Is transanal irrigation the best treatment possibility for low anterior resection syndrome? A multicenter, randomized clinical trial: study protocol.

Background: Up to 50% of patients who undergo rectal resection suffer from various and partly severe functional problems, despite the preservation of the anal sphincter. These complaints are defined as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). So far, there are no randomized clinical trials regarding the most effective treatment for LARS. Our aim is to evaluate whether transanal irrigation improves bowel function and quality of life in patients following low anterior resection compared to best supportive care. Methods: Patients who have undergone low anterior resection will be approached for this study. On patient's visit, complaints regarding the defecation as well as any deterioration in their overall quality of life will be assessed using questionnaires such as the Low Anterior Resection Syndromes score, Wexner score, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life (QOL) CR-29, and Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile tool. Few additional target questions will be also asked, such as "Would you recommend the treatment to anybody; did you expect the improvement following the treatment; etc." Questionnaires and scales will be filled on follow-up visits every 3 months for 1 year. Discussion: This multicenter, randomized controlled trial will lead to a better understanding of LARS treatment. Moreover, it will be a hypothesis-generating study and will inform areas needing future prospective studies. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT05920681).

Occlusion of the cystic duct with cyanoacrylate glue at laparoscopic subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy for a difficult gallbladder.

BACKGROUND: Subtotal cholecystectomy is occasionally the management of choice in the patient with a hostile Calot's triangle but when it is not considered safe to close the cystic duct this often leads to a biliary fistula. In order to reduce this morbidity a novel strategy to seal the cystic duct with cyanoacrylate glue was introduced. The outcome of the two strategies have been compared. METHODS: Patients who had a laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy where the cystic duct was left open, the Unsecured group, were compared with those where the duct orifice was occluded with cyanoacrylate glue, the Glued group. The outcome of the two strategies have been compared by duration of biliary drainage, whether a leak was shown on ERCP, time to removal of the drain, length of hospital stay, the re-operation and readmission rates. RESULTS: In 78 cases of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy it was considered unsafe to close the cystic duct. 36 patients were managed without closure of the cystic duct, the Unsecured group and bile drainage continued for more than 3 days in 9 cases (25%) compared with 3 of 42 cases (7%) treated with glue, the Glued group (NS). Postoperative ERCP demonstrated a leak more frequently in the Unsecured group (p < 0.02). The length of stay was reduced in the Glued group. (0.9 compared with 3.0 days, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that glue may be a safe option to occlude the cystic duct orifice and reduce hospital stay when this cannot safely be closed at subtotal cholecystectomy.

FIT negative cancers: A right-sided problem? Implications for screening and whether iron deficiency anaemia has a role to play.

INTRODUCTION: Faecal Immunohistochemistry Testing (FIT) is recommended as an adjunct to guide referrals from Primary Care for individuals without rectal bleeding, who do not meet the suspected cancer pathway referral guidelines. It has largely replaced Faecal Occult Blood Testing. AIMS: To assess the specificity of FIT. To understand the characteristics of FIT negative cancer patients and whether they have predominantly right sided cancers. Evaluating the efficacy of FIT and Iron deficiency anaemia in combination to capture patients with colorectal cancers. METHODS: A study of 1000 symptomatic patients, undergoing FIT by Clinicians during the 'Digital rectal examination'. Inclusion criteria; all patients referred via our cancer referral pathway. FIT positivity was set at 10 µg g of faeces. RESULTS: There were 7 FIT negative cancers in this cohort; 1 was a lymphoma and the other 6 were caecal adenocarcinomas. 5 were anaemic. The positive predictive value of IDA was 34% compared with 'other symptoms'; 18%. The negative predictive value of FIT was 99.05% in this cohort. Specificity for FIT was 86.9% (CI 96%). CONCLUSION: Two separate referral pathways for IDA and FIT positive tests, would have captured all patients except 2; the lymphoma and 1 advanced caecal adenocarcinoma. FIT is an excellent triage tool prior to colonoscopy however capturing right sided disease remains a weak point. Multivariate analysis of patients in addition to IDA and FIT should improve capture of this subgroup.

Effect of Coffee on the Length of Postoperative Ileus After Elective Laparoscopic Left-Sided Colectomy: A Randomized, Prospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus is common problem after colorectal surgery. A positive effect of coffee to bowel movement has been described. It is still unclear whether coffee decreases the risk of postoperative ileus. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether consuming a 100-mL cup of coffee is effective in preventing or reducing postoperative ileus. DESIGN: This was a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All of the patients who were scheduled for elective laparoscopic left-sided colectomy at our hospital after the detection of malignant disease in a preoperative biopsy between January 2013 and December 2014 entered the study. The patients were assigned randomly before surgery to receive coffee with caffeine (first group), coffee without caffeine (second group), or water (third group) after the procedure (100 mL 3 times daily). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was time to first bowel movement; secondary end points were time to first flatus and time to tolerance of solid food. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were randomly assigned, 35 to each group. Fifteen patients were excluded. Patient demographic characteristics were similar in the groups. The time until the first bowel movement (measured in days) was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter in the decaffeinated coffee group (3.00 ± 1.50) versus the coffee with caffeine (3.75 ± 1.53) and water groups (4.14 ± 1.14). The time until tolerance of solid food was significantly shorter in decaffeinated group versus coffee with caffeine and water groups (1.85 versus 2.60 and 2.80; p < 0.05). Time until the first flatus (1.47 versus 1.57 and 1.77 for decaffeinated coffee versus coffee with caffeine and water; p > 0.05) did not show statistical significance. Postoperative hospital stay was similar in all 3 of the groups. LIMITATIONS: This is a single-center study with a relatively small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Coffee consumption after colectomy was safe and in the decaffeinated group associated with a reduced time to first bowel action. Caffeine is not a main ingredient affecting the length of postoperative ileus.

Ascariasis of the pancreatic duct.

Ascariasis is a common helminthic disease worldwide, although Lithuania and other European countries are not considered endemic areas. The presence of the Ascaris worm in the biliary tree causes choledocholithiasis-like symptoms. We report a case of pancreatic duct ascariasis causing such symptoms. A 73-year-old Lithuanian woman underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) suspecting choledocholithiasis. Contrast injection into the common bile duct demonstrated a slightly dilated biliary tree without any filling defects, and the tail of an Ascaris worm protruding from the opening of the papilla Vater. The worm was captured by a snare but escaped deep into the duct. After a small wirsungotomy the worm was retrieved from the pancreatic duct. The patient received a 150 mg dose of levamisole orally repeated 7 days later and was discharged after complete resolution of symptoms. This first reported sporadic case of pancreatic duct ascariasis in Lithuania was successfully treated with ERCP and Levamisole.

Two-stage bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large pheochromocytomas.

A 66-year-old Lithuanian female patient with a history of hypertension was diagnosed with bilateral adrenal tumors during a routine sonoscopy. Scintigraphy with metaiodobenzylguanidine and computed tomography scan revealed right 130/116/93 mm and left 85/61/53 mm pheochromocytomas. The patient suffered from hypertension with blood pressure over 240/100 mm Hg and heartbeat disturbances. Blood adrenaline levels exceeded the norm 10-fold. After possible spread of tumors was rejected, laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy was planned in 2 stages, starting on the right then followed by the left side. After preoperative treatment with adrenoblockers, 2-stage bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. 13 cm × 12 cm × 9.5 cm right adrenal and, 3 months later, 8.5 cm × 8 cm × 6 cm left adrenal pheochromocytomas were removed. Histologically - radical extirpation, pheochromocytomas with possible malignant potential. Stable remission of hypertension was achieved postoperatively. Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible method of treatment of large benign and possible malignant, but noninvasive pheochromocytomas.