Techniques of low rectal reconstruction

Role of surgery in pediatric ulcerative colitis

Pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) has a more extensive and progressive clinical course than adult UC. Therefore, more aggressive initial therapies and more frequent surgical treatments are needed. The therapeutic goal is to gain clinical and laboratory control of the disease with minimal adverse effects while permitting the patient to function as normally as possible. Approximately 5-10 % of patients with UC require acute surgical intervention because of fulminant colitis refractory to medical therapy. Mucosal proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis is currently recommended as a standard curative surgical procedure for UC in both children and adults worldwide. This review will focus on the current issues regarding the surgical indications for pediatric UC, the technical details of procedures and results of most recent published series to take the most appropriate next step to improve the surgical outcomes and patients' quality of life.

The "lost anvil": an original technique for laparoscopic colorectal anastomosis

AIM

During laparoscopic colorectal anastomosis, the rectal introduction of the circular stapler is achieved without hand assistance, increasing the risk of rectal injury. Therefore, we describe a technical adjustment facilitating rectal advancement of the stapler.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred consecutive patients with benign condition underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. Before any stapling, the complete circular stapler is introduced into the anus. The anvil is released in the lumen of the colon to be resected. After cross-stapling the rectum, the anvil is retrieved in the resected specimen before the final steps of the anastomosis. Feasibility, safety, and long-term results were evaluated.

RESULTS

In 194 patients, the anastomosis was successfully performed at upper rectal level. Only, 1 rectal wall injury was observed. At a median follow-up of 44 months, 3 patients presented anastomotic stenosis and 2 small-bowel obstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

"Lost anvil" technique allows easy and safe circular stapler rectal advancement for laparoscopic colorectal anastomosis in benign diseases.

Technical considerations in children undergoing laparoscopic ileal-J-pouch anorectal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Sub-total colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy with j-pouch ileo-anorectal anastomosis is the treatment of choice in children with ulcerative colitis uncontrolled with medical therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To present some technical considerations about children undergoing laparoscopic ileal-J-pouch anorectal anastomosis.

SETTINGS AND PATIENTS

All patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing laparoscopic ileal-J-pouch anorectal anastomosis were evaluated from January 2006 to February 2011.

INTERVENTION

The new technical innovations herein are (1) total laparoscopic approach, (2) a very short 3-cm J-pouch ileal reservoir created outside the stoma incision, (3) preservation of the entire anal canal and the Knight-Griffen double stapled anastomosis, less than 3 cm from the dentate line, (4) use of a Multiple Instrument Access Port system in the stoma skin incision to reduce the number of port site incisions and (5) proctectomy performed using only an electrosurgical vessels sealing device thus avoiding clips to close rectal pedicle.

RESULTS

Seventeen laparoscopic ileo J-pouch low rectal anastomosis were performed by the same surgical staff. Three complications occurred postoperatively: one bowel obstruction, one ileostomy prolapse, and one anastomotic stricture. Satisfactory functional results were achieved in all, there was no significant perineal excoriation and quality of life was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

A Multiport Instrument Access Port placed in the stoma site allowed the use of more instruments through a single incision. The very short ileo J-pouch low rectal anastomosis has been shown to be a safe, feasible, and effective reconstructive procedure.

Complications after sphincter-saving resection in rectal cancer patients according to whether chemoradiotherapy is performed before or after surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to compare the influence of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with postoperative CRT on the incidence and types of postoperative complications in rectal cancer patients who underwent sphincter-saving resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 285 patients who received preoperative CRT and 418 patients who received postoperative CRT between January 2000 and December 2006.

RESULTS

There was no between-group difference in age, gender, or cancer stage. In the pre-CRT group, the mean level of anastomosis from the anal verge was lower (3.5 +/- 1.4 cm vs. 4.3 +/- 1.7 cm, p < 0.001) and the rate of T4 lesion and temporary diverting ileostomy was higher than in the post-CRT group. Delayed anastomotic leakage and rectovaginal fistulae developed more frequently in the pre-CRT group than in the post-CRT group (3.9% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.020, 6.5% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.027, respectively). Small bowel obstruction (arising from radiation enteritis) requiring surgical intervention was more frequent in the post-CRT group (0% in the pre-CRT group vs. 1.4% in the post-CRT group, p = 0.042). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative CRT as an independent risk factor for fistulous complications (delayed anastomotic leakage, rectovaginal fistula, rectovesical fistula), and postoperative CRT as a risk factor for obstructive complications (anastomotic stricture, small bowel obstruction). The stoma-free rates were significantly lower in the pre-CRT group than in the post-CRT group (5-year stoma-free rates: 92.8% vs. 97.0%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

The overall postoperative complication rates were similar between the pre-CRT and the Post-CRT groups. However, the pattern of postoperative complications seen after sphincter- saving resection differed with reference to the timing of CRT.

End-to-end versus end-to-side stapled anastomoses after anterior resection for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sphincter-saving procedures for resection of mid and, in some cases, of distal rectal tumors have become prevalent as their safety have been established. Increased anastomotic leak rate, associated with the type of anastomosis and the distance from the anal verge, has been reported. To compare surgical outcomes of end-to-end and end-to-side anastomosis after anterior resection for T1-T2 rectal cancer.

METHODS

During the study period, a total of 298 rectal cancer patients were treated. Patients with T1-T2 rectal cancer (i.e., tumor level < or =15 cm from the anal verge) fit for surgery were asked to participate in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either an end-to-end anastomosis or an end-to-side anastomosis using the left colon. Surgical results and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients were randomized. Thirty-seven end-to-end anastomoses and 40 end-to-side anastomoses were performed. Anastomotic leakage after end-to-end anastomosis was 29.2%, while after end-to-side anastomosis was 5% (P = 0.005). In the end-to-end group 11 patients had anastomotic leaks: nine patients needed a re-intervention with colostomy creation subsequently closed in seven cases. Two patients of the end-to-side group experienced anastomotic leakage and were successfully treated conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding postoperative surgical complications, end-to-side anastomosis is a safe procedure.

Postoperative morbidity and mortality following resection of the colon and rectum for cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of postoperative complications and mortality of patients with colorectal cancer when treated by conventional surgery.

METHODS

Morbidity and mortality following open resection for colorectal cancer were analyzed in 1,846 patients whose clinical, operative, and pathology data were prospectively documented over a 20-year period.

RESULTS

Mortality following elective resection of the left and right colon was low, whereas overall morbidity was high (37.2 percent). Respiratory and cardiac complications were especially common. Incidence of clinically significant leakage was similar following right (0.5 percent) or left (1.1 percent) hemicolectomy. Incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly higher after emergency right hemicolectomy (4.3 percent). Overall morbidity following excision of the rectum was high (40.2 percent). Respiratory and cardiac complications predominated. Incidence of clinically significant anastomotic leakage following anterior resection was low (2.9 percent). Over the years, there has been a decline in the number of patients with tumor demonstrated histologically in a line of resection, suggesting an improved local surgical clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

These results following conventional surgery may be useful when evaluating new techniques.

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.

Deep anterior resection with circular stapled anastomosis of congenital megacolon: clinical results

This report deals with instrumental suture in the deep anterior rectum resection when treating Hirschsprung's disease. The concept includes: ensuring diagnosis, cleaning the intestines, antibiotic prophylaxis, intraoperative testing of the anastomosis and postoperative X-ray by a standardized technique. Our first experience in the use of the stapler was gained with ten patients. One case of anastomosis insufficiency occurred. With the stapler apparatus, safe anastomosis was possible. The stapler facilitates anastomoses in deep resections. Therefore, a deep resection of the pathological segment in Hirschsprung's disease is possible. The practicality of the stapler and the favourable clinical experience justify the continued application of the instrumental suture technique in children's surgery.

Management of the obstructed left colon by the one-stage intracolonic bypass procedure

Six patients with left-sided colonic obstruction were treated by immediate resection and anastomosis using the intraluminal bypass procedure. There was no mortality or clinical anastomotic leakage. The technique provides an alternative to staged management of left-sided colonic obstruction.

Acute colonic diverticulitis

Colonic diverticulosis is truly a disease of the 20th century. A direct correlation is thought to exist between the incidence of diverticular disease and the amount of dietary fiber. Acute colonic diverticulitis occurs in approximately 25 per cent of the patients with diverticula, and 20 per cent of the patients with diverticulitis will ultimately require surgical intervention. Because of the often virulent nature of the disease in younger patients and the prevalence in the geriatric population, an aggressive approach is advocated. Primary resection of the involved segment of colon is advocated in all cases requiring operation. A primary anastomosis can be constructed in stage I and some cases of stage II disease. This results in lower morbidity and mortality rates as well as fewer days of hospitalization and disability. Newer techniques such as diagnostic CT scanning, percutaneous drainage of diverticular abscess, and greater application of surgical stapling devices have done much to improve the ultimate outcome of colonic diverticulitis.

Purse-string placement for transanal intraluminal circular stapling

A technique is described that obviates the difficulty in sliding the proximal colon over the intraluminal stapling anvil. The stapler is passed per anus and advanced fully, allowing the colon to be placed over the anvil and tied under direct vision. The stapler is retracted, and only then is the rectal purse-string tied.

Errors and pitfalls in stapling gastrointestinal tract anastomoses

Gastrointestinal tract anastomoses are safe to perform, provided that the surgeon has acquired the knowledge and skill to avoid certain errors and pitfalls. This paper illustrates important mistakes relative to esophageal, gastric, intestinal, and colorectal anastomoses, and includes methods for avoiding these errors.

Stapling technique for primary and secondary rectal anastomoses

The EEA stapler now offers an alternative to hand-sewn techniques for primary and staged low colorectal anastomoses. The stapler may allow a safer and lower resection than was previously possible. A review of 52 primary and 8 staged EEA anastomoses is presented, with emphasis on the combined stapler technique.