The role of colonoscopy in young patients with rectal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Anal bleeding is a frequent complaint in the coloproctological practice. Although usually associated with common anorectal disorders, it may represent a sign of an occult colorectal carcinoma. Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of the colonoscopy for detection of neoplastic lesions in patients under 50 years of age with rectal bleeding. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched publications in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to August, 2023. Cross-sectional and case-control studies including patients under 50 years with rectal bleeding evaluated by colonoscopy were included. Primary outcome was prevalence of neoplastic lesions (adenomas and adenocarcinomas). Secondary outcomes were prevalence of those lesions according to age and anatomic location. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021257859) on July 5, 2021. RESULTS: Nine studies comprising 4162 patients were analyzed. A total of 398 patients with adenomas and 40 patients with adenocarcinoma were identified. Prevalence of neoplastic lesions (adenomas and carcinomas) was 10%. In patients under 40 years, the prevalence of neoplastic lesions was 7% (6% of adenomas, 1% of carcinomas). Among patients aged 40-50 years the prevalence was 15%, 14%, and 1%, respectively. Most lesions (71%) were located distally to splenic flexure. CONCLUSION: About 10% of patients under 50 years with anal bleeding will have a neoplastic lesion detected through colonoscopy. The greatest benefit of the procedure is observed between 40 and 50 years. Almost 30% of the neoplastic lesions were found in the proximal colon and could not be detected without the performance of a complete colonoscopy.

Prolene Hernia System Maximum Repair: A New Concept in Sports Hernia Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and present the clinical results of a new surgical treatment for sports hernia. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Athletes who underwent sports hernia repair using the proposed technique between July 2006 and June 2020. INTERVENTION: The surgery consists of a combination of a mini-open incision and preperitoneal placement of a three-dimensional bilayer permanent mesh (PHS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main clinical outcomes of the procedure were reviewed, including incidence of complications, long-term results, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Ninety-two sports hernia repairs were performed on 87 patients (79 male and 8 female patients, median age 30.2 ± 7.8 years). No intraoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up was 15 months. Seventy-seven patients (88.5%) successfully resumed preinjury physical activities within 8 weeks; 80 patients (91.9%) within 12 weeks; and 83 (95.4%) within 6 months (median time of 10 weeks). Only one patient reported recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Mini-open incision PHS repair seems to be a safe and effective method for treatment of sports hernia, resulting in early return to physical activities, with few complications, and low recurrence rate.

Young patients with benign anal diseases and rectal bleeding: should a colonoscopy be performed?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is no consensus whether a colonoscopy should be recommended for patients under 50 years of age who present with both anal bleeding and benign anal diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of colonoscopy to detect neoplastic lesions in this specific group of patients. METHODS: A prospective study analyzing the results of colonoscopies performed in patients younger than 50 years of age who reported a rectal bleeding and also had a diagnosis of benign anal disease at first clinical visit. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients were prospectively included in this study. In 35 patients (18.7%), adenomatous polyps were diagnosed. Thirty-seven percent of those lesions (13 cases) were further classified as either advanced adenomas or serrated adenomas. The prevalence of adenomas was 14.6% among patients under the age of 40 and 20% among those between 40 and 50 years of age. Thirty-one percent of the adenomas (11 cases) were located in the right colon, without any other concomitant lesion in the distal colon. In addition, an unsuspected case of sigmoid carcinoma was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: The performance of colonoscopy in young patients with benign anal diseases and hematochezia resulted in a high rate of detection of neoplastic lesions. The method might be considered as a valid strategy of investigation in this frequent clinical situation.

Patient-Controlled Biofeedback Device for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: A Pilot Study.

Although biofeedback has been used as a first-line therapy for fecal incontinence, it is known to be time consuming and demands attendance to a hospital during the whole period of treatment. In this study, we describe a new biofeedback device specifically developed for home treatment of fecal incontinence, which consists of a microprocessor controlled unit able to register and store the anal pressure waves corresponding to exercises performed by patients at home. In order to test the new device, a pilot study including ten patients with fecal incontinence was conducted. Evaluation of patients before and after the biofeedback training showed significant improvement in manometric and clinical parameters of anal continence. The new method may improve compliance of patients with the training program and reduce their need to be supervised during the treatment. It might represent a new alternative for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

The role of Hartmann's procedure in the elective management of rectal cancer: results of a Brazilian cohort study.

BACKGROUND: although preservation of bowel continuity is a major goal in rectal cancer surgery, a colorectal anastomosis may be considered an unacceptably high-risk procedure, particularly for patients with multiple comorbidities. We aimed to assess rates of surgical complications in rectal cancer patients according to the type of procedure they had undergone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: this cohort included all rectal cancer patients undergoing elective resection at a referral academic hospital over 16 years. There were three study groups according to the type of performed operation: (1) rectal resection with anastomosis without defunctioning stoma (DS); (2) rectal resection with anastomosis and DS; and (3) Hartmann's procedure (HP). Postoperative complications and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: four-hundred and two patients were studied. The 118 patients in group 3 were significantly older (>10 years), had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and more ASA class ≥3 than patients in the other two groups. Sixty-seven patients (16.7%) had Clavien-Dindo complications grade ≥ III, corresponding to an incidence of 11.8%, 20.9%, and 14.4% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.10). Twenty-nine patients (7.2%) had major septic complications that required reoperation, with an incidence of 10.8%, 8.2% and 2.5% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p=0.048). Twenty-one percent of the group 2 patients did not undergo the stoma closure after a 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: HP was associated with a lower incidence of reoperation due to intra-abdominal septic complications. This procedure remains an option for patients in whom serious surgical complications are anticipated.

BDNF/TrkB content and interaction with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor blockade in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Neurotrophin and neuropeptide pathways are emerging targets in cancer. Here we show that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, are present in colorectal cancer and that BDNF levels are increased in tumors compared to nontumor tissue. In addition, we investigate the role of BDNF in influencing the response of colorectal cancer cells to inhibition of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR). METHODS: Fresh-frozen sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens and adjacent nonneoplastic tissue from 30 patients, as well as paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer samples from 21 patients, were used in this study. Cell proliferation and mRNA and protein levels were examined in HT-29 or SW620 cells treated with a GRPR antagonist, human recombinant BDNF (hrBDNF), a Trk antagonist K252a, or cetuximab. RESULTS: Expression of BDNF and TrkB was detected in tumor samples and cell lines. BDNF levels were higher in tumor samples compared to nonneoplastic tissue. BDNF expression and secretion were increased by GRPR blockade in HT-29 cells through a mechanism dependent on epidermal growth factor receptors. Treatment with hrBDNF prevented the effect of GRPR blockade on cell proliferation, whereas a Trk inhibitor reduced proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF and TrkB are present in colorectal cancer and might contribute to resistance to GRPR antagonists.

Effects of the gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist RC-3095 in a rat model of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: RC-3095, a synthetic gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonist, has been identified as a candidate compound for the treatment of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent chronic inflammatory conditions. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RC-3095 in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Ninety Wistar rats were included in the study. Colitis was induced by a single intracolonic application of acetic acid. Rats were divided into three groups of treatment: subcutaneous RC-3095, intracolonic mesalazine, and subcutaneous dexamethasone. Additionally, there was a fourth group of animals submitted to induction of colitis without receiving any form of treatment, and a fifth group in which no colitis was induced. Seventy-two hours after instillation of acetic acid, the animals were killed and the following parameters were assessed: morphological score of damage, histological score of colonic inflammation, and immunohistochemical expression of TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta. RESULTS: RC-3095 was the only treatment to significantly reduce macroscopic and microscopic scores of inflammation as compared with the animals from the non-treated colitis group. RC-3095 also significantly reduced the colonic expression of TNF-alpha, but not the expression of IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: RC-3095 reduced the colitis severity in a well-established experimental model of IBD. The anti-inflammatory activity of this compound was associated with a reduction in the colonic expression of TNF-alpha. These results suggest that interference with GRP pathway might represent a potential new strategy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis that deserves further investigational studies.

Splenic flexure mobilization in sigmoid and rectal cancer resections: a meta-analysis of surgical outcomes. / Mobilização da flexura esplênica nas ressecções dos tumores de reto e sigmoide: meta-análise dos resultados cirúrgicos.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of the splenic flexure mobilization for the main surgical outcomes of patients submitted to resection of sigmoid and rectal cancer. METHODS: we searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and LILACS, using the terms "splenic flexure mobilization", "colorectal surgery", "rectal cancer", "anterior resection", "sigmoid colon cancer", and "sigmoid resection". The main outcome was anastomotic dehiscence. Other outcomes analyzed were mortality, bleeding, infection and general complications. We estimated the effect sizes by grouping data from six case-control studies (1,433 patients) published until January 2018. RESULTS: our meta-analysis showed that patients undergoing complete mobilization of the splenic flexure had a higher risk of anastomotic dehiscence (RR=2.27, 95%CI: 1.22-4.23) compared with those not submitted to this procedure. There was no difference between the groups in terms of mortality, bleeding, infection and general complications. CONCLUSION: splenic flexure mobilization is associated with a higher risk of anastomotic dehiscence in resections of sigmoid and rectal cancer. This surgical maneuver should be used with caution in the surgical management of sigmoid or rectal cancers.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a influência da mobilização da flexura esplênica nos principais resultados cirúrgicos de pacientes submetidos à ressecção de câncer do cólon sigmoide ou reto. MÉTODOS: os bancos de dados MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register de Ensaios Controlados e LILACS foram pesquisados usando os termos "mobilização da flexura esplênica", "cirurgia colorretal", "câncer retal", "ressecção anterior", "câncer de cólon sigmoide", "ressecção de sigmoide". O desfecho principal foi a deiscência da anastomose. Outros desfechos analisados foram mortalidade, sangramento, infecção e complicações gerais. Os tamanhos dos efeitos foram estimados por meio do agrupamento dos dados de seis estudos de caso-controle (1.433 pacientes) publicados até janeiro de 2018. RESULTADOS: nossa meta-análise revelou que pacientes submetidos à mobilização completa da flexura esplênica tinham um risco maior de deiscência anastomótica (RR=2,27, IC95%: 1,22-4,23) em comparação àqueles não submetidos a esse procedimento. Nenhuma diferença pôde ser demonstrada entre os grupos em termos de mortalidade, sangramento, infecção e complicações gerais. CONCLUSÃO: a mobilização da flexura esplênica está associada a um maior risco de deiscência anastomótica nas ressecções de câncer de reto ou cólon sigmoide. Esta manobra cirúrgica deve ser utilizada com cautela no manejo cirúrgico dos tumores colorretais.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with different baseline glucose status undergoing bariatric surgery: analysis of intraoperative liver biopsies and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has been investigated as a treatment option for obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because patients with NAFLD and type 2 diabetes show accelerated progression from liver disease to cirrhosis, it has been suggested that surgery could be indicated for patients with lower degrees of obesity and type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the degree of tissue damage in liver biopsies obtained from patients undergoing bariatric surgery, correlating histopathologic findings with their baseline glucose status. SETTING: General hospital in the public health system. METHODS: Intraoperative liver biopsies were obtained from 521 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients were divided into 3 study groups according to their preoperative glucose levels: 167 (32.05%) type 2 diabetic, 132 (25.33%) prediabetic, and 222 (42.61%) normoglycemic patients. Tissue samples were classified in accordance with Brunt and Clinical Research Network Nonalcoholic Steatohepatis criteria. RESULTS: Prevalence of NAFLD was 95%. Higher rates of hepatic fibrosis were observed in diabetic patients (56.4%) compared with prediabetic (29.2%), and normoglycemic patients (28.6%) (P<.001). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was diagnosed in 59.4% of the diabetics, in 49.2% of the prediabetics, and in 36% of the normoglycemic obese (P<.001). Only 1.5% of the diabetics had no histologic hepatic alterations. CONCLUSION: NAFLD is markedly more severe in diabetic patients. Our data suggest that intraoperative liver biopsy should be considered for diabetic patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Early bariatric surgery should be investigated as a means to prevent progression of NAFLD.

Revisional Malabsorptive Bariatric Surgery: 29-Year Follow-up in a Brazilian Public Hospital.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of 67 patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgeries over a 29-year period in a Brazilian public hospital. METHODS: The records of all patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgery from January 1987 to December of 2016 at our hospital were analyzed for weight loss and complications. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests were computed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were included in the study. The primary surgeries previously performed on these patients were biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) (37 cases, 55.2%), jejunoileal bypass (JIB) (24 cases, 35.8%), sleeve gastrectomy (4 cases, 5.9%), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (1 case, 1.5%), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (1 case, 1.5%). The indications for revisional surgery were as follows: malnutrition in 29 cases (43.3%), failure to lose weight in 27 cases (40.3%), weight regain in 5 cases (7.5%), and untreatable diarrhea in 6 cases (9.2%). Most revisional surgeries were performed using JIB or BPD-DS. Operative mortality was higher after the revisional procedures compared with that following the primary bariatric surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients requiring a revisional surgery had undergone a primary BPD-DS or JIB. Severe and untreatable malnutrition and diarrhea were the main indications for the revisional procedures. RYGB produced significant and sustainable weight loss and exhibited a low risk of malnutrition or requiring revisional surgery.

pRB expression in esophageal mucosa of individuals at high risk for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

AIM: To investigate the pRb expression in a large group of patients with history of chronic exposure to the main risk factors for development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. METHODS: One hundred and seventy asymptomatic individuals at high risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (consumption of more than 80 g of ethanol and 10 cigarettes/d for at least 10 years) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies of the esophageal mucosa. As a control group, specimens of esophageal mucosa obtained from 20 healthy subjects were also studied. Immunohistochemical assessment of the tissues was performed using a monoclonal antibody anti-pRB protein. RESULTS: Absence of the pRB staining, indicating loss of RB function, was observed in 33 (19.4%) of the individuals at risk for esophageal cancer, but in none of the healthy controls (P < 0.02). Loss of pRb expression increased in a stepwise fashion according to the severity of the histological findings (P < 0.005): normal mucosa (11/97 or 11.3%), chronic esophagitis (17/60 or 28.3%), low-grade dysplasia (3/10 or 30%), high-grade dysplasia 1/2 or 50%) and squamous cell carcinoma (1/1 or 100%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that abnormal expression of the pRB protein may be implicated in the process of esophageal carcinogenesis. Additional studies are warranted to define the role of the pRB protein as a biomarker for development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in individuals at high risk for this malignancy.

Perioperative synbiotics administration decreases postoperative infections in patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of perioperative administration of symbiotics on the incidence of surgical wound infection in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized clinical trial with colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery, randomly assigned to receive symbiotics or placebo for five days prior to the surgical procedure and for 14 days after surgery. We studied 91 patients, 49 in the symbiotics group (Lactobacillus acidophilus 108 to 109 CFU, Lactobacillus rhamnosus 108 to 109 CFU, Lactobacillus casei 108 to 109 CFU, Bifi dobacterium 108 to 109 CFU and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) 6g) and 42 in the placebo group. RESULTS: surgical site infection occurred in one (2%) patient in the symbiotics group and in nine (21.4%) patients in the control group (p=0.002). There were three cases of intraabdominal abscess and four cases of pneumonia in the control group, whereas we observed no infections in patients receiving symbiotics (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: the perioperative administration of symbiotics significantly reduced postoperative infection rates in patients with colorectal cancer. Additional studies are needed to confirm the role of symbiotics in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer.

KIR genes and HLA class I ligands in a Caucasian Brazilian population with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can occur anywhere in the colon or rectum and represents the third most common cancer in the world in both sexes. Natural killer cells (NK) are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors, called killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the KIR genes and HLA ligands in patients with colorectal cancer and healthy controls. We examined the polymorphism of 16 KIR genes and their HLA ligands in 154 caucasoid CRC patients and 216 controls. When both groups were compared, no significant differences were found for HLA ligands and KIR genes after Bonferroni correction. However, the Bx haplotypes (heterozygous and homozygous for the haplotype B) were more frequent in controls, when compared with patients. These findings suggest that individuals with Bx haplotypes could have some protection to colorectal cancer. The hypothesis is not related with the presence of a special KIR gene and HLA ligand related to the disease, but to the presence of several activating genes in the individuals with no better action of one in relation to other. Further studies to confirm this observation are warranted.

The role of Hartmann's procedure in the elective management of rectal cancer: results of a Brazilian cohort study / O papel do procedimento de Hartmann no manejo eletivo do câncer retal: resultados de um estudo de coorte brasileiro

ABSTRACT Background: although preservation of bowel continuity is a major goal in rectal cancer surgery, a colorectal anastomosis may be considered an unacceptably high-risk procedure, particularly for patients with multiple comorbidities. We aimed to assess rates of surgical complications in rectal cancer patients according to the type of procedure they had undergone. Materials and Methods: this cohort included all rectal cancer patients undergoing elective resection at a referral academic hospital over 16 years. There were three study groups according to the type of performed operation: (1) rectal resection with anastomosis without defunctioning stoma (DS); (2) rectal resection with anastomosis and DS; and (3) Hartmann's procedure (HP). Postoperative complications and clinical outcomes were assessed. Results: four-hundred and two patients were studied. The 118 patients in group 3 were significantly older (>10 years), had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and more ASA class ≥3 than patients in the other two groups. Sixty-seven patients (16.7%) had Clavien-Dindo complications grade ≥ III, corresponding to an incidence of 11.8%, 20.9%, and 14.4% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.10). Twenty-nine patients (7.2%) had major septic complications that required reoperation, with an incidence of 10.8%, 8.2% and 2.5% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p=0.048). Twenty-one percent of the group 2 patients did not undergo the stoma closure after a 24-month follow-up. Conclusion: HP was associated with a lower incidence of reoperation due to intra-abdominal septic complications. This procedure remains an option for patients in whom serious surgical complications are anticipated.

RESUMO Introdução: embora a preservação do trânsito intestinal seja um dos objetivos principais na cirurgia do câncer retal, a anastomose colorretal pode ser considerada um procedimento de altíssimo risco, particularmente para pacientes com múltiplas comorbidades. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar as taxas de complicações cirúrgicas em pacientes com câncer retal de acordo com o tipo de procedimento a que foram submetidos. Materiais e Métodos: esta coorte incluiu todos os pacientes com câncer retal submetidos a ressecção eletiva em hospital universitário de referência ao longo de 16 anos. Houve três grupos de estudo de acordo com o tipo de operação realizada: (1) ressecção retal com anastomose, sem estoma desfuncionalizante (ED); (2) ressecção retal com anastomose e ED; e (3) procedimento de Hartmann (PH). Avaliamos as complicações pós-operatórias e os resultados clínicos. Resultados: estudamos 402 pacientes. O grupo 3 tinha 118 pacientes, estes sendo significativamente mais idosos (>10 anos), com pontuações mais altas no Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson e mais frequentemente classificados como ASA ≥ 3 do que os pacientes dos outros dois grupos. Sessenta e sete pacientes (16,7%) apresentaram complicações de Clavien-Dindo grau ≥ III, correspondendo à incidência de 11,8%, 20,9% e 14,4% nos grupos 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente (p = 0,10). Vinte e nove pacientes (7,2%) apresentaram complicações sépticas graves, necessitando reoperação, com incidência de 10,8%, 8,2% e 2,5% nos grupos 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente (p = 0,048). Vinte e um por cento dos pacientes do grupo 2 não foram submetidos ao fechamento do estoma após acompanhamento de 24 meses. Conclusão: o PH foi associado à menor incidência de reoperação por complicações sépticas intra-abdominais. Este procedimento continua sendo uma opção para pacientes com alto potencial de desenvolver complicações cirúrgicas graves.

Evolving treatment strategies for colorectal cancer: a critical review of current therapeutic options.

Management of rectal cancer has markedly evolved over the last two decades. New technologies of staging have allowed a more precise definition of tumor extension. Refinements in surgical concepts and techniques have resulted in higher rates of sphincter preservation and better functional outcome for patients with this malignancy. Although, preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision has become the standard of care for locally advanced tumors, many controversial matters in management of rectal cancer still need to be defined. These include the feasibility of a non-surgical approach after a favorable response to neoadjuvant therapy, the ideal margins of surgical resection for sphincter preservation and the adequacy of minimally invasive techniques of tumor resection. In this article, after an extensive search in PubMed and Embase databases, we critically review the current strategies and the most debatable matters in treatment of rectal cancer.

Mobilização da flexura esplênica nas ressecções dos tumores de reto e sigmoide: meta-análise dos resultados cirúrgicos / Splenic flexure mobilization in sigmoid and rectal cancer resections: a meta-analysis of surgical outcomes

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a influência da mobilização da flexura esplênica nos principais resultados cirúrgicos de pacientes submetidos à ressecção de câncer do cólon sigmoide ou reto. Métodos: os bancos de dados MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register de Ensaios Controlados e LILACS foram pesquisados usando os termos "mobilização da flexura esplênica", "cirurgia colorretal", "câncer retal", "ressecção anterior", "câncer de cólon sigmoide", "ressecção de sigmoide". O desfecho principal foi a deiscência da anastomose. Outros desfechos analisados foram mortalidade, sangramento, infecção e complicações gerais. Os tamanhos dos efeitos foram estimados por meio do agrupamento dos dados de seis estudos de caso-controle (1.433 pacientes) publicados até janeiro de 2018. Resultados: nossa meta-análise revelou que pacientes submetidos à mobilização completa da flexura esplênica tinham um risco maior de deiscência anastomótica (RR=2,27, IC95%: 1,22-4,23) em comparação àqueles não submetidos a esse procedimento. Nenhuma diferença pôde ser demonstrada entre os grupos em termos de mortalidade, sangramento, infecção e complicações gerais. Conclusão: a mobilização da flexura esplênica está associada a um maior risco de deiscência anastomótica nas ressecções de câncer de reto ou cólon sigmoide. Esta manobra cirúrgica deve ser utilizada com cautela no manejo cirúrgico dos tumores colorretais.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the influence of the splenic flexure mobilization for the main surgical outcomes of patients submitted to resection of sigmoid and rectal cancer. Methods: we searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and LILACS, using the terms "splenic flexure mobilization", "colorectal surgery", "rectal cancer", "anterior resection", "sigmoid colon cancer", and "sigmoid resection". The main outcome was anastomotic dehiscence. Other outcomes analyzed were mortality, bleeding, infection and general complications. We estimated the effect sizes by grouping data from six case-control studies (1,433 patients) published until January 2018. Results: our meta-analysis showed that patients undergoing complete mobilization of the splenic flexure had a higher risk of anastomotic dehiscence (RR=2.27, 95%CI: 1.22-4.23) compared with those not submitted to this procedure. There was no difference between the groups in terms of mortality, bleeding, infection and general complications. Conclusion: splenic flexure mobilization is associated with a higher risk of anastomotic dehiscence in resections of sigmoid and rectal cancer. This surgical maneuver should be used with caution in the surgical management of sigmoid or rectal cancers.