Long-term functional outcome and quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal anastomosis for colitis.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functional outcome in patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. METHOD: A total of 156 patients who underwent IPAA during the period 1984-2003 and who still had an intact pouch were included. The HRQOL score was compared with 4152 individuals from the general Norwegian population using the SF-36 questionnaire, and function was evaluated using the Wexner Continence Grading Scale. RESULTS: One hundred and ten (71%) patients answered the questionnaires, 60 (55%) of whom were men. All except five patients had ulcerative colitis. Median (range) age at interview was 47 (19-66) years, and time after surgery was 12 (2-22) years. The IPAA patients scored slightly, but significantly, lower in four of six SF-36 health domains than the control subjects, adjusted for age and gender. Multiple regression analysis showed frequency of nocturnal defaecation, faecal incontinence and urgency to be independent negative prognostic factors of quality of life. Frequency of defaecation was a median of 7 (3-12) bowel movements during the day and 2 (0-6) at night. The majority had some degree of faecal incontinence, median (range) Wexner score of 8 (0-17), and 40% reported urgency of defaecation necessitating alterations in lifestyle. CONCLUSION: Patients with IPAA reported slightly lower HRQOL rates than the general population and had an inferior functional outcome.

Short term outcome after emergency and elective surgery for colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency presentation of colon cancer is common and associated with high mortality and morbidity following surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative mortality and complications in a consecutive and population based series. METHOD: All patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon diagnosed between 1993 and 2007 were registered prospectively. Postoperative mortality and complication rates in elective and emergency patients were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative complications. RESULTS: In the study period 1129 patients were admitted, of whom 279 (25%) presented as an emergency. A total of 999 (89%) patients underwent surgical treatment; 924 patients (82%) had a major resection. The mortality rate was 3.5% after elective and 10% after emergency operation with resection (P < 0.01), and the complication rate was 24% and 38% (P < 0.01), respectively. In patients with left-sided obstruction, the mortality rate after Hartmann's procedure was 19% compared to 3% after resection with primary anastomosis (P < 0.01). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that emergency operation, increasing age, advanced tumour stage and ASA class IV were independent risk factors for postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Emergency operation for colon cancer was associated with high rates of complications and mortality, indicating that immediate surgery should be avoided if possible. Decompression of left sided obstruction with a stent seems promising, whereas no conclusion can be made with regard to optimal procedure if stent placement fails; in this study Hartmann's procedure was associated with high mortality and morbidity.

Tumour location is a prognostic factor for survival in colonic cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival and prognostic factors in a consecutive series of colon cancer patients from a defined city population in Norway. METHOD: All patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon diagnosed between 1993 and 2000 were registered prospectively. Five-year actuarial survival and 5-year relative survival rates were calculated. Cox regression analyses were used to study the effect of prognostic factors on survival. RESULTS: In the study period 627 patients were admitted. Overall 5-year relative survival was 50% in females and 52% in males. Five-year relative survival in 410 (65%) patients operated with curative intent, was 74% for females and 79% for males. Tumour location in the transverse colon, splenic flexure and descending colon (OR = 1.8), emergency operation (OR = 1.7), TNM stage (OR = 1.8-2.9), blood transfusion of more than two units (OR = 1.8) and age (OR = 4.0-7.1) were independent negative prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Colon cancer located in the transverse and descending colon is associated with poor prognosis. Comparison of results from different centres is difficult due to selection and classification differences, and different methods used for calculation of survival.

Local recurrence after mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

AIMS: Controversy still exists about the optimal surgical treatment of rectal cancer. The main purpose of the present study was to compare local recurrence (LR) rates after mesorectal excision (ME) and conventional surgery (CS) technique. METHODS: All rectal cancer patients from a defined catchment area were included. Outcome after ME in the period 1993-1999 (n=161) was compared with the outcome after CS (n=217) in the period 1983-1992. Partial ME (PME) was the routine in upper, and total ME the routine in mid- and low rectal cancer. The follow-up programmes were identical, and the median observation times very similar (37 and 38 months) in the two periods. Five-year actuarial LR rate and survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and adjustment for prognostic factors was performed with Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Total LR rate after R0 resection was 7.7% crude and 9% 5 year actuarial in the ME period, as compared with 16.0% crude and 24% actuarial in the CS period (P=0.02). Cox regression analyses confirmed these differences with a hazard ratio of 0.40 for ME vs CS (P=0.02). Isolated LR rate was 2% after ME and 8% after CS. Five-year actuarial total LR rate after rectal resection with curative intent was 11% after ME and 27% after CS (P<0.01). Actuarial total LR rate after PME was 6%, and none of these patients developed isolated LR. CONCLUSION: Standardization of surgical technique and application of ME resulted in a significant reduction of LRs. LR rate was low after PME, indicating that this procedure is adequate in upper rectal cancer.

Mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: functional outcome after low anterior resection and colorectal anastomosis without a reservoir.

OBJECTIVE: The anal sphincters, neorectal capacity and motility may be affected by injury to the autonomic nerves during rectal resection. Anorectal function also depends on the method used for restoration of intestinal continuity, and colonic reservoir reconstruction has been recommended in ultralow anastomosis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the results after nerve preserving mesorectal excision and colorectal anastomosis without a reservoir. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent low anterior resection with primary healing of the anastomosis, were included. Anal manometry with stationary pull through technique, rectal volumetry and symptom scoring (written questionnaires with visual analogue scales) were performed prior to and 12 months after surgery. Anal sphincter function was evaluated in all patients, but five patients with a colonic reservoir were excluded from the other evaluations. Thirty patients entered the main study; 14 patients having a total mesorectal excision (TME) and a low anastomosis (LA) (4-6 cm) and 16 patients a partial mesorectal excision (PME) and a high anastomosis (HA) (7-11 cm from the anal verge). RESULTS: Anal resting and squeeze pressure and rectal sensibility (threshold volume) were unchanged after the operation. The rectal volume eliciting urge to defecate was reduced from median 95 ml to 70 ml (P < 0.01), and the maximum tolerable rectal volume was reduced from 200 to 135 ml (P < 0.01) after the operation. The maximum tolerable volume was significantly lower in patients with LA than in patients with HA (P < 0.01). Overall functional results were good. The patients reported problems with complete bowel emptying (median VAS-score reduction from 90 to 60, P < 0.01), and minor incontinence problems (median VAS-score reduction from 100 to 90, P= 0.03). The reduction of VAS-scores was more pronounced in LA than HA patients (without reaching statistical significance). CONCLUSIONS: Anal sphincter function was preserved after mesorectal excision. Neorectal capacity was reduced, most pronounced in patients with LA. The overall functional results were satisfactory and slightly better in patients with HA than in those with LA.

Laparoscopic resection of the pancreas: a feasibility study of the short-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection is not an established treatment for tumors of the pancreas. We report our preliminary experience with this innovative approach to pancreatic disease. METHODS: Thirty two patients with pancreatic disease were included in the study on an intention-to-treat basis. The preoperative indications for surgery were as follows: neuroendocrine tumors ( n=13), unspecified tumors ( n=11), cysts ( n=2), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with ectopic spleen ( n=2), annular pancreas ( n=1), trauma ( n=1), aneurysm of the splenic artery ( n=1), and adenocarcinoma ( n=1). RESULTS: Enucleations ( n=7) and distal pancreatectomy with ( n=12) and without splenectomy ( n=5) were performed. Three patients underwent laparoscopic exploration only. Four procedures (13%) were converted to an open technique. One resection was converted to a hand-assisted procedure. The mortality rate for patients undergoing laparoscopic resection was 8.3% (two of 24). Complications occurred after resection in nine of 24 procedures (38%). The median hospital stay was 5.5 days (range, 2-22). Postoperatively, opioid medication was given for a median of 2 days (range, 0-13). CONCLUSION: Resection of the pancreas can be performed safely via the laparoscopic approach with all the potential benefits to the patients of minimally invasive surgery.

Staging of rectal carcinoma with transrectal ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) has proven useful for loco-regional staging of rectal carcinoma in specialised centres, but the investigation is not widely used. The aim of this study was to audit the introduction of TRUS performed by surgeons without previous experience with ultrasonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients admitted with rectal carcinoma in the period 1996-2002 entered this prospective, comparative study. TRUS with a stiff endorectal probe was performed preoperatively in 118 consecutive patients, 91 of whom subsequently had rectal resection without preoperative radiotherapy (PRT), and seven who had rectal resection after PRT. Twenty patients did not have resection. The main outcome measures was the feasibility of TRUS in staging of rectal cancer, and the accuracy of T- and N-staging, comparing TRUS with the histopathological examination of resected specimens. RESULTS: TRUS was successful in 81/91 patients who underwent rectal resection without PRT. The accuracy of T-staging was 74% overall; 40% in five pT1 tumours, 81% in 26 pT2 tumours, 80% in 45 pT3 tumours and 25% in four pT4-tumours. With regard to perirectal tissue invasion, the sensitivity and specificity of TRUS was 82% and 84%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 89% and 71%, respectively. The accuracy of TRUS for N-staging was 65%. The sensitivity for detection of lymph node metastases was 41% and the specificity 68%. TRUS was unsuccessful in 21/118 patients, in 12/98 who had rectal resection, and in 9/ 20 who did not have resection, because of stenosis or high location of the tumour precluding correct placing of the probe. CONCLUSIONS: TRUS is often unsuccessful in patients with advanced tumours, especially when the tumour is located in the upper rectum. The predictive values for perirectal tumour invasion were acceptable, but the sensitivity for detection of lymph node metastases was low. These results were obtained by surgeons without previous experience with ultrasonographic examinations.

Endoscopic snare resection followed by laser ablation in the treatment of large, sessile rectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Large sessile rectal adenomas can be difficult to eradicate, and different treatment modalities are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome after endoscopic snare resection followed by Nd:YAG laser ablation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 10-year period 92 of 99 (93%) patients were registered prospectively and attended follow-up examinations with endoscopy and biopsies. RESULTS: Fifty-four (59%) men and 38 (41%) women were included; 67 patients (73%) had high grade (severe) intraepithelial dysplasia or intramucosal neoplasia. The adenomas ranged from 2-9 cm (median 4 cm) in diameter, and were located 2-15 cm (median 5 cm) from the anal verge. A median of two (range 1-6) piecemeal snare resection sessions and a median of one (range 1-7) laser treatments were performed for each patient. Complete eradication was achieved in 86 patients (93%). Over a median follow-up period of 26 months, 20/86 (23%) suffered local recurrence, eight of whom were given a second laser treatment without developing further recurrence. In five of eight frail patients considered unsuitable for more radical treatment, repeated laser treatment was effective in keeping the adenoma small and symptoms at a minimum. As a whole the treatment was successful in 74/92 (80%) and partially successful in 5/92 (5%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Snare resection followed by laser ablation is safe and still has a place in the treatment of old, frail patients with large rectal adenomas. However, there is a risk of missing an infiltrating carcinoma, and other treatment options are preferable in fit patients.

Anastomotic leak following mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: true incidence and diagnostic challenges.

OBJECTIVE: Anastomotic leakage is a potentially serious complication of low anterior resection which may be accompanied by clinical symptoms (clinical leak) or may be silent (subclinical leak). In this study the true incidence of the complication was evaluated, and the diagnostic accuracy of clinical symptoms, conventional rectal radiography (CRR) and computed tomography (CT) was compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients were included in a prospective trial. Clinical parameters were recorded and CRR and CT performed 6-10 days postoperatively or earlier if a leak was suspected. Endoscopy was performed three months postoperatively. RESULTS: Based on all available information including late endoscopy, 5 (9%) patients had clinical leak and five a leak that was asymptomatic during the hospital stay. Clinical assessment, CRR and CT during the hospital stay had an accuracy of 82%, 93% and 94%, respectively, and a sensitivity of 50%, 60% and 57%, respectively. The specificity of clinical assessment was 89%, whereas both CRR and CT had a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of anastomotic leakage seemed acceptable when compared with other series. Fifty per cent of the leaks were silent. CRR and CT may be false negative and immediate treatment should be started if clinical signs are highly suggestive of leak, irrespective of radiological findings CT was not more accurate than CRR in detecting anastomotic leak.

[Gastrointestinal laser treatment]. / Gastrointestinal laserbehandling.

During the seven-year period from 1983 to 1990, 210 patients with gastrointestinal disorders were treated by laser at Aker Hospital. The main reason for the laser treatment was gastrointestinal bleeding, malignant tumour obstruction in oesophagus and rectum, and colorectal adenoma. This treatment has also been used in some patients with benign strictures and in 30 patients with perianal condylomata. In this paper we present the results of the treatment, and our experiences. We conclude that the use of laser has become an established alternative treatment for a number of gastrointestinal conditions.

Endoscopic laser therapy for band penetration of the gastric wall after gastric banding for morbid obesity.

Penetration of the band encircling the stomach after gastric banding for extreme obesity is a well-known complication, which often leads to re-operation. In this report, a case treated successfully by endoscopic Nd:YAG laser therapy is presented.

Perfusion of the human distal colon and rectum evaluated with endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry. Methodologic aspects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate methodologic aspects of colonoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry. A Periflux PF1d flowmeter, set to 4 kHz/0.2 sec, with an endoscopic probe (PF 109) was used. In 20 patients, with a median age of 70 years and without colonic disease, flux was recorded at 10, 40, 30, 20, and again at 10 cm from the anal verge. A median of three repeated recordings were made at each level, to calculate average flux and spatial variation. Median flux was 158 (150-167) perfusion units, and the coefficient of variation of repeated recordings 0.14 (0.12-0.17). There was no regional variation, and no increase in flux at 10 cm from the start until the end of the procedure. Pressure of the probe against the bowel wall and severe distention significantly reduced the flux. The interference of light from the endoscopic light source on the flux could not be predicted. It differed with different light sources, and also with the length of probe coming out of the colonoscope--that is, the distance from the light to the measurement point. To avoid the problem, the light source should be turned off while recording.

[Laser Doppler blood flowmetry]. / Laserdoppler-blodstrømsmåling.

Laser doppler flowmetry is a method for continuous quantification of microvascular perfusion. During the measurements, low energy Helium-Neon laser light is applied to the tissue. Doppler shifted light reflected out of the tissue is then analyzed, and the shift of frequency quantitated. The output signal is proportional to the flux of blood cells in the measuring tissue of some few mm3. Laser doppler flowmetry can easily be applied for measurements on skin and surgically exposed surfaces. Measurements can also be obtained through an endoscope. Measuring probes of diameter 0.5 mm can be introduced into tissues to quantitate microvascular perfusion within tissues. The article reviews the theory of laser doppler flowmetry measurements, presents methodological aspects, and gives examples of clinical application.

[Indications for surgery in ulcerative colitis. Some aspects of a hospital case load]. / Indikasjoner for operasjon ved ulcerøs kolitt. Aspekter ved et sykehusmateriale.

From 1.1.1985 to 1.1.1992, 233 patients with ulcerative colitis were treated in the Medical Department, Aker Hospital. 30 patients (12.9%) were referred for surgery. The main indications for surgery were severe colitis and chronic persisting symptoms. The increased risk of developing colorectal carcinoma in cases of long-standing extensive ulcerative colitis is generally accepted. Many of our unoperated patients belong to this risk group. In the present sample the resection rate was lower than recently reported from Sweden and Denmark. Symptomatic patients in the risk group for developing colorectal carcinoma should be offered surgery more liberally, and asymptomatic patients in this group should be offered colonoscopic surveillance.

Gastric blood flow in patients with gastric ulcer measured by endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry.

Gastric blood flow has been studied endoscopically by laser Doppler flowmetry in 15 patients with chronic gastric ulcer. In all patients the ulcer was located at the lesser curvature of the corpus. The blood flow measured in this area was decreased compared with healthy controls, whereas the flow values in other parts of the stomach were similar to those of controls. In the ulcer bed very low blood flow values were measured. The blood flow of the ulcer margin was similar to that of other parts of the lesser curvature. After 4-6 weeks' treatment with the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine, the ulcer was healed in about 70% of the patients. The blood flow measured at the lesser curvature and in the ulcer area was still low and of the same magnitude as the corresponding values of the first measurement. After 4 months the ulcer was healed in all but one patient. The blood flow of the lesser curvature had increased significantly, whereas decreased blood flow was measured at the distal part of the greater curvature. In the area where the ulcer was located, very low flow values were still measured. This finding may explain why ulcer recurrence usually occurs at the site of the primary ulcer.

Clinical significance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with adenocarcinoma in colon and rectum.

Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum has been performed in 253 patients with proved adenocarcinoma in the colon and rectum. Preoperative CEA was normal in 58.3% of the patients. A correlation between CEA level and Dukes' grading was found. There was, however, no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate between patients with normal and patients with elevated pre-operative CEA. Transient CEA elevation was seen in the follow-up period after curative resection in 21.8%. 75% of the patients with recurrence had abnormal CEA, and CEA elevation was the first sign of recurrence in 59.1%. The majority of these patients, however, had advanced disease not available for surgical treatment. In cases with local resectable tumour CEA often was normal. Only a few patients had advantage of CEA determination for diagnosis of recurrence and its routine use is therefore questioned.

The effects of water-soluble contrast media on luminal distension and blood flow in closed loops of small bowel in minipigs.

The effects of iohexol, sodium diatrizoate, and physiologic saline on intestinal distension and circulation were observed for 8 h in nine minipigs with closed-loop obstruction of the small bowel. The two contrast media led to an elevation of intraluminal pressures when initially instilled at pressures above 35 mm Hg. These elevated pressures were not high enough to cause rupture of the bowel wall. Both contrast media caused severe mucosal ischaemia as judged from histologic sections, loops containing sodium diatrizoate more so than iohexol. The blood circulation of the bowel wall, examined by laser Doppler flowmetry, was after 6 to 8 h reduced to about 10% of the values of non-obstructed bowel at intraluminal pressures of about 70 mm Hg in the loops with iohexol and sodium diatrizoate. The correlation to osmolality was obvious when compared with concurrent observations in the loops with physiologic saline. In the bowel loops filled with physiologic saline the pressure fell to 5 mm Hg after 8 h, regaining approximately one-third of pre-instillation levels of blood flow. On microscopy these bowel loops had a nearly normal mucosa.

Evaluation of endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry for measurement of human gastric blood flow. Methodologic aspects.

Endoscopic measurement of gastric blood perfusion by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has been evaluated in 28 patients and 15 healthy volunteers. During the recordings it was necessary to keep the probe in light contact with the mucosa to obtain stable curves and to avoid artificial Doppler signals caused by relative movements between the gastric wall and the probe. Gastric distention by air insufflation did not influence the recorded flow level significantly when air insufflation was moderate. The intravenous injection of 0.6 mg atropine did not cause any significant alteration in recorded blood flow, and this drug may be used as premedication before endoscopic blood flow measurements. Recordings with both 4- and 12-kHz bandwidth of the LDF instrument showed a relative constant relationship for different flow levels, the flow values measured with 12 kHz being about twice the corresponding values measured with 4 kHz. With 12-kHz bandwidth more of the disturbance signal is recorded, which makes analysis of endoscopic recorded flow curves difficult and inaccurate. It is therefore recommended to use 4-kHz bandwidth during endoscopic measurements in conscious humans. Blood flow measurements from both sides of the gastric wall were consistently of the same order of magnitude (r = 0.91), and the endoscopically recorded output signal increased in three of five patients when a reflecting mirror was placed at the serosal side. The results indicate that endoscopic LDF usually represents blood perfusion in all layers of the gastric wall.

Human gastric blood circulation evaluated by endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry.

Endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry was used to study gastric blood circulation in 34 healthy subjects. This paper presents the results of methodological studies and blood flux measurements in different parts of the stomach. In the recorded curve the flux level was easy to define, even though fluctuations synchronous with heart beat, respiration, and peristalsis were visible. The temporal and spatial variations of recorded values were within acceptable limits. Angulation between the measuring probe and mucosa and moderate pressure of the probe against the gastric wall did not seem to influence the recorded values significantly. When the blood circulation was examined in different parts of the stomach, the values along the lesser curvature were significantly lower than the values along the greater curvature (p less than 0.01).

Effect of pentagastrin and cimetidine on gastric blood flow measured by laser Doppler flowmetry.

Endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry has been used to study the effect of the secretagogue pentagastrin and the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine on gastric blood flow in 24 healthy subjects. The subcutaneous injection of pentagastrin, 0.6 micrograms/kg body weight, caused a significant increase in gastric acid secretion. This increase did not provoke any significant change in gastric blood flow, measured in seven defined areas of the oesophagus and stomach. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between the level of basal and maximal acid secretion and blood flow. The infusion of 200 mg cimetidine caused a significant reduction of gastric blood flow in five of the seven investigated areas (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01). Cimetidine had no effect on blood pressure or skin blood flow, measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The study was performed without previous stimulation of acid secretion, and blood flow reduction was measured in both the corpus and the antrum of the stomach. The effect of cimetidine is therefore hardly a result of the acid-reducing effect of the drug. In this study no significant relationship could be shown between the gastric wall blood flow and acid secretion.