PKC-independent PI3K signalling diminishes PKC inhibitor sensitivity in uveal melanoma.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is activated downstream of gain-of-function GNAQ or GNA11 (GNAQ/GNA11) mutations in over 90% of uveal melanoma (UM). Phase I clinical trials of PKC inhibitors have shown modest response rates with no survival benefit in metastatic UM. Although PKC inhibitors actively suppress mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling in UM, the effect on other UM signalling cascades is not well understood. We examined the transcriptome of UM biopsies collected pre- and post-PKC inhibitor therapy and confirmed that MAPK, but not PI3K/AKT signalling, was inhibited early during treatment with the second-generation PKC inhibitor IDE196. Similarly, in GNAQ/GNA11-mutant UM cell models, PKC inhibitor monotherapy effectively suppressed MAPK activity, but PI3K/AKT signalling remained active, and thus, concurrent inhibition of PKC and PI3K/AKT signalling was required to synergistically induce cell death in a panel of GNAQ/GNA11-mutant UM cell lines. We also show that re-activation of MAPK signalling has a dominant role in regulating PKC inhibitor responses in UM and that PI3K/AKT signalling diminishes UM cell sensitivity to PKC inhibitor monotherapy. Thus, combination therapies targeting PKC and PKC-independent signalling nodes, including PI3K/AKT activity, are required to improve responses in patients with metastatic UM.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Australia: a retrospective real world cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To review the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) outside clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study; review of patient records in fifteen Australian institutions. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: All Australian adults with locally advanced or metastatic CSCC not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy treated with ICIs, 5 May 2017 - 23 May 2022, through a cemiplimab compassionate access scheme (Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme) or who personally covered the cost of pembrolizumab prior to the start of the access scheme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best overall response rate (ORR) according to standardised assessment criteria using the hierarchy: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), the modified World Health Organization clinical response criteria, and the Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria (PERCIST 1.0); overall and progression-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 286 people with advanced CSCC received ICI therapy during May 2017 - May 2022 (cemiplimab, 270; pembrolizumab, 16). Their median age was 75.2 years (range, 39.3-97.5 years) and 232 were men (81%); median follow-up time was 12.2 months (interquartile range, 5.5-20.5 months). Eighty-eight people (31%) were immunocompromised, 27 had autoimmune disease, and 59 of 277 (21%) had ECOG performance scores of 2 or 3. The ORR was 60% (166 of 278 evaluable patients): complete responses were recorded for 74 (27%) and partial responses for 92 patients (33%). Twelve-month overall survival was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72-83%); progression-free survival was 65% (95% CI, 58-70%). Poorer ECOG performance status was associated with poorer overall survival (per unit: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.0; 95% CI, 2.0-4.3) and progression-free survival (aHR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.8-3.3), as was being immunocompromised (overall: aHR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0; progression-free: aHR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.7). Fifty-five people (19%) reported immune-related adverse events of grade 2 or higher; there were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: In our retrospective study, the effectiveness and toxicity of ICI therapy were similar to those determined in clinical trials. Our findings suggest that ICIs could be effective and well tolerated by people with advanced CSCC who are ineligible for clinical trials.

Coil or Plug-Assisted Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) Thoracic Duct Embolization in the Treatment of Postoperative Chylothorax.

Eleven patients (5 men, 6 women) with post-operative thoracic duct injuries and high output chylothorax were treated with thoracic duct embolization (TDE). Six patients underwent intraprocedural thoracic duct ligation at the time of original procedure. In all cases, the pleural fluid demonstrated high triglyceride levels (414 mg/dL; interquartile range [IQR], 345 mg/dL). Median daily (IQR) chest tube outputs before and after TDE were 900 mL (1,200 mL) and 325 mL (630 mL), respectively. Coil- or plug-assisted ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer was used as embolic agent in all patients. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 82%, respectively. Nontarget venous embolization of EVOH copolymer was not identified on subsequent imaging.

Case Series: "Silent" Spinal Epidural Metastases in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Spinal epidural metastases (SEM) are an uncommon phenomenon and traditionally occur as a preterminal event in heavily pre-treated patients. The introduction of novel anti-androgen therapies, such as enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate, has greatly improved the survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer but may be changing the pattern of disease. Case Presentation: Four patients diagnosed with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were commenced on enzalutamide prior to chemotherapy. Baseline scans in all patients demonstrated extensive bony disease and lymph node involvement. All patients experienced a moderate initial PSA response to treatment (median PSA at baseline 53.5 ng/mL to median nadir 24.5 ng/mL). In all four cases, clinical presentation of spinal cord compression was unexpected with no prodromal neurological symptoms, PSA levels either stable or slowly rising, and CT scans and whole-body bone scans showing stable disease at other metastatic sites. Whole-spine MRI on presentation of neurological deficits showed epidural and dural metastases on the background of stable bone disease. Spinal cord compression occurred at a median of 11.4 months after starting enzalutamide. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of this change in the pattern of CRPC in patients treated with novel anti-androgen therapy. Onset of "silent" spinal cord compression due to SEM rather than bone metastases, can occur relatively early with minimal warning despite stable disease on PSA and standard imaging. Differential progression in nontraditional sites suggests that research into the androgen microenvironment in a wide range of tissue sites should be undertaken, and may explain why prostate cancer metastasizes preferentially to bone and lymph nodes.

A first-in-human phase 1 study of nofazinlimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in advanced solid tumors and in combination with regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: We assessed nofazinlimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in solid tumors and combined with regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: This phase 1 study comprised nofazinlimab dose escalation (phase 1a) and expansion (phase 1b), and regorafenib dose escalation (80 or 120 mg QD, days 1-21 of 28-day cycles) combined with 300-mg nofazinlimab Q4W (part 2a) to determine safety, efficacy, and RP2D. RESULTS: In phase 1a (N = 21), no dose-limiting toxicity occurred from 1 to 10 mg/kg Q3W, with 200 mg Q3W determined as the monotherapy RP2D. In phase 1b (N = 87), 400-mg Q6W and 200-mg Q3W regimens were found comparable. In part 2a (N = 14), both regimens were deemed plausible RP2Ds. Fatigue was the most frequent treatment-emergent adverse event (AE) in this study. Any-grade and grade 3/4 nofazinlimab-related AEs were 71.4% and 14.3%, 56.3% and 5.7%, and 57.1% and 21.4% in phases 1a, 1b, and part 2a, respectively. ORRs were 14.3% and 25.3% in phases 1a and 1b, respectively. In part 2a, no patients had radiological responses. CONCLUSIONS: Nofazinlimab monotherapy was well tolerated and demonstrated preliminary anti-tumor activity in multiple tumor types. Regorafenib plus nofazinlimab had a manageable safety profile but was not associated with any response in mCRC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTR ATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03475251).

Operator radiation exposure during radioembolisation of the liver: transfemoral versus transradial access using real-time dose monitoring.

In this study, operator radiation exposure is compared utilising transradial access (TRA) versus transfemoral access (TFA) during transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) of liver tumors. Patients who underwent Y90 TARE between May 2017 and April 2018 were included. Electronic medical records and interventional data were collected and the following parameters evaluated: technical success, fluoroscopy time, operator radiation exposure and rate of operator radiation exposure per fluoroscopy time. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. A total of 22 patients (12 males, 10 females) underwent 22 procedures. A total of 12 procedures were performed via TFA and 10 via TRA. Technical success was 100% in both groups. Median fluoroscopy time (10 minutes for TRA vs 6.4 minutes for TFA, p = 0.082) was not statistically different. Both operator radiation exposure (49 vs 4.2 µSv, p = 0.00016) and rate of operator exposure (4.9 vs 0.71 µSv per min, p = 0.00021) were significantly higher in the TRA versus TFA groups, respectively.

Temporary Vascular Occlusion with Retrievable Microvascular Plugs to Protect Normal Liver during Yttrium-90 Radioembolization.

This case series describes a technique to protect nondiseased liver parenchyma during transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using microvascular plugs to occlude nontarget vessels temporarily and protect normal liver. This technique, defined as temporary vascular occlusion, was performed in 6 patients, with complete vessel occlusion obtained in 5 of the 6 patients and partial occlusion with flow reduction in 1 of the 6 patients. A statistically significant (P = .001) dose decrease of 5.7 ± 3.1 times was measured using postadministration yttrium-90 positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the protected zone compared with that in the treated zone.

Correlation of Tumor Response Between Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer recommends a pelvic MRI to assess the response to neoadjuvant therapy for advanced rectal cancers. However, there is no single restaging modality that can identify all patients with complete tumor response. At our institution, we perform both a pelvic MRI and a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) after neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgical resection. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to elucidate the correlation of tumor response between FS and MRI in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. DESIGN: Single institution from 2010 to 2019. Retrospective cohort study comparing local tumor response on FS to MRI utilizing final pathology as the gold standard for comparison. PATIENTS: Patients with confirmed locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (stage II or III) who underwent neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgical intervention and underwent flexible endoscopy and a standardized rectal cancer protocol MRI to evaluate tumor response. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were evaluated. Seven (14%) patients had a complete pathological response. MRI adequately reported 1 (14%), while FS found 4 (57.14%) out of the 7 complete responders. Nevertheless, this did not reach statistical significance (P = .06). On logistic regression analysis, flexible sigmoidoscopy had a 5.5 higher likelihood to report an accurate complete response (OR 5.5, 95% CI: 1.02-29.64; P = .047). CONCLUSIONS: Flexible sigmoidoscopy should be used in conjunction with MRI in the work up of patients who have received neoadjuvant therapy for advanced rectal cancer prior to surgical resection.

Use of Botulinum Toxin Injections for the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure: Results From an American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic anal fissure (CAF) is commonly treated by colorectal surgeons. Pharmacological treatment is considered first-line therapy. An alternative treatment modality is chemical sphincterotomy with injection of botulinum toxin (BT). However, there is a lack of a consensus on the BT administration procedure among colorectal surgeons. METHODS: A national survey approved by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Executive Council was sent to all members. An eight-question survey was sent via ASCRS email correspondence between December 2019 and February 2020. Questions were derived from available meta-analyses and expert opinions on BT use in CAF patients and included topics such as BT dose, injection technique, and concomitant therapies. The survey was voluntary and anonymous, and all ASCRS members were eligible to complete it. Responses were recorded and analyzed via an online survey platform. RESULTS: 216 ASCRS members responded to the survey and 90% inject 50-100U of BT. Most procedures are performed under MAC anesthesia (56%). A majority of respondents (64%) inject into the internal sphincter and a majority (53%) inject into 4 quadrants in the anal canal circumference. Some respondents perform concomitant manual dilatation (34%) or fissurectomy (38%). Concomitant topical muscle relaxing agents are not used uniformly among respondents. DISCUSSION: Injection of BT for CAF is used commonly by colorectal surgeons. There is consensus on BT dosage, administration site, technique, and the use of monitored anesthesia care.

Disparities in Screening for Colorectal Cancer Based on Limited Language Proficiency.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzes the association between limited language proficiency and screening for colorectal cancer. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study from the 2015 sample of the National Health Interview Survey database utilizing univariate and multivariate regression analysis. The study population includes subjects between 50 and 75 years of age. The main outcome analyzed was rates of screening colonoscopies between limited English-language proficiency (LEP) subjects and those fluent in English. Secondary outcomes included analysis of baseline, socioeconomic, access to health care variables, and other modalities for colorectal cancer screening between the groups. RESULTS: Incidence of limited language proficiency was 4.8% (n = 1978, count = 4 453 599). They reported lower rates of screening colonoscopies (61% vs 34%, P < .001), less physician recommendation for a colonoscopy (87 vs 60%, P < .001), fewer polyps removed in the previous 3 years (24% vs 9.1%; P < .001), and fewer fecal occult blood samples overall (P < .001). Additionally, Hispanic non-LEP subjects have higher rates of colonoscopies compared to those with language barriers (50% vs 33%, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, LEP was associated with a lower likelihood to have a screening colonoscopy (OR .67 95% CI .49-.91). A second regression model with "Spanish language" and "other language" variables included, associated Spanish speakers with a lower likelihood for a screening colonoscopy (OR .71 95% CI .52-.97) when controlling for baseline, socioeconomic, and access to health care covariates. DISCUSSION: Patients with limited English-language proficiency are associated with lower rates of screening for colorectal cancer, in particular the Spanish speaking subgroup.

Importance of catecholamine signaling in the development of platelet exhaustion after traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Impaired ex vivo platelet aggregation is common in trauma patients. The mechanisms driving these impairments remain incompletely understood, but functional platelet exhaustion due to excessive in vivo activation is implicated. Given platelet adrenoreceptors and known catecholamine surges after injury, impaired ex vivo platelet aggregation in trauma patients may be linked to catecholamine-induced functional platelet exhaustion. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of catecholamines with platelet-dependent hemostasis after injury and to model catecholamine-induced functional platelet exhaustion in healthy donor platelets. PATIENTS/METHODS: Whole blood was collected from 67 trauma patients as part of a prospective cohort study. Platelet aggregometry and rotational thromboelastometry were performed, and plasma epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were measured. The effect of catecholamines on healthy donor platelets was examined in a microfluidic model, with platelet aggregometry, and by flow cytometry examining surface markers of platelet activation. RESULTS: In trauma patients, EPI and NE were associated with impaired platelet aggregation (both p < 0.05), and EPI was additionally associated with decreased viscoelastic clot strength, increased fibrinolysis, and mortality (all p < 0.05). In healthy donors, short duration incubation with EPI enhanced platelet aggregation, platelet adhesion under flow, and increased glycoprotein IIb/IIIa activation, while weaker effects were observed with NE. Compared with short incubation, longer incubation with EPI resulted in decreased platelet adhesion, platelet aggregation, and surface expression of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest sympathoadrenal activation in trauma patients contributes to impaired ex vivo platelet aggregation, which mechanistically may be explained by a functionally exhausted platelet phenotype under prolonged exposure to high plasma catecholamine levels.

Protein kinase inhibitor responses in uveal melanoma reflects a diminished dependency on PKC-MAPK signaling.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare cancer arising from melanocytes in the uveal tract of the eye. Despite effective primary treatment, there is no approved therapy for metastatic UM and prognosis and survival remain poor. Over 90% of UM are driven by mutations affecting the Gα subunits encoded by the GNAQ and GNA11 genes. These mutations activate downstream and targetable signaling pathways, including the protein kinase C (PKC) cascade. PKC inhibitors have been used in clinical trials for metastatic UM but have shown limited efficacy. In this study, we examined the signaling and functional effects of two PKC inhibitors (AEB071 and IDE196) in a panel of UM cell models. In response to PKC inhibition, all UM cell lines showed potent suppression of PKC activity, but this was not sufficient to predict PKC inhibitor sensitivity and only two UM cell lines showed substantial PKC inhibitor-induced cell death. The differences in UM cell responses to PKC inhibition were not attributable to the degree or timing of PKC suppression or inhibition of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. Instead, UM cell show complex, PKC-independent signaling pathways that contribute to their survival and resistance to targeted therapies.

Clinical Models to Define Response and Survival With Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Alone or Combined With Ipilimumab in Metastatic Melanoma.

PURPOSE: Currently, there are no robust biomarkers that predict immunotherapy outcomes in metastatic melanoma. We sought to build multivariable predictive models for response and survival to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) monotherapy or in combination with anticytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte-4 (ipilimumab [IPI]; anti-PD-1 ± IPI) by including routine clinical data available at the point of treatment initiation. METHODS: One thousand six hundred forty-four patients with metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1 ± IPI at 16 centers from Australia, the United States, and Europe were included. Demographics, disease characteristics, and baseline blood parameters were analyzed. The end points of this study were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The final predictive models for ORR, PFS, and OS were determined through penalized regression methodology (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method) to select the most significant predictors for all three outcomes (discovery cohort, N = 633). Each model was validated internally and externally in two independent cohorts (validation-1 [N = 419] and validation-2 [N = 592]) and nomograms were created. RESULTS: The final model for predicting ORR (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.71) in immunotherapy-treated patients included the following clinical parameters: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, presence/absence of liver and lung metastases, serum lactate dehydrogenase, blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, therapy (monotherapy/combination), and line of treatment. The final predictive models for PFS (AUC = 0.68) and OS (AUC = 0.77) included the same variables as those in the ORR model (except for presence/absence of lung metastases), and included presence/absence of brain metastases and blood hemoglobin. Nomogram calculators were developed from the clinical models to predict outcomes for patients with metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1 ± IPI. CONCLUSION: Newly developed combinations of routinely collected baseline clinical factors predict the response and survival outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immunotherapy and may serve as valuable tools for clinical decision making.

Outcomes after ultramassive transfusion in the modern era: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread institution of modern massive transfusion protocols with balanced blood product ratios, survival for patients with traumatic hemorrhage receiving ultramassive transfusion (UMT) (defined as ≥20 U of packed red blood cells [RBCs]) in 24 hours) remains low and resource consumption remains high. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors associated with mortality in trauma patients receiving UMT in the modern resuscitation era. METHODS: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter retrospective study of 461 trauma patients from 17 trauma centers who received ≥20 U of RBCs in 24 hours was performed (2014-2019). Multivariable logistic regression and Classification and Regression Tree analysis were used to identify clinical characteristics associated with mortality. RESULTS: The 461 patients were young (median age, 35 years), male (82%), severely injured (median Injury Severity Score, 33), in shock (median shock index, 1.2; base excess, -9), and transfused a median of 29 U of RBCs, 22 U of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and 24 U of platelets (PLT). Mortality was 46% at 24 hours and 65% at discharge. Transfusion of RBC/FFP ≥1.5:1 or RBC/PLT ≥1.5:1 was significantly associated with mortality, most pronounced for the 18% of patients who received both RBC/PLT and RBC/FFP ≥1.5:1 (odds ratios, 3.11 and 2.81 for mortality at 24 hours and discharge; both p < 0.01). Classification and Regression Tree identified that age older than 50 years, low initial Glasgow Coma Scale, thrombocytopenia, and resuscitative thoracotomy were associated with low likelihood of survival (14-26%), while absence of these factors was associated with the highest survival (71%). CONCLUSION: Despite modern massive transfusion protocols, one half of trauma patients receiving UMT are transfused with either RBC/FFP or RBC/PLT in unbalanced ratios ≥1.5:1, with increased associated mortality. Maintaining focus on balanced ratios during UMT is critical, and consideration of advanced age, poor initial mental status, thrombocytopenia, and resuscitative thoracotomy can aid in prognostication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level III.

Circulating Tumor DNA Reflects Uveal Melanoma Responses to Protein Kinase C Inhibition.

The prognosis for patients with UM is poor, and recent clinical trials have failed to prolong overall survival (OS) of these patients. Over 95% of UM harbor activating driver mutations, and this allows for the investigation of ctDNA. In this study, we investigated the value of ctDNA for adaptive clinical trial design in metastatic UM. Longitudinal plasma samples were analyzed for ctDNA in 17 metastatic UM patients treated with PKCi-based therapy in a phase 1 clinical trial setting. Plasma ctDNA was assessed using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) and a custom melanoma gene panel for targeted next generation sequencing (NGS). Baseline ctDNA strongly correlated with baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.001) and baseline disease burden (p = 0.002). Early during treatment (EDT) ctDNA accurately predicted patients with clinical benefit to PKCi using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC 0.84, [95% confidence interval 0.65-1.0, p = 0.026]). Longitudinal ctDNA assessment was informative for establishing clinical benefit and detecting disease progression with 7/8 (88%) of patients showing a rise in ctDNA and targeted NGS of ctDNA revealed putative resistance mechanisms prior to radiological progression. The inclusion of longitudinal ctDNA monitoring in metastatic UM can advance adaptive clinical trial design.

Immunomodulatory lipid mediator profiling of cerebrospinal fluid following surgery in older adults.

Arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) derived lipids play key roles in initiating and resolving inflammation. Neuro-inflammation is thought to play a causal role in perioperative neurocognitive disorders, yet the role of these lipids in the human central nervous system in such disorders is unclear. Here we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantify AA, DHA, and EPA derived lipid levels in non-centrifuged cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), centrifuged CSF pellets, and centrifuged CSF supernatants of older adults obtained before, 24 h and 6 weeks after surgery. GAGE analysis was used to determine AA, DHA and EPA metabolite pathway changes over time. Lipid mediators derived from AA, DHA and EPA were detected in all sample types. Postoperative lipid mediator changes were not significant in non-centrifuged CSF (p > 0.05 for all three pathways). The AA metabolite pathway showed significant changes in centrifuged CSF pellets and supernatants from before to 24 h after surgery (p = 0.0000247, p = 0.0155 respectively), from before to 6 weeks after surgery (p = 0.0000497, p = 0.0155, respectively), and from 24 h to 6 weeks after surgery (p = 0.0000499, p = 0.00363, respectively). These findings indicate that AA, DHA, and EPA derived lipids are detectable in human CSF, and the AA metabolite pathway shows postoperative changes in centrifuged CSF pellets and supernatants.

Feasibility assessment of outpatient colorectal resections at a tertiary referral center.

PURPOSE: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, particularly when paired with advanced laparoscopy, have reduced recovery time following colorectal procedures. The aim of this study was to determine if length of stay (LOS) could be reduced to an overnight observation stay (< 24 h) with comparable perioperative morbidity. The secondary aim was to establish predictive factors contributing to early discharge. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all colectomies at a tertiary care center between January 2016 and January 2019. Inclusion criteria included all colorectal resections with varying surgical approaches. Patients underwent a standardized ERAS protocol. A logistical regression model was conducted for predictive factors. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty patients were included (55.3% female). Of these, 78 (21.7%) patients were discharged within < 24 h and 112 (31.1%) were discharged within 24-48 h. The remainder comprised the > 48 h group. Age differed significantly between the < 24 h and 24-48 h groups (p < 0.0001). Patients discharged within 24 h were younger (59.4 ± 12.3 years), had a lower CCI score (3.1; p = 0.0026), and lower ASA class (p < 0.0001). Emergency department visits (p = 0.3329) and readmissions (p = 0.6453) prior to POD 30 remained comparable among all groups. Younger age, low ASA, and minimally invasive surgical approach all contributed to ultra-fast discharge. CONCLUSION: ERAS protocols may allow for discharge within 24 h following a major colorectal resection, all with low perioperative morbidity and mortality. The predictive factors for discharge within 24 h include a low ASA (I or II), and a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols. Does Frailty Play a Role?

INTRODUCTION: The 5-modified frailty index (mFI) is a valid predictor of 30-day mortality after surgery. With the wide implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in colorectal patients, the predictive power of frailty and its contribution to morbidity and length of stay (LOS) can be underestimated. METHODS: We reviewed all colectomy patients undergoing ERAS protocol at a single, tertiary care institution from January 2016-January 2019. The 5-mFI score was calculated based on the presence of 5 comorbidities: Congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, functional status, and hypertension (HTN). Multivariate analysis was used to assess the impact of 5-mFI score on morbidity, emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and LOS. RESULTS: 360 patients were evaluated including 163 elderly patients. Frailer patients had a higher rate of ED visits (P = .024), readmissions (P = .029), and LOS (P < .001). Patients with CHF had a higher chance of prolonged LOS, whereas patients with HTN had a higher chance of ED. Elderly patients with an mFI score of 3 and 4 were likely to have longer LOS (P = .01, P = .07, respectively). Elderly patients with an mFI score of 4 were 15 times more likely to visit ED and 22 times more likely to be readmitted than patients with an mFI score of 0. DISCUSSION: An increase in 5-mFI for elderly patients undergoing colorectal procedures increases ED visits or readmissions, and it correlates to a higher LOS, especially in elderly patients. This instrument should be used in the assessment of frail, elderly patients undergoing colorectal procedures.