A multi-centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ramelteon for the prevention of postoperative delirium in elderly cancer patients: a study protocol for JORTC-PON2/J-SUPPORT2103/NCCH2103.

Postoperative delirium is an important issue in cancer patients, affecting surgical outcomes and the quality of life. Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist with high affinity for MT1 and MT2 receptors. Clinical trials and observational studies in Japan, including in surgical cancer patients, have shown efficacy of ramelteon in delirium prevention, with no serious safety concerns. However, clinical trials from the USA have reported conflicting results. A Japanese phase II study investigated the efficacy and safety of ramelteon for delirium prevention following gastrectomy in patients aged ≥75 years, with findings suggesting the feasibility of a phase III trial. The aim of this multi-centre, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled phase III trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral ramelteon for postoperative delirium prevention in cancer patients aged ≥65 years as advanced medical care. The trial protocol is described here.

Laparoscopic surgery using 8 K ultra-high-definition technology: Outcomes of a phase II study.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, laparoscopic surgery generally relies on 2 K high-definition image quality. The National Cancer Center Hospital, Olympus Corporation, and NHK Engineering System Inc. recently developed a new laparoscopic system with an 8 K ultra-high-definition (UHD) camera that provides images with a high-resolution, wide color range, high frame rate, and high dynamic range. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a new laparoscopic system which uses an 8 K UHD camera system (8K UHD system). METHODS: This phase II study enrolled 23 patients with colon or rectosigmoid cancer who were indicated for radical resection with laparoscopic colectomy using the 8 K UHD system. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with ≥30 mL of intraoperative blood loss. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients, 22 completed laparoscopic surgery with the 8 K UHD system. One patient was converted to the 2 K high-definition laparoscopic system due to technical difficulties with the 8 K UHD system during surgery. The median amount of intraoperative blood loss was 14 mL (range, 2-71 mL), and number of patients with intraoperative blood loss ≥30 mL was four (17.4%). None of the patients had >100 mL of intraoperative blood loss. No intraoperative complications were noted, and four (17.4%) patients developed postoperative complications. Pathological complete resection was achieved in all patients, and no conversion to open surgery was required. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery using the 8 K UHD system appears to be both safe and effective. However, further refinements may be necessary to improve usability.