How to Surveil Perianal Paget's Disease: A Case Report.

Perianal Paget's disease (PPD) is a rare manifestation of extramammary Paget's disease. It is characterized by the presence of malignant glandular epithelial cells within the squamous epithelium. There is a well-established but poorly understood association between PPD and underlying malignancy. Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no established guidelines for treatment or surveillance of PPD. We present the unusual case of a 73-year-old woman with primary PPD without an underlying malignant lesion. The rarity of the disease renders its management and surveillance an ongoing challenge. Our case of PPD without an underlying malignancy poses the question of the most appropriate surveillance for this rare disease.

Robot-Assisted vs Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy in Octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: With increasing age, there is greater need for right-sided colonic resections than its left-sided counterparts. Older age is associated with limited physical and functional status, which carries greater operative risk. Improvements in robotic surgery questions its role, especially in older adults, compared with laparoscopy. The objective is to investigate whether robotic right hemicolectomy (RRH) is as safe and effective as laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LHR) in octogenarians (age >80 years). DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Octogenarians who underwent elective RRH and LRH by the Tweed Colorectal Group over 5 years. METHODS: Complications within 30 days, age, gender, smoking status, immunocompromised status, presence of diabetes, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score, preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, mFI-5 (modified frailty index), operative time, method of anastomosis, postoperative length of stay (LOS), need for rehabilitation, and short-term oncologic data using the TNM criteria were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-eight elective patients were included. LRH and RRH groups had similar median ages, gender distribution, and comorbidities. Across the entire cohort, 61.5% had no 30-day complications. RRH had nonsignificantly shorter operative time but significantly shorter LOS (5 vs 8 days) and fewer minor complications (24.5% vs 34.5%). Major complications and overall complications were not significantly different between the groups. Lower ASA and ECOG status were associated with lower complication rates across both groups. Oncologic resection outcomes were similar for both approaches. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: RRH does not confer an increased risk of complications compared to LRH in the octogenarians and may be a viable alternative in the field of minimally invasive surgery for older patients. Future research should focus on intracorporeal anastomoses, as it is a potential confounder leading to the shorter inpatient LOS shown in our robotic group.

Comparison of outcome and costs of robotic and laparoscopic right hemicolectomies.

To compare the outcomes of patients undergoing right hemicolectomy using laparoscopic or robotic approaches and perform a cost analysis. Retrospective review of all patients undergoing elective laparoscopic and robotic right hemicolectomies at a public and private hospital in NSW/QLD from January 2015 to June 2018. Cost analysis was calculated using actual and estimated costs by the local health district. A total of 101 patients were identified. 59 (58%) had Robotic resection, of which 44 (75%) had an intra-corporeal anastomosis. There were no demographic or oncological differences between the two groups. The robotic group had a significantly earlier time to bowels opening (2 vs 4 days, p < 0.001) and shorter length of stay (3 vs 5 days, p < 0.001). The robotic group had a lower rate of ileus (2% vs 14%, p = 0.02) and complications (5% vs 33%, p = 0.006). The mean lymph node harvest was higher in the robotic group (18 vs 14, p = 0.001). The operative time was longer in the robotic group (110 vs 97 min, p = 0.021). The total instrument costs of robotic surgery were A$2565.37 compared with $1507.50 for laparoscopic surgery. The cost of bed days was A$1167.00/day. The average difference in cost of care was calculated as A$1276.13 and A$464.43 less in the robotic with intra-corporeal and extra-corporeal anastomosis, respectively. Patients have significantly faster return to bowel function and shorter length of stay after Robotic vs laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and experience fewer complications. This difference in length of stay may make robotic right hemicolectomies more cost effective.

A case report of endometriosis presenting as an acute small bowel obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a common and benign condition that causes significant morbidity to women of childbearing age. It uncommonly affects the gastrointestinal tract and rarely manifests as an acute small bowel obstruction. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 46-year old female presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms consistent with an acute small bowel obstruction. She had a paucity of background surgical history, having only had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Her CT demonstrated small bowel obstruction with a transition point in the distal ileum. Given the site of obstruction was remote from previous surgery, a high index of suspicion was maintained and early laparoscopy performed the same day. Operative findings were consistent with an endometrial stricture of the distal ileum and a formal resection was performed. DISCUSSION: Endometriosis that affects the gastrointestinal tract often presents with non-specific symptoms. This is a rare case of an acute small bowel obstruction as the index symptom of endometriosis in a peri-menopausal patient. This is the first case in the literature to describe same day laparoscopy and small bowel resection of such a case and a prolonged preoperative period and misdiagnoses previously described were avoided due to clinical suspicion. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis as a differential should be considered with a high index of suspicion in pre-menopausal women, particularly in patients with negligible previous surgical history. There should be a low threshold for early laparoscopy and resection of affected bowel in these patients.

Systematic review of efficacy of LIFT procedure in crpytoglandular fistula-in-ano / Revisão sistemática da eficácia do procedimento LIFT em fístula anal criptoglandular

BACKGROUND: fistula-in-ano is a common problem. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) is a new addition to the list of operations available to deal with complex fistula-in-ano. OBJECTIVE: we sought to qualitatively analyze studies describing LIFT for crpytoglandular fistula-in-ano and determine its efficacy. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (Pubmed, Ovid), Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched. STUDY SELECTION: all clinical trials which studied LIFT or compared LIFT with other methods of treatment for anal fistulae, prospective observational studies, clinical registry data and retrospective case series which reported clinical healing of the fistula as the outcome were included. Case reports, studies reporting a combination with other technique, modified technique, abstracts, letters and comments were excluded. INTERVENTION: the intervention was ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract in crpytoglandular fistula-in-ano. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: primary outcome measured was success rate (fistula healing rate) and length of follow-up. (AU)

BACKGROUND: fístula anal é um problema comum. A ligadura interesfincteriana do trajeto fistuloso (LIFT) é uma nova adição à lista de cirurgias disponíveis para tratar a fístula anal complexa. OBJETIVO: buscou-se analisar qualitativamente estudos descrevendo o uso de LIFT para fístula anal criptoglandular e determinar a sua eficácia. FONTES DE DADOS: as bases de dados MEDLINE (Pubmed, Ovid), Embase, Scopus e Biblioteca Cochrane foram pesquisadas. SELEÇÃO DOS ESTUDOS: todos os ensaios clínicos que estudaram LIFT ou compararam LIFT com outros métodos de tratamento da fístula anal, estudos observacionais prospectivos, dados de registros clínicos e série de casos retrospectivos que relataram a cura clínica da fístula anal como desfecho foram incluídos. Relatos de casos, estudos que relatam uma combinação com outra técnica, técnica modificada, resumos, cartas e comentários foram excluídos. INTERVENÇÃO: a intervenção foi ligadura interesfincteriana do trajeto fistuloso em fístula anal criptoglandular. MEDIDA DO DESFECHO PRINCIPAL: a medida do desfecho principal foi a taxa de sucesso (taxa de cura da fístula) e período de seguimento. (AU)

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer: a case-matched study.

INTRODUCTION: The field of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery is expanding. We compare short-term and early oncological outcomes after laparoscopic versus open resection in carefully matched rectal cancer patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were reviewed. Laparoscopic resections were matched 1:1 to open resections by age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, body mass index, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and type of surgery. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Kaplan-Meier estimates. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ninety-one rectal cancer patients with laparoscopic resection were included, 59% were male, and median age was 62 years. Conversion rate was 18.7%. Laparoscopic and open surgery had similar 30-day morbidity and mortality except wound infection, which was lower for the laparoscopic group (p = 0.02). Laparoscopic surgery had similar 30-day readmissions but shorter total length of hospital stay (5 versus 7 days, p < 0.01), time to first flatus (3 versus 4.5 days, p = 0.001), and time to first bowel movement (4 versus 5 days, p = 0.05) when compared with open surgery. The 3-year disease-free survival, local recurrence, and distant recurrence rates were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed for rectal cancer, with better postoperative recovery and acceptable early oncological outcomes. Results from large ongoing randomized trials with longer follow-up time are pending to better define oncologic outcomes.

Ileal pouch prolapse: prevalence, management, and outcomes.

AIM: The study aim is to review the prevalence, management, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with ileal pouch prolapse after restorative proctocolectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were identified retrospectively from a prospectively maintained pouch database. Parameters analyzed included presenting symptoms, indications for pouch surgery, type of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, treatment modalities, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 3,176 patients who underwent ileal pouch surgery, 11 were diagnosed with pouch prolapse (0.3%). Seven had full-thickness prolapse and four mucosal prolapse. Six were male, and five were female. Indication for index surgery was ulcerative colitis (nine patients), familial adenomatous polyposis (one patient), and colonic inertia (one patient). Median age at pouch prolapse was 34 years. Median time from index surgery to prolapse diagnosis was 2 years. Two patients with mucosal prolapse responded to conservative management; two required mucosal excisions. An abdominal approach was successful in four out of seven patients with full thickness prolapse. The three failures subsequently underwent continent ileostomy formation and prompted us to add biological mesh to future pouchpexy repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Pouch prolapse is rare, and there are no obvious predisposing factors. Mucosal prolapse may be treated by stool bulking or a local perineal procedure. Full thickness prolapse requires definitive surgery and is associated with risk of pouch loss.

Rectal endosonography: just how good are we at its interpretation?

BACKGROUND: Endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) has become an integral part of the assessment of rectal tumors. It provides information about the depth of invasion and lymph node status which in turn is used in devising a management plan. It is important therefore that accurate interpretation of these studies is achieved. The aim of this study was to assess how accurately we interpret ERUS. STUDY DESIGN: A collection of 26 ERUS images were compiled and confirmed by two experienced colorectal sonographers. The survey was sent to 100 ASCRS members practicing at institutions with residency programs in colorectal surgery in USA and Canada. Two separate mailings were sent. Participants were asked to allocate a T and N stage to each of the images. Their responses were compared with pathology results. RESULTS: Twenty five surveys were returned, 23 were completed. Thirteen respondents reported performing ERUS themselves, on average performing three examinations per month (range, 1-8). The mean duration of practice was 11.2 years (range, 0-26). The mean number of rectal cancer cases managed over a 12-month period was 25 (range, 10-75). T stage was accurately reported in 38-69%. CONCLUSIONS: If we continue to rely on ERUS as an important step in staging rectal cancer further education may be needed to improve overall interpretation.

Does CT influence the decision to perform colectomy in patients with severe ulcerative colitis?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of abdominal computerized tomography (CT) on the decision to perform colectomy in patients with severe acute ulcerative colitis (SAC). METHODS: Patients with SAC admitted to a single hospital between 2002 and 2007 were reviewed. The criteria for SAC were > or =6 bloody bowel movements per day plus fever >37.8 degrees C, pulse >90, or hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL. Study patients were given a SAC score of 2-4 based on these criteria. Clinical and laboratory parameters, medication use, abdominal X-ray, and endoscopic findings in SAC patients who did or did not have an abdominal CT were compared. Chi-squared, Fisher exact test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used as appropriate. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients with SAC were evaluated. CT was performed in 26 (28%). The SAC score, laboratory values, abdominal X-ray, and endoscopic findings were similar in patients who did or did not have a CT. Colectomy was performed in 32 (48%) and 10 (38%) patients who did or did not have a CT, respectively (p = 0.4). The CT findings were similar in patients who required colectomy and those who did not require colectomy. In two (8%) of the patients who underwent CT, the CT findings clearly influenced the decision to perform or defer colectomy. CONCLUSION: CT has a minor impact on the decision to perform colectomy in patients with severe acute ulcerative colitis.