Analysis of postoperative weight loss associated with prognosis after sublobar resections for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Sublobar resections for lung cancer are increasing worldwide. However, the prognostic significance of weight loss after sublobar resection remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of weight loss after sublobar resection for lung cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent sublobar resection for non-small cell lung cancer between January 2016 and June 2021 were analysed. The percentage weight change at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively was determined based on the preoperative weight. Patients were divided into two groups: those with or without weight loss ≥ 5%, referring to the diagnostic criteria for frailty, to assess prognosis. Subsequently, the prognosis-related timing of weight loss ≥ 5% and its risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: We reviewed 147 patients; 39 (26.5%) showed weight loss ≥ 5% within 1-year post-surgery. A total of 32 patients (21.8%) died, 13 from primary lung cancer and 19 from non-lung cancer causes. Cancer recurrence occurred in 22 patients (15.0%). Weight loss ≥ 5% within 1-year post-surgery was a poor prognostic factor for overall and recurrence-free survival (log-rank; p = 0.014 and 0.018, respectively). Additionally, weight loss ≥ 5% at 6-12 months postoperatively was associated with poor overall and recurrence-free survival (p < 0.05, both). In the multivariable analysis, an age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 4 was a predictive factor for weight loss ≥ 5% at 6-12 months postoperatively (odds ratio, 3.920; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss ≥ 5% at 6-12 months postoperatively was associated with poor prognosis. Long-term nutritional management is important in the treatment plan of sublobar resection in high-risk patients.

Stereochemical Assignment of the 36-Membered Macrolide Ring Portion of Poecillastrin C.

Absolute configuration at 12 stereocenters in the 36-membered macrocyclic ring portion of poecillastrin C (1) was disclosed by chemical degradation and NMR analyses of 1, chemical synthesis, and molecular modeling techniques.

Reduction in drain-related adverse events using the barbed suture method for chest tube wound closure.

OBJECTIVE: A chest tube is usually placed in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery. Although the barbed suture method has been introduced for chest tube wound closure, its superiority to the conventional suture methods for drain management remains unclear. The study aimed to determine whether the barbed suture method could reduce drain-related adverse events compared to the conventional method. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent general thoracic surgery between January 2021 and December 2022, 1 year before and after the introduction of the barbed suture method at our institution. Patients who underwent the barbed suture or conventional method were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses of drain-related adverse events were performed. RESULTS: Of the 250 participants, 110 and 140 underwent the barbed suture method and conventional suture method, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that a higher body mass index, preoperative malignant diagnosis, lobectomy, longer operative time, larger tube size, longer chest drainage duration, surgical complications, and conventional method were risk factors for drain-related adverse events. The multivariate analysis showed that the barbed suture method was a protective factor against drain-related adverse events (odds ratio 0.267; 95% confidence interval 0.103-0.691; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The barbed suture method could reduce drain-related adverse events compared to the conventional method. Therefore, it might be a potential standard method for chest tube wound closure in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery.

Strategies and tactics to perform safe pancreaticoduodenectomy for 94-year-old patient: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvement of postoperative management, pancreatoduodenectomy still has a high rate of major complications. Therefore, careful assessment is critically important when we consider high risk surgery for extremely elderly patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 94-year-old man, who suffered dark urine, epigastric pain, and loss of appetite, was diagnosed as bile duct cancer and underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage. He has past history of hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a nodule in the lower bile duct, which was slowly enhanced by dynamic CT. The patient was evaluated whether he overcomes pancreatoduodenectomy by cardiac ultrasonography, brain magnetic resonance angiography, nutritional evaluation (rapid turnover proteins), and CT-based general assessment, including sarcopenia and osteopenia. The patient was independent in activities of daily living and has enough ejection fraction of 65%, and examinations revealed no impairment of cognitive function, sarcopenia, and osteopenia. With a diagnosis of bile duct cancer with no distant metastasis, the patient underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection. Operation time was 299 min and estimated blood loss was 100 ml. Pathological examination revealed papillary adenocarcinoma of the bile duct (pT3N1M0 Stage IIIB). Enteral nutrition was given through jejunostomy and then the patient started oral intake after an evaluation of swallowing function. Postoperative course was uneventful and all drains including pancreatic duct stent, biliary stent, and jejunostomy were removed by 3 weeks after operation. The levels of rapid turnover proteins dropped at postoperative day 7, but recovered at 1 month after operation via appropriate nutrition and rehabilitation. He remains well with no evidence of tumor recurrence as of 1 year after resection. CONCLUSIONS: We herein report successfully treated cases of bile duct cancer in 94-year-old patient by pancreatoduodenectomy with careful evaluation of osteopenia, sarcopenia and nutrition.