Impact of postoperative pancreatic fistula on outcomes in pancreatoduodenectomy: a comprehensive analysis of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is a major surgical procedure associated with significant risks, particularly postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Studies have highlighted the importance of certain risk factors for POPF, which are crucial for surgical decision-making and the management of high-risk patients undergoing PD. This study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing PD who met the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery - Class D (ISGPS-D) criteria. METHODS: This study analyzed American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data (2014-2021) for patients undergoing ISGPS-D PD, classified as having a soft pancreatic texture and a pancreatic duct of ≤3 mm. This study focused on mortality rates and the correlation between several factors and POPF (ISGPS grade B/C). RESULTS: From 5964 patients who underwent PD and met the ISGPS-D criteria, the 30-day mortality rate was 1.98%. Males had a higher incidence of POPF than females (57.42% vs 47.35%, respectively; P < .001). Patients with POPF experienced significantly higher rates of major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa), including thrombosis, pneumonia, sepsis, delayed gastric emptying, wound disruption, infections, and acute renal failure. There was a marked increase in the 30-day readmission and mortality rates in patients with POPF (30.0% vs 17.6% and 3.2% vs 1.4%, respectively; all P < .001). Multivariate analysis highlighted female sex as a protective factor against mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.47; P < .001) and extended hospital stay (>10 days) as a predictor of increased mortality risk (OR, 2.37; P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study underscored the significant association between POPF and increased postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Future efforts should concentrate on refining surgical techniques and improving preoperative assessments to mitigate the risks associated with POPF in patients undergoing PD.

Robotic vs open distal pancreatectomy: A multi-institutional matched comparison analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic surgery is still a challenge even in high-volume centers. Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) represents the greatest contributor to major morbidity and mortality, especially following pancreatic distal resection. In this study, we compared robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) in terms of CR-POPF development and analyzed oncologic efficacy of RDP in the subgroup of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: We collected data from five high-volume centers for pancreatic surgery and performed a matched comparison analysis to compare short and long-term outcomes after ODP or RDP. Patients were matched with a 2:1 ratio according to age, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score, body mass index (BMI), final pathology, and TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) staging system VIII ed. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-six patients who underwent 82 RDPs and 164 ODPs were included. No differences were found in the incidence of CR-POPF. In the PDAC group, median DFS and OS were 10.8 months and 14.8 months in the ODP group and 10.4 months and 15 months in the RDP group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic distal pancreatectomy is a safe surgical strategy for PDAC and incidence of CR-POPF is equivalent between RDP and ODP. RDP should be considered equivalent to ODP in terms of oncological efficacy when performed in high-volume and proficient centers.

The Role of Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Technologies in Morbid Obesity Treatment: Review and Critical Appraisal of the Current Clinical Practice.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Availability of different procedures with low complication rates, performed through a minimally invasive approach, have caused profound positive effect on patient's quality of life and has led to their worldwide, rapid expansion of the field. The laparoscopic revolution has introduced the concept of lowering more and more the treatments' invasiveness, leading to a change in the researchers' mentality. They are now constantly looking for reducing patients' discomfort through new methodologies and devices: aim of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the most promising, innovative procedures offering an alternative approach to "classic" laparoscopic procedures. They are described from their original development phases to the most recent experimental and clinical evidence. This review will discuss as well their future perspectives, and includes endoluminal techniques and/or procedures based on alternative concepts, all representing an appealing alternative to surgical approach. We conducted a MEDLINE for articles, clinical trials, and a patent search relating to the minimally invasive management of obesity, excluding intragastric balloons, SILS, and NOTES, and we selected 77 articles. Results are reported for each procedure/device, and discussed both in these paragraphs and in the final, general discussion. The concept of minimally invasive procedures continues to change and evolve over time with novel technologies emerging every year.

A Surgical Instrument Cover for the Prevention of Thermal Injuries During Laparoscopic Operations.

INTRODUCTION: Accidental thermal injuries are infrequent, nonetheless, dangerous complications in laparoscopic surgery. Burns are produced because of direct contact, lack of instrument insulation and capacitive coupling. Biological fluids on the surface of laparoscopic instruments behave as electric conductors on the sheath and may be responsible for accidental thermal injuries. Our hypothesis is that using an insulator device may prevent those injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After evaluating different materials for dielectric properties, costs, and temperature increase tolerance, we selected polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to develop a sleeve that works as an electrical insulator when applied on the sheath of laparoscopic instruments. Efficacy of this PTFE cover in reducing conduction of electricity was tested on both reusable and disposable laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: Electric conduction of the laparoscopic instrument sheaths was tested using an ex vivo model that reproduces the abdominal environment in basal conditions and in presence of blood. Electric conduction of laparoscopic instruments was measured before and after the placement of the PTFE cover. We measured a significant difference in electric resistance on the sheath's surface without and with blood, revealing a weak electrical conduction: infinity versus a median value of 251.11 Mohm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This ex vivo study demonstrated that a PTFE sleeve may reduce electricity conduction of laparoscopic instruments. A pilot in vivo study is planned to test its safety and efficacy.

A Quest for Optimization of Postoperative Triage After Major Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Innovative strategies to reduce costs while maintaining patient satisfaction and improving delivery of care are greatly needed in the setting of rapidly rising health care expenditure. Intensive care units (ICUs) represent a significant proportion of health care costs due to their high resources utilization. Currently, the decision to admit a patient to the ICU lacks standardization because of the lack of evidence-based admission criteria. The objective of our research is to develop a prediction model that can help the physician in the clinical decision-making of postoperative triage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our group identified a list of index events that commonly grants admission to the ICU independently of the hospital system. We analyzed correlation among 200 quantitative and semiquantitative variables for each patient in the study using a decision tree modeling (DTM). In addition, we validated the DTM against explanatory models, such as bivariate analysis, multiple logistic regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. RESULTS: Unlike explanatory modeling, DTM has several unique strengths: tree models are easy to interpret, the analysis can examine hundreds of variables at once, and offer insight into variable relative importance. In a retrospective analysis, we found that DTM was more accurate at predicting need for intensive care compared with current clinical practice. DISCUSSION: DTM and predictive modeling may enhance postoperative triage decision-making. Future areas of research include larger retrospective analyses and prospective observational studies that can lead to an improved clinical practice and better resources utilization.

Low Frequency of Lymph Node Metastases in Patients in the United States With Early-stage Gastric Cancers That Fulfill Japanese Endoscopic Resection Criteria.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the West, early gastric cancer is increasingly managed with endoscopic resection (ER). This is, however, based on the assumption that the low prevalence and risk of lymph node metastases observed in Asian patients is applicable to patients in the United States. We sought to evaluate the frequency of and factors associated with metastasis of early gastric cancers to lymph nodes, and whether the Japanese ER criteria are applicable to patients in the US. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 176 patients (mean age 68.5 years; 59.1% male; 58.5% white) who underwent surgical resection with lymph node dissection of T1 and Tis gastric adenocarcinomas, staged by pathologists, at 7 tertiary care centers in the US from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2016. The frequency of lymph node metastases and associated risk factors were determined. RESULTS: The mean size of gastric adenocarcinomas was 23.0 ± 16.6 mm-most were located in the lower-third of the stomach (67.0%), invading the submucosa (55.1%), and moderately differentiated (31.3%). Lymphovascular invasion was observed in 18.2% of lesions. Overall, 20.5% of patients had lymph node metastases. Submucosal invasion (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.4-10.7) and lymphovascular invasion (odds ratio, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.8-12.0) were independently associated with increased risk of metastasis to lymph nodes. The frequency of lymph node metastases among patients fulfilling standard and expanded Japanese criteria for ER were 0 and 7.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of lymph node metastases among patients with early gastric cancer in a US population is higher than that of published Asian series. However, early gastric cancer lesions that meet the Japanese standard criteria for ER are associated with negligible risk of metastasis to lymph nodes, so ER can be recommended for definitive therapy. Expanded criteria cancers appear to have a higher risk of metastasis to lymph nodes, so ER may be considered for select cases.

Can we downstage locally advanced pancreatic cancer to resectable? A phase I/II study of induction oxaliplatin and 5-FU chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: Half of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) present with regionally advanced disease. This includes borderline resectable and locally advanced unresectable tumors as defined by current NCCN guidelines for resectability. Chemoradiation (CH-RT) is used in this setting in attempt to control local disease, and possibly downstage to resectable disease. We report a phase I/II trial of a combination of 5FU/Oxaliplatin with concurrent radiation in patients presenting with borderline resectable and locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven borderline resectable or locally advanced unresectable PC were eligible. Chemotherapy included continuous infusion 5FU (200 mg/m2) daily and oxaliplatin weekly for 5 weeks in dose escalation cohorts, ranging from 30 to 60 mg/m2. Concurrent radiation therapy consisted of 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions (180 cGy/fx/d) followed by a comedown to the tumor and margins for an additional 540 cGy ×3 (total dose 5,040 cGy in 28 fractions). Following completion of CH-RT, patients deemed resectable underwent surgery; those who remained unresectable for cure but did not progress (SD, stable disease) received mFOLFOX6 ×6 cycles. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. End-points of the phase II portion were resectability and overall survival. RESULTS: Overall, 24 subjects (15 men and 9 women, mean age 64.5 years) were enrolled between June 2004 and December 2009 and received CH-RT. Seventeen patients were enrolled in the Phase I component of the study, fifteen of whom completed neoadjuvant therapy. Reasons for not completing treatment included grade 3 toxicities (1 patient) and withdrawal of consent (1 patient). The highest dose of oxaliplatin (60 mg/m2) was well tolerated and it was used as the recommended phase II dose. An additional 7 patients were treated in the phase II portion, 5 of whom completed CH-RT; the remaining 2 patients did not complete treatment because of grade 3 toxicities. Overall, 4/24 did not complete CH-RT. Grade 4 toxicities related to initial CH-RT were observed during phase I (n=2, pulmonary embolism and lymphopenia) and phase II (n=3, fatigue, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia). Following restaging after completion of CH-RT, 4 patients had progressed (PD); 9 patients had SD and received additional chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 (one of them had a dramatic response after two cycles and underwent curative resection); the remaining 7 patients (29.2%) were noted to have a response and were explored: 2 had PD, 4 had SD, still unresectable, and 1 patient was resected for cure with negative margins. Overall 2 patients (8.3%) in the study received curative resection following neoadjuvant therapy. Median overall survival for the entire study population was 11.4 months. Overall survival for the two resected patients was 41.7 and 21.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined modality treatment for borderline resectable and locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer with oxaliplatin, 5FU and radiation was reasonably well tolerated. The majority of patients remained unresectable. Survival data with this regimen were comparable to others for locally advanced pancreas cancer, suggesting the need for more novel approaches.

MRI-Based Apparent Diffusion Coefficient for Predicting Pathologic Response of Rectal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) during DWI for predicting complete pathologic response of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of available literature was conducted to retrieve studies focused on the identification of complete pathologic response of locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation, through the assessment of ADC evaluated before, after, or both before and after treatment, as well as in terms of the difference between pretreatment and posttreatment ADC. Pooled mean pretreatment ADC, posttreatment ADC, and Δ-ADC (calculated as posttreatment ADC minus pretreatment ADC divided by pretreatment ADC and multiplied by 100) in complete responders versus incomplete responders were calculated. For each parameter, we also pooled sensitivity and specificity and calculated the area under the summary ROC curve. RESULTS: We found 10 prospective and eight retrospective studies. Overall, pathologic complete response was observed in 22.2% of patients. Pooled mean pretreatment ADC in complete responders was 0.84 × 10-3 mm2/s versus 0.89 × 10-3 mm2/s in incomplete responders (p = 0.33). Posttreatment ADC values were 1.51 × 10-3 mm2/s and 1.29 × 10-3 mm2/s, in complete and incomplete responders, respectively (p = 0.00001). The Δ-ADC percentages were also significantly higher in complete responders than in incomplete responders (59.7% vs 29.7%, respectively, p = 0.016). Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.743, 0.755, and 0.841 for pretreatment ADC; 0.800, 0.737, and 0.782 for posttreatment ADC; and 0.832, 0.806, and 0.895 for Δ-ADC. CONCLUSION: Use of ADC during DWI is a promising technique for assessment of results of neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer.

Usefulness of Infra-hepatic Inferior Vena Cava Clamping During Liver Resection: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Infra-hepatic vena cava clamping (IIVCC) may reduce blood losses during liver resection. However, available literature is limited to reports from single institutions with a small sample size. To overcome those limitations, we performed a meta-analysis to examine the association between IIVCC and surgical outcomes. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify RCTs reporting on quantitative data on IIVCC. Random effects logistic regression calculated the pooled odds ratio (OR) for each surgical outcome. RESULTS: Six studies were identified that included 714 patients, of whom 359 received IIVCC and 355 did not. Patients receiving IIVCC had significantly less total blood loss (MD - 353.08, 95% CI - 393.36 to 312.81, P < 0.00001), blood loss during parenchymal transection (MD - 243.28, 95% CI - 311.67 to - 174.88, P < 0.0001), blood loss volume per transection area (MD - 1.63, 95% CI - 2.14 to - 1.13, P < 0.00001), and intraoperative blood transfusion (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.89, P = 0.02). Operative time was similar in the two groups (MD - 2.89, 95% CI - 18.45 to 12.68, P = 0.72). No differences between groups were observed in central venous pressure, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure before, after, and during parenchymal transection. Rates of overall morbidity (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56-1.13, P = 0.20), major complications (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.47-1.80, P = 0.73), and perioperative mortality (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.29-6.09, P = 0.72) were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: IIVCC was associated to decreased blood loss (overall, during parenchymal transection, and per transection area) and decreased intraoperative transfusions, in the absence of increased operative times.

Percutaneous Microwave Ablation Under CT Guidance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Single Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND: Microwave ablation (MWA) is an emerging treatment for treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not amenable of surgical resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched for patients diagnosed as having small-, medium-, and large HCCs treated with MWA under CT guidance between 2010 and 2014. The main outcomes of interest were rates of complete ablation, complications, and overall survival. Rates of complete ablation were compared with Chi-square test, and estimated survival rates were calculated by means of Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with 45 HCC nodules received MWA. Seventeen (37.8%) nodules were <3 cm (small), 15 (33.3%) between 3 and 5 cm (medium), and 13 (28.9%) > 5 cm (large). Complete ablation was obtained in 94.1% of small tumors, 80% of medium tumors, and 53.8% of large tumors (p = 0.03). Two patients had HCC located in risk area (paracardiac position). Minor complications occurred after seven procedures (15.5%). Estimated median survival was 37 months (95% confidence interval 11.97-62.02). One-year OS was 82.7%, 2-year survival 68.9%, and 3-year survival 55.2%. CONCLUSION: MWA is a versatile ablative method that can be applied in HCC at various stages, and also in lesions located in risk areas.

Predictors and Prognostic Implications of Perioperative Chemotherapy Completion in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative chemotherapy in gastric cancer is increasingly used since the "MAGIC" trial, while clinical practice data outside of trials remain limited. We sought to evaluate the predictors and prognostic implications of perioperative chemotherapy completion in patients undergoing curative-intent gastrectomy across multiple US institutions. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection of gastric adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2012 in eight institutions of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were identified. Patients who received preoperative chemotherapy were included, while those who died within 90 days or with unknown adjuvant chemotherapy status were excluded. Predictors of chemotherapy completion and survival were identified using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: One hundred sixty three patients were included (median age 63.3, 36.8% female). The postoperative component of perioperative chemotherapy was administered in 112 (68.7%) patients. Factors independently associated with receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy were younger age (odds ratio (OR) 2.73, P = 0.03), T3 tumors (OR 14.3, P = 0.04), lymph node metastasis (OR 5.82, P = 0.03), and D2 lymphadenectomy (OR 4.12, P = 0.007), and, inversely, postoperative complications (OR 0.25, P = 0.008). Median overall survival (OS) was 25.1 months and 5-year OS was 36.5%. Predictors of OS were preexisting cardiac disease (hazard ratio (HR) 2.7, 95% CI 1.13-6.46), concurrent splenectomy (HR 4.11, 95% CI 1.68-10.0), tumor stage (reference stage I; stage II HR 2.62; 95% CI 0.99-6.94; stage III HR 4.86, 95% CI 1.81-13.02), and D2 lymphadenectomy (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.95). After accounting for these factors, adjuvant chemotherapy administration was associated with improved OS (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.82). CONCLUSION: Completion of perioperative chemotherapy was successful in two thirds of patients with gastric cancer and was independently associated with improved survival.

Minimally Invasive Management of Ectopic Pancreas.

BACKGROUND: The management of ectopic pancreas is not well defined. This study aims to determine the prevalence of symptomatic ectopic pancreas and identify those who may benefit from treatment, with a particular focus on robotically assisted surgical management. METHODS: Our institutional pathology database was queried to identify a cohort of ectopic pancreas specimens. Additional clinical data regarding clinical symptomatology, diagnostic studies, and treatment were obtained through chart review. RESULTS: Nineteen cases of ectopic pancreas were found incidentally during surgery for another condition or found incidentally in a pathologic specimen (65.5%). Eleven patients (37.9%) reported prior symptoms, notably abdominal pain and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. The most common locations for ectopic pancreas were the duodenum and small bowel (31% and 27.6%, respectively). Three out of 29 cases (10.3%) had no symptoms, but had evidence of preneoplastic changes on pathology, while one harbored pancreatic cancer. Over the years, treatment of ectopic pancreas has shifted from open to laparoscopic and more recently to robotic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience is in line with existing evidence supporting surgical treatment of symptomatic or complicated ectopic pancreas. In the current era, minimally invasive and robotic surgery can be used safely and successfully for treatment of ectopic pancreas.

Use of the surgical Apgar score to enhance Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program surgical risk assessment in veterans undergoing major intra-abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the surgical Apgar score (SAS) may enhance the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) risk assessment for prediction of early postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated demographics, medical history, procedure, SAS, VASQIP assessment, and postoperative data for patients undergoing major/extensive intra-abdominal surgery at the Manhattan Veterans Affairs between October 2006 and September 2011. End points were overall morbidity and 30-, 60- , and 90-day mortality. Pearson's chi-square, ANOVA, and multivariate regression modeling were employed. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-nine patients were included. Apgar groups did not differ in age, sex, and race. Low SASs were associated with worse functional status, increased postoperative morbidity, and 30-, 60- , and 90-day mortality rates. SAS did not significantly enhance VASQIP prediction of postoperative outcomes, although a trend was detected. Multivariate analysis confirmed SAS as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SAS effectively identifies veterans at high risk for poor postoperative outcome. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the role of SAS in enhancing VASQIP risk prediction.

Stage-Specific Prognostic Effect of Race in Patients with Resectable Gastric Adenocarcinoma: An 8-Institution Study of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer constitutes a major public health problem. This study sought to evaluate the relevance of race in gastric cancer and its prognostic effect in the overall outcomes of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Patients who underwent curative intent resection of gastric adenocarcinoma in 8 institutions of the US Gastric Cancer Collaborative were included, from 2000 to 2012. Nonparametric descriptive statistics were used to evaluate characteristics of standard demographic data. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: There were 1,077 patients included in the study, the majority of whom were of Caucasian race (n = 698, 68%), followed by African-American (n = 164, 15%), Asian (n = 132, 12%), Hispanic (n = 34, 3.2%), and other (n = 49, 4.5%). Clinicopathologic data were similarly distributed among the 5 groups. Mean follow-up was 27.1 months. By multivariate, stage-specific analysis, Asian race was a significant predictor of recurrence (all stages hazard ratio [HR] 0.45 95% CI [0.23, 0.97], p = 0.041) and of overall survival (all stages HR 0.35 95% CI [0.18, 0.68], p = 0.002). Recurrence-free survival was significantly increased in the Asian population compared with the non-Asian population (25th percentile: 38.6 vs 17.7 months, p = 0.0096), as was overall median survival (141 vs 38.8 months, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients of Asian race undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma appear to have a better prognosis stage for stage. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying etiology of this phenomenon.

Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroid surgery: A literature review.

The minimally invasive approach to parathyroid glands represents an important field of application of radioguided surgery. As always happens, in all cases pertaining to hyper-specialized skills, scientific production has long been the prerogative of a few Authors, but the ever increasing technological diffusion, combined with excellent results often achieved, increases the interest in this technique. This is particularly true in the era of minimally invasive surgery. The Authors realize a review of the existing literature to allow an overall view of current knowledge on this particular topic and to guide future research.

Body Mass Index and Perioperative Complications After Esophagectomy for Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing rate of obesity, the effects of excessive body weight on surgical outcomes constitute a relevant quality of care concern. Our aim was to determine the relationship between preoperative body mass index (BMI) on perioperative complications after esophagectomy for cancer. METHODS: From our comprehensive esophageal cancer database consisting of 510 patients, we identified 166 obese (BMI ≥30), 176 overweight (BMI 25-29), and 148 normal-weight (BMI 20-24) patients. Malnourished patients (BMI of <20) were excluded. Incidence of preoperative risk factors and perioperative complications in each group were analyzed. RESULTS: The patient group consists of 420 men and 70 women with a mean age at time of surgery were 64 years (range 28-86 years). The categories of patients (obese, overweight, and normal-weight) were similar in terms of demographics and comorbidities, with the exception of a younger age (62.5 years vs 66.2 years vs 65.3 years, P = 0.002), and a higher incidence of diabetes (23.5% vs 11.4% vs 10.1%, P = 0.001) and hiatal hernia (28.3% vs 14.8% vs 20.3%, P = 0.01) for obese patients. More patients with BMI >24 were found with adenocarcinoma, compared with the normal-weight group (90.8% vs 90.9% vs 82.5%, P = 0.03). Despite similar preoperative stage, obese patients were less likely to receive neoadjuvant treatment (47.6% vs 54.5% vs 66.2%, P = 0.004). The type of surgery performed, overall blood loss, extent of lymphadenectomy, rate of resections with negative margins, and postoperative complications were not influenced by BMI on univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, BMI did not affect number of harvested lymph-nodes, rates of negative margins, and morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy for cancer. In our experience, esophagectomy could be performed safely and efficiently in mildly obese patients.

Does lymph node ratio affect prognosis in gastroesophageal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that the ratio of number of nodes harboring metastatic cancer to the total number of lymph nodes examined (lymph node ratio, LNR) may affect survival after esophagogastric resection for cancer. We analyzed the impact of LNR in overall survival in patients undergoing esophagogastric resection for cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent gastroesophageal resection for cancer (1998 to 2008) were categorized into 4 groups according to their LNR: 113 patients had negative nodes (N0), 86 LNR less than .3, 40 LNR .31 to .6, and 47 LNR greater than .6. Study endpoint was overall median survival. RESULTS: Higher LNR was associated (P < .001) with more advanced stage and adverse pathologic features (eg, grading, venous/perineural invasion). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that LNR is an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, LNR correlates with adverse pathologic features and is a negative prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical resection for gastroesophageal cancer.

Imbalanced expression of Tif1γ inhibits pancreatic ductal epithelial cell growth.

Transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (Tif1γ) (Ectodermin/PTC7/RFG7/TRIM33) is a transcriptional cofactor with an important role in the regulation of the TGFß pathway. It has been suggested that it competes with Smad2/Smad3 for binding to Smad4, or alternatively that it may target Smad4 for degradation, although its role in carcinogenesis is unclear. In this study, we showed that Tif1γ interacts with Smad1/Smad4 complex in vivo, using both yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays. We demonstrated that Tif1γ inhibits transcriptional activity of the Smad1/Smad4 complex through its PHD domain or bromo-domainin pancreatic cells by luciferase assay. Additionally, there is a dynamic inverse relationship between the levels of Tif1γ and Smad4 in benign and malignant pancreatic cell lines. Overexpression of Tif1γ resulted in decreased level of Smad4. Both overexpression and knockdown of Tif1γ resulted in growth inhibition in both benign and cancerous pancreatic cell lines, attributable to a G2-phase cell cycle arrest, but only knockdown of Tif1γ reduces tumor cell invasiveness in vitro. Our study demonstrated that imbalanced expression of Tif1γ results in inhibition of pancreatic ductal epithelial cell growth. In addition, knockdown of Tif1γ may inhibit tumor invasion. These data suggest that Tif1γ might serve as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.