Heterogeneity of management practices surrounding operable gallbladder cancer - results of the OMEGA-S international HPB surgical survey

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive, uncommon malignancy, with variation in operative approaches adopted across centres and few large-scale studies to guide practice. We aimed to identify the extent of heterogeneity in GBC internationally to better inform the need for future multicentre studies.

METHODS

A 34-question online survey was disseminated to members of the European-African Hepatopancreatobiliary Association (EAHPBA), American Hepatopancreatobiliary Association (AHPBA) and Asia-Pacific Hepatopancreatobiliary Association (A-PHPBA) regarding practices around diagnostic workup, operative approach, utilization of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies and surveillance strategies.

RESULTS

Two hundred and three surgeons responded from 51 countries. High liver resection volume units (>50 resections/year) organised HPB multidisciplinary team discussion of GBCs more commonly than those with low volumes (p < 0.0001). Management practices exhibited areas of heterogeneity, particularly around operative extent. Contrary to consensus guidelines, anatomical liver resections were favoured over non-anatomical resections for T3 tumours and above, lymphadenectomy extent was lower than recommended, and a minority of respondents still routinely excised the common bile duct or port sites.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest some similarities in the management of GBC internationally, but also specific areas of practice which differed from published guidelines. Transcontinental collaborative studies on GBC are necessary to establish evidence-based practice to minimise variation and optimise outcomes.

Thromboprophylaxis in surgically treated colorectal cancer patients with tinzaparin: Intermediate results from the Onco-CAST trial

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Background: The incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) after colorectal surgery is approximately 29% and 1.6% respectively. The incidence of asymptomatic postoperative DVT in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has been reported as high as 20%, even under thromboprophylaxis. Thus, thromboprophylaxis after surgical treatment for CRC is crucial. Latest guidelines from International Initiative on Thrombosis and Cancer (ITAC 2019) recommend use of highest prophylactic dose of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). Methods: Onco-CAST is a prospective, phase IV, observational, non-interventional cohort study evaluating a) current management approach for CRC surgical prophylaxis and b) efficacy and safety of tinzaparin at 8.000 Anti-Xa IU, once daily (OD), for at least one month post hospital discharge. Patients enrolled after signing informed consent. Onco-CAST was conducted by the Hellenic Society of Coloproctology. Results: Results from 175 CRC patients from 9 Onco Surgical Clinics are reported. Participation completed 79% of patients at report time: 66% males, 67±12 years, BMI: 27.4±5.5. Histology: adenocarcinomas NOS 81%, mucinous adenocarcinomas 9%, small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas 2%, and others. High grade differentiation indicated: 26% and 5% metastatic. 32% treated with right hemicolectomy, 20% with low anterior resection, 12% with sigmoid colectomy, 9% with abdominal-perineal resection, 9% with left hemicolectomy and other methods. 67% treated open and 33% laparoscopic while the median number of lymph nodes dissected for left and right hemicolectomy was 32.5 (Q1-Q3:26-38) and 24 (Q1-Q3: 14.5-32), p = 0.0253. Factors related to thrombosis risk are presented in table, notably, 95% of patients accumulated ≥3 risk factors. Median thromboprophylaxis duration with tinzaparin 8.000 Anti-Xa IU, OD, was: 37 days (1st-3rd quartile: 33-45 days). Three thrombotic events occurred (efficacy 98.3%, 95% CI: 95.1-99.4%), one DVT+PE, one DVT and one due to Central Venous Catheter (CVC). Eight patients experienced bleeding events (4.6%, 95%CI: 2.3-8.8%), 3 minor, 3 major and 2 CNMB, 2 had a possible relation to thromboprophylaxis (1.1%, 95%CI: 0.3-4.1%). Conclusions: Thromboprophylaxis in Surgically Treated Colorectal Cancer Patients with Tinzaparin intermediate dose seems safe and efficient approach.[Table: see text]

Quality of life after laparoscopic trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair: spinal vs general anesthesia

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the anesthesia type on the postoperative quality of life in patients who underwent trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

In this study, 70 patients submitted to TAPP for inguinal hernia repair, were randomized between spinal and general anesthesia. Overall, 58 patients completed the follow-up process and were, therefore, included. The quality of life evaluation was based on the SF-36 questionnaire. Significance was considered at the level of P < 0.05 RESULTS: General anesthesia was applied to 31 patients, whereas 27 operations were performed under spinal anesthesia. Except gender, the two study subgroups were similar in terms of demographics. Although spinal anesthesia displayed higher energy, emotional health, and general health scores these findings were not statistically significant. A positive correlation was identified between age and physical and emotional role. Operative time was associated with the estimated energy and general health.

CONCLUSION

Our study could not identify a difference between spinal and general anesthesia on the postoperative quality of life. Spinal anesthesia is as effective as general anesthesia and remains an attractive anesthetic alternative for TAPP inguinal hernia repair. Given several study limitations, further high-quality trials are required.

Virtual ileostomy in elective colorectal surgery: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak (AL) following colorectal surgery can be a life-threatening complication. The use of a diverting stoma has been proposed, to prevent or reduce morbidity and mortality associated with AL. Stomas, however, have their own distinct complications. Thus, virtual ileostomy (VI) has been proposed as an alternative to diverting stoma. The aim of the present study was to further evaluate the role of VI through systematic review of existing literature.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. The primary endpoint of our study was the estimation of the overall VI complication rate. Secondary endpoints included the identification of the VI-specific adverse outcomes, perioperative endpoints such as the length of hospital stay, transfusion and postoperative leak rates, description of the operative variations of VI reported VI operative variations and details regarding the primary operation and previous neoadjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

In total, 11 studies and 554 patients were included in this systematic review. Overall, 158 laparoscopic and 191 open procedures were performed. The AL and VI conversion rates were 11.9% and 10.46%, respectively. The total complication rate was estimated to be 13.9%, while VI-specific adverse events were recorded in 2.1% of all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

VI could be a safe and effective alternative to a diverting stoma. Although currently, VI is not widely used, it could have a widespread application in laparoscopic surgery. However, definitive trials are needed before firm recommendations on the use of VI can be made.

An enhanced outpatient modality for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease: preliminary results

Surgical treatment of haemorrhoids is, primarily, performed on an outpatient basis, and as so, the reduction of the operative time and the hospitalization duration is necessary. In order to achieve these results, both the surgical procedure and the anaesthesia modality should be optimized. Therefore, in this randomized controlled trial, we proposed the hemorrhoidal arteries ligation under pudendal nerve block, as an enhanced outpatient modality, versus the standard of doppler guided hemorrhoidal arteries ligation under spinal anaesthesia. Preliminary results showed that the experimental group was characterized by a similar to the control arm, symptoms remission rate, a lower operation duration and an improved postoperative recovery.