Impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on treatment strategies and complications in older adults with colorectal cancer considering surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in customizing care for elderly cancer patients, specifically focusing on colorectal cancer. The research compared treatment strategies and outcomes in older adults considered for surgery before and after the initiation of a Geriatric Oncology Service (GOS). METHODS: Conducting a comparative study, two cohorts of consecutive colorectal cancer patients aged 75 or older were examined: the control group (n = 156) and the GOS group (n = 158). Upon the treating surgeon's GOS consultation request, a geriatrician and an oncologist performed CGA, guiding treatment decisions and perioperative interventions. Postoperative complications were compared using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: In the GOS group, 91% (n = 116) underwent CGA consultations, influencing decisions to forego surgery in 12 patients. After PSM for surgical cases (controls n = 146, GOS n = 146), each group comprised 128 patients. Perioperative physical therapy and pharmacist referrals were more frequent in the GOS group. The GOS group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications (22%) compared to the control group (33%) (p = 0.0496). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing colorectal surgery post-GOS implementation experienced a notable reduction in postoperative complications, highlighting the positive impact of personalized geriatric assessment on surgical outcomes in the elderly.

Differential advantage of liver retraction methods in laparoscopic fundoplication for neurologically impaired patients: a comparison of three kinds of procedures.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Liver retraction during laparoscopic fundoplication is important for obtaining an optimal space. Several methods have been developed, but the risks and benefits are unclear. We compared three different approaches and evaluated their safety and utility. METHODS: Forty-three neurologically impaired patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between 2005 and 2018 were classified into three groups: A, snake retractor method, n = 18; B, crural suture method, n = 13; C, needle grasper method, n = 12. Patients' characteristics and outcomes were reviewed. MAIN RESULTS: The liver retraction time was significantly shorter in group C than in A or B (p < 0.05). The operative times were shorter in groups B and C than in A. There were no significant differences in the liver enzyme levels. The liver enzyme levels increased temporarily but improved within a week. The C-reactive protein levels were significantly lower in group B than in A or C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The most convenient method was the needle grasper method, as the other two approaches create conflict with the operator's forceps. The crural suture method damages the liver less, but requires higher surgical skill levels. It is important to select the appropriate method according to the operator's skill and the patient's size and deformity.

Microvascular proliferation of the portal vein branches in the liver of biliary atresia patients at Kasai operation is associated with a better long-term clinical outcome.

AIM OF THE STUDY: We previously showed an increased number of smaller portal vein (PV) branches in the portal areas of liver biopsy specimens of biliary atresia (BA) patients. We evaluated the correlation between this histopathological feature and the prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with BA encountered between 2000 and 2012 were classified into three prognostic groups based on their postoperative outcomes: Excellent (n = 11) for native-liver survivors with a normal liver function, Good (n = 6) for native-liver survivors with liver dysfunction, and Poor (n = 8) for survivors after liver transplant or on a waiting list. Data from morphometrical analyses, including the fibrotic portal area, numbers of PVs, diameter and total area of PV branches, were statistically compared among the three groups. MAIN RESULTS: The number of PV branches per unit area of the whole-liver specimen in the poor prognostic group was significantly lower than that in the excellent group (3.1 ± 0.6 vs. 5.2 ± 2.0/mm2, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the relationships between morphometrically analyzed PV branches and the postoperative course in BA patients. The portal venous system is involved as the primary lesion in BA.

Novel effect of glucagon-like peptide-2 for hepatocellular injury in a parenterally fed rat model of short bowel syndrome.

PURPOSE: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients require long-term parenteral nutrition following massive bowel resection, which causes intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Previous reports have shown that glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) resulted in the bowel adaptation for SBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GLP-2 for IFALD in a parenterally fed rat model. METHODS: Using rat, a catheter was placed in the jugular vein, and 90% small bowel resection (SBR) was performed. Animals were divided into three groups: SBR and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (SBS/TPN group), SBR and TPN plus GLP-2 at 1 µg/kg/h [SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (low) group], and SBR and TPN plus GLP-2 at 10 µg/kg/h [SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (high) group]. On day 13, the liver was harvested and analyzed by using nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) score. RESULTS: Histologically, hepatic steatosis in the SBS/TPN group and SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (high) group was observed. Both steatosis and lobular inflammation score in the SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (low) group were significantly lower compared with those in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Active NAFLD score in the SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (low) group was significantly lower compared with that in the SBS/TPN/GLP-2 (high) group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Low-dose GLP-2 intravenous administration improves hepatic steatosis of IFALD following in an SBS parenterally fed rat model.

The analgesic effect of the intravenous administration of acetaminophen for pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy: A comparison of scheduled and on-demand procedures.

PURPOSE: The intravenous administration of acetaminophen (IAA) has become standard postoperative analgesic management for pediatric surgery. However, the most effective methods of IAA for postoperative acute appendicitis are unclear. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of scheduled IAA vs on-demand IAA for postoperative acute appendicitis. METHODS: Ninety-four patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in our institution between January 2017 and December 2020 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups based on the postoperative pain control protocols. The scheduled IAA group (SA group, n = 42) was managed by scheduled IAA and additional on-demand use of pentazocine as rescue therapy. The on-demand IAA group (ODA group, n = 52) was managed by on-demand IAA as the first choice, with pentazocine as the second choice for pain control. The patients' background characteristics, operative results and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: The number of times pain complaints were made per patient per day (NPPD) on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 was significantly lower in the SA group than in the ODA group (POD 1; 1.12 ± 1.21 vs 2.62 ± 1.89, p < 0.01; POD 2; 0.45 ± 0.86 vs. 1.31 ± 1.69, p < 0.01). According to pathological findings, NPPD was lower in the SA group than in the ODA group for both phlegmonous appendicitis (0.71 ± 1.01 vs. 2.10 ± 2.13, P < .05) and gangrenous appendicitis (1.33 ± 1.50 vs 2.94 ± 1.68, P < .01). On POD 2, the incidence of gangrenous appendicitis was significantly lower in the SA group than in the ODA group (0.57 ± 0.93 vs 1.78 ± 1.86, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled IAA may have favorable efficacy for postoperative pain control after emergency surgery for acute appendicitis in pediatric patients.

A retrospective analysis of the real-time ultrasound-guided supraclavicular approach for the insertion of a tunneled central venous catheter in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: Tunneled central venous catheter (tCVC) placement plays an important role in the management of pediatric patients. We adopted a real-time ultrasound (US)-guided supraclavicular approach to brachiocephalic vein cannulation. We evaluated the outcomes of tCVC placement via a US-guided supraclavicular approach. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed for patients who underwent US-guided central venous catheterization of the internal jugular vein (IJV group) and brachiocephalic vein (BCV group) in our institution. The background information and outcomes were reviewed using medical records. RESULTS: We evaluated 85 tCVC placements (IJV group: n = 59, BCV group: n = 26). Postoperative complications were recognized in 19 patients in the IJV group (catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), n = 14 (1.53 per 1000 catheter days); occlusion, n = 1 (1.7%, 1.09 per 1000 catheter days); accidental removal, n = 3 (5.2%, 0.33 per 1000 catheter days); and other, n = 1 (1.7%, 1.09 per 1000 catheter days)) and five patients in the BCV group (CRBSI, n = 2 (0.33 per 1000 catheter days); catheter damage, n = 1 (3.8%, 1.67 per 1000 catheter days); and accidental removal, n = 2 (7.7%, 0.33 per 1000 catheter days)). In the BCV group, despite that, the incidence of postoperative complications was lower (p = 0.205) and the period of placement was significantly longer in comparison to the IJV group (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: US-guided placement of tunneled CVC though the BCV results in a low rate of postoperative complications despite longer CVC indwelling times compared to IJV insertion. Our results suggest that BCV insertion of tunneled CVC in children may offer advantages in terms of device performance and patient safety.