Effect of inulin on breath hydrogen, postprandial glycemia, gut hormone release, and appetite perception in RYGB patients: a prospective, randomized, cross-over pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Large intestinal fermentation of dietary fiber may control meal-related glycemia and appetite via the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). We investigated whether this mechanism contributes to the efficacy of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) by assessing the effect of oligofructose-enriched inulin (inulin) vs. maltodextrin (MDX) on breath hydrogen (a marker of intestinal fermentation), plasma SCFAs, gut hormones, insulin and blood glucose concentrations as well as appetite in RYGB patients. METHOD: Eight RYGB patients were studied on two occasions before and ~8 months after surgery using a cross-over design. Each patient received 300 ml orange juice containing 25 g inulin or an equicaloric load of 15.5 g MDX after an overnight fast followed by a fixed portion snack served 3 h postprandially. Blood samples were collected over 5 h and breath hydrogen measured as well as appetite assessed using visual analog scales. RESULTS: Surgery increased postprandial secretion of GLP-1 and PYY (P ≤ 0.05); lowered blood glucose and plasma insulin increments (P ≤ 0.05) and reduced appetite ratings in response to both inulin and MDX. The effect of inulin on breath hydrogen was accelerated after surgery with an increase that was earlier in onset (2.5 h vs. 3 h, P ≤ 0.05), but less pronounced in magnitude. There was, however, no effect of inulin on plasma SCFAs or plasma GLP-1 and PYY after the snack at 3 h, neither before nor after surgery. Interestingly, inulin appeared to further potentiate the early-phase glucose-lowering and second-meal (3-5 h) appetite-suppressive effect of surgery with the latter showing a strong correlation with early-phase breath hydrogen concentrations. CONCLUSION: RYGB surgery accelerates large intestinal fermentation of inulin, however, without measurable effects on plasma SCFAs or plasma GLP-1 and PYY. The glucose-lowering and appetite-suppressive effects of surgery appear to be potentiated with inulin.

[Gender-specific differences of the early postoperative and oncosurgical long-term outcome in rectal cancer-data obtained in a prospective multicenter observational study]. / Genderspezifische Unterschiede im frühpostoperativen und onkochirurgischen Langzeitoutcome nach Rektumkarzinomresektion.

BACKGROUND: Gender-specific aspects have been increasingly considered in clinical medicine, also in oncological surgery. AIM: To analyze gender-specific differences of early postoperative and oncological outcomes after rectal cancer resection based on data obtained in a prospective multicenter observational study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: As part of the multicenter prospective observational study "Quality assurance in primary rectal cancer", data on tumor site, exogenic and endogenic risk factors, neoadjuvant treatment, surgical procedures, tumor stage, intraoperative and postoperative complications of patients with the histological diagnosis of rectal cancer were registered. Data from the years 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 were investigated with respect to gender-specific differences of postoperative morbidity, hospital mortality, local recurrency rate, disease-free and overall survival by univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Overall, data from 10,657 patients were evaluated: 60.9% of the patients were male, who were significantly younger (p < 0.001). Men had a significantly higher rate of alcohol (p < 0.001) and nicotine abuse (p < 0.001) as well as a trend to a higher body mass index (BMI) compared with women. Although, there was no significant difference in the distribution of various tumor stages comparing men and women, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy was used significantly more often in male patients (p < 0.001). In addition, male patients underwent an abdominoperineal rectum exstirpation more often, whereas creation of an enterostoma and Hartmann's procedure were more frequently used in women (p < 0.001 each). Multivariate analysis revealed that male patients developed a higher overall morbidity (odds ratio, OR: 1.5; p < 0.001) during both study periods and from 2010-2011 a higher hospital mortality (OR: 1.8; p < 0.001). After a median follow-up period of 36 months, gender did not have a significant impact on overall survival, disease-free survival or on the local tumor recurrency. The 5­year overall survival was 60.5%, disease-free survival 63.8% and local recurrency rate was 5%. CONCLUSION: Independent of other variables, gender differences were found with respect to early postoperative outcome but not to oncological long-term results after surgery of rectal cancer.

[Sealing of the hepatic resection area using hemostat devices does not improve results of adequate surgery]. / Versiegelung der Leberresektionsfläche mit Gewebsklebematerialien bewirkt keine weitere Verbesserung adäquater Chirurgie.

PURPOSE: In hepatic resections, there has been a high quality demand. The aim of this systematic clinical, prospective, unblinded unicenter observational study with two arms in an unselected patient cohort was to investigate whether hemostat device can significantly improve outcome in resective liver surgery, in particular, in high risk patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients (mean age, 60.5 [range, 17 - 96] years) who underwent hepatic resection (ntotal = 770) were prospectively documented in a computer-based registry at a university hospital (tertiary center) over a time period of 10 years and retrospectively evaluated specifically with regard to the use (-/+; in daily practice and intraoperative decision-making) of hemostat device (Tissucol(®), n = 59/Tachocomb(®), n = 202/combination, n = 55) indicated (among others) by drainage volume, inflammatory parameters and rate of specific complications (nvalidated = 541 [100 %]). RESULTS: Most frequently, (a-)/typical segmental resections were used: n = 192/90 (3-segment resection, only n = 38). 1) For the assignment of patients to the two different groups (-/+ hemostat device), weight loss and type of resection were found as significant factors (trend: ASA, cirrhosis), for the amount of drainage volume, ASA, sex, Karnofsky Performance Scale and also type of resections using independent distributed statistical tests (such as χ(2), U test [Mann/Whitney]; H test [Kruskal-Willis]; correlation coefficient by Spearman) - no impact: smoking, diabetes, BMI, ethanol. 2) Not taking into account these parameters, the use of hemostat device was characterized by an increased drainage volume (negative control < Tissucol = Tachocomb < combination). 3) Using multifactorial analysis of variance, it was found even under correction by the factors with significant impact elucidated in the single test that the application of hemostat device onto the hepatic resection area resulted unexpectedly rather in an increase than a decrease of the drainage volume but 4) under accompanying more pronounced increase of the white blood cell count (leucocytosis). 5) General and specific complications such as postoperative bleeding, biliary fistula and subhepatic abscess were not further lowered in a significant manner using hemostat device. CONCLUSION: Adequate surgery in the operative management of hepatic resection area cannot further be improved or optimized using hemostat device. In this context, drainage volume may not be considered a sufficient rather an orienting parameter. However, there is an inflammatory response detectable most likely indicated by a(n un-)specific effusion and increase of white blood cell count, which can be interpreted as a) being characteristic for the problematic group of patients, in whom hemostat device was decided to be useful and was finally used in daily prectice, or b) reactive inflammation to foreign material.

The prebiotic concept and human health: a changing landscape with riboflavin as a novel prebiotic candidate?

Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota has a critical role in both the maintenance of human health and the pathogenesis of many diseases. Modifying the colonic microbiota using functional foods has attracted significant research effort and product development. The pioneering concept of prebiotics, as introduced by Gibson and Roberfroid in the 1990s, emphasized the importance of diet in the modulation of the gut microbiota and its relationships to human health. Increasing knowledge of the intestinal microbiota now suggests a more comprehensive definition. This paper briefly reviews the basics of the prebiotic concept with a discussion of recent attempts to refine the concept to open the door for novel prebiotic food ingredients, such as polyphenols, minerals and vitamins.

Intestinal GLP-1 and satiation: from man to rodents and back.

In response to luminal food stimuli during meals, enteroendocrine cells release gastrointestinal (GI) peptides that have long been known to control secretory and motor functions of the gut, pancreas and liver. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has emerged as one of the most important GI peptides because of a combination of functions not previously ascribed to any other molecule. GLP-1 potentiates glucose-induced insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying and may serve as a satiation signal, although the physiological status of the latter function has not been fully established yet. Here we review the available evidence for intestinal GLP-1 to fulfill a number of established empirical criteria for assessing whether a hormone inhibits eating by eliciting physiological satiation in man and rodents.

[Palliative treatment of advanced gastric cancer from surgical point of view]. / Palliative Behandlung des fortgeschrittenen Magenkarzinoms aus chirurgischer Sicht.

Data are available on two multicenter observational studies, the East German Gastric Cancer Study (EGGCS) '02 (surgical interventions only) and the German Gastric Cancer Study II (QCGC) from 2007 to 2009 (after inauguration of multimodal therapeutic concepts) with regard to palliative treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Through the first investigation period from January to December 2002 (EGGCS) overall 1139 patients with primary gastric cancer were registered and evaluated and then from 2007 to 2009 (QCGC) another 2897 patients were included. Comparing both time periods, there were no significant changes in the distribution of tumor sites and stages according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) classification, in particular, there was no significant reduction of advanced tumor stages. From 2007 to 2009 in total 521 patients (18 %) received neoadjuvant therapy, 401 patients (13.9 %) out of the group with curative intention and 120 (4.1 %) out of the group of patients with palliative intention. The proportion of palliative patients who underwent chemotherapy (with neoadjuvant intention and/or postoperatively) was 32.5 % (n = 223). Thus, the rate of palliative treatment (rate of no R0 resection status 29.6 %, rate of patients who did not undergo surgical intervention at all 9.5 %) could be diminished from almost 40 % in 2002 to 24.5 % through the time period from 2007 to 2009. Taking all patients together (with curative and palliative intention) an increase of the 4-year survival probability from 40.0 % to 48.5 % was observed after inauguration of multimodal therapy. After a 5-year follow-up median survival time was 34 months during the investigation period from 2007 to 2009 considering all study subjects. Patients who had undergone palliative surgical interventions benefited from postoperative palliative chemotherapy; however, as expected this was of greater benefit to patients with resecting surgical interventions than those with non-resecting operations. Palliative tumor resection (even R2 resection status) should be part of a concept of multimodal palliative therapy in cases of acceptable perioperative risk.

[Iatrogenic splenic injuries in surgery of colorectal carcinoma: impact on the oncological long-term of outcome]. / Iatrogene Milzverletzungen in der kolorektalen Karzinomchirurgie: Einfluss auf das onkologische Langzeitergebnis.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic lesions of the spleen during surgery of colorectal carcinoma is considered a significant risk factor for a worse early postoperative outcome. With regard to the impact of iatrogenic splenic lesions particularly associated with splenectomy on the oncological long-term outcome, only limited valid data are available. METHODS: Data obtained in a prospective multicenter observational study were analyzed. The study enrolled 45,265 patients with surgery for colorectal carcinoma in curative and palliative intentions during the study period from 01 January 2000 to 31 December 2004, with regard to the impact of iatrogenic splenic lesions on survival rates. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Follow-up data with corresponding informed consent were obtained from 564 patients with iatrogenic splenic lesions, resulting in a follow-up rate of 99.8 %. The median follow-up period was 50.2 months. The median 5-year overall survival was 4.8 years in group I (splenic lesion with splenectomy) and in group II (splenic lesion with organ preservation) 8.0 years (p = 0.009). Between group II (splenic lesion with organ preservation) and group III (control group with no splenic lesion) there were no significant differences with regard to long-term survival. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, iatrogenic splenic lesions with splenectomy were identified as an independent risk factor for a worse oncological long-term outcome.

[Surgical treatment of carcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction - results achieved in multicentre studies]. / Multizentrische Ergebnisse der chirurgischen Therapie der Karzinome des ösophagogastralen Übergangs.

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction are increasingly being considered as a separated tumour entity. The prognosis is rather poorer compared with that for distal gastric cancer. Data from a multicentre study as part of research on clinical care aim to reflect the current situation in surgical treatment after inauguration of neoadjuvant modalities. PATIENTS AND METHOD: As part of the ongoing prospective multicentre observational study QCGC 2 (German Gastric Cancer Study 2), 544 adenocarcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction (AEG 1-3) were registered from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2009. RESULTS: Patients underwent surgical intervention in 108 (76.6 %) of the 141 surgical departments which provided data to the study. In 391 patients (82.5 %), R0 resection was achieved. Almost 60 % of the carcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction were approached in departments with no more than 10 of these tumour lesions through the whole study period (3 years). Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 283 cases (53 %); the rate of neoadjuvant treatment was 34.4 % (n = 187). Intraoperative fresh frozen section was only included in intraoperative decision-making in 242 patients (60.8 %). In the revealed heterogeneous spectrum of surgical interventions, a limited number of transthoracic approaches (20 %) and a mediastinal lymphadenectomy rate of only 47 % were found. Hospital lethality was 6.6 %. In the adenocarcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction, a significantly lower median survival (25 months) compared with distal gastric cancer (38 months) was observed depending on the tumour stage. In addition, 5-year survival rate of AEG patients (33.1 %) was distinctly lower than for patients with distal gastric cancer (41.4 %). There was no significantly better survival by neoadjuvant treatment in the group of investigated patients. CONCLUSION: The results in the treatment of carcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction in the multicentre setting including surgical departments of each profile and region even after introduction of multimodal therapeutic concepts are not satisfying. In particular, modern diagnostic and surgical strategies need to be widely used or their percentage has to be increased. In this context, centralisation of the surgical care of this specific tumour entity appears reasonable.

Effects of chenodeoxycholic acid on the secretion of gut peptides and fibroblast growth factors in healthy humans.

CONTEXT: Recent evidence suggests bile acids (BAs) are involved in the glycemic control via TGR5 activation with the subsequent release of gut peptides and farnesoid X receptor activation with ensuing release of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that intraduodenal infusions of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) would stimulate FGF and gut peptide secretion, thereby positively influencing glucose homeostasis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial included 12 healthy volunteers who received intraduodenal infusions (2.0 mL/min for 180 minutes) of saline, CDCA (5 or 15 mmol/L), and a fatty acid (sodium oleate), either alone or with 5 mmol/L CDCA. After 60 minutes, an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide tyrosine tyrosine, cholecystokinin (CCK), total BAs, FGF19, FGF21, C-peptide, insulin, glucose, and glucagon were measured. RESULTS: Within the first 60 minutes, high-concentration CDCA induced a small but significant increase in GLP-1 and CCK secretion (P = .016 and P =.011), whereas plasma C-peptide, insulin, and glucose were not affected. Attenuated C-peptide and insulin release was observed after the oGTT with 15 mmol/L CDCA (P = .013 and P =.011). Plasma BA and FGF19 levels significantly increased after CDCA administration (P = .001 and P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: CDCA modulates GLP-1 and CCK secretion; the effect is small and does not influence glucose levels. The marked increase in plasma BAs and the attenuated insulin release after the oGTT indicate the role of BAs in glycemic control, independent of the incretin axis, and suggest involvement of farnesoid X receptor activation pathways.

Digestive physiology of the pig symposium: secretion of gastrointestinal hormones and eating control.

Nutrient ingestion triggers numerous changes in gastrointestinal (GI) peptide hormone secretion that affect appetite and eating. Evidence for these effects comes from research in laboratory animals, healthy humans, and, increasingly, obese patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, which has marked effects on GI hormone function and is currently the most effective therapy for morbid obesity. Increases in cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and decreases in ghrelin secretion after meals are triggered by changes in the nutrient content of the intestine. One apparent physiological function of each is to initiate a reflex-like feedback control of eating. Here we briefly review this function, with an emphasis on the controls of their secretion. Each is secreted from enteroendocrine cells that are directly or indirectly affected by caloric load, macronutrient composition, and other characteristics of ingested food such as fatty acid chain length. In addition, digestive hydrolysis is a critical mechanism that controls their secretion. Although there are relatively few data in agricultural animals, the generally consistent results across widely divergent mammals suggests that most of the processes described are also likely to be relevant to GI hormone functions and eating in agricultural animals.

The role of the gut sweet taste receptor in regulating GLP-1, PYY, and CCK release in humans.

The recent identification of sweet taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract has important implications in the control of food intake and glucose homeostasis. Lactisole can inhibit the sweet taste receptor T1R2/T1R3. The objective was to use lactisole as a probe to investigate the physiological role of T1R2/T1R3 by assessing the effect of T1R2/T1R3 blockade on GLP-1, PYY, and CCK release in response to 1) intragastric administration of nutrients or 2) intraduodenal perfusion of nutrients. The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study that included 35 healthy subjects. In part I, subjects received intragastrically 75 g of glucose in 300 ml of water or 500 ml of a mixed liquid meal with or without lactisole. In part II, subjects received an intraduodenal perfusion of glucose (29.3 g glucose/100 ml; rate: 2.5 ml/min for 180 min) or a mixed liquid meal (same rate) with or without lactisole. The results were that 1) lactisole induced a significant reduction in GLP-1 and PYY but not CCK secretion in both the intragastric and the intraduodenal glucose-stimulated parts (P ≤ 0.05), 2) comparison of the inhibitory effect of lactisole showed a significantly greater suppression of the hormone response in the intragastric part (P = 0.023), and 3) lactisole had no effect on liquid meal-stimulated parameters. We conclude that T1R2/T1R3 is involved in glucose-dependent secretion of satiation peptides. However, the results of the liquid meal-stimulated parts show that the receptor alone is not responsible for peptide secretion.

[Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in gastric carcinoma--an overview]. / Minimale Resterkrankung beim Magenkarzinom - eine Übersicht.

Despite recent developments in therapy for gastric cancer, the prognosis of this disease remains poor in advanced stages. In many cases even curatively treated patients without any residual tumour develop metachronous metastases. As in other solid tumours, adjuvant therapies can reduce the metastatic risk, which implies that some of these patients harbour isolated tumour cells or micrometastases (minimal residual disease, MRD) that are undetectable by radiological imaging and conventional histopathology but can still be the cause of tumour recurrence. Therefore, reliable methods for diagnosing MRD would be desirable for individually tailoring therapy for these patients. Unfortunately, testing methods for MRD and interpretation of their results are not standardised and studies published on this topic are difficult to interpret due to methodological differences and small sample sizes. As of now, testing for MRD has not become relevant in clinical routine for any of the anatomic compartments lymph nodes, peritoneal lavage fluid, peripheral blood, and bone marrow in the Western hemisphere. Most reliable data on MRD in gastric cancer patients have been reported for peritoneal lavage fluid. In some centres in Japan, this test is routinely being used for making therapeutic decisions, e. g., on the use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy. MRD in resected lymph nodes will be further evaluated in the context of the sentinel lymph node concept and possibly be employed for designing individualised therapy for patients in early disease stages who are not routinely candidates for multimodal treatment. As for tumour cells in peripheral blood and in bone marrow, studies suggest that these cells are only able to form metastases in the presence of certain molecular factors. Therefore, rather than simply confirming the existence of isolated tumour cells in blood or bone marrow, future studies should concentrate on defining their molecular characteristics and the conditions required for their metastatic potential. This may gain relevance in diagnostics and prognostic evaluation of individual patients as well as in the development of targeted therapies directly interfering with the metastatic process.

The functional involvement of gut-expressed sweet taste receptors in glucose-stimulated secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enteroendocrine cells are thought to directly sense nutrients via α-gustducin coupled taste receptors (originally identified in the oral epithelium) to modulate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). METHODS: We measured mRNA expression of α-gustducin and T1R3 along the human gut; immunohistochemistry was used to confirm co-localization with GLP-1. Functional implication of sweet taste receptors in glucose-stimulated secretion of GLP-1 and PYY was determined by intragastric infusion of glucose with or without lactisole (a sweet taste receptor antagonist) in 16 healthy subjects. RESULTS: α-gustducin was expressed in a region-specific manner (predominantly in the proximal gut and less in ileum and colon, P < 0.05). Both, T1R3 and α-gustducin were co-localized with GLP-1. Glucose-stimulated secretions of GLP-1 (P = 0.026) and PYY (P = 0.034) were reduced by blocking sweet receptors with lactisole. CONCLUSION: Key proteins implicated in taste signaling are present in the human gut and co-localized with GLP-1 suggesting that these proteins are functionally linked to peptide secretion from enteroendocrine cells. Glucose-stimulated secretion of GLP-1 and PYY is reduced by a sweet taste antagonist, suggesting the functional involvement of gut-expressed sweet taste receptors in glucose-stimulated secretion of both peptides in humans.

Orally administered glucagon-like peptide-1 affects glucose homeostasis following an oral glucose tolerance test in healthy male subjects.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) exerts several effects on glucose homeostasis and reduces food intake. After its release from intestinal L cells, GLP-1 is subject to (i) rapid breakdown by dipeptidyl peptidase IV and (ii) high liver extraction. The highest concentrations of GLP-1 are found in the splanchnic blood rather than in the systemic circulation. An oral delivery system would mimic endogenous secretion. Here we investigated the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) effects of a single dose (2 mg) of oral GLP-1 administered prior to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 16 healthy males. GLP-1 was rapidly absorbed from the gut, leading to tenfold higher plasma concentrations compared with controls. The PD profile was consistent with reported pharmacology; GLP-1 significantly stimulated basal insulin release (P < 0.027), with marked effects on glucose levels. The postprandial glucose peak was delayed with GLP-1, suggesting an effect on gastric emptying.

[Anastomotic leakage following bowel resections for colon cancer: multivariate analysis of risk factors]. / Anastomoseninsuffizienzen nach Kolonkarzinomresektionen : Multiple Analyse der Risikofaktoren.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage after colon cancer surgery using data compiled in the nationwide German qualitative multi-center study "Colon/Rectum Cancer" (WGCRC). METHODS: From 01/01/2000 to 12/31/2004 data recorded from patients with anastomotic leakages were evaluated to determine independent predictors of leakage using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 28,271 patients underwent colon resection with anastomoses and anastomotic leaks occurred in 3.0% (n=844). Multivariate analysis identified long duration of surgery, a high ASA score, male gender, obstruction, left-sided tumor, cardiovascular hepatic comorbidity, single-layer hand suture, anastomoses using the biofragmentable Valtrac ring, intraoperative complications and BMI>30 kg/m(2) as risk factors for postoperative occurrence of anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the rate of anastomotic leaks in patients with anastomoses after resection for colon cancer is low, it remains a significant complication, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The knowledge of risk factors should be considered in perioperative decision-making regarding anastomotic technique and indications for Hartmann's procedure.

[Clinical value of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer]. / Stellenwert der laparoskopischen Chirurgie des Kolonkarzinoms in der klinischen Routine.

BACKGROUND: Using data and analysis compiled in the nationwide German Colon/Rectal Cancer qualitative multicenter study, the aim of this study was to determine the value of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer in clinical routine. METHODS: From 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2003, patients with colon cancer resections were evaluated for short-term postoperative and long-term oncologic results associated with operative approach (laparoscopic vs conversion vs open). RESULTS: Of 21,721 patients with colon cancer, 949 (4.4%) underwent laparoscopic resection. These patients were younger (P<0.001) with lower ASA risk factors (P<0.001) and earlier UICC tumor stages (P<0.001) than open resected patients. They also showed reduced overall morbidity (P<0.001), in-hospital mortality (P=0.001), and shorter hospital stays (P<0.001). The rates of intraoperative and specific complications remained unchanged. Nineteen percent of the patients had resections converted to open approaches. These had the highest overall morbidity and longest hospital stays. Their mortality was three times that of the group with complete laparoscopic resection. CONCLUSIONS: The open approach remained the standard of surgical care in colon cancer for the study duration. Laparoscopic surgery was used in only a small number of patients. By virtue of preferential patient selection, better early postoperative and long-term results could be achieved for the laparoscopic group than with the open approach. Conversions were shown to be associated with inferior results at the high rate of 19%. To ensure optimal results, laparoscopic surgery for colon carcinoma should be conducted by an experienced surgeon in an appropriately selected patient pool.

Palliative stent implantation in the treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Palliative surgical interventions for the management of colonic obstruction in cases of metastasized or locally irresectable colorectal carcinoma show remarkable morbidity and mortality rates for mostly older and multimorbid patients. For manifest obstruction, placement of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is considered to be a suitable minimally invasive therapeutic option. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of stent-based treatment for malignant large bowel obstruction. METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2005, consecutive patients who had undergone placement of a SEMS for malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled and monitored. Manifest incontinence and rectum carcinoma within 5 cm above the anocutaneous line were contraindications for SEMS implantation. For all further locations of tumor-induced stenosis, a stent was implanted using endoscopy and fluoroscopy. This case series was characterized in terms of age, carcinoma localization, complications, morbidity and mortality, and the necessity for further interventions. RESULTS: For 44 of 48 patients (92%), stents were placed successfully and obstruction was abolished. The four remaining patients experienced stent dislocation. The median of age of the patients was 77.7 years (range, 47-96 years). The distribution of malignant stenoses was as follows: rectum (n = 16, 33.3%), sigmoideal colon (n = 21, 43.8%), descending colon (n = 4, 8.3%), splenic flexure (n = 2, 4.2%), transversal colon (n = 3, 6.2%), hepatic flexure (n = 1, 2.1%), and ascending colon (n = 1, 2.1%). There was no peri-interventional morbidity or mortality. The median in situ time for the stents was 251 days (mean, 422 days), with 13 of 44 patients treated with palliative therapy showing complications (29.5%). Six patients were treated endoscopically, and three individuals underwent surgical intervention. For four patients, no further intervention was required. Overall, there was no treatment-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: For palliative treatment of malignancy-induced colorectal obstruction, SEMS is an efficient tool associated with low morbidity and minimal mortality. From a technical point of view, all tumor locations are accessible.