Local excision vs. proctectomy in patients with ypT0-1 rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy: a propensity score matched analysis of the National Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate outcomes of organ preservation by local excision (LE) compared to proctectomy following neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective observational study using the National Cancer Database (NCDB) included patients with locally advanced non-metastatic rectal cancer (ypT0-1 tumors) treated with neoadjuvant therapy between 2004 and 2019. Outcomes of patients who underwent LE or proctectomy were compared. 1:1 propensity score matching including patient demographics, clinical and therapeutic factors was used to minimize selection bias. Main outcome was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 11,256 of 318,548 patients were included, 526 (4.6%) of whom underwent LE. After matching, mean 5-year OS was similar between the groups (54.1 vs. 54.2 months; p = 0.881). Positive resection margins (1.2% vs. 0.6%; p = 0.45), pathologic T stage (p = 0.07), 30-day mortality (0.6% vs. 0.6%; p = 1), and 90-day mortality (1.5% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.75) were comparable between the groups. Length of stay (1 vs. 6 days; p < 0.001) and 30-day readmission rate (5.3% vs. 10.3%; p = 0.02) were lower in LE patients. Multivariate analysis of predictors of OS demonstrated male sex (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08-1.77; p = 0.009), higher Charlson score (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.29-1.79; p < 0.001), poorly differentiated carcinoma (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.39; p = 0.02), mucinous carcinoma (HR 3.53, 95% CI 1.72-7.24; p < 0.001), and pathological T1 (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14-1.84; p = 0.002) were independent predictors of increased mortality. LE did not correlate with worse OS (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.42-1.97; p = 0.82). CONCLUSION: Our findings show no overall significant survival difference between LE and total mesorectal excision, including ypT1 tumors. Moreover, patients with poorly differentiated or mucinous adenocarcinomas generally had poorer outcomes, regardless of surgical method.

When is neoadjuvant chemotherapy indicated in rectal neuroendocrine tumors? An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (rNET) are rare and challenging to manage. While most patients with small rNET can be definitively treated with local excision, the role of chemotherapy in general and neoadjuvant therapy particularly in managing advanced rNET has not been well established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine which patients with rNET may gain a survival benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients who underwent surgical resection of rNET in the US National Cancer Database (NCDB) (2004-2019) was performed. First, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of poor overall survival (OS) and define the high-risk groups. Afterward, stratified OS analyses were performed for each high-risk group to assess whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a survival benefit in each group. RESULTS: A total of 1837 patients (49.8% female; mean age 56.6 ± 12.3 years) underwent radical resection of a rNET. Tumors > 20 mm in size, clinical T4 tumors, poorly differentiated tumors, and metastatic disease were independent predictors of worse OS and were defined as high-risk groups. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not have a significant survival benefit in any of the high-risk groups, except for patients with high-grade rNETs where neoadjuvant therapy significantly improved OS to a mean of 30.9 months compared with 15.9 months when neoadjuvant therapy was not given (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved the OS of patients with high-grade rNET by 15 months and may be indicated for this group.

Complications and failure after Kock continent ileostomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A significant number of patients experience complications of the Kock pouch (KP) warranting revision or excision. This systematic review aimed to assess the pooled prevalence and risk factors for complications and failure of the KP. METHODS: This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA)-compliant systematic review (CRD42023416961) searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies on adult patients with Kock continent ileostomy published after the year 2000. The main outcome measures were revision, complications, and failure of the KP. Risk factors for complications and failure were assessed using a meta-regression analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-1 tool. A proportional meta-analysis of the main outcomes was performed. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies (2042 patients) were included. The weighted mean prevalence of complications was 60.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 46.1-74.7%], of pouch revision was 46.6% (95% CI: 38.5-54.7%), and of pouch failure was 12.9% (95% CI: 9.3-16.4%). Studies conducted in the USA had a mean failure prevalence of 12.6% (95% CI: 6.2-18.9%) comparable to studies conducted in Europe (11.1%; 95% CI: 7.5-14.7%). Factors associated with higher complications were increased body mass index (BMI) and previous ileoanal pouch anastomosis (IPAA); however, these factors were not associated with increased pouch failure. CONCLUSIONS: The KP is a highly complex operation as shown by a pooled complication prevalence of 60%, and thus, it should be only performed by experienced surgeons. Despite the high prevalence of complications and need for revisional surgery, patients are keen to preserve their KP. Increased BMI and a previous failed IPAA are risk factors for pouch complications, but not failure.

Does drinking coffee reduce the risk of colorectal cancer? A qualitative umbrella review of systematic reviews.

PURPOSE: Coffee drinking has been linked to many positive health effects, including reduced risk of some cancers. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the collective evidence on the association between coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) through an umbrella review of the published systematic reviews. METHODS: This PRISMA-compliant systematic review of systematic reviews assessed the association between coffee drinking and the risk of CRC. An umbrella review approach was followed in a qualitative narrative manner. The quality of included reviews was assessed by the AMSTAR 2 checklist. The main outcome was the association between coffee drinking and CRC and colon and rectal cancer separately. RESULTS: Fourteen systematic reviews were included in this umbrella review. Coffee drinking was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of CRC according to five reviews (11-24%), colon cancer according to two reviews (9-21%), and rectal cancer according to one review (25%). One review reported a significant risk reduction of CRC by 7% with drinking six or more cups of coffee per day and another review reported a significant risk reduction of 8% with five cups per day reaching 12% with six cups per day. Decaffeinated coffee was associated with a significant risk reduction according to three reviews. CONCLUSION: The evidence supporting caffeinated coffee as associated with a reduced risk of CRC is inconsistent. Dose-dependent relation analysis suggests that the protective effect of coffee drinking against CRC is evident with the consumption of five or more cups per day.

Gracilis muscle interposition for pouch-vaginal fistulas: a single-centre cohort study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: First described by Parks and Nicholls in 1978, the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has revolutionized the treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). IPAA is fraught with complications, one of which is pouch-vaginal fistulas (PVF), a rare but challenging complication noted in 3.9-15% of female patients. Surgical treatment success approximates 50%. Gracilis muscle interposition (GMI) is a promising technique that has shown good results with other types of perineal fistulas. We present the results from our institution and a comprehensive literature review. METHODS: A retrospective observational study including all patients with a PVF treated with GMI at our institution from December 2018-January 2000. Primary outcome was complete healing after ileostomy closure. RESULTS: Nine patients were included. Eight of nine IPAAs (88.9%) were performed for MUC, and one for FAP. A subsequent diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made in five patients. Initial success occurred in two patients (22.2%), one patient was lost to follow-up and seven patients, after further procedures, ultimately achieved healing (77.8%). Four of five patients with Crohn's achieved complete healing (80%). CONCLUSION: Surgical healing rates quoted in the literature for PVFs are approximately 50%. The initial healing rate was 22.2% and increased to 77.8% after subsequent surgeries, while it was 80% in patients with Crohn's disease. Given this, gracilis muscle interposition may have a role in the treatment of pouch-vaginal fistulas.

Outcomes of graciloplasty in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Patients with refractory fecal incontinence symptoms can be treated with several surgical procedures including graciloplasty. Reported outcomes and morbidity rates of this procedure are highly variable. The aim of this study was to assess continence rate and safety of dynamic and adynamic graciloplasty. METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from inception until January 2022 according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviews, animal studies, studies with patients < 18 years or < 10 patients, with no success rate reported or non-English text, were excluded. Main outcome measures were overall continence and morbidity rates of each technique. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were identified, incorporating a total of 450 patients (337 females), published between 1980 and 2021. Most common etiology of incontinence (35.5%-n = 160) was obstetric trauma followed by anorectal trauma (20%-n = 90). The weighted mean rate of continence after dynamic graciloplasty was 69.1% (95% CI 0.53-0.84%, I2 = 90%) compared to 71% (95% CI 0.54-0.87, I2 = 82.5%) after adynamic. Although the weighted mean short-term complication rate was lower in the dynamic group (26% versus 40%), when focusing on complications requiring intervention under general anesthesia, there was a much higher incidence (43.4% versus 10.5%) in the dynamic group. The weighted mean rate of long-term complications was 59.4% (95% CI 0.13-1.04%, I2 = 97.7%) in the dynamic group, almost twice higher than in the adynamic group [30% (95% CI - 0.03 to 0.63), I2 = 95.8%]. Median follow-up ranged from 1 to 13 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that graciloplasty may be considered for incontinent patients. Dynamic graciloplasty may harbor higher risk for reoperation and complications compared to adynamic. The fact that the functional results between adynamic and dynamic graciloplasty are equivalent and the morbidity rate of adynamic graciloplasty is significantly lower reinforce the graciloplasty as an option to treat appropriately selected patients with fecal incontinence.

Outcomes of gracilis muscle interposition for rectourethral fistulas caused by treatment of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gracilis muscle interposition (GMI) has been associated with favorable outcomes in treating complex perianal fistulas. Outcomes of GMI may vary according to the fistula etiology, particularly between rectovaginal fistulas in women and rectourethral fistulas (RUF) in men. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of GMI to treat RUF acquired after prostate cancer treatment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included male patients treated with GMI for RUF acquired after prostate cancer treatment between January 2000 and December 2018 in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida. The primary outcome was the success of GMI, defined as complete healing of RUF without recurrence. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. RESULTS: This study included 53 male patients with a median age of 68 (range, 46-85) years. Patients developed RUF after treatment of prostate cancer with radiation (52.8%), surgery (34%), or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (13.2%). Median hospital stay was 5 (IQR, 4-7) days. Twenty (37.7%) patients experienced 25 complications, the most common being wound infection and dehiscence. Primary healing after GMI was achieved in 28 (52.8%) patients. Fifteen additional patients experienced successful healing of RUF after additional procedures, for a total success rate of 81.1%. Median time to complete healing was 8 (range, 4-56) weeks. The only significant factor associated with outcome of GMI was wound dehiscence (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Although the initial success rate of GMI was approximately 53%, it increased to 81% after additional procedures. Complications after GMI were mostly minor, with wound complications being the most common. Perianal wound dehiscence was significantly associated with failure of healing of RUF after GMI.

A network meta-analysis of surgical treatments of complete rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of complete rectal prolapse can be undertaken via an abdominal or a perineal approach. The present network meta-analysis aimed to compare the outcomes of different abdominal and perineal procedures for rectal prolapse in terms of recurrence, complications, and improvement in fecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted. Randomized clinical trials comparing two or more procedures for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROB-2 tool. The main outcomes were recurrence of full-thickness rectal prolapse, complications, operation time, and improvement in FI. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials with 728 patients were included. The follow-up ranged between 12 and 47 months. Posterior mesh rectopexy had significantly lower odds of recurrence than did the Altemeier procedure (logOR, - 12.75; 95% credible intervals, - 40.91, - 1.75), Delorme procedure (- 13.10; - 41.26, - 2.09), resection rectopexy (- 11.98; - 41.36, - 0.19), sponge rectopexy (- 13.19; - 42.87, - 0.54), and sutured rectopexy (- 13.12; - 42.58, - 1.50), but similar odds to ventral mesh rectopexy (- 12.09; - 41.7, 0.03). Differences among the procedures in complications, operation time, and improvement in FI were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior mesh rectopexy ranked best with the lowest recurrence while perineal procedures ranked worst with the highest recurrence rates.

Biological therapy prior to repeat ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease can reduce the postoperative complication rate.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative biologic therapy on the surgical outcome of Crohn's disease (CD) patients undergoing repeat ileocolic resection. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all CD patients who underwent repeat ileocolic resection at Cleveland Clinic Florida between January 2011 and April 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: treatment biologic therapy prior to surgery and controls. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (31males, median age 54 [range 23-82] years) were included in the study. Twenty nine (44.6%) were treated with biologic therapy prior to repeat ileocolic resection. No demographic differences were found between the biologic therapy and control groups. In addition, no differences were found in mean time from index ileocolic resection (p = 0.9), indication for surgery (p = 0.11), and preoperative albumin (p = 0.69). The majority of patients (57; 87.7%) were operated on laparoscopically, and mean overall operation time was 225 (SD 49.27) min. Overall, the postoperative complication rate was 43.1% (28 patients) and median length of stay was 5 (range 2-21) days. Postoperative complications were more common in the control group, compared to the biologic therapy group (55.6 vs 27.5%; p = 0.04). Conversion rate (35.7 vs 20.7%; p = 0.24), operation time (223 vs 219 min; p = 0.75), length of stay (5.2 vs 5.9 days; p = 0.4), and readmission (16.6 vs 11.1%; p = 0.72) were similar between the two groups. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for postoperative complications showed that biologic treatment was correlated with a lower risk (HR -0.28, CI 95% -0.5596 to -0.01898, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with biologic therapy for CD who underwent repeat ileocolic resection had fewer postoperative complications.

Use of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography during ileal J-pouch surgery requiring lengthening maneuvers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review whether routine usage of indocyanine green (ICG) perfusion assessment during complex ileal J-pouch surgery requiring lengthening maneuvers reduces ischemic complications. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery with lengthening maneuvers and intraoperative ICG assessment between January 2015 and January 2021. All patients underwent a double stapled anastomosis and were temporarily diverted. All patients underwent laparoscopic and trans-anal ICG assessment of their J-pouch and anastomosis. All J-pouches were evaluated 6 weeks after surgery via contrast enema and pouchoscopy. RESULTS: One hundred fifty eight patients underwent ileal J-pouch surgery during the study period. Sixteen patients (10%) underwent lengthening maneuvers and intra-operative ICG assessment. Twelve patients underwent surgery for UC and 4 for FAP. Median age was 40.3 years and average body mass index was 24.9 kg/m2. Twelve patients underwent a two-stage procedure and the remaining underwent a three-stage procedure. 93.7% of cases were completed laparoscopically (15/16). All patients underwent scoring of the peritoneum and 43% (7/16) underwent division of the ileocolic or intermediate mesenteric vessels. There was no mortality or pouch ischemia and the leak rate was 12.5%. All patients underwent reversal after an average of 18 ± 7 weeks. CONCLUSION: ICG perfusion assessment appears to be of utility in complex IPAA surgery requiring lengthening maneuvers. Its application may be associated with reduced J-pouch ischemia and leak rate in this unique setting.

Treatment of enterocutaneous fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and skin, with a myriad of etiologies and therapeutic options. Management is influenced by etiology and specifics of the ECF, and patient-related factors. The aim of this study was to assess overall success, recurrence, and mortality rates of treatment for ECF. MATERIALS: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed through October 2021 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Case reports, reviews, animal studies, studies not reporting outcomes, had no available English text, included patients < 16 years old or those assessing other abdominocutaneous/internal fistulas were excluded. RESULTS: Fifty-three studies, between 1975 and 2020, incorporating 3078 patients were included. Patient age ranged between 16 and 87 years with a male:female ratio of 1.14:1. ECF developed postoperatively in 89.4%. Other common etiologies were inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, malignancy, and radiation. At least 28% of patients had complex fistulae (reported in 18 studies). Most common fistula site was small bowel. In 34 publications, 62.4% (n = 1371) patients received parenteral nutrition. In 45 publications, 72.5% underwent surgery to treat the fistula. Meta-analysis revealed an 89% healing rate; recurrence rate after initial successful treatment was 11.1%, and mortality rate was 8.5%. In a subgroup of patients who underwent combined ECF takedown and abdominal wall reconstructions (n = 315), 78% achieved fascial closure, mesh was used in 72%, hernia, and fistula recurrence rates were 19.7% and 7.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ECF must be individualized according to specific etiology and location of the fistula and the patient's associated conditions.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis versus patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is commonly used to restore gastrointestinal continuity after surgical treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The aim of the present systematic review was to compare the outcomes of patients with MUC and patients with FAP who underwent IPAA. METHODS: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant systematic review was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through December 2021. Cohort and randomized studies were eligible for inclusion if they directly compared patients with MUC and FAP who underwent IPAA. The main outcome measures were pouch failure, complications, and need for pouch excision or revision. ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the risk of bias across the studies. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies (9200 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Seven thousand nine hundred fifty (86.4%) had MUC and 1250 (13.6%) had FAP. The median age of patients was 33.1 years. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. MUC had higher odds of pouchitis (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.8-5.4, p < 0.001), stricture (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.25-2.65, p = 0.002), fistula (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.18-2.54, p = 0.004), and total complications (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.3-2.77, p < 0.001) as compared to FAP. Both groups had similar odds of pelvic sepsis, leakage, pouch failure, excision, revision, and fecal incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with MUC undergoing IPAA may be at a higher risk of developing complications, particularly pouchitis, stricture, and fistula; the ultimate and functional outcome of the pouch is similar to patients with FAP. Pouch failure, excision and revision were similar in the two groups.

Prevalence, diagnosis, and surgical management of complex ileocolic-duodenal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to review the prevalence and surgical management of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) complicated by ileocolic-duodenal fistulas (ICDF). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of CD patients who underwent surgical takedown and repair of ICDF during January 2011-December 2021 at two inflammatory bowel disease referral centers. RESULTS: We identified 17 patients with ICDF (1.3%) out of 1283 CD patients who underwent abdominal surgery. Median age was 42 (20-71) years, 13 patients were male (76%) and median body mass index was 22.7 (18.4-30.3) kg/m2. Four patients (24%) were diagnosed preoperatively and only 2 (12%) were operated on for ICDF-related symptoms. The most common procedure was ileocolic resection (13 patients, 76%) including 4 repeat ileocolic resections (24%). The duodenal defect was primarily repaired in all patients with no re-fistulization or duodenal stenosis, regardless of the repair technique. A laparoscopic approach was attempted in the majority of patients (14 patients, 82%); however, only 5 (30%) were laparoscopically completed. The overall postoperative complication rate was 65% including major complications in 3 patients (18%) and 2 patients (12%) who required surgical re-intervention for abdominal wall dehiscence and postoperative bleeding. Preoperative nutritional optimization was performed in 9 patients (53%) due to malnutrition. These patients had significantly less intra-operative blood loss (485 vs 183 ml, p = 0.05), and a significantly reduced length of stay (18 vs 8 days, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: ICDF is a rare manifestation of CD which may go unrecognized despite the implementation of a comprehensive preoperative evaluation. Although laparoscopic management of ICDF may be technically feasible, it is associated with a high conversion rate. Preoperative nutritional optimization may be beneficial in improving surgical outcomes in this select group of patients.

A systematic review of the literature assessing the outcomes of stapled haemorrhoidopexy versus open haemorrhoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic haemorrhoids affect a large number of patients throughout the world. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the surgical outcomes of stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) versus open haemorrhoidectomy (OH) over a 20-year period. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials published between January 1998 and January 2019 were extracted from Pubmed using defined search criteria. Study characteristics and outcomes in the form of short-term and long-term complications of the two techniques were analyzed. Any changes in trend of outcomes over time were assessed by comparing article groups 1998-2008 and 2009-2019. RESULTS: Twenty-nine and 9 relevant articles were extracted for the 1998-2008 (period 1) and 2009-2019 (period 2) cohorts, respectively. Over the two time periods, SH was found to be a safe procedure, associated with statistically reduced operative time (in 13/21 studies during period 1 and in 3/8 studies during period 2), statistically less intraoperative bleeding (3/7 studies in period 1 and 1/1 study in period 2) and consistently less early postoperative pain on the visual analogue scale (12/15 studies in period 1 and 4/5 studies in period 2) resulting in shorter hospital stay (12/20 studies in period 1 and 2/2 studies in period 2) at the expense of a higher cost. In the longer term, although chronic pain in SH and OH patents is comparable, patient satisfaction with SH may decline with time and at 2-year follow-up OH appeared to be associated with greater patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: SH appears to be safe with potential advantages, at least in the short term, but the evidence is lacking at the moment to suggest its routine use in clinical practice.

Elevated prevalence of nodal positivity in carcinoid tumours of the appendix smaller than 2 cm has a negative impact on overall survival.

AIM: The current standard of care for clinically node-negative carcinoid tumours of the appendix < 2.0 cm in size is appendectomy alone. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the prevalence of pathological nodal positivity in clinically node-negative appendiceal tumour specimens < 2.0 cm and quantify the impact of occult pathological nodal positivity on overall survival following resection. METHOD: A retrospective database review of the 2019 US National Cancer Database for appendiceal cancer identified 2007 cases of clinically node-negative appendiceal carcinoid tumours based on SEER histology codes 8240, 8241, 8242, 8243, 8243, 8244, 8245, 8246 and 8249. Kaplan-Meier with log-rank testing and multivariate Cox regression analysis evaluated the impact of occult nodal positivity on overall survival following resection for clinically node-negative appendiceal carcinoma. RESULTS: The prevalence of occult nodal positivity increased from 1.9% for sub-centimetre tumours to 7% for tumours between 1.0 and 1.5 cm, 16.5% for tumours between 1.5 and 2.0 cm and to >29.5% for tumours > 2.0 cm. Rates of metastatic spread were similar for tumours < 2.0 cm but increased for larger tumours. Over two-thirds of patients received a segmental colectomy as definitive surgical therapy. After controlling for differences in cohorts, multivariate analysis showed an increased hazard ratio for mortality of 162% (HR 2.62, CI 1.884-3.541) for patients with pathological node-positive disease. CONCLUSION: Clinically node-negative carcinoid tumours of the appendix bigger than 1.5 cm have an increased rate of occult nodal spread which has a negative impact on overall survival.

Anal dysplasia as an incidental finding: the importance of specimen evaluation.

AIM: The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has increased dramatically in the USA. The squamous intraepithelial lesion has been identified as a precursor lesion to SCC, stratifying the abnormality into low grade or high grade. There have been studies on the prevalence of incidentally found SCC in haemorrhoidectomy specimens, but there are no studies to date on the incidence of dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to establish a baseline incidence of dysplasia that provides helpful information for future epidemiological studies. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent haemorrhoidectomy from 2005 to 2019. Pathology regarding the type of dysplasia, medications, and diagnoses that may predispose to immunosuppression were collected. RESULTS: In all, 810 patients with a mean age of 51.7 (range 20-91) years underwent haemorrhoidectomy. Eighteen (2.2%) of the patients had abnormal pathology (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 3; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 12; SCC, 2; adenocarcinoma, 1). Thirty-seven (4.5%) of the entire cohort had some risk factors for immunosuppression: chronic steroid use (nine), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (13), biologic medications (six), transplant recipients (two) and immunocompromising diseases (four). Only 4/18 patients had an immunosuppression risk in that all four of these patients were HIV-positive. Surveillance following excision was undertaken for an average of 6 (range 1-12) months, during which time four patients underwent a repeat biopsy. DISCUSSION: Anal dysplasia found in an otherwise asymptomatic population has a prevalence of 2.2%. This finding supports the routine examination of benign anorectal specimens undergoing microscopic examination. Interestingly, the majority of the patients identified had no immunosuppressant risk factors.

COVID-19: impact on colorectal surgery.

AIM: The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the medical and surgical healthcare systems. With the ongoing need for urgent and emergency colorectal surgery, including surgery for colorectal cancer, several questions pertaining to operating room (OR) utilization and techniques needed to be rapidly addressed. METHOD: This manuscript discusses knowledge related to the critical considerations of patient and caregiver safety relating to personal protective equipment (PPE) and the operating room environment. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required contingent upon local availability of COVID-19 testing and the incidence of known COVID-19 infection in the respective community. In addition to standard COVID-19 PPE precautions, a negative-pressure environment, including an OR, has been recommended, especially for the performance of aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). Hospital spaces ranging from patient wards to ORs to endoscopy rooms have been successfully converted from standard positive-pressure to negative-pressure spaces. Another important consideration is the method of surgical access; specifically, minimally invasive surgery with pneumoperitoneum is an AGP and thus must be carefully considered. Current debate centres around whether it should be avoided in patients known to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 or whether it can be performed under precautions with safety measures in place to minimize exposure to aerosolized virus particles. Several important lessons learned from pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy procedures are demonstrated to help improve our understanding and management. CONCLUSION: This paper evaluates the issues surrounding these challenges including the OR environment and AGPs which are germane to surgical practices around the world. Although there is no single universally agreed upon set of answers, we have presented what we think is a balanced cogent description of logical safe approaches to colorectal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surgical site infection in elective colonic and rectal resections: effect of oral antibiotics and mechanical bowel preparation compared with mechanical bowel preparation only.

AIM: Surgical site infections are disproportionately common after colorectal surgery and may be largely preventable. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the effect of oral antibiotics and mechanical bowel preparation on surgical site infections. METHOD: A retrospective study of a consecutive series of elective colonic and rectal resections following an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway, which also included mechanical bowel preparation, from 1 September 2014 to 30 September 2017. The addition of oral antibiotics (neomycin and metronidazole) to the mechanical bowel preparation procedure was assessed. Development of surgical site infections within 30 days was the main outcome measured. The secondary outcome was assessment of possible surgical site infection predictors. RESULTS: Seven-hundred thirty-two patients were included: 313 (43%) preintervention (mechanical bowel preparation only); and 419 (57%) postintervention (mechanical bowel preparation plus oral antibiotics). Surgical site infection rates preintervention and. postintervention were: overall, 20.8% vs 10.5%, P < 0.001; superficial, 10.9% vs 4.3%, P < 0.001; and organ space, 9.9% vs 6.2%, P = 0.03. Subgroup analysis of colonic resections revealed a significant reduction in overall (17.1% vs 6.8%), superficial (10.7% vs 4.3%) and organ space (6.4% vs. 2.6%) infections. Rectal resections had significant reduction in overall (26.2% vs 15.3%) and superficial (11.1% vs 4.4%) infection rates but not in organ space infections (15.1% vs 10.9%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed open vs minimally invasive surgery (P < 0.001) and omission of oral antibiotics (P = 0.004) as independent predictors of surgical site infections. CONCLUSION: Administration of oral antibiotics resulted in significant reduction of superficial and organ space infections after colonic resection; after rectal resection, significant reduction only of superficial infections was found.

Racial disparities after stoma construction in colorectal surgery.

AIM: Racial disparities are under-recognized among patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the complication rates and surgical outcomes stratified by race and ethnicity among patients undergoing colorectal surgery with intestinal stoma creation. METHOD: The ACS NSQIP database from 2013 to 2016 was used. Colon, rectum and small bowel cases requiring intestinal stoma creation were selected. Both African-American and other groups of minority patients were compared with Caucasian patients using a complex multivariable analysis model. Primary outcomes of interest were complication rates, mortality and extended hospital length of stay. RESULTS: The study included 38 088 admissions. After multivariable analysis, African-American patients still had a prolonged length of hospital stay and higher complication rates. Other minorities also had a prolonged length of hospital stay and higher complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Both African-American and other groups of minority patients requiring an ostomy suffer significantly higher postoperative complication rates and a prolonged hospital length of stay, even after comorbidity adjustment. Access to care, socioeconomic status and comorbid disease management are all important factors for minority patients who undergo colorectal surgery requiring intestinal stoma construction.

Redo gracilis interposition for complex perineal fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Rectovaginal, pouch-vaginal, and recto-urethral fistulas are very challenging to treat. Gracilis muscle interposition was shown be an effective treatment for these complex fistulas. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of redo gracilis interposition for persistent and recurrent complex perineal fistulas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who had redo gracilis muscle interposition for complex perineal fistulas at our institution from 1995 to 2019 was performed. RESULTS: Nine patients (5 males, mean age 55 years) were included for analysis. The types of fistulas were recto-urethral (n = 5), rectovaginal (n = 2) and pouch-vaginal (n = 2). The success rate was 56% with 5 patients achieving complete healing of the fistula. Only 1 patient (11%) experienced a postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: Redo gracilis muscle interposition is feasible and safe with promising resultsin healing of complex perineal fistula.