Case Report: Focal, generalized, or both: does generalized network involvement preclude successful epilepsy surgery?

We present two cases with focal seizures where scalp electroencephalography (EEG) had prominent features of a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE): Case 1: a 17-year-old male with complex motor seizures whose EEG demonstrated a slow spike-and-wave pattern and generalized paroxysmal fast activity (GPFA). Case 2: a 12-year-old male with startle-induced asymmetric tonic seizures whose EEG also had a slow spike-and-wave pattern. Both patients had intracranial EEG assessment, and focal cortical resections resulted in long-term seizure freedom and resolution of generalized findings. These cases exemplify patients with focal epilepsy with networks that share similarities to generalized epilepsies, and importantly, these features did not preclude curative epilepsy surgery.

Pre-operative levels of angiopoietin protein-like 3 (ANGPTL3) in women diagnosed with high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.

Cancer cells need constant supplies of lipids to survive and grow. Lipid dependence has been observed in various types of cancer, including high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOC), which is a lethal form of gynecological malignancy. ANGPTL3, PCSK9, and Apo CIII are pivotal lipid-modulating factors, and therapeutic antibodies have been developed against each one (Evinacumab, Evolocumab and Volanesorsen, respectively). The roles -if any- of ANGPTL3, PCSK9, and Apo CIII in HGSOC are unclear. Moreover, levels of these lipid-modulating factors have never been reported before in HGSOC. In this study, circulating levels of ANGPTL3, PCSK9, and Apo CIII, along with lipid profiles, are examined to verify whether one or many of these lipid-regulating factors are associated with HGSOC. Methods ELISA kits were used to measure ANGPTL3, PCSK9 and Apo CIII levels in plasma samples from 31 women with HGSOC and 40 women with benign ovarian lesions (BOL) before treatment and surgery. A Roche Modular analytical platform measured lipid panels, Apo B and Lp(a) levels.Results ANGPTL3 levels were higher in women with HGSOC (84 ng/mL, SD: 29 ng/mL, n = 31) than in women with BOL (67 ng/mL, SD: 31 ng/mL, n = 40; HGSOC vs. BOL P = 0.019). Associations between the lipid panel and ANGPTL3, and the inverse relationship between HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, were present in women with BOL but not with HGSOC. PCSK9 and Apo CIII were not associated with HGSOC.Conclusions In this cohort of 71 women, ANGPTL3 levels were increased in HGSOC patients. The presence of HGSOC disrupted the classic inverse relationship between HDL and triglycerides, as well as the association between the lipid panel and ANGPTL3. These associations were only maintained in cancer-free women. Given the availability of Evinacumab, a therapeutic antibody against ANGPTL3, the current finding prompts an assessment of whether ANGPTL3 inhibition has therapeutic potential in HGSOC.

Successful stereoelectroencephalography re-evaluation in epilepsy patients after failed initial subdural grid evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy surgery success is dependent on accurate localization of the epileptogenic zone. Despite the use of invasive EEG using subdural grids and strips, surgical failures can occur. In this series, we explore the utility of a second evaluation with stereoelectroencephalography in patients whose initial invasive evaluation with subdural grid electrodes was unsuccessful in localizing seizure origin. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent subdural grid evaluation (SDE) at our center and identified patients who underwent a re-evaluation with stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). RESULTS: We identified three patients who had both subdural and SEEG electrodes in the region of the identified epileptogenic zone in whom the initial SDE evaluation failed to make the patients seizure-free. Two of these patients underwent a second resection and became seizure-free. SIGNIFICANCE: Stereoelectroencephalography can be useful in the re-evaluation and re-operation of patients who previously had surgical failure using SDE.

Characterization of Patients in the International Severe Asthma Registry with High Steroid Exposure Who Did or Did Not Initiate Biologic Therapy.

Background: Many severe asthma patients with high oral corticosteroid exposure (HOCS) often do not initiate biologics despite being eligible. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of severe asthma patients with HOCS who did and did not initiate biologics. Methods: Baseline characteristics of patients with HOCS (long-term maintenance OCS therapy for at least 1 year, or ≥4 courses of steroid bursts in a year) from the International Severe Asthma Registry (ISAR; https://isaregistries.org/), who initiated or did not initiate biologics (anti-lgE, anti-IL5/5R or anti-IL4R), were described at the time of biologic initiation or registry enrolment. Statistical relationships were tested using Pearson's chi-squared tests for categorical variables, and t-tests for continuous variables, adjusting for potential errors in multiple comparisons. Results: Between January 2015 and February 2021, we identified 1412 adult patients with severe asthma from 19 countries that met our inclusion criteria of HOCS, of whom 996 (70.5%) initiated a biologic and 416 (29.5%) did not. The frequency of biologic initiation varied across geographical regions. Those who initiated a biologic were more likely to have higher blood eosinophil count (483 vs 399 cells/µL, p=0.003), serious infections (49.0% vs 13.3%, p<0.001), nasal polyps (35.2% vs 23.6%, p<0.001), airflow limitation (56.8% vs 51.8%, p=0.013), and uncontrolled asthma (80.8% vs 73.2%, p=0.004) despite greater conventional treatment adherence than those who did not start a biologic. Both groups had similar annual asthma exacerbation rates in the previous 12 months (5.7 vs 5.3, p=0.147). Conclusion: Around one third of severe HOCS asthma patients did not receive biologics despite a similar high burden of asthma exacerbations as those who initiated a biologic therapy. Other disease characteristics such as eosinophilic phenotype, serious infectious events, nasal polyps, airflow limitation and lack of asthma control appear to dictate biologic use.

Circulating levels of PCSK9, ANGPTL3 and Lp(a) in stage III breast cancers.

BACKGROUND / SYNOPSIS: Cholesterol and lipids play an important role in sustaining tumor growth and metastasis in a large variety of cancers. ANGPTL3 and PCSK9 modify circulating cholesterol levels, thus availability of lipids to peripheral cells. Little is known on the role, if any, of circulating lipid-related factors such as PCSK9, ANGPTL3 and lipoprotein (a) in cancers. OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE: To compare circulating levels of PCSK9, ANGPTL3, and Lp(a) in women with stage III breast cancer versus women with premalignant or benign breast lesions. METHODS: Twenty-three plasma samples from women diagnosed with a stage III breast cancer (ductal, lobular or mixed) were matched for age with twenty-three plasma samples from women bearing premalignant (stage 0, n = 9) or benign (n = 14) breast lesions. The lipid profile (Apo B, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels) and Lp(a) were measured on a Roche Modular analytical platform, whereas LDL levels were calculated with the Friedewald formula. ANGPTL3 and PCSK9 plasma levels were quantitated by ELISA. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4. RESULTS: PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in women with stage III breast cancer compared to age-matched counterparts presenting a benign lesion (95.9 ± 27.1 ng/mL vs. 78.5 ± 19.3 ng/mL, p < 0.05, n = 14). Moreover, PCSK9 levels positively correlated with breast disease severity (benign, stage 0, stage III) (Rho = 0.34, p < 0.05, n = 46). In contrast, ANGPTL3 and Lp(a) plasma levels did not display any association with breast disease status and lipids did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort of 46 women, PCSK9 levels tended to increase with the severity of the breast disease. Given that PCSK9 plays an important role in maintaining cholesterolemia, and a potential role in tumor evasion, present results warrant further investigation into a possible association between PCSK9 levels and breast cancer severity in larger cohorts of women.

Predictors of longitudinal seizure outcomes after epilepsy surgery in childhood.

There is a paucity of data on longitudinal seizure outcome of children undergoing epilepsy surgery. All children (n = 132) who underwent resective epilepsy surgery from January 1998 to December 2015 were identified. Relevant clinical, neurophysiological, imaging, surgical and seizure outcome data were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival with Cox proportional hazard modelling were performed. The mean age at surgery was 7.8 years (range 0.2-17.9). 71% were seizure-free at a mean follow up of 5.3 ± 2.7 years. Of those who were seizure-free, 65 patients were able to completely wean off anti- seizure medications successfully. Using survival analysis, the probability of Engel Class I outcome at one year after surgery was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87%-75%). This dropped to 73% at two years (95% CI 81%-65%), 58% at five years (95% CI 67.8%-48%), and 47% at ten years. Proportional hazard modelling showed that the presence of moderate to severe developmental disability (HR 6.5; p = 0.02) and lack of complete resection (HR 0.4; p = 0.02) maintain association as negative predictors of seizure-free outcome. Our study demonstrates favorable long-term seizure control following pediatric epilepsy surgery and highlights important predictors of seizure outcome guiding case selection and counseling of expectations prior to surgery.

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of precision medicine: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Precision medicine (PM) involves gene testing to identify disease risk, enable early diagnosis or guide therapeutic choice, and targeted gene therapy. We aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the cost-effectiveness profile of PM stratified by intervention type, identify sources of heterogeneity in the value-for-money of PM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a systematic search in Embase, MEDLINE, EconLit and CRD databases for studies published in English language or with translation in English between 1 January 2011 and 8 July 2021 on the topic of cost-effectiveness analysis of PM interventions. The focus will be on studies that reported health and economic outcomes. Study quality will be assessed using the Biases in Economic Studies checklist. The incremental net benefit of PM screening, diagnostic, treatment-targeting and therapeutic interventions over conventional strategies will be respectively pooled across studies using a random-effect model if heterogeneity is present, otherwise a fixed-effect model. Subgroup analyses will be performed based on disease area, WHO region and World Bank country-income level. Additionally, we will identify the potential sources of heterogeneity with random-effect meta-regressions. Finally, biases will be detected using jackknife sensitivity analysis, funnel plot assessment and Egger's tests. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: For this type of study ethics approval or formal consent is not required. The results will be disseminated at various presentations and feedback sessions, in conference abstracts and manuscripts that will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021272956.

Pembrolizumab as a novel therapeutic option for patients with refractory thymic epithelial tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Thymic epithelial carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis. Treatment of thymic epithelial carcinoma is multimodal and includes surgery, post-operative radiation therapy, adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or exclusive chemotherapy based on disease resectability. However, there is currently no standard treatment regimen for metastatic and recurrent thymic carcinoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old Caucasian male, with no past medical history, presented with hepatalgia and a cervical mass. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple suspect lesions in the lungs, liver, and anterior mediastinum associated with mediastinal and cervical adenopathy. CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the liver lesions and anterior mediastinal mass were performed, confirming the histopathology of thymic epithelial carcinoma. Management consisted of several chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy, administered between April 2016 and December 2018. The patient achieved complete metabolic response. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT performed in June 2019 showed disease relapse, with reappearance of a large hypermetabolic hepatic mass and involvement of mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. Intravenous pembrolizumab (200 mg, every 3 wk) was administered after two prior systemic therapies. The patient's response to treatment was last documented on March 5, 2020. CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab was successful in treatment of a patient with programmed death-ligand 1-negative metastatic thymic carcinoma, pretreated with chemotherapy.

Successful epilepsy surgery for tuberous sclerosis complex evaluated by stereoelectroencephalography.

Evaluating the candidacy for epilepsy surgery in patients with tuberous sclerosis can be challenging, particularly when non-invasive investigations do not show a clear epileptogenic zone. Stereoencephalography may be useful in such cases. We present a case in which the primary epileptogenic tuber was successfully identified by stereoencephalography, which resulted in seizure freedom following epilepsy surgery. [Published with video sequences].

The varied semiology of seizures in the context of small anterior temporal encephaloceles.

Small encephaloceles of the anterior temporal pole have been increasingly recognised as an underlying epileptogenic substrate in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. The current report aims to expand on the current knowledge by emphasising that seizure semiology in such patients can vary significantly. Patients were selected from an epilepsy surgery database between 2012 and 2017. Of the 143 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, six patients had a temporal encephalocele. Four of these patients had stereo-EEG implantation. Of the four patients studied, each had a seizure semiology discordant with an ictal focus in the temporal lobe. Intracranial EEG assessment demonstrated, irrespective of this semiology, seizures originated from the anterior temporal pole. Seizures were observed to rapidly propagate to the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, temporo-occipital junction, and posterior language regions. Engagement of the mesial temporal structures could occur early or late, however, a good surgical outcome was achieved following a focused lesionectomy in either situation. The major finding was that seizures arising from anterior temporal encephaloceles can have an extra-temporal semiology. The varied clinical semiology and the rapid propagation to seemingly distant cortical regions could be explained by the connectivity of the anterior temporal lobe.

The future of general surgery training: A Canadian resident nationwide Delphi consensus statement.

BACKGROUND: Several models have been introduced to improve and restructure surgical training, but continued barriers exist. Residents are uniquely positioned to offer perspective on practical challenges and needs of reformatting surgical education. This study aimed to establish a nationwide, Delphi consensus statement on the perceptions of Canadian residents regarding the future of general surgery training. METHODS: Canadian general surgery residents participated in a moderated focus group using the Nominal Group Technique to discuss early subspecialization, competency-based medical education, and transition to practice. Qualitative verbal data were transcribed, categorized into themes, and synthesized into recommendation statements. During an iterative Delphi survey, resident leaders ranked each statement on a 5-point Likert scale of agreement. The survey was terminated once consensus was achieved (≥2 survey rounds and Cronbach's α ≥ 0.80). RESULTS: A total of 66 statements were synthesized by 16 members of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons Resident Committee. A total of 49 residents participated in the Delphi consensus, which was achieved after 2 voting rounds (Cronbach's α = 0.93). Participants agreed that (1) residency should focus on achieving standardized competencies and milestones based on resident ability to meet specific measurable metrics, (2) early streaming should be offered after "core" milestones and competencies have been achieved, and (3) an explicit period should allow transition-to-independent practice with tailored rotations, greater autonomy, and resident-run clinics. We identified 10 barriers to competency-based medical education implementation. CONCLUSION: A nationwide consensus regarding the future of surgical training was established among current residents. These findings can inform and help implement guidelines and national curricula that meet the needs of the trainee and address the many challenges they face during their training.

A study of perfusion changes with Insula Epilepsy using SPECT.

PURPOSE: The non-invasive localisation of insular lobe epilepsy is a challenge. We aimed to determine if ictal SPECT is a reliable adjunctive test in insular cases and to explore its role in the tailoring of intracranial strategies. METHOD: From a dataset of patients who underwent SEEG between December 2012 and December 2016, we collected patients with focal insular onset epilepsy. We examined semiology, EEG, PET and SPECT hyperperfusion pattern with SISCOM. We also reviewed relevant literature. RESULTS: 5 patients were identified, 4 females, from a dataset of 51 patients. Median age of seizure onset was 8 years old (8 months to 10 years). All patients had an ictal SPECT during pre-surgical work-up: median injection time was 7 s (3-17 sec) from clinical onset, and median seizure duration was 42 s (11-85 sec). Insula cortex showed focal hyperaemia in four patients, all bilateral, with the greatest hyperperfusion contralateral to the ictal onset in two cases, using SISCOM threshold at 1.5 standard deviation. Other sites with hyperaemia included basal ganglia and middle temporal gyrus. The SEEG confirmed insular onset seizures in all the cases. All patients had epilepsy surgery and were seizure free at 21 to 50 months follow up. The results from the literature review showed frequent hyperperfusion in structures outside insula and frequently over the contralateral hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the technical limitations of SPECT when attempting to assess seizures arising from the insula. Our findings and the literature show ictal SPECT can be localising but falsely lateralising in seizures arising from the insula.

Assessing the readability, quality and accuracy of online health information for patients with low anterior resection syndrome following surgery for rectal cancer.

AIM: Management of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) requires a high degree of patient engagement. This process may be facilitated by online health-related information and education. The aim of this study was to systematically review current online health information on LARS. METHOD: An online search of Google, Yahoo and Bing was performed using the search terms 'low anterior/anterior resection syndrome' and 'bowel function/movements after rectal cancer surgery'. Websites were assessed for readability (eight standardized tests), suitability (using the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument), quality (the DISCERN instrument), accuracy and content (using a LARS-specific content checklist). Websites were categorized as academic, governmental, nonprofit or private. RESULTS: Of 117 unique websites, 25 met the inclusion criteria. The median readability level was 10.4 (9.2-11.7) and 11 (44.0%) websites were highly suitable. Using the DISCERN instrument, seven (28.0%) websites had clear aims, two (8.0%) divulged the sources used and four (16.0%) had high overall quality. Only eight (32.0%) websites defined LARS and ten (40.0%) listed all five major symptoms associated with the LARS score. There was variation in the number of websites that discussed dietary modifications (80.0%), self-help strategies (72.0%), medication (68.0%), pelvic floor rehabilitation (60.0%) and neuromodulation (8.0%). The median accuracy of websites was 93.8% (88.2-96.7%). Governmental websites scored highest for overall suitability (P = 0.0079) and quality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Current online information on LARS is suboptimal. Websites are highly variable, important content is often lacking and material is too complex for patients.

Evaluation of liver parenchyma stiffness in patients with liver tumours: optimal strategy for shear wave elastography.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the methodology of non-invasive test for evaluation of liver stiffness (LS) with tumours using two-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with liver tumours underwent 2D-SWE before surgery to measure liver and spleen stiffness (SS). Two-dimensional SWE values were obtained in the liver at 0-1 cm, 1-2 cm and >2 cm from the tumour edge (PLS-1, PLS-2 and RLS, respectively). The influence of tumour-associated factors was evaluated. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each value was analysed to diagnose cirrhosis. RESULTS: PLS-1 was higher than PLS-2, which was even higher than RLS (p < 0.001). The AUCs of PLS-1, PLS-2, RLS and SS for diagnosing cirrhosis were 0.760, 0.833, 0.940 and 0.676, with the specificity of 75.7%, 67.6%, 90.3% and 77.4%, respectively. Tumour sizes, locations or types showed no apparent influence on 2D-SWE values except for RLS, which was higher in patients with primary hepatic carcinomas (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LS with tumours is best measured at >2 cm away from the tumour edge. SS measurement could be used as an alternative to LS measurement in the event of no available liver for detection. KEY POINTS: • Tumour-associated factors impact background liver stiffness assessment. • Background liver stiffness is best measured at >2 cm from tumour edge. • Spleen stiffness can be an alternative to assess background liver stiffness.

Comparison between conventional colectomy and complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer: a systematic review and pooled analysis : A review of CME versus conventional colectomies.

BACKGROUND: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) is advocated based on oncologic superiority, but not commonly performed in North America. Many data are case series with few comparative studies. Our aim was to perform a systematic review comparing outcomes between CME and non-CME colectomy. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines of MEDLINE, EMBASE, HealthStar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they compared conventional resection (non-CME) to CME for colon cancer. Quality was assessed using methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS). The main outcome measures were short-term morbidity and oncologic outcomes. Weighted pooled means and proportions with 95% CI were calculated using a random-effects model when appropriate. RESULTS: Out of 825 unique citations, 23 studies underwent full-text reviews and 14 met inclusion criteria. Mean MINORS score was 13.3 (range 11-15). The mean sample size in CME group was 1166 (range 45-3756) and 945 (range 40-3425) in non-CME. Four papers reported plane of dissection, with CME plane achieved in 85.8% (95% CI 79.8-91.7). Mean OR time in CME group was 167 min (163-171) and 138 min (135-142) in conventional group. Perioperative morbidity was reported in six studies, with pooled overall complications of 22.5% (95% CI 18.4-26.6) for CME and 19.6 (95% CI 13.6-25.5) for non-CME. Anastomotic leak occurred in 6.0% (95% CI 2.2-9.7) of CME resections versus 6.0% (95% CI 4.1-7.9) in non-CME. CME had more lymph nodes, longer distance to high tie, and specimen length in all studies. Nine studies compared long-term oncologic outcomes and only three reported statistically significant higher disease-free or overall survival in favor of CME. Local recurrence was lower after CME in two of four studies. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of evidence is limited and does not consistently support the superiority of CME. Better data are needed before CME can be recommended as the standard of care for colon cancer resections.

A Comparison of Pathologic Outcomes of Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Resections for Rectal Cancer Using the ACS-NSQIP Proctectomy-Targeted Database: a Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate regarding the benefits of minimally invasive techniques for rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to compare pathologic outcomes of patients who underwent rectal cancer resection by open surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) proctectomy-targeted database. METHODS: All patients from the 2016 ACS-NSQIP proctectomy-targeted database who underwent elective proctectomy for rectal cancer were identified. Patients were divided into three groups based on initial operative approach: open surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery. Pathologic and 30-day clinical outcomes were then compared between the groups. A propensity score analysis was performed to control for confounders, and adjusted odds ratios for pathologic outcomes were reported. RESULTS: A total of 578 patients were included-211 (36.5%) in the open group, 213 (36.9%) in the laparoscopic group, and 154 (26.6%) in the robotic group. Conversion to open surgery was more common among laparoscopic cases compared to robotic cases (15.0% vs. 6.5%, respectively; p = 0.011). Positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) was observed in 4.7%, 3.8%, and 5.2% (p = 0.79) of open, laparoscopic, and robotic resections, respectively. Propensity score adjusted odds ratios for positive CRM (open surgery as a reference group) were 0.70 (0.26-1.85, p = 0.47) for laparoscopy and 1.03 (0.39-2.70, p = 0.96) for robotic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques for rectal cancer surgery does not appear to confer worse pathologic outcomes.

Minimally invasive surgery for stage III colon adenocarcinoma is associated with less delay to initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy and improved survival.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) may improve surgical recovery and reduce time to adjuvant systemic therapy after colon cancer resection. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of MIS on the initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer. METHODS: The 2010-2014 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with resected stage III colon adenocarcinoma, and divided into MIS, which included laparoscopic and robotic approaches, and open surgery. Propensity-score matching was used to balanced open and MIS groups. The main outcome measures were delayed initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy (defined as > 8 weeks after surgery) and 5-year overall survival (OS). Multiple Cox regression was performed to identify independent predictors for 5-year OS, including an interaction between delayed systemic therapy and MIS, and adjusted for clustering at the hospital level. RESULTS: There were 86,680 patients that were included in this study. Overall, 45% (38,713) underwent MIS colectomy, of which 93% underwent laparoscopic and 7% robotic surgery. After matching, 33,183 open patients were balanced to 33,183 MIS patients. Patient, tumor, and facility characteristics were similar in the matched cohort. More patients in the MIS group received adjuvant therapy within 8 weeks of surgery (49% vs. 42%, p < 0.001), and fewer MIS patients did not receive any systemic therapy (30% vs. 35%, p < 0.001). Delayed initiation of systemic therapy > 8 weeks was associated with worse 5-year OS (HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.19-1.36). MIS was independently associated with improved survival (HR 0.92, 95%CI 0.86-0.97). This relationship remained even if 90-day mortality was excluded. CONCLUSIONS: MIS approaches are associated with less delay to the initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy and improved survival in patients with stage III colon adenocarcinoma. Surgeons should favor MIS approaches for the treatment of stage III colon adenocarcinoma whenever possible.

Impact of Tumor Deposits on Oncologic Outcomes in Stage III Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of tumor deposits in stage III colon adenocarcinoma is poorly described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of tumor deposits on oncologic outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer. DESIGN: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The 2010 to 2014 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with resected stage III colon adenocarcinoma on final pathology. PATIENTS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: lymph nodes+tumor deposits-, lymph nodes+tumor deposits+, and lymph nodes-tumor deposits+. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was 5-year overall survival. RESULTS: Of 74,577 patients, there were 55,800 patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits-, 13,740 patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits+, and 5037 patients with lymph nodes-tumor deposits+. The groups had similar patient and facility characteristics, but patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits+ had more advanced tumor characteristics. Patients with lymph nodes-tumor deposits+ were less likely to receive adjuvant systemic therapy (52% vs 74% lymph nodes+tumor deposits- and 75% lymph nodes+tumor deposits+, p < 0.001) and had a longer delay to initiation of adjuvant treatment (>8 weeks; 43% vs 33% lymph nodes+tumor deposits- and 33% lymph nodes+tumor deposits+, p < 0.001). Patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits+ had the lowest 5-year overall survival (46.0% vs 63.4% lymph nodes+tumor deposits- vs 61.9% lymph nodes-tumor deposits+, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, patients with lymph nodes-tumor deposits+ had similar 5-year overall survival compared with patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits- with ≤3 positive lymph nodes (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-1.01). Patients with lymph nodes+tumor deposits+ had worse prognosis regardless of the number of involved lymph nodes (≤3 +lymph nodes: HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.28-1.47 and ≥4 +lymph nodes: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.22-1.38). Of those not receiving adjuvant treatment, patients with lymph nodes-tumor deposits+ were younger and had more adverse tumor features than lymph node+ disease. Lymph nodes-tumor deposits+ was independently associated with less delivery of adjuvant systemic therapy (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.80-0.82). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective analysis of a prospective database. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of patients with N1c disease is similar to nodal involvement without tumor deposits, yet these patients were less likely to receive adjuvant systemic therapy. Improvement in the delivery of appropriate care in these patients may increase survival and should be a target of future quality initiatives. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A666.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a Canadian institution's experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to summarize the outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients receiving an ileal pouch-anal anastamosis (IPAA) over an 11-year period at a high-volume Canadian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for subjects with UC who underwent IPAA between 2002 and 2013. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical characteristics, preoperative medical treatment, and surgical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to determine significant factors in postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-eight were included from the IBD database. The median age at the time of surgery was 37.1 (±12.1). Mean preoperative disease duration was 8.1 years (±8.7). Three hundred sixty-nine patients (48.7 %) had systemic corticosteroids (>15 mg/day) within 30 days prior to surgery. Of these, 286 patients had high dose (>30 mg/day) corticosteroids within 7 days of their first surgery. One hundred nine (14.0 %) IPAA procedures were performed laparoscopically. Pelvic pouches were created in traditional 2 (n = 460) and 3 (n = 285) stages; the remainder (n = 13) was performed in non-traditional staged operations. Early complications, defined as occurring within the same stay in hospital, consisted of pelvic abscess (n = 135, 17.8 %), small bowel obstruction (n = 134, 17.7 %), wound infection (n = 108, 14.3 %), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 33, 4.4 %). The overall pouch leak rate was 92 (12.1 %). There was one death in our study. The median length of stay was 10.3 days (SD6.0). Late complications, defined as occurring after discharge from hospital, consisted of anal stricture (n = 55, 7.3 %), pouch fistula (n = 26, 3.4 %), and functional pouch failure (n = 7, 0.9 %). CONCLUSIONS: IPAA has been found to be a safe and effective method of surgical management of UC patients in a high-volume IBD center.