Effect comparison of three different types of transanal drainage tubes after anterior resection for rectal cancer

Placement of a drainage tube in the ileac lumen following laparoscopic appendectomy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Ileal perforation caused by the insertion of a drainage tube is a rare complication. Hence, the utilization of surgical drains in abdominal surgery remains controversial. At present, there is a trend to reduce the utilization of drains in abdominal surgery, although certain situations may necessitate their application.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 25-year-old Chinese woman presented with a history of right lower abdominal pain persisting for 10 days. Imaging examinations, including abdominal computed tomography and ultrasound, identified low-density lesions measuring 10 × 8 × 8cm3 in the right lower abdomen, which are consistent with perforated appendicitis complicated by a peri-appendiceal abscess. A laparoscopic appendectomy was carried out. On the 5th postoperative day, the drainage fluid changed to a grass-green color (80mL). Imaging with retrograde contrast through the drainage tube revealed that the 26 Fr silicon rubber drainage tube tip was positioned 50cm away from the ileocecal junction within the ileum. Both the ileal and ileocecal regions appeared well-developed.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOMES

Oral intake was suspended, and the patient received antacids, somatostatin, antibiotics, and total parenteral nutrition. On the 19th postoperative day, a follow-up imaging procedure using retrograde contrast through the drainage tube indicated that the tube tip was sealed. The treatment concluded on day 33 postoperatively, and the patient was discharged.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Ileal perforation due to an abdominal drainage tube following laparoscopic appendectomy constitutes a rare but serious complication. However, due to the adhesion and inflammatory changes around the abscess, laparoscopic dissection becomes a challenging and risky process, and the surgical skills and experiences are particularly important. Removing the abdominal drainage tube promptly based on the characteristics of the drainage fluid is recommended. The findings provide valuable insights for surgeons navigating similar challenges.

Clinical Impact of Transanal Drainage Tube on Anastomosis Leakage Following Minimally Invasive Resection Without Diverting Stoma in Patients With Rectal Cancer: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis

OBJECTIVES

As one of the most serious complications of rectal cancer (RC) surgery, preventing anastomotic leakage (AL) is crucial. Several studies have suggested a positive role of the transanal drainage tube (TaDT) in AL prevention. However, whether TaDT is beneficial for AL in patients with RC remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of TaDT on AL following minimally invasive resection without diverting stoma (DS) in patients with RC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 392 consecutive patients with RC who had undergone minimally invasive resection without DS between 2010 and 2021. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce selection bias. AL was classified as grade A, B, or C.

RESULTS

A TaDT was used in 214 patients overall. After PSM, we enrolled 316 patients (n=158 in each group). Before PSM, significant group-dependent differences were observed in terms of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, and the use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents. The frequency of AL was 7.3% in the overall cohort and was significantly lower in the TaDT group (3.7%) than in the non-TaDT group (11.8%). The rate of grade B AL was significantly lower in the TaDT group than in the non-TaDT group (before PSM, P <0.01; after PSM, P =0.02). However, no significant differences between groups were found for grade C AL. Moreover, multivariate analysis identified the lack of a TaDT as an independent risk factor for AL in the overall and matched cohorts [before PSM, odds ratio, 3.64, P <0.01; after PSM, odds ratio, 2.91, P =0.02].

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that TaDT may play a beneficial role in preventing AL, particularly of grade B, for patients with RC undergoing minimally invasive resection without DS. However, further randomized controlled trials, including patient-reported outcomes, are still needed to understand better the role of TaDT in preventing ALs in patients with RC undergoing minimally invasive resection without DS.

The role of transanal tube after low anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

The protective efficacy of transanal tube for anastomosis was compared with that of diverting stoma in patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

We included consecutive patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery from January 2013 to December 2019. The patients were grouped into transanal tube or diverting stoma, according to the protection methods they received. Propensity score-matching with 1:1 ratio was done. The primary outcome was the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

RESULTS

Of the 656 eligible patients, 207 (31.6%) and 385 (58.7%) patients were grouped into transanal tube and diverting stoma, respectively, and 64 (9.7%) patients who did not undergo either transanal tube or diverting stoma were excluded. After matching, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was 9.7% and 10.6% in diverting stoma and transanal tube, respectively (P = .871). The overall morbidity was 23.2% and 15.0% in diverting stoma and transanal tube, respectively (P = .045). In the multivariate analysis, tumor size >2.5 cm and level of anastomosis <4 cm were significant risk factors for anastomotic leakage. In a subgroup analysis for patients with the level of anastomosis >4 cm, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was not significantly different between the transanal tube and diverting stoma groups. However, for patients with a level of anastomosis <4 cm, the incidence of grade C anastomotic leakage was significantly greater in the transanal tube than in the diverting stoma group (2.5% vs 9.9%, P = .040).

CONCLUSION

The protective efficacy of transanal tube may be comparable to diverting stoma, especially for those with a level of anastomosis >4 cm.

Efficacy of a transanal drainage tube versus diverting stoma in protecting colorectal anastomosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most fearsome complication in low rectal resection. The temporary diverting stoma (DS) is recommended to prevent AL, but it may cause relevant morbidity and needs a second surgical procedure to be closed. Therefore, the use of a transanal drainage tube (TDT) has been proposed as an alternative. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis concerning the peri-operative outcomes in patients undergoing elective anterior rectal resection (ARR) with TDT alone or DS alone. Six studies were meta-analyzed, including a total of 735 patients. The meta-analysis showed that the incidences of AL, surgery-related complications, infective complications, and 30-day reoperation after ARR with low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis did not differ significantly between patients undergoing positioning of TDT and those undergoing DS. Furthermore, overall complications were significantly rarer in patients undergoing TDT. A meta-analysis of the randomized control trial (RCT) and no-RCT subgroups did not detect any statistically significant differences in any outcomes. These results suggest that it might be reasonable to employ a TDT in place of a DS to protect low colorectal and coloanal anastomosis, with consequent considerable advantages in terms of the short- and long-term post-operative outcomes. However, more well-designed RCTs are needed to definitively assess this issue.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Anastomotic Leak in Colorectal Cancer

Anastomotic leak (AL) represents one of the most detrimental complications after colorectal surgery. The patient-related factors and surgery-related factors leading to AL have been identified in previous studies. Through early identification and timely adjustment of risk factors, preventive measures can be taken to reduce potential AL. However, there are still many problems associated with AL. The debate about preventive measures such as preoperative mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), intraoperative drainage, and surgical scope also continues. Recently, the gut microbiota has received more attention due to its important role in various diseases. Although the underlying mechanisms of gut microbiota on AL have not been validated completely, new strategies that manipulate intrinsic mechanisms are expected to prevent and treat AL. Moreover, laboratory examinations for AL prediction and methods for blood perfusion assessment are likely to be promoted in clinical practice. This review outlines possible risk factors for AL and suggests some preventive measures in terms of patient, surgery, and gut microbiota.

Colon perforation caused by transanal decompression tube after laparoscopic low anterior resection: A case report

INTRODUCTION

The effectiveness of transanal decompression tube (TDT) to prevent anastomotic leakage after rectal surgery has been widely accepted in recent years. However, a rare complication of intestinal perforation due to TDT has been also reported.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 88-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. An abdominal drainage tube adjacent to the colorectal anastomosis and a TDT were placed. The patient experienced abdominal pain, nausea and elevated inflammatory markers on postoperative day 6. Enema and computed tomography demonstrated colonic perforation due to the TDT, and emergency laparotomy was performed. Perforation of the anterior sigmoid colon located at the proximal side of the colorectal anastomosis was seen, and the TDT was exposed to the abdominal cavity. Therefore, primary closure of the perforation site, peritoneal lavage, drainage tube placement and transverse colostomy was performed.

DISCUSSION

In our case, TDT seemed to compress the anterior wall of the colon and lead to perforation. The looseness of the remaining oral intestinal tract depressed in the pelvis was compressed by the TDT.

CONCLUSION

TDTs should be very carefully placed to avoid complication. The length and looseness of the oral intestine and the relationship between the TDT to be inserted might be important.

The impact of transanal tube design for preventing anastomotic leak in anterior resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Placement of a transanal tube (TAT) into the rectum is a strategy used to attempt to prevent anastomotic leak (AL) in anterior resection surgery. There is a wide variation in materials and tube design in devices used as TATs and previous meta-analyses have not considered TAT design in their analyses. This study reviews the impact that design of TAT has on AL rates.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed with the aim of identifying studies evaluating the use of TATs for preventing AL and then defining the design of TATs. Studies were then compared in groups based on TAT design in a meta-analysis to evaluate whether design is an important variable in outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included. There was a wide variety of tubes used as TATs. On meta-analysis, catheter-type TATs were associated with a substantially lower rate of AL (OR: 0.46; 95% CI 0.30, 0.68). By contrast, stent-type TATs were not associated with any reduction in the incidence of AL (OR: 1.06, 95% CI 0.50, 2.22). Catheter-type TATs were also associated with substantial reductions in the rate of reoperation (OR: 0.32; 95% CI 0.20, 0.50), whereas stent-type TATs showed no benefit in the rate of reoperation (OR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.37, 1.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Off-the-shelf catheter-type transanal tubes appeared effective in preventing AL, whereas custom-designed stent-type TATs were not demonstrated to be effective; although high quality evidence is limited. TAT design should be an important consideration in further research of the use of TATs in anterior resection surgery.