Extensive mesenteric lipodystrophy of the left colon: case report and brief review of the literature.

Mesenteric lipodystrophy is a rare inflammatory process that predominantly affects mesenteric adipose tissue of the small bowell. Several mechanisms have been suggested as responsible for this entity although the precise etiolog remains unknown. The diagnosis is based on CT or MRI imaging and generally confirmed by surgical biopsies. Treatment is individualized and empiric and depends on disease stage and symptoms. We report a case of a 35-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with a history of abdominal pain, constipation and a palpable mass in the left lower quadrant. Abdominal CT scan showed diffuse thickening of the descending and rectosigmoid colon, associated with increased density of the mesenteric fat. After failure ofan initial treat- ment with glucocorticoids, he underwent a laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. Histopatholog analysis revealed extensive stea- tonecrosis ofpericolonicfat and lipid-ladenfoamy cells which was consistent with the diagnosis of mesenteric lipodystrophy. Clinical presentation and treatment as well as a brief review of the literature are discussed.

Associated liver and multivisceral resections: should we extend the frontiers of resectability?

Combined liver and multivisceral resections (CLMVRs) are rare procedures that demand extensive surgical skills. Few reports have discussed the benefit of these complex procedures and their indications are poorly defined. The aim of the present study is to present short- and long-term results of CLMVRs in primary and metastatic malignancies, including a risk analysis for perioperative morbidity and mortality. A review of our prospective surgical database between November 2007 and August 2013 identified 21 patients who had undergone CLMVRs. Preoperative radiologic evaluation and laboratory data, intraoperative results, hospital outcomes, and long-term follow-up were analyzed. CLMVRs were performed due to metastatic disease from different sites in 17 patients, and due to direct local invasion of the liver in the remaining 4 cases. Major hepatectomy was performed in 7 cases. Morbidity was 57% and 90-day postoperative mortality was 9%. Gender and resection of more than 4 organs were found as statistically significant risk factors to develop major complications. Five of 7 patients with 4 or more organs resected presented major complications including mortality (p = 0.026). The overall 1- and 3-year survival rates were 57 and 24%, respectively. Patients undergoing CLMVRs experience acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Surgery should be performed only in carefully selected patients, considering their preoperative comorbidities, and in high-volume centers.

Laparoscopic colorectal resections: a simple predictor model and a stratification risk for conversion to open surgery.

BACKGROUND: The advantages associated with the laparoscopic approach are lost when conversion is required. Available predictive models have failed to show external validation. Body surface area is a recently described risk factor not included in these models. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a clinical rule including body surface area for predicting conversion in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a single large tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: Nine hundred sixteen patients (mean age, 63.9; range, 14-91 years; 53.2% female) who underwent surgery between January 2004 and August 2011 were identified from a prospective database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conversion rate was analyzed related to age, sex, obesity, disease location (colon vs rectum), type of disease (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic), history of previous surgery, and body surface area. A predictive model for conversion was developed with the use of logistic regression to identify independently associated variables, and a simple clinical prediction rule was derived. Internal validation of the model was performed by using bootstrapping. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 9.9% (91/916). Rectal disease, large patient size, and male sex were independently associated with higher odds of conversion (OR, 2.28 95%CI, 1.47-3.46]), 1.88 [1.1-3.44], and 1.87 [1.04-3.24]). The prediction rule identified 3 risk groups: low risk (women and nonlarge males), average risk (large males with colon disease), and high risk (large males with rectal disease). Conversion rates among these groups were 5.7%, 11.3%, and 27.8% (p < 0.001). Compared with the low-risk group, ORs for average- and high-risk groups were 2.17 (1.30-3.62, p = 0.004) and 6.38 (3.57-11.4, p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by the lack of external validation. CONCLUSION: This predictive model, including body surface area, stratifies patients with different conversion risks and may help to inform patients, to select cases in the early learning curve, and to evaluate the standard of care. However, this prediction rule needs to be externally validated in other samples (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A137).

[Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer]. / Resección total de mesorrecto robótica por cáncer de recto.

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) has proven to be feasible and safe. However, it represents a major technical challenge, since it involves the dissection of the rectum in a confined space such as the bony pelvis using un-ergonomic surgical devices. This difficulty is accentuated in patients with distal tumors and high body mass index (BMI), in which the surgical margins and the hypogastric nerves may be affected. Therefore, robotic surgery aims to overcome these limitations that conspire against the mininvasive surgical approach of rectal cancer. We present an obese (BMI = 32 kg/m2) 82-year-old man with a history of smoking and prostate cancer that was recently diagnosed with a middle rectal adenocarcinoma at 9 cm from the anal verge. Rectal examination evidenced a mobile lesion. Computed tomography scan ruled out metastases and at the local staging by MRI, the tumor was considered as T3-N0 with free circumferential margins. Surgical treatment was decided and a hybrid technique was used combining an initial laparoscopic approach followed by the robotic TME. The patient had a full recovery and was discharged three days after surgery without complications. Pathological examination revealed a low-grade adenocarcinoma with mesorectal invasion, free circumferential and distal margins, and 24 negative lymph nodes (pT3-pN0-pM0/Stage II). Robotic TME was performed safely in an obese patient. It facilitated dissection maneuvers in a confined space with proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves, allowing retrieving an intact mesorectum. Prospective randomized trials will define the role of this new technology.

Two-day hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery under an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to examine the feasibility and safety of a two-day hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR) under an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2010, 882 consecutive patients undergoing LCR were analyzed. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to whether their hospital stay was 2 days (group A) or longer (group B). Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were compared. To identify independent predictive factors related to a short hospital stay, a multivariate analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Group A represented 10.3 % of this series (91 patients). There were no differences regarding age, gender, BMI, ASA, and previous abdominal surgeries between groups. Group A had a lower incidence of rectal cancer and anterior resections than group B (6.6 vs. 17.7 % [p = 0.006] and 14.3 vs. 23.4 % [p = 0.048]), respectively, and a lower mean operative time (170 min vs. 192 min; p = 0.002). Group A had a lower overall morbidity rate than group B (5.5 vs. 16.9 %; p = 0.004) and a lower incidence of surgery-related complications (5.5 vs. 14.9 %; p = 0.001). The overall conversion rate was 10 % (only one patient in group A required conversion), and the difference in conversion rate between groups was statistically significant (1.2 vs. 10.7 %; p = 0.003). Group A had a lower readmission rate (0 vs. 4.9 %; p = 0.089). Multivariate analysis showed that conversion, postoperative morbidity, and rectal prolapse were independently associated with the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: A two-day hospital stay after LCR is safe and feasible under an ERAS pathway, without compromising the readmission or complication rate.

Resección total de mesorrecto robótica por cáncer de recto / [Robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer].

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) has proven to be feasible and safe. However, it represents a major technical challenge, since it involves the dissection of the rectum in a confined space such as the bony pelvis using un-ergonomic surgical devices. This difficulty is accentuated in patients with distal tumors and high body mass index (BMI), in which the surgical margins and the hypogastric nerves may be affected. Therefore, robotic surgery aims to overcome these limitations that conspire against the mininvasive surgical approach of rectal cancer. We present an obese (BMI = 32 kg/m2) 82-year-old man with a history of smoking and prostate cancer that was recently diagnosed with a middle rectal adenocarcinoma at 9 cm from the anal verge. Rectal examination evidenced a mobile lesion. Computed tomography scan ruled out metastases and at the local staging by MRI, the tumor was considered as T3-N0 with free circumferential margins. Surgical treatment was decided and a hybrid technique was used combining an initial laparoscopic approach followed by the robotic TME. The patient had a full recovery and was discharged three days after surgery without complications. Pathological examination revealed a low-grade adenocarcinoma with mesorectal invasion, free circumferential and distal margins, and 24 negative lymph nodes (pT3-pN0-pM0/Stage II). Robotic TME was performed safely in an obese patient. It facilitated dissection maneuvers in a confined space with proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves, allowing retrieving an intact mesorectum. Prospective randomized trials will define the role of this new technology.

Body surface area: a new predictor factor for conversion and prolonged operative time in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Body surface area is a measurement of body size used in clinical settings. Its impact on laparoscopic colorectal surgery has not been previously studied. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of body surface area on the conversion rate and laparoscopic operative time. DESIGN: This study was conducted as a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: This study was conducted at a single tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: Nine hundred sixteen consecutive patients operated on between January 2004 and August 2011 were identified from a prospective database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conversion rate and laparoscopic operative time were analyzed related to age, sex, obesity, disease location (colon vs rectum), type of disease (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic), history of previous surgery, and body surface area; body surface area was calculated by the Mosteller formula. Body surface area was analyzed by the use of median and quartile cutoff values (1.6, 1.8, and 2.0). Multivariate models were adjusted for different confounders. Interaction between body surface area and BMI was ruled out. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 10%. Conversion rates for quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 4.4%, 8.3%, 12.7%, and 14.8%, p = 0.001. Patients with body surface area ≥ 1.8 had a higher conversion rate than those with body surface area <1.8 (13.9% vs 5.3%, OR: 2.35 (95% CI: 1.45-3.86; p = 0.0001)). Multivariate analysis showed that body surface area ≥ 1.8 was associated with conversion (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.7, p = 0.02) and a longer operative time after adjusting for sex, age, obesity, disease location (rectum vs colon), and type of laparoscopic approach. LIMITATION: This was a single-institution retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Body surface area is a predictor for conversion and longer laparoscopic operative time. It should be considered when informing patients, selecting cases in the early learning curve, and assessing standard of care.

Short-term and long-term outcomes after simultaneous resection of colorectal malignancies and synchronous liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the simultaneous resection of colorectal malignancies and synchronous liver metastases. METHODS: Between June 1982 and June 2006, a total of 752 patients underwent resection of colorectal hepatic metastases. In all, 185 (25%) of them underwent simultaneous resection of the hepatic lesions and the corresponding primary tumors. RESULTS: The median hospital stay was 8 days (range 4-24 days), with a median operating time of 4 h (range 2-8 h). Altogether, 62 (33.5%) patients required intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (median 2.1 IU, range 1-5 IU), and 25 (13.5%) were given frozen fresh plasma (median 2.1 IU, range 1-4 IU). The morbidity rate was 20.5%. There were two postoperative deaths (mortality rate 1.08%) within 30 days of the surgical intervention. Major hepatectomy was associated with greater morbidity (37.2% vs. 16.2%, P < 0.01) and mortality (4.7% vs. 0%, P < 0.05) rates. For the overall survivals (OS) at 3 and 5 years were 60.1% (52.3-67.85%) and 36.1% (27.4-44.8%), respectively. Disease-free survivals (DFS) at 3 and 5 years were 37.7% (30.2-45.3%) and 26.5% (18.7-34.3%), respectively. Transfusion of blood products, CEA level > or = 200 ng/dl, and N2 node status were found to be prognostic factors by univariate analysis. CEA level > or = 200 ng/dl and N2 node status achieved prognostic significance by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous resection of colorectal malignancies and synchronous liver metastases is safe, avoids an additional intervention, can be performed with low morbidity and mortality, and is associated with good oncologic outcomes. Node stage N2 and CEA level > or = 200 ng/dl should be given special consideration when selecting patients.

Lymph node ratio as prognosis factor for colon cancer treated by colorectal surgeons.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of the lymph node ratio in patients with colon cancer treated by colorectal specialists. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-two Stage III consecutive cases were analyzed based on quartiles: lymph node ratio 1 (>0 and <0.06); lymph node ratio 2 (between 0.06 and 0.12); lymph node ratio 3 (>0.12 and <0.25); lymph node ratio 4 (>or=0.25). RESULTS: Disease-free survival rates were: lymph node ratio 1, 75.5%; lymph node ratio 2, 74.2%; lymph node ratio 3, 73.2%; and lymph node ratio 4, 40.1%. Similar differences were observed for cancer-specific and overall survival rates. Cases with lymph node ratio >or=0.25 had higher hazard ratios than cases with lymph node ratio <0.25 in terms of disease-free survival (2.8, P < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (3.1, P = 0.0001), and overall survival (2.2, P = 0.0001). The hazard ratio of cases with up to three positive nodes and lymph node ratios >or=0.25 was higher than that of cases with up to three positive nodes and lymph node ratios <0.25 in terms of disease-free survival (3.1, P = 0.003), cancer-specific survival (3.5, P = 0.002), and overall survival (2.4, P = 0.02). Similar differences were found for cases with more than three positive nodes. Lymph node ratio, but not number of positive nodes, had independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. No interaction between these two variables was found. CONCLUSION: A lymph node ratio >or=0.25 was an independent prognostic factor in Stage III colon adenocarcinoma regardless of the number positive nodes. It modified outcomes predicted by the current staging system.

Association between mast cells of different phenotypes and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.

It is known that mast cells proliferate in solid tumours and increase tumour angiogenesis. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding their role in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship of mast cells positive for tryptase (MCts) and tryptase-chymase (MCtcs) with microvessel density (MVD) in the intratumoral zone and the invasive edge of 80 CRC patient tumours. We evaluated these parameters and associated their expression with clinicopathological parameters, including survival rate. Tumour sections from each patient were immunostained for tryptase to evaluate MCts, chymase to evaluate MCtcs, and CD34 to evaluate microvessel counts under x100 microscopy. The number of MCs of both phenotypes and the MVD counts were higher in the invasive edge than in the intratumoral zone (p<0.001). MCt numbers were higher than those of MCtcs in all Astler-Coller stages in both regions. A positive correlation between MVD and MCts or MCtcs was observed (Pearson's test p<0.001). Neither the number of MCs nor MVD was associated with overall survival (log rank test). However, only 8.3% of patients with low numbers of MCtcs in the invasive edge succumbed to the disease, compared to 32% with high numbers of MCtcs. Our results indicate that angiogenesis and MC hyperplasia are events which appear early during CRC development. The correlation of MC phenotypes with MVD is in agreement with the role attributed to MCs, that of angiogenesis enhancement. Collectively, these findings suggest that screening during the early malignization of CRC can provide valuable clinical information.

Prognostic value of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, MMPs (7 and 9), and TIMPs (1 and 2) in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Therapy of colorectal tumors (CRC) based on histology and clinical factors is insufficient to predict the evolution of each patient. The finding of molecular abnormalities able to differentiate subgroups of patients with bad prognosis will improve our ability to treat them successfully. Our purpose was to analyze retrospectively the prognostic input of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, metalloproteinases (MMPs) (7 and 9), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) (1 and 2) in patients with a follow-up period of 5 years. METHODS: Antigen expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Prognostic evaluation was performed with the multivariate proportional hazards model. RESULTS: We demonstrated a concomitant loss of E-cadherin and beta-catenin at membranous level and an abnormal accumulation of nuclear beta-catenin. Besides, we found that all MMPs and TIMPs studied were overexpressed in CRC tissue. There was no association between the expression of any of these molecules and the known clinical-pathological parameters employed in CRC pathology. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the overall survival could be independently predicted by the loss of E-cadherin and the overexpression of TIMP-2. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of E-cadherin and TIMP-2 could be relevant in determining the prognosis of CRC patients and providing a more accurate mechanism for their classification.

Simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resections for colorectal cancer: postoperative and longterm outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to analyze the results of resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases in one procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Between June 1982 and July 1998, 522 patients underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases. Liver resection was performed simultaneously with colorectal resection in 71 cases, representing the population in this study. Morbidity, mortality, overall survival, and disease-free survival times were analyzed. Median followup time was 29 months (range 6 to 162 months). Prognostic factors and their influence on outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The median hospital stay was 8 days (range 5 to 23 days). Morbidity was 21% and included nine pleural effusions, seven wound abscesses, four instances of hepatic failure, three systemic infections, three intraabdominal abscesses, and one colonic anastomosis leakage. Operative mortality was 0%. Recurrence rate was 57.7% (41 or 71), and progression of disease was detected in 33.8%. Overall and disease-free survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88%, 45%, and 38% and 67%, 17%, and 9%, respectively. Prognostic factors with notable influence on patient outcomes were nodal stage as per TNM classification, number of liver metastases, diameter (smaller or larger than 5 cm), liver resection specimen weight (lighter or heavier than 90 g), and liver resection margin (smaller or larger than 1 cm). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates, avoiding a second surgical procedure.