Impact of ileostomy in the adjuvant treatment and outcome of colon cancer

Early diverting stoma closure is feasible and safe: results from a before-and-after study on the implementation of an early closure protocol at a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Evidence on early closure (EC) of defunctioning stoma (DS) after colorectal surgery shows a favorable effect when patients are carefully selected. Therefore, a clinical pathway adapted to the implementation of an EC strategy was developed in our center. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of time until DS closure and DS-related morbidity before and after the implementation of an EC protocol (ECP).

METHODS

This study is a before-and-after comparative analysis. Patients were divided into two cohorts according to the observational period: patients from the period before the ECP implementation (January 2015-December 2019) [Period 1] and those from the period after that (January 2020-December 2022) [Period 2]. All consecutive patients subjected to elective DS closure within both periods were eligible. Early closure was defined as the reversal within 30 days from DS creation. Patients excluded from EC or those not closed within 30 days since primary surgery were analyzed as late closure (LC). Baseline characteristics and DS-related morbidity were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 145 patients were analyzed. Median time with DS was shorter in patients after ECP implementation [42 (21-193) days versus 233 (137-382) days, p < 0.001]. This reduction in time to closure did not impact the DS closure morbidity and resulted in less DS morbidity (68.8% versus 49.2%, p = 0.017) and fewer stoma nurse visits (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

The ECP was able to significantly reduce intervals to restoration of bowel continuity in patients with DS, which in turn resulted in a direct impact on the reduction of DS morbidity without negatively affecting DS closure morbidity.

Necrotising fasciitis secondary to a perforated hepatic flexure tumour - A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Necrotising fasciitis caused by a perforated colon cancer is a very rare occurrence and can be very life threatening needing urgent intervention involving tissue salvage and oncological treatment. There is not enough evidence in the literature regarding management of the same. This case report highlights one such case along with management principles.

PRESENTING CASE

We present a 66 year old male with 3 weeks of a progressive right lower quadrant lump and constitutional symptoms. He had a computed tomography scan demonstrating a complex collection in the right anterior abdominal wall, containing multiple locules of gas and air fluid levels near an abnormally thickened hepatic flexure. He was taken for an urgent debridement followed by laparotomy which demonstrated extensive abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis secondary to a perforated hepatic flexure tumour invading into the duodenum. He was given a diverting ileostomy. He had a relook laparotomy the next day for a right hemicolectomy and part of the duodenum resected with a refashioned end ileostomy. He was subsequently managed on the ward for two weeks and then discharged home. He remains well and has been referred to medical oncology for adjuvant chemotherapy.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

A two step surgical approach was key in this case, first step for source control and the second step focused on an oncological resection.

CONCLUSION

This case explains the importance of excluding malignant causes of necrotising fasciitis. Perforated cancers can manifest as necrotising fasciitis and management should include timely debridement as well as oncological principles.