World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery最新文献

Background: Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have lost the opportunity for direct surgery at the time of diagnosis. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) can partially transform some unresectable HCC and improve the prognosis effectively. However, based on the promising prospects of combined targeted and immunotherapy for the effective treatment of HCC, the positive role of palliative surgery in the conversion treatment of advanced HCC urgently needs further intensive re-assessment.

Case summary: In this study, we describe two successful cases of "conversion therapy for unresectable HCC" achieved mainly by palliative surgery combined with TACE plus immunotherapy and TKIs. A 48-year-old patient with newly diagnosed HCC, presenting with a 6-cm mass in the segment VII/VIII of the right liver with multiple intrahepatic metastases, could not undergo one-stage radical surgical resection. He underwent palliative surgery with radiofrequency of metastatic lesions and the palliative resection of the primary mass, and received subsequent TACE treatments twice in the early postoperative period (2 weeks and 6 weeks), in addition to targeted and immune combination therapy with sintilimab injection and oral lenvatinib. No evidence of recurrence was observed during the 11-month follow-up period after surgery. The other patient was a 47-year-old patient with massive HCC (18 cm × 15 cm × 4.5 cm) in the left liver with severe cirrhosis. The left portal branch was occluded and a tumor thrombus formed, and the tumor partly involved the middle hepatic vein. The patient underwent palliative surgery of left hemihepatectomy (including resection of the middle hepatic vein) for HCC, followed by three TACE procedures and oral TKIs 2 weeks after surgery. Six months later, the re-examination via computed tomography revealed no tumour activity in the remaining right liver, while magnetic resonance imaging revealed slight local tumor enhancement in the caudate lobe of the liver considered, TACE was performed once again, and during the next follow-up of 10 months did not reveal new intrahepatic lesions or distant metastases.

Conclusion: These cases demonstrate that the addition of palliative surgery to conversion therapy in a selected population with a high tumor burden could benefit patients with initially unresectable HCC.

This editorial offers commentary on the article which aimed to forecast the likelihood of short-term major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III), including anastomotic fistula, intra-abdominal sepsis, bleeding, and intestinal obstruction within 30 days, as well as prolonged hospital stays following ileocecal resection in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This prediction relied on a machine learning (ML) model trained on a cohort that integrated a nomogram predictive model derived from logistic regression analysis and a random forest (RF) model. Both the nomogram and RF showed good performance, with the RF model demonstrating superior predictive ability. Key variables identified as potentially critical include a preoperative CD activity index ≥ 220, low preoperative serum albumin levels, and prolonged operation duration. Applying ML approaches to predict surgical recurrence have the potential to enhance patient risk stratification and facilitate the development of preoperative optimization strategies, ultimately aiming to improve post-surgical outcomes. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly by the inclusion of additional relevant clinical parameters, consideration of medical therapies, and potentially integrating molecular biomarkers in future research efforts.

Background: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that predominantly affects the kidney and uterus. The occurrence of this tumor in the liver, particularly with simultaneous involvement of the liver and kidney, is exceedingly uncommon. Pathological diagnosis is the gold standard. PEComas usually show positive immunohistochemical staining for melanocytic (HMB-45, Melan-A) and myoid (SMA, muscle-specific actin) markers.

Case summary: We presented a noteworthy case of malignant PEComa affecting both the liver and kidney in a 53-year-old man with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). FAT2 and TP73 mutations in the kidney were identified and positive expression of diagnostic markers including HMB-45, Melan A, and TFE3 were detected. In addition, we demonstrated that hepatic artery perfusion chemotherapy was ineffective for hepatic PEComa, while surgery remained the most effective approach. Everolimus showed an excellent efficacy in the postoperative treatment of the tumor.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment is preferred for malignant PEComa affecting liver and kidney, especially with TSC; everolimus is effective postoperatively.

This commentary evaluates the study by Liu et al. This study investigates the predictive utility of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels for post-operative intra-abdominal infection following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. The study highlights the critical need for analyzing diverse patient demographics and delves into the potential impact of various confounding factors on the predictive accuracy of these markers. Additionally, the commentary advocates for the initiation of prospective studies aimed at validating and enhancing the clinical utility of these biomarkers in the context of CRC treatment. The commentary aims to underscore the importance of broadening the research framework to include a wider patient demographic and more comprehensive factor analyses, thereby enriching the predictive model's applicability and relevance in clinical settings.

Background: For intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones, laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is currently a reliable treatment. However, the current LLR difficulty scoring system (DSS) is only available for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To explore the development of a DSS for IHD stone patients with LLR and the validation of its reliability.

Methods: We used clinical data from 80 patients who received LLR for IHD stones. Forty-six of these patients were used in multiple linear regression to construct a scoring system. Another 34 patients from different centers were used as external validation. The completeness of our DSS was then evaluated in patients with varying degrees of surgical difficulty based on documented surgical outcomes in the study group of patients.

Results: The following five predictors were ultimately included and scored by calculating the weighted contribution of each factor to the prediction of operative time in the training cohort: Location of stones, number of stones ≥ 3, stones located in the bile ducts of several grades, previous biliary surgery less than twice, distal bile duct atrophy. Subsequently, the data set was validated using a DSS developed from the variables. The following variables were identified as statistically significant in external validation: Operative time, blood loss, intraoperative transfusion, postoperative alanine aminotransferase, and Clavien-Dindo grading ≥ 3. These variables demonstrated statistically significant differences in patients with three or more grades.

Conclusion: Patients with IHD stones have varying degrees of surgical difficulty, and the newly developed DSS can be validated with external data to effectively predict risks and complications after LLR surgery.

Background: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for patients with no evidence of disease after pulmonary metastasis resection (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of ACT in patients after PM resection for CRC.

Methods: This study included 96 patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy for CRC at a single institution between April 2008 and July 2023. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS). An inverse probability of treatment-weighting (IPTW) analysis was conducted to address indication bias. Survival outcomes compared using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, Cox regression and confirmed by propensity score-matching (PSM).

Results: With a median follow-up of 27.5 months (range, 18.3-50.4 months), the 5-year OS, CSS and DFS were 72.0%, 74.4% and 51.3%, respectively. ACT had no significant effect on OS after PM resection from CRC [original cohort: P = 0.08; IPTW: P = 0.15]. No differences were observed for CSS (P = 0.12) and DFS (P = 0.68) between the ACT and non-ACT groups. Multivariate analysis showed no association of ACT with better survival, while sublobar resection (HR = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.20-1.00, P = 0.049) and longer disease-free interval (HR = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.20-0.98, P = 0.044) were associated with improved survival.

Conclusion: ACT does not improve survival after PM resection for CRC. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the optimal ACT regimen and duration.

Minimally invasive surgery (MI) has become the standard of care for many surgical procedures aimed at reducing the burden on patients. However, its adoption in pancreatic surgery (PS) has been limited by the pancreas's unique location and the complexity of the dissection and reconstruction phases. These factors continue to contribute to PS having one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates in general surgery. Despite a rough start, MIPS has gained widespread acceptance in clinical practice recently. Robust evidence supports MI distal pancreatectomy safety, even in oncological cases, indicating its potential superiority over open surgery. However, definitive evidence of MI pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) feasibility and safety, particularly for malignant lesions, is still lacking. Nonetheless, reports from high-volume centers are emerging, suggesting outcomes comparable to those of the open approach. The robotic PS increasing adoption, facilitated by the wider availability of robotic platforms, may further facilitate the transition to MIPD by overcoming the technical constraints associated with laparoscopy and accelerating the learning curve. Although the MIPS implementation process cannot be stopped in this evolving world, ensuring patient safety through strict outcome monitoring is critical. Investing in younger surgeons with structured and recognized training programs can promote safe expansion.

Background: Total mesorectal excision remains the gold standard for the management of rectal cancer however local excision of early rectal cancer is gaining popularity due to lower morbidity and higher acceptance by the elderly and frail patients.

Aim: To investigate the results of local excision of rectal cancer by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) approach carried out at three large cancer centers in the United Kingdom.

Methods: TEMS database was retrospectively reviewed to assess demographics, operative findings and post operative clinical and oncological outcomes. This is a retrospective review of the prospective databases, which included all patients operated with TEMS approach, for early rectal cancer (Node-negative T1-T2), selected T3 in unfit/frail patients.

Results: Two hundred and twenty-two patients underwent TEMS surgery. This included 144 males (64.9%) and 78 females (35.1%), Median age was 71 years. The median distance of the tumours from the anal verge 4.5 cm. Median tumour size was 2.6 cm. The most frequent operative position of the patient was lithotomy (32.3%), Full-thickness rectal wall excision was done in 204 patients. Median operating time was 90 minutes. Average blood loss was minimal. There were two 90-day mortalities. Complete excision of the tumour with free microscopic margins by > 1mm were accomplished in 171 patients (76.7%). Salvage total mesorectal excision was performed in 42 patients (19.8%). Median disease-free survival was 65 months (range: 3-146 months) (82.8%), and median overall survival was 59 months (0-146 months).

Conclusion: TEMS provides a promising option for early rectal cancers (Large adenomas-cT1/cT2N0), and selected therapy-responding cancers. Full-thickness complete excision of the tumour is mandatory to avoid jeopardising the oncological outcomes.

Background: Prior studies have shown that preserving the left colic artery (LCA) during laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer (RC) can reduce the occurrence of anastomotic leakage (AL), without compromising oncological outcomes. However, anatomical variations in the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and LCA present significant surgical challenges. In this study, we present our novel three dimensional (3D) printed IMA model designed to facilitate preoperative rehearsal and intraoperative navigation to analyze its impact on surgical safety.

Aim: To investigate the effect of 3D IMA models on preserving the LCA during RC surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical dates from patients with RC who underwent laparoscopic radical resection from January 2022 to May 2024 at Fuyang People's Hospital. Patients were divided into the 3D printing and control groups for statistical analysis of perioperative characteristics.

Results: The 3D printing observation group comprised of 72 patients, while the control group comprised 68 patients. The operation time (174.5 ± 38.2 minutes vs 198.5 ± 49.6 minutes, P = 0.002), intraoperative blood loss (43.9 ± 31.3 mL vs 58.2 ± 30.8 mL, P = 0.005), duration of hospitalization (13.1 ± 3.1 days vs 15.9 ± 5.6 days, P < 0.001), postoperative recovery time (8.6 ± 2.6 days vs 10.5 ± 4.9 days, P = 0.007), and the postoperative complication rate (P < 0.05) were all significantly lower in the observation group.

Conclusion: Utilization of a 3D-printed IMA model in laparoscopic radical resection of RC can assist surgeons in understanding the LCA anatomy preoperatively, thereby reducing intraoperative bleeding and shortening operating time, demonstrating better clinical application potential.

Background: Acute gastric volvulus represents a rare form of surgical acute abdomen, which makes it difficult to establish an early diagnosis. As the disease progresses, it can lead to gastric ischemia, necrosis, and other serious complications.

Case summary: This paper reports a 67-year-old female patient with a history of abdominal distension and retching for 1 day. After admission, a prompt and thorough examination was performed to confirm the diagnosis of acute gastric volvulus. Notably, the patient had free air in the abdominal cavity. The first consideration was gastric volvulus with gastric perforation, but the patient had no complaints, such as abdominal pain or signs of peritoneal irritation in the abdomen, and imaging examination revealed no abdominal pelvic effusion. Following endoscopic reduction, the abdominal organs, such as the stomach and spleen, returned to their normal anatomical positions, and the free intraperitoneal air disappeared, suggesting a rare case of acute gastric torsion. The source of free air within the abdominal cavity warrants careful consideration and discussion. Combined with the findings from computed tomography, these findings are hypothesized to be associated with the rupture of colonic air cysts.

Conclusion: Patients with gastric torsion combined with free gas in the abdominal cavity should consider nongastrointestinal perforation factors to avoid misdiagnosis.