Body mass index and outcomes following gastrointestinal cancer surgery in Japan

Primary Tumor Sidedness Associated with Clinical Characteristics and Postoperative Outcomes in Colon Cancer Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Background: Recent investigations have suggested that-sidedness is associated with the prognosis of colon cancer patients. However, the role of sidedness in surgical outcome is unclear. In this study, we tried to demonstrate the real role of sidedness in postoperative results for colon cancer patients receiving surgical intervention. Methods: This is a propensity score matching study using the database of the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) from 2009 to 2013. Sidedness groups including right-sided and left-sided colon cancer were created according to the associated diagnosis and procedure codes. Postoperative 30-day mortality, morbidity, overall complications, and total length of hospital stay were analyzed after performing propensity score matching. Results: Out of a total of 24,436 colon cancer patients who received associated operations, 15,945 patients had right-sided cancer and 8941 patients had left-sided cancer. Right-sided colon cancer patients were accompanied by more preoperative comorbidities including old age, female sex, hypertension, dyspnea, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and a high American Society of Anesthesiologists grade (SMD > 0.1). Postoperative mortality, morbidities including re-intubation, bleeding, urinary tract infection and deep vein thrombosis, postoperative overall complications, and total length of hospital stay were significantly associated with right-sided cancer (p < 0.05). After 1:1 propensity score matching, postoperative mortality was not significantly different between right-sided cancer (2.3%) and left-sided cancer (2.4%) patients. The patients with left-sided colon cancer had significantly more postoperative morbidities, more overall complications, and longer total length of hospital stay. Conclusions: Poor clinical characteristics and postoperative outcomes were noted in right-sided cancer patients. After propensity score matching, left-sided cancer patients had worse postoperative outcomes than those with right-sided cancer.

The Impact of Body Mass Index on Multiple Complications, Respiratory Complications, Failure to Rescue and In-hospital Mortality After Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy serves as the standard surgical treatment for periampullary tumors. Previous studies have suggested that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). However, the relationship between low BMI and postoperative complications remains unclear. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 1130 patients who underwent LPD between April 2014 and December 2022 was conducted. Multivariate regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were utilized to explore the correlations between BMI and short-term outcomes, with adjustments for potential confounders. Results: Multivariable logistic regression revealed that overweight, obese, or severely underweight patients had an elevated risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) compared to those with a normal BMI. Moreover, obesity was significantly correlated with a higher proportion of "failure to rescue." BMI exhibited a J-shaped relationship with respiratory complications and in-hospital mortality, a W-shaped relationship with multiple complications and anastomotic leakage (pancreatic fistula), and a U-shaped association with "failure to rescue" rates. The lowest risk was observed at BMI levels of 20 and 25 kg/m2 for multiple complications and pancreatic fistula, respectively. Conclusion: Both high and low BMI are identified as risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative POPF and in-hospital mortality following LPD. Notably, patients with higher BMI and severe underweight conditions are associated with an increased likelihood of "failure to rescue."

How do we prevent severe intra-abdominal infectious complications following minimally invasive gastrectomy for cancer? The usefulness of a novel marker using computed tomography images (minimum umbilicus-vertebra diameter) and robotic surgery

Background

Intra-abdominal infectious complications (IAICs) following minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG) for cancer sometimes worsen short- and long-term outcomes. In this study, we focused on the minimum umbilicus-vertebra diameter (MUVD) in preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and robotic surgery to prevent severe IAIC occurrence.

Patients and Methods

A total of 400 patients with gastric cancer who underwent 204 laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and 196 robotic gastrectomy (RG) procedures were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively investigated the significance of the MUVD and robotic surgery for preventing severe IAICs following MIG using multivariate and propensity score matching analysis.

Results

The MUVD cutoff value was 84 mm by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using severe IAICs as the end point. The MUVD and visceral fat area (VFA) had significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than BMI (MUVD vs. BMI, p = 0.032; VFA vs. BMI, p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, high MUVD (HR, 9.46; p = 0.026) and laparoscopic surgery (HR, 3.35; p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for severe IAIC occurrence. In the propensity matching analysis between robotic and laparoscopic surgery in the high MUVD group, the RG group tended to have a lower severe IAIC rate than the LG group (0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.056).

Conclusion

The MUVD was a novel and easy-measuring predictor of severe IAICs following MIG. Robotic surgery should be considered first in patients with gastric cancer having an MUVD value of 84 mm or higher from the perspective of severe IAIC occurrence.

Predictors for different types of surgical site infection in patients with gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Various factors contribute to different types of surgical site infections (SSI) in gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery, and the risk factors remain uncertain. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the relationship between various factors and SSI, resolving existing controversies. Thirty-four eligible articles with 66 066 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Significant risk factors for SSI included age ≥65 years, male gender, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, diabetes, hypertension, advanced TNM stage ≥III, pathologic T stage ≥T3, pathologic N stage ≥N1, ASA ≥3, open surgery, blood transfusion, extensive resection, combined resection, splenectomy, D2 or more lymph node dissection, and operative time ≥240 min. Operative time showed a nonlinear relationship with SSI risk. Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in the effects of risk factors among different infection types. These findings inform the development of targeted preventive measures to reduce SSI rates.

Association between body mass index and outcomes after autologous breast reconstruction: a nationwide inpatient database study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Although autologous reconstruction following breast cancer surgery is common, little is known about the association between preoperative body mass index (BMI) and short-term surgical outcomes. This study investigated the association between BMI and short-term surgical outcomes in autologous breast reconstruction using a nationwide Japanese inpatient database.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified female patients with breast cancer who underwent breast reconstruction using a pedicled flap or free flap from July 2010 to March 2020. Multivariable regression analyses and restricted cubic spline analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between BMI and short-term outcomes with adjustment for demographic and clinical backgrounds.

RESULTS

Of the 13,734 eligible patients, 7.1% and 22.2% had a BMI of < 18.5 kg/m2 and > 25 kg/m2, respectively. Compared with BMI of 18.5-21.9 kg/m2, overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥ 30.0 kg/m2) were significantly associated with higher occurrences of takebacks (odds ratio, 1.74 [95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.38] and 2.89 [1.88-4.43], respectively) and overall complications (1.37 [1.20-1.57] and 1.77 [1.42-2.20], respectively). In the restricted cubic spline analyses, BMI showed J-shaped associations with takebacks, overall complications, local complications, and wound dehiscence. BMI also demonstrated linear associations with postoperative surgical site infection, duration of anesthesia, duration of drainage, length of stay, and hospitalization costs.

CONCLUSION

In autologous breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery, a higher BMI was associated with takebacks, morbidity, a longer hospital stay, and higher total costs, whereas a lower BMI was associated with fewer surgical site infections, a shorter hospital stay, and lower total costs.

Addressing uncertainty about the role of structured lifestyle modification for metabolic surgery patients

There is good evidence that structured lifestyle modification programmes improve health in patients with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, but there is no specific evidence that they improve outcomes in patients undergoing metabolic or obesity surgery. Despite expert consensus guidelines stating this fact, some healthcare systems still compel patients to participate in a structured lifestyle modification programme prior to metabolic or obesity surgery. There is a well-established need for individualised multidisciplinary dietetic and physical activity care for metabolic and obesity surgery patients, and the benefits of intentional weight loss prior to surgery are well proven, but these are distinct from potentially harmful requirements for patients to undertake compulsory structured lifestyle programmes of fixed duration, frequency and intensity, which may delay surgery and reinforce obesity stigma. A critical step in rejuvenating metabolic surgery is to reframe patient participation in structured lifestyle modification programmes as an opportunity for education and empowerment, not as an indicator of motivation or suitability for metabolic surgery. Large, well-designed and adequately powered clinical trials are needed to address uncertainties in the evidence base for these programmes. Given genuine equipoise, they will need to determine whether "surgery plus lifestyle" is superior to "surgery plus placebo". Moreover, they will need to determine the cost-effectiveness of these programmes and identify some of the factors giving rise to the substantial heterogeneity in responses to structured lifestyle modification.

Synchronous triple primary gastrointestinal malignant tumors treated with laparoscopic surgery: A case report

Synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary tumors including gastric, colonic, and rectal cancers are rare. Moreover, it was a challenge to find an appropriate procedure without negatively impacting the overall outcome. We described the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with a 4 month history of upper abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, and anemia. Gastroscopy with biopsy suggested early cancer of gastric antrum. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computerized tomography and colonoscopy revealed ascending colon and rectum tumors. She had no family history of malignancy. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed for gastric cancer, and the pathological result presented that it was poorly differentiated and invaded into deep submucosa. The laparoscopy-assisted radical surgery combined with distal gastrectomy, right hemicolectomy, and anterior resection of rectum was performed for these three tumors via eight ports and a 7 cm midline upper-abdominal incision. No other perioperative complications were encountered except postoperative ileus. The patient was discharged on the 12th postoperative day. The pathological results revealed gastric cancer (T1N0M0), right colonic cancer (T3N1M0), and rectal cancer (T2N0M0), indicating complete surgical resection. We reported that our laparoscopic approach for synchronous triple primary gastrointestinal malignant tumors was feasible and minimally invasive.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Major Complications, Multiple Complications, In-hospital Mortality, and Failure to Rescue After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Inpatient Database Study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of BMI with mortality and related outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Previous studies showed that high BMI was a risk factor for anastomotic leakage and low BMI was a risk factor for respiratory complications after esophagectomy. However, the association between BMI and in-hospital mortality after oncologic esophagectomy remains unclear.

METHODS

Data for patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. Multivariate regression analyses and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to investigate the associations between BMI and short-term outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 39,406 eligible patients, in-hospital mortality, major complications, and multiple complications (≥2 major complications) occurred in 1069 (2.7%), 14,824 (37.6%), and 3621 (9.2%), respectively. Compared with normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m 2 ), severe underweight (<16.0 kg/m 2 ), mild/moderate underweight (16.0-18.4 kg/m 2 ), and obese (≥27.5 kg/m 2 )were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality [odds ratio 2.20 (95% confidence interval 1.65-2.94), 1.25 (1.01-1.49), and 1.48 (1.05-2.09), respectively]. BMI showed U-shaped dose-response associations with mortality, major complications, and multiple complications. BMI also showed a reverse J-shaped association with failure to rescue (death after major complications).

CONCLUSIONS

Both high BMI and low BMI were associated with mortality, major complications and multiple complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Patients with low BMI were more likely to die once a major complication occurred. The present results can assist with risk stratification in patients undergoing oncologic esophagectomy.

Perirenal Fat Thickness Significantly Associated with Prognosis of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Patients Receiving Anti-VEGF Therapy

Although high body mass index (BMI) was reported to associate with a better prognosis for metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, it is an imperfect proxy for the body composition, especially in Asian patients with a lower BMI. The role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and perirenal fat thickness (PRFT) in mRCC patients was still unknown. Therefore, a multicenter retrospective study of 358 Chinese mRCC patients receiving anti-VEGF therapy was conducted and their body composition was measured via computed tomography. We parameterized VAT, SAT and PRFT according to their median value and BMI according to Chinese criteria (overweight: BMI ≥ 24). We found VAT, SAT, and PRFT (all p < 0.05) but not BMI, significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariate Cox analysis identified PRFT was the independent predictor of OS and PFS, and IMDC expanded with PRFT showed the highest C-index in predicting OS (OS:0.71) compared with VAT, SAT, and BMI. PRFT could increase the area under the curve of the traditional International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) model in OS (70.54% increase to 74.71%) and PFS (72.22% increase to 75.03%). PRFT was introduced to improve the IMDC model and PRFT-modified IMDC demonstrated higher AIC in predicting OS and PFS compared with the traditional IMDC model. Gene sequencing analysis (n = 6) revealed that patients with high PRFT had increased angiogenesis gene signatures (NES = 1.46, p = 0.04) which might explain why better drug response to anti-VEGF therapy in mRCC patients with high PRFT. The main limitation is retrospective design. This study suggests body composition, especially PRFT, is significantly associated with prognosis in Chinese mRCC patients receiving anti-VEGF therapy. PRFT-modified IMDC model proposed in this study has better clinical predictive value.

Relation of Malnutrition and Nosocomical Infections in Cancer Patients in Hospital: An Observational Study

Aim

To investigate the relation between malnutrition and nosocomial infections (NI) in hospitalized cancer patients.

Methods

This observational, cross-sectional, noninterventional, descriptive study was conducted in a 500-bed university hospital in Valencia (Spain). Adult cancer patients admitted to the oncology ward were consecutively enrolled regardless of their nutritional status between November 2019 and March 2020. Patients were nutritionally assessed 24 to 48 hours after admission. Body weight, height and BMI, body composition through measurement of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and muscle strength and functionality using hand grip strength (HGS) were prospectively collected. The diagnosis of malnutrition and sarcopenia was assessed using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, respectively. Patients were followed up during their hospital stay or outpatient oncology visits to identify possible NI.

Results

A total of 107 patients were included in this study (mean age 66 years; 66.4% were men). The most frequent reason for admission was cancer treatment (19.6%), followed by infections (18.7%) and digestive tract symptoms (18.7%). Overall, 77.5% (83/107) of the patients were malnourished at admission according to the GLIM criteria, while 52.3% (56/107) were sarcopenic. Nosocomial infections (NI) were significantly more frequent in malnourished (52.1%; 25/48) and severely malnourished (42.1%; 8/19) patients, compared with well-nourished patients without malnutrition (25%; 10/40; p=0.035). The mean length of hospital stay was 13.9 days, significantly longer in patients with an NI compared to those without infections (18.6 vs. 10.8 days, p < 0.024).

Conclusion

This study evidenced the need to implement a routine protocol for the nutritional assessment and support of cancer patients at risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia to reduce the risk of NI during their hospital stay.

Association between high preoperative body mass index and mortality after cancer surgery

Despite an association between obesity and increased mortality in the general population, obesity has been paradoxically reported with improved mortality of surgery and some types of cancer. However, this has not been fully investigated in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Using a cohort consisting of mostly Asian population, we enrolled 87,567 adult patients who underwent cancer surgery from March 2010 to December 2019. They were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): 53,980 (61.6%) in the normal (18.5–25 kg/m2), 2,787 (3.2%) in the low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2), and 30,800 (35.2%) in the high BMI (≥25 kg/m2) groups. The high BMI group was further stratified into overweight (25–30 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) groups. The primary outcome was mortality during three years after surgery. Following adjustment by inverse probability weighting, mortality during three years after surgery was significantly lower in the high BMI group than the normal (4.8% vs. 7.0%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; confidence interval [CI], 0.64–0.77; p < 0.001) and low BMI (4.8% vs. 13.0%; HR: 0.38; CI: 0.35–0.42; p < 0.001) groups. The mortalities of the overweight and obese groups were lower than that of the normal group (7.0% vs. 5.0%; HR: 0.72; CI: 0.67–0.77; p < 0.001 and 7.0% vs. 3.3%; HR: 0.57; CI: 0.50–0.65; p < 0.001, respectively). This association was not observed in female patients and those undergoing surgery for breast and gynecological cancers. High BMI may be associated with decreased mortality after cancer surgery. Further investigations are needed for clinical application of our finding.

The obesity paradox in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Obesity is widely regarded as an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, recent studies have shown that lower mortality and better cancer-specific survival were observed in CRC patients with elevated body mass index (BMI), an example of the obesity paradox, which is the inverse correlation between obesity and mortality in some populations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between BMI and CRC outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant articles published from inception to December 31, 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies comparing the prognosis of CRC patients with obesity or overweight with that of normal-weight CRC patients were eligible.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted by 2 reviewers independently; differences were resolved by a third reviewer. BMI was classified according to WHO categories.

DATA ANALYSIS

To assess the prognostic effects of different BMI categories in CRC patients, hazard ratios and 95%CIs of overall survival, disease-free survival, and cancer-specific survival were extracted from included articles.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies (55 391 patients in total) were included. Higher BMI was significantly associated with more favorable CRC outcomes. Compared with normal-weight patients, underweight patients had worse overall survival (HR = 1.26; 95%CI, 1.15-1.37) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.19; 95%CI, 1.11-1.27, while patients with overweight had better overall survival (HR = 0.92; 95%CI, 0.86-0.99), disease-free survival (HR = 0.96; 95%CI, 0.93-1.00), and cancer-specific survival (HR = 0.86; 95%CI, 0.76-0.98). Patients with morbid obesity had worse overall survival (HR = 1.12; 95%CI, 1.02-1.22) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.15; 95%CI, 1.07-1.24) than normal-weight patients. There was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival between patients with obesity (HR = 0.94; 95%CI, 0.76-1.16) and patients with normal weight, nor between patients with underweight and patients with normal weight (HR = 1.14; 95%CI, 0.82-1.58).

CONCLUSIONS

CRC patients with a higher BMI appear to have reduced mortality compared with normal-weight CRC patients, even though higher BMI/obesity is an established determinant for the development of CRC.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020202320.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Surgical Outcomes in Oncologic Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing recognition, obesity continues to represent a major health issue for millions of people in the USA and worldwide. There is a paucity in the literature regarding the effect of body mass index (BMI) on microsurgical head and neck reconstruction. The present study hypothesized that high BMI is predictive of postoperative recipient- and donor-site complications with longer operative times.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of patients who underwent free flap surgery for head and neck reconstruction was performed between January 2005 and December 2018. Patients were categorized into four groups based on BMI: < 20 kg/m², 20-30 kg/m², 30-40 kg/m², and ≥ 40 kg/m². Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between the four groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 4000 free flap surgeries were included in the present study, performed on 3753 patients, of whom 9.9% had a BMI < 20 kg/m², 64.9% had a BMI between 20 and 30 kg/m², 21.6% had a BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m², and 3.6% had a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m². After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariate analysis showed no association between BMI and any complication, major recipient complications, or total flap loss. However, multivariate linear regression model showed BMI 30-40 kg/m² and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² to be independently associated with longer operative times compared with BMI < 20 kg/m².

CONCLUSION

Obesity and high BMI increase operative times; however, with meticulous surgical technique and diligent postoperative care, microvascular head and neck reconstructions can be performed safely and reliably in the majority of patients regardless of BMI with similar overall, recipient-site, and donor-site complications.

Impact of body mass index on short-term outcomes after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery: a nationwide inpatient database study in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have shown worse post-operative outcomes following several surgeries in underweight or obese patients. However, the association between body mass index (BMI) and short-term outcomes following thyroid cancer surgery remains unclear because of the small number of patients, deficits in background data known as risk factors (e.g. cancer stage, operative procedure, intraoperative device use and hospital volume) and categorisation of BMI.

METHODS

We identified patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer from July 2010 to March 2017 using a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. We used restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses to investigate potential non-linear associations between BMI (without categorisation) and outcomes: post-operative complications (local and general), duration of anaesthesia, post-operative length of hospital stay and hospitalisation costs. The analyses were adjusted for demographic and clinical backgrounds including the above-stated factors. We also performed multivariable regression analyses for the outcomes with categorisation of BMI.

RESULTS

Among 59,671 eligible patients, the median BMI was 22.9 kg/m2 (interquartile range (IQR), 20.7-25.6 kg/m2). In total, 3860 patients (6.5%) had local complications and 787 patients (1.3%) had general complications. Although there were no significant associations with local complications, such as bleeding, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and surgical site infection, the occurrence of general complications was significantly associated with higher BMI. BMI showed a linear association with the duration of anaesthesia and U-shaped associations with post-operative length of stay and hospitalisation costs. The lowest points of the U-shaped curves occurred at a BMI of approximately 24 kg/m2. The multivariate regression analyses showed consistent results with the RCS analyses.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Whereas RCS analyses revealed no significant associations between BMI and post-operative local complications, obesity was significantly associated with the occurrence of general complications. The linear association between BMI and duration of anaesthesia corresponds to previous studies. Although post-operative length of stay and total hospitalisation costs demonstrated U-shaped associations, the slight differences would not be clinically important. Even if surgeons must pay attention to general complications in obese patients undergoing thyroid cancer surgery as well as other surgeries, underweight and overweight patients can undergo thyroidectomy as safely as patients with normal BMI.

Association between protein intake and mortality in older patients receiving parenteral nutrition: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition of inpatients is often overlooked and remains a serious concern. However, there are few studies on the relations between infused energy and amino acid intakes and clinical outcomes in older patients on parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the short-term outcomes of infused energy and amino acid intakes in older patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study using a national inpatient database covering >1000 hospitals in Japan. Participants were those who underwent central venous (CV) port insertion between 2011 and 2016, were aged ≥65 y, and did not have cancer. Based on the types and amounts of products used for enteral feeding and intravenous feeding on postoperative day (POD) 7 after CV port insertion, the infused energy and amino acid intakes were estimated. The primary end point was mortality on POD 90. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate the relations of infused energy and amino acid intakes with mortality on POD 90.

RESULTS

A total of 10,153 patients aged ≥65 y who underwent CV port insertion were included. The mortality rates at 90 d after central venous port insertion were 14.9% and 14.0% (risk difference, 0.9%; 95% CI: -0.5%, 2.3%; P = 0.216) with infused energy intakes <20 and ≥20 kcal/kg, respectively, and 15.4% and 13.2% (risk difference, 2.2%; 95% CI: 0.9%, 3.6%; P = 0.001) with infused amino acid intakes <0.8 and ≥0.8 g/kg, respectively. The differences were retained after adjustment for multiple variables including hospital, age, sex, BMI, emergency admission, and 27 major underlying diseases. The OR for the ≥0.8-g/kg group compared with the <0.8-g/kg group was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.99; P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

A positive relation between infused amino acid intake and mortality was found in older patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

Dose-response association between nurse staffing and patient outcomes following major cancer surgeries using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the non-linear dose-response associations between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed that higher nurse staffing levels were associated with better patient outcomes. However, it remains unclear whether there are thresholds for the associations between higher nurse staffing levels and improved patient outcomes.

DESIGNS

Retrospective observational study design following the STROBE guideline.

METHODS

We identified all patients aged ≥20 years who underwent one of six major cancer surgeries between July 2010 and March 2018 using data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a nationwide database for acute-care inpatients in Japan. Restricted cubic spline regression analyses, the statistical method that allows non-linear functional form, were performed with several scenarios of cut-off points to examine the dose-response associations between patient-to-nurse ratio per shift and failure to rescue, 30-day in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Among 645,687 patients, restricted cubic spline regression analyses showed insignificant associations of patient-to-nurse ratio with failure to rescue and 30-day in-hospital mortality with no threshold, but a reverse J-shaped association with postoperative complications with a threshold of patient-to-nurse ratio per shift of 5.4.

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of postoperative complications, additional registered nurses were associated with decreased postoperative complications. However, this incremental benefit of additional registered nurses may disappear if hospitals allocate five to six number of registered nurses in general wards.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study suggested that additional registered nurses over one per five to six patients may not bring the incremental benefit to decrease postoperative complications.

Comparing Perioperative Mortality and Morbidity of Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Versus Open Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis

OBJECTIVE

We compared the surgical outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) and open esophagectomy (OE) for esophageal cancer.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

MIE has become a widespread procedure. However, the definitive advantages of MIE over OE at a nationwide level have not been established.

METHODS

We analyzed patients who underwent esophagectomy for clinical stage 0 to III esophageal cancer from April 2014 to March 2017 using a Japanese inpatient database. We performed propensity score matching to compare in-hospital mortality and morbidities between MIE and OE, accounting for clustering of patients within hospitals.

RESULTS

Among 14,880 patients, propensity matching generated 4572 pairs. MIE was associated with lower incidences of in-hospital mortality (1.2% vs 1.7%, P = 0.048), surgical site infection (1.9% vs 2.6%, P = 0.04), anastomotic leakage (12.8% vs 16.8%, P < 0.001), blood transfusion (21.9% vs 33.8%, P < 0.001), reoperation (8.6% vs 9.9%, P = 0.03), tracheotomy (4.8% vs 6.3%, P = 0.002), and unplanned intubation (6.3% vs 8.4%, P < 0.001); a shorter postoperative length of stay (23 vs 26 days, P < 0.001); higher incidences of vocal cord dysfunction (9.2% vs 7.5%, P < 0.001) and prolonged intubation period after esophagectomy (23.2% vs 19.3%, P < 0.001); and a longer duration of anesthesia (408 vs 363 minutes, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

MIE had favorable outcomes in terms of in-hospital mortality, morbidities, and the postoperative hospital stay.

Structured Lifestyle Modification Prior to Bariatric Surgery: How Much is Enough?

Many healthcare systems require patients to participate in a structured lifestyle modification programme prior to bariatric surgery, even though bariatric consensus guidelines do not recommend this. While there is good evidence that such programmes improve health in other conditions such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, there is no evidence that they improve outcomes after bariatric surgery. The distinction needs to be drawn between the well-established need for individualised multidisciplinary dietetic and physical activity care for bariatric surgical patients and the potential harms from mandating participation in compulsory structured lifestyle programmes of fixed duration, frequency and intensity, which may delay surgery, reinforce obesity stigma, or both. Large clinical trials might help to address some of the uncertainty and provide an evidence base for clinicians and policymakers.

The Obesity Paradox in Elderly Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery: A Nationwide Analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity has long been considered a risk factor for postoperative adverse events in surgery. We sought to study the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the clinical outcomes of the high-risk emergency general surgery (EGS) elderly patients.

METHODS

All EGS ≥65 years old patients in the 2007-2016 ACS-NSQIP database, identified using the variables 'emergency' and 'surgspec,' were included. Patients were classified into five groups: normal weight: BMI <25 kg/m², overweight: BMI ≥25 kg/m² and <30 kg/m², Class I: BMI ≥30 kg/m² and <35 kg/m², Class II: BMI ≥35 kg/m² and <40 kg/m², and Class III: BMI ≥40 kg/m². Patients with BMI<18.5 kg/m² were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to assess the relationship between obesity and 30-day postoperative mortality, overall morbidity, and individual postoperative complications after adjusting for demographics (e.g., age, gender), comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, heart failure), laboratory tests (e.g., white blood cell count, albumin), and operative complexity (e.g., ASA classification).

RESULTS

A total of 78,704 patients were included, of which 26,011 were overweight (33.1%), 13,897 (17.6%) had Class I obesity, 5904 (7.5%) had Class II obesity, and 4490 (5.7%) had Class III obesity. On multivariable analyses, compared to the nonobese, patients who are overweight or with Class I-III obesity paradoxically had a lower risk of mortality, bleeding requiring transfusion, pneumonia, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Additionally, the incidence of MI and stroke decreased in a stepwise fashion as BMI progressed from overweight to severely obese (MI: OR: 0.84 [0.73-0.95], OR: 0.73 [0.62-0.86], OR: 0.66 [0.52-0.83], OR: 0.51 [0.38-0.68]; stroke: OR: 0.80 [0.65-0.99], OR: 0.79 [0.62-1.02], OR: 0.71 [0.50-1.00], OR: 0.43 [0.28-0.68]).

CONCLUSION

In our study of elderly EGS patients, overweight and obese patients had a lower risk of mortality, bleeding requiring transfusion, pneumonia, reintubation, stroke, and MI. Further studies are needed to confirm and investigate the obesity paradox in this patient population.

Effects of a high body mass index on the short-term outcomes and prognosis after radical gastrectomy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high body mass index (BMI) on the outcomes of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1729 patients with stage I to III gastric cancer who received open radical gastrectomy from February 2003 to August 2011. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI: a low BMI group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), normal BMI group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m²), and high BMI group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²).

RESULTS

A total of 871 patients were included in the final analysis, of which the median BMI was 22.7 kg/m² (range 13.6-44.9 kg/m²). A high BMI increased the risk of postoperative intestinal fistula but not the risk of a reduced number of examined lymph nodes or hospital death. Furthermore, a high BMI did not negatively affect the overall survival (OS) of gastric cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A high BMI increased the operative morbidity after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, a high BMI did not negatively affect the quality of lymphadenectomy or the OS of gastric cancer patients in experienced high-volume centers. A careful approach during operation and meticulous perioperative management are required for gastric cancer patients with a high BMI.

Impact of obesity in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

When performing colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in obese patients, technically difficult cases are sometimes experienced because of difficulty with the insertion of the colonoscope, poor scope maneuverability, or an abundance of fat tissue in the submucosal layer. Since the association between obesity and colorectal ESD has not been investigated, we evaluated the clinical impact of obesity in patients who underwent colorectal ESD.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 535 patients who underwent colorectal ESD between April 2012 and February 2019. Patients were divided into three groups based on their body mass index (BMI): a control group (BMI < 25 kg/m²), an overweight group (25 kg/m² ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²), and an obese group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and the short-term clinical outcomes were analyzed to assess the safety and difficulty of colorectal ESD.

RESULTS

No significant difference in the procedure times, en bloc resection rates, pathological diagnoses, or complications were seen among the groups. While the amount of sedative per body weight was significantly lower in the group with a higher BMI (flunitrazepam: 1.75 × 10^-2 [1.27 × 10^-2-2.34 × 10^-2] mg/kg vs. 1.48 × 10^-2 [1.08 × 10^-2-2.03 × 10^-2] mg/kg vs. 1.16 × 10^-2 [0.98 × 10^-2-1.54 × 10^-2] mg/kg, P < 0.001; pethidine: 0.63 [0.55-0.72] mg/kg vs. 0.50 [0.46-0.56] mg/kg vs. 0.39 [0.32-0.45] mg/kg, P < 0.001), a reduction in percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation occurred significantly more frequently in the group with a higher BMI (123 [30.2%] vs. 43 [43.9%] vs. 10 [55.6%], P = 0.005). When the procedures were performed by trainees, the number of cases that required a procedure time of longer than 90 min was significantly larger in the group with a higher BMI (27 [10.8%] vs. 14 [21.9%] vs. 3 [25.0%], P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that colorectal ESD could be performed safely and effectively in obese patients. However, ESD in obese patients requires attention, particularly to changes in respiratory conditions.

Body mass index affects postoperative daily activities of older patients after gastrectomy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the impact of preoperative body mass index (BMI) on postoperative activities of daily living (ADL) and clinical outcomes in older patients who underwent curative gastrectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan. The study included 1769 patients with gastric cancer, aged ≥ 65 years old, who underwent gastrectomy. BMI was defined as per the World Health Organization classifications for Asian populations. Primary outcome was ADL at discharge, assessed by Barthel index. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Patients analyzed included 890 (50.3%) aged 65-74 years, 745 (42.1%) aged 75-84 years, and 134 (7.6%) aged ≥ 85 years; 71.5% were male. According to BMI classification, 11.9% patients were considered underweight (< 18.5 kg/m²), 46.7% were in the standard range (18.5 to < 23 kg/m²), 34.1% were classified as overweight (23-27.5 kg/m²), and 7.3% were in the obese group (≥ 27.5 kg/m²). In multivariate analysis, a significant association was observed between BMI and Barthel index scores (underweight group: standardized coefficient, - 0.040; compared with standard group; p = 0.013), postoperative complication (obese group: odds ratio, 1.562; compared with standard group; p = 0.034), and length of hospital stay (obese group: standardized coefficient, 0.047; compared with standard group; p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative management with a focus on BMI is important in older patients undergoing elective curative gastrectomy.

Reverse J-shaped relationship between body mass index and in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalized for heart failure in Japan

Several lines of evidence demonstrated body mass index (BMI) to be inversely associated with outcomes of patients with HF, so-called obesity paradox. However, the relationship between BMI and outcomes of patients with HF in Japan has been poorly understood. This study sought to explore the relationship between BMI and in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) in Japan and whether BMI at hospital admission could be used for the risk stratification of hospitalized HF patients. We studied 407,722 patients hospitalized for HF between January 2010 and March 2018, using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a national inpatient database in Japan. Patients were categorized into four groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), 66,342 patients (16.3%); normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), 240,801 patients (59.1%); pre-obesity (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), 76,954 patients (18.9%); and obesity (≥ 30.0 kg/m²), 23,625 patients (5.8%). Pre-obese and obese patients were younger and more likely to be male. Advanced HF symptoms were more common among underweight patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis fitted with generalized estimating equation showed that, compared with normal weight patients underweight patients had higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.45-1.55), whereas pre-obese patients (odds ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.83) and obese patients (odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.84-0.97) had lower in-hospital mortality. Restricted cubic spline showed a reverse J-shaped relationship between BMI and in-hospital mortality with the bottoms of splines around BMI 26 kg/m². In conclusion, underweight patients had higher, and pre-obese and obese patients had lower in-hospital mortality compared to patients with normal weight patients. Furthermore, restricted cubic spline indicated a reverse J-shaped relationship between BMI and in-hospital mortality. Our findings are informative for the risk stratification of patients hospitalized for HF according to BMI.

Outcomes of Urinary Diversion for Late Adverse Effects of Gynecologic Radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the risks of urinary diversion performed to address adverse effects of gynecologic radiation, with the hypothesis that high grade complications would be more common in sarcopenic women and in those undergoing continent diversion (vs noncontinent) or concomitant cystectomy (vs bladder-sparing diversion).

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patient records of women who underwent urinary diversion for urinary adverse effects of gynecologic radiotherapy during the period of 2008-2018 from 3 tertiary centers. Skeletal muscle index was calculated to assess for sarcopenia based on preoperative computed tomography scans. Outcomes include high-grade postoperative complications within 90 days of surgery, 30-day readmission rate, and long-term (>90 days) outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 34 women who met the inclusion criteria, the majority were white/Caucasian (73.5%). Twenty-six of 34 (76.5%) underwent noncontinent diversion. Seventy nine percent (27/34) (79.4%) of women experienced complications within 90 days; 9 of 34 (26.5%) experienced high-grade (Clavien grade ≥3) complications. Thirty-two percent (11/34) were readmitted within 30 days. Rates of high-grade complications were not significantly impacted by diversion type (P = .49), concurrent cystectomy (P = .70), or sarcopenia (P = 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary diversion for late adverse effects of gynecologic radiotherapy is associated with high peri-operative risk, even in skilled hands. In this series, neither sarcopenia, nor continent diversion, nor cystectomy were associated with increased complications. Patients and surgeons should consider risks and benefits when deciding to proceed with urinary diversion, however further study is needed to elucidate significant preoperative markers which may predispose patients to significant complications.

Nutritional and Clinical Factors Affecting Weight and Fat-Free Mass Loss after Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer

After a gastrectomy, the nutritional status of patients with gastric cancer has great effect on the treatment outcome and patients' quality of life. We investigated the changes in body composition and nutrient intake after gastrectomy in 288 gastric cancer patients. A multiple linear regression analysis was used for each time period to verify the effects of nutritional and clinical factors on weight and fat-free mass loss rates. Gastric cancer patients who underwent a gastrectomy continued to experience weight and fat-free mass loss until three months after surgery and became stagnant at six months. The marginal mean of calorie intake per weight was 24.5, 26.8, and 29.4 kcal at one, three, and six months. The protein intake per kg lean mass was 1.14, 1.14, and 1.16 g at one, three, and six months, respectively. One month after surgery, the rate of weight loss increased significantly in females who received chemotherapy (p < 0.001). At one to three months postoperative, females who had undergone chemotherapy tended to significantly lose weight (p = 0.016). Females with a history of chemotherapy also showed a reduction in fat-free mass for one to three months (p = 0.036). Calorie intake was a significant factor in preventing fat-free mass weight loss at one month after surgery. Chemotherapy was an independent factor affecting the weight and fat-free mass loss rate up to six months after gastrectomy. Careful monitoring of weight and muscle mass changes following active nutritional intervention for sufficient nutrition support could be helpful for patients after gastrectomy.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcomes After Breast Cancer Surgery: Nationwide Inpatient Database Study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown better postoperative outcomes in mildly obese patients, a phenomenon called the obesity paradox. In the field of breast cancer surgery, however, previous studies have only shown an association between obesity and worse postoperative outcomes using multivariable analysis; the obesity paradox has not been investigated in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified patients who underwent mastectomy for stage 0 to III breast cancer from July 2010 to March 2017 using a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. We used restricted cubic spline analyses to investigate potential nonlinear associations between body mass index (BMI) and outcomes (postoperative complications, 30-day readmission, duration of anesthesia, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs). We also performed multivariable regression analyses for the outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 239,108 eligible patients, 25.6% had a BMI of > 25.0 kg/m². BMI showed U-shaped associations with postoperative complications, length of stay, and hospitalization costs, and a linear association with duration of anesthesia. The proportion of postoperative complications was lowest at a BMI of around 22.0 kg/m², while the length of stay was shortest and total costs were lowest at a BMI of around 20.0 kg/m². Compared to a BMI of 22.0 kg/m², a BMI of > 30.0 kg/m² was significantly associated with greater postoperative complications, 30-day readmission, duration of anesthesia, length of stay, and hospitalization costs.

CONCLUSION

Restricted cubic spline analyses displayed U-shaped associations between BMI and in-hospital complications, length of stay, and hospitalization costs, but none of the associations showed the obesity paradox.

Association of pre-operative chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury with in-hospital outcomes of emergency colorectal surgery: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pre-operative kidney function is known to be associated with surgical outcomes. However, in emergency surgery, the pre-operative kidney function may reflect chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI). We examined the association of pre-operative CKD and/or AKI with in-hospital outcomes of emergency colorectal surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including adult patients undergoing emergency colorectal surgery in 38 Japanese hospitals between 2010 and 2017. We classified patients into five groups according to the pre-operative status of CKD (defined as baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or recorded diagnosis of CKD), AKI (defined as admission serum creatinine value/baseline serum creatinine value ≥ 1.5), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD): (i) CKD(-)AKI(-), (ii) CKD(-)AKI(+), (iii) CKD(+)AKI(-), (iv) CKD(+)AKI(+), and (v) ESRD groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included use of vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, post-operative renal replacement therapy, and length of hospital stay. We compared these outcomes among the five groups, followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis for in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 3002 patients with emergency colorectal surgery (mean age 70.3 ± 15.4 years, male 54.5%). The in-hospital mortality was 8.6% (169/1963), 23.8% (129/541), 15.3% (52/340), 28.8% (17/59), and 32.3% (32/99) for CKD(-)AKI(-), CKD(-)AKI(+), CKD(+)AKI(-), CKD(+)AKI(+), and ESRD, respectively. Other outcomes such as blood transfusion and post-operative renal replacement therapy showed similar trends. Compared to the CKD(-)AKI(-) group, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for in-hospital mortality was 2.54 (1.90-3.40), 1.29 (0.90-1.85), 2.86 (1.54-5.32), and 2.76 (1.55-4.93) for CKD(-)AKI(+), CKD(+)AKI(-), CKD(+)AKI(+), and ESRD groups, respectively. Stratified by baseline eGFR (> 90, 60-89, 30-59, and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and AKI status, the crude in-hospital mortality and adjusted odds ratio increased in patients with baseline eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 among patients without AKI, while these were constantly high regardless of baseline eGFR among patients with AKI. Additional analysis restricting to 2162 patients receiving the surgery on the day of hospital admission showed similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

The differentiation of pre-operative CKD and AKI, especially the identification of AKI, is useful for risk stratification in patients undergoing emergency colorectal surgery.

A Modified ypTNM Staging System-Development and External Validation of a Nomogram Predicting the Overall Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients Received Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now widely used in gastric cancer patients. However, the current 8th ypTNM staging system is developed based on patients with less extensive lymph node dissection and the predictive value is relatively limited. In this study, we aim to develop and validate a nomogram that predicts overall survival in gastric cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

From January, 2007 to December, 2014, 471 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our center were enrolled in the study. Based on the Cox proportional hazard model, a nomogram was developed from them and then an external validation was conducted on a cohort of 239 patients from another cancer center.

Results

The overall survival (OS) rates of 1 year and 3 years were 90.0% and 64.1%, respectively. Body mass index category, tumor location, T stage and N stage were independent prognostic factors for the survival outcome. The C-index of the model was 0.74 in the development cohort and 0.69 in the validation cohort. Our nomogram also showed good calibration in both cohorts.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a nomogram to predict the 1- and 3-year OS of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. This nomogram predicts survival more accurately than the AJCC TNM staging system, which is the current golden standard.

Usability of Clinical Information in Discharge Summary Data in the Diagnosis Procedure Combination Survey for Cancer Patients

Valid data are required to monitor and measure the quality of cancer treatment. This study aims to assess the usability of diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) survey discharge summary data. DPC survey data were analyzed by linking them to the hospital-based cancer registries (HBCR) from 231 hospitals. We focused on patients who were aged 20 years or older and diagnosed in 2013 with stomach, colorectal, liver, lung, or breast cancer. We assessed the percentage of unknown/missing values in supplementary data for patients with five common cancers and compared DPC cancer stage information to that of HBCR. In total, 279,451 discharge data sets for 180,399 patients were analyzed. The percentages of unknown data for smoking index and height/weight were 10.5% and 2.3%, respectively, and varied from 0.0% to 93.0% between hospitals. In the activity of daily living component, the rates of missing data for climbing stairs (3.6%) and bathing (2.9%) at admission were slightly higher than for other elements. Unexpectedly low concordance rate of tumor, node, and metastasis classification between DPC survey and HBCR data was observed as 80.6%, which means 20.4% of the data showed discrepancies. The usability of DPC survey discharge summary data is generally acceptable, but some variables had substantial amounts of missing values.

Mortality and risk assessment for anorexia nervosa in acute-care hospitals: a nationwide administrative database analysis

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a common eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric diseases. However, few studies have examined inpatient characteristics and treatment for AN. This study aimed to characterise the association between mortality and risk factors in patients with AN in acute-care hospitals.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, retrospective analysis of the Japanese Diagnosis and Procedure Combination inpatient database. Data extraction occurred from April 2010 to March 2016. We estimated in-hospital mortality and identified independent risk factors, using multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine patient characteristics and physical and psychological comorbidities.

RESULTS

We identified 6937 patients with AN aged ≥12 years in 885 acute-care hospitals. Of these, 361 (5.2%) were male. Male and female participants' median ages at first admission were 34 (17-65) and 28 (17-41) years, respectively. In total, 195 in-hospital patient deaths, including 22 (6.1%) men and 173 (2.6%) women, it was observed that the unadjusted odds ratio of mortality for male patients was more than twice that for female patients (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.45-3.81). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated an adjusted odds ratio of 2.19 (95% CI: 1.29-3.73). Age at first hospital admission, percentage of ideal body weight, comorbidities, and hypotension were significantly associated with increased mortality risk, but the frequency of hospitalization, bradycardia, and other psychiatric disorders were not. Treatment in a university hospital was associated with lower mortality risk (odds ratio: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.30-0.67).

CONCLUSION

The results highlighted sex differences in mortality rates. Potential risk factors could contribute to improved treatment and outcomes. These retrospective findings indicate a need for further longitudinal examination of these patients.

Overweight or Obesity is an Unfavorable Long-Term Prognostic Factor for Patients who Underwent Gastrectomy for Stage II/III Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been reported to be a prognostic factor for many diseases in epidemiological studies; however, the results of studies examining the relationship between obesity and gastric cancer (GC) prognosis are inconsistent.

METHODS

A total of 460 patients with Stage II and III GC who underwent open R0 gastrectomy were included. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI classified into < 18.5, 18.5-25, and ≥ 25 kg/m²), stage, and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed to investigate the correlation with relapse-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

Five-year RFS was 51% for the study patients. Five-year RFS values were 47.6%, 54.3%, and 40.1% for patients with BMI < 18.5, 18.5-25, and ≥ 25 kg/m², respectively. The forest plot for relapse risk according to BMI showed a U shape. Multivariate analysis for RFS showed significant differences in stage and BMI; the hazard ratio for recurrence in patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² was 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.02, p = 0.0423) with reference to patients with BMI < 25 kg/m². BMI ≥ 25.0 was associated with longer operation times, more blood loss, fewer lymph nodes dissected, more frequent postoperative surgical site infection, and intra-abdominal abscesses.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² is an unfavorable prognostic factor for patients who underwent gastrectomy for Stage II and III GC.

Comparison of preoperative Nutritional Risk Index and Body Mass Index for predicting immediate postoperative outcomes following major gastrointestinal surgery: Cohort-study

Background

Malnutrition is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality following gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) and Body Mass Index (BMI) are the two well-validated tools that are readily available and do not add financial burden to the patients. The study aimed to analyze NRI and BMI as a preoperative nutritional indicator of postoperative complications following GI surgeries.

Methods

It is an observational study, where preoperative nutritional status and early postoperative complications <30 days (infectious or noninfectious) were studied. The patients admitted between July 2015 to May 2017, who underwent major GI surgeries were included in the study. The correlation between NRI and BMI of these patients were evaluated.

Results

The rate of wound infection was 4 (30.7%) out of 13 in severe malnutrition subgroup defined by NRI <83.5 which was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.003). However, it was not significant in a subgroup of patients with undernutrition defined by BMI <18.49%. In a subgroup analysis, abnormal NRI was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.004) in patients with malignant disease and malnutrition 64 (47.76%) out of 97 (72.3%). The mean NRI (94.49 ± 9.164) better correlated with advancing age (p < 0.05) and the correlation coefficient of 0.3100 showed a significant negative correlation. With 10 fold increase in age (r² = 0.096) the likelihood of malnutrition was 9.6% and subsequently increased postoperative complications.

Conclusion

In cases of malignancy and advanced age, NRI is a better predictor of immediate postoperative outcome than BMI.

•

Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) and Body mass Index (BMI) were used to screen the preoperative patients.

•

NRI and BMI are the two well validated tools which is readily available and does not add financial burden to the patients.

•

NRI better correlated with postoperative wound infections and the length of hospital stay.

•

The patients with advanced age and malignant diseases were at higher risk of malnutrition and postoperative complications.

Does Low Body Mass Index Predict Mortality in Asian Hospitalized Patients?

BACKGROUND

Studies on malnutrition suggest low body mass index (BMI) may be associated with poor clinical outcomes. We investigated published data to identify whether low BMI could predict short-term and long-term clinical outcomes in Asian hospitalized patients.

METHODS

A search was conducted in the PubMed database including terms "body mass index" or "BMI" or "malnutrition" or "undernutrition" AND "Asia" or "Asian" AND "outcome" or "complication" or "mortality" or "survival" or "ICU" for publications in English in the past 10 years. Papers with data and clinical outcomes from Asian hospitalized patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m² and sample size >50 were included. Forest plots were constructed to determine the odds of hospital complications, hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, and 5-year mortality in patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m² vs BMI ≥18.5 kg/m² .

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were included, 16 of which were analyzed for the association between low BMI and clinical outcomes. The prevalence of BMI <18.5 kg/m² varied from 3% to 48% in different disease settings and Asian areas. Patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m² had significantly higher ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.84-2.01), higher hospital mortality (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 2.42-2.55), and higher 5-year mortality (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.08-3.63). Complications during hospital stay were significantly higher in patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m² (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.65-2.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMI defined as <18.5 kg/m² may predict worse short-term and longer-term outcomes in Asian hospitalized patients.

Short-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Open Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy is gradually gaining popularity; however, previous studies have produced conflicting results regarding the safety and advantages of the procedure, partly because of small sample sizes. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term outcomes between laparoscopic and open total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed data for patients undergoing laparoscopic or open total gastrectomy for clinical stage I-III gastric cancer from July 2010 to March 2017, using a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. We performed propensity-matched analyses to compare in-hospital mortality, morbidity, duration of anesthesia, time to first oral intake, and length of postoperative stay between the two groups.

RESULTS

Among 58,689 eligible patients, propensity-score matching created 12,229 pairs. Laparoscopic total gastrectomy was associated with higher incidences of anastomotic leakage (2.9% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001) and stenosis (0.9% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.02), lower incidences of pancreatic injury (1.4% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.01), endoscopic hemostasis (0.9% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001), blood transfusion (9.9% vs. 17.7%, p < 0.001) and 30-day readmission, a shorter interval from surgery to first oral intake (4 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (14 vs. 15 days, p < 0.001), and a longer duration of anesthesia (323 vs. 304 min, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (0.6% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy has some advantages over open surgery for gastric cancer in terms of time to first oral intake and postoperative length of stay, but the incidence of anastomotic leakage was higher than that of open total gastrectomy.

Weight loss and BMI criteria in GLIM's definition of malnutrition is associated with postoperative complications following abdominal resections - Results from a National Quality Registry

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although malnutrition is thought to be common among patients with intraabdominal diseases and is recognized as a risk factor for postoperative complications, diagnostic criteria for malnutrition have not been consistent. Thus, the Global Leadership Initiative in Malnutrition (GLIM) has recently published new criteria for malnutrition. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition according to weight loss and BMI criteria in GLIM's second step for the diagnosis and their association with severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing gastrointestinal resections.

METHOD

The current study includes adult patients who were prospectively included in the Norwegian Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery in the period between 2015 and 2018. Exclusion criteria were acute surgery and lack of information regarding preoperative weight and/or postoperative complications. Severe surgical complications were classified according to the Revised Accordion Classification system and malnutrition with the GLIM criteria. Associations were assessed by logistic regression analyses, and the adjusted odds ratio included age (continuous), gender (male/female) and scores from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

RESULTS

Out of 6110 patients, 2161 (35.4%) were classified as with malnutrition, 1206 (19.7%) with moderate and 955 (15.6%) with severe malnutrition. Malnourished patients were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.13-1.47) times more likely to develop severe surgical complications, and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.27-3.65) times more likely to die within 30 days, as compared to those who were not.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative malnutrition is common among patients having gastrointestinal resections and is associated with an increased risk of severe surgical complications.

Clinical and experimental studies of intraperitoneal lipolysis and the development of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreatic surgery

Background

Visceral obesity is one of the risk factors for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreatic resection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of intraperitoneal lipolysis on postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Methods

The degree of intraperitoneal lipolysis was investigated by measuring the free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge in patients after pancreatic resection. An experimental pancreatic fistula model was prepared by pancreatic transection, and the impact of intraperitoneal lipolysis was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration of triolein (triglyceride) with, or without orlistat (lipase inhibitor).

Results

Thirty-three patients were included in the analysis. The free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge on postoperative day 1 was significantly associated with the development of a clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (P = 0·004). A higher free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge was associated with more visceral adipose tissue (P = 0·009). In the experimental model that included 98 rats, intraperitoneal lipolysis caused an increased amount of pancreatic juice leakage and multiple organ dysfunction. Intraperitoneal administration of a lipase inhibitor reduced lipolysis and prevented deterioration of the fistula.

Conclusion

Intraperitoneal lipolysis significantly exacerbates pancreatic fistula after pancreatic resection. Inhibition of lipolysis by intraperitoneal administration of a lipase inhibitor could be a promising therapy to reduce clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Preoperative weight loss program involving a 20-day very low-calorie diet for obesity before laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION

The increased visceral fat in patients with obesity can increase the technical difficulty of surgery. This study was performed to evaluate a preoperative 20-day very low-calorie diet for obesity before laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

This prospective single-center study involved patients with obesity who were planning to undergo laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Obesity was defined according to the Japanese criteria: BMI ≥25 kg/m² or waist circumference ≥85 cm in men and ≥90 cm in women. The patients underwent a preoperative 20-day very low-calorie diet and received nutritional counseling. Weight loss, body composition, visceral fat mass, and operative outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were enrolled from September 2013 to August 2015. Their median age was 71 years, and 78.8% were men. Their median bodyweight and BMI were 72.3 kg (range, 53.8-82.5 kg) and 26.0 kg/m² (range, 23.5-31.0 kg/m² ), respectively. The patients achieved a mean weight loss of 4.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-5.1), corresponding to 3.2 kg (95%CI: 2.7-3.7 kg). Body fat mass was significantly decreased by a mean of 2.5 kg (95%CI: 1.9-3.1), whereas skeletal muscle mass was unaffected (mean: -0.20 kg [95%CI: -0.55-0.15]). The visceral fat mass reduction rate was high as 16.8% (range, 11.6%-22.0%). All patients underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy as planned. Severe postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III) was seen in only one patient (3.0%).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative 20-day very low-calorie diet weight loss program is promising for the treatment of obesity before laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Relationship between the Body Mass Index and Tumor Site Postoperative Complications and Prognosis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

The impact of BMI on survival in gastric cancer (GC) is not clear. We sought to explore the relationship between BMI and tumor site, clinicopathologic characteristics, postoperative complications, and prognosis in GC patients. Patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC between January 2011 and June 2016 formed the study cohort (n = 827). Patients were divided into three groups according to the BMI (in kg/m2): “low” (<18.5), “normal” (18.5–24.9), and “high” (≥25.0). The preoperative level of albumin and hemoglobin in the low BMI group was lower than that in the high BMI or normal BMI group ( P < 0.05). The prevalence of gastric-cardia cancer in the high BMI group was significantly higher than that in the low BMI group ( P = 0.001). The prevalence of gastric-antrum cancer in the high BMI group was significantly lower than that in the low BMI group ( P = 0.001) and the normal BMI group ( P = 0.004). The BMI of patients with gastric-cardia cancer was significantly higher than that of patients with gastric-body cancer ( P = 0.018) and gastric-antrum cancer ( P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of tumor size, TNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, degree of tumor differentiation, resection margin, lymph node metastasis, or postoperative complications. BMI was not an independent factor that influenced the prognosis. We found a relationship between BMI and GC site. A low BMI may be associated with a poor prognosis and a high BMI may be related to a favorable prognosis. BMI was not an independent factor that influenced GC prognosis.

The association between body mass index and postoperative complications, 30-day mortality and long-term survival in Dutch patients with colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study aims to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and serious postoperative complications, 30-day mortality and overall survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All CRC patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2013 in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands were included. Patients were categorized into four BMI groups: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≥ BMI<25), overweight (25 ≥ BMI<30), and obese (≥30).

RESULTS

A total of 7371 CRC patients were included (underweight 133 (1.8%); normal weight 2054 (41.4%); overweight 2955 (40.1%); obesity 1229 (16.7%)). Underweight patients were more likely to have postoperative complications (18.8% vs. 11.7%, adjusted OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.08-3.49) and had a worse 30-day mortality (9.8% vs. 3.3%, adjusted OR 4.37, 95% CI 2.03-9.42) compared to normal weight patients. After stratification for stage (stage I-III and stage IV), underweight was associated with a worse overall survival in both groups compared to normal weight (stage I-III: HR 2.06, 95%CI 1.51-2.80; stage IV: HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.11-2.45). Overweight was associated with an improved overall survival compared to normal weight in both stage groups. Only in stage IV patients obesity was associated with a significant better overall survival compared to stage IV normal weight patients.

CONCLUSION

Underweight CRC patients were more likely to have postoperative complications and a worse 30-day mortality compared to patients in other BMI categories. The underweight population also has a worse long-term survival while overweight CRC patients and obese stage IV CRC patients were associated with an improved survival compared to normal weight patients.

Impact of body mass index on long-term survival outcome in Asian populations with solid cancer who underwent curative-intent surgery: A six-year multicenter observational cohort study

Purpose: Being elevated body mass index (BMI) has been considered a poor prognostic factor in patients with cancer. However, studies about the impact of elevated BMI on the survival outcome after cancer surgery have conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of BMI on long-term postoperative survival outcome in a large cohort of Asian population with solid cancers. Methods: A total of 33,551 patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for solid cancers between January 2007 and December 2012 at four hospitals in Taiwan were included. BMI was analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses to determine its association with survival outcome. Results: With a median follow-up of 43.8 (range, 1-91) months, the rate of all-cause mortality was 21.7% (n=7264 patients), while that of cancer-related mortality was 13.4% (n=4499 patients). BMI was a significant prognostic factor in multivariate analysis for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per kg/m² was 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.916-0.929; P<0.001) and 0.932 (95% CI, 0.924-0.940; P<0.001) for OS and CSS, respectively. Patients with BMI <17 kg/m² had the highest postoperative mortality risk, with a hazard ratio of 3.8-fold higher for OS and 5.0-fold higher for CSS than those with BMI >35 kg/m². Conclusions: This study showed that BMI was positively associated with survival outcome in patients with cancer who underwent radical surgery. BMI was an independent prognostic factor and can be used to risk stratify patients in Asians with solid cancers.

Body mass index and complications following major gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective, international cohort study and meta-analysis

AIM

Previous studies reported conflicting evidence on the effects of obesity on outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship of obesity with major postoperative complications in an international cohort and to present a meta-analysis of all available prospective data.

METHODS

This prospective, multicentre study included adults undergoing both elective and emergency gastrointestinal resection, reversal of stoma or formation of stoma. The primary end-point was 30-day major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grades III-V). A systematic search was undertaken for studies assessing the relationship between obesity and major complications after gastrointestinal surgery. Individual patient meta-analysis was used to analyse pooled results.

RESULTS

This study included 2519 patients across 127 centres, of whom 560 (22.2%) were obese. Unadjusted major complication rates were lower in obese vs normal weight patients (13.0% vs 16.2%, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.863) on multivariate analysis for patients having surgery for either malignant or benign conditions. Individual patient meta-analysis demonstrated that obese patients undergoing surgery for malignancy were at increased risk of major complications (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.49-2.96, P < 0.001), whereas obese patients undergoing surgery for benign indications were at decreased risk (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46-0.75, P < 0.001) compared to normal weight patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In our international data, obesity was not found to be associated with major complications following gastrointestinal surgery. Meta-analysis of available prospective data made a novel finding of obesity being associated with different outcomes depending on whether patients were undergoing surgery for benign or malignant disease.

Obesity as a determinant of perioperative and postoperative outcome in patients following colorectal cancer surgery: A population-based study (2009-2016)

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide that can influence perioperative and postoperative outcomes. However, the relationship between obesity and treatment-related perioperative and short-term postoperative morbidity after colorectal resections is still subject to debate.

STUDY

Patients were selected from the DCRA, a population-based audit including 83 hospitals performing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Data regarding primary resections between 2009 and 2016 were eligible for analyses. Patients were subdivided into six categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity class I, II and III.

RESULTS

Of 71,084 patients, 17.7% with colon and 16.4% with rectal cancer were categorized as obese. Significant differences were found for the 30-day overall postoperative complication rate (p < 0.001), prolonged hospitalization (p < 0.001) and readmission rate (colon cancer p < 0.005; rectal cancer p < 0.002) in obese CRC patients. Multivariate analysis identified BMI ≥30 kg/m² as independent predictor of a complicated postoperative course in CRC patients. Furthermore, obesity-related comorbidities were associated with higher postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and a higher readmission rate. No significant differences in performance were observed in postoperative outcomes of morbidly obese CRC patients between hospitals performing bariatric surgery and hospitals that did not.

CONCLUSION

The real-life data analysed in this study reflect daily practice in the Netherlands and identify obesity as a significant risk factor in CRC patients. Obesity-related comorbidities were associated with higher postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and a higher readmission rate in obese CRC patients. No differences were observed between hospitals performing bariatric surgery and hospitals that did not.

Prognostic Roles of Perioperative Body Mass Index and Weight Loss in the Long-Term Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients

Background: Most patients with gastric cancer rapidly lose weight after gastrectomy. Therefore, analysis of the effect of body mass index (BMI) on patients with gastric cancer survival should include postoperative BMI and BMI loss and preoperative BMI. This retrospective cohort study analyzed the effect of three BMI variables and their interaction on long-term outcomes.Methods: Preoperative BMI analysis included 2,063 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2009 and December 2013 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. BMI at postoperative 6 to 12 months was available in 1,845 of these cases.Results: Patients with preoperative BMI 23.0 to <27.5 [HR, 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48-0.82 for BMI 23.0 to <25.0 and HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.78 for BMI 25.0 to <27.5] and postoperative BMI 23.0 to <25.0 (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46-0.98) showed significantly better overall survival (OS) than pre- and postoperative patients with BMI 18.5 to <23.0, respectively. Postoperative underweight (BMI <18.5; HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.27-2.37) and postoperative severe BMI loss (>4.5; HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.29-2.50) were associated with higher mortality. Severe BMI loss and preoperative BMI <23.0 had an adverse synergistic effect; patients with BMI <23.0 were more vulnerable to severe BMI loss than those with BMI ≥23.0. Associations with cancer-specific survival were similar.Conclusions: All three BMI variables were prognostic factors for survival of patients with gastric cancer. Preoperative BMI and severe BMI loss had an interaction.Impact: Perioperative BMI and weight loss should be analyzed collectively in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(8); 955-62. ©2018 AACR.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Early Postoperative and Long-Term Outcome after Rectal Cancer Surgery

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of obesity and underweight onto early postoperative and long-term oncological outcome after surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods

Data from 2008 until 2011 was gathered by a German prospective multicenter observational study. 62 items were reported by the physicians in charge, and a consecutive follow-up was performed if the patient had signed a consent form. Patients were subclassified into: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese - using the definitions of the World Health Organization.

Results

In total, 9,920 patients were included, of whom 2.1% were underweight and 19.4% obese. The mean age was 68 years (range 21-99 years). Postoperative morbidity (mean 38.0%) was significantly increased in underweight and obese patients (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 3.1% on average with no significant differences among patient groups (p = 0.176). The 5-year overall survival ranged between 36.9 and 61.3% and was worse in underweight and prolonged in overweight and obese patients compared to those with normal weight (p < 0.001 each). While the 5-year disease-free survival was increased in overweight and obese patients (p < 0.05 each), the 5-year local recurrence rate showed no correlation (p > 0.05 each). Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, higher ASA scoring, postoperative morbidity, and advanced tumor growth worsened the long-term survival independently.

Conclusions

Underweight patients had a worse early and long-term outcome after rectal cancer surgery. Overweight and obesity were associated with a significantly better long-term survival.

Meta-analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and peri-operative outcomes of colorectal cancer in obese patients

BACKGROUND

The effect of obesity on the clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been clearly characterized. This meta-analysis assesses the pathological and perioperative outcomes of obese patients undergoing surgical resection for CRC.

METHODS

Meta-analysis was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases were searched for studies reporting outcomes for obese and non-obese patients undergoing primary CRC resection, based on body-mass index measurement. Results were reported as mean differences or pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

A total of 2183 citations were reviewed; 29 studies comprising 56,293 patients were ultimately included in the analysis, with an obesity rate of 19.3%. Obese patients with colorectal cancer were more often female (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p<0.001) but there was no difference in the proportion of rectal cancers, T4 tumours, tumour differentiation or margin positivity. Obese patients were significantly more likely to have lymph node metastases (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p<0.001), have a lower nodal yield, were associated with a longer duration of surgery, more blood loss and conversions to open surgery (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.0, p<0.001) but with no difference in length of stay or post-operative mortality.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrates that obese patients undergoing resection for CRC are more likely to have node positive disease, longer surgery and higher failure rates of minimally invasive approaches. The challenges of colorectal cancer resection in obese patients are emphasized.

A prospective appraisal of preoperative body mass index in D2-resected patients with non-metastatic gastric carcinoma and Siewert type II/III adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction: results from a large-scale cohort

Objective

To prospectively investigate associations of presurgical body mass index (BMI) with clinicopathological factors and its prognostic significance in radically D2-resected patients with non-metastasized gastric cancer (GC) and Siewert type II/III adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).

Methods

A large prospective cohort consisting of radically-resected GC and AEG patients was analyzed. Follow-up was successful in 671 out of 700 patients, who were categorized into underweight (BMI<18.5), normal-weight (BMI=18.5-22.9), overweight (BMI=23-24.9), and obese (BMI≥25) groups according to Asian standards. BMI-associated factors were explored using multivariable logistic regression with adjustment. Cancer-specific survival analyses were conducted applying both univariable and multivariable Cox regression methods.

Results

Pre-operation, higher hemoglobin levels and smaller anemia proportions were observed in larger BMI groups. Higher BMI tended to be associated with higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs). Patients with higher BMI had smaller tumors and more often stage I tumors, but longer surgical time and postsurgical stay. In multivariable analyses, higher hemoglobin levels, upper tumor location, poorer differentiation, and higher NLR were significantly associated with higher BMI. Overall, survival analyses revealed no significant role of BMI. However, in further stratifications after adjustment, compared to patients with normal BMI, obese patients had better survival in women, but worse in those with AEG; underweight was associated with reduced mortality risk in tumors differentiated well to moderately; overweight patients had increased death hazard when having thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion

Overall, preoperative BMI had limited prognostic significance in operated GC patients. However, under specific conditions (e.g., female, AEG, good differentiation, and thrombocytopenia), BMI might indicate postoperative survival.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy in obese gastric cancer patients: a comparative study with non-obese patients and evaluation of difference in laparoscopic methods

Background

Obesity is a growing epidemic around the world, and obese patients are generally regarded as high risk for surgery compared with normal weight patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of obesity on the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer.

Methods

We reviewed data for all patients undergoing LG for gastric cancer at our institute between October 2004 and December 2016. Patients were divided into non-obese and obese groups and the perioperative outcomes were compared. Furthermore, a subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate which of the two commonly used methods of LG, laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) and totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG), is more suitable for obese patients.

Results

A total of 1691 patients, 1255 non-obese and 436 obese or overweight patients, underwent LG during the study period. The mean operation time was significantly longer in the obese group than in the non-obese group (209.9 ± 29.7 vs. 227.2 ± 25.7 min, P < 0.01), and intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the non-obese group (113.4 ± 34.1 vs. 136.9 ± 36.7 ml, P < 0.01). Time to first flatus, time to oral intake, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the non-obese group than in the obese group (3.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 days; 4.3 ± 1.0 vs. 4.6 ± 1.0 days; and 9.0 ± 2.2 vs. 9.6 ± 2.2 days, respectively; P < 0.01). 119 (9.5%) of the non-obese patients had postoperative complications as compared to 44 (10.1%) of the obese patients (P = 0.71). In the subgroup analysis of all patients, TLG showed improved results for early surgical outcomes compared to LAG, mainly due to its advantages in obese patients.

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with long operation time, increased blood loss, and slow recovery after laparoscopic gastric resection but does not affect intraoperative security or effectiveness. TLG may have less negative results in obese patients than LAG due to a variety of reasons. Our analysis shows that TLG is more advantageous, with regard to early surgical outcomes, for obese patients.