Opioid Receptor Expression in Colorectal Cancer: A Nested Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: There is growing interest in the possible effect of perioperative anesthetic management on the growth and spread of cancer. The impact of perioperative use of opioids on cancer recurrence remains controversial and an assessment cannot yet be established based on current publications. This study aimed to assess the differential expression of opioid receptors between healthy and tumor tissues in patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer undergoing elective surgery by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods: Propensity-score matched case-control study nested in a retrospective cohort of patients with stage II or III colorectal. The primary endpoint was the difference in µ-opioid receptor (MOR) expression measured by IHC between tumor and healthy tissue in subject with or without recurrence. Secondary endpoints were to evaluate the differences in Opioid Growth Factor Receptor (OGFR), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production and protein kinase A (PKA) in the matched sample and from a from samples of colorectal cancer stored in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype Tissue Expression Project (GTEx). Results: There was a significant difference in MOR receptor (median 3 [intequartile range IQR: 1-3] and 0 [IQR: 0-2], P<0.001) and OGFR receptor (median 6 [IQR: 5-6] and 2 [IQR: 1-2], P<0.001) in tumor and control tissue respectively. However, there were no significant differences in cAMP nor PKA expression between both types of tissues and in expression in any of the analyzed variables by recurrence status. The MOR and OGFR expression data from TCGA database were similar to our sample size data with lower expression of MOR and higher expression of OGFR in tumoural samples with a skewed distribution for MOR expression in tumor tissue both in patients with and without recurrence. Conclusion: In patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer, overall expression of MOR and OGFR was significantly increased but was not different between previously matched patients with or without recurrence. No differences were found in the analyzed metabolic pathway of cAMP-PKA: These results were confirmed by an in silico analysis of samples from the TCGA-GTEx database.

Mu Opioid Receptor 1 (MOR-1) Expression in Colorectal Cancer and Oncological Long-Term Outcomes: A Five-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Preclinical evidence has shown increased expression of mu opioid receptor 1 (MOR-1) in colorectal cancer although its association with disease-free and overall survival (DFS and OS) has not been investigated. We hypothesized that MOR-1 was overexpressed in tumor samples compared to normal tissue and this was associated with decreased DFS and OS. We carried out a retrospective study assessing the association of MOR-1 tumor expression with long-term outcomes by immunohistochemistry in normal and tumor samples from 174 colorectal cancer patients. The primary endpoint was five years of DFS. Secondary endpoints were five years of OS, the difference in MOR-1 expression between normal and tumor tissue and the occurrence of postoperative complications. Multivariable Cox regression showed no significant association between MOR-1 expression and DFS (HR 0.791, 95% CI 0.603-1.039, p = 0.092). MOR-1 expression was higher in tumor tissue compared to non-tumor tissue. No associations were found between MOR-1 expression and OS or postoperative complications. These findings suggest that although MOR-1 is over-expressed in colorectal cancer samples there is no association to increased risk of recurrence or mortality. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the role of cancer stage, genetic polymorphism, and quantitative assessment of MOR-1 over-expression on long-term outcomes in colorectal cancer.

Assessment of nephrotoxicity associated with combined cisplatin and mitomycin C usage in laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been used to treat various peritoneal malignancies. Cisplatin and mitomycin C (MMC) are agents commonly used in these procedures and, individually, each has been associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). There is limited literature on the complications associated with the use of both agents in HIPEC. Therefore, we sought to determine the incidence of nephrotoxicity and electrolyte abnormalities in patients undergoing laparoscopic HIPEC using this chemotherapeutic combination. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients undergoing laparoscopic HIPEC for gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma using both cisplatin and MMC. Sodium thiosulfate was given for renal protection and kidney function was evaluated daily up to postoperative day #2. Details regarding patient characteristics, selection criteria, chemotherapeutic regimen, perioperative lab values and anesthetic management were collected. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients underwent 31 laparoscopic HIPEC procedures. Fifteen (65%) were male and the median age was 57 (range 21-75). Thirteen procedures were associated with an elevation in creatinine (Cr) with the median difference between POD#2 and baseline being 0.09 mg/dL (range 0-0.43). The glomerular filtration rate median difference between POD#2 and baseline was -17 mL/min/1.37 sq. m (range -42 to 11). No cases demonstrated AKI, defined as a 50% increase in Cr levels above baseline. An 84% incidence of postoperative hypophosphatemia (26/31) and 94% incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia (29/31) was observed. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to HIPEC using both cisplatin and MMC in our cohort was not associated with an increased incidence of AKI. The incidence of hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia needs further evaluation to determine the exact etiology. Precis' statement: We retrospectively studied the association of AKI with the combined use of cisplatin and MMC in laparoscopic HIPEC.

Impact of perioperative pain management on cancer recurrence: an ASRA/ESRA special article.

Cancer causes considerable suffering and 80% of advanced cancer patients experience moderate to severe pain. Surgical tumor excision remains a cornerstone of primary cancer treatment, but is also recognized as one of the greatest risk factors for metastatic spread. The perioperative period, characterized by the surgical stress response, pharmacologic-induced angiogenesis, and immunomodulation results in a physiologic environment that supports tumor spread and distant reimplantation.In the perioperative period, anesthesiologists may have a brief and uniquewindow of opportunity to modulate the unwanted consequences of the stressresponse on the immune system and minimize residual disease. This reviewdiscusses the current research on analgesic therapies and their impact ondisease progression, followed by an evidence-based evaluation of perioperativepain interventions and medications.

Fracturas inestables extraarticulares del radio distal: clavijas percutáneas de Kirschner (Kapandji) o placas bloqueadas volares / Unstable extra-articular distal radius fractures: percutaneous Kirschner wires (Kapandji) versus locked volar plating

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio es comparar el comportamiento radiográfico de las fracturas extraarticulares inestables del radio distal tratadas con clavijas percutáneas (técnica de Kapandji) e inmovilización con yeso con aquellas tratadas mediante reducción abierta y fijación interna con placas bloqueadas volares. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron retrospectivamente 58 pacientes con 62 fracturas; 31 fracturas fueron estabilizadas con clavijas de Kirschner y 31, con placas bloqueadas volares. El promedio de edad fue de 62 años. Treinta y nueve fracturas se debieron a traumatismos de baja energía. Se realizaron estudios radiográficos preoperatorios, en el posoperatorio inmediato, a las 6 semanas y a los 4 meses, y se evaluó el desplazamiento absoluto de la altura radial, el desplazamiento absoluto de la inclinación radial y el desplazamiento absoluto de la angulación volar. Resultados: Todas las fracturas consolidaron. A los 4 meses de seguimiento se observó una pérdida de la inclinación radial (p = 0,0001), la altura radial (p = 0,0001) y la angulación volar (p = 0,0003) significativamente mayor en las fracturas tratadas con clavijas de Kirschner colocadas en forma percutánea y protegidas con yeso. Conclusiones: La utilización de placas bloqueadas volares en las fracturas extraarticulares del radio distal permite mantener la reducción radiográfica obtenida en el intraoperatorio con mayor éxito que las clavijas percutáneas de Kirschner más yeso. La utilización de placas volares bloqueadas se recomienda en los pacientes jóvenes activos, ya que el mantenimiento de una reducción más anatómica se relaciona con menor artrosis secundaria y, así, con menor dolor y limitaciones funcionales a largo plazo.

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the radiographic behavior of unstable extra-articular distal radius fractures treated with percutaneous Kirschner wires (Kapandji technique) with those treated by open reduction and internal fixation using locked volar plates. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 58 patients with 62 distal radius fractures. 31 fractures were stabilized with percutaneous Kirschner pins and 31 with locked volar plates. Patients’ age averaged 62 years. 39 fractures were caused by low-energy trauma. Radiographic controls were performed pre-operatively, immediately postoperatively, at six weeks, and at four months. Absolute radial height displacement, absolute radial inclinationdisplacement, and absolute volar angulation displacement were assessed.Results: Union was achieved in all fractures. There was a statistically significant loss of radial inclination (p =0.0001), radial height (p = 0.0001) and volar angulation (p = 0.0003) in fractures treated with percutaneousKirschner wires and plaster. Conclusions: Volar locked plates are more reliable thanKirschner wires in preserving the reduction achieved intraoperatively in unstable extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. The use of locked volar plates is recommended in young active patients; maintaining the anatomicreduction will reduce the degree of secondary arthritis, and result in less long term pain and functional impairment.

Uso de la máscara laríngea en videogastroscopía pediátrica / Use of laryngeal mask in pediatric video-gastroscopy

Antecedentes: Tradicionalmente la realización de endoscopía alta en pediatría ha requerido del empleo de anestesia general (con intubación orotraqueal) o sedación profunda consciente (endovenosa o inhalatoria) con mantenimiento de ventilación espontánea. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la eficacia y seguridad del empleo de la máscara laríngea en gastroscopía pediátrica. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital Privado de Córdoba, Argentina. Diseño: estudio clínico prospectivo. Población: Se estudiaron prospectivamente 40 pacientes de ambos sexos, ASA I-II, con edades comprendidas entre 1 y 14 años. Métodos: Se utilizaron máscaras laríngeas número: 2, 2.5 y 3; endoscopio Olympus GIF (9,5 mm). Inducción y mantenimiento: Sevofluorane excepto técnica endovenosa en la inducción en una oportunidad. Monitoreo: Oximetría de pulso, capnografía, ECG y monitoreo automático no invasivo de presión arterial. Resultados: De los 40 casos realizados, solamente en 1 caso (2.5 por ciento) fue necesario retirar la máscara laríngea (por imposibilidad de pasar el endoscopio) y debió realizarse intubación orotraqueal para poder proseguir con la endoscopía. Conclusiones: El empleo de la máscara laríngea es una alternativa válida para la realización de gastroscopía pediátrica y muy recomendable para la práctica de medicina ambulatoria.