Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Peritoneal dissemination of abdominal malignancy (carcinomatosis) has a clinical course marked by bowel obstruction and death; it traditionally does not respond well to systemic therapy and has been approached with nihilism. To treat carcinomatosis, we use cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). ⋯ This largest reported single-center experience with CS and HIPEC demonstrates that prognostic factors include primary site, performance status, completeness of resection, and institutional experience. The data show that outcomes have improved over time, with more complete cytoreduction and fewer serious complications, transfusions, and stomas. This was due to better patient selection and increased operative experience. Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC represents a substantial improvement in outcomes compared with historical series, and shows that meaningful long-term survival is possible for selected carcinomatosis patients. Multi-institutional cooperative trials are needed to refine the use of CS and HIPEC.
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Clinical Trial
Vascular endothelial growth factor, a novel and highly accurate pancreatic fluid biomarker for serous pancreatic cysts.
Mucinous pancreatic cysts (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and mucinous cystic neoplasm) have the potential to progress to invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma, presenting an opportunity for early detection, prevention, and cure. Serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) have no malignant potential, but can mimic mucinous pancreatic cysts on imaging. Therefore, identification of biomarkers that can distinguish between cystic lesions is critically important. We hypothesize that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A levels in pancreatic fluid correlate with pathologic diagnosis. ⋯ This is the first report of a cyst fluid protein biomarker that can positively identify SCN. The ability to distinguish SCN from premalignant/malignant pancreatic cysts can spare the cost and risk of surveillance and surgical intervention in select patients.
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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a frequently lethal birth defect and, despite advances, extracorporeal life support (ie, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]) is commonly required for severely affected patients. Published data suggest that CDH survival after 2 weeks on ECMO is poor. Many centers limit duration of ECMO support. ⋯ In patients with severe CDH, improvement in pulmonary function sufficient to wean from ECMO can take 4 weeks or longer, and might require a second ECMO run. Pulmonary outcomes in these CDH patients can still be excellent, and the assignment of arbitrary ECMO treatment durations <4 weeks should be avoided.