Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy for Primary and Secondary Malignancies of the Liver: State of the Art and Current High-Level Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAI) has been proposed as a valuable adjunct for multimodal therapy of primary and secondary liver malignancies. This review provides an overview of the currently available evidence of HAI, taking into account tumor response and long-term oncologic outcome. SUMMARY: In colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), HAI in combination with systemic therapy leads to high response rates (85-90%) and conversion to resectablity in primary unresectable disease in up to 50%. HAI in combination with systemic therapy in CRLM in the adjuvant setting shows promising long-term outcomes with up to 50% 10-year survival in a large, non-randomized single-center cohort. For hepatocellular carcinoma patients, response rates as high as 20-40% have been reported for HAI and long-term outcomes compare well to other therapies. Similarly, survival for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 3 years after treatment with HAI is reported as high as 34%, which compares well to trials of systemic therapy where 3-year survival is usually below 5%. However, evidence is mainly limited by highly selected, heterogenous patient groups, and outdated chemotherapy regimens. The largest body of evidence stems from small, often non-randomized cohorts, predominantly from highly specialized single centers. KEY MESSAGE: In well-selected patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies, HAI might improve response rates and, possibly, long-term survival. Results of ongoing randomized trials will show whether a wider adoption of HAI is justified, particularly to increase rates of resectability in advanced malignant diseases confined to the liver.

Gum Chewing and Coffee Consumption but not Caffeine Intake Improve Bowel Function after Gastrointestinal Surgery: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus is common after gastrointestinal surgery. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of gum chewing and coffee and caffeine intake on ileus-related outcomes. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing noninvasive treatments for ileus after gastrointestinal surgery. The main analyses included random effects network meta-analyses using frequentist methods with simultaneous direct and indirect comparisons of time to first flatus, time to first defecation, and length of stay. Bayesian network meta-analysis using Markov chains was also used. RESULTS: A total of 32 RCTs comparing 4999 patients were included in this network meta-analysis. Time to flatus was reduced by gum chewing (mean difference compared to control (MD): -11 h, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 16 to - 5 h, P < 0.001). Time to defecation was reduced by gum chewing and coffee, with MDs of -18 h (95% CI - 23 to - 13 h, P < 0.001) and -13 h (95% CI - 24 to - 1 h, P < 0.001), respectively. Length of stay was reduced by coffee and gum chewing with MDs of - 1.5 days (95% CI: - 2.5 to - 0.6 days, P < 0.001) and - 0.9 days (95% CI: - 1.3 to - 0.4 days, P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Coffee and gum chewing were proven to be effective noninvasive approaches for shortening the postoperative length of hospital stay and time to first defecation, especially in open gastrointestinal surgery; thus these actions should be recommended after gastrointestinal surgery.

Prognostic factors in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia-novel tools for determining patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a devastating disease with poor prognosis. Due to the multitude of underlying factors, prediction of outcomes remains poor. We aimed to identify factors governing diagnosis and survival in AMI and develop novel prognostic tools. METHODS: This monocentric retrospective study analyzed patients with suspected AMI undergoing imaging between January 2014 and December 2019. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with confirmed AMI undergoing surgery. Nomograms were calculated based on multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-nine patients underwent imaging for clinically suspected AMI, with 216 examinations showing radiological indication of AMI. Intestinal necrosis (IN) was confirmed in 125 undergoing surgery, 58 of which survived and 67 died (median 9 days after diagnosis, IQR 22). Increasing age, ASA score, pneumatosis intestinalis, and dilated bowel loops were significantly associated with presence of IN upon radiological suspicion. In contrast, decreased pH, elevated creatinine, radiological atherosclerosis, vascular occlusion (versus non-occlusive AMI), and colonic affection (compared to small bowel ischemia only) were associated with impaired survival in patients undergoing surgery. Based on the identified factors, we developed two nomograms to aid in prediction of IN upon radiological suspicion (C-Index = 0.726) and survival in patients undergoing surgery for IN (C-Index = 0.791). CONCLUSION: As AMI remains a condition with high mortality, we identified factors predicting occurrence of IN with suspected AMI and survival when undergoing surgery for IN. We provide two new tools, which combine these parameters and might prove helpful in treatment of patients with AMI.

Pneumatosis intestinalis in abdominal CT: predictors of short-term mortality in patients with clinical suspicion of mesenteric ischemia.

PURPOSE: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in the bowel wall demonstrated in computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is unspecific and its prognostic relevance remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of short-term mortality in patients with suspected mesenteric ischemia who were referred to abdominal CT and showed PI. METHODS: In this retrospective, IRB-approved, single-centre study, CT scans and electronic medical records of 540 patients who were referred to abdominal CT with clinical suspicion of mesenteric ischemia were analysed. 109/540 (20%) patients (median age 66 years, 39 females) showed PI. CT findings were correlated with surgical and pathology reports (if available), with clinical and laboratory findings, and with patient history. Short-term outcome was defined as survival within 30 days after CT. RESULTS: PI was found in the stomach (n = 6), small bowel (n = 65), and colon (n = 85). Further gas was found in mesenteric (n = 54), portal (n = 19) and intrahepatic veins (n = 36). Multivariate analysis revealed that PI in the colon [odds ratio (OR) 2.86], elevated blood AST levels (OR 3.00), and presence of perfusion inhomogeneities in other abdominal organs (OR 3.38) were independent predictors of short-term mortality. Surgery had a positive effect on mortality (88% lower likelihood of mortality), similar to the presence of abdominal pain (65% lower likelihood). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that in patients referred for abdominal CT with clinical suspicion of mesenteric ischemia, location of PI in the colon, elevation of blood AST, and presence of perfusion inhomogeneities in parenchymatous organs are predictors of short-term mortality.

Portal vein thrombosis in COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide. As it is a novel disease, we have less experience in its possible appearances. Predominantly affecting the respiratory tract, about 20-43% patients also present with extrapulmonary manifestations such as coagulation disorders with thrombotic angiopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: In our institution, a patient presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain which was caused by portal vein thrombosis. As a COVID-19 nasopharyngeal antigen swab few days earlier was negative, we performed several tests to find out its etiology. After all tests were inconclusive and the patient suffered flu-like symptoms 2 weeks before, we repeated COVID-19 molecular testing and received a positive test result. The patient was treated symptomatically and received therapeutic anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: A COVID-19 infection can also be present without typical pulmonary symptoms. In patients with severe abdominal pain and new diagnosed portal vein thrombosis, it is important to think of a COVID-19 infection. Also, the reliability of antigen nasopharyngeal swab should be considered critically, especially if performed wrongly. We recommended to perform molecular tests when in doubt. After the diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis, immediate anticoagulation is recommended to reduce the risk of further complications like intestinal infarction.

Loss of Correction After Chevron Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus as a Function of Preoperative Deformity.

BACKGROUND:: Recurrence is relatively common after surgical correction of hallux valgus. Multiple factors are discussed that could have an influence in the loss of correction. The aim of this study was to determine preoperative radiological factors with an influence on loss of correction after distal chevron osteotomy for hallux valgus. METHODS:: Five hundred twenty-four patients who underwent the correction of a hallux valgus by means of distal chevron osteotomy at our institution between 2002 and 2012 were included. We assessed weightbearing x-rays at 4 time points: preoperatively, postoperatively, and after 6 weeks and 3 months. We investigated the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), joint congruity, and the position of the sesamoids. RESULTS:: At all points of the survey, significant correction of the IMA and HVA was detected. The IMA improved from 12.9 (± 2.8) to 4.5 (± 2.4) degrees and the HVA from 27.5 (± 6.9) to 9.1 (± 5.3) degrees. Loss of correction was found in both HVA and IMA during follow-up with a mean of 4.5 and 1.9 degrees, respectively. Loss of correction showed a linear correlation with preoperative IMA and HVA, and a correlation between preoperative DMAA and sesamoid position. CONCLUSION:: The chevron osteotomy showed significant correction for HVA, IMA, and DMAA. Preoperative deformity, in terms of IMA, HVA, DMAA, and sesamoid position, correlated with the loss of correction and could be assessed preoperatively for HVA and IMA. Loss of correction at 3 months persisted during the follow-up period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level IV, retrospective case series.