Antiperistaltic Transverse Coloplasty: A Salvage Procedure in Extensive Bowel and Colorectal Resections to Avoid Intestinal Failure.

INTRODUCTION: After extensive small and colon resections, quality of life can be affected. We propose the antiperistaltic transverse coloplasty as a solution that allows for preservation of the transverse colon after both right and left colectomies while achieving a tension-free colorectal anastomosis slowing the transit and increasing the absorption time, resulting in better stool consistency and quality of life compared with an ileorectal anastomosis. METHODS: This technique was performed in a 41-year-old woman with Goblet cell adenocarcinoma of the appendix with peritoneal metastasis. The transverse colon is rotated anticlockwise over the axis of the middle colic vessels toward the left parietocolic flank and relocated to the usual position of the descending colon. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, the patient led a normal life without parenteral nutrition with five bowel movements per day and a weight gain of 15%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an antiperistaltic transverse coloplasty may be worthwhile to perform in cases of extensive bowel resections during cytoreductive surgery leading to short-bowel syndrome to avoid a permanent stoma or intestinal failure and improve patient outcomes.

Sir2 suppresses transcription-mediated displacement of Mcm2-7 replicative helicases at the ribosomal DNA repeats.

Repetitive DNA sequences within eukaryotic heterochromatin are poorly transcribed and replicate late in S-phase. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histone deacetylase Sir2 is required for both transcriptional silencing and late replication at the repetitive ribosomal DNA arrays (rDNA). Despite the widespread association between transcription and replication timing, it remains unclear how transcription might impinge on replication, or vice versa. Here we show that, when silencing of an RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II)-transcribed non-coding RNA at the rDNA is disrupted by SIR2 deletion, RNA polymerase pushes and thereby relocalizes replicative Mcm2-7 helicases away from their loading sites to an adjacent region with low nucleosome occupancy, and this relocalization is associated with increased rDNA origin efficiency. Our results suggest a model in which two of the major defining features of heterochromatin, transcriptional silencing and late replication, are mechanistically linked through suppression of polymerase-mediated displacement of replication initiation complexes.

Diaphragmatic Peritonectomy and Full-Thickness Resection in CRS/HIPEC May Allow Higher Completeness of Cytoreduction Rates with a Low Rate of Respiratory Complications.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) provides a survival benefit when achieved without residual disease. As diaphragm is frequently affected in peritoneal malignancies, complete cytoreduction often requires surgical techniques over the diaphragm. The purpose of the study was to assess diaphragmatic resection impact on cytoreduction completeness, morbidity and mortality compared to less aggressive diaphragmatic peritonectomy in CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and supramesocolic disease undergoing CRS/HIPEC from 2011 to 2019 were included in a prospectively collected database. We compared patients who underwent full-thickness diaphragmatic resection (DR) and diaphragmatic peritonectomy (DP). Epidemiological and clinical data, morbidity, and mortality within 90 days of surgery were documented. RESULTS: 232 patients were initially selected. Inclusion criteria were met by 88 procedures. DR was performed on 32 patients and DP on 56. Number of resected organs was 5.21 in the DR cohort vs. 3.57 in the DP cohort (p<0.0001). Rate of Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) score >14 was higher in the DR group (75%) than in the DP group (50.9%) (p=0.027). Tumor invasion of diaphragmatic muscle after DR was confirmed in 89.3% patients. Postoperative pleural effusion was observed in 28 patients (50%) in the DP group and in 17 (53.1%) in the DR group. CONCLUSIONS: CRS/HIPEC requires specific surgical techniques over the diaphragm to achieve complete cytoreduction. As diaphragmatic muscle invasion is frequent, full-thickness resection may allow a cytoreduction completeness increase without an increased morbidity. Pleural drains are not systematically required as these procedures show low incidence of major respiratory complications.

Abdominal metastatic melanoma invading the transverse colon and stomach.

Gastrointestinal melanoma metastases are not uncommon, with the jejunum and ileum being the most common locations (58 %), followed by the stomach (26 %), colon (22 %), duodenum (12 %), and rectum (5 %).

Secondary surgical cytoreduction needs to be assessed taking into account surgical technique, completeness of cytoreduction, and extent of disease.

Recent evidence suggested that secondary surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy does not result in longer overall survival in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.This statement is based on a phase III multicenter, randomized clinical trial that lacks a description of the surgical protocol, the surgical technique, and the surgical variables. In a study that evaluates surgical cytoreduction, it is mandatory to assess the grade of cytoreductive surgery achieved (Sugarbaker PH, Langenbeck's Arch Surg 384:576-87, 1999), the extent of disease using PCI (Peritoneal Cancer Index), the technique itself, and the existence of a multidisciplinary approach with extensive upper abdominal procedures in experienced centers (Ren et al, BMC Cancer 15:1-12, 2015). There is evidence proving that the quality of cytoreduction (Al Rawahi et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013, 2013), the measurement of the amount of disease by PCI (Elzarkaa et al, J Gynecol Oncol 29, 2018), and a multidisciplinary approach with supramesocolic procedures (Ren et al, BMC Cancer 15:1-12, 2015) impact overall survival.This study fails to compare chemotherapy with secondary cytoreductive surgery since, due to the lack of variables, we can assess neither the performed surgery nor its criteria. This study should not be taken into account to recommend chemotherapy alone over a surgical approach in this group of patients.

Prophylactic HIPEC with oxaliplatin might be of benefit in T4 and perforated colon cancer: another possible interpretation of the COLOPEC results.

The COLOPEC trial failed to show evidence for improved relapse-free survival (RFS) between the two study groups: 80,9% (95% CI 73.3-88.5) in the experimental group and 76.2 % (68.0-84.4) in the control group (one-sided log-rank p = 0.28). Nevertheless only 87 patients received the adjuvant HIPEC treatment in the experimental arm (n = 100). This group had a peritoneal relapse of 19 %, but only 10 % had a truly peritoneal relapse as 9 of them had stablished peritoneal carcinomatosis and 1 case was a peritoneal recurrence but did not receive adjuvant HIPEC. We conducted a per-protocol analysis comparing the 87 patients which truly received the adjuvant HIPEC to the 102 patients in the control arm and obtained an OR 0.396 (95 % CI 0.17-0.91) with a (Pearson Chi-Square p = 0.026, two-tailed Fisher exact test p = 0.032). This contradicts the COLOPEC reported conclusions and shows that adjuvant HIPEC could have an important protective role against peritoneal recurrence.

From utopia to reality: increased survival in peritoneal carcinomatosis treated with cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

We have read with great interest the article by Illán et al.1 entitled "Long survival in a patient with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: reality or utopia?" This article describes the case of a 42 year old patient with mucinous-type colon adenocarcinoma who had tumor recurrence with peritoneal metastases 18 months after resection of the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy. After multiple metastasectomies and several lines of chemotherapy, the patient died 27 months after the recurrence.

Dorsal inflammatory mass secondary to lost stones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The most frequent intraabdominal complication after lost stones are abscesses, which account for 65% of complications. The main risk factors are: old age, male gender, surgical difficulty, leakage of lithiasis of more than 1.5 cm or more than 15 stones, perihepatic location and pigmented gallstones. We report the case of a 73-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney failure and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Influence of simultaneous liver and peritoneal resection on postoperative morbi-mortality and survival in patients with colon cancer treated with surgical cytoreduction and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy. / Influencia de la resección hepática y peritoneal simultánea, en la morbimortalidad y supervivencia de los pacientes con cáncer de colon intervenidos mediante cirugía citorreductora con quimioterapia intraperitoneal hipertérmica.

INTRODUCTION: Cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (HIPEC) has recently been established as the treatment of choice for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colonic origin. Until recently, the simultaneous presence of peritoneal and hepatic dissemination has been considered a contraindication for surgery. The aim of this paper is to analyze the morbidity, mortality and survival of patients with simultaneous peritoneal and hepatic resection with HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to colon cancer. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2015, 61 patients were operated on, 16 had simultaneous peritoneal and hepatic dissemination (group RH+), and 45 presented only peritoneal dissemination (group RH-). RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, length of surgery and extension of peritoneal disease. Postoperative grade III-V complications were significantly higher in the RH+ group (56.3 vs. 26.6%; P=.032). For the whole group, mortality rate was 3.2% (two patients in group RH-, and none in group RH+). Patients with liver resection had a longer postoperative stay (14.4 vs. 23.1 days) (P=.027). Median overall survival was 33 months for RH-, and 36 for RH+ group. Median disease-free survival was 16 months for RH-, and 24 months for RH+ group. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous peritoneal cytoreduction and hepatic resection resulted in a significantly higher Clavien grade III-V morbidity and a longer hospital stay, although the results are similar to other major abdominal interventions. The application of multimodal oncological and surgical treatment may obtain similar long-term survival results in both groups.

Laparoscopic transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after biliopancreatic diversion.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be difficult in patients that have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Due to the fact that prevalence of morbid obesity is increasing, and laparoscopic procedures for its treatment have increased, the incidence of biliary tract problems in patients of altered anatomy is also growing. We describe a laparoscopic technique to access the biliary tree by endoscope, through the excluded stomach.

Outcomes of an enhanced recovery after surgery programme for pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has demonstrated in colorectal surgery a reduction in morbidity and length of stay without compromising security. Experience with ERAS programs in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is still limited. The aims of this study were first to evaluate the applicability of an ERAS program for PD patients in our hospital, and second to analyze the postoperative results. METHODS: A retrospective study using a prospectively maintained database identified 41 consecutive PD included in an ERAS program. Key elements studied were early removal of tubes and drainages, early oral feeding and early mobilization. Variables studied were mortality, morbidity, perioperative data, length of stay, re-interventions and inpatient readmission. This group of patients was compared with an historic control group of 44 PD patients with a standard postoperative management. RESULTS: A total of 85 pancreatoduodenectomies were analyzed (41 patients in the ERAS group, and 44 patients in the control group. General mortality was 2.4% (2 patients) belonging to the control group. There were no statistical differences in mortality, length of stay in intensive care, reoperationss, and readmissions. ERAS group had a lower morbidity rate than the control group (32 vs. 48%; P=.072), as well as a lower length of stay (14.2 vs. 18.7 days). All the key ERAS proposed elements were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS programs may be implemented safely in pancreaticoduodenectomy. They may reduce the length of stay, unifying perioperative care and diminishing clinical variability and hospital costs.

Simultaneous Surgical Approach with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Patients with Concurrent Peritoneal and Liver Metastases of Colon Cancer Origin.

Background: Simultaneous liver resection and peritoneal cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) remains controversial today. The aim of the study was to analyze the postoperative outcomes and survival of patients with advanced metastatic colon cancer (peritoneal and/or liver metastases). Methods: Retrospective observational study from a prospective maintained data base. Patients who underwent a simultaneous peritoneal cytoreduction and liver resection plus HIPEC were studied. Postoperative outcomes and overall and disease free survival were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: From January 2010 to October 2022, 22 patients operated with peritoneal and liver metastasis (LR+) were compared with 87 patients operated with peritoneal metastasis alone (LR-). LR+ group presented higher serious morbidity (36.4 vs. 14.9%; p: 0.034). Postoperative mortality did not reach statistical difference. Median overall and disease free survival was similar. Peritoneal carcinomatosis index was the only predictive factor of survival. Conclusions: Simultaneous peritoneal and liver resection is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and hospital stay, but with similar postoperative mortality and OS and disease free survival. These results reflect the evolution of these patients, considered inoperable until recently, and justify the trend to incorporate this surgical strategy within a multimodal therapeutic plan in highly selected patients.

[Duodenopancreatectomy in the elderly. Evaluation of results]. / Duodenopancreatectomía en ancianos. Evaluación de resultados.

INTRODUCTION: With the increase in life expectancy, more and more resectable periampullary tumours are being diagnosed in the geriatric population. Despite the decrease in post-operative mortality, there continues to be a debate on the risk-benefit of cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CPD) in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the morbidity and mortality of CPD in patients over 70 years-old. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: A total of 54 duodenopancreatectomies were performed between January 2005 and December 2010. Two groups of patients were compared: Group 1 (patients>70 years-old, n: 24), and Group 2 (patients<70 years-old, n: 30). The morbidity and mortality, transfusion, reinterventions, mean hospital stay, and survival were analysed. RESULTS: The>70 years group included more ASA 2 and 3 patients (P=.010), and had a higher number of previous medical problems per patient (P=.037). The post-operative mortality was higher in the older age group, although the difference was not significant (8.3 vs 3.3%). There were also no significant differences in post-operative morbidity (45.8 v. 46.6%), reintervention rate (16.6 vs 13.3%), length of hospital stay (18 vs 13%), and survival at 6 and 12 months (84 and 72% vs 90 and 86%). CONCLUSIONS: Age, in itself, does not seem to be a contraindication for CPD, but the elderly do have a higher risk of complications due to the physiological changes associated with ageing. The disparity of results demonstrates the need for more population studies at national level that may give an overall view of morbidity and mortality in CPD.

Challenges in precision medicine in pancreatic cancer: A focus in cancer stem cells and microbiota.

Pancreatic cancer adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease, with the lowest 5-years survival rate of all cancers due to late diagnosis. Despite the advance and success of precision oncology in gastrointestinal cancers, the frequency of molecular-informed therapy decisions in PDAC is currently neglectable. The reasons for this dismal situation are mainly the absence of effective early diagnostic biomarkers and therapy resistance. PDAC cancer stem cells (PDAC-SC), which are regarded as essential for tumor initiation, relapse and drug resistance, are highly dependent on their niche i.e. microanatomical structures of the tumor microenvironment. There is an altered microbiome in PDAC patients embedded within the highly desmoplastic tumor microenvironment, which is known to determine therapeutic responses and affecting survival in PDAC patients. We consider that understanding the communication network that exists between the microbiome and the PDAC-SC niche by co-culture of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) with TME microbiota would recapitulate the complexity of PDAC paving the way towards a precision oncology treatment-response prediction.

Cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma in the elderly. Can we do it safely?

INTRODUCTION: Surgery and chemotherapy have increased the survival of pancreatic cancer. The decrease in postoperative morbidity and mortality and increase in life expectancy, has expanded the indications por cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PDC), although it remains controversial in the geriatric population. METHODS: Retrospective study on a prospective database of patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas who underwent PDC between 2007-2018. The main objective was to analyse the morbidity-mortality and survival associated with PDC in patients ≥75 years (elderly). RESULTS: 79 patients were included, 21 of them older than 75 years (27%); within this group, 23'9% were over 80 years old. The ASA of both groups was similar. Patients ≥75 years required more transfusions. No differences in operating time were observed, although more vascular resection were performed in the elderly (26 vs. 8.7%; P = .037). Morbidity was higher in the elderly (61.9% vs. 46.6%), although without differences. Patients aged ≥75 years had more non-surgical complications (33.3%, P = .050), being pneumonia the most frequent. Postoperative mortality was higher in the ≥75 years (9 vs. 0%; P = .017). The overall survival and disease-free survival did not show significant differences in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients had higher postoperative mortality and more non-surgical complications. Survival did not show differences, so with an adequate selection of patients, age should not be considered itself as a contraindication for PDC.

Laparoscopy technique in the setting of peritoneal metastases to avoid port site relapse.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy is indicated in many patients with abdominal and pelvic malignancy. If cancer cells are present within the peritoneal space, there is a possibility for port site metastases to develop. METHODS: The pathophysiology for occurrence of port site metastases was reviewed. Technical modifications to reduce the incidence of these abdominal wall sites for disease progression were suggested. RESULTS: Evacuation of all gases and all fluid from the peritoneal space through the trocars prior to their removal will reduce the contamination of the tissue surrounding the port site by intraperitoneal cancer cells. If port sites are confined to the midline, they can be removed as part of a midline abdominal incision if metastases occur. If port site metastases occur through lateral port sites, the rectus abdominus muscle may need to be widely excised to achieve negative margins. CONCLUSION: Technical modifications of laparoscopy in patients with peritoneal metastases may reduce incidence of this iatrogenic dissemination of cancer.

Cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma in the elderly. Can we do it safely? / Duodenopancreatectomía por adenocarcinoma ductal de páncreas en ancianos. ¿Podemos asumirla con seguridad?

INTRODUCTION: Surgery and chemotherapy have increased the survival of pancreatic cancer. The decrease in postoperative morbidity and mortality and increase in life expectancy, has expanded the indications por cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PDC), although it remains controversial in the geriatric population. METHODS: Retrospective study on a prospective database of patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas who underwent PDC between 2007-2018.The main objective was to analyse the morbidity-mortality and survival associated with PDC in patients≥75 years (elderly). RESULTS: 79 patients were included, 21 of them older than 75 years (27%); within this group, 23.9% were over 80 years old. The ASA of both groups was similar. Patients≥75 years required more transfusions. No differences in operating time were observed, although more vascular resection were performed in the elderly (26 vs. 8.7%; P=.037). Morbidity was higher in the elderly (61.9 vs. 46.6%), although without differences. Patients aged≥75 years had more non-surgical complications (33.3%, P=.050), being pneumonia the most frequent. Postoperative mortality was higher in the≥75 years (9 vs. 0%; P=.017). The overall survival and disease-free survival did not show significant differences in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients had higher postoperative mortality and more non-surgical complications. Survival did not show differences, so with an adequate selection of patients, age should not be considered itself as a contraindication for PDC.

[NOTES. History and current situation of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery in Spain]. / NOTES. Historia y situación actual de la cirugía endoscópica por orificios naturales en nuestro país.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), involves a group of new endoscopic approaches to the abdominal cavity, with potential advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery. It is based on the possibility of performing intra-peritoneal surgical techniques through natural orifices by entering the peritoneal cavity through natural orifices perforating the organ that allows direct access to that cavity (stomach, vagina, rectum, bladder). The possibility of using this same route to access the retroperitoneum and mediastinum has subsequently been postulated. Comments are made on how the technique has been developed, as well as how it has been applied in our country, attempting to give a general view on the risks and benefits of NOTES and the basic requirements to be able to start in this new surgery.