Improvement in postoperative mortality in elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Analysis of predictive factors in 1066 patients from a single centre.

BACKGROUND: Gastrectomy represents the main treatment for gastric adenocarcinoma. This procedure is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative mortality changes across the study period and to identify predictive factors of 30-day mortality after elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of a prospective database from a single centre. Patients treated with an elective gastrectomy from 1996 to 2014 for gastric adenocarcinoma were included. We compared postoperative mortality between four time periods: 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2014. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify predictors of 30-day postoperative mortality. RESULTS: We included 1066 patients (median age 65 years; 67% male). The 30-day mortality rate was 4.7%. Mortality decreased across the four time periods; from 6.5% to 1.8% (P = 0.022). In the univariate analysis, age, ASA score, albumin <3.5, multivisceral resection, splenectomy, intrathoracic esophagojejunal anastomosis, R status, and T status were significantly associated with postoperative mortality. In the multivariate analysis, ASA class 3 (OR 10.06; CI 1.97-51.3; P = 0.005) and multivisceral resection (OR 1.6; CI 1.09-2.36; P = 0.016) were associated with higher postoperative 30-day mortality; surgery between 2011 and 2014 was associated with lower postoperative 30-day mortality (OR 0.55; CI 0.33-0.15; P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in postoperative 30-day mortality during this 18-year period at our institution. We have identified ASA score and multivisceral resection as predictors of 30-day mortality for elective gastrectomy for cancer.

Postoperative adjuvant treatment for gastric cancer improves long-term survival after curative resection and D2 lymphadenectomy. Results from a Latin American Center.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of adjuvant treatment in the context of a D2 lymph node dissection are controversial. The aim was to investigate the effects of postoperative adjuvant treatment on the survival of patients with a curative resection for gastric cancer and a D2 lymph node dissection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study. Patients operated from 1996 to 2013 were selected. We compared long term survival of patients treated with surgery alone and those with surgery plus postoperative adjuvant treatment. A multivariate analysis for survival was applied in every stage. RESULTS: The study included 580 patients. Two-hundred and four patients received postoperative adjuvant treatment (AD) and 376 patients were treated only with surgery (SU). Patients in the AD group were younger (60 versus 68, p < 0.001), had a lower rate of multiple organ resection (21% versus 39%, p < 0.001) and had less postoperative complications (14% versus 32%, p < 0.001). In the AD group, patients had more advanced disease (stage III; 77% versus 66%, p < 0.001). No difference was found in lymph nodes resected (31 versus 30, p = ns). The median survival with adjuvant treatment was 33 months (39% 5 year survival) and 22 months (31% 5 year survival) for patients without adjuvant treatment (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, patients with stage IIIB and IIIC had significantly better overall and disease specific long-term survival with adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is a long-term survival benefit for patients treated with postoperative adjuvant treatment for stages IIIB and IIIC gastric cancer after D2 lymph node dissection.

[Mortality due to congenital malformations in Chile (1969-1997)]. / Mortalidad por anomalías congénitas en Chile (1969-1997).

BACKGROUND: Congenital malformations are defined as those structural, metabolic or functional defects found at birth. AIM: To study the mortality due to congenital malformations in Chile between 1969 and 1997, their type, individual, temporal and geographic variations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis of deaths registered by the National Statistics Institute and the Ministry of Health. Means, frequencies, raw and adjusted rates were calculated and inferences for some variables were carried out. RESULTS: Between 1969 and 1997 ther was tendency towards a reduction in rates of mortality due to congenital malformations and an increment in their relative importance. During the period, the risk for chromosome (98%) and osteomuscular (67%) malformations increased. Men and children of less than one year had the higher risk. In 1995, 1167 deaths due to congenital malformations were registered, 90% in children of less than 5 years. Higher risks occurred in urban zones (with a rate of 8.25 per 100,000) in the third region (rate 11.59) and second region (rate 11.2). Most deaths occurred in hospitals (85%). Main causes of death were circulatory system, central nervous system and chromosome malformations. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in regional deaths due to congenital malformations suggests specific risks that deserve further study.