Association between Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, risk factors and 3-year survival after colorectal surgery for cancer in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: As life expectancy is currently growing, more elderly and fragile patients need colorectal resection for cancer. We sought to assess the link between enhanced rehabilitation after surgery (ERAS), risk factors and overall survival at 3 years, in patients aged 65 and over. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2017, all patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer were included. Overall survival at 3 years was compared for patients treated in following ERAS guidelines compared to conventional treatment (pre-ERAS). RESULTS: 661 patients were included (ERAS, n = 325; pre-ERAS, n = 336). The 3-year overall survival rate was significantly better regardless of age for ERAS vs pre-ERAS patients (73.1% vs 64.4%; p = 0.016). With overall survival rates of 83.2% vs 73.8%, 65.4% vs 62.8% and 59.6% vs 40% for the age bands 65-74, 75-84 and ≥ 85 years. The analysis of survival at 3 years by a multivariate Cox model identified ERAS as a protective factor with a reduction in the risk of death of 30% (HR = 0.70 [0.50-0.94], p = 0017) independently of other identified risk factors: age bands, ASA score > 2, smoking, atrial fibrillation and abdominal surgery. This result is confirmed by an analysis of the propensity score (HR = 0.67 [0.47-0.97], p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that ERAS is associated with better 3-year survival in patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer, independent of risk factors. The practice of ERAS is effective and should be offered to patients aged 65 and over.

Effect of implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol and risk factors on 3-year survival after colorectal surgery for cancer-a retrospective cohort of 1001 patients.

PURPOSE: Several recent studies have shown that the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol reduces morbidity and mortality and shortens the length of stay compared to conventional recovery strategy (pre-ERAS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the implementation of this protocol on 3-year overall survival and postoperative outcome in patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, comparative, and non-randomized study. Between January, 2005, and December, 2017, 1001 patients were included (ERAS, n = 497; pre-ERAS, n = 504). RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival rate was significantly better for ERAS than for pre-ERAS patients (76.1 vs 69.2%; p = 0.017). The length of hospital stay (median 10 days vs 15; p = ≤ 0.001) and the 90-day readmission rate (15 vs 20%; p = 0.037) were significantly lower in the ERAS group. Three-year recurrence-free survival (p = 0.398) and 90-day complications (p = 0.560) were similar in the two groups. Analysis of 3-year survival by a multivariate Cox model identified ERAS as a protective factor with a 30% reduction in the risk of death: (HR = 0.70 [0.55-0.90]). CONCLUSION: The implementation of the ERAS protocol was associated with an improvement in 3-year survival, a reduction of the length of hospital stay and the rate of readmission. ERAS is associated with better 3-year survival, independent of other commonly considered parameters. An ASA score > 2, smoking, a history of cancer, and atrial fibrillation are deleterious risk factors linked to earlier mortality.

Assessment of postoperative pain after pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the treatment of peritoneal metastasis.

PURPOSE: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new surgical technique, for the treatment of initially unresectable peritoneal metastasis (PM). Our objective was to assess postoperative pain and morbidity. METHODS: Between July 2016 and September 2020, data from 100 consecutive PIPAC procedures with oxaliplatin (PIPAC Ox) or doxorubicin-cisplatin (PIPAC C/D) in 49 patients with PM (all etiologies) were analyzed. Pain was self-assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-10. RESULTS: The median PIPAC procedures per patient were 2 [1-3]. Patients indicated greatest pain at 4 pm on the day of the procedure (D0) and on postoperative D1 at 8 am and 4 pm. Postprocedural moderate-to-severe pain (VAS 4-10) was more frequent with PIPAC Ox than with PIPAC C/D, respectively 14 (36.8%) vs 7 (13.5%); p = 0.010. Hospitalization was longer for patients with moderate-to-severe pain than for others (median 4 days [3-7] vs 3 days [2-4], p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis identified oxaliplatin as a factor associated with greater pain (OR [95% CI], 2.95 [1.10-7.89]. Opiate administration was similar after PIPAC Ox and PIPAC C/D procedures, p = 0.477. CONCLUSION: PIPAC was well-tolerated, and pain was well-controlled in the majority of patients. Pain was greatest at 4 pm on D0 and 8 am and 4 pm on D1. PIPAC Ox is associated with greater pain than PIPAC C/D, independently of opiate treatment. Moderate-to-severe pain was associated with longer hospital stays.

Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy versus cytoreductive surgery alone for colorectal peritoneal metastases (PRODIGE 7): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to cytoreductive surgery has been associated with encouraging survival results in some patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases who were eligible for complete macroscopic resection. We aimed to assess the specific benefit of adding HIPEC to cytoreductive surgery compared with receiving cytoreductive surgery alone. METHODS: We did a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial at 17 cancer centres in France. Eligible patients were aged 18-70 years and had histologically proven colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases, WHO performance status of 0 or 1, a Peritoneal Cancer Index of 25 or less, and were eligible to receive systemic chemotherapy for 6 months (ie, they had adequate organ function and life expectancy of at least 12 weeks). Patients in whom complete macroscopic resection or surgical resection with less than 1 mm residual tumour tissue was completed were randomly assigned (1:1) to cytoreductive surgery with or without oxaliplatin-based HIPEC. Randomisation was done centrally using minimisation, and stratified by centre, completeness of cytoreduction, number of previous systemic chemotherapy lines, and timing of protocol-mandated systemic chemotherapy. Oxaliplatin HIPEC was administered by the closed (360 mg/m2) or open (460 mg/m2) abdomen techniques, and systemic chemotherapy (400 mg/m2 fluorouracil and 20 mg/m2 folinic acid) was delivered intravenously 20 min before HIPEC. All individuals received systemic chemotherapy (of investigators' choosing) with or without targeted therapy before or after surgery, or both. The primary endpoint was overall survival, which was analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who received surgery. This trial is registed with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00769405, and is now completed. FINDINGS: Between Feb 11, 2008, and Jan 6, 2014, 265 patients were included and randomly assigned, 133 to the cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC group and 132 to the cytoreductive surgery alone group. After median follow-up of 63·8 months (IQR 53·0-77·1), median overall survival was 41·7 months (95% CI 36·2-53·8) in the cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC group and 41·2 months (35·1-49·7) in the cytoreductive surgery group (hazard ratio 1·00 [95·37% CI 0·63-1·58]; stratified log-rank p=0·99). At 30 days, two (2%) treatment-related deaths had occurred in each group.. Grade 3 or worse adverse events at 30 days were similar in frequency between groups (56 [42%] of 133 patients in the cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC group vs 42 [32%] of 132 patients in the cytoreductive surgery group; p=0·083); however, at 60 days, grade 3 or worse adverse events were more common in the cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC group (34 [26%] of 131 vs 20 [15%] of 130; p=0·035). INTERPRETATION: Considering the absence of an overall survival benefit after adding HIPEC to cytoreductive surgery and more frequent postoperative late complications with this combination, our data suggest that cytoreductive surgery alone should be the cornerstone of therapeutic strategies with curative intent for colorectal peritoneal metastases. FUNDING: Institut National du Cancer, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique du Cancer, Ligue Contre le Cancer.

Half of Postoperative Deaths After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Could be Preventable: A French Root Cause Analysis on 5562 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective root-cause analysis of postoperative death after CRS and HIPEC procedures. BACKGROUND: The combination of CRS and HIPEC is an effective therapeutic strategy to treat peritoneal surface malignancies, however it is associated with significant postoperative mortality. METHODS: All patients treated with a combination of CRS and HIPEC between January 2009 and December 2018 in 22 French centers and died in the hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative data of the 101 patients were collected by a local senior surgeon with a sole junior surgeon. Three independent experts investigated the typical root cause of death and provided conclusions on whether postoperative death was preventable (PREV group) or not (NON-PREV group). A typical root cause of preventable postoperative death was classified on a cause-and-effect diagram. RESULTS: Of the 5562 CRS+HIPEC procedures performed, 101 in-hospital deaths (1.8%) were identified, of which a total of 18 patients of 70 years old and above and 20 patients with ASA score of 3. Etiology of peritoneal disease was mainly colorectal. A total of 54 patients (53%) were classified in the PREV group and 47 patients (47%) in the NON-PREV group. The results of the study show that in the PREV group, WHO performance status 1-2 was more frequent and the Median Peritoneal Cancer Index was higher compared with those of the NON-PREV group. The cause of death in the PREV group was classified as: (i) preoperatively for debatable indication (59%), (ii) intraoperatively (30%) and (iii) postoperatively in 17 patients (31%). A multifactorial cause of death was found in 11 patients (20%). CONCLUSION: More than half of the postoperative deaths after combined CRS and HIPEC may be preventable, mainly by following guidelines regarding preoperative selection of the patients and adequate intraoperative decisions.

Bariatric surgery short-term outcomes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: the Severe Obesity Outcome Network prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the benefits of bariatric surgery have been clearly established, it is not known whether they are as important in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Primary aim: to evaluate whether patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15 events/h) treated by continuous positive airway pressure/non-invasive ventilation (median [IQR] adherence 6.5 h/night [5; 7.9] at baseline) lose the same amount of body weight 1 year after bariatric surgery as patients with no or mild OSA. Secondary objectives: to compare the evolution of type 2 diabetes and hypertension after bariatric surgery, and surgical complication rates between groups. METHODS/SUBJECTS: Analyses were performed in 371 patients included in a prospective cohort of bariatric surgery, the Severe Obesity Outcome Network cohort. Subjects having moderate-to-severe OSA (n = 210) at baseline were compared with other subjects (n = 161). RESULTS: Excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1 year was lower in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA than in patients without (64.9%EWL [46.9; 79.5] vs. 73.8%EWL [56.6; 89.3], p < 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that age, initial body mass index and type of surgery, but not OSA status, were associated with 1-year %EWL. Diabetes remitted in 25 (41%) patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and 16 (48%) patients with no or mild OSA (p = 0.48). Hypertension remitted in 28 (32.9%) patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and 9 (40.9%) with no or mild (p = 0.48). Complication rates were 28 (13.3%) in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and 12 (7.5%) in patients with no or mild OSA (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OSA lose less body weight after bariatric surgery. This was related to older age and a higher baseline body mass index. However, the improvements of diabetes and hypertension were similar to that of patients without OSA, and the risk of surgical complications was not higher.

Second-look surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy versus surveillance in patients at high risk of developing colorectal peritoneal metastases (PROPHYLOCHIP-PRODIGE 15): a randomised, phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of colorectal peritoneal metastases at an early stage, before the onset of signs, could improve patient survival. We aimed to compare the survival benefit of systematic second-look surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), with surveillance, in patients at high risk of developing colorectal peritoneal metastases. METHODS: We did an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study in 23 hospitals in France. Eligible patients were aged 18-70 years and had a primary colorectal cancer with synchronous and localised colorectal peritoneal metastases removed during tumour resection, resected ovarian metastases, or a perforated tumour. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to surveillance or second-look surgery plus oxaliplatin-HIPEC (oxaliplatin 460 mg/m2, or oxaliplatin 300 mg/m2 plus irinotecan 200 mg/m2, plus intravenous fluorouracil 400 mg/m2), or mitomycin-HIPEC (mitomycin 35 mg/m2) alone in case of neuropathy, after 6 months of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with no signs of disease recurrence. Randomisation was done via a web-based system, with stratification by treatment centre, nodal status, and risk factors for colorectal peritoneal metastases. Second-look surgery consisted of a complete exploration of the abdominal cavity via xyphopubic incision, and resection of all peritoneal implants if resectable. Surveillance after resection of colorectal cancer was done according to the French Guidelines. The primary outcome was 3-year disease-free survival, defined as the time from randomisation to peritoneal or distant disease recurrence, or death from any cause, whichever occurred first, analysed by intention to treat. Surgical complications were assessed in the second-look surgery group only. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01226394. FINDINGS: Between June 11, 2010, and March 31, 2015, 150 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to a treatment group (75 per group). After a median follow-up of 50·8 months (IQR 47·0-54·8), 3-year disease-free survival was 53% (95% CI 41-64) in the surveillance group versus 44% (33-56) in the second-look surgery group (hazard ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·61-1·56). No treatment-related deaths were reported. 29 (41%) of 71 patients in the second-look surgery group had grade 3-4 complications. The most common grade 3-4 complications were intra-abdominal adverse events (haemorrhage, digestive leakage) in 12 (23%) of 71 patients and haematological adverse events in 13 (18%) of 71 patients. INTERPRETATION: Systematic second-look surgery plus oxaliplatin-HIPEC did not improve disease-free survival compared with standard surveillance. Currently, essential surveillance of patients at high risk of developing colorectal peritoneal metastases appears to be adequate and effective in terms of survival outcomes. FUNDING: French National Cancer Institute.

Damage Control Surgery for Non-traumatic Abdominal Emergencies.

BACKGROUND: Damage control surgery (DCS) was a major paradigm change in the management of critically ill trauma patients and has gradually expanded in the general surgery arena, but data in this setting are still scarce. The study aim was to evaluate outcomes of DCS in patients with general surgery emergencies. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2015, 164 patients (104 men, age 66) underwent DCS for non-traumatic abdominal emergencies. The decision to perform DCS was triggered by the presence of at least one trauma DCS criterion: hypotension (<70 mmHg), hypothermia (<35 °C), acidosis (pH < 7.25), coagulopathy (INR ≥ 1.7) and massive (>5 RBC) transfusion. Statistical tests were performed to identify risk factors for operative mortality. Observed outcomes were compared to those predicted by commonly employed scores (APACHE II, POSSUM, P-POSSUM, SAPS II). RESULTS: DCS was performed for acute mesenteric ischemia (n = 68), peritonitis (n = 44), pancreatitis (n = 28), bleeding (n = 14) and other (n = 10). Abdominal compartment syndrome was associated in 52 patients (32%). Seventy-four (45%) patients died and 150 patients (91%) experienced complications. On multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.018) and INR ≥ 1.7 (p = 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. Mortality was 24% (13/55), 48% (22/46) and 62% (39/63) in patients with one, two and ≥3 DCS criteria, respectively. Comparison of observed and score-predicted mortality suggested DCS use resulted in significant survival benefit of the whole cohort and of patients with pancreatitis and postoperative peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: DCS can be lifesaving in critically ill patients with general surgery emergencies. Patients with peritonitis and acute pancreatitis are those who benefit most of the DCS approach.

Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in the Elderly: A Case-Controlled, Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify factors associated with morbidity and mortality in patients older than 70 years who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). BACKGROUND: Major surgery is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. For PC, CRS and HIPEC is the only current potential curative therapy, but the risks inherent to this patient population have called its benefits into question. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a multi-center database from 1989 to 2015. All patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC for PC were selected and patients older than 70 years were matched 1:4 with a younger cohort according to cancer origin, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), and completeness of cytoreduction. Major morbidity and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 2328 patients, 188 patients older than aged 70 years were matched with 704 younger patients. Patients older than aged 70 years demonstrated a higher American Society of Anesthesiologist score (≥ASA III 10.8 vs. 6.6 %, p = 0.008). There was no difference in overall 90-day morbidity (≥70: 45.7 % vs. <70: 44.5 %; p = 0.171); however, patients older than 70 years had significantly more cardiovascular complications (13.8 vs. 9.2 %, p = 0.044). Differences between the older and younger cohorts failed to reach significance for 90-day mortality (5.4 and 2.7 %, respectively; p = 0.052), and failure-to-rescue (11.6 and 6.1 %, respectively; p = 0.078). In multivariate analysis, PCI > 7 (95 % CI 1.051-5.798, p = 0.038) and HIPEC duration (95 % CI 1.106-6.235, p = 0.028) were independent factors associated with morbidity in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: CRS and HIPEC appear feasible for selected patients older than aged 70 years, albeit with a higher risk of medical complications associated with increased mortality.

[Intestinal obstruction, an overview]. / L'occlusion intestinale, état des lieux.

Intestinal obstruction is a pathology commonly encountered in emergency and surgical departments. Its origin is usually mechanical, caused by obstruction of the digestive tract. It is a therapeutic emergency. Surgical treatment is required for the most severe cases.

A regional trauma system to optimize the pre-hospital triage of trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-hospital triage is a key element in a trauma system that aims to admit patients to the most suitable trauma center, and may decrease intra-hospital mortality. We evaluated the performance of a pre-hospital procedure in a regional trauma system through measurements of the quality of pre-hospital medical assessment and the efficacy of a triage protocol. METHODS: Our regional trauma system included 13 hospitals categorized as Level I, II or III trauma centers according to their technical facilities. Each patient was graded A, B or C by an emergency physician, according to the seriousness of their injuries at presentation on scene. The triage was performed according to this grading and the categorization of centers. This study is a registry analysis of a three-year period (2009 to 2011). RESULTS: Of the 3,428 studied patients, 2,572 were graded using the pre-hospital grading system (Graded group). The pre-hospital gradation was closely related with injury severity score (ISS) and intra-hospital mortality rate. The triage protocol had a sensitivity of 92% (95% confidence interval (CI) 90% to 93%) and a specificity of 41% (95% CI 39% to 44%) to predict adequate admission of patients with ISS more than 15. A total of 856 patients were not graded at the scene (Non-graded group). Undertriage rate was significantly reduced in the Graded group compared with the Non-graded group, with a relative risk of 0.47 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.56) according to the definition of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (P <0.001). Where adjusted for trauma severity, the expected mortality rate at discharge from hospital was higher than observed mortality, with a difference of +2.0% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6%; P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a regional trauma system with a pre-hospital triage procedure was effective in detecting severe trauma patients and in lowering the rate of pre-hospital undertriage. A beneficial effect on outcome of such an organization is suggested.

Oncological outcomes and hospitalization cost of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) open and closed abdomen techniques: Results from two French expert centers.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) associated with CC0 excision is performed using either an open (OPEN_HIPEC) or closed abdominal technique (CLOSED_HIPEC). However, little data is available on the costs of this treatment, as there is no code for HIPEC in the French Classification of Medical Acts. Oncological outcomes and the mean cost of hospitalization were compared. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2021, 144 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (all etiologies) were included (OPEN_HIPEC, n = 70; CLOSED_HIPEC, n = 74) in this retrospective two-center study. Morbi-mortality, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free-survival (RFS) and mean cost of hospitalization were compared. RESULTS: The median OS and RFS were 71.3 months [63-71.5] and 26.8 months [20-35.3] respectively, and were similar for both techniques; and after stratification by histology. Multivariate analysis adjusted on PCI score of OS identified mitomycin as a protective factor (HR = 0.31 [0.10-0.90], p = 0.032) and ASA score>2 (HR = 2.32 [1.32- 4.06], p = 0.003) and number of resection (HR = 1.21 [1.06-1.39], p = 0.006) as a risk factors of RFS. Complication rates at day 30 were similar between OPEN and CLOSED_HIPEC, 31 (44.3 %) vs 42 (56.8 %); p = 0.135. OPEN_HIPEC had more severe complications (11 (35.5 %) vs 6 (14.3 %); p = 0.034). The mean cost of hospitalization was estimated as €15,627 for OPEN_HIPEC and €14,211 for CLOSED_HIPEC for a mean length-of-stay of 12.7 and 16.7 days respectively. The mean amount received by the hospital per hospitalization was estimated at €16,399 and €15,536 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OS and RFS were similar for open and closed HIPEC. Severe complications at day 30 were more frequent in OPEN_HIPEC group. The amount received by hospital for both HIPEC techniques is sufficient.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Administration After Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC).

PURPOSE: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new surgical technique, developed for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). In this retrospective observational study we assessed the impact of body mass index (BMI) on postoperative pain and opioid consumption. METHODS: We analyzed pain scores after 100 PIPAC procedures using either oxaliplatin or doxorubicin-cisplatin performed in 49 patients with PC between July 2016 and September 2020. The patients were divided into 3 groups (BMI <18.5, 18.5 ≥ BMI < 25, BMI≥25). Pain was self-rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Univariate logistic regression analysis identified oxaliplatin and PCI score to be associated with moderate to severe pain (VAS 4-10 at 8 am D1) after adjustment on BMI (OR [95% CI]; 3.26[1.00 - 10.65] p=0.050) and (OR [95% CI]; 1.09[1.01 - 1.17] p=0.019). The level of pain appeared significantly different between the treatment groups (median 2.5[0; 5] vs 0[0; 2.5] p=0.0017) irrespective of BMI (p =0.705 and p=0.118). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified moderate to severe pain and synchronous PC to be associated with greater use of opioids (OR [95% CI]: 3.91 [1.24 - 12.32]) and (OR [95% CI]: 5.16 [1.71 - 15.58]; respectively. Opioids were administered after 45 procedures (45%) and was comparable between the treatment groups. Opioid administration and length-of-stay were similar among BMI bands. CONCLUSION: BMI is not related to postoperative pain or opioid use, howevermoderate to severe pain and synchronous PC are factors associated with requiring opioids.

Preventive Proximal Splenic Artery Embolization for High-Grade AAST-OIS Adult Spleen Trauma without Vascular Anomaly on the Initial CT Scan: Technical Aspect, Safety, and Efficacy-An Ancillary Study.

The spleen is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Its management depends on hemodynamic stability. According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS ≥ 3), stable patients with high-grade splenic injuries may benefit from preventive proximal splenic artery embolization (PPSAE). This ancillary study, using the SPLASH multicenter randomized prospective cohort, evaluated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of PPSAE in patients with high-grade blunt splenic trauma without vascular anomaly on the initial CT scan. All patients included were over 18 years old, had high-grade splenic trauma (≥AAST-OIS 3 + hemoperitoneum) without vascular anomaly on the initial CT scan, received PPSAE, and had a CT scan at one month. Technical aspects, efficacy, and one-month splenic salvage were studied. Fifty-seven patients were reviewed. Technical efficacy was 94% with only four proximal embolization failures due to distal coil migration. Six patients (10.5%) underwent combined embolization (distal + proximal) due to active bleeding or focal arterial anomaly discovered during embolization. The mean procedure time was 56.5 min (SD = 38.1 min). Embolization was performed with an Amplatzer™ vascular plug in 28 patients (49.1%), a Penumbra occlusion device in 18 patients (31.6%), and microcoils in 11 patients (19.3%). There were two hematomas (3.5%) at the puncture site without clinical consequences. There were no rescue splenectomies. Two patients were re-embolized, one on Day 6 for an active leak and one on Day 30 for a secondary aneurysm. Primary clinical efficacy was, therefore, 96%. There were no splenic abscesses or pancreatic necroses. The splenic salvage rate on Day 30 was 94%, while only three patients (5.2%) had less than 50% vascularized splenic parenchyma. PPSAE is a rapid, efficient, and safe procedure that can prevent splenectomy in high-grade spleen trauma (AAST-OIS) ≥ 3 with high splenic salvage rates.

Oncological Outcomes After Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new surgical technique for the treatment of initially unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Our objective was to assess its oncological outcomes. METHODS: Between July 2016 and September 2020, data from 100 PIPAC procedures with oxaliplatin or doxorubicin-cisplatin in 49 patients with PC (all etiologies) were analyzed. We studied the evolution of the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), the need for radical surgery (R0), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The patients' median age was 65 (59; 71) years, and 55.1% were women. Median PIPAC procedures per patient were 2 (1-3), and 28 (57.1%) underwent more than one PIPAC procedure. Median PCI at the first PIPAC was 19 (15-22). PCI decreased for 37%, remained stable for 29.6%, and increased for 33.4% patients. Four (8.3%) underwent radical R0 surgery after PIPAC. After a median follow-up of 16.1 months (1.5-90.1), the median overall survival from PC diagnosis was 29.1 months (14.8-34.3), with a median gastric and colorectal PC survival of 11.3 (7.2-34.3) and 29.1 months (16.1-31) respectively. Overall survival after the first PIPAC session was 11.6 months (6-17.3), with median survival after gastric and colorectal PCs being 6 (2.9-15.5) and 13.3 months (5-17.6), respectively. Stratification of patients according to the number of lines of systemic chemotherapy, PIPAC procedures, and the chronology of PC onset did not result in a significant difference in survival. CONCLUSION: The OS was in line with the literature. PIPAC could delay oncological progression and improve survival. These encouraging results justify the ongoing and future evaluations of PIPAC by prospective randomized trials.

Early Evaluation of a New French Surgery Course in the Best Practice of Dealing With Major Incidents and Mass Casualty Events.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a nationwide 5-month course aimed to prepare surgeons for Major Incidents through the acquisition of key knowledge and competencies. Learners' satisfaction was also measured as a secondary objective. DESIGN: This course was evaluated thanks to various teaching efficacy metrics, mainly based on Kirkpatrick's hierarchy in medical education. Gain in knowledge of participants was evaluated by multiple-choice tests. Self-reported confidence was measured with 2 detailed pre and post training questionnaires. SETTING: Creation in 2020 of a nationwide, optional and comprehensive Surgical Training in War and Disaster Situation as part of the French surgery residency program. In 2021, data was gathered regarding the impact of the course on participants' knowledge and competencies. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 26 students in the 2021 cohort (13 residents and 13 practitioners). RESULTS: Mean scores were significantly higher in the post-test compared to the pre-test, showing significant increase in participants' knowledge during the course: 73,3% vs. 47,3% respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Average learners' confidence scores to perform technical procedures showed at least a +1-point increase on the Likert scale for 65% of items tested (p ≤ 0.001). 89% of items showed at least a +1-point increase on the Likert scale when it came to average learners' confidence score on dealing with complicated situations (p ≤ 0.001). Our post-training satisfaction survey showed that 92% of all participants have noticed the impact of the course on their daily practice. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the third level of Kirkpatrick's hierarchy in medical education was reached. This course therefore appears to be meeting the objectives set by the Ministry of Health. Being only 2 years old, it is on the road to gathering momentum and further development.

Hospitalization cost of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC).

INTRODUCTION: Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new surgical technique for the treatment of unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis. Very little data is available on the costs of this treatment in France as there is currently no code for PIPAC in the French Common Classification of Medical Acts (CCAM). Our objective was to estimate the mean cost of hospitalization for PIPAC in two French public teaching hospitals. METHODS: The mean cost of hospitalization was estimated from the mean fixed-rate remuneration paid to the hospital and the mean additional costs of treatment paid by the hospital. At discharge a patient's hospitalization is classified into a diagnosis related group, which determines the fixed-rate remuneration paid to the hospital (obtained from the national hospitals database - PMSI). Costs of medical devices and drug treatments specific to PIPAC, not covered by the fixed-rate remuneration, were obtained from the hospital pharmacies. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and November 2021, 205 PIPAC procedures were performed on 79 patients (mean procedures per patient = 2.6). Mean operating room occupancy was 165 min. The mean fixed-rate remuneration received by the hospitals per PIPAC hospitalization was €4031. The actual mean cost per hospitalization was €6562 for a mean length-of-stay of 3.3 days. Thus, each PIPAC hospitalization cost the hospital €2531 on average. CONCLUSION: The current reimbursement of PIPAC treatment by the national health system is insufficient and represents only 61% of the real cost. The creation of a new fixed-rate remuneration for PIPAC taking into account this cost differential is necessary.

Deployment of the French Civil Protection Field Hospital (ESCRIM) in Gölbasi, Turkey after the February 2023 Earthquake: Lessons Learned.

Following the two earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023 with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, causing over 50,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries, France proposed to deploy, via the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM), the French Civil Protection Field Hospital (ESCRIM [Élément de Sécurité Civile Rapide d'Intervention Médicale]): the French World Health Organization (WHO)-classified Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Level 2 (EMT2).After the acceptance from Turkey on February 8, a disaster assessment team (DAT) was sent on February 10, 2023. It was decided, with local health authorities (LHA), to set up the field hospital in Gölbasi, Adiyaman Province where the State Hospital was closed due to a structural risk.Arriving in Gölbasi on February 13 at 2:00am in -12°C (10°F) temperatures, the detachment had no choice but to begin setting up the base of operation (BoO). At dawn, the cold was so intense that one doctor suffered from frostbite. Once the BoO was installed, the team set up the hospital tents. From 11:00am, the sun melted the snow and the ground became very muddy. The objective being to open the hospital as soon as possible, installation of the hospital continued, and it opened on February 14 at 12:00pm/noon, less than 36 hours after on-site arrival.This article describes the mechanics of setting up an EMT-2 in a cold climate, the many problems encountered, and the solutions imagined and proposed.

Effect of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy on the Survival Rate of Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Gastric Origin.

INTRODUCTION: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new surgical technique for the treatment of initially unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Our objective was to compare the results of PIPAC associated with systemic chemotherapy (PIPAC_CHEM) with those of systemic chemotherapy alone (ONLY_CHEM) in patients with gastric PC without metastasis other than peritoneal, and the WHO performance status < 3. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single center, comparative non-randomized study. Seventeen PIPAC_CHEM patients were compared to 29 ONLY_CHEM patients. The primary endpoint was overall survival at 6 months from diagnosis of PC. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were screened and 46 were included (PIPAC_CHEM, n = 17; ONLY_CHEM, n = 29). The PIPAC_ CHEM population was significantly younger (median 64 years [56; 68] vs 74 years [61; 79]; p = 0.0054). Median PIPAC session per patient is 2 [1-3]. Six-month survival was significantly higher in the PIPAC_CHEM group than in the ONLY_CHEM group 16/17 (94.1% [65-99.2]) vs 19/29 (65.5% [45.4-79.7]), respectively; p = 0.029. Over the entire follow-up, median survival [95% CI] was 12.8 months [7.2-34.3] with PIPAC vs 9.1 months [5.4-11.5] without, p = 0.056. At 6 months, median length of additional hospitalization was significantly less for PIPAC_CHEM (median 2 days [2-7]) than without PIPAC (median 11 days [3-21]) (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The overall survival at 6 months after the diagnosis of carcinomatosis was significantly better for PIPAC_CHEM patients. This difference appears to continue until at least 18 months. At 6 months, days of additional hospitalization was significantly less in the PIPAC_CHEM group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT 04,879,953.