Oncologic aspects of the decision-making process for surgical approach for colorectal liver metastases progressing during chemotherapy.

Colorectal cancer represents the third most diagnosed malignancy in the world. The liver is the main site of metastatic disease, affected in 30% of patients with newly diagnosed disease. Complete resection is considered the only potentially curative treatment for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), with a 5-year survival rate ranging from 35% to 58%. However, up to 80% of patients have initially unresectable disease, due to extrahepatic disease or bilobar multiple liver nodules. The availability of increasingly effective systemic chemotherapy has contributed to converting patients with initially unresectable liver metastases to resectable disease, improving long-term outcomes, and accessing tumor biology. In recent years, response to preoperative systemic chemotherapy before liver resection has been established as a major prognostic factor. Some studies have demonstrated that patients with regression of hepatic metastases while on chemotherapy have improved outcomes when compared to patients with stabilization or progression of the disease. Even if disease progression during chemotherapy represents an independent negative prognostic factor, some patients may still benefit from surgery, given the role of this modality as the main treatment with curative intent for patients with CRLM. In selected cases, based on size, the number of lesions, and tumor markers, surgery may be offered despite the less favorable prognosis and as an option for non-chemo responders.

Counter-Clockwise Approach for Robotic Pylorus-Preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: This multi-media article aims to describe a counter-clockwise approach for pancreatoduodenectomy (CCA-PD) in robotic surgery. METHODS: A CCA-PD was used as a strategy for robotic surgery to treat a 69-year-old woman without comorbidities who presented a ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas (2.7 cm) in contact with the portal vein (less than 180°), preoperatively treated with FOLFIRINOX. The procedure was entirely done in the abdominal right upper quadrant (RUQ) following the main steps of CCA-PD resection: section of the first portion of the duodenum; biliary duct transection; Kocherization of the duodenum and retropancreatic lymphadenectomy; section of the jejunum; portal vein dissection; transection of the pancreas and uncinate detachment. The reconstruction also followed the counter-clockwise direction with a single jejunal loop with end-to-side anastomoses: pancreato-jejunal; choledoco-jejunal; duodenojejunal. RESULTS: The total operation time was 435 min, and the estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The postoperative course was uneventful without complications, with hospital discharge on the fifth postoperative day. The final pathology was ductal adenocarcinoma (G2), ypT2ypN2 (07/31), with negative surgical margins. DISCUSSION: The entire surgery happens in a unique surgical field, the RUQ, which saves time by avoiding unnecessary mobilization of the bowel and favors a layer-by-layer dissection with enough space for both dissections and sutures on each step of the procedure and improving bleeding control if necessary.

Does neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma increase postoperative morbidity? A systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis.

Neoadjuvant treatment (NT) for pancreatic head cancer may allow some patients to undergo curative resection, but its impact on postoperative complications remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare overall postoperative morbidity, pancreatic fistula, and mortality between patients who underwent upfront surgery and those who underwent neoadjuvant therapy first. Forty-five studies with 3359 patients were included. No significant differences in morbidity and mortality rates associated with NT for pancreatic head cancer were detected in this study.

Disappearing colorectal liver metastases: Strategies for the management of patients achieving a radiographic complete response after systemic chemotherapy.

The mainstays of treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) are surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic benefits of tumor shrinkage and systemic control of micrometastases are in part counterbalanced by chemotoxicity that can modify the liver parenchyma, jeopardizing the detection of CRLM. This review addresses the clinical decision-making process in the context of radiographic and pathologic responses, the preoperative imaging workup, and the approaches to the liver for CRLM, which disappear after systemic chemotherapy.

Aumento mamário por meio da incisão da abdominoplastia: estudo prospectivo de 100 casos / Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach: a prospective study of 100 cases

INTRODUÇÃO: A gravidez e a obesidade causam distensão da parede abdominal e também produzem mudanças na forma e no tamanho das mamas. Assim, não é incomum a necessidade de melhoria estética da área abdominal, coincidindo com o desejo de aumento de mama. A mamoplastia utilizando a mesma incisão da abdominoplastia foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1976. Em decorrência da falta de estudos prospectivos empregando essa abordagem, os autores realizaram uma série de dermolipectomias usando a incisão abdominal para inserir o par de implantes mamários de silicone gel. MÉTODO: Cem pacientes consecutivas foram selecionadas, com média de idade de 33 ± 2 anos. A abdominoplastia clássica foi realizada e, em seguida, confeccionados 2 túneis sobre os hipocôndrios direito e esquerdo. Após colocação dos implantes, foi realizada reconstrução do sulco mamário com pontos simples usando fios absorvíveis, fixando o subcutâneo à aponeurose. RESULTADOS: Não houve nenhuma das seguintes complicações: trombose venosa profunda, complicações cardiorrespiratórias ou anestésicas, necrose de pele, sangramento visível, e hematoma ou infecção detectáveis clinicamente. O volume dos implantes variou de 280 ml a 450 ml (mediana de 350 ml). O tempo médio de operação foi de 116 minutos. Em nenhum caso foi necessária reoperação. O período de acompanhamento mínimo foi de 9 meses e máximo, de 84 meses (média de 36 meses). CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de aumento mamário por meio da incisão da abdominoplastia se mostrou confiável e simples, constituindo uma nova opção para a cirurgia mamária sem cicatriz nas mamas.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy and obesity cause distension of the abdominal wall and produce changes in the shape and size of the breasts. Thus, the need of aesthetic improvement of the abdominal area is not uncommon, coinciding with the desire for breast augmentation. Performing mammoplasty via the abdominoplasty incision approach was first described in 1976. Because of the lack of prospective studies using this approach, we performed a series of dermolipectomy procedures using the abdominal incision to insert a pair of silicone gel breast implants. METHODS: In total, 100 consecutive patients were selected, with a mean age of 33 ± 2 years. Classic abdominoplasty was performed, and 2 tunnels were then made in the right and left hypochondria. After implant placement, the mammary fold was reconstructed using simple sutures with absorbable threads to attach the subcutaneous tissue to the aponeurosis. RESULTS: None of the following complications were observed: deep-vein thrombosis, cardiorespiratory or anesthetic complications, skin necrosis, visible bleeding, hematoma, or clinically detectable infection. The volume of the implants ranged from 280 to 450 mL (median, 350 mL). The mean operation time was 116 minutes. Reoperation was not necessary in any of the cases. The monitoring period ranged from 9 to 84 months (mean, 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach was demonstrated to be a reliable and simple technique, providing a new, scar-free alternative to mammary surgical procedures.