Neighborhood Deprivation is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications After Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) ranks neighborhoods by deprivation based on US Census data. This study utilizes ADI scores to investigate the impact of neighborhood deprivation on complication rates following breast reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who received implant-based reconstruction from 2019 to 2023 were identified at a single institution in New York. Patients were linked to a state-specific ADI score and categorized into groups: "High ADI" (6-10) and "Low ADI" (1-5). Patient characteristics and complication rates were compared between the ADI groups with Chi-Square analysis and t-tests. The predictive value of ADI scores on complication rates was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: In total, 471 patients were included, of which 16% (n = 73) were in the High ADI group, and 84% (n = 398) were in the Low ADI group. There were no baseline differences between the 2 groups, except that there were more patients of Hispanic descent in the High ADI group (30% vs. 15%, P < .01). The High ADI group had a higher overall complication rate than the Low ADI group (34% vs. 21%, P < .01), as well as higher individual rates of hematoma (12% vs. 3%, P < .01) and unexpected reoperations (18% vs. 7%, P < .01). After adjusting for differences in race, High ADI scores predicted hematoma, reoperations, and any complication (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients living in neighborhoods with high ADI had a higher incidence of postoperative complications, independent of comorbidities and race. This measure of disparity should be considered when counselling patients about their risk of complications following procedures like implant-based breast reconstruction.

Underrepresented in Medicine Applicants are Less Likely to Successfully Match into Plastic Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: The lack of underrepresented in medicine physicians in academic plastic surgery has been a topic of interest for many years, and accordingly outreach has been undertaken to address the pipeline from medical school to residency and beyond. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess and identify the characteristics associated with plastic surgery match success for underrepresented in medicine applicants. DESIGN: Residency application data for first time, US allopathic medical school seniors from the 2017-2018 to 2021-2022 applicant cycles were abstracted from Electronic Residency Application Service applications, and match results were determined using the National Residency Matching Program database and online public sources. Data included self-reported race, and multiple application characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression of application characteristics were used to assess the relationship between underrepresented in medicine status and successfully matching. Binary logistic regression was used in subgroup analyses of each application characteristic, and interactions regression was used to evaluate the relative weight of each characteristic on successfully matching. RESULTS: Underrepresented in medicine applicants were 57% less likely to match than non-underrepresented in medicine applicants (OR 0.43, p = 0.001), though they were 60% less likely to match (ORadj 0.4, p = 0.216) when adjusted. Subgroup analysis revealed that odds of matching as an underrepresented in medicine applicant were significantly increased if the applicant had a home program, took a research year, and had an increased number of published research and presentations (ORs 0.43-0.48, all p < 0.05). Odds of matching as an underrepresented in medicine applicant were significantly decreased if the applicant went to a medical school ranked in the highest or lowest third (ORs 0.41-0.42, all p < 0.01); however, on interaction regression the odds of matching from a highly ranked medical school was increased (OR 3.5, 95% CI 0.98-12.55, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of matching as an underrepresented in medicine applicant is lower than the rest of the applicant population, and there are no individual applicant characteristics that can increase these odds to equal that of the general applicant population.

Hemostatic Agents Do Not Significantly Affect Seroma Formation in Abdominal Body Contouring.

BACKGROUND: Objective: Seroma formation is plaguing complication in abdominal body contouring surgery (ABCS) that has been loosely associated with the use of intraoperative hemostatic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hemostatic agent usage and seroma development following ABCS. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing ABCS between 2010 and 2020 was completed. Cases who received hemostatic agents were matched to controls (1:2) based on potential confounders including age, BMI, and ASA score. Demographic data, operative details, and postoperative complications including development of seroma, hematoma, venous thromboembolism, wound dehiscence, and delayed wound healing were collected. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seven patients were included in the study. Sixty-five patients (9.2%) received at least one hemostatic agent. The most used agents were topical thrombin (n = 33, 50.1%), dry matrices including oxidized cellulose, microporous polysaccharides, and absorbable gelatin matrices (n = 15, 23.1%) followed by combination fibrin sealant/thrombin preparations (n = 9, 14.0%). No significant differences with respect to demographic data or medical comorbidities between the cases and controls were identified. Bivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences in the rate of development of seroma (OR: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-1.99, p = 0.781), hematoma (OR: 3.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95-14.65, p = 0.060), venous thromboembolism (OR: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-3.81, p = 0.433). CONCLUSION: Hemostatic agent use, regardless of type, does not significantly affect the risk of seroma, hematoma, and venous thromboembolism development, nor does it influence the rates of delayed wound healing or wound dehiscence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Incidence and predictors of case cancellation within 24 h in patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidable case cancellations within 24 h reduce operating room (OR) efficiency, add unnecessary costs, and may have physical and emotional consequences for patients and their families. We developed and validated a prediction tool that can be used to guide same day case cancellation reduction initiatives. DESIGN: Retrospective hospital registry study. SETTING: University-affiliated hospitals network (NY, USA). PATIENTS: 246,612 (1/2016-6/2021) and 58,662 (7/2021-6/2022) scheduled elective procedures were included in the development and validation cohort. MEASUREMENTS: Case cancellation within 24 h was defined as cancelling a surgical procedure within 24 h of the scheduled date and time. Our candidate predictors were defined a priori and included patient-, procedural-, and appointment-related factors. We created a prediction tool using backward stepwise logistic regression to predict case cancellation within 24 h. The model was subsequently recalibrated and validated in a cohort of patients who were recently scheduled for surgery. MAIN RESULTS: 8.6% and 8.7% scheduled procedures were cancelled within 24 h of the intended procedure in the development and validation cohort, respectively. The final weighted score contains 29 predictors. A cutoff value of 15 score points predicted a 10.3% case cancellation rate with a negative predictive value of 0.96, and a positive predictive value of 0.21. The prediction model showed good discrimination in the development and validation cohort with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.79-0. 80) and an AUC of 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.73), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We present a validated preoperative prediction tool for case cancellation within 24 h of surgery. We utilize the instrument in our institution to identify patients with high risk of case cancellation. We describe a process for recalibration such that other institutions can also use the score to guide same day case cancellation reduction initiatives.

Rectus Plication Does Not Increase Risk of Thromboembolic Events Following Abdominal Body Contouring: A Matched Case-Control Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rectus abdominis plication increases intra-abdominal pressure and lower-extremity venous stasis, which may increase the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between VTE and rectus abdominis muscle plication during surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent abdominal body contouring at the authors' institution between 2010 and 2020 was completed. Cases were those with postoperative VTEs and were matched to controls (1:4) via potential confounders. Variables collected include demographic data, operative details, comorbidities, and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was performed with parametric, nonparametric, and multivariable regression modeling. RESULTS: Overall, 1198 patients were included; 19 (1.59%) experienced a postoperative VTE and were matched to 76 controls. The overall cohort was 92.7% female with an average age of 44 years, an average Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1 point, and an average BMI of 30.1 kg/m2. History of cerebrovascular events (14.5% vs 36.8%, P = 0.026) differed significantly between cohorts, but no significant associations were noted in all other baseline demographics. Additionally, VTE cases were more likely to have received intraoperative blood transfusions (odds ratio = 8.4, P = 0.04). Bivariate analysis demonstrated cases were significantly more likely to experience concurrent complications, including delayed wound healing (0% vs 5.3%, P = 0.044), seroma formation (5.3% vs 21.1%, P = 0.027), and fat necrosis (0% vs 5.3%, P = 0.044). However, these findings were not significant in a multivariable regression model. Plication was not associated with VTE outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Rectus plication does not increase the risk of VTE. However, the odds of VTE are significantly increased in patients who received intraoperative blood products compared with those who did not.

Risk Reduction Strategy to Decrease Incidence of Retained Surgical Items.

BACKGROUND: Retained surgical items (RSIs) are rare but serious events associated with significant morbidity and costs. We assessed the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) detection technology and Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) in reducing the incidence of RSIs. STUDY DESIGN: All RSIs reported to the New York Patient Occurrence Reporting and Tracking System at five large urban teaching hospitals from 2007 to 2017 were analyzed. In 2012, TeamSTEPPS training was provided to all perioperative staff at each site, and use of RF detection became required in all procedures. The incidence of events before and after the interventions were compared using odds ratios. RESULTS: A total of 997,237 operative procedures were analyzed. After the interventions, the incidence of RSIs decreased from 11.66 to 5.80 events per 100,000 operations (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI] = 0.50 [0.32 to 0.78]). The frequency of RSIs involving RF-detectable items decreased from 5.21 to 1.35 events per 100,000 operations (OR [95% CI] = 0.26 [0.11 to 0.60]). The difference in RSIs involving non-RF-detectable surgical items was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of RSIs was significantly lower during the time period after implementing RF detection technology and after TeamSTEPPS training, primarily driven by a decrease in retained RF-detectable items. RF detection technology may be worth pursuing for hospitals looking to decrease RSI frequency. The benefit of TeamSTEPPS training alone may not result in a reduction of RSIs.

In Vitro Characterization of Protein Effector Export in the Bradyzoite Stage of Toxoplasma gondii.

The ubiquitous parasite Toxoplasma gondii exhibits an impressive ability to maintain chronic infection of its host for prolonged periods. Despite this, little is known regarding whether and how T. gondii bradyzoites, a quasi-dormant life stage residing within intracellular cysts, manipulate the host cell to maintain persistent infection. A previous proteomic study of the cyst wall, an amorphous layer of proteins that forms underneath the cyst membrane, identified MYR1 as a putative cyst wall protein in vitro Because MYR1 is known to be involved in the translocation of parasite-derived effector proteins into the host cell, we sought to determine whether parasites transitioning toward the bradyzoite life stage retain the capacity to translocate proteins via this pathway. By epitope tagging the endogenous loci of four known effectors that translocate from the parasitophorous vacuole into the host cell nucleus, we show, by immunofluorescence assays, that most effectors accumulate in the host nucleus at early but not late time points after infection, during the tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite transition and when parasites further along the bradyzoite differentiation continuum invade a new host cell. We demonstrate that the suppression of interferon gamma signaling, which was previously shown to be mediated by the effector TgIST, also occurs in the context of prolonged infection with bradyzoites and that TgIST export is a process that occurs beyond the early stages of host cell infection. These findings have important implications regarding how this highly successful parasite maintains persistent infection of its host.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma bradyzoites persist within tissue cysts and are refractory to current treatments, serving as a reservoir for acute complications in settings of compromised immunity. Much remains to be understood regarding how this life stage successfully establishes and maintains persistent infection. In this study, we investigated whether the export of parasite effector proteins into the host cell occurs during the development of in vitro tissue cysts. We quantified the presence of four previously described effectors in host cell nuclei at different time points after bradyzoite differentiation and found that they accumulated largely during the early stages of infection. Despite a decline in nuclear accumulation, we found that one of these effectors still mediated its function after prolonged infection with bradyzoites, and we provide evidence that this effector is exported beyond early infection stages. These findings suggest that effector export from within developing tissue cysts provides one potential mechanism by which this parasite achieves chronic infection.

Provider preferences for postoperative analgesia in obese and non-obese patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

BACKGROUND: Few guidelines exist on safe prescription of postoperative analgesia to obese patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. This study examines the preferences of providers in the standard treatment of postoperative pain in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: Providers from five academic medical centers within a single US city were surveyed from May-September 2015. They were asked to provide their preferred postoperative analgesic routine based upon the predicted severity of pain for obese and non-obese patients. McNemar's tests for paired observations were performed to compare prescribing preferences for obese vs. non-obese patients. Fisher's exact tests were performed to compare preferences based on experience: > 15 years vs. ≤15 years in practice, and attending vs. resident physicians. RESULTS: A total of 452 providers responded out of a possible 695. For mild pain, 119 (26.4%) respondents prefer an opioid for obese patients vs. 140 (31.1%) for non-obese (p = 0.002); for moderate pain, 329 (72.7%) for obese patients vs. 348 (77.0%) for non-obese (p = 0.011); for severe pain, 398 (88.1%) for obese patients vs. 423 (93.6%) for non-obese (p < 0.001). Less experienced physicians are more likely to prefer an opioid for obese patients with moderate pain: 70 (62.0%) attending physicians with > 15 years in practice vs. 86 (74.5%) with ≤15 years (p = 0.047), and 177 (68.0%) attending physicians vs. 129 (83.0%) residents (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: While there is a trend to prescribe less opioid analgesics to obese patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, these medications may still be over-prescribed. Less experienced physicians reported prescribing opioids to obese patients more frequently than more experienced physicians.

A perioperative care map improves outcomes in patients with morbid obesity undergoing major surgery.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of patients with morbid obesity (body mass index ≥ 40) is notable for a relatively high risk of complications. To address this problem, a perioperative care map was developed using precautions and best practices commonly employed in bariatric surgery. It requires additional medical assessments, sleep apnea surveillance, more stringent guidelines for anesthetic management, and readily available bariatric operating room equipment, among other items. This care map was implemented in 2013 at 4 major urban teaching hospitals for use in patients undergoing all types of nonambulatory surgery with a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2. The impact on patient outcomes was evaluated. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to compare 30-day outcomes of morbidly obese patients before the year 2013 and after the years 2015 care-map implementation. In addition, trends in 30-day outcomes for morbidly obese patients were compared with those for non-obese patients. RESULTS: Morbidly obese patients, between 2013 and 2015, saw an adjusted decrease in the rate of unplanned return to the operating room (OR = 0.49; P = .039), unplanned readmission (OR = 0.57; P = .006), total duration of stay (-0.87 days; P = .009), and postoperative duration of stay (-0.69 days; P = .007). Of these, total duration of stay (-0.86 days; P = .015), and postoperative duration of stay (-0.69 days; P = .012) improved significantly more for morbidly obese patients than for nonmorbidly obese patients. CONCLUSION: Outcomes in morbidly obese patients improved from 2013 to 2015. Implementation of a perioperative care map may have contributed to these improvements. The care map should be further investigated and considered for more widespread use.

Perioperative care map improves compliance with best practices for the morbidly obese.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity can complicate perioperative management. Best practice guidelines have been published but are typically followed only in bariatric patients. Little is known regarding physician awareness of and compliance with these clinical recommendations for nonbariatric operations. Our study evaluated if an educational intervention could improve physician recognition of and compliance with established best practices for all morbidly obese operatively treated patients. METHODS: A care map outlining best practices for morbidly obese patients was distributed to all surgeons and anesthesiologists at 4 teaching hospitals in 2013. Pre- and postintervention surveys were sent to participants in 2012 and in 2015 to evaluate changes in clinical practice. A chart audit performed postintervention determined physician compliance with distributed guidelines. RESULTS: In the study, 567 physicians completed the survey in 2012 and 375 physicians completed the survey in 2015. Postintervention, statistically significant improvements were seen in the percentage of surgeons and anesthesiologists combined who reported changing their management of morbidly obese, operatively treated patients to comply with best practices preoperatively (89% vs 59%), intraoperatively (71% vs 54%), postoperatively (80% vs 57%), and overall (88% vs 72%). Results were similar when surgeons and anesthesiologists were analyzed separately. A chart audit of 170 cases from the 4 hospitals found that 167 (98%) cases were compliant with best practices. CONCLUSION: After care map distribution, the percentage of physicians who reported changing their management to match best practices significantly improved. These findings highlight the beneficial impact this educational intervention can have on physician behavior. Continued investigation is needed to evaluate the influence of this intervention on clinical outcomes.

Cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy in adults: consensus recommendations of an interdisciplinary panel.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy (CCK-CS) provides a physiologic, noninvasive, and quantitative method for assessing gallbladder contraction and calculation of a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). At present, it is used most commonly to identify patients with suspected functional gallbladder disorder. However, the methodology of CCK infusion and normal values differ markedly among imaging centers. METHODS: This document represents the consensus opinion of an interdisciplinary panel that gathered to assess the current optimal method for performing CCK-CS in adults, potential uses and limitations of CCK-CS, and questions that require further investigation. RESULTS: The panel recommended the use of a single, standardized, recently described CCK-CS protocol that involves infusion of 0.02 µg/kg of sincalide over 60 minutes with a normal GBEF defined as ≥38%. The panel emphasized the need for a large, multicenter, prospective clinical trial to establish the utility of CCK-CS in the diagnosis of functional gallbladder disease. Although not without controversy regarding its clinical utility, the primary indication for CCK-CS at present is the well-selected patient with suspected functional gallbladder disorder. CONCLUSION: Agreement was reached that the adoption of this standardized protocol is critical to improve how CCK-CS is used to direct patient care and will represent an improvement over the diverse methods currently in use by eliminating the current lack of uniformity and adding both reliability and credibility to the results.

Cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy in adults: consensus recommendations of an interdisciplinary panel.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy (CCK-CS) provides a physiologic, noninvasive, and quantitative method for assessing gallbladder contraction and calculation of a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). At present, it is used most commonly to identify patients with suspected functional gallbladder disorder. However, the methodology of CCK infusion and normal values differ markedly among imaging centers. METHODS: This document represents the consensus opinion of an interdisciplinary panel that gathered to assess the current optimal method for performing CCK-CS in adults, potential uses and limitations of CCK-CS, and questions that require further investigation. RESULTS: The panel recommended the use of a single, standardized, recently described CCK-CS protocol that involves infusion of 0.02 µg/kg of sincalide over 60 minutes with a normal gallbladder ejection fraction defined as ≥38%. The panel emphasized the need for a large, multicenter, prospective clinical trial to establish the utility of CCK-CS in the diagnosis of functional gallbladder disease. Although not without controversy regarding its clinical utility, the primary indication for CCK-CS at present is the well-selected patient with suspected functional gallbladder disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement was reached that the adoption of this standardized protocol is critical to improve how CCK-CS is used to direct patient care and will represent an improvement over the diverse methods currently in use by eliminating the current lack of uniformity and adding both reliability and credibility to the results.

Levels of elevated circulating endothelial cell decline after tumor resection in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate circulating endothelial lineage cells (ELCs) as biomarkers of tumor neovascularization in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ELCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with PDAC (n=14) or controls (n=17) before and after tumor resection/surgery and quantified using flow cytometry. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were detected in tumor using immunohistochemistry and in plasma using an ELISA technique. RESULTS: Circulating ELC levels were increased in patients with PDAC compared to controls. After PDAC resection, ELC levels declined. ELC level increases were associated with cancer recurrence. VEGF and PlGF were identified in cancer cells and exocrine pancreas cells. Only PlGF was detected in tumor-associated inflammatory cells. Plasma levels of PlGF were higher in patients with PDAC compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Circulating ELCs are a potential biomarker of PDAC neovascularization, and PlGF may be an important target in treatment of PDAC.

Identification of Helicobacter spp. in bile and gallbladder tissue of patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study was designed to determine if Helicobacter spp. contribute to benign gallbladder disease using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. METHODS: Patients with benign gallbladder disease scheduled for elective cholecystectomy at New York University Langone Medical Center were recruited from February to May 2008. Bile, gallbladder tissue and gallstones were collected. DNA was isolated from these specimens and amplified via PCR using C97F and C98R primers specific for Helicobacter spp. Appropriate positive and negative controls were used. Products were analysed with agarose gel electrophoresis, sequenced and results aligned using sequencher. Plasma was collected for detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Of 36 patients, 12 patients' bile and/or tissue were positive for Helicobacter spp. by PCR. Species were most homologous with H. pylori, although other Helicobacter spp. were suggested. Six of 12 patients demonstrated anti-Helicobacter antibodies in plasma, suggesting that the remaining six might have demonstrated other species besides H. pylori. Four of six plasma samples with anti-Helicobacter antibodies were anti-CagA (cytotoxin associated gene) negative. DISCUSSION: Helicobacter spp. can be detected in bile and gallbladder tissue of patients with benign gallbladder disease. The contribution of these bacteria to the pathophysiology of gallbladder disease and gallstone formation requires further study.

Management and spectrum of complications in patients undergoing surgical debridement for pancreatic necrosis.

Patients who undergo pancreatic necrosectomy frequently develop complications and often have high mortality rates. These patients are best cared for at specialized centers to minimize morbidity, manage complex complications, and reduce mortality. We present a review of our experience and describe the spectrum of complications encountered in managing of these difficult patients. A registry of patients undergoing pancreatic necrosectomy during a 7-year period was analyzed for preoperative clinical scoring systems (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II and APACHE III scores), patient characteristics related to necrosectomy, and morbidity and mortality. Twenty-nine patients underwent necrosectomy. Indications for surgery were consistent with those previously described. There were 27 complications in 22 patients. Sixteen complications were early (less than 3 weeks after surgery) and 14 were late. The mortality rate was 14 per cent. All deaths were in patients transferred from outside institutions, some after extended time periods. Temporary percutaneous catheter drainage of abscesses before transfer and definitive surgery appeared to reduce mortality in transferred patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between mean maximal preoperative APACHE III score, but not APACHE II score, and the number of postoperative intensive care unit days (rho = 0.52, P = 0.004). We describe our experience managing patients with infected pancreatic necrosis that required operative necrosectomy. We found that more severely ill patients (higher APACHE III scores) had longer intensive care unit stays, but the initial severity of their illness did not increase mortality. If patients with infected pancreatic necrosis are referred to specialized centers, preoperative pretransfer percutaneous drainage may serve to temporarily control sepsis.

Evaluation of surgical outcomes and gallbladder characteristics in patients with biliary dyskinesia.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to compare symptomatic outcomes following cholecystectomy in patients with biliary dyskinesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2006 at New York University Medical Center, 197 adults underwent hepatobiliary scintigraphy with cholecystokinin administration to evaluate gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). Biliary dyskinesia was demonstrated in 120 patients based on decreased GBEF of

Nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine neoplasm presenting as asymptomatic, isolated pancreatic duct stricture: a case report and review of the literature.

Morphologic irregularities of the pancreatic duct are often noted on abdominal imaging studies obtained for unrelated symptoms or conditions. We report the case of a patient who was found to have an incidental, isolated pancreatic duct dilatation on multiple imaging studies and who was found to have a nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine neoplasm at resection. His prognosis is excellent based on the histology of the lesion and a curative resection. This case highlights the importance of fully investigating incidental pancreatic duct abnormalities regardless of the setting in which they are found.

Evaluation of pro-carboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase A as serologic markers for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: A serological marker for pancreatic cancer may allow for early detection and potentially more effective treatments. Pro-carboxypeptidase A (pro-CPA) is produced exclusively in the pancreas and converted to its active form, CPA, in the intestinal lumen. We hypothesized that alterations in serum pro-CPA and/or CPA may be useful as a diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples obtained from 34 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma prior to surgical intervention and 64 control patients were assayed for pro-CPA and CPA. A variety of statistical methods was used to evaluate the utility of these measurements individually and in combination to classify the samples with respect to the presence or absence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: Because of positive skewing of the data in some populations, transformation of the data to natural logarithmic scales was used and resulted in normal distributions. All pancreatic cancer patients had ln(CPA) levels within or below the normal range defined as two standard deviations from the control group mean (-2.714+/-0.413). Ln(pro-CPA) levels in 24 of 34 cancer patients were outside the normal range of the control group (0.306+/-0.33). Pancreatic cancer patients with ln pro-CPA values within the control range had low ln CPA, advanced stage and/or evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. While each of these individual values (ln pro-CPA or ln CPA) does not adequately separate all control from cancer patients, a bivariate classification rule is presented that uses both ln pro-CPA and ln CPA simultaneously to predict the presence of pancreatic cancer with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that abnormalities in serum pro-CPA and CPA levels are associated with the presence of pancreatic cancer.

Perforated duodenal diverticulitis: a report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal diverticuli are present in up to 22% of the population. However, perforation of a duodenal diverticulum with spillage of enteric contents into the retroperitoneum is rare. METHODS: We report three cases of perforated duodenal diverticulitis. RESULTS: Clinical presentations varied widely from patients with acute abdominal findings and generalized sepsis to a patient with mild symptoms of abdominal discomfort. CT scanning was the imaging modality used to make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment approaches for the most stable patient included nonoperative management with antibiotics, bowel rest and parenteral alimentation, while the less stable patients underwent definitive surgery with complete diversion of gastric contents and biliary flow from the affected area of duodenum. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the salient issues in the presentation, diagnosis and modern management of patients with this potentially catastrophic disease.

Retroperitoneal perforation of the duodenum from biliary stent erosion.

Endoscopically placed biliary stents have supplanted surgical decompression as the preferred treatment option for patients with obstructive jaundice from advanced pancreatic cancer. An unusual complication of indewelling biliary stents is duodenal perforation into the retroperitoneum. We describe the case of a patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer who presented with an acute abdomen from erosion of a previously placed bile duct stent through the wall of the second portion of the duodenum. Although our patient presented with advanced symptoms, clinical presentations can vary from mild abdominal discomfort and general malaise to overt septic shock. Definitive diagnosis is best made with computed tomography (CT) imaging, which can detect traces of retroperitoneal air and fluid. Treatment options vary from nonoperative management with antibiotics, bowel rest, and parenteral alimentation in the most stable patients to definitive surgery with complete diversion of gastric contents and biliary flow from the affected area in patients with clinical symptoms or radiologic evidence suggesting extensive contamination. Complications of management can include duodenal fistulization, residual retroperitoneal or intrabdominal abscess, and ongoing sepsis. This report highlights the salient issues in the presentation, diagnosis, and modern management of patients with this rare complication of indwelling biliary stents.