Digestive and breast cancer patients managed during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic: Short and middle term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Spain lasted from middle March to the end of June 2020. Spanish population was subjected to lockdown periods and scheduled surgeries were discontinued or reduced during variable periods. In our centre, we managed patients previously and newly diagnosed with cancer. We established a strategy based on limiting perioperative social contacts, preoperative screening (symptoms and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and creating separated in-hospital COVID-19-free pathways for non-infected patients. We also adopted some practice modifications (surgery in different facilities, changes in staff and guidelines, using continuously changing personal protective equipment…), that supposed new inconveniences. AIM: To analyse cancer patients with a decision for surgery managed during the first wave, focalizing on outcomes and pandemic-related modifications. METHODS: We prospectively included adults with a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal, oesophago-gastric, liver-pancreatic or breast cancer with a decision for surgery, regardless of whether they ultimately underwent surgery. We analysed short-term outcomes [30-d postoperative morbimortality and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection] and outcomes after 3 years (adjuvant therapies, oncological events, death, SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination). We also investigated modifications to usual practice. RESULTS: From 96 included patients, seven didn't receive treatment that period and four never (3 due to COVID-19). Operated patients: 28 colon and 21 rectal cancers; laparoscopy 53.6%/90.0%, mortality 3.57%/0%, major complications 7.04%/25.00%, anastomotic leaks 0%/5.00%, 3-years disease-free survival (DFS) 82.14%/52.4% and overall survival (OS) 78.57%/76.2%. Six liver metastases and six pancreatic cancers: no mortality, one major complication, three grade A/B liver failures, one bile leak; 3-year DFS 0%/33.3% and OS 50.0%/33.3% (liver metastases/pancreatic carcinoma). 5 gastric and 2 oesophageal tumours: mortality 0%/50%, major complications 0%/100%, anastomotic leaks 0%/100%, 3-year DFS and OS 66.67% (gastric carcinoma) and 0% (oesophagus). Twenty breast cancer without deaths/major complications; 3-year OS 100% and DFS 85%. Nobody contracted SARS-CoV-2 postoperatively. COVID-19 pandemic-related changes: 78.2% treated in alternative buildings, 43.8% waited more than 4 weeks, two additional colostomies and fewer laparoscopies. CONCLUSION: Some patients lost curative-intent surgery due to COVID-19 pandemic. Despite practice modifications and 43.8% delays higher than 4 weeks, surgery was resumed with minimal changes without impacting outcomes. Clean pathways are essential to continue surgery safely.

Non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias: results of transabdominal and transthoracic surgical approaches at a fourth-level hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to elucidate the clinical and demographic profiles, as well as perioperative outcomes, of patients undergoing surgery for non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias. Additionally, it aims to analyse these outcomes based on the surgical approach employed (transthoracic versus transabdominal). METHODS: This retrospective, observational study was conducted at a single center and involved patients diagnosed with non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernia who underwent either emergency or elective surgery between July 2007 and March 2023. Clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of these patients were compared using appropriate statistical tests.The research protocol for this observational, retrospective, and comparative study followed the Declaration of Helsinki's ethical requirements. The need for Clinical Research Ethics Committee approval was waived according to our institutional law because the study was a retrospective cohort study based on anonymous data of patients. Informed consent was waived because this study involved the secondary analysis of patient medical records. Additionally, this study followed the STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies. RESULTS: The analysis included 22 patients being 59.1% men, with median age of 61 years. The predominant clinical presentation was restrictive lung disease (40.9%). The majority of cases (68%) had traumatic aetiology with a median defect size of 4 cm (range of 3-8 cm). Elective surgery was performed in 15 cases (68.1%) and transthoracic approach was employed in 13 patients (54.5%). Postoperative major morbidity reached 27.2% and mortality within 30 days was 9.1%. Emergency surgeries accounted for 44.4% of transabdominal interventions, compared to 23% in the transthoracic subgroup (p = 0.376). There were no statistically significant differences between the transabdominal and trasnthoracic approaches in terms of global postoperative complications (88.8% vs. 84.6%, p = 1), major complications (44.4% vs 15.4%, p = 0.734), mortality (11.1% v 7.6%, p = 1) and recurrence (11.1% vs 7.6%, p = 1). Postoperative stay was significantly shorter in the transthoracic subgroup (6 days vs. 14 days, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias are characterized by significant postoperative major morbidity and mortality rates, standing at 27.2% and 9.1%, respectively, accompanied by a recurrence rate of 9.1%. Both transthoracic and transabdominal approaches demonstrate comparable short- and long-term outcomes.

Association between use of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and postoperative complications after gastric surgery for cancer (POWER 4): a nationwide, prospective multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in gastric cancer surgery remains controversial. METHODS: Multicentre prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer. Adherence with 22 individual components of ERAS pathways were assessed in all patients, regardless of whether they were treated in a self-designed ERAS centre. Each centre had a three-month recruitment period between October 2019 and September 2020. The primary outcome was moderate-to-severe postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were overall postoperative complications, adherence to the ERAS pathway, 30 day-mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: A total of 743 patients in 72 Spanish hospitals were included, 211 of them (28.4 %) from self-declared ERAS centres. A total of 245 patients (33 %) experienced postoperative complications, graded as moderate-to-severe complications in 172 patients (23.1 %). There were no differences in the incidence of moderate-to-severe complications (22.3% vs. 23.5%; OR, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.59 to 1.41); P = 0.068), or overall postoperative complications between the self-declared ERAS and non-ERAS groups (33.6% vs. 32.7%; OR, 1.05 (95 % CI, 0.70 to 1.56); P = 0.825). The overall rate of adherence to the ERAS pathway was 52% [IQR 45 to 60]. There were no differences in postoperative outcomes between higher (Q1, > 60 %) and lower (Q4, ≤ 45 %) ERAS adherence quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the partial application of perioperative ERAS measures nor treatment in self-designated ERAS centres improved postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing gastric surgery for cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03865810.

An unusual finding in gastroesophageal surgery: gastric anthracosis.

We present the case of a patient with an unusual finding of gastric anthracosis during oncological surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Síncope como debut clínico de un vólvulo gástrico agudo / Syncope as the clinical presentation in a case of acute gastric volvulus

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Tratamiento endoscópico no quirúrgico del vólvulo gástrico en pacientes con riesgo quirúrgico extremo / Nonsurgical endoscopic treatment of gastric volvulus in extremely high-risk surgical patients

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Nonsurgical endoscopic treatment of gastric volvulus in extremely high-risk surgical patients.

Gastric volvulus is a rare entity that occurs as a consequence of a rotation of the stomach of more than 180°, with gastric outlet obstruction and vascular compromise. It occurs secondary to diaphragmatic defects in most cases and is mainly reported in elderly patients who are fragile and present severe associated comorbidities. Here we present a nonsurgical treatment with the use of a single percutaneous endoscopic tube to perform gastropexy in patients with a high risk for surgery or inoperable patients. We present two cases that show that this therapeutic option is viable, with acceptable results under very specific clinical conditions.

Anastomosis gastroyeyunal con separación gástrica parcial frente al tratamiento endoscópico para el tratamiento del síndrome de obstrucción antroduodenal de causa maligna / Stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy versus stent placement for the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction

Introducción: El síndrome de obstrucción antroduodenal es una complicación presente en neoplasias avanzadas. Se caracteriza por clínica de obstrucción gastrointestinal alta, con desnutrición progresiva, y se asocia con una disminución de la supervivencia. La derivación mediante gastroyeyunostomía y el tratamiento endoscópico (TE) son las alternativas para el tratamiento del síndrome de obstrucción antroduodenal. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la eficacia y la supervivencia de ambas. Métodos: Estudio monocentro, observacional y prospectivo de 58 pacientes con síndrome de obstrucción antroduodenal que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico mediante gastroyeyunostomía con separación gástrica parcial (GYSGP) o TE con prótesis enterales autoexpandibles entre los años 2007-2018. Resultados: A 30 pacientes se les realizó GYSGP y a 28 pacientes TE. La edad media de los pacientes con GYSGP fue significativamente menor (69 vs. 78 años, p = 0,001). No hubo diferencias en cuanto al sexo, el riesgo anestésico-quirúrgico ni la etiología de la neoplasia. Las complicaciones posprocedimiento fueron superiores, aunque no significativas, en el grupo de GYSGP (p = 0,156). El TE se asoció con una menor estancia hospitalaria (p = 0,02) y una mayor precocidad de la tolerancia oral (p < 0,0001). Sin embargo, los pacientes presentaron tasas más altas de obstrucción persistente y recurrente (p = 0,048 y 0,01, respectivamente), unos peores objetivos energéticos (p = 0,009) y una supervivencia menor (9,61 vs. 4,47 meses, p = 0,008). Conclusiones: La GYSGP obtiene una mayor permeabilidad luminal, una mejor tolerancia a la vía oral y una mayor supervivencia. El TE estaría recomendado para pacientes no subsidiarios de la cirugía con un pronóstico limitado a corto plazo

Introduction: Gastric outlet obstruction is a complication of advanced tumors. It causes upper gastrointestinal obstruction, with progressive malnutrition and reduced survival. Currently, gastrojejunostomy or stent placement (SP) are feasible alternatives for the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and survival of both techniques. Methods: Single-center observational and prospective study of 58 patients with gastric outlet obstruction who underwent surgical treatment with stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) or SP with self-expanding intraluminal prostheses between 2007 and 2018. Results: Thirty patients underwent SPGJ and 28 SP. The mean age of the first group was significantly lower (69 vs. 78 years, respectively; P = .001). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of sex, perioperative risk or tumor etiology. Postoperative complications were non-significantly higher in the SPGJ group (P = .156). SP was associated with a shorter hospital stay (P = .02) and faster oral intake (P < .0001). However, SP had significantly higher rates of persistent and recurrent obstruction (P = .048 and .01, respectively), poorer energy targets (P=.009) and shorter survival (9.61 vs. 4.47 months; P = .008). Conclusions: SPGJ presents greater luminal permeability, better oral intake and greater survival than SP. SP is preferable for non-surgical patients with a limited short-term prognosis

Stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy versus stent placement for the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. / Anastomosis gastroyeyunal con separación gástrica parcial frente al tratamiento endoscópico para el tratamiento del síndrome de obstrucción antroduodenal de causa maligna.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric outlet obstruction is a complication of advanced tumors. It causes upper gastrointestinal obstruction, with progressive malnutrition and reduced survival. Currently, gastrojejunostomy or stent placement (SP) are feasible alternatives for the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and survival of both techniques. METHODS: Single-center observational and prospective study of 58 patients with gastric outlet obstruction who underwent surgical treatment with stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) or SP with self-expanding intraluminal prostheses between 2007 and 2018. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent SPGJ and 28 SP. The mean age of the first group was significantly lower (69 vs. 78 years, respectively; P=.001). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of sex, perioperative risk or tumor etiology. Postoperative complications were non-significantly higher in the SPGJ group (P=.156). SP was associated with a shorter hospital stay (P=.02) and faster oral intake (P<.0001). However, SP had significantly higher rates of persistent and recurrent obstruction (P=.048 and .01, respectively), poorer energy targets (P=.009) and shorter survival (9.61 vs. 4.47 months; P=.008). CONCLUSIONS: SPGJ presents greater luminal permeability, better oral intake and greater survival than SP. SP is preferable for non-surgical patients with a limited short-term prognosis.

[Partial stomach partitioning gastrojejunostomy in the treatment of the malignant gastric outlet obstruction]. / Gastro yeyuno anastomosis con separación gástrica parcial en el tratamiento de la obstrucción gastroduodenal secundaria a cáncer gástrico avanzado.

BACKGROUND: In patients with unresectable gastric cancer and outlet obstruction syndrome, gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy is an alternative, which could avoid the drawbacks of the standard techniques. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of antroduodenal stent, conventional gastrojejunostomy and gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with unresectable distal gastric cancer and gastric outlet obstruction, treated with the three different techniques over the last 12 years, comparing results based on oral tolerance and complications. An analysis was performed on the results using the Student-t test for independent variables. RESULTS: The 22 patients were divided in 3 groups: group I (6 cases) stent, group II (9 cases) conventional gastrojejunostomy, and group III (7 cases) gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy, respectively. The stent allows a shorter "postoperative" stay and early onset of oral tolerance (P<0.05), however, the gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy achieve normal diet at 15th day (P<0.05). The mortality rate was higher in the stent group (33%) compared with surgical techniques, with a morbidity of 4/6 (66.7%) in Group I, 6/9 (66.7%) Group II, and 3/7 (42%) Group III. Re-interventions: 2/6 Group I, 3/9 Group II, and 0/7 Group III. The median survival was superior in the gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy, achieving an overall survival of 6.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The gastric partitioning gastrojejunostomy for treatment of gastric outlet obstruction in unresectable advanced gastric cancer is a safe technique, allowing a more complete diet with lower morbidity and improved survival.