High-volume Referral Center Research Articles

374. INCIDENCE AND PREDICTORS OF STRICTURE DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWING ESOPHAGECTOMY: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract Objective Anastomotic stricture (AS) is a well described complication after esophagectomy and not only affects nutritional status but also has a detrimental impact on long-term quality of life. This retrospective study explores the incidence of clinically relevant AS in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer and investigates the potentially reversible factors associated with AS. Methods A prospectively entered clinical database of consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy at a high-volume referral center over a decade (1/2013-12/2022) was queried for the presence of post-operative clinically significant AS, defined as stricture requiring endoscopic dilation. Multiple variables encompassing patient-related risk factors, tumor pathology, prior treatment, operative factors, and post-op complications were included in logistic regression analyses to delineate predictors of stricture formation. Results Of 1015 patients in the database, 115 (11.3%) developed AS requiring at least 1 post-op dilation. Although higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading was associated with elevated AS rate impact with most patients being ASA 2 and 3; 24% and 49% respectfully (p < 0.05). Specific patient factors/comorbidities such as age, peripheral or coronary vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus did not emerge as significant predictors. Surprisingly, neither histology, nor neoadjuvant therapy (chemo or chemoradiation) were associated with AS. Both a cervical anastomosis and a intra-operative pyloromyotomy had a higher AS rate than an intra-thoracic anastomosis (OR 13.3, p=0.006) and patients without a myotomy (p=<0.006). Other operative factors including approach (open vs MIE) conduit type (stomach/jejunum/colon) or width (3/4/5/6 cm) did not impact AS rate. All patients had a hand-sewn anastomosis. No post-operative outcome measures (e.g. leak, epidural use, hypotension) was associated with the development of AS. Conclusion Our results highlight the interplay of patient-related risk factors, tumor pathology, prior treatment, and operative factors in the development of post esophagectomy strictures. Understanding these predictors could potentially influence risk stratification and may facilitate tailored postoperative care strategies for improved patient outcomes.

Mesenchymal Tumor Management: Integrating Surgical and Non-Surgical Strategies in Different Clinical Scenarios.

Mesenchymal tumors originate from mesenchymal cells and can be either benign or malignant, such as bone, soft tissue, and visceral sarcomas. Surgery is a cornerstone treatment in the management of mesenchymal tumors, often requiring complex procedures performed in high-volume referral centers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this need for alternative non-surgical approaches due to limited access to surgical resources. This review explores the role of non-surgical treatments in different clinical scenarios: for improving surgical outcomes, as a bridge to surgery, as better alternatives to surgery, and for non-curative treatment when surgery is not feasible. We discuss the effectiveness of active surveillance, cryoablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and other ablative techniques in managing these tumors. Additionally, we examine the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and hypofractionated radiotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas. The Sarculator tool is highlighted for its role in stratifying high-risk sarcoma patients and personalizing treatment plans. While surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, integrating advanced non-surgical strategies can enhance therapeutic possibilities and patient care, especially in specific clinical settings with limitations. A multidisciplinary approach in referral centers is vital to determine the optimal treatment course for each patient.

Quality of life up to one year after revascularisation with percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with previous coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract Background Approximately 1 out of 11 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have a history of coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. Most studies investigating patients treated with PCI with prior CABG have focused on harder outcomes such as morbidity, mortality and complications. However, quality of life (QoL) is increasingly recognized as an important outcome measure after PCI. Purpose To determine QoL after revascularisation with PCI in patients with and without a history of CABG. Methods CONCARDPCI, a prospective multicenter cohort study including 3417 consecutive patients revascularised with PCI, was conducted at seven high-volume referral PCI centres in Norway and Denmark. Of these, 312 had a history with CABG. Baseline clinical data were collected from patient´s medical records and national registers. Sociodemographic characteristics were self-reported. Patient-reported outcomes measures were collected at baseline, 2-, 6- and 12-months after discharge. QoL and health status were measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), RAND-12-Item Short Form Health Survey (RAND-12) and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire 7 (SAQ-7). Results Patients with prior CABG were older (mean age 71 vs 65, p<0.001), more often men (84% vs 78%), and had more comorbidities. They were less likely to be current smokers (6% vs 18%, p=0.033) and less likely to be working full time (15% vs 33%). Patients with prior CABG reported a lower QoL on all questionnaires at all measuring time points compared with the no CABG group. Both groups had a significant improvement in the physical and mental component scores from baseline to two months on RAND-12 (p<0.001). In addition, an improvement was found on physical limitation from baseline to two months on SAQ-7 (p<0.001). For both groups QoL was best at baseline using WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusion QoL improved in patients with and without a history of CABG throughout the 12-month follow-up period. However, patients with prior CABG scored worse. These findings are important for future clinical decision-making regarding rehabilitation programs after PCI.SAQ-7 mean domain scores over time

Pouch abandonment is extremely rare even in the reoperative setting: A high-volume referral center experience

BackgroundIleal pouch anal anastomosis is the preferred method for restoration of intestinal continuity after proctocolectomy. Successful ileal pouch anal anastomosis requires adequate reach of the ileal mesentery to the pelvis. Reach issues are a common cause for intraoperative pouch abandonment; however, data regarding contemporary abandonment rates are rare and nonexistent in the revisional setting. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of consecutive ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery at a single referral center. Both initial or “primary” pouches and revisional pouch surgery were included. ResultsIn total, 447 attempts at pouch anal anastomosis were made, with an 1.6% overall rate of intraoperative abandonment. Pouch abandonment was attributed to inadequate mesenteric reach during 3 surgeries, desmoid tumors in 2 surgeries, and insufficient remaining small bowel in 2 surgeries. Twelve patients required lengthening maneuvers including 6 S pouches (1%) and 6 H pouches (1%). One half (49%) of operations were revisional ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery. Overall, reach issues led to intraoperative abandonment in only 0.4% of attempted primary pouches and 1.0% of revisional surgeries. A preoperative diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis was associated with pouch abandonment (P < .001). ConclusionExtremely low pouch abandonment rates as a result of mesenteric reach can be achieved even in the revisional setting at a high-volume center with institutional expertise. In the revisional setting, intra-abdominal desmoids or the potential for short gut affects pouch abandonment rates as much as reach issues.

The occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach in infants and toddlers: efficacy and complications.

Outcomes for pineal region and superior cerebellar tumors in young children often hinge on extent of microsurgical resection, and thus choosing an approach that provides adequate visualization of pathology is essential. The occipital interhemispheric transtentorial (OITT) approach provides excellent exposure while minimizing cerebellar retraction. However, this approach has not been widely accepted as a viable option for very young children due to concerns for potential blood loss when incising the tentorium. The aim of this paper is to characterize our recent institutional experience with the occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach (OITT) for tumor resection in infants and toddlers. A retrospective study was performed between 2016 and 2023 of pediatric patients less than 36 months of age who underwent OITT for tumor resection at a high-volume referral center. Patients with at least 3 months of postoperative follow-up and postoperative MRI were included. Primary outcomes included extent of resection, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and neurologic outcome. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and estimated blood loss. Eight patients, five male, were included. The median age at the time of surgery was 10 months (range 5-36 months). Presenting symptoms included macrocephaly, nausea/vomiting, strabismus, gait instability, or milestone regression. Hydrocephalus was present preoperatively in all patients. Average tumor volume was 38.6cm3, ranging from 1.3 to 71.9cm3. All patients underwent an OITT approach for tumor resection with stereotactic guidance. No intraoperative complications occurred, and no permanent neurologic deficits developed postoperatively. Gross total resection was achieved in all cases per postoperative MRI report, and no instances of new cerebellar, brainstem, or occipital lobe ischemia were noted. OITT approach for tumor resection in very young children (≤ 36 months) is an effective strategy with an acceptable safety profile. In our series, no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing this technique specifically in patients less than 36 months of age.

Peri- and post-operative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy after the implementation of the EAU guidelines recommendations for collecting and reporting complications at a high-volume referral center.

No studies relied on a standardized methodology to collect postoperative complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). The aim of our study was to evaluate peri- and post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing RARC adhering to the European Association of Urology (EAU) recommendations for reporting surgical outcomes and using a long postoperative follow-up. 246 patients who underwent RARC with intracorporal urinary diversion at a single tertiary referral center with a postoperative follow-up ≥ 1year for survivors. Postoperative outcomes were collected prospectively by interviews done by medical doctors. Complications were scored using the Clavien-Dindo classification (CD), grouped by type and severity (severe: CD score ≥ 3). We described peri- and post-operative outcomes and complication chronological distribution. Overall, 16 (6.5%) and 225 patients (91%) experienced intraoperative and postoperative complications, respectively. Moreover, 139 (57%) experienced severe complications. The most common any-grade and severe complications were infectious (72%) and genitourinary (35%), respectively. Overall, 52% of complications (358/682) occurred within 10days from surgery, and 51% of severe complications (106/207) occurred within 35days. However, 13% of complications (90/682) and 28% of severe complications (59/207) occurred 3months after surgery. The earliest complications were fever of unknown origins and paralytic ileus (median time-to-complication [mTTC]: 4days), the latest complications were urinary tract infection (mTTC: 40days) and hydronephrosis/ureteral obstruction (mTTC: 70days). The rate of postoperative complications after RARC is > 90% when a standardized collection method and a long follow-up is implemented. These results should be used to identify potential areas of improvement and for preoperative patient counseling.

Diferencias regionales en la epidemiología y los resultados de la endocarditis infecciosa en España. Un estudio poblacional contemporáneo

Introduction and objectivesOur aim was to describe the contemporary epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis (IE) in Spain, and to evaluate variations in IE incidence, characteristics, and outcomes among the different Spanish regions (autonomous communities [AC]). MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, population-based study, using data obtained from national in-patient hospital activity of all patients discharged with a diagnosis of IE from hospitals included in the Spanish National Health System, from January 2016 to December 2019. Differences in the IE profile between the 17 Spanish AC were analyzed. ResultsA total of 9008 hospitalization episodes were identified during the study period. Standardized incidence of IE was 5.77 (95%CI, 5.12-6.41) cases per 100 000 population. Regarding predisposing conditions, 26.8% of episodes occurred in prosthetic valve carriers, 36.8% had some kind of valve heart disease, and 10.6% had a cardiac implantable electronic device. Significant differences were found between AC in terms of incidence, predisposing conditions, and microbiological profile. Cardiac surgery was performed in 19.3% of episodes in the total cohort, and in 33.4% of the episodes treated in high-volume referral centers, with wide variations among AC. Overall in-hospital mortality was 27.2%. Risk-adjusted mortality rates also varied significantly among regions. ConclusionsWe found wide heterogeneity among Spanish AC in terms of incidence rates and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of IE episodes. The proportion of patients undergoing surgery was low and in-hospital mortality rates were high, with wide differences among regions. The development of regional networks with referral centers for IE could facilitate early surgery and improve outcomes.

MpMRI-targeted biopsy of the prostate in men ≥ 75 years. 7-year report from a high-volume referral center.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) -Ultrasound- fusion guided biopsy of the prostate (FBx) is the new gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer. Hallmark studies showing superior detection rates of FBx over randomized biopsies routinely excluded patients≥75 years and information on outcome of FBx on this patient cohort is sparse. As a large referral center, we have performed FBx on a substantial number of patients this age. By evaluating outcome of FBx of patients over the age of 75 years we wanted to close the gap of knowledge on this patient cohort. Between 2015 -2022, 1577 patients underwent FBx at our department and were considered for analysis. Clinical and histopathological parameters were recorded. Clinical data comprised age at FBx, serum level of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, PSA-density, history of previous biopsies of the prostate, result of the digital rectal examination (DRE) and assessment of the indexlesion of mpMRI according to the Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System (PI-RADS). Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify age barrier of 75 years as a potential risk factor of detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by FBx. 379/1577 patients (24%) were≥75 years and 1198/1577 (76%) patients were < 75 years, respectively. Preoperative PSA was significantly higher in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (9.54 vs. 7.8, p < 0.001). Patients≥75 years presented significantly more often with mpMRI target lesions classified as PI-RADS 5 compared to patients < 75 years (45% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer was significantly higher in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (63% vs. 43%, p < 0.001). Aggressive prostate cancer grade ISUP 5 was significantly more often detected in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (13% vs. 8%, p = 0.03). On multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for PSA and PI-RADS score, age barrier of 75 years was identified as a significant risk factor for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by FBx (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.36 -2.31, p < 0.001). After evaluation of a large patient cohort, we show that age≥75 years represents a significant risk factor for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Further studies on mid- and long term outcome are necessary to draw conclusions for clinical decision making in this patient cohort.

Can Patients Who Have Low-Grade Hip Osteoarthritis Expect the Same Outcome After Total Hip Arthroplasty Compared to Those Who Have End-Stage Osteoarthritis? – A Matched Case-Control Study

BackgroundTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective procedure for patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, when hip preservation surgery is no longer indicated due to the presence of early or mild arthritic changes, THA can also be considered. Whether these patients can expect the same outcome after THA as patients who have end-stage OA remains unclear. The goal of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes after THA of patients who have low-grade OA versus a matched cohort with end-stage OA. MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-center, multisurgeon case-control study in a high-volume referral center. Based on a cohort of 2,189 primary anterior approach THAs (1,815 patients), 50 low-grade OA cases were matched 1:1 by age, sex, and body mass index to 50 controls who have end-stage OA. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores and Short Form-36. ResultsNo significant differences in preoperative PROMs between low-grade and end-stage OA patients were found, except for 36-item Short Form Survey pain (33.0 versus 41.0; P = .045). In both groups a significant improvement of all PROMs was found postoperatively. However, all Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores were significantly lower in the low-grade OA group compared to the end-stage OA group. In the group with low-grade OA, a significantly lower percentage of patients achieved the minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit after THA compared to the group with end-stage OA. ConclusionsPatients who have low-grade OA can expect substantial clinical improvement after THA. However, the improvement is lower compared to patients who have end-stage OA. A thorough understanding of the factors that may lead to inferior clinical outcomes is imperative to improving the indications for THA in individuals who have low-grade OA.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on thyroidectomy for malignant diseases in high-volume referral centers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the availability of healthcare resources for non-COVID patients and decreased elective surgeries, including thyroidectomy. Despite the prioritization of surgical procedures, it has been reported that thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer (TCa) was adversely impacted. We assessed the impact of the pandemic on the surgical activities of two high-volume referral centers. Patients operated at two National Referral Centers for Thyroid Surgery between 03/01/2020 and 02/28/2021 (COVID-19 period) were included (P-Group). The cohort was compared with patients operated at the same Centers between 03/01/2019 and 02/29/2020 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) (C-Group). Overall, 7017 patients were included: 2782 in the P-Group and 4235 in the C-Group. The absolute number of patients with TCa was not significantly different between the two groups, while the rate of malignant disease was significantly higher in the P-Group (1103/2782 vs 1190/4235) (P < 0.0001). Significantly more patients in the P-Group had central (237/1103 vs 232/1190) and lateral (167/1103 vs 140/1190) neck node metastases (P = 0.001). Overall, the complications rate was significantly lower (11.9% vs 15.1%) and hospital stay was significantly shorter (1.7 ± 1.5 vs 1.9 ± 2.2days) in the P-Group (P < 0.05). The COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased the overall number of thyroidectomies but did not affect the number of operations for TCa. Optimization of management protocols, due to limited resource availability for non-COVID patients, positively impacted the complication rate and hospital stay.

Regional differences in infective endocarditis epidemiology and outcomes in Spain. A contemporary population-based study

Introduction and objectivesOur aim was to describe the contemporary epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis (IE) in Spain, and to evaluate variations in IE incidence, characteristics, and outcomes among the different Spanish regions (autonomous communities [AC]). MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, population-based study, using data obtained from national in-patient hospital activity of all patients discharged with a diagnosis of IE from hospitals included in the Spanish National Health System, from January 2016 to December 2019. Differences in the IE profile between the 17 Spanish AC were analyzed. ResultsA total of 9008 hospitalization episodes were identified during the study period. Standardized incidence of IE was 5.77 (95%CI, 5.12-6.41) cases per 100 000 population. Regarding predisposing conditions, 26.8% of episodes occurred in prosthetic valve carriers, 36.8% had some kind of valve heart disease, and 10.6% had a cardiac implantable electronic device. Significant differences were found between AC in terms of incidence, predisposing conditions, and microbiological profile. Cardiac surgery was performed in 19.3% of episodes in the total cohort, and in 33.4% of the episodes treated in high-volume referral centers, with wide variations among AC. Overall in-hospital mortality was 27.2%. Risk-adjusted mortality rates also varied significantly among regions. ConclusionsWe found wide heterogeneity among Spanish AC in terms of incidence rates and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of IE episodes. The proportion of patients undergoing surgery was low and in-hospital mortality rates were high, with wide differences among regions. The development of regional networks with referral centers for IE could facilitate early surgery and improve outcomes.

Robotic simple cystectomy as a last resort for antibiotic-recalcitrant recurrent urinary tract infections in women

To report a series of women with antibiotic-recalcitrant recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) managed with robotic simple cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion. Following Institutional Review Board approval, all female patients who underwent robotic cystectomy for rUTI between 2011-2021 were identified from a prospectively-maintained internal database at a tertiary care center. Exclusion criteria included interstitial cystitis, neurogenic bladder, urinary tract neoplasm, or congenital abnormality. Electronic medical records were reviewed by an independent researcher. Patients were also administered the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30). Twenty-four patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 75 years (range 53-87). Median rUTI duration was 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-10) years. Median UTI count in the 12 months preceding cystectomy was 5 (IQR 3-9). Infections with multidrug resistant organisms were found in 21 patients (88%). The 30-day postoperative complication rate was 79% (19/24), of which 11% were Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III. The main late complication was parastomal hernia, with 17% requiring repair or revision. At a median of 36 months (range 12-61) post-operatively, the median QLQ-C30 global health status score was 50 (range 33-83). Cystectomy is a last-resort management option for women with severely symptomatic end-stage bladders in the setting of antibiotic-recalcitrant rUTI. Patients should be counseled thoroughly regarding possible acute and long-term postoperative complications. Select patients, managed in high-volume referral centers, can benefit from robotic simple cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion.

Accuracy and diagnostic performance of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology in a tertiary endocrine surgical referral center in Belgium.

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is a commonly used classification for fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of suspicious thyroid nodules. The risk of malignancy (ROM) for each category has recently been analyzed in three international databases. This paper compares the diagnostic performance of the Bethesda classification in a high-volume referral center in Belgium. All consecutive thyroid procedures were registered in a prospective database from January 2010 till August 2022. Patient and surgical characteristics, preoperative Bethesda categories, and postoperative pathology results were analyzed. Out of 2219 consecutive thyroid procedures, 1226 patients underwent preoperative FNA. Papillary thyroid cancer was the most prevalent malignancy (N=119, 70.4%), followed by follicular (N=17, 10.1%) and medullary thyroid cancer (N=15, 8.9%). Micropapillary thyroid cancer was incidentally found in 46 (3.8%) patients. Bethesda categories I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, respectively, represented 250 (20.4%; ROM 4.4%), 546 (44.5%; ROM 3.8%), 96 (7.8%; ROM 20.8%), 231 (18.8%; ROM 15.2%), 62 (5.1%; ROM 72.6%), and 41 (3.3%; ROM 90.2%) patients. Overall ROM was 13.8%. An negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.2% was found. Overall specificity was 64.2% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 31.9%. Diagnostic accuracy was 67.8%. Compared to international databases (CESQIP, EUROCRINE, and UKRETS), ROM in this study appeared lower for Bethesda category IV (15.2 vs. 26.7% and p=0.612). Despite being validated in numerous studies, ROM based on preoperative FNA cytology classified according to the Bethesda classification may vary among surgical centers and countries as this study reveals a higher NPV and lower PPV.

Trapdoor endarterectomy for coral reef plaque of the paravisceral aorta in the modern era

Coral reef atherosclerosis of the paravisceral aorta is a rare disease whose description is confined to before contemporary vascular surgical techniques. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with coral reef aorta treated with trapdoor endarterectomy at a single high-volume quaternary referral center since 2010. From 2010 to 2022, 14 patients with coral reef aorta were treated with trapdoor endarterectomy. The patient data were obtained via a retrospective medical record review. The patients were predominantly women (79%) with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 60-70 years). The patients universally had a tobacco smoking history and hypertension. More than 85% had previously diagnosed carotid stenosis. Two patients (14%) had undergone prior aortofemoral reconstruction, and one patient (7%) had undergone prior axillobifemoral bypass. The most common presenting symptoms were claudication (71%), chronic mesenteric ischemia (50%), and renovascular hypertension (43%). Of the 14 patients, 8 (57%) underwent isolated endarterectomy and 6 (43%) underwent concomitant aortobifemoral bypass. In addition, 13 patients (93%) required a supraceliac aortic clamp position with a median clamp time of 23 minutes (IQR, 20-30 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 1650 mL (IQR, 1025-3000 mL). A cell saver was used in 13 procedures (93%), with a median transfusion of 563 mL (IQR, 231-900 mL). The median operative time was 341 minutes (IQR, 315-416 minutes). Eight patients (57%) experienced acute kidney injury in the postoperative period with a peak creatinine of 1.96 mg/dL (IQR, 1.50-2.84 mg/dL). The median length of stay was 11 days (IQR, 6-16 days), with an intensive care unit stay of 4 days (IQR, 2-7 days). One patient (7%) required reoperation in the immediate perioperative period for a retroperitoneal hematoma. The postoperative ankle brachial index increased from a median of 0.58 (right) and 0.57 (left) bilaterally in the preoperative period to 1.09 (right) and 1.10 (left) postoperatively. Eight patients (57%) had follow-up data available for >2 years postoperatively, with five patients (36%) having follow-up data available for >3 years. Two major adverse cardiac events were reported at the last follow-up. One patient reported mild recurrent symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia during 3 years of postoperatively, with no concurrent imaging findings or loss of patency found on computed tomography angiography. Symptomatic coral reef atherosclerosis of the paravisceral aorta is a complex disease rarely encountered even at high-volume referral centers. These patients can be expected to experience short-term postoperative morbidity and require intensive care. Despite these challenges, trapdoor endarterectomy is a safe and effective procedure for coral reef aorta, and most patients achieve dramatic symptomatic improvement with durable results.

Regional differences in infective endocarditis epidemiology and outcomes in Spain. A population-based study

Abstract Introduction Population-based studies of infective endocarditis (IE) provide nationwide representative information of the disease, with a lower risk of selection and referral bias. Purpose Our aim was to describe the contemporary epidemiological profile of IE in Spain, and to evaluate regional variations in the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of IE in the different Spanish regions (autonomous communities, AC). Methods Retrospective population-based study to analyse the incidence, epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of all patients discharged with a diagnosis of IE from hospitals included in the Spanish National Health System, from January 2016 to December 2019. Differences in the IE profile among the 17 Spanish AC were also evaluated. Results A total of 9008 episodes were identified during the study period. Mean age was 69.5 (14.6) years, and 66.1% of the patients were male. 52.6% of episodes were treated at referral centers. Direct standardized incidence of IE in the study period was 5.77 (95% CI: 5.12-6.41) cases per 100000 person-years. 26.8% of episodes were prosthetic valve carriers, 36.8% had some kind of valve heart disease, and 10.6% had a cardiac implantable electronic device. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were staphylococci (33.3%; 19.0% Staphylococcus aureus and 14.3% coagulase-negative staphylococci), followed by gram-negative (21.0%) and streptococci (20.8%). Culture-negative IE accounted for 20.7% of episodes. 38.6% of patients developed heart failure during hospitalization, and 27.5% had acute renal failure. Cardiac surgery was performed in 19.3% of episodes in the total cohort, and in 33.4% of episodes treated in high-volume referral centres. In-hospital mortality was 25.1%. The standardized incidence of IE in Spain in the period 2016-2019 was 5.77 (95% CI: 5.12-6.41) cases per 100000 person-years. Standardized incidence rates (cases per 1000000 person-years) and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates of infective endocarditis among AC are shown at Figure 1, were significant differences were found. In a multilevel logistic regression analysis, cardiogenic shock (OR 5.95, CI 4.98-7.9) and septic shock (OR 4.54, CI 3.78-5.44) were associated with the highest odds ratio for in-hospital mortality, whereas Streptococci viridans was associated with the lowest (OR 0.44, CI 0.37-0.52). Irrespectively of the AC, patients treated at high-volume centres (&amp;gt; 22 episodes per year) had a slightly lower risk-adjusted mortality (22.7±4.1 vs 23±3.6) p&amp;lt;0.001) (Figure 2, blue dots represent low-volume hospitals, red dots represent high-volume hospitals). Conclusions We found relevant and statistically significant differences in standardized incidence rates of IE, and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates among regions. Regardless of the AC, patients treated in high-volume centres (&amp;gt;22 episodes per year) had a slightly lower risk-adjusted mortality.Figure 1Figure 2

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Improves Local Control in the Treatment of Adnexal Carcinoma

Adnexal carcinoma (AC) is a rare subset of cutaneous malignancies derived from skin adnexa. There are limited data on the role of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). This study investigates outcomes associated with adjuvant RT at our high-volume referral center. Using an institutional pathology database we identified 45 patients with locoregionally-confined AC treated between 2001-2020 with curative intent surgery and RT at initial diagnosis or at the time of locoregionally-confined recurrence. Clinicopathologic variables were described and time to relapse events were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Median age was 64 yrs (IQR 57-71). Primary tumors were in the head and neck (H&N, n = 36, 80%), trunk/extremities (n = 8, 18%) or unknown (n = 1). The most common histologic subtypes were: sebaceous-14 (31%), microcystic adnexal carcinoma-9 (20%), eccrine-6 (13%), and trichilemmal-5 (11%). Twenty-two (50% of known primaries) had PNI. All patients had primary tumor excision. Six had clinically evident lymphadenopathy (13%), all of whom had lymph node dissection (LND). Five patients without evidence of nodal disease (13%) had sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with one having SLN+ disease. Thirty patients (67%) received adjuvant locoregional RT at initial diagnosis with the following targets: 21 (30%) primary only, 4 (13%) nodal only, and 5 (17%) both. Of those receiving nodal RT, 7 (78%) had LN+ LND with 2 of those receiving concurrent platinum-based chemoradiation. Sixteen were treated at recurrence with the following targets: 4 (25%) primary only (1 having had prior adjuvant nodal RT), 4 (25%) nodal only, and 8 (50%) both. Across the full cohort, median RT dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Median follow-up from initial surgical resection was 60 months (IQR 30-160). 5-year LC, NC, DFS and DSS were 71%, 86%, 66%, and 91% respectively. The only evaluated factor associated with better outcome was adjuvant primary site RT (5-yr LC 83% vs. 56%, p = 0.01 and 5-yr DFS 83% vs. 46%, p = 0.0003). All 15 patients with local recurrence (LR) had salvage surgery with median subsequent follow-up of 75 months (IQR 2-94). Overall, 5 patients receiving adjuvant primary site RT at any time (initial or salvage) developed subsequent local recurrence (13%). Of the 8 patients who developed nodal recurrence (NR) during follow-up, 1 received adjuvant nodal RT at initial diagnosis. Six of 7 who did not receive prior RT then received adjuvant nodal RT after LND and only 1 developed subsequent NR. AC is a rare skin cancer with a primarily locoregional recurrence pattern. In our experience, adjuvant RT was associated with improved LC which, depending on the tumor location, may help prevent morbid or cosmetically-impactful salvage surgery. Patients with AC would benefit from radiation oncology referral to discuss adjuvant treatment.

Real-Time Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Colonoscopy and the Effect of Endoscopist Experience on Polyp Detection Rates at a Tertiary Referral Center

Abstract Background: In recent years, new technology has emerged with the potential to considerably influence the future landscape of gastrointestinal endoscopy. One example of this is real-time artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy (AIC). Reported improvements in polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR) over standard colonoscopy (SC) have led to its rapid adoption in several tertiary endoscopy centers worldwide. However, many clinicians have mixed attitudes concerning the use of AIC. Similar to other skill-based procedures, the quality of endoscopy is directly proportional to the technical expertise and proficiency of the endoscopist. Objective: To evaluate the use of real-time AIC versus SC at a tertiary, high-volume referral center. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Settings: Single tertiary referral center. Patient and Methods: Data was retrospectively analyzed from patients who underwent elective colonoscopy at Singapore General Hospital from August 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. Main Outcome Measures: The primary study outcome was PDR and ADR. Subgroup analysis assessed the differences in polyp detection according to the experience level of the endoscopist. Sample Size: Eight hundred and fifty-nine patients. Results: Over the 3-month study period, 859 patients underwent complete colonoscopies performed by nine accredited endoscopists; 430 patients underwent SC and 429 underwent AIC. Both groups were statistically similar in age, gender, and indication for colonoscopy. The median ADR was 34.2% (range, 24.6%–57.3%) for the entire cohort. Overall detection rates were higher for AIC than SC for diminutive polyps (≤5 mm) (45.7% vs 38.6%, P = 0.045), sessile polyps (48.5% vs 37.4%, P = 0.009), and polyps with adenomatous (42.4% vs. 36.3%, P = 0.043) or serrated histology (1.2% vs. 0%, P = 0.025). Using SC, PDR among junior versus senior endoscopists was comparable at 47.9% vs 45.6% (P = 0.672) and ADR at 36.1% vs 36.8% (P = 0.912). With real-time AI enhancement, PDR and ADR for junior endoscopists considerably increased over their senior counterparts, with PDR at 69.5% vs 44.9% (P = 0.0001) and ADR at 50.0% vs 37.7% (P = 0.016). Among senior endoscopists, AIC did not result in any statistical improvement of PDR (P = 0.999) and ADR (P = 0.854) compared to SC. Conclusions: AIC significantly increases PDR and ADR compared to SC, particularly for detecting diminutive and sessile polyps. This benefit was only observed among less experienced endoscopists. Limitations: This study is limited by its retrospective nature, short study duration, and availability of the AI system, leading to practical constraints. Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Endovascular Options for the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch: A Scoping Review

The gold standard for aneurysmal repair of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch has been open surgery with an established track record of good results in suitable patients. In recent years, with innovations in the endovascular field alternative endovascular solutions for pathologies of the aortic arch and ascending aorta became available. At first reserved only for highly selected patients unfit for open surgery, endovascular aortic arch repair is now being offered to patients with suitable anatomy in high volume referral centers after discussion in an interdisciplinary team. The present scoping review aims at providing an overview on indications, available devices, technical aspects and feasibility studies of endovascular arch repair both in elective and emergent situations, including also experiences and considerations from our center.

Gastrointestinal Complications After Transesophageal Echocardiography for Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: Insights From a Large Contemporary Cohort

Transesophageal echocardiography-related complications (TEE-RC) are higher in structural heart interventions than in traditional operative settings. In mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MV-TEER), the incidence of TEE-RC may be higher than in other structural interventions. However, existing reports are limited and robust data evaluating TEE safety in this patient population are lacking. The authors sought to describe the incidence and risk factors of upper gastrointestinal injuries after TEE in patients undergoing MV-TEER. A retrospective observational study. A single tertiary academic hospital. A total of 442 consecutive patients who underwent MV-TEER, specifically with MitraClip, between December 2015 and March 2022. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed intraoperatively to guide all MV-TEERs. The study's primary goal was to investigate an association between TEE procedure duration and TEE-RC risk. The contribution of demographic risk factors and intraprocedural characteristics also was investigated. Transesophageal echocardiography-RCs were observed in 17 out of 442 patients (3.8%). Dysphagia was the most common TEE-RC (n=9/17, 53%), followed by new gastroesophageal reflux (n=6/17, 35%) and odynophagia (n=3/17, 18%). There were no esophageal perforations or upper gastrointestinal bleeds. History of dysphagia was the only variable associated with TEE-RCs (p=0.008; n=9 [2.1%] v n=3 [18%]), with a relative risk of 8.67 (95% CI 2.57, 29.16). The TEE procedure duration was not statistically different between the 2 groups (46 minutes [39-64] in TEE-RCs v 49 minutes [36-77] in no complications). In patients undergoing MV-TEER, TEE-RCs are uncommon, and major complications are rare. The authors' outcomes reflect those of a high-volume referral center with TEEs performed by cardiac anesthesiologists.

Open approach for ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease in the era of minimally invasive surgery: indications and perioperative outcomes in a referral center.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the first-line approach for ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease (CD), and it is safe and feasible, even with severe penetrating CD or redo surgery. While MIS indications are continually broadening, challenging CD cases might still require an open approach. This study aimed to report rate and indications for an upfront open approach in ileocolic resection for CD. Comprehensive perioperative data for all consecutive patients undergoing ileocolic resection for CD between 2014 and 2021 in a high-volume referral center for CD and MIS, were collected retrospectively. Indications for an upfront open approach were reviewed separately by two authors according to the preoperative visit. Among 319 ileocolic resections for CD, 45 (14%) were open and 274 (86%) MIS. Two or more of the below indications were present in 40 patients (89%) in the open group, while only in 6 patients (2%) in the MIS group (p < 0.0001). Indications for upfront open approach were severe penetrating disease (58%), adhesions at previous surgery (47%), history of abdominal sepsis (33%), multifocal and extensive disease (24%), abdominal wall involvement (22%), concomitant open procedures (9%), small bowel dilatation (9%), and anesthesiologic contraindications (4%). MIS was never performed in a patient with abdominal wall involvement, concomitant open procedure, and anesthesiologic contraindication to MIS. This study can help guide patients, physicians, and surgeons. An abdominal wall involvement or the presence of two of the above indications predicts a high surgical complexity and may be considered as a no-go for the MIS approach. These criteria should prompt surgeons to strongly consider an upfront open approach to optimize the perioperative planning and care of these complex patients.