Caroline Ripat

Distal pancreatectomy for benign and low grade malignant tumors: Short-term postoperative outcomes of spleen preservation—A systematic review and update meta-analysis

The value of spleen preservation with distal pancreatectomy (DP) for benign and low grade malignant tumors remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing DP with splenectomy (DPS) or spleen preservation (SPDP).

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Is radio-embolization an alternative for chemo-embolization?

323 Background: Transarterial Radio-embolization (TARE) has emerged as a newer regional technique to Transarterial Chemo-embolization (TACE) for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of both techniques. Methods: Online search for studies comparing TARE to TACE from 2005 to present was performed. Primary outcome was overall survival rate for up to 4 years. Secondary outcomes included post-treatment complications and treatment response. Quality of included studies was evaluated by STROBE criteria. Relative Risk (RR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated from pooled data. Results: The search strategy yielded 172 studies, 5 met our selection criteria and included 653 patients undergoing embolization for unresectable HCC. Of these patients, 284 underwent TACE and 269 underwent TARE. Median age was 63 and 64 years for TACE and TARE, respectively. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in survival for up ...

Is there a role for neoadjuvant radiation dose escalation in esophageal cancer? A meta-analysis.

102 Background: In treating esophageal cancer chemo-radiation is used in the definitive as well as neo-adjuvant setting. Optimal dosage of radiation for best outcome has been debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of lower radiation dosage compared to higher. Methods: Online search for studies comparing radiation dose from 1990 to present was performed. Primary outcome was overall-survival rates for up to 5 years. Secondary outcomes included post-treatment complications and treatment response. A cut point of 51 Gy and less was considered as lower dose and greater than 51 Gy was considered higher dose. Quality of included studies was evaluated by STROBE criteria. Relative Risk (RR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated from pooled data. Results: The search strategy yielded 142 studies, 12 met our selection criteria and included 1876 patients receiving radiation for resectable esophageal carcinoma. Of these patients, 1057 received lower and 819 were treated with greater ...