Clinical benefits of steroid therapy on surgical stress in patients with esophageal cancer

A case of perioperative artificial pancreas therapy for a patient with esophageal cancer with type 1 diabetes

A 72-year-old female with type 1 diabetes, a history of interstitial pneumonia, and diabetic ketoacidosis was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed a circumferential neoplastic lesion in the upper to middle esophagus, and a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography revealed invasion of the left main bronchus, and induction chemotherapy was initiated with a diagnosis of unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer. After one course of induction chemotherapy, the tumor size reduced, bronchial invasion improved, and thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed. During surgery and until 3 days after surgery, the patient's blood glucose level was controlled using an artificial pancreas, and the target blood glucose range was set at 140-180 mg/dL. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient was managed using a sliding scale. Mean blood glucose was 186.7 ± 70.0 mg/dL for 3 days before surgery, 190.5 ± 25.0 mg/dL during artificial pancreas therapy from the surgery to the next day, 169.8 ± 22.0 mg/dL during artificial pancreas therapy on the second to third postoperative days, and 174.5 ± 25.0 mg/dL during sliding scale therapy for 4-15 days after surgery. No hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis was noted.

Efficacy of preoperative single-dose dexamethasone in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications following minimally invasive esophagectomy: a retrospective propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

The study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of preoperative dexamethasone (DXM) in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

METHODS

Patients who underwent total MIE with two-field lymph node dissection from February 2018 to February 2023 were included in this study. Patients who were given either 5 mg or 10 mg DXM as preoperative prophylactic medication before induction of general anesthesia were assigned to the DXM group, while patients who did not receive DXM were assigned to the control group. Preoperative evaluations, intraoperative data, and occurrence of postoperative complications were analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs occurring by day 7 after surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 659 patients were included in the study; 453 patients received preoperative DXM, while 206 patients did not. Propensity score-matched analysis created a matched cohort of 366 patients, with 183 patients each in the DXM and control groups. A total of 24.6% of patients in the DXM group and 30.6% of patients in the control group had PPCs (P = 0.198). The incidence of respiratory failure was significantly lower in the DXM group than in the control group (1.1% vs 5.5%, P = 0.019). Fewer patients were re-intubated during their hospital stay in the DXM group than in the control group (1.1% vs 5.5%, P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative DXM before induction of anesthesia did not reduce overall PPC development after MIE. Nevertheless, the occurrence of early respiratory failure and the incidence of re-intubation during hospitalization were decreased.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2300071674; Date of registration, 22/05/2023).

Perioperative corticosteroids for reducing postoperative complications following esophagectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of perioperative corticosteroid administration versus placebo for esophageal cancer patients following scheduled esophagectomy.

METHODS

We searched databases through June 30, 2023. We included articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing perioperative corticosteroid administration with placebo in esophageal cancer patients with esophagectomy. The outcomes were the death rate during hospitalization, length of hospital stay, and short-term complications. Risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CIs) for each estimated effect size were applied for dichotomous outcomes, and the mean difference (MD) and corresponding 95% CIs for each estimated effect size were applied for continuous outcomes. We used GRADE to evaluate the quality of each of the outcome and the level of recommendations.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs with 508 participants were included in this study. Severe outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, leakage, mortality during the hospitalization period in the corticosteroid group was comparable to that in the control group, but positive effects of corticosteroid administration were observed on the length of intensive care unit stay (MD -3.1, 95% CI - 5.43 to - 0.77), cardiovascular disorders (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.94) and other general complications (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-operative intravenous corticosteroid administration may reduce cardiovascular disorders, other general complications and the length of ICU stay without carrying severe outcomes. More high quality RCTs are warranted to further investigate the effects of corticosteroids on postoperative mortality and complications for esophageal cancer patients with esophagectomy.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Cochrane, registration number: 196.

Impact of Prophylactic Corticosteroid Use on In-hospital Mortality and Respiratory Failure After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: Nationwide Inpatient Data Study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of preoperative prophylactic corticosteroid use on short-term outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that prophylactic corticosteroid use may decrease the risk of respiratory failure following esophagectomy by attenuating the perioperative systemic inflammation response. However, its effectiveness has been controversial, and its impact on mortality remains unknown.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent oncologic esophagectomy between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, propensity score matching, and instrumental variable analyses were performed to investigate the associations between prophylactic corticosteroid use and short-term outcomes, such as in-hospital mortality and respiratory failure, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 35,501 eligible patients, prophylactic corticosteroids were used in 22,620 (63.7%) patients. In-hospital mortality, respiratory failure, and severe respiratory failure occurred in 924 (2.6%), 5440 (15.3%), and 2861 (8.1%) patients, respectively. In stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses, corticosteroids were significantly associated with decreased in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR)=0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.93], respiratory failure (OR=0.84; 95% CI: 0.79-0.90), and severe respiratory failure (OR=0.87; 95% CI: 0.80-0.95). Corticosteroids were also associated with decreased postoperative length of stay and total hospitalization costs. The proportion of anastomotic leakage did not differ with the use of Propensity score matching and instrumental variable analysis demonstrated similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic corticosteroid use in oncologic esophagectomy was associated with lower in-hospital mortality as well as decreased respiratory failure and severe respiratory failure, suggesting a potential benefit for preoperative corticosteroid use in esophagectomy.

Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Fails to Improve Postoperative Analgesic Consumption and Postoperative Recovery in Patients Undergoing Lateral Thoracotomy for Thoracic Esophageal Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objectives

Dexmedetomidine is widely used as an adjunct to general anesthesia. In this study, we evaluated the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing lateral thoracotomy for thoracic esophageal cancer.

Methods

A total of 62 patients undergoing lateral thoracotomy for thoracic esophageal cancer were randomized to receive adjuvant therapy with either dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg intravenous bolus injection for 10 min before induction of anesthesia, followed by continuous infusion of 0.2-0.4 μg/kg/h until the end of surgery, and 0.06 μg/kg/h for 5 days after surgery) or equal volumes of saline. Acute postoperative pain was treated with patient-controlled intravenous sufentanil and flurbiprofen axetil. The primary outcomes of this study were the numbers of analgesic requirements in the first postoperative 72 h.

Results

Perioperative dexmedetomidine did not decrease the numbers of analgesic requirements in the first postoperative 72 h (dexmedetomidine group: 12.14 ± 4.76, saline group: 10.89 ± 5.66; p=0.367). Likewise, the groups did not differ with respect to total postoperative analgesic requirements, postoperative pain, perioperative inflammation, blood cell count, incidence of adverse events, surgical recovery (assessed at postoperative days 2 and 5 using the surgical recovery scale), length of hospital stay, hospital cost, incidence of chronic pain, or quality of life. Notably, dexmedetomidine had beneficial effects on decreasing intraoperative opioid consumption and improving postoperative sleep quality. Discussion. Perioperative dexmedetomidine has limited analgesic benefits in lateral thoracotomy for esophageal cancer when added to an opioid-based multimodal anesthetic regimen but can reduce opioid consumption.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Benefit and Safety of Preoperative Administration of Steroid in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection

Objective: To evaluate the benefit and safety of preoperative administration of steroid in patients undergoing liver resection.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which comparing preoperative administration of steroid in patients undergoing liver resection with control group were identified through a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Central databases. This meta-analysis was carried out to assess the liver function, inflammatory response, and postoperative complications after liver surgery.

Results: Six RCTs including 411 patients were reviewed. The pooled result showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of overall complications between the steroid group and the control group (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.27–1.17; P = 0.13). With respect to specific complications, no significant difference was detected between the two groups in infection complications (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.13–6.95; P = 0.96), wound complications (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.32–1.33; P = 0.24), liver failure (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.10–1.64; P = 0.21), bile leakage (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.17–1.89; P = 0.36), and pleural effusion (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.55–2.78; P = 0.60). For liver function, the level of serum total bilirubin (TB) on postoperative day 1 (POD 1) was significantly decreased associated with the intervention of steroid (MD, −0.54; 95% CI, −0.94 to −0.15; P = 0.007). However, no significant difference was found in the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (MD, −69.39; 95% CI, −226.52 to 87.75; P = 0.39) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (MD, −93.44; 95% CI, −275.68 to 88.80; P = 0.31) on POD 1 between the two groups. Serum IL-6 level on POD 1 (MD, −57.98; 95% CI, −73.04 to −42.91; P < 0.00001) and CRP level on POD 3 (MD, −4.83; 95% CI, −6.07 to −3.59; P < 0.00001) were significantly reduced in the steroid group comparing to the control group. Compared with the control group, the level of early postoperative IL-10 was significant higher in the steroid group (MD, 17.89; 95% CI, 3.89 to 31.89; P = 0.01).

Conclusion: Preoperative administration of steroid in liver resection can promote the recovery of liver function and inhibit the inflammatory response without increasing postoperative complications. Further studies should focus on determining which patients would benefit most from the steroid.

The effect of preventive use of corticosteroids on postoperative complications after esophagectomy: A retrospective cohort study

Corticosteroids have been empirically administered to reduce the rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after esophagectomy. However, their efficacy remains controversial, and corticosteroids may increase the risk of graft dehiscence and infection, which are major concerns after esophagectomy. Therefore, we compared the incidence of composite complications (ARDS, graft dehiscence and infection) after esophagectomy between patients who received a preventive administration of corticosteroids and those who did not. All patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2010 to 2015 at a tertiary care university hospital were reviewed retrospectively (n = 980). Patients were divided into Steroid (n = 120) and Control (n = 860) groups based on the preventive administration of 100 mg hydrocortisone during surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of composite complications. The incidence of composite complications was not different between the Control and Steroid groups (17.4% vs. 21.7% respectively; P = 0.26). The incidence rates of complications in each category were not different between the Control and Steroid groups: ARDS (3.8% vs. 5.0%; P = 0.46), graft dehiscence (4.8% vs. 6.7%; P = 0.37), and infection (12.8% vs. 15.8%; P = 0.36). Propensity score matching revealed that composite complications (20.0% vs. 21.7%; P = 0.75), ARDS (4.3% vs. 5.2%; P = 0.76) and infection (16.5% vs. 15.7%; P = 0.86) were not different between the Control and Steroid group, but the incidence of graft dehiscence was higher in the Steroid group than in the Control group (0.9% vs. 7.0%; P = 0.0175). In conclusions, the preventive use of corticosteroids did not reduce the incidence of ARDS, but may be related to an increased incidence of graft dehiscence. Therefore, routine administration of corticosteroids to prevent ARDS is not recommended in esophagectomy.

Extended thoracic lymph node dissection in robotic-assisted minimal invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for patients with superior mediastinal lymph node metastasis

Background

Robot-assisted surgery may have a role in improving oncological outcomes in esophagectomy. Especially in the anatomical areas in the chest that are more difficult to reach in open surgery (including the superior mediastinum). The dexterity of the robotic instruments aid in performing a more extensive nodal dissection and the precision and detailed vision of the robotic system potentially improves staging, oncological outcomes and reduces complications (i.e., recurrent nerve palsy). In this article, we describe our experience and clinical outcomes in patients treated by robot assisted minimal invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in cN+ esophageal cancer patients with positive nodes localized in the superior mediastinum.

Methods

From May 2007-2018, all patients who had involved nodes by either fluor-18-deoxyglucose positron-emission-tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET-CT) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) + fine needle aspiration (FNA) localized in the superior mediastinum (above level Th4/sternal angle) were identified. Patient characteristics, perioperative data, postoperative clinical outcomes/complications and overall survival were prospectively recorded and retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Forty patients (48% adenocarcinoma) met our inclusion criteria. All patients underwent a three-stage procedure with cervical anastomosis and 90% of the patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Mortality occurred in three patients (7.5%), of which two were caused by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The most frequent complications were pneumonia (25%), chylothorax (20%), anastomotic leakage (17.5%) and vocal cord paralysis (17.5%) which was grade 1 in 72% of the patients. Radicality rate (R0 resection) was 98% and the average lymph node yield was 24 (range, 9-57). Median overall and disease-free survival was 26 and 17 months, respectively.

Conclusions

RAMIE for esophageal cancer patients with node positive disease in the superior mediastinum is associated with increased mortality/morbidity. Oncological outcome showed excellent lymph node yield, R0 rate and survival was equal compared to patients with lower mediastinal node positive disease.

Postoperative Level of C-Reactive Protein Is a Prognosticator After Esophageal Cancer Surgery With Perioperative Steroid Therapy and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Care

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the impact of postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level on survival in patients with esophageal cancer who received perioperative steroid therapy and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Overall, 115 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were classified into those with a high CRP level (≥4.0 mg/dl) on postoperative day 4 and those with low CRP level (<4.0 mg/dl). The risk factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified.

RESULTS

The OS and RFS rates at 5 years after surgery were significantly low in patients with high CRP level on postoperative day 4. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that high CRP level on postoperative day 4 was a significant independent risk factor for OS and RFS.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that the postoperative CRP level can be a prognosticator in patients with esophageal cancer who have received perioperative steroid therapy and ERAS care.

Towards optimal intraoperative conditions in esophageal surgery: A review of literature for the prevention of esophageal anastomotic leakage

BACKGROUND

Esophageal anastomotic leakage (EAL) is a severe complication following gastric and esophageal surgery for cancer. Several non-modifiable, patient or surgery related risk factors for EAL have been identified, however, the contribution of modifiable intraoperative parameters remains undetermined. This review provides an overview of current literature on potentially modifiable intraoperative risk factors for EAL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched by two researchers independently. Clinical studies published in English between 1970 and January 2017 that evaluated the effect of intraoperative parameters on the development of EAL were included. Levels of evidence as defined by the Centre of Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM) were assigned to the studies.

RESULTS

A total of 25 articles were included in the final analysis. These articles show evidence that anemia, increased amount of blood loss, low pH and high pCO2 values, prolonged duration of procedure and lack of surgical experience independently increase the risk of EAL. Supplemental oxygen therapy, epidural analgesia and selective digestive decontamination seem to have a beneficial effect. Potential risk factors include blood pressure, requirement of blood products, vasopressor use and glucocorticoid administration, however the results are ambiguous.

CONCLUSION

Apart from fixed surgical and patient related factors, several intraoperative factors that can be modified in clinical practice can influence the risk of developing EAL. More prospective, observational studies are necessary focusing on modifiable intraoperative parameters to assess more evidence and to elucidate optimal values of these factors.

Prediction of postoperative inflammatory complications after esophageal cancer surgery based on early changes in the C-reactive protein level in patients who received perioperative steroid therapy and enhanced recovery after surgery care: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level can be an indicator of the early stage of infectious complications. However, its utility in advanced esophageal cancer patients who receive radical esophagectomy with two- or three-field lymph node dissection with perioperative steroid therapy and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) care is unclear.

METHODS

The present study retrospectively examined 117 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical esophagectomy. All patients received perioperative steroid therapy and ERAS care. The utility of the CRP value in the early detection of serious infectious complications (SICs) was evaluated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for SICs.

RESULTS

SICs were observed in 20 patients (17.1%). The CRP level on postoperative day (POD) 4 had superior diagnostic accuracy for SICs (AUC 0.778). The cut-off value for CRP was determined to be 4.0 mg/dl. A multivariate analysis identified CRP ≥ 4.0 mg/dl on POD 4 (odds ratio, 18.600; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.610-75.200) and three-field lymph node dissection (odds ratio, 7.950; 95% CI, 1.900-33.400) as independent predictive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

CRP value on POD 4 may be useful for predicting SICs in esophageal cancer patients who receive radical esophagectomy with perioperative steroid therapy and ERAS care. This result may encourage the performance of imaging studies to detect the focus and thereby lead to the early medical and/or surgical intervention to improve short-term outcomes.

Effects of methylprednisolone on the duration of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block: A randomized double-blind trial

BACKGROUND

We aim to investigate whether intraoperative use of methylprednisolone could affect the duration of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

METHODS

A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 136 patients underwent gynecologic laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into 3 groups: pregroup, receiving intravenous injection of methylprednisolone (40 mg) 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia; postgroup, receiving intravenous injection of methylprednisolone (40 mg) immediately after induction of anesthesia and intubation; and control group, receiving intravenous injection of normal saline. Patients were intravenously administrated with rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg, and changes in adductor policies evoked twitch responses were measured by ulnar nerve stimulator.

RESULTS

We found that all patients achieved maximum blockade effects, and there was no difference in onset time among the 2 groups. For time required to achieve train-of-four ratio (TOFR) 90%, pregroup (64.50 ± 10.52 minutes) and postgroup (65.29 ± 11.64 minutes) were significantly shorter than that of the control group (71.04 ± 10.55 minutes, P = .027), whereas clinical duration and total duration were significantly shorter in the 2 groups received methylprednisolone than the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups either in clinical duration and total duration of muscle relaxants, or time required to achieve TOFR 90%. No significant difference was found in recovery index among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a single intravenous injection of methylprednisolone, no matter preoperatively or intraoperatively, could shorten the duration of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

Does postoperative morbidity worsen the oncological outcome after radical surgery for gastrointestinal cancers? A systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

The impact of postoperative complications on survival after radical surgery for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review of recent publications to examine the effect of postoperative complications on oncological outcome.

METHODS

A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed using the keywords "esophageal cancer," "gastric cancer," and "colorectal cancer," obtaining 27 reports published online up until the end of April 2016. Articles focusing on (i) postoperative morbidity and oncological outcome; and (ii) body mass index (BMI), postoperative morbidity, and oncological outcome, were selected. Univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards model) were performed.

RESULTS

Patients with postoperative complications had significantly poorer long-term survival than those without complications. Complications were associated with impaired oncological outcomes. The hazard ratios for overall survival were 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-2.12), 1.59 (95% CI, 1.13-2.24), and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.28-1.87) in esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers, respectively. High BMI was associated with postoperative morbidity rate but not with poor oncological outcome. Low BMI was significantly associated with inferior oncological outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications after radical surgery for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers are associated with patient prognosis. Avoiding such complications might improve the outcomes.

Randomized Phase II Study of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ghrelin During the Postoperative Period of Esophagectomy

OBJECTIVE

A prospective randomized phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ghrelin administration in reducing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) duration after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND

Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is highly invasive and leads to prolonged SIRS duration and postoperative complications. Ghrelin has multiple effects, including anti-inflammatory effects.

METHODS

Forty patients undergoing esophagectomy were randomly assigned to either the ghrelin group (n = 20), which received continuous infusion of ghrelin (0.5 μg/kg/h) for 5 days, or the placebo group (n = 20), which received pure saline for 5 days. The primary endpoint was SIRS duration. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of postoperative complications, time of a negative nitrogen balance, changes in body weight and composition, and levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

RESULTS

The ghrelin group had a shorter SIRS duration and lower CRP and IL-6 levels than did the placebo group. The incidence of pulmonary complications was lower in the ghrelin group than in the placebo group, whereas other complications did not differ between the groups. Although time of the negative nitrogen balance was shorter in the ghrelin group than in the placebo group, changes in total body weight and lean body weight did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative ghrelin administration was effective for inhibiting inflammatory mediators and improving the postoperative clinical course of patients with esophageal cancer.

CXCR2 expression and postoperative complications affect long-term survival in patients with esophageal cancer

Background

Esophagectomy is one of the most invasive surgical treatments for digestive tract cancer, and the blood levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 are increased for several hours after surgery or in patients experiencing postoperative complications. CXCR2, an interleukin-8 receptor, is reportedly expressed in several carcinomas, and interleukin-8 signaling promotes cancer cell proliferation. The impact of postoperative complications following esophagectomy on long-term survival is controversial. In this study, we demonstrate the significance of CXCR2 expression and validate the effects of CXCR2 expression and postoperative complications on long-term prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using resected specimens.

Methods

Eighty-two specimens were sectioned from archived, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues obtained from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy for complete resection of cancer in our institute between 1997 and 2002. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a polyclonal antibody to CXCR2, and the correlation of stainability with clinicopathological factors and long-term survival was examined.

Results

CXCR2 was expressed in 33 of 82 (40.2 %) specimens. In the CXCR2-positive group, the recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates of patients who developed postoperative complications were both significantly lower than those for patients who did not develop any complications. In contrast, in the CXCR2-negative group, there was no significant difference in long-term prognosis between patients with and without complications. CXCR2 positivity combined with postoperative complications was an independent risk factor for subsequent tumor recurrence, showing the highest hazard ratio.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the patients with CXCR2-positive esophageal cancer who develop postoperative complications have a poor prognosis and should be carefully followed.

Trial registration

This study was approved by Keio University School of Medicine Ethics Committee with a trial registration number of 2011-241.

The effect of perioperative administration of glucocorticoids on pulmonary complications after transthoracic oesophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe pulmonary complications occur frequently following transthoracic oesophagectomy. An exaggerated immunological response is probably a main driving factor, and this might be prevented by perioperative administration of a glucocorticoid.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical benefits and harms of perioperative glucocorticoid during transthoracic oesophagectomy, using pulmonary complications as the primary outcome. Mortality, anastomotic leakage rate and infection were secondary outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review of interventional trials with a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

RESULTS

The search retrieved seven RCTs and four interventional nonrandomised studies. In total, 367 patients received perioperative glucocorticoid and 415 patients did not. A meta-analysis of the RCTs showed no significant effect of glucocorticoid. For pulmonary complications, the pooled risk ratio was 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 1.79], for anastomotic leakage 0.61 (95% CI 0.23 to 1.61) and for infections 1.09 (95% CI 0.41 to 2.93). A subgroup analysis of RCTs that used weight-dependent dosing within 30 min preoperatively showed a pooled risk ratio of 0.28 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.77) for pulmonary complications compared with placebo.

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, perioperative administration of glucocorticoid did not affect the risk of pulmonary complications after transthoracic oesophagectomy, nor did it cause adverse effects. A subgroup analysis showed that a weight-dependent dose of methylprednisolone 10 to 30 mg kg within 30 min preoperatively might be the most promising dosing regimen for further research.

Relationship between cytokine gene polymorphisms and risk of postoperative pneumonia with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between cytokine gene polymorphisms and development of postoperative pneumonia after esophagectomy.

METHODS

In 120 patients who underwent esophagectomy, serum samples were obtained to measure levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 at four time points (preoperatively, postoperative day (POD)0, POD1, and POD3). DNA extracted from peripheral blood in all patients was analyzed to determine polymorphisms of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α -1031 T/C, IL-1β -511C/T, IL-6 -634C/G, and IL-10 -819 T/C.

RESULTS

Postoperative pneumonia arose in 34 patients (28.3 %). Perioperative serum IL-10 levels were significantly higher for IL-10 -819 C/T + C/C genotypes than for T/T genotypes (POD0 16.7 ± 2.84 vs. 8.54 ± 0.87 pg/ml, p = 0.0002; POD1 14.0 ± 2.64 vs. 8.8 ± 0.87 pg/ml, p = 0.0143; POD3 8.9 ± 2.67 vs. 4.4 ± 0.52 pg/ml, p = 0.0076). The frequency of the IL-10 -819 T/T genotype was significantly higher in patients with postoperative pneumonia than in patients without pneumonia (p = 0.0323). Multivariate analysis of factors such as sex, smoking, length of operation, field of lymph node dissection, and IL-10 polymorphism identified IL-10 polymorphism as independent predictor of postoperative pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IL-10 -819 T/T genotype may be at high risk for postoperative pneumonia after esophagectomy.

Effect of perioperative glucocorticoid administration on postoperative complications following esophagectomy: A meta-analysis

Perioperative corticosteroid administration is a controversial therapy for improving the short-term prognosis following surgery. The objective of the current meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of the perioperative use of corticosteroids during esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. A comprehensive study was performed using references selected from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid databases), EMBASE and three Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals). Eligible studies were restricted to randomized clinical trials that reported data from patients undergoing esophagectomy. In addition, treated groups of patients received perioperative corticosteroid administration and control groups received a placebo infusion, such as saline water. The studies evaluated the incidence of postoperative complications and the variation of inflammatory mediators. All extracted data underwent meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.1 software. Only six studies were eligible for selection. The following parameters were found to be reduced following the use of methylprednisolone: Interleukin (IL)-6 immediately following surgery and on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3; IL-8 immediately following surgery; and PaO₂/FiO₂ on POD 3. Moreover, organ failure, cardiovascular complications and pulmonary morbidity were all reduced in patients with corticosteroid usage. Certain factors showed no significant differences between the treated and control groups, including IL-8 on POD 1, IL-6 prior to surgery and on POD 5, PaO₂/FiO₂ following surgery, mortality, anastomotic leakage, severe infection and renal and hepatic failure. Prophylactic administration of methylprednisolone during the perioperative period may reduce the incidence of specific types of postoperative complications and inhibit the postoperative inflammatory reaction. Additional randomized controlled trials must be performed.

Regulating surgical oncotaxis to improve the outcomes in cancer patients

Excessive surgical stress and postoperative complications cause a storm of perioperative cytokine release, which has been shown to enhance tumor metastasis in experimental models. We have named this phenomenon "surgical oncotaxis". The mechanisms that underpin this process are thought to be excessive corticosteroid secretion, coagulopathy in the peripheral vasculature, immune suppression and excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB) activation plays a key role in these mechanisms. Minimally invasive surgical techniques should be used, and postoperative complications should be avoided whenever possible to lessen the impact of surgical oncotaxis. Furthermore, there may be a role for a small preoperative dose of corticosteroid or the use of free radical scavengers in the perioperative period. Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in omega-3 fatty acid, because it regulates NFkB activation. The use of multimodal treatments that regulate surgical oncotaxis may be as important as chemotherapy for determining the outcome of patients with cancer undergoing surgery.

Reduced plasma ghrelin levels on day 1 after esophagectomy: a new predictor of prolonged systemic inflammatory response syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ghrelin, a stomach-derived hormone, stimulates growth hormone secretion and appetite, and inhibits excessive inflammatory response. Plasma ghrelin might affect the inflammatory response to stressful surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serial changes in plasma ghrelin concentrations and the postoperative clinical course after esophagectomy.

METHODS

The prospective cohort study subjects were 20 patients with esophageal cancer, who underwent esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. Blood samples were taken six times perioperatively during the course of esophagectomy.

RESULTS

The plasma ghrelin level decreased to 33 % (range 15-90 %) on postoperative day (POD) 1, relative to the preoperative level, then recovered to about 50 % by POD 3-10. The duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was significantly longer in patients with a marked ghrelin reduction to <33 % on POD 1, than in those with less marked reduction of ≥ 33 % (6.1 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6 days, P = 0.019). On POD 1, the only inflammatory marker that correlated with the duration of SIRS was the % ghrelin, whereas C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, and IL-6 did not.

CONCLUSION

An early postoperative drop in plasma ghrelin correlated with prolonged SIRS after esophagectomy. Thus, the supplementation of low plasma ghrelin may help minimize excess inflammatory response in these patients.

Efficacy of intraoperative, single-bolus corticosteroid administration to prevent postoperative acute respiratory failure after oesophageal cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES

Respiratory failure from acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia are the major cause of morbidity and mortality following an oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. This study was performed to investigate whether an intraoperative corticosteroid can attenuate postoperative respiratory failure.

METHODS

Between November 2005 and December 2008, 234 consecutive patients who underwent an oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer were reviewed. A 125-mg dose of methylprednisolone was administered after performing the anastomosis. ALI, ARDS and pneumonia occurring before postoperative day (POD) 7 were regarded as acute respiratory failure.

RESULT

The mean age was 64.2 ± 8.7 years. One hundred and fifty-one patients were in the control group and 83 patients in the steroid group. Patients' characteristics were comparable. The incidence of acute respiratory failure was lower in the steroid group (P = 0.037). The incidences of anastomotic leakage and wound dehiscence were not different (P = 0.57 and P = 1.0). The C-reactive protein level on POD 2 was lower in the steroid group (P < 0.005). Multivariate analysis indicates that the intraoperative steroid was a protective factor against acute respiratory failure (P = 0.046, OR = 0.206).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative corticosteroid administration was associated with a decreased risk of acute respiratory failure following an oesophagectomy. The laboratory data suggest that corticosteroids may attenuate the stress-induced inflammatory responses after surgery.

Determination of urinary trypsin inhibitor provides insight into postoperative complications in patients following esophagectomy

The urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) is responsible for most of the antitryptic activity in urine and is excreted in increased amounts in urine under certain pathological conditions such as cancer and bacterial infections. Our aim in this study was to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the increase in UTI excretion on surgical stress and thus to better appreciate the information provided by inflammatory mediators. Thirty-one consecutive patients who underwent radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer were investigated in this study. We determined serum UTI and polymorphonuclear cell elastase (PMNE), urine UTI and evaluated the effectiveness of preoperative administration of methylprednisolone on the postoperative clinical course and adverse inflammatory reactions. The results revealed that urine UTI and serum PMNE levels in the steroid group were significantly lower than those in the non-steroid group. In addition, UTI levels correlated positively with serum levels of aminotransferases. More importantly, the maximum level of urine UTI in patients without complications was lower than that in patients with complications. These results suggest that urine UTI provides useful information concerning postoperative clinical course, and that preoperative administration of methylprednisolone may contribute to decrease postoperative complications following esophagectomy.

Optimal period for the prophylactic administration of neutrophil elastase inhibitor for patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to determine the optimal period for the prophylactic administration of the neutrophil elastase inhibitor, Sivelestat, in patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy. Sivelestat is reported to be effective in patients who undergo esophagectomy by providing an increased oxygenation ability and suppressing the serum inflammatory cytokines in the postoperative period. However, the optimal period for the prophylactic administration of Sivelestat remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

The 30 patients who underwent esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled in one of two groups. The initial 15 patients were assigned to group A and received intravenous infusion of Sivelestat sodium hydrate until postoperative day (POD) 2, and the subsequent 15 patients were assigned to group B and received Sivelestat until POD 5. Historical controls without Sivelestat administration were used. The postoperative courses and serum inflammatory cytokines were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sivelestat improved oxygenation in the postoperative period; however, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and postoperative change of oxygenation. In addition, there were no differences in the postoperative changes in the serum interleukin (IL)-6 and high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1. Although the serum IL-8 on POD 3 was lower in group B than in group A, the neutrophil elastase showed no difference between these groups. None of the patients in either group suffered respiratory complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The two-day administration of Sivelestat initiated immediately after intrathoracic manipulation was found to be sufficient for prophylactic use to prevent pulmonary complications by suppressing hypercytokinemia after esophagectomy.

Perioperative use of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor in video-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to assess the value of administering perioperative sivelestat sodium hydrate (SSH), a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor, after video-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for cancer.

METHOD

Thirty-one consecutive patients with thoracic oesophageal cancer selected to undergo video-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy with lymph node dissection between March 2007 and March 2009 were assigned randomly to a treatment group that received SSH intravenously for 7 days from the beginning of surgery (16 patients) and a control group that received saline (15). The primary endpoint was pulmonary function based on the arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (P/F ratio) during the first 9 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints included platelet count, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, plasma neutrophil elastase-α(1)-antitrypsin complex level, duration of mechanical ventilation and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The mean P/F ratio of patients who received SSH was significantly higher than that of the control group on postoperative days 1-5 and 7. Duration of mechanical ventilation and SIRS, and length of ICU stay were significantly shorter in the treatment group. Serum CRP concentration on postoperative day 9 was significantly lower (P = 0·048), platelet counts on days 2, 3 and 5 were higher (P = 0·012, P = 0·049 and P = 0·006 respectively), and the incidence of postoperative acute lung injury was significantly lower following SSH treatment (P = 0·023).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative sivelestat may maintain postoperative pulmonary function following video-assisted oesophagectomy.

Increased platelet counts after transthoracic en bloc resection for esophageal cancer is associated with significantly improved survival

BACKGROUND

We analyzed perioperative platelet counts as a potential clinical marker for survival after transthoracic en bloc resection for esophageal cancer. Recent data described preoperative thrombocytosis in malignancies to be associated with poor prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis from a prospective database (1997-2006) was performed for 291 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy. Squamous cell cancer was found in 47.0% and adenocarcinoma in 50.9% (2.1% had rare histologies). Neoadjuvant chemoradiation was performed in 152 (52%) patients. Platelet counts before surgery and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 10, and 30 were evaluated. We used the published cutoff value of 293 × 10(9)/l (mean of 80 healthy controls ± standard deviation) for platelet counts.

RESULTS

High platelet counts before surgery missed significance for poorer survival (p = 0.054). Following a perioperative fall in thrombocytes, a significant rise at POD 10 after surgery was evident. Platelet counts of more than 293 × 10(9)/l at this time correlated with a significantly improved survival rate (p = 0.027). Patients with no increase in thrombocytes until POD 10 had significantly poorer survival (p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that a thrombocyte increase between the preoperative count and that on POD 10 is an independent prognostic indicator (p = 0.035) for patients with completely (R0) resected tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in platelet counts measured on POD 10 following transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy is an independent prognostic indicator for improved survival in patients with esophageal cancer.

Effect of a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor on early recovery from body water imbalance after transthoracic esophagectomy

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of sivelestat, a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on body fluid balance after transthoracic esophagectomy. Esophagectomy with elective lymphadenectomy may induce excessive release of neutrophil elastase, which then promotes vascular permeability and an excessive water shift from the intravascular space to the peripheral compartment. Body fluid imbalance after esophagectomy often leads to circular instability, a decrease of urine output, and a delay in the shift to a diuretic state. The study was designed as a case-control study with a historical control group. A retrospective analysis was performed to examine our hypothesis that sivelestat improves abnormal body fluid retention and prevents subsequent pulmonary complications. To reveal the direct influence of sivelestat on the postoperative course, we avoided using steroids or other diuretic agents. Eighty-eight patients who underwent thoracic esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy from 2000 to 2008 were divided into two groups: those treated from 2003 to 2008, who all received postoperative administration of sivelestat (n=60); and those treated from 2000 to 2002, who did not receive sivelestat and were used as the control group (n=28). Both groups received fluid management using the same protocol. The time to reach a diuretic state, time until extubation of the tracheal tube, and development of delayed respiratory dysfunction were compared between the groups using univariate and multivariate analysis. The time until a shift to a diuretic state was significantly shorter after treatment with sivelestat (p<0.0001) and with a shorter operation time (p<0.0001). The tracheal tube was extubated significantly earlier in the sivelestat group (p<0.0001) and the incidence of delayed respiratory dysfunction was also significantly lower (p=0.0028) in this group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a delay in a shift to a diuretic state was a strong independent risk factor for the time to tracheal extubation (odds ratio 2.539, p=0.0056) and occurrence of delayed respiratory dysfunction (odds ratio 1.989, p=0.0104). Sivelestat treatment was not independently associated with reduced pulmonary complications, but the diuretic state was strongly regulated by sivelestat treatment (odds ratio 0.044, p=0.0003). Thus, administration of sivelestat has a beneficial influence on recovery from body water imbalance through a more rapid return to a diuretic state after esophagectomy, which contributes to prevention of subsequent pulmonary complications.

Effect of preoperative single-dose corticosteroid administration on postoperative morbidity following esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Eight clinical trials involving the administration of preoperative i.v. methylprednisolone have been undertaken in order to decrease the considerable inflammatory response to esophageal resection, in an effort to decrease the supposedly associated morbidity and mortality

METHOD

A meta-analysis was performed for eight clinical end-points. Due to quality problems in seven of the eight included studies, a Bayesian meta-analysis using a skeptical prior derived from the results of the classical analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The end-points including any organ dysfunction (OR = 0.30), respiratory complication (OR = 0.41), sepsis (OR = 0.37), liver dysfunction (OR = 18), cardiovascular dysfunction (OR = 0.28), and surgical anastomotic leak (OR = 0.42) were significantly decreased by methylprednisolone pretreatment. Following the Bayesian analysis, despite the use of skeptical priors, there is a 95% probability to obtain a relative risk reduction of at least 23% to 54%, depending of the end-point, by methylprednisolone pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

We are in the presence of a potential benefit that cannot be accepted at face value due to the quality problems of the included studies. But in the presence of a remaining potential benefit after a Bayesian analysis starting from a skeptical prior, the best option would be the planning of a large multicenter prospective randomized study.

Pre-operative dental brushing can reduce the risk of postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The presence of pathogens in dental plaque is a risk factor associated with postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients. The effectiveness of pre-operative dental brushing to decrease the risk of postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients was evaluated prospectively.

METHODS

A total of 86 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent an esophagectomy were investigated. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the control group (41 patients) and the pre-operative dental brushing group (45 patients). The patients in the brushing group were assigned to brush their teeth 5 times a day. After the operation, the frequency of postoperative pneumonia and need for tracheostomy for pulmonary treatment was calculated.

RESULTS

Postoperative pneumonia was decreased markedly from 32% to 9% (P = .013), and the frequency of postoperative pneumonia requiring tracheostomy decreased from 12% to 0% in the dental brushing group, respectively. Limiting the patients who had positive pathogenic bacteria in their dental plaque on their admission, the frequency of postoperative pneumonia was decreased from 71% (5 of 7 patients) in the control group to 17% (2 of 12 patients) in the dental brushing group (P = .045).

CONCLUSION

Frequent pre-operative dental brushing is performed easily and seems to prevent postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients.

Factors influencing the long-term survival in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy after chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Salvage esophagectomy is potentially the only treatment available that can offer a chance of long-term survival when definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) fails to achieve local control for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, salvage esophagectomy is a highly invasive procedure with various postoperative complications compared to planned esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We hypothesize that severe postoperative complications may affect not only surgical mortality but also tumor recurrence and long-term survival for patients with salvage esophagectomy after definitive CRT.

METHODS

For the present study we reviewed the surgical procedures, postoperative complications, and the prognosis of 65 consecutive patients with thoracic ESCC who underwent the esophagectomy after neoadjuvant (neoadjuvant group: n = 40) or definitive (salvage group: n = 25) CRT.

RESULTS

Most patients underwent right-transthoracic extended esophagectomy and reconstruction using gastric conduit by way of subcutaneous route with left cervical anastomosis. The incidence of postoperative pneumonia was found to be higher in the salvage group than in the neoadjuvant group. In both groups, the survival of patients with R0 resection was significantly better than those with R1/R2 resection. Moreover, in the salvage group, the postoperative survival rate of patients with pneumonia or bacteremia/sepsis was significantly lower than that for patients who did not suffer the same complications. In the neoadjuvant group, R0 resection was selected to be the only independent prognostic factor in univariate and multivariate analysis. In contrast, in the salvage group, R0 resection and bacteremia/sepsis remained significant and were independent of the other factors in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that postoperative morbidity affects not only the perioperative mortality but also the long-term survival of patients with ESCC who undergo salvage esophagectomy after definitive CRT.

Clinical and pathologic evaluation of the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in advanced esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) has the strongest antitumor effect against local tumors of esophageal cancer; however, no standard strategy has yet been established to achieve a clinical complete response (CR) after CRT. The aim of this study was to clarify when a decision can be made to perform further treatment for a clinical CR.

METHODS

We evaluated 78 patients that underwent an esophagectomy after neoadjuvant CRT in our department between 1998 and 2007. The study investigated the clinical and pathologic results of neoadjuvant CRT.

RESULTS

Of the 78 cases, 19 (24.3%) were a pathologic CR (Grade 3). Pathologic CR could be estimated in only 3 of 8 clinical CR cases (37.5%). On the other hand, 12 (20.7%) of the 58 clinical partial response (PR) cases achieved pathologic CR. Likewise, 4 cases (36.4%) achieved pathologic CR among the clinical no change/progressive disease (NC/PD) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical evaluation for CRT does not reflect the pathologic effectiveness and, even if clinical CR was achieved, viable cancer cells were still present at the primary site in the majority of the population.

Stroke volume variation as a predictor of intravascular volume depression and possible hypotension during the early postoperative period after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Perioperative hypotension during esophagectomy results from hypovolemia caused by a shift of extracellular fluid from the intravascular to the extravascular compartment. Fluid management is often difficult to gauge during major surgery because there are no reliable indicators of fluid status, and some patients still experience cardiorespiratory instability. In this retrospective study, we evaluated stroke volume variation (SVV), calculated by using a new arterial pressure-based cardiac output measurement device, as a predictor for fluid responsiveness after esophageal surgery.

METHODS

Eighteen patients undergoing esophagectomy with extended radical lymphadenectomy were monitored by the FloTrac sensor/Vigileo monitor system during the perioperative and immediate postoperative period. Fluid responsiveness was assessed and compared with concurrent SVV and central venous pressure (CVP) values, and routine hemodynamic variables.

RESULTS

Eleven of 18 patients needed additional volume loading within the first 10 postoperative hours as a result of hypotension. The maximum SVV value of fluid resuscitated patients was >15% in all cases, whereas six of seven patients without postoperative hypotension had maximum SVV values of <15%. The correlation between SVV and the development of hypotension was statistically significant (P = 0.0012). From the linear correlation analysis of hemodynamic variables influenced by additional fluid loading, SVV was significantly correlated to cardiac output (r = 0.638; P = 0.049), whereas CVP was not (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that SVV, as displayed on the Vigileo monitor, is an accurate predictor of intravascular hypovolemia and is a useful indicator for assessing the appropriateness and timing of applying fluid for improving circulatory stability during the perioperative period after esophagectomy.

Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To perform endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for T1 esophageal cancer, it is essential to estimate the lymph node status exactly. In order to evaluate the feasibility of EMR for esophageal cancers, we evaluated the clinicopathological features of T1 esophageal squamous carcinomas with an emphasis on the risk factors and distribution patterns of lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

From 1994 to 2006, a total of 200 patients with T1 esophageal carcinoma were treated surgically in our institution. Among them, clinicopathological features were evaluated for 197 consecutive patients with T1 squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

The frequency of lymph node involvement was 6.25% (4/64) in mucosal cancers and 29.3% (39/133) in submucosal cancers (P < 0.001). In patients with M1 (n = 32) and M2 (n = 14) cancers, no lymph node metastasis was found. In multivariate analysis, size larger than 20 mm, endoscopically non-flat type, and endo-lymphatic invasion were significant independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. The differentiation of tumor cell was not a risk factor for lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that EMR may be attempted for flat superficial squamous esophageal cancers smaller than 20 mm. After EMR, careful histological examination is mandatory.

Improved surgical results in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a 40-year analysis of 792 patients

Extensive lymphadenectomy, including upper mediastinum, for thoracic esophageal carcinoma was introduced at the beginning of 1980s. However, the efficacy has not been analyzed in large series at a single institute. We evaluated factors potentially related to improved surgical results in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). From 1959 to 1998, a total of 792 patients with thoracic esophageal SCC underwent R0 surgery. A variety of clinicopathological factors were compared among patients treated from 1990 to 1998 (recent group, n=164) and 1959 to 1989 (former group, n=628). The recent group showed significantly better survival than the former group (5-year survival rates: 51 versus 17%, P<0.01), partly because earlier stage disease was included in the recent group than in the former group. Multivariable analysis, using the Cox regression analysis, indicated the time period of surgery, age, tumor location, the number of positive nodes (>5), venous invasion, and tumor-node-metastasis stage. Upper mediastinum lymphadenectomy was also an independent factor to improve survival of patients with thoracic esophageal SCC.

Preoperative methylprednisolone administration maintains coagulation homeostasis in patients undergoing liver resection: importance of inflammatory cytokine modulation

Alterations in hemostatic parameters are a common finding after major hepatic resection. There is growing evidence that inflammation has a significant role in inducing coagulation disarrangement that follows major surgery. To determine whether preoperative methylprednisolone administration has a protective effect against the development of coagulation disorders, we evaluated the effect of preoperative steroids administration on changes in hemostatic parameters and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing liver surgery. Seventy-three patients undergoing liver resection were randomized to a steroid group or to a control group. Patients in the steroid group received 500 mg of methylprednisolone preoperatively. Serum levels of coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, platelets, fibrinogen, plasma fibrin degradation products [D-dimer], antithrombin III) and inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) were measured before and immediately after the operation and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 5. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors related to the characteristics of the patients and surgery affecting coagulation parameters between the two groups. Decreases in antithrombin III, platelet count and fibrinogen levels, prolongation of prothrombin time, and increases in the plasma fibrin degradation products were significantly suppressed by the administration of methylprednisolone. Cytokines production was also significantly suppressed by the administration of methylprednisolone, and there was significant correlation between plasma levels of cytokines and coagulation alterations. These findings suggest that preoperative methylprednisolone administration inhibits the development of coagulation disarrangements in patients undergoing liver resection, possibly through suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines.

An analysis of the factors contributing to a reduction in the incidence of pulmonary complications following an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary complications occur most frequently following a transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and would get to be lethal occasionally. In this study, we sought to determine the effect of respiratory physiotherapy, corticosteroid administration, and the use of the video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) esophagectomy with a small thoracotomy incision, on the incidence of pulmonary complications following a transthoracic subtotal esophagectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Approximately 184 patients who had undergone a right transthoracic subtotal esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus were studied. To reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications, we performed clinical trials using respiratory physiotherapy, corticosteroid administration, and the VATS-esophagectomy surgical technique.

RESULTS

The independent risk factors for pulmonary complications in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were not administering corticosteroids, blood loss greater than 630 ml, and not providing respiratory physiotherapy. In addition, the use of a small surgical incision, less than 10 cm, for the thoracotomy had no effect on the prevention of pulmonary complications.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that patients with thoracic esophageal cancer could undergo a three-field dissection in comparative safety if the patients were provided with corticosteroid medication in the perioperative period, if the patients received sufficient respiratory physiotherapy, and if surgical blood loss was reduced.

Have surgical outcomes of pathologic T4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma really improved? Analysis of 268 cases during 45 years of experience

BACKGROUND

Because invasion to an adjacent organ (T4) indicates highly advanced disease, and most surgeons avoid esophagectomy, the prognostic impact of clinicopathologic factors for survival of these patients after esophagectomy has rarely been analyzed.

STUDY DESIGN

From 1960 to 2005, a total of 268 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent esophagectomy for pathologic T4 disease (pT4). The impact of clinicopathologic factors on survival was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Changes in surgical outcomes and longterm survival between the earlier period (1960 to 1989) and the later period (1990 to 2005) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall survival rates of all patients were 25% at 1 year, 10% at 3 years, and 5% at 5 years. The survival curve of the later group was significantly better than that of the earlier group (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that venous invasion (hazards ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.33 to 2.33, p < 0.01) and presence of a postoperative complication (hazards ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.96 to 3.51, p < 0.01) were independent risk factors for poor overall survival. Presence of residual cancer was also an independent risk factor for poor cause-specific survival (hazards ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.69, p=0.01). Venous invasion and intramural metastasis were risk factors for residual cancer. A total of 38 (14%) patients, 15 in the early period and 23 in the later period, underwent complete resection (R0). Although overall survival after R0 resection in the later period improved slightly, cancer-related survival rates were similar in both periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall survival of patients with pT4 improved after 1990, this improvement might be mainly dependent on curability of the resection.