Combined hepatic resection and ablation for high burden of colorectal liver metastases demonstrates safety and durable survival.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection (HR) and thermal ablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM) have each individually demonstrated safety and survival benefit. We sought to provide our experience with the combination of HR + ablation within one operation for patients with multiple CRLM. METHODS: Review of a single institution database of patients who underwent HR + ablation between 2010 and 2019. RESULTS: 161 patients were identified who underwent HR + ablation for isolated CRLM (mean age: 59, male 63.4%). 125 (77.6%) patients had bilobar disease and 92 (57.1%) patients had ≥5 tumors. 28 (17.4%) patients experienced minor (grade 1 or 2) complications while 20 (12.4%) had grade 3-5 complications. Patients who underwent simultaneous colon resection with HR + ablation had a higher complication rate (22 of 47, 46.8%) than those undergoing HR + ablation only (26 of 114, 22.8%, p = 0.002). Median and 5-year OS for all patients undergoing HR + ablation was 38.2 months and 33.2%, respectively. 5-year hepatic recurrence free survival was 23.5%. Patients with 5 or more tumors demonstrated no difference in median survival compared to those with fewer than 5 tumors (37.0 months vs 38.4 months, p = 0.326). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of CRLM patients with a relatively high burden of disease, HR + ablation demonstrated an acceptable safety profile as well as durable long-term survival.

Weekend readmissions associated with mortality following pancreatic resection for cancer.

BACKGROUND: The weekend effect is associated with an increased risk of adverse events, with complex patient populations especially susceptible to its impact. The objective of this study was to determine if outcomes for patients readmitted following pancreas resection differed on the weekend compared to weekdays. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization State Inpatient Database for Florida was used to identify patients undergoing pancreas resection for cancer who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge following surgery. Measured outcomes (for readmission encounters) included inpatient morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Patients with weekend readmissions had an increased odds of inpatient mortality (aOR 2.7, 95% C.I.: 1.1-6.6) compared to those with weekday readmissions despite having similar index lengths of stay (15.9 vs. 15.5 days, P = .73), incidence of postoperative inpatient complications (22.4% vs. 22.3%, P = .98), reasons for readmission, and baseline comorbidity. DISCUSSION: Weekend readmissions following pancreatic resection are associated with increased risk of mortality. This is not explained by measured patient factors or clinical characteristics of the index hospital stay. Developing strategies to overcome the weekend effect can result in improved care for patients readmitted on the weekend.

Considerations for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients with biopsy proven axillary disease prior to neoadjuvant treatment.

BACKGROUND: Axillary disease can be downstaged with neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer. We attempted to identify factors to consider in determining whether to perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with biopsy proven axillary metastases (cN+) prior to neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients at a single tertiary care center who underwent neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery between 9/2013 and 2/2017. RESULTS: 47% of patients with node positive disease prior to neoadjuvant treatment were downstaged to node negative (ypN0) disease. These patients were more likely to have triple negative or Her2 positive disease than those patients who remained node positive (ypN+) as these were more likely to have hormone receptor positive disease. These patients were also more likely to demonstrate complete clinical imaging response of the primary tumor and axilla on preoperative breast MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor biology and clinical response noted on breast MRI can help guide the decision to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with axillary node positive disease prior to neoadjuvant treatment.

Spectacles under Pedicles: Eyewear Modification with the Paramedian Forehead Flap.

The paramedian forehead flap is a widely used method of nasal reconstruction. The flap requires a bridge of tissue from forehead to the nose, for a period of 2 to 3 weeks, before it can be divided at a second procedure. During this time, patients often have difficulty positioning and wearing their eyewear underneath the pedicle of the flap. Here we present a novel approach to the problem. It requires only a simple modification to the patient's eyewear and greatly facilitates wear and removal.