Does Tri-Staple™ technology reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery? A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the Tri-Staple™ technology in colorectal anastomosis. METHODS: Patients who underwent rectosigmoidectomy between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively evaluated and divided into two groups: EEA™ (EEA) or Tri-Staple™ (Tri-EEA). The groups were matched for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and neoadjuvant radiotherapy using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULT: Three hundred and thirty-six patients were included (228 EEA; 108 Tri-EEA). The groups were similar in sex, age, and neoadjuvant therapy. The Tri-EEA group had fewer patients with ASA III/IV scores (7% vs. 33%; p < 0.001). The Tri-EEA group had a lower incidence of leakage (4% vs. 11%; p = 0.023), reoperations (4% vs. 12%; p = 0.016), and severe complications (6% vs. 14%; p = 0.026). There was no difference in complications, mortality, readmission, and length of stay. After PSM, 108 patients in the EEA group were compared with 108 in the Tri-EEA group. The covariates sex, age, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and ASA were balanced, and the risk of leakage (4% vs. 12%; p = 0.04), reoperation (4% vs. 14%; p = 0.014), and severe complications (6% vs. 15%; p = 0.041) remained lower in the Tri-EEA group. CONCLUSION: Tri-Staple™ reduces the risk of leakage in colorectal anastomosis. However, this study provides only insights, and further research is warranted to confirm these findings.

Robot-assisted transanal minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma.

This is a video vignette of a 57-year-old asymptomatic female patient. The patient underwent a screening colonoscopy which revealed a 10 mm scar in the rectum. Biopsy resulted in a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging confirmed tumor characteristics without distant or lymph nodal metastasis. A minimally invasive robotic transanal resection using the Da Vinci Xi platform was performed, achieving full-thickness lesion excision with uneventful recovery. Histopathology revealed intramucosal adenocarcinoma with free margins. Local resection is advocated for selected T1 lesions and demands a thorough preoperative assessment. Robotic-assisted surgery presents a valuable alternative for early rectal adenocarcinoma management.

The impact of the institutional abdominoperineal resections volume on short-term outcomes and expenses: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the institutional volume of abdominoperineal resections (APR) on the short-term outcomes and costs in the Brazilian Public Health system. METHODS: This population-based study evaluated the number of APRs by institutions performed in the Brazilian Public Health system from January/2010 to July/2022. Data were extracted from a public domain from the Brazilian Public Health system. RESULTS: Four hundred and twelve hospitals performed APRs and were included. Only 23 performed at least 5 APRs per year on average and were considered high-volume institutions. The linear regression model showed that the number of hospital admissions for APRs was negatively associated with in-hospital mortality (Coef. = - 0.001; p = 0.013) and length of stay in the intensive care unit (Coef. = - 0.006; p = 0.01). The number of hospital admissions was not significantly associated with personnel, hospital, and total costs. The in-hospital mortality in high-volume institutions was significantly lower than in low-volume institutions (2.5 vs. 5.9%; p: < 0.001). The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was shorter in high-volume institutions (1.23 vs. 1.79 days; p = 0.021). In high-volume institutions, the personnel (R$ 952.23 [US$ 186.64] vs. R$ 11,129.04 [US$ 221.29]; p = 0.305), hospital (R$ 4078.39 [US$ 799.36] vs. R$ 4987.39 [US$ 977.53]; p = 0.111), and total costs (R$ 5030.63 [US$ 986.00] vs. R$ 6116.71 [US$ 1198.88]; p = 0.226) were lower. CONCLUSIONS: Higher institutional APR volume is associated with lower in-hospital mortality and less demand for intensive care. The findings of this nationwide study may affect how Public Health manages APR care.

Timing of resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The resection of the primary colorectal tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether the resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or the "liver first" approach). The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of hepatectomy associated with colectomy in colorectal neoplasms, comparing simultaneous and staged resection. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, and manual reference search. The last search was in July/2021. Inclusion criteria were: studies that compared simultaneous and staged hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis; studies that analyze short and/or long-term outcomes. Exclusion criteria were reviews, letters, editorials, congress abstract, and full-text unavailability. Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were evaluated and, for staged resections, the outcomes associated with each procedure were added. The ROBINS-I and GRADE tools were used to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence. Synthesis was performed using Forest plots. The PRISMA criteria (PROSPERO: CRD42021243762) were followed. RESULTS: The initial search collected 5655 articles and, after selection, 33 were included, covering 6417 patients. Simultaneous resection was associated with shorter length of stay (DR: -3.48 days [95% confidence interval {CI}: -5.64, -1.32]), but with a higher risk of postoperative mortality (DR: 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.02]). There was no difference between groups for blood loss (risk difference [RD]: -141.38 ml [95% CI: -348.84, 66.09]), blood transfusion (RD: -0.06 [95% CI: -0.14, 0.03]) and general complications (RD: 0.01 [95% CI: -0.06, 0.04]). The longest operating time in staged surgery was not statistically significant (RD: -50.44 min [95% CI: -102.38, 1.49]). Regarding overall survival, there is no difference between groups (hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71-1.04). CONCLUSION: Patients must be well selected for each strategy. Simultaneous approach to patients at high surgical risk should be avoided due to increased perioperative mortality. However, when the patient presents a low surgical risk, the simultaneous approach reduces the hospital stay and guarantees long-term results equivalent to staged surgery.

Laparo-endoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TATME): evidence of a novel technique.

Current available evidence regarding transanal total mesorectal excision (TATME) was analyzed including perioperative and immediate oncologic outcomes. A literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane was performed. Thirty-two studies were identified, reporting on 721 patients who underwent TATME. TATME represents a feasible and reproducible technique. Nevertheless, the results of the present review are limited by the design of the included studies, which are mostly case reports and case series. Little is known about long-term oncologic outcomes, intestinal, sexual, urinary function and quality of life after TATME. Multicenter large sample randomized controlled trials are required for further investigation of these issues.

Transanal endoscopic proctectomy: a case in swine.

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision has been proven safe and effective in the radical minimally invasive surgical treatment of rectal cancer. However, technical difficulties may impose challenges to completion of the procedure leading to an eventually high conversion rate. Transanal endoscopic proctectomy using available minimally invasive rectal surgery platforms represents an ingenious approach to surgery in the extraperitoneal rectum. It was aimed at evaluating the feasibility of this natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery rectosigmoid resection in the swine. Full-thickness circumferential rectal dissection was performed and extended proximally. After distal colon and rectal mobilization, the specimen was exteriorized and transected, and the proximal colon was stapled to the distal rectum. In this feasibility non-survival study, operation time was 3 h 10 min, the specimen length was 12 cm and it was intact regarding rectal wall and attached mesorectum. Injuries to adjacent organs were not observed. Transanal endoscopic proctectomy proved feasible in one swine model and might represent an option to the difficult laparoscopic total mesorectal excision.

Implementation of the Fast-track Protocol for Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Public Hospital in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.

Objective Evaluate the results of the implementation of the Fast Track Protocol (FTP), a medical practice based on scientific evidence, for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery, mainly comparing the National Average Hospital Admission Rate of 7.1 days. Methods 98 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty surgery via the direct anterior approach, anterolateral approach and posterior approach were included in the FTP from December 2018 to March 2020, being followed up preoperatively, intraoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Results The average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days, being 2.1 days for the direct anterior approach, 3.0 days for the anterolateral access approach and 4.1 days for the posterior access approach. The average surgery time was 90 minutes, 19 (19.39%) of the patients were referred to the ICU in the postoperative period, however, none of them underwent surgery using the direct anterior approach. We had no cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PTE) or neurological injury, 19 (19.39%) patients had postoperative bleeding requiring dressing change, 4 (4.08%) needed blood transfusion, 2 (2.04%) patients had implant instability, 1 (1.02%) patient had a fracture during surgery and 1 (1.02%) patient died of cardiac complications. Conclusion FTP may be a viable alternative to reduce the length of stay and immediate postoperative complications for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery decreasing the length of stay of patients by 2 to 3 times when compared to the national average of 7.1 days.

Brazil-TNT: A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Followed by FOLFIRINOX Versus Chemoradiation for Stage II/III Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant radiation and oxaliplatin-based systemic therapy (total neoadjuvant therapy-TNT) have been shown to increase response and organ-preservation rates in localized rectal cancer. However, trials have been heterogeneous regarding treatment protocols and few have used a watch-and-wait (WW) approach for complete responders. This trial evaluates if conventional long-term chemoradiation followed by consolidation of FOLFIRINOX increases complete response rates and the number of patients managed by WW. METHODS: This was a pragmatic randomized phase II trial conducted in 2 Cancer Centers in Brazil that included patients with T3+ or N+ rectal adenocarcinoma. After completing a long-course 54 Gy chemoradiation with capecitabine patients were randomized 1:1 to 4 cycles of mFOLFIRINOX (Oxaliplatin 85, irinotecan 150, 5-FU 2400)-TNT-arm-or to the control arm, that did not include further neoadjuvant treatment. All patients were re-staged with dedicated pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and sigmoidoscopy 12 weeks after the end of radiation. Patients with a clinical complete response were followed using a WW protocol. The primary endpoint was complete response: clinical complete response (cCR) or pathological response (pCR). RESULTS: Between April 2021 and June 2023, 55 patients were randomized to TNT and 53 to the control arm. Tumors were 74% stage 3, median distance from the anal verge was 6 cm, 63% had an at-risk circumferential margin, and 33% an involved sphincter. The rates of cCR + pCR were (31%) for TNT versus (17%) for controls (odds ratio 2.19, CI 95% 0.8-6.22 P = .091) and rates of WW were 16% and 9% (P = ns). Median follow-up was 8.1 months and recurrence rates were 16% versus 21% for TNT and controls (P = ns). CONCLUSIONS: TNT with consolidation FOLFIRINOX is feasible and has high response rates, consistent with the current literature for TNT. This trial was supported by a grant from the Brazilian Government (PROADI-SUS - NUP 25000.164382/2020-81).

Penis metastasis in colon cancer: A case report of an unusual site of dissemination.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 1.93 million new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed and almost one million global colorectal cancer-caused deaths in 2020. The incidence of colorectal cancer has been dramatically rising at alarming rates worldwide in the last decades. The most often sites of metastases are lymph nodes, liver, lung, and peritoneum. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of a 63-year-old male patient presenting with a nodule in the penis after being treated for cancer in the hepatic flexure of the colon. Biopsy showed colorectal cancer recurrence in the penis. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Metastasis from colorectal cancer to the penis is rare and poorly discussed, with scarce data in the literature. CONCLUSION: A high level of suspicion should be adopted for the correct diagnosis and early treatment.

Rectal stimulation with prebiotics and probiotics before ileostomy reversal: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ileostomy closure is associated with a high rate of postoperative morbidity, and adynamic ileus is the most common complication, with an incidence of up to 32%. This complication is associated with delayed initiation of oral diet intake, abdominal distention, prolonged hospital stay, and more significant patient discomfort. The present study aims to evaluate the rectal stimulus with prebiotics and probiotics before ileostomy reversal. METHODS: This is a protocol study for an open-label randomized controlled clinical trial. Ethical approval was received (CAAE: 56551722.6.0000.0071). The following criteria will be used for inclusion: adult patients with rectal cancer stages cT3/4Nx or cTxN+ that underwent loop protection ileostomy, patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic total mesorectal excision. Patients will be randomized to one of two groups. The intervention group (with rectal stimulus): the patients will apply 500 ml of saline solution with 6 g of Simbioflora® rectally, once a day, for 15 days before ileostomy closure. The control group (without rectal stimulation): the patients will close the ileostomy with no previous rectal stimulus. The primary outcomes will be the adynamic ileus (need for postoperative nasogastric tube insertion; nausea/vomiting; or intolerance to oral feedings within the first 72 h) and intestinal transit (time to first evacuation/flatus). RESULTS: The patient's enrollment starts in January 2023. We expect to finish in July 2025. DISCUSSION: The findings of this randomized clinical study may have important implications for managing patients undergoing ileostomy reversal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the Brazilian Trial Registry (ReBEC) under RBR-366n64w. Registration date: 19/07/2022.

Outcomes of redo for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to review the outcomes of redo procedures for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomoses. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS databases. The inclusion criteria were adult patients undergoing colectomy with primary colorectal or coloanal anastomosis and studies that assessed the postoperative results. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42021267715). RESULTS: Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria and were selected. The studied population size ranged from 7 to 78 patients. The overall mortality rate was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%-0.01%). The postoperative complication rate was 40% (95% CI, 40%-50%). The length of hospital stay was 13.68 days (95% CI, 11.3-16.06 days). After redo surgery, 82% of the patients were free of stoma (95% CI, 75%-90%), and 24% of patients (95% CI, 0%-39%) had fecal incontinence. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P=0.002) was associated with a lower probability of being free of stoma in meta-regression. CONCLUSION: Redo colorectal and coloanal anastomoses are strategies to restore colonic continuity. The decision to perform a redo operation should be based on a proper evaluation of the morbidity and mortality risks, the probability of remaining free of stoma, the quality of life, and a functional assessment.

Reduced population of interstitial cells of Cajal in Chagasic megacolon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Chagasic megacolon, there is a reduction in the population of interstitial cells of Cajal. It was aimed to evaluate density of Cajal cells in the resected colon of Chagasic patients compared to control patients and to verify possible association between preoperative and postoperative bowel function of megacolon patients and cell count. METHODOLOGY: Sixteen megacolon patients (12 female; mean age 54.4 (31-73)) were operated on. Pre- and postoperative evaluation using Cleveland clinic constipation score was undertaken. Resected colons were examined. Cajal cells were identified by immunohistochemistry (anti-CD117). The mean cell number was compared to resected colons from 16 patients (7 female; mean age 62.8 (23-84)) with non-obstructive sigmoid cancer. Association between pre- and postoperative constipation scores and cell count for megacolon patients was evaluated using the Pearson test (r). RESULTS: A reduced number of Cajal cells (per field: 2.84 (0-6.6) vs. 9.68 (4.3-13); p<0.001) were observed in the bowel of megacolon patients compared to cancer patients. No correlation between constipation score before (r=- 0.205; p=0.45) or after surgery (r=0.291; p=0.28) and cell count in megacolon was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with megacolon display marked reduction of interstitial cells of Cajal. An association of constipation severity and Cajal cells depopulation was not demonstrated.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a Brazilian initial experience in private practice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally invasive approach for rectal lesions. Superior exposure and access to the entire rectum result in lesser risk of compromised margin and lower recurrence rates compared to conventional transanal excision. It was aimed at describing a single institution's initial experience with transanal endoscopic microsurgery. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective review of a prospective database. Fifty-two procedures from March 2009 to November 2011 were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty operations were completed. There were 23 men. Mean age was 67.5 (42-89). Mean follow-up was 23 (1-31) months. Average tumor size was 4.8 cm (1.5-14 cm). Mean distance from anal verge was 6 (3-15) cm. Mean operating time was 110 (86-170) min. Postoperative complication rate was 16%o. There were no re-admissions. Mortality was null. Operative pathology was adenoma in 25, in situ adenocarcinoma in eight, invasive adenocarcinoma in 13, neuroendocrine carcinoma in three and no residual lesion in one case. Recurrence was 4% for benign and 8% for malignant tumors. CONCLUSIONS: TEM is a minimally invasive procedure with low postoperative morbidity during initial experience. TEM is curative for benign lesions and for selected early cancers. It is useful after neoadjuvant therapy for strictly selected cancers while the results of multi-institutional trials are awaited.

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant treatment: targeting sphincter-preserving surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer is under scrutiny. This study aimed at analyzing feasibility, adequacy of resection, impact on early outcomes after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and to investigate trend towards indication of laparoscopy for sphincter-preservation in a single university medical center. METHODOLOGY: Patients with distal rectal cancer submitted to neoadjuvant treatment followed by laparoscopic total mesorectal excision were prospectively enrolled. The studied parameters were: demographics, previous surgery, BMI, type of operation, rate of sphincter-preserving surgery, duration of surgery, conversion, specimen retrieval, lymphadenectomy, distal and radial margins, intra and postoperative morbidity, reoperations, hospital stay, and mortality. RESULTS: From January 2000 to July 2010, 68 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 60 (30-87) years. There were 27 anterior and 41 abdominoperineal resections. Six patients underwent a totally laparoscopic resection and coloanal anastomosis. There was a trend (p=0.003) towards more sphincter-preserving surgery. Conversion was 4.5%. Intraoperative complication was 7.4%. Postoperative complications occurred in 15%. Mortality was 3%. Lymph-node harvest was 11 (0-33). Mean distal margin was 2.5cm (1-4). Radial margins were positive in 3 (10%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision after neoadjuvant treatment is feasible and safe. Sphincter-preserving laparoscopic oncologic rectal surgery has been accomplished more frequently.

[Colorectal cancer in familial adenomatous polyposis: Are there clinical predictive factors?]. / El cáncer colorrectal en la poliposis adenomatosa familiar: ¿existen factores clínicos de predicción?

BACKGROUND: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disorder with multiple colorectal polyps that exhibit an almost inevitable risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in untreated patients. GOALS: To evaluate clinical features related to CRC risk at diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Charts from 88 patients were reviewed to collect information regarding age, family history, symptoms, polyposis severity and association with CRC. RESULTS: 41 men (46.6%) and 47 women (53.4%) were assisted. CRC was detected in 53 patients (60.2%), with a frequency of 9.1% under 20 years, 58% between 21-40 and 85% over 41 years of age. Average age of patients without CRC was lower at treatment (29.5 vs. 40.0 years; p=0.001). Family history was reported by 58 patients (65.9%), whose average age did not differ from those who didn't report it (33.4 vs. 34.4; p=0.17). Asymptomatic patients comprised 10.2% of the total; in this group, CRC incidence was much lower when compared to those presenting symptoms (1.1% vs. 65.8%; p=0.001). Patients without CRC presented a shorter length of symptoms (15.2 vs. 26.4 months; p=0.03) and less frequent weight loss (11.4% vs. 33.9%; p=0.01). At colonoscopy, polyposis was classified as attenuated in 12 patients (14.3%), who presented greater average age (48.2 vs. 33.3 years; p=0.02) and equal CRC incidence (58.3% vs. 58.3%; p=0.6) when compared to those with classic polyposis. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of CRC in FAP patients 1) increases significantly after the second decade; 2) is associated with higher age, weight loss, presence and duration of simptomatology; 3) is similar in patients with attenuated or classic phenotype.

Incidence and management of colonoscopic colon perforations: 10 years' experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This paper aimed to review experience with diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopies performed by a colorectal surgeon with special interest in colonoscopy over a 10-yr period and to assess incidence and management of colonic perforations. METHODOLOGY: All colonoscopies performed between 1997 and 2007 were studied. Data on patients, colonoscopic reports and procedure-related complications were collected from computerized database. Medical records of patients with colonic perforation were reviewed. RESULTS: 7,804 colonoscopies were performed. Five colonoscopic perforations were identified (0.06%). Three occurred during diagnostic and two during therapeutic colonoscopy. All were suspected during or immediately after colonoscopy except for one therapeutic perforation diagnosed two days after the procedure. All perforations were surgically managed by the author. Surgery included conventional and laparoscopic repair, colectomy and proctocolectomy. There was need for stoma in one patient with pancolonic Crohn's disease with sigmoid colon stenosis. This patient underwent total proctocolectomy. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of perforation during colonoscopy is low and can be managed with no mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Early operative intervention through primary repair represents is safe and effective. Managing colonic pathology demanding resection in the urgent setting may benefit selected patients with colonoscopy perforation.

Surgical outcomes after preceptored laparoscopic colorectal surgery: results of a Brazilian preceptorship program.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Safety of laparoscopic colectomy education methods remains unknown. This study aimed at comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing preceptored laparoscopic colectomy with patients operated on by the same preceptor. METHODOLOGY: A prospective analysis of 30 pre-ceptored operations performed by nine surgeons (PD group) between 2006 and 2008 was conducted. Data of 30 operations matched for diagnosis and surgery type conducted by the same preceptor (P group) were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age was 56.2 (26-80) and 55.2 (22-81) respectively in P and PD group (p = 0.804). Eleven (36.7%) were male in P group, 16 (53.3%) in PD group (p = 0.194). Preceptored operations were not significantly longer than operations performed by the preceptor (198 vs. 156 min)--p = 0.072. Length of hospital stay did not differ [4 days (3-12) in P group, and 5 (3-15) in PD group, p = 0.296]. Conversion occurred in 4 cases in PD and in 2 in P group (p = 0.389). Morbidity was similar (23.3% in P and 26.7% in PD group). One patient from P and two from PD group needed reoperation. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery preceptorship programs in surgeon learner's place are safe. Surgeons' introduction through basic and hands-on courses is required for skills acquisition needed to minimize adverse outcomes.