Adequate Patient Selection Research Articles

Usefulness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer

ObjectiveWe analyzed the profile of patients who were candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in stage pT2-4aN0M0, the tolerability and adherence of our cisplatin-based protocol and oncological outcomes. Material and methodsRetrospective observational cohort study including patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma treated with NACT. Clinical, histopathological, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of the patients were analyzed. The use of NACT was evaluated by the complete response in the surgical specimen (pT0). This and other pathological factors were related to overall survival and progression-free survival. ResultsWe included 90 patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (clinical stage T2a-T4aN0M0) who received a cisplatin-based NACT regimen between January 2011 and December 2018, prior to radical surgery. Forty percent of patients presented an adverse reaction, with a compliance with the NACT regimen of 92.2%. There were no deaths related to systemic treatment and no adverse reaction to treatment made RC impracticable. After performing RC, the presence of complete response (pT0) was observed in 20 patients (21%), lower stage in the surgical specimen (<pT2) in 36 patients (40%), positive surgical margins in 7 patients (8%), lymph node involvement (N1) in 16 patients (17.8%). A shorter time to progression was observed in the group of patients who did not achieve a complete pathological response (53 months vs 83.1 in pT0 patients) (p = 0.012), in patients with lymph node involvement compared to pN0 (65.4 vs 28, 2 months) (p = 0.014) and in those with positive surgical margins compared to those with tumor-free margins (63.5 vs. 8.5 months) (p = 0.021). ConclusionThe adequate selection of patients with MIBC has shown a good tolerance to NACT, with a high compliance rate prior to RC. The improvement in the complete response rate implies a greater survival in this group of patients, with lymph node involvement and positive surgical margins being important prognostic factors.

Duodenopancreatectomía por adenocarcinoma ductal de páncreas en ancianos. ¿Podemos asumirla con seguridad?

IntroductionSurgery and chemotherapy have increased the survival of pancreatic cancer. The decrease in postoperative morbidity and mortality and increase in life expectancy, has expanded the indications por cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PDC), although it remains controversial in the geriatric population. MethodsRetrospective study on a prospective database of patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas who underwent PDC between 2007-2018.The main objective was to analyse the morbidity-mortality and survival associated with PDC in patients≥75 years (elderly). Results79 patients were included, 21 of them older than 75 years (27%); within this group, 23.9% were over 80 years old. The ASA of both groups was similar. Patients≥75 years required more transfusions. No differences in operating time were observed, although more vascular resection were performed in the elderly (26 vs. 8.7%; P=.037).Morbidity was higher in the elderly (61.9 vs. 46.6%), although without differences. Patients aged≥75 years had more non-surgical complications (33.3%, P=.050), being pneumonia the most frequent. Postoperative mortality was higher in the≥75 years (9 vs. 0%; P=.017). The overall survival and disease-free survival did not show significant differences in both groups. ConclusionsElderly patients had higher postoperative mortality and more non-surgical complications. Survival did not show differences, so with an adequate selection of patients, age should not be considered itself as a contraindication for PDC.

Liver Resections Can Be Safely Performed in Cirrhotic Patients after Careful Patient Selection

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignant primary liver tumour in a cirrhotic liver. Liver transplantation and resection are the only curative treatment options in compensated liver cirrhosis, but liver resections are associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. We identified 108 cirrhotic patients, who underwent liver resections at the University Hospital of Mainz between January 2008 and December 2019. During the same period, 185 liver resections were performed for HCC in non-cirrhotic livers. Furthermore, 167 liver resections served as control group, which were performed for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) with comparable extent of resection to HCC in cirrhotic livers. Preoperatively, we assessed the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), MELD and Child scores in addition to the general patient characteristics. Perioperative morbidity was graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Resections of HCC in cirrhosis and liver metastases were additionally compared by a matched-pair analysis. The three groups were comparable in age. Preoperative liver function was best in patients with CRLM (p < 0.001). Resections for HCC in non-cirrhotic livers were more extended than in cirrhotic livers (p < 0.001). The overall morbidity (Clavien/Dindo stage III - IV) was higher after resections in cirrhotic livers than in CRLM resections (p = 0.026). Postoperative mortality was comparably low in all three groups (2.2%). Neither MELD nor Child score was predictive for postoperative morbidity or mortality (area under the curve: AUC < 0.6, each). Preoperative CCI was predictive for postoperative mortality (AUC = 0.78). Liver resections in cirrhotic livers are feasible after adequate patient selection and limitation of the extent of surgery. Comorbidities additionally increase the postoperative mortality in addition to impaired liver function and should therefore always be included into the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing liver surgery.

Is there an immunogenomic difference between thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms?

Aortic aneurysms most commonly occur in the infra-renal and proximal thoracic regions. While generally asymptomatic, progressive aneurysmal dilation can become rapidly lethal when dissection or ruptures occurs, highlighting the need for more robust screening. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is more prevalent compared to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). The true incidence of TAA is underreported due to the absence of population screening and the silent nature of TAA. To achieve the optimum survival rate in aortic aneurysms, knowledge of natural course, genetic association, and surgical results are needed to be applied with adequate medical treatment and careful selection of patients for operation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on natural history, immunology, and genetic differences between thoracic and AAAs. The literature was collected from OVID, SCOPUS, and PubMed. (1) AAA expands faster than TAA. AAA expands at approximately 0.3-0.45 cm annually, depending on various factors (advancing age, diameter of aorta, smoking etc.). TAA expands up to 0.3 cm annually in a non-bicuspid aortic valve patient. (2) An increase in Matrix metallopeptidase 1, 2, 9, 12, 14 led to degrading extracellular matrix of the aortic vessel wall. This significantly contributed to the pathogenesis in AAA, whereas overactive Transforming growth factor-beta played a major role in the pathogenesis of TAA. In the future, genetic testing may be the gold standard for tackling the geneticheterogeneity of aneurysms, therefore, identifying at-risk individuals developing TAA andAAA earlier.

Utilidad de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante en el carcinoma vesical músculo invasivo no metastásico

ObjectiveWe analyzed the profile of patients who were candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in stage pT2-4aN0M0, the tolerability and adherence of our cisplatin-based protocol and oncological outcomes. Material and methodsRetrospective observational cohort study including patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma treated with NACT. Clinical, histopathological, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of the patients were analyzed. The use of NACT was evaluated by the complete response in the surgical specimen (pT0). This and other pathological factors were related to overall survival and progression-free survival. ResultsWe included 90 patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (clinical stage T2a-T4aN0M0) who received a cisplatin-based NACT regimen between January 2011 and December 2018, prior to radical surgery. Forty percent of patients presented an adverse reaction, with a compliance with the NACT regimen of 92.2%. There were no deaths related to systemic treatment and no adverse reaction to treatment made radical cystectomy impracticable. After performing radical cystectomy, the presence of complete response (pT0) was observed in 20 patients (21%), lower stage in the surgical specimen (<pT2) in 36 patients (40%), positive surgical margins in 7 patients (8%), lymph node involvement (N1) in 16 patients (17.8%). A shorter time to progression was observed in the group of patients who did not achieve a complete pathological response (53 months vs. 83.1 in pT0 patients, P=0.012), in patients with lymph node involvement compared to pN0 (65.4 vs. 28, 2 months, P=0.014) and in those with positive surgical margins compared to those with tumor-free margins (63.5 vs. 8.5 months, P=0.021). ConclusionThe adequate selection of patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma has shown a good tolerance to NACT, with a high compliance rate prior to RC. The improvement in the complete response rate implies a greater survival in this group of patients, with lymph node involvement and positive surgical margins being important prognostic factors.

Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction and the six w’s: Who, How, Why, When, What, and Where to diagnose and operate?

Background and Aims: Approximately 75% of patients admitted with small bowel obstruction have intra-abdominal adhesions as their cause (adhesive small bowel obstruction). Up to 70% of adhesive small bowel obstruction cases, in the absence of strangulation and bowel ischemia, can be successfully treated with conservative management. However, emerging evidence shows that surgery performed early during the first episode of adhesive small bowel obstruction is highly effective. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the current evidence on adhesive small bowel obstruction management strategies. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature published over the last 20 years was performed to assess Who, hoW, Why, When, What, and Where diagnose and operate on patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction. Results: Adequate patient selection through physical examination and computed tomography is the key factor of the entire management strategy, as failure to detect patients with strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction and bowel ischemia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The indication for surgical exploration is usually defined as a failure to pass contrast into the ascending colon within 8–24 h. However, operative management with early adhesiolysis, defined as operative intervention on either the calendar day of admission or the calendar day after admission, has recently shown to be associated with an overall long-term survival benefit compared to conservative management. Regarding the surgical technique, laparoscopy should be used only in selected patients with an anticipated single obstructing band, and there should be a low threshold for conversion to an open procedure in cases of high risk of bowel injuries. Conclusion: Although most adhesive small bowel obstruction patients without suspicion of bowel strangulation or gangrene are currently managed nonoperatively, the long-term outcomes following this approach need to be analyzed in a more exhaustive way, as surgery performed early during the first episode of adhesive small bowel obstruction has shown to be highly effective, with a lower rate of recurrence.

Tracheostomy in patients with high suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19: case series from two hospitals in Northwestern Mexico

Abstract OBJECTIVE. To describe the results of tracheostomy in a series of cases in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit in two hospitals in the Northwest Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A prospective, descriptive, longitudinal study was carried out on a series of cases from April 2020 to August 2020. Data such as age, sex, hospital of origin, risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19, ventilatory and gasometric parameters before and 72 hours after, the days of oro-tracheal intubation were taken into account. Descriptive statistics with frequencies and percentages were used for the qualitative variables, for the numerical measures of central tendency as the mean and the median, the distribution of the results. RESULTS. From April to August 2020, in the two Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of these hospitals, 134 COVID-19 cases were admitted. In 14 patients (10.4%) tracheotomies were performed, 13 (92.8%) were male, mean age 49.21 years, 85% tested positive. The mean duration of oro-tracheal intubation was 22.7. Obesity combined with diabetes and arterial hypertension represented a risk factor in 57.1% of the cases. In 10 patients, the procedure was performed in the ICU bed. There were changes in some ventilatory parameters before and 72 hours after the procedure. The average number of days after weaning from the ventilator was 5.5 days. There were 3 deaths in our series. CONCLUSION. The adequate and prudent selection of COVID-19 patients for tracheostomy makes it easier to choose with greater justification the patients with the best prognosis, avoiding unnecessary procedures in a patient and a greater risk of contagion in the personnel.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Systematic Review.

To assess real-world outcomes of fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant in treating diabetic macular edema (DME), a systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed in order to identify publications assessing the efficacy and safety of the FAc implant in DME in daily practice. Case reports and randomized controlled trials were excluded. Twenty-two observational real-world studies analyzing a total of 1880 eyes were included. Mean peak visual gain was +8.7 letters (11.3 months post-FAc injection) and was greater for lower baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and for more recent DME. Mean central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased 34.3% from baseline. 77.0% of the analyzed studies reported both BCVA improvement of at least five letters and a CRT decrease by 20% or more. Rescue therapy was needed more frequently when FAc was administered for chronic DME. FAc-induced ocular hypertension was reported in 20.1% of patients but only 0.6% needed surgery. Cataract extraction was performed in 43.2% of phakic patients. Adequate patient selection is essential for optimal FAc response and better safety profile. Currently positioned as second- or third-line treatment in the management algorithm, FAc implant decreases treatment burden and provides better letter gain when administered for more recent DME.

Experience with Sorafenib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated at the National Cancer Institute of Panama (Sorafen Study)

Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that increases survival and delays tumor progression in patients with advanced hepatocarcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to determine the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and to analyze OS-related factors in this population between 2014 and 2019. We performed a retrospective review of patients with advanced HCC who were treated with sorafenib at the National Cancer Institute of Panama (Instituto Oncologico Nacional de Panama – IONP) from January 2014 to December 2019. The data were collected from electronic health records of the IONP. In total, 77 patients with a mean age of 65 years were analyzed. Sixty-three percent of the patients were men, and most of them had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 1 and had not undergone any prior treatment. Forty-four percent patients had Child-Pugh Class A. The most frequent progression site was the liver (27%), followed by the lungs. Mean PFS was 1 month, and mean OS was 3 months. The clinical benefit was 39% and Overall response rate was 3,9%; for those with stable disease, it was 35,1%, and 3,9% showed a partial response. More encouraging results were obtained from patients with higher functional statuses (ECOG status 0-1) and who were in milder stages of liver disease (Child-Pugh Class A). The most common adverse events were fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, nausea and vomiting, and arterial hypertension. The survival results assessed in our institution for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib are below of those published in the literature; however, after selecting the cases with ECOG 0-1 and Child A stage, our results were more in line with those of the international literature, being the most important prognostic factors in our patients. Fatigue and hand-foot syndrome were the most common adverse events. The key to the success of this therapy lies in an adequate selection of patients.

Interventional management for cancer pain

The WHO analgesic ladder (1986) has recommended certain oral analgesics vis-a-vis intensity of cancer pain for optimum relief as a practical doctrine, easy to implement, and taught extensively to healthcare professionals globally. However, the WHO approach despite been implemented appropriately and aggressively in the last three decades, 10%–20% of patients may not achieve acceptable pain relief. There is a refractory group of patients which is considered for interventional pain management; however, reserving this modality as a last resort is questioned by interventional protagonists. It is anticipated that the general understanding of interventional approach on cancer pain relief may not only expedite pain relief but should also consider all potential therapeutic options. Interventional physicians, mainly anesthesiologists, have a well-defined and beneficial role in the treatment of cancer pain, if patients are appropriately selected with various cancer pain syndromes. Pain physicians should successfully optimize outcomes depends on timely referral with adequate assessment and patient selection. Pain physicians have a complex role. Managing expectations of referring physicians, of patients, and family members, assuring adequacy of interventional care is not an easy task. An experienced, skilled interventionist who is well versed in not only techniques of procedure but side effects management, if any, will assume full responsibility for pre- and postintervention evaluation and follow-up care as indicated by the circumstances of each patient to be managed.

Clinical Outcomes After Discontinuation of Thyroid Hormone Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Levothyroxine (LT4) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications. Although considered a life-long replacement therapy, LT4 therapy can be discontinued for some patients. This study aims at: (i) reviewing the evidence on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing thyroid hormone replacement discontinuation, (ii) identifying the predictors of successful discontinuation, and (iii) systematically appraising frameworks used for deprescribing thyroid hormone. Methods: We searched multiple bibliographic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily, Ovid Embase, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus, from inception to February 2020 for studies in which thyroid hormone replacement was discontinued. Clinical outcomes assessed included: proportion of patients that remained euthyroid or needed to restart thyroid hormone replacement after discontinuation and frequency of clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism and adverse effects. We also evaluated predictors for discontinuation and deprescribing frameworks. Reviewers (F.J.K.T., N.B., N.M.S.O., S.M.) evaluated studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality independently and in duplicate. Results: Seventeen observational studies at moderate to high risk of bias met inclusion criteria, including a total of 1103 patients (86% women) with an age range of 2-81 years. Approximately a third of patients undergoing thyroid hormone discontinuation remained euthyroid at follow-up (37.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI 24.2-50.1%], I2 97.5%). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with a previous diagnosis of overt hypothyroidism (OH) were less likely to remain euthyroid (11.8% [CI 0.4-23.2%], I2 90.3%) than patients with a prior diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) (35.6% [CI 8.2-62.9%], I2 94.0%). No study followed a framework for systematically deprescribing LT4. Conclusions: Low-quality evidence suggests that up to a third of patients remained euthyroid after thyroid hormone discontinuation, with a higher proportion of patients with an initial diagnosis of SCH remaining euthyroid than patients with an initial diagnosis of OH. A deprescribing framework focusing on adequate selection of patients for deprescribing LT4 and a systematic process is warranted to guide clinicians in re-evaluating the need for LT4 in their patients.

6 voces en 10 minutos: Proceso de selección de paciente

6 voces en 10 minutos: Estrategias para el descenso de peso en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2Proceso de selección de pacienteLa selección adecuada de los pacientes para la cirugía bariátrica y metabólica es un punto crucial, en especial para los pacientes con obesidad grado 1. Hasta el momento, la selección de los candidatos se centra en el IMC, a pesar de que la mayor parte de la evidencia sugiere que el IMC basal no es un factor predictivo de la remisión de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) y que la mejoría de ésta no depende en forma exclusiva del descenso de peso. Los criterios actuales basados en el IMC deberían reemplazarse por parámetros relacionados con la condición metabólica del paciente individual. Existen diversos scores predictivos que ayudarían en el proceso de selección de los pacientes con más probabilidades de éxito con el tratamiento quirúrgico y a tener expectativas realistas sobre los resultados de la cirugía, aunque existe poca concordancia entre los scores disponibles en la actualidad.

Predictive factors of early outcome after palliative surgery for colorectal carcinoma

ObjectivesA significant number of patients with colorectal cancer are presented with various conditions requiring surgery in an oncologically palliative setting. We performed this study to identify risk factors for early outcome after surgery to facilitate the decision-making process for therapy in a palliative disease.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of 142 patients who underwent palliative surgery due to locally advanced, complicated, or advanced metastatic colorectal carcinoma between January 2010 and April 2018 at the “Elbland” Medical Center Riesa. We performed a logistic regression analysis of 43 factors to identify independent predictors for complications and mortality.ResultsSurgery included resections with primary anastomosis (n=31; 21.8%) or discontinuous resections with colostomy (n=38; 26.8%), internal bypasses (n=27; 19.0%) and stoma formation only (n=46; 32.4%). The median length of hospitalization was 12 days (2–53 days), in-hospital morbidity was 50.0% and the mortality rate was 18.3%. Independent risk factors of in-hospital morbidity were age (HR: 1.5, p=0.046) and various comorbidities of the patients [obesity (HR: 1.8, p=0.036), renal failure (HR: 1.6, p=0.040), diabetes (HR: 1.6, p=0.032), alcohol abuse (HR: 1.3, p=0.023)] as well as lung metastases (HR: 1.6, p=0.041). Arteriosclerosis (HR: 1.4; p=0.045) and arterial hypertension (HR: 1.4, p=0.042) were independent risk factors for medical complications in multivariate analysis. None of the analyzed factors predicted the surgical morbidity after the palliative procedures. Emergency surgery (HR: 10.2, p=0.019), intestinal obstruction (HR: 9.2, p=0.006) and ascites (HR: 5.0, p=0.034) were multivariate significant parameters of in-hospital mortality.ConclusionsPalliatively treated patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery show high rates of morbidity and mortality after surgery. In this retrospective chart review, independent risk factors for morbidity and in-hospital mortality were identified that are similar to patients in curative care. An adequate selection of patients before palliative operation should lead to a better outcome after surgery. Especially in patients with intestinal obstruction and ascites scheduled for emergency surgery, every effort should be made to convey these patients to elective surgery by interventional therapy, such as a stent or minimally invasive stoma formation.

Predictors of paravalvular leak following implantation of the ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve: the PREDICT PVL study

ObjectivesReport predictors and the natural course of paravalvular leak (PVL) following implantation of the ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve (THV).BackgroundUnderstanding the mechanisms of PVL may help to improve patient selection,...

Bladder-conserving Approach in Radical Treatment of Patients With Bladder Cancer - A Single-institution Experience.

To evaluate our experience with radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The study consisted of 27 patients treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiation (CCRT), 48 treated with radiation alone (RT), and 42 with locally advanced disease treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation (neoCRT). The incidence of acute grade 3 or more genitourinary (GU) toxicity in the RT, CCRT and neoCRT groups was: 25%, 11% and 19%, respectively (p=0.029). The 3-year freedom from grade 2 or more GU toxicity was: 81%, 89%, 54%, respectively (p=0.36). The long-term outcomes of 3-year local control, overall survival, and disease-free survival were as follows: RT group: 74%, 61% and 55%; CCRT group: 76%, 76% and 56%; neoCRT group: 31%, 43% and 18%, respectively. The preferable bladder-conserving approach is CRT, however RT alone might also be an option for appropriately selected patients. NeoCRT for those with locally advanced tumors remain unsatisfactory; adequate selection of patients for radical treatment is of importance.

Recent developments and ongoing trials in transplant oncology.

Over the past two decades since the introduction of the Milan criteria, the field of transplant oncology has undergone a rapid development with a rising proportion of liver transplantations being performed for oncological indications. For many patients with liver tumours, transplantation represents the only chance for cure. However, many challenges remain, such as the adequate patient selection, management of post-transplant recurrence and refinement of neoadjuvant treatment protocols. This review provides an overview of the current state of the art of liver transplantation for oncological indications such as hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal liver metastasis and metastatic neuroendocrine tumours. We also summarize the ongoing research and explore future trends. Clinical trials are currently studying new diagnostic modalities, innovative pharmacological treatments, novel surgical techniques, downstaging regimens and new indications for liver transplantation. These emerging results will continue to shape the field of transplant oncology and provide us with the necessary tools to better select, treat and follow patients with liver tumours qualifying for liver transplantation.

Pushing the limits of metastasis-directed treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy

ObjectiveTo assess the role of metastasis directed therapy and in particular surgical metastasectomy (MxT) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the era of targeted therapy. MethodThe files of all patients who underwent MxT for treatment of mRCC in University Hospitals Leuven between 1989 and 2015 were reviewed. ResultsOne hundred and thirty eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at MxT was 59.3 (IQR: 57.5–61.0) years. Median follow-up was 50.1 (42.3–63.8) months. Due to adequate patient selection, 91.9% of MxT achieved no evidence of disease status, which resulted in long median overall survival of 87.8 (63.8–113.4) months and median cancer specific survival of 92.8 (69.5–123.4) months. On multivariate analysis, primary tumor stage >pT2 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.79 [1.47–5.28] P= 0.002), unreached no evidence of disease status (HR 8.62 [3.19–23.32] P< 0.001), presence of nonpulmonary metastasis (HR 2.29 [1.02–5.10] P= 0.0449) and sarcomatoid dedifferentiation in the primary tumor (HR 4.52 [1.15–17.69] P= 0.03) significantly impacted overall survival. Survival did not differ for MxT performed before and after the advent of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. DiscussionOur study confirms the validity of MxT in mRCC in the tyrosine kinase inhibitors era. MxT should be considered in mRCC whenever the patient is fit enough to undergo surgery and complete removal of metastasis is considered possible, independent of number, location, and chronology of appearance of metastasis. Patients with pulmonary metastasis only, seem to be the best candidates for surgical MxT.

Comparative study of minimally invasive and traditional approaches for the microsurgical treatment of circle of Willis unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Objective. The study objective was to compare the effects of minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches for treating patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) to assess efficacy and safety of the keyhole concept in neurosurgery.Material and methods. We made a comparison of the microsurgical treatment outcomes of 204 patients harbouring UIAs who were operated on in the period from 2014 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: operated on using traditional approach (n = 85, 41.7%) and minimally invasive approach (n = 119, 58.3%). Patients of the first group were operated on using pterional (n = 31), orbitozygomatic (n = 16) and lateral supraorbital (n = 38) approaches; the second group patients underwent surgery using trans-eyebrow supraorbital (n = 35), minimal pterional (n = 38), trans-eyebrow transorbital (n = 20) and transpalpebral transorbital (n = 26) approaches. Rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, surgery duration and postoperative in-hospital stay period were the factors to compare. The Modified Rankin Scale was used as a neurological outcomes measure. Also cosmetic results of surgery, hypesthesia from the site of the surgical approach, temporomandibular joint disorder and facial asymmetry were evaluated.Results. Compared to the traditional approach, minimally invasive technique incurred shorter surgery duration (р = 0.051) and inpatient stay (р &gt; 0.001). Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates (р &gt; 0.05) as well as functional outcomes (р &gt; 0.05) were comparable between the two groups, while cosmetic effects (р &lt; 0.05) were greater in minimally invasive group of UIA patients.Conclusion. Microsurgical treatment of UIA patients using minimally invasive approach is considered safe and effective. Adequate selection of patients for operation and exhaustive neuroimaging data assessment for choosing of neurosurgical technique are obligatory factors for keyhole surgery. The authors recommend using minimally invasive concept only for experienced neurosurgical teams in specialized clinics.

Overall survival prediction in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with radium-223.

ABSTRACTObjective Radium-223(223Ra) is indicated for patients (p) with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRCP).Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline clinical variables associated with overall survival (OS) and toxicity of 223Ra. Its purpose was to identify the factors that can predict a better response to treatment and provide information regarding the most appropriate time for the application of 223Ra.Materials and Methods Prospective study in 40p with mCRPC treated with 223Ra. End points were OS, progression-free survival and time to progression. The follow-up parameters were: doses received, hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), platelet count (PC), prostate specific antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and WHO’s Cancer Pain Ladder. The use of other treatments was also evaluated.Results Median OS was 17.1 months(mo) (CI95%6.5-27.7); 26/40p received complete treatment of 223Ra, without reaching a median OS and 14p received incomplete treatment with a median OS 13.6mo(CI95%1.6-25.6). Median follow-up was 11.2mo (range:1.3-45.2). The univariate analysis showed that factors as VAS, ECOG, Hb and ALP values were independently associated with OS. First line treatment with 223Ra was started in 11/40p, while 19p had been heavily pre-treated and 13p received concomitant treatment.Conclusions 223Ra therapy require an adequate selection of patients to obtain the greatest clinical benefit. Low basal Hb, hight basal ALP, bone marrow involvement and an altered ECOG were the main factors that decreased OS in our patients. 223Ra should be considered relatively early in the course of treatment.

Gender-Dependent Clinical Outcome and Other Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality Following Out-Of-Center Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Extracorporeal Life Support: A Single Center Experience.

Out-of-center extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) implantation for the treatment of acute cardiorespiratory failure with subsequent transport to a tertiary care center has been introduced successfully into the medical practice. However, due to the very specific and resource intensive nature of this therapeutic concept, it seems important to generate algorithms for adequate patient selection. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of patients' gender on early clinical outcome in this specific therapeutic scenario. Ninety-seven consecutive patients treated by out-of-center ECMO/ECLS implantation and subsequent transport and treatment in our tertiary care cardiovascular center within the Hallesche Extracorporeal Life Support Program (HELP) retrospectively were analyzed, regarding the impact of patients' gender on early clinical outcome. Mechanical circulatory support successfully was weaned in two-thirds of the male patients. This result was achieved in only one-third of the female patients (59.4% in male vs. 33.3% in female, P = .0267). Overall survival significantly was higher in the male group (62.5% in male versus 30.3% in female, P = .0052). In uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis, female gender was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (uni: OR:3.833, CI:1.597-9.745, P = .0034; multi: OR:3.477, CI:1.146-11.494, P = .0322). Worse outcome also was associated with following independent predictors, age, SOFA score, lactate and ventilation time pre-ECMO/ECLS implantation. The current study demonstrates a worse early survival for women, following emergent out-of- center ECMO/ECLS implantation and subsequent transport and treatment in our tertiary care cardiovascular center. Gender should be included in patient selection algorithms while basic research approaches are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these gender- specific outcome disparities.