Intra-operative fluorescence angiography is reproducible and reduces the rate of anastomotic leak after colorectal resection for cancer: a prospective case-matched study.

AIM: Intra-operative fluorescence angiography (IOFA) with indocyanine green provides information on tissue perfusion that may help prevent an anastomotic leak (AL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of IOFA on outcomes after left-sided colonic or low anterior resection with anastomosis for colorectal cancer. METHODS: All patients with left-sided colonic or rectal cancer, operated between June 2017 and December 2018, were prospectively included. IOFA has been routinely implemented since May 2018. Reproducibility of IOFA, after a 1:1 matching for relevant clinical risk factors of AL, was studied in patients with IOFA (IOFA+) and without IOFA (IOFA-). Outcomes were compared in terms of postoperative events such as clinically relevant AL as the primary end-point. RESULTS: In the IOFA+ group, changing of the initially planned colon transection due to inadequate perfusion occurred in five out of 46 patients (10.9%). Agreement between intra-operative assessment and postoperative blind review of IOFA was deemed strong (Cohen's kappa index 0.893, 95% CI 0.788-0.998, P < 0.001). Among 111 patients, 42 matched patients were included in each group. There was significantly more clinically relevant AL in the IOFA- group compared to the IOFA+ group (16.7% vs 2.4%, P = 0.026) involving significantly more anastomotic dehiscence which required re-intervention (19% vs 2.4%, P = 0.014). Additionally, more descending colon ischaemia/necrosis was observed in the IOFA- group compared with the IOFA+ group (9.5% vs 0%, P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: In this prospective case-matched study, IOFA decreased the occurrence of clinically relevant AL due to necrosis of the descending colon or anastomosis. Upon blind review, perfusion assessment using IOFA was reproducible.

Bevacizumab improves survival in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases provided the primary tumor is resected first

Background: Multimodal strategy including chemotherapy and hepatectomy is advocated for the management of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy on survival in patients with resected stage IVA colorectal cancer and liver metastases. Methods: Data from 120 consecutive patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for synchronous CRLM were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) was stratified according to administration of Bevacizumab before liver resection and surgical strategy, i.e., classical strategy (primary tumor resection first) versus reverse strategy (liver metastases resection first). Results: Patients who received Bevacizumab (n = 37; 30%) had a higher number of CRLM (p = 0.003) and underwent more often reverse strategy (p = 0.005), as compared to those who did not (n = 83; 70%). Bevacizumab was associated with an improved OS compared with conventional chemotherapy (p = 0.04). After stratifying by the surgical strategy, Bevacizumab was associated with improved OS in patients who had classical strategy (p = 0.03). In contrast, Bevacizumab had no impact on OS among patients who had liver metastases resection first (p = 0.89). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in patients who underwent liver resection of synchronous CRLM, especially in those who underwent primary tumor resection first

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Bevacizumab improves survival in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases provided the primary tumor is resected first.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal strategy including chemotherapy and hepatectomy is advocated for the management of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy on survival in patients with resected stage IVA colorectal cancer and liver metastases. METHODS: Data from 120 consecutive patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for synchronous CRLM were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) was stratified according to administration of Bevacizumab before liver resection and surgical strategy, i.e., classical strategy (primary tumor resection first) versus reverse strategy (liver metastases resection first). RESULTS: Patients who received Bevacizumab (n = 37; 30%) had a higher number of CRLM (p = 0.003) and underwent more often reverse strategy (p = 0.005), as compared to those who did not (n = 83; 70%). Bevacizumab was associated with an improved OS compared with conventional chemotherapy (p = 0.04). After stratifying by the surgical strategy, Bevacizumab was associated with improved OS in patients who had classical strategy (p = 0.03). In contrast, Bevacizumab had no impact on OS among patients who had liver metastases resection first (p = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in patients who underwent liver resection of synchronous CRLM, especially in those who underwent primary tumor resection first.

Multicentre study of the impact of morbidity on long-term survival following hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The impact of morbidity on long-term outcomes following liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is currently unclear. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with curative intent in 24 university hospitals between 1989 and 2009. Severe morbidity was defined as any complication of Dindo-Clavien grade III or IV. Patients with severe morbidity were compared with those without in terms of demographics, pathology, management, morbidity, overall survival, disease-free survival and time to recurrence. Independent predictors of severe morbidity were identified by multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients were enrolled. Severe morbidity occurred in 113 patients (21·6 per cent) and was an independent predictor of overall survival (hazard ratio 1·64, 95 per cent c.i. 1·21 to 2·23), as were age at resection, multifocal disease, positive lymph node status and R0 resection margin. Severe morbidity did not emerge as an independent predictor of disease-free survival. Independent predictors of time to recurrence included severe morbidity, tumour size, multifocal disease, vascular invasion and R0 resection margin. Major hepatectomy and intraoperative transfusion were independent predictors of severe morbidity. CONCLUSION: Severe morbidity adversely affects overall survival following liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Survival after resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma-development and external validation of a prognostic nomogram.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to derive and validate a prognostic nomogram to predict disease-specific survival (DSS) after a curative intent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nomogram was developed from 173 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, USA. The nomogram was externally validated in 133 patients treated at the Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Prognostic accuracy was assessed with concordance estimates and calibration, and compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. The nomogram will be available as web-based calculator at mskcc.org/nomograms. RESULTS: For all 306 patients, the median overall survival (OS) was 40 months and the median DSS 41 months. Median follow-up for patients alive at last follow-up was 48 months. Lymph node involvement, resection margin status, and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors in the derivation cohort (MSKCC). A nomogram with these prognostic factors had a concordance index of 0.73 compared with 0.66 for the AJCC staging system. In the validation cohort (AMC), the concordance index was 0.72, compared with 0.60 for the AJCC staging system. Calibration was good in the derivation cohort; in the validation cohort patients had a better median DSS than predicted by the model. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed nomogram to predict DSS after curative intent resection of PHC had a better prognostic accuracy than the AJCC staging system. Calibration was suboptimal because DSS differed between the two institutions. The nomogram can inform patients and physicians, guide shared decision making for adjuvant therapy, and stratify patients in future randomized, controlled trials.

Isolated hepatic perfusion: principles and results.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated hepatic perfusion allows the delivery of high dose chemotherapy while decreasing extra-hepatic toxicity, and is used mainly for patients with surgically unresectable liver tumors. PRINCIPLES: Vascular exclusion of the liver is performed after obtaining satisfactory hemodynamic tolerance, occasionally after cavocaval shunt and/or porto-systemic shunt. Perfusion entry can be arterial and/or portal while the exit is portal or caval. The perfusion circuit can be open or closed, using a circulation pump with or without oxygenation. The chemotherapy regimens used are high dose melphalan (with or without TNF-alpha), oxaliplatin, cisplatin and mitomycin, sometimes associated with moderate hyperthermia. The duration of perfusion ranges between 30 and 90 minutes according to the different protocols used. A percutaneous technique with incomplete liver vascular exclusion is also possible. RESULTS: The larger series in the literature show a response rate (partial or complete stabilization) between 60 and 80%, with approximately 5% complete morphologic responses. Morbidity and mortality are 40 and 5%, respectively, including specific morbidity related to the perfusion procedure as well as to chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy delivered through isolated hepatic perfusion is a new therapeutic alternative, still under development, and can be proposed to patients with surgically unresectable primary or secondary liver tumors within clinical trials. These results seem to be promising, but are still associated with a non-negligible morbidity rate.

Minimally invasive endogastric removal of migrated gastric band after endoscopic failure: how I do it.

Intragastric band migration is a rare and late complication of laparoscopic -adjustable gastric banding and should be recognized by all digestive surgeons. Endoscopic removal is most commonly performed, but surgery is an alternative in cases of endoscopic failure. Many different procedures have been reported. We show here (see Video) a fully laparoscopic endogastric procedure through two 5-mm antral gastrotomies. This technique can also be used to remove benign endogastric tumors. The procedure is safe and provides a large endogastric operative area, with no particular morbidity. Endogastric removal through a fully laparoscopic approach should be considered as the first alternative to endoscopic approach.