The association of hospital volume with rectal cancer surgery outcomes.

PURPOSE: An association between hospital volume and postoperative mortality has been identified for several oncologic surgical procedures. Our objective was to analyze differences in surgical outcomes for patients with rectal cancer according to hospital volume in the state of California. METHODS: A cross-sectional study from 2000 to 2005 was performed using the state of California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Hospitals were categorized into low (≤30)-, medium (31-60)-, and high (>60)-volume groups based on the total number of rectal cancer operations performed during the study period. RESULTS: Overall, 7,187 rectal cancer operations were performed. Of the 321 hospitals in the study cohort, 72 % (n = 232), 20 % (n = 65), and 8 % (n = 24) were low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals, respectively. Postoperative mortality was significantly lower- in high-volume hospitals (0.9 %) when compared to medium- (1.1 %) and low-volume hospitals (2.1 %; p < 0.001). High-volume hospitals also performed more sphincter-preserving procedures (64 %) when compared to medium- (55 %) and low-volume hospitals (51 %; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that hospital volume correlates with improved outcomes in rectal cancer surgery. Rectal cancer patients may benefit from lower mortality and increased sphincter preservation in higher-volume centers.

What do surgical oncology staff nurses know about colorectal cancer ostomy care?

BACKGROUND: For most patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, dealing with the adjustment and rehabilitation after treatment can be overwhelming. There is a significant need for expert educational and counseling support, especially for the patient with a new ostomy. This pilot study describes acute care oncology staff nurses' knowledge about and attitudes toward providing direct ostomy care support and education. This study is part of a larger project assessing gaps in education and services in support of patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: The Survey on Ostomy Care questionnaire designed to assess nurses' knowledge about and attitudes toward ostomy care was administered to oncology staff nurses at a comprehensive cancer center. RESULTS: Only 30% of staff nurses surveyed strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, "I care for ostomy patients often enough to keep up my skills in ostomy care." Maintaining staff nurses' ability to teach and demonstrate to patients complex care such as ostomy care depends on the ability to practice both education and hands-on skills. Staff nurses identify that lack of opportunity to care for the new ostomy patient influences their ability to maintain skill expertise. CONCLUSION: The results show the need to explore the provision of ongoing staff education for low-volume patient populations using creative teaching strategies, such as clinical simulation and short videos.

Extracorporeal versus intracorporeal anastomosis for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

BACKGROUND: During laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, the anastomosis can be created intra- or extracorporeally. This study aimed to determine whether a difference exists in short-term outcomes between these techniques. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 80 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomies since 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. An intracorporeal anastomosis was performed in 23 patients, an extracorporeal anastomosis in 57. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in median length of stay (4 days), number of removed lymph nodes, estimated blood loss, operative time (190 minutes intracorporeal vs. 180 minutes) and postoperative ileus (22% intracorporeal vs. 16%). The incision length was significantly shorter in the intracorporeal group (4cm vs. 5cm; P=0.004). Complications related to the anastomosis including twisting of the mesentery (n=2), anastomotic volvulus (n=1), or leak (n=1) occurred in 4 patients in the extracorporeal group compared with one minor anastomotic leak in the intracorporeal group. Major complication rates were similar between the 2 groups (4.3% intracorporeal vs. 5.3% extracorporeal). CONCLUSION: The type of anastomosis does not influence short-term outcomes after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. An intracorporeal anastomosis results in shorter incision length and may decrease wound-related complications.

Robotic fourth-arm enucleation of an esophageal leiomyoma and review of literature.

Esophageal leiomyomas are resected in symptomatic and/or malignancy-suspicious cases. Traditionally, they have been removed by laparotomy or thoracotomy and more recently by thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. Mucosal injury is reported as high as 7% of cases but may be higher in unreported general practice. Robotic technology seems to offer advantages. We describe a robotic approach that seems to minimize mobilization of the esophagus, potentially decreasing the likelihood of mucosal injury and postoperative recovery time. We review the literature to evaluate the reports of mucosal injury with the open, minimally invasive, and robotic techniques and describe our own method. To improve efficiency, we use a four-arm technique.

Evaluation of the safety of high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy in blunt thoracic trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Airway clearance is frequently needed by patients suffering from blunt chest wall trauma. High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) has been shown to be effective in helping to clear secretions from the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, emphysema, COPD, and many others. Chest wall trauma patients are at increased risk for development of pulmonary complications related to airway clearance. These patients frequently have chest tubes, drains, catheters, etc. which could become dislodged during HFCWO. This prospective observational study was conducted to determine if HFCWO treatment, as provided by The Vesttrade mark Airway Clearance System (Hill-Rom, Saint Paul, MN), was safe and well tolerated by these patients. METHODS: Twenty-five blunt thoracic trauma patients were entered into the study. These patients were consented. Each patient was prescribed 2, 15 minute HFCWO treatments per day using The Vest(R) Airway Clearance System (Hill-Rom, Inc., St Paul, MN). The Vest(R) system was set to a frequency of 10-12 Hz and a pressure of 2-3 (arbitrary unit). Physiological parameters were measured before, during, and after treatment. Patients were free to refuse or terminate a treatment early for any reason. RESULTS: No chest tubes, lines, drains or catheters were dislodged as a result of treatment. One patient with flail chest had a chest tube placed after one treatment due to increasing serous effusion. No treatments were missed and continued without further incident. Post treatment survey showed 76% experienced mild or no pain and more productive cough. Thirty days after discharge there were no deaths or hospital re-admissions. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that HFCWO treatment is safe for trauma patients with lung and chest wall injuries. These findings support further work to demonstrate the airway clearance benefits of HFCWO treatment.

Impact of a full-time preceptor on the institutional outcome of laparoscopic colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC) is a difficult operation with long learning curves and conversion rates inversely proportional to the surgeon's experience. Methods to help train surgeons outside of residency or fellowship programs have been poorly analyzed. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon preceptor on the outcome of LAC in a single institution METHODS: In September 2004, a fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeon joined our department of surgery. This surgeon served as a LAC preceptor for six inexperienced staff surgeons and four surgical oncology fellows. Clinical and pathologic data from all attempted LAC for the 22 months preceding the arrival of the trained laparoscopic surgeon were compared with those for the 18 months following the recruitment. RESULTS: Before the addition of the expert surgeon, 28 LAC were performed in our institution, compared with 63 during the preceptor program. These represented 59% and 95% of eligible operations for each time period, respectively (P = 0.005). Overall conversion rates before and after the preceptor's arrival decreased from 44% to 14%, respectively (P < 0.05). The chances of conversion were strongly affected by the presence or absence of the preceptor in the operating room (7% vs. 30%, respectively, P = 0.003). Overall complication rates, hospital stay, blood loss, operative time and number of lymph nodes retrieved were not affected by the presence of the preceptor. Operations completed laparoscopically resulted in significantly lower blood loss and length of stay compared with converted ones. CONCLUSIONS: A shared departmental preceptor can positively affect the institutional outcome of laparoscopic colectomy. This model may help improve training and patient care in inexperienced centers.

Short-term outcomes after robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer remains a difficult procedure with high conversion rates. We have sought to improve on some of the pitfalls of laparoscopy by using the DaVinci robotic system. Here we report our two-year experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for primary rectal cancer. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of all rectal cancer cases starting in November 2004 was created. A series of 39 consecutive unselected patients with primary rectal cancer was analyzed. Clinical and pathologic outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 22 patients had low anterior, 11 intersphincteric and six abdominoperineal resections. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were % and 12.8%, respectively. The median operative time was 285 minutes (range 180-540 mins). The conversion rate was 2.6%. A total mesorectal excision with negative circumferential and distal margins was accomplished in all patients, and a median of 13 (range 7-28) lymph nodes was removed. The anastomotic leak rate was 12.1%. The median hospital stay was 4 days. There have been no local recurrences at a median follow-up of 13 months. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted surgery for rectal cancer can be carried out safely and according to oncological principles. This approach shows promising short-term outcomes and may facilitate the adoption of minimally invasive rectal surgery.

Pilot series of robot-assisted laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is evolving as a therapeutic tool for thoracic and urologic applications; however, its use in gastric cancer surgery has not been extensively reported. The objective of this pilot series was to assess the feasibility of using robotic surgery in performing an extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: Between June 2005 and July 2006, seven patients (3 female, 4 male) underwent combined laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with omentectomy and robot-assisted extended lymphadenectomy using the da Vinci Surgical System for early distal gastric tumors. The mean age of the patients was 64 years. Tumor staging ranged from 0 to II. Six patients had adenocarcinoma and one patient had a high-grade dysplastic adenoma. RESULTS: All procedures were completed successfully without conversion. The median operating time was 420 min. There was one intraoperative complication requiring a colon resection for a devascularized segment. The median number of nodes harvested was 24 (range = 17-30). Resection margins were negative in all specimens. Patients were hospitalized a median of 4 days (range = 3-9). Thirty-day mortality was 0%. Patients resumed a solid diet a median of 4 days postoperatively. Median followup was 9 (range = 0-10) months. There have been no tumor recurrences to date. CONCLUSION: Extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer using robotic surgery is safe and allows for an adequate lymph node retrieval. Our preliminary results suggest that this novel technique offers short hospital stays and low morbidity for patients undergoing surgical resection of distal gastric malignancies. Future studies will be necessary to better define the role of robotic surgery in gastric cancer treatment.

Robotic-assisted lung resection for malignant disease.

OBJECTIVE: : There have been few reports of the use of robotic surgery to resect lung malignancies. Feasibility and safety of robotic lung resection for malignant lung lesions will be assessed by performing a retrospective analysis. METHODS: : Between September 2004 and November 2006, 21 patients (11 male and 10 female patients) underwent robotic lung resection. Twenty resections were performed for primary nonsmall cell lung cancer and two for metastatic lesions. One patient had bilateral resections for two primary tumors. Fourteen lobectomies, five segementectomies, one wedge resection, and two bilobectomies were performed. Seventy-two percent of operative procedures included mediastinoscopy and/or bronchoscopy at the time of resection. RESULTS: : Thirty-day mortality and conversion rate was 0%. The median operating room time and estimated blood loss was 3.6 hours and 100 mL, respectively. The median intensive care unit and total length of hospital stays were 2 and 4 days, respectively. Chest tubes were removed after a median of 2.0 days. The complication rate was 27%, which included atrial fibrillation, need for postoperative bronchoscopy, and pneumonia. The median tumor size and number of lymph nodes harvested was 2.3 cm and 16, respectively. All resection margins were negative. Median follow-up time was 9.8 months, with no local recurrences at this time. CONCLUSION: : Robotic lung resection appears safe and feasible and allows for significant lymph node retrieval, offers short hospital stays and low morbidity for patients undergoing surgical resection of lung malignancies. Future studies are needed to define the role of robotic surgery in lung cancer treatment.

Molecular markers for gastric adenocarcinoma: an update.

Gastric cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Treatment of localized gastric cancer relies primarily on surgical intervention, although growing evidence suggests that the addition of chemoradiation may improve disease-free intervals and overall survival. In this regard, the current high rates of recurrence and subsequent poor survival have prompted an ever-increasing use of multimodal strategies, even for early-stage disease. However, these therapies are often limited by debilitating toxicities and varying degrees of response efficacy. As a result, pharmacogenomics, the study of specific genetic and molecular signatures that may be predictive of treatment outcomes, has gained considerable interest. For example, studies have demonstrated that the expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism or conjugation of commonly used chemotherapy agents, such as fluoropyrimidines and cisplatin, can serve as surrogate markers predictive of chemotherapy response. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding these enzymes have also been identified and may further account for altered expression patterns, resulting in varied clinical responses. Future work is necessary to further refine the list of molecular genetic markers and to identify novel markers for prognostic and predictive purposes. Technologies such as microarray analysis may be useful in identifying new molecular genetic markers, and further work may determine whether these markers can be employed to help stratify patients into different multimodal treatment regimens.