Enhancing Lymph Node Yield in Gastric Cancer Resection: Impact of Back Table Dissection on Number of Lymph Node Examined.

INTRODUCTION: During gastric cancer resection, back table dissection (BTD) involves examination and separation of lymph node (LN) packets from the surgical specimen based on LN stations, which are sent to pathology as separately labeled specimens. With potential impact on clinical outcomes, we aimed to explore how BTD affects number of LNs examined. METHODS: A retrospective review of a gastric cancer database was performed, including all cases of gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy from January 2009 to March 2022. Back table dissection and conventional groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to identify potential predictors of number of LN examined. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were identified: 39 (22%) BTD and 135 (78%) conventional. More patients in the BTD group underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (62% vs 29%, P < .05). Compared to the conventional group, the BTD group had a greater number of LNs examined (42 [26-59] vs 21[15-33], median [IQR], P < .001), lower LN positivity ratio (.01 vs .07, P = .013), and greater number of LNs in patients with BMI >35 (32.5[27.5-39] vs 22[13-27], P = .041). A multiple linear regression model controlling for age, BMI, preoperative N stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgeon experience, and operative approach identified BTD as a significant positive predictor of number of LN examined (ß = 19.7, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Back table dissection resulted in improved LN yield during gastric cancer resection. As a simple technical addition, BTD helps enhance pathology examination and improve surgeon awareness, which may ultimately translate to improve oncologic outcomes.

Incorporating Robotic Cholecystectomy in an Acute Care Surgery Practice Model is Feasible.

INTRODUCTION: The role of robotic surgery in the nonelective setting remains poorly defined. Accessibility, patient acuity, and high turn-over may limit its applicability and utilization. The goal is to characterize the role of robotic cholecystectomy (CCY) in a busy acute care surgery (ACS) practice at a quaternary medical center, and compare surgical outcomes and resource utilization between robotic and laparoscopic CCY. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent robotic (Da Vinci Xi) or laparoscopic CCY between 01/2021-12/2022 by an ACS attending within 1 week of admission were included. Primary outcomes included time from admission to surgery, off hour (weekend and 6p-6a) cases, operation time, and hospital costs, to reflect "feasibility" of robotic compared to laparoscopic CCY. Secondary outcomes encompassed surgery-related outcomes and complications. RESULTS: The proportion of robotic CCY increased from 5% to 32% within 2 years. In total 361 laparoscopic and 89 robotic CCY were performed. Demographics and gallbladder disease severity were similar. Feasibility measures-operation time, case start time, time from admission to surgery, proportion of off-hour cases, and cost-were comparable between robotic and laparoscopic CCY. There were no differences in surgical complications, common bile duct injury, readmission, or mortality. Conversion to open surgery occurred more often in laparoscopic cases (5% vs 0%, P = .02, OR = 1.05). DISCUSSION: Robotic CCY is associated with fewer open conversions and otherwise similar outcomes compared to laparoscopic CCY in the non-elective setting. Incorporation of robotic CCY in a busy ACS practice model is feasible with available resources.

Challenges With Robot-Assisted Surgery Setup for Complex Minimally Invasive Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of robot-assisted approaches to surgery has increased significantly over the last two decades. This has introduced novel complexities into the operating room environment, requiring management of new challenges and workflow adaptation. This study aimed to analyze challenges in the surgical setup for complex upper gastrointestinal robot-assisted surgery (UGI-RAS) and identify opportunities for solutions. METHODS: Direct observations of surgical setup processes for UGI-RAS were performed by a trained Human Factors researcher at a non-profit academic medical center in Southern California. Setup tasks were subdivided into five phases: (1) before wheels-in; (2) patient transfer and anesthesia induction; (3) patient preparation; (4) surgery preparation; and (5) robot docking. Start/end times for each phase/task were documented along with workflow disruption (FD) narratives and timestamps. Setup tasks and FDs were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Twenty UGI-RAS setup procedures were observed between May-November 2023: sleeve gastrectomy +/- hiatal hernia repair (n = 9, 45.00%); para-esophageal hernia repair +/- fundoplication (n = 8, 40.00%); revision to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 2, 10.00%); and gastric band removal (n = 1, 5.00%). Frequent FDs included planning breakdowns (n = 20, 29.85%), equipment/supply management (n = 17, 25.37%), patient care coordination (n = 8, 11.94%), and equipment challenges (n = 8, 11.94%). Eleven of 20 observations were first-start cases, of which 10 experienced delayed starts. DISCUSSION: Interventions aimed at improving workflows during UGI-RAS setup include performing pre-operative team huddles and conducting trainings aimed at team coordination and equipment challenges. These solutions could result in improved teamwork, efficiency, and communication while reducing case start delays and turnover time.

Blinded Intraoperative Quantitative Indocyanine Green Metrics Associate With Intestinal Margin Acceptance in Colorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green is a useful tool in colorectal surgery. Quantitative values may enhance and standardize its application. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether quantitative indocyanine green metrics correlate with standard subjective indocyanine green perfusion assessment in acceptance or rejection of anastomotic margins. DESIGN: Prospective single-arm, single-institution cohort study. Surgeons viewed subjective indocyanine green images but were blinded to quantitative indocyanine green metrics. SETTING: Tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: Adults undergoing planned intestinal resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accepted perfusion and rejected perfusion of the intestinal margin were defined by the absence or presence of ischemia by subjective indocyanine green and gross inspection. The primary outcomes included quantitative indocyanine green values, maximum fluorescence, and time-to-maximum fluorescence in accepted compared to rejected perfusion. Secondary outcomes included maximum fluorescence and time-to-maximum fluorescence values in anastomotic leak. RESULTS: There were 89 perfusion assessments comprising 156 intestinal segments. Nine segments were subjectively assessed to have poor perfusion by visual inspection and subjective indocyanine green. Maximum fluorescence (% intensity) exhibited higher intensity in accepted perfusion (accepted perfusion 161% [82%-351%] vs rejected perfusion 63% [10%-76%]; p = 0.03). Similarly, time-to-maximum fluorescence (seconds) was earlier in accepted perfusion compared to rejected perfusion (10 seconds [1-40] vs 120 seconds [90-120]; p < 0.01). Increased BMI was associated with higher maximum fluorescence. Anastomotic leak did not correlate with maximum fluorescence or time-to-maximum fluorescence. LIMITATIONS: Small cohort study, not powered to measure the association between quantitative indocyanine green metrics and anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that blinded quantitative values reliably correlate with subjective indocyanine green perfusion assessment. Time-to-maximum intensity is an important metric in perfusion evaluation. Quantitative indocyanine green metrics may enhance intraoperative intestinal perfusion assessment. Future studies may attempt to correlate quantitative indocyanine green values with anastomotic leak. See Video Abstract . LAS MTRICAS CUANTITATIVAS INTRAOPERATORIAS CIEGAS DEL VERDE DE INDOCIANINA SE ASOCIAN CON LA ACEPTACIN DEL MARGEN INTESTINAL EN LA CIRUGA COLORRECTAL: ANTECEDENTES:El verde de indocianina es una herramienta útil en la cirugía colorrectal. Los valores cuantitativos pueden mejorar y estandarizar su aplicación.OBJETIVO:Determinar si las métricas cuantitativas de verde de indocianina se correlacionan con la evaluación subjetiva estándar de perfusión de verde de indocianina en la aceptación o rechazo de los márgenes anastomóticos.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte prospectivo de un solo brazo y de una sola institución. Los cirujanos vieron imágenes subjetivas de verde de indocianina, pero no conocían las métricas cuantitativas de verde de indocianina.AJUSTE:Centro académico terciario.PACIENTES:Adultos sometidos a resección intestinal planificada.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La perfusión aceptada y la perfusión rechazada del margen intestinal se definieron por la ausencia o presencia de isquemia mediante verde de indocianina subjetiva y la inspección macroscópica. Los resultados primarios fueron los valores cuantitativos de verde de indocianina, la fluorescencia máxima y el tiempo hasta la fluorescencia máxima en la perfusión aceptada en comparación con la rechazada. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron la fluorescencia máxima y el tiempo hasta alcanzar los valores máximos de fluorescencia en la fuga anastomótica.RESULTADOS:Se realizaron 89 evaluaciones de perfusión, comprendiendo 156 segmentos intestinales. Se evaluó subjetivamente que 9 segmentos tenían mala perfusión mediante inspección visual y verde de indocianina subjetiva. La fluorescencia máxima (% de intensidad) mostró una mayor intensidad en la perfusión aceptada [Perfusión aceptada 161% (82-351) vs Perfusión rechazada 63% (10-76); p = 0,03]. De manera similar, el tiempo hasta la fluorescencia máxima (segundos) fue más temprano en la perfusión aceptada en comparación con la rechazada [10 s (1-40) frente a 120 s (90-120); p < 0,01]. Aumento del índice de masa corporal asociado con una fluorescencia máxima más alta. La fuga anastomótica no se correlacionó con la fluorescencia máxima ni con el tiempo hasta la fluorescencia máxima.LIMITACIONES:Estudio de cohorte pequeño, sin poder para medir la asociación entre las mediciones cuantitativas del verde de indocianina y la fuga anastomótica.CONCLUSIÓN:Demostramos que los valores cuantitativos ciegos se correlacionan de manera confiable con la evaluación subjetiva de la perfusión de verde de indocianina. El tiempo hasta la intensidad máxima es una métrica importante en la evaluación de la perfusión. Las métricas cuantitativas de verde de indocianina pueden mejorar la evaluación de la perfusión intestinal intraoperatoria. Los estudios futuros pueden intentar correlacionar los valores cuantitativos de verde de indocianina con la fuga anastomótica. (Traducción-Dr. Yolanda Colorado).

Contemporary Cancer Program Practice Profile Report Compliance Rates for Gastric Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Commission on Cancer (CoC) established quality measures to be reported in National Cancer Database (NCDB) Quality Reporting Tools. Compliance is provided to accredited cancer programs as Cancer Program Practice Profile Reports (CP3R). At the time of this study, the quality metric for gastric cancer (GC) was removal and pathologic examination of 15 regional lymph nodes for resected GC (G15RLN). OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates national trends in quality metric compliance for GC based on CoC CP3R. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried from 2004-2017 to identify patients with stage I-III GC who met criteria for inclusion. National trends in compliance were compared. Overall survival (OS) was compared stage for stage. RESULTS: Overall, 42 997 patients with GC qualified. In 2017, 64.5% of patients met compliance with G15RLN compared to 31.4% in 2004. When comparing academic and non-academic institutions, compliance was met 67.0% vs 60.0% of the time in 2017 (P < .01) and 36% vs 30.6% of the time in 2004 (P < .01). On multivariate logistic regression, patients receiving care at academic institutions (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.5) and who underwent surgery at institutions in the >75th percentile for case volume (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6) had higher odds of compliance. When stratified by stage, median OS was better across all stages when compliance was met. CONCLUSION: Compliance rates with GC quality measures have improved over time. Compliance with the G15RLN metric is associated with improved OS, stage for stage. Continued efforts to improve compliance rates across all institutions are critical.

Rising Incidence of Non-Cardia Gastric Cancer among Young Women in the United States, 2000-2018: A Time-Trend Analysis Using the USCS Database.

INTRODUCTION: Although the global incidence of non-cardia gastric cancer (NCGC) is decreasing, there are limited data on sex-specific incidence in the United States. This study aimed to investigate time trends of NCGC from the SEER database to externally validate findings in a SEER-independent national database, and to further assess trends among subpopulations. METHODS: Age-adjusted incidence rates of NCGC were obtained from the SEER database from 2000 to 2018. We used joinpoint models to calculate average annual percentage change (AAPC) to determine sex-specific trends among older (≥55 years) and younger adults (15-54 years). Using the same methodology, findings were then externally validated using SEER-independent data from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR). Stratified analyses by race, histopathology, and staging at diagnosis were also conducted in younger adults. RESULTS: Overall, there were 169,828 diagnoses of NCGC from both independent databases during the period 2000-2018. In SEER, among those <55 years, incidence increased at a higher rate in women (AAPC = 3.22%, p < 0.01) than men (AAPC = 1.51%, p = 0.03), with non-parallel trends (p = 0.02), while a decreasing trend was seen in both men (AAPC = -2.16%, p < 0.01) and women (AAPC = -1.37%, p < 0.01) of the ≥55 years group. Validation analysis of the SEER-independent NPCR database from 2001 to 2018 showed similar findings. Further stratified analyses showed that incidence is disproportionately increasing in young non-Hispanic White women [AAPC = 2.28%, p < 0.01] while remaining stable in their counterpart men [AAPC = 0.58%, p = 0.24] with non-parallel trends (p = 0.04). This pattern was not observed in other race groups. CONCLUSION: NCGC incidence has been increasing at a greater rate in younger women compared to counterpart men. This disproportionate increase was mainly seen in young non-Hispanic White women. Future studies should investigate the etiologies of these trends.

Assessing the Accuracy of Responses by the Language Model ChatGPT to Questions Regarding Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: ChatGPT is a large language model trained on a large dataset covering a broad range of topics, including the medical literature. We aim to examine its accuracy and reproducibility in answering patient questions regarding bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questions were gathered from nationally regarded professional societies and health institutions as well as Facebook support groups. Board-certified bariatric surgeons graded the accuracy and reproducibility of responses. The grading scale included the following: (1) comprehensive, (2) correct but inadequate, (3) some correct and some incorrect, and (4) completely incorrect. Reproducibility was determined by asking the model each question twice and examining difference in grading category between the two responses. RESULTS: In total, 151 questions related to bariatric surgery were included. The model provided "comprehensive" responses to 131/151 (86.8%) of questions. When examined by category, the model provided "comprehensive" responses to 93.8% of questions related to "efficacy, eligibility and procedure options"; 93.3% related to "preoperative preparation"; 85.3% related to "recovery, risks, and complications"; 88.2% related to "lifestyle changes"; and 66.7% related to "other". The model provided reproducible answers to 137 (90.7%) of questions. CONCLUSION: The large language model ChatGPT often provided accurate and reproducible responses to common questions related to bariatric surgery. ChatGPT may serve as a helpful adjunct information resource for patients regarding bariatric surgery in addition to standard of care provided by licensed healthcare professionals. We encourage future studies to examine how to leverage this disruptive technology to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Claudin-18.

CONTEXT.­: Claudin-18 is expressed in some gastric cancers. Clinical trials are evaluating it as a therapeutic target. OBJECTIVES.­: To evaluate claudin-18 expression in intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus/gastroesophageal junction and stomach and to evaluate claudin-18 expression in gastric and nongastric neuroendocrine tumors as a marker of gastric origin. DESIGN.­: Samples included gastroesophageal junction with intestinal metaplasia (n = 40), dysplasia (n = 54), and adenocarcinoma (n = 20) and stomach with intestinal metaplasia (n = 79), dysplasia (n = 43), and adenocarcinoma (n = 25). Additionally, gastric (n = 40) and nongastric (n = 322) neuroendocrine tumors were included. Claudin-18 expression was evaluated for any staining as positive and by meeting clinical trial inclusion criteria (≥2+ intensity in ≥50% of tumor). RESULTS.­: Claudin-18 staining was not significantly different across dysplasia categories in the gastroesophageal junction (P = .11) or stomach (P = .12). The rate of positive staining was higher in gastroesophageal junction than stomach for intestinal metaplasia (37 of 40 [92.5%] versus 37 of 79 [46.8%]; P < .001) and high-grade dysplasia (33 of 38 [86.8%] versus 9 of 16 [56.3%]; P = .03). Intestinal metaplasia showed staining in 7 of 37 autoimmune gastritis samples (18.9%) compared with 30 of 42 samples without autoimmune gastritis (71.4%) (P < .001). Adenocarcinoma showed similar staining in gastroesophageal junction (15 of 20; 75.0%) and stomach (17 of 25; 68.0%) (P = .85). Eighty percent (32 of 40) of gastric neuroendocrine tumors were positive for claudin-18 expression, with 57.5% (23 of 40) meeting clinical trial inclusion criteria. Comparatively, 0.62% (2 of 322) of nongastric neuroendocrine tumors showed staining (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS.­: Claudin-18 staining was similar in intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma. Claudin-18 was negative in most cases of intestinal metaplasia in autoimmune gastritis, indicating that intestinal metaplasia in this setting may differ from other forms. Claudin-18 was sensitive and specific for gastric origin in neuroendocrine tumors.

Therapeutic Advances and Challenges in the Management of HER2-Positive Gastroesophageal Cancers.

Gastroesophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, with a high rate of mortality. While there has been significant progress over the past decade, particularly with the addition of anti-HER2 therapies to platinum-based chemotherapy agents in the advanced setting, the prognosis remains poor and the treatment options for this disease entity remain limited. In this review, we discuss the current therapeutic landscape for HER2-positive gastroesphageal cancer and the seminal clinical trials that have shaped our approach to this disease entity. In addition, we highlight some of the challenges to the understanding and management of this disease, specifically discussing the breadth of molecular diversity and intratumoral heterogeneity of HER2 expression that impact the clinical efficacy and prognosis. Furthermore, we discuss the potential role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) as complementary tools to immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) to guiding clinical decision making. Finally, we highlight promising clinical trials of new treatment regimens that will likely reshape the therapeutic approach to this disease entity.

30-Day Postoperative Outcomes in Patients With Limited Mobility - A Propensity Score-Matched Comparative Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data correlating preoperative mobility limitations with clinical outcomes in bariatric patients. This study uses propensity score matching (PSM) to compare 30-day outcomes between patients with preoperative limited mobility (LM) versus patients without (non-LM). METHODS: Using the 2016-2018 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database, patients undergoing primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass were identified. Two cohorts were defined using preoperative LM status. To adjust for confounders, 1:1 PSM was performed using 25 preoperative characteristics, and balance was assessed with standardized mean difference. Preoperative patient demographics and postoperative 30-day outcomes were compared in both matched and unmatched cohorts. RESULTS: 453,146 patients were identified, of which 6942 (1.47%) were LM and 464,555 were non-LM. 1:1 PSM matched 6624 LM to 6624 non-LM patients with good balance for all covariates. LM had higher rates of unplanned intubation (0.4% vs 0.7%, P < .01), unplanned admission to ICU (1.4% vs 2.5%, P < .01), readmissions (4.1% vs 4.9%, P = .036), unplanned reoperation (1.5% vs 2.0%, P = .02), and 30-day mortality (0.2% vs 0.5%, P = .02). Complications including acute renal failure, intra/postoperative myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism were not significantly different between the matched groups. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for confounders, patients with preoperative limited mobility have higher rates of intubation, ICU admission, reoperation, readmission, and mortality. Prudent pre-operative candidate selection, counseling, and risk mitigation strategies are needed when a patient with limited mobility status is being considered for bariatric surgery.

Measures of glucose homeostasis during and after duodenal exclusion using a duodenal-jejunal bypass liner in a normoglycemic, nonobese canine model.

BACKGROUND: Discovering the role duodenal exclusion plays in weight loss and resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2D) may help refine the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of obesity and T2D. OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in glucose homeostasis due to duodenal exclusion using a duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL) in a nonobese canine model. SETTING: Academic laboratory setting. METHODS: An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) at baseline, 1, and 6 weeks post DJBL implantation (I1 and I6, respectively), and 1 and 6 weeks post DJBL removal (R1 and R6, respectively) were done in canines (n = 7) fed a normal chow diet. RESULTS: Placement of the DJBL induced weight loss that was maintained until 4 weeks post removal (R4), despite normal food intake. Total bile acids (TBA) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) during the MMTT were significantly increased at I1 and were associated with increased lactate and free fatty acids. Hypoglycemia counter-regulation was blunted during the IVGTT at I1 and I6, returning to baseline at R1. While there were no changes to insulin sensitivity during the experiment, glucose tolerance was significantly increased following the removal of the DJBL at R1. CONCLUSION: These data show that in a normoglycemic, nonobese canine model, duodenal exclusion induces energy intake-independent weight loss and negative metabolic effects that are reversed following re-exposure of the small intestine to nutrients.

Operative approach and case volume are associated with negative resection margins for adrenocortical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection with negative margins is the treatment of choice for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). This study was undertaken to determine factors associated with negative resection margins. METHODS: National Cancer Database was queried from 2010 to 2016 to identify patients with AJCC/ENSAT Stage I-III ACC who underwent adrenalectomy. Patient, tumor, facility, and operative characteristics were compared by margin status (positive-PM or negative-NM) and operative approach (open-OA, laparoscopic-LA, or robotic-RA). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with PM. RESULTS: Eight hundred and eighty-one patients were identified, of which 18.4% had PM and 81.6% had NM. Patients with advanced pathologic T stage and pathologic N1 stage were more likely to have PM (vs. NM) (T3, 49.7% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.01; T4, 26.2% vs. 10.0%, p < 0.01; N1, 6.7% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.01). Patients undergoing OA (vs. LA and RA) were more likely to have advanced clinical T stage (T4, 16.6% vs. 5.7% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.01) and larger tumors (> 6 cm, 84.6% vs. 64.1% vs. 62.3%, p < 0.01). High-volume centers (≥ 5 cases) were more likely to utilize OA. Patients undergoing LA (vs. RA) were more likely to require conversion to open (20.3% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.011). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher odds of PM included T3 disease (OR 7.02, 95% CI 2.66-18.55), T4 disease (OR 10.22, 95% CI 3.66-28.53), and LA (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.28-3.09). High-volume centers were associated with lower odds of PM (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-0.98). There was no significant difference in margin status between OA and RA (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.71-2.90). CONCLUSION: Centers with higher ACC case volumes have lower odds of PM and utilize OA more often. LA is associated with higher odds of PM, whereas RA is not. These factors should be considered when planning the operative approach for ACC.

Chemotherapy predictors and a time-dependent chemotherapy effect in metastatic esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy has long been shown to confer a survival benefit in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. However, not all patients with metastatic disease receive chemotherapy. AIM: To evaluate a large cancer database of metastatic esophageal cancer cases to identify predictors of receipt to chemotherapy and survival. METHODS: We interrogated the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004-2015 and included patients with M1 disease who had received or did not receive chemotherapy. A logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between chemotherapy and potential confounders and a Cox proportional hazards model was employed to examine the effect of chemotherapy on overall survival (OS). Propensity score analyses were further performed to balance measurable confounders between patients treated with and without chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 29182 patients met criteria for inclusion in this analysis, with 21911 (75%) receiving chemotherapy and 7271 (25%) not receiving chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 69.45 mo. The median OS for patients receiving chemotherapy was 9.53 mo (9.33-9.72) vs 2.43 mo (2.27-2.60) with no chemotherapy. Year of diagnosis 2010-2014 [odds ratio (OR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.43, P value < 0.001], median income > $46000 (OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.27-1.75, P value < 0.001), and node-positivity (OR: 1.35, 95%CI: 1.20-1.52, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of receiving chemotherapy, while female gender (OR: 0.86, 95%CI: 0.76-0.98, P = 0.019), black race (OR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.67-0.93, P = 0.005), uninsured status (OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.33-0.52, P < 0.001), and high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR for CCI ≥ 2: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.50-0.74, P < 0.001) predicted for lower odds of receiving chemotherapy. Modeling the effect of chemotherapy on OS using a time-dependent coefficient showed that chemotherapy was associated with improved OS up to 10 mo, after which there is no significant effect on OS. Moreover, uninsured status [hazard ratio (HR): 1.20, 95%CI: 1.09-1.31, P < 0.001], being from the geographic Midwest (HR: 1.07, 95%CI: 1.01-1.14, P = 0.032), high CCI (HR for CCI ≥ 2: 1.16, 95%CI: 1.07-1.26, P < 0.001), and higher tumor grade (HR for grade 3 vs grade 1: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.14-1.44, P < 0.001) and higher T stage (HR for T1 vs T4: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.84-0.95, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of worse OS on multivariable analyses. CONCLUSION: In this large, retrospective NCDB analysis, we identified several socioeconomic and clinicopathologic predictors for receiving chemotherapy and OS in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. The benefit of chemotherapy on OS is time-dependent and favors early initiation. Focused outreach in lower income and underinsured patients is critical as receipt of chemotherapy is associated with improved OS.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma: The Value of Lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) staging does not account for the number of positive nodes. The prognostic value of quantitative metastatic nodal burden is unknown. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was retrospectively queried from 2004-2016 to identify patients with Stage I-III ACC undergoing adrenalectomy. Patients who underwent lymphadenectomy (LAD) were further studied. Demographics, TNM staging, tumor characteristics, and surgical approach were analyzed. RESULTS: 386 LADs were identified. The median number of nodes examined was 2 (IQR 2-6), with no difference by surgical approach '[laparoscopic, 3 (1-3); robotic, 1.5 (1-4.5); open, 2 (1-7), p = 0.493]. In LADs with cN0 disease, positive nodes were seen in 17.5% of patients; an average of 6 (1-12) nodes were examined in patients who upstaged to pN1 disease compared with an average of 2 (1-6) nodes in those who remained pN0. Median survival was incrementally worse for patients with more positive nodes (62.8 vs. 21.9 vs. 13.7 vs. 11.3 vs. 10.7 months for 0, 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 positive nodes, respectively, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, significant prognostic factors for poor survival included older age, ≥ 2 comorbidities, pT3, and pT4. The strongest prognostic factor for poor survival was the number of positive nodes (1 node, hazards ratio [HR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-3.6; 2 nodes, HR 1.3, 95% CI 0.6-3.0; 3 nodes, HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.0; ≥ 4 nodes, HR 4.0, 95% CI 2.5-6.2). Lymphadenectomy was associated with improved survival (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Higher quantitative metastatic nodal burden is a robust prognostic factor for worse survival in ACC.

Routine Versus Selective Liver Biopsy During Bariatric Surgery: Postoperative Outcomes and Preoperative Predictors of NASH.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is common in patients with obesity. Liver biopsy (LB) can be routinely or selectively performed during bariatric surgery to identify patients with NASH. METHODS: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery between 2016 and 2020 at our institution were identified. Chart review identified patients undergoing concurrent LB. LB results were compared between patients undergoing routine LB and selective LB. Patient demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared between those who received LB and those who did not (non-LB). In the LB cohort, preoperative characteristics of patients with NASH were compared to those without NASH, and multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of NASH. RESULTS: Two thousand three hundred ninety-three patients were identified, of which 400 (16.7%) had liver biopsies (LB) and 1,993 (83.3%) did not (non-LB). Three hundred thirty LB were performed routinely, and 70 were selective. Compared to selective LB, routine LB identified significantly higher rates of steatosis (83.6% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.01), periportal inflammation (67.0% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.01), fibrosis (65.8% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.01), and NASH (10.9% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.01). There were no differences in postoperative complications, blood transfusions, readmissions, or reoperations between LB and non-LB. On multivariable regression, highest BMI > 40 (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.43-5.67) and insulin-dependent diabetes (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.70-13.69) were associated with a higher odds of NASH, while Black race was associated with lower odds (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Routine liver biopsies during bariatric surgery identify higher rates of advanced NAFLD compared to selective biopsies, and can be safely performed without an increased risk of postoperative complications.

A Comparison of Clinicopathologic Outcomes Across Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment Modalities in Resectable Gastric Cancer.

Importance: Treatment of resectable gastric cancer (RGC) uses a multimodal approach, including surgical treatment and chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy, and the optimal treatment strategy and timing of each of these modalities is unknown. Objective: To investigate the association of various neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment modalities with pathologic complete response (pCR), surgical margin status (SMS), and overall survival (OS) in RGC. Design, Setting, and Participants: For this comparative effectiveness study, the National Cancer Database was interrogated to identify patients with RGC diagnosed from 2004 to 2015. Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma that was cT2-T4b, any N, and M0 and who underwent definitive surgical treatment were included. Main Outcomes and Measures: The association of 9 treatment groups (ie, neoadjuvant chemoradiation only [nCRT], neoadjuvant chemotherapy only, adjuvant chemotherapy only [aCT], adjuvant chemoradiation only [aCRT], neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy with timing unknown [CTTU], chemoradiation therapy with timing unknown, radiation therapy with timing unknown (RTTU), and no perioperative therapy [NT]) with 3 end points (ie, pCR, SMS, and OS) was analyzed. The analysis was done using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for baseline characteristics. Data were analyzed from September 2019 through February 2020. Results: Among 183 204 patients with RGC who were screened, 3064 patients were included in the analysis (median [IQR] age, 68 [57-77] years; 1764 [57.6%] men). There were 1584 tumors (51.7%) located in the antrum and 1539 stage 2 tumors (50.2%). On multivariable analyses among 1939 patients (owing to 137 patients with missing data for pCR and the exclusion of 988 patients with aCT and aCRT from pCR analysis), nCRT was associated with increased odds of pCR compared with NT, with the greatest odds ratio (OR) among all treatments (OR, 59.55; 95% CI, 10.63-333.56; P < .001). RTTU had the next highest OR (29.96; 95% CI, 2.92-307.53; P = .004). In multivariable analysis for OS among 3061 patients (owing to missing data for OS), CTTU was associated with decreased risk of death compared with NT (hazard ratio, [HR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.35-0.48; P < .001), with the lowest HR, as was nCRT (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.35-0.66; P < .001), with the next lowest HR. Median OS was greatest among patients treated with CTTU (53.9 months; 95% CI, 44.5-61.0 months), followed by nCRT (39.1 months; 95% CI, 26.9 months-not applicable) and aCT (36.1 months; 95% CI, 28.88-49.18 months), while 2-year OS rates were 65.6% (95% CI, 61.3%-69.5%) for CTTU, 63.6% (95% CI, 52.3%-73.0%) for nCRT, and 59.7% (95% CI, 54.2%-64.7%) for aCT. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that nCRT was associated with the highest pCR rate, while CTTU (ie, neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy) was associated with the greatest OS.

Management of Postoperative Complications Following Bariatric and Metabolic Procedures.

Bariatric and metabolic surgery is a safe and effective treatment of morbid obesity, a disease that continues to increase in prevalence in the United States and worldwide. The two most commonly performed operations are the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass. Early and late complications can occur, and although referral to a bariatric surgeon or center is ideal, emergency management of acute problems is relevant to all general surgeons. Bariatric surgery can have surgical and metabolic consequences. An understanding of the altered anatomy and physiology helps to guide management of morbidities. This article discusses surgical postoperative complications and metabolic complications.

Disparities and survival in newly diagnosed gastric cancer in Hispanic patients in the United States: a propensity score matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: The burden of gastric cancer involving Hispanic patients in the United States is growing as both the population and the incidence of gastric cancer in this group increases. This burden is compounded by presentation with advanced disease and socioeconomic challenges shaping cancer care. We sought to describe the demographics, socioeconomic factors, treatment, and survival experience of Hispanic patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 (n=90,737) in the National Cancer Database were retrospectively identified. Patients of Hispanic ethnicity were compared against non-Hispanic white patients. Surgical cohort was further analyzed, and 1:1 propensity score matching was used to balance covariates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white surgical patients. Survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was used to determine prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: Compared to non-Hispanic white patients, Hispanic patients are more likely to be younger, female, and healthier. They were more likely to be uninsured, reside in poorer neighborhoods and reside in areas with lower rates of education. Hispanic patients were more likely to live in a metropolitan area, travel shorter distances for healthcare, and receive treatment at an academic and high volume centers. Hispanic patients were more likely to have higher stage disease presentation, higher grade tumors, lymphovascular invasion, and poorly cohesive adenocarcinoma. Hispanic patients were more likely to receive surgery, but less likely to receive adjuvant therapy. In Cox regression of all patients, unmatched surgical patients, and matched surgical patients, Hispanic ethnicity was an independent prognostic factor of improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic patients with gastric adenocarcinoma present with several unfavorable clinicopathologic and socioeconomic factors. Paradoxically, these patients demonstrate improved survival. Further study is warranted to characterize disease biology in this population.

Factors Associated with Non-Operative Management of Resectable Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the initial treatment of choice for patients with resectable adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). We sought to determine factors associated with non-operative management of resectable ACC. METHODS: 2004-2016 National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried to identify patients with AJCC/ENSAT Stage I-III ACC. Patients who underwent surgery (S) were compared to those who did not undergo surgery (NS). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with NS. Kaplan-Meier estimates used to assess survival. RESULTS: Two thousand-seventy patients with Stage I-III ACC were identified, of which 17.5% were NS. 85.9% of NS patients were not offered surgery; 69.9% of NS patients did not receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy. NS were older and less likely to receive care at an Academic center or high volume center (≥5 cases during the study period). NS patients were more likely to have advanced T stage and N1 disease. On multivariate regression, factors associated with lower odds of surgery include older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.06), T4 disease (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.05-10.68), and treatment at a community center (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.58-5.40). Overall median survival was significantly poorer for NS patients (50.4 versus 78.4 months, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with locally advanced ACC are less likely to undergo an operation, while those treated at centers with more operative experience or Academic facilities are more likely to undergo an operation. As the surgery-first approach is the current standard of care for resectable ACC, these patients may be best served at high volume Academic facilities.