Pilot Trial on Ischemic Conditioning of the Gastric Conduit in Esophageal Cancer: Feasibility and Impact on Anastomotic Leakage (TIGOAL-I).

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of gastric conditioning using preoperative arterial embolization (PAE) before McKeown esophagectomy at a tertiary university hospital. Background: Cervical anastomotic leakage (AL) is a common complication of esophagectomy. Limited clinical evidence suggests that gastric conditioning mitigates this risk. Methods: This pilot randomized clinical trial was conducted between April 2016 and October 2021 at a single-center tertiary hospital. Eligible patients with resectable malignant esophageal tumors, suitable for cervical esophagogastrostomy, were randomized into 2 groups: one receiving PAE and the other standard treatment. The primary endpoints were PAE-related complications and incidence of cervical AL. Results: The study enrolled 40 eligible patients. PAE-related morbidity was 10%, with no Clavien-Dindo grade III complications. Cervical AL rates were similar between the groups (35% vs 25%, P = 0.49), even when conduit necrosis was included (35% vs 35%, P = 1). However, AL severity, including conduit necrosis, was higher in the control group according to the Clavien-Dindo ≥IIIb (5% vs 30%, P = 0.029) and Comprehensive Complication Index (20.9 vs 33.7, P = 0.01). No significant differences were found in other postoperative complications, such as pneumonia or postoperative mortality. Conclusions: PAE is a feasible and safe method for gastric conditioning before McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy and shows promise for preventing severe AL. However, further studies are required to confirm its efficacy.

Characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors associated to other tumors / Características de los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal asociados a otras neoplasias

Introduction: Our aim is to analyze the differences between sporadic gastrointestinal stromal tumors and those associated with other tumors. Methods: Retrospective cohort study including patients with diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors operated at our center. Patients were divided into two groups, according to whether or not they had associated other tumors, both synchronously and metachronously. Disease free survival and overall survival were calculated for both groups. Results: 96 patients were included, 60 (62.5%) were male, with a median age of 66.8 years (35–84). An association with other tumors was found in 33 cases (34.3%); 12 were synchronous (36.3%) and 21 metachronous (63.7%). The presence of mutations in associated tumors was 70% and in non-associated tumors 75%. Associated tumors were classified as low risk tumors based on Fletcher's stratification scale (p=0.001) as they usually were smaller in size and had less than ≤5 mitosis per 50 HPF compared to non-associated tumors. When analyzing overall survival, there were statistically significant differences (p=0.035) between both groups. Conclusion: The relatively high proportion of gastrointestinal stromal tumors cases with associated tumors suggests the need to carry out a study to rule out presence of a second neoplasm and a long-term follow-up should be carried out in order to diagnose a possible second neoplasm. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors associated with other tumors have usually low risk of recurrence with a good long-term prognosis.(AU)

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar si existen diferencias entre los GIST esporádicos y los que se presentan asociados a otros tumores. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes operados de tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) en nuestro centro. Se dividió a los pacientes en función de si presentaban otros tumores asociados o no, de forma sincrónica o metacrónica. La supervivencia libre de enfermedad y la supervivencia global se calcularon en ambos grupos. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 96 pacientes, 60 (62,5%) eran hombres con una media de edad de 66,8 años (35-84). Se encontró una asociación con otros tumores en 33 casos (34,3%); 12 de manera sincrónica (36,3%) y 21 metacrónica (63,7%). La presencia de mutaciones en el grupo de tumores asociados fue de 70% y en el de no asociados de 75%. Los tumores asociados se clasificaron como tumores de bajo riesgo según la escala de Fletcher (p = 0,001), ya que fueron de menor tamaño y presentaron menos de ≤ 5 mitosis por 50 HPF en comparación con los no asociados. Al analizar la supervivencia global, hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos (p = 0,035). Conclusión: La proporción relativamente alta de casos de GIST con tumores asociados sugiere la necesidad de realizar un estudio para descartar la presencia de una segunda neoplasia y, tras el tratamiento de GIST, elaborar un seguimiento a largo plazo para diagnosticar una posible segunda neoplasia. Los GIST asociados a otros tumores suelen tener un riesgo bajo de recurrencia con un buen pronóstico a largo plazo.(AU)

Characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors associated to other tumors: Características de los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal asociados a otras neoplasias.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim is to analyze the differences between sporadic gastrointestinal stromal tumors and those associated with other tumors. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including patients with diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors operated at our center. Patients were divided into two groups, according to whether or not they had associated other tumors, both synchronously and metachronously. Disease free survival and overall survival were calculated for both groups. RESULTS: 96 patients were included, 60 (62.5%) were male, with a median age of 66.8 (35-84). An association with other tumors was found in 33 cases (34.3%); 12 were synchronous (36.3%) and 21 metachronous (63.7%). The presence of mutations in associated tumors was 70% and in non-associated tumors 75%. Associated tumors were classified as low risk tumors based on Fletcher's stratification scale (p = 0.001) as they usually were smaller in size and had less than ≤5 mitosis per 50 HPF compared to non-associated tumors. When analyzing overall survival, there were statistically significant differences (p = 0,035) between both groups. CONCLUSION: The relatively high proportion of gastrointestinal stromal tumors cases with associated tumors suggests the need to carry out a study to rule out presence of a second neoplasm and a long-term follow-up should be carried out in order to diagnose a possible second neoplasm. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors associated with other tumors have usually low risk of recurrence with a good long-term prognosis.

When laparoscopic repair is feasible for diaphragmatic hernia in adults? A retrospective study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia (DH), congenital or traumatic, is uncommon but sometimes can lead to a serious surgical emergency. There are no clinical guidelines or approved recommendations for the management of this condition, and most data are from retrospective, single-institution series. The aim is to analyze the management of the DH at our institution and review the indications for laparoscopic repair. METHODS: A retrospective serie of patients diagnosed of DH with surgical treatment at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Literature review was carried out to establish the current indications of laparoscopic repair in each type of DH. RESULTS: Surgery was carried out in 15 patients with DH, 5 congenital and 10 traumatic hernias. Traumatic hernias were classified as acute (n = 2) and chronic (n = 8). 53.4% of all cases (8 patients) required urgent surgery using an abdominal approach (5 open and 3 laparoscopic) and elective surgery was performed in 46.6% of all cases (7 patients) with an abdominal approach (3 open and 4 laparoscopic) and 2 patients with a combined approach. Primary repair was performed in 4 patients (26.6%), closure and mesh reinforcement in 9 cases (60%) and only mesh placement in 2 patients (13.4%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 20% and 0%, respectively. No recurrences were detected. CONCLUSIONS: DH may pose different scenarios which require urgent or elective surgical treatment. Laparoscopic approach may be a first option in elective surgery; and in emergency setting taking into account hemodynamic stability and associated injuries.

"Magic" of our gastric cancer results on perioperative chemotherapy.

AIM: To determine reproducibility of perioperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer (GC) on our settings by identifying patient's overall survival and comparing them to larger studies. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of our series, where we present our eleven-year's experience on GC managed according to perioperative approach of three preoperative chemotherapy cycles followed by surgery and finally three postoperative chemotherapy cycles. Chemotherapic scheme used was Xelox (Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine). Epidemiologic parameters as well as surgical variables were analysed, presented, and compared to other series with similar approaches. Survival was estimated by Kaplan Meier/log rank method and also compared to these studies. RESULTS: Mean age was 65 years old. Overall survival in our series was 37.7%, similar to other groups using perioperative schemes. Mortality was 4% and morbidity 30%, which are also similar to those groups. Survival curves were compared to larger studies, finding similarities on them. Subgroup survival analysis between chemotherapy responders and non-responders didn't reach statically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Perioperative chemotherapic scheme can be reproduced on our setting with good results and without increasing morbidity or mortality.

Combined Treatment of an Aortoesophageal Fistula After Aortoplasty for Aortic Stenosis.

The aortoesophageal fistula secondary to the rupture of an aneurysm is a rare entity that usually has a fatal outcome. We present the case of a young patient with an aortoesophageal fistula secondary to a thoracic aortic aneurysm successfully treated with a combination of endoscopic and surgical techniques.

Recurrence of esophageal cancer after R0 surgery. Risk factors and evolution.

INTRODUCTION: despite advances in surgical and adjuvant therapy, recurrence in esophageal cancer submitted to R0 surgery remains high. The aim is to define risk factors and recurrence patterns. Additionally, to show the management carried out and the outcome of patients showing recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: observational and prospective study that included 61 patients. Neoadjuvancy therapy was indicated on T3, T4 and N+ tumors and every lymph node dissection was performed in two fields. Recurrence is defined at distance, regional or local, when, recurrence is detected after six months. According to clinical features and the recurrences, a palliative, chemotherapeutic or surgical management was indicated. RESULTS: there were 54 men and the mean age was 59.7 years. The most frequent stage was the IIA and 17 (27.9%) had positive lymph nodes. Thirty (49.2%) had showed recurrence with a median disease-free interval of 10.5 months. The pTNM, the absence of response to the neoadjuvancy and the presence of compromised lymph nodes were found to be risk factors for recurrence. Only the presence of compromised lymph nodes was significant in the multivariate analysis. After diagnosis of the recurrence, median survival was 7 months and 6 subjects survived beyond 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: we confirmed the high incidence of recurrence in esophageal cancer, where the presence of compromised lymph nodes is probably the main risk factor. After the diagnosis of a relapse the prognosis would be bad, however there would be a small subsidiary group for treatment where outcomes would be better.

The influence of advanced age on the morbi-mortality of gastric cancer after curative surgery.

INTRODUCTION: gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Spain after lung, colorectal, breast and prostate tumours. Surgery remains the only potentially curative treatment in localized gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: the aim of our study is to evaluate and compare the clinical and surgical aspects, development of postoperative complications and outcomes of patients over 75 years old compared with younger patients in our centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: comparative retrospective study, from March 2003 to June 2011. We diagnosed 166 cases of GC, 109 (65 %) underwent curative surgery. Two groups were settled: group M: < or = 75 years (41 patients) and group m: < 75 years (68 patients). We analyzed age, sex, comorbidities, tumour location, clinical stage, perioperative chemotherapy, surgical technique, postoperative complications, recurrence and mortality from cancer. RESULTS: a more frequent presence of cardiovascular comorbidities and a greater postoperative mortality by medical causes were the only significant differences between both groups. Also, a lower proportion of patients in group M received preoperative chemotherapy and underwent D1 lymphadenectomy. However, the rate of local and systemic recurrence and overall survival were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: age should not be considered a contraindication for curative surgery on GC. The general condition and comorbidities are more important to contraindicate surgical treatment.