Costs Analysis of Fibrin Sealant for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage in Lower Colorectal Surgery

Does aortic calcification really affect anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery?

The purpose of the current study was to analyze whether aortic calcification had impact on the anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal cancer (RC) surgery. We collected patients' information from January 2011 to January 2020 in a single teaching hospital. Preoperative computed tomography images were obtained. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), superior mesenteric aortic calcification, and inferior mesenteric aortic calcification were recorded. The difference of AL and grade C AL was calculated. A total of 2412 RC patients were included in this study. Ninety-seven (4.0%) RC patients experienced AL and 47 (1.9%) RC patients experienced grade C AL. The amount of AAC, superior mesenteric aortic calcification, and inferior mesenteric aortic calcification was 1546 (64.1%), 128 (5.3%), and 31 (1.3%). The AL group had higher portion of AAC (P = .019) than the no AL group, and the grade C AL group had higher portion of AAC (P = .016) than the no grade C AL group. In univariate logistic regression analysis, AAC was a significant potential factor for AL (P = .021, OR = 1.739, 95% CI = 1.088-2.779) and grade C AL (P = .019, OR = 2.339, 95% CI = 1.115-4.986). However, in multivariate logistic regression, AAC was not an independent predictive factor for AL (P = .157, OR = 1.443, 95% CI = 0.871-2.358) or grade C AL (P = .064, OR = 2.055, 95% CI = 0.960-4.399). AAC was associated with higher amount of AL and grade C AL, however, AAC was not an independent predictive factor for AL or grade C AL.

The role of tissue adhesives and sealants in colorectal anastomotic healing-a scoping review

PURPOSE

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal resection is a serious postoperative complication with grave consequences for patients. Despite several efforts to reduce its incidence, AL is still seen among 2-20% of colorectal cancer patients receiving an anastomosis. The use of tissue adhesives and sealants as an extra layer of protection around the anastomosis has shown promising results. We conducted a scoping review to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the effect of tissue adhesives and sealants on colorectal anastomosis healing, as well as their effect on the postoperative outcome.

METHODS

The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched on 14/10/2022. Studies addressing the use of a tissue adhesive or tissue sealant applied around a colorectal anastomosis, with the goal to prevent AL or to decrease AL-related complications, were included. We presented an overview of the available studies and summarized their results narratively.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included out of the 846 screened. All authors reported the rate of AL in their interventions group. Five of the studies found a decreased rate of AL compared to the control group. One study had no incidences of AL, while the last study had a seemingly low rate of AL but no comparison group. Information on secondary outcomes was sparingly reported, but the results hinted at a positive effect.

CONCLUSION

Tissue adhesives and sealants might have a beneficial effect on colorectal anastomosis healing. The literature is sparse, and this review has shown the need for further clinical studies.

Early and late anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery: A systematic review of the literature

The aim of this study was to review and to assess the quality of the scientific articles regarding early and late anastomotic leak (AL) after colorectal surgery and their risk factors. An electronic systematic search for articles on Colorectal Surgery, AL and its timing was undertaken using the MEDLINE database via PubMed, Cochrane and Embase. The selected articles were thoroughly reviewed and assessed for methodological quality using a validated methodology quality score (MINCIR score). This review was registered in the PROSPERO registry under ID: CRD42022303012. 9 articles were finally reviewed in relation to the topic of early and late anastomotic leak. There is a lack of consensus regarding the exact cut-off in time to define early and late anastomotic leak, but it is clear that they are two differentiated entities. The first, occurring in relation to technical factors; whereas the latter, is related to impaired healing.

VIVOSTAT ® SYSTEM AS A METHOD OF PREVENTING ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE FOLLOWING LOW ANTERIOR RECTAL RESECTION: CLINICAL CASE

Background: According to current literature, anastomosis leakage holds a leading position among all complications of colorectal surgery. A particular area of prevention of this complication in colorectal oncology is the research of the possibilities of using biological adhesive compounds as a universal biological and mechanical barrier to the spread of intraluminal microflora and tumor cells.

Clinical case: A 65-year-old patient (female) was hospitalized with a diagnosis of rectal cancer cT3cN1cM0 (stage III) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Surgical treatment was performed: the laparoscopic low anterior resection of the rectum with expanded lymphodissection, protective loop ileostomy. The anastomosis was formed at a height of 4 cm from the anus. Intraoperatively, the anastomosis line was strengthened using the Vivostat R system product. The technology of on-site preparation and application of the compound is described in the paper.. The postoperative period passed without complications.

Conclusion: Due to the possible economic, oncological and postoperative advantages, the use of modern fibrin adhesive compositions is quite promising for introduction into surgical practice. It is required to conduct research aimed at studying the effectiveness of this method of preventing the leakage of colorectal anastomoses.

Coating of Intestinal Anastomoses for Prevention of Postoperative Leakage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

For several decades, scientific efforts have been taken to develop strategies and medical aids for the reduction of anastomotic complications after intestinal surgery. Still, anastomotic leakage (AL) represents a frequently occurring postoperative complication with serious consequences on health, quality of life, and economic aspects. Approaches using collagen and/or fibrin-based sealants to cover intestinal anastomoses have shown promising effects toward leak reduction; however, they have not reached routine use yet. To assess the effects of covering intestinal anastomoses with collagen and/or fibrin-based sealants on postoperative leakage, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Method

PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus (01/01/1964 to 17/01/2022) were searched to identify studies investigating the effects of coating any intestinal anastomoses with collagen and/or fibrin-based sealants on postoperative AL, reoperation rates, Clavien-Dindo major complication, mortality, and hospitalization length. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

Overall, 15 studies (five randomized controlled trials, three nonrandomized intervention studies, six observational cohort studies) examining 1,387 patients in the intervention group and 2,243 in the control group were included. Using fixed-effects meta-analysis (I 2 < 50%), patients with coated intestinal anastomoses presented significantly lower AL rates (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.27-0.52; p < 0.00001), reoperation rates (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.10-0.47; p = 0.0001), and Clavien-Dindo major complication rates (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35-0.84; p = 0.006) in comparison to controls, with results remaining stable in sensitivity and subgroup analyses (stratified by study design, age group, intervention used, location of anastomoses, and indication for surgery). The length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the intervention group (weighted mean difference (WMD), -1.96; 95% CI, -3.21, -0.71; p = 0.002) using random-effects meta-analysis (I 2 ≥ 50%), especially for patients with surgery of upper gastrointestinal malignancy (WMD, -4.94; 95% CI, -7.98, -1.90; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The application of collagen-based laminar biomaterials or fibrin sealants on intestinal anastomoses can significantly reduce postoperative rates of AL and its sequelae. Coating of intestinal anastomoses could be a step toward effective and sustainable leak prevention. To assess the validity and robustness of these findings, further clinical studies need to be conducted.

Thromboelastometric Analysis of Anticancer Cerrena unicolor Subfractions Reveal Their Potential as Fibrin Glue Drug Carrier Enhancers

In this study, the influence of two subfractions (with previously proven anti-cancer properties) isolated from wood rot fungus Cerrena unicolor on the formation of a fibrin clot was investigated in the context of potential use as fibrin glue and sealant enhancers and potential wound healing agents. With the use of ROTEM thromboelastometry, we demonstrated that, in the presence of fibrinogen and thrombin, the S6 fraction accelerated the formation of a fibrin clot, had a positive effect on its elasticity modulus, and enhanced the degree of fibrin cross-linking. The S5 fraction alone showed no influence on the fibrin coagulation process; however, in the presence of fibrin, it exhibited a decrease in anti-proliferative properties against the HT-29 line, while it increased the proliferation of cells in general at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Both fractions retained their proapoptotic properties to a lesser degree. In combination with the S6 fraction in the ratio of 1:1 and 1:3, the fractions contributed to increased inhibition of the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This may suggest anti-metastatic activity of the combined fractions. In conclusion, the potential of the fractions isolated from the C. unicolor secretome to be used as a means of improving the wound healing process was presented. The potential for delivering agents with cytostatic properties introduced far from the site of action or exerting a pro-proliferative effect at the wound site with the aid of a fibrin sealant was demonstrated.

The use of state-of-the-art haemostatic materials in gastrointestinal surgery

Haemostatic materials such as: gelatine sponges, oxygenated cellulose meshes, tissue sealants, collagen matrices with human thrombin and fibrinogen are gaining on popularity in gastrointestinal surgery, especially in colorectal surgery. We searched for available scientific publications in the Pubmed and Cochrane database on the use of individual hemostatic materials in the field of gastrointestinal surgery. The analysis focused on the assessment of the safety of the use of individual materials in terms of the rate of bleeding complications and the rate of anastomotic leakage cases. The use of haemostatic materials has for years been a recognized method of reducing the rate of intra- and postoperative complications, both in gastrointestinal surgery and in other surgical specialties. Based on the available studies, it can be concluded that the use of hemostatic materials such as matrices, sponges and adhesives in gastrointestinal surgery, even in patients at high risk of anastomotic leakage and bleeding complications, reduces the incidence of complications. The growing popularity of haemostatics and sealants in surgery means that they are currently used in a wide range of indications, and surgeons are more and more willing to use them even in case of standard surgical procedures, which is reflected in the available studies. Choosing a haemostat should be a conscious decision, taking into account the site and type of bleeding, mechanism of action, ease of use, efficacy, safety, and price, among others.