Surgical management of patients with colorectal cancer and simultaneous liver and lung metastases

Background

The management of patients with colorectal cancer and simultaneously diagnosed liver and lung metastases (SLLM) remains controversial.

Methods

The LiverMetSurvey registry was interrogated for patients treated between 2000 and 2012 to assess outcomes after resection of SLLM, and the factors associated with survival. SLLM was defined as liver and lung metastases diagnosed 3 months or less apart. Survival was compared between patients with resected isolated liver metastases (group 1, control), those with resected liver and lung metastases (group 2), and patients with resected liver metastases and unresected (or unresectable) lung metastases (group 3). An Akaike test was used to select variables for assessment of survival adjusted for confounding variables.

Results

Group 1 (isolated liver metastases, hepatic resection alone) included 9185 patients, group 2 (resection of liver and lung metastases) 149 patients, and group 3 (resection of liver metastases, no resection of lung metastases) 285 patients. Ten variables differed significantly between groups and seven were included in the model for adjusted survival (age, number of liver metastases, synchronicity of liver metastases with primary tumour, carcinoembryonic antigen level, node status of the primary tumour, initial resectability of liver metastases and inclusion in group 3). Adjusted overall 5-year survival was similar for groups 1 and 2 (51·5 and 44·5 per cent respectively), but worse for group 3 (14·3 per cent) (P = 0·001).

Conclusion

Patients who had resection of liver and lung metastases had similar overall survival to those who had undergone removal of isolated liver metastases.

Compared efficacy of preservation solutions in liver transplantation: a long-term graft outcome study from the European Liver Transplant Registry

Between 2003 and 2012, 42 869 first liver transplantations performed in Europe with the use of either University of Wisconsin solution (UW; N = 24 562), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate(HTK; N = 8696), Celsior solution (CE; N = 7756) or Institute Georges Lopez preservation solution (IGL-1; N = 1855) preserved grafts. Alternative solutions to the UW were increasingly used during the last decade. Overall, 3-year graft survival was higher with UW, IGL-1 and CE (75%, 75% and 73%, respectively), compared to the HTK (69%) (p < 0.0001). The same trend was observed with a total ischemia time (TIT) >12 h or grafts used for patients with cancer (p < 0.0001). For partial grafts, 3-year graft survival was 89% for IGL-1, 67% for UW, 68% for CE and 64% for HTK (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis identified HTK as an independent factor of graft loss, with recipient HIV (+), donor age ≥65 years, recipient HCV (+), main disease acute hepatic failure, use of a partial liver graft, recipient age ≥60 years, no identical ABO compatibility, recipient hepatitis B surface antigen (-), TIT ≥ 12 h, male recipient and main disease other than cirrhosis. HTK appears to be an independent risk factor of graft loss. Both UW and IGL-1, and CE to a lesser extent, provides similar results for full size grafts. For partial deceased donor liver grafts, IGL-1 tends to offer the best graft outcome.

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS): impact of the inter-stages course on morbi-mortality and implications for management

BACKGROUND

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) was recently developed to induce rapid hypertrophy and reduce post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with insufficient remnant liver volume (RLV). However, mortality rates >12% have been reported. This study aimed to analyze the perioperative course of ALPPS and to identify factors associated with morbi-mortality.

METHODS

Between April 2011 and September 2013, 62 patients operated in 9 Franco-Belgian hepatobiliary centres underwent ALPPS for colorectal metastases (N = 50) or primary tumors, following chemotherapy (N = 50) and/or portal vein embolization (PVE; N = 9).

RESULTS

Most patients had right (N = 31) or right extended hepatectomy (N = 25) (median RLV/body weight ratio of 0.54% [0.21-0.77%]). RLV increased by 48.6% [-15.3 to 192%] 7.8 ± 4.5 days after stage1, but the hypertrophy decelerated beyond 7 days. Stage2 was cancelled in 3 patients (4.8%) for insufficient hypertrophy, portal vein thrombosis or death and delayed to ≥9 days in 32 (54.2%). Overall, 25 patients (40.3%) had major complication(s) and 8 (12.9%) died. Fourteen patients (22.6%) had post-stage1 complication of whom 5 (35.7%) died after stage2. Factors associated with major morbi-mortality were obesity, post-stage1 biliary fistula or ascites, and infected and/or bilious peritoneal fluid at stage2. The latter was the only predictor of Clavien ≥3 by multivariate analysis (OR: 4.9; 95% CI: 1.227-19.97; p = 0.025). PVE did not impact the morbi-mortality rates but prevented major cytolysis that was associated with poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The inter-stages course was crucial in determining ALPPS outcome. The factors of high morbi-mortality rates associated with ALPPS are linked to the technique complexity.

[Efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants in macular edema excluding venous occlusions: results for a cohort of 80 patients]

INTRODUCTION

The intravitreal dexamethasone implant has shown efficacy in the treatment of macular edema (ME) arising after retinal venous occlusions (central or branch), and in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of this implant in the treatment of other diffuse macular edemas with an inflammatory mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective cohort study over 2 years: from January 2012 to December 2013, including all patients who received at least one injection of intravitreal dexamethasone implant, excluding venous occlusions and non-infectious uveitis. The primary study parameter was the progression of visual acuity. The study protocol had the approval of the institutional review board of the respective clinical ethics committees, and was conducted in accordance to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

RESULTS

Eighty patients were included. Eighty-eight percent of patients were pseudophakic. The indications for treatment were: diabetic ME when anti-VEGF were ineffective (53%), ME after retinal detachment (RD) (22%), ME of Irvine-Gass syndrome (16%), ME after endophthalmitis (4%), macular telangiectasia (4%), ME secondary to retinitis pigmentosa (1%). The mean ETDRS visual acuity was 53.7 letters prior to injection, improving to 62.3 letters after injection (P<0.001). The average gain in visual acuity was 6.7 letters [4.53;8.84] (P<0.001) in patients treated for diabetic ME, 9.6 letters [6.1;13.1] (P<0.001) in patients with ME after RD, and 15.2 letters [10.25;20.28] (P<0.001) for Irvine-Gass syndrome. The mean duration of efficiency was 4.6 months, with a median of 3.8 months.

CONCLUSION

The intravitreal dexamethasone implant appears to be an effective second-line treatment even in patients with diabetic ME after failure or in the case of contraindication of anti-VEGF. It is also effective and well tolerated in patients with ME after RD, as well as in patients with Irvine-Gass syndrome.

Bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFOXIRI in patients with initially unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer: the OLIVIA multinational randomised phase II trial

BACKGROUND

For patients with initially unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer, chemotherapy can downsize metastases and facilitate secondary resection. We assessed the efficacy of bevacizumab plus modified FOLFOX-6 (5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, oxaliplatin) or FOLFOXIRI (5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, oxaliplatin, irinotecan) in this setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

OLIVIA was a multinational open-label phase II study conducted at 16 centres in Austria, France, Spain, and the UK. Patients with unresectable liver metastases were randomised to bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) plus mFOLFOX-6 [oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), folinic acid 400 mg/m(2), 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m(2) (bolus) then 2400 mg/m(2) (46-h infusion)] or FOLFOXIRI [oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), irinotecan 165 mg/m(2), folinic acid 200 mg/m(2), 5-fluorouracil 3200 mg/m(2) (46-h infusion)] every 2 weeks. Unresectability was defined as ≥1 of the following criteria: no possibility of upfront R0/R1 resection of all lesions; <30% residual liver volume after resection; metastases in contact with major vessels of the remnant liver. Resectability was evaluated by multidisciplinary review. The primary end point was overall resection rate (R0/R1/R2). Efficacy end points were analysed by intention-to-treat analysis.

RESULTS

In patients assigned to bevacizumab-FOLFOXIRI (n = 41) or bevacizumab-mFOLFOX-6 (n = 39), the overall resection rate was 61% [95% confidence interval (CI) 45% to 76%] and 49% (95% CI 32% to 65%), respectively (difference 12%; 95% CI -11% to 36%). R0 resection rates were 49% and 23%, respectively. Overall tumour response rates were 81% (95% CI 65% to 91%) with bevacizumab-FOLFOXIRI and 62% (95% CI 45% to 77%) with bevacizumab-mFOLFOX-6. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 18·6 (95% CI 12.9-22.3) months and 11·5 (95% CI 9.6-13.6) months, respectively. The most common grade 3-5 adverse events were neutropenia (bevacizumab-FOLFOXIRI, 50%; bevacizumab-mFOLFOX-6, 35%) and diarrhoea (30% and 14%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab-FOLFOXIRI was associated with higher response and resection rates and prolonged PFS versus bevacizumab-mFOLFOX-6 in patients with initially unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Toxicity was increased but manageable with bevacizumab-FOLFOXIRI.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV

NCT00778102.

Gingival abrasion and recession in manual and oscillating-rotating power brush users

OBJECTIVE

To assess gingival recession (GR) in manual and power toothbrush users and evaluate the relationship between GR and gingival abrasion scores (GA).

METHODS

This was an observational (cross-sectional), single-centre, examiner-blind study involving a single-brushing exercise, with 181 young adult participants: 90 manual brush users and 91 oscillating-rotating power brush users. Participants were assessed for GR and GA as primary response variables. Secondary response variables were the level of gingival inflammation, plaque score reduction and brushing duration. Pearson correlation was used to describe the relationship between number of recession sites and number of abrasions. Prebrushing (baseline) and post-brushing GA and plaque scores were assessed and differences analysed using paired tests. Two-sample t-test was used to analyse group differences; ancova was used for analyses of post-brushing changes with baseline as covariate.

RESULTS

Overall, 97.8% of the study population had at least one site of ≥1 mm of gingival recession. For the manual group, this percentage was 98.9%, and for the power group, this percentage was 96.7% (P = 0.621). Post-brushing, the power group showed a significantly smaller GA increase than the manual group (P = 0.004); however, there was no significant correlation between number of recession sites and number of abrasions for either group (P ≥ 0.327).

CONCLUSIONS

Little gingival recession was observed in either toothbrush user group; the observed GR levels were comparable. Lower post-brushing gingival abrasion levels were seen in the power group. There was no correlation between gingival abrasion as a result of brushing and the observed gingival recession following use of either toothbrush.

A preliminary European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association-European Liver Transplant Registry study on informed recipient consent and extended criteria liver donation

The European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA) and the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) coordinated the distribution to European liver transplantation centers of an electronic questionnaire, developed by the first author, concerning the definition of extended criteria liver donation (ECD) and the implication for informed consent of transplant recipients. Completed questionnaires were received from 35 centers. All centers accepted ECD liver donors. The criteria for defining a liver donor as ECD were as follows: steatosis in 33 centers (94%); age up to 80 years in 15 centers (43%); serum sodium >165 mmol/L in 25 centers (71%); intensive care unit (ICU) stay with ventilation longer than 7 days in 17 centers (48%); aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >90 U/L, in 6 centers (17%); body mass index (BMI) >30 in 19 centers (54%); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >105 U/L in 8 centers (23%); serum bilirubin >3 mg/dL in 15 centers (43%); and all criteria together in 2 centers (6%). Thirty-one centers informed the transplantation candidate of the ECD status of the donor, 20 (65%) when the patient registered for transplantation, 1 (3%) when an ECD liver became available, and 10 centers (32%) on both occasions. Thirteen centers required the liver transplantation candidate to sign a special consent form. Twenty centers informed the potential recipient of the donor's serology. Only 6 centers informed the potential recipient of any high-risk behavior of the donor.

Vascular reconstruction combined with liver resection for malignant tumours

BACKGROUND

The resectability criteria for malignant liver tumours have expanded during the past two decades. The use of vascular reconstruction after hepatectomy has been integral in this process. However, the majority of reports are anecdotal. This is a retrospective analysis of the techniques, morbidity, mortality and risk factors of liver resections with vascular reconstruction based on a large series from a single centre.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatic resection combined with vascular resection and reconstruction between 1997 and 2009 were included in this study. Indications for surgery, morbidity and 90-day mortality are reported along with factors predictive of operative mortality.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients had liver resection with 97 vascular resections and reconstruction. There were 44 men and 40 women with a mean(s.d.) age of 56·9(12·1) years. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 37·3(34·1) months. All patients had primary or metastatic liver tumours. The perioperative morbidity rate was 62 per cent (52 patients) and the operative mortality rate 14 per cent (12). Predictors of operative mortality were: bilirubin level exceeding 34 µmol/ml (P = 0·023), indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min over 10 per cent (P = 0·031), duration of ischaemia (P = 0·011), amount of blood transfused (P = 0·025) and combined major extrahepatic procedure (P = 0·042). Actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 44 and 26 per cent respectively.

CONCLUSION

Liver resection with combined vascular resection and reconstruction can be performed in selected patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The lack of therapeutic alternatives and the poor outcome of non-operative management seem to justify this approach. The identification of risk factors should help improve patient selection and postoperative outcome as well as facilitate objective risk communication with surgical candidates.

Comparative study of design and PCL-substituting systems of total knee prosthesis

The aim of this study is to assess postoperative results obtained by different knee implants. The main implant types differences are given by generally implant design and by PCL substituting systems that are used.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Between 04.2004 - 02.2012 we have performed 506 total knee arthroplasties (TKA), on a group of 460 patients. Our choice, was for cemented total knee prostheses, using PCL-substituting systems. Regarding general design and PCL-substituting systems of the implant we had divided the main group in three lots. In order to assess post operative result we had used the American Knee Society Score(AKSS).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

All prostheses types that we had implanted, had registered satisfactory values of AKSS. Our study showed that one group scored higher values of AKSS, compared the other two, but there are not statistical semnificative differences (p=0,09).

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND

The oncological benefit of repeat hepatectomy for patients with recurrent colorectal metastases is not yet proven. This study assessed the value of repeat hepatectomy for these patients within current multidisciplinary treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive patients treated by repeat hepatectomy for colorectal metastases between January 1990 and January 2010 were included. Patients undergoing two-stage hepatectomy were excluded. Postoperative outcome was analysed and compared with that of patients who had only a single hepatectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 1036 patients underwent 1454 hepatectomies for colorectal metastases. Of these, 288 patients had 362 repeat hepatectomies for recurrent metastases. Some 225 patients (78·1 per cent) had two hepatectomies, 52 (18·1 per cent) had three hepatectomies, and 11 patients (3·8 per cent) had a fourth hepatectomy. Postoperative morbidity following repeat hepatectomy was similar to that after initial liver resection (27·1 per cent after first, 34·4 per cent after second and 33·3 per cent after third hepatectomy) (P = 0·069). The postoperative mortality rate was 3·1 per cent after repeat hepatectomy versus 1·6 per cent after first hepatectomy. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates following first hepatectomy in patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy were 76 and 54 per cent respectively, compared with 58 and 45 per cent in patients who had only one hepatectomy (P = 0·003). In multivariable analysis, repeat hepatectomy performed between 2000 and 2010 was the sole independent factor associated with longer overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastases offers long-term survival in selected patients.

The role of biological agents in the resection of colorectal liver metastases

Surgically resecting liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CLMs) offers the only potentially curative option. Chemotherapy-induced downsizing of CLMs increases the proportion of patients with resectable metastases. Several recent studies have reported that adding a biological agent such as cetuximab, panitumumab or bevacizumab to chemotherapy could further increase response and resectability rates. This overview discusses the reported resection rates for biological agents combined with chemotherapy and the difficulties of cross-trial comparisons, the pre-, peri- and postoperative roles of biological agents, particularly with regards to comparisons of surgical complications, and ongoing clinical trials in which the resectability of CLMs is a predefined end point. Currently, targeted therapies combined with chemotherapy probably increase the resection rate of CLMs, although this has been shown in only one phase III randomised study and it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the relative efficacy and safety of the different available biological agents in terms of converting unresectable CLMs to resectable lesions. Available data for each of them are discussed. More data from phase III trials are expected to confirm the utility of the different biological agents in converting patients with unresectable CLMs to a resectable status.

[Sclerotomies analysis using Spectral Domain OCT in sutureless vitrectomies complicated by endophthalmitis]

INTRODUCTION

Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is a recent advance in vitreoretinal surgery. Some authors have reported an increased risk of postoperative hypotony and endophthalmitis and recommend the creation of oblique incisions, intended to be self-sealing, so as to reduce these risks. However, there is still a debate about the best architecture for transconjunctival sutureless incisions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report two cases of acute endophthalmitis occurring after 23 and 25 gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. We analyzed the scleral incisions using the anterior segment module of the Spectralis(®) OCT. To our knowledge, this is the first direct description of the appearance of sclerotomies associated with endophthalmitis.

RESULTS

The anterior segment module of Spectralis(®) OCT permitted a high-resolution evaluation of the architecture of the scleral incisions. We found straight, gaping incisions with misaligned edges and vitreous incarceration.

DISCUSSION

By way of these two case reports and a review of the literature, we discuss the contribution of anterior segment OCT in the analysis of scleral incision architecture in sutureless vitrectomy. Our findings are consistent with those reported in the literature. The presence of a direct incision, wound gap or edge misalignment are associated with an increased risk of early leakage and postoperative hypotony.

CONCLUSIONS

The anterior segment module of the Spectralis(®) OCT is a valuable tool for non-invasive, painless and high-resolution documentation of sutureless vitrectomy incisions. It allows for causal analysis and better understanding of the conditions associated with endophthalmitis after sutureless vitrectomy.

Sex moderates circadian chemotherapy effects on survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Molecular circadian clocks can modify cancer chemotherapy effects, with a possible moderation according to sex differences. We investigated whether sex determine the optimal delivery schedule of chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed using individual data from three international Phase III trials comparing 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin administered in chronomodulated (chronoFLO) or conventional (CONV) infusions. The data from 345 females and 497 males were updated at 9 years. The main end point was survival.

RESULTS

Overall survival was improved in males on chronoFLO when compared with CONV (P = 0.009), with respective median values of 20.8 (95% CL, 18.7 to 22.9) and 17.5 months (16.1 to 18.8). Conversely, median survival was 16.6 months (13.9 to 19.3) on chronoFLO and 18.4 months (16.6 to 20.2) on CONV in females (P = 0.012). The sex versus schedule interaction was a strong predictive factor of optimal treatment schedule, with a hazard ratio of 1.59 (1.30 to 1.75) for overall survival (P = 0.002) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Males lived significantly longer on chronomodulated chemotherapy rather than on conventional chemotherapy. The current chronoFLO schedule deserves prospective assessment as a safe and more effective first-line treatment option than conventional delivery for male patients.

Effect of specialist decision-making on treatment strategies for colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

One hundred and ten patients were treated with palliative chemotherapy, of whom 53 had liver-only disease and had not been reviewed by a specialist liver surgeon. One scan was excluded as all reviewers felt it to be of insufficient quality to assess. Improved surgical technique and better chemotherapeutic manipulation of metastatic disease has increased the number of patients eligible for potentially curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. The rapid evolution in this field suggests that non-specialist decision-making may lead to inappropriate management. This study aimed to assess the management of colorectal liver metastases by non-liver surgeons.

METHODS

All patients who underwent chemotherapy with palliative intent for metastatic colorectal cancer at a regional oncology centre between 1 January and 31 December 2009 were identified from a prospectively maintained local database. Six resectional liver surgeons blinded to patient management and outcome reviewed pretreatment imaging and assigned each scan a score based on their own management choice. A consensus decision was reached on the appropriateness of palliative chemotherapy.

RESULTS

One hundred and ten patients were treated with palliative chemotherapy, of whom 53 had liver-only disease and had not been reviewed by a specialist liver surgeon. One scan was excluded as all reviewers felt it to be of insufficient quality to assess [corrected]. Tumours in 33 patients (63 per cent) were considered potentially resectable, with a high level of interobserver agreement (κ = 0 · 577). When individual approach to management was considered, interobserver agreement was less marked (κ = 0 · 378).

CONCLUSION

Management of patients with colorectal liver metastases without the involvement of a specialist liver multidisciplinary team can lead to patients being denied potentially curative treatments. Management of these patients must involve a specialist liver surgeon to ensure appropriate management.

The Eurotransplant donor risk index in liver transplantation: ET-DRI

Recently we validated the donor risk index (DRI) as conducted by Feng et al. for the Eurotransplant region. Although this scoring system is a valid tool for scoring donor liver quality, for allocation purposes a scoring system tailored for the Eurotransplant region may be more appropriate. Objective of our study was to investigate various donor and transplant risk factors and design a risk model for the Eurotransplant region. This study is a database analysis of all 5939 liver transplantations from deceased donors into adult recipients from the 1st of January 2003 until the 31st of December 2007 in Eurotransplant. Data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models. From 5723 patients follow-up data were available with a mean of 2.5 years. After multivariate analysis the DRI (p < 0.0001), latest lab GGT (p = 0.005) and rescue allocation (p = 0.007) remained significant. These factors were used to create the Eurotransplant Donor Risk Index (ET-DRI). Concordance-index calculation shows this ET-DRI to have high predictive value for outcome after liver transplantation. Therefore, we advise the use of this ET-DRI for risk indication and possibly for allocation purposes within the Eurotrans-plant region.

Arthroplasty risk after kidney or liver transplant

In recent years the rate of kidney or liver transplantation has increased considerably, with an increasing rate of immunosuppressant medication for secondary bone disorders. As the rate of organ transplantation increases, the greater predisposition of these patients to hip or knee arthroplasty is noticed. Although arthroplasty is safe in the general population, its safety in liver transplant recipients is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate safety and durability of hip or knee arthroplasties in liver or kidney transplanted patients. Our study included 5 hip and knee arthroplasties performed in transplanted liver and kidney. All patients underwent immunosuppressive therapy. All cases were submitted to postoperative antibiotic therapy and in the case of cemented implants, antibiotic impregnated cement was used. There were no major short-term or long-term complications. We noticed no case of postoperative sepsis, and implant durability has not been affected by the directly transplant related causes. In conclusion arthroplasty for patients with kidney or liver transplant has a positive impact on their quality of life, being a safe and successful procedure with minimum perioperative safeguards.

Effect of specialist decision-making on treatment strategies for colorectal liver metastases

Background

One hundred and ten patients were treated with palliative chemotherapy, of whom 53 had liver-only disease and had not been reviewed by a specialist liver surgeon. One scan was excluded as all reviewers felt it to be of insufficient quality to assess. Improved surgical technique and better chemotherapeutic manipulation of metastatic disease has increased the number of patients eligible for potentially curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. The rapid evolution in this field suggests that non-specialist decision-making may lead to inappropriate management. This study aimed to assess the management of colorectal liver metastases by non-liver surgeons.

Methods

All patients who underwent chemotherapy with palliative intent for metastatic colorectal cancer at a regional oncology centre between 1 January and 31 December 2009 were identified from a prospectively maintained local database. Six resectional liver surgeons blinded to patient management and outcome reviewed pretreatment imaging and assigned each scan a score based on their own management choice. A consensus decision was reached on the appropriateness of palliative chemotherapy.

Results

Tumours in 33 patients (63 per cent) were considered potentially resectable, with a high level of interobserver agreement (κ = 0·577). When individual approach to management was considered, interobserver agreement was less marked (κ = 0·378).

Conclusion

Management of patients with colorectal liver metastases without the involvement of a specialist liver multidisciplinary team can lead to patients being denied potentially curative treatments. Management of these patients must involve a specialist liver surgeon to ensure appropriate management.

[Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) of the posterior segment: retrospective analysis and management of 57 cases]

PURPOSE

To determine the influence of prognostic factors and the type of tamponade agent in surgical management of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) for better visual outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-seven consecutive cases were retrospectively reviewed at the XV-XX National Hospital (Paris) between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic variables. Several parameters were measured: pre- and postoperatively: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), material and size of the foreign body, entry site, time from trauma to surgical removal, IOFB location, initial retinal detachment, choice of vitreous tamponade agent (none, gas, silicone oil), postoperative visual outcome, and complications (siderosis, endophthalmitis, and vitreoproliferative retinal detachment).

RESULTS

Metal IOFBs accounted for the majority with 80.7% (n=46). The inferior retinal segment was the most frequent location found: 47.4% (n=27). Initial and final mean BCVAs were, respectively, 1.47 (±0.99) and 1.03 (±0.96) (LogMar scale). The mean follow-up was 20.7 months (range, 12-60 months). Initial retinal detachment was found in 24.56% (n=14), with a statically worse prognosis. The BCVA was better in the group with gas tamponade (n=16) than in the group with silicone tamponade (n=21) and the group without a tamponade agent (n=20). Initial BCVA was the most important predictive factor for final BCVA. Time to surgery was a predictive factor of final visual outcome with a cut-off in the first week. The scleral or corneoscleral entry site had a better prognosis than the corneal site. Five cases of siderosis (8.7%) related to delayed management and two cases of endophthalmitis (3.5%) were found (despite use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics). No statistical difference was found regarding the IOFB location on the retina, its size, or the material. Finally, the retina remained detached in nine cases (15.78%). A final BCVA of 20/40 or more was obtained in 39.3 and 17.5% had light perception or worse.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of an IOFB injury is for the most part uncertain due to a complex combination of parameters. Nevertheless, good postoperative results can be achieved without a silicone tamponade agent. The main prognostic factors related to better visual outcome were initial BCVA, time to surgery (first week), initially attached retina, and the scleral entry site. The main complications were vitreoproliferative retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, and siderosis. The location, type, and size of IOFBs were not statistically significant predictive factors in this study.