A quest for sphincter-saving surgery in ultralow rectal tumours-a single-centre cohort study

Photobleaching-mediated charge-convertible cyclodextrin nanoparticles achieve deep tumour penetration for rectal cancer theranostics

Although charge-converting nanoparticles (NPs) potentially penetrate tumours deeply, conventional charge conversion strategies possess limitations, including low selectivity and slow, inconsistent conversion rate within the tumour microenvironment. In this study, we synthesized a zwitterionic near-infrared cyclodextrin derivative of heptamethine cyanine and complexed it with pheophorbide-conjugated ferrocene to produce multifunctional theranostic nanotherapeutics. Our NPs demonstrated enhanced tumour-targeting ability, enabling the highly specific imaging of rectal tumours, with tumour-to-rectum signal ratios reaching up to 7.8. The zwitterionic surface charge of the NPs was rapidly converted to a cationic charge within the tumours on 880 nm near-infrared laser irradiation, promoting the tumoural penetration of NPs via transcytosis. After penetration, photodynamic/chemodynamic therapy was initiated using a 660 nm laser. Our NPs eradicated clinically relevant-sized heterotopic tumours (~250 mm3) and orthotopic rectal tumours, displaying their potential as theranostic nanoplatforms for targeting rectal cancer.

Oncologic outcomes of intersphincteric resection versus abdominoperineal resection for lower rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery for patients with lower rectal cancer remains unclear compared to abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of this study is to compare the oncologic outcomes for lower rectal cancer patients after ISR and APR through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic electronic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE was performed through January 12, 2022. The primary outcomes included 5-year disease-free survival (5y-DFS) and 5-year overall survival. Secondary outcomes included circumferential resection margin involvement, local recurrence, perioperative outcomes, and other long-term outcomes. The pooled odds ratios, mean difference, or hazard ratios (HRs) of each outcome measurement and their 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 20 nonrandomized controlled studies were included in the qualitative analysis, with 1217 patients who underwent ISR and 1135 patients who underwent APR. There was no significant difference in 5y-DFS (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.55-1.29; P =0.43) and 5-year overall survival (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.60-1.46; P =0.76) between the two groups. Using the results of five studies that reported matched T stage and tumor distance, we performed another pooled analysis. Compared to APR, the ISR group had equal 5y-DFS (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.45-1.30; P =0.31) and 5y-LRFS (local recurrence-free survival) (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.29-1.78; P =0.48). Meanwhile, ISR had equivalent local control as well as perioperative outcomes while significantly reducing the operative time (mean difference: -24.89, 95% CI: -45.21 to -4.57; P =0.02) compared to APR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the long-term survival and safety of patients is not affected by ISR surgery, although this result needs to be carefully considered and requires further study due to the risk of bias and limited data.

Effect of low anterior resection syndrome on quality of life in colorectal cancer patients: A retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common complication of anus-preserving surgery in patients with colorectal cancer, which significantly affects patients' quality of life.

AIM

To determine the relationship between the incidence of LARS and patient quality of life after colorectal cancer surgery and to establish a LARS prediction model to allow perioperative precision nursing.

METHODS

We reviewed the data from patients who underwent elective radical resection for colorectal cancer at our institution from April 2013 to June 2020 and completed the LARS score questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life and Colorectal Cancer Module questionnaires. According to the LARS score results, the patients were divided into no LARS, mild LARS, and severe LARS groups. The incidence of LARS and the effects of this condition on patient quality of life were determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for the occurrence of LARS. Based on these factors, we established a risk prediction model for LARS and evaluated its performance.

RESULTS

Among the 223 patients included, 51 did not develop LARS and 171 had mild or severe LARS. The following quality of life indicators showed significant differences between patients without LARS and those with mild or severe LARS: Physical, role, emotional, and cognitive function, total health status, fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, insomnia, constipation, and diarrhea. Tumor size, partial/total mesorectal excision, colostomy, preoperative radiotherapy, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were identified to be independent risk factors for LARS. A LARS prediction model was successfully established, which demonstrated an accuracy of 0.808 for predicting the occurrence of LARS.

CONCLUSION

The quality of life of patients with LARS after colorectal cancer surgery is significantly reduced.

A longer pelvis is associated with longer operative time in transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) but not in laparoscopic TME. Results from a retrospective cohort study

Introduction

A narrow pelvis, obesity, and bulky low rectal tumor are perceived as risk factors for intraoperative difficulties during total mesorectal excision (TME), particularly in the laparoscopic approach. A transanal approach has been developed to overcome the difficulties encountered during laparoscopic TME. There is no clear definition of a narrow pelvis that would guide preoperative surgical planning.

Aim

To evaluate different MRI-based pelvic measurements in patients undergoing TME to identify factors predictive of intraoperative difficulties in transabdominal compared to the transanal approach.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis of 48 patients treated with laparoscopic TME and 62 with transanal TME for rectal tumors was performed. Multiple logistic regressions analyzed demographic, tumor, and pelvimetry factors that correlate with intraoperative difficulties measured as intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and perioperative complications in both surgical approaches.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that age was associated with higher blood loss (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.18, p = 0.038), male gender (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.86, p = 0.029) and body mass index with longer operating time (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06-1.64, p = 0.010) in the LAR group. Multivariate analysis showed that age increased the odds of intraoperative blood loss > 100 ml (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15, p = 0.013), and pelvic length > 119 mm increased operating time (OR = 5.76, 95% CI: 1.33-25.01, p = 0.016) in the TaTME group.

Conclusions

Pelvic measurements are not associated with intraoperative difficulties in LAR. Longer pelvis was associated with longer operative time in TaTME.

Low anterior resection syndrome: can it be prevented?

Surgery remains the cardinal treatment in colorectal cancers but changes in bowel habits after rectal cancer surgery are common and disabling conditions that affect patients' quality of life. Low anterior resection syndrome is a disorder of bowel function after rectal resection resulting in a lowering of the QoL and recently has been defined by an international working group not only by specified symptoms but also by their consequences. This review aims to explore an extensive bibliographic research on preventive strategies for LARS. All "modifiable variables," quantified by the LARS Score, such as type of anastomosis, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical strategy, and diverting stoma, were evaluated, while "non-modifiable variables" such as age, sex, BMI, ASA, preoperative TMN, tumor height, and type of mesorectal excision were excluded from the comparative analysis. The role of defunctioning stoma, local excision, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and non operative management seems to significantly affect risk of LARS, while type of anastomosis and surgical TME approach do not impact on LARS incidence or gravity in the long term period. Although it is established that some variables are associated with a greater onset of LARS, in clinical practice, technical difficulties and oncological limits often make difficult the application of some prevention plans. Transtomal irrigations, intraoperative neuromonitoring, pelvic floor rehabilitation before stoma closure, and early transanal irrigation represent new arguments of study in preventive strategies which could, if not eliminate the symptoms, at least mitigate them.

The efficacy of ileostomy after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: a meta-analysis

Background

Protective ileostomy is always applied to avoid clinically significant anastomotic leakage and other postoperative complications for patients receiving laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. However, whether it is necessary to perform the ileostomy is still controversial. This meta-analysis aims to analyze the efficacy of ileostomy on laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed were applied for systematic search of all relevant literature, updated to May 07, 2021. Studies compared patients with and without ileostomy for laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. We applied Review Manager software to perform this meta-analysis. The quality of the non-randomized controlled trials was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS), and the randomized studies were assessed using the Jadad scale.

Results

We collected a total of 1203 references, and seven studies were included using the research methods. The clinically significant anastomotic leakage rate was significantly lower in ileostomy group (27/567, 4.76%) than that in non-ileostomy group (54/525, 10.29%) (RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.30–0.73, P for overall effect = 0.0009, P for heterogeneity = 0.18, I² = 32%). However, the postoperative hospital stay, reoperation, wound infection, and operation time showed no significant difference between the ileostomy and non-ileostomy groups.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that protective ileostomy could decrease the clinically significant anastomotic leakage rate for patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. However, ileostomy has no effect on postoperative hospital stay, reoperation, wound infection, and operation time. The efficacy of ileostomy after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: a meta-analysis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02432-x.

Robotic rectal resection preserves anorectal function: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Improving survival rates in rectal cancer patients has generated a growing interest in functional outcomes after total mesorectal excision (TME). The well-established low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score assesses postoperative anorectal impairment after TME. Our meta-analysis is the first to compare bowel function after open, laparoscopic, transanal, and robotic TME.

METHODS

All studies reporting functional outcomes after rectal cancer surgery (LARS score) were included, and were compared with a consecutive series of robotic TME (n = 48).

RESULTS

Thirty-two publications were identified, including 5 565 patients. Anorectal function recovered significantly better within one year after robotic TME (3.8 [95%CI -9.709-17.309]) versus laparoscopic TME (26.4 [95%CI 19.524-33.286]), p = 0.006), open TME (26.0 [95%CI 24.338-29.702], p = 0.002) and transanal TME (27.9 [95%CI 22.127-33.669], p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic TME enables better recovery of anorectal function compared to other techniques. Further prospective, high-quality studies are needed to confirm the benefits of robotic surgery.

Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision in a Teaching Hospital in the Netherlands

Purpose

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) was developed to overcome surgical difficulties experienced in distal pelvic dissection. Concerns have been raised about potential worse postoperative functional outcomes after TaTME. Also, the oncological safety was questioned. This study aimed to describe the functional, surgical, oncological outcomes and quality of life (QoL) after TaTME.

Methods

All consecutive TaTME cases for rectal cancer without disseminated disease between December 2016 and April 2019 were included. The Wexner incontinence score, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score, fecal incontinence-related QoL, and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-core questionnaire and 29-item module (EORTC QLQ-C30/CR29) were collected. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate local recurrence-free survival.

Results

Thirty patients were eligible for analysis of which 23 received questionnaires. Response rate was 74%. After a median follow-up of respectively 20.0 and 23.0 months for functional and oncological outcomes, the median (interquartile range) of Wexner incontinence and LARS scores were 9.0 (7.0-12.0) and 33.1 (25.0-39.0). Major LARS was present in 73.3%. Fecal incontinence, general and colorectal-specific QoL subdomains that are associated with poor bowel function scored in line with previously reported data. The 2-year actuarial cumulative local recurrence rate was 3.7% (95% confidence interval, 2.4%-5.0%).

Conclusion

TaTME may lead to significant functional impairments. Patients should receive preoperative counseling on this topic and be fully aware of the potential consequences of their treatment. Oncological data were in line with other short- to moderate-term data and did not show alarming results.

Transanal total mesorectal excision and low anterior resection syndrome

BACKGROUND

Bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery is common, with some experiencing low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is common after rectal cancer surgery. This study examined if transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has a similar risk of LARS and altered quality of life (QoL) as patients who undergo low anterior resection (LAR).

METHODS

Patients who underwent TaTME or traditionally approached total mesorectal excision in a prospective colorectal cancer cohort study (2014-2019) were propensity score matched in a 1 : 1 ratio. LARS and QoL scores were assessed before and after surgery with a primary endpoint of major LARS at 12 months analysed for possible association between factors by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 61 TaTME and 317 LAR patients eligible, 55 from each group were propensity score matched. Higher LARS scores (30.6 versus 25.4, P = 0.010) and more major LARS (65 versus 42 per cent, P = 0.013; OR 2.64, 95 per cent c.i. 1.22 to 5.71) were reported after TaTME. Additionally, QoL score differences (body image, bowel frequency, and embarrassment) were worse in the TaTME group.

CONCLUSIONS

TaTME may be associated with more severe bowel dysfunction than traditional approaches to rectal cancer.

One-year evaluation of anorectal functionality and quality of life in patients affected by mid-to-low rectal cancer treated with transanal total mesorectal excision

Surgery of mid-to-low rectal cancer is still considered challenging. Transanal total mesorectal excision has been proposed to facilitate the mesorectal dissection, gain sphincter-saving procedures, and reduce functional sequelae. Few studies have investigated long-term functional outcomes and patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare functional outcomes and quality of life before and after transanal total mesorectal excision in 1-year follow-up. Between February 2016 and April 2019, 51 patients with mid- or low rectal cancer undergoing transanal total mesorectal excision at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" were enrolled. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy was administered to locally advanced cancers. Before and after the surgical procedure, patients were examined collecting clinical data, LARS score, CCFIS, SF36 and FIQL, performing anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography. Thirty-three patients were eligible and completed the 12 months follow-up. After treatment, six patients (18.2%) had minor or major LARS. A mild but significant increase of CCFIS was documented. Only the mean resting pressure significantly decreased at follow-up. No sphincter lesions were documented. FIQL assessment showed significant reduction of lifestyle, coping/behaviour, and embarrassment, while an increase of general health was assessed by SF36. At both uni- and multivariate analyses the neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy had a not negligible impact. Transanal total mesorectal excision represents a safe approach to patients treated for mid- or low rectal cancer. The functional sequelae can be limited in severity, with a low incidence of minor/major LARS, particularly faecal incontinence. These results are comparable to those obtained by the conventional total mesorectal excision.

Randomized clinical trial comparing side to end vs end to end techniques for colorectal anastomosis

BACKGROUND

Low anterior resection syndrome affects 60%-90% of patients with anastomoses after colorectal resection. Consensus regarding the best anastomosis is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes after end-to-end versus side-to-end anastomoses.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTINGS

University hospital (April 2016-October 2017).

PATIENTS

Patients aged ≥18 years with rectal or sigmoid adenocarcinoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to undergo mechanical end-to-end or side-to-end (n = 33) anastomosis after laparoscopic resection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was to assess intestinal function (COREFO and LARS questionnaires) 12 months after surgery or ileostomy closure. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and intestinal function and quality of life (SF-36® questionnaire) at different time points after surgery or ileostomy closure.

RESULTS

No significant differences in intestinal function were observed between the two groups 12 months after surgery. Subanalysis of low-mid rectum tumors with end-to-end anastomosis yielded better function at 12 months. Postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.070), but reinterventions were more common in the side-to-end group (p = 0.040). Multivariate analysis found neoadjuvant treatment was independently associated with intestinal dysfunction at 12 months (β = 0.41, p = 0.033, COREFO; β = 0.41, p = 0.024, LARS).

CONCLUSIONS

End-to-end anastomosis yielded low rates of severe complications and reintervention, as well as better intestinal function at 12 months in the subgroup with tumors in the low-mid rectum.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02746224.

Functional complaints and quality of life after transanal total mesorectal excision: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Total mesorectal excision (TME) gives excellent oncological results in rectal cancer treatment, but patients may experience functional problems. A novel approach to performing TME is by single-port transanal minimally invasive surgery. This systematic review evaluated the functional outcomes and quality of life after transanal and laparoscopic TME.

METHODS

A comprehensive search in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase and the trial registers was conducted in May 2019. PRISMA guidelines were used. Data for meta-analysis were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 11 660 studies were identified, from which 14 studies and six conference abstracts involving 846 patients (599 transanal TME, 247 laparoscopic TME) were included. A substantial number of patients experienced functional problems consistent with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Meta-analysis found no significant difference in major LARS between the two approaches (risk ratio 1·13, 95 per cent c.i. 0·94 to 1·35; P = 0·18). However, major heterogeneity was present in the studies together with poor reporting of functional baseline assessment.

CONCLUSION

No differences in function were observed between transanal and laparoscopic TME.

Long Term Results of Modified Intersphincteric Resections for Low Rectal Cancer: A Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this article is to evaluate the long-term oncological and functional outcomes following modified intersphincteric resections (ISR) for low rectal cancer. The modified technique consisted of the abandonment of colonic J-pouches, transverse coloplasty, or defunctioning temporary stoma in favor of a direct handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients with type II and III (juxta-anal or intra-anal) low rectal tumors underwent modified ISR by the same surgical team and were followed for a period of five years. Functional outcomes using the Wexner Score, postoperative complications, recurrence rates, morbidity, and mortality rates were assessed.

RESULTS

The five-year survival rate was 93.3% with a disease-free interval at three years of 98%. Morbidity was 15% (n = 9) consisting of intestinal wall necrosis (n = 6), stenosis (n = 2), and sacral metastasis (n = 1). The Wexner score values were, at 1 year, 8.5 (range, 4-13); at three years 7.2 (range, 2-11); and at 5 years 6.7 (range, 2-12). A second surgery was needed in only one case that showed postoperative transmural necrosis of the colonic wall.

CONCLUSIONS

In highly selected patients with type II or III low rectal tumors and proper preoperative imaging staging, ISR might be a viable alternative to other techniques such as abdominoperineal resection and low anterior resection, both from a functional and an oncological perspective.

Functional outcomes after resections for low rectal tumors: comparison of Transanal with laparoscopic Total Mesorectal excision

Background

Aim of this study was to evaluate functional outcomes of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) in comparison to conventional laparoscopic approach (LaTME) in terms of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS).

Methods

Forty-six patients who underwent total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer between 2013 and 2017 were enrolled. Primary outcome was the severity of faecal incontinence, assessed both before the treatment and 6 months after ileostomy reversal. LARS score and Jorge-Wexner scale were utilized to analyze its severity.

Results

Twenty (87%) from TaTME and 21 (91%) from LaTME group developed LARS postoperatively. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of LARS occurrence (p = 0.63) and severity. The median Wexner score was comparable in both groups (8 [IQR: 4–12] vs 7 [3–11], p = 0.83). Univariate analysis revealed that postoperative complications were a risk factor for LARS development (p = 0.02). Perioperative outcomes, including operative time, blood loss and intraoperative adverse events did not differ significantly between groups either. Five TaTME patients developed postoperative complications, while there were morbidity 6 cases in LaTME group. Quality of mesorectal excision was comparable with 20 and 19 complete cases in TaTME and LaTME groups, respectively.

Conclusions

TaTME provided comparable outcomes in terms of functional outcomes in comparison to LaTME for total mesorectal excision in low rectal cancers. Having said that, LARS prevalence is still high and requires further evaluation of the technique.

Comparison of Short-Term Clinical and Pathological Outcomes after Transanal versus Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision for Low Anterior Rectal Resection Due to Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a new technique that is designed to overcome the limits of the open and laparoscopic approach for rectal resections. Objective: This study is designed to compare TaTME with standard laparoscopic TME (LaTME). Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases covering a up to October 2018. Inclusion criteria for study enrolment: (1) study comparing laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer vs. TaTME for rectal malignancy, (2) reporting of overall morbidity, operative time, or major complications. Results: Eleven non-randomized studies were eligible with a total of 778 patients. We found statistical significant differences in regard to major complications in favour of TaTME (RR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.31–0.97; p = 0.04). We did not found significant differences regarding overall complications intraoperative adverse effects, operative time, anastomotic leakage, intra-abdominal abscess occurrence, Surgical Site Infection, reoperations, Length of stay, completeness of mesorectal excision, R0 resection rate, number of harvested lymph nodes, circumferential resection margin, and distal resection margin. Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows benefits of TaTME technique regarding major postoperative complications. Regarding clinicopathological features transanal approach is not superior to LaTME. Currently, the quality of the evidence on benefits of TaTME is low due to lack of randomized controlled trials, which needs to be taken into consideration in further evaluation of the technique. Further evaluation of TaTME require conducting large randomized control trials.