Value of the surgeon's sightline on hologram registration and targeting in mixed reality.

PURPOSE: Mixed reality (MR) is being evaluated as a visual tool for surgical navigation. Current literature presents unclear results on intraoperative accuracy using the Microsoft HoloLens 1®. This study aims to assess the impact of the surgeon's sightline in an inside-out marker-based MR navigation system for open surgery. METHODS: Surgeons at Akershus University Hospital tested this system. A custom-made phantom was used, containing 18 wire target crosses within its inner walls. A CT scan was obtained in order to segment all wire targets into a single 3D-model (hologram). An in-house software application (CTrue), developed for the Microsoft HoloLens 1, uploaded 3D-models and automatically registered the 3D-model with the phantom. Based on the surgeon's sightline while registering and targeting (free sightline /F/or a strictly perpendicular sightline /P/), 4 scenarios were developed (FF-PF-FP-PP). Target error distance (TED) was obtained in three different working axes-(XYZ). RESULTS: Six surgeons (5 males, age 29-62) were enrolled. A total of 864 measurements were collected in 4 scenarios, twice. Scenario PP showed the smallest TED in XYZ-axes mean = 2.98 mm ± SD 1.33; 2.28 mm ± SD 1.45; 2.78 mm ± SD 1.91, respectively. Scenario FF showed the largest TED in XYZ-axes with mean = 10.03 mm ± SD 3.19; 6.36 mm ± SD 3.36; 16.11 mm ± SD 8.91, respectively. Multiple comparison tests, grouped in scenarios and axes, showed that the majority of scenario comparisons had significantly different TED values (p < 0.05). Y-axis always presented the smallest TED regardless of scenario tested. CONCLUSION: A strictly perpendicular working sightline in relation to the 3D-model achieves the best accuracy results. Shortcomings in this technology, as an intraoperative visual cue, can be overcome by sightline correction. Incidentally, this is the preferred working angle for open surgery.

Semi-automated vs. manual 3D reconstruction of central mesenteric vascular models: the surgeon's verdict.

BACKGROUND: 3D vascular anatomy roadmaps are currently being implemented for surgical planning and navigation. Quality of the reconstruction is critical. The aim of this article is to compare anatomical completeness of models produced by manual and semi-automatic segmentation. METHODS: CT-datasets from patients included in an ongoing trial, underwent 3D vascular reconstruction applying two different segmentation methods. This produced manually-segmented models (MSMs) and semi-automatically segmented models (SAMs) which underwent a paired comparison. Datasets were delivered for reconstruction in 4 batches of 6, of which only batch 4 contained patients with abnormal anatomy. Model completeness was assessed quantitatively using alignment and distance error indexes and qualitatively with systematic inspection. MSMs were the gold standard. Assessed vessels were those of interest to the surgeon performing D3-right colectomy. RESULTS: 24 CT-datasets (13 females, age 44-77) were used in a paired comparative analysis of 48 3D-models. Quantitatively, SAMs showed structural improvement from Batch 1 to 3. Batch 4, with abnormal vessels, showed the highest error-index values. Qualitatively, 91.7% of SAMs did not contain all mesenteric branches relevant to the surgeon. In SAMs, 1 (12.5%) right colic artery-RCA scored as a complete vessel. 3 (37.5%) RCAs scored as incomplete and 4 (50%) RCAs were absent. 6 (25%) of 24 middle colic arteries-MCA scored as complete vessels. 11 (45.8%) scored as incomplete while 7 (29.2%) MCAs were absent. 13 (54.2%) of 24 ileocolic arteries-ICA were complete vessels. 11 (45.8%) scored as incomplete. None (0%) were absent. Additionally, it was observed that 10 (41.7%) of SAMs contained all their jejunal arteries, when compared to MSMs. Calibers of "complete" vessels were significantly higher than in "missing" vessels (MCA p < 0.001, RCA p = 0.016, ICA p < 0.001, JAs p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite acceptable results from quantitative analysis, qualitative comparison indicates that semi-automatically generated 3D-models of the central mesenteric vasculature could cause considerable confusion at surgery.

Right Colectomy with Extended D3 Mesenterectomy: Anterior and Posterior to the Mesenteric Vessels.

BACKGROUND: In right colectomy for cancer, complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy each leave behind lymphatic tissue anterior and posterior to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and artery (SMA). In this article, we present D3 extended mesenterectomy: a surgical technique that excises the lymphatic tissue en bloc with the right colectomy specimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 3D map of the mesentery of the right colon was reconstructed from staging CT-angiogram scans. The surgical technique of right colectomy with D3 extended mesenterectomy consisted of eight steps: 1) reveal the SMV and SMA; 2) isolate the ileocolic artery; 3) isolate the middle colic artery; 4) resolve the anterior mesenteric flap; 5) specimen de-vascularization; 6) colectomy; 7) resolve the posterior mesenteric flap; and 8) anastomosis. RESULTS: One-hundred-seventy-six patients (77 men) 66 years of age were operated upon from February 2011 to January 2017. There were 169 adenocarcinomas: 16.0% Stage I, 49.1% Stage II, 33.7% Stage III, 1.2% Stage IV. Tumor locations were 50.6% cecum, 41.5% ascending colon, 4.5% hepatic flexure, and 2.3% transverse colon. Mean operating time was 200 minutes, blood loss 273 ml, and length of stay 7.9 days. There were 9 anastomotic leakages and 15 reoperations. One patient underwent small bowel resection due to SMA tear. There was no postoperative mortality. The mean number of lymph nodes per specimen (40.9) was comprised of 27.1 in the D2 volume and 13.8 in the D3 volume. The mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was 1.2 in the D2 volume and 0.13 in D3. There were 7 patients with lymph node metastasis in D3, 2 of whom had node metastasis solely within D3. CONCLUSION: This study shows that 1.2% of patients would have been incorrectly diagnosed as Stage II if extended D3 mesenterectomy had not been performed. Similarly, lymph node metastases would have been left behind in 4.1% of patients if extended D3 mesenterectomy had not been performed.

Implementation of 3D printed superior mesenteric vascular models for surgical planning and/or navigation in right colectomy with extended D3 mesenterectomy: comparison of virtual and physical models to the anatomy found at surgery.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has recently been well approved as an emerging technology in various fields of medical education and practice; e.g., there are numerous studies evaluating 3D printouts of solid organs. Complex surgery such as extended mesenterectomy imposes a need to analyze also the accuracy of 3D printouts of more mobile and complex structures like the diversity of vascular arborization within the central mesentery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the linear dimensional anatomy landmark differences of the superior mesenteric artery and vein between (1) 3D virtual models, (2) 3D printouts, and (3) peroperative measurements. METHODS: The study included 22 patients from the ongoing prospective multicenter trial "Safe Radical D3 Right Hemicolectomy for Cancer through Preoperative Biphasic MDCT Angiography," with preoperative CT and peroperative measurements. The patients were operated in Norway between January 2016 and 2017. Their CT datasets underwent 3D volume rendering and segmentation, and the virtual 3D model produced was then exported for stereolithography 3D printing. RESULTS: Four parameters were measured: distance between the origins of the ileocolic and the middle colic artery, distance between the termination of the gastrocolic trunk and the ileocolic vein, and the calibers of the middle colic and ileocolic arteries. The inter-arterial distance has proven a strong correlation between all the three modalities implied (Pearson's coefficient 0.968, 0.956, 0.779, respectively), while inter-venous distances showed a weak correlation between peroperative measurements and both virtual and physical models. CONCLUSION: This study showed acceptable dimensional inter-arterial correlations between 3D printed models, 3D virtual models and authentic soft tissue anatomy of the central mesenteric vessels, and weaker inter-venous correlations between all the models, reflecting the highly variable nature of veins in situ.

Post-discharge complications in frail older patients after surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery varies between publications. Complications occurring after discharge from hospital are often not reported. The aims of this study were to investigate the proportion of frail older colorectal cancer patients who developed complications only after discharge, the severity of post-discharge complications, and the time point at which the most frequent complications occurred. METHODS: Patients were included if they were 65 years and older, screened positively for frailty and were scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery. Included patients were followed prospectively both in hospital and after discharge for 30 days after surgery, and complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: We included 114 patients. Median age was 79 years. Twenty-two patients (19%) were discharged without complications, but developed complications after discharge. These patients had shorter length of stay (6.5 versus 10 days), were more often discharged to their own home without assistance, and had higher 5-year survival (76% vs 54%) than patients who developed complications in hospital. Post-discharge complications were most frequently grade II. The most common types of complications that occurred late in the postoperative course were urinary tract infections and superficial surgical site infections. CONCLUSIONS: Complications after colorectal cancer surgery in frail older patients frequently arise after discharge from hospital. Doctors should be aware of this and inform their patients. This is increasingly important as length of stay after surgery decreases. When complications are used as a quality measure, it should be clear whether only in-hospital complications are registered.

D3 Extended Mesenterectomy in Right Colectomy for Cancer: A Cadaver Simulation Model.

BACKGROUND: D3 extended mesenterectomy (D3EM) for right colon cancer has received increased attention owing to suggested improvement of oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proficiency-based progression of content-valid metrics in a cadaveric model for right colectomy with D3EM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three expert surgeons were enrolled. Surgeon one performed the procedure robotically and surgeons two and three performed open D3EM. Proficiency-based progression was recorded for eight content-valid outcomes. The superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and artery were cannulated by independent observers to evaluate vascular tears. The specimens were analyzed for lymph node harvest by a pathologist blinded to surgical access and to the surgeon. RESULTS: Operating times did not differ among surgeons (50.2, 32.4 and 43.7 min). SMV tears occurred in procedures A and B only. There was no significant progression in lymph node harvest for D2 (p=0.913) and D3EM (p=0.264). CONCLUSIONS: Cadaveric training in D3EM was associated with progression in avoidance of vascular tears with no significant changes in operating time and lymph node harvest.

Defining minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection relevant to right colectomy for cancer: a post-mortem study.

BACKGROUND: There has been a lengthy discussion on the extent of lymphatic resection for right-sided colon cancer and the central borders of the mesentery that are not yet defined. The objectives of this study are to define minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection in regard to colic artery origins and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV) relevant to right colectomy. METHODS: Central mesenteric lymph vessels, nodes, and blood vessels were dissected in 16 cadavers. Cranial-caudal clearances were defined as distances between an individual colic artery origin (ileocolic, right colic, and median colic artery) and the outermost lymphatic vessel within its lymphovascular bundle, cranial and caudal along the SMA. Long lymphatic vessels crossing the SMV between arterial bundles were counted and they constituted the medial clearances. An arbitrary watershed between small bowel and colonic lymph was localized. Immunohistochemistry was performed to histologically verify lymphatic vessels. RESULTS: Cranial-caudal clearances were ileocolic 3.6 ± 1.9 and 5.7 ± 1.9; right colic 2.8 ± 1.6 and 3.3 ± 1.0; middle colic artery bundle 6.3 ± 2.7 and 5.9 ± 2.4 mm, respectively. Long lymphatic vessels crossing the SMV between arterial buntles and approaching the SMA were found in all cadavers (antero/posteriorly in 12, only anteriorly in 4), median 3.5 (1-7) long lymphatic vessels anteriorly, and 1.5 (0-5) posteriorly per cadaver. CONCLUSIONS: Right colonic lymphovascular bundles are volumes of mesenteric tissue that surround the superior mesenteric vessels anteriorly and posteriorly. Long lymphatic vessels traverse the superior mesenteric vein anteriorly/posteriorly approaching the superior mesenteric artery between arterial bundles and placing the medial clearance on the left side of the artery. These do not correlate to arterial crossing patterns. Cranial-caudal clearances determine the tissue to be removed superior/inferior to arterial origins together with long lymphatic vessels transversing independently between the lymphovascular bundles placing the weight of lymphatic resection on the mesenteric tissue and not on the level of vessel division (High tie).

Quality of life in older and frail patients after surgery for colorectal cancer-A follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing, mainly due to the aging of the population. Frailty, describing a state of increased vulnerability, is common in older patients, but frailty and high age are not necessarily contraindications to surgical treatment. However, limited data describing long-term outcomes after surgery in this patient group exist. In this clinical follow-up study, we aimed to examine long-term health-related quality of life in older surgical patients with colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from a prospective multicenter study investigating frailty as a predictor of postoperative complications after surgery for colorectal cancer. A preoperative geriatric assessment was performed, and patients were classified as frail or non-frail. Patients responded to version 3.0 of The European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 before surgery, 3months postoperatively and at a long-term follow-up 16-28months (median 22months) after surgery. One-way repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to examine changes in scores over time. RESULTS: 180 patients with a mean age of 80years were included at baseline, 138 at 3months postoperatively, and 84 patients (69% of survivors) at long-term follow-up. A significant improvement in quality of life-scores was present 3months after surgery, also in the subgroup of frail patients. At long-term follow-up, scores decreased, but to values above baseline. CONCLUSION: Health-related quality of life may be improved in older patients after surgery for colorectal cancer, even in patients who are classified as frail preoperatively.

Frailty is an independent predictor of survival in older patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent in the older population. Geriatric assessment (GA) has previously been found to predict treatment tolerance and postoperative complications in older cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore whether GA also predicts 1-year and 5-year survival after CRC surgery in older patients and to compare the predictive power of GA with that of established prognostic factors such as TNM classification of malignant tumors (TNM) stage and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 178 CRC patients aged 70 and older were followed prospectively. All patients went through elective surgery, and GA was performed presurgery. The GA resulted in patients being divided into two groups: frail or nonfrail. All patients were followed for 5 years or until death. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plots and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (43%) were frail, and one hundred and two (57%) were nonfrail. Twenty-three patients (13%) died during the first year after surgery. One-year survival was 80% in the frail group and 92% in the nonfrail group. Five-year survival was significantly lower in frail (24%) than nonfrail patients (66%), and this difference was apparent both within the stratums of TNM stages 0-II and TNM stage III. In multivariable analysis adjusting for TNM stage, age, and sex, frailty was an independent prognostic factor for survival. CONCLUSION: A GA-based frailty assessment predicts 1-year and 5-year survival in older patients after surgery for CRC. In localized and regional disease, the impact of frailty upon 5-year survival is comparable with that of TNM stage.

Frailty indicators and functional status in older patients after colorectal cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The number of older survivors from colorectal cancer is increasing, but little is known regarding long-term consequences of cancer treatment in this patient group. Physical function is an important outcome for older patients, affecting both autonomy and quality of life. We aimed to investigate physical function in older patients with colorectal cancer before and after surgery, and to examine the role of individual frailty indicators as predictors of functional decline. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 16-28 months follow-up data of older patients after elective surgery for colorectal cancer. During a home-visit, physical function was evaluated by activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and grip strength. Measurements were compared with those obtained preoperatively using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Frailty indicators were dichotomized and implemented in logistic regression models to explore their associations to a decline in the physical function scores. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included and the median age was 82 years. There was a significant decrease in ADL (p = 0.04) and IADL scores (p ≤ 0.001) at follow-up. We found no associations between frailty indicators and the risk of decline in physical functioning. CONCLUSION: In our population of older patients with surgically treated colorectal cancer, there was a significant decline in ADL- and IADL-scores at follow-up. No change was found in TUG or grip strength, and frailty indicators did not predict decline in physical function.

Lymph node distribution in the d3 area of the right mesocolon: implications for an anatomically correct cancer resection. A postmortem study.

BACKGROUND: Data on lymph node distribution in the right colon D3 area are scarce, especially for nodes posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether nodes exist posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels and if arterial crossing patterns affect node distribution. DESIGN: This is an anatomical postmortem study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at the following institutions: Department of Gastrointestinal surgery/Pathology, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway; Institute for Pathology, University of Belgrade, Serbia; and Anatomy Sector, University of Geneva, Switzerland. PATIENTS: Fresh human cadavers were selected to undergo autopsy. INTERVENTION: A predefined D3 area was removed from cadavers, fixed in formaldehyde, divided into 3 vertical compartments with regard to the superior mesenteric vessels. Vertical compartments were further divided into 8 compartments. Millimeter slices were analyzed at histology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lymph nodes ≥1 mm were counted in each compartment. RESULTS: Twenty-six cadavers (14 men), median age 76 years, were included. Mean node number per cadaver was 15.9 ± 7.4. Lateral, anterior, and posterior vertical compartments contained median 5.5 (1-11), 5 (2-21), and 5 (0-11) nodes. The effect of the ileocolic artery crossing pattern on node number in the posterior vertical compartment was p = 0.020. Anterior/posterior ileocolic artery compartments contained nodes in 58% and 85% cadavers with median of 1(0-7) and 2(0-5). These compartments showed a significant difference in node numbers depending on the ileocolic artery crossing pattern, p < 0.001 (posterior crossing) and p < 0.001 (anterior crossing). The middle colic artery compartment contained nodes in all cadavers with a median of 2 (1-4). The association between volume and total number of nodes in the D3 area was statistically significant, p < 0.001. LIMITATIONS: Nodes posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels do not necessarily have clinical relevance. CONCLUSION: Anatomically correct D3 resection implies posterior vertical compartment removal with posterior ileocolic artery crossing. Addition of the lateral vertical compartment to routine right colectomy has an improvement potential of 5 to 6 nodes.

Adenoma formation and malignancy after restorative proctocolectomy with or without mucosectomy in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy concerning whether or not to perform mucosectomy after IPAA in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Although more frequent adenoma formation at the anastomotic site in patients without a mucosectomy is documented, the interpretation of the theoretical reflections and empirical findings are ambiguous. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the differences in adenoma formation at the anastomotic site and in the ileal pouch among patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after IPAA with or without mucosectomy. DESIGN: Data were gathered from The Norwegian Polyposis Registry and The Cancer Registry of Norway. PATIENTS: Sixty-one patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who had IPAA were included in the Norwegian Polyposis Registry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of adenoma development in the pouch or at the anastomotic site was measured. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients had a pelvic pouch performed with mucosectomy and 22 patients without. The observational time was 15.5 and 13.7 years. Adenoma formation at the anastomotic site was 4 in 39 and 14 in 22, and the estimated rate was 17% vs 75% (p = 0.0001). One patient without mucosectomy had a cancer (Dukes A) at the anastomotic site. There was no estimated long-term difference in adenoma formation in the ileal pouches between the 2 surgical procedures (38%) (p = 0.10). LIMITATIONS: The study is retrospective, in part, and relies on data from registries. There is a limited number of cases, and selection bias because of surgeon preference may exist. CONCLUSION: In patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who undergo IPAA, adenoma formation at the anastomotic site is significantly reduced after mucosectomy. Mucosectomy may be the preferable procedure to prevent adenomas at the anastomotic site.

Lymph node micrometastases and isolated tumor cells influence survival in stage I and II colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Lymph-node status is considered the most important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the influence of micrometastases and isolated tumor cells on recurrence and disease-free survival in colon cancer. METHODS: A total of 193 patients with colon cancer, operated on between 2000 and 2005, were enrolled in the study. All lymph nodes were examined by routine microscopy in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. If no metastases were identified in any node, all nodes were examined immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibody CAM 5.2. RESULTS: Ordinary metastases were found in 67 patients, leaving 126 patients in stage I/II. Immunohistochemistry showed that 5% (6/126) of these had micrometastases and 26% (33/126) had isolated tumor cells. A median of 5 years of follow-up revealed local or distant recurrence in 23% (9/39) of stage I/II patients with micrometastases or isolated tumor cells, compared with 7% (6/87) without micrometastases or isolated tumor cells (P = .010). Five-year disease-free survival for patients with and without micrometastases or isolated tumor cells was 75% and 93%, respectively (P = .012). When analyzed separately, patients with isolated tumor cells (excluding micrometastases) had also lower survival than node-negative patients (P = .012). CONCLUSION: The presence of micrometastases and isolated tumor cells was found to be a prognostic factor for recurrence and disease-free survival. This may have implications for future treatment of stage I/II colon cancer.

DNA sequence profiles of the colorectal cancer critical gene set KRAS-BRAF-PIK3CA-PTEN-TP53 related to age at disease onset.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) increases with age and early onset indicates an increased likelihood for genetic predisposition for this disease. The somatic genetics of tumor development in relation to patient age remains mostly unknown. We have examined the mutation status of five known cancer critical genes in relation to age at diagnosis, and compared the genomic complexity of tumors from young patients without known CRC syndromes with those from elderly patients. Among 181 CRC patients, stratified by microsatellite instability status, DNA sequence changes were identified in KRAS (32%), BRAF (16%), PIK3CA (4%), PTEN (14%) and TP53 (51%). In patients younger than 50 years (n = 45), PIK3CA mutations were not observed and TP53 mutations were more frequent than in the older age groups. The total gene mutation index was lowest in tumors from the youngest patients. In contrast, the genome complexity, assessed as copy number aberrations, was highest in tumors from the youngest patients. A comparable number of tumors from young (<50 years) and old patients (>70 years) was quadruple negative for the four predictive gene markers (KRAS-BRAF-PIK3CA-PTEN); however, 16% of young versus only 1% of the old patients had tumor mutations in PTEN/PIK3CA exclusively. This implies that mutation testing for prediction of EGFR treatment response may be restricted to KRAS and BRAF in elderly (>70 years) patients. Distinct genetic differences found in tumors from young and elderly patients, whom are comparable for known clinical and pathological variables, indicate that young patients have a different genetic risk profile for CRC development than older patients.

The Prognostic Impact of Protein Expression of E-Cadherin-Catenin Complexes Differs between Rectal and Colon Carcinoma.

The E-cadherin-catenin complex provides cell-cell adhesion. In order for a carcinoma to metastasize, cancer cells must let go of their hold of neighboring cells in the primary tumor. The presence of components of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in 246 rectal adenocarcinomas was examined by immunohistochemistry and compared to their presence in 219 colon carcinomas. The expression data were correlated to clinical information from the patients' records. There were statistically significant differences in protein expression between the rectal and the colon carcinomas regarding membranous beta-catenin, gamma-catenin, p120-catenin, and E-cadherin, as well as nuclear beta-catenin. In the rectal carcinomas, there was a significant inverse association between the expression of p120-catenin in cell membranes of the primary tumors and the occurrence of local recurrence, while membranous protein expression of beta-catenin was inversely related to distant metastases.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment can predict complications in elderly patients after elective surgery for colorectal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the outcomes of a pre-operative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and the risk of severe post-operative complications in elderly patients electively operated for colorectal cancer. METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight consecutive patients ≥ 70 years electively operated for all stages of colorectal cancer were prospectively examined. A pre-operative CGA was performed, and patients were categorized as fit, intermediate, or frail. The main outcome measure was severe complications within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (12%) were categorized as fit, 81 (46%) as intermediate, and 76 (43%) as frail. Eighty-three patients experienced severe complications, including three deaths; 7/21 (33%) of fit patients, 29/81 (36%) of intermediate patients and 47/76 (62%) of frail patients (p=0.002). Increasing age and ASA classification were not associated with complications in this series. CONCLUSION: CGA can identify frail patients who have a significantly increased risk of severe complications after elective surgery for colorectal cancer.

Sentinel node mapping does not improve staging of lymph node metastasis in colonic cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the reliability of the sentinel node concept in colonic cancer. METHODS: Patent blue was used as tracer. The four blue nodes closest to the tumor were defined as the sentinel node(s) by the pathologist. All nodes were examined by routine microscopy (hematoxylin-eosin staining). If no metastases were detected, all lymph nodes were examined immunohistochemically with antibody to cytokeratin. RESULTS: Two hundred colon specimens were examined. Sentinel node(s) were identified in 93 percent. Sixty contained metastases in hematoxylin-eosin sections. In 32 these were found in sentinel nodes (sensitivity 53 percent). Twenty-eight patients had metastases in nonsentinel nodes only, giving a false-negative rate of 47 percent. Immunostaining revealed 39 (30 percent) micrometastases or submicrometastases in 131 TNM Stages I and II patients, and in 17 of these patients metastases were found in nonsentinel nodes only (false-negative rate 44 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node mapping shows low sensitivity for detection of ordinary metastases, micrometastases, and submicrometastases. If only the sentinel nodes had been examined, approximately half of the metastases would have been lost after routine staining, as well as half of the micrometastases and submicrometastases when immunohistochemical examination was added.

Biofeedback vs. electrostimulation in the treatment of postdelivery anal incontinence: a randomized, clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of biofeedback and electrostimulation in a randomized, clinical trial for the treatment of patients with postdelivery anal incontinence. METHODS: Forty-nine females who sustained third-degree or fourth-degree perineal rupture with a mean age of 36 (range, 22-44) years were included in the study. The females were randomized to biofeedback or electrostimulation treatment. Forty females completed the study: 19 in the biofeedback and 21 in the electrostimulation group. Biofeedback or electrostimulation sessions were performed two times daily for eight weeks in each group. Wexner incontinence score, fecal incontinence quality of life scores, and reduced quality of life on visual analog scale were registered before and after treatment. Patients' self-rating of treatment effect also was registered in both groups. The primary outcome measure was the Wexner incontinence score. RESULTS: There were no differences in treatment effect between groups. Comparing pretreatment status to posttreatment in each group showed no improvement in Wexner score, reduced quality of life, or any of the fecal incontinence quality of life scores. Patients' self-rating of the treatment effect, however, showed a subjective improvement of symptoms both in the biofeedback and in the electrostimulation group (median, 7 vs. 5.) CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there was no difference in effect between biofeedback and electrostimulation. Neither biofeedback nor electrostimulation treatments improved Wexner incontinence score, reduced quality of life, or fecal incontinence quality of life scores. Both treatments resulted in improvement of patients' subjective perception of incontinence control.

An increase in the number of adhesion proteins with altered expression is associated with an increased risk of cancer death for colon carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Reduced expression of components of the cell-cell adhesive cadherin-catenin complex has been related to the invasive phenotype in many malignancies, but the prognostic value of altered expression of its separate components varies in colon cancer. Our objective was evaluation of the cadherin-catenin complex, considered as a functional unit, in colon carcinomas and its relationship to patient outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumours from 206 patients operated for colon adenocarcinoma were analysed using immunohistochemistry of E-cadherin, alpha, beta, and gamma-catenins, and p120ctn. The sum of proteins with altered membranous expression was calculated as an overall adhesion score (ranging from 0 to 5) for each patient. The results were correlated with patient outcome. RESULTS: Of the tumours included in the analysis 0.5% had score 0, 4.9% had score 1, 13.6% had score 2, 31.6% had score 3, 33.0% had score 4, and 16.5% tumours had score 5. None of the proteins examined had individual, independent prognostic value. However, an increase in the number of proteins in the cadherin-catenin complex with altered expression was associated with an increased risk of cancer death (univariate P=0.002; multivariate P=0.007, HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11-1.96). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the number of adhesion proteins with altered expression in the primary tumour is associated with increasingly impaired prognosis for patients operated for colon carcinoma. The results reveal that the entire cadherin-catenin complex should be evaluated when assessing its prognostic value in the disease.