Complete intersphincteric longitudinal muscle excision May Be key to reducing local recurrence during intersphincteric resection

BackgroundAlthough total mesorectal excision (TME) is regarded as a standard procedure for rectal cancer, technical definition and evaluation method have not yet been investigated for intersphincteric resection (ISR). This study was performed to introduce a complete ISR procedure, and to assess whether total intersphincteric longitudinal muscle excision (TILME) facilitated the completeness of ISR and reduced recurrence.MethodsA total of 1080 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection (LAR) over 10 years were consecutively enrolled. Propensity-score matching of the two LAR groups (ISR vs LAR group, 1:1) and three ISR subgroups (partial vs subtotal vs total ISR subgroup, 2:2:1) was performed by strict adjustment of baseline characteristics. Archived specimens and video-/photo-records were reevaluated to examine completeness of TILME.ResultsComplete-TILME was performed in 84.5% of patients who underwent ISR. Multivariate analysis showed that incomplete-TILME was the only parameter independently associated with increased 5-year cumulative local recurrence (odds ratio = 23.385; 95% confidence interval = 1.492–366.421; p = 0.03), and that incomplete-TILME was independently associated with adipose tissue surrounding the intersphincteric longitudinal muscle, coloanal anastomosis, and total ISR (p < 0.001–0.05). Although mean incontinence scores and anorectal manometry deteriorated to some degree 12–24 months after surgery in all patients, they remained acceptable. The 5-year cumulative DFS (74.1% vs 60%, p = 0.18) and OS (85.9% vs 70%, p = 0.10) rates tended to be higher in patients with complete than incomplete-TILME.ConclusionsThe completeness of TILME appears to be an independent indicator of complete ISR, reducing local recurrence following lower rectal cancer surgery.     

Biomarker-guided implementation of the old drug temozolomide as a novel treatment option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent used for treating several cancers including glioblastoma and melanoma. Promising, albeit limited, activity and efficacy of temozolomide have been reported in pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer bearing MGMT promoter methylation. MGMT silencing and proficiency of the mismatch repair system were considered the major predictive biomarkers of sensitivity to temozolomide. Refinement of established biomarkers and integration with those related to alteration in specific DNA-damage response pathways such as base excision repair are promising strategies for selecting metastatic colorectal patients to this old drug with several potential novel applications. Then, mounting preclinical and clinical observations have linked acquired resistance to temozolomide to emergence of alterations in the mismatch repair system. Whilst accounting for tumor cells capability of escaping apoptosis when exposed to temozolomide, inactivation of key mismatch-repair proteins will ultimately lead to increasing tumor mutational burden. This drug-induced mismatch deficient-like phenotype is being exploited in proof-of-concept trials combining temozolomide and immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer.     

Paraaortic dissection in “total mesopancreas excision” and “mesopancreas-first resection” pancreaticoduodenectomies for pancreatic cancer: Useless,optional, or necessary?A systematic review

The mesopancreas does not have well-defined boundaries but is continuous and connected through its components with the paraaortic area. The mesopancreatic resection margin has been indicated as the primary site for R1 resection after PD in pancreatic head cancer and total mesopancreas excision has been proposed to achieve adequate retropancreatic margin clearance and to minimize the likelihood of R1 resection. However, the anatomy of the mesopancreas requires extended dissection of the paraaortic area to maximize posterior clearance. The artery-first surgical approach has been developed to increase local radicality at the mesopancreatic resection margin. During PD, the artery-first approach begins with dissection of the connective tissues around the SMA. However, the concept of the mesopancreas as a boundless structure that includes circumferential tissues around the SMA, SMV, and paraaortic tissue highlights the need to shift from artery-first PD to mesopancreas-first PD to reduce the risk of R1 resection. From this perspective the “artery-first” approach, which allows for the avoidance of R2 resection risk, should be integrated into the “mesopancreas-first” approach to improve the R0 resection rate.In total mesopancreas excision and mesopancreas-first pancreaticoduodenectomies, the inclusion of the paraaortic area and circumferential area around the SMA in the resection field is necessary to control the tumour spread along the mesopancreatic resection margin rather than to control or stage the spread in the nodal basin.     

Management of Chronic Paronychia

Chronic paronychia is an inflammatory disorder of the nail folds of a toe or finger presenting as redness, tenderness, and swelling. It is recalcitrant dermatoses seen commonly in housewives and housemaids. It is a multifactorial inflammatory reaction of the proximal nail fold to irritants and allergens. Repeated bouts of inflammation lead to fibrosis of proximal nail fold with poor generation of cuticle, which in turn exposes the nail further to irritants and allergens. Thus, general preventive measures form cornerstone of the therapy. Though previously anti-fungals were the mainstay of therapy, topical steroid creams have been found to be more effective in the treatment of chronic paronychia. In recalcitrant cases, surgical treatment may be resorted to, which includes en bloc excision of the proximal nail fold or an eponychial marsupialization, with or without nail plate removal. Newer therapies and surgical modalities are being employed in the management of chronic paronychia. In this overview, we review recent epidemiological studies, present current thinking on the pathophysiology leading to chronic paronychia, discuss the challenges chronic paronychia presents, and recommend a commonsense approach to management.     

Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection: A case report and review of the literature

IntroductionPerineal hernia is a protrusion of the pelvic floor containing intra-abdominal viscera. The occurrence of postoperative perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection (APR) is rare, but reports have indicated a recent increase in occurrence following surgical treatment for rectal cancer. This has been attributed to a shift towards extralevator abdominoperineal resection, together with more frequent and long-term use of neoadjuvant therapy.Presentation of caseHere, we report the case of a patient who underwent APR for cancer. Twenty months postoperative, a perineal hernia was detected. The patient was electively scheduled for surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopy was performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. The perineal hernia was repaired by primary closure with the placement of Symbotex Composite mesh as reinforcement for the pelvic floor. The surgery was performed without any adverse events, and the patient was discharged the day after surgery. Clinical follow-up proceeded at the designated time intervals without difficulties.DiscussionRecurrence rates of perineal hernia remain high, and surgeons face numerous challenges related to poor view, suturing and mesh placement in the deep pelvis. Numerous approaches have been described, but there is still no consensus as to the optimal repair technique for perineal hernia.ConclusionSymptomatic perineal hernias can feasibly be repaired with robot-assisted laparoscopy. Furthermore, suturing and mesh placement require less effort with the robot approach when compared to the open and laparoscopic approaches. These promising findings are demonstrated in the included video.