Surgical Therapy Research Articles

Variation of practice in the treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a European Association of Neurosurgical Societies Spine Section study.

The incidence of spondylodiscitis is rising across Europe, but the ideal treatment approach remains controversial. The choice between conservative and surgical therapies is ambiguous due to a lack of consensus. This European survey aimed to explore prevailing treatment paradigms for primary spondylodiscitis. Spine neurosurgeons were invited through the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies Spine Section's mailing list to participate in an online survey featuring 7 spondylodiscitis case vignettes. Along with general management queries, specific patient treatment questions were posed. Data analysis was performed using R software (version 4.0.4). The index of qualitative variation (IQV) was calculated to quantify the variability in responses. A total of 130 responses were collected, comprising 86.9% board-certified neurosurgeons and 13.1% neurosurgeons in training, with an average of 11 years of practice. Most respondents performed 50-100 spine surgeries annually, with 66.7% specializing in spine surgery. An epidural empyema causing pronounced neurological deficits influenced 95.4% toward a surgical intervention, and mild neurological deficits and challenges in pathogen identification prompted 72.3% and 80%, respectively, to consider a surgical approach. Vertebral body destruction and spinal deformity directed 60% and 66.2%, respectively, toward surgery, whereas advanced age and comorbidities had a much smaller impact-5.4% and 9.2%, respectively. Clinical vignettes highlighted a predominant preference for conservative treatment in specific cases, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The IQV values evaluated for each question ranged from 0.88 to 0.99, indicating low agreement across all questions among respondents. When examining the average IQV by country, intercountry variations in IQV were substantial, as illustrated by the diverse range of overall mean IQV values (0.15-0.85). The findings reveal a significant variability in the treatment of spondylodiscitis among European neurosurgeons, with most neurosurgeons opting for conservative treatment. These diverse strategies, both between and within countries, highlight an imperative for evidence-backed guidelines and consensus statements for this grave condition.

Literature review, surgical decision making algorithm, and AGREE II-S comparison of national and international recommendations and guidelines in pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

The average lifespan has increased over time due to improvements in quality of life, leading to an aging population that stays healthy for longer. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whether uterine or vaginal, is a problem that severely impairs quality of life and imposes significant restrictions. The present study provides the reader with a summary of the many surgical techniques used in POP surgery, comparing international guidelines, offering an algorithm that is simple to understand, and allows the reader to quickly choose the table that includes the best surgical therapy for each individual. Using relevant keywords, the writers searched the PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant publications from 2000 to April 2023. Studies with cases of oncologic disorders or prior hysterectomy performed for another reason were not included in the analysis. Ten distinct international guidelines are highlighted and examined in the present study. We used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II-S (AGREE II-S) method to assess their quality, and incorporated the results into the conclusion. Worldwide, anterior colporrhaphy is the preferred method of treating anterior compartment abnormalities, and mesh is virtually always used when recurrence occurs (which happens in about half of the cases). Worldwide, posterior colporrhaphy is commonly used to repair posterior compartment abnormalities. Only a few national guidelines (the Iranian guideline, Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica [AOGS], and the German-speaking countries) permit the use of mesh or xenograft in cases of recurrence. There is agreement on the abdominal approach (sacrocolpopexy) with mesh for treating apical deformities. Sacrospinous-hysteropexy is the standard method used to guide the vaginal approach; mesh is typically used to aid in this process. There are just three recommendations that do not include vaginal operations: HSE, AOGS, and Iran. Of obliteration techniques, colpocleisis is unquestionably the best. In conclusion, our analysis highlights the significance of customized methods in POP surgery, taking into account the requirements and preferences of each patient. To choose the best surgical therapy, criteria and patient features must be carefully considered.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of urinary bladder in young male: A case report and literature review

The objective of this study is to present a rare case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the urinary bladder in young male, detailing its clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, treatment strategy, and outcome. Additionally, the objective includes conducting a literature review to provide insights into the characteristics, management, and prognosis of this uncommon tumor entity.A 20-year-old male presenting with dysuria and dribbling of urine underwent diagnostic workup including imaging studies, cystoscopy. On cystoscopy there was a presence of 5x4 cm sized pedunculated mass in the urinary bladder. Partial cystectomy is done and specimen is examined for histopathology. Histopathological examination and Immunohistochemistry study of the tumor specimen was performed to confirm the diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. A thorough literature review was conducted to gather relevant studies on IMT of the urinary bladder, focusing on clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Diagnostic evaluation revealed a mass lesion in the urinary bladder, and histopathological examination following partial cystectomy confirmed the diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The patient underwent surgical excision of the tumor followed by adjuvant therapy. Regular follow-up examinations showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. The literature review identified a limited number of reported cases of IMT of the urinary bladder in young male, emphasizing its rarity and diverse clinical presentations. Various diagnostic modalities and treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, were discussed in the reviewed literature. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the urinary bladder is a rare neoplasm at younger age that can present with nonspecific symptoms, making its diagnosis challenging. However, timely recognition and appropriate management, including surgical resection and adjuvant therapy, can lead to favorable outcomes with low recurrence rates. This case report highlights the importance of considering IMT in the differential diagnosis of bladder masses in young patient and underscores the need for further research to better understand the pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for this rare tumor entity.

A Review of Therapeutic Options for Linear Porokeratosis

Linear porokeratosis (LP) is a rare and uncommon variant of porokeratosis presenting as linear annular papules or plaques along Blaschko’s lines. It may arise spontaneously, although evidence of genetic predisposition exists via point mutations in the mevalonate pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis. Malignant transformation is the most serious complication of this chronic, progressive dyskeratosis. We review the currently available treatment options for LP, including topical, systemic, laser, photodynamic, and surgical therapies.

Surgical management of headache and facial pain/pressure in chronic rhinosinusitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Headache and facial pain are common symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, given the numerous etiologies that can cause these symptoms, the impact of sinus surgery is not well characterized. A systematic review was performed by searching the literature from inception through June 6, 2023. English-language articles reporting outcomes for facial pain/pressure or headache following endoscopic sinus surgery were selected for inclusion. Meta-analyses were performed using random and fixed effect models on continuous measures (mean), mean difference (Δ), and proportions (%). A total of 26 articles reporting on 2839 patients were selected for inclusion. The mean patient age was 44.0±3.9 (range 16.0-84.0), with an average symptom duration of 5.3±2.8 years. Among these patients, 56.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.3-60.6) were male and 77.0% (95% CI: 56.6-92.3) had nasal polyposis (NP). Patients with and without NP reported substantial reductions in both 22-item sino-nasal outcome test facial pain/pressure (with NP: -1.4 [95% CI: -1.6 to -1.2; relative reduction 59.1%]; without NP: -1.5 [95% CI: -1.9 to -1.1; relative reduction 60.9%]) and visual analogue scale (VAS) headache (with NP: -2.5 [95% CI: -2.8 to -2.1; relative reduction 67.2%]; without NP: -2.8 [95% CI: -4.7 to -1.0; relative reduction 42.7%]). Symptom reductions were greater in the without NP versus with NP group; VAS facial pain/pressure: Δ0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.6; p=0.0006) and VAS headache: Δ0.4 (95% CI: 0.1-0.7; p=0.02). Our findings suggest that CRS patients, regardless of polyp status, benefit from significant reductions in facial pain/pressure and headache following surgical therapy.

Current approach to diagnosing and treating necrotizing fasciitis

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis is an infrequent yet highly fatal bacterial infection characterized by widespread necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous fat tissue. Though initial symptoms resemble typical infection, necrotizing fasciitis progresses rapidly triggering acute phase response. Individuals with advanced age, chronically ill, immunocompromised, or abusing alcohol are especially susceptible to developing necrotizing fasciitis. In order to reduce mortality, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are indispensable. Aim of the Study: Aim of this study is through evaluating existing literature to outline the contemporary diagnostic strategies and emerging therapy options for necrotizing fasciitis. Description of the State of Knowledge: Primary diagnostic methods involve clinical evaluation and surgical exploration, complemented by fresh frozen sections for rapid diagnosis and the finger test. Diagnostic imaging incorporates the use of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasound. The treatment is mostly centered around surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Therapies that display potential efficacy include low-dose radiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the use of intact fish skin grafts for tissue reconstruction after successful treatment. The emerging approach includes therapy targeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis induced coagulopathy and critical illness related corticosteroid insufficiency. Conclusions: The management of necrotizing fasciitis primarily depends on traditional methods. Fast identification and proper treatment are pivotal in reducing the mortality rate. Recognizing the significance of addressing the acute phase response in necrotizing fasciitis treatment introduces new possibilities for therapeutic interventions. Further research is vital to evaluate the existing approaches to necrotizing fasciitis management and explore new diagnoistic and therapeutic alternatives.

Immunotherapy as a Complement to Surgical Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor in adults, and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While surgical and ablative therapies remain the standard of care in early localized disease, late presentation with advanced stages of disease, impaired hepatic function, or local recurrence following surgical resection preclude operative management as the sole treatment modality in a subgroup of patients. As such, systemic therapies, namely immunotherapy, have become an integral part of the HCC treatment algorithm over the past decade. While agents, such as atezolizumab/bevacizumab, have well-established roles as first-line systemic therapy in intermediate- and advanced-stage HCC, the role of immunotherapy in disease amenable to surgical management continues to evolve. In this review, we will discuss the current evidence and aggregate impact of immunotherapy in the context of HCC amenable to surgical management, including its application in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings.

Positive resection margins in Crohn’s disease are a relevant risk factor for postoperative disease recurrence

Postoperative disease recurrence in Crohn’s disease represents a relevant issue despite recent advancements in surgical and medical therapies. Additional criteria are necessary to improve the identification of patients at risk and to enable selective therapeutic approaches. The role of resection margins on disease recurrence remains unclear and general recommendations are lacking. A single-center retrospective analysis was performed including all patients who received ileocecal resection due to Crohn’s disease. Resection margins were analyzed by two independent pathologists and defined by histopathological criteria based on previous consensus reports. 158 patients were included for analysis with a median follow up of 35 months. While postoperative morbidity was not affected, positive resection margins resulted in significantly increased rates of severe endoscopic recurrence at 6 months (2.0% versus 15.6%, p = 0.02) and overall (4.2% versus 19.6%, p = 0.001), which resulted in significantly increased numbers of surgical recurrence (0% versus 4.5%, p = 0.04). Additionally, positive margins were identified as independent risk factor for severe endoscopic disease recurrence in a multivariate analysis. Based on that, positive margins represent an independent risk factor for postoperative endoscopic and surgical disease recurrence. Prospective studies are required to determine whether extended resection or postoperative medical prophylaxis is beneficial for patients with positive resection margins.

Approaches to the Management of Synkinesis: A Scoping Review.

Postparalysis facial synkinesis (PPFS) can develop in any facial palsy and is associated with significant functional and psychosocial consequences for affected patients. While the prevention of synkinesis especially after Bell's palsy has been well examined, much less evidence exists regarding the management of patients with already established synkinesis. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the available literature and to provide an overview of the current therapeutic options for facial palsy patients with established synkinesis. A systematic literature review was undertaken, following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 guidelines. MEDLINE via PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched using the following strategy: ([facial palsy] OR [facial paralysis] OR [facial paresis]) AND (synkinesis) AND ([management] OR [guidelines] OR [treatment]). The initial search yielded 201 articles of which 36 original papers and 2 meta-analyses met the criteria for inclusion. Overall, the included articles provided original outcome data on 1,408 patients. Articles were divided into the following treatment categories: chemodenervation (12 studies, 536 patients), facial therapy (5 studies, 206 patients), surgical (10 studies, 389 patients), and combination therapy (9 studies, 278 patients). Results are analyzed and discussed accordingly. Significant heterogeneity in study population and design, lack of control groups, differences in postoperative follow-up, as well as the use of a variety of subjective and objective assessment tools to quantify synkinesis prevent direct comparison between treatment modalities. To date, there is no consensus on how PPFS is best treated. The lack of comparative studies and standardized outcome reporting hinder our understanding of this complex condition. Until higher quality scientific evidence is available, it remains a challenge best approached in an interdisciplinary team. An individualized multimodal therapeutic concept consisting of facial therapy, chemodenervation, and surgery should be tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient.

A cost effectiveness analysis of two treatment strategies for trigeminal neuralgia in Ontario

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating disease with an annual incidence of approximately 4–27/100,000. In Ontario, over 2000 patients receive interventions for profound pain, including medical and surgical therapies. The global expected cost of these approaches is unknown. This study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of one surgical therapy, microvascular decompression (MVD), compared with the best medical therapy (carbamazepine) as first-line therapy. Methods: Costs were gathered from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary, and Ontario Ministry of Health Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services. Academic literature was used to estimate unavailable items. A cost-benefit Markov model was created for each strategy with literature-based rates for annual cycles from years 1 to 5, followed by a linear recurrent cycle from years 6 to 10. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated based on the incremental cost in 2022 Canadian Dollars (CAD) per pain-free year. Results: Base case cost per patient was $10,866 at 10 years in the “MVD first” group and $10,710 in the “carbamazepine first” group. Ten-year ICER was $1,104 for “MVD first,” with strict superiority beyond this time point. One-way deterministic sensitivity analysis for multiple factors suggested the highest cost variability and ICER variability were due to surgery cost, medication failure rate, and medication cost. Conclusion: Economic benefit is established for a “MVD first” strategy in the Ontario context with strict superiority beyond the 10-year horizon. If a cost-effectiveness threshold of $50,000 per pain-controlled year is used, the benefit is established at 4 years.

Whole eye transplantation: are we on the cusp of an inflection point?

Traumatic facial injury and resultant eye enucleation remains a devastatinglife-changing event for many. With advancements in surgical techniques andimmunosuppressive therapies, facial transplantation has been made viable.However, whole-eye transplantation (WET) has remained a distant goaluntil recently. Our aim was to review the existing literature on WET andassess current hurdles for its success. We identified pertinent keywords byconducting an initial literature exploration which was subsequently used tosearch scientific databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Embase. In linewith the narrative methodology employed in this article, specific inclusionand exclusion criteria were not explicitly defined. The review focused exclusivelyon articles relating to ocular restoration and reconstructive surgery.Though vision restoration remains elusive, burgeoning surgical techniquessuch as vascularised composite allotransplantation have openedthe scope for surgeons to consider WET when planning facial transplants.Dr. Rodriguez and the NYU Langone team’s transplantationhas remained viable at 10 months. Though it has not facilitated visualrestoration, it supports the potential of CD34-positive stem cells as neuroprotectiveagents when injected at the optic nerve connection of therecipient. Nevertheless, it is also crucial to deliberate on ethical considerationssuch as the lifelong implications associated with immunosuppressionand, challenges related to the equitable division of ocular tissue forWET versus keratoplasty. WET amid significant facial trauma has greatpotential to restore the quality of life in patients through improved cosmesis.Further research is required to demonstrate its long-term viabilityand potential for vision-restoration in humans.

Histologic Features of Mycobacterial Spindle Cell Pseudotumors: A Multi-institutional Clinicopathologic Analysis of 14 Cases.

Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumors (MSPs) are a rare and diagnostically challenging manifestation of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. Proper recognition of these pseudotumors is important because they are treatable and benign. In this study, we evaluated the morphologic patterns of MSPs to improve their pathologic identification. Clinical and morphologic features of 14 MSPs were analyzed. Histologic factors evaluated included the architectural growth pattern of spindled or epithelioid macrophages, granulomas and their location within the lesion, neutrophilic microabscesses, multinucleated giant cells, necrosis, and effacement of background tissue. The composition of inflammatory infiltrates, organism density by acid-fast staining, and stromal changes were also assessed. In addition, 8 of 14 cases underwent molecular microbiology identification by a clinical amplicon-sequencing assay for non-tuberculous mycobacteria. MSP sites included 2 bowel, 10 lymph nodes, 1 liver, and 1 extremity. Cases with available clinical history (n=10) all occurred in immunocompromised patients. All demonstrated effacement of normal structures with spindled cells arranged in a storiform or fascicular architectural pattern. In addition, all cases showed lymphocytic inflammation, with prominent concurrent neutrophilic inflammation in 50% (7/14) of cases. Other morphologic findings included foamy histiocytes (64%, 9/14), peripherally situated granulomas (21%, 3/14), and neutrophilic microabscesses (21%, 3/14). All tested cases were positive for NTM by PCR methods. Mycobacterium avium was the most commonly isolated pathogen (6/8). Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumors show predominantly spindled morphology that may be mistaken as a neoplasm. Surgical pathologists who evaluate lymph nodes, soft tissue, and gastrointestinal tissues should be aware of this spindled tumefactive phenomenon in the setting of immunocompromised patients. Recognition of key morphologic features of neutrophilic inflammation, peripheral granulomas, or foamy histiocytes within a spindled lesion can help guide the pathologist to a correct diagnosis of an inflammatory process secondary to infection rather than a spindle cell neoplasm. Accurate diagnosis to facilitate appropriate antimicrobial and/or surgical therapy requires a comprehensive evaluation combining clinical, histopathologic, and microbiological findings.

How to Approach the Difficult Perineum in Crohn's Disease

AbstractCrohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease with a wide range of presentations, including perianal disease. Presentation is variable, ranging from skin tags to complex fistulas, strictures, and nonhealing wounds. Symptoms of perianal CD can be devastating and may impact quality of life. Optimal management requires coordinated medical and surgical therapy. When possible, conservative treatment of perianal disease should be attempted. However, surgical treatment is often required, and some patients may ultimately require total proctocolectomy with permanent diversion due to the severity of disease. Even with close attention and treatment, disease can be recurrent, and complications of treatment are sometimes worse than the initial presentation. Novel treatments, including use of mesenchymal stem cells and autologous fat grafting, hold some promise, but are not yet widely available. Thorough knowledge of treatment options, careful patient selection, coordination between medical and surgical providers, and setting realistic expectations are important in the successful treatment of difficult perineal CD.

Open surgical treatment for carotid stenoses

Globally, stroke is considered the second most common cause of death. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, 33.6% of mortality was due to cardiovascular diseases, making them the most prevalent cause of death. Specifically, cerebral infarctions were recorded as the cause in over 16,000cases. These figures underscore the significant role that cerebrovascular diseases play in Germany's mortality statistics. Notably, about 80% of strokes are ischemic. Moreover, one-fifth of all strokes result from extracranial carotid stenosis. The increase in stroke risk with advancing age, especially among men, is particularly striking. This trend highlights the growing importance of efficient stroke prevention and treatment in an aging society. Open surgical therapy, as acrucial treatment method, is increasingly important, especially as an emergency intervention. Its role in modern medicine emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing this life-saving procedure in healthcare and making it widely available.

Management of patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in Australia and New Zealand: Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology/Oncology Group position statement.

The main mission of the Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology and Oncology Group (ANZCHOG) is to develop and facilitate local access to the world's leading evidence-based clinical trials for all paediatric cancers, including brain tumours, as soon as practically possible. Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) - a subset of a larger group of tumours now termed diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered (DMG) - are paediatric brain cancers with less than 10% survival at two years. In the absence of any proven curative therapies, significant recent advancements have been made in pre-clinical and clinical research, leading many to seek integration of novel therapies early into standard practice. Despite these innovative therapeutic approaches, DIPG remains an incurable disease for which novel surgical, imaging, diagnostic, radiation and systemic therapy approaches are needed. All patients with DIPG should be discussed in multidisciplinary neuro-oncology meetings (including pathologists, neuroradiologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, medical oncologists) at diagnosis and at relapse or progression. Radiation therapy to the involved field remains the local and international standard of care treatment. Proton therapy does not yield a superior survival outcome compared with photon therapy and patients should undergo radiation therapy with the available modality (photon or proton) at their treatment centre. Patients may receive concurrent chemotherapy or radiation-sensitising agents as part of a clinical trial. Biopsy should be offered to facilitate consideration of experimental therapies and eligibility for clinical trial participation. After radiation therapy, each patient should be managed individually with either observation or considered for enrolment on a clinical trial, if eligible, after full discussion with the family. Re-irradiation can be considered for progressive disease. Every child diagnosed with DIPG should be offered enrolment on a clinical trial where available. Access to investigational drugs without biological rationale outside the clinical trial setting is not supported. In case of potentially actionable target identification with molecular profiling and absence of a suitable clinical trial, rational targeted therapies can be considered through compassionate access programs.

Single Institution Experience in the Management of Locally Advanced (pT4) Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas.

Locally infiltrating (T4) differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) represent a challenge. Surgical strategy and adjuvant therapy should be planned balancing morbidity and oncologic outcome. A series of patients with T4 DTC who underwent multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment is reported. The main study endpoints were the oncologic outcome, complication rates, and risk factors for tumor recurrence. All DTC cases operated between 2009 and 2021 were reviewed and T4 DTC cases were identified. En bloc resection of inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN), tracheal, and/or internal jugular vein (IJV) was performed in cases of massive infiltration. In cases of pharyngoesophageal junction (PEJ) invasion, the shaving technique was always applied. Among 4775 DTC cases, 60 were T4. ILN infiltration was documented in 45 cases (en bloc resection in 9), tracheal infiltration in 14 (tracheal resection in 2), PEJ invasion in 11 (R0 resection in 7 cases and < 1 cm residual tissue in 4 cases), IJV resection in 6, and laryngeal in 2. In total, 11 postoperative ILN palsy, 23 transient hypoparathyroidisms, and 2 hematomas requiring reoperation were registered. Final histology showed 7 pN0, 22 pN1a, and 31 pN1b tumors. Aggressive variants were observed in 47 patients. All but 1 patient underwent radioiodine treatment, 12 underwent adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and 2 underwent chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 58 months, no tumor-related death was registered, and seven patients required reoperation for recurrence. Tracheal invasion was the only significant factor negatively impacting recurrence (p = 0.045). A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the management of T4 DTC. Individualized and balanced surgical strategy and adjuvant treatments, in particular EBRT, ensure control of locally advanced disease with acceptable morbidity.

Advances in preclinical surgical therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide, resulting in millions of deaths annually. Currently, there are still some deficiencies in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Innovative surgical treatments are currently being developed and tested in response to this situation. Large animal models, which are similar to humans in terms of anatomy, physiology, and genetics, play a crucial role in connecting basic research and clinical applications. This article reviews recent preclinical studies and the latest clinical advancements in cardiovascular disease based on large animal models, with a focus on targeted delivery, neural regulation, cardiac remodeling, and hemodynamic regulation. It provides new perspectives and ideas for clinical translation and offers new methods for clinical treatment.

Abstract PO4-09-10: A successful method for treatment of an uninsured underprivileged breast cancer population

Abstract Background Improvements in breast cancer treatment and care have resulted in improved outcomes and decreased mortality. These improvements, however, come with great expense. Despite efforts from health care systems, a significant proportion of the population remains uninsured. The uninsured population is often underprivileged, undereducated and more likely to come from racial/ethnic minority groups. This combination of factors results in a delay in diagnosis, presentation at later stage, and decreased access and compliance with treatment. The goal of the current study is to describe a method for treating an uninsured, underprivileged breast cancer population and the resulting outcomes. Methods Retrospective review was performed of all breast cancer patients seen at Maricopa Medical Center, the safety net hospital in Phoenix, AZ. All breast cancer patients seen from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2020 were included. Baseline data for every patient was compiled prospectively, supplemented by retrospective chart review. The data included sociodemographic information, health literacy assessment, and diagnostic tests. Health literacy was assessed using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). Breast cancer treatment, follow up, and mortality were documented. Beginning on July 1, 2006 a new process was implemented to facilitate care of uninsured patients. More details will be included in the poster presentation. Briefly, however, core needle biopsies were performed in the Breast Clinic by the Breast surgeon or Physician assistant during the initial consultation. Rather than requiring full payment of the planned operation upfront, instead a down payment was made with a plan for payment in installments of the remainder of the cost. For chemotherapy and targeted therapy, a process was implemented to apply for discounted medications for appropriate regimens. There are no radiation therapy facilities at Maricopa Medical Center. An agreement was therefore made with a Radiation oncology group in Phoenix to provide discounted radiation therapy. The treatment was paid through treatment grants as well as fundraising activities by the Health Foundation of the hospital. In 2011, the Breast surgeon underwent training for genetic counseling at City of Hope Medical Center to provide genetic counseling for these patients. Results A total of 1,797 patients were included. Among them, 661 patients were seen before the process (BP) was started, while 1,136 patients were seen after the new process (NP) was implemented. Overall, the mean age of the patients was 52 years with most patients being Hispanic (56%). On average the patients had 10 yrs of education and 18% had adequate health literacy. The majority of patients were not employed (70%) and completely uninsured (56%) or underinsured (31%). Only 18% of patients underwent screening mammography and as a result 67% of patients presented at stage II or later. Despite the barriers mentioned above, the NP group underwent a higher percentage of breast conservation procedures (75% versus 47%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). A higher percentage of the NP group received adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy (91% vs 70%, p &amp;lt; 0.001), Radiation therapy (91% versus 70%, p &amp;lt; 0.001), and initiated endocrine therapy (87% versus 67%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). At a mean follow up of 8 years, these improvements in adjuvant therapy resulted in a lower incidence of both ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence and chest wall recurrence (2% vs 16%, p &amp;lt; 0.001 and 5% versus 8%, p = 0.21, respectively) and improvement in overall survival (90% vs 81%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusions Despite treatment of a population with many barriers to breast cancer management, implementation of a treatment process improved access to diagnosis and surgical therapy as well as recommended adjuvant therapy. These improvements resulted in lower local recurrence rates and improved survival in an uninsured population. Citation Format: Ian Komenaka, Trevin Reyes, Jacqueline Gilbert, Chiu-Hsieh Hsu, Waqas Arslan, Gilbert Ramos, John Dover, Herbert Hitchon, Jesse Nodora, Elena Martinez. A successful method for treatment of an uninsured underprivileged breast cancer population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-09-10.

Abstract PO5-05-12: Loco-regional Treatment in De Novo Bone Only Metastatic Breast Cancer; Prospective, Multi-Institutional Real-World Data, BOMETIN, Protocol MF14-1a

Abstract Introduction: The impact of loco-regional treatment (LRT) on survival in de novo bone-only metastatic breast cancer (BC) is controversial. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of LRT on survival utilizing international, prospectively acquired data in this cohort of patients. Materials and Methods: Patients with de novo metastatic BC with bone-only metastases were divided into two groups: those receiving systemic therapy only (ST) and those undergoing LRT. Patients who received LRT were divided into two groups: those who received ST after LRT (LRT+ST arm) and those who received ST prior to LRT (ST+LRT arm). Solitary or multiple bone metastases were classified, and factors associated with disease progression were analyzed. Results: There were a total of 744 patients with de novo bone-only metastatic BC treated at each of the participating institutions between 2014 and 2022, with 372 (50%) participants in each arm. Median follow-up was 48 months (32-66, 25-75%). Patients in the LRT group were significantly younger than the ST group [50 (42, 60) vs 55 (44, 66), p=0.0001]. There were no significant differences in grade, Her2 neu and triple negative status, receipt of hormonal therapy and intervention to metastatic sites. During follow-up, 58% (n=217) of patients in ST arm and 32% (n=120) of patients in LRT arm died (p&amp;lt; 0.001). Local progression was observed in 20% of the patients in the ST arm whereas it was 9% in the LRT arm (p=0.0001). Systemic progression occurred more in ST arm; 66% (n=244) compared to 41% (n=152) of patients in LRT group (p&amp;lt; 0.001). The Hazard of death was 64% lower in LRT group than in ST group (HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.29-0.45), p&amp;lt;0.0001). The burden of metastatic disease was significantly different between groups with the solitary bone metastasis rate higher in LRT group than the ST only group (50% vs 24%, p&amp;lt; 0.001). However, the LRT group had better overall survival for both solitary (HR: 0.38, 95% Cl: 0.26-0.55) and multiple (HR: 0.38, 95% Cl: 0.29-0.51) bone metastases patients. Within the LRT group, survival rates were similar whether the breast surgery was performed before or after ST.Multivariate Cox analysis showed that LRT and ER/PR positivity significantly decrease the hazard of death (p&amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Analysis of this large multi-institutional patient cohort provides further evidence that LRT improves overall survival and lowers loco-regional recurrence in patients with de novo bone-only metastatic BC. In breast cancer patients with bone-only metastases at presentation, the decision for LRT should be made through a multidisciplinary approach with consideration of surgical therapy at the primary tumor. Citation Format: Atilla Soran, Serdar Ozbas, Lutfi Dogan, Didem Can Trabulus, Jamila El-Azrhi, Kazim Senol, Berk Goktepe, Shruti Zaveri, Salyna Meas, Umut Demirci, Hasan Karanlik, Aykut Soyder, Ahmet Dağ, Ahmet Bilici, Mutlu Dogan, Mehmet Ali Nahit Sendur, Hande Koksal, Mehmet Ali Gulcelik, Neslihan Cabıoğlu, Levent Yeniay, N. Zafer Utkan, Nuri Karadurmus, Gul Daglar, Turgay Simsek, Birol Yildiz, Cihan Uras, Mustafa Tukenmez, Cihangir Ozaslan, Niyazi Karaman, Arda Isik, Berkay Demirors, Efe Sezgin, Vahit Ozmen, Anthony Lucci. Loco-regional Treatment in De Novo Bone Only Metastatic Breast Cancer; Prospective, Multi-Institutional Real-World Data, BOMETIN, Protocol MF14-1a [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-05-12.

Abstract PO2-22-08: Nipple areolar complex changes after breast-conserving surgical therapy and periareolar mastopexy: a three-dimensional Surface Analysis

Abstract Objectives: The position and configuration of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) have a high impact on satisfaction (objective and subjective) after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). The aim of this study is to objectively measure the changes in the NAC after breast conservation surgery by the use of the 3D whole body scanner and compare its results with the outcome reported by the patients. This will support further patients and help physicians to tailor their technique prior to breast-conserving surgery. Methods: In a unicentric pilot project 6 months after BET with periareolar mastopexy and adjuvant radiation between 2019 and 2022, 38 women were studied. The mean age was 56.3 ±11.6 and BMI was 24.6 ± 4.5 kg/m². Objective 3D parameters were collected using the Vectra Whole Body Surface Imaging System (WB360) based on breast and NAC dimensions. In addition, the patients received the BCT module and the mastopexy module items about satisfaction with the NAC from the BREAST Q questionnaire. Results: In a group of 38 women, BCT with periareolar mastopexy and irradiation showed a small but significant change in NAC position and shape (see Table 1). This small change is matched by the high satisfaction with the nipple and areola surveyed in the BREAST-Q questionnaire. More than 66% of the women were rather satisfied or very satisfied. The BREAST-Q results from the Items about satisfaction with the nipple and areola are shown in Table 2. However, 34% of participants reported being somewhat dissatisfied to very dissatisfied with the symmetry of placement. This could be due to a significant cumulative small change in nipple-sternal notch distance and nipple-midline distance. No significant difference was found when measuring the nipple-inframammary fold distance (p=0.649). The absolute difference was of 0.13 ± 1.22 mm. The change in breast diameter was of 0.55 ± 1.54 mm (relative 2,75 ± 7.95%). There was also no significance (p=0.042). This indicates that after BCT, the nipple-inframammary fold distance and breast diameter did not change significantly. Breast volume decreases insignificantly by 49.2 ± 136.1 cc (relative 12,96 ± 33.51) on the operated side (p=0.009). In particular, a difference in vertical diameter of the NAC of -4,79 mm (14,27%) was observed between the non-operated and the operated breast (p=0.005 by Wilcoxon-test). The BREAST-Q BCT Module consists of 8 domains. The higher the score, the higher the satisfaction with the questioned item. In our sample of 38 women, satisfaction with the surgeon(s) was highest (BREAST-Q score of 83,97 ± 19,12). The mean Q score for satisfaction with "psychosocial well-being" is 67,47 ± 22,03. For the item "sexual well-being", only 35 women answered sufficient questions and the mean Q score was 54,42 ± 16,43. “Satisfaction with breast” had a Q-score of 61,03 ± 19,36. The questions about "physical well-being" had a mean of 70,11 ± 16,69. The Q-score for “satisfaction with medical team”, “with office staff”, and “with information” can be seen in Table 3. Conclusions: In a nutshell, the conclusion of this study is that the Vectra XT 3D-Imaging is a useful tool to assess the cosmetic outcome in terms of NAC position and shape. Hence, it is a helpful tool to support the planning of the surgery and may have a positive impact on the outcome. Postoperatively, there was only a slight change in the NAC dimension and position compared with intraoperative planning. The 3D Surface Analysis is most useful in assessing the quality of reconstruction after BCT and additionally the NAC is therefore an important factor for patient satisfaction. Results of a multicenter study are pending. Table 1: Descriptive statistic and Wilcoxon-test Results from the measures from the Breast and from NAC Dimension and Position (n=38) The 3D Measures from the Breast and from NAC Dimension and Position Table 2: Results from the BREAST-Q mastopexy modul about satisfaction with the nipples (n=38) Satisfaction with the nipples Table 3: Results from the BREAST-Q BCT Modul after BCT and periareolar mastopexy und adjuvant radiation (n=38) BREAST-Q Scores Citation Format: Therese Peter, Konstantin Koban, Denis Ehrl, Pamina Geiger, Nadia Harbeck, Steffen Kahlert, Carolin Luczak, Johannes Schmid, Rachel Wuerstlein, Friederike Hagemann. Nipple areolar complex changes after breast-conserving surgical therapy and periareolar mastopexy: a three-dimensional Surface Analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-22-08.