Digital transition in pathology lab: a survey from the Lombardy region.

Objective: Digital pathology is an opportunity to revise the routine and old artisanal workflow, moving to standard operating procedures, quality control and reproducibility. Here the results of a survey promoted by the Coordinamento della Medicina di Laboratorio (CRC Med Lab) of the Lombardy region in Italy are reported to shed light on the current situation of digital adoption in the country.

Methods: The survey composed of 58 questions was sent to 60 pathology laboratories.

Curative immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy in patients with mismatch repair-deficient locally advanced rectal cancer: a real-world observational study.

Background: Sustained clinical complete remissions were reported in all of 23 mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instable (dMMR/MSI) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients treated with dostarlimab alone in a recent phase II study. These results led to off-label use of dostarlimab or other immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in dMMR/MSI-LARC even before regulatory approval. The present study [STAR(t)-IT-REDUCE] describes the outcome of dMMR/MSI-LARC patients treated with ICI in Italy.

Contrast-enhanced CT scan (CECT) for the detection of hollow viscus and mesenteric injuries in blunt trauma - an updated systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Background: Despite improved awareness of blunt traumatic hollow viscus and mesenteric injuries (THVMI), the accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) varies considerably among studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis of test accuracy aims to explore the diagnostic performance of CECT in detecting THVMI in blunt trauma.

Methods: The study was conducted according to the Cochrane recommendations searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library datasets from 2000 to 8 September 2023 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023473041).

Anterior approach with or without liver hanging maneuver versus conventional approach in major liver resections. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The anterior approach (AA), whether or not associated with the liver hanging maneuver (LHM), has been advocated to improve survival and postoperative outcomes in HCC patients undergoing major liver resection. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aims to explore intra/perioperative and long-term survival outcomes of AA ± LHM compared to CA regardless of tumor histology.

Methods: The study was conducted according to the Cochrane recommendations searching the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases until January 27, 2024 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024507060).

The value of the current histological scores and classifications of ANCA glomerulonephritis in predicting long-term outcome.

Background: Three different histological scores-histopathologic classification (Berden), Renal Risk Score (RRS) and the Mayo Clinic Chronicity Score (MCCS)-for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) were compared to evaluate their association with patient and kidney prognosis of ANCA-GN.

Methods: Patients aged >18 years with at least 1 year of follow-up and biopsy-proven ANCA-GN entered this retrospective study. Renal biopsies were classified according to Berden's classification, RRS and MCCS.

Three-dimensional reconstruction technology in the preoperative workup of complex hepatic resections. Our experience on 11 consecutive cases.

Three-dimensional liver modeling can be a useful tool when planning the preoperative strategy in liver surgery. The present study aims to review our case series of patients requiring complex hepatic resections for primary and secondary liver tumors, and for whom 3D models were built, to add further evidence in this direction. All consecutive patients undergoing complex liver resection were enrolled.

The impact of 3D reconstruction technology on liver surgery in changing the pathway of surgical maneuvers: A case report.

Introduction: This case report illustrates the significant role that 3D technology can play in major hepatic surgery, aiding in the determination of the optimal surgical approach.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a patient with metachronous liver metastasis from rectal cancer involving segments 6 and 7, extending to retroperitoneal structures such as the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right renal vein (RRV).

Discussion: After confirming the feasibility of a right hepatectomy, we opted for a traditional posterior approach, avoiding the hanging maneuver.

Multimodal treatment confers best overall survival results in patients with huge hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Huge (>10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma is burdened by elevated mortality due to its peculiar characteristics and delayed diagnosis. Liver resection is considered the gold standard although survival is poor. Recently, some different strategies have been evaluated to improve results in tumor recurrence and survival.

Injury Patterns of Electric-Scooter Related Trauma: A Systematic Review With Proportion Meta-Analysis.

Electric scooter (ES)-related injuries are increasing but poorly described. Clinicians need more information to be prepared for these patients. We supposed two prevalent patterns of patients: mildly injured (predominant upper-limb injuries) and severely injured (predominant head trauma).

Short-Term Outcomes after D2 Gastrectomy with Complete Mesogastric Excision in Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Studies.

Complete mesogastric excision (CME) has been advocated to allow for a more extensive retrieval of lymph nodes, as well as lowering loco-regional recurrence rates. This study aims to analyze the short-term outcomes of D2 radical gastrectomy with CME compared to standard D2 gastrectomy. A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Cochrane recommendations until 2 July 2023 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023443361).

Sex differences in ischemic stroke during COVID-19 first outbreak in northern Italy.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on outcome in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with ischemic stroke during the first wave in Italy. Few data are available on outcome stratified by sex.

Methods: The Italian Society of Hospital Neuroscience conducted a multi-center, retrospective, observational study on neurological complications in COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke.

The burden of the knowledge-to-action gap in acute appendicitis.

Background: The burden of emergency general surgery (EGS) is higher compared to elective surgery. Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most frequent diseases and its management is dictated by published international clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Adherence to CPG has been reported as heterogeneous.

Dynamic surgical anatomy using 3D reconstruction technology in complex hepato-biliary surgery with vascular involvement. Results from an international multicentric survey.

Introduction: Three-dimensional liver modeling can lead to substantial changes in choosing the type and extension of liver resection. This study aimed to explore whether 3D reconstruction helps to better understand the relationship between liver tumors and neighboring vascular structures compared to standard 2D CT scan images.

Methods: Contrast-enhanced CT scan images of 11 patients suffering from primary and secondary hepatic tumors were selected.

COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Treatment with Helmet CPAP in Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit by Pulmonologists in the Three Italian Pandemic Waves.

COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) is the most serious complication of COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks rapidly saturated intensive care unit (ICU), forcing the application of non-invasive respiratory support (NIRS) in respiratory intermediate care unit (RICU). The primary aim of this study is to compare the patients' clinical characteristics and outcomes (Helmet-Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (H-CPAP) success/failure and survival/death).

Learning curve of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a risk-adjusted cumulative summation (RA-CUSUM) analysis of six general surgery residents.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapC) is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide. Reaching technical competency in performing LapC is considered one essential task for young surgeons. Investigating the learning curve for LapC (LC-LapC) may provide important information regarding the learning process and guide the training pathway of residents, improving educational outcomes.

Prophylactic mesh augmentation after laparotomy for elective and emergency surgery: meta-analysis.

Background: Incisional hernia is a common short- and long-term complication of laparotomy and can lead to significant morbidity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an up-to-date overview of the laparotomy closure method in elective and emergency settings with the prophylactic mesh augmentation technique.

Methods: The Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were screened without time restrictions up to 21 June 2022 using the keywords 'laparotomy closure', 'mesh', 'mesh positioning', and 'prophylactic mesh', and including medical subject headings terms.

Young-onset colorectal cancer: treatment-related nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) incidence is increasing, raising a clinical challenge. Clinicians tend to treat EO-CRC patients with more intensive regimens despite the lack of survival benefits, based on an age-related bias. Limited evidence is available regarding treatment-related toxicities in this peculiar subset of patients.

A DNA damage response-like phenotype defines a third of colon cancers at onset.

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) has a limited range of diversified, personalized therapeutic opportunities, besides DNA hypermutating cases; thus, both new targets or broadening existing strategies for personalized intervention are of interest. Routinely processed material from 246 untreated COADs with clinical follow-up was probed for evidence of DNA damage response (DDR), that is, the gathering of DDR-associated molecules at discrete nuclear spots, by multiplex immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining for DDR complex proteins (γH2AX, pCHK2, and pNBS1). We also tested the cases for type I interferon response, T-lymphocyte infiltration (TILs), and mutation mismatch repair defects (MMRd), known to be associated with defects of DNA repair.

Diagnostic accuracy of water-soluble contrast enema, contrast-enema computed tomography and endoscopy in detecting anastomotic leakage after (Colo) proctectomy: A meta-analysis.

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) as a result of creation of a colorectal/anal anastomosis still represents a frequent complication of colorectal surgery, with short- and long-term consequences on postoperative morbidity, quality of life and oncological outcomes. However, early diagnosis of AL may result in improved outcomes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of water-soluble contrast enema (WSCE), contrast enema computed tomography (CECT) and endoscopy in identifying AL and to identify the diagnostic procedure that is most accurate.