Perioperative transfusion management in gastric cancer surgery: Analysis of the Spanish subset of the EURECCA oesophago-gastric cancer registry.

Introduction: This study evaluated allogenic packed red blood cell (aPRBC) transfusion rates in patients undergoing resection for gastric cancer and the implementation of blood-saving protocols (BSP).

Methods: Retrospective study of all gastric cancer patients operated on with curative intent in Catalonia and Navarra (2011-2013) and included in the Spanish subset of the EURECCA Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Registry. Hospitals with BSP were defined as those with a preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) optimisation circuit associated with restrictive transfusion strategies.

Prospective evaluation of a minimally invasive approach for treatment of bile-duct calculi in the high-risk patient.

Background: The best approach to bile duct stones in high-risk patients is controversial. We showed in a randomized trial that open surgery had a morbi-mortality similar to that of endoscopic sphincterotomy alone (ES) and less late biliary complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate a minimally invasive approach to duct stones in high-risk patients compared with open surgery or ES alone.

Randomised trial of endoscopic sphincterotomy with gallbladder left in situ versus open surgery for common bileduct calculi in high-risk patients.

Background: Morbidity and mortality after surgical treatment of bileduct stones increase with age and associated diseases. A proposed alternative therapy is endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with the gallbladder left in situ, and we elected to compare this option with standard open surgery in high-risk patients.

Methods: 98 patients (mean age 80 years) with symptoms likely to be due to bileduct stones or a recent episode of biliary pancreatitis were randomised to be treated either by open cholecystectomy with operative cholangiography and (if necessary) bileduct exploration (n=48) or by endoscopic sphincterotomy alone (n=50).