The incremental benefit of upfront surgery in renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus of the inferior venae cavae

Background: Surgical extirpation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior venae cavae (IVC) thrombi is the standard of care. The incremental impact of upfront surgery has not been well described. Objective: We aim to quantify the overall survival (OS) benefit of upfront surgery in RCC with IVC thrombi when compared to a conservative approach and also analyze perioperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: Patients with RCC with IVC thrombus between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2014, in a single institution were identified, and data reviewed for demographics, performance status, and tumor thrombus levels. Pathological and operative outcomes were analyzed in the surgical cohort (Sx). Survival outcomes were computed with Kaplan–Meier analysis. Prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.1. Results: There were 51 patients identified, comprising 31 and 20 in the Sx and nonsurgical (NSx) cohorts. For the Sx cohort, 5-year OS and recurrence-free survival were 48% and 45%, respectively, with a median OS of 51.7 months. Nodal involvement was an independent predictor for OS (P < 0.1) on multivariate analysis. In the NSx cohort, 75% (15/20) had distant metastasis at diagnosis, with a 5-year OS of 13.4 months. Patients with better baseline ECOG statuses had better survival outcomes (P < 0.1). The mean OS of patients (n = 5) with M0 disease was 18.8 months. The advantage conferred by surgery was a 38.2-month longer median OS (P < 0.0001). In the Sx cohort, 87% had no or minor perioperative complications. Conclusion: Nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy have an OS survival advantage of 38.2 months with acceptable perioperative morbidity. Therefore, it is preferred over an initial nonsurgical approach where possible

Protein supplementation versus standard feeds in underweight critically ill children : A pilot dual-centre randomised controlled trial protocol

Introduction Protein-energy malnutrition, increased catabolism and inadequate nutritional support leads to loss of lean body mass with muscle wasting and delayed recovery in critical illness. However, there remains clinical equipoise regarding the risks and benefits of protein supplementation. This pilot trial will determine the feasibility of performing a larger multicentre trial to determine if a strategy of protein supplementation in critically ill children with body mass index (BMI) z-score ≤-2 is superior to standard enteral nutrition in reducing the length of stay in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods and analysis This is a randomised controlled trial of 70 children in two PICUs in Singapore. Children with BMI z-score ≤-2 on PICU admission, who are expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, will be randomised (1:1 allocation) to protein supplementation of ≥1.5 g/kg/day in addition to standard nutrition, or standard nutrition alone for 7 days after enrolment or until PICU discharge, whichever is earlier. Feasibility outcomes for the trial include effective screening, satisfactory enrolment rate, timely protocol implementation (within first 72 hours) and protocol adherence. Secondary outcomes include mortality, PICU length of stay, muscle mass, anthropometric measurements and functional outcomes. Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the institutional review board of both participating centres (Singhealth Centralised Institutional Review Board and National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board) under the reference number 2020/2742. Findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Trial registration number NCT04565613.publishedVersionPeer reviewe