Waist circumference predicts increased complications in rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The impact of obesity on development of postoperative complications after gastrointestinal surgery remains controversial. This may be due to the fact that obesity has been calculated by body mass index, a measure that does not account for fat distribution. We hypothesized that waist circumference, a measure of central obesity, would better predict complications after high-risk gastrointestinal procedures. METHODS: Retrospective review of an institutional cancer database identified consecutive cases of men undergoing elective rectal resections. Waist circumference was calculated from preoperative imaging. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2009, 152 patients with mean age 65.2 ± 0.75 years and body mass index 28.0 ± 0.43 kg/m(2) underwent elective resection of rectal adenoma or carcinoma. Increasing body mass index was not significantly associated with risk of postoperative complications including infection, dehiscence, and reoperation. Greater waist circumference independently predicted increased risk of superficial infections (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.19-3.30, p < 0.008) and a significantly greater risk of having one or more postoperative complications (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.04-2.34, p < 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference, a measure of central obesity, is a better predictor of short-term complications than body mass index and can be used to identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive infection control and prevention.

Establishment of a minimally invasive program at a Veterans' Affairs Medical Center leads to improved care in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advantages to patients, less than 5% of all colorectal surgeries for cancer are performed laparoscopically. A minimally invasive colorectal cancer program was created in our Veterans' Affairs hospital with the intent of increasing access and improving quality of patient care while maintaining patient safety and oncologic standards. METHODS: Sixty consecutive laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections and 60 age-matched open resections were identified. Our prospective database was queried for demographic, clinical outcomes, and oncologic data. RESULTS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic resections experienced a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return of bowel function. Both groups had similar intraoperative blood loss and surgical times. Laparoscopic resections achieved equivalent lymph node retrieval and resection completeness compared with open resections. Laparoscopic resections resulted in fewer wounds and fewer complications requiring reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of a minimally invasive colorectal cancer program in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center leads to increased access to laparoscopic colorectal resections and improved patient care while maintaining patient safety.

Rectal cancer patients benefit from implementation of a dedicated colorectal cancer center in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: A dedicated colorectal cancer (CRC) center was created in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center with the intent of improving quality of patient care and multidisciplinary cooperation. METHODS: Retrospective and prospective databases before and after creation of the CRC center, respectively, were created. Patients entered in each database included those requiring surgical intervention for CRC treatment. Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact, chi-square, and unpaired Student t tests as well as analysis of variance. RESULTS: The overall quality of care of CRC patients has improved as evidenced by a larger percentage of complete, margin-negative resections (P <.05) as well as an increase in the number of lymph nodes excised at surgery (P <.0001). Furthermore, a multidisciplinary approach is clearly beneficial as evidenced by the increased number of CRC patients receiving appropriate multidisciplinary therapy (P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A dedicated CRC center has significantly improved quality of care for CRC patients.