Anesthesia and perioperative management of colorectal surgical patients - A clinical review (Part 1)

Laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients aged 60 and older: a retrospective cohort study

Objective laparoscopic surgical excision is the recommended treatment for liver cancers, yet its benefits in patients aged 60 and older remain poorly understood. Thus, this study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy for patients aged 60 and older with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).MethodsAfter screening, 107 patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC were enrolled and grouped into either laparoscopic (LH) or open hepatectomy (OH) groups. Baseline characteristics, pathological findings, and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsAmong baseline characteristics and pathological findings, only pre-operative albumin was higher in the LH group. The LH group had more favorable short-term outcomes such as incision length, level of postoperative total bilirubin, and length of postoperative stays than the OH group. The postoperative complication, lymph node dissection and R0 resection rate, and long-term outcomes including OS and DFS were not significantly different between the two groups. Cancer Antigen-19-9(CA-19-9) and pathological differentiation were independent prognostic factors for OS, whereas CA-19-9 and neutrophil count were independent prognostic factors for DFS.ConclusionLH is safe, reliable, and feasible for treatment of ICC patients aged 60 and older as it had better short-term clinical outcomes than OH and achieved long-term prognoses that were comparable to those of OH.

Dual epidural catheter technique to provide opioid-free anaesthesia for an open abdominoperineal resection

The peri-operative analgesic management of patients undergoing major elective colorectal surgery has an impact on patient recovery. An approach that favours an opioid-free strategy has demonstrated improved patient outcomes. Avoiding systemic opioids during and after abdominal surgery promotes early recovery of bowel function and early re-initiation of oral intake, shortens hospital length of stay, minimises postoperative complications, and may improve long-term outcomes. In this case report we describe an opioid-free anaesthetic technique, in line with current Enhanced Recovery After Surgery recommendations, for a patient undergoing an open abdominoperineal resection who reported experiencing severe side-effects to opioids in the past. Two epidural catheters were sited pre-operatively at the interspaces between the ninth and tenth thoracic and third and fourth lumbar vertebrae respectively, and used intra- and postoperatively. The utilisation of two epidural catheters not only ensured complete peri-operative analgesia, but also successfully attenuated the neuroendocrine stress response to surgery. The dual epidural catheter technique may be considered for extensive colorectal surgery when conventional opioid-based anaesthetic techniques are contraindicated.

Rapid rehabilitation nursing in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer and quality of life

This study investigated the application of rapid rehabilitation nursing in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and its effect on quality of life (QOL). A prospective analysis was performed on 154 patients with CRC, after radical resection in The Central Hospital of Wuhan from February 2011 to April 2015. During the perioperative period, 96 patients (study group) received fast-track surgery (FTS) and 58 patients (control group) received routine surgery. The postoperative data of patients in the two groups were analyzed in terms of the first anus exhaustion time, the first time getting out of bed, first time eating liquid food, first defecation time, the time of drainage tube removal, time of gastric tube removal, time of suture removal, hospital stay and surgical expenses. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess postoperative pain. The re-hospitalization rate, the incidence of complications 30 days after operation, the survival and QOL scores were analyzed. After discharge patients were followed up for 3 years to observe the 3-year overall survival (OS). VAS scores were lower in the study group than that in the control group at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after operation (P<0.05). The re-hospitalization rate and incidence of complications 30 days after operation were lower in the study group than those in the control group (P<0.05). Before nursing, there was no statistically significant difference in QOL score between the two groups (P>0.05), whereas after 3 and 12 months of nursing, QOL score was significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group (P<0.05). QOL score in the two groups increased with time, and there were differences between the two groups at each time-point (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the 3-year OS between the two groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, effectively improving patients' psychological state, reducing complications and relieving pain, the FTS during the perioperative period of CRC surgery promotes postoperative rehabilitation, reduces economic pressures and improves QOL.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Is It Time to Change Our Strategy Regarding Laparoscopic Colectomy?

Enhanced recovery after surgery or 'fast-track' methods are evidence-based protocols designed to standardize post-operative medical care, improve patient outcomes, promote early recovery, and reduce healthcare expenditure. Fast-track surgery is a multifunctional concept involving pre-, peri- and post-operative measures aiming to reduce the length of hospital stay and morbidity and complication rates, following elective abdominal surgery. Through the optimization of peri-operative care and the recovery process in adherence to these fast-track protocols, improved outcomes are reached, surgical trauma and post-operative stress are reduced, with less surgical pain, reduced complications, and shorter length of hospital stay. Fast-track care requires a multidisciplinary collaboration of all healthcare professionals, as well as a high rate of protocol compliance and a good organizational structure. Despite the existing evidence of the benefits of fast-track protocols in a variety of surgical procedures and the similar outcomes of laparoscopic colonic surgery compared to open surgery, clear evidence of the benefits of fast-track care after laparoscopic colonic surgery is yet to be clearly demonstrated.

Surgical stress response and promotion of metastasis in colorectal cancer: a complex and heterogeneous process

Surgery remains the curative treatment modality for colorectal cancer in all stages, including stage IV with resectable liver metastasis. There is emerging evidence that the stress response caused by surgery as well as other perioperative therapies such as anesthesia and analgesia may promote growth of pre-existing micro-metastasis or potentially initiate tumor dissemination. Therapeutically targeting the perioperative period may therefore reduce the effect that surgical treatments have in promoting metastases, for example by combining β-adrenergic receptor antagonists and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in the perioperative setting. In this paper, we highlight some of the mechanisms that may underlie surgery-related metastatic development in colorectal cancer. These include direct tumor spillage at the time of surgery, suppression of the anti-tumor immune response, direct stimulatory effects on tumor cells, and activation of the coagulation system. We summarize in more detail results that support a role for catecholamines as major drivers of the pro-metastatic effect induced by the surgical stress response, predominantly through activation of β-adrenergic signaling. Additionally, we argue that an improved understanding of surgical stress-induced dissemination, and more specifically whether it impacts on the level and nature of heterogeneity within residual tumor cells, would contribute to the successful clinical targeting of this process. Finally, we provide a proof-of-concept demonstration that ex-vivo analyses of colorectal cancer patient-derived samples using RGB-labeling technology can provide important insights into the heterogeneous sensitivity of tumor cells to stress signals. This suggests that intra-tumor heterogeneity is likely to influence the efficacy of perioperative β-adrenergic receptor and COX-2 inhibition, and that ex-vivo characterization of heterogeneous stress response in tumor samples can synergize with other models to optimize perioperative treatments and further improve outcome in colorectal and other solid cancers.

Randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of VVZ-149 injections for postoperative pain following laparoscopic colorectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

In spite of advances in understanding and technology, postoperative pain remains poorly treated for a significant number of patients. In colorectal surgery, the need for developing novel analgesics is especially important. Patients after bowel surgery are assessed for rapid return of bowel function and opioids worsen ileus, nausea and constipation. We describe a prospective, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial testing the hypothesis that a novel analgesic drug, VVZ -149, is safe and effective in improving pain compared with providing opioid analgesia alone among adults undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Based on sample size calculations for primary outcome, we plan to enrol 120 participants. Adult patients without significant medical comorbidities or ongoing opioid use and who are undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery will be enrolled. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either VVZ-149 with intravenous (IV) hydromorphone patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or the control intervention (IV PCA alone) in the postoperative period. The primary outcome is the Sum of Pain Intensity Difference over 8 hours (SPID-8 postdose). Participants receive VVZ-149 for 8 hours postoperatively to the primary study end point, after which they continue to be assessed for up to 24 hours. We measure opioid consumption, record pain intensity and pain relief, and evaluate the number of rescue doses and requests for opioid. To assess safety, we record sedation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, laboratory tests and ECG readings after study drug administration. We evaluate for possible confounders of analgesic response, such as anxiety, depression and catastrophising behaviours. The study will also collect blood sample data and evaluate for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval of the study protocol has been obtained from Institutional Review Boards at the participating institutions. Trial results will be disseminated through scientific conference presentations and by publication in scientific journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02489526; pre-results.

Implications for determining the optimal treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer in elderly patients aged 75 years and older

Patients were excluded if they were older than 75 years of age in most clinical trials. Thus, the optimal treatment strategies in elderly patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) are still controversial. We designed our study to specifically evaluate the cancer specific survival of four subgroups of patients according to four different treatment modalities: surgery only, radiation (RT) only, neoadjuvant RT and adjuvant RT by analyzing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-registered database. The results showed that the 5-year cancer specific survival (CSS) was 52.1% in surgery only, 27.7% in RT only, 70.4% in neoadjuvant RT and 60.4% in adjuvant RT, which had significant difference in univariate log-rank test (P < 0.001) and multivariate Cox regression (P < 0.001). Thus, the neoadjuvant RT and surgery may be the optimal treatment pattern in elderly patients, especially for patients who are medically fit for the operation.

Anesthetic management of intestinal obstruction: A postgraduate educational review

Intestinal obstruction is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Scientific assessment of the cause, site of obstruction, appropriate correction of the fluid deficit and electrolyte imbalance with preoperative stabilization of blood gases is ideal as a preoperative workup. Placement of a preoperative epidural catheter especially in the thoracic interspace takes care of perioperative pain and stress reduction. Intraoperative management by controlled general anesthesia administering a relative high inspired fraction of oxygen with invasive monitoring in selected sick cases is mandatory. Preoperative monitoring and stabilizing raised intra-abdominal pressure reduces morbidity. Caution should be exercised during opening and closure of abdomen to avoid cardiorespiratory ill effects. There should be an emphasis on avoiding hypothermia. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen sick, fragile patients. The use of sugammadex rather than neostigmine will obscure certain controversies in the healing of intestinal anastomotic site. Replacement of blood loss continued correction of fluids and electrolytes with possible postoperative mechanical ventilation in sick cases may improve outcomes in these patients.

Flurbiprofen axetil reduces postoperative sufentanil consumption and enhances postoperative analgesic effects in patients with colorectal cancer surgery

To investigate the effects of different strategies of flurbiprofen axetil (FA) administration on postoperative pain and sufentanil (SF) consumption after open colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Forty patients undergoing elective CRC resection were divided into two groups (n = 20 each). Patients in the F50+50 group received 50 mg of intravenous FA 30 min before skin incision and six hours after the first dose; patients in the F100 group received 100 mg of intravenous FA 30 min before skin incision. Perioperative plasma FA (CFA) and SF concentrations (CSF) were determined. Analgesic and sedative efficacy were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Bruggman Comfort Scale (BCS), and Ramsay sedation scale. The time to the first PCIA trigger, the number of patients that pressed the PCIA trigger within 24 h after surgery, and the cumulative doses of SF consumption within 6 and 24 h after surgery were recorded. At postoperative 6 and 24 h, CFA was significantly higher, CSF was significantly lower, and the number of patients that pressed the PCIA trigger and the consumption of SF were significantly lower in the F50+50 group compared with the F100 group. At postoperative 4 h, VAS and BCS were significantly lower in the F50+50 group compared with the F100 group (P < 0.05). An administration strategy that maintains a relatively high plasma FA concentration at 6-24 h post-operatively may reduce postoperative inflammatory pain and SF-requirement in patients undergoing CRC resection.

Anesthesia and perioperative management of colorectal surgical patients - specific issues (part 2)

Colorectal surgery carries significant morbidity and mortality, which is associated with an enormous use of healthcare resources. Patients with pre-existing morbidities, and those undergoing emergency colorectal surgery due to complications such as perforation, obstruction, or ischemia / infarction are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Fluid therapy in emergency colorectal surgical patients can be challenging as hypovolemic and septic shock may coexist. Abdominal sepsis is a serious complication and may be diagnosed during pre-, intra-, or postoperative periods. Early suspicion and recognition of medical and / or surgical complications are essential. The critical care management of complicated colorectal surgical patients require collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts.