Annals of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A randomized phase II study of immunization with dendritic cells modified with poxvectors encoding CEA and MUC1 compared with the same poxvectors plus GM-CSF for resected metastatic colorectal cancer.
To determine whether 1 of 2 vaccines based on dendritic cells (DCs) and poxvectors encoding CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) and MUC1 (PANVAC) would lengthen survival in patients with resected metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC). ⋯ Both DC and poxvector vaccines have similar activity. Survival was longer for vaccinated patients than for a contemporary unvaccinated group, suggesting that a randomized trial of poxvector vaccinations compared with standard follow-up after metastasectomy is warranted. (NCT00103142).
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To quantify the association between surgical team familiarity and operative time. ⋯ In addition to individual surgeon experience, team familiarity contributed to reductions in operative time, suggesting potential benefits to maintaining continuity of team membership over time.
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To evaluate the outcome of preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PC), with a focus on the differences in surgical outcomes and patterns of recurrence between these 2 categories. ⋯ In the resected cases, the locoregional control was comparable between patients with PC-R and PC-BR after preoperative CRT. The survival rate for the patients with PC-BR was lower than the rate for those with PC-R due to a higher incidence of peritoneal and distant recurrence in the patients with PC-BR. (UMIN000001804).
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Observational Study
Effect of major and minor surgery on plasma levels of arginine, citrulline, nitric oxide metabolites, and ornithine in humans.
To determine the effect of surgical invasiveness on plasma levels of arginine, citrulline, ornithine, and nitric oxide (NO) in humans. ⋯ The level of surgical invasiveness has the most profound effect on plasma levels of ornithine. In addition, heavier surgical trauma is paired with lower postoperative levels of citrulline and NO metabolites than lighter surgery. It is suggested that surgical trauma stimulates the laparotomy group to consume significantly more ornithine, possibly for use in wound healing.
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To evaluate long-term outcomes after splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in a series of 222 consecutive patients. ⋯ Splenectomy for massive splenomegaly can be performed safely and offers durable palliation. Preoperative transfusion requirement is an indicator of hematological disease severity and predictor of decreased survival.