Impact of intraoperative blood loss on long-term survival after lung cancer resection

Lung resection surgery in Jehovah's Witness patients: a 20-year single-center experience

Background

The paucity of literature on surgical outcomes of Jehovah’s Witness (JW) patients undergoing lung resection suggests some patients with operable lung cancers may be denied resection. The aim of this study is to better understand perioperative outcomes and long-term cancer survival of JW patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods

All pulmonary resections in JW patients at one institution from 2000 through 2020 were examined. Demographics, comorbidities, operative parameters, and perioperative outcomes were reviewed. Among operations performed for primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), details regarding staging, extent of resection, additional therapies, recurrence, and survival were abstracted.

Results

Seventeen lung resections were performed in fourteen patients. There were nine anatomic resections and eight wedge resections. Fourteen resections (82%) were approached thoracoscopically, of which 3 of 6 anatomic resections were converted to thoracotomy as compared to 1 of 8 wedge resections. There was one (6%) perioperative death. Ten resections in 8 patients were performed for primary pulmonary malignancies, and two patients underwent procedures for recurrent disease. Median survival for resected NSCLCs (N = 7) was 65 months. Three of 6 patients who survived the immediate perioperative period underwent additional procedures: 2 pulmonary wedge resections for diagnosis and one pleural biopsy.

Conclusions

This series of JW patients undergoing lung resections demonstrates that resections for cancer and inflammatory etiologies can be performed safely in the setting of both primary and re-operative procedures.

A systematic review of the literature assessing operative blood loss and postoperative outcomes after colorectal surgery

PURPOSE

There is no consensus in the literature regarding the association between operative blood loss and postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery, despite evidence suggesting a link. Therefore, this systematic review assesses the association between operative blood loss, perioperative and long-term outcomes after colorectal surgery.

METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded and Cochrane was performed to identify studies reporting on operative blood loss in colorectal surgery.

RESULTS

The review included forty-nine studies reporting on 61,312 participants, with a mean age ranging from 53.4 to 78.1 years. The included studies demonstrated that major operative blood loss was found to be a risk factor for mortality, anastomotic leak, presacral abscess, and postoperative ileus, leading to an increased duration of hospital stay. In the long term, the studies suggest that significant blood loss was an independent risk factor for future small bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer recurrence and adhesions. Studies found that survival was significantly reduced, whilst the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence was increased. Reoperation and cancer-specific survival were not associated with major blood loss.

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review suggest that major operative blood loss increases the risk of perioperative adverse events and has short and long-term repercussions on postoperative outcomes. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery, vessel ligation technology and anaesthetic considerations are essential for reducing blood loss and improving outcomes. This review highlights the need for further high quality, prospective, multicentre trials with a greater number of participants, and accurate and standardised methods of measuring operative blood loss.

Perioperative glycemic status is linked to postoperative complications in non-intensive care unit patients with type-2 diabetes: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Perioperative hyperglycemia is a risk factor for postoperative complications in the general population. However, it has not been clarified whether perioperative hyperglycemia increases postoperative complications in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Therefore, we aimed to analyze the relationship between perioperative glycemic status and postoperative complications in non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) hospitalized patients with T2D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of 1217 patients with T2D who were admitted to the non-ICU in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Relationships between clinical characteristics including perioperative glycemic status and postoperative complications were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Perioperative glycemic status was evaluated by calculating the mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV) of blood glucose (BG) measurements in preoperative and postoperative periods for three contiguous days before and after surgery, respectively. Postoperative complications were defined as infections, delayed wound healing, postoperative bleeding, and/or thrombosis.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications occurred in 139 patients (11.4%). These patients showed a lower BG immediately before surgery (P = 0.04) and a higher mean postoperative BG (P = 0.009) than those without postoperative complications. There were no differences in the other perioperative BG parameters including BG variability and the frequency of hypoglycemia. The multivariate analysis showed that BG immediately before surgery (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]), 0.91 (0.85-0.98), P = 0.01) and mean postoperative BG (1.11 (1.05-1.18), P < 0.001) were independently associated with postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative glycemic status, that is, a low BG immediately before surgery and a high mean postoperative BG, are associated with the increased incidence of postoperative complications in non-ICU patients with T2D.

Effect of intraoperative blood loss on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Background

We aimed to investigate the impact of intraoperative blood loss on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Methods

Data of a total of 409 patients (227 males, 182 females; median age: 62 years; range, 20 to 86 years) who underwent lung resection for Stage I-IIIa non-small cell lung cancer in our clinic between July 2017 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to confirm the threshold value of intraoperative blood loss for the prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications. Propensity score matching was performed to compare between high-intraoperative blood loss and low-intraoperative blood loss groups. A post-matching conditional logistic regression was conducted to determine the independent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications.

Results

Of the patients, 86 (21.03%) developed postoperative pulmonary complications. In the propensity score matching analysis, intraoperative blood loss was shown to be a predictive factor of postoperative pulmonary complications (3.992; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-10.35; p=0.004). The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications in high-intraoperative blood loss group was significantly higher than that the low-intraoperative blood loss group (37.5% vs. 13.9%, respectively; p=0.003). The postoperative length of stay and duration of postoperative antibiotic use were significantly prolonged in the high-intraoperative blood loss group.

Conclusion

Intraoperative blood loss serves as a significant risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Surgeons should strive to reduce intraoperative blood loss for better surgical outcomes.

Effects of Body Position and Hypovolemia on the Regional Distribution of Pulmonary Perfusion During One-Lung Ventilation in Endotoxemic Pigs

Background: The incidence of hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV) is as high as 10%. It is also partially determined by the distribution of perfusion. During thoracic surgery, different body positions are used, such as the supine, semilateral, lateral, and prone positions, with such positions potentially influencing the distribution of perfusion. Furthermore, hypovolemia can impair hypoxic vasoconstriction. However, the effects of body position and hypovolemia on the distribution of perfusion remain poorly defined. We hypothesized that, during OLV, the relative perfusion of the ventilated lung is higher in the lateral decubitus position and that hypovolemia impairs the redistribution of pulmonary blood flow. Methods: Sixteen juvenile pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, submitted to a right-sided thoracotomy, and randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) intravascular normovolemia or (2) intravascular hypovolemia, as achieved by drawing ~25% of the estimated blood volume (n = 8/group). Furthermore, to mimic thoracic surgery inflammatory conditions, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide was continuously infused at 0.5 μg kg^-1 h^-1. Under left-sided OLV conditions, the animals were further randomized to one of the four sequences of supine, left semilateral, left lateral, and prone positioning. Measurements of pulmonary perfusion distribution with fluorescence-marked microspheres, ventilation distribution by electrical impedance tomography, and gas exchange were then performed during two-lung ventilation in a supine position and after 30 min in each position and intravascular volume status during OLV. Results: During one-lung ventilation, the relative perfusion of the ventilated lung was higher in the lateral than the supine position. The relative perfusion of the non-ventilated lung was lower in the lateral than the supine and prone positions and in semilateral compared with the prone position. During OLV, the highest arterial partial pressure of oxygen/inspiratory fraction of oxygen (PaO₂/F _I O ₂) was achieved in the lateral position as compared with all the other positions. The distribution of perfusion, ventilation, and oxygenation did not differ significantly between normovolemia and hypovolemia. Conclusions: During one-lung ventilation in endotoxemic pigs, the relative perfusion of the ventilated lung and oxygenation were higher in the lateral than in the supine position and not impaired by hypovolemia.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is an additional option for locally advanced gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy: a retrospective control study

BACKGROUND

This study compared the long-term efficacy of different durations of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 428 patients with stage II-III gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy between 2009 and 2016. Patients were divided into four groups according to the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy, including 0 week (no adjuvant, group A), 20 to 24 weeks (completed 7-8 cycles every 3 weeks or 10-12 cycles every 2 weeks, group B), and 12 to18 weeks (completed 4-6 cycles every 3 weeks or 6-9 cycles every 2 weeks, group C), and less than 12 weeks (received up to 3 cycles every 3 weeks or 5 cycles every 2 weeks, group D). The chemotherapy regimens included XELOX, SOX, and FOLFOX. 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS rates for groups A, B, C, and D were 52.3, 73.7, 72.0, and 53.3%, respectively, and the 5-year DFS rates were 50.0, 68.0, 65.4, and 50.0%, respectively. OS and DFS were higher in group B than in groups A and D. Similarly, patients in group C were more likely to have higher OS and DFS than those in groups A and D. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between groups B and C. The multivariate analysis confirmed with high statistical significance the efficacy of complete courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, and, among them, the similar impact of 4-6/6-9 and 7-8/10-12 cycles, resulting in similar HRs vs Group A (0.52 and 0.42, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

To reduce toxicity and maintain efficacy, XELOX or SOX chemotherapy regimens administered for 4-6 cycles every 3 weeks or FOLFOX regimen for 6-9 cycles every 2 weeks might be a favorable option for patients with stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy. Prospective multicenter clinical trials with adequate sample sizes are necessary to verify these findings.

Adjuvant transarterial chemotherapy for margin-positive resection of hepatocellular carcinoma-a propensity score matched analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatectomy is a well-established curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of adjuvant therapy is controversial. This study examines the efficacy of adjuvant transarterial chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

The data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing curative hepatectomy was reviewed. Those with adjuvant transarterial chemotherapy were matched with those without using propensity score analysis, by tumour size and number, indocyanine green retention rate, disease staging and Child-Pugh grading. The groups were compared.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy received adjuvant transarterial chemotherapy (TAC group), and were matched with 870 patients who did not (no-TAC group). The groups were largely comparable in patient and disease characteristics, but the TAC group experienced more blood loss, higher transfusion rates, narrower margins and more positive margins. The two groups were found to be comparable in disease-free and overall survival rates. In margin-positive patients, those given TAC survived longer than those without, and margin-positive patients in the TAC group had overall survival rates similar to margin-negative patients in the no-TAC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Margin involvement is an adverse factor for survival in HCC. Adjuvant transarterial chemotherapy may offer survival benefits to hepatocellular carcinoma patients with positive surgical margins.

Three-dimensional virtual planning for nodule resection in solid organs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the effects of 3D-imaging virtual planning for nodule resection in the following solid organs: lung, liver, and kidney.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched through September 31, 2020 to include randomized and non-randomized controlled studies that compared outcomes of surgical resection of lung, liver, or kidney nodule resection with and without 3D virtual planning with computed tomography. From each article, the mean operation time (OT), mean estimated blood loss (EBL), mean postoperative hospital stay (POHS), and the number of postoperative events (POE) were extracted. The effect size (ES) of 3D virtual planning vs. non-3D planning was extracted from each study to calculate the pooled measurements for continuous variables (OT, EBL, POHS). Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 2397 studies and 10 met the inclusion criteria with a total of 897 patients. There was a significant difference in OT between groups with a moderate ES favoring the 3D group (ES,-0.56; 95%CI: 0.91,-0.29; I² = 83.1%; p < .001). Regarding EBL, there was a significant difference between 3D and non-3D with a small ES favoring IGS (ES,-0.18; 95%CI: 0.33,-0.02; I² = 22.5%; p = .0236). There was no difference between the 3D and non-3D groups for both POHS (POHS ES,-0.15; 95%CI: 0.39,0.10; I² = 37.0%; p = .174) and POE (POE odds ratio (OR),0.80; 95%CI:0.54,1.19; I² = 0.0%; p = .0.973).

CONCLUSIONS

3D-imaging planning for surgical resection of lung, kidney, and liver nodules could reduce OT and EBL with no effects on immediate POHS and POE. Improvements in these perioperative variables could improve medium and long-term postoperative clinical outcomes.

Proposition of a simple binary grading of estimated blood loss during colon surgery

PURPOSE

Intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) is often reported in nearly all surgical papers; however, there is no consensus regarding its measurement. The aim of this study was to determine whether EBL (ml) is as reliable and reproducible in predicting complications as a simple binary grading of EBL.

METHODS

All consecutive patients undergoing colectomies between January 2015 and December 2018 were included. EBL was assessed prospectively by the surgeon and anaesthesiologist in ml and with a binary scale: bleeding "as usual" versus "more than usual" by the surgeon. Differences between pre- and post-operative haemoglobin levels (ΔHb g/dl) were correlated to EBL. Blood loss impact on 30-day postoperative morbidity was analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 270 patients were included, with a mean age of 65 years (SD 17). Mean EBL documented by surgeons correlated to EBL by anaesthesiologists (79.5 ml, SD 99 vs. 84.5 ml, SD 118, ϱ = 0.926, p < 0.001). Surgeons and anaesthesiologists' EBL correlated also with ΔHb (ϱ = - 0.273, p = 0.01 and ϱ = - 0.344, p = 0.01, respectively). Patient with surgeon EBL ≥ 250 ml or graded as "more than usual" bleeding had significantly more severe complications (8% vs. 20%, p = 0.02 and 8% vs. 27%, p = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Anaesthesiologist and surgeon's EBL correlated with ΔHb. Simple grading of blood loss as "usual" and "more than usual" predicted severe complications and higher mortality rates. This simple binary grading of blood loss in colon surgery could be an alternative to the estimation of blood loss in ml as it is easy to apply but needs to be validated externally.

Comparative effects of flow vs. volume-controlled one-lung ventilation on gas exchange and respiratory system mechanics in pigs

Background

Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) allows expiratory flow control, reducing the collapse of the airways during expiration. The performance of FCV during one-lung ventilation (OLV) under intravascular normo- and hypovolaemia is currently unknown. In this explorative study, we hypothesised that OLV with FCV improves PaO₂ and reduces mechanical power compared to volume-controlled ventilation (VCV). Sixteen juvenile pigs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) intravascular normovolaemia (n = 8) and (2) intravascular hypovolaemia (n = 8). To mimic inflammation due to major thoracic surgery, a thoracotomy was performed, and 0.5 μg/kg/h lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli continuously administered intravenously. Animals were randomly assigned to OLV with one of two sequences (60 min per mode): (1) VCV–FCV or (2) FCV–VCV. Variables of gas exchange, haemodynamics and respiratory signals were collected 20, 40 and 60 min after initiation of OLV with each mechanical ventilation mode. The distribution of ventilation was determined using electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Results

Oxygenation did not differ significantly between modes (P = 0.881). In the normovolaemia group, the corrected expired minute volume (P = 0.022) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were lower during FCV than VCV. The minute volume (P ≤ 0.001), respiratory rate (P ≤ 0.001), total PEEP (P ≤ 0.001), resistance of the respiratory system (P ≤ 0.001), mechanical power (P ≤ 0.001) and resistive mechanical power (P ≤ 0.001) were lower during FCV than VCV irrespective of the volaemia status. The distribution of ventilation did not differ between both ventilation modes (P = 0.103).

Conclusions

In a model of OLV in normo- and hypovolemic pigs, mechanical power was lower during FCV compared to VCV, without significant differences in oxygenation. Furthermore, the efficacy of ventilation was higher during FCV compared to VCV during normovolaemia.

Postoperative radiotherapy for pathological stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer with positive surgical margins

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in stage pIIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive surgical margins.

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2015, patients who had undergone lobectomy or pneumonectomy plus mediastinal lymph node dissection or systematic sampling in our single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Those with pIIIA‐N2 NSCLC and positive surgical margins were enrolled into the study. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the log‐rank test was used to analyze differences between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to evaluate potential prognostic factors for OS. Statistically significant difference was set as P < 0.05.

Results

Of all the 1547 patients with pIIIA‐N2 NSCLC reviewed, 113 patients had positive surgical margins, including 76 patients with R1 resection and 37 with R2 resection. The median overall survival (OS) was 28.3 months in the PORT group and 22.6 months in the non‐PORT group (P = 0.568). Subset analysis showed that for patients with R1 resection, the median OS was 52.4 months in the PORT group which was nonsignificantly longer than that of 22.6 months in the non‐PORT group (P = 0.127), whereas PORT combined with chemotherapy could significantly improve OS, with a median OS of 52.4 months versus 17.2 months (P = 0.027). For patients with R2 resection, PORT made no significant difference in OS (17.6 vs. 63.8 months, P = 0.529).

Conclusions

For pIIIA‐N2 NSCLC patients with positive surgical margins, PORT did not improve OS, but OS was improved in those patients who underwent R1 resection combined with chemotherapy.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Significant findings of the study: Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) has been recommended to treat patients with positive surgical margins. However, the existing evidence is controversial and high‐level evidence is lacking.

What this study adds

What this study adds: The PORT group had markedly, but not statistically significant, longer median OS compared with the non‐PORT group in patients with R1 resection. OS was significantly longer in the patients with R1 resection receiving adjuvant CRT than the surgery alone group.

Minimally invasive techniques for transthoracic oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer: systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Oesophagectomy is a demanding operation that can be performed by different approaches including open surgery or a combination of minimal access techniques. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of open, minimally invasive and robotic oesophagectomy techniques for oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted for studies reporting open oesophagectomy, laparoscopically assisted oesophagectomy (LAO), thoracoscopically assisted oesophagectomy (TAO), totally minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) or robotic MIO (RAMIO) for oesophagectomy. A network meta-analysis of intraoperative (operating time, blood loss), postoperative (overall complications, anastomotic leaks, chyle leak, duration of hospital stay) and oncological (R0 resection, lymphadenectomy) outcomes, and survival was performed.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight studies involving 32 315 patients were included in the network meta-analysis (open 17 824, 55·2 per cent; LAO 1576, 4·9 per cent; TAO 2421 7·5 per cent; MIO 9558, 29·6 per cent; RAMIO 917, 2·8 per cent). Compared with open oesophagectomy, both MIO and RAMIO were associated with less blood loss, significantly lower rates of pulmonary complications, shorter duration of stay and higher lymph node yield. There were no significant differences between surgical techniques in surgical-site infections, chyle leak, and 30- and 90-day mortality. MIO and RAMIO had better 1- and 5-year survival rates respectively compared with open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive and robotic techniques for oesophagectomy are associated with reduced perioperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay, with no compromise of oncological outcomes but no improvement in perioperative mortality.

Patent foramen ovale and long-term risk of ischaemic stroke after surgery

AIMS

Pre-operatively diagnosed patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke within 30 days after surgery. This study aimed to assess the PFO-attributable ischaemic stroke risk beyond the perioperative period.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This observational study of adult patients without history of stroke undergoing non-cardiac surgery with general anaesthesia examined the association of PFO with ischaemic stroke 1 and 2 years after surgery using multivariable logistic regression. Of the 144 563 patients included, a total of 1642 (1.1%) and 2376 (1.6%) ischaemic strokes occurred within 1 and 2 years after surgery, 54 (4.7%) and 76 (6.6%) among patients with PFO, and 1588 (1.1%) and 2300 (1.6%) among patients without PFO, respectively. The odds of ischaemic stroke within 1 and 2 years after surgery were increased in patients with PFO: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-2.69; P < 0.001 and aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.64-2.68; P < 0.001, respectively. Among patients who underwent contrast transoesophageal echocardiography, the frequency of PFO was 27%, and the increased stroke risk in patients with PFO was robust (aOR 3.80, 95% CI 1.76-8.23; P = 0.001 for year 1). The PFO-attributable risk was mitigated by post-operative prescription of combination antithrombotic therapy (odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.22-0.75; P for interaction = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Patients with PFO are vulnerable to ischaemic stroke for an extended period of time after surgery. Physicians should consider implementing PFO screening protocols in patients scheduled for major non-cardiac surgery.

Estimated intraoperative blood loss correlates with postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and length of stay in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung cancer lobectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The purpose of our study was to estimate the influence of estimated intraoperative blood loss (EIBL) on postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (PCCs) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis on the clinical data of consecutive patients in our institution between April 2015 and February 2016. Demographic differences between PCC group and non-PCC group were initially assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the threshold value of EIBL for the prediction of PCCs. Demographic differences in the PCC rates and length of stay between two groups of patients divided by this cutoff were further evaluated. A multivariable logistic-regression model involving the clinicopathological parameters with P-value< 0.05 was finally established to identify independent risk factors for PCCs.

Results

A total of 429 patients with operable NSCLC were included and 80 of them developed PCCs (rate = 18.6%). The mean EIBL in PCC group was significantly higher than that in non-PCC group (133.3 ± 191.3 vs. 79.1 ± 107.1 mL; P < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed an EIBL of 100 mL as the threshold value at which the joint sensitivity (50.0%) and specificity (73.4%) was maximal. The PCC rate in patients with EIBL≥100 mL was significantly higher than that in patients with EIBL< 100 mL (30.1 vs. 13.5%; P < 0.001). Both the length of stay and chest tube duration were significantly prolonged in the patients with EIBL≥100 mL. Finally, EIBL≥100 mL was identified to be predictive of PCCs by multivariable logistic-regression analysis (odds ratio = 3.01; 95% confidence interval = 1.47–6.16; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

EIBL serves as a significant categorical predictor for cardiopulmonary complications following VATS lobectomy for NSCLC. Thoracic surgeons should minimize the EIBL and strive for the ‘bloodless’ goal to optimize surgical outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12893-018-0360-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chronological changes in lung cancer surgery in a single Japanese institution

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronological changes in epidemiological factors and surgical outcomes in patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery in a single Japanese institution.

Patients and methods

A clinicopathological database of patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent from January 1974 to December 2014 was reviewed. The chronological changes in various factors, including patient’s age, sex, histological type, tumor size, pathological stage (p-stage), surgical method, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, 30-day mortality, and postoperative overall survival (OS), were evaluated.

Results

A total of 1,616 patients were included. The numbers of resected patients, females, adenocarcinomas, p-stage IA patients, and age at the time of surgery increased with time, but tumor size decreased (all P<0.0001). Concerning surgical methods, the number of sublobar resections increased, but that of pneumonectomies decreased (P<0.0001). The mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and the postoperative 30-day mortality rate decreased (all P<0.0001). When the patients were divided into two groups (1974–2004 and 2005–2014), the 5-year OS rates for all patients and for p-stage IA patients improved from 44% to 79% and from 73% to 89%, respectively (all P<0.0001). The best 5-year OS rate was obtained for sublobar resection (73%), followed by lobectomy (60%), combined resection (22%), and pneumonectomy (21%; P<0.0001).

Conclusion

Changes in epidemiological factors, a trend toward less invasive surgery, and a remarkably improved postoperative OS were confirmed, which demonstrated the increasingly important role of surgery in therapeutic strategies for lung cancer.

Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia in Patients with Esophagogastric Junction Cancer or Upper Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

The association between sarcopenia and postoperative outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the impact of sarcopenia on short- and long-term outcomes after surgery for esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC) or upper gastric cancer (UGC).

METHODS

The study reviewed 148 patients with EGJC or UGC who underwent surgical resection. The patients were categorized into the sarcopenia group or the non-sarcopenia group according to their skeletal muscle index calculated using abdominal computed tomography images. The study compared clinicopathologic factors, postoperative complications, and prognosis between the two groups.

RESULTS

Sarcopenia was present in 19 patients (32.2%) with EGJC and 23 patients (25.8%) with UGC. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were significantly poorer in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (OS 85.5 vs 54.8%, P = 0.0010; RFS 78.7 vs 51.7%, P = 0.0054). The development of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Both the uni- and multivariate analyses showed that N stage (P < 0.0001) and sarcopenia (P = 0.0024 and 0.0293, respectively) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia was strongly associated with a poor long-term prognosis for patients with EGJC or UGC who underwent surgery. The results suggest that special attention might be needed during the development of treatment strategies for patients with sarcopenia who intend to undergo operations for EGJC and UGC.