Double faecal immunochemical testing in patients with symptoms suspicious of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Faecal immunochemical test (FIT)-directed pathways based on a single test have been implemented for symptomatic patients. However, with a single test, the sensitivity is 87 per cent at 10 µg haemoglobin (Hb) per g faeces. This aims of this study were to define the diagnostic performance of a single FIT, compared with double FIT in symptomatic populations. METHODS: Two sequential prospective patient cohorts referred with symptoms from primary care were studied. Patients in cohort 1 were sent a single FIT, and those in cohort 2 received two tests in succession before investigation. All patients were investigated, regardless of having a positive or negative test (threshold 10 µg Hb per g). RESULTS: In cohort 1, 2260 patients completed one FIT and investigation. The sensitivity of single FIT was 84.1 (95 per cent c.i. 73.3 to 91.8) per cent for colorectal cancer and 67.4 (61.0 to 73.4) per cent for significant bowel pathology. In cohort 2, 3426 patients completed at least one FIT, and 2637 completed both FITs and investigation. The sensitivity of double FIT was 96.6 (90.4 to 99.3) per cent for colorectal cancer and 83.0 (77.4 to 87.8) per cent for significant bowel pathology. The second FIT resulted in a 50.0 per cent reduction in cancers missed by the first FIT, and 30.0 per cent for significant bowel pathology. Correlation between faecal Hb level was only modest (rs = 0.58), and 16.8 per cent of double tests were discordant, 11.4 per cent in patients with colorectal cancer and 18.3 per cent in those with significant bowel pathology. CONCLUSION: FIT in patients with high-risk symptoms twice in succession reduces missed significant colorectal pathology and has an acceptable workload impact.

Global parental leave in surgical careers: differences according to gender, geographical regions and surgical career stages.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work-life balance globally. METHODS: A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career. RESULTS: Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.

Risk of missing colorectal cancer with a COVID-adapted diagnostic pathway using quantitative faecal immunochemical testing.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has brought an unprecedented challenge to healthcare services. The authors' COVID-adapted pathway for suspected bowel cancer combines two quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (qFITs) with a standard CT scan with oral preparation (CT mini-prep). The aim of this study was to estimate the degree of risk mitigation and residual risk of undiagnosed colorectal cancer. METHOD: Decision-tree models were developed using a combination of data from the COVID-adapted pathway (April-May 2020), a local audit of qFIT for symptomatic patients performed since 2018, relevant data (prevalence of colorectal cancer and sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tools) obtained from literature and a local cancer data set, and expert opinion for any missing data. The considered diagnostic scenarios included: single qFIT; two qFITs; single qFIT and CT mini-prep; two qFITs and CT mini-prep (enriched pathway). These were compared to the standard diagnostic pathway (colonoscopy or CT virtual colonoscopy (CTVC)). RESULTS: The COVID-adapted pathway included 422 patients, whereas the audit of qFIT included more than 5000 patients. The risk of missing a colorectal cancer, if present, was estimated as high as 20.2 per cent with use of a single qFIT as a triage test. Using both a second qFIT and a CT mini-prep as add-on tests reduced the risk of missed cancer to 6.49 per cent. The trade-off was an increased rate of colonoscopy or CTVC, from 287 for a single qFIT to 418 for the double qFIT and CT mini-prep combination, per 1000 patients. CONCLUSION: Triage using qFIT alone could lead to a high rate of missed cancers. This may be reduced using CT mini-prep as an add-on test for triage to colonoscopy or CTVC.

The COVID-19 pandemic: considerations for resuming normal colorectal services.

This European Society of Coloproctology guidance focuses on a proposed conceptual framework to resume standard service in colorectal surgery. The proposed conceptual framework is a schematic and stepwise approach including: in-depth assessment of damage to non-COVID-19-related colorectal service; the return of service (integration with the COVID-19-specific service and the existing operational continuity planning); safety arrangements in parallel with minimizing downtime; the required support for staff and patients; the aftermath of the pandemic and continued strategic planning. This will be dynamic guidance with ongoing updates using critical appraisal of emerging evidence. We will welcome input from all stakeholders (statutory organizations, healthcare professionals, public and patients). Any new questions, new data and discussion are welcome via https://www.escp.eu.com/guidelines.

Intermittent pneumatic compression versus additional prophylaxis with enoxaparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism after laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal malignancies: multicentre randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The role of antithrombotic chemoprophylaxis in prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal malignancies is unknown. This study compared the addition of enoxaparin following intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) with IPC alone in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy. METHODS: In this multicentre RCT, eligible patients were older than 40 years and had a WHO performance status of 0 or 1. Exclusion criteria were prescription of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs and history of VTE. Patients were allocated to IPC or to ICP with enoxaparin in a 1 : 1 ratio. Stratification factors included sex, location of cancer, age 61 years and over, and institution. Enoxaparin was administered on days 1-7 after surgery. Primary outcome was VTE, evaluated by multidetector CT on day 7. RESULTS: Of 448 patients randomized, 208 in the IPC group and 182 in the IPC with enoxaparin group were evaluated. VTE occurred in ten patients (4·8 per cent) in the IPC group and six (3·3 per cent) in the IPC with enoxaparin group (P = 0·453). Proximal deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism occurred in seven patients (3·4 per cent) in the IPC group and one patient (0·5 per cent) in the IPC with enoxaparin group (P = 0·050). All VTE events were asymptomatic and non-fatal. Bleeding occurred in 11 of 202 patients in the IPC with enoxaparin group, and one patient needed a transfusion. All bleeding events were managed by discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSION: IPC with enoxaparin after laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal malignancies did not reduce the rate of VTE. Registration number: UMIN000011667 ( https://www.umin.ac.jp/).

ANTECEDENTES: El papel de la quimioprofilaxis para la prevención del tromboembolismo venoso (venous thromboembolism, VTE) en la cirugía laparoscópica de los tumores malignos gástricos y colorrectales se desconoce. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la quimioprofilaxis antitrombótica (enoxaparina) y la compresión neumática intermitente (intermittent pneumatic compression, IPC) en pacientes sometidos a cirugía laparoscópica de tumores malignos abdominales. MÉTODOS: Se efectuó un ensayo aleatorizado, controlado y multicéntrico de pacientes sometidos a cirugía laparoscópica de tumores gástricos y colorrectales en Japón. Los criterios de inclusión eran pacientes mayores de 40 años de edad y con un estado funcional de WHO de 0-1. Los criterios de exclusión fueron la prescripción al paciente de fármacos antiagregantes o anticoagulantes y la historia de VTE. Los pacientes fueron asignados a IPC y ICP con la adición de enoxaparina en una relación 1:1. Los factores de estratificación incluyeron el sexo, la localización del cáncer, la edad mayor o menor de 61 años, y la institución. La enoxaparina fue administrada en los días postoperatorios (postoperative day, POD) 1-7. El resultado primario fue la VTE evaluada mediante tomografía computarizada multidetector en el POD7. Los cálculos de la potencia determinaron que se requerían 184 pacientes en cada grupo. RESULTADOS: De los 448 pacientes aleatorizados, se evaluaron finalmente 208 pacientes en el grupo IPC y 182 pacientes en el grupo IPC más enoxaparina. La VTE ocurrió en 10 de 208 pacientes en el grupo IPC (4,8%) y 6 de 182 pacientes en el grupo IPC más enoxaparina (3,3%) (P = 0,45). La trombosis venosa profunda proximal (proximal deep vein thrombosis, DVT) y/o el embolismo pulmonar (pulmonary embolism, PE) ocurrieron en 7 de 208 pacientes en el grupo IPC (3,4%) y 1 de 182 pacientes en el grupo IPC más enoxaparina (0,55%) (riesgo relativo 0,163, i.c. del 95% 0,020-1,314, P = 0,0503). Todos los eventos de VTE fueron asintomáticos y no mortales. Se produjo una hemorragia en 11 de 202 pacientes en el grupo IPC con enoxaparina (5,4%, i.c. del 95% 3,1%-9,5%, P < 0,001), y un paciente precisó transfusión. Todos los eventos hemorrágicos pudieron ser tratados con la interrupción del fármaco. CONCLUSIÓN: La IPC con la adición de enoxaparina tras cirugía laparoscópica de los tumores malignos gástricos y colorrectales no disminuye la VTE.

Impact of technically qualified surgeons on laparoscopic colorectal resection outcomes: results of a propensity score-matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) was introduced in Japan to improve the quality of laparoscopic surgery. This cohort study investigated the short- and long-term postoperative outcomes of colorectal cancer laparoscopic procedures performed by or with qualified surgeons compared with outcomes for unqualified surgeons. METHODS: All laparoscopic colorectal resections performed from 2010 to 2013 in 11 Japanese hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. The procedures were categorized as performed by surgeons with or without the ESSQS qualification and patients' clinical, pathological and surgical features were used to match subgroups using propensity scoring. Outcome measures included postoperative and long-term results. RESULTS: Overall, 1428 procedures were analysed; 586 procedures were performed with ESSQS-qualified surgeons and 842 were done by ESSQS-unqualified surgeons. Upon matching, two cohorts of 426 patients were selected for comparison of short-term results. A prevalence of rectal resection (50·3 versus 40·5 per cent; P < 0·001) and shorter duration of surgery (230 versus 238 min; P = 0·045) was reported for the ESSQS group. Intraoperative and postoperative complication and reoperation rates were significantly lower in the ESSQS group than in the non-ESSQS group (1·2 versus 3·6 per cent, P = 0·014; 4·6 versus 7·5 per cent, P = 0·025; 1·9 versus 3·9 per cent, P = 0·023, respectively). These findings were confirmed after propensity score matching. Cox regression analysis found that non-attendance of ESSQS-qualified surgeons (hazard ratio 12·30, 95 per cent c.i. 1·28 to 119·10; P = 0·038) was independently associated with local recurrence in patients with stage II disease. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed with ESSQS-qualified surgeons showed improved postoperative results. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of the qualification on long-term oncological outcomes.

ANTECEDENTES: El Sistema de Certificación de Habilidades Quirúrgicas Endoscópicas (Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System, ESSQS) fue introducido en Japón para mejorar la calidad de la cirugía laparoscópica. En este estudio de cohortes se investigaron los resultados postoperatorios a corto y a largo plazo de las intervenciones laparoscópicas de cáncer colorrectal realizadas por o con la asistencia de cirujanos con certificación en comparación con cirujanos no certificados. MÉTODOS: Todas las resecciones colorrectales laparoscópicas realizadas entre 2010 y 2013 en 11 hospitales japoneses fueron revisadas retrospectivamente. Los procedimientos se clasificaron en función de si habían sido realizados por cirujanos con o sin certificación del ESSQS, y las características clínicas, patológicas y quirúrgicas de los pacientes se utilizaron para emparejar los subgrupos mediante puntuaciones de propensión. Las variables de resultado incluyeron los resultados postoperatorios y a largo plazo RESULTADOS: En total se analizaron 1.428 procedimientos, incluyendo 586 y 842 procedimientos realizados con y sin cirujanos certificados por ESSQS, respectivamente. Tras el emparejamiento, se seleccionaron dos cohortes de 426 pacientes para la comparación de resultados a corto plazo. Se observó una mayor prevalencia de resecciones rectales (50,3% versus 40,1%, P = 0,0001) y un tiempo quirúrgico más corto (230 versus 238 min, P = 0,04) en el grupo ESSQS. Las tasas de complicaciones intra- y postoperatorias y de reoperaciones fueron significativamente más bajas en el grupo ESSQS que en el grupo no ESSQS (1,2%, 4,6% y 1,9% versus 3,6%, 7,5% y 3,9%, P = 0,01; 0,03, y 0,02, respectivamente). Estos hallazgos se confirmaron tras el análisis de emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión. El análisis de regresión de Cox mostró que la no participación de cirujanos certificados con ESSQS (razón de oportunidades, odds ratio, OR 12,3; i.c. del 95%, 1,28-119,1; P = 0,03) se asoció independientemente con la recidiva local en los casos en estadio II. CONCLUSIÓN: Los procedimientos colorrectales laparoscópicos realizados por cirujanos certificados por ESSQS presentaron mejores resultados postoperatorios. Son necesarios más estudios para determinar el impacto de la certificación en los resultados oncológicos a largo plazo.

Long-term outcomes after contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Complex abdominal wall repair (CAWR) in a contaminated operative field is a challenge. Available literature regarding long-term outcomes of CAWR comprises studies that often have small numbers and heterogeneous patient populations. This study aims to assess long-term outcomes of modified-ventral hernia working group (VHWG) grade 3 repairs. Because the relevance of hernia recurrence (HR) as the primary outcome for this patient group is contentious, the need for further hernia surgery (FHS) was also assessed in relation to long-term survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with a single prospective follow-up time-point nested in a consecutive series of patients undergoing CAWR in two European national intestinal failure centers. RESULTS: In long-term analysis, 266 modified VHWG grade 3 procedures were included. The overall HR rate was 32.3%. The HR rates for non-crosslinked biologic meshes and synthetic meshes when fascial closure was achieved were 20.3% and 30.6%, respectively. The rates of FHS were 7.2% and 16.7%, and occurred only within the first 3 years. Bridged repairs showed poorer results (fascial closure 22.9% hernia recurrence vs bridged 57.1% recurrence). Overall survival was relatively good with 80% en 70% of the patients still alive after 5 and 10 years, respectively. In total 86.6% of the patients remained free of FHS. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of contaminated CAWR, non-crosslinked biologic mesh shows better results than synthetic mesh. Bridging repairs with no posterior and/or anterior fascial closure have a higher recurrence rate. The overall survival was good and the majority of patients remained free of additional hernia surgery.

The development and validation of risk-stratification models for short-term outcomes following contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Short-term outcomes for patients undergoing contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CCAWR), including risk stratification, have not been studied in sufficiently high numbers. This study aims to develop and validate risk-stratification models for Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3 complications in patients undergoing CCAWR. METHODS: A consecutive cohort of patients who underwent CCAWR in two European national intestinal failure centers, from January 2004 to December 2015, was identified. Data were collected retrospectively for short-term outcomes and used to develop risk models using logistic regression. A further cohort, from January 2016 to December 2017, was used to validate the models. RESULTS: The development cohort consisted of 272 procedures performed in 254 patients. The validation cohort consisted of 114 patients. The cohorts were comparable in baseline demographics (mean age 58.0 vs 58.1; sex 58.8% male vs 54.4%, respectively). A multi-variate model including the presence of intestinal failure (p < 0.01) and operative time (p < 0.01) demonstrated good discrimination and calibration on validation. Models for wound and intra-abdominal complications were also developed, including pre-operative immunosuppression (p = 0.05), intestinal failure (p = 0.02), increasing operative time (p = 0.04), increasing number of anastomoses (p = 0.01) and the number of previous abdominal operations (p = 0.02). While these models showed reasonable ability to discriminate patients on internal assessment, they were not found to be accurate on external validation. CONCLUSION: Acceptable short-term outcomes after CCAWR are demonstrated. A robust model for the prediction of CD ≥ grade 3 complications has been developed and validated. This model is available online at www.smbari.co.uk/smjconv2.

Contemporary surgical practice in the management of anal fistula: results from an international survey.

BACKGROUND: Management of anal fistula (AF) remains challenging with many controversies. The purpose of this study was to explore current surgical practice in the management of AF with a focus on technical variations among surgeons. METHODS: An online survey was conducted by inviting all surgeons and physicians on the membership directory of European Society of Coloproctology and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. An invitation was extended to others via social media. The survey had 74 questions exploring diagnostic and surgical techniques. RESULTS: In March 2018, 3572 physicians on membership directory were invited to take part in the study 510 of whom (14%) responded to the survey. Of these respondents, 492 (96%) were surgeons. Respondents were mostly colorectal surgeons (84%) at consultant level (84%), age ≥ 40 years (64%), practicing in academic (53%) or teaching (30%) hospitals, from the USA (36%) and Europe (34%). About 80% considered fistulotomy as the gold standard treatment for simple fistulas. Endorectal advancement flap was performed using partial- (42%) or full-thickness (44%) flaps. Up to 38% of surgeons performed ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) sometimes with technical variations. Geographic and demographic differences were found in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AF. Declared rates of recurrence and fecal incontinence with these techniques were variable and did not correlate with surgeons' experience. Only 1-4% of surgeons were confident in performing the most novel sphincter-preserving techniques in patients with Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Profound technical variations exist in surgical management of AF, making it difficult to reproduce and compare treatment outcomes among different centers.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy for full-thickness rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic rectopexy for full-thickness rectal prolapse (FTRP). METHODS: Data of a prospectively maintained database were analysed. A structured telephone interview was conducted to assess a consecutive series of long-term outcomes of an unselected population who had laparoscopic rectopexy at a single centre between April 2006 and April 2014. The primary outcome was recurrence of FTRP. Secondary outcomes were functional outcomes and morbidity associated with the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients (74 female, median age of 66 years, range 23-96 years) underwent a laparoscopic rectopexy, of whom 35 (44%) were for recurrent prolapse. Seventy-two patients (90%) had a posterior suture rectopexy, six (8%) had a ventral mesh rectopexy, one (1%) had a combination of both procedures, and one (1%) had a posterior suture rectopexy with a sacrocolpopexy. There was no conversion to open surgery. Three patients (4%) needed reoperation within 30 days after surgery: two due to small bowel obstruction and one for a suspected port site hernia. Seventy-four patients (93%) were available for either clinical follow-up (FU) or telephone interview and there were 17 (23%) recurrences of FTRP at the median FU of 57 months (range 1-121 months). The median time to recurrence was 12 months (range 1-103 months). Recurrence of FTRP was seen in nine patients (12%) within 1 year following surgery. A history of multiple previous prolapse repairs increased the risk of prolapse recurrence (odds ratio 8.33, 95% confidence interval 1.38-50.47, p = 0.020). Based on clinical follow-up of 71 patients up to 1 year, there were 41 patients (58%) who had faecal incontinence prior to rectopexy of whom two patients (5%) had complete resolution of symptoms and 14 (34%) had improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic rectopexy is a safe operation for full-thickness rectal prolapse. The durability of the repair diminished over time, particularly for patients operated on for recurrent prolapse.

A meta-analysis comparing open anterior component separation with posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release in the repair of midline ventral hernias.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the outcomes of posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release (PCSTAR) with the open anterior component separation (OACS) technique. OACS, first described by Ramirez et al. (Plast Reconstr Surg 86(3):519-526, 1990), has become an established technique for local myofascial advancement in abdominal hernia surgery. PCSTAR, described by Novitsky et al. (Am J Surg 204(5):709-716, 2012), is being used more frequently and is rapidly becoming the technique of choice in complex ventral hernia repair. METHODS: Analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Pubmed databases was performed. Studies reporting exclusively on midline ventral hernia repair were reviewed. Studies describing PCSTAR were selected and compared to matched studies describing OACS. Meta-analysis was used to compare outcomes between the two-pooled groups. RESULTS: Seven studies describing 281 cases of PCSTAR for midline incisional hernia using a retromuscular mesh placement were identified. Six comparable studies describing 285 cases of OACS and retromuscular mesh placement were identified from the same search. Pooled analysis demonstrated a hernia recurrence rate of 5.7% (3.0-8.5) for PCSTAR and 9.5% (4.0-14.9) for OACS. Comparative analysis demonstrated no significant difference between hernia recurrence rate (p = 0.23). The use of bridging mesh was not significantly reduced by the use of PCSTAR (3.1%) when compared to ACS (7.5%) (p = 0.22). No significant difference was found in wound complication rates between PCSTAR and OACS, respectively, 'superficial' 10.9 vs 21.6% (p = 0.15); and 'deep' 9.5 vs 12.7% (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest PCSTAR have comparable outcomes to OACS. This analysis is limited by the lack of comparative studies and heterogenicity in the OACS group.

Relationships between dysphagia and tongue pressure during swallowing in Parkinson's disease patients.

Although dysphagia is a life-threatening problem in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), the pathophysiology of oropharyngeal dysphagia is yet to be understood. This study investigated the tongue motor function during swallowing in relation to dysphagia and the severity of PD. Thirty patients with PD (14 males and 16 females; average age, 69.4 years), Hoehn and Yahr stage II-IV, in Osaka University Hospital are participated in this study. During swallowing 5 ml of water, tongue pressure on the hard palate was measured using a sensor sheet with 5 measuring points. The maximal tongue pressure at each measuring point during swallowing was compared between patients with PD and healthy controls. Subjective assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia was performed using Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire-Japanese. The maximal tongue pressure at each measuring point was significantly lower in patients with PD than in healthy controls (8 males and 12 females; average age, 71.6 years). Furthermore, the maximal tongue pressure was significantly lower in dysphagic PD patients than non-dysphagic PD patients. Loss of tongue pressure production at the anterior part of the hard palate was strongly related to dysphagia in the oral phase as well as in the pharyngeal phase. An abnormal pattern of tongue pressure production was more frequently observed in dysphagic PD patients than in non-dysphagic PD patients. The results suggest that tongue pressure measurement might be useful for early and quantitative detection of tongue motor disability during swallowing in patients with PD.

Major Complex Abdominal Wall Repair in Contaminated Fields with Use of a Non-cross-linked Biologic Mesh: A Dual-Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND: Data on the use of biologic mesh in abdominal wall repair in complex cases remain sparse. Aim of this study was to evaluate a non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix for repair of complex contaminated abdominal wall defects. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing abdominal wall repair with use of Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (LifeCell Corporation, Oxford, UK) between January 2011 and February 2015 at two National Intestinal Failure Units. RESULTS: Eighty patients were identified. Indications for abdominal wall repair included enterocutaneous fistula takedown (n = 50), infected synthetic mesh removal (n = 9), restoration of continuity or creation of a stoma with concomitant ventral hernia repair (n = 12), and others (n = 9). The median defect area was 143.0 cm2 (interquartile range or IQR 70.0-256.0 cm2). All had a grade III or IV hernia. Component separation technique (CST) was performed in 54 patients (68%). Complete fascial closure was not possible despite CST and biologic mesh-assisted traction (bridged repair) in 20 patients (25%). In-hospital mortality was 1%. Thirty-six patients (45%) developed a wound infection. None required mesh removal. Of 76 patients with a median clinical follow-up of 7 months (IQR 4-15) available for analysis, 10 patients (13%) developed a hernia recurrence, of whom 3 had undergone bridged repairs. Seven patients developed a postoperative (recurrent) fistula (9%). CONCLUSION: Repair of challenging and contaminated abdominal wall defects can be done effectively with non-cross-linked biologic mesh and component separation technique without the need for mesh removal despite wound infections.

Complex abdominal wall reconstruction in the setting of active infection and contamination: a systematic review of hernia and fistula recurrence rates.

AIM: Minimal evidence exists to guide surgeons on the risk of complications when performing abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in the presence of active infection, contamination or enterocutaneous fistula. This study aims to establish the outcomes of contaminated complex AWR. METHOD: Analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Pubmed databases was performed. Studies reporting exclusively on single-staged repair of contaminated complex AWR were included. Pooled data were analysed to establish rates of complications. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included, consisting of 601 contaminated complex AWRs, of which 233 included concurrent enterocutaneous fistula repair. The average follow-up period was 26.7 months. There were 146 (24.3%) reported hernia recurrences. When stratified by repair method, suture repair alone had the lowest rate of recurrence (14.2%), followed by nonabsorbable synthetic mesh reinforcement (21.2%), biological mesh (25.8%) and absorbable synthetic mesh (53.1%). Hernia recurrence was higher when fascial closure was not achieved. Of the 233 enterocutaneous fistula repairs, fistula recurrence was seen in 24 patients (10.3%). Suture repair alone had the lowest rate of recurrence (1.6%), followed by nonbiological mesh (10.3%) and biological mesh reinforcement (12%). Forty-six per cent of patients were reported as having a wound-related complication and the mortality rate was 2.5%. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to perform simultaneous enterocutaneous fistula repair and AWR as rates of recurrent fistula are comparable with series describing enterocutaneous fistula repair alone. Hernias recurred in nearly a quarter of cases. This analysis is limited by a lack of comparative data and variability of outcome reporting.

The prevalence of chronic peri-pouch sepsis in patients treated for antibiotic-dependent or refractory primary idiopathic pouchitis.

AIM: Chronic peri-pouch sepsis (CPPS) may be mistaken for antibiotic-dependent or refractory primary idiopathic pouchitis (ADRP), but requires different treatment such as drainage. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of CPPS in patients thought to have ADRP. The secondary aims were to identify any specific features on pouchoscopy suggesting CPPS and to determine the results of treatment for CPPS. METHOD: The records of patients who had been treated for ADRP between March 2006 and June 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Only those with endoscopic evidence of pouch inflammation who had also undergone MRI of the pelvis were included. The findings on pouchoscopy and the outcome of treatment were determined. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients (43 men, 63%) were identified with apparent ADRP between March 2006 and June 2015. MRI of the pelvis showed CPPS in 26 (38%). In those with CPPS, the inflammation was more often located in the upper pouch alone (15%) compared with patients without CPPS (0%) (P = 0.0184). Examination under anaesthesia was performed in 13 of those with CPPS. In five a collection was identified and drained; symptoms improved in only one (4%). Eighteen patients (69%) remained on antibiotics and seven (27%) had a defunctioning stoma or underwent pouch excision. CONCLUSION: In patients thought to have ADRP, 38% had CPPS on MRI. There was no clinically relevant specific feature on pouchoscopy suggestive of CPPS. The possibility of CPPS should be considered early in patients with apparent ADRP and pelvic MRI performed. This might lead to earlier detection of CPPS and appropriate treatment.

Factors related to taste sensitivity in elderly: cross-sectional findings from SONIC study.

The sense of taste is important, as it allows for assessment of nutritional value, as well as safety and quality of foods, with several factors suggested to be associated with taste sensitivity. However, comprehensive variables regarding taste and related factors have not been utilised in previous studies for assessments of sensitivity. In the present study, we performed cross-sectional analyses of taste sensitivity and related factors in geriatric individuals who participated in the SONIC Study. We analysed 2 groups divided by age, 69-71 years (young-old, n = 687) and 79-81 years (old-old, n = 621), and performed a general health assessment, an oral examination and determination of taste sensitivity. Contributing variables were selected by univariate analysis and then subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis. In both groups, females showed significantly better sensitivity for bitter and sour tastes. Additionally, higher cognitive scores for subjects with a fine taste for salty were commonly seen in both groups, while smoking, drinking, hypertension, number of teeth, stimulated salivary flow salt intake and years of education were also shown to be associated with taste sensitivity. We found gender and cognitive status to be major factors affecting taste sensitivity in geriatric individuals.

The role of the defaecating pouchogram in the assessment of evacuation difficulty after restorative proctocolectomy and pouch-anal anastomosis.

AIM: Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the most frequently performed operation for intractable ulcerative colitis (UC) and for many patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It can be complicated by a functional evacuation difficulty, which is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the role of defaecating pouchography in an attempt to assess the mechanism of evacuation difficulty in pouch patients. METHOD: All RPC patients who had had a defaecating pouchogram for evacuation difficulty at one hospital between 2006 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The findings and features were correlated with the symptoms. Demographic, clinical and radiological variables were analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-seven [55 (63%) female] patients aged 47.6 ± 12.5 years (mean standard ± SD) were identified. Thirty-five had a mechanical outlet obstruction and 52 had no identified mechanical cause to explain the evacuation difficulty. The mean age of these 52 [33 (63%) female] patients was 48.2 ± 13 years. Of these 52 patients, significantly more used anti-diarrhoeal medication (P = 0.029), complained of a high frequency of defaecation (P = 0.005), experienced a longer time to the initiation of defaecation (P = 0.049) and underwent pouchoscopy (P = 0.003). Biofeedback appeared to improve the symptoms in 7 of 16 patients with a nonmechanical defaecatory difficulty. The most common findings on defaecating pouchography included residual barium of more than 33% after an attempted evacuation (46%, n = 24), slow evacuation (35%, n = 18) and mucosal irregularity (33%, n = 17). Correlation between radiological features and symptoms showed a statistically significant relationship between straining, anal pain, incontinence and urgency with patterns of anismus or pelvic floor descent or weakness seen on the defaecating pouchogram. Symptoms of incomplete evacuation, difficulty in the initiation of defaecation, high defaecatory frequency and abdominal pain were not correlated with the radiological features of the pouchogram. CONCLUSION: Defaecating pouchography may be useful for identifying anismus and pelvic floor disorders in pouch patients who have symptoms of straining, anal pain or incontinence. In patients with a high frequency of defaecation and abdominal pain it does not provide clinically meaningful information. Patients who complain of straining, incontinence, anal pain or urgency and have anismus or pelvic floor disorders may benefit from behavioural therapy.