From colorectal to general surgeon in the management of left colonic perforation: A cohort study

Combined endoscopic-laparoscopic surgery (CELS) can avoid segmental colectomy in endoscopically unremovable colonic polyps: a cohort study over 10 years

BACKGROUND

Combined-Endoscopic-Laparoscopic-Surgery (CELS) was developed for benign colonic polyps, endoscopically unresectable, to avoid segmental colectomy. This observational study aims to compare surgical outcomes of endoscopically unresectable colonic polyps treated laparoscopically before and since the institutional introduction of CELS. Primary endpoint was postoperative morbidity and mortality; secondary endpoints were time of hospitalization and histopathological findings.

METHODS

Charts of all patients with preoperative diagnosis of benign colonic tumors, treated laparoscopically at our institution from 1/2010 to 2/2020 were reviewed. Patients with polyps (1) affecting ileocecal valve, (2) occupying > 50% of the circumference, (3) ≥ 3 endoscopically unresectable polyps, (4) inflammatory bowel disease, (5) polyps within diverticular area post diverticulitis, (6) rectal polyps (7) foreseen impossibility of laparoscopy (8) preoperatively biopsy proven invasive adenocarcinoma were excluded. Group I consists of all patients potentially treatable by CELS but operated by laparoscopic colonic resection as CELS was not yet institutionally established. Group II includes all patients treated with CELS (since 11/2017).

RESULTS

One hundred-fifteen consecutive patients were reviewed. Applying exclusion criteria, twenty-three patients form group I and twenty-three group II (female 30.4%, median age 68 years). Groups distributed homogenously for age, BMI (body mass index) and polyps´ localization with most polyps (60.4%) localized in right colon; group II patients had significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Median operating time, hospital stay and morbidity were significantly less in group II. Postoperative morbidity occurred overall in 14 patients (30.4%), mostly Clavien-Dindo class I-II (26.1%) and significantly less in group II (p = 0.017), Clavien-Dindo III-IV distributed equally (one patient each group) without postoperative mortality. Definitive histopathology showed invasive adenocarcinoma in 8.3% without differences between groups. Two patients with invasive adenocarcinoma after CELS were advised for oncological resection.

CONCLUSION

CELS is safe and efficient to treat complex, benign colonic polyps by a complete minimal invasive laparoscopic approach. CELS showed better surgical outcomes with less morbidity, no mortality and appropriate pathological results avoiding unnecessary laparoscopic surgery with intestinal anastomosis.

Facility of Origin Predicts Mortality After Colonic Perforation

INTRODUCTION

Colonic perforation often requires emergent intervention and carries high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether nonclinical factors, such as transition of care from outpatient facilities to inpatient settings, are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients who underwent emergent surgical intervention for colonic perforation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the 2006-2015 ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified adult patients who underwent emergent partial colectomy with primary anastomosis ± protecting ostomy or partial colectomy with ostomy with intraoperative finding of wound class III or IV for a diagnosis of perforated viscus. The outcome of interest was 30-day postoperative mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

4705 patients met criteria, of which 841 (17.9%) died. Univariate analysis showed that patients who died after emergent surgery for perforated viscus were more likely to present from a chronic care facility (13.4% vs. 4.4%, P < .0001) and had longer time from admission to undergoing surgery (mean 4.1 vs. 2.0 days, P < .0001. Logistic regression demonstrated that septic shock vs. none (OR 3.60, P < .0001), sepsis vs. none (OR 1.57, P = .00045), transfer from chronic care facility vs. home (OR 1.87, P < .0001), and increased time from admission vs. operation (OR 1.01, P = .0055) were independently associated with increased risk of death.

DISCUSSION

Transfer from a chronic care facility was independently associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing emergent surgery for perforated viscus.

The significance of CO2 combining power in predicting prognosis of patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer

Aim: This study was to evaluate whether CO₂CP level in venous blood could predict prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials & methods: A retrospective cohort of 238 patients with CRC who received surgical resection and 176 CRC Stage IV patients were included. A total of 114 healthy people were recruited as control. CO₂CP levels were obtained from medical records. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate CO₂CP predictive potential. The patients were divided into CO₂CP high or low group based on CO₂CP optimal cut-off values. Conclusion: The decreased CO₂CP in CRC patients was associated with advanced clinical stage, and suggested that decreased CO₂CP may predict the worse outcomes of disease-free survival in II/III stage CRC patients.

General Surgeons Australia's 12-point plan for emergency general surgery

In the last decade, emergency general surgery (EGS) in Australia and New Zealand has seen a transition from the traditional on-call system to the acute surgical unit (ASU) model. The importance and growing demand for EGS has resulted in the implementation of the General Surgeons Australia's 12-point plan for emergency surgery. Since its release, the 12-point plan has been used as a benchmark of a well-functioning ASU, both locally and abroad. This study aims to provide a descriptive review on the relevance of the 12-point plan to the ASU model and review the current evidence to support this framework. The review concludes that the establishment of the ASU model has met the aims set out by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for EGS. The 12-point plan is relevant and has good evidence to support its framework.

Increasing primary anastomosis rate over time for the operative management of acute diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Over the past two decades, there has been mounting evidence that primary anastomosis (PA) is a safe alternative to Hartmann's procedure (HP) in acute diverticulitis. In addition, specialized colorectal surgeons are more likely to perform PA. This study aimed to analyse if this evidence has led to an increase in the rate of PA in a major tertiary institution over time.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of patients requiring operative management of acute diverticulitis from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2015 at a tertiary teaching hospital.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighteen patients underwent surgery for acute diverticulitis. Patients who failed initial conservative management were more likely to have PA (43% versus 21%, P = 0.044). There was no difference in medical or surgical complications, readmission rate or mortality between patients who had a PA compared with HP. Patients were more likely to have a PA if a colorectal surgeon was operating compared with a colorectal surgery fellow or general surgeon (36% versus 19% versus 10%, P = 0.039). In patients with modified Hinchey 0-2, there was an increased PA rate within the study period, 21%, 43%, 63% to 57% from the first to the fourth quartile of patients (P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

The mounting evidence for the safety of performing PA has led to an increase in the PA rates for acute diverticulitis. Patients who were operated by a colorectal surgeon were more likely to have a PA. The morbidity and mortality were similar in patients who had PA compared with HP.