Chemotherapy switch for localized pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with localized (that is non-metastatic) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with an inadequate response or toxicity to first-line chemotherapy may benefit from chemotherapy switch. The aim was to explore the available data on the use and effect of chemotherapy switch, as reported in the literature.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), the Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar on 1 December 2023.

The effect of liver surgery and fluid strategy on renin activity and aldosterone and anti-diuretic hormone levels: a secondary analysis of the GALILEO trial.

Background: It is unknown whether liver surgery leads to increased RAAS activity and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) levels and subsequent fluid accumulation. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the peri-operative fluid strategy changes this effect.

Methods: This is a pre-planned post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial which compared restrictive (n = 20) versus liberal fluid strategy (n = 20) in patients undergoing liver surgery.

Surgical outcomes in surgical oncology patients who participated in a family involvement program.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding the relationship between family involvement and outcomes in gastrointestinal oncology patients after surgery. To evaluate the effect of a family involvement program for patients undergoing oncologic gastrointestinal surgery on unplanned readmissions within 30 days after surgery.

Methods: A multicenter patient-preference cohort study compared 2 groups: patients who participated in the family involvement program versus usual care.

MR Elastography of the Pancreas: Bowel Preparation and Repeatability Assessment in Pancreatic Cancer Patients and Healthy Controls.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stromal viscoelasticity can be measured using MR elastography (MRE). Bowel preparation regimens could affect MRE quality and knowledge on repeatability is crucial for clinical implementation.

Purpose: To assess effects of four bowel preparation regimens on MRE quality and to evaluate repeatability and differentiate patients from healthy controls.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical care in the Netherlands.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption of regular healthcare leading to reduced hospital attendances, repurposing of surgical facilities, and cancellation of cancer screening programmes. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on surgical care in the Netherlands.

Methods: A nationwide study was conducted in collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing.

The yield of staging laparoscopy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer in the PREOPANC randomized controlled trial.

Background: The necessity of the staging laparoscopy in patients with pancreatic cancer is still debated. The objective of this study was to assess the yield of staging laparoscopy for detecting occult metastases in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Method: This was a post-hoc analysis of the randomized controlled PREOPANC trial in which patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were randomized between preoperative chemoradiotherapy or immediate surgery.

Laparoscopic versus open resections in the posterosuperior liver segments within an enhanced recovery programme (ORANGE Segments): study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: A shift towards parenchymal-sparing liver resections in open and laparoscopic surgery emerged in the last few years. Laparoscopic liver resection is technically feasible and safe, and consensus guidelines acknowledge the laparoscopic approach in the posterosuperior segments. Lesions situated in these segments are considered the most challenging for the laparoscopic approach.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and severity of acute appendicitis: a comparison between 2019 and 2020.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was observed. It is unclear whether this caused a shift towards more complicated cases of acute appendicitis. We compared a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic with a 2019 control cohort.

CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Delta (C/EBPδ): A Previously Unrecognized Tumor Suppressor that Limits the Oncogenic Potential of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor involved in growth arrest and differentiation, which has consequently been suggested to harbor tumor suppressive activities. However, C/EBPδ over-expression correlates with poor prognosis in glioblastoma and promotes genomic instability in cervical cancer, hinting at an oncogenic role of C/EBPδ in these contexts. Here, we explore the role of C/EBPδ in pancreatic cancer.

Eligibility for Liver Transplantation in Patients with Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) has been performed in a select group of patients presenting with unresectable or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)-associated perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) in the Mayo Clinic with a reported 5-year overall survival (OS) of 53% on intention-to-treat analysis. The objective of this study was to estimate eligibility for LT in a cohort of pCCA patients in two tertiary referral centers.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with pCCA between 2002 and 2014 were included from two tertiary referral centers in the Netherlands.

Delivery of hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: an European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA) cross-sectional survey.

Background: The extent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting response has varied globally. The European and African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA), the premier representative body for practicing HPB surgeons in Europe and Africa, conducted this survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on HPB surgery.

Methods: An online survey was disseminated to all E-AHPBA members to assess the effects of the pandemic on unit capacity, management of HPB cancers, use of COVID-19 screening and other aspects of service delivery.

Treatment of Liver Metastases from Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Strong evidence comparing different treatment options for liver metastases (LM) arising from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine which intervention for LMs from GEP-NETs shows the longest overall survival (OS). A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library in February 2018.

The association between obesity and outcomes in acute pancreatitis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Objectives: There are data to suggest that obesity is associated with local and systemic complications as well as mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP). Cohort studies to date, however, have shown conflicting results from mostly unadjusted analyses. Therefore, we performed an individual patient data meta-analysis with the primary aim to investigate the association between obesity and mortality in AP.

Fluid hydration to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in average- to high-risk patients receiving prophylactic rectal NSAIDs (FLUYT trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication of ERCP and may run a severe course. Evidence suggests that vigorous periprocedural hydration can prevent PEP, but studies to date have significant methodological drawbacks. Importantly, evidence for its added value in patients already receiving prophylactic rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is lacking and the cost-effectiveness of the approach has not been investigated.

The clinical benefit of hyperthermia in pancreatic cancer: a systematic review.

Objective: In pancreatic cancer, which is therapy resistant due to its hypoxic microenvironment, hyperthermia may enhance the effect of radio(chemo)therapy. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the validity of the hypothesis that hyperthermia added to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy improves treatment outcome for pancreatic cancer patients.

Methods And Materials: We searched MEDLINE and Embase, supplemented by handsearching, for clinical studies involving hyperthermia in pancreatic cancer patients.

The Value of Decision Analytical Modeling in Surgical Research: An Example of Laparoscopic Versus Open Distal Pancreatectomy.

Objective: To illustrate how decision modeling may identify relevant uncertainty and can preclude or identify areas of future research in surgery.

Summary Background Data: To optimize use of research resources, a tool is needed that assists in identifying relevant uncertainties and the added value of reducing these uncertainties.

Methods: The clinical pathway for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) versus open (ODP) for nonmalignant lesions was modeled in a decision tree.

Correction: Worldwide trends in volume and quality of published protocols of randomized controlled trials.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Nationwide trends in chemotherapy use and survival of elderly patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Despite an aging population and underrepresentation of elderly patients in clinical trials, studies on elderly patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer are scarce. This study investigated the use of chemotherapy and survival in elderly patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. From the Netherlands Cancer Registry, all 9407 patients diagnosed with primary metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 2005-2013 were selected to investigate chemotherapy use and overall survival (OS), using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses.

Worldwide trends in volume and quality of published protocols of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Publishing protocols of randomized controlled trials (RCT) facilitates a more detailed description of study rational, design, and related ethical and safety issues, which should promote transparency. Little is known about how the practice of publishing protocols developed over time. Therefore, this study describes the worldwide trends in volume and methodological quality of published RCT protocols.

Worldwide survey on opinions and use of minimally invasive pancreatic resection.

Background: The introduction of minimally invasive pancreatic resection (MIPR) into surgical practice has been slow. The worldwide utilization of MIPR and attitude towards future perspectives of MIPR remains unknown.

Methods: An anonymous survey on MIPR was sent to the members of six international associations of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery.

Recent Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery of Relevance to the Practicing Pathologist.

Recent advances in pancreatic surgery have the potential to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. We address 3 new, trending topics in pancreatic surgery that are of relevance to the pathologist. First, increasing awareness of the prognostic impact of intraoperatively detected extraregional and regional lymph node metastases and the international consensus definition on lymph node sampling and reporting.

Ablation of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer with Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation: Results of the Phase I/II PANFIRE Study.

Purpose To (a) investigate the safety of percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer and (b) evaluate the quality of life (QOL), pain perception, and efficacy in terms of time to local progression, event-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods The study was approved by the local review board (NL42888.029.

Development of a Risk Score to Predict Detection of Metastasized or Locally Advanced Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma at Staging Laparoscopy.

Background: Nearly half of patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) have incurable tumors at laparotomy. Staging laparoscopy (SL) potentially detects metastases or locally advanced disease, thereby avoiding unnecessary laparotomy. However, the diagnostic yield of SL has decreased with improved imaging in recent years.

External Validation of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) Risk Model to Predict Operative Risk in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Importance: Resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is high-risk surgery, with reported operative mortality up to 17%. Therefore, preoperative risk assessment is needed to identify high-risk patients and anticipate postoperative adverse outcomes.

Objective: To provide external validation of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) risk model in a Western PHC cohort.