Safety and clinical efficacy of EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage.

Background and Objectives: EUS is a potential alternative for the drainage of abscesses. The aim of this study was to determine if EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage is technically feasible, safe, and a valid option for abscess resolution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review from 2002 to 2020 at a single quaternary institution. EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage via the transrectal route was performed in all patients with or without drain/stent placement. Technical and clinical success of EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage was analyzed. Descriptive analyses and Fisher exact test were performed. Results: Sixty consecutive patients were included in the study (53.5% male; mean age, 53.8 ± 17.9 years). Pelvic abscesses occurred mainly postoperatively (33 cases; 60.0%) and from complicated diverticulitis (14 cases; 23.3%). Mean diameter was 6.5 ± 2.4 cm (80% unilocular). Drainage was performed with EUS-guided stent placement (double-pigtail plastic or lumen-apposing metal) in 74.5% of cases and with aspiration alone for the remainder. Technical success occurred in 58 cases (97%). Of those with long-term follow-up after EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage (n = 55; 91.7%), complete abscess resolution occurred in 72.7% of all cases. Recurrence occurred in 8 cases (14.5%) and persisted in 7 patients (12.5%), 7 of which were successfully retreated with EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage. Accounting for these successful reinterventions, the overall rate of abscess resolution was 85.5%. Abscess resolution rate improved with drain placement (83%). Accounting for 7 repeat EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainages, overall abscess resolution improved. Two deaths occurred (3.4%) because of sepsis from failed source control in patients who had previously failed medical, radiological, and surgical treatment. Conclusions: EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage is technically feasible, safe, and an effective alternative to radiological or open surgical drainage. It also offers favorable clinical outcomes in different clinical situations.

Uncoupling of Natural Killer cell functional maturation and cytolytic function in NOD mice.

NK cells are innate immune cells that target infected and tumor cells. Mature NK (mNK) cells undergo functional maturation characterized by four distinct stages, during which they acquire their cytotoxic properties. mNK cells from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice exhibit a defect in functional maturation and have impaired cytotoxic functions. Hence, we tested whether the impaired cytotoxic function observed in mNK cells from NOD mice can be explained by their defect in functional maturation. By comparing the function of mNK cells from B6, B6g7 and NOD mice, we show that the expression of granzyme B is severely impaired in mNK cells from NOD mice, agreeing with their inability to control tumor growth in vivo. The low level of granzyme B expression in mNK cells from NOD mice is found at all stages of functional maturation and is therefore independent of their functional maturation defect. Consequently, this study demonstrates that phenotypic functional maturation of mNK cells can be uncoupled from the acquisition of cytotoxic functions.

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal mesothelioma: Canadian practices and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal mesothelioma (PM) is a rare malignancy originating from the peritoneal lining. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the standard-of-care for patients with isolated PM. Due to a paucity of prospective data there are several different HIPEC protocols. The aims of this study are to describe the CRS and HIPEC protocols for PM and patient outcomes across Canada. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed and treated for PM with CRS and HIPEC in four major peritoneal disease centers in Canada between 2000 and 2021. Data on patient characteristics, treatment patterns, postoperative morbidity, recurrence, and survival were collected. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were identified. Mean age was 52 years (17-75) and 37.5% were male. Epithelioid (70.1%) and multicystic (13%) mesothelioma were the most common subtypes. Twenty-one patients (30%) were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CRS and HIPEC was performed in 64 patients (91.4%). Of these, the mean PCI was 22 (2-39) and cisplatin+doxorubicin was the most common HIPEC regimen (n = 33, 51.6%). A semi-closed coliseum technique was used in 68.8% of HIPECs and the mean duration of surgery was 486 min (90-1052). Clavien-Dindo III or IV complications occurred in 12 patients (16.9%). With a median follow-up of 24 months (0.2-104.4), we found a 5-year overall survival of 61% and a 5-year recurrence-free survival of 35%. CONCLUSION: CRS and HIPEC is a safe and effective treatment modality for well-selected patients with PM, with some achieving prolonged survival.

The Impact of Computed Tomography Measurements of Sarcopenia on Postoperative and Oncologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is a treatment option for peritoneal metastases (PM) but is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of computed tomographic (CT)-measured sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes and survival in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for PM from various origins. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2012 and 2020. Three-hundred and twelve patients (mean age 57.6 ± 10.3, 34.3% male) were included, of which 88 (28.2%) were sarcopenic. PM from a colorectal origin was the most common in both groups. The proportion of major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) was not higher in the sarcopenic group (15.9% in sarcopenic patients vs. 23.2% in nonsarcopenic patients, p = 0.17). The mean Comprehensive Complication Index scores, HIPEC-related toxicities, length of hospital stay, and duration of parenteral nutrition were comparable regardless of sarcopenia status. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis of severe complications, only peritoneal carcinomatosis index reached statistical significance (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08, p = 0.007). Sarcopenia did not impact origin-specific overall survival on Cox regression analysis. Sarcopenia was not associated with worse rates of postoperative severe complications or worse survival rates. Future prospective studies are required before considering sarcopenia as part of preoperative risk assessment.

Effect of intraoperative hypovolemic phlebotomy on transfusion and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on how to best achieve a low central venous pressure during hepatectomy for the purpose of reducing blood loss and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. We analyzed the associations between intraoperative hypovolemic phlebotomy (IOHP), transfusions, and postoperative outcomes in cancer patients undergoing hepatectomy. METHODS: Using surgical and transfusion databases of patients who underwent hepatectomy for cancer at one institution (11 January 2011 to 22 June 2017), we retrospectively analyzed associations between IOHP and RBC transfusion on the day of surgery (primary outcome), and with total perioperative transfusions, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications (secondary outcomes). We fitted logistic regression models by inverse probability of treatment weighting to adjust for confounders and reported adjusted odds ratio (aOR). RESULTS: There were 522 instances of IOHP performed during 683 hepatectomies, with a mean (standard deviation) volume of 396 (119) mL. The IOHP patients had a 6.9% transfusion risk on the day of surgery compared with 12.4% in non-IOHP patients (aOR, 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.98; P = 0.04). Total perioperative RBC transfusion tended to be lower in IOHP patients compared with non-IOHP patients (14.9% vs 22.4%, respectively; aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.16; P = 0.18). In patients with a predicted risk of ≥ 47.5% perioperative RBC transfusion, 24.6% were transfused when IOHP was used compared with 56.5% without IOHP. The incidence of severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo scores ≥ 3) was similar in patients whether or not IOHP was performed (15% vs 16% respectively; aOR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.54; P = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The use of IOHP during hepatectomy was associated with less RBCs transfused on the same day of surgery. Trials comparing IOHP with other techniques to reduce blood loss and transfusion are needed in liver surgery.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Il n'existe pas de consensus quant à la meilleure façon d'obtenir une pression veineuse centrale basse pendant une hépatectomie dans le but de réduire les pertes et les transfusions sanguines. Nous avons analysé les associations entre la phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire, les transfusions, et les résultats cliniques postopératoires chez les patients qui subissent une hépatectomie pour cancer. MéTHODE: À l'aide de bases de données chirurgicales et transfusionnelles de patients ayant subi une hépatectomie pour cancer dans un seul établissement (du 11 janvier 2011 au 22 juin 2017), nous avons rétrospectivement analysé les associations entre la phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire et les transfusions érythrocytaires le jour de la chirurgie (critère d'évaluation principal) et avec les transfusions périopératoires totales, les pertes sanguines peropératoires, et les complications postopératoires (critères d'évaluation secondaires). Nous avons utilisé des modèles de régression logistique avec pondération de probabilité inverse de traitement afin de tenir compte des facteurs de confusion et rapporté les rapports de cotes ajustés (RCa). RéSULTATS: Il y a eu 522 phlébotomies hypovolémiques peropératoires exécutées au cours de 683 hépatectomies, avec un volume moyen (écart type) de 396 (119) mL. Les patients ayant eu une phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire avaient un risque transfusionnel de 6,9 % le jour de la chirurgie, comparativement à 12,4 % pour les patients sans phlébotomie (RCa, 0,53; intervalle de confiance [IC] de 95 %, 0,29 à 0,98; P = 0,04). Les transfusions périopératoires totales d'érythrocytes tendaient à être moins fréquentes chez les patients ayant subi une phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire par rapport aux patients sans phlébotomie (14,9 % vs 22,4 %, respectivement; RCa, 0,72; IC 95 %, 0,44 à 1,16; P = 0,18). Pour les patients présentant un risque prédit de transfusion périopératoire d'érythrocytes ≥ à 47,5 %, 24,6 % de ceux qui ont eu une phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire ont été transfusés, comparativement à 56,5 % sans phlébotomie. L'incidence des complications postopératoires graves (scores de Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) était semblable chez tous les patients, avec ou sans phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire (15 % vs 16 % respectivement; RCa, 0,97; IC 95 %, 0,53 à 1,54; P = 0,71). CONCLUSIONS: L'utilisation de la phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire pendant une hépatectomie était associée à un moins grand nombre de transfusions érythrocytaires le jour de la chirurgie. Des études qui compareront la phlébotomie hypovolémique peropératoire à d'autres techniques visant à réduire les pertes et les transfusions sanguines sont nécessaires en chirurgie hépatique.

When a Drain is the Culprit: An Unexpected Case of Small Bowel Obstruction with Biliary Peritonitis.

Although postoperative abdominal drains are useful in therapeutic settings, their prophylactic role is debatable. We herein describe the case of a 30-year-old male who underwent bile duct resection with hepaticojejunostomy for cholangiocarcinoma. On postoperative day four, the patient developed biliary peritonitis. Explorative laparotomy revealed an obstruction of the afferent limb caused by an intestinal loop around a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain. Removal of the drain resolved the obstruction which led to a significant improvement of the patient's clinical state. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of a bowel obstruction from a surgical drain. When placing abdominal drains, surgeons must take into consideration their indication as well as possible related complications, including intestinal obstruction.

Remission rate of transcranial magnetic stimulation compared with electroconvulsive therapy: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To compare the rate of remission, rate of response, change in depressive symptoms, and adverse effects between repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 35 patients treated for depression with rTMS (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 90% observed motor threshold, 10 Hz, 2000 pulses/session, 15 sessions) at Örebro University Hospital, Sweden (cases), were compared with a matched group of 35 patients treated for depression with ECT (controls). Data on controls were obtained from the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT (Q-ECT). Severity of depression was evaluated using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression rating scale (MADRS). RESULTS: Remission rate was 26% for cases and 43% for controls (p = .3). Response rate was 40% for cases and 51% for controls (p = .63). The median decrease in MADRS was 11 (IQR 3-19) vs. 17 (IQR 6-27; p = .10) for rTMS and ECT, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in any measure of treatment effect between rTMS and ECT. More than half of the patients of the rTMS group experienced scalp discomfort and 11% of the ECT group had memory disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: All measures of therapeutic efficacy were numerically inferior in the rTMS group compared to the ECT group. The differences were not statistically significant, probably because the sample size was small. More studies are required to find the optimal place for rTMS within the Swedish health care system. Such studies could be facilitated by inclusion of rTMS in the Q-ECT.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst.

INTRODUCTION: A tailgut cyst, also called retrorectal cystic hamartoma, is a rare congenital lesion that forms most commonly in the retrorectal space. It is presumed to arise from remnants of early embryogenesis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The following report describes a unique case of a retrorectal cystic hamartoma in a 53 year-old French Canadian man with a history of low back pain. The tumour underwent malignant transformation into a well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma three years after the beginning of symptoms. DISCUSSION: This condition can be found at any age, but occurs especially among middle-aged women. Not only is it frequently misdiagnosed, but also several complications associated to the cyst have been reported such as infection and malignant transformation. This is why complete surgical excision of the tailgut cyst is currently recommended.