A 7 year experience with low anterior sigmoid resections using the EEA stapler

Double circular stapler technique for bowel resection in rectosigmoid endometriosis

To reduce bladder function impairment and avert the serious complications of anastomotic leakage after segmental rectosigmoidectomy and to minimize the persistence of endometriotic lesions associated with discoid resection, we used the double circular stapling (DCS) technique. This technique enables excision of bowel endometriosis nodules larger than those that can be removed with the single-load technique of the circular stapler. Of 120 patients who underwent surgery to treat bowel endometriosis, intestinal shaving was performed in 24, discoid resection with single circular stapling in 40, and rectosigmoidectomy in 55. Eleven patients (9.2%) underwent the DCS technique. In the DCS group, the size of the rectosigmoid lesion ranged from 2.2 cm to 4.2 cm. Median operative time for the DCS technique was 100 minutes, compared with 150 minutes for rectosigmoidectomy (p = .04). Only 1 of 11 patients (9%) had urinary retention, compared with postoperative urinary retention in 14 of 55 patients (25%) who had undergone rectosigmoidectomy (difference not significant). Only 1 patient, with a 4.2-cm nodule, had a positive margin in the specimen obtained at the second stapling. DCS is a promising technique and may avert rectosigmoidectomy in selected patients.

Colorectal stapled anastomoses. Experiences and results

PURPOSE

Stapled anastomoses are currently an established technique in colorectal surgery. Larger series about the use of circular staplers in rectal anastomoses within daily clinical routine are rare.

METHODS

We evaluated the morbidity, clinical leakage rate, and mortality in an unselected population of a teaching hospital after elective, left-sided colorectal resections with stapled rectal anastomoses. In the course of our study, manually sewn rectal anastomoses were not performed. All anastomoses were tested intraoperatively by instillation of liquid.

RESULTS

A total of 615 elective colorectal resections with stapled rectal anastomoses was performed by 18 surgeons from 1984 to 1993. A protective colostomy was created in 2.9 percent (n=16) of all patients. Clinical anastomotic leakage occurred in nine patients (1.5 percent). The mortality rate was 1 percent (n=6).

CONCLUSION

Use of the stapling technique facilitates the performance of anastomoses, particularly in regions with difficult anatomy. The rate of local complications is low, and protective colostomy can thus be dispensed with in most cases

New device for biofragmentable anastomotic ring in low anterior resection

PURPOSE

The biofragmentable anastomotic ring (BAR) is now accepted as an alternative anastomotic method to handsewn and stapled anastomosis in colonic surgery. However, for a short rectal stump in a narrow pelvis, it is rather difficult to use the BAR in a low anterior resection.

METHOD

To overcome the difficulty, we designed and used a BAR-adapter to facilitate biofragmentable ring anastomosis following low anterior resection in eight patients with rectal cancers.

RESULTS

There was no case in our series having received conversion to other methods. There was no significant complication associated with this technique.

CONCLUSION

With the BAR-adapter, the applicability of the BAR can be greatly expanded in colorectal anastomosis following low anterior resection.

Operative mortality in carcinoma of the rectum. Results of the German Multicentre Study

An analysis of operative mortality for carcinoma of the rectum in the German Study Group Colo-Rectal Carcinoma (SGCRC) comprising 1115 operated patients, found a total operative mortality rate of 4.3% and a 30-day-mortality rate of 2.8%. Advanced age, severe concurrent disease, anastomotic leakage in anterior resections and institution were found to be factors with independent significant influence. In anterior resections, especially low anterior resections, with protective enterostomy, the lower rates of anastomotic leakage and mortality emphasize the advantages of protective enterostomy.

Laparoscopic colectomy

Fifty-one laparoscopic colectomies were attempted at two institutions. The clinical results and methods are presented. Seven cases (14%) were converted to facilitated procedures, and four cases (8%) were converted to "open." Cases of cancer, diverticulitis, endometriosis, regional enteritis, villous adenomas, and sessile polyps were operated. Right, transverse, left, low anterior, and abdominoperineal colectomies were performed. Colotomies and wedge resections were also performed. Laparoscopic suturing was required in five cases of incomplete anastomosis by circular stapler (18%). Suturing was required in all right, transverse colectomies and colotomies. Operative time averaged 2.3 hours. Hospitalization averaged 4.6 days. Four patients had complications (8%), and one 95-year-old died of pneumonia (2%). Laparoscopic colectomies can be performed safely, but require two-handed laparoscopic coordination, as well as suturing and knot-tying skills.

Experience with the use of the circular stapler in rectal surgery

This report provides our personal experience along with a general overview of the use of the circular stapler in rectal surgery. To determine the results of our experience with the use of the circular stapler for construction of anastomoses following resection, a series of 215 anastomoses performed in 214 patients was reviewed. The patients ranged in age from 33 to 88 years. There were 116 men and 98 women. Indications for operation included malignancy, diverticular disease, villous adenoma, Crohn's disease, and rectal procidentia. The types of operation performed included removal of varying portions of the large bowel. The anastomosis was performed in a uniform manner with the EEA (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT) and more recently the CEEA (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT). The operative mortality was 0.47 percent, with the death being unrelated to the anastomosis. Intraoperative complications encountered included bleeding, difficult extraction, instrument failure, incomplete doughnuts, deficient anastomoses, and miscellaneous problems. Early postoperative complications included one leak and a number of complications unrelated to the anastomoses. Anastomotic stenosis developed in 27 patients, but only 8 were permanent and only 3 of these were symptomatic. Two of these patients were treated with balloon dilatation. Anastomotic recurrences developed in 13.1 percent of patients. Our experience gained with the circular stapling device and that reported in the literature have shown it to be a reliable method of performing anastomoses to the rectum in a safe and expeditious manner.

The double stapling technique for low anterior resection. Results, modifications, and observations

Since the introduction of the end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) stapler for rectal reconstruction, we have used a modification of the conventional technique in which the lower rectal segment is closed with the linear stapler (TA-55) and the anastomosis is performed using the EEA instrument across the linear staple line (double stapling technique). Our experience with this procedure includes stapled colorectal anastomoses in 75 patients and is the basis for the report. This review presents the details and advantages of the technique and the results. Complications include two patients with anastomotic leak (2.7%), and two with stenosis that required treatment (2.7%). Protective colostomy was not done in this series. There were no deaths. Our experience and that of others suggests that this modification of the EEA technique can allow a lower anastomosis in some patients, and that it can be done with greater safety and facility.

A retrospective study of colostomies, leaks and strictures after colorectal anastomosis

A review was undertaken of 360 patients undergoing elective left-sided colonic or rectal resections with primary anastomosis, under the care of one surgeon, over a nineteen year period. The incidence, aetiology and management of anastomotic leaks and strictures was studied and the role of proximal diverting colostomy considered. Perioperative mortality was 2.7%. The incidence of anastomotic leaks was 24.4%. Leaks were more common when anastomoses were low, were sutured or were constructed by trainees. Strictures developed in 5.8%. Local recurrence of tumour was the cause of 25% of these strictures. Anastomotic leakage was the principal cause of benign strictures; those developing in association with leaks were more likely to require surgical intervention. There was no evidence that delay in colostomy closure contributed to the development of benign anastomotic strictures. It was not possible to determine whether the presence of a colostomy affected the incidence of leaks but the local effects of such leaks were mitigated in patients with colostomies. Where a minor leak had occurred it was not necessary to wait for complete anastomotic healing before closing the colostomy. After major leaks, colostomy closure before complete healing was associated with further anastomotic problems in 16.0% of cases.

Local recurrence after low anterior resection using the EEA stapling device

Fifty-five patients underwent curative stapled low anterior resection for rectal adenocarcinomas located 5 to 15 cm from the anal verge. Two patients (3.7 percent) died postoperatively. The mean follow-up for the remaining 53 patients was 40 months. Local recurrence was diagnosed in 17 patients (32 percent), in most (88 percent) within the first two years after surgery. Most local recurrences appeared in patients classified as Dukes' C1 and C2 but, surprisingly, no significant difference was found between rectal tumors of high and low location as regards recurrence. The high rate of recurrence in this series may be attributable to the large number of patients with advanced tumors, and poorly differentiated carcinoma, or both.