Early closure of the protective ileostomy after rectal resection should become part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol: a randomized, prospective, two-center clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Protective loop ileostomy (PLI) is used to reduce the anastomotic leak rate after resection of the rectum. It is an effective, yet burdensome procedure contradicting the aims of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) by slowing down recovery. Early closure (EC) of the PLI has the potential to change the situation, and it should become part of ERAS. AIM: To analyze the effectiveness of EC in ERAS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was performed between October the 1st, 2016 and December the 31st, 2017. Fifty-eight adult patients (24 females, 34 males, mean age: 55.7 and 56.2) operated on for rectal carcinoma according to the ERAS protocol with PLI were randomly assigned to the late (L) or early (E) closure group (14 days after discharge). Time to start adjuvant chemotherapy, complication rate, and health care costs were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups regarding the length of surgery (83.2 ±15.9 vs. 87.1 ±21.7 min, in E and L, respectively), intraoperative blood loss (15.2 ±7.5 vs. 17.3 ±11.1 ml, respectively), median hospital stay, or the time to pass flatus and stool. The difference in the time needed to start the adjuvant treatment (38.7 ±5.7 vs. 33.2 ±5.8 days, p < 0.01), was compensated by the reduction of time living with a stoma (17.2 vs. 299.0 days) and health care costs: (43.68 vs. 698.42 USD). CONCLUSIONS: Early closure is a safe and effective therapeutic approach, improving the recovery. Therefore it should be implemented as part of the ERAS protocol for rectal cancer patients.

Nutritional Support Teams: the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists helps improve cost-effectiveness of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) / Equipos de asistencia nutricional: la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos ayuda a mejorar la rentabilidad de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD)

Introduction: Modern home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires the preparation of tailored admixtures. The physicians’ demands for their composition are often at the variance with pharmaceutical principles, which causes the necessity of either the preparation of ex tempore admixtures or stability testing ensuring long shelf life. Both approaches are not cost-effective. The aim of the study was to use the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists to assure both: cost-effectiveness and patient-tailored HPN admixtures. Methods: The first part of the study consisted of the thorough analysis of prescriptions for the most demanding 47 HPN patients (27 females and 20 males, mean age 53.1 year) treated at one HPN center to create few as possible long-shelf life admixtures. The second part of the study consisted of stability testing and modifications. Results: The analysis showed over 137 variations needed to cover all macro- and micronutrients requirements. Their cost as ex-tempore solutions was extremely high (over 110 000 EURO/month) due to logistics and similarly high if stability test for variation were to be performed (68 500 EURO). Therefore prescription was prepared de novo within team of physicians and pharmacists and four base models were designed. Water and electrolytes, particularly magnesium and calcium showed to be the major issues. Stability tests failed in one admixture due to high electrolytes concentration. It was corrected, and the new formula passes the test. Five basic models were then used for creation of new bags. Cost of such an activity were 3 700 EURO (p<0.01) Conclusions: The cooperation within the members of nutritional support team could improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of HPN (AU)

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) moderna requiere la elaboración de preparados a medida. Las peticiones de los médicos en cuanto a la composición de estos preparados muchas veces difieren de los principios farmacéuticos, lo que suscita la necesidad de elaboración de preparados ex-tempore o unas pruebas de estabilidad que garanticen la almacenamiento a largo plazo. Estas estrategias no resultan rentables. El objetivo del estudio consistió en utilizar la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos para asegurar tanto la rentabilidad, como la elaboración a medida de los preparados NPD. Métodos: La primera parte del estudio consistió en el análisis pormenorizado de las prescripciones para los 47 pacientes con una NPD más exigente (27 mujeres y 20 hombres, edad media 53,1 años) tratados en un centro NPD para crear el menor número posible de preparados de larga duración. La segunda parte del estudio consistió en pruebas de estabilidad y modificaciones. Resultados: El análisis demostró que eran necesarias más de 137 variaciones para cubrir todas las exigencias de macro y micronutrientes. Su costo como soluciones ex-tempore resultó extremadamente elevado (más de 110.000 EUROS/mes) debido a la logística, e igualmente alto en caso de requerirse una prueba de estabilidad (68.500 EUROS). Así, la prescripción fue preparada de novo por el equipo de médicos y farmacéuticos y se diseñaron cuatro modelos básicos. Las dificultades principales fueron el agua y los electrolitos, en particular magnesio y calcio. Las pruebas de estabilidad fracasaron en uno de los preparados debido a la alta concentración de electrolitos. Esto fue corregido, y la nueva fórmula supero la prueba. A partir de ahí se emplearon cinco modelos básicos para la creación de nuevas bolsas. El costo de esta actividad supuso 3.700 EUROS (p<0.01) Conclusiones: La cooperación entre los miembros del equipo de asistencia nutricional puede mejorar la rentabilidad y la calidad de la NPD (AU)

Home enteral nutrition reduces complications, length of stay, and health care costs: results from a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Home enteral nutrition (HEN) has always been recognized as a life-saving procedure, but with the ongoing economic crisis influencing health care, its cost-effectiveness has been questioned recently. OBJECTIVE: The unique reimbursement situation in Poland enabled the otherwise ethically unacceptable, hence unavailable, comparison of the period of no-feeding and long-term feeding and the subsequent analyses of the clinical value of the latter and its cost-effectiveness. DESIGN: The observational multicenter study in the group of 456 HEN patients [142 children: 55 girls and 87 boys, mean (±SD) age 8.7 ± 5.9 y; 314 adults: 151 women and 163 men, mean age 59.3 ± 19.8 y] was performed between January 2007 and July 2013. Two 12-mo periods were compared. During the first period, patients were tube fed a homemade diet and were not monitored; during the other period, patients received HEN. HEN included tube feeding and complex monitoring by a nutrition support team. The number of complications, hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, biochemical and anthropometric variables, and costs of hospitalization were compared. RESULTS: Implementation of HEN enabled weight gain and stabilized liver function in both age groups, but it hardly influenced the other tests. HEN implementation reduced the incidence of infectious complications (37.4% compared with 14.9%; P < 0.001, McNemar test), the number of hospital admissions [1.98 ± 2.42 (mean ± SD) before and 1.26 ± 2.18 after EN; P < 0.001, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test], and length of hospital stay (39.7 ± 71.9 compared with 11.9 ± 28.5 d; P < 0.001, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test). The mean annual costs ($) of hospitalization were reduced from 6500.20 ± 10,402.69 to 2072.58 ± 5497.00. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that HEN improves clinical outcomes and decreases health care costs. It was impossible, however, to determine precisely which factor mattered more: the artificial diet itself or the introduction of complex care.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous 'push-introducer' gastrostomy is a valuable method for accessing the gastrointestinal tract.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most effective and least invasive method for enteral nutrition (EN). The most common system for PEG is the 'pull' technique, which . It is not available in case endoscopy cannot be performed. The 'push' technique may be an option if effective identification of the abdominal structures can be achieved. X-ray or ultrasonography can be used for that purpose. The aim was to assess the clinical value of ultrasound-guided 'push' gastrostomy. A retrospective analysis of eleven patients (6 F, 5 M, mean age 65.1) including the procedure itself, complication rate, and cost was conducted. In all eleven patients the surgery was successful, and EN was introduced 4-6 hours afterwards. Complications included pain requiring removal of a supporting stitch (n = 1) and balloon deflation (n = 1). All patients were successfully fed enterally. Ultrasound-guided 'push' technique gastrostomy should become a method of choice if the 'pull' method is unavailable.

La gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP) es el método más eficaz y menos invasivo para la nutrición enteral (NE). El sistema más frecuente para la GEP es la técnica 'pull', que no está disponible en el caso de que la endoscopia no se pueda realizar. La técnica 'push' puede ser una opción si se consigue una identificación efectiva de las estructuras abdominales. Para este propósito, se pueden usar los rayos X o la ecografía. El objetivo fue evaluar la validez clínica de la gastrostomía 'push' guiada por ecografía. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo en 11 pacientes (6 M, 5 H, edad media 65,1) que incluía el propio procedimiento, la tasa de complicaciones y el coste. En los 11 pacientes la cirugía fue exitosa y la NE se introdujo a las 4-6 horas. Las complicaciones incluían dolor, que requirió la retirada del punto de soporte (n = 1), y el deshinchado del globo (n = 1). A todos los pacientes se les alimentó con éxito entéricamente. La técnica de gastrostomía 'push' guiada por ecografía debería convertirse en el método de elección cuando la técnica 'pull' no esté disponible.

Nutritional support teams: the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists helps improve cost-effectiveness of home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

INTRODUCTION: Modern home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires the preparation of tailored admixtures. The physicians' demands for their composition are often at the variance with pharmaceutical principles, which causes the necessity of either the preparation of ex tempore admixtures or stability testing ensuring long shelf life. Both approaches are not cost-effective. The aim of the study was to use the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists to assure both: cost-effectiveness and patient-tailored HPN admixtures. METHODS: The first part of the study consisted of the thorough analysis of prescriptions for the most demanding 47 HPN patients (27 females and 20 males, mean age 53.1 year) treated at one HPN center to create few as possible long-shelf life admixtures. The second part of the study consisted of stability testing and modifications. RESULTS: The analysis showed over 137 variations needed to cover all macro- and micronutrients requirements. Their cost as ex-tempore solutions was extremely high (over 110 000 EURO/month) due to logistics and similarly high if stability test for variation were to be performed (68 500 EURO). Therefore prescription was prepared de novo within team of physicians and pharmacists and four base models were designed. Water and electrolytes, particularly magnesium and calcium showed to be the major issues. Stability tests failed in one admixture due to high electrolytes concentration. It was corrected, and the new formula passes the test. Five basic models were then used for creation of new bags. Cost of such an activity were 3 700 EURO (p<0.01) CONCLUSIONS: The cooperation within the members of nutritional support team could improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of HPN.

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) moderna requiere la elaboración de preparados a medida. Las peticiones de los médicos en cuanto a la composición de estos preparados muchas veces difieren de los principios farmacéuticos, lo que suscita la necesidad de elaboración de preparados ex-tempore o unas pruebas de estabilidad que garanticen la almacenamiento a largo plazo. Estas estrategias no resultan rentables. El objetivo del estudio consistió en utilizar la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos para asegurar tanto la rentabilidad, como la elaboración a medida de los preparados NPD. Métodos: La primera parte del estudio consistió en el análisis pormenorizado de las prescripciones para los 47 pacientes con una NPD más exigente (27 mujeres y 20 hombres, edad media 53,1 años) tratados en un centro NPD para crear el menor número posible de preparados de larga duración. La segunda parte del estudio consistió en pruebas de estabilidad y modificaciones. Resultados: El análisis demostró que eran necesarias más de 137 variaciones para cubrir todas las exigencias de macro y micronutrientes. Su costo como soluciones ex-tempore resultó extremadamente elevado (más de 110.000 EUROS/mes) debido a la logística, e igualmente alto en caso de requerirse una prueba de estabilidad (68.500 EUROS). Así, la prescripción fue preparada de novo por el equipo de médicos y farmacéuticos y se diseñaron cuatro modelos básicos. Las dificultades principales fueron el agua y los electrolitos, en particular magnesio y calcio. Las pruebas de estabilidad fracasaron en uno de los preparados debido a la alta concentración de electrolitos. Esto fue corregido, y la nueva fórmula supero la prueba. A partir de ahí se emplearon cinco modelos básicos para la creación de nuevas bolsas. El costo de esta actividad supuso 3.700 EUROS (p.

Perioperative immunonutrition in surgical cancer patients: a summary of a decade of research.

BACKGROUND: Immunonutrition is assumed to enhance immune system function. In surgical patients, it is supposed to reduce postoperative complications. However, results of recent clinical trials have been puzzling and have not supported this theory. AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of enteral and parenteral postoperative immunonutrition. METHODS: After initial evaluation of 969 patients, the intent-to-treat analysis included 776 patients (female 407, male 466, mean age 61.1 years) undergoing gastric or pancreatic resections between 2001 and 2009. All patients were randomly assigned after surgery to one of the following groups: standard enteral nutrition (SEN), immunomodulating enteral nutrition (IMEN), standard parenteral nutrition (SPN), or immunomodulating parenteral nutrition (IMPN). All malnourished patients received preoperative parenteral nutrition. Number and type of postoperative complications, length of hospitalization (length of stay [LOS]), and vital organ function were assessed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in well-nourished patients, during either enteral or parenteral intervention, independent of the type of intervention (standard or immunomodulating). However, analysis of the malnourished group revealed the positive impact of enteral immunonutrition on reduction of postoperative complications (28.3 vs. 39.2 %, respectively; p = 0.043) and LOS (17.1 and 13.1 days, respectively; p < 0.05) compared with a standard enteral diet. The cross-analysis of SEN, IMEN, SPN, and IMPN was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The type of postoperative nutrition was of no importance in well-nourished patients. However, in malnourished patients, enteral immunonutrition helped to improve treatment outcome. These findings suggest its use as a method of choice during the postoperative period.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous «push - introducer» gastrostomyis a valuable method for accessing the gastrointestinal tract / La gastrostomía percutánea por ultrasonido «push-introducer» es un método válido para acceder al tracto gastrointestinal

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most effective and least invasive method for enteral nutrition (EN).The most common system for PEG is the ‘pull’ technique, which. It is not available in case endoscopy cannot be performed. The ‘push’ technique may be an option if effective identification of the abdominal structures can be achieved. X-ray or ultrasonographycan be used for that purpose. The aim was to assess theclinical value of ultrasound-guided ‘push’ gastrostomy. Aretrospective analysis of eleven patients (6 F, 5 M, mean age65.1) including the procedure itself, complication rate, and cost was conducted. In all eleven patients the surgery was successful, and EN was introduced 4-6 hours afterwards. Complications included pain requiring removal of a supporting stitch (n = 1)and balloon deflation (n = 1). All patients were successfully fedenterally. Ultrasound-guided ‘push’ technique gastrostomy should become a method of choice if the ‘pull’ method is unavailable (AU)

La gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP) es el método más eficaz y menos invasivo para la nutrición enteral (NE). El sistema más frecuente para la GEP es la técnica ‘pull’, que no está disponible en el caso de que la endoscopia no se pueda realizar. La técnica ‘push’ puede ser una opción si se consigue una identificación efectiva de las estructuras abdominales. Para este propósito, se pueden usar los rayos X o la ecografía. El objetivo fue evaluar la validez clínica de la gastrostomía ‘push’ guiada por ecografía. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo en 11 pacientes (6 M, 5 H,edad media 65,1) que incluía el propio procedimiento, la tasa de complicaciones y el coste. En los 11 pacientes la cirugía fue exitosa y la NE se introdujo a las 4-6 horas. Las complicaciones incluían dolor, que requirió la retirada del punto de soporte (n = 1), y el deshinchado del globo (n = 1). A todos los pacientes se les alimentó con éxito entéricamente. La técnica de gastrostomía ‘push’ guiada por ecografía debería convertirse en el método de elección cuando la técnica ‘pull’ no esté disponible (AU)

Case report of a patient with initially inoperable well-differentiated midgut neuroendocrine tumor (WDNT)--PRRT and long-acting somatostatin analogs as the neoadjuvant therapy.

A 43-year-old man was admitted to Surgery Department because of abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and flushes. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed upper and middle abdomen tumor of about 110 × 110 mm. Histopathological analysis of the tissues obtained during the exploratory laparotomy confirmed WDNT (well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor according to the WHO classification 2000). The patient received 5 doses of chemotherapy without any response. A positive result of 99mTc-[EDDA/Hynic] Octreotate scintigraphy (SRS) gave the possibility of PRRT (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy). The patient was treated with the total dose of 400 mCi of 90Y-DOTA-TATE. CT performed after the PRRT revealed regression of the tumor size to 72 × 94 mm. A decrease of CgA level and release of symptoms were also observed. Aiming at the removal of the considerable diminished tumor the patient was qualified for the second laparotomy. "Cytoreduction" surgery with partial excision of the tumor was performed. Additionally tumor-affected appendix was removed. The second focus of WDNT (according to the WHO classification 2000) with Ki67 < 1% was found in the appendix. Pathologists confirmed the above-mentioned lesions as independent (an extremely rare clinical situation). The following treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs and 300 mCi of 90Y-DOTA-TATE resulted in further regression of the tumor size to 25 × 35 mm. Consecutive laparotomy is considered. If complete tumor removal might be achieved is an open question. The above case report shows the efficacy of combined therapy with the use of "hot" and "cold" somatostatin analogs not only in controlling the symptoms of the disease but also in obtaining tumor size regression making surgical intervention possible. Such a neoadjuvant therapy seems to be a promising tool in the management of patients with initially inoperable neuroendocrine tumors.

Perioperative nutrition in malnourished surgical cancer patients - a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnourished surgical patients are supposed to benefit from perioperative nutrition. It is unclear, however, whether enteral intervention really surpasses the parenteral one, and whether the modification of standard formula matters. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical value of the route and type of perioperative nutritional support. METHODS: A group of 167 malnourished patients (91 M, 76 F, mean age 61.4 years) operated between June 2001 and December 2008 was randomly assigned during postoperative period to four groups according to nutritional intervention: enteral and parenteral, standard or immunomodulating. All patients received parenteral nutrition before surgery for 14 days, which provided homogenous groups for the postoperative evaluation. The trial was designed to test the hypothesis that enteral nutrition and/or immunonutrition can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: The incidence of individual complications was comparable among all four groups (p > 0.05). Infectious complications occurred in 23 of 84 patients with standard diets and in 20 of 83 patients receiving immunomodulatory formula (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.69). There were no significant differences in infectious complications' ratio in patients receiving enteral (24/84 patients) and parenteral formulas (19/83 patients). Neither immunomodulating formulas nor enteral feeding significantly affected the length of hospitalization, overall morbidity and mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated that postoperative nutritional intervention generates comparable results regardless of the route and formula used and that preoperative intervention is of the utmost importance. The study was registered in the Clinical Trials Database - number: NCT 00558155.

Commercial enteral formulas and nutrition support teams improve the outcome of home enteral tube feeding.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of home enteral tube feeding (HETF) provided by nutrition support teams (NSTs) have been questioned recently, given the growing costs to the healthcare system. This study examined the effect of a specialized home enteral nutrition program on clinical outcome variables in HETF patients. METHODS: The observational study included 203 patients (103 women, 100 men; mean age 52.5 years) receiving HETF with homemade diets for at least 12 months before starting a specialized home nutrition program for another 12 months consisting of provision of commercial enteral formulas and the guidance of an NST. Both study periods were compared regarding the number of hospital admissions, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and costs of hospitalization. RESULTS: A specialized HETF program significantly reduced the number of hospital admissions and the duration of hospital and ICU stays. The need for hospitalization and ICU admission was significantly reduced, with odds ratios of 0.083 (95% confidence interval, 0.051-0.133, P < .001) and 0.259 (95% confidence interval, 0.124-0.539, P < .001), respectively. Specialized HETF was associated with a significant decrease in the prevalence of pneumonia (24.1% vs 14.2%), respiratory failure (7.3% vs 1.9%), urinary tract infection (11.3% vs 4.9%), and anemia (3.9% vs 0%) requiring hospitalization. The average yearly cost of hospital treatment decreased from $764.65 per patient to $142.66 per year per patient. CONCLUSIONS: The specialized HETF care program reduces morbidity and costs related to long-term enteral feeding at home.

Enteral and parenteral nutrition in the conservative treatment of pancreatic fistula: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is the most common and potentially life-threatening complication after pancreatic surgery. Although nutritional support is a key component of conservative therapy in such cases, there have been no well-designed clinical trials substantiating the superiority of either total parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of both routes of nutritional intervention. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in a tertiary surgical center of pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgery. Seventy-eight patients with postoperative pancreatic fistula were treated conservatively and randomly assigned to groups receiving for 30 days either enteral nutrition or total parenteral nutrition. The primary end point was the 30-day fistula closure rate. RESULTS: After 30 days, closure rates in patients receiving enteral and parenteral nutrition were 60% (24 of 40) and 37% (14 of 38), respectively (P=.043). The odds ratio for the probability that fistula closes on enteral nutrition compared to total parenteral nutrition was 2.571 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.031-6.411). Median time to closure was 27 days (95% CI: 21-33) for enteral nutrition, and no median time was reached in total parenteral nutrition (P=.047). A logistic regression analysis identified only 2 factors significantly associated with fistula closure, ie, enteral nutrition (odds ratio=6.136; 95% CI: 1.204-41.623; P=.043) and initial fistula output of ≤200 mL/day (odds ratio=12.701; 95% CI: 9.102-47.241; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Enteral nutrition is associated with significantly higher closure rates and shorter time to closure of postoperative pancreatic fistula.

The immunomodulating enteral nutrition in malnourished surgical patients - a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The immunomodulating nutrition was supposed to reduce the incidence of complications in surgical patients, but many authors have questioned its value recently. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of enteral immunonutrition in postoperative period. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2009, 305 malnourished patients (123 F, 182 M, m. age 60.8) undergoing resection for pancreatic or gastric cancer, after preoperative 14 days of parenteral feeding, were randomized in double-blind manner to receive either postoperative immunomodulating enteral diet (IMEN) or standard oligopeptide diet (SEN). Outcome measures of the intend-to-treat analysis were: number and type of complications, length of hospitalization, mortality, and vital organ function. RESULTS: Median postoperative hospital stay was 17.1 days in SEN and 13.1 days in IMEN group (p = 0.006). Infectious complications were observed in 60 patients (39.2%) in SEN and 43 (28.3%) in IMEN group (p = 0.04). Differences were also observed in overall morbidity (47.1 vs 33.5%, p = 0.01) and mortality (5.9 vs 1.3%, p = 0.03), but the ratio of surgical complications, organ function, and treatment tolerance did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: The study proved that postoperative immunomodulating enteral nutrition should be the treatment of choice in malnourished surgical cancer patients. The Clinical Trials Database registry number: NCT00576940.

Neuroendocrine tumours of rare location.

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) arising from dispersed endocrine system may originate from almost every location, although they are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. NETs are considered as particularly rare if they constitute less than 1% of all neuroendocrine tumours. The aim of the paper is to present ten rare NETs from the database of the Endocrinology Department of the Jagiellonian University, Medical College: 4 NETs of the ampulla of Vater, 2 of the gallbladder, and 1 of the ovary, sphenoid sinus, Meckel's diverticulum, and epiglottis. The clinical presentation of such tumours and their management are discussed.

[Current opinions on pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures and management of gastric neuroendocrine tumors]. / Wspólczesne poglady na patogeneze, diagnostyke i leczenie guzów neuroendokrynnych zoladka.

Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NET ventriculi) are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing in incidence over last fifty years, what partly could be explained by the common use of upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. Pathogenesis of the NET ventriculi is not fully understood, however it is well known, that in all NET ventriculi types there is a hyperplasia of enterochromaffine-like cells (ECL) related to different stimuli. NET ventriculi type 1 is related to autoimmunological atrophic gastritis and hypergastrinaemia, NET ventriculi type 2 with hypergastrinemia in the course of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 1) syndrome, NET ventriculi type 3 are sporadic tumors not related to hypergastrinaemia, usually with poor prognosis. Localization of tumors and possible metastases, histo-pathological confirmation of the neoplasm type and defining the source of hypergastrinaemia is essential in diagnostic of NET ventriculi. Treatment dependent on the NET ventriculi type is based on endoscopic or surgical tumor excision in type 1 and 2 and surgical radical treatment in type 3. There is an increased interest in the use of somatostatin analogues (SSA) both in type 1 and in cases with dissemination of the disease. Advances in understanding of the pathogenesis and recent development of medical techniques leads to the improvement of diagnostic and therapy in these group of neoplasms.

The impact of immunostimulating nutrition on infectious complications after upper gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Immunomodulating nutrition is supposed to reduce the number of complications and lengthen of hospital stay during the postoperative period in patients after major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical effect of immunostimulatory enteral and parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing resection for gastrointestinal cancer in the group of well-nourished patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005, a group of 214 well-nourished patients was initially assessed (150 men, 64 women, mean age 61.2 years) to participate in the study. Nine patients were subsequently excluded and the remaining 205 subjects were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design into 4 study groups, ie, standard enteral nutrition (n = 53), immunomodulating enteral nutrition (n = 52), standard parenteral nutrition (n = 49), and immunomodulating enteral nutrition (n = 51). The study was designed to test the hypothesis that immunonutrition and enteral nutrition would reduce the incidence of infectious complications after upper gastrointestinal surgery; the secondary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional intervention on overall morbidity and mortality rates, and hospital stay. The study was registered in the Clinical Trials Database-number NCT 00558155. RESULTS: The overall morbidity rate was 33% and the incidence of individual complications was comparable between all groups. Infectious complications occurred in 26 of 102 patients given standard diets and in 22 of 103 patients receiving immunomodulatory formulas (odds ratio 0.81; 95% CI, 0.43-1.50). There were no significant differences between infectious complications in patients using parenteral nutrition (22 of 100 patients) and parenteral formulas (26 of 105, odds ratio 1.14; 95% CI, 0.61-2.14). Neither immunostimulating formulas nor enteral feeding significantly affected secondary outcome measures, including overall morbidity and mortality rates, and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Our study failed to demonstrate any clear advantage of routine postoperative immunonutrition in patients undergoing elective upper gastrointestinal surgery. Both enteral and parenteral treatment options showed similar efficacy, tolerance, and effects on protein synthesis. Parenteral nutrition composed according to contemporary rules showed similar efficiency to enteral nutrition. However, because of its cost-efficiency, enteral therapy should be considered as the treatment of choice in all patients requiring nutritional therapy.

Standard and immunomodulating enteral nutrition in patients after extended gastrointestinal surgery--a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The immunomodulating enteral diets are intended to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in surgical patients. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical effect of such nutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2004 and September 2007 196 well-nourished patients undergoing resection for pancreatic and gastric cancer were randomized in double-blind manner to receive postoperative enteral nutrition with immunostimulating diet (IMEN group) or standard oligopeptic diet (SEN group). Outcome measures were: number and type of complications, length of hospital stay, mortality, treatment tolerance, liver and kidney function. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety six patients were initially enrolled, finally 183 patients (91 SEN, 92 IMEN group; 69 F, 114 M, median age 61.2) were analyzed. Median postoperative hospital stay was 12.4 days (SD 5.9) in SEN and 12.9 days (SD 8.0) in IMEN group (p=0.42). Complications were observed in 21 patients (23.1%) in SEN and 23 (25.2%) in IMEN group (p>0.05). Four (4.4%) patients in SEN group and 4 (4.4%) in IMEN had surgical complications (p>0.05). There were no differences in liver and kidney function, visceral protein turnover and treatment tolerance. CONCLUSION: Results of our study showed no benefit of immunomodulating enteral nutrition over standard enteral nutrition in patients after major gastrointestinal surgery. The Trial was registered in Clinical Trials Database--number: NCT00576940.

(99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-octreotate - a new radiotracer for detection and staging of NET: a case of metastatic duodenal carcinoid.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) has become a routine imaging method for the diagnostics of neuroendocrine tumours (NET). (99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-octreotate (Polatom, Poland) is a new radiotracer with high affinity for SSTR2 and similar physiological biodistribution to (111)In-Octreoscan. We present a case of a 47-year-old man with disseminated duodenal carcinoid. The patient had been operated due to the tumour mass detected in pancreatic head area. Histopathology revealed carcinoid of the duodenal wall with local lymph node and liver metastases. The patient was qualified for chemotherapy stopped due to severe leucopenia. (99m)Tc EDDA/HYNIC-octreotate scintigraphy was performed for staging and to determine SSTR status of the tumour before planned 90Y-DOTATATE therapy. The multiple metastatic lesions were detected all over the body. The high quality images with high target/non target ratio were obtained. (99m)Tc-MDP scintigraphy confirmed multiple bone metastases. On the basis of SRS result the patient was qualified for 90Y-DOTA-TATE therapy. In conclusion, (99m)Tc EDDA/HYNIC-octreotate can be regarded as a promising tracer for staging and to determine SSTR status of NET.

[Prognostic factors influencing survival after surgical treatment of well differentiated thyroid cancer]. / Czynniki prognostyczne wplywajace na przezycia odlegle w wysokozróznicowanym raku tarczycy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of suspected prognostic factors on survival in the endemic goiter area. The retrospective review of 208 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated at I Department of General Surgery Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University from 1983 to 1996. In the studied population there were 98 patients (47.1%) with follicular cancer and 110 patients (52.9%) with papillary cancer. The 182 (87.5%) female and 26 (12.5%) male patients had mean age 48.8 (range from 16 to 80 years). The mean follow-up period was 11.7 years with the longest time of observation 19 years and the shortest 6 years. All the patients were living in the endemic area. Patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have very good prognoses. The 10 year survival rate in case of follicular and papillary cancer were 87.6% and 90.24% respectively. The univariate analysis identified sex, age, histological subtypes (insular and tall cells variants), extrathyroidal extension, size of the tumour beyond 70 mm, lymph node and distance metastases as well as type of surgical procedures in III stage of disease as significant prognostic factors with major effect on survival. In the multivariate analysis extrathyroidal extension, distance metastases, recurrence and lymph node metastases influenced the survival. Early detection of differentiated thyroid cancer with the help of ultrasound examination with aspiration biopsy of suspected lesions, radical surgical procedures and good histological evaluation of the removed tissues guarantee very good treatment results.

Expression of the Na(+)/I(-) symporter in invasive ductal breast cancer.

The function of the sodium iodide symporter (Na(+)/I(-), (NIS), a membrane protein that mediates iodide transport into cells, is the best described in the thyroid cells. NIS is also found in mammary cells during lactation and in breast carcinoma cells. The aim of this study was evaluation of incidence and grade of NIS expression in invasive ductal breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies against NIS was carried out in surgical paraffin-embedded tissue obtained from 50 patients with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. NIS expression was found in 45 (90%) cases. The demonstration of NIS expression in breast carcinoma cells may provide a novel approach to its diagnosis and treatment.