Benefits Of Surgical Intervention Research Articles

Outcome after cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma is predicted by fractional percentage of tumour volume removed

To determine if the fractional percentage of tumour volume (FPTV) removed at cytoreductive nephrectomy predicts disease-specific survival (DSS), as metastatic renal cell carcinoma ((M+)RCC) is associated with poor overall survival with only a 10-20% patient survival at 2 years. The Columbia Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed; 1016 patients had renal surgery from 1988 to 2005, 78 patients with (M+)RCC underwent nephrectomy. The FPTV removed was determined using pathological and imaging reports. The patients were stratified as having a > or <90% FPTV. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was used to determine survival advantage between groups. A Cox proportional hazard model was used for FPTV in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Secondary analyses were conducted to determine if the size of the primary tumour or volume of metastases affected outcome and if the FPTV affected hospitalization time. In all, 55 patients had their FPTV calculated exactly; 45 had a >90% FPTV. The median DSS times were 11.6 and 2.9 months for patients with >90% and <90% FPTV removed (P = 0.002). The hazard ratio for death was 0.24 for patients with a >90% FPTV in a univariate model (P = 0.016) and 0.29 in multivariate analysis (P = 0.02). Patients with a <90% FPTV spent a greater percentage of time hospitalized before death, 21.2% vs 6.5% (P = 0.03). For patients with (M+)RCC, overall survival is limited, but can be extended by cytoreductive nephrectomy. The FPTV expected to be removed is a simple and available method to counsel patients regarding the benefits of surgical intervention.

OUTCOME AFTER CYTOREDUCTIVE NEPHRECTOMY FOR METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA IS PREDICTED BY FRACTIONAL PERCENTAGE OF TUMOUR VOLUME REMOVED

OBJECTIVE To determine if the fractional percentage of tumour volume (FPTV) removed at cytoreductive nephrectomy predicts disease-specific survival (DSS), as metastatic renal cell carcinoma ((M+)RCC) is associated with poor overall survival with only a 10–20% patient survival at 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Columbia Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed; 1016 patients had renal surgery from 1988 to 2005, 78 patients with (M+)RCC underwent nephrectomy. The FPTV removed was determined using pathological and imaging reports. The patients were stratified as having a > or <90% FPTV. Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank test was used to determine survival advantage between groups. A Cox proportional hazard model was used for FPTV in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Secondary analyses were conducted to determine if the size of the primary tumour or volume of metastases affected outcome and if the FPTV affected hospitalization time. RESULTS In all, 55 patients had their FPTV calculated exactly; 45 had a >90% FPTV. The median DSS times were 11.6 and 2.9 months for patients with >90% and 90% FPTV in a univariate model (P = 0.016) and 0.29 in multivariate analysis (P = 0.02). Patients with a <90% FPTV spent a greater percentage of time hospitalized before death, 21.2% vs 6.5% (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION For patients with (M+)RCC, overall survival is limited, but can be extended by cytoreductive nephrectomy. The FPTV expected to be removed is a simple and available method to counsel patients regarding the benefits of surgical intervention.

Impact of Surgical Intervention on Quality of Life in Patients With Spinal Metastases

Prospective clinical study. To assess Health-Related Quality of Life outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases. Increasing life expectancy of patients with spinal metastases has resulted in greater interest in overall quality of life, including pain and neurologic impairment. To assess the overall risks and benefits of surgical intervention, the overall impact of each on the overall health status must be assessed. All patients who presented to a single institution with bony spinal metastases requiring surgical intervention were eligible. previous surgery for spinal metastases, primary tumors of the spine, and inability to fill out the questionnaires. Patients completed an EORTC QLQ-C30, the HUI-3, the EQ-5D, visual analog pain, and an ECOG functional assessment. at five points: before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post surgery. Of 96 patients who presented to the hospital, 85 were enrolled in the study. Average age was 58.6 years (range, 20.3-80.7 years) with 47 male patients; 50% survival as 39.1 weeks. Maximal and average VAS pain levels showed a statistically significant (P < 0.00001) improvement from preoperative to all postoperative time points. Only the QLQ-C30 global health status showed a statistically significant improvement from preoperative to the 6-week (P = 0.017), 3-month (P = 0.039), and 6-month (P = 0.013) time points. There was a statistically significant correlation between baseline global health status and survival time (P = 0.041). Overall distribution of HUI-3 utility calculated Quality of Life Adjusted Years (QALY) during the 1-year postoperative period showed a bimodal distribution with peaks at 0.1 and 0.7 years. Surgery for patients with spinal metastases offers decreased pain and improved quality of life with low rates of surgical complications.

Fractional percentage of tumor volume removed is a predictor of outcome following cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

4599 Background: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma, (M+)RCC, is associated with poor overall survival with only 10–20% of patients alive at 2-years. The objective of this study is to determine if the fractional percentage of tumor volume (FPTV) removed at cytoreductive nephrectomy predicts disease specific survival (DSS). Methods: The Columbia Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed and 1,016 patients were identified that underwent renal surgery from 1988 to the present. A retrospective cohort of 93 patients were identified with (M+)RCC at the time of nephrectomy. The prospective database was reviewed to determine the FPTV removed and remaining following surgery. Patients were stratified to having greater or less than 90% of their cancer burden removed. Primary outcome was defined as DSS. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was performed to determine survival advantage between groups. A Cox proportional hazard model was fit for PTR in both univariate and multivariate models. Secondary analyses were conducted to determine if the size of primary tumor affected outcome and if FPTV affected hospitalization time. Results: 63 of 77 patients had &gt;90% of their tumor burden removed. Median follow-up time was 8.6 months. Median DSS times were calculated to be 18.8 and 3.6 months for patients with &gt;90% and &lt;90% PTR respectively (p &lt; 0.001). The hazard ratio for death was 5.73 for patients with &lt;90% of tumor removed (p &lt; 0.001). Those with &gt;90% removed had larger primary tumors, 10.6cm vs. 7.2cm in the &lt;90% removed group (p = 0.01). Outcome analysis by size of primary tumor demonstrated no difference in survival. Patients with &lt;90% removed spent 13.6% of DSS time hospitalized compared to 6.3% for those with &gt;90% removed (p = 0.89). Conclusions: For patients with (M+)RCC, overall survival is limited but can be extended by cytoreductive nephrectomy. FPTV expected to be removed is a simple and available method to counsel patients regarding the benefits of surgical intervention. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The Currarino Triad: Neurosurgical Considerations

The Currarino triad, a relatively uncommon hereditary disorder, is often associated with tethered cord and anterior myelomeningocele. Little is known of the implications of these neuroanatomic malformations or of the neurosurgical attitude. The objective of this study is to identify the spinal cord and meningeal malformations associated with the Currarino triad and to discuss the risks and benefits of surgical intervention. We analyzed the spinal cord malformations and the neurosurgical involvement with the Currarino triad by retrospective chart review. The Currarino triad neuroanatomic malformations were identified in five patients. The Currarino triad was associated with a tethered cord in three patients, a myelomeningocele in five patients, a syrinx in two patients, a fistula between the colon and spinal canal in two patients, and an Arnold-Chiari Type 1 malformation in one patient. Full spine imaging is required for all patients diagnosed with the Currarino triad. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head should be performed in every patient with neuroanatomic anomalies. Surgery of an anterior myelomeningocele is not necessarily indicated, only in the rare case in which the space-occupying aspect is expected to cause constipation or problems during pregnancy or delivery. Constipation directly after birth is seen in virtually all patients with the triad. Therefore, constipation cannot be used to diagnose a tethered cord syndrome nor indicate tethered cord release. Fistulas between the spinal canal and colon have to be operated on directly.

Outcome of Surgical Clipping of Unruptured Aneurysms as it Compares with a 10-Year Nonclipping Survival Period

Recent studies on the natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms dictate that we reevaluate the risks and benefits of surgical intervention as it compares with the natural course. We analyzed the outcome of surgical clipping of a patient cohort with unruptured aneurysms as it compares with a 10 year nonclipping survival period on the basis of two previously published studies (International Study on Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and a study by Juvela et al. [36] from Helsinki). Data on 148 unruptured aneurysms in 116 consecutive surgically treated patients were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. The overall majority were diagnosed with cerebral angiography. Data analyzed included aneurysmal properties and clinical outcomes including surgical related mortalities and morbidities. The observed outcomes were compared with the expected outcome of a 10 year nonclipping survival period if the patient cohort was included in recently reported studies on unruptured aneurysms. More than 1 year follow-up was available in 93.1% (108) of patients and follow-up cerebral angiography was performed in 80% (93) of patients. Mean age was 53.57 years. There were 25 (16.8%) small aneurysms (less than 7 mm), 70 (47.2%) aneurysms 7 to 12 mm in size, 41 (27.70%) large (13-24 mm), and 12 (8.10%) giant (>25 mm) aneurysms. Posterior circulation aneurysm comprised 13.51%. One hundred forty-three (96.62%) aneurysms were successfully clipped, and 3.37% were either wrapped or later coiled. Surgical-related mortality was 0.82% (1 patient because of air embolism). Surgical related permanent morbidity was 3.44% (4 patients) and transient surgical-related mild morbidities was 7.7% (9 patients). Immediate postsurgical good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score = 4-5) was 87.93% (102 patients) and 95.68% in 3 months (111 patients). At 1 year, the modified Rankin scale scores were 0 to I = 102, II = 3, III = 2, IV = 1, and V = 0. Residual aneurysms were seen in none of the postoperative angiograms (93 patients). Using the chi method, the comparison of the expected to the observed mortality and morbidity revealed a statistically significant difference in the mortality in favor of surgical clipping (P = 0.034 when compared with the International Study on Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and P = 0.05 when compared with the Juvela et al. [36] study). There was no statistically significant difference in the permanent morbidity. Studies on natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms suggest 10 year cumulative bleeding-related mortality and severe morbidity of no less than 7.5%. In our study, surgical clipping resulted in an 0.8% rate of mortality and 3.4% permanent morbidity. This suggests that surgical clipping has the potential of a superior outcome to the natural history of patients who have an estimated life expectancy of no less than 10 years.

Cervical myelopathy and rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis of management.

Although a number of recent studies have described the outcome of surgical treatment of patients with rheumatoid cervical myelopathy, few have reported outcome in those unable to have surgery. We sought to examine the outcome in this group of patients regardless of surgical intervention. Retrospective and descriptive. Department of Rheumatology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Retrospective review of case notes of 40 patients (31 females, 9 males) with rheumatoid cervical myelopathy diagnosed 1988-1997. The mean age was 64 years (range 36-80 years). The mean duration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before the development of myelopathy was 21 years (range 5-44 years). The common impairments were paraesthesia in the arms, neck pain and weakness. Twenty-five patients (60%) were deemed fit for surgery (group I). Twenty-two patients successfully had operative treatment and the others refused. Twelve of the 15 patients who reported pain preoperatively obtained pain relief. Six of the 11 patients who were nonambulant (Ranawat class IIIB) were able to walk postoperatively. There were two deaths within six months (9% mortality) after primary surgery due to pneumonia and sepsis. Seven of the 15 patients managed conservatively (group II) because of coexisting medical complications died within six months of presentation (47% mortality). The study confirms the overall benefit of surgical intervention in those who are medically stable. Following surgery some functional improvement may occur even in patients with severe myelopathy.

Variations in the Provision of Occupational Therapy for Patients Undergoing Primary Elective Total Hip Replacement in the United Kingdom

Despite growing interest in the potential of rehabilitation therapies to reduce patient dependency and maximise the benefits of surgical intervention, there is only limited information available on the nature of, and variation in, rehabilitation for common procedures such as total hip replacement. This paper describes the nature and variability of occupational therapy provision for patients undergoing primary elective total hip replacement in the United Kingdom, based on the results of a postal survey of National Health Service trusts providing orthopaedic surgery. A response rate of 69% (n=183) was obtained, yielding a final sample of 166 trusts. The widest variations in rehabilitation practice related to the provision of, and charges for, adaptive equipment; the presence of the therapist during preadmission clinics; the number of hours patients spent in contact with therapists during hospitalisation; and the provision of written information on the benefits of total hip replacement and the care of the hip beyond 3 months after surgery. These results suggest that considerable variation exists in the provision of occupational therapy for total hip replacement across the United Kingdom. Future research identifying the most effective configuration of therapeutic interventions is needed to inform the production of guidelines in this area.

Proper Management of the Patient with a Malignant Colorectal Polyp

Polyps containing invasive carcinoma have the potential for lymph node metastasis. Certain histologic features can be used to predict which cancers are likely to have metastasized after endoscopic polypectomy and therefore will need further surgical reduction. Management decisions should be based on the risks of metastasis compared to the risk and benefit of surgical intervention.

Nonsurgical Care of Low Back Pain

Based on accumulating evidence, an important shift in the nonsurgical treatment paradigm for low back pain is underway. This shift is away from prolonged rest and passive therapy toward earlier patient activation and greater use of exercise therapy. The patient's best interest is often served by encouraging an early return to work and by avoiding adversarial legal proceedings. Patients should be reassured about the good prognosis of acute pain, and the alarming terminology of "injury" or "ruptured disc" should be avoided. Intervention to avoid sedentariness, smoking, and obesity probably offers important therapeutic and preventive opportunities. When surgery is indicated, the patient should have a major role in decision making after being provided an accurate view of risks and benefits of surgical intervention. Surgery should generally be reserved for those cases for which a benefit of surgery has been clearly established, avoiding the liberalization of indications to include imaging findings alone, persistent pain alone, or the failure of other treatments in the absence of clear surgical indications.