Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Surgical outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes in a single-institution consecutive series.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal cancer surgery is continuously evolving. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a relatively new surgical approach with possible advantages in comparison to current standard surgical techniques. Several studies in recent years have validated this approach regarding safety and effectiveness. We describe our initial experience with TaTME evaluating surgical parameters, post-operative outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study reviewing all patients who underwent TaTME in a single institution from May 2015 to April 2018. RESULTS: The cohort included 25 patients with an average age of 60.4 (range: 40-86), of which 13 (52%) patients were male. The average body mass index was 26.1. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 40%, with 20% (five cases) being severe complications, defined by Clavien-Dindo Grade of 3b or above. There were three major interoperative complications. Four cases (16%) required reoperation during the first 30 post-operative days. The median length of stay was 8 days. The surgery duration was on average 296 min (range: 205-510). Negative resection margins were achieved in all patients. At a median follow-up period of 14 months, there were no local recurrences, and 4 cases (16%) had a distant recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study describes our initial experience with TaTME, which requires a substantial learning curve to minimise complications and morbidity. Oncological outcomes as expressed by the resection margins, number of lymph nodes harvested and local recurrence rates were all comparable to previously published data.

Clinical outcomes with of the Contix Faecal Incontinence Management System: preliminary results.

Fecal incontinence (FI) has a significant long-term impact on patient quality of life for which there is a range of medical and surgical management alternatives. We report the preliminary outcome using the ForConti Contix Faecal Incontinence Management System (FIMS) in FI patients who had failed conservative therapy and who were recruited at 2 tertiary institutions between September 2018 and September 2020. Comparative assessments were made before and after 2 week periods of treatment using bowel diaries and subjective Wexner and Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores. Of 17 patients enrolled, 11 completed an 8-week assessment with a significant fall in the average percentage of FI days reported from 84% before treatment to 16.8% at the first posttreatment assessment and down to 13.2% by the second assessment period. This finding correlated with a similar reduction in the total weekly number of episodes of frank FI, minor soiling, and fecal urgency reported by patients along with concomitant improvements in the Wexner scores. For those using the device, there was less concern about accidental bowel leakage, high rates of satisfaction, and minimal problems with the device. Initial results are encouraging warranting further study.

The significance of occult carcinoids in the era of laparoscopic appendectomies.

BACKGROUND: We present data acquired in our institution about the incidence of incidental appendiceal carcinoids over a period of 16 years. The possibility of occult carcinoids raises the question of appendectomy of a noninflamed appendix during diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart analysis of the surgical registry of a university-affiliated tertiary care center of a major population area for the past 16 years. Data were collected on all patients (n = 7592) who underwent appendectomy for the presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Outcome measures were the incidence of incidental carcinoids of the appendix found during appendectomies and whether the introduction of laparoscopic appendectomy should alter the surgical management of a normal-appearing appendix. RESULTS: A total of 20 carcinoid appendices were resected by open surgery and 17 by laparoscopy. The diagnosis of a carcinoid tumor was not suspected in any patient before the operation, nor was a tumor identified at the time of the operation. In 6 (16%) patients the appendix appeared normal at the time of the operation. CONCLUSIONS: It has long been the standard of care to remove any appendix found in laparotomy for suspected appendicitis, but it is not clear what should be done during laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis when the appendix appears normal. Our data confirm the presence of occult carcinoids in normal-appearing appendices. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of this finding.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for Benign and Malignant Rectal Lesions: Operative and Oncological Outcomes of a Single Center Experience.

Background: Since introduced in 2010, the transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has been gaining popularity worldwide for local excision of benign and early-stage malignant rectal lesions of the proximal and mid-rectum. The aim of this study was to review our experience with the procedure, including mid-term oncological outcomes. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The data collected include all patients who underwent TAMIS procedure in a single tertiary institute. Results: Forty TAMIS procedures were performed on 38 patients, 78% men and 22% women, with a median age of 67 years. The indications were 24 benign lesions, 14 adenocarcinoma, and 1 neuroendocrine tumor. The average lesion size was 43.2 mm and the average distance from the anal verge was 8 cm (range 5-12). We had no intraoperative complications and overall the 30-day morbidity rate was 20%, of which only one was major complication. No perioperative mortality was encountered. After a mean follow-up time of 26 months we had 3 cases of local recurrence (21.4%) of which 2 cases had high-risk features on the primary TAMIS pathology and refused our advice for completion proctectomy. Hence, they were both treated eventually with adjuvant radiotherapy. The distant recurrence rate was 14.2%. Conclusions: The TAMIS procedure is an acceptable option for local excision of rectal lesions for carefully selected patients. It has overt benefits of lower morbidity and easier recovery compared with radical surgery. When it is utilized for early-stage rectal cancers, high-risk pathological features should prompt a completion proctectomy.

Mapping of ghrelin gene expression and cell distribution in the stomach of morbidly obese patients--a possible guide for efficient sleeve gastrectomy construction.

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is secreted mainly in the stomach and plays a role in food intake regulation. Morbidly obese (MO) individuals report a decline in appetite after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), presumably due, in part, to ghrelin cell removal. Ghrelin cell distribution and expression were determined in three areas of resected stomach specimens from MO patients subjected to SG. METHODS: Resected stomach specimens from 20 MO patients undergoing SG were analyzed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction of ghrelin mRNA and immunohistostaining for ghrelin cells in three stomach regions (fundus, body, and pre-antral areas) were performed. Body mass index (BMI) and total plasma ghrelin levels were obtained before and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Ghrelin mRNA was detected throughout the stomach, its expression decreasing from the fundus towards the antrum. The relative quantification for ghrelin mRNA expression was 0.043, 0.026, and 0.015 at the fundus, body, and pre-antral region, respectively (P = 0.05, fundus vs. pre-antral region). Average ghrelin cell counts declined from 60 ± 40 to 45 ± 20 and 39 ± 13 cells/high power fields in the fundus, body, and pre-antral region, respectively. Three months after surgery, total plasma ghrelin levels decreased from 1,676 ± 470 to 1,179 ± 188 pg/ml (P < 0.00001) and BMI dropped from 46 ± 6 to 38 ± 5 kg/m2 (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Distribution and expression of ghrelin-secreting cells throughout the stomach were defined, emphasizing the importance of meticulous resection of the fundus during SG for maximal ghrelin cell removal.