Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: ATRX/DAXX and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) are prognostically independent from ARX/PDX1 expression and tumour size.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have found aristaless-related homeobox gene (ARX)/pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX)/death domain-associated protein (DAXX) and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to be promising prognostic biomarkers for non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PanNETs). However, they have not been comprehensively evaluated, especially among small NF-PanNETs (≤2.0 cm). Moreover, their status in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) from other sites remains unknown. DESIGN: An international cohort of 1322 NETs was evaluated by immunolabelling for ARX/PDX1 and ATRX/DAXX, and telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridisation for ALT. This cohort included 561 primary NF-PanNETs, 107 NF-PanNET metastases and 654 primary, non-pancreatic non-functional NETs and NET metastases. The results were correlated with numerous clinicopathological features including relapse-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: ATRX/DAXX loss and ALT were associated with several adverse prognostic findings and distant metastasis/recurrence (p<0.001). The 5-year RFS rates for patients with ATRX/DAXX-negative and ALT-positive NF-PanNETs were 40% and 42% as compared with 85% and 86% for wild-type NF-PanNETs (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Shorter 5-year RFS rates for ≤2.0 cm NF-PanNETs patients were also seen with ATRX/DAXX loss (65% vs 92%, p=0.003) and ALT (60% vs 93%, p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, ATRX/DAXX and ALT status were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Conversely, classifying NF-PanNETs by ARX/PDX1 expression did not independently correlate with RFS. Except for 4% of pulmonary carcinoids, ATRX/DAXX loss and ALT were only identified in primary (25% and 29%) and NF-PanNET metastases (62% and 71%). CONCLUSIONS: ATRX/DAXX and ALT should be considered in the prognostic evaluation of NF-PanNETs including ≤2.0 cm tumours, and are highly specific for pancreatic origin among NET metastases of unknown primary.

Induction therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE procures long-term survival in locally advanced or oligometastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm patients.

PURPOSE: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE induces objective response in up to 57% of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs). Therefore, PRRT may comprise a downstaging option for panNEN patients who are not eligible for upfront curative surgery or are at high risk for recurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the potency of induction PRRT for locally advanced panNENs and to evaluate the effect of surgery after PRRT on overall survival (OS). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of panNEN patients treated with induction 177Lu-DOTATATE. RESULTS: After PRRT, 26 out of 49 patients underwent pancreatic surgery with curative intent (PRRT + surgery). Partial objective response was obtained in 62% of the PRRT + surgery group versus 26% of the patients not undergoing panNEN surgery (PRRT-only group, p = 0.02). Downstaging in tumour-vessel interface was observed in 38% of all patients with at least one involved vessel. Median OS was 14.7 years (95% CI 5.9-23.6) for the PRRT + surgery group compared to 5.5 years (95% CI 4.5-6.5) for the PRRT-only group (p = 0.003). In the Cox proportional hazards analysis, surgery was not significantly associated with OS after propensity score adjustment with cumulative activity, performance status, tumour size after PRRT, and tumour grade. Median progression-free survival was 5.3 years (95% CI 2.4-8.1) for the PRRT + surgery group and 3.0 years (95% CI 1.6-4.4) for the PRRT-only group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Early administration of PRRT followed by surgery is associated with favourable long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced or oligometastatic panNEN and can be considered for selected patients with vascular involvement and/or increased risk of recurrence.

Endoscopic management of subepithelial lesions including neuroendocrine neoplasms: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline.

1: ESGE recommends endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as the best tool to characterize subepithelial lesion (SEL) features (size, location, originating layer, echogenicity, shape), but EUS alone is not able to distinguish among all types of SEL.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 2: ESGE suggests providing tissue diagnosis for all SELs with features suggestive of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) if they are of size > 20 mm, or have high risk stigmata, or require surgical resection or oncological treatment.Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence. 3: ESGE recommends EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) or mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) equally for tissue diagnosis of SELs ≥ 20 mm in size.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 4: ESGE recommends against surveillance of asymptomatic gastrointestinal (GI) tract leiomyomas, lipomas, heterotopic pancreas, granular cell tumors, schwannomas, and glomus tumors, if the diagnosis is clear.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 5: ESGE suggests surveillance of asymptomatic esophageal and gastric SELs without definite diagnosis, with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at 3-6 months, and then at 2-3-year intervals for lesions < 10 mm in size, and at 1-2-year intervals for lesions 10-20 mm in size. For asymptomatic SELs > 20 mm in size that are not resected, ESGE suggests surveillance with EGD plus EUS at 6 months and then at 6-12-month intervals.Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence. 6: ESGE recommends endoscopic resection for type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) if they grow larger than 10 mm. The choice of resection technique should depend on size, depth of invasion, and location in the stomach.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. 7: ESGE suggests considering removal of histologically proven gastric GISTs smaller than 20 mm as an alternative to surveillance. The decision to resect should be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. The choice of technique should depend on size, location, and local expertise.Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence. 8: ESGE suggests that, to avoid unnecessary follow-up, endoscopic resection is an option for gastric SELs smaller than 20 mm and of unknown histology after failure of attempts to obtain diagnosis.Weak recommendation, very low quality evidence. 9: ESGE recommends basing the surveillance strategy on the type and completeness of resection. After curative resection of benign SELs no follow-up is advised, except for type 1 gastric NEN for which surveillance at 1-2 years is advised.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. 10: For lower or upper GI NEN with a positive or indeterminate margin at resection, ESGE recommends repeating endoscopy at 3-6 months and another attempt at endoscopic resection in the case of residual disease.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

Impact of family visit restrictions due to COVID-19 policy on patient outcomes: A cohort study.

AIM: To investigate the impact of family visit restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on deliriums, falls, pneumonia, pressure ulcers and readmissions among surgical inpatients with gastrointestinal (oncologic) diseases. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: This study was conducted among adult inpatients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in two academic hospitals. During the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, over a 10-week period, one cohort was subjected to family visit restrictions. Per patient, one person per day was allowed to visit for a maximum of 30 min. This cohort was compared with another cohort in which patients were not subjected to such restrictions during a 10-week period in 2019. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of the restrictions on deliriums, falls, pneumonia, pressure ulcers and readmissions. RESULTS: In total, 287 patients were included in the 2020 cohort and 243 in the 2019 cohort. No differences were observed in the cohorts with respect to baseline characteristics. Logistic regression analyses showed no significant differences in deliriums, falls, pneumonia, pressure ulcers and readmissions between the cohorts. CONCLUSION: We cautiously conclude that the family visit restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not contribute to deliriums, falls, pneumonia, pressure ulcers or readmissions in surgical patients with gastrointestinal (oncologic) diseases. IMPACT: COVID-19 influenced family-centred care due to family visit restrictions. Nurses need to continue monitoring outcomes known to be sensitive to family-centred care to gain insight into the effects of visit restrictions and share the results in order to include nurses' perspectives in COVID-19-decision-making. Re-implementing of family visit restrictions should be carefully considered in policy-making.

Family involvement on nursing wards and the role conflicts experienced by surgical nurses: A multicentre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine among surgical nurses whether work-role conflict, work-role ambiguity, respect, distress and trust in collaboration due to interactions with family caregivers in the nursing ward are associated with the quality of contact with patients and their families. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2020. Surgical nurses completed a questionnaire recording work-role conflict, work-role ambiguity, sense of respect, distress, trust in collaboration and quality of contact with patients and their families. Data were analysed using correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and mediation regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 135 nurses completed the questionnaire. The correlation analysis showed significant correlations between nurses' impaired quality of contact with patients and their families and nurses' work-role conflicts, work-role ambiguity, trust in collaboration and distress (p < 0.05). The multiple regression analyses corroborated that work-role conflict and distress were significantly and positively associated with impaired quality of contact. Furthermore, mediation regression analysis showed that work-role conflict was associated indirectly and significantly with quality of contact through distress. CONCLUSION: Work-role conflict due to having family caregivers involved in the care of hospitalised patients is significantly associated with nurses' distress and quality of contact with patients and their families.

Value of Laparoscopy for Resection of Small-Bowel Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Including Central Mesenteric Lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Literature on laparoscopic resection of small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms consists of single case descriptions or small selected case-series only, likely because of challenging mesenteric lymphadenectomy. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated an institutional change in approach from open to laparoscopic resection of small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasm independent from lymph node involvement. DESIGN: This is a retrospective comparative cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms were included. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic or open segmental bowel resection with central mesenteric lymphadenectomy was the studied intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complexity of lymphadenectomy was assessed by determining the distance between suspect lymph nodes and main mesenteric branches on preoperative CT. Number of (tumor-positive) lymph nodes, conversion to open surgery, and postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification and length of stay were measured. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were identified, of whom 11 (32%) underwent open and 23 (68%) laparoscopic surgery. Distances between lymph nodes and main mesenteric branches and number of examined and tumor-positive lymph nodes did not differ significantly. Laparoscopy was converted in 7 patients (30%). Major postoperative complications (grades 3-5) occurred in 1 patient (9%) in the open surgery group (grade 5) and 2 patients (9%) in the laparoscopic surgery group (grade 3b). The length of stay was 8 days (range, 6-18 d) in the open surgery group and 4 days (4-8 d) in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.036). LIMITATIONS: Long-term outcomes could not reliably be assessed because of the relatively short follow-up time of the laparoscopy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic bowel resection with central mesenteric lymphadenectomy for small-bowel neuroendocrine neoplasm appears safe and associated with similar pathologic outcome and shorter length of stay in the setting of a tertiary referral center. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B512. VALOR DE LA LAPAROSCOPIA PARA LA RESECCIN DE NEOPLASIAS NEUROENDOCRINAS DEL INTESTINO DELGADO, INCLUIDA LA LINFADENECTOMA MESENTRICA CENTRAL: ANTECEDENTES:La literatura sobre la resección laparoscópica de neoplasias neuroendocrinas del intestino delgado consiste en descripciones de casos únicos o en series de pequeños casos seleccionados, probablemente debido a la dificultad de la linfadenectomía mesentérica.OBJETIVO:Evaluamos un cambio institucional en el enfoque de la resección abierta a laparoscópica de SB-NEN independientemente de la afectación de los ganglios linfáticos.DISEÑO:Este es un estudio de cohorte comparativo retrospectivo.AJUSTE:Este estudio se realizó en un centro de referencia terciario.PACIENTES:Pacientes con neoplasias neuroendocrinas de intestino delgado.INTERVENCIONES:Resección intestinal segmentaria laparoscópica o abierta con linfadenectomía mesentérica central.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La complejidad de la linfadenectomía se evaluó determinando la distancia entre los ganglios linfáticos sospechosos y las principales ramas mesentéricas en la TC preoperatoria. Número de ganglios linfáticos (tumor positivos), conversión a cirugía abierta, complicaciones postoperatorias según Clavien-Dindo y duración de la estancia.RESULTADOS:Se identificaron 34 pacientes, de los cuales 11 (32%) fueron sometidos a cirugía abierta y 23 (68%) laparoscópica. Las distancias entre los ganglios linfáticos y las principales ramas mesentéricas y el número de ganglios linfáticos examinados y con tumores positivos no difirieron significativamente. La laparoscopia se convirtió en 7 pacientes (30%). Se produjeron complicaciones posoperatorias importantes (grados 3-5) en un paciente (9%) en el grupo de cirugía abierta (grado 5) y en 2 (9%) pacientes en el grupo de cirugía laparoscópica (grado 3b). La estancia intrahospitalaria fue de 8 días (rango 6-18) en el grupo de cirugía abierta y 4 días (4-8) en el grupo laparoscópico (p = 0.036).LIMITACIONES:Los resultados a largo plazo no se pudieron evaluar de manera confiable debido al seguimiento relativamente corto del grupo de laparoscopia.CONCLUSIONES:La resección intestinal laparoscópica con linfadenectomía mesentérica central para SB-NEN parece segura y se asocia con un resultado patológico similar y una estadía más corta en el contexto de un centro de referencia terciario. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B512.

Risk of perioperative thyroid storm in hyperthyroid patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid storm is a feared complication in patients with hyperthyroidism undergoing surgery. We assessed the risk of thyroid storm for different preoperative treatment options for patients with primary hyperthyroidism undergoing surgery. METHODS: Pubmed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library were searched systematically for all studies reporting on adult hyperthyroid patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Selected studies were categorised based on preoperative treatment: no treatment, antithyroid medication (thionamides), iodine, ß-blocking medication, or a combination thereof. Treatment effect, that is restoring euthyroidism, was extracted from the publications if available. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) or the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomised studies. RESULTS: The search yielded 7009 articles, of which 26 studies published between 1975 and 2020 were selected for critical appraisal. All studies had moderate to critical risk of bias, mainly attributable to risk of confounding, classification of intervention status, and definition of the outcome. All studies reported on thyroidectomy patients. We found no randomised studies comparing the risk of thyroid storm between treated and untreated patients. Cases of thyroid storm were reported in all treatment groups with incidences described ranging from 0% to 14%. CONCLUSION: Evidence assessing the risk of perioperative thyroid storm is of insufficient quality. Given the seriousness of this complication and the impossibility of identifying patients at increased risk, preoperative treatment of these patients remains warranted.

Evaluating Nationwide Application of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Treatment of Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

AIM: Open resection of small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms (SB-NEN) is still considered standard-of-care, mainly because of frequently encountered multifocality and central mesenteric masses. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical approach for SB-NEN at a national level and determine predictors for overall survival. METHODS: Patients with SB-NEN who underwent resection between 2005 and 2015 were included from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between laparoscopic and open approach. Overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and compared with the Log-rank test. Independent predictors were determined by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: In total, 482 patients were included, of whom 342 (71%) underwent open and 140 (29%) laparoscopic resection. The open resection group had significantly more multifocal tumors resected (24% vs. 14%), pN2 lymph nodes (18% vs. 7%) and stage IV disease (36% vs. 22%). Overall survival after open resection was significantly shorter compared to laparoscopic resection (3-year: 81% vs. 89%, 5-year: 71% vs. 84%, p = 0.004). In multivariable analysis, age above 60-years (60-75, HR 3.38 (95% CI 1.84-6.23); > 75 years, HR 7.63 (95% CI 3.86-15.07)), stage IV disease (HR 1.86 (95% CI 1.18-2.94)) and a laparoscopic approach (HR 0.51 (95% CI 0.28-0.94)) were independently associated with overall survival, whereas multifocal primary tumor, grade and resection margin status were not. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection was the approach in 29% of SB-NEN at a national level with selection of the more favorable patients. Laparoscopic resection remained independently associated with better overall survival besides age and stage, but residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Outcomes of parathyroidectomy versus calcimimetics for secondary hyperparathyroidism and kidney transplantation: a propensity-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: Calcimimetics are currently indicated for severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). However, the role of parathyroidectomy (PTX) for these patients is still under debate, and its impact on subsequent kidney transplantation (KTX) is unclear. In this study, we compare the outcomes of kidney transplantation after PTX or medical treatment. METHODS: Patients who underwent KTX and had SHPT were analyzed retrospectively. Two groups were selected (patients who had either PTX or calcimimetics prior to KTX) using a propensity score for sex, age, donor type, and parathyroid hormone levels (PTH) during dialysis. The primary outcome was graft failure, and secondary outcomes were surgical KTX complications, survival, serum PTH, serum calcium, and serum phosphate levels post-KTX. RESULTS: Matching succeeded for 92 patients. After PTX, PTH was significantly lower on the day of KTX as well as at 1 and 3 years post-KTX (14.00 pmol/L (3.80-34.00) vs. 71.30 pmol/L (30.70-108.30), p < 0.01, 10.10 pmol/L (2.00-21.00) vs. 32.35 pmol/L (21.58-51.76), p < 0.01 and 13.00 pmol/L (6.00-16.60) vs. 19.25 pmol/L (13.03-31.88), p = 0.027, respectively). No significant differences in post-KTX calcium and phosphate levels were noted between groups. Severe KTX complications were more common in the calcimimetics group (56.5% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.047). There were no differences in 10-year graft failure and overall survival. CONCLUSION: PTX resulted in lower PTH after KTX in comparison to patients who received calcimimetics. Severe complications were more common after calcimimetics, but graft failure and overall survival were similar.

Colorectal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Areas of Unmet Need.

The subject of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), subdivided into well-differentiated NENs, termed neuroendocrine tumours (NETs; grade (G) 1 and 2), and poorly differentiated NENs, termed neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs; G3) according to the 2010 World Health Organisation (WHO) classification, has arguably not had as much attention or study as NENs occurring in other sites. Colorectal NETs and NECs are however easier to study than many others since they are usually not difficult to remove and are increasingly detected because of intensified colorectal cancer screening and surveillance programmes. Colorectal NETs and NECs show site-specific heterogeneity with variable behaviour and different therapeutic options; these various aspects provide unique challenges. Because of bowel cancer screening programmes, colorectal NENs, like conventional adenocarcinomas, may be diagnosed at a stage that is associated with improved survival. In this article we intend to describe and define areas of unmet needs relating to the epidemiology, classification, pathology, diagnosis and therapy of colorectal NETs (including NETs G3), colorectal NECs, and finally, mixed adeno-neuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs) by reviewing and discussing the relevant literature.

Unmet Needs in Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms (ANEN) are mostly discovered coincidentally during appendicectomy and usually have a benign clinical course; thus, appendicectomy alone is considered curative. However, in some cases, a malignant potential is suspected, and therefore additional operations such as completion right hemicolectomy are considered. The existing European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) guidelines provide useful data about epidemiology and prognosis, as well as practical recommendations with regards to the risk factors for a more aggressive disease course and the indications for a secondary operation. However, these guidelines are based on heterogeneous and retrospective studies. Therefore, the evidence does not seem to be robust, and there are still unmet needs in terms of accurate epidemiology and overall prognosis, optimal diagnostic and follow-up strategy, as well as identified risk factors that would indicate a more aggressive surgical approach at the beginning and a more intense follow-up. In this review, we are adopting a critical approach of the ENETS guidelines and published series for ANEN, focusing on the above-noted "grey areas".

Unmet Medical Needs in Pulmonary Neuroendocrine (Carcinoid) Neoplasms.

Pulmonary carcinoids (PCs) display the common features of all well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) and are classified as low- and intermediate-grade malignant tumours (i.e., typical and atypical carcinoid, respectively). There is a paucity of randomised studies dedicated to advanced PCs and management principles are drawn from the larger gastroenteropancreatic NEN experience. There is growing evidence that NEN anatomic subgroups have different biology and different responses to treatment and, therefore, should be investigated as separate entities in clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the existing evidence and limitations of tumour classification, diagnostics and staging, prognostication, and treatment in the setting of PC, with focus on unmet medical needs and directions for the future.

Timing of Parathyroidectomy Does Not Influence Renal Function After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy (PTx) is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with therapy-resistant hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The optimal timing of PTx for ESRD-related HPT-before or after kidney transplantation (KTx)-is subject of debate. METHODS: Patients with ESRD-related HPT who underwent both PTx and KTx between 1994 and 2015 were included in a multicenter retrospective study in four university hospitals. Two groups were formed according to treatment sequence: PTx before KTx (PTxKTx) and PTx after KTx (KTxPTx). Primary endpoint was renal function (eGFR, CKD-EPI) between both groups at several time points post-transplantation. Correlation between the timing of PTx and KTx and the course of eGFR was assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS: The PTxKTx group consisted of 102 (55.1%) and the KTxPTx group of 83 (44.9%) patients. Recipient age, donor type, PTx type, and pre-KTx PTH levels were significantly different between groups. At 5 years after transplantation, eGFR was similar in the PTxKTx group (eGFR 44.5 ± 4.0 ml/min/1.73 m2) and KTxPTx group (40.0 ± 6.4 ml/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.43). The unadjusted GEE model showed that timing of PTx was not correlated with graft function over time (mean difference -1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, 95% confidence interval -8.4 to 6.4, p = 0.79). Adjustment for potential confounders including recipient age and sex, various donor characteristics, PTx type, and PTH levels did not materially influence the results. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter cohort study, timing of PTx before or after KTx does not independently impact graft function over time.

Measurement of circulating transcript levels (NETest) to detect disease recurrence and improve follow-up after curative surgical resection of well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) after surgery is common. Strategies to detect recurrence have limitations. We investigated the role of clinical criteria and the multigene polymerase chain reaction-based NETest during post-operative follow-up of pNET. METHODS: We studied 3 groups of resections: R0 with no recurrence (n = 11), R0 with recurrence (n = 12), and R1 with no recurrence (n = 12). NETest levels (>40%) were compared with chromogranin A (CgA) and clinicopathological criteria (CC; grade, lymph node metastases, size). Nonparametric, receiver operating characteristics, logistic regression, and predictive feature importance analyses were performed. RESULTS: NETest was higher in R0 with recurrence (56 ± 8%) compared with R1 with no recurrence (39 ± 6%) and R0 with no recurrence (28 ± 6%, P < .005). NETest positively correlated with recurrence (area under the curve: 0.82), CgA was not (area under the curve: 0.51 ± 0.09). Multiple regression analysis defined factor impact as highest for NETest (P < .005) versus CC (P < .03) and CgA (P = .23). NETest gave false positive or negative recurrence in 18% using a 40% cutoff. Logistic regression modeling of CC was 83% accurate; it was 91% when the NETest was included. Combining CC and NETest was approximately 2× more effective than individual CC alone (increase in R 2 value from 43% to 80%). CONCLUSIONS: A multigene blood test facilitates effective identification of pNET recurrence, prediction of disease relapse, and outperforms CgA.

Safety and efficacy of subtotal or total parathyroidectomy for patients with secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism in four academic centers in the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a common abnormality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Since the introduction of cinacalcet in 2004, a shift from surgery toward predominantly medical treatment has occurred. Surgery is thought to be associated with more complications than oral medication. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate 30-day outcomes and effectiveness of parathyroidectomy (PTx) in ESRD patients in the Netherlands. METHODS: A national database containing data from four academic medical centers in the Netherlands of patients with ESRD-related HPT, who had undergone PTx and kidney transplantation between 1994 and 2015, was established. Primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and complication rate. Secondary endpoints were biochemical measurements. RESULTS: We identified 187 HPT patients undergoing PTx, with a median age of 46 years. Median preoperative PTH level was 866 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR] 407-1547 pg/mL). At 3 months, the median PTH drop from baseline was 93% (IQR, 71-98%) to a median of 61 pg/mL (IQR, 23-148 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Over the 25-year inclusion period, 13 patients (7.0%) required re-exploration for persistent or recurrent disease. Thirty-day mortality and complication rate were 0.0% and 7.9% respectively. Median serum calcium levels improved significantly postoperatively from 2.6 (2.4-2.8) mmol/L to 2.3 (2.1-2.5) mmol/L (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PTx is a safe and effective procedure in the frail ESRD population. These data show that there should be no reluctance for surgical intervention and when indicated, nephrologists can safely refer these patients for PTx.

Robot-assisted spleen preserving pancreatic surgery in MEN1 patients.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients often undergo multiple pancreatic operations at a young age. OBJECTIVE: To describe robot-assisted and laparoscopic spleen-preserving pancreatic surgery in MEN1 patients, and to compare both techniques. METHODS: Robot-assisted pancreatectomies of the DutchMEN1 study group and the Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France were compared to a historical cohort of laparoscopic treated MEN1 patients. Perioperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 21 MEN1 patients underwent minimally invasive pancreatic surgery for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, seven patients were subjected to robot-assisted surgery, and 14 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. Demographics and clinical characteristics did not differ between the cohorts and no significant differences in operative outcomes were found. A high number of ISGPS grade B/C pancreatic fistulas were observed in both cohorts (38%), and no conversions were seen in the robot-assisted cohort (respectively 0% vs. 43%, P = 0.06). In one laparoscopic and one robot-assisted case the primary tumor was not resected. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive spleen-preserving surgery in MEN1 patients is safe and feasible. Patients who underwent robot-assisted surgery did not require conversion to open surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:456-461. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Characteristics of contralateral carcinomas in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer larger than 1 cm.

PURPOSE: Traditionally, total thyroidectomy has been advocated for patients with tumors larger than 1 cm. However, according to the ATA and NCCN guidelines (2015, USA), patients with tumors up to 4 cm are now eligible for lobectomy. A rationale for adhering to total thyroidectomy might be the presence of contralateral carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of contralateral carcinomas in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) larger than 1 cm. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including patients from 17 centers in 5 countries. Adults diagnosed with DTC stage T1b-T3 N0-1a M0 who all underwent a total thyroidectomy were included. The primary endpoint was the presence of a contralateral carcinoma. RESULTS: A total of 1313 patients were included, of whom 426 (32 %) had a contralateral carcinoma. The contralateral carcinomas consisted of 288 (67 %) papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), 124 (30 %) follicular variant of a papillary thyroid carcinoma (FvPTC), 5 (1 %) follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), and 3 (1 %) Hürthle cell carcinomas (HTC). Ipsilateral multifocality was strongly associated with the presence of contralateral carcinomas (OR 2.62). Of all contralateral carcinomas, 82 % were ≤10 mm and of those 99 % were PTC or FvPTC. Even if the primary tumor was a FTC or HTC, the contralateral carcinoma was (Fv)PTC in 92 % of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This international multicenter study performed on patients with DTC larger than 1 cm shows that contralateral carcinomas occur in one third of patients and, independently of primary tumor subtype, predominantly consist of microPTC.

Factors determining the patients' care intensity for surgeons and surgical nurses: a conjoint analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons and nurses sometimes perceive a high workload on the surgical wards, which may influence admission decisions and staffing policy. This study aimed to explore the relative contribution of various patient and care characteristics to the perceived patients' care intensity and whether differences exist in the perception of surgeons and nurses. METHODS: We invited surgeons and surgical nurses in the Netherlands for a conjoint analysis study through internet and e-mail invitations. They rated 20 virtual clinical scenarios regarding patient care intensity on a 10-point Likert scale. The scenarios described patients with 5 different surgical conditions: cholelithiasis, a colon tumor, a pancreas tumor, critical leg ischemia, and an unstable vertebral fracture. Each scenario presented a mix of 13 different attributes, referring to the patients' condition, physical symptoms, and admission and discharge circumstances. RESULTS: A total of 82 surgeons and 146 surgical nurses completed the questionnaire, resulting in 4560 rated scenarios, 912 per condition. For surgeons, 6 out of the 13 attributes contributed significantly to care intensity: age, polypharmacy, medical diagnosis, complication level, ICU-stay and ASA-classification, but not multidisciplinary care. For nurses, the same six attributes contributed significantly, but also BMI, nutrition status, admission type, patient dependency, anxiety or delirium during hospitalization, and discharge type. Both professionals ranked 'complication level' as having the highest impact. DISCUSSION: The differences between surgeons and nurses on attributes contributing to care intensity may be explained by differences in professional roles and daily work activities. Surgeons have a medical background, including technical aspects of their work and primary focus on patient curation. However, nurses are focused on direct patient care, i.e., checking vital functions, stimulating self-care and providing woundcare. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons and nurses differ in their perception of patients' care intensity. Appreciation of each other's differing interpretations might improve collaboration between doctors and nurses and may help managers to match hospital resources and personnel.