Resilience in Rectal Cancer Treatment: Lessons from the COVID-19 Era in Czech Republic.

Introduction: The management of patients with COVID-19 infection has placed great pressure on the healthcare systems around the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment outcomes of patients with rectal cancer by comparing them to those of patients with the same diagnosis in the pre-pandemic period. Methods: Retrospective data analysis of patients undergoing multimodal treatment for rectal cancer at the four university hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) and the 2-year pre-pandemic period (2018-2019). Results: A total of 693 patients (319 in the pre-pandemic period and 374 in the pandemic period) with rectal cancer were included in the study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients in both study periods were comparable, as was the spectrum of surgical procedures. Palliative surgery was more common in the pandemic period (18% vs 13%, p=0.084). The proportion of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.025). There were no statistically significant differences between the study periods in the incidence/severity of post-operative complications, 30-day mortality and length of hospital stay. The number of positive resection margins was similar (5% vs 5%). Based on these results, COVID-19 had no effect on the postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer. Neoadjuvant treatment was more common in the pre-pandemic period (50% vs 45%). Long-course RT was predominantly offered in the pre-pandemic period, short-course RT during the pandemic. Significantly shorter "diagnosis-surgery" intervals were observed during the pandemic (23 days vs 33 days, p=0.0002). The "surgery-adjuvant therapy" interval was similar in both analysed study periods (p=0.219). Conclusion: Our study showed, that despite concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, multimodal treatment of rectal cancer was associated with unchanged postoperative morbidity rates, increased frequency of short-course neoadjuvant RT administration and shorter "diagnosis-surgery" intervals.

Schwannoma of the phrenic nerve. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic tumors are the third most common tumors occurring within the mediastinum. Predominantly completely asymptomatic, they are most often found in the posterior mediastinum, although they may also be located, albeit rarely, in the middle mediastinum. Thus, in the cases of tumors localized in the middle mediastinum, schwannomas of the phrenic nerve must always be considered. CASE REPORT: In this case, a male patient presented with a tumor of the middle mediastinum. PET/CT scan determined that it was a circumscribed tumor without signs of dissemination. However, due to the tumor's location, a preoperative biopsy of the tumor was not possible. Therefore, the patient underwent videothoracoscopic extirpation of the tumor, including the necessary resection of the phrenic nerve that passed through the centre of the tumor. Subsequent histological analysis definitively confirmed a schwannoma with low proliferative activity. CONCLUSIONS: Differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumours is very difficult; however, in the case of circumscribed tumours not invading the surrounding tissues, proceeding to surgical revision, with the complete removal of the tumour, is possible, even without determining the histological nature. Minimally invasive surgical techniques dominate the treatment of neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum; they are associated with minimal complications and allow a rapid return of the patient to their normal activities.

Preoperative nutritional support in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery affects PREPARE score accuracy.

Background: This study aimed to validate the accuracy of the Preoperative Pancreatic Resection (PREPARE) risk score in pancreatic resection patients. Patients and methods: This prospective study included 216 patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2015 and December 2018. All patients in our cohort with weight loss or lack of appetite received dietary advice and preoperative oral nutritional supplementation (600 kcal/day). Demographic, clinicopathological, operative, and postoperative data were collected prospectively. The PREPARE score and the predicted risk of major complications were computed for each patient. Differences in major postoperative complications were analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. The predicted and observed risks of major complications were tested using the C-statistic. Results: The study included 216 patients [117 men (54.2%)] with a median age of 65.0 (30.0-83.0) years. The majority of patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)' Physical Status score II (N = 164/216; 75.9%) and as "low risk" PREPARE score (N = 185/216; 85.6%) before the surgery. Only 4 (1.9%) patients were malnourished, with albumin levels of less than 3.5 g/dl. The most common type of pancreatic resection was a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (N = 122/216; 56.5%). Major morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 11.1% and 1.9%, respectively. The type of surgical procedure (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.849; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.208-12.264) and ASA score (HR: 3.089; 95% CI: 1.067-8.947) were significantly associated with the incidence of major postoperative complications in multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.657 for incremental values and 0.559 for risk categories, indicating a weak predictive model. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the PREPARE risk score has low accuracy in predicting the risk of major complications in patients with consistent preoperative nutritional support. This limits the use of PREPARE risk score in future preoperative clinical routines.

Thrombocyte decrease and hemoglobin level as simple non-inflammatory predictors of anastomotic leakage in rectal-cancer surger.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine a simple diagnostic test that could predict the risk of anastomotic leakage in early postoperative period. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted. The electronic medical records of patients who underwent resection for rectal tumor between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, in University Hospital Olomouc, were reviewed. The data included risk factors for leakage and laboratory parameters commonly obtained. RESULTS: The decrease in platelets was significant as for the possibility of being a marker of anastomotic leakage; OR = 0.980 (p = 0.036). A decrease of 34 or higher predicts leakage with a sensitivity of 45 % (95 % CI: 23.1-68.5 %) and specificity of 81.1 % (95 % CI: 75.2-86.1 %). Postoperative leukocyte blood level (OR = 1.134; p = 0.019) and leukocyte level on postoperative day 1 (OR = 1.184; p = 0.023) were significant predictors for leakage. WBC values ≥ 8.8 predict leakage with a sensitivity of 70.0 % (95 % CI: 45.7-88.1 %) and specificity of 55.3 % (95 % CI: 48.4-62.0 %).  Hemoglobin blood level ≤ 79.5 predicts leakage with a sensitivity of 70.0 % (95 % CI: 45.7-88.1 %) and specificity of 62.2 % (95 % CI: 55.5-68.7 %). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the specificity and sensitivity of the followed parameters are low, they could serve as markers useful for early diagnosis or suspicion for leakage (Tab. 5, Fig. 3, Ref. 14).

DNA Repair Pathway in Ovarian Cancer Patients Treated with HIPEC.

DNA repair pathways are essential for maintaining genome stability, and understanding the regulation of these mechanisms may help in the design of new strategies for treatments, the prevention of platinum-based chemoresistance, and the prolongation of overall patient survival not only with respect to ovarian cancer. The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) together with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy is receiving more interest in ovarian cancer (OC) treatment because of the typical peritoneal spread of the disease. The aim of our study was to compare the expression level of 84 genes involved in the DNA repair pathway in tumors and the paired peritoneal metastasis tissue of patients treated with CRS/platinum-based HIPEC with respect to overall patient survival, presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis, treatment response, and alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Tumors and metastatic tissue from 28 ovarian cancer patients collected during cytoreductive surgery before HIPEC with cisplatin were used for RNA isolation and subsequent cDNA synthesis. Quantitative real-time PCR followed. The most interesting findings of our study are undoubtedly the gene interactions among the genes CCNH, XPA, SLK, RAD51C, XPA, NEIL1, and ATR for primary tumor tissue and ATM, ATR, BRCA2, CDK7, MSH2, MUTYH, POLB, and XRCC4 for metastases. Another interesting finding is the correlation between gene expression and overall survival (OS), where a low expression correlates with a worse OS.

Major iatrogenic bile duct injury during elective cholecystectomy: a Czech population register-based study.

PURPOSE: Bile duct injury (BDI) remains the most serious complication following cholecystectomy. However, the actual incidence of BDI in the Czech Republic remains unknown. Hence, we aimed to identify the incidence of major BDI requiring operative reconstruction after elective cholecystectomy in our region despite the prevailing modern 4 K Ultra HD laparoscopy and Critical View of Safety (CVS) standards implemented in daily surgical practice among the Czech population. METHODS: In the absence of a specific registry for BDI, we analysed data from The Czech National Patient Register of Reimbursed Healthcare Services, where all procedures are mandatorily recorded. We investigated 76,345 patients who were enrolled for at least a year and underwent elective cholecystectomy during the period from 2018-2021. In this cohort, we examined the incidence of major BDI following the reconstruction of the biliary tract and other complications. RESULTS: A total of 76,345 elective cholecystectomies were performed during the study period, and 186 major BDIs were registered (0.24%). Most elective cholecystectomies were performed laparoscopically (84.7%), with the remaining open (15.3%). The incidence of BDI was higher in the open surgery group (150 BDI/11700 cases/1.28%) than in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (36 BDI/64645 cases/0.06%). Furthermore, the total hospital stays with BDI after reconstruction was 13.6 days. However, the majority of laparoscopic elective cholecystectomies (57,914, 89.6%) were safe and standard procedures with no complications. CONCLUSION: Our study corroborates the findings of previous nationwide studies. Therefore, though laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reliable, the risks of BDI cannot be eliminated.

Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of treatment of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at a single center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-center observational cohort study of consecutive patients with DMPM treated by CRS-HIPEC at the Department of Surgery I of the University Hospital in Olomouc, Czech Republic. RESULTS: Data on a total of 16 patients were processed. The study group of 16 patients had six (37.5 %) women. The mean age was approximately 62 years. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in all patients (100 %) (CC0: 75 %, CC1: 25 %). All patients underwent a closed form of HIPEC with cisplatin and doxorubicin for 90 min. The mean hospital stay was 13.5 days, including 4.38 days in the ICU (13.5 ± 5.07 and 4.38 ± 1.49, respectively). Major postoperative complications (CD grades 3-4) occurred in four patients (25 %). In-hospital mortality was 6.25 %. In the study group, the median overall survival was 20 months, and the median disease-free survival was 10.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Also under the conditions at our specialized center, CRS-HIPEC is considered as an effective, affordable, and safe therapy with OS, DFS, morbidity, and mortality rates comparable to those reported in the literature (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 28). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: cytoreductive surgery, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, malignant mesothelioma, cisplatin, doxorubicin.

Analysis of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Complicating HAP in Patients with Secondary Peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse peritonitis is an acute abdominal condition characterized by high mortality. The main treatment modality is surgery, requiring a subsequent prolonged hospital stay. These patients are, among other things, at risk of developing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which considerably worsens their treatment outcomes. This study aimed to extend the existing knowledge by providing more detailed microbiological characteristics of complicating HAP in patients with secondary peritonitis, including the identification of isolated bacterial pathogens and their potential sources. METHODS: The 2015-2019 retrospective study comprised all patients with an intraoperatively confirmed diagnosis of secondary diffuse peritonitis who were classified in accordance with the quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment scoring system. RESULTS: HAP developed in 15% of patients. The 90-day mortality rates were 53% and 24% in patients with and without HAP; respectively. The most frequent pathogens responsible for HAP were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae complex and Enterococcus faecalis. Multidrug resistance to antibiotics was found in 38% of bacterial pathogens. Clonal spread of these bacterial pathogens among patients was not detected. Rather, the endogenous characteristic of HAP was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The initial antibiotic therapy of complicating HAP in patients with secondary peritonitis must be effective mainly against enterobacteria, including strains with the production of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamases, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. The study further highlighted the importance of monitoring the respiratory tract bacterial microflora in patients with secondary peritonitis. The results should be used for initial antibiotic treatment of complicating HAP instances.

Effect of reinforcement suture on anastomotic healing in rectal and sigmoid tumor resections, single-center experience: a retrospective case-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Healing of colorectal anastomosis is burdened with a number of risk factors and the development of leak carries with it higher morbidity and mortality associated not only with worse quality of life but also worse oncological outcomes. The purpose of the study was an evaluation of the effect of reinforcement suture in the healing of stapler rectal anastomosis and risk factors for anastomotic leakage in mid, upper rectal and sigmoid tumors. METHODS: A total of 357 patients who underwent curative resection for rectal or sigmoid tumor over 5 years were analyzed. Risk factors, baseline demographic and clinical data, and presence of leak were recorded. All statistical analyses were carried out at a significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The overall incidence of leak was 2.8% in the group with reinforcement suture and 6.3% in the group without reinforcement suture. Because of the low incidence of leak the results were not statistically significant. Further results also show that none of the monitored parameters (age, weight, body mass index, tumor distance, preoperative radiotherapy, tumor stage, type of surgery) were significant predictors of anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSION: Although the reinforcement suture is a safe and simple option for anastomosis protection after rectal or sigmoid resections, its statistical significance was not demonstrated in our study.

Toxic Megacolon Burdened with COVID-19 Coinfection-Worsening of an Unfavorable Diagnosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study primarily sought to evaluate the risk factors for toxic megacolon development and treatment outcomes in Clostridium difficile-positive COVID-19 patients, secondarily to determining predictors of survival. METHODS: During the second COVID-19 wave (May 2020 to May 2021), we identified 645 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, including 160 patients with a severe course in the intensive care unit. We selected patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) (31 patients) and patients with toxic megacolon (9 patients) and analyzed possible risk factors. RESULTS: Patients who developed toxic megacolon had a higher incidence (without statistical significance, due to small sample size) of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a higher proportion of them required antibiotic treatment using cephalosporins or penicillins, and there was a higher rate of extracorporeal circulation usage. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 values showed significant differences between the groups (CRP [median 126 mg/L in the non-toxic megacolon cohort and 237 mg/L in the toxic megacolon cohort; p = 0.037] and interleukin-6 [median 252 ng/L in the group without toxic megacolon and 1127 ng/L in those with toxic megacolon; p = 0.016]). As possible predictors of survival, age, presence of chronic venous insufficiency, cardiac disease, mechanical ventilation, and infection with Candida species were significant for increasing the risk of death, while corticosteroid and cephalosporin treatment and current Klebsiella infection decreased this risk. CONCLUSIONS: More than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic required strong up-to-date treatment recommendations to decrease the rate of serious in-hospital complications. Further studies are required to evaluate the interplay between COVID-19 and CDI/toxic megacolon.

A patient with primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix metastasizing to the ovary.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to draw attention to the difficulty of differential dia-gnosis of rare adenocarcinoma of the appendix and the histological diversity of ovarian tumors. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 62-year-old patient sent by an attending gynecologist for the finding of an asymptomatic adnextumor diagnosed during a routine preventive examination. Based on preoperative examinations, a malignant ovarian tumor was suspected. Standard surgery was performed including hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, total omentectomy, appendectomy, pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Definitive histopathological analysis revealed a secondary ovarian tumor, with the adenocarcinoma of the appendix appearing to be the primary site. CONCLUSION: Up to 25% of all ovarian tumors are secondary metastatic tumors. Appendix neoplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of right-sided adnextumors. Due to their localization, they can only mimic an ovarian tumor during imaging examinations, or they can be the primary origin of an already metastatic ovary, as in our case.

Silver-Based Dressings in the Prevention of the Incisional Surgical Site Infection: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Controlled Trial.

Background: A new silver-based dressing has been designed to reduce surgical sited infections. Patients and Methods: A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted from January 2020 to October 2021. Patients with and without silver-based dressing after surgical incision were observed and their data analyzed. The study aimed to assess the incidence of incisional surgical site infection and primary healing after general surgery procedures. Results: Overall, 218 patients with silver-based (n = 109) and conventional silver-free dressing (n = 109) were analyzed. Surgical site infection (SSI) and primary incision healing were reported in 10 (9.2%) versus 21 (19.3%) (p = 0.037) and in 95 (87.2%) versus 86 (78.9%) (p = 0.107) patients treated with and without silver-based dressing, respectively. Conclusions: Silver-based dressing demonstrated a lower incidence of incisional SSI and improved primary healing in comparison with patients in whom conventional non-silver-based dressing has been used.

Spontaneous liver rupture following SARS-CoV-2 infection in late pregnancy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome and vasculopathy. SARS-CoV-2 associated mortality ranges from 2% to 6%. Liver dysfunction was observed in 14%-53% of COVID-19 cases, especially in moderate severe cases. However, no cases of spontaneous hepatic rupture in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old pregnant patient (gestational age: 32 wk + 4 d) without any remarkable medical history or long-term medication presented with epigastralgia. Infectious, non-infectious, and pregnancy-related hepatopathies were excluded. Sudden onset of right subcostal pain with D-dimer and liver enzyme elevation was followed by shock with thrombocytopenia. While performing an emergency cesarean section, hemoperitoneum was observed, and the patient delivered a stillbirth. A 6-cm liver rupture at the edges of segments V and VI had occurred, which was sutured and drained. SARS-CoV-2 positivity on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was confirmed. Further revisions for intrahepatic hematoma with hemorrhagic shock and abdominal compartment syndrome were performed. Subsequently, the patient developed hemoptysis, which was treated using bronchoscopic therapy and non-invasive ventilation. Liver tissue biopsy revealed hemorrhagic foci and necrosis with an irregular centrilobular distribution. Antiphospholipid syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis were also ruled out. Fetal death was caused by acute intrauterine asphyxia. CONCLUSION: This case reveals that pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection may be predisposed to liver parenchyma disease with liver rupture.

Isolated Gastric Metastases of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma following Radical Resection-Impact of Endosonography-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Tract Seeding.

BACKGROUND: Endosonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA)-associated metachronous gastric seeding metastases (GSM) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represent a serious condition with insufficient evidence. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of PDAC resections with a curative-intent, proven pathological diagnosis of PDAC, preoperative EUS-FNA and post-resection follow-up of at least 60 months. The systematic literature search of published data was used for the GSM growth evaluation using Pearson correlation and the linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria met 59/134 cases, 16 (27%) had retained needle tract (15 following distal pancreatectomy, 1 following pylorus-sparing head resection). In total, 3/16 cases (19%) developed identical solitary GSM (10-26th month following primary surgery) and were radically resected. A total of 30 published cases of PDAC GSM following EUS-FNA were identified. Lesion was resected in 20 distal pancreatectomy cases with complete information in 14 cases. A correlation between the metastasis size and time (r = 0.612) was proven. The regression coefficient b = 0.72 expresses the growth of 0.72 mm per month. CONCLUSIONS: The GSM represent a preventable and curable condition. A remarkably high number of GSM following EUS-FNA was identified, leading to follow-up recommendation of EUS-FNA sampled patients. Multimodal management (gastric resection, adjuvant chemotherapy) may prolong survival.

Prognostic Significance of Simple Scoring Systems in the Prediction of Diffuse Peritonitis Morbidity and Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse peritonitis is a serious disease. It is often addressed within urgent management of an unstable patient in shock. The therapy consists of treatment of the source of peritonitis, decontamination of the abdominal cavity, stabilization of the patient and comprehensive resuscitation care in an intensive care unit. A number of scoring systems to determine patient prognosis are available, but most of them require complex input data, making their practical application a substantial problem. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess simple scoring systems within a cohort, evaluate the level of mortality, morbidity, and duration of hospital stay, followed by a comparison of the acquired data with the literature and determination of an easily implementable scoring system for use in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated a group of patients with diffuse peritonitis who underwent surgery in the 2015-2019 period. Medical history, surgical findings, and paraclinical examinations were used as the input for four scoring systems commonly used in practice-MPI, qSOFA, ECOG, and ASA. We compared the results between the systems and with the literature. RESULTS: Our cohort included 274 patients diagnosed with diffuse peritonitis. Mortality was 22.6%, morbidity 73.4%, with a 25.2 day average duration of hospital stay. Mortality and morbidity increased with rising MPI and qSOFA, well-established scoring systems, but also with rising ASA and ECOG, similarly to MPI and qSOFA. CONCLUSIONS: The utilized scoring systems correlated well with the severity of the condition and with predicted mortality and morbidity as reported in the literature. Simple scoring systems primarily used in other indications (i.e., ASA and ECOG) have a similar predictive value in our cohort as commonly used systems (MPI, qSOFA). We recommend them in routine clinical practice due to their simplicity.

Surgical treatment of duodenal adenocarcinoma: ampullary vs. non-ampullary, short- and long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms, diagnostic methods, short- and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment in patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single center, retrospective, observational study of 52 consecutive patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma operated on with curative intent between 2006 - 2019. Duodenectomy as part of a hemipancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy procedure was performed for ADAC (ampullary duodenal/intestinal adenocarcinoma) or NADAC (non-ampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma). RESULTS: Prevailing symptoms were obstructive jaundice in the ADAC group (P<0.0001) and bleeding in the NADAC group (P=0.005), with larger tumor size in patients with NADAC (P=0.001). Complication rate, morbidity and mortality were comparable. Primary total pancreatoduodenectomy predominated in the NADAC group, 16.6% vs. 2.9%, and salvage completion pancreatectomy in the ADAC group, 6% vs. 0%. Significant prognostic factors for OS were perineural invasion (P=0.006) and adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.045) in the ADAC group, and for DFS the total number of resected lymph nodes (P=0.042) and lymph node ratio (P=0.031) in the NADAC group. Median OS is 21 months and 5-year survival 27.3% in the NADAC group and 41.5 months and 52% in the ADAC group. CONCLUSION: Ampullary duodenal/intestinal adenocarcinomas are smaller than non-ampullary at diagnosis, with a higher rate of lymph node metastases, but with a better prognosis and long-term outcome in the presented cohort. Oral localisation of NADAC prevailed in the present cohort. Perineural invasion and postoperative oncological therapy are significant prognostic factors for OS in ADAC, but the total number of lymph nodes and lymph node ratio are significant prognostic factors for DFS in NADAC.

The short- and long-term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to calculate the short-term and long-term outcomes of curative-intent surgery in distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) patients to identify potential prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 32 consecutive DCC patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2009-2017. The clinicopathological and histopathological data were evaluated for prognostic factors using the univariable Cox regression analysis. The Overall Survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The study comprised a total of 32 patients, with a mean age of 65.8 (± 9.0) years at the time of surgery. R0 resection was achieved in 25 (86.2%) patients, 19 (65.5%) patients received adjuvant oncological therapy. The OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 62.5%, 37.5% and 21.9%, respectively. The 90-day mortality was 3/32 (9.4%) accounting for one-fourth of the first-year mortality rate. The median OS was 28.5 months. The only statistically significant prognostic factor was vascular resection, which was associated with worse OS in the univariable analysis (HR: 3.644; 95%-CI: 1.179-11.216, P=0.025). An age less than 65 years, ASA grade I/II, hospital stay of fewer than 15 days, R0 resection, lymph node ratio less than 0.2 and adjuvant oncological therapy tended to be associated with better OS but without statistically significant relevance. CONCLUSION: The main factor directly influencing the survival of DCC patients is surgical complications. Surgical mortality comprises a significant group of patients, who die in the first year following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Vascular resection is the most important negative prognostic factor for long-term survival.

Cost analysis of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and the risk factors for their increased cost in a public insurance health care system - Single centre study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the costs of CRS and HIPEC and treatment of the related postoperative complications in the public healthcare system. We also aimed to identify the risk factors that increase the cost of CRS and HIPEC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 80 patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC between February 2016 and November 2018 in the Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Olomouc, Czech Republic. Intraoperative factors and postoperative complications were assessed. The treatment cost included the surgery, hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, pharmaceutical charges including medication, hospital supplies, pathology, imaging, and allied healthcare services. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rate was 50%, and the mortality rate was 2.5%. The mean length of hospitalisation and ICU admission was 15.44 ± 8.43 and 6.15 ± 4.12 for all 80 patients and 10.73 ± 2.93 and 3.73 ± 1.32, respectively, for 40 patients without complications, and 20.15 ± 13.93 and 8.58 ± 6.92, respectively, for 40 patients with complications. The total treatment cost reached €606,358, but the total reimbursement was €262,931; thus, the CRS and HIPEC profit margin was €-343,427. Multivariate analysis showed that blood loss ≥1.000 ml (p = 0.03) and grade I-V Clavien-Dindo complications (p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased costs. CONCLUSION: The Czech public health insurance system does not fully compensate for the costs of CRS and HIPEC. Hospital losses remain the main limiting factor for further improving these procedures. Furthermore, treatment costs increase with increasing severity of postoperative complications.

Evaluation and management of toxicity of cytoreductive surgery/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: the initial experience of a single centre study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment modality for peritoneal surface malignancies with efficacy reported in many trials. Discrepancies, however, in the indication criteria, the extent of the surgical procedure, HIPEC regimens and toxicity evaluation represent a problem when comparing this method with other therapeutic modalities. METHODS: We describe the initial experience with CRS/HIPEC using different chemotherapy regimens (oxaliplatin, cisplatin, mitomycin C and doxorubicin) at the Comprehensive Oncology Centre Olomouc. RESULTS: A perioperative mortality of 2% and perioperative morbidity of 11%, according to Clavien-Dindo were observed. Interestingly, all these patients underwent HIPEC with oxaliplatin 460 mg/m2. The median duration of admission to hospital was 6 days in the intensive care unit (range 2-28 days) and 7 days in the surgical ward (range 1-21 days). Hospital admission did not exceed 2 weeks in 75% of patients. These results are consistent with the published results of large centres performing this treatment modality mainly due to pre-operative preparation of patients and pre-treatment and post-treatment management of HIPEC/CRS toxicity. Evaluation of the efficacy in terms of time to progression and overall survival (OS) is limited by the short follow up period. CONCLUSION: CRS/HIPEC performed is a safe method with low perioperative mortality.