DNA ploidy analysis of borderline epithelial ovarian tumours

Objective: Borderline epithelial ovarian tumors not uncommonly pose a great difficulty to surgical pathologists as morphologically they may show very similar features as those of malignant epithelial tumors except invasion. However it is important to separate these from their invasive counterparts because of their superior prognosis. Recently, attention has been focussed on the prognostic value of flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy in borderline epithelial ovarian tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content acts as a useful adjunct to the histopathological diagnosis of borderline malignancy. Materials and Methods: Fifteen histologically confirmed borderline serous epithelial tumors of the ovary were selected. Samples were analyzed on a FACScan flow cytometer using the software MODFIT. A total of 10,000 nuclei were counted each time. Results: The mean CV for the 15 cases was 3.67 (Range 2.4-5.0). In the DNA histograms a diploid sample was defined as one that had a single Go/Cl peak. An aneuploid tumour was defined as one that displayed an additional distinct peak. All 15 cases of borderline serous epithelial tumors showed a diploid stemlinc with DNA index between 0.9-i .10 Conclusion: This study suggests that aneuploidy if ever demonstrated in histological confirmed borderline tumors should prompt extensive sampling of the tumor and a close follow up

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)