Surgical treatment of stage IV colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The ideal treatment approach for colorectal cancer (CRC) with synchronous liver metastases (SCRLM) remains debated. We performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) comparing the 'bowel-first' approach (BFA), simultaneous resection (SIM), and the 'liver-first' approach (LFA). METHODS: A systematic search of comparative studies in CRC with SCRLM was undertaken using the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases. Outcome measures included postoperative complications, 30- and 90-day mortality, chemotherapy use, treatment completion rate, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival, and 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS). Pairwise and network meta-analysis were performed to compare strategies. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Higgins I2 statistic. RESULTS: One prospective and 43 retrospective studies reporting on 10 848 patients were included. Patients undergoing the LFA were more likely to have rectal primaries and a higher metastatic load. The SIM approach resulted in a higher risk of major morbidity and 30-day mortality. Compared to the BFA, the LFA more frequently resulted in failure to complete treatment as planned (34% versus 6%). Pairwise and network meta-analysis showed a similar 5-year OS between LFA and BFA and a more favorable 5-year OS after SIM compared to LFA (odds ratio 0.25-0.90, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%), but not compared to BFA. CONCLUSION: Despite a higher tumor load in LFA compared to BFA patients, survival was similar. A lower rate of treatment completion was observed with LFA. Uncertainty remains substantial due to imprecise estimates of treatment effects. In the absence of prospective trials, treatment of stage IV CRC patients should be individually tailored.

Blood lactate and lactate kinetics as treatment and prognosis markers for tissue hypoperfusion.

Objective: Blood lactate concentration (L) and lactate kinetic (LK) over time might be a helpful marker of the shock severity. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the L and LK could correlate with the outcome and the therapy of patients with different types of shock.Methods: Design: A 3.5-year retrospective observational study. Patients: Eighteen years of age or older, diagnosed with shock were included. Arterial L measurements were performed upon admission and approximatively 3 and 6 h later. The evolution of lactate over this period of time was correlated with the outcome and therapy. Interventions: Univariate and multivariable statistical tests were performed to examine the relation between the initial L/LK and the in-hospital mortality, total mortality, length of stay (LOS), the LOS at the intensive care unit and the administered therapy. The optimal cut-off point of the LK over time to predict the mortality was calculated.Results: The initial L and the 6 h LK were significantly associated with the outcome. The higher the initial L and lower the LK, the higher the risk of mortality in the hospital or within 6 months. Moreover, the higher the initial L and lower the 6 h LK, the longer was the LOS. A relation between the initial L/LK and the required therapy was found. The optimal cut-off for the 6-h LK is 38.1%. Patients with a 6 h LK >38.1% had a significantly higher chance of survival.Conclusions: A significant relationship between the L/6-h LK and the outcome and treatment was found. The optimal survival cut-off point of 6 h LK in our study was 38.1%.