Complications following liver resection for colorectal metastases do not impact on longterm outcome.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that adverse postoperative outcomes may have a negative impact on longterm survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic impact of postoperative complications in patients submitted to a potentially curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of outcomes in 199 patients submitted to hepatic resection with curative intent for metastatic colorectal cancer during 1999-2008 was conducted. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 38% (n = 75). Of all complications, 79% were minor (Grades I or II). There were five deaths (3%). The median length of follow-up was 39 months. Rates of 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 44% and 27%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that an elevated preoperative level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), intraoperative blood loss of > 300 ml, multiple metastases, large (≥ 35 mm) metastases and resection margins of < 1 mm were associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. In addition, male sex and synchronous metastases were associated with poor disease-free survival. Postoperative complications did not have an impact on either survival measure. The multivariate model did not include complications as a predictive factor. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications were not found to influence overall or disease-free survival in the present series. The number and size of liver metastases were confirmed as significant prognostic factors.

Inguinal hernia repair with Parietex ProGrip mesh causes minimal discomfort and allows early return to normal activities.

BACKGROUND: The type of inguinal hernia repair used depends on many factors but predominantly the surgeon's training, interpretation of the literature, and personal preference. This prospective cohort study describes a consecutive series of open mesh inguinal hernia repairs (modified Lichtenstein technique) performed as an outpatient procedure using 2 different mesh types. METHODS: Analysis was undertaken on 540 consecutive patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair between January 2007 and December 2012. Short-term outcomes were compared between those repaired with conventional polypropylene mesh and those with Parietex ProGrip mesh. RESULTS: Most patients were male (89%) and the mean age was 63 years. The median operative time was 50 minutes for unilateral hernias and 90 minutes for bilateral hernias. The use of Parietex ProGrip mesh reduced the operative time to 40 minutes for unilateral hernias (P < .01) and 75 minutes for bilateral hernias (P < .01). After unilateral hernia repair, 88% of the patients were discharged home within 4 hours of operation. There was no mortality and the overall complication rate was 7.4%. One patient developed a pulmonary embolus but the remainder of the complications were minor. Twenty-four hours postoperatively, 74% of the patients were either totally pain free or had minimal discomfort. At 4 weeks, 97% of the patients were either pain free or had minimal discomfort. Patients who underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair with Parietex ProGrip mesh had the most rapid return to normal activities (10 vs 14 days, P < .04). CONCLUSIONS: Open anterior inlay mesh repair is safe and results in minimal postoperative pain and early return to normal activities. ProGrip mesh resulted in a shorter operative time and more rapid return to normal activities compared with polypropylene mesh (10 vs 14 days).