Robotic colectomy with CME versus laparoscopic colon resection with or without CME for colon cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Quality assessment of surgery for colorectal cancer: Where do we stand?

Quality assurance in surgery has been one of the most important topics of debate among colorectal surgeons in the past decade. It has produced new surgical standards that led in part to the impressive oncological outcomes we see in many units today. Total mesorectal excision, complete mesocolic excision (CME), and the Japanese D3 lymphadenectomy are now benchmark techniques embraced by many surgeons and widely recommended by surgical societies. However, there are still ongoing discrepancies in outcomes largely based on surgeon performance. This is one of the main reasons why many countries have shifted colorectal cancer surgery only to high volume centers. Defining markers of surgical quality is thus a perquisite to ensure that standards and oncological outcomes are met at an institutional level. With the evolution of CME surgery, various quality markers have been described, mostly based on measurements on the surgical specimen and lymph node yield, while others have proposed radiological markers (i.e. arterial stumps) measured on postoperative scans as part of the routine cancer follow-up. There is no ideal marker; however, taken together and assembled into a new score or set of criteria may become a future point of reference for reporting outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in research studies and defining subspecialization requirements both at an individual and hospital level.

Ileocecal colonic intussusception with adenocarcinoma: A rare case report and management strategy

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Intussusception, a condition primarily seen in pediatric populations, involves the telescoping of one segment of the bowel into an adjacent section. In adults, intussusception is rare and presents unique diagnostic and management challenges. This case report highlights a 73-year-old female with ileocecal colonic intussusception complicated by an underlying adenocarcinoma, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 73-year-old female with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes presented with right-sided abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the right upper quadrant, and no palpable mass or rectal bleeding. Lab results, including tumour markers, were normal. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) identified ileocecal colonic intussusception with the "target sign" and low colonic wall enhancement. An emergency laparoscopic right colectomy was performed due to compromised blood supply. Postoperatively, an anastomotic leak was managed with antibiotics, bowel rest, and wound care. Pathological examination revealed cecal adenocarcinoma with one positive lymph node, staged as T3N1aM0, necessitating adjuvant chemotherapy.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Adult intussusception, a rare condition, often has an identifiable organic cause, with clinical symptoms ranging from acute to chronic or asymptomatic. Diagnostic imaging, such as MDCT, plays a crucial role in diagnosis and evaluation. Surgical management varies based on the nature and location of the lead point. In this case, the chronic symptoms, lymph node as the lead point, and low colonic wall enhancement warranted an urgent laparoscopic right colectomy with complete mesocolic excision.

CONCLUSION

This case underscores the complexity of adult ileocecal colonic intussusception, especially when associated with adenocarcinoma. Timely diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, and meticulous surgical intervention are essential. Effective management of postoperative complications, like the anastomotic leak, is crucial.

How to prevent postoperative ileus in colorectal surgery? a systematic review

Postoperative ileus (PI) after colorectal surgery is a common surgical problem. This systematic review aimed to investigate the available data in the literature to reduce the PI in the area of colorectal surgery out of the enhanced recovery after surgery principles, referring to published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, and to provide recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. The authors conducted bibliographic research on 1 December 2022. The authors retained meta-analyses and RCTs. The authors concluded that when we combined colonic mechanical preparation with oral antibiotic decontamination, the authors found a significant reduction in PI. The open approach was associated with a higher PI rate. The robotic and laparoscopic approaches had similar PI rates. Low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery presented a PI similar to that of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery. There was no difference between the isoperistaltic and antiperistaltic anastomoses or between the intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomoses. This study summarized the available data in the literature, including meta-analyses and RCTs. For a higher level of evidence, additional multicenter RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs remain necessary.