Predictive factors of first-time failure on the American Board of Colorectal Surgery certifying and qualifying examinations.

Objective: To discover if first-attempt failure of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) board examination is associated with surgical training or personal demographic characteristics. Methods: Current colon and rectal surgery program directors in the United States were contacted via email. Deidentified records of trainees from 2011 to 2019 were requested. Analysis was performed to identify associations between individual risk factors and failure on the ABCRS board examination on the first attempt. Results: Seven programs contributed data, totaling 67 trainees. The overall first-time pass rate was 88% (n = 59). Several variables demonstrated potential for association, including Colon and Rectal Surgery In-Training Examination (CARSITE) percentile (74.5 vs 68.0, P = 0.09), number of major cases in colorectal residency (245.0 vs 219.2, P = 0.16), >5 publications during colorectal residency (75.0% vs 25.0%, P = 0.19), and first-time passage of the American Board of Surgery certifying examination (92.5% vs 7.5%, P = 0.18). Conclusion: The ABCRS board examination is a high-stakes test, and training program factors may be predictive of failure. Although several factors showed potential for association, none reached statistical significance. Our hope is that by increasing our data set, we will identify statistically significant associations that can potentially benefit future trainees in colon and rectal surgery.

Localizing ureteral catheters for left-sided colectomy and proctectomy: Do the risks justify the benefits?

BACKGROUND: The role of ureteral catheters in left-sided colectomies and proctectomies remains debated. Given the rarity of ureteral injury, prior retrospective studies were underpowered to detect potentially small, but meaningful differences. This study seeks to determine the role and morbidity of ureteral catheters in left-sided colectomy and proctectomy using a large, national database. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project from 2012 to 2018 was queried. Left-sided colectomies or proctectomies were included. Propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: 8419 patients with ureteral catherization and 128,021 patients without catheterization were included. After matching, there was not a significant difference in ureteral injury between the groups (0.7% with vs 0.9% without, p = 0.07). Ureteral catheters were associated with increased overall morbidity and longer operative time. Increasing body mass index, operations for diverticular disease, conversion to open, T4 disease and increasing operative complexity were associated with ureteral injury (p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral catheterization was not associated with decreased rates of ureteral injury when including all left-sided colectomies. High-risk patients for ureteral injury include those with obesity, diverticular disease, and conversion to open. Selective ureteral catheterization may be warranted in these settings.

Transanal total mesorectal excision achieves equivalent oncologic resection compared to laparoscopic approach, but with functional consequences.

BACKGROUND: This study compared transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (laTME) for the treatment of low rectal cancer. Adequacy of oncologic resection as well as postoperative outcomes were analyzed. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all proctectomy for low rectal cancer by a single surgeon at our institution from January 2014 to September 2019. RESULTS: There were 20 taTME and 30 laTME patients. TaTME patients had more distal tumors with no difference in pathologic resection margins or frequency of positive distal margin. Operative times were longer for taTME, but there were no differences in short-term outcomes or complications. TaTME patients had a higher rate of postoperative fecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: TaTME may be a good option for the most distal tumors, when distal margins may be compromised. TaTME provides equivalent oncologic resection, but there is a higher incidence of postoperative fecal incontinence.

Disease-free Survival and Local Recurrence for Laparoscopic Resection Compared With Open Resection of Stage II to III Rectal Cancer: Follow-up Results of the ACOSOG Z6051 Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence after the treatment of patients with rectal cancer with open (OPEN) or laparoscopic (LAP) resection. BACKGROUND: This randomized clinical trial (ACOSOG [Alliance] Z6051), performed between 2008 and 2013, compared LAP and OPEN resection of stage II/III rectal cancer, within 12 cm of the anal verge (T1-3, N0-2, M0) in patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The rectum and mesorectum were resected using open instruments for rectal dissection (included hybrid hand-assisted laparoscopic) or with laparoscopic instruments under pneumoperitoneum. The 2-year DFS and recurrence were secondary endpoints of Z6051. METHODS: The DFS and recurrence were not powered, and are being assessed for superiority. Recurrence was determined at 3, 6, 9, 12, and every 6 months thereafter, using carcinoembryonic antigen, physical examination, computed tomography, and colonoscopy. In all, 486 patients were randomized to LAP (243) or OPEN (243), with 462 eligible for analysis (LAP = 240 and OPEN = 222). Median follow-up is 47.9 months. RESULTS: The 2-year DFS was LAP 79.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74.4-84.9) and OPEN 83.2% (95% CI 78.3-88.3). Local and regional recurrence was 4.6% LAP and 4.5% OPEN. Distant recurrence was 14.6% LAP and 16.7% OPEN.Disease-free survival was impacted by unsuccessful resection (hazard ratio [HR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.21-2.91): composite of incomplete specimen (HR 1.65, 95% CI 0.85-3.18); positive circumferential resection margins (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40-3.79); positive distal margin (HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.30-3.77). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic assisted resection of rectal cancer was not found to be significantly different to OPEN resection of rectal cancer based on the outcomes of DFS and recurrence.

Effect of Laparoscopic-Assisted Resection vs Open Resection of Stage II or III Rectal Cancer on Pathologic Outcomes: The ACOSOG Z6051 Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Evidence about the efficacy of laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer is incomplete, particularly for patients with more advanced-stage disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether laparoscopic resection is noninferior to open resection, as determined by gross pathologic and histologic evaluation of the resected proctectomy specimen. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multicenter, balanced, noninferiority, randomized trial enrolled patients between October 2008 and September 2013. The trial was conducted by credentialed surgeons from 35 institutions in the United States and Canada. A total of 486 patients with clinical stage II or III rectal cancer within 12 cm of the anal verge were randomized after completion of neoadjuvant therapy to laparoscopic or open resection. INTERVENTIONS: Standard laparoscopic and open approaches were performed by the credentialed surgeons. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome assessing efficacy was a composite of circumferential radial margin greater than 1 mm, distal margin without tumor, and completeness of total mesorectal excision. A 6% noninferiority margin was chosen according to clinical relevance estimation. RESULTS: Two hundred forty patients with laparoscopic resection and 222 with open resection were evaluable for analysis of the 486 enrolled. Successful resection occurred in 81.7% of laparoscopic resection cases (95% CI, 76.8%-86.6%) and 86.9% of open resection cases (95% CI, 82.5%-91.4%) and did not support noninferiority (difference, -5.3%; 1-sided 95% CI, -10.8% to ∞; P for noninferiority = .41). Patients underwent low anterior resection (76.7%) or abdominoperineal resection (23.3%). Conversion to open resection occurred in 11.3% of patients. Operative time was significantly longer for laparoscopic resection (mean, 266.2 vs 220.6 minutes; mean difference, 45.5 minutes; 95% CI, 27.7-63.4; P < .001). Length of stay (7.3 vs 7.0 days; mean difference, 0.3 days; 95% CI, -0.6 to 1.1), readmission within 30 days (3.3% vs 4.1%; difference, -0.7%; 95% CI, -4.2% to 2.7%), and severe complications (22.5% vs 22.1%; difference, 0.4%; 95% CI, -4.2% to 2.7%) did not differ significantly. Quality of the total mesorectal excision specimen in 462 operated and analyzed surgeries was complete (77%) and nearly complete (16.5%) in 93.5% of the cases. Negative circumferential radial margin was observed in 90% of the overall group (87.9% laparoscopic resection and 92.3% open resection; P = .11). Distal margin result was negative in more than 98% of patients irrespective of type of surgery (P = .91). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with stage II or III rectal cancer, the use of laparoscopic resection compared with open resection failed to meet the criterion for noninferiority for pathologic outcomes. Pending clinical oncologic outcomes, the findings do not support the use of laparoscopic resection in these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00726622.

Single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: the first 100 resections.

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopy remains a novel technique in the field of colorectal surgery. Several small series have examined its safety for colon resection. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze our entire experience and short-term outcomes with single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy since its introduction at our institution. We assert that this approach is feasible and safe for the wide array of patients and indications encountered by a colorectal surgeon. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data for all patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with the use of standard laparoscopic instrumentation, for malignant or benign disease, between July 2009 and November 2010 in a high-volume, academic, colorectal surgery practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical, operative, and pathologic factors were reviewed and analyzed. All conversions to conventional laparoscopic or open operations were considered in this analysis. RESULTS: One hundred patients underwent single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy during the study period. Mean age was 63 years, and 61% of the patients were men. Forty-three percent had undergone previous abdominal surgery, and the median body mass index was 26 (range, 18-46). Median ASA classification was 3 (range, 1-4). Five percent of the operations were performed urgently, and 56% were performed for carcinoma, of which half were T3 or T4 tumor stage. Median operative duration was 105 (range, 64-270) minutes. Mean and median blood loss was 106 and 50 mL. Two percent required conversion to multiport laparoscopy, and 4% converted to the open approach. Median postoperative stay was 4 (range, 2-48) days. Median lymph node number was 18 (range, 11-42). There was one mortality in this series. Morbidity, including wound infection, was 13%. CONCLUSIONS: This represents the largest experience with single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy to date. This technique was used with acceptable morbidity and mortality and without compromise of conventional oncologic parameters by colorectal surgeons experienced in minimally invasive technique. These findings support the use of a single-port approach for patients requiring right hemicolectomy.

Predictors of mortality after colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis.

OBJECTIVES: To present, to our knowledge, the largest experience with colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis and to propose factors significant in predicting mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-three patients undergoing colectomy between 1994 and 2005 for C difficile-associated pseudomembranous colitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-three of 5718 cases (1.3%) of C difficile colitis required colectomy. Mean age was 68 years. In-hospital mortality was 34% (n = 25). Eighty-six percent (n = 63) of patients received a subtotal colectomy. Patients presented with diarrhea (84%; n = 61), abdominal pain (75%; n = 55), and ileus (16%; n = 12). Mean duration of symptoms was 7 days followed by 4 days of medical treatment prior to colectomy. On univariate analysis, an admitting diagnosis other than C difficile (P = .049), vasopressor requirement (P = .001), intubation (P = .001), and mental status changes (P < .001) were significant predictors of mortality. Arterial lactate level (4.9 vs 2.4 mmol/L; P = .007) was significantly higher and length of medical management (6.4 vs 3.0 days; P = .006) was significantly longer in the mortality group. Platelet counts (169 x 10(3)/microL vs 261 x 10(3)/microL [to convert to x 10(9)/L, multiply by 1]; P = .04) were significantly lower in the mortality group. On multivariate analysis, vasopressor requirement (P = .04; odds ratio, 5.0), mental status changes (P = .002; odds ratio, 12.6), and treatment length (P = .002; odds ratio, 1.4) remained significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Colectomy for C difficile colitis carries a substantial mortality regardless of patient age and white blood cell count. Preoperative vasopressor requirement, mental status changes, and length of medical treatment significantly predict mortality.

Removal of a large spherical foreign object from the rectum using an obstetric vacuum device: a case report.

Reports of retained rectal foreign bodies are increasingly common worldwide. It is likely that any surgeon practicing at a major medical center will encounter this type of case, and thus, should be familiar with both surgical and nonsurgical management options. The diagnosis is usually easy to confirm with a thorough history and physical exam and plain abdominal films. Low-lying objects can usually be extracted in the emergency room transanally, whereas high-lying foreign bodies may require anesthesia and laparotomy. We report an experience using an obstetric vacuum device to extract a high-lying foreign body from the rectum.

Acute ischemic proctitis: report of four cases.

Acute ischemic proctitis is an extremely rare clinical entity. It is mainly described in patients with significant atherosclerotic and cardiac risk factors who present with lower gastrointestinal symptoms in the setting of hemodynamic instability. Previous reports of ischemic proctitis suggest that rectal resection is not necessary in the treatment of this disease. We present four cases of acute ischemic proctitis that required complete proctectomy. All patients had large vessel atherosclerosis with rectal bleeding and sepsis as the presenting signs and symptoms. Three of four patients underwent complete proctectomy as the initial procedure. The fourth patient underwent complete proctectomy five days after the initial intervention. Two of four patients survived and were ultimately discharged from the hospital. A third patient recovered from surgery but ultimately died of respiratory complications. Only the patient who was initially treated by subtotal proctectomy died as the result of the disease. Although ischemic necrosis of the rectum is rare, complete proctectomy may be necessary to save the patient's life.

Ileosalpingeal fistula: an unusual complication of Crohn's disease.

Enterosalpingeal fistula is a rare complication of Crohn's disease that is rarely diagnosed pre-operatively. We describe two cases of enterosalpingeal fistula. Both cases were diagnosed during exploration and required en bloc resection of the small bowel and fallopian tube. Literature review yielded only one specific case report of ileosalpingeal fistula and two other cases described in a larger series. Management of ileosalpingeal fistula should include resection of the diseased bowel as well as removal of the affected fallopian tube. Crohn's disease has an extremely wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The hallmark of Crohn's disease is bowel inflammation with fistula or stricture formation. Organs commonly involved in fistula formation include the skin, small bowel, colon, and bladder. Rare fistula sites include the duodenum, stomach and gynecological structures such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. We present two cases of Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum fistulizing to the fallopian tube. There is only one specific report of an ileosalpingeal fistula, although another author has described two additional cases in a large series of Crohn's fistulas.