Excess Body Mass Index Loss at 3 Months: A Predictive Factor of Long-Term Result after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Introduction. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) is considered as successful if the percentage of Excess Body Mass Index Loss (% EBMIL) remains constant over 50% with long-term follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether early % EBMIL was predictive of success after SG. Methods. This retrospective study included patients who had SG with two years of follow-up. Patients had follow-up appointments at 3 (M3), 6, 12, and 24 months (M24). Data as weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were collected systematically. We estimated the % EBMIL necessary to establish a correlation between M3 and M24 compared to % EBMIL speeds and calculated a limit value of % EBMIL predictive of success. Results. Data at operative time, M3, and M24 were available for 128 patients. Pearson test showed a correlation between % EBMIL at M3 and that at M24 (r = 0.74; p < 0.0001). % EBMIL speed between surgery and M3 (p = 0.0011) was significant but not between M3 and M24. A linear regression analysis proved that % EBMIL over 20.1% at M3 (p < 0.0001) predicted a final % EBMIL over 50%. Conclusions. % EBMIL at M3 after SG is correlated with % EBMIL in the long term. % EBMIL speed was significant in the first 3 months. % EBMIL over 20.1% at M3 leads to the success of SG.

Use of water-soluble contrast medium (gastrografin) does not decrease the need for operative intervention nor the duration of hospital stay in uncomplicated acute adhesive small bowel obstruction? A multicenter, randomized, clinical trial (Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction Study) and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the association between oral gastrografin administration and the need for operative intervention in patients with presumed adhesive small bowel obstruction. METHODS: Between October 2006 and August 2009, 242 patients with uncomplicated acute adhesive small bowel obstruction were included in a randomized, controlled trial (the Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction Study, NCT00389116) and allocated to a gastrografin arm or a saline solution arm. The primary end point was the need for operative intervention within 48 hours of randomization. The secondary end points were the resection rate, the time interval between the initial computed tomography and operative intervention, the time interval between oral refeeding and discharge, risk factors for the failure of nonoperative management, in-hospital mortality, duration of stay, and recurrence or death after discharge. We performed a systematic review of the literature in order to evaluate the relationship between use of gastrografin as a diagnostic/therapeutic measure, the need for operative intervention, and the duration of stay. RESULTS: In the gastrografin and saline solution arms, the rate of operative intervention was 24% and 20%, respectively, the bowel resection rate was 8% and 4%, the time interval between the initial computed tomography and operative intervention, and the time interval between oral refeeding and discharge were similar in the 2 arms. Only age was identified as a potential risk factor for the failure of nonoperative management. The in-hospital mortality was 2.5%, the duration of stay was 3.8 days for patients in the gastrografin arm and 3.5 days for those in the saline solution arm (P = .19), and the recurrence rate of adhesive small bowel obstruction was 7%. These results and those of 10 published studies suggest that gastrografin did not decrease either the rate of operative intervention (21% in the saline solution arm vs 26% in the gastrografin arm) or the number of days from the initial computed tomography to discharge (3.5 vs 3.5; P = NS for both). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study and those of our systematic review suggest that gastrografin administration is of no benefit in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Adjuvant I-131 Lipiodol After Resection or Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High rates of recurrence have been observed after curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The main aim of this study was to establish the influence of adjuvant transarterial radioembolization-based I-131 lipiodol on survival and recurrence. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 38 patients were treated with adjuvant I-131 lipiodol therapy, at a dosage of 2220 MBq, within 4 months after surgery. This treated cohort was compared to a control cohort consisting of 42 consecutive patients operated prior to the time the I-131 lipiodol treatment became available. RESULTS: Recurrence-free survival in the control and in the I-131 lipiodol cohort was 12.6 and 18.7 months, respectively (HR = 1.871, p = 0.025). At 2 and 5 years, the cumulative incidence of a first recurrence or death was, respectively, 50 % and 61 % in the treated cohort versus 69 % and 74 % in the control cohort. Median overall survival was 55 and 29 months, respectively (p = 0.051). Among patients with a recurrence at 2 years, more patients had already experienced such recurrence at 1 year in the control cohort (70 % vs 33 %, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant I-131 lipiodol improves disease-free survival in patients with HCC.

Surgical treatment of intra hepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recurrence after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequent. Currently, there are no recommendations on therapeutic strategy after recurrence of HCC. Whereas the 5 year-recurrence rate after resection of HCC is 100%, this drops to 15% after primary liver transplantation. Repeat hepatectomy and salvage liver transplantation (SLT) could be performed in selected patients to treat recurrent HCC and enable prolonged overall survival after treatment of recurrence. Other therapies such as local ablation, chemoembolization or sorafenib could be proposed to those patients unable to benefit from resection or SLT. A clear definition of the place of SLT and "prophylactic" liver transplantation is required. Indeed, identifying risks factors for recurrence at time of primary liver resection of HCC may help to avoid recurrence beyond Milan criteria and non-resectable situations. In this review, we summarize the recent data available in the literature on the feasibility and outcomes of repeat hepatectomy and SLT as treatment for recurrent HCC.

A retrospective comparison of older and younger adults undergoing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild to moderate calculous cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the demographic characteristics and intra- and postoperative outcomes in elderly adults (≥75) with those of younger adults undergoing early (<5 days after onset of complaints) cholecystectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis from May 2010 to August 2012. SETTING: Randomized, multicenter, clinical trial (ABCAL Study, NCT01015417). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with mild or moderate acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) according to the Tokyo Guidelines (N=414; n=78 aged 75-94, median 82; n=336 aged 18-74, median 49). MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics and pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. RESULTS: The elderly group was more likely to have an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater (62% vs 23%, P<.001), higher serum creatinine (103 vs 74 µmol/L, P<.001), and more-severe ACC (moderate ACC (62% vs 50%, P=.05), gangrenous cholecystitis (38% vs 15%, P=.001)) on preoperative imaging and confirmed intraoperatively. Ulcerated mucosa (76% vs 61%, P=.001) was significantly more frequent in the elderly group. Operative time, postoperative mortality, and postoperative infectious (18% vs 14%, P=.35) and noninfectious (9% vs 3%, P=.80) complications were similar between the two groups. Median length of stay (7.0 vs 5.0 days, P=.54) and readmission rate (15% vs 4%, P=.07) were not significantly higher in the elderly group. No significant difference was observed for the subgroup of participants aged 80 and older. CONCLUSION: In this randomized trial that included a selected sample of older adults, there was no difference in major outcomes between elderly adults and their younger counterparts after early cholecystectomy. The findings are limited because important geriatric outcomes such as delirium and functional decline were not examined.

Tumour size over 3 cm predicts poor short-term outcomes after major liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. By the HC-AFC-2009 group.

INTRODUCTION: As mortality and morbidity after a curative resection remains high, it is essential to identify pre-operative factors associated with an early death after a major resection. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2008, we selected a population of 331 patients having undergone a major hepatectomy including segment I with a lymphadenectomy and a common bile duct resection for a proven hilar cholangiocarcinoma in 21 tertiary centres. The study's objective was to identify pre-operative predictors of early death (<12 months) after a resection. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 221 men and 110 women, with a median age of 61 years (range: 24-85). The post-operative mortality and morbidity rates were 8.2% and 61%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 85%, 64% and 53%, respectively. The median tumour size was 23 mm on pathology, ranging from 8 to 40. A tumour size >30 mm [odds ratio (OR) 2.471 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.136-7.339), P = 0.001] and major post-operative complication [OR 3.369 (95% CI 1.038-10.938), P = 0.004] were independently associated with death <12 months in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The present analysis of a series of 331 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma showed that tumour size >30 mm was independently associated with death <12 months.

Effect of postoperative antibiotic administration on postoperative infection following cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Ninety percent of cases of acute calculous cholecystitis are of mild (grade I) or moderate (grade II) severity. Although the preoperative and intraoperative antibiotic management of acute calculous cholecystitis has been standardized, few data exist on the utility of postoperative antibiotic treatment. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of postoperative amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid on infection rates after cholecystectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A total of 414 patients treated at 17 medical centers for grade I or II acute calculous cholecystitis and who received 2 g of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid 3 times a day while in the hospital before and once at the time of surgery were randomized after surgery to an open-label, noninferiority, randomized clinical trial between May 2010 and August 2012. INTERVENTIONS: After surgery, no antibiotics or continue with the preoperative antibiotic regimen 3 times daily for 5 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The proportion of postoperative surgical site or distant infections recorded before or at the 4-week follow-up visit. RESULTS: An imputed intention-to-treat analysis of 414 patients showed that the postoperative infection rates were 17% (35 of 207) in the nontreatment group and 15% (31 of 207) in the antibiotic group (absolute difference, 1.93%; 95% CI, -8.98% to 5.12%). In the per-protocol analysis, which involved 338 patients, the corresponding rates were both 13% (absolute difference, 0.3%; 95% CI, -5.0% to 6.3%). Based on a noninferiority margin of 11%, the lack of postoperative antibiotic treatment was not associated with worse outcomes than antibiotic treatment. Bile cultures showed that 60.9% were pathogen free. Both groups had similar Clavien complication severity outcomes: 195 patients (94.2%) in the nontreatment group had a score of 0 to I and 2 patients (0.97%) had a score of III to V, and 182 patients (87.8%) in the antibiotic group had a score of 0 to I and 4 patients (1.93%) had a score of III to V. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with mild or moderate calculous cholecystitis who received preoperative and intraoperative antibiotics, lack of postoperative treatment with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid did not result in a greater incidence of postoperative infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01015417.

Comparison of the effectiveness of four bariatric surgery procedures in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective study.

AIM: The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of four bariatric surgical procedures to induce diabetes remission and lower cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic obese patients. Moreover, the influence of surgery on weight evolution in the diabetic population was compared with that observed in a nondiabetic matched population. METHODS: Among 970 patients who were operated on in our center since 2001, 81 patients were identified as type 2 diabetes. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (GB), intervention type Mason (MA), gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were performed, respectively, in 25%, 17%, 28%, and 30% of this diabetic population. RESULTS: The resolution rate of diabetes one year after surgery was significantly higher after SG than GB (62.5% versus 20%, P < 0.01), but not significantly different between SG and RYGB. In terms of LDL-cholesterol reduction, RYGB was equivalent to SG and superior to CGMA or GB. Considering the other cardiovascular risk factors, there was no significant difference according to surgical procedures. The weight loss was not statistically different between diabetic and nondiabetic matched patients regardless of the surgical procedures used. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that the efficacy of surgery to treat diabetes is variable among the diverse procedures and SG might be an interesting option in this context.

Complete pathological regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis treated with sorafenib.

Sorafenib is a molecular-targeted therapy used in palliative treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Child-Pugh A patients. We describe the case of a patient who presented with a large HCC in the left liver associated with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). After 9 months of sorafenib treatment, reassessment showed that the tumors had decreased in size with recanalization of the portal vein. A lateral left hepatectomy was performed and pathology showed complete necrosis of the tumor. Sorafenib can downstage HCC in patients with cirrhosis allowing further surgical resection.

Serum procalcitonin for predicting the failure of conservative management and the need for bowel resection in patients with small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia and necrosis are complications of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and require rapid surgical treatment. At present, there are no sufficiently accurate preoperative biomarkers of ischemia or necrosis. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin levels for predicting conservative management failure and the presence of intraoperatively observed bowel ischemia (reversible or not) in patients with SBO. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and sixty-six participants of 242 in a randomized controlled trial focusing on the management of SBO (Acute Bowel Obstruction Diagnostic study [ABOD], NCT00389116) had available data on procalcitonin and were included in the study. The primary study objective was to determine whether serum procalcitonin could identify patients in whom conservative management (CM) failed (the surgical management [SM] group) and the subset of SM patients with intraoperatively observed ischemia (reversible or not). For the analysis, the patients were divided into subgroups according to the success or failure of CM and (for surgically managed patients) the presence or absence of intraoperative ischemia (reversible or not). RESULTS: Procalcitonin levels were higher in the SM group (n = 35) than in the CM group (n = 131) (0.53 vs 0.14 ng/mL; p = 0.031) and higher in the group managed surgically with ischemia (n = 12) than patients managed surgically without intraoperative ischemia (n = 23) (1.16 vs 0.21 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression showed that procalcitonin is a risk factor for CM failure (odds ratio = 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-8.5; p = 0.006) and for ischemia (reversible or not) (odds ratio = 46.9; 95% CI, 4.0-547.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin can help predict CM failure and occurrence of bowel ischemia (reversible or not) in SBO patients, but additional studies are needed.

Tensile strength of biological fibrin sealants: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Fibrin sealants are commonly used in liver surgery, although their effectiveness in routine clinical practice remains controversial. Individual sealant characteristics are based on hemostatic effects and adhesion properties that can be experimentally measured using the 'rat skin test' or the 'pig skin test'. This study used a more relevant and realistic experimental canine model to compare the differences in the adhesive properties of four fibrin sealants in hepatectomy: Tisseel/Tissucol, Tachosil, Quixil, and Beriplast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A partial hepatectomy was performed in beagle dogs under general anesthesia to obtain liver cross-sections. Fibrin sealants were allocated to dog livers using a Youden square design. The tensile strength measurement was performed using a traction system to measure the rupture stress point of a small wooden cylinder bonded to the liver cross-section. RESULTS: Significantly greater adhesion properties were observed with Tisseel/Tissucol compared with Quixil or Beriplast (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Similarly, Tachosil demonstrated significantly greater adhesive properties compared with Beriplast (P = 0.009) or Quixil (P = 0.014). No significant differences were observed between Tisseel/Tissucol and Tachosil or between Beriplast and Quixil. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this comparative study demonstrate that different fibrin sealants exhibit different adhesive properties. Tisseel/Tissucol and Tachosil provided greatest adhesion to liver cross-section in our canine model of hepatectomy. These results may enable the optimal choice of fibrin sealants for this procedure in clinical practice.

Does an information leaflet about surgical site infection (SSI) improve recollection of information and satisfaction of patients? A randomized trial in patients scheduled for digestive surgery.

BACKGROUND: A previous study suggested that most surgical patients do not remember having received information about surgical site infection (SSI). In other fields, written information has been suggested to improve patient satisfaction and recollection of information. Our objective was to assess if providing patients with written information about SSI, in addition to oral information, could influence patient satisfaction, recall of information, and opinion regarding SSI. METHODS: A total of 207 patients scheduled for digestive surgery at a university hospital were randomized between usual oral information about SSI, plus an information leaflet about SSI (group O/L), or usual oral information alone (group O). Patients were interviewed 5 weeks after surgery to assess their recall and satisfaction regarding information, opinion regarding SSI, and declared intention of seeking legal action in case of SSI. Surgeons and interviewer were blinded to patients' group allocation. Recruitment occurred between October 2005 and August 2006. RESULTS: Of the original 207 patients, 161 patients (O/L=87, O=74) underwent operation and were interviewed as scheduled. Satisfaction was higher in group O/L (67% vs. O: 43%; P=0.003). The recall of having received information (O/L: 39% vs. O: 31%; P=0.29), was similar between the two groups. Judging SSI as always preventable was more frequent in group O/L (28% vs. O: 9%; P=0.004) with a trend toward a more frequent intention of seeking legal action (O/L: 10% vs. O: 3%; P=0.055). CONCLUSIONS: The leaflet did not improve patient recall of information about SSI, but it was associated with an increased level of satisfaction. The association between the leaflet and judging SSI as always preventable was unexpected.

Complications associated with two laparoscopic procedures used in the management of rectal endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate intra- and postoperative complications associated with laparoscopic management of rectal endometriosis by either colorectal segmental resection or nodule excision. METHODS: During 39 consecutive months, 46 women underwent laparoscopic management of rectal endometriosis and were included in a retrospective comparative study. The distinguishing feature of the study is that the choice of the surgical procedure is not related to the characteristics of the nodule. RESULTS: Colorectal segmental resection with colorectal anastomosis was carried out in 15 patients (37%), while macroscopically complete rectal nodule excision was performed in 31 women (63%). No intraoperative complications were recorded. In the colorectal resection group, 3 women (18%) had a bladder atony (spontaneously regressive in 2 women), 4 women (24%) experienced chronic constipation, one had an anastomosis leakage (6%), while 2 women (13%) had acute compartment syndrome with peripheral sensory disturbance. In the nodule excision group, 1 woman (4%) developed transitory right obturator nerve motor palsy. Based on both postoperative pain and improvement in quality of life, all 29 women in the excision group (100%) and 14 women in the colorectal resection group (82%) would recommend the surgical procedure to a friend suffering from the same disease. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that carrying out colorectal segmental resection in rectal endometriosis is associated with unfavourable postoperative outcomes, such as bladder and rectal dysfunction. These outcomes are less likely to occur when rectal nodules are managed by excision. Information about complications related to both surgical procedures should be provided to patients managed for rectal endometriosis and should be taken into account when a decision is being made about the most appropriate treatment of rectal endometriosis in each case.

Esophageal cancer in the elderly: an analysis of the factors associated with treatment decisions and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Only limited data has been reported so far regarding oesophageal cancer (EC) in elderly patients. The aim of the study is to identify the baseline parameters that influenced therapeutic decision. METHODS: All consecutive patients 70 years or older being treated for EC were retrospectively analyzed. Patients without visceral metastasis were divided into two groups: treatment with curative intent (chemoradiotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, mucosectomy or photodynamic therapy) or best supportive care (BSC). Patients with metastasis were divided into two groups: palliative treatment (chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy) or BSC. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-two patients were studied. Mean age was 76.5 ± 5.5 years and 22.4% of patients had visceral metastasis. In patients without visceral metastasis (n = 220) the majority had treatment with curative intent (n = 151) whereas in patients with metastasis (n = 62) the majority had BSC (n = 32). Severe adverse events (≥ grade 3) were observed in only 17% of the patients. Patients without specific carcinologic treatment were older, had more weight loss, worse WHO performance status and Charlson score in multivariate analysis. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that elderly patients with an EC could benefit from cancer treatment without major toxicities. Weight loss, WHO performance status and the Charlson score could be used to select the appropriate treatment in an elderly patient.

Late supra-diaphragmatic lymph node recurrence following resection of a fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma: an unusual case.

We report the case of a patient who presented with a supra-diaphragmatic lymph node recurrence 8 years after resection of a right liver fibrolamellar carcinoma. Treatment of this recurrence consisted of local excision by a right thoracotomy approach. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient did not experience recurrence within 2 years. Based on this observation, we describe the major lymphatic vessels of the liver, in order to explain this unusual metastatic site occurrence.

Reporting on quality of life in randomised controlled trials in gastrointestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become an important outcome measure in surgical trials, questions still remain about the quality of its reporting. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRQOL assessment methodology of randomised clinical trials concerning gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: All articles published in the calendar years 2006 and 2007 that purported to assess quality of life as end points or make some conclusion about quality of life were chosen for review from eight general surgical journals and four medical journals. Identified eligible studies were selected and then evaluated on a broad set of predetermined criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-four published randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs)s with an HRQOL component were identified. Although most trials exhibited good-quality research, some methodological limitations were identified: Only 21% of the studies gave a rationale for selecting a specific HRQOL measure, 46% of the studies failed to report information about the administration of the HRQOL measure, and 37% did not give details on missing data. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is clear that HRQOL is an important end point in surgical RCTs because the information helps to influence treatment recommendations, a number of methodological shortcomings have to be further addressed in future studies.