Acute diverticulitis in immunocompromised patients: evidence from an international multicenter observational registry (Web-based International Register of Emergency Surgery and Trauma, Wires-T).

BACKGROUND: Immunocompromised patients with acute diverticulitis are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare clinical presentations, types of treatment, and outcomes between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with acute diverticulitis. METHODS: We compared the data of patients with acute diverticulitis extracted from the Web-based International Registry of Emergency Surgery and Trauma (WIRES-T) from January 2018 to December 2021. First, two groups were identified: medical therapy (A) and surgical therapy (B). Each group was divided into three subgroups: nonimmunocompromised (grade 0), mildly to moderately (grade 1), and severely immunocompromised (grade 2). RESULTS: Data from 482 patients were analyzed-229 patients (47.5%) [M:F = 1:1; median age: 60 (24-95) years] in group A and 253 patients (52.5%) [M:F = 1:1; median age: 71 (26-94) years] in group B. There was a significant difference between the two groups in grade distribution: 69.9% versus 38.3% for grade 0, 26.6% versus 51% for grade 1, and 3.5% versus 10.7% for grade 2 (p < 0.00001). In group A, severe sepsis (p = 0.027) was more common in higher grades of immunodeficiency. Patients with grade 2 needed longer hospitalization (p = 0.005). In group B, a similar condition was found in terms of severe sepsis (p = 0.002), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score > 2 (p = 0.0002), and Mannheim Peritonitis Index (p = 0.010). A Hartmann's procedure is mainly performed in grades 1-2 (p < 0.0001). Major complications increased significantly after a Hartmann's procedure (p = 0.047). Mortality was higher in the immunocompromised patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Immunocompromised patients with acute diverticulitis present with a more severe clinical picture. When surgery is required, immunocompromised patients mainly undergo a Hartmann's procedure. Postoperative morbidity and mortality are, however, higher in immunocompromised patients, who also require a longer hospital stay.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: the dosimetric impact.

PURPOSE: Purposes are (1) to measure main radiation parameters and (2) to propose a method to estimate the absorbed doses of internal organs starting from DAP values. Measuring the exposition of internal organs by repeated irradiations on an anthropomorphic phantom with the same settings used in vivo, we could establish correlations between (1) DAP and the dose recorded by a dosimeter placed along the X-ray beam entrance pathway; (2) the dose recorded by the same dosimeter and the absorbed dose in internal organs. METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients (16 males, 28 females) (mean age 35.4 months) treated at our institution with IAC (216 procedures: 196 via the ICA and 20 into branches of the ECA) were included in this prospective study. IAC was divided into 5 phases. Fluoroscopic time, DAP, and ESD were measured. RESULTS: The mean DAP was 595 ± 445 cGy cm2 and the mean fluoroscopic time was 540 ± 403 s. ESD was on average 9.59 mGy (range 0.8-165 mGy). The absorbed dose was lower than 12.1 mGy in the left retina (the more exposed organ) in 75% of single treatments and lower than 25 mGy in 95% of treatments. In the cases of 3 and 6 sessions, the left retina of 75% of patients absorbed respectively less than 36.3 and 72.7 mGy, whereas the left retina of 95% of patients received less than 75.2 and 150.4 mGy. Other organs were less exposed. CONCLUSION: This paper describes a method of absorbed dose estimation providing ranges used clinically in a single practice and the basis for further prospective studies.

Postoperative results, learning curve, and outcomes of pancreatectomy with arterial resection: a single-center retrospective cohort study on 236 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Newer chemotherapy regimens are reviving the role of pancreatectomy with arterial resection (PAR) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer. However, concerns about the early outcomes and learning curve of PAR remain. This study aimed to define the postoperative results and learning curve of PAR and provide preliminary data on oncologic outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single center's experiences (1993-2023) were retrospectively analyzed to define the postoperative outcomes and learning curve of PAR. Oncologic results were also reported. RESULTS: During the study period 236 patients underwent PAR. Eighty PAR (33.9%) were performed until 2012, and 156 were performed thereafter (66.1%). Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed histologically in 183 patients (77.5%). Induction therapy was delivered to 18 of these patients (31.0%) in the early experience and to 101 patients (80.8%) in the last decade (P<0.0001). The superior mesenteric artery (PAR-SMA), celiac trunk/hepatic artery (PAR-CT/HA), superior mesenteric/portal vein, and inferior vena cava were resected in 95 (40.7%), 138 (59.2%), 189 (80.1%), and 9 (3.8%) patients, respectively. Total gastrectomy was performed in 35 (18.5%) patients. The thirty-day mortality rate was 7.2% and ninety-day mortality rate was 9.7%. The learning curve for mortality was 106 PAR (16.0% vs. 4.6%; odds ratio, OR=0.25 [0.10-0.67], P=0.0055). Comparison between the PAR-SMA and PAR-CT/HA groups showed no differences in severe postoperative complications (25.3% vs. 20.6%), 90-day mortality (12.6% vs. 7.8%), and median overall survival. Vascular invasion was confirmed in 123 patients (67.2%). The median number (interquartile range) of examined lymph nodes was 60.5 (41.3-83) and rate of R0 resection was 66.1% (121/183). Median overall survival for PAR was 20.9 (12.5-42.8) months, for PAR-SMA was 20.2 (14.4-44) months, and for PAR-CT/HA was 20.2 (11.4-42.7). Long-term prognosis improved by study decade (1993-2002: 12.0 [5.4-25.9] months, 2003-2012: 15.1 [9.8-23.4] months, and 2013-present: 26.2 [14.3-51.5] months; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In recent times, PAR is associated with improved outcomes despite a steep learning curve. Pancreatic surgeons should be prepared to face the technical challenge posed by PAR.