Reconstructive techniques following low anterior resection for carcinoma of the rectum: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple trials have compared reconstruction techniques used following the resection of distal rectal cancers, including straight colorectal anastomosis (SCA), colonic J pouch (CJP), side-to-end anastomosis (SEA), and transverse coloplasty (TCP). The latest meta-analysis on the subject concluded that all the reservoir techniques produce equally good surgical and functional outcomes compared with SCA. Numerous trials have been published in this regard subsequently. Hence, a network analysis (NMA) was performed to rank these techniques. METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from their inception until April 2021 was conducted to identify randomized trials. Functional and surgical outcome data were pooled. ORs and standardized mean differences (MDs) were used as pooled effect size measures. A frequentist NMA model was used. RESULTS: Thirty-two trials met the eligibility criteria comprising 3072 patients. CJP showed better functional outcomes, such as low stool frequency and better incontinence score, both in the short term (stool frequency, MD -2.06, P < 0.001; incontinence, MD -1.17, P = 0.007) and intermediate term (stool frequency, MD -0.81, P = 0.021; incontinence MD -0.56, P = 0.083). Patients with an SEA (long-term OR 4.37; P = 0.030) or TCP (long-term OR 5.79; P < 0.001) used more antidiarrheal medications constantly. The urgency and sensation of incomplete evacuation favoured CJP in the short term. TCP was associated with a higher risk of anastomotic leakage (OR 12.85; P < 0.001) and stricture (OR 3.21; P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Because of its better functional outcomes, CJP should be the reconstruction technique of choice. TCP showed increased anastomotic leak and stricture rates, warranting judicious use.

Early versus delayed surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery, is the mainstay of managing locally advanced esophageal cancer. However, the optimal timing of surgery after neoadjuvant therapy is not defined clearly. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases was conducted. 6-8 weeks were used as a cut-off to define early and delayed surgery groups. Overall Survival (OS) was the primary outcome, whereas pathological complete resolution (pCR), R0 resection, anastomotic leak, perioperative mortality, pulmonary complications, and major complication (> Clavien-Dindo grade 2) rates were secondary outcomes. Cohort studies and national registry bases studies were analysed separately. Survival data were pooled as Hazard Ratio (HR) and the rest as Odds Ratio (OR). According to heterogeneity, fixed-effect or random-effect models were used. RESULTS: Twelve retrospective studies, one RCT, and six registry-based studies (13,600 participants) were included. Pooled analysis of cohort studies showed no difference in OS (HR 1.03, CI 0.91-1.16), pCR (OR 0.98, CI 0.80-1.20), R0 resection (OR 0.90, CI 0.55-I.45), mortality (OR 1.03, CI 0.59-1.77), pulmonary complications (OR 1.26, CI 0.97-1.64) or major complication rates (OR 1.29, CI 0.96-1.73). Delayed surgery led to increased leak (OR 1.48, CI 1.11-1.97). Analysis of registry studies showed that the delayed group had a better pCR rate (OR 1.12, CI 1.01-1.24), with no improvement in survival (HR 1.01, CI 0.92-1.10). Delayed surgery was associated with increased mortality (OR 1.35, CI 1.07-1.69) and major complication rate (OR 1.55, CI 1.20-2.01). Available RCT reported surgical outcomes only. CONCLUSION: National registry-based studies' analysis shows that delay in surgery is riskier and leads to higher mortality and major complication rates. Further, well-designed RCTs are required.

IgG4-Related Pancreato-Biliary Disease in the Disguise of Malignancy.

The Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multisystem inflammatory condition. Pancreaticobiliary manifestations often present as mass lesions that mimic malignancies. The diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination, that shows lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and positive immunohistochemistry for IgG4. We encountered 3 such patients in a tertiary care hospital in India. Two patients presented with obstructive jaundice and the third with pain abdomen. They had resectable lesions involving the pancreatic head, the right hepatic duct, and gallbladder fundus, respectively, on imaging. Tumor markers were not significantly elevated in any of them. All 3 patients underwent radical surgeries, suspecting malignancy. Surgical specimens showed typical features of IgG4-RD on histomorphology. Serum IgG4 level was elevated in first 2 patients but was normal in sclerosing cholecystitis patient. To conclude, IgG4-RD is a malignant mimicker; hence, on clinical suspicion, liberal attempts for tissue diagnosis may avoid radical surgeries.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Sigmoid Colon: A Path Less Traveled.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the gastrointestinal tract is exceptionally rare, except in the esophagus and the anal canal. In the hindgut, a common site of involvement is the colo-rectum, commonly seen in the fifth decade of life. The presentation is usually in the advanced stages and carries a poor prognosis. Due to the rarity of the disease, before labeling it as a primary lesion, the possibility of metastasis from a distant primary should be entertained. Consensus guidelines regarding the management of such a rare condition are lacking. Here, we present the case of an elderly gentleman with a history of surgery for urinary bladder cancer 20 years back (the nature of which is not known). The patient presented with left lower abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. His pain had persisted for approximately two months along with a recent onset of overflow incontinence but no other associated constitutional symptoms. Examination revealed pallor and a vague abdominal mass in the left iliac fossa. On further evaluation with a colonoscopy, a growth was seen in the sigmoid colon. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a locally invasive growth arising from the sigmoid colon along with a space-occupying lesion in the left lobe of the liver enhancing on the portal phase. Biopsy from the sigmoid and the liver lesion was reported as SCC which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Given the metastatic nature of the lesion, treatment options were discussed in a multidisciplinary team setting, and the decision was made to proceed with diversion colostomy and palliative chemotherapy. SCC of the colon is a rare disease and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Even in operable cases, the prognosis is dismal, and various treatment modalities have been attempted. Due to the rarity of the disease and paucity of data regarding definitive management, treatment varies from one patient to another.

Staple Line Dehiscence in Gastric Conduit Following Esophagectomy: A Complication Conspicuously Missing a Mention It Deserves.

Following esophagectomy, anatomical reconstruction with a gastric tube is the most common practice. The construction of the gastric tube is done with staplers nowadays, be it a minimally invasive esophagectomy or a conventional open surgery. Even though anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis are reported widely in the literature, the number of studies on staple line dehiscence is meager in comparison. Management of conduit failure usually sacrifices conduit combined with a diverting cervical esophagostomy. We report a case of successful surgical management of a big staple line dehiscence and 'salvaging of the conduit'.

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma invading the liver - a case report and systematic review.

<b>Introduction:</b> Renal cell cancer (RCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, accounting for 2.2% of all cancer diagnoses [1] </br></br> <b> Aim:</b> This study aims to perform the first systematic review of the operative techniques of simultaneous radical nephrectomy with hepatic resection for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with direct hepatic extension. We also report a case of collecting duct RCC invading the liver who underwent simultaneous nephrectomy with hepatic resection. </br></br> <b>Materials and methods:</b> We searched the articles between the years 1991 and 1st April 2021 in English in PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. Case reports, case series, and matched cohort studies were included. Eligible studies reported on renal mass characteristics with the nature of extension, histopathological features, operative manoeuvres, and outcomes.Data were extracted as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. </br></br> <b>Results:</b> The initial search strategy yielded 148 articles of which six articles were selected for review. The mean size of tumour was >10 cm, with the mean age of the patients being 51-67 years. All cases had RCC with direct extension to the liver, and all underwent simultaneous nephrectomy with liver resection. The most common histological type was clear cell carcinoma. The mean blood loss was 3.3 litres, and the mean hospital stay was 9.75 days. </br></br> <b>Conclusion:</b> This review shows that the invasion to surrounding structures, including the liver, by RCC is not so common, and it poses a treatment challenge for the clinician. Currently, en bloc surgical removal with anatomical or non-anatomical resection of the liver is the only modality that provides the best chance of control for the RCC with direct hepatic extension.