Artificial intelligence and duplex ultrasound for detection of carotid artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, applicability and accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection of normal versus carotid artery disease through greyscale static duplex ultrasound (DUS) images. METHODS: A prospective image acquisition of individuals undergoing duplex sonography for the suspicion of carotid artery disease at a single hospital was conducted. A total of n = 156 images of normal and stenotic carotid arteries (based on NASCET criteria) were evaluated by using geometry group network based on convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture. Outcome was reported based on sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the network (artificial intelligence) for detecting normal versus stenotic carotid arteries as well as various categories of carotid artery stenosis. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of AI in the detection of normal carotid artery was 91%, 86% and 92%, respectively, and for any carotid artery stenosis was 87%, 82% and 90%, respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the network has the ability to detect stenotic carotid artery images (<50%) versus normal with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 87% and an accuracy of 94%. This value (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) for group of 50-75% stenosis versus normal was 84%, 80% and 88% and for carotid artery disease of more than 75% was 90%, 83% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility, applicability and accuracy of artificial intelligence in the detection of carotid artery disease in greyscale static DUS images. This network has the potential to be used as a stand-alone software or to be embedded in any DUS machine. This can enhance carotid artery disease recognition with limited or no vascular experience or serve as a stratification tool for tertiary referral, further imaging and overall management.

Completely minimally invasive versus hybrid Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy for oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junctional cancer: a UK multi-centre comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Limited robust evidence exists comparing outcomes following completely minimally invasive oesophagectomy (CMIO) to hybrid oesophagectomy (HO) in the treatment of resectable oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junctional (GOJ) cancer. This multi-centre study aims to assess postoperative morbidity between HO and CMIO according to the full Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) complication platform. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing an Ivor-Lewis HO or Ivor-Lewis CMIO for cancer between 2016 and 2018 in three UK tertiary centres were included. The primary study outcome was 30-day overall complications, evaluated by the ECCG complication subgroups. Secondary outcomes included survival outcomes and perioperative parameters between the two approaches. RESULTS: Of the 382 patients included, 228 (59.7%) patients had HOs and 154 (40.3%) patients had CMIOs with no inter-group baseline differences. Patients undergoing CMIO experienced less 30-day postoperative complications compared to those under undergoing HO (43.5% vs 57.0%, p = 0.010). ECCG defined pulmonary and infective complications were less frequent in the CMIO group. Anastomotic leak rates and oncological outcomes were similar between the two groups. Independent predictors of 30-day postoperative complications include surgical approach with HO and high ASA grade on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Ivor-Lewis CMIO demonstrates superior short-term surgical outcomes when compared to Ivor-Lewis HO with no compromise in oncological feasibility. Anastomotic leak rates were equivalent between both groups. A robust randomised controlled trial is required to validate the findings of this study.

Completely Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Versus Hybrid Esophagectomy for Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junctional Cancer: Clinical and Short-Term Oncological Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery for resectable esophageal and gastroesophageal junctional (GEJ) cancer significantly reduces morbidity when compared with open surgery, as is evident from published landmark trials. Comparison of outcomes between hybrid esophagectomy (HE) and completely minimally invasive esophagectomy (CMIE) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to ascertain whether CMIE is associated with less postoperative complications compared with HE without oncological compromise. METHODS: All consecutive two-stage HEs and CMIEs performed between 2016 and 2018 were included. All procedures were performed with an intrathoracic anastomosis. Primary clinical outcomes were pulmonary infective and overall complications within 30 days of surgery, while primary oncological outcomes included overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at both 6 months and to date. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative variables and postoperative clinical parameters. RESULTS: Overall, 98 patients had CMIEs and 49 patients had HEs. There were no baseline differences between the two groups. Thirty-day postoperative pulmonary infection rates were lower in the CMIE group compared with the HE group (12.2% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.014), and 30-day overall postoperative complication rates were also lower following CMIE (35.7% vs. 59.2%; p = 0.007). OS and DFS were similar between the two groups at 6 months (p = 0.201 and p = 0.109, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CMIE is associated with less pulmonary infective and overall postoperative complications compared with HE for resectable esophageal and GEJ cancer. No intergroup difference was observed regarding short-term survival and cancer recurrence in patients undergoing CMIE and HE. A randomized controlled trial comparing the two operative approaches is required to validate these findings.

Three-Dimensional vs Two-Dimensional Completely Minimally Invasive 2-Stage Esophagectomy With Intrathoracic Hand-Sewn Anastomosis for Esophageal Cancer: Comparison of Intra-and Postoperative Outcomes.

Background. Completely minimally invasive esophagectomy (CMIE) has been associated with reduced morbidity compared to open esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) vision can enhance depth perception during minimally invasive surgery when compared to two-dimensional (2D) vision. We aimed to compare outcomes from 2-stage CMIEs when performed in 2D vs 3D. Method. All consecutive 2-stage CMIEs performed for esophageal or gastroesophageal junctional cancer at a single-centre between 2016 and 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. All operations were completed in either 2D or 3D. All esophagogastric anastomoses were hand-sewn thoracoscopically. Intraoperative and postoperative clinical parameters were compared between 2D and 3D CMIE. Results. Overall, 98 patients underwent a 2-stage CMIE, of which 59 (60.2%) were in 2D and 39 (39.8%) in 3D. Median operative blood loss was less in the 3D group compared to the 2D group (283 mls vs 409 mls, P = .016). A higher number of lymph nodes were retrieved from 3D CMIE (30 vs 25, P = .010). The median duration of surgery was 407 minutes (interquartile ranges (IQR): 358-472 minutes) and 426 minutes (IQR: 369-509 minutes) when performed in 2D and 3D, respectively (P = .162). There were no significant intergroup differences in 30-day postoperative complications, short-term mortality, and hospital stay. Conclusion. We report reduced blood loss and higher lymph node yield when performing 3D CMIE than 2D CMIE. Other intraoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were similar in both groups. A randomized controlled trial is needed to validate these findings of superior outcomes from CMIE performed in 3D over 2D.

A novel technique in flexor pulley reconstruction using an A1 pulley as a donor.

We describe a novel technique for the reconstruction of an essential flexor pulley over a bowstrung flexor tendon using the A1 pulley of the same or another digit. Replacing 'like for like' ensures restoration of pulley-tendon interface and biomechanics.

Multi-pedicled long fasciocutaneous free flaps in complex lower extremity reconstruction.

Fasciocutaneous free tissue transfer is an established limb salvage modality in lower extremity reconstruction. In severe cases, defect coverage is challenging due to the size and extent of the injury which may surpass the dimensions of most commonly utilized fasciocutaneous donor sites. This is further complicated by the considerable length between the recipient pedicle and most distal segment of the defect requiring coverage. Available donor sites that are able to provide free fasciocutaneous flaps extended length (>40 cm) are combinations between the lateral thoracic, lower abdomen/groin and lateral thigh regions. Advantages of this include a single donor site that can be closed primarily, the ability to utilize healthy vessels outside the zone of trauma/injury for microvascular anastomosis and single stage reconstruction. In addition, from a logistical perspective, single flap harvest would theoretically be more efficient and less resource intensive than harvesting two separate flaps or performing large skin grafts. Herein, we present current available donor sites that allow harvest of long fasciocutaneous free flaps incorporating multiple pedicles with a single skin paddle for lower extremity reconstruction.

The Utility of Oncotype DX for Adjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment Decisions in Estrogen Receptor-positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-negative, Node-negative Breast Cancer.

Introduction Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in the UK. Recently, there has been a reduction in breast cancer-specific mortality and recurrence attributed, in part, to the delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the use of genetic profiling with Oncotype DX (ODX) to guide decisions to offer adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery in intermediate-risk early breast cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of ODX testing in routine clinical practice in a National Health Service (NHS) hospital.  Methods Consecutive early breast cancer patients, identified through the multidisciplinary team (MDT) records, treated in our institution over 12 months (October 2017-September 2018) were included. PREDICT and Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) scores (from online clinicopathological recurrence risk tools) were calculated for each patient, and ODX data obtained through Genomic Health, Inc. (Redwood City, California). Patients were divided into two groups, those that underwent ODX testing (ODX group) and those that did not (non-ODX group). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse patient and tumour characteristics. The Gaussian distribution of each data set was assessed using the Anderson-Darling test. For comparisons between patient groups, the non-parametric equivalent of the two-tailed t-test (Mann-Whitney) was used. Dichotomous variables (e.g. chemotherapy decisions) were compared using chi-squared tests. Results One-hundred thirty-three patients (mean age 62 years) treated for 152 early breast cancers, were included in the final analysis. Breast cancers in the ODX group were of greater median tumour size (24 vs 16 mm; P<0.0001) and higher median tumour grade (3 vs 2; P<0.0001). PREDICT scores (3 vs 1, P<0.0001) and NPI scores (3.40 vs 2.30, P<0.0001) for the ODX group were also significantly higher than the non-ODX group. A greater proportion of patients were offered chemotherapy in the ODX group (39.9% vs 6.9%, P<0.001). However, for the PREDICT-calculated intermediate-risk patients, ODX testing resulted in a lower proportion of patients being offered chemotherapy compared to the intermediate-risk patients who were not genetically profiled (54.5% vs 83.3%, P=0.3547), although this result was not statistically significant. Conclusions Patients selected for ODX testing were younger, with significantly higher-grade and larger-sized tumours compared to patients not selected for genetic profiling. ODX testing significantly impacted the delivery of chemotherapy, as the recurrence score generated through ODX testing guided the final decision.

The Role of Carotid Stump Pressure in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This review evaluates the carotid stump pressure (CSP)'s role as a single parameter at any given pressure as an indicator for selective shunting, or vice versa, in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). A systematic review of literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from 1969 to 2019 was conducted. The primary end point was set at 0 to 30-day mortality, ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and a secondary point at recognition of an optimal CSP pressure. The data was subjected to meta-analytics. The odds ratio (OR) was reported at 95% confidence interval (CI). This study has been registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019119851. The pooled analysis on the primary endpoint of IS demonstrated higher incidence of stroke in shunted CEAs solely based on CSP measurement alone (OR, 0.14, 95%CI: 0.08-0.24, I 2=48%, p<0.001). Sub group analysis demonstrated similar patterns at 25 mmHg (OR, 0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.5, p<0.01), 30 mmHg (OR, 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01-0.63, p=0.02) and 40 mmHg (OR, 0.23, 95%CI: 0.09-0.57, p<0.01). This effect on end points of mortality and TIA demonstrated no benefit in either direction. CSP, as a single criterion, is not a reliable parameter in reduction of TIA, mortality, and IS at any given pressure range.

Correlation Between Oncotype DX, PREDICT and the Nottingham Prognostic Index: Implications for the Management of Early Breast Cancer.

Introduction Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis in the UK. The current clinical practice utilises two different types of modalities to estimate the prognosis, risk of recurrence and benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy treatment in patients with early breast cancer. The first set of modalities includes risk calculators based on clinicopathological features, e.g. PREDICT or the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI); the second includes genetic profiling of tumour tissue using Oncotype DX (ODX; Genomic Health, Redwood City, CA) testing. PREDICT, NPI and ODX stratify breast cancers into high-, intermediate- and low-risk categories to help guide adjuvant chemotherapy treatment decisions. This study compares PREDICT, NPI and ODX Recurrence Scores (RS), with the aim of assessing 1) the correlation between the RS for PREDICT, NPI and ODX and 2) whether early breast cancer patients are stratified into similar risk categories by all three modalities. Methods This retrospective study included early breast cancer patients treated at a National Health Service (NHS) hospital over a 12-month period (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018). Inclusion criteria: consecutive patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative and lymph node-negative breast cancer. All patients were discussed at the local multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting and underwent ODX testing. Exclusion criteria: patients without ODX test scores; patients with an in-breast recurrence; patients who did not undergo a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB); and patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) only. NPI and PREDICT scores were calculated for each patient using online tools, and ODX data was obtained through Genomic Health and MDT records. Patients were risk-stratified into high, intermediate and low risk of recurrence groups based on their PREDICT, NPI and ODX scores. The thresholds for risk stratification were based on current practice, which is evidence-based. Correlations between PREDICT, NPI and ODX scores were analysed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results Forty-six patients (mean age: 56 years), with a total of 57 early breast cancers, underwent ODX testing. Risk categories generated by PREDICT very strongly correlated with NPI for all patients (r=0.92; P<0.0001). However, the RS generated by ODX testing only strongly correlated for patients with low-risk PREDICT scores (r=0.51; P=0.0134), while no correlation between RS and PREDICT was observed for patients with intermediate- or high-risk PREDICT scores (r=-0.0064; P=0.9767). Similar results were seen between NPI and RS. Overall, only 19/46 (41.3%) patients had an RS which corresponded to PREDICT risk category, while 18/46 (39.1%) patients had an RS that indicated a higher risk of recurrence than PREDICT, and 9/46 (19.6%) patients had an RS indicating a lower risk of recurrence than PREDICT. Similar results were found when comparing RS and NPI. Conclusion The risk of recurrence estimated by ODX in patients deemed low risk by PREDICT or NPI highly correlated, while no such correlation existed in patients with an estimated intermediate- or high-risk breast cancer. In PREDICT- or NPI-estimated intermediate- and high-risk patients, ODX provided valuable additional prognostic information to guide adjuvant treatment, while the potential avoidance of ODX testing in low-risk patients presents significant cost-savings.

Second-look laparostomy for perforated gangrenous gastric volvulus to prevent total gastrectomy.

A 42-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinically, she was septic, and abdominal examination suggested peritonitis. Following immediate resuscitation, the patient was stabilised and underwent urgent contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis. This revealed a mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus with traction on the mesentery and a small volume of free fluid. She underwent laparotomy revealing gangrenous gastric fundus perforation complicated by persistent intraoperative hypotension. This mandated a damage-control approach for the patient's safety entailing a limited-sleeve gastrectomy and laparostomy formation. Stabilisation in the intensive care unit allowed for a safer return to the operating room. On second look 24 hours later, previously ischaemic non-viable-looking portions of the stomach had recovered their blood supply. The patient was discharged 31 days postoperatively after recovering from the operations, postoperative wound infections and pleural effusions.

Delayed presentation of iatrogenic splenic injury 21 days after laparoscopic donor left nephrectomy.

We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who had presented with left-sided abdominal pain 21 days after undergoing a left-sided laparoscopic nephrectomy for donation. Initial haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were within normal range, and vital signs on admission were unremarkable. Significant intra-abdominal pathology was not suspected; however, inpatient CT scan of the abdomen showed a posterolateral subcapsular splenic haematoma with free abdominal fluid. Initial trial of conservative management was not successful as the patient became hypotensive on the third day of admission with a sudden decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit. The patient was immediately taken to theatre for laparotomy and splenectomy. Recovery was uneventful and was discharged home on the fifth postoperative day. In this article, we aim to discuss several important clinical lessons involving iatrogenic injury of the spleen, its management, and diagnosis of acute and severe haemorrhage.

Prediction of difficult tracheal intubation in thyroid surgery.

The incidence of difficult endotracheal intubation (DEI) for patients undergoing thyroidectomy has rarely been studied, and evaluation of factors linked to DEI is limited to a few studies. We undertook this prospective study to investigate the incidence of DEI in the presence of goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid gland) and to evaluate factors linked to DEI. We studied 320 consecutive patients scheduled for thyroidectomy. DEI was evaluated by an intubation difficulty scale. The trachea was intubated by an unassisted anesthesiologist, and the intubation difficulty scale was calculated. A univariate analysis was performed to identify potential factors predicting DEI, followed by a multivariate analysis. DEI was reported in 17 patients. The rate of easy tracheal intubation was 36.9%; the rate for patients who had minor difficulty of intubation was 57.8%. Sex (male), body mass index, Mallampati class, thyromental distance, neck mobility, Cormack grade, cancerous goiter, and tracheal deviation or compression were identified in the univariate analysis as potential DEI risk factors. With multivariate analysis, two criteria were recognized as independent for DEI (Cormack Grade III or IV and cancerous goiter). We conclude that the large goiter is not associated with a more frequent DEI. However, the presence of a cancerous goiter is a major factor for predicting DEI.