ABSTRACT
Cecal volvulus is a rare and life-threatening cause of intestinal obstruction with multiple risk factors including prior abdominal surgery and cecal hypermobility. Although its incidence has been reported after common procedures such as cholecystectomy and appendectomy, it has not been well studied after laparoscopy, especially in gynecological surgeries. If untreated, a cecal volvulus can result in serious complications such as intestinal strangulation, necrosis, or perforation. Therefore, early identification of risk factors and intervention is important in prevention of these sequelae. Here, we report a case of cecal volvulus in a patient with endometrial carcinoma after a staging robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and the risk factors that may have led to her complication.
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BACKGROUND: Total thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism is typically followed by overnight admission to monitor for complications including thyrotoxicosis. Outpatient thyroid surgery is increasingly common, but its safety in patients with hyperthyroidism has not been well studied. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 183 patients with hyperthyroidism who underwent total thyroidectomy from 2015 to 2022 at one urban, academic center. The main outcomes were rates of thyroid storm, surgical complications, and 30-day ED visits and readmissions. RESULTS: Among 183 patients with hyperthyroidism (mean age, 45 ± 14.5 years; 82.5% female), there were no cases of thyroid storm and complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (7.0%), symptomatic hypocalcemia (4.4%), and hematoma (1.6%). ED visits were present in 1.1% and no patients were readmitted. CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy was not associated with thyroid storm and <6% of patients required inpatient management. Ambulatory total thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism warrants further consideration through identification of predictive factors for postoperative complications.
Subject(s)
Thyroid Crisis , Vocal Cord Paralysis , Humans , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Male , Retrospective Studies , Thyroidectomy/adverse effects , Thyroid Crisis/complications , Ambulatory Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Inpatients , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Vocal Cord Paralysis/etiologyABSTRACT
Tumor cell intravasation is essential for metastatic dissemination, but its exact mechanism is incompletely understood. We have previously shown that in breast cancer, the direct and stable association of a tumor cell expressing Mena, a Tie2hi/VEGFhi macrophage, and a vascular endothelial cell, creates an intravasation portal, called a "tumor microenvironment of metastasis" (TMEM) doorway, for tumor cell intravasation, leading to dissemination to distant sites. The density of TMEM doorways, also called TMEM doorway score, is a clinically validated prognostic marker of distant metastasis in breast cancer patients. Although we know that tumor cells utilize TMEM doorway-associated transient vascular openings to intravasate, the precise signaling mechanisms involved in TMEM doorway function are only partially understood. Using two mouse models of breast cancer and an in vitro assay of intravasation, we report that CSF-1 secreted by the TMEM doorway tumor cell stimulates local secretion of VEGF-A from the Tie2hi TMEM doorway macrophage, leading to the dissociation of endothelial junctions between TMEM doorway associated endothelial cells, supporting tumor cell intravasation. Acute blockade of CSF-1R signaling decreases macrophage VEGF-A secretion as well as TMEM doorway-associated vascular opening, tumor cell trans-endothelial migration, and dissemination. These new insights into signaling events regulating TMEM doorway function should be explored further as treatment strategies for metastatic disease.
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The physiology and pathophysiology of the pancreas are complex. Diseases of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have high morbidity and mortality. Intravital imaging (IVI) is a powerful technique enabling the high-resolution imaging of tissues in both healthy and diseased states, allowing for real-time observation of cell dynamics. IVI of the murine pancreas presents significant challenges due to the deep visceral and compliant nature of the organ, which make it highly prone to damage and motion artifacts. Described here is the process of implantation of the Stabilized Window for Intravital imaging of the murine Pancreas (SWIP). The SWIP allows IVI of the murine pancreas in normal healthy states, during the transformation from the healthy pancreas to acute pancreatitis induced by cerulein, and in malignant states such as pancreatic tumors. In conjunction with genetically labeled cells or the administration of fluorescent dyes, the SWIP enables the measurement of single-cell and subcellular dynamics (including single-cell and collective migration) as well as serial imaging of the same region of interest over multiple days. The ability to capture tumor cell migration is of particular importance as the primary cause of cancer-related mortality in PDAC is the overwhelming metastatic burden. Understanding the physiological dynamics of metastasis in PDAC is a critical unmet need and crucial for improving patient prognosis. Overall, the SWIP provides improved imaging stability and expands the application of IVI in the healthy pancreas and malignant pancreas diseases.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Pancreatitis , Humans , Animals , Mice , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Pancreatitis/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Acute Disease , Pancreas/diagnostic imaging , Pancreas/pathology , Intravital Microscopy/methods , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathologyABSTRACT
Importance: Despite improvements in perioperative mortality, the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) remains high after pancreatoduodenectomy. The effect of broad-spectrum antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis in reducing SSI is poorly understood. Objective: To define the effect of broad-spectrum perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis on postoperative SSI incidence compared with standard care antibiotics. Design, Setting, and Participants: Pragmatic, open-label, multicenter, randomized phase 3 clinical trial at 26 hospitals across the US and Canada. Participants were enrolled between November 2017 and August 2021, with follow-up through December 2021. Adults undergoing open pancreatoduodenectomy for any indication were eligible. Individuals were excluded if they had allergies to study medications, active infections, chronic steroid use, significant kidney dysfunction, or were pregnant or breastfeeding. Participants were block randomized in a 1:1 ratio and stratified by the presence of a preoperative biliary stent. Participants, investigators, and statisticians analyzing trial data were unblinded to treatment assignment. Intervention: The intervention group received piperacillin-tazobactam (3.375 or 4 g intravenously) as perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, while the control group received cefoxitin (2 g intravenously; standard care). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was development of postoperative SSI within 30 days. Secondary end points included 30-day mortality, development of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, and sepsis. All data were collected as part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Results: The trial was terminated at an interim analysis on the basis of a predefined stopping rule. Of 778 participants (378 in the piperacillin-tazobactam group [median age, 66.8 y; 233 {61.6%} men] and 400 in the cefoxitin group [median age, 68.0 y; 223 {55.8%} men]), the percentage with SSI at 30 days was lower in the perioperative piperacillin-tazobactam vs cefoxitin group (19.8% vs 32.8%; absolute difference, -13.0% [95% CI, -19.1% to -6.9%]; P < .001). Participants treated with piperacillin-tazobactam, vs cefoxitin, had lower rates of postoperative sepsis (4.2% vs 7.5%; difference, -3.3% [95% CI, -6.6% to 0.0%]; P = .02) and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (12.7% vs 19.0%; difference, -6.3% [95% CI, -11.4% to -1.2%]; P = .03). Mortality rates at 30 days were 1.3% (5/378) among participants treated with piperacillin-tazobactam and 2.5% (10/400) among those receiving cefoxitin (difference, -1.2% [95% CI, -3.1% to 0.7%]; P = .32). Conclusions and Relevance: In participants undergoing open pancreatoduodenectomy, use of piperacillin-tazobactam as perioperative prophylaxis reduced postoperative SSI, pancreatic fistula, and multiple downstream sequelae of SSI. The findings support the use of piperacillin-tazobactam as standard care for open pancreatoduodenectomy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03269994.
Subject(s)
Cefoxitin , Sepsis , Male , Adult , Humans , Aged , Cefoxitin/therapeutic use , Piperacillin/therapeutic use , Pancreaticoduodenectomy/adverse effects , Pancreatic Fistula/drug therapy , Penicillanic Acid/therapeutic use , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination/therapeutic use , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Sepsis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are grave illnesses with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Intravital imaging (IVI) is a powerful technique for visualizing physiological processes in both health and disease. However, the application of IVI to the murine pancreas presents significant challenges, as it is a deep, compliant, visceral organ that is difficult to access, easily damaged and susceptible to motion artefacts. Existing imaging windows for stabilizing the pancreas during IVI have unfortunately shown poor stability for time-lapsed imaging on the minutes to hours scale, or are unable to accommodate both the healthy and tumour-bearing pancreata. To address these issues, we developed an improved stabilized window for intravital imaging of the pancreas (SWIP), which can be applied to not only the healthy pancreas but also to solid tumours like PDAC. Here, we validate the SWIP and use it to visualize a variety of processes for the first time, including (1) single-cell dynamics within the healthy pancreas, (2) transformation from healthy pancreas to acute pancreatitis induced by cerulein, and (3) the physiology of PDAC in both autochthonous and orthotopically injected models. SWIP can not only improve the imaging stability but also expand the application of IVI in both benign and malignant pancreas diseases.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Pancreatitis , Acute Disease , Animals , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology , Intravital Microscopy , Mice , Pancreas/diagnostic imaging , Pancreas/pathology , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Pancreatitis/chemically induced , Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging , Pancreatitis/pathology , Pancreatic NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic disease. Tumors are poorly immunogenic and immunosuppressive, preventing T cell activation in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we present a microbial-based immunotherapeutic treatment for selective delivery of an immunogenic tetanus toxoid protein (TT856-1313) into PDAC tumor cells by attenuated Listeria monocytogenes. This treatment reactivated preexisting TT-specific memory T cells to kill infected tumor cells in mice. Treatment of KrasG12D,p53R172H, Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mice with Listeria-TT resulted in TT accumulation inside tumor cells, attraction of TT-specific memory CD4 T cells to the tumor microenvironment, and production of perforin and granzyme B in tumors. Low doses of gemcitabine (GEM) increased immune effects of Listeria-TT, turning immunologically cold into hot tumors in mice. In vivo depletion of T cells from Listeria-TT + GEM-treated mice demonstrated a CD4 T cell-mediated reduction in tumor burden. CD4 T cells from TT-vaccinated mice were able to kill TT-expressing Panc-02 tumor cells in vitro. In addition, peritumoral lymph node-like structures were observed in close contact with pancreatic tumors in KPC mice treated with Listeria-TT or Listeria-TT + GEM. These structures displayed CD4 and CD8 T cells producing perforin and granzyme B. Whereas CD4 T cells efficiently infiltrated the KPC tumors, CD8 T cells did not. Listeria-TT + GEM treatment of KPC mice with advanced PDAC reduced tumor burden by 80% and metastases by 87% after treatment and increased survival by 40% compared to nontreated mice. These results suggest that Listeria-delivered recall antigens could be an alternative to neoantigen-mediated cancer immunotherapy.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal , Listeria , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Animals , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology , Cell Death , Disease Models, Animal , Mice , Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Tetanus Toxoid/therapeutic use , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
The degree of metastatic disease varies widely among patients with cancer and affects clinical outcomes. However, the biological and functional differences that drive the extent of metastasis are poorly understood. We analyzed primary tumors and paired metastases using a multifluorescent lineage-labeled mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-a tumor type in which most patients present with metastases. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed an association between metastatic burden and gene amplification or transcriptional upregulation of MYC and its downstream targets. Functional experiments showed that MYC promotes metastasis by recruiting tumor-associated macrophages, leading to greater bloodstream intravasation. Consistent with these findings, metastatic progression in human PDAC was associated with activation of MYC signaling pathways and enrichment for MYC amplifications specifically in metastatic patients. Collectively, these results implicate MYC activity as a major determinant of metastatic burden in advanced PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE: Here, we investigate metastatic variation seen clinically in patients with PDAC and murine PDAC tumors and identify MYC as a major driver of this heterogeneity.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Genes, myc , Neoplasm Metastasis , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Animals , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/secondary , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Mice , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy (HIDA) aids the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis (AC) but has limitations. We sought to design a model based on the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) to predict HIDA results. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent a HIDA scan during the evaluation of AC was performed. Using logistic regression techniques incorporating the TG18 criterion and additional readily available patient characteristics, a prediction model was created to identify patients likely to test negative for acute cholecystitis by HIDA scan. RESULTS: In 235 patients with suspected AC, a HIDA scan was performed. Variables associated with positive HIDA results were male gender (RR 2.0 (CI 1.33-2.99), age (OR 1.02 (CI 1.01-1.04), right upper quadrant tenderness (RR 1.7 (CI 1.1-2.8)), clinical Murphy's sign (RR 2.2 (CI 1.5-3.4)), ultrasound findings suggestive of AC by any of its components (RR 3.2 (CI 1.6-6.5)), gallbladder wall thickening (RR 2.0 (CI 1.3-3.1)), and gallbladder distention (RR 1.9 (CI 1.3-2.9)). These variables allowed for creation of a model to predict HIDA results. The model predicted HIDA results in 36.9% of patients with an area under the curve of 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: In the era of TG18, HIDA is probably over utilized. We developed an accurate, simple model based on TG18 that identifies a group of patients for whom a HIDA scan is unnecessary to establish the diagnosis of AC.
Subject(s)
Cholecystitis, Acute , Cholecystitis, Acute/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Radionuclide Imaging , Retrospective Studies , TokyoABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The safety of surgery in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients remains unclear. On the basis of data from other viral diseases, it has been assumed that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has the potential risk of transmission during surgery. The presence of the virus within the peritoneal fluid and the peritoneal tissues is not known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study including adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent surgery at a single institution. Using specific real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 was determined in abdominal fluid samples. RESULTS: Six patients with COVID-19 underwent abdominal surgery. Five patients were asymptomatic, and 1 had severe disease. SARS-CoV-2 was tested in 20 different samples, all of which resulted negative. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 was not found in the peritoneal cavity of 6 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The risk of transmissibility of COVID-19 during surgery is still unclear.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Surgeons , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Peritoneum , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
We report a case of a common bile duct neuroendocrine tumor discovered in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease to emphasize the importance of recognizing this unusual diagnosis. This case illustrates the importance of endoscopic evaluation and the potential diagnostic pitfalls which may impact its appropriate management: the anatomic proximity of more common von Hippel-Lindau disease-related tumors, pathologic evaluation, and staging. Therefore, awareness of this rare diagnosis is important for appropriate treatment.
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BACKGROUND: Outcomes after adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are variable. The aldosteronoma resolution score (ARS) uses preoperative variables to calculate a score that identifies those patients that are more likely to have resolution of hypertension after adrenalectomy. We aim to determine the efficacy of adrenalectomy and whether the ARS accurately predicts clinical success in a Black and Hispanic population. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent adrenalectomy for PA from 2004 to 2018 at two academic centers treating primarily Hispanic and Black patients. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated based on the primary aldosteronism surgical outcome consensus criterion. Retrospectively, the accuracy of ARS was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Forty-three Hispanic and 10 Black patients underwent adrenalectomy for PA. Twenty-two patients (41.5%) had complete clinical success. Variables associated with complete clinical success in the univariate analysis were female gender (p = 0.026), younger age (p = 0.001), lower preoperative aldosterone (p = 0.035), lower preoperative systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), fewer number of preoperative antihypertensive medications (p = 0.007) and a higher ARS (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, only fewer number of preoperative antihypertensive medications was independently associated with complete clinical success (p = 0.026). The AUC of the ARS was 0.746. CONCLUSION: The rate of clinical success from adrenalectomy is good for Hispanic and Black patients with PA. Our analysis shows that the ARS is an accurate test of clinical success in Hispanic and Black patients. The ARS may be utilized preoperatively to frame expectations after adrenalectomy in these populations.
Subject(s)
Adrenocortical Adenoma , Hyperaldosteronism , Hypertension , Adrenalectomy , Adrenocortical Adenoma/surgery , Black or African American , Aldosterone , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Hyperaldosteronism/surgery , Hypertension/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no methods to identify patients with an increased risk of liver metastases to guide patient selection for liver-directed therapies. We tried to determine whether quantitative image features (radiomics) of the liver obtained from preoperative staging CT scans at the time of initial colon resection differ in patients that subsequently develop liver metastases, extrahepatic metastases, or demonstrate prolonged disease-free survival. METHODS: Patients who underwent resection of stage II/III colon cancer from 2004 to 2012 with available preoperative CT scans were included in this single-institution, retrospective case-control study. Patients were grouped by initial recurrence patterns: liver recurrence, extrahepatic recurrence, or no evidence of disease at 5 years. Radiomic features of the liver parenchyma extracted from CT images were compared across groups. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 120 patients divided evenly between three recurrence groups, with an equal number of stage II and III patients in each group. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, 44 of 254 (17%) imaging features displayed different distributions across the three patient groups (p < 0.05), with the clearest distinction between those with liver recurrence and no evidence of disease. Increased heterogeneity in the liver parenchyma by radiomic analysis was protective of liver metastases. CONCLUSIONS: CT radiomics is a promising tool to identify patients at high risk of developing liver metastases and is worthy of further investigation and validation.
Subject(s)
Colonic Neoplasms , Liver Neoplasms , Case-Control Studies , Colonic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Colonic Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The impact of emergency department admission prior to pancreatic resection on perioperative outcomes is not well described. We compared patients who underwent pancreatic cancer surgery following admission through the emergency department (ED-surgery) with patients receiving elective pancreatic cancer surgery (elective) and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify patients undergoing pancreatectomy for cancer over 5 years (2008-2012). Demographics and hospital characteristics were assessed, along with perioperative outcomes and disposition status. RESULTS: A total of 8158 patients were identified, of which 516 (6.3%) underwent surgery after admission through the ED. ED-surgery patients were more often socioeconomically disadvantaged (non-White 39% vs. 18%, Medicaid or uninsured 24% vs. 7%, from lowest income area 33% vs. 21%; all p < .0001), had higher comorbidity (Elixhauser score > 6: 44% vs. 26%, p < .0001), and often had pancreatectomy performed at sites with lower annual case volume (< 7 resections/year: 53% vs. 24%, p < .0001). ED-surgery patients were less likely to be discharged home after surgery (70% vs. 82%, p < .0001) and had higher mortality (7.4% vs. 3.5%, p < .0001). On multivariate analysis, ED-surgery was independently associated with a lower likelihood of being discharged home (aOR 0.55 (95%CI 0.43-0.70)). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing pancreatectomy following ED admission experience worse outcomes compared with those who undergo surgery after elective admission. The excess of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients in this group suggests factors other than clinical considerations alone drive this decision. This study demonstrates the need to consider presenting patient circumstances and preoperative oncologic coordination to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer surgery.
Subject(s)
Pancreatectomy , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Emergency Service, Hospital , Hospitalization , Humans , Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery , Retrospective Studies , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The impact of the stage of cancer on perioperative mortality remains obscure. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cancer stage influences 30-d mortality for gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Cancer Database for patients undergoing resections for cancers of the stomach, pancreas, colon, or rectum between 2004 and 2015. The main analysis was conducted among patients with cancer stages 1-3. A sensitivity analysis also included cancer stage 4. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the patients' baseline characteristics. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the relationship between stage and 30-d mortality, controlling for other disease-, patient- and hospital-level factors. Pseudo R2 statistics (%Δ pseudo R2) were used to quantify the relative explanatory capacity of the variables to the model for 30-d mortality. All analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: The cohort included 24,468, 28,078, 176,285, and 64,947 patients with stomach, pancreas, colon, and rectal cancers, respectively. After adjusting for other variables, 30-d mortality was different by stage for all cancer types examined. The factor most strongly associated with 30-d mortality was age (%Δ pseudo R2 range 14%-39%). The prognostic impact of cancer stage (Stages 1, 2, or 3) on 30-d mortality was comparable to that of the Charlson comorbidity index. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer stage contributes to explaining differences observed in short-term mortality for gastrointestinal cancers. Short-term mortality models would benefit by including more granular cancer stage, beyond disseminated status alone.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma/pathology , Carcinoma/surgery , Digestive System Neoplasms/pathology , Digestive System Neoplasms/surgery , Digestive System Surgical Procedures/mortality , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma/mortality , Clinical Decision Rules , Databases, Factual , Digestive System Neoplasms/mortality , Female , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , PrognosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) occurs in 10%-20% of patients with resistant hypertension. Guidelines recommend adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to identify patients for surgical management. We evaluate the use of AVS in managing PA to better understand the selection and outcomes of medical versus surgical treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed, and patients were divided into those who did (AVS) and did not have AVS (non-AVS). Demographics, aldosterone and renin levels, blood pressure, comorbidities, and antihypertensive medications were recorded. Reasons to defer AVS and medical versus surgical decision-making were examined and groups were compared. RESULTS: We included 113 patients; 39.8% (45/113) had AVS, whereas 60.2% (68/113) did not. Groups were similar in age, body mass index, and initial systolic blood pressure (SBP). In patients who underwent AVS, 31 of 45 (68.9%) had unilateral secretion and were referred for surgery, whereas 13 of 45 (28.9%) had bilateral secretion. Of the 31 referred for surgery, 26 underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, all cured; four refused surgery; and one counseled toward medical management by their physician. In 68 non-AVS patients, 6 (8.8%) underwent adrenalectomy without sampling and 2 with no clinical improvement. The remaining deferrals were because of normal or bilateral adrenal nodules on imaging (8/68, 11.8%); medical management due to poor surgical candidacy (12/68, 17.6%); patient refusal of intervention (13/68, 19.1%); or reasons not stated (28/68, 41.1%). At the follow-up, patients who underwent AVS had lower median SBP (135.4 mmHg versus 144.7 mmHg, P = 0.0241) and shorter follow-up (17.7 mo versus 54.0 mo, P < 0.0001). Surgically managed patients had biochemical resolution of PA with normalization of potassium levels (3.6 to 4.7mEq/L, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: AVS correctly selects patients for surgical management avoiding unnecessary surgery. However, despite guidelines, AVS is not always pursued as part of PA treatment, potentially excluding surgical candidates.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/methods , Adrenalectomy/statistics & numerical data , Clinical Decision-Making/methods , Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis , Hypertension/epidemiology , Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/standards , Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/statistics & numerical data , Adrenal Glands/blood supply , Adrenal Glands/diagnostic imaging , Adrenal Glands/metabolism , Adrenalectomy/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aldosterone/blood , Blood Specimen Collection/methods , Blood Specimen Collection/standards , Blood Specimen Collection/statistics & numerical data , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Hyperaldosteronism/blood , Hyperaldosteronism/complications , Hyperaldosteronism/therapy , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/etiology , Hypertension/prevention & control , Laparoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Selection , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Renin/blood , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Unnecessary Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Veins/surgery , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate genomic correlates underlying extremes of survivorship in metastatic colorectal cancer and their applicability in informing survival in distinct subsets of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined differences in oncogenic somatic alterations between metastatic colorectal cancer cohorts demonstrating extremes of survivorship following complete metastasectomy: ≤2-year (n = 17) and ≥10-year (n = 18) survivors. Relevant genomic findings, and their association with overall survival (OS), were validated in two independent datasets of 935 stage IV and 443 resected stage I-IV patients. RESULTS: In the extremes-of-survivorship cohort, significant co-occurrence of KRAS hotspot mutations and TP53 alterations was observed in ≤2-year survivors (P < 0.001). When validating these findings in the independent cohort of 935 stage IV patients, incorporation of the cumulative effect of any oncogenic Ras/B-raf (i.e., either KRAS, NRAS, or BRAF) and TP53 alteration generated three prognostic clusters: (i) TP53-altered alone (median OS, 132 months); (ii) Ras/B-raf-altered alone (65 months) or Ras/B-raf- and TP53 pan-wild-type (60 months); and (iii) coaltered Ras/B-raf-TP53 (40 months; P < 0.0001). Coaltered Ras/B-raf-TP53 was independently associated with mortality (HR, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-3.21; P < 0.001). This molecular profile predicted survival in the second independent cohort of 443 resected stage I-IV patients. Coaltered Ras/B-raf-TP53 was associated with worse OS in patients with liver (n = 490) and lung (n = 172) but not peritoneal surface (n = 149) metastases. Moreover, coaltered Ras/B-raf-TP53 tumors were significantly more likely to involve extrahepatic metastatic sites with limited salvage options. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic analysis of extremes of survivorship following colorectal cancer metastasectomy identifies a prognostic role for coaltered Ras/B-raf-TP53 and its association with distinct patterns of colorectal cancer metastasis.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality , GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Mutation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics , Cohort Studies , Colorectal Neoplasms/classification , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prognosis , Survival RateABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive studies evaluating the efficacy of team-based competition ("Gamification") in surgery have not been performed. Board pass rates and resident satisfaction may improve if surgical residents are involved in competition. METHODS: Residents at Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, New York) were surveyed and separated into teams during a draft. Each resident's performance was converted into a point system. Resident scores were combined into a team score and presented as a leaderboard. Awards were given. ABSITE, ACGME residency satisfaction, and ABS qualifying exam pass rates were compared. RESULTS: Sixty percent of residents are inspired to improve their performance during gamification. ABSITE average percentile score improved from 28 to 43. ABS qualifying exam pass rates improved from 73% to 100%. Resident satisfaction improved from 65% to 88%. The point system allowed for establishing "growth curves" for each resident enabling enhanced assessment of residents. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive team-based competition inspires performance, is feasible, and seems to improve ABSITE scores, ABS pass rates, and satisfaction while being a tool for assessment of performance.