Benefits of EUS-guided gastroenterostomy over surgical gastrojejunostomy in the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a large multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (mGOO) allows resumption of peroral intake. Although surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) provides durable relief, it may be associated with a higher morbidity, interfere with chemotherapy, and require an optimum nutritional status. EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative. We aimed to conduct the largest comparative series to date between EUS-GE and SGJ for mGOO. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included consecutive patients undergoing SGJ or EUS-GE at 6 centers. Primary outcomes included time to resumption of oral intake, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, reintervention rates, adverse events (AEs), and resumption of chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients were included (EUS-GE, n = 187; SGJ, n = 123). EUS-GE exhibited significantly lower time to resumption of oral intake (1.40 vs 4.06 days, P < .001), at lower albumin levels (2.95 vs 3.33 g/dL, P < .001), and a shorter LOS (5.31 vs 8.54 days, P < .001) compared with SGJ; there was no difference in mortality (48.1% vs 50.4%, P = .78). Technical (97.9% and 100%) and clinical (94.1% vs 94.3%) success was similar in the EUS-GE and SGJ groups, respectively. EUS-GE had lower rates of AEs (13.4% vs 33.3%, P < .001) but higher reintervention rates (15.5% vs 1.63%, P < .001). EUS-GE patients exhibited significantly lower interval time to resumption of chemotherapy (16.6 vs 37.8 days, P < .001). Outcomes between the EUS-GE and laparoscopic (n = 46) surgical approach showed that EUS-GE had shorter interval time to initiation/resumption of oral intake (3.49 vs 1.46 days, P < .001), decreased LOS (9 vs 5.31 days, P < .001), and a lower rate of AEs (11.9% vs 17.9%, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to date showing that EUS-GE can be performed among nutritionally deficient patients without affecting the technical and clinical success compared with SGJ. EUS-GE is associated with fewer AEs while allowing earlier resumption of diet and chemotherapy.

Comparison between transpapillary versus transmural endoscopic ultrasound-guided decompression for biliary obstruction: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances have led to the development of transmural endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) for cases where the duodenal papilla cannot be accessed. OBJECTIVES: We performed a meta-analysis comparing efficacy and complications of both approaches for biliary drainage. REVIEW METHODS: English articles were searched in PubMed. Primary outcomes included technical success and complications. Secondary outcomes were clinical success and subsequent stent malfunction. Patient demographics and etiology of obstruction were collected and relative risk ratios and 95% CIs were calculated. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Initial database search yielded 245 studies from which 7 were chosen based upon inclusion criteria for final analysis. There was no statistically different relative risk for technical success when comparing primary EUS-BD to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (RR: 1.04) or overall procedural complication rate (RR 1.39). EUS-BD did have increased specific risk of cholangitis (RR: 3.01). Likewise, primary EUS-BD and ERCP had similar RR for clinical success (RR: 1.02) and overall stent malfunction (RR: 1.55), but stent migration was higher in the primary EUS-BD group (RR: 5.06). CONCLUSIONS: Primary EUS-BD may be considered when the ampulla cannot be accessed, when there is gastric outlet obstruction, or presence of a duodenal stent.

Clinical and Financial Implications of Consulting Physicians in the Management of Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate the immediate consequences that the number of consulting physicians has on length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rates, direct health care costs, and contribution margins. METHODS: A retrospective review of administrative databases for the years 2013 and 2014 was performed at the Florida Hospital Adventist Healthcare System. RESULTS: 11 274 patients were included in the analysis. Total and variable costs increased by $1347 and $592, respectively, with each consulting physician service per patient. The contribution margin decreased by $354 per patient/consulting physician. Each consulting physician increased LOS by .72 days and increased odds ratio of mortality and 30-day readmission by 5% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests that each consulting physician added to the care of an individual surgical patient negatively affected LOS, readmission rates, in-hospital mortality, and costs.

Early experience with the Senhance®-laparoscopic/robotic platform in the US.

The introduction of new robotic platforms will grow considerably in the near future as several manufacturers are in the developing stages of different innovative systems. One of the newest systems, the Senhance® platform (TransEnterix Surgical Inc., Morrisville, NC, USA) has been utilized in a variety of cases in Europe but only recently approved for limited clinical use in the United States. Here, we present our initial experience with this state-of-the-art system in patients requiring a variety of procedures.

T1R2 receptor-mediated glucose sensing in the upper intestine potentiates glucose absorption through activation of local regulatory pathways.

OBJECTIVE: Beyond the taste buds, sweet taste receptors (STRs; T1R2/T1R3) are also expressed on enteroendocrine cells, where they regulate gut peptide secretion but their regulatory function within the intestine is largely unknown. METHODS: Using T1R2-knock out (KO) mice we evaluated the role of STRs in the regulation of glucose absorption in vivo and in intact intestinal preparations ex vivo. RESULTS: STR signaling enhances the rate of intestinal glucose absorption specifically in response to the ingestion of a glucose-rich meal. These effects were mediated specifically by the regulation of GLUT2 transporter trafficking to the apical membrane of enterocytes. GLUT2 translocation and glucose transport was dependent and specific to glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) secretion and subsequent intestinal neuronal activation. Finally, high-sucrose feeding in wild-type mice induced rapid downregulation of STRs in the gut, leading to reduced glucose absorption. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrate that STRs have evolved to modulate glucose absorption via the regulation of its transport and to prevent the development of exacerbated hyperglycemia due to the ingestion of high levels of sugars.

Age as a prognostic indicator for adjuvant therapy in patients who underwent pancreatic resections for cancer.

PURPOSE: In pancreatic cancer, the greatest increase in survival is attained by surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Although surgical complications and functional status are recognized as independent factors for halting adjuvant therapy in patients that undergo pancreatic resections, other elements may play a role in deciding which patients get treated postoperatively. Here we determined demographic and clinical characteristics of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, with the primary intent to investigate if age alone affects rates of adjuvant therapy. METHODS/MATERIALS: National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients that underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. Groups were divided into: adjuvant chemotherapy (n=17,924) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (n=12,947). Basic demographics and treatment characteristics were analyzed. Age was compared with an independent means test; other comparisons used Chi-square test of independence. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference in age (adjuvant therapy 64.86±9.89 vs. no therapy 67.78±11.22, p<0.001), insurance type, facility type, and cancer stage for patients that received adjuvant therapy and those that did not. Average age of patients not receiving chemotherapy was significantly older at each pathologic stage. Subset analysis of patients treated with chemotherapy showed that the majority of patients received single agent regimens (62%), at an average of 59days following surgery, and at academic cancer programs (52%). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of postoperative complications and functional status, age alone appears to affect rates of adjuvant therapy in patients with resected pancreatic cancer. Older patients should be offered tailored regimens that would allow them to complete the intended extent of treatment.

Beyond cytology: why and when does the oncologist require core tissue?

There are 2 main reasons why oncologists may require additional tissue and a histologic section in addition to cytopathology from FNA specimens: improved diagnostic accuracy and molecular characterization of tumors. Rather than mutually exclusive diagnostic procedures, EUS-FNA and EUS-CNB must be viewed as supplementary techniques and both approaches should be incorporated as essential tools in the current endoscopic armamentarium.

Vagotomy/drainage is superior to local oversew in patients who require emergency surgery for bleeding peptic ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare early postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing different types of emergency procedures for bleeding or perforated gastroduodenal ulcers. BACKGROUND: Although definitive acid-reducing procedures are being used less frequently during emergency ulcer surgery, there is little published data to support this change in practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data for patients from the 2005-2011 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who underwent emergency operation for bleeding or perforated peptic ulcer disease was performed to determine the association between surgical approach (local procedure alone, vagotomy/drainage, or vagotomy/gastric resection) and 30-day postoperative outcomes. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for a number of patient-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 3611 patients undergoing emergency ulcer surgery (775 for bleeding, 2374 for perforation) were included for data analysis. Compared with patients undergoing local procedures alone, vagotomy/gastric resection was associated with significantly greater postoperative morbidity when performed for either ulcer perforation or bleeding. For patients with perforated ulcers, vagotomy/drainage produced similar outcomes as local procedures but required a significantly greater length of postoperative hospitalization. Conversely, vagotomy/drainage was associated with a significantly lower postoperative mortality rate than local ulcer oversew when performed for bleeding ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Simple repair is the procedure of choice for patients requiring emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer disease. For patients requiring emergency operation for intractable ulcer bleeding, vagotomy/drainage is associated with lower postoperative mortality than with simple ulcer oversew.

Recent developments in surgery: minimally invasive approaches for patients requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Over the past decade, minimally invasive surgery has been introduced as a means to allow manipulation of delicate tissues with outstanding visualization of the surgical field. The purpose of this article is to review the available literature regarding early postoperative outcomes and the technical challenges of minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy, including robotic techniques. Herein, we provide a retrospective review of all published studies in the English literature in which a minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The reported advantages of minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy include better visualization, faster recovery time, and decreased length of hospital stay. In cases of robotic approaches, some of the proposed advantages include increased dexterity and a superior ergonomic position for the operating surgeon. To our knowledge, few studies have reported results comparable to open techniques in oncologic outcomes with regard to the number of lymph nodes resected and clear margins obtained. An increasing number of pancreatic resections are being performed using minimally invasive approaches. It remains to be determined if the benefits of this technique outweigh its longer operative times and higher costs.

Initial experience from a large referral center with robotic-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for oncologic purposes.

BACKGROUND: We report our initial experience of patients undergoing robotic-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy (RAIL) for oncologic purposes at a large-referral center. METHODS: A retrospective review of all consecutive patients undergoing RAIL from 2010-2011 was performed. Basic demographics were recorded. Oncologic variables recorded included: tumor type, location, postoperative tumor margins, and nodal harvest. Immediate 30-day postoperative complications also were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent RAIL with median age of 66 (range 42-82) years. The mean body mass index was 28.6 ± 0.7 kg/m(2); 54% and the majority had an American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of 3. The mean and median number of lymph nodes retrieved during surgery was 20 ± 1.4 and 18.5 respectively. R0 resections were achieved in all patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 (28%) patients, including atrial fibrillation in 5 (10%), pneumonia in 5 (10%), anastomotic leak in 1 (2%), conduit staple line leak in 1 (2%), and chyle leak in 2 (4%). The median ICU stay and length of hospitalization (LOH) were 2 and 9 days respectively. Total mean operating time calculated from time of skin incision to wound closure was 445 ± 85 minutes; however, operative times decreased over time. Similarly, there was a trend toward lower complications after the first 29 cases but this did not reach statistical significance. There were no in-hospital mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that RAIL for esophageal cancer can be performed safely and may be associated with fewer complications after a learning curve, shorter ICU stay, and LOH.

Functional status determines postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing hepatic resections.

BACKGROUND: With the aging population and increasing incidence of hepatic malignancies in elderly patients, establishing the safety of hepatic resections is crucial. The present study investigates early postoperative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients undergoing hepatic resection using a nationally validated database. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files (NSQIP-PUF) for 2005-2009 were used for the retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing hepatic resection. The primary outcome measures were 30-day postoperative mortality, overall complication rate, and serious complication rate. The primary predictor variable was patient age, which was treated as a dichotomous variable (age ≤ 70 years, age ≥ 70 years). RESULTS: Five thousand seven hundred six patients were included in the final analysis, 1,280 of which were ≥ 70 years of age. Thirty-day postoperative mortality (≤ 70 years 1.9% vs. ≥ 70 years 4.5%, P < 0.0001), serious complications (≤ 70 years 15.2% vs. ≥ 70 years 18.4%, P < 0.006) and overall complications (≤ 70 years 23.1% vs. ≥ 70 years 26.6%, P < 0.01) were more common in the elderly group. Elderly patients had significantly more wound infections, pneumonia, prolonged ventilator support, unplanned re-intubations, renal failure, strokes, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrests, and septic shock. The median length of hospitalization was also significantly longer in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows significantly higher complication rates and mortality following hepatic resections in elderly patients. These findings should be taken into account when considering hepatectomy in this population.

A comparison between patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours diagnosed with isolated liver metastases and liver metastases plus sarcomatosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare overall survival (OS) in patients presenting with isolated hepatic metastases with that of patients with synchronous metastatic disease to the liver and sarcomatosis on a background of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). METHODS: Patients presenting with metastatic GISTs during 1999-2009 were identified. Survival outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 193 patients with GISTs, 43 patients presented with isolated hepatic metastases and 16 presented with synchronous metastases to the liver and sarcomatosis. Thirteen patients with metastases to the liver and sarcomatosis underwent surgery, and 34 patients with metastatic disease solely to the liver underwent hepatic resection. The proportion of patients treated with preoperative tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy was similar in both groups. Similar OS was observed in both groups (isolated liver metastases group: 40.5 months; liver metastases and sarcomatosis group: 28.7 months; P = 0.620). CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival in patients with GIST and metastatic disease to the liver and sarcomatosis is similar to that in patients with isolated metastatic liver disease. Although patients with a greater disease burden might be expected to show worse survival, these data do not reflect this assumption.

Primary pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is a mesenchyme-derived small blue cell tumor, which is distinguished by its rarity, aggressiveness, dismal prognosis, and distinct pathogenesis. Occurring almost exclusively among children and young adults, EES can arise from a variety of organs and portends a rapid clinical deterioration and high likelihood of recurrence. DISCUSSION: We present the first reported case of a primary pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma in a patient with concomitant portal vein thrombosis. The atypical presentation of this extraordinarily rare tumor underscores the imperative to maintain EES in the differential diagnosis of suspicious, indistinct pancreatic lesions in young patients. In addition, we review the available literature describing additional cases of primary pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma.

The impact of vascular resection on early postoperative outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy: an analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

BACKGROUND: Several single-center reports suggest that vascular resection (VR) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is feasible without affecting early postoperative mortality or morbidity. Our objective is to review the outcomes associated with VR during PD using a large multicenter data source. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files for 2005-2009. All patients undergoing PD for a postoperative diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the pancreas were included. Forward stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association between VR during PD and 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity after adjustment for patient demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: 3,582 patients were included for analysis, 281 (7.8 %) of whom underwent VR during PD. VR during PD was associated with significantly greater risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative mortality [5.7 % with VR versus 2.9 % without VR, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.1, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.73, P = 0.008] and overall morbidity (39.9 % with VR versus 33.3 % without VR, AOR 1.36, 95 % CI 1.05-1.75, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in risk-adjusted postoperative mortality or morbidity between those patients undergoing VR by the primary surgical team versus those patients undergoing VR by a vascular surgical team. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the findings of several previously published single-center analyses, the current study demonstrates increased 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality in PD with VR when compared with PD alone.

Ex vivo evaluation of preoperatively treated rectal cancer specimens of patients undergoing radical resection.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have suggested that a subset of patients with advanced rectal cancer that demonstrate minimal or no residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment may either be followed closely or may undergo local resection. We prospectively evaluated ex vivo local excision specimens of patients undergoing radical resection after preoperative chemoradiation. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed rectal cancer received preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision. Once removed, an ex vivo excision of the tumor bed mimicking a local excision was performed on the back table. Both the ex vivo and mesorectal specimens were inked and assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven rectal cancer patients (38% stage II, 62% stage III) were prospectively enrolled onto this study. Tumor downstaging occurred in 35% and nodal status downstaging in 16% of patients. The margins around the primary tumor on all ex vivo local excision specimens were negative. Twenty-nine percent of preoperatively staged stage II cancers either remained at stage II or were upstaged to stage III (21%), while 52% of stage III tumors remained node positive at final pathologic examination. The overall complete response rate was 14%. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of stage II cancers will have positive nodes at final pathology, and most stage III rectal cancers will remain so at final pathologic examination. Given the high percentage of patients with positive lymph nodes after chemoradiation, radical resection is still recommended for cure for stage II and III rectal cancers.

Pre- and intraoperative variables affecting early outcomes in elderly patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist regarding the safety of pancreatic resections in elderly patients. In this study we compared early complication and mortality rates between patients younger and older than 80 years of age who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy using a validated national database. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for 2005-2009 was used for this retrospective analysis. The primary outcome measures for our analysis were 30-day postoperative mortality, major complication rate and overall complication rate. RESULTS: A total of 6293 patients who underwent PD for any cause were included in the analysis. Of these, 9.4% were aged ≥80 years. The incidence of 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients aged ≥80 years (6.3%) than in those aged <80 years (2.7%). Older patients were also noted to have higher rates of overall complications and serious complications. On multivariate analysis, age, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification, reduced functional status, history of dyspnoea, and need for intraoperative transfusion were risk factors associated with the occurrence of overall complications, serious complications and postoperative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that age among other factors is a determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality following PD.

Does protected research time during general surgery training contribute to graduates' career choice?

A number of general surgery training programs offer a dedicated research experience during the training period. There is much debate over the importance of these experiences with the added constraints placed on training surgeons including length of training, Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education limitations, and financial barriers. We seek to quantify the impact of a protected research experience on graduates of a university-affiliated general surgery training program. We surveyed all graduates of a single university-affiliated general surgery training program who completed training from 1989 to 1999. Data was obtained for 100 per cent of the subjects. Most graduates (72/73; 98.6%) completed a dedicated research experience (range: 1-5 years). Presently, 72.6 per cent (53/73) are practicing academic surgery and 82.5 per cent (60/73) are engaged in research activities. Fifty-one of 73 graduates (69.5%) have current research funding including 32.9 per cent (24/73) with National Institutes of Health funding. Of all graduates, 42.5 per cent (31/73) have become full professors with 20.2 per cent (15/73) division/section chiefs and 14.3 per cent (10/73) department chairmen or vice chairmen. Those trainees achieving a career in academic surgery were statistically more likely to have committed 2 or more years to a protected research experience during training (P < 0.05), fellowship training after general surgery residency (P < 0.01), and a first job at an academic institution upon completion of training (P < 0.001). Understanding the importance of resident research experiences while highlighting critical factors during the formative training period may help to ensure continued academic interest and productivity of future trainees.

Incidence of benign disease in patients that underwent resection for presumed pancreatic cancer diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA).

INTRODUCTION: The lack of accurate markers makes preoperative differentiation between pancreatic cancer and non-malignant head lesions clinically challenging. In this study, we investigated the incidence of benign disease in patients that underwent resection for presumed pancreatic cancer diagnosed by EUS and EUS-guided FNA. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at Duke University were reviewed. Demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics, preoperative imaging, EUS, EUS-guided FNA, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven percent of the total 494 patients studied were found to have benign disease on postoperative pathology. Fifty-nine percent of these patients with benign disease underwent preoperative EUS. EUS was positive for a head mass in 70%, demonstrated enlarged lymph nodes in 27%, and showed signs concerning for vascular invasion in 13%. FNA was suspicious or indeterminate for cancer in 63% of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 47% and one patient died after surgery. The overall pancreatic leak rate was 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Even with aggressive use of preoperative evaluation, there is still a small subset of patients where malignancy cannot be excluded without pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Defining criteria for selective operative management of pancreatic cystic lesions: does size really matter?

INTRODUCTION: Proposed criteria for resection of pancreatic cystic lesions have included symptoms, size (>3 cm), and suspicious features by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors for malignancy in a large series of patients undergoing resection of suspected pancreatic cystic neoplasms. METHODS: Medical records of patients selected for resection of pancreatic cystic lesions at Duke University Medical Center from 2000 to 2008 were reviewed. Lesions with solid components on cross-sectional imaging were excluded. Malignancy was defined as invasive or in situ carcinoma. RESULTS: After review, 101 patients were confirmed to have undergone resection for suspected cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. Preoperative EUS was performed in 71 patients. Sixteen patients (16%) had malignant lesions (preoperative size 1.5-5.9 cm). There was no clear association between size and malignancy. Male gender, biliary ductal dilatation (BDD), pancreatic ductal dilatation (PDD), and suspicious cytology (but not age, symptoms, or size) were associated with increased risk of malignancy. When factors available for all patients were incorporated into a multivariate model, only BDD and PDD were independent risk factors for malignancy. Only one patient with malignancy had neither BDD nor PDD but did have solid components by EUS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients selected for resection, size was not an independent risk factor for malignancy. While size might be appropriate for stratification of asymptomatic patients with simple cysts, size should not be used as a selection criterion for patients who have cysts with solid components or with associated BDD or PDD.