Using a Bedside Video-assisted Test Tube Test to Assess Stoma Viability: A Report of 4 Cases.

Mucosal discoloration of an intestinal stoma may indicate self-limited venous congestion or necrosis necessitating operative revision. A common bedside technique to assess stoma viability is the "test tube test". A clear tube is inserted into the stoma and a hand-held light is used to assess the color of the stoma. A technique (video-assisted test tube test [VATTT]) developed by the authors utilizes a standard video bronchoscope inserted into a clear plastic blood collection tube to visually inspect and assess the mucosa. This technique was evaluated in 4 patients (age range 49-72 years, all critically ill) with a discolored stoma after emergency surgery. In each case, physical exam revealed ischemic mucosa at the surface either immediately after surgery or after worsening hypotension weeks later. Serial test tube test assessments were ambiguous when trying to assess deeper mucosa. The VATTT assessment showed viable pink mucosa beneath the surface and until the fascia was revealed in 3 patients. One (1) patient had mucosal ischemia down to the fascia, which prompted operative revision of the stoma. The new stoma was assessed with a VATTT and was viable for the entire length of the stoma. VATTT provided an enhanced, magnified, and clearer way to visually assess stoma viability in the postoperative period that can be performed at the bedside with no adverse events. It may prevent unnecessary relaparotomy or enable earlier diagnosis of deep ostomy necrosis. Validity and reliability studies are warranted.

Image findings in celiac artery stenosis due to median arcuate ligament compression: a crucial diagnosis when planning for pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Celiac axis stenosis caused by extrinsic compression by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) is present in up to 5% of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Failure to identify and manage MAL compression can lead to potentially devastating postoperative consequences that include frank liver necrosis and death. We report an incidental discovery of celiac axis stenosis by MAL in a patient prepared for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Image findings and operative management are discussed.

Treatment factors associated with long-term survival after cytoreductive surgery and regional chemotherapy for patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVES: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a primary cancer that arises diffusely from the mesothelial cells lining the peritoneum. Morbidity and mortality are almost invariably owing to locoregional progression. Cytoreduction surgery (CRS) with intraoperative or perioperative high-dose regional chemotherapy has been established as the preferred approach in selected patients. This study was performed to identify factors associated with long-term outcome. METHODS: Between January 1992 and 2010, 211 patients with MPM treated at 3 major referral centers with operative CRS and hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) were analyzed. RESULTS: The median, actuarial overall survival was 38.4 months; the actuarial 5- and 10-year survivals were 41% and 26%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with favorable outcome were younger age <60 years (P < .01), complete or near complete (R0-1) versus incomplete (R2-3) resection (P < .02), low versus high histologic grade (P < .01), and the use of cisplatin versus mitomycin-C during HIPEC (P < .01). There was a trend toward female sex and improved survival (male hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-2.41; P = .13). CONCLUSION: Operative CRS with HIPEC is associated with prolonged survival in patients with MPM. Factors associated with survival include age, complete or near complete gross tumor resection, histologic tumor grade, and HIPEC with cisplatin. Cisplatin (versus mitomycin-C) was independently associated with improved survival and demonstrates a salutary effect for HIPEC with cisplatin in the management of patients with MPM.

Assessment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on operative parameters and outcome in patients with peritoneal dissemination from high-grade appendiceal cancer.

BACKGROUND: High-grade appendiceal adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with propensity for peritoneal metastases (PM). The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on operative cytoreduction (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and patient survival was reviewed. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with PM from high-grade appendiceal adenocarcinoma were identified from a prospective database. All patients had laparotomy with intent to undergo CRS and HIPEC. Operative parameters, complications, and survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients (male: 27, female: 18; median age: 55 years), 26 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy ± bevacizumab. Of the 26, 15 (58 %) had a response based on improvement in imaging, biomarkers, or both and 9 (34 %) had stable disease. The median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 27. Also, 30 (67 %) had a completeness of cytoreduction score (CCR) of ≤1 and 37 (82 %) received HIPEC. There were no differences in PCI, CCR score, operative blood loss, or major organ resection between those who received or did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Operative time was significantly shorter in those who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Major complications and length of hospital stay were similar between the groups. The median actuarial overall survival calculated from the date of initial therapeutic intervention was not different in those treated with or without neoadjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has marked clinical activity in patients with PM from high-grade appendiceal adenocarcinoma and does not adversely affect operative outcomes. These data support conducting a prospective clinical trial to define the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in this clinical setting.

Current concepts in the evaluation and treatment of patients with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare and ultimately fatal cancer that was first recognized and described a century ago. It is a diffuse primary malignant condition arising from the mesothelial lining of the peritoneum, and its natural history is hallmarked by a propensity to progress almost exclusively within the abdominal cavity throughout the entire course of disease. Patients afflicted with DMPM most commonly present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms that lead to diagnosis when the condition is relatively advanced. Historically, median overall survival for patients with DMPM without treatment is very short, averaging 6 months. Systemic chemotherapy using pemetrexed and cisplatin has an overall response rate of approximately 25% and a median overall survival of approximately 1 year. Many institutional reports have shown that in selected patients, operative cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy using cisplatin or mitomycin C is associated with long-term survival. Recent studies on the molecular biology of DMPM have yielded new insights relating to the potentially important role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin and epidermal growth factor receptor pathways in this disease, which may translate into new therapeutic options for patients with DMPM.

Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, progressive, and ultimately fatal disease in almost all afflicted individuals. MPM is a cancer that arises diffusely from the serosa of the abdominal cavity and progresses almost exclusively in this region; understanding its characteristic tumor biology has been the reasoning behind the development of treatment strategies designed to control disease progression in the peritoneum. This principally includes operative cytoreduction and hyperthermic intra-operative perfusion of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This approach has been administered either alone or in combination with early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), or as a component of a more protracted multimodal approach employing initial debulking surgery, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and whole abdominal radiotherapy. Median overall survivals of up to 7 years have been observed in series of patients selected for operative cytoreduction and HIPEC. Factors associated with good outcome are female gender, age less or equal to 60 years, and the ability to achieve a complete extirpation of all gross peritoneal disease. In patients with symptomatic ascites, complete palliation is achieved in almost all cases. However, this treatment strategy is not without complications and carries a morbidity of 25% and mortality up to 7%. Despite these risks, the best overall survival data have been associated with this surgical approach. At our institution, we advocate cytoreduction and HIPEC as the standard management for patients with MPM for whom operative cytoreduction appears possible and safe. We believe this treatment approach should be considered as the standard of care for patients with MPM.

Phase 2 trial of single agent Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

New, effective therapies are needed for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Ipilimumab can mediate an immunologic tumor regression in other histologies. This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy of Ipilimumab for advanced pancreatic cancer. Subjects were adults with locally advanced or metastatic pancreas adenocarcinoma with measurable disease, good performance status, and minimal comorbidities. Ipilimumab was administered intravenously (3.0 mg/kg every 3 wk; 4 doses/course) for a maximum of 2 courses. Response rate by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria and toxicity were measured. Twenty-seven subjects were enrolled (metastatic disease: 20 and locally advanced: 7) with median age of 55 years (27 to 68 y) and good performance status (26 with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status =0 to 1). Three subjects experienced ≥ grade 3 immune-mediated adverse events (colitis:1, encephalitis:1, hypohysitis:1). There were no responders by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria but a subject experienced a delayed response after initial progressive disease. In this subject, new metastases after 2 doses of Ipilimumab established progressive disease. But continued administration of the agent per protocol resulted in significant delayed regression of the primary lesion and 20 hepatic metastases. This was reflected in tumor markers normalization, and clinically significant improvement of performance status. Single agent Ipilimumab at 3.0 mg/kg/dose is ineffective for the treatment of advanced pancreas cancer. However, a significant delayed response in one subject of this trial suggests that immunotherapeutic approaches to pancreas cancer deserve further exploration.