The influence of institutional pancreaticoduodenectomy volume on short-term outcomes in the Brazilian public health system: 2008-2021 / A influência do volume institucional de duodenopancreatectomia nos resultados de curto prazo no sistema público de saúde brasileiro: 2008-2021

ABSTRACT Introduction: pancreaticoduodenectomy is a complex surgical procedure that can result in high rates of complications and morbimortality. Due to its complexity, the establishment of referral centers has increased in recent decades. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the institutional volume of pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer on short-term outcomes in the Brazilian public health system. Methods: this study used a population-based approach and investigated the number of pancreaticoduodenectomies performed by institutions within Brazil's public health system between 2008 and 2021. High-volume institutions were defined as those that performed more than two standard deviations above the mean number of procedures per year. Specifically, if a center performed eight or more pancreaticoduodenectomies annually, it was considered a high-volume institution. Results: in Brazil, 283 public hospitals performed pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer between 2008 and 2021. Only ten hospitals performed at least eight pancreaticoduodenectomies per year, accounting for approximately 3.5% of the institutions. High-volume institutions had a significantly lower in-hospital mortality rate than low-volume institutions (8 vs. 17%). No significant differences between groups were observed for length of stay, hospitalizations using the ICU, and ICU length of stay. The linear regression model showed that the number of hospital admissions for pancreaticoduodenectomy and age were significantly associated with hospital mortality. Conclusion: institutional pancreaticoduodenectomy volume implies a lowering of in-hospital mortality. The findings of this nationwide study can affect how the public health system manages pancreaticoduodenectomy care.

RESUMO Introdução: a duodenopancreatectomia é um procedimento complexo com alta risco de complicações e morbimortalidade. Devido à sua complexidade, a constituição de centros de referência tem aumentado nas últimas décadas. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência do volume institucional de duodenopancreatectomia para câncer periampular em resultados de curto prazo no sistema público de saúde brasileiro. Métodos: este estudo utilizou uma abordagem de base populacional e investigou o número de duodenopancreatectomia realizadas por instituições do sistema público de saúde do Brasil entre 2008 e 2021. Definimos instituições de alto volume como aquelas que realizaram mais de dois desvios padrão acima do número médio de procedimentos por ano. Especificamente, um centro seria considerado de alto volume se realizasse oito ou mais duodenopancreatectomias anualmente. Resultados: no Brasil, 283 hospitais públicos realizaram duodenopancreatectomia por câncer entre 2008-2021. Apenas dez hospitais realizaram pelo menos oito duodenopancreatectomias anualmente, correspondendo a aproximadamente 3,5% das instituições. As instituições de alto volume tiveram uma taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar significativamente menor do que as instituições de baixo volume (8 vs. 17%). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos quanto ao tempo de internação, internações na UTI e tempo de internação na UTI. O modelo de regressão linear mostrou que o número de internações para duodenopancreatectomia e a idade estiveram significativamente associados à mortalidade hospitalar. Conclusão: o volume institucional da duodenopancreatectomia implica em diminuição da mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Os achados deste estudo nacional podem afetar a forma como o sistema público de saúde gerencia os cuidados com a duodenopancreatectomia..

Evaluation of laparoscopic skills in medical students

Abstract Objective To evaluate the laparoscopic skills of medical students and identify personal characteristics in terms of greater easiness in performing laparoscopic surgical procedures. Methods This study included medical students in the 6th semester of a Medical School in Brazil who answered 10 questions concerning their habits and characteristics. A laparoscopic platform and an abdominal synthetic model were used to assess surgical skills comprising the three following surgical steps: to pass the needle through the trocar and to place it in the laparoscopic needle holder, to perform a laparoscopic simple stitch in synthetic liver parenchyma and, to perform a laparoscopic surgical knot. The duration of the activity was limited to four minutes and the procedure was monitored by a laparoscopic surgeon. Results The study included 50 students. Of these, 18% completed the three surgical stages. Steps 1 and 2 were completed by 94% and 88% of students, respectively. No statistically significant variables were found when characteristics of the groups with and without success in the three stages were compared. The group that finished the activity had a faster time completing step 2 than the group that failed (mean time of 115.3 seconds against 157.8 seconds, p=0.03). Conclusion The minority of students could complete effectively all three surgical steps. No personal traits related to greater surgical skill were identified.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio change after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a subgroup analysis / Evolução da relação neutrófilo-linfócito após gastrectomia curativa por câncer gástrico: análise de subgrupos

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio change after curative surgery for gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery between 2009 and 2017 was performed. A cutoff value was established for the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the pre- and postoperative periods, according to the median value, and four subgroups were formed (low-low/low-high/high-low/high-high). Clinical-pathological and survival data were analyzed and related to these subgroups. Results: A total of 325 patients were included in the study. The cutoff values of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were 2.14 and 1.8 for the pre and postoperative periods, respectively. In patients with stages I and II, the high-high subgroup presented worse overall survival (p=0.016) and disease-free survival (p=0.001). Complications were higher in the low-high subgroup of patients. Conclusion: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a low cost, efficient and reproducible marker. The prognosis individualization can be performed according to the identification of subgroups at a higher risk of complications and worse prognosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da alteração da relação neutrófilo-linfócito após ressecção curativa por câncer gástrico. Métodos: Realizou-se análise retrospectiva de pacientes com câncer gástrico submetidos à gastrectomia curativa entre 2009 e 2017. Foi estabelecido valor de corte para a relação neutrófilo-linfócito nos períodos pré e pós-operatório de acordo com a mediana, e quatro subgrupos foram formados (baixo-baixo/baixo-alto/alto-baixo/alto-alto). Dados clínicos e patológicos e de sobrevida foram analisados e relacionados com estes subgrupos. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 325 pacientes. Os valores de corte para a relação neutrófilo-linfócito foram 2,14 e 1,8 para os períodos pré e pós-operatório, respectivamente. Em pacientes com estádios I e II, o subgrupo alto-alto apresentou pior sobrevida global (p=0,016) e sobrevida livre de doença (p=0,001). As complicações ocorreram mais em pacientes do subgrupo baixo-alto. Conclusão: A relação neutrófilo-linfócito é um marcador de baixo custo, eficiente e reprodutível. A individualização do prognóstico pode ser realizada de acordo com a identificação de subgrupos com maior risco de complicações e pior prognóstico.

Robotic gastrectomy: technique standardization / Gastrectomia robótica: padronização técnica

ABSTRACT Background: Robotic gastrectomy is gaining popularity worldwide. It allows reduced blood loss and lesser pain. However, it widespread use is limited by the extensive learning curve and costs. Aim: To describe our standard technique with reduced use of robotic instruments. Methods: We detail the steps involved in the procedure, including trocar placement, necessary robotic instruments, and meticulous surgical description. Results: After standardizing the procedure, 28 patients were operated with this budget technique. For each procedure material used was: 1 (Xi model) or 2 disposable trocars (Si) and 4 robotic instruments. Stapling and clipping were performed by the assistant through an auxiliary port, limiting the use of robotic instruments and reducing the cost. Conclusion: This standardization helps implementing a robotic program for gastrectomy in the daily practice or in one`s institution.

RESUMO Racional: A gastrectomia robótica está ganhando popularidade no mundo. Ela permite menor perda sanguínea e menos dor. Entretanto, a curva de aprendizado extensa e os custos limitam seu amplo uso. Objetivo: Descrever nossa técnica padrão com uso reduzido de instrumental robótico. Métodos: Detalham-se todos os passos envolvidos no procedimento, incluindo posicionamento de portais, instrumentos robóticos necessários e descrição cirúrgica meticulosa. Resultados: Após a padronização do procedimento, 28 pacientes foram operados com essa técnica. Em cada procedimento foram utilizados: 1 (modelo Xi) ou 2 (Si) trocárteres descartáveis e 4 pinças robóticas. Grampeamentos e colocação de clips ficaram a cargo do auxiliar, reduzindo o número de instrumentos robóticos utilizados, diminuindo assim o custo. Conclusão: Essa padronização ajuda a implementar programa robótico de gastrectomia na prática diária ou em uma instituição.

Prognostic role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in resected gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

High levels of inflammatory markers and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio appear to be associated with worse overall survival in solid tumors. However, few studies have analyzed the role of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in gastric cancer patients scheduled to undergo curative resection. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and overall survival in patients with gastric cancer submitted to curative resection and to identify the clinicopathological features (age, gender, tumor depth, nodal involvement and tumor differentiation) that are correlated with high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and EMBASE through November 2017 was conducted. Articles that included gastric cancer patients submitted to curative resection and preoperatory neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio values were included. A total of 7 studies comprising 3264 patients from 5 different countries were included. The meta-analysis revealed an association of high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios with older age, male gender, lower 5-year overall survival, increased depth of tumor invasion, positive nodal involvement but not with histological differentiation. Evaluation of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a cost-effective method that is widely available in preoperatory settings. Furthermore, it can effectively predict prognosis, as high values of this biomarker are related to more aggressive tumor characteristics. This ratio can also be used to stratify risk in patients within the same disease stage and may be used to assist in individualized follow-up and treatment.

Adenoma hepático / Hepatic adenoma

INTRODUÇÃO: Os tumores hepáticos benignos, devido à relativa facilidade na identificação através de exames de imagem, tiveram incidência crescente na população nos últimos anos, tornando-se quadro frequente na rotina clínica e muitas vezes um desafio para clínicos e cirurgiões. Logo, o médico passou a enfrentar dilemas relacionados ao diagnóstico e conduta nestes pacientes assintomáticos e portadores de nódulos hepáticos. OBJETIVO: Atualizar o conhecimento dos adenomas hepáticos frente à evolução ocorrida com seu conhecimento nos últimos anos. MÉTODO: Foi efetuada revisão da literatura em consulta na Medline/Pubmed, Scielo, Embase e Lilacs com cruzamento dos seguintes descritores: adenoma hepático, cirurgia, tratamento clínico, diagnóstico, fisiopatologia e biologia molecular. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico incidental de lesões assintomáticas constitui grande dilema na prática clínica, pois traz intensa angústia para o paciente e seus familiares, e muitas vezes tornam-se um desafio para o clínico ou cirurgião. É lesão de particular interesse, pois pode apresentar evolução tanto benigna como complicações potencialmente letais. O adenoma hepático deixou recentemente de ser lesão de ressecção obrigatória; atualmente, adota-se conduta mais individualizada, visando menor morbimortalidade. À luz dos novos avanços da biologia molecular, cabe ao médico que o diagnostica identificar aqueles com potencial evolução desfavorável, para que nesses seja empregada conduta mais agressiva.

BACKGROUND: Benign liver tumors, due to its relative easeness its imaging identification, have their incidence increasing in population in recent years, becoming frequent in the clinical picture and often a challenge for clinicians and surgeons. Doctors began to face dilemmas related to diagnosis in asymptomatic patients with liver nodules. AIM: Update the knowledge of hepatic adenomas due to the crescent diagnosis seen in the recent years. METHODS: Was performed a literature review consulting Medline/PubMed, SciELO, Embase, Lilacs database with the following descriptors: hepatic adenoma, surgery, medical treatment, diagnosis, pathophysiology and molecular biology. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of incidental asymptomatic lesions is a major dilemma in clinical practice because it brings intense distress for patients and their families, and often become a challenge for the physician or surgeon. Injury is of particular interest because it can provide both benign evolution or potentially lethal complications. Recently, its resection is no more mandatory; currently, more individualized treatment are required, aiming less morbidity. In light of new advances in molecular biology, the physician who diagnoses the lesion must identify the potential unfavorable evolution, and recognize cases who need more aggressive medical management.