[Delayed gastric emptying after surgery for transverse colon cancer: diagnosis, management and prevention]

Delayed gastric emptying is a syndrome of gastric motility disorder with slow gastric emptying as the main sign, provided that mechanical factors such as intestinal obstruction and anastomotic stricture are excluded. The incidence of delayed gastric emptying after colon cancer surgery is 1.4%, mainly after transverse colon cancer surgery. Most of the studies on delayed gastric emptying are case reports, lacking systematic studies. The diagnoses and treatments can be draw on the experience of delayed gastric emptying after pancreatic surgery. Our retrospective study indicated that the incidence of delayed gastric emptying after surgery for transverse colon cancer was 4.0%, higher than that for other colon cancer. Patients who underwent gastrocolic ligament lymph node dissection were at higher risk than those who did not (3.6% vs. 0.8%). Gastrocolic ligament lymph node dissection and stress are causative factors for delayed gastric emptying after surgery for transverse colon cancer. We add the gastrografin test upon the diagnostic criteria of the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery, which is simple and practical. Nasogastric tube decompression, enteral nutrition combined with parenteral nutrition, glucocorticoids, and prokinetic agents can cure most patients with postoperative delayed gastric emptying. All the patients with postoperative delayed gastric emptying were cured in our studies. Strict indications for gastrocolic ligament lymph node dissection (patients with cT3-4 and cN+) may decrease the occurrence of delayed gastric emptying after surgery for transverse colon cancer.

Infrapyloric and gastroepiploic node dissection for hepatic flexure and transverse colon cancer: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The hepatic flexure and transverse colon have a complex intermingled lymphovascular anatomy crossing between mesocolon and mesogastrium. Few studies have investigated the oncological relevance of metastatic infrapyloric and gastroepiploic lymph nodes (IGLN) from hepatic flexure and transverse colon tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for IGLN metastases, and the indications, surgical morbidities, and oncological outcome following extended lymphadenectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the PRISMA statement, a systematic review on IGLN lymphadenectomy for colon cancer was conducted into PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. A critical appraisal of study was performed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Tools.

RESULTS

Nine studies were included. IGLN metastases incidence ranged 0.7-22%. IGLN positivity for patients with metastatic mesocolic lymph nodes ranged 1.7-33.3%. Postoperative complication rate ranged 8.5-36.9%, mostly low grade according to Clavien-Dindo's classification. Postoperative mortality rate ranged 0-5.4% at 30-days. IGLN metastases were associated with advanced disease with a 5-year progression-free survival rate up to 33.9%. Two authors reported perineural invasion and N stage as risk factors, while another reported endoscopic obstruction, signet ring adenocarcinoma, CEA level ≥17 ng/ml, and M1 stage to be risk factors for IGLN involvement. Apart from one study, all other studies were of moderate/high quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic IGLNs are not uncommon and should be highly considered. IGLN metastases could be potentially associated with an aggressive disease. IGLN dissection is not associated with higher morbidity and mortality than standard CME. Preoperative risk factors of IGLN involvement could guide surgical indication for extended lymphadenectomy.