China special issue on gastrointestinal tumors-Radiological features of pathological complete response in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer after neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade: A post hoc analysis of the PICC phase II trial

Neoadjuvant programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade exhibits promising efficacy in patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). However, discrepancies between radiological and histological findings have been reported in the PICC phase II trial (NCT 03926338). Therefore, we strived to discern radiological features associated with pathological complete response (pCR) based on computed tomography (CT) images. Data were obtained from the PICC trial that included 36 tumors from 34 locally advanced dMMR CRC patients, who received neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade for 3 months. Among the 36 tumors, 28 (77.8%) tumors achieved pCR. There were no statistically significant differences in tumor longitudinal diameter, the percentage change in tumor longitudinal diameter from baseline, primary tumor sidedness, clinical stage, extramural venous invasion status, intratumoral calcification, peritumoral fat infiltration, intestinal fistula and tumor necrosis between the pCR and non-pCR tumors. Otherwise, tumors with pCR had smaller posttreatment tumor maximum thickness (median: 10 mm vs 13 mm, P = .004) and higher percentage decrease in tumor maximum thickness from baseline (52.9% vs 21.6%, P = .005) compared to non-pCR tumors. Additionally, a higher proportion of the absence of vascular sign (P = .003, odds ratio [OR] = 25.870 [95% CI, 1.357-493.110]), nodular sign (P < .001, OR = 189.000 [95% CI, 10.464-3413.803]) and extramural enhancement sign (P = .003, OR = 21.667 [2.848-164.830]) was observed in tumors with pCR. In conclusion, these CT-defined radiological features may have the potential to serve as valuable tools for clinicians in identifying patients who have achieved pCR after neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade, particularly in individuals who are willing to adopt a watch-and-wait strategy.     

A Mixed-Methods Study of the Effect of Abdominal Binders on Opioid Use and Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Birth

ObjectiveTo compare levels of postoperative oxycodone use and incisional pain between two randomized groups—an intervention and a control.DesignMixed-methods design; quantitative data achieved via a randomized controlled trial, with qualitative data collected on binder use. The primary variable was oxycodone (in milligrams) required during the first 48 hours after birth, and the secondary variable was incisional pain levels measured on Postoperative Days 1 and 2.SettingAcute-care community hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and an acute care urban hospital in Denver, Colorado.ParticipantsA total of 220 individuals in the postpartum period after having cesarean birth.Interventions/MeasurementsParticipants were randomized to the intervention group (binder) or the control group (no binder). Data were collected on opioid usage for the first 48 hours. Participants in both groups were asked to rate their incisional pain on Postoperative Day 1 (24 hours after birth) and Postoperative Day 2 (48 hours after birth). Participants in the binder group were also asked to provide feedback on their experience wearing the binder.ResultsA total of 196 participants completed the study. The overall amount of oxycodone taken by individuals in the binder group was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = .10). Pain scores in the binder group were significantly lower on Day 2 compared with the control group (p = .002). The majority of individuals in the binder group provided positive feedback about their experience wearing the binder.ConclusionIndividuals routinely receive medications to assist with pain management postoperatively. Because of growing concerns related to the nation’s opioid addiction crisis, there is interest in using multimodal treatments to achieve adequate pain control for individuals postoperatively. Abdominal binders are a low-cost intervention to assist with pain management and, given the results of this study, seem like a reasonable option to consider.     

Priorities for content for a short-course on postoperative care relevant for low- and middle-income countries: an e-Delphi process with training facilitators

Most surgical and anaesthetic mortality and morbidity occurs postoperatively, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Various short courses have been developed to improve patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, but none specifically to address postoperative care and complications. We aimed to identify key features of a proposed short-course addressing this topic using a Delphi process with low- and middle-income country anaesthesia providers trained as short-course facilitators. An initial questionnaire was co-developed from literature review and exploratory workshops to include 108 potential course features. Features included content; teaching method; appropriate participants; and appropriate faculty. Over three Delphi rounds (panellists numbered 86, 64 and 35 in successive cycles), panellists indicated which features they considered most important. Responses were analysed by geographical regions: Africa, the Americas, south-east Asia and Western Pacific. Ultimately, panellists identified 60, 40 and 54 core features for the proposed course in each region, respectively. There were high levels of consensus within regions on what constituted core course content, but not between regions. All panellists preferred the small group workshop teaching method irrespective of region. All regions considered anaesthetists to be key facilitators, while all agreed that both anaesthetists and operating theatre nurses were key participants. The African and Americas regional panels recommended more multidisciplinary healthcare professionals for participant roles. Faculty from high-income countries were not considered high priority. Our study highlights variability between geographical regions as to which course features were perceived as most locally relevant, supporting regional adaptation of short-course design rather than a one-size-fits-all model.     

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

Abdominal lymph node recurrence from colorectal cancer: Resection should be considered as a curative treatment in patients with controlled disease

BackgroundLymph node recurrences (LNR) from colorectal cancer (CRC) still represent a therapeutic challenge, as standardized recommendations have yet to be established. The aim of this study was to analyze short- and long-term oncological outcomes following resection of LNR from CRC.MethodsAll patients with previously resected CRC who underwent histopathologically confirmed LNR resection in 3 tertiary referral centers between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed, mainly recurrence-free and overall survival. Further recurrences following LNR resection were also analyzed.ResultsOverall, 18 patients were included. Primary CRC was left-sided in 16 (89%) patients, staged T3-4 in 15 (83%), N+ in 14 (78%) and presented with synchronous metastases in 8 (43%). Median time interval between primary CRC and LNR resections was 31 months. Performed lymphadenectomies were aortocaval (n = 10), pelvic (n = 7), in hepatic pedicle (n = 3) and mesenteric (n = 1). Four patients had associated liver metastases resection. Three (17%) presented with postoperative complications, of which one Clavien-Dindo 3. Fourteen (78%) patients presented with further recurrences after a mean delay of 9 months, with 36% of patients presenting with early (<6 months) recurrence. Five (36%) patients could undergo secondary recurrence resection and 3 (21%) patients radiotherapy. Median overall survival following LNR resection reached 44 months.ConclusionsCurrent results suggest that LNR resection is feasible and associated with improved survival, in selected patients. Longer time interval between primary CRC resection and LNR occurrence appeared to be a favorable prognostic factor whereas multisite recurrence appeared to be associated with impaired long-term survival.     

应用腹腔镜技术治疗阑尾残端瘘5例分析

正阑尾残端瘘是阑尾切除术后严重的并发症之一,其发生率在0.7%～3.7%~([1]),一旦发生,往往不能自愈,治疗周期长,给病人带来严重的身心损害和经济负担。研究认为,70%～80%的病人能够通过冲洗引流、肠内肠外营养支持、内镜下阑尾残端夹闭等方法治愈,但仍有近20%的病人在接受3～6个月的保守治疗仍无法治愈,须接受二次手术~([2])。笔者医院将腹腔镜技术应用于阑尾残端瘘病人的再次手术中。现报告如下。     

连续护理干预模式对脊柱骨折伴脊髓损伤患者术后康复效果的研究

目的研究分析连续护理干预模式对脊柱骨折伴脊髓损伤患者术后康复效果。方法本项研究回顾了2017年2月—2018年7月间在某院采取了脊柱骨折伴脊髓损伤治疗的52例患者整个治疗过程的资料,将所有的患者使用数字双盲法将其分为了对照组(n=26)和观察组(n=26)。对照组患者使用护理措施为常规护理措施,观察组使用的护理措施为连续护理干预模式,在患者治疗完成后对比两个不同组别患者在围手术期期间各类指标和出现并发症概率。结果对照组患者手术下床活动时间、住院时间、住院所需费用以及患者并发症发生率均显著高于观察组,组别间数据对比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论医护人员在进行脊柱骨折伴脊髓损伤患者的护理工作当中,对其采取连续护理模式可以降低患者并发症发生率,缩短患者住院时间,对患者身体的恢复具有显著意义。