Impact of frailty on short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is a major global health challenge that predominantly affects older people.Surgical management,despite advancements,requires careful consideration of preoperative patient status for optimal outcomes.AIM To summarize existing evidence on the association of frailty with short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.METHODS A literature search was conducted using PubMed,EMBASE and Scopus databases for observational studies in adult patients aged≥18 years undergoing planned or elective colorectal surgery for primary carcinoma and/or secondary metastasis.Only studies that conducted frailty assessment using recognized frailty assess-ment tools and had a comparator group,comprising nonfrail patients,were included.Pooled effect sizes were reported as weighted mean difference or relative risk(RR)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).RESULTS A total of 24 studies were included.Compared with nonfrail patients,frailty was associated with an increased risk of mortality at 30 d(RR:1.99,95%CI:1.47-2.69),at 90 d(RR:4.76,95%CI:1.56-14.6)and at 1 year(RR:5.73,95%CI:2.74-12.0)of follow up.Frail patients had an increased risk of any complications(RR:1.81,95%CI:1.57-2.10)as well as major complications(Clavien-Dindo classification grade≥III)(RR:2.87,95%CI:1.65-4.99)compared with the control group.The risk of reoperation(RR:1.18,95%CI:1.07-1.31),readmission(RR:1.70,95%CI:1.36-2.12),need for blood transfusion(RR:1.67,95%CI:1.52-1.85),wound complications(RR:1.49,95%CI:1.11-1.99),delirium(RR:4.60,95%CI:2.31-9.16),risk of prolonged hospitalization(RR:2.09,95%CI:1.22-3.60)and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center(RR:3.19,95%CI:2.0-5.08)was all higher in frail patients.CONCLUSION Frailty in colorectal cancer surgery patients was associated with more complications,longer hospital stays,higher reoperation risk,and increased mortality.Integrating frailty assessment appears crucial for tailored surgical management.

Nomogram model including LATS2 expression was constructed to predict the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer after surgery

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Prognostic assessments are typically based on the tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)staging system,which does not account for the molecular heterogeneity of this disease.LATS2,a tumor suppressor gene involved in the Hippo signaling pathway,has been identified as a potential prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer.AIM To construct and validate a nomogram model that includes LATS2 expression to predict the survival prognosis of advanced gastric cancer patients following ra-dical surgery,and compare its predictive performance with traditional TNM staging.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 245 advanced gastric cancer patients from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University was conducted.The patients were divided into a training group(171 patients)and a validation group(74 patients)to deve-lop and test our prognostic model.The performance of the model was determined using C-indices,receiver operating characteristic curves,calibration plots,and decision curves.RESULTS The model demonstrated a high predictive accuracy with C-indices of 0.829 in the training set and 0.862 in the validation set.Area under the curve values for three-year and five-year survival prediction were significantly robust,suggesting an excellent discrimination ability.Calibration plots confirmed the high concordance between the predictions and actual survival outcomes.CONCLUSION We developed a nomogram model incorporating LATS2 expression,which significantly outperformed conven-tional TNM staging in predicting the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer patients postsurgery.This model may serve as a valuable tool for individualized patient management,allowing for more accurate stratification and im-proved clinical outcomes.Further validation in larger patient cohorts will be necessary to establish its generaliza-bility and clinical utility.

Risk stratification in gastric cancer lung metastasis: Utilizing an overall survival nomogram and comparing it with previous staging

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is prevalent and aggressive,especially when patients have distant lung metastases,which often places patients into advanced stages.By identifying prognostic variables for lung metastasis in GC patients,it may be po-ssible to construct a good prediction model for both overall survival(OS)and the cumulative incidence prediction(CIP)plot of the tumour.AIM To investigate the predictors of GC with lung metastasis(GCLM)to produce nomograms for OS and generate CIP by using cancer-specific survival(CSS)data.METHODS Data from January 2000 to December 2020 involving 1652 patients with GCLM were obtained from the Surveillance,epidemiology,and end results program database.The major observational endpoint was OS;hence,patients were se-parated into training and validation groups.Correlation analysis determined va-rious connections.Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses validated the independent predictive factors.Nomogram distinction and calibration were performed with the time-dependent area under the curve(AUC)and calibration curves.To evaluate the accuracy and clinical usefulness of the nomograms,decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed.The clinical utility of the novel prognostic model was compared to that of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)staging system by utilizing Net Reclassification Improvement(NRI)and Integrated Discrimination Improvement(IDI).Finally,the OS prognostic model and Cox-AJCC risk stratification model modified for the AJCC system were compared.RESULTS For the purpose of creating the OS nomogram,a CIP plot based on CSS was generated.Cox multivariate regression analysis identified eleven significant prognostic factors(P<0.05)related to liver metastasis,bone metastasis,primary site,surgery,regional surgery,treatment sequence,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,positive lymph node count,N staging,and time from diagnosis to treatment.It was clear from the DCA(net benefit>0),time-de-pendent ROC curve(training/validation set AUC>0.7),and calibration curve(reliability slope closer to 45 degrees)results that the OS nomogram demonstrated a high level of predictive efficiency.The OS prediction model(New Model AUC=0.83)also performed much better than the old Cox-AJCC model(AUC difference between the new model and the old model greater than 0)in terms of risk stratification(P<0.0001)and verification using the IDI and NRI.CONCLUSION The OS nomogram for GCLM successfully predicts 1-and 3-year OS.Moreover,this approach can help to ap-propriately classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups,thereby guiding treatment.

Comparative effectiveness of several adjuvant therapies after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion

BACKGROUND For resectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),radical hepatectomy is commonly used as a curative treatment.However,postoperative recurrence significantly diminishes the overall survival(OS)of HCC patients,especially with microva-scular invasion(MVI)as an independent high-risk factor for recurrence.While some studies suggest that postoperative adjuvant therapy may decrease the risk of recurrence following liver resection in HCC patients,the specific role of adju-vant therapies in those with MVI remains unclear.AIM To conduct a network meta-analysis(NMA)to evaluate the efficacy of various adjuvant therapies and determine the optimal adjuvant regimen.METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed,EMBASE,and Web of Science until April 6,2023.Studies comparing different adjuvant therapies or comparing adjuvant therapy with hepatectomy alone were included.Hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals were used to combine data on recurrence free survival and OS in both pairwise meta-analyses and NMA.RESULTS Fourteen eligible trials(2268 patients)reporting five different therapies were included.In terms of reducing the risk of recurrence,radiotherapy(RT)[HR=0.34(0.23,0.5);surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA)=97.7%]was found to be the most effective adjuvant therapy,followed by hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy[HR=0.52(0.35,0.76);SUCRA=65.1%].Regarding OS improvement,RT[HR:0.35(0.2,0.61);SUCRA=93.1%]demonstrated the highest effectiveness,followed by sorafenib[HR=0.48(0.32,0.69);SUCRA=70.9%].INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the sixth most common malignant tumor in the world and ranks third in terms of worldwide malignant tumor mortality rates in 2020[1].Curative treatments for HCC include ablation,radical hepatectomy,and liver transplantation.However,ablation is suitable only for early-stage HCC patients,who represent a small percentage of the overall HCC population.Although liver transplantation serves as the optimal treatment for HCC patients,the scarcity of donor organs restricts the availability of this procedure.Therefore,hepatectomy is the most commonly employed curative treatment for resectable HCC.Unfortunately,the 5-year recurrence rate for patients who undergoing hepatectomy ranges from 50%to 70%[2,3].Recurrence of HCC is associated with several risk factors[4],including single nodule>5 cm,vascular invasion,and multiple nodules.Among these factors,microvascular invasion(MVI)is an independent risk factor for recurrence.MVI is defined as the presence of cancer cells in the lumen of endothelium-lined vessels,typically in the small branches of the portal and hepatic veins of the paracancerous liver tissue,visible only under the microscope[5].Previous studies have shown that among HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy,those with MVI had a higher risk of recurrence and shorter overall survival(OS)than those without MVI[6].Several studies have indicated that adjuvant therapy following curative hepatectomy can prevent recurrence and improve OS in HCC patients with MVI.These postoperative adjuvant therapies include transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)[7],sorafenib[8],hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)[9],and radiotherapy(RT)[10].However,the existing studies mostly compare individual adjuvant therapy with hepatectomy alone.Direct or indirect comparisons between the various adjuvant therapies are lacking.Therefore,we performed the network meta-analysis(NMA)to compare the relative efficacy of each adjuvant therapy to determine the optimal treatment.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome-a rare culprit behind small bowel ischemia and obstruction:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Abdominal cocoon syndrome(ACS)represents a category within sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis,characterized by the encapsulation of internal organs with a fibrous,cocoon-like membrane of unknown origin,resulting in bowel obstruction and ischemia.Diagnosing this condition before surgery poses a cha-llenge,often requiring confirmation during laparotomy.In this context,we depict three instances of ACS:One linked to intestinal obstruction,the second exclu-sively manifesting as intestinal ischemia without any obstruction,and the final case involving a discrepancy between the radiologist and the surgeon.CASE SUMMARY Three male patients,aged 53,58,and 61 originating from Northern Thailand,arrived at our medical facility complaining of abdominal pain without any prior surgeries.Their vital signs remained stable during the assessment.The diagnosis of abdominal cocoon was confirmed through abdominal computed tomography(CT)before surgery.In the first case,the CT scan revealed capsules around the small bowel loops,showing no enhancement,along with mesenteric congestion affecting both small and large bowel loops,without a clear obstruction.The second case showed intestinal obstruction due to an encapsulated capsule on the CT scan.In the final case,a patient presented with recurring abdominal pain.Initially,the radiologist suspected enteritis as the cause after the CT scan.However,a detailed review led the surgeon to suspect encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis(ACS)and subsequently perform surgery.The surgical procedure involved complete removal of the encapsulating structure,resection of a portion of the small bowel,and end-to-end anastomosis.No complications occurred during surgery,and the patients had a smooth recovery after surgery,eventually discharged in good health.The histopathological examination of the fibrous membrane(cocoon)across all cases consistently revealed the presence of fibro-collagenous tissue,without any indications of malignancy.CONCLUSION Individuals diagnosed with abdominal cocoons commonly manifest vague symptoms of abdominal discomfort.An elevated degree of clinical suspicion,combined with the application of appropriate radiological evaluations,markedly improves the probability of identifying the abdominal cocoon before surgical intervention.In cases of complete bowel obstruction or ischemia,the established norm is the comprehensive removal of the peritoneal sac as part of standard care.Resection with intestinal anastomosis is advised solely when ischemia and gangrene have been confirmed.

Rescue from complications after pancreaticoduodenectomies at a low-volume Caribbean center:Value of tailored peri-pancreatectomy protocols

BACKGROUND Pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)is a technically complex operation,with a re-latively high risk for complications.The ability to rescue patients from post-PD complications is as a recognized quality measure.Tailored protocols were instituted at our low volume facility in the year 2013.AIM To document the rate of rescue from post-PD complications with tailored protocols in place as a measure of quality.METHODS A retrospective audit was performed to collect data from patients who experienced major post-PD complications at a low volume pancreatic surgery unit in Trinidad and Tobago between January 1,2013 and June 30,2023.Stan-dardized definitions from the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery were used to define post-PD complications,and the modified Clavien-Dindo classification was used to classify post-PD complications.RESULTS Over the study period,113 patients at a mean age of 57.5 years(standard deviation[SD]±9.23;range:30-90;median:56)underwent PDs at this facility.Major complications were recorded in 33(29.2%)patients at a mean age of 53.8 years(SD:±7.9).Twenty-nine(87.9%)patients who experienced major morbidity were salvaged after aggre-ssive treatment of their complication.Four(3.5%)died from bleeding pseudoaneurysm(1),septic shock secondary to a bile leak(1),anastomotic leak(1),and myocardial infarction(1).There was a significantly greater salvage rate in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists scores≤2(93.3%vs 25%;P=0.0024).CONCLUSION This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that volume alone should not be used as a marker of quality for patients requiring PD.Despite low volumes at our facility,we demonstrated that 87.9%of patients were rescued from major complications.We attributed this to several factors including development of rescue protocols,the competence of the pancreatic surgery teams and continuous,and adaptive learning by the entire institution,cul-minating in the development of tailored peri-pancreatectomy protocols.

Indocyanine green:The guide to safer and more effective surgery

In this editorial we comment on the article by Kalayarasan and co-workers published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.The authors present an interesting review on the use of indocyanine green fluo-rescence in different aspects of abdominal surgery.They also highlight future perspectives of the use of indocyanine green in mini-invasive surgery.Indo-cyanine green,used for fluorescence imaging,has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is safe for use in humans.It can be administered in-travenously or intra-arterially.Since its advent,there have been several advance-ments in the applications of indocyanine green,especially in the surgical field,such as intraoperative mapping and biopsy of sentinel lymph node,measurement of hepatic function prior to resection,in neurosurgical cases to detect vascular anomalies,in cardiovascular cases for patency and assessment of vascular ab-normalities,in predicting healing following amputations,in helping visualization of hepatobiliary anatomy and blood vessels,in reconstructive surgery,to assess flap viability and for the evaluation of tissue perfusion following major trauma and burns.For these reasons,the intraoperative use of indocyanine green has become common in a variety of surgical specialties and transplant surgery.Co-lorectal surgery has just lately begun to adopt this technique,particularly for perfusion visualization to prevent anastomotic leakage.The regular use of in-docyanine green coupled with fluorescence angiography has recently been pro-posed as a feasible tool to help improve patient outcomes.Using the best available data,it has been shown that routine use of indocyanine green in colorectal surgery reduces the rates of anastomotic leak.The use of indocyanine green is proven to be safe,feasible,and effective in both elective and emergency scenarios.However,additional robust evidence from larger-scale,high-quality studies is essential before incorporating indocyanine green guided surgery into standard practice.

Reinforced tissue matrix to strengthen the abdominal wall following reversal of temporary ostomies or to treat incisional hernias

BACKGROUND Abdominal wall deficiencies or weakness are a common complication of tem-porary ostomies,and incisional hernias frequently develop after colostomy or ileostomy takedown.The use of synthetic meshes to reinforce the abdominal wall has reduced hernia occurrence.Biologic meshes have also been used to enhance healing,particularly in contaminated conditions.Reinforced tissue matrices(R-TMs),which include a biologic scaffold of native extracellular matrix and a syn-thetic component for added strength/durability,are designed to take advantage of aspects of both synthetic and biologic materials.To date,RTMs have not been reported to reinforce the abdominal wall following stoma reversal.METHODS Twenty-eight patients were selected with a parastomal and/or incisional hernia who had received a temporary ileostomy or colostomy for fecal diversion after rectal cancer treatment or trauma.Following hernia repair and proximal stoma closure,RTM(OviTex®1S permanent or OviTex®LPR)was placed to reinforce the abdominal wall using a laparoscopic,robotic,or open surgical approach.Post-operative follow-up was performed at 1 month and 1 year.Hernia recurrence was determined by physical examination and,when necessary,via computed tomo-graphy scan.Secondary endpoints included length of hospital stay,time to return to work,and hospital readmissions.Evaluated complications of the wound/repair site included presence of surgical site infection,seroma,hematoma,wound dehiscence,or fistula formation.RESULTS The observational study cohort included 16 male and 12 female patients with average age of 58.5 years±16.3 years and average body mass index of 26.2 kg/m^(2)±4.1 kg/m^(2).Patients presented with a parastomal hernia(75.0%),in-cisional hernia(14.3%),or combined parastomal/incisional hernia(10.7%).Using a laparoscopic(53.6%),robotic(35.7%),or open(10.7%)technique,RTMs(OviTex®LPR:82.1%,OviTex®1S:17.9%)were placed using sublay(82.1%)or intraperitoneal onlay(IPOM;17.9%)mesh positioning.At 1-month and 1-year follow-ups,there were no hernia recurrences(0%).Average hospital stays were 2.1 d±1.2 d and return to work occurred at 8.3 post-operative days±3.0 post-operative days.Three patients(10.7%)were readmitted before the 1-month follow up due to mesh infection and/or gastrointestinal issues.Fistula and mesh infection were observed in two patients each(7.1%),leading to partial mesh removal in one patient(3.6%).There were no complications between 1 month and 1 year(0%).CONCLUSION RTMs were used successfully to treat parastomal and incisional hernias at ileostomy reversal,with no hernia recurrences and favorable outcomes after 1-month and 1-year.

Postoperative encapsulated hemoperitoneum in a patient with gastric stromal tumor treated by exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric stromal tumors,originating from mesenchymal tissues,are one of the most common tumors of the digestive tract.For stromal tumors originating from the muscularis propria,compared with conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD),endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR)can remove deep lesions and digestive tract wall tumors completely.However,this technique has major limitations such as perforation,postoperative bleeding,and post-polypectomy syndrome.Herein,we report a case of postoperative serous surface bleeding which formed an encapsulated hemoperitoneum in a patient with gastric stromal tumor that was treated with exposed EFTR.Feasible treatment options to address this complication are described.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old male patient had a hemispherical protrusion found during gastric endoscopic ultrasonography,located at the upper gastric curvature adjacent to the stomach fundus,with a smooth surface mucosa and poor mobility.The lesion was 19.3 mm×16.1 mm in size and originated from the fourth ultrasound layer.Computed tomography(CT)revealed no significant evidence of lymph node enlargement or distant metastasis.Using conventional ESD technology for mucosal pre-resection,exposed EFTR was performed to resect the intact tumor in order to achieve a definitive histopathological diagnosis.Based on its morphology and immunohistochemical expression of CD117 and DOG-1,the lesion was proven to be consistent with a gastric stromal tumor.Six days after exposed EFTR,CT showed a large amount of encapsulated fluid and gas accumulation around the stomach.In addition,gastroscopy suggested intracavitary bleeding and abdominal puncture drainage indicated serosal bleeding.Based on these findings,the patient was diagnosed with serosal bleeding resulting in encapsulated abdominal hemorrhage after exposed EFTR for a gastric stromal tumor.The patient received combined treatments,such as hemostasis under gastroscopy,gastrointestinal decompression,and abdominal drainage.All examinations were normal within six months of follow-up.CONCLUSION This patient developed serous surface bleeding in the gastric cavity following exposed EFTR.Serosal bleeding resulting in an encapsulated hemoperitoneum is rare in clinical practice.The combined treatment may replace certain surgical techniques.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by indocyanine green fluorescence: A cranial-dorsal approach

BACKGROUND Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intra-hepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)techniques.The indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence navi-gation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions,potentially overcoming the limitations of LH.While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy(LLH)is a standardized procedure,there is a need for innova-tive strategies to enhance its outcomes.important anatomical markers,surgical skills,and ICG staining methods.METHODS Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad,isolating the Arantius ligament,exposing the middle hepatic vein,and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH.The surgical methods,as well as intra-and post-surgical data,were recorded and analyzed.Our hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee approved this study(Ethical review:2022-019-01).RESULTS Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68±99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5%and 0%,respectively.The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up(median of 18 months;range 1-36 months)was 21.6%.No mortality or severe complications(level IV)were reported.CONCLUSION LLH has the potential to become a novel,standardized approach that can effectively,safely,and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.

Evaluation of bacterial contamination and medium-term oncological outcomes of intracorporeal anastomosis for colon cancer:A propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND Although intracorporeal anastomosis(IA)for colon cancer requires longer operative time than extracorporeal anastomosis(EA),its short-term postoperative results,such as early recovery of bowel movement,have been reported to be equal or better.As IA requires opening the intestinal tract in the abdominal cavity under pneumoperitoneum,there are concerns about intraperitoneal bacterial infection and recurrence of peritoneal dissemination due to the spread of bacteria and tumor cells.However,intraperitoneal bacterial contamination and medium-term oncological outcomes have not been clarified.abdominal cavity in IA.METHODS Of 127 patients who underwent laparoscopic colon resection for colon cancer from April 2015 to December 2020,75 underwent EA(EA group),and 52 underwent IA(IA group).After propensity score matching,the primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival rates,and secondary endpoints were 3-year overall survival rates,type of recurrence,surgical site infection(SSI)incidence,number of days on antibiotics,and postoperative biological responses.RESULTS Three-year disease-free survival rates did not significantly differ between the IA and EA groups(87.2%and 82.7%,respectively,P=0.4473).The 3-year overall survival rates also did not significantly differ between the IA and EA groups(94.7%and 94.7%,respectively;P=0.9891).There was no difference in the type of recurrence between the two groups.In addition,there were no significant differences in SSI incidence or the number of days on antibiotics;however,postoperative biological responses,such as the white blood cell count(10200 vs 8650/mm^(3),P=0.0068),C-reactive protein(6.8 vs 4.5 mg/dL,P=0.0011),and body temperature(37.7 vs 37.5℃,P=0.0079),were significantly higher in the IA group.CONCLUSION IA is an anastomotic technique that should be widely performed because its risk of intraperitoneal bacterial contamination and medium-term oncological outcomes are comparable to those of EA.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided coaxial core needle biopsy for the diagnosis of multiple splenic lesions: A case report

BACKGROUND The overlap of imaging manifestations among distinct splenic lesions gives rise to a diagnostic dilemma.Consequently,a definitive diagnosis primarily relies on his-tological results.The ultrasound(US)-guided coaxial core needle biopsy(CNB)not only procures sufficient tissue to help clarify the diagnosis,but reduces the incidence of puncture-related complications.CASE SUMMARY A 41-year-old female,with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis,was admitted to our hospital with multiple indeterminate splenic lesions.Gray-scale ultrasono-graphy demonstrated splenomegaly with numerous well-defined hypoechoic ma-sses.Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)showed an en-larged spleen with multiple irregular-shaped,peripherally enhancing,hypodense lesions.Positron emission CT revealed numerous abnormal hyperglycemia foci.These imaging findings strongly indicated the possibility of infectious disease as the primary concern,with neoplastic lesions requiring exclusion.To obtain the precise pathological diagnosis,the US-guided coaxial CNB of the spleen was ca-rried out.The patient did not express any discomfort during the procedure.CONCLUSION Percutaneous US-guided coaxial CNB is an excellent and safe option for obtaining precise splenic tissue samples,as it significantly enhances sample yield for exact pathological analysis with minimum trauma to the spleen parenchyma and sur-rounding tissue.

Early endoscopic management of an infected acute necrotic collection misdiagnosed as a pancreatic pseudocyst: A case report

BACKGROUND Infected acute necrotic collection(ANC)is a fatal complication of acute pancre-atitis with substantial morbidity and mortality.Drainage plays an exceedingly important role as the first step in invasive intervention for infected necrosis;however,there is great controversy about the optimal drainage time,and better treatment should be explored.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 43-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with severe intake reduction due to early satiety 2 wk after treatment for acute pancre-atitis;conservative treatment was ineffective,and a pancreatic pseudocyst was suspected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT).Endoscopic ultra-sonography(EUS)suggested hyperechoic necrotic tissue within the cyst cavity.The wall was not completely mature,and the culture of the puncture fluid was positive for A-haemolytic Streptococcus.Thus,the final diagnosis of ANC in-fection was made.The necrotic collection was not walled off and contained many solid components;therefore,the patient underwent EUS-guided aspiration and lavage.Two weeks after the collection was completely encapsulated,pancreatic duct stent drainage via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)was performed,and the patient was subsequently successfully discharged.On repeat CT,the pancreatic cysts had almost disappeared during the 6-month fo-llow-up period after surgery.CONCLUSION Early EUS-guided aspiration and lavage combined with late ERCP catheter drainage may be effective methods for intervention in infected ANCs.

Pre-operative visceral adipose tissue radiodensity is a potentially novel prognostic biomarker for early endoscopic post-operative recurrence in Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests inflammatory mesenteric fat is involved in post-operative recurrence(POR)of Crohn’s disease(CD).However,its prognostic value is INTRODUCTION Crohn’s disease(CD)is a debilitating chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease(IMID)of the gastrointestinal tract that is increasing in incidence and prevalence globally[1].CD patients often undergo surgery for disease-related complic-ations and/or medically refractory disease.Unfortunately,surgery is not curative,and many patients develop post-operative recurrence(POR)of CD with a significant proportion eventually requiring additional surgeries.With advances in early detection and therapeutics,the contemporary 10-year risk of surgery has improved from 50%to 26%,but the risk of recurrent surgery has remained unchanged at 30%,suggesting a need to improve post-operative management strategies[2].Presently,there are two accepted strategies to mitigate POR,but each have potential limitations.Firstly,patients start early post-operative pharmacologic prophylaxis within 4-6 wk after surgery.This strategy can potentially overtreat a subset of patient who may not develop long-term disease recurrence off therapy.Consequently,these patients are at risk of medication-related adverse events and the direct and indirect costs associated with therapy with little or no benefit[3].The second strategy is performing early colonoscopy within 6-12 months after surgery and escalating therapy based on FOOTNOTES Author contributions:Gu P is the guarantor of the article and was involved in concept and design,data collection,statistical analysis,drafting of manuscript,and final approval of manuscript;Dube S and Choi SY were involved in statistical analysis,drafting of the manuscript,and final approval of manuscript;Gellada N,Win S,Lee YJ and Yang S were involved in the data collection,drafting of the manuscript,and final approval of manuscript;Haritunians T and Li D were involved in data analysis and interpretation,drafting of manuscript and final approval of manuscript;Melmed GY,Yarur AJ,Fleshner P,Kallman C and Devkota S were involved in study concept and design,data interpretation,drafting of manuscript and final approval of manuscript;Vasiliauskas EA,Bonthala N,Syal G,Ziring D and Targan SR were involved in data interpretation,drafting of manuscript and final approval of manuscript;Rabizadeh S was involved in study concept and design,drafting of manuscript and final approval of manuscript;McGovern DPB was involved in concept and design,statistical analysis,drafting of manuscript and final approval of manuscript.

Don’t forget emergency surgery! Lessons to learn from elective indocyanine green-guided gastrointestinal interventions

Fluorescence-based imaging has found application in several fields of elective surgery,but there is still a lack of evidence in the literature about its use in the emergency setting.Clinical trials have consistently shown that indocyanine green(ICG)-guided surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of postoperative complic-ations,length of in-hospital stay and total healthcare costs in the elective setting.It is well-known that emergency surgery has a higher complication rate than its elective counterpart,therefore an impelling need for research studies to explore,validate and develop this issue has been highlighted.The present editorial aims to provide a critical overview of currently available applications and pitfalls of ICG fluorescence in abdominal emergencies.Furthermore,we evidenced how the experience of ICG-fluorescence in elective surgery might be of great help in implementing its use in acute situations.In the first paragraph we analyzed the tips and tricks of ICG-guided cancer surgery that might be exploited in acute cases.We then deepened the two most described topics in ICG-guided emergency surgery:Acute cholecystitis and intestinal ischemia,focusing on both the advantages and limitations of green-fluorescence application in these two fields.In emergency situations,ICG fluorescence demonstrates a promising role in preventing undue intestinal resections or their entity,facilitating the detection of intestinal ischemic zones,identifying biliary tree anatomy,reducing post-operative complications,and mitigating high mortality rates.The need to improve its application still exists,therefore we strongly believe that the elective and routinary use of the dye is the best way to acquire the necessary skills for emer-gency procedures.

Endoscopic treatment of extreme esophageal stenosis complicated with esophagotracheal fistula: A case report

BACKGROUND At present,there is no unified and effective treatment for extreme corrosive esophageal stenosis(CES)with esophagotracheal fistula(ETF).This case had extreme and severe esophageal stenosis(ES)and ETF after ingesting an enzyme-based chemical detergent,resulting in a serious pulmonary infection and severe malnutrition.Upper gastrointestinal imaging showed that he had an ETF,and endoscopy showed that he had extreme and severe esophageal stricture.This case was complex and difficult to treat.According to the domestic and foreign lite-rature,there is no universal treatment that is low-risk.CASE SUMMARY A patient came to our hospital with extreme ES,an ETF,and severe malnutrition complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis 1 mo after the consumption of an enzy-me-based detergent.The ES was serious,and the endoscope was unable to pass through the esophagus.We treated him by endoscopic incision method(EIM),esophageal stent placement(ESP),and endoscopic balloon dilation(EBD)by using the bronchoscope and gastroscope.This treatment not only closed the ETF,but also expanded the esophagus,with minimal trauma,greatly reducing the pain of the patient.According to the literature,there are no similar reported cases.CONCLUSION We report,for the first time,a patient with extreme CES complicated with ETF,where the endoscope could not be passed through his esophagus but he could be examined by bronchoscopy and treated by EIM,ESP,and EBD.

Oncological features and prognosis of colorectal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Due to the prolonged life expectancy and increased risk of colorectal cancer(CRC)among patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection,the prognosis and pathological features of CRC in HIV-positive patients require examination.AIM To compare the differences in oncological features,surgical safety,and prognosis between patients with and without HIV infection who have CRC at the same tumor stage and site.METHODS In this retrospective study,we collected data from HIV-positive and-negative patients who underwent radical resection for CRC.Using random stratified sampling,24 HIV-positive and 363 HIV-negative patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma after radical resection were selected.Using propensity score matching,we selected 72 patients,matched 1:2(HIV-positive:negative=24:48).Differences in basic characteristics,HIV acquisition,perioperative serological indicators,surgical safety,oncological features,and long-term prognosis were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Fewer patients with HIV infection underwent chemotherapy compared to patients without.HIV-positive patients had fewer preoperative and postoperative leukocytes,fewer preoperative lymphocytes,lower carcinoembryonic antigen levels,more intraoperative blood loss,more metastatic lymph nodes,higher node stage,higher tumor node metastasis stage,shorter overall survival,and shorter progression-free survival compared to patients who were HIV-negative.CONCLUSION Compared with CRC patients who are HIV-negative,patients with HIV infection have more metastatic lymph nodes and worse long-term survival after surgery.Standard treatment options for HIV-positive patients with CRC should be explored.

Prospects in the application of ultrasensitive chromosomal aneuploidy detection in precancerous lesions of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignant tumor within the digestive system,with over 40%of new cases and deaths related to GC globally occurring in China.Despite advancements in treatment modalities,such as surgery supplemented by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic agents,the prognosis for GC remains poor.New targeted therapies and immunotherapies are currently under invest-igation,but no significant breakthroughs have been achieved.Studies have indicated that GC is a heterogeneous disease,encompassing multiple subtypes with distinct biological characteristics and roles.Consequently,personalized treatment based on clinical features,pathologic typing,and molecular typing is crucial for the diagnosis and management of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC).Current research has categorized GC into four subtypes:Epstein-Barr virus-positive,microsatellite instability,genome stability,and chromosome instability(CIN).Technologies such as multi-omics analysis and gene sequencing are being employed to identify more suitable novel testing methods in these areas.Among these,ultrasensitive chromosomal aneuploidy detection(UCAD)can detect CIN at a genome-wide level in subjects using low-depth whole genome sequencing technology,in conjunction with bioinformatics analysis,to achieve qualitative and quantitative detection of chromosomal stability.This editorial reviews recent research advancements in UCAD technology for the diagnosis and management of PLGC.

Clinical effect of laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer based on propensity score matching

BACKGROUND The incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC)is increasing annually.Laparoscopic radical resection of CRC is a minimally invasive procedure preferred in clinical practice.AIM To investigate the clinical effect of laparoscopic radical resection of CRC on the basis of propensity score matching(PSM).METHODS The clinical data of 100 patients who received inpatient treatment for CRC at Changde Hospital,Xiangya School of Medicine,Central South University(The First People’s Hospital of Changde City)were analyzed retrospectively.The control group included patients who underwent open surgery(n=43),and those who underwent laparoscopic surgery formed the observation group(n=57).The baseline information of both groups was equipoised using 1×1 PSM.Differences in the perioperative parameters,inflammatory response,immune function,degree of pain,and physical status between the groups were analyzed.RESULTS Thirty patients from both groups were successfully matched.After PSM,baseline data showed no statistically significant differences between the groups:(1)Periop-erative parameters:The observation group had a longer surgery time,less intra-operative blood loss,earlier first ambulation and first anal exhaust times,and shorter gastric tube indwelling time than the control group;(2)Inflammatory response:24 h after surgery,the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)between groups were higher than preoperatively.IL-6,CRP,and TNF-αlevels in the observation group were lower than in the control group;(3)Immune function:At 24 h after surgery,counts of CD4-positive T-lymphocytes(CD4+)and CD4+/CD8-positive T-lymphocytes(CD8+)in both groups were lower than those before surgery,whereas CD8+was higher than that before surgery.At 24 h after surgery,both CD4+counts and CD4+/CD8+in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,whereas CD8+counts were lower;(4)Degree of pain:The visual analog scale scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 24 and 72 h after surgery;and(5)Physical status:One month after surgery,the Karnofsky performance score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group.CONCLUSION Laparoscopic radical resection of CRC has significant benefits,such as reducing postoperative pain and postoperative inflammatory response,avoiding excessive immune inhibition,and contributing to postoperative recovery.

Ex vivo liver resection and auto-transplantation and special systemic therapy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma treatment

This editorial contains comments on the article“Systematic sequential therapy for ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation:A case report and review of li-terature”in the recent issue of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.It points out the actuality and importance of the article and focuses primarily on the role and place of ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation(ELRAT)and systemic therapy,underlying molecular mechanisms for targeted therapy in perihilar cho-langiocarcinoma(pCCA)management.pCCA is a tough malignancy with a high proportion of advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.The only curative option is radical surgery.Surgical excision and reconstruction become extremely com-plicated and not always could be performed even in localized disease.On the other hand,ELRAT takes its place among surgical options for carefully selected pCCA patients.In advanced disease,systemic therapy becomes a viable option to prolong survival.This editorial describes current possibilities in chemotherapy and reveals underlying mechanisms and projections in targeted therapy with ki-nase inhibitors and immunotherapy in both palliative and adjuvant settings.Fi-broblast grow factor and fibroblast grow factor receptor,human epidermal grow-th factor receptor 2,isocitrate dehydrogenase,and protein kinase cAMP activated catalytic subunit alpha(PRKACA)and beta(PRKACB)pathways have been ac-tively investigated in CCA in last years.Several agents were introduced and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.They all demonstrated mean-ingful activity in CCA patients with no global change in outcomes.That is why every successfully treated patient counts,especially those with advanced disease.In conclusion,pCCA is still hard to treat due to late diagnosis and extremely complicated surgical options.ELRAT also brings some hope,but it could be performed in very carefully selected patients.Advanced disease requires systemic anticancer treatment,which is supposed to be individualized according to the genetic and molecular features of cancer cells.Targeted therapy in combination with chemo-immunotherapy could be effective in susceptible patients.