A meta-analysis: incidental intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and extra-pancreatic malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: Meta-analysis aimed to quantify the relationship between intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and increased incidence of extra-pancreatic malignancy (EPM) previously reported in qualitative observational cohort studies. METHODS: Study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020169614) and conducted to the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and systematic review reported with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews guidelines. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (total of 8240 patients) were included in the pooled, and 7399 patients in the subgroup meta-analyses. The odds ratio (OR) for any EPM in the presence of IPMN was 57.9 (95% confidence interval 40.5-82.7), fixed effects, I2 = 59% (p < 0.0014). Subgroup analysis for any gastrointestinal EPM (i.e. oesophagus, stomach, colon and rectum) in the presence of an IPMN estimated an overall OR of 12.9 (95% confidence interval 8.8-19.0), fixed effects, I2 = 64% (p < 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Patients with an IPMN are categorically at increased risk for a higher incidence of EPM and particularly the odds of a gastrointestinal malignancy are also increased in comparison with the general population. We advocate that patients presenting with an IPMN should be considered for gastrointestinal screening including colonoscopy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or computed tomography.

A scoring system for predicting malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: a multicenter EUROPEAN validation.

PURPOSE: A preoperative estimate of the risk of malignancy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) is important. The present study carries out an external validation of the Shin score in a European multicenter cohort. METHODS: An observational multicenter European study from 2010 to 2015. All consecutive patients undergoing surgery for IPMN at 35 hospitals with histological-confirmed IPMN were included. RESULTS: A total of 567 patients were included. The score was significantly associated with the presence of malignancy (p < 0.001). In all, 64% of the patients with benign IPMN had a Shin score < 3 and 57% of those with a diagnosis of malignancy had a score ≥ 3. The relative risk (RR) with a Shin score of 3 was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.07-1.77), with a sensitivity of 57.1% and specificity of 64.4%. CONCLUSION: Patients with a Shin score ≤ 1 should undergo surveillance, while patients with a score ≥ 4 should undergo surgery. Treatment of patients with Shin scores of 2 or 3 should be individualized because these scores cannot accurately predict malignancy of IPMNs. This score should not be the only criterion and should be applied in accordance with agreed clinical guidelines.

Prevalence and Impact of Sarcopenia in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a common sequela of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Alterations in body composition and the assessment of sarcopenia have gained the interest of clinicians in recent years. There is a scarcity of data currently available concerning sarcopenia in patients with CP. This review aims to investigate the prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in CP. METHODS: Embase and Medline databases were used to identify all studies that evaluated sarcopenia and outcomes in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Due to paucity of data, conference abstracts were included. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. RESULTS: Six studies, with a total of 450 individuals were reviewed. Three full-text studies and three conference abstracts met the predetermined eligibility criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia in CP from all studies ranged from 17-62%. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was associated as an independent and significant risk factor for sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was found to be associated with a reduced quality of life, increased hospitalisation, and reduced survival. It was associated with significantly lower islet yield following total pancreatectomy with islet auto transplantation in CP. CONCLUSION: The review of these existing studies amalgamates the limited data on sarcopenia and its impact on CP. It has shown that sarcopenia is exceedingly prevalent and an important risk factor in CP patients. The data presented emphasises that sarcopenia has a significant prognostic value and should be included in future prospective analyses in the outcomes of CP.

Significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma-a review.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) in patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unknown. The rate of detection on IPN has risen due to enhanced staging investigations to determine resectability. IPNs detected on preoperative imaging represent a clinical dilemma and complicate decision-making. Currently, there are no recommendations on the management of IPN. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the natural history of IPN detected among patients with resectable PDAC. METHODS: A systematic review based on a search in Medline and Embase databases was performed. All clinical studies evaluating the significance of IPN in patients with resectable PDAC were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed. RESULTS: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The total patient population was 761. The prevalence of IPN reported ranged from 18 to 71%. The median follow-up duration was 17 months. The median overall survival was 19 months. Patients with pre-operative IPN which subsequently progressed to clinically recognizable pulmonary metastases, ranged from 1.5 to 16%. Four studies found that there was no significant difference in median overall survival in patients with or without IPNs. CONCLUSION: This is a first review on the significance of IPN in patients with resectable PDAC. The preoperative presence of IPN does not demonstrate an association with overall survival after surgery. The identification of IPN is a significant finding however it should not preclude patients with resectable PDAC from undergoing curative resection.

Outcomes of peri-operative glucocorticosteroid use in major pancreatic resections: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that peri-operative glucocorticosteroid can ameliorate the systemic response following major surgery. Preliminary evidence suggests peri-operative usage of glucocorticosteroid may decrease post-operative complications. These positive associations have been observed in a range of different operations including intra-abdominal, thoracic, cardiac, and orthopaedic surgery. This review aims to investigate the impact of peri-operative glucocorticosteroid in major pancreatic resections. METHODS: A systematic review based on a search in Medline and Embase databases was performed. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. RESULTS: A total of five studies were analysed; three randomised controlled trials and two retrospective cohort studies. The total patient population was 1042. The glucocorticosteroids used were intravenous hydrocortisone or dexamethasone. Three studies reported significantly lower morbidity in the peri-operative glucocorticosteroid group. The number needed to treat to prevent one major complication with hydrocortisone is four patients. Two studies demonstrated that dexamethasone was associated with a statistically significantly improved median overall survival in pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review conducted to investigate the significance of peri-operative glucocorticosteroid in patients undergoing pancreatic resection. This review shows a correlation of positive outcomes with the administration of glucocorticosteroid in the peri-operative setting following a major pancreatic resection.. More randomised clinical trials are required to confirm if this is a true effect, as it would have significant implications.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on pancreatic cancer services and treatment pathways: United Kingdom experience.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented healthcare providers with an extreme challenge to provide cancer services. The impact upon the diagnostic and treatment capacity to treat pancreatic cancer is unclear. This study aimed to identify national variation in treatment pathways during the pandemic. METHODS: A survey was distributed to all United Kingdom pancreatic specialist centres, to assess diagnostic, therapeutic and interventional services availability, and alterations in treatment pathways. A repeating methodology enabled assessment over time as the pandemic evolved. RESULTS: Responses were received from all 29 centres. Over the first six weeks of the pandemic, less than a quarter of centres had normal availability of diagnostic pathways and a fifth of centres had no capacity whatsoever to undertake surgery. As the pandemic progressed services have gradually improved though most centres remain constrained to some degree. One third of centres changed their standard resectable pathway from surgery-first to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Elderly patients, and those with COPD were less likely to be offered treatment during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the capacity of the NHS to provide diagnostic and staging investigations for pancreatic cancer. The impact of revised treatment pathways has yet to be realised.

Association of visceral adipose tissue on the incidence and severity of acute pancreatitis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: With the rising prevalence of obesity, there is a plethora of literature discussing the relationship between obesity and acute pancreatitis (AP). Evidence has shown a possible correlation between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and AP incidence and severity. This systematic review explores these associations. METHODS: Eligible articles were searched and retrieved using Medline and Embase databases. Clinical studies evaluating the impact of VAT as a risk factor for AP and the association of the severity of AP and VAT were included. RESULTS: Eleven studies, with a total of 2529 individuals were reviewed. Nine studies showed a statistically significant association between VAT and the severity of AP. Only four studies found VAT to be a risk factor for acute pancreatitis. Two studies showed VAT to be associated with an increased risk of local complications and two studies showed a correlation between VAT and mortality. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review conducted to study the association between VAT and AP. The existing body of evidence demonstrates that VAT has a clinically relevant impact and is an important prognostic indicator of the severity of AP. However, it has not shown to be an independent risk factor to the risk of developing AP. The impact of VAT on the course and outcome of AP needs to be profoundly explored to confirm these findings which may fuel earlier management and better define the prognosis of patients with AP. VAT may need to be incorporated into prognostic scores of AP to improve accuracy.

Pilot study examining the impact of a specialist multidisciplinary team clinic for patients with chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: -To assess the efficacy of a pilot Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) Multidisciplinary (MDT) clinic. METHODS: - 60 patients referred to a pilot MDT CP clinic were analysed. Anthropometric data, nutrition status, malabsorption evidence, glycaemic control, opiate use, bone mineral density (BMD) assessment and quality of life (QoL) were examined. RESULTS: -The average age was 51.27 (±12.75). The commonest aetiology was alcohol (55%). Ninety one point five percent had evidence of ongoing pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, with 88.1% requiring initiation or up-titration of pancreatic enzyme replacement (PERT). Up to half of the patients exhibited micronutrient deficiency. Twenty eight percent were diagnosed with type IIIc diabetes. There was an average daily reduction of 6 mg of morphine usage per patient with a concurrent decline in median pain scores from 83.3 to 63.3, which was non-significant. The median QoL score was 33.3 compared to a score of 75 from the reference population. QoL scores increased from 31.0 to 37.3 at follow up appointments. Seventy two point five percent of patients had undiagnosed low BMD. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that CP patients have significant nutritional deficiencies as well as undiagnosed diabetes, poor pain and glycaemic control which negatively impacts QoL. Assessment in a multi-disciplinary clinic ensures appropriate management.

Ex Vivo Porcine Organ Perfusion Models as a Suitable Platform for Translational Transplant Research.

In transplantation surgery, extending the criteria for organ donation to include organs that may have otherwise been previously discarded has provided the impetus to improve organ preservation. The traditional method of cold static storage (CS) has been tried and tested and is suitable for organs meeting standard criteria donation. Ex vivo machine perfusion is, however, associated with evidence suggesting that it may be better than CS alone and may allow for organ donation criteria to be extended. Much of our knowledge of organ preservation is derived from animal studies. We review ex vivo porcine organ perfusion models and discuss the relevance to the field of transplantation surgery. Following a systematic literature search, only articles that reported on experimental studies with focus on any aspect(s) of ex vivo and porcine perfusion of organs yet limited to the context of organ transplantation surgery were included. The database search and inclusion/exclusion criteria identified 22 journal articles. All 22 articles discussed ex vivo porcine organ perfusion within the context of transplant preservation surgery: 8 liver, 3 kidney, 3 lung, 2 pancreas/islet, 4 discussed a combined liver-kidney multiorgan model, 1 small bowel, and 1 cardiac perfusion model systems. The ex vivo porcine perfusion model is a suitable, reliable, and safe translational research model. It has advantages to investigate organ preservation techniques in a reproducible fashion in order to improve our understanding and has implications to extend the criteria for organ donation.

Early warning score independently predicts adverse outcome and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of established scoring systems with early warning scores in a large cohort of patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: In patients presenting with acute pancreatitis, age, sex, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade, Modified Glasgow Score, Ranson criteria, APACHE II scores and early warning score (EWS) were recorded for the first 72 h following admission. These variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors, between patients with mild/moderate and severe pancreatitis (based on the 2012 Atlanta Classification) and between patients with a favourable or adverse outcome. RESULTS: A total of 629 patients were identified. EWS was the best predictor of adverse outcome amongst all of the assessed variables (area under curve (AUC) values 0.81, 0.84 and 0.83 for days 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and was the most accurate predictor of mortality on both days 2 and 3 (AUC values of 0.88 and 0.89, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that an EWS ≥2 was independently associated with severity of pancreatitis, adverse outcome and mortality. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the usefulness of EWS in predicting the outcome of acute pancreatitis. It should become the mainstay of risk stratification in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Management implications of resection margin histology in patients undergoing resection for IPMN: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: IPMN is a relatively new clinical entity and surgeons are continuing to develop their understanding of this complex pathology. Little is known of the natural disease process post-resection of an IPMN, particularly the impact of gland histology and margin status on the chance of recurrence and survival in benign and invasive IPMN. METHODS: An online search was conducted to evaluate and include those studies which reported on gland histology, margin status and disease recurrence in resected benign and malignant IPMN. A Meta analysis was then performed using a random effects model. RESULTS: The chance of recurrence in non-invasive margin positive IPMN is similar to margin negative IPMN. The chance of recurrence is higher in invasive gland IPMN compared to non-invasive gland. The vast majority of recurrences occurred in patients with positive margins demonstrating invasion. CONCLUSION: All patients with intra- or post-operative evidence of invasive carcinoma at the resection margin should undergo further resection to achieve a negative margin. Patients with evidence of IPMN at the transaction margin (even with changes of high grade dysplasia/CIS) may not achieve any benefit from further resection. Patients with recurrence in benign/non-invasive IPMN should undergo re-resection, whereas patients with recurrence in invasive IPMN should not.

Current principles and practice in autologous intraportal islet transplantation: a meta-analysis of the technical considerations.

OBJECTIVES: Autologous islet transplantation (IAT) following pancreatectomy is now a recognized, albeit highly specialized procedure carried out in a small number of centers worldwide. Current clinical principles and best practice with emphasis on examining the technical aspects of surgery in centers with significant IAT experience are reviewed. METHODS: Literature search for studies discussing any technical aspect of pancreatectomy with intraportal IAT was included. RESULTS: Thirty-five papers were included; all were single-center case series. The indications, surgical approach to pancreatectomy with IAT, islet yield, static pancreas preservation prior to islet digestion, portal vein access, absolute islet infusion volumes, and portal venous pressure changes during transfusion evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: IAT is considered a "last resort" when alternative approaches have been exhausted. Pre-morbid histology and prior surgical drainage adversely influence islet yields and may influence the clinical decision to perform pancreatectomy and IAT. Following pancreas digestion, absolute numbers of islets recovered and smaller islet size predict rates of insulin independence following IAT. Islet volumes and portal venous pressure changes are important factors for the development of complications. Surgical access for IAT includes intra-operative, immediate or delayed infusion via an "exteriorized" vein, and radiological percutaneous approaches. Delayed infusion can be combined with pancreas preservation techniques prior to islet isolation.

The Surgical Management of Klatskin Tumours: Has Anything Changed in the Last Decade?

Surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinomas requires complex pre-, intra- and post-operative decision-making. Despite the significant progress in liver surgery over the years, several issues such as the role of pre-operative biliary drainage, portal vein embolisation, staging laparoscopy and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy remain unresolved. Operative strategies such as vascular resection, caudate lobe resection and liver transplant have also been practiced in order to improve R0 resectability and improved survival. The review aims to consolidate evidence from major studies in the last 11 years. Survival data were only included from studies that reported the results in at least 30 patients with 1-year follow-up. A significant number of patients may be prevented an unnecessary laparotomy if they underwent a staging laparoscopy. There remain no guidelines as to when portal vein embolisation or pre-operative biliary drainage should be employed but most studies agree with pre-operative biliary drainage being an absolute indication if portal vein embolisation is performed. Concomitant hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy increases R0 resection but vascular resection cannot be routinely recommended. Liver transplant at specialised centres in selective patients has had impressive results. Guidelines are required for pre-operative biliary drainage and portal vein embolisation and randomised trials are required in order to define the role of vascular resection in achieving a R0 resection and increasing survival.

Management and diagnosis of gallbladder polyps: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Recommendation for management of gallbladder polyps (GBPs) >1 cm is cholecystectomy. No consensus exists on management of GBPs <1 cm. This systematic review examines current evidence on management of GBPs. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases were searched from January 1991 to June 2013 using specified terms. A predefined protocol for data extraction was used to retrieve specified end points. RESULTS: Literature search yielded 43 manuscripts with a dataset of 11,685 patients with GBPs. M:F ratio was 1.3:1. Average age (range) was 49 years (32-83). Patients with malignant GBPs had an average (range) age of 58 (50-66) years with M:F ratio of 0.78:1. Cholesterol polyps constituted 60.5% of GBPs followed by adenomas (15.2%) and cancer (11.6%). Malignant GBPs ≥1 cm, <1 cm and <5 mm constituted 8.5, 1.2 and 0% of GBPs, respectively. Majority of patients requiring surgical intervention had laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Presently employed policy of cholecystectomy for GBPs >1 cm is appropriate. For GBPs <1 cm, the authors propose (accepting existence of differing proposals) the following: 1. Surveillance may not be needed for GBPs <5 mm. 2. For GBPs between 5 and 10 mm, two scans at six monthly intervals is suggested and after that, tailor surveillance to age, growth and ethnicity. In the non-Asian population, if GBP remains the same size or number, discontinuation of surveillance may be considered. In the Asian population, if GBPs remain the same, yearly surveillance is continued for a suggested period of 3 years. 3. Discontinue surveillance if GBPs is/are smaller/ disappeared. Cholecystectomy is advised where size increases to >10 mm.

Malignant biliary strictures in patients with a normal bilirubin and/or normal liver enzymes.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies have sought to determine the frequency of malignancy in patients presenting with a putative biliary stricture and normal liver function tests (LFTs). The primary aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the likelihood of malignancy in patients presenting with a biliary stricture and normal LFTs, a normal bilirubin level either alone or in combination with normal levels of liver enzymes [alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT)]. A secondary aim was to determine any clinical/biochemical/sonographic features that may be associated with malignancy. METHODS: Patients presenting over a 10-year period were included. Fifteen variables were analysed to determine their association with malignant disease. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty patients with putative biliary strictures were included. Primary hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) cancers presented with a normal bilirubin and normal liver enzymes (ALP and ALT) in 6% of cases. Patients with a putative biliary stricture and a normal bilirubin level whose final diagnoses were pancreatic cancer, ampullary cancer, distal cholangiocarcinoma and hilar cholangiocarcinoma represented 21%, 13%, 7% and 9% of individuals diagnosed with these pathologies, respectively. Hypoalbuminaemia and isolated intrahepatic duct dilatation on ultrasound were significantly associated with malignancy in patients with normal bilirubin and completely normal LFTs. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that patients with a putative biliary stricture and completely normal LFTs are unlikely to have a primary HPB malignancy. Those presenting with a normal bilirubin level, but deranged liver enzymes (ALP and/or ALT), are more likely to have malignant disease, and this should necessitate a higher degree of clinical suspicion.

Overexpression of the Nek2 kinase in colorectal cancer correlates with beta-catenin relocalization and shortened cancer-specific survival.

The serine/threonine kinase Nek2 (NIMA-related kinase 2) regulates centrosome separation and mitotic progression, with overexpression causing induction of aneuploidy in vitro. Overexpression may also enable tumour progression through effects upon Akt signalling, cell adhesion markers and the Wnt pathway. The objective of this study was to examine Nek2 protein expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nek2 protein expression was examined in a panel of CRC cell lines using Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Nek2 and beta-catenin expression were examined by immunohistochemistry in a series of resected CRC, as well as their matched lymph node and liver metastases, and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Nek2 protein expression in all CRC lines examined was higher than in the immortalised colonocyte line HCEC. Nek2 overexpression was present in 86.4% of resected CRC and was significantly associated with advancing AJCC tumour stage and shortened cancer-specific survival. Elevated Nek2 expression was maintained within all matched metastases from overexpressing primary tumours. Nek2 overexpression was significantly associated with lower tumour membranous beta-catenin expression and higher cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin accumulation. These data support a role for Nek2 in CRC progression and confirm potential for Nek2 inhibition as a therapeutic avenue in CRC.

Clinical Significance and Resource Burden of Double Duct Sign in Non-jaundiced Patients.

Aim The study aims to determine the incidence of malignancy at presentation and subsequent risk of malignancy (at 12 months follow-up) in a cohort of patients with double duct sign (DDS) on cross-sectional imaging but no visible stigmata of jaundice. The study also correlates malignancy with liver enzyme dysfunction and estimates the resource burden incurred during the investigation of these patients. Methods A search for the key term "double duct sign" was undertaken in the radiological database of a tertiary hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) centre between March 2017 and March 2022. Radiological reports, clinic letters, blood results, and multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) outcomes were reviewed during this period and at one year. The national tariff payment system was reviewed to identify tariffs for different investigations required for the cohort and to calculate the total cost incurred. Results Ninety-seven patients with DDS were identified. Sixty-four patients (66%) had a normal bilirubin (0-21 µmol/L) at presentation and were included in the analysis. Seven patients (10.9%) were diagnosed with malignant peri-ampullary tumours, and 21 (32.8%) were diagnosed with benign diseases. In 34 patients (53%) with DDS, the underlying cause remained uncharacterised. Most patients had mild abnormalities of liver enzymes, but two patients (4.3%) were diagnosed with malignant peri-ampullary tumours despite having normal serological values. Patients who had a benign diagnosis and/or who had cancer excluded without a definitive diagnosis did not go on to develop a malignancy at 12 months follow-up. However, in those patients where the underlying aetiology could not be characterised, extended surveillance was required with a total of 80 MDT discussions and multiple surveillance scans (103 CT and 65 MRI scans). Twenty-six patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with three patients requiring more than one EUS examination (29 investigations in total). The cost of these investigations was £38,926.89. Conclusion This study confirms that DDS even in patients without clinical jaundice or with normal liver enzymes requires careful investigation to exclude malignancy despite the resource burden this entails. This supports previously reported results in the literature, and despite the increased use of cross-sectional imaging, DDS remains a clinically significant finding. Large cohort risk stratification studies would be useful to determine clinical urgency and allow the appropriate allocation of resources.

Impact of anticoagulation on outcomes in acute non-cirrhotic and non- malignant portal vein thrombosis: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: No definitive evidence exists regarding the treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Treatment modalities that have been employed and investigated include conservative management, anticoagulation, thrombolysis and thrombectomy. This observational study examines the impact of anticoagulation on PVT. METHODOLOGY: The electronic radiology database was searched with keywords 'portal vein' and 'thrombosis'. Relevant patient notes and imaging were reviewed to collect data from those with acute PVT. The primary end point was portal vein recanalisation. Secondary outcome measures were morbidity and the development of portal hypertension and its sequelae (including variceal bleeding). Data from patients with PVT in the context of cirrhosis, malignancy or liver transplant were excluded. RESULTS: Partial or complete recanalization of the portal vein occurred in 81.8% of anticoagulated patients and 37.5% of the non-treatment group. Five patients died, 1 following an intracranial haemorrhage whilst anticoagulated and another who was not treated and developed secondary small bowel ischaemia and peritonitis. The remaining 3 died from their underlying pathology. Late complications, such as varices and ascites occurred more frequently in the patients in whom the portal vein failed to recanalize (83.3% vs. 27.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous resolution of acute portal vein thrombosis is uncommon. Early anticoagulation results in a higher rate of recanalisation with minimal associated morbidity when compared with no treatment.

Two-Week Wait Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Pathway: A Single Tertiary Centre Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This article investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the two-week wait referral pathway at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The conversion rate of these referrals was also explored as an indicator of the appropriateness of referrals from primary care. METHODS: Two-week wait referrals to the Cancer Centre of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust from 2018 to 2020 were collected for upper gastrointestinal (UGI), lower gastrointestinal (LGI), and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. The confirmed cancer cases out of these referrals were also recorded. Additionally, the outcomes of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings for all patients discussed in June 2018, 2019, and 2020 were collected, and their staging and treatment data were examined. RESULTS: The number of two-week referrals decreased in 2020 compared to the previous two years across the three specialities. This was more pronounced in April, with a reduction of over 50%. The conversion rate of these referrals increased in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019 among all three specialities. The increase in conversion rate was statistically significant for LGI referrals (2018 vs 2020 p = 0.0056; 2019 vs 2020 p = 0.0005). There was no significant difference in the MDT outcome across the three specialities. CONCLUSION: Two-week wait remains a cornerstone pathway in the management of patients with suspected cancer in the National Health Service. The COVID-19 pandemic appeared to have reduced inappropriate referrals, as evidenced by the increased conversion rate. This did not appear to negatively impact tumour staging and outcomes for those patients who were referred on the pathway.