Histopathologic response in patients with curative resection with D2 dissection following neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced gastric and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

AIM: This study evaluated pathologic response rate, overall survival (OS), and postoperative complications in locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma patients who underwent curative gastric resection D2 lymph node dissection with neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 122 patients with locally advanced GC and EGJ adenocarcinoma who had neoadjuvant treatment and curative resection with D2 dissection between January 2014 and December 2022. Patients were divided into responders and nonresponders. Grades 1a-1b were responders, while 2-3 were non-responders. Patients' clinicopathological features, pathologic response rate, survival, and postoperative complications were evaluated. We assessed complications using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. Total survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier model. Overall survival was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 61 (N = 89 males; N = 33 females). There were 79 GC and 43 EGJ adenocarcinomas. Overall postoperative complications (CD ≥ II) were 27 %. Postoperative complications were similar in responders and non-responders (p = 0.316). YpT0N0 had a 2.5 % pathological complete response rate. Responders had better overall survival, but there was no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: Both responder and non-responder groups have similar postoperative complications. A complete pathologic response is discouraging for assessing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer, but a positive treatment response is acceptable. Pathologic response rate helps stage and predict gastric cancer prognosis. Responder groups survive slightly better.

Surgery for an Isolated Adrenal Metastasis of Gastric Cancer.

Adrenal metastasis is considered a rare hematogenous metastasis that develops after gastric cancer surgery. The chances of curative surgery are very low. It is usually unresectable. We aim to present a case of isolated adrenal metastasis that developed in a patient, who underwent a total gastrectomy with the diagnosis of gastric cancer approximately 26 months back. Left adrenalectomy was planned with curative intent. R0 resection was performed. The patient was followed up for one year after surgery. The option of surgical treatment is recommended for isolated metachronous adrenal metastases. Curative surgical resection may positively impact the prognosis of patients in selected cases. Key Words: Gastric cancer, Adrenal metastasis, Surgical resection.

Improvement of Three Duodenal Re-leaks: Two-way Vacuum-assisted Closure.

We share our experience of a two-way vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique that allows patients to heal when generalised peritonitis develops because of a recurrent duodenal leak. Two patients underwent omentoplasty for duodenal ulcer perforation and one patient underwent antrectomy, gastrojejunostomy, and tube duodenostomy. Two-way VAC was performed by taking an abdominal fluid culture and washing the abdomen with 6-12 litres of warm saline. Two-way VAC exchange pro-cedures were continued every 3 days and total parenteral nutrition was administered until cessation of the duodenal re-leak. The two-way VAC application was terminated when improvement in the re-leak was macroscopically detected. The subcutaneous layer was dissected from the anterior abdominal wall fascial layer, and the abdominal skin was closed without tension. The patients were subsequently discharged. Controlling the primary source is often difficult when treating duodenal re-leaks, and two-way VAC can localise the source of the peritonitis and remove toxic peritoneal material. Key Words: Open abdomen, Vacuum-assisted closure, Severe peritonitis, Duodenal leak.

The importance of the scoring system in Fournier's gangrene.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to investigate risk factors affecting mortality rates in patients with Fournier's gangrene (FG) and develop methods to increase the survival rate. METHODS: We collected data of 73 patients treated for FG between February 2012 and June 2021 at Istanbul Professor Doctor Cemil Tasçioglu City Hospital General Surgery Clinic. The data of living patients (Group 1, n=56) and deceased patients (Group 2, n=17) were analyzed separately. Demographic data of patients were sex, age, infection rate, Uludag FG severity index (UFGSI) scores and FG severity index (FGSI) scores, urea serum levels, the source of infection, the presence of diabetes, obesity, the presence of diversion stoma, duration of vacuum-assisted closure treatment in days, hospitalization time in days, intensive care period in days, and isolated bacterial species. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 23%. A significant difference in age and dissemination score of the infection was found between the two groups. According to UFGSI and FGSI scores, the scores of the two groups of patients were significantly higher. The UFGSI had 100% sensitivity and 68% sensitivity. FGSI had 82% sensitivity and 58% specificity. The cutoff values for UFGSI and FGSI were 8 and 6, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age and dissemination scores of diseases were important factors that cause mortality in patients with FG. However, an accurate scoring system is important in predicting patients to be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients with a UFGSI score above 8 face a higher risk of death and should be treated in the ICU.

Comparison of staging systems in gastric carcinoma.

AIM: Gastric carcinoma is one of the most frequent cancers and leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Treatment strategies are planned according to the Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage of the disease. However, the prognosis varies substantially even within the same stage. Prognostic nomograms were designed to overcome this diversity. In this study, staging systems and prognostic tools are compared in the context of their ability to predict patients' prognosis. METHODS: Records of 391 patients operated for gastric cancer from January 2006 to September 2013 were analysed retrospectively. TNM staging system, Metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR), Kattan Prognostic Tool and Prognostic Tool of Italian Research Group on Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) were compared with the patients' survival times by their concordance indices and correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were included in the study. Concordance indices of the compared staging systems were 0.678 for TNM, 0.601 for GIRCG scale, 0.646 for LNR stage and 0.680 for Kattan scale. Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.404 for TNM staging, 0.314 for GIRCG scale, 0.304 for LNR stage and -0.406 for Kattan scale. Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.383, 0.311, 0.310 and -0.400 respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, Kattan prognostic scale was found to be the most accurate system for predicting mortality. This was followed by TNM staging system.

Should there be a specific length of the colon-rectum segment to be resected for an adequate number of lymph nodes in cases of colorectal cancers? A retrospective multi-center study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the question as to whether there should be a certain length of the colon-rectum segment to be resected for correct lymph node staging in cases with colorectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files and electronic datas of the patients had been undergone surgery for colorectal cancer between January 2011 and June 2016 were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I= ≥ 12 lymph nodes, and Group II= lymph nodes less than 12 ( <12) lymph nodes. RESULTS: Mean age of the 327 participants in this study was 64.30 ± 12.20. Mean length of resected colon-rectum segment was 25.61 (± 14.07) cm; mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 20.63 ± 12.30. Median length of the resected colon was 24 cm (range: 145-6) in Group I and 20 cm (range: 52-9) in Group II; a significant difference was found between the groups (p= 0.002). Factors associated with adequate lymph node dissection included type of the operation (p= 0.001), tumor location (p= 0.005), tumor T stage (p= 0.001), condition of metastasis in the lymph node (p= 0.008) and stage of the disease (p= 0.031). Overall survival was 62.4 ± 1.31 months, and Group I and Group II survival was 61.4 ± 1.39 months and 66.7 ± 3.25 months, respectively (p= 0.449). CONCLUSION: Results of the study showed that ≥ 12 lymph nodes would likely be dissected when the length of the resected colon-rectum segment is > 21 cm. We conclude that the removed colonic size can be significant when performed with oncological surgical standardization.

Factors affecting survival in patients with isolated liver-metastatic colorectal cancer treated with local ablative or surgical treatments for liver metastasis.

PURPOSE: Local treatments for isolated synchronous or metachronous liver metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC) have been shown to improve overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting OS in CRC patients with isolated liver metastasis in whom the primary tumor and corresponding liver metastasis were treated with curative intent using local ablative or surgical methods. METHODS: A total 47 surgical operated CRC patients presenting with an initial or subsequent isolated liver metastasis, who were treated with local surgical or ablative treatment for liver metastasis with curative intent, were enrolled in this study between 2007 and 2017. The possible factors affecting OS were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 47 patients, 35 (74.5%) were male. The median age was 61 (25 - 80) years. Thirty-four (72.3%) patients underwent liver metastasectomy, while 13 (27.7%) patients were treated with non-surgical local ablative therapies (NSLAT) for liver metastasis. Median OS (mOS) could not be reached in patients who underwent metastasectomy at the time of diagnosis compared to 55 months in those undergoing metastasectomy following a chemotherapy period (p = 0.03). Patients treated with NSLAT had a mOS of 60 months compared to ''not reached'' in those who underwent liver metastasectomy (p = 0.45). mOS was higher in patients with pT4 stage vs. with

Treatment with vacuum-assisted closure system: A case of anastomotic leak after upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Presently described is a case treated via stent and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). The patient developed an oesophagojejunostomy leak (OL) on the ninth postoperative day after a radical total gastrectomy. The patient was a 55-year-old male patient with adenocarcinoma localized to the small curvature on the corpus of the stomach. Relaparatomy was performed for the OL, including placement of an uncovered stent. The abdomen was washed 4 times. As the OL did not decrease, 2 covered stents (22 mm and 18 mm in diameter and 80 mm long) were inserted endoscopically. The OL continued to contaminate the abdomen. One tip of the VAC sponge was placed next to the anastomosis, and the other tip was removed from the left upper quadrant. Another VAC closure set was placed in the abdomen. Both VAC closures were connected to separate vacuum devices with 75 mmHg of pressure. VAC dressings were changed at regular intervals every 3 days, and these steps were repeated 7 times over 21 days. The covered stents were removed endoscopically in the final operation. Fistulography revealed that the OL was completely closed, and the VAC dressings were removed. The skin was closed by separating the subcutaneous oil layer of the fascia. VAC therapy can not only provide serious abdominal sepsis treatment and primary source control, but also accelerate granulation development and, in this case, quickly closed the anastomotic leakage.

The Importance of Extensive Intraoperative Peritoneal Lavage as a Promising Method in Patients with Gastric Cancer Showing Positive Peritoneal Cytology Without Overt Peritoneal Metastasis and Other Therapeutic Approaches.

Peritoneal invasion is more common and has a worse prognosis in gastric cancer than most of other intestinal cancers. Advanced gastric cancers have a poor course in terms of the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis and prognosis, even if the curative resection has been performed. Patients usually die within the first 2 years of the postoperative period mainly due to peritoneal metastasis. It is, therefore, essential to eradicate intraperitoneal free cancer cells to prevent peritoneal recurrences. A standard therapy has not been developed yet for patients with gastric cancer with a positive peritoneal cytology or a gross peritoneal metastasis. Curative resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, postoperative oral S-1 chemotherapy, intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC), and extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL)-IPC are recommended as therapeutic approaches. Although there is a limited number of studies on EIPL, which is a promising and exciting method in this patient population, unexpected results of survival have been demonstrated. We consider that the results of ongoing and further studies would lead to an extensive use of EIPL, which is a simple and easy method which can be applied anywhere and anytime, in patients with advanced gastic cancer and/or peritoneal cytology positive but peritoneal metastasis negative (CY+/P0) gastric cancer.

Management of high-output chylous ascites after D2-lymphadenectomy in patients with gastric cancer: a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to propose treatment strategies for high-output chylous ascites (CA) developed after gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: The data of patients with CA after gastric cancer surgery in three high volume Training and Research Hospitals between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Nine patients out of 436 gastrectomies were detected with CA. The mean amount of daily fistula output was 939 mL. Treatment consisted of cessation of oral feeding, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), somatostatin analogs administration, clamping and/or removal of the drainage tube, diuretic administration and diet therapy with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) alone or in combination. The mean fistula closure time and length of hospital stay were 23 and 24 days respectively. Hemopneumothorax developed during right subclavian vein catheterisation for TPN implementation in one patient. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Combined cessation of oral feeding and TPN are usually used for treatment of CA as first-line treatment. However, TPN is no harmless. Although our data are limited they do allow us to conclude that diet with MCT's may use for medical treatment of CA as first-line.

Recent developments and innovations in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer has an important place in the worldwide incidence of cancer and cancer-related deaths. It can metastasize to the lymph nodes in the early stages, and lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor. Surgery is a very important part of gastric cancer treatment. A D2 lymphadenectomy is the standard surgical treatment for cT1N+ and T2-T4 cancers, which are potentially curable. Recently, the TNM classification system was reorganized, and the margins for gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy were revised. Endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic treatments of gastric cancer have progressed rapidly with development of surgical instruments and techniques, especially in Eastern countries. Different endoscopic resection techniques have been identified, and these can be divided into two main categories: endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Minimally invasive surgery has been reported to be safe and effective for early gastric cancer, and it can be successfully applied to advanced gastric cancer with increasing experience. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were developed as a combined treatment modality from the results of experimental and clinical studies. Also, hyperthermia increases the antitumor activity and penetration of chemotherapeutics. Trastuzumab which is a monoclonal antibody interacts with human epidermal growth factor (HER) 2 and is related to gastric carcinoma. The anti-tumor mechanism of trastuzumab is not clearly known, but mechanisms such as interruption of the HER2-mediated cell signaling pathways and cell cycle progression have been reported previously. H. pylori is involved in 90% of all gastric malignancies and Japanese guidelines strongly recommend that all H. pylori infections should be eradicated regardless of the associated disease. In this review, we present innovations discussed in recent studies.

Bouveret syndrome: A fatal diagnostic dilemma of gastric outlet obstruction.

The patient presented in this study was a 54-year-old woman complaining of nausea and vomiting, onset preceding four days, with no significant past medical history and an unremarkable surgical history. The patient was afebrile and hypertensive. Physical examination revealed a non-tender abdomen, and initial laboratory evaluation revealed elevated blood glucose level, ketonuria, leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and total bilirubin. The patient was admitted to the internal medicine ward due to new onset of diabetes mellitus. Due to persistent nausea and vomiting, gastroscopy revealed a healed duodenal ulcer, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis. The medical condition of the patient deteriorated further in the internal medicine ward, with impending hypotension, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and acute renal failure, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit due to septic shock. A computerized tomography was obtained, which revealed an impacted gallstone in the distal duodenum. The patient was taken to the operating room. The gallstone was encountered in proximal jejunum immediately distal to the ligament of Treitz. A longitudinal enterotomy was made, and the stone was extracted. Her drains were cleared on postoperative day 5, and gastrointestinal function returned to normal. Unfortunately, the patient developed an overwhelming sepsis due to bacteremia and fungemia, and died on post-operative day 19.

Solitary caecum diverticulitis mimicking acute appendicitis.

Solitary cecum diverticulum is a benign formation, but it can be complicated with inflammation, perforation and bleeding. Cecum diverticulitis (CD) is the most common complication of caecal diverticulum and it has the highest incidence among Asians, but it is a rare condition in the western world. The incidence of colonic diverticular disease can vary according to national origin, cultural structure and nutritional habits. CD is not common in our country, but it is an important situation because of its clinical similarity with the commonly seen acute right side abdominal diseases like acute appendicitis. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and hence, the actual frequency is not known. The treatment of CD can vary from medical therapy to right hemi colectomy. In this study, we presented ten CD cases on whom surgical resection was performed in our surgery unit during the last 8 years. Our purpose was to increase the awareness of surgeons about this situation, and so, make them pay attention for not having their first experience in the operating room.

A Clinicopathological Evaluation of Male Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although male breast cancer constitutes only 1% of all breast cancers, its incidence is increasing and it is becoming an important public health issue. The present study aims to present the clinicopathological characteristics of surgically treated male breast cancer patients from multiple centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male patients operated on for breast cancer were retrospectively examined in terms of clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, TNM staging status, and type of surgical treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the 21 patients was 62.3 years (range 38-94), with the majority being in the range of 50-69 years (61.9%). The most frequent finding was breast mass (85.7%). Most patients underwent modified radical mastectomy (76.1%), and the most prevalent histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (85.7%). The majority of patients had stage II or III disease, and estrogen receptors were positive in 18 (85.7%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Since male breast cancer is a rare condition, it is challenging to conduct prospective randomized trials. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the diagnosis and management of this condition. Thus, further studies and the implementation of specific guidelines or protocols for this subgroup of patients will aid better management.

HINTERGRUND: Obwohl der Brustkrebs des Mannes nur 1% aller Mammakarzinome ausmacht, ist die Inzidenz doch steigend, und die Erkrankung entwickelt sich zu einem für das Gesundheitswesen bedeutenden Problem. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, die klinisch-pathologischen Charakteristika chirurgisch behandelter männlicher Brustkrebspatienten verschiedener Zentren darzustellen. PATIENTEN UND METHODEN: Insgesamt wurden 21 chirurgisch behandelte Brustkrebspatienten retrospektiv bezüglich ihrer klinischen Präsentation, pathologischen Charakteristika, TNM-Status und Art der chirurgischen Behandlung ausgewertet. ERGEBNISSE: Das mittlere Alter der 21 Patienten war 62,3 Jahre (Spanne 38­94); die Mehrzahl der Patienten war 50­69 Jahre alt (61,9%). Der häufigste Befund war Brusttumor (85,7%). Bei den meisten Patienten wurde eine modifizierte, radikale Mastektomie durchgeführt (76,1%), und der häufigste histologische Befund war invasives duktales Karzinom (85,7%). Die Mehrzahl der Patienten war im Stadium II oder III. 18 (85,7%) Patienten waren östrogenrezeptorpositiv. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Da der Brustkrebs des Mannes eine seltene Erkrankung ist, ist es schwierig, prospektive randomisierte Studien durchzuführen, und im Moment mangelt es an umfassenden Daten zu Diagnose und Management. Weitere Studien sowie die Implementierung spezifischer Richtlinien oder Protokolle für diese Patientenuntergruppe würden deshalb das Management dieser Erkrankung erleichtern.