Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy for Upper Gastrointestinal Leaks and Perforations: Analysis From a Multicenter Spanish Registry

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is a novel technique for closing upper gastrointestinal (UGI) defects. Available literature includes single-center retrospective cohort studies with small sample sizes. Furthermore, evidence about factors associated with EVT failure is scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EVT for the resolution of UGI defects in a multicenter study and to investigate the factors associated with EVT failure and in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study in which consecutive EVT procedures for the treatment of UGI defects from 19 Spanish hospitals were recorded in the national registry between November 2018 and March 2022.

RESULTS

We included 102 patients: 89 with anastomotic leaks and 13 with perforations. Closure of the defect was achieved in 84 cases (82%). A total of 6 patients (5.9%) had adverse events related to the EVT. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12.7%. A total of 6 patients (5.9%) died because of EVT failure and 1 case (0.9%) due to a fatal adverse event. Time from diagnosis of the defect to initiation of EVT was the only independent predictor for EVT failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05, P = 0.005). EVT failure (OR 24.5, 95% CI 4.5-133, P = 0.001) and development of pneumonia after EVT (OR 246.97, 95% CI 11.15-5,472.58, P = 0.0001) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

DISCUSSION

EVT is safe and effective in cases of anastomotic leak and perforations of the upper digestive tract. The early use of EVT improves the efficacy of this technique.

Textbook outcome and survival after gastric cancer resection with curative intent: A population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

The concept of textbook outcome (TO) has been proposed for analyzing quality of surgical care. This study assessed the incidence of TO among patients undergoing curative gastric cancer resection, predictors for TO achievement, and the association of TO with survival.

METHOD

All patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers undergoing curative gastrectomy between January 2014-December 2017 were identified from a population-based database (Spanish EURECCA Registry). TO included: macroscopically complete resection at the time of operation, R0 resection, ≥15 lymph nodes removed and examined, no serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥II), no re-intervention, hospital stay ≤14 days, no 30-day readmissions and no 90-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted achievement of TO. Cox survival regression was used to compare conditional adjusted survival across groups.

RESULTS

In total, 1293 patients were included, and TO was achieved in 541 patients (41.1%). Among the criteria, "macroscopically complete resection" had the highest compliance (96.5%) while "no serious complications" had the lowest compliance (63.7%). Age (OR 0.53 for the 65-74 years and OR 0.34 for the ≥75 years age group), Charlson comorbidity index ≥3 (OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.34-0.82), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (OR 0.24, 95%CI 0.08-0.70), multivisceral resection (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.33-0.91), and surgery performed in a community hospital (OR 0.65, CI95% 0.46-0.91) were independently associated with not achieving TO. TO was independently associated with conditional survival (HR 0.67, 95%CI 0.55-0.83).

CONCLUSION

TO was achieved in 41.1% of patients who underwent gastric cancer resection with curative intent and was associated with longer survival.

Budget Impact Analysis of Molecular Lymph Node Staging Versus Conventional Histopathology Staging in Colorectal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis is a critical prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and is also an indicator for adjuvant chemotherapy. The gold standard (GS) technique for LN diagnosis and staging is based on the analysis of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides, but its sensitivity is low. As a result, patients may not be properly diagnosed and some may have local recurrence or distant metastases after curative-intent surgery. Many of these diagnostic and treatment problems could be avoided if the one-step nucleic acid amplification assay (OSNA) was used rather than the GS technique. OSNA is a fast, automated, standardised, highly sensitive, quantitative technique for detecting LN metastases.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the budget impact of introducing OSNA LN analysis in early-stage CRC patients in the Spanish National Health System (NHS).

METHODS

A budget impact analysis comparing two scenarios (GS vs. OSNA) was developed within the Spanish NHS framework over a 3-year time frame (2017-2019). The patient population consisted of newly diagnosed CRC patients undergoing surgical treatment, and the following costs were included: initial surgery, pathological diagnosis, staging, follow-up expenses, systemic treatment and surgery after recurrence. One- and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Using OSNA instead of the GS would have saved €1,509,182, €6,854,501 and €10,814,082 during the first, second and third years of the analysis, respectively, because patients incur additional costs in later years, leading to savings of more than €19 million for the NHS over the 3-year time horizon.

CONCLUSIONS

Introducing OSNA in CRC LN analysis may represent not only an economic benefit for the NHS but also a clinical benefit for CRC patients since a more accurate staging could be performed, thus avoiding unnecessary treatments.

Endoscopic tattooing of early colon carcinoma enhances detection of lymph nodes most prone to harbor tumor burden

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs result in the detection of early-stage asymptomatic carcinomas suitable to be surgically cured. Lymph nodes (LN) from early CRC are usually small and may be difficult to collect. Still, at least 12 LNs should be analyzed from colectomies, to ensure a reliable pN0 stage. Presurgical endoscopic tattooing improves LN procurement. In addition, molecular detection of occult LN tumor burden in histologically pN0 CRC patients is associated with a decreased survival rate. We aimed to study the impact of presurgical endoscopic tattooing on the molecular detection of LN tumor burden in early colon neoplasms.

Methods

A prospective cohort study from a CRC screening-based population was performed at a tertiary academic hospital. LNs from colectomies with and without preoperative endoscopic tattooing were assessed by two methods, hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and RT-LAMP, to detect tumor cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA. We compared the amount of tumor burden and LN yields from tattooed and non-tattooed specimens.

Results

HE and RT-LAMP analyses of 936 LNs were performed from 71 colectomies containing early carcinomas and endoscopically unresectable adenomas (8 pT0, 17 pTis, 27 pT1, 19 pT2); 47 out of 71 (66.2 %) were tattooed. Molecular positivity correlated with the presence of tattoo in LN [p < 0.001; OR 3.1 (95 % CI 1.7–5.5)]. A significantly higher number of LNs were obtained in tattooed specimens (median 17 LN vs. 14.5 LN; p = 0.019).

Conclusions

Endoscopic tattooing enables the analysis of those LNs most prone to harbor tumor cells and improves the number of LN harvested.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-016-5026-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Altered clock gene expression in obese visceral adipose tissue is associated with metabolic syndrome

Clock gene expression was associated with different components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in human adipose tissue. However, no study has been done to compare the expression of clock genes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from lean and obese subjects and its clinical implications. Therefore, we studied in lean and obese women the endogenous 24 h expression of clock genes in isolated adipocytes and its association with MS components. VAT was obtained from lean (BMI 21-25 kg/m2; n = 21) and morbidly obese women (BMI >40 kg/m2; n = 28). The 24 h pattern of clock genes was analyzed every 6 hours using RT-PCR. Correlation of clinical data was studied by Spearman analysis. The 24 h pattern of clock genes showed that obesity alters the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1, CRY2 and REV-ERB ALPHA in adipocytes with changes found in CRY2 and REV-ERB ALPHA throughout the 24 h period. The same results were confirmed in VAT and stromal cells (SC) showing an upregulation of CRY2 and REV-ERB ALPHA from obese women. A positive correlation was observed for REV-ERB ALPHA gene expression with BMI and waist circumference in the obese population. Expression of ROR ALPHA was correlated with HDL levels and CLOCK with LDL. Obese subjects with MS exhibited positive correlation in the PER2 gene with LDL cholesterol, whereas REV-ERB ALPHA was correlated with waist circumference. We identified CRY2 and REV-ERB ALPHA as the clock genes upregulated in obesity during the 24 h period and that REV-ERB ALPHA is an important gene associated with MS.

[Effects of gastric bypass on estimated cardiovascular risk in morbidly obese patients with metabolic syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

The major goal of surgical treatment in morbid obesity is to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with excess weight. In this sense, the main factors of death are cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of gastric bypass on cardiovascular risk estimation in patients after bariatric surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated pre and postoperative cardiovascular risk estimation of 402 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass. The major variable studied is the cardiovascular risk estimation that is calculated preoperatively and after 12 months. Cardiovascular risk estimation analysis has been performed with the REGICOR Equation. REGICOR formulation allows calculating a 10 year risk of cardiovascular events adapted to the Spanish population and is expressed in percentages.

RESULTS

We reported an overall 4.1±3.0 mean basal REGICOR score. One year after the operation, cardiovascular risk estimation significantly decreased to 2,2±1,6 (P<.001). In patients with metabolic syndrome according to ATP-III criteria, basal REGICOR score was 4.8±3.1 whereas in no metabolic syndrome patients 2.2±1.8. Evaluation 12 months after surgery, determined a significant reduction in both groups (metabolic syndrome and non metabolic syndrome) with a mean REGICOR score of 2.3±1.6 and 1.6±1.0 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study demonstrate favorable effects of gastric bypass on the cardiovascular risk factors included in the REGICOR equation.

Phase II trial of preoperative chemoradiotherapy with oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and 5-FU in locally advanced esophageal and gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Based on a phase I study showing the feasibility of combining of oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (OCF) with radiation therapy (RT) in esophageal cancer, the efficacy of this regimen in esophageal, gastroesophageal (GE), and gastric (G) cancer was assessed in this phase II multicenter study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with resectable tumors were eligible. Treatment included two cycles of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), cisplatin 55 mg/m(2), and continuously infused 5-FU 3 g/m(2) in 96 h and concurrent RT (45 Gy), followed by surgery after 6-8 weeks. Primary end point was complete pathologic response (pCR).

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were enrolled. Tumor location was esophagus 39% (squamous 10/adenocarcinoma 6), GE junction 32%, and stomach 29%. G3-G4 adverse events included asthenia (27%) and neutropenia (14%). One toxic death occurred. Thirty-one patients (75.6%) underwent surgery (R0 in 94%). Pathologic response was achieved in 58% of patients, with pCR in 50% and 16% of esophageal and GE/G cancer, respectively. pCR was achieved in 67% of squamous cell carcinoma. Survival: median follow-up, 50.4 months; median progression-free survival and overall survival were 23.2 and 28.4 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative OCF plus RT showed an acceptable toxicity and promising activity especially in squamous cell esophageal cancer.

Usefulness of PET/CT in the diagnosis of distant metastases of potentially operable gastric adenocarcinoma

e15598

Background: 1) To evaluate the usefulness of Positron Emission Tomography with combined 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose with Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of distant metastases in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) compared to spiral double contrast thoracoabdominal Computed Tomography (CT); 2) To establish the utility of PET/CT in the detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis compared to laparoscopy. Methods: Thirty prospective patients (22 men, 8 women; mean age 67±11) who underwent endoscopic ultrasound and were classified as T2–3N1 or T3Nx GAC were included in this study. Whole body images were obtained 1 hour after injection of 370 MBq of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose. CT was performed within 2 weeks of PET/CT. Laparoscopy was performed without remarkable incidences. All findings were confirmed by histopathology examination and/or by at least 6 months follow- up. Results: Distant metastases were found in 9/30 cases: carcinomatosis (3), retroperitoneal (3) or mediastinal (2) pathological lymph nodes and one case of bone metastases (1). PET/CT diagnosed unsuspected distant metastases by CT in 4/9 patients (retroperitoneal (1) or mediastinal (2) pathological lymph nodes and 1 case of bone metastasis in the spine). In 1/3 patients with histopathological confirmed diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis by laparoscopic findings was negative by PET/CT, and considered as a false negative case. On the other hand, 3 patients with initially positive peritoneal carcinomatosis by invasive laparoscopy were finally diagnosed as benign lesions. These lesions did not show significant uptake in PET/CT and were considered as true negative cases. Conclusions: 1) PET/CT is useful in the diagnosis of distant metastases in patients with GAC 2) Further studies are needed to establish the role of PET/CT to detect peritoneal carcinomatosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study with preoperative oxaliplatin (O), cisplatin (P), 5-fluorouracil (F) (OPF) and radiation (XRT) in patients with esophageal (ES), gastroesophageal (GE), and gastric (G) cancer

e15612

Background: A phase I study showed the feasibility of the triplet combination (OPF) with XRT in ES and GE cancer (Maurel et al, IJRBOP, 2005). We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of the regimen. Methods: Enrolled pts had resectable, high-risk (HR) based on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) (uT3, uN1 or uT4 if deemed resectable) ES, GE and G cancer. The primary objective was to determine the pathologic complete response (pCR). If 2 or more pCR were reported in the first 18 pts treated, enrollment continues with 23 additional pts. Eligibility criteria: squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the ES, GE or G cancer and ECOG Performance status (PS) 0–1. Staging was done with EUS and computed spiral tomography. Laparoscopic staging was mandatory for pts with ES, GE and G adenocarcinoma. Pts received 2 cycles of O 85 mg/m2, P 55 mg/m2, F (3 g/m2 in 96h CI) q4w, with concomitant 45 Gy XRT in 25 fractions; surgery was planned 5–8 weeks after XRT. All pathological specimens were reviewed by a unique pathologist and regression analysis was recorded using Cologne (C) and M.D.Anderson (MDA) classification for ES and European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO) for GE and G. Results: Between 5/04 to 12/07, 41 pts were enrolled in 5 Spanish Institutions. Median age 62 yrs (39–75 yrs); Male/female 83%/17%; PS 0/1 27%/73%; ES/GE/G 39%/32%/29%; EUS stageT3N0 (20%), T2–3N1 (65%) and T4 (10%). G3/4 adverse events included asthenia (27%), infection (7%), diarrhea (7%) and stomatitis (5%). There were 2 toxic deaths. Of the 31 pts who underwent surgery, there were R0=94%/R1=3%/R2= 3%. 7/41 pts (17%) achieved pCR. Using C and MDA classification, 9/14 (61%) and 12/14 (85%) ES achieved grade IV/III and P0/P1 regression, respectively. With EJSO classification 3/17 (18%) GE and G tumors achieved pCR. Median time to progression or death (PFS) was 16.2 (CI:12.2-NR) months (mo). Median overall survival (OS) was 28.9 mo. (CI: 22.5-NR). Conclusions: Although in the whole group pCR, PFS and OS does not appear superior to results achieved in other trials with preoperative P/F/XRT in HR pts, the OPF regimen seems specially active in ES cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Long-term effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 and islet function in morbidly obese subjects

CONTEXT

An enlarged incretin response after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) has been proposed to promote excessive beta-cell function and mass.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine whether RYGBP is associated with a steadily increased glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) response and a disruption of the relationship between insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion required to maintain plasma glucose in the normal range.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

This was a cross-sectional study. Twenty-four women divided into three groups according to time after RYGBP (9-15, 21-30, and more than 36 months). Eight normal-weight and eight morbidly obese women served as controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

GLP-1 was determined after a standardized test meal. Insulin secretion (AIRg) and insulin sensitivity (S(I)) were derived from an iv glucose tolerance test. Postprandial glucose profile was recorded with a continuous glucose monitoring system.

RESULTS

Area under the curve(0-120) of GLP-1 was larger after RYGBP compared with controls (P < 0.01) but was comparable among surgical groups (P =0.314). Time after surgery was not associated with changes in S(I) (P = 0.657), AIRg (P = 0.329), or the disposition index (DI = AIRgS(I), P = 0.915). After surgery, the GLP-1 response and the DI were not significantly correlated (P = 0.304). Glucose less than 50 mg/dl was found in operated subjects, but the proportion did not increase with time after surgery (P = 0.459). Neither the GLP-1 response (P = 0.620) nor the DI (P = 0.457) differed significantly between those with or without hypoglycemic episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the GLP-1 response to meal intake is steadily elevated after RYGBP, this does not result over time in the development of an inappropriate insulin secretion relative to the prevailing insulin sensitivity or the occurrence of hypoglycemic episodes.

Evaluation of potential liver donors: limits imposed by donor variables in liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of different donor and recipient parameters that have been recognised previously as proven and to suggest prognostic factors for immediate liver function and final outcome after liver transplantation. We evaluated a total of 228 liver grafts transplanted in the last 3 years in our institution. Parameters were recorded for the donor (age, polytransfusion, atherosclerosis, presence of infection, episodes of hypoxia or hypotension, use of vasoactive drugs, intensive care unit stay, steatosis, and ischemia time) and recipient (red blood cell requirements, immediate liver function [score], incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, survival, and cause of death or retransplantation). Liver biopsy after reperfusion of the donor liver was performed before closure of the abdomen. Donor age over 65 years and presence of steatosis were associated significantly with initial poor function. The mortality rate at 6 months was related to donor age over 65 years. When donor age over 65 years was combined with transfusion requirement of > 10 U of red blood cells (RBC), the incidence of graft loss increased to 53%. The probability of graft survival at two years decreased when donor age was over 65 years. Moreover, when donor age over 65 years was combined with requirement of > 10 units RBC the probability of 2-year survival was significantly reduced. This study shows, for the first time, that the use of donor livers from older donors in liver transplant procedures, requiring more than 10 U of RBC, results in a significantly worse prognosis in terms of immediate liver function and long-term survival.

Could age be an indication for laparoscopic colectomy in colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal carcinoma increases in the elderly. Regardless of age as an isolated factor, postoperative complications represent the main factor in increasing hospital mortality.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to compare the short-term results (first 30 postoperative days) after laparoscopically assisted colectomy (LAC) and open segmental colectomy (OC) in colorectal carcinoma between two groups of patients, older than 70 and younger than 70 years of age. In the study from November 1993 to June 1998, 255 patients were evaluated to participate.

RESULTS

Peristalsis, oral intake, and discharge from the hospital occurred earlier in LAC than in OC treated patients, in the two age groups. The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LAC than in the OC patients in the two age groups. No differences were observed in morbidity between LAC and OC in the group younger than 70 years of age. However, the overall morbidity was significantly lower in the LAC group in patients older than 70 years. One patient in the LAC group older than 70 years died.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that laparoscopically assisted colectomy may be particularly indicated in elderly patients.