En Bloc Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Resection Without Reconstruction With Right Hepatectomy and Right Nephrectomy for a Large IVC Leiomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Radical resection remains the only potential cure in the management of inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcomas with multivisceral resections often needed (Borghi et al. in J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 63:649-663, 2022). This video describes the technical nuances of surgical resection of a large retrohepatic IVC leiomyosarcoma. PATIENT AND METHODS: Computed tomography of a 60-year-old woman revealed a 12 × 12 × 9.5 cm mass in the right suprarenal region infiltrating the IVC with intraluminal extension up to the hepatic venous confluence. The mass involved the right hepatic vein with infiltration of segment 7 of the liver and splaying of the right portal vein. Robust lumbar venous drainage from the infratumoral IVC was seen. En bloc IVC resection without reconstruction along with a right hepatectomy and right nephrectomy was performed via a right thoracoabdominal approach. RESULTS: After a Catell-Braasch maneuver, the surgery can be broadly divided into four major steps: (1) Right retroperitoneal mobilization of the tumor and right kidney with infratumoral IVC control, (2) mobilization of the right liver with suprahepatic IVC control, (3) division of the right portal structures with right hepatectomy, and (4) en bloc resection of the IVC tumor. Reconstruction of the IVC was not performed owing to the presence of venous collaterals (Langenbecks et al. in Arch Surg 407:1209-1216, 2022). Final histopathology showed a high-grade leiomyosarcoma with histologic organ invasion in the liver and right kidney with resected margins free of the tumor (R0). CONCLUSIONS: Meticulous preoperative planning and expertise in liver resection and retroperitoneal surgeries facilitates such radical yet safe multivisceral resection for a large retrohepatic IVC leiomyosarcoma without the need for a cardiopulmonary bypass.

Standardizing Surgical Management of Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Dawn of a New Surgical Subspeciality in India.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal sarcomas are a complex and heterogenous group of tumors. An approach to these tumors should be guided by a clear understanding of the disease biology and anatomical principles, which mandates a dedicated multidisciplinary team approach at all steps of management. We present our experience of evolution as a high-volume sarcoma center with a dedicated multidisciplinary tumor board (the RP clinic) with consequent standardization of surgeries and management protocols. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database for patients undergoing surgery from January 2011 to June 2023 was performed. Data were divided into the pre-clinic era (2011-2017) and post-clinic era (2018-2023). Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Chi-square test was used to test significance for categorical variables. Time trends were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Overall, 254 patients were operated during this period; 36.6% of patients underwent surgeries in the pre-RP clinic era (6 years) and 63.3% in the post-RP clinic era (4.5 years). There was a statistically significant increase in the number of cases being operated per year, from an average of 16.3 in the pre-clinic era to 42.4 in the post-RP clinic era (p = 0.001). The post-RP clinic era also showed a significant increase in compartment and multivisceral resections (49% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary tumor board (RP clinic) resulted in standardization of management protocols, resulting in optimal oncological and surgical outcomes.

Outcomes of incidental versus non-incidental T2 gallbladder cancer: A single-institute experience of 425 cases.

BACKGROUND: Up to 60% of incidentally detected gallbladder cancers (GBCs) have a primary stage of pathologic T2 stage (pT2), defined by invasion of the peri-adventitial tissue by the tumour, a plane breached during a simple cholecystectomy. This study assesses the impact of incidental detection of pT2 GBCs on survival outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pT2 GBCs undergoing a curative resection was performed. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before an upfront radical resection were excluded. Outcomes of patients undergoing upfront surgery (uGBC) and incidentally detected tumours (iGBC) were compared. RESULTS: From a total of 1356 patients, 425 patients with pT2 GBCs were included. Of these, 118 (27.7%) and 307 (72.23%) patients were in the uGBC and iGBC groups, respectively. Patients with iGBC had significantly higher locoregional, (62 [19.8%] vs. 11 [9.3%]; p = 0.009), liver, (36 [11.5%] vs. 4 [3.4%]; p = 0.01), and abdominal wall recurrences (23 [7.4%] vs. 1 [0.8%]; p = 0.009). Five-year disease free survival rates were 68.7% and 49.2% in the uGBC and iGBC groups, respectively (p = 0.013). Five-year overall survival rates were 71.7% and 64.6% in the uGBC and iGBC groups, respectively (p = 0.317). CONCLUSIONS: Incidentally detected pT2 GBCs have significantly poorer outcomes compared to similarly staged patients undergoing an upfront radical cholecystectomy.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the gallbladder: A single institute analysis of outcomes and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are classified as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), and mixed neuroendocrine and nonneuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) according to World Health Organization classification. We present our experience of NENs of the gallbladder (GB) from a high-volume cancer hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a retrospective analysis of all patients with GB NENs who presented between January 2015 and June 2023. The patient details and treatment received with follow-up were noted. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included in the study. The median age was 52 (27-81) years. There was a female predominance (70.7%). NEC was the most common subtype (84.4%) followed by MiNEN (12.9%) and NET (2.7%). The most common stage at presentation was metastatic (70.7%) followed by locally advanced (21.8%), and early disease (7.5%). The median follow-up was 9.92 (1.77-76.06) months. Median OS was 6.14 (3.93-8.35) months. Median OS in patients who received multimodality treatment was 20.20 (17.99-22.41) months versus 4.00 (2.91-5.10) months in those who did not receive it. CONCLUSION: GB NENs are rare, but aggressive tumors with NEC being the most common type. Multimodality treatment yields favorable outcomes. However, the development of better systemic therapy is needed to help improve survival further.

Tumor burden score as a prognostic factor in patients with intermediate and locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection: an attempt to extend resectability criteria.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is currently recommended as a curative treatment option for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) belonging to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A only. This study aims to classify various BCLC groups as per Tumor Burden Score (TBS) in an attempt to identify patients who could benefit from resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all patients operated for HCC between January 2010 and July 2022 was performed. TBS was defined as, TBS2 = (maximum tumor diameter)2 + (number of tumors)2. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-one patients who underwent resection were staged as per the latest BCLC (A = 219, B = 45, C = 27) staging. Patients were segregated into low (<7.3) and high (>7.3) TBS. With a median follow-up of 36.2 months, the median OS for stages, A and B in the low TBS group was 107.4 and 42.7 months respectively. Median OS was not reached for patients in the BCLC C stage. In patients with high TBS, the median OS for BCLC A, B and C was 42.3, 25.72, and 16.9 months respectively. CONCLUSION: TBS is a significant factor influencing survival in patients of HCC. TBS can be used to stratify patients in BCLC B and C stages and help select patients who would benefit from surgical resection to achieve good long-term survival with acceptable morbidity.

Comparison of age-stratified survival outcomes of gallbladder cancers in an Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancers (GBCs) occur a decade earlier in India in comparison to the global occurrence, limiting the applicability of existing literature on age adjusted outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery between 01.01.2010 and 31.12.2020 for GBC were analyzed. Patients were divided into three age groups: group 1(≤40 years), group 2(41-60 years), group 3(>60 years) and their outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Total of 6190 patients were treated for suspected or diagnosed GBC with a median age of 57 years. Curative resection was performed in 749 (67.9%) patients, of whom 114 (16.2%), 471 (62.9%), and 164 (21.9%) patients were in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) [46.8% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.031] and overall survival (OS)[53.5% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.05] of group 3 were significantly lower than group 1. Patient age (HR 1.021), AJCC stage (HR 6.413), pathologic residual disease in the gallbladder fossa (HR 2.44), and extranodal tumor deposits (HR 1.762) were identified as independent predictors of poor OS. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder cancers in the Indian population show poorer outcomes with advancing age. Higher proportion of males in the elderly group with a more advanced stage at presentation are plausible reasons for poorer outcomes.

Oncologic Liver Resections in a Geriatric Population: Peri-operative, Long-Term and Quality-of-Life Outcomes-Experience from a High-Volume Centre in India.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients can often be overlooked as candidates for a major hepatic resection, by virtue of their age. To enable better patient selection for hepatic resections in this age group, we analysed the outcomes of liver resections in elderly patients to identify any potential prognostic factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of hepatic resections from 1 January 2010 to 31 October 2021 and analysed the post-operative outcomes in patients aged 65 years or older. Short-term outcomes were analysed in terms of length of hospital stay, 90-day major morbidity, and 90-day mortality. Long-term outcome was defined by the disease-free survival, overall survival and quality of life. RESULTS: Over a period of 11 years, 170 elderly patients underwent oncologic liver resections, of which 68 (40%) underwent a major hepatectomy. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 32.8% and 5.3%, respectively. Extent of hepatic resection, increasing age, concomitant resection of other organs and a biliary-enteric anastomosis were independent predictors for poor immediate post-operative outcomes. Median disease-free survival and overall survival were 30 months and 78 months, respectively. The global health status was excellent in majority of patients with a mean score of 88.62. CONCLUSION: Major oncologic liver resections can be performed in well-selected geriatric population with acceptable peri-operative, long-term and quality-of-life outcomes.

Post-hepatectomy biliary leaks: analysis of risk factors and development of a simplified predictive scoring system.

PURPOSE: Most studies identifying risk factors for post-hepatectomy biliary leaks (PHBLs) have relatively small proportions of major hepatectomies. A simplified predictive score to identify high risk patients is necessary in order to investigate the efficacy of mitigation strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of liver resections from a high-volume cancer center was performed. Multivariate regression was utilized for identification of risk factors and development of the predictive score. RESULTS: A total of 862 patients underwent a curative hepatic resection over 10 years, of whom 146 (16.9%) developed a biliary leak; 85 (9.86%), 52 (6.03%), and 9 (1.04%) patients had a grade A, B, and C leak respectively. A biliary-enteric anastomosis [OR 5.1 (95% CI 2.45-10.58); p < 0.001], a central [OR 4.33 (95% CI 1.25-14.95); p = 0.021] or an extended hepatectomy [OR 4.29 (95% CI 1.52-12.12); p = 0.006], liver steatosis [OR 2.28 (95% CI 1.09-4.77); p = 0.027], and blood loss of ≥ 2000 mL [OR 2.219 (95% CI 1.15-4.27); p = 0.017] were identified as independent predictors of a clinically significant biliary leak and were assigned 1 point each to develop the biliary leak score. Clinically significant biliary leaks were seen in 11 (2.79%), 20 (6.38%), 19 (15.4%), 9 (56.3%), and 1 (100%) patients with scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A biliary-enteric anastomosis, a central or extended hepatectomy, liver steatosis, and blood loss ≥ 2L combined result in a simple predictive score for clinically significant biliary leaks.

Surgical resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma and those beyond BCLC: systematic review with proposed management algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the sixth most common cancer and ranks third in mortality worldwide with inhomogeneity in terms of resection for advanced-stage disease. METHODS: A systematic review of published literature using the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases from 1995 to 2020 was conducted to identify studies that reported outcomes of resection for solitary HCC > 10 cm, BCLC B/C, and multinodular HCC. Our aim was to assess overall survival for resection, identify poor prognostic factors, and to compare it to trans-arterial chemotherapy (TACE) where data was available. RESULTS: Eighty-nine articles were included after a complete database search in the systematic review as per our predefined criteria. Analysis revealed a 5-year overall survival of 33.5% for resection of HCC > 10 cm, 41.7% for BCLC B, 23.3% for BCLC C, and 36.6% for multinodular HCC. Peri-operative mortality ranged from 0 to 6.9%. Studies comparing resection versus TACE for BCLC B/C had a survival of 40% versus 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review justifies hepatic resection wherever feasible for hepatocellular carcinomas > 10 cm, BCLC B, BCLC C, and multinodular tumors. In addition, we identified and proposed an algorithm with five poor prognostic criteria in this group of patients who may benefit from adjuvant TACE.

Utility and limitations of intraoperative frozen section diagnosis to determine optimal surgical strategy in suspected gallbladder malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains a challenge. Unwarranted extensive surgery for benign disease and undertreatment for GBC pose challenges. We aimed to analyze the utility, diagnostic accuracy, and limitations of intraoperative frozen section (FS), for primary diagnosis of suspected gallbladder malignancy. METHODS: Patients with suspected GBC underwent a cystic-plate cholecystectomy and FS for primary diagnosis. The procedure was considered adequate if FS suggested a benign pathology. A radical cholecystectomy was performed if FS favoured GBC, or in patients with high intra-operative suspicion of malignancy. All FS records were compared with final histopathology. RESULTS: FS guided the surgical strategy in 491 of 575 resections (85.4%). FS had a sensitivity of 88.3%, specificity of 99.6%, a positive predictive value of 99.4% and a negative predictive value of 92.7%. The diagnostic accuracy of FS was 95.1%. With routine use of intraoperative FS, only 10 out of 491 patients (2%) required a revised surgical strategy. CONCLUSIONS: For radiologically suspected GBC it is prudent to confirm the histological diagnosis by use of intraoperative FS before undertaking radical resections. This study emphasizes the safety and accuracy of FS as an adjunct for directing optimal surgical strategy in suspected GBC.

Large functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma: A surgical challenge.

Paraganglioma is relatively rare retroperitoneal tumors. If functional retroperitoneal paragangliomas are misdiagnosed, surgical intervention can precipitate intraoperative hypertensive crises which may have serious consequences. We present a case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a large functional right-sided retroperitoneal paraganglioma encasing the inferior vena cava (IVC). The patient underwent paraganglioma excision with IVC resection with right nephrectomy. Such complex multivisceral resections require surgical expertise and are feasible at high-volume centers experienced in performing retroperitoneal surgeries.

Phase I Study Evaluating Dose De-escalation of Sorafenib with Metformin and Atorvastatin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (SMASH).

BACKGROUND: This phase I dose de-escalation study aimed to assess the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of sequentially decreasing doses of sorafenib in combination (SAM) with atorvastatin (A, 10 mg) and metformin (M, 500 mg BD) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Patients were enrolled in 1 of 4 sequential cohorts (10 patients each) of sorafenib doses (800 mg, 600 mg. 400 mg, and 200 mg) with A and M. Progression from one level to the next was based on prespecified minimum disease stabilization (at least 4/10) and upper limits of specific grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE). RESULTS: The study was able to progress through all 4 dosing levels of sorafenib by the accrual of 40 patients. Thirty-eight (95%) patients had either main portal vein thrombosis or/and extra-hepatic disease. The most common grade 3-5 TRAEs were hand-foot-syndrome (grade 2 and grade 3) in 3 (8%) and transaminitis in 2 (5%) patients, respectively. The plasma concentrations of sorafenib peaked at 600 mg dose, and the concentration threshold of 2400 ng/mL was associated with higher odds of achieving time to exposure (TTE) concentrations >75% centile (odds ratio [OR] = 10.0 [1.67-44.93]; P = .01). The median overall survival for patients without early hepatic decompensation (n = 31) was 8.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-14.5 months). CONCLUSION: The SAM combination in HCC patients with predominantly unfavorable baseline disease characteristics showed a marked reduction in sorafenib-related side effects. Studies using sorafenib 600 mg per day in this combination along with sorafenib drug level monitoring can be evaluated in further trials.(Trial ID: CTRI/2018/07/014865).

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic patients undergoing preoperative COVID testing prior to cancer surgery: ASPECT study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic, with high rate of asymptomatic infections and increased perioperative complications, prompted widespread adoption of screening methods. We analyzed the incidence of asymptomatic infection and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing cancer surgery. We also studied the impact on subsequent cancer treatment in those with COVID-19. METHODS: All patients who underwent elective and emergency cancer surgery from April to September 2020 were included. After screening for symptoms, a preoperative test was performed from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs before the procedure. Patients were followed up for 30 days postoperatively and complications were noted. RESULTS: 2108 asymptomatic patients were tested, of which 200 (9.5%) tested positive. Of those who tested positive, 140 (70%) underwent the planned surgery at a median of 30 days from testing positive, and 20 (14.3%) had ≥ Grade III complications. Forty (20%) patients did not receive the intended treatment; 110 patients were retested in the Postoperative period, and 41 (37.3%) tested positive and 9(22%) patients died of COVID-related complications. CONCLUSION: Routine preoperative testing for COVID-19 helps to segregate patients with asymptomatic infection. Higher complications occur in those who develop COVID-19 in postoperative period. Prolonged delay in surgery after COVID infection may influence planned treatment.

Surgical Site Infections in patients undergoing major oncological surgery during the COVID-19 paNdemic (SCION): A propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are reports of outcomes of elective major cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated if reinforcement of hand hygiene, universal masking, and distancing as a part of pandemic precautions led to a decrease in the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in major oncologic resections. METHODS: Propensity score matching using the nearest neighbor algorithm was performed on 3123 patients over seven covariates (age, comorbidities, surgery duration, prior treatment, disease stage, reconstruction, and surgical wound type) yielding 2614 matched (pre-COVID 1612 and COVID 1002) patients. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify if SSI incidence was lower amongst patients operated during the pandemic. RESULTS: There was a 4.2% (p = 0.006) decrease in SSI in patients operated during the pandemic. On multivariate regression, surgery during the COVID-19 period (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61-0.98; p = 0.03), prior chemoradiation (OR = 2.46; CI = 1.45-4.17; p < 0.001), duration of surgery >4 h (OR = 2.17; 95%CI = 1.55-3.05; p < 0.001) and clean contaminated wounds (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.09-2.18; p = 0.012) were significantly associated with SSI. CONCLUSION: Increased compliance with hand hygiene, near-universal mask usage, and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic possibly led to a 23% decreased odds of SSI in major oncologic resections. Extending these low-cost interventions in the post-pandemic era can decrease morbidity associated with SSI in cancer surgery.

Parenchymal preserving liver resection for centrally located liver tumors: how I do it?

Central liver tumors often require extended hepatectomy or a central hepatectomy with complex biliary reconstructions. Extended resections are prone to higher chances of post-operative liver failure, while the resections mandating reconstructions run a risk of biliary leaks. Non-anatomical liver resections for these centrally located tumors provide a benefit of functional parenchymal preservation but a higher perceived risk of oncological inadequacy. This manuscript is an attempt to showcase author's technique of parenchymal sparing liver resection for central located liver tumor without the need for any biliary reconstruction while ensuring oncological adequacy during the conduct of the procedure.

Leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC): do we really need to reconstruct IVC post resection? Single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are a rare group of retroperitoneal tumors. R0 surgical resection is the only curative modality of treatment. IVC resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma is a complex surgery with no definitive guidelines for reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgical resection of primary leiomyosarcoma of the IVC requiring resection from 2010 to 2020 at our tertiary care center was performed. RESULTS: Among 24 patients who required IVC resection for LMS, only 7 (29%) required reconstruction of IVC. According to Clavien-Dindo classification, there was one grade 3 or more morbidity and 1 post-operative mortality. Seventeen patients underwent R0 resection whereas 7 patients had R1 resection on final histopathology. At a median follow-up of 25 months (range 8-91 months), the median OS was 40 months with median DFS of 28 months. Two patients presented with local recurrence while 13 patients developed systemic recurrence on follow-up. CONCLUSION: Careful preoperative multidisciplinary planning can make IVC resection without reconstruction feasible with acceptable perioperative morbidity, mortality, and oncological outcomes for IVC LMS.

The reality of cholangiocarcinoma in India- real world data from a tertiary referral centre.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are rare tumours originating from bile duct. Due to their asymptomatic nature they are usually diagnosed when the disease is advanced. Little data exists with respect to their incidence and treatment outcomes in low and middle income countries. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all patients with perihilar (pCCA) and intrahepatic (iCCA) CCA registered between January 2012 and December 2018 was performed. RESULTS: A total of 760 patients, 427 (56.2%) diagnosed with pCCA and 333 (43.8%) of iCCA were included. Patients with localised, locally advanced and metastatic disease in pCCA were 45.5%, 25.9%, 8.5% and that in iCCA were 22.1%, 10.1% and 67.7% respectively. Only 141 (43.9%, 57 - iCCA, 84 -pCCA) of the total 321 patients started on some definitive cancer directed therapy could complete the intended treatment. The overall curative resection rate for all patients of iCCA was 14.5% whereas for patients of pCCA it was only 10.5%. CONCLUSION: More than half of CCA patients are not able to complete their intended treatment, being worse for pCCA as compared to iCCA. Early referral and centralisation of treatment for this complex disease might be the way forward to achieve optimal outcomes.

Impact of enhanced recovery pathway in 408 gallbladder cancer resections.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the sixth most common gastrointestinal malignancy with poor prognosis. Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) is associated with improved outcomes following abdominal surgical procedures. Currently, there is no study evaluating ERP in patients undergoing GBC surgery. The objective was to assess compliance with ERP elements and evaluate its impact on postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Prospective study conducted from February 2014-2019, including elective GBC surgery. Team was educated prior to ERP implementation. Compliance with the protocol, functional gastrointestinal (GI) recovery, mobilisation, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Impact of degree of compliance (more or less than 80%) with ERP and postoperative outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: In 408 patients, compliance with ERP was 84.6% (53.8-100%). Compliance >80% with ERP elements was observed in 245 patients (60%). Patients with >80% compliance had lower rate of minor (18.8% vs. 27%, p = 0.050) and significantly less major (0.8% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.002) and postoperative stay (5.84 ± 4.86 vs. 7.55 ± 6.6 days, p < 0.001) and earlier functional GI recovery. Intraoperative blood loss more than 600 ml, lower compliance (<80%) with ERP and preoperative albumin independently predicted postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery pathway in gallbladder cancer. Higher compliance with the pathway was associated with significantly improved postoperative outcomes following gallbladder cancer surgery.

ASO Author Reflections: Revision Surgery or Timely Chemotherapy for Incidental Gallbladder Cancers: What is Actually Helping?

Revision surgery with or without chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting remains the standard treatment for incidental gallbladder cancers (iGBCs). Over the years, researchers have retrospectively analyzed the surgical audits and tried to establish the perceived benefit and optimal timing for revision surgery. Patkar and colleagues have analyzed the outcomes for 517 patients with iGBC, concluding that there is no optimal timing for performing a revision surgery after initial cholecystectomy. Revision surgery is essentially the most accurate staging procedure and should be offered to patients at any time of presentation if they remain non-metastatic. Timely initiation of chemotherapy is the key to improving the outcomes for patients with this otherwise inherently aggressive disease.

Revision Surgery for Incidental Gallbladder Cancer-Challenging the Dogma: Ideal Timing and Real-World Applicability.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of consensus on the ideal time interval and therapeutic value of revision surgery in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) in the context of multimodality management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of an institutional database of patients with iGBC who underwent surgery from January 2010 to December 2019 was performed. Patients who underwent upfront surgery were divided into four time interval groups: A, B, C, and D (< 6 weeks, 6-10 weeks, 10-14 weeks, and > 14 weeks, respectively). RESULTS: A cohort of 517 patients planned for revision surgery was analyzed. Overall, 382 (73.9%) patients underwent upfront surgery while 135 (26.1%) were given neoadjuvant treatment. With median follow-up of 18 months, 2-year overall survival (OS) was 66% and disease-free survival (DFS) was 52.6%, with inferior survival outcomes observed with advancing stage and presence of residual disease on final histopathology. Propensity score-matched analysis after matching for pT stage of cholecystectomy specimen suggested a survival benefit for patients operated between 10 and 14 weeks in terms of OS (p = 0.049) and DFS (p = 0.006). Patients with locally advanced iGBC at presentation had superior OS when operated after neoadjuvant therapy [3-year estimated OS of 59.9% vs 32.3%, respectively (p = 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Revision surgery is at best the most accurate staging procedure guiding timely initiation of systemic therapy. Patients with iGBC operated between 10 and 14 weeks after initial cholecystectomy tend to have favorable survival outcomes, although this depends on final disease stage. Revision surgery should also be offered to all patients presenting at any later point of time, if deemed operable.