BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is highly challenging because of its complex anatomy. In this study, the authors compared the surgical outcomes of patients with RPS who underwent surgical resection guided by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology versus traditional imaging.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 251 patients who underwent RPS resection guided by 3D-printing technology or traditional imaging from January 2019 to December 2022. The main outcome measures were operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and hospital stay.
RESULTS: In total, 251 patients were enrolled in the study: 46 received 3D-printed navigation, and 205 underwent traditional surgical methods. Propensity score matching yielded 44 patients in the 3D group and 82 patients in the control group. The patients\' demographics and tumor characteristics were comparable in the matched cohorts. The 3D group had significantly shorter operative time (median, 186.5 minutes [interquartile range (IQR), 130.0-251.3 minutes] vs. 210.0 minutes [IQR, 150.8-277.3 minutes]; p = .04), less intraoperative blood loss (median, 300.0 mL [IQR, 100.0-575.0 mL] vs. 375.0 mL [IQR, 200.0-925.0 mL]; p = .02), shorter postoperative hospital stays (median, 11.0 days [IQR, 9.0-13.0 days] vs. 14.0 days [IQR, 10.8-18.3 days]; p = .02), and lower incidence rate of overall postoperative complications than the control group (18.1% vs. 36.6%; p = .03). There were no differences with regard to the intraoperative blood transfusion rate, the R0/R1 resection rate, 30-day mortality, or overall survival.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the 3D group had favorable surgical outcomes compared with those in the control group. These results suggest that 3D-printing technology might overcome challenges in RPS surgical treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is highly challenging because of its complex anatomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether three-dimensional (3D) printing technology offers advantages over traditional two-dimensional imaging (such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) for guiding the surgical treatment of RPS. In a group of patients who had RPS, surgery guided by 3D-printing technology was associated with better surgical outcomes, including shorter operative time, decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and fewer postoperative complications. These findings suggested that 3D-printing technology could help surgeons overcome challenges in the surgical treatment of RPS. 3D-printing technology has important prospects in the surgical treatment of RPS.

UNASSIGNED: Given high risks of major bleeding during retroperitoneal sarcoma(RPS) surgeries, severe complications and deaths are common to see perioperatively. Thus, effective anesthetic management is the key point to ensuring the safety of patients. This study aimed to introduce anesthesia management and mortalities in RPS patients receiving massive blood transfusions during surgeries.
UNASSIGNED: Records of RPS surgeries under general anesthesia from January 2016 through December 2021 were retrospectively retrieved from our database. Patients who received massive blood transfusions (MBT) exceeding 20 units in 24h duration of operations were finally included in this study. Demographics, modalities of anesthesia management, blood loss, transfusion, peri-anesthesia biochemical tests as well as morbidities and mortalities were collected. Risk factors of postoperative 60d mortality were determined through logistic regression in uni-and multi-variety analysis using the statistics software STATA 17.0.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 70 patients (male 31) were included. The mean age was 50.1 ± 15.8 years. All patients received combined resections of sarcoma with involved organs under general anesthesia. Mean operation time and anesthesia time were 491.7 ± 131.1mins and 553.9 ± 132.6mins, respectively. The median intraoperative blood loss was 7000ml (IQR 5500,10000ml). Median red blood cells (RBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion were 25.3u (IQR 20,28u), and 2400ml (IQR 2000,3000ml), respectively. Other blood products infusions included prothrombin complex concentrate (PCCs), fibrinogen concentrate (FC), platelet(plt) and albumin(alb) in 82.9% (58/70), 88.6% (62/70), 81.4% (57/70) and 12.9% (9/70) of patients. The postoperative severe complication rate(Clavien-Dindo grade≥3a) was 35.7%(25/70). A total of 7 patients (10%) died during the postoperative 60-day period. BMI, volumes of crystalloid infusion in anesthesia, and hemoglobin and lactate levels at the termination of operation were found significantly associated with postoperative occurrence of death in univariate analysis. In logistic multivariate analysis, extended anesthesia duration was found associated with postoperative venous thrombosis embolism (VTE) and severe complication. The lactate level at the immediate termination of the operation was the only risk factor related to perioperative death (p<0.05).
UNASSIGNED: RPS patients who endure MBT in surgeries face higher risks of death postoperatively, which needs precise and effective anesthesia management in high-volume RPS centers. Increased blood lactate levels might be predictors of postoperative deaths which should be noted.

BACKGROUND: Primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) comprises over 70 histologic subtypes, yet there are limited studies that have developed prognostic nomograms for RPS patients to predict overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The objective of this study was to construct prognostic nomograms for predicting OS and CSS in RPS patients.
METHODS: We identified a total of 1166 RPS patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, and an additional 261 cases were collected from a tertiary cancer center. The study incorporated various clinicopathological and epidemiologic features as variables, and prediction windows for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were set at 3, 5, and 7 years. Multivariable Cox models were utilized to develop the nomograms, and variable selection was performed using a backward procedure based on the Akaike Information Criterion. To evaluate the performance of the nomograms in terms of calibration and discrimination, we used calibration plots, coherence index, and area under the curve.
RESULTS: The study included 818 patients in the development cohort, 348 patients in the internal validation cohort, and 261 patients in the external validation cohort. The backward procedure selected the following variables: age, French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group (FNCLCC) grade, pre-/postoperative chemotherapy, tumor size, primary site surgery, and tumor multifocality. The validation results demonstrated that the nomograms had good calibration and discrimination, with C-indices of 0.76 for OS and 0.81 for CSS. Calibration plots also showed good consistency between the predicted and actual survival rates. Furthermore, the areas under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves for the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS (0.84, 0.82, and 0.78, respectively) and CSS (0.88, 0.88, and 0.85, respectively) confirmed the accuracy of the nomograms.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study developed accurate nomograms to predict OS and CSS in patients with RPS. These nomograms have important clinical implications and can assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions regarding patient care and treatment options. They may also aid in patient counseling and stratification in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and completeness of surgical resection is critical to achieve local control for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). En-bloc resection of adjacent organs, including major abdominal vessels, is often required to achieve negative margins. The aim of this review was to summarise the available evidence to assess the relative benefits and disadvantages of an aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS).
METHODS: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for relevant studies published from inception up to August 1, 2022. We performed a systematic review of the available studies to assess the safety and long-term survival results of vascular resection for RPS.
RESULTS: We identified a total of 23 studies for our review. Overall postoperative in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate of patients with primary iliocaval leiomyosarcoma was 3% (11/359), and the major complication rate was 13%. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates after the follow-up period varied between 15% and 52%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates ranged from 25 to 78%. Overall postoperative in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate of patients with RPSs receiving vascular resection was 3%, and the major complication rate was 27%. The RFS rates after the follow-up period were 18-86%, and the 5-year OS rates varied between 50% and 73%. There were no significant differences in the rates of RFS (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.74-1.19; p = 0.945) and OS (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.66-1.36; p = 0.774) between the extended resection group and tumour resection alone group.
CONCLUSIONS: With adequate preparation and proper management, for patients with RPSs involving major vessels, aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection can achieve R0/R1 resection and improve survival.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the cornerstone of the treatment for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). The purpose of this study was to establish a nomogram predictive model for predicting postoperative morbidity in primary RPS.
METHODS: Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent radical resection from 2009 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factor analysis was performed using a logistic regression model, and modeling variables were selected based on Akaike Information Criterion. The nomogram prediction model was built on the basis of a binary logistic regression model and internally validated by calibration curves and concordance index.
RESULTS: A total of 319 patients were enrolled, including 162 males (50.8%). 22.9% (n = 73) were over 65 years of age, and 70.2% (n = 224) had tumors larger than 10 cm. The most common histologic subtypes were well-differentiated liposarcoma (38.2%), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (25.1%) and leiomyosarcoma (7.8%). According to the Clavien-Dindo Classification, 96 (31.1%) and 31 (11.6%) patients had grade I-II complications and grade III-V complications, respectively. Age, tumor burden, location, operative time, number of combined organ resections, weighted resected organ score, estimated blood loss and packed RBC transfusion was used to construct the nomogram, and the concordance index of which was 0.795 (95% CI 0.746-0.844). and the calibration curve indicated a high agreement between predicted and actual rates.
CONCLUSIONS: Nomogram, a visual predictive tool that integrates multiple clinicopathological factors, can help physicians screen RPS patients at high risk for postoperative complications and provide a basis for early intervention.

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after aggressive resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) has rarely been described. This study aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of DGE after surgery for RPS and explore its potential risk factors. Patients with RPS who had undergone surgery between January 2010 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. DGE was defined and graded according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery classification and classified as primary or secondary to other complications. Patients with clinically relevant DGE (crDGE, grade B+C) were compared to those with no or mild DGE (grade A). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of clinicopathological and surgical parameters was performed to identify risk factors for crDGE. Of the 239 patients studied, 69 (28.9%) had experienced DGE and 54 (22.6%) had experienced crDGE. Patients with primary and secondary DGE accounted approximately half and half. The most common concurrent complications included abdominal infection, postoperative pancreatic fistula, and abdominal bleeding. Patients with crDGE were more likely to have multifocal tumors and the liposarcoma subtype, with a larger tumor size, longer operating time, more resected organs, and a history of combined resection of the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, and/or colon. In multivariate analysis, the tumor size, operating time, and combined pancreatic resection were independent risk factors for crDGE. In conclusion, the current results indicated that approximately one-fourth of patients experienced DGE after aggressive surgery for RPS and that DGE was primary or secondary to other underlying conditions. A large tumor involving long, difficult surgery and combined pancreatic resection highly predicted the incidence of crDGE. The prevention and management of DGE remain challenging.

UNASSIGNED: Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs) located in the lower abdominal quadrants involving iliac vessels are difficult to manage. This study introduced a 5-step method for en bloc resection with graft interposition using the abdominoinguinal approach and evaluated its efficacy and safety.
UNASSIGNED: Data of 24 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria from 272 patients with RPS who underwent surgical treatment between April 2015 and April 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.
UNASSIGNED: The patients underwent left- or right-sided abdominoinguinal incision. In all patients, the abdominoinguinal approach provided good exposure, and complete resection was achieved. Iliac artery+vein, vein, and artery resection and replacement by graft were performed in 70.8%, 25.0%, and 4.2% of patients, respectively. Additional resected organs mainly included the colon, ureter, bladder, kidney, and abdominal wall. The median number of organs resected was 5. In 37.5% of patients, reconstruction of the lower abdominal wall and inguinal ligament was performed using a mesh. Venous graft thrombosis occurred in 21.7% of patients, while no patient had pulmonary embolism or arterial occlusion. Major complications occurred in 20.8% of patients, and no 30-day mortality was observed. The estimated 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 54.4% and 22.1%, respectively, with a median recurrence-free survival of 27 months.
UNASSIGNED: En bloc resection of RPS involving iliac vessels with graft interposition using the abdominoinguinal approach is feasible and advantageous. Good complete resection rate and safety can be achieved. The long-term survival benefit of this surgical approach should be verified by further large-scale prospective controlled studies.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) for resectable retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) has been shown to be systematically feasible. Whether NRT has equivalent or better clinical effects compared to surgery alone for RPS patients remains controversial.
METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ASCO Abstracts, and Cochrane library databases for studies in humans with defined search terms. Articles were independently assessed by 2 reviewers, and only randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were included. The hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and local recurrence (LR) were extracted from included studies. Heterogeneity among study-specific HRs was assessed by the Q statistic and I2 statistic. Overall HR was assessed by random-effects or fixed-effects models. Publication bias was tested by Begg\'s tests, and the quality of each study was assessed with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS: A total of 12 eligible studies with 7778 resectable RPS patients were finally included in this study. The pooled analysis revealed the distinct advantages of NRT as compared to surgery alone, including longer OS (HR = 0.81, P < 0.001), longer RFS (HR = 0.58, P = 0.04), and lower LR (HR = 0.70, P = 0.03). No evidence of publication bias was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: NRT is likely to be beneficial for resectable RPS patients in terms of OS and RFS. However, more multicenter clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

BACKGROUND: Distal duodenal resections are sometimes necessary for radical surgery, but how to restore duodenal continuity is still unclear. This study aimed at determining which style of anastomosis was more suitable for the duodenojejunostomy after resection of distal duodenum.
METHODS: We retrospectively identified 34 patients who underwent distal duodenum resection at our center between January 2014 and December 2021. According to whether the end or the side of the proximal duodenum was involved in reconstruction, duodenojejunostomy were classified as End style (E-style) and Side style (S-style). Demographic data, clinicopathological details, and postoperative complications were analyzed between two groups.
RESULTS: Thirteen patients (38.2%) received E-style duodenojejunostomy, and 21 patients (62.8%) received S-style duodenojejunostomy. Comparative analysis showed that in group of E-style, patients had a lower rate of multivisceral resection(5/13 vs 18/21; P = 0.008), delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (1/13 vs 11/21; P = 0.011) and intraperitoneal infection (2/13 vs 12/21; P = 0.03). In this study, the incidence of major complications was up to 35.3% (12/34) and no patient died of complication in perioperative period. In two group, there was no difference in the incidence of major complications (E-style vs S-style: 3/13 vs 9/21; P = 0.292).
CONCLUSIONS: The E-style duodenojejunostomy for the reconstruction of distal duodenum resection is safe and feasible. The E-style anastomosis may have potential value in decreasing the occurrence of complications such as DGE and intraperitoneal infection, and the definitive advantages still need to be verified.

UNASSIGNED: Peritoneal sarcomatosis (PS) could occur in patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). This study aimed to expand the understanding of PS on its characteristics and prognostic role, and develop a nomogram to predict its occurrence preoperatively.
UNASSIGNED: Data of 211 consecutive patients with RPS who underwent surgical treatment between 2011 and 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. First, the clinicopathological characteristics of PS were summarized and analyzed. Second, the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients were analyzed to evaluate the prognostic role of PS. Third, preoperative imaging, nearly the only way to detect PS preoperatively, was combined with other screened risk factors to develop a nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was assessed.
UNASSIGNED: Among the 211 patients, 49 (23.2%) patients had PS with an incidence of 13.0% in the primary patients and 35.4% in the recurrent patients. The highest incidence of PS occurred in dedifferentiated liposarcoma (25.3%) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (25.0%). The diagnostic sensitivity of the preoperative imaging was 71.4% and its specificity was 92.6%. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was elevated in patients with PS (P<0.001). IHC staining for liposarcoma revealed that the expression of VEGFR-2 was significantly higher in the PS group than that in the non-PS group (P = 0.008). Survival analysis (n =196) showed significantly worse DSS in the PS group than in non-PS group (median: 16.0 months vs. not reached, P < 0.001). In addition, PS was proven as one of the most significant prognostic predictors of both DSS and RFS by random survival forest algorithm. A nomogram to predict PS status was developed based on preoperative imaging combined with four risk factors including the presentation status (primary vs. recurrent), ascites, SUVmax, and tumor size. The nomogram significantly improved the diagnostic sensitivity compared to preoperative imaging alone (44/49, 89.8% vs. 35/49, 71.4%). The C-statistics of the nomogram was 0.932, and similar C-statistics (0.886) was achieved at internal cross-validation.
UNASSIGNED: PS is a significant prognostic indicator for RPS, and it occurs more often in recurrent RPS and in RPS with higher malignant tendency. The proposed nomogram is effective to predict PS preoperatively.