Optimising Patient Outcomes in Tongue Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

A multidisciplinary approach to the management of tongue cancer is vital for achieving optimal patient outcomes. Nursing and allied health professionals play essential roles within the team. We developed symposia comprising a series of online lectures offering a detailed perspective on the role each discipline and consumer perspective has in the management of patients with tongue cancer. The topics, including epidemiology and prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, adjuvant care, and the management of recurrent or metastatic disease, were thoroughly examined. The symposia highlighted the significance of fostering collaboration and continuous learning through a multidisciplinary approach. This initiative should be relevant to healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers striving to enhance patient outcomes in tongue cancer care through innovative collaboration.

Opportunities for cancer prevention at syringe services programs: acceptability of HPV self-sampling and vaccination among people who inject drugs.

INTRODUCTION: Despite having a high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, people who inject drugs (PWID) often do not receive recommended HPV screenings due to barriers to healthcare. Guideline-based cervical HPV screening and vaccination can prevent cervical cancer. Low-cost, low-barrier methods for cancer screening and prevention are important for vulnerable communities such as PWID. METHODS: We examined acceptability of HPV self-sampling at a syringe services program (SSP). Participants with a cervix (n = 49) participated in patient education followed by a survey to assess willingness to perform HPV self-sampling versus standard of care. RESULTS: 59% found self-sampling to be acceptable, citing privacy, ease, and quickness. Among those opting for HPV screening delivered by a provider (n = 16), participants cited concerns about adequate sampling (81%) and test accuracy (75%). Notably, only 18% of participants reported complete HPV vaccination. CONCLUSION: Cervical HPV self-sampling was acceptable to PWID. SSP-based efforts to provide preventative health services could place tools for cancer screening into the hands of PWID, a need-to-reach community.

Index admission vs elective laparoscopic common bile duct exploration: a district general hospital experience over 6 years.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is relatively a new approach for clearing choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of this approach to clearing common bile duct (CBD) stones on an index admission including emergency setting. METHODS: Retrospective data collection and analysis were carried out for 207 consecutive cases of LCBDE performed in Royal Cornwall Hospital over 6 years (2015-2020). Patients were divided into two groups (Index admission vs elective) then both groups compared. RESULTS: A total of 207 cases of LCBDE were performed in our unit during the time period. One hundred twenty-two operations were performed on the index admission and 85 on a subsequent elective list. Mean operative time was 146 ± 64 min in the index admission group and 145 ± 65 min in the elective group (p = 0.913). Length of stay post-operatively was 3.3 ± 6.3 days in the index admission cases and 3.5 ± 4.6 days after elective cases. Successful clearance was achieved at the end of the operation in 116 patients in the index admission group, clearance failed in one case and negative exploration in 5 patients. In the elective group 83 patients had a successful clearance at the end of the operation, and 2 patients has had a negative exploration. Twelve patients (index admission group) and 8 patients of the elective cases required post-operative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to manage retained stones, recurrent stones and bile leak (p = 0.921). Three patients required re-operation for post-operative complications in each group. CONCLUSION: Common bile duct exploration in index admission is safe with high success rate if performed by well-trained surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills.

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Clearance, is It Feasible and Safe After Failed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography?

Introduction: Concomitant gallstones and common bile duct (CBD) stones is a common problem, and there is still no consensus on the best approach in the management. Options include preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with CBD exploration, and LC with postoperative ERCP. Each option has its own limitations and complications. In this article, we assessed the feasibility of laparoscopic surgical clearance of the CBD after a failed ERCP, reasons for failure of endoscopic clearance in our cohort. We will discuss the management options after ERCP failure, the challenges, and the outcomes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all the cases of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) performed in our hospital between April 2006 and January 2019. Two hundred cases were performed, 178 cases as a primary procedure while 22 were performed as a secondary procedure after failed ERCP. We have previously published data on the case series (PMID 33140155) and here explored the cases performed after failed ERCP as a secondary procedure. We analyzed demographics of patients, preoperative investigations, ERCP trials, and reasons for ERCP failure, operative approach, duration of operation, conversion rate, complications, and outcomes. Results: Twenty-two patients underwent a laparoscopic CBD clearance after failed ERCP. Sixteen of these were in the first 5 years of the study. Multiple attempts of ERCP were made in 7 patients (31.8%) and a single attempt in 15 patients. In 8 patients (32%), the duct was not accessible (failed cannulation) due to a variety of reasons. Nine patients had impacted stones larger than 1 cm, 4 patients had Mirrizi syndrome with concomitant large CBD stones, and 1 patient failed endoscopic clearance because of the large number of stones in the CBD. CBD clearance was successful in 19 patients (88%), 8 were completed by a transcystic approach and 14 by a transcholedochal approach. Postoperative length of stay was 12 (+10) days. One patient had an unplanned readmission within 30 days. One patient required reoperation for bleeding. Three patients developed recurrent stones and 1 developed a subsequent stricture. No mortalities were recorded. Conclusion: LCBDE is feasible and appears safe as a secondary procedure after failed ERCP. The new technologies and the advancement of surgical techniques will continue to improve success and reduce morbidity.

Optimal technique for intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and are the technique and the findings optimally recorded at our institution?

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists describing the optimum protocol for intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Images saved during surgery often fail to highlight the necessary anatomical landmarks and documentation is variable. Our aim was to identify the key characteristics of an optimal IOC and evaluate current practice at our institution. METHODS: A literature search identified quality indicators for performing IOC and documenting key findings. A standardised proforma for scoring IOC was developed. Retrospective analysis was conducted of consecutive IOCs performed during elective LC. Visual documentation of seven anatomical landmarks on the captured IOC images and textual reporting in the operation note were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred IOCs were evaluated. Only 32 (34%) of captured images had all 7 landmarks present. All cases failed to document all seven landmarks. There was a significant difference between landmarks that could be identified on the captured images and their documentation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IOC image capture of the key seven landmarks and their textual reporting in this cohort is sub-optimal. We believe IOC technique, minimal data set for reporting and image capture should be standardised to allow better communication of findings and facilitate meaningful comparative research relating to the subject.

Lessons learnt from the first 200 unselected consecutive cases of laparoscopic exploration of common bile duct stones at a district general hospital.

BACKGROUND: The management of choledocholithiasis evolves with diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology, facilitating a laparoscopic approach. We review our first 200 cases of laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct, highlighting challenges and lessons learnt. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the first 200 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration between 2006 and 2019. The database contains demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, diagnostic modalities, operative techniques, duration and outcomes. RESULTS: We compared two approaches: transcystic vs. transcholedochal in our 200 cases. Choledocholithiasis was suspected preoperatively in 163 patients. 21 cases found no stones. Of the remainder, 111/179 cases were completed via the transcystic route and the remaining were completed transcholedochally (68/179); 25% of the transcholedochal cases were converted from a transcystic approach. CBD diameter for transcystic route was 8.2 vs. 11.0 mm for transcholedochal. Total clearance rate was 84%. Retained or recurrent stones were noted in 7 patients. Length of stay was 5.8 days, 3.5 days in the transcystic route vs. 9.4 days after transcholedochal clearance. Eight patients required re-operation for bleeding or bile leak. No mortalities were recorded in this cohort, but 2 cases (1%) developed a subsequent CBD stricture. CONCLUSION: Concomitant laparoscopic common bile duct clearance with cholecystectomy is feasible, safe and effective in a district general hospital, despite constraints of time and resources. The transcystic route has a lower complication rate and shorter hospital stay, and hence our preference of this route for all cases. Advancements in stone management technology will allow wider adoption of this technique, benefitting more patients.

Quantitative Evaluation of Nasolabial Alterations following Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) Therapy in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip.

The clinical benefit of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is actively debated between cleft centers without clear consensus. Nasolabial measurements were performed on pediatric patients with unilateral clefts of the lip, with or without cleft palate, at an academic cleft/craniofacial center prior to and following NAM therapy between June 2015 and August 2016. The parameters of interest were: columella height and width, cleft nostril height and width, and lip width. Measurements were performed using photographs taken alongside a reference object. The image output was then scaled to the size of the reference object and the capture angle. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to assess reliability of the photographic measurements. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation [SD]) were calculated to characterize the pre- and post-NAM measurements. Student's t-tests were performed to compare the pre-NAM versus post-NAM measurements. The primary objective was to measure the effect of NAM on the nasal aesthetic units that are known to be anatomically aberrant in the cleft lip patient. Nine patients were included in this study. Average pre-NAM age was 2.5 weeks, and average post-NAM age was 13 weeks. Average columellar height increased from 3.70 mm (SD = 0.14) pre-NAM to 5.85 mm (SD = 1.96) post-NAM (p < 0.01); average columellar width increased from 4.71 mm (SD = 0.49) to 5.93 mm (SD = 0.71) (p < 0.01); average cleft nostril height increased from 3.54 mm (SD = 2.97) to 6.81 mm (SD = 2.98) (p = 0.01); and average cleft nostril width decreased from 15.46 mm (SD = 2.91) to 11.05 mm (SD = 1.01) (p = 0.01). Average lip width decreased from 34.61 mm (SD = 1.73) to 33.87 mm (SD = 3.67); however, this change was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). This study objectively quantifies positive changes in nasal aesthetics associated with NAM therapy, providing further evidence for its utility as a presurgical treatment modality for optimal aesthetic nasal results in the unilateral cleft lip patient. The major limitation of this study was a lack of control group, as our center universally treats complete unilateral cleft lip patients with NAM therapy. However, the authors strongly believe that the positive aesthetic nasal findings would persist if compared with a non-NAM control group.

Rapid tissue regeneration induced by intracellular ATP delivery-A preliminary mechanistic study.

We have reported a new phenomenon in acute wound healing following the use of intracellular ATP delivery-extremely rapid tissue regeneration, which starts less than 24 h after surgery, and is accompanied by massive macrophage trafficking, in situ proliferation, and direct collagen production. This unusual process bypasses the formation of the traditional provisional extracellular matrix and significantly shortens the wound healing process. Although macrophages/monocytes are known to play a critical role in the initiation and progression of wound healing, their in situ proliferation and direct collagen production in wound healing have never been reported previously. We have explored these two very specific pathways during wound healing, while excluding confounding factors in the in vivo environment by analyzing wound samples and performing in vitro studies. The use of immunohistochemical studies enabled the detection of in situ macrophage proliferation in ATP-vesicle treated wounds. Primary human macrophages and Raw 264.7 cells were used for an in vitro study involving treatment with ATP vesicles, free Mg-ATP alone, lipid vesicles alone, Regranex, or culture medium. Collagen type 1α 1, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA of the culture supernatant. The intracellular collagen type 1α1 localization was determined with immunocytochemistry. ATP-vesicle treated wounds showed high immunoreactivity towards BrdU and PCNA antigens, indicating in situ proliferation. Most of the cultured macrophages treated with ATP-vesicles maintained their classic phenotype and expressed high levels of collagen type 1α1 for a longer duration than was observed with cells treated with Regranex. These studies provide the first clear evidence of in situ macrophage proliferation and direct collagen production during wound healing. These findings provide part of the explanation for the extremely rapid tissue regeneration, and this treatment may hold promise for acute and chronic wound care.

Large-bowel disease presenting as small-bowel obstruction is associated with a poor prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common cause of admission to the surgical service. On rare occasions, a diagnosed SBO is actually due to large-bowel pathology combined with an incompetent ileocecal valve. The purpose of this study was to investigate this phenomenon. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients that were admitted with a diagnosis of SBO at University of Louisville hospital and the Veterans Affairs hospitals in Louisville, KY, from 2006 until 2014. RESULTS: A total of 498 patients were admitted with SBO during this time period. Forty-one patients were found to have an underlying large-bowel disease. The most common large-bowel pathologies included malignancy (51%), inflammation (15%), and infection (15%). Fifteen (43%) of these patients died during admission; 93% of these were due to either their bowel obstruction or the underlying disease state. This was significantly higher than the general population (9.4% mortality, 6% due to underlying disease). CONCLUSIONS: Patients that present with SBO due to a large-bowel source have a much higher mortality rate than those that present with other causes. Rapid identification of these patients will allow for more timely and appropriate treatment.

Anti-inflammatory effects of miR-21 in the macrophage response to peritonitis.

We investigated the role of microRNA-21 in the macrophage response to peritonitis; microRNA-21 expression increases in peritoneal macrophages after lipopolysaccharide stimulation but is delayed until 48 hours after cecal ligation and puncture. MicroRNA-21-null mice and bone marrow-derived cell lines were exposed to cecal ligation and puncture or lipopolysaccharide, and survival, microRNA-21 levels, target messenger RNAs and proteins, and cytokines were assayed. Macrophages were also transfected with microRNA-21 mimics and antagomirs, and similar endpoints were measured. Survival in microRNA-21-null mice was significantly decreased after lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis but unchanged after cecal ligation and puncture compared with similarly treated wild-type mice. MicroRNA-21 expression, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, and programmed cell death protein 4 levels were increased after lipopolysaccharide addition in peritoneal cells. Pelino1 and sprouty (SPRY) messenger RNAs were similarly increased early, whereas programmed cell death protein 4 messenger RNA was decreased after lipopolysaccharide, and all microR-21 target messenger RNAs were subsequently decreased by 24 hours after lipopolysaccharide. Transfection with mimics and antagomirs led to appropriate responses in microRNA-21 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Knockdown of microRNA-21 in bone marrow-derived cells showed increased tumor necrosis factor-α and decreased interleukin 10 in response to lipopolysaccharide. Target proteins were unaffected by knockdown as was extracellular signal-regulated kinase; however, the nuclear factor κB p65 subunit was increased after lipopolysaccharide in the microRNA-21 knockout cells. In contrast, there was little change in these parameters after cecal ligation and puncture induction between null and wild-type mice. MicroRNA-21 is beneficial to survival in mice following lipopolysaccharide peritonitis. Overexpression of microRNA-21 decreased tumor necrosis factor-α secretion, whereas suppression of microRNA-21 expression increased tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6, and decreased interleukin 10 levels after lipopolysaccharide. Protein targets of microRNA-21 were not different following suppression of microRNA-21. Nuclear factor κB was increased by suppression of microRNA-21. These findings demonstrate microRNA-21 is beneficial in modulating the macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide peritonitis and an improved understanding of the anti-inflammatory effects of microRNA-21 may result in novel, targeted therapy against peritonitis and sepsis.

Damage control for thoracic trauma.

Damage control surgery involves an abbreviated operation followed by resuscitation with planned re-exploration. Damage control techniques can be used in thoracic trauma but has been infrequently reported. Our goal is to describe our experience with the use of damage control techniques in treating thoracic trauma. A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing damage control thoracic surgery related to trauma from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2013, at University of Louisville Hospital, a Level I trauma center. Variables studied included injury characteristics, Injury Severity Score, surgery performed, duration of packing, length of stay (LOS), ventilator days, transfusion requirements, complications, and mortality. Twenty-five patients underwent damage control surgery in the chest with packing, temporary closure, and planned re-exploration after stabilization. Seventeen patients underwent anterolateral thoracotomy, and eight patients underwent sternotomy. The mean LOS and duration of temporary packing was 20.6 and 1.4 days in the thoracotomy group, respectively, and 19.5 and 1 day in the sternotomy group, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 40 per cent, 35 per cent in the thoracotomy group and 50 per cent in the sternotomy group. Like in severe abdominal trauma, damage control techniques can be used in the management of severe thoracic injuries with acceptable results.

Dynamics of Elective Case Cancellation for Inpatient and Outpatient in an Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected surgical cancellation is common and can have significant adverse effects. Cancellation rates vary because of a lack of a standard definition, different patient populations and study methodology. We hypothesized that case cancellation has a different pattern in a dedicated ambulatory surgical center compared to a general operating room (OR) setting in a large academic center without an anesthesia preoperative evaluation center necessitating evaluation by the various surgeons. METHODS: Elective cases in general OR and in the ambulatory surgical center were included in this study. Elective cases are defined as the non-emergent cases scheduled before 8:00 am on the day of surgery. A cancelled case was defined as a scheduled procedure which is not performed on the scheduled procedure day. Case cancellation was monitored in real time using an electronic patient flow system (Navicare). As soon as the case is cancelled, the reason for the cancellation was obtained from the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the OR coordinated nurses and/or the floor nurse. In the day surgical center, the cancelled cases were followed to determine whether/when they were rescheduled. RESULTS: 4261 elective cases were included in this investigation, including 2751 cases in the general OR and 1510 cases in the ambulatory surgical center. A total of 283 cases (6.6%) were cancelled which include 206 cases from the general OR and 77 from the ambulatory surgical center. The cancellation rate in the general OR was 7.5%, among which inpatients have the highest cancellation rate of 18.1%, followed by outpatients at 4.6%, and same day admission at the lowest cancellation rate of 2.0%. The top 3 reasons for cancellation in general OR werein adequate preoperative preparation 29.4 ± 4.5%, medical condition change 28.5 ± 10.2%; and scheduling issue 20.2 ± 7.1%. Most (59.2 ± 8.9%) of the cancellations was considered preventable, 12.3 ± 5.9% was considered potentially preventable, and 28.5 ± 10.2% were not preventable (such as patient condition changes). The cancellation rate in the ambulatory surgical center was 5.1%. The major reason for cancellation was patient no show 75.8 ± 5.2 %, 61% of those no show patients were rescheduled and the mean delay in surgery was 18 days (range from 1 day to 84 days). CONCLUSIONS: Case cancellation is not un-common in a large academic center without a preoperative evaluation clinic. The dynamics of case cancellation are different in an ambulatory surgical center as compared to the general OR. Inpatients have the highest cancellation rate associated with inadequate preoperative preparation and scheduling, this should be preventable via adopting proper systems of evaluation and preparation. Most of the case cancellations in the ambulatory surgical center are from patient no show, suggesting that administrative strategies to reduce this issue should be implemented. The patients admitted on the same day of surgery had the lowest cancellation rate requiring minimal intervention.

Poor outcome in bacterial peritonitis is associated with dysregulated microRNAs and an increased inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis is a common cause of surgical sepsis. The failure of the host to mount an appropriate immune response contributes to persistence of the infection. We investigated the role microRNAs may play in this failed immune response. METHODS: Klebsiella pneumoniae was injected intraperitoneally in mice. Weight loss was used to predict clinical outcome. Peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) and supernatant were collected. RNA from PECs was run on screening microRNA array cards to determine gene expression, and validated by single assay analysis. Cytokine levels in supernatant were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Despite similar bacterial levels, PEC counts were higher in the predicted death group. The predicted deaths had higher levels of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α/IL-6 and significantly lower levels of interleukin-10. MiR-221 was up-regulated in both the predicted death and predicted survivor groups. Five miRNAs were up-regulated in the predicted survivor group compared with normal controls. CONCLUSION: Higher PEC counts and proinflammatory cytokines in the predicted death group indicates an exaggerated inflammatory response, with lower IL-10 levels despite similar bacterial counts. There were two dysregulated miRNAs with transcriptional targets that may explain our results. A more balanced immune response with an appropriate counter inflammatory response may be important for improving survival.

Accuracy of computed tomography in small bowel obstruction.

Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical occurrence, primarily caused by adhesions. The diagnosis is usually made on the clinical findings and the presence of dilated bowel loops on plain abdominal radiograph. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used to diagnose the cause and location of the obstruction to aid in the timing of surgical intervention. We used a retrospective chart review to identify patients with a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction between 2009 and 2012. We compared the findings on CT with the findings at operative intervention. Sixty patients had abdominal CT and subsequent surgical intervention. Eighty-three per cent of CTs were correct for small intestine involvement and 80 per cent for colon involvement. The presence of adhesions or perforation was correctly identified in 21 and 50 per cent, respectively. Sixty-four per cent correctly identified a transition point. The presence of a mass was correctly identified in 69 per cent. Twenty per cent of the patients who had ischemic small bowel at surgery were identified on CT. CT has a role in the clinical assessment of patients with small bowel obstruction, identifying with reasonable accuracy the extent of bowel involvement and the presence of masses and transition points. It is less reliable at identifying adhesions, perforations, or ischemic bowel.

A natural immune modulator attenuates stress hormone and catecholamine concentrations in polymicrobial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Activated hexose correlated compound (AHCC), derived from shiitake mushrooms, increases resistance to infection in immunocompromised hosts with positive effects on dendritic cells, natural killer cell function and interleukin 12 production. It may also be attenuating the systemic inflammatory response by regulating the secretion of cortisol and norepinephrine (NE). METHODS: Female Swiss-Weber mice were pretreated with AHCC (Amino Up Chemical Co., Sapporo, Japan) or water by gavage for 10 days before undergoing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Peritoneal exudate cells and blood samples were harvested at 4 hours and 24 hours following CLP. Plasma and peritoneal concentrations of cortisol and NE were obtained using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Peritoneal bacteria were quantified by colony counts after 4 hours and 24 hours. Significance was denoted by a p < 0.05. RESULTS: Plasma and peritoneal cortisol concentrations were increased 4 hours after CLP compared with normal controls, with no difference between the pretreated groups. Concentrations of cortisol decreased from 4 hours to 24 hours after CLP with AHCC (plasma, p = 0.009; peritoneal, p < 0.001), and peritoneal cortisol at 24 hours was lower with AHCC as compared with water (p = 0.028). There was no change in plasma or peritoneal NE concentrations at 4 hours. At 24 hours, higher concentrations of NE were detected in both plasma and peritoneal fluid, with lower plasma concentrations in those gavaged with AHCC (p = 0.015). There was no significant difference in peritoneal bacteria counts. CONCLUSION: Enhanced immune function observed with AHCC could be caused by attenuated concentrations of stress hormones and catecholamines.

MicroRNA as a new factor in lung and esophageal cancer.

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer due to late detection in advanced stages; early diagnosis of lung cancer allows surgical treatment and improves the outcome. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux-related adenocarcinomas of the esophagus is increasing; repetitive surveillance endoscopies are necessary to detect development of cancer. A blood-based biomarker would simplify the diagnosis and treatment of both diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA strands that interfere with protein production. miRNAs play pivotal roles in cell homeostasis, and dysregulation of miRNAs can lead to the development of cancer. miRNAs can be found in all body fluids and have been proposed to serve as messengers between closely localized cells but also distant organs. Cancer cells actively secrete miRNAs, and these miRNA profiles can be found in blood. We outline, here, how these miRNAs may aid in diagnosis and treatment of lung and esophageal cancers, as well as their apparent limitations.