Treatment preferences in diverticulitis are common and rarely change after a clinic visit.

With the increasing prevalence of diverticulitis, professional guidelines encourage the individualization of treatment. However, the frequency of treatment preferences of both surgeons, and patients, and the resultant impact of that preference on diverticulitis management is underexplored. We reviewed 27 consecutive patient visits of 3 colorectal surgeons at our institution to evaluate factors that drove their treatment, as well as their equipoise for patient randomization into medical or surgical treatments. Using standardized pre- and post-visit questionnaires, we investigated the impact of the clinic visit on treatment recommendations. Our results demonstrate that our surgeons have a practice bias towards complicated disease, and have a preference towards operative management of diverticulitis, in both complicated and uncomplicated disease. This preference was frequently unchanged after clinic visit, which has implications for guiding truly shared decision making, as it continues to be the recommendation.

The Impact of Prolonged Operative Time Associated With Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery: A Report From the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program.

BACKGROUND: Increased operative time in colorectal surgery is associated with worse surgical outcomes. Laparoscopic and robotic operations have improved outcomes, despite longer operative times. Furthermore, the definition of "prolonged" operative time has not been consistently defined. OBJECTIVE: The first objective was to define prolonged operative time across multiple colorectal operations and surgical approaches. The second was to describe the impact of prolonged operative time on length of stay and short-term outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Forty-two hospitals in the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program from 2011 to 2019. PATIENTS: There were a total of 23,098 adult patients (age 18 years or older) undergoing 6 common, elective colorectal operations: right colectomy, left/sigmoid colectomy, total colectomy, low anterior resection, IPAA, or abdominoperineal resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prolonged operative time defined as the 75th quartile of operative times for each operation and approach. Outcomes were length of stay, discharge home, and complications. Adjusted models were used to account for factors that could impact operative time and outcomes across the strata of open and minimally invasive approaches. RESULTS: Prolonged operative time was associated with longer median length of stay (7 vs 5 days open, 5 vs 4 days laparoscopic, 4 vs 3 days robotic) and more frequent complications (42% vs 28% open, 24% vs 17% laparoscopic, 27% vs 13% robotic) but similar discharge home (86% vs 87% open, 94% vs 94% laparoscopic, 93% vs 96% robotic). After adjustment, each additional hour of operative time above the median for a given operation was associated with 1.08 (1.06-1.09) relative risk of longer length of stay for open operations and 1.07 (1.06-1.09) relative risk for minimally invasive operations. LIMITATIONS: Our study was limited by being retrospective, resulting in selection bias, possible confounders for prolonged operative time, and lack of statistical power for subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Operative time has consistent overlap across surgical approaches. Prolonged operative time is associated with longer length of stay and higher probability of complications, but this negative effect is diminished with minimally invasive approaches. See Video Abstract . EL IMPACTO DEL TIEMPO OPERATORIO PROLONGADO ASOCIADO CON LA CIRUGA COLORRECTAL MNIMAMENTE INVASIVA UN INFORME DEL PROGRAMA DE EVALUACIN DE RESULTADOS DE ATENCIN QUIRRGICA: ANTECEDENTES:El aumento del tiempo operatorio en la cirugía colorrectal se asocia con peores resultados quirúrgicos. Las operaciones laparoscópicas y robóticas han mejorado los resultados, a pesar de los tiempos operatorios más prolongados. Además, la definición de tiempo operatorio "prolongado" no se ha definido de manera consistente.OBJETIVO:Primero, definir el tiempo operatorio prolongado a través de múltiples operaciones colorrectales y enfoques quirúrgicos. En segundo lugar, describir el impacto del tiempo operatorio prolongado sobre la duración de la estancia y los resultados a corto plazo.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.ESCENARIO:42 hospitales en el Programa de Evaluación de Resultados de Atención Quirúrgica de 2011-2019.PACIENTES:23 098 pacientes adultos (de 18 años de edad y mayores), que se sometieron a seis operaciones colorrectales electivas comunes: colectomía derecha, colectomía izquierda/sigmoidea, colectomía total, resección anterior baja, anastomosis ileoanal con bolsa o resección abdominoperineal.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Tiempo operatorio prolongado definido como el cuartil 75 de tiempos operatorios para cada operación y abordaje. Los resultados fueron la duración de la estancia hospitalaria, el alta domiciliaria y las complicaciones. Se usaron modelos ajustados para tener en cuenta los factores que podrían afectar tanto el tiempo operatorio como los resultados en los estratos de abordajes abiertos y mínimamente invasivos.RESULTADOS:El tiempo operatorio prolongado se asoció con una estancia media más prolongada (7 vs. 5 días abiertos, 5 vs. 4 días laparoscópicos, 4 vs. 3 días robóticos), complicaciones más frecuentes (42 % vs. 28 % abiertos, 24 % vs. 17 % laparoscópica, 27% vs. 13% robótica), pero similar alta domiciliaria (86% vs. 87% abierta, 94% vs. 94% laparoscópica, 93% vs. 96% robótica). Después del ajuste, cada hora adicional de tiempo operatorio por encima de la mediana para una operación determinada se asoció con un riesgo relativo de 1,08 (1,06, 1,09) de estancia hospitalaria más larga para operaciones abiertas y un riesgo relativo de 1,07 (1,06, 1,09) para operaciones mínimamente invasivas.LIMITACIONES:Nuestro estudio estuvo limitado por ser retrospectivo, lo que resultó en un sesgo de selección, posibles factores de confusión por un tiempo operatorio prolongado y falta de poder estadístico para los análisis de subgrupos.CONCLUSIONES:El tiempo operatorio tiene una superposición constante entre los enfoques quirúrgicos. El tiempo operatorio prolongado se asocia con una estadía más prolongada y una mayor probabilidad de complicaciones, pero este efecto negativo disminuye con los enfoques mínimamente invasivos. ( Traducción-Dr. Mauricio Santamaria ).

Characterizing Regionalization of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalizations and Operations in Washington State.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a major contributor of healthcare utilization. We assessed IBD hospitalizations and surgical operations in Washington State to characterize regionalization patterns. METHODS: We identified a cohort of hospitalizations for Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from 2008 to 2019 using Washington State's Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS). Hospitalizations were characterized by emergent or elective acuity and whether an operation or endoscopic procedure was performed. Facility volume and distance travelled by patients were used to determine regionalization. RESULTS: There were 20,494 IBD-related hospitalizations at 95 hospitals: 13,585 (66.3%) with CD and 6,909 (33.7%) with UC. Emergencies accounted for 78.2% of all IBD-related hospitalizations and did not differ between CD (78.3%) and UC (77.9%) (p = 0.54). Surgery was performed during 10.3% and endoscopy during 30.6% of emergent hospitalizations. 72.0% of emergent hospitalizations occurred at 22 facilities, while 71.1% of elective hospitalizations were concentrated at 9 facilities. Operations were performed during 78.5% of elective hospitalizations, and five hospitals performed 69% of all elective surgery. Laparoscopic surgery increased in both emergent (17% to 52%, p < 0.001) and elective operations (18% to 42%, p < 0.001) from 2008 to 2019. CONCLUSIONS: In Washington State, most IBD hospitalizations were emergent, which were decentralized and typically non-operative. By contrast, most elective admissions involved surgery and were centralized at a few high-volume centers. Further understanding the drivers behind IBD hospitalizations may help optimize emergent medical and elective surgical care at a state level.

Implementation of a structured robotic colorectal curriculum for general surgery residents.

There is increasing demand for colorectal robotic training for general surgery residents. We implemented a robotic colorectal surgery curriculum expecting that it would increase resident exposure to the robotic platform and would increase the number of graduating general surgery residents obtaining a robotic equivalency certificate. The aim of this study is to describe the components of the curriculum and characterize the immediate impact of the implementation or residents. Our curriculum started in 2019 and consists of didactics, simulation, and clinical performance. Objectives are specified for both junior residents (post-graduate years [PGY]1-2) and senior residents (PGY3-5). The robotic colorectal surgical experience was characterized by comparing robotic to non-robotic operations, differences in robotic operations across post-graduate year, and percentage of graduates achieving an equivalency certificate. Robotic operations are tracked using case log annotation. From 2017 to 2021, 25 residents logged 681 major operations on the colorectal service (PGY1 mean = 7.6 ± 4.6, PGY4 mean = 29.7 ± 14.4, PGY5 mean = 29.8 ± 14.8). Robotic colorectal operations made up 24% of PGY1 (49% laparoscopic, 27% open), 35% of PGY4 (35% laparoscopic, 29% open), and 41% of PGY5 (44% laparoscopic, 15% open) major colorectal operations. Robotic bedside experience is primarily during PGY1 (PGY1 mean 2.0 ± 2.0 bedside operations vs 1.4 ± 1.6 and 0.2 ± 0.4 for PGY4 and 5, respectively). Most PGY4 and 5 robotic experience is on the console (PGY4 mean 9.1 ± 7.7 console operations, PGY5 mean 12.0 ± 4.8 console operations). Rates of robotic certification for graduating chief residents increased from 0% for E-2013 to 100% for E-2018. Our robotic colorectal curriculum for general surgery residents has facilitated earlier and increased robotic exposure for residents and increased robotic certification for our graduates.

Understanding the Geographic Distribution of Diverticulitis Hospitalizations in Washington State.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diverticulitis in the United States is increasing, and hospitalization remains a surrogate for disease severity. State-level characterization of diverticulitis hospitalization is necessary to better understand the distribution of disease burden and target interventions. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of diverticulitis hospitalizations from 2008 through 2019 was created using Washington State's Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System. Hospitalizations were stratified by acuity, presence of complicated diverticulitis, and surgical intervention using ICD diagnosis and procedure codes. Patterns of regionalization were characterized by hospital case burden and distance travelled by patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 56,508 diverticulitis hospitalizations occurred across 100 hospitals. Most hospitalizations were emergent (77.2%). Of these, 17.5% were for complicated diverticulitis, and 6.6% required surgery. No single hospital received more than 5% (n = 235) of average annual hospitalizations. Surgeons operated in 26.5% of total hospitalizations (13.9% of emergent hospitalizations, and 69.2% of elective hospitalizations). Operations for complicated disease made up 40% of emergent surgery and 28.7% of elective surgery. Most patients traveled fewer than 20 miles for hospitalization, regardless of acuity (84% for emergent hospitalization and 77.5% for elective hospitalization). DISCUSSION: Hospitalizations for diverticulitis are primarily emergent, nonoperative, and broadly distributed across Washington State. Hospitalization and surgery occur close to patients' homes, regardless of acuity. This decentralization needs to be considered if improvement initiatives and research in diverticulitis are to have meaningful, population-level impact.

Contemporary, national patterns of surgery after preoperative therapy for stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary treatment of stage II/III rectal cancer combines chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and surgery, though the sequence of surgery with neoadjuvant treatments and benefits of minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) is debated. AIM: To describe patterns of surgical approach for stage II/III rectal cancer in relation to neoadjuvant therapies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was created using the National Cancer Database. Primary outcome was rate of sphincter-sparing surgery after neoadjuvant therapy. Secondary outcomes were surgical approach (open, laparoscopic, or robotic), surgical quality (R0 resection and 12+ lymph nodes), and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 38927 patients with clinical stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection from 2010-2016. Clinical stage II patients had neoadjuvant chemoradiation less frequently compared to stage III (75.8% vs 84.7%, P < 0.001), but had similar rates of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) (27.0% vs 27.2%, P = 0.697). Overall rates of total mesorectal excision without sphincter preservation were similar between clinical stage II and III (30.0% vs 30.3%) and similar if preoperative treatment was chemoradiation (31.3%) or TNT (30.2%). Over the study period, proportion of cases approached laparoscopically increased from 24.9% to 32.5% and robotically 5.6% to 30.7% (P < 0.001). This cohort showed improved survival for MIS approaches compared to open surgery (laparoscopy HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.78-0.93, and robotic HR 0.82, 95%CI 0.73-0.92). CONCLUSION: Sphincter preservation rates are similar across stage II and III rectal cancer, regardless of delivery of preoperative chemotherapy, chemoradiation, or both. At a national level, there is a shift to predominantly MIS approaches for rectal cancer, regardless of whether sphincter sparing procedure is performed.

Presentation and management of a case of rectal cancer complicated by perforation and necrotizing soft tissue infection.

A 68-year-old man presented with septic shock and severe perineal pain from a perforated low-rectal cancer causing a perineal necrotizing soft tissue infection. He underwent laparoscopic diverting colostomy and multiple surgical debridements resulting in extensive perineal and left leg wounds. A multidisciplinary rectal cancer team recommended against neoadjuvant chemoradiation or chemotherapy in his current state. He underwent up-front, urgent robotic-assisted abdominoperineal resection with immediate oblique rectus abdominus muscle flap closure. Final pathology demonstrated a T4N1b adenocarcinoma with negative resection margins. The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. Now at over 18 months, he remains cancer free.

Minimally-invasive approach to emergent colorectal surgery in aging adults: A report from the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program.

BACKGROUND: Despite known benefits of minimally invasive surgery(MIS) in elective settings, MIS use in emergency colorectal surgery(CRS) is limited. Older adults are more likely to require emergent CRS, and MIS is used less frequently with increasing age. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was constructed of emergent CRS cases performed between 2011 and 2019. Discharge(DC) disposition, adverse events, and length of stay(LOS) between MIS and open surgery were compared and stratified by age. Adjustment was made for selected confounders using inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: Of 6913 emergent CRS cases across 50 hospitals, 1616(23%) were approached MIS. MIS cases were more likely [OR(95%CI)] to DC home [<65yo:1.7(1.3,2.2); 65-74:1.5(1.1,1.9); 75+:1.2(0.9,1.5)] and have fewer adverse events [<65yo:0.6(0.5,0.8); 65-74:0.7(0.5,0.9); 75+:0.7(0.5,0.9)]. LOS was shorter [Mean difference in days(95%CI)] [<65yo: 2.2(-2.9,-1.4); 65-74: 0.9(-2.7,1.0); 75+: 0.7(-1.7,0.2)]. CONCLUSIONS: MIS in emergent CRS is associated with increased DC to home, fewer adverse events, and shorter LOS. Benefits persisted with age after adjustment, suggesting an opportunity for improved MIS delivery in older adults.

Feasibility of injected indocyanine green for ureteral identification during robotic left-sided colorectal resections.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral identification is essential to performing safe colorectal surgery. Injected immunofluorescence may aid with ureteral identification, but feasibility without ureteral catheterization is not well described. METHODS: Case series of robotic colorectal resections where indocyanine green (ICG) injection with or without ureteral catheter placement was performed. Imaging protocol, time to ureteral identification, and factors impacting visualization are reported. RESULTS: From 2019 to 2020, 83 patients underwent ureteral ICG injection, 20 with catheterization and 63 with injection only. Main indications were diverticulitis (52%) and cancer (36%). Median time to instill ICG was faster with injection alone than with catheter placement (4min vs 13.5min, p < 0.001). Median time [IQR] to right ureter (0.3 [0.01-1.2] min after robot docking) and left ureter (5.5 [3.1-8.8] min after beginning dissection) visualization was not different between injection alone and catheterization. CONCLUSION: ICG injection alone is faster than with indwelling catheter placement and equally reliable at intraoperative ureteral identification.

Evaluating variation in enhanced recovery for colorectal surgery: a report from the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program.

AIM: Robust data demonstrate that enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) decrease length of stay, complications and cost. However, little is known about the reasons for variation in compliance with ERPs. The aim of this work was to confirm the efficacy of ERPs in a regional network, and to determine factors that are associated with ERP delivery in diverse hospital settings. METHOD: A prospective cohort of patients was created by recording all elective colorectal operations at hospitals in the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program (SCOAP). The delivery of 12 ERP components was tracked at all sites, and factors associated with ERP component delivery and affecting outcomes were reported. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, 9274 elective colorectal operations were performed at 36 hospitals. Indications were 48% cancer, 23% diverticulitis and 8% inflammatory bowel disease. Minimally invasive surgery was used in 71%. The proportion of cases with six or more ERP components received increased from 23% in 2016 to 50% in 2019. An increase in components was associated with a shorter length of stay and fewer combined adverse events and reinterventions. Further, increasing numbers of ERP components provided an incremental benefit to patients even when delivered in a low-volume centre or by a low-volume surgeon, and regardless of patient presentation. CONCLUSION: At SCOAP hospitals, the delivery of increasing numbers of ERP components was associated with improved perioperative outcomes and decreased complications after elective colorectal surgery. The variation in delivery of these evidence-based components in subsets of our cohort indicates an important opportunity for quality improvement initiatives.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in the ColoCare Study: Differences by Age of Onset.

Early-onset colorectal cancer has been on the rise in Western populations. Here, we compare patient characteristics between those with early- (<50 years) vs. late-onset (≥50 years) disease in a large multinational cohort of colorectal cancer patients (n = 2193). We calculated descriptive statistics and assessed associations of clinicodemographic factors with age of onset using mutually-adjusted logistic regression models. Patients were on average 60 years old, with BMI of 29 kg/m2, 52% colon cancers, 21% early-onset, and presented with stage II or III (60%) disease. Early-onset patients presented with more advanced disease (stages III-IV: 63% vs. 51%, respectively), and received more neo and adjuvant treatment compared to late-onset patients, after controlling for stage (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 2.30 (1.82-3.83) and 2.00 (1.43-2.81), respectively). Early-onset rectal cancer patients across all stages more commonly received neoadjuvant treatment, even when not indicated as the standard of care, e.g., during stage I disease. The odds of early-onset disease were higher among never smokers and lower among overweight patients (1.55 (1.21-1.98) and 0.56 (0.41-0.76), respectively). Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease, to have received systemic treatments regardless of stage at diagnosis, and were less likely to be ever smokers or overweight.

The impact of obesity on minimally invasive colorectal surgery: A report from the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Operating on obese patients can increase case complexity and result in worse outcomes. We described the incremental impact of BMI on morbidity and outcomes of colorectal operations and whether laparoscopic and robotic(MIS) approaches mitigate this morbidity differently. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients undergoing elective colorectal operations in SCOAP was created to examine the association of increasing BMI on surgical outcomes. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression models were constructed. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2019, 22,863 elective colorectal operations (mean age 62, 55% female) were performed at 42 hospitals. Patients had BMI≥30 in 7576(33%) and BMI≥40 in 1180(5%) of operations. After risk adjustment, BMI≥40 was associated with increased conversions(OR1.57,95%CI1.26-1.96), increased combined adverse events(CAE)(OR1.32,95%CI1.15-1.52), and death(OR2.24, 95%CI1.41-3.55)(all p < 0.01). MIS approaches were each associated with lower CAE(lap OR0.49,95%CI0.46-0.53; robot OR0.42,95%CI0.37-0.47), and death(lap OR0.24,95%CI0.18-0.33; robot OR0.18,95%CI0.10-0.35)(all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Severe obesity is associated with increased conversion rates and worse short-term outcomes after colorectal surgery, though this trend is partially mitigated with a minimally invasive approach. These findings support the broad application of MIS for colorectal operations in obese patients.

Evaluating the Regional Uptake of Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery: a Report from the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for colorectal disease has well-known benefits, but many patients undergo open operations. When choosing an MIS approach, robotic technology may have benefits over traditional laparoscopy and is increasingly used. However, the broad adoption of MIS, and specifically robotics, across colorectal operations has not been well described. Our primary hypothesis is that rates of MIS in colorectal surgery are increasing, with different contributions of robotics to abdominal and pelvic colorectal operations. METHODS: Rates of MIS colorectal operations are described using a prospective cohort of elective colorectal operations at hospitals in the Surgical Care Outcomes Assessment Program (SCOAP) from 2011 to 2018. The main outcome was proportion of cases approached using open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. Factors associated with increased use of MIS approaches were described. RESULTS: Across 21,423 elective colorectal operations, rates for MIS (laparoscopic or robotic surgery) increased from 44% in 2011 to 75% in 2018 (p < 0.001). Approaches for abdominal operations (n = 12,493) changed from 2 to 11% robotic, 43 to 63% laparoscopic, and 56 to 26% open (p < 0.001). Approaches for pelvic operations (n = 8930) changed from 3 to 33% robotic, 40 to 42% laparoscopic, and 57 to 24% open(p < 0.001). These trends were similar for high-(100 + operations/year) and low-volume hospitals and surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: At SCOAP hospitals, the majority of elective colorectal operations is now performed minimally invasively. The increase in the MIS approach is primarily driven by laparoscopy in abdominal procedures and robotics in pelvic procedures.

Dynamic plasma microRNAs are biomarkers for prognosis and early detection of recurrence in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. However, the published studies to date have yielded conflicting and inconsistent results for specific plasma miRNAs. METHODS: We have conducted a study using robust assays to assess a panel of nine miRNAs for CRC prognosis and early detection of recurrence. Plasma samples from 144 patients in a prospective CRC cohort study were collected at diagnosis, 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. miRNAs were assayed by Taqman qRT-PCR to generate miRNA normalised copy numbers. RESULTS: Preoperative high plasma miRNA levels were associated with increased recurrence risk for miR-200b (HR [95% CI]=2.04 [1.00, 4.16], P=0.05), miR-203 (HR=4.2 [1.48, 11.93], P=0.007), miR-29a (HR=2.61 [1.34,5.07], P=0.005), and miR-31 (HR=4.03 [1.76, 9.24], P=0.001). Both plasma miR-31 (AUC: 0.717) and miR-29a (AUC: 0.703) could discriminate recurrence from these patients without recurrence. In addition, high levels of miR-31 during surveillance was associated with a three-fold increased risk of recurrence across all time points. Dynamic postoperative plasma miR-141 and 16 levels correlated with recurrence in the surveillance samples. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative plasma miR-29a, 200b, 203, and 31 are potential CRC prognosis biomarkers. In addition, dynamic postoperative miR-31, 141 and 16 levels are potential biomarkers for the early detection of recurrence during CRC surveillance.

Extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer demonstrates promising postoperative outcomes and survival.

BACKGROUND: The optimum approach to neoadjuvant therapy for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is undefined. Herein we report the outcomes of an extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in patients presenting with borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. METHODS: Patients identified as having borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer by American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association/Society of Surgical Oncology consensus criteria from 2008 to 2012 were tracked in a prospectively maintained registry. Included patients were initiated on a 24-week course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Medically fit patients who completed neoadjuvant treatment without radiographic progression were offered resection with curative intent. Clinicopathologic variables and surgical outcomes were collected retrospectively and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer started neoadjuvant therapy. Thirty-nine (61 %) met resection criteria and underwent operative exploration with curative intent, and 31 (48 %) were resected. Of the resected patients, 18 (58 %) had positive lymph nodes, 15 (48 %) required en-bloc venous resection, 27 (87 %) had a R0 resection, and 3 (10 %) had a complete pathologic response. There were no postoperative deaths at 90 days, 16 % of patients had a severe complication, and the 30-day readmission rate was 10 %. The median overall survival of all 64 patients was 23.6 months, whereas that of unresectable patients was 15.4 months. Twenty-five of the resected patients (81 %) are still alive at a median follow-up of 21.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy is well tolerated by patients with borderline resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, selects a subset of patients for curative surgery with low perioperative morbidity, and is associated with favorable survival.

Expediting return of bowel function after colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus is the main determinant of the length of hospital stay after colorectal surgery. Our objective was to analyze modifiable factors, including polyethylene glycol administration, associated with the return of bowel function. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent elective open partial colectomy from 2004 to 2006 at a single institution. RESULTS: The time to the first bowel movement with and without oral intake within 48 hours postoperatively was 76 hours versus 134 hours (P < .001); with and without polyethylene glycol administration it was 73 hours versus 94 hours (P = .001); and with and without frequent ambulation it was 78 hours versus 95 hours (P = .012). With postoperative nasogastric tube drainage, the time to the first bowel movement was 22 hours longer (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm previous findings supporting no nasogastric tube drainage, early feeding, and frequent ambulation after colorectal surgery. Additionally, our data suggest a strong association (P = .001) between the use of polyethylene glycol and the early return of bowel function.

Laparoscopy-assisted versus balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP in bariatric post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients.

BACKGROUND: Data on balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP (BEA-ERCP) versus laparoscopy-assisted ERCP (LA-ERCP) in post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare BEA-ERCP with LA-ERCP in post-RYGB patients and to identify factors that predict therapeutic success with BEA-ERCP. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A single North American tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: The review included 56 bariatric post-RYGB patients who underwent ERCP. INTERVENTIONS: BEA-ERCP or LA-ERCP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Cannulation rate, therapeutic success, hospital stay, complications, procedure duration, endoscopist time, and cost. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent BEA-ERCP, and 24 underwent LA-ERCP. LA-ERCP was superior to BEA-ERCP in papilla identification (100% vs 72%, P = .005), cannulation rate (100% vs 59%, P < .001), and therapeutic success (100% vs 59%, P < .001). The total procedure time was shorter (P < .001) and endoscopist time was longer (P = .006) for BEA-ERCP. There was no difference in postprocedure hospital stay (P = .127) or complication rate (P = .392) between the 2 groups. In the BEA-ERCP group, in patients having a Roux limb + biliopancreatic (from ligament of Treitz to jejunojejunal anastomosis), a limb length less than 150 cm was associated with therapeutic success. Starting with BEA-ERCP and continuing with LA-ERCP after a failed BEA-ERCP saved $1015 compared with starting with LA-ERCP. LIMITATIONS: Single center, retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: In centers with expertise in deep enteroscopy and ERCP, post-RYGB patients with a Roux + ligament of Treitz to jejunojejunal anastomosis limb length less than 150 cm should first be offered deep enteroscopy-assisted ERCP. In patients with Roux + ligament of Treitz to jejunojejunal anastomosis (LTJJ) limb length 150 cm or longer, LA-ERCP should be the preferred approach because of the lack of need for a second procedure, equivalent morbidity and hospital stay, decreased endoscopist time, and decreased cost.

Criteria for establishing the adequacy of a sentinel lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Criteria are needed that could be used to terminate a sentinel lymphadenectomy for breast cancer prior to removing every sentinel lymph node, without increasing false negative rates. METHODS: Quantitative information on the radioactivity and color of sentinel lymph nodes removed from 541 breast cancer patients was correlated with pathologic information to determine when a sentinel lymphadenectomy could be terminated based on characteristics of the initially removed nodes. RESULTS: Tumor was found in the first two sentinel lymph nodes removed in 127 of 129 node-positive patients. In 65% of patients who were able to be evaluated, the most radioactive lymph node was a positive lymph node. When any axillary lymph node was blue, then the first tumor-containing sentinel lymph node was also blue. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the most radioactive lymph node does not insure accurate assessment of the axilla. Removal of two sentinel lymph nodes accurately staged 98.4% of node-positive patients and 99.6% of the entire study population.

Use of self-expandable metallic stents in benign GI diseases.

BACKGROUND: The self-expandable metallic stent is of proven benefit in patients with malignant disease; however, its use in patients with benign disease is not well established. There are few data available regarding long-term complications and outcomes with use of self-expandable metallic stents in benign disease and virtually none regarding attempted removal once the acute problem is resolved. METHODS: Thirteen patients who had a self-expandable metallic stent placed for benign GI disorders were included in a retrospective analysis. Data collected included patient demographics, indication for procedure, type of stent used, complications, and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (7 women, 6 men; mean age 67 years, range 34-84 years) had one or more self-expandable metallic stents placed for benign disease and were followed for a mean of 3.4 years (3 weeks to 10 years). Of the 13 patients, 8 had esophageal stents, 4 biliary stents, and 1 had dual stents placed in the pancreaticobiliary tree. Complications developed in 8 (62%) patients; 4 (31%) ultimately died, either from the primary disease process (3) or from stent-related complications (1). CONCLUSIONS: Self-expandable metallic stent placement is effective treatment for benign esophageal leaks, providing the stent can be removed. It also may be used in either the esophagus or biliary tree in patients who are poor candidates for surgery and short expected survival. However, a self-expandable metallic stent should not be placed in a patient with a benign GI disorder who has a significant life expectancy and is a good candidate for surgery.