Oncologic Procedures Research Articles

Indocyanine Green as a Marker for Tissue Ischemia in Spinal Tumor Resections and Extended Revisions: A Technical Note

Background/Objectives: The increasing complexity of spinal oncology procedures, particularly in en-bloc tumor resections, creates challenges in tissue perfusion assessment due to extended operative times and extensive surgical dissection. Real-time visualization of tissue perfusion can be achieved with ICG using commercially available handheld imaging systems, offering potential advantages in spinal oncology cases. This study assessed the utility of ICG in analyzing soft-tissue viability during complex spine procedures extending beyond 7.5 h, with a particular focus on oncologic resections. Methods: Three cases that required over 7.5 h of operative time were chosen for ICG utilization. These cases included an en-bloc malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor resection, an en-bloc resection of a malignant epithelioid neoplasm, and a long-segment fusion revision for pseudoarthrosis. At the conclusion of the critical portion of the procedure, a handheld intraoperative fluorescence camera was utilized to visualize the tissue penetration of intravenous ICG. Results: Prior to injecting ICG, devascularized tissue was not clearly visible. Injecting ICG allowed clear separation of vascularized (fluorescing) and devascularized (non-fluorescing) tissues. One region of non-florescent tissue was later confirmed to be devascularized with MRI and experienced postoperative infection. Conclusions: As the complexity of spinal oncology procedures increases, ICG fluorescence imaging offers a novel method for real-time assessment of tissue perfusion. This technique may be particularly valuable in extensive tumor resections, post-radiation cases, and revision surgeries where tissue viability is at risk. Further investigation in the spinal oncology population could help establish whether early identification of poorly perfused tissues impacts wound healing outcomes.

Current status of fertility preservation procedures in gynecologic oncology: from a Chinese perspective.

The "Healthy China" initiative, along with advancements in technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment, has significantly enhanced outcomes for patients with gynecologic tumors. The trends of late marriage and delayed childbirth have led to an increasing number of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers who are seeking fertility preservation in China. This issue is critical yet often overlooked in clinical practice. This review aims to synthesize the existing research on fertility preservation within the field of gynecologic oncology, emphasizing both clinical explorations and expert guidelines. We conducted a comprehensive literature review on fertility preservation in the context of gynecologic tumors, examining treatment approaches, commonly employed tumor management technologies, and specific techniques for preserving fertility. This extensive review highlights the importance of integrating fertility preservation strategies into treatment plans for gynecologic tumors. It explores various methods to safeguard fertility during chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical interventions. For patients with early-stage cervical cancer, surgical options are available; however, these may result in obstetric complications. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is currently under investigation as an alternative approach. Endometrial cancer can be managed through hysteroscopic resection combined with hormonal therapy. The feasibility of fertility preservation in ovarian cancer varies based on tumor type and patient age. In cases of vulvar and vaginal cancers, partial excision may be considered following a thorough evaluation. Chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic tumors has proven effective and typically preserves fertility despite potential decreases in AMH levels. This review provides a comprehensive and current synthesis of the latest evidence and clinical practice guidelines regarding fertility preservation in gynecologic cancers. Its aim is to assist clinicians and researchers in addressing the urgent and increasing demand for effective fertility preservation strategies for their patients.

Household Exposure to Substance Abuse and the Risk of New Persistent Opioid Use After Cancer Surgery.

Household-level factors may also influence the risk of new persistent opioid use (NPOU). We sought to assess the risk of NPOU among individuals with household exposure to substance abuse. Opioid-naïve individuals who underwent oncological procedures were identified using the IBM MarketScan database. Multivariable regression equations were used to assess the association between household exposure to substance abuse and NPOU. Among 10 557 individuals 4.9% (n = 520) had a family history of substance abuse. Patients with a family history of substance abuse were more likely to use opioids during the perioperative (85.0% vs. 78.8%) and postoperative periods (40.2% vs. 34.1%) (both p < 0.05). Moreover, perioperative (300 MME [IQR: 450-200] vs. 250 MME [IQR: 150-435]) and postoperative (525 MME [IQR: 1348-225] vs. 350 MME [IQR: 150-850]) opioid dose was also higher among patients with a family history of substance abuse (both p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, patients with family history of substance abuse had 37% (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07-1.75) higher odds of NPOU. Among opioid-naïve individuals undergoing oncological procedures, a family history of substance abuse is associated with NPOU. Patients should be screened for household-level factors before prescribing opioids for perioperative use.

Assessing the Use and Acceptability of Virtual Reality to Assist Coping in Children Undergoing Clinical Procedures.

Virtual reality is used as a distraction tool during medical procedures that can cause anxiety and pain. We assessed the usefulness, engagement, value and feasibility of virtual reality to help children cope with routine clinical procedures. Quality improvement study. Children, 4-16 years old, were given the option to use virtual reality during their procedure in oncology, immunology or diabetes clinics, or during an induction of general anesthesia. The emotional state of the child was documented using the children's emotional manifestation scale. We assessed feedback from patients, parents, and clinicians. Across all clinics, children responded positively to the virtual reality and 80% would choose to use virtual reality again for health-related procedures. Parents and clinicians, respectively, reported that virtual reality helped children tolerate the procedure (82% and 87%), engaged children well (82% and 89%) and was a valuable tool (85% and 98%). Clinicians (90%) endorsed the feasibility of using virtual reality during procedures. This project demonstrated that virtual reality can be implemented as a useful, engaging and feasible tool to help children tolerate a variety of routine medical procedures. However, ensuring comfortable fit of virtual reality devices and diversifying the visual content is necessary.

Temporary Flow Diversion in Oncological Embolization Procedures Using Degradable Starch Microspheres.

This study aims to report on the application of degradable starch microspheres to provide flow diversion by means of temporary embolization of healthy tissues in oncological endovascular procedures when tumor feeding vessels are not selectively accessible. This is a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients undergoing visceral embolization procedures of malignancies. The inclusion criteria were as follows: flow diversion performed by injection of degradable starch microspheres, visceral embolization procedures with unfeasible superselective catheterism of the target, and a malignant pathology. Technical success was defined as complete flow diversion with temporary exclusion of the non-target district from arterial flow, associated with successful embolization of the target. Clinical success was intended as procedural achievement with patient clinical improvement. Sixteen patients were included in this analysis. Peripheral embolization procedures were performed in the coeliac visceral district all in oncologic patients, including 4 transarterial radioembolization work-up procedures in patients with hepatocarcinoma, 10 chemioembolization procedures in patients with hepatocarcinoma (8) or cholangiocarcinoma (2), and 2 palliative transarterial embolizations in patients with gastric cancer. Technical success was obtained in 100% of the cases, while clinical success was reached in 87.5%: in two chemioembolization procedures, despite technical success, the procedural clinical benefits were partial, with an incomplete target lesion response. Minor complications occurred in five patients (31.2%). In this study, temporary flow diversion with degradable starch microspheres during oncological embolization procedures was safe and effective; this approach is suitable to protect healthy surrounding tissues when vessels feeding the target cannot be selected with the microcatheter.

State of Knowledge About Thyroid Cancers in the Era of COVID-19-A Narrative Review.

Thyroid cancer (TC), due to its heterogeneous nature, remains a clinical challenge. Many factors can initiate the carcinogenesis process of various types of TC, which complicates diagnosis and treatment. The presented review gathers current information on specific types of TC, taking into account the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is likely that COVID-19 has influenced and continues to influence the function of the thyroid gland. A high percentage of patients with COVID-19 showing simultaneous pathological changes in the thyroid suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may disrupt the function of this gland and initiate pro-oxidative mechanisms, inflammatory states, and autoimmune diseases, thereby promoting the formation of neoplastic changes. Furthermore, changes in the expression of the ACE2, TMPRSS2, CLEC4M and DPP4 genes, observed in TC, also occur in COVID-19. Therefore, it is probable that the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with thyroid cell receptors may initiate carcinogenesis in this gland. Additionally, some drugs used in TC therapy (e.g., levothyroxine) may increase the affinity of SARS-CoV-2 for cells, which could contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19 and the emergence of long-term symptoms (post-COVID-19). Moreover, the consequences of sanitary restrictions (limited access to medical services, reduction in endocrinological and oncological procedures) that took place in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead in the future to an increased number of missed diagnoses and the emergence of aggressive cancers.

Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) in Benign Gynaecology: A Systematic Review of Adnexal, Myomectomy and Prolapse Procedures.

Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) is utilised for gynaecological procedures globally, however evidence to support its application aside from hysterectomy is lacking. A systematic review to determine feasibility and safety profile of vNOTES for benign gynaecology was conducted. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS and CENTRAL was conducted, including all types of studies reporting vNOTES for gynaecological indications. After excluding cases with concurrent hysterectomy, the review focuses on procedures for benign indications and oncological procedures are reported separately. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were reported, with pooled analysis for sufficiently powered categories. 54 articles were analysed, including 7 comparative studies (n=439) and 1 RCT (n=34), reporting 2469 cases of vNOTES, including adnexal (tubal and/or ovarian) (43 articles, n=2261), myomectomy (10 articles, n=136) and prolapse repair (6 articles, n=72) in predominantly premenopausal women with BMI<30kg/m2 on pooled analysis. The overall conversion rate was low (1.38%, n=34) with procedure specific conversion rates of 0.45-6.8% for adnexal procedures, 1.47% for myomectomy and none reported for prolapse repair. Overall complication rates were low (3.44%, n=85) with no associated mortality. Five (0.20%) adhesion-related rectal injuries at colpotomy were noted, all repaired intraoperatively without long-term sequelae. vNOTES appears feasible based on limited evidence, for uterine-sparing gynaecological indications, despite a notable rate of rectal injury at colpotomy. There is a negligible risk of rectal injury observed at conventional laparoscopy and robotically assisted surgery, but similar rate of entry-related gastrointestinal injury. This may be due to the learning-curve or suboptimal case selection, necessitating careful training, assessment, and appropriate patient selection. Surgeons should continue registering prospective vNOTES cases via iNOTESs, to evaluate emerging perioperative trends with global uptake of this novel technique.

Oxidised cellulose in musculoskeletal oncology procedure: Does it reduce postoperative blood loss?

Major musculoskeletal oncology procedures often result in perioperative bleeding. This exposes patients to allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and its potential complications, thus increasing the risk of surgical wound infection and prolonged hospital stay. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of oxidised cellulose, a topical haemostatic agent, in reducing postoperative blood loss and its subsequent risks. In this randomised controlled trial, 40 patients undergoing major musculoskeletal oncology procedures were assigned to control and intervention groups. Oxidised cellulose was inserted into the surgical wound after the resection's conclusion before the wound's closure to reduce postoperative bleeding for patients in the intervention group. Postoperative closed suction drain system (Redivac TM) volume, drop in haemoglobin level, allogeneic red blood cell transfusion rate, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. The postoperative Redivac volume (Control: 432 MLS vs. Intervention: 431.75 MLS), drop in haemoglobin level (Control: 3.12g/dL vs. Intervention: 3.06g/dL), duration of surgery (Control: 134 vs. Intervention: 156min), and allogeneic red blood cell transfusion were lower in the intervention group (Control: 204 MLS vs. Intervention: 170 MLS), but they were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) (Control: 134 vs. Intervention: 156min). Mean hospital stay was similar in both groups (Control: 5.45days vs. Intervention: 5.85days). Oxidised cellulose use does not significantly affect postoperative blood loss, the rate of allogeneic blood transfusion, and hospital stay. However, we believe its use contributes positively but not considerably towards lower postoperative blood loss in musculoskeletal oncology surgeries.

The role of consent in Indian judiciary: Implications for cancer treatment practices

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in medical practice, especially critical in high-risk treatments such as cancer care. The evolution of consent laws in India reflects the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding patient autonomy and ensuring informed decision-making. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution underpins the right to life, which courts have interpreted to include the right to informed consent in medical treatments. This is particularly relevant in oncology, where treatment choices involve complex and often life-threatening procedures.: This manuscript aims to examine the role of informed consent in cancer treatment practices within the Indian judiciary framework. It seeks to explore the ethical implications, legal standards, and challenges in obtaining valid consent, particularly in Oncological procedures. Additionally, the manuscript aims to analyse key legal cases and their impact on shaping medical practices in cancer care across India.: The manuscript is based on a comprehensive review of legal statutes, including the Indian Constitution, the Indian Penal Code, and the Indian Contract Act, alongside Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines. Judicial rulings and case laws related to informed consent in cancer treatment were analysed. The legal and ethical frameworks surrounding patient autonomy and healthcare practitioner responsibility are examined through case studies and statutory interpretation. The Indian judiciary has advanced the principles of informed consent, particularly in cancer care, ensuring that patients are fully informed about their treatment choices. However, challenges persist in ensuring that consent is not only informed but also voluntary and comprehensible. The judiciary’s rulings have created a robust legal framework for consent in cancer treatment, yet further clarity and practical guidelines are required to address the complexities of modern medical practice.

Do Fellowship-educated Military Orthopaedic Oncologists Who Practice in Military Settings Treat a Sufficient Volume of Patients to Maintain Their Oncologic Expertise?

Fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists in the US military provide routine clinical care and also must maintain readiness to provide combat casualty care. However, low oncologic procedure volume may hinder the ability of these surgeons to maintain relevant surgical expertise. Other low-volume specialties within the Military Health System (MHS) have established partnerships with neighboring civilian centers to increase procedure volume, but the need for similar partnerships for orthopaedic oncologists has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to characterize the practice patterns of US military fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists. We asked the following questions: (1) What are the diagnoses treated by US military fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists? (2) What are the procedures performed by US military fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists? We queried the Military Data Repository, a centralized repository for healthcare data for all healthcare beneficiaries (active duty, dependents, and retirees) within the Defense Health Agency using the MHS's Management and Reporting Tool for all international common procedure taxonomy (CPT) codes and ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes associated with National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers of active duty, military fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists. Fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologists were identified by military specialty leaders. Then, we identified all procedures performed by the orthopaedic oncologist based on NPI numbers for fiscal years 2013 to 2022. We stratified the CPT codes by top orthopaedic procedure categories (such as amputation [performed for oncologic and nononcologic reasons], fracture, arthroplasty, oncologic) based on associated ICD codes. These were then tabulated by the most common diagnoses treated. Thirteen percent (796 of 5996) of the diagnoses were oncologic, of which 45% (357 of 796) were malignant. Forty-four percent (158 of 357) of the malignancies were primary and 56% (199 of 357) were secondary; this translates to an average of 2 patients with primary and 2.5 patients with secondary malignancies treated per surgeon per year. During the study period, nine orthopaedic oncologists performed 5996 orthopaedic procedures, or 74 procedures per surgeon per year. Twenty-one percent (1252 of 5996) of the procedures were oncologic; the remaining procedures included 897 arthroplasties, 502 fracture-related, 275 amputations for a nononcologic indication, 204 infections, 142 arthroscopic, and 2724 other procedures. Although military orthopaedic oncologists possess expert skills that are directly translatable to combat casualty care and operational readiness, within MHS hospitals they treat relatively few patients with oncologic diagnoses, and less than one-half of those involve malignancies. Despite postgraduation procedure volume raining stable over the last decade, it is unknown how many new patient visits for oncologic diagnoses and how many corresponding tumor procedures are necessary to maintain competence or build confidence after musculoskeletal oncology fellowship training. It is important to note that there are no military orthopaedic oncology fellowships, and all active duty orthopaedic oncologists undergo training at civilian institutions. Military-civilian partnerships with high-volume cancer centers may enable military orthopaedic oncologists to work at civilian cancer centers to increase their oncologic volume to ensure sustainment of operationally relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities and improve patient care and outcomes.

The COMPARE Study: Comparing Perioperative Outcomes of Oncologic Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic, Da Vinci Robotic, and Open Procedures: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis of The Evidence.

To assess 30-day outcomes of da Vinci robotic-assisted (dV-RAS) versus laparoscopic/thoracoscopic (lap/VATS) or open oncologic surgery. Complex procedures in deep/narrow spaces especially benefit from dV-RAS. Prior procedure-specific comparisons are not generalizable. PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE were systematically searched (latest: 11/17/2023) following PRISMA and PROSPERO (Reg#CRD42023466759). Randomized, prospective, and database studies were pooled as odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) in R using fixed-effect or random-effects (heterogeneity significant). ROBINS-I/RoB 2 were used to assess bias. Of 56,314 unique references over 12 years from 22 countries, 230 studies (34 randomized, 74 prospective, 122 database) comparing dV-RAS to lap/VATS or open surgery across 7 procedures, 4 specialties, representing 1,194,559 dV-RAS; 1,095,936 lap/VATS and 1,625,320 open cases were included. Operative time for dV-RAS was longer than lap/VATS (MD:17.73min [9.80,25.67], P <0.01) and open surgery (MD:40.92min [28.83,53.00], P <0.01), whereas hospital stay was shorter (lap/VATS MD:-0.51d [-0.64,-0.38], P <0.01; open MD:-1.85d [-2.09,-1.62], P <0.01) and blood loss was less versus open (MD:-293.44ml [-359.53,-227.35]). There were fewer dV-RAS conversions (OR:0.44 [0.40,0.49], P <0.01), transfusions (OR:0.79 [0.72,0.88], P <0.01), postoperative complications (OR:0.90 [0.84,0.96], P <0.01), readmissions (OR:0.91 [0.83,0.99], P =0.04), and deaths (OR:0.86 [0.81,0.92], P <0.01) versus lap/VATS, and fewer transfusions (OR:0.25 [0.21,0.30], P <0.01), postoperative complications (OR:0.56 [0.52,0.61], P <0.01), readmissions (OR:0.71 [0.63,0.81], P <0.01), reoperations (OR:0.89 [0.81,0.97], P <0.01), and deaths (OR:0.54 [0.47,0.63], P <0.01) versus open surgery. Blood loss (MD:-12.26mL [-29.44,4.91], P =0.16) and reoperations (OR:1.03 [0.95,1.11], P =0.48) were similar for dV-RAS and lap/VATS. There was significant heterogeneity. Da Vinci -RAS confers benefits across oncological procedures and study designs. These results provide clinical evidence to multi-specialty-care decision-makers considering dV-RAS.

Urologic oncology case volume among early career urologists: An analysis of certification data from the American board of urology between 2003 and 2019

IntroductionThe incidence of urologic cancer is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages, but the size of the urologic workforce is not expected to increase at a commensurate rate. To understand this growing imbalance, we explored the extent to which early career urologists performed oncology cases, particularly open surgical cases, between 2003 and 2019. Materials and MethodsWe examined case logs submitted by early career urologists applying for their oral American Board of Urology Certifying Examination (Part 2) between 2003 and 2019. We included case logs spanning at least 120 days between the first and last record. We used CPT® codes to identify urologists who performed an open radical cystectomy, nephrectomy, or prostatectomy, as well as those who performed a minimally invasive (MIS) radical nephrectomy or prostatectomy. We calculated the annual percentage of urologists who performed each procedure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis analyzed the association between performing each procedure and specialization or fellowship training in oncology, adjusting for gender, practice type, and year of case log submission. ResultsWe identified 4,166 unique urologists submitting case logs between 2003 and 2019. Their average age was 34.9 years, 81.3% were male, 14.2% specialized in oncology, and 8.2% reported oncology fellowship training. From 2003 to 2019, the percentage of urologists who performed open oncologic procedures decreased, while the percentage who performed MIS oncologic procedures increased. Fellowship training in oncology significantly increased the odds of performing the following procedures: open radical cystectomy (72.5% with fellowship training vs. 30.0% without fellowship training, OR 2.51, 95% CI 0.63–0.92, P < 0.001), open radical nephrectomy (74.3% with fellowship training vs 42.4% without fellowship training, OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.48–2.78, P < 0.001), open radical prostatectomy (42.1% with fellowship training vs. 26.9% without fellowship training, OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.34–2.58, P < 0.001) and MIS radical prostatectomy (80.4% with fellowship training vs. 45.0% without fellowship training, OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16–2.48, P = 0.006). When comparing those with solely oncology specialization to those with both oncology specialization and fellowship training, we found that those with oncology fellowship training had over 2 times higher odds of performing open radical cystectomy (OR 2.58, CI 1.78–3.74, P < 0.001), open radical nephrectomy (OR 2.06, CI 1.42–2.99, P < 0.001) and open radical prostatectomy (OR 2.12, CI 1.44–3.12, P < 0.001). Female urologists had significantly lower odds of performing each oncologic procedure. ConclusionsIn this analysis of early career urologist case logs, the proportion of urologists performing a radical cystectomy, radical nephrectomy, and open prostatectomy declined between 2003 and 2019. Oncology specialization or fellowship training, however, significantly increased the odds of performing the procedures. Specifically, oncology fellowship alone was associated with over 2 times the odds of performing major open oncologic procedures. These findings reflect ongoing specialization among early career urologists, such that an oncology fellowship or practice focus has likely become necessary for access to open urologic procedures and to become a high-volume urologic oncology surgeon.

Shaping the future of cancer treatment: The commitment of medical physicists

The incorporation of medical physics into the field of oncology has profoundly changed the ways in which cancer is diagnosed and treated. This article highlights the essential roles that medical physicists play in cancer care, demonstrating how principles from physics improve various aspects of oncology practices. Our analysis reveals that medical physics plays a fundamental role in optimizing various oncological procedures, thereby revolutionizing the management of cancer. Specifically, medical physicists are integral to critical areas such as radiation therapy planning, surgical navigation, and quality assurance, which collectively facilitate personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients. By working closely with healthcare professionals, medical physicists help ensure patients receive top-notch care while minimizing side effects associated with treatments. Their dedication to innovation and research is essential for improving both patient outcomes and quality of life throughout the cancer journey. The ongoing partnership between medical physicists and clinicians is instrumental in propelling advancements in oncology research and clinical practices, leveraging physics principles alongside state-of-the-art technologies to enhance cancer management. As medical physicists commit to excellence and patient-centered practices, they are at the forefront of transforming oncology care, promising improved hope and outcomes for those battling cancer. This collaborative effort ensures a bright future for cancer treatment, where the integration of physics not only optimizes therapeutic approaches but also fosters a comprehensive understanding of cancer care.

The status of acetabulum in bipolar HIP replacements in orthopaedics oncology cases.

Background: Bipolar hip endoprosthesis replacement is a commonly employed procedure in orthopaedic oncology that requires the resection and reconstruction of the proximal femur. With improving survival rates, issues of implant durability and acetabular wear have become increasingly important. The decision to replace the acetabulum in bipolar hip endoprosthesis replacement procedures remains a topic of debate. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of secondary osteoarthritis following bipolar hip replacement, the need for revision to total joint replacement post-procedure, the functional status of patients in relation to radiological findings of joint degeneration, and the survivorship of bipolar hip replacements. Methods: Patients with orthopaedic oncology cases who underwent bipolar hip endoprosthesis replacement between 2006 and October 2021, with a minimum follow-up of sixmonths, were included. Both clinical and radiological evaluations were carried out. The clinical evaluation utilised the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) systems. The radiological assessment focused on identifying acetabular erosion. Results: Forty eligible patients were identified. Radiological assessments revealed 21 patients (52.5%) with grade 0, 17 patients (42.5%) with grade 1, and 2 patients (5.0%) with grade 2 acetabular erosion. No patients exhibited grade 3 acetabular erosion. One patient (2.5%) required revision surgery from proximal femoral bipolar replacement to total hip replacement due to recurrent postoperative hip dislocation. There was no statistically significant difference in MSTS and mHHS scores but a significant difference in TESS scores. The ten-year implant survival rate was 77.8%, while the overall patient survivorship at tenyears was 72.1%. Conclusion: Bipolar hip replacement is a durable limb-preserving reconstruction that can outlast patients' lifespans and is well-tolerated by oncology patients. The incidence of acetabular erosion and revision surgery is low. Despite radiological evidence of hip degeneration, functional status in patients is not significantly impacted.

Safety and efficacy of hepaticoduodenostomy for biliary reconstruction after extrahepatic mid-bile duct cancer surgery.

Bile duct resection and reconstruction for bile duct cancer (BDC) is a complex surgical and oncologic procedure that requires extensive resection and reconstruction of the biliary tract. Hepaticojejunostomy is commonly performed for biliary reconstruction after extrahepatic mid-bile duct resection, while hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) is performed only rarely due to the risk of ascending cholangitis. However, the efficacy of HD has not been well-established in extrahepatic mid-BDC surgery. In this study, we aimed to analyze the outcomes of HD in patients who underwent bile duct resection for extrahepatic mid-BDC. We retrospectively analyzed 38 extrahepatic mid-BDC patients who underwent bile duct resection in our center between January 2018 and June 2023. We compared postoperative outcomes, cancer recurrence, and patient survival between hepaticojejunostomy (n=20) and HD (n=18) groups. Operation time for the HD group was significantly shorter than that of the hepaticojejunostomy group (188 vs. 206 min, P=0.044) with no significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Regression analysis showed that a HD was not associated with a significantly high risk of cancer recurrence or decrease in patient survival. HD appears to have comparable operative benefits, postoperative complications, and oncologic outcomes to hepaticojejunostomy in extrahepatic mid-BDC patients.

Trends in Case Volume Reported by Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellows in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-Accredited Training Programs: 2017 to 2022.

Increasingly, national accrediting bodies and professional societies for musculoskeletal oncology recognize the need for more standardized training. This study elucidates recent trends in reported case volume during Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited musculoskeletal oncology fellowship training relative to case minimum requirements. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of fellows at ACGME-accredited musculoskeletal oncology fellowships (2017 to 2022). Percentiles in reported case volumes were calculated across ACGME-defined case categories and temporal changes assessed by linear regression. Variability between the highest (90th percentile) and lowest (10th percentile) deciles was calculated as fold differences. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to estimate the number of fellows not meeting ACGME-defined case minimum requirements. Case logs from 95 musculoskeletal oncology fellows were analyzed. From 2017 to 2022, total relevant oncology procedures increased from 191 ± 49 to 228 ± 73 ( P = 0.066). Pediatric oncology accounted for a minority of cases (range, 6 to 8%). A mean of 222 total relevant oncology procedures were reported. Most were in management of metastatic disease (21%), soft-tissue resection/reconstruction (20%), and limb salvage (13%). Variability in total relevant oncology procedures was 2.6 and greatest in spine/pelvis (4.6), pediatric oncologic cases (4.4), and surgical management of complications (4.4). No clear trends were observed in case volume variability over the study period ( P > 0.05). Analysis of case volume percentiles identified at least 30% of musculoskeletal oncology fellows not achieving minimum requirements for pediatric oncologic cases (n = 29 fellows) and 10% of fellows not achieving minimum requirements for total relevant oncology procedures (n = 10 fellows). Results from this study may help future musculoskeletal oncology fellows and faculty identify potential areas to increase case exposure and reduce variability during fellowship training. More investigation is needed to determine evidence-based case minimum requirements including surgical learning curves and other competency-based assessment tools in musculoskeletal oncology.

Lower Limb Doppler Ultrasound Prior to Pneumatic Compression for the Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism in Gynecological Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the third most common cardiovascular disease after myocardial infarction and stroke. This study aimed to determine the effect of Doppler ultrasound on the prophylaxis and prevention of postoperative venous thromboembolism in gynecological oncology. This is a retrospective cohort study of procedures performed at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2016 and 2021. The study included all patients diagnosed with gynecological cancers who underwent major cancer resection. A total of 295 eligible patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: the first group consisted of 104 patients who were screened for deep vein thrombosis using lower limb Doppler ultrasound prior to their gynecologic oncology surgery, while the second group included 190 patients who were not screened. The prevalence of pulmonary embolism and/or deep vein thrombosis was found to be eight out of 104 patients (7.7%) in the group screened for deep-vein thrombosis using lower limb Doppler ultrasound prior to their gynecologic oncology surgery. In the group that was not screened, one out of 190 patients (0.5%) developed deep vein thrombosis. The prevalence of postoperative pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis was reported in four out of 104 screened patients (3.8%) and in three out of 190 patients (1.6%) in the unscreened group. This study concluded that Doppler screening did not change the incidence of pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis postoperatively, but it may be helpful in detecting these conditions preoperatively. Therefore, Doppler screening for deep-vein thrombosis before surgical procedures in gynecological oncology could be considered after clinical assessment of the patient. To improve the study and address its limitations, a larger sample size would help to further investigate and identify relevant factors and determine their significance.

The Vertical Profunda Artery Perforator Flap for Perineal Reconstruction.

Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related death in the United States with abdominoperineal resection (APR) remaining a necessary procedure for many patients. The resultant defects of this radical operation are complex and characterized by significant tissue voids. Pedicled vertical profunda artery perforator flaps (vPAP) can be used to obliterate these defects in patients receiving minimally invasive APR or when the abdominal donor site is unavailable. After receiving local institutional review board approval, a single center, retrospective cohort study from January 2020 to December 2021 was performed assessing pedicled vPAP flap reconstruction of APR defects. Age, sex, body mass index, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, concomitant oncologic procedures, radiation, timing, incorporation of gracilis flaps, follow-up, and complications were compared. Ten patients (70% male) with an average age of 56.2 years and BMI of 27.6 were included in the study. Rectal adenocarcinoma (50%) was the most common indication for APR, followed by rectal squamous cell carcinoma (30%), vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (10%), and Crohn disease (10%). Eighty percent of the patients received radiation, and 70% of reconstructions were delayed after the initial resection. The average length of clinical follow-up was 26.1 months. Concerning major complications, 2 patients were required to return to the operating room due to venous congestion (20%), and 2 patients suffered partial flap failure (20%). Minor complications were perineal dehiscence (50%), abscess requiring percutaneous drainage by interventional radiology (30%), and infection requiring antibiotics (20%). Twenty percent of patients developed fistulas requiring surgical excision. There were no instances of donor site dehiscence, and there was no complete flap loss, indicating successful reconstruction in all included cases. vPAP flaps are a reliable method to reconstruct perineal defects with less donor-site morbidity than previous reconstructive options. vPAP flaps should be considered in the setting of delayed reconstruction, minimally invasive APRs, and when the abdominal donor site is unavailable.

Transradial versus transfemoral access for treatment of HCC: a systematic review and meta analysis

Hepatic angiography procedures are essential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with traditional transfemoral arterial (TFA) access being the traditional standard. Recently, transradial arterial (TRA) access has gained popularity, offering potential benefits. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare TRA and TFA access in hepatic angiography oncologic procedures for HCC. The study investigates fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, patient preferences, and complications associated with each access method. A systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines, with 11 studies encompassing 2535 HCC procedures included. Statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. Continuous outcomes were calculated as mean differences, and binary outcomes were measured as odds ratios. Patient preferences, procedural complications, and access site success rates were assessed. The meta-analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, or contrast dose between TRA and TFA. Access failure rates were similar for both methods. However, the odds of adverse events, excluding access failure, were significantly higher for TFA, while the overall rate of complications was comparable. Patients strongly preferred TRA over TFA due to reduced hospital stay and post-procedure discomfort. This meta-analysis supports the use of TRA for hepatic angiography oncologic procedures for HCC with patient preferences in favor of TRA. Additional randomized clinical trials are encouraged to further evaluate the feasibility and benefits of both access sites.

Beyond Mastectomy: The Incidence of Subsequent Aesthetic Procedures after Mastectomy with and without Breast Reconstruction.

Mastectomy poses significant challenges to a woman's body image and psychological well-being, and breast reconstruction plays a pivotal role in postoperative quality of life. Following breast reconstruction, many patients choose to have subsequent aesthetic procedures. Data on the prevalence of such subsequent aesthetic interventions are lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in aesthetic procedures in patients following mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction. The PearlDiver database was queried within its capabilities for patients who underwent mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction, and a variety of aesthetic procedures after mastectomy. Aesthetic procedure rates were compared between cohorts. We identified 365,525 mastectomy patients: 282,815 without reconstruction and 82,710 with reconstruction. In total, 609 patients with reconstruction and 329 without underwent subsequent aesthetic procedures. The rate of aesthetic procedures was higher in the reconstruction group (0.7%) compared with the nonreconstruction group (0.1%; P < 0.001). Patients who chose to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy underwent significantly more subsequent aesthetic procedures compared with those who chose mastectomy alone. Our findings provide insights on the prevalence of aesthetic procedures in postmastectomy patients, highlighting the potentially longitudinal nature of the reconstructive and aesthetic journey beyond the index oncologic procedure. Further research is needed to address motivations for such procedures as well as patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction.