Patient-reported outcome measures and surgery for Crohn's disease: systematic review.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease with up to 50 per cent of patients requiring surgery within 10 years of diagnosis. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are vital to monitor and assess patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This systematic review aims to evaluate PROMs within studies for perioperative Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: Articles from MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare and CINAHL databases were searched to find studies relating to the assessment of HRQoL in perioperative Crohn's disease patients using PROMs and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) from 1st January 2015 to 22nd October 2023. Bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool was used for non-randomized interventional studies and the Cochrane RoB2 tool was used for randomized trials. RESULTS: 1714 journal articles were filtered down to eight studies. Six studies focused on ileocaecal resection, one on perianal fistulas and one on the effects of cholecystectomy on patients with Crohn's disease. Within these articles, ten different PROM tools were identified (8 measures of HRQoL and 2 measures of functional outcome). Overall improvements in patient HRQoL pre- to postoperative for ileocaecal Crohn's disease were found in both paediatric and adult patients. Outcomes were comparable in patients in remission, with or without stoma, but were worse in patients with a stoma and active disease. CONCLUSION: There are significant variations in how PROMs are used to evaluate perioperative Crohn's disease outcomes and a need for consensus on how tools are used. Routine assessments using an internationally accepted online platform can be used to monitor patients and support areas of treatment pathways that require further support to ensure high standards of care. They also enable future statistical comparisons in quantitative reviews and meta-analyses.

Risks Factors Associated with the Development of Crohn's Disease After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA] for ulcerative colitis [UC], up to 16% of patients develop Crohn's disease of the pouch [CDP], which is a major cause of pouch failure. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify preoperative characteristics and risk factors for CDP development following IPAA. METHODS: A literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCare and CINAHL databases was performed for studies that reported data on predictive characteristics and outcomes of CDP development in patients who underwent IPAA for UC between January 1990 and August 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models and between-study heterogeneity was assessed. RESULTS: Seven studies with 1274 patients were included: 767 patients with a normal pouch and 507 patients with CDP. Age at UC diagnosis (weighted mean difference [WMD] -2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.39 to -1.31; p = 0.0003; I2 54%) and age at pouch surgery [WMD -3.17; 95% CI -5.27 to -1.07; p = 0.003; I2 20%) were significantly lower in patients who developed CDP compared to a normal pouch. Family history of IBD was significantly associated with CDP (odds ratio [OR] 2.43; 95% CI 1.41-4.19; p = 0.001; I2 31%], along with a history of smoking [OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.35-2.39; p < 0.0001; I2 0%]. Other factors such as sex and primary sclerosing cholangitis were found not to increase the risk of CDP. CONCLUSIONS: Age at UC diagnosis and pouch surgery, family history of IBD and previous smoking have been identified as potential risk factors for CDP post-IPAA. This has important implications towards preoperative counselling, planning surgical management and evaluating prognosis.

Towards Standardisation of Technique for En Bloc Sacrectomy for Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer.

Treatment strategies for advanced or recurrent rectal cancer have evolved such that the ultimate surgical goal to achieve a cure is complete pathological clearance. To achieve this where the sacrum is involved, en bloc sacrectomy is the current standard of care. Sacral resection is technically challenging and has been described; however, the technique has yet to be streamlined across units. This comprehensive review aims to outline the surgical approach to en bloc sacrectomy for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer, with standardisation of the operative steps of the procedure and to discuss options that enhance the technique.

Current and future role of three-dimensional modelling technology in rectal cancer surgery: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) modelling technology translates the patient-specific anatomical information derived from two-dimensional radiological images into virtual or physical 3D models, which more closely resemble the complex environment encountered during surgery. It has been successfully applied to surgical planning and navigation, as well as surgical training and patient education in several surgical specialties, but its uptake lags behind in colorectal surgery. Rectal cancer surgery poses specific challenges due to the complex anatomy of the pelvis, which is difficult to comprehend and visualise. AIM: To review the current and emerging applications of the 3D models, both virtual and physical, in rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Medline/PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched using the keywords "rectal surgery", "colorectal surgery", "three-dimensional", "3D", "modelling", "3D printing", "surgical planning", "surgical navigation", "surgical education", "patient education" to identify the eligible full-text studies published in English between 2001 and 2020. Reference list from each article was manually reviewed to identify additional relevant papers. The conference abstracts, animal and cadaveric studies and studies describing 3D pelvimetry or radiotherapy planning were excluded. Data were extracted from the retrieved manuscripts and summarised in a descriptive way. The manuscript was prepared and revised in accordance with PRISMA 2009 checklist. RESULTS: Sixteen studies, including 9 feasibility studies, were included in the systematic review. The studies were classified into four categories: feasibility of the use of 3D modelling technology in rectal cancer surgery, preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation, surgical education and surgical device design. Thirteen studies used virtual models, one 3D printed model and 2 both types of models. The construction of virtual and physical models depicting the normal pelvic anatomy and rectal cancer, was shown to be feasible. Within the clinical context, 3D models were used to identify vascular anomalies, for surgical planning and navigation in lateral pelvic wall lymph node dissection and in management of recurrent rectal cancer. Both physical and virtual 3D models were found to be valuable in surgical education, with a preference for 3D printed models. The main limitations of the current technology identified in the studies were related to the restrictions of the segmentation process and the lack of 3D printing materials that could mimic the soft and deformable tissues. CONCLUSION: 3D modelling technology has potential to be utilised in multiple aspects of rectal cancer surgery, however, it is still at the experimental stage of application in this setting.

A Comparison of the Short-term Outcomes of Three Flap Reconstruction Techniques Used After Beyond Total Mesorectal Excision Surgery for Anorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancy can result in perineal defects that cannot be closed by wound edge approximation. Myocutaneous flaps can fill the defect and accelerate healing. No reconstruction has been proven to be superior to the others. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare 3 flap procedures after beyond total mesorectal excision surgery. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database, according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. SETTINGS: This study was performed at a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive series of patients who required flap reconstruction after beyond total mesorectal excision surgery between 2007 and 2016 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Short-term outcomes after oblique rectus abdominis flap vs vertical rectus abdominis flap vs inferior gluteal artery perforator flap reconstruction were evaluated. RESULTS: Included are 65 (59%) oblique rectus abdominis flap, 30 (27.3%) vertical rectus abdominis flap, and 15 (13.7%) inferior gluteal artery perforator flap outcomes. Sacrectomy was performed in 12 (18.5%), 10 (33.3%), and 8 (53.3%) patients (p = 0.016). Preoperative radiotherapy was used in 60 (92.3%), 26 (86.7%), and 11 (73.3%) patients (p = 0.11). Flap infection and dehiscence occurred in 7 (10.8%), 1 (3.3%), and 4 (26.7%) patients. There was an increased risk of flap complication with inferior gluteal artery perforator flap vs vertical rectus abdominis flap (p = 0.036). Inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (OR, 6.26; p = 0.02) and obesity (OR, 4.96; p = 0.02) were associated with flap complications. Only complications of the oblique rectus abdominis flap decreased significantly over time (p = 0.03). The length of stay and complete (R0) resection rate were not different between the groups. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because of its retrospective nature and because it was conducted at a single center. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques appear comparable. The approaches should be considered complementary, and the choice should be individualized. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B141. COMPARACIÓN DE RESULTADOS A CORTO PLAZO DE TRES TÉCNICAS DE RECONSTRUCCIÓN CON COLGAJO UTILIZADAS DESPUÉS DE LA CIRUGÍA DE ESCISIÓN MESORRECTAL TOTAL EXTENDIDA PARA EL CÁNCER ANORRECTAL: La cirugía para malignidad pélvica avanzada o recurrente puede provocar defectos perineales, que no pueden cerrarse por aproximación de los bordes de la herida. Los colgajos miocutáneos pueden llenar el defecto y acelerar la curación. Ninguna reconstrucción ha demostrado ser superior a las demás.Comparar tres procedimientos de colgajo después de una cirugía de escisión mesorrectal total extendida.Análisis retrospectivo de una base de datos prospectiva, de acuerdo con la Declaración de Fortalecimiento de los informes de estudios observacionales en epidemiología.Hospital de tercer nivel.Series consecutivas de pacientes que requirieron reconstrucción con colgajo después de una cirugía de escisión mesorrectal total extendida entre 2007 y 2016.Resultados a corto plazo después del colgajo oblicuo recto abdominal versus colgajo vertical recto abdominal versus reconstrucción del colgajo perforador de la arteria glútea inferior.Se incluyen 65 (59%) colgajo oblicuo recto abdominal oblicuo, 30 (27.3%) colgajo vertical recto abdominal y 15 (13.7%) colgajo perforador de la arteria glútea inferior. Sacrectomía se realizó en 12 (18.5%), 10 (33.3%) y 8 (53.3%) pacientes respectivamente (p = 0.016). La radioterapia preoperatoria se utilizó en 60 (92.3%), 26 (86.7%) y 11 (73.3%) (p = 0,11). La infección del colgajo y la dehiscencia ocurrieron en 7 (10.8%), 1 (3.3%) y 4 (26.7%). Hubo un mayor riesgo de complicación con el colgajo perforador de la arteria glútea inferior en comparación al colgajo vertical del recto abdominal (p = 0.036). El colgajo perforador de la arteria glútea inferior (OR 6.26, p = 0.02) y la obesidad (OR 4.96, p = 0.02) se asociaron con complicaciones del colgajo. Solo las complicaciones del colgajo oblicuo recto abdominal disminuyeron significativamente con el tiempo (p = 0.03). La duración de la estancia hospitalaria y la tasa de resección completa (R0) no fue diferente entre los grupos.Estudio retrospectivo en centro único.Las técnicas parecen comparables. Los enfoques deben considerarse complementarios y la elección individualizada. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B141.

Predictors of short-term readmission after beyond total mesorectal excision for primary locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer.

Unplanned readmissions heavily affect the cost of health care and are used as an indicator of performance. No clear data are available regarding beyond-total mesorectal excision (bTME) procedure. Aim of the study is to identify patient-related and surgery-related factors influencing the 30-day readmissions after bTME. Retrospective data were collected from 220 patients who underwent bTME procedures at single centre between 2006 and 2016. Patient-related and operative factors were assessed, including body mass index (BMI), age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists' (ASA) score, preoperative stage, neo-adjuvant therapy, primary tumour vs recurrence, the extent of surgery. The readmission rate was 8.18%. No statistically significant association was found with BMI, ASA score, length of stay and stay in the intensive care unit, primary vs recurrent tumour or blood transfusions. Not quite statistically significant was the association with pelvic side wall dissection (OR 3.32, p = 0.054). Statistically significant factors included preoperative stage > IIIb (OR: 4.77, p = 0.002), neo-adjuvant therapy (OR: 0.13, p = 0.0006), age over 65 years (OR: 5.96, p = 0.0005), any re-intervention during the first admission (OR: 7.4, p = 0.0001), and any post-operative complication (OR: 9.01, p = 0.004). The readmission rate after beyond-TME procedure is influenced by patient-related factors as well as post-operative morbidity.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing treatments for faecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous treatments exist for fecal incontinence (FI), no consensus exists on the best treatment strategy. The aim was to review the literature and to compare the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of treatments available for FI. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A systematic literature review was performed, from inception to May 2018, of the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Cochrane Library. The search terms used were "faecal incontinence" and "treatment". Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatments for FI were considered. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. RESULT: Forty-seven RCTs were included comparing 37 treatments and reporting on 3748 participants. No treatment ranked best or worst with high probability for any outcome of interest. No significant difference was identified between treatments for frequency of FI per week, or in changing the resting pressure, maximum resting pressure, squeeze pressure, and maximum squeeze pressure. Radiofrequency resulted in more adverse events compared to placebo. Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) and zinc-aluminium improved the fecal incontinence quality of life questionnaire (FIQL) lifestyle, coping, and embarrassment domains compared to placebo. Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) improved the FIQL embarrassment domain compared to placebo. Autologous myoblasts and zinc-aluminium improved the FIQL depression domain compared to placebo. SNS, artificial bowel sphincter (ABS), and zinc-aluminium significantly improved incontinence scores compared to placebo. Injection of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer (NASHA/Dx) resulted in more patients with ≥50% reduction in FI episodes compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: SNS, ABS, TPTNS, NASHA/Dx, zinc-aluminium, and autologous myoblasts resulted in isolated improvements in specific outcomes of interest. No difference was identified in incontinence episodes, no treatment ranked best persistently or persistently improved outcomes, and many included treatments did not significantly benefit patients compared to placebo. Large multicentre RCTs with long-term follow-up and standardized inclusion criteria and outcome measures are needed.

Primary Tumor Resection in Patients with Incurable Localized or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of primary tumor resection (PTR) on survival and morbidity in incurable colorectal cancer. METHODS: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis to compare PTR versus primary tumor intact (PTI). RESULTS: Seventy-seven studies were included, reporting on 159,991 participants (94,745 PTR; 65,246 PTI). PTR improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59, P < 0.0001; mean difference [MD] 7.27 months, P < 0.0001), cancer-specific survival (HR 0.47, MD 10.80), and progression-free survival (HR 0.76, MD 1.67). Overall survival remained significantly improved during subgroup analysis of asymptomatic patients (HR 0.69, MD 3.86), elderly patients (HR 0.46, MD 7.71), patients diagnosed after 2000 (HR 0.62, MD 7.29), patients with colon (HR 0.58, MD 6.31) or rectal (HR 0.54, MD 6.88) primary tumor, patients undergoing resection of primary tumor versus non-resectional surgery (NRS) to treat primary tumor complications (HR 0.56, MD 8.72), and of studies with propensity score analysis (HR 0.65, MD 5.68). Overall survival per treatment strategy was: [PTI/chemotherapy] 14.30 months, [PTI/bevacizumab] 17.27 months, [PTR/chemotherapy] 21.52 months, [PTR/bevacizumab] 27.52 months. PTR resulted in 4.5% perioperative mortality and 22.4% morbidity (major adverse events 10.2%, minor 18.5%, reoperation 2.5%, intraabdominal collection/sepsis 2.2%). PTI had 21.7% morbidity (obstruction 14.4%, anemia 11.0%, hemorrhage 1.5%, perforation 0.6%, adverse events requiring surgery 15.8%). NRS resulted in 10.6% perioperative mortality and 21.7% morbidity (major 7.9%, minor 21.7%, reoperation 0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: PTR in patients with incurable colorectal cancer results in a limited improvement of survival without a significant increase in morbidity. PTR should be considered by the multidisciplinary team on an individual patient basis.

The obesity paradox in beyond total mesorectal excision surgery for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer.

The objective is to investigate preoperative body mass index (BMI) in patients receiving beyond total mesorectal excision (bTME) surgery. The primary end point is length of postoperative stay. Secondary end points are length of intensive care stay, postoperative morbidity and overall survival. BMI is the most commonly used anthropometric measurement of nutrition and studies have shown that overweight and obese patients can have improved surgical outcomes. Patients who underwent a bTME operation for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer were put into three BMI (kg/m2) groups of normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) and obese (≥ 30) for analysis. Included are 220 consecutive patients from a single centre. The overall length of stay, in days ± standard deviation (range), for normal weight, overweight and obese patients was 21.14 ± 16.4 (6-99), 15.24 ± 4.3 (7-32) and 19.10 ± 9.8 (8-62) respectively (p = 0.002). The mean ICU length of stay was 5.40 ± 9.1 (1-69), 3.37 ± 2.4 (0-19) and 3.60 ± 2.4 (1-14), respectively (p = 0.030). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of postoperative morbidity or overall survival. Patients with a normal weight BMI in this cohort have a significantly longer length of stay in ICU and in hospital than overweight or obese patients. This is seen with no significant difference in morbidity or overall survival.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Versus Transanal Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare techniques for rectal cancer resection. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Different surgical approaches exist for mesorectal excision. METHODS: Systematic literature review and Bayesian network meta-analysis performed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials included, reporting on 6237 participants, comparing: open versus laparoscopic versus robotic versus transanal mesorectal excision. No significant differences identified between treatments in intraoperative morbidity, conversion rate, grade III/IV morbidity, reoperation, anastomotic leak, nodes retrieved, involved distal margin, 5-year overall survival, and locoregional recurrence. Operative blood loss was less with laparoscopic surgery compared with open, and with robotic surgery compared with open and laparoscopic. Robotic operative time was longer compared with open, laparoscopic, and transanal. Laparoscopic operative time was longer compared with open. Laparoscopic surgery resulted in lower overall postoperative morbidity and fewer wound infections compared with open. Robotic surgery had fewer wound infections compared with open. Time to defecation was longer with open surgery compared with laparoscopic and robotic. Hospital stay was longer after open surgery compared with laparoscopic and robotic, and after laparoscopic surgery compared with robotic. Laparoscopic surgery resulted in more incomplete or nearly complete mesorectal excisions compared with open, and in more involved circumferential resection margins compared with transanal. Robotic surgery resulted in longer distal resection margins compared with open, laparoscopic, and transanal. CONCLUSIONS: The different techniques result in comparable perioperative morbidity and long-term survival. The laparoscopic and robotic approaches may improve postoperative recovery, and the open and transanal approaches may improve oncological resection. Technique selection should be based on expected benefits by individual patient.

A systematic review of the literature reporting on randomised controlled trials comparing treatments for faecal incontinence in adults.

AIM: To perform a review of the literature reporting on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatments for faecal incontinence (FI) in adults. METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and Cochrane was performed in order to identify RCTs reporting on treatments for FI. RESULTS: The review included 60 RCTs reporting on 4838 patients with a mean age ranging from 36.8 to 88 years. From the included RCTs, 32 did not identify a significant difference between the treatments compared. Contradictory results were identified in RCTs comparing percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus sham stimulation, biofeedback-pelvic floor muscle training (BF-PFMT) versus PFMT, and between bulking agents such as PTQTM versus Durasphere®. In two separate RCTs, combination treatment of amplitude-modulated medium frequency stimulation and electromyography-biofeedback (EMG-BF), was noted to be superior to EMG-BF and low-frequency electrical stimulation alone. Combination of non-surgical treatments such as BF with sphincteroplasty significantly improved continence scores compared to sphincteroplasty alone. Surgical treatments were associated with higher rates of serious adverse events compared to non-surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence has not identified significant differences between treatments for FI, and where differences were identified, the results were contradictory between RCTs.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Anastomotic Failure in 1594 Patients Treated by Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: Results From the International TaTME Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of anastomotic-related morbidity following Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) and identify independent risk factors for failure. BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak and its sequelae are dreaded complications following gastrointestinal surgery. TaTME is a recent technique for rectal resection, which includes novel anastomotic techniques. METHODS: Prospective study of consecutive reconstructed TaTME cases recorded over 30 months in 107 surgical centers across 29 countries. Primary endpoint was "anastomotic failure," defined as a composite endpoint of early or delayed leak, pelvic abscess, anastomotic fistula, chronic sinus, or anastomotic stricture. Multivariate regression analysis performed identifying independent risk factors of anastomotic failure and an observed risk score developed. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred ninety-four cases with anastomotic reconstruction were analyzed; 96.6% performed for cancer. Median anastomotic height from anal verge was 3.0 ±â€Š2.0 cm with stapled techniques accounting for 66.0%. The overall anastomotic failure rate was 15.7%. This included early (7.8%) and delayed leak (2.0%), pelvic abscess (4.7%), anastomotic fistula (0.8%), chronic sinus (0.9%), and anastomotic stricture in 3.6% of cases. Independent risk factors of anastomotic failure were: male sex, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, tumors >25 mm, excessive intraoperative blood loss, manual anastomosis, and prolonged perineal operative time. A scoring system for preoperative risk factors was associated with observed rates of anastomotic failure between 6.3% to 50% based on the cumulative score. CONCLUSIONS: Large tumors in obese, diabetic male patients who smoke have the highest risk of anastomotic failure. Acknowledging such risk factors can guide appropriate consent and clinical decision-making that may reduce anastomotic-related morbidity.

Novel biomarkers for patient stratification in colorectal cancer: A review of definitions, emerging concepts, and data.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment has become more personalised, incorporating a combination of the individual patient risk assessment, gene testing, and chemotherapy with surgery for optimal care. The improvement of staging with high-resolution imaging has allowed more selective treatments, optimising survival outcomes. The next step is to identify biomarkers that can inform clinicians of expected prognosis and offer the most beneficial treatment, while reducing unnecessary morbidity for the patient. The search for biomarkers in CRC has been of significant interest, with questions remaining on their impact and applicability. The study of biomarkers can be broadly divided into metabolic, molecular, microRNA, epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), and imaging classes. Although numerous molecules have claimed to impact prognosis and treatment, their clinical application has been limited. Furthermore, routine testing of prognostic markers with no demonstrable influence on response to treatment is a questionable practice, as it increases cost and can adversely affect expectations of treatment. In this review we focus on recent developments and emerging biomarkers with potential utility for clinical translation in CRC. We examine and critically appraise novel imaging and molecular-based approaches; evaluate the promising array of microRNAs, analyze metabolic profiles, and highlight key findings for biomarker potential in the EMT pathway.

Sacral nerve stimulation versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) are both second-line treatments for faecal incontinence (FI). To compare the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of SNS versus PTNS for treating FI in adults. METHOD: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and Cochrane was performed in order to identify studies comparing SNS and PTNS for treating FI. A risk of bias assessment was performed using The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Four studies (one randomised controlled trial and three nonrandomised prospective studies) reported on 302 patients: 109 underwent SNS and 193 underwent PTNS. All included studies noted an improvement in symptoms after treatment, without any significant difference in efficacy between SNS and PTNS. Meta-analysis demonstrated that the Wexner score improved significantly with SNS compared to PTNS (weighted mean difference 2.27; 95% confidence interval 3.42, 1.12; P < 0.01). Moreover, SNS was also associated with a significant reduction in FI episodes per week and a greater improvement in the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life coping and depression domains, compared to PTNS on short-term follow-up. Only two studies reported on adverse events, reporting no serious adverse events with neither SNS nor PTNS. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that SNS results in significantly improved functional outcomes and quality of life compared to PTNS. No serious adverse events were identified with either treatment. Further, high-quality, multi-centre randomised controlled trials with standardised outcome measures and long-term follow-up are required in this field.

Comparison of Western and Asian Guidelines Concerning the Management of Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines are important to standardize treatments and optimize outcomes. Several societies have published authoritative guidelines for patients with colon cancer, and a certain degree of variation can be predicted. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare Western and Asian guidelines for the management of colon cancer. DATA SOURCES: A literature review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for studies published between 2010 and 2017 by the online resources from the official Web sites of the societies/panels. Sources included guidelines by European Society of Medical Oncology, the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. STUDY SELECTION: Only full-text studies and the latest guidelines dealing with colon cancer were included. Studies and guidelines were separately assessed by 2 authors, who independently identified discrepancies and areas for further research. These were discussed and agreed with by all the authors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The recommendations of the guidelines of each society were compared, seeking discrepancies and potential areas for improvement. RESULTS: Endoscopic techniques for the management of early colon cancer are discussed in detail in the Asian guidelines. Asian guidelines advocate extended (D3) lymphadenectomy on a routine basis in T3/T4 and in selected T2 patients, whereas such an approach is still under investigation in Western countries. Only US guidelines describe neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All the guidelines recommend adjuvant treatment in selected stage II patients, but agreement exists that this is performed without solid evidence, because better outcomes are hypothesized based on studies including stage III or stage II/III patients. The role of cytoreductive surgery with intra-abdominal chemotherapy is dubious, and European guidelines only recommend it in the setting of trials. Asian guidelines endorse an aggressive surgical approach to peritoneal disease. Only US guidelines include a patient advocate in the drafting panel. LIMITATIONS: Bias may have arisen from country-specific socioeconomic and cultural issues, and from the latest available updates. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical approaches to colon cancer differ significantly among Western and Asian guidelines, reflecting different concepts of treatment. The role of adjuvant treatment in node-negative disease and quality-of-life assessment need further research.

Social media and colorectal cancer: A systematic review of available resources.

AIM: Social media (SM) can provide information and medical knowledge to patients. Our aim was to review the literature and web-based content on SM that is used by Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients, as well as surgeons' interaction with SM. METHOD: Studies published between 2006 and 2016 were assessed. We also assessed the impact of several hashtags on Twitter with a freeware (Symplur). RESULTS: Nine studies were included assessing Twitter (78%), Forums/Cancer-survivor networks (33%), and Facebook (22%). Aims included use of SM by CRC patients (67%), cancer-specific usage of SM with different types of cancer (44%), content credibility (33%), and influence in CRC awareness (33%). Prevention was the most common information that CRC patients looked for, followed by treatment side-effects. Only 2% of CRC SM users are doctors. SM use by colorectal consultants was suboptimal. Only 38% of surgeons had a LinkedIn account (most with less than 50 connections), and 3% used Twitter. A steep increase of tweets was observed for searched Hashtags over time, which was more marked for #ColonCancer (+67%vs+38%, #Coloncancer vs #RectalCancer). Participants engaged with colon cancer increased by 85%, whereas rectal cancer ones increased by 29%. The hashtag '#RectalCancer' was mostly tweeted by colorectal surgeons. The official twitter account of American Society of Colorectal Surgeons (@fascrs_updates) was the most active account. CONCLUSION: CRC patients and relatives are increasingly engaging with SM. CRC surgeons' participation is poor, but we confirm a trend toward a greater involvement. Most SM lack of authoritative validation and the quality of shared content still is largely anecdotic and not scientifically evidenced-based. However, SM may offer several advantages over conventional information sharing sources for CRC patients and surgeons, and create connections with mutual enrichment.

Discrepancies between NCCN and ESMO guidelines in the management of anal cancer: a qualitative review.

There is an ever-growing need, with the ongoing developments in research and the progress towards patient centered care, to delineate standardized protocols of management of anal cancer. However, guidelines from different societies show some degree of disagreement. This is a systematic review of the literature to identify similarities and discrepancies between the guidelines for the management of anal cancer drafted by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). We found essentially similar management for investigation, diagnosis, chemotherapy regimens, and radiotherapy doses in both ESMO and NCCN recommendations in the management of anal cancer. There were few differences, which included the levels of evidence and grades of recommendations, the delineation of radiotherapy fields, and the treatment of the elderly and personalized medicine based on genetics. The follow-up regime is also marginally different in the first 2 years. Even if the observed differences may be justified by a different implementation of evidence-based medicine among different countries for particular management modalities of anal cancer, we identified the grey areas which need further study. In addition, these facets should be assessed more carefully when planning future guidelines.