BackgroundCancer cachexia and skeletal muscle wasting are related to poor survival. In this study, quantitative body composition measurements using computed tomography (CT) were investigated in relation to survival, post‐operative complications, and surgical site infections in surgical patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas.MethodsA prospective cohort of 199 patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas was analysed by CT imaging at the L3 level to determine (i) muscle radiation attenuation (average Hounsfield units of total L3 skeletal muscle); (ii) visceral adipose tissue area; (iii) subcutaneous adipose tissue area; (iv) intermuscular adipose tissue area; and (v) skeletal muscle area. Sex‐specific cut‐offs were determined at the lower tertile for muscle radiation attenuation and skeletal muscle area and the higher tertile for adipose tissues. These variables of body composition were related to overall survival, severe post‐operative complications (Dindo–Clavien ≥ 3), and surgical site infections (wounds inspected daily by an independent trial nurse) using Cox‐regression analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis, respectively.ResultsLow muscle radiation attenuation was associated with shorter survival in comparison with moderate and high muscle radiation attenuation [median survival 10.8 (95% CI: 8.8–12.8) vs. 17.4 (95% CI: 14.7–20.1), and 18.5 (95% CI: 9.2–27.8) months, respectively; P < 0.008]. Patient subgroups with high muscle radiation attenuation combined with either low visceral adipose tissue or age <70 years had longer survival than other subgroups (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively). Muscle radiation attenuation was inversely correlated with intermuscular adipose tissue (r p = −0.697, P < 0.001). High visceral adipose tissue was associated with an increased surgical site infection rate, OR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1–5.3; P = 0.027).ConclusionsLow muscle radiation attenuation was associated with reduced survival, and high visceral adiposity was associated with an increase in surgical site infections. The strong correlation between muscle radiation attenuation and intermuscular adipose tissue suggests the presence of ectopic fat in muscle, warranting further investigation. CT image analysis could be implemented in pre‐operative risk assessment to assist in treatment decision‐making.

An ERAS program seems feasible and safe for patients ≥ 70 years of age undergoing PD.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer is currently considered standard of care. In this nationwide study, we investigated which characteristics determine the likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and its effect on overall survival. The data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. All patients alive 90 days after pancreatoduodenectomy for M0‐pancreatic cancer between 2008 and 2013 in the Netherlands were included in this study. The likelihood to receive adjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed by multilevel logistic regression analysis and differences in time‐to‐first‐chemotherapy were tested for significance by Mann–Whitney U test. Overall survival was assessed by Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Of the 1195 patients undergoing a pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer, 642 (54%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Proportions differed significantly between the 19 pancreatic centers, ranging from 26% to 74% (P < 0.001). Median time‐to‐first‐chemotherapy was 6.7 weeks and did not differ between centers. Patients with a higher tumor stage, younger age, and diagnosed more recently were more likely to receive adjuvant treatment. The 5‐year overall survival was significantly prolonged in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy—23% versus 17%, log‐rank = 0.01. In Cox regression analysis, treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival compared with treatment without adjuvant chemotherapy. The finding that elderly patients and patients with a low tumor stage are less likely to undergo treatment needs further attention, especially since adjuvant treatment is known to prolong survival in most of these patients.

The introduction of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program has radically improved postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery. Optimization of ERAS program to an accelerated recovery program may further improve these said outcomes. This single-center, prospective study investigated the feasibility and safety of a 23-h accelerated enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) for colorectal cancer patients (ASA I–II) undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery. The 23-h accelerated ERP consisted of adjustments in pre-, peri- and postoperative care; this was called the CHASE-protocol. This group was compared to a retrospective cohort of colorectal cancer patients who received standard ERAS care. Patients were discharged within 23 h after surgery if they met the discharge criteria. Primary outcome was the rate of the successful discharge within 23 h. Successful discharge within the CHASE-cohort was realized in 33 out of the 41 included patients (80.5%). Compared to the retrospective cohort (n = 75), length of stay was significantly shorter in the CHASE-cohort (p = 0.000), and the readmission rate was higher (p = 0.051). Complication rate was similar, severe complications were observed less frequently in the CHASE-cohort (4.9% vs. 8.0%). Findings from this study support the feasibility and safety of the accelerated 23-h accelerated ERP with the CHASE-protocol in selected patients.

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair via the Nuss procedure is associated with significant postoperative pain that is considered as the dominant factor affecting the duration of hospitalization. Postoperative pain after the Nuss procedures is commonly controlled by thoracic epidural analgesia. Recently, intercostal nerve cryoablation has been proposed as an alternative method with long-acting pain control and shortened hospitalization. The subsequent objective was to systematically review the outcomes of intercostal nerve cryoablation in comparison to thoracic epidural after the Nuss procedure. METHODS Six scientific databases were searched. Data concerning the length of hospital stay, operative time and postoperative opioid usage were extracted. If possible, data were submitted to meta-analysis using the mean of differences, random-effects model with inverse variance method and I2 test for heterogeneity. RESULTS Four observational and 1 randomized study were included, enrolling a total of 196 patients. Meta-analyses demonstrated a significantly shortened length of hospital stay [mean difference −2.91 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.68 to −2.15; P &lt; 0.001] and increased operative time (mean difference 40.91 min; 95% CI 14.42–67.40; P &lt; 0.001) for cryoablation. Both analyses demonstrated significant heterogeneity (both I2 = 91%; P &lt; 0.001). Qualitative analysis demonstrated the amount of postoperative opioid usage to be significantly lower for cryoablation in 3 out of 4 reporting studies. CONCLUSIONS Intercostal nerve cryoablation during the Nuss procedure may be an attractive alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia, resulting in shortened hospitalization. However, given the low quality and heterogeneity of studies, more randomized controlled trials are needed.

Patients with non-metastasized pancreatic cancer had a greater likelihood of having surgical treatment when the diagnosis was established in a pancreatic centre.

Background: Xiphodynia is a rare musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain at the lower anterior chest or epigastric region. Treatment options include oral analgesics, local injection with analgesic or laser therapy. Yet, these often provide only short-term symptom relieve. A definite reduction in pain sensation might be achieved by performing a xiphoidectomy, though studies on its safety and efficacy are scarce. In the current single-centre study the outcomes of xiphoidectomy for xiphodynia are retrospectively assessed. Methods: All patients undergoing xiphoidectomy for xiphodynia between April 2013 and February 2020 at Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, the Netherlands, were included in this case series. Pain scores using the Numeric Rating Scale were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and submitted to the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A clinically significant improvement was defined as a 2-point decrease in Numeric Rating Scale score. In addition, surgical outcomes, including complications and duration of surgery were extracted from the patient records. Results: A total of 19 patients underwent xiphoidectomy for xiphodynia. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 83 months. Seventeen out of 19 patients showed a clinically relevant improvement in Numeric Rating Scale pain scores where the overall pain scores also revealed a statistically significant decrease from 8 (interquartile range, 7-8) to 0 (interquartile range, 0-0; P<0.001) after surgery. Median procedure time was 29 minutes (interquartile range, 24-38 minutes) and no postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions: Xiphoidectomy for xiphodynia is a safe and effective surgical procedure with good outcomes on pain relief. Though, future comparative studies are urged to elucidate its value among other treatment options.

Purpose Despite the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol, length of stay (LOS) after colorectal surgery varies considerably. The majority of longer admissions is often not medically necessary. We aimed to investigate possible reduction of LOS by perioperative education with an expected discharge date (EDD). Methods This single-centre retrospective study included 578 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer in 2016 with standard care (ERAS) and in 2018 with the addition of EDD education program (ERAS+). A comparison was made of a 1-year period prior to and following the implementation of EDD. The EDD was discussed at the outpatient clinic, preoperatively and during admission (with both the patient and family members daily). Standard EDD varied between 3 and 5 days depending on the resection type. Primary outcome was LOS; secondary outcomes were readmission, serious complications and 90-day mortality. Results Patients in ERAS+ (n = 242) had a shorter median LOS (4.0 vs. 5.0, p < 0.001) compared to patients in the regular ERAS group (n = 336). Fewer patients of ERAS+ experienced postoperative complications (71 (29.3%) vs. 198 (58.9%), p < 0.001). No difference was found in the number of readmissions (23 (9.5%) vs. 34 (10.1%), p = 0.807), reinterventions (25 (10.3%) vs. 30 (8.9%), p = 0.571) or mortality (5 (2.1%) vs. 9 (2.7%), p = 0.261) between the two groups. Conclusion It is possible to reduce LOS within the ERAS program, by better perioperative education and expectation management of patients with use of an EDD. This program ensures better understanding, faster discharge and lower costs for the hospital without added risk of readmissions or complications.