Positive aspects of self-expandable metallic stent endoscopic placement for malignant colorectal obstruction during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lo studio sottolinea l'importanza e l'utilità di stents posizionati per via endoscopica in caso di occlusione acuta-subacuta per tumore del colon retto, nel periodo della pandemia da COVID 1

Self-expandable metal stents for left sided colon obstruction from diverticulitis. A single center retrospective series

Background and Objectives: The incidence of diverticulitis is increasing in western countries. Complicated diverticulitis is defined as diverticulitis associated with localized or generalized perforation, localized or distant abscess, fistula, stricture or obstruction. Colonic symptomatic strictures are often treated with segmental colectomy. The aim of our study is to report our experience with Self Expandable Metal Stents (SEMS) placement to relieve sigmoid obstruction secondary to diverticulitis, either as a permanent solution or as a bridge to elective colectomy. Material and Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, 21 patients underwent SEMS placement for sigmoid obstruction secondary to diverticulitis at our institution. In four patients with poor general conditions, SEMS was considered the definitive form of treatment. In 17 patients, the stent was placed as bridge to elective colectomy. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes were postoperative mortality and morbidity after SEMS and subsequent elective colectomy. Results: There was no mortality or major morbidity after SEMS placement or subsequent elective colectomy. No stoma was performed. Conclusions: Placement of Colorectal Self Expandable Stent represents a useful tool to relieve obstruction in patients with left-sided colonic diverticulitis. SEMS placement makes it possible to transform an emergency clinical condition into an elective condition, giving time to resolve the inflammation and the infection inevitably associated with complicated diverticulitis

Self-expandable metal stents for refractory complete rectal obstruction in patients with Crohn disease

Information regarding the efficacy of self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement in the treatment of strictures in CD is limited. Placement of a stent in contact with inflamed tissue may trigger worsening of the inflammatory reaction with complications including perforation, failure to solve the problem, and migration of the stent

Cyanacrylate glue caused extrinsic compression of an infrapopliteal vein graft

Several surgical sealant devices are commercially available after their rigorous clinical testing with no apparent complications reported so far in the current literature. Cyanoacrylate glue can be used to stabilize the anastomoses and permit a better tensile strength in cardiovascular surgery. We first report the case of a 71-year-old male patient presenting with symptoms of progressive limitation of walking distance, 13 months after a successful femoroinfrapopliteal bypass surgery, because of a calcified tissue extrinsically stenosizing the first segment of the previous bypass graft, caused by the use of cyanoacrylate glue

Heterogeneous Characteristics of Patients with Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Systematic Review of Therapeutic Solutions

Background: Endovascular repair of Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (IAAA) has emerged as an alternative to open surgery, but direct comparisons are limited. The aim of the study was to compare clinical outcomes of endovascular and open repair for IAAA according with specific clinical characteristics. Materials: We performed a literature review of reports describing patients who had open or endovascular repair for IAAA . A literature search was performed in June 2022 by two investigators who conducted a review of papers reported in Pub Med, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Database. The strings "Inflammatory aneurysm", "Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms" were used. There was no language restriction and screened reports were published from March 1972 to December 2021 We identified 2062 patients who had open (1586) or endovascular repair (476) for IAAA. Primary outcomes were operative mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcomes were complications during follow-up (mean follow-up 48 months). Propensity score matching was performed between patients who had open or endovascular surgery. Results: In Western countries, propensity-weighted post-operative mortality (in-hospital) (1.5% endovascular versus 6% open) and morbidity rates (6% versus 18%) were significantly lower in patients who had endovascular repair (p<0.0001); patients with larger aneurysm (more than 7 cm diameter), signs of active inflammation, and retroperitoneal rupture of the aneurysm had better outcomes after endovascular repair than after open surgery.. Hydronephrosis was present in 20% of the patients. Hydronephrosis regressed in most patients when signs of active inflammation were present suggesting an acute onset of the hydronephrosis itself (fever, elevated serum C Reactive Protein) either after endovascular or open surgery. Long standing hydronephrosis as suggested by the absence of signs of active inflammation rarely regressed after endovascular surgery despite associated steroid therapy. During a mean follow-up of 48 months, propensity-weighted graft-related complications were more common in patients who had endovascular repair (20% versus 8%). For patients from Asia, short and medium-term results were similar after open and endovascular repair. IAAA related with aortitis were more common in Asia. In Western countries IAAA were commonly associated with atherosclerosis. Conclusions: Patients with IAAA represent a heterogeneous population, suggesting biological differences from continent to continent; conservative therapy, endovascular or open surgery should be chosen according to the patient clinical condition. Endovascular repair presents advantages in patients with signs of active inflammation, contained rupture of the IAAA and larger aneurysms. Hydronephrosis, without signs of active inflammation, rarely regresses after endovascular repair associated with steroid therapy. Further studies are needed to establish the long-term results of endovascular repair

Role of New Anatomy, Biliopancreatic Reflux, and Helicobacter Pylori Status in Postgastrectomy Stump Cancer

Distal gastrectomy for benign gastroduodenal peptic disease has become rare, but it still represents a widely adopted procedure for advanced and, in some countries, even for early distal gastric cancer. Survival rates following surgery for gastric malignancy are constantly improving, hence the residual mucosa of the gastric stump is exposed for a prolonged period to biliopancreatic reflux and, possibly, to Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. Biliopancreatic reflux and HP infection are considered responsible for gastritis and metachronous carcinoma in the gastric stump after oncologic surgery. For gastrectomy patients, in addition to eradication treatment for cases that are already HP positive, endoscopic surveillance should also be recommended, for prompt surveillance and detection in the residual mucosa of any metaplastic-atrophic-dysplastic features following surgery

Effects of Terpenes on the Osteoarthritis Cytokine Profile by Modulation of IL-6: Double Face versus Dark Knight?

Background: Hemp seed oil and terpenes are emerging as a dietary supplement and complementary therapy for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, the mechanisms and effects induced by these molecules on inflammatory cytokines are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the cytokine IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels from two oral hemp seed oil-based dietary supplements, of which only one included the addition of terpenes, in a population of KOA patients. Methods: Sera from venous blood samples were collected from thirty-eight patients who were divided into two subgroups. The control group underwent a 45-day treatment with a dietary supplement containing only hemp seed oil, while the treatment group assumed a hemp seed oil and terpene-based dietary supplement for the same number of days. A Bio-Plex Human Cytokine assay was performed by a customized human cytokine five-plex panel for IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Patients were evaluated before the beginning of the treatment (T0) and soon after it (T1). Results: No measurable levels of IL-2 and TNF-α were found in any of the subjects. Low levels of IL-1β were found, which were significantly decreased in the treatment group. No change in IL-1α levels was observed, while treated patients had a significant increase in IL-6 levels. Conclusions: Hemp seed oil and terpene treatment modified the IL-1β and IL-6 levels, counteracting KOA inflammation in this way. In this study, IL-6 revealed its new and alternative action, since it is traditionally known as a pro-inflammatory factor, but it recently has been found to have anti-inflammatory activity in the muscle-derived form, which is the one it assumes as a myokine when activated by terpenes

Hemp Seed Oil in Association with β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Ginger Extract as a Nutraceutical Integration in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Prospective Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Nutraceuticals are gaining more and more importance as a knee osteoarthritis (KOA) complementary treatment. Among nutraceuticals, hemp seed oil and terpenes are proving to be very useful as therapeutic support for many chronic diseases, but there are still few studies regarding their effectiveness for treating KOA, both in combination and separately. The aim of this study is thus to compare the effect of two dietary supplements, both containing hemp seed oil, but of which only one also contains terpenes, in relieving pain and improving joint function in patients suffering from KOA. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients were recruited and divided into two groups. The control group underwent a 45 day treatment with a hemp seed oil-based dietary supplement, while the treatment group assumed a hemp seed oil and terpenes dietary supplement for the same period. Patients were evaluated at the enrollment (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1). Outcome measures were: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short-Form-12 (SF-12), Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Results: All outcome measures improved at T1 in both groups, but NRS, KOOS and OKS had a greater significant improvement in the treatment group only. Conclusions: Hemp seed oil and terpenes resulted a more effective integrative treatment option in KOA, improving joint pain and function and representing a good complementary option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis

The COVID - AGICT study: COVID–19 and advanced gastro-intestinal cancer surgical treatment. A multicentric Italian study on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impact on gastro-intestinal cancers surgical treatment during the 2020. Analysis of perioperative and short-term oncological outcomes

Background This Italian multicentric retrospective study aimed to investigate the possible changes in outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Our primary endpoint was to determine whether the pandemic scenario increased the rate of patients with colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers resected at an advanced stage in 2020 compared to 2019. Considering different cancer staging systems, we divided tumors into early stages and advanced stages, using pathological outcomes. Furthermore, to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical outcomes, perioperative data of both 2020 and 2019 were also examined. Results Overall, a total of 8250 patients, 4370 (53%) and 3880 (47%) were surgically treated during 2019 and 2020 respectively, in 62 Italian surgical Units. In 2020, the rate of patients treated with an advanced pathological stage was not different compared to 2019 (P = 0.25). Nevertheless, the analysis of quarters revealed that in the second half of 2020 the rate of advanced cancer resected, tented to be higher compared with the same months of 2019 (P = 0.05). During the pandemic year ‘Charlson Comorbidity Index score of cancer patients (5.38 ± 2.08 vs 5.28 ± 2.22, P = 0.036), neoadjuvant treatments (23.9% vs. 19.5%, P < 0.001), rate of urgent diagnosis (24.2% vs 20.3%, P < 0.001), colorectal cancer urgent resection (9.4% vs. 7.37, P < 0.001), and the rate of positive nodes on the total nodes resected per surgery increased significantly (7 vs 9% - 2.02 ± 4.21 vs 2.39 ± 5.23, P < 0.001). Conclusions Although the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not influence the pathological stage of colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers at the time of surgery, our study revealed that the pandemic scenario negatively impacted on several perioperative and post-operative outcomes

The MIS-COVID-AGICT Study: Trend of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment During the First Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy. Subgroup Analysis from the COVID-AGICT Study: COVID-19 and Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Treatment

Background: A preliminary analysis from the COVID-Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Treatment (AGICT) study showed that the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for elective and urgent procedures did not decrease during the pandemic year. In this article, we aimed to perform a subgroup analysis using data from the COVID-AGICT study to evaluate the trend of MIS during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Italy.Methods: This study was conducted collecting data of MIS patients from the COVID-AGICT database. The primary endpoint was to demonstrate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic scenario reduced MIS for elective treatment of gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) in Italy in 2020. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic period on perioperative outcomes in the MIS group.Results: In the pandemic year, 62% of patients underwent surgery with a minimally invasive approach, compared to 63% in 2019 (P = .23). In 2020, the proportion of patients undergoing elective MIS decreased compared to the previous year (80% versus 82%, P = .04), and the rate of urgent MIS did not differ between the 2 years (31% and 33% in 2019 and 2020 - P = .66). Colorectal cancer was less likely to be treated with MIS approach during 2020 (78% versus 75%, P < .001). Conversely, the rate of MIS pancreatic resection was higher in 2020 (28% versus 22%, P < .002). Conversion to an open approach was lower in 2020 (7.2% versus 9.2% - P = .01). Major postoperative complications were similar in both years (11% versus 11%, P = .9).Conclusion: In conclusion, although MIS for elective treatment of GIC in Italy was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic period, our study revealed that the overall proportion of MIS (elective and urgent) and postoperative outcomes were comparable to the prepandemic period