Short-Term Re-intervention of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background and aim Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The re-intervention rate following EVAR has been a subject of debate in many studies. The study aims to evaluate the short-term outcomes in terms of the early (four-year) re-intervention rate following EVAR at our centre and compare it to the average re-intervention rate of the main studies assessed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Methods The EVAR procedures performed over two years (2015 and 2016) were retrieved using the operation codes. The clinical portal and PACS systems were used to review the discharge summaries, clinic and multidisciplinary team (MDT) letters, as well as the scans and interventional radiology procedures to assess the patients' adherence to follow-up and identify any re-intervention procedure done to correct underlying problems related to the EVAR performed. Patients who switched their follow-up to another hospital were contacted and interviewed about any re-intervention undergone.  Results A total of 108 patients underwent EVAR during the two-year study period. Twenty EVAR-related re-interventions (18.5%) were recorded, irrespective of the cause or the type of intervention. This is slightly higher than the average rate by NICE (16.89%). Type 1 endoleak represented the leading cause for re-intervention (30%). Most of the cases of re-intervention were done endovascularly (60%). Forty-five percent of the patients had a re-intervention during the first year and 35% in the third year. Conclusion This study shows that although our re-intervention rate following EVAR was slightly higher than the international average, EVAR is still a safe method for the repair of AAA with relatively low peri-operative morbidity and mortality. However, long-term follow-up of these patients is mandatory as re-interventions are frequently required. Nonetheless, the majority of re-interventions can be done with minimal morbidity to the patient.

Impact of Molecular Profiling of Breast Cancer on the Rate of Locoregional Recurrence in Young Versus Old Female Patients.

Background Breast cancer (BC) is diverse regarding its natural history and treatment responses. The traditional histopathological classification is unable to confine this diverse clinical heterogeneity. Classically, prognosis and treatment response are influenced by factors including histological grade, lymph node status, and tumour size. Recently, research has diverted from histological classification towards molecular classification. We aim to analyse the locoregional recurrence of breast cancer incidence following surgery across the different molecular subtypes as well as relation to age. Materials and methods Female patients diagnosed with a locoregional recurrence of breast carcinoma in 2012-2014 were identified from our centre histology department. We only included stage I-III patients who were previously treated with surgery achieving negative surgical margins and later developed locoregional recurrence during our study period. These patients were subdivided by age into old (≥40 years old) and young (<40 years old) groups according to their initial diagnosis age. Furthermore, they were categorised according to the molecular subtype of their primary tumour. Results Our study included 184 patients (124 designated to the old age group, 60 to the young age group). In the young group, recurrence occurred after a mean of 4.3 years and the range was one to 23 years, while in the old group, the mean was 3.8 years, and the range was one to 14 years. The most primary cancer subtype recorded was triple-negative (41.85%): 50 old patients and 27 young. Next was the Her-2/neu enriched subtype (27.72%): 35 old patients and 16 young, following this was luminal A subtype (21.19%): 27 old and 12 young. Last was the luminal B subtype (9.24%): 12 old patients and five young. Conclusions To conclude, in our series, the most common molecular subtype found in the recurrent cases was the luminal negative subtypes, with a relatively similar pattern across both age groups. The results of this study can be used as a basis for large prospective studies in our centre to further analyse the effect of molecular subtyping on the recurrence rates of BC.

Breast Lymphedema After Conservative Breast Surgery: An Up-to-date Systematic Review.

Although arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment is a common complication; breast lymphedema following treatment is not uncommon. Several risk factors were found to contribute to breast lymphedema, including axillary surgery, high body mass index (BMI), increased bra cup size, adjuvant chemotherapy, locoregional and radiotherapy boost, and upper outer quadrant tumors. We aimed to provide a review to help avoiding or management of breast lymphedema. The search term 'breast lymphedema' was combined with 'breast conservative surgery' and was used to conduct a literature research in PubMed and Medline. The term lymphedema was combined with breast, conservative, and surgery to search the Embase database. All papers published in English were included with no exclusion date limits. A total of 2155 female patients were included in this review; age ranged from 26 to 90 years. The mean BMI was 28.4 of the studies that included patients who underwent conservative breast surgery. Incidence of breast lymphedema ranged from 24.8% to 90.4%. Several risk factors were linked to breast lymphedema after conservative breast surgery, such as BMI, breast size, tumor size, tumor site, type of surgery, and adjuvant therapy. Treatment options focused on decongestive lymphatic therapy, including manual lymphatic drainage, self-massaging, compression bras, or Kinesio taping. Breast lymphedema is a relatively common complication, yet there is no clear consensus on the definition or treatment options.

Adequate Assessment Can Affect the Management of Breast Cancer in Geriatric Population.

Breast cancer (BC) risk increases with age; about a third of patients are diagnosed in age older than 65. Treatment of this age group remains controversial, leading to inferior outcomes with lower survival rates than younger patients. We aimed to evaluate performance status tools as well as the outcome of management of breast cancer in the geriatric population. We have conducted a retrospective database analysis looking into the management of breast cancer patients older than 65 years old presenting to our unit during the period between June 2015 and June 2019. All patients had triple assessment as well as multimodality performance status assessment with their treatment modalities, and outcomes are recorded and assessed. We have included 578 patients, 0.8% male and 99.2% female, and our patients' mean age was 71 years. Most of our patients scored one or two on the WHO/ECOG performance status score and Clinical Frailty Score, as well as ASA-PS score. 3.2% had no treatment, 4.3% had endocrine therapy only, 0.5% had primary endocrine therapy followed by surgery, and 92.3% underwent surgery with 4.1% complication rate. Patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery had adjuvant breast radiotherapy, and 23.7% had adjuvant chest wall radiotherapy, 78.8% had adjuvant endocrine treatment, and 4.8% had adjuvant chemotherapy out of which 30.7% had adjuvant chemotherapy and Herceptin. Objective assessment tools should be used for patients older than 65 years diagnosed with primary breast cancer to be able to scarify patients' individualised treatment options to reach the optimum outcome.

Abdominal Cocoon or Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis: A Rare Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), also known as abdominal cocoon syndrome (AC) or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP), is an uncommon condition typically presenting with features of bowel obstruction. We present the case of a 41-year-old male patient who presented to the accident and emergency department with a 7-day history of abdominal pain. Contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis was ordered and was suggestive of small bowel obstruction involving most of the small bowel with no apparent transition point. Laparotomy showed a tough whitish fibrous membrane encasing the entire length of the small bowel. Advances in CT have made diagnosis possible before a decision on surgical intervention is made. LEARNING POINTS: Despite being a rare cause of bowel obstruction, based on the clinical presentation and CT findings, abdominal cocoon syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis.CT of the abdomen is the investigation of choice for most cases of bowel obstruction and can be very helpful in reaching a diagnosis before operative management is undertaken.Laparotomy is the usual choice for management, but laparoscopy can be considered either to establish the diagnosis or to deal with the abdominal cocoon based on the surgeon's clinical judgement and experience.

Giant Lactating Adenoma - Size of a Shot Put Ball.

Lactating adenomas are benign breast tumours which normally present in the peripartum period. Aetiology, pathogenesis, best diagnostic modality and management are not yet clear in the literature. We present a case of a 32-year-old pregnant patient who was re-referred to us with a progressively increasing left breast lesion, pre-existing prior to pregnancy, which was found to be a huge lactating adenoma. LEARNING POINTS: Pregnant and lactating women should stay breast aware and perform monthly breast self-examinations to detect any abnormalities at an early stage.In the absence of specific ultrasound features to identify lactating adenoma, triple assessment, including core biopsy, is the mainstay of diagnosis.Lactating adenomas, especially those potentially related to a pre-existing breast lesion or large in size, should be reported in order to develop evidence-based management guidelines.

Knotted nasogastric tube: a rare, overlooked yet preventable complication.

Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) have long been used for various indications, most commonly to decompress the stomach of its contents in intestinal obstruction or after abdominal surgery, to provide enteral feeding or to allow enteral liquid medication administration. Recently greater importance has been given to the correct placement NGTs to avoid serious complications. We present a case of a spontaneously knotted NGT that was identified and safely removed without complications, but which may have resulted from suboptimal placement. We discuss this case to raise awareness of this complication and how to minimize the likelihood of it happening and improve patient outcome.

A case of successful conservative management of gallstone ileus.

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis but an established cause of mechanical bowel obstruction in the elderly. Perforation of the small intestine proximal to the obstructing gallstone is rare, only a handful of cases having been reported. Management is mainly surgical, but conservative treatment is occasionally appropriate. We report the case of an 86-year-old female who presented with a clinical picture of bowel obstruction, proven to be related to gallstone ileus which resolved spontaneously. We discuss the role of conservative management for this condition.