AbcApp: incidence of intra-abdominal ABsCesses following laparoscopic vs. open APPendectomy in complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with complicated appendicitis are more at risk for the occurrence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscesses than patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. Studies comparing laparoscopic and open appendectomy showed limitations and contradictory findings on the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses after appendicitis, as most of these studies analysed both uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis as one group. The aim of the present study is to investigate the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses after laparoscopic versus open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed over the period January 2009 till May 2020. All patients who had an intra-operative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis (e.g. perforation, necrosis) were included. The outcome measure was the occurrence of intra-abdominal abscesses with a postoperative follow-up of 30 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed including adjustments for significant confounders. RESULTS: A total of 900 patients had undergone appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. The majority was operated laparoscopically (78%, n = 705). The incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess was 12.3% in both laparoscopic and open appendectomy groups. On univariable analysis, the postoperative rates of intra-abdominal abscesses between laparoscopic and open appendectomy were not significantly different (odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI [0.67-1.84], p = 0.681). CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence that, in current daily practice, intra-abdominal abscess formation remains a common postoperative complication for complicated appendicitis. Nonetheless, no significant difference was found with regard to intra-abdominal abscess formation when comparing laparoscopy with open surgery.

Timing of restoration of bowel continuity after decompressing stoma, in left-sided obstructive colon cancer: a nationwide retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of decompressing stoma as a bridge to surgery for left-sided obstructive colon cancer (LSOCC), the timing of restoration of bowel continuity (ROBC) is a subject of debate. There is a lack of data on immediate ROBC during elective resection as an alternative for a 3-stage procedure. This study analysed if immediate ROBC during tumour resection is safe and of any benefit for patients who underwent decompressing stoma for LSOCC. METHODS: In a Dutch nationwide collaborative research project, 3153 patients who underwent resection for LSOCC in 75 hospitals (2009-2016) were identified. Extensive data on disease and procedural characteristics, and outcomes was collected by local collaborators. For this analysis, 332 patients who underwent decompressing stoma followed by curative resection were selected. Immediate ROBC during tumour resection was compared to two no immediate ROBC groups, (1) tumour resection with primary anastomosis (PA) with leaving the decompressing stoma in situ, and (2) tumour resection without PA. RESULTS: Immediate ROBC was performed in 113 patients (34.0%) and no immediate ROBC in 219 patients [168 with PA (50.6%) and 51 patients without PA (15.4%)]. No differences at baseline between the groups were found for age, ASA score, cT, and cM. Major surgical complications (8.8% immediate ROBC vs. 4.8% PA with decompressing stoma and 7.8% no PA; P =0.37) and mortality (2.7% vs. 2.4% and 0%, respectively; P =0.52) were similar. Immediate ROBC resulted in a shorter time with a stoma (mean 41 vs. 240 and 314 days, respectively; P <0.001), and fewer permanent stomas (7% vs. 21% and 80%, respectively; P <0.001) as compared to PA with a decompressing stoma or no PA. CONCLUSION: After a decompressing stoma for LSOCC, immediate ROBC during elective resection appears safe, reduces the total time with a stoma and the risk of a permanent stoma.

Risk factors for a permanent stoma after resection of left-sided obstructive colon cancer - A prediction model.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with left-sided obstructive colon cancer (LSOCC), a stoma is often constructed as part of primary treatment, but with a considerable risk of becoming a permanent stoma (PS). The aim of this retrospective multicentre cohort is to identify risk factors for a PS in LSOCC and to develop a pre- and postoperative prediction model for PS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was retrospectively obtained from 75 hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients who had curative resection of LSOCC between January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016 were included with a minimum follow-up of 6 months after resection. The interventions analysed were emergency resection, decompressing stoma or stent as bridge-to-elective resection. Main outcome measure was presence of PS at the end of follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for PS at primary presentation (T0) and after resection, in patients having a stoma in situ (T1). These risk factors were used to construct a web-based prediction tool. RESULTS: Of 2099 patients included in the study (T0), 779 had a PS (37%). A total of 1275 patients had a stoma in situ directly after resection (T1), of whom 674 had a PS (53%). Median follow-up was 34 months. Multivariable analysis showed that older patients, female sex, high ASA-score and open approach were independent predictors for PS in both the T0 and T1 population. Other predictors at T0 were sigmoid location, low Hb, high CRP, cM1 stage, and emergency resection. At T1, subtotal colectomy, no primary anastomosis, not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and high pTNM stage were additional predictors. Two predictive models were built, with an AUC of 0.74 for T0 and an AUC of 0.81 for T1. CONCLUSIONS: PS is seen in 37% of the patients who have resection of LSOCC. In patients with a stoma in situ directly after resection, 53% PS are seen due to non-reversal. Not only baseline characteristics, but also treatment strategies determine the risk of a PS in patients with LSOCC. The developed predictive models will give physicians insight in the role of the individual variables on the risk of a PS and help in informing the patient about the probability of a PS.