Rectovaginal Fistula: What Is the Role of Martius Flap and Gracilis Muscle Interposition in the Therapeutic Strategy?

BACKGROUND: Although numerous treatments exist for the management of rectovaginal fistula, none has demonstrated its superiority. The role of diverting stoma remains controversial. A few series include Martius flap in the armamentarium. OBJECTIVE: Determine the role of gracilis muscle interposition and Martius flap in the surgical management of rectovaginal fistula. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of a pooled prospectively maintained database from 3 centers. PATIENTS: All consecutive eligible patients with rectovaginal fistula undergoing Martius flap and gracilis muscle interposition were included from 2001 to 2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success was defined by the absence of stoma and rectovaginal fistula. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included with 55 Martius flap and 24 gracilis muscle interposition performed after failures of 164 initial procedures. Total length of stay was longer for gracilis muscle interposition by 2 days ( p = 0.01) without a significant difference in severe morbidity (20% vs 12%, p = 0.53). Twenty-seven percent of the Martius flap interpositions were performed without a stoma, which did not have an impact on overall morbidity ( p = 0.763). Per patient immediate success rates were not significantly different between groups (35% vs 31%, p > 0.99). The success of gracilis muscle interposition after the failure of the Martius flap was not significantly different from an initial gracilis muscle interposition ( p > 0.99). After simple perineal procedures, the immediate success rate rose to 49.4% (49% vs 50%, p > 0.99). After a median follow-up of 23 months, no significant difference was detected in success rate between the 2 procedures (69% vs 69%, p > 0.99). Smoking was the only negative predictive factor ( p = 0.02). LIMITATIONS: By its retrospective nature, this study is limited in its comparison. CONCLUSIONS: This novel comparison between Martius flap and gracilis muscle interposition suggests that Martius flap presents several advantages, including shorter length of stay, similar morbidity, and similar success rate. Proximal diversion via a stoma for Martius flap does not appear mandatory. Gracilis muscle interposition could be reserved as a salvage procedure after Martius flap failure. See Video Abstract . FSTULA RECTOVAGINAL CUL ES EL ROL DEL COLGAJO DE MARTIUS Y LA INTERPOSICIN DEL MSCULO GRACILIS EN LA ESTRATEGIA TERAPUTICA: ANTECEDENTES:Si bien existen numerosos tratamientos para el manejo de la fistula rectovaginal, ninguno ha demostrado su superioridad. El papel del estoma de derivación sigue siendo controvertido. Pocas series incluyen colgajo de Martius en el armamento.OBJETIVO:Determinar el rol de la interposición del músculo gracilis y del colgajo de Martius, en el manejo quirúrgico de la fístula rectovaginal.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de una base de datos mantenida prospectivamente en 3 centros.AJUSTES/PACIENTES:Se incluyeron todos los pacientes elegibles consecutivos con fistula rectovaginal sometidos a colgajo de Martius y la interposición del músculo gracilis desde 2001 hasta 2022.RESULTADOS PRINCIPALES:El éxito se definió por la ausencia de estoma y fistula rectovaginal.RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron 62 pacientes con 55 colgajo de Martius y 24 con interposición del músculo gracilis realizados después de fracasos de 164 procedimientos iniciales. La duración total de la estancia hospitalaria fue dos días más larga para la interposición del músculo gracilis ( p = 0,01) sin una diferencia significativa en la morbilidad grave (20% frente a 12%, p = 0,53). El 27% de los colgajos de Martius se realizaron sin estoma, sin impacto en la morbilidad global ( p = 0,763). Las tasas de éxito inmediato por paciente no fueron significativamente diferentes entre los grupos (35% vs. 31%, p = 1,0). El éxito de la interposición del músculo gracilis después del fracaso del colgajo de Martius no fue significativamente diferente de una interposición del músculo gracilis inicial (p = 1,0). La tasa de éxito inmediato aumentó al 49,4% (49% frente a 50%, p = 1,0) después de procedimientos perineales simples. Después de una mediana de seguimiento de 23 meses, no se detectaron diferencias significativas en la tasa de éxito entre los dos procedimientos (69 % frente a 69 %, p = 1,0). El tabaquismo fue el único factor predictivo negativo ( p = 0,02).LIMITACIONES:Por su naturaleza retrospectiva, este estudio tiene limitaciones en su comparación.CONCLUSIÓN:Esta novedosa comparación entre colgajo de Martius y la interposición del músculo gracilis sugiere que el colgajo de Martius presenta varias ventajas, incluida una estancia prolongada más corta, una morbilidad similar y un éxito. La derivación proximal a través de un estoma para el colgajo de Martius no parece obligatoria. La interposición del músculo gracilis podría reservarse como procedimiento de rescate después de una falla de colgajo de Martius. (Traducción-Dr. Aurian Garcia Gonzalez ).

Discontinuation of neoadjuvant therapy does not influence postoperative short-term outcomes in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with resectable gastric cancer: a population-based study from the dutch upper gastrointestinal cancer audit (DUCA) data.

BACKGROUND: For the elderly patients with gastric cancer, it may be more challenging to tolerate complete neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). The impact of discontinued NAT on the surgical safety and pathological outcomes of elderly patients with poor tolerance remains poorly understood. METHODS: Gastric cancer patients received gastrectomy with curative intent from the Dutch upper GI cancer audit (DUCA) database were included in this study. The independent association of age with not initiating and discontinuation of NAT was assessed with restricted cubic splines (RCS). According to the RCS results, age ≥ 70 years was defined as elderly. Short-term postoperative outcomes and pathological results were compared between elderly patients who completed and discontinued NAT. RESULTS: Between 2011- 2021, total of 3049 patients were included. The risk of not initiating NAT increased from 70 years. In 1954 (64%) patients receiving NAT, the risk of discontinuation increased from 55 years, reaching the peak around 74 years. In the elderly, discontinued NAT was not independently associated with worse 30-day mortality, overall complications, anastomotic leakage, re-intervention, and pathologic complete response, but was associated with a higher risk of R1/2 resection (p-value = 0.001), higher ypT stage (p-value = 0.004), ypN + (p-value = 0.008), and non-response ( p-value = 0.012). CONCLUSION: A decreased utilization of NAT has been observed in Dutch gastric cancer patients from 70 years due to old age considerations, possibly because of their high risk of discontinuation. Increasing the utilization of NAT may not adversely impact the surgical safety of gastric cancer population ≥ 70 years and may contribute to better pathological results.

Impact of diverting ileostomy on functional outcome and quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis.

AIM: Diverting ileostomy (DS) after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) can be omitted in selected patients. Its omission could improve functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL), as has been demonstrated in patients after proctectomy. The aim of this study was to report the impact of diverting ileostomy on functional outcomes and QoL after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). METHODS: This was a retrospective study including all patients operated (2015-2020) for RPC with IPAA. Functional outcome was evaluated by validated scores (LARS, Wexner, Öresland, pouch functional score [PFS] and the ileoanal pouch syndrome severity [IPSS] score). Global health-related QoL was evaluated with the SF-36. We also analysed demographic characteristics, morbidity, correlation between functional outcomes and QoL. RESULTS: Among 179 eligible patients, 150 responded (84%): S- (no stoma = 78; 52%) and S+ (had stoma = 72; 48%). Overall morbidity and anastomotic leak rates were 46% and 9.3%, respectively without difference between the groups. Medians for the functional scores were comparable between the S- and S+ group, respectively: 18 [12.5-31] versus 18 [11-31], p = 0.48 for LARS; 9 [7-11] versus 9 [7-12], p = 0.23 for Wexner's score; 6 [3-13] versus 8 [5-11], p = 0.22 for Öresland's score, 6 [3-13] versus 6.8 [4-12], p = 0.174 for PFS score, and 40 [35-45] versus 46 [42-51], p = 0.045 for IPSS score. The SF-36 summary score was comparable between the two groups without any difference in eight specific health dimensions. After propensity score matching, results were still comparable between the two groups for all scores. Linear regression found a significant correlation between all QoL domains and all functional scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DS for IPAA does not alter either functional outcomes or QoL and can be omitted in selected patients.

What is the rate of definitive stoma after subtotal colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease? A nationwide study of 1860 patients.

AIM: Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require subtotal colectomy (STC) with ileostomy. The recent literature reports a significant number of patients who do not undergo subsequent surgery and are resigned to living with a definitive stoma. The aim of this work was to analyse the rate of definitive stoma and the cumulative incidence of secondary reconstructive surgery after STC for IBD in a large national cohort study. METHOD: A national retrospective study (2013-2021) was conducted on prospectively collected data from the French Medical Information System Database (PMSI). All patients undergoing STC in France were included. The association between definitive stoma and potential risk factors was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1860 patients were included (age 45 ± 9 years; median follow-up 30 months). Of these, 77% (n = 1442) presented with ulcerative colitis. Mortality and morbidity at 90 days after STC were 5% (n = 100) and 47% (n = 868), respectively. Reconstructive surgery was identified in 1255 patients (67%) at a mean interval of 7 months from STC. Seveny-four per cent (n = 932) underwent a completion proctectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis and 26% (n = 323) an ileorectal anastomosis. Six hundred and five (33%) patients with a definitive stoma had an abdominoperineal resection (n = 114; 19%) or did not have any further surgical procedure (n = 491; 81%). Independent risk factors for definitive stoma identified in multivariate analysis were older age, Crohn's disease, colorectal neoplasia, postoperative complication after STC, laparotomy and a low-volume hospital. CONCLUSION: We found that 33% of patients undergoing STC with ileostomy for IBD had definitive stoma. Modifiable risk factors for definitive stoma were laparotomy and a low-volume hospital.

Does an Ileoanal Anastomosis Decrease the Rate of Successful Pregnancy Compared With an Ileorectal Anastomosis? A National Study of 1491 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Report the rate of successful pregnancy in a national cohort of women with either an ileal pouch anal (IPAA) or ileorectal (IRA) anastomosis constructed after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or polyposis. BACKGROUND: Fertility after IPAA is probably impaired. All available data are corroborated by only small sample size studies. It is not known whether construction of IPAA versus IRA influences the odds of subsequently achieving a successful pregnancy, especially with increased utilization of the laparoscopic approach. METHODS: All women (age: 12-45 y) undergoing IRA or IPAA in France for polyposis or IBD, between 2010-2020, were included. A control population was defined as women aged from 12 to 45 years undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy during the same period. The odds of successful pregnancy were studied using an adjusted survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1491 women (IPAA=872, 58%; IRA=619, 42%) were included. A total of 220 deliveries (15%) occurred during the follow-up period of 71 months (39-100). After adjustment, the odds of successful pregnancy was not significantly associated with type of anastomosis (after IPAA: Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.79, 95% confidence interval=0.56-1.11, P =0.17). The laparoscopic approach increased the odds of achieving successful pregnancy (HR=1.79, 95% confidence interval=1.20-2.63, P =0.004). IRA and IPAA significantly impacted fertility when compared with the control population ( P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort study, total colectomy for polyposis or IBD was associated with reduced fertility compared with the general population. No difference in odds of achieving successful pregnancy was found between IRA and IPAA after adjustment. This analysis suggests laparoscopic surgery may be associated with greater likelihood of pregnancy.

Effective initial management of anastomotic leak in the maintenance of functional colorectal or coloanal anastomosis.

PURPOSE: The present study assessed the factors associated with the maintenance of a functional anastomosis in a large consecutive series of patients with anastomotic leakage (AL). METHODS: All consecutive patients presenting with AL after colorectal or coloanal anastomosis (2012-2019) were analyzed. The primary end point was a functional anastomosis without a stoma at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included. AL was initially treated by antibiotics (38%), drainage (43%) or urgent surgery (19%). Initial treatment of AL was not adequate in 24.3%, and reintervention in the form of drainage or surgery was required. A total of 60.9% of patients had a functional anastomosis without a stoma 1 year after surgery. Factors associated with the risk of anastomotic failure at 1 year were diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 4.24 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.39-14.24] p = 0.014), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (OR = 3.03 [95% CI 1.14-8.63] p = 0.03) and Grade B (OR = 6.49 [95% CI 2.23-21.74] p = 0.001) or C leak (OR = 35.35 [95% CI 9.36-168.21] p < 0.001). Among patients treated initially by drainage, side-to-end or J-pouch anastomoses were significantly associated with revision of the anastomosis compared to end-to-end (OR = 12.90, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: After acute AL following coloanal or colorectal anastomosis, 60.9% of patients had a functional anastomosis without a stoma at the 1 year of follow-up. The type of treatment of AL influenced the risk of anastomotic failure.

C-reactive protein values after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: is it still a good marker for intra-abdominal complication? A retrospective cohort study of 347 procedures : CRP after inflammatory bowel disease surgery.

PURPOSE: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a useful predictive test to early detect abdominal complication after colorectal surgery. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is responsible for chronic inflammation and abnormal basal CRP that could influence the interest of its management after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate CRP as an indicator of postoperative complication in a specific IBD population. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients undergoing ileocolic resection or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for IBD between 2012 and 2019. RESULTS: Ileocolic resection represents 242 patients and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis 105 patients. CRP was significantly higher at an early (105.2 ± 56.0 vs 128.1 ± 69.8; p = 0.008) and late stage (112.9 ± 72.8 vs 185.3 ± 111.5; p < 0.0001) for patients having an intra-abdominal complication. A BMI > 25 kg/m2 (p = 0.04) and an open surgical approach (p = 0.009) were associated with higher CRP levels in the first postoperative days (POD). In multivariate analysis, preoperative steroid use (p = 0.06), CRP at POD 3 > 100 mg/L (p = 0.003), and a rise between CRP values (p = 0.007) at 48 h were significantly associated with intra-abdominal complication. A CRP at POD 1 < 75 mg/L was associated with a lower rate of intra-abdominal complication (p = 0.01). A score dividing patients into 3 groups according to these values showed significant differences in intra-abdominal complication and anastomotic leakage rates. CONCLUSION: CRP is a useful predictive marker to detect abdominal complication after surgery in IBD population. Measurement of CRP can help to reduce hospitalization stay and orientate towards complementary examinations.

Impact of Oral Immunonutrition on Postoperative Morbidity in Digestive Oncologic Surgery: A Nation-wide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of preoperative immunonutrition on a nationwide scale. BACKGROUND: According to international guidelines, immunonutrition should be prescribed before major oncologic digestive surgery to decrease postoperative morbidity. Nevertheless, this practice remains controversial. METHODS: We used a prospective national health database named "Echantillon généraliste des Bénéficiaires." Patients were selected with ICD10 codes of cancer and digestive surgery procedures from 2012 to 2016. Two groups were identified: with reimbursement of immunonutrition 45 days before surgery (IN-group) or not (no-IN-group). Primary outcome was 90-day severe morbidity. Secondary outcomes were postoperative length of stay (LOS) and overall survival. Logistic regression and survival analysis adjusted with IPW method were performed. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred seventy-one patients were included. The proportion of different cancers was as follows: 72% patients were included in the colorectal group, 14% in the hepato-pancreato-biliary group, and 12% in the upper gastrointestinal group. Patients from the IN-group (n = 606, 34%) were younger (67.1 ±â€Š11.8 vs 69.2 ±â€Š12.2 years, P < 0.001), with increased use of other oral nutritional supplements (49.5% vs 31.8%, P < 0.001) and had more digestive anastomoses (89.4% vs 83.0%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups for 90-day severe morbidity [odds ratio (OR): 0.91, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.73-1.14] or in survival (hazard ratio: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.73-1.08). LOS were shorter in the IN-group [-1.26 days, 95% CI: -2.40 to -0.10)]. CONCLUSION: The preoperative use of immunonutrition before major oncologic digestive surgery was not associated with any significant difference in morbidity or mortality. However, the LOS was significantly shorter in the IN-group.

Surgical management of insulinoma over three decades.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports our experience of the perioperative management of patients with sporadic, non-malignant, pancreatic insulinoma. METHODS: A retrospective monocentric cohort study was performed from January 1989 to July 2019, including all the patients who had been operated on for pancreatic insulinoma. The preoperative work-up, surgical management, and postoperative outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty patients underwent surgery for sporadic pancreatic insulinoma, 50 of which were female (62%), with a median age of 50 (36-70) years. Preoperatively, the tumors were localized in 76 patients (95%). Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging allowed exact preoperative tumor localization in 76% of the patients (64-85 and 58-88 patients, respectively), increasing to 96% when endoscopic ultrasonography was performed. Forty-one parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomies (PSP) (including enucleation, caudal pancreatectomy, and uncinate process resection) and 39 pancreatic resections were performed. The mortality rate was 6% (n = 5), with a morbidity rate of 72%, including 24 severe complications (30%) and 35 pancreatic fistulas (44%). No differences were found between formal pancreatectomy and PSP in terms of postoperative outcome procedures. The surgery was curative in all the patients. CONCLUSION: CT used in combination with endoscopic ultrasonography allows accurate localization of insulinomas in almost all patients. When possible, a parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy should be proposed as the first-line surgical strategy.

Can a Local Drainage Salvage a Failed Colorectal or Coloanal Anastomosis? A Prospective Cohort of 54 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Local drainages can be used to manage leakage in select patients without peritonitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of drainage procedures in maintaining a primary low anastomosis after anastomotic leakage. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was performed on a prospectively maintained database. SETTINGS: The study was performed between 2014 and 2017 in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing rectal resections with either a colorectal or coloanal anastomosis with diverting stoma were identified. Anastomotic leakages requiring a radiological or transanal drainage without peritonitis were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the maintenance of the primary anastomosis after local drainage of an anastomotic leakage and stoma reversal. RESULTS: A low anastomosis for rectal cancer with diverting stoma was performed in 326 patients. A total of 77 anastomotic leakages (24%) occurred, of which, 6 (8%) required abdominal surgery, 17 (22%) were treated conservatively (medical management), and 54 (70%) were managed by drainage. Surgical transanal drainage was performed in 21 patients (39%), with radiologic drainage procedures performed in 33 patients (61%). The median interval between surgery and drainage was 13 days (range, 9-21 d). Five patients (9%) required emergency abdominal surgery. Twenty-seven patients (50%) did not require any additional intervention after drainage procedure, whereas 21 patients (39%) underwent redo anastomotic surgery. Forty-three patients (80%) had no stoma at the end of follow-up. Failure to maintain the primary anastomosis after local drainage was associated with increased age (p = 0.04), a pelvic per-operative drainage (p = 0.05), a drainage duration >10 days (p = 0.002), the time between surgery and drainage >15 days (p = 0.03), a side-to-end or J-pouch anastomosis (p = 0.04), and surgical transanal drainage (p = 0.03). LIMITATIONS: The small sample size of the study was the main limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Local drainage procedures maintained primary anastomosis in 50% of cases after an anastomotic leakage. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B57. ¿PUEDE UN DRENAJE LOCAL SALVAR UNA ANASTOMOSIS COLORRECTAL O COLOANAL FALLIDA? UNA COHORTE PROSPECTIVO DE 54 PACIENTES: Los drenajes locales se pueden utilizar para controlar las fugas en pacientes seleccionados sin peritonitis.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de los procedimientos de drenaje, para mantener una anastomosis primaria baja, después de una fuga anastomótica.Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en una base de datos mantenida prospectivamente.El estudio se realizó entre 2014-2017, en un centro de referencia terciaria.Se identificaron pacientes sometidos a resecciones rectales con anastomosis colorrectal o coloanal y estoma de derivación. Se incluyeron fugas anastomóticas sin peritonitis, que requirieron drenaje radiológico o transanal.El resultado primario fue el mantenimiento de la anastomosis primaria, después del drenaje local de una fuga anastomótica y la reversión del estoma.Se realizó una anastomosis baja para cáncer rectal con estoma derivativo en 326 pacientes. Se produjeron 77 (24%) fugas anastomóticas, de las cuales 6 (8%) requirieron cirugía abdominal, 17 (22%) fueron tratadas de forma conservadora (tratamiento médico) y 54 (70%) fueron manejadas por drenaje. Se realizó drenaje transanal en 21 pacientes (39%) y procedimientos de drenaje radiológico en 33 pacientes (61%). La mediana del intervalo entre la cirugía y el drenaje fue de 13 días [9-21]. 5 (9%) pacientes requirieron cirugía abdominal de emergencia. Veintisiete (50%) pacientes no requirieron ninguna intervención adicional después del procedimiento de drenaje, mientras que 21 pacientes (39%) se sometieron a una reparación quirúrgica anastomótica. 43 pacientes (80%) no tuvieron estoma al final del seguimiento. El fracaso para mantener la anastomosis primaria después del drenaje local, se asoció con un aumento de la edad (p = 0.04), un drenaje pélvico preoperatorio (p = 0.05), una duración del drenaje >10 días (p = 0.002), el tiempo entre la cirugía y el drenaje >15 días (p = 0.03), anastomosis termino lateral o bolsa en J (p = 0.04) y drenaje quirúrgico transanal (p = 0.03).El pequeño tamaño de la muestra del estudio fue la principal limitación.Después de la fuga anastomótica, los procedimientos del drenaje local conservaron la anastomosis primaria en el 50% de los casos. Vea el Resumen del Video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B57.

Prognostic value of tumor deposits in rectal cancer: A monocentric series of 505 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that tumor deposits (TDs) may have a worse prognosis in rectal cancer compared with colonic cancer. The aim of this study was to assess TDs prognosis in rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent total mesorectum excision for rectal adenocarcinoma (2011-2016) were included. A case-matched analysis was performed to assess the accurate impact of TDs for each pN category after exclusion of synchronous metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 505 patients were included. TDs were observed in 99 (19.6%) patients, (pN1c = 37 [7.3%]). TDs were associated with pT3-T4 stage (P = .037), synchronous metastasis (P = .003), lymph node (LN) invasion (P = .041), vascular invasion (P = .001), and perineural invasion (P < .001). TD was associated with a worse 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) among pN0 (51.2% vs 79.8%; P < .001); pN1 patients (35.2% vs 70.1%; P = .004) but not among pN2 patients (37.5% vs 44.7%; P = .499). After matching, pN1c patients had a worse 3-year DFS compared with pN0 patients (58.6% vs 82.4%; P = .035) and a tendency toward a worse DFS among N1 patients (40.1% vs 64.2%; P = .153). DFS was worse when one TD was compared with one invaded LN (40.8% vs 81.3%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: In rectal cancer, TDs have a metastatic risk comparable to a pN2 stage which may lead to changes in adjuvant treatment.

Impact of interhospital competition on mortality of patients operated on for colorectal cancer faced to hospital volume and rurality: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Contradictions remain on the impact of interhospital competition on the quality of care, mainly the mortality. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of interhospital competition on postoperative mortality after surgery for colorectal cancer in France. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study from 2015 to 2019. Data were collected from a National Health Database. Patients operated on for colorectal cancer in a hospital in mainland France were included. Competition was measured using number of competitors by distance-based approach. A mixed-effect model was carried out to test the link between competition and mortality. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent (n = 152,235) of the 160,909 people operated on for colorectal cancer were included in our study. The mean age of patients was 70.4 ±12.2 years old, and female were more represented (55%). A total of 726 hospitals met the criteria for inclusion in our study. Mortality at 30 days was 3.6% and we found that the mortality decreases with increasing of the hospital activity. Using the number of competitors per distance method, our study showed that a "highly competitive" and "moderately competitive" markets decreased mortality by 31% [OR: 0.69 (0.59, 0.80); p<0.001] and by 12% respectively [OR: 0.88 (0.79, 0.99); p<0.03], compared to the "non-competitive" market. High hospital volume (100> per year) was also associated to lower mortality rate [OR: 0.74 (0.63, 0.86); p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our studies show that increasing hospital competition independently decreases the 30-day mortality rate after colorectal cancer surgery. Hospital caseload, patients' characteristics and age also impact the post-operative mortality.

Impact of the thresholds of surgical volume on mortality in oncological digestive surgery: A French National Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To report the 90-day mortality benefit associated with the implementation of the new regulatory reform on oncological surgical digestive authorizations. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: New thresholds in digestive cancer surgery were applied in 2023, accrediting centers for major interventions. No evidence has been provided to support their justification. METHODS: Any French adult operated for digestive cancer from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 was included from the PMSI. A 90-day mortality logistic regression was performed by adjusting by age, sex, Charlson score, Frailty index, hospital-volume (<5 or ≥5 interventions/year), emergency intervention, specialty. RESULTS: 143,582 patients were identified. Of these, 64,268 underwent surgery of one of the subspecialties subject to the new thresholds (stomach N = 8283, liver N = 18,668, pancreas N = 11,220, esophagus N = 3704, rectum N = 22,393). 4808 (7.5 %) patients underwent surgery in low-volume centers, distributed as follows: stomach 1757/8283 (22.94 %), liver 970/18,668 (5.19 %), pancreas 895/11,220 (7.98 %), esophagus 672/3704 (18.14 %) and rectum 514/22,393 (2.29 %). In univariate analysis, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in high-volume centers, for all subspecialties, gastric: 127/1757 (7.23 %) vs 330/6526 (5.06 %), p = 0.0004, hepatic: 64/970 (6.6 %) vs 824/17,698 (4.66 %), p = 0.006, pancreatic: 74/895 (8, 27 %) vs 608/10,325 (5.89 %), p = 0.004, esophageal: 58/672 (8.63 %) vs 195/3032 (6.43 %), p = 0.04, rectal 26/514 (5.06 %) vs 639/21,879 (2.92 %), p = 0.005. The multivariate analysis, showed a mortality reduction for high-volume centers: OR = 0.78 CI95[0.71-0.87], p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The recent implementation of regulatory decrees appears to be justified. The enforcement of these hospital volume thresholds is likely to contribute to a reduction in postoperative mortality following digestive cancer surgery.

MIRO study: Do the results of a randomized controlled trial apply in a real population?

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the external validity of the MIRO randomized controlled trial findings in a similar nationwide setting "real life" population, especially the benefit of a hybrid approach in esophageal resection for pulmonary complication. The external validity of randomized controlled trial findings to the general population with the same condition remains problematic because of the inherent selection bias and rigid inclusion criteria. METHODS: This study was a cohort study from a National Health Database (Programme de Medicalisation des Systemes d'Informations) between 2010 and 2022. All adult patients operated on using Ivor Lewis resection for esophageal cancer were included. We first validated the detection algorithm of postoperative complications in the health database. Then, we assessed the primary outcome, which was the comparison of postoperative severe pulmonary complications, leak rate, and 30-day mortality between the 2 surgical approaches (hybrid versus open) over a decade. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2012, 162 of 205 patients in the MIRO trial were anonymously identified in the health care database. No difference between randomized controlled trials and healthcare database measurements was found within severe respiratory complications (24% vs 22%, respectively) nor within leak rate (10% vs 9%, respectively). After application of selection criteria according to the MIRO trial, 3,852 patients were included between 2013 and 2022. The hybrid approach was a protective factor against respiratory complications after adjustment for confounding variables (odds ratio = 0.83; 95% confidence interval = 0.71-0.98, P = .025). No significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate or 30-day leakage rate between the types of approach was reported. CONCLUSION: This national cohort study demonstrates the external validity of the MIRO randomized controlled trial findings in a real-life population within France.

Clinical care pathways of patients with biliary tract cancer: A French nationwide longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of BTC is raising, national healthcare strategies to improve care lack. We aimed to explore patient clinical care pathways and strategies to improve biliary tract cancer (BTC) care. METHODS: We analysed the French National Healthcare database of all BTC inpatients between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021. Multinomial logistic regression adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were used to identify healthcare organisation factors that influenced access to curative care both overall and in a longitudinal sensibility analysis using optimal matching and hierarchical ascending classification to detect a subgroup of curative-care patients with a high survival over a two-year period. RESULTS: A total of 19,825 new BTC patients and three clinical care pathways (CCP) were identified: 'Palliative care' (PC-CCP), 'Non-curative Care' (NCC-CCP) and 'Curative Care' (CC-CCP) involving 7669 (38.7%), 7721 (38.9%) and 4435 (22.4%) patients respectively. Out of 1200 centers involved in BTC treatment, 84%, 11% and 5% were of low- (<15 patients/year), medium- (15-30 patients/year) and high-volume (>30 patients/year) respectively. Among patient, tumor and hospital factors, BTC management in academic (aOR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.98-2.71), private (2.51; 2.22-2.83), semi-private (2.25; 1.91-2.65) and in high- (2.09; 1.81-2.42) or medium-volume (1.49; 1.33-1.68) centers increased probability to CC-CCP. These results were maintained in a longitudinal cluster of 2363 (53%) CC-CCP patients presenting a higher two-year survival compared with the rest [96.4% (95.1; 97.6) vs. 38.8% (36.3; 41.4), log-rank p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Among factors subject to healthcare policy improvement, the volume and type of centers managing BTC strongly influenced access to curative care.

Ambulatory appendectomy for acute appendicitis: Can we treat all the patients? A prospective study of 451 consecutive ambulatory appendectomies out of nearly 2,000 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis represents the leading cause of acute gastrointestinal disorders, but only a small series regarding ambulatory appendectomies are available. The aim of this study was to report the results of ambulatory (day-case) appendectomy for acute appendicitis in a large consecutive cohort and to improve selection criteria in order to extend the indications. METHODS: All appendectomy procedures for acute appendicitis (March 2013 to June 2020) were included retrospectively. Criteria to select patients eligible for ambulatory appendectomy were based on our clinico-radiological St-Antoine's score ≥4. RESULTS: In total, 1,730 consecutive patients had an appendectomy for acute appendicitis: 1,279 (74%) in conventional settings and 451 (26%) in ambulatory settings. In the conventional group, 360 (28%) patients had surgery deferred to the next morning, whereas in the ambulatory group, 309 patients (70%) were readmitted the next morning (P < .0001). In the ambulatory group, 376 (83%) patients satisfied the criteria (score ≥4), and 90.9% were discharged on postoperative day 0. Rates of unplanned consultation and readmission were not significantly different (5.1% vs 6.6% P = .243). Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort confirmed absence of radiological perforation as highly predictive of early discharge (odds ratio = 6.073). In our cohort, these patients had an early discharge rate of 86.4% compared to 90.2% in those with a St-Antoine's score ≥4. Considering only radiological evidence of perforation as a selection criterion for ambulatory appendectomy, 581 more patients would be eligible for ambulatory surgery (+60%). CONCLUSION: Ambulatory surgery for acute appendicitis based on St-Antoine's score is safe. We propose to extend the indication for ambulatory management to all patients without radiological evidence of perforation.

Laparoscopic or Open Adrenalectomy for Stage I-II Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Surgical resection of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is the only curative treatment. Even in localized (I-II) stages, open adrenalectomy (OA) is the gold standard, though laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) can be proposed in selected patients. Despite the postoperative benefits of LA, its role in the surgical management of patients with ACC remains controversial regarding oncologic outcomes. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of patients with localized ACC submitted to LA or OA in a referral center from 1995 to 2020. Among 180 consecutive patients operated on for ACC, 49 presented with localized ACC (19 LA and 30 OA). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for tumor size. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year overall survival were similar in both groups (p = 0.166) but 3-year disease-free survival was in favor of OA (p = 0.020). Though LA could be proposed in highly selected patients, OA should still be considered the standard approach in patients with known or suspected localized ACC.

Outcomes Associated With Caustic Ingestion Among Adults in a National Prospective Database in France.

Importance: Caustic ingestion in adults may result in death or severe digestive sequelae. The scarcity of nationwide epidemiological data leads to difficulties regarding the applicability of their analysis to less specialized centers, which are nevertheless largely involved in the emergency management of adverse outcomes following caustic ingestion. Objective: To assess outcomes associated with caustic ingestion in adults across a nationwide prospective database. Design, Settings, and Participants: Adult patients aged 16 to 96 admitted to the emergency department for caustic ingestion between January 2010 and December 2019 were identified from the French Medical Information System Database, which includes all patients admitted in an emergency setting in hospitals in France during this period. Exposure: Esophageal caustic ingestion. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was in-hospital patient outcomes following caustic ingestion. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess independent predictors of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Results: Among 22 657 226 patients admitted on an emergency outpatient basis, 3544 (0.016%) had ingested caustic agents and were included in this study. The median (IQR) age in this population was 49 (34-63) years, and 1685 patients (48%) were women. Digestive necrosis requiring resection was present during the primary hospital stay in 388 patients with caustic ingestion (11%). Nonsurgical management was undertaken in 3156 (89%). A total of 1198 (34%) experienced complications, and 294 (8%) died. Pulmonary complications were the most frequent adverse event, occurring in 869 patients (24%). On multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality included old age, high comorbidity score, suicidal ingestion, intensive care unit admission during management, emergency surgery for digestive necrosis, and treatment in low-volume centers. On multivariate analysis, predictors of morbidity included old age, higher comorbidity score, intensive care unit admission during management, and emergency surgery for digestive necrosis. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, referral to expert centers was associated with improved early survival after caustic ingestion. If feasible, low-volume hospitals should consider transferring patients to larger centers instead of attempting on-site management.