Severe weight loss after minimally invasive oesophagectomy is associated with poor survival in patients with oesophageal cancer at 5 years

Impact of early enteral feed composition on the rate of chyle leak post-esophagectomy

Patients undergoing esophagectomy are at risk of malnutrition and benefit from perioperative enteral feeding. Esophagectomy carries a risk of chyle leak, and this risk may be influenced by early enteral feed composition. We evaluated the impact of early enteral medium-chain triglyceride-rich feed on the prevalence and severity of chyle leak post-esophagectomy, length of stay, and postoperative weight change. This retrospective study included consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy at a single center between January 2015 and December 2022. Patients received enteral feed on postoperative days 1-5 with Nutrison Energy or Protein Plus Energy ('standard') (January 2015- June 2021) or Nutrison Peptisorb Plus High Energy High Protein ('HEHP') enteral feed (June 2021 to December 2022). All patients transitioned to 'standard' supplemental jejunal feeding on postoperative day 6 onwards and were discharged on oral IDDSI level 4 diet. Patients who did not commence early enteral feeding were excluded from analysis. A total of 329 patients were included. Patients who received early HEHP feed had fewer chyle leaks (5/52; 9.6%) compared with patients who received standard feed (68/277; 24.5%, P = 0.017). The HEHP group had a shorter total length of hospital stay (P = 0.011). Weight change from preoperative baseline was equivalent in both groups at 6 weeks (P = 0.066) and 3 months (P = 0.400). In the context of routine jejunostomy use and early enteral feeding post-esophagectomy, HEHP feed on postoperative days 1-5 was associated with significantly fewer chyle leaks and shorter length of stay compared with standard feed. No difference was noted in postoperative weight change between groups.

Nutritional status and body mass index before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and associated outcomes: a rapid review

PURPOSE

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients experience several post-HSCT complications affecting nutritional status, body mass index (BMI), and mortality that can potentially be mitigated by nutritional management. This rapid review examines the relationship between pre-HSCT nutritional status and BMI and post-HSCT survival.

METHODS

Articles were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Two researchers independently completed the title, abstract, and full-text review. Inclusion criteria included the following: (1) randomized clinical trials or observational studies; (2) human subjects diagnosed with cancer and undergoing HSCT; (3) reported pre-HSCT nutritional status (e.g., diet recall, nutritional survey, dietitian session) or BMI; and (4) reported treatment related mortality and/or survival.

RESULTS

The initial search found 3036 articles, 28 were included in full-text review, and 18 met inclusion criteria. Articles had quasi-experimental (n = 2) and observational (n = 16) study designs. Of the studies, n = 5 reported nutritional intake decreased post-HSCT, and n = 2 reported nutrition intervention (i.e., controlled feeding) post-HSCT improved survival. Four studies reported having a BMI classified as underweight improved survival, while n = 5 reported having a BMI classified as overweight or obese improved survival.

CONCLUSION

Current research exploring the relationship between nutritional status and BMI with HSCT survival is mixed. Further research is needed to determine how nutritional status and BMI are associated withsurvival post-HSCT to inform future intervention work.

Nutritional care in patients undergoing laparoscopic/minimally invasive surgeries for gastrointestinal tumours

The introduction of minimally invasive surgeries for gastrointestinal tumours has been associated with many favourable postoperative outcomes and a reduced impact on nutritional status. The literature review begins by discussing the impact of minimally invasive procedures on the nutritional status of patients with gastrointestinal tumours, followed by indications for enteral nutrition (EN) in this population, including preoperative nutritional support and postoperative nutritional support. The review then examines the evidence that favours the use of EN in this population, including studies demonstrating improved outcomes with preoperative EN and reduced postoperative complications with postoperative EN. It also discusses potential strategies for improving outcomes with EN, such as early initiation of feeding and individualized nutrition plans. Overall, current evidence shows that EN improves outcomes, reduces complications, and enhances the quality of life. However, the optimal timing, composition of EN, and long-term outcomes are still unclear, indicating the need for future investigations.

Post-operative weight loss affects 3-year survival in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma after gastrectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma are at high risk of malnutrition. Some patients benefit from total gastrectomy associated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with or without cytoreduction surgery (CR) as a curative strategy. The aim of this study was to describe pre- and post-operative nutritional assessments and their impact on survival in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma treated with gastrectomy and HIPEC with or without CR at Lyon University Hospital were retrospectively included from April 2012 to August 2017. Carcinologic data, history of weight, anthropometric measures, nutritional biological markers and CT-scan body composition were collected.

RESULTS

54 patients were included. Malnutrition affected 48.1% before and 64.8% after surgery, and severe malnutrition respectively 11.1% and 20.3%. Pre-operative sarcopenia diagnosed by CT scan was found in 40.7% of the patients while 81.1% of the sarcopenic patients had a normal or high body mass index. A loss of ⩾ 20% of usual weight on discharge was a pejorative factor of survival at 3 years of follow-up (p = 0.0470). Only 14.8% of the patients continued artificial nutrition following discharge but artificial nutrition was resumed in 30.4% of the patients within 4 months after discharge owing to weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing gastrectomy and HIPEC with or without CR are at high risk of malnutrition. Post-operative weight loss has a pejorative impact on outcome. These patients should be systematically screened for malnutrition with early interventionist nutritional care and close nutritional follow-up.

Risk stratification of anastomotic stricture using early postoperative endoscopic and computed tomography findings in patients undergoing esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis for esophageal cancer

Anastomotic stricture (AS) is one of the major complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. We have previously reported that severe mucosal degeneration (MD) of the anastomotic site was associated with the incidence of AS. Meanwhile, there are few reports to correlate anastomotic internal circumference (AIC) with computed tomography (CT) with the incidence of AS. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify the correlation of early postoperative endoscopic and CT findings with the incidence of AS. We assessed 205 patients who underwent esophagectomy. We then divided them into the non-AS group (n = 164) and the AS group (n = 41) and compared their background data and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. We also evaluated the risk factors for AS using logistic regression model. Multivariate analysis revealed small AIC (P = 0.003; OR = 4.400; 95% CI = 1.650-11.700) and severe MD (P < 0.001; OR = 7.200; 95% CI = 2.650-19.600) as the independent risk factors for AS development. We also stratified the patients into the following four groups according to the incidence of AS: low-risk (normal AIC and intact or mild MD, 6.2%), intermediate-risk (small AIC and intact or mild MD, 29.4%), high-risk (normal AIC and severe MD, 42.9%), and very high-risk (small AIC and severe MD, 61.1%). Early postoperative endoscopic and CT findings were useful in predicting the development of AS after esophagectomy.

Early postoperative weight loss is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgery for esophageal cancer (EC) causes morphological and functional changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract, resulting in postoperative weight loss (PWL). PWL has been shown to lead to poor nutritional status and immunocompetence, which may worsen the prognosis for several types of cancer. However, few reports have examined the relationship between weight loss (WL) in the early postoperative period and cancer prognosis.

METHODS

A total of 421 esophageal cancer patients underwent curative esophagectomy at Osaka University Hospital from 2010 to 2016. Based on the patients' body weight 1.5 months after surgery, they were classified into severe WL (n = 50) and slight-moderate WL (n = 371) groups.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were significantly lower in the severe WL group than the slight-moderate WL group (p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.0004, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, tumor invasion depth (pT3, 4), lymph node metastasis (pN2, 3), preoperative Prognostic Nutrition Index (< 45), postoperative complications (≥ G3), and severe WL were independent prognostic factors for CSS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-3.7; HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4; HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.8; HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4; and HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7-4.2, respectively). In a multivariate analysis of risk factors leading to severe WL, thoracotomy (VATS) and postoperative MAX CRP (high) were independent risk factors (odds ratio [OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24-0.97; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5).

CONCLUSION

Early PWL would be a useful marker of poor cancer prognosis in EC patients. Highly inflammatory conditions due to surgical invasion and postoperative complications may contribute to early PWL.

Postoperative Nutrition Management: Who Needs What?

Background

Early oral feeding after major abdominal surgery has been clearly shown to be safe and not a risk factor for anastomotic dehiscence. Within the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol, it is the nutritional plan A. Nonetheless, one must consider that postoperative protein and energy requirements will often be not covered by oral food intake alone. Because nutritional status has been shown to be a prognostic factor in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, the preoperative identification of patients at risk may be mandatory. Malnutrition may be underestimated in an overweight society. With special regard to patients with cancer and those with preexisting malnutrition, an accumulating caloric gap may be harmful in the early and late postoperative periods. Furthermore, complications requiring reoperation and intensive care treatment may occur.

Summary

Therefore, a plan B for postoperative nutrition therapy is needed, using preferentially the enteral route. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism recently addressed perioperative nutritional management and the indications for enteral and even parenteral supplementation to achieve caloric requirements in the postoperative course. In the first months after surgery, persisting weight loss is common in patients with upper gastrointestinal resections, even in those with an uncomplicated course. This may delay the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, increase toxicity, and worsen long-term outcomes.

Peritumor tertiary lymphoid structures are associated with infiltrating neutrophils and inferior prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The positive prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy within tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) in cancerous tissue has been well demonstrated, including liver cancer. However, the relationship between TLS and prognosis in the peritumoral region of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has received less attention. Few studies on whether TLS, as a typical representative of acquired immune cell groups, is associated with innate immune cells. The aim of this paper was to identify the prognostic role of peritumor TLS in HCC and to simply explore the relationship with neutrophils infiltration.

METHODS

This study included cancerous and paracancerous tissue from 170 patients after surgical resection of HCC. TLS was examined and identified by pathological H&E examination, and the impact on prognosis was further classified by determination of total TLS area. Immunohistochemical staining of CD15+ neutrophils was also performed on half of the cases. The obtained results were validated by external public database, as TLS has been widely shown to be tagged with 12 chemokines.

RESULTS

In peritumoral tissue, the TLS- group had better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes compared with the TLS+ group. On the contrary, the intratumor TLS+ group showed better DFS outcomes. When further investigating the relationship between TLS area distribution and DFS, progressively worse prognosis was only found in the peritumor region with increasing TLS density (TLS- vs. TLS_L vs. TLS_H ). In addition, neutrophil infiltration increased in parallel with TLS density in the peritumoral region, which was not observed in the intratumoral region.

CONCLUSIONS

TLS might have a dual prognostic role in different regions of HCC. The abundance of peritumoral TLS is an independent influence of DFS. The inconsistent correlation between neutrophils and corresponding TLS in different regions may indicate different pathways of immune aggregation and may serve as an explanation for the different prognosis of TLS, which needs to be specifically explored.

Perioperative Nutritional Support: A Review of Current Literature

Since the beginning of the practice of surgery, the reduction of postoperative complications and early recovery have been two of the fundamental pillars that have driven the improvement of surgical techniques and perioperative management. Despite great advances in these fields, the rationalization of antibiotic prophylaxis, and other important innovations, postoperative recovery (especially in elderly patients, oncological pathology or digestive or head and neck surgery) is tortuous. This can be explained by several reasons, among which, malnutrition has a major role. Perioperative nutritional support, included within the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol, has proven to be a main element and a critical step to achieve better surgical results. Starting with the preoperative nutritional assessment and treatment in elective surgery, we can improve nutritional status using oral supplements and immunomodulatory formulas. If we add early nutritional support in the postoperative scenario, we are able to significantly reduce infectious complications, need for intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, costs, and mortality. Throughout this review, we will review the latest developments and the available literature.

Is it necessary to routinely perform feeding jejunostomy at the time of esophagectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Feeding jejunostomy (FJ) is a routine procedure at the time of esophagectomy in some centers. With the widespread popularization of enhanced recovery after surgery, the necessity of FJ has been increasingly questioned. This study aims to analyze the differences in safety and effectiveness between with (FJ group) or without (no-FJ group) performing FJ at the time of esophagectomy. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for relevant studies, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were overall postoperative complications, postoperative pneumonia, intestinal obstruction, and weight loss at 3 and 6 months after esophagectomy. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated for statistical analysis. About 12 studies comprising 2,173 patients were included. The FJ group had a longer LOS (WMD = 2.05, P = 0.01) and a higher incidence of intestinal obstruction (OR = 11.67, P < 0.001) than the no-FJ group. The incidence of overall postoperative complications (OR = 1.24, P = 0.31) and postoperative pneumonia (OR = 1.43, P = 0.13) were not significantly different, nor the weight loss at 3 months (WMD = 0.58, P = 0.24) and 6 months (P > 0.05) after esophagectomy. Current evidence suggests that routinely performing FJ at the time of esophagectomy appears not to generate better postoperative outcomes. FJ may need to be performed selectively rather than routinely. More studies are required to further verify.

Oral Nutritional Supplements and Enteral Nutrition in Patients with Gastrointestinal Surgery

Nowadays, patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery are following perioperative treatment in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. Although oral feeding is supposed not to be stopped perioperatively with respect to ERAS, malnourished patients and inadequate calorie intake are common. Malnutrition, even in overweight or obese patients, is often underestimated. Patients at metabolic risk have to be identified early to confirm the indication for nutritional therapy. The monitoring of nutritional status postoperatively has to be considered in the hospital and after discharge, especially after surgery in the upper gastrointestinal tract, as normal oral food intake is decreased for several months. The article gives an overview of the current concepts of perioperative enteral nutrition in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.