SENOSI Confocal Microscopy: A New and Innovating Way to Detect Positive Margins in Non-Palpable Breast Cancer?

In Switzerland, breast cancer is the leading cancer among women, with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) being the preferred treatment for small tumors. The margin status post-surgery is a critical predictor of local recurrence. Achieving negative margins remains a challenge, leading to re-excision in 20-30% of cases. Traditional methods like intraoperative examination palpation and radiography have limitations in assessing excised margins. This study introduces the Histolog® Scanner, a confocal microscopy tool, as a potential solution. It provides real-time images of tissue architecture, allowing for rapid and accurate assessment of excised margins. Our research compared the Histolog® Scanner with standard per-operative radiography in patients with non palpable breast cancer. Preliminary results indicate that the Histolog® Scanner offers a reliable and time-efficient method for margin assessment, suggesting its potential for clinical integration.

Stapled diaphragm resection: A new approach to diaphragmatic cytoreductive surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel technique for diaphragmatic full-thickness resection (DFTR) using a vascular stapler to perform cytoreductive surgeries in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer undergoing stapled diaphragmatic full-thickness resections (S-DFTRs) as part of cytoreductive surgeries between January 2018 and June 2022, according to the IDEAL recommendations. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent cytoreductive surgeries with S-DFTRs. The median operative time was 300 (114-547) minutes. Cytoreduction was considered complete in all cases. All S-DFTRs were performed on the right diaphragm. Concomitant left diaphragmatic peritoneal stripping was performed in 5 cases (33.3%) and was associated with a conventional DFTR in 1 case (6.7%). Prophylactic intraoperative tube thoracostomy was never required. Four patients (26.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Pleural effusion was observed in 9 patients (60.0%), and 4 (26.7%) required a postoperative pigtail catheter thoracostomy. Three patients (20.0%) required catheter placement on the right hemithorax (ipsilaterally to the S-DFTR) and 2 patients (13.3%) required catheters on the left hemithorax (contralaterally to the S-DFTR). Pneumothorax requiring tube thoracostomy was observed in 1 case (6.7%) on the left hemithorax (contralaterally to the S-DFTR). Pulmonary embolism and pneumonia were both observed once (6.7%). The median hospitalization length was 14 (5-36) days. During the follow-up, 6 patients (40.0%) had a recurrence, but none involved the pleura or the diaphragm. According to the IDEAL classification, this study could be ranked as stage 2a (development). CONCLUSIONS: This technique appears to be a fast and safe method for performing diaphragmatic cytoreductive surgeries and could reduce postoperative complications.

How to perform complete resection of peritoneal carcinomatosis nodules infiltrating the diaphragm without opening the pleural cavity in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancers.

Patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer frequently present with peritoneal carcinomatosis, and a diaphragmatic involvement is observed in about 40% of cases. The goal of treatment includes complete surgical cytoreduction associated with systemic chemotherapy. Complete diaphragmatic cytoreduction is a crucial step and plays a major role in the overall survival of these patients. Deep infiltrating peritoneal carcinomatosis nodules are treated with diaphragmatic full-thickness resections, but these procedures involve opening the pleural cavity and are associated with a high rate of postoperative complications, such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax. A chest drain is often required, causing significant discomfort for the patients and potentially being an additional source of complications. In this study, we present a novel surgical technique to perform diaphragmatic resections using a linear stapler without opening the pleural cavity or needing a chest drain.

Uterocutaneous Fistula after a C-Section in a Patient with Second Trimester Fetal Demise and Chorioamnionitis.

Uterocutaneous fistulae are very rare entities with only about 120 cases reported in the literature. They are mostly described after a C-section or other pelvic surgery. We hereby describe a uterocutaneous fistula in a 41-year-old patient 5 months after a C-section because of a chorioamnionitis and a 22-week fetal demise. One month after the C-section, she underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy to exclude postoperative intrauterine adhesions. Afterwards, she complained of pelvic pain, persistent metrorrhagia, and significant weight loss during 2 months. She consulted the emergency unit several times, and lastly endometritis was diagnosed. She was treated with antibiotic therapy for 7 days, without significant clinical improvement. She presented at our institution 48 hours after a carbuncle had appeared in her right iliac fossa. A uterocutaneous fistula was diagnosed on the CT scan. The patient received IV antibiotic therapy and underwent a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy by laparotomy, as she did not want a conservative surgery. The clinical postoperative evolution was favorable. Symptoms of UCF can be very unspecific. To avoid medical wandering and improve the patient's care, UCF should be in the differential diagnostic of abdominal pain after a pelvic surgery. Moreover, in patients with previous C-section and infectious perioperative status, the risk of PID or pelvic abscess must be careful evaluated before intrauterine diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Prevalence, clinical staging and risk for blood-borne transmission of Chagas disease among Latin American migrants in Geneva, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Migration of Latin Americans to the USA, Canada and Europe has modified Chagas disease distribution, but data on imported cases and on risks of local transmission remain scarce. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for Chagas disease, staged the disease and evaluated attitudes towards blood transfusion and organ transplant among Latin American migrants in Geneva, Switzerland. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This cross-sectional study included all consecutive Latin American migrants seeking medical care at a primary care facility or attending two Latino churches. After completing a questionnaire, they were screened for Chagas disease with two serological tests (Biomérieux ELISA cruzi; Biokit Bioelisa Chagas). Infected subjects underwent a complete medical work-up. Predictive factors for infection were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.1012 persons (females: 83%; mean age: 37.2 [SD 11.3] years, Bolivians: 48% [n = 485]) were recruited. 96% had no residency permit. Chagas disease was diagnosed with two positive serological tests in 130 patients (12.8%; 95%CI 10.8%-14.9%), including 127 Bolivians (26.2%; 95%CI 22.3%-30.1%). All patients were in the chronic phase, including 11.3% with cardiac and 0.8% with digestive complications. Predictive factors for infection were Bolivian origin (OR 33.2; 95%CI 7.5-147.5), reported maternal infection with T. cruzi (OR 6.9; 95%CI 1.9-24.3), and age older than 35 years (OR 6.7; 95%CI 2.4-18.8). While 22 (16.9%) infected subjects had already donated blood, 24 (18.5%) and 34 (26.2%) considered donating blood and organs outside Latin America, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Chagas disease is highly prevalent among Bolivian migrants in Switzerland. Chronic cardiac and digestive complications were substantial. Screening of individuals at risk should be implemented in nonendemic countries and must include undocumented migrants.