The public's perspective on the amount of time surgeons spend operating.

BACKGROUND: As waiting lists for elective surgery grow, there seems to be a disconnect between the public's expectations on the amount of time surgeons spend operating compared with reality. On average, a surgeon in the NHS spends one day a week performing elective surgery. We aimed to investigate the public's perception on the amount of time surgeons spend performing elective surgery and what they would desire. METHODS: Members of the public in the UK were approached randomly either on-line or in-person to complete an anonymised 6-question survey. The questionnaire included demographic details, surgical history, occupational experience in the healthcare sector, the number of days a week they believe and wish for surgeons to be performing elective surgery. RESULTS: 252 members of the public responded to the survey (150 females, 102 males). 38.5% have experience working in the healthcare sector and 58.5% have had surgery in the past. 83.7% believe surgeons spend at least 3 days a week performing elective surgery [3-4 days (43.2%), 5-7 days (40.5%)]. 45.7% of respondents want their surgeon to operate between 5 and 7 days per week. CONCLUSION: The public appears to overestimate the amount of time that surgeons spend performing elective surgery and have unrealistic expectations of how much they want their surgeons to operate.

How much time do surgeons spend operating?

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, there is significant variation in the amount of time surgeons spend performing elective surgery. The degree of variation is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in amount of time that surgeons spend operating worldwide. METHODS: An anonymised electronic survey was sent via email to members of The Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons (TUGS) and shared via social media. The questionnaire consisted of demographic details (age, gender, country of practice), scope of practice (full time/less than full time; private/public sector), experience and average number of days the surgeon spends performing elective surgery. RESULTS: A total of 225 predominantly general/upper GI surgeons from 47 countries responded. Worldwide, the median number of days that surgeons spend performing elective surgery is 2 days a week. There was significant variation across countries/continents: UK 1 day; North America 2.5 days; Europe 3 days; Asia 2 days; Africa 2 days; South America 1 day; Oceania 1 day (p < 0.0001). All surgeons worldwide preferred to spend 3 days a week performing elective surgery except UK surgeons who desired 2 days a week. CONCLUSION: There is significant variation in the amount of time that surgeons spend performing elective surgery worldwide. Results of this study could inform public expectations and trainee surgeons on ideal opportunities for training. Reasons for the wide variation could be explored.

Systematic review of quality of life after esophagectomy and total gastrectomy in patients with gastro-esophageal junction cancer.

The optimal management of cancer of the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) is an area of contention. GEJ tumors are typically resected via total gastrectomy or esophagectomy. Despite many studies aiming to determine the superiority of either procedure based on surgical or oncological outcomes, the evidence is equivocal. Data focusing specifically on quality of life (QoL), however, is limited. This systematic review was performed to determine if there is any difference in patient's QoL after total gastrectomy or esophagectomy. A systematic search of PubMed, Medline and Cochrane libraries was conducted for literature published between 1986 and 2023. Studies that used the internationally validated questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-OG25, to compare QoL after esophagectomy to gastrectomy for the management of GEJ cancer were included. Five studies involving 575 patients undergoing either esophagectomy (n = 365) or total gastrectomy (n = 210) for GEJ tumors were included. QoL was predominantly assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Although individual studies demonstrated significant differences in certain domains, these differences were not consistently demonstrated in more than one study. There is no evidence to suggest any significant differences in QoL after total gastrectomy compared to esophagectomy for management of gastro-esophageal junction cancer.

Oesophagectomy or Total Gastrectomy for the Management of Siewert II Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the ideal surgical management of patients with Siewert type II gastroesophageal junctional (GEJ) cancers. Due to its anatomical location, total gastrectomy and oesophagectomy are widely used methods of resection. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal surgical treatment of these patients. METHOD: A systematic search of PubMed, Medline and Cochrane libraries was conducted for literature published between 2000 and 2022. Studies directly comparing oesophagectomy to gastrectomy for Siewert type II tumours were included. Outcome measures included rates of anastomotic leak, 30-day mortality, R0 resection and 5-year survival. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 18,585 patients undergoing either oesophagectomy (n = 8618) or total gastrectomy (n = 9967) for Siewert type II GEJ cancer were included. There were no significant differences between the rates of anastomotic leak (OR 0.91, CI 0.59-1.40, p = 0.66) and R0 resection (OR 1.51, CI 0.93-2.42, p = 0.09). Patients undergoing total gastrectomy had a lower 30-day mortality (OR 0.66, CI 0.45-0.95, p = 0.03) and a greater 5-year overall survival (OR 1.49, CI 1.34-1.67, p < 0.001) compared to patients undergoing oesophagectomy. These differences were not statistically significant after excluding two large studies, which accounted for the majority of the total population in the analysis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that total gastrectomy results in lower 30-day mortality and improved overall survival in patients with Siewert type II GEJ cancer. However, interpretation of these results may be biased by the effect of two large studies.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of prophylactic pyloric balloon dilatation in the prevention of early delayed gastric emptying after oesophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Early delayed gastric emptying (DGE) occurs in up to 50% of patients following oesophagectomy, which can contribute to increased anastomotic leak and respiratory infection rates. Although the treatment of DGE in the form of pyloric balloon dilatation (PBD) post-operatively is well established, there is no consensus on the optimal approach in the prevention of DGE. The aim of this review was to determine the efficacy of prophylactic PBD in the prevention of DGE following oesophagectomy. METHOD: PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library (January 1990 to April 2021) were searched for studies reporting the outcomes of prophylactic PBD in patients who underwent oesophagectomy. The primary outcome measure was the rate of DGE. Secondary outcome measures include anastomotic leak rate and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Three studies with a total of 203 patients [mean age 63 (26-82) years, 162 males (79.8%)] were analyzed. PBD with a 20-mm balloon was performed in 165 patients (46 patients had PBD and botox therapy) compared with 38 patients who had either no intervention or botox alone (14 patients). The pooled rates of early DGE [16.27%, 95% CI (12.29-20.24) vs. 39.02% (38.87-39.17) (P < 0.001)] and anastomotic leak [8.55%, 95% CI (8.51-8.59) vs. 12.23% (12.16-12.31), P < 0.001] were significantly lower in the PBD group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic PBD with a 20-mm balloon significantly reduced the rates of early delayed gastric emptying and anastomotic leak following oesophagectomy.

iHear: Canadian medical student based hearing assessment program for grade school children using a tablet audiometer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the progress and challenges of a hearing screening program as well as review the incidence of pediatric hearing loss in grade school children participating in this program. METHODS: Medical students from the University of Ottawa established iHear, a grade school hearing assessment program that uses novel tablet audiometry. Over 3 years, children in grades 1 and 2 were assessed and those found to have abnormal results on iHear assessment were then referred to audiology for formal testing, and to otolaryngology if needed. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2017, 753 children aged 5-9 years old were assessed for hearing loss. Mean age of participants was 6.7 years, 51.9% of whom were female. Of the children assessed, 86 (11.4%) had abnormal results and 6 (0.8%) had inconsistent results, necessitating 92 referrals for assessment by a professional audiologist. Of the 65 participants who completed secondary audiologic assessment, 54 (83.1%) were normal and 11 (16.9%) had a definitive hearing loss or abnormal tympanometry. A total of 32 children were lost to follow-up. A total of 118 medical students were involved in the iHear program. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss in grade school populations continues to go undetected across Canada. Programs such as iHear demonstrate that gaps in the provision of hearing assessment can be filled effectively by medical students equipped with tablet audiometry. Medical student exposure to audiology and otolaryngology increased through the iHear program.

Bridging the gap: Using 3D printed polycaprolactone implants to reconstruct circumferential tracheal defects in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess the feasibility of reconstructing 2-cm-long circumferential tracheal defects with a 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) implant in rabbits. 2) To evaluate endoscopic, histologic, and functional characteristics of a PCL tracheal implant over time. METHODS: Ten New Zealand rabbits were included in this study. A 2-cm-long 3D printed PCL tracheal implant was created. All rabbits underwent surgical excision of a 2-cm-long cm segment of cervical trachea, which was reconstructed with the implant. Rabbits were sacrificed at the following time points: 0, 4, 5, 6, and 7 weeks postoperatively. At these time points, a rigid bronchoscopy was performed, and blinded evaluators calculated the percentage of airway stenosis. The tracheas were then harvested and prepared for histologic analysis. RESULTS: All rabbits survived to their date of sacrifice except for one. Rabbits were euthanized between 0 to 54 days postoperatively with a median of 30 days. All rabbits developed significant granulation tissue with an average percentage stenosis of 92.3% ± 6.1%. On histology, granulation was present with extensive neovascularization and mixed inflammatory cells. There was re-epithelialization present on the luminal surface of the PCL implant near the anastomoses but absent at the center of the implant. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that our 2-cm-long 3D printed PCL tracheal implant can be used to reconstruct a tracheal defect of equivalent size in a New Zealand rabbit model in the short term. However, significant granulation tissue formation limits long-term survival. Further research is warranted to limit the granulation tissue overgrowth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2019.

Exploring polycaprolactone in tracheal surgery: A scoping review of in-vivo studies.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheal pathology can be life-threatening if not managed appropriately. There are still some surgical limitations today for certain pathologies, such as in severe tracheomalacia, or when long segments of trachea need to be resected. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a polymer that has recently gained popularity for its use in tracheal surgeries in animal models and in certain human pediatric cases in hopes of addressing these difficult situations. PCL can be 3D printed or manufactured through molds to create tracheal stents, splints, patches and even to reconstruct full circumferential tracheal defects. OBJECTIVE: To perform a scoping review, and explore insights into the applications of PCL for tracheal surgeries in-vivo. METHODS: A literature search in Embase, MEDLINE, and BIOSIS was performed to include all articles available prior to December 21, 2018 without any language restrictions. We included all original research that investigated the use of a PCL implant, stent, splint, scaffold, or graft in tracheal surgeries in-vivo. Assessment of all articles were performed by two independent authors prior to inclusion for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 27 articles were included in the study. All articles were original research studies, primarily consisting of interventional studies (92.4%), there was also 2 case reports (7.4%). Articles were published in the last decade, publications range from 2009 to 2019. The most common animal model used for the tracheal surgeries were the New Zealand rabbits (n = 19, 70%). Two studies (7%) also described the use PCL in a total of 4 human cases. To investigate the PCL reconstructed airways, histology and bronchoscopy were the most commonly implemented methods of analysis in 88.9% and 70.4% respectively. Airway analysis was also done using imaging modalities including CT scan (n = 9, 33.3%), MRI (n = 2, 7.4%), X-ray (n = 1, 3.7%). 17 (62.9%) of the studies used 3D printing processes to create their PCL implants. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this review demonstrates the feasibility of PCL in tracheal reconstruction and tracheal stenting/splinting. It highlights common trends and the limitations of the literature thus far on this topic.

Postoperative Ecchymosis and Edema After Creation of Subperiosteal Tunnels in Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Periorbital ecchymosis and edema are commonly associated with rhinoplasty and are the principal limiting factors for return to daily activities after rhinoplasty. Several methods have been evaluated to minimize these sequelae including creation of subperiosteal tunnels, which involves elevating the vascular periosteal layer, preserving it from trauma when creating osteotomies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the creation of subperiosteal tunnels prior to lateral osteotomies during rhinoplasty for reducing postoperative ecchymosis and edema. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomized, blinded, matched-paired, prospective, clinical trial took place between April 1 and August 30, 2015, in a private practice in a stand-alone clinic and surgical center. All patients who were undergoing aesthetic rhinoplasty requiring bilateral lateral osteotomies were offered inclusion in the trial. All 34 enrolled patients completed the follow-up requirements. INTERVENTION: Creation of subperiosteal tunnels prior to lateral osteotomies on 1 randomly selected side. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Three blinded evaluators independently graded the degree of ecchymosis and edema on a visual analog scale of 0 to 10 on each side of the nose on postoperative days 2 and 7. Each patient had 1 side that was randomly selected to undergo creation of subperiosteal tunnels. A difference in mean score between sides of the nose was calculated for each patient using a paired t test. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients (28 females and 6 males; mean [SD] age, 27.3 [9.2]), the mean (SD) difference in ecchymosis scores between sides on day 2 was -0.05 (1.94) (95% CI, -0.43 to 0.33) and on day 7 was -0.22 (1.23) (95% CI, -0.47 to 0.02), favoring the side without tunnels. The mean (SD) difference in edema scores on day 2 was -0.21 (1.66) (95% CI, 0.53-0.12) and on day 7 was -0.29 (1.11) (95% CI, -0.51 to -0.07). There were no clinically significant differences between sides in terms of postoperative ecchymosis and edema. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Ecchymosis and edema can have significant postoperative practical, emotional, and financial effects on patients. Creation of subperiosteal tunnels prior to lateral osteotomies showed no clinically significant differences in edema and ecchymosis after the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN42741475.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation in low grade dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition characterized by replacement of the esophageal lining with metastatic columnar epithelium, and its management when complicated by low grade dysplasia (LGD) is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with LGD. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for studies including patients with BE-associated LGD receiving RFA (January 1990 to May 2017). The outcome measures were complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) and dysplasia (CE-D), rates of progression to high grade dysplasia (HGD) or cancer, and recurrence. RESULTS: Eight studies including 619 patients with LGD (RFA = 404, surveillance = 215) were analyzed. After a median follow-up of 26 months (range 12 - 44 months), the overall pooled rates of CE-IM and CE-D after RFA were 88.17 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 88.13 % - 88.20 %; P < 0.001) and 96.69 % (95 %CI 96.67 % - 96.71 %; P < 0.001), respectively. When compared with surveillance, RFA resulted in significantly lower rates of progression to HGD or cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.07, 95 %CI 0.02 - 0.22). The pooled recurrence rates of IM and dysplasia were 5.6 % (95 %CI 5.57 - 5.63; P < 0.001) and 9.66 % (95 %CI 9.61 - 9.71; P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RFA safely eradicates IM and dysplasia and reduces the rates of progression from LGD to HGD or cancer in the short term.

Colonic Interposition After Adult Oesophagectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Conduit Choice and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Colonic interposition is a second-line option after oesophagectomy when a gastric neo-oesophagus is not viable. There is no consensus on the optimum anatomical colonic conduit (right or left), or route of placement (posterior mediastinal, retrosternal or subcutaneous). The aim of this review was to determine the optimum site and route of neo-oesophageal conduit after adult oesophagectomy. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library (January 1985 to January 2017) were systematically searched for studies which reported outcomes following colonic interposition in adults. The outcome measures were overall morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-seven observational studies involving 1849 patients [1177 males; median age (range) 60.5 (18-84) years] undergoing colonic interposition for malignant (n = 697) and benign (n = 1152) pathology were analysed. Overall pooled morbidity of left vs. right colonic conduit was 15.7% [95% CI (11.93-19.46), p < 0.001] and 18.7% [95% CI (15.58-21.82), p < 0.001] respectively. Overall pooled mortality of left vs. right colonic conduit was 6.5% [95% CI (4.55-8.51), p < 0.001] and 10.1% [95% CI (7.35-12.82), p < 0.001] respectively. Retrosternal route placement was associated with the lowest overall pooled morbidity and mortality of 9.2% [95% CI (6.48-11.99), p < 0.001] and 4.8% [95% CI (3.74-5.89), p < 0.001] respectively. CONCLUSION: Left colonic conduits placed retrosternally were safest.

Choledocholithiasis after Bariatric Surgery-More than a Stone's Throw to Reach?

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease is common after bariatric surgery, and patients with bile duct stones in this cohort can be difficult to treat, due to the altered anatomy. This review aims to analyse the various management options available for choledocholithiasis in post-bariatric surgery patients. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Medline and Cochrane library databases was carried out for studies on this subject, between January 1970 and March 2017. After initial screening and further full text review, suitable studies were identified after applying the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were identified and analysed. Overtube-assisted endoscopy appears to be a popular technique, and 10 studies employing this technique were identified. Though there are minor variations between the three different types of overtube endoscopy, the success rate for ERCP with this approach is between 60 and 70%. Studies using a combination of radiological and endoscopic techniques report a success rate of 60-70%, though the endoscopic ultrasound-guided technique has been reported to have higher success rates (90-100%). Surgery-assisted ERCP also appears to be widely reported and has a consistently high ERCP success rate (80-100%), with an added advantage of the option to perform a concomitant cholecystectomy. There are very few reports on using surgery as the sole option in this scenario. CONCLUSION: Both overtube-assisted endoscopy and laparoscopy-assisted ERCP appear to be safe, with good success rates. The other methods may be suitable for selected patients and centres with specific interest in such techniques.

Abdominal Binding Improves Neuromuscular Efficiency of the Human Diaphragm during Exercise.

We tested the hypothesis that elastic binding of the abdomen (AB) would enhance neuromuscular efficiency of the human diaphragm during exercise. Twelve healthy non-obese men aged 24.8 ± 1.7 years (mean ± SE) completed a symptom-limited constant-load cycle endurance exercise test at 85% of their peak incremental power output with diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdi) and respiratory pressure measurements under two randomly assigned conditions: unbound control (CTRL) and AB sufficient to increase end-expiratory gastric pressure (Pga,ee) by 5-8 cmH2O at rest. By design, AB increased Pga,ee by 6.6 ± 0.6 cmH2O at rest. Compared to CTRL, AB significantly increased the transdiaphragmatic pressure swing-to-EMGdi ratio by 85-95% during exercise, reflecting enhanced neuromuscular efficiency of the diaphragm. By contrast, AB had no effect on spirometric parameters at rest, exercise endurance time or an effect on cardiac, metabolic, ventilatory, breathing pattern, dynamic operating lung volume, and perceptual responses during exercise. In conclusion, AB was associated with isolated and acute improvements in neuromuscular efficiency of the diaphragm during exercise in healthy men. The implications of our results are that AB may be an effective means of enhancing neuromuscular efficiency of the diaphragm in clinical populations with diaphragmatic weakness/dysfunction.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of SurgicalTreatment of Non-Zenker's Oesophageal Diverticula.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal diverticula are rare outpouchings of the oesophagus which may be classified anatomically as pharyngeal (Zenker's), mid-oesophageal and epiphrenic. While surgery is indicated for symptomatic patients, no consensus exists regarding the optimum technique for non-Zenker's oesophageal diverticula. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of surgery in patients with non-Zenker's oesophageal diverticula. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library (January 1990 to January 2016) were searched for studies which reported outcomes of surgery in patients with non-Zenker's oesophageal diverticula. Primary outcome measure was the rate of staple line leakage. RESULTS: Twenty-five observational studies involving 511 patients (259 male, median age 62 years) with mid-oesophageal (n = 53) and epiphrenic oesophageal (n = 458) diverticula who had undergone surgery [thoracotomy (n = 252), laparoscopy (n = 204), thoracoscopy (n = 42), laparotomy (n = 5), combined laparoscopy and thoracoscopy (n = 8)] were analysed. Myotomy was performed in 437 patients (85.5%), and anti-reflux procedures were performed in 342 patients (69.5%). Overall pooled staple line leak rates were reported in 13.3% [95% c.i. (11.0-15.7), p < 0.001] and were less common after myotomy (12.4%) compared with no myotomy (26.1%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: No consensus exists regarding the surgical treatment of non-Zenker's oesophageal diverticula, but staple line leakage is common and is reduced significantly by myotomy.

Minimally invasive oesophagectomy in Wales.

INTRODUCTION: The uptake of minimally invasive oesophagectomy remains low in the UK. As the only centre in Wales which offers this approach, our aim was to determine the short-term outcomes following endoscopic 2-stage oesophagectomy with stapled intra-thoracic anastomosis. METHODS: Details of 50 consecutive patients [88% (44) male, median age (range) 66 (42-83) years] with operable mid to distal oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junctional cancer who underwent endoscopic 2-stage oesophagectomy were analysed prospectively between June 2009 to November 2013. Primary outcome measures were overall and disease free survival from diagnosis. Secondary outcome measures were length of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, lymph node harvest and margin involvement. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 25 months. Seventy per cent (n = 35) of patients had stage II or greater disease and underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median length of hospital stay was 10 (range 8-104) days. There was a trend towards a decreasing length of stay as experience increased. Overall 30-day operative morbidity was 40% (n = 20) and there was no 30, 60, 90-day or in-patient mortality. Anastomotic leak occurred in 6 patients (12%). The median lymph node harvest was 20 (range 7-35) nodes. Nine patients (18%) had involvement of the circumferential resection margin (all T3). Overall and disease free 2-year survival was 84.2 and 80.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic 2-stage oesophagectomy can be performed safely and effectively with good early oncological and surgical outcomes.

Recent trends in thyroid surgery in Wales.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to analyse trends in thyroid surgery in Wales over a recent 12-year period. METHODS: Details of patients who underwent thyroid surgery across Wales from 1999 to 2010 were analysed from the Patient Episodes Database for Wales [n = 6570, 83% (5429) female, 86% (5634) benign thyroid disease]. We determined age-adjusted thyroidectomy rates from the European standard population and a Poisson regression model was fitted to assess temporal trends. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) in thyroidectomy rates. RESULTS: An increase in thyroidectomy rates was observed for malignant disease [APC 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-7.5] while surgery rates for benign disease declined over the period (APC -3.2, 95% CI -5.1 to -1.3). The use of total thyroidectomy rose from 17% (599/3501) in 1999-2004 to 30% (912/3069) in 2005-2010 (p < 0.001). Total thyroidectomies were performed in a higher proportion of males than females [26% (291/1141) vs. 22% (1220/5429), p = 0.03] and in a greater percentage of patients with malignant disease than benign [36% (337/936) vs. 21% (1174/5634), p < 0.001). General surgeons undertook 83% of thyroid surgery but with a growing involvement of ENT surgeons. Regional disparities were seen in the type of surgery offered to patients with benign thyroid disease. CONCLUSION: The use of total thyroidectomy for benign and malignant thyroid disease has risen in Wales. The increase in surgeries performed for malignancy would support a rising incidence of thyroid cancer in the region. Regional disparities in choice of surgery for benign disease require further exploration.

Relative quality of internet-derived gastrointestinal cancer information.

Internet-derived health care information is increasingly accessed by patients, yet its quality and accuracy is variable and unregulated. The aim of this study was to assess the information available regarding common gastrointestinal cancers via three internet search engines (Google, Yahoo and Bing). The top 30 websites for each of the terms: oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colon and rectal cancer were evaluated (University of Michigan Consumer Health Website Checklist) and scored [-80 (poor) to 90 (excellent)]. The median score was 53 (-7 to 81) and was significantly higher for oesophageal (61) and pancreatic (65) cancer websites, compared with gastric (49), colon (48) and rectal cancer (50) (p = 0.014). Median scores related to charitable organisations were significantly better than academic, commercial, news agency, care provider, layperson and medical information websites collectively (79 vs. 42, p < 0.0001). Overall quality of internet-derived gastrointestinal cancer information remains poor and patients and clinicians should be aware.

Relative Prognostic Value of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Expression in Operable Oesophagogastric Cancer.

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of HER2 receptor expression in operable oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Methods. Eighty-five consecutive patients diagnosed with oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma [18 oesophageal (OC), 32 junctional (JC) and 35 gastric (GC)] undergoing potentially curative resection were studied retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine HER2 status at endoscopic biopsy and resection specimen. The primary outcome measure was survival. Results. Twenty (24%) patients had HER2 positive tumours which was commoner in JC (14/32, 44% versus 2/18, 11% in OC and 4/35, 11% in GC, P = 0.003). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of HER2 status at endoscopic biopsy were 56%, 93%, 63%, 91% respectively (weighted Kappa = 0.504, P < 0.0001). Five-year survival in OC HER2 positive negative was 100% and 36% (P = 0.167) compared with 14% and 44% (P = 0.0726) in JC and 50% and 46% (P = 0.942) in GC respectively. Conclusions. Endoscopic biopsy had a high specificity and negative predictive value in determining HER2 status. Patients with JC had a significantly higher rate of HER2 overexpression and this was associated with a nonsignificant poorer survival trend. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings because of the implications for neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of HER2 expression and amplification in operable oesophageal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The prognostic significance of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) overexpression in patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer is controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the influence of HER2 overexpression and amplification on outcomes in operable oesophageal cancer. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase (January 1990 to November 2011) was searched for translational studies that correlated HER2 expression with survival in operable oesophageal cancer. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 1,464 patients who had undergone potentially curative oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer [322 (22%) HER2-positive] were included. Five-year mortality was significantly higher in HER2-positive patients [odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 to 1.95, p = 0.03]. Analysis related to histological cell type demonstrated significantly higher 5-year mortality in HER2-positive squamous cell carcinoma [OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.34 to 6.17, p = 0.006] and adenocarcinoma [OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.17, p = 0.01] on sensitivity analysis of higher-quality studies. CONCLUSION: HER2 overexpression and gene amplification in operable oesophageal cancer was an indicator of poor prognosis.