Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a new technique for completion proctectomy.

AIM: Following subtotal colectomy, the retained rectal stump is a potential source of morbidity. Although restorative ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the gold standard for ulcerative colitis, up to 14% of patients will opt for a permanent ileostomy and undergo completion proctectomy, traditionally by an abdomino-perineal approach, which itself carries significant morbidity. We describe a new technique of perineal proctectomy using transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) equipment. To our knowledge, this technique has not previously been described in the literature. METHOD: Twelve patients, mean (SD) age 66 (±13) years, underwent TEMS proctectomy, performed by a single surgeon between January 2007 and October 2011. Excision began with an intersphincteric dissection following which the TEMS (WOLF) proctoscope was inserted and close rectal dissection was performed, entering the peritoneal cavity (if the top of the stump was intraperitoneal). Following perineal extraction of the specimen, the external sphincter and skin were closed with an absorbable suture. RESULTS: Nine patients had inflammatory bowel disease, two had neoplasia and one had intractable radiation proctitis. The mean (SD) rectal stump length was 17.8 (±6.1) cm and the peritoneal cavity was entered in nine patients, with no small-bowel injury. The median postoperative hospital stay was 5.5 days. In four patients there was delayed healing of the perineal wound. There was no perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: TEMS perineal proctectomy is a novel, but safe, technique that may avoid the need for a traditional abdominoperineal approach in selected patients.

Percutaneous endoscopic sigmoid colostomy for irrigation in the management of bowel dysfunction of adults with central neurologic disease.

BACKGROUND: Bowel dysfunction results in a major lifestyle disruption for many patients with severe central neurologic disease. Percutaneous endoscopic sigmoid colostomy for irrigation (PESCI) allows antegrade irrigation of the distal large bowel for the management of both incontinence and constipation. This study prospectively assessed the safety and efficacy of PESCI. METHODS: A PESCI tube was placed endoscopically in the sigmoid colon of 25 patients to allow antegrade irrigation. RESULTS: Control of constipation and fecal incontinence was improved for 21 (84%) of the 25 patients. These patients were followed up for 6-83 months (mean, 43 months), with long-term success for 19 (90%) of the patients. No PESCI had to be removed for technical reasons or for PESCI complications. Late removal of the PESCI was necessary for 2 of the 21 patients. A modified St. Marks Fecal Incontinence Score to assess bowel function before and after PESCI showed a highly significant improvement (P < 0.0001). There were no procedure-related deaths. Complications included minor sepsis at the initial PESCI tube site in four patients and bumper migration in two patients, but there were no complications related to the button device. CONCLUSION: This study showed that PESCI is a simple, safe, and effective technique for distal antegrade irrigation in the management bowel dysfunction for selected patients with central neurologic disease. A successful PESCI is very likely to continue functioning satisfactorily for a long time without technical problems or local complications.

Complications of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS): a prospective audit.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative complications of Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEMS) excision of rectal lesions. METHOD: A prospective audit of 262 consecutive TEMS procedures performed by a single surgeon between 1999 and 2008. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 72 years. The mean area of the lesions excised was 17.5 cm(2) with a mean diameter of 4.5 cm at a mean distance of 7.4 cm from the dentate line. There were 201 full thickness excisions, 51 partial thickness excisions and nine were mixed or unclassified. Thirty-three (13%) patients developed 41 complications. There were two (0.8%) deaths within 30 days. Pelvic sepsis occurred in seven (3%) patients and was significantly more common after excision of low lesions within 2 cm of the dentate line. Postoperative haemorrhage occurred in seven (3%) patients and was significantly less common when dissection was performed with ultrasonic dissection than with diathermy. Fourteen (5%) patients developed acute urinary retention. Four (1.5%) patients developed rectal stenosis and four (1.5%) suffered uncomplicated surgical emphysema that required no treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a safe operation with a low mortality and morbidity. Pelvic sepsis is more common after excision of lesions within 2 cm of the dentate line. Ultrasonic dissection is associated with less postoperative haemorrhage than diathermy.

The creation of a peritoneal defect in transanal endoscopic microsurgery does not increase complications.

INTRODUCTION: During Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgical (TEMS) full-thickness excision of a rectal lesion above the peritoneal reflection, entrance to the peritoneal cavity is inevitable. This has been regarded as a complication that requires conversion to an open procedure. We describe our experience of full thickness intraperitoneal excision of rectal lesions where the peritoneal defect was sutured endoscopically. METHOD: Data were collected prospectively on 15 patients in whom a peritoneal defect was created intraoperatively during TEMS excision of a rectal lesion. When a defect was recognized, it was closed by endoscopic suture. If there was any doubt regarding security of the closure, a defunctioning loop stoma was fashioned. RESULTS: Between November 1998 and January 2008, a total of 257 patients underwent TEMS during which a peritoneal defect was created in 15 patients. Six patients had a defunctioning stoma formed at the time of TEMS. No patient was defunctioned postoperatively and there were no deaths. The mean hospital stay was 8 days (range 3 to 19 days). A contrast enema showed sub-clinical leaks in two patients for which no treatment was required. No patient developed pelvic or peritoneal sepsis, but one patient had to return to theatre for postoperative bleeding when a single bleeding vessel was coagulated. CONCLUSION: Full thickness excision of lesions in the intraperitoneal rectum with endoscopic suture of the defect is a safe procedure. Lesions in the upper rectum should not be excluded from TEMS excision because of the chance of peritoneal breach.

Peritoneal nebulizer: a novel technique for delivering intraperitoneal therapeutics in laparoscopic surgery to prevent locoregional recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal involvement is a significant issue in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. Current statistics indicate that after surgical intervention, up to 20% of patients will present with locoregional metastasis. The ability to inhibit initial tumor adhesion to the mesothelial lining of the peritoneum may be considered critical in the inhibition of tumor development. This article describes, the use of a novel nebulizer system capable of delivering high-concentration, low-dose therapeutics to the peritoneal cavity. METHODS: For this study, 30 male WAG rats were inoculated with CC531 colorectal tumor cells. The rats were randomized into three groups: control group (n = 10), heparin-treated group (n = 10), and high-molecular-weight hyaluronan-treated group (n = 10). A peritoneal cancer index was used to determine tumor burden at 15 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare multiple group means. RESULTS: Nebulization therapy was performed without any complication in the cohort. Heparin inhibited macroscopic intraperitoneal tumor growth completely (p = 0.0001) without affecting tumor cell viability. The introduction of hyaluronan attenuated both tumor size and distribution, was compared with the control group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Nebulized heparin and hyaluronic acid using a novel nebulization technique attenuates peritoneal tumor growth after laparoscopic surgery. The technique itself is easy to use and safe.