Changes in healthcare utilisation after surgical treatment: mitigating risk through multidisciplinary and collaborative care.

A recent study by Fowler and colleagues identified increased utilisation of healthcare resources among patients, mostly from deprived social areas with chronic diseases, undergoing emergency and high-risk surgery. Reasons for these findings include the intrinsic risk of surgery, postoperative complications, and the need for chronically ill patients to have their usual treatment resumed after surgery. To improve the overall outcome of surgery in this category of patients, a number of elements in the process of care should be adjusted. This includes minimising the number of emergency procedures and enhancing collaboration between all healthcare professionals inside and outside hospitals.

Physician anaesthesia providers in Switzerland today and tomorrow: results of the National Anaesthesia Workforce Study (NAWOS).

AIMS OF THE STUDY: The Swiss healthcare system is highly ranked, given its unrestricted access to specialised care and short waiting lists for surgery. However, the need for anaesthetic and surgical care is escalating owing to the increasing size and ageing of the Swiss population. In addition, to address the persistent and recurrent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis, the speciality of anaesthesia is under tremendous pressure to maintain an effective workforce in order to address population needs. The current number, characteristics and future evolution of the physician anaesthesia workforce in Switzerland are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the size and professional and sociodemographic characteristics of the current anaesthesia workforce in Switzerland and to forecast its development up to 2034. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using a 150-item questionnaire prepared by the National Anaesthesia Workforce Study Group (NAWOS). We included all physicians (trainees and certified) practising anaesthesia in Switzerland. We collected demographic and professional information, such as the current position, hospital characteristics, workload, number of shifts and future life plans. We built a computer-based Markov model with Monte Carlo simulations to project both supply and demand for physician anaesthesia provider positions. RESULTS: Of the 2661 distributed questionnaires, 1985 (74.2%) were completed and returned. We found that the average age of anaesthesiologists practising in Switzerland was 45.2 years, with 44.3% of them being women and 76.9% holding a Swiss specialist title. Only 59.6% of respondents worked full time. The forecasting model showed a steady increase in the number of anaesthesiologists retiring by 2034, with 27% of full-time equivalent jobs being lost in the next 8 years. Even if existing full-time equivalent training positions are all filled, a gradual deficit of anaesthesiologists is to be expected after 2022, and the deficit should culminate in 2034 with a deficit ratio of 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the upcoming high retirement rate of anaesthesiologists, Switzerland is likely to face a shortage of anaesthesiologists in the near future. To compensate for the shortage, the country will likely increase its reliance on medical staff trained abroad. Southern and eastern cantons of Switzerland are particularly at risk, given that they already heavily rely on foreign anaesthesia workforce. This reliance should be considered a national priority because anaesthesiologists are heavily involved in both the treatment of patients with respiratory complications of SARS-CoV2 infection and the care of surgical patients, the number of which is expected to rise steadily in upcoming years.

The international ENIGMA-II substudy on postoperative cognitive disorders (ISEP).

There is a large controversy as to whether nitrous oxide (N2O) added to the anaesthetic gas mixture is harmful or harmless for postoperative cognitive function recovery. We performed a nested study in the ENIGMA-II trial and compared postoperative neurocognitive recovery of patients randomly receiving N2O (70%) or Air (70%) in 30% O2 during anesthesia. We included adults having non cardiac surgery. We compared recovery scores for episodic memory, decision making/processing speed and executive functions measured with the computerised Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Assessments were performed at baseline, seven and ninety days. At first interim analysis, following recruitment of 140 participants, the trial was suspended. We found that the mean (95%CI) changes of scores for episodic memory were in the Pocock futility boundaries. Decision making/processing speed did not differ either between groups (P > 0.182). But for executive functions at seven days, the mean number (95% CI) of problems successfully solved and the number of correct box choices made was higher in the N2O group, P = 0.029. N2O with the limitations of an interim analysis appears to have no harmful effect on cognitive functions (memory/processing speed). It may improve the early recovery process of executive functions. This preliminary finding warrants further investigations.

Scores for preoperative risk evaluation of postoperative mortality.

Preoperative risk evaluation scores are used prior to surgery to predict perioperative risks. They are also a useful tool to help clinicians communicate the risk-benefit balance of the procedure to patients. This review identifies and assesses the existing preoperative risk evaluation scores (also called prediction scores) of postoperative mortality in all types of surgery (emergency or scheduled) in an adult population. We systematically identified studies using the MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and Cochrane databases and published studies reporting the development and validation of preoperative predictive scores of postoperative mortality. We assessed usability, the level of evidence of the studies performed for external validation, and the predictive accuracy of the scores identified. We found 26 scores described within 60 different reports. The most suitable scores with the highest validity identified for anaesthesia practice were the Preoperative Score to Predict Postoperative Mortality (POSPOM), the Universal ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator (ACS-NSQUIP), the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification system. While other scores identified in this review could also be endorsed, their level of validity and generalizability to the general surgical population should be carefully considered.

Common clinical thresholds of intraoperative hypotension and 30-day mortality following surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A wide range of thresholds define intraoperative hypotension and can be used to guide intraoperative blood pressure management. Many clinicians use the systolic blood pressure (SBP) <80 mmHg, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) <60 mmHg and the SBP percent drop from baseline (ΔSBP) >20% as alarming limits that should not be exceeded. Whether these common thresholds are valid limits that can inform clinicians on a possible increased risk of post-operative complications, particularly 30-day mortality, is currently unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective registry-based cohort study between January 2015 and July 2016 using departmental hospital databases and the National Death Registry. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between each of these three thresholds and 30-day post-operative mortality. Six specific markers of hypotension were used. RESULTS: Of 11 304 patients, 86 (0.76%) died within 30 days following surgery. All intraoperative hypotension markers for SBP < 80 mmHg and MAP < 60 mmHg were significantly associated with 30-day mortality (P < .005). Markers of ΔSBP > 20% were not significant. After adjustment for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, emergency status and risk related to the type of surgery, both SBP < 80 mmHg and MAP < 60 mmHg (the per cent area under the threshold marker) showed the strongest associations with 30-day mortality, with odds ratios (ORs) of 3.02 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81-5.07) and 3.77 (95% CI 2.25-6.31) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly accepted thresholds of intraoperative hypotension, such as an SBP of 80 mmHg and an MAP of 60 mmHg, are valid alarming limits that are significantly and independently associated with 30-day mortality.

Ten years of the Helsinki Declaration on patient safety in anaesthesiology: An expert opinion on peri-operative safety aspects.

: Patient safety is an activity to mitigate preventable patient harm that may occur during the delivery of medical care. The European Board of Anaesthesiology (EBA)/European Union of Medical Specialists had previously published safety recommendations on minimal monitoring and postanaesthesia care, but with the growing public and professional interest it was decided to produce a much more encompassing document. The EBA and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) published a consensus on what needs to be done/achieved for improvement of peri-operative patient safety. During the Euroanaesthesia meeting in Helsinki/Finland in 2010, this vision was presented to anaesthesiologists, patients, industry and others involved in health care as the 'Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology'. In May/June 2020, ESA and EBA are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology; a good opportunity to look back and forward evaluating what was achieved in the recent 10 years, and what needs to be done in the upcoming years. The Patient Safety and Quality Committee (PSQC) of ESA invited experts in their fields to contribute, and these experts addressed their topic in different ways; there are classical, narrative reviews, more systematic reviews, political statements, personal opinions and also original data presentation. With this publication we hope to further stimulate implementation of the Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology, as well as initiating relevant research in the future.

Factors associated with patient willingness to participate in anaesthesia clinical trials: a vignette-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials are essential to improve knowledge of anesthesia and perioperative medicine. Unfortunately, many studies face participant-recruitment issues and fail to include the planned number of participants. There is limited published data about how information delivered about the study or how the experiences and attitudes of prospective participants influence willingness to participate. The purpose of this study was to identify such factors in the domain of anesthesia care. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study at the Geneva University Hospitals (Switzerland) using a newly developed paper-based questionnaire on a sample of outpatients with a recent hospital stay and that were aged over 18 years, confident speaking French and free of any disease that could hinder participation. We explored patient personal factors, such as current health, past exposure to clinical research and anesthesia, as well as study-related factors. Six different scenarios for clinical studies were assessed. Linear regression modeling was used to assess the specific association between personal and study-related factors and willingness to participate in the studies described in the scenarios. RESULTS: On the 1318 eligible patients, 398 fully completed the questionnaire. Multivariable adjustment revealed that factors related to altruistic values (ß, 9.6, 95% CI 3.4 to 15.7, P = 0.002), to the feeling of benefiting from a more effective treatment (ß, 4.7, 95% CI 0.2 to 9.2, P = 0.041) and to the absence of fear about double blinding (ß, 5.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 10.2, P = 0.012) were positively associated with willingness to participate. Conversely, concerns about drug-related adverse effects (ß, - 11.7, 95% CI - 16.9 to - 6.5, P < 0.001) and anxiety about surgery (ß, - 5.2, 95% CI - 10.0 to - 0.5, P = 0.031) were negatively associated with willingness to participate. CONCLUSION: Our study was based on vignettes illustrating typical scenarios of clinical trials performed in anesthesia. However, their similarities with real studies still remains hypothetical and our results should be interpreted as such. Nevertheless, the study contributes to improve understanding of factors that may act as incentives or barriers to participation in clinical trials. It highlights the importance of providing appropriate information and reassurance to patients.

Systematic review and consensus definitions for the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine initiative: clinical indicators.

BACKGROUND: Clinical indicators are powerful tools to quantify the safety and quality of patient care. Their validity is often unclear and definitions extremely heterogeneous. As part of the International Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine (StEP) initiative, this study aimed to derive a set of standardised and valid clinical outcome indicators for use in perioperative clinical trials. METHODS: We identified clinical indicators via a systematic review of the anaesthesia and perioperative medicine literature (PubMed/OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library). We performed a three-stage Delphi consensus-gaining process that involved 54 clinician-researchers worldwide. Indicators were first shortlisted and the most suitable definitions for evaluation of quality and safety interventions determined. Indicators were then assessed for validity, reliability, feasibility, and clarity. RESULTS: We identified 167 clinical outcome indicators. Participation in the three Delphi rounds was 100% (n=13), 68% (n=54), and 85% (n= 6), respectively. A final list of eight outcome indicators was generated: surgical site infection at 30 days, stroke within 30 days of surgery, death within 30 days of coronary artery bypass grafting, death within 30 days of surgery, admission to the intensive care unit within 14 days of surgery, readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery, and length of hospital stay (with or without in-hospital mortality). They were rated by the majority of experts as valid, reliable, easy to use, and clearly defined. CONCLUSIONS: These clinical indicators can be confidently used as endpoints in clinical trials measuring quality, safety, and improvement in perioperative care. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2016 CRD42016042102 (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php? ID=CRD42016042102).

Severe Nausea and Vomiting in the Evaluation of Nitrous Oxide in the Gas Mixture for Anesthesia II Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Evaluation of Nitrous oxide in the Gas Mixture for Anesthesia II trial randomly assigned 7,112 noncardiac surgery patients to a nitrous oxide or nitrous oxide-free anesthetic; severe postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was a prespecified secondary end point. Thus, the authors evaluated the association between nitrous oxide, severe PONV, and effectiveness of PONV prophylaxis in this setting. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analyses of patient, surgical, and other perioperative characteristics were used to identify the risk factors for severe PONV and to measure the impact of severe PONV on patient outcomes. RESULTS: Avoiding nitrous oxide reduced the risk of severe PONV (11 vs. 15%; risk ratio [RR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.63 to 0.84]; P < 0.001), with a stronger effect in Asian patients (RR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.69]; interaction P = 0.004) but lower effect in those who received PONV prophylaxis (RR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.05]; P = 0.18). Gastrointestinal surgery was associated with an increased risk of severe PONV when compared with most other types of surgery (P < 0.001). Patients with severe PONV had lower quality of recovery scores (10.4 [95% CI, 10.2 to 10.7] vs. 13.1 [95% CI, 13.0 to 13.2], P < 0.0005); severe PONV was associated with postoperative fever (15 vs. 20%, P = 0.001). Patients with severe PONV had a longer hospital stay (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.23], P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of PONV with nitrous oxide is near eliminated by antiemetic prophylaxis. Severe PONV, which is seen in more than 10% of patients, is associated with postoperative fever, poor quality of recovery, and prolonged hospitalization.

A low observed-to-expected postoperative mortality ratio in a Swiss high-standard peri-operative care environment - an observational study.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY/PRINCIPLES: The objective was to assess observed-to-expected in-hospital postoperative 30-day mortality and to identify associated risks. METHODS: A single centre, retrospective study was performed in Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Hospitalised adult surgical patients who received anaesthesia and stayed in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit - Intermediate Care Unit (PACU-IMC) between July 2008 and June 2011 were included. Outcome measure was in-hospital 30-day mortality. Expected probabilities of in-hospital death were estimated with the surgical mortality probability model (S-MPM). Descriptive statistics were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) were used to identify risk factors of mortality. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 0.8% (176/24 160 patients). Observed 30-day in-hospital mortality was 0.7%; expected mortality from the S-MPM was 1.2%. Independent risk factors were age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.06), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (ASA PS 3-5 vs ASA PS 1-2: OR 5.48, 95% CI 3.12-9.63), nonelective surgery (vs elective surgery) (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.04-4.86), head surgery (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.41-5.67) and duration of PACU-IMC stay (OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00). A protective factor was a high body mass index (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.96). The procedural risk, type and time of anaesthesia and day of intervention were not independent risk factors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The postoperative observed-to-expected mortality ratio was favourable. Independent postoperative risk factors for mortality were well-established factors such as age, ASA PS, non elective surgery but also duration of PACU-IMC stay which was considered as a surrogate of postoperative complications.

Long-term outcome of patients with spinal myxopapillary ependymoma: treatment results from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and institutions from the Rare Cancer Network.

BACKGROUND: Spinal myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) are slowly growing ependymal gliomas with preferential manifestation in young adults. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with MPE treated with surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and/or chemotherapy. METHODS: The medical records of 183 MPE patients (male: 59%) treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and 11 institutions from the Rare Cancer Network were retrospectively reviewed. Mean patient' age at diagnosis was 35.5 ± 15.8 years. Ninety-seven (53.0%) patients underwent surgery without RT, and 86 (47.0%) were treated with surgery and/or RT. Median RT dose was 50.4 Gy. Median follow-up was 83.9 months. RESULTS: Fifteen (8.2%) patients died, 7 of unrelated cause. The estimated 10-year overall survival was 92.4% (95% CI: 87.7-97.1). Treatment failure was observed in 58 (31.7%) patients. Local failure, distant spinal relapse, and brain failure were observed in 49 (26.8%), 17 (9.3%), and 11 (6.0%) patients, respectively. The estimated 10-year progression-free survival was 61.2% (95% CI: 52.8-69.6). Age (<36 vs ≥36 y), treatment modality (surgery alone vs surgery and RT), and extent of surgery were prognostic factors for local control and progression-free survival on univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, treatment failure of MPE occurred in approximately one third of patients. The observed recurrence pattern of primary spinal MPE was mainly local, but a substantial number of patients failed nonlocally. Younger patients and those not treated initially with adjuvant RT or not undergoing gross total resection were significantly more likely to present with tumor recurrence/progression.

Improving patient safety in medicine: is the model of anaesthesia care enough?

Avoiding iatrogenic adverse outcomes and providing safe care to patients is a priority in modern healthcare systems. Because anaesthetic practice is inherently risky, the specialty has developed a broad range of strategies to minimise human error and risk for patients. These are part of a hierarchical model developed by industrial safety experts to minimise risk. It is known as the safety hierarchy model. This review will describe the use of this model in anaesthesia and show why the specialty is often cited as a role model for patient safety improvement. It will also explore the extension of the model to other specialties and analyse its intrinsic limitations due to new challenges to patient safety: teamwork and communication issues. These will conclude the review.

Differential impact of a crew resource management program according to professional specialty.

Adverse events occur in 3% to 16% of hospital patients, half of these during surgery and related to human error. The authors' objective was to determine the impact of a crew resource management program in collaboration with Swiss International Airlines. Participants included operating room personnel: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and technicians. Outcome measures were a 10-item questionnaire evaluating participants' satisfaction and a 32-item survey to analyze participants' learning. Nine seminars included 99 participants: 22% surgeons, 19% anesthesiologists, 29% nurses, and 30% nurse's aides/technicians. Satisfaction was very high for course organization (91%), group dynamics (74%), and teaching methods (68%). Significant improvements in learning were observed after the course in 17 out of 32 questions. Surgeons demonstrated the greatest improvement in knowledge (P = .018), specifically teamwork and safety-related issues. Less improvement was seen for all specialties in stress recognition areas. Crew resource management is valuable in improving operating room staff knowledge regarding teamwork, safety climate, and stress recognition. However, program impact varies with participant specialty.

A clinical pathway in a post-anaesthesia care unit to reduce length of stay, mortality and unplanned intensive care unit admission.

CONTEXT: The immediate post-operative period is critical with regard to post-operative outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a clinical pathway implemented in a post-anaesthesia care unit on post-operative outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study based on electronic patient records. SETTING: A post-anaesthesia care unit in a Swiss University Hospital. PATIENTS: Adult patients after elective and non-elective surgery. INTERVENTION: Implementation of a clinical pathway with a nurse-driven fast-track programme for uncomplicated patients (systematic use of Aldrete score and systematic discharge without physician) and a physician-driven slow-track programme for complicated patients (systematic handover between operating theatre and post-anaesthesia care unit, and between post-anaesthesia care unit and ward, systematic rounds, systematic use of standardised care for post-operative events, strict discharge criteria). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Post-anaesthesia care unit length of stay, in-hospital mortality and unplanned admission to the ICU after post-anaesthesia care unit stay. METHODS: Comparison of the periods before and after implementation using median and interquartile range (IQR) and rates (%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: unpaired Student's t-test, χ test, Wilcoxon rank test. Differences were adjusted through multivariate analyses with linear and logistic regression (level of significance: P < 0.05) and expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: After implementation, the median post-anaesthesia care unit length of stay decreased for all patients from 163 min (IQR 103-291) to 148 min (IQR 96-270; P < 0.001); in the American Society of Anaesthesiologists 1-2 patients, it decreased from 152 min (IQR 102-249) to 135 min (IQR 91-227; P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality decreased for all patients from 1.7 to 0.9% [adjusted OR 0.36 (95% CI 0.22-0.59), P < 0.001]. The number of unplanned admissions to the ICU decreased from 113 (2.8%) to 91 (2.1%) [adjusted OR 0.73 (95% CI 0.53-0.99), P = 0.04]. CONCLUSION: A clinical pathway in a post-anaesthesia care unit can significantly reduce length of stay and can improve post-operative outcome.

Transcutaneous nicotine does not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: There is empirical evidence that smokers are less likely to suffer from postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We sought to investigate whether transcutaneus nicotine prevents PONV. METHODS: Non-smokers receiving general anaesthesia for surgery were randomly allocated to Nicotinell Patch 10cm(2) (TTS 10), containing 17.5mg of nicotine (average delivery rate, 7mg 24h(-1) ) or matching placebo patch. Patches were applied 1h before surgery and were left in situ until 24h after surgery (or until the first PONV symptoms occurred). RESULTS: We randomized 90 patients (45 nicotine, 45 placebo). In the post-anaesthetic care unit, the incidence of nausea was 22.2% with nicotine and 24.4% with placebo (P= 0.80), and the incidence of vomiting was 20.0% with nicotine and 17.8% with placebo (P= 0.78). Cumulative 24h incidence of nausea was 42.2% with nicotine and 40.0% with placebo (P= 0.83), and of vomiting was 31.1% with nicotine and 28.9% with placebo (P= 0.81). PONV episodes tended to occur earlier in the nicotine group. Postoperative headache occurred in 17.8% of patients treated with nicotine and in 15.6% with placebo (P= 0.49). More patients receiving nicotine reported a low quality of sleep during the first postoperative night (26.7% vs. 6.8% with placebo; P= 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Non-smokers receiving a prophylactic nicotine patch had a similar incidence of PONV during the first 24h and tended to develop PONV symptoms earlier compared with controls. They had a significantly increased risk of insomnia during the first postoperative night.

Rate of undesirable events at beginning of academic year: retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an increase in the rate of undesirable events occurs after care provided by trainees at the beginning of the academic year. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using administrative and patient record data. SETTING: University affiliated hospital in Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 19,560 patients having an anaesthetic procedure carried out by first to fifth year trainees starting work for the first time at the hospital over a period of five years (1995-2000). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Absolute event rates, absolute rate reduction, and rate ratios of undesirable events. RESULTS: The rate of undesirable events was higher at the beginning of the academic year compared with the rest of the year (absolute event rate 137 v 107 per 1000 patient hours, relative rate reduction 28%, P<0.001). The overall adjusted rate ratio for undesirable events was 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.58. This excess risk was seen for all residents, regardless of their level of seniority. The excess risk decreased progressively after the first month, and the trend disappeared fully after the fourth month of the year (rate ratio for fourth month 1.21, 0.93 to 1.57). The most important decreases were for central and peripheral nerve injuries (relative difference 82%), inadequate oxygenation of the patient (66%), vomiting/aspiration in theatre (53%), and technical failures of tracheal tube placement (49%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of undesirable events was greater among trainees at the beginning of the academic year regardless of their level of clinical experience. This suggests that several additional factors, such as knowledge of the working environment, teamwork, and communication, may contribute to the increase.

The results of surgery, with or without radiotherapy, for primary spinal myxopapillary ependymoma: a retrospective study from the rare cancer network.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with primary spinal myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from a series of 85 (35 females, 50 males) patients with spinal MPE were collected in this retrospective multicenter study. Thirty-eight (45%) underwent surgery only and 47 (55%) received postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Median administered radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (range, 22.2-59.4). Median follow-up of the surviving patients was 60.0 months (range, 0.2-316.6). RESULTS: The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 50.4% and 74.8% for surgery only and surgery with postoperative low- (<50.4 Gy) or high-dose (>or=50.4 Gy) RT, respectively. Treatment failure was observed in 24 (28%) patients. Fifteen patients presented treatment failure at the primary site only, whereas 2 and 1 patients presented with brain and distant spinal failure only. Three and 2 patients with local failure presented with concomitant spinal distant seeding and brain failure, respectively. One patient failed simultaneously in the brain and spine. Age greater than 36 years (p = 0.01), absence of neurologic symptoms at diagnosis (p = 0.01), tumor size >or=25 mm (p = 0.04), and postoperative high-dose RT (p = 0.05) were variables predictive of improved PFS on univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only postoperative high-dose RT was independent predictors of PFS (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The observed pattern of failure was mainly local, but one fifth of the patients presented with a concomitant spinal or brain component. Postoperative high-dose RT appears to significantly reduce the rate of tumor progression.

[(18)F]Fluoroethyltyrosine- positron emission tomography-guided radiotherapy for high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: To compare morphological gross tumor volumes (GTVs), defined as pre- and postoperative gadolinium enhancement on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to biological tumor volumes (BTVs), defined by the uptake of (18)F fluoroethyltyrosine (FET) for the radiotherapy planning of high-grade glioma, using a dedicated positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scanner equipped with three triangulation lasers for patient positioning. METHODS: Nineteen patients with malignant glioma were included into a prospective protocol using FET PET-CT for radiotherapy planning. To be eligible, patients had to present with residual disease after surgery. Planning was performed using the clinical target volume (CTV = GTV union or logical sum BTV) and planning target volume (PTV = CTV + 20 mm). First, the interrater reliability for BTV delineation was assessed among three observers. Second, the BTV and GTV were quantified and compared. Finally, the geometrical relationships between GTV and BTV were assessed. RESULTS: Interrater agreement for BTV delineation was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.9). Although, BTVs and GTVs were not significantly different (p = 0.9), CTVs (mean 57.8 +/- 30.4 cm(3)) were significantly larger than BTVs (mean 42.1 +/- 24.4 cm(3); p < 0.01) or GTVs (mean 38.7 +/- 25.7 cm(3); p < 0.01). In 13 (68%) and 6 (32%) of 19 patients, FET uptake extended >or= 10 and 20 mm from the margin of the gadolinium enhancement. CONCLUSION: Using FET, the interrater reliability had excellent agreement for BTV delineation. With FET PET-CT planning, the size and geometrical location of GTVs and BTVs differed in a majority of patients.