Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Insulin-producing tumor of pancreas in a young patient: the search for germline mutations. Clinical case

Insulinoma is the most common functioning tumor of the pancreas. Approximately 5% of cases of the disease is associated with the syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), caused by mutation in the gene MEN1. The MEN-1 is manifested by pituitary adenomas and adenomas of parathyroid glands, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, tumors of thyroid gland, adrenal glands, intestine, carcinoids of lungs and other organs. Patients with MEN-1 often have angiofibromas, collagenomas and lipomas. However, in 5–10% of patients with clinical manifestations of this syndrome, mutations in MEN1 cannot be detected. In such cases, the disease can be caused by various disorders (mutations, polymorphisms, etc.) in other genes. More than 10 genes, associated with insulin-producing pancreatic tumor, are described in the literature. In the presented clinical case, an extended genetic study was performed in a young patient with insulinoma and a suspicious phenotype of MEN-1. The article emphasizes the need to search for new genetic markers that predispose to the development of insulinoma, and the subsequent introduction of panel of genes sequencing in such patients. Genetic testing is indicated primarily for young patients with multifocal lesions, family history and associated pathology

КТ-признаки, позволяющие определить оптимальную тактику лечения при нейроэндокринных опухолях поджелудочной железы

Objective. To determine whether MDCT features of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can predict the pathological tumor grade. Materials and methods. 30 patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) underwent preoperative contrast CT examinations from 2012 to 2015. 19 tumors were classified as G1 and 11 as G2 according to the WHO 2010 classification. We evaluated several CT-features of pNET, such as tumor contrast enhancement pattern, homogeneity, cystic or necrotic change, size, vascular involvement, upstream pancreatic duct dilatation, presence of regional and distant metastasis. Tumor density was measured at all phases. CT-features were compared between tumor grades using Mann-Whitney U-test and f-Fisher test. We evaluated the performances of the CT findings to diagnose G2 tumors. Results. Mean tumor size was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in grade 2 pNET. G2 pNET were more often nonhomogenous and had poorly defined margin. Tumor density was significantly higher in the group of grade 1 tumors. Mean arterial enhancement ratio in G1 pNET was 1.66 ± 0.42, in G2 pNET - 1.04 ± 0.39 (p < 0.01). Mean portal enhancement ratio in G1 pNET was 1.28 ± 0.25, in G2 pNET - 0.9 ± 0.1 (p < 0.05). Arterial enhancement ratio 20 mm, ill-defined borders and non-homogenous contrast enhancement showed 83%, 74%, 67% and 63% accuracy in differentiating Grade 2 pNET from Grade 1 pNET. Conclusion. Several CT-features of pNET, such as tumor contrast enhancement, homogeneity and size can predict the tumor grade.Цель исследования: оценить возможности МСКТ с внутривенным болюсным контрастным усилением в определении степени злокачественности нейроэндокринных опухолей (НЭО) поджелудочной железы. Материал и методы. Проанализированы результаты предоперационных КТ-исследований 32 пациентов, прошедших лечение по поводу НЭО поджелудочной железы в период с 2012 по 2015 г. Степень злокачественности определяли в соответствии с критериями ВОЗ (2010 г.), при этом у 19 пациентов выявлена высокодифференцированная НЭО (grade 1), у 11 пациентов - высоко дифференцированная НЭО (grade 2) и у 2 пациентов диагностирована нейроэндокринная карцинома (grade 3). Оценивали следующие признаки опухоли: размеры, контуры, структура, инвазия в сосуды и наличие метастазов. Также измеряли отношение плотности (ед.Н) опухоль/паренхима поджелудочной железы во все фазы исследования. Полученные показатели сравнивали между группами с использованием U-критерия Манна-Уитни и f-критерия Фишера. Также оценивали чувствительность, специфичность и точность отдельных показателей в определении G2 степени злокачественности НЭО. Результаты. G2 НЭО были значительно больших размеров, чаще имели нечеткие контуры и негомогенную структуру (p < 0,05), а также характеризовались менее выраженным по сравнению с G1 НЭО накоплением контрастного препарата. Усредненные показатели отношения плотности (в ед.Н) опухоль/железа в артериальную фазу составили 1,66 ± 0,42 и 1,04 ± 0,39 для G1 НЭО и G2 НЭО соответственно (p < 0,01). В венозную фазу этот же показатель составил 1,28 ± 0,25 и 0,9 ± 0,1 для G1 НЭО и G2 НЭО соответственно (p < 0,05). В определении G2 степени злокачественности опухоли наиболее точными оказались следующие параметры: степень контрастного усиления в артериальную фазу 20 мм (74%), нечеткие контуры (67%) и негомогенность контрастного усиления (63%). Заключение. Размеры, структура и параметры контрастного усиления, определяемые при КТ-исследовании, позволяют предсказать степень злокачественности НЭО поджелудочной железы на дооперационном этапе