The cancer epigenome is characterized by global DNA methylation and chromatin changes, such as the hypermethylation of specific CpG island promoters. Epigenetic agents like DNA methyltransferase or histone deacetylase inhibitors induce phenotype changes by reactivation of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes. Despite initial promise in hematologic malignancies, epigenetic agents have not shown significant efficacy as monotherapy against solid tumors. Recent trials showed that epigenetic agents exert favorable modifier effects when combined with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or other epigenetic agents. Due to the novel nature of their mechanism, it is important to reconsider the optimal patient selection, drug regimen, study design, and outcome measures when pursuing future trials in order to discover the full potential of this new therapeutic modality.

IMPORTANCE Minimally invasive colectomies are increasingly popular options for colon resection. OBJECTIVE To compare the perioperative outcomes and costs of robot-assisted colectomy (RC), laparoscopic colectomy (LC), and open colectomy (OC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The US Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to examine outcomes and costs before and after propensity score matching across the 3 surgical approaches. This study involved a sample of US hospital discharges from 2008 to 2010 and all patients 21 years of age or older who underwent elective colectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES In-hospital mortality, complications, ostomy rates, conversion to open procedure, length of stay, discharge disposition, and cost. RESULTS Of the 244 129 colectomies performed during the study period, 126 284 (51.7%) were OCs, 116 261 (47.6%) were LCs, and 1584 (0.6%) were RCs. In comparison with OC, LC was associated with a lower mortality rate (0.4%vs 2.0%), lower complication rate (19.8%vs 33.2%), lower ostomy rate (3.5 vs 13.0%), shorter median length of stay (4 vs 6 days), a higher routine discharge rate (86.1%vs 68.4%), and lower overall cost than OC ($11 742 vs $13 666) (all P < .05). Comparison between RC and LC showed no significant differences with respect to in-hospital mortality (0.0%vs 0.7%), complication rates (14.7%vs 18.5%), ostomy rates (3.0% vs 5.1%), conversions to open procedure (5.7%vs 9.9%), and routine discharge rates (88.7%vs 88.5%) (all P > .05). However, RC incurred a higher overall hospitalization cost than LC ($14 847 vs $11 966, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this nationwide comparison of minimally invasive approaches for colon resection, LC demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes and lower cost than OC. Robot-assisted colectomy was equivalent in most clinical outcomes to LC but incurred a higher cost.

Midline extraction sites are associated with a significantly increased rate of incisional hernias compared to muscle-splitting extraction sites. There is little evidence to recommend fascia closure of 8-mm trocar sites.