Meta-analysis of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer (MACH-NC): An update on 107 randomized trials and 19,805 patients, on behalf of MACH-NC Group.

Background And Purpose: The Meta-Analysis of Chemotherapy in squamous cell Head and Neck Cancer (MACH-NC) demonstrated that concomitant chemotherapy (CT) improved overall survival (OS) in patients without distant metastasis. We report the updated results.

Materials And Methods: Published or unpublished randomized trials including patients with non-metastatic carcinoma randomized between 1965 and 2016 and comparing curative loco-regional treatment (LRT) to LRT + CT or adding another timing of CT to LRT + CT (main question), or comparing induction CT + radiotherapy to radiotherapy + concomitant (or alternating) CT (secondary question) were eligible.

A 3-Year Observational Study of Patients with Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Treated with an Intensified B Lymphocyte Depletion Protocol: Clinical and Immunological Response.

Background: B-cells have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), representing, therefore, a potential therapeutic target.

Objectives: We aimed at investigating the 36-month outcomes of 20 SSc patients who underwent an intensified B-depletion therapy (IBCDT) scheme, including both Rituximab (RTX) and cyclophosphamide (CYC).

Methods: Data from 20 severe patients (18 females and 2 males, mean age 66.

Minimal Damage to the Supinator Muscle After the Double-Incision Technique for Distal Biceps Tendon Repair.

Background: The effect of the double-incision technique on the supinator muscle is unclear.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify fatty atrophy of the supinator muscle and map the area of muscle damage.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Relationship Between the Lateral Collateral Ligament of the Elbow and the Kocher Approach: A Cadaver Study.

Purpose: The lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) is considered to be the portion of the lateral collateral ligament playing the most important stabilizing role. Iatrogenic forms of posterolateral rotatory instability have been described. The Kocher approach is a popular approach to the lateral side of the elbow.

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens.

Endometrial thickness in the evaluation of clinical response to medical treatment for deep infiltrating endometriosis: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is associated with severe pelvic pain and functional impairment of bowel, urinary, and sexual functions. Though hormone therapy with progestins, either as single agents or combined with estrogens, is effective in managing symptoms, some patients may experience a suboptimal response. Endometrial thickness assessed by transvaginal ultrasound examination, reflecting the overall estrogen stimulation, may correlate with the clinical response to hormonal treatments.

1-Month Results From a Prospective Experience on CAS Using CGuard Stent System: The IRONGUARD 2 Study.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate 30-day safety and efficacy of dual-layer mesh-covered carotid stent systems for carotid artery stenting (CAS) in the clinical practice.

Background: When compared with carotid endarterectomy, CAS has been associated with a higher rate of post procedural neurologic events; these could be related to plaque's debris prolapsing through stent's mesh. Consequently, the need for increased plaque coverage has resulted in the development of dual-layer mesh-covered carotid stent systems.

Morphological stabilization and regression of carotid plaque following therapy with evolocumab in a high-risk patient.

Lipid-lowering therapy is a mainstay for the management of coronary and carotid disease. Actually, progression of atherosclerosis and adverse events are reduced in proportion to the achieved levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). A 67-year-old patient underwent two hospitalizations 6 months apart due to acute coronary syndromes.

Predictors of response after a second attempt of pharmacological labor induction: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the outcomes of a prolonged induction carried out with a second sequential cycle of pharmacological stimulation after unsatisfactory response to a first attempt, and to highlight variables correlated with higher response rates.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 157 women who underwent a two-step labor induction by vaginal prostaglandins followed by a second cycle of prostaglandins or intravenous oxytocin. Outcomes assessed were mode of delivery and maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Vascular Resection During Hepatectomy for Liver Malignancies. Results from a Tertiary Center using Autologous Peritoneal Patch for Venous Reconstruction.

Background: To evaluate early outcomes of venous reconstruction with peritoneal patch (PP) during resection for hepatic malignancies.

Methods: Since May 2015, PP was considered as the first option for venous reconstruction in the case of lateral resection. Between May 2015 and June 2019, 579 consecutive hepatectomies for malignancies were performed at our institution.

Multicentric Italian survey on daily practice for autoimmune pancreatitis: Clinical data, diagnosis, treatment, and evolution toward pancreatic insufficiency.

Background: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare, and relatively new, form of chronic pancreatitis. The management of AIP can vary considerably among different centres in daily clinical practice.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present a picture of epidemiological, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and the real-life practice in terms of management in several academic and non-academic centres in Italy.

Multicentre evaluation of case volume in minimally invasive hepatectomy.

Background: Surgical outcomes may be associated with hospital volume and the influence of volume on minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is not known.

Methods: Patients entered into the prospective registry of the Italian Group of MILS from 2014 to 2018 were considered. Only centres with an accrual period of at least 12 months and stable MILS activity during the enrolment period were included.

One, two, three … breakdance and twist.

Wire breakage during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare event. It occurs especially when treating complex lesions, and it should be prevented with careful planning of each procedural step. We reported a case in which wire breakage occurred when treating the left anterior descending (LAD)/first diagonal bifurcation with the T-stenting technique.

Women With Synchronous or Metachronous Lung and Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Report.

Background/aim: Double diagnosis of lung cancer (LC) and ovarian cancer (OC) is rare. Here, we describe patients with synchronous/metachronous LC and OC to identify common clinical and pathological patterns.

Patients And Methods: Clinical, pathological and molecular data of patients diagnosed and treated at 30 European Institutions from 2008 to 2018 were retrieved and analysed.

Outcomes of 188 Proximal Humeral Fractures Treated with a Dedicated External Fixator with Follow-up Ranging from 2 to 12 Years.

Background: The treatment of a displaced proximal humeral fracture is still a matter of controversy. Minimally invasive techniques are considered promising options. The purpose of this study was to report outcomes at medium to long-term follow-up after surgical treatment with pins stabilized with an external fixator.

Recurrent endometriosis: a battle against an unknown enemy.

Recurrence of endometriosis after conservative surgery is not an uncommon finding. There is no uniformity, however, on what the term 'recurrence' means. Recurrence is variously defined in the literature as the relapse of pain, clinical or instrumental detection of an endometriotic lesion, repeat rise in CA 125 levels, or evidence of recurrence found during repeat surgery.

Are intraoral customized stents still necessary in the era of Highly Conformal Radiotherapy for Head & Neck cancer? Case series and literature review.

Aim: To evaluate the dose sparing efficacy of intraoral customized stents in combination with IGRT/VMAT in Head & Neck cancer patients.

Background: Despite advances in high-dose conformal radiotherapy (RT) techniques, adverse effects (such as oral mucositis) during and after RT often require temporary suspension of treatment and affect the quality of life in survivors. Intraoral customized stents can decrease radiation doses in healthy tissues and minimize damage from radiations.

Faecal haemoglobin concentration among subjects with negative FIT results is associated with the detection rate of neoplasia at subsequent rounds: a prospective study in the context of population based screening programmes in Italy.

Objective: To estimate the predictive role of faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) concentration among subjects with faecal immunochemical test (FIT) results below the positivity cut-off for the subsequent risk of advanced neoplasia (AN: colorectal cancer-CRC-or advanced adenoma).

Design: Prospective cohort of subjects aged 50-69 years, undergoing their first FIT between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2010 in four population-based programmes in Italy.

Methods: All programmes adopted the same analytical procedure (OC Sensor, Eiken Japan), performed every 2 years, on a single sample, with the same positivity cut-off (20 µg Hb/g faeces).

Predictors of extensive lymphatic dissemination and recurrences in node-positive endometrial cancer.

Objective: To identify predictors of extensive lymphatic dissemination and distant recurrences in node-positive endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods: Clinicopathologic data were collected of patients who had fully staged EC with at least 1 positive lymph node. Permanent sections of metastatic lymph nodes were reviewed; metastases were characterized according to size (≤2 mm and >2 mm) and location in the lymph node (intra- vs extracapsular).

Day Surgery Management of Early Breast Cancer: Feasibility and Psychological Outcomes.

Background/aim: Breast cancer treatment represents a substantial amount of health-care costs and has a negative impact on womens' psychological health. Day-Surgery managment (DS) is a favorable alternative to a classic inpatient setting. In our prospective study we evaluated DS-treatment feasibility in terms of patient satisfaction, same-day-discharge rate, surgical-reintervention rate, psychological impact and costs.