Outcomes for patients with obstructing colorectal cancers treated with one-stage surgery using transanal drainage tubes

Short-term and long-term oncologic outcomes of self-expandable metallic stent compared with tube decompression for obstructive colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Patients with obstructive colorectal cancer managed by emergency surgery show high morbidity, mortality, and stoma formation rates. Decompression modalities, including the self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) and tube drainage (TD), have been used to improve surgical outcomes. However, there have been limited studies comparing the 2 modalities. We performed a meta-analysis on short- and long-term outcomes between SEMS and TD.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched. Data were pooled, and the overall effect size was calculated using random effect models. Outcome measures were perioperative short-term and 3-year survival outcomes.

Results

We included 20 nonrandomized studies that examined 2,047 patients in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed SEMS had better short-term outcomes in clinical success rate, decompression-related complications, laparoscopic surgery rate, stoma formation rate, and postoperative complication rate with a relative risk (RR) of 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.54; I2 = 20%), 0.32 (95% CI, 0.20-0.50; I2 = 0%), 0.47 (95% CI, 0.34-0.66; I2 = 87%), 0.34 (95% CI, 0.24-0.49; I2 = 52%), and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.54-0.89, I2 = 28%), respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in 3-year overall survival (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.77-1.27; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion

Although the long-term oncologic impact of SEMS is still unclear compared with TD, the results of this meta-analysis may suggest that SEMS insertion can be performed more successfully and safely and may have benefits for short-term perioperative outcomes compared with TD. Further studies are warranted to provide more definitive survival results.

Which treatment strategy is optimal for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction? A Bayesian meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the best treatment for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction (ALMCO) among emergency surgery (ES), self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS), transanal drainage tube (TD), and decompressive stoma (DS).

METHOD

Articles that compared two or more treatments of ALMCO were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Network meta-analyses were performed to calculate the outcomes of primary anastomosis, stoma creation, morbidity, mortality, and 5-year survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-one articles met inclusion criteria. TD was the optimal treatment in performing primary anastomosis [probability of ranking first (Pro-1) 0.96], while ES was the worst [probability of ranking fourth (Pro-4) 0.99]. More permanent stoma was formed in ES and TD groups than in SEMS and DS groups [OR (95%CI): TD vs SEMS: 4.12 (1.89, 9.45); TD vs DS: 3.39 (1.46, 8.75); ES vs DS: 2.55 (1.73, 4.17); SEMS vs ES: 0.33 (0.24, 0.42)]. More morbidity occurred in ES group than in SEMS group [OR (95%CI): ES vs SEMS: 1.44 (1.14, 1.82)]. Besides, SEMS was ranked first in avoiding infection (Pro-4 0.95). For in-hospital mortality, ES was ranked first (Pro-1 0.93). TD was ranked first in recurrence (Pro-1 0.97) and metastasis (Pro-1 0.98). There was no discrepancy in 5-year overall and disease-free survival among all strategies.

CONCLUSION

SEMS as a bridge to surgery reduces stoma formation, and morbidity especially the infection rate with relatively great oncological outcomes. Therefore, SEMS should be recommended first for ALMCO in the medical center with experience and conditions.

Long-term outcomes between self-expandable metallic stent and transanal decompression tube for malignant large bowel obstruction: A multicenter retrospective study and meta-analysis

Aim

To compare the oncological outcomes between self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery and transanal decompression tube (TDT) placement for malignant large bowel obstruction (MLBO).

Methods

A total of 287 MLBO patients who underwent SEMS (n = 137) or TDT placement (n = 150) were enrolled in this multicenter retrospective study. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups were compared. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to calculate odd ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II and ≥III occurred frequently in the TDT group compared with the SEMS group (P = 0.002 and 0.005, respectively). The 3-y OS in the overall cohort and 3-y DFS in the pathological stage II/III cohort in the SEMS and TDT groups were 68.6% and 71.4%, and 71.0% and 72.6%, respectively. The survival differences were not significantly different in the OS and DFS analyses (P = 0.819 and P = 0.892, respectively). A meta-analysis of nine studies (including our cohort data) demonstrated no significant difference between the SEMS and TDT groups for 3-y OS and DFS (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.57-1.62, P = 0.89 and OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.46-1.04, P = 0.07, respectively).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that SEMS placement had no inferiority regarding long-term outcomes, including OS and DFS, compared with TDT placement. Considering the short-term benefits of SEMS placement, this could be a preferable preoperative decompression method for MLBO.

Bridge to surgery using a self-expandable metallic stent for stages II-III obstructive colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Bridge to surgery (BTS) using a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) for the treatment of obstructive colorectal cancer improves the patient's quality of life. This study aimed to examine prognostic factors of obstructive colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed stage II-III resectable colon cancer cases (Cur A) retrospectively registered between January 2005 and December 2017. Overall, 117 patients with Cur A obstructive colorectal cancer were evaluated: 67 of them underwent emergency surgery (ES Group) and 50 of them after BTS with SEMS placement (BTS group). We compared surgical results and prognoses between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients underwent endoscopic SEMS placement, which technical success of 96% and morbidity rate of 18%. Primary anastomosis rates were 77.6% in ES and 95.7% in BTS (p <  0.001); postoperative complication, 46.3% in ES and 10.5% in BTS (p <  0.001); pathological findings of lymphatic invasion, 66.7% in ES and 100% in BTS (p <  0.001); venous invasion were 66.8% in ES and 92% in BTS (p = 0.04); and recurrence of 25.4% in ES and 39.1% in BTS. The 3-year overall survival was significantly different between two groups (ES, 86.8%:BTS, 58.8%), BTS is worse than ES (log-rank test; p <  0.001). Venous invasion independently predicted worsened recurrence-free and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The vascular invasiveness was correlated with tumor progression after SEMS placement, and the survival rate was lower in BTS. SEMS potentially worsens prognostic outcomes in stage II-III obstructive colorectal cancer.

Colonic stents for malignant bowel obstruction: current status and future prospects

Introduction: Although more than two decades are already passed from the first description of this technique, the debate remains open on the role of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) placement in the management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). According to most recent data, SEMS placement is considered a safe and effective alternative treatment as a bridge to surgery(BTS). In addition, stent placement should be considered as primary option for palliative treatment of obstructing cancer.Areas covered: Current status, indication, technique, oncological outcomes, advantages, and risks of SEMS placement in MBO were reviewed.Expert commentary: The placement of colonic SEMS for palliation and for BTS in patients with MBO has been increasingly reported and it seems to have several advantages over emergency surgery. Substantial concerns of tumor seeding following SEMS placement, especially in case of perforation, have been raised in numerous studies. Actually, no significant differences are reported in oncologic long-term survival between patients undergoing stent placement as a BTS and those undergoing emergency surgery. Considering all the mentioned factors, indication for colorectal stenting should be evaluated only in highly specialized centers, in the context of multidisciplinary approach where risks and benefits of stenting are carefully weighed, especially in the BTS setting.

Preoperative Colonic Decompression With Decompression Tube Insertion Versus Stent Insertion in Patients With Malignant Left Colonic Obstruction

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical effectiveness of preoperative colonic decompression (PCD) performed with stent or decompression tube insertion in patients with malignant left colonic obstruction (MLCO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2014 and September 2018, 63 patients with MLCO underwent PCD (decompression tube: 35; stent: 28) in our center. Elective surgery was performed for patients with clinical success of PCD.

RESULTS

The rates of technical success for PCD with tube and stent insertion were 91.4% (32/35) and 96.4% (27/28), respectively (P=0.773). Clinical success rates for PCD with tube and stent insertion were 90.6% (29/32) and 85.2% (23/27), respectively (P=0.811). Tumor resection with primary anastomosis was performed in all patients with clinical success in both groups. No significant differences were found between 2 groups regarding the duration of surgery and rates of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Decompression tube and stent insertion had similar effectiveness for PCD in patients with MLCO.

Comparison of decompression tubes with metallic stents for the management of right-sided malignant colonic obstruction

BACKGROUND

Emergency surgical resection is a standard treatment for right-sided malignant colonic obstruction; however, the procedure is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Although a bridge to surgery can be created to obviate the need for emergency surgery, its effects on long-term outcomes and the most practical management strategies for right-sided malignant colonic obstruction remain unclear.

AIM

To determine the appropriate management approach for right-sided malignant colonic obstruction.

METHODS

Forty patients with right-sided malignant colonic obstruction who underwent curative resection from January 2007 to April 2017 were included in the study. We compared the perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients who received bridges to surgery established using decompression tubes and those created using self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS). The primary outcome was the overall survival duration (OS) and the secondary endpoints were the disease-free survival (DFS) duration and the preoperative and postoperative morbidity rates. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

There were 21 patients in the decompression tube group and 19 in the SEMS group. There were no significant differences in the perioperative morbidity rates of the two groups. The OS rate was significantly higher in the decompression tube group than in the SEMS group (5-year OS rate; decompression tube 79.5%, SEMS 32%, P = 0.043). Multivariate analysis revealed that the bridge to surgery using a decompression tube was significantly associated with the OS (hazard ratio, 17.41; P = 0.004). The 3-year DFS rate was significantly higher in the decompression tube group than in the SEMS group (68.9% vs 45.9%; log-rank test, P = 0.032). A propensity score–adjusted analysis also demonstrated that the prognosis was significantly better in the decompression tube group than in the SEMS group.

CONCLUSION

The bridge to surgery using trans-nasal and trans-anal decompression tubes for right-sided malignant colonic obstruction is safe and may improve long-term outcomes.

Short-term outcomes of a self-expandable metallic stent as a bridge to surgery vs. a transanal decompression tube for malignant large-bowel obstruction: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Preoperative intestinal decompression, using either a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery (BTS) or a transanal decompression tube (TDT), provides an alternative to emergency surgery for malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO). We conducted this meta-analysis to compare the short-term outcomes of SEMS placement as a BTS vs. TDT placement for MLBO.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of literature published up to March, 2018, to identify studies comparing the short-term outcomes of BTS vs. TDT. Decompression device-related and surgery-related variables were evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to calculate odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

We analyzed 14 nonrandomized studies with a collective total of 581 patients: 307 (52.8%) who underwent SEMS placement as a BTS and 274 (47.2%) who underwent TDT placement. The meta-analyses showed that the BTS strategy conferred significantly better technical and clinical success, helped to maintain quality of life by allowing free food intake and temporal discharge, promoted laparoscopic one-stage surgery without stoma creation, and had equivalent morbidity and mortality to TDT placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the long-term outcomes are as yet undetermined, the BTS strategy using SEMS placement could be a new standard of care for preoperative decompression to manage MLBO.

Outcomes of transanal tube placement in anterior resection: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

In recent years, transanal tube placement was reported to be an effective procedure preventing anastomotic leakage after anterior resection of rectal cancer. However, this procedure is still controversial owing to inconsistent results found in previous studies.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed using Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library from the databases inception up until June 21, 2018. The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were evaluated by Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

1 randomized controlled trial and 9 cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. The randomized controlled trial was proven to be low risk according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. All of the cohort studies proved a high quality according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Patients in transanal tube group had more disadvantageous preoperative demographic characteristics than patients in non-transanal tube group. The anastomotic leak rate was lower in the transanal tube group. Patients in the transanal tube group tended to have lower reoperation rates and shorter hospital stays compared with patients in the non-transanal tube group.

CONCLUSION

Despite various unfavorable preoperative characteristics, anastomotic leakage after anterior resection was lower in patients who received transanal tube placement compared with the control group. Transanal tube placement may be an alternative procedure of defunctioning stoma. A large sample size, multicenter RCT was needed to prove our results.

2017 WSES guidelines on colon and rectal cancer emergencies: obstruction and perforation

ᅟ

Obstruction and perforation due to colorectal cancer represent challenging matters in terms of diagnosis, life-saving strategies, obstruction resolution and oncologic challenge. The aims of the current paper are to update the previous WSES guidelines for the management of large bowel perforation and obstructive left colon carcinoma (OLCC) and to develop new guidelines on obstructive right colon carcinoma (ORCC).

Methods

The literature was extensively queried for focused publication until December 2017. Precise analysis and grading of the literature has been performed by a working group formed by a pool of experts: the statements and literature review were presented, discussed and voted at the Consensus Conference of the 4th Congress of the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) held in Campinas in May 2017.

Results

CT scan is the best imaging technique to evaluate large bowel obstruction and perforation. For OLCC, self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), when available, offers interesting advantages as compared to emergency surgery; however, the positioning of SEMS for surgically treatable causes carries some long-term oncologic disadvantages, which are still under analysis. In the context of emergency surgery, resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) is preferable to Hartmann’s procedure, whenever the characteristics of the patient and the surgeon are permissive. Right-sided loop colostomy is preferable in rectal cancer, when preoperative therapies are predicted.

With regards to the treatment of ORCC, right colectomy represents the procedure of choice; alternatives, such as internal bypass and loop ileostomy, are of limited value.

Clinical scenarios in the case of perforation might be dramatic, especially in case of free faecal peritonitis. The importance of an appropriate balance between life-saving surgical procedures and respect of oncologic caveats must be stressed. In selected cases, a damage control approach may be required.

Medical treatments including appropriate fluid resuscitation, early antibiotic treatment and management of co-existing medical conditions according to international guidelines must be delivered to all patients at presentation.

Conclusions

The current guidelines offer an extensive overview of available evidence and a qualitative consensus regarding management of large bowel obstruction and perforation due to colorectal cancer.

Long-term Outcomes of One Stage Surgery Using Transanal Colorectal Tube for Acute Colorectal Obstruction of Stage II/III Distal Colon Cancer

Purpose

Since oncological outcomes of transanal colorectal tube (TCT) placement, an endoscopic treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) with acute colorectal obstruction (ACO), remain unknown, this study analyzed long-term outcomes of TCT placement for stage II/III CRC with ACO.

Materials and Methods

Data were retrospectively reviewed from consecutive patients with distal stage II/III CRC who underwent surgery between January 2007 and December 2011 at two Japanese hospitals. One hospital conducted emergency surgery and the other performed TCT placement as the standard treatment for all CRCs with ACO. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to adjust baseline characteristics between two groups.

Results

Among 754 patients with distal stage II/III CRC, 680 did not have ACO (non-ACO group) and 74 had ACO (ACO group). The PS matching between both hospitals identified 234 pairs in the non-ACO group and 23 pairs in the ACO group. In the non-ACO group, the surgical quality was equivalent between the two institutions, with no significant differences in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In the ACO group, the rate of primary resection/anastomosis was higher in the TCT group than in the surgery group (87.0% vs. 26.1%, p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted between the surgery and the TCT groups in OS (5-year OS, 61.9% vs. 51.5%; p=0.490) and DFS (5-year DFS, 45.9% vs. 38.3%; p=0.658).

Conclusion

TCT placement can achieve similar long-term outcomes to emergency surgery, with a high rate of primary resection/anastomosis for distal stage II/III colon cancer with ACO.

Should patients With obstructing colorectal cancer have proximal diversion?

BACKGROUND

Up to 20% of patients with colorectal cancer present with obstruction. The goal of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of patients with obstructing colon cancer who underwent resection and primary anastomosis with or without proximal diversion.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Procedure Targeted Colectomy databases from 2012 to 2014 were reviewed. Patients undergoing colorectal resection with or without diverting ostomy for obstructing colorectal cancer were analyzed. Propensity score-matched cohorts of diverted and nondiverted patients were created accounting for patient characteristics. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality, postoperative complications, and readmission.

RESULTS

There were 2,323 patients (92%) with no proximal diversion and 204 patients (8%) with proximal diversion. In univariate analysis, patients with colorectal resection with diversion were significantly more likely to have any complication (P = .001), sepsis (P = .01), and blood transfusion (P = .001). Diversion patients were also significantly more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of the index procedure (P = .02). Proximal diversion was associated with any complication (P = .01), failure to wean off ventilator (P = .05), and longer length of stay (P = .01) in matched cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal diversion in the setting of obstructive colorectal cancer is associated with higher rates of any complication, deep wound infection, sepsis, and readmission. Surgeons who perform a primary anastomosis with diversion for obstructing colorectal cancer should take into account the significant risk for postoperative complications.

Prophylactic transanal decompression tube versus non-prophylactic transanal decompression tube for anastomotic leakage prevention in low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transanal decompression tube (TDT), an alternative intervention believed to have potential equivalent efficacy in reducing anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery and lower complication rates compared to protective stoma, was sporadically applied in some medical centers during recent decade. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of the TDT in preventing the anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

METHODS

The studies comparing TDT and non-TDT in rectal cancer were researched up to March 22, 2016 without language preference, in databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and National Clinical Trials Registry. The rates of anastomotic leakage, bleeding, and re-operation were separately calculated and compared between TDT and non-TDT groups using RevMan 5.3. Funnel plots, and Egger's tests were used to evaluate the publication biases of the studies.

RESULTS

Two prospective randomized controlled trial studies and five observational cohort studies with 833 participants in TDT group and 939 participants in non-TDT group were finally included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the TDT group had lower anastomotic leakage rate than non-TDT group with significant RR (RR 0.44; 95 % CI 0.29-0.66; P < 0.0001) and heterogeneity (I ² = 33 %; P = 0.18). So did the re-operation rate, with RR (RR 0.16; 95 % CI 0.07-0.37; P < 0.0001) and heterogeneity among the studies (I ² = 0 %; P = 0.80). There was no significant difference in anastomotic bleeding rates (RR 1.48; 95 % CI 0.79-2.77; P = 0.22) (I ² = 58 %; P = 0.09). No publication bias was found by Egger's test (anastomotic leakage rate, Pr > |z| = 0.224; re-operation rate, Pr > |z| = 0.425).

CONCLUSIONS

TDT might be an efficient and economic intervention in preventing anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery.

Comparison between metallic stent and transanal decompression tube for malignant large-bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND

The short-term safety and efficacy of a self-expandable metallic colonic stent (SEMS) insertion followed by elective surgery, "bridge to surgery (BTS)", for malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) have been well described comparing with emergency surgery. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes of endoscopic decompression using a SEMS versus a transanal decompression tube (TDT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2005 to November 2014, a total of 101 patients with MLBO underwent surgery at our single institution were retrospectively identified. Among them, 73 patients who underwent preoperative complete insertion of a decompression device (TDT, n = 45; SEMS, n = 28) were finally included in this study. Six patients with incomplete insertion of a decompression device (TDT, n = 5; SEMS, n = 1) were also excluded. The primary endpoints of this study were the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. The secondary endpoints were decompression-related outcomes. Additionally, propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was conducted in short-term outcomes between the groups.

RESULTS

The SEMS group had significantly higher proportion of right-sided tumor and bigger tumor size compared with those of the TDT group. The SEMS group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, and consequently, a longer surgical duration than did the TDT group. Higher rates of insertion failure and perforation were recognized in the TDT group than in the SEMS group (10.0% versus 3.6% and 8.9% versus 0.0%, respectively), although these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.406 and 0.291, respectively). The two groups showed similar occurrences of anastomotic leakage, bowel obstruction, overall complications, and mortality. Compared with the TDT group, the SEMS group had a significantly lower rate of surgical site infection (24.4% versus 3.6%, respectively; P = 0.023 and P = 0.025 after PSM) and a shorter length of hospital stay (median, 21 d [interquartile range, 18-29 d] versus 38 d [interquartile range, 28-45 d], respectively; P = 0.015 and P = 0.003 after PSM). Solid food intake after decompression and preoperative temporary discharge occurred only in the SEMS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative SEMS insertion for MLBO is effective with at least equivalent short-term outcomes and superior preoperative quality of life compared with decompression using TDT.

Self-expanding metallic stent improves histopathologic edema compared with transanal drainage tube for malignant colorectal obstruction

AIMS

To compare the usefulness of the self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) with that of the transanal drainage tube (TDT) and emergency surgery after failure of decompression (ESFD) in patients with malignant colonic obstruction (MCO), and to evaluate post-decompression histopathologic changes.

METHODS

From January 2010 to June 2015, 39 patients with MCO received SEMS, TDT, and ESFD. We evaluated the outcomes including success rates of placement, clinical outcomes after decompression, and histopathologic findings of the resected specimens.

RESULTS

Technical success rates were 100% for SEMS and 78.9% for TDT. Clinical success rates were 100% for SEMS and 80.0% for TDT. Postoperative ileus was significantly less frequent after SEMS than after TDT (p = 0.014). Histopathologic edema grade was significantly lower for SEMS than for TDT and ESFD (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between edema grade and duration of decompression in the TDT group (p = 0.629), while all patients with SEMS were classified in a low edema grade (grade 0-2). The rate of stoma creation was significantly higher in patients with a high edema grade (grade 3) than in those with a low edema grade (grade 0-2) (p = 0.003). There was no microscopic perforation in any group.

CONCLUSION

Significantly greater resolution of histopathologic edema was achieved after placement of SEMS than after placement of TDT. These findings provide an indication of favorable clinical outcomes of SEMS in comparison with TDT and ESFD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Evidence-based Clinical Management of Acute Malignant Colorectal Obstruction

Acute malignant colorectal obstruction (AMCO) is an emergency associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). Emergency surgery is standard therapy for AMCO, and 1-stage surgery without colostomy is preferable, but it is occasionally difficult in the emergency setting. A self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) enables noninvasive colonic decompression and subsequent 1-stage surgery, which has been widely applied for CRC with AMCO. However, recent accumulation of high-quality evidence has highlighted some problems and the limited efficacy of SEMS for AMCO. In palliative settings, SEMS placement reduces hospital stay and short-term complication rates, whereas it increases the frequency of long-term complications, such as delayed perforation. SEMS placement does not seem compatible with recent standard chemotherapy including bevacizumab. As a bridge to surgery, while SEMS placement provides a lower clinical success rate than emergency surgery, it can facilitate primary anastomosis without stoma. However, evidence regarding long-term survival outcomes with SEMS in both palliative and bridge to surgery settings is lacking. The efficacy of transanal colorectal tube placement, another endoscopic treatment, has been reported, but its clinical evidence level is low due to the limited number of studies. This review article comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge about surgical and endoscopic management of CRC with AMCO.

One-Stage Colectomy with Intraoperative Colonic Irrigation for Acute Left-Sided Malignant Colonic Obstruction

BACKGROUND

One-stage colectomy with intraoperative colonic irrigation (OCICI) may be useful in early resolution of acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction (ALMCO). However, the clinical benefit of this technique has not been fully investigated.

METHODS

Between January 2007 and July 2014, 451 patients underwent left hemicolectomy or sigmoidectomy for colon cancer, of whom 25 underwent OCICI for ALMCO. The medical records of the patients who underwent OCICI for ALMCO were compared to 174 medical records of a control population (without ALMCO) who were matched for tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in regard to age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status, location of tumor, preoperative CEA levels, and previous abdominal surgeries. The OCICI for ALMCO group was associated with a longer operation time (153 ± 33 vs. 111 ± 47 min, p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were found in patient morbidity, the duration of the postoperative hospital stay, or the tumor pathology between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that OCICI for ALMCO did not increase the risk of postoperative morbidity in patients with left-sided colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

OCICI for ALMCO did not increase the rate of morbidity or prolong the hospital stay duration compared to treatment of a control population.

A meta-analysis of the use of a transanal drainage tube to prevent anastomotic leakage after anterior resection by double-stapling technique for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of transanal drainage tube (TDT) placement to decrease the risk of postoperative anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery has not been validated. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the usefulness of a TDT for the prevention of anastomotic leakage after an anterior resection for rectal cancer.

METHODS

The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies comparing TDT and non-TDT. The endpoint utilized in this study was defined as the rates of anastomotic leakage and re-operation. The relative effects of these variables were synthesized using Review Manager 5.1 software.

RESULTS

Four trials including 909 participants (401 TDT cases and 508 non-TDT cases) met our inclusion criteria. The weighted mean anastomotic leakage rate was 4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1-6%], and a significantly lower risk of anastomotic leakage was identified in the TDT group compared with the non-TDT group [odds ratio (OR) 0.30; 95% CI 0.16-0.55; p = 0.0001]. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the TDT and non-TDT groups in terms of the re-operation rate (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.07-0.44; p = 0.0002). No significant covariates related to anastomotic leakage or re-operation were identified in meta-regression analysis. Both the anastomotic leakage and re-operation rates for all studies lay inside the 95% confidence interval boundaries. No visible publication bias was found by visual assessment of the funnel plot (Egger's test; anastomotic leakage: p = 0.056, re-operation: p = 0.681).

CONCLUSIONS

Placement of a TDT is an effective and safe procedure that can decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage and re-operation after an anterior resection.