Changes in colorectal cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: Interrupted time-series analysis using the National Database of Japan

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced us to accept changes in our usual diagnostic procedures and treatments for colorectal cancer. This study aimed to determine the impact of the pandemic on colorectal cancer treatment in Japan.MethodsThe number of colorectal surgeries, stoma constructions, stent placements or long tube insertions, and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapies were determined each month using sampling datasets from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. The observation periods before and during the pandemic were January 2015 to January 2020 and April 2020 to January 2021, respectively. An interrupted time-series analysis was used to estimate the changes in the number of procedures during the pandemic.ResultsThe number of endoscopic surgeries for colon cancer significantly decreased in April and July 2020 and for rectal cancer in April 2020. Additionally, the number of laparoscopic and open surgeries for colon cancer significantly decreased in July 2020 and October 2020, respectively. The number of stoma constructions and stent placements or long tube insertions did not increase during the observation period. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer significantly increased in April 2020 but levels returned shortly thereafter. These results suggest that the recommendations to overcome the pandemic proposed by expert committees, including the replacement of laparoscopic surgery with open surgery, stoma construction to avoid anastomotic leak, and replacement of surgery on the ileus with stent placement, were not widely implemented in Japan. However, as an exception, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer was performed as an alternative treatment to delay surgery in small quantities.ConclusionA declining number of surgeries raises concerns about cancer stage progression; however, we found no evidence to suggest cancer progression from the trajectory of the number of stoma constructions and stent placements. In Japan, even during the pandemic, conventional treatments were performed.     

直肠癌切除术患者永久性与临时性造口术后生活质量变化及其与排便症状的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨直肠癌切除术患者永久性与临时性造口术后生活质量变化,并分析其生活质量与排便症状的相关性。方法：纳入我院2017年4月～2020年4月收治的直肠癌切除术患者110例,所有纳入者均行造口术。根据造口方式,分成永久性造口组（简称永久组,n=41）、临时性造口组（简称临时组,n=69）。记录两组造口并发症发生率,分别在患者术后1、3、6个月,采用简明生活质量量表（SF-36）评估其生活质量,采用排便症状量表评估患者排便症状的变化。经Pearson线性相关分析患者生活质量评分与排便症状评分的相关性。结果：临时组造口并发症发生率（8.90%）与永久组（12.20%）比较无差异（P＞0.05）。两组术后3、6个月SF-36各维度评分均高于术后1个月,术后6个月各评分高于术后3个月,且临时组术后3个月SF-36各维度评分高于永久组（P＜0.05）,但两组术后6个月各评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）。两组术后3、6个月大便症状各评分均低于术后1个月,术后6个月的排便急迫感、排便费力、里急后重评分及总分低于术后3个月,且临时组术后3个月的排便急迫感、排便费力、里急后重评分及总分低于永久组（P＜0.05）,但两组术后6个月排便症状各评分比较未见差异（P＞0.05）。Pearson线性相关分析显示,排便症状总分与机体疼痛、躯体功能、躯体角色受限、情感角色受限、心理健康、社会功能、总体健康评分呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：直肠癌切除术患者临时性造口能够进一步促进术后3个月生活质量、排便功能的改善,在术后6个月,永久性造口患者的生活质量、排便功能基本达到临时性造口患者的状态,且排便功能与生活质量具有相关性。     

信息管理系统对医院药品管理规范化的作用及意义

目的：评价血清中甲状腺特异性抗体的存在对乳腺癌患病风险的影响,为评估乳腺癌的预后及制定治疗方案提供理论依据。方法：计算机检索Medline（1950~2012）、EMBASE（1949~2012）、Pubmed（1946~2012）、Current Contents Connect（1998~2012）和Google Scholar（1992~2012）等英文数据库。收集关于甲状腺特异性抗体与乳腺癌（Breast Cancer, BC）相关性分析的横断面研究或队列研究。按Cochrane 系统评价方法,评价所纳入研究的文献质量,有效数据采用RevMan5.2 软件进行系统评价。结果：最终纳入6 项研究,共计6945 例患者。系统评价结果显示：乳腺癌的风险会随血清中甲状腺特异性抗体（包括甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体anti-TPO 和甲状腺球蛋白抗体anti-TG）的存在而增加（anti-TPO OR 2.51,95%CI： 1.94-3.25;anti-TG 2.67, 95%CI： 1.65-4.33）。结论：乳腺癌的风险会随血清中甲状腺特异性抗体的存在而增加,甲状腺特异性抗体可能为乳腺癌预后的评估以及治疗原则的制定提供理论基础。     

Malfunctioning postgastrectomy stoma; diagnosis and treatment

Individualization in the treatment of patients with malfunctioning gastrojejunostomy stomas is paramount. Prompt surgical intervention in critically ill patients is necessary to save life. In the early postoperative phase, the use of barium studies is disappointing and very seldom gives information as to the actual site of the obstruction. In surgical treatment, operation directly upon the stoma should be avoided as much as possible. The release of small bowel obstruction, the reduction of intussusception or the correction of retraction of the jejunum through the mesocolon can be accomplished readily. Double or single jejunostomy for feeding and decompression are all that is necessary in cases in which no cause can be found for obstruction at or below the stoma. In a patient with peptic ulcer, the use of enteroenterostomy below the stoma is unphysiological and will predispose to gastrojejunal ulcer at a later date.     

MALFUNCTIONING POSTGASTRECTOMY STOMA—Diagnosis and Treatment

Individualization in the treatment of patients with malfunctioning gastrojejunostomy stomas is paramount. Prompt surgical intervention in critically ill patients is necessary to save life.In the early postoperative phase, the use of barium studies is disappointing and very seldom gives information as to the actual site of the obstruction.In surgical treatment, operation directly upon the stoma should be avoided as much as possible. The release of small bowel obstruction, the reduction of intussusception or the correction of retraction of the jejunum through the mesocolon can be accomplished readily. Double or single jejunostomy for feeding and decompression are all that is necessary in cases in which no cause can be found for obstruction at or below the stoma.In a patient with peptic ulcer, the use of enteroenterostomy below the stoma is unphysiological and will predispose to gastrojejunal ulcer at a later date.     

The specialty of colon and rectal surgery: its impact on patient care and role in academic medicine

The specialty of colon and rectal surgery, a specialty of general surgery, has evolved from the field of proctology. Clinical care has demonstrated decreased number of patients requiring intestinal stomas, improved quality of life in patients with benign anorectal disorders, and more favorable results in patients afflicted with primary and recurrent colorectal cancer. Basic science investigations have spawned from clinical questions such as the molecular biology of colorectal cancer, use of cyclooxygenase inhibitors and polyp regression, and novel cytokine antagonists in inflammatory bowel disease. Medical students are exposed to surgeons with expertise in anorectal anatomy and physiology, mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the importance of screening for detection of colorectal cancer, and novel therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. Surgical residents benefit by having a colorectal surgeon on the faculty by repetitive exposure to anorectal surgery, low pelvic anastomoses, stoma creation and closure, and surgery involving the small intestine. Senior colorectal surgeons will develop critical pathways for the healthcare delivery of patients afflicted with colorectal disease. The specialty of colorectal surgery will continue to translate into improved patient care and positively impact in academic medicine by providing expertise into student and resident training and generate highly sophisticated clinical and basic science investigations.     

Preoperative and longitudinal serum levels of CA 125 and CA 15.3 in patients with breast cancer

Serum levels of ovarian carcinoma antigen (CA 125) and breast carcinoma antigen (CA 15.3) were determined in 237 patients with breast carcinoma, 121 before any therapy and 116 after initial treatment, during uneventful follow-up or at the time of relapse. The aim was to assess how often the CA 125 test failed, i.e., was false-negative in patients in whom the CA 15.3 test was true-positive and, more important, whether it gave diagnostic information in patients in whom the CA 15.3 test failed. Before surgery or other initial therapy, serum CA 125 and CA 15.3 gave similar information in 85.1 percent of the patients: true-positive in 4.1 percent and false negative in 81.0 percent: CA 125 gave less information in 13.2 percent; and more information in only 1.7 percent. During follow-up, serum CA 125 and CA 15.3 gave similar information in 73.3 percent of the patients: true-positive (i.e., rising persistently from a nadir or elevated above 65 U/ml) in 23.3 percent, true-negative in 36.2 percent, and false-negative in 13.8 percent; CA 125 gave less information in 25.0 percent: false negative in 22.4 percent and false-positive in 2.6 percent; and more information in only 1.7 percent. Therefore, the CA 125 test appears useless for staging and is redundant when the CA 15.3 test is employed, for management of patients with breast cancer.     

Pre‐ and Postsurgery Behavioral Compliance,Patient Health,and Postbariatric Surgical Weight Loss

This study investigated the relationship between weight loss from gastric bypass surgery, patient characteristics, and compliance with physician instructions before and after surgery. A chart review of psychiatric and medical files was conducted for an initial cohort of 172 patients in a postsurgical management program. A total of 112 patients (primarily women (85%), white (79%), and well educated) from this cohort had presurgical data. Of these 112 subjects, 67 (60%) had postsurgical compliance information and BMI at 24 months postsurgery. The relationships between weight loss and a number of demographic, psychiatric, comorbid, and behavioral compliance factors were examined for these 67 patients. Missed appointments and noncompliance with exercise and weight loss plan instructions were high before and after surgery (65% vs. 72% for missed appointments, 39% vs. 51% for exercise, 42% vs. 57% for weight loss instructions). Although poor food choices were not frequently a problem before surgery (11%), they increased significantly after surgery: 37%, χ²(1) = 25.00, P < 0.001. Participants who lost the least weight at 2 years postsurgery were more likely to be nonwhite (r = 0.27, P = 0.039), have a lower socioeconomic status (SES) (r = 0.285, P = 0.02), and have a diagnosis of binge eating before surgery (r = 0.25, P = 0.039). Having more contact with patients and requiring adherence to behavioral changes, especially with respect to exercise and dietary restrictions, may improve the long‐term outcomes for bariatric procedures. In addition, those patients who are depressed and suffer from binge eating may need special attention from physicians during long‐term postoperative follow‐up.     

试析围手术期安全管理的切入点

通过建立信息技术控制体系和JCI标准下管理制度保障体系,不断优化工作流程,强化质量监控部门管理职能,定期开展临床技能培训,能够实现围手术期患者安全目标。     

直肠癌患者术后血清C反应蛋白、白蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白的表达及对吻合口瘘的预测价值

摘要 目的：探讨直肠癌患者术后血清C反应蛋白、白蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白的表达及对吻合口瘘的预测价值。方法：选择2017年4月至2019年4月于我院进行直肠癌手术患者102例患者进行研究,其中42例发生术后吻合口瘘,设为试验组,剩余60例未发生吻合口瘘作为对照组。分析患者术后血清C反应蛋白、白蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白水平变化情况,采用受试者工作特征曲线分析血清C反应蛋白、白蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白对术后发生吻合口瘘的预测价值。结果：试验组术后血清C反应蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白水平显著高于对照组,白蛋白水平显著低于对照组,差异显著（P＜0.05）;行预防性造口组术后血清C反应蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白水平显著低于未预防性造口组,白蛋白水平显著高于未预防性造口组,差异显著（P＜0.05）;血清C反应蛋白预测术后吻合口瘘的临界值为39.69 mg/L,灵敏度为71.47%,特异度为83.14%,AUC为0. 824,血清白蛋白预测术后吻合口瘘的临界值为29.76 g/L,灵敏度为61.20%,特异度为79.40%,AUC为0. 746,血清单核细胞趋化蛋白预测术后吻合口瘘的临界值为200.09 pg/mＬ,灵敏度为61.18%,特异度为80.45%,AUC为0. 605,联合检测较单独检测具有更高的灵敏度和特异度,分别为77.56%、86.38%。结论：术后血清C反应蛋白、白蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白水平对直肠癌患者术后吻合口瘘具有较好的预测价值。     

Bariatric Surgery and the Role of the Clinical Endocrinologist: 2011 Update

ObjectiveTo discuss the emerging roles of bariatric surgery and clinical endocrinology within the context of obesity and diabetes mellitus comprehensive care plans and cost-effective strategies.MethodsRelevant literature is reviewed and clinical cases are presented.ResultsThe global obesity epidemic poses many challenges to clinical endocrinologists and has fomented a coordinated effort among specialists to revolutionize management paradigms. Technologic innovation drives the need for accelerated learning and research efforts in bariatric surgery. The national shortage of physicians with expertise in nutritional medicine compounds the management problems for this expanding patient population. Certain issues merit continued attention and research, such as gastric banding for mild obesity, surgery for treatment of diabetes, sleeve gastrectomy, and nutritional and metabolic consequences.ConclusionClinical endocrinologists should have a central role in the perioperative decision-making for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:788-797)     

Prostatic irradiation-induced sexual dysfunction: A review and multidisciplinary guide to management in the radical radiotherapy era (Part III on Psychosexual Therapy and the Masculine Self-Esteem)

Psychological morbidity, sexuality, and health/system information have been identified as the highest areas of support needs in patients undergoing management of their prostate cancer (PCa). Management of a patient’s sexual function prior to, during and after PCa radiotherapy requires multidisciplinary coordination of care between radiation oncologists, urologists, dermatologists, pharmacists, and psychiatrists. The finale of this three-part review provides a framework for clinicians to better understand the role of mental healthcare providers in the management of sexual toxicities associated with prostatic radiotherapy. The authors recommend that patients be referred for psychological evaluation and possibly to individual, couples or group general or cognitive behavioral sex therapy at the time of their PCa diagnosis, for a more specialized focus on management of sexual toxicities and sexual recovery. The importance and implications of the masculine self-esteem, sexual orientation, gender identification, cultural expectations, relationship status and patient education are reviewed. Well-informed patients tend to have a better quality of life outcomes compared to patients that take on a passive role in their cancer management.     

心房颤动模型中实验动物优化的研究进展

房颤动物模型的建立对于研究房颤的机制以及治疗方法有着极其重要的作用。而房颤医学模型需要较长时间才能获得,对实验动物有一定的特殊要求,并且影响较大。这样,实验动物优化,即实验动物福利的改良与发展就显得重要,是促进建模成功的重要保障。我们从伦理与法规支持,饲养管理,替代方法和福利技术四个方面综述心房颤动医学模型中实验动物福利的改良与发展。     

Challenges in the provision of skin in the UK: the use of human deceased donor skin in burn care relating to mass incidents in the UK

This article aims to discuss the role of deceased donor skin within the treatment of burn injuries with particular reference to the management of major burn disasters. The article begins with a review of wound healing before progressing to outline the development of the current modern day approach to burns surgery from its historical origins and the role of deceased donor skin within this. A detailed review of mass disasters within the UK over the past 29 years provides an indication as to the frequency and extent of mass disasters that might be predicted to occur. Combining this with a recent review of allograft requirements within burns surgery at a regional UK centre allows for more accurate planning and stockpiling of deceased donor skin reserves. UK awareness and emergency preparedness for major burn disasters can thus be improved.     

Voice creating aspect after horizontal laryngectomy and chordectomy in patients with carcinoma of the larynx

Voice quality was assessed in 55 patients with the laryngeal carcinoma. A quality of voice was examined in 18 patients before and after chordectomy and in 37 patients before and after supraglottic surgery. Subjective and objective spectrography methods were applied to evaluate dysphony. The larynx was examined by indirect larngoscopy and videolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS). Significant voice pathology was found in patients before surgery when compared with the normal group. A change of voice colour was found, which was manifested in spectrography by decreased in formant levels, especially F3 and F4 in patients after supraglottic surgery. Dysphagia and longer tracheostomy were temporary complications after the surgery and resulted in further phoniatric rehabilitation. Early phoniatric rehabilitation after chordectomy helped to achieve subjective and objective improvement of voice quality in patients after surgery. Good voice quality in patients after chordectomy is due to preserved structure and increased levels F1, F2, F3, and F4 formants in spectrography.     

眼科手术等候期患者家属对健康教育需求的调查

目的:了解眼科手术等候期患者家属对健康教育的需求。方法:采用自行设计的调查问卷对100名在患者手术过程中等候的家属进行调查。调查内容包括手术等候中希望获得的相关信息及其需求程度,需要的健康教育方式及每种健康教育的需求程度。结果:1).眼科手术等候中,家属强烈需要的信息有手术效果(76%)、术后饮食指导(60.4%)、手术费用(57.3%)、患者目前病情(54.2%)、术后头位指导(51%)。2).最需要的健康教育方式是与医生护士交谈(66%)。结论:对手术等候期的患者家属应根据需求实施科学有效的健康教育,用恰当的方式及时提供家属想要了解的信息,使他们具有良好的应对能力和心理承受能力,在照顾患者的过程中为患者提供有效的支持系统。     

Implementation of a joint protocol for the management of thyroid nodules with a cytological diagnosis of follicular lesion of undetermined significance: experience in one hospital

Background: Follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) was introduced for fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in which there is insufficient evidence to classify the lesion as follicular neoplasm/suspicious of follicular neoplasm or suspicious for malignancy. The recommended management was repeat FNA and correlation with clinical and radiological data. In 2009 we started a joint clinicopathological protocol to improve management of FLUS, recommending follow‐up with repeat FNA at 6 months. The aim of this study was to report on the audit of results of this protocol. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of the patients with FLUS at a single hospital. Between 2007 and 2010 we found 135 cases with this diagnosis (3.6%). We only had long enough follow‐up information for the 95 patients that were included in the present study. Results: FLUS was diagnosed in 74 FNAs before protocol implementation (3.2%) and 61 FNAs after (4.2%), with follow‐up of 46 and 49 patients, respectively. Before 2009, 38/46 (82.6%) patients had surgical excisions, compared with 32/49 (65.3%): a significant reduction of 17% in the number requiring surgery (P = 0.05). We have also shown a reduction in the median time to surgery (11.9 versus 2.9 months). Despite the joint protocol, the FNA was only repeated in two patients. The histological diagnoses were similar in the two periods of time: 31.6% and 31.3% follicular adenomas; 13.1% and 3.1% (P = 0.2) papillary carcinoma (follicular variant). Conclusions: Implementation of a joint protocol reduced the number of surgical operations in patients with FLUS but in most cases FNA was not repeated as recommended. Excision was justified in one‐third of operated patients. Less than 15% of lesions were malignant, which is in accordance with previous reports in the literature.     

Reconstruction of concomitant lip and cheek through-and-through defects with combined free flap and an advancement flap from the remaining lip

Massive facial defects involving the oral sphincter are challenging to the reconstructive surgeon. This study presents the authors' approach to simultaneous reconstruction of complex defects with an advancement flap from the remaining lip and free flaps. From January of 1997 to December of 2001, 22 patients were studied following ablative oral cancer surgery. Their ages ranged from 32 to 66 years. Nineteen patients had buccal cancer, two patients had tongue cancer, and one patient had lip cancer. In all cases, the disease was advanced squamous cell carcinoma. Nine patients underwent composite resection of tumor with segmental mandibulectomy, and seven patients underwent marginal mandibulectomy. Cheek defects ranged from 15 x 12 cm to 4 x 3 cm, and intraoral defects ranged from 14 x 8 cm to 5 x 4 cm in size. One third of the lower lip was excised in nine patients, both the upper and lower lips were excised in 10 patients, and only commissure defects were excised in three patients. An advancement flap from the remaining upper lip was used for reconstruction of the oral commissure and oral sphincter. Then, the composite through-and-through defect of the cheek was reconstructed with radial forearm flaps in 13 patients, fibula osteocutaneous flaps in five patients, double flaps in three patients, and an anterolateral thigh flap in one patient. The free flap survival rate was 96 percent, and only one flap failed. With regard to complications, there were two patients with cheek hematoma, six patients with orocutaneous fistula or neck infection, and one patient with osteomyelitis of the mandible. All but one patient had adequate oral competence. All patients had an adequate oral stoma and could eat a regular or soft diet; two patients could eat only a liquid diet. For moderate lip defects, immediate reconstruction of complex defects took place using an advancement flap from the remaining lip to obtain a normal and functional oral sphincter; the free flap can be used to reconstruct through-and-through defects. This simple procedure can provide patients with a useful oral stoma and acceptable cosmesis.     

Treatment of thoraco-lumbar curves in adolescent females affected by idiopathic scoliosis with a progressive action short brace (PASB): assessment of results according to the SRS committee on bracing and nonoperative management standardization criteria

 

In children with Prader Willi syndrome (PWS), besides growth hormone (GH) therapy, control of the food environment and regular exercise, surgical treatment of scoliosis deformities seems the treatment of choice, even though the risks of spinal surgery in this specific population is very high. Therefore the question arises as to whether the risks of spinal surgery outweigh the benefits in a condition, which bears significant risks per se. The purpose of this systematic review of the Pub Med literature was to find mid or long-term results of spinal fusion surgery in patients with PWS, and to present the conservative treatment in a case study of nine patients with this condition.

Methods

Types of studies included; all kinds of studies; retrospective and prospective ones, which reported upon the outcome of scoliosis surgery in patients with PWS. Types of participants included: patients with scoliosis and PWS. Type of intervention: surgery. Search strategy for identification of the studies; Pub Med; limited to English language and bibliographies of all reviewed articles. Nine patients with PWS from our data-base treated conservatively have been found, being 19 years or over at the time this study has been performed. The results of conservative management are described and related to the natural history and treatment results found in the Pub Med review.

Results

From 2210 titles displayed in the Pub Med database with the key word being "Prader Willi syndrome", 5 different papers were displayed at the date of the search containing some information on the outcome of surgery and none appeared to contain a mid or long-term follow-up. The PWS patients treated conservatively from our series all stayed below 70° and some of which improved.

Discussion

If the curve of scoliosis patients with PWS can be kept within certain limits (usually below 70 degrees) conservatively, this treatment seems to have fewer complications than surgical treatments. The results of our retrospective study of nine patients demonstrate that scoliosis in this entity plays only a minor role and surgery is unnecessary when high quality conservative management exists.

Conclusion

There is lack of the long follow-up studies in post-surgical cases in patients with PWS and scoliosis. The rate of complications of spinal fusion in patients with PWS and scoliosis is very high and the death rates have been found to be higher than in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). The long-term side-effects of the intervention are detrimental, so that the risk-benefit ratio favours the conservative approaches over spinal fusion surgery.     

超声乳化白内障手术后患者角膜内皮细胞损伤的研究

目的:探讨超声乳化白内障手术患者角膜内皮细胞的损伤情况。方法:收集我院确诊为白内障的患者121例,随机分配为微切口组与常规切口组。常规切口组采用3.0 mm切口超声乳化白内障手术方案,微切口组采用1.8 mm小切口超声乳化白内障手术。手术前、手术后1日、7日、1个月、3个月监测患者角膜内皮细胞密度、六角形细胞比例、角膜内皮细胞变异系数及中央角膜厚度。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者手术后1日、7日、1个月、3个月的角膜内皮细胞密度、六角形细胞比例及角膜内皮细胞变异系数均较治疗前显著降低(P0.05);手术后1日、7日时,两组患者的中央角膜厚度均较手术前明显变薄,有统计学差异(P0.05);手术后1个月、3个月,两组患者的中央角膜厚度均呈降低趋势,最终与手术前相似。微切口组患者不同时点六角形细胞比例与同期常规切口组比较均显著升高,角膜内皮细胞变异系数与同期常规切口组比较均明显降低有统计学差异(P0.05)。两组患者手术前后不同时间点角膜内皮细胞密度、中央角膜厚度组间比较均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:超声乳化白内障手术后患者角膜内皮细胞损伤与手术切口有相关性,缩小手术面积的小切口手术使术后修复增快,安全有效,适宜临床推广。