Nationwide Association of Surgical Performance of Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy With Patient Outcomes.

Importance: Suboptimal surgical performance is hypothesized to be associated with less favorable patient outcomes in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Establishing this association may lead to programs that promote better surgical performance of MIE and improve patient outcomes.

Objective: To investigate associations between surgical performance and postoperative outcomes after MIE.

Nationwide standardization of minimally invasive right hemicolectomy for colon cancer and development and validation of a video-based competency assessment tool (the Right study).

Background: Substantial variation exists when performing a minimally invasive right hemicolectomy (MIRH) due to disparities in training, expertise and differences in implementation of innovations. This study aimed to achieve national consensus on an optimal and standardized MIRH technique for colon cancer and to develop and validate a video-based competency assessment tool (CAT) for MIRH.

Method: Statements covering all elements of MIRH were formulated.

Treatment interval in curative treatment of colon cancer, does it impact (cancer free) survival? A non-inferiority analysis.

Background: In treatment of colon cancer, strict waiting-time targets are enforced, leaving professionals no room to lengthen treatment intervals when advisable, for instance to optimise a patient's health status by means of prehabilitation. Good quality studies supporting these targets are lacking. With this study we aim to establish whether a prolonged treatment interval is associated with a clinically relevant deterioration in overall and cancer free survival.

Vitamin insufficiency after surgery for oesophagogastric neoplasms: a study protocol for a prospective intervention study.

Introduction: Oesophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) are among the top 10 cancers worldwide. Both diseases impact the nutritional status of patients and their Quality of Life (QoL). Preoperative malnutrition is reported in 42%-80%.

The Patient Navigator: Can a systematically developed online health information tool improve patient participation and outcomes related to the consultation in older patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer?

Background: Older cancer patients may search for health information online to prepare for their consultations. However, seeking information online can have negative effects, for instance increased anxiety due to finding incorrect or unclear information. In addition, existing online cancer information is not necessarily adapted to the needs of older patients, even though cancer is a disease often found in older individuals.

Outcomes after hybrid minimally invasive treatment of Boerhaave syndrome: a single-institution experience.

Background: Spontaneous esophageal perforation or Boerhaave syndrome is a life-threatening emergency, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective series we describe our single-center experience with a hybrid minimally invasive treatment approach for the treatment of Boerhaave syndrome.

Methods: Clinical data of all patients who presented with spontaneous esophageal rupture between January 2009 and December 2019 were analyzed.

The Influence of Online Health Information Seeking Before a Consultation on Anxiety, Satisfaction, and Information Recall, Mediated by Patient Participation: Field Study.

Background: Today, many cancer patients engage in online health information seeking (OHIS). However, little is known about how patients differ in their OHIS levels. In addition, OHIS might influence patient participation during a consultation with a physician, which might mediate the effects on patient outcomes.

[Protruding omentum with umbilical fluid leakage in a patient with liver cirrhosis].

A 57 year old woman with a history of liver cirrhosis and ascites presented with serous exudate spontaneously leaking from a ruptured umbilical hernia, also known as Flood syndrome. This syndrome is a rare complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis and is associated with high mortality. In this specific case, there was also omentum protruding through the umbilical hernia which limited the outflow of ascites.

Hartmann's procedure versus sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis for perforated diverticulitis with purulent or faecal peritonitis (LADIES): a multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label, superiority trial.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis is superior to Hartmann's procedure. The likelihood of stoma reversal after primary anastomosis has been reported to be higher and reversal seems to be associated with lower morbidity and mortality. Although promising, results from these previous studies remain uncertain because of potential selection bias.

[Gallstone ileus treated with shock-waves: ESWL as treatment for intestinal obstruction].

Background: A gallstone ileus is a complication of cholelithiasis that is difficult to recognise. Morbidity and mortality are both high. Treatment often consists of surgical removal of the stone.

Surgery versus conservative management for recurrent and ongoing left-sided diverticulitis (DIRECT trial): an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Patients with recurrent or persisting complaints after an episode of left-sided diverticulitis are managed with either conservative measures or elective sigmoidectomy. To date, there are no data from randomised trials. We aimed to establish which treatment leads to a better quality of life for patients with diverticulitis.

Long-term Outcome of an Organ Preservation Program After Neoadjuvant Treatment for Rectal Cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to establish the oncological and functional results of organ preservation with a watch-and-wait approach (W&W) and selective transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in patients with a clinical complete or near-complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2014, organ preservation was offered if response assessment with digital rectal examination, endoscopy, and MRI showed (near) cCR. Watch-and-wait was offered for cCR, and two options were offered for near cCR: TEM or reassessment after three months.

A phase I-II study on the combination of rapamycin and short course radiotherapy in rectal cancer.

Purpose: This phase I/II study sought to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, with short-course radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients. Antitumor activity, changes in metabolic activity and perfusion on imaging, and changes in phosphorylation status of the mTOR pathway were also assessed.

Materials And Methods: Patients with primary resectable rectal cancer were treated with short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy (5×5 Gy) combined with oral rapamycin 1 week before and during radiotherapy, followed by surgical resection.

Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage or sigmoidectomy for perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis: a multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial.

Background: Case series suggest that laparoscopic peritoneal lavage might be a promising alternative to sigmoidectomy in patients with perforated diverticulitis. We aimed to assess the superiority of laparoscopic lavage compared with sigmoidectomy in patients with purulent perforated diverticulitis, with respect to overall long-term morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We did a multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial in 34 teaching hospitals and eight academic hospitals in Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands (the Ladies trial).

PET/CT-based metabolic tumour volume for response prediction of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal carcinoma.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is increasingly used in oesophageal cancer patients. In general, small tumours are associated with a survival benefit compared to large tumours. Little is known, however, about the relationship between initial tumour volume and response to chemoradiotherapy.

Early removal of the chest tube after complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies.

Objective: Chest tubes induce morbidity such as pain, decrease mobility, increase the risk of infection, and prolong the length of hospital stays. This study evaluates a chest-tube protocol containing a high-drainage threshold and a short time period of drainage.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed with data collected from all elective complete video-assisted thoracoscopic (c-VATS) (bi-)lobectomies between March 2006 and December 2009.

DIRECT trial. Diverticulitis recurrences or continuing symptoms: Operative versus conservative treatment. A multicenter randomised clinical trial.

Background: Persisting abdominal complaints are common after an episode of diverticulitis treated conservatively. Furthermore, some patients develop frequent recurrences. These two groups of patients suffer greatly from their disease, as shown by impaired health related quality of life and increased costs due to multiple specialist consultations, pain medication and productivity losses.

The role of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the surgical treatment of superior sulcus tumors.

The surgical resection of sulcus superior tumors, also referred to as Pancoast tumors, remains a challenging surgical procedure. A patient presented with a superior sulcus tumor situated anterior in the thoracic inlet. The tumor was resected through a transmanubrial approach of Grunenwald combined with a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.

Complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy and its learning curve. A single center study introducing the technique in The Netherlands.

Data regarding the benefits for the complete video-assisted thoracic surgery (c-VATS) lobectomy over the open lobectomy are numerous. This article describes the experience of introducing this technique in a training hospital, the first reported cohort in The Netherlands. From March 2006 to November 2008, all patients operated on for proven or suspected lung cancer were analyzed.