Safe, selective histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy is costly, but the prevalence of unsuspected gallbladder cancer (incidental GBC) is low. This study determined whether selective histopathological examination is safe. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed. Pooled incidences of incidental and truly incidental GBC (GBC detected during histopathological examination without preoperative or intraoperative suspicion) were estimated using a random-effects model. The clinical consequences of truly incidental GBC were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-three studies (232 155 patients) were included. In low-incidence countries, the pooled incidence was 0·32 (95 per cent c.i. 0·25 to 0·42) per cent for incidental GBC and 0·18 (0·10 to 0·35) per cent for truly incidental GBC. Subgroup analysis of studies in which surgeons systematically examined the gallbladder revealed a pooled incidence of 0·04 (0·01 to 0·14) per cent. In high-incidence countries, corresponding pooled incidences were 0·83 (0·58 to 1·18), 0·44 (0·21 to 0·91) and 0·08 (0·02 to 0·39) per cent respectively. Clinical consequences were reported for 176 (39·3 per cent) of 448 patients with truly incidental GBC. Thirty-three patients (18·8 per cent) underwent secondary surgery. Subgroup analysis showed that at least half of GBC not detected during the surgeon's systematic examination of the gallbladder was early stage (T1a status or below) and of no clinical consequence. CONCLUSION: Selective histopathological examination of the gallbladder after initial macroscopic assessment by the surgeon seems safe and could reduce costs.

ANTECEDENTES: El examen histopatológico rutinario después de la colecistectomía es caro y la prevalencia de cáncer de vesícula biliar (gallbladder cancer, GBC) no sospechado o incidental es baja. Este estudio determinó si el examen histológico selectivo es seguro. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva en PubMed, Embase, Web of Science y en la Biblioteca Cochrane. Se estimaron las incidencias agrupadas de GBC incidental y realmente incidental (GBC detectado durante el examen histopatológico sin sospecha previa o intraoperatoria) utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios. Además, se evaluaron las consecuencias clínicas del GBC realmente incidental. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 73 estudios (n = 232.155). En los países de baja incidencia, la incidencia agrupada fue de 0,32% para el GBC incidental (i.c. del 95% 0,25 a 0,42) y de 0,18% (0,10 a 0,35) para GBC realmente incidental. El análisis de subgrupos que incluye estudios en los que los cirujanos examinaron sistemáticamente la vesícula biliar reveló una incidencia agrupada de 0,04% (0,01 a 0,14). En los países de alta incidencia, las incidencias agrupadas correspondientes fueron 0,83% (0,58 a 1,18), 0,44% (0.2 a 0.91) y 0,08% (0,02 a 0,39), respectivamente. Se describieron consecuencias clínicas en 176 (39,3%) de 448 pacientes con GBC realmente incidental. Treinta y tres pacientes (18,6%) se sometieron a cirugía secundaria. El análisis por subgrupos mostró que al menos la mitad de los GBC no detectados durante el examen sistemático de la vesícula biliar por parte del cirujano eran tumores de estadio precoz (≤ T1a) y sin consecuencias clínicas. CONCLUSIÓN: El examen histológico selectivo de vesículas biliares después de la evaluación macroscópica inicial realizada por el cirujano parece seguro y podría reducir los costes.

Consensus and controversies regarding follow-up after treatment with curative intent of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer: a synopsis of guidelines used in countries represented in the European Society of Coloproctology.

AIM: It is common clinical practice to follow patients for a period of years after treatment with curative intent of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer, but follow-up strategies vary widely. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of recommendations on this topic in guidelines from member countries of the European Society of Coloproctology, with supporting evidence. METHOD: A systematic search of Medline, Embase and the guideline databases Trip database, BMJ Best Practice and Guidelines International Network was performed. Quality assessment included use of the AGREE-II tool. All topics with recommendations from included guidelines were identified and categorized. For each subtopic, a conclusion was made followed by the degree of consensus and the highest level of evidence. RESULTS: Twenty-one guidelines were included. The majority recommended that structured follow-up should be offered, except for patients in whom treatment of recurrence would be inappropriate. It was generally agreed that clinical visits, measurement of carcinoembryoinc antigen and liver imaging should be part of follow-up, based on a high level of evidence, although the frequency is controversial. There was also consensus on imaging of the chest and pelvis in rectal cancer, as well as endoscopy, based on lower levels of evidence and with a level of intensity that was contradictory. CONCLUSION: In available guidelines, multimodal follow-up after treatment with curative intent of colorectal cancer is widely recommended, but the exact content and intensity are highly controversial. International agreement on the optimal follow-up schedule is unlikely to be achieved on current evidence, and further research should refocus on individualized 'patient-driven' follow-up and new biomarkers.

The use of thoracic stent grafts for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives Stent grafts for endovascular repair of infrarenal aneurysms are commercially available for aortic necks up to 32 mm in diameter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endovascular repair with large thoracic stent grafts in the infrarenal position to obtain adequate proximal seal in wider necks. Methods All patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair using thoracic stent grafts with diameters greater than 36 mm between 2012 and 2016 were included. Follow-up consisted of CT angiography after six weeks and annual duplex thereafter. Results Eleven patients with wide infrarenal aortic necks received endovascular repair with thoracic stent grafts. The median diameter of the aneurysms was 60 mm (range 52-78 mm) and the median aortic neck diameter was 37 mm (range 28-43 mm). Thoracic stent grafts were oversized by a median of 14% (range 2-43%). On completion angiography, one type I and two type II endoleaks were observed but did not require reintervention. One patient experienced graft migration with aneurysm sac expansion and needed conversion to open repair. Median follow-up time was 14 months (range 2-53 months), during which three patients died, including one aneurysm-related death. Conclusions Endovascular repair using thoracic stent grafts for patients with wide aortic necks is feasible. In these patients, the technique may be a reasonable alternative to complex endovascular repair with fenestrated, branched, or chimney grafts. However, more experience and longer follow-up are required to determine its position within the endovascular armamentarium.

Metachronous peritoneal metastases in patients with pT4b colon cancer: An international multicenter analysis of intraperitoneal versus retroperitoneal tumor invasion.

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that colon cancer with only retroperitoneal invasion is associated with a low risk of peritoneal dissemination. This study aimed to compare the risk of metachronous peritoneal metastases (mPM) between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal invasion. METHODS: In this international, multicenter cohort study, patients with pT4bN0-2M0 colon cancer who underwent curative surgery were categorized as having intraperitoneal invasion (e.g. bladder, small bowel, stomach, omentum, liver, abdominal wall) or retroperitoneal invasion only (e.g. ureter, pancreas, psoas muscle, Gerota's fascia). Primary outcome was 5-year mPM cumulative rate, assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Out of 907 patients with pT4N0-2M0 colon cancer, 198 had a documented pT4b category, comprising 170 patients with intraperitoneal invasion only, 12 with combined intra- and retroperitoneal invasion, and 16 patients with retroperitoneal invasion only. At baseline, only R1 resection rate significantly differed: 4/16 for retroperitoneal invasion only versus 8/172 for intra- +/- retroperitoneal invasion (p = 0.010). Overall, 22 patients developed mPM during a median follow-up of 45 months. Two patients with only retroperitoneal invasion developed mPM, both following R1 resection. The overall 5-year mPM cumulative rate was 13% for any intraperitoneal invasion and 14% for retroperitoneal invasion only (Log Rank, p = 0.878), which was 13% and 0%, respectively, in patients who had an R0 resection (Log Rank, p = 0.235). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that pT4b colon cancer patients with only retroperitoneal invasion who undergo an R0 resection have a negligible risk of mPM, but this is difficult to prove because of its rarity. This observation might have implications regarding individualized follow-up.