Management of acute malignant large-bowel obstruction with self-expanding metal stent.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal stents are being used for palliation and as a "bridge to surgery" in obstructing colorectal carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) as the initial interventional approach in the management of acute malignant large bowel obstruction. METHODS: Between February 2002 and May 2006, 67 patients underwent the insertion of a SEMS for an obstructing malignant lesion of the left-sided colon or rectum. RESULTS: In 55 patients, the stents were placed for palliation, whereas in 12 they were placed as a bridge to surgery. Stent placement was technically successful in 92.5% (n = 62), with a clinical success rate of 88% (n = 59). Two perforations that occurred during stent placement we retreated by an emergency Hartmann operation. In intention-to-treat by stent, the peri-interventional mortality was 6% (4/67). Stent migration was reported in 3 cases (5%), and stent obstruction occurred in 8 cases (13.5%). Of the nine patients with stents successfully placed as a bridge to surgery, all underwent elective single-stage operations with no death or anastomotic complication. CONCLUSIONS: Stent insertion provided an effective outcome in patients with malignant colonic obstruction as a palliative and preoperative therapy.

[Multivisceral resections of extracolorectal lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis]. / Exérèses multiviscérales dans les polyposes familiales adénomateuses. A propos de neuf observations.

AIMS: 1/ To report our experience with multivisceral resections in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) for extracolorectal lesions in a cohort of nine patients. 2/ Discuss the long term results of an agressive surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine patients (7 males and 2 females) were operated at the University Hospital of Nimes (N=4) and Nantes (N=5). The median age at the first operation was 29 years (range 18-43). A genetic study was performed in six patients and confirmed the mutation on APC gene (exon 11, 13 and 15). All the patients were operated through a classic laparotomy. RESULTS: All patients have underwent a mean of three operations (range 2-5). Eight patients have had initially a total colectomy and 4 underwent subsequent proctectomy. Seven patients had pancreaticoduodenectomy for extensive duodenal adenomas and/or carcinoma. Three had one or multiple small bowel resections for development of carcinoma and one had partial gastric resection for large adenovillous tumor. The median follow up was 25 years (range 15-37) since the first operation. Three patients were died: one of gastric cancer with hepatic metastases, one of peritoneal carcinosis after ileal resection and one of astrocytoma. CONCLUSION: With regard to these nine observations, the authors underline the possibility of multivisceral resection in FAP. Despite a major digestive mutilation, it permits a long survival with acceptable quality of life. The prognosis depends on the aggressiveness of the duodenal or jejunoileal lesions more than of the colorectal tumors if found at the first resection.

Treatment of postoperative peritonitis of small-bowel origin with continuous enteral nutrition and succus entericus reinfusion.

HYPOTHESIS: Proximal intestinal stomas established by the exteriorization of leaking anastomosis in the presence of peritonitis can be used to reinfuse succus entericus and provide adequate enteral nutrition. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data from a cohort of consecutive patients admitted between January 1993 and December 1999 for postoperative peritonitis requiring laparotomy and the construction of one or more small-bowel stomas. SETTING: Tertiary referral center with a surgical intensive care unit experienced in the treatment of intra-abdominal sepsis and succus entericus reinfusion. PATIENTS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with postoperative peritonitis originating from a jejunal or ileal leak. We excluded patients with established enterocutaneous fistulae, abscesses amenable to percutaneous drainage or other conservative treatments, and postoperative peritonitis caused by ileocolic or ileorectal anastomosis. INTERVENTIONS: Early laparotomy with exteriorization of small-bowel leak(s), and continuous enteral nutrition (CEN) and succus entericus reinfusion (SER) via the distal portion of the stoma until gastrointestinal continuity was restored. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility of CEN and SER with temporary, diverting small-bowel stomas and their associated postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. RESULTS: One patient died, and 14 experienced complications. For technical reasons, CEN and SER were discontinued early on in 7 patients. The mean duration of CEN and SER was 58 days and 61 days, respectively. Enteral feedings allowed the suppression of central venous access after a median of 28 days, with 82 days as a median time to restoration of intestinal continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Although the exteriorization of small-bowel leaks with CEN and SER is generally feasible and effective in the treatment of critically ill patients with peritonitis secondary to small-bowel leaks, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, in part relating to patients' underlying diseases.

Stented hepaticojejunostomies after resection for cholangiocarcinoma allow access for subsequent diagnosis and therapy.

A method is described for stenting hepaticojejunostomies after resection for hilar carcinomas. The small size of the catheters allows the intubation of all biliary anastomoses, in order to decrease the morbidity rate and allow postoperative internal radiotherapy.

Effects of aging on the functional outcome of coloanal anastomosis with colonic J-pouch.

BACKGROUND: Many low rectal cancers can be treated radically by proctectomy with total mesorectal excision followed by colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis (CPAA). In elderly patients, the fear of poor function might reduce indications for CPAA in favor of abdomino-perineal excision with end stoma. METHODS: Among 198 patients with CPAA operated on for low rectal cancer between 1984 and 1992, 20 patients over 75 years old were alive without recurrence at the time of telephone interview (July 1995). Minimal follow-up was 3 years (mean 8) for all patients. Their functional results were compared with those of 37 younger patients operated consecutively during the last 5 years of the study period. RESULTS: The two groups were well matched for gender, tumor distance from the anal verge, histologic staging, and use of adjuvant radiotherapy. Follow-up was longer in the elderly group than in the young group (96 versus 63 months, respectively). The elderly group had a median of 1 bowel movement per day and the young group a median of 1.5 (P = 0.13). The presence of irregular intestinal transit was reported in 48% of the aged and in 35% of the young group (P = 0.6), but fragmented defecation was less frequent (25% versus 47%, respectively; P = 0.15). Urgency was noted, respectively, in 15% and 22% of elderly and young patients (P = 0.7) and constipation in 40% and 22% (P = 0.2). Incontinence for feces (15%) and for flatus (40%) in elderly were not significantly different from the younger group (14% and 46%, P = 1.0 and P = 0.8, respectively). Laxatives were used in 32% of elderly and 17% of young patients (P = 0.3). CONCLUSION: Functional outcome may be good to excellent in elderly patients after CPAA and compares well with that obtained in younger patients. Constipation, however, may be more frequent in the elderly. Age is not a contraindication for CPAA if the sphincter tone is clinically normal.

Results of coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer.

It is now accepted that, in the absence of direct invasion of the anal sphincter, cancers of the middle and lower rectum can be successfully treated with sphincter-preserving surgery. Conservation of the sphincter mechanism should never compromise the oncologic outcome of surgery and the method of neorectum construction must provide acceptable function for patients. This review describes the results of coloanal anastomosis following rectal excision. The oncological and functional results of both straight coloanal and colonic-J-pouch anal anastomosis are presented in detail. The authors discuss recent evidence supporting the functional superiority of colonic-J-pouch reconstruction after rectal excision.

[Intraoperative systematic cholangiography in celiopscopic cholecystectomy]. / Cholangiographie per-opératoire systématique au cours des cholécystectomies par coelioscopie.

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the therapeutic gold standard in uncomplicated cases of cholelithiasis. This study evaluated the feasibility and the results of intra-operative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Intra-operative cholangiography was attempted in 126 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Common bile duct stones were detected according to the following criteria: a) clinically (history of jaundice or pancreatitis); b) biologically (aminotransferase > 2 N, alkaline phosphatase > 2 N, total bilirubin > 20 mumol/L); c) ultrasonographically (diameter of the common bile duct > 12 mm, presence of gallbladder stones < 10 mm); d) calculation of the multifactorial score of Huguier. RESULTS: An intraoperative cholangiography was performed in 116 patients (92%), for a mean duration of 16 minutes (range: 9-25 min). Two anomalies of the biliary tree were detected. Ten common bile duct stones were detected (8.6% with 50% success of laparoscopic extraction). One false positive case had justified a surgical exploration of the common bile duct. The sensitivity of preoperative criteria was 80%. No morbidity or postoperative biliary complications were related to the intraoperative cholangiography. CONCLUSIONS: Routine intraoperative cholangiography should be systematically performed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, providing anatomical information of the biliary tree and detecting, in 1.7% of cases, unsuspected common bile duct stones which could be treated during the same operative procedure.

[Aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery]. / Anévrysme de l'artère mésentérique inférieure.

Aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery is rare. Often unrecognized unless complicated, it is, today, demonstrated by sonography or tomodensitometry and confirmed by angiography. Usually observed in patients with atheroma, it presents a mechanical origin secondary to a "jet disorder" phenomenon occurring in an artery with a hyper-output, responsible for almost the entire gastro-intestinal vascularization. The prevention of its dangerous complications (rupture or thrombosis) justifies a systematic procedure usually requiring, in addition to the excision of the aneurysm, a revascularization of the digestive arteries, as in the case presented here.

[Current role of partial interruption of the inferior vena cava. Apropos of 100 cases]. / Place actuelle de l'interruption partielle de la veine cave inférieure. A propos de 100 cas.

In reference to a personal series of 100 partial interruptions of the inferior vena cava (74 clips, 11 Mobin-Uddin umbrellas, 15 Greenfiled's filters), the authors analyze the criteria of choice in various procedures where the mortality, morbidity and sequellae remain low. In light of these results, the current place of surgery in the prevention of pulmonary embolism is discussed, in cases where anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated, inadequate or has failed.

[Mesocoloplasty of sigmoid volvulus. An alternative to colonic resection]. / La mésocoloplastie pour volvulus sigmoïdien. Une alternative à la résection colique.

Based on 4 operations, the authors stress the value of intestinal preservation in subjects with poor general suffering from volvulus or with signs of sigmoid torsion by means of mesocolonoplasty. The technical simplicity of this operation allows it to be proposed in the course of laparotomies indicated for any other abdominal pathology.

Causes and outcomes of pouch excision after restorative proctocolectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pouch failure occurs in up to 10 per cent of patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The aims of this study were to determine the reasons for pouch excision and to evaluate the outcome of the perineal wound after pouch excision. METHODS: Between 1984 and 2002, 91 patients with severe ileal pouch dysfunction were treated. This was a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from 24 patients who underwent pouch excision. RESULTS: Patients were grouped according to the final histological diagnosis. Fourteen patients with Crohn's disease developed extensive fistulous disease and/or recurrent abscesses, of whom six had a persistent perineal sinus after pouch excision. Five patients had familial adenomatous polyposis, in three of whom desmoid tumours were the cause of failure. Three patients had chronic ulcerative colitis and developed recurrent pelvic sepsis. Finally, two patients with multiple colorectal adenocarcinoma developed recurrent cancer (one) or sepsis (one). CONCLUSION: Sepsis was the principal reason for pouch excision and was usually associated with recrudescent Crohn's disease in the pouch. Perineal wound healing was problematic after pouch excision for Crohn's disease.

Salvage reoperation for complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical revision may be possible in patients with a poor outcome following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), using either a transanal approach or a combined abdominoperineal approach with pouch revision and reanastomosis. METHODS: Sixty-four patients underwent revisional surgery. The indication for salvage was sepsis in 47 patients, mechanical dysfunction in ten, isolated complications of the residual glandular epithelial cuff in three and previous intraoperative difficulties in four patients. RESULTS: A transanal approach was used in 19 patients and a combined abdominoperineal procedure in 45. Six of the latter had pouch enlargement and 25 received a new pouch. During a mean(s.d.) follow-up of 30(25) months, three patients required pouch excision because of Crohn's disease. Two patients had poor continence after abdominoperineal surgery. At last follow-up 60 (94 per cent) of 64 patients had a functional pouch. Half of the patients experienced some degree of daytime and night-time incontinence, but it was frequent in only 15 per cent. Of 58 patients analysed, 27 of 40 who had an abdominoperineal procedure and 13 of 18 who had transanal surgery rated their satisfaction with the outcome as good to excellent. CONCLUSION: Surgical revision after failure of IPAA was possible in most patients, yielding an acceptable level of bowel function in two-thirds of patients.

Primary rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for repair of perineal and vaginal defects after extended abdominoperineal resection.

BACKGROUND: Significant morbidity can result from perineal wounds, particularly after radiotherapy and extensive resection for cancer. Myocutaneous flaps have been used to improve healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and results of primary rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the vagina and perineum after extended abdominoperineal resection. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients undergoing one-stage rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction of extensive perineal wounds were studied prospectively. Twenty-six patients had surgery for recurrent or persistent epidermoid anal cancer or low rectal cancer, and 21 had high-dose preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: Three weeks after the operation, complete healing of the perineal wound was seen in 27 of the 31 patients. There were nine flap-related complications including three patients with partial flap necrosis, two with vaginal stenosis, one with vaginal scarring, one with small flap disunion and two with weakness of the anterior abdominal wall. There were no unhealed wounds at the completion of follow-up (median 9 months). CONCLUSION: The transpelvic rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of large perineal and vaginal wounds achieves wound healing with only moderate morbidity in the majority of patients after extensive abdominoperineal resection with or without radiotherapy.

Sutured perineal omentoplasty after abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to describe and evaluate the efficacy of sutured perineal omentoplasty on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum. METHODS: Charts of patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum from June 1995 to December 2001 were reviewed for mortality, morbidity, and perineal healing. Abdominoperineal resection was accomplished according to Miles combined with total mesorectal excision. The omentum was pediculized on the left gastroepiploic artery and tightly sewn to the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The perineal skin was then closed primarily. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included in the study. The mean age at surgery was 65 (range, 13-91) years. The distance of the tumor from the anal sphincters was 0.45 +/- 0.9 mm (range, 0-50). During the study period, 92 patients (88 percent) had sutured perineal omentoplasty. The rate of primary perineal wound healing was 80 percent. Postoperative perineal wound complications consisted of perineal abscess in seven patients. Six of these patients had a sutured perineal omentoplasty (6 percent). Only four patients required a surgical drainage. Minor perineal suppuration occurred in four patients (4 percent), whereas partial perineal wound dehiscence occurred in eight patients (8 percent). All wounds healed completely at three months. Intestinal obstruction occurred in three patients (3 percent). No complication of the pedicled omentoplasty was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that sutured perineal omentoplasty is possible in the majority of patients after abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum with excellent primary perineal wound healing.

Use of a jejunal pouch with ileal interposition in salvage surgery after restorative proctocolectomy.

PURPOSE: A novel technique is described for pouch reconstruction after failed restorative proctocolectomy and pouch excision. METHODS: Surgery was undertaken in two patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy with subsequent excision of the ileal J-pouch after necrosis. At revisional surgery it was technically impossible to form a pouch using the terminal ileum because of mesenteric shortening. A new 18-cm J-pouch was formed with a jejunal segment. After selective division of axial vessels, adequate length was obtained to allow formation of a jejunal-pouch-anal anastomosis. The small bowel distal to the pouch was interposed between the proximal jejunum and J-pouch and a defunctioning stoma was made. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful in both cases. The functional results at 3 and 12 months after stoma closure were good, with five to seven bowel movements per day and complete continence. CONCLUSION: Shortening of the terminal ileal mesentery may preclude the formation of an ileal pouch in patients undergoing salvage surgery after failed restorative proctocolectomy. This novel technique of jejunal J-pouch formation and small-bowel interposition has value as an alternative to definitive ileostomy or Kock's pouch in such patients.

Oncologic results following abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the low rectum.

PURPOSE: The role of abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer has changed because of advances in sphincter-preserving surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the results of this operation in the five-year period following introduction of the concept of total mesorectal excision METHODS: Data on all patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection for very low rectal cancer between 1992 and 1997 were collected prospectively. All patients had had total mesorectal excision. Curative resection was defined as absence of macroscopic disease after resection and local recurrence as any infiltration or tumor identified in the pelvis, alone or combined with distant disease. Survival and local recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank analysis. RESULTS: Of 165 abdominoperineal resections performed, 106 were for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The male:female ratio was 50:56, with a median age of 65 (range, 33-85) years. There was one postoperative death. Twenty-seven patients received short-course preoperative radiotherapy (25 Gy over 1 week), whereas 22 had a longer course, with concomitant chemotherapy in 2. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered in 29, postoperative radiotherapy in 4, and combined therapy in 8. After curative resection (n = 91), survival at five years was 76 percent and differed significantly by stage. Recurrence at any site was 7 percent (3/34) for Stage I, 27 percent (6/26) for Stage II, and 53 percent (16/31) for Stage III. Nine patients presented with local recurrence, with an overall rate at five years of 10 percent. Isolated locale recurrence was observed in only 5 percent of patients CONCLUSIONS: After abdominoperineal resection and total mesorectal excision, good rates of local control may be achieved provided surgical technique is meticulous.

Ultralow anterior resection with intersphincteric dissection--what is the limit of safe sphincter preservation?

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of low rectal cancer, the possibility of sphincter preserving surgery is increased by partial sphincteric resection which may allow an oncologically safe resection margin in some patients who would traditionally have been treated by abdominoperineal resection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the morbidity, mortality and the oncological and functional results of intersphincteric resection to determine whether the technique may be considered a safe means of sphincter preservation. METHODS: Between May 1992 and December 1999, 26 patients (mean age 55 years, range 28-82) with adenocarcinoma of the rectum had partial sphincteric resection by an abdominal approach with a colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis. The mean distance between the tumour and the anal verge 4.25 (range 3.1-5.25) cm. Four tumours were T1, 14 T2 (3 N+), 7 T3 (3 N+), and 1 T4 (N+). Neoadjuvant radiotherapy was used in 10 patients. The distal resection margin was positive in one patient who then proceeded to safe abdominoperineal resection (APR). In the remaining patient the mean distal resection margin on the fixed specimen was 1.6 (range 0.3-3.5) cm. RESULTS: There were no deaths. Morbidity was 30% with an anastomotic leak rate of 11%. At mean follow-up of 39 (range 11-93) months the local recurrence rate was 3.4%. Functional results were evaluated in 25 patients at mean follow-up of 27 (8-66) months: 65% had 0-2 bowel motions per 24 h, 31% had 3-5 and 4% between 6 and 9. Nine patients (36%) had nocturnal defecation. Continence was normal in 50% with 23% reporting incontinence to gas and 27% reporting minor episodes of incontinence. None had major incontinence and 85% considered their outcome satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This study supports the current literature indicating that partial sphincteric resection is an oncologically and functionally safe alternative to abdominoperineal resection for some selected low rectal tumours.