Outcomes of initially nonoperative management of diverticulitis with abscess formation in immunosuppressed patients. DIPLICAB study COLLABORATIVE group.

AIM: Management of diverticulitis with abscess formation in immunosuppressed patients (IMS) remains unclear. The main objective of the study was to assess short- and long-term outcomes between IMS and immunocompetent patients (IC). The secondary aim was to identify risk factors for emergency surgery. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed at 29 Spanish referral centres between 2015-2019 including consecutive patients with first episode of diverticulitis classified as modified Hinchey Ib or II. IMS included immunosuppressive therapy, biologic therapy, malignant neoplasm with active chemotherapy and chronic steroid therapy. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors to emergency surgery in IMS. RESULTS: A total of 1395 patients were included; 118 IMS and 1277 IC. There were no significant differences in emergency surgery between IMS and IC (19.5% and 13.5%, p = 0.075) but IMS was associated with higher mortality (15.1% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). Similar recurrent episodes were found between IMS and IC (28% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.963). Following multivariate analysis, immunosuppressive treatment, p = 0.002; OR: 3.35 (1.57-7.15), free gas bubbles, p < 0.001; OR: 2.91 (2.01-4.21), Hinchey II, p = 0.002; OR: 1.88 (1.26-2.83), use of morphine, p < 0.001; OR: 3.08 (1.98-4.80), abscess size ≥5 cm, p = 0.001; OR: 1.97 (1.33-2.93) and leucocytosis at third day, p < 0.001; OR: 1.001 (1.001-1.002) were independently associated with emergency surgery in IMS. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative management in IMS has been shown to be safe with similar treatment failure than IC. IMS presented higher mortality in emergency surgery and similar rate of recurrent diverticulitis than IC. Identifying risk factors to emergency surgery may anticipate emergency surgery.

Diverticulitis with abscess formation: Outcomes of non-operative management and nomogram for predicting emergency surgery: The Diplicab Study Collaborative Group.

BACKGROUND: To assess short- and long-term outcomes from non-surgical management of diverticulitis with abscess formation and to develop a nomogram to predict emergency surgery. METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed in 29 Spanish referral centers, including patients with a first episode of a diverticular abscess (modified Hinchey Ib-II) from 2015 to 2019. Emergency surgery, complications, and recurrent episodes were analyzed. Regression analysis was used to assess risk factors, and a nomogram for emergency surgery was designed. RESULTS: Overall, 1,395 patients were included (1,078 Hinchey Ib and 317 Hinchey II). Most (1,184, 84.9%) patients were treated with antibiotics without percutaneous drainage, and 194 (13.90%) patients required emergency surgery during admission. Percutaneous drainage (208 patients) was associated with a lower risk of emergency surgery in patients with abscesses of ≥5 cm (19.9% vs 29.3%, P = .035; odds ratio 0.59 [0.37-0.96]). The multivariate analysis showed that immunosuppression treatment, C-reactive protein (odds ratio: 1.003; 1.001-1.005), free pneumoperitoneum (odds ratio: 3.01; 2.04-4.44), Hinchey II (odds ratio: 2.15; 1.42-3.26), abscess size 3 to 4.9 cm (odds ratio: 1.87; 1.06-3.29), abscess size ≥5 cm (odds ratio: 3.62; 2.08-6.32), and use of morphine (odds ratio: 3.68; 2.29-5.92) were associated with emergency surgery. A nomogram was developed with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.85). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage must be considered in abscesses ≥5 cm to reduce emergency surgery rates; however, there are insufficient data to recommend it in smaller abscesses. The use of the nomogram could help the surgeon develop a targeted approach.

Long-term outcomes of transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: what could we do to improve them?

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of transanal mesorectal excision are still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term oncological and functional results of TaTME. METHODS: Fifty patients with mid-low rectal cancer were included: 20 underwent TaTME and 30 laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. Clinical characteristics of patients and tumors and quality indicators for rectal surgery were described. Long-term functional outcomes were compared in two groups (TaTME vs. laTME). Local recurrence rate was calculated. Kaplan-Meier curves were performed for disease-free and overall survival and log-rank test was used to compare two groups. RESULTS: There were not significant differences between two groups in sex, age ASA Score, neoadjuvant therapy, tumor stage and quality indicators of rectal surgery. After a median follow-up of 46 (41-51) months functional outcomes were significantly worse in TaTME group in terms of rates of maior low anterior resection syndrome score (10% vs. 0%, P=0.009), faucal incontinence (15% vs. 3%, P=0.017), urinary disfunction (10% vs. 0%, P=0.009) and sexual disfunction (15% vs. 13%, P=0.047). Only one patient presented local recurrence (TaTME group, ypT3N0). Overall survival at 1 and 3 years were 92.6% and 90% respectively and disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years were 96% and 90% respectively. There were not significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival and disease-free survival after TaTME for rectal cancer were similar to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. However functional outcomes were worse after TaTME.

Quality indicators of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer

Introduction: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has revolutionized the surgical techniques for lower-third rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to analyze the outcomes of quality indicators of TaTME for rectal cancer compared with laparoscopic TME (LaTME). Methods: A cohort prospective study with 50 (14 female and 36male) patients, with a mean age of 67 (range: 55.75 to 75.25) years, who underwent surgery for rectal cancer. In total, 20 patients underwent TaTME, and 30, LaTME. Every TaTME procedure was performed by experienced colorectal surgeons. The sample was divided into two groups (TaTME and LaTME), and the quality indicators of the surgery for rectal cancer were analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences regarding the patients and the main characteristics of the tumor (age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] score, body mass index [BMI], tumoral stage, neoadjuvant therapy, and distance from the tumor to the external anal margin) between the two groups. The rates of: postoperativemorbidity (TaTME: 35%; LaTME: 30%; p=0.763);mortality (0%); anastomotic leak (TaTME: 10%; LaTME: 13%; p=0.722); wound infection (TaTME: 0%; LaTME: 3.3%; p=0.409); reoperation (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 6.6%; p=0.808); and readmission (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 0%; p=0.400), as well as the length of the hospital stay (TaTME: 13.5 days; LaTME: 11 days; p=0.538), were similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of positive circumferential resection margin (TaTME: 5%; LaTME: 3.3%; p=0.989) and positive distal resection margin (TaTME: 0%; LaTME: 3.3%; p=0.400), the completeness of the TME (TaTME: 100%; LaTME: 100%), and the number of lymph nodes harvested (TaTME: 15; LaTME: 15.5; p=0.882) between two groups. Conclusion: Transanal total mesorectal excision is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for middle/lower-third rectal cancer. (AU)

Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer surgery in Madrid

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has had an important impact on colorectal cancer surgery, for hospital resources had to be redistributed in favour of Covid-19 patients. The aim of the present study is to analyze our results in colorectal oncologic surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic in patients with and without perioperative SARSCoV- 2 infection. Methods: In total, 32 patients (19 male and 13 female patients), with a mean age of 64 years (range: 57.2 to 69.5 years) with colorectal cancer underwent surgery under the recommendations of surgical societies included in a protocol. Data collection included clinical characteristics (gender, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor location, preoperative staging, lymphopenia), data related to SARS-CoV-2 infection (postoperative symptoms, diagnostic tests), operative details (surgical procedure, approach, duration, stoma), pathological outcomes (tumor stage, number of lymph nodes harvested, distal and circumferential radial margins, quality of the total mesorectal excision), and surgical outcomes (morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and the rates of reoperation and readmission). Results: A total of 3 (9.4%) patients who underwent colorectal surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic were infected by SARS-CoV-2 in the postoperative period. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with Covid-19 (6.2% versus 33.3%; p=0.042), and surgical morbidity was higher among Covid-19 patients (100% versus 37.9%; p=0.039). There were not significant differences between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients in relation to the rest of the analyzed outcomes. Conclusion: During the Covid-19 pandemic, colorectal cancer surgery should be performed according to the recommendations of surgical societies. However, Covid- 19 patients could present a higher morbidity rate. (AU)

Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective cohort study / Implantação de um programa de recuperação aprimorada após cirurgia colorretal eletiva: um estudo prospectivo de coorte

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the results of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in elective colorectal surgery compared to the historical cohort of this hospital with standard care, in terms of hospital Length Of Stay (LOS), 30 days readmissions rate and 3-5 Clavien-Dindo Complications (CDC). Methodology: Data were collected from consecutive patients during 2 time periods, before (135 patients from hospital database) and after implementation of an ERAS protocol (121 with prospective follow up). Multivariate lineal or logistic regressions were used to assess the impact of ERAS program, adjusting by gender, age, laparoscopy and 3-5 CDC. Results: The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and surgery details, with the exception of the operative approach, with increased use of laparoscopy in the ERAS group. The ERAS protocol decreased LOS (9.8 ± 3.7 vs. 11 ± 3.8, p = 0.018) without increasing 30 days readmission rate or the number of severe CDC. In a multivariate analysis, age and 3-5 CDC were independently associated with a longer LOS while male gender, ERAS protocol and laparoscopic surgery with a decreased LOS. 3-5 CDC increased readmissions (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.2-10.2) while laparoscopic surgery decreased them (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). ERAS improved compliance with secondary variables in a statistically significant way: more laparoscopic surgery; more regional analgesia in the intraoperative period; earlier adherence to ambulation; faster onset of oral liquid diet and analgesia by mouth; and lower requirements of opioids. Conclusions: ERAS protocol and laparoscopic surgery decreased LOS without increasing 30 days readmission rate. Severe CDC increased LOS and readmissions.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados de um protocolo de recuperação aprimorada após a cirurgia (enhanced recovery after surgery [ERAS]) em cirurgia colorretal eletiva em comparação com a coorte histórica deste hospital, que recebeu o tratamento padrão, em termos de hospitalização, taxa de readmissão de 30 dias e graus 3 a 5 na escala de complicações cirúrgicas de Clavien-Dindo (CCD). Metodologia: Os dados foram coletados de pacientes consecutivos em dois períodos de tempo: antes (135 pacientes do banco de dados do hospital) e depois da implementação de um protocolo ERAS (121 pacientes com acompanhamento prospectivo). Regressões lineares ou logísticas multivariadas foram usadas para avaliar o impacto do protocolo ERAS, ajustando por sexo, idade, uso de laparoscopia e graus 3 a 5 na escala CCD. Resultados: Os dois grupos foram homogêneos em termos de características demográficas e cirúrgicas, com exceção da abordagem operatória, com o aumento do uso de laparoscopia no grupo ERAS. O protocolo ERAS diminuiu o tempo de internação (9,8 ± 3,7 vs. 11 ± 3,8; p = 0,018) sem aumentar a taxa de readmissão de 30 dias ou a severidade na escala CCD. Na análise multivariada, a idade e os graus 3 a 5 na escala CCD foram independentemente associados a uma hospitalização mais longa, enquanto o sexo masculino, o protocolo ERAS e a cirurgia laparoscópica foram independentemente associados a uma hospitalização mais curta. Graus 3 a 5 na escala CCD foram associados a um aumento nas readmissões (OR = 3,5; IC 95%: 1,2-10,2), enquanto a cirurgia laparoscópica foi associada a uma diminuição nesse número (OR = 0,2; IC 95%: 0,1-0,8). O ERAS melhorou a adesão às variáveis secundárias de uma forma estatisticamente significativa: aumento no número de cirurgias laparoscópicas; maior uso de analgesia regional no período intraoperatório; adesão precoce à deambulação; início mais rápido da dieta líquida oral e analgesia por via oral; finalmente, menor uso de opioides. Conclusões: O protocolo ERAS e a cirurgia laparoscópica diminuíram o tempo de internação sem aumentar a taxa de readmissão de 30 dias. Um grau severo na escala CCD aumentou a hospitalização e readmissões.

Encuesta de satisfacción tras aplicación de un protocolo de recuperación intensificada ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) en cirugía electiva colorrectal en mayores de 70 años / Satisfaction survey after an ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol in colorectal elective surgery in patients over 70 years of age

Abstract Introduction: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to reduce hospital stay, without increasing the rate of complications or readmissions 30 days after discharge; however, there is limited information about patient satisfaction. Objective: To determine the satisfaction of our patients following the implementation of an ERAS protocol in elective colorectal surgery. Materials and methods: A period of 4 days after discharge, a telephone survey was conducted based on the enhanced recovery in abdominal surgery clinical survey of the first 55 patients aged 70 years or older, who underwent elective colorectal surgery according to an ERAS protocol at the Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, Spain. This is a cross-sectional analytical study. Results: Most of our patients are very satisfied with the care and the way they were treated by the health staff during their hospitalization, and they would be willing to undergo surgery again following this protocol. Most of them consider that the information received in the pre-anesthesia and surgery consultation is very good, and they value this consultation as one of the most positive aspects of the protocol. More than half of the patients did not experience any nausea or vomiting and rated their pain as <3 (minimum 0 and maximum 10). Most considered the introduction of oral feeding and ambulation as on time or somewhat early. Conclusion: Elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery according to an ERAS protocol are highly pleased with the care received. Standardized surveys are required to be able to contrast outcomes.

Resumen Introducción: los programas de recuperación intensificada postoperatoria (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)) reducen la estancia hospitalaria, sin aumentar la tasa de complicaciones ni de reingresos a los 30 días tras el alta, pero hay poca información acerca del grado de satisfacción de los pacientes. Objetivo: conocer la satisfacción de nuestros pacientes tras la aplicación de un protocolo ERAS en cirugía electiva colorrectal. Materiales y métodos: cuatro días tras el alta, se realizó una encuesta telefónica basada en la encuesta de la guía clínica RICA (Recuperación Intensificada en Cirugía Abdominal) a los 55 primeros pacientes con edad mayor o igual a 70 años operados de cirugía electiva colorrectal según un protocolo ERAS. Es un estudio analítico transversal. Resultados: la mayor parte de nuestros pacientes están muy satisfechos con la asistencia y con el trato recibido por el personal sanitario durante su ingreso hospitalario, y se volverían a operar siguiendo este protocolo. La mayoría consideran que la información recibida en la consulta de preanestesia y cirugía es muy buena, y valoran esta consulta como uno de los aspectos más positivos del protocolo. Más de la mitad de los pacientes no tuvieron náuseas ni vómitos y calificaron su dolor como <3 (mínimo 0 y máximo 10). La mayoría consideraron el inicio de tolerancia oral y deambulación como a tiempo o algo pronto. Conclusiones: Los pacientes ancianos operados de cirugía electiva colorrectal según un protocolo ERAS están muy satisfechos con la asistencia prestada. Se necesitan encuestas estandarizadas para poder comparar resultados.

C-reactive protein as a marker of the surgical stress reduction within an ERAS protocol (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) in colorectal surgery: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol (ERAS) in relation to reduce the Systemic Inflammatory Response (SIR) to surgery using C-reactive protein (CRP) in the first (POD1), second (POD2) and third (POD3) postoperative day. METHODS: We enrolled 121 patients (ERAS group) that underwent elective colorectal surgery with ERAS, and compared them with 135 patients (preERAS group) that had undergone surgery prior to the implementation. We made a univariate analysis to compare the CRP values in POD1, POD2, and POD3 between preERAS/ERAS group, laparoscopic/open surgery and the presence or not of Clavien Dindo complications. Multivariable lineal regression was used to assess if the ERAS had a decreasing effect on the CRP in POD1, POD2, and POD3, and was adjusted by age, male sex, use of laparoscopy, and complications. RESULTS: The presence of complications was independently associated with an increase in CRP values ​​in POD1, POD2, and POD3. Laparoscopy in POD1 and POD2, and ERAS in POD2 was independently associated with a decrease in CRP values. CONCLUSION: The analysis shows an increase in SIR measured as a CRP value in those patients that had complications. The SIR decreased with laparoscopy in POD1 and POD2 and with ERAS in POD2.