Colorectal surgery and surgical site infection: is a change of attitude necessary?

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infection (SSI) can be as high as 30% in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a set of simple preventive measures that have resulted in a reduction in surgical site infection in colorectal surgery. APPLIED METHOD: Prospective study with two groups of patients treated in the colorectal unit of the "Clinico Universitario Lozano Blesa" hospital in Zaragoza. One group was subject to our measures from February to May 2015. The control group was given conventional treatment within a time period of 3 months before the set of measures were implemented. RESULTS: One hundred forty-nine patients underwent a major colorectal surgical procedure. Seventy (47%) belonged to the control group and were compared to the remaining 79 patients (53% of the total), who were subject to our treatment bundle in the period tested. Comparing the two groups revealed that our set of measures led to a general reduction in SSI (31.4 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.010) and in superficial site infection (17.1 vs. 2.5%, p = 0.002). As a consequence, the postoperative hospital stay was shortened (10.0 vs. 8.0 days, p = 0.048). However, it did not, the number of readmissions nor the re-operation rate. SSI was clearly related to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The preventive set of measures applied in colorectal surgery led to a significant reduction of the SSI and of the length of hospital stay.

Treatment of Implant Exposure due to Skin Necroses after Skin Sparing Mastectomy: Initial Experiences Using a Not Selective Random Epigastric Flap.

Breast prostheses exposure is probably the most devastating complication after a skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) and implant-based, one-stage, breast reconstruction. This complication may occur in the immediate post-operative period or in the weeks and even months after the procedure. In most cases, the cause is poor skin coverage of the implant due to skin necrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight consecutive cases of implant exposure (or risk of exposure) due to skin necrosis in SSM patients over a period of 5 years, all patients were treated using a random epigastric rotation flap, executed by the same medical team. RESULTS: A random epigastric flap (island or conventional rotation flap) was used to cover the skin defect. All the patients completed the procedure and all prostheses were saved; there were no cases of flap necrosis or infection. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of skin necrosis after SSM and immediate implant reconstruction, in which the implant is at risk of exposure, can be successfully treated with a random epigastric rotation flap.

Colostomy stenosis due to chronic radiation enteritis. Report of clinical case.

ANTECEDENTES: La colitis actínica es una endarteritis obliterante ocasionada por exposición a radiación ionizante. Se manifiesta de manera aguda (primeras semanas) o crónica (hasta 30 años después). CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente tratado por neoplasia rectal mediante quimiorradioterapia y amputación abdominoperineal. En su estudio por cuadros oclusivos se objetiva una estenosis colónica desde la colostomía hasta el ángulo hepático. Se lleva a cabo cirugía resectiva, con resultado favorable. CONCLUSIONES: En los próximos años es previsible un aumento en la incidencia de esta patología. Resultará fundamental establecer un nivel de sospecha que nos permita detectar los casos, así como establecer medidas que prevengan su aparición. BACKGROUND: Radiation colitis is a obliterans endarteritis caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. It manifests early or late in time. CASE REPORT: We present a case of rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy and abdominoperineal resection ten years before. Patient suffered occlusive periods and colonoscopy showed stenotic colon extending from the colostomy up hepatic flexure. Colonic resection surgery was performed. CONCLUSIONS: It will be essential to establish a high level of suspicion that allows us to detect cases and it also will be essential to establish measures to prevent its occurrence.

Surgical treatment for colorectal cancer: analysis of the influence of an enhanced recovery programme on long-term oncological outcomes-a study protocol for a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence currently available from enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes concerns their benefits in the immediate postoperative period, but there is still very little evidence as to whether their correct implementation benefits patients in the long term. The working hypothesis here is that, due to the lower response to surgical aggression and lower rates of postoperative complications, ERAS protocols can reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality. The main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of an ERAS programme for colorectal cancer on 5-year survival. As secondary objectives, we propose to analyse the weight of each of the predefined items in the oncological results as well as the quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted in patients older than 18 years of age who are scheduled to undergo surgery for colorectal cancer. The study involved 12 hospitals with an implemented enhanced recovery protocol according to the guidelines published by the Spanish National Health Service. The intervention group includes patients with a minimum implementation level of 70%, and the control group includes those who fail to reach this level. Compliance will be studied using 18 key performance indicators, and the results will be analysed using cancer survival indicators, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival and relapse-free survival. The time to recurrence, perioperative morbidity and mortality, hospital stay and quality of life will also be studied, the latter using the validated EuroQol Five questionnaire. The propensity index method will be used to create comparable treatment and control groups, and a multivariate regression will be used to study each variable. The Kaplan-Meier estimator will be used to estimate survival and the log-rank test to make comparisons. A p value of less than 0.05 (two-tailed) will be considered to be significant. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Aragon Ethical Committee (C.P.-C.I. PI20/086) on 4 March 2020. The findings of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals (BMJ Open, JAMA Surgery, Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery). Abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04305314.

[Devastating surgical complications after aflibercept chemotherapy]. / Devastadora complicación tras tratamiento con aflibercept.

BACKGROUND: The use of a new chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer is not free of complications. Monoclonal antibodies are associated with bleeding and intestinal perforations. OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a patient who developed a serious complication after treatment with an antiangiogenic drug for colorectal neoplasm. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 42-year-old male operated on due to subocclusive rectal cancer with metástasis at the time of diagnosis. Sixteen months after surgery during second-line adjuvant therapy, an intestinal perforation was observed with haemorrhage and intestinal leak to retroperitoneum and left lower extremity. Despite intensive medical and surgical treatment this complication had fatal consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should be directed at obtaining biomarkers for the specific use of antiangiogenic agents in order to decrease the rate of adverse factors.

[Retropneumoperitoneum due to endoscopic dilation. Is conservative management possible?]. / Retroneumoperitoneo secundario a dilatación endoscópica de anastomosis colorrectal: ¿permite un manejo conservador?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anastomotic stricture varies due to the different definitions given to the condition. In most cases they are asymptomatic, and if there are symptoms, they are usually those of a partial intestinal obstruction. CASE REPORT: The case is presented of an 80 year old patient who underwent a lower anterior resection for rectal neoplasm. After ileostomy closure, he presented with subocclusive symptoms caused by stenosis of colorectal anastomosis. This stenosis was managed with endoscopic dilations, and one of these dilations produced an anastomotic perforation with pneumoperitoneum, retropneumoperitoneum, and pneumothorax. Once the patient was clinically and haemodynamically stable, the perforation was treated with conservative measures, resolving the complication satisfactorily. CONCLUSIONS: The literature describes several management options for colorectal anastomoses strictures, such as surgical resection, rubber dilators, endoscopic dilation, all of which might produce colonic perforation. Its management ranges from conservative measures to surgical intervention.

¿Podemos prevenir la dehiscencia anastomótica en cirugía oncológica colorrectal mediante el empleo de la angiografía de fluorescencia con verde de indocianina? / Could we pevent anastomotic leak in colorectal oncological surgery by using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography?

Resumen Objetivo La dehiscencia anastomótica (DA) en cirugía colorrectal es una de las complicaciones más devastadoras. El empleo de la angiografía de fluorescencia con verde de indocianina, se ha introducido en este campo como una herramienta prometedora para reducir la incidencia de DA. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar en nuestro medio, los resultados de la introducción de esta técnica en cuanto a prevención de DA. Materiales y Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo, incluyendo 59 pacientes sometidos a cirugía colorrectal resectiva a los que se les realizó una evaluación mediante angiografía con verde de indocianina intraoperatoria de la vascularización anastomótica. Resultados: Tras la aplicación de la técnica, se modificó el punto de sección en 9 pacientes (15,25%); en los cuales no se registró ninguna DA. La tasa de complicaciones global fue de 35,59% (n = 21) objetivando 3 dehiscencias anastomóticas en la serie. Conclusión: Esta técnica se perfila como una estrategia adicional en la prevención de la aparición de DA. Serán necesarios estudios randomizados con inclusión de mayor número de pacientes para obtener resultados concluyentes.

Aim: Anastomotic leakage (AL) following colorectal surgery is one of the most devastating complication. The use of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography has been developed as a promising tool to reduce the incidence of AL. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of this technique on the prevention of AL. Materials and Method: A prospective study was carried out, including 59 patients undergoing resective colorectal surgery. It was performed intraoperatively indocyanine green angiography evaluation of the anastomotic perfusión in all of then. Results: The section point was modified in 9 patients (15.25%); in which no AL was registered. The overall complication rate was 35.59% (n = 21), founding 3 anastomotic dehiscences in the serie. Conclusion: In conclusion, in our experience this technique is an additional strategy in the prevention of the AL. Randomized control trial including more patients will be necessary to obtain conclusive results.

Fascitis necrosante clostridial asociada a neoplasia colónica perforada: importancia de un diagnóstico precoz / Necrotizing fasciitis following colon neoplasm perforation: the clue of an early detection

Introducción: La gangrena espontánea por Clostridium septicum es una entidad poco frecuente con una alta mortalidad que se asocia a pacientes neoplásicos y/o inmunodeprimidos. Caso clínico: Presentamos un caso de gangrena clostridial en un paciente con neoplasia de colon ascendente perforada a retroperitoneo. Discusión-conclusiones: Aunque es poco común deberemos pensar en una infección clostridial en pacientes sépticos y sospecha de neoplasia colónica. En ausencia de diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz, el pronóstico es fatal.

Introduction: Spontaneous gangrene due to Clostridium septicum is a low frequency pathology with a high mortality rate. It is related to neoplasic and/or immunodeficient patients. Case report: We present the case of a patient who presented clostridial gangrene associated with a perforated colon neoplasm. Discussion-conclusions: Although it is not very common it must supposed a clostridial infection in septic patients with colon neoplasm suspect. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed the prognostic of the patient is fatal.

Tratamiento de la base apendicular por laparoscopia mediante el uso de endograpadoras: análisis de nuestros resultados / Appendicular stump laparoscopic management: our results analysis

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los resultados de nuestro centro en cuanto al cierre del muñón apendicular en la apendicectomía laparoscópica, mediante el empleo de endograpadora. Material y método: Análisis retrospectivo de las apendicectomías laparoscópicas con sección de la base apendicular con endograpadora, llevadas a cabo entre enero de 2013 y marzo de 2015, recogiendo variables demográficas, clínicas y de técnica quirúrgica. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el análisis 238 pacientes. Se registraron complicaciones en 41 pacientes, con una tasa de reingreso del 5% y un 2,5% de pacientes reintervenidos. La estancia media posquirúrgica fue de 3,64 días. Discusión y conclusiones: En el cierre del muñón apendicular, la endograpadora se presenta como una técnica adecuada en cuanto a estancia postoperatoria y complicaciones posquirúrgicas. A pesar de las ventajas de su uso, debe valorarse en apendicectomías no complicadas el empleo de otras técnicas como endoloops.

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the results in our centre as regards the closure of the appendix stump in laparoscopic appendectomy using an endo-stapler. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis, collecting the demographic, clinical, and surgical technique variables, was conducted on laparoscopic appendectomies with section of the appendix base with an endo-stapler performed between January 2013 and March 2015. Results: A total of 239 patients were included in the analysis. Complications were recorded in 41 patients, with a re-admission rate of 5%, and 2.5% of patients received further surgery. The mean post-surgical stay was 3.64 days. Discussion and conclusions: The endo-stapler is a suitable technique in the closure of the appendix stump, as regards post-surgical hospital stay and complications. Despite the advantages of its use, the employment of other techniques, such as endo-loops, should be evaluated in non-complicated appendectomies.

Apendicitis y parásitos: a propósito de 2 casos / Appendicitis and parasites: Reporting of 2 cases

Objetivo: Enfatizar la importancia de sospechar esta etiología en la patogenia de la apendicitis aguda, especialmente en pacientes procedentes de países endémicos. Casos clínicos: Presentamos dos casos, con cursos clínicos divergentes.

Aim: We would like to emphasize the importance of having a high grade of suspect about the parasitic etiology of appendicitis acute, especially in patients from endemic countries. Case report: We present two cases with divergent clinical evolution.