RNA expression of 6 genes from metastatic mucosal gastric cancer serves as the global prognostic marker for gastric cancer with functional validation.

BACKGROUND: Molecular analysis of advanced tumors can increase tumor heterogeneity and selection bias. We developed a robust prognostic signature for gastric cancer by comparing RNA expression between very rare early gastric cancers invading only mucosal layer (mEGCs) with lymph node metastasis (Npos) and those without metastasis (Nneg). METHODS: Out of 1003 mEGCs, all Npos were matched to Nneg using propensity scores. Machine learning approach comparing Npos and Nneg was used to develop prognostic signature. The function and robustness of prognostic signature was validated using cell lines and external datasets. RESULTS: Extensive machine learning with cross-validation identified the prognostic classifier consisting of four overexpressed genes (HDAC5, NPM1, DTX3, and PPP3R1) and two downregulated genes (MED12 and TP53), and enabled us to develop the risk score predicting poor prognosis. Cell lines engineered to high-risk score showed increased invasion, migration, and resistance to 5-FU and Oxaliplatin but maintained sensitivity to an HDAC inhibitor. Mouse models after tail vein injection of cell lines with high-risk score revealed increased metastasis. In three external cohorts, our risk score was identified as the independent prognostic factor for overall and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: The risk score from the 6-gene classifier can successfully predict the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Comparison of postoperative ascites replacement strategies on time to first flatus after living donor liver transplantation: Albumin vs. lactated Ringer's solution.

INTRODUCTION: There is insufficient evidence regarding the optimal regimen for ascites replacement after living donor liver transplantation (LT) and its effectiveness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of replacing postoperative ascites after LT with albumin on time to first flatus during recovery with early ambulation and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: Adult patients who underwent elective living donor LT at Seoul National University Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were randomly assigned to either the albumin group or lactated Ringer's group, based on the ascites replacement regimen. Replacement of postoperative ascites was performed for all patients every 4 h after LT until the patient was transferred to the general ward. Seventy percent of ascites drained during the previous 4 h was replaced over the next 4 h with continuous infusion of fluids with a prescribed regimen according to the assigned group. In the albumin group, 30% of a total of 70% of drained ascites was replaced with 5% albumin solution, and remnant 40% was replaced with lactated Ringer's solution. In the lactated Ringer's group, 70% of drained ascites was replaced with only lactated Ringer's solution. The primary outcome was the time to first flatus from the end of the LT and the secondary outcome was the incidence of AKI for up to postoperative day 7. RESULTS: Among the 157 patients who were screened for eligibility, 72 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 63 ± 8.2 years, and 73.0 % (46/63) were male. Time to first flatus was similar between the two groups (66.7 ± 24.1 h vs. 68.5 ± 25.6 h, p = .778). The albumin group showed a higher glomerular filtration rate and lower incidence of AKI until postoperative day 7, compared to the lactated Ringer's group. CONCLUSIONS: Using lactated Ringer's solution alone for replacement of ascites after living donor LT did not reduce the time to first flatus and was associated with an increased risk of AKI. Further research on the optimal ascites replacement regimen and the target serum albumin level which should be corrected after LT is required.

Prevalence and outcomes of chronic comorbid conditions in patients with sepsis in Korea: a nationwide cohort study from 2011 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Chronic comorbid conditions are common in patients with sepsis and may affect the outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of common comorbidities in patients with sepsis. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study. Using data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) who were hospitalized in tertiary or general hospitals with a diagnosis of sepsis between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. After screening of all International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes for comorbidities, we identified hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), liver cirrhosis (LC), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and malignancy as prevalent comorbidities. RESULTS: Overall, 373,539 patients diagnosed with sepsis were hospitalized in Korea between 2011 and 2016. Among them, 46.7% had hypertension, 23.6% had DM, 7.4% had LC, 13.7% had CKD, and 30.7% had malignancy. In-hospital mortality rates for patients with hypertension, DM, LC, CKD, and malignancy were 25.5%, 25.2%, 34.5%, 28.0%, and 33.3%, respectively, showing a decreasing trend over time (P < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, male sex, older age, use of mechanical ventilation, and continuous renal replacement therapy, LC, CKD, and malignancy were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is the most prevalent comorbidity in patients with sepsis, and it is associated with an increased survival rate. Additionally, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy result in higher mortality rates than hypertension and DM, and are significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis.

Perioperative urinary ketosis and metabolic acidosis in patients fasted for undergoing gynecologic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Our bodies have adaptive mechanisms to fasting, in which glycogen stored in the liver and muscle protein are broken down, but also lipid mobilisation is triggered. As a result, glycerol and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream, increasing the production of ketone bodies in liver. However, there are limited studies on the incidence of perioperative urinary ketosis, the intraoperative blood glucose changes and metabolic acidosis after fasting for surgery in non-diabetic adult patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 1831 patients undergoing gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia from January to December 2022. Ketosis was assessed using a postoperative urine test, while blood glucose levels and acid-base status were collected from intraoperative arterial blood gas analyses. RESULTS: Of 1535 patients who underwent postoperative urinalysis, 912 (59.4%) patients had ketonuria. Patients with ketonuria were younger, had lower body mass index, and had fewer comorbidities than those without ketonuria. After adjustments, younger age, higher body mass index and surgery starting late afternoon were significant risk factors for postoperative ketonuria. Of the 929 patients assessed with intraoperative arterial blood gas analyses, 29.0% showed metabolic acidosis. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that perioperative ketonuria and prolonged surgery significantly increased the risk for moderate-to-severe metabolic acidosis. CONCLUSION: Perioperative urinary ketosis and intraoperative metabolic acidosis are common in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery, even with short-term preoperative fasting. The risks are notably higher in younger patients with lower body mass index. Optimization of preoperative fasting strategies including implementation of oral carbohydrate loading should be considered for reducing perioperative metabolic derangement due to ketosis.

Urinary tract infection after radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy on the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the trends in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prognosis of patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiation therapy (RT) as definitive treatment options. METHODS: The data of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2007 and 2016 were collected from the National Health Insurance Service database. The incidence of UTIs was evaluated in patients treated with RT, open/laparoscopic RP, and robot-assisted RP. The proportional hazard assumption test was performed using the scaled Schoenfeld residuals based on a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to assess survival. RESULTS: A total of 28,887 patients were treated with definitive treatment. In the acute phase (< 3 months), UTIs were more frequent in RP than in RT; in the chronic phase (> 12 months), UTIs were more frequent in RT than in RP. In the early follow-up period, the risk of UTIs was higher in the open/laparoscopic RP group (aHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.44-1.83; p < 0.001) and the robot-assisted RP group (aHR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.43; p < 0.001), compared to the RT group. The robot-assisted RP group had a lower risk of UTIs than the open/laparoscopic RP group in the early (aHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.77-0.78; p < 0.001) and late (aHR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.89-0.91; p < 0.001) follow-up periods. In patients with UTI, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, primary treatment, age at UTI diagnosis, type of UTI, hospitalization, and sepsis from UTI were risk factors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with RP or RT, the incidence of UTIs was higher than that in the general population. RP posed a higher risk of UTIs than RT did in early follow-up period. Robot-assisted RP had a lower risk of UTIs than open/laparoscopic RP group in total period. UTI characteristics might be related to poor prognosis.

Risk factors of hemodialysis catheter dysfunction in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapy is a relatively common modality applied to critically ill patients with renal impairment. To maintain stable continuous renal replacement therapy, sufficient blood flow through the circuit is crucial, but catheter dysfunction reduces the blood flow by inadequate pressures within the circuit. Therefore, exploring and modifying the possible risk factors related to catheter dysfunction can help to provide continuous renal replacement therapy with minimal interruption. METHODS: Adult patients who received continuous renal replacement therapy at Seoul National University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who received continuous renal replacement therapy via a temporary hemodialysis catheter, inserted at the bedside under ultrasound guidance within 12 h of continuous renal replacement therapy initiation were included. RESULTS: A total of 507 continuous renal replacement therapy sessions in 457 patients were analyzed. Dialysis catheter dysfunction occurred in 119 sessions (23.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that less prolonged prothrombin time (adjusted OR 0.49, 95% CI, 0.30-0.82, p = 0.007) and activated partial thromboplastin time (adjusted OR 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00-1.01, p = 0.049) were associated with increased risk of catheter dysfunction. Risk factors of re-catheterization included vascular access to the left jugular and femoral vein. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy, less prolonged prothrombin time was associated with earlier catheter dysfunction. Use of left internal jugular veins and femoral vein were associated with increased risk of re-catheterization compared to the right internal jugular vein.

The effect of audiovisual feedback of monitor/defibrillators on percentage of appropriate compression depth and rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: High quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the key elements of the survival chain in cardiac arrest. Audiovisual feedback of chest compressions have been suggested to be beneficial by increasing the quality of CPR in the simulated cardiac arrests. METHODS: A prospective before and after study was performed to investigate the effect of a real-time audiovisual feedback system on CPR quality during in-hospital cardiac arrest in intensive care units from November 2018 to February 2022. In the feedback period, CPR was performed with the aid of the real-time audiovisual feedback system. The primary outcome was the percentage of compressions with both adequate depth (5.0-6.0 cm) and rate (100-120/minute). RESULTS: A total of 27,295 compressions in 30 cardiac arrests in the no-feedback period and 27,965 compressions in 30 arrests in the feedback period were analyzed. The percentage of compressions with both adequate depth and rate was 11.8% in the feedback period and 16.8% in the no-feedback period (P < 0.01). The percentage of compressions with adequate rate in the feedback period was lower than that in the no-feedback period (67.3% vs. 75.5%, P < 0.01). The percentage of beyond-target depth with the feedback was significantly higher than that without feedback (64.2% vs. 51.4%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Real-time audiovisual feedback system did not increase CPR quality and was associated with a higher percentage of compression depth deeper than the recommended 5.0-6.0 cm. It is essential to explore more effective ways of implementing feedback in real clinical settings to improve of the quality of CPR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03902873 (study start: Nov. 2018, initial release April 2019, retrospectively registered).

Pre and postoperative lactate levels and lactate clearance in predicting in-hospital mortality after surgery for gastrointestinal perforation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the prognostic significance of pre and postoperative lactate levels and postoperative lactate clearance in the prediction of in-hospital mortality after surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) perforation. METHODS: Among patients who underwent surgery for GI perforation between 2013 and 2017, only patients whose lactate were measured before and after surgery were included and divided into an in-hospital mortality group and a survival group. Data on demographics, comorbidities, pre and postoperative laboratory test results, and operative findings were collected. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were identified, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for pre and postoperative lactate levels and postoperative lactate clearance. RESULTS: Of 104 included patients, 17 patients (16.3%) died before discharge. The in-hospital mortality group demonstrated higher preoperative lactate (6.3 ± 5.1 vs. 3.5 ± 3.2, P = 0.013), SOFA score (4.5 ± 1.7 vs. 3.4 ± 2.3, P = 0.004), proportions of patients with lymphoma (23.5% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.006), and rates of contaminated ascites (94.1% vs. 68.2%, P = 0.036) and lower preoperative hemoglobin (10.4 ± 1.6 vs. 11.8 ± 2.4, P = 0.018) compare to the survival group. Multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative lactate (HR 1.259, 95% CI 1.084-1.463, P = 0.003) and preoperative hemoglobin (HR 0.707, 95% CI 0.520-0.959, P = 0.026) affected in-hospital mortality. In the ROC curve analysis, the largest area under the curve (AUC) was shown in the postoperative lactate level (AUC = 0.771, 95% CI 0.678-0.848). CONCLUSION: Of perioperative lactate levels in patients underwent surgery for GI perforation, postoperative lactate was the strongest predictor for in-hospital mortality.

Effect of Sedatives on In-hospital and Long-term Mortality of Critically Ill Patients Requiring Extended Mechanical Ventilation for ≥ 48 Hours.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between sedatives and mortality in critically ill patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) for ≥ 48 hours from 2008 to 2016. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using population-based healthcare reimbursement claims database. Data from adult patients (aged ≥ 18) who underwent MV for ≥ 48 hours between 2008 and 2016 were identified and extracted from the National Health Insurance Service database. The benzodiazepine group consisted of patients who were administered benzodiazepines for sedation during MV. All other patients were assigned to the non-benzodiazepine group. RESULTS: A total of 158,712 patients requiring MV for ≥ 48 hours were admitted in 55 centers in Korea from 2008 to 2016. The benzodiazepine group had significantly higher in-hospital and one-year mortality compared to the non-benzodiazepine group (37.0% vs. 34.3%, 55.0% vs. 54.4%, respectively). Benzodiazepine use decreased from 2008 to 2016, after adjusting for age, sex, and mean Elixhauser comorbidity index in the Poisson regression analysis (incidence rate ratio, 0.968; 95% confident interval, 0.954-0.983; P < 0.001). Benzodiazepine use, older age, lower case volume (≤ 500 cases/year), chronic kidney disease, and higher Elixhauser comorbidity index were common significant risk factors for in-hospital and one-year mortality. CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients undergoing MV for ≥ 48 hour, the use of benzodiazepines for sedation, older age, and chronic kidney disease were associated with higher in-hospital mortality and one-year mortality. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of benzodiazepines on the mortality in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease requiring MV for ≥ 48 hours.

Prediction of Postoperative Mortality in Patients with Organ Failure After Gastric Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data are available on the characteristics of postoperative organ failure (POF) and mortality after gastrectomy. We aimed to describe the causes of organ failure and mortality related to gastrectomy for gastric cancer and to identify patients with POF who are at a risk of failure to rescue (FTR). METHODS: The study examined patients with POF or in-hospital mortality in Seoul National University Hospital between 2005 and 2014. We identified patients at a high risk of FTR by analyzing laboratory findings, complication data, intensive care unit records, and risk scoring including Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 at ICU admission. RESULTS: Among the 7304 patients who underwent gastrectomy, 80 (1.1%) were identified with Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) grade ≥ IVa. The numbers of patients with CDC grade IVa, IVb, and V were 48 (0.66%), 11 (0.15%), and 21 (0.29%), respectively. Pulmonary failure (43.8%), surgical site complication (27.5%), and cardiac failure (13.8%) were the most common causes of POF and mortality. Cancer progression (100%) and cardiac events (45.5%) showed high FTR rates. In univariate analysis, acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, SOFA, APACHE IV, and SAPS 3 were identified as risk factors for FTR (P < 0.05). Finally, SAPS 3 was identified as an independent predictive factor for FTR. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer progression and acute cardiac failure were the most lethal causes of FTR. SAPS 3 is an independent predictor of FTR among POF patients after gastrectomy.

Incidence and Outcomes of Sepsis in Korea: A Nationwide Cohort Study From 2007 to 2016.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the incidence and clinical outcomes of sepsis in Korea from 2007 to 2016. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Nationwide study with population-based healthcare reimbursement claims database. PATIENTS: Using data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea, patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of sepsis from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed. The incidence of sepsis was calculated using mid-year census population and analyzed according to year, age, and sex. The Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score was calculated to adjust for the impact of comorbidities on clinical outcome. In-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, ICU admission rates, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality were also analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of sepsis increased from 173.8 per 100,000 population in 2007 to 233.6 per 100,000 population in 2016. In-hospital mortality decreased from 30.9% in 2007 to 22.6% in 2016 (p < 0.0001). From 2007 to 2016, hospital length of stay and ICU admission rates associated with sepsis decreased from 26.0 ± 33.5 days to 21.3 ± 24.4 days (p < 0.0001) and from 16.2% to 12.7% (p < 0.0001), respectively. Male sex, age greater than 50 years, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index greater than 10, and mechanical ventilation were identified as risk factors for in-hospital mortality after adjusting for baseline characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of sepsis in Korea increased from 2007 to 2016, while the associated in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, and ICU admission rates decreased.

Natural History of Gastric Cancer: Observational Study of Gastric Cancer Patients Not Treated During Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the natural progression of untreated gastric cancer is critical for determining the disease prognosis as well as treatment options and timing. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural history of gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included patients with gastric cancer who had not received any treatment and were staged using endoscopy/endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography on at least two follow-up visits during intervals of nontreatment. Tumor volumes were also measured in addition to the staging. Survival of each stage at diagnosis was also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 35.1 ± 34.4 months. The gastric cancer doubling time was 11.8 months for T1 and 6.2 months for T4. The progression time from early gastric cancer to advanced gastric cancer was 34 months. It decreased as the stages advanced: from 34 months between tumor-nodes-metastasis stage I and II to 1.8 months between stage III and IV. No variable was identified as a risk factor for cancer progression. The 5-year survival rates of untreated patients were 46.2% in stage I and 0% in stage II, stage III, and stage IV. CONCLUSIONS: The progression and doubling times of gastric cancer shorten as the stages advance. Objective data reported in this study can be a critical factor in determining treatment timing and screening interval.

Effect of Institutional Case Volume on In-Hospital and Long-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation for 48 Hours or More.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether institutional case volume affects clinical outcomes in patients receiving mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the database of Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service. Between January 2007 and December 2016, 158,712 adult patients were included at 55 centers in Korea. Centers were categorized according to the average annual number of patients: > 500, 500 to 300, and < 300. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality rates in the high-, medium-, and low-volume centers were 32.6%, 35.1%, and 39.2%, respectively. After adjustment, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in low-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.332; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.296-1.368; P < 0.001) and medium-volume centers (adjusted OR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.098-1.153; P < 0.001) compared to high-volume centers. Long-term survival for up to 8 years was better in high-volume centers. CONCLUSION: Centers with higher case volume (> 500 patients/year) showed lower in-hospital mortality and long-term mortality, compared to centers with lower case volume (< 300 patients/year) in patients who required mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more.

Risk Factors of Postoperative Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium after liver transplantation is relatively common, especially due to preexisting conditions such as hepatic encephalopathy. Most studies of delirium after liver transplantation were based on ICU practices using deep hypnosedation. Therefore, risk factors and consequences of postoperative delirium after liver transplantation were evaluated in the light sedation era. METHODS: A total of 253 liver transplantation patients were evaluated for postoperative delirium. Clinical outcomes including mortality were compared between patients who suffered delirium and those who did not. Risk factors for postoperative delirium were analyzed with subgroup analysis depending on MELD scores and type of liver transplantation. RESULTS: Post-liver transplant delirium developed in 17% of the patients, 88% of which occurred within the first postoperative day. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis, class C Child-Pugh score, higher MELD scores, higher proportion of deceased donor liver transplantation, and reintubation were more frequent in patients who developed delirium, but there was no difference in mortality. Higher preoperative MELD group (15-24 vs. <15; OR 4.10, 95% Cl [1.67-10.09], P = 0.002, ≥25 vs. <15; OR 5.59, 95% CI [2.06-15.19], P < 0.01), higher APACHE II scores (OR 5.59, 95% CI [2.06-15.19], P < 0.01), and reintubation (OR 6.46, 95% CI [2.10-19.88], P < 0.01) were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative delirium. CONCLUSION: Postoperative delirium after liver transplantation was associated with worse clinical outcomes. MELD scores greater than 15 were predictive of postoperative delirium in both living and deceased donor liver transplantation.

Lymph Node Metastasis in Mucosal Gastric Cancer: Reappraisal of Expanded Indication of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis in mucosal gastric cancer, particularly the effect of cellular differentiation, and implications for the indication of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The indication of ESD has been expanded to undifferentiated-type (UD-type) gastric cancer despite risk of LN metastasis. METHODS: Patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for pT1a stage primary gastric adenocarcinoma between 2008 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. We evaluated risk factors of LN metastasis using univariate and multivariate analyses. Pathologic slides of primary tumor and metastatic LNs from LN positive patients were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1003 mucosal gastric cancer patients were enrolled, and mean number of retrieved LNs was 35.5. Eighteen (1.8%) among them had LN metastasis: 2 of the 502 differentiated-type (D-type) patients and 16 of the 501 UD-type patients (0.4% vs 3.2%, P < 0.001). Type of cellular differentiation was a significant risk factor for LN metastasis in univariate and multivariate analyses. Of 216 UD-type patients satisfying the expanded indication of ESD, 5 patients (2.3%) showed LN metastasis. Despite more aggressive clinical features such as larger size of tumor and more LN metastasis, the UD-type cancer showed a less invasion into the muscularis mucosae layer than the D-type cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Because UD-type cancer is a risk factor for LN metastasis in mucosal gastric cancer, ESD cannot be concluded to be a better option than surgery in all UD-type cancer patients. Redefinition of the expanded indication of ESD is required.

Recurrence Pattern and Lymph Node Metastasis of Adenocarcinoma at the Esophagogastric Junction.

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEJ) still is controversial despite revised tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic outcome of a routine transhiatal approach for AEJ in terms of recurrence and lymph node (LN) metastasis of AEJ. METHODS: Recurrence patterns and LN metastasis of a single, primary AEJ (n = 463) treated by a surgical resection using a transhiatal approach without routine complete mediastinal LN dissection or routine splenectomy were analyzed respectively. To validate current treatment for recurrence, a validation index of recurrence (ViR; overall survival/incidence of solitary recurrence factor) was developed. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate for AEJ was 20.3%, which did not differ significantly between AEJ II (20.8%; n = 125) and AEJ III (20.1%; n = 338). Mediastinal recurrence did not differ significantly among the subtypes of AEJ, irrespective of gastroesophageal junction involvement. Splenic hilar LN recurrence-free survival did not differ significantly between the gastrectomy-only group, the gastrectomy-plus-splenectomy group, and the gastrectomy plus distal pancreatectomy group. The solitary recurrence rate for the mediastinal LN was 0.7% for AEJ, and the overall median survival with that recurrence was 30.5 months. The ViR for mediastinal LN recurrence (43.6) was higher than for regional LN (20.9) or distant LN (14.6) metastasis. CONCLUSION: In terms of LN metastasis and recurrence, a transhiatal approach without complete mediastinal LN dissection can be acceptable, and routine splenectomy is not necessary for AEJ II or AEJ III arising within the stomach.

Ultrasonically Activated Shears Reduce Blood Loss without Increasing Inflammatory Reactions in Open Distal Gastrectomy for Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies regarding ultrasonically activated shears (UAS) were performed without controlled surgical procedures or consideration of potential thermal injury due to high temperature of active blade of UAS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of UAS through a comparison with conventional monopolar electrocautery (CME) in open distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: From October 2011 to November 2012, 56 gastric cancer patients eligible for open distal gastrectomy were randomized into UAS or CME groups. Primary endpoints were estimated blood loss (EBL) during surgery and amount of drainage through the fifth postoperative day. Secondary endpoints were operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, changes in cytokine levels in serum, peritoneal irrigation saline, and peritoneal drainage, and inflammatory markers of serum. (Registration-number of ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01971775). RESULTS: EBL was lower in the UAS group than that in the CME group (339.8 ± 201.2 vs. 428.6 ± 165.8 mL, p = 0.021). However, the amount of postoperative drainage was not significantly different between the two groups. Although the complication rate was not different between the two groups, there were three cases of intra-abdominal bleeding requiring transfusion only in the CME group. Inflammatory markers from the cytokine assays and serum laboratory tests showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: UAS reduced EBL without increasing inflammatory reactions.

Is There Any Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for T3N0M0 or T1N2M0 Gastric Cancer Patients in Stage II in the 7th TNM but Stage I in the 6th TNM System?

BACKGROUND: Controversy surrounds adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) for T3N0M0 and T1N2M0 in the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition stage IIA gastric cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of adjuvant CTx for stage IIA cancer, including T3N0M0 and T1N2M0. METHODS: A total of 630 patients with stage IIA cancer who underwent a radical gastrectomy between January 1999 and December 2009 at Seoul National University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the outcomes of 434 patients who did not receive CTx (the non-CTx group) with those of 196 patients who received CTx comprising of 5-fluorouracil-based regimens (the CTx group). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of the non-CTx and CTx groups were 86.4 and 89.3 %, respectively (p = 0.047). In the subgroup analysis of T2N1M0 (6th II/7th IIA), there was a significant difference in OS between the non-CTx and CTx groups (p = 0.003), but no differences were observed in T3N0M0 and T1N2M0 (6th IB/7th IIA) (p = 0.574 and p = 0.934). The multivariate analysis showed that a tumor size greater than 5 cm in T3N0M0 [odds ratio (OR) 1.929; p = 0.030], no adjuvant CTx in T2N1M0 (OR 4.853; p = 0.025), and no factors in T1N2M0 were found to be risk factors for recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant CTx may be associated with an improved outcome of patients with T2N1M0 (6th II/7th IIA), but not T3N0M0 or T1N2M0 (6th IB/7th IIA), gastric cancer. To confirm these results, further studies are needed.

Portomesenteric vein thrombosis after gastric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) is a rare but potentially serious complication of gastric surgery. This study analyzed the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of PMVT following gastric surgery. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent gastric surgery between January 2007 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The risk factors of PMVT were analyzed by a logistic regression analysis with control group matched 1:4 by age, sex, and cancer stage and by a Poisson regression analysis with unmatched control group. The resolution rate of PMVT in 12 months was compared between the treatment group and the nontreatment group. RESULTS: The total incidence of PMVT after gastric surgery was 0.67 % (31/4611). Most (54.84 %) PMVT cases were detected within 1 month postoperatively. No accompanying deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was noted. Multivariate comparison with 1:4 matched control showed that combined splenectomy, synchronous malignancy, and intra-abdominal complication were independent risk factors. Advanced stage, combined splenectomy, and synchronous malignancy were independent risk factors in Poisson regression analysis using unmatched controls. The resolution rate of PMVT was not different from patients treated with anticoagulation (n = 6) or antiplatelet therapy (n = 1) and were not significantly different with those of the untreated group [85.7 % (6/7) vs. 82.3 % (14/17), p = 0.935] during 1-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: PMVT after gastric surgery was associated with advanced cancer stage, combined splenectomy, and synchronous malignancy, but it was not related to laparoscopy or DVT. Significant differences in the natural course of PMVT were not found between the treatment group and observation group.

Outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for early gastric cancer are comparable with those for open surgery: analysis of 1,013 minimally invasive surgeries at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term results of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery for primary early gastric cancer (EGC) at a single high-volume institution. METHODS: The clinicopathologic and survival data of primary gastric cancer patients who underwent a minimally invasive radical gastrectomy at Seoul National University Hospital from December 2003 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. For comparison of short-term outcomes, the data for 1,112 patients who underwent a radical open gastrectomy from 2007 to 2011 were collected. For long-term outcome analysis, the data for 962 patients who underwent a radical open gastrectomy from 2004 to 2006 were collected. Because the application of MIS was limited to suspected EGC, the control groups were similarly limited to patients deemed to have EGC as shown by preoperative endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, or both. RESULTS: The review of our database identified 1,013 patients who had undergone MIS for gastric cancer. In the short-term outcome analysis, the MIS group showed statistically better results than the open surgery group in terms of postoperative hospital stay (8.7 vs. 11.3 days; p < 0.001), estimated blood loss (75.4 vs. 142.3 ml; p < 0.001), and overall complication rate (17.5 vs. 24.4 %; p < 0.001). In the subset analysis of total gastrectomy, the local complication rate was much higher in the MIS group than in the open surgery group. Both uni- and multivariate analyses showed that not only the surgical approach but also age, chronic liver disease, chronic renal disease, and additional organ resection had significant effects on complications. In the long-term outcome analysis, the two groups showed comparable disease-free survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MIS for EGC showed a shorter operation time, a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and a lower overall complication rate than open surgery but a comparable disease-free survival rate. Total gastrectomy in the MIS group was associated with a higher complication rate than in the open group. Therefore, a new stable surgical technique needs to be established.