[Current status of research on standardized management of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer]

The quality control and standardization of procedures in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, especially the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, is very important. It is not only the basis of accurate pathological staging, but also the evidence of surgical quality and the original data of clinical research, which plays a pivotal role. The examination and classification of lymph nodes, specimens processing records, and data uploading and archiving after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer are indispensable. It is necessary for surgeons to participate in the processing of surgical specimens. This article will combine the current research status and progress at home and abroad to review the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

The positive impact of surgical quality control on adequate lymph node harvest by standardized laparoscopic surgery and national quality assessment program in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

We aimed to present the factors associated with lymph node harvest (LNH) and seek whether surgical quality control measures can improve LNH.

METHODS

From a prospectively collected data at a single institution, 874 CRC patients who underwent curative surgery between 2004 and 2013 were included. Factor and survival analyses were performed regarding LNH. Subgroup analysis was performed according to LNH group (LNH ≥ 12 vs LNH < 12) and year of surgery (2004-2008, 2009-2011, and 2012-2013 group).

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, tumor location (OR 0.6, p < 0.001), stage (OR 1.95, p < 0.001), and year of surgery (OR 3.86, p < 0.001) showed an association with adequate LNH. In the subgroup analysis categorized by the year of surgery, surgical quality control measures by standardized laparoscopic surgery (OR 52.91, p < 0.001) showed notable association with adequate LNH. Comparing the 2009-2011 and 2012-2013 group, the national quality assessment program additionally improved adequate LNH percentage (83.9 vs 94.3%). In the survival analysis, disease-free survival (DFS) differed according to year of surgery, standardized laparoscopic surgery with high vascular ligation, and adequate LNH by stage. In the overall survival (OS) analysis, the LNH-related factors did not show significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Through standardized laparoscopic surgery with high vascular ligation and national quality assessment program, surgical quality control had a positive impact on the increase of adequate LNH. Improving the modifiable LNH factors resulted in the enhancement of adequate LNH and related DFS.