Ileostomy versus colostomy: impact on functional outcomes after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

AIM: Even if a defunctioning stoma mitigates the serious consequences of anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, the presence of a temporary stoma or having a stoma for a prolonged period of time may also be a determining factor for further morbidities and poor bowel function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverting stomas on clinical and functional outcomes after TME, comparing ileostomy or colostomy effects. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent TME for rectal cancer between March 2017 and December 2020 in three Italian referral centres were enrolled in the present study. For every patient sex, age, stage of the tumour, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical technique, anastomotic technique, the presence of a diverting stoma, perioperative complications and functional postoperative status were recorded. Considering the diverting stoma, the kind of stoma, length of time before closure and stoma related complications were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period 416 consecutive patients (63% men) were included. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 79%. A minimally invasive approach was performed in >95% of patients. Temporary stoma was performed during the operation in 387 patients (93%) (ileostomy 71%, colostomy 21%). The stoma was closed in 84% of patients. The median time from surgery to stoma closure was 145 days. No difference was found between ileostomy and colostomy in overall morbidity after stoma creation and closure. Moreover, increased postoperative functional disturbance seemed to be significantly proportional to the attending time for closure for ileostomy. CONCLUSION: The presence of a defunctioning stoma seems to have a negative impact on functional bowel activity, especially for delayed closure for ileostomy. This should be considered when the kind of stoma (ileostomy vs. colostomy) is selected for each patient.

Upper transversal hepatectomy with double hepatic vein resection and reconstruction to treat colorectal cancer liver metastases at the hepatocaval confluence: a strategy to achieve R0 liver-sparing resection.

BACKGROUND: Repeated hepatectomies in the therapeutic route of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) may improve their long term survival. Hepatic vein (HV) resection and reconstruction allows parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH) and R0 resections for CRLM in contact with one HV. We aimed at verifying the feasibility of PSH with double HV resection and direct reconstruction for CRLM in contact with two HVs at the hepatocaval confluence. METHODS: Out of 106 consecutive PSH performed for CRLM deep-located in segments I-IVa-VII-VIII, four (3.7%) PSH were performed with resection of CRLM en bloc with two adjacent HVs which were both reconstructed with double direct HV anastomosis: 3 cases between right-HV and middle-HV and 1 case between middle-HV and left-HV. Two patients had previously undergone liver resection. Three patients had one single lesion and one had 5 CRLMs. RESULTS: Median size of CRLMs in contact with HVs was 25 mm (range 22-30 mm). At histological examination, all resections were R0 except one R1-vascular (detachment from glissonean pedicle): in all cases at least one HV and in 1 case both HVs were infiltrated by the tumor cells. After median follow-up of 18 (range 3.5-41.2) months, all HVs were patent. All patients were alive and in good general conditions, and 3 patients were disease free (one of them following a liver re-resection). One patient experienced a grade IIIa complication. Median hospital-stay was 11 (range 9-13) days. CONCLUSION: In patients with CRLMs involving two adjacent HVs at the hepatocaval confluence, liver resection with double HV resection and direct reconstruction is feasible and may be considered to guarantee oncological radicality (R0) and spare health parenchyma.

Sentinel node mapping in thyroid cancer: an overview.

In this paper we describe the current status of sentinel node mapping (SNM) in thyroid tumors and its potential perspectives. SNM in thyroid cancer has been tested since the end of the twentieth century, mainly in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). In PTC, it has been employed to find occult lymph node metastases in the central compartment of the neck as an alternative or indication for prophylactic dissection, by several methods. All of them have proven effective in spotting sentinel nodes, but the results have been somewhat diminished by uncertainty about the clinical significance of occult metastases in differentiated thyroid cancer. SNM in MTC has also been used to find occult lymph node metastases in the lateral compartments of the neck, also with excellent results hindered by a similar doubt about the real clinical significance of MTC micrometastases. Well designed, adequately sized randomized controlled trials are lacking, so SNM in thyroid tumors remains an interesting yet experimental methodology. New technology is emerging that could facilitate such studies, which could add solid information about the clinical significance of occult neck metastases in thyroid cancer.

Vessel-Guided Mesohepatectomy for Liver Partition and Staged Major Parenchyma-Sparing Hepatectomies with Super-Selective Portal Vein Embolization or Enhanced ALPPS to Achieve R0 Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases at the Hepatocaval Confluence.

Background. R0 minor parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH) is feasible for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in contact with hepatic veins (HV) at hepatocaval confluence since HV can be reconstructed, but in the case of contact with the first-order glissonean pedicle (GP), major hepatectomy is mandatory. To pursue an R0 parenchyma-sparing policy, we proposed vessel-guided mesohepatectomy for liver partition (MLP) and eventually combination with liver augmentation techniques for staged major PSH. Methods. We analyzed 15 consecutive vessel-guided MLPs for CRLM at the hepatocaval confluence. Patients had a median of 11 (range: 0-67) lesions with a median diameter of 3.5 cm (range: 0.0-8.0), bilateral in 73% of cases. Results. Grade IIIb or more complications occurred in 13%, median hospital stay was 14 (range: 6-62) days, 90-day mortality was 0%. After a median follow-up of 17.5 months, 1-year OS and RFS were 92% and 62%. In nine (64%) patients, MLP was combined with portal vein embolization (PVE) or ALPPS to perform staged R0 major PSH. Future liver remnant (FLR) volume increased from a median of 15% (range: 7-20%) up to 41% (range: 37-69%). Super-selective PVE was performed in three (33%) patients and enhanced ALPPS (e-ALPPS) in six (66%). In two e-ALPPS an intermediate stage of deportalized liver PSH was necessary to achieve adequate FLR volume. Conclusions. Vessel-guided MLP may transform the liver in a paired organ. In selected cases of multiple bilobar CRLM, to guarantee oncological radicality (R0), major PSH is feasible combining advanced surgical parenchyma sparing with liver augmentation techniques when FLR volume is insufficient.

A new generation of scintillation detectors with identification of events undergoing multiple interactions for gamma-ray imaging and spectroscopy.

The present work deals with a scintillation detector made of a LuYAP:Ce array coupled to a position-sensitive photo-multiplier tube, whose structure is well suitable for SPECT and PET, but also in nuclear physics, astrophysics, astroparticle physics, homeland security, and non-proliferation. The response was investigated under Co-57, Ba-133, Cs-137 gamma-ray irradiation, and with Lu-176 self-activity. The investigation, based on the 2-D charge-profiles spread, provides means for identifying and rejecting multiple-interactions in the crystal-array, like Lu X-ray escape photons, and Compton-scattered ones.

Surgical Management of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Radical surgical resection with negative margins represents the only opportunity for a potential cure. This review provides a critical assessment of the existing studies regarding the surgical approaches for the treatment of ACC. METHODS: This review was performed according to criteria reported in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The research was carried out using the PubMed electronic library. This review is limited to comparative studies evaluating minimally invasive adrenalectomy (MIA) and open adrenalectomy (OA) in adult patients affected by ACC. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were selected for the review, reporting that 2574 patients underwent adrenal surgery for ACC: 1779 (69.1%) by means of OA and 795 (30.8%) by means of MIA. Six studies considered OA to be superior to MIA, whereas eight studies reported that MIA is as effective as OA in highly selected cases. All studies were retrospective with a heterogenous selection of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Data regarding the management of MIA are scarce, heterogenous, and mainly based on retrospective studies. OA remains the gold standard approach for the management of ACC; however, MIA may play a role in selected cases treated in high volume institutions with experienced surgeons.

Synchronous squamous cell carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from the thyroglossal duct remnant: Case report and a review of the literature.

Squamous cell carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma simultaneously spreading from the thyroglossal duct remnant (TGDR) is a very rare event. The recognition of this condition allows a correct management and treatment, offering the best chances of cure to the patient. We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman who noticed a right-sided lump in her neck. An ultrasound scan confirmed multiple clusters of enlarged lymph nodes on the right side associated to a pre-hyoidal solid nodule. The thyroid gland was normal. Fine-needle aspiration cytology on two nodes revealed distinct metastases from squamous cell carcinoma and from papillary thyroid carcinoma. A careful screening for other head and neck tumors was negative. She underwent a Sistrunk procedure, total thyroidectomy and right lateral lymphadenectomy with en bloc jugular vein resection. On histology, a 2 cm papillary and a small squamous cell carcinoma of the TGDR were documented, with nodal metastases from both primaries. We report the overall management strategy, treatment and outcome at 26-month follow-up, and a review of the literature.

Laparoscopy versus open adrenalectomy in patients with solid tumor metastases: results of a multicenter European study.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of adrenalectomy carried out by laparoscopy or open surgery for solid tumor metastases was assessed. METHODS: A total of 317 patients with histologically confirmed adrenal metastatic disease collected from 30 centres in Europe underwent adrenalectomy by laparoscopy (n=146) or open laparotomy (n=171). Differences between laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy were assessed by a single Cox analysis for both procedures. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 24.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.4-26.6] months for open adrenalectomy and 45.0 (95% CI: 22.6-67.4) for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (P=0.008). Survival rates were 68%, 49%, 35% and 29% at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years for open surgery vs. 88%, 62%, 52% and 46% for laparoscopy, respectively. In the subgroup of R0 resections, the difference in survival in favor of laparoscopy (median 46 vs. 27 months) was marginally significant (P=0.073). Renal cancer [hazard ratio (HR) 0.42; 95% CI: 0.23-0.76, P=0.005], surgery of the primary tumor (HR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19-0.54), and use of chemotherapy (HR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43-0.88) were associated with a better survival, whereas type of resection (R1/R2 vs. R0) was associated with a worse prognosis (HR 2.29; 95% CI: 1.52-3.44, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy patients showed a longer survival than open adrenalectomy individuals, as minimally invasive approach was attempted more common in less advanced disease which led to higher number of R0 resections.

Effect of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Clinically N0, BRAF V600E-Mutated, Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: BRAF V600E mutation papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is more aggressive with a higher risk of lymph node involvement and a poorer prognosis. Prior studies failed to demonstrate the superiority of prophylactic lymphadenectomy. We investigated the utility of additional radio-guided sentinel node biopsy (SNB). METHODS: We analyzed 15 patients with N0 PTC by ultrasound and BRAF mutation on preoperative biopsy treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) or TT + prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) alone or with SNB. Conventional surgery was performed before SNB. We recorded primary tumor diameter, multifocality, extrathyroid infiltration, neoplastic emboli, and tall cell variant. At follow-up, we evaluated basal and stimulated thyroglobulin and ultrasound or radioiodine scintigraphy. RESULTS: Of 15 consecutive patients, 5 received conventional surgery alone, and 10 had SNB. For the first group, 4 underwent TT, and 1 had TT + PCND. Among the SNB group, 1 had no sentinel node detected and underwent a simple TT, 2 had TT + PCND+ SNB in the lateral compartment, and 7 had TT + SNB in 1 to 3 neck compartments. Micrometastases were found in 1 of 3 PCND specimens. Sentinel node biopsy revealed metastasis in 3 of 6 central compartment biopsies, in 2 of 6 biopsies in the ipsilateral lateral compartment, and in none of 2 biopsies in the contralateral compartment. Sentinel node biopsy allowed the removal of micrometastases in 4 of 10 patients. At 53 months' (mean) follow-up, no relapse was documented. CONCLUSIONS: Radio-guided SNB correctly and efficiently stages cN0 BRAF-mutated PTC patients. Sentinel node biopsy could limit time-consuming, risk-exposing compartmental prophylactic dissections.

The role of laparoscopic resection of metastases to adrenal glands.

BACKGROUND: The potential role of the laparoscopic approach for metastases to the adrenal gland is debated. We review here a series of patients consecutively submitted to laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for suspected adrenal metastasis (AM). METHODS: Retrospective study (consecutive series) of LA for AM. We measured parameters associated to primary tumor and metastasis. Statistical analysis: stepwise regression model. RESULTS: Thirty-seven LA were performed on 36 patients. The mean age was 62.1 yrs. The side was right in 13 cases. Primary tumor was in the lung (n=22), breast (n=4), colon-rectum (n=4), kidney (n=3), thyroid, melanoma and ovary (n=1 each). Thirty-three out of 37 were confirmed to be AM (mean diameter 50 mm). Twenty-five were single metastasis. One LA was converted due to cava vein infiltration. Mean operative time was 142 min', median p.o. hospital stay was 3 days. After a mean follow-up of 33 months, 9 patients (25%) were alive free of disease, 6 (17%) were alive with disease. Mean post-adrenalectomy DFI was 19 months (range, 0-97 months), and it was the most predictive variable for survival (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dimensions and absence of invasion on imaging, the evolutive status of the disease and the performance status of the patient are key factors for LA, which is associated with adequate oncologic results, a quicker postoperative recovery, and potential survival benefits.

Near total parathyroidectomy for the treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Different surgical strategies are used to treat medical refractory renal hyperparathyroidism. Our preferred choice in patients with moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and in patients with low compliance with medical treatment is to leave a very small parathyroid remnant in situ: we name this operation "near total parathyroidectomy" (ntPTX). We report here our results with this technique. METHODS: Retrospective study [2001-2015] of all patients submitted to ntPTX in a single centre. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were submitted to ntPTX (32 males) aged 47.3 years. Follow-up time is 8.5 years. Thirty-five patients (74%) are alive, 12 are dead. One patient in this series had a functioning renal transplant at time of ntPTX (tertiary hyperparathyroidism), and other 27 subsequently received a renal transplantation (RTx) after ntPTX (still functioning at last follow-up or at death in 19). Amongst the 35 current survivors, the renal graft is functioning in 16 (45.7%). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) at follow-up was 116.1±135.5 pg/mL and calcium 8.6±0.9 mg/dL. Among patients with a functioning RTx PTH was 83 pg/mL and calcium 8.7 mg/dL. There was no persistent disease, and 3 patients (6.4%) had a relapse of hyperparathyroidism at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ntPTX is associated to very satisfying rates of normal parathyroid function and of relapse of hyperparathyroidism (6.4%) at long term, either in case of RTx or of maintenance hemodialysis: the concept of "small amount" remnant represents a valuable choice for patients undergoing PTX with a realistic chance of receiving a RTx.

Minor-but-Complex Liver Resection: An Alternative to Major Resections for Colorectal Liver Metastases Involving the Hepato-Caval Confluence.

Major hepatectomy (MH) is often considered the only possible approach for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) at the hepato-caval confluence (CC), but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. With the aim to reduce MH, we developed the "minor-but-complex" (MbC) technique, which consists in the resection of less than 3 adjacent liver segments with exposure of the CC and preservation of hepatic outflow until spontaneous maturation of peripheral intrahepatic shunts between main hepatic veins. We have evaluated applicability and outcome of MbC resections for the treatment of CRLM involving the CC. In this retrospective cohort study, all consecutive liver resections (LR) performed for CRLM located in segments 1, 7, 8, or 4a were classified as MINOR - removal of <3 adjacent segments; MbC - removal of <3 adjacent segments with CC exposure; and MH - removal of ≥ 3 adjacent segments. The rate of avoided MH was obtained by the difference between the rate of potentially MH (PMH) plus potentially inoperable cases and the rate of the MH performed. Taking into account that postoperative mortality is mainly related to the amount of resected liver, MbC was compared with minor resections for safety, complexity, and outcome. Of the 59 LR analyzed, 29 (49.1%) were deemed PMH and 4 (6.8%) potentially inoperable. Eventually, MH was performed only in 8 (13.5%) with a decrease rate of 42.4%. Minor LR was performed in 23 (39.0%) and MbC LR in 28 (47.5%) patients. Among MbC cases, 32.1% had previous liver treatments, 39.3% required vascular reconstruction (no reconstructed vessel thrombosis occurred before maturation of peripheral intrahepatic shunts between main hepatic veins), and 7.1% had grade IIIb-IV complications, their median hospital stay was 9 days and 90-day mortality was 0%. After a median follow-up of 22.2 months, oncological results were comparable with those of minor resections. MbC hepatectomy lowers the need for MH and allows for the resection of potentially inoperable patients without negative impact on safety and survival.

Preoperative localization and radioguided parathyroid surgery.

Clinical or subclinical hyperparathyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders. Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone is most frequently caused by an adenoma of >or=1 parathyroid gland. Unsuccessful surgery with persistent hyperparathyroidism, due to inadequate preoperative or intraoperative localization, may be observed in about 10% of patients. The conventional surgical approach is bilateral neck exploration, whereas minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) has been made possible by the introduction of (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. In MIP, the incision is small, dissection is minimal, postoperative pain is less, and hospital stay is shorter. Localization imaging techniques include ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and scintigraphy. Parathyroid scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-sestamibi is based on longer retention of the tracer in parathyroid than in thyroid tissue. Because of the frequent association of parathyroid adenomas with nodular goiter, the optimal imaging combination is (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy and ultrasonography. Different protocols are used for (99m)Tc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy, depending on the institutional logistics and experience (classical dual-phase scintigraphy, various subtraction techniques in combination with radioiodine or (99m)Tc-pertechnetate). MIP is greatly aided by intraoperative guidance with a gamma-probe, based on in vivo radioactivity counting after injection of (99m)Tc-sestamibi. Different protocols used for gamma-probe-guided MIP are based on different timing and doses of tracer injected. Gamma-probe-guided MIP is a very attractive surgical approach to treat patients with primary hyperparathyroidism due to a solitary parathyroid adenoma. The procedure is technically easy, safe, with a low morbidity rate, and has better cosmetic results and lower overall cost than conventional bilateral neck exploration. Specific guidelines should be followed when selecting patients for gamma-probe-guided MIP.

Extent of surgery in thyroglossal duct carcinoma: reflections on a series of eighteen cases.

The occurrence of carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct remnant (TDRCa) is reported to be less than 1%. We retrospectively analyzed 18 cases (14 females, 4 males; mean age, 38.17 years) of TDRCa who underwent surgery in our department, to evaluate the correct workup for diagnosis and treatment. Nine patients underwent a total thyroidectomy and a Sistrunk procedure (SP) whereas 8 underwent a completion total thyroidectomy after a postoperative diagnosis of TDRCa. One patient was diagnosed with TDRCa several years after total thyroidectomy for goiter. Postoperatively all patients were given radioiodide and levothyroxine therapy. Mean follow-up was 85 months. No patient died of tumor-related disease. Thyroglossal duct neoplasms were represented by papillary carcinoma in 16 cases; thyroid histology demonstrated papillary carcinoma in 6 cases (33.3%). Three patients demonstrated single regional node metastasis and only one of them demonstrated the presence of malignant thyroid disease. When clinical diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst is made, the workup should be completed by ultrasound (US) scan and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in order to plan the correct surgery for a possible TDRCa. Total thyroidectomy should always be considered with SP to permit the correct treatment and follow-up in those patients. Long-term survival of patients with cTDRCa is excellent.

Sentinel node radioguided biopsy in surgical management of the medullary thyroid carcinoma A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare carcinoma. Surgery is the only curative treatment and since cervical lymphnodes metastases are frequent and can occur at an early stage, a standardized central lymphnode dissection is associated to total thyroidectomy. However, the extent of lymphadenectomy to the lateral neck lynphnodes remains debated. To reduce the extent of lymphnode excision, the sentinel node biopsy has been used as an accurate technique to assess the status of the lymphnodes in the regional drainage basin in solid tumors, and more recently, in thyroid carcinoma. In this case report, we show the utility of the radioguided biopsy of the sentinel lymphnode in the surgical management of the medullary thyrod cancer. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 24-year-old Caucasian, Italian woman with a sporadic medullary thyroid microcarcinoma occasionally detected by neck ultrasound and diagnosed by high serum calcitonin level and fine needle aspiration cytology. There was no ultrasound evidence of lymphnode involvement both in central and lateral compartment of the neck. We performed a preoperative mapping of the the sentinel lymphnodes by the injection of technetium-99m radiolabelled albumin nanocolloids in the thyroid nodule. Then our patient underwent total thyroidectomy combined with radioguided biopsy of the sentinel lymphnodes. Histology confirmed the presence of the medullary thyroid cancer and revealed micrometastases only in two sentinel lymphnodes detected in right lateral compartment of the neck so an ipsilateral lateral neck dissection besides the central neck dissection was performed at the end of operation. Basal and pentagastrin-stimulated serum calcitonin level was undetectable during the follow-up investigations. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case that shows the utility of the radioguided SLN biopsy for the accurate staging of the cervical lymphnode involvement in patient with sporadic medullary thyroid microcarcinoma. Total thyrodectomy and central neck dissection is recommended for all patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, but the indication for the lateral neck dissection is still controversial. The radioguided SLN biopsy technique could be a useful tool to perform the dissection only in those patients with proven lateral neck lymphnode involvement and reduce the extention of the lateral lymphnode excision and the incidence of related complications.

Adrenalectomy for solid tumor metastases: results of a multicenter European study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the results of adrenalectomy for solid tumor metastases in 317 patients recruited from 30 European centers. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven adrenal metastatic disease and undergoing complete removal(s) of the affected gland(s) were eligible. RESULTS: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was the most frequent tumor type followed by colorectal and renal cell carcinoma. Adrenal metastases were synchronous (≤6 months) in 73 (23%) patients and isolated in 213 (67%). The median disease-free interval was 18.5 months. Laparoscopic resection was used in 46% of patients. Surgery was limited to the adrenal gland in 73% of patients and R0 resection was achieved in 86% of cases. The median overall survival was 29 months (95% confidence interval, 24.69-33.30). The survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 80%, 61%, 42%, and 35%, respectively. Patients with renal cancer showed a median survival of 84 months, patients with NSCLC 26 months, and patients with colorectal cancer 29 months (P = .017). Differences in survival between metachronous and synchronous lesions were also significant (30 vs. 23 months; P = .038). CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of adrenal metastasis is associated with long-term survival in selected patients.