Implications of preoperative hypoalbuminemia in colorectal surgery

Relationships between nutritional status and serum adipokine levels with chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage colorectal cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer, with chemotherapy as its major therapy. Nutritional status (NS) and adipokines implicated in CRC. We explored the impacts of NS indicators (hemoglobin, albumin, and prealbumin) and serum adipokine (visfatin, adiponectin, and resistin) level on chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage CRC patients.

METHODS

Late-stage CRC patients were divided into the effective and ineffective groups based on chemotherapy efficacy, with clinical data, NS indicator, and serum adipokine levels documented. They were divided into hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, visfatin, adiponectin, and resistin high and low expression groups, with their relationships with clinical parameters and chemotherapy efficacy analyzed. Independent risk factors (IRFs) affecting chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage CRC patients were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, and adiponectin levels were reduced, while NRS 2002 ≥ 3 proportion, visfatin, and resistin levels were increased in the ineffective group versus the effective group. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curve of hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, visfatin, adiponectin, and resistin in diagnosing ineffective chemotherapy were 0.80, 0.88, 0.86, 0.88, 0.83, and 0.83, respectively. NS indicator and serum adipokine levels were markedly associated with chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage CRC patients. Highly expressed albumin and prealbumin were protective factors for effective chemotherapy, and highly expressed visfatin and resistin were risk factors for effective chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

NS indicators and serum adipokine level are correlated with the chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage CRC patients, and both have diagnostic value for chemotherapy efficacy. Albumin, prealbumin, visfatin, and resistin are independent influencing factors affecting chemotherapy efficacy in late-stage CRC patients.

Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia is Associated With Higher 30-day Mortality and Complications After Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Serum albumin level is routinely screened during preoperative assessments as a biomarker for poor nutritional status and/or concurrent inflammation. In esophagectomy, while early postoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with a higher risk of adverse surgical outcomes, the effects of preoperative hypoalbuminemia on esophagectomy outcomes were conflicting. This study aimed to examine the effect of preoperative hypoalbuminemia on 30-day outcomes following esophagectomy.

METHODS

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) esophagectomy targeted database from 2016 to 2022 was used. Patients with preoperative serum albumin <3.4 g/L were defined as having hypoalbuminemia. Patients with and without hypoalbuminemia were propensity-score matched (1:3 ratio) for demographics, baseline characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical approaches, tumor diagnosis, and pathologic staging of the malignancy. Thirty-day postoperative outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

There were 803 (10.24%) and 7046 (89.76%) patients with and without preoperative hypoalbuminemia who underwent esophagectomy, respectively. After propensity-score matching, all patients with hypoalbuminemia were matched to 2170 controls. After propensity-matching, patients with hypoalbuminemia had higher risks of mortality (4.48% vs 3.00%, P = 0.04), sepsis (14.94% vs 10.92%, P < 0.01), and bleeding requiring transfusion (21.30% vs 13.50%, P < 0.01). Also, patients with hypoalbuminemia had a higher rate of discharge not to home (42.65% vs 34.81%, P < 0.01) and longer LOS (12.69 ± 9.09 vs 11.39 ± 8.16 days, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with preoperative hypoalbuminemia had increased risks of mortality and complications after esophagectomy. Thus, preoperative hypoalbuminemia could be a useful and cost-effective tool for preoperative risk stratification for patients undergoing esophagectomy, and correcting the underlying cause of hypoalbuminemia may help decrease the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes.

Construction of a risk prediction model for postoperative deep vein thrombosis in colorectal cancer patients based on machine learning algorithms

Background

Colorectal cancer is a prevalent malignancy of the digestive system, with an increasing incidence. Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a frequent postoperative complication, occurring in up to 40% of cases.

Objective

This research aims to develop and validate a machine learning model (ML) to predict the risk of lower limb deep vein thrombosis in patients with colorectal cancer, facilitating preventive and therapeutic measures to enhance recovery and ensure safety.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we collected data from 429 colorectal cancer patients from January 2021 to January 2024. The medical records included age, blood test results, body mass index, underlying diseases, clinical staging, histological typing, surgical methods, and postoperative complications. We employed the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique to address imbalanced data and split the dataset into training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio. Feature selection was performed using Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator algorithms (LASSO). We then trained six machine learning models: Logistic Regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), Gaussian Process (GP), Random Forest, XGBoost, and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). The model's performance was evaluated using metrics such as area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and confusion matrix. Additionally, SHAP and LIME were used to enhance the interpretability of the results.

Results

The study combined Random Forest, XGBoost algorithms, and LASSO regression with univariate regression analysis to identify significant predictive factors, including age, preoperative prealbumin, preoperative albumin, preoperative hemoglobin, operation time, PIKVA2, CEA, and preoperative neutrophil count. The XGBoost model outperformed other ML algorithms, achieving an AUC of 0.996, an accuracy of 0.9636, a specificity of 0.9778, and an F1 score of 0.9576. Moreover, the SHAP method identified age and preoperative prealbumin as the primary determinants influencing ML model predictions. Finally, the study employed LIME for more precise prediction and interpretation of individual predictions.

Conclusion

The machine learning algorithms effectively predicted postoperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis in colorectal cancer patients. The XGBoost model demonstrated strong potential for improving early detection and treatment in clinical settings.

Preoperative very low-energy diets for obese patients undergoing intra-abdominal colorectal surgery: a retrospective cohort study (RetroPREPARE)

BACKGROUND

Very low-energy diets (VLEDs) prescribed prior to bariatric surgery have been associated with decreased operative time, technical difficulty, and postoperative morbidity. To date, limited data are available regarding the impact of VLEDs prior to colorectal surgery. We designed this study to determine whether preoperative VLEDs benefit patients with obesity undergoing colorectal surgery.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective cohort study. Individuals undergoing elective colorectal surgery with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 kg/m2 from 2015 to 2022 were included. The exposure of interest was VLEDs for 2-4 weeks immediately prior to surgery. The control group consisted of patients prior to January 2018 who did not receive preoperative VLED. The primary outcome was 30 day postoperative morbidity. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine associations with 30 day postoperative morbidity.

RESULTS

Overall, 190 patients were included, 89 patients received VLEDs (median age: 66 years; median BMI: 35.9 kg/m2; 48.3% female) and 101 patients did not receive VLEDs (median age: 68 years; median BMI: 32.1 kg/m2; 44.6% female). One-hundred four (54.7%) patients experienced 30 day postoperative morbidity. Multivariable regression analysis identified three variables associated with postoperative morbidity: VLEDs [odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.08-0.61, P < 0.01], Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.52, P = 0.02), and rectal dissections (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.30-5.65, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a preoperative VLED was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative morbidity in patients with obesity prior to colorectal surgery. A high-quality randomized controlled trial is required to confirm these findings.

Fasciocutaneous and jejunal free flaps for circumferential hypopharyngeal defect reconstruction: A 22-year multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether a tubed fasciocutaneous or jejunal free flap (FCFF and JFF) is preferable for reconstruction of circumferential pharyngolaryngoesophageal defects.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with circumferential pharyngolaryngoesophageal defects reconstructed with an FCFF or JFF between 2000 and 2022 were included. Outcomes of interest were rates of fistulas, strictures, and donor-site complications.

RESULTS

In total, 112 patients were included (35 FCFFs and 77 JFFs). Fistula and stricture rates were significantly lower following JFF compared to FCFF reconstructions, with 12% versus 34% (p = 0.008) and 29% versus 49% (p = 0.04), respectively. Severe donor-site complications leading to surgical intervention or ICU admittance only occurred after JFF reconstructions (18%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The high fistula and stricture rates in FCFF reconstructions and the rate of severe abdominal complications in JFF reconstructions illustrate inherent procedure-specific advantages and disadvantages. Relative pros and cons should be carefully weighed when tailoring treatments to the individual needs of patients.

The incidence and risk factors of proximal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis without pharmacologic prophylaxis in critically ill surgical Taiwanese patients: A prospective study

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients has been well-studied in Western countries. Many studies have developed risk assessments and established pharmacological protocols to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, the DVT rate and need for pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in critically ill Taiwanese patients are limited. This study aimed to prospectively determine the DVT incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in critically ill Taiwanese patients who do not receive pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of a tertiary academic medical center in Taiwan. Adult patients admitted to SICU from March 2021 to June 2022 received proximal lower extremities DVT surveillance with venous duplex ultrasound. No patient received pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis. The outcomes were the incidence and risk factors of DVT.

Results

Among 501 enrolled SICU patients, 21 patients (4.2%) were diagnosed with proximal lower extremities DVT. In a multivariate regression analysis, hypoalbuminemia (odd ratio (OR) = 6.061, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.067-34.421), femoral central venous catheter (OR = 4.515, 95% CI: 1.547-13.174), ICU stays more than 10 days (OR = 4.017, 95% CI: 1.270-12.707), and swollen leg (OR = 3.427, 95% CI: 1.075-10.930) were independent risk factors for DVT. In addition, patients with proximal lower extremities DVT have more extended ventilator days (p = 0.045) and ICU stays (p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate critically ill Taiwanese patients have a higher incidence of DVT than results from prior retrospective studies in the Asian population. Physicians who care for this population should consider the specific risk factors for DVT and prescribe pharmacologic prophylaxis in high-risk groups.

Prevalence and risk factors for early medical and surgical complications following an admission for acute severe ulcerative colitis

Background

Risk factors for colectomy following an episode of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) have been well studied, but data examining the early complications following an episode is limited.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for medical and surgical complications within 90 days of an ASUC admission and determine if a high-intensity induction infliximab dose is associated with these complications.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of ASUC admissions between January 2015 and July 2021 at a tertiary hospital. The primary outcome was the prevalence of total, medical and surgical complications within 90 days following an ASUC admission. Multivariate linear regression analysis assessed for factors associated with the prevalence of complications.

Results

A total of 150 patients had 186 hospital admissions for ASUC. In total, 101/186 (54.3%) admissions required rescue medical therapy. Standard infliximab induction occurred in 65/100 admissions, accelerated infliximab induction in 35/100 and cyclosporine in 1/100 of admissions. In total, 117 complications, including 74/117 (63.2%) medical and 43/117 (36.8%) surgical complications, arose. Low serum albumin was independently associated with a higher incidence of total [β = -0.08 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.15, -0.01), p = 0.03] and surgical complications [β = -0.1 (95% CI: -0.18, -0.001), p = 0.047], while an increased age was associated with increased incidence of surgical complications [β = 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.12), p = 0.02]. A higher Charlson score was associated with increased medical complications [β = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.24), p = 0.03]. Infliximab induction dose intensity was not associated with an increased incidence of any complications.

Conclusion

Early complications following an ASUC admission is prevalent although the majority are not serious. Risk factors associated with complications include low serum albumin, older age and a higher comorbidity score. Induction infliximab dose intensity, however, is not a risk factor.

Identifying malnutrition in emergency general surgery: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Emergency general surgery practice is high risk. Surgery is a key part of treatment, with resultant catabolic stress and frequent need for nutritional support. The aim of this study was to examine the current methods of defining and determining malnutrition in emergency general surgery. This included examining the use of nutrition screening and assessment tools and other measures of malnutrition.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, trial registries, and relevant journals published between January 2000 and January 2022 were searched for studies of adult patients with any emergency general surgery diagnosis, managed conservatively or operatively, with an assessment of nutritional status. Mixed populations were included if more than 50 per cent of patients were emergency general surgery patients or emergency general surgery results could be separately extracted. Studies in which patients had received nutritional support were excluded. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42021285897).

RESULTS

From 6700 studies screened, 324 full texts were retrieved and 31 were included in the analysis. A definition of malnutrition was provided in 23 studies (75 per cent), with nutritional status being determined by a variety of methods. A total of seven nutrition screening tools and a total of nine 'assessment' tools were reported. To define malnutrition, the most commonly used primary or secondary marker of nutritional status was BMI, followed by albumin level.

CONCLUSION

Wide variation exists in approaches to identify malnutrition risk in emergency general surgery patients, using a range of tools and nutrition markers. Future studies should seek to standardize nutrition screening and assessment in the emergency general surgery setting as two discrete processes. This will permit better understanding of malnutrition risk in surgical patients.

Analysis of risk factors for surgical site infection after colorectal surgery: a cross-sectional study in the east of China pre-COVID-19

Background

The occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) can prolong the postoperative hospital stay, increase the economic burden of patients, and even endanger their lives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and microbiology of SSI after colorectal surgery (CRS) and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of SSI.

Methods

A single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study of adult patients undergoing CRS was conducted from 2010-2019. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to collect and analyze demographic information, hospital characteristics, and potential perioperative risk factors of SSI.

Results

A total of 3,302 eligible patients were included in this study, with 213 cases experiencing SSIs, resulting in an infection rate of 6.45%. Notably, the incidence of SSI decreased from 13.33% in 2010 to 3.56% in 2019 (Ptrend < 0.001). Escherichia coli accounted for the majority of isolated microorganisms (37.09%), with 49 strains exhibiting resistance to one or more antibiotics (35.25%). Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes, anastomosis leakage, wound classification (contaminated/dirty), operation duration, blood loss greater than 200 ml, and NNIS risk index score for 2 or 3 were independent risk factors. Conversely, laparoscopic approach, preoperative bowel preparation and preoperative albumin levels emerged as protective factors against SSI after CRS. Furthermore, compared to non-SSI patients, SSI patients had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate following surgery (0.23% vs. 2.35%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SSI after CRS was susceptible to many factors, and the pathogen of SSI was mainly Escherichia coli. In clinical practice, measures such as correcting preoperative hypoproteinemia, choosing laparoscopic surgery, preoperative bowel preparation and shortening the duration of surgery should be taken to reduce the incidence of SSI.

Prevalence, Microbiological Profile, and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infections in Saudi Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background

Resection surgery in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is associated with potential complications, including surgical site infection (SSI).

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence rate of SSI, identify the common pathogens responsible for SSI, and determine potential risk factors for SSI development in a cohort from Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods

Patients with CRC who underwent bowel resection surgery at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, between January 01, 2016, and December 31, 2019, were retrospectively included. Demographics, comorbidities, surgical procedure data, and the results of preoperative laboratory tests were retrospectively collected from medical records through the health information system. The study population was divided into two groups: those who developed SSI and those who did not.

Results

A total of 92 patients with CRC who underwent resection surgery were included, of which 54 (58.7%) were males. The median age was 65 (IQR 55.5-75.0) years. SSI was observed in 25 (27.2%) patients. The most frequently isolated organisms were Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus faecium, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Three E. coli isolates were producers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, and two K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited a multidrug resistance profile. Low preoperative serum albumin level was identified as a significant independent risk factor for developing SSI (AOR = 0.853, 95% CI = 0.748-0.973, P = 0.0181).

Conclusion

The study found a notable prevalence of SSI among the included patients. Gram-negative bacteria were more involved in SSI events and were also associated with drug-resistance patterns. Gut microbiota bacteria were most commonly involved in SSIs. Low preoperative serum albumin levels predicted the development of postoperative SSI, and thus its close monitoring and management before surgery could reduce the SSIs.

Outcomes of a Colorectal Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Modified for a Diverse and Urban Community

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) colorectal programs have been shown to improve the length of stay (LOS) without increasing hospital resource utilization at academic centers worldwide. A multidisciplinary ERAS protocol that includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management guidelines was recently implemented at our urban, racially diverse, and academically affiliated community hospital. A delivery option was provided to reduce barriers to care. Given our unique patient population, the objective of our study was to determine if improvements in outcomes were reproducible in our hospital.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of patients undergoing elective colectomy at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Patient outcomes were compared between surgeries performed under standard practice (all colectomies prior to April 2017) and those performed after the implementation of the ERAS protocol. Demographic and perioperative data were abstracted from a prospectively derived database used to submit data to the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Additional data were obtained from chart review.

RESULTS

Six hundred five elective colectomies were performed by 12 surgeons (range 1-228 cases) during the study period. Of these, 22 were performed open (41% followed ERAS), 467 were performed laparoscopically (57% followed ERAS), and 116 were performed robotically (74% followed ERAS). The average patient age was 64 y. Of which, 55% were male; 34% were Asian, 27% were non-Hispanic Caucasian, 27% were Hispanic, and 11% were Black or African American (all P-values > 0.05 for ERAS versus non-ERAS). Average duration of procedure was longer in the ERAS group (262 min versus 243 min, P = 0.04), although when stratified by procedure type, this relationship held true only for laparoscopic procedures. Hospital LOS was significantly shorter in the ERAS group (4.3 versus 5.4 d, P < 0.001) and this relationship held true for procedures performed both laparoscopically (4.2 versus 5.3 d, P = 0.01) and robotically (4.1 versus 5.1 d, P = 0.04). Of the ERAS group, patients who opted for delivery of ERAS components (n = 205) had the shortest LOS when compared to patients who picked up components (n = 91) or opted out of ERAS (n = 309) (4.1 versus 4.4 versus 5.2 d, P = 0.003). No significant differences were found for 30-d mortality, 30-d readmission, wound infection, or other postoperative complications (all P-values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of an ERAS protocol in an urban, diverse, academically affiliated community hospital is associated with reductions in LOS for colectomies performed both laparoscopically and robotically. Facilitating ERAS compliance with a delivery option was also associated with improvements in hospital LOS. Preoperative nutrition supplementation was not associated with outcomes. No differences in mortality, readmission rates, or rates of postoperative complications were found.

Immunonutrition in major oncologic head and neck surgery: Analysis of complications, plasmatic equilibrium, and costs

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition, in patients with solid tumors, is associated with a worse clinical outcome and about 40% of patients affected by head and neck cancers (HNC) are malnourished at the time of cancer diagnosis. We investigated the potential benefit of a standardized immunonutritional protocol (INP) to patients with HNC receiving major ablative surgery.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted enrolling 199 patients: 50 treated with the INP and 149 with standard enteral nutrition. Complication rates, need for medications, and costs were considered as outcomes.

RESULTS

INP played a protective role in development of major surgical complications (OR 0.23, p = 0.023), albumin administration (RR 0.38, p = 0.018), and antibiotic duration (p < 0.001) and is cost-effective in patients with moderate or severe malnutrition (-6083€ and -11 988€, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the utility of INP, and accurate nutritional screening can help to identify malnourished patients who would receive the most benefits from this protocol.

High Lymphocyte Count as a Significant Risk Factor for Incisional Hernia After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

In the era of laparoscopic surgery, incisional hernia (IH) remains a common complication of colorectal surgery. Various risk factors for IH have been evaluated to reduce the incidence, but the impact of nutrition on IH has not been well discussed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and the development of IH after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 342 colorectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy or proctectomy between January 2012 and December 2018. Postoperative computed tomography was used to diagnose the IH. Patient characteristics, including preoperative albumin and lymphocyte counts, were evaluated for the risk of development of IH. Further investigations were conducted regarding the impact of nutritional status on the development of IH in each patient of body mass index (BMI) under and over 25.0 kg/m 2 .

RESULTS

IH was observed in 37 patients (10.8%), with a median follow-up period of 48.5 months. Female [odds ratio (OR)=3.43, P <0.01], BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 (OR=2.9, P <0.01), lymphocyte count ≥1798/µL (OR=3.37, P <0.01), and operative time ≥254 minutes (OR=3.90, P <0.01) had statistically significant relationships to IH in multivariate analysis. Low albumin was related to IH in BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 ( P =0.02), but was not in BMI<25 kg/m 2 ( P =0.21). On the other hand, a high lymphocyte count was related to IH regardless of BMI (BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 : P =0.01, BMI<25 kg/m 2 : P =0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

A high preoperative lymphocyte count is an independent risk factor for IH, whereas a low albumin count is limited regarding predicting IH.

The impact of inflammatory markers on prognosis of stage II colon cancers depends on tumour sidedness

BACKGROUNDS

Accumulating evidence has reported a high correlation between inflammatory markers and oncological outcomes in colorectal cancer. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prognostic values of five inflammatory markers in stage II colon cancer patients with different tumour locations.

METHODS

The consecutive stage II colon adenocarcinoma patients undergoing curative resection were analysed retrospectively. ROC curves and the area under the curve (AUCs) via bootstrap method were used to analyse the prognostic impact of various inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and prognostic nutrition index (PNI).

RESULTS

A total of 768 patients were enrolled for analysis. In univariate analysis, right-sided colon cancer (RCC) patients have significantly higher mean levels of all inflammatory markers than left-sided colon cancer (LCC) patients. In multivariate analyses, high NLR in LCC (P = 0.025) and low PNI in both RCC (P = 0.049) and LCC (P = 0.027) were significantly associated with a worse OS while none of the inflammatory markers was found to have a significant impact on DFS or CSS.

CONCLUSIONS

The profiles and prognostic impact of inflammatory markers are significantly different between stage II RCC and LCC patients. Researchers should take sidedness into consideration when addressing survival analysis of inflammatory markers.

Microcytic hypochromic Anemia is a risk factor for postoperative HAEC: A retrospective study

Background

Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a common and life-threatening complication of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR), which can occur before and after surgery. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with the development of HAEC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of HSCR patients admitted to the Children's Hospital of Shanxi Province, China, between January 2011 and August 2021. Diagnosis of HAEC was made using a scoring system with cutoff values ≥4 and included the patient's history, physical examination, and radiological and laboratory findings. The results are shown as frequency (%). The chi-square test was used to analyze a single factor with a significance level of P < 0.05. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze multiple factors.

Results

A total of 324 patients were included in this study, with 266 males and 58 females. In total, 34.3% (111/324) of patients had HAEC, including 85 males and 26 females; 18.9% (61/324) of patients had preoperative HAEC; and 15.4% (50/324) of patients had postoperative HAEC within one year after surgery. Gender, age at definitive therapy, and feeding methods were not found to be associated with preoperative HAEC in univariate analysis. Respiratory infection was associated with preoperative HAEC (P = 0.00003). No association was found between gender and age at definitive therapy and postoperative HAEC. Postoperative HAEC was associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia (P = 0.00058), preoperative history of HAEC (P = 0.00120), the creation of a preoperative stoma (P = 0.00097), long segment or total colon HSCR (P = 0.00057), and hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.03225). Regression analysis showed that microcytic hypochromic anemia (OR=2.716, 95% CI = 1.418-5.203, P = 0.003), preoperative history of HAEC (OR=2.814, 95% CI = 1.429-5.542, P = 0.003), the creation of a preoperative stoma (OR=2.332, 95% CI = 1.003-5.420, P = 0.049), and long segment or total colon HSCR (OR=2.167, 95% CI = 1.054-4.456, P = 0.035) were associated with postoperative HAEC.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the incidence of preoperative HAEC at our hospital was associated with respiratory infections. In addition, microcytic hypochromic anemia, preoperative history of HAEC, the creation of a preoperative stoma, and long segment or total colon HSCR were risk factors of postoperative HAEC. The most important finding of this study was that microcytic hypochromic anemia was a risk factor for postoperative HAEC, which has been rarely reported. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these findings.

Association of red cell distribution width/albumin ratio with intraoperative blood transfusion in cervical cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Although minimally invasive surgical techniques have reduced intraoperative bleeding, the risk of transfusion exists. However, few studies have evaluated risk factors for transfusion in radical hysterectomy. We aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative red cell distribution width/albumin ratio (RDW/albumin) and transfusion in cervical cancer patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 907 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy between June 2006 and February 2015. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for transfusion and mortality at 5-year and overall. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated identification improvement (IDI) analyses were performed to verify the improvement of the intraoperative transfusion model upon the addition of RDW/albumin.

RESULTS

RDW/albumin was an independent risk factor for transfusion (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.77, p = 0.035). Additionally, body mass index, operation time, laparoscopic surgery, total fluids, and synthetic colloid were risk factors for transfusion. RDW/albumin was an independent risk factor for 5-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.07-2.14, p = 0.020), and overall mortality (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06-2.07, p = 0.021). NRI and IDI analyses showed the discriminatory power of RDW/albumin for transfusion (p<0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

RDW/albumin might be a significant factor in transfusion and mortality in cervical cancer patients.

The impact of hypoalbuminemia on postoperative outcomes after outpatient surgery: a national analysis of the NSQIP database

PURPOSE

Hypoalbuminemia has been described as a modifiable factor to optimize postoperative outcomes after major inpatient surgeries. Nevertheless, the role of hypoalbuminemia on outpatient procedures is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of hypoalbuminemia on postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing low-risk outpatient surgery.

METHODS

Patients were extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who had outpatient surgery from 2018 and recorded preoperative albumin levels. The primary outcome was a composite of any major complications including: 1) unplanned intubation, 2) pulmonary embolism, 3) ventilator use > 48 hr, 4) progressive renal failure, 5) acute renal failure, 6) stroke/cerebrovascular accident, 7) cardiac arrest, 8) myocardial infarction, 9) sepsis, 10) septic shock, 11) deep venous thrombosis, and 12) transfusion. Death, any infection, and readmissions were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 65,192 (21%) surgical outpatients had albumin collected preoperatively and 3,704 (1.2%) patients had levels below 3.5 g⋅dL-1. In the albumin cohort, 394/65,192 (0.6%) patients had a major medical complication and 68/65,192 (0.1%) patients died within 30 days after surgery. Albumin values < 3.5 g⋅dL-1 were associated with major complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44 to 2.57; P < 0.001; death-adjusted OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.72 to 5.34; P < 0.001); any infection (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.82; P < 0.001); and readmissions (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.56 to 2.14; P < 0.001). In addition, when evaluated as a continuous variable in a multivariate analysis, for each increase in albumin of 0.10 g⋅dL-1, there was an associated reduction of major complications (aOR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92 to 0.96; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoalbuminemia is associated with major complications and death in outpatient surgery. Since hypoalbuminemia is a potential modifiable intervention, future clinical trials to evaluate the impact of optimizing preoperative albumin levels before outpatient surgery are warranted.

A nutritional screening threshold for optimal outcomes after Hartmann's reversal

PURPOSE

Determining is nutritionally replete enough for Hartmann's reversal (HR) can be controversial and multifactorial. While there are many preoperative nutritional screening tools, the impact of malnourishment on HR has not been evaluated. The study aims to clarify how often patients undergoing HR are high risk for malnourishment at the time of surgery and how this impacts postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

From 2012-2019, all elective HRs were identified in ACS-NSQIP. Patients were categorized in a malnourished group if they met one of the following criteria: (1) BMI < 18.5 kg/m², (2) albumin < 3.5 g/dL, or (3) > 10% body weight loss in the last 6 months. Bivariate associations of preoperative demographics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors for 30-day mortality and organ space wound infection.

RESULTS

8878 procedures were evaluated (well-nourished = 7116 and malnourished = 1762). The malnourished group had higher mortality (p < 0.001), shorter operating time (p < .001), longer length of stay (p = 0.016), and higher rates of infection (p = 0.011), reintubation (p = 0.002), bleeding (p < 0.001), sepsis (p = 0.001), and reoperation (p = 0.018). In multivariate regression models, malnourishment was an independent predictor for mortality (OR = 2.72, p < 0.001) and wound infection (OR = 1.19, p = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

A large percentage of patients undergoing HR were classified as being high-risk for malnutrition. Malnourishment was associated with some worse postoperative compilations including death and wound infection. Surgeons should routinely use preoperative screening for malnutrition to identify and attempt to optimize nutritional status prior to undergoing Hartmann's Reversal.

A risk scoring system integrating postoperative factors for predicting early mortality after major non-cardiac surgery

We aimed to develop a risk scoring system for 1-week and 1-month mortality after major non-cardiac surgery, and assess the impact of postoperative factors on 1-week and 1-month mortality using machine learning algorithms. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21,510 patients who were transfused with red blood cells during non-cardiac surgery and collected pre-, intra-, and postoperative features. We derived two patient cohorts to predict 1-week and 1-month mortality and randomly split each of them into training and test cohorts at a ratio of 8:2. All the modeling steps were carried out solely based on the training cohorts, whereas the test cohorts were reserved for the evaluation of predictive performance. Incorporation of postoperative information demonstrated no significant benefit in predicting 1-week mortality but led to substantial improvement in predicting 1-month mortality. Risk scores predicting 1-week and 1-month mortality were associated with area under receiver operating characteristic curves of 84.58% and 90.66%, respectively. Brain surgery, amount of intraoperative red blood cell transfusion, preoperative platelet count, preoperative serum albumin, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status were included in the risk score predicting 1-week mortality. Postoperative day (POD) 5 (neutrophil count × mean platelet volume) to (lymphocyte count × platelet count) ratio, preoperative and POD 5 serum albumin, and occurrence of acute kidney injury were included in the risk score predicting 1-month mortality. Our scoring system advocates the importance of postoperative complete blood count differential and serum albumin to better predict mortality beyond the first week post-surgery.

Impact of malnutrition on outcomes following groin hernia repair: Insights from the ACS NSQIP

BACKGROUND

The present study examined the association of nutrition status, as defined by preoperative serum albumin, with postoperative outcomes and resource use after groin hernia repair.

METHODS

The 2006 to 2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for adults (≥18 years) undergoing open or laparoscopic repair of inguinal or femoral hernia. Patients were stratified based on the following preoperative serum albumin levels: <2.5 g/dL (severe hypoalbuminemia), 2.5 to <3.0 (moderate hypoalbuminemia), 3.0 to <3.5 (mild), and ≥3.5 (normal albumin). Multivariable regression models were developed to assess the association of hypoalbuminemia with outcomes of interest, including 30-day mortality, postoperative complications, length of stay, and 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

Of the 261,052 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 0.3% had severe, 1.1% had moderate, and 7.4% had mild hypoalbuminemia, with 91.2% classified as normal albumin. After risk adjustment, mortality risk was greater for severe (5.8%, 95% confidence interval: 4.1-7.6), moderate (4.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.4-5.3), and mild hypoalbuminemia (1.5%, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-1.8) relative to normal albumin (0.3%, 95% confidence interval: 0.2-0.3). Decreasing serum albumin levels were associated with a stepwise increase in risk of complications, length of stay, and 30-day readmission.

CONCLUSION

Decreased preoperative serum albumin is associated with increased mortality and morbidity after open and laparoscopic groin hernia repair. Serum albumin remains a relevant predictor of postsurgical outcomes and can thus be used in shared decision-making and optimization of malnourished patients in need of groin hernia repair.

The effect of platelet-albumin ratio on mortality and morbidity in peptic ulcer perforation

BACKGROUND

The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic role of platelet/albumin ratio in patients treated under emergency conditions for peptic ulcer perforation (PUP).

METHODS

A retrospective study involving emergency patients who were operated for PUP was carried out. The patients were divided into 2 groups: PUP patients who died after surgical treatment (PUP-M) and PUP patients who survived after surgical treatment (PUP-S). The laboratory values of the patients were compared statistically. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

This cohort study consisted of 171 patients treated between June 2013 and December 2019. The mean age of the patients was 46.3 ± 20.5 years; and 33 (19.3%) patients were women. The age (P ≤ .001), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (P = .02), lactic dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (P ≤ .001), and platelet/albumin ratio (PAR; P ≤ .001) values were high and lymphocyte count was low (P = .006) in the PUP-M group. A positive correlation was determined between length of stay in hospital and age (P ≤ .001), lactic dehydrogenase/albumin ratio (P ≤ .001), platelet count (P = .044), and PAR (P ≤ .001). A substantial negative correlation was determined between length of stay in hospital and albumin count (P ≤ .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We determined a high preoperative PAR level in PUP patients who had undergone surgery as a negative prognostic parameter. PAR is a candidate biomarker for clinical practice.

Factors predicting postoperative morbidity after cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Advances in ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery have enabled more extensive procedures to achieve maximal cytoreduction but with a consequent increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors for postoperative morbidity after extensive cytoreductive surgery for primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), particularly those which may be modifiable.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Fifteen relevant studies, involving 15,325 ovarian cancer patients, were included in this review. Severe 30-day postoperative complications occurred in 2,357 (15.4%) patients. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.92%. Meta-analysis demonstrated that patient with following risk factors; age (p<0.001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score >0 (p=0.001), albumin level <3.5 g/dL (p<0.001), presence of ascites on CT scan (p=0.013), stage IV disease (p<0.001) and extensive surgical procedure (p<0.001) has a significantly increase risk of developing postoperative complications. Surgical procedures including peritonectomy (p=0.012), splenectomy (p<0.001) and colon surgery (p<0.001) were significant predictors for postoperative complications. Moreover, we found that patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) had a lower risk of developing severe complications compared to those who underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that patient performance status and hypoalbuminemia were the only significant adjustable preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative complications. Patients who underwent NACT-IDS had a lower risk of developing severe complications compared to PDS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) Identifier: CRD42021282770.

Using Wearable Biosensors to Predict Length of Stay for Patients with IBD After Bowel Surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It remains unknown whether ambulation or sleep predicts postoperative length of stay for patients with IBD. We aim to identify the utility of wearable biosensors in predicting postoperative length of stay for patients with IBD.

METHODS

Associations of postoperative length of stay with step count/sleep duration/sleep efficiency measured by wearable biosensors were examined. The best-fitting multivariable linear regression model predicting length of stay was constructed using stepwise model selection.

RESULTS

Final sample included 37 patients. Shorter sleep duration on postoperative day 4 (r = 0.51, p = 0.043) or 5 (r = 0.81, p = 0.0045) or higher sleep efficiency on postoperative day 5 (r = - 0.77, p = 0.0098) was associated with a shorter length of stay. Additionally, a more positive change in sleep efficiency from postoperative day 4-5 was associated with a shorter length of stay (r = - 0.77, p = 0.024). The best-fitting multivariable linear regression model revealed Clavien-Dindo grade 1 (p = 0.045) and interaction between Clavien-Dindo grade 2/3a and mean daily steps (p = 0.00038) are significant predictors of length of stay. The following variables were not significantly associated with length of stay: mean daily steps/sleep duration/sleep efficiency, average rate of change in these three variables, and changes in step count between successive postoperative days 1-5, sleep duration between successive postoperative days 2-5, and sleep efficiency between successive postoperative days 2-4.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the utility of activity and sleep data from wearable biosensors in predicting length of stay. Patients with more severe complications may benefit more (i.e., reduced postoperative length of stay) from increased ambulation. However, overall, sleep duration/efficiency did not predict length of stay.

Effects of Perioperative Oral Nutrition Supplementation in Malaysian Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery for Breast and Colorectal Cancers-A Randomised Controlled Trial

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative and an extended 90-days postoperative use of ONS among patients undergoing elective surgery for breast and colorectal cancers. Ninety-one patients were randomised into (i) Group SS received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively and postoperatively up to discharge, (ii) Group SS-E received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively, postoperatively up to discharge and for an extended 90-days after discharge and (iii) Group DS received ONS postoperatively up to discharge. Preoperatively, SS had significantly higher body weight (66.1 ± 15.3 kg vs. 62.5 ± 12.0 kg, p = 0.010) and BMI (26.8 ± 6.8 kg/m2 vs. 26.1 ± 6.7 kg/m2, p = 0.022) than DS when adjusted for baseline values. Postoperatively, SS-E had significantly higher handgrip strength (26 ± 9 kgF vs. 24 ± 6 kgF, p = 0.044) than DS at 90-days post-discharge after adjusted for preoperative values. At 90-days post-discharge, the proportions of patients in SS with albumin < 35 g/d, CAR ≥ 0.1, mPINI ≥ 0.4, mGPS score 1 or 2 were significantly reduced while in SS-E, the reduction in proportions of patients with high hsCRP and mPINI ≥ 0.4 was significant compared to upon discharge. Preoperative ONS had modest benefits in attenuating weight loss whilst postoperative supplementation up to 90-days post-discharge improved handgrip strength and inflammatory prognostic markers.

Associations between a composite score of hemoglobin, CRP and albumin and physical performance in older patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Abnormal levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin are common in people with gastrointestinal cancer. The hypothesis was that this is of importance for physical performance in older persons in the perioperative context. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the association between hemoglobin, CRP and albumin and physical performance before and after abdominal cancer surgery in older patients.

METHODS

Patients ≥70 years of age scheduled for abdominal cancer surgery were invited to take part in the study. Data on levels of hemoglobin, CRP and albumin and physical performance (Six-Minute Walk Test, functional leg strength [chair-stands completed in 30 s], and maximal inspiratory muscle strength), were collected at baseline (n = 178) and physical performance was reassessed before discharge (n = 120). A composite score of 0-3 points was used, based on the presence or not of anemia, elevated CRP or hypoalbuminemia. Multivariable linear regressions were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Before surgery, walking distance in patients scoring 2-3 (presence of 2 or 3 abnormal values) was shorter in comparison to patients scoring 0 (all values within normal range) in the multivariable model (-39.1 m; 95% CI -74.2, -3.9, p = 0.030). The number of chair stands performed during 30 s was lower in patients scoring 1 (-1.7; 95% CI -3.2, -0.2, p = 0.028) and 2-3 (-1.6; 95% CI -3.0, -0.1, p = 0.037) compared to patients scoring 0. No significant differences were seen between score groups and inspiratory muscle strength. After surgery, no differences were seen in walking distance or chair stands between patients with different scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients with abnormal concentrations of hemoglobin, CRP and albumin before gastrointestinal cancer surgery showed impaired physical performance before surgery. Knowledge about potentially modifiable factors prior to cancer surgery increases the possibility to prepare the individual, which in turn might contribute to reduced morbidity and faster recovery after surgery.

Decrement of prognostic nutrition index in laryngeal diseases: from precancerous lesion to squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition and systemic inflammatory response have been confirmed to be important risk factors for various cancers.

OBJECTIVE

To compare pretreatment prognostic nutrition index (PNI) among patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), laryngeal precancerous lesion (LPL) and laryngeal benign lesion (LBL).

METHODS

A total of 253 male patients with laryngeal lesions were divided into LBL, LPL with low risk (LPL (l)), LPL with high risk (LPL(h)), LSCC (i), LSCC (ii) and LSCC (iii) groups according to their histopathological findings and the TNM staging system. PNI and other clinical parameters were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used for comparison of different parameters among groups. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The PNI in the LSCC group was significantly lower than those of the LBL and LPL groups (p = .013 and p = .004, respectively), and decreased from LPL(l) to LSCC (iii) (from 53.97 ± 3.69 to 50.02 ± 4.75). LPL patients with lower PNI values had a higher risk of LSCC, the OR was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.97) for a one-unit decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI could be a simple and reproducible marker for predicting the severity of laryngeal diseases.

Subjective global assessment of malnutrition and dysphagia effect on the clinical and Para-clinical outcomes in elderly ischemic stroke patients: a community-based study

Background

Malnutrition as a result of insufficient intake or uptake of nutrition leads to increasing rate of chronic diseases such as stroke. Stroke is one of the most common causes of death in western countries and its increasing trend has attracted lots of attention. In this regard, it seems logical to focus on modifiable risk factors such as nutrition, in order to reduce the resulting complications. Accordingly, this study aimed at evaluating nutrition status of stroke patients to estimate its relationship with clinical outcomes of stroke.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional study, 349 patients were recruited. Nutrition assessment was performed using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). In addition, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and biochemical tests were performed.

Results

Our findings elucidated a significant positive correlation of mRS with PG-SGA and consciousness score, as well as a negative correlation with BMI, calf circumference, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold at admission time (P ≤ 0.002). Moreover, a direct correlation was found between mRS and PG-SGA and consciousness score at discharge time (P ≤ 0.001). In contrast, an inverse correlation was established between mRS and mid-arm circumference (P = 0.02). Furthermore, univariate analysis indicated significant associations between mRS ≥ 3 and age (OR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.00–1.04), PG-SGA (OR: 1.08; 95%CI: 1.03–1.13), NIHSS (OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02–1.07), dysphagia (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.03–2.77), consciousness (OR: 1.48; 95%CI: 1.07–2.04), and mid-arm circumference (OR: 0.95; 95%CI: 0.90–1.00). In addition, these associations remained significant in multivariate analysis for PG-SGA (OR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.00–1.13) and NIHSS (OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.01–1.07).

Conclusion

This study revealed a positive correlation between mRS and consciousness status and PG-SGA score, as well as a negative one between mRS and MAC at discharge time.

Preoperative malnutrition in patients with colorectal cancer

Preoperative malnutrition in patients with colorectal cancer is associated with several postoperative consequences and poorer prognosis. Currently, there is a lack of a universal screening tool to assess nutritional status, and intervention to treat preoperative malnutrition is often neglected. This review summarizes and compares preoperative screening and interventional tools to help providers optimize malnourished patients with colorectal cancer for surgery. We found that nutritional screenings, such as the Subjectibe Global Assessment, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, Prognostic Nutritional Index, Nutrition Risk Index, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, Nutrition Risk Score, serum albumin, and prealbumin, have all effectively predicted postoperative outcome. Physicians should consider which of these tools best fits their needs based on the their mode of assessment, efficiency, and specified parameters. Additionally, preoperative nutritional support, such as trimodal prehabilitation, modified peripheral parenteral nutrition, and N-3 fatty acid and arginine supplementation, which have also benefited patients postoperatively, ought to be implemented appropriately according to their ease of execution. Given the high prevalence of preoperative malnutrition in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer, it is essential that health care providers assess and treat this malnutrition to reduce postoperative complications and length of hospital stay, and to improve prognosis to augment a patient’s quality of care.

Protein Nutritional Status and Frailty: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested that better protein nutritional status may contribute to prevention of frailty.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine this hypothesis using a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a two-sample MR study using GWAS summary statistics data of the UK Biobank. We applied genetically predicted serum albumin as a primary exposure measure and serum total protein as a secondary exposure measure. The outcome measure was the Rockwood frailty index (FI) based on 49 deficits from 356,432 individuals (53.3% of them were women, with a mean ± SD age of 56.7 ± 8.0 y. The association between serum protein measures and FI was mainly analyzed by use of the inverse variance weighted method.

RESULTS

A genetically predicted serum albumin concentration was not statistically significantly associated with FI in the full sample. However, in women, we observed a preventive association between genetically predicted serum albumin and FI (β = -0.172 per g/L; 95% CI: -0.336, -0.007; P = 0.041). In the full sample, genetically predicted serum total protein was inversely associated with FI (β: -0.153 per g/L; 95% CI: -0.251, -0.056; P = 0.002). In both women and men, higher serum total protein was significantly inversely associated with FI; regression coefficients were -0.148 per g/L (95% CI: -0.287, -0.009; P = 0.037) for women, -0.154 per g/L (95% CI: -0.290, -0.018; P = 0.027) for men.

CONCLUSIONS

The present MR study implies that better protein nutritional status modestly contributes to reducing the risk of frailty.

Study protocol for an open labelled randomised controlled trial of perioperative oral nutrition supplement in breast and colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery

Background

While it is well established that perioperative use of oral nutrition supplement (ONS) improves nutrition status among severely malnourished surgical cancer patients, the evidence requires further substantiation for non-severely malnourished patients with cancer. This protocol paper presents the rationale and design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative as well as an extended 90-day postoperative use of ONS on nutritional and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing elective surgery for breast and colorectal cancer.

Methods

Patients with primary breast and colorectal cancer undergoing elective surgery are recruited from two tertiary hospitals. Eligible patients are assigned into one of the three intervention arms: (i) Group SS will receive ONS in addition to their normal diet up to 14 days preoperatively and postoperatively up to discharge; (ii) Group SS-E will receive ONS in addition to their normal diet up to 14 days preoperatively, postoperatively up to discharge and for an extended 90 days after discharge; and (iii) Group DS will receive ONS in addition to their normal diet postoperatively up to discharge from the hospital. The ONS is a standard formula fortified with lactium to aid in sleep for recovery. The primary endpoints include changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and prealbumin levels, while secondary endpoints are body composition (muscle and fat mass), muscle strength (handgrip strength), energy and protein intake, sleep quality, haemoglobin, inflammatory markers (transferrin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6), stress marker (saliva cortisol), length of hospital stay and postoperative complication rate.

Discussion

This trial is expected to provide evidence on whether perioperative supplementation in breast and colorectal cancer patients presenting with high BMI and not severely malnourished but undergoing the stress of surgery would be beneficial in terms of nutritional and clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04400552. Registered on 22 May 2020, retrospectively registered

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05716-5.

Nutritional risk and clinical outcomes in critically ill adult patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

the COVID-19 pandemic put the world's population at risk. As the relationship between nutritional risk and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19 is still poorly understood, a multidisciplinary research team of the Argentine Society of Intensive Care (SATI) conducted a multicenter study aimed to define nutritional features, and to evaluate the relationship between nutritional risk and relevant clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

a multicenter, prospective, observational study including twelve Argentinian ICUs was conducted between March and October 2020. Inclusion criteria were: adult patients older than 18 years who were admitted to the ICU with a COVID-19 diagnosis were included. Clinical data included comorbidities scores, and nutritional screening tools such as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002, and the modified NUTRIC score (mNUTRIC SCORE) were used. In addition, clinical outcomes including overall mortality, mechanical ventilation (MV) days, and ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) were recorded.

RESULTS

a total of 285 ICU patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 61.24 (SD = 14.6) years; APACHE-II, 14.2 (SD = 6.6); Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), 2.3 (SD = 2.3). Most patients were admitted from the emergency room to the ICU. Hypertension, obesity, and diabetes were the most common comorbidities. Nutritional assessment showed that 36.9 % were SGA B+C, and 46 % were obese. Mean ICU LOS was 22.2 (SD = 19.5), and hospital LOS was 28.1 (SD = 21.9) days. Of all patients, 90.2 % underwent MV, and MV days were 20.6 (SD = 15.6). The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that risk factors for COVID-19 mortality were (odds ratio [95 % confidence interval]): SGA score of B or C: 2.13 [1.11-4.06], and NRS 2002 ≥ 3: 2.25 [1.01-5.01].

CONCLUSIONS

in the present study, nutritional status (SGA) and NRS 2002 were major mortality risk factors for CODIV-19 patients in the ICU.

Influence of albumin and physical activity on postoperative recovery in patients with colorectal cancer: An observational study

PURPOSE

The study explores the influences of nutrition-related factors (albumin, hemoglobin, and obesity) and lifestyles (physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking, and drinking) on the length of hospital stay in postoperative colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 106 preoperative colorectal cancer patients was recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires and from patients' medical records.

RESULTS

The median length of hospital stay was ten days with an interquartile range (IQR) of 8-11.25 days. The results of the log-link Gamma generalized linear model showed that albumin (B = -0.16, p = 0.007) and physical activity (B = -0.14, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of the length of hospital stay after controlling for demographics and disease characteristics. The influences of anemia, obesity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking, and drinking on the length of hospital stay were insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hypoalbuminemia and a low level of physical activity undergo a more extended postoperative hospital stay. The study findings inform clinicians of the influencing factor of the patients' recovery and provide a foundation for developing interventions to decrease hospital stay length.

Risk Prediction and Treatment of LE-DVT in Patients with Chronic Radiation Intestinal Injury: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic radiation intestinal injury (CRII) is the most common complication after pelvic malignancy radiation. Once hemorrhagic CRII patients suffer from lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LE-DVT), hemostasis and anticoagulation therapy will be adopted simultaneously, but the treatment strategy is a paradox, as the condition is extremely intractable and serious. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for LE-DVT in CRII patients and explore the treatment of hemorrhagic CRII patients with LE-DVT.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study, and a total of 608 hospitalized CRII patients after pelvic radiotherapy were included from November 2011 to October 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate the potential risk factors for LE-DVT in CRII patients. Furthermore, the treatment of hemorrhagic CRII patients with LE-DVT was explored.

RESULTS

Among the CRII patients, 94 (15.5%) were with suspicious symptoms of LE-DVT in the lower limbs, and 32 (5.3%) were diagnosed with LE-DVT. Among the patients with LE-DVT, 65.6% (21/32) had bleeding simultaneously, and 29 (90.6%) had anemia with 24 (75.0%) having moderate to severe anemia. Multivariate analysis showed that a recent surgical history (≤6 months) (OR = 5.761, 95% CI: 2.506~13.246, p < 0.001), tumor recurrence or metastasis (OR = 3.049, 95% CI: 1.398~6.648, p = 0.005) and the hemoglobin (Hb) level (OR = 0.960, 95% CI: 0.942~0.979, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of LE-DVT. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the merged risk score of the independent risk factors was 0.822 (95% CI: 0.789~0.852), and the optimal Hb cutoff was 82.5 g/L. After colostomy, obvious bleeding remission was rapidly found in 84.6% of hemorrhagic CRII patients with LE-DVT.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LE-DVT in hospitalized CRII patients was 5.3%. A recent surgical history, tumor recurrence or metastasis and a lower Hb level were independently associated with LE-DVT development in CRII patients. Colostomy could be a good choice for intractable hemorrhagic CRII patients with LE-DVT.

Hypoalbuminemia Predicts Serious Complications Following Elective Bariatric Surgery

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia (HA), (2) compare complication rates among HA and non-HA patients, and (3) determine the influence of HA on postoperative complications and 30-day mortality among bariatric surgery patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was extracted from the MBSAQIP registry from 2015 to 2018. A presurgical serum albumin level of [Formula: see text] 3.5 g/dL was used to organize the patient population into HA and non-HA cohorts. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression modeling were used.

RESULTS

Of 590,971 patients, 42,618 (7.2%) were identified as having serum albumin levels [Formula: see text] 3.5 g/dL. HA patients were younger (44.0 + / - 11.9 vs. 44.5 + / - 12.0 years; p < 0.0001), were of increased BMI (48.5 + / - 9.0 kg/m² vs. 45.1 + / - 7.7 kg/m²; p < 0.0001), and had a lower baseline functional status (1.6% vs. 1.0% dependent or partially dependent; p < 0.0001). HA patients had more anastomotic leaks (0.46% vs. 0.38%; p = 0.02), deep surgical site infections (0.37% vs. 0.24%; p < 0.0001), and composite serious complications (4.4% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.0001). At 30-day post-operation, complications including need for reintervention (1.6% vs. 1.2%; p < 0.0001), readmission (4.8% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.0001), and mortality (0.14% vs. 0.086%; p = 0.001) were all more prevalent among HA patients. After functional status, HA was the strongest modifiable predictor of serious complications but was not predictive of 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

We identified HA as one of the greatest modifiable factors predictive of serious complications. Adoption of strategies to identify and improve preoperative serum albumin levels may reduce overall serious complications among elective bariatric surgery patients.

Machine Learning-based Model for Predicting Postoperative Complications among Patients with Colonic Perforation: A Retrospective study

Objectives:

Surgery for colonic perforation has high morbidity and mortality rates. Predicting complications preoperatively would help improve short-term outcomes; however, no predictive risk stratification model exists to date. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine risk factors for complications after colonic perforation surgery and use machine learning to construct a predictive model.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 51 patients who underwent emergency surgery for colorectal perforation. We investigated the connection between overall complications and several preoperative indicators, such as lactate and the Glasgow Prognostic Score. Moreover, we used the classification and regression tree (CART), a machine-learning method, to establish an optimal prediction model for complications.

Results:

Overall complications occurred in 32 patients (62.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high lactate levels [odds ratio (OR), 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.22; p = 0.027] and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.06-6.25; p = 0.036) as predictors of overall complications. According to the CART analysis, the albumin level was the most important parameter, followed by the lactate level. This prediction model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.830.

Conclusions:

Our results determined that both preoperative albumin and lactate levels were valuable predictors of postoperative complications among patients who underwent colonic perforation surgery. The CART analysis determined optimal cutoff levels with high AUC values to predict complications, making both indicators clinically easier to use for decision making.

Postoperative sepsis after colorectal surgery: a prospective single-center observational study and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative sepsis represents a significant problem in colorectal surgery patients.

AIM

To identify the etiology as well as the risk factors associated with the development of postoperative sepsis, based on prospective data of patients undergoing colorectal surgery at a single large-volume institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between November 2019 and February 2021, 141 patients underwent an elective operation for colorectal cancer at a tertiary hospital center. The following variables were recorded for each patient: age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification (ASA class), duration of surgery, surgical approach, comorbidities (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease). Univariate analysis was performed using χ2 tests for categorical variables.

RESULTS

A total of 69 males and 72 females were enrolled. Postoperative sepsis was diagnosed in 18 (12.77%) cases, with anastomotic leakage being the most frequent cause (3.55%). There was no statistically significant difference in the presence of sepsis among patients when gender, surgical approach, duration of surgery, and respiratory disease were taken into account. Sixty-nine patients were > 65 years old, with sepsis being statistically significant in this group (p = 0.034). Furthermore, patients with ASA class ≤ 2 developed postoperative sepsis less frequently than patients with advanced ASA scores (p = 0.008). Diabetes and cardiovascular disease also reach statistical significance; sepsis was more frequent in this group of patients (p = 0.013 and p = 0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Following colorectal cancer procedures, postoperative sepsis was significantly more common among patients over 65 years old, ASA score > 2, and also with associated comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Value of nutrition support therapy in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies: a narrative review and health economic analysis of impact on clinical outcomes in the United States

Malnutrition, particularly under-nutrition, is highly prevalent among adult patients with a diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and negatively affects patient outcomes. Malnutrition is associated with clinical and surgical complications for patients undergoing therapy for GI cancers and the costs associated with those complications is a high burden for the US health system. Our objective was to identify high-quality evidence for nutrition support interventions associated with cost savings for patient care, followed by a complex economic value analysis to project cost savings for the US health system. A narrative literature search was conducted in which combined keywords in the areas of therapeutic nutrition (nutrition, malnutrition), a specific therapeutic area [GI cancer (esophageal, gastric, gallbladder, pancreatic, liver/hepatic, small and large intestine, colorectal)], and clinical outcomes and healthcare cost, to look for nutrition interventions that could significantly improve clinical outcomes. Medicare claims data were then analyzed using the findings of these identified studies and this modeling exercise supported identifying the cost and healthcare resource utilization implications of specific populations to determine the impact of nutrition support on reducing these costs as reflected in the summary of the evidence. Eight studies were found that provided clinical outcomes and health cost savings data, 2 of those had the strongest level of evidence and were used for Value Analysis calculations. Nutrition interventions such as oral diet modifications, enteral nutrition (EN) supplementation, and parenteral nutrition (PN) have been studied especially in the peri-operative setting. Specifically, peri-operative immunonutrition administration and utilization of enhanced recovery pathways after surgery have been associated with significant improvement in postoperative complications and decreased length of hospital stay (LOS). Utilizing economic modeling of Medicare claims data from GI cancer patients, potential annual cost savings of $242 million were projected by the widespread adoption of these interventions. Clinical outcomes can be improved with the use of nutrition interventions in patients with GI cancers. Healthcare costs can be reduced as a result of fewer in-hospital complications and shorter lengths of hospital stay. The application of nutrition intervention provides a positive clinical and economic value proposition to the healthcare system for patients with GI cancers.

Strong for Surgery: Association Between Bundled Risk Factors and Outcomes After Major Elective Surgery in the VA Population

BACKGROUND

Strong for Surgery (S4S) is a public health campaign focused on optimizing patient health prior to surgery by identifying evidence-based modifiable risk factors. The potential impact of S4S bundled risk factors on outcomes after major surgery has not been previously studied. This study tested the hypothesis that a higher number of S4S risk factors is associated with an escalating risk of complications and mortality after major elective surgery in the VA population.

METHODS

The Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) database was queried for patients who underwent major non-emergent general, thoracic, vascular, urologic, and orthopedic surgeries between the years 2008 and 2015. Patients with complete data pertaining to S4S risk factors, specifically preoperative smoking status, HbA1c level, and serum albumin level, were stratified by number of positive risk factors, and perioperative outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 31,285 patients comprised the study group, with 16,630 (53.2%) patients having no S4S risk factors (S4S0), 12,323 (39.4%) having one (S4S1), 2,186 (7.0%) having two (S4S2), and 146 (0.5%) having three (S4S3). In the S4S1 group, 60.3% were actively smoking, 35.2% had HbA1c > 7, and 4.4% had serum albumin < 3. In the S4S2 group, 87.8% were smokers, 84.8% had HbA1c > 7, and 27.4% had albumin < 3. Major complications, reoperations, length of stay, and 30-day mortality increased progressively from S4S0 to S4S3 groups. S4S3 had the greatest adjusted mortality risk (adjusted odds radio [AOR] 2.56, p = 0.04) followed by S4S2 (AOR 1.58, p = 0.02) and S4S1 (AOR 1.34, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

In the VA population, patients who had all three S4S risk factors, namely active smoking, suboptimal nutritional status, and poor glycemic control, had the greatest risk of postoperative mortality compared to patients with fewer S4S risk factors.

Pathophysiological mechanisms explaining poor clinical outcome of older cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass

Low skeletal muscle mass is highly prevalent in older cancer patients and affects 5% to 89% depending on the type and stage of cancer. Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with poor clinical outcomes such as post-operative complications, chemotherapy toxicity and mortality in older cancer patients. Little is known about the mediating pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review, we summarize proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association between low skeletal muscle mass and poor clinical outcomes in older cancer patients including a) systemic inflammation; b) insulin-dependent glucose handling; c) mitochondrial function; d) protein status and; e) pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs. The mechanisms of altered myokine balance negatively affecting the innate and adaptive immune system, and altered pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs leading to a relative overdosage of anticancer drugs are best-substantiated. The effects of glucose intolerance and circulating mitochondrial DNA as a consequence of low skeletal muscle mass are topics of interest for future research. Restoring myokine balance through physical exercise, exercise mimetics, neuro-muscular activation and adapting anticancer drug dosing on skeletal muscle mass could be targeted approaches to improve clinical outcomes in older cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass.

Comparison of Two Different Cut-Off Values of Scoring System for Diagnosis of Hirschsprung-Associated Enterocolitis After Transanal Endorectal Pull-Through

Background: Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a major contributor in the mortality of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) patients that can occur both preoperatively and post-operatively. Several cut-off values of HAEC score have been used, i.e., ≥10 and ≥4. Here, we compared the HAEC frequency after transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) using two cut-offs of scoring system and associated them with the risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using medical records of HSCR patients who were aged ≤18 years old and underwent TEPT at our institution, Indonesia between 2009 and 2016. HAEC was determined using the scoring system with cut-off values of ≥10 and ≥4. Results: Seventy subjects were used in the final analysis, consisting of 44 males and 26 females. There was a significant difference in one HAEC finding between the ≥10 and ≥4 cut-off groups; diarrhea with explosive stools (p = 0.002). The HAEC frequency was 5/70 (7.1%) and 49/70 (70%) patients using cut-off values of ≥10 and ≥4 (p < 0.0001), respectively. We found that patients with anemia (i.e., iron deficiency anemia) had a higher risk of HAEC after TEPT than patients with normal hemoglobin level with OR of 3.77 (95% CI = 1.28-11.1; p = 0.027), while no associations were found between other variables, including sex, age at diagnosis, age at definitive therapy, albumin level, and nutritional status and HAEC following TEPT (p = 0.87, 0.15, 0.33, 0.26, and 0.60, respectively). Also, no associations were observed between maternal education level, mother's age at pregnancy and gestational age and HAEC after definitive surgery (p = 0.10, 0.46, and 0.86, respectively). Conclusions: This report is the first study comparing two different cut-off values of scoring system to evaluate the HAEC frequency after TEPT and results suggest further using cut-off of ≥4 to expand the diagnosis of HAEC. Moreover, we also show for the first time that hemoglobin level is a strong risk factor for the HAEC development after TEPT.

Bridging-to-Surgery in Patients with Type 2 Intestinal Failure

AIM

Type 2 intestinal failure (IF) is characterized by the need for longer-term parenteral nutrition (PN). During this so-called bridging-to-surgery period, morbidity and mortality rates are high. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent a multidisciplinary IF team is capable to safely guide patients towards reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients with type 2 IF followed up by a specialized IF team between January 1st, 2011, and March 1st, 2016, was analyzed. Data on their first outpatient clinic visit (T1) and their last visit before reconstructive surgery (T2) was collected. The primary outcome was a combined endpoint of a patient being able to recover at home, have (partial) oral intake, and a normal albumin level (> 35 g/L) before surgery.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients were included. The median number of previous abdominal procedures was 4. At T2 (last visit prior to reconstructive surgery), significantly more patients met the combined primary endpoint compared with T1 (first IF team consultation) (66.7% vs. 28.0% (p < 0.0001), respectively); 86% had home PN. During "bridging-to-surgery," acute hospitalization rate was 40.9% and acute surgery was 4.3%. Postoperatively, 44.1% experienced a major complication, 5.4% had a fistula, and in-hospital mortality was 6.5%. Of the cohort, 86% regained enteral autonomy, and when excluding in-hospital mortality and incomplete follow-up, this was 94.1%. An albumin level < 35 g/L at T2 and weight loss of > 10% at T2 compared with preadmission weight were significant risk factors for major complications.

CONCLUSION

Bridging-to-surgery of type 2 IF patients under the guidance of an IF team resulted in the majority of patients being managed at home, having oral intake, and restored albumin levels prior to reconstructive surgery compared with their first IF consultation.

Lymphocyte-White Cell Ratio Is a Novel Marker of Morbidity Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

A preoperative marker for morbidity in patients with colorectal cancer would help to risk stratify patients and allow for timely intervention to avert poor outcomes. We conducted this study to evaluate preoperative lymphocyte-white blood cell ratio (LWR) as a marker of postoperative morbidity.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal cancer was reviewed. Three morbidity-related outcomes were described-overall morbidity, multiple morbidities, and severe morbidity, defined as Clavien-Dindo Class ≥3. Univariable and multivariable analyses of presurgical predictors of these three outcomes were performed. Preoperative variables included hemoglobin levels, neoadjuvant therapy, albumin levels, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, LWR, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and prognostic nutritional index.

RESULTS

Of 177 patients, 31.6% (56/177) suffered at least one morbidity, 15.3% (27/177) had multiple morbidities, 7.9% (14/177) suffered severe morbidity. On multivariate analysis, only LWR <0.180 (odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-5.55) and neoadjuvant therapy (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.16-5.24) were associated with overall morbidity. For multiple morbidities and severe morbidity, only LWR <0.180 was significantly associated on multivariate analysis with an OR of 2.92 (95% CI 1.19-7.13) and 4.62 (95% CI 1.45-14.73), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LWR is a preoperative marker which can be conveniently applied using standard preoperative blood tests. LWR is an independent risk factor for overall morbidity, multiple morbidities, as well as severe morbidity when used with a cut-off of LWR<1.80.

Treating pediatric colorectal patients in low and middle income settings: Creative adaptation to the resources available

Colorectal disease profiles for children in low- and middle-income settings (LMIC) are characterized by late presentation, increased complications and limited follow-up in many cases. There is a high prevalence of infectious conditions causing secondary colorectal disease such as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis(TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) and Human Papilloma Virus(HPV), which also impact the management of other primary colorectal conditions, such as wound-healing and intestinal anastomosis. Perineal trauma from sexual assault, motor vehicle or pedestrian accidents, burns, and traditional enemas are commonly encountered and may require adaptation of principles used in treatment of congenital anomalies such as Hirschsprung's disease and Anorectal Malformations for reconstruction. Endemic conditions in certain LMIC require further research to delineate underlying causes and optimize management, such as "African" degenerative visceral leiomyopathy, congenital pouch colon in the Indian subcontinent, and congenital H-type rectal fistulae prevalent in Asia. These unique disease profiles require creative adaptations of resources within poor healthcare infrastructure settings. These special challenges and pitfalls in colorectal care and complications of adverse socioeconomic conditions, are discussed.

Anastomosis Leak: Is There Still a Place for Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in Colon-Rectal Surgery? A Retrospective, Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

Anastomotic leakage (AL) represents one of the most relevant complications of colorectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in the prevention of AL during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 272 patients who underwent rectal and left colon surgery, consecutively enrolled between 2015 and 2019. Due to the heterogeneity of our groups, a propensity score matching (PSM) was performed with a 1:1 PSM cohort. Results. AL occurred in 36 (13.2%) patients. One hundred seventy-seven (65%) of them underwent an intraoperatory ICG test (ICG-group), whereas 95 patients (35%) did not receive the intraoperatory ICG test (no-ICG group). AL occurred in 10.8% of ICG group patients and in 17.8% of no-ICG group patients (P = 0.07). The ICG group registered significantly less type B and type C fistulas than the no-ICG group (57.9 vs 88.2%; P = .043). After PSM, the overall AL rate was less in the ICG group than the no-ICG group (9.3% vs 16%; P = 0.058), while type B and type C fistulas occurred in 5.48% in the ICG group vs 13.70% in the no-ICG group (P = 0.09). Univariate analysis demonstrated a protective effect of intraoperative ICG imaging against AL occurrence (odds ratio (OR: 0.66)). Conclusions. Hypoperfusion is a well-recognized cause of AL. The ICG assessment of colic vascularization is a simple, inexpensive, and side effects free method, which can sensibly reduce both overall AL and type B and type C fistulas when routinely used.

Altered Preoperative Nutritional Status in Colorectal Cancer: A Not So Infrequent Issue

Introduction

Malnutrition and weight loss in cancer patients is a common problem that affects the prognosis of the disease. In the case of CRC, malnutrition rates range between 30 and 60%.

Objectives

Description of the preoperative nutritional status of patients diagnosed with colorectal neoplasia who will undergo surgery.

Materials and Methods

A prospective observational study is performed.

Results

Of 234 patients studied, we observed that 139 (59%) had some degree of nutritional risk. Of all of them, 44.9% (N = 47) had 1-2 points according to MUST and 25% (N = 27) had more than 2 points. No differences were found when studying nutritional risk according to the location of the neoplasm. It was observed that 2.15% of the patients were underweight, 51% overweight, and 23% obese. 19.4% of patients lost less than 5 kg in the 3–6 months prior to diagnosis, 20.7% lost between 5 and 10 kg, and 2.1% lost more than 10 kg. In asymptomatic patients, the weight loss was lower than in symptomatic patients, loss <5 kg, 8.2% vs. 22.8%, and loss 5–10 kg, 16.2% vs. 29.3%, with a value of p = 0.016. 5% (N = 7) of the patients had hypoalbuminemia record. 16.5% (N = 23) had some degree of prealbumin deficiency and 20.9% (N = 29) of hypoproteinemia. Symptomatic patients had more frequent analytical alterations, 1-2 altered parameters in 48.8% (N = 20) of asymptomatic vs. 61.2% (N = 22) in the symptomatic, p = 0.049.

The prognostic significance of serum lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio in colorectal cancer

Purpose

The purpose of our study was initially to explore the prognostic role of LDH-to-albumin ratio in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) undergoing curative resection.

Methods

The retrospective study included 295 CRC patients that underwent curative resection. According to time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff value for pretreatment LDH-to-albumin ratio was 52.7. Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to analyze the prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The 295 participants included 117 women (39.7%) and had an overall mean age of 55.8 ± 14.1 years. The median follow-up period was 31.8 ± 21 months (range, 6–78 months) and 53 patients (18.0%) died from cancer during the follow-up period. The 5-year DFS and OS rates were 65.4% and 68.5% in patients with LDH-to-albumin ratio <52.7 (n = 152), and were 55.2% and 55.4% in patients with LDH-to-albumin ratio ≥52.7 (n = 143), respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that LDH-to-albumin ratio ≥52.7 was significantly associated with worse DFS and OS (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that LDH-to-albumin ratio was an independent predictor of resectable CRC (odds ratio, 2.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.112–3.982; P = 0.022).

Conclusion

Our study revealed that high pretreatment LDH-to-albumin ratio level was an unfavorable prognosticator in patients with CRC undergoing curative resection. LDH-to-albumin ratio is a candidate to be a prognostic biomarker in clinical practice.