Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Identified by Citrullinated Histone H3 Immunohistochemistry for Postoperative Prognosis in Patients with Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular chromatin structures composed of cytoplasmic, granular, and nuclear components of neutrophils. Recently, NETs have received much attention for their role in tumor biology; however, their impact on the postoperative prognosis of patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (EHCCs) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of NETs identified by immunohistochemical citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3) staining on postoperative overall survival (OS) in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). METHODS: This study included 318 patients with EHCC (PHCC, n = 192; DCC, n = 126) who underwent surgical resection with curative intent. Neutrophils and NETs were identified by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CD15 and Cit-H3, respectively. Based on the distribution of CD15 and Cit-H3 expression in the tumor bed, the patients were classified into four groups: one negative group and three subgroups of the positive group (diffuse, intermediate, and focal subgroups). RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the postoperative OS rate depending on the distribution of CD15 expression in patients with PHCC or DCC. However, the three subgroups with positive Cit-H3 expression had significantly poorer OS than the negative group for both PHCC and DCC. Moreover, positive Cit-H3 was an independent OS factor in the multivariable analyses of PHCC (hazard ratio [HR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.59, P = 0.0115) and DCC (HR 2.03; 95% CI 1.21-3.42, P = 0.0057). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of NETs in the tumor microenvironment may have adverse prognostic effects in patients with EHCCs.

Incidence of atrial fibrillation after esophageal cancer surgery with L-carnitine use: a preliminary single-group interventional study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the POAF rate and blood FABP4 levels after perioperative L-carnitine administration in patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: L-carnitine (3 g in three divided doses) was administered to 15 patients 2 days before and 3 days after surgery. POAF during the study period and blood FABP4 levels (ELISA) before and after L-carnitine administration were evaluated. Accurate 95% confidence intervals (CI) for POAF incidence and changes in blood FABP4 levels were calculated. The preoperative predicted POAF rate was calculated using an application for esophageal cancer. The correlation between FABP4 levels and the predicted POAF rate was analyzed using Pearson's coefficient (r). RESULTS: Thirteen patients completed this study. The predicted POAF rate was 24% (17%, 34%) (median; interquartile range). The actual incidence of POAF was 7.7% (95% CI: 0.2-36%). Blood FABP4 levels changed from 10.3 to 7.0 ng/mL; the average change was - 3.3 (95% CI: - 6.6 to - 0.1). A positive correlation was found between preoperative FABP4 levels and the predicted POAF rates (r = 0.564). CONCLUSIONS: The POAF rate after esophageal surgery was 7.7% for L-carnitine. L-carnitine may reduce blood FABP4 levels. This preliminary study will contribute to the planning of sample sizes in future randomized trials.

Predictors of Long-Term Survival in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma after Pancreatectomy: TP53 and SMAD4 Mutation Scoring in Combination with CA19-9.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a fatal cancer for which even unfavorable clinicopathological factors occasionally fail to preclude long-term survival. We sought to establish a scoring system that utilizes measurable pre-intervention factors for predicting survival following surgical resection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients who died from short-term recurrences and 32 long-term survivors among 310 consecutively resected patients with PDA. A logistic regression model was used to define factors related to clinical parameters, molecular profiles of 18 pancreatic cancer-associated genes, and aberrant expression of major tumor suppressors. RESULTS: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) had the best ability to classify patients with short-term recurrence and long-term survivors [odds ratio 21.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.612-96.019], followed by SMAD4 and TP53 mutation scoring (odds ratio 41.322, 95% CI 3.156-541.035). Missense TP53 mutations were strongly associated with the nuclear expression of p53, whereas truncating mutations were associated with the absence of nuclear p53. The former subset was associated with a worse prognosis. The combination of aberrant SMAD4 and mutation types of TP53 exhibited a better resolution for distinguishing patients with short-term recurrences from long-term survivors (compared with the assessment of the number of mutated KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4 genes). Calibration of mutation scores combined with CA19-9 in a logistic regression model setting demonstrated a practical effect in classifying long survivors and patients with early recurrence (c-statistic = 0.876). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic information, i.e., TP53 mutation types and SMAD4 abnormalities, combined with CA19-9, will be a valuable tool for improving surgical strategies for pancreatic cancer.

Effects of obesity on CC16 and their potential role in overweight/obese asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Club cell secretory protein-16 (CC16) is a major anti-inflammatory protein expressed in the airway; however, the potential role of CC16 on overweight/obese asthma has not been assessed. In this study, we examined whether obesity reduces airway/circulatory CC16 levels using experimental and epidemiological studies. Then, we explored the mediatory role of CC16 in the relationship of overweight/obesity with clinical asthma measures. METHODS: Circulating CC16 levels were assessed by ELISA in three independent human populations, including two groups of healthy and general populations and asthma patients. The percentage of cells expressing club markers in obese vs. non-obese mice and human airways was determined by immunohistochemistry. A causal mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether circulatory CC16 acted as a mediator between overweight/obesity and clinical asthma measures. RESULTS: BMI was significantly and monotonously associated with reduced circulating CC16 levels in all populations. The percentage of CC16-expressing cells was reduced in the small airways of both mice and humans with obesity. Finally, mediation analysis revealed significant contributions of circulatory CC16 in the association between BMI and clinical asthma measures; 21.8% of its total effect in BMI's association with airway hyperresponsiveness of healthy subjects (p = 0.09), 26.4% with asthma severity (p = 0.030), and 23% with the required dose of inhaled corticosteroid (p = 0.042). In logistic regression analysis, 1-SD decrease in serum CC16 levels of asthma patients was associated with 87% increased odds for high dose ICS requirement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that airway/circulating CC16, which is inversely associated with BMI, may mediate development and severity in overweight/obese asthma.

Outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy in elderly patients: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the short-term outcomes and prognosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) in elderly patients aged ≥ 80 years in a multicenter retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 440 patients who underwent curative LTG for gastric cancer at six institutions between January 2004 and December 2018. Patients were categorized into an elderly patient group (EG; age ≥ 80 years) and non-elderly patient group (non-EG; age < 80 years). Patients were matched using the following propensity score covariates: sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, extent of lymph node dissection, and Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma stage. Short-term outcomes and prognoses were compared. RESULTS: We identified 37 propensity score-matched pairs. The median operative time was significantly shorter, and postoperative stay was longer in the EG. In terms of postoperative outcomes, the rates of all complications were comparable. The median follow-up period of the EG and non-EG was 11.5 (1-106.4) months and 35.7 (1-110.0) months, respectively; there were significant differences in 5-year overall survival between the two groups (EG, 58.5% vs. non-EG, 91.5%; P = 0.031). However, there were no significant differences in 5-year disease-specific survival (EG, 62.1% vs. non-EG, 91.5%; P = 0.068) or 5-year disease-free survival (EG, 52.9% vs. non-EG, 60.8%; P = 0.132). CONCLUSIONS: LTG seems to be safe and feasible in elderly patients. LTG had a limited effect on morbidity, disease recurrence, and survival in elderly patients. Therefore, age should not prevent elderly patients from benefitting from LTG.

Clinical and oncological benefits of left hepatectomy for Bismuth type I/II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to clarify whether the postoperative prognosis differs between right and left hepatectomy for Bismuth type I/II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Preoperative images of 195 patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were reexamined. Patients with Bismuth type I/II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma without a difference in extraductal tumor invasion between the right and left sides of the hepatic portal region were classified into those undergoing left (L group) or right (R group) hepatectomy. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (11.8%) were classified into the L group and 33 (16.9%) into the R group. All eight patients with pTis/1 belonged to the L group. The L group had significantly less liver failure than the R group (p = 0.001). One patient (4.3%) in the L group and four patients (12.1%) in the R group died from postoperative complications. Among 48 patients with pT2, the L group tended to have better overall survival (median, 12.2 vs. 5.6 years; p = 0.072), but not recurrence-free survival (median, 9.1 vs. 3.6 years; p = 0.477), in comparison to the R group. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative survival after left hepatectomy for Bismuth type I/II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is expected to be as long as that after right hepatectomy.

Targeted amplicon sequencing for primary tumors and matched lymph node metastases in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is one of the most adverse prognostic factors in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) cases. As next-generation sequencing technology has become more widely available, the genomic profile of biliary tract carcinoma has been clarified. However, whether LNMs have additional genomic alterations in patients with EHCC has not been investigated. Here, we aimed to compare the genomic alterations between primary tumors and matched LNMs in patients with EHCC. METHODS: Sixteen patients with node-positive EHCCs were included. Genomic DNA was extracted from tissue samples of primary tumors and matched LNMs. Targeted amplicon sequencing of 160 cancer-related genes was performed. RESULTS: Among the 32 tumor samples from 16 patients, 91 genomic mutations were identified. Genomic mutations were noted in 31 genes, including TP53, MAP3K1, SMAD4, APC, and ARID1A. TP53 mutations were most frequently observed (12/32; 37.5%). Genomic mutation profiles were highly concordant between primary tumors and matched LNMs (13/16; 81.3%), and an additional genomic mutation of CDK12 was observed in only one patient. CONCLUSION: Genomic mutations were highly concordant between primary tumors and matched LNMs, suggesting that genotyping of archived primary tumor samples may help predict genomic mutations of metastatic tumors in patients with EHCC.

Robotic real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence for lymph node dissection along the left gastroepiploic vessels during robotic distal gastrectomy - First experience.

Splenic infarction (SI) following gastrectomy is common; severe complications related to SI, such as splenic haemorrhage, abscess formation or rupture, can be fatal. To overcome these problems, we performed real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence during robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG). The aim of study is to report the efficacy of robotic real-time vessel navigation for lymph node dissection (LND) along left gastroepiploic vessels (LGEVs). We treated seven patients with gastric cancer who underwent LND along the LGEVs using robotic real-time vessel navigation during RDG at our institution from January 2021 to July 2021. There were no complications (Clavien-Dindo classification II). There were no cases of post-operative SI or spleen-related complications. Robotic real-time vessel navigation using ICG for LND along LGEVs during RDG could help to reduce post-operative spleen-related complications associated with RDG.

A novel laparoscopic near-infrared fluorescence spectrum system with indocyanine green fluorescence overcomes limitations of near-infrared fluorescence image-guided surgery.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) introduces a revolutionary new approach to address this basic challenge in minimally invasive surgery. However, current FIGS systems have some limitations - the infrared rays cannot detect and visualise thick tissues with low concentrations of the fluorescent agent. We established a novel laparoscopic fluorescence spectrum (LFS) system using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence to overcome these limitations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conjugated to ICG, and the mixtures were serially diluted at 5 × 10-8-5 × 10-1 mg/mL. We used the LFS system and a NIR camera system (NLS; SHINKO OPTICAL CO., LTD Tokyo, Japan) to determine the optical dilution for the fluorescence detection. BSA was conjugated to ICG (5.0 × 10-2 mg/mL) and used to coat the clips. We attempted to identify the fluorescence-coated clip from the serosal side of the cadaveric porcine stomach tissues using the LFS system and the NIR camera system. We measured the depth of the cadaveric porcine stomach wall at the thickest part that could be confirmed. RESULTS: We could not visualise fluorescence concentrations <2.5 × 10-3 mg/mL using the NIR camera system. The spectrum was detected at a concentration <2.5 × 10-3 mg/mL. We were able to identify the spectrum of ICG (829 nm) to a 13-mm depth of cadaveric porcine stomach wall by using the LFS system but could not identify the same with the NIR camera system regardless of wall thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The novel LFS system with NIR fluorescence imaging in this ex vivo and cadaveric porcine model was confirmed useful at deeper depths and lower concentrations. Based on these findings, we anticipate that the LFS system can be integrated and routinely used in minimally invasive surgery.

The assessment of risk factors for postoperative delirium using cubic spline curves in gastroenterological surgery.

PURPOSE: Delirium is associated with longer hospital stays and increased medical costs and mortality. This study explored the risk factors for postoperative delirium in gastroenterological surgery and investigated the association between qualitative changes in risk factors and the incidence of postoperative delirium. METHODS: A total of 418 patients > 18 years old who underwent gastroenterological surgery at our department between April 2018 and September 2019 were included. Risk factors were identified by comparing patients with and without postoperative delirium. Continuous variables were evaluated graphically using cubic spline curves. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative delirium was 6.9%. The cubic spline curve showed that the incidence of postoperative delirium began to increase at 50 years old and increased sharply at 70 years old. A multiple logistic regression analysis of patients > 50 years old identified 5 risk factors: age ≥ 70 years, preoperative serum albumin ≤ 3.8 g/dL, psychosis, sedative-hypnotics, and intensive-care unit admission. CONCLUSION: The risk of postoperative delirium increases progressively at 50 years old and sharply at 70 years old. Advanced age, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, psychosis, sedative-hypnotics, and intensive-care unit admission are risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients > 50 years old undergoing gastroenterological surgery.

Laparoscopic real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence during laparoscopy-assisted gastric tube reconstruction: First experience.

A considerable percentage of morbidity and mortality after oesophagectomy is due to leakage of oesophagogastrostomy, which is mainly caused by ischaemia of the gastric tube. Therefore, we performed laparoscopic real-time vessel navigation (LRTVN) using indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG) during laparoscopy-assisted gastric tube reconstruction (LAGR) to evaluate gastric tube blood flow and avoid vascular injury. This study included five oesophageal cancer patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy and LAGR. We confirmed the presence of the left gastroepiploic artery (LGEA) in all cases, and no findings such as post-operative gastric tube ischaemia were observed. In all cases, no vascular injury was observed, and the vascularization of LGEA was confirmed. This report is the first to consider the usefulness of LRTVN using ICG during LAGR. LRTVN using ICG during LAGR was considered to be useful for evaluating gastric tube blood flow and avoiding vascular injury around the splenic hiatus.

Laparoscopic real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence during the laparoscopic-Warshaw technique: First clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic-Warshaw technique (lap-WT) may be selected as a function-preserving operation for malignant border lesions in the tail region of the pancreas. However, previous reports showed that there are complications such as infection and abscess formation due to lack of blood flow to the spleen after surgery. To overcome the problems, we have performed real-time vessel navigation by using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence during lap-WT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our experience of three patients with pancreatic tumour who underwent real-time vessel navigation during lap-WT at Hokkaido University from May 2017 to September 2018. RESULTS: The median operating time was 339 min (174-420). The median intraoperative bleeding was 150 ml (0-480). There were no incidences of complications. There were no cases with post-operative spleen ischaemia or abscess formation and varices formation. CONCLUSION: We believe that laparoscopic real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence during lap-WT could contribute in reducing the post-operative spleen-related complications.

Time to Recurrence After Surgical Resection and Survival After Recurrence Among Patients with Perihilar and Distal Cholangiocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The differences between perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) regarding recurrence and the factors that affect recurrence after surgery are unclear. This study aims to investigate the differences in recurrence patterns between patients with PHCC and those with DCC after surgical resection with curative intent. It also investigates the risk factors associated with recurrence and survival thereafter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The postoperative courses of 366 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (EHCCs), including 236 with PHCC and 130 with DCC, who underwent surgical resections were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: During follow-up, tumors recurred in 143 (60.6%) patients with PHCC and in 72 (55.4%) patients with DCC. Overall survival (OS) after surgery, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and OS after recurrence were similar for the patients with PHCC and those with DCC. The cumulative probability of recurrence declined 3 years after surgery in the patients with PHCC and those with DCC. A multivariable analysis determined that, among the patients with PHCC and those with DCC, regional lymph node metastasis was a significant risk factor associated with RFS. Ten patients with PHCC and eight patients with DCC with two or fewer sites of recurrence in a single organ underwent resections. A multivariable analysis determined that recurrent tumor resection was an independent prognostic factor associated with OS after recurrence in the patients with PHCC and those with DCC. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative survival did not differ between the patients with PHCC and those with DCC. Frequent surveillances for recurrence are needed for 3 years after surgical resection of EHCCs. In selected patients, surgery for recurrent EHCCs might be associated with improved outcomes.

Minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction: Novel technique for simultaneous combined use of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The optimal approach to resection for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction (AEG) is still controversial. Our novel procedures and experience with a minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach (MALTA) for Siewert type II AEG are described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intra- and post-operative outcomes for MALTA were assessed in seven consecutive patients with a preoperative diagnosis of Siewert type II AEG at Hokkaido University Hospital. RESULTS: None of the patients were converted to open surgery. The mean surgical duration was 434.0 ± 71.4 min, and mean blood loss was 20.7 ± 16.7 ml. On pathological examination, the median proximal margin was 24.6 ± 12.5 mm. No reoperations were needed, and there were no surgery-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: This novel technique shows considerable advantages, such as ensuring the proximal margin, intrathoracic oesophagojejunostomy and increased operative field exposure of the lower mediastinal area for Siewert type II AEG.

The effect of the body mass index on the short-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy: A propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data of patients who underwent LTG for gastric cancer at six institutions between 2004 and 2018 were retrospectively collected. The patients were classified into three groups: low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2), normal BMI (≥18.5 and <25 kg/m2) and high BMI (≥25 kg/m2). In these patients, clinicopathological variables were analysed using propensity score matching for age, sex, the American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical state, clinical stage, surgical method, D2 lymph node dissection, combined resection of other organs, anastomosis method and jejunal pouch reconstruction. The surgical results and post-operative outcomes were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were matched in the analysis of the low BMI and normal BMI groups. There were no differences in operative time (P = 0.693), blood loss (P = 0.150), post-operative complication (P = 0.762) and post-operative hospital stay (P = 0.448). In the analysis of the normal BMI and high BMI groups, 208 patients were matched. There were also no differences in blood loss (P = 0.377), post-operative complication (P = 0.249) and post-operative hospital stay (P = 0.676). However, the operative time was significantly longer in the high BMI group (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the association with a longer operative time in the high BMI group, BMI had no significant effect on the surgical outcomes of LTG. LTG could be performed safely regardless of BMI.

Prognostic relevance of tertiary lymphoid organs following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The efficacy of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NAC) in cases of pancreatic cancer with extremely poor prognoses has been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify novel biomarkers that reflect prognoses following chemoradiotherapy using tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO) expressed in the tumor microenvironment. Resected tumor specimens were obtained from 140 pancreatic cancer patients. We retrospectively investigated the clinical relevance of TLO by categorizing patients into those who underwent upfront surgery (surgery first [SF]) and those who received NAC. The immunological elements within TLO were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the IHC analysis, the proportions of CD8+ T lymphocytes, PNAd+ high endothelial venules, CD163+ macrophages and Ki-67+ cells within the TLO were higher in the NAC group than in the SF group. In contrast, the proportion of programmed cell death-1+ immunosuppressive lymphocytes within TLO was lower in the NAC group than in the SF group. The NAC group demonstrated favorable prognoses compared with the SF group. In the multivariate analysis, the TLO/tumor ratio was determined as an independent predictive prognostic factor. In conclusion, the administration of preoperative chemoradiotherapy may influence the immunological elements in the tumor microenvironment and result in favorable prognoses in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.

Development of a novel tool to assess skills in laparoscopic gastrectomy using the Delphi method: the Japanese operative rating scale for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (JORS-LDG).

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the performance of laparoscopic gastrectomy is yet unreported, likely because of the complexity of the procedure. We aimed to develop a tool to assess the skills required for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) through cognitive task analysis (CTA) and expert consensus using the Delphi method. METHODS: CTA involved the listing of the knowledge and criteria required for completing each step of LDG as subtasks based on interviews by experts and novices and text book, instructional video, and procedural review. The Delphi evaluation method involved anonymous online surveys, conducted to merge the opinions of experts in laparoscopic gastrectomy. The experts were asked to rate (from 1 to 5) the importance of subtasks for skill evaluation and training for LDG using a Likert scale. Consensus among expert viewpoints was determined by the internal consistency of each item using Cronbach's approach. RESULTS: Essential subtasks drafted for the assessment of LDG performance were determined based on the CTA. Thirty-one LDG experts participated in the online-survey with a response rate over 90%. A consensus was achieved after 2 rounds of surveys with a Cronbach alpha of 0.86, and 34 subtasks of LDG were selected. We finally created the Japanese Operative Rating Scale for Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy (JORS-LDG) based on the 34 subtasks. CONCLUSIONS: We developed the JORS-LDG using CTA and the Delphi method.

Postoperative Liver Failure Criteria for Predicting Mortality after Major Hepatectomy with Extrahepatic Bile Duct Resection.

BACKGROUND: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication after major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (Hx with EBDR) that may cause severe morbidity and even death. The purpose of this study was to compare several criteria systems as predictors of PHLF-related mortality following Hx with EBDR for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 222 patients who underwent Hx with EBDR for PHCC. We compared several criteria systems, including previously established criteria (the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) criterion; and the "50-50" criterion), and our institution's novel systems "Max T-Bili" defined as total bilirubin (T-Bili) >7.3 mg/dL during post-operative days (POD) 1-7, and the "3-4-50" criterion, defined as total bilirubin >4 mg/dL and prothrombin time <50% on POD #3. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (5.8%) died from PHLF-related causes. The 3-4-50 criterion showed high positive predictive values (39.1%), the 3-4-50, Max T-Bili, and 50-50 criterion showed high accuracies (91.7, 86.9, and 90.5%, respectively) and varying sensitivities (69.2, 69.2, and 38.5% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 3-4-50, Max T-Bili, and 50-50 criterion were all useful for predicting PHLF-related mortality after Hx with EBDR for PHCC.

Novel prognostic score of postoperative complications after transthoracic minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a retrospective cohort study of 90 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy is the standard treatment for esophageal cancer, but has a high rate of postoperative complications. Some studies reported the various scoring system to estimate the postoperative complications. However, there were according to various surgical methods and included intra- and post-operative factors. Recently, minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is becoming the first-line treatment for esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of postoperative complications and to establish a useful system for predicting postoperative complications after transthoracic MIE. METHODS: From 2007 to 2015, 90 patients who underwent transthoracic MIE at our department were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative complication: patients with major complications (n = 32) and without major complications (n = 58). Major complication was defined as ≥ IIIa in the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified four independent risk factors for predicting postoperative complications: age [≥ 70 years; odd ratio (OR) 6.88; p = 0.001]; sex (male; OR 5.24; p = 0.031); total protein level (< 6.7 mg/dl; OR 6.51; p = 0.002), and C-reactive protein level (≥ 0.15; OR, 6.58; p = 0.001). These four factors were used to establish a score. The complication rate for scores 0-4 were 0, 11, 36, 71, 100%, respectively. The frequency of major complications was significantly associated with the score (p < 0.001). Receiver operator characteristic curves to predict the score with regard to major complications showed an area under the curve value of 0.798 (95% confidence interval: 0.696-0.871, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel score may help to decide surgical intervention for esophagectomy and provide appropriate resources for perioperative management.

The surgical outcome of minimally invasive pharyngo-laryngo-oesophagectomy in prone position.

Purpose: Pharyngo-laryngo-oesophagectomy (PLE) which is mainly indicated for cervical oesophageal cancer or synchronous double cancer of the thoracic oesophagus and the pharynx or larynx, is extremely invasive. Since minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIE) using video-assisted thoracic surgery has become popular recently, the procedure can be adopted to PLE. Moreover, the use of the prone position (PP) in MIEs has been increasing recently because technical advantages and fewer post-operative complications were reported. To assess the validity of PP, this study compared surgical outcomes of minimally invasive PLE (MIPLE) in PP with that in the left lateral decubitus position (LLDP). Patients and Methods: This study enrolled consecutive 15 patients that underwent MIPLE with LLDP (n = 7) or PP (n = 8) between January 1996 and October 2016. The patients' background characteristics, operative findings and post-operative complications were examined. Results: : Eligible diseases are 5 cases of cervical oesophageal cancer, 9 cases of synchronous double cancer of the thoracic oesophagus and head and neck and 1 case of cervical oesophageal recurrence of the head-and-neck cancer. The patients' background characteristics were not significantly different. During surgery, thoracic blood loss was significantly lower in PP than in LLDP (P = 0.0487). Other operative findings and post-operative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: : In MIPLE, the PP could reduce blood loss due to the two-lung ventilation under artificial pneumothorax and was associated with lower surgical stress than LLDP.