cancer using a multi-institutional database.

METHODS

Adult rectal cancer patients in the US Rectal Cancer Consortium, who underwent a LAR for stage I-III rectal cancer with or without an OPF were included. Patients with missing data for surgery type and OPF use were excluded from the analysis. The primary outcome was the development of anastomotic leaks. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association.

RESULTS

A total of 853 patients met the inclusion criteria and OPF was used in 106 (12.4%) patients. There was no difference in age, sex, or tumor stage of patients who underwent OPF versus those who did not. OPF use was not associated with an anastomotic leak (p = 0.82), or operative blood loss (p = 0.54) but was associated with an increase in the operative duration [β = 21.42 (95% confidence interval = 1.16, 41.67) p = 0.04].

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing LAR for rectal cancer, OPF use was associated with an increase in operative duration without any impact on the rate of anastomotic leak.