Outcomes after resection of locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant therapy

BackgroundNeoadjuvant treatment frequently is performed in unresectable/borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare postoperative outcomes and survival of patients who underwent pancreatectomy after neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced/borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (neoadjuvant treatment group) with those of patients with resectable disease who underwent upfront surgery.MethodsBetween 2000 and 2008, there were 403 patients who underwent pancreatic cancer resection, 41 (10.1%) patients after neoadjuvant treatment for initially unresectable tumors and 362 (89.9%) patients had upfront surgery. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed.ResultsMortality/morbidity rates were similar in the 2 groups. Nodal metastases were significantly lower in the neoadjuvant treatment group (31.7% vs 86.2%; P < .001). A complete pathologic response was observed in 13.6% after neoadjuvant treatment. Median disease-specific survival from resection was 35 and 27 months in the neoadjuvant treatment and upfront groups, respectively (P = .74). In the neoadjuvant treatment group survival rates were similar in N0/N1 patients.ConclusionsPostoperative mortality and morbidity do not significantly increase after neoadjuvant treatment. Neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced pancreatic cancer can lead to an objective pathologic response, but this does not significantly improve survival after resection.     

可切除或交界可切除胰腺癌新辅助治疗与优先手术疗效及安全性Meta分析

背景与目的：随着多学科治疗模式的发展及精准医学的兴起,新辅助治疗（NAT）可以改善非转移性胰腺癌的根治性切除率已基本达成共识,然而,由于缺乏结论性的随机对照试验,其在可切除及交界可切除患者中的作用仍有争议。因此,本研究通过Meta分析的方法比较可切除或交界可切除胰腺癌NAT后手术与优先手术两种治疗模式的有效性及安全性,为临床提供循证参考。方法：检索多个国内外数据库,搜集关于可切除或交界可切除胰腺癌NAT与优先手术的临床随机对照试验（RCT）,检索时限均从建库至2022年11月29日。应用Cochrane系统评价方法评价纳入研究,对同质研究采用RevMan 5.4软件进行Meta分析。结果：最终共纳入7个RCT研究,共计938例患者。其中NAT组466例,优先手术组472例。Meta分析结果显示,与优先手术组比较,NAT组R0切除率增加（RR=1.65,95%CI=1.35～2.02,P<0.000 01）,阳性淋巴结发生率降低（RR=0.67,95%CI=0.52～0.85,P=0.001）,手术切除率降低（RR=0.91,95%CI=0.84～0.98,P=0.02）,而中位生...     

Long‐term follow‐up of the Medical Research Council CLASICC trial of conventional versus laparoscopically assisted resection in colorectal cancer

Background:

Laparoscopic resection is used widely in the management of colorectal cancer; however, the data on long‐term outcomes, particularly those related to rectal cancer, are limited. The results of long‐term follow‐up of the UK Medical Research Council trial of laparoscopically assisted versus open surgery for colorectal cancer are presented.

Methods:

A total of 794 patients from 27 UK centres were randomized to laparoscopic or open surgery in a 2:1 ratio between 1996 and 2002. Long‐term follow‐up data were analysed to determine differences in survival outcomes and recurrences for intention‐to‐treat and actual treatment groups.

Results:

Median follow‐up of all patients was 62·9 (interquartile range 22·9 ? 92·8) months. There were no statistically significant differences between open and laparoscopic groups in overall survival (78·3 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 65·8 to 106·6) versus 82·7 (69·1 to 94·8) months respectively; P = 0·780) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (89·5 (67·1 to 121·7) versus 77·0 (63·3 to 94·0) months; P = 0·589). In colonic cancer intraoperative conversions to open surgery were associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 2·28, 95 per cent c.i. 1·47 to 3·53; P < 0·001) and DFS (HR 2·20, 1·31 to 3·67; P = 0·007). In terms of recurrence, no significant differences were observed by randomized procedure. However, at 10 years, right colonic cancers showed an increased propensity for local recurrence compared with left colonic cancers: 14·7 versus 5·2 per cent (difference 9·5 (95 per cent c.i. 2·3 to 16·6) per cent; P = 0·019).

Conclusion:

Long‐term results continue to support the use of laparoscopic surgery for both colonic and rectal cancer. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extended Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Demonstrates Promising Postoperative Outcomes and Survival

Background

The optimum approach to neoadjuvant therapy for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is undefined. Herein we report the outcomes of an extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in patients presenting with borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Methods

Patients identified as having borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer by American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association/Society of Surgical Oncology consensus criteria from 2008 to 2012 were tracked in a prospectively maintained registry. Included patients were initiated on a 24-week course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Medically fit patients who completed neoadjuvant treatment without radiographic progression were offered resection with curative intent. Clinicopathologic variables and surgical outcomes were collected retrospectively and analyzed.

Results

Sixty-four patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer started neoadjuvant therapy. Thirty-nine (61 %) met resection criteria and underwent operative exploration with curative intent, and 31 (48 %) were resected. Of the resected patients, 18 (58 %) had positive lymph nodes, 15 (48 %) required en-bloc venous resection, 27 (87 %) had a R0 resection, and 3 (10 %) had a complete pathologic response. There were no postoperative deaths at 90 days, 16 % of patients had a severe complication, and the 30-day readmission rate was 10 %. The median overall survival of all 64 patients was 23.6 months, whereas that of unresectable patients was 15.4 months. Twenty-five of the resected patients (81 %) are still alive at a median follow-up of 21.6 months.

Conclusions

Extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy is well tolerated by patients with borderline resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, selects a subset of patients for curative surgery with low perioperative morbidity, and is associated with favorable survival.     

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy as neoadjuvant therapy for resectable or potentially resectable pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Background

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a valid therapeutic option for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. The aim of this study was to describe an initial experience with the use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy as a neoadjuvant agent for resectable or potentially resectable pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Preoperative Capecitabine and Concurrent Radiation for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Background

Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) represent a high-risk group of patients due to tumor or patient-related characteristics. The optimal management of these patients has not been fully defined.

Materials and Methods

All patients undergoing evaluation for PDA between 2005 and 2008 were identified. Clinical, radiographic, and pathological data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were staged as borderline resectable using the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) classification.

Results

A total of 170 patients with PDA were identified, 40 with borderline resectable disease. Of these, 34 borderline resectable patients (85%) completed neoadjuvant therapy and were restaged; pancreatic resection was completed in 16 patients (46%). Also, 8 patients completed 50 Gy of radiation in 28 fractions in 6 weeks, whereas 8 patients received 50 Gy in 20 fractions in 4 weeks plus chronomodulated capecitabine. An R0 resection was achieved in 12 of the 16 patients (75%). Also, 5 patients (63%) treated in 20 fractions had >90% pathologic response versus 1 (13%) treated in 28 fractions (P < .05). Borderline resectable patients completing surgery had similar survival to patients with resectable disease who underwent surgery. Patients receiving accelerated fractionation radiation had improved survival compared with patients treated with standard fractionation protocol.

Conclusions

A neoadjuvant approach to borderline resectable PDA identifies patients who are most likely to benefit from pancreatic resection. Preoperative capecitabine-based chemoradiation is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for these patients. Neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable PDA warrants further investigation using treatment schedules that can safely intensify irradiation dose.     

Serum CA 19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy is Associated with Outcome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background

Baseline carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a useful prognostic marker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA); however, data on the significance of a change in CA 19-9 following neoadjuvant therapy are lacking.

Methods

All patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy for PDA from July 2010 to February 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Resection rate, R0 resection rate, need for venous resection, and overall survival were correlated to CA 19-9 response. Fisher’s exact test, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and multivariate analysis using Cox regression were used.

Results

A total of 78 patients were studied (21 patients with resectable disease, 40 borderline resectable, and 17 with locally advanced disease). A variety of chemotherapies ± radiation were utilized during the study period. Overall, 56 patients (72 %) had a decrease in CA 19-9 of >50 % with neoadjuvant treatment. In borderline resectable patients, CA 19-9 response of >50 % predicted R0 resection (odds ratio 4.2; p = 0.05). In borderline resectable patients who had an increase in CA 19-9, none of five (0 %) underwent R0 resection compared with 80 % of the remaining cohort (p = 0.001). The complete pathologic response rate was 29 % in patients who had a CA 19-9 response of >90 % versus 0 % in the remaining patients (p < 0.001). A CA 19-9 response of >50 % resulted in improved overall survival (28.0 vs. 11.1 months; p < 0.0001) and was an independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio 0.26; 95 % CI 0.13–0.55; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

CA 19-9 response to neoadjuvant therapy is associated with R0 resection rate, histopathologic response, and survival. Incorporation of this easily obtainable biomarker into future clinical trials may facilitate more rapid evaluation of novel regimens.     

Impact of postoperative morbidity on long‐term survival after oesophagectomy

Background:

Oesophageal malignancy is a disease with a poor prognosis. Oesophagectomy is the mainstay of curative treatment but associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although mortality rates have improved, the incidence of perioperative morbidity remains high. This study assessed the impact of postoperative morbidity on long‐term outcomes.

Methods:

A prospective database was designed for patients undergoing oesophagectomy for malignancy from 1998 to 2011. An observational cohort study was performed with these data, assessing intraoperative technical complications, postoperative morbidity and effects on overall survival.

Results:

Some 618 patients were included, with a median follow‐up of 51 months for survivors. The overall complication rate was 64·6 per cent (399 of 618), with technical complications in 124 patients (20·1 per cent) and medical complications in 339 (54·9 per cent). Technical complications were associated with longer duration of surgery (308 min versus 293 min in those with no technical complications; P = 0·017), greater operative blood loss (448 versus 389 ml respectively; P = 0·035) and longer length of stay (22 versus 13 days; P < 0·001). Medical complications were associated with greater intraoperative blood loss (418 ml versus 380 ml in those with no medical complications; P = 0·013) and greater length of stay (16 versus 12 days respectively; P < 0·001). Median overall and disease‐free survival were 41 and 43 months. After controlling for age, tumour stage, resection margin, length of tumour, adjuvant therapy, procedure type and co‐morbidities, there was no effect of postoperative complications on disease‐specific survival.

Conclusion:

Technical and medical complications following oesophagectomy were associated with greater intraoperative blood loss and a longer duration of inpatient stay, but did not predict disease‐specific survival. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recovery after ultrasound‐guided foam sclerotherapy compared with conventional surgery for varicose veins

Background:

The advantages of minimally invasive alternatives such as ultrasound‐guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) over conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose veins include lower morbidity and faster recovery times. The aim was to compare morbidity, analgesia use, and time to return to driving and work following UGFS with those reported after conventional surgery for varicose veins.

Methods:

Patients who had UGFS or surgery for varicose veins were sent a questionnaire 4 weeks after treatment.

Results:

A total of 332 (84·9 per cent) of 391 patients who had UGFS and 53 (56 per cent) of 94 who had surgery returned a questionnaire. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and the proportion who had treatment of bilateral or recurrent veins. Patients who had surgery were more likely to have significant bruising (44 versus 7·2 per cent; P < 0·001) and pain (17 versus 5·5 per cent; P = 0·001). After UGFS, 43·2 per cent of patients returned to work within 24 h compared with none who had surgery (P < 0·001). Patients who had UGFS were more likely to return to driving within 4 days (P = 0·014).

Conclusion:

UGFS was associated with less pain and analgesia requirement, time off work and quicker return to driving. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vein Involvement During Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is There a Need for Redefinition of “Borderline Resectable Disease”?

Introduction

Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma to increase the likelihood of achieving R0 resection. A consensus has not been reached on the degree of venous involvement that constitutes borderline resectability. This study compares the outcome of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without vein resection without neoadjuvant therapy.

Methods

A multi-institutional database of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy was reviewed. Patients who required vein resection due to gross vein involvement by tumor were compared to those without evidence of vein involvement.

Results

Of 492 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, 70 (14 %) had vein resection and 422 (86 %) did not. There was no difference in R0 resection (66 vs. 75 %, p?=?NS). On multivariate analysis, vein involvement was not predictive of disease-free or overall survival.

Conclusion

This is the largest modern series examining patients with or without isolated vein involvement by pancreas cancer, none of whom received neoadjuvant therapy. Oncological outcome was not different between the two groups. These data suggest that up-front surgical resection is an appropriate option and call into question the inclusion of isolated vein involvement in the definition of “borderline resectable disease.”     

Low lymphocyte monocyte ratio after neoadjuvant therapy predicts poor survival after pancreatectomy in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer

BackgroundThe impact of systemic immune inflammatory markers to predict survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate whether systemic immune inflammatory markers after neoadjuvant therapy followed by pancreatectomy become preoperative prognostic factors to predict survival in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 67 borderline resectable pancreatic cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and 58 borderline resectable pancreatic cancer patients undergoing upfront surgery between 2010 and 2016. The association between survival and systemic immune inflammatory markers was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and prognostic nutrition index were assessed as systemic immune inflammatory markers.ResultsIn univariate analysis, the postneoadjuvant neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and prognostic nutrition index are significantly associated with survival as systemic immune inflammatory markers. The optimal cutoff value of the postneoadjuvant neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and prognostic nutrition index were 2.5, 3.0, and 45, respectively. Patients with a lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio <3.0 had significantly poor survival compared with those who had a lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio ≥3.0 (14.9 months vs 31.7 months, P = .006). The multivariate analysis identified the following as predictors of poor prognosis: postneoadjuvant lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio <3.0 (HR 2.59; 95% CI 1.02–6.58; P = .045), T4 (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.11–3.01; P = .029), lymph node status (HR 2.62; 95% CI 1.24–5.51; P = .012), and no completion of adjuvant therapy (HR 7.09; 95% CI 3.08–16.4; P < .001).ConclusionA low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio after neoadjuvant therapy is useful prognostic information for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. This result might indicate a potential role of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratios in stratification of treatment strategy in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer patients.     

Minimal‐access colorectal surgery is associated with fewer adhesion‐related admissions than open surgery

Background:

This study aimed to describe national intermediate‐term admission rates for incisional hernia or clinically apparent adhesions following colorectal surgery, and to compare rates following laparoscopic and open approaches.

Methods:

Patients undergoing primary colorectal resection between 2002 and 2008 were included from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Subsequent inpatient admissions were extracted for up to 3 years after the initial operation or to the end of the study period. Outcomes examined were admissions with a diagnosis of, or operative interventions for, incisional hernia or adhesions.

Results:

A total of 187 148 patients were included between 2002 and 2008, with median follow‐up of 31·8 (interquartile range 13·1–35·3) months. Some 8885 (4·7 per cent) of these patients were admitted with a diagnosis of, or underwent a repair of, an incisional hernia. In multiple regression analysis, use of laparoscopy was not a predictor of operative intervention for incisional hernia (odds ratio 1·09, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·99 to 1·21; P = 0·083). Some 15 125 (8·1 per cent) of the patients were admitted with a diagnosis of adhesions or had a procedure for division of adhesions. Overall, 3·5 per cent (6637 of 187 148) of patients underwent adhesiolysis. Patients selected for a laparoscopic procedure had lower rates of admission for adhesions (6·3 per cent (692 of 11 013) for laparoscopic versus 8·2 per cent (14 433 of 176 135) for open surgery; P < 0·001) and reintervention for adhesions (2·8 per cent (305 of 11 013) versus 3·6 per cent (6325 of 176 135) respectively; P < 0·001) than those undergoing an open procedure. In multiple regression analysis, patients selected for a laparoscopic procedure had lower subsequent intervention rates for adhesions (odds ratio 0·80, 95 per cent c.i. 0·71 to 0·90; P < 0·001).

Discussion:

Patients undergoing colorectal resection who are selected for the laparoscopic approach have a lower risk of developing clinically significant adhesions. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with the metabolic syndrome

Background:

The incidence of metabolic syndrome‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma (MS‐HCC) is increasing. However, the results following liver resection in this context have not been described in detail.

Methods:

Data for all patients with metabolic syndrome as a unique risk factor for HCC who underwent liver resection between 2000 and 2011 were retrieved retrospectively from an institutional database. Pathological analysis of the underlying parenchyma included fibrosis and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. Patients were classified as having normal or abnormal underlying parenchyma. Their characteristics and outcomes were compared.

Results:

A total of 560 resections for HCC were performed in the study interval. Sixty‐two patients with metabolic syndrome, of median age 70 (range 50–84) years, underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC, including 32 major resections (52 per cent). Normal underlying parenchyma was present in 24 patients (39 per cent). The proportion of resected HCCs labelled as MS‐HCC accounted for more than 15 per cent of the entire HCC population in more recent years. Mortality and major morbidity rates were 11 and 58 per cent respectively. Compared with patients with normal underlying liver, patients with abnormal liver had increased rates of mortality (0 versus 18 per cent; P = 0·026) and major complications (13 versus 42 per cent; P = 0·010). In multivariable analysis, a non‐severely fibrotic yet abnormal underlying parenchyma was a risk factor for major complications (hazard ratio 5·66, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·21 to 26·52; P = 0·028). The 3‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates were 75 and 70 per cent respectively, and were not influenced by the underlying parenchyma.

Conclusion:

HCC in patients with metabolic syndrome is becoming more common. Liver resection is appropriate but carries a high risk, even in the absence of severe fibrosis. Favourable long‐term outcomes justify refinements in the perioperative management of these patients. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Randomized clinical trial of early versus delayed temporary stoma closure after proctectomy

Background:

Temporary faecal diversion is recommended with a low colorectal, coloanal or ileoanal anastomosis (LA). This randomized study evaluated early (EC; 8 days) versus late (LC; 2 months) closure of the temporary stoma.

Methods:

Patients undergoing rectal resection with LA were eligible to participate. If there was no radiological sign of anastomotic leakage after 7 days, patients were randomized to EC or LC. The primary endpoints were postoperative morbidity and mortality 90 days after the initial resection.

Results:

Some 186 patients were analysed. There were no deaths within 90 days and overall morbidity rates were similar in the EC and LC groups (31 versus 38 per cent respectively; P = 0·254). Overall surgical complication (both 15 per cent; P = 1·000) and reoperation (both 8 per cent; P = 1·000) rates were similar, but wound complications were more frequent after EC (19 versus 5 per cent; P = 0·007). Small bowel obstruction (3 versus 16 per cent; P = 0·002) and medical complications (5 versus 15 per cent; P = 0·021) were more common with LC. Median (range) hospital stay was reduced by EC (16 (6–59) versus 18 (9–262) days; P = 0·013).

Conclusion:

Early stoma closure is feasible in selected patients, with reduced hospital stay, bowel obstruction and medical complications, but a higher wound complication rate. Registration number: NCT00428636 ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ). Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Peritoneal lavage cytology in patients with oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma

Background:

The aim of the study was to determine the value of performing peritoneal lavage cytology during laparoscopy in the management of oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

Laparoscopy combined with peritoneal cytology was performed in patients with potentially resectable oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Macroscopic peritoneal findings at laparoscopy and the presence of free peritoneal tumour cells were recorded. All patients were followed to death or the census point. Patients with overt peritoneal disease or positive cytology were offered palliative chemotherapy, subject to performance status.

Results:

Forty‐eight (18·8 per cent) of 255 patients had overt peritoneal metastases at staging laparoscopy. Fifteen (7·2 per cent) of the remaining 207 patients had positive cytology; these patients had a median (95 per cent confidence interval) survival of 13 (3·1 to 22·9) months, versus 9 (7·4 to 10·6) months for those with overt peritoneal metastases (P = 0·517). Of patients receiving chemotherapy, those without overt metastases had a slight survival advantage over patients with metastases (median 15 (10·8 to 19·2) versus 9 (7·4 to 10·7) months; P = 0·045).

Conclusion:

Positive peritoneal cytology in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases is not uncommon in oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma. It is a marker of poor prognosis even in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐year results of the randomized clinical trial DILALA comparing laparoscopic lavage with resection as treatment for perforated diverticulitis

Background

Traditionally, perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis was treated with resection and colostomy (Hartmann's procedure), with inherent complications and risk of a permanent stoma. The DILALA (DIverticulitis – LAparoscopic LAvage versus resection (Hartmann's procedure) for acute diverticulitis with peritonitis) and other randomized trials found laparoscopic lavage to be a feasible and safe alternative. The medium‐term follow‐up results of DILALA are reported here.

Methods

Patients were randomized during surgery after being diagnosed with Hinchey grade III perforated diverticulitis at diagnostic laparoscopy. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with one or more secondary operations from 0 to 24 months after the index procedure in the laparoscopic lavage versus Hartmann's procedure groups. The trial was registered as ISRCTN82208287.

Results

Forty‐three patients were randomized to laparoscopic lavage and 40 to Hartmann's procedure. Patients in the lavage group had a 45 per cent reduced risk of undergoing one or more operations within 24 months (relative risk 0·55, 95 per cent c.i. 0·36 to 0·84; P = 0·012) and had fewer operations (ratio 0·51, 95 per cent c.i. 0·31 to 0·87; P = 0·024) compared with those in the Hartmann's group. No difference was found in mean number of readmissions (1·37 versus 1·50; P = 0·221) or mortality between patients randomized to laparoscopic lavage or Hartmann's procedure. Three patients in the lavage group and nine in the Hartmann's group had a colostomy at 24 months.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic lavage is a better option for perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis than open resection and colostomy.     

Postoperative complications after resection of borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer: The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with conventional radiation or stereotactic body radiation therapy

Background

The impact of neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy on postoperative complications for patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains unclear. Limited studies have compared neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy versus conventional chemoradiation therapy. A retrospective study was performed to determine if perioperative complications were different among patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy or chemoradiation therapy.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine and S-1 for Resectable and Borderline Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Results from a Prospective Multi-institutional Phase 2 Trial

Background

Surgical resection is the only curative strategy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but recurrence rates are high even after purported curative resection. First-line treatment with gemcitabine and S-1 (GS) is associated with promising antitumor activity with a high response rate. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of GS in the neoadjuvant setting.

Methods

In a multi-institutional single-arm phase 2 study, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with gemcitabine and S-1, repeated every 21 days, was administered for two cycles (NAC-GS) to patients with resectable and borderline PDAC. The primary end point was the 2-year survival rate. Secondary end points were feasibility, resection rate, pathological effect, recurrence-free survival, and tumor marker status.

Results

Of 36 patients enrolled, 35 were eligible for this clinical trial conducted between 2008 and 2010. The most common toxicity was neutropenia in response to 90 % of the relative dose intensity. Responses to NAC included radiological tumor shrinkage (69 %) and decreases in CA19-9 levels (89 %). R0 resection was performed for 87 % in resection, and the morbidity rate (40 %) was acceptable. The 2-year survival rate of the total cohort was 45.7 %. Patients who underwent resection without metastases after NAC-GS (n = 27) had an increased median overall survival (34.7 months) compared with those who did not undergo resection (P = 0.0017).

Conclusions

NAC-GS was well tolerated and safe when used in a multi-institutional setting. The R0 resection rate and the 2-year survival rate analysis are encouraging for patients with resectable and borderline PDAC.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes following pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Background:

Following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and interval proctectomy, 15–20 per cent of patients are found to have a pathological complete response (pCR) to combined multimodal therapy, but controversy persists about whether this yields a survival benefit. This systematic review evaluated current evidence regarding long‐term oncological outcomes in patients found to have a pCR to neoadjuvant CRT.

Methods:

Three major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The systematic review included all original articles reporting long‐term outcomes in patients with rectal cancer who had a pCR to neoadjuvant CRT, published in English, from January 1950 to March 2011.

Results:

A total of 724 studies were identified for screening. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies involving 3363 patients (1263 with pCR and 2100 without) were included (mean age 60 years, 65·0 per cent men). Some 73·4 per cent had a sphincter‐saving procedure. Mean follow‐up was 55·5 (range 40–87) months. For patients with a pCR, the weighted mean local recurrence rate was 0·7 (range 0–2·6) per cent. Distant failure was observed in 8·7 per cent. Five‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates were 90·2 and 87·0 per cent respectively. Compared with non‐responders, a pCR was associated with fewer local recurrences (odds ratio (OR) 0·25; P = 0·002) and less frequent distant failure (OR 0·23; P < 0·001), with a greater likelihood of being alive (OR 3·28; P = 0·001) and disease‐free (OR 4·33, P < 0·001) at 5 years.

Conclusion:

A pCR following neoadjuvant CRT is associated with excellent long‐term survival, with low rates of local recurrence and distant failure. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Blumgart anastomosis for pancreaticojejunostomy minimizes severe complications after pancreatic head resection

Background:

Leakage from the pancreaticojejunostomy is the major cause of septic complications after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study evaluated a new transpancreatic ‐suture technique (Blumgart anastomosis, BA), which aims to avoid shear forces during knot‐tying.

Methods:

Using a before–after study design, BA was compared with a modified Cattell–Warren anastomosis (CWA). Two patient cohorts (CWA, 90; BA, 92), which were similar with respect to primary diagnosis, age, sex and American Society of Anesthesiologists score, were compared retrospectively. Dependent variables were surgical and overall morbidity and mortality after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Results:

Duration of operation (354 versus 328 min for CWA versus BA; P = 0·002), pancreatic leakage rate (13 versus 4 per cent; P = 0·032), postoperative haemorrhage (11 versus 3 per cent; P = 0·040), total surgical complications (31 versus 15 per cent; P = 0·011), general complications (36 versus 17 per cent; P = 0·005) and length of intensive care unit stay (median 5·4 versus 2·8 days; P = 0·015) were significantly reduced after BA. These effects were not related merely to an improvement over time.

Conclusion:

BA appears to be a fast, simple and safe technique for pancreaticojejunostomy. It might reduce leakage rates and surgical complications after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.