Effectiveness and risk of biliary drainage prior to pancreatoduodenectomy: review of current status.

Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) prior to pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has gained popularity as bridge management to resolve jaundice, but its role is being challenged as it is thought to increase morbidity. To clarify the current recommendations for PBD prior to PD, we reviewed the literature, including all relevant articles published in English up until December, 2015. There is increasing evidence that PBD causes bile infection, which is related to the morbidity of infectious complications. Results of transhepatic drainage are poorer than those of endoscopic stenting, especially in an oncologic setting, although it is still unclear whether metallic stents are superior to nasobiliary drainage. PBD should be avoided whenever possible and performed only in selected cases, such as the emergency setting, an inevitable long delay (>4 weeks) before PD, and jaundice-related anorexia. Seemingly, transhepatic drainage should be reserved for refractory cases if endoscopic drainage is not possible. Further studies comparing endoscopic drainage techniques, such as metallic stents and nasobiliary drainage, are required to assess the most effective technique of PBD. Bile infection should be prevented by adequate antibiotic prophylaxis and treated even in the absence of symptoms, and bile status should be assessed systematically.

Anastomotic recurrence of colon cancer: Genetic analysis challenges the widely held theories of cancerous cells' intraluminal implantation and metachronous carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anastomotic recurrence (AR), whose etiopathogenesis is attributed to intraluminal implantation of cancerous cells or metachronous carcinogenesis, is a major issue for patients undergoing colon cancer (CC) resection. The objective of the study is to throw some light on AR etiopathogenesis and to identify risk factors of AR in selecting patients to undergo early endoscopy. METHODS: An analysis of clinical and histopathological parameters, including MSI and LOH of seven sites (Myc-L, BAT26, BAT40, D5S346, D18S452, D18S64, D16S402) was performed in primary CC and AR of 18 patients. They were then compared to 36 controls not developing AR. RESULTS: A genetic instability was present in 16/18 patients, with distinct genetic patterns between primaries and ARs. LOH at 5q21 and/or 18p11.23 were found in both primary and AR in >50% of cases, but this rate was no different from control population. CEA resulted as associated with AR (P = 0.03), whereas N status presented a borderline result (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings challenge present theories about AR development. No "genetic marker" has been found. CEA and, to a lesser extent, N status, appear associated with AR. Rectal washout is seemingly meaningless. Iterative resection should be recommended since a long survival may be expected. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:228-236. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A rare case of appendicitis-like syndrome: prompt laparoscopic diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpyrexia associated with right iliac fossa pain and tenderness in a young patient is a common finding in an Emergency Department, and is frequently caused by acute appendicitis or genitourinary affliction. Especially in the case of young males, it is debated whether the patient should undergo immediate surgery or be referred for imagery, and, when surgery is finally planned, whether an open incision of the iliac fossa or a laparoscopic approach is preferred. OBJECTIVE: We describe a case of a patient with a twisted, ischemic ileal hemangioma mimicking an acute appendicitis, which was diagnosed and managed laparoscopically. CASE REPORT: A 16-year-old boy was admitted to the Emergency Department with a 2-day history of hyperpyrexia, nausea, right iliac fossa pain, and tenderness. Perioperative computed tomography scan showed a 3-cm image that was interpreted as a periappendicular abscess. At laparoscopy, a twisted ischemic mass adherent to the surrounding ileum was located and removed. The patient's outcome was uneventful. Pathology showed a benign hemangioma of the ileal mesentery. To our knowledge, this is the first case treated by laparoscopic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Rare conditions, such as peduncolated tumors, can mimic common conditions like acute appencitis. Also, due to the aspecificity of symptoms and difficult interpretation of imagery, diagnosis can be difficult to achieve preoperatively and surgery can be challenging. Laparoscopy can allow a diagnosis to be made and the appropriate treatment to be performed without the need for laparotomy. Rare causes of appendicitis-like syndrome represent an argument in favor of a laparoscopic approach, even in the case of young male patients.

Elective palliative resection of incurable stage IV colorectal cancer: who really benefits from it?

PURPOSE: Despite the encouraging results of chemotherapy in patients affected by incurable colorectal cancer (CRC), surgical resection of a primitive tumor is still a common approach worldwide. The identification of prognostic factors related to short survival (<6 months) may allow excluding from resective surgery those who may not benefit from it. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 15 variables in a population of 71 patients undergoing nonemergency palliative primary resections of incurable CRC, including patients' demographics and clinical/histopathological characteristics of the tumor. RESULTS: No variables were related to perioperative mortality (8.5% overall). A multivariate analysis revealed that older age (≥80 years) and metastasis to more than 25% of the lymph nodes were associated with survival (4 and 6 months, respectively). Mucoid adenocarcinoma therefore tends to be associated with the prognosis (P = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: An elderly age tends to be a contraindication to an elective primary tumor resection in patients affected by incurable CRC. Massive lymph node involvement and mucoid adenocarcinoma should also be considered before planning major colonic surgery.

Impact of palliative chemotherapy and surgery on management of stage IV incurable colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent trials proposed chemotherapy (CHT) as the treatment of choice for patients affected by incurable colorectal cancer (ICRC). Nevertheless, surgery is still commonly offered to these patients. On the other hand, CHT is offered to ICRC patients regardless of the pattern of spread of the disease, local or distant, despite some evidence suggesting that metastatic pattern may influence the response to treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 133 patients undergoing palliative treatment for ICRC from 1994 through 2007. Palliation consisted of surgery alone until 2002 and surgery with CHT (FOLFOX-FOLFIRI) thereafter. The impact of CHT and surgery was evaluated in the whole series as well as with respect to metastatic pattern (locally aggressive primary tumor and distant metastasis only), tumor site, and grading. RESULTS: Chemotherapy prolonged survival by 9 months (p = 0.001). In patients undergoing CHT, resective surgery did not prolong survival (p = 0.931), whereas in patients not undergoing CHT, it improved prognosis by 5 months (p = 0.023). Considering patients with distant metastasis only, CHT significantly prolonged survival (p < 0.001), whereas it did not improve the prognosis of patients with a locally aggressive primary tumor (p = 0.943). No difference in CHT effectiveness with respect to tumor site and grading was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: CHT should be the preferred option in patients undergoing elective treatment for ICRC, whereas surgery should be considered whenever CHT is not administered. CHT significantly increases survival of patients with unresectable distant metastasis only, whereas it seems to be useless in patients with locally aggressive primary tumors.

Biofeedback therapy plus anal electrostimulation for fecal incontinence: prognostic factors and effects on anorectal physiology.

BACKGROUND: The current literature does not provide unequivocal data on prognostic factors in conservative management of fecal incontinence. Moreover, the physiopathologic effects of pelvic floor rehabilitation on anorectal function are not well understood. Our aim is to identify some prognostic parameters and assess their effects on anorectal physiology of biofeedback therapy plus anal electrostimulation for fecal incontinence. METHODS: We studied prospectively 45 consecutive adult patients with fecal incontinence treated at our institution with biofeedback plus electrostimulation. The outcome parameter was modification of the Wexner Incontinence Score (WIS) at the end of treatment. In addition, we studied the modifications of anorectal manometry and the rectal sensitivity threshold after treatment. RESULTS: At univariate analysis, age, the pretreatment WIS, and the pretreatment resting and maximum squeeze pressures were correlated with the clinical outcome. Patients showed a significant reduction in the rectal sensitivity threshold but no significant change in manometric parameters after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We identify good sphincter function and mild to moderate symptomatology as favorable prognostic factors in biofeedback and anal electrostimulation therapy. Improvement in rectal sensitivity can be implicated in symptomatic improvement. The impossibility of correlating the clinical results with the effects on anorectal physiology suggests a nonspecific effect of conservative treatment.

Acute diverticulitis: old challenge, current trends, open questions.

Acute diverticulitis (AD) is an increasing issue for health systems worldwide. As accuracy of clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations is poor, a pivotal role in preoperative diagnosis and severity assessment is played by CT scan. Several new classifications trying to adapt the intraoperative Hinchey's classification to preoperative CT findings have been proposed, but none really entered clinical practice. Treatment of early AD is mostly conservative (antibiotics) and may be administered in outpatients in selected cases. Larger abscesses (exceeding 3 to 5 cm) need percutaneous drainage, while management of stages 3 (purulent peritonitis) and 4 (fecal peritonitis) is difficult to standardize, as various approaches are nowadays suggested. Three situations are identified: situation A, stage 3 in stable/healthy patients, where various options are available, including conservative management, lavage/drainage and primary resection/anastomosis w/without protective stoma; situation B, stage 3 in unstable and/or unhealthy patients, and stage 4 in stable/healthy patients, where stoma-protected primary resection/anastomosis or Hartmann procedure should be performed; situation C, stage 4 in unstable and/or unhealthy patients, where Hartmann procedure or damage control surgery (resection without any anastomosis/stoma) are suggested. Late, elective sigmoid resection is less and less performed, as a new trend towards a patient-tailored management is spreading.

"Is CT Scan more Accurate than Endoscopy in Identifying Distance from the Anal Verge for Left Sided Colon Cancer? A Comparative Cohort Analysis".

Purposes: Accurately localizing colorectal cancer during surgery may be challenging due to intraoperative limitations. In the present study, localization of left-sided colon cancer (LCC) by CT scan is compared to colonoscopy. Material and methods: Consecutive patients with LCC located by colonoscopy and CT scan and undergoing left-hemicolectomy were included. Tumor distance from the anal verge (TDAV) was calculated by both CT-scan and colonoscopy, and then compared, using as reference TDAV measured intraoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed including (1) comparison of means between all three TDAVs, (2) comparison of mean differences between all three TDAVs, (3) comparison of number of patients with a difference between endoscopic TDAV and intraoperative TDAV ≤5 cm and the number of patients with a difference between CT scan TDAV and intraoperative TDAV ≤5 cm (4) statistical relationship between either CT scan and endoscopic and intraoperative TDAVs. Results: Both CT scan and endoscopy overestimate TDAV (25.8 ± 12.5 cm and 24.6 ± 10.6 cm vs. 21.5 ± 7.4 cm, p = 0.005), but CT scan TDAV resulted as being different from intraoperative TDAV (p < 0.01). Regression analysis reported an increasing divergence of measurements with increasing values of intraoperative TDAV, which resulted greater for CT. Tumors within 5 cm of intraoperative TDAV were 22/28 (78.6%) for endoscopy, and 17/28 (60.7%) for CT (p = 0.2448). Conclusions: Accuracy of both examinations seems poor, with a mean overestimation >3 cm and a significant number of tumors found at >5 cm from preoperative evaluation. Preoperative examinations' bias increase proportionally with TDAV length, decreasing their interest especially for tumors located at a greater distance from anal verge.

Cholecystocolonic fistula: facts and myths. A review of the 231 published cases.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystocolonic fistula (CCF) is the second most common cholecystoenteric fistula and is often discovered intraoperatively, resulting in a challenging situation for the surgeon, who is forced to switch to a complex procedure, often in old, unfit patients. Management of this uncommon but possible finding is still ill defined. METHODS: An extensive review of 160 articles published from 1950 to 2006 concerning 231 cases of CCF was performed. RESULTS: CCF is mostly an affliction of women in their sixth to seventh decades and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. Chronic diarrhea is the key symptom in nonemergency patients, but, in one-fourth of cases, CCF presents with an acute onset, mostly biliary ileus. In one-fourth of patients, a second hepatobiliary abnormality is present, including gallbladder cancer in 2% of cases. In uncomplicated cases, diverting colostomy is not performed anymore, and laparoscopy treatment has been described in specialized centers. Symptomatic treatment of concomitant biliary ileus (without treating CCF) is a feasible option. Resolution of colonic biliary ileus by interventional endoscopy is reported. CONCLUSION: CCF should be considered in differential diagnosis of diarrhea, especially in old, female patients. A possible second hepatobiliary abnormality should be always investigated. Extemporaneous frozen section should be performed if gallbladder cancer is suspected. Depending on clinical presentation, different treatments for CCF are indicated, ranging from minimally invasive procedures to extensive resection.

Early strangulated recurrence of incisional hernia after laparoscopic repair: an old complication for a new technique.

The introduction of laparoscopy in incisional hernia repair is giving rise to a new class of complications, specific of new techniques and materials. A case of early failure of incisional hernia laparoscopic repair complicated by the strangulation of a jejunal loop four months after surgery is reported. The use of inappropriate material (tacks) to fix the prosthesis to the abdominal wall, a sudden increase of intra-abdominal pressure caused by an episode of haematemesis four hours postoperatively (associated to its consequent endoscopic treatment), and the formation of rectus abdominis muscle hematoma are reported as the main factors determining the slippage of the mesh from the correct position and, ultimately, the early failure of the ventral hernia repair. Furthermore, the aetiology of early failure of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, reported in literature, is reviewed.

Applications of indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence in laparoscopic colorectal resections.

Recently, Indocyanine Green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence has been introduced in laparoscopic colorectal surgery to provide detailed anatomical informations. The aim of our study is the application of ICG imaging during laparoscopic colorectal resections: to assess anastomotic perfusion to reduce the risk of anastomotic leak, to facilitate vascular dissection when vascular anatomy of tumor site is unclear, and to identify ureter to prevent iatrogenic injury. After the transection, 5 ml of ICG solution is intravenously injected. A Full HD IMAGE1S camera, switching to NIR mode, in few seconds provides a real-time angiography of colonic perfusion. After anastomosis, another bolus is injected to confirm the anastomotic perfusion. When the tumor is localized in difficult site, the fluorescence provides a real-time angiography of tumor area vascularization to perform the vascular dissection. When the tumor is tightly attached to the ureter, the ICG solution injection through the catheter allows ureter identification. From November 2016, 38 patients were enrolled: ten left colectomies, 22 right colectomies, three transverse resections, and three splenic flexure resections. In five cases, intraoperative angiography led to the identification of vascular anatomy. In one case the surgical strategy was changed. In one procedure, ureter identification allowed to prevent injury. Three postoperative complications that required surgical reoperation occured, of which one anastomotic leak, due to a mechanical problem. ICG-enhanced fluorescence imaging is a safe, cheap and effective tool to increase visualization during surgery. It can be employed also in small hospitals without learning curve. It is recommended to obtain additional information on anatomy and perfusion in colorectal surgery.

De Garengeot hernia: laparoscopic treatment in emergency.

INTRODUCTION: De Garengeot Hernia is described as the presence of an appendix within a femoral hernia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an elderly woman, who presented with incarcerated femoral hernia without signs of bowel obstruction. CT showed a femoral hernia with appendix in the femoral canal with signs of strangulation. the patient underwent emergency surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy revelead a non-reducible appendix in the femoral canal, in the absence of signs of peritonitis. An infrainguinal incision was performed. An gangrenous appendix within the sac was revealed, detached from the sac and reintroduced into the abdomen through the femoral canal. The laparoscopic appendectomy was then performed. The hernia repair was performed by suturing the iliopubic tract to Cooper's ligament. Patient had a regular course. DISCUSSION: De Garengeot's hernia is a rare occurrence. After the year 2000 a total of 32articles, wich presented 34 cases of de Garengeot's hernia have been published. Due to the rarity of this disease there is not standard procedure; laparoscopy may be a valid technique for determining the condition of the hernia, but due to the difficulty of preoperative diagnosis it is unlikely to be the first choice for the surgical approach. The use of CT can therefore be decisive to help the surgeon in the choice of the approach. CONCLUSION: De Garengeot's hernia can be approached in urgent laparoscopy even in the complicated forms of appendicular inflammation. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Partial splenectomy: Who, when and how. A systematic review of the 2130 published cases.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In order to avoid consequences of total splenectomy (including severe postsplenectomy sepsis), partial splenectomy (PS) is increasingly reported. Without guidelines and indications concerning a rarely-indicated procedure, a review of literature should be an asset. METHODS: A systematic review of all PSs from 1960 to December 2017 was performed, with special focus on surgical indications, sites of resection, approaches and techniques of vascular dissection and parenchymal section/hemostasis of the spleen, perioperative morbidity/mortality, including complications compelling to perform total splenectomy. RESULTS: Among 2130 PSs, indications for resection were hematological disease in 1013 cases and nonhematological conditions in 1078, including various tumors in 142 and trauma in 184. Parenchymal transection was performed using several techniques through the years, most frequently after having induced partial ischemia by splenic hilum vascular dissection/ligation. 371 laparoscopic/robotic PSs were reported. Rescue total splenectomy was required in 75 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although good results are probably overestimated by such a retrospective review, PS should be considered as a procedure associated with a low morbidity/mortality. Nevertheless, severe complications are also reported, and the need of total splenectomy should not to be minimized. Laparoscopic/robotic procedures are increasingly performed, with good results and rare conversions. TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of primary torsion of the greater omentum.

Clinical presentation of primary torsion of the greater omentum is nonspecific, thus rarely allowing for a preoperative diagnosis. Three patients presented with acute but nonspecific abdominal symptoms. Because ultrasonographic and radiologic findings were unclear, all patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. In all cases, laparoscopy enabled us to achieve the diagnosis and to perform a resection of necrotic omentum. The mean duration of the procedure was 56 minutes (range: 42 to 76). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patients were discharged on postoperative day 1 (2) and 3. The value of diagnostic laparoscopy increases when the disease can be treated laparoscopically. The laparoscopic vision allowed us to explore the whole peritoneal cavity, so achieving the diagnosis, and to place the operative trocars at the most convenient sites. The laparoscopic resection of the greater omentum is an easy task even for inexperienced laparoscopic surgeons, allowing patients to benefit from the advantages of a mini-invasive approach.

Delayed, diffuse acute peritonitis secondary to misplacement of a cystogastrostomic "pigtail" drain in an outpatient after discharge.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage by pancreatogastrostomy "pigtail" drain placement is spreading worldwide, with high success-rate and low morbidity, and is increasingly performed as outpatient procedure. The paper reports an unusual very early complication of this procedure and discusses the peculiar aspects of this event in an outpatient setting. METHODS: The first case of a 56-year-old outpatient developing a postoperative diffused acute peritonitis by gastric juice spilling caused by the  misplacement of the distal end of two transgastric drains not reaching the pseudocyst is reported. As the case was programmed as outpatient and acute peritonitis symptoms occurred eight hours postoperatively, the patient was discharged and rehospitalized. A review of the literature of rare perforative complications of pancreatogastrostomy is performed. RESULTS: CT scan allowed the prompt diagnosis, as it showed massive pneumoperitoneum, free fluid collection, and pigtail drain misplacement. Emergency laparoscopy allowed the removal of the two misplaced drains and gastric reparation. The procedure lasted 65 minutes, mostly needed for lavage. The patient was discharged 5 days later and outcomes are unremarkable 7 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The indication to endoscopic pancreatogastrostomy and its outpatient management should be carefully pondered. Pancreogastrostomy drain misplacement may cause a life-threatening acute peritonitis associated with early aspecific symptoms, resulting in a challenging situation, especially in an outpatient setting. CT-scan may allow prompt diagnosis and effective management by minimally invasive surgery.

Operative treatment of periampullary retroperitoneal perforation complicating endoscopic sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based strategies are lacking regarding the appropriate management of periampullary retroperitoneal perforations complicating endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). We propose a transduodenal operative repair of periampullary retroperitoneal perforation. METHODS: Six patients with duodenal periampullary perforation induced by endoscopic sphincterotomy underwent operation after failure of an attempt of conservative management. After mobilization of the second and the third part of the duodenum, a minimal transversal duodenotomy was carried out, the papilla was exposed, periampullary perforation was readily identified, and was sutured easily as a sphincteroplasty or by 2 or 3 Vicryl 3/0 sutures. Patient outcomes were measured. RESULTS: Periampullary perforation was repaired as sphincteroplasty in 2 cases, and with Vicryl 3/0 sutures in 4 cases. The mean duration of operation was 176 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. None of the patients required reoperation after transduodenal repair of the perforation. The patients had a normal postoperative course. The median hospital stay was 10.5 days (range, 9 to 20 days) and the mortality rate was nil. There were no delayed complications during a median follow-up of 60 months. CONCLUSIONS: The transduodenal operative approach to periampullary perforation after ERCP/ES at an early stage in the clinical evolution of the perforation is a safe and effective procedure. We consider this approach a useful option for the treatment of periampullary perforation after ERCP/ES when initial endoscopic and conservative management do not yield good results within 24 hours.

Intracorporeal laparoscopic cecorectal anastomosis.

We recently described a laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with extracorporeal antiperistaltic cecorectal anastomosis (CRA). We modified this technique by performing an intracorporeal CRA: the anvil head assembly removed from the circular stapler with an ancillary trocar placed into the anvil shaft is pushed through the bottom of the cecum, the cecum with the anvil head assembly is brought into the pelvis, the circular stapler is inserted into the rectum and the cecoproctostomy is performed. Two patients underwent this new laparoscopic subtotal colectomy with CRA. The operating times were 230 and 260 minutes, respectively. There was no postoperative morbidity. Our results allow us to state that intracorporeally performed antiperistaltic cecoproctostomy after laparoscopic subtotal colectomy is feasible.

Anorectal function problems after left hemicolectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective anorectal function in patients with left hemicolectomy and to clarify the clinical factors influencing postoperative anorectal function problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty one patients who underwent left hemicolectomy from April 2002 to December 2003 were enrolled in this study and sent questionnaires concerning anorectal function. Left hemicolectomy in patients with cancer was performed by high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery; in patients with diverticulitis or polyposis, the inferior mesenteric artery was cut just below the branch of the left colonic artery. One hundred patients replied to the questionnaire: 52 men and 48 women, aged 37 to 85, with a mean age of 66.6 years. Differences were analyzed for statistical significance by the Chi square test and by logistic regression. RESULTS: Anorectal function problems was present in 33% of patients: female gender (P = 0.02), laparoscopic surgery (P = 0.04), and postoperative diarrhea (P = 0.04) had significant independent effects on anorectal function problems. Transient early fecal incontinence was observed in 16% of patients and laparoscopic surgery had significant independent effects on this problem (P = 0.04). Inability to discriminate between gas and stool, tenesmus, or urgency were present in 21%, 18%, and 17% of cases, respectively, and were independently associated respectively with laparoscopic surgery (P = 0.005) and postoperative diarrhea (P = 0.019) (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: In our study the following two issues were clarified: anorectal function problems are frequent after left hemicolectomy, and the laparoscopic technique is linked to poor postoperative anorectal function. The technical methods of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery could explain this result.