Endoscopic characterization of colorectal neoplasia with different published classifications: comparative study involving CONECCT classification.

Background and study aims The aim of this study was to validate the COlorectal NEoplasia Classification to Choose the Treatment (CONECCT) classification that groups all published criteria (including covert signs of carcinoma) in a single table. Patients and methods For this multicenter comparative study an expert endoscopist created an image library (n = 206 lesions; from hyperplastic to deep invasive cancers) with at least white light Imaging and chromoendoscopy images (virtual ± dye based). Lesions were resected/biopsied to assess histology. Participants characterized lesions using the Paris, Laterally Spreading Tumours, Kudo, Sano, NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic Classification (NICE), Workgroup serrAted polypS and Polyposis (WASP), and CONECCT classifications, and assessed the quality of images on a web-based platform. Krippendorff alpha and Cohen's Kappa were used to assess interobserver and intra-observer agreement, respectively. Answers were cross-referenced with histology. Results Eleven experts, 19 non-experts, and 10 gastroenterology fellows participated. The CONECCT classification had a higher interobserver agreement (Krippendorff alpha = 0.738) than for all the other classifications and increased with expertise and with quality of pictures. CONECCT classification had a higher intra-observer agreement than all other existing classifications except WASP (only describing Sessile Serrated Adenoma Polyp). Specificity of CONECCT IIA (89.2, 95 % CI [80.4;94.9]) to diagnose adenomas was higher than the NICE2 category (71.1, 95 % CI [60.1;80.5]). The sensitivity of Kudo Vi, Sano IIIa, NICE 2 and CONECCT IIC to detect adenocarcinoma were statistically different ( P  < 0.001): the highest sensitivities were for NICE 2 (84.2 %) and CONECCT IIC (78.9 %), and the lowest for Kudo Vi (31.6 %). Conclusions The CONECCT classification currently offers the best interobserver and intra-observer agreement, including between experts and non-experts. CONECCT IIA is the best classification for excluding presence of adenocarcinoma in a colorectal lesion and CONECCT IIC offers the better compromise for diagnosing superficial adenocarcinoma.

ESD with double clips and rubber band traction of neoplastic lesions developed in the appendiceal orifice is effective and safe.

Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial colorectal lesions in close proximity to the appendiceal orifice (L-PAO) was shown to be feasible except in case of deep invasion into the appendix (type 3 of Toyonaga's classification). This study aimed to determine the outcomes of ESD with double clip and rubber band traction (DCT-ESD) of L-PAO including a majority of type 3. Patients and methods We reviewed retrospectively all consecutive DCT-ESD of L-PAO performed in 3 French centers. Each lesion was described according to Toyonaga's classification and type 0 lesions were excluded. The primary outcome was en bloc and R0 resection rates for L-PAO. Morbidity and salvage surgery were recorded. Results A total of 32 patients underwent DCT-ESD; 22 lesions (68.8 %) were type 3, including 11 with previous appendectomy (34.4 %). Median lesion size was 35 mm range (10-110 mm) and median duration of resection was 47 min range (10-230 min). We achieved 100 % of En bloc resection exclusively with DCT-ESD and 90.6 % of histological R0 resection rate. Per-procedure, 11 perforations occurred and were all immediately closed with clips. Overall, 3 patients (10.7 %) underwent surgery without stoma (2 complications related and 1 incomplete resection). No death occurred. Conclusion ESD of lesions deeply invading appendiceal orifice is feasible with the help of a traction system. Technical success by endoscopy avoiding surgery was achieved in 90.6 % of cases.

Adenoma detection with blue-water infusion colonoscopy: a randomized trial.

Background and aims Colonoscopy is currently the reference method to detect colorectal neoplasia, yet some adenomas remain undetected. The water infusion technique and dying with indigo carmine has shown interesting results for reducing this miss rate. The aim of this study was to compare the adenoma detection rate (adenoma and adenocarcinoma; ADR) and the mean number of adenomas per patient (MAP) for blue-water infusion colonoscopy (BWIC) versus standard colonoscopy. Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in eight units, including patients with a validated indication for colonoscopy (symptoms, familial or personal history, fecal occult blood test positive). Consenting patients were randomized 1:1 to BWIC or standard colonoscopy. All colonoscopies were performed by experienced colonoscopists. All colonoscopy quality indicators were prospectively recorded. Results Among the 1065 patients included, colonoscopies were performed completely for 983 patients (514 men; mean age 59.1). The ADR was not significantly different between the groups; 40.4 % in the BWIC group versus 37.5 % in the standard colonoscopy group (odds ratio [OR] 1.13; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.87 - 1.48; P = 0.35). MAP was significantly greater in the BWIC group (0.79) than in the standard colonoscopy group (0.64; P = 0.005). For advanced adenomas, the results were 50 (10.2 %) and 36 (7.3 %), respectively (P = 0.10). The cecal intubation rate was not different but the time to cecal intubation was significantly longer in BWIC group (9.9 versus 6.2 minutes; P < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the higher MAP with BWIC, the routine use of BWIC does not translate to a higher ADR. Whether increased detection ultimately results in a lower rate of interval carcinoma is not yet known. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2012-A00548 - 35; NCT01937429.

Treatment decision-making in the medical encounter: comparing the attitudes of French surgeons and their patients in breast cancer care.

OBJECTIVES: To explore attitudes of French surgeons and their patients towards treatment decision-making (TDM) in the medical encounter. METHODS: Surgeons involved in early stage breast cancer and their patients treated in a French cancer care network received a cross-sectional survey questionnaire containing examples of four different approaches to TDM: paternalistic, "some sharing", informed TDM and, shared TDM. RESULTS: Surgeons' interaction styles were clearly distributed among paternalistic, shared and mixed. The paternalistic approach seemed to be associated with private rather than public practice and with less professional experience. Patients reported a rather low level of participation in TDM, varying by socio-demographic characteristics. One third of patients were dissatisfied with the way their treatment decision had been made. CONCLUSION: Most surgeons reported adopting the "some sharing" approach. However, one patient out of three reported that they would have liked to participate more in the TDM process. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Surgeons need to ask patients what their preferences for involvement in TDM are and then think about ways to accommodate both their own and patients' preferences regarding the TDM process to be used in each encounter. In addition, decision aids could be offered to surgeons to help them discuss treatment options with their patients.

[How to complete a death certificate?]. / Comment bien remplir un certificat de décès?

The death certificate, an obligatory civil act, engaging the practitioner's responsability, and with administrative, judicial, familial and statistical issues, often raises problems for the physician. We will see in this article how to avoid any error and/or approximation, basing these advices and comments on a retrospective study on 100 analyzed certificates, and 30 interviewed practitioners.

Antibiotic use in 530 French hospitals: results from a surveillance network at hospital and ward levels in 2007.

OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic use in French hospitals is among the highest in Europe. A study was carried out to describe antibiotic consumption for inpatients at hospital and at ward levels. METHODS: Data were voluntarily collected retrospectively by 530 hospitals accounting for approximately 40 million patient-days (PD) on the following: antibacterials for systemic use [J01 class of the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, defined daily doses (DDD) system, 2007], rifampicin and oral imidazole derivatives, expressed in number of DDD and number of PD in 2007. Consumption was expressed in DDD/1000 PD. RESULTS: Median antibiotic use ranged from 60 DDD/1000 PD in long-term care (LTC) and psychiatric hospitals to 633 DDD/1000 PD in teaching hospitals. Penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors combinations were the most frequently used antibiotics, accounting for 26% of total use in cancer hospitals to 40% in LTC/psychiatric hospitals. Glycopeptides and carbapenems were mostly used in cancer and teaching hospitals. Level of consumption and pattern of use differed according to clinical ward from 60 DDD/1000 PD in psychiatric wards up to 1466 DDD/1000 PD in intensive care units (ICUs). In medicine, surgery, ICU and rehabilitation wards, fluoroquinolones accounted for 13%-19% of the total use. CONCLUSIONS: This multicentre survey provided detailed information on antibiotic use in a large sample of hospitals and wards, allowing relevant comparisons and benchmarking. Analysis of consumption at the ward level should help hospitals to target practice audits to improve antibiotic use.