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.

Identification of New Pathogenic Variants of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) presents a significant genetic predisposition, notably linked to mutations in the CDH1 and CTNNA1. However, the genetic basis for over half of HDGC cases remains unidentified. The aim of this study is to identify novel pathogenic variants in HDGC and evaluate their protein expression. Materials and Methods: Among 20 qualifying families, two were selected based on available pedigree and DNA. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) on DNA extracted from blood and whole exome sequencing (WES) on DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were performed to find potential pathogenic variants in HDGC. After selection of a candidate variant, functional validation and enrichment analysis were performed. Results: As a result of WGS, three candidate germline mutations (EPHA5, MCOA2, and RHOA) were identified in one family. After literature review and in silico analyses, the RHOA mutation (R129W) was selected as a candidate. This mutation was found in two gastric cancer patients within the family. In functional validation, it showed RhoA overexpression and a higher GTP-bound state in the RhoaR129W mutant. Decreased phosphorylation at Ser127/397 suggested altered YAP1 regulation in the Rho-ROCK pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses linked RhoAR129W overexpression to changed migration/adhesion in MKN1 cell line. However, this RHOA mutation (R129W) was not found in index patients in other families. Conclusion: The RHOA mutation (R129W) emerges as a potential causative gene for HDGC, but only in one family, indicating a need for further studies to understand its role in HDGC pathogenesis fully.

Vasopressor reduction effect of polymyxin B hemoperfusion in patients with peritonitis-induced septic shock: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of polymyxin B hemoperfusion (PMX-HP) in patients with peritonitis-induced septic shock who still required high dose vasopressors after surgical source control. METHODS: This retrospective study included adult patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Seoul National University Hospital between July 2014 and February 2021 who underwent major abdominal surgery to control the source of sepsis. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether PMX-HP was applied after surgery or not. The primary and secondary endpoints were the vasopressor reduction effect, and in-ICU mortality, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the vasopressor reduction effect. RESULTS: A total of 338 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 23 patients underwent PMX-HP postoperatively, whereas 315 patients did not during the study period. Serum norepinephrine concentration decreased over time regardless of whether PMX-HP was applied. However, it decreased more rapidly in the PMX-HP(+) group than in the PMX-HP(-) group. There were no significant differences in demographics including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and most underlying comorbidities between the two groups. Risk factors for in-ICU mortality were identified by comparing patient characteristics and perioperative factors between the two groups using multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: For patients with peritonitis-induced septic shock, PMX-HP rapidly reduces the requirement of vasopressors immediately after surgery, but does not reduce in-ICU mortality. This effect could potentially accelerate recovery from shock, reduce sequelae from vasopressors, and ultimately improve quality of life after discharge.

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.

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.

Timing of prophylactic antibiotics administration and suspected systemic infection after percutaneous biliary intervention.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Prophylactic antibiotics administration before percutaneous biliary intervention (PBI) is currently recommended, but the underlying evidence is mostly extrapolated from prophylactic antibiotics before surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of prophylactic antibiotics administration timing on the incidence of suspected systemic infection after PBI. METHODS: The incidence of suspected systemic infection after PBI was compared in patients who received prophylactic antibiotics at four different time intervals between antibiotics administration and skin puncture for PBI. Suspected post-intervention systemic infection was assessed according to predetermined clinical criteria. RESULTS: There were 98 (21.6%) suspected systemic infections after 454 PBIs in 404 patients. There were significant differences among the four groups in the incidence of suspected systemic infection after the intervention (p = .020). Fever was the most common sign of suspected systemic infection. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics more than an hour before PBI was identified as an independent risk factor of suspected systemic infection after adjusting for other relevant factors (adjusted odds ratio = 10.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-78.86). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of suspected systemic infection after the PBI was significantly lower when prophylactic antibiotics were administered within an hour before the intervention.

The Association Between Institutional Case Volume of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a complex, high-risk procedure with significant morbidity and mortality. The positive impact of higher institutional case volume on survival has been reported in various high-risk procedures. The association between annual institutional HSCT case volume and mortality was analyzed using the National Health Insurance Service database. METHODS: Data on 16,213 HSCTs performed in 46 Korean centers between 2007 and 2018 were extracted. Centers were divided into low- or high-volume centers using an average of 25 annual cases as the cut-off. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for 1-year mortality after allogeneic and autologous HSCT were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: For allogeneic HSCT, low-volume centers (≤25 cases/y) were associated with higher 1-year mortality (adjusted OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.31, P = .008). However, low-volume centers did not show higher 1-year mortality (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.89-1.19, P = .709) for autologous HSCT. Long-term mortality after HSCT was significantly worse in low-volume centers (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.17, 95% CI, 1.09-1.25, P < .001 and adjusted HR 1.09, 95% CI, 1.01-1.17, P = .024, allogeneic and autologous HSCT, respectively) compared with high-volume centers. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that higher institutional HSCT case volume seems to be associated with better short- and long-term survival.

Early Postoperative Fever and Atelectasis in Patients Undergoing Upper Abdominal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atelectasis is a common complication after upper abdominal surgery and considered as a cause of early postoperative fever (EPF) within 48 hours after surgery. However, the pathophysiologic mechanism of how atelectasis causes fever remains unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Data for adult patients who underwent elective major upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at Seoul National University Hospital between January and December of 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the association between fever and atelectasis within 2 days after surgery. RESULTS: Of 1,624 patients, 810 patients (49.9%) developed EPF. The incidence of atelectasis was similar between the fever group and the no-fever group (51.6% vs 53.9%, p = 0.348). Multivariate analysis showed no significant association between atelectasis and EPF. Culture tests (21.7% vs 8.8%, p < 0.001) and prolonged use of antibiotics (25.9% vs 13.9%, p < 0.001) were more frequent in the fever group compared to the no-fever group. However, the frequency of bacterial growth on culture tests and postoperative pulmonary complications within 7 days were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: EPF after major upper abdominal surgery was not associated with radiologically detected atelectasis. EPF also was not associated with the increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, bacterial growth on culture studies, or prolonged length of hospital stay.

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.

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.

Can endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) improve the accuracy of clinical T staging by computed tomography (CT) for gastric cancer?

INTRODUCTION: With the introduction of new therapeutic options for gastric cancer treatment, more precise preoperative staging of gastric cancer is needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for improving the accuracy of clinical T staging by computed tomography (CT) for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2636 patients underwent stomach protocol CT (S-CT) and EUS, followed by gastrectomy for primary gastric adenocarcinoma between September 2012 and February 2018 at Seoul National University Hospital. The results of preoperative S-CT and EUS were compared to the postoperative pathologic staging. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of S-CT and EUS for T staging were 69.4% and 70.4%, respectively. When T staging was divided into T1-2 and T3-4 for clinically advanced gastric cancer (AGC), the positive predictive value for T3-4 using S-CT, EUS, and a combination of both modalities was 73.8%, 79.3%, and 85.6%, respectively. In 114 cases of indeterminate lesions between cT1 and cT2 by S-CT, EUS had a better prediction rate than the final decision based on endoscopy or the agreement between the two experts (Match rate: EUS vs. final decision, 69.3% vs. 58.8%). CONCLUSION: EUS can be a complementary diagnostic tool to clinical T staging of gastric cancer by CT for selecting T3-4 lesion.

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.

Proposal of a New TNM Classification for Gastric Cancer: Focusing on pN3b and Cytology-Positive (CY1) Disease.

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer with lymph node metastasis (LNM) more than 15 (N3b) was defined as stage IV until the 6th AJCC system. However, it has been reclassified as a localized disease (stage IIb or III) since the 7th system. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the survival of N3b is comparable to cytology-only positive (CY1-only) stage IV and to propose a new TNM system interpreting N3b as an eligibility criterion for receiving more intensive chemotherapy regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1,430 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery at Seoul National University Hospital from 2007 to 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The 5-year survival rate (5YSR) and 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated according to the 7th and 8th systems, as well as a new categorization based on N-classification; N0-2 (LNM<7), N3a (LNM 7-15), or N3b (LNM>15). RESULTS: The survival of N3b is comparable to that of CY1-only stage IV (log rank test, P=0.671) and is distinct from that of grossly stage IV (log rank test, P<0.001). The survival of the remaining stage IIIc (T4bN3a) was comparable to those of N3b and CY1-only stage IV. Most N3b patients had significantly shorter 3-year RFS and mean RFS than those with IIb-IIIc, as if N3b itself was a higher TNM stage. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of survival, T4bN3a, N3b, and CY1-only stage IV were unified as stage IVa, while grossly stage IV was defined as stage IVb. N3b can be regarded as an eligibility criterion for undergoing more intensive chemotherapy regimens.

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 Case Volume on Mortality After Pediatric Liver Transplantation in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether institutional case-volume affects clinical outcomes after pediatric liver transplantation. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the database of Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service. Between January 2007 and December 2016, 521 pediatric liver transplantations were performed at 22 centers in Korea. Centers were categorized according to the average annual number of liver transplantations: >10, 1 to 10, and <1. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality rates in the high-, medium-, and low-volume centers were 5.8%, 12.5%, and 32.1%, respectively. After adjustment, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in low-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio, 9.693; 95% confidence interval, 4.636-20.268; P < 0.001) and medium-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio, 3.393; 95% confidence interval, 1.980-5.813; P < 0.001) compared to high-volume centers. Long-term survival for up to 9 years was better in high-volume centers. CONCLUSIONS: Centers with higher case volume (>10 pediatric liver transplantations/y) had better outcomes after pediatric liver transplantation, including in-hospital mortality and long-term mortality, compared to centers with lower case volume (≤10 liver transplantations/y).

Impact of timing and duration of postoperative delirium: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that not all critically ill patients with delirium share the same consequences. The outcomes of surgical intensive care unit patients with postoperative delirium were evaluated depending on the onset and duration of delirium. METHODS: A total of 527 patients who were admitted from the operating theater and cared for in the surgical intensive care unit for >24 hours were evaluated for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for intensive care unit, 3 times a day. Patients were analyzed according to the onset time and duration of delirium. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the onset and duration of delirium: no delirium, early brief delirium (delirium for <1 day on postoperative day 0), late brief delirium (delirium for <1 day after postoperative day 0), and persistent delirium (delirium for ≥1 days). Duration of stay (intensive care unit and hospital) and mortality (intensive care unit, hospital, and 1-year) were outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Of the 527 patients, delirium developed in 119 (22.6%) patients. More than two-thirds of the patients developed delirium on postoperative day 0 or 1, and 70% of patients developed delirium for >24 hours (persistent). Persistent delirium was associated with longer intensive care unit (4.6 [1.1-53.3] vs 1.6 [1.1-37.5] days) and hospital duration of stay (24 [3-112] vs 16 [2-225] days) and higher hospital mortality (14.5% vs 2.2%) compared to no delirium (P < .01). CONCLUSION: For postoperative intensive care unit patients, intensive care unit and hospital duration of stay did not seem to differ between patients with early brief delirium or no delirium, whereas patients with late brief or persistent delirium seemed to show longer intensive care unit and hospital duration of stay and higher mortality.

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.

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.

A Feasibility Study and Technical Tips for the Use of an Articulating Bipolar Vessel Sealer in da Vinci Robot-Assisted Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new articulating bipolar energy device, the EndoWrist® One™ Vessel Sealer (VS), in da Vinci® robot-assisted gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 17) with cT1/2 gastric cancer who underwent robotic gastrectomy using the VS were prospectively enrolled in the study group (VS group). The clinicopathological outcomes, including operative time, intraoperative blood loss, amount of postoperative drainage, postoperative biochemical analysis results, and complication rates, were prospectively collected and compared with those of patients who underwent robotic gastrectomy using conventional ultrasonic shear force ([US] group, n = 52) during the same time period. RESULTS: Although the VS provided a good direction for dissection because of the articulating function, the ancillary use of conventional bipolar coagulation was occasionally needed due to the blunt, nonactive end tip of the VS. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and absence of complication rates did not differ between the VS and US groups, but the C-reactive protein levels on the second postoperative day (8.06 versus 11.7, P = .002) and serum albumin levels on the fifth postoperative day (3.51 versus 3.32, P = .019) were superior in the VS group. CONCLUSION: Use of the VS in robotic gastrectomy was feasible and provided good configuration in the direction of dissection. The learning process for use of the VS in the initial series was relatively rapid, resulting in comparable results between the VS and US groups. Reduced inflammation and albumin loss were identified as possible benefits of the VS.

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.