Reconstruction of Anophthalmic Sockets With Pedicled Nasoseptal Flap.

PURPOSE: Patients who undergo eye removal often present with orbital soft-tissue insufficiency and contraction of the eye sockets. The most commonly used reconstruction strategy is grafting the orbit with free grafts, which is associated with the drawback of harvesting tissue from an unconnected site. This study describes the use of the vascularized nasoseptal flap in the reconstruction and enlargement of the contracted anophthalmic cavity in patients with severe or recurrent contracted eye sockets and evaluates its efficacy. METHODS: A sphenopalatine-pedicled flap from the nasal septum was harvested and mobilized into the anophthalmic orbit for the reconstruction, coverage, and enlargement of the socket in 17 patients with anophthalmic socket syndrome. Data regarding the demographics, preoperative status, postoperative findings, follow-up, outcomes, dates of mutilant and reconstructive surgery, and relevant clinical or imaging were collected. RESULTS: Krishna´s classification was used to assess the postoperative outcomes. The final rating improved in all patients at a median follow-up duration of 35 months. A greater impact was observed in patients who underwent reconstructive surgery before nasoseptal flap creation. Two minor complications occurred; however, major surgical intervention was not required. Implant extrusion was observed in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The novel strategy of applying nasoseptal flaps in the reconstruction of anophthalmic sockets results in improved socket grading and a low rate of recurrence (socket contracture or implant extrusion), and complications. The vascular nature of the flap makes it suitable for use in complex cases.

Relationships of Gut Microbiota Composition, Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Polyamines with the Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Emerging evidence has suggested that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota may influence the drug efficacy of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients during cancer treatment by modulating drug metabolism and the host immune response. Moreover, gut microbiota can produce metabolites that may influence tumor proliferation and therapy responsiveness. In this study we have investigated the potential contribution of the gut microbiota and microbial-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids and polyamines to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) outcome in CRC patients. First, we established a profile for healthy gut microbiota by comparing the microbial diversity and composition between CRC patients and healthy controls. Second, our metagenomic analysis revealed that the gut microbiota composition of CRC patients was relatively stable over treatment time with neoadjuvant RCT. Nevertheless, treated patients who achieved clinical benefits from RTC (responders, R) had significantly higher microbial diversity and richness compared to non-responder patients (NR). Importantly, the fecal microbiota of the R was enriched in butyrate-producing bacteria and had significantly higher levels of acetic, butyric, isobutyric, and hexanoic acids than NR. In addition, NR patients exhibited higher serum levels of spermine and acetyl polyamines (oncometabolites related to CRC) as well as zonulin (gut permeability marker), and their gut microbiota was abundant in pro-inflammatory species. Finally, we identified a baseline consortium of five bacterial species that could potentially predict CRC treatment outcome. Overall, our results suggest that the gut microbiota may have an important role in the response to cancer therapies in CRC patients.

Importance of dose in palliative treatment for incurable head and neck cancer with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To identify predictors of palliation for head and neck cancer treated with the "Hypo Trial" hypofractionated radiation therapy regimen in a clinical setting. DESIGN/METHOD: We retrospectively assessed 106 consecutive patients with incurable cancer, treated between January 2008 and December 2018. Regimen used was 30-36Gy in 5-6 biweekly fractions of 6Gy. RESULTS: The prescription dose was 30Gy in 57 (53.8%) patients and 36Gy in 49 (46.2%) patients. 89.6% patients completed the prescribed treatment. With a median follow-up of 6.92 months, 79.2% of the patients experienced clinical palliation. Palliation was correlated with the radiation therapy dose (P = 0.05). Median overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS) were 7 and 4.63 months, respectively. Achieving palliation was associated to OS (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This short palliative hypofractionated scheme resulted in a high rate of palliation, with excellent compliance and acceptable toxicity. Our results show that radiation dose is a predictive factor for palliation.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Inflammation and Gut Permeability in Patients with Obesity and Colorectal Cancer.

Obesity is considered an important factor that increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). So far, the association of gut microbiota with both obesity and cancer has been described independently. Nevertheless, a specific obesity-related microbial profile linked to CRC development has not been identified. The aim of this study was to determine the gut microbiota composition in fecal samples from CRC patients with (OB-CRC) and without obesity (L-CRC) compared to the microbiota profile present in non-obese healthy controls (L-HC), in order to unravel the possible relationship between gut microbiota and microbial-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), the inflammatory status, and the intestinal permeability in the context of obesity-associated CRC. The presence of obesity does not induce significant changes in the diversity and richness of intestinal bacteria of CRC patients. Nevertheless, OB-CRC patients display a specific gut microbiota profile characterized by a reduction in butyrate-producing bacteria and an overabundance of opportunistic pathogens, which in turn could be responsible, at least in part, for the higher levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, the deleterious bacterial metabolite TMAO, and gut permeability found in these patients. These results suggest a possible role of obesity-related gut microbiota in the development of CRC, which could give new clues for the design of new diagnostic tools for CRC prevention.

The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Development and Therapy Response.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota can alter CRC susceptibility and progression by modulating mechanisms such as inflammation and DNA damage, and by producing metabolites involved in tumor progression or suppression. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota has been observed in patients with CRC, with a decrease in commensal bacterial species (butyrate-producing bacteria) and an enrichment of detrimental bacterial populations (pro-inflammatory opportunistic pathogens). CRC is characterized by altered production of bacterial metabolites directly involved in cancer metabolism including short-chain fatty acids and polyamines. Emerging evidence suggests that diet has an important impact on the risk of CRC development. The intake of high-fiber diets and the supplementation of diet with polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and probiotics, which are known to regulate gut microbiota, could be not only a potential mechanism for the reduction of CRC risk in a primary prevention setting, but may also be important to enhance the response to cancer therapy when used as adjuvant to conventional treatment for CRC. Therefore, a personalized modulation of the pattern of gut microbiome by diet may be a promising approach to prevent the development and progression of CRC and to improve the efficacy of antitumoral therapy.

Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of metastatic head and neck cancer.

In metastatic or locally advanced head and neck tumors that present in frail patients or after chemotherapy progression, radiotherapy is normally used as a palliative treatment, with a high rate of symptom palliation and improvement in quality of life. However, there is controversy about what the optimal regimen is. Moreover, despite the poor prognosis of metastatic head and neck cancer, different retrospective studies have shown that a minority of patients with oligometastatic disease experience prolonged disease-free survival after adding curative radiotherapy treatment to the metastatic disease and/or primary tumor. Different retrospective studies have identified clinical prognostic factors that may be used to select candidate patients with metastatic head and neck cancer for a radical approach with radiotherapy. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the role of radiotherapy in metastatic and locally advanced head and neck tumors.

Anestesia espinal con levobupivacaína hiperbárica al 0, 75 para artroscopia ambulatoria de rodilla: estudio aleatorio doble ciego que compara tres dosis diferentes / Spinal anesthesia using 0.75 hyperbaric levobupivacaine for outpatient knee arthroscopy: randomized double-blind study comparing three different doses

Objetivo. Evaluar la probabilidad de bloqueo motor a través del tiempo, al comparar tres dosis de levobupivacaína hiperbárica (LBPH) al 0,75 %, utilizando una técnica espinal unilateral. Métodos. 180 pacientes ASA I-II entre 18 y 60 años programados para artroscopia unilateral de rodilla fueron aleatorizados prospectivamente a recibir 7,5 mg (n = 59), 9,37 mg (n = 61) y 11,25 mg (n = 60) de LBPH al 0,75 %, a través de una aguja Whitacre 27-gauge, y fueron dejados en decúbito lateral por cinco minutos. Un observador independiente evaluó el nivel de bloqueo motor y sensitivo luego del retorno a la posición supina, al final de la cirugía y cada diez minutos en UCPA hasta el alta. Resultados. No hubo diferencias demográficas o en las tasas de falla de bloqueo al comparar los grupos. El tiempo de resolución completa del bloqueo motor fue menor cuando se utilizó 7,5 mg (145 ± 49 frente a 156 ± 65 frente a 170 ± 70,5 min., respectivamente. P = 0,006), así como los tiempos de permanencia en UCPA (155 ± 45 frente a 178 ± 70 frente a 184 ± 72 min., respectivamente, P = 0,004), sin diferencias en los tiempos de resolución del bloqueo sensitivo. La probabilidad de resolución del bloqueo motor a los 200 min. fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de 7,5 mg [0,95 (95 % CI 0,84 - 0,98) frente a 0,80 (0,67 - 0,88) frente a 0,73 (0,59 - 0,82, respectivamente. OR: 1,84 (95 % CI 1,28 - 2,64]. Conclusión. 7,5 mg de LBPH al 0,75 % por vía espinal es una dosis eficaz y segura en pacientes sometidos a procedimientos artroscópicos unilaterales de rodilla, lo que disminuye significativamente su estancia en recuperación y la duración del bloqueo motor.

Objetive. To assess the probability of motor block through time by means of a comparison between three doses of 0.75 % hyperbaric levobupivacaine (HLBP) using a unilateral spinal technique. Methodos. 180 ASA I-II patients between 18 and 60 years of age scheduled for unilateral knee arthroscopy were randomized prospectively to receive 7.5 mg (n = 59), 9.37 mg (n = 61) and 11.25 mg (n = 60) of 0.75 % HLBP through a 27-gauge Whitacre needle, and were left in a lateral decubitus position for five minutes. An independent observer assessed the level of motor and sensory block after returning to the supine position, at the end of surgery, and every ten minutes in the PACU until discharge. Results. There were no diferences in demographics or failure rates among the groups among the groups. The time for complete resolution of the respecmotor block was shorter when 7.5 mg were used (145 ± 49 vs. 156 ± 65 vs. 170 ± 70.5 min, respectively. P = 0,006). Length of stay in the PACU was also shorter (155 ± 45 vs. 178 ± 70 and 184 ± 72 min, respectively, P = 0,004), with no difference in the time periods for the resolution of the sensory block. The probability of block resolution after 200 minutes was significantly higher in the group receiving 7.5 mg [0.95(95 % CI 0.84 - 0.98) vs. 0.80 (0.67 - 0.88) vs. 0.73 (0.59 - 0.82), respectively. OR: 1.84 (95 % CI 1.28 - 2.64]. Conclusions. The spinal administration of 7.5 mg of 0.75 % HLBP is effective and safe in patients undergoing unilateral arthroscopic procedures of the knee. This reduces length of stay in the recovery room and the duration of the motor block.

Role of radiation therapy in the multidisciplinary management of Ewing's Sarcoma of bone in pediatric patients: An effective treatment for local control.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) plays an important role in the multidisciplinary management of Ewing's Sarcoma (ES), especially in unresectable cases. AIM: Assessment of efficacy of RT in terms of local control in pediatric patients with primary ES of bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients younger than 17 years old with ES treated with combined RT and chemotherapy with (N = 14) or without (N = 22) prior surgery from 1981 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Since 1995, they were all treated according to the Spanish Society of Pediatric Oncology protocol (55.5% cases). Those patients received vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin and etoposide. The TNM classification was as follows: 17 T1, 18 T2 and 1 T3; 36 N0; 29 M0, 5 M1a and 2 M1b. Analysis was stratified by treatment: definitive RT or pre/postoperative RT. RESULTS: The 36 patients (21 male; 15 female) had a median age of 10 years (range 2-17 years). Median follow-up of living patients was 105 months. The 2-year local control (LC) rate for all patients was 88%. Five-year LC rates for patients treated with definitive and pre/postoperative RT were 91% and 86%, respectively. Two-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates for all patients were 68% and 66%, respectively. Low phosphatase alkaline levels and local and distant recurrences were significantly predictive of worse prognosis (P = 0.021, P = 0.011, P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy with and without surgery is a highly effective local treatment option in the multidisciplinary management of ES in pediatric patients.

Myeloablative therapy against high risk Ewing's sarcoma: A single institution experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Attempts to improve survival outcomes of patients with high risk Ewing's sarcoma (ES) have focused on chemotherapy dose intensification strategies. AIM: The objective of this study is to retrospectively evaluate clinical characteristics and outcome of pediatric patients with high risk ES treated at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2008, seventeen patients (male:female, 14:3) were treated with dose-intensive therapy in our institution. Median age at diagnosis was 10 years (range: 2-15). Seven patients had metastases at diagnosis (lung in 6 cases and bone in one case). Eleven patients presented with unresectable disease. Fifteen (88.2%) received the Spanish Society of Pediatric Oncology protocol which includes six cycles of vincristine, doxorubicin, ifosfamide and etoposide. Two out of the six cases that were resectable received postoperative radiation. In addition, eleven patients received definitive radiation therapy. Finally, twelve (70.5%) out of 17 patients received myeloablative therapy with melphalan/etoposide. The rest of patients (N = 5) received busulfan/melphalan. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 78 months (range: 15-155 months). Initial responses were complete in all patients, but 9 of them developed progression disease. Seven patients became long-term event-free survivors. No patient died of toxicity after transplantation. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates for all patients were 93% and 73%, respectively. Event-free survival rates were 74% and 54% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This single-institution experience suggests that myeloablative therapy against high risk ES is effective and safe.