Abdominal Surgery in Patients With Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

In patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH), data on morbidity and mortality of abdominal surgery are scarce. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of patients with INCPH undergoing abdominal surgery within the Vascular Liver Disease Interest Group network. Forty‐four patients with biopsy‐proven INCPH were included. Twenty‐five (57%) patients had one or more extrahepatic conditions related to INCPH, and 16 (36%) had a history of ascites. Forty‐five procedures were performed, including 30 that were minor and 15 major. Nine (20%) patients had one or more Dindo‐Clavien grade ≥ 3 complication within 1 month after surgery. Sixteen (33%) patients had one or more portal hypertension–related complication within 3 months after surgery. Extrahepatic conditions related to INCPH (P = 0.03) and history of ascites (P = 0.02) were associated with portal hypertension–related complications within 3 months after surgery. Splenectomy was associated with development of portal vein thrombosis after surgery (P = 0.01). Four (9%) patients died within 6 months after surgery. Six‐month cumulative risk of death was higher in patients with serum creatinine ≥ 100 μmol/L at surgery (33% versus 0%, P < 0.001). An unfavorable outcome (i.e., either liver or surgical complication or death) occurred in 22 (50%) patients and was associated with the presence of extrahepatic conditions related to INCPH, history of ascites, and serum creatinine ≥ 100 μmol/L: 5% of the patients with none of these features had an unfavorable outcome versus 32% and 64% when one or two or more features were present, respectively. Portal decompression procedures prior to surgery (n = 10) were not associated with postoperative outcome. Conclusion: Patients with INCPH are at high risk of major surgical and portal hypertension–related complications when they harbor extrahepatic conditions related to INCPH, history of ascites, or increased serum creatinine

Technical advances and future perspectives in liver surgery

The current era of liver surgery is high- lighted by low morbidity and mortality rates, inno- vative efforts to increase resectability, and overall improved survival for patients with both primary and metastatic lesions. The complexity of liver anatomy combined with the presence of several major vascu- lar structures delayed the widespread application of minimally invasive surgical techniques to liver surgery compared to other intra-abdominal organs. However, our experience with minimally invasive surgery has greatly expanded over the past 20 years. Modern sur- gical techniques, emerging technologies, and novel chemotherapeutic agents have led to a significant increase in minimally invasive liver surgery world- wide. This review will focus on the modern technical advancements that make minimally invasive liver surgery successful and what we can expect in the future

Abdominal lymph node recurrence from colorectal cancer: Resection should be considered as a curative treatment in patients with controlled disease

International audienceBackground: Lymph node recurrences (LNR) from colorectal cancer (CRC) still represent a therapeutic challenge, as standardized recommendations have yet to be established. The aim of this study was to analyze short- and long-term oncological outcomes following resection of LNR from CRC.Methods: All patients with previously resected CRC who underwent histopathologically confirmed LNR resection in 3 tertiary referral centers between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed, mainly recurrence-free and overall survival. Further recurrences following LNR resection were also analyzed.Results: Overall, 18 patients were included. Primary CRC was left-sided in 16 (89%) patients, staged T3-4 in 15 (83%), N+ in 14 (78%) and presented with synchronous metastases in 8 (43%). Median time interval between primary CRC and LNR resections was 31 months. Performed lymphadenectomies were aortocaval (n = 10), pelvic (n = 7), in hepatic pedicle (n = 3) and mesenteric (n = 1). Four patients had associated liver metastases resection. Three (17%) presented with postoperative complications, of which one Clavien-Dindo 3. Fourteen (78%) patients presented with further recurrences after a mean delay of 9 months, with 36% of patients presenting with early (<6 months) recurrence. Five (36%) patients could undergo secondary recurrence resection and 3 (21%) patients radiotherapy. Median overall survival following LNR resection reached 44 months.Conclusions: Current results suggest that LNR resection is feasible and associated with improved survival, in selected patients. Longer time interval between primary CRC resection and LNR occurrence appeared to be a favorable prognostic factor whereas multisite recurrence appeared to be associated with impaired long-term survival

Pectoralis major muscle atrophy is associated with mitochondrial energy wasting in cachectic patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract Background Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by involuntary and pathological weight loss, mainly due to skeletal muscle wasting, resulting in a decrease in patients' quality of life, response to cancer treatments, and survival. Our objective was to investigate skeletal muscle alterations in cachectic cancer patients. Methods This is a prospective study of patients managed for pancreatic or colorectal cancer with an indication for systemic chemotherapy (METERMUCADIG ‐ NCT02573974). One lumbar CT image was used to determine body composition. Patients were divided into three groups [8 noncachectic (NC), 18 with mild cachexia (MC), and 19 with severe cachexia (SC)] based on the severity of weight loss and muscle mass. For each patient, a pectoralis major muscle biopsy was collected at the time of implantable chamber placement. We used high‐resolution oxygraphy to measure mitochondrial muscle oxygen consumption on permeabilized muscle fibres. We also performed optical and electron microscopy analyses, as well as gene and protein expression analyses. Results Forty‐five patients were included. Patients were 67% male, aged 67 years (interquartile range, 59–77). Twenty‐three (51%) and 22 (49%) patients were managed for pancreatic and colorectal cancer, respectively. Our results show a positive correlation between median myofibres area and skeletal muscle index (P = 0.0007). Cancer cachexia was associated with a decrease in MAFbx protein expression (P < 0.01), a marker of proteolysis through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption related to energy wasting was significantly increased (SC vs. NC, P = 0.028) and mitochondrial area tended to increase (SC vs. MC, P = 0.056) in SC patients. On the contrary, mitochondria content and networks remain unaltered in cachectic cancer patients. Finally, our results show no dysfunction in lipid storage and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. Conclusions This clinical protocol brings unique data that provide new insight to mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in cancer cachexia. We report for the first time an increase in mitochondrial energy wasting in the skeletal muscle of severe cachectic cancer patients. Additional clinical studies are essential to further the exploring and understanding of these alterations

Does the difficulty grade of laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal liver metastases correlate with long-term outcomes?

peer reviewed[en] INTRODUCTION: Prognosis of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is strongly correlated with the oncological outcome after liver resection. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) difficulty score (IMM difficulty score) on the oncological results in patients treated for CRLM. METHODS: All patients who underwent LLRs for CRLM from 2000 to 2016 in our department, were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding difficulty classification, -according to the Institute Mutualiste Montsouris score (IMM)-, recurrence rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and data regarding margin status were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 520 patients were included. Patients were allocated into 3 groups based on IMM difficulty score of the LLR they underwent: there were 227 (43,6%), 84 (16,2%) and 209 (40,2%) patients in groups I, II and III, respectively. The R1 resection rate in group I, II and III were 8,8% (20/227), 11,9% (10/84) and 12,4% (26/209) respectively (p = 0.841). Three- and 5-year RFS rates were 77% and 73% in group I, 58% and 51% in group II, 61% and 53% in group III, respectively (p = 0.038). Three and 5-year OS rates were 87% and 80% for group I, 77% and 66% for group II, 80% and 69% for group III respectively (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The higher LLR difficulty score correlates with significant morbidity and worse RFS and OS, although the more technically demanding and difficult cases are not associated with increased rates of positive resection margins and recurrence

Early Versus Late Oral Refeeding After Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Malignancy: a Comparative Belgian-French Study in Two Tertiary Centers.

In the era of fast-track surgery, because pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) carries a significant morbidity, surgeons hesitate to begin early oral feeding and achieve early discharge. We compared the outcome of two different approaches to the postoperative management of PD in two tertiary centers. Of patients having undergone PD for malignancy from 2008 to 2017, 100 patients who received early postoperative oral feeding (group A) were compared to 100 patients from another center who received early enteral feeding and a delayed oral diet (group B). Surgical indication and approach and type of pancreatic anastomosis were similar between both groups. Postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics were similar between both groups, except significantly more neoadjuvant treatment in group A (A = 20% vs. B = 9%, p < 0.01). Mortality rates were 3% and 4% in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.71). The rate of severe postoperative morbidity was significantly lower in group A (13% vs. 26%, p = 0.02), resulting in a lower reoperation rate (p < 0.01). Delayed gastric emptying and clinically relevant pancreatic fistula were similar between both groups but chyle leaks were more frequent in group A (10% vs. 3%, p = 0.04). The median hospital stay was shorter in group A (16 vs. 20 days, p < 0.01). In the present study, early postoperative oral feeding after PD was associated with a shorter hospital stay and did not increase severe postoperative morbidity or the rate of pancreatic fistula. However, it resulted in more chyle leaks and did not prevent delayed gastric emptying

Complete Pathological Response Following Radiochemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Short and Long-term Outcome

International audienceBackground/Aim: Preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT) followed by total mesorectum excision has become the gold standard for locally advanced carcinoma of the low and middle rectum. The aim of the study is to evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of patients in complete pathological response (PR) following this treatment sequence. Patients and Methods: One hundred and thirty patients were retrospectively included between 2005 and 2017 in an expert centre, with 3 groups formed, according to the PR: i) complete PR (absence of tumour cells on the surgical specimen ypT0N0), ii) partial PR (T or N downsizing) and iii) without PR. Results: The complete PR rate was 13.1%. The complete PR group tended to develop less symptomatic fistulas compared to partial PR and without PR groups (5.8% versus 13.5% versus 18.7, respectively; p=0.607). The 5-year disease-free survival was increased for complete-PR patients (93% versus 79% versus 47%, respectively; p=0.0003) without an improvement in overall survival. Conclusion: Complete PR is associated with an improvement in survival without recurrence and without an improvement in the overall survival at 5 years

Only Surgical Treatment to Be Considered for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A New Paradigm

Background. Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) represents a heavy burden in healthcare systems worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although conservative treatment alone can lead to SBO resolution in most cases, its optimal duration is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to analyze different SBO evolution patterns in order to further determine when to switch to surgical treatment. Study Design. All patients who were admitted for adhesive SBO between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed. Patients who had immediate surgery (IS), a successful medical treatment (SMT), and a failed medical treatment (FMT) were compared in terms of overall morbidity, mortality, and SBO recurrence. Results. Overall 154 patients were identified, including 23 (14.9%) in IS, 27 (17.5%) in FMT, and 104 (67.6%) in SMT groups. In terms of comorbidities, patients were similar in all groups. Overall morbidity rates were highest in IS and FMT groups (30% and 33%, respectively, vs. 4% in the SMT group, p<0.001) whereas mortality rate was highest in the FMT group (22% vs. 0% and 0% in IS and SMT groups, respectively, p<0.001). SBO recurrence rate was highest in the SMT group (22% vs. 4% and 7% in IS and FMT groups, respectively, p=0.042). Conclusion. FMT seems to be associated with similar overall morbidity compared with IS but with increased postoperative mortality. Patient frailty seems to be worsened by prolonged inefficient medical treatment

Impact of conversion from laparoscopy to open surgery in patients with right colonc cancer

Conversion to open surgery is reported in up to 20 per cent of laparoscopic colectomies for cancer. This study aims to compare postoperative outcomes and survival between converted and successful laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer. Records of patients who underwent laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer between 2005 and 2015 were retrieved from the CLermontFerrand Ircad Mondor Hopital European Tours (CLIMHET) database. Perioperative, postoperative, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictive factors for conversion. Overall, 445 patients underwent a successfully completed laparoscopic right colectomy and 28 (5.9%) were converted to open surgery. A higher rate of minor complications was found in the conversion group, whereas patient recovery outcomes were similar. Previous open and laparoscopic surgeries were significant predictors of conversion. No significant difference was found in overall and disease-free survival rates between converted and nonconverted procedures. In the setting of laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer, the conversion rate is low and does not have an impact on patient survival. Conversion is associated with higher rates of minor postoperative complications but recovery and survival outcomes are comparable with successful laparoscopic colectomies. The present results support the use of laparoscopy for right colon resection even in patients at risk of conversion