Half of Postoperative Deaths After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Could be Preventable: A French Root Cause Analysis on 5562 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective root-cause analysis of postoperative death after CRS and HIPEC procedures. BACKGROUND: The combination of CRS and HIPEC is an effective therapeutic strategy to treat peritoneal surface malignancies, however it is associated with significant postoperative mortality. METHODS: All patients treated with a combination of CRS and HIPEC between January 2009 and December 2018 in 22 French centers and died in the hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative data of the 101 patients were collected by a local senior surgeon with a sole junior surgeon. Three independent experts investigated the typical root cause of death and provided conclusions on whether postoperative death was preventable (PREV group) or not (NON-PREV group). A typical root cause of preventable postoperative death was classified on a cause-and-effect diagram. RESULTS: Of the 5562 CRS+HIPEC procedures performed, 101 in-hospital deaths (1.8%) were identified, of which a total of 18 patients of 70 years old and above and 20 patients with ASA score of 3. Etiology of peritoneal disease was mainly colorectal. A total of 54 patients (53%) were classified in the PREV group and 47 patients (47%) in the NON-PREV group. The results of the study show that in the PREV group, WHO performance status 1-2 was more frequent and the Median Peritoneal Cancer Index was higher compared with those of the NON-PREV group. The cause of death in the PREV group was classified as: (i) preoperatively for debatable indication (59%), (ii) intraoperatively (30%) and (iii) postoperatively in 17 patients (31%). A multifactorial cause of death was found in 11 patients (20%). CONCLUSION: More than half of the postoperative deaths after combined CRS and HIPEC may be preventable, mainly by following guidelines regarding preoperative selection of the patients and adequate intraoperative decisions.

"Impossible" patients in oncology: Two unusual cases.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients can present with impossible behavior, which can jeopardize their treatment and challenge healthcare professionals' teamwork. METHOD: Report of two unusual psychiatric cases, including Munchausen and Peter Pan syndromes, which occurred in a comprehensive cancer center.ResultGuidelines in medical and surgical wards are suggested to address such situations regarding oncologic compliance.Significance of resultsMultidisciplinary collaboration between medical and surgical teams and the psycho-oncologic department is highly recommended.

Salvage Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: How to Improve Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Locoregional recurrence rates after definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) are high. Salvage surgery (SALV) is considered the best treatment option in case of persistent or recurrent disease for operable patients, but SALV has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify factors linked to outcomes after SALV to better select candidates and to optimize perioperative care. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed data from 308 consecutive SALV patients from a large multicenter European cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with in-hospital postoperative morbidity, anastomotic leakage (AL), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The in-hospital postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 8.4 and 34.7%, respectively. Squamous cell histology (p = 0.040) and radiation dose ≥ 55 Gy (p = 0.047) were independently associated with major morbidity. The AL rate was 12.7%, and cervical anastomosis was independently associated with AL (p = 0.002). OS at 5 years was 34.0%. Radiation dose ≥ 55 Gy (p = 0.003), occurrence of postoperative complications (p = 0.006), ypTNM stage 3 (p = 0.019), and positive surgical margins (p < 0.001) were linked to poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: SALV is a valuable option for patients with persistent or recurrent disease after dCRT and offers long-term survival. Factors such as radiation dose and anastomosis location identified here will help to optimize outcomes after SALV, which may be considered a standard treatment in the EC therapeutic armamentarium.

High-Grade Toxicity to Neoadjuvant Treatment for Upper Gastrointestinal Carcinomas: What is the Impact on Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Perioperative oncologic treatments provide a survival benefit for junctional and gastric adenocarcinoma (JGA) and esophageal cancer (EC). Whether neoadjuvant therapy toxicity (NTT) correlates with increased perioperative risk remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of grade III/IV NTT on postoperative and oncologic outcomes in resected upper gastrointestinal malignancies. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients who benefited from neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy followed by surgery between 1997 and 2010 for JGA (first cohort, n = 653) and for EC (second cohort, n = 640). Data between patients who experienced NTT were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: NTT was associated with higher postoperative mortality after resection of JGA (P = 0.001) and after esophagectomy (P < 0.001), more non-R0 resections (JGA P = 0.019, EC P = 0.024), a decreased administration of adjuvant treatment among the JGA cohort (P = 0.012), and higher surgical morbidity (JGA P = 0.005, EC P = 0.020). Median survival was reduced in patients who experienced NTT in both cohorts (JGA P = 0.018, EC P = 0.037). After adjustment on confounding variables, NTT was independently associated with postoperative mortality in both cohorts (P ≤ 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: NTT is a predictor of postoperative mortality, correlates with higher postoperative morbidity, and negatively affects oncologic outcomes for upper gastrointestinal carcinomas.

Replacement of the esophagus with fascial flap-wrapped allogenic aorta.

BACKGROUND: Segmental replacement of the esophagus (SRE) is challenging. Allogenic aorta (AA) has shown promising remodeling abilities when used as an esophageal substitute. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and results of esophageal replacement with fascial flap-wrapped AA segments in a novel rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven Geant des Flandres rabbits and one New Zealand rabbit served as thoracic aorta donors, and 25 New Zealand rabbits were used as recipients. One to 3 wk before esophageal replacement either cryopreserved or fresh thoracic aortic segments were wrapped in thoracic wall fascia to generate revascularization. In an attempt to optimize the model, step-by-step modifications concerning perioperative and postoperative management of the recipients were made as results accumulated. Microscopic evaluation was focused on the viability of aortic segments and neoangiogenesis originating from the fascia. RESULTS: Survival after SRE was poor. Most recipients died within 1 wk, mainly from upper digestive tract hypomotility. Microscopically, AAs were severely necrosed. In one recipient sacrificed on day 16, the edges of the graft became evanescent. In these areas, esophageal reepithelialization directly covered the fascia, in which unexpected smooth muscle cells were found, suggestive of the first stages of esophageal remodeling of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: Results for SRE using fascial-wrapped AAs in rabbits were disappointing. The transposition of this approach to larger animals might result in longer survival, increasing the possibility for more complete graft remodeling.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on postoperative outcomes after esophageal cancer resection: results of a European multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) on anastomotic leakage (AL) and other postoperative outcomes after esophageal cancer (EC) resection. BACKGROUND: Conflicting data have emerged from randomized studies regarding the impact of NCRT on AL. METHODS: Among 2944 consecutive patients operated on for EC between 2000 and 2010 in 30 European centers, patients treated by NCRT after surgery (n=593) were compared with those treated by primary surgery (n=1487). Multivariable analyses and propensity score matching were used to compensate for the differences in some baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Patients in the NCRT group were younger, with a higher prevalence of male sex, malnutrition, advanced tumor stage, squamous cell carcinoma, and surgery after 2005 when compared with the primary surgery group. Postoperative AL rates were 8.8% versus 10.6% (P=0.220), and 90-day postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 9.3% versus 7.2% (P=0.110) and 33.4% versus 32.1% (P=0.564), respectively. Pulmonary complication rates did not differ between groups (24.6% vs 22.5%; P=0.291), whereas chylothorax (2.5% vs 1.2%; P=0.020), cardiovascular complications (8.6% vs 0.1%; P=0.037), and thromboembolic events (8.6% vs 6.0%; P=0.037) were higher in the NCRT group. After propensity score matching, AL rates were 8.8% versus 11.3% (P=0.228), with more chylothorax (2.5% vs 0.7%; P=0.030) and trend toward more cardiovascular and thromboembolic events in the NCRT group (P=0.069). Predictors of AL were high American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, supracarinal tumoral location, and cervical anastomosis, but not NCRT. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy does not have an impact on the AL rate after EC resection (NCT 01927016).

Does timing of surgical procedure after neoadjuvant chemoradiation affect outcomes in esophageal cancer?

BACKGROUND: To date, for esophageal cancer (EC), the optimal timing of surgical procedures after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) is not well defined. Data in rectal cancer suggest that a prolonged interval between treatment and operation may improve tumoral pathologic response, R0 resection rate, and survival. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether delaying operation after nCRT in EC increases pathologic response and has an impact on oncologic outcome or postoperative course. METHODS: A total of 257 consecutive EC patients (n=161 squamous cell carcinomas and n=96 adenocarcinomas) undergoing nCRT followed by operation between 1997 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed by the use of prospectively collected data. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median delay between nCRT and operation (<7 weeks, n=122; ≥7 weeks, n=135). The impact of surgical delay on outcomes was studied through univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The groups were comparable regarding patient and tumor characteristics (p≥0.074). The ypT0 and R0 resection rates were similar between the two groups, as were postoperative course, median survivals, and incidence and patterns of recurrence (p≥0.332). Multivariable analysis failed to identify any impact of the surgical delay on the endpoints. Subgroup analysis according to the histologic type found similar results. CONCLUSIONS: After nCRT for EC, delaying operation does not affect the ypT0 rate, postoperative course, or oncologic outcome and cannot therefore be justified by these aims.

Percutaneous radiological gastrostomy in esophageal cancer patients: a feasible and safe access for nutritional support during multimodal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is not widely used in malnourished esophageal cancer (EC) patients because of concerns about its feasibility in frequently obstructive tumors, suitability of the stomach as an esophageal substitute, and potential for metastatic inoculation. A percutaneous radiological gastrostomy (PRG) could be an optimal alternative. METHODS: Experience with PRG among 1,205 consecutive patients presenting with EC from 2002 to 2011 in our department was retrospectively reviewed. PRG was mostly utilized for malnourished patients for whom neoadjuvant chemoradiation was scheduled. The rates of both successful placement and major related complications (Dindo-Clavien ≥III) were analyzed. A matched cohort analysis was constructed in patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastroplasty (n = 688) to evaluate the impact of PRG placement on the suitability of the gastric conduit and on postoperative course. For 78 resected patients with PRG (PRG group), 156 randomly selected controls without PRG (no PRG group) were matched 2:1 for gender, age, ASA grade, clinical TNM stage, and neoadjuvant treatment delivery. RESULTS: PRG placement was planned in 269 (22.3 %) patients mainly with locally advanced EC (63.8 %). PRG placement was feasible in 259 (96.3 %) patients. Sixty-day PRG-related mortality and major morbidity rates were 0 and 3.8 % respectively. For resected patients, the PRG and no PRG groups were comparable regarding perioperative characteristics, except for malnutrition, which was more frequent in the PRG group (P < 0.001). At the time of operation, PRG takedown and site closure were uncomplicated and the use of the stomach was possible in all 78 patients. Despite a higher malnutrition rate at presentation in the PRG group, rates of overall morbidity, and morbidity related to esophageal surgery, were similar between the two groups (P > 0.258). CONCLUSION: PRG is feasible, safe, and useful in nonselected patients with EC and does not compromise the suitability of the stomach as an esophageal substitute in patients deemed to be resectable.