Validation of a scoring system to predict bladder dysfunction after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: A recent trend in  urinary catheter management in patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery is early removal. However, some patients develop bladder dysfunction and require urinary re-catheterization. In 2016, a scoring system to predict bladder dysfunction after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery was developed in our institution. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the validity of this scoring system and to determine the suitability of patients for early removal of urinary catheter. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study from a prospective database was conducted on 234 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and December 2019. According to bladder dysfunction predictive score, the urinary catheter was removed on the first postoperative day (low-risk group) and fifth postoperative day (high-risk group). After catheter removal, all patients were managed using in-house protocols. RESULTS: Of 234 patients, 130 (55.6%) were classified as a low-risk group. The overall incidence of bladder dysfunction was 8.5% (11/130) in the low-risk group and 13.5% (14/104) in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: The scoring system developed to predict bladder dysfunction showed good overall performance for discriminating between patients suitable or not for early removal of urinary catheter after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Short- and long-term outcomes of subtotal/total colectomy in the management of obstructive left colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Surgical management of obstructive left colon cancer (OLCC) is still a matter of debate. The classic Hartmann procedure (HP) has a disadvantage that requires a second major operation. Subtotal colectomy/total abdominal colectomy (STC/TC) with ileosigmoid or ileorectal anastomosis is proposed as an alternative procedure to avoid stoma and anastomotic leakage. However, doubts about morbidity and functional outcome and lack of long-term outcomes have made surgeons hesitate to perform this procedure. Therefore, this trial was designed to provide data for morbidity, functional outcomes, and long-term outcomes of STC/TC. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed consecutive cases of OLCC that were treated by STC/TC between January 2000 and November 2020 at a single tertiary referral center. Perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes of STC/TC were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-five descending colon cancer (45.5%) and 30 sigmoid colon cancer cases (54.5%) were enrolled in this study. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients. The majority complication was postoperative ileus (10 of 12). Anastomotic leakage and perioperative mortality were not observed. At 6 to 12 weeks after the surgery, the median frequency of defecation was twice per day (interquartile range, 1-3 times per day). Eight patients (14.5%) required medication during this period, but only 3 of 8 patients required medication after 1 year. The 3-year disease-free survival was 72.7% and 3-year overall survival was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: The risk of anastomotic leakage is low after STC/TC. Functional and long-term outcomes are also acceptable. Therefore, STC/TC for OLCC is a safe, 1-stage procedure that does not require diverting stoma.