Novel Approach to Treat Uncomplicated Sigmoid Volvulus Combining Minimally Invasive Surgery with Enhanced Recovery, in a Rural Hospital in Zambia.

AIM: In sub-Saharan Africa, sigmoid volvulus is a frequent cause of bowel obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of acute sigmoid resection and anastomosis via a mini-laparotomy in patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus, following the principles of "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)", in a low-resource setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus were operated acutely, via a mini-laparotomy, according to the principles of ERAS. Intraoperative complications, duration of operation, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay were evaluated, retrospectively. RESULTS: From 1 March 2012 to 1 September 2017, 31 consecutive patients were treated with acute sigmoid resection and anastomosis, via a mini-laparotomy. There were 29 men and 2 women, median age 57 (range 17-92) years. Patients were operated after a median period of 4 (range 1.5-18) hours. The median duration of the operative procedure was 50 (range 30-105) minutes. Two patients died (6.3%). One patient died during an uncomplicated operation. The cause of death is unknown. One patient with a newly diagnosed HIV infection had an anastomotic dehiscence. After Hartmann's procedure, he died on the 17th post-operative day as a result of a HIV-related double-sided pneumonia, without signs of abdominal sepsis. One patient had an urinary retention and 1 patient haematuria after bladder catheter insertion. CONCLUSION: Acute sigmoid resection and primary anastomosis via a mini-laparotomy for uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus, without preoperative endoscopic decompression is a safe procedure with a low morbidity and mortality.

Prophylactic Mesh Placement During Formation of an End-colostomy Reduces the Rate of Parastomal Hernia: Short-term Results of the Dutch PREVENT-trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of parastomal hernias (PSHs) after end-colostomy formation using a polypropylene mesh in a randomized controlled trial versus conventional colostomy formation. BACKGROUND: A PSH is the most frequent complication after stoma formation. Symptoms may range from mild abdominal pain to life-threatening obstruction and strangulation. The treatment of a PSH is notoriously difficult and recurrences up to 20% have been reported despite the use of mesh. This has moved surgical focus toward prevention. METHODS: Augmentation of the abdominal wall with a retro-muscular lightweight polypropylene mesh was compared with the traditional formation of a colostomy. In total, 150 patients (1:1 ratio) were included. The incidence of a PSH, morbidity, mortality, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness was measured after 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups regarding demographics and predisposing factors for PSH. Three out of 67 patients (4.5%) in the mesh group and 16 out of 66 patients (24.2%) in the nonmesh group developed a PSH (P = 0.0011). No statistically significant difference was found in infections, concomitant hernias, SF-36 questionnaire, Von Korff pain score, and cost-effectiveness between both study groups. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic augmentation of the abdominal wall with a retromuscular lightweight polypropylene mesh at the ostomy site significantly reduces the incidence of PSH without a significant difference in morbidity, mortality, quality of life, or cost-effectiveness.

A Markov Decision Model to Guide Treatment of Recurrent Colonic Diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although colonic diverticulitis is a common disorder, there is no clear treatment strategy for patients with recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. We investigated whether colonic resection or conservative or medical treatments have the greatest effects on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). METHODS: A Markov model simulating patients with 2 episodes of non-surgically treated diverticulitis was used to simulate all relevant outcomes of each treatment strategy. A 1-year cycle length with 10-year follow-up period was used to allow for chance of recurrent diverticulitis. Primary outcome was QALYs gained from each strategy. Factors considered were morbidity, mortality, chance of colostomy formation, risk of recurrence, and persistence of abdominal pain. The probabilities of clinical events were determined by using the best available published data. RESULTS: A strategy in which colonic resection was performed after 2 episodes of diverticulitis was associated with the lowest quality-adjusted survival (a gain of 8.66 QALYs) and highest chance of stoma formation (1.1%) but the lowest chance of a mild (3.5%) or severe (1.1%) recurrence. The strategies of colonic resection or conservative or medical treatment after the third episode of diverticulitis were comparable in terms of quality-adjusted survival, providing 8.78, 8.76, and 8.74 QALYs, respectively. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis did not change these results. Persistent abdominal complaints were lowest in the medical treatment strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Elective surgery after 2 episodes of diverticulitis should be questioned in terms of QALYs. After the third episode of diverticulitis, surgical or conservative or medical treatments provide similar QALYs, but rates of abdominal symptoms are lower with the medical treatment strategy. This Markov decision model has limitations when the individual patient and physician face a complex decision weighing early and long-term risks and benefits of elective surgery or conservative management.

Safety and durability of one-stage repair of abdominal wall defects with enteric fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and long-term durability of 1-stage repair of enteric fistulas in the presence of an abdominal wall defect. BACKGROUND: Patients with enteric fistulas and an abdominal wall defect present an extreme challenge to surgeons and have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Durability of repair is unknown as studies fail to report this or use limited follow-up periods. METHODS: Chart review was done of consecutive patients who underwent 1-stage repair. Short-term outcomes included morbidity (wound and medical) and mortality. Long-term durability of repair was determined by prospective outpatient follow-up at least 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included with a mean age of 61.2 years, a mean BMI of 24.4 kg/m2, and a mean abdominal wall defect size of 247.9 cm2. Component separation technique was used in 34 (87.2%) and synthetic mesh in 13 (33.3%) patients. There was 1 (2.6%) postoperative death. Twenty-four wound complications developed in 18 (46.2%) patients, including surgical-site infection in 8 (20.5%) patients. Two (5.1%) enteric fistulas recurred and were treated conservatively resulting in closure. Medical complications were seen 36 times in 23 (59%) patients. Twelve of 33 (36.4%) living patients developed a recurrent hernia after a mean follow-up of 62.7 months (range: 36-130). CONCLUSIONS: One-stage abdominal wall reconstruction with enteric fistula takedown is feasible at the cost of considerable morbidity. Our treatment strategy including component separation technique with synthetic mesh on-demand results in a durable repair in 6 to 7 of 10 patients.

Toward an evidence-based step-up approach in diagnosing diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: The lack of pathognomonic findings and the chance of complicated disease have resulted in the widespread use of additional imaging to diagnose acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD). The added value of additional imaging in the diagnostic workup of patients suspected of ACD is not well defined. AIMS: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature of the accuracy of the clinical evaluation and diagnostic modalities for patients with suspected ACD, to come to an evidence-based approach to diagnose ACD. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported diagnostic accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and diagnostic modalities in patients with suspected diverticulitis were performed. Study quality was assessed with the STARD checklist. True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative findings were extracted and pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity per diagnostic test were calculated, if applicable. RESULTS: The overall quality of the studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical diagnosis, contrast enema and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were moderate to poor and not suitable for meta-analysis. Sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis varied between 64% and 68%. Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Summary sensitivity estimates for US were 90% (95% CI: 76-98%) versus 95% (95% CI: 91-97%) for CT (p = 0.86). Summary specificity estimates for US were 90% (95% CI: 86-94%) versus 96% (95% CI: 90-100%) for CT (p = 0.04). Sensitivity for MRI was 98% and specificity varied between 70% and 78%. Sensitivity of contrast enema studies varied between 80% and 83%. CONCLUSION: In two-thirds of the patients, the diagnosis of ACD can be made based on clinical evaluation alone. In one-third of the patients, additional imaging is a necessity to establish the diagnosis. US and CT are comparable in diagnosing diverticulitis and superior to other modalities. CT has the advantage of higher specificity and the ability to identify alternative diagnoses. The role of MRI is not yet clear in diagnosing ACD. Contrast enema is considered an obsolete imaging technique to diagnose ACD based on lower sensitivity and specificity than US and CT. A step-up approach with CT performed after an inconclusive or negative US, seems a logical and safe approach for patients suspected of ACD.

Adhesiolysis-related morbidity in abdominal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of bowel injury in operations requiring adhesiolysis and to assess the impact of adhesiolysis on the incidence of surgical complications, postoperative morbidity, and costs. BACKGROUND: Morbidity of adhesiolysis during abdominal surgery seems an important health care problem, but the direct impact of adhesiolysis on inadvertent organ damage, morbidity, and costs is unknown. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, detailed data on adhesiolysis were gathered by direct observation during elective abdominal surgery. Comparison was made between surgical procedures with and without adhesiolysis on the incidence of inadvertent bowel defects. Secondary outcomes were the effect of adhesiolysis and bowel injury on surgical complications, other morbidity, and costs. RESULTS: A total of 755 (out of 844) surgeries in 715 patients were included. Adhesiolysis was required in 475 (62.9%) of operations. Median adhesiolysis time was 20 minutes (range: 1-177). Fifty patients (10.5%) undergoing adhesiolysis inadvertently incurred bowel defect, compared with 0 (0%) without adhesiolysis (P < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, adhesiolysis was associated with an increase of sepsis incidence [odds ratio (OR): 5.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-24.71], intra-abdominal complications (OR: 3.46; 95% CI: 1.49-8.05) and wound infection (OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.01-5.94), longer hospital stay (2.06 ± 1.06 days), and higher hospital costs [$18,579 (15,204-21,954) vs $14,063 (12,471-15,655)]. Mortality after adhesiolysis complicated by a bowel defect was 4 out of 50 (8%), compared with 7 out of 425 (1.6%) after uncomplicated adhesiolysis (OR: 5.19; 95% CI: 1.47-18.41). CONCLUSIONS: Adhesiolysis and inadvertent bowel injury have a large negative effect on the convalescence after abdominal surgery. The awareness of adhesion-related morbidity during reoperation and the prevention of postsurgical adhesion deserve priority in research and clinical practice.

Guidelines of diagnostics and treatment of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ACD) is increasing in the Western world. To improve the quality of patient care, a guideline for diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis is needed. METHODS: A multidisciplinary working group, representing experts of relevant specialties, was involved in the guideline development. A systematic literature search was conducted to collect scientific evidence on epidemiology, classification, diagnostics and treatment of diverticulitis. Literature was assessed using the classification system according to an evidence-based guideline development method, and levels of evidence of the conclusions were assigned to each topic. Final recommendations were given, taking into account the level of evidence of the conclusions and other relevant considerations such as patient preferences, costs and availability of facilities. RESULTS: The natural history of diverticulitis is usually mild and treatment is mostly conservative. Although younger patients have a higher risk of recurrent disease, a higher risk of complications compared to older patients was not found. In general, the clinical diagnosis of ACD is not accurate enough and therefore imaging is indicated. The triad of pain in the lower left abdomen on physical examination, the absence of vomiting and a C-reactive protein >50 mg/l has a high predictive value to diagnose ACD. If this triad is present and there are no signs of complicated disease, patients may be withheld from further imaging. If imaging is indicated, conditional computed tomography, only after a negative or inconclusive ultrasound, gives the best results. There is no indication for routine endoscopic examination after an episode of diverticulitis. There is no evidence for the routine administration of antibiotics in patients with clinically mild uncomplicated diverticulitis. Treatment of pericolic or pelvic abscesses can initially be treated with antibiotic therapy or combined with percutaneous drainage. If this treatment fails, surgical drainage is required. Patients with a perforated ACD resulting in peritonitis should undergo an emergency operation. There is an ongoing debate about the optimal surgical strategy. CONCLUSION: Scientific evidence is scarce for some aspects of ACD treatment (e.g. natural history of ACD, ACD in special patient groups, prevention of ACD, treatment of uncomplicated ACD and medical treatment of recurrent ACD), leading to treatment being guided by the surgeon's personal preference. Other aspects of the management of patients with ACD have been more thoroughly researched (e.g. imaging techniques, treatment of complicated ACD and elective surgery of ACD). This guideline of the diagnostics and treatment of ACD can be used as a reference for clinicians who treat patients with ACD.

18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of experimental colorectal liver metastases.

During the treatment of colorectal liver metastases, evaluation of treatment efficacy is of the utmost importance for decision making. The aim of the present study was to explore the ability of preclinical imaging modalities to detect experimental liver metastases. Nine male Wag/Rij rats underwent a laparotomy with intraportal injection of CC531 tumor cells. On days 7, 10, and 14 after tumor induction, sequential positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired of each rat. At each time point, three rats were euthanized and the metastases in the liver were documented histologically. Topographically, the liver was divided into eight segments and the image findings were compared on a segment-by-segment basis with the histopathologic findings. Sixty-four liver segments were analyzed, 20 of which contained tumor deposits. The overall sensitivity of PET, CT, and MRI was 30%, 25%, and 20%, respectively. For the detection of tumors with a histologic diameter exceeding 1 mm (n  =  8), the sensitivity of PET, CT, and MRI was 63%, 38%, and 38%, respectively. The overall specificity of PET, CT, and MRI was 98%, 100%, and 93%, respectively. This study showed encouraging detectability and sensitivity for preclinical imaging of small liver tumors and provides valuable information on the imaging techniques for designing future protocols.

Enterotomy risk in abdominal wall repair: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the incidence and predictive factors of enterotomy made during adhesiolysis in abdominal wall repair and to assess the impact of enterotomies and long-lasting adhesiolysis on postoperative morbidity such as sepsis, wound infection, abdominal complications and pneumonia, and socioeconomic costs. BACKGROUND: Adhesions frequently complicate surgical repair of abdominal wall hernia. Enterotomies made during adhesiolysis specifically have a large impact on morbidity of patients, especially surgical site infections. Little is known on the incidence and burden of enterotomies and long-lasting adhesiolysis in abdominal wall repair. METHODS: Between June 2008 and June 2010 demographics, disease characteristics and perioperative data of all patients undergoing elective abdominal wall repair were included in a prospective cohort study that was focused on adhesiolysis-related problems. A trained researcher observed all surgeries and collected data on adhesion location, tenacity, adhesiolysis time, and inadvertent organ damage such as enterotomies. Primary outcome was the incidence of enterotomy, and predictive factors for enterotomy were assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, we evaluated the impact of adhesiolysis and enterotomy on morbidity. RESULTS: A cohort of 133 abdominal wall repairs was analyzed. Adhesiolysis was required in 124 (93.2%), with a mean adhesiolysis time of 35.7 ± 29.8 minutes. Thirty-three enterotomies were made in 17 patients (12.8%). Two patients had a delayed diagnosed bowel perforation. Adhesiolysis time, hernia size greater than 10 cm, and fistula were significant predictive factors in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only adhesiolysis time was a significant and independent predictive factor for enterotomy (P = 0.004). Trends toward an increased risk were seen for patients with mesh in situ and hernia size greater than 10 cm. Patients with enterotomy had significantly more urgent reoperations (P = 0.029), and they more often required parenteral feeding (P = 0.037). Moreover, patients with extensive adhesiolysis (adhesiolysis time, >30 minutes) more often suffered from wound infection (9/63 vs 2/70; P = 0.025), abdominal complications (5/63 vs 0/70; P = 0.022), and sepsis (4/63 vs 0/70; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: One in 8 patients undergoing abdominal wall repair suffer inadvertent enterotomy following adhesiolysis. Adhesiolysis time predicts enterotomy. Morbidity in patients with extensive adhesiolysis and adhesiolysis complicated by enterotomy is high, inducing longer hospital stay and increased health care utilization.

Intraoperative versus early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreduction for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is used as an adjunct to cytoreductive surgery (CS) for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in order to prolong survival. Worldwide, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), and combinations of the two are used. It remains unclear which regimen is most beneficial. METHODS: The rat colon carcinoma cell line CC-531 was injected into the peritoneal cavity of 80 WAG/Rij rats to induce PC. Animals were randomized into four treatment groups (n = 20): CS only, CS followed by HIPEC (mitomycin 35 mg/m(2) at 41.5°C), CS followed by EPIC during 5 days (i.p. injection of mitomycin on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil on days 2-5), and CS followed by HIPEC plus EPIC. Primary outcome was survival. RESULTS: In rats treated with CS only, median survival was 53 days (95% confidence interval (CI) 49-57 days). In rats treated with CS followed by HIPEC, survival was significantly (P = 0.001) increased (median survival 94 days, 95% CI 51-137 days). In the group treated with EPIC after CS, 12 out of 20 rats were still alive at the end of the experiment (P < 0.001 as compared with CS only). In the group receiving both treatments, 11 rats died of toxicity, and therefore this group was not included in the survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Both EPIC and HIPEC were effective in prolonging survival. The beneficial effect of EPIC on survival seemed to be more pronounced than that of HIPEC. Further research is indicated to evaluate and compare the possible benefits and adverse effects associated with both treatments.

How to diagnose acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: proposal for a clinical scoring system.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic value of elements of the disease history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests in patients with suspected acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ALCD). BACKGROUND: Misdiagnosis rates for diverticulitis vary in literature between 34% and 68% which needs improvement. Because of the frequent misdiagnosis, liberal use of imaging has been recommended. Before making a plea for routine imaging, the diagnostic accuracy of different variables of disease history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests needs to be specified. METHODS: All patients seen on the emergency department because of acute abdominal pain suspected of ALCD in whom an abdominal computed tomography was performed, between January 2002 and March 2006, were studied. Univariate logistic regression was used to study differences in patients' characteristics and symptoms, findings at physical examination and routine laboratory tests between patients with and without ALCD. Independent predictors to the risk of ALCD were identified using multivariate logistic regression and used to create a clinical scoring system. RESULTS: Of 1290 patients with acute abdominal pain, 287 patients were eligible for analysis. Acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis was the final diagnosis in 124 patients (43%). Age, 1 or more previous episodes, localization of symptoms in the lower left abdomen, aggravation of pain on movement, the absence of vomiting, localization of abdominal tenderness in the lower left abdomen, and C-reactive protein 50 or more were found to be independent predictors of ALCD. A nomogram was constructed based on these independent predictors with a diagnostic accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis is difficult to make but can be improved using a clinical scoring system. In case of a high chance of ALCD based on the nomogram, additional imaging may not be needed.

Adjuvant radioimmunotherapy improves survival of rats after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that adjuvant radioimmunotherapy (RIT) prevents recurrent liver metastases and/or results in improved survival after tumorectomy in an experimental model. BACKGROUND: Although partial hepatectomy can improve 5-year survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases up to 58%, recurrent tumor growth in the liver occurs frequently. Radioimmunotherapy using radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor-associated antigens is considered most suited for treating minimal residual disease and could therefore serve as an adjuvant after surgery. METHODS: Liver metastases were induced in male Wag/Rij rats by a mini-laparotomy with intrahepatic injection of 0.3 × 106 CC531 tumor cells. The biodistribution of the radiolabeled monoclonal antibody MG1, directed against a 80-kDa cell surface antigen on CC531 tumors, in this model was determined at 1, 3, and 7 days after intravenous administration. The therapeutic efficacy of 177Lu-MG1 was compared with that of a sham antibody (UPC10), labeled with the same activity dose of Lu-177, and saline only. Radioimmunotherapy was administered either at the day of the tumorectomy (day 14 after tumor cell inoculation) or 7 days later. Primary endpoint was survival. RESULTS: Radiolabeled MG1 preferentially accumulated in tumor lesions in the liver reaching a maximum 3 days postinjection (8.7 ± 0.6% injected dose per gram). Both the administration of 177Lu-MG1 and 177Lu-UPC10 resulted in a transient decrease in body weight. No other signs of clinical discomfort were registered. The survival curves of the group that received 177Lu-UPC10 and the group that received saline only did not differ (P=0.886). Administration of RIT immediately after surgery improved survival compared to administration of the control antibody (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; P = 0.051), which was even more pronounced when survival was adjusted for the weight of the resected tumor (HR, 1.71; P = 0.027). A therapeutic efficacy of delayed treatment seemed likely (HR, 2.34; P = 0.055). Survival after early administration did not differ from delayed administration (HR, 1.16; P = 0.763). CONCLUSION: This study provides proof of principle that RIT can be an effective adjuvant treatment modality after surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Hyperthermia and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with mitomycin C can improve survival if used as an adjunct to cytoreductive surgery (CS) for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). It remains unclear if both hyperthermia and chemotherapy are essential for the reported survival benefit. METHODS: Eighty WAG/Rij rats were inoculated intraperitoneally with the rat colon carcinoma cell line CC-531. Animals were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 treatment groups (n = 20): CS only, CS followed by HIPEC (mitomycin 35 mg/m(2) at 41°C), CS followed by intraperitoneal mitomycin perfusion at 37°C, CS followed by intraperitoneal saline perfusion at 41°C. Survival was the primary outcome with a maximum follow up of 126 days. RESULTS: Median survival was 62 days in rats treated with CS only and 57 days in rats treated with CS followed by hyperthermic saline perfusion. Rats receiving HIPEC had a median survival of 121 days (P = 0.022 when compared with CS only). In the group treated with chemotherapy at 37°C, 13 of 20 animals were still alive at the end of the experiment so median survival was not reached. (CS vs. IPEC: P = 0.002, hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.69) Rats treated with hyperthermic saline perfusion did not have an increased survival as compared with CS only. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of intraoperative intraperitoneal perfusion after CS is highly dependent on the presence of chemotherapeutic agents in the perfusate but not on hyperthermia. The need to include hyperthermia in the adjuvant intraoperative treatment after CS for PC should be further investigated.

Enhanced recovery after surgery versus conventional perioperative care in rectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs have been developed to improve recovery, shorten hospital stays, and reduce morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of the enhanced recovery program on the outcome of rectal surgery. DESIGN: A cohort of patients who underwent open rectal surgery after an enhanced recovery program was compared with a historic case-matched control group receiving conventional perioperative care. Patients were matched for type of surgery, disease, comorbidity, and demographic characteristics. Data regarding fast-track targets, length of hospital stay, mortality, complications, relaparotomies, and readmissions were collected. RESULTS: Forty-one patients in the enhanced recovery group were compared with 82 case-matched patients receiving conventional care. The length of hospital stay (median: 8 days vs 12 days, P < .005) was reduced in the enhanced recovery after surgery group. There were no significant differences in epidural use, mortality, morbidity, and readmission rates between groups. LIMITATIONS: This study performed an intention-to-treat analysis for the multimodal enhanced recovery program in rectal surgery. Specific elements of the program were not analyzed separately. The study used nonrandomly assigned historic controls for comparison. CONCLUSION: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs help to reduce the length of hospital stay after rectal surgery.

Reduction of oxygenation and blood flow in pedicled bowel segments in the rat and its consequences for anastomotic healing.

PURPOSE: Experimental studies indicate that perioperative hypoperfusion impairs anastomotic healing. In bowel surgery, the part of bowel that will be anastomosed is often pedicled, leaving the blood supply dependent on the marginal artery only. Little is known about the blood supply in such a segment, and whether anastomotic strength is affected when flow would be reduced. This study describes oxygenation and blood flow in pedicled bowel segments in the rat and investigates whether early anastomotic strength changes with variations in blood flow. METHODS: In rats, pedicled segments were created in ileum and colon by successive ligation of the feeding arteries. Oxygenation and blood flow were measured in the distal part of this segment by use of near-infrared spectroscopy with indocyanine green as an intravascular tracer. In a second experiment, a short pedicled colonic segment was created and, after flow measurements, an anastomosis was constructed. Wound strength and hydroxyproline content were analyzed 2 and 5 days after operation. RESULTS: After creation of a pedicled segment, the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin decreased significantly. Blood flow also significantly decreased to even less than 10% of baseline. A very large variation was observed between animals, in particular, after ligation of the first arteries. The strength of colonic anastomoses was not significantly correlated with the blood flow in the pedicled segment before anastomotic construction. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a pedicled bowel segment greatly reduces tissue oxygenation and blood flow to its distal part. Such impaired perioperative flow does not significantly affect early wound strength after anastomotic construction.

Work-related health complaints in surgical residents and the influence of social support and job-related autonomy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the influence of job-related autonomy and social support provided by consultants and colleagues on the stress-related health complaints of surgical residents in the Netherlands. METHODS: All (n = 400) Dutch residents in training in general surgery were sent validated self-report questionnaires. Odds ratios were calculated predicting health and exposure to long-term stress for gender, number of working hours, type of hospital, level of social support, job-related autonomy and training phase. The interactions between job-related autonomy and level of social support provided by consultants and colleagues, and all variables, were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 254 of 400 (64%) residents returned questionnaires that were eligible for analysis. Residents experienced more health complaints than the average member of the Dutch working population (4.0 versus 2.5; p = 0.000). Male and senior residents were significantly 'healthier' than female and junior residents, respectively. Social support by consultants was a strong predictor of health and social support by colleagues showed a significant interaction with gender. Women and residents in university hospitals experienced less social support by consultants than men and residents in general teaching hospitals. Residents working in university hospitals experienced lower levels of job-related autonomy and less support from colleagues in comparison with those working in general teaching hospitals. A working week of > 60 hours adversely affected health and job-related autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: Social support provided by consultants and colleagues, and job control, are important factors that interact with the work-associated, stress-related health of residents in training in general surgery. Residents report a greater number of health complaints than the average member of the working population, especially female and junior residents. General teaching hospitals seem to provide better support at work than university hospitals.

Radioimmunotherapy improves survival of rats with microscopic liver metastases of colorectal origin.

BACKGROUND: Half of the patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastases during the course of their disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (mAb) to treat experimental colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: Male Wag/Rij rats underwent a minilaparotomy with intraportal injection of 1 x 10(6) CC531 tumor cells. The biodistribution of (111)In-labeled MG1, 1 day after intravenous administration, was determined in vivo and compared with that of an isotype-matched control antibody (UPC-10). The maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of (177)Lu-labeled MG1 was determined and the therapeutic efficacy of (177)Lu-MG1 at MTD was compared with that of (177)Lu-UPC-10 and saline only. RIT was administered either at the day of tumor inoculation or 14 days after tumor inoculation. Primary endpoint was survival. RESULTS: (111)In-MG1 preferentially accumulated in CC531 liver tumors (9.2 +/- 3.7%ID/g), whereas (111)In-UPC-10 did not (0.8 +/- 0.1%ID/g). The MTD of (177)Lu-MG1 was 400 MBq/kg body weight. Both the administration of (177)Lu-MG1 and (177)Lu-UPC-10 had no side-effects except a transient decrease in body weight. The survival curves of the group that received (177)Lu-UPC-10 and the group that received saline only did not differ (P = 0.407). Administration of (177)Lu-MG1 RIT immediately after surgery improved survival significantly compared with administration of (177)Lu-UPC-10 (P = 0.009) whereas delayed treatment did not (P = 0.940). CONCLUSION: This study provides proof of principle that RIT can be an effective treatment modality for microscopic liver metastases, whereas RIT is not effective in larger tumors.

Animal models for liver metastases of colorectal cancer: research review of preclinical studies in rodents.

Liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma occur in about 50-60% of patients. To improve survival of these patients, there is an urgent need for new treatment strategies. For this purpose, the availability of a preclinical model to develop and test such treatments is mandatory. An ideal animal model for studying liver metastases of colorectal origin should mimic all aspects of the metastatic development in humans and be practical, predictable, and optimal in terms of ethical considerations. Thus far, no model has been developed which satisfies all these conditions. As a consequence, choosing an animal model for the study of liver metastases requires compromises and choices about the necessary characteristics that depend on the purpose of the intended experiments. This overview addresses the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models used for research on experimental liver metastases of colorectal origin. Based on data available in literature, we conclude that heterotopic injection of undifferentiated syngeneic tumor cells in immunocompetent rodents covers most of the desired characteristics. Both subcapsular as well as intraportal injection will yield suitable models and the eventual choice will depend on the aim of the study.

Timing and dose of tissue plasminogen activator to prevent abscess formation after surgical treatment of secondary peritonitis in the rat.

Early administration of fibrinolytics after surgical treatment of peritonitis in the rat reduces abscess formation. The current study investigates the effect of various treatment protocols using intraperitoneal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). Peritonitis was induced in rats and surgical debridement was performed after 1 hour. Animals were treated with rtPA at different time points. Abdominal fluid samples were taken at 24, 72, and 120 hours for cytokine measurements and cell counts. After 5 days the abdomen was inspected for abscesses. Early administration of rtPA significantly reduced the number of rats with abscesses and the abscess load per rat. Delayed treatment significantly reduced abscess load but not the incidence of abscesses. No meaningful differences in the local inflammatory response were found. rtPA was most effective when applied early and continued for 72 hours, although mortality increased after prolonged treatment. rtPA consistently reduces intra-abdominal abscess formation, and a clinical study seems warranted.