Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of crohn’s disease with emphasis on surgical predictors

Intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease is not curative and postoperative recurrence rates remain high. Early detection of indices associated with recurrence and risk stratification are fundamental for the postoperative management of patients. Early endoscopy at 6-12 months is the “gold standard” procedure, whereas other modalities such as fecal calprotectin and imaging techniques can contribute to the diagnosis of recurrence. The purpose of this review is to summarize current data regarding risk factors correlated with postoperative relapse. Smoking is a well-established, modifiable risk factor. There are sufficient data that correlate penetrating disease, perianal involvement, extensive resections, prior surgery, histological features (plexitis and granulomas), and improper management after resection with high rates for recurrence. The literature provides conflicting data for other possible predictors, such as age, sex, family history of inflammatory bowel disease, location of disease, strictureplasties, blood transfusions, and postoperative complications, necessitating further evidence. On the other hand, surgical factors such as anastomotic configuration, open or laparoscopic approach, and microscopic disease at specimen margins when macroscopic disease is resected, seem not to be related with an increased risk of recurrence. Further recognition of histological features as well as gene-related factors are promising fields for research. © 2017 Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology

Are radiologic pouchogram and pouchoscopy useful before ileostomy closure in asymptomatic patients operated for ulcerative colitis?

Objectives: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the “gold standard” procedure for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) requiring surgical intervention. A de-functioning ileostomy is usually performed, as a step for the IPAA procedure. The aim of this study is to present the methodology and results of the routine double assessment of IPAA integrity in asymptomatic patients prior to the ileostomy reversal and evaluate its necessity. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 61 UC patients, who underwent IPAA construction, in 2010–2016. A diverting ileostomy was created after IPAA construction, which was reversed at least 3 months later. A double assessment, with pouchogram and pouchoscopy, of IPAA integrity was performed, before stoma closure. Post-operative symptoms and signs of complications, imaging studies, and endoscopic findings were recorded during follow-up. Results: Prior to the ileostomy reversal, both pouchoscopy and pouchogram identified no patient with evidence of anastomotic leakage. During a mean follow-up of 3.67 years after ileostomy reversal, 11 patients developed complications but only one had signs of leakage, which presented as a pouch-vaginal fistula. The specificity of both the pouchogram and pouchoscopy reached 100% and the negative predictive value ranged between 98.4 and 100%. Conclusions: The specificity of pouchoscopy and pouchogram prior to ileostomy closure, in asymptomatic patients with IPAA for UC, is very high in recognizing an intact anastomosis, but their combination did not alter the diagnostic accuracy or had any effect in further management. At least, pouchogram could be selectively performed only in patients with high-risk clinical indicators. Key Points: • The double assessment of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with pouchogram and pouchoscopy, prior to ileostomy closure, specifically in patients with ulcerative colitis has not been evaluated before. • The specificity of pouchoscopy and pouchogram prior to ileostomy closure, in asymptomatic patients with IPAA for UC, is very high in recognizing an intact anastomosis. • However, their combination did not alter the diagnostic accuracy or had any effect in further management, in asymptomatic patients. © 2018, European Society of Radiology

Multiple Small Bowel Diverticula Were an Unexpected Finding During Laparoscopic Enterectomy for Crohn&apos;s Disease

Introduction: Small bowel diverticulosis (SBD) is a rare entity. Although it is usually an asymptomatic condition, clinical manifestations may vary from non-specific clinical signs to severe and complicated disease. The coexistence of SBD and Crohn&apos;s disease (CD) is rarely reported in the current literature. Aim: We present a rare case of concomitant Crohn&apos;s disease (CD) and SBD in a male patient, where multiple jejunal diverticula were an incidental intraoperative finding. Preoperative evaluation with magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) failed to recognize the coexistence of these two entities. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of this rare situation. Case report: A 52-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with CD was referred to our department for surgical intervention due to an ileal stricture. The patient reported no past medical history, except for a few episodes of bloody diarrhoea during a three-year period. The index colonoscopy revealed luminal narrowing in the ileum at approximately 70 cm proximal to the ileocaecal valve, and biopsies revealed findings compatible with CD. Clinical examination and laboratory tests were unremarkable one day before surgery. The patient underwent laparoscopic segmental resection of the affected part of the ileum. Intraoperatively, multiple non-inflamed diverticula along the jejunum extending from the Treitz ligament to the proximal ileum were recognized. Our patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course and was discharged on the fifth post-operative day. Pathological examination revealed features compatible with CD in the active phase. The patient was referred to his gastroenterological team for further consultation regarding the appropriate post-operative management. Conclusion: Concomitant CD and SBD is a rare condition, and the differential diagnosis may be challenging due to overlapping symptoms. © 2020 Ira Sotirova, Antonios Gklavas, Dimitra Papalouka, Sofia Gourtsoyianni, Dimitrios Christodoulou, Ioannis Papaconstantinou

Receptor-binding cancer antigen expression in thyroid neoplasms: A retrospective study [Expresia genei RCASI (Receptor-Binding Cancer Antigen) în cancerele tiroidiene: Un studie retrospectiv]

Background: Receptor-binding cancer antigen (RCAS1) is a membrane protein, regarded as a tumor-associated antigen. Cancer cells evade immune response with RCAS1 up-regulation, inducing apoptosis to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Thyroid cancer incidence is rising and its accurate diagnosis in early stage is targeted. The aim of this study is to access RCAS1 expression in benign and malignant thyroid pathology. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 110 patients, who had thyroidectomy in a single tertiary referral centre between January 2008 until December 2014. Immunohistochemistry study for RCAS1 expression was carried out and correlation with clinical and histopathological data is attempted. Results: RCAS1 immunostaining was found positive in 81 out of 110 cases. Notably it was deemed positive in all malignant thyroid tissue samples (p&lt;0.001). In thyroid malignancy, tumor size, thyroid capsule invasion and positive lymph nodes status were positively correlated with moderate and strong expression of RCAS1. For papillary thyroid carcinoma, the vast majority (35/37 cases, 94.6%) were also classified as having moderate or strong RCAS1 expression. Conclusions: RCAS1 expression can aid in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid pathology, while its strong expression correlates with worse oncological features. Copyright © Celsius