Salvage Management Research Articles

The long-term functional outcome of the mangled upper extremity intricate management. A single center experience

PurposeSevere injury of multiple anatomical structures of the upper extremity can be caused by an extremely violent mechanism during labor and motor vehicle accidents, gunshots and explosions. The mangled upper extremity consists of trauma of at least 3 of 4 tissue types: connective tissue (skin, subcutaneous tissue, tendons, muscles), vessels, nerves, and bones. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the medium and long-term results of the limb salvage management of those injuries in our department. MethodsSixty-seven patients with multi-injured upper limb were operated in our department between 2014 and 2022 and evaluated with clinical examination and questionnaires (PROMs) on an outpatient basis at a mean follow up of 7.4 years. Patients’ demographics, the injured anatomic structures and the surgical interventions needed, were recorded. ResultsThe overall outcome, configured by functional scores was quite acceptable concerning injuries’ severity. Nineteen patients (29 %) underwent more than one operation, 2-point discrimination test was impaired in 30 % of the patients who had an injured nerve and total loss of regional sensation was diagnosed in 2 patients. Primary amputation was necessary in 8 % of the patients. ConclusionsEven though the mangled upper extremity refers to a severe injury with often poor postoperative results and high rates of amputations, a thorough evaluation and management by expert hand surgeons is essential for maximizing the possible outcomes.

Locally obtained autologous bone grafts are effective for achieving arthrodesis while managing foot and ankle charcot’s neuroarthropathy: short to mid-term results from a specialized north African foot and ankle surgery unit

PurposeWe aimed to report the union rate after only utilizing a locally obtained autologous bone graft while correcting the deformity and performing joint arthrodesis in patients with foot and ankle Charcot neuropathy (CN) and to report on the radiographic, functional, complications incidence outcomes at a minimum of two years of follow up.MethodsWe included 24 patients having a mean age of 55.4 ± 10.1 years diagnosed with CN of the foot, ankle, or both. Seven (29.2%) cases were classified as Brodsky type 1, 11 (45.8%) as type 3 A, and six (25%) were type 4. Hindfoot and Midfoot bi-columnar arthrodesis was performed in 70.8% and 29.2% of the patients, respectively. Eight (33.3%) cases had preoperative ulcers. Functional outcomes were evaluated using a modified AOFAS score. Arthrodesis site union was assessed clinically and radiographically. All patients were available for a mean follow up of 35.7 ± 9.5 (24–54) months.ResultsArthrodesis site union was achieved in 23 (95.8%) cases after a mean of 4 ± 1.7 (2-7.5) months. The mean modified AOFAS score was 72.4 ± 10.41 (46–83) points; 79.2% achieved excellent and good scores. Ulcers healed in 87.5% of the patients. Twenty-two (91.7%) patients were satisfied with their functional results. Infection incidence was 12.5%, and no patients required revision or amputation.ConclusionFoot and ankle Charcot neuroarthropathy deformity correction by arthrodesis of the affected joint as a salvage management option resulted in acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes. To enhance the local environment for arthrodesis consolidation, locally obtained autografts led to higher union rates and avoided the drawbacks of using other graft types.

Current Status of the Management of Idiopathic Condylar Resorption/Progressive Condylar Resorption-A Scoping Review.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex synovial joint shrouded in mystery, as the etiology of many TMJ disorders are unsolved. Idiopathic/progressive condylar resorption (ICR/PCR) is one such TMJ disorder characterized by a gradually deteriorating mandibular condylar mass, resulting in severe mandibular retrognathia, which often accompanied by clockwise rotation of mandible and an anterior open bite. Since the etiology of the ICR/PCR remains unclear, no definitive prevention or management options have been established. To date, various symptomatic non-surgical, surgical, and salvage management options have been developed and reported. To understand the current status of the ICR/PCR management options, this article provides an overview of the options presently reported in the literature to reduce its TMJ symptoms and improve mandibular function and form.

Second surgery for relapsed glioblastoma: an observational study on criteria for patient selection in real life.

Aim: There is little consensus on salvage management of glioblastoma after recurrence, for lack of evidence.Materials &methods: A retrospective study of treatments in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.Results: Surgery at recurrence was related to better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Surgery at recurrence, Karnofsky index, MGMT methylation status, younger age at diagnosisand number of chemotherapy cycles were positive factors for OS and PFS. The benefit of OS was relevant for a second surgery performed at least 9months after the first one. Systemic treatments after the second surgery were linked to an improved PFS.Conclusion: Younger age, Karnofsky index, MGMT methylation statusand a median time between surgeries ≥9months may be criteria for eligibility for surgery at recurrence.

Risk factors for migration of retrievable covered expandable metallic stent in patients with persistent benign ureter strictures

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and salvage management of retrievable covered expandable metallic stent (RCEMS) migration in patients with persistent benign ureter strictures.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was performed on 117 consecutive patients who underwent implantation of RCEMS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify prognostic factors for stent migration, including stricture location and length, hydronephrosis–cortex ratio, ureteral dilation, and the diameter of the narrowest portion of the stricture.ResultsStent migration occurred in 22 (19.5%) of 113 patients who met inclusion criteria. Of the 22 patients, 16 (72.7%) had ordinary ureteral stricture, 3 (13.6%) had stricture in transplanted kidneys, and 3 patients (13.6%) had ureter stricture in orthotopic neobladders. The mean creatinine for the entire cohorts showed significant improvement (p = 0.038). Multivariate analysis identified the following prognostic factors for migration: distal ureteral stricture (p = 0.006), patients who underwent balloon dilation (p = 0.003), hydronephrosis–cortex ratio ≧10 (p = 0.017), larger diameter of wasting of RCEMS (p < 0.001), and patients with a shorter stricture length (p = 0.006). Salvage management was required in 4 of the 22 patients. The strictures in the remaining 18 patients improved with observation.ConclusionsStent migration is more likely to occur in patients with the five prognostic factors mentioned above. Our study developed a nomogram to predict stent migration in patients with ureteral strictures treated using RCEMS.

Risk factors for severe complications and salvage management in direct-to-implant immediate breast reconstruction: A retrospective study.

Controversies regarding the risk factors affecting direct-to-implant (DTI) immediate breast reconstruction still exist. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for severe complications in DTI breast reconstruction and explore potential salvage management strategies. We conducted a retrospective review of 238 patients (240 breasts) who underwent DTI immediate breast reconstruction between 2011 and 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors predicting severe complications. Seventeen (7.08%) reconstructed breasts experienced severe complications, of which only 5 were successfully salvaged through surgical revision, while the others failed and resulted in implant removal. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that mesh use [odds ratio (OR) = 4.054, 95% confidence interval: 1.376-11.945, P = .011] and post-mastectomy radiotherapy (odds ratio = 4.383, 95% confidence interval 1.142-16.819, P = .031) were independent predictors of severe complications. Mesh use and post-mastectomy radiotherapy for breast reconstruction increase the risk of severe complications. Despite positive surgical treatment, the successful salvage rate was poor.

Palliative surgery for metastatic prostate cancer

Androgen deprivation in combination with novel hormonal agents, docetaxel, or in combination with abiraterone/prednisone plus docetaxel or darolutamid plus docetaxel represent the standard therapeutic approach in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Patients with low-risk prostate cancer also benefit from additional radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy in terms of progression-free and overall survival. Despite favorable response rates, basically all patients will develop castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within 2.5to 4years. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, second-line hormonal treatment of systemic application of radionuclides such as radium223 or 177Lu-PSMA represent salvage management options. However, nowadays about 50-65% of patients will develop symptoms due to local progression of prostate cancer which is the result of improved oncological outcomes with significantly prolonged survival times due to the new medical treatment options. Management of such symptomatic local progression will become more important in upcoming years so that all uro-oncologists need to be aware of the various surgical management options. Complications of the lower urogenital tract such as recurrent gross hematuria ± bladder clotting and with the necessity for red blood cell transfusions, subvesical obstruction and acute urinary retention, rectourethral or rectovesical fistulas might be managed by palliative surgery such as palliative transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), radical cystectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion, and pelvic exenteration. Symptomatic or asymptomatic obstruction of the upper urinary tract might be managed by endoluminal or percutaneous urinary diversion, ureteral reimplantation, ileal ureter replacement, or implantation of the Detour® system (Coloplast GmbH, Hamburg, Germany).

Short-term and long-term outcomes of submucosal dissection for residual or recurrent colorectal tumors after endoscopic resection: Analysis of a multicenter prospective study.

We previously demonstrated that a favorable long-term prognosis indicated that endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) could be the standard treatment for large colorectal epithelial neoplasms, but the usefulness of ESD for local residual or recurrent tumors with submucosal fibrosis has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of ESD for local residual or recurrent colorectal tumors. We conducted a nationwide multicenter prospective study to evaluate the outcomes of ESD for colorectal tumors. In this post hoc analysis, a total of 54 local residual or recurrent colorectal tumors in 54 patients were included, and we analyzed the short-term and long-term outcomes of ESD for these lesions. The median size of the lesions was 16.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 11-25) mm. ESD was completed in 53 cases (98.1%) with a median procedure time of 65.0 min, but it was discontinued in one case because of submucosal cancer invasion. En bloc resection was achieved in 52 cases (96.3%), whereas R0 resection was achieved in 45 cases (83.3%). Intraoperative perforation was observed in four cases (7.4%) and delayed perforation in one (1.9%), but all cases could be managed conservatively. Delayed bleeding was not observed. There were no significant differences in short-term outcomes between the rectal and colonic lesions. There was no recurrence of the tumor during the median follow-up period of 60 (IQR50-64) months. An analysis of our multicenter prospective study suggests that ESD is an effective salvage management for local residual or recurrent colorectal lesions.

Palliative urologic surgery for metastatic prostate cancer: what needs to be considered in the future?

Androgen deprivation in combination with novel hormonal agents, docetaxel or the combination of abiraterone/prednisone plus docetaxel or darolutamide plus docetaxel represent the standard therapeutic approach in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Patients with low-risk prostate cancer also benefit from additional radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy in terms of progression-free and overall survival. Despite favourable response rates, basically all patients will develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within 2.5 to 4 years. Systemic chemotherapy, second-line hormonal treatment or systemic application of radionuclides such as Radium-223 or 177Lu-PSMA represent salvage management options. As the new medical treatment options have led to an improved oncological outcome with significantly prolonged survival times, about 50% to 65% of patients will develop symptoms due to local progression of prostate cancer. The management of such symptomatic local progression will become more important in upcoming years, which means that all uro-oncologists need to be aware of the various surgical management options. If complications of the lower urogenital tract occur, for example repetitive gross haematuria with or without bladder clotting and with the necessity for red blood cell transfusions, subvesical obstruction, acute urinary retention or rectourethral or rectovesical fistulas, these may be managed by palliative surgery such as palliative TURP, radical cystectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion, and pelvic exenteration. Symptomatic or asymptomatic obstruction of the upper urinary tract can be managed by endoluminal or percutaneous urinary diversion, ureteral reimplantation, ileal ureter replacement, or implantation of a Detour system. However, an individualised and risk-adapted treatment strategy needs to be developed for each single patient to achieve an optimal therapeutic outcome with improvement of both symptoms and quality of life. In specific clinical situations, best supportive care may be an adequate option.

Two-Day Fraction Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Large Brain Metastasis.

We investigated how treating large brain metastasis (LBM) using 2-day fraction Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) affects tumor control and patient survival. A prescription dose of 10.3 Gy was applied for 2 consecutive days, with a biologically effective dose equivalent to a tumor single-fraction dose of 16.05 Gy and a brain single-fraction dose of 15.12 Gy. Between November 2017 and December 2021, 42 patients (mean age, 68.3 years; range, 50-84 years; male, 29 [69.1%]; female, 13 [30.9%]) with 44 tumors underwent 2-day fraction GKRS to treat large volume brain metastasis. The main cancer types were non-small cell lung cancer (n=16), small cell lung cancer (n=7), colorectal cancer (n=7), breast cancer (n=3), gastric cancer (n=2), and other cancers (n=7). Twenty-one patients (50.0%) had a single LBM, 19 (46.3%) had a single LBM and other metastases, and two had two (4.7%) large brain metastases. At the time of the 2-day fraction GKRS, the tumors had a mean volume of 23.1 mL (range, 12.5-67.4). On each day, radiation was administered at a dose of 10.3 Gy, mainly using a 50% isodose-line. We obtained clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up data for 34 patients (81%) with 35 tumors, who had undergone 2-day fraction GKRS. These patients did not experience acute or late radiation-induced complications during follow-up. The median and mean progression-free survival (PFS) periods were 188 and 194 days, respectively. The local control rates at 6, 9, and 12 months were 77%, 40%, and 34%, respectively. The prognostic factors related to PFS were prior radiotherapy (p=0.019) and lung cancer origin (p=0.041). Other factors such as tumor volumes, each isodose volumes, and peri-GKRS systemic treatment were not significantly related to PFS. The overall survival period of the 44 patients following repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) ranged from 15-878 days (median, 263±38 days; mean, 174±43 days) after the 2-day fraction GKRS. Eight patients (18.2%) were still alive. Considering the unsatisfactory tumor control, a higher prescription dose should be needed in this procedure as a salvage management. Moreover, in the treatment for LBM with fractionated SRS, using different isodoses and prescription doses at the treatment planning for LBMs should be important. However, this report might be a basic reference with the same fraction number and prescription dose in the treatment for LBMs with frame-based SRS.

A prognostic value of estimated pulse wave velocity in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Arterial stiffness, represented by estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV), is the independent surrogate marker for cardiovascular event. The aim of the study was to investigate the significance of ePWV in the treatment outcome of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). One hundred and ten patients with idiopathic SSNHL who hospitalized between April 2019 and March 2022 were evaluated. Arterial stiffness was calculated with formula for ePWV and other cardiovascular parameters of body mass index (BMI), and serum lipid level was determined. All patients received systemic high-dose steroid therapy and intratympanic steroid injections as a salvage management. Treatment outcome was assessed at 6months after treatment, and classified as recovery and nonrecovery groups according to hearing recovery. The initial pure-tone hearing threshold was 72.6 ± 23.8dB and final hearing threshold was 52.63 ± 31.10dB. After treatment, 60 (54.5%) patients included in recovery group and other 50 (45.5%) were classified as nonrecovery group. Age, days of onset to treatment, BMI, waist circumference, and ePWV were higher in the nonrecovery group compared to recovery group in univariate analysis (p = 0.039, p = 0.049, p = 0.003, p = 0.004, p = 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, days of onset to treatment, BMI, and ePWV were associated with recovery (p = 0.030, p = 0.007, p = 0.022). Higher ePWV, a measure of arterial stiffness, was associated with a poor hearing recovery of SSNHL.

Successful management of the leaflet perforation after the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure using transcatheter occlusion.

A 57-year-old female was diagnosed with chronic heart failure and severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) despite guideline-directed medical therapy. An echocardiogram revealed severe mitral regurgitation (MR) (4+) vena contracta width 8 mm with ejection fraction (21%), and no calcification on the annulus and leaflets was noted. Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) was attempted for this patient. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair was done under general anaesthesia with transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance using a novel designed SQ-Krin TEER system (Shenqi Medical). After transseptal puncture was achieved, a 24F guiding sheath was placed in the left atrium (LA). Then, one LW-size clip (6 mm width with 12 mm arm length) was placed in the A2/P2 region (Panel A). Mitral regurgitation severity was reduced to none (Panel A). However, 20 min after release, TEE revealed a large regurgitant gap (7–8 mm) between the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) and the clip arm with torrential MR (Panels B–D), and clip-induced leaflet perforation was confirmed. Considering the high risk of open-heart surgery, transcatheter occlusion was attempted. A 14F steerable catheter was placed in the LA through the previous puncture site, and the guide wire was placed into the left ventricle (LV) through the tear hole, and then a 14 mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug II (St Jude Medical, Abbott) was implanted through the delivery system to occlude the hole (Panels E and F). Mitral regurgitation was reduced to a mild degree after the procedure (Panels G and H). Post-operative recovery was uneventful and no sign of haemolysis. In the 1-year follow-up, the patient presented good condition with mild MR, and both the clip and the plug were in a stable position (Panel I). Leaflet perforation after the TEER procedure is a rare complication with a poor prognosis, especially for an FMR patient. Other than open-heart surgery, transcatheter occlusion may provide a reliable salvage management option.

Long-term efficacy and risk factors of balloon-assisted maturation for radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula with small-caliber veins.

Balloon angioplasty maturation (BAM) is a salvage method for autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure. AVF creation using small-diameter veins is considered to have poor outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the long-term patency of small-diameter veins (≤3 mm) using BAM. BAM was performed if the fistula failed to mature and function adequately to provide prescribed dialysis. Out of 61 AVFs, 22 AVFs successfully matured without further intervention (AVF group) and 39 AVFs failed to mature. Except for 1 patient who required peritoneal dialysis, the remaining 38 patients received salvage BAM, and 36 of those successful matured (BAM group). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant differences between the AVF and BAM groups in terms of primary functional patency (p = 0.503) and assisted functional patency (p = 0.499). Compared with the AVF group, the BAM group had similar assisted primary functional patency (1-year: 94.7% vs. 93.1%; 3-year: 88.0% vs. 93.1%; 5-year: 79.2% vs. 88.3%). In addition, there were no significant difference between groups in the duration of primary functional patency and assisted primary functional patency (p > 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that vein diameter and number of BAM procedures were independent predictors of primary functional patency in the AVF group and BAM group, respectively. Patient with 1 mm increase in vein size had 0.13-fold probability of having decreased duration of patency (HR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.99, p = 0.049), while patients who received two times of BAM procedures were 2.885 as likely to have decreased duration of primary functional patency (HR = 2.885, 95% CI: 1.09-7.63, p = 0.033) than patients who received one BAM procedure. BAM is a relatively effective salvage management option with an acceptable long-term patency rate, even for small cephalic veins.

MP77-16 MANAGEMENT OF BIOCHEMICAL RECURRENCE AND INCIDENT METASTATIC DISEASE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR PROSTATE CANCER

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP77-16 MANAGEMENT OF BIOCHEMICAL RECURRENCE AND INCIDENT METASTATIC DISEASE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR PROSTATE CANCER Ted Skolarus, Kristian Stensland, Daniel Herr, David Elliott, Jennifer Burns, Jordan Sparks, Chris Shin, Alexander Zaslavsky, Alexander Tsodikov, and Megan Caram Ted SkolarusTed Skolarus More articles by this author , Kristian StenslandKristian Stensland More articles by this author , Daniel HerrDaniel Herr More articles by this author , David ElliottDavid Elliott More articles by this author , Jennifer BurnsJennifer Burns More articles by this author , Jordan SparksJordan Sparks More articles by this author , Chris ShinChris Shin More articles by this author , Alexander ZaslavskyAlexander Zaslavsky More articles by this author , Alexander TsodikovAlexander Tsodikov More articles by this author , and Megan CaramMegan Caram More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003351.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer recurrence after surgery often presents as asymptomatic, biochemically recurrent, non-metastatic castration-sensitive disease. The extent to which the use and timing of ADT in this setting is associated with progression to metastatic disease is largely unknown. For these reasons, we conducted a population-based study to examine associations between biochemical recurrence management and progression along the castration cascade. METHODS: We used national electronic health record, cancer registry, administrative, pharmacy, and laboratory data to conduct a retrospective cohort study of men undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer from 2005 through 2015 in the Veterans Health Administration. We followed men through 2019 for biochemical recurrence, defined as PSA ≥0.2 ng/mL, and incident metastatic disease, identified using a validated natural language processing algorithm. We used multivariable regression to examine associations between metastatic disease and patient, disease, and salvage management approaches including ADT. RESULTS: We identified 8,558 men with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Most patients were managed with observation and/or salvage radiation therapy (70%). Metastatic disease occurred in 14% and on univariate analysis was associated with decreased time to biochemical recurrence (15.5 months, metastatic vs. 19.2 months non-metastatic), younger age at recurrence, positive surgical margins, higher pathologic stage and PSA at diagnosis (all p<0.01). Salvage ADT was used in 30% of patients with recurrence, mostly among men who remained non-metastatic (65%). Pre-ADT PSA was higher among men with metastatic disease (4.1 ng/mL metastatic vs. 0.9 ng/mL non-metastatic, p<0.001), as was castration-resistant drug use (48.2% metastatic vs. 4.5% non-metastatic, p<0.001). Salvage ADT was highly associated with metastatic disease in this observational study (adjusted odds ratio 6.04, 95% CI 4.68-7.81). CONCLUSIONS: Management of biochemically recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy varied widely, including the use and timing of ADT. We found metastatic disease occurred in about 1 in 7 men with recurrence and was associated with traditional risk factors. While most salvage ADT was for non-metastatic disease, the extent to which castration use in observational data reflects disease severity or incites castration-resistance and metastatic disease warrants further study. Source of Funding: NCI R01 CA242559 © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1108 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Ted Skolarus More articles by this author Kristian Stensland More articles by this author Daniel Herr More articles by this author David Elliott More articles by this author Jennifer Burns More articles by this author Jordan Sparks More articles by this author Chris Shin More articles by this author Alexander Zaslavsky More articles by this author Alexander Tsodikov More articles by this author Megan Caram More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Compression hemostasis using fully covered self-expandable metallic stents for refractory hemorrhages caused by esophageal cancer: A pilot study

ObjectiveFully covered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) have been widely used as a salvage therapy for patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. However, the role of fully covered SEMSs in the management of hemorrhage caused by esophageal cancer has not yet been established. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of fully covered SEMSs as a salvage therapy for esophageal cancer-related hemorrhage.MethodsFrom September 2019 to March 2022, 17 patients, who underwent the insertion of fully covered SEMS for malignant esophageal hemorrhages, were retrospectively analyzed. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans and esophagographies were performed routinely to determine the location and length of the tumor. A fully covered SEMS was implanted under fluoroscopy. Baseline demographics were retrospectively collected, that is those for sex, age, previous treatment, comorbidities, lesion type, and stent size.ResultsA total of 20 metal stents were placed in 17 patients, with a technical success rate of 100% and a hemostasis success rate of 88.2%. Stent removal was performed in three patients because of complications. No perioperative deaths were related to stent placement or removal. Five main complications (29.4%) were found after stent insertion. Stent migration and restenosis were observed in two patients (11.8%). Except for two perioperative deaths and one patient lost to follow-up, all remaining 14 patients were successfully followed up. At the end of follow-up, two patients had survived without obvious symptoms, and a total of 12 patients were dead owing to tumor progression (n = 10), severe infection (n = 1), and cerebrovascular accident (n = 1). The median overall survival was 13.8 months.ConclusionInsertion of a fully covered SEMS may be a safe and effective means of the salvage management of refractory esophageal cancer-related hemorrhage, and its use in this context may lead to the development of innovative methods for compression hemostasis. However, further study with a larger sample size and comparison with other forms of salvage therapy.

Vascularized osseous flaps for head and neck reconstruction: Comparative analysis focused on complications and salvage options

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of fibular (FFF group) and scapular (SFF group) osseous free flaps for reconstructing head and neck defects for primary surgery and salvage options. MethodsWe analyzed 156 cases of osseous free flaps in 138 patients from a retrospective review of a single institutional database between January 1996 and January 2020 (FFF, 114 cases in 99 patients; SFF, 42 cases in 39 patients). Clinical profiles such as age, sex, primary tumor site, and defect type were investigated in the two groups. In addition, the incidences and types of perioperative complications, flap compromise, and salvage management were compared between the two groups. ResultsFFF was used mostly for oromandibular defects, whereas SFF was preferred for maxillary defect reconstruction. The length of hospital stay was longer in the FFF group than in the SFF group. The flap compromise rate was not significantly different between the two groups; however, donor-site complications were not observed in the SFF group as compared to 7.9% in the FFF group. A regional or free (musculo) cutaneous flap was used as a salvage procedure in partial flap compromise. Contralateral SFF was available to replace a completely compromised SFF, whereas it was not feasible in a completely compromised FFF. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed no significant prognostic factors for flap-related complications. ConclusionThe two osseous free flaps showed differences in defect type, flap donor complications, and options for compromised flap salvage. These findings must be considered carefully in the preoperative planning stage to guarantee early recovery and timely administration of postoperative adjuvant treatment if necessary.

Serious hazards of transfusion: evaluating the dangers of a wrong patient autologous salvaged blood in cardiac surgery

BackgroundThe past half century has seen the near eradication of transfusion-associated hazards. Intraoperative cell salvage while widely used still poses significant risks and hazards due to human error. We report on a case in which blood collected from a patient with lung cancer was mistakenly administered to a patient undergoing cardiac surgery who should have received his own collected blood. The initial investigation found that the cause of the patient harm was violations of procedures by hospital personnel. A detailed investigation revealed that not only violations were the cause, but also that the underlying causes included haphazard organizational policies, poor communication, workload and staffing deficiencies, human factors and cultural challenges.Case presentationOn August 14, 2019, a 72-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for angina pectoris and multivessel coronary artery disease. Cardiac surgery was performed using an autologous salvage blood collection system, and there were no major problems other than the prolonged operation time. During the night after the surgery, when the patient’s blood pressure dropped, a nurse retrieved a blood bag from the ICU refrigerator that had been collected during the surgery and administered it at the physician's direction, but at this time neither the physician nor the nurse performed the required checking procedures. The blood administered was another patient's blood taken from another surgery the day before; an ABO mismatch transfusion occurred and the patient was diagnosed with DIC. The patient was discharged 65 days later after numerous interventions to support the patient. An accident investigation committee was convened to analyze the root causes and develop countermeasures to prevent a recurrence.ConclusionThis adverse event occurred because the protocol for intraoperative blood salvage management was not clearly defined, and the procedure was different from the standard transfusion practices. We developed a new workflow based on a human factors grounded, systems-wide improvement strategy in which intraoperative blood collection would be administered before the patient leaves the operating room to completely prevent recurrence, instead of simply requiring front-line staff to do a double-check. Implementing strong systems processes can reduce the risk of errors, improve the reliability of the work processes and reduce the likelihood of patient harm occurring in the future.

A novel technique of sutureless omentopexy during dual-incision laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion to prevent catheter dysfunction due to omental wrapping.

Omental wrapping (OW) is the leading cause of obstruction of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter, which interferes with dialysis treatment. Routinely or selectively performing omentopexy during laparoscopic PD catheter placement has been suggested to prevent OW. However, most of the published techniques for performing this adjunctive procedure require additional incisions and suturing. Herein, we aimed to report our experience in performing omentopexy with a sutureless technique during dual-incision PD catheter insertion. We also performed a comparative analysis to assess the benefit/risk profile of routine omentopexy in these patients. This retrospective study enrolled 469 patients who underwent laparoscopic PD catheter insertion. Their demographic characteristics and operative details were collected from the database of our institution. Omentopexy was performed by fixing the inferior edge of the omentum to the round ligament of the liver using titanium clips. For analysis, the patients were divided into the omentopexy group and the non-omentopexy group. We also reviewed the salvage management and outcomes of patients who experienced OW. The patients were categorized into the omentopexy (n = 81) and non-omentopexy (n = 388) groups. The patients in the non-omentopexy group had a higher incidence of OW, whereas no patient in the omentopexy group experienced this complication (5.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.033). The median operative time was 27min longer in patients who underwent omentopexy than in those who did not [100 (82-118) min vs. 73 (63-84) min, p < 0.001]. One patient had an intra-abdominal hematoma after omentopexy and required salvage surgery to restore catheter function. The complication rate of omentopexy was 1.2% (1/81). Sutureless omentopexy during laparoscopic PD catheter insertion is a safe and reliable technique that does not require additional incisions and suturing. Routinely performing omentopexy provides clinical benefits by reducing the risk of catheter dysfunction due to OW.

Resection and reconstruction of the carotid artery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a GETTEC study.

Main: To describe 1-year overall survival (OS) after primary or salvage management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) invading the common or internal carotid artery (CCA/ICA). Secondary: To assess disease control rate, treatment morbidity, and radio-anatomopathologic correlation. Retrospective study of 67 patients, treated between 1999 and 2020 for N3bM0 HNSCC invading the CCA/ICA as identified by CT-scan. Tumors that could not have been resected with a complete en-bloc resection sacrificing and reconstructing the CCA/ICA were excluded. Patients were separated into two groups (primary or salvage treatment) and studied according to the type of treatment they received: radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy (RT/RCT), surgery, or systemic therapy (ST). For newly treated patients, the 1-year OS was significantly better after RT/RCT (73%) than after surgery (40%, p < 0.0001). In the salvage setting, the 1-year OS after surgery (40%) was better than after ST (14%, statistically suggestive difference with p = 0.0241). Surgery improved cervical control, but distant metastases occurred in more than 50% of cases regardless of treatment. No neurological complication occurred after carotid reconstruction. Perioperative mortality was 7% (1/15). The carotid invasion was confirmed by pathological examination in all five patients with an arterial deformation on CT-scan, in seven among eight patients with CCA/ICA encasement greater than 270°, and in four out of seven patients with CCA/ICA encasement between 180° and 270°. Neck dissection with carotid resection and reconstruction is technically feasible with acceptable neurovascular morbidity. For newly treated patients, survival is better after RT/RCT. For salvage treatment, surgery could be proposed to selected patients.

Watch and wait strategies for rectal cancer: A systematic review

Watch and wait (WW) strategies have been suggested for patients with clinical complete regression (cCR). The WW approach was first introduced by Habr–Gama in patients with cCR after neoadjuvant treatment. Actually, it is not “no surgery” but “deferral of surgery;” therefore, the WW approach or non-operative management is a representative term currently. The number of publications regarding WW for rectal cancer has increased abruptly. We conducted a systematic review of PubMed for literature published on WW. It is now one of the most interesting issues in rectal cancer treatment. Many studies have reported comparable overall survival with WW and radical resection. However, a high local regrowth rate is a problem, and proper salvage management is the main concern in the WW approach. Adequate patient selection is necessary to achieve favorable oncologic outcomes. However, the appropriate definition and diagnostic method for cCR have not yet been clearly defined. Indeed, advances in local control have not translated into overall survival improvement, and many efforts have been made to improve distant metastasis control and overall survival and improve clinical response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy. In this review, oncologic outcomes, ongoing efforts to improve oncologic outcomes, and limitations for clinical practice were evaluated and described.