Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at diagnosis in colorectal cancer: propensity score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at the time of colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis has been proposed as a predictor of long-term survival. The aim of this study was to analyze its usefulness in a homogeneous population with control of the main confounding factors. METHODOLOGY: observational study of 836 patients who underwent surgery for CRC. Patients were divided into two groups: NLR ≤ 3.3 vs NLR > 3.3. To control for confounders, they were matched one-to-one by propensity analysis. A final cohort of 526 patients was included in the study. RESULTS: the two groups were mismatched in terms of age, comorbidity, tumor stage, rectal location, and neoadjuvant therapy. Once matching was performed, baseline NLR was statistically significantly associated with long-term survival (p < 0.001) and behaved as an independent prognostic factor for survival (p = 0.001; HR: 1.99; 95 % CI: 1.32-3.00) when adjusted in a Cox regression model using age (p < 0.001; HR: 1.04; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.06) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.001; HR: 1.40; 95 % CI: 1.27-1.55). Neoadjuvant therapy lost its statistical significance (p = 0.137; HR: 1.59; 95 % CI: 0.86-2.93). CONCLUSIONS: a high baseline NLR (> 3.3) in patients with colorectal cancer at diagnosis represents a poor prognostic factor in terms of survival. Its use in routine practice could intensify therapeutic strategies and follow-up in these patients.

Utility of a new prognostic score based on the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) in patients operated on for colorectal cancer (S-CRC-PC score).

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery have been associated with poor long-term prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery assessed by the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) and designing a new prognostic score based on this index. METHODS: This observational longitudinal study included a series of 604 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer. Demographic data, comorbidity measured by Charlson Index, tumor characteristics, surgical data and postoperative complications were recorded as predictors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed and long-term survival was the output variable. Based on Hazard Ratios obtained on multivariate analysis, a new score, S-CRC-PC, was created for predicting long-term survival. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twelve (35.1%) patients developed some postoperative complication. The mean CCI was 11.6 (±19.19). Mild complications (CCI <26.2) were detected in 95 (15.7%) patients. Moderate complications (CCI 26.2-42.2) were detected in 64 (10.6%) patients. Severe complications (CCI >42.3) were detected in 53 patients (8.8%) patients. Mortality rate was 1.7%. In multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.001), Charlson score (p = 0.014), CCI (p < 0.001), and TNM stage (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly in relation to long-term survival rate. S-CRC-PC score was statistically associated with survival rate (HR: 1.34-95% CI: 1.27-1.41). Patients with S-CRC-PC values from 0 to 8 points (low risk), 8.1-16 points (medium risk), and scores above 16 points (high risk) had a cumulative survival rate at five-years of 98%, 83%, and 31% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery assessed by CCI are an independent prognostic factor of survival rate. The S-CRC-PC score may be helpful in predicting long-term cancer outcomes.

[Prosthetic infection after hernioplasty. Five years experience]. / Infección de la prótesis en la reparación herniaria. Nuestra experiencia en 5 años.

INTRODUCTION: Prosthesis infection is an infrequent but important complication in abdominal wall surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for the infection of the prosthesis after hernia repair, as well as the treatment to apply. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 2002 and December 2006, we performed 1055 prosthetic hernia repairs: 761 inguinal hernias (72.1%), 74 umbilical hernias (7%) and 220 ventral hernias (20.9%). We prospectively analysed preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables, as well as the incidence of infection of surgical wound and of prosthesis. We used ASA classification for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation. RESULTS: The overall percentage of infection of the prosthesis was 1.3%. Infection was observed in 11 repairs with polypropylene mesh (PPL), in 4 with PTFE mesh, and one case in combined mesh. Risk factors of mesh infection were: obesity (p=0.002), diabetes (p=0.020), the type of repair (p=0.047), emergency surgery (p=0.001), the type and size of mesh (p=0.003; p=0.007) and time of surgery >180 min (p<0.001). Seven of the 11 patients with infection of PPL prosthesis were resolved with conservative treatment, whereas all the cases with PTFE infection or mixed mesh needed removal to solve the problem. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors are involved in producing a prosthesis infection. Whereas antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage of the infection can be sufficient in most PPL mesh infection, PTFE prostheses need to be removed prematurely in order to halt the infection process.