Effect of the First Assistant on Anastomotic Leakage after Rectal Cancer Surgery with Double-Stapling Anastomosis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Proper handling and firing of the circular stapler are important for secure anastomosis in rectal cancer surgery. This study aimed to investigate the association between the first assistant and anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal cancer surgery with double-stapling anastomosis. METHODS: Patients with primary rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection with double-stapling anastomosis between January 2015 and September 2019 were included. Data on clinicopathological characteristics, including the first assistant's sex and experience level, were retrospectively reviewed, and the risk factors for AL were analyzed using propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: Among 758 rectal cancer surgeries, residents participated in 401 (52.9%) surgeries, and fellows participated in 357 (47.1%) surgeries as first assistants. After propensity score matching (n = 650), AL occurred in 5.4% (35/650). The first assistant's experience level (resident: 5.5% vs. fellow: 5.2%, p = 0.862) and sex (male: 5.4% vs. female: 4.9%, p = 0.849) were not associated with the occurrence of AL. Male sex in patients was the only significant predictive factor for AL (odds ratio = 2.804, 95% confidence interval 1.070-7.351, p = 0.036). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The first assistant's sex and experience level were not associated with AL after rectal cancer surgery with double-stapling anastomosis. These findings may justify resident participation in rectal cancer surgeries in which circular staplers are used.

Impact of circumferential tumor location of mid to low rectal cancer on oncologic outcomes after preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: Some studies have suggested that circumferential tumor location (CTL) of rectal cancer may affect oncological outcomes. However, studies after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) are rare. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of CTL on oncologic outcomes of patients with mid to low rectal cancer who received preoperative CRT. Methods: Patients with mid to low rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision after CRT from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The impact of CTL on the pathological circumferential resection margin (CRM) status, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. Results: Of the 381 patients, 98, 70, 127, and 86 patients were categorized into the anterior, posterior, lateral, and circumferential tumor groups, respectively. Tumor location was not significantly associated with the pathological CRM involvement (anterior, 12.2% vs. posterior, 14.3% vs. lateral, 11.0% vs. circumferential, 17.4%; P = 0.232). Univariate analyses revealed no correlation between CTL and 3-year LRFS (93.0% vs. 89.1% vs. 91.5% vs. 88%, P = 0.513), 3-year DFS (70.3% vs. 70.2% vs. 75.3% vs. 75.7%, P = 0.832), and 5-year OS (74.7% vs. 78.0% vs. 83.9% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.204). Multivariate analysis identified low rectal cancer and pathological CRM involvement as independent risk factors for all survival outcomes (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: CTL of rectal cancer after preoperative CRT was not significantly associated with the pathological CRM status, recurrence, and survival.

Postoperative bile leakage caused by intrahepatic duct injury during right hemicolectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bile peritonitis is one of the rare complications that can occur after cholecystectomy or hepatectomy. It is associated with high mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and increased cost. We herein report 2 cases of bile leakage as a postoperative complication of right hemicolectomy. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two patients underwent a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. Both patients had a history of cholecystectomy, and intrahepatic bile duct dilatation was observed in preoperative imaging study. During surgery, adhesiolysis was performed between the liver and the hepatic flexure of the colon due to adhesion in that area. DIAGNOSIS: Postoperatively, bile fluid was drained via an intraabdominal drainage tube. Both cases required surgical intervention to explore the origin of the leakage. In both cases, the anastomosis was intact, and the injury of the intrahepatic bile duct just beneath the liver surface was the origin of bile leakage. INTERVENTIONS: Suture ligation, irrigation, and drainage were performed in both patients. OUTCOMES: There was no more bile leakage after reoperation, and both patients were discharged in good health after antibiotics treatment. CONCLUSION: Although very rare, bile leakage due to intrahepatic duct injury can occur after right hemicolectomy in patients with a history of cholecystectomy and intrahepatic duct dilatation. It is necessary to consider the possibility of bile duct injury and anastomotic leakage if bile leakage is suspected after right hemicolectomy.

Risk factors of stoma re-creation after closure of diverting ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection or intersphincteric resection with loop ileostomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of stoma re-creation after closure of diverting ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection (LAR) or intersphincteric resection (ISR) with loop ileostomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 520 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent LAR or ISR with loop ileostomy from January 2005 to December 2014 at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital. Risk factors for stoma re-creation after ileostomy closure were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 520 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LAR or ISR with loop ileostomy, 458 patients underwent stoma closure. Among these patients, 45 (9.8%) underwent stoma re-creation. The median period between primary surgery and stoma closure was 5.5 months (range, 0.5-78.3 months), and the median period between closure and re-creation was 6.8 months (range, 0-71.5 months). Stoma re-creation was performed because of anastomosis-related complications (26, 57.8%), local recurrence (15, 33.3%), and anal sphincter dysfunction (3, 6.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that independent risk factors for stoma re-creation were anastomotic leakage (odds ratio [OR], 4.258; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.814-9.993), postoperative radiotherapy (OR, 3.947; 95% CI, 1.624-9.594), and ISR (OR, 3.293; 95% CI, 1.462-7.417). CONCLUSION: Anastomotic leakage, postoperative radiotherapy, and ISR were independent risk factors for stoma re-creation after closure of ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer.