Evaluation of the technical difficulty performing laparoscopic resection of a rectosigmoid carcinoma: visceral fat reflects technical difficulty more accurately than body mass index

Body fat ratio as a novel predictor of complications and survival after rectal cancer surgery

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate the association between body fat ratio (BFR), visceral fat area (VFA), body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat density (VFD) and assess their reliability in assessing risk of postoperative complications and survival status in patients with rectal cancer (RC).

Materials and methods

The present study retrospectively included 460 patients who underwent surgical treatment for RC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China) between September 2018 and July 2021. BFR, VFA, BMI, and VFD were measured and basic information, clinical data, complications and survival were recorded.

Results

Statistical analysis was performed to determine optimal BFR cut-off and evaluate group differences. BFR demonstrated a significant positive correlation with VFA (R = 0.739) and BMI (R = 0.783) and significant negative correlation with VFD (R = -0.773). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of BFR, VFA, BMI, and VFD in predicting postoperative complications in RC were all >0.7 and the optimal cut-off value of BFR was 24.3. Patients in the BFR-low group had fewer postoperative complications, lower intraoperative indices, shorter hospitalization times and lower costs than those in the BFR-high group. BFR predicted complications with high diagnostic significance and was validated by multiple models. Furthermore, patients in the BFR-high group had a longer overall survival compared with patients in the BFR-low group.

Conclusion

BFR was associated with BMI, VFA, and VFD. A BFR threshold of 24.3 was correlated with decreased complications and enhanced long-term survival.

Development and validation of machine learning models and nomograms for predicting the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic resection in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) prediction model for the assessment of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME) surgery difficulty, as well as to identify independent risk factors that influence surgical difficulty. Establishing a nomogram aims to assist clinical practitioners in formulating more effective surgical plans before the procedure.

METHODS

This study included 186 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LaTME from January 2018 to December 2020. They were divided into a training cohort (n = 131) versus a validation cohort (n = 55). The difficulty of LaTME was defined based on Escal's et al. scoring criteria with modifications. We utilized Lasso regression to screen the preoperative clinical characteristic variables and intraoperative information most relevant to surgical difficulty for the development and validation of four ML models: logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and decision tree (DT). The performance of the model was assessed based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Logistic regression-based column-line plots were created to visualize the predictive model. Consistency statistics (C-statistic) and calibration curves were used to discriminate and calibrate the nomogram, respectively.

RESULTS

In the validation cohort, all four ML models demonstrate good performance: SVM AUC = 0.987, RF AUC = 0.953, LR AUC = 0.950, and DT AUC = 0.904. To enhance visual evaluation, a logistic regression-based nomogram has been established. Predictive factors included in the nomogram are body mass index (BMI), distance between the tumor to the dentate line ≤ 10 cm, radiodensity of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), area of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), tumor diameter >3 cm, and comorbid hypertension.

CONCLUSION

In this study, four ML models based on intraoperative and preoperative risk factors and a nomogram based on logistic regression may be of help to surgeons in evaluating the surgical difficulty before operation and adopting appropriate responses and surgical protocols.

Visceral obesity and anastomotic leakage rates in colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Numberous studies have heatedly discussed whether obesity is a risk factor for anastomotic leakage (AL) because of the increasing number of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and high incidence of CRC in patients with obesity.

Objective

We aimed to explore the relationship between visceral obesity(VO) and AL after CRC surgery. The databases of Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant data and articles published until November 1, 2022. We identified the difference in the incidence of AL after CRC surgery between patients with and without VO. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle- Ottawa Scale, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were used to assess the association between VO and AL.

Results

This meta-analysis included 7 studies with 2,136 patients. The OR of patients with VO versus those without VO was 2.15 (95%CIs = 1.46-3.15, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.29, I2 = 18%) based on the fixed-effect model in seven studies. Notably, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Z = 3.91 P < 0.0001). Patients with VO in the colon cancer group exhibited a higher incidence of AL (OR = 2.88, 95% CIs = 1.38-5.99, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.27, I2 = 20%) than those in the rectal cancer group (OR = 2.74, 95% CIs = 1.13-6.65, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.20, I2 = 38%). In the studies in the relevant literature, heterogeneity was low. Regarding patients with VO, four Asian studies reported increased morbidity due to AL (OR = 2.79, 95% CIs = 1.35-5.78, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.35, I2 = 9%) compared with three non-Asian studies.

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed the significant relationship between VO and AL. Thus, VO could be considered a reliable risk factor of surgery for colon cancer.

Body composition index obtained by using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device can be a predictor of prolonged operative time in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery

PURPOSE

Obesity has been known to contribute to technical difficulties in surgery. Until now, body mass index (BMI) has been used to measure obesity. However, there are reports that BMI does not always correspond to the visceral fat. Recently, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used for body composition analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the body composition index obtained using a BIA device in predicting short-term postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent elective major colorectal surgery using minimally invasive techniques were reviewed retrospectively. Body composition status was recorded using a commercial BIA device the day before surgery. The relationship between BMI, body composition index, and short-term postoperative outcomes, including operative time, was analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were enrolled in this study. In the correlation analysis, positive correlation was observed between BMI and body composition index. BMI and body composition index were not associated with short-term postoperative outcomes. Percent body fat (odds ratio, 4.226; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.064-16.780; P=0.041) was found to be a statistically significant factor of prolonged operative time in the multivariate analysis. Correlation analysis showed that body fat mass was related to prolonged operative time (correlation coefficients, 0.245; P=0.048). In the area under curve analysis, body fat mass showed a statistically significant predictive probability for prolonged operative time (body fat mass: area, 0.662; 95% CI, 0.531-0.764; P=0.024).

CONCLUSION

The body composition index can be used as a predictive marker for prolonged operative time. Further studies are needed to determine its usefulness.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting operating time in laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal cancer

Aims

The goal of this study is to create and verify a nomogram estimate operating time in rectal cancer (RC) patients based on clinicopathological factors and MRI/CT measurements before surgery.

Materials and Methods

The nomogram was developed in a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection (L-AR) for RC. The clinicopathological and pelvis parameters were collected. Risk factors for a long operating time were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram was established with independent risk factors. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated. An independent cohort of consecutive patients served as the validation dataset.

Results

The development group recruited 159 RC patients, while 54 patients were enrolled in the validation group. Independent risk factors identified in multivariate analysis were a distance from the anal verge <5 cm (P = 0.024), the transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet (P < 0.001), mesorectal fat area (P = 0.017), and visceral fat area (P < 0.001). Then, a nomogram was built based on these four independent risk factors. The C-indexes of the nomogram in the development and validation group were 0.886 and 0.855, respectively. And values of AUC were the same with C-indexes in both groups. Besides, the calibration plots showed satisfactory consistency between actual observation and nomogram-predicted probabilities of long operating time.

Conclusions

A nomogram for predicting the risk of long operating duration in L-AR of RC was developed. And the nomogram displayed a good prediction effect and can be utilized as a tool for evaluating operating time preoperatively.

Simple radiologic assessment of visceral obesity and prediction of surgical morbidity in endometrial cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic aortic lymphadenectomy: A reliability and accuracy study

AIM

To evaluate the reliability of sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD)-a surrogate of visceral obesity-in magnetic resonance imaging, and its accuracy to predict the surgical morbidity of aortic lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter reliability (phase 1) and accuracy (phase 2) cohort study in three Spanish referral hospitals. We retrospectively analyzed data from the STELLA-2 randomized controlled trial that included high-risk endometrial cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical staging. Patients were classified into subgroups: conventional versus robotic-assisted laparoscopy, and transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal technique. In the first phase, we measured the agreement of three SAD measurements (at the umbilicus, renal vein, and inferior mesenteric artery) and selected the most reliable one. In phase 2, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of SAD to predict surgical morbidity. Surgical morbidity was the main outcome measure, it was defined by a core outcome set including variables related to blood loss, operative time, surgical complications, and para-aortic lymphadenectomy difficulty.

RESULTS

In phase 1, all measurements showed good inter-rater and intra-rater agreement. Umbilical SAD (u-SAD) was the most reliable one. In phase 2, we included 136 patients. u-SAD had a good diagnostic accuracy to predict surgical morbidity in patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (0.73 in ROC curve). It performed better than body mass index and other anthropometric measurements. We calculated a cut-off point of 246 mm (sensitivity: 0.56, specificity: 0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

u-SAD is a simple, reliable, and potentially useful measurement to predict surgical morbidity in endometrial cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical staging, especially when facing transperitoneal aortic lymphadenectomy.

Intra-abdominal fat volume estimation by multi-detector rows computed tomography: relevance in surgical fellowship training program in Shanghai: a retrospective study

Background

Intra-abdominal fat volume (IFV) has been shown to have a negative impact on surgical outcomes in gastric cancer (GC) and other gastrointestinal surgeries. The purpose of this study is to look into the relationship between IFV and perioperative outcomes in GC patients using multi-detector rows computed tomography (MDCT) and assess the importance of implementing this observation in current surgical fellowship training programs.

Methods

Patients with GC who underwent open D2 gastrectomy between May 2015 and September 2017 were included in the study. Based on MDCT estimation, patients were divided into high IFV (IFV ≥ 3,000 ml) and low IFV (IFV < 3,000 ml) groups. Perioperative outcomes for cancer staging, type of gastrectomy, intraoperative blood loss (IBL), anastomotic leakage, and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. This study was registered as CTR2200059886.

Results

Out of 226 patients, 54 had early gastric carcinoma (EGC), while 172 had advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC). There were 64 patients in the high IFV group and 162 in the low IFV group. The high IFV group had significantly higher IBL mean values (p = 0.008). Therefore, having a high IFV was a risk factor for the occurrence of perioperative complications (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

High IFV estimated by MDCT prior to GC surgery was associated with increased IBL and postoperative complications. Incorporating this CT-IFV estimation into surgical fellowship programs may aid aspiring surgeons in selecting patients during independent practice in their learning curve and surgical practice for the most appropriate approach for treating GC patients.

Factors Influencing the Difficulty and Need for External Help during Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Analysis of 485 Procedures from the Resident-1 Multicentre Trial

Purpose: To identify preoperative predictive factors for technically challenging laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and the need for external help to laparoscopically complete the procedure. Methods: We analysed data from a two-year data lock on the Resident-1 multicentre registry. The operator classified each procedure following a five-grade Likert scale to define technical difficulty. We performed univariate analysis comparing Grade 1−3 versus 4−5 procedures and then built a logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of Grade 4−5 procedures defined as needing external help to complete a LA. Results: 561 patients were recruited from 2019 to 2021, and 485 patients were included in the final analysis due to missing data. A BMI > 30 kg/m2, preoperative CT scan, and the AIR score were independent preoperative predictors of complex LA with the need for external help to be completed. Patients undergoing such procedures were more affected by CA, had longer operative times, and had the worst postoperative outcomes. Conclusion: The preoperative identification of technically demanding LA could be helpful in optimising the preoperative planning, maximise surgeons’ preparedness, and include expert surgeons in the procedure earlier. Creating a scoring system for the technical difficulty of LA is desirable.

A Novel Nomogram for Prediction of Early Postoperative Complications of Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background

Accurate prediction of postoperative complications is especially important for the formulation of treatment plans for patients with total gastrectomy (TG) for gastric cancer (GC). The purpose of this study was to establish a risk assessment model for early postoperative complications.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 363 patients with GC who underwent TG from January 2019 to December 2020. The influencing factors were explored by univariate and multivariable logistic regression; then, a nomogram was established and verified by internal verification.

Results

Linear stapler (OR=2.501, P=0.030), age (OR=1.052, P =0.024), blood transfusion (yes) (OR=2.450, P =0.021), one-time consumables for surgery (or=1.000, P =0.022), number of total lymph nodes (OR=1.060, P =0.011) and number of positive lymph nodes (OR=1.054, P =0.029) were independent risk factors for early postoperative complications in TG, and nomogram model was constructed. The C-index of primary cohort, modeling cohort and validation cohort was 0.787, 0.754 and 0.912. The calibration curves showed good accuracy.

Conclusion

This study used the indicators available before and during surgery to establish a nomogram model for early postoperative complications of total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which found that linear stapler (LS), blood transfusion, one-time consumables for surgery, number of total lymph nodes and number of positive lymph nodes were factors.

Obesity and anastomotic leak rates in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Anastomotic leak (AL) following colorectal cancer resection is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality with an impact on recurrence rates and survival. The impact of obesity on AL rates is debated. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the relationship between obesity and AL.

METHODS

A search was conducted of the PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases and included studies were split into Western and Asian groups based on population-specific body mass index (BMI) ranges for obesity. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the impact of obesity on AL rate following colorectal cancer resection.

RESULTS

Two thousand three hundred and four articles were initially screened. Thirty-one studies totaling 32,953 patients were included. Patients with obesity had a statistically significant increase in AL rate in all Western and Asian study groups. However, this increase was only clinically significant in the rectal anastomotic subgroups-Western: 10.8% vs 8.4%, OR 1.57 (1.01-2.44) and Asian: 9.4% vs 7.4%, OR 1.58 (1.07-2.32).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this analysis confirm that obesity is a significant risk factor for anastomotic leak, particularly in rectal anastomoses. This effect is thought to be primarily mediated via technical difficulties of surgery although metabolic and immunological factors may also play a role. Obesity in patients undergoing restorative CRC resection should be discussed and considered as part of the pre-operative counselling.

Effective and safe reduction in visceral fat using a formula diet in a short period before highly invasive endoscopic surgery - Case series

Introduction

We retrospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of use of short-term formula diet therapy to achieve preoperative reduction in visceral fat immediately prior to highly invasive endoscopic surgery.

Presentation of case

We reviewed 5 cancer patients who underwent thoracoscopic and/or laparoscopic-assisted esophagectomy or gastrectomy. The cases were those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² or waist circumference ≥100 cm. Patients replaced one meal out of the three main meals with one or two sachets of formula diet (170–340 kcal). The other two meals were set to 600 kcal. The dietary therapy was implemented approximately 1 month before the operation. Weight loss achieved after dietary therapy ranged from 6.4% to 14.1% (p < 0.01). With the exception of one case, the decrease in visceral fat area ranged from 17.0%–40.7% (p = 0.03). Postoperative complications were anastomotic insufficiency in two cases.

Discussion

Although the decreases of the visceral fat were effectively implemented, the adverse effects on postoperative complications must be examined in the farther study.

Conclusion

It was suggested that use of formula diet to achieve preoperative visceral fat reduction in a short period of time immediately prior to highly invasive endoscopic cancer surgery would be an effective and safe strategy.

•

We assessed efficacy of formula diet therapy to highly invasive endoscopic surgery.

•

The decrease in visceral fat area ranged from 17.0% to 40.7% (p = 0.03).

•

It should be emphasized that there were no more serious life-threatening cardiopulmonary complications.

•

Preoperative formula diet therapy may be an effective means to reduce visceral fat.

Computed Tomography Assessment of Fat Distribution and Staple-Line Leak Risk After Sleeve Gastrectomy

PURPOSE

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most frequent bariatric procedure and staple-line leak represents its most feared complication. Visceral obesity, a core component of the metabolic syndrome, has been associated with worst postoperative outcomes after various abdominal surgical procedures, and can be estimated by computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of radiologically determined visceral obesity in the risk of staple-line leak after SG.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was performed in consecutive patients undergoing SG. Several anthropometric variables were measured on a preoperative CT scan. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine preoperative risk factors for staple-line leak.

RESULTS

During the study period, 377 patients were included in the analysis. The median BMI was 39.7 kg/m² (36.5-43.5) and 8 patients (2.1%) presented a gastric leak. After multivariate analysis, visceral obesity defined by visceral fat area (VFA)/body surface area (BSA) ≥ 85 cm²/m² was the only independent predictive factor for gastric leak (OR = 5312).

CONCLUSION

CT scan-assessed visceral obesity defined by a VFA/BSA ratio ≥ 85 cm²/m² is associated with an increased risk of gastric leak after SG. Preoperatively radiological examination in patients suspected of visceral obesity would be useful to optimize preoperative management.

Mesorectal fat area and mesorectal area affect the surgical difficulty of robotic-assisted mesorectal excision and intersphincteric resection respectively in different ways

AIM

Many studies have demonstrated predictors of the difficulty of laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer. Few studies focus on the influence of pelvic dimensions on robotic-assisted mesorectal excision (ME) and intersphincteric resection (ISR). This study aimed to evaluate the influences of the mesorectal fat area (MFA) and mesorectal area on the difficulty of robotic sphincter-saving surgery.

METHODS

We included 156 patients with middle and low rectal cancer who underwent robotic sphincter-saving surgery. Clinical and anatomical factors, including the pelvic dimensions, were collected. Linear regression was performed for variables associated with surgical duration. We also performed subgroup analyses for robotic-assisted ME and ISR. Logistic regression was used to find variables associated with transanal dissection.

RESULTS

For patients with middle or low rectal cancer, the sacral length and tumour distance from the anal verge were independently associated with surgical duration. The pT stage, sacral length and the MFA were independent predictors for the surgical duration of robotic-assisted ME. By contrast, a small mesorectal area was independently related to a longer duration of robotic-assisted ISR. The pelvic outlet length was independently associated with the use of transanal dissection for ISR.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that a large MFA could affect the difficulty of ME in robotic-assisted ME, while a small mesorectal area could increase the surgical difficulty of robotic-assisted ISR for low rectal cancer. Besides, the pelvic outlet length was associated with the use of transanal dissection. Further studies are needed to validate the results and draw more scientific conclusions.

Obesity and postoperative outcomes of the patients with laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Studies have suggested differences in postoperative outcomes between patients with obesity and those without following adrenalectomy, but these remained to be ascertained with synthesis of available evidence. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between obesity and outcomes of patients after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Methods

We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Global Index Medicus, and Web of Science, without language restriction, to identify cohort studies published between January 1, 2000 and November 6, 2019. We considered studies with data comparing outcomes of adults with and without obesity after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool study-specific estimates. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42018117070.

Results

Five studies with data on a pooled sample of 353 patients with obesity and 828 without were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was moderate to low. We found no association between obesity and the various stages of postoperative complications: Clavien-Dindo grade 1 (OR = 1.57; 95%CI = 0.55–4.48; I² = 44.6%), grade 2 (OR = 1.12; 95%CI = 0.54–2.32; I² = 0.0%), grade 3 (OR = 1.79; 95%CI = 0.58–5.47; I² = 0.0%;), grade 4 (OR = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.05–3.71; I² = 0.0%), and grade 5 (death) (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.02–14.31). Furthermore, no association was found between obesity and readmission rates (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.13–3.62) and conversion of laparoscopic to open surgery (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.16–2.34; I² = 19.5%).

Conclusions

This study suggests that obesity is not associated with complications following laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This meta-analysis might have been underpowered to detect a true association between obesity and patient outcome after laparoscopic adrenalectomy due to the small number of included studies. Larger studies are needed to clarify the role of obesity in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Evaluation of nutritional status of foreign students at King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

The current study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and associated risk factors among foreign students residing at King Saud University for different periods and to explore its correlations.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the spring semester of 2018. A total of 400 male students aged 18-35 years had participated in the current study after signing a written consent form according to Helsinki Declaration.

SETTING

A structural questionnaire was used to collect data on daily food intake and habits and socio-economic characteristics. Nutrients of food intake were assessed using the Esha programme and compared with that of dietary requirement intake (DRI). A body composition analyser was used to measure body fat (BF), visceral fat (VF) and BMI. Spearman correlation coefficients and simple regression analysis were performed to determine associations between variables.

PARTICIPANTS

Foreign students residing for different periods (<6 months: 200 students and >6 months: 200 students) were used as subjects.

RESULTS

The students who stayed <6 months consumed lower level of some nutrients than that of the DRI compared with those stayed >6 months. Overweight and obesity were more common among students who stayed >6 months with high values of BF and VF. Several risk factors were positively or negatively correlated with the students' nutrition proxies.

CONCLUSION

Most of the students who stayed >6 months are suffered from overweight. Some independent variables were found to be significantly correlated with the students' nutrition proxies either positively or negatively.

Association of Obesity With Septic Complications After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Secondary Analysis of the RELIEF Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Body mass index (BMI) has been the most common obesity measure to assess perioperative risk; however, cardiometabolic risk is associated with the burden of visceral fat. Definitive evidence on the association of visceral fat measures, such as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), with postoperative complications is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the value of waist circumference with the value WHR and BMI in predicting adverse outcomes, including major septic complications and persistent disability, following major abdominal surgery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This planned secondary analysis of the Restrictive vs Liberal Fluid Therapy for Major Abdominal Surgery (RELIEF) randomized clinical trial took place at 47 centers in 7 countries between October 2013 and September 2016, with 90-day follow-up. A total of 2954 adult RELIEF participants were coenrolled in this secondary analysis. Data analysis took place from December 2018 to September 2019.

EXPOSURES

Waist circumference, WHR, and BMI measurements.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcomes were 30-day major septic complications and 90-day persistent disability or death.

RESULTS

Of 2954 eligible participants, 2755 were included (mean [SD] age, 65.9 [12.9] years; 1426 [51.8%] men) in the final analysis. A total of 564 participants (20.6%) experienced at least 1 major septic complication within 30 days after surgery (sepsis, 265 [9.7%]; surgical site infection, 409 [14.9%]; anastomotic leak, 78 [2.8%]; pneumonia, 104 [3.8%]). Waist circumference had a statistically significantly larger odds ratio (OR) and discrimination indices as well as a smaller prediction error than WHR or BMI for 30-day major septic complications or death (waist circumference: OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.28-1.62; P < .001; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.641; net reclassification index, 0.266; integrated discrimination improvement [score × 104], 152.98; Brier score, 0.162; WHR: OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.28; P = .01; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.621; net classification index, 0.199; integrated discrimination improvement [score × 104], 28.47; Brier score, 0.164; BMI: OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.17-1.50; P < .001; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.629; net reclassification index, 0.205; integrated discrimination improvement [score × 104], 85.61; Brier score, 0.163) but not for any other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this secondary analysis of the RELIEF randomized clinical trial, waist circumference was observed to be superior to other adiposity indices in predicting 30-day major septic complications alone or in conjunction with death following elective major abdominal surgery. Findings suggest that waist circumference is a useful adiposity measure that should be incorporated in preoperative risk assessment for such complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01424150.

Oncologic evaluation of obesity as a factor in patients with rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery: a propensity-matched analysis using body mass index

Purpose

This study evaluated the oncologic impact of obesity, as determined by body mass index (BMI), in patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods

The records of 483 patients with stage I-III rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery between June 2003 and December 2011 were reviewed. A matching model based on BMI was constructed to balance obese and nonobese patients. Cox hazard regression models for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were used for multivariate analyses. Additional analysis using visceral fat area (VFA) measurement was performed for matched patients. The threshold for obesity was BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² or VFA ≥ 130 cm².

Results

The score matching model yielded 119 patients with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (the obese group) and 119 patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m² (the nonobese group). Surgical outcomes including operation time, estimated blood loss, nil per os periods, and length of hospital stay did not differ between the obese and the nonobese group. The retrieved lymph node numbers and pathologic CRM positive rate were also similar in between the 2 groups. After a median follow-up of 48 months (range, 3-126 months), OS and DFS rates were similar between the 2 groups. A tumor location-adjusted model for overall surgical complications showed that a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² were not risk factors. Multivariable analyses for OS and DFS showed no significant association with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m².

Conclusion

Obesity was not associated with long-term oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer in the Asian population.

Impact of intra-peritoneal fat distribution on intra-operative bleeding volume with D2 lymphadenectomy in Chinese patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the quantitative measurements and evaluation of intra-peritoneal fat distribution by MDCT and its significance in predicting intra-operative bleeding volume during D2 lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

METHODS

From June 2016 to September 2017, GC patients scheduled for open gastrectomy with D2 lymph-node dissection were enrolled. According to the BMI, the subjects were then classified as normal BMI(BMI<25 kg/m²); overweight (BMI = 25-30 kg/m²) and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m²). According to the intraoperative blood loss (IBL), the patients were further separated into high IBL (IBL; ≥ 300 ml) or low IBL (<300 ml). Clinicopathological parameters between the groups were statistically compared and univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify predictive factors such as intra-peritoneal fat areas (IFA) and intra-peritoneal fat areas ratio (IFAR) for high IBL.

RESULTS

A total of 226 patients were included in the study where 53 patients underwent distal while 173 underwent total gastrectomy. According to the BMI classification, there were 25 normal BMI, 108 overweight and 25 obese subjects. According to the IBL, there were 98 high IBL and 128 low IBL subjects. IFA and IFAR were significantly greater in the high IBL group than in the low IBL group. There was no significant difference in any other clinicopathological factors between the high IBL group and the low IBL group. Multivariate analysis revealed that high IFA and IFAR independently predicted high IBL.

CONCLUSION

The use of MDCT to evaluate the precise distribution of abdominal fat during preoperative examination can prompt surgeons to develop techniques to decrease intraoperative bleeding in obese patients. Nevertheless, it is yet necessary to be surgically more meticulous when dealing with patients with high IFA or high IFA/IFAR in order to improve the outcome of D2 gastrectomy.

Operation duration and adrenal gland size, but not BMI, are correlated with complication rate for posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine whether obesity is correlated with complications after posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases and to develop surrogate markers of abdominal fat in preoperative computed tomography.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy and preoperative computed tomography between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2015. The cross-sectional components of fat assessed by computed tomography included total fat area, subcutaneous fat area, retroperitoneal fat area, and peritoneal fat area. The patients were grouped into 2 categories according to the absence or presence of a postoperative complication (the no-complications group and the complications group, respectively).

RESULTS

Of 116 study patients, 20 patients (17%) had a postoperative complication. Operations of greater duration and smaller adrenal gland size were significantly correlated with complications both in univariate and multivariate analyses. Body mass index, total fat area, subcutaneous fat area, retroperitoneal fat area, peritoneal fat area, and distance of skin to muscle (in axial and sagittal images) correlated with complications in univariate analysis but not in multivariate analysis. In the no-complications group, the removed adrenal gland was larger than that removed in the complications group (6 vs 4 cm, respectively, P = .001), whereas the complications group had a greater operative duration (139 vs 104 min, respectively, P = .001) and a greater duration of hospital stay (3 days vs 1 day, respectively, P = .001).

CONCLUSION

In this study, operations of greater duration and smaller adrenal gland size were better predictors of complications after posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for benign disease than measures of obesity, including body mass index.

The impact of the mesorectal apparent diffusion coefficient value on surgical difficulty in laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer

PURPOSE

We aimed to clarify the impact of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the mesorectum from preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on surgical difficulty in laparoscopic anterior resection (Lap-AR) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

In total, 67 patients who had undergone curative Lap-AR for rectal cancer in our hospital from January 2008 to March 2015 and had preoperative MRI findings available were included. We randomly calculated the average ADC in three regions of the mesorectum at the level of the upper edge of the superior border of the femur. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between the patients' clinicopathological characteristics, including the ADC value and short-term surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

The univariate analysis revealed that a lower ADC value was associated with a significantly increased operative blood loss (p = 0.008) and prolonged operative time (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis adjusted for the body mass index, anal verge, tumor location, covering stoma, clinical T factor and conversion revealed that the ADC value was an independent risk factor for a prolonged operative time (R² = 0.6003, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the multivariate analysis adjusted for the body mass index, anal verge, covering stoma, clinical T factor and conversion revealed that the ADC value was an independent risk factor for an increased blood loss (R² = 0.4345, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

A lower ADC value of the mesorectum might be a predictor of surgical difficulty in Lap-AR for rectal cancer.

Influence of Visceral Fat in the Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer

AIM

To determine the relationship of visceral fat (VF) with the surgical outcome of the patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) submitted to curative surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of all patients submitted to CRC surgery during 3 years with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. We assessed the length of hospital stay, complications, pathologic reports, surgical re-interventions and hospital re-admissions, relapses, survival time and disease-free time. VF was calculated based on patients' pre-operative CT-scan. The patients were divided into quartiles according to the VF area. Linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to establish a relationship between VF and all data collected.

RESULTS

The study included 199 patients (129 with colon cancer [CC] and 70 with rectal cancer). The average area of VF was 115.7 cm2. Patients with CRC revealed a direct relationship between VF and postoperative complications (p = 0.043), anastomotic leakage (p = 0.009) and re-operation (p = 0.005). The subgroup of patients with CC had an inverse association between VF and lymph nodes harvested (p = 0.027). Survival analyses did not reveal significant differences.

CONCLUSION

VF has an influence on postoperative complications, anastomotic leakage and re-operation. A negative influence of VF on lymph nodes harvested was observed on CC patients.

The outcome of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in obese patients

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity is as high as one-third of the adult population in the ultrasound. Obese patients operated for rectal cancer are less likely to undergo sphincter-preserving surgery, and have an increased morbidity and mortality. We aim to report the outcomes of transanal-endoscopic-microsurgery (TEM) in obese patients with benign and malignant neoplasms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An analysis was carried out of all patients undergoing TEM at a single institution between 2004 and 2015. Clinical, demographic, and pathologic data were analyzed in respect to BMI; a dichotomous variable was created categorizing the patients in this retrospective case series as either obese (BMI≥30) or nonobese (BMI<30).

RESULTS

Of the 158 patients who underwent TEM during the study period, 51 (32%) were obese and 107 (68%) were nonobese. No significant differences were found in terms of patients' demographics and tumor characteristics. There were no significant differences in operative time [105 min (range: 75-170) and 98 (range: 56-170), respectively, P=0.2], hospital length of stay [3 days (range: 2-6) and 4 (range: 2-12), respectively, P=0.48], or complication rates (20 and 23%, respectively, P=0.68).

CONCLUSION

TEM is a safe procedure for rectal neoplasms in the obese population. We found no difference in surgical time and completeness of specimen resection, and no increase in complications or length of stay in the hospital in obese versus nonobese patients. As for selected high risk patients, the TEM may be of benefit in obese patients with T1/T2N0M0 rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic colectomy in the obese, morbidly obese, and super morbidly obese: when does weight matter?

PURPOSE

Previous studies have demonstrated that obese patients (BMI >30) undergoing laparoscopic colectomy have longer operative times and increased complications when compared to non-obese cohorts. However, there is little data that specifically evaluates the outcomes of obese patients based on the degree of their obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of increasing severity of obesity on patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy between 1996 and 2013. Patients were classified according to their BMI as obese (BMI 30.0-39.9), morbidly obese (BMI 40.0-49.9), and super obese (BMI >50). Main outcome measures included conversion rate, operative time, estimated blood loss, post-operative complications, and length of stay.

RESULTS

There were 923 patients who met inclusion criteria. Overall, 604 (65.4%), 257 (27.9%), and 62 (6.7%) were classified as obese (O), morbidly obese (MO), and super obese (SO), respectively. Clinicopathologic characteristics were similar among the three groups. The SO group had significantly higher conversion rates (17.7 vs. 7 vs. 4.8%; P = 0.031), longer average hospital stays (7.1 days vs. 4.9 vs. 3.4; P = 0.001), higher morbidity (40.3 vs. 16.3 vs. 12.4%; P = 0.001), and longer operative times (206 min vs. 184 vs. 163; P = 0.04) compared to the MO and O groups, respectively. The anastomotic leak rate in the SO (4.8%; P = 0.027) and MO males (4.1%; P = 0.033) was significantly higher than MO females (2.2%) and all obese patients (1.8%).

CONCLUSION

Increasing severity of obesity is associated with worse perioperative outcomes following laparoscopic colectomy.

CT-based assessment of visceral adiposity and outcomes for esophageal adenocarcinoma

Background

Various methods of quantifying and correlating obesity to outcomes for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) have been evaluated. Published data suggest that quantification of adiposity may be more accurate than body mass index (BMI) as a prognostic factor. We report our analysis of adiposity as a prognostic factor in a series of patients with EA.

Methods

This single institution retrospective review included patients with EA who underwent esophagectomy from 1994-2008. Patients with BMI <20 were excluded. Using the preoperative CT scan, the visceral (VFA), subcutaneous (SFA), and total abdominal fat (TFA) areas were calculated. Each was contoured on a Siemens Leonardo workstation at the level of the iliac crest (L4/5). The Hounsfield threshold was -30 to -130. Outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank analysis. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed using the Cox proportion hazard regression model.

Results

We identified 126 patients for the analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival between groups above and below the medians for TFA, SFA, or VFA/SFA ratio. However, an increase in VFA was significantly associated with worsened OS and DFS when we further classified patients into quartiles. Patients with VFA ≥182 cm² had larger tumor size (P=0.016), fewer involved lymph nodes (P=0.047), longer operating times (P=0.032), and were more likely to be males (P=0.042).

Conclusions

Published data have demonstrated an association between treatment outcomes and degree of adiposity; our study found a correlation between VFA and OS and DFS in patients with EA. Median TFA, SFA, and VFA/SFA were not prognostic on MVA. While VFA >182 cm² was associated with larger tumors, there were also fewer lymph nodes harvested in this group.

Factors Influencing Difficulty of Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection for Ultra-Low Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE

Our current study was conducted to identify patients' anatomic, pathologic, and clinical factors to predict difficulty of performing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for ultra-low rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of 117 consecutive patients with rectal cancer 2 to 5 cm from the anal verge were retrospectively reviewed. Using univariate and multivariate linear or logistic regression models, standardized operative time and blood loss, as well as postoperative morbidity were utilized as endpoints to screen patients' multiple variables to predict operative difficulty.

RESULTS

Multivariate linear regression analysis showed body mass index (BMI) (estimate=0.07, P=0.0056), interspinous distance (estimate=-0.02, P=0.0011), tumor distance from anal verge (estimate=-0.17, P=0.0355), prior abdominal surgery (estimate=0.51, P=0.0180), preoperative chemoradiotherapy (estimate=0.67, P=0.0146), and concurrent diseases (hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus) (estimate=0.49, P=0.0122) are predictors for standardized operative time. Age (estimate=0.02, P=0.0208) and concurrent diseases (estimate=0.43, P=0.0476) were factors related to standardized blood loss. BMI (estimate=0.15, P=0.0472) was the only predictor for postoperative morbidity based on logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, BMI, interspinous distance, tumor distance from anal verge, prior abdominal surgery, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, and concurrent diseases influence the difficulty of performing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for ultra-low rectal cancer. Standardized operative time allows researchers to amass samples by pooling data from all published studies, thus building reliable models to predict operative difficulty for clinical use.

Prediction of Anastomotic Leakage After Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection in Male Rectal Cancer by Pelvic Measurement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE

Anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic low anterior resection in male rectal cancer patients with a narrow pelvis cannot be easily resolved. The objective of this study is to assess numerical information of narrow pelvis and to determine whether prediction of morbidity can be possible.

METHODS

Retrospective medical record review was performed. From July 2007 to January 2013, 43 consecutive male patients with low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection were divided into the anastomotic leakage-negative group and anastomotic leakage-positive group. Eleven anatomic parameters were measured from preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of pelvis and a new index called "pelvic index" was calculated.

RESULTS

The pelvic index (difference between the interspinous distance and the diameter of the mesorectum divided by the depth of the cavity of the lesser pelvis) in the leakage-positive group was significantly smaller than that in the negative group (P=0.038). Comparison between those 2 groups at the border of the cut-off value of the pelvic index (13.0) showed a significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative assessment by the pelvic index can predict the narrow pelvis and risk of anastomotic leakage.

Impact of different sarcopenia stages on the postoperative outcomes after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The association between sarcopenia and postoperative outcomes has been well reported. However, the impact of different sarcopenia stages on postoperative outcomes has never been investigated.

METHODS

We conducted a large, prospective study of patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from August 2014 to December 2015. Sarcopenia was staged as "presarcopenia," "sarcopenia," and "severe sarcopenia" according to the definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluating the risk factors for total, surgical, and medical complications were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 470 patients were included, in which 20.6%, 10%, and 6.8% of the patients were identified as having "presarcopenia," "sarcopenia," and "severe sarcopenia," respectively. Postoperative complications, duration of hospital stays, and costs increased with advancing sarcopenia stages. Severe sarcopenia, visceral fat area to total abdominal muscle area ratio, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III, and tumor located at the cardia were independent risk factors for total complications. Visceral fat area to total abdominal muscle area ratio and tumor located at the cardia were independent risk factors for operative complications. Presarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were all identified as independent risk factors for medical complications, as well as age ≥75 years and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

CONCLUSION

Patients had worse postoperative outcomes after gastric cancer operation with advancing sarcopenia stages. Severe sarcopenia, but not presarcopenia or sarcopenia, was an independent risk factor for total postoperative complications. The 3 sarcopenia stages independently influence medical but not surgical complications. Recognizing sarcopenia stages is important for preoperative risk stratification.

The impact of general/visceral obesity on completion of mesorectum and perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer: A STARD-compliant article

To evaluate the impact of visceral obesity on laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and decide the best index to reflect completion of mesorectum and perioperative outcomes.Patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic TME were enrolled. The data including body mass index (BMI), visceral fat area (VFA), visceral fat area/body surface area (VFA/BSA), mesorectum fat ratio (MFR), pelvic fat area (PFA), pelvic fat ratio (PFR), completion of mesorectum, and other perioperative outcomes were collected. Data were analyzed.A total of 322 patients were enrolled between 2011 and 2014. There was no significantly difference between the BMI groups on completion of mesorectum and other outcomes (P ≥ 0.05). However, in VFA groups, completion of mesorectum (P = 0.002), operative time (P = 0.02), and incision length (P = 0.02) were significantly different. In VFA/BSA groups, completion of mesorectum (P = 0.002) and incision length (P = 0.009) were significantly different. When MFR was equal to 0.48, completion of mesorectum (P = 0.002), operative time (P = 0.001), incision length (P = 0.03), and blood loss (P = 0.04) were significantly different between the 2 groups. In PFA and PFR groups, there was no significantly difference (P ≥ 0.05). After the analysis of logistic regression, only VFA was the risk factor of incomplete mesorectum excision.BMI does not reflect the impact of obesity on laparoscopic rectal surgery. VFA is a better index in predicting the influence of visceral obesity on surgical quality and difficulty of laparoscopic rectal surgery than VFA/BSA and MFR.

Excessive visceral fat area as a risk factor for early postoperative complications of total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Obesity is a known risk factor for complications after digestive surgery. Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as an index of obesity but does not always reflect the degree of obesity. Although some studies have shown that high visceral fat area (VFA) is associated with poor outcomes in digestive surgery, few have examined the relationship between VFA and total gastrectomy. In this study, we demonstrated that VFA is more useful than BMI in predicting complications after total gastrectomy.

Methods

Seventy-five patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer were enrolled in this study; they were divided into two groups: a high-VFA group (n = 26, ≥100 cm²) and a low-VFA group (n = 49, <100 cm²). We retrospectively evaluated the preoperative characteristics and surgical outcomes of all patients and examined postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery (including cardiac complications, pneumonia, ileus, anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, incisional surgical site infection [SSI], abdominal abscess, and hemorrhage).

Results

The incidence of anastomotic leakage (p = 0.03) and incisional SSI (p = 0.001) were higher in the high-VFA group than in the low-VFA group. No significant differences were observed in the other factors. We used univariate analysis to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage and incisional SSI. Age and VFA were risk factors for anastomotic leakage, and BMI and VFA were risk factors for incisional SSI. A multivariate analysis including these factors found that only VFA was a predictor of anastomotic leakage (hazard ratio [HR] 4.62; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02–21.02; p = 0.048) and incisional SSI (HR 4.32; 95 % CI 1.18–15.80; p = 0.027].

Conclusions

High VFA is more useful than BMI in predicting anastomotic leakage and SSI after total gastrectomy. Therefore, we should consider the VFA value during surgery

A short-duration restrictive diet reduces visceral adiposity in the morbidly obese surgical patient

BACKGROUND

This study aims to determine if visceral obesity can be reduced after a brief preoperative diet in obese patients.

METHODS

Forty morbidly obese patients were placed on a 1,000 kCal per day diet for 14 days before bariatric surgery. Patients had weight measurements and an abdominal ultrasound performed on days 1 and 14. The ultrasound measured visceral obesity using the distance between the abdominal muscle and the aorta, the fat thickness of the perinephric space, and the distance between the abdominal muscle and splenic vein. Mesenteric fat burden was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients (95%) lost weight on the diet, with a mean loss of 5.2 lbs. Twenty-five patients (63%) had a reduction in mesenteric fat. The average visceral obesity lost was 7.76 cm³ or 3% of the visceral adiposity of the average obese patient (250 cm³).

CONCLUSIONS

A short preoperative calorie restricting diet is well tolerated and results in a reduction in visceral obesity.

Factors Predicting Difficulty of Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer with Total Mesorectal Excision and Double Stapling Technique

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sphincter-preserving low anterior resection for rectal cancer is a surgery demanding great skill. Immense efforts have been devoted to identifying factors that can predict operative difficulty, but the results are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

Our study was conducted to screen patients' factors to build models for predicting the operative difficulty using well controlled data.

METHOD

We retrospectively reviewed records of 199 consecutive patients who had rectal cancers 5-8 cm from the anal verge. All underwent laparoscopic sphincter-preserving low anterior resections with total mesorectal excision (TME) and double stapling technique (DST). Data of 155 patients from one surgeon were utilized to build models to predict standardized endpoints (operative time, blood loss) and postoperative morbidity. Data of 44 patients from other surgeons were used to test the predictability of the built models.

RESULTS

Our results showed prior abdominal surgery, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, tumor distance to anal verge, interspinous distance, and BMI were predictors for the standardized operative times. Gender and tumor maximum diameter were related to the standardized blood loss. Temporary diversion and tumor diameter were predictors for postoperative morbidity. The model constructed for the operative time demonstrated excellent predictability for patients from different surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

With a well-controlled patient population, we have built a predictable model to estimate operative difficulty. The standardized operative time will make it possible to significantly increase sample size and build more reliable models to predict operative difficulty for clinical use.

Effect of Visceral Obesity on Surgical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Visceral obesity has been known to be more pathogenic than body mass index (BMI). There have been a few reports about the association between visceral obesity and surgical outcomes in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of visceral obesity on surgical outcomes undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 543 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer and had available computed tomography (CT) scans were included in this retrospective study. Visceral fat volumes (VFVs) were measured in preoperative CT scans from S1 to 12.5 cm above. Patients were divided into an obese group and a non-obese group according to VFV and BMI. Obesity was defined by VFV ≥1.92 dm(3) (75% value of VFV) or BMI ≥25 kg/m(2).

RESULTS

There were 136 (25.0%) and 150 (27.6%) obese patients according to VFV and BMI, respectively. The high VFV group had a longer operative times (165.2 ± 84.4 vs. 146.1 ± 58.9 min; P = 0.016), higher blood loss during surgery (132.5 ± 144.8 vs. 98.3 ± 109.6 ml; P = 0.012), more frequent conversion to laparotomy (5.9 vs. 1.5%; P = 0.010), and more frequent major complications (Dindo score ≥3; 11.0 vs. 4.7%; P = 0.008), whereas there was no significant difference between the high and low BMI groups. High VFV was a significant independent risk factor for open conversion (odds ratio 4.964, 95% confidence interval 1.336-18.438, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral obesity can be a more clinically useful predictor than BMI in predicting surgical outcomes for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Operative time and outcome of enhanced recovery after surgery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Background and Objectives:

Combining laparoscopy and enhanced recovery provides benefit to short-term outcomes after colorectal surgery. Advances in training and techniques have allowed surgeons to operate on cases that are technically challenging and associated with prolonged operative time. Laparoscopic techniques improve the outcome of enhanced recovery after colorectal surgery; however, there are no specifications on the effect of prolonged operations on the outcome. The objective was to elucidate the impact of prolonged surgery and blood loss on the outcome of enhanced recovery after surgery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods:

Four-hundred patients who underwent elective colorectal resection on enhanced recovery after surgery in Yeovil District Hospital between 2002 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Delayed discharge was defined as a prolonged length of stay beyond the mean in this series (≥8 days).

Results:

Three-hundred eighty-five patients were included. Median operative time was 180 minutes with a median blood loss of 100 mL. Conversion was not associated with a prolonged length of stay. Operative time and blood loss correlated with length of stay in a stepwise fashion. There were 2 cutoff points of operative time at 160 minutes and 300 minutes (5 hours), where risk of prolonged stay increased significantly (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–3.90; P = .027), and blood loss of >500 mL (OR = 3.114; 95% CI, 1.501–6.462, P = .002).

Conclusions:

Total operative timing impacts negatively on the outcome of enhanced recovery after laparoscopic colorectal resections with increased risk of delayed discharge seen after ∼2.5 hours and 5-hour duration.

Distribution and Impact of the Visceral Fat Area in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to investigate the distribution of the visceral fat area (VFA) and general obesity and to compare visceral and general obesity as predictors of surgical outcomes of a colorectal cancer resection.

Methods

The prospectively collected data of 102 patients with preoperatively-diagnosed sigmoid colon or rectal cancer who had undergone a curative resection at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between April 2011 and September 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Men with a VFA of >130 cm² and women with a VFA of >90 cm² were classified as obese (VFA-O, n = 22), and the remaining patients were classified as nonobese (VFA-NO, n = 80).

Results

No differences in morbidity, mortality, postoperative bowel recovery, and readmission rate after surgery were observed between the 2 groups. However, a significantly higher number of harvested lymph nodes was observed in the VFA-NO group compared with the VFA-O group (19.0 ± 1.0 vs. 13.5 ± 1.2, respectively, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Visceral obesity has no influence on intraoperative difficulties, postoperative complications, and postoperative recovery in patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer.

Visceral obesity determined by CT scan and outcomes after colorectal surgery; a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Visceral obesity may affect outcome after colorectal surgery. The visceral fat area as determined by CT scanning is considered the standard in the detection of visceral obesity.

METHOD

A systematic review was performed of trials investigating the effect of visceral obesity on outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer with no radiotherapy or chemotherapy and measured by CT scanning. The main endpoints were primary hospital stay, morbidity, operative time and blood loss. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently by two observers.

RESULTS

Seven studies were eligible for analysis, including 1230 patients. Primary hospital stay (weighted mean difference 1.16 days, 95% CI 0.0.05 to 2.28 days, p = 0.04), morbidity rates (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.21, p < 0.00001) and operative time (weighted mean difference 20.47 min, 95% CI 12.76 to 28.17 min, p < 0.00001) were significantly higher for visceral obese patients. No difference was found in blood loss.

CONCLUSION

Visceral obesity leads to a longer hospital stay, higher morbidity and longer operative time after elective colon surgery. These findings show that the preoperative CT scan for detecting disseminated disease can be used to assess visceral obesity and helps in risk profiling patients undergoing elective colon surgery.

CT/MRI pelvimetry as a useful tool when selecting patients with rectal cancer for transanal total mesorectal excision

BACKGROUND

The quality of a total mesorectal excision (TME) is one of the most important prognostic factors for local recurrence of rectal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to clarify the manner in which lesser pelvis dimensions affect the quality of TME via the transabdominal approach, while simultaneously defining the criteria for selecting patients most likely to have Grade 3 TME outcomes for a transanal approach using the TaTME technique.

METHODS

An analysis from the registry was conducted using 93 of total 198 patients with rectal cancer of the mid- and lower third of the rectum who underwent: (1) a low anterior resection, (2) an ultra-low resection with coloanal anastomosis, or (3) an intersphincteric rectal resection, all with total mesorectal excision. The procedures were carried out at the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital Hradec Králové between 2011 and 2014. Rectal specimens were histopathologically examined according to a standardized protocol. Pelvimetry data were obtained using anteroposterior, transverse, and sagittal CT or MRI scans.

RESULTS

A correlation was found between the quality of the TME and pelvimetry parameter A5, i.e., the angle between the longitudinal axis of the symphysis, and the lines between the symphysis and the promontory (R(2) = -0.327, p < 0.001). The ordinal regression method was used to identify parameters of the model describing levels of probability for TME quality. These relationships were described by equations that provide probability of the achievement of each grade of TME.

CONCLUSION

The correlation described by obtained equations between pelvimetry parameters and the quality of TME represents a new tool for use in preoperative decision-making with regard to resection via the transanal approach (TaTME).

Visceral to total obesity ratio and severe hydronephrosis are independently associated with prolonged pneumoperitoneum operative time in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of visceral obesity and impact of severe hydronephrosis on surgical complexity in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRNU).

METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2013, 169 patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 70 patients who underwent LRNU. We measured total fat area (TFA) and visceral fat area (VFA) at the level of the umbilicus using computed tomography. We defined accumulated visceral fat distribution as a VFA/TFA ratio ≥0.45. Ipsilateral hydronephrosis was graded from 0 to 4 by two uro-radiologists blinded to the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 70 patients, VFA/TFA ratio was ≥0.45 in 40 patients (57.1%) and 28 (40.0%) had severe hydronephrosis (grade 3 or greater). Patients with a VFA/TFA ratio ≥0.45 had significantly longer pneumoperitoneum and total operation times compared to their counterparts (p = 0.047 and p = 0.002, respectively). Patients with severe hydronephrosis had significantly longer pneumoperitoneum and total operative times compared to their counterparts (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high VFA/TFA and severe hydronephrosis were independent predictive factors for prolonged pneumoperitoneum (p = 0.048, HR = 2.90; p = 0.015, HR = 3.82, respectively) and total operative times (p < 0.001, HR = 18.7; p = 0.003, HR = 10.7; respectively). Other pre-clinical factors such as age, gender, BMI, clinical stage, tumor size, location, laterality, degree of perinephric stranding, and surgical procedure did not affect the operation times.

CONCLUSION

The present data indicated that the visceral type of adipose accumulation and presence of severe hydronephrosis could provide preoperative information on the degree of technical difficulty associated with LRNU.

The role of computed tomography in evaluating body composition and the influence of reduced muscle mass on clinical outcome in abdominal malignancy: a systematic review

It is estimated that there were 3.45 million new cases and 1.75 million deaths from cancer in Europe in 2012. Colorectal cancer was one of the most common cancers, accounting for 13% of new cases and 12.2% of all deaths. Conditions causing reduced muscle mass, such as sarcopenia, can increase the morbidity and mortality of people with cancer. Computed tomography (CT) scans can provide accurate, high-quality information on body composition, including muscle mass. To date, there has been no systematic review on the role of CT scans in identifying sarcopenia in abdominal cancer. This review aimed to examine the role of CT scans in determining the influence of reduced muscle mass on clinical outcome in abdominal cancer. A systematic review of English-language articles published in 2000 or later was conducted. Articles included cohort, randomised controlled trials and validation studies. Participants were people diagnosed with abdominal cancer who had undergone a CT scan. Data extraction and critical appraisal were undertaken. Ten cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies demonstrated that low muscle mass was significantly associated with poor clinical outcome, with six specifically demonstrating reduced survival rates. Eight studies demonstrated that a greater number of patients (27.3-66.7%) were identified as sarcopenic using CT scans compared with numbers identified as malnourished using body mass index. CT scans can identify reduced muscle mass and predict negative cancer outcomes in people with abdominal malignancies, where traditional methods of assessment are less effective.

Risk prediction score in laparoscopic colorectal surgery training: experience from the English National Training Program

OBJECTIVE

The overall aim was to develop and validate a risk prediction score for laparoscopic colorectal surgery training cases.

BACKGROUND

Published risk prediction scores are not transferable between hospitals because they are derived from a single institution's data and are not designed for use in training situations.

METHODS

Cases from the prospectively collected database of the National Training Programme in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, between July 2008 and July 2012, were analyzed. Independent risk factors for conversion were identified by the logistic regression. Converting the odds ratios into integers created a risk prediction score for conversion. The clinical impact of this score was investigated by comparing postoperative complications and the level of trainer input in high- and low-risk cases. To study whether adverse outcomes in predicted high-risk cases occur outside the National Training Programme in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, 2 external data sets were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 2341 cases carried out in 42 hospitals were analyzed. Significant risk factors for conversion were body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology classification, male sex, prior abdominal surgery, and resection type. At a risk score of more than 6, complication rates increased, including mortality (2.9% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001), anastomotic leak (4.3% vs 1.4%, P = 0.002), and a higher level of trainer input (32.2% vs 19.9% of cases, P < 0.001). Analysis of 786 external cases showed that high-risk cases had higher conversion (18.8% vs 7.1%, P < 0.001), overall complication (36.4% vs 15.0%, P < 0.001), and leak rates (4.0% vs 1.3%, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

A risk predication score to facilitate case selection in laparoscopic colorectal surgery training was developed and validated.

Sagittal abdominal diameter is a better predictor than body mass index for duration of laparoscopic left colectomy

BACKGROUND

Visceral obesity (VO) increases technical difficulty in laparoscopic surgery. The body mass index (BMI) does not always correlate to intra-abdominal fat distribution. Our hypothesis was that simple anthropometric measures that reflect VO, could predict technical difficulty in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, as reflected by the operative time, more accurately than the BMI.

METHODS

Charts of all consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic left colon resection in our institution between 2007 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. On a preoperative CT scan, anthropometric measures were taken on an axial plane at the L4-L5 level. Demographic, operative and anthropometric CT measures were correlated with the operative time. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the value of anthropometric CT measures or BMI to predict the duration of the colectomy.

RESULTS

121 patients with elective left colon resection for benign (56%) or malignant disease (44%) were included. There were 74 sigmoid resections (61%), 21 left hemicolectomies (17%) and 26 low anterior resections (22%). A longer sagittal abdominal diameter (≥24.8 cm) was significantly associated with longer corrected operative time (248 vs. 228 min, p = 0.043). In multivariate analysis, greater sagittal abdominal diameter, sagittal internal diameter and abdominal perimeter were significantly associated with longer operative time. No significant association was found for the BMI neither in univariate nor in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that simple linear measures taken on a CT scan, such as sagittal abdominal diameter, sagittal internal diameter and abdominal perimeter, may predict longer operative time in laparoscopic left colonic resections more accurately than BMI.

Factors influencing on difficulty with laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair according to learning period

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernia is technically challenging enough to build high barrier to entry. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical factors influencing technical difficulty with laparoscopic TEP according to learning period.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 112 adult patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP for unilateral inguinal hernia from January 2009 to September 2013. A technically difficult case was defined as the 70th percentiles or more in the distribution curve of operative time, major complication, or open conversion.

RESULTS

The rate of body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m(2) was significantly higher in the difficult group than the nondifficult group in the learning period of laparoscopic TEP (57.9% vs. 26.8%, respectively, P = 0.020). However, in the experience period, it revealed no statistical difference with technical difficulty (31.3% vs. 33.3%, respectively, P = 0.882). In multivariate analysis, BMI (≥25 kg/m(2)) was identified as a significant independent factor for technical difficulty with laparoscopic TEP in the learning period (odds ratio, 4.572; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

Patient's BMI (≥25 kg/m(2)) can create technical difficulty with laparoscopic TEP only in the learning period, but not in the experience period. Therefore BMI could be applied as one of the guidelines for patient selection, especially for surgeons in the learning curve of laparoscopic TEP.

The impact of visceral obesity on surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer

PURPOSE

Although obesity is considered as a risk factor for postoperative morbidity in abdominal surgery, its effect on the outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) is still unclear. The technical difficulty and risk factor for postoperative complication in LAC are thought to be influenced by visceral obesity. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of visceral fat on the surgical outcomes of LAC.

METHODS

Between April 2005 and December 2010, consecutive patients with preoperatively diagnosed colon cancer, excluding medium and low rectal cancer, who underwent LAC, were enrolled. Their visceral fat area (VFA) and body mass index (BMI) were prospectively collected. The VFA was assessed by Fat Scan software. The patients were classified into two groups as follows: VFA nonobese with VFA <100 cm(2) (VNO) and VFA obese with VFA ≧100 cm(2) (VO). The predictive factors for surgical complications of LAC were evaluated by univariate and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 338 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Of the 338 patients, 194 (57.4 %) and 138 (42.6 %) were classified into the VNO and VO groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that high BMI (≧25 kg/m(2)) and VO independently predicted the incidence of overall postoperative complications (p = 0.040 and 0.007, respectively). VO was more highly related to the incidence of overall postoperative complications, anastomotic leakage (p = 0.021), and surgical site infection (SSI) (p = 0.013) than high BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

VFA is a more useful parameter than BMI in predicting surgical outcomes after LAC.

Factors affecting operating time in laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal cancer

Background

The objective of this study is to clarify the relationship between demographic and surgical factors and operating time, and thus operative difficulty, in patients undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection for mid-low rectal cancer, since different studies have derived different results.

Methods

The records of patients with mid-low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection were retrospectively studied. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and pelvimetry measurements were collected and analyzed with respect to operating time, using correlation coefficient analysis, principle component analysis, and linear regression.

Results

A total of 14 patients (10 males, 4 females; 65.50 ± 7.12 years of age) were included. Demographic and tumor characteristics not correlated with operating time. Body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.001); interacetabular distance (IA) (P = 0.001); anatomical transverse distance (IP) (P = 0.008); interischial distance (IS) (P = 0.002); intertuberous distance (IT) (P = 0.005); distance between the coccyx and symphysis (CoSy) (P = 0.013); and the angle of the lower border of the symphysis pubis, upper border of symphysis pubis, and sacral promontory (angle 5) (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with operating time. The equation was:

operatingtime=0.653×BMI+0.818×angle5-0.404×IA-0.380×IP-0.512×IS-0.405×IT-0.570×CoSy+330.8.

Conclusions

Transverse diameters of the pelvis, BMI, angle 5, and CoSy played the most important role in affecting operating time. The equation can be a very useful tool for preoperative assessment.

Perirenal fat surface area as a risk factor for morbidity after elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Visceral obesity appears to be an emerging parameter affecting postoperative outcome after abdominal surgery. However, total visceral fat remains time consuming to calculate, and there is still a lack of data about its value as an independent risk factor in colorectal surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to validate the simple measurement of perirenal fat surface as a surrogate of visceral obesity, and to test the value of perirenal fat surface as a risk factor for morbidity in colorectal surgery and to compare it with the predictive value of other obesity parameters such as BMI and waist-hip ratio.

DESIGN

This is a prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital.

PATIENTS

Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients (130 male) undergoing elective colorectal surgery with a mean age of 65.2 years (SD, ±12.9) were identified.

INTERVENTION

Elective colorectal resections were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We assessed complications as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were the conversion rates, duration of operation, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Perirenal fat surface was validated as a surrogate of visceral fat and a strong correlation between the 2 was confirmed (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.96). The overall postoperative complication rate was 22.8% (51/224) with 14.7% moderate complications (grade I and II) and 7.6% severe complications (grade III-IV), with a mortality rate of 0.5%. Multivariate analysis confirmed perirenal fat surface as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.73-8.64; p = 0.001), whereas BMI and waist-hip ratio were not statistically associated with postoperative complications (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.51-2.66; p = 0.72).

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its sample size.

CONCLUSION

Perirenal fat surface is an excellent and easy-to-reproduce indicator of visceral fat volume. Furthermore, perirenal fat surface is an independent risk factor for postoperative outcome in colorectal surgery that appears to be of higher predictive value than BMI and waist-hip ratio.