Fracture risk and bone mineral density levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous studies suggested possible bone loss and fracture risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the strength of the relationship of SLE with fracture risk and the mean difference of bone mineral density (BMD) levels between SLE patients and controls. Literature search was undertaken in multiple indexing databases on September 26, 2015. Studies on the relationship of SLE with fracture risk and the mean difference of BMD levels between SLE patients and controls were included. Data were combined using standard methods of meta-analysis. Twenty-one studies were finally included into the meta-analysis, including 15 studies on the mean difference of BMD levels between SLE patients and controls, and 6 studies were on fracture risk associated with SLE. The meta-analysis showed that SLE patients had significantly lower BMD levels than controls in the whole body (weighted mean difference [WMD]?=??0.04; 95 % CI ?0.06 to ?0.02; P?<?0.001), femoral neck (WMD?=??0.06; 95 % CI ?0.07 to ?0.04; P?<?0.001), lumbar spine (WMD?=??0.06; 95 % CI ?0.09 to ?0.03; P?<?0.001), and total hip (WMD?=??0.05; 95 % CI ?0.06 to ?0.03; P?<?0.001). In addition, the meta-analysis also showed that SLE was significantly associated with increased fracture risk of all sites (relative risk [RR]?=?1.97, 95 % CI 1.20–3.25; P?=?0.008). Subgroup analysis by adjustment showed that SLE was significantly associated with increased fracture risk of all sites before and after adjusting for confounding factors (unadjusted RR?=?2.07, 95 % CI 1.46–2.94, P?<?0.001; adjusted RR?=?1.22, 95 % CI 1.05–1.42, P?=?0.01). Subgroup analysis by types of fracture showed that SLE was significantly associated with increased risks of hip fracture (RR?=?1.99, 95 % CI 1.55–2.57; P?<?0.001), osteoporotic fracture (RR?=?1.36, 95 % CI 1.21–1.53; P?<?0.001), and vertebral fracture (RR?=?2.97, 95 % CI 1.71–5.16; P?<?0.001). This systematic review and meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the relationship of SLE with bone loss and fracture risk.     

Effects of total bilirubin on the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without potential liver disease

It is still uncertain whether total bilirubin per se is a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and no study has so far examined this important issue. This study was designed to assess the sheer effects of total bilirubin on the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without potential liver disease. In the present study, postmenopausal female subjects without potential liver disease (n = 918) who underwent measurement of bone mineral density were enrolled. Correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between total bilirubin and other variables. As a result, subjects with osteoporosis had a significantly lower total bilirubin level (P = 0.005). A 0.1 mg/dl increase in total bilirubin was associated with reduced odds ratio of the risk by 38 % for osteoporosis [OR 0.62 (95 % CI 0.52–0.88), P = 0.012] after adjustment for several variables. Total bilirubin was independently associated with BMD [coefficient = 0.41, 95 % CI (0.35–0.47), P < 0.001 for lumbar spine and coefficient = 0.44, 95 % CI (0.36–0.48), P < 0.001 for femur neck]. A positive correlation could be observed with significant difference between total bilirubin and z-score (r = 0.33, P < 0.001 for lumbar spine and r = 0.37, P < 0.001 for femur neck) and total bilirubin was positively correlated with serum calcium (r = 0.13, P < 0.001) as well. Therefore, this study demonstrates an independent inverse association between total bilirubin and the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without potential liver disease. Total bilirubin would be useful as a provisional new risk factor of osteoporosis in such a population.     

The role of ascending aortic size in outcomes of patients with uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection

Objective

Recent studies demonstrate that uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (uATBAD) patients with enlarged descending thoracic aortic diameters are at high risk for development of complications. This study aimed to determine the association of maximum ascending aortic diameter and area and outcomes in patients with uATBAD.

Bone mineral density and parathyroid function in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Background

The relationship between parathyroid function, an important determinant of bone turnover, and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with chronic kidney disease is not fully understood. We wanted to analyze the association between BMD and parathyroid function in hemodialysis patients in details.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design, data from 270 patients (age 55 ± 15 years, 60% men, all Caucasian) on maintenance hemodialysis were analyzed. All patients underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and distal radius (DR). In addition to routine laboratory tests, blood samples were collected for iPTH, serum markers of bone metabolism (alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen crosslinked-C-telopeptide) and 25OH vitamin D.

Results

Based on Z-scores, bone mineral density was moderately reduced only at the femoral neck in the total cohort. The average Z-score of the ??low PTH?? group (iPTH < 100 pg/ml) was not different from the Z-score of patients with iPTH in the ??target range?? (100?C300 pg/ml) at any measurement site. While iPTH was negatively correlated with BMD at all measurement sites in patients with iPTH > 100 pg/ml (rho = ?0.255, ?0.278 and ?0.251 for LS, FN and DR, respectively, P < 0.001 for all), BMD was independent of iPTH in patients with iPTH < 100 pg/ml. Furthermore, iPTH was not associated with serum markers of bone metabolism, but these markers were negatively correlated with BMD in the ??low PTH?? group.

Conclusions

Low PTH levels are not associated with low BMD in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Furthermore, bone metabolism seems to be independent of iPTH in patients with relative hypoparathyroidism likely reflecting skeletal resistance to PTH.     

Metaplastic Breast Cancer: To Radiate or Not to Radiate?

Background

The role of radiation therapy (RT) is unclear for metaplastic breast cancer (MBC). We hypothesized that RT would improve overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Materials and Methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify MBC patients diagnosed from1988 to 2006. Univariate analyses of patient, tumor, and treatment-specific factors on OS and DSS were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and differences among survival curves assessed via log rank. Variables assessed included patient age, race/ethnicity, histologic subtype, tumor grade, T stage, N stage, M stage, hormone receptor status, surgery type, and use of RT. Cox proportional hazards models used all univariate covariates. Risks of mortality were reported as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI); significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

Among 1501 patients, RT was given to 580 (38.6%). Ten-year OS and DSS were 53.2, and 68.3%, respectively. In the overall analysis, RT provided an OS (HR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51–0.82; P < 0.001) and DSS (HR 0.74; CI, 0.56–0.96; P < 0.03) benefit. When patients were stratified according to type of surgery, RT provided an OS but not a DSS benefit to lumpectomy (HR 0.51; CI, 0.32–0.79, P < 0.01) and mastectomy patients (HR 0.67; CI, 0.49–0.90; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings support the use of RT for patients with MBC following lumpectomy or mastectomy. These retrospective findings should be confirmed in a prospective clinical trial.     

Pamidronate treatment stimulates the onset of recovery phase reducing fracture rate and skeletal deformities in patients with idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis: comparison with untreated patients

Although spontaneous remission occurs in patients with idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO), permanent bone deformities may occur. The effects of long-term pamidronate treatment on clinical findings, bone mineral status, and fracture rate were evaluated. Nine patients (age 9.8 ± 1.1 years, 7 males) with IJO were randomized to intravenous pamidronate (0.8 ± 0.1 mg/kg per day for 3 days; cycles per year 2.0 ± 0.1; duration 7.3 ± 1.1 years; n = 5) or no treatment (n = 4). Fracture rate, phalangeal quantitative ultrasound, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at entry and during follow-up (range 6.3–9.4 years) were assessed. Bone pain improved in treated patients. Difficulty walking continued for 3–5 years in untreated patients, and vertebral collapses occurred in three of them. During follow-up, phalangeal amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS), bone transmission time (BTT), and lumbar BMDarea and BMDvolume progressively increased in treated patients (P < 0.05–P < 0.0001). In untreated patients AD-SoS and BTT decreased during the first 2–4 years of follow-up (P < 0.05–P < 0.01); lumbar BMDarea increased after 6 years (P < 0.001) whereas BTT and lumbar BMDvolume increased after 7 years of follow-up (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). At the end of follow-up, AD-SoS, BTT, lumbar BMDarea, and BMDvolume Z-scores were lower in untreated patients than in treated patients (?2.2 ± 0.3 and ?0.5 ± 0.2; ?1.9 ± 0.2 and ?0.6 ± 0.2; ?2.3 ± 0.3 and ?0.7 ± 0.3; ?2.4 ± 0.2 and ?0.7 ± 0.3, P < 0.0001, respectively). Fracture rate was higher in untreated patients than in treated patients during the first 3 years of follow-up (P < 0.02). Our study showed that spontaneous recovery of bone mineral status is unsatisfactory in patients with IJO. Pamidronate treatment stimulated the onset of recovery phase reducing fracture rate and permanent disabilities without evidence of side-effects.     

Impact of Blood Transfusions on Survival and Recurrence in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of blood transfusion on recurrence and survival in patients undergoing curative resections for colorectal cancer. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients after elective resections for colorectal cancer between January 2001 and December 2009 was undertaken. The main endpoint was overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence rate. These data were evaluated in relation to blood transfusion (group A, no blood transfusion; group B, one to two blood transfusions; group C, three and more blood transfusions). A total of 583 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Of these, 132 (22.6 %) patients received blood transfusion in the perioperative period. There were 83 (14.2 %) patients who received one or two blood transfusions and 49 (8.4 %) patients who required three or more transfusions. Patients with three or more transfusions had a significantly worse 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and increased incidence of distant recurrences in comparison with the group without transfusion or the group with one or two transfusions. Multivariate analysis showed that the application of three or more blood transfusions is an independent risk factor for overall survival (P?=?0.001; HR 2.158; 95 % CI 1.370–3.398), disease-free survival (P?<?0.001; HR 2.514; 95 % CI 1.648–3.836), and the incidence of distant recurrence (P?<?0.001; HR 2.902; 95 % CI 1.616–5.212). Application of three or more blood transfusions in patients operated for colorectal carcinoma is an adverse prognostic factor. Indications for blood transfusion should be carefully considered not only with regard to the risk of early complications, but also because of the possibility of compromising long-term results.     

Risk Factors Affecting Graft and Patient Survivals After Transplantation From Deceased Donors in a Developing Country: A Single-Center Experience

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors affecting graft and patient survival after transplantation from deceased donors.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of the slow-flow phenomenon after infrapopliteal balloon angioplasty

Objective

This study investigated the incidence and clinical relevance of the slow-flow phenomenon after infrapopliteal balloon angioplasty.

Tubeless versus standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy: an update meta-analysis

Background

To update a previously published systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Methods

A systematic literature search of EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was performed to confirm relevant studies. The scientific literature was screened in accordance with the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After quality assessment and data extraction from the eligible studies, a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata SE 12.0.

Results

Fourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1148 patients were included. Combined results demonstrated that tubeless PCNL was significantly associated with shorter operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD], ?3.79 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], ?6.73 to ?0.85; P = 0.012; I² = 53.8%), shorter hospital stay (WMD, ?1.27 days; 95% CI, ?1.65 to ?0.90; P < 0.001; I² = 98.7%), faster time to return to normal activity (WMD, ?4.24 days; 95% CI, ?5.76 to ?2.71; P < 0.001; I² = 97.5%), lower postoperative pain scores (WMD, ?16.55 mm; 95% CI, ?21.60 to ?11.50; P < 0.001; I² = 95.7%), less postoperative analgesia requirements (standard mean difference, ?1.09 mg; 95% CI, ?1.35 to ?0.84; P < 0.001; I² = 46.8%), and lower urine leakage (Relative risk [RR], 0.30; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.59; P = 0.001; I² = 41.2%). There were no significant differences in postoperative hemoglobin reduction (WMD, ?0.02 g/dL; 95% CI, ?0.04 to 0.01; P = 0.172; I² = 41.5%), stone-free rate (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.05; P = 0.776; I² = 0.0%), postoperative fever rate (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.93; P = 0.867; I² = 0.0%), or blood transfusion rate (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.70; P = 0.538; I² = 0.0%). The results of subgroup analysis were consistent with the overall findings. The sensitivity analysis indicated that most results remained constant when total tubeless or partial tubeless or mini-PCNL studies were excluded respectively.

Conclusions

Tubeless PCNL is an available and safe option in carefully evaluated and selected patients. It is significantly associated with the advantages of shorter hospital stay, shorter time to return to normal activity, lower postoperative pain scores, less analgesia requirement, and reduced urine leakage.

     

Emergent Laparoscopic Colectomy Is an Effective Alternative to Open Resection for Benign and Malignant Diseases: a Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study is to compare the perioperative outcomes between laparoscopic and open resections performed for colonic emergencies. A systematic search of the literature identified previously published comparative studies regarding emergent laparoscopic colectomy (ELC) and emergent open colectomy (EOC). Meta-analysis was performed utilizing a pooled odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous variables and a weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous variables with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Eleven studies involving 752 patients were identified. Although operation time was noted to be significantly shorter for EOC, patients post-ELC had significantly lower overall morbidity (OR 0.44; 95 % CI 0.30, 0.66; P?<?0.0001). Meanwhile, recovery time for post-ELC patients was significantly shorter, as was the length of hospital stay (WMD ?2.78 days; 95 % CI ?3.17, ?2.38; P?<?0.00001), the time to regular dietary habits (WMD ?1.32 days; 95 % CI ?2.51, ?0.13; P?=?0.03), and the time to recover bowel movement (WMD ?0.55 days; 95 % CI ?0.89, ?0.22; P?=?0.001). Reoperation rate and mortality were found to be comparable between ELC and EOC. The R0 resection rate and the number of lymph nodes harvested were also comparable between ELC and EOC for malignant diseases. Whether for benign or malignant disease, ELC is a safe and feasible procedure for colonic emergencies compared with EOC, despite being relatively time-consuming.     

High Expression of Glucose Transporter 1 on Primary Lesions of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma is Associated with Hematogenous Recurrence

Purpose

Glucose transporter type 1 (Glut1) plays a crucial role in cancer-specific metabolism to adapt to the rapid growth and tumor microenvironment in diverse malignant tumors. This study examined the clinical, pathological, and prognostic features of Glut1 expression on primary lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining of Glut1 and CD34 was performed using paraffin-embedded sections of tissues obtained from 145 resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients without preoperative treatment. Microvessel density was calculated from CD34 staining.

Results

Glut1 positivity was observed in 41 patients (28.2 %) and associated with depth of invasion [odds ratio (OR) 2.984; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.208–7.371; P = 0.018] and vascular invasion (OR 2.771; 95 % CI 1.118–6.871; P = 0.028) in multivariate analysis. Glut1 positivity was a significant disadvantage to both relapse-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 2.021; 95 % CI 1.100–3.712; P = 0.023] and esophageal cancer-specific survival (HR 2.223; 95 % CI 1.121–4.411; P = 0.022) in univariate Cox hazard analysis, but was not independently associated with relapse-free survival or cancer-specific survival in multivariate analysis. The relationship between Glut1 expression and first relapse site was investigated. Glut1 positivity was not associated with lymph node recurrence (HR 1.009; 95 % CI 0.402–2.530; P = 0.985) but was significantly associated with hematogenous recurrence (HR 3.701; 95 % CI 1.655–8.273; P = 0.001) in univariate Cox hazard analysis. Microvessel density was calculated to evaluate angiogenesis, and it was observed that Glut1 positivity was significantly associated with high microvessel density (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Glut1 expression was associated with hematogenous recurrence. The findings provide evidence of the significance of Glut1 expression as a biomarker.     

Prognostic Impact of Circumferential Resection Margin in Rectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Background

The circumferential resection margin (CRM) is a strong prognostic factor in rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between CRM distance and recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods

We analyzed data for 561 patients who underwent preoperative CRT and curative surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer between August 2001 and December 2008. CRM was divided into four groups: group 1, CRM > 2 mm; group 2, 1.1–2.0 mm; group 3, 0.1–1.0 mm; and group 4, 0 mm. We assessed the associations of CRM with local recurrence and disease-free survival.

Results

Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 comprised 487, 36, 20, and 18 patients, respectively. The local recurrence rate was highest and the disease-free survival rate was lowest in group 4, followed by groups 3, 2, and 1. Survival was similar between groups 2 and 1. Local recurrence rates were lower in groups 3, 2, and 1 than in group 4 [hazard ratio (HR) 0.28, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.91, P = 0.035; HR 0.11, 95 % CI 0.03–0.46, P = 0.002; HR 0.18, 95 % CI 0.08–0.42, P < 0.0001, respectively]. Disease-free survival rates were higher in groups 3, 2, and 1 than in group 4 (HR 0.32, 95 % CI 0.13–0.75, P = 0.009; HR 0.24, 95 % CI 0.10–0.54, P = 0.001; HR 0.26, 95 % CI 0.14–0.48, P < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

After preoperative CRT, CRM distance provides useful information for risk stratification in the recurrence of rectal cancer.     

Predictive Value of CEA for Survival in Stage I Rectal Cancer: a Population-Based Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background

The aim of the study was to assess whether preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level is an independent predictor of overall- and cancer-specific survival in stage I rectal cancer.

Methods

Stage I rectal cancer patients were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2011. The impact of an elevated preoperative CEA level (C1-stage) compared with a normal CEA level (C0-stage) on overall and cancer-specific survival was assessed using risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression models and propensity score methods.

Results

Overall, 1932 stage I rectal cancer patients were included, of which 328 (17 %) patients had C1-stage. The 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival for patients with C0-stage were 85.7 % (95 % CI 83.2–88.2 %) and 94.7 % (95 % CI 93.1–96.3 %), versus 76.8 % (95 % CI 70.9–83.1 %) and 88.1 % (95 % CI 83.3–93.2 %) for patients with C1-stage (P?<?0.001 and P?=?0.001). The negative impact of C1-stage on overall and cancer-specific survival was confirmed by risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR]?=?1.57, 95 % CI?=?1.15–2.16, P?=?0.007 and 2.04, 95 % CI?=?1.25–3.33, P?=?0.006), and after propensity score matching (overall survival [OS]: HR?=?1.46, 95 % CI?=?1.02–2.08, P?=?0.044 and cancer-specific survival [CSS]: HR?=?3.28, 95 % CI?=?1.78–6.03, P?<?0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first population-based investigation of a large cohort of exclusively stage I rectal cancer patients providing compelling evidence that elevated preoperative CEA level is a strong predictor of worse overall and cancer-specific survival.

     

The impact of tumor size on outcomes in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Purpose

To investigate the association between tumor size and clinicopathologic factors and outcomes of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in patients treated surgically for UTUC.

Methods

A single-center series of 235 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for UTUC between January 1999 and December 2011 was evaluated. Patients with a history of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder, those who received neoadjuvant therapies, and those with previous contralateral UTUC were excluded. Bladder-only recurrence, any recurrence, and cancer-specific mortality after surgery were analyzed. Recurrence-free probabilities and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analyses.

Results

Tumor size was significantly associated with age of the patient (P = 0.001), tumor location (P < 0.0001), tumor multifocality (P = 0.005), higher tumor stage (P < 0.0001), higher tumor grade (P = 0.038), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.002), and mode of operation (P = 0.001). Tumor size was not associated with bladder-only recurrence (HR 0.91; 95 % CI 0.46–1.80; P = 0.79). The Kaplan–Meier method showed that tumor size >3 cm was significantly associated with worse CSS (P = 0.006, log rank). The 5-year CSS for patients with tumor size ≤3 cm was 70.1 % and for patients with tumor size >3 cm was 56.1 %. Tumor size was not associated with cancer-specific survival in multivariable analysis (HR 1.53; 95 % CI 0.89–2.61; P = 0.12).

Conclusions

Tumor size >3 cm was associated with a lower 5-year CSS at Kaplan–Meier analysis, but was not an independent predictor of CSS, bladder-only recurrence, and any recurrence-free survival at multivariable analysis.     

Role of Preoperative Colonoscopy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Case Control Study of the Prevalence of Coexisting Colorectal Neoplasms

Background

We evaluated the prevalence of coexisting asymptomatic colorectal neoplasm (CRN) in patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

Preoperative colonoscopic examinations were performed in 495 patients with GC who underwent gastrectomy between January 2009 and December 2010. To compare the prevalence of CRN in these patients with that in a normal population, we selected 495 sex- and age-matched persons who underwent colonoscopies for health screening. Risk factors for CRN were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The overall incidence of CRN was 41.8 % (414/990). The prevalence of overall CRN, high-risk CRN, and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) were significantly higher in the GC group than in the control group (overall CRN: 48.9 % vs. 34.7 %; high-risk CRN: 28.3 % vs. 13.5 %; CRC: 2.6 % vs. 0.2 %; all P < 0.001). The presence of GC [odds ratio (OR), 1.82; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.4–2.38; P < 0.001], age ≥50 years (OR, 2.58; 95 % CI, 1.75–3.81; P < 0.001), and male sex (OR, 2.28; 95 % CI, 1.72–3.02; P < 0.001) were risk factors for overall CRN. In patients with GC, age ≥40 years (OR, 3.22; 95 % CI, 1.24–8.37; P = 0.016) and male sex (OR, 3.21; 95 % CI, 2.17–4.76; P < 0.001) were risk factors for overall CRN.

Conclusions

The prevalence of coexisting CRN, including CRC, was higher in patients with GC than in the normal population. Preoperative colonoscopy is strongly indicated in patients with GC who are male and/or ≥40 years of age.     

Evolution of Pulmonary Valve Management During Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: A 14-year Experience

BackgroundThe optimal repair strategy for tetralogy of Fallot remains controversial. This report presents a 14-year evolution of management of the pulmonary valve (PV) from transannular patch to valve-sparing repair to neovalve creation using living right atrial appendage tissue.MethodsA retrospective review of 172 consecutive patients undergoing complete repair for TOF between January 2007 and June 2021 was performed. Clinical and follow-up data were analyzed by repair group. Neopulmonary valve (NPV) creation using right atrial appendage tissue was introduced in 2019. Failure of valve-sparing repair was defined as needing reintervention for recurrent right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO).ResultsMedian age and weight at repair were 4.9 months and 6 kg, respectively. Median preoperative PV size and z-score were 6.4 mm (5.2-8.3 mm) and ?3.2 (?4.1 to ?2.1), respectively. Patients who underwent valve-sparing repair had larger PV size and z-score compared with patients who underwent transannular patch procedures (8 mm vs 5.6 mm; ?2.1 vs ?3.2; both P < .001). There were no hospital mortalities. Overall follow-up was 44 months. At last follow-up, 10% of patients who underwent valve-sparing repair had repeat intervention for recurrent RVOTO. Patients who had failed valve-sparing repair had significantly lower PV z-scores (?2.6 vs ?1.9; P = .01). An NPV was used in 8 patients with a median PV z-score of ?4 (?4.7 to ?3.9). At 6 months, 6 patients (75%) had mild or trivial pulmonary insufficiency after NPV placement.ConclusionsRepair of tetralogy of Fallot is a safe operation with excellent outcomes. Valve-sparing repair avoids right ventricular dilation but may fail for RVOTO at a PV z-score <?2. NPV creation offers an alternative option in patients with a small PV.     

Fast-track surgery in gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Fast-track surgery aims to attenuate the surgical stress response, reduce complications, and shorten hospital stay. The goal of the present meta-analysis is to assess the safety and effectiveness of fast-track surgery in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer compared with conventional perioperative care.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and reference lists of the identified studies were searched to identify randomized clinical trials that compared fast-track surgery with conventional perioperative care in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Results

Five studies with a total of 400 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis shows that postoperative hospital stay (weighted mean difference (WMD) ?1.87 days, 95 % confidence interval (CI), ?2.46 to ?1.28 days, P?<?0.00001), time to first passage of flatus (WMD ?0.71 days, 95 % CI, ?1.03 to ?0.39 days, P?<?0.0001), and hospital costs (WMD ?505.87 dollars, 95 % CI, ?649.91 to ?361.84 dollars, P?<?0.00001) were significantly reduced for fast-track surgery. No significant differences were found for readmission rates (relative risk (RR), 1.97 95 % CI, 0.37 to 10.64, P?=?0.43) and total postoperative complications (RR, 0.99 95 % CI, 0.56 to 1.76, P?=?0.97).

Conclusions

Fast-track surgery is safe and effective in gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Further randomized trials are needed to strengthen the conclusions.     

Impact of positive surgical margins on oncological outcome following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP): long-term results

Purpose

The impact of positive surgical margins (PSM) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) has been heavily debated in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of PSM on BCR following LRP in patients with extended follow-up.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 1,845 patients who underwent LRP from 1999 to 2007. Predictors of PSM and BCR were identified utilizing univariate and multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses, respectively.

Results

Five hundred and thirty-seven patients (29.1 %) had a PSM. Median postoperative follow-up was 56 months. 10-year BCR-free survival was 59.2 and 82.9 % for patients with and without PSM, respectively (p < 0.0001). Clinical stage T2 (OR 1.66; CI 1.23–2.25; p = 0.001), a biopsy Gleason sum > 7 (OR 1.84; CI 1.06–3.18; p = 0.031) and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 10–20 ng/mL (OR 1.58; CI 1.12–2.23; p = 0.010) and >20 ng/mL (OR 6.82; CI 3.51–13.27; p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of PSM. Prostate size was inversely associated with PSM (OR 0.99; CI 0.98–1.00; p = 0.002). On multivariable analysis, LRP Gleason score of 7 (HR 2.45; CI 1.67–3.40; p < 0.0001) and >7 (HR 4.76; CI 3.15–7.19; p < 0.0001), PSM (HR 1.49; CI 1.14–2.00; p = 0.003), advanced pathological stages (p < 0.001), and PSA 10–20 ng/mL (HR 1.46; CI 1.13–1.89; p = 0.004) were independent predictors of BCR.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the independent predictive value of PSM for BCR in our LRP cohort with extended follow-up. Our results could potentially be transferred to robotic RP, in which long-term follow-up is lacking.