Intra-abdominal Infectious Complications Research Articles

Association between sex-specific criteria for visceral obesity and surgical site infection after gastrectomy

BackgroundHigh visceral fat area (VFA), estimated by computed tomography (CT), is reportedly associated with surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). Given that fat distributions vary markedly according to gender, sex-specific definitions of visceral obesity should be applied. We investigated the optimal sex-specific thresholds for VFA at the L3 level for assessing the risk of SSI after gastrectomy. MethodsWe studied 828 patients (564 males and 264 females) who underwent curative gastrectomy. Intra-abdominal or incisional infectious complications with Clavien Dindo scores ≥ 2 were defined as SSIs. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were used to determine the optimal sex-specific VFA cut-offs for extracting obese patients prone to develop SSI. We performed logistic regression analyses and the corrected Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICc) was calculated to compare the capability for evaluating the possibility of SSI of our sex-specific VFA-based criteria versus the conventional VFA-based or BMI-based criterion. ResultsSSI developed in 59 males and 16 females. Optimal VFA thresholds were 119.3 cm2 for males and 57.2 cm2 for females. Multivariate analyses revealed visceral obesity, as defined by the sex-specific criteria, to be an independent risk factor for SSI (odds ratio: 2.74; 95% confidence interval: 1.62−4.66; p < 0.01). The logistic regression model with our sex-specific criteria yielded better AICc (456.4) than those with the conventional (461.8) or BMI-based (467.0) criterion for obesity. ConclusionSex-specific criteria can enhance the capability of VFA for assessing the risk of SSI after gastrectomy, as compared with the non-sex-specific criterion.

Possibly more favorable short‐term outcomes with minimally invasive surgery than with open surgery in total gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer: A single high‐volume center study

AbstractBackgroundMinimally invasive total gastrectomy (MTG) requires advanced surgical skills and is still associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications than other types of gastrectomy. Additionally, the short‐term outcomes of MTG compared to open total gastrectomy (OTG) for locally advanced gastric cancer have yet to be demonstrated.MethodsWe retrospectively compared short‐term outcomes between MTG and OTG for locally advanced gastric and esophago‐gastric junctional cancer, performed at the Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, during the period from January 2017 to March 2024. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to adjust for potential confounders.ResultsIn total, 359 patients were included, with 190 remaining after PSM, resulting in 95 in each group. The MTG group experienced a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications of Clavien–Dindo classification (C‐D) ≥3 than the OTG group (3.2% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.026). Moreover, the rate of postoperative intra‐abdominal infectious complications (IAIC) was significantly lower in the MTG than in the OTG group (C‐D ≥ 2; 7.4% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.029 and C‐D ≥ 3; 2.1% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.030, respectively). Subgroup analyses showed the odds ratios for IAIC with C‐D ≥ 2 to be more favorable for the MTG than the OTG group in male patients, those ≥70 years of age, patients without esophageal invasion, those without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, those diagnosed with cT≥3, and patients not undergoing combined resection of other organs except for the gallbladder or spleen.ConclusionsMTG for locally advanced gastric cancer may provide improved short‐term outcomes compared to OTG, when performed or supervised by surgeons with high proficiency in laparoscopic techniques.

A nomogram prediction model for the risk of intra-abdominal infection after endoscopic full-thick resection of gastric submucosal tumors

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the risk factors for complication of intra-abdominal infection (IAI) after endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric submucosal tumors (GSMT) and to establish a nomogram prediction model for the occurrence of IAI. MethodsClinical data of patients with GSMT who underwent endoscopic full-thick resection (EFR) from January 2018 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into IAI and non-IAI groups according to whether IAI occurred during postoperative hospitalization. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on the relevant clinical data of patients in the two groups to screen the independent influencing factors for the occurrence of IAI. The nomogram model was constructed based on the independent influencing factors. Model discrimination was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The consistency of model-predicted risk with actual risk was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The clinical performance of the nomogram model was evaluated using decision curve analysis. ResultsA total of 240 GSMT patients who underwent EFR procedures were finally included in this study, including 14 patients (5.83 %) in the IAI group and 226 patients in the non-IAI group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age (OR = 1.283, 95 % CI = 1.029–1.600), preoperative albumin (OR = 0.575, 95 % CI = 0.395–0.837), duration of operation (OR = 1.222, 95 % CI = 1.060–1.409), and hospitalization time (OR = 4.089, 95 % CI = 1.190–14.043) were independent influencing factors for the incidence of IAI in GSMT patients undergoing EFR surgery (P < 0.05). A Nomogram model was established based on the above factors. The Hosmer ⁃ Lemeshow test value of this model was 4.230 (P = 0.836). The AUC value of the predictive model was 0.992 (95 % CI: 0.983 to 1.000), with a C-index of 0.992 (95 % CI: 0.983–1.000), indicating that the nomogram model had good accuracy and discrimination. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram model had a good predictive performance. ConclusionsAge, preoperative albumin, duration of operation, and hospitalization time were independent influences on the occurrence of IAI in GSMT patients undergoing EFR surgery. A nomogram model based on these factors had a high predictive efficacy and may provide a guiding intervention for the prevention of postoperative IAI in GSMT patients.

Feasibility of Narrow-Spectrum Antimicrobial Agents for Post-Operative Intra-Abdominal Infections After Gastrectomy.

Introduction: Recently, antimicrobial resistance has received considerable attention. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are recommended as the initial therapy for post-operative intra-abdominal infections. However, at our institution, we have adopted a tactic of initially treating post-operative intra-abdominal complications with relatively narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents, such as second-generation cephalosporins. In the present study, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the use of antimicrobial agents and the resulting treatment outcomes in patients with intra-abdominal complications after gastrectomy at our facility. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients treated with antibiotic agents for intra-abdominal infectious complications after gastrectomy between 2011 and 2021. We determined the proportion of "initial treatment failures" associated with the initial administration of antibiotic agents for post-operative intra-abdominal complications. Results: Post-operative intra-abdominal infections were observed in 29 patients. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents were not administered. We successfully treated 19 patients. Initial treatment failure was observed in 10 patients, of whom five experienced failure due to bacterial resistance to the initial antimicrobial agent. All 10 patients who experienced initial treatment failure were discharged after drainage procedures or other treatments. There were no deaths due to post-operative complications. Cefmetazole was used as the initial antimicrobial agent in 27 of the 29 patients. Conclusions: Considering that all patients with post-gastrectomy intra-abdominal infections were successfully treated using relatively narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents, and initial treatment failure due to antimicrobial-resistant pathogens was 17.2%, the use of narrow-range antimicrobial agents for intra-abdominal infections after gastrectomy can be deemed appropriate.

Effect of preoperative frailty on postoperative infectious complications and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer: a propensity score matching study

BackgroundFew studies have explored the impact of preoperative frailty on infectious complications in patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative frailty on postoperative infectious complications and prognosis in patients with CRC using propensity score matching (PSM).MethodsThis prospective single-centre observational cohort study included 245 patients who underwent CRC surgery at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between August 2021 to May 2023. Patients were categorised into two groups: frail and non-frail. They were matched for confounders and 1:1 closest matching was performed using PSM. Rates of infectious complications, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality, as well as postoperative length of hospital stay, total length of hospital stay, and hospital costs, were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression using data following PSM to explore independent factors for relevant outcome measures.ResultsAfter PSM, each confounding factor was evenly distributed between groups, and 75 pairs of patients were successfully matched. The incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications was significantly higher in the frail group than in the non-frail group (10.7% vs. 1.3%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in ICU admission rate, postoperative length of hospital stay, total length of hospital stay, hospital costs, 30-day mortality rate, or 90-day mortality rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Our logistic regression analysis result showed that preoperative frailty (OR = 12.014; 95% CI: 1.334–108.197; P = 0.027) was an independent factor for intra-abdominal infection.ConclusionsThe presence of preoperative frailty elevated the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications in patients undergoing CRC surgery. Therefore, medical staff should assess preoperative frailty in patients with CRC early and provide targeted prehabilitation interventions.

Impact of Concomitant Traumatic Pancreatic and Colon Injuries on Outcomes.

Colon and pancreatic injuries have both long been independently associated with intraabdominal infectious complications in trauma patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant pancreatic injury on outcomes in patients with traumatic colon injuries. Consecutive patients over a 3-year period who underwent operative management of colon injuries were identified. Patient characteristics, severity of injury and shock, presence and grade of pancreatic injury, and intraoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions were recorded. Outcomes including intraabdominal abscess formation and suture line failure were collected and compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then performed to determine the impact of concomitant pancreatic injury on intraabdominal abscess formation. 243 patients with traumatic colon injuries were identified. 17 of these also had pancreatic injuries. Patients with combined colon and pancreatic injuries were clinically similar to those with isolated colon injuries with respect to age, gender, penetrating mechanism of injury, admission lactate, ISS, suture line failure, and admission systolic blood pressure. Both intraabdominal abscess rates (88.2% vs 29.6%, P < .001) and intraoperative PRBC transfusions (8 vs 1 units, P = .004) were higher in the combined pancreatic and colon injury group. Multivariable logistic regression identified both intraoperative PRBC transfusions (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.15; P < .001) and concomitant pancreatic injury (odds ratio, 14.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.92-96.87; P < .001) as independent predictors of intraabdominal abscess formation. Both intraoperative PRBC transfusions and presence of concomitant pancreatic injury are independent predictors of intraabdominal abscess formation in patients with traumatic colon injuries.

Optimal extent of lymph node dissection for high-risk gastric cancer stratified by a national clinical database risk calculator.

For patients with gastric cancer, a well-balanced treatment that considers both oncological aspects and surgical risk is demanded. This study aimed to explore the optimal extent of lymph node dissection (LND) for patients with gastric cancer according to surgical risk, stratified by the risk calculator system produced by the Japan National Clinical Database (NCD). We retrospectively evaluated 187 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Using the median predicted anastomotic leak rate obtained by the NCD risk calculator as the cutoff value, we classified 97 and 90 patients as having high and low risks, respectively. In low-risk patients, although limited LND reduced the postoperative intraabdominal infectious complications (IAIC), multivariate analysis revealed standard LND as an independent prognostic factor that improved Relapse-free survival (RFS). In high-risk patients, the rates of postoperative IAIC and RFS were similar between standard and limited LND. Pancreatic fistula was not observed in the limited dissection group. Limited LND might be the optimal treatment strategy for patients with gastric cancer with high surgical risk.

How do we prevent severe intra-abdominal infectious complications following minimally invasive gastrectomy for cancer? The usefulness of a novel marker using computed tomography images (minimum umbilicus-vertebra diameter) and robotic surgery.

Intra-abdominal infectious complications (IAICs) following minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG) for cancer sometimes worsen short- and long-term outcomes. In this study, we focused on the minimum umbilicus-vertebra diameter (MUVD) in preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and robotic surgery to prevent severe IAIC occurrence. A total of 400 patients with gastric cancer who underwent 204 laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and 196 robotic gastrectomy (RG) procedures were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively investigated the significance of the MUVD and robotic surgery for preventing severe IAICs following MIG using multivariate and propensity score matching analysis. The MUVD cutoff value was 84 mm by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using severe IAICs as the end point. The MUVD and visceral fat area (VFA) had significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than BMI (MUVD vs. BMI, p = 0.032; VFA vs. BMI, p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, high MUVD (HR, 9.46; p = 0.026) and laparoscopic surgery (HR, 3.35; p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for severe IAIC occurrence. In the propensity matching analysis between robotic and laparoscopic surgery in the high MUVD group, the RG group tended to have a lower severe IAIC rate than the LG group (0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.056). The MUVD was a novel and easy-measuring predictor of severe IAICs following MIG. Robotic surgery should be considered first in patients with gastric cancer having an MUVD value of 84 mm or higher from the perspective of severe IAIC occurrence.

Randomized controlled phase III trial to investigate superiority of robot-assisted gastrectomy over laparoscopic gastrectomy for clinical stage T1-4aN0-3 gastric cancer patients (JCOG1907, MONA LISA study): a study protocol

BackgroundLaparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) is considered a standard treatment for clinical stage I gastric cancer. Nevertheless, LG has some drawbacks, such as motion restriction and difficulties in spatial perception. Robot-assisted gastrectomy (RG) overcomes these drawbacks by using articulated forceps, tremor-filtering capability, and high-resolution three-dimensional imaging, and it is expected to enable more precise and safer procedures than LG for gastric cancer. However, robust evidence based on a large-scale randomized study is lacking.MethodsWe are performing a randomized controlled phase III study to investigate the superiority of RG over LG for clinical T1-2N0-2 gastric cancer in terms of safety. In total, 1,040 patients are planned to be enrolled from 46 Japanese institutions over 5 years. The primary endpoint is the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications, including anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, and intra-abdominal abscess of Clavien–Dindo (CD) grade ≥ II. The secondary endpoints are the incidence of all CD grade ≥ II and ≥ IIIA postoperative complications, the incidence of CD grade ≥ IIIA postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications, relapse-free survival, overall survival, the proportion of RG completion, the proportion of LG completion, the proportion of conversion to open surgery, the proportion of operation-related death, and short-term surgical outcomes. The Japan Clinical Oncology Group Protocol Review Committee approved this study protocol in January 2020. Approval from the institutional review board was obtained before starting patient enrollment in each institution. Patient enrollment began in March 2020. We revised the protocol to expand the eligibility criteria to T1-4aN0-3 in July 2022 based on the results of randomized trials of LG demonstrating non-inferiority of LG to open surgery for survival outcomes in advanced gastric cancer.DiscussionThis is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial to confirm the superiority of RG over LG in terms of safety. This study will demonstrate whether RG is superior for gastric cancer.Trial registrationThe protocol of JCOG1907 was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000039825 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm). Date of Registration: March 16, 2020. Date of First Participant Enrollment: April 1, 2020.

Impact of a robotic system on intra-abdominal infectious complications after minimally invasive gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer: A propensity score matching analysis regarding visceral obesity.

The efficacy of robotic gastrectomy (RG) on postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer (GC) is unclear in terms of the volume of intra-abdominal fat tissue. We enrolled 403 patients with GC who had minimally invasive surgery between January 2015 and July 2022. During this time, 197 RG and 206 laparoscopic gastrectomies (LG) were performed on the study participants. According to the computed tomography scan, patients were defined as having or not having visceral obesity based on the visceral fatty area (VFA). In each high and low VFA group, we compared short-term outcomes between the RG group and LG group. After PS matching for patients with high VFA, the two groups were well matched, with 71 cases in both the RG and LG groups. The median surgical time in the RG group was significantly longer (420 vs. 365 min, p < 0.001). However, the RG group had a significantly lower rate of severe intra-abdominal infectious complications (IAIC), such as anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, and intra-abdominal abscess (1.4% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.004). However, among the 77 patients with low VFA values, we found no significant difference in the rate of severe IAIC between the two groups (1.1% in the RG group vs. 2.6% in the LG group, p = 1.00). RG may be a viable alternative to LG because of the lower postoperative IAIC for patients with visceral obesity and GC. However, RG may not benefit non-obese patients.

Pancreatic thickness as a predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy.

Despite technical advances in minimally invasive gastrectomy for gastric cancer, an increased incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has been reported. POPF can cause infectious and bleeding complications, which could lead to surgery-related death; therefore, reduction of the post-gastrectomy POPF risk is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the importance of pancreatic anatomy as a predictor of POPF in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy. Data were collected from 331 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The thickness of the pancreas anterior to the most ventral level of the splenic artery (TPS) was measured. The correlation between TPS and POPF incidence was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. The cutoff value of TPS was 11.8mm, which predicted a high drain amylase concentration on postoperative day 1, and patients were categorized into thin (Tn group) and thick TPS groups (Tk group). There was no significant difference in the background characteristics between the two groups, except for sex (P = 0.009) and body mass index (P < 0.001). The incidences of POPF grade B or higher (2% vs. 16%, P < 0.001), all postoperative complications of grade II or higher (12% vs. 28%, P = 0.004), and postoperative intra-abdominal infections of grade II or higher (4% vs. 17%, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the Tk group. Multivariable analysis identified that high TPS was the only independent risk factor for grade B or higher POPF and grade II or higher postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. The TPS is a specific predictive factor for POPF and postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy. Careful pancreatic manipulation during suprapancreatic lymphadenectomy is necessary for patients with increased TPS (> 11.8mm) to avoid postoperative complications.

Short-term outcomes of robotic gastrectomy vs laparoscopic gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer: A randomized clinical trial.

344 Background: Robotic gastrectomy (RG) procedure for gastric cancer (GC) patients may be associated with decreased incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and RG are required, however. We completed an RCT to compare short-term surgical outcomes of LG and RG for GC patients. Methods: This was a randomized, two-center clinical trial. All included patients are adults with primary carcinoma of the stomach, in whom the tumor is considered surgically resectable (cStage I-III). Included in this trial were 240 patients with GC. The primary endpoint was to assess the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications including pancreatic fistula, intra-abdominal abscess, and anastomotic leakage. Secondary endpoints included incidence of postoperative complications, surgical results, postoperative course, and oncological outcomes. Lymphadenectomy without touching the pancreas was basically performed during robotic gastrectomy using assisting articulating forceps. Results: A total of 241 patients were randomly assigned to the LG group (n = 122) or the RG group (n = 119), and 236 patients (LG119 RG117) were analyzed for ITT population. Overall incidence of intra-opereative infectious complications higher than Clavien-Dindo grade II were not significantly different (LG 8.4%, RG 6%). However, overall incidence of any complications higher than grade II were significantly lower in the RG group (19.3 vs 8.5% P = .019). In RG group, postoperative pancreatic fistula was not found. Amylase levels in drainage fluid on POD 1 were significantly lower in the RG group (893IU/L) than in the LG group (438 IU/L) ( P = 0.039). Conclusions: Regarding short-term surgical outcomes, RG is feasible, safe and ideal treatment procedure for GC. Our RG procedure without touching the pancreas may be associated with decreased incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Clinical trial information: UMIN000031536 .

DOP89 Impact of biologics on the risk of early postoperative complications in Crohn’s disease: a French nationwide study

Abstract Background While the effect of anti-TNFs on postoperative outcomes in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) has been widely studied, the impact of vedolizumab and ustekinumab on the risk of postoperative complications remains poorly known. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent intestinal resection for CD between July 2014 and April 2022 within 22 French centers were included in a retrospective cohort. The risk of early post-operative complications (≤30days) in patients exposed to biologics was compared to patients not exposed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis adjusted for age, previous intestinal resection, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants exposure, disease activity, presence of abscess, urgent surgery and initial stoma (preoperative contra-indication to anastomosis). Results Among the 1201 patients included, respectively 491 (41%), 76 (6.3%) and 57 (4.7%) were exposed to anti-TNFs, ustekinumab, or vedolizumab within six months before surgery. A total of 317 (26.4%) patients had at least one complication of which 123 (38%) were considered as severe (DINDO III/IV). New surgery was necessary in 69 (5.7%) patients and secondary stoma in 23 (1.9%). Three deaths were observed (0.25%). The rates of overall complications in patients not exposed to biologics, exposed to anti-TNFs, ustekinumab or vedolizumab were respectively 26.1%, 25.1%, 34.7% and 29.8%. The risks of intra-abdominal infectious complications in these four groups were respectively 13.5%, 11.1%, 13.3% and 8.8%. In multivariate analysis, age [OR, 1.02 (1.01-1.04); p=0.004], disease activity [OR, 8.36 (1.79 – 149); p=0.037], the presence of an abscess [OR, 2.01 (1.25-3.20); p=0.004] and initial stoma [OR, 1.70 (1.10 –2.61); p=0.016] were significantly associated with intra-abdominal infectious complications. Conversely, preoperative enteral nutrition [OR, 0.12 (0.01 -0.59); p=0.040] was associated with a reduction in this risk. Exposure to anti-TNFs [OR, 0.80 (0.51-1.24); p=0.31], ustekinumab [OR, 1.17 (0.39-3.51); p=0.78] and vedolizumab [OR, 1.28 (0.32-5.17); p=0.72] within the 3 months before surgery were not associated with the risk of intra-abdominal infectious complications. Similar results were observed in patients exposed to these treatments in the month before surgery. Conclusion In this large cohort, a quarter of patients operated on for CD presented an early postoperative complication and 10% a severe complication. Preoperative exposure to anti-TNFs, vedolizumab or ustekinumab was not associated with an increased risk of early postoperative complications. Preoperative enteral nutrition was associated with a reduced risk of intra-abdominal infectious complication.

Novel Clean End-to-End Anastomosis Method, Without Opening the Stomach Lumen, in Totally Laparoscopic or Robotic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy.

Intra-abdominal infection is a common postoperative complication of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomies (PPGs). Many studies have reported that intra-abdominal infectious complications after gastrectomy adversely affect patient survival outcomes. To prevent gastric fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity, we developed a novel anastomosis method in which the stomach lumen is not opened (termed the non-opened clean end-to-end anastomosis method [NoCEAM]) and evaluated its feasibility. Subsequent to lymphadenectomy, the oral and anal resection lines were sutured using an intraoperative endoscope. After closing the stomach circumferentially with clips, the specimen was rolled outward like a "donut." We resected the specimen circumferentially using a linear stapler, and anastomosis was completed simultaneously. We examined the feasibility of this procedure ex vivo, using three porcine stomachs, and in vivo, using one pig. Subsequently, we applied the procedure to 13 consecutive patients with middle-third early gastric cancer utilizing laparotomic, laparoscopic, and robotic PPG. NoCEAM was completed in all porcine models and human cases. In the human cases, the mean operation time (±standard deviation) was 279±51 minutes, and mean blood loss volume was 22±45 mL. The mean number of linear staples used was 5.06±0.76. None of the patients had complications, and all were discharged on the eighth postoperative. The serum total protein, serum albumin, and hemoglobin levels did not change significantly after surgery. NoCEAM is feasible and safe for performing totally laparoscopic or robotic PPG. It may reduce postoperative complications, such as intra-abdominal infections.

Risk Factors of Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Infectious Complications after Robotic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Introduction: Robotic surgery is regarded as an evolved type of laparoscopic surgery. Few studies have undertaken detailed analysis of complications following robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of 149 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent robotic gastrectomy. It examines in detail the postoperative complications in robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, focusing on intra-abdominal infectious complications including anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, and intra-abdominal abscess. We also aim to identify the related risk factors. Results: The median operation time was 299 min and the median bleeding was 25 mL. The incidence of overall complications higher than grade II was 8.7%. Clinically serious complications higher than grade IIIa occurred in 6.7% of cases. The incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications that were higher than grade II was 4.0%. Mortality in our consecutive series was zero. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications were significantly associated with history of abdominal surgery (p = 0.043), with odds ratios of 17.890 (95% confidence interval 1.092–293.150) and with non-curative resection (p = 0.025), with odds ratios of 58.629 (95% confidence interval 1.687–2,037.450). Discussion/Conclusion: Robotic gastrectomy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for gastric cancer when performed by experienced surgeons. Attention should be paid to the risk of developing postoperative complications when performing robotic gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients with a history of abdominal surgery and in patients with advanced gastric cancer in whom there is expected to be difficulty in curative resection.

Stent-Associated Infectious Complications After Pancreatoduodenectomies Can Be Prevented by Perioperative Antibiotic Therapy: An Analysis of Single-Center Standards.

Perioperative morbidity after pancreatoduodenectomies is still high. One potentially responsible factor is the insertion of bile duct stents before surgery. In our single-center study, we evaluated the influence of preoperative bile duct stenting combined with perioperative antibiotic therapy versus primary surgery in carcinoma patients. Clinical data of 973 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy at the University Hospital Freiburg from 2002 to 2018 were explored retrospectively. Postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying (DGE), and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) were graded by current international definitions. Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or periampullary carcinoma were included. We included 634 patients of whom 372 (58.7%) were treated with preoperative bile duct stenting. No difference concerning postoperative pancreatic fistula was observed (P = 0.479). We found more wound infections (stent 18.4%, no stent 11.1%, P = 0.008) but a significantly lower rate of PPH and DGE in stented patients (PPH 7.5% vs 11.9%, P = 0.044; DGE 16.5% vs 22.5%, P = 0.039). Surprisingly, intra-abdominal abscesses were reduced in stented patients (9.4% vs 15.0%, P = 0.022), just as insufficiencies of the biliodigestive anastomosis (P = 0.021). Perioperative antibiotic therapy seems to reduce the risk for severe intra-abdominal infectious complications in stent-bearing patients.

Muscle mass ratio in male gastric cancer patients as an independent predictor of postoperative complications after minimally invasive distal gastrectomy.

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between muscle mass proportion and the incidence of total complications in male gastric cancer (GC) patients after minimally invasive distal gastrectomy (MIDG). Between March 2017 and March 2020, 152 male GC patients with clinical stage III or lower GC who underwent MIDG were enrolled in this study. The muscle mass ratio (MMR) was calculated by dividing the total muscle weight obtained from bioelectrical impedance analysis by the whole-body weight. Thereafter, the association between MMR and surgical outcomes was determined. Based on the optimal MMR cutoff value of 0.712 obtained using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, patients were divided into two groups (69 and 83 patients in the MMR-L and MMR-H groups). The MMR-L group had a significantly higher total complication rate compared to the MMR-H group (MMR-L, 24.6% vs. MMR-H, 7.2%; P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis also identified MMR-L as a significant independent risk factor for total complications and intra-abdominal infectious complications after MIDG. The MMR calculated using bioelectrical impedance analysis can be a useful predictor for postoperative complications after MIDG in male GC patients.

Impact of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications on survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Postoperative intra-abdominal infection is known to adversely affect survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer; however, previous reports have investigated this complication only in open surgery. This adverse effect is expected to be weakened by less invasive surgery, such as a laparoscopic approach, by way of maintaining immune function. This study included 1223 patients with gastric cancer who underwent open (n = 439) or laparoscopic (n = 784) curative surgery between 2010 and 2015. For each approach, patients were divided into two groups based on presence or absence of postoperative intra-abdominal infection of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher (C-group and NC-group, respectively). Survival outcomes were compared in propensity-matched cohorts to evaluate the impact of the complication. The incidences of Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade II postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications were 9.7% (43/439) in open surgery and 9.8% (70/714) in laparoscopic surgery. After propensity score matching, 86 patients in open surgery and 138 in laparoscopic surgery were extracted for analysis. The 5-year overall survival rate in the open C-group (n = 43) was worse than that in the open NC-group (n = 43) but with no significant difference (70.9% vs. 82.8%, log-rank P = 0.18). The 5-year overall survival rates were equivalent between the laparoscopic C-group (n = 69) and the laparoscopic NC-group (n = 69) (90.5% vs. 90.4%, log-rank P = 0.99). In general, postoperative intra-abdominal infection adversely affects survival outcomes; however, its impact may be weakened by less invasive surgery. Further evaluation using larger datasets is necessary before reaching definitive conclusions.

Pylephlebitis With Concomitant Fusobacterium Bacteremia: Lemierre's Syndrome Variant of the Gut

Pylephlebitis is a rare complication of intra-abdominal infections, and Fusobacterium, traditionally associated with thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, is an extremely rare causative organism. This infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and there is still some controversy about management. Here, we report a patient who presented with pylephlebitis and Fusobacterium bacteremia and responded well to a short course of intravenous antibiotics, finished therapy in the outpatient setting, and made a full recovery. We also review relevant literature on treatment strategies including antibiotics, anticoagulation, and screening endoscopy.

Adverse impact of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications on cancer recurrence-related survival after curative gastric cancer surgery

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications (PICs) on survival after surgery for gastric cancer. MethodsA total of 152 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer were included. The effect of clinicopathological features and PICs on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated. ResultsThe median age was 67 years. The pathological stage was stage I (61), II (40), and III (51). Thirty-two patients (21.1%) had PICs: 9, pancreatic fistula; 14, anastomotic leakage; and 17, intra-abdominal abscess. The five-year RFS and OS rates were significantly lower in patients with PICs than in those without PICs (63.4 vs. 85.6%; p < 0.01 and 56.4 vs. 80.3%; p < 0.01, respectively). In multivariate analysis, intraoperative blood loss was an independent prognostic factor for PICs. ConclusionsPatients with PICs had worse clinical outcomes. Reducing intraoperative bleeding may improve the prognosis of gastric cancer.