Tumor Surgery Research Articles

Retraction Note: Letter to the editor: "Risk factors for early intraventricular hemorrhagic complications following lateral ventricular tumor surgery".

Retraction Note: Letter to the editor: "Risk factors for early intraventricular hemorrhagic complications following lateral ventricular tumor surgery".

Surgical Adverse Events for Primary Tumors of the Spine and Their Impact on Outcomes: An Observational Study From the Primary Tumors Research and Outcomes Network.

Aggressive resection for primary tumors of the spine are associated with a high rate of adverse events (AEs), but the impact of AEs on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) remains unknown and is critical to the shared decision-making. Our primary objective was to assess the impact of surgical AEs on PROs using an international registry. Assessing the impact on clinical outcomes and identifying risk factors for AEs were our secondary objectives. Patients who underwent surgery for a primary spinal tumor were selected through the Primary Tumor Research and Outcomes Network. Our primary outcome was the impact of AEs on PROs at 3 and 12 months after surgery (measured with Spinal Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire, Short-Form 36, and EuroQol 5 Dimension). We also assessed the impact on clinical outcomes (local control, surgical margins, readmission, reoperation, and mortality). We stratified our results according to severity of AEs, histology, and type of resection. 374 patients met inclusion criteria (219 males/155 females). The mean age of the cohort was 48.7 years. The most frequent histology was chordoma (37.3%) followed by chondrosarcoma (8.8%). Sixty-seven patients (17.9%) experienced at least 1 intraoperative AE and 117 patients (31.3%) had at least 1 postoperative AE within 3 months. Overall, 159 patients (42.5%) experienced AEs. The readmission rate was significantly higher in patients who experienced AEs (Any AE: 10.1% vs no AE: 1.9% within 3 months; P = <0.001). PROs were not significantly affected by AEs in most questionnaires. Local control, risk of reoperation, mortality, and achieving preplanned margins were similar between AE groups. The rate of surgical AEs is considerable in this population. Surgical AEs seem to be associated with a higher number of readmissions, but do not seem to result in significant differences in PROs or in a higher risk of reoperation, mortality, and failure to achieve preplanned margins.

Surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors: a systematic review

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are a rare group of central nervous system tumors with special treatment approaches. The main problems are related to optimal time of surgery, invasiveness and recurrence of tumor. To review available literature data on the treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors, to summarize the main achievements and changes in treatment strategy over the past 5 years. We reviewed Russian- and English-language literature on the treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors over the past five years. The studies were selected in accordance with PRISMA recommendations. We analyzed literature data in the PubMed, eLibrary, Cochrane and Medline databases over the last 5 years. The studies were selected taking into account the relevance and quality of researches. Large-scale studies are rare due to rarity of intramedullary spinal cord tumors. The main changes in surgery for intramedullary spinal cord tumors in recent years have occurred due to changes in surgical tactics (emphasis on functional status rather total resection), improvement of equipment for adjustment of surgical approach (MRI, intraoperative monitoring, intraoperative ultrasound), more accurate and effective adjuvant therapy contributing to preoperative shrinkage of tumor and preservation of functionally important areas.

Giant and irregular pituitary neuroendocrine tumors surgery: comparison of simultaneous combined endoscopic endonasal and transcranial and purely endoscopic endonasal surgery at a single center

BackgroundSurgical management of giant and irregular pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GIPitNETs) presents a significant challenge in neurosurgery. While endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is a widely used approach for PitNETs, GIPitNETs with extensive intracranial extension pose challenges for purely EES. We use simultaneous combined endoscopic endonasal and transcranial surgery (CECS) for the treatment of this type of tumor. Currently, there is limited research comparing CECS to EES for GIPitNETs. This study aims to compare the efficacy and short outcome of CECS and purely EES in the management of GIPitNETs to better understand the advantages and limitations of each surgical approach.MethodsThe data of GIPitNETs patients who underwent surgery between March 2018 and May 2023 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed. All included cases were divided into CECS and EES groups according to the treatment modality received. The baseline characteristics and tumor imaging features of patients were compared between the groups, as well as surgical results, perioperative complications, and last follow-up outcomes.ResultsA total of 50 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 27 undergoing CECS and 23 EES. CECS achieved a significantly higher GTR rate compared to EES (66.7% vs. 13.0%, p < 0.0001). CECS had longer operation times and hospital stays, but both approaches had similar rates of complications, including intracranial infection, CSF leakage, new pituitary dysfunction, postoperative diabetes insipidus, and vascular infarction. CECS reduces the risk of postoperative bleeding. Tumor recurrence and reoperation were significantly more common in the EES group.ConclusionsCECS is a safe and effective surgical approach for GIPitNETs, leading to higher rates of GTR, comparable complication rates, and reduced risk of postoperative bleeding when compared to purely EES. EES was associated with more tumor recurrence. Further long-term follow-up data is needed to validate these findings.

Multicenter study on 2-year outcomes of dual application of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and a nasoseptal flap following endoscopic endonasal surgery for tuberculum sellae meningiomas or craniopharyngiomas.

The authors evaluated the intermediate-term outcomes of a skull base reconstruction technique using hydroxyapatite cranioplasty combined with a nasoseptal flap following endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for suprasellar tumors. Specifically, the evaluation focused on the avoidance of lumbar CSF drainage, prevention of CSF leakage, and incidence of postoperative complications, including meningitis and nasoseptal flap necrosis, during a minimum follow-up of 2 years. This multicenter study included patients who met the following criteria: 1) underwent EES for tuberculum sellae meningiomas or craniopharyngiomas, 2) received dual application of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and reconstruction using a nasoseptal flap, 3) had a follow-up duration of at least 2 years, and 4) did not undergo lumbar drainage of CSF postoperatively. The success rate of reconstruction was determined based on postoperative CSF leakage, associated complications, meningitis, postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS), and would dehiscence. A total of 198 patients from three institutions diagnosed with tuberculum sellae meningioma (86 patients) or craniopharyngioma (112 patients) were included in this study. The median follow-up duration was 39 months. No patient underwent postoperative lumbar drainage of CSF. Postoperatively, only 3 patients (1.5%) experienced CSF leaks requiring reoperation. The median hospital LOS after surgery was 5 days. Other postoperative complications included atypical meningitis in 5 patients and wound dehiscence in 3 patients during the follow-up period. All patients with nonbacterial meningitis were treated with intravenous antibiotics and dexamethasone medication for 2 weeks. The combination of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and a nasoseptal flap in reconstruction following EES decreased the requirement for postoperative lumbar CSF drainage and shortened hospital LOSs with minimal morbidities. Nevertheless, careful attention to the risks of meningitis and central necrosis of a nasoseptal flap is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Neuroendocrine Pituitary Tumors

Analysis of Risk Factors for Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Neuroendocrine Pituitary Tumors

Contribution of watertight dural closure to prevention of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage in endoscopic transnasal surgery for intradural lesions.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of watertight dural closure (WTDC) in preventing postoperative CSF leakage during extended endoscopic transnasal surgery (ETS) for skull base tumors, while preserving sinonasal quality by omitting the routine use of a nasoseptal flap. This retrospective study included 28 patients who underwent ETS and experienced Esposito grade 3 CSF leakage at a single institution between June 2022 and June 2024. WTDC was performed using fascia lata grafts and various suturing techniques. Surgical videos and electronic medical records were reviewed to assess suturing times and postoperative outcomes. The efficacy of WTDC in preventing CSF leakage was evaluated, and the technical aspects of the procedure were analyzed. Among the 28 patients (14 female, 14 male), WTDC was successfully achieved in 14 cases, with near-watertight closure in the remaining 14. The average suturing time decreased with experience, showing a trend of improved efficiency. No postoperative CSF leaks were observed, and 1 case of postoperative meningitis resolved without sequelae. Despite significant risk factors for CSF leakage, WTDC was effective in all patients without the routine use of lumbar drainage. WTDC in ETS is a reliable method for preventing postoperative CSF leakage, particularly in complex skull base surgeries with high-risk factors. This technique avoids the complications associated with nasoseptal flap use, preserves sinonasal quality, and reduces the need for lumbar drainage, making it a valuable option for skull base reconstruction.

Hepatic portal venous gas following surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with diabetes: An unusual case

Hepatic portal venous gas following surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with diabetes: An unusual case

Changing trends from inguinal radical orchiectomy to testis-sparing surgery in pediatric testicular tumors

Changing trends from inguinal radical orchiectomy to testis-sparing surgery in pediatric testicular tumors

Impact of Routine and Selective Preoperative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography with Stent Placement on Postoperative and Oncologic Outcomes Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Background: According to current guidelines, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary stenting (ERCP/stenting) is often necessary in patients with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), including severe jaundice (bilirubin &gt; 250 umol/l), pruritus, cholangitis, cholestatic liver dysfunction, renal failure, severe malnutrition, or delayed surgery for tumors requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative ERCP/stenting on postoperative and long-term outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for PDAC. Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent partial/total PD for PDAC between 2012 and 2019 in two hepato-pancreato-biliary centers in Germany and Switzerland were assessed. We compared patients treated with preoperative ERCP/stenting with those directly undergoing surgery according to postoperative morbidity, postoperative mortality, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: During the study period, 192 patients underwent partial/total PD for PDAC. ERCP/stenting was performed in 105 patients, and 87 patients underwent resection without prior intervention. Postoperative 90-day overall morbidity rate (71% vs. 56%, p = 0.029) and superficial surgical site infection (SSI) rate (39% vs. 17%, p &lt; 0.001) were significantly worse following preoperative ERCP/stenting. Major postoperative morbidity rate (18% vs. 21%, p = 0.650), organ/space SSI rate (7% vs. 14%, p = 0.100), and 90-day postoperative mortality rate (4% vs. 2%, p = 0.549) did not significantly differ between the two groups. After excluding 44 patients for whom the indication for ERCP/stenting was not consistent with current guidelines, ERCP/stenting was associated with a higher superficial SSI rate (36% vs. 17%, p = 0.009) and shorter length of stay (12 vs. 16 days, p = 0.004). Median OS (ERCP/stenting: 18 months vs. no ERCP/stenting: 23 months, p = 0.490) and median DFS (ERCP/stenting: 14 months vs. no ERCP/stenting: 18 months, p = 0.645) were independent from the utilization of ERCP/stenting. Conclusions: Preoperative ERCP/stenting in patients with PDAC can be performed without increasing organ/space SSI, major perioperative morbidity, and mortality rates and without worsening oncologic outcomes. However, it is associated with higher superficial SSI rates. If ERCP/stenting is not performed routinely but according to current guidelines, it is also associated with a shorter length of hospital stay. Further refinement of the indications for preoperative ERCP/stenting may reduce superficial SSI rates.

Enhancing Surgical Video Phase Recognition with Advanced AI Models for Endoscopic Pituitary Tumor Surgery

Enhancing Surgical Video Phase Recognition with Advanced AI Models for Endoscopic Pituitary Tumor Surgery

Dural and cranial reconstruction techniques in retrosigmoid craniotomy: key factors associated with CSF leaks in 225 patients.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of various dural closure and bone reconstruction techniques in preventing CSF leakage following retrosigmoid craniotomy for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. The goal was to identify whether newer combinations of reconstructive materials offer any advantage in reducing CSF leaks and improving surgical outcomes. The authors conducted a retrospective review of 225 patients who underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy for CPA neoplasms between January 2018 and August 2024. Patient demographics, intraoperative reports, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Various reconstructive methods, including the use of TachoSil, HydroSet, autologous or heterologous dural patches, and bone flap repositioning, were compared. CSF-related complications such as CSF leakage, infections, and postoperative hydrocephalus were systematically evaluated. CSF leakage occurred in 31% of cases (n = 69), while CSF infections and postoperative hydrocephalus were noted in 6% and 7% of patients, respectively. HydroSet combined with bone flap repositioning significantly reduced CSF leakage (p = 0.008), as did the combination of HydroSet and heterologous dural patches (p = 0.007). TachoSil did not show a significant reduction in CSF leakage. Craniectomy with titanium mesh or heterologous cranioplasty was not associated with any CSF leaks. No other single or combined techniques showed significant associations with CSF leakage. HydroSet in combination with bone reconstruction and heterologous patches demonstrated superior outcomes in reducing CSF leaks. TachoSil did not significantly affect leakage rates, with less definite results. Refining surgical techniques and selecting appropriate materials for dural and bone reconstruction may help reduce complications and improve patient outcomes in CPA tumor surgeries using the retrosigmoid approach.

Clinical-pathologic characteristics in young patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Experience from a specialized cancer institute in Peru.

279 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third cause of malignant neoplasm in the world and the second in terms of mortality. CRC is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Peru. Diagnosis at younger ages represents a challenge. In this study, we evaluated prognostic factors in patients who were metastatic at diagnosis or progressed to metastatic disease during follow-up. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, between 2013 and 2022, 66 patients under 40 years old and stage IV at diagnosis were analyzed. Parameters evaluated were age, gender, comorbidity, performance status and stage of the disease at the diagnosis, localization, surgery undergone, systemic treatment regimen, response to first-line treatment, incidence of K-RAS, sites and number of metastases, expression of tumor predictors (CEA levels), and survival times. A multivariate analysis was conducted with factors that were considered statistically significant in the univariate analysis. Results: Median age was 35 years [29.25-37] and the female/male ratio was 34/32. From 66 patients at stage IV disease, 30 patients (45.5%) were right-side, 36 (54.5%) were left-side colon cancer. At the end of follow-up, 51 patients had died, and 15 survived. Overall survival (OS) was significantly better in patients older than 35 years old (p&lt;0,05), those who underwent primary tumor surgery (p&lt;0,001), negative perineural invasion (p&lt;0.0045). The treatment most common was CAPOX with a median OS of 17 months (p&lt;0.013). The multivariate analysis shows that patients who did not undergo primary surgery had worse disease-specific OS (hazard ratio, CI 2.21.95% [1.15-4.25], p&lt; 0.018) and there was no statistical difference between chemotherapy regimens and treatment line. Conclusions: In young patients with metastatic CRC, Primary tumor surgery and negative perineural invasion are significant factors influencing overall survival. Patients older than 35 years and those who underwent surgery showed better survival. These findings reflect the importance of early colorectal cancer screening and improve the risk assessment.

THE ROLE OF INTRAOPERATIVE ULTRASOUND IN RESECTION OF INTRACRANIAL TUMORS: A SINGLE-INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE

Background: Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) plays a crucial role in intracranial tumor resection, offering real-time visualization and guidance during surgery. This study evaluates the utility of IOUS in enhancing resection extent and improving outcomes for patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included 124 patients who underwent intracranial tumor resection with IOUS guidance between January 2018 and December 2022 at a single tertiary care neurosurgical center. Data collected included demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical details, radiological findings, and clinical outcomes. Resection extent was classified as gross total resection (GTR), near-total resection (NTR), or subtotal resection (STR). Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. Results: The most common tumor locations were supratentorial (66.1%) and infratentorial (33.9%). Glioblastoma (38.7%), meningioma (25.8%), and metastatic brain tumors (16.1%) were the most frequent histological diagnoses. IOUS guidance facilitated GTR in 67.7% of patients, NTR in 22.6%, and STR in 9.7%. The median overall survival was 16.3 months. Patients achieving GTR had significantly longer survival (20.1 months) compared to NTR (14.8 months) and STR (10.2 months) (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: IOUS guidance is a valuable tool in intracranial tumor surgery, contributing to improved resection extent and favorable survival outcomes. The high GTR rate and improved survival highlight the potential of IOUS to enhance the quality of care and clinical outcomes for these patients.

Comparative Analysis of 5 cmH₂O Versus 10 cmH₂O PEEP on Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Comparative Analysis of 5 cmH₂O Versus 10 cmH₂O PEEP on Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Lingual Artery Identification for Ligation in Neck Dissection and Transoral Surgery for Oropharyngeal Tumors.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and transoral laser microsurgery (TOLM) plus neck dissection are viable alternatives to radiotherapy as a treatment modality in select cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Many centers advocate for elective ligation of the feeding arteries at index neck dissection prior to TORS/TOLM to mitigate the risk of catastrophic perioperative hemorrhage. Although there are multiple cadaveric studies in the literature to identify the lingual artery at multiple points throughout its course, there are no studies on the intraoperative identification of the lingual artery for elective ligation prior to TORS/TOLM. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing neck dissection with vessel ligation prior to TORS. Lingual artery was identified at its origin, and relation to hypoglossal nerve was recorded. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings including the relation between lingual artery and hypoglossal nerve measured in millimeters, and postoperative complications were extracted from medical records. Of the 33 cases eligible for this study, the lingual artery was identified directly deep to the hypoglossal nerve in 21 cases (63.6%). Of the remaining cases, seven were within 5 mm inferior to the hypoglossal nerve (21.2%), and only two cases (6.1%) were identified superior to the hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve is a useful landmark for the intraoperative identification of the lingual nerve in elective neck dissection prior to TORS. The lingual artery can be identified either immediately deep to or within 5 mm inferior to the hypoglossal nerve in majority of cases. 4 Laryngoscope, 2025.

P-390. Burden of Surgical Site Infections with pathogens resistant to perioperative prophylaxis in orthopedic tumor surgery: Secondary analysis of the PARITY trial

Abstract Background Treatment of malignant bone tumors of the lower extremity often requires complex surgical reconstruction with the use of endoprostheses. These procedures are associated with an increased risk for surgical site infection (SSI). Here, we describe the risk factors for microbial resistance, characteristics and microbiology of SSIs in this population in a secondary analysis of the PARITY trial. Methods The PARITY trial assessed the effect of short-term (24 hours) versus long-term (5 days) postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazoline or cefuroxime on SSI incidence in orthopedic oncology. Here, we evaluated the proportion of pathogens with presumed resistance to cephalosporine prophylaxis in this cohort. Resistance was defined either based on susceptibility testing, presence of intrinsic resistance mechanisms and/or based on the chosen antibiotics to treat a SSI episode. Results SSI were diagnosed in 96 of 604 patients (15.9%; Table 1). On average, SSIs occurred 77.4 days (IQR 81.25) after surgery. Among these, cultures were positive in 73 (76.0%). The most common pathogens were coagulase negative staphylococci (34.4%), followed by S. aureus (24.0%), and Enterobacterales (22.9%; Table 2). In 68.5% (n=50) SSI episodes, at least one pathogen was resistant to the prophylactic regimen. Polymicrobial infections were detected in 41.1% (n=30). Antibiotic cement was used in 40 (41.7%) patients, with resistance against the used antibiotic in 34 (85.0%). In the short-term group the proportion of resistant pathogens was lower (65.9% versus 71.9%; OR 0.75, CI 0.27, 2.06, p=0.385; Table 3). Proportionately more resistance was seen in patients with neutropenia (91.7% vs. 64.9%; OR 5.95, CI 0.72, 49.44, p=0.062), re-operation (80.0% vs. 66.7%; OR 2.00, CI 0.39, 10.27, p=0.328) and in those on postoperative antibiotics for more than 7 days prior to SSI diagnosis (75.8% vs. 62.5%; OR 1.88, CI 0.67, 5.21, p=0.169).Table 3:Risk factors for SSI caused by cephalosporin-resistant pathogens (univariate analysis) Conclusion SSI due to pathogens resistant to the systemic or local prophylactic agents used are common in patients undergoing reconstruction for bone tumors. Several potential risk factors associated with resistance were evaluated, but the sample size limited our ability to draw final conclusions. Disclosures Sabine Kuster, MD, Takeda Canada: Honoraria Michelle Ghert, MD, FRCSC, Stryker: Advisor/Consultant|Stryker: Grant/Research Support Dominik Mertz, MD, MSc, KCI Inc. USA: Grant/Research Support

Evaluation of surgical strategy for low anterior resection syndrome using preoperative low anterior resection syndrome score in China.

Despite improved survival rates in rectal cancer treatment, many patients experience low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The preoperative LARS score (POLARS) aims to address the limitations of LARS assessment by predicting outcomes preoperatively to enhance surgical planning. To investigate the predictive accuracy of POLARS in assessing the occurrence of LARS. This study enrolled a total of 335 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic low anal sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal tumors. Patients were categorized into three groups according to their POLARS score: no LARS (score 0-20), minor LARS (score 21-29), and major LARS (score 30-42). The QLQ-C30/CR29 scores were compared among these groups, and the agreement between POLARS predictions and the actual LARS scores was analyzed. The study population was divided into three groups: major LARS (n = 51, 27.42%), minor LARS (n = 109, 58.6%), and no LARS (n = 26, 13.98%). Significant differences in the QLQ-C30 scales of social function, diarrhea, and financial impact were detected between the no LARS and major LARS groups (P < 0.05) and between the minor LARS and major LARS groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, significant differences were detected in the QLQ-CR29 scales for blood and mucus in the stool, fecal incontinence, and stool frequency between the no LARS and minor LARS groups (P < 0.05), as well as between the minor LARS and major LARS groups (P < 0.05). The predictive precision for major LARS using the POLARS score was 82.35% (42/51), with a recall of 35.89% (42/117). The mean absolute error (MAE) between the POLARS score and the actual LARS score was 8.92 ± 5.47. In contrast, the XGBoost (extreme gradient boosting) model achieved a lower MAE of 6.29 ± 4.77, with a precision of 84.39% and a recall of 74.05% for predicting major LARS. The POLARS score demonstrated effectiveness and precision in predicting major LARS, thereby providing valuable insights into postoperative symptoms and patient quality of life. However, the XGBoost model exhibited superior performance with a lower MAE and higher recall for predicting major LARS compared to the POLARS model.

Mammoth Parapharyngeal Space Tumor - A Case Report

Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors are uncommon and represent 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. About 50% of PPS tumors have a salivary cause, 20% have a neurogenic, and the last 30% display as benign and malignant lymphoreticular lesions, metastatic lesions and carotid body tumors. We present a 23 year man, with large PPS tumor, which emphasis on the preoperative workup with imaging and cytology/biopsy as paramount for the diagnosis and planning of the surgery of PPS tumor. Keywords: Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors, neural tumor, schwannomas, S-100

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ciprofol after continuous infusion in elderly patients

BackgroundCiprofol, a novel intravenous anesthetic, which has primarily been used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults, is characterized by rapid onset, short duration of action, and quick and smooth recovery. However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of continuous infusions and the correlation between the plasma concentration and the bispectral index (BIS) in elderly patients are still unknown.MethodIn this randomized, controlled study, thirty elderly patients (62–78 years old) undergoing elective gastrointestinal tumor resection were treated with propofol (N = 15) or ciprofol (N = 15) as sedatives during anesthesia. After induction, ciprofol/propofol was continuously infused intravenously until the end of the operation. Perioperative vital signs, injection pain, adverse events (AEs), BIS values, eyelid reflex disappearance times, and recovery times were recorded. The plasma concentrations of ciprofol and propofol were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) and the pharmacokinetics were determined by noncompartmental analysis.ResultsBoth drugs caused a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate after induction. Eight cases (53. 3%) of hypotension and 3 cases (20%) of bradycardia occurred in the propofol group, while 8 cases (53. 3%) of hypotension and 5 cases (33. 3%) of bradycardia occurred in the ciprofol group. At intubation, the ciprofol group experienced fewer fluctuations in blood pressure than the propofol group. Ciprofol resulted in only one case (6.7%) of mild injection pain, less than that produced by propofol (10/15, 66.7%) (P < 0.05). Anesthesia induction was successfully completed with both drugs, and there were no significant differences in eyelash reflex disappearance or recovery time between the two groups. The plasma concentrations during maintenance were relatively stable in both groups (propofol 1.78 ± 0.67 μg/mL, ciprofol 0.71 ± 0.23 μg/mL), and a suitable depth of sedation was achieved with a BIS of 40–60. The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters for ciprofol are listed as follows: Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) 6.02 ± 2.13 μg/ml; Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax) 0.18 ± 0.62 min; Apparent Volume of Distribution (Vz) 3.96 ± 0.84 L/kg; Total Clearance (CL) 0.83 ± 0.14 L/h/kg; Half-life (t½) 3.47 ± 1.85 h; Area Under the Curve (AUC) 5000 ± 900 L/h/kg; Terminal Elimination Rate Constant (λz) 0.23 ± 0.07 1/h. Similar to propofol, the plasma concentration of ciprofol was linearly correlated with the BIS.ConclusionCiprofol, a novel intravenous anesthetic, can be safely and effectively used in elderly patient continuous infusion with minimal injection pain. Plasma concentrations of ciprofol correlate well with BIS values, helping control sedation depth. For elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery, an optimal maintenance dose of 0.8 mg/kg/h is recommended.Trial registrationThis clinical trial (registration No: ChiCTR2100047580, https://www.chictr.org.cn. The pre-registration date was June 20, 2021, and the review approval and official case solicitation began in December 2021; Retrospectively registered) was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Congress Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. All study subjects provided written informed consent.