Continuity of care experienced by patients in a multi-institutional pancreatic care network: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, health care services for pancreatic surgery were reorganized. Volume norms were applied with the result that only a limited number of expert centers perform pancreatic surgery. As a result of this centralization of pancreatic surgery, the patient journey of patients with pancreatic tumors has become multi-institutional. To illustrate, patients are referred to a center of expertise for pancreatic surgery whereas other parts of pancreatic care, such as chemotherapy, take place in local hospitals. This fragmentation of health care services could affect continuity of care (COC). The aim of this study was to assess COC perceived by patients in a pancreatic care network and investigate correlations with patient-and care-related characteristics. METHODS: This is a pilot study in which patients with (pre) malignant pancreatic tumors discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board in a Dutch tertiary hospital were asked to participate. Patients were asked to fill out the Nijmegen Continuity of Care-questionnaire (NCQ) (5-point Likert scale). Additionally, their patient-and care-related data were retrieved from medical records. Correlations of NCQ score and patient-and care-related characteristics were calculated with Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In total, 44 patients were included (92% response rate). Pancreatic cancer was the predominant diagnosis (32%). Forty percent received a repetition of diagnostic investigations in the tertiary hospital. Mean scores for personal continuity were 3.55 ± 0.74 for GP, 3.29 ± 0.91 for the specialist and 3.43 ± 0.65 for collaboration between GPs and specialists. Overall COC was scored with a mean 3.38 ± 0.72. No significant correlations were observed between NCQ score and certain patient-or care-related characteristics. CONCLUSION: Continuity of care perceived by patients with pancreatic tumors was scored as moderate. This outcome supports the need to improve continuity of care within multi-institutional pancreatic care networks.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced diffusion-weighted MRI for liver metastases of pancreatic cancer: towards adequate staging and follow-up of pancreatic cancer - DIA-PANC study: study protocol for an international, multicenter, diagnostic trial.

BACKGROUND: At the time of surgery, approximately 10-20% of the patients with pancreatic cancer are considered unresectable because of unexpected liver metastasis, peritoneal carcinomatosis or locally advanced disease. This leads to futile surgical treatment with all the associated morbidity, mortality and costs. More than 50% of all liver metastases develop in the first six months postoperatively. These (subcentimeter) liver metastases are most likely already present at the time of diagnosis and have not been identified pre-operatively, due to the poor sensitivity of routine preoperative contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). METHODS: The DIA-PANC study is a prospective, international, multicenter, diagnostic cohort study investigating diffusion-weighted, contrast-enhanced MRI for the detection of liver metastases in patients with all stages of pancreatic cancer. Indeterminate or malignant liver lesions on MRI will be further investigated histopathologically. For patients with suspected liver lesions without histopathological proof, follow up imaging with paired CT and MRI at 3-, 6- and 12-months will serve as an alternative reference standard. DISCUSSION: The DIA-PANC trial is expected to report high-level evidence of the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for the detection of liver metastases, resulting in significant value for clinical decision making, guideline development and improved stratification for treatment strategies and future trials. Furthermore, DIA-PANC will contribute to our knowledge of liver metastases regarding incidence, imaging characteristics, their number and extent, and their change in time with or without treatment. It will enhance the worldwide implementation of MRI and consequently improve personalized treatment of patients with suspected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03469726 . Registered on March 19th 2018 - Retrospectively registered.

Long-term results from a randomized comparison of open transinguinal preperitoneal hernia repair and the Lichtenstein method (TULIP trial).

BACKGROUND: The short-term results of the TULIP trial comparing transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) inguinal hernia repair with the Lichtenstein method have been reported with follow-up of 1 year. After TIPP repair, fewer patients had chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP); they had better health status and lower costs. The present study reports the long-term outcomes of this trial. METHODS: All surviving patients initially randomized in the TULIP trial were contacted. Patients were interviewed by telephone and sent a questionnaire. Those reporting any complaints were invited for outpatient review. Chronic pain, hernia recurrence and reoperation were documented, along with any sensory change or disturbance of sexual activity. RESULTS: Of 302 patients initially randomized, 251 (83·1 per cent) were included in the analysis (119 TIPP, 132 Lichtenstein), with a median follow-up of 85 (range 74-117) months. Of 25 patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain after 1 year, only one, who underwent Lichtenstein repair, still had groin pain at long-term follow-up. The overall hernia recurrence rate was 2·8 per cent (7 patients), with no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both TIPP and Lichtenstein hernia repairs are durable. Patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain after 1 year can be reassured that the groin pain tends to fade over time.

Prior medication adherence of participants and non participants of a randomized controlled trial to improve patient adherence in cardiovascular risk management.

BACKGROUND: Poor medication adherence is a major factor in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. Interventions for improving medication adherence may have limited effects as a consequence of self selection of already highly adherent participants into clinical trials. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, existing levels of medication adherence were examined in self-decided participants and non-participants prior to inclusion in a randomized controlled study (RCT), evaluating the effect of an intervention to improve adherence. In addition, the non-participants were further divided into 'responders' and 'non responders'. All individuals had manifest cardiovascular disease and completed a questionnaire with baseline characteristics, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) and the Modified Morisky Scale® (MMS®) as part of a regular screening program. A logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between study participation willingness, adherence level and the beliefs about medication. RESULTS: According to the MMS® the adherence level was comparable in all groups. In both (non)-participants groups, 36% was classified as high adherent; 46% participants versus 44% non-participants were classified as medium adherent and 19% of the participants versus 20% of the non-participants were low adherent (p = 0.91. The necessity concern differential (NCD) from the BMQ was 3.8 for participants and 3.4 for non-participants (p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: This study shows that adherence to medication and beliefs about medication do not differ between participants and non-participants before consenting to participate in an RCT. The study design seems not to have led to greater adherence in the study group.

Nationwide outcomes in patients undergoing surgical exploration without resection for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in diagnostic imaging and staging, unresectable pancreatic cancer is still encountered during surgical exploration with curative intent. This nationwide study investigated outcomes in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer found during surgical exploration. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with primary pancreatic (adeno)carcinoma (2009-2013) in the Netherlands Cancer Registry were included. Predictors of unresectability, 30-day mortality and poor survival were evaluated using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 10 595 patients with pancreatic cancer during the study interval. The proportion of patients undergoing surgical exploration increased from 19·9 to 27·0 per cent (P < 0·001). Among 2356 patients who underwent surgical exploration, the proportion of patients with tumour resection increased from 61·6 per cent in 2009 to 71·3 per cent in 2013 (P < 0·001), whereas the contribution of M1 disease (18·5 per cent overall) remained stable. Patients who had exploration only had an increased 30-day mortality rate compared with those who underwent tumour resection (7·8 versus 3·8 per cent; P < 0·001). In the non-resected group, among those with M0 (383 patients) and M1 (435) disease at surgical exploration, the 30-day mortality rate was 4·7 and 10·6 per cent (P = 0·002), median survival was 7·2 and 4·4 months (P < 0·001), and 1-year survival rates were 28·0 and 12·9 per cent, respectively. Among other factors, low hospital volume (0-20 resections per year) was an independent predictor for not undergoing tumour resection, but also for 30-day mortality and poor survival among patients without tumour resection. CONCLUSION: Exploration and resection rates increased, but one-third of patients who had surgical exploration for pancreatic cancer did not undergo resection. Non-resectional surgery doubled the 30-day mortality rate compared with that in patients undergoing tumour resection.

Prospective multicentre cohort study of patient-reported outcomes after cholecystectomy for uncomplicated symptomatic cholecystolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Up to 33 per cent of patients with uncomplicated symptomatic cholecystolithiasis report persistent pain after cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to determine characteristics associated with patient-reported absence of abdominal pain after cholecystectomy, improved abdominal symptoms, and patient-reported positive cholecystectomy results in a prospective cohort multicentre study. METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or more with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis who had a cholecystectomy between June 2012 and June 2014 in one of three hospitals were included. Before surgery all patients were sent the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). At 12 weeks after surgery, patients were invited to complete the GIQLI and Patients' Experience of Surgery Questionnaire (PESQ). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations. RESULTS: Questionnaires were sent to 552 patients and returned by 342 before and after surgery. Postoperative absence of abdominal pain was reported by 60·5 per cent of patients. A high preoperative GIQLI score, episodic pain, and duration of pain of 1 year or less were associated with postoperative absence of pain. These factors showed no association with improved abdominal symptoms (reported by 91·5 per cent of patients) or a positive surgery result (reported by 92·4 per cent). CONCLUSION: Preoperative characteristics determine the odds for relief of abdominal pain after cholecystectomy. However, these factors were not associated with patient-reported improvement of abdominal symptoms or patient-reported positive cholecystectomy results, highlighting the variation of internal standards and expectations of patients before cholecystectomy.

Systematic review and meta-analysis for laparoscopic versus open colon surgery with or without an ERAS programme.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, conventional colorectal resection and its aftercare have increasingly become replaced by laparoscopic surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways, respectively. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether combining laparoscopy and ERAS have additional value within colorectal surgery. METHODS: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed with two primary research questions; does laparoscopy offer an advantage when all patients receive ERAS perioperative care and does ERAS offer advantages in a laparoscopically operated patient population. All randomised and controlled clinical trials were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. RESULTS: Primary search resulted in 319 hits. After inclusion criteria were applied, three RCTs and six CCTs were included in the meta-analysis. For laparoscopically operated patients with/without ERAS, no differences in morbidity were found and postoperative hospital stay favoured ERAS (MD -2.34 [-3.77, -0.91], Z = 3.20, p = 0.001). When comparing laparoscopy and open surgery within ERAS, major morbidity was significantly reduced in the laparoscopic group (OR 0.42 [0.26, 0.66], Z = 3.73, p = 0.006). Other outcome parameters showed no differences. Quality of included studies was considered moderate to poor overall with small sample sizes. CONCLUSION: When laparoscopy and ERAS are combined, major morbidity and hospital stay are reduced. The reduction in morbidity seems to be due to laparoscopy rather than ERAS, so laparoscopy by itself offers independent advantages beyond ERAS care. Quality of included studies was moderate to poor, so conclusions should be regarded with some reservations.

Diclofenac causes more leakage than naproxen in anastomoses in the small intestine of the rat.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as the cyclooxygenase isoenzyme inhibitors diclofenac and naproxen are increasingly used for perioperative pain relief, while their potential effects on wound healing are scarcely investigated. METHODS: In 104 male Wistar rats, an anastomosis was constructed in both colon and ileum. The rats were divided into groups who received diclofenac (4 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) or naproxen (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) daily from the day of surgery or from day 3 after surgery. Animals were killed on day 3 or 7 and analysed for signs of anastomotic dehiscence and wound strength of anastomoses and abdominal fascia. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage in the ileum (p < 0.0001) and mortality rates (p = 0.001) were significantly increased in the diclofenac group. On day 7, the anastomotic bursting pressure in the ileum remained below that of the controls in the diclofenac- and naproxen-treated rats. When administration of diclofenac was postponed to day 3 after surgery, anastomotic dehiscence was almost absent. The colonic anastomosis and abdominal wall always remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: This study implies that immediate postoperative administration of diclofenac and, to a far lesser extent, naproxen can affect healing in the ileal anastomosis in the rat. This negative effect can be prevented by a short postoperative delay in administration. On steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as the cyclooxygenase isoenzyme inhibitors diclofenac and naproxen are increasingly used for perioperative pain relief, while their potential effects on wound healing are scarcely investigated.

Evaluation of long-term function, complications, quality of life and health status after restorative proctocolectomy with ileo neo rectal and with ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

AIM: Restorative surgery after (procto)colectomy with ileo-neorectal anastomosis (INRA) or restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (RPC) combines cure of ulcerative colitis (UC) with restoration of intestinal continuity. This study aimed to evaluate these two operations. METHOD: Patients having INRA and RPC were matched according to sex, age at onset of UC, age at restorative surgery and duration of follow-up. Patients were included if they were over 18 years of age, had UC confirmed histopathologically and had undergone either operation. Long-term function, anal and neorectal physiology, complications, quality of life (QoL) and health status (HS) were determined. RESULTS: Seventy-one consecutive patients underwent surgery with the intention of having an INRA procedure. This was successfully carried out in 50, and 21 underwent intra-operative conversion to RPC. Median defaecation frequency was 6/24 h. In 11/71 patients reservoir failure occurred and 13/71 developed pouchitis. QoL and HS were comparable to the healthy population. Median follow-up was 6.2 years. These patients were matched with 71 patients who underwent RPC. RPC was successful in all patients. Median defaecation frequency was 8/24 h. Failure occurred in 7/71 patients and 13/71 developed pouchitis. QoL and HS were comparable with the healthy population. Median follow-up was 6.9 years. CONCLUSION: Comparison of INRA and RPC on an intention to treat basis was not considered to be realistic due to the high intra-operative conversion rate and the failures in the INRA group. RPC remains the procedure of choice for restoring intestinal continuity after proctocolectomy for UC.

Perioperative pain relief by a COX-2 inhibitor affects ileal repair and provides a model for anastomotic leakage in the intestine.

The authors examined the potential of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor carprofen to reproducibly induce anastomotic leakage. In experiment 1, an anastomosis was constructed in both ileum and colon of 20 rats, and they were given carprofen (5 mg/kg subcutaneously every 24 hours) or buprenorphine (0.02 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours). In another 20 rats an anastomosis was constructed in either ileum or colon, and all received carprofen (experiment 2). Animals were sacrificed after 3 days. In experiment 1, the ileal dehiscence rate was 60% in the carprofen group and 0% in the buprenorphine group (P = .0108). Colonic anastomoses in both groups remained patent. In experiment 2, the anastomotic leakage rate was 80% in ileum and 0% in colon. Thus, COX-2 inhibitors can severely interfere with intestinal healing, particularly in the ileum. Perioperative administration of carprofen yields a unique model for anastomotic leakage, which allows translational research on the effectiveness of perisuture line reinforcement.

Quality of life and health status before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is considered the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis. Quality of life (QoL) and health status are the most important patient-related outcomes. Studies investigating QoL are often cross-sectional and focus on health status. This longitudinal study evaluated QoL and health status after IPAA for ulcerative colitis and compared these with reference data from a healthy population. METHODS: Patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent a pouch operation between 2003 and 2008 completed validated questionnaires for QoL and health status. Questionnaires were completed before pouch surgery, and 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after operation. The effect of IPAA on QoL and health status was analysed, and data were compared with reference values from the healthy Dutch population. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 30 of the 32 patients. Six months after IPAA, QoL was at least comparable with that of the reference population in four of six domains. Twelve months after IPAA, overall QoL had improved, supported by findings in three QoL domains. Six months after IPAA, health status was comparable to that of the reference population in three of eight dimensions, and after 3 years it was at least comparable in five dimensions. CONCLUSION: QoL and health status increased after IPAA and reached levels comparable with those of the healthy reference population in a majority of domains and dimensions. QoL was restored first after IPAA, followed by health status.

Randomized clinical trial of chronic pain after the transinguinal preperitoneal technique compared with Lichtenstein's method for inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary experience has suggested that preperitoneal mesh positioning causes less chronic pain than Lichtenstein's technique for inguinal hernia repair. Therefore, a randomized clinical trial was conducted with the aim of evaluating the incidence of postoperative chronic pain after transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) mesh repair versus Lichtenstein's technique. METHODS: Patients with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to either TIPP or Lichtenstein's repair in two training hospitals. The primary outcome was the number of patients with chronic pain after surgery. Secondary outcomes were adverse events. Follow-up was scheduled after 14 days, 3 months and 1 year. Patients and outcome assessors were blinded. RESULTS: A total of 302 patients were randomized to TIPP (143) or Lichtenstein (159) repair. Baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups. Some 98.0 per cent of the patients were included in the analysis (141 in the TIPP group and 155 in the Lichtenstein group). Significantly fewer patients in the TIPP group had continuous chronic pain 1 year after surgery: five patients (3.5 per cent) versus 20 patients (12.9 per cent) in the Lichtenstein group (P = 0.004). An additional 12 patients (8.5 per cent) in the TIPP group and 60 (38.7 per cent) in the Lichtenstein group experienced pain during activity (P = 0.001). There were two patients with recurrence in the TIPP group and four in the Lichtenstein group, but no significant differences were found in other severe adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSION: Fewer patients had continuous chronic pain at 1 year after the TIPP mesh inguinal hernia repair compared with Lichtenstein's repair.

The ileo neo-rectal anastomosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a prospective case series with long-term follow up.

AIM: In patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), removal of the colonic mucosa is essential to reduce the lifetime risk of developing cancer). For this purpose, ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) has been the gold standard, but morbidity related to the dissection of the pelvis remains substantial. In an attempt to reduce the procedure-related complications of pelvic dissection, ileoneo-rectal anastomosis (INRA) has been developed. In this case series of FAP patients, the long-term functional results, morbidity and quality of life (QoL) of the INRA procedure were evaluated and compared with its early outcome. METHOD: Long-term follow up of a consecutive group of eight FAP patients with an INRA procedure (between 1998 and 2005) was undertaken. Data on functional results, complications, manometry and endoscopy were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Eight patients with FAP underwent the INRA procedure. The median number of defaecations over 24 h was five. No pelvic sepsis or bladder dysfunction occurred. One patient, in whom concomitant Crohn's disease was diagnosed in retrospect, was converted to IPAA. In the INRA patients, no sexual dysfunction occurred. Endoscopic examination showed normal mucosa without any evidence of polyp formation. CONCLUSION: Restorative surgery by means of the INRA procedure yields good functional results in FAP patients, without any pelvic dissection-related morbidity or regrowth of polyps in the neo-rectum.

Quality of life, health-related quality of life and health status in patients having restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a systematic review.

AIM: There are numerous studies on quality of life (QoL), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and health status (HS) in patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis. A systematic review of published literature was conducted to establish the quality of these studies and to determine QoL, HRQoL, and HS in patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. METHOD: All published studies describing QoL, HRQoL, and HS in adult patients in combination with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis were reviewed systematically. No time or language limitations were applied. Relevance was established on the basis of three pre-specified selection criteria: 1) ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was performed for ulcerative colitis, 2) QoL, HRQoL, and HS were reported as outcome of the study and 3) studies reported a minimum follow-up after surgery for 12 months. Outcome variables were results of QoL, HRQoL, and HS, characteristics of the study population, pouch construction, duration of follow-up, and time of assessment in months before and after restorative surgery. Descriptive data synthesis was performed by tabulation displaying the methodological quality, study characteristics and conclusions on QoL, HRQoL, and HS measurements in the studies. RESULTS: The review included 33 studies comprising 4790 patients. Three were graded to be of high quality, 23 of moderate quality and seven of low quality. All reported improved HS and the majority reported improved HRQoL. However, none of the studies reported on QoL. CONCLUSION: The HRQoL and HS of patients with ulcerative colitis improved 12 months after restorative proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and were indistinguishable from the HRQoL and HS of the normal healthy population.

Routine contrast-enhanced CT is insufficient for TNM-staging of duodenal adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Adequate TNM-staging is important to determine prognosis and treatment planning of duodenal adenocarcinoma. Although current guidelines advise contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for staging of duodenal adenocarcinoma, literature about diagnostic tests is sparse. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, we analyzed the real life performance of routine CECT for TNM-staging and the assessment of resectability of duodenal adenocarcinoma. Intraoperative findings and pathological staging served as reference standard for resectability, T-, and N-staging. Biopsies, 18FDG-PET-CT, and follow-up were used as the reference standard for M-staging. RESULTS: Fifty-two consecutive patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma were included, 26 patients underwent resection. Half of the tumors were isodense to normal duodenum on CECT. The tumor was initially missed in 7/52 patients (13%) on CECT. The correct T-stage was assigned with CECT in 14/26 patients (54%), N-stage in 11/26 (42%), and the M-stage in 42/52 (81%). T-stage was underestimated in (27%). The sensitivity for detecting lymph node metastases was only 24%, specificity was 78%. Seventeen percent of patients had indeterminate liver or lung lesions on CECT. Surgery with curative intent was started in 32 patients, but six patients (19%) could not be resected due to unexpected local invasion or metastases. CONCLUSION: Radiologists and clinicians have to be aware that routine CECT is insufficient for staging and determining resectability in patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma. CECT underestimates T-stage and N-stage, and M-stage is often unclear, resulting in futile surgery in 19% of patients. Alternative strategies are required to improve staging of duodenal adenocarcinoma. We propose to combine multiphase hypotonic duodenography CT with MRI.

Prehabilitation to improve postoperative outcomes in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) leads to increased survival rates in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, but is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality rates. Prehabilitation, a process to optimize a patient's preoperative functional capacity, has a positive impact on recovery after colorectal surgery. The impact of prehabilitation in patients undergoing HIPEC is scarcely investigated. This scoping review and narrative synthesis aims to summarize and evaluate what is currently reported about the effect of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes after HIPEC. METHODS: A literature search of studies reporting on the effect of prehabilitation on outcomes after HIPEC was performed (August 2020). Study characteristics, patient demographics, composition of prehabilitation programs, and reported outcomes used to quantify the effect of prehabilitation were recorded. RESULTS: The literature search did not yield any studies on the effect of prehabilitation programs on outcomes after HIPEC. As an alternative, studies identifying modifiable risk factors for poor postoperative outcomes after HIPEC that can be targeted by prehabilitation were reviewed to evaluate starting points for prehabilitation. Fourteen studies identify the following preoperative factors: poor nutritional status, poor performance status, low health related quality of life and an history of smoking. CONCLUSION: No research has been published on the effect of prehabilitation prior to HIPEC. This review demonstrates that preoperative modifiable risk factors for outcomes in patients undergoing HIPEC are multifactorial. A multimodal prehabilitation program prior to HIPEC, including nutritional support, psychical exercise, psychological support and smoking cessation, might therefore be a promising approach to improve postoperative outcomes.

Incidence of surgical site infection following adult spinal deformity surgery: an analysis of patient risk.

Surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery is a frequent complication and results in higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Patients undergoing surgery for spinal deformity (scoliosis/kyphosis) have longer surgeries, involving more spinal levels and larger blood losses than typical spinal procedures. Previous research has identified risk factors for SSI in spinal surgery, but few studies have looked at adult deformity surgeries. We retrospectively performed a large case cohort analysis of all adult patients who underwent surgery for kyphosis or scoliosis, between June 1996 and December 2005, by our adult spine division in an academic institution to asses the incidence and identify risk factors for SSI. We reviewed the electronic patient records of 830 adult patients. SSI was classified as deep or superficial to the fascia. 46 (5.5%) patients were found to have a SSI with 29 patients (3.5%) having deep infections. Obesity was found to be an independent risk factor for all SSI and superficial SSI (P = 0.014 and P = 0.013). As well, a history of prior SSI was also found to be a risk factor for SSI (P = 0.041). Patient obesity and history of prior SSI lead to increased risk of infection. Since obesity was related to an increased risk of both superficial and deep SSI, counseling and treatment for obesity should be considered before elective deformity surgery.

Robustness assessments are needed to reduce bias in meta-analyses that include zero-event randomized trials.

OBJECTIVES: Meta-analysis of randomized trials with binary data can use a variety of statistical methods. Zero-event trials may create analytic problems. We explored how different methods may impact inferences from meta-analyses containing zero-event trials. METHODS: Five levels of statistical methods are identified for meta-analysis with zero-event trials, leading to numerous data analyses. We used the binary outcomes from our Cochrane review of randomized trials of laparoscopic vs. small-incision cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis to illustrate the influence of statistical method on inference. RESULTS: In seven meta-analyses of seven outcomes from 15 trials, there were zero-event trials in 0 to 71.4% of the trials. We found inconsistency in significance in one of seven outcomes (14%; 95% confidence limit 0.4%-57.9%). There was also considerable variability in the confidence limits, the intervention-effect estimates, and heterogeneity for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The statistical method may influence the inference drawn from a meta-analysis that includes zero-event trials. Robustness assessments are needed to reduce bias in meta-analyses that include zero-event trials.

Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome in 2008. Literature review and treatment algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus with a lack of diagnostic and treatment consistency in the literature. Therefore, we reviewed all published literature in order to design a treatment algorithm based on the literature. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review written in the English language since 1975. RESULTS: We reviewed all known literature. Treatment of the Boerhaave syndrome was divided into three categories: conservative, endoscopic and surgical approach. The survival rate of all treatments was 75, 100 and 81%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Boerhaave's syndrome should be treated endoscopically when diagnosed within 48 h and when there are no signs of sepsis. However, when a patient is diagnosed within 48 h and has a septic profile, thoracotomy with hemifundoplication and pleural/mediastinal drainage should be performed; and in case of intra-abdominal leakage, a laparotomy for local repair should be performed. When a patient is diagnosed after 48 h, conservative treatment should be followed and only when a patient gets a septic profile is surgical treatment indicated.

Improving preoperative detection of synchronous liver metastases in pancreatic cancer with combined contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MRI.

PURPOSE: To explore the value of gadolinium-enhanced MRI combined with diffusion-weighted MRI (Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI) in addition to contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for detection of synchronous liver metastases for potentially resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: By means of a retrospective cohort study we included patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer on CECT, who underwent Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI between January 2012 and December 2016. A single observer evaluated MRI and CT and was blinded to imaging, pathology, and surgery reports. Liver lesions were scored in both modalities, using a 3-point scale: 1-benign, 2-indeterminate, 3- malignant (i.e., metastasis). The primary outcome parameters were the presence of liver metastases on Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI and the sensitivity of Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI for synchronous liver metastases. RESULTS: We included 66 patients (42 men, 24 women; median age 65 years, range 36-82 years). In 19 patients, liver metastases were present, which were confirmed by histopathology (n = 12), 18FDG-PET (n = 6), or surgical inspection (n = 1). Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI showed metastases in 16/19 patients (24%), which resulted in a sensitivity of 84% (95% CI 60-97%). Contrast-enhanced MRI showed 156 and DWI 397 metastases (p = 0.051), and 339 were particularly small (< 5 mm). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Gd-enhanced MRI with DWI detected synchronous liver metastases in 24% of patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer on CECT with a sensitivity of 84%. Diffusion-weighted MRI showed a greater number of metastases than any other sequence, particularly small metastases (< 5 mm).