Summary Background 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03471494 . Findings Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit.

Highlights Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare life-threatening condition, usually requiring urgent surgical treatment. Thoracic drainage may confirm diagnosis rapidly. Debridement and drainage of pleural space and mediastinum are essential in sepsis control. Damage control approach with oesophageal T-tube drainage may help in sepsis control, allowing delayed definitive oesophageal repair. The outcome is determined by rapid diagnosis and timely and effective treatment.

Wilkie’s syndrome, or superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), is a rare clinical entity caused by compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery, leading to duodenal obstruction and severe malnutrition. The authors report a case of a female patient with years of chronic intestinal obstruction with abdominal pain, vomits and weight loss. Contrast intestinal series showed dilation of stomach and duodenum. Abdominal computed tomography study revealed findings compatible with SMAS. After initial nutritional support, she was successfully treated by laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy. Surgical treatment of SMAS may be necessary in most cases with chronic symptoms or conservative treatment failure. A minimally invasive approach can be considered a safe surgical option with favourable outcomes. Clinical details, diagnostic studies and treatment are discussed.

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) comprised 0,2% of all GI tumors. They are typically asymptomatic, but can manifest with nonspecific GI symptoms, GI bleeding, or intussusception. The authors report a case of a 55-year-old female patient with hematochezia and a palpable mass on the left lower quadrant. Ultrasound revealed possible intussusception. However, CT scan did not show any signs of lesions or intussusception. On reevaluation, the mass was no longer palpable. The patient had recurrent episodes of hematochezia with need of transfusional support. CT enterography revealed a 20-24 mm jejunoileal lesion. A laparotomy was undertaken with small bowel resection containing the lesion. Histological examination confirmed GIST. GIST presentation as transient intussusception and intermittent GI bleeding is rare. This case report emphasizes the rarity of jejunoileal GIST, its clinical details, diagnostic study, and treatment.