Role of neoadjuvant therapy for nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer:Current evidence and future perspectives

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is one of the most common and lethal human cancers worldwide.Surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy offers the best chance of a long-term survival for patients with PDAC,although only approximately 20%of the patients have resectable tumors when diagnosed.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)is recommended for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.Several studies have investigated the role of NACT in treating resectable tumors based on the recent advances in PDAC biology,as NACT provides the potential benefit of selecting patients with favorable tumor biology and controls potential micro-metastases in high-risk patients with resectable PDAC.In such challenging cases,new potential tools,such as ct-DNA and molecular targeted therapy,are emerging as novel therapeutic options that may improve old paradigms.This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the role of NACT in treating non-metastatic pancreatic cancer while focusing on future perspectives in light of recent evidence.

Review of single incision laparoscopic surgery in colorectal surgery

As surgical techniques continue to move towards less invasive techniques,single incision laparoscopic surgery(SILS),a hybrid between traditional multiport laparoscopy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery,was introduced to further the enhanced outcomes of multiport laparoscopy. The safety and feasibility of SILS for both benign and malignant colorectal disease has been proven. SILS provides the potential for improved cosmesis,postoperative pain,recovery time,and quality of life at the drawback of higher technical skill required. In this article,we review the history,describe the available technology and techniques,and evaluate the benefits and limitations of SILS for colorectal surgery in the published literature.

Review of 500 single incision laparoscopic colorectalsurgery cases-Lessons learned

Single incision laparoscopic surgery(SILS) is a minimally invasive platform with specific benefits over traditional multiport laparoscopic surgery. The safety and feasibility of SILS has been proven, and the applications continue to grow with experience. After 500 cases at a high-volume, single-institution, we were able to standardize instrumentation and operative steps, as well as develop adaptations in technique to help overcome technical and ergonomic challenges. These technical adaptations have allowed the successful application of SILS to technically difficult patient populations, such as pelvic cases, inflammatory bowel disease cases, and high body mass index patients. This review is a frame of reference for the application and wider integration of the single incision laparoscopic platform in colorectal surgery.

Management of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver surgery and thermal ablations:state of the art and future perspectives

Despite the improvements in surgical and medical therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),recurrence still represents a major issue.Up to 70%of patients can experience HCC recurrence after liver resection(LR),as well as 20%of them even after liver transplantation(LT).The patterns of recurrence are different according to both the time and the location.Similarly,the risk factors and the management can change not only according to these patterns,but also according to the underlying liver condition and to the first treatment performed.Deep knowledge of such correlation is fundamental,since prevention and effective management of recurrence are undoubtedly the most important strategies to improve the outcomes of HCC treatment.Without adjuvant therapy,maintaining very close monitoring during the first 2 years in order to diagnose curable recurrence and continue this monitoring beyond 5 years because late recurrences exist,remains our only possibility today.Surgery represents the cornerstone treatment for HCC,including both LT and LR.However,new interesting therapeutic opportunities are coming from immunotherapy that has shown encouraging results also in the adjuvant setting.In such a complex and evolutionary scenario,the aim of this review is to summarize current strategies for the management of HCC recurrence,focusing on the different possible scenarios,as well as on future perspectives.

腹腔镜下止血设备新进展

目的为提高血管闭合性能、手术效果和临床结局,市场上研发了许多新式的血管闭合系统。在微创手术中,爆破压、横向热扩散、闭合率和故障率是选择器备并获得最理想手术效果的重要考虑参数。本文详细介绍多种新式止血设备的物理学原理和基本运行机制,并回顾相关文献评价各个设备的优缺点。

在澳大利亚利用腹腔镜进行附件手术的现状和变化趋势

自从引入腹腔镜手术,普遍认为应用腹腔镜进行附件手术会取代开腹手术。然而事实证明,虽然腹腔镜手术开展了20多年,开腹附件手术仍未被淘汰。这份来自澳大利亚各州及地区关于附件手术病人的资料显示了在澳大利亚应用腹腔镜进行附件手术的变化趋势。同时还有一份来自悉尼利物浦医院病人的资料同样也说明了在附件手术中决定选择何种手术方式的影响因素。我们的研究认为,在所有附件手术中,应用腹腔镜进行手术已经增加到90%,然而大概还有10%的病人需要开腹手术。全国范围内附件手术在手术方式选择上的变化趋势受政府医疗保险政策变化的影响。利物浦医院的当地资料显示,不同个体在手术方式选择上的变化趋势与澳大利亚全国范围内附件手术方式变化趋势不同,是由于管理人员和资金的改变引起的。从病人利益角度考虑,一项对妇科医师问卷调查显示,下述因素是导致医师选择开腹手术的重要原因:术前怀疑肿瘤是恶性的;医生缺少腹腔镜技术的培训;急诊状况下。术前应用敏感性高和特异性好的肿瘤标志物改善附件恶性肿瘤术前诊断的准确性有利于更多病人进入腔镜组而不是开腹组,同时医师经过良好的训练和提高手术技术也可以在不久的将来促进腹腔镜手术的发展。

Robotic Foregut Surgery: One Surgeon’s Experience with Nissen Fundoplication, Esophagomyotomy, and Hiatal Hernia Repair

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to review a single surgeon, seven-year experience, using the Da Vinci Telerobotic system performing 124 foregut operations. Methods: Data review from 2002-2009 including 71 Nissen fundoplications, 26 esophagomyotomies, and 27 hiatal hernia repairs was performed. Parameters collected included gender, age, body mass index (BMI), estimated blood loss (EBL), port set up time (PST), robot operating time (ROT), total case time (TCT), length of stay (LOS), complications, conversions, and resident involvement. Statistical analysis was con-ducted. Results: 124 foregut operations: 45 males, 79 females, mean age of 54.8 ± 16.7 (18 - 85) years, mean TCT 174.4 ± 45.0 (102 - 321) min. Nissen fundoplication: mean BMI of 30.8 ± 3.9 (22.4 - 46.8) kg/m2, EBL 30.2 ± 21.8 (5 - 100) ml, PST 32.3 ± 9 (14 - 63) min, ROT 111.4 ± 37.3 (51 - 229) min, TCT 175.0 ± 46.4 (102 - 321) min, median LOS 1 (0 - 9) day, complication rate 7.0% (5/71), conversion rate 5.6%, resident involvement 69.0% (49/71). Esophagomyotomy: mean BMI of 26.5 ± 6.1 (15.4 - 36.6) kg/m2, EBL 39.1 ± 41.7 (10 - 200) ml, PST 28.0 ± 8.6 (16 - 47) min, ROT 122.9 ± 45 (31 - 217) min, and TCT 178.0 ± 40.5 (105 - 262) min, median LOS 1 (0 - 6) day, complication rate 15.4% (4/26), conversion rate 0%, resident involvement 69.2% (18/26). Hiatal hernia repair: mean BMI of 28.4 ± 4.2 (21.9 - 36.8) kg/m2, EBL 38.4 ± 32.7 (10 - 150) ml, PST 28.8 ± 8.0 (17 - 52) min, ROT 109.0 ± 44.5 (49 - 250) min, and TCT 169.2 ± 46.5 (102 - 299) min, median LOS 1 (1 - 14) day, complication rate 11.1% (3/27), conversion rate 3.7%, resident involvement 66.7% (18/27). Conclusion: Robotic-assisted foregut surgery is safe and effective. This series compares favorably with other robotic studies in length of hospital stay, total case time, and complication and conver-sion rates. Foregut surgery is an excellent robotic training ground for residents.

Acute Appendicitis Pathways: A Systemic Review

Background: Clinical pathways are effective in reducing healthcare cost and standardizing management protocol for diseases and conditions. However, there are no standardized pathways for appendicitis. This study aims to determine whether implementation of a standardized clinical pathway for managing appendicitis may lead to improved patient care. Materials and Methods: We searched for articles published in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library between 1974 and 2015. Thirty-seven papers published in English that met inclusion criteria were included and analyzed in this review. A total of 37 studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed for the purpose of this study. Results: A clear definition for appendicitis pathway was observed in 30 articles. Appendicitis was diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings;however, 34% of the studies included radiological investigations. Sixteen studies provided clear definitions for discharge criteria. Time of follow-up (5 - 28 days) was reported in 10 studies. Operative time was the most commonly used outcome measure. The mean length of stay for non-complicated appendicitis was 1.3 days, and 6.26 days for complicated appendicitis. Most of the studies concluded that the accuracy of a clinical pathway for appendicitis diagnosis can be achieved by assessing the incidence of a normal appendix. The mean cost for patient care was $4874.14 (SAR 18,278.03). Conclusion: There was no standardized definition for appendicitis clinical pathway components. Studies suggested that establishing a clinical pathway for appendicitis improves the outcome and minimizes the cost.

Liver transplantation and sleeve gastrectomy in the medically complicated obese: New challenges on the horizon

In the last 30 years, operative, technical and medical advances have made liver transplantation(LT) a lifesaving therapy that is used worldwide today. Global industrialization has been a contributor to morbid obesity and this has brought about the metabolic syndrome along with many downstream complications of such. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) has become a recognized hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and NASH cirrhosis is predicted to be the primary indication for LT in the United States by 2025. Several case series and database reviews have begun analyzing the efficacy of weight reduction surgery in the LT recipient. These data have reasonably demonstrated that weight reduction surgery in the LT recipient is a feasible endeavor. However, several questions have been raised regarding the type of weight reduction surgery, timing of surgery in relation to LT, patient and allograft survival and post-LT maintenance of weight loss to name a few. We look forward to a time when weight reduction surgery will work to improve the technical conduct of LT, improve perioperative benchmarks such as blood transfusions, intensive care unit length of stay and help to prevent recurrence of NASH cirrhosis in the medically complicated obese patient. In the meantime, well-designed prospective clinical trials that focus on the issues highlighted will help guide us in the care of these complicated patients who will soon account for the majority of the patients in our clinics.

Immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma:A promising therapeutic option for advanced disease

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide,and its incidence continues to increase.Despite improvements in both medical and surgical therapies,HCC remains associated with poor outcomes due to its high rates of recurrence and mortality.Approximately 50% of patients require systemic therapies that traditionally consist of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.Recently,however,immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized HCC management,providing new therapeutic options.Despite these major advances,the different factors involved in poor clinical responses and molecular pathways leading to resistance following use of these therapies remain unclear.Alternative strategies,such as adoptive T cell transfer,vaccination,and virotherapy,are currently under evaluation.Combinations of immunotherapies with other systemic or local treatments are also being investigated and may be the most promising opportunities for HCC treatment.The aim of this review is to provide updated information on currently available immunotherapies for HCC as well as future perspectives.

Transanal Endoscopic Video Assisted Rectal Lesion Resection, New Techniques Addressing Neoplasms

Early rectal cancer beyond the reach of conventional instruments has resulted in major abdominal and pelvic operations. As visualization is compromised beyond 6 - 8 cm, proximal to the anal verge, there have been several innovations and techniques to address T1 or T2 rectal cancer in the mid to upper rectum. Transanal Endscopic Microsurgery (TEM) was a technique that had garnered some success, however with expensive instrumentation along with limitations in instrument mobility, this technology was not applicable to many patients. Transanal Endoscopic Video Assisted (TEVA) rectal resection offers a cheap and readily accessible media to address early rectal cancer. Any hospital with standard laparoscopic ability is capable to offer TEVA rectal resection. We do advocate appropriate patient selection and advise that there is a learning curve with the increased requirement for technical difficulty. Once mastered, however, this surgical approach does provide yet another tool in the armamentarium of the surgeon.

比较子宫肌瘤栓塞术与肌瘤切除术在欲保留生育能力妇女的疗效差异:一项随机对照试验的初步结果

Objective: To compare the clinical results of surgical and endovascular treatment of uterine myomas in young women. Study design: In a university-affiliated, tertiary care center a prospective trial was conducted. Sixty-three women, wishing to retain fertility, with intramural fibroid(s) larger than 4 cm, were randomly selected either for uterine artery embolization or myomectomy. Invasiveness, efficacy, and complications of both procedures were compared. Results: Thirty embolizations and 33 myomectomies (15 laparoscopic, 18 open) were performed. The mean follow-up was 17 months. In embolized patients, there was a significantly shorter procedure length (p < 0.0001), hospital stay (p < 0.001) and disability period (p < 0.0001), lower CRP (p < 0.001) and higher hemoglobin (p < 0.0001) concentrations the 2nd day after procedure. But there was a higher incidence of reinterventions (p < 0.01) and a lower rate of total symptomatic relief (p < 0.1). The groups did not significantly differ in: technical success rate, febrile morbidity, FSH levels 6 months after the procedure, and complication rates. Conclusions: Although the reproductive outcomes of uterine artery embolization and myomectomy cannot be evaluated at the moment, our first results indicate that both methods are clinically successful in the majority of cases and are not connected with significant number of serious complications.

The evolution of sacrocolpopexy and development of novel techniques via natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

Prolapse of one or more pelvic organs through the vagina,such as the uterus,bladder,or rectum,is an increasingly common occurrence in the aging female population,with rates approaching 60%of parous women.1 Its associated symptoms of vaginal bulge or bladder,bowel,or sexual dysfunction can drastically affect a woman's quality of life.Multiple surgical options for the treatment pelvic organ prolapse exist and may involve autologous tissue repair or the use of biological or synthetic grafts.Abdominal sacrocolpopexy,first described in 1957 by Arthure and Savage,involves using the sacrum as a point of support for the vaginal apex.2 The technique was further refined by Huguier and Scali by the incorporation of a graft to improve tissue strength and to improve postoperative anatomical cure rates.3 For many surgeons,abdominal sacrocolpopexy is the preferred surgical technique as it has demonstrated superior outcomes with higher postoperative success rates through restoration of normal anatomy and lower rates of prolapse recurrence and postoperative dyspareunia.

Posterior component separation/transversus abdominis release

The Rives-Stoppa technique for ventral hernia repair is commonly utilized due to well-proven outcomes with low overall morbidity. However, this approach is limited by the amount of myofascial advancement and sublay space available for a wide mesh overlap. Thus, anterior component separation was developed to allow further myofascial advancement.Some limitations were noted, which led to the subsequent study, utilization, and refinement of the posterior component separation (PCS) technique.PCS continues to demonstrate low hernia recurrence, surgical site occurrences, and improvement in rectus muscle function. Continued adoption of this technique has expanded to minimally invasive approaches for hernia repair. This paper is a comprehensive review of the evolution of PCS, technique, and outcomes.