Case-matched Control Study Research Articles

Major Metropolitan Area COVID-19 - Positive Patients Undergoing Emergency and Elective Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Case-matched Control Study

Major Metropolitan Area COVID-19 - Positive Patients Undergoing Emergency and Elective Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Case-matched Control Study

Cost-effective scarless cholecystectomy using a modified endoscopic minimally invasive reduced appliance technique (Emirate).

The current gold-standard surgical treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease is the conventional four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). In recent years, however, celebrities and social media have altered people's attitudes regarding surgery. Consequently, CLC has undergone several changes to reduce scarring and improve patient satisfaction. In this case-matched control study, the cost-effectiveness of a modified endoscopic minimally invasive reduced appliance technique (Emirate) that uses less equipment and three 5 mm reusable ports only at precisely specified anatomical sites was compared to CLC. Single-center retrospective matched cohort analysis including 140 consecutive patients treated with Emirate laparoscopic cholecystectomy ("ELC-group"), matched 1:1 by sex, indications for surgery, surgeon expertise, and preop bile duct imaging, with 140 patients receiving CLC in the same period of time ("CLC group"). We performed a retrospective case-matched review of 140 patients who had Emirate laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones between January 2019 and December 2022. The groups included 108 females and 32 males with an equal ratio of surgical expertise-115 procedures were performed by consultants and 25 by trainees. In each group, 18 patients had preoperative MRCP or ERCP and 20 had acute cholecystitis as indications for surgery. Preoperative characteristics such as age (39 years in the Emirates group and 38.6 years in the CLC group), BMI (29.3 years in the Emirates group and 30 years in the CLC group), stone size, or liver enzymes showed no statistical difference between the two groups. In both groups, the average hospital stay was 1.5 days, and there was no conversion to open surgery, nor was there any bleeding requiring blood transfusion, bile leakage, stone slippage, bile duct injury, or invasive intervention postoperatively. When compared to the CLC group, the ELC group had significantly faster surgery times (t-test, p = 0.001), lower levels of the bile duct enzyme ALP (p = 0.003), and much lower costs (t-test, p = 0.0001). The Emirate laparoscopic cholecystectomy method is a safe alternative to the traditional four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy that is also much faster and less expensive.

Impact of Truncal Valve Repair on Survival, Reintervention, and Left Ventricular Function

BackgroundTruncal valve insufficiency (TVI) is one of the risk factors for death in neonatal primary repair for common arterial trunk (CAT). MethodsIn this single-center retrospective case-matched controlled study, 16 consecutive CAT patients from 2000 to 2018 with moderate to severe truncal valve regurgitation (TVR2-3), undergoing primary CAT surgery with truncal valve repair, were matched to 16 CAT patients with none or mild truncal valve regurgitation (TVR1-0). ResultsThe TVR2-3 group had 11 (69%) patients with moderate and 5 (31%) patients with severe TVI, with an operative median age of 7 (4-19) days. Survival at median follow-up of 17 years after repair was 70% and 80% in the TVR2-3 and TVR0-1 groups, respectively (P > .99), with 2 early deaths in the TVR2-3 group occurring after reintervention for residual TVI. Rate of surgical truncal valve reintervention at 5 years postoperatively was 67% for TVR2-3 (P = .005). TVR2-3 experienced greater residual TVI at discharge and 1 year after repair, with severity of truncal valve dysfunction converging between groups as more patients in TVR0-1 developed mild to moderate TVI over time and TVR2-3 patients underwent reintervention for clinically significant TVI. Significant left ventricular (LV) dilation was observed in the TVR2-3 group after 3 years from repair (P = .001), but LV ejection fraction was comparable between groups. ConclusionsTruncal valve reintervention burden (ie, repair or replacement) is greater in the TVR2-3 population, with higher truncal valve–related early death. Progressive LV enlargement in the TVR2-3 group due to residual TVI was well tolerated. Ventricular remodeling did not have a notable impact on LV ejection fraction or clinical status.

Comparison Between Sagittal Balance Outcomes After Corpectomy, Laminectomy, and Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Matched Cohort Study.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) can be successfully decompressed via either anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) or posterior laminectomy with fusion (LMF). However, few studies have compared the isolated effect of both techniques on cervical sagittal balance, a surrogate end point for clinical outcomes.We aimed to compare the sagittal balance radiological outcomes of ACCF against LMF. A case-matched controlled study of radiological cervical alignment parameters (C0-2, C2-3, index angles, T1 slope, and sagittal vertical axis (SVA)) in two groups of patients was performed by using pre- and postoperative neutral cervical X-rays.In total, 34 patients were enrolled (ACCF n = 17; LMF n = 17). The mean preoperative C2-7 angle was similar (11.58 ± 16.00° for ACCF; 13.36 ± 12.21° for LMF) in both cohorts. Both led to a loss of lordosis (-2.68 ± 13.8°, p = 0.43; -2.94 ± 11.5°, p = 0.31, respectively). At the C0-2, the two operations induced opposite variations (-0.9 ± 8.0°, p = 0.709 for ACCF; 3.5 ± 15.4°, p = 0.357 for LMF). ACCF led to a significant increase in SVA (7.1 ± 11.9 mm, p = 0.002). The C2-3 disk angle more pronouncedly increased with LMF.Both techniques show an equivalent kyphotic effect, with a greater disadvantage for ACCF. The negative impact on SVA changes is greater with ACCF. Both affect the C0-2 unit, with a tendency for kyphosis with ACCF and one for lordosis with LMF. When choosing the appropriate decompression and fusion technique, preoperative sagittal balance parameters should be included in the decision-making process.

Pathologic Implications of Radial Resection Margin and Perineural Invasion to Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Multi-Institutional and Case-Matched Control Study.

Simple SummaryThe significance of the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery has yet to be been determined. In this multi-center and case-matched analysis, we evaluated 1799 patients with rectal cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision. Positive surgical margin and perineural invasion were poor prognostic factors after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly decreased recurrences in patients with positive margin or perineural invasion. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer patients without positive margin and perineural invasion after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery could be limited.We assessed the exact role of adjuvant chemotherapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery in rectal cancer patients with positive surgical margin or perineural invasion (PNI). This multi-institutional study included 1799 patients with rectal cancer at cT3-4N0-2M0 stages. Patients were divided into two groups. The high-risk group had a positive margin and/or perineural invasion. The low-risk group showed no positive margin or PNI. Propensity-score matching analysis was performed, and a total of 928 patients, with 464 in each arm, were evaluated. The high-risk group showed significant differences in overall survival (OS, 73.4% vs. 53.9%, p < 0.01) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, 52.7% vs. 40.9%, p = 0.01) at five years between the adjuvant chemotherapy arm and observation arm. The low-risk group showed no significant differences in 5-year OS (p = 0.61) and RFS (p = 0.75) between the two arms. Multivariate analyses showed that age, pathologic N stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly correlated with OS and RFS in the high-risk group (all p < 0.05). Adjuvant chemotherapy improved OS and RFS more significantly in rectal cancer patients with positive surgical margin or PNI than in those with negative surgical margin and PNI.

Pancreatoduodenectomy for suspected malignancy: nonmalignant histology confers increased risk of serious morbidity.

A tissue diagnosis is not always obtained prior to pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and a proportion of patients are found to have noncancerous histology postoperatively. It is unknown if these patients have different outcomes when compared with those who have malignancy confirmed. A retrospective paired case matched control study was undertaken. Patients who underwent PD for suspected malignancy but ultimately had nonmalignant histology were identified. Each was matched to a confirmed malignant control using the following criteria: age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, neoadjuvant treatment, preoperative serum bilirubin, preoperative biliary stenting and type of pancreatic anastomosis. Matching was blinded to the measured outcomes, which included perioperative morbidity and mortality. Forty-five cases were compared with 45 well-matched controls. There was no difference in 30- or 90-day mortality, or length of stay. While overall morbidity rates were the same, patients with nonmalignant disease were more likely to experience major (Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV) morbidity (40.0% versus 17.8%, p = 0.0352). Independently, rates of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) were higher in the nonmalignant group (22.2% versus 4.44%, p = 0.0131). In our study, PD patients with nonmalignant histology had significantly higher incidence of major morbidity and CR-POPF when compared with those who had malignancy confirmed. This should be considered when planning the management of patients with known or presumed benign/premalignant disease.

Comparison between endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection and endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial neoplasia at esophagogastric junction: a case-matched controlled study of a single center from China.

So far, little evidence is available for the comprehensive comparison of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of superficial neoplasia at esophagogastric junction (EGJ). EGJ superficial neoplasia patients with ESTD treatment between January, 2021 and August, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and individually matched at 1:1 ratio with those with ESD treatment according to lesion size, specimen area and lesion location, forming ESTD and ESD group, respectively. A sample size of 17 patients was collected for each group. Treatment outcomes including resection time, specimen area, and resection speed as well as occurrence of complications were evaluated. Compared with ESD group, ESTD group got shorter resection time (111.00 ± 11.70min for ESD group vs. 71.59 ± 6.18min for ESTD group, p = 0.008) and faster section speed (0.23 ± 0.03 cm2/min for ESD group vs. 0.37 ± 0.06 cm2/min for ESTD group, p = 0.012). No complication was found to occur in ESTD group, while 1 patient with MP damage and 1 with delayed bleeding was found in ESD group. For the treatment of EGJ superficial neoplasia, ESTD is a safer and more effective and reliable endoscopic technique compared with ESD.

IMPACT OF TRUNCAL VALVE REGURGITATION ON LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION AND GEOMETRY IN COMMON ARTERIAL TRUNK: A CASE-MATCH CONTROLLED STUDY

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Truncal valve insufficiency (TVI) not only is one of the risk factors for death in neonatal primary repair for common arterial trunk (CAT), but also influences long-term left ventricular performance. This study investigates the functional and survival outcomes of CAT repair in patients based on TVI severity. <h3>METHODS AND RESULTS</h3> In this single-center retrospective case-matched controlled study, 16 consecutive CAT patients from 2000- 2018 with moderate to severe truncal valve regurgitation (TVR2-3) undergoing primary CAT surgery with truncal valve (TrV) repair were matched to 16 CAT patients with none to mild truncal valve regurgitation (TVR1-0). Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier; reintervention using competing risks; paired tests for ventricular function and geometry, and health status. TVR2-3 group had 11 (69%) patients with moderate TVR and 5 (31%) patients with severe TVI, with operative median age of 7(4 – 19) days. The TVR1-0 group had 3 (19%) patients with none/trivial TVI and 13 (81%) patients with mild TVI, with an operative median age of 132(6– 22) days (p = 0.30). There were no significant differences in preoperative variables between the groups and repair technique as shown in Table 1. There was no significant difference between overall survival and modified Ross heart failure score at median length of follow-up of 9.17 (1.40 – 15.12) years. Rate of surgical TrV reintervention at 5 years postoperative was 8% and 67% for TVR0-1 and TVR2-3, respectively (Stratified Gray's p = 0.005). TVR2-3 experienced greater residual TVI at discharge and 1 year post-repair with severity of TrV dysfunction converging between groups as more patients in TVR0-1 developed mild/moderate TVI over time and TVR2-3 patients underwent reintervention. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was comparable between groups at all time-points, with the exception of postoperative year 1 [TVR0-1: 69(67 – 74)% vs. TVR2-3: 62(59 – 66)% (p = 0.006) Figure 1]. Although not statistically significant, pronounced left ventricular dilatation was seen in the TVR2-3 group (upper quartile, z-score +6) throughout 1-year post-repair. Increasing left ventricular size in TVR2-3 reached statistical significance at 3 (p = 0.001) and 5 years (p = 0.003), but did not impair LVEF. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> There was a greater number of surgical TrV reinterventions (i.e. repair or replacement) in the TVR2-3 population, with two deaths associated with critical residual TVI refractory to reintervention. Progressive left ventricular dilatation in the TVR2-3 group due to residual TVI was well tolerated. Ventricular remodeling did not significantly impact left ventricular function or clinical status.

Emerging Role of Consolidative Radiotherapy After Complete Remission Following R-CHOP Immunochemotherapy in Stage III-IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Single Institutional and Case-Matched Control Study.

PurposeThe role of consolidative radiotherapy (RT) after complete-remission (CR) following rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the survival outcomes and patterns of failure with our institutional experience.Material and MethodsBetween 2009 and 2018, 206 patients with stage III-IV DLBCL achieved CR after receiving R-CHOP. Propensity-score matching was used to analyze the role of consolidative RT. The consolidative RT group (n = 34) and the R-CHOP alone group (n = 68) were matched at a 1:2 ratio. After propensity-score matching, 102 patients were analyzed.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 39.7 months, 26 patients (25.5%) showed local recurrence. Only one patient failed at the previous RT field. RT was delivered to bulky sites, head and neck lesions, testes, and bone with median dose of 30.6 Gy. The most common site of failure was head and neck lesions followed by bulky sites. The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and isolated-local recurrence free survival (LRFS) were 73.5, 64.0, and 79.9%. In univariate and multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement and consolidative RT were associated with isolated LRFS (p = 0.006 and 0.032) significantly.ConclusionConsolidative RT improved isolated local control. Based on the pattern of failure, we carefully suggest to radiate on initially involved bulky sites or head and neck lesions. Further studies need to be done to find out the optimal radiation dose and selection of RT site.

361. A Case Control Study of COVID-19 Outcome in Patients with HIV

BackgroundLittle is known regarding outcome of patients living with HIV (PLWH) when they get admitted to a hospital for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We decided to conduct a case-controlled study to try to answer the question if PLWH are at higher risk of mortality compared to individuals without HIV infection but with the same risk factors that affects outcome in COVID-19 disease.MethodsA retrospective case matched control study was performed from 03/15/2020 to 05/15/2020. We reviewed all confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who were admitted to our hospital during the study period and retrieved 7 variables: Age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), body mass index (BMI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), HIV status. We divided the age in 3 groups (< 30, 30 to 60, > 60), we defined the presence of DM and HTN by reviewing the admission medications, BMI > 30 defined obesity, and CKD was present if eGFR < 45 ml/min prior to the current admission. We found 12 PLWH, we matched them for the 6 variables, we found 94 controls. The primary endpoint was percentage of inpatient mortality.ResultsOf the 436 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted between 03/15/20 and 05/15/20, 36 were still hospitalized. Twelve were PLWH out of the 400 patients with known outcome; 7 patients (58%) have the age range between 30 to 60 years old while the rest (42%) have age > 60 years old. Male to female ratio was 1:1 (6 patients each). Comorbidities were present in 10 patients (83%) with HTN (83%) being the most common, followed by CKD (58%), obesity (33%), and DM (33%).Only 1 patient expired out of the 12 PLWH (8%) admitted with COVID-19, as compared to 26 patients from the 98 matched cohort (27%) (z-score 1.38, p=0.17; odds ratio [OR], 3.972; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62–44.37).ConclusionOur study suggests that PLWH do not have a worse prognosis than their matched controls for the most significant comorbid conditions affecting outcome in COVID-19 disease. Further studies with a larger sample size are urgently needed to confirm this finding.Disclosures Jihad Slim, MD, Abbvie (Speaker’s Bureau)Gilead (Speaker’s Bureau)Jansen (Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Speaker’s Bureau)ViiV (Speaker’s Bureau)

Cost-utility analysis of pralatrexate for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma based on a case-matched historical control study along with single arm clinical trial

BackgroundPatients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (R/R PTCL) treated with pralatrexate have previously shown superior overall survival (OS) compared to those who underwent conventional chemotherapy (CC, 15.4 vs. 4.07 months). We conducted an economic evaluation of pralatrexate from a societal perspective in Korea based on data from the PROPEL phase II study.MethodsUsing a Markov model with a weekly cycle, we simulated the experience of patients with R/R PTCL receiving pralatrexate or CC for 15 years. The model consists of five health states; initial treatment, treatment pause, subsequent treatment, stem cell transplantation (SCT) success, and death. Comparative effectiveness was based on PROPEL phase II single-arm study and its matched historical control analysis. Costs included drug, drug administration, monitoring, adverse event management, and SCT costs.ResultsThe incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the base case was $39,153 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. The results of one-way sensitivity analysis ranged from $33,949 to $51,846 per QALY gained, which remained within an implicit willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of anticancer drugs in Korea.ConclusionsPralatrexate is a cost-effective intervention with improved OS and incremental costs within the WTP limit. Pralatrexate could function as a new therapeutic option for patients suffering from life-threatening R/R PTCL.

Efficacy of COVID-19 Pathogen Inactivated Convalescent Plasma for Patients with Moderate to Severe Acute COVID-19: A Case Matched Control Study

Background. COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a pandemic disease with high morbidity and mortality. Currently, available therapeutic options for COVID-19 are limited. Prior experience in epidemics with convalescent plasma (CP) containing antibodies to viruses has demonstrated variable indications of therapeutic efficacy for: Influenza, Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever, and SARS. Characterizing antibody titers to viruses has indicated correlation with therapeutic efficacy. Convalescent COVID-19 patients with potent SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses can serve as plasma donors for immune therapy. However, antibody responses are variable, many donors are first-time higher risk blood donors, and rapid assays to select optimal CP immune efficacy are limited. Pathogen inactivation (PI) of CP can reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection by unrecognized pathogens. Objectives. This study characterized COVID-19 PI-CP activity; and evaluated efficacy and safety of PI CP transfusion in a case matched controlled cohort of acute COVID-19 patients. Methods. COVID-19 apheresis CP (650 - 1300 mL) was collected from nasopharyngeal PCR + outpatients following 2 PCR negative tests or 28 days after symptom resolution. Amotosalen-UVA PI of CP (INTERCEPT Blood System for Plasma) was performed, and antibody efficacy before and after PI was characterized by: VSV reporter pseudo-virus plaque neutralization (RVPN) NT-50 titer (Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco), antibody to S and N virus proteins by agglutination-dependent antibody PCR (ADAP, Enable Biosciences, San Francisco), virus ACE-2 soluble receptor neutralization assay (Enable Biosciences), and SARS-CoV-2 antibody profile by coronavirus microarray (University of California, Irvine). Patient inclusion criteria were: confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, pulmonary infiltrates, availability of ABO compatible CP, and informed consent. CP patients were matched with control patients (CTRL) for disease severity at diagnosis by standardized clinical risk score (W. Liang et al JAMA Intern Med 2020) and concomitant Tocilizumab use. CP Patients received a total of 400 mL of PI CP from 2 donors over 48 hours and standard therapy. CTRL patients received standard COVID-19 therapy without CP. The primary outcome was in-hospital death to day 28. Secondary outcomes included: progression to intubation, admission to ICU, time to discharge, serious adverse events, NP viral clearance, plasma viral clearance, and humoral immune responses. Differences between CP and CTRL patients were assessed by the Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables, and by Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Progression to ICU and intubation were analyzed as odds ratios calculated by conditional logistic regression. Results. 15 CP and 30 CTRL patients were enrolled. One CP patient was admitted in cardiogenic shock. Only 2 of 15 CP cohort patients had detectable IgG antibody to SARS CoV-2 S1 antigen at study entry. 3 of 15 PI CP donors had negligible SARS CoV-2 IgG antibodies to all antigens, and demonstrated poor neutralization efficacy. 12/15 CP had effective RVPN titers (> 1:80), RVPN titers were correlated with ACE-2 neutralization antibody titers (r2 = 0.83), and had significant activity specific for S and RBD antigens by microarray profiling (Figure 1). SARS CoV-2 antibody levels were variable between CP donors, but not impacted by PI (Figure 1). Baseline characteristics of CP and matched CTRL patients were similar (Table 1). Sensitivity analysis was performed assessing mortality after exclusion of one CTRL patient admitted in cardiogenic shock and the 2 respective controls. In-hospital 28-day mortality was lower in the CP cohort (0/14) compared to 5/28 CTRL, p = 0.151, 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. Progression to intubation, ICU admission, and days in hospital were not significantly different (Table 1). There was a trend toward decreased inflammatory response (CRP normalization) in CP patients. Conclusions. In hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients was lower in the PI-CP cohort, but not statistically significant. 15% of CP had ineffective antibody by multiple assays. However, PI did not impact CP anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. PI of plasma provides reduced risk of transfusion transmitted infection from COVID-19 CP donors. In this study, PI CP was safe, and may be effective for early treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Disclosuresvon Goetz:Cerus Corporation: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Khan:Nanommune Inc.: Current equity holder in private company. Tsai:Enable Biosciences: Current Employment. Robinson:Enable Biosciences: Current Employment. Seftel:Enable Biosciences: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Bagri:Cerus Corporation: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Corash:Cerus Corporation: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

Autologous skin-grafting surgery to prevent esophageal stenosis after complete circular endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: a case-matched controlled study.

The incidence of postoperative stenosis after endoscopic resection of wholly circumferential superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms (SESCNs) is extremely high. Between January 2011 and April 2019, 19 patients who underwent autologous skin-grafting surgery (ASGS) after complete circular endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ccESTD) were enrolled to form the ASGS group. Cases in the ASGS group were individually matched at a 1:1 ratio to cases undergoing fully covered esophageal stent (FCES) placement alone (FCES group) based on pathological diagnosis, curative resection, longitudinal length of ulceration, lack of stent migration, time to stent removal, follow-up period and operators. Baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the ASGS group and the FCES group. The incidence of patients with esophageal stenosis after removal of the stent in the ASGS group was significantly reduced compared that in the FCES group (36.8% vs 78.9%, p = 0.020). Comparison of preventive methods (ASGS vs FCES alone) between the stenosis group and nonstenosis group revealed that ASGS accounted for a higher proportion than FCES alone in the nonstenosis group (p = 0.020). Compared with FCES placement alone, ASGS appeared to be more effective in preventing esophageal stenosis after ccESTD for SESCNs.

Importance of early diagnosis for developmental dysplasia of the hip: A 5-year radiological outcome study comparing the effect of early and late diagnosis.

Australia utilises a selective ultrasound screening programme. The rate of late diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Australia is increasing. The aim of this study is to quantify the treatment required and compare the 5-year radiological outcomes between early and late diagnosis in children with DDH with frank dislocation. We performed a case-matched control study of children with frank DDH dislocations from 2000 to 2010 comparing three groups: children with an early diagnosis successfully treated in a Pavlik harness (SP), children with an early diagnosis who failed Pavlik harness treatment (FP) and children with a late diagnosis (LD). Minimum follow-up was 4 years. A total of 115 hips were included. Patients in the LD group required significantly more open reductions (P < 0.001), acetabular osteotomies (P < 0.001) and femoral osteotomies (P < 0.001). LD was also associated with significantly higher rates of growth disturbance at 46.3%, compared to 20.6% in the FP group and 5% in the SP group (P < 0.001). Overall, there were excellent radiological outcomes in 58.5% of the LD group compared to 79.4% in the FP group and 100% in the SP group. In Australia, high rates of LD in DDH persist in the context of selective ultrasound screening. While good radiological outcomes are achievable, a significantly greater level of surgical intervention is required and this is associated with significantly higher rates of growth disturbance. Optimisation of screening in Australia is vital.

Medial approach for subcarinal lymphadenectomy during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position.

In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), lymph nodes (LNs) around the subcarina and main bronchi are thought to be highly involved. Therefore, complete dissection of these LNs with preservation of the pulmonary branches of the vagus nerves, which control important pulmonary functions, is recommended. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the feasibility of reliable method for lymphadenectomy around the subcarina and main bronchi, named the medial approach, during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position (TEP). This was a case-matched control study of patients who underwent TEP for ESCC. The fundamental concept in this method is to first exfoliate the LNs around the subcarina and main bronchi from the pericardium. Developing the operative field contributes to visualizing and preserving the pulmonary branches of the right vagus nerve. Twenty-three patients who underwent the medial approach and 23 patients who underwent the conventional approach were selected by the use of propensity score matching to compare the operative outcomes. The medial approach significantly reduced operative time for procedure (16 ± 3 vs 30 ±6min, p< 0.0001) and operative blood loss (123 ± 108 vs 207 ± 162ml, p= 0.046) comparing with conventional approach. The incidence of postoperative pneumonia was lower in the medial approach group (4%) than in the conventional approach group (15%) (p= 0.069). The medial approach for lymphadenectomy around the subcarina and both main bronchi during TEP is technically safe and feasible in shorting the operative time with possibility to reduce postoperative pneumonia.

Calibration of the Gastric Pouch in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Does It Matter? The Influence on Weight Loss.

To determine the effect of an orogastric tube for calibration of the gastric pouch on percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) and percentage total weight loss (%TWL) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). A retrospective case-matched control study in 132 patients. Group A (a 40 French orogastric tubewas used to calibrate the gastric pouch) was compared to group B (no orogastric tube was used). All other surgical steps were identical in both groups. Postoperative %EWL and %TWL were recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24months postoperatively. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were similar for both groups; a mean age of 43.6years, 84% of the patients were female and mean initial BMI was 44kg/m2. At 24months, 9% of the patients were lost to follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, %EWL and %TWL were 80% and 33.3% in group A versus 70% and 28.6% in group B with p = 0.013 and p = 0.007 respectively. At 2years, EWL% and %TWL were 79.5% and 32.8% in group A and 67.18% and 28.1% in group B with a p value of 0.019 and 0.001respectively. The use of a calibration tube, initial BMI, and age predicted the %TWL best with R squared at 30.7%. The use of a calibration tube for creating the gastric pouch may lead to a higher %EWL and %TWL at 2-year follow-up. The standardization of the technique for LRYGB is desirable to achieve the maximum success rate in the surgical therapy of morbid obesity.

Robotic versus laparoscopic radical hysterectomy in early cervical cancer: A case matched control study

BackgroundThis study aims at evaluating the feasibility, surgical outcome and oncological results observed after robotic radical hysterectomy (RH) compared to laparoscopy for patients with early stage cervical cancer (ECC) patients. MethodsBetween January 2010 and October 2016, 210 patients underwent RH for treatment of ECC: 70 underwent robotic approach (Cases), and 140 underwent laparoscopic approach (Controls). ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches with regard to clinical patient characteristics and in terms of extent of RH and rate of pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. Operative time was significantly longer in the robotic versus laparoscopic group (median = 243 min, range 90–612 versus median = 210 min, range 80–660; p value = 0.008). Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 4 patients (1.9%) in the whole series.No difference was found in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications between the two groups. Overall, during the observation period, 34 (16.2%) patients experienced any grade postoperative complications, and 21 (10.0%) had >G2 complications.The 3-yr DFS was 88.0% versus 84.0% in robotic and laparoscopic group, respectively (p value = 0.866). Central and/or lateral pelvic disease represented the most common site of relapse. The 3-yr OS was 90.8% in patients underwent robotic RH versus 94.0% in patients underwent laparoscopic RH (p value = 0.924). ConclusionsThe present study shows the equivalence of robotic and laparoscopic approaches to radical surgery of ECC patients, in terms of perioperative and postoperative outcomes with equivalent survival figures, and thus the choice of approach can be tailored to the choice of patient and surgeon.

Pain management using acetaminophen throughout postoperative course of laparoscopic colorectal surgery: A case-matched control study.

BackgroudThe main advantage of laparoscopic surgery is that it is minimally invasive because of the use of small incisions. An approach using small incisions offers many benefits including attenuation of surgical wound pain. However, the presence of postoperative pain may undermine the advantages of laparoscopic surgery as a minimally invasive technique. In addition, perioperative pain management is an important factor affecting recovery after surgery. This study investigated the usefulness of a multimodal approach to postoperative pain management with acetaminophen as a baseline analgesic after minimally invasive laparoscopic colorectal surgery.Materials and methodsThe study included 40 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer. 20 patients received acetaminophen as a baseline analgesic for postoperative pain management and 20 received epidural anesthesia.ResultsThe urethral catheter could be removed earlier in the acetaminophen group (2.1 ± 0.22 days postoperatively) compared with the epidural group (4.1 ± 0.45days postoperatively). The frequencies of vertigo were significantly lower in the acetaminophen than epidural group (10.0% and 45.0%, respectively). The frequencies of the use of analgesics on an as-needed basis for postoperative pain relief as well as the variabilities in these frequencies, although not significantly different between the acetaminophen and epidural groups, were lower in the acetaminophen group than the epidural group.ConclusionWe herein demonstrated that postoperative pain management with acetaminophen as a baseline analgesic, and without the use of epidural anesthesia, is a safe and useful analgesic modality.

Oncologic outcome and morbidity for elderly rectal cancer patients compared to younger patients after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery: A multi-institutional and case-matched control study.

736 Background: To elucidate the toxicity and survival outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative total mesorectal excision (TME) in elderly rectal cancer patients compared to younger patients. Methods: A total of 1232 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant CRT and curative surgery were collected from 7 tertiary institutions. After propensity-score matching, 310 patients of &lt; 70 years for younger arm and 310 patients of ≥ 70 years for elderly arm were identified, respectively and matched with 1:1 manner. Treatment response and toxicity, surgical outcome, recurrence, and survival were assessed and compared between two arms. Results: The two younger (&lt; 70 years) and elderly (≥ 70 years) arms were well-matched and had similar baseline characteristics. Median ages were 58 years for younger arm and 74 years for elderly arm, respectively. Pathologic complete response rates were not significantly different between younger arm and elderly arm (17.1% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.443). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (70.0% vs. 69.8%, P = 0.773) and overall survival (79.5% vs. 82.9%, P = 0.270) rates were not significantly different between two arms. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery was less frequently delivered to elderly arm than younger arm (69.0% vs. 83.9%, P = 0.773). Grade 3 or higher acute hematologic toxicity was observed more frequently in elderly arm than in younger arm (9.0% vs. 16.1%, P = 0.008 ), but late complication was not significantly increased in elderly arm (2.6% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.193). Conclusions: Despite an increased acute toxicity, elderly rectal cancer patients with good performance status would have equivalent tumor response and recurrence-free survival compared to younger patients.

Peer review report 1 on “Pain Management Using Acetaminophen Throughout Postoperative Course of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Case-matched Control Study”

Peer review report 1 on “Pain Management Using Acetaminophen Throughout Postoperative Course of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Case-matched Control Study”