To wean or not to wean: proton pump inhibitor management after anti-reflux surgery amongst foregut experts.

BACKGROUND: Most patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery (ARS) have a history of preoperative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. It is well-established that ARS is effective in restoring the anti-reflux barrier, eliminating the ongoing need for costly PPIs. Current literature lacks objective evidence supporting an optimal postoperative PPI cessation or weaning strategy, leading to wide practice variations. We sought to objectively gauge current practice and opinion surrounding the postoperative management of PPIs among expert foregut surgeons and gastroenterologists in the United States. METHODS: We created a survey of postoperative PPI management protocols, with an emphasis on discontinuation and timing of PPI cessation, and aimed to determine what factors played a role in the decision-making. An electronic survey tool (Qualtrics XM, Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was used to distribute the survey and to record the responses anonymously for a period of three months. RESULTS: The survey was viewed 2658 times by 373 institutions and shared with 644 members. In total, 121 respondents participated in the survey and 111 were surgeons (92%). Fifty respondents (42%) always discontinue PPIs immediately after ARS. Of the remaining 70 respondents (58%), 46% always wean or taper PPIs postoperatively and 47% wean or taper them selectively. The majority (92%) of practitioners taper within a 3-month period postoperatively. Five respondents never discontinue PPIs after ARS. Overall, only 23 respondents (19%) stated their protocol is based on medical literature or evidence-based medicine. Instead, decision-making is primarily based on anecdotal evidence/personal preference (42%, n = 50) or prior training/mentors (39%, n = 47). CONCLUSIONS: There are two major protocols used for PPI discontinuation after ARS: Nearly half of providers abruptly stop PPIs, while just over half gradually tapers them, most often in the early postoperative period. These decisions are primarily driven by institutional practices and personal preferences, underscoring the need for evidence-based recommendations.

Predictive ability of pancreatic cyst fluid biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous pancreatic cysts harbor the potential to progress to highly lethal pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Since these precursor cysts require cancer surveillance or surgical resection, they need to be reliably distinguished from harmless pancreatic cysts. Current clinical and radiographic assessment is imperfect and the value of cyst fluid analysis for differential diagnosis is unclear. Therefore, we set out to investigate the value of cyst fluid biomarkers in distinguishing pancreatic cysts. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the current literature to identify articles that evaluated the diagnostic performance of clinically relevant and promising candidate cyst fluid biomarkers, with a particular emphasis on DNA-based biomarkers. Meta-analysis was performed for biomarkers targeted at identifying cyst type and presence of high-grade dysplasia or PDAC. RESULTS: Data from a total of 42 studies was analyzed. Mutations in KRAS and/or GNAS allowed identification of mucinous cysts with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 98%. This exceeded the performance of the traditional biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; sensitivity 58%, specificity 87%). Mutations in VHL were specific for serous cystadenomas (SCAs; sensitivity 56%, specificity 99%) and help to exclude mucinous cysts. Mutations in CDKN2A, PIK3CA, SMAD4, and TP53 each had high specificities of 97%, 97%, 98%, and 95%, respectively, to identify high-grade dysplasia or PDAC in mucinous cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Cyst fluid analysis can be a valuable tool in the characterization of pancreatic cysts, with relevant clinical implications. Our results support the use of DNA-based cyst fluid biomarkers in the multidisciplinary diagnostic work-up of pancreatic cysts.

Minimization of Immunosuppressive Therapy Is Associated with Improved Survival of Liver Transplant Patients with Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with limited survival. Therefore, identification of factors that prolong survival in these patients is of great interest. Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are established interventions to improve outcomes in these patients; however, the impact of immunosuppression is unknown. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with rHCC in the follow-up after LT were identified from a database of liver recipients transplanted between 1988 and 2019 at our institution (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany). Based on the immunosuppressive regimen following diagnosis of rHCC and the oncological treatment approach, survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among 484 patients transplanted for HCC, 112 (23.1%) developed rHCC in the follow-up. Recurrent HCC was diagnosed at a median interval of 16.0 months (range 1.0-203.0), with the majority presenting early after transplantation (63.0%, <2 years). Median survival after rHCC diagnosis was 10.6 months (0.3-228.7). Reduction of immunosuppression was associated with improved survival, particularly in patients with palliative treatment (8.4 versus 3.0 months). In addition, greater reduction of immunosuppression seemed to be associated with greater prolongation of survival. Graft rejection after reduction was uncommon (n = 7, 6.8%) and did not result in any graft loss. Patients that underwent surgical resection showed improved survival rates (median 19.5 vs. 8.7 months). CONCLUSION: Reduction of immunosuppressive therapy after rHCC diagnosis is associated with prolonged survival in LT patients. Therefore, reduction of immunosuppression should be an early intervention following diagnosis. In addition, surgical resection should be attempted, if technically feasible and oncologically meaningful.

Gastric cancer following pancreaticoduodenectomy: Experience from a high-volume center and review of existing literature.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged survival of patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy can be associated with late complications due to altered gastrointestinal anatomy. The incidence of gastric cancer is increasingly reported. We set out to examine our experience with gastric cancer as a late complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy with a focus on incidence, risk factors, and outcomes. METHODS: We queried our prospectively collected institutional database for patients that developed gastric cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy and conducted a systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: Our database revealed 6 patients who developed gastric cancer following pancreaticoduodenectomy, presenting with a mean age of 62.2 years and an even sex distribution. All of those patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant indications with an average time to development of metachronous gastric cancer of 8.3 years. Four patients complained of gastrointestinal discomfort prior to diagnosis of secondary malignancy. All of these cancers were poorly differentiated and were discovered at an advanced T stage (≥ 3). Only half developed at the gastrointestinal anastomosis. Four underwent surgery with a curative intent, and 2 patients are currently alive (mean postgastrectomy survival = 25.5 months). In accordance with previous literature, biliopancreatic reflux from pancreaticoduodenectomy reconstruction, underlying genetic susceptibility, and adjuvant therapy may play a causative role in later development of gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Long-term survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy who develop nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints should be evaluated carefully for complications including gastric malignancy. This may serve as an opportunity to intervene on tumors that typically present at an advanced stage and with aggressive histology.