Background
The aim of this study is to report the experience with conversion surgery from six Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Cancro Gastrico (GIRCG) centers, focusing our analysis on factors affecting ...survival and the risk of recurrence.
Methods
A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was performed in patients who had undergone conversion gastrectomy between 2005 and 2017. Data were extracted from a GIRCG database including all metastatic gastric cancer patients submitted to surgery. Only stage IV unresectable tumors/metastases which became resectable after chemotherapy were included in this analysis.
Results
Forty-five resected M1 patients were included in the analysis. Reasons for being deemed unresectable at diagnosis were peritoneal involvement (PCI > 6) (
n
= 38, 84.4%), distant metastatic nodes (
n
= 3, 6.6%) and extensive liver involvement (
n
= 4, 8.8%). Median follow-up was 25 months (IQR 9-50). Median overall survival from surgery was 15 months and 1-, 3- and 5-year survivals were 57.2, 36.1 and 24%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 12 months with 1- and 3-year survival of 46.4 and 33.9%, respectively. At cox regression analysis the only independent prognostic factor for OS was the presence of more than one type of metastasis (HR 4.41, 95% CI 1.72–11.3,
p
= 0.002). A positive microscopic resection margin was the only risk factor for recurrence (HR 5.72, 95% CI 1.04–31.4,
p
= 0.045).
Conclusions
Unresectable stage IV GC patients could benefit from radical surgery after chemotherapy and achieve long survivals. The main prognostic factor for these patients was the presence of more than one type of extra-gastric metastatic involvement.
Background
Internal hernia (IH) is an infrequent complication following colorectal resection with minimally invasive technique. The real prevalence is difficult to define and there are only few large ...series reporting data on this complication, often focusing only on left-sided resections. Aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of IH following laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR), reporting clinical presentation and treatment.
Methods
Data from 1297 patients undergoing elective LCR for cancer or benign disease in a 15-year period (June 2005–March 2020) were prospectively collected. A database query was performed to search for small bowel obstructions requiring reintervention.
Results
Five patients presented symptomatic IH (prevalence = 0.38%) and required reintervention. The preceding surgical procedure was left hemicolectomy for diverticular disease in all patients. The mesenteric defect had been originally closed in 4/5 patients. The median time interval between initial surgery and the occurrence of IH was 1 (range: 0.3–10) month. In all cases a small bowel loop was found herniating through the mesocolic defect. Small bowel resection was required in one patient only. The median hospital stay following reintervention was 7 (range: 4–17) days.
Conclusions
IH following LCR is a rare but severe complication, potentially leading to death, if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Awareness of this complication, early recognition, and proper diagnostic and therapeutic management is mandatory allowing laparoscopic approach and often avoiding small bowel resection.
Background
The aim of this study is to compare surgical outcomes including postoperative complications and prognosis between total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) for proximal gastric ...cancer (GC). Propensity-score-matching analysis was performed to overcome patient selection bias between the two surgical techniques.
Methods
Among 457 patients who were diagnosed with GC between January 1990 and December 2010 from four Italian institutions, 91 underwent PG and 366 underwent TG. Clinicopathologic features, postoperative complications, and survivals were reviewed and compared between these two groups retrospectively.
Results
After propensity-score matching had been done, 150 patients (75 TG patients, 75 PG patients) were included in the analysis. The PG group had smaller tumors, shorter resection margins, and smaller numbers of retrieved lymph nodes than the TG group. N stages and 5-year survival rates were similar after TG and PG. Postoperative complication rates after PG and TG were 25.3 and 28%, respectively, (
P
= 0.084). Rates of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture were 12 and 6.6% after PG and 2.6 and 1.3% after TG, respectively (
P
<
0.001 and
P
= 0.002). 5-year overall survival for PG and TG group was 56.7 and 46.5%, respectively (
P
= 0.07). Survival rates according to the tumor stage were not different between the groups. Multivariate analysis showed that type of resection was not an independent prognostic factor.
Conclusion
Although PG for upper third GC showed good results in terms of survival, it is associated with an increased mortality rate and a higher risk of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture.
Background
There are few reports comparing safety and efficacy of 2-D and 3-D video technology in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. The aim of the study was to assess the short-term results of ...laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LHR) with intracorporeal anastomosis with 2-D/3-D video in patients with right colon cancer.
Methods
Data from 239 patients undergoing LRH for cancer in a 14-year period (June 2005–January 2020) were prospectively collected. Surgical procedures were performed by two expert laparoscopic surgeons.
Results
One hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study: 55 (48.2%) operated with 2-D and 59 (51.8%) with 3-D video. Tumor site and postoperative stage distribution were similar. Mean operative time was comparable in the two groups (159.0 ± 48.8 min vs. 17.06 ± 36.0 min, p = ns, group 2-D and 3-D, respectively). Group 3-D patients had a similar percentage of associated procedures (44.1% vs. 29.1%, p = ns). Intraoperative complications were nil in both groups, while postoperative complications were similar (30.9% 2-D vs 25.4% 3-D, p = ns). The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved was similar in group 3-D (26.0 ± 14.6 vs. 22.9 ± 9.3, p = ns) and the length of stay was comparable in 3-D and 2-D patients (8.4 ± 2.6 vs. 9.1 ± 3.3 days, respectively, p = ns).
Conclusions
Laparoscopic 3-D vision is as equally effective as 2-D vision in LRH with intracorporeal anastomosis, with a similar proportion of associated procedures and number of lymph nodes retrieved in the same operative time. Further prospective larger randomized studies are necessary to verify if LRH with 3-D video can reduce postoperative complications, compared to 2-D video.
Graphic Abstract
Background
Resection margin (RM) involvement is associated with negative prognosis after gastrectomy. Intraoperative frozen section (IFS) analysis allows radical resection to be achieved in a single ...operation but is time-consuming and resource-consuming. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors associated with RM involvement to identify patients who would benefit from IFS analysis.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer from 2000 to 2014 in six Italian hospitals. RM status was assessed by IFS analysis and/or definitive histopathology examination. A set of 21 potential risk factors were compared in a multivariate analysis between patients with positive RMs on IFS analysis or definitive histopathology examination and a control cohort of similar patients with negative RMs, with the samples stratified into three subgroups (T1, T2–T4 Lauren intestinal pattern, T2–T4 Lauren diffuse/mixed pattern).
Results
One hundred forty-five patients had positive RMs. Survival was significantly worse in positive RM patients than in negative RM patients (89.5 months vs 28.9 months). Multivariate analysis showed that in T1 cancers a margin distance of less than 2 cm is a risk factor for RM involvement (odds ratio 15.7), in T2–T4 intestinal pattern cancers, serosa invasion (odds ratio 6.0), EGJ location (odds ratio 4.1), and a margin distance of less than 3 cm (odds ratio 4.0) are independent risk factors, and in T2–T4 diffuse/mixed pattern cancers, lymphatic infiltration (odds ratio 4.2), tumor diameter greater than 4 cm (odds ratio 3.5), EGJ location (odds ratio 2.8), and serosa invasion (odds ratio 2.2) are independent risk factors.
Conclusions
Survival after gastrectomy is negatively affected by positive RMs. IFS analysis should be routinely used in patients with a high risk of positive RMs, especially in diffuse pattern cancers.
Background
Internal hernia (IH) after laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a potentially severe complication. It may go undiagnosed in patients having their abdominal CT scan during oncologic ...follow-up. We evaluated the occurrence of IH on CT scans after laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer (LRRC) and routine closure of the mesenteric defect.
Methods
Data from 189 consecutive patients undergoing elective curative LRRC in a 14-year period (June 2005-june 2019) were prospectively collected. Only patients with abdominal CT scans, performed as routine oncologic follow-up, between 3 months and 7 years post-operatively were included in the study and reviewed by a surgeon and a radiologist.
Results
A total of 161 patients were eligible for the study with a median age of 69 years (IQR: 59–77) at surgery. They had abdominal follow-up CT scans at a median of 39.5 months (IQR: 12.8–62.7) after surgery. The prevalence of IH was 11.2% (18/161 patients). Of the 18 patients, 15 (83.3%) were fully asymptomatic, 2 (11.1%) reported chronic abdominal discomfort (including mostly nausea and colicky pain) during their oncologic follow-up (however, IH was not suspected neither prompted additional investigations), and 1 (5.6%) was reoperated elsewhere for IH and acute small bowel obstruction.
Conclusions
IH following LRRC is not uncommon, with a prevalence > 10% in our experience. Most of these patients remain fully asymptomatic, but in a few patients, IH might be responsible for some symptoms or require reoperation. Awareness of this complication is important, given the potential risk of acute small bowel obstruction.
Background
In case of Krukenberg tumor (KT) of gastric origin it is controversial and debated whether radical surgery in case of synchronous KT or metastasectomy in case of metachronous ones is ...associated with additional benefits. Role of perioperative treatments is unclear.
Methods
Among 2515 female patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer between January 1990 and December 2012 from 9 Italian centers, 63 presented simultaneously or developed KT as recurrence.
Results
Thirty patients presented with synchronous KT, while 33 developed metachronous ovarian metastases during follow-up. The differences between the two groups were analyzed and compared. The median age of 63 patients was 48.0 years (range 31–71). Resection was possible in 53 patients (20 synchronous and 33 metachronous). Twelve patients in the synchronous group and 15 patients of the metachronous group underwent hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after resection of KT. All of them underwent adjuvant chemotherapy after KT resection. The median survival for all population was 23 months (95 % confidence interval, 7–39 months). The median survival time in the metachronous group was 36 months, which was significantly longer than that in the synchronous group, 17 months,
p
< 0.0001.
Conclusions
KT remains a clinical challenge for gastric cancer therapy. The extent of disease and feasibility of removal of the metastatic lesion must be carefully evaluated prior to surgery to define the patients group who could benefit most from a resection associated with perioperative treatments.
Agenesis of the gallbladder (AGB) without extrahepatic biliary atresia is a rare congenital disease. Ultrasound (US) examination can be misleading and reveal a contracted shrunken gallbladder when ...there is not any and the patient in most cases is taken to the OR for a standard cholecystectomy. We describe the case of a 54-year-old female with colicky right upper abdominal pain with nausea. US revealed a contracted scleroatrophic gallbladder and the patient was listed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. At laparoscopy, despite careful search, the gallbladder was never visualised, and the suspicion of AGB was raised. An intra-operative cholangiography confirmed the hypothesis. The post-operative recovery was uneventful, and abdominal computed tomography scan failed to show the presence of gallbladder, therefore confirming the diagnosis of AGB. Lack of awareness of this condition among radiologists and surgeons is the main reason for unnecessary operations and potentially damages to the biliary tract.
This work explored the prognostic role of curative versus non-curative surgery, the prognostic value of the various localizations of metastatic disease, and the possibility of identifying patients to ...be submitted to aggressive therapies.
Retrospective chart review of stage IV patients operated on in our institutions.
Two hundred and eighty-two patients were considered; 73.4% had a single metastatic presentation. In 117 cases, a curative (R0) resection of primary and metastases was possible; 75 received a R1 resection and 90 a palliative R2 gastrectomy. Surgery was integrated with chemotherapy in multiple forms: conversion therapy, HIPEC, neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment. Median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 10.9 months, with 14 months for the R0 subgroup. There was no correlation between metastasis site and survival. At multivariate analysis, several variables associated with the lymphatic sphere showed prognostic value, as well as tumor histology and the curativity of the surgical procedure, with a worse prognosis associated with a low number of resected nodes, D1 lymphectomy, pN3, non-intestinal histology, and R+ surgery. Considering the subgroup of R0 patients, the variables pT, pN and D displayed an independent prognostic role with a cumulative effect, showing that patients with no more than 1 risk factor can reach a median survival of 33 months.
Our data show that the possibility of effective care also exists for Western patients with stage IV gastric cancer.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical factors influencing the prognosis of patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer and their clinical role. We ...conducted a retrospective multicentre review. We evaluated how survival from surgery was influenced by patient-related, tumour-related and treatment-related prognostic factors. We analysed data on 144 patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer, in the synchronous and metachronous setting. In 117 cases, an R0 resection was achieved, while in 27 an R + hepatic resection was performed. Chemotherapy was administered to 55 patients. Surgical mortality was 2.1% and morbidity 21.5%. One-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates after surgery were 49.9, 19.4 and 11.6%, respectively, with a median OS of 12.0 months. T4 gastric cancer, H3 hepatic involvement, non-curative resection, recurrence after surgery, and abstention from chemotherapy were associated with a worse prognosis. Factor T and H displayed a clear (
p
< 0.001) cumulative effect. Our data show that R0 resection must be pursued whenever possible. The treatment of T4 gastric cancer with hepatic bilateral and diffuse metastasis (H3) should be considered carefully or it should be probably avoided. Finally, a multimodal treatment associating surgery and chemotherapy offers the best survival results.
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