Major Intraoperative Complications During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) to be a feasible surgical technique in treating esophageal carcinoma. Postoperative complications have been extensively reviewed, but literature focusing on intraoperative complications is limited. The main objective of this study was to report major intraoperative complications and 90-day mortality during MIE for cancer. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from 10 European esophageal surgery centers. All intention-to-treat, minimally invasive laparoscopic/thoracoscopic esophagectomies with gastric conduit reconstruction for esophageal and GE junction cancers operated on between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. Major intraoperative complications were defined as loss of conduit, erroneous transection of vascular structures, significant injury to other organs including bowel, heart, liver or lung, splenectomy, or other major complications including intubation injuries, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Amongst 2862 MIE cases we identified 98 patients with 101 intraoperative complications. Vascular injuries were the most prevalent, 41 during laparoscopy and 19 during thoracoscopy, with injuries to 18 different vessels. There were 24 splenic vascular or capsular injuries, 11 requiring splenectomies. Four losses of conduit due to gastroepiploic artery injury and six bowel injuries were reported. Eight tracheobronchial lesions needed repair, and 11 patients had significant lung parenchyma injuries. There were 2 on-table deaths. Ninety-day mortality was 9.2%. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers an overview of the range of different intraoperative complications during minimally invasive esophagectomy. Mortality, especially from intrathoracic vascular injuries, appears significant.

Current practice in antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery: exploration of the Belgian field.

BACKGROUND: In Belgium, no publicly available information exists on the spread, quality, results nor follow-up of antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery, in contrast to the recently centralized esophageal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to create a snap shot of the current practice in Belgium. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed among all members of the Royal Belgian Society for Surgery in autumn 2021. A total of 33 questions spread over four sections were asked, covering demographics, current practice (case load, case mix, indications, preoperative workup, patient information, average length of stay, follow up, quality of life (QOL)), operative techniques and future thoughts. RESULTS: Twenty-four surgeons completed the questionnaire. Surgical indications are discussed multidisciplinary and based on guidelines in 67%. Workup includes endoscopy, pH-monitoring and manometry in 100%. Barium swallow, impedance and gastric emptying tests were added in respectively 83%, 42% and 13%. Symptom or QOL scores were used in 17%. About 81% are performed as primary surgery, 18% redo surgery and 1% resections. Laparoscopic procedures are reported in 99%: Nissen(-Rosetti) 79%, Toupet/Lind 15%, partial gastrectomy 5% and Collis gastroplasty 1%. Discharge is planned on POD1 in 42% and on POD2 in 54%. 50% performs follow-up < 1 year. Interest in further clinical research collaboration was expressed in 92%. CONCLUSION: Antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery is not standardized in Belgium. There is an evident variety in clinical practice, but this questionnaire shows similarity amongst respondents regarding workup and surgical approach. There is a willingness for future research collaborations.

Prevalence of microsatellite instable and Epstein-Barr Virus-driven gastroesophageal cancer in a large Belgian cohort.

Introduction: Patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEC) with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or Epstein Barr Virus positivity (EBV+) might be good candidates for immunotherapy. Incidences of about 10% have been reported for both features, but are dependent on geographical region and disease stage. Aim: The aim is to study the prevalence of MSI-H and EBV+ in a Belgian single center cohort of patients with GEC. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the files of all patients with a newly diagnosed GEC between August, 1st 2018 and February, 29th 2020 at the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. Microsatellite instability (MSI) status was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). EBV+ was assessed using in situ hybridization (ISH). A case report is provided to illustrate the importance of testing for MSI in GEC. Results: 247 gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas were included in this analysis. 62 (56% stage IV) of those were tested for EBV, but only 1 turned out to be EBV positive (1.6%). 116 patients (44.0% stage IV) were tested for MSI, of which 11 were MSI-H (9.5%). Half of the MSI-H tumors identified were at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). A patient with MSI-H metastatic GEC obtained a complete response with nivolumab, which persisted after discontinuation of treatment. Conclusion: While we confirm that about 10% of GECs are MSI-H, the incidence of EBV+ in our cohort (1.6%) is clearly lower than expected. Given the important prognostic and predictive implications, every gastroesophageal cancer should be tested for MSI.

Corrigendum to "Clinical Presentation, Natural History, and Therapeutic Approach in Patients with Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A Retrospective Analysis".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/1385978.].

Impact of the introduction of an enhanced recovery pathway in esophageal cancer surgery: a cohort study and propensity score matching analysis.

Enhanced recovery pathways (ERP) have the potential to improve clinical outcomes. Aim of this study was to determine the impact of ERP on perioperative results as compared with traditional care (TC) after esophagectomy. In this study, two cohorts were compared. Cohort 1 represented 296 patients to whom TC was provided. Cohort 2 consisted of 200 unselected ERP patients. Primary endpoints were postoperative complications. Secondary endpoints were the length of stay and 30-day readmission rates. To confirm the possible impact of ERP, a propensity matched analysis (1:1) was conducted. A significant decrease in complications was found in ERP patients, especially for pneumonia and respiratory failure requiring reintubation (39% in TC and 14% in ERP; P<0.0001 and 17% vs. 12%; P<0.0001, respectively) and postoperative blood transfusion (26.7%-11%; P<0.0001). Furthermore, median length of stay was also significantly shorter: 13 days (interquartile range [IQR] 10-23) in TC compared with 10 days (IQR 8-14) in ERP patients (P<0.0001). The 30-day readmission rate (5.4% in TC and 9% in ERP; P=0.121) and in-hospital mortality rate (4.4% in TC and 2.5% in ERP; P=0.270) were not significantly affected. A propensity score matching confirmed a significant impact on pneumonia (P=0.0001), anastomotic leak (P=0.047), several infectious complications (P=0.01-0.034), blood transfusion (P=0.001), Comprehensive Complications Index (P=0.01), and length of stay (P=0.0001). We conclude that ERP for esophagectomy is associated with significantly fewer postoperative complications and blood transfusions, which results in a significant decrease of length of stay without affecting readmission and mortality rates.

Fit-for-Discharge Criteria after Esophagectomy: An International Expert Delphi Consensus.

There are no internationally recognized criteria available to determine preparedness for hospital discharge after esophagectomy. This study aims to achieve international consensus using Delphi methodology. The expert panel consisted of 40 esophageal surgeons spanning 16 countries and 4 continents. During a 3-round, web-based Delphi process, experts voted for discharge criteria using 5-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Consensus was reached if agreement was ≥75% in round 3. Consensus was achieved for the following basic criteria: nutritional requirements are met by oral intake of at least liquids with optional supplementary nutrition via jejunal feeding tube. The patient should have passed flatus and does not require oxygen during mobilization or at rest. Central venous catheters should be removed. Adequate analgesia at rest and during mobilization is achieved using both oral opioid and non-opioid analgesics. All vital signs should be normal unless abnormal preoperatively. Inflammatory parameters should be trending down and close to normal (leucocyte count ≤12G/l and C-reactive protein ≤80 mg/dl). This multinational Delphi survey represents the first expert-led process for consensus criteria to determine 'fit-for-discharge' status after esophagectomy. Results of this Delphi survey may be applied to clinical outcomes research as an objective measure of short-term recovery. Furthermore, standardized endpoints identified through this process may be used in clinical practice to guide decisions regarding patient discharge and may help to reduce the risk of premature discharge or prolonged admission.

Clinical Presentation, Natural History, and Therapeutic Approach in Patients with Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare variant of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Materials and Methods. We reviewed SFT patients (pts) treated at our institution between 12/1990 and 09/2017. RESULTS: We identified 94 pts with a median follow-up (mFU) of 4.7 years (range: 0.1-21.53). Primary sites were the chest (33%), abdomen (21.3%), brain (12.8%), and extremities (9.6%); 6.4% of pts presented with synchronous metastasis. Median overall survival (mOS) from the first diagnosis was 56.0 months (m) (0.3-258.3). Doege-Potter syndrome was seen in 2.1% of pts. Primary resection was performed in 86 pts (91.5%). Median progression-free survival was 34.1 m (1.0-157.1), and 43% of pts stayed SFT-free during FU. Local recurrence occurred in 26.7% after a mFU of 35.5 m (1.0-153.8), associated with an OS of 45.1 m (4.7-118.2). Metachronous metastasis occurred in 30.2% after a mFU of 36.0 m (0.1-157.1). OS in metastatic pts was 19.0 m (0.3-149.0). Systemic therapy was given to 26 pts (27.7%) with inoperable/metastatic disease. The most common (57.7%) upfront therapy was doxorubicin, achieving responses in 13.3% of pts with a PFS of 4.8 m (0.4-23.8). In second line, pts were treated with ifosfamide or pazopanib, the latter achieving the highest response rates. Third-line treatment was heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: SFT is an orphan malignancy with a highly variable clinical course and a considerable risk of local failure and metachronous metastasis. Surgery is the only curative option; palliative systemic therapy is used in inoperable/metastatic cases but achieves low response rates. The highest response rates are seen with pazopanib in second/third line.

Diagnostic criteria and symptom grading for delayed gastric conduit emptying after esophagectomy for cancer: international expert consensus based on a modified Delphi process.

Delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) after esophagectomy for cancer is associated with adverse outcomes and troubling symptoms. Widely accepted diagnostic criteria and a symptom grading tool for DGCE are missing. This hampers the interpretation and comparison of studies. A modified Delphi process, using repeated web-based questionnaires, combined with live interim group discussions was conducted by 33 experts within the field, from Europe, North America, and Asia. DGCE was divided into early DGCE if present within 14 days of surgery and late if present later than 14 days after surgery. The final criteria for early DGCE, accepted by 25 of 27 (93%) experts, were as follows: >500 mL diurnal nasogastric tube output measured on the morning of postoperative day 5 or later or >100% increased gastric tube width on frontal chest x-ray projection together with the presence of an air-fluid level. The final criteria for late DGCE accepted by 89% of the experts were as follows: the patient should have 'quite a bit' or 'very much' of at least two of the following symptoms; early satiety/fullness, vomiting, nausea, regurgitation or inability to meet caloric need by oral intake and delayed contrast passage on upper gastrointestinal water-soluble contrast radiogram or on timed barium swallow. A symptom grading tool for late DGCE was constructed grading each symptom as: 'not at all', 'a little', 'quite a bit', or 'very much', generating 0, 1, 2, or 3 points, respectively. For the five symptoms retained in the diagnostic criteria for late DGCE, the minimum score would be 0, and the maximum score would be 15. The final symptom grading tool for late DGCE was accepted by 27 of 31 (87%) experts. For the first time, diagnostic criteria for early and late DGCE and a symptom grading tool for late DGCE are available, based on an international expert consensus process.

Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of oesophageal anastomotic leaks.

Persisting suture dehiscence with oesophageal anastomotic leaks after thoracic surgery is a difficult complication, especially when a surgical repair fails. We report here endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy as a novel endoscopic treatment for the management of oesophageal anastomotic leaks. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy is a minimally invasive method to treat anastomotic leakage by positioning an open-pored polyurethane sponge and a suction tube connected to a wound drainage system into the opening of the wound cavity. This multidisciplinary endoscopic and surgical approach is a successful therapy for the management of suture dehiscence with oesophageal anastomotic leaks after thoracic surgery or oesophageal perforations.

Multicentre randomized clinical trial of inspiratory muscle training versus usual care before surgery for oesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Up to 40 per cent of patients undergoing oesophagectomy develop pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) reduces the rate of pneumonia after oesophagectomy. METHODS: Patients with oesophageal cancer were randomized to a home-based IMT programme before surgery or usual care. IMT included the use of a flow-resistive inspiratory loading device, and patients were instructed to train twice a day at high intensity (more than 60 per cent of maximum inspiratory muscle strength) for 2 weeks or longer until surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative pneumonia; secondary outcomes were inspiratory muscle function, lung function, postoperative complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and physical functioning. RESULTS: Postoperative pneumonia was diagnosed in 47 (39·2 per cent) of 120 patients in the IMT group and in 43 (35·5 per cent) of 121 patients in the control group (relative risk 1·10, 95 per cent c.i. 0·79 to 1·53; P = 0·561). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative outcomes between the groups. Mean(s.d.) maximal inspiratory muscle strength increased from 76·2(26·4) to 89·0(29·4) cmH2 O (P < 0·001) in the intervention group and from 74·0(30·2) to 80·0(30·1) cmH2 O in the control group (P < 0·001). Preoperative inspiratory muscle endurance increased from 4 min 14 s to 7 min 17 s in the intervention group (P < 0·001) and from 4 min 20 s to 5 min 5 s in the control group (P = 0·007). The increases were highest in the intervention group (P < 0·050). CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in preoperative inspiratory muscle function, home-based preoperative IMT did not lead to a decreased rate of pneumonia after oesophagectomy. Registration number: NCT01893008 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Surgical management of esophageal sarcoma: a multicenter European experience.

Esophageal sarcomas are rare and evidence in literature is scarce making their management difficult. The objective is to report surgical and oncological outcomes of esophageal sarcoma in a large multicenter European cohort. This is a retrospective multicenter study including all patients who underwent en-bloc esophagectomy for esophageal sarcoma in seven European tertiary referral centers between 1987 and 2016. The main outcomes and measures are pathological results, early and long-term outcomes. Among 10,936 esophageal resections for cancer, 21 (0.2%) patients with esophageal sarcoma were identified. The majority of tumors was located in the middle (n = 7) and distal (n = 9) third of the esophagus. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was performed in five patients. All the patients underwent en-bloc transthoracic esophagectomy (19 open, 2 minimally invasive). Postoperative mortality occurred in 1 patient (5%). One patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. Definitive pathological results were carcinosarcoma (n = 7), leiomyosarcoma (n = 5), and other types of sarcoma (n = 9). Microscopic R1 resection was present in one patient (5%) and seven patients (33%) had positive lymph nodes. Median follow-up was 16 (3-79) months in 20 of 21 patients (95%). One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 74%, 43%, and 35%, respectively. One-, 3- and 5-years disease-free survival rates were 58%, 40%, and 33%, respectively. Median overall survival was 6 months in N+ patients vs. 37 months for N0 patients (p = 0.06). At the end of the follow-up period, nine patients had died from cancer recurrences (43%), three patients died from other reasons (14%), one patient was still alive with recurrence (5%) and the seven remaining patients were free of disease (33%). Recurrence was local (n = 3), metastatic (n = 3), or both (n = 4). In conclusion, carcinosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma were the most common esophageal sarcoma histological subtypes. Lymph node involvement was seen in one third of cases. A transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy should be the best surgical option to achieve complete resection. Long-term survival remained poor with a high local and distant recurrence rate.

Prognostic value of the circumferential resection margin and its definitions in esophageal cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

The accepted importance of a positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) (defined as R1 in the TNM classification) is based on histopathology of the resection specimen obtained after primary surgery in esophageal cancer patients. The aim of this study is to look for the prognostic value of CRM after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and to compare the clinical significance of a histologically CRM < 1 mm from the cut margin (Royal College of Pathologists definition of R1) to a positive cut margin (College of American Pathologists definition of R1) and to ≥1 mm margin (R0) resections in patients with ypT3-esophageal tumors after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Between 2000 and 2014, 458 patients who received esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy were selected. Overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated by means of Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by Cox regression analysis. There were 163 (35.9%) patients who had a ypT3 tumor; in 118 (72.4%) resection was complete (R0). In 37 (22.7%) patients a CRM < 1 mm was found and 8 (4.9%) had a circumferential R1-resection. CRM involvement was inversely correlated with tumor regression grading, lymph node capsular involvement, and number of positive lymph nodes. On univariate analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between R0-resection and CRM < 1 mm (P = 0.103) for OS, but DFS showed a significant difference (P = 0.025). Circumferential R1-resections showed a significant difference compared to R0-resections for OS and DFS (both P = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, extracapsular lymph node involvement and circumferential R1-resection were withheld as independent prognosticators for OS, whereas extracapsular lymph node involvement, absence of regression on the primary tumor and circumferential R1-resection were withheld for DFS. After correcting for different variables in the multivariate model, CRM < 1 mm showed no statistical difference compared to R0-resections neither for OS nor for DFS. After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, CRM is correlated with biological behavior of the tumor and with therapy response. Furthermore it is an independent prognosticator for OS and DFS. However CRM < 1 mm itself is no independent prognosticator for OS nor DFS survival in multivariable analysis. These results suggest that the definition of R1-resection should be limited to true invasion of the section plane.

Does selective pleural irradiation of malignant pleural mesothelioma allow radiation dose escalation? : A planning study.

BACKGROUND: After lung-sparing radiotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), local failure at sites of previous gross disease represents the dominant form of failure. Our aim is to investigate if selective irradiation of the gross pleural disease only can allow dose escalation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 12 consecutive stage I-IV MPM patients (6 left-sided and 6 right-sided) were retrospectively identified and included. A magnetic resonance imaging-based pleural gross tumor volume (GTV) was contoured. Two sets of planning target volumes (PTV) were generated for each patient: (1) a "selective" PTV (S-PTV), originating from a 5-mm isotropic expansion from the GTV and (2) an "elective" PTV (E-PTV), originating from a 5-mm isotropic expansion from the whole ipsilateral pleural space. Two sets of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans were generated: a "selective" pleural irradiation plan (SPI plan) and an "elective" pleural irradiation plan (EPI plan, planned with a simultaneous integrated boost technique [SIB]). RESULTS: In the SPI plans, the average median dose to the S­PTV was 53.6 Gy (range 41-63.6 Gy). In 4 of 12 patients, it was possible to escalate the dose to the S­PTV to >58 Gy. In the EPI plans, the average median doses to the E­PTV and to the S­PTV were 48.6 Gy (range 38.5-58.7) and 49 Gy (range 38.6-59.5 Gy), respectively. No significant dose escalation was achievable. CONCLUSION: The omission of the elective irradiation of the whole ipsilateral pleural space allowed dose escalation from 49 Gy to more than 58 Gy in 4 of 12 chemonaive MPM patients. This strategy may form the basis for nonsurgical radical combined modality treatment of MPM.

Isolated local recurrence or solitary solid organ metastasis after esophagectomy for cancer is not the end of the road.

Recurrent disease after esophagectomy bears an infaust prognosis, especially when multiple recurrences are present. But little is known about survival in patients with limited recurrence (solitary locoregional recurrence or solid organ metastasis). Herein, we report our experience with these subgroups. We analyzed 1754 consecutive patients surgically treated with curative resection for esophageal cancer and cancer of the gastroesophageal junction between 1990 and 2012. Seven subgroups were defined according to the recurrence type (locoregional vs. organ metastasis), the site of recurrence (abdominal, thoracic, cervical for lymph nodes and lung, liver, adrenals and others for organ metastasis) and also the number of lesions (one vs. multiple lymph node stations or organ metastasis) Of these groups; clinical isolated locoregional recurrence (ciLR) was defined as solitary lymph-node recurrence confined to one compartment (cervical, thoracic or abdominal, within or outside surgical dissection-field) at clinical staging. Clinical solitary solid organ metastasis (csSOM) was defined as metastasis in a resectable solid organ, i.e. liver, lung, brain or adrenal. Salvage therapies were grouped in five categories. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to calculate survival. Recurrent disease was observed in 766 patients (43.7%) with overall 5-year survival of 4.5% after diagnosis of recurrence. Fifty-seven patients (7.4%) showed ciLR and 110 (14.4%) csSOM. Median time-to-recurrence was 16.8 months in ciLR and 9.9 months in csSOM (P = 0.0074). Survival is significantly improved compared to supportive therapy when local therapy is possible (P < 0.0001). In 25 (15%) of ciLR or csSOM patients, surgical therapy with or without systemic therapy, yielded a 5-year survival of 49.9% (median 54.8 months) after diagnosis of recurrence. When surgery was impossible or contraindicated, the combination of chemoradiotherapy appeared to be superior to chemotherapy alone (respectively 27.0% vs. 4.6% 5-year survival) or radiotherapy alone (no 5-year survival). Recurrent disease after esophagectomy is a common problem with poor overall survival. However prolonged survival could be obtained in selected patients if the recurrent disease is limited to ciLR or csSOM, if surgery (+/- systemic therapy) can be performed. If not a combination of chemoradiotherapy seems to offer the second best option. Patients presenting with a ciLR or csSOM should be discussed in a dedicated multidisciplinary team meeting as to evaluate and define the place of salvage treatment which in well selected cases could offer a perspective of prolonged survival.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation treatment followed by surgery for esophageal cancer: there is much more than the mandard tumor regression score.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor regression grading (TRG) systems categorize residual tumor volume on the primary tumor after neoadjuvant treatment. Aim was to evaluate the impact of Mandard TRG, residual tumor depth (ypT) and residual lymph node status (ypN) and extent (ELNI) i.e. intracapsular versus extracapsular involvement on overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2014, 344 patients receiving R0-esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) were selected. Mandard TRG, ypTN and ELNI were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Mandard TRG1 was found in 110 (32%); TRG2 in 120 (35%); TRG3 in 53 (15%); TRG4 in 54 (16%) and TRG5 in 7 (2%) patients. Both OS and DFS showed no significant difference between TRG1 and 2 (p = 0.059 and 0.105, respectively). Therefore, TRG1/2 was classified together as 'major response', TRG3/4 as 'minor response' and TRG5 as 'no response'. Multivariate analysis showed two independent prognosticators for OS (tumor regression response (TRR) and number of positive lymph nodes) and three independent prognosticators for DFS (TRR, ypT and ELNI). CONCLUSION: After nCRT followed by surgery for esophageal carcinoma, number of residual positive lymph nodes as well as TRR are prognosticators for OS. Minor TRR, ypT and extracapsular lymph node invasion are prognosticators for recurrence.

Lobar lung transplantation from deceased donors: a valid option for small-sized patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Small-sized patients with cystic fibrosis usually face long waiting times for a suitable lung donor. Reduced-size lung transplantation (LTx) was promoted to shorten waiting times. We compared donor and recipient characteristics and outcome in lobar ([L]) versus full-size ([FS]) lung recipients. METHODS: Between July 1, 1991, and February 28, 2011, 535 isolated LTx were performed, including 74 in cystic fibrosis patients (8 L, 66 FS). Patients were followed up until September 2012. RESULTS: [L] recipients were younger, smaller, and lighter. Sex, waiting times, and donor data (age, sex, height, weight, PaO2/FiO2, and ventilation time) were comparable. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used more often in [L]; cold ischemia was comparable for first lung but longer in [L] for second lung; implantation times were comparable. In-hospital mortality rate was 0% in [L] versus 3% in [FS]. Both intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in [L]. Grade 3 primary graft dysfunction was more pronounced in [L] at T0 and at T48. FEV1 increased significantly in both groups from preoperative value. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was absent in [L] and diagnosed in 18 patients in [FS], accounting for 6 of 15 late deaths. All [L] are still alive. No differences in survival were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although hindered by a higher incidence of primary graft dysfunction, L-LTx is a viable option with excellent survival and pulmonary function comparable to FS-LTx.

Pathologic complete remission of malignant pleural mesothelioma after combined modality treatment: a case report.

A 50-year-old patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma (epithelial subtype, clinically staged cT1bN0M0) underwent a combined modality treatment, including induction chemotherapy, followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and radical radiotherapy. After pathologic examination of the surgical specimen, a complete remission (pT0N0) was observed. The complete disappearance of solid tumour tissue after induction chemotherapy is a rarely observed and documented finding in the combined modality treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The real prognostic value of the pathologic complete remission of a malignant pleural mesothelioma definitely needs to be further evaluated in a larger series of patients.

Recurrence pattern in patients with a pathologically complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for oesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about recurrence patterns in patients with a pathologically complete response (pCR) or an incomplete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by resection for oesophageal cancer. This study was performed to determine the pattern of recurrence in patients with a pCR after neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery. METHODS: All patients who received neoadjuvant CRT followed by oesophagectomy between 1993 and 2009 were identified from a database, and categorized according to pathological tumour response. Recurrences were classified as locoregional or distant. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-eight patients were included. Median potential follow-up was 71·6 months. A pCR was achieved in 62 (33·0 per cent) of 188 patients. Recurrence developed in 24 (39 per cent) of 62 patients with a pCR and 70 (55·6 per cent) of 126 without a pCR (P = 0·044). Locoregional recurrence with or without synchronous distant metastases occurred in eight patients (13 per cent) in the pCR group and 31 (24·6 per cent) in the non-pCR group (P = 0·095). Locoregional recurrences without synchronous distant metastases occurred four (6 per cent) and ten (7·9 per cent) patients respectively (P = 0·945). The overall 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the pCR group than in the non-pCR group (52 versus 33·9 per cent respectively; P = 0·019). CONCLUSION: Of patients with a pCR, 13 per cent still developed a locoregional recurrence. Although pCR is more favourable for survival, it is not synonymous with cure or complete locoregional disease control.