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OBJECTIVES Treatment options for benign subglottic stenosis include endoscopic techniques or open surgery. Although endoscopic treatment is less invasive, a considerable proportion of patients develop recurrent stenosis. Endoscopic pretreatments do not exclude patients from a later surgical repair; however, the impact of previous endoscopic treatment attempts on functional outcome after open surgery is unknown. METHODS All patients, who received a cricotracheal resection (CTR) between January 2017 and June 2023 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, were included in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics, surgical variables and postoperative outcome including a detailed functional assessment were analysed. RESULTS A total of 65 patients received a CTR during the study period, of which 40 were treatment naïve and 25 had a median of 2 (range 1–9) endoscopic pretreatments. Less-invasive voice-sparing CTR or standard CTR were more often possible in treatment-naïve patients. In contrary, pretreated patients regularly required extended procedures (P  = 0.049). Three or more endoscopic treatments resulted in a significantly lower mean fundamental frequency (F0) after open repair (P  = 0.048). In addition, a trend towards smaller mean sound pressure levels, a higher voice handicap index, higher impairments in RBH scores (roughness, breathing and hoarseness) and a higher dysphagia severity index was found in pretreated patients. The respiratory outcome after surgery was comparable between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Multiple endoscopic pretreatments lead to worse voice quality after CTR. The impact of prior endoscopic treatment before surgical repair should be considered when discussing treatment options with patients suffering from subglottic stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with early (T1) esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are increasingly having definitive local therapy endoscopically. Endoscopic resection is not able to pathologically stage or treat lymph node metastasis (LNM). Accurate identification of patients having nodal metastasis is critical to select endoscopic therapy over surgery. This study aimed to define the risk of LNM in T1 EAC. A meta-analysis of studies of patients who underwent surgery and lymphadenectomy with assessment of LNM was performed according to PRISMA. Main outcome was probability of LNM in T1a and T1b disease. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for LNM and rate of LNM in submucosal T1b (SM1, SM2, and SM3) disease. Registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022341794). Twenty cohort studies involving 2264 patients with T1 EAC met inclusion criteria: T1a (857 patients) with 36 (4.2%) node positive and T1b (1407 patients) with 327 (23.2%) node positive. Subgroup analysis of T1b lesions was available in 10 studies (405 patients). Node positivity for SM1, SM2, and SM3 was 16.3%, 16.2%, and 29.4%, respectively. T1 substage (odds ratio [OR] 7.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.45–13.38, P  < 0.01), tumor differentiation (OR 2.82, 95% CI 2.06–3.87, P  < 0.01), and lymphovascular invasion (OR 13.65, 95% CI 6.06–30.73, P  < 0.01) were associated with LNM. T1a disease demonstrated a 4.2% nodal metastasis rate and T1b disease a rate of 23.2%. Endoscopic therapy should be reserved for T1a disease and perhaps select T1b disease, which has a moderately high rate of nodal metastasis. There were inadequate data to stratify T1b SM disease into 'low-risk' and 'high-risk' based on tumor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Whipple's disease (WD) results from infection of the bacteria Tropheryma whipplei (TW). This disease is characterized by macrophage infiltration of intestinal mucosa and primarily affects Caucasian males. Genetic studies of host susceptibility are scarce. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing protein 2 (NOD2) is an innate immune sensor, resides mainly in monocytes/macrophages and contributes to defence against infection and inflammatory regulation. NOD2 mutations are associated with autoinflammatory diseases. We report the association of NOD2 mutations with TW and WD for the first time. Methods A multicentre, retrospective study of three patients with WD was conducted. Patients received extensive multidisciplinary evaluations and were cared for by the authors. NOD2 and its association with infection and inflammation were schematically represented. Results All patients were Caucasian men and presented with years of autoinflammatory phenotypes, including recurrent fever, rash, inflammatory arthritis, gastrointestinal symptoms and elevated inflammatory markers. All patients underwent molecular testing using a gene panel for periodic fever syndromes and were identified to carry NOD2 mutations associated with NOD2 -associated autoinflammatory disease. Despite initially negative gastrointestinal evaluations, repeat endoscopy with duodenal tissue biopsy ultimately confirmed WD. After initial ceftriaxone and maintenance with doxycycline and/or HCQ, symptoms were largely controlled, though mild relapses occurred in follow-up. Conclusion Both NOD2 and TW/WD are intensively involved in monocytes/macrophages. WD is regarded as a macrophage disease. NOD2 leucin-rich repeat–associated mutations in monocytes/macrophages cause functional impairment of these cells and consequently may make the host susceptible for TW infection and WD, especially in the setting of immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of treatment options for individuals who experience suboptimal initial response or weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The prevalence of these outcomes increases over time and can reach up to 20% at 10 years. The treatment approach includes behavioral and nutritional interventions, as well as surgical and medical interventions if necessary. Medical management, particularly the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, has shown significant weight reductions and health improvements. Revisional metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is also an option but carries a higher complication rate. The article discusses various treatment options, including nutritional counseling, behavioral interventions, medical therapies, endoscopic interventions, and surgical interventions. It emphasizes the need for further research to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of these treatments. The document also includes a list of references covering a range of topics related to weight loss and weight regain after bariatric surgery. [Extracted from the article]

Background Transarterial embolization (TAE) for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) can be technically challenging due to the compromise between achieving haemostasis and causing tissue ischaemia. The goal of the present study is to determine its technical success, rebleeding, and post-embolization ischaemia rates through meta-analysis of published literature in the last twenty years. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried. Technical success, rebleeding, and ischaemia rates were extracted. Baseline characteristics such as author, publication year, region, study design, embolization material, percentage of superselective embolization were retrieved. Subgroup analysis was performed based on publication time and embolization agent. Results A total of 66 studies including 2121 patients who underwent embolization for acute LGIB were included. Endoscopic management was attempted in 34.5%. The pooled overall technical success, rebleeding, post-embolization ischaemia rates were 97.0%, 20.7%, and 7.5%, respectively. Studies published after 2010 showed higher technical success rates (97.8% vs 95.2%), lower rebleeding rates (18.6% vs 23.4%), and lower ischaemia rates (7.3% vs 9.7%). Compared to microcoils, NBCA was associated with a lower rebleeding rate (9.3% vs 20.8%) at the expense of a higher post-embolization ischaemia rate (9.7% vs 4.0%). Coagulopathy (P  = .034), inotropic use (P  = .040), and malignancy (P  = .002) were predictors of post-embolization rebleeding. Haemorrhagic shock (P  < .001), inotropic use (P  = .026), malignancy (P  < .001), coagulopathy (P  = .002), blood transfusion (P  < .001), and enteritis (P  = .023) were predictors of mortality. Empiric embolization achieved a similarly durable haemostasis rate compared to targeted embolization (23.6% vs 21.1%) but a higher risk of post-embolization ischaemia (14.3% vs 4.7%). Conclusion For LGIB, TAE has a favourable technical success rate and low risk of post-embolization ischaemia. Its safety and efficacy profile has increased over the last decade. Compared to microcoils, NBCA seemed to offer a more durable haemostasis rate at the expense of higher ischaemia risk. Due to the heterogeneity of currently available evidence, future prospective and comparative studies are warranted. Advances in knowledge (1) Acute LGIB embolization demonstrate a high technical success rate with acceptable rate of rebleeding and symptomatic ischaemia rates. Most ischaemic stigmata discovered during routine post-embolization colonoscopy were minor. (2) Although NBCA seemed to offer a more durable haemostasis rate, it was also associated with a higher risk of ischaemia compared to microcoils. (3) Coagulopathy, malignant aetiology, and inotropic use were predictors of rebleeding and mortality. (4) Routine post-embolization endoscopy to assess for ischaemia is not indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial condition characterized by abnormal weight gain due to excessive adipose tissue accumulation that represents a growing worldwide challenge for public health. In addition, obese patients have an increased risk of hiatal hernia, esophageal, and gastric dysfunction, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which has a prevalence over 40% in those seeking endoscopic or surgical intervention. Surgery has been demonstrated to be the most effective treatment for severe obesity in terms of long-term weight loss, comorbidities, and quality of life improvements and overall mortality decrease. The recent emergence of bariatric endoscopic techniques promises less invasive, more cost-effective, and reproducible approaches to the treatment of obesity. With the endorsement of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, we started a Delphi process to develop consensus statements on the most appropriate diagnostic workup to preoperatively assess gastroesophageal function before bariatric surgical or endoscopic interventions. The Consensus Working Group comprised 11 international experts from five countries. The group consisted of gastroenterologists and surgeons with a large expertise with regard to gastroesophageal reflux disease, bariatric surgery and endoscopy, and physiology. Ten statements were selected, on the basis of the agreement level and clinical relevance, which represent an evidence and experience-based consensus of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic resection (ER) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is evaluated pathologically, and additional treatment is recommended for cases resulting in non-curative resection, defined as pMM with lymphovascular invasion (LVI), pSM, or positive vertical margin. This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes and risk factors for recurrence in patients with ESCC treated with non-curative ER followed by additional chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical courses of patients who underwent non-curative ER followed by additional CRT for ESCCs between August 2007 and December 2017. Recurrence rates and risk factors for recurrence were analyzed. Among 97 patients with non-curative ER, 73 underwent additional CRT. With a median follow-up period of 71 months, recurrences were observed in 10 (14%) of 73 patients, with a median interval of 24.5 (1–59 months). The 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival were 89 and 85%, respectively, and the 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 96 and 91%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that lymphatic invasion was an independent risk factor for recurrence in patients with non-curative ESCC receiving additional CRT. Among the 10 patients with recurrence, 4, 3, 2, and 1 underwent surgery, chemotherapy, supportive care, and CRT, respectively. Notably, all four patients who underwent surgery survived, regardless of regional and/or distant lymph node metastasis. Lymphatic invasion is an independent risk factor for the recurrence of non-curative ESCCs. Careful follow-up is required for at least 5 years after ER with additional CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) facilitates complex pulmonary segmentectomy which offers one-stage diagnostic and therapeutic management of small pulmonary nodules. We aimed to explore the potential advantages of a faster, simplified pathway and earlier diagnosis against the disadvantages of unnecessary morbidity in benign cases. METHODS In an observational study, patients with small, solitary pulmonary nodules deemed suspicious of malignancy by a multidisciplinary team were offered surgery without a pre or intraoperative biopsy. We report our initial experience with RATS complex segmentectomy (using >1 parenchymal staple line) to preserve as much functioning lung tissue as possible. RESULTS Over a 4-year period, 245 RATS complex segmentectomies were performed; 140 right: 105 left. A median of 2 (1–4) segments was removed. There was no in-hospital mortality and no requirement for postoperative ventilation. Complications were reported in 63 (25.7%) cases, of which 36 (57.1%) were hospital-acquired pneumonia. A malignant diagnosis was found in 198 (81%) patients and a benign diagnosis in 47 (19%). The malignant diagnoses included: adenocarcinoma in 136, squamous carcinoma in 31 and carcinoid tumour in 15. The most frequent benign diagnosis was granulomatous inflammation in 18 cases. CONCLUSIONS RATS complex segmentectomy offers a precise, safe and effective one-stop therapeutic biopsy in incidental and screen-detected pulmonary nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limy bile syndrome (LBS) is a condition in which the biliary tract is filled with radiodense calcium carbonate rich sludge. This rare condition can complicate the management of commonly encountered biliary conditions such as choledocholithiasis. We present a case of a male in his fifties who presented to hospital with a 12-day history of abdominal pain, nausea and jaundice. Imaging and laboratory findings demonstrated a dependent radio-dense substance within the biliary system as well as an obstructing calculus at the duodenal ampulla. Management with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography alone was insufficient and further surgical management was required. With no clear published guidelines on LBS and associated cholelithiasis, management is variable. We present this case as an addition to the literature on the management of choledocholithiasis complicated by LBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) is a significant source of morbidity following pelvic exenteration (PE), but is undefined. EPS outcome reporting and descriptors of radicality of PE are inconsistent; therefore, the best approaches for prevention are unknown. To facilitate future research into EPS, the aim of this study is to define a measurable core outcome set, core descriptor set and written definition for EPS. Consensus on strategies to mitigate EPS was also explored. Method: Three-stage consensus methodology was used: longlisting with systematic review, healthcare professional event, patient engagement, and Delphi-piloting; shortlisting with two rounds of modified Delphi; and a confirmatory stage using a modified nominal group technique. This included a selection of measurement instruments, and iterative generation of a written EPS definition. Results: One hundred and three and 119 participants took part in the modified Delphi and consensus meetings, respectively. This encompassed international patient and healthcare professional representation with multidisciplinary input. Seventy statements were longlisted, seven core outcomes (bowel obstruction, enteroperineal fistula, chronic perineal sinus, infected pelvic collection, bowel obstruction, morbidity from reconstruction, re-intervention, and quality of life), and four core descriptors (magnitude of surgery, radiotherapy-induced damage, methods of reconstruction, and changes in volume of pelvic dead space) reached consensus—where applicable, measurement of these outcomes and descriptors was defined. A written definition for EPS was agreed. Conclusions: EPS is an area of unmet research and clinical need. This study provides an agreed definition and core data set for EPS to facilitate further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous surgical approaches exist for the treatment of pilonidal disease. Current literature on treatment is of poor quality, limiting the ability to define optimal intervention. The aim of this study was to provide real-world data on current surgical practice and report patient and risk-adjusted outcomes, informing future trial design. Methods: This UK-wide multicentre prospective cohort study, including patients (aged over 16 years) who had definitive treatment for symptomatic pilonidal disease, was conducted between May 2019 and March 2022. Patient and disease characteristics, and intervention details were analysed. Data on patient-reported outcomes, including pain, complications, treatment failure, wound issues, and quality of life, were gathered at various time points up to 6 months after surgery. Strategies were implemented to adjust for risk influencing different treatment choices and outcomes. Results: Of the 667 participants consenting, 574 (86.1%) were followed up to the study end. Twelve interventions were observed. Broadly, 59.5% underwent major excisional surgery and 40.5% minimally invasive surgery. Complications occurred in 45.1% of the cohort. Those who had minimally invasive procedures had better quality of life and, after risk adjustment, less pain (score on day 1: mean difference 1.58, 95% c.i. 1.14 to 2.01), fewer complications (difference 17.5 (95% c.i. 9.1 to 25.9)%), more rapid return to normal activities (mean difference 25.9 (18.4 to 33.4) days) but a rate of higher treatment failure (difference 9.6 (95% c.i. 17.3 to 1.9)%). At study end, 25% reported an unhealed wound and 10% had not returned to normal activities. Conclusion: The burden after surgery for pilonidal disease is high and treatment failure is common. Minimally invasive techniques may improve outcomes at the expense of a 10% higher risk of treatment failure. This article describes one of the largest real-world experiences of surgery for pilonidal disease. The results are different from those reported in the literature. Many patients experience protracted recovery, and failure is common. Use of minimally invasive techniques is likely to reduce the burden of postoperative recovery substantially, for both patient well-being, direct healthcare costs, and costs to the wider economy, but with a higher risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES In endoscopic mitral valve surgery, optimal exposure is crucial. This study aims to develop a predictive model for poor mitral valve exposure in endoscopic surgery, utilizing preoperative body profiles and computed tomography images. METHODS We enrolled patients undergoing endoscopic mitral valve surgery with available operative video and preoperative computed tomography. The degree of valve exposure was graded into 0 (excellent), 1 (fair), 2 (poor) and 3 (very poor). Intrathoracic dimensions–anteroposterior width (chest anteroposterior) and left-to-right width (chest width) of the thorax, height of right hemi-thorax (chest height), angle between the left ventricular axis and the horizontal plane (left ventricle apex angle), heart width, level of diaphragm in midline, and vertical distance between the midline diaphragm level and the highest top of the right diaphragm (Δdiaphragm) were measured. RESULTS Among 263 patients, mitral valve exposure was graded as 0 in 131 (49.8%), 1 in 72 (27.4%), 2 in 46 (17.5%) and 3 in 14 (5.3%). Body mass index, chest width, left ventricle apex angle, heart width and Δdiaphragm were identified as independent predictors of grades 2 and 3 exposure by stepwise logistic regression analysis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.822 (P  < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression for grade 3 exposure prediction revealed that Δdiaphragm had the largest area under the curve (0.826, P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Poor mitral valve exposure occurred in approximately one-fourth of the endoscopic surgery series and might be predicted preoperatively using body mass index and computed tomography measurements to help determine the surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of gastric tube cancer (GTC) is increasing due to the improved prognosis of patients after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Total resection of the gastric tube is expected to be curative for patients with GTC. However, several studies have reported that this procedure is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. We here present a case of GTC without lymph node metastasis in a patient who underwent partial resection of a gastric tube via thoracoscopic-endoscopic cooperative surgery. No postoperative complications or recurrence was observed. This procedure is a favorable and minimally invasive procedure for GTC without lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Postoperative neurocognitive disorder following thoracoscopic surgery with general anaesthesia may be linked to reduced intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and perioperative inflammation, which can potentially be exacerbated by mechanical ventilation. However, nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery, which utilizes regional anaesthesia and maintains spontaneous breathing, provides a unique model for studying the potential benefits of avoiding mechanical ventilation. This approach allows investigation into the impact on perioperative neurocognitive profiles, inflammatory responses and intraoperative cerebral oxygen levels. METHODS In total, 110 patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were randomly equally assigned to the intubated group and the nonintubated group. Regional cerebral oxygenation was monitored during surgery. Serum neuroinflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-6 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, were measured at baseline (before surgery) and 24 h after surgery. Postoperative complication severity was compared using the Comprehensive Complication Index. The primary outcome was perioperative changes in neurocognitive test score, which was assessed at baseline, 24 h and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS Patients in the nonintubated group had higher neurocognitive test scores at 24 h (69.9 ± 10.5 vs 65.3 ± 11.8; P  =   0.03) and 6 months (70.6 ± 6.7 vs 65.4 ± 8.1; P  <   0.01) after surgery and significantly higher regional cerebral oxygenation over time during one-lung ventilation (P  =   0.03). Patients in the intubated group revealed a significantly higher postoperative serum interleukin-6 level (group by time interaction, P  =   0.04) and a trend towards a significantly higher serum glial fibrillary acidic protein level (group by time interaction, P  =   0.11). Furthermore, patients in the nonintubated group had a significantly lower Comprehensive Complication Index (9.0 ± 8.2 vs 6.1 ± 7.1; P  <   0.05). CONCLUSIONS Nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery was associated with improved postoperative neurocognitive recovery, more stable intraoperative cerebral oxygenation, ameliorated perioperative inflammation and attenuated postoperative complication severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous dysplasia is the histological precursor of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The optimal management for distinct squamous dysplasia grades remains unclear because the corresponding risk of developing ESCC is unknown. We aimed to assess the ESCC risk in patients with esophageal squamous dysplasia in a Western country. This nationwide cohort study included all patients with esophageal squamous dysplasia, diagnosed between 1991 and 2020 in the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (Palga). Squamous dysplasia was divided in mild-to-moderate dysplasia (mild, low-grade, and moderate dysplasia) and higher-grade dysplasia (high-grade dysplasia, severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ). ESCC were identified in Palga and the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The primary endpoint was diagnosis of prevalent (≤6 months) and incident (>6 months after squamous dysplasia) ESCC. In total, 873 patients (55% male, aged 68 years SD ± 13.2) were diagnosed with esophageal squamous dysplasia, comprising mild-to-moderate dysplasia (n  = 456), higher-grade dysplasia (n  = 393), and dysplasia not otherwise specified (n  = 24). ESCC was diagnosed in 77 (17%) patients with mild-to-moderate dysplasia (49 prevalent , 28 incident ESCC) and in 162 (41%) patients with higher-grade dysplasia (128 prevalent , 34 incident ESCC). After excluding prevalent ESCC, the annual risk of ESCC was 4.0% (95% CI: 2.7–5.7%) in patients with mild-to-moderate dysplasia and 8.5% (95% CI: 5.9–11.7%) in patients with higher-grade dysplasia. All patients with squamous dysplasia, including those with mild-to-moderate dysplasia, have a substantial risk of developing ESCC. Consequently, endoscopic surveillance of the esophageal mucosa or endoscopic resection of dysplasia should be considered for patients with mild-to-moderate dysplasia in Western countries. KEY MESSAGES What is already known on this topic? Squamous dysplasia is the histological precursor of ESCC and is divided in distinct grades, based on the proportion of the squamous epithelium with histopathological abnormalities. In Western countries, the optimal management for distinct squamous dysplasia grades remains unclear because the corresponding risk of developing ESCC is unknown. What this study adds The ESCC risk of patients with squamous dysplasia was increased for all patients with squamous dysplasia in a Western country; 2.1% for patients with mild dysplasia, 5.1% for low-grade dysplasia, and 5.2% for moderate dysplasia. Increasing grades of squamous dysplasia were associated with an increased ESCC risk. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy We recommend that endoscopic follow-up or treatment should be considered in all patients with esophageal squamous dysplasia in Western countries: 1) for patients with mild, low-grade, and moderate dysplasia, endoscopic surveillance with careful inspection with narrow band imaging or dye-based chromoendoscopy of the esophageal mucosa is indicated; and 2) for patients with high-grade dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ adequate endoscopic staging and in case of suspected neoplasia endoscopic treatment should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zenker per-oral endoscopic myotomy (ZPOEM) has become a promising technique for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). The aim of this study was to add to the limited body of literature evaluating the safety and efficacy of ZPOEM. A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent ZPOEM at two separate institutions between January 2020 and January 2022. Demographics, preoperative and postoperative clinical data, intraoperative data, adverse events, and length of stay were analyzed. A total of 40 patients (mean age 72.5 years, 62.5% male) were included. Average operative time was 54.7 minutes and average length of stay was 1.1 days. There were three adverse events, and only one was related to the technical aspects of the procedure. Patients showed improvement in the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores at 1 month (5 vs 7, p  < 0.0001). The median FOIS scores remained 7 at both 6 and 12 months, although this improvement was not statistically significant at these time intervals (p  = 0.46 and 0.37, respectively). Median dysphagia scores were decreased at 1 (2.5 vs 0, p  < 0.0001), 6 (2.5 vs 0, p  < 0.0001), and 12 months (2.5 vs 0, p  = 0.016). The number of patients reporting ≥1 symptom was also decreased at 1 (40 vs 9, p  < 0.0001) and 6 months (40 vs 1, p  = 0.041). Although the number of patients reporting ≥1 symptom remained consistent at 12 months, this was not statistically significant (40 vs 1, p  = 0.13). ZPOEM is a safe and highly effective treatment for the management of ZD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-tunnel dissection using hemostatic forceps and needle-type device for patients with esophageal circumferential lesions (ECLs). Patients with ECLs were enrolled in the study and underwent endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) or hemostatic forceps-based ESTD (ESFTD). All patients were divided into three subgroups according to longitudinal length of the lesions (LLLs): >8 cm, 4–8 cm and < 4 cm. The clinical data such as gender, age, length of lesions and operating time were collected. A total of 152 patients were included in this study and comprised 80 cases of ESFTD and 72 cases of ESTD. The procedure time was markedly shorter in the ESFTD group than in the ESTD group (P < 0.001). Moreover, ESFTD significantly increased the rate of complete resection and reduced specimen injury in LLLs >8 cm and 4–8 cm subgroup compared with ESTD (P < 0.001), but not in <4 cm subgroup (P > 0.05). The perforation and infection rate were similar in ESFTD and ESTD group (P > 0.05). However, ESFTD effectively decreased the muscular injury rate' the duration of chest pain and the time from endoscopic surgery to first occurrence of esophageal stenosis compared with ESTD group (P < 0.01). ESFTD has better efficacy and safety than ESTD in the treatment of ECLs, especially for large lesions. ESFTD could be recommended for patients with ECLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this retrospective study was to summarize our experience in performing robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for mediastinal tumours in children to investigate its safety and feasibility. METHODS This retrospective study involved 149 patients with mediastinal tumours who were hospitalized in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, and underwent RATS for tumour resection from March 2021 to November 2022. Information on patient age, weight, tumour size, surgical incision selection, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay, rate of conversion to thoracotomy and follow-up conditions were summarized. RESULTS All 149 surgeries were successfully completed with no cases of mortality. There were 77 male and 72 female patients, with a mean age of 5.9 years (range: 6 months–16 years, 8 months) and a mean weight of 23.6 kg (8.0–72.0 kg). The mean maximum tumour diameter was 5.5 cm (2.0–12.0 cm), the mean operative time was 106.7 min (25.0–260.0 min), the mean intraoperative bleeding volume was 11.3 ml (1.0–400.0 ml) and the mean hospital stay was 7.2 days (4.0–14.0 days). All patients recovered well with no cases of tumour recurrence or mortality during the postoperative follow-up period (3–23 months). CONCLUSIONS RATS is safe and feasible to apply in children with mediastinal tumours who are >6 months of age and weigh more than 8 kg in terms of short-term outcomes, but longer-term follow-up is needed to fully evaluate the benefits. For cases that are associated with greater surgical difficulty and risk, a comprehensive surgical plan should be fully prepared in advance of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in 2003, discusses a new surgical technique called Hybrid Parastomal Hernia Endoscopic Repair (HyPER) for treating parastomal hernias. The procedure combines open and laparoscopic approaches and has shown promising outcomes in terms of postoperative complications, recurrence rates, and patient satisfaction. The study included 95 patients and reported a low complication rate. The authors, Marek Szczepkowski, Alicja Przywózka-Suwała, Bartosz Ziółkowski, Piotr Witkowski, and José Perea, provide information about their research and work in this field, as well as their affiliations with medical institutions in Warsaw, Poland, Madrid, Spain, and Salamanca, Spain. Further studies with larger patient populations and longer follow-up are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the technique. [Extracted from the article]

Toothpicks are commonly used but rarely ingested. Unlike most foreign bodies, if accidentally swallowed these rarely spontaneously pass. The duodenum has been reported as the most common site of toothpick foreign body lodgement in the upper gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a 57-year-old presenting with recurrent urosepsis after non recognition of a toothpick impaction in the duodenum with fistulisation into the right renal pelvis. Endoscopic removal of the foreign body was successful in management of the urosepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic techniques are revolutionizing bariatric surgery because of the significant risks that obesity places on both anaesthesia and surgery. Due to the high number of long-term complications that may be associated with bariatric surgery, and the relative safety of endoscopy compared to operative management, endoscopic methods for reversal of previous bariatric techniques are becoming the favoured approach. We describe the use of an endoscopic stent to assist with endoscopic reversal of a modified Long vertical gastroplasty. The modified Long vertical gastroplasty was a restrictive bariatric procedure that was effective to promote weight loss, but had adverse effects including dysphagia, reflux, indigestion and weight regain. The use of an adjunct stent not only treated the patient's reflux by dilating the stricture but allowed for erosion of the sutures intra-luminally to be removed endoscopically. The endoscopic reversal of this technique is safe and helped to relieve the patient's symptoms of reflux and dysphagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Dysphagia is a common debilitating clinical feature of IBM. However, the impact of dysphagia in IBM has been historically overlooked. This study aimed to identify, evaluate and summarize the evidence regarding the assessment and management of dysphagia in persons with IBM undergoing treatment. Methods A systematic review was conducted using a multiengine search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies had to employ an intervention for persons with IBM, report a swallowing outcome and be published in English. Quality assessments of the eligible studies were performed. Results Of 239 studies found, 19 met the inclusion criteria. One study was rated as 'fair' and the rest as 'poor' quality, particularly due to the lack of published and validated swallowing assessment procedures and outcome measures. Cricopharyngeal (CP) dysfunction (12/19) was the most commonly reported swallowing abnormality. Interventions for disease management included pharmacological agents (10/19), followed by surgical (3/19), behavioral (1/19) and combined approaches (5/19). Interventions with immunosuppressants, botulinum toxin injection, balloon dilation and/or CP myotomy led to mixed and transient benefits. Few studies examining statins or behavioral therapies (primarily focused on respiratory function) showed no effects for dysphagia. Conclusion Various interventions have been reported to temporarily improve dysphagia in persons with IBM. However, these findings are based on limited and overall low-quality evidence. This study cautions against the generalization of these findings and emphasizes the need for further systematic research to improve the diagnosis and management of dysphagia in IBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dieulafoy's lesions (DLs) are a rare and difficult-to-identify cause of acute gastrointestinal bleeding that can lead to hemorrhagic shock. We present a case of a 23-year-old previously healthy male presenting with melenic stools and hemorrhagic shock. Computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous contrast showed a possible source of hemorrhage as a hyperdense intraluminal material within the stomach. Initial urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a large, nonbleeding distal esophageal DL, which was treated successfully with 10 mL of 1:10,000 epinephrine and bipolar cauterization with 10 Fr Gold Probe™. Hemorrhage recurred 2 d later, prompting another esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which found another DL within the gastric fundus. Treatment with epinephrine, Gold Probe™, and through-the-scope Hemoclips was unsuccessful because of difficult visualization and positioning. A subsequent attempt was made using the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) Padlock™ Clip Defect Closure System with successful hemostasis and stabilization of the patient. His hospital course was complicated by left lower lobe segmental pulmonary embolism without right heart strain for which he was discharged on 3 months of anticoagulation with apixaban. On follow-up, there was no recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) despite 3 months of anticoagulation. He did not complete the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training. This case report demonstrates the evaluation and management of a patient with hemorrhagic shock from two DLs and sustained hemostasis with the Padlock™ OTSC in the setting of apixaban anticoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Despite an improvement in surgical abilities, the need for an intraoperative switch from a minimally invasive procedure towards an open surgery (conversion) still remains. To anticipate this risk, the Epithor conversion score (ECS) has been described for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Our objective was to determine if this score, developed for VATS, is applicable in robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). METHODS This was a retrospective monocentric study from January 2006 to June 2022, and data were obtained from the EPITHOR database. Patients included were those who underwent anatomic lung resection either by VATS or RATS. The ECS was calculated for all patients studied. Discrimination and calibration of the test were measured by the area under the curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow test. RESULTS A total of 1685 were included. There were 183/1299 conversions in the VATS group (14.1%) and 27/386 conversions in the RATS group (6.9%). Patients in the RATS group had fewer antiplatelet therapy and peripheral arterial disease. There were more segmentectomies in the VATS group. As for test discrimination, the area under the curve was 0.66 [0.56–0.78] in the RATS group and 0.64 [0.60–0.69] in the VATS group. Regarding the calibration, the Hosmer–Lemeshow test was not significant for both groups but more positive (better calibrated) for the VATS group (P  = 0.12) compared to the RATS group (P  = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS The ECS seems applicable for patients operated with RATS, with a correct discrimination but a lower calibration performance for patients operated with VATS. A new score could be developed to specifically anticipate conversion in patients operated on by RATS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Adequate pain management after thoracoscopic surgery is a major issue in the prevention of respiratory complications. The combination of the paravertebral block (PVB) with the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) may decrease postoperative pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the combination of PVB and SAPB on the consumption of morphine and pain after video- or robot-assisted thoracic surgery. METHODS The main objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the cumulative postoperative morphine consumption at 24 h between a group having PVB (PVB group) and a group having PVB and SAPB (PV-SAPB group). Postoperative pain at 6 and 24 h and morphine-related complications were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 112 patients were included with 56 in each group. There was no difference in median cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h between the 2 groups (P  = 0.1640). At 6 h, the median postoperative pain was higher in the PVB group compared to the PV-SAPB group (3 [0; 4] vs 2 [0; 3], P  = 0.0231). There were no differences between the 2 groups for pain at 24 h and morphine-related complications. CONCLUSIONS We did not find any difference in morphine consumption between the 2 groups. Our results suggest that the combination of PVB and SAPB for video-assisted thoracic surgery or robot-assisted thoracic surgery is safe effective and reliable and could be an alternative to PVB alone in certain indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilonidal sinus is a chronic infectious disease with large incision and high risk of relapse after surgical management. Therefore, effective intervention strategies are urgently needed to reduce the relapse and shorten the wound healing time. Hydrogels have been widely used in regenerative medicine for its great biocompatibility, however, it remains challenging to integrate the material with wound tissues. Here, we reported a case of pilonidal sinus patient using a novel tissue integration material, Photo-crosslinking hydrogel after open surgery. A 38-year-old man with a pilonidal sinus for ˃5 years underwent open surgery. When the surgery was finished, the wound was injected with hydrogel that was irradiated with a ultraviolet light source until covered and solidified completely. Hydrogel needed to be changed 1–2 times per week. We evaluated the healing time as primary outcome and then followed up for ˃1 year to observe the relapse. The wound healed completely in 46 days after open surgery, which was shorter than that reported in other studies. Meanwhile, no recurrence was detected during follow-up. Photo-crosslinking hydrogel effectively promoted wound healing and has the potential to be easily applied in Pilonidal sinus patients after open surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eventration of the diaphragm is a cephalad displacement of the diaphragm because of congenital or acquired causes. The diaphragm maintains its anatomical continuity and normal attachments. It may be partial or complete and unilateral or bilateral. Most adult presentations are asymptomatic, but patients may present with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or cardiac symptoms. Surgical repair is indicated in the symptomatic patient with the most common being diaphragmatic plication. We present surgical repair of a symptomatic left diaphragmatic eventration in an octogenarian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Inborn errors of immunity manifest with susceptibility to infection but may also present with immune dysregulation only. According to the European Society for Immunodeficiencies Registry about 50% of inborn errors of immunity are classified as common variable immunodeficiencies (CVID). In only few CVID patients are monogenic causes identified. IFN regulatory factor-2 binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2) is one of 20 known genes associated with CVID phenotypes and has only been reported in two families so far. We report another IRF2BP2-deficient patient with a novel pathogenic variant and phenotype and characterize impaired B cell function and immune dysregulation. Methods We performed trio whole-exome sequencing, determined B cell subpopulations and intracellular calcium mobilization upon B cell receptor crosslinking in B cells. T cell subpopulations, T cell proliferation and a type I IFN signature were measured. Colonoscopy and gastroduodenoscopy including histopathology were performed. Results The 33-year-old male presented with recurrent respiratory infections since childhood, colitis and RA beginning at age 25 years. We identified a novel de novo nonsense IRF2BP2 variant c.1618C>T; p.(Q540*). IgG deficiency was detected as consequence of a severe B cell differentiation defect. This was confirmed by impaired plasmablast formation upon stimulation with CpG. No serum autoantibodies were detected. Intracellular cytokine production in CD4+ T cells and CTLA4 expression on FOXP3+ Tregs were impaired. Type I IFN signature was elevated. Conclusion The identified loss-of-function variant in IRF2BP2 severely impairs B cell development and T cell homeostasis, and may be associated with colitis and RA. Our results provide further evidence for association of IRF2BP2 with CVID and contribute to the understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is primarily diagnosed based on symptoms and response to a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) trial. Gold standard testing requires an invasive endoscopic procedure, often with ambulatory pH monitoring. Salivary pepsin is a potential noninvasive modality for GERD diagnosis. This study aimed to assess diagnostic performance of salivary pepsin thresholds for GERD and determine optimal collection protocol of saliva in an external validation cohort. Over 10 months, adults with symptoms of GERD undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with wireless pH-monitoring off PPI were enrolled. Saliva was self-collected by participants over 4 days across three different time points: fasting ante meridiem (AM), post-prandial, and bedtime (PM). Pepsin levels were calculated via Peptest. Pepsin variability and agreement were determined using linear mixed effects models and intraclass correlation. Validation of diagnostic threshold and performance characteristics were evaluated by receiver–operator curve analysis. Twenty participants enrolled in the study; 50% with physiologic acid exposure (acid exposure time < 4% no GERD) and 50% with elevated acid exposure (GERD). Mean pepsin concentrations were significantly lower in the AM (22.6 ± 25.2 ng/mL) compared to post-prandial (44.5 ± 36.7 ng/mL) and PM (55.4 ± 47.0 ng/mL). Agreement between pepsin concentrations across 3 days was substantial for AM samples (kappa 0.61), with lower agreement for post-prandial and PM samples. A single AM pepsin concentration of 25 ng/mL was 67% accurate for GERD with 56% sensitivity and 78% specificity. This validation study highlights fair accuracy and performance characteristics of a single fasting AM salivary pepsin concentration for the diagnosis of GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with an insulated-tip knife (ESD-IT) and a needle-type knife (ESD-N) for large superficial esophageal neoplasms, as no study of this kind has been previously reported. We used the dataset of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that compared conventional ESD (C-ESD) and traction-assisted ESD (TA-ESD) for superficial esophageal neoplasms. We compared the procedural outcomes between ESD-IT and ESD-N in a post hoc analysis and conducted sub-analyses based on traction assistance and electrical knife type. We included 223 (EST-IT, n  = 169; ESD-N, n  = 54) patients with no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The operator handover rate due to ESD difficulties was significantly higher in ESD-N (ESD-IT = 0.6% vs. ESD-N = 13.0%, P  = 0.001), while the injection volume was significantly higher in ESD-IT than in ESD-N (40.0 vs. 20.5 mL, P  < 0.001). Other outcomes were comparable between both groups (procedural time: 51.0 vs. 49.5 minute, P  = 0.89; complete resection: 90.5% vs. 90.7%, P  > 0.99; and complication rate: 1.8% vs. 3.7%, P  = 0.60 for ESD-IT and ESD-N, respectively). In the sub-analyses, the handover rate was significantly lower with TA-ESD than with C-ESD for ESD-N (3.2% vs. 26.1%, P  = 0.034), and a significantly smaller injection volume was used in TA-ESD than in C-ESD for ESD-IT (31.5 vs. 47.0 mL, P  < 0.01). ESD with either endoscopic device achieved favorable treatment outcomes with low complication rates. The handover rate in ESD-N and the injection volume in ESD-IT improved with the traction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 31-year-old gentleman presented with clinical hyperthyroidism, goiter, bitemporal hemianopia, and discordant thyroid function test. The high α-subunit and absence of throtropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation indicated a TSH-secreting pituitary tumor. Elevation in prolactin and growth hormone as well as secondary hypogonadism were also observed. A sellar-suprasellar mass displacing the optic chiasm was revealed upon magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was rendered euthyroid with carbimazole and Lugol's iodine before undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Due to the incomplete tumor excision during surgery, patient experienced recurrence of symptoms and rising thyroxine (T4) with nonsuppressed TSH. The histopathology examination demonstrated a plurihormonal tumor with positive immunohistochemical stain for TSH, growth hormone, and prolactin, with invasive and proliferative features. Subsequently he was initiated with a long-acting somatostatin analogue and underwent stereotactic radiosurgery. To date, his symptoms have improved, with a reduction of insulin-like growth factor 1 and normalization of other pituitary hormones as well as a slightly reduced size of the pituitary tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Persistent genital arousal disorder/genitopelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is characterized by distressing, abnormal genitopelvic sensations, especially unwanted arousal. In a subgroup of patients with PGAD/GPD, cauda equina Tarlov cyst–induced sacral radiculopathy has been reported to trigger the disorder. In our evaluation of lumbosacral magnetic resonance images in patients with PGAD/GPD and suspected sacral radiculopathy, some had no Tarlov cysts but showed lumbosacral disc annular tear pathology. Aim The aims were 2-fold: (1) to utilize a novel multidisciplinary step-care management algorithm designed to identify a subgroup of patients with PGAD/GPD and lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy who could benefit from lumbar endoscopic spine surgery (LESS) and (2) to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of LESS. Methods Clinical data were collected on patients with PGAD/GPD who underwent LESS between 2016 and 2020 with at least 1-year follow-up. LESS was indicated because all had lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy confirmed by our multidisciplinary management algorithm that included the following: step A, a detailed psychosocial and medical history; step B, noninvasive assessments for sacral radiculopathy; step C, targeted diagnostic transforaminal epidural spinal injections resulting in a temporary, clinically significant reduction of PGAD/GPD symptoms; and step D, surgical intervention with LESS and postoperative follow-up. Outcomes Treatment outcome was based on the validated Patient Global Impression of Improvement, measured at postoperative intervals. Results Our cohort included 15 cisgendered women and 5 cisgendered men (mean ± SD age, 40.3 ± 16.8 years) with PGAD/GPD who fulfilled the criteria of lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy based on our multidisciplinary management algorithm. Patients were followed for an average of 20 months (range, 12-37) post-LESS. Lumbosacral annular tear pathology was identified at multiple levels, the most common being L4-L5 and L5-S1. Twenty-two LESS procedures were performed in 20 patients. Overall, 80% (16/20) reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement; 65% (13/20) reported improvement as much better or very much better. All patients were discharged the same day. There were no surgical complications. Clinical Implications Among the many recognized triggers for PGAD/GPD, this subgroup exhibited lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy and experienced long-term alleviation of symptoms by LESS. Strengths and Limitations Strengths include long-term post-surgical follow-up and demonstration that LESS effectively treats patients with PGAD/GPD who have lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy, as established by a multidisciplinary step-care management algorithm. Limitations include the small study cohort and the unavailability of a clinical measure specific for PGAD/GPD. Conclusion LESS is safe and effective in treating patients with PGAD/GPD who are diagnosed with lumbosacral annular tear–induced sacral radiculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Oesophagectomy was always recommended after noncurative endoscopic resection (ER). And the optimal time interval from ER to oesophagectomy remains unclear. This study was to explore the effect of interval on pathologic stage and prognosis. METHODS We included 155 patients who underwent ER for cT1N0M0 oesophageal cancer and then received subsequent oesophagectomy from 2009 to 2019. Overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were analysed to find an optimal cut-off of interval from ER to oesophagectomy. In addition, pathologic stage after ER was compared to that of oesophagectomy. Logistic regression model was built to identify risk factors for pathological upstage. RESULTS The greatest difference of DFS was found in the groups who underwent oesophagectomy before and after 30 days (P  = 0.016). Among total 155 patients, 106 (68.39%) received oesophagectomy within 30 days, while 49 (31.61%) had interval over 30 days. Comparing the pathologic stage between ER and oesophagectomy, 26 patients had upstage and thus had worse DFS (hazard ratio = 3.780, P  = 0.042). T1b invasion, lymphovascular invasion and interval >30-day group had a higher upstage rate (P  = 0.014, P  < 0.001 and P  < 0.001, respectively). And they were independent risk factors for pathologic upstage (odds ratio = 3.782, 4.522 and 2.844, respectively). CONCLUSIONS It was the first study exploring the relationship between time interval and prognosis in oesophageal cancer. The longer interval between noncurative ER and additional oesophagectomy was associated with a worse DFS, so oesophagectomy was recommended performed within 1 month after ER. Older age, T1b stage, lymphovascular invasion and interval >30 days were significantly associated with pathologic upstage, which is related to the worse outcome too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Hybrid operating rooms (HOR) have been increasingly used for image-guided lung surgery, and most surgical teams have used percutaneous localization for small pulmonary nodules. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy localization under endotracheal tube intubation general anaesthesia followed by thoracoscopic surgery as a single-stage procedure in ab HOR. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of patients who underwent single-stage augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy localization under general anaesthesia followed by thoracoscopic surgery in an HOR between August 2020 and March 2022. RESULTS Single-stage localization and resection were performed for 85 nodules in 74 patients. The median nodule size was 8 mm [interquartile range (IQR), 6–9 mm], and the median distance from the pleural space was 10.9 mm (IQR, 8–20 mm). All nodules were identifiable on cone-beam computed tomography images and marked transbronchially with indigo carmine dye (median markers per lesion: 3); microcoils were placed for deep margins in 16 patients. The median localization time was 30 min (IQR 23–42 min), and the median fluoroscopy duration was 3.3 min (IQR 2.2–5.3 min). The median radiation exposure (expressed as the dose area product) was 4303.6 μGym2 (IQR 2879.5–6268.7 μGym2). All nodules were successfully marked and resected, and the median global operating room time was 178.5 min (IQR 153.5–204 min). There were no localization-related complications, and the median length of postoperative stay was 1 day (IQR, 1–2 days). CONCLUSIONS Single-stage augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy localization under general anaesthesia followed by thoracoscopic surgery was feasible and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Our goal was to describe a new approach for totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement. METHODS From October 2017 through December 2020, a total of 266 consecutive patients underwent totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement. Reoperations and combinations were excluded. RESULTS A total of 266 patients with a median age of 72 (64, 79) years underwent totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement; of these, 250 (93.98%) patients were designated to undergo surgery because of aortic valve stenosis. The median follow-up index was 0.69 (0.30, 0.90). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events occurred in 4 (1.50%) patients within 30 days. Overall hospital mortality was 1.50%. Twenty additional deaths (7.52%) occurred during the 3-year follow-up period. An early thoracoscopic revision was needed in 7 patients due to signs of bleeding or cardiac tamponade. Fourteen patients required a permanent pacemaker implant. CONCLUSIONS Retrospective analysis of our early experience with totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement in 266 consecutive patients demonstrated satisfactory results, with low mortality and acceptable morbidity rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer often presents with obstruction needing urgent, potentially life-saving decompression. The comparative efficacy and safety of endoluminal stenting versus emergency surgery as initial treatment for such patients is uncertain. Methods: Patients with left-sided colonic obstruction and radiological features of carcinoma were randomized to endoluminal stenting using a combined endoscopic/fluoroscopic technique followed by elective surgery 1-4 weeks later, or surgical decompression with or without tumour resection. Treatment allocation was via a central randomization service using a minimization procedure stratified by curative intent, primary tumour site, and severity score (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation). Co-primary outcome measures were duration of hospital stay and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were stoma formation, stenting completion and complication rates, perioperative morbidity, 6-month survival, 3-year recurrence, resource use, adherence to chemotherapy, and quality of life. Analyses were undertaken by intention to treat. Results: Between 23 April 2009 and 22 December 2014, 245 patients from 39 hospitals were randomized. Stenting was attempted in 119 of 123 allocated patients (96.7 per cent), achieving relief of obstruction in 98 of 119 (82.4 per cent). For the 89 per cent treated with curative intent, there were no significant differences in 30-day postoperative mortality (3.6 per cent (4 of 110) versus 5.6 per cent (6 of 107); P=0.48), or duration of hospital stay (median 19 (i.q.r. 11-34) versus 18 (10-28) days; P=0.94) between stenting followed by delayed elective surgery and emergency surgery. Among patients undergoing potentially curative treatment, stoma formation occurred less frequently in those allocated to stenting than those allocated to immediate surgery (47 of 99 (47.5 per cent) versus 72 of 106 (67.9 per cent); P=0.003). There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity, critical care use, quality of life, 3-year recurrence or mortality between treatment groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is a diagnosis made based on endoscopic findings in the appropriate clinical setting. Biopsy may be taken during endoscopy for correlation, but the pathologist may encounter a myriad of nonspecific histologic findings. We undertook this study to evaluate contexts where a histologic diagnosis of PHG might be rendered on biopsy.Methods: Two cohorts were established: stomach biopsy specimens from patients with cirrhosis or undergoing varices screening (n = 188) and stomach biopsy specimens with findings interpreted as PHG in the pathology report (n = 29).Results: In the first cohort, cases with endoscopic varices more frequently displayed foveolar hyperplasia and acute inflammation, with no other histologic differences between cases with and without endoscopic PHG, clinical varices, and clinical cirrhosis. Cases from the second cohort showed no histologic differences when stratified for endoscopic PHG, endoscopic varices, and clinical cirrhosis. Our second cohort displayed the majority of charted histologic findings more frequently than the first. Our results indicate that neither an endoscopic appearance of PHG nor particular clinical diagnoses associated with PHG translate into specific histologic findings.Conclusions: Although the histologic findings charted displayed increased frequency in pathology reports with an interpretation of PHG, histology should not be used reliably in the diagnosis of PHG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Pulmonary metastasectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is suitable in highly selected patients. However, complete resection is challenging in HCC patients with multiple lung metastases. We aimed to describe the clinical utility and survival outcome of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-navigated resection of HCC lung metastases. METHODS From October 2015 to March 2021, 15 HCC patients with pulmonary metastasis underwent near-infra-red (NIR) fluorescence imaging thoracoscopic surgery. ICG was administered through peripheral veins preoperatively. All suspected lesions detected by palpation, white-light thoracoscopy or NIR imaging were resected. After metastasectomy, all patients were followed up at regular intervals of 6–12 months. RESULTS A total of 90 metastatic HCC nodules were resected in 15 patients. All patients received sublobar resections, during which 89 lesions were removed by wedge resection and 1 lesion was managed via segmentectomy. Under NIR fluorescence imaging, 81 nodules successfully demonstrated fluorescence during the surgery, while 9 metastatic nodules were undetected. The median signal-to-background ratio of the nodules was 3.34. Five patients died and 7 patients relapsed by the end of observation. The median overall survival and disease-free survival were 47.1 and 17.3 months, respectively. The 1-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 71.1% and 57.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS ICG fluorescence imaging technology is useful for visualization of the peripheral tumours to assist in pulmonary metastasectomy for HCC. In addition, this technology has the potential to detect the small tumour that is missed in preoperative examinations, which might be beneficial for HCC patients with multiple lung metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Our goal was to develop high throughput computer vision (CV) algorithms to detect blood stains in thoracoscopic surgery and to determine how the detected blood stains are associated with postoperative outcomes. METHODS Blood pixels in surgical videos were identified by CV algorithms trained with thousands of blood and non-blood pixels randomly selected and manually labelled. The proportion of blood pixels (PBP) was computed for key video frames to summarize the blood stain information during surgery. Statistical regression analyses were utilized to investigate the potential association between PBP and postoperative outcomes, including drainage volume, prolonged tube indwelling duration (≥5 days) and bleeding volume. RESULTS A total of 275 patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were enrolled. The sum of PBP after flushing (P < 0.022), age (P = 0.005), immediate postoperative air leakage (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P = 0.001) and intraoperative bleeding volume (P = 0.033) were significantly associated with drainage volume in multivariable linear regression analysis. After adjustment using binary logistic regression analysis, the sum of the PBP after flushing [ P = 0.017, odds ratio 1.003, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.000–1.005] and immediate postoperative air leakage (P < 0.001, odds ratio 4.616, 95% CI 1.964–10.847) were independent predictors of prolonged tube indwelling duration. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, surgical duration (P < 0.001) and the sum of the PBP of the surgery (P = 0.005) were significantly correlated with intraoperative bleeding volume. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study on the correlation between CV and postoperative outcomes in thoracoscopic surgery. CV algorithms can effectively detect from surgical videos information that has good prediction power for postoperative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a Japanese baby boy with a birthweight of 2826 grams, delivered at 38 weeks of gestation by vacuum delivery, without any perinatal abnormalities. Topics discussed the boy's hospitalization from five days of age more than once a month for high fever and oral ulcers, his treatment based on a diagnosis of Bechet's disease, and conclusion on the effectiveness of thalidomide for treating refractory gastrointestinal lesions caused by A20 haploinsufficiency (HA20).

Deep endometriosis, defined as external adenomyosis, is a late stage of endometriosis. Associated with very severe pain, in addition to probably being a cofactor of infertility, with a low prevalence, the diagnosis is integrated by high clinical suspicion and confirmed with imaging studies. Deep infiltration can reach sigmoid colon, which would have surgical indication as resolving treatment. We report the case of deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting sigmoid colon of a 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with colicky pain in the left lower quadrant and chronic constipation. Colonoscopy revealed a 90% stenosis in the proximal portion of sigmoid colon, as well as mural thickening proximal to the site of stenosis, reported by computed tomography with oral contrast, for which it was decided to perform robot-assisted sigmoidectomy, with a 6-month follow-up and with imaging control, patient continues asymptomatic and without the presence of lesions suggestive of recurrence, and there is no functional impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a developmental malformation that affects the lung parenchyma, especially terminal respiratory bronchioles. This paper reports a case of an infant diagnosed with CPAM who underwent stapleless thoracoscopic lobectomy using Hem-o-Lok clips®. Computed tomography showed cystic pulmonary lesions in the left lower lobe. Thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed at the age of 1 year and 3 months. During surgery, the hilar vasculature was treated using either Hem-o-Lok® clips or a LigaSure vessel sealing system. The lower lobe bronchus was divided using double Hem-o-Lok® clips proximally. The surgery was successfully completed. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and there were no complications. This technique can be easily performed as a thoracoscopic lobectomy with the potential benefits of safe and effective procedures for bronchus closure and vascular sealing in the small working space of pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an emerging minimally invasive surgical treatment for residual, recurrent, and new primary head and neck cancers in previously irradiated fields, with limited evidence for its oncological effectiveness.Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive cases performed in 16 high-volume international centers before August 2018 was conducted (registered at clinicaltrials.gov [NCT04673929] as the RECUT study). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, disease-specific survivals (DSS), and local control (LC) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates, with subgroups compared using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards modeling for multivariable analysis. Maximally selected rank statistics determined the cut point for closest surgical resection margin based on LC.Results: Data for 278 eligible patients were analyzed, with median follow-up of 38.5 months. Two-year and 5-year outcomes were 69.0% and 62.2% for LC, 71.8% and 49.8% for OS, 47.2% and 35.7% for disease-free survival, and 78.7% and 59.1% for disease-specific survivals. The most discriminating margin cut point was 1.0 mm; the 2-year LC was 80.9% above and 54.2% below or equal to 1.0 mm. Increasing age, current smoking, primary tumor classification, and narrow surgical margins (≤1.0 mm) were statistically significantly associated with lower OS. Hemorrhage with return to theater was seen in 8.1% (n = 22 of 272), and 30-day mortality was 1.8% (n = 5 of 272). At 1 year, 10.8% (n = 21 of 195) used tracheostomies, 33.8% (n = 66 of 195) used gastrostomies, and 66.3% (n = 53 of 80) had maintained or improved normalcy of diet scores.Conclusions: Data from international centers show TORS to treat head and neck cancers in previously irradiated fields yields favorable outcomes for LC and survival. Where feasible, TORS should be considered the preferred surgical treatment in the salvage setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Locally advanced lung cancers present a significant challenge to minimally invasive thoracic surgeons. An increasing number of centres have adopted robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries for these complex operations. In this study, we compare surgical margins achieved, conversion rates to thoracotomy, perioperative mortality and 30-day readmission rates for robotic and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for locally advanced lung cancers. METHODS Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy, had clinical N1/N2 disease or in the absence of these 2 features had a tumour >5 cm treated with either robotic or VATS lobectomy between 2010 and 2016. Perioperative outcomes and conversion rates were compared between robotic and VATS lobectomy. RESULTS A total of 9512 patients met our inclusion criteria with 2123 (22.3%) treated with robotic lobectomy and 7389 (77.7%) treated with VATS lobectomy. Comparable R0 resections, 30- and 90-day mortality and 30-day readmission rates were observed for robotic and VATS lobectomy while a higher rate of conversion to thoracotomy was observed for VATS (aOR = 1.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.65, 2.39, P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis of the National Cancer Database suggests that robotic lobectomy for complex lung resections achieves similar perioperative outcomes and R0 resections as VATS lobectomy with the exception of a lower rate of conversion to thoracotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Intraoperative conversion from video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to thoracotomy may occur during anatomical lung resection. The objectives of the present study were to identify risk factors for intraoperative conversion and to develop a predictive score. METHODS We performed a multicentre retrospective analysis of French thoracic surgery departments that contributed data on anatomical lung resections to the Epithor database over a 10-year period (from January-2010 to December-2019). Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, we determined risk factors for intraoperative conversion and elaborated the Epithor conversion score (ECS). The ECS was then validated in a cohort of patients operated on between January- and June-2020. RESULTS From January-2010 to December-2019, 210,037 patients had been registered in the Epithor database. Of these, 55,030 had undergone anatomical lung resection. We excluded patients who had upfront a thoracotomy or robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (n = 40,293) and those with missing data (6,794). Hence, 7943 patients with intent-to-treat VATS were assessed: 7100 with a full VATS procedure and 843 patients with intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy (conversion rate: 10.6%). Thirteen potential risk factors were identified among patients' preoperative characteristics and planned surgical procedures and were weighted accordingly to give the ECS. The score showed acceptable discriminatory power (area under the curve: 0.62 in the development cohort and 0.64 in the validation cohort) and good calibration (P  = 0.23 in the development cohort and 0.30 in the validation cohort). CONCLUSIONS Thirteen potential preoperative risk factors were identified, enabling us to develop and validate the ECS—an easy-to-use, reproducible tool for estimating the risk of intraoperative conversion during VATS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to know the treatment effect of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on 90-day mortality after anatomical lung resection based on a nationwide cohort. METHODS This is a multicentre prospective cohort of 2721 anatomical resections for lung cancer from December 2016 to March 2018. Treatment and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were performed after inverse probability score weighting and different propensity score matching algorithms. Covariate balance was assessed by standardized mean differences. The estimators reported were the average treatment effect, the average treatment effect on the treated and odds ratios after conditional logistic models with 95% confidence intervals. The unconfoundedness assumption was evaluated by sensitivity analysis for average treatment effect (c-dependence) and average treatment effect on the treated (Γ). RESULTS VATS was the initial approach in 1911 patients (70.2%), though 273 cases (14.3%) had to be converted to thoracotomy. Ninety-day mortality rates were: treatment analysis (VATS 1.16% vs open 3.9%, P < 0.001), ITT analysis (VATS 1.78% vs open 3.36%, P = 0.012). After inverse probability score weighting and propensity score matching, in the treatment analysis, VATS meant absolute risk reductions between 2.25% and 2.96% and relative risk reductions between 65% and 70% [OR = 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.15–0.79), all P -values <0.004). However, all the estimators turned out to be non-significant in the ITT analyses. A high sensitivity to unobservable confounders was proved (c-dependence 0.135, Γ = 1.5). CONCLUSIONS VATS can reduce the risk of 90-day mortality after anatomical lung resection. However, the implications of conversion to thoracotomy, comparing ITT versus treatment analysis, and the potential impact of hidden bias should deserve further attention in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired von Willebrand disease (avWD) arises because of mechanisms that destroy, decrease, absorb, or clear von Willebrand factor (vWF). A 59-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Laboratory workup revealed a prolonged platelet function assay-100. The vWF antigen was decreased, and a low vWF immunofunctional activity/antigen ratio, low collagen binding/antigen ratio, and decreased intermediate and high molecular weight multimers were noted. The patient had no high-shear stress conditions, and an antibody-mediated process was suspected. A vWF mixing study showed complete correction of vWF activity, suggesting no direct functional inhibitor. The patient was given a bolus of vWF concentrate with serial measurements of vWF; the vWF half-life was 2.5 hours. The vWF propeptide/antigen ratio was 4:1, supporting a diagnosis of aVWD resulting from increased antibody-mediated vWF clearance. This case study emphasizes the laboratory's role in the diagnosis and treatment of rare, overlooked acquired bleeding disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diagnosis of the origin of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) can be difficult in some cases, especially when MRI of the pituitary gland does not reveal an adenoma. Inferior petrosal (IPSS) or cavernous sinus sampling (CSS) with CRH stimulation helps confirm the central origin in most cases. CSS also helps lateralize the tumor within the pituitary gland with a sensitivity of 80%. Because transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is successful in the majority of MRI-negative cases, bilateral adrenalectomy is performed less frequently. Even with advanced radiologic studies, the origin may not be detected. Adrenalectomy may be an option in these cases. However, loss of feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; can lead to aggressive transformation of an existing ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma into Nelson's syndrome within 1-5 years. Clinical Case: A 46-year-old female patient complaining of hot flashes and unable to lose weight was evaluated for CS and referred to the Department of Neurosurgery for a pituitary adenoma (Table 1). Since the adenoma was <6mm CSS with CRH stimulation was performed. The results did not support central origin (Table 2). Ectopic ACTH secretion was considered, but without finding the origin of the tumor on radiological examination, and treatment with ketoconazole and metyrapone was started for CS. However the patient then discontinued outpatient follow-up. The patient presented to our clinic 6 years later with a new pituitary MRI showing tumor growth (Fig.1b). She complained of fatigue and obesity. She was depressed and anxious. The skin on her face, hands and hump was dark and patchy (Fig.1c). During these years, she consulted several endocrinologists. MRI was performed annually. Brain MRI had showed a fronto-basal extraaxial mass lesion. The patient underwent microsurgical resection and pathology revealed a microcystic meningioma (WHO grade I). 3 months later bilateral nodular hyperplasia of adrenal gland was detected; she underwent bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy (no neoplasia). ACTH gradually increased up to 418pg/ml; the diagnosis of Nelson's syndrome was established. The patient underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal adenomectomy. The ACTH level was found to be 12pg/ml on the 2nd postoperative day. Pathological examination revealed a ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma (Ki-67:7%). CS patients suffer from emotional lability due to the effects of elevated cortisol and to the physical changes of their body. Proximal muscle weakness and obesity causes fatigue symptoms. The diagnosis is often delayed until complications occur. Differential diagnosis could be difficult and challenging. Patient's emotional lability could adversely affect treatment/follow-up compliance. The presented case had meningioma resection which could be delayed until remission from CD and bilateral adrenalectomy which could be avoided by endoscopic pituitary surgery. This case is a good example of the need for pituitary centers of excellence. Figure. Fig.1.a. MRI scan of the pituitary gland at first admission shows (a) a lesion extending posteriorly inferior to the right half of the pituitary gland, hyperintense at T2-weighted, iso-hypointense at T1-w, with heterogeneous contrast enhancement consistent with pituitary microadenoma (4mm*2mm) Fig.1.b. Progression in size of the adenoma (6mm*4mm) Fig.1.c. Darkening of the skin due to hypersecretion of ACTH. Table 1. Cavernous sinus sampling with corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation Table 2. Laboratory tests in different times [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterised by varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. Diagnosing MG represents a challenge for clinicians due to the diversity of disease manifestations. We present an unusual case of this disease in an older gentleman in which the patient reported swollen tongue and lips which was incorrectly diagnosed and treated as angioedema. Months later, he developed progressive dysphagia, dysarthria and weight loss. The diagnosis was further delayed by the identification of a hiatal hernia and Zenker's diverticulum after extensive investigation for dysphagia. A total of 15 months on prompted by persistent symptoms, the patient was found to have MG by positive antibody test and Electromyogram. Treatment was initiated which led to a rapid and significant relief of his symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A staple line leak is a feared complication of sleeve gastrectomy. Endoscopic methods have superseded surgical management of small leaks, however large collections often require surgical intervention. Here, we describe endoscopic management of large collection adjacent to the staple line with an 8Fr nasobiliary tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]