Should the rectal defect be sutured following TEMS/TAMIS carried out for neoplastic rectal lesions? A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of the rectal defect following transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) or minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) carried out for excision of neoplasm in the lower rectum is controversial. We aimed to extract evidence by carrying out a meta-analysis to compare the peri- and postoperative outcomes following rectal neoplasm excision carried out by TEMS and/or TAMIS, whereby the defect is either sutured or left open. METHODS: A literature search of Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. Full-text comparative studies published until November 2019, in English and of adult patients, whereby TEMS or TAMIS was undertaken for rectal neoplasms were included. The main outcome measures were postoperative bleeding, infection, operative time and hospital stay. FINDINGS: Three studies (one randomised controlled trial and two comparative case series) yielded 555 cases (283 in the sutured group and 272 in the open group). The incidence of postoperative bleeding was higher and statistically significant (p = 0.006) where the rectal defect was left open following excision of the neoplasm (19/272, 6.99% vs 6/283, 2.12%). There was no statistical difference between the sutured and open groups regarding infection (p = 0.27; (10/283, 3.53% vs 5/272, 1.84%, respectively), operative time (p = 0.15) or length of stay (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: Suturing the rectal defect following excision of rectal neoplasm by TEMS/TAMIS reduces the incidence of postoperative bleeding in comparison to leaving the defect open. However, suturing makes the procedure slightly longer but there was no statistical difference between both groups when postoperative infection and length of hospital stay were compared.

Percutaneous caecostomy for the management of closed loop large bowel obstruction: A delayed complication of severe gallstone pancreatitis.

Colonic complications following pancreatitis are unusual events ranging from 1% to 15%. In a patient with a hostile abdomen and multiple previous laparotomies, surgical management of a closed-loop large-bowel obstruction risks significant morbidity and mortality for the patient, necessitating other strategies for management. Caecostomy in the management of large bowel obstruction is an often forgotten weapon in the general surgeons' armoury.

Organ Preservation Using Contact Radiotherapy for Early Rectal Cancer: Outcomes of Patients Treated at a Single Centre in the UK.

AIMS: Contact radiotherapy for early rectal cancer uses 50 kV X-rays to treat rectal cancers under direct vision. We present data of a series of patients treated at a single centre with prospective follow-up and functional assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were treated at the Queen's Centre for Oncology, Hull, UK between September 2011 and October 2015. Patients received a biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver/pelvis, computed tomography of the chest and endorectal ultrasound. Patients were deemed to be either unfit for radical surgery or refused it due to the need for a permanent stoma. Follow-up consisted of 3 monthly flexible sigmoidoscopy and MRI of the liver/pelvis and 12 monthly computed tomography of the chest. RESULTS: In total, 42 patients were treated with contact radiotherapy ± external beam chemo/radiotherapy without any primary surgical excision. The median age was 78 years (range 50-94 years). Local recurrence-free survival was 88%, disease-free survival was 86% and overall survival was 88% with a median follow-up of 24 months (range 5-54 months). The median time to recurrence was 12 months (range 4-14 months). The estimated 30 day surgical mortality for this cohort with radical surgery was 12%. Mortality from the contact radiotherapy procedure was 0%. Functional outcomes as investigated by the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score were good, with 65% having no LARS. CONCLUSIONS: Contact radiotherapy for early rectal cancer is a safe, well-tolerated outpatient procedure, allowing organ preservation, with excellent oncological and functional outcomes. For elderly co-morbid patients with suitable rectal cancers this should be considered as a standard of care.

Perineal hernia formation following extralevator abdominoperineal excision.

AIM: Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) has become increasingly used because of some evidence of improved oncological outcome. It is, however, thought to be associated with a higher incidence of perineal hernia formation, although the exact incidence is not known. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of perineal hernia after ELAPE. METHOD: The case notes of patients over a 54-month period were reviewed. The perineal closure technique, perineal complications and management plan were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, 56 patients underwent ELAPE, of whom 24 (44%) developed a perineal wound complication. Primary perineal closure was performed with (eight patients) and without (32 patients) insertion of a biological mesh or myocutaneous flap. Perineal hernia was the commonest complication (26%) and occurred in nine (45%) of 20 patients who had a laparoscopic ELAPE. CONCLUSION: Perineal hernia formation was the commonest perineal complication of ELAPE and occurred in nearly half of patients having a laparoscopic ELAPE.

Outcomes of asymptomatic anastomotic leaks found on routine postoperative water-soluble enema following anterior resection for cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and consequence of an anastomotic leak associated with low anterior resection for cancer mandates covering stoma in most cases. A water-soluble enema is often performed to assess anastomotic integrity prior to stoma reversal. The functional outcome following reversal in patients with occult radiologically detected leaks is poorly defined. The goal of the present study was to determine the functional outcome in patients with a radiologically detected anastomotic leak who subsequently underwent stoma reversal. METHODS: This case control study used patients with and without radiologically detected occult anastomotic leak having undergone reversal of covering stomata. The study group was matched with controls for age, gender, procedure, tumor stage, and adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy. Validated fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL), Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS), and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Bowel Function Index (BFI) were used. Patient satisfaction, medication use, and ancillary procedures prior to closure were also recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with radiologically detected occult anastomotic leaks and 13 matched controls were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The FIQL, CCFIS, and MSKCC BFI scores were significantly reduced in those with occult leaks. The mean number of radiological and surgical interventions was significantly greater in the patients with occult leaks. Antidiarrheal and bulking agent use, as well as patient satisfaction, were the same for both groups. Only one patient in the occult leak group would not undergo stoma reversal again. CONCLUSIONS: Reversal of a defunctioning ileostomy in the presence of an occult radiological leak can be associated with poorer functional outcomes, but patient satisfaction is undiminished.

Balloon dilatation of benign rectal anastomotic strictures -- a review.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of anastomotic stricture at the level of the rectum gives rise to three broad therapeutic options, namely major pelvic and abdominal revisional surgery, faecal diversion (stoma), or local revision by transanal approaches (including endoscopic and fluoroscopic). This article updates the current evidence and focuses on the results of the balloon dilatation technique. METHODS: A Medline search was carried out using the search terms (dilatation OR dilatation) AND (stricture OR strictures OR stenosis OR stenotic) AND (rectum OR rectal). In an effort to lessen publication bias, articles included at least 10 patients who were consecutively referred for treatment. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: This review would suggest that probably relatively short strictures have been chosen for balloon dilatation and that the results have had a very low major morbidity (0.45%) and mortality (0%) rate.

Expression of cyclin D2 is an independent predictor of the development of hepatic metastasis in colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclin D1 has been implicated in the progression of several cancers by virtue of its influence on progression of the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. However, little is known about the possible roles of cyclin D2 and D3 in colorectal cancers (CRCs). METHOD: We investigated the expression levels of cyclin D2 and D3 in 84 CRC specimens. Antigen expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of cyclin D1, D2, D3, p16INK4A and Ki67 on tissue microarrays constructed using core samples from tumour centres and margins. RESULTS: For the whole cohort, expression of cyclin D2 at the margin was associated with vascular invasion (P = 0.039), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020) and liver metastasis (P < 0.001). In patients with stage I and II tumours (n = 84), elevated cyclin D2 and D3 were associated with vascular invasion (P = 0.014 and 0.028 respectively), liver metastasis (P = 0.001 and 0.007 respectively) and reduced disease specific survival (Cyclin D2, P < 0.022). No association was noted between the proliferative marker Ki-67 and the D-type cyclins. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that cyclin D2 expression at the invasive margin of CRCs is associated with liver metastasis and may serve as a useful prognostic marker and indicator of the need for adjuvant therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging accuracy in assessing tumour down-staging following chemoradiation in rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly accepted as the radiological modality of choice staging rectal cancer but is subject to error. Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly used in rectal cancer and MRI is used to stage response and occasionally plan surgery. We aim to assess the staging accuracy of MRI following chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 86 patients with MRI stage pre- and postlong-course chemoradiotherapy and comparison with pathological assessment. RESULTS: Fourty-nine patients (34 men, 15 women) with median age 68 years (60-74) were analysed. The median time from completion of CRT to MRI was 32 days (16-37). Chemoradiotherapy led to significant down-staging (P < 0.001). MRI-staging accuracy was 43% (21/49) with over- and under-staging in 43% (21/49) and 14% (7/49) respectively. T-stage accuracy was 45% (22/49) with over-staging in 33% (16/49) and under-staging in 22% (11/49). MRI stage correlated poorly with pathological assessment for International Union Against Cancer (kappa = 0.255) and T stages (kappa = 0.112). MRI nodal assessment was 71% (35/49) accurate, with 82% (9/11) sensitivity, 68% (26/38) specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 43% (9/21) and negative predictive value of 93% (26/28). There was a significant difference in node positivity between MRI and pathological staging (P = 0.005, Fisher's exact). Complete radiological response was observed in 4% (2/49). Complete pathological response was observed in 10% (5/49), which were staged 0(1), I(1), II(2) and III(1) postchemoradiotherapy by MRI. CONCLUSION: MRI staging following chemoradiation is poor. Over-staging occurs three times more commonly than under-staging. Over-staging is due to poor PPV of nodal assessment.

An open study of diflunisal, conservative and manipulative therapy in the management of acute mechanical low back pain.

One hundred and twelve patients with acute mechanical low back pain were randomly divided into three treatment groups. All patients received ergonomic advice and then either a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or conservative or manipulative types of physiotherapy. Serial assessments of pain and spinal mobility showed similar response rates in all three treatment groups and no significant difference between therapies. The overall improvement ratings, time off work, and economic cost favoured the group treated with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but this group had a better range of spinal flexion at the onset so firm conclusions regarding the preferred management of these patients in general practice cannot be drawn. Treatment failures occurred in all groups highlighting the need for a variety of therapeutic approaches in managing the patient with low back pain.