Endoscopic full thickness resection in the colo-rectum: outcomes from the UK Registry.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (eFTR) of the colon using the full-thickness resection device (FTRD) is a novel method for removing lesions involving, or tethered to, deeper layers of the colonic wall. The UK FTRD Registry collected data from multiple centres performing this procedure. We describe the technical feasibility, safety and early outcomes of this technique in the UK. METHODS: Data were collected and analysed on 68 patients who underwent eFTR at 11 UK centres from April 2015 to June 2019. Outcome measures were technical success, procedural time, specimen size, R0 resection, endoscopic clearance, and adverse events. Reported technical difficulties were collated. RESULTS: Indications for eFTR included non-lifting polyps (29 cases), T1 tumour resection (13), subepithelial tumour (9), and polyps at the appendix base or diverticulum (17). Target lesion resection was achieved in 60/68 (88.2%). Median specimen size was 21.7 mm (10-35 mm). Histologically confirmed R0 resection was achieved in 43/56 (76.8%) with full-thickness resection in 52/56 (92.9%). Technical difficulties occurred in 17/68 (25%) and complications in 3/68 (5.9%) patients. CONCLUSION: eFTR is a useful technique with a high success rate in treating lesions not previously amenable to endoscopic therapy. Whilst technical difficulties may arise, complication rates are low and outcomes are acceptable, making eFTR a viable alternative to surgery for some specific lesions.

Colorectal stents: do we have enough evidence?

BACKGROUND: The use of colonic stents has significantly evolved over the last few years. Emergency surgery for colonic obstructions is usually associated with significant mortality, morbidity and often stoma formation. Colonic stents provide an alternative way to relieve colonic obstruction, and hence avoiding the risks associated with emergency surgery. This literature review aims to summarize the important current evidence regarding colorectal stenting and show whether further evaluation of the procedure is required. RESULTS: The available large number of non-randomized studies suggests that Self-Expandable-Metal-Stents (SEMS) placement for acute colonic obstruction could be considered as safe and effective alternative to surgery in experienced hands either as a bridge to surgery or as a palliative measure. This evidence has led to SEMS being widely adopted. However, randomized evidence has begun to show the defects that are inherent in the low level evidence that has so far supported SEMS use and it may be that reports of randomized controlled trials may clarify the patient population where SEMS placement is appropriate. CONCLUSION: While we are still waiting for the outcome of the multicentre randomized controlled trials in the UK and Europe, clinicians must be aware of the current evidence limitations and apply SEMS use pragmatically.

Use of self-expandable stents for obstructive distal and proximal large bowel cancer: a retrospective study in a single centre.

AIM: The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of self-expandable metal stents in patients presenting with large bowel obstruction secondary to colorectal cancer (regardless of the tumour site), in a district general hospital setting. METHODS: All patients who had endoscopic colonic stents insertion for obstructive colorectal cancer between 2001 and 2005 at our centre were identified retrospectively from patients' discharge database and the unit database. The patients were divided into the 'palliation group' where the stents were inserted to relief symptoms only and the 'bridge group' where patients with resectable cancer underwent colonic stenting as a bridge to improve patient's general condition before definite surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. Thirty-three tumours were in the distal colon and five were in more proximal lesions. Stent insertion was successful in 35 patients (92%). Overall clinical success was 71%. All five proximal colonic tumours (13%) had successful stent insertion. Mortality related to procedure was 2%, and the average survival in all patients was 141 days from time of stent insertion. CONCLUSION: Colonic stent is a safe and effective method for relief of immediate symptoms of malignant distal and proximal large bowel obstruction.

Role of self-expanding metallic stents in the management of malignant obstruction of the proximal colon.

PURPOSE: Expandable metal stents have been shown to be effective in the management of malignant large-bowel obstruction. However, right colonic lesions account for less than 5% of all reported cases of colonic stenting. This study was performed to determine the outcomes following stenting for lesions proximal to the splenic flexure. METHODS: The hospital records of patients undergoing stenting for large-bowel obstruction at a district general hospital in northeastern England from 2003 to 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Data were analyzed to identify patient characteristics, site of obstructing lesion, intent for stenting, and outcomes measured including relief of obstruction, hospital stay, and complications. RESULTS: Stenting was attempted in 97 patients with malignant large-bowel obstruction. Of these, 16 (16.5%) patients had lesions proximal to the splenic flexure: 8 patients had lesions in the ascending colon and 8 patients had lesions in the transverse colon. Self-expanding metal stents were successful in relieving obstruction in 14 (88%) patients with proximal colonic lesions. Stenting was attempted as a bridge to definitive surgery in five patients and for palliation in nine patients. One patient had poststent bleeding that was managed conservatively, and there were no perforations or stent dislodgements. The mean postprocedure hospital stay was 1.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Self-expanding metal stents are safe and effective in the management of malignant large-bowel obstruction proximal to the splenic flexure. The technical and clinical success rates are comparable with those reported for stenting distal colonic lesions.

A case report of hepatic and renal dysfunction complicating midgut malrotation in an adult.

A 39-year-old man had an unusual presentation of jaundice and acute renal dysfunction complicating midgut malrotation. Diagnosis by computed tomography scan enabled prompt surgery and functional correction of the malrotation, with a full return to normal life.

Coagulation factor XIII and markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To relate factor XIII levels and other prothrombotic markers to inflammatory bowel disease and investigate the frequency of valine34leucine and its effect on factor XIII cross-linking activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN: Fifty patients with active inflammatory bowel disease but no venous thromboembolism (32 with ulcerative colitis, 18 with Crohn's disease), 50 patients with inactive inflammatory bowel disease but no venous thromboembolism (32 with ulcerative colitis, 18 with Crohn's disease), two age- and gender-matched healthy control groups of 100 subjects each were recruited. To further explore the relationship between valine34leucine and inflammatory bowel disease, 21 patients with the disease (13 with ulcerative colitis and eight with Crohn's disease) and venous thromoembolism (male to female ratio = 7 : 14, median age 59.5 years (range, 19-80 years)) were recruited. Two hundred and fifteen control subjects (M : F = 121 : 94, median age 62 years (28-74 years)), with venous thromboembolism (119 with deep venous thrombosis, and 96 with pulmonary embolism) were drawn from the same geographical area as the patients. METHODS: Factor XIII A, B-subunit antigen and A2B2 tetramer levels were measured using an in-house sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay method. RESULTS: Factor XIII A2B2 tetramer and the A-subunit were significantly decreased in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease compared with controls (59% vs 95%, P < 0.0001 and 75% vs 102%, P < 0.0001, respectively), but not between the inactive inflammatory bowel disease group and controls. The D-dimer and prothrombin 1+2 fragment levels in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease were raised compared with controls (178 (152) vs 109 (84), P = 0.0007 and 82 (43) vs 55 (28), P = 0.0001, respectively). The factor XIII B-subunit and factor XIII cross-linking activity were not significantly different between patients with active or inactive inflammatory bowel disease and controls. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution in inflammatory bowel disease patients with or without venous thromboembolism and respective control subjects. Levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen were significantly increased in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease when compared to inactive inflammatory bowel disease and controls (8.9 (3.7) vs 6.7 (3.4) vs 6.9 (3.4), P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Active inflammatory bowel disease is associated with activation of coagulation. Factor XIII A and A2B2 tetramer levels were markedly decreased in active inflammatory bowel disease. Variations in the level of factor XIII in patients with inflammatory bowel disease could be multifactorial and in part may result from the increased formation of microthrombi and accelerated turnover of the factor XIII. We found no evidence of association of factor XIII valine34leucine polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease.