[Innovations in colorectal surgery]

Összefoglaló cikkünkben a colon- és rectumcarcinomák sebészeti kezelésében az elmúlt években megjelent új elveket, új ötleteket és technológiákat tekintjük át. A tanulmány narratív összefoglalás, mely tematikusan kiemelt colorectalis sebészeti irodalmi ismeretek gyűjteményét adja két, a colorectalis sebészetben jártas sebész független válogatása alapján. A coloncarcinomák esetében a komplett mesocolon-excisiót (CME), illetve a radikális lymphadenectomiát, a jobb és bal colonfél tumorainak biológiai eltéréseit, valamint a tumorbiológiai jellemzők alapján a neoadjuváns gyógyszeres kezelés lehetőségeit értékeljük. A rectumcarcinomák sebészeti megoldásai közül a transanalis teljes mesorectum-excisio (TaTME), a robotsebészet, az intersphinctericus reszekciók, illetve a lymphadenectomia radikalitásának kérdései, végül a szervkímélő rectumsebészet kerül tárgyalásra. A colon- és a rectumcarcinoma sebészete mára jelentősen eltérő utakra jutott. A technikai, technológiai innováció nyújtotta lehetőségeket a patológiai, onkológiai ismeretekkel összhangban személyre szabott terápiás lehetőségekként indokolt a mindennapokban multidiszciplináris döntés alapján alkalmazni. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(2): 43–50.

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks.

METHODS

The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned.

RESULTS

A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31).

CONCLUSION

Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

[Surgery of the colorectal polyps and early stage cancer - Expected standards]

Benign polyps and early-stage cancer of the colon and rectum traditionally belong to the territory of endoscopic removal. Even though the quality of endoscopic imaging systems and additional diagnostic methods have undergone a substantial evolution over the past decade, large, sessile and lateral-spreading lesions of the large bowel still represent a significant risk of malignancy. This doubt may be undispellable until the removal of the lesion. Therefore endoscopists need to be highly cautious, and keep a very low threshold to involve an expert surgeon even at the phase of diagnostics, as well as treatment. We summarise state-of-the-art treatment principles of benign polyps and early malignant colorectal cancer. Finally, we propose national quality measures of surgical interventions for colorectal polyps.

Improved Accuracy of Lymph Node Staging and Long-Term Survival Benefit in Colorectal Cancer With Ex Vivo Arterial Methylene Blue Infiltration

Introduction:Ex vivo methylene blue (MB) injection into the main supplying arteries of the colorectal specimen after surgical removal is an uncomplicated technique to support lymph node harvest during pathological evaluation. The primary aim of this randomized, interventional, bicentric trial was to evaluate the impact of MB injection on lymph node yield, with secondary aims assessing the accuracy of lymph node staging and the effect on 5-year overall survival for patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer.

Methods: In the study period between December 2013 and August 2015, 200 colorectal resections were performed at two independent onco-surgery centers of Hungary. Following surgical resection, each specimen was randomly assigned either to the control (standard pathological work-up) or to the MB staining group before formaldehyde fixation. Patient-level surgical and clinical data were retrieved from routinely collected clinical datasets. Survival status data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary.

Results: A total of 162 specimens, 82 in the control and 80 in the MB groups, were included for analysis. Baseline characteristics were equally distributed among study groups, except for specimen length. Both the median of total number of lymph nodes retrieved (control 11 ± 8 [0–33] nodes vs. MB 14 ± 6 [0–42] nodes; p < 0.01), and the ratio of cases with at least 12 removed lymph nodes (36/82, 43.9% vs. 53/80, 66.3%; p < 0.01) were higher in the MB group. The rate of accurate lymph node staging was non-significantly improved. As for rectal cancer, nodal staging accuracy (16/31, 51.6% vs. 23/30, 76.7%; p = 0.04) and the proportion with minimum 12 lymph node retrieval (7/31, 22.6%, vs. 18/30, 60%; p < 0.01) was improved by MB injection. In Mantel–Cox regression, a statistically significant survival benefit with methylene blue injection at 5 years post-surgery was proven (51.2% vs. 68.8%; p = 0.04).

Conclusion: In our experience, postoperative ex vivo arterial methylene blue injection appears to be an uncomplicated technique, improving lymph node yield and decreasing the chance of insufficient nodal staging. The technique might also associate with a 5-year overall survival benefit.

[Guidance for transanal operations]

We summarized diagnostic, surgical treatment and follow-up principles of benign and early malignant lesions of the rectum. Our aim is to provide a nationwide practical synopsis of transanal minimally invasive surgical techniques which might be the basis of a Hungarian national audit of rectal polyp management.

[Enhanced Recovery Program in colorectal surgery]

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme has been described and practiced for twenty years in the perioperative management of colorectal patients. ERAS is a complex, evidence based strategy which proved to be extremely effective when linked to laparoscopy in reducing morbidity, length of hospital stay, as well as reducing cost of colorectal service.

AIMS

We gradually adapted elements of ERAS protocol along with laparoscopy in the colorectal surgical treatment at a county hospital from 2013. This study reports a retrospective clinical audit of ERAS programme of two years, between 2015-2016.

METHODS

In this timeframe we compared clinical results of traditional and ERAS perioperative colorectal management protocols. The two groups were assessed on the basis of demographic, cancer-related parameters and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Over the two years of audit we treated 130 patients under "traditional" and 84 cases according to ERAS protocol. Mean length of hospital stay was 8 and 6 days median, respectively. Earlier discharge in the ERAS group did not cause any increase in the readmission rates. Morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or more) was found to be less in ERAS group: 8,3% vs. 27,4%. ERAS programme success rate, characterized by discharge by 7th postoperative day, was over 70%, keeping well with rates of the experienced centres of ERAS.

CONCLUSION

Therefore we can report a successful introduction of ERAS programme for colorectal service in a Middle-Eastern European county hospital. Based on the favourable outcome results of the retrospective audit we have extended ERAS protocol as first choice perioperative scheme for each elective colorectal case from the beginning of 2017.

[New perspectives in rectal cancer surgery: Transanal total mesorectal excision. Initial experiences]

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cause of oncologic mortality. Its key prognostic factors are operability and surgical quality. Total mesorectal excision is the gold standard of rectal cancer surgery, however, it is hardly achievable with the laparoscopic technique in a number of cases due to anatomical issues. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a new operative concept, which may address this technical problem.

AIM

We aimed to present the initial Hungarian experiences with the new technique.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of clinical data of the first year case series at two Hungarian centers initiating the technique.

RESULTS

A total of 17 transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) operations were performed at two centers. Major perioperative complications happened in two cases. There was no 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Early Hungarian experiences with transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) give hope of a brand new era of rectal cancer surgery. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(1): 16-22.

[TAMIS, transanal minimally invasive surgery]

Diseases of the lower and middle third of the rectum, the so called "no-man's territory" traditionally represent a major surgical problem. Minimally invasive surgical techniques significantly contribute to the safe and precise management of this part of the rectum. Traditional laparoscopic instruments via a specifically designed operative anoscope with single-port surgical technique are used during TAMIS (transanal endoscopic minimally invasive surgery). Since the description of the procedure in 2009 a number of case series have proven the feasibility and safety of the technique in the treatment of rectal adenomas. Furthermore, TAMIS seems to be sufficient in the primary treatment of early rectal cancers, as well. Recent studies also challenge the rigid protocols of the management of advanced rectal adenocarcinomas. Transanal wide local excision techniques (including TAMIS) with low morbidity rates seem to be effective in cases of histologically proven pCR (complete pathological response) after neoadjuvant treatment by selecting the group of patients not requiring radical TME (total mesorectal excision). Finally, TAMIS technique provide a suitable way for down-up transanal TME (TaTME), which technique is expected to potentially improve surgical grade in selected cases of advanced rectal cancer surgeries. In this paper we demonstrate our initial experiences with TAMIS at a single institution, as well as summarize the relevant literature.

Characteristics of CD44 alternative splice pattern in the course of human colorectal adenocarcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

CD44 is considered as 'a' metastasis associated gene, despite the fact that it is an umbrella term for a group of molecules produced from a single gene by alternative splicing. However, little consideration is given to the above in the literature of colorectal carcinomas as well as other tumour types, leading to confusion and contradictory results about its possible role in tumour progression.

METHODS

We compared the CD44 alternative splice pattern (ASP) of three genetically different human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT25, HT29, HCT116) using a series of PCR reactions and next- generation sequencing method, as well as identified a colorectal adenocarcinoma specific CD44 ASP. This ASP was further investigated in terms of its qualitative and quantitative stability in our experimental iso- and xenograft mouse models for colorectal cancer progression. A complex preclinical experimental set-up was established to separately test the different steps of tumour progression and the role of tumour microenvironment, respectively, focusing on the role of 'CD44' in this process.

RESULTS

We managed to present a colorectal cancer-specific CD44 ASP, which remained unchanged from cell lines throughout primary tumour formation and metastatic progression. Furthermore, we report a unique roster of all expressed CD44 variant isoforms characteristic to colorectal cancer. Finally, on quantitative assessment of the variable exons v3 and v6, higher co-expression levels were found to be characteristic to metastatically potent tumour cells.

CONCLUSION

Particular CD44 variant isoforms seem to act as "metastasis genes" via tumour microenvironment-driven shifts in v3 and v6 expressions. However, this function may just affect a minority of tumour subclones. This fact and the huge potential number of different CD44 splice variants that can contain v3 and v6 domains can explain incoherence of clinical studies regarding functional asessment of CD44 variants, as well as diminish the chances of using CD44 variants for predictive purpose.

[Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma--case report]

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are the most frequent soft tissue sarcomas and the second most frequent retroperitoneal tumours. They represent less then 0.1% of all human malignancies. Hereby we describe the treatment of our patient where of a 15-kg giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma was successfully removed and a local recurrence two years later was operated on as well. This was the 3rd largest retroperitoneal malignant tumor that was successfully removed according to the available literature of the last five decades. These typically symptom-free tumors usually grow extreme size before diagnosed. The "gold-standard" of treatment remains surgical total excision, but the high local recurrence rate (50-60%) hopefully can be reduced by adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. Multidisciplinary treatment and long-time follow-up can provide as high as 40% 5-year survival rate. We summarize the recent clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic methods of this rare condition.