Minimally invasive organ-preserving approaches in the management of mesh erosion after laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy.

AIM: This is a systematic approach for minimally invasive methods in the management of mesh erosion after laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy. METHODS: All patients managed with organ-preserving techniques for mesh erosion were identified from a prospective database and clinical records were reviewed. Each patient was contacted via telephone and a structured questionnaire was applied. A Likert score was used to assess patient symptoms and overall satisfaction with management. One or more of the following techniques were used: (i) transanal or transvaginal trimming/excision of exposed mesh and sutures, with or without using transanal endoscopic micro surgery or transanal minimally invasive surgery; (ii) laparoscopic pelvic assessment and detachment of mesh from the sacral promontory. RESULTS: Eleven patients were managed for mesh erosion with organ-preserving techniques. All were women with a median age of 60 years [interquartile range (IQR) 53.5-68.5]. Vaginal, rectal, perineal erosion and recto-vaginal fistulation occurred in five, four, one and one patient respectively. Vaginal erosions presented at a median of 51 months (IQR 36-56) after index laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy compared to 17.5 months (IQR 14.5-27.25) for the rectal erosions. Median follow-up time was 24 months (IQR 19-49). Four of the meshes (36%) were removed completely whereas seven (63%) were partially removed. Vaginal erosions required a median of two procedures to achieve resolution as opposed to five for rectal. Out of 11 patients, eight were satisfied with the outcome of their management, whereas two were not and one remained ambivalent. CONCLUSION: An organ-sparing minimally invasive approach is feasible in managing mesh erosions but requires multiple procedures and months to complete.

Temporary faecal diversion in ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease: is there an impact on long-term surgical recurrence?

AIM: Temporary faecal diversion after ileocolic resection (ICR) for Crohn's disease reduces postoperative anastomotic complications in high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to assess if this approach also reduces long-term surgical recurrence. METHOD: This was a multicentre retrospective review of prospectively maintained databases. Patient demographics, medical and surgical details were collected by three specialist centres. All patients had undergone an ICR between 2000 and 2012. The primary end-point was surgical recurrence. RESULTS: Three hundred and twelve patients (80%) underwent an ICR without covering ileostomy (one stage). Seventy-seven (20%) had undergone an ICR with end ileostomy/double-barrel ileostomy/enterocolostomy followed by closure (two stage). The median follow-up was 105 months [interquartile range (IQR) 76-136 months]. The median time to ileostomy closure was 9 months (IQR 5-12 months). There was no significant difference in surgical recurrence between the one- and two-stage groups (18% vs 16%, P = 0.94). We noted that smokers (20% vs 34%, P = 0.01) and patients with penetrating disease (28% vs 52%, P < 0.01) were more likely to be defunctioned. A reduced recurrence rate was observed in the small high-risk group of patients who were smokers with penetrating disease behaviour treated with a two-stage strategy (0/10 vs 4/7, P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Despite having higher baseline risk factors, the results in terms of rate of surgical recurrence over 9 years are similar for patients having a two-stage compared with a one-stage procedure.