Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Surgical Management and Outcomes of Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the USA. We aimed to determine racial and socioeconomic disparities in the surgical management and outcomes of patients with CRC in a contemporary, national cohort. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample for the period 2009-2015. Adult patients diagnosed with CRC and who underwent colorectal resection were included. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the effect of race, insurance type, and household income on patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 100,515 patients were included: 72,552 (72%) had elective admissions and 27,963 (28%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. Patients with private insurance and higher household income were consistently more likely to have laparoscopic procedures, compared to other insurance types and income levels, p < 0.0001. Black patients, compared to white patients, were more likely to have postoperative complications (OR 1.23, 95% CI, 1.17, 1.29). Patients with Medicare and Medicaid, compared to private insurance, were also more likely to have postoperative complications (OR 1.30, 95% CI, 1.24, 1.37 and OR 1.40, 95% CI, 1.31, 1.50). Patients in low-household-income areas had higher rates of any complication (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06, 1.16). CONCLUSIONS: The use of laparoscopic surgery in patients with CRC is strongly influenced by insurance type and household income, with Medicare, Medicaid and low-income patients being less likely to undergo laparoscopic surgery. In addition, black patients, patients with public insurance, and patients with low household income have significant worse surgical outcomes.

Above the Clavicle: A Simplified Screening Method for Asymptomatic Blunt Cerebral Vascular Injury.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is an increasingly detected pattern in trauma with significant morbidity, putting patients at risk for subsequent stoke. Complex screening protocols exist to determine who should undergo CT angiography of the neck (CTAN) to evaluate for BCVI. Once identified, stroke incidence may be reduced with appropriate treatment across grades. We hypothesize that an expanded and simplified method for identifying patients with clinical suspicion for BCVI based upon injury above the clavicle (ATC) will illustrate a previously undiagnosed cohort of patients. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review of adult (age ≥18 years) blunt trauma patients with BCVI from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients undergoing CTAN were divided into 2 groups based upon qualification by either the expanded Denver criteria or clinical evidence of any injury ATC. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were diagnosed with BCVI (25 566 blunt trauma admissions, .9% incidence). Seventeen patients (8%) who did not satisfy expanded Denver were diagnosed with BCVI by ATC, most commonly undergoing CTAN due to facial trauma (n = 8). There were no differences in distribution of carotid artery injuries (CAI) and vertebral artery injuries (VAI) in the expanded Denver criteria group compared to the ATC group. CONCLUSIONS: CTAN for blunt trauma with any injury ATC is an easy-to-use screening tool and may be seamlessly included with initial whole-body imaging.

Equivalent Operative Outcomes for Emergency Colon Cancer Resections Among Acute Care Surgeons and Specialists in Colorectal Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Improved screening has decreased but not eliminated the need for emergent surgery for colon cancer (CC), many of which are performed by acute care surgery (ACS) surgeons. This retrospective review compares outcomes for CC resections on the ACS service to the surgical oncology and colorectal services (SO/CRS). METHODS: Retrospective review was performed for CC operations between 2014 and 2019. Data for margin status, cancer stage, number of lymph nodes dissected, time to medical oncology follow-up, and time to initiation of chemotherapy were collected. Patients with curative resection, who chose comfort care, presented on alternative services or with non-CC indications as well as those were lost to follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: 36 ACS patients and 269 SO/CRS patients underwent CC resections. Most ACS patients presented emergently compared to the SO/CC group (83.3% vs 1%, P < .05) as well as with more advanced tumor stage. There were no statistically significant differences for presence of metastatic disease, number of lymph nodes obtained, or time to post-surgical care (in days) and chemotherapy initiation (in days). 3 (8%) EGS patients had positive margins compared to 6 (2%) CRS/SO patients due to the presence of perforated tumors in the ACS group (p < .05). There were no statistically significant differences in 30- day or 1-year mortality despite the emergent presentation of the ACS patients. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that despite emergent presentation and advanced disease burden, ACS surgeons provide quality care to CC patients, both in the operating room and in coordination of care.

Precision Approaches in the Management of Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Latest Advancements Towards Individualizing the Treatment.

The genetic and molecular underpinnings of metastatic colorectal cancer have been studied for decades, and the applicability of these findings in clinical decision making continues to evolve. Advancements in translating molecular studies have provided a basis for tailoring chemotherapeutic regimens in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment, which have informed multiple practice guidelines. Various genetic and molecular pathways have been identified as clinically significant in the pathogenesis of metastatic colorectal cancer. These include rat sarcoma (RAS), epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair, and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog b1 (BRAF) with established clinical implications. RAS mutations and deficiencies in the mismatch repair pathway guide decisions regarding the administration of anti-EGFR-based therapies and immunotherapy, respectively. Furthermore, there are several emerging pathways and therapeutic modalities that have not entered mainstream use in mCRC treatment and are ripe for further investigation. The well-established data in the arena of targeted therapies provide evidence-based support for the use or avoidance of various therapeutic regimens in mCRC treatment, while the emerging pathways and platforms offer a glimpse into the future of transforming a precision approach into a personalized treatment.