Our aim was to assess whether the individual surgeon is an independent risk factor for anastomotic leak in double-stapled colorectal anastomosis after left colon and rectal cancer resection.
This ...retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database consists of a consecutive series of 800 patients who underwent an elective left colon and rectal resection with a colorectal, double-stapled anastomosis between 1993 and 2009 in a specialized colorectal unit of a tertiary hospital with 7 participating surgeons. The main outcome variable was anastomotic leak, defined as leak of luminal contents from a colorectal anastomosis between 2 hollow viscera diagnosed radiologically, clinically, endoscopically, or intraoperatively. Pelvic abscesses were also considered to be an anastomotic leak. Radiologic examination was performed when there was clinical suspicion of leak.
Anastomotic leak occurred in 6.1% of patients, of which 33 (67%) were treated operatively, 6 (12%) with radiologic drains, and 10 (21%) by medical treatment. Postoperative mortality rate was 2.9% for the whole group of 800 patients. In patients with anastomotic leak, mortality rate increased up to 16% vs 2.0% in patients without anastomotic leak (P < .0001). At multivariate analysis, rectal location of tumor, male sex, bowel obstruction preoperatively, tobacco use, diabetes, perioperative transfusion, and the individual surgeon were independent risk factors for anastomotic leak. The surgeon was the most important factor (mean odds ratio 4.9; range 1.0 to 13.5). The variance of anastomotic leak between the different surgeons was 0.56 in the logit scale.
The individual surgeon is an independent risk factor for leakage in double-stapled, colorectal, end-to-end anastomosis after oncologic left-sided colorectal resection.
Aim
The aim was to determine the accuracy of C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and neutrophils in the early detection (fourth postoperative day) of anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal ...surgery.
Methods
We conducted a multicentre, prospective study that included a consecutive series of patients who underwent colorectal resection with anastomosis without ostomy (September 2015 to December 2017). CRP, procalcitonin and neutrophil values on the fourth postoperative day after colorectal resection along with the postoperative outcome (60‐day AL, morbidity and mortality) were prospectively included in an online, anonymous database.
Results
The analysis ultimately included 2501 cases. The overall morbidity and mortality was 30.1% and 1.6%, respectively, and the AL rate was 8.6%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (95% CI) for detecting AL were 0.84 (0.81–0.87), 0.75 (0.72–0.79) and 0.70 (0.66–0.74) for CRP, procalcitonin and neutrophils, respectively. The best cut‐off level for CRP was 119 mg/l, resulting in 70% sensitivity, 81% specificity and 97% negative predictive value. After laparoscopic resection, the accuracy for CRP and procalcitonin was increased, compared with open resection. The combination of two or three of these biomarkers did not significantly increase their accuracy.
Conclusion
On the fourth postoperative day, CRP was the most reliable marker for excluding AL. Its high negative predictive value, especially after laparoscopic resection, allows for safe hospital discharge on the fourth postoperative day. The routine use of procalcitonin or neutrophil counts does not seem to increase the diagnostic accuracy.
Background
The fusion fascia of Toldt is a well-known landmark used by colorectal surgeons. On the contrary, the fusion fascia of Fredet (the plane between the ascending mesocolon and the visceral ...duodenal-pancreatic peritoneum) still remains a neglected embryological structure. Aim of this study was to provide an anatomic description of this fascia and its application to minimally invasive D3-lymphadenectomy (D3-L) and complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right colon cancer.
Methods
First phase: Cadaveric dissection and anatomic description of the fascia of Fredet. Second phase: prospective evaluation of its surgical application in a consecutive series of laparoscopic right hemicolectomies with CME and D3-L at a tertiary hospital.
Results
The fascia of Fredet was identified and dissected in one fresh and two formalin-fixed cadavers. The trunk of Henle and the medial border of the superior mesenteric vein defined the medial limit of this embryologic plane. Seventeen patients were operated on. Laparoscopic dissection of the fascia of Fredet was possible in every patient. Median operative time was 210 (120–380) min. There were no major postoperative complications. All cases were adenocarcinomas, except one adenomatous polyp. T stage was Tis in three, T2 in two, T3 in seven, and T4 in five patients. Median number of harvested lymph nodes was 24 (9–39). Lymphatic invasion was found in six patients. All resections were classified as satisfactory mesocolic excision and R0. Median postoperative length of stay was 6 (4–20) days. Median follow-up time was 28 (16–41) months. Local and distal recurrence rate was 0.
Conclusion
The fusion fascia of Fredet is useful to achieve CME and D3-L in right colon cancers with reduced risk of intraoperative complications. This structure is particularly suitable for minimally invasive surgery; therefore, we encourage awareness of the fascia of Fredet by colorectal surgeons.
Accuracy of MRI in assessing mesorectal fascia and predicting circumferential resection margin decreases in low anterior rectal tumors.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of ...endorectal ultrasound in predicting the pathologic circumferential resection margin in low rectal anterior tumors and to compare it with MRI findings.
This was a prospective series comparing the preoperative circumferential resection margin assessed by endorectal ultrasound and MRI with pathologic examination.
The study was conducted by a specialized colorectal multidisciplinary team at a tertiary teaching hospital.
Between 2002 and 2008, 76 patients with mid to low rectal cancer were preoperatively evaluated by endorectal ultrasound and MRI and underwent total mesorectal excision without neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Twenty-seven patients with posterior or postero-lateral tumors were excluded, leaving 49 patients with anterior or antero-lateral tumors for the present subanalysis. We compared preoperative circumferential resection margin status using endorectal ultrasound and MRI with pathologic examination.
We conducted a comparison between preoperative circumferential resection margin status and pathologic examination after total mesorectal excision surgery.
Accuracy in predicting pathologic circumferential resection margin status was measured.
Overall accuracy of endorectal ultrasound and MRI in assessing circumferential resection margin status was 83.7% and 91.8%, with negative predictive values of 97.2% and 97.5%. When focusing on low rectal tumors, the overall accuracy of endorectal ultrasound increased to 87.5%, whereas the accuracy of MRI decreased to 87.5%, with a negative predictive value of 95.6% for both diagnostic tests.
The sample size is small, and interobserver variability in radiologic assessment was not evaluated.
Endorectal ultrasound can help MRI in predicting circumferential resection margin involvement in mid to low anterior rectal cancer, especially at the low third of the rectum, with a high negative predictive value.
Type I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm: Intercostal reimplantation by the “snake” technique Fletcher-Sanfeliu, Delfina; García-Granero, Alvaro; Rueda Muñoz, Cristina ...
Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery/The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery/The journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery,
April 2018, 2018-04-00, 20180401, Letnik:
155, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Background and Objectives
Extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (eVRAM) flap has been proposed for reconstruction of large pelviperineal defects where traditional VRAM flap is insufficient. ...We present our experience with eVRAM flap for pelviperineal reconstruction following oncologic resection.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted, including all the patients who underwent reconstruction with eVRAM flap after complex pelvic resection, between 2012 and 2020. EVRAM flap was indicated when traditional VRAM was considered deficient to cover or reach the skin defect or to fill the dead space.
Results
Forty‐four patients were included in the study. Successful reconstruction with eVRAM flap was achieved in 40 patients. There were three flap failures, and one patient died in the second postoperative day because of multiple organ failure. Perineal wound complications occurred in 17 patients (38.6%), eight of them requiring surgical reoperation. Donor site problems were present in five patients (11.4%), and only one patient required surgical closure because of a major dehiscence.
Conclusions
The authors found the eVRAM flap to be a useful and reliable flap for reconstruction of complex pelviperineal wounds, with a low rate of donor site morbidity.
Background
While guidelines for laparoscopic abdominal surgery advise using the lowest possible intra-abdominal pressure, commonly a standard pressure is used. We evaluated the feasibility of a ...predefined multifaceted individualized pneumoperitoneum strategy aiming at the lowest possible intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Methods
Multicenter prospective study in patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The strategy consisted of ventilation with low tidal volume, a modified lithotomy position, deep neuromuscular blockade, pre-stretching of the abdominal wall, and individualized intra-abdominal pressure titration; the effect was blindly evaluated by the surgeon. The primary endpoint was the proportion of surgical procedures completed at each individualized intra-abdominal pressure level. Secondary endpoints were the respiratory system driving pressure, and the estimated volume of insufflated CO
2
gas needed to perform the surgical procedure.
Results
Ninety-two patients were enrolled in the study. Fourteen cases were converted to open surgery for reasons not related to the strategy. The intervention was feasible in all patients and well-accepted by all surgeons. In 61 out of 78 patients (78%), surgery was performed and completed at the lowest possible IAP, 8 mmHg. In 17 patients, IAP was raised up to 12 mmHg. The relationship between IAP and driving pressure was almost linear. The mean estimated intra-abdominal CO
2
volume at which surgery was performed was 3.2 L.
Conclusion
A multifaceted individualized pneumoperitoneum strategy during laparoscopic colorectal surgery was feasible and resulted in an adequate working space in most patients at lower intra-abdominal pressure and lower respiratory driving pressure.
ClinicalTrials.gov (Trial Identifier: NCT03000465).
Anterior dissection of the rectum in the male pelvis represents one of the most complex phases of total meso-rectal excision. However, the possible existence of different anatomical planes is ...controversial and the exact anatomical topography of Denonvilliers’ fascia is still debated. The aim of the study is to accurately define in a cadaveric simulation model the existence and boundaries of Denonvilliers’ fascia, identifying the anatomical planes suitable for surgical dissection. The pelvises of 31 formalin-preserved male cadavers were dissected. Careful and detailed dissection was carried out to visualize the anatomical structures and the potential dissection planes, simulating an anterior meso-rectum dissection. Denonvilliers’ fascia was identified in 100% of the pelvises, as a single-layer fascia that originates from the peritoneal reflection and descends until its firm adhesion to the prostate capsule. The fascia divides the space providing an anterior and a posterior plane. Anteriorly to the fascia, during the caudal dissection, its firm adhesion to the prostate capsule forces to section it sharply. The cadaveric simulation model allowed an accurate description of Denonvilliers’ fascia, defining several planes for anterior dissection of the meso-rectum.