D. Ravizza

Full Robotic Left Colon and Rectal Cancer Resection: Technique and Early Outcome

AbstractObjectiveThe technique for robotic resection of the left colon and anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision is not well defined. In this study we describe a method that standardizes robot and trocar position, and allows for a complete mobilization of the left colon and the rectum, without repositioning of the surgical cart. Outcome and pathology findings are also reported. MethodsFrom January 2007 to May 2008 a total of 55 consecutive patients affected by rectal and left colon cancer were operated on, with full robotic technique, using the Da Vinci robot. Data regarding outcome and pathology reports were prospectively collected in a dedicated database.ResultsThe following procedures were performed 27 left colectomies, 17 anterior resections, 4 intersphincteric resections, 7 abdominoperineal resections. There were 21 female and 34 male patients with a mean age of 63 ± 9.9 years. Mean operative time was 290 ± 69 minutes, ranging from 164 to 487 min., none were converted to open surgery. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 18.5 ± 8.3 (range 5-45), and circumferential margin was negative in all cases. Distal margin was 25.15 ± 12.9 mm (range 6-55) for patients with rectal cancer, and 31.6 ± 20 mm for all the patients in this series. Anastomotic leak rate was 12.7% (7/55); in all cases conservative treatment was successful.ConclusionsFull robotic colorectal surgery is a safe and effective technique that exploits the advantages of the Da Vinci robot during the whole intervention, without the need to make use of hybrid operations. Outcome and pathology findings are comparable with those observed in open and laparoscopy procedures.

Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation for palliative treatment of malignant airway obstructions: early results in 47 cases

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new method of non-contact electrocoagulation, using high frequency current by means of ionized argon gas (argon plasma). Recently, this technique has become available for flexible endoscopic delivery through special probes. Aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, indications and the possible side effects of APC use in the palliative treatment of malignant airway obstructions and/or bleeding. Over a 24-month period, 47 patients underwent APC treatment for malignant neoplasms of the tracheobronchial system causing obstruction and/or recurrent bleeding. Immediate airway patency and haemostasis were obtained in 91.5% of cases (43/47). No complications or side effects caused by the treatment were observed. In two patients, the treatment allowed a radical surgical approach after induction chemotherapy. In all cases, APC proved to be highly effective and easy to perform. In our experience, APC has proven to be easy to perform, rapidly effective, safe and well tolerated by the patient, even after repeated application. This study highlights the value of endoscopic APC in the palliative management of tracheobronchial neoplasms.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy for the detection of mucosal changes in ileal pouch after restorative proctocolectomy.

BACKGROUND Pouchitis and dysplasia may affect the reservoir after restorative proctocolectomy. AIMS To assess the suitability of confocal laser endomicroscopy for the in vivo diagnosis of mucosal changes in ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. METHODS Standard endoscopy and endomicroscopy were performed in 18 pouches. Confocal images were scored for the presence of villous atrophy, inflammation, ulceration, colonic metaplasia and dysplasia. Targeted biopsies were taken. Endomicroscopic and histological findings were compared. RESULTS At standard endoscopy, the signs of pouchitis were recorded in 7/18 (38.9%) patients. At endomicroscopy, pathological features were found in 16/18 (88.9%), villous atrophy in 15/18 (83.3%), inflammation in 13/18 (72.2%), ulceration in 3/18 (16.7%), and colonic metaplasia in 12/18 (67.7%). No dysplasia was observed. At histology, abnormalities were present in 17/18 (94.4%): villous atrophy in 15/18 (83.3%), inflammation in 17/18 (94.4%), ulceration in 6/18 (33.3%), colonic metaplasia in 15/18 (83.3%). Morphological changes of the ileal pouch could be predicted with an accuracy of 94.4% (95% CI: 74.2-99.0). The k-value for intra- and interobserver agreement was 0.93 and 0.78, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Endomicroscopy may be helpful in the evaluation of morphologic changes in ileal pouch. The small size of the population sample requires further studies for the results to be confirmed.

Same-day 2-L PEG-citrate-simethicone plus bisacodyl vs split 4-L PEG: Bowel cleansing for late-morning colonoscopy

AIM To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, acceptability and feasibility of bisacodyl plus low volume polyethyleneglycol-citrate-simeticone (2-L PEG-CS) taken the same day as compared with conventional split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy. METHODS Randomised, observer-blind, parallel group, comparative trial carried out in 2 centres. Out patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 85 years, undergoing colonoscopy for diagnostic investigation, colorectal cancer screening or follow-up were eligible. The PEG-CS group received 3 bisacodyl tablets (4 tablets for patients with constipation) at bedtime and 2-L PEG-CS in the morning starting 5 h before colonoscopy. The control group received a conventional 4-L PEG formulation given as split regimen; the morning dose was taken with the same schedule of the low volume preparation. The Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) score was used as the main outcome measure. RESULTS A total of 164 subjects were enrolled and 154 completed the study; 78 in the PEG-CS group and 76 in the split 4-L PEG group. The two groups were comparable at baseline. The OBPS score in the PEG-CS group (3.09 ± 2.40) and in the PEG group (2.39 ± 2.55) were equivalent (difference +0.70; 95%CI: -0.09-1.48). This was confirmed by the rate of successful bowel cleansing in the PEG-CS group (89.7%) and in the PEG group (92.1%) (difference -2.4%; 95%CI: -11.40- 6.70). PEG-CS was superior in terms of mucosa visibility compared to PEG (85.7% vs 72.4%, P = 0.042). There were no significant differences in caecum intubation rate, time to reach the caecum and withdrawal time between the two groups. The adenoma detection rate was similar (PEG-CS 43.6% vs PEG 44.7%). No serious adverse events occurred. No difference was found in tolerability of the bowel preparations. Compliance was equal in both groups: more than 90% of subjects drunk the whole solution. Willingness to repeat the same bowel preparations was about 90% for both regimes. CONCLUSION Same-day PEG-CS is feasible, effective as split-dose 4-L PEG for late morning colonoscopy and does not interfere with work and daily activities the day before colonoscopy.

Positron emission tomography for the detection of colorectal adenomas

BACKGROUND (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has been reported to detect colorectal adenomas. AIMS This study aimed at evaluating the sensitivity of (18)F-FDG PET with computed tomography image fusion (PET/CT) for detecting colorectal adenomas. METHODS We retrospectively compared the results of 92 (18)F-FDG PET/CT studies followed by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy and histology were considered as the gold standard. RESULTS One hundred fifty-seven lesions were observed. All the 12 malignancies were identified by (18)F-FDG PET/CT but only 27 out of 119 resected adenomas (sensitivity 22.7%) and none of the hyperplastic polyps were detected. At the univariate and multivariate analyses there was a significant statistical association between adenomas sized more than 10mm, presence of villous component and high-grade dysplasia and the ability of (18)F-FDG PET/CT to detect adenomas. (18)F-FDG PET/CT showed an overall sensitivity of 29.8%, a specificity of 81.1%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 84.8% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 24.6% for the neoplastic colorectal lesions globally considered. CONCLUSION (18)F-FDG PET/CT has a low sensitivity for detecting adenomas. However, because of the specificity and PPV of the technique for neoplastic colorectal lesions, the presence of a focal colorectal FDG uptake justifies the patient undergoing colonoscopy.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy for in vivo diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus and associated neoplasia: A pilot study conducted in a single Italian centre

BACKGROUND Diagnosis and management of Barretts oesophagus are controversial. Technical improvements in real-time recognition of intestinal metaplasia and neoplastic foci provide the chance for more effective target biopsies. Confocal laser endomicroscopy allows to analyze living cells during endoscopy. AIMS To assess the diagnostic accuracy, inter- and intra-observer variability of endomicroscopy for detecting in vivo neoplasia (dysplasia and/or early neoplasia) in Barretts oesophagus. METHODS Prospective pilot study. Patients referred for known Barretts oesophagus were screened. Endomicroscopy was carried out in a circular fashion, every 1-2 cm, on the whole columnar-lined distal oesophagus. Visible lesions, when present, were analyzed first. Targeted biopsies were taken. Confocal images were classified according to confocal Barrett classification. Endomicroscopic and histological findings were compared. RESULTS Forty-eight out of 50 screened patients underwent endomicroscopy. Visible lesions were observed in 3 patients. In a per-biopsy analysis, Barretts-oesophagus-associated neoplasia could be predicted with an accuracy of 98.1%. The agreement between endomicroscopic and histological results was substantial (κ=0.76). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that endomicroscopy can provide in vivo diagnosis of Barretts oesophagus-associated neoplasia. Because it allows for the study of larger surface areas of the mucosa, endomicroscopy may lead to significant improvements in the in vivo screening and surveillance of Barretts oesophagus.

Preoperative versus postoperative docetaxel–cisplatin–fluorouracil (TCF) chemotherapy in locally advanced resectable gastric carcinoma: 10-year follow-up of the SAKK 43/99 phase III trial

BACKGROUND Fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer has been reported to be effective by several meta-analyses. Perioperative chemotherapy in locally advanced resectable gastric cancer (RGC) has been reported improving survival by two large randomized trials and recent meta-analyses but the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and optimal regimen remains to be determined. We compared a neoadjuvant with adjuvant docetaxel-based regimen in a prospective randomized phase III trial, of which we present the 10-year follow-up data. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with cT3-4 anyN M0 or anyT cN1-3 M0 gastric carcinoma, staged with endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, bone scan, and laparoscopy, were assigned to receive four 21-day/cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) day 1, and fluorouracil 300 mg/m(2)/day over days 1-14, either before (arm A) or after (arm B) gastrectomy. Event-free survival was the primary end point, whereas secondary end points included overall survival, toxicity, down-staging, pathological response, quality of life, and feasibility of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS This trial was activated in November 1999 and closed in November 2005 due to insufficient accrual. Of the 70 enrolled patients, 69 were randomized, 34 to arm A and 35 to arm B. No difference in EFS (2.5 years in both arms) or OS (4.3 versus 3.7 years, in arms A and B, respectively) was found. A higher dose intensity of chemotherapy was observed in arm A and more frequent chemotherapy-related serious adverse events occurred in arm B. Surgery was safe after preoperative chemotherapy. A 12% pathological complete response was observed in arm A. CONCLUSION Docetaxel/cisplatin/fluorouracil chemotherapy is promising in preoperative setting of locally advanced RGC. The early stopping could mask the real effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment. However, the complete pathological tumour responses, feasibility, and safe surgery warrant further investigation of a taxane-based regimen in the preoperative setting.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma in a patient treated for gastric diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma

The association between gastric carcinoma and lymphoma is rare. Confocal laser endomicroscopy is a new diagnostic tool that allows the identification of cellular and vascular architecture during endoscopy. This is the first report of an in vivo early gastric carcinoma diagnosis by confocal laser endomicroscopy in a patient successfully treated for a primary gastric diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma.

Predictive Markers of Response to Everolimus and Sunitinib in Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a large and heterogeneous group of malignancies with various biological and clinical characteristics, depending on the site of origin and the grade of tumor proliferation. In NETs, as in other cancer types, molecularly targeted therapies have radically changed the therapeutic landscape. Recently two targeted agents, the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib, have both demonstrated significantly prolonged progression free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic NETs. Despite these important therapeutic developments, there are still significant limitations to the use of these agents due to the lack of accurate biomarkers for predicting tumor response and efficacy of therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the current clinical data for the evaluation of predictive factors of response to/efficacy of everolimus and sunitinib in advanced pancreatic NETs. Surrogate indicators discussed include circulating and tissue markers, as well as non-invasive imaging techniques.

Risk factors of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. A retrospective, multicentre study

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the presence of risk factors for a type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia in a large cohort of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. The study design consisted of an Italian multicentre, retrospective analysis. The study included all consecutive patients with chronic atrophic gastritis with or without type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasias followed at the participating centres. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with chronic atrophic gastritis were enroled at the participating centres. A total of 207 patients (154 female, 53 males, median age: 56.0 years) were included in the final analysis. One hundred and twenty-six patients had chronic atrophic gastritis without a gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia and 81 had a chronic atrophic gastritis with type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia. The median Chromogranin A level, evaluated in 141 patients, was 52.0 U/L. At upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, atrophy of the gastric mucosa was mild/moderate in 137 patients and severe in 68. Intestinal metaplasia of the corpus was present in 168 patients. At histological examination, 81 patients had a gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia (42 patients had a NET G1 and 33 a NET G2). The median Ki67 index was 2.0 %. At univariate and multivariate analysis, the risk factors for a gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia were: male gender, chromogranin A greater than 61 U/L, presence of intestinal metaplasia and age equal to or greater than 59 years. Chromogranin A greater than 61 U/L, the presence of intestinal metaplasia and male gender were independent risk factors for a type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.