Early diagnosis is associated with improved clinical outcomes in benign esophageal perforation: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Time of diagnosis (TOD) of benign esophageal perforation is regarded as an important risk factor for clinical outcome, although convincing evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to assess whether time between onset of perforation and diagnosis is associated with clinical outcome in patients with iatrogenic esophageal perforation (IEP) and Boerhaave's syndrome (BS). METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library through June 2018 to identify studies. Authors were invited to share individual patient data and a meta-analysis was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42018093473). Patients were subdivided in early (≤ 24 h) and late (> 24 h) TOD and compared with mixed effects multivariable analysis while adjusting age, gender, location of perforation, initial treatment and center. Primary outcome was overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, re-interventions and ICU admission. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included IPD of 25 studies including 576 patients with IEP and 384 with BS. In IEP, early TOD was not associated with overall mortality (8% vs. 13%, OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8-5.1), but was associated with a 23% decrease in ICU admissions (46% vs. 69%, OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.2), a 22% decrease in re-interventions (23% vs. 45%, OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.7) and a 36% decrease in length of hospital stay (14 vs. 22 days, p < 0.001), compared with late TOD. In BS, no associations between TOD and outcomes were found. When combining IEP and BS, early TOD was associated with a 6% decrease in overall mortality (10% vs. 16%, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.9), a 19% decrease in re-interventions (26% vs. 45%, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and a 35% decrease in mean length of hospital stay (16 vs. 22 days, p = 0.001), compared with late TOD. CONCLUSIONS: This individual patient data meta-analysis confirms the general opinion that an early (≤ 24 h) compared to a late diagnosis (> 24 h) in benign esophageal perforations, particularly in IEP, is associated with improved clinical outcome.

Value of complete metabolic response by (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in oesophageal cancer for prediction of pathologic response and survival after preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

We aimed to assess the ability of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scan to predict pathologic complete response (CR) and survival in patients with oesophageal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The study cohort consisted of 62 consecutive patients with operable oesophageal cancer who were treated with preoperative CRT followed by oesophagectomy. Endoscopy, computed tomography (CT) and PET were performed before and after CRT. Of the 62 patients, 56 (90%) patients responded to preoperative CRT. FDG-PET-determined complete metabolic response (CMR) was achieved by 33 patients (54.1%), whereas pathologic CR was achieved by 28 patients (45.2%). Compared with endoscopic biopsy or CT scan, CMR by FDG-PET showed the highest correlation with pathologic CR (concordance, 71%). At a median follow-up of 19.3 months (range, 3.9-57.1 months), median overall survival (OS) was not reached in patients with CMR compared to 22.4 months in patients who did not achieve CMR. Median disease free survival (DFS) was not reached in patients with CMR compared to 17.4 months in patients who did not achieve CMR. By multivariate analysis, CMR by FDG-PET was significantly associated with better DFS and OS (P=0.006, P=0.033, respectively). The variables associated with pre-CRT PET scan were not predictive of survival. In conclusion, CMR by FDG-PET has a significant correlation with pathologic CR and can predict the long-term outcome in oesophageal cancer patients undergoing CRT. Although surgery is standard treatment for respectable oesophageal cancer, currently even in patients with CMR, the addition of (18)F-FDG-PET could be used to select the patient subgroup not requiring surgery.

Capecitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy (XP) alone or sequentially combined chemoradiotherapy containing XP regimen in patients with three different settings of stage IV esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The 1997 staging system for esophageal carcinoma subdivided distant metastatic disease (M1) into nonregional lymph node metastases (M1a) and other metastases (M1b). To determine the relevance of this classification system, we investigated the efficacy and toxicity of capecitabine/cisplatin (XP) chemotherapy alone or in combination with radiotherapy. METHODS: We identified 74 patients with M1 disease treated at Asan Medical Center from January 2003 to December 2005. Of these patients, 19 (25.7%) were classified as M1a, 29 (39.2%) as M1b (nonvisceral lymph node metastases), and 26 (35.1%) as M1b (visceral metastases). All patients were treated with first two cycles of XP induction chemotherapy, consisting of capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14, and i.v. cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, every 3 weeks. Patients classified as M1a and M1b (nonvisceral lymph node metastases) were treated with 54 Gy of radiotherapy, concurrently with weekly capecitabine 800 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-5 and i.v. cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) on day 1 during radiation. Patients classified as M1b (visceral metastases) were treated with chemotherapy only until disease progression or intolerance to chemotherapy. RESULTS: In response to the first two cycles of chemotherapy, 3/18 (16.7%) M1a nonregional lymph node (LN), 4/27 (14.8%) M1b nonvisceral LN metastases and 5/25 (20%) M1b visceral metastases patients attained partial responses. After definitive chemoradiation in the setting of M1a, M1b nonvisceral LN metastases and maximum cycles of chemotherapy in the M1b visceral metastases setting, the response rates were 77.8, 62.9 and 36.0% respectively. With median follow-up of 12.5 months (range 0.5-22.8), 50 of 74 patients (67.5%) died. The median time to progression (TTP) was 7.8 months (95% CI, 6.0-9.5 months) and the median overall survival (OS) was 12.0 months (95% CI, 9.0-15.0 months). Median TTP in the M1a, M1b nonvisceral LN metastases and M1b visceral metastases were 10.3, 6.5 and 5.9 months, respectively (P = 0.087), whereas median OS in these groups was 13.8, 13.8, and 8.2 months, respectively (P = 0.134). Median TTP was 8.4 months (95% CI, 5.5-11.3 months) in the 48 patients with M1a and M1b nonvisceral LN metastases and 5.9 months (95% CI, 2.7-9.0 months) in the 26 patients with M1b visceral metastases (P = 0.03), and median OS in these two groups was 13.8 months (95% CI, 10.4-17.3 months) and 8.2 months (95% CI, 5.7-10.7 months), respectively (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The similar OS in patients with M1a and M1b nonvisceral LN metastases suggests that concurrent chemoradiotherapy might contribute in the latter. Our findings indicate that sequentially combined chemoradiotherapy containing XP regimen was active and well tolerated as first-line treatment for M1a as well as M1b esophageal cancer.

A two-short-implant-supported molar restoration in atrophic posterior maxilla: A finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the stress distribution of 2-short implants (2SIs) installed in a severely atrophic maxillary molar site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different diameters of internal connection implants were modeled: narrow platform (NP), regular platform (RP), and wide platform (WP). The maxillary first molars were restored with one implant or two short implants. Three 2SI models (NP-oblique, NP-vertical, and NP-horizontal) and four single implant models (RP and WP in a centered or cantilevered position) were used. Axial and oblique loadings were applied on the occlusal surface of the crown. The von Mises stress values were measured at the bone-implant, peri-implant bone, and implant/abutment complex. RESULTS: The highest stress distribution at the bone-implant interface and the peri-implant bone was noticed in the RP group, and the lowest stress distribution was observed in the 2SI groups. Cantilevered position showed unfavorable stress distribution with axial loading. 2SI types did not affect the stress distribution in oblique loading. The number and installation positions of the implant, rather than the bone level, influenced the stress distribution of 2SIs. The implant/abutment complex of WP presented the highest stress concentration while that of 2SIs showed the lowest stress concentration. CONCLUSION: 2SIs may be useful for achieving stable stress distribution on the surrounding bone and implant-abutment complex in the atrophic posterior maxilla.

Effects of two preparation designs and pontic distance on bending and fracture strength of fiber-reinforced composite inlay fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Joint fractures observed in Targis/Vectris inlay adhesive fixed restorations may be related to the preparation design. PURPOSE: This in vitro study investigated the effects of the proximal tooth preparation design and the pontic distance on the fracture strength and the amount of bending of fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracted premolars and 40 molars were embedded in a PMMA resin to represent a premolar and molar mesiodistal separation distance of 7 mm and 11 mm, respectively. Two preparation designs were used (proximal box and tub-shaped). The sample size was 10 for each group. Fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures were fabricated by use of the Targis/Vectris system and luted adhesively to the teeth with Variolink luting agent. A vertical force was loaded to the center of the fixed partial dentures at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The initial bending (mm) prior to fracture was evaluated by measuring the distance the test rod moved from a 10 N preload to fracture. The differences in the mean fracture strength and the average amount of bending as a function of the preparation designs and pontic distances were compared by use of a 2-way analysis of variance (alpha=.05). The specimens were examined optically for the type of failure with a stereomicroscope. The fracture surface of the specimens was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and radiography was used to investigate the surface morphological features at the failure sites and to determine the fracture mode. A chi-square test was used to identify the differences in the debonding rates between the types of preparation designs and the pontic distance (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The mean fracture strength and the standard deviation of the fiber-reinforced inlay retained adhesive fixed partial denture group was 1368+/-212 N for the 7-mm tub group, 885+/-109 N for the 11-mm tub group, 1779+/-317 N for the 7-mm box group, and 1336+/-281 N for the 11-mm box group. The fracture strength was significantly higher in the 7-mm pontic distance (P<.001) and for the box-shaped tooth preparation (P<.001). The amount of bending was significantly greater in the 7-mm pontic distance (P=.025) and the box-shaped tooth preparation (P=.002). Debonding was observed only in premolar teeth and tub-shaped design groups. CONCLUSION: The box-shaped tooth preparation may be considered for restoration of a missing single posterior tooth with fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures.