Trends in gastric surgery operative experience among general surgery residents in the United States: A nationwide retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric surgery is a crucial component of general surgery training. However, there is a paucity of high-quality data on operative volume and the diversity of surgical procedures that general surgery residents are exposed to. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of operative case logs of all general surgery residents graduating from the American College of Graduate Medical Education-accredited program from 2009 to 2022. Data on the mean number of gastric procedures, including the mean in each subcategory, were retrieved. A Mann-Kendall trend test was used to investigate trends in operative volume. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2022, the mean overall logged gastric procedures rose significantly (τ = 0.722, P < .001) from 36.2 in 2009 to 49.2 in 2022 (35.9% increase). The most substantial growth was seen in laparoscopic gastric reduction for morbid obesity (mean 1.9 in 2017 to 19 in 2022; τ = 0.670, P = .009). A statistically significant increase was also seen in laparoscopic partial gastric resections, repair of gastric perforation, and "other major stomach procedures" (P < .05 for all comparisons). Open gastrostomy, open partial gastric resections, and open vagotomy all significantly decreased (P < .05 for all comparisons). There was no significant change in the volume of laparoscopic gastrectomy, total gastric resections, and non-laparoscopic gastric reductions for morbid obesity (P > .05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: There has been a substantial increase in the volume of gastric surgery during residency over the past 14 years, driven mainly by an increase in laparoscopic gastric reduction. However, there may still be a need for further gastric surgical training to ensure well-rounded general surgeons.

Worldwide Practice in Gastric Cancer Surgery: A 6-Year Update.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the current status of gastric cancer surgery worldwide and update the changes compared to a previous survey in 2014. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was sent to surgical members of the International Gastric Cancer Association, pilot centers of the World Organization for Specialized Studies on Diseases of the Esophagus, and the Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgeons Association in addition to participants of the 2019 International Gastric Cancer and European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus congresses. Topics addressed included hospital volume, staging, perioperative treatment, surgical approach, anastomotic techniques, lymphadenectomy, and palliative management. RESULTS: Between June 2019 and January 2020, 165 respondents from 44 countries completed the survey. In total, 80% worked in a hospital performing >20 gastrectomies annually. Staging laparoscopy and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography were preferred by 68 and 26% for advanced cancer, and 90% offered perioperative chemo(radio)therapy to patients. For early cancer, a minimally invasive surgical approach was preferred by 65% for distal and by 50% for total gastrectomy. For advanced cancer, this was preferred by 39% for distal and by 33% for total gastrectomy. And 84% favored a stapled anastomosis, and 14% created a jejunal pouch as reconstruction during total gastrectomy. A D2 lymphadenectomy was preferred for distal as well as for total gastrectomy, in both early (62 and 71%) and advanced (84 and 89%) cancer. CONCLUSION: This international survey demonstrates that perioperative chemotherapy and a D2 lymphadenectomy have now become the preferred treatment for gastric cancer. A minimally invasive surgical approach has gained popularity.

Evolution of gastrectomy for cancer over 30-years: Changes in presentation, management, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer has seen a considerable change in management, and outcomes for the past 30 years. Historically, the overall prognosis has been regarded as poor. However, the use of multimodal treatment, and integration of enhanced recovery pathways have improved short and long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changing trends in presentation, management, and outcomes for patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastric cancers over 30 years. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric adenocarcinoma between 1989 and 2018 from a single-center, high-volume unit were reviewed. Presentation method, management strategies and outcomes were reviewed. Patients were grouped into successive 5-year cohorts for comparison and evaluation of changing trends. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 2018, 1,162 patients underwent gastrectomy with curative intent for cancer. Median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 63-76 years) and 763 (66%) were male. Patient presentation changed with epigastric discomfort now the most common presentation (67%). An improvement in overall complications from 54% to 35% (P = .006) and mortality from 8% to 1% (P < .001) was seen over the time period and overall survival improved from 28 months to 53 months (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Both short-term and long-term outcomes have significantly improved over the 30 years studied. The reasons for this are multifactorial and include the use of perioperative chemotherapy, the introduction of an enhanced recovery pathway, and improved preoperative assessment of patients through a multidisciplinary input.

Brain Connectivity, and Hormonal and Behavioral Correlates of Sustained Weight Loss in Obese Patients after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The biological mediators that support cognitive-control and long-term weight-loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remain unclear. We measured peripheral appetitive hormones and brain functional-connectivity (FC) using magnetic-resonance-imaging with food cue-reactivity task in 25 obese participants at pre, 1 month, and 6 month after LSG, and compared with 30 normal weight controls. We also used diffusion-tensor-imaging to explore whether LSG increases brain structural-connectivity (SC) of regions involved in food cue-reactivity. LSG significantly decreased BMI, craving for high-calorie food cues, ghrelin, insulin, and leptin levels, and increased self-reported cognitive-control of eating behavior. LSG increased FC between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and increased SC between DLPFC and ACC at 1 month and 6 month after LSG. Reduction in BMI correlated negatively with increased FC of right DLPFC-pgACC at 1 month and with increased SC of DLPFC-ACC at 1 month and 6 month after LSG. Reduction in craving for high-calorie food cues correlated negatively with increased FC of DLPFC-pgACC at 6 month after LSG. Additionally, SC of DLPFC-ACC mediated the relationship between lower ghrelin levels and greater cognitive control. These findings provide evidence that LSG improved functional and structural connectivity in prefrontal regions, which contribute to enhanced cognitive-control and sustained weight-loss following surgery.

Current status of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy in proximal gastric cancer: Technical details and oncologic outcomes.

The incidence of proximal gastric cancer has been increasing continuously. This status has prevailed despite the application of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy as a surgical treatment for early proximal gastric cancer. The widespread adoption and standardization of this surgical procedure as the primary treatment for the abovementioned cancer has been hampered by the lack of consensus on the optimal reconstruction method after proximal gastrectomy. In addition, the oncological safety of proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric disease remains unclear. We reviewed the English-language literature to clarify the current status of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy in proximal gastric cancer. Japanese gastric cancer guidelines have suggested three types of reconstructions for proximal gastrectomy, namely, esophagogastrostomy, double-tract reconstruction, and jejunal interposition. Optimal reconstruction methods remain to be determined because of the lack of adequately performed and well-designed randomized controlled trials. The technical complexity and challenging implementation of reconstruction procedures have resulted in several complications with anastomoses. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate the various reconstruction methods and the oncological safety of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric disease.

Cirugía mínimamente invasiva del cáncer gástrico / Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer

Resumen La cirugía estándar del cáncer gástrico ha sido definida en las últimas décadas por evidencia principalmente entregada desde oriente, donde se han incorporado actualizaciones para el manejo mínimamente invasivo, especialmente en estadios iniciales de esta enfermedad. Existe evidencia actual, entregada por múltiples estudios randomizados y controlados, que comparan la cirugía mínimamente invasiva y cirugía abierta en cáncer gástrico. Es así que podemos afirmar con suficiente respaldo, que en cáncer gástrico incipiente la gastrectomía subtotal laparoscópica se puede considerar como el tratamiento estándar. Sin embargo, aún se deben esperar más resultados para aseverar lo mismo en el caso de las gastrectomías totales, tanto para cáncer incipiente como avanzado. Nuestro objetivo en esta actualización es incluir la evidencia actual disponible en el manejo del cáncer gástrico en relación al tratamiento mínimamente invasivo.

Standard surgery for gastric cáncer has been defined in recent decades by evidence mainly from the East, where updates for minimally invasive management have been incorporated, especially in the early stages of this disease. There is current evidence from múltiple randomized and controlled studies comparing minimally invasive surgery and open surgery in gastric cancer. Consequently, we can affirm with sufficient support that in early gastric cancer, laparoscopic distal gastrectomy can be considered as the standard treatment. However, more results should be expected to make the same statement for total gastrectomies, both for early and locally advanced gastric cancer. The aim in this update is to report on the current available evidence in the management of gastric cancer with minimally invasive treatment.

Current perspectives on the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted surgery for gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic gastrectomy is performed worldwide as part of the treatment for gastric cancer and is associated with good clinical outcome. This review aims to describe the current issues, debates, and future directions associated with the use of robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. AREA COVERED: Here, we review the current evidence surrounding the safety and efficacy of robotic gastrectomy, including our institutional experience. Current issues associated with robotic gastrectomy, including feasibility, perioperative outcomes, and oncological outcomes, are described. EXPERT OPINION: Sophisticated movements, articulating instruments, and the rapid introduction of fast-developing novel technology make robotic gastrectomy use more frequent. However, the need for well-designed prospective randomized trials is warranted.

Rising Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults Corresponds With Increasing Surgical Resections in Obese Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Strong evidence links obesity to esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic cancer (PC). However, national-level studies testing the link between obesity and recent temporal trends in the incidence of these cancers are lacking. METHODS: We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) to identify the incidence of EC, GC, CRC, and PC. Cancer surgeries stratified by obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m) were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We quantified trends in cancer incidence and resections in 2002-2013, across age groups, using the average annual percent change (AAPC). RESULTS: The incidence of CRC and GC increased in the 20-49 year age group (AAPC +1.5% and +0.7%, respectively, P < 0.001) and across all ages for PC. Conversely, the incidence of CRC and GC decreased in patients 50 years or older and all adults for EC. According to the NIS, the number of patients with obesity undergoing CRC resections increased in all ages (highest AAPC was +15.3% in the 18-49 year age group with rectal cancer, P = 0.047). This trend was opposite to a general decrease in nonobese patients undergoing CRC resections. Furthermore, EC, GC, and PC resections only increased in adults 50 years or older with obesity. DISCUSSION: Despite a temporal rise in young-onset CRC, GC, and PC, we only identify a corresponding increase in young adults with obesity undergoing CRC resections. These data support a hypothesis that the early onset of obesity may be shifting the risk of CRC to a younger age.

Global updates in the treatment of gastric cancer: a systematic review. Part 2: perioperative management, multimodal therapies, new technologies, standardization of the surgical treatment and educational aspects.

Gastric cancer is the fifth malignancy and the third cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the global cancer statistics presented in 2018. Its definition and staging have been revised in the eight edition of the AJCC/TNM classification, which took effect in 2018. Novel molecular classifications for GC have been recently established and the process of translating these classifications into clinical practice is ongoing. The cornerstone of GC treatment is surgical, in a context of multimodal therapy. Surgical treatment is being standardized, and is evolving according to new anatomical concepts and to the recent technological developments. This is leading to a massive improvement in the use of mini-invasive techniques. Mini-invasive techniques aim to be equivalent to open surgery from an oncologic point of view, with better short-term outcomes. The persecution of better short-term outcomes also includes the optimization of the perioperative management, which is being implemented on large scale according to the enhanced recovery after surgery principles. In the era of precision medicine, multimodal treatment is also evolving. The long-time-awaited results of many trials investigating the role for preoperative and postoperative management have been published, changing the clinical practice. Novel investigations focused both on traditional chemotherapeutic regimens and targeted therapies are currently ongoing. Modern platforms increase the possibility for further standardization of the different treatments, promote the use of big data and open new possibilities for surgical learning. This systematic review in two parts assesses all the current updates in GC treatment.

Trends and progress of bariatric and metabolic surgery in India.

Bariatric and metabolic surgery are being performed in India for 2 decades. Aim of this paper is to evaluate the changing clinical trends over the last 5 years and to present the other aspects helmed by Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) to aid the growth of research, education, data management and registry, quality control, insurance-related issues and policy change. OSSI conducts an annual survey to collect data pertaining to numbers of surgical procedures. With the approval of the executive committee, data collected from 2014 to 2018 were retrieved and analysed. 20,242 surgical procedures were performed in 2018 which is an 86.7% increase from 2014. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy continued to remain the most popular procedure, it's percent share saw a steady decline from 68 to 48%. One anastomosis gastric bypass showed an unprecedented growth from 14 to 34%. Numbers of laparoscopic Roux en y gastric bypass remained constant at 15-16%. OSSI has also initiated a COE program along with training fellowships and focus on registry and inclusion in insurance coverage. National trends over the past 5 years in bariatric surgery have shown emergence of newer procedures like OAGB, although LSG continues to be the most popular procedure performed These trends give an insight on how the field is evolving and the implications for any distinctive requirements unique to this region These will lay out important directives for not only ensuring good treatment outcomes but also increasing awareness about the disease on the whole.

Global updates in the treatment of gastric cancer: a systematic review. Part 1: staging, classification and surgical treatment.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth malignancy and the third cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the global cancer statistics presented in 2018. Its definition and staging have been revised in the eight edition of the AJCC/TNM classification, which took effect in 2018. Novel molecular classifications for GC have been recently established and the process of translating these classifications into clinical practice is ongoing. The cornerstone of GC treatment is surgical, in a context of multimodal therapy. Surgical treatment is being standardized, and is evolving according to new anatomical concepts and to the recent technological developments. This is leading to a massive improvement in the use of mini-invasive techniques. Mini-invasive techniques aim to be equivalent to open surgery from an oncologic point of view, with better short-term outcomes. The persecution of better short-term outcomes also includes the optimization of the perioperative management, which is being implemented on large scale according to the enhanced recovery after surgery principles. In the era of precision medicine, multimodal treatment is also evolving. The long-time-awaited results of many trials investigating the role for preoperative and postoperative management have been published, changing the clinical practice. Novel investigations focused both on traditional chemotherapeutic regimens and targeted therapies are currently ongoing. Modern platforms increase the possibility for further standardization of the different treatments, promote the use of big data, and open new possibilities for surgical learning. This systematic review in two parts assesses all the current updates in GC treatment.

The effect of sociodemographic factors on outcomes and time to discharge after bariatric operations.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity resulting in both sustained weight loss and reduction in obesity-related comorbidities. It is uncertain how sociodemographic factors affect postoperative outcomes. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) from 2005 to 2014. Factors associated with selection of SG over RYGB, increased postoperative length of stay (LOS) greater than 3 days, and inpatient mortality were compared by race, insurance status, and other clinical and hospital factors. RESULTS: The database captured 781,413 patients, of which 525,986 had a RYGB and 255,428 had SG. There was an increase in the incidence of SG over RYGB over time. Among the self-pay/uninsured, the increased incidence began several years earlier than other groups. Black patients had greater odds of increased postoperative LOS (OR 1.40) and in-hospital mortality (OR 2.11). CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic factors are associated with differences in temporal trends in the adoption of SG versus RYGB for surgical weight loss.

Physical fitness and physical activity in women with obesity: short term effects of sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the increase on prevalence of obesity has been linked to a higher number of bariatric surgeries, being sleeve gastrectomy (SG) the most frequent bariatric procedures in the world. However, there are few studies that determine the impact of SG on health's determinants such as physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA). Objectives: to describe the changes in PF and PA of patients after SG. Methods: twenty-three women with obesity (mean 36.1 ± 11.1 years old and body mass index [BMI] of 35.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2) were evaluated preoperatively to SG and at one and three months after surgery. An assessment of PF was conducted, including handgrip (HGS) and quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) with dynamometers and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with an ergospirometer. PA was assessed with a three-axis accelerometer. Results: the absolute VO2 peak decreased after the first and third month (p < 0.001) post SG. The VO2 peak relative to body weight showed an increase from baseline after the SG (p = 0.002). After SG, there was a reduction in absolute values for HGS and QMS (p < 0.001) and an increase in relative HGS after three months post-surgery compared to preoperative (p = 0.011), without changes in relative QMS (p = 0.596). No changes in PA were observed. Conclusions: after SG, there is a short term decline on PF when it is expressed on absolute values. However, when it is expressed in relative terms to body weight, some components of PF improve, while others showed no change. There was no modification in PA levels of the participants.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el incremento en la prevalencia de la obesidad se ha relacionado con un mayor número de cirugías bariátricas, siendo la gastrectomía vertical (SG) el procedimiento bariátrico más frecuente en el mundo. Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios que analicen el impacto de la SG en determinantes de la salud, como la condición física (PF) y la actividad física (PA). Objetivo: describir los cambios en la PF y la PA después de la SG. Métodos: veintitrés mujeres con obesidad (36,1 ± 11,1 años e índice de masa corporal [IMC] de 35,1 ± 3,4 kg/m2) fueron evaluadas previo a una SG y al primer y tercer mes postoperatorio. Las evaluaciones incluyeron la valoración de fuerza de prensión manual (HGS) y de cuádriceps (QMS) con dinamómetros y de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (CRF) con ergoespirometría. La PA fue evaluada con acelerómetros triaxiales. Resultados: el VO2 peak absoluto disminuyó al primer y tercer mes (p < 0,001) luego de la SG. El VO2 peak relativo al peso corporal aumentó después de la SG (p = 0,002). Luego de la cirugía disminuyeron HGS y QMS absolutas (p < 0,001) y aumentó HGS relativa al peso corporal al tercer mes postoperatorio (p = 0,011), sin cambios en QMS relativa (p = 0,559). No se observaron cambios en la PA posterior a SG. Conclusiones: después de SG hay un deterioro a corto plazo de la PF expresada en términos absolutos, pero al expresarse en relación al peso corporal, algunos componentes de la PF no cambian y otros mejoran. No se observaron cambios en la PA poscirugía.

Neuro-hormonal mechanisms underlying changes in reward related behaviors following weight loss surgery: Potential pharmacological targets.

Currently, the only available effective treatment option for obesity and its comorbidities is weight loss surgery (WLS). Long-term maintenance of weight loss after surgery cannot be explained by caloric restriction or malabsorption alone and has been attributed to unexplained changes in eating behavior. Whether these behavioral changes are related to altered taste or reward functions, or both, are subject to debate. In contrast to reduced food cravings and food addiction following WLS, recent clinical studies have revealed that bariatric surgery patients are prone to an increased risk for substance use disorder (SUD), especially alcohol use disorder (AUD). The substitution of drugs for previously stimulating foods, and the emergence of SUD after WLS, supported by preclinical studies, strongly suggest that manipulation of gut-brain signals may bring about changes in the reward system. This paper reviews current clinical and basic science research and discusses potential underlying mechanisms of reward-related behaviors. Specifically, it explores relevant neural and hormonal changes that present post WLS and their effects on dopaminergic reward pathway and highlights targets for potential pharmacological interventions. Special emphasis is given to recent work suggesting that different types of WLS procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) have differential effects on alcohol consumption in humans and rats. These differential effects may hold the key not only to understanding increased substance use following WLS but may also help elucidate the contribution of gut-brain signals to regulation of reward, in general.

Trends in Utilization and Relative Complication Rates of Bariatric Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding have been popular alternatives to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass due to their technical ease and lower complication rates. Comprehensive longitudinal data are necessary to guide selection of the appropriate bariatric procedures for individual patients. METHODS: We used the Truven Heath Analytics MarketScan® database between 2000 and 2015 to identify patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to compare complication rates between laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, as well as between laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. RESULTS: 256,830 individuals met search criteria. By 2015, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was the most commonly performed bariatric procedure followed by laparoscopic gastric bypass and then laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Overall, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding had fewer complications relative to laparoscopic gastric bypass with the exceptions of heartburn, gastritis, and portal vein thrombosis following sleeve gastrectomy and heartburn and dysphagia following adjustable gastric banding. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is now the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the USA. It is reassuring that its overall postoperative complication rates are lower relative to laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Gastrectomía vertical: tendencia global y algunas controversias / Vertical gastrectomy: Global trends and some controversies

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Changes in body weight, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue after gastrectomy: a comparison between proximal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Proximal gastrectomy (PG) offers a well-preserved digestive function after surgery, which may result in a better nutritional outcome in comparison to total gastrectomy (TG). The aim of this study was to clarify the advantage of PG over TG by evaluating the longitudinal changes in body weight (BW) and body composition after surgery. METHODS: A total of 112 patients undergoing PG with a reconstruction preserving food passage through the duodenum (n = 39) or TG with a reconstruction bypassing the duodenum (n = 73) for clinical stage IA gastric cancer were included. Changes in BW, psoas muscle and subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue were assessed before surgery, and at 1 and 3 years after surgery and were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: BW and SAT decreased significantly in both groups, but the rate of reduction was significantly lower in the PG group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to skeletal muscle or visceral adipose tissue (P = 0.110 and 0.710, respectively), although they both significantly decreased throughout the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The losses of BW and SAT were significantly smaller in the PG group. PG may be superior to TG in preserving BW and SAT in patients with clinical stage IA gastric cancer.

National Trends in Multimodality Therapy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Multimodality therapy (MMT) is recommended for patients with resectable gastric cancer, but no single approach has been established as standard. Little is presently known about current national practice patterns and sequencing of MMT. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with gastric cancer aged 18 to 80 y in the National Cancer Database (2006-2014) with ≥T2 and/or node-positive disease (i.e., stage Ib to III) treated with MMT. Clinical nodal staging accuracy was ascertained among those treated with upfront surgery by comparing clinical and pathologic nodal staging. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between overall risk of death and MMT approach (i.e., radiation used versus not and treatment sequence). RESULTS: Among 5817 patients, 16.1% received perioperative MMT, 50.6% preoperative only, and 33.3% postoperative only. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of clinical nodal staging were 68.4%, 88.8%, 91.1%, and 62.7%, respectively. Current clinical nodal staging modalities understage 37.3% of clinically node-negative patients. Over time, radiation utilization decreased (74.3% in 2006 versus 53.9% in 2014; trend test, P < 0.001), perioperative MMT increased (8.9% versus 22.2%%; trend test, P < 0.001), and postoperative MMT decreased (43.1% versus 21.0%; trend test, P < 0.001). Neither type of MMT nor treatment sequence is associated with risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of patients with gastric cancer who are candidates to receive MMT are treated with upfront surgery. Given the high false negative rate of clinical nodal staging and high noncompletion rate of postoperative treatment, efforts should be directed at improving and optimizing preoperative therapy utilization.

Trends in Major Gastrectomy for Cancer: Frequency and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Declining incidence of gastric cancer in the USA has presumably resulted in lower rates of major gastrectomy for cancer. The impact on perioperative outcomes remains undefined. The aims of this study were to characterize national trends in frequency of major gastrectomy for cancer, identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality, and examine outcome disparities by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Nationwide inpatient sample data from 1993 to 2013 were queried for procedural and diagnostic codes (ICD-9) relating to total and partial gastrectomy procedures. Gastric resections for cancer were compared to those for peptic ulcer disease for reference. Patient demographics, comorbidity score, mortality, and hospital characteristics were recorded as covariates. RESULTS: A significant decrease in annual rates of partial and total gastrectomy was observed from 1993 to 2013 (p < 0.0001). The change in absolute number and percent decline was greater for partial gastrectomy (- 39.3%) than total gastrectomy (- 19%). There was a 34.0% decrease in gastrectomy for cancer in Whites and a 61.2% increase among Hispanic patients over two decades. In-hospital mortality also significantly decreased over the study period (7.7% to 2.7%). Factors associated with lower mortality rates included male sex and treatment at urban teaching hospitals. Analysis of trends revealed that gastrectomy for cancer was performed with increasing frequency at urban teaching hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of major gastric resections in the USA has declined over two decades. Overall, in-hospital mortality rates also have decreased significantly. Declining in-hospital mortality after gastrectomy for cancer is associated with more frequent treatment at urban teaching hospitals.