Pan-cancer analysis reveals multifaceted roles of retrotransposon-fusion RNAs.

Transposon-derived transcripts are abundant in RNA sequences, yet their landscape and function, especially for fusion transcripts derived from unannotated or somatically acquired transposons, remains underexplored. Here, we developed a new bioinformatic tool to detect transposon-fusion transcripts in RNA-sequencing data and performed a pan-cancer analysis of 10,257 cancer samples across 34 cancer types as well as 3,088 normal tissue samples. We identified 52,277 cancer-specific fusions with ~30 events per cancer and hotspot loci within transposons vulnerable to fusion formation. Exonization of intronic transposons was the most prevalent genic fusions, while somatic L1 insertions constituted a small fraction of cancer-specific fusions. Source L1s and HERVs, but not Alus showed decreased DNA methylation in cancer upon fusion formation. Overall cancer-specific L1 fusions were enriched in tumor suppressors while Alu fusions were enriched in oncogenes, including recurrent Alu fusions in EZH2 predictive of patient survival. We also demonstrated that transposon-derived peptides triggered CD8+ T-cell activation to the extent comparable to EBV viruses. Our findings reveal distinct epigenetic and tumorigenic mechanisms underlying transposon fusions across different families and highlight transposons as novel therapeutic targets and the source of potent neoantigens.

The Awareness and Experience About Endoscopic Adverse Events Among South Korean Endoscopists.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The number of endoscopic procedures and related adverse events is increasing. We investigated South Korean endoscopists' awareness and experience of endoscopic adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used Google Forms to conduct an online questionnaire survey among South Korean endoscopists from December 11 to 29, 2020. The survey comprised 30 questions developed by members of the Quality Management Committee of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. RESULTS: In total, 475 endoscopists participated in the survey. Of these, 454 (95.6%) were board-certified gastroenterologists and 255 (53.7%) had >10 years of endoscopy experience. Most participants had experienced serious adverse events requiring hospitalization (80.4%, 382/475); however, only 100 (21.1%) were aware of programs for the prevention and management of adverse endoscopic events in their affiliated endoscopy centers. Most participants (98.5%, 468/475) agreed with the need for education on medical accidents for healthcare workers. Responses were inconsistent regarding the definition of adverse events formulated by the 2010 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Workshop. Most participants were not aware of the minimal standard terminology (76.6%, 364/475) and had not used it when writing endoscopy reports (88.8%, 422/475). Responses were inconsistent regarding which events to record in endoscopy records. CONCLUSION: Further discussion on the nationwide adverse-event reporting system and education program for adverse events related to endoscopy is needed to ensure the safety of patients and endoscopists.

Current Status of Human Papillomavirus-Targeted Therapies Development in Head and Neck Cancer.

PURPOSE: While the incidence of smoking-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been declining, that of human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated HNSCC has rapidly increased in the past decades worldwide. Despite rapid advances in therapeutics for solid tumors with novel immunotherapy and targeted therapeutic agents, no breakthroughs have yet been made in the treatment of advanced HPV+ HNSCCs. This review aims to summarize the concepts and designs, early trial results, and future directions of various HPV-targeted experimental therapeutics for HPV+ HNSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, a systemic literature search of PubMed was conducted for HPV-targeted therapeutics using the following search terms: HPV, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and therapy. For clinical trial data, publications, major oncology conference abstracts, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) information were reviewed. This review focused on the ones that are in the clinical stage and currently in active ongoing evaluation. The therapeutics not actively evaluated in HNSCC, in the preclinical stage, or terminated for further development were excluded. RESULTS: Diverse approaches are being actively explored to target HPV+ HNSCC, including therapeutic vaccines of various modalities, HPV-specific immune cell-activating agents, and adaptive cellular therapeutics. All these novel agents use immune-based mechanisms and target constitutively expressed oncogenic HPV E6 and/or E7 viral proteins. Most therapeutics demonstrated excellent safety but single-agent activities are only modest. Many are being tested in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Our review summarized various novel HPV-targeted therapeutics that are in the clinical phase for HPV+ HNSCC. Early-phase trial data suggest the feasibility and promising efficacy. Further strategies, including selecting the optimal combination and understanding and overcoming resistant mechanisms, are warranted for successful development.

Automatic Classification of GI Organs in Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Using a No-Code Platform-Based Deep Learning Model.

The first step in reading a capsule endoscopy (CE) is determining the gastrointestinal (GI) organ. Because CE produces too many inappropriate and repetitive images, automatic organ classification cannot be directly applied to CE videos. In this study, we developed a deep learning algorithm to classify GI organs (the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon) using a no-code platform, applied it to CE videos, and proposed a novel method to visualize the transitional area of each GI organ. We used training data (37,307 images from 24 CE videos) and test data (39,781 images from 30 CE videos) for model development. This model was validated using 100 CE videos that included "normal", "blood", "inflamed", "vascular", and "polypoid" lesions. Our model achieved an overall accuracy of 0.98, precision of 0.89, recall of 0.97, and F1 score of 0.92. When we validated this model relative to the 100 CE videos, it produced average accuracies for the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon of 0.98, 0.96, 0.87, and 0.87, respectively. Increasing the AI score's cut-off improved most performance metrics in each organ (p < 0.05). To locate a transitional area, we visualized the predicted results over time, and setting the cut-off of the AI score to 99.9% resulted in a better intuitive presentation than the baseline. In conclusion, the GI organ classification AI model demonstrated high accuracy on CE videos. The transitional area could be more easily located by adjusting the cut-off of the AI score and visualization of its result over time.

Prognostic Value of Mesorectal Lymph Node Micrometastases in ypN0 Rectal Cancer After Chemoradiation.

INTRODUCTION: More than 25% of patients with node-negative colorectal cancer experience a recurrent disease even after curative surgery. This suggests the existence and oncologic influence of micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes or in distant organs. The objective of this study was to identify mesorectal lymph node micrometastases using an immunohistochemical analysis and to determine its prognostic value in node-negative rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 patients who received preoperative chemoradiation and radical resection for rectal cancer were included. Based on conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining, all patients had a node-negative disease. Mesorectal lymph nodes from resected specimens were re-evaluated to detect micrometastases by immunohistochemistry using anticytokeratin antibody AE1/AE3. The clinicopathologic data were collected from a prospectively maintained database of colorectal cancer patients and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Micrometastases of mesorectal lymph nodes were detected in nine patients (9.9%). The three-year overall survival was similar regardless of micrometastasis (88.9% in the positive group versus 90.7% in the negative group, P = 0.681); however, the three-year disease-free survival was significantly poorer in the patients with micrometastases (40.0% versus 84.2%, P = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the advanced pT category (ypT3/T4 versus ypT0: hazard ratio [HR] 10.477, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.102-99.594, P = 0.041) and micrometastases in mesorectal lymph nodes (HR 5.655, 95% CI 1.837-17.409, P = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: In node-negative rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiation, immunohistochemically detected micrometastases of mesorectal lymph nodes were significantly correlated with poor disease-free survival.

Gastric examination using a novel three-dimensional magnetically assisted capsule endoscope and a hand-held magnetic controller: A porcine model study.

Magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) is a noninvasive procedure and can overcome passive capsule movement that limits gastric examination. MACE has been studied in many trials as an alternative to upper endoscopy. However, to increase diagnostic accuracy of various gastric lesions, MACE should be able to provide stereoscopic, clear images and to measure the size of a lesion. So, we conducted the animal experiment using a novel three-dimensional (3D) MACE and a new hand-held magnetic controller for gastric examination. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance and safety of 3D MACE and hand-held magnetic controller through the animal experiment. Subsequently, via the dedicated viewer, we evaluate whether 3D reconstruction images and clear images can be obtained and accurate lesion size can be measured. During real-time gastric examination, the maneuverability and visualization of 3D MACE were adequate. A polypoid mass lesion was incidentally observed at the lesser curvature side of the prepyloric antrum. The mass lesion was estimated to be 10.9 x 11.5 mm in the dedicated viewer, nearly the same size and shape as confirmed by upper endoscopy and postmortem examination. Also, 3D and clear images of the lesion were successfully reconstructed. This animal experiment demonstrates the accuracy and safety of 3D MACE. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the feasibility of 3D MACE for human gastric examination.

Endoscopy within 7 days after detecting high calprotectin levels can be useful for therapeutic decision-making in ulcerative colitis.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the appropriate time interval to identify the association between the fecal calprotectin (FC) test and endoscopic activity, and to evaluate whether the time interval affects the therapeutic plan adjustment in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).This study included 103 patients who underwent FC tests and endoscopic examinations within the past three months. The FC test results classified cases into three groups as follows: moderate to severe (>200, >250, or >300 µg/g), mild (100-200, 100-250, or 100-300 µg/g), and inactive (<100 µg/g) activity. The Mayo endoscopic subscore was used to determine endoscopic activity. Therapeutic plan adjustment included the addition or increased dosage of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics.Using the cutoff value for FC of 200 µg/g, the appropriate time interval for dividing the association and non-association between Mayo endoscopic subscore and FC was 7 days (sensitivity, 74.4%; specificity, 50.0%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.6032). When using FC 250 or 300 µg/g, the appropriate time interval was 5.5 days, with a sensitivity of 71.7% and specificity of 49.1 (AUC 0.5862) in FC 250 µg/g, a sensitivity of 69.6%, and a specificity of 47.4 (AUC 0.5549) for FC 300 µg/g. Therapeutic plans changed in 29.1% of patients. In patients with shorter intervals (≤7 days) between the FC test and endoscopy, significant therapeutic plan adjustments were observed in patients with UC (36.5% vs. 17.5%, P = .047).Although the need for endoscopy within 7 days after detecting high FC (≥ 200 µg/g) was not statistically supported, endoscopy within a shorter interval (≤7 days) in UC patients with high FC can help determine the therapeutic plan.

Development of a deep learning-based software for calculating cleansing score in small bowel capsule endoscopy.

A standardized small bowel (SB) cleansing scale is currently not available. The aim of this study was to develop an automated calculation software for SB cleansing score using deep learning. Consecutively performed capsule endoscopy cases were enrolled from three hospitals. A 5-step scoring system based on mucosal visibility was trained for deep learning in the training set. Performance of the trained software was evaluated in the validation set. Average cleansing score (1.0 to 5.0) by deep learning was compared to clinical grading (A to C) reviewed by clinicians. Cleansing scores decreased as clinical grading worsened (scores of 4.1, 3.5, and 2.9 for grades A, B, and C, respectively, P < 0.001). Adequate preparation was achieved for 91.7% of validation cases. The average cleansing score was significantly different between adequate and inadequate group (4.0 vs. 2.9, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed that a cut-off value of cleansing score at 3.25 had an AUC of 0.977. Diagnostic yields for small, hard-to-find lesions were associated with high cleansing scores (4.3 vs. 3.8, P < 0.001). We developed a novel scoring software which calculates objective, automated cleansing scores for SB preparation. The cut-off value we suggested provides a standard criterion for adequate bowel preparation as a quality indicator.

Comparison of the clinical and radiological outcomes between an isolated tibial component revision and total revision knee arthroplasty in aseptic loosening of an isolated tibial component.

BACKGROUND: An isolated tibial component revision could be a treatment option for isolated tibial side loosening; however, few studies have proved its efficacy. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between isolated (tibial component) and total (femoral and tibial component) revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Between January 2008 and February 2017, 31 patients underwent revision TKA for isolated tibial side loosening; 14 underwent an isolated tibial component revision (isolated group) and 17 underwent total (both femoral and tibial components) revision surgery (total group). The postoperative range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, Knee Society knee score (KSKS), Knee Society function score (KSFS), and mechanical axis (MA) were compared between the two groups. The intraoperative tourniquet time and amount of blood drainage were also compared. RESULTS: The mean follow-up durations in the isolated and total groups were 40.7 and 56.1 months, respectively. Both groups had similar postoperative ROM, WOMAC index, KSKS, KSFS, and MA; however, significantly shorter tourniquet time (105.2 vs. 154.6 min, P < 0.001) and less blood drainage (417.2 vs. 968.1 ml, P < 0.001) were noted in the isolated group than in the total group. CONCLUSION: Isolated tibial component revision TKA for tibial component loosening showed comparable clinical and radiological outcomes to those of total revision TKA. The advantages of the isolated tibial component revision surgery were short operation time and small blood loss. STUDY DESIGN: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

3D reconstruction of small bowel lesions using stereo camera-based capsule endoscopy.

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of capsule endoscopic images has been attempted for a long time to obtain more information on small bowel structures. Due to the limited hardware resources of capsule size and battery capacity, software approaches have been studied but have mainly exhibited inherent limitations. Recently, stereo camera-based capsule endoscopy, which can perform hardware-enabled 3D reconstruction, has been developed. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of newly developed 3D capsule endoscopy in clinical practice. This study was a prospective, single-arm, feasibility study conducted at two university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea. Small bowel evaluation was performed using a newly developed 3D capsule endoscope for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, suspected or established Crohn's disease, small bowel tumors, and abdominal pain of unknown origin. We assessed the technical limitations, performance, and safety of the new capsule endoscope. Thirty-one patients (20 men and 11 women; mean age: 44.5 years) were enrolled. There was no technical defect preventing adequate visualization of the small bowel. The overall completion rate was 77.4%, the detection rate was 64.5%, and there was no capsule retention. All capsule endoscopic procedures were completed uneventfully. In conclusion, newly developed 3D capsule endoscopy was safe and feasible, showing similar performance as conventional capsule endoscopy. Newly added features of 3D reconstruction and size measurement are expected to be useful in the characterization of subepithelial tumours.

The importance of preliminary evaluation in developing ambulance staff training curriculum for developing countries: A survey in Uzbekistan.

BACKGROUND: The Tashkent city, the capital of the republic of Uzbekistan, started joint project with Korean emergency physicians to improve the quality of their ambulance services in 2016. Ambulance service in Tashkent city has been facing challenges in processing a large number of calls, and low competency of their staff in providing advanced prehospital emergency care. To design an appropriate capacity building training program for ambulance staff, we analyzed the current ambulance service in Tashkent concerning resources and competency of the staff. METHODS: In this study, ambulance staff participated in the constructed survey and pre-validated written test. Statistics and other information were provided by the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan. RESULTS: Ninety-eight ambulance staff were participated in this study, and more than half (53.1%) of the participants were physicians. The average years of service in the ambulance were 8.71±6.9 years. In the ambulance, drugs were stocked in enough quantity include injections for critical care, except large volume fluids for resuscitation. Only 19 to 52 percent of the ambulances were equipped with essential monitoring devices. Competency for the basic procedure was surveyed higher than 60%, but critical care skills, such as defibrillation, were as low as 18%. The written test resulted in only 41.1% correct answer rate, though it was higher than 60% in the validation test for Korean ambulance staff. Conventional prehospital knowledge and skillset deemed to be essential for ambulance staff were found to be marginal in the test. CONCLUSION: The ambulance staff in Tashkent, Uzbekistan found to have insufficient medical knowledge and clinical decision-making abilities. Training program for ambulance staff in Tashkent should be developed on the basis of the findings in this study.

Clinical outcomes of positive resection margin after endoscopic mucosal resection of early colon cancers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When determining the subsequent management after endoscopic resection of the early colon cancer (ECC), various factors including the margin status should be considered. This study assessed the subsequent management and outcomes of ECCs according to margin status. METHODS: We examined the data of 223 ECCs treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) from 215 patients during 2004 to 2014, and all patients were followed-up at least for 2 years. RESULTS: According to histological analyses, the margin statuses of all lesions after EMR were as follows: 138 cases (61.9%) were negative, 65 cases (29.1%) were positive for dysplastic cells on the resection margins, and 20 cases (8.9%) were uncertain. The decision regarding subsequent management was affected not only by pathologic outcomes but also by the endoscopist's opinion on whether complete resection was obtained. Surgery was preferred if the lesion extended to the submucosa (odds ratio [OR], 25.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.09-91.42), the endoscopic resection was presumed incomplete (OR, 15.55; 95% CI, 4.28-56.56), or the lymph system was invaded (OR, 13.69; 95% CI, 1.76-106.57). Fourteen patients (6.2%) had residual or recurrent malignancies at the site of the previous ECC resection and were significantly associated with presumed incomplete endoscopic resection (OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.21-17.39) and submucosal invasion (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.18-22.34). CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent surgery was associated with submucosa invasion, lymphatic invasion, and cancer-positive margins. Presumed completeness of the resection may be helpful for guiding the subsequent management of patients who undergo endoscopic resection of ECC.

Current and Future Use of Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy.

Capsule endoscopy can be a diagnostic option for patients with esophageal diseases who cannot tolerate esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Functional modifications of the capsule allow for thorough examination of the esophagus. Esophageal capsule endoscopy has so farfailed to show sufficient performance to justify the replacement of traditional endoscopy for the diagnosis of esophageal diseasesbecause the esophagus has a short transit time and common pathologies appear near the esophagogastric junction. However,technological improvements are being introduced to overcome the limitations of capsule endoscopy, which is expected to become agood alternative to conventional endoscopy.

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein co-stimulation facilitates tumor regression by inducing IL-9-producing helper T cells.

T cell stimulation via glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-related protein (GITR) elicits antitumor activity in various tumor models; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we demonstrate a crucial role for interleukin (IL)-9 in antitumor immunity generated by the GITR agonistic antibody DTA-1. IL-4 receptor knockout (Il4ra(-/-)) mice, which have reduced expression of IL-9, were resistant to tumor growth inhibition by DTA-1. Notably, neutralization of IL-9 considerably impaired tumor rejection induced by DTA-1. In particular, DTA-1-induced IL-9 promoted tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by enhancing the function of dendritic cells in vivo. Furthermore, GITR signaling enhanced the differentiation of IL-9-producing CD4(+) T-helper (TH9) cells in a TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)- and NF-κB-dependent manner and inhibited the generation of induced regulatory T cells in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GITR co-stimulation mediates antitumor immunity by promoting TH9 cell differentiation and enhancing CTL responses and thus provide a mechanism of action for GITR agonist-mediated cancer immunotherapies.

Effect of local wound infiltration and transversus abdominis plane block on morphine use after laparoscopic colectomy: a nonrandomized, single-blind prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, nonopioid-based treatment modalities have been used to improve analgesia and decrease opioid-related side effects after surgery. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local infiltration of the surgical wound are commonly used multimodal analgesia techniques after abdominal surgery; however, few studies have compared the effectiveness of a TAP block with that of local infiltration of surgical wounds in patients who have undergone laparoscopic colorectal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery participated in this prospective comparative study. All patients were allocated to 1 of 2 groups as follows: the TAP group or the infiltration group. Patients in the TAP group received bilateral TAP blocks at the end of the surgery. Patients in the infiltration group received local infiltration of anesthetics in the surgical wounds after closure of the peritoneum. All patients received postoperative analgesia with morphine as a patient-controlled analgesia. Opioid consumption and pain scores were recorded at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the operation. RESULTS: The characteristics of patients in the TAP group (n = 30) and local infiltration group (n = 29) were comparable. Pain scores while coughing and at rest were not different between the two groups. Postoperative morphine use was significantly reduced in the TAP group compared with that in the local infiltration group at 2-6 h (2.9 ± 1.9 mg versus 4.5 ± 3.2 mg, P = 0.02), 6-24 h (5.5 ± 3.3 mg versus 10.2 ± 8.4 mg, P = 0.00), the first 24 h (16.6 ± 6.6 mg versus 24.0 ± 9.7 mg), and 48 h (23.6 ± 8.2 mg versus 31.8 ± 12.5 mg, P = 0.00). No differences in rescue analgesic use or side effects were noted between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with local anesthetic infiltration, bilateral TAP blocks decreased the cumulative morphine use at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively in patients who had undergone laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Early Results of Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Built-in 3-Degree External Rotation Prosthesis.

PURPOSE: We compared the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the Genesis II prosthesis in which 3° of external rotation was incorporated into the femoral component and Nexgen LPS prosthesis in which the degree of external rotation was determined by the extent of intraoperative bone cutting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the patients who underwent TKA for osteoarthritis between November 2006 and December 2009, 326 patients (572 knees) were included in this study. The prosthesis of choice was Genesis II in 199 knees and Nexgen LPS in 373 knees. The mean follow-up was 27 months (range, 24 to 51 months). The American Knee Society score (KSS) and function score (FS) were used for clinical assessments. The maximum flexion angle and patellar tilt were compared between the groups. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, no significant intergroup difference was observed regarding the KSS (p=0.217), FS (p=0.238), maximum flexion angle (p=0.124), and patellar tilt (p=0.156). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and patellar tilt between the prosthesis in which 3° of external rotation was incorporated into the femoral component and the prosthesis in which external rotation was determined based on bone cutting.

Early rehabilitation versus conventional care after laparoscopic rectal surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although early rehabilitation programs have been reported to be effective after laparoscopic colectomy, there is no report of the efficacy of rehabilitation programs after rectal cancer surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an early rehabilitation program after laparoscopic low anterior resection for mid or low rectal cancer in a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who had undergone a laparoscopic low anterior resection with defunctioning ileostomy were randomized on a 1:1 basis to an early rehabilitation program (n = 52) or conventional care (n = 46). The primary endpoint was recovery rate at 4 days postoperatively. The secondary endpoints were recovery time, postoperative hospital stay, complications, readmission rates, pain on a visual analogue scale, and quality of life (QOL) according to Short Form 36. RESULTS: The recovery rates were not different in both groups (rehabilitation, 25 % vs. conventional, 13 %, p = 0.135). Recovery time and postoperative hospital stay was similar between the groups (rehabilitation, 137 h [107-188] vs. conventional, 146.5 h [115-183], p = 0.47; 7.5 days [7-11] vs. 8.0 days [7-10], p = 0.882). The complication rates did not differ between the two groups, but more complications were noted in the rehabilitation program group (42.3 vs. 24.0 %, p = 0.054), which was related to postoperative ileus (28.8 vs. 13.0 %, p = 0.057) and acute voiding difficulty (19.6 vs. 4.7 %, p = 0.032). There was no readmission within 1 month of surgery. Pain and QOL were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial did not show that an early rehabilitation program is beneficial after laparoscopic low anterior resection. Our results confirm that postoperative ileus and acute voiding difficulty are major obstacles to fast-track surgery for mid or low rectal cancer. This study was registered (registration number NCT00606944).

Randomized controlled trial of tamsulosin for prevention of acute voiding difficulty after rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of the selective α(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin in preventing acute voiding difficulty after rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 94 rectal cancer patients with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≤7 were randomly assigned (1:1) to the tamsulosin group (0.2 mg/day orally for 7 days) (n = 47) or the control group (n = 47). The primary endpoint was the reinsertion rate of the urinary catheter after its removal on postoperative day (POD) 3. The secondary endpoints included the maximum (Qmax) and average (Qavg) urinary flow rates on POD 3, and the voided volume (VV), residual urine volume (RU), and IPSS on POD 7. Analyses were based on an intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: The reinsertion rate of the urinary catheter in the tamsulosin group was similar to that in the control group (23.4 vs. 21.3 %, respectively; p = 0.804). The postoperative voiding parameters and IPSS were not better in the tamsulosin group than in the control group after adjustments were made for the baseline measurements with analysis of covariance (Qmax, p = 0.537; Qavg, p = 0.399; VV, p = 0.645; RU, p = 0.703; IPSS, p = 0.761). Multivariate analysis revealed that being male was the only independent risk factor for reinsertion of the urinary catheter (odds ratio 0.239; 95 % confidence interval 0.069-0.823; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: This controlled trial showed that tamsulosin at 0.2 mg/day does not prevent acute voiding difficulty after rectal cancer surgery.

Laparoscopic salvage surgery for recurrent and metachronous colorectal cancer: 15 years' experience in a single center.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic salvage surgery for colorectal cancer is a novel but technically challenging option for surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery in patients with recurrent or metachronous colorectal cancer in comparison with an open approach. METHODS: The data used in this study were obtained from databases, the data of which were collected prospectively from January 1996 to February 2010. Data pertaining to patients, operations, and short-term outcomes were analyzed and compared between open and laparoscopic salvage groups. RESULTS: Among the 3,425 patients studied, colorectal cancer recurred in 565 patients (16.5%) and 41 patients had colorectal salvage operations. Twenty-six patients with recurrence underwent open surgery and 15 cases underwent laparoscopic surgery. The short-term outcomes of the laparoscopic group were comparable with those of the open surgery group or were partly favorable. The five-year disease-free interval and overall survival of recurrent cancer patients were not significantly different from those of the open patients. Metachronous colorectal cancer occurred in 13 patients (0.38%), 5 of whom had open surgery and 6 had laparoscopic salvage. The only significant difference between the groups was a shorter operating time for the laparoscopic group. Late in the study, four patients in the laparoscopic recurrent group and one patient in the metachronous group were converted to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery yielded short-term outcomes that were comparable to those of conventional open surgery, in both recurrent and metachronous colorectal cancer patients. Thus, minimally invasive salvage approaches should be considered as a treatment option for the recurrent and the metachronous colorectal cancer patient.