Ulf Gunnarsson

Late adverse effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer a systematic overview

Purpose. The use of radiation therapy (RT) together with improvement in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer improves survival and reduces the risk for local recurrences. Despite these benefits, the adverse effects of radiation therapy limit its use. The aim of this review was to present a comprehensive overview of published studies on late adverse effects related to the RT for rectal cancer. Methods. Meta-analyses, reviews, randomised clinical trials, cohort studies and case-control studies on late adverse effects, due to pre- or postoperative radiation therapy and chemo-radiotherapy for rectal cancer, were systematically searched. Most information was obtained from the randomised trials, especially those comparing preoperative short-course 5×5 Gy radiation therapy with surgery alone. Results. The late adverse effects due to RT were bowel obstructions; bowel dysfunction presented as faecal incontinence to gas, loose or solid stools, evacuation problems or urgency; and sexual dysfunction. However, fewer late adverse effects were reported in recent studies, which generally used smaller irradiated volumes and better irradiation techniques; although, one study revealed an increased risk for secondary cancers in irradiated patients. Conclusions. These results stress the importance of careful patient selection for RT for rectal cancer. Improvements in the radiation technique should further be developed and the long-term follow-up of the randomised trials is the most important source of information on late adverse effects and should therefore be continued.

Long‐term pain after inguinal hernia repair in a population‐based cohort; risk factors and interference with daily activities

In the Swedish Hernia Register 2834 inguinal hernia repairs in 2583 patients were registered in the county of Uppsala 1998–2004. In May 2005 the 2421 patients still alive were requested by mail to fill in a validated questionnaire concerning postherniorrhaphy pain. The final response rate became 72%. Altogether 519 patients (29%) stated that they had pain in the operated groin to some extent during past week. In 98 patients (6%) the pain interfered with daily activities. Factors associated with an increased risk of residual pain in a multivariate logistic regression analysis were age below median, operation for recurrence, open repair technique, history of preoperative pain, and less than three years from surgery. Factors not associated with occurrence of residual pain were gender, method of anaesthesia during surgery, hernia sac diameter, postoperative complications, hernia type, need for emergency operation, reducibility of the hernia sac and complete dissection of the hernia sac. Factors found to be associated with impairment of function due to pain in a multivariate logistic regression analysis were: age below median, female gender, medial hernia, open repair technique, postoperative complications, need for operation for recurrence, presence of preoperative pain and less than three years from surgery. The possibility of long‐term pain as an outcome after hernia operations should be taken into consideration in the decision making prior to operation.

Late gastrointestinal disorders after rectal cancer surgery with and without preoperative radiation therapy.

The aim of the study was to analyse late gastrointestinal disorders necessitating hospital admission following rectal cancer surgery and to determine their relationship to preoperative radiation therapy.

Type of anaesthesia and patient acceptance in groin hernia repair: A multicentre randomised trial

BackgroundGroin hernia repair can be performed under general (GA), regional (RA), or local (LA) anaesthesia. This multicentre randomised trial evaluates patient acceptance, satisfaction, and quality of life with these three anaesthetic alternatives in hernia surgery. MethodsOne hundred and thirty-eight patients at three hospitals were randomised to one of three groups, GA, RA, or LA. Upon discharge, they were asked to complete a specially designed questionnaire with items focusing on pain, discomfort, recovery, and overall satisfaction with the anaesthetic method used. The global quality-of-life instrument EuroQol was used for estimation of health perceived. ResultsSignificantly more patients in the LA group than in the RA group felt pain during surgery (P<0.001). This pain was characterised as light or moderate and for the majority of LA patients was felt during infiltration of the anaesthetic agent. Postoperatively, patients in the LA group first felt pain significantly later than patients in the other two groups (P=0.012) and significantly fewer LA patients consumed analgesics more than three times during the first postoperative day (P=0.002). The results concerning nausea, vomiting, and time to first meal all favour LA. No difference was found among the three groups concerning overall satisfaction and quality of life.Conclusion In a general surgical setting, we found LA to be well tolerated and associated with significant advantages compared to GA and RA.

The DQB1(∗)03:02 HLA haplotype is associated with increased risk of chronic pain after inguinal hernia surgery and lumbar disc herniation

Abstract Neuropathic pain conditions are common after nerve injuries and are suggested to be regulated in part by genetic factors. We have previously demonstrated a strong genetic influence of the rat major histocompatibility complex on development of neuropathic pain behavior after peripheral nerve injury. In order to study if the corresponding human leukocyte antigen complex (HLA) also influences susceptibility to pain, we performed an association study in patients that had undergone surgery for inguinal hernia (n = 189). One group had developed a chronic pain state following the surgical procedure, while the control group had undergone the same type of operation, without any persistent pain. HLA DRB1genotyping revealed a significantly increased proportion of patients in the pain group carrying DRB1(*)04 compared to patients in the pain-free group. Additional typing of the DQB1 gene further strengthened the association; carriers of the DQB1(*)03:02 allele together with DRB1(*)04 displayed an increased risk of postsurgery pain with an odds risk of 3.16 (1.61-6.22) compared to noncarriers. This finding was subsequently replicated in the clinical material of patients with lumbar disc herniation (n = 258), where carriers of the DQB1(*)03:02 allele displayed a slower recovery and increased pain. In conclusion, we here for the first time demonstrate that there is an HLA-dependent risk of developing pain after surgery or lumbar disc herniation; mediated by the DRB1(*)04-DQB1(*)03:02 haplotype. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to fine-map the HLA effect and to address underlying mechanisms.