Preoperative S-1 Therapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Head and Neck During the Waiting Period Before Surgery

Background: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN), delayed surgery can result in poorer postoperative function and prognosis due to the growth of the tumor and the extended surgery. Further, delay may even make the tumor unresectable. To prevent tumor growth during the waiting period before surgery, S-1 has been administrated preoperatively at several facilities in Japan. To date, however, the safety and efficacy of preoperative S-1 remains unclear.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 118 patients with SCCHN treated with S-1 before radical surgery at 2 institutions in Japan. We evaluated the safety of S-1 therapy, which was evaluated by the incidence of grade 3 or greater adverse events (AEs). The rate of achievement of the non-growth of tumors was also calculated.Results: Regarding safety, 125 AEs of all grades were recorded in 71 patients (60%). Of these, grade 3 AEs were detected in 3 patients (3%), and no grade 4 or 5 AEs occurred. The non-growth rate of primary lesions and lymph node metastases was 89% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data showed that preoperative S-1 therapy might be useful with acceptable toxicity on an outpatient basis in patients with SCCHN.

Effects of Preoperative Low-Dose Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain and Sedation of Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia

Objective: To study the drug interaction between gabapentin and morphine in surgical patients under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Two hundred sixty patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were randomized into two groups, A with 130 patients receiving gabapentin 2.0 to 3.5 mg/kg orally for premedication add-on, and B with 130 patients getting morphine 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg intravenously. After surgery, a co-researcher assessed patients using Ramsay sedation scale (RSS) and pain numeric rating scale (NRS) at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24-hour intervals. Results: Two hundred thirty-two patients were included the present study without procedural adverse events. There were 120 and 112 patients in gabapentin and morphine group, respectively. The administration dosage of gabapentin and morphine between the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p=0.031). During the emergence, the RSS on the sedation, agitation, drowsiness, and pain scores of gabapentin (1.8±0.4) and morphine (1.7±0.5) appeared statistically significant differences (p=0.032); however, the RSS on that in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) were 2.0±0.1and 2.0±0.2, respectively, which showed insignificant differences (p-value 0.283). Conclusion: A small, single oral dose of gabapentin as premedication showed a synergistic effect on intraoperative morphine administration. However, this additive effect was not long lasting through the PACU and might not be suitable for an extended surgery. Keywords: Drug interaction; Gabapentin; Morphine; Anesthesia

Defining benchmarks for robotic-assisted low anterior rectum resection in low-morbid patients: a multicenter analysis

Purpose To define the best possible outcomes for robotic-assisted low anterior rectum resection (RLAR) using total mesorectal excision (TME) in low-morbid patients, performed by expert robotic surgeons in German robotic centers. The benchmark values were derived from these results. Methods The data was retrospectively collected from five German expert centers. After patient exclusion (prior surgery, extended surgery, no prior anastomosis, hand-sewn anastomosis), the benchmark cohort was defined (n = 226). The median with interquartile range was first calculated for the individual centers. The 75th percentile of the median results was defined as the benchmark cutoff and represents the “perfect” achievable outcome. This applied to all benchmark values apart from lymph node yield, where the cutoff was defined as the 25th percentile (more lymph nodes are better). Results The benchmark values for conversion and intraoperative complication rates were ≤ 4.0% and ≤ 1.4%, respectively. For postoperative complications, the benchmark was ≤ 28% for “any” and ≤ 18.0% for major complications. The R0 and complete TME rate benchmarks were both 100%, with a lymph node yield of > 18. The benchmark for rate of anastomotic insufficiency was < 12.5% and 90-day mortality was 0%. Readmission rates should not exceed 4%. Conclusion This outcome analysis of patients with low comorbidity undergoing RLAR may serve as a reference to evaluate surgical performance in robotic rectum resection.

Surgical margin clearance and extended chemotherapy defines survival for synchronous oligometastatic liver lesions of the ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Background The role of surgery for circumscribed synchronous hepatic lesions of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains controversial. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare survival outcome (OS) after surgery of patients with hepatic metastases (M1surg) to patients with only localized disease. Methods Correlation analysis of clinicopathological data and OS after resection of M1surg patients and patients with localized PDACs (M0) was performed. Patients were included for survival analysis only if a complete staging including perineural, venous and lymphatic invasion was available. Results Out of the study collective, 35 patients received extended surgery (M1surg), whereas 131 patients received standardized surgery for localized disease (M0). Length of hospitalization and mortality was similar in both groups. FOLFIRNOX as an adjuvant treatment regime was administered in ~ 23 and ~ 8% of M1surg and M0 patients, respectively. In subgroup analysis of R0 resected patients and in multivariate analysis of the total cohort, there was no difference in overall survival between both groups. Only the resection status (R1 vs R0) and venous invasion (V1) were identified as independent prognostic factors. Site of recurrence in R0 resected M1surg patients and in M0 patients were homogenously distributed. Conclusion This is the first study demonstrating a survival benefit after extended surgery for synchronously hepatic-metastasized PDACs. We found no difference in survival outcome of metastasized patients when compared to patients with localized disease. FOLFIRINOX as an adjuvant treatment regime for resected M1surg presumably is worthwhile. Larger multicenter studies are still needed to validate our results.

RADICAL SURGICAL TREATMENT OF NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS OF APPENDIX IN CHILDREN – Polish multicenter study

IntroductionThe aim of study was to examine management of pediatric appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANET) in Poland.Material and methodsRecords of 27 patients with ANET diagnosed incidentally after appendectomy in last decade.ResultsWell-differentiated NET G1/G2 was diagnosed in 25 and well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 in 2 patients. Extended surgery was performed primary in one instance and secondary in 10 patients (right hemicolectomy in 9, ileocecal resection in one) without adjuvant chemotherapy. Follow-up ranged 1-121 months. Recurrence after secondary surgery was observed in one patient (3,7%).ConclusionsApplying ENETS guidelines resulted in 100% overall survival rate of patients with NET.

A Pragmatic Non-Randomized Trial of Prehabilitation Prior to Cancer Surgery: Study Protocol and COVID-19-Related Adaptations

BackgroundExperimental data highlight the potential benefits and health system cost savings related to surgical prehabilitation; however, adequately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) data remain nascent. Emerging prehabilitation services may be informed by early RCT data but can be limited in informing real-world program development. Pragmatic trials emphasize external validity and generalizability to understand and advise intervention development and implementation in clinical settings. This paper presents the methodology of a pragmatic prehabilitation trial to complement emerging phase III clinical trials and inform implementation strategies.MethodsThis is a pilot pragmatic clinical trial conducted in a large academic hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to assess feasibility of clinical implementation and derive estimates of effectiveness. Feasibility data include program referral rates, enrolment and attrition, intervention adherence and safety, participant satisfaction, and barriers and facilitators to programming. The study aims to receive 150 eligible referrals for adult, English-speaking, preoperative oncology patients with an identified indication for prehabilitation (e.g., frailty, deconditioning, malnutrition, psychological distress). Study participants undergo a baseline assessment and shared-decision making regarding the intervention setting: either facility-based prehabilitation or home-based prehabilitation. In both scenarios, participants receive an individualized exercise prescription, stress-reduction psychological support, nutrition counseling, and protein supplementation, and if appropriate, smoking cessation program referrals. Secondary objectives include estimating intervention effects at the week prior to surgery and 30 and 90 days postoperatively. Outcomes include surgical complications, postoperative length of stay, mortality, hospital readmissions, physical fitness, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Data from participants who decline the intervention but consent for research-related access to health records will serve as comparators. The COVID-19 pandemic required the introduction of a ‘virtual program’ using only telephone or internet-based communication for screening, assessments, or intervention was introduced.ConclusionThis pragmatic trial will provide evidence on the feasibility and viability of prehabilitation services delivered under usual clinical conditions. Study amendments due to the COVID-19 pandemic are presented as strategies to maintain prehabilitation research and services to potentially mitigate the consequences of extended surgery wait times.

Thyroid surgery in children: our experience

Introduction: Thyroid surgery in children is a rare operation. The aim of our paper is to point out the specifics of thyroid surgery in children. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Institute of Children’s Diseases in Bratislava during a 10-year period (2007−2016) who underwent thyroid surgeries. Results: The retrospective analysis included 81 patients: 66 (81%) girls and 15 (19%) boys. The mean age of the patients was 14 years ±8 months (range 4−18 years). The most common indications for thyroid surgery were: a nodule in 36 (44.4%) patients, Graves Basedow thyrotoxicosis in 19 (23.5%) patients, and suspected thyroid carcinoma in 11 (13.6%) patients. Cervical lymph node metastases (mts) were diagnosed in 9 (11.1%) patients, and distant pulmonary metastases in 5 (6.17%) patients. Total thyroidectomy (TTE) was performed in 43 (53%) patients, total lobectomy (TL) in 20 (24.7%) patients. Extended surgery on regional lymph nodes was performed in 9 (11.1%) patients. Eight (9.9%) patients underwent reoperation. A total of 12 (14.8%) patients experienced postoperative complications. Unilateral transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis occurred in 2 patients, and permanent in one patient. Transient postoperative hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia was reported in 8 (9.9%) patients; no permanent condition of this type was observed. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that optimal surgical results are achieved in the patients. Experience of the surgeon performing thyroid surgery in children remains crucial.

Salvage surgery for stage IVa thymic carcinoma combined with aortic arch resection – case report

Background Although complete surgical resection of thymic carcinoma is a prognostic factor, extended surgery combined with a major blood vessel procedure remains controversial because of the increased risk of mortality. We report a case of Stage IVa thymic carcinoma successfully resected with a pneumonectomy along with aortic arch replacement after chemotherapy. Case presentation A 45-year-old male was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma invasion to the aortic arch and left pulmonary artery. Malignant pericardial effusion was also noted, though disappeared after chemotherapy, thus surgical options were considered. A radical resection procedure including left pneumonectomy, aortic arch replacement with total rerouting of the supra-arch vessels, and right pulmonary artery plication was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has been disease-free for 3 years. Conclusion Extended salvage surgery might be a valuable option for advanced thymic carcinoma.

Photodynamic therapy in combined treatment of cholangiocellular carcinoma (case report)

In this article a case report of an effective combined treatment of a patient with locally advanced cholangiocellular cancer who underwent neoadjuvant regional chemotherapy, extended surgery, adjuvant regional chemotherapy, as well as a set of minimally invasive endoscopic and percutaneous endobiliary techniques, which allowed the progression of the disease, including to increase the patients survival rate is presented. (5 figs, bibliography: 5 refs).