High-volume Centers Research Articles

Does size matter? Center-specific characteristics and survival after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia: an analysis of the German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy.

We investigated the effect of center-specific variables on overall survival (OS) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Eligible were adult patients reported to DRST registry receiving first alloHCT for AML from a related or matched (>= 9/10 HLA-match) unrelated donor 2015-2021. Primary endpoint was OS at 12 months from alloHCT. Univariable and multivariable analyses after best subset selection was performed. Of 5328 patients, 83% received alloHCT in a high-volume center (≥40 alloHCT/year); 90% in a university hospital; 90% in a center performing alloHCT for ≥10 years; and 73% in a Joint Accreditation Committee IHCT-Europe and EBMT (JACIE) accredited center. 52% of the patients were in CR1, and ELN risk was adverse in 37% and intermediate in 42%. On multivariable analysis, center-specific factors predicting adverse 12-month OS were program duration.

Outcomes of Salvage Surgery for Esophageal Carcinoma: A Nationwide Cohort Study from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit.

Salvage esophagectomy is more complex and associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality than standard resection. This study aimed to investigate short-term outcomes and theinfluence of hospital volume on these outcomes of salvage surgery for esophageal cancer. The study enrolled all patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer registered in the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) between 2012 and 2022. The patients were classified as salvage or non-salvage by registering surgeons. Salvage surgery is defined in the DUCA as surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy. Postoperative mortality (30-day/in-hospital) and morbidity were compared between the salvage and non-salvage patients using multilevel logistic regression analyses. Hospital variation in the use of salvage esophagectomy was investigated using funnel plots. The influence of hospital volume (≤ 40 to > 40 cases) and salvage volume (< 6 to ≥ 6 cases) on outcomes for salvage patients were investigated. Using backward elimination, relevant baseline characteristics influencing salvage outcomes were identified. Between 2012 and 2022, 7749 patients underwent esophagectomy, 251 (3%) of whom underwent salvage resection, varying from 0 to 8% between centers. Severe complications (43% vs 28%; odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.40-2.34) and 30-day/in-hospital mortality (11% vs 3%; OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.38-5.61) were higher after salvage surgery than after non-salvage surgery. Salvage patients treated in high-volume centers had a lower risk of 30-day/in-hospital mortality than those treated in low-volume centers (9% vs 19%; OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18-0.99), with no relation between salvage volume and outcome. Male sex, older age (> 75 years), and squamous cell carcinoma were associated with worse short-term outcomes of salvage surgery. Salvage surgery is associated with worse short-term outcomes than non-salvage esophagectomy. Outcomes after salvage surgery were favorable in high-volume esophagectomy centers.

A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Adjuvant S-1 Chemotherapy Versus Observation Following Major Hepatectomy for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

The prognosis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is poor even after curative resection, highlighting the need for effective adjuvant chemotherapy. The efficacy of adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy following major hepatectomy for PHC is unclear, and thus the aim of this study was to elucidate this. Consecutive patients with PHC who underwent major hepatectomy (hemihepatectomy or trisectionectomy extending to segment 1 with extrahepatic bile duct resection) at three high-volume centers in Japan from 2007 to 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with Clavien-Dindo grade V complications, pStage 0, I, or IVB disease, and those who underwent adjuvant radiation therapy were excluded from analysis. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare the disease-specific survival (DSS) of patients who underwent adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy with those who underwent observation. Overall, 373/480 patients were eligible, of whom 81 underwent adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy and 146 underwent observation. In the global cohort, DSS was similar in the S-1 and observation groups (p=0.18), while in the matched cohort (S-1, n=44; observation, n=44), DSS was similar between the S-1 and observation groups (p=0.09). On multivariate analysis, percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD), CA19-9 levels of ≥300U/mL at operation, and lymph node (LN) metastasis were independent predictors of poor survival following major hepatectomy for PHC. In subgroup analysis of patients with LN metastasis, DSS was better in the S-1 group than in the observation group (p=0.001). Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy following major hepatectomy might be effective in PHC patients with LN metastasis.

Is outpatient joint arthroplasty safe ina high volume academic centre? A retrospective monocentric study using an institutional pathway.

Hip and knee arthroplasties are daily procedures in orthopaedic departments. Recently, same-day discharge (SDD) became increasingly popular, but doubts remain about its safety and generalization. Our hypothesis is that outpatient arthroplasty, in a high volume centre and with an institutional protocol, is an effective and reliable practice. We realized a monocentric retrospective study of patients undergoing outpatient partial (UKA) or total (TKA) knee or hip arthroplasty (THA) in a high volume academic centre using a well-defined institutional pathway. Epidemiological data and complications occurring in the month following surgery were studied. 498 patients undergoing 501 arthroplasties (219 hips and 282 knees) were examined. The percentage of men and women was 60.28% and 39.72% respectively, mean age was 64.56 ± 9.59years, mean BMI was 26.87 ± 4.2 and the most represented ASA score was 2. The success rate for same-day discharge was 97.21%. The most frequent causes of failure were urinary retention (28.6%), orthostatic hypotension (28.6%) and insufficiently controlled pain (14.3%). The readmission rate in the month following the operation was 0.8% and the rate of emergency department visits was 1.6%. Finally, the rate of early consultation visits was 7.98%. The comparison between success and failure subgroups in the outpatient setting of our cohort did not highlight statistically significant differences for studied parameters. Outpatient arthroplasty, performed in a center used to managing such operations and with a well-established institutional pre- and post-operative protocol, is a safe practice.

Geographic Access to High-Volume Mechanical Thrombectomy Centers in Florida, 2019.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) improves outcomes for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion, but is time sensitive and requires specialized infrastructure. Professional organizations and certification bodies have promulgated minimum procedural volume standards for centers and for individual proceduralists but it is unclear whether enforcing these requirements would decrease geographic access to MT. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the potential impact of applying a minimum procedural volume threshold on geographic access to MT. We identified all hospital discharges for stroke where an MT procedure was performed at any nonfederal hospital in Florida in 2019 using statewide hospital discharge data. We then generated geographic service area maps based on prespecified ground transport distances for the subset of hospitals that performed at least 1 MT and for those that performed at least 15 MTs that year, the minimum volume threshold required for thrombectomy capable and comprehensive stroke centers by the Joint Commission. Then, using zip code centroids and patient-level discharge hospital data, we computed the proportion of patients with AIS who lived within each of the generated service areas. A total of 105 of 297 hospitals performed MT; of those, 51 (17%) were low-volume centers (1-14 MTs/year) and 54 (18%) were high-volume centers (≥15 MTs/year). High-volume centers accounted for nearly 95% of all MTs performed in the state. Most patients hospitalized with AIS (87%) lived within 20 miles (or an estimated as a 1-hour driving time) of a hospital that performed at least 1 MT, and all (100%) lived within 115 miles (or estimated as 3-hour driving time). Setting a minimum MT volume threshold of 15 would decrease the proportion of stroke patients living within 1-hour driving time of an MT center from 87% to 77%. In 2019, most Florida stroke patients lived within a 1-hour ground transport time to a center that performed at least 1 MT and all lived within 3-hour driving time of an MT center, irrespective of whether a minimum procedural volume threshold of 15 cases per year was applied or not.

Predictors of cost of admission for robot-assisted pedicle screw placement.

The authors investigated the predictors of cost of admission (CoA) for robot-assisted pedicle screw placement to assess the value of robotic systems in spine operations. Demographic, operative, and postoperative variables were retrospectively collected from 506 patients undergoing robot-assisted spine surgery utilizing the ExcelsiusGPS robot at two high-volume tertiary care centers from 2017 to 2023. Perioperative parameters were evaluated against total hospital admission cost utilizing the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests followed by multivariable linear regression. The majority of patients were female (53.6%), 50-80 years of age (77.7%), and White (73.9%); had at least 1 comorbidity (58.1%); and presented with an average functional preoperative Frankel grade (57.5%). The mean CoA was $69,458 ± $47,910. On univariable analysis, demographic data including sex, age, race, and Frankel grade were not associated with CoA. The presence of a comorbidity, however, was associated with increased CoA (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively, one-third of the operations (31.8%) were revisions from prior operations and were subsequently associated with increased CoA (p = 0.021). Thoracic-level operations constituted roughly one-quarter of the cohort (24.1%) and were also associated with increased CoA (p < 0.001). Intraoperative durotomies occurred in 7.7% of patients, leading to increased CoA (p = 0.003). Extended surgical durations also demonstrated elevated CoA (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, the median length of stay (LOS) was 3 days, and an LOS of greater than 3 days was one of the primary drivers of cost (p < 0.001). Postoperative complications occurred in just 6.3% of the cohort but were also associated with increased CoA (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, LOS, number of screws placed, operative duration, and postoperative complications were the primary predictors of increased CoA. Understanding the drivers of cost in robot-assisted pedicle screw placement is crucial to elucidate the value associated with the use of robotic systems in spine surgery. These results indicate that patient and surgical complexity influence cost and that robotic systems may augment management in spine surgery. Further investigation is warranted to determine the long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness of new technologies compared with traditional techniques in spine surgery.

Mycotic aneurysms due to Burkholderia pseudomallei in Far North Queensland, tropical Australia: A case series and review of the literature

Since 2019, Burkholderia pseudomallei has been the most common cause of mycotic aneurysm at Cairns Hospital in tropical Australia. Among 233 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis since this time, 8 (3.4 %) were diagnosed with a mycotic aneurysm. All 8 patients had at least 1 risk factor for melioidosis, all 8 had either established vascular disease (or risk factors for it) and all 8 presented during the local wet season or shortly thereafter. Although the patients were managed in a well-resourced, high-volume melioidosis centre, the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm was frequently delayed. The patients had a turbulent course: 6/8 (75 %) required intensive care unit admission and 7/8 (88 %) required surgical intervention. While all 8 patients survived to hospital discharge, 2 (25 %) ultimately died as a result of their B. pseudomallei infection, a high case-fatality rate by contemporary Australian standards. Adverse drug reactions were documented in 4/7 (57 %) who commenced oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) eradication therapy; an additional 2 patients were unable to adhere to their prescribed TMP-SMX, one of whom died from relapsed melioidosis. Mycotic aneurysm is an infrequent manifestation of B. pseudomallei infection, is challenging to diagnose and has a high attributable mortality. The diagnosis should be considered in older patients who reside in, or who have travelled to, endemic areas and who present with fever and abdominal or back pain and who have risk factors for melioidosis and vascular disease. Early, comprehensive imaging, thorough microbiological evaluation, prompt vascular surgery review, targeted antimicrobial therapy, close longitudinal follow-up and strategies to ensure patients’ retention in care are crucial to achieve optimal outcomes.

Surgery for pleural mesothelioma in multimodality setting: comparison between surgical techniques in a high-volume center.

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive disease linked to asbestos exposure, presenting significant treatment challenges. The recommended approach is multimodal treatment, even if the concept of resectable PM and the superiority of one surgical technique over the other [(extended) pleurectomy decortication [(E)PD] vs extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP)] are matter of debates. The aim of this study is to compare the two techniques in terms of short- and long-term outcomes at a high-volume center. Clinical data from PM patients who underwent radical surgery [(E)PD and EPP] between 1994 and 2022 were collected. A propensity score weighting approach was used for non-random intervention allocation. Survival distribution was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and the association with outcomes was evaluated using a weighted Cox Proportional Hazard Models. Among 254 patients, 125 (49%) underwent EPP and 129 (51%) (E)PD. The 90-day mortality was higher in the EPP group (7.2% vs 0%; p = 0.01). No difference in 1-,3- and 5-year survival was found: 65.8%, 26%, 17% for EPP and 75.5%, 39.7% and 21.3% for (E)PD; p = 0.39). The multivariable weighted Cox model identified no increased risk of death (HR 1.25; p = 0.49) or recurrence (HR 1.05; p = 0.858) in the EPP group. Pre-operative total lung capacity (TLC) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death (HR 0.96; p = 0.023) and recurrence (HR 0.97; p = 0.019) at follow-up while preoperative disease burden to a higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.01; p = 0.02). Our experience showed acceptable short- and long-term outcomes in both procedures, making EPP still an option only for carefully selected patients at high volume center. Surgery, although recently debated, should be performed exclusively in expert centers to minimize post-operative risks. The identification of new prognostic factors is crucial for better selecting patients who may benefit from surgery within the context of multimodal treatment.

Anti-integrin αvβ6 antibody as a biomarker for diagnosing ulcerative colitis: a nationwide multicenter validation study.

A serum biomarker for diagnosing ulcerative colitis (UC) remains to be established. Although we recently reported an anti-integrin αvβ6 antibody (V6 Ab) for diagnosing UC with high sensitivity and specificity, no large-scale validation study exists. This study aimed to validate the diagnostic value of V6 Ab for UC using a nationwide multicenter cohort study. We measured V6 Ab titers in patients definitively diagnosed with UC, Crohn's disease (CD), or other gastrointestinal disorders (OGDs). The primary outcome was the diagnostic value of V6 Ab. Secondary outcomes were factors associated with false-negative results in patients with UC and false-positive results in patients without UC and the heterogeneity of the diagnostic value of V6 Ab among the participating facilities. We enrolled 1241, 796, and 206 patients with UC, CD, and OGD, respectively, from 28 Japanese high-volume referral centers. The diagnostic sensitivity of V6 Ab for UC was 87.7%, and its specificities for CD and OGDs were 82.0% and 87.4%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that false-negative results were associated with older age at the time of sample collection, current smokers, lower partial Mayo score, and not receiving advanced therapies in patients with UC, and false-positive results were associated with colonic CD in patients with CD. No factor was associated with false-positive results in patients with OGDs. There were no significant differences in the diagnostic value of V6 Ab among the centers. The diagnostic value of V6 Ab for UC was validated in the large-scale nationwide multicenter study.

Complex blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernias: Experience from a high-volume abdominal core health center

BackgroundTraumatic abdominal wall hernias are rare and commonly involve the lateral abdominal wall due to shearing off the oblique and transversus abdominis muscles from the iliac crest. The vast majority of the current literature focuses on the index trauma admission, includes few patients, and provides little to no detail about the hernia repair itself. We aim to report our center’s high-volume experience with a definitive repair of chronic traumatic lateral abdominal wall hernias. MethodsAll patients who underwent lateral abdominal wall hernia repair performed at our institution from January 2015 through August 2023 were identified in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. Only patients with blunt trauma etiology were included. Hernia characteristics, operative techniques, postoperative outcomes, and long-term patient-reported outcomes were extracted from the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database and supplemented with a manual chart review. ResultsForty-three patients with traumatic lateral abdominal wall hernias underwent repair within the study period. Elective repair occurred at a median of 3 years after a traumatic event. Nearly half of the patients had a recurrent hernia (41.9%) and most had a lumbar (L4) component (79.1%). The mean hernia width was 16.2 cm, and 30.2% had concomitant midline defects. Transversus abdominis release was performed in 88.4% of patients; 74.5% had heavy-weight polypropylene mesh placed and 76.7% had mesh fixation. Superficial surgical site infection occurred in 11.6% of patients, and 7% had a surgical site occurrence. At a mean follow-up of 1.9 years, 3 patients (7%) developed a hernia recurrence, which was noted on physical examination or imaging. One patient was reoperated on for recurrence, and 1 patient underwent partial mesh removal because of a chronic mesh infection. ConclusionIn the largest series of definitive repairs of complex lateral abdominal wall post-traumatic hernias to date, elective open complex abdominal wall reconstruction is safe and associated with low morbidity and hernia recurrence rates.

Early Outcome of a Contemporary Unicondylar Knee System.

In 2019, a new fixed-bearing implant for unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) was introduced that incorporated a round-on-flat design featuring an Oxinium femoral component coupled with a highly crosslinked polyethylene bearing surface. Compared to prior implants, the design featuredsmaller size increments coupled with medial and lateral-specific tibial baseplates. The objective of this study is to describe our institution's early experience with this UKA implant system by evaluating survivorship, reasons for revision, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The 944 UKAs that comprise the study population, including 814 medial and 130 lateral joint replacements, were performed by six surgeons from September 2019 through the end of December 2023. All UKA components were cemented, the mean age at surgery was 67.1±10.0 years, 57% (537/944) of the UKAs were performed among women, and the mean body mass index was 30.3±6.2 kg/m2. Outcome measures included Kaplan-Meier survivorship using reoperation for any reason as an endpoint, reasons for reoperation, range of motion, and PROMs that were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 4 weeks, 4 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Using reoperation for any reason as an endpoint, 1-year survivorship was 99.3% (95% CI, 98.7 to 99.9%) and 2-year survivorship was 98.2% (95% CI, 96.9 to 99.5%). There were nine reoperations among the 944 UKAs, including three for infection, two for tibial loosening, one for femoral loosening, one for progression of arthritis, one for patellar instability, and one for recurrent hemarthrosis. The mean time to reoperation was 0.82±0.68 years and all were performed among medial UKAs. Range of motion increased from 117±8 degrees preoperatively to 122±6 degrees at 1-year follow-up. PROMs, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Physical score, demonstrated progressive increases from the preoperative assessment through 2-year follow-up. For UKAs with preoperative and 2-year KOOS JR scores, the mean change was 31±17. As new implants and technologies are introduced, documenting the early outcome from high volume centers can offer valuable insights to validate the effectiveness of implant systems before they are adopted by the broader orthopedic community. This study demonstrates encouraging early outcome data associated with a contemporary UKA system based on survivorship and PROMs. At this early stage, there are no implant-related concerns but obtaining additional follow-up will be important to quantify how revisions and PROMs evolve over time.

Pulsed Field Ablation as First-line Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: A Substudy of the EU-PORIA Registry.

Recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of early ablation in preventing the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Clinical practice has reflected this shift in AF management and no longer requires patients to fail antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) before receiving ablation. However, there is limited evidence on outcomes with pulsed field ablation (PFA) as a first-line therapy. Examination of real-world data may shed light on clinical practices and the effectiveness of PFA with and without a prior history of AAD usage. EU-PORIA is an all-comer AF registry enrolling consecutive patients treated with the pentaspline PFA catheter at 7 high-volume centers in Europe. This subanalysis evaluates patients with a history of class I/III AAD use versus those with no documented history of class I/III AAD use (first-line patients). Patients with incomplete AAD history, long-standing persistent AF, and those undergoing a repeat ablation procedure were excluded. Patients were treated and followed based on institutional standard of care. Any episode of atrial tachycardia or AF lasting longer than 30 s was considered an arrhythmia recurrence. Of 1233 patients enrolled in EU-PORIA, 1091 met the inclusion criteria (mean age, 66 years; 40% females; and persistent AF, 36%). Pulmonary vein isolation-only was used in 90% of the patients, and 10% received extra-PV ablation. Ablation as the first-line approach was chosen in 589 patients, and 502 patients had prior class I/III AAD use. In the first-line PFA group, paroxysmal AF was more frequent (68% versus 59%; P<0.001), and pulmonary vein isolation-only was more frequent (93% versus 86%; P<0.001). At 1-year follow-up, freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence was similar in the ablation-first versus the ablation after failed AAD group (78% versus 74%, respectively; P=0.076). In this large real-world PFA registry, freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence after 1 year was similar in patients undergoing PFA as a first-line treatment and those with prior failed AAD therapy. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05823818.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training conditions, results from a pan-European survey: Between vision and reality.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) still has a relatively high complication rate, underscoring the importance of high-quality training. Despite existing guidelines, real-world data on training conditions remain limited. This pan-European survey aims to systematically explore the perceptions surrounding ERCP training. A survey was distributed through the friends of United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Young Talent Group network to physicians working in a UEG member or associated states who regularly performed ERCPs. Of 1035 respondents from 35 countries, 649 were eligible for analysis: 228 trainees, 225 trainers, and 196 individuals who regularly performed ERCP but were neither trainees nor trainers. The mean age was 43years, with 72.1% identifying as male, 27.6% as female, and 0.3% as non-binary. The majority (80.1%) agreed that a structured training regimen is desirable. However, only 13.7% of trainees and 28.4% of trainers reported having such a structured program in their institutions. Most respondents (79.7%) supported the concept of concentrating training in centers meeting specific quality metrics, with 64.1% suggesting a threshold of 200 annual ERCPs as a prerequisite. This threshold revealed that 36.4% of trainees pursued training in lower-volume centers performing <200 ERCPs annually. As many as 70.1% of trainees performed <50 annual ERCPs, whereas only 5.0% of trainers performed <50 ERCPs annually. A low individual trainee caseload (<50 ERCPs annually) was more common in lower-volume centers than in higher-volume centers (82.9% vs. 63.4%). The first pan-European survey investigating ERCP training conditions reveals strong support for structured training and the concentration of training efforts within centers meeting specific quality metrics. Furthermore, this survey exposes the low availability of structured training programs with many trainees practicing at lower-volume centers and 71% of all trainees having little hands-on exposure. These data should motivate to standardize ERCP training conditions further and ultimately improve patient care throughout Europe.

Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for mild-to-advanced stages of Fontan-associated liver disease: A nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan.

Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is a complication after Fontan surgery, and a common cause of liver tumors and cirrhosis. However, no diagnostic criteria for FALD have been established, leading to an underestimation of its prevalence. We conducted a national survey to elucidate the characteristics of FALD by collecting data from high-volume centers managing patients who had undergone the Fontan surgery in Japan. In total, 1168 patients were enrolled in the study. First, we examined typical liver findings on ultrasonography after the Fontan surgery. Next, we proposed diagnostic criteria for FALD and advanced FALD based on blood tests, imaging, liver tumors, and pathological examinations. We investigated the sensitivity of histologically diagnosed FALD and advanced FALD based on criteria for blood or imaging tests. Hepatomegaly, hepatic venous dilatation, caudate lobe enlargement, splenomegaly, liver atrophy, ascites, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic tumors other than hepatocellular carcinoma were observed in 37.7%, 29.9%, 18.4%, 33.2%, 3.2%, 6.0%, 0.85%, and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Typical ultrasound findings of FALD included hepatomegaly, hepatic vein dilatation, and splenomegaly, reflecting liver congestion. With the progression of fibrosis, caudate lobe enlargement and splenomegaly became more prominent. Based on these findings, we proposed diagnostic criteria for FALD. Using these criteria, FALD was diagnosed in 1014 (86.8%) of the patients, and all patients with a pathological diagnosis of FALD were successfully identified. Eight patients were found to have pathological cirrhosis, and all were diagnosed with advanced FALD using our criteria based on blood tests or imaging. Our diagnostic criteria facilitate detection of FALD or advanced FALD after the Fontan surgery. The accuracy of these criteria should be further evaluated.

Pancreatic cancer and long survivors: a survey of Italian society of oncological surgery (SICO).

Long-term survivors after pancreatic resection for PDAC are rare, constituting a specific subset of patients that remains poorly understood. The aim of this survey is to describe the current landscape related to survival in the Italian context and identify factors associated with long-term survival. An online survey, conducted by the Italian Society of Oncological Surgery (SICO) and endorsed by Italian Association of the Study of the Pancreas (AISP) and Italian Association of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery (AICEP), was distributed to surgeons in July 2023. The survey included 27 multiple-choice questions covering demographics, professional details, clinical practices, and long-term survival data. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression to identify factors related to long-term survival. The majority of surgeons (46.9%) considered LTS as "alive at 5years, regardless of disease-free status". The percentage of patients alive at 5years post-2013 was higher compared to pre-2013. Almost all centers (93.2%) held multidisciplinary discussions. Very high-volume centers (> 100 resections/year) in comparison to very low-volume (< 10 resections/year) showed better long-term survival rates. No difference in survival were observed between centers with low, medium, high, and very high volumes. In addition, centers with multidisciplinary approach showed better survival rates. Centers with more neoadjuvant chemotherapy rates, low-grade and low-stage tumors were also associated with improved survival outcomes. This survey has allowed to understand the Italian scenario regarding survival in patients undergoing surgery for PDAC.

Comparison between microendoscopic laminectomy and open posterior decompression surgery for two-level lumbar spinal stenosis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundExcellent surgical outcomes of microendoscopic laminectomy (MEL) have been reported for patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). However, few reports have directly compared MEL with open laminectomy for multi-level LSCS. This study conducted a comparative analysis of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and perioperative complications in patients undergoing two-level posterior decompression for LSCS by MEL versus open laminectomy.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort study involved prospectively registered patients who underwent two-level posterior lumbar decompression surgery for LSCS at one of eight high-volume spine centers between April 2017 and February 2020. Chart sheets were used to prospectively evaluate demographic data, including diagnosis, operative procedure, operation time, estimated blood loss, and perioperative complications. The PROs evaluated were the numerical rating scale (NRS) score for lower back pain and leg pain, 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) score, EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and patient satisfaction with the treatment.ResultsOf the 882 patients enrolled, 410 underwent MEL (MEL group) and 472 underwent open decompression (open group). A total of 667 (75.6%) patients completed the 1-year follow-up. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the MEL group than in the open group. The complication rate was comparable (12.4% in MEL group, 12.5% in open group). Although the revision rate did not differ significantly, the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was markedly lower in the MEL group (0.0% in MEL group, 1.3% in open group). Propensity score matching was employed to compare 333 patients who underwent MEL with 333 patients who underwent open laminectomy. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the matched MEL group than in the matched open group. The incidence of SSI was markedly lower in the matched MEL group (0.0% in matched MEL group, 1.2% in matched open group). No significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative values of the PROs or patient satisfaction were observed between the two groups.ConclusionsMEL required an equivalent operating time and resulted in less intraoperative blood loss compared with laminectomy in two-level procedures. The incidence of SSI was significantly lower in the MEL group.

Mechanical thrombectomy failure in anterior and posterior circulation stroke: current results from a high-volume comprehensive center.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an established therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but recanalization is not always achieved. Common reasons are inadequate removal at the thrombus site and difficulties with the access route. In order to identify risk factors for MT failure we conducted a retrospective study on a high-volume comprehensive stroke center. Evaluation of 552 thrombectomies (2019-23; anterior and posterior circulation, direct aspiration +/- stent retriever [SR]). MT failures (= modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 0 or 1) were analyzed for age, sex, pre- and post-MT modified Rankin Scale, bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), occlusion site (anterior / posterior circulation, proximal / distal), the Kaesmacher classification and time trend results. MT failure occurred in 56 patients (10.1%; median age 76; 53.6% female). Nineteen (33.9%) patients received IVT (p = 0.326). Logistic regression analysis did not show a significant association of age, sex or occlusion site with MT failure (p = 0.165, p = 0.738, p = 0.838). Distal MT generally demonstrated lower success rates (p < 0.01). According to the Kaesmacher classification SR failure was the most frequent cause of MT failure (category 2B: 48%, p < 0.001). Time trend analysis suggests improving recanalization rates in the further course (4 times in year-on-year comparison; p < 0.01). MT failure occurs in AIS treatment, even in high-volume centers and occurs more frequently in distal occlusions. Improvements in device technology, particularly SR, and ongoing refinements in access route selection offer the prospect of better outcomes in the future.

Cost Comparison of Industry Versus In-House Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Microvascular Mandible Reconstruction.

Background: Computer-aided design and manufacturing can enhance microvascular mandible reconstruction, particularly in cases with preexisting segmental defects or exophytic tumors where precise in situ plate bending is difficult. However, its high cost may limit its use in high-volume academic centers. Objective: To compare the costs of industry-performed patient-specific milled locking mandibular reconstruction plates (LMRPs) and surgeon-performed plate bending using 3D-printed (3DP) models as measured by billing data. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with either industry-performed milled plates or with surgeon-bent plates based on a 3DP model. Costs of patient-specific and stock plates were obtained from the hospital's financial database, along with surgical outcomes associated with each protocol. Results: The study included 25 patients (14 males and11 females) undergoing fibula free flap reconstruction for mandibular defects, averaging 6.4 cm in size. Groups were comparable in age, sex, defect size, number of osteosyntheses, and incidence of osseous union. The average cost of milled plates was $7,709, while 3DP models and standard reconstruction plates cost $1,453, a difference of $6,256. The 3D printer's initial investment was $18,998, but readily with models produced for about $10 per model. Conclusion: Surgeon-performed 3D printing for plate bending is less expensive than computer-aided, patient-specific plates for mandibular reconstruction.

Survival Outcomes and Genetic Characteristics of Resected Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (pACC) is a rare neoplasm of the exocrine pancreas. There is a dearth of information about tumor characteristics and patient outcomes. This study describes the clinical characteristics, genetic alterations, and survival outcomes of resected pACC. Consecutive patients undergoing pancreatectomy for pathologically confirmed pACC from 1999 to 2022 across three high-volume pancreas surgery centers were analyzed. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment data, and genetic sequencing were obtained through retrospective abstraction. A total of 61 patients with resected pACC were identified. Median overall survival (OS) was 73 months and median recurrence free survival was 22 months. Nine patients underwent resection for oligometastatic disease; median OS was not reached after a median follow-up of 31 months from date of metastasectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 67% of patients with FOLFOX/FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, ± irinotecan) the most common regimen (58%). Sequencing data were obtained in 47 (77%) patients. A mutation in at least one of three core genes associated with the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway (BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2) occurred in 26% (n = 12) with BRCA2 the most frequently identified. A mutation in any other "non-core" gene associated with DNA damage repair or the HRR pathway was identified in 45% (n = 21) with a high tumor mutational burden of > 10 mutations per megabase in 13%. Resection of pACC is associated with favorable survival outcomes, even in the setting of oligometastatic disease. Mutations in the HRR pathway are common, providing opportunities for potential targeted therapeutic options.

The volume-outcome relation for pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension.

We conducted a volume-outcome (V-O) meta-analysis of PEA procedures for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), to objectively determine the minimum required annual case load that can define a high-volume centre. Three electronic databases were systematically queried until May 1st, 2024. Centres were divided in volume tertiles (Ts). The primary outcomes were early mortality and long-term survival. Restricted cubic splines were used to demonstrate the V-O relation, and the elbow-method was applied to define high-volume centres. Long-term survival was assessed using Cox-frailty models. Fifty-one centres (52 consecutive cohorts) were included and divided in tertiles (T1: <6 cases/year, T2: 6-15 cases/year, T3: >15 cases/year), comprising a total of 11 345 patients (mean age 52.3 years). Overall early mortality was 6.0% (T1: 11.6%, T2: 7.2%, T3: 5.2%, p<0.001), for which a significant non-linear volume-outcome relation was observed (p=0.0437) with a statistically determined minimally required volume of 33 cases/year (95% confidence interval [CI] 29-35 cases), and a modelled volume of 40 cases/year corresponding to a 5.0% mortality rate. Nevertheless, early mortality still progressively declined in higher volume centres (from 6.7% to 5.4% to 2.9% in centres performing 16-50, 51-100, and >100 procedures annually). In addition, a significant effect of volume was observed for long-term survival (adjusted hazard ratio per tertile 0.75, 95%CI 0.63-0.89, p=0.001). There is a significant association between procedural volume and early mortality in PEA. An annual procedural volume of >33-40 cases/year may define a high-volume centre, although higher volumes still lead to progressively lower mortality rates.