Technical feasibility and oncological outcomes of robotic esophagectomy compared with conventional thoracoscopic esophagectomy for clinical T3 or T4 locally advanced esophageal cancer: a propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy is the first-line approach for esophageal cancer; however, there has recently been a paradigm shift toward robotic esophagectomy (RE). We investigated the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RE compared with those of patients who underwent conventional minimally invasive thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE) for locally advanced cT3 or cT4 esophageal cancer using a propensity-matched analysis. METHODS: Overall, 342 patients with locally advanced cT3 or cT4 esophageal cancer underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with total mediastinal lymph node dissection between 2018 and 2022. The propensity-matched analysis was performed to assign the patients to either RE or TE by covariates of histological type, tumor location, and clinical N factor. RESULTS: Overall, 87 patients were recruited in each of the RE and TE groups according to the propensity-matched analysis. The total complication rate and the rates of the three major complications (recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, anastomotic leakage, and pneumonia) were not significantly different between the RE and TE groups. However, the peak C-reactive protein concentration on postoperative day 3, rate of surgical site infection, and intensive care unit length of stay after surgery were significantly shorter in the RE group than in the TE group. No significant differences were observed in the harvested total and mediastinal lymph nodes. The total operation time was significantly longer in the RE group, while the thoracic operation time was shorter in the RE group than in the TE group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the recurrence rate of oncological outcomes after surgery. CONCLUSION: RE may facilitate early recovery after esophagectomy with total mediastinal lymph node dissection and has the same technical feasibility and oncological outcomes as TE.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Feasibility of Larynx Preservation and Prognosis in Resectable Locally Advanced Cervical Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy for cervical advanced esophageal cancer remains controversial in terms of oncologic outcome as well as vocal and swallowing function. Recently, in East Asian countries, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been a standard strategy for advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: This study included 37 patients who underwent NAC, and 33 patients who underwent definitive chemoradiation therapy (dCRT) as larynx-preserving treatment for locally advanced cervical esophageal cancer from 2016 to 2021. This study retrospectively investigated outcomes, with comparison between NAC and dCRT for locally advanced cervical esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Larynx preservation was successful for all the patients with NAC and dCRT. After NAC, the rate of complete or partial response was 78.4%, and 30 patients underwent larynx-preserving surgery. On the other hand, after dCRT, the complete response rate was 71.9%, and 4 patients underwent larynx-preserving salvage surgery. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival were similar between the two groups. However, for the patients with resectable cervical esophageal cancer (cT1/2/3), the 2-year OS rate was significantly higher with NAC (79.9%) than with dCRT (56.8%) (P = 0.022), and the multivariate analyses identified only NAC and cN0, one of the two as a significantly independent factor associated with a better OS (NAC: P = 0.041; cN0, 1: P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: The study showed that NAC as larynx-preserving surgery for resectable cervical esophageal cancer preserved function and had a better prognosis than dCRT. The authors suggest that NAC may be standard strategy for larynx preservation in patients with resectable cervical esophageal cancer.

Significance of Surgery for Resectable M1 Lymph Node Metastases Without Organ Metastasis in Esophageal Carcinoma in the Era of Neoadjuvant Treatment.

BACKGROUND: M1 esophageal carcinoma goes beyond localized disease and requires treatment with systemic therapy. M1 status is primarily divided into two categories: M1 lymph node metastasis and distant organ metastasis. Oligometastasis is defined as a state of limited metastatic disease, and surgery for oligometastasis of distant organs is reported to be beneficial in limited conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate resected cases of M1 lymph node metastases as the only metastatic site in stage IVB esophageal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy with curative intent between April 2017 and December 2021 were examined. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was our standard therapy and administered in almost all cases. We hypothesized that four sites of metastatic M1LN (supraclavicular (no. 104), pretracheal (no. 106pre), posterior thoracic para-aortic (no. 112aoP), and abdominal para-aortic (no. 16a2lat) LNs) were potentially resectable M1LN (rM1LN) metastases with curative intent and compared the prognosis of patients with and without rM1LN metastasis. RESULTS: Six hundred eight-two patients were included in the study. Among these patients, 80 had rM1LN metastasis and received surgery for curative intent. Short-term safety outcomes were equivalent between patients with and without rM1LN metastases. After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences in overall survival between patients with and without rM1LN metastasis. Multivariate analyses revealed that the only independent prognostic factor was ypN status. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests the feasibility and favorable OS in the patients with resection of rM1LN metastasis.

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction in Infant Truncus Arteriosus: A 37-year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Multiple conduits for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction exist, although the ideal conduit that maximizes outcomes remains controversial. We evaluated long-term outcomes and compared conduits for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in children with truncus arteriosus. METHODS: Records of patients who underwent truncus arteriosus repair at our institution between 1981 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary outcomes included survival and freedom from catheter reintervention or reoperation. Secondary analyses evaluated the effect of comorbidity, operation era, conduit type, and conduit size. RESULTS: One hundred patients met inclusion criteria. Median follow-up time was 15.6 years (interquartile range, 5.3-22.2). Actuarial survival at 30 days, 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years was 85%, 72%, 72%, and 68%, respectively. Early mortality was associated with concomitant interrupted aortic arch (hazard ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-17.4; P = .005). Median time to surgical reoperation was 4.6 years (interquartile range, 2.9-6.8; n = 58). Right ventricle to pulmonary artery continuity was established with an aortic homograft (n = 14), pulmonary homograft (n = 41), or bovine jugular vein conduit (n = 36) in most cases. Multivariate analysis revealed longer freedom from reoperation with the bovine jugular vein conduit compared with the aortic homograft (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.7; P = .02) with no difference compared with the pulmonary homograft. Larger conduit size was associated with longer freedom from reoperation (hazard ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-0.9; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The bovine jugular vein conduit is a favorable conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in patients with truncus arteriosus. Concomitant interrupted aortic arch is a risk factor for early mortality.

CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and TP53 Polymorphisms and Risk of Gallbladder Cancer in Bolivians.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia (Bolivia) has a high incidence rate of gallbladder cancer (GBC). However, the genetic and environmental risk factors for GBC development are not well understood. We aimed to assess whether or not cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1), glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), theta 1 (GSTT1) and tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) genetic polymorphisms modulate GBC susceptibility in Bolivians. This case-control study covered 32 patients with GBC and 86 healthy subjects. GBC was diagnosed on the basis of histological analysis of tissues at the Instituto de Gastroenterologia Boliviano-Japones (IGBJ); the healthy subjects were members of the staff at the IGBJ. Distributions of the CYP1A1 rs1048943 and TP53 rs1042522 polymorphisms were assayed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms were detected by a multiplex PCR assay. The frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher in GBC patients than in the healthy subjects (odds ratio [OR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-5.37; age-adjusted OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.29-9.66; age- and sex-adjusted OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.24-9.34). No significant differences were observed in the frequencies of CYP1A1, GSTT1, or TP53 polymorphisms between the two groups. The GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased GBC risk in Bolivians. Additional studies with larger control and case populations are warranted to confirm the association between the GSTM1 deletion polymorphism and GBC risk suggested in the present study.