Extended intraoperative peritoneal lavage as prophylactic peritoneal recurrence for locally advanced gastric cancer: a prospective randomized trial

Background To demonstrate whether extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) could yield better results in overall survival and less recurrence, regardless of peritoneal cytology, compared to standard peritoneal lavage (SPL). Methods A prospective randomised multicenter study including 94 patients (47 per arm) to detect a 20% difference in 3-year overall survival in patients with locally advanced tumours without peritoneal carcinomatosis. Three samples of peritoneal fluid were obtained (at the beginning, the end of procedure and after the assigned peritoneal lavage). Clinicopathological and surgical data were analysed by group. Postoperative complications, location of recurrence and surgical approach were evaluated. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method and the uni/multivariate analysis for prognostic factors was carried out using Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 86 patients were analysed (4 excluded per group). No statistical differences were observed in clinicopathological or surgical data between groups, considering both groups well-balanced for analysis. Overall survival at 3 years was 64.3% for SPL vs. 62.3% for EIPL (p 0.421). Only three patients had at least one positive peritoneal cytology (1:2). There were no differences regarding postoperative complications (SPL: 37.2% vs. EIPL: 32.5%, p 0.65) or between location of recurrence and number of recurrences. The number of recurrences did not differ between surgical approaches, but locoregional and peritoneal recurrences were fewer with the laparoscopic approach (p 0.048). Conclusions The regular use of extensive peritoneal lavage in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, regardless of peritoneal cytology, has not been effective as prophylaxis of peritoneal recurrence or better survival (AU)

Evaluation of data quality in the Spanish EURECCA Esophagogastric Cancer Registry.

BACKGROUND: Although the number of nationwide clinical registries in upper gastrointestinal cancer is increasing, few of them perform regular clinical audits. The Spanish EURECCA Esophagogastric Cancer Registry (SEEGCR) was launched in 2013. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the data in terms of completeness and accuracy. METHODS: Patients who were registered (2014-2017) in the online SEEGCR and underwent esophagectomy or gastrectomy with curative intent were selected for auditing. Independent teams of surgeons visited each center between July 2018 and December 2019 and checked the reliability of data entered into the registry. Completeness was established by comparing the cases reported in the registry with those provided by the Medical Documentation Service of each center. Twenty percent of randomly selected cases per hospital were checked during on-site visits for testing the accuracy of data (27 items per patient file). Correlation between the quality of the data and the hospital volume was also assessed. RESULTS: Some 1839 patients from 19 centers were included in the registry. The mean completeness rate in the whole series was 97.8% (range 82.8-100%). For the accuracy, 462 (25.1%) cases were checked. Out of 12,312 items, 10,905 were available for verification, resulting in a perfect agreement of 95% (87.1-98.7%). There were 509 (4.7%) incorrect and 35 (0.3%) missing entries. No correlation between hospital volume and the rate of completeness and accuracy was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the SEEGCR contains reliable data.

Extended intraoperative peritoneal lavage as prophylactic peritoneal recurrence for locally advanced gastric cancer: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: To demonstrate whether extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) could yield better results in overall survival and less recurrence, regardless of peritoneal cytology, compared to standard peritoneal lavage (SPL). METHODS: A prospective randomised multicenter study including 94 patients (47 per arm) to detect a 20% difference in 3-year overall survival in patients with locally advanced tumours without peritoneal carcinomatosis. Three samples of peritoneal fluid were obtained (at the beginning, the end of procedure and after the assigned peritoneal lavage). Clinicopathological and surgical data were analysed by group. Postoperative complications, location of recurrence and surgical approach were evaluated. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the uni/multivariate analysis for prognostic factors was carried out using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were analysed (4 excluded per group). No statistical differences were observed in clinicopathological or surgical data between groups, considering both groups well-balanced for analysis. Overall survival at 3 years was 64.3% for SPL vs. 62.3% for EIPL (p 0.421). Only three patients had at least one positive peritoneal cytology (1:2). There were no differences regarding postoperative complications (SPL: 37.2% vs. EIPL: 32.5%, p 0.65) or between location of recurrence and number of recurrences. The number of recurrences did not differ between surgical approaches, but locoregional and peritoneal recurrences were fewer with the laparoscopic approach (p 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The regular use of extensive peritoneal lavage in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, regardless of peritoneal cytology, has not been effective as prophylaxis of peritoneal recurrence or better survival.

A real-life analysis on the indications and prognostic relevance of perioperative chemotherapy in locally advanced resectable gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perioperative chemotherapy (periCTX) based on the "MAGIC" scheme has become a standard treatment in Europe for locally advanced oesophagogastric cancer. We assessed implementation and long-term oncological outcomes of MAGIC periCTX for locally advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Population-based cohort study of all patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergoing surgical resection with curative intent in Catalonia and Navarra (the first two autonomous communities included in the EURECCA Upper GI Spanish Working Group) between January 2011 and December 2013. The main variable was the percentage of patients treated with MAGIC periCTX. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the survival benefit of periCTX. RESULTS: Among 814 patients, 217 (26.6%) received periCTX (especially patients more likely to receive it: aged < 70 years, with proximal tumors, low anesthetic risk, and cT3-4/cN+ clinical stage). 35% did not complete perioperative chemotherapy, with no relationship with age. PeriCTX showed no effect on postoperative morbimortality. Histological tumor regression was more often absent or poor (38.2%) than total or almost total (27.8%), although clinico-pathological lymph-node downstaging was higher than expected by staging inaccuracy (38.7% vs. 24.2%). PeriCTX was associated with a better survival only in cT3-4 and cN+ patients, showing less prognostic relevance than optimal oncological surgery with D2 lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Only 26.6% of locally advanced resectable gastric cancer patients received PeriCTX. Pathological response was poor, although some degree of nodal downstaging was observed. Survival benefit of periCTX was limited to cT3-4 and cN+ patients, being less relevant than D2 lymphadenectomy.

Surgically treated perforations of the gastrointestinal tract caused by ingested foreign bodies.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal perforation due to foreign body (FB) ingestion is rare (1%). We describe our experience in treating these lesions surgically. METHOD: From 1995 to 2006, data were collected prospectively in 33 patients (18 women and 15 men; mean age 64 years) operated on for intestinal perforation due to an ingested FB. The type of object, preoperative diagnosis, perforation site, treatment, morbidity and mortality were reviewed. RESULTS: Foreign body ingestion was predominantly involuntary (88%). The mean time from ingestion to perforation was 10.4 days. The most frequently ingested objects were dietary FB (n = 21) and toothpicks (n = 6). The most frequent predisposing factors were dentures or an orthodontic appliance (73%). The most common preoperative diagnoses were acute abdomen of uncertain origin (n = 7), acute appendicitis (n = 7) and acute diverticulitis (n = 5). Pneumoperitoneum was observed in 10 cases. The diagnosis was reached during laparotomy in 30 (91%) cases. The most frequent perforation site was the colorectal region (n = 18, 54.5%), followed by the terminal ileum (n = 7, 21.2%); intraperitoneal perforation was the most common (n = 30, 91%). All cases had abdominal contamination and 22 (66.7%) had diffuse peritonitis. Treatment was always by surgery and antibiotics. Thirteen patients required a colostomy. Morbidity was 57.6% (n = 19) and mortality 6.1% (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Intestinal perforation by a foreign body is rare and normally affects the sigmoid colon, rectum or distal ileum. Dentures are a common risk factor. Patients are rarely aware of foreign body ingestion. Dietary FB and toothpicks are the most commonly ingested objects. Treatment consists of surgery and antibiotics. Appendicitis and acute diverticulitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.