Prospective evaluation of in-hospital mortality with the P-POSSUM scoring system in patients undergoing major digestive surgery.

BACKGROUND: The P-POSSUM score, the most well known of predictive scores for postoperative mortality, requires validation for population and setting. METHODS: Validation methods included discrimination (C-index statistic), observed:expected (O:E) ratio, calibration with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and subgroup analysis (emergency surgery, cancer, age, organs). The study included 3,881 multisite patients undergoing major digestive surgery in France. RESULTS: Discrimination via the receiver operating characteristic curve was good (C-index = 0.87). The overall O:E ratio was 1 (95% confidence interval ([95 % CI]: 0.88-1.13), and therefore the quality of the surgical performance is within normal ranges. The O:E ratio, calculated by risk ranges, showed overestimation in the low risk range, especially in the 3 % to 6 % and 6 % to 10 % ranges. Calibration was poor (p < 0.001). The model deviated from the normal pattern of calibration, with mortality lower than expected in the high-risk range. Subgroup analysis found reasonable to good discrimination of populations (C-index ranging from 0.78 to 0.93 except for liver surgery [0.67]) while calibration of individuals remained poor (p < 0.001 to 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Good discrimination, as well as nonsignificant overall O:E values, makes P-POSSUM a valuable tool when it is used for surgical audit to compare mortality between populations for major digestive surgery. Conversely, poor calibration (goodness-of-fit), especially in subgroup analysis, and underestimation or overestimation of O:E ratios considerably limits the value of P-POSSUM for prediction of mortality in individuals. Therefore P-POSSUM should not be used to predict outcomes for one particular patient.

Risk factors for mortality in major digestive surgery in the elderly: a multicenter prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the mortality risk factors of elderly patients (≥65 years old) during major digestive surgery, as defined according to the complexity of the operation. BACKGROUND: In the aging populations of developed countries, the incidence rate of major digestive surgery is currently on the rise and is associated with a high mortality rate. Consequently, validated indicators must be developed to improve elderly patients' surgical care and outcomes. METHODS: We acquired data from a multicenter prospective cohort that included 3322 consecutive patients undergoing major digestive surgery across 47 different facilities. We assessed 27 pre-, intra-, and postoperative demographic and clinical variables. A multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors of mortality in elderly patients (n = 1796). Young patients were used as a control group, and the end-point was defined as 30-day postoperative mortality. RESULTS: In the entire cohort, postoperative mortality increased significantly among patients aged 65-74 years, and an age ≥65 years was by itself an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-3.59; P = 0.001). The mortality rate among elderly patients was 10.6%. Six independent risk factors of mortality were characteristic of the elderly patients: age ≥85 years (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.08-6.31; P = 0.032), emergency (OR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.67-6.99; P = 0.001), anemia (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.02-3.17; P = 0.041), white cell count > 10,000/mm³ (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.08-3.35; P = 0.024), ASA class IV (OR, 9.86; 95% CI, 1.77-54.7; P = 0.009) and a palliative cancer operation (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.99-8.19; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Characterization of independent validated risk indicators for mortality in elderly patients undergoing major digestive surgery is essential and may lead to an efficient specific workup, which constitutes a necessary step to developing a dedicated score for elderly patients.

Risk factors for mortality and intra-abdominal complications after pancreatoduodenectomy: multivariate analysis in 300 patients.

BACKGROUND: Studies of risk factors after pancreatoduodenectomy are few: some concern restricted populations and others are based on administrative data. METHODS: Multicenter clinical data were collected for 300 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy to determine (by univariate and multivariate analysis) preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for mortality and intra-abdominal complications (IACs), including pancreatic fistula. Fourteen factors including the center and volume effect were analyzed. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, mortality was increased with age 70 years or more, extended resection(s), and volume and center effects. IACs occurred more often with main pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less, normal parenchyma texture, extended resection(s), and the center effect. Pancreatic fistula was more frequent with main pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less, normal parenchyma texture, and the center effect. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factor(s) for mortality were age greater than 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-8) and extended resection (OR, 5; 95% CI, 1.2-22), risk factors for IACs were extended resection (OR, 5; 95% CI, 1.2-22) and main pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less (OR, 2; 95% CI, 1.1-3), and the risk factor for pancreatic fistula was main pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-4.6). CONCLUSIONS: Age more than 70 years, extended resections, and main pancreatic duct diameter less than 3 mm are independent risk factors that should be considered in indications for and techniques of pancreatoduodenectomy.

Povidone-iodine vs sodium hypochlorite enema for mechanical preparation before elective open colonic or rectal resection with primary anastomosis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

HYPOTHESIS: The anti-infective actions of povidone-iodine (PVI) and sodium hypochlorite enemas are different. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-blind study. SETTING: Multicenter. PATIENTS: Five hundred seventeen consecutive patients with colorectal carcinoma or sigmoid diverticular disease undergoing elective open colorectal resection, followed by primary anastomosis. INTERVENTION: All patients received senna (1-2 packages diluted in a glass of water) at 6 pm the evening before surgery. Patients were administered two 2-L aqueous enemas of 5% PVI (n = 277) or 0.3% sodium hypochlorite (n = 240) at 9 pm the evening before surgery and at 3 hours before operation. Intravenous ceftriaxone sodium (1 g) and metronidazole (1 g) were administered at anesthetic induction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rate of patients with 1 infective parietoabdominal complication or more. RESULTS: The percentages of patients with 1 infective parietoabdominal complication or more did not differ between the 2 groups (13.7% in the PVI-treated group vs 15.0% in the sodium hypochlorite-treated group). Tolerance was better in the PVI-treated group than in the sodium hypochlorite-treated group (79.4% vs 67.9%), with fewer patients experiencing abdominal pain (13.0% vs 24.6%) or discontinuing their preparation (3.0% vs 9.0%) (P=.02 for all). There were more patients with malaise in the PVI-treated group than in the sodium hypochlorite-treated group (9.1% vs 4.9%, P<.05). Three patients in the sodium hypochlorite-treated group had necrotic ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSION: When antiseptic enemas are chosen for mechanical preparation before colorectal surgery, PVI should be preferred over sodium hypochlorite because of better tolerance and avoidance of necrotic ulcerative colitis.

Predictive risk score for infection after inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Identification of subgroups of patients at high and low risk for global infectious complications (GIC) after inguinal hernia repair without mesh. METHODS: A database of 1254 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair without mesh, issued from 3 prospective multicenter randomized trials, has been established (group A). After multivariate analysis, a score for GIC was calculated and tested using data from a similar prospective randomized multicenter study (group B). RESULTS: A risk score for GIC was constructed: -4.7 + (0.95 x age > or =75 years) + (1.1 obesity) + (2.1 x urinary catheter). In case of score less than -4.2 (low-risk group), the GIC rate was 2.7%; therefore, in case of score more than -4.2 (high-risk score), the GIC rate was 14.3% (P < .001). In the low-risk group, the administration of antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce the infectious complication rate, while in high-risk group the administration of antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the rates of surgical site infection, GIC, and urinary infection by 72%, 67%, and 76.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in inguinal hernia surgery in the subgroup of high-risk patients.

Risk factors for prediction of surgical site infections in "clean surgery".

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of surgical site infections (SSI) in clean surgery and to identify high- and low-risk patients from whom efficacy of the antibiotic prophylaxis was analyzed. METHODS: From June 1982 to September 1996, a database was established from 3 prospective multicenter randomized studies, containing information of 5798 patients who underwent abdominal noncolorectal surgery. Multivariate analysis was performed using nonconditional logistic regression expressed as an odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: A total of 2374 patients underwent a clean surgery. An antibiotic prophylaxis was administered to 1943 patients (81.8%). A multivariate analysis was performed including only preoperative factors and disclosed 3 independent factors: cirrhosis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-12.8), other disease (OR, 2.7; 95% CI: 1.3-5.8), and preoperative urinary catheter (OR, 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.6). A risk score for SSI was constructed: -4.9 + (1.5 x cirrhosis++) + (other disease++) + (0.8 x preoperative urinary catheter++) (++ = 0 if absent or 1 if present). The study included 1 group of patients having no risk factors for SSI with a score below -4.5 (S1R-) and 1 group of patients having 1 or more risk factors for SSI with a score over -4.5 (S1R+). Antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce the infectious complication rate in the S1R- group, whereas, in the S1R+ group, it reduced significantly the rate of SSI and of parietal infectious complications by 58% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis in clean abdominal surgery was effective in high-risk patients. Urinary catheter must be avoided.

A controlled randomized multicenter trial of pancreatogastrostomy or pancreatojejunostomy after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Only 2 large (more than 100 patients) prospective trials comparing pancreatogastrostomy (PG) with pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) have been reported until now. One nonrandomized study showed that there were less pancreatic and digestive tract fistula with PG, whereas the other, a randomized trial from a single high-volume center, found no significant differences between the two techniques. METHODS: Single blind, controlled randomized, multicenter trial. The main endpoint was intra-abdominal complications (IACs). RESULTS: Of 149 randomized patients, 81 underwent PG and 68 PJ. No significant difference was found between the two groups concerning pre- or intraoperative patient characteristics. The rate of patients with one or more IACs was 34% in each group. Twenty-seven patients sustained a pancreatoenteric fistula (18%), 13 in PG (16%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8-24%) and 14 in PJ (20%; 95% CI 10.5-29.5%). No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups concerning the mortality rate (11% overall), the rate of reoperations and/or postoperative interventional radiology drainages (23%), or the length of hospital stay (median 20.5 days). Univariate analysis found the following risk factors: (1) age > or =70 years old, (2) extrapancreatic disease, (3) normal consistency of pancreas, (4) diameter of main pancreatic duct <3 mm, (5) duration of operation >6 hours, and (6) a center effect. Significantly more IAC, pancreatoenteric fistula, and deaths occurred in one center (that included the most patients) (P = .05), but there were significantly more high-risk patients in this center (normal pancreas consistency, extrapancreatic pathology, small pancreatic duct, higher transfusion requirements, and duration of operation >6 hours) compared with the other centers. In multivariate analysis, the center effect disappeared. Independent risk factors included duration of operation >6 hours for IAC and for pancreatoenteric fistula (P = .01), extrapancreatic disease for pancreatoenteric fistulas (P < .04), and age > or =70 years for mortality (P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: The type of pancreatoenteric anastomosis (PJ or PG) after PD does not significantly influence the rate of patients with one or more IAC and/or pancreatic fistula or the severity of complications.

Risk factors for postoperative infectious complications in noncolorectal abdominal surgery: a multivariate analysis based on a prospective multicenter study of 4718 patients.

HYPOTHESIS: Infectious complications are the main causes of postoperative morbidity in abdominal surgery. Identification of risk factors, which could be avoided in the perioperative period, may reduce the rate of postoperative infectious complications. DESIGN: A database was established from 3 prospective, randomized, multicenter studies. Multivariate analysis was performed using nonconditional logistic regression expressed as an odds ratio (OR). SETTING: Multicenter studies (ie, private medical centers, institutional hospitals, and university hospitals). PATIENTS: From June 1982 to September 1996, a database was established containing the information of 4718 patients who underwent noncolorectal abdominal surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The dependent variables studied included surgical site infection (SSI) (divided into parietal and deep infectious complications with or without fistulas) and global infectious complications (SSI and extraparietal and abdominal infectious complications). RESULTS: The rate of global infectious complications was 13.3%; SSI, 4.05%; parietal infectious complications, 2.2%; deep infectious complications with fistulas, 2.18%; and deep infectious complications without fistulas, 1.38%. In multivariate analysis, the following 7 independent risk factors for global infectious complications have been identified: age (60-74 years, OR, 1.64; >or=75 years, OR, 1.45); being underweight (OR, 1.51); having cirrhosis (OR, 2.45), having a vertical abdominal incision (OR, 1.66); having a suture placed or an anastomis of the bowel (OR, 1.48) in the digestive tract; having a prolonged operative time (61-120 minutes, OR, 1.66; 121 minutes, OR, 2.72); and being categorized as having a class 4 surgical site (ie, obese patients or having a risk factor of a healing defect) (OR, 1.66). Ceftriaxone sodium therapy was identified as a protective factor (OR, 0.43). In multivariate analysis, the following 5 independent risk factors for SSI have been identified: the existence of a preoperative cutaneous abscess or cutaneous necrosis (OR, 4.75), having a suture placed or an anastomosis of the bowel (OR, 1.82) in the digestive tract, having postoperative abdominal drainage (OR, 2.15), undergoing a surgical procedure for the treatment of cancer (OR, 1.74), and receiving curative anticoagulant therapy (OR, 3.33) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that risk factors for SSI and for global infectious complications are disparate. Indeed, only the placement of a suture or having an anastomosis of the bowel in the digestive tract is a risk factor for both SSI and global infections. Some of these factors may be modifiable before or during the surgical procedure to reduce the infection rate or to prevent postoperative complications.

Octreotide in the prevention of intra-abdominal complications following elective pancreatic resection: a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial.

HYPOTHESIS: Prophylactic administration of octreotide acetate decreases the rate of postoperative intra-abdominal complications (IACs) after elective pancreatic resection. DESIGN: Single-blind, controlled, randomized trial. SETTING: Multicenter (N = 20) trial in France. PATIENTS: Of 230 randomized patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy and pancreatic enteric anastomosis or distal pancreatectomy for either malignant or benign tumor or chronic pancreatitis, 122 were allotted intraoperatively to receive octreotide; 108 served as controls. RESULTS: All 230 patients were analyzed. Both groups were comparable except that significantly more patients in the octreotide group had biological glue injected into the main pancreatic duct alone (P<.001) or reinforcing the pancreatic enteric anastomosis (68% [83/122] vs 39% [42/108]; P =.002). Fewer patients (P =.08) in the octreotide group sustained 1 or more IACs (22% vs 32%). In subgroup analysis, octreotide significantly reduced the rate of patients sustaining 1 or more IACs when the main pancreatic duct diameter was less than 3 mm (P<.02), when pancreatojejunostomy was performed (P<.02), or both (P<.02). No significant differences were found regarding IAC severity. Twenty-three patients (10%) died postoperatively, 16 (70% of deaths) of whom had 1 or more IACs. The only independent risk factor for IACs found on multivariate analysis was pancreatoduodenectomy compared with distal pancreatectomy (P<.01) (odds ratio, 3.54 [95% confidence interval, 1.44-8.65]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that octreotide is not necessary for all patients undergoing pancreatic resection; it could be useful when the main pancreatic duct is less than 3 mm in diameter and when pancreatoduodenectomy is completed by pancreatojejunostomy.

Randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival after resection for gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients were enrolled if they underwent resection of gastric cancer but had lymph node or serosal involvement or both. Surgical resection was either total or partial gastrectomy according to the site of the tumor, and surgeons were allowed to perform either D1 or D2 gastrectomy. The subjects were random assigned in two treatment groups as follows: surgery alone as the control group, or surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nine cycles of 5 days protocol every 4 weeks was proposed to the patients of the chemotherapy group. The protocol included a daily administration of 200 mg/m(2) of folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil (375 mg/m(2) during the first session increasing 25 mg by session until reaching 500 mg/m(2)) and CDDP 15 mg/m(2). Two hundred patients were required. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared according to the log-rank and the Mantel-Haenszel methods. RESULTS: In all, 205 patients were enrolled in the study; 104 had surgery alone and 101 had surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The patients' characteristics were similar except for the mean age, which was 4 years less in the control group. Because of toxicity, 54% of the patients stopped the protocol before the end of the nine courses, and 46% of the patients received the nine courses including 32% with a decreased dose and 14% with a full dose. The 5-year survival rate was 39% in the control group and 39% in the chemotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol of adjuvant chemotherapy failed to improve the 5-year survival after resection for gastric cancer.

Dysphagia after Laparoscopic 360 Repair for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

In comparison to medical treatment, antireflux surgery is recognized as an effective, efficient and longlasting therapy, as well as the only treatment that is able to modify the natural history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The 360 fundoplication is the most widely used surgical procedure for GERD. Although performed in the era of H2-blockers and open surgery, comparison of the so-called Nissen repair to both symptomatic and continuous medical therapies concluded that surgery was superior to medical therapy in every outcome measure used.

Prevalence of and risk factors for morbidity after elective left colectomy: cancer vs noncomplicated diverticular disease.

HYPOTHESIS: Independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity after colectomy are most likely linked to disease characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Twenty-eight centers of the French Federation for Surgical Research. PATIENTS: In total, 1721 patients (1230 with colon cancer [CC] and 491 with diverticular disease [DD]) from a databank of 7 prospective, multisite, randomized trials on colorectal resection. INTERVENTION: Elective left colectomy via laparotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Overall postoperative morbidity was higher in CC than in DD (32.4% vs 30.3%) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .40). Two independent risk factors for morbidity in CC were antecedent heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-6.32) (P = .003) and bothersome intraluminal fecal matter (2.08; 1.42-3.06) (P = .001). Three independent risk factors for morbidity in DD were at least 10% weight loss (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.25-3.40) (P = .004), body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) exceeding 30 (2.05; 1.15-3.66) (P = .02), and left hemicolectomy (vs left segmental colectomy) (2.01; 1.19-3.40) (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective left colectomy for CC or for DD constitute 2 distinct populations with completely different risk factors for morbidity, which should be addressed differently. Improving colonic cleanliness (by antiseptic enema) may reduce morbidity in CC. In DD, morbidity may be reduced by appropriate preoperative nutritive support (by immunonutrition), even in patients with obesity, and by preference of left segmental colectomy over left hemicolectomy. By decreasing morbidity, mortality should be lowered as well, especially when reoperation becomes necessary.

Prevalence and risk factors of mortality and morbidity after operation for adhesive postoperative small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Many factors are believed to influence the mortality and morbidity after operations for adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO). METHODS: In a multicenter prospective cohort of 286 patients operated on for adhesive postoperative SBO, we studied the in-hospital and 30-day postdischarge mortality (early mortality) and morbidity as well as long-term mortality using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In the present cohort, with a median follow-up of 41 months and 9% patients lost to follow-up at the end of the study, the prevalence of early postoperative mortality was 3%. All deceased patients were over 75 years old with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class >/=III. The prevalence of long-term mortality was 7% with the following independent risk factors: age >75 years old (hazards ratio [HR] 6.6 [95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-18.1]), medical complications (HR 7.4 [CI, 2.2-24.3]), and a mixed mechanism of obstruction (HR 4.5 [CI, 1.5-13.7]). Prevalence of medical and surgical morbidity was 8% and 6%, respectively. Independent risk factors for medical complications were ASA class >/=III (odds ratio [OR] 16.8 [CI, 2.1-133.1]) and bands (OR 14.1 [CI, 1.8-111.5]) and for the surgical complications the number of obstructive structures >/=10 (OR 8.3 [CI, 1.6-19.7]), a nonresected intestinal wall injury (OR 5.3 [CI, 1.5-18.3]), and intestinal necrosis (OR 5.6 [CI, 1.6-19.7]). Otherwise, 3 patients with "apparent" reversible ischemia developed a postoperative intestinal necrosis followed by 2 reoperations and 1 death. CONCLUSION: The early postoperative mortality is strongly linked with the age and the ASA class and the long-term mortality with postoperative complications. More frequent bowel resections might be suggested for patients featuring a number of obstructive structures >/=10 and an intestinal wall injury, especially when associated with a reversible intestinal ischemia.

Surgeon-dependent predictive factors for mortality after elective colorectal resection and immediate anastomosis for cancer or nonacute diverticular disease: multivariable analysis of 2,605 patients.

BACKGROUND: Multivariable analysis best identifies independent risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective evaluation of 2,605 patients through univariate analysis followed by nonconditional multiple logistic regression analysis on 39 pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors, analyzed according to preoperative factors alone, preoperative and intraoperative factors together, and all 3 combined. The purpose was to identify surgeon-dependent independent risk factors for mortality after elective colorectal surgery, with immediate anastomosis for cancer and nonacute diverticular disease. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 3.5%. Through multivariable analysis, five risk factors were found when preoperative data were analyzed alone. Four remained (age between 60 and 75 years, age greater than 75 years, male gender, and heart failure) and 4 new factors (palliative resection, total colectomy, respiratory failure, and surgeon-dependent fecal soiling [the only surgeon-dependent factor]) appeared when pre- and intraoperative factors were analyzed together. Of the latter, two remained stable when all three categories of risk factors were combined and analyzed (palliative resection and total colectomy), and the two others disappeared. Of the eight pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors combined, two new factors appeared: extrasurgical site (ESS) and surgeon-dependent, organ space surgical site (O/SSS) morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Every effort must be made to collect specific, surgeon-dependent (technical and clinical) data, along with administrative data, for multivariable analysis of risk factors. Classification into three periods (pre-, pre- and intraoperative together, and pre-, intra-, and postoperative combined) enables determination of relevant, surgeon-dependent risk factors (fecal soiling and postoperative morbidity) for which there are direct preventive actions.

Anastomotic leakage after elective right versus left colectomy for cancer: prevalence and independent risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery remains a major challenge because of its early and late consequences. STUDY DESIGN: To determine whether prevalence and risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) differed between right and left elective colectomy for cancer, we conducted univariate and multivariate analyses and compared 33 variables (15 preoperative, 18 intraoperative) culled prospectively for 520 right and 1,230 left colectomies, followed by immediate anastomosis in 1,750 adult patients with or without AL. RESULTS: The overall AL rate was 4% (71 of 1,750) and was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for right (7 of 520=1.35%) than for left colectomy (64 of 1,230=5.20%). Overall mortality was 4.1% (68 of 1,750), and was not statistically different (p=0.50) between right (4.6%, 24 of 520) and left (3.6%, 44 of 1,230)) colectomy. In right colectomy, differences in associated mortality rates with (14.3%, 1 of 7) and without (4.5%, 23 of 513) AL were not statistically significant (p=0.28), but in left colectomy, associated mortality was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.006) with AL (10.9%, 7 of 64) than without it (3.2%, 37 of 1,166). Independent risk factors for AL were preoperative in right colectomy: loss of weight (> 10%), odds ratio (OR)=5.62, with 95% CI 1.06 to 29.8; and intraoperative in left colectomy: palliative resection (OR=2.12; 95% CI 1.06 to 4.23), "poor" colonic cleanliness (OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.34 to 4.28), proximal colorectal anastomosis (OR=1.34; 95% CI 1 to 1.8), and distal colorectal anastomosis (OR=3.91; 95% CI 1.64 to 9.81). CONCLUSIONS: In right colectomy for cancer, preoperative nutritive support leading to regain of lost weight could reduce postoperative morbidity. Concerning left colectomy, if colonic cleanliness is poor, intraoperative colonic lavage should be done. When poor colonic cleanliness is associated with palliative resection and low distal rectal anastomosis, a protective stoma should be considered.

Iterative cytoreductive surgery associated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin with or without liver metastases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of an aggressive strategy in patients presenting peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colorectal cancer with or without liver metastases (LMs) treated with cytoreductive surgery (CS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The population included 43 patients who had 54 CS+HIPEC for colorectal PC from 1996 to 2006. Sixteen patients (37%) presented LMs. Eleven patients (25%) presented occlusion at the time of PC diagnosis. Ascites was present in 12 patients (28%). Seventy-seven percent of the patients were Gilly 3 (diffuse nodules, 5-20 mm) and Gilly 4 (diffuse nodules>20 mm). The main endpoints were morbidity, mortality, completeness of cancer resection (CCR), and actuarial survival rates. RESULTS: The CS was considered as CCR-0 (no residual nodules) or CCR-1 (residual nodules <5 mm) in 30 patients (70%). Iterative procedures were performed in 26% of patients. Three patients had prior to CS + HIPEC, 10 had concomitant minor liver resection, and 3 had differed liver resections (2 right hepatectomies) 2 months after CS + HIPEC. The mortality rate was 2.3% (1 patient). Seventeen patients (39%) presented one or multiple complications (per procedure morbidity = 31%). Complications included deep abscess (n = 6), wound infection (n = 5), pleural effusion (n = 5), digestive fistula (n = 4), delayed gastric emptying syndrome (n = 4), and renal failure (n = 3). Two patients (3.6%) were reoperated. The median survival was 38.4 months (CI, 32.8-43.9). Actuarial 2- and 4-year survival rates were 72% and 44%, respectively. The survival rates were not significantly different between patients who had CS + HIPEC for PC alone (including the primary resection) versus those who had associated LMs resection (median survival, 35.3 versus 36.0 months, P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Iterative CS + HIPEC is an effective treatment in PC from colorectal cancer. The presence of resectable LMs associated with PC does not contraindicate the prospect of an oncologic treatment in these patients.

Adhesive postoperative small bowel obstruction: incidence and risk factors of recurrence after surgical treatment: a multicenter prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the cumulative incidence and the risk factors of recurrence in patients operated on for an adhesive postoperative small bowel obstruction (SBO). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions, or bands, resulting from any type of abdominal surgery, are the main cause of adhesive postoperative small bowel obstructions, which represent a life-long issue. Recurrences after operated adhesive postoperative SBO are a threatening potentiality for patients and a difficult problem facing any surgeon. Today the cumulative incidence and the risk factors of recurrence have been retrospectively reported but have never been prospectively evaluated in a multicenter study. METHODS: From January 1997 to January 2002, we enrolled 286 patients operated on for an adhesive postoperative SBO in a prospective multicenter trial. A systematic follow-up was carried out and ended in April 2003. Studied factors for recurrent adhesive postoperative SBO were as follows: age, gender, ASA status, number and sites of previous operations, previous operation for adhesive postoperative SBO, elapsed time from the latest operation, surgical approach, number and type of obstructive structures, site and mechanism of obstruction, final operations, and postoperative surgical and medical complications. They were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox regression model was used to determine the independent risk factor of recurrence. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 41 months (range, 1-75 months). The cumulative incidence of overall recurrence was 15.9%, and for surgically managed recurrence 5.8%. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for the overall recurrences were age <40 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.97; confidence interval [CI], 1.48-5.94), adhesion or matted adhesion (HR, 3.79; CI, 1.84-7.78) and, for the surgically managed: adhesions or matted adhesions (HR, 3.64; CI, 1.12-11.84), and postoperative surgical complications (HR, 5.63; CI, 1.73-18.28). CONCLUSION: Operated adhesive postoperative SBO is a clinical entity with a high recurrence rate and specific risk factors of recurrences. Thus, the patients operated on for adhesive postoperative SBO may be candidates for the preventive use of anti-adhesion agents, particularly when a risk factor of recurrence is present.

Temporary fibrin glue occlusion of the main pancreatic duct in the prevention of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatic resection: prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether temporary occlusion of the main pancreatic duct with human fibrin glue decreases the incidence of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: To the authors' knowledge, there are no randomized studies comparing outcomes after pancreatic resection with or without main pancreatic duct occlusion by injection of fibrin glue. Of three nonrandomized studies, two reported no fistulas after intracanal injection and ductal occlusion with fibrin glue after PD with immediate pancreatodigestive anastomosis, while another study reported no protective effect of glue injection. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, multicenter study, conducted between January 1995 and January 1999, included 182 consecutive patients undergoing PD followed by immediate pancreatic anastomosis or DP, whether for benign or malignant tumor or for chronic pancreatitis. One hundred two underwent pancreatic resection followed by ductal occlusion with fibrin glue (made slowly resorbable by the addition of aprotinin); 80 underwent resection without ductal occlusion. The main end point was the number of patients with one or more of the following intra-abdominal complications: pancreatic or other digestive tract fistula, intra-abdominal collections (infected or not), acute pancreatitis, or intra-abdominal or digestive tract hemorrhage. Severity factors included postoperative mortality, repeat operations, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in pre- and intraoperative characteristics except that there were significantly more patients in the ductal occlusion group who were receiving octreotide, who had reinforcement of their anastomosis by fibrin glue, and who had fibrotic pancreatic stumps. However, the rate of patients with one or more intra-abdominal complications, and notably with pancreatic fistula, did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was still no significant difference found after statistical adjustment for these patient characteristic discrepancies, confirming the inefficacy of fibrin glue. The rate of intra-abdominal complications was significantly higher in the presence of a normal, nonfibrotic pancreatic stump and main pancreatic duct diameter less than 3 mm, whereas reinforcement of the anastomosis with fibrin glue or use of octreotide did not influence outcome. In multivariate analysis, however, normal pancreatic parenchyma was the only independent risk factor for intra-abdominal complications. No significant differences were found in the severity of complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ductal occlusion by intracanal injection of fibrin glue decreases neither the rate nor the severity of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatic resection.

Risk factors for mortality and morbidity after elective sigmoid resection for diverticulitis: prospective multicenter multivariate analysis of 582 patients.

The prevalence of diverticular disease of the colon is increasing in occidental countries. It would be useful to further decrease the mortality and morbidity after elective sigmoid resection (ESR) for diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to identify modifiable preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for mortality and morbidity after ESR for diverticulitis. A database of 2615 patients who underwent a colon or rectal resection with primary anastomosis between 1985 to 1998 has been constructed from prospective randomized studies published by a French surgical group. Of those patients, 582 had undergone ESR for diverticulitis, and they constitute the population of the present study. A total of 46 potential preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for mortality and morbidity have been studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. The operative mortality for our series was 1.2%, and the overall morbidity was 24.9%. The multivariate analysis revealed two statistically significant independent risk factors of mortality: age >75 (odds-ratio=7.9; 95% confidence interval [CI 1.7-36.6]; p=0.01) and obesity (odds-ratio=5.2; 95% CI [1.1-27.9]; p=0.04). The abdominal morbidity (AM) was 6.5% (38/582). The absence of antimicrobial prophylaxis administration with ceftriaxone was the only significant risk factor for AM in multivariate analysis (p=0.003; odds-ratio=2; 95% CI [1.1-4]). The extraabdominal morbidity (EAM) was 18.4% (107/582). Both chronic pulmonary disease (p=0.008; odds-ratio=2.9; 95% CI [1.4-6]; p=0.008) and cirrhosis (odds-ratio=12; 95% CI [1.2-120]) proved to be significant risk factors for EAM. Weight control prior to surgery, routine administration of prophylactic preoperative antibiotics, and preoperative optimization of the respiratory status of patients with chronic pulmonary disease could decrease the postoperative mortality and morbidity associated with ESR for diverticulitis.

Clinicopathological forms and prognostic index in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A recent study in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome showed the value of a prognostic index including age, Pugh score, ascites and serum creatinine. Surgical portosystemic shunt did not appear to improve survival. AIMS: To validate these findings in an independent sample; to evaluate a classification into three forms according to the presence of features of acute injury, chronic lesions, or both of them (types I, II or III, respectively); and to assess whether taking into account this classification would alter our previous conclusions. METHODS: Multivariate Cox model survival analysis, first on 69 new patients; second, on these 69 and 54 previous patients, all diagnosed since 1985. RESULTS: Previous prognostic index had a significant prognostic value (P<0.0001) which was further improved by taking into account type III form (P<0.001). Type III form was associated with the poorest outcome. No significant impact of surgical shunting on survival was disclosed. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome can be based on age, Pugh score, ascites, serum creatinine and the presence of features indicating acute injury superimposed on chronic lesions (type III form). The idea that surgical shunting has no significant impact on survival is reinforced by these findings.