High plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count unfavorably impact survival in non–small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases

High expression of fibrinogen and platelets are often observed in non–small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients with local regional or distant metastasis. However, the role of these factors remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count, as well as to determine the overall survival of NSCLC patients with brain metastases. A total of 275 NSCLC patients with brain metastasis were enrolled into this study. Univariate analysis showed that high plasma fibrinogen concentration was associated with age ≥ 65 years(P = 0.011), smoking status(P = 0.009), intracranial symptoms(P = 0.022), clinical T category(P = 0.010), clinical N category(P = 0.003), increased partial thromboplastin time(P < 0.001), and platelet count(P < 0.001). Patients with low plasma fibrinogen concentration demonstrated longer overall survival compared with those with high plasma fibrinogen concentration(median, 17.3 months versus 11.1 months; P ≤ 0.001). A similar result was observed for platelet counts(median, 16.3 months versus 11.4 months; P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that both plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count were independent prognostic factors for NSCLC with brain metastases(R2 = 1.698, P < 0.001 and R2 = 1.699, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that high plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count indicate poor prognosis for NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Thus, these two biomarkers might be independent prognostic predictors for this subgroup of NSCLC patients.

Managing esophageal fistulae by endoscopic transluminal drainage in esophageal cancer patients with superior mediastinal sepsis after esophagectomy

The management of postoperative leaks into the mediastinum after esophagectomy remains a challenge. We describe our clinical management of this complication through endoscopic transluminal drainage. Between 2008 and 2011, 4 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent McKeown-type esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy experienced complicated anastomotic fistulae in the presence of superior mediastinal sepsis. All 4 patients underwent endoscopic transluminal drainage, and all survived. The mean healing period was 50 days (range, 31 to 58 days), the mean stay in the intensive care unit was 7.3 days (range, 1 to 18 days), and the mean hospital stay was 64.5 days (range, 49 to 70 days). Endoscopically guided transluminal drainage should be considered for ESCC patients with superior mediastinal fistulae after esophagectomy.

The predictive value of histological tumor regression grading (TRG) for therapeutic evaluation in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Response criteria remain controversial in therapeutic evaluation for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.We aimed to identify the predictive value of tumor regression grading(TRG) in tumor response and prognosis.Fifty-two patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy and radical 2-field lymphadenectomy between June 2007 and June 2011 were included in this study.All tissue specimens were reassessed according to the TRG scale.Potential prognostic factors,including clinicopathologic factors,were evaluated.Survival curves were generated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.Prognostic factors were determined with multivariate analysis by using the Cox regression model.Our results showed that of 52 cases,43(83%) were squamous cell carcinoma and 9(17%) were adenocarcinoma.TRG was correlated with pathologic T(P = 0.006) and N(P < 0.001) categories.Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 33 months.The 1-and 2-year overall survival rates were 71% and 44%,respectively.Univariate survival analysis results showed that favorable prognostic factors were histological subtype(P = 0.003),pathologic T category(P = 0.026),pathologic N category(P < 0.001),and TRG G0(P = 0.041).Multivariate analyses identified pathologic N category(P < 0.001) as a significant independent prognostic parameter.Our results indicate that histomorphologic TRG can be considered as an alternative option to predict the therapeutic efficacy and prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

胆囊壁一针两层连续缝合法在微创保胆手术中的应用

目的探讨黏膜层连续外翻、浆肌层连续内翻缝合的一针两层连续缝合法在微创保胆手术中的应用。方法回顾性分析该院74例接受微创保胆取石手术患者的临床资料,重点介绍胆囊壁切口的缝合方法。主要手术步骤包括胆囊体部纵行切开,胆道镜探查并取尽结石;4-0可吸收线自切口上端开始连续外翻缝合黏膜层,缝合至切口下端,自浆膜层出针后连续内翻缝合浆肌层;缝合边距和针距皆为1 mm左右。术后口服熊去氧胆酸半年。结果所有病例皆采用一针两层连续缝合法顺利完成完全腹腔镜下保胆取石手术。手术时间33~78 min,平均(45.11±14.96)min;胆囊壁缝合时间9~22 min,平均(14.86±3.88)min。无胆漏、腹膜炎、结石残留、胆囊或腹腔内出血、切口或腹腔感染等并发症。术后住院时间2~4 d,平均(3.21±0.69)d。术后随访3~62个月,平均(35.50±18.94)个月,复发2例,复发率2.7%。结论黏膜层连续外翻、浆肌层连续内翻缝合的一针两层连续缝合法安全、可靠,是微创保胆手术中较理想的关闭胆囊壁切口的方法。