Gastrointestinal Surgery Research Articles

Endoscopic treatment of postoperative intestinal stenosis combined with bilioenteric anastomotic stenosis.

Postoperative anastomotic stenosis is a common complication after biliary, pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgery, which may be caused by multiple factors such as tissue proliferation and cancer recurrence. Endoscopic therapy is often hampered when the lens is difficult to pass through. A patient with intestinal stricture complicated by bilioenterostomy stenosis was treated by superselection of guide wire and stent.

Function-preserving gastrectomy in gastric cancer

Background: This study aimed to provide an overview of minimally invasive and function-preserving surgeries for gastric cancer, focusing on the latest developments in proximal gastrectomy.Current Concepts: Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries have increasingly been adopted as minimally invasive techniques, and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) have increasingly been performed as function-preserving surgeries. PPG reduces the incidence of dumping syndrome, bile reflux, and gallstones. After PG, there is a high possibility that vitamin B12 injections are not needed. In addition, compared with total gastrectomy, it has the advantages of less anemia, better nutritional status, and secretion of various gastrointestinal hormones. Double-tract reconstruction (DTR) is often performed in PG to prevent reflux esophagitis. In the Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study 05 trial, patients who underwent laparoscopic PG with DTR required less vitamin B12 supplementation than those who underwent total gastrectomy, and there was no difference in complication and survival rates. In addition, quality of life, such as physical and social functions, was better.Discussion and Conclusion: PG with DTR can be recognized as function-preserving gastric cancer surgery for patients with upper early gastric cancer. Minimally invasive surgeries such as laparoscopic and robotic procedures have become more common. Function-preserving surgeries now include PPG and PG. Among these, the DTR technique is frequently performed after PG, offering the advantages of preserving vitamin B12 levels and improving the quality of life.

WP1.15 - Advances in remote electronic monitoring of patient-reported outcomes following discharge after surgery: a systematic review

Abstract Aims Standardising post-discharge care is critical to improving surgical recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major changes to in-person visits and surgical follow-up. An earlier review examined the pre-pandemic capture of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) post-discharge after surgery. This updated review explores how the pandemic has influenced the use of ePRO systems. Methods Databases (Medline/Embase/PsycINFO/CINAHL/Cochrane) were searched from July 2019-August 2023 using terms for ‘patient-reported outcomes’, ‘electronic’, ‘surgery’ and ‘at home’. Primary research studies collecting ePROs in adult surgical patients post-discharge were included. Data extraction/analyses characterised study design, patient characteristics, ePRO system features, the scope within which ePROs are used post-discharge, what PRO data is collected, adherence to ePRO monitoring, impact on primary/secondary outcomes and the patient and clinician experience of using ePRO systems. Results 12,805 articles were identified, of which 81 were included. Emerging findings indicate an increase in research examining ePRO systems in the post-discharge care of surgical patients, with ∼20 articles/year published post-pandemic, compared to ∼3/year in the 5 years pre-pandemic. Usage of ePROs seems to be most prevalent in orthopaedic and gastrointestinal surgery. Full findings will be available for presentation at the conference. Conclusions Interest in using ePROs to support post-discharge care of surgical patients is growing, in response to service provision changes. Important advances in the capabilities of ePRO systems include real-time clinician feedback and integration with hospital electronic records. The findings of this review will highlight important directions for improving the design of ePRO systems and future research examining the effectiveness of ePRO systems at improving post-surgical recovery.

MOY 3 - Development and external validation of the “Global Surgical-Site Infection” (GloSSI) predictive model in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery

Abstract Aims Identification of patients at high-risk of surgical-site infections (SSI) may allow surgeons to minimise associated morbidity. However, there are significant concerns with the methodological quality and transportability of models previously developed. We aimed to develop a novel score to predict 30-day SSI risk following gastrointestinal surgery across a global context, and externally validate against existing models. Methods This was a secondary analysis of 2 prospective international cohort studies: GlobalSurg-1 (July-November 2014) and GlobalSurg-2 (January-July 2016). Consecutive adults undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were eligible. Model development was performed in GlobalSurg-2 data, with novel and previous scores externally validated in GlobalSurg-1. The primary outcome was 30-day SSI, with two predictive techniques explored: penalised regression (LASSO) and machine learning (XGBOOST). Final model selection based on prognostic accuracy and clinical utility. Results There were 14,019 patients (SSI=12.3%) for derivation, and 8,464 (SSI=11.4%) for external validation. The LASSO model was selected due to similar discrimination to XGBoost (AUC: 0.738, 0.725-0.750 versus 0.737, 0.709-0.765), but greater explainability. The final score included six variables: country income, ASA grade, diabetes, and operative contamination, approach, and duration. Model performance remained good on external validation (AUC: 0.730, 0.715-0.744; calibration-in-the-large: -0.098, slope: 1.008), and demonstrated superior performance to external validation of all previous models. Conclusion The GloSSI score allowed accurate prediction of the risk of SSI with 6 simple variables which are routinely available at the time of surgery across global settings. This can inform use of intraoperative and postoperative interventions to modify the risk of SSI and minimise associated harm.

EP33 - Nil by mouth in GI surgery: are we starving our patients longer than we need to?

Abstract Aim Fluid intake preoperatively reduces postoperative nausea, vomiting and headache, and oral intake allows the patient to be metabolically active to respond better to surgery. However, a known risk to oral intake preoperatively is aspiration. Current guidelines state that a patient should be fasted from 6 hours preoperatively and should take clear fluids up to 2 hours preoperatively. We assessed how long GI patients admitted to the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) remained nil by mouth (NBM). Method Data was collected throughout November from SAU. Inclusion criteria was GI surgical patients and exclusion criteria was patients on home leave. We used electronic and paper notes to determine how long patients were kept NBM and their surgical outcome. We assumed that a patient was kept NBM from their admission (as per local protocol), until either noted to no longer be NBM, having surgery or being discharged. Results 50 patients were identified. We found that only 20% of patients kept nil by mouth went on to have surgery. Of the remaining 80%, 60% were kept nil by mouth for >6 hours, with no surgical procedures. Conclusions Many patients are kept NBM unnecessarily. We need to reduce this as well as the time patients are starved. Furthermore, clearer documentation is needed for commencing patients NBM, and when they can resume eating. We can move away from the culture of prolonged fasting in surgical patients by improving organisation and planning as well as increasing education on preoperative fasting.

SP8.3 - Institutional initial experience and outcomes for the first 100 robotic upper gastrointestinal cases: A single tertiary centre results

Abstract Background Robotic surgery is a widespread technique with potential benefits including shorter admissions, fewer complications as well as better surgeon ergonomics and precision. Evidence suggests that robotic surgery has a rapid learning curve, with number of cases linked to operative time. In this study, we report our preliminary results after initiation of upper gastrointestinal robotic assisted surgery. Methods This retrospective study included all robotic elective upper gastrointestinal cases, performed by two surgeons using Da Vinci XI from August 2022 to May 2023. Cholecystectomy and anti-reflux surgeries were performed. Demographics, console timing, number of cases per list and post-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo Scale) were analysed. Results 100 Robotic UGI cases were analysed consisting of 86 cholecystectomies and 14 anti-reflux surgeries. Females represented the majority of cases (68%). Mean age was 53.0 years (18-78) while mean ASA and BMI were 2 and 30.3 kg/m^2 respectively. Cholecystectomies required 43.0 minutes while anti-reflux surgeries required 119.3 minutes on average. The mean length of stay was 0.90 days for cholecystectomies, and 1.46 days for anti-reflux surgery. There were two readmissions post cholecystectomy for pneumonia and liver bed collection. Only one patient developed a Clavien-Dindo grade >3 complication for port site hernia repair post cholecystectomy. Average console time fell with increasing case number, creating a tangible impact on efficiency as surgeons increased the number of cases per list from three to four. Conclusion Our initial experience has shown favorable outcomes of robotic surgery. There was a noticeable rapid learning curve, encountering only one major post-operative complication. This high effectiveness should stimulate the swift introduction of robotic surgery to other hospitals.

EP551 - Assessment of Surgical Management for Mild and Moderate Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis in Accordance with AUGIS Guidelines: A Clinical Audit

Abstract Aim Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis (AGSP) presents as a surgical emergency with diverse clinical outcomes. The guidelines from the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS) recommend inpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) during the index admission or within two weeks for surgically fit patients in cases of mild to moderate AGSP. This study examines the surgical management of AGSP, evaluating adherence to AUGIS guidelines. Methods All patients admitted to a single surgical unit who had MRCP for AGPS from September 2020 to September 2022 were included. Electronic case notes were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, radiological results, whether they had LC and reasons for not proceeding to LC. Severity of AGSP were graded using CT severity index. Those with severe AGSP were excluded. Results 116 patients were identified; one was excluded. Median age was 59 years (IQR 46-73) and 79 (68.9%) were female. Median length of stay was 5.8 days (IQR 3.7-8.2). 19 (16.5%) patients had inpatient LC, 42 (36.5%) had outpatient LC, 4 (3.5%) patients declined LC, 10 (8.7%) patients were not surgically fit and in 40 (34.8%) patients there was no documentation of why LC not carried out. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index for patients where there was no documentations for not proceeding with LC was 4.5 (IQR 2.3-5.8). Conclusion Our study highlights suboptimal compliance with national guideline. It is essential that patients with AGSP undergo inpatient LC or receive prompt outpatient LC to mitigate the risk of recurrent AGSP. Thorough documentation becomes imperative in cases where LC is not scheduled.

FP8.12 - Theatre time utilisation in General Surgery at a district hospital in NHS

Abstract Aim To understand the operation theatre time utilisation in the Department of General Surgery at a busy district NHS hospital. The time spent in each step of surgery and operating list at large and understand the patterns of cancellations and its’ predictors. Method Retrospective study of all elective general surgical patients from 1 Dec 2021 to 15 May 2022. Emergency cases were excluded and statistics were performed on Statsdirect3. Results Total surgeries performed were 182 with 153 true and 41 false cancellations. Mean surgical time was 84.5 minutes (mean 73min) for all general surgical cases. Lap cholecystectomies had a mean time of 92.3mins, upper GI surgeries took 178.6mins (mean) EUA and other procedures was 30.86mins, inguinal hernia 77.2mins, umbilical hernia 68.5mins. Mean anaesthesia time was 33 mins (median 31mins). Theatre time utilised was 56.45%, anaesthesia time utilised was 15.85%, surgery time utilised was 40.60% and non-clinical time was 43.55%. Mean delay in sending for first patient was 31.58mins (median 29min). Delay in calling for first patient is statistically significant (p=0.00015) for cancellation for the last patient in the list. Mean gap in between 2 consecutive cases was 35.74mins (median 22min). Conclusion Delay in sending for the patient will lead to cancellation of the last patient on the list which is proven statistically. We utilised 82.19% of the total surgery days and cancelled 17.81% days. Non clinical time comprised of 43.55%.

Drugs used for pain management in gastrointestinal surgery and their implications.

Pain is the predominant symptom troubling patients. Pain management is one of the most important aspects in the management of surgical patients leading to early recovery from surgical procedures or in patients with chronic diseases or malignancy. Various groups of drugs are used for dealing with this; however, they have their own implications in the form of adverse effects and dependence. In this article, we review the concerns of different pain-relieving medicines used postoperatively in gastrointestinal surgery and for malignant and chronic diseases.

Development and validation of a predictive model for in-hospital mortality from perioperative bacteremia in gastrointestinal surgery.

Prognostic scores require fluctuating values, such as respiratory rate, which are unsuitable for retrospective auditing. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for in-hospital mortality associated with gastrointestinal surgery for retrospective auditing. Data from patients with bacteremia related to gastrointestinal surgery performed at Shizuoka General Hospital between July 2006 and December 2021 were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Patients suspected of having a positive blood culture with contaminating bacteria or missing laboratory data were excluded. The remaining patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the deviation and validation cohorts. A logistic regression model estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and created a predictive model for in-hospital mortality. The model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration plots. Of 20,637 gastrointestinal surgeries, 398 resulted in bacteremia. The median age of patients with bacteremia was 72 years, and 66.1% were male. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus (13.9%), followed by Bacteroides (12.4%) and Escherichia (11.4%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that creatinine abnormality (P < 0.001, OR = 3.39), decreased prognostic nutritional index (P < 0.001, OR = 0.90/unit), and age ≥ 75 years (P = 0.026, OR = 2.89) were independent prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality. The area under the ROC curve of the predictive model was 0.711 in the validation cohort. The calibration plot revealed that the model slightly overestimated mortality in the validation cohort. Using age, creatinine level, albumin level, and lymphocyte count, the model accurately predicted in-hospital mortality after bacteremia infection related to gastrointestinal surgery, demonstrating its suitability for retrospective audits.

Aetiology and Feasibility of Endoscopic Interventions for Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract Introduction: Massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a life-threatening emergency with high mortality. Emergency upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, endotherapy, interventional radiology, and surgery are necessary to control the bleeding source and restore normal physiology. However, these interventions are suboptimal in most centres in Nigeria, contributing to the dismal mortality observed in this condition. Objectives &amp; Methodology: We aimed to determine the aetiology, feasibility of endoscopic intervention, and outcome of management of massive UGIB in Madonna Hospital, Makurdi, over a 30-month-period by retrospectively reviewing the medical and procedural records of patients presenting with hypotension from an endoscopically diagnosed upper GI bleeding source. Result: A total of 39 patients were identified, with a mean age of 49.3 ± 17.7 years. Among them, 27 were males (69.2%) and 12 were females (30.8%). Bleeding peptic ulcers were the cause of massive UGIB in 21 cases (53.8%), followed by variceal bleeding, observed in 10 (25.6%) cases. Most of these cases were amenable to endoscopic treatment using adrenaline injection, endoclips, endoscopic variceal band ligation, and diathermy fulguration. Thirty-three (84.6%) patients survived, while the in-hospital mortality following initial endoscopic intervention was 6 out of 39 patients (15.4%), which is comparable to figures from more advanced climes. Conclusion &amp; Recommendation: Endoscopic management of massive UGIB is feasible in a low-resource setting. However, timely access to emergency endoscopy is vital to reduce mortality. Strategies to reduce risk factors for peptic ulcers and oesophageal varices are necessary to reduce the incidence of massive UGIB in Makurdi, Nigeria.

787. THE CHALLENGE OF GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL ONCOLOGICAL SURGERY AFTER BARIATRIC PROCEDURES: EXPERIENCE OF A REFERRAL HIGH-VOLUME UPPER GI SURGICAL CENTER

Abstract Background The effectiveness of bariatric surgery for weight loss in morbidly obese patients has been well established and it's becoming more common as many surgeons are trained to perform them safely, even in older patients. Obesity is associated with reflux and hormonal imbalances that increase the risk of Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cancer. Bariatric procedures alter gastric anatomy, vascularization and lymphatic drainage and render subsequent upper gastrointestinal surgery for malignancies a technical challenge, that will present more and more in the future. We present laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric banding conversion to oncological respective surgeries. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of our referral high-volume center for upper gastrointestinal surgery and identified patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal oncologic surgery from January 1998 to May 2024. We selected all patients who had previously undergone bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, gastric banding, or other less common procedures). Three patients met our criteria, and we recorded: demographic characteristics, surgical technique, oncologic surgical outcome, postoperative complications, long-term complications, and oncologic follow-up. Results A hybrid IvorLewis esophagectomy was performed years after a sleeve gastrectomy for distal esophageal adenocarcinoma. The sleeve was used for gastric pull-up, adequately vascularized by the right gastroepiploic artery as demonstrated by intraoperative indocyanine green. A patient developed adenocarcinoma of the cardia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, infiltrating the gastric pouch, the gastric remnant and liver S2. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, an open Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy was performed using the gastric remnant for a pull-up. In a third patient, a locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach developed after gastric banding. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, an open total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was performed. Conclusion We report three cases of successful esophago-gastric oncological surgery in patients with altered anatomy and vascularization due to previous bariatric surgery, without major postoperative complications or mortality. Oncologic benchmarks for both esophageal and gastric surgery were met as a high lymph node yield and oncologic margins were maintained. Our heterogeneous series suggests that sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and gastric banding surgery can be successfully converted to resective surgeries after a metachronous neoplasia diagnosis in high-volume upper gastrointestinal centers. These and similar modified reconstructive techniques are likely to be used in the future as metabolic surgery and esophago-gastric cancer are increasing.

258. SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY ANALYZED USING NATIONAL CLINICAL DATABASE IN JAPAN

Abstract Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is a highly invasive procedure in gastrointestinal surgery. The National Clinical Database (NCD) of Japan starting data collection in 2011 has accumulated real world data of esophagectomy, one of the main nine gastroenterological surgeries for which detailed input items have been required for the evaluation of surgical mortality and postoperative complications. We herein reviewed the short-term outcomes after esophagectomy analyzed by Japanese nationwide big database. Many studies on esophagectomy, including investigations of quality indicators, feasibility of minimally invasive surgery, and various patients’ conditions, have been conducted using NCD. The validation of certification systems by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (JSGS) and the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) revealed that the institute’s certification had greater influence on short-term surgical outcomes than the operating surgeon’s certification. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can replace open esophagectomy (OE). MIE performed with no preoperative treatment was associated with significantly less incidence of any pulmonary morbidities, prolonged ventilation 48hours, unplanned intubation, surgical site infection, and sepsis. The total surgery-related mortality rates of MIE and OE were 1.7% and 2.4%, respectively (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The operative mortality in the elderly group with residual tumors increased to more than twice than that in the non-elderly groups (15.9 vs. 5.5 or 6.5%) and was much higher than that in elderly patients without residual tumors (15.9 vs. 4.6%). Careful selection is important for the treatment of elderly patients with highly advanced tumors to avoid unfavorable short-term outcomes. Thus, the NCD has contributed to quality assessment and improvement of surgery by feedback of accurate data in Japan.

Latent profile analysis of perceived stress and influencing factors in colorectal cancer patients†

Abstract Objective To understand the latent categories of perceived stress in colorectal cancer patients and analyze the characteristics of different categories of patients. Methods A total of 255 colorectal cancer patients receiving treatment in the gastrointestinal surgery and oncology departments of a tertiary Grade A hospital in Sichuan Province, from January 2023 to June 2023, were selected as the study subjects. General information questionnaire, Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), and Comprehensive Score Table for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Economic Toxicity (COST-PROM) were used for data collection. Results Perceived stress in colorectal cancer patients was classified into 3 latent categories: C1 “Low stress-stable type” (19.2%), C2 “Moderate stress-uncontrolled type” (23.9%), and C3 “High stress-anxious type” (56.9%). The average score of perceived stress was (34.07 ± 5.08). Compared with C1 type, patients with a monthly household income of ≤3000 RMB were more likely to belong to the C2 and C3 types (P &lt; 0.05), and patients without a stoma were less likely to belong to C3 type (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with C2 type, male patients were more likely to belong to C3 type (P &lt; 0.05), and patients without a stoma were less likely to belong to C3 type (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with C3 type, patients with higher economic toxicity scores were more likely to be classified into C1 and C2 types (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Perceived stress in colorectal cancer patients exhibits distinct categorical features. Male gender, lower income, presence of a stoma, and higher economic toxicity are associated with higher levels of perceived stress in colorectal cancer patients.

Infusion of 20% Human Albumin Reduces the Requirement of Intraoperative Intravenous Fluids in Patients Undergoing Open Gastrointestinal Oncosurgeries – A Randomised Controlled Study

Background and Aims: The optimal strategy for intraoperative fluid management in patients undergoing major abdominal oncosurgery remains undecided. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of 20% intravenous (IV) albumin on the requirement of IV fluids (IVFs) during open gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgeries. Methods: This randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care centre from August to October 2022 after obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee and informed written consent from the study subjects. Forty patients were randomised to either Group A (n = 20), receiving an IV infusion of 25 mL/h of 20% albumin, or Group C (n = 20), receiving an IV infusion of 25 mL/h of plasmalyte for 4 h (total 100 mL). Fluid and vasopressor administration was guided by systemic and pulse pressure variations. The primary outcome was the intraoperative requirement for IVF in the two study groups. The secondary outcomes included intraoperative IV vasopressor requirement, serum lactate levels, incidence of post-operative complications and length of hospital stay. Results: After the exclusion of three patients due to intraoperative bleeding, 37 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients in Group A (n = 19) required less IVF (3.92 ± 0.54 mL/kg/h) as compared to Group C (n = 18) (5.03 ± 1.20 mL/kg/h) (P &lt; 0.001). Four patients (22%) in Group C required intraoperative noradrenaline IV infusion (P = 0.040). There was no significant difference between the two groups, regarding the mean intraoperative serum lactate values, incidence of post-operative complications and mean length of hospital stay (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: A 100 mL of 20% human albumin as an IV infusion over 4 h reduced the requirement of IV fluid and vasopressor intraoperatively in patients undergoing open GI cancer surgery.

743. HIATUS HERNIA AND GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE. DOES SIZE MATTER?

Abstract Background Hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges into the thoracic cavity through the hiatal opening of the diaphragm. In our study, we aimed to assess the impact of the hiatal hernia size on DeMeester score, symptom correlation, and presence of pathological reflux on PH studies. The study also looked at the impact of various characteristics including age, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and presence of oesophagitis and/or dysmotility on DeMeester score, symptom correlation, and presence of pathological reflux on PH studies. Methods The study was conducted in an Upper Gastrointestinal surgery unit located in the North West of England. All patients aged over 18 who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease between January 2017 and June 2023 were included. Patients who underwent fundoplication for para-oesophageal hiatus hernia, those who had fundoplication as a complementary step to Heller’s cardio-myotomy, or those who underwent revisional surgery were excluded. Results A total of 115 patients with a median age of 54 were included. Patients’ age was found to have a statistically significant association with hiatus hernia size above 2 cm, DeMeester score, and Symptom Association Probability with a P value of 0.011, 0.021, and 0.030 respectively. Hiatus hernia size above 2 cm was found to have a statistically significant association with pathological reflux (P=0.017). Smoking association with DeMeester score was found to be significant (P=0.027). Hiatus hernia size was not found to have a statistically significant association with DeMeester score, Symptom Index, or Symptom Association Probability (P=0.115, 0.315, 0.904) respectively. Conclusion Hiatus hernia size above 2 cm was found to have a statistically significant association with pathological reflux on PH studies but not statistically associated with elevated DeMeester score above 14.72 or symptom correlation indices. Thorough endoscopic assessment in addition to detailed oesophageal physiological studies are mandatory to evaluate patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease prior to considering surgery.

518. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MODELS VS CLINICIAN PERSPECTIVES OF IMPORTANT FACTORS IN OESOPHAGEAL CANCER DECISION-MAKING

Abstract Background Decision-making for oesophageal cancer (OC) management remains multifaceted and nuanced in the face of a traditionally complex patient demographic. The evolving movement of artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential of an imminent paradigm shift in traditional multidisciplinary team (MDT) workflow with Machine Learning models proving capable of encapsulating much of that decision-making framework. Clinician buy-in however stems from trust that such models accurately represent the perceptions and considerations of the MDT in its current form. Methods A mixed methodology study combining a national survey of United Kingdom OC MDT clinicians (sent to the British Society of Gastroenterologists, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery and UK&amp; Ireland Oesophagogastric Cancer group) was conducted and compared with a Machine Learning (ML) based Random Forests model of treatment-decisions from a leading UK tertiary referral centre. The factors influencing OC treatment decisions from a human perspective were contrasted with variable importance from the AI approach. Human perceptions of barriers and attractions of AI-driven support tools were also explored to understand how human-AI collaboration could be facilitated in future. Results The National Survey which generated 67 responses found age and gender to play a more significant role in the ML model than they did in the clinicians' conscious decision-making process. Additionally, thematic analysis identified a variety of important factors, including molecular tests, symptoms, social circumstances, and nutritional status. The prospect of utilising AI-based decision support in the future received generally positive feedback, although opinions varied widely. Challenges to its adoption include perceptions of clinician superiority, the uniqueness of patient cases, the need for transparency and safeguards in the model, the requirements for data input, and the demand for proven effectiveness. Conclusions Comparison with the model highlighted demographic factors which appear to heavily influence treatment but were consciously deemed less important by clinicians. While overall, the response was positive towards an ML tool, some respondents felt very unwilling to use one. This could limit its adoption by MDTs unless decision-tools are developed to address such concerns around the barriers identified.

519. ROBOTIC HELLER DOR FOR SYMPTOMATIC ACHALASIA. A SINGLE TERTIARY CENTER EXPERIENCE

Abstract Background Minimally invasive Heller-Dor is the best therapeutic option for symptomatic achalasia. The aim of this study is to describe the introduction of Robotic program for Heller-Dor procedure (RAHD) in a tertiary center evaluating clinical and surgical outcome. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with symptomatic achalasia through clinical, endoscopic, and manometric workup, that were eligible for RAHD. We included all consecutive patients underwent RADH between September 2019 and December 2023 using the DaVinci Xi surgical system. Patients with previous endoscopic or surgical treatment for achalasia were excluded. Results Data from 44 patients were collected. Patients’ characteristics are summarized in table 1. Most patients were in good clinical condition with an ASA score 1-2 and a CCI 1-2 in more than 80% of cases. Mean Eckhardt score (ES) was 6 (SD 2.05). Most frequent symptom was dysphagia, present in all patients but with different severity. Mean operating time was 184 minutes (SD 46). Mucosal tear occurred in three cases and all were sutured immediately, an abdominal drain was placed only in the first case. A regular postoperative course was observed in all patients. All patients underwent a post-op gastrografin esophagogram before starting a liquid diet; none revealed leakage or treatment failure. Three patients (6,8 %) experienced Clavien-Dindo grade I complication, one hepatic hematoma, one pneumothorax, and one PONV. No severe complications were reported. Maximum length of hospital stay was 4 days, mean 3.2 (SD 0.42). All patients were discharged with a well-tolerated soft diet. Mean ES at follow up was 0.58 (SD 0.7) at 1 months. After 6 months and 1 year, no patients reported recurrence of symptoms (ES &amp;lt;3), but three patients reported symptomatic reflux (6,8%). Conclusion Our experience suggests that introduction of RAHD is safe and effective in the treatment of symptomatic achalasia in a tertiary center for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery.

762. A PROPOSAL FOR CERVICAL ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE CLASSIFICATION AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background Anastomotic leak (AL), a potently life-threatening complication after esophagectomy, has a wide spectrum of presentation. There are also several treatment modalities but uncertainty about its clinical applicability remains, being mostly guided by personal experience and available resources. Regarding cervical anastomosis, literature is especially scarce. Although classically it was managed conservatively with cervical wound drainage, 60-70% have an intrathoracic manifestation, which is not only associated with worst clinical severity, as it appears more difficult to manage. In this study, we propose a new classification system for cervical esophago-gastric leak, based on its imaging presentation, with a standardized therapeutic approach. Methods Cervical AL classification and therapeutic protocol were developed through retrospective evaluation of a prospective database, including all patients submitted to esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction and cervical anastomosis since the 1st January 2018 to the 31st March 2024, in an upper gastro-intestinal surgery unit, at a tertiary cancer center. AL manifestation was classified according to imaging appearance on CT scan, reviewed by a dedicated radiologist. Protocol was developed considering treatment patterns according to each manifestation and respective success rate. Results During this period, 253 esophagectomies were performed, 171 with cervical anastomosis and thus included to analysis. AL rate was 21.6%. Four types of AL manifestation were identified: A – exclusive cervical manifestation (32.4%); B – mediastinal drainage without pleural involvement (8.1%); C – apical pleural collection (8.1%); D – pleural involvement (51.2%). Based on these patterns, a standardized therapeutic algorithm was developed (figure 1): conservative treatment with cervical wound drainage for A, endoscopic therapy for B and C (first-line endoluminal esosponge®, stent as option) and for type D, in addition to endoscopic therapy, pleural drainage and empyema decortication in refractory cases. Conclusion Although well stablished and easy to apply, the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) classification for esophagectomy AL differentiates its severity, but does not guide its treatment. In this study, we identified four types of cervical AL manifestation, which we consider relevant to select the appropriate treatment modality. This protocol was recently adopted in our center and we pretend to evaluate its results in a short-term.

342. BILATERAL THORACOSCOPIC APPROACH FOR ADVANCED ESOPHAGEAL CANCER COMPLICATED WITH DOUBLE AORTIC ARCH (DAA)

Abstract Background Double aortic arch (DAA) is a relatively rare vascular malformation that causes few problems in adults. However, the presence of DAA makes esophageal cancer surgery difficult, especially during upper mediastinal dissection. Here we report a bilateral thoracoscopic surgical technique in a patient with highly advanced esophageal cancer complicated with DAA. Case 73-year-old male, cT3N4M0 stage III (UICC-TNM 7th) mid-thoracic esophageal cancer with DAA was diagnosed. After two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical treatment was planned. To develop a surgical strategy for esophagectomy for this complex malformation, we created a 3D printer model of the case. The results suggested that a bilateral thoracoscopic approach in the prone position was the ideal approach for upper mediastinal dissection. As expected, it was difficult to dissect the upper mediastinum using only a right-sided approach, especially on the esophagus oral side behind the right aortic arch (RAA), where dissection from the right side was impossible. By adding a left lateral approach, the oral side of the esophagus was pulled in from the left aortic arch (LAA) and was easily dissected. The operation was successful and the postoperative course was uneventful. In this presentation, we will demonstrate the technique of bilateral approach for advanced esophageal cancer complicated with DAA. Discussion The surgical strategy for patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and a coexisting complex vascular anomaly known as a double aortic arch (DAA) is a highlight. Typically, surgical approaches have been limited to either left or right thoracic access. However, through preoperative simulation using 3D printing, a bilateral approach was deemed safe and effective for these cases. The 3D printer models provided invaluable insights into the anatomical relationships of blood vessels, trachea, and heart, allowing for precise planning and execution of the surgery. Challenges such as the proximity of the descending aorta to the trachea and the optimal approach angle were successfully addressed through simulation, enhancing surgical outcomes. Furthermore, the bilateral thoracoscopic approach demonstrated potential benefits in preserving delicate structures like the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This innovative use of 3D printing technology in preoperative planning represents a significant advancement in the field of gastrointestinal surgery, offering improved safety and precision for patients with complex anatomical variations like DAA. Conclusions 3D printer is useful for simulating thoracoscopic esophagectomy with macrovascular malformations. Bilateral approach is appropriate for surgery of esophageal cancer complicated with DAA and a 3D printer is a useful tool for simulating esophageal surgery.