A longitudinal study of supportive care needs among Chinese patients awaiting colorectal cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to determine supportive care needs trajectories over the first year following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and identify factors differentiating these trajectories in a sample of Hong Kong Chinese CRC patients. METHODS: Overall, 247/274 Chinese patients diagnosed with CRC were recruited and assessed following admission for colorectal surgery, then at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months post-surgery. Supportive care needs were assessed at each assessment point. Latent growth mixture modeling identified trajectories within each of five assessed needs domains: health system and information (HSI), psychological (PSY), physical daily living (PDL), patient care and support (PCS), and sexuality (SEX) needs. RESULTS: Results indicated four needs trajectories each for HSI, PSY, and PDL domains, three for the PCS and two for the SEX domains. Most patients showed stable low levels of unmet PSY (86%), PDL (86%), PCS (81%), and SEX (98%) supportive care needs. One in seven patients showed persistent high, unmet HSI needs. The coexistence of two or more unmet need domains were found among patients in the high-decline needs group. HSI trajectories were predicted by education level and positive cancer-related rumination, PSY and PCS needs; PSY trajectories were predicted by stoma and HSI needs; PDL trajectories were predicted by physical symptom distress, stoma, PCS, and HSI needs; PCS trajectories were predicted by negative cancer-related rumination, depression, HSI, and PSY needs. CONCLUSIONS: These Chinese CRC patients showed generally low stable supportive care needs, but a minority demonstrated high persistent unmet needs. Supportive care services should target those at risk of prolonged high unmet needs.

Preclinical analysis of the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of Raf265 on colon cancer cells and CD26(+) cancer stem cells in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In colorectal carcinoma (CRC), activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is commonly observed. In addition, the commonly used 5FU-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic CRC was found to enrich a subpopulation of CD26(+) cancer stem cells (CSCs). As activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway was also found in the CD26(+) CSCs and therefore, we hypothesized that an ATP-competitive pan-Raf inhibitor, Raf265, is effective in eliminating the cancer cells and the CD26(+) CSCs in CRC patients. METHODS: HT29 and HCT116 cells were treated with various concentrations of Raf265 to study the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of Raf265. Anti-tumor effect was also demonstrated using a xenograft model. Cells were also treated with Raf265 in combination with 5FU to demonstrate the anti-migratory and invasive effects by targeting on the CD26(+) CSCs and the anti-metastatic effect of the combined treatment was shown in an orthotopic CRC model. RESULTS: Raf265 was found to be highly effective in inhibiting cell proliferation and tumor growth through the inhibition of the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. In addition, anti-migratory and invasive effect was found with Raf265 treatment in combination with 5FU by targeting on the CD26(+) cells. Finally, the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effect of Raf265 in combination with 5FU was also demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: This preclinical study demonstrates the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity of Raf265 in CRC, providing the basis for exploiting its potential use and combination therapy with 5FU in the clinical treatment of CRC.

Health-related quality of life and risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and All-cause death among advanced stages of colorectal cancer 1-year after diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to examine the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessed with overall survival (OS) and recurrence after diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Overall 160 patients with advanced stage CRC were recruited in an observational study and completed the generic and condition-specific HRQOL questionnaires at the colorectal specialist outpatient clinic in Hong Kong, between 10/2009 and 07/2010. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including duration since diagnosis, primary tumor location and treatment modality, were collected to serve as predictor variables in regression models. All-cause death or CRC recurrence was the event of interest. Association between HRQOL with OS was assessed using Cox regression. Association between HRQOL and CRC recurrence was further modeled by competing-risks regression adjusted for the competing-risks of death from any cause. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 23 months, there were 22 (16.1%) incidents of CRC recurrence and 15 (9.4%) deaths. Decreased physical functioning (hazard ratios, HR = 0.917, 95% CI:0.889-0.981) and general health of domains in SF-12 (HR = 0.846, 95% CI:0.746-0.958) or SF-6D scores (HR = 0.010, 95% CI:0.000-0.573) were associated with an increased risk of death, with adjustment of patients' characteristics. Increased vitality (HR = 1.151, 95% CI:1.027-1.289) and mental health (HR = 1.128, 95% CI:1.005-1.265) were associated with an increased likelihood of death. In models adjusted for competing-risk of death, those with worse HRQOL was not associated with increased risk of CRC recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although self-reported HRQOL was not a significant prognostic factor for CRC recurrence, the HRQOL provided independent prognostic value about mortality in patients with advanced stage of CRC.

Interpreting differences in patterns of supportive care needs between patients with breast cancer and patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Understanding cancer patients' supportive care needs can help optimize health-care systems and inform services development. We therefore examined the prevalence of supportive care needs in Chinese breast (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to identify prevalence and correlates of unmet needs. METHODS: We assessed supportive care needs (Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form), psychological distress (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), symptom distress (The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form), and satisfaction with care (Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire) among 210 Chinese BC (97) or CRC (104) outpatient clinic attendees. RESULTS: Breast cancer patients (89.7%) reported more unmet needs (χ(2) = 4.409, p = 0.027), but both CRC and BC samples ranked unmet needs prevalence similarly, with health system and information needs reported as the most common. Younger patients reported higher health system and information and sexuality needs. After multivariate adjustment, the strength of unmet needs did not differ by cancer type. Unmet psychological, physical and daily living, and sexuality needs were positively associated with greater symptom distress. Greater health system information needs were associated with high global distress and low depression scores, whereas greater psychological needs were associated with higher anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS: Hong Kong Chinese BC and CRC patients strongly prioritized needs related to health systems and information provision. Symptoms and psychological distress were associated with unmet needs, reflecting a service shortfall in symptom management. Improving care provision by optimizing communication and clinic organization can better prepare cancer patients for their rehabilitation and improve symptom control.

Outcome of laparoscopic colectomy for cancer in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Resection for colon cancer in the elderly is a major undertaking. However, data on the outcome and survival of elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for colon cancer are limited. This study of patients older than 75 years compared outcome and survival between those who underwent laparoscopic resection and those who had open resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, 434 patients ages 75 years and older who underwent elective resection for colon cancer were included in the study. Patients who had rectal cancer or had undergone emergency operations were excluded. Preoperative diagnosis was determined by colonoscopy, and computed tomography scan was performed for preoperative staging. Data on the patients' demographics, operative details, pathology results, postoperative results, and survival were collected prospectively. The patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were compared with those who had open surgery. RESULTS: The study included 434 patients (210 men) with a median age of 80 years (range 75-95 years). Of these 434 patients, 189 underwent laparoscopic resection. Nine patients (4.8%) required conversion to open operation. The patients did not differ in terms of age, gender, incidence of medical comorbidities, or stage of disease. The median operating time was longer in the laparoscopic group, but the blood loss was significantly less. Laparoscopic resection was associated with a lower mortality rate and a shorter hospital stay (p < 0.05). The open resection group had significantly more cardiac complications (p < 0.05). The overall 5-year survival rates were similar between the patients who had laparoscopic resections and those who had open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For patients older than 75 years, laparoscopic resection of colon is associated with less intraoperative blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, fewer cardiac complication, and a lower mortality rate than open resection. Therefore, the authors recommend laparoscopic resection of colon cancer as the treatment of choice for elderly patients.

Measurement invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal quality-of-life instrument among modes of administration.

OBJECTIVES: To test for the measurement invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) in patients with colorectal neoplasms between two modes of administration (self- and interviewer administrations). It is important to establish the measurement invariance of the FACT-C across different modes of administration to ascertain whether it is valid to pool FACT-C data collected by different modes or to assess each group separately. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 391 Chinese patients with colorectal neoplasms was recruited from specialist outpatient clinics between September 2009 and July 2010. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the original five-factor model of the FACT-C on data collected by self- and interviewer administrations in single-group analysis. Multiple-group CFA was then used to compare the factor structure between the two modes of administration using chi-square tests and other goodness-of-fit statistics. RESULTS: The hypothesized five-factor model of FACT-C demonstrated good fit in each group. Configural invariance and metric invariance were fully supported in multiple-group CFA. Some item intercepts and their corresponding error variances were not identical between administration groups, suggesting evidence of partial strict factorial invariance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that the five-factor structure of FACT-C was invariant in Chinese patients using both self- and interviewer administrations. It is appropriate to pool or compare data in the emotional well-being and colorectal cancer subscale scores collected by both administrations. Measurement invariance in three items, one from each of the other subscales, may be contaminated by response bias between modes of administration.

Use of biologics for inflammatory bowel disease in Hong Kong: consensus statement.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE; With the increasing use of biologics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the Hong Kong IBD Society developed a set of consensus statements intended to serve as local recommendations for clinicians about the appropriate use of biologics for treating inflammatory bowel disease. PARTICIPANTS: The consensus meeting was held on 9 July 2011 in Hong Kong. Draft consensus statements were developed by core members of the Hong Kong IBD Society, including local gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons experienced in managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease. EVIDENCE: Published literature and conference proceedings on the use of biologics in management of inflammatory bowel disease, and guidelines and consensus issued by different international and regional societies on recommendations for biologics in inflammatory bowel disease patients were reviewed. CONSENSUS PROCESS: Four core members of the consensus group drafted 19 consensus statements through the modified Delphi process. The statements were first circulated among a clinical expert panel of 15 members for review and comments, and were finalised at the consensus meeting through a voting session. A consensus statement was accepted if at least 80% of the participants voted "accepted completely or "accepted with some reservation". CONCLUSIONS: Nineteen consensus statements about inflammatory bowel disease were generated by the clinical expert panel meeting. The statements were divided into four parts which covered: (1) epidemiology of the disease in Hong Kong; (2) treatment of the disease with biologics; (3) screening and contra-indications pertaining to biologics; and (4) patient monitoring after use of biologics. The current statements are the first to describe the appropriate use of biologics in the management of inflammatory bowel disease in Hong Kong, with an aim to provide guidance for local clinical practice.

Surgeons' static posture and movement repetitions in open and laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing concern about the surgeon maintaining a static posture during laparoscopic surgery, which can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. A series of studies are being conducted in Hong Kong examining the surgeons' real-time movements and electromyography in the operating theater during different operations. The present paper examines the postures and movements of surgeons during real-time open and laparoscopic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen surgeons participated in the study (12 men, 2 women). Cervical spine movements were measured using a biaxial inclinometer attached to the surgeon's head via a headband. Biaxial electrogoniometers were attached to the surgeon's bilateral shoulder joints. Real-time joint movements in sagittal and coronal planes were recorded during open and laparoscopic surgeries for periods ranging from 30 to 80 min. RESULTS: Surgeons generally maintained a flexed neck posture during open surgery and a more extended neck posture during laparoscopic procedures. There were statistically significant differences in mean neck posture and mean left shoulder abduction posture between the two types of surgery. Laparoscopic procedures showed a trend for longer duration in static posture in the neck, while open procedures showed trends for higher frequencies of movements. CONCLUSIONS: This study presented a novel approach to quantify the physical workload of surgeons using biomechanical parameters to describe duration of static posture and repetitiveness of movements. Results showed that long durations of static postures in laparoscopic surgery were closely associated with low-level muscle tension, which may contribute to an increased risk of surgeons developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Mapping the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-general or -Colorectal to SF-6D in Chinese patients with colorectal neoplasm.

OBJECTIVES: To map Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) subscale scores onto six-dimensional health state short form (derived from short form 36 health survey) (SF-6D) preference-based values in patients with colorectal neoplasm, with and without adjustment for clinical and demographic characteristics. These results can then be applied to studies that have used FACT-G or FACT-C to predict SF-6D utility values to inform economic evaluation. METHODS: Ordinary least square regressions were estimated mapping FACT-G and FACT-C onto SF-6D by using cross-sectional data of 537 Chinese subjects with different stages of colorectal neoplasm. Mapping functions for SF-6D preference-based values were developed separately for FACT-G and FACT-C in four sequential models for addition of variables: 1) main-effect terms, 2) squared terms, 3) interaction terms, and 4) clinical and demographic variables. Predictive performance in each model was assessed by the R(2), adjusted R(2), predicted R(2), information criteria (Akaike information criteria and Bayesian information criteria), the root mean square error, the mean absolute error, and the proportions of absolute error within the threshold of 0.05 and 0.10. RESULTS: Models including FACT variables and clinical and demographic variables had the best predictive performance measured by using R(2) (FACT-G: 59.98%; FACT-C: 60.43%), root mean square error (FACT-G: 0.086; FACT-C: 0.084), and mean absolute error (FACT-G: 0.065; FACT-C: 0.065). The FACT-C-based mapping function had better predictive ability than did the FACT-G-based mapping function. CONCLUSIONS: Models mapping FACT-G and FACT-C onto SF-6D reached an acceptable degree of precision. Mapping from the condition-specific measure (FACT-C) had better performance than did mapping from the general cancer measure (FACT-G). These mapping functions can be applied to FACT-G or FACT-C data sets to estimate SF-6D utility values for economic evaluation of medical interventions for patients with colorectal neoplasm. Further research assessing model performance in independent data sets and non-Chinese populations are encouraged.

Survival following laparoscopic versus open resection for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the overall and disease specific survivals of patients who underwent laparoscopic and open resection of colorectal cancer in a high volume tertiary center. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent elective resection for colorectal cancer (open resection, n = 1,197; laparoscopic resection, n = 814) from January 2000 to December 2009 were included. The operative details, postoperative complications, postoperative outcomes, and survival data were collected prospectively. Comparison was made between patients who had laparoscopic and open surgery. RESULTS: The age, gender, medical morbidity, and American Society of Anesthesiologists status were similar in the two groups. Laparoscopic resection was associated with significantly less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The operating mortality and morbidity were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group. The qualities of the specimens in terms of the distal resection margin and the number of lymph nodes examined were not inferior in the laparoscopic group. With the median follow-up of 40.3 months, the 5-year overall survival (74.1% vs. 65.5%, p < 0.001) and disease specific survival (81.9% vs. 75.2%, p = 0.002) were significantly better in patients with non-disseminated disease in the laparoscopic group. The operative approach was an independent prognostic factor in the overall (risk ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.093-1.700, p = 0.006) and disease specific (risk ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.005-1.738, p = 0.048) survivals in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer is associated with more favorable overall and disease specific survivals when compared with open resection in a high volume tertiary center.

Single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic colectomy for colonic neoplasm: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) is a newly developed procedure with the benefit of better cosmetic outcome and potentially reduced wound pain compared with conventionally laparoscopic colectomy (CLC). However, the application of SILC requires careful evaluation to prove its benefit and safety. This randomized, controlled study compared the operative outcome of patients who underwent SILC and CLC. METHODS: Patients who had small cancer (<4 cm) or adenomatous polyp requiring colectomy were randomized to have SILC or CLC. The patients were blinded to the procedures and the postoperative pain was used as the primary outcome measure. All patients had patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine after the operation and the nominal rating score on days 1-3 and day 14 were recorded by research staff, who did not known the types of operations. Other operative outcomes of the two groups of patients also were recorded prospectively and compared. RESULTS: There were 25 patients in each group. The patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, operating time, blood loss, complication rate, number of lymph nodes harvested, and resection margin have no statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was no operative mortality in both groups. The SILC group had consistently lower median pain score than CLC group in the whole postoperative course and the difference was statistically significant on day 1 (0 (0-5) vs. day 3 (0-6) respectively; p = 0.002) and day 2 (0 (0-3) vs. 2 (0-8) respectively; p = 0.014). The median hospital stay in the SILC group also was shorter the CLC group. CONCLUSIONS: In a selected group of patients with small tumor and good operative risk, SILC is a safe alternative to CLC. Single-port laparoscopic colectomy also is associated with the benefits of less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay than CLC.

Outcome of laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer in patients with high operative risk.

BACKGROUND: There is general concern that high-risk patients are more susceptible to the adverse effect of pneumoperitoneum and they are often denied laparoscopic surgery. This study investigated the impact of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection for patients with high operative risk, which was defined as American Society of Anesthesiologist classes 3 and 4. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-five consecutive high-risk patients who had colorectal cancer resection by open or laparoscopic surgery were included. The patient and tumor characteristics and operative outcomes were recorded prospectively, and comparison was made between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to open surgery, patients with laparoscopic resection had a shorter hospital stay (8 [6-12] vs. 6 [4-9] days; P < 0.001), less blood loss (200 [100-400] vs. 140 [80-250] mL; P = 0.006), reduced cardiac complication rate (13.2% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.006), overall operative complication rate (36.6% vs. 21.3%; P = 0.006), and a trend toward a lower mortality rate (4.4% vs. 0.9%; P = 0.083). There was no difference in 3-year overall and disease-free survival between two groups. Operative blood loss (P = 0.035; odds ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-6.78) and open surgery (P = 0.007; odds ratio = 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-4.23) were independent factors for occurrence of complication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection is associated with more favorable short-term results and should be recommended as the preferred treatment option for high-risk patients.

Enhanced recovery program in laparoscopic colectomy for cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Both laparoscopic colectomy and application of enhanced recovery program (ERP) in open colectomy have been demonstrated to enable early recovery and to shorten hospital stay. This study evaluated the impact of ERP on results of laparoscopic colectomy and comparison was made with the outcomes of patients prior to the application of ERP. METHODS: An ERP was implemented in the authors' center in December 2006. Short-term outcomes of consecutive 84 patients who underwent laparoscopic colonic cancer resection 23 months before (control group) and 96 patients who were operated within 13 months; after application of ERP (ERP group) were compared. RESULTS: Between the ERP and control groups, there was no statistical difference in patient characteristics, pathology, operating time, blood loss, conversion rate or complications. Compared to the control group, patients in the ERP group had earlier passage of flatus [2 (range: 1-5) versus 2 (range: 1-4) days after operation respectively; p = 0.03)] and a lower incidence of prolonged post-operative ileus (6% versus 0 respectively; p = 0.02). There was no difference in the hospital stay between the two groups [4 (range: 2-34) days in control group and 4 (range: 2-23) days in ERP group; p = 0.4)]. The re-admission rate was also similar (7% in control group and 5% in ERP group; p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: In laparoscopic colectomy for cancer, application of ERP was associated with no increase in complication rate but significant improvement of gastrointestinal function. ERP further hastened patient recovery but resulted in no difference in hospital stay.

The optimal number of lymph nodes examined in stage II colorectal cancer and its impact of on outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. The number of lymph nodes that should be histologically examined has been controversial. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of the number of lymph nodes examined on survival of patients with stage II colorectal cancer and to determine the optimal number of lymph nodes that should be examined. METHODS: The study included 664 patients who underwent resection for stage II colorectal cancer. The clinical and histopathologic data of the patients were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The median number of lymph nodes examined was 12 (range: 1 to 58). The 5-year disease free survival rate was significantly higher for patients with 12 or more lymph nodes examined compared to those with less than 12 lymph nodes examined. The significant difference in 5-year disease free survival persisted if the dividing number increased progressively from 12 to 23. However, the difference in survival was most significant (lowest p value and highest hazard ratio) for the number 21. The 5-year disease free survival of patients with 21 or more lymph nodes examined was 80% whereas that of patients with less than 21 lymph nodes examined was 60% (p = 0.001, hazard ratio 2.08). Multivariate analysis showed that 21 or more lymph nodes examined was a factor that independently influenced survival. The 5-year disease free survival also increased progressively with the number of lymph node examined up to the number 21. After the number 21, the survival rate did not increase further. It was likely that 21 was the optimal number, at and above which the chance of lymph node metastasis was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The number of lymph nodes examined in colorectal cancer specimen significantly influences survival. It is recommended that at least 21 lymph nodes should be examined for accurate diagnosis of stage II colorectal cancer.

Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy: early experience.

PURPOSE: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery was developed recently and has the benefit of reducing the number of incisions. Its application in colectomy has been published only in case reports. The present study evaluated our early results of single-incision laproscopic surgery in a series of 8 patients who underwent colectomy for various colorectal pathologies. METHODS: Eight patients underwent single-incision laparoscopic colectomy for cancer (n = 5), polyps (n = 2), and diverticulitis (n = 1) during the study period. The data on the operations and outcomes were collected prospectively and analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 78 years (range, 49-88). The operations were right colectomy (n = 6), left colectomy (n = 1), and anterior resection (n = 1). The median operating time was 175 minutes (range, 103-260) and the median blood loss was 55 mL (range, 20-200). The average length of the incision was 3.4 cm (range, 3.0-5.0). One patient required conversion to hand-assisted laparoscopy with a 5-cm incision. The median hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 3-6) and 1 patient had ileus after the operation. There was no mortality and no reintervention within 30 days. In patients with cancer, all of the resection margins were clear. The median number of lymph nodes examined was 13.5 (range, 9-36). CONCLUSIONS: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery can be applied to colectomy safely. Oncologic resection similar to conventional laparoscopy can be performed with this technique. Further studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes against those of conventional laparoscopic resection.

Impact of neoadjuvant treatment on total mesorectal excision for ultra-low rectal cancers.

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed the impact of pre-operative chemoradiotherapy or post-operative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy on total mesorectal excision (TME) for ultralow rectal cancers that required either low anterior resection with peranal coloanal anastomosis or abdomino-perineal resection (APR). We examined surgical complications, local recurrence and survival. METHODS: Of the 1270 patients who underwent radical resection for rectal cancer from 1994 till 2007, 180 with tumors within 4 cm with either peranal coloanal anastomosis or APR were analyzed. Patients were compared in groups that had surgery only (Group A), pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (Group B), and post-operative therapy (Group C). RESULTS: There were 115 males and the mean age was 65.43 years (range 30-89). APR was performed in 134 patients while 46 had a sphincter-preserving resection with peranal coloanal anastomosis. The mean follow-up period was 52.98 months (range: 0.57 to 178.9). There were 69, 58 and 53 patients in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Nine patients in Group B could go on to have sphincter-saving rectal resection. The overall peri-operative complication rate was 43.4% in Group A vs. 29.3% in Group B vs. 39.6% in Group C, respectively. The local recurrence rate was significantly lower in Group B (8.6.9% vs. 21.7% in Group A vs. 33.9% in Group C) p < 0.05. The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates for Group A was 49.3%, Group B was 69.9% and Group C was 38.8% (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative chemoradiation in low rectal cancer is not associated with a higher incidence of peri-operative complications and its benefits may include reduction local recurrence.

Impact of laparoscopic colorectal resection on surgical site infection.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) in elective colorectal resection and the strategy for prevention of SSI in modern era of colorectal surgery. BACKGROUND: The practice of colorectal surgery has undergone remarkable evolution recently because of application of laparoscopic resection. This could affect SSI in colorectal patients. An updated investigation of SSI under current practice of colorectal surgery would provide valuable information. METHODS: This was a prospective study of SSI on 1011 patients, who had elective colorectal resection in a university teaching hospital, during January 2002 to December 2006. Standard definition and postoperation follow-up of SSI were adopted through collaboration between surgeons and wound surveillance program of Infection Control Unit. Risk factors of SSI were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to perform multivariate analysis and decide independent risk factors of SSI. RESULTS: The overall rate of incisional SSI and organ/space SSI was 4.8% and 1.7%, respectively. Rate of incisional SSI in open and laparoscopic colorectal resection was 5.7% and 2.7%, respectively. Anastomotic leakage was the only factor that predicted organ/space SSI (P < 0.01). Independent risk factors of incisional SSI included blood transfusion [P = 0.047; odds ratio (OR) = 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-5.9], anastomotic leakage (P < 0.01; OR = 6.5; 95% CI: 2.3-18.6), and open colorectal resection (P = 0.037; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.1-5.3). CONCLUSION: In current practice of colorectal surgery, operative factors are more important than patient factors for SSI. Good surgical technique to reduce anastomotic leakage and reduce blood transfusion has paramount importance in SSI prevention. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with reduction of rate of SSI by more than 50% when compared with open surgery and would have a strong impact on the prevention of surgical infection.

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer: a review.

Despite increasing evidence on the success of laparoscopic resection in colorectal diseases, clinicians remain skeptical about the application of laparoscopic resection in rectal cancer, although it may benefit patients by resulting in early return of bowel function, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stay. Rectal cancer surgery has been regarded as a technically demanding procedure. Deviation from the oncologic principle of mesrectal dissection will lead to a higher local recurrence rate. Therefore, rectal cancer was not included in earlier studies on laparoscopic versus open resection for colorectal cancer. However, many colorectal surgeons who practice laparoscopic surgery soon appreciated that the improved optics of laparoscopy can provide a much better view of the pelvis, and the Heald principle of meticulous sharp dissection for total mesorectal excision could be performed without compromise. In recent years, there has been increasing number of reports on laparoscopic resection of rectal cancers. Apart from the issues on postoperative outcomes and long-term results, laparoscopic resection has generated interest in its impact on the preservation of sexual and bladder function. We summarize the current evidence on laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer.

Comparison of outcome of open and laparoscopic resection for stage II and stage III rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection for advanced rectal cancer has not been widely accepted, and there are only few studies with survival data. This study aimed to compare the survival of patients who underwent laparoscopic and open resection for stage II and III rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients (open resection: n = 310; laparoscopic resection: n = 111) who underwent curative resection for stage II and III rectal cancer from June 2000 to December 2006 were included. The operative details, postoperative complications, postoperative outcomes, and survival data were collected prospectively. Comparison was made between patients who had laparoscopic and open surgery. RESULTS: The age, gender, medical morbidity, types of operation, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status were similar between the two groups. There was also no difference in the mortality, morbidity, and pathological staging. Laparoscopic resection was associated with significantly less blood loss and shorter hospital stay. With the median follow-up of 34 months, there was no difference in local recurrence rates. The 5-year actuarial survivals were 71.1% and 59.3% in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively (P = .029). In the multivariate analysis, laparoscopic resection was one of the independent significant factors associated with better survival (P = .03, hazards ratio: 0.558, 95% confidence interval: 0.339-0.969). Other independent poor prognostic factors included lymph node metastasis, poor differentiation, perineural invasion, presence of postoperative complications, and no chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for locally advanced rectal cancer is associated with more favorable overall survival when compared with open resection.

Impact of the standardized medial-to-lateral approach on outcome of laparoscopic colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND: Beginning in 2004, a standardized medial-to-lateral approach was adopted in laparoscopic colorectal resection (LapCR) in our institution. The present study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients operated on by this approach with those who were operated on prior to the adoption of this technique. METHODS: Data were retrieved from a prospectively collected database on LapCR. The control group included 196 patients operated on from January 2002 to December 2003 and the medial approach group included 224 patients who underwent operations from January 2005 to December 2007. The patient characteristics, operative details, pathology, and surgical outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The patient demographics, types of operation and pathology did not show any statistically significant difference. The medial approach group was associated with significantly less median blood loss [100 (interquartile range [IQR]: 50-174) ml versus 150 (IQR:100-300) ml; p < 0.001], shorter hospital stay [4 (IQR: (4-7) versus 7 (5-9) days; p < 0.001], and more lymph nodes harvested [12 (7-17.5) versus 10 (6-15); p = 0.001]. Significantly earlier bowel function recovery was observed in the medial approach group. The mortality and complications did not show any difference. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized medial-to-lateral approach for LapCR is associated with less blood loss, earlier return of bowel function, shorter hospital stay, and increased number of lymph nodes harvested. This should be the preferred approach in LapCR.