The effects of chemoradiotherapy on recurrence and survival in locally advanced rectal cancers with curative total mesorectal excision: a prospective, nonrandomized study.

BACKGROUND: There are only two prospective, randomized studies comparing preoperative long-term chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC); however, conflicting results in terms of locoregional recurrence (LR) and survival rates have been reported. This prospective study aims to compare the effects of preoperative versus postoperative chemoradiotherapy on recurrence and survival rates in LARC patients. METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2016, a total of 336 eligible patients who were clinically diagnosed with LARC (T3-T4 tm or node-positive disease) were prospectively assigned into preoperative chemoradiotherapy (n = 177) and postoperative chemoradiotherapy (n = 159) groups. The preoperative treatment consisted of 50.4 Gy total dose of radiotherapy (delivered in fractions of 1.8 Gy) and concomitant two cycles chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. The patients in the preoperative group underwent curative total mesorectal excision (TME) following long-term chemoradiotherapy. Surgery was performed 8 (range 4-12) median weeks after the completion of the chemoradiotherapy. Similar protocol was administered to the postoperative group 4 weeks after the operation. Four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy were added to the groups. The primary end points were locoregional recurrences and 5-year cancer-specific, overall, and disease-free survivals. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 60.4 (range 12 to 168) months. Five-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LR) was 7.4% in the preoperative group and 13.4% in the postoperative group (p = 0.021). Five-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 87.5% in the preoperative group and 80% in the postoperative group (p = 0.022). Overall survival (OS) was 79.8 versus 74.7% (p = 0.064), disease-free survival (DFS) was 75.2 versus 64.8% (p = 0.062), and severe late toxicity was 7.4 versus 13.2% (p = 0.002), respectively. The rate of patient compliance was higher in the preoperative group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy, as compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy, significantly improved local control, patient compliance, CSS, and late toxicity and suggested a trend toward improved overall and disease-free survival.

Totally Curative Surgical Resection of Retrorectal Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Retrorectal (also known as presacral) tumor (RT) is a rare disease of retrorectal space. There is no large numbered case series in the literature. Well documented small numbered case series will help to establish meta-analysis and surgical decision making. METHODOLOGY: Between 2000 and 2014 medical records of patients with diagnosis of RT at two institutions were reviewed. Clinical features, diagnostic studies, type of surgery, surgical findings, surgical technique, and histopathology of the tumor, morbidity and survival are examined based on data registry. RESULTS: During 14 years period of time, total of 12 patients operated with diagnosis of RT were retrieved to this study. There were five men and seven women. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 43 (27-56) years. The most frequent findings were pain and palpable mass. There were five anterior, four posterior and three anteroposterior approaches for surgery. There is no recurrence or disease related mortality observed after median of 7 years (1-14). CONCLUSION: The primary and only satisfactory treatment is surgery for RTs. Prognosis is directly related primary local control with complete excision, which is often difficult to achieve for malignant lesions.

Complicated Meckel's diverticulum and therapeutic management.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the treatment options and compare patient management with the literature for patients operated on for an acute abdomen who had complications due to inflammation of the Meckel's diverticulum at our clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study retrospectively evaluated 14 patients who had been operated on for acute abdomen and had been diagnosed with Meckel's diverticulitis (MD) in Ege University Medical Faculty Department of General Surgery, between October 2007 and October 2012. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with a diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulitis (MD) were retrospectively analyzed. Radiologically, the abdominal computer tomography showed pathologies compatible with mechanical intestinal obstruction, Meckel's diverticulitis and peridiverticular abscess, as well as detection of free air within the abdomen on direct abdominal X-ray. Among patients diagnosed with complicated Meckel's diverticuli (obstruction, diverticulitis, perforation) 10 patients had partial small bowel resection and end-to-end anastomosis (71.5%), three patients underwent diverticulum excision (21.4%), and one patient underwent right hemicolectomy+ileotransversostomy (7.1%). CONCLUSION: Meckel's diverticulum is a vestigial remnant of an omphalomesenteric channel in the small bowel. It is a real congenital diverticular abnormality that contains all three layers of the small bowel. Surgical excision should be performed if Meckel's diverticulum is detected in order to avoid incidental complications such as ulceration, bleeding, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis or perforation. Meckel's diverticulitis does not have specific clinical and radiological findings. Delayed diagnosis can lead to lethal septic complications. Complications associated with Meckel's diverticulitis, especially if a definite diagnosis is not made during the preoperative period, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In the presence of a complicated diverticulum the appropriate treatment should be emergent surgical intervention.

Spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma: What to do and not to do.

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma is a rare complication of anticoagulant treatment. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 14 patients with the diagnosis of intramural hematoma of the small intestine who were followed-up and treated in our clinic, and we aimed to determine current approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of intramural hematoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February 2010-October 2012, 14 patients diagnosed with small intestinal intramural hematoma were retrospectively analyzed. Nine patients were followed due to clinical findings and 5 patients underwent operation with a histopathological diagnosis of intramural hematoma. RESULTS: Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated ileal and jejunal wall thickening in 10 patients, while findings were consistent with mesenteric vascular disease in four. Five patients were operated due to mechanical bowel obstruction and acute abdomen. The other 9 patients were followed up with medical treatment and 8 of these patients were already using warfarin due to cardiac bypass and valve replacement. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction due to intramural hematoma, which is encountered even more rarely. An intramural hematoma should be considered among differential diagnosis of patients who present with abdominal pain and symptoms of obstruction with a history of anticoagulant drug use and elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) levels. Early diagnosis and medical follow-up can provide a good response to treatment in the majority of patients without requiring surgery.

Effects of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate on acute radiation proctitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate combination (HA/CS) on a model of acute radiation proctitis. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups: SHAM; irradiation (IR) + saline (1 mL for 5th and 10th day); IR + HA/CS (1 mL for 5th and 10th day). A single fraction of 17.5 Gy was delivered to each rat. HA/CS was administered rectally each day after irradiation. Each rat was observed daily for signs of proctitis. Irradiated rats were euthanized on days 5 and 10. The mucosal changes were evaluated macroscopically and pathologically. RESULTS: According to the clinical findings, five rats in the irradiation + saline group showed grade 3-4 symptoms on the 10th day. No significant difference in the macroscopic finding scores on the 5th day was observed between the irradiation + saline and irradiation + HA/CS groups. In the pathological examination, radiation-induced mucosal damage was the most prominent finding 10 days after irradiation in saline-treated rats. On the 10th day, the irradiation + HA/CS group showed mild inflammation and slight crypt changes, which corresponded to grade 1-2 pathological findings. CONCLUSION: We think that HA/CS used in radiation cystitis can be beneficial for radiation proctitis.

Functional outcomes of intersphincteric resection in low rectal tumors.

Objectives: Currently, sphincter-saving procedures are increasingly performed in the treatment of low rectal cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent intersphincteric resection. Material and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study. We evaluated the electronic data files of 29 patients who had intersphincteric resections at our institute between 2008 and 2018. Bowel function outcomes were assessed prospectively using Wexner incontinence score. Histopathological, surgical and functional outcomes were analyzed. Results: Mean age of nine female and 20 male patients included in the study was 55.8 ± 12.8 (30-76) years. A tumor-free surgical margin was achieved in all patients. Anastomotic leakage was detected in two patients. Mean Wexner incontinence score of 20 patients who still had functional anastomosis was 8.35, whereas 65% of the patients (n= 13) had a good continence status. There was no relationship between the continence status and sex, tumor distance from anal verge, T stage, distal surgical margin, and lymph node involvement. Twenty-one patients underwent primary coloanal anastomosis and eight patients underwent two-stage coloanal anastomosis. Conclusion: In the treatment of distal rectal cancer, adequate oncological surgery and relatively acceptable functional outcomes can be obtained with intersphincteric resection technique in suitable patients.

Effect of interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery on disease recurrence and survival in rectal cancer: long-term results of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of surgery following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is controversial. This trial aimed to assess disease recurrence and survival rates between patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (LARC) who underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) after a waiting interval of 8 weeks or less (classic interval; CI) versus more than 8 weeks (long interval; LI) following preoperative CRT. METHODS: This was a phase III, single-centre, randomized clinical trial. Patients with LARC situated within 12 cm of the anal verge (T3-T4 or N+ disease) were randomized to undergo TME within or after 8 weeks after CRT. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and January 2017, 350 patients were randomized, 175 to each group. As of February 2022, the median follow-up time was 80 (6-174) months. Among the 322 included patients (CI, 159; LI, 163) the cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence at 5 years was 10.1 per cent in the CI group and 6.9 per cent in the LI group (P = 0.143). The cumulative incidence of distant metastasis at 5 years was 30.8 per cent in the CI group and 18.6 per cent in the LI group (sub-HR = 1.78; 95 per cent c.i. 1.14 to 2.78, P = 0.010). The disease-free survival (DFS) in each group was 59.7 and 69.9 per cent respectively (P = 0.157), and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 73.6 versus 77.9 per cent (P = 0.476). CONCLUSION: Incidence of distant metastasis decreased with an interval between CRT and surgery exceeding 8 weeks, but this did not impact on DFS or OS. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03287843 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Foreign bodies in the rectum: an analysis of 30 patients.

PURPOSE: A foreign body in the rectum is a rare clinical entity. These foreign bodies can be classified under two major groups: the ones that are inserted from the anus and the ones that are swallowed and thereafter become stuck in the rectum. METHODS: Data of patients admitted with a foreign body in the rectum between 1988 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 30 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The most common reason for a foreign body in the rectum was insertion for erotic purposes, which was seen in 19 of the 30 patients. All these patients were male. The remaining 11 patients reported nonerotic causes. The most efficient and implemented therapeutic method was simple extraction during the first examination. CONCLUSIONS: The most common reason for a foreign body in the rectum is insertion for erotic purposes. The first target of therapy should be extraction of the foreign body using the simplest method possible. Meanwhile, protecting the integrity of the intestine is of the utmost importance. The care for maintaining the integrity of the rectum should include an evaluation of the patient's psychological status.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome as a rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction: report of two cases.

An abdominal cocoon is an extremely rare condition, and has been reported mainly in young adolescent women as a cause of small bowel obstruction. In these patients, the small bowel is encased in a fibrous sac called an abdominal cocoon. We hereby present two cases who were diagnosed only by laparotomy and their correlation with the literature. They both received early intervention, thus preventing the need for bowel resection. The pathology of both membranes showed inflammation.

Steroid utilization in eosinophilic jejunitis: beneficial or harmful?

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic jejunitis is a rare disorder of undetermined origin, which is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils in the intestine. The aim of this study is to evaluate steroid therapy effect in patient treated for eosinophilic jejunitis to share our experience with other colleagues. METHODS: We report a patient with symptoms of small bowel obstruction whose diagnosis was confirmed by previous operation owing to a well-known pathology due to an unusual reason, perforation, which was masqueraded by therapeutic drugs. RESULT: This clinical entity is usually encountered between the third and fifth decades. Stomach and small intestine are the most affected organs; however, it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal system. Abdominal pain and obstructive symptoms concomitant with weight loss are the common presenting complaints. According to current knowledge, avoiding unnecessary resection unless it is inevitable is an acceptable option for the management of eosinophilic jejunitis disease. CONCLUSION: Recent data suggest that eosinophils may directly damage the gastrointestinal tract wall in eosinophilic gastroenteritis. A few limited literatures about this disease strongly recommends steroid therapy for treatment. Furthermore, beneficial or harmful effects of steroids in eosinophilic jejunitis and its treatment details are discussed and reviewed.

Postoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer: long-term results of 290 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate treatment results and to identify prognostic factors affecting local-relapse-free (LRFS), disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review was performed in 290 patients treated between January 1990 and December 2005. Median RT dose was 54 Gy. A total of 220 (75.8%) patients also received 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 56 months (range 9-216 months), 68 patients (23.4%) developed local recurrence and 96 patients (33.1%) developed distant metastases. Five-year LRFS, DFS, and OS rates were 74.6%, 52.6%, and 53.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, significant prognostic factors for LRFS were age, pathologic T stage (pT), and distance from anal verge; for DFS were pT stage, and positive surgical margin; for OS were pT and pathologic N (pN) stages. One hundred and fifty-two node-positive patients whose number of retrieved and metastatic nodes are known were evaluated according to the lymph node ratio (LNR). OS and DFS rates significantly decreased with increasing LNR (p = 0.005, and p = 0.023 respectively). RT related Grade 3-4 late morbidity rate was 3.1%. A second primary malignancy developed in 4.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: Among several prognostic factors, pT stage significantly predicted for LRFS, DFS and OS on multivariate analysis, while pN stage was significant for all three only on univariate analysis. LNR which affected DFS and OS could be an important tool for prognostic prediction for node-positive patients.

A new extraction technique for rectal foreign bodies with a rubber band ligation device.

Foreign bodies in the rectum are a rare clinical condition that should be noted. The most frequently encountered cause is erotic activity. The first goal of the therapy is extraction of the foreign body using the simplest method possible while protecting the integrity of the intestine. Many instruments and methods have been suggested for this purpose. This report discusses a new management strategy for these patients along with a review of the literature.

Prognostic factors in acute mesenteric ischemia and evaluation with multiple logistic regression analysis effecting morbidity and mortality.

<b>Background:</b> Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a catastrophic abdominal emergency characterized by sudden critical interruption to the intestinal blood flow which commonly leads to bowel infarction and death. AMI still has a poor prognosis with an in-hospital mortality rate of 50-69 %. This high mortality rate is related to the delay in diagnosis which is often diffucult and overlooked. Early intervention is crucial and the potential for intestinal viability. <br><b>Methods:</b> The charts of 140 patients who were hospitalazed with AMI between May 1997 and August 2013 in Ege University Faculty of Medicine, department of general surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Demographical and clinical features of patients determining the best predictors which effect on morbidity and mortality were evaluated by Multiple Logistic Regression analysis by Enter method after adjustment for all possible confounding factors. <br><b>Results:</b> After Multiple LR analysis by Enter method after adjustment for all possible confounding factors affecting morbidity; shock, exploration and stay in hospital were statistically significant. Age, cardiac comorbidities, ASA scores, the time delay between onset of acute abdominal pain to surgery, the presence of acidosis and shock, the involved organs (small bowel and both), type of surgery and medical treatment and small bowel length under 100 cm were statistically significant on mortality. <br><b>Conclusion:</b> Risk factors related to mortality and morbidity have been poorly analyzed due to lack of prospective studies and smaller number of patients. Early diagnosis generally depends on clinical awareness and suspicion. Age and time of delay between onset of acute abdominal pain to surgery longer than 24 hours are the most important parameters that predict the mortality for patients presenting with shock and acidosis.

Can hyperbaric oxygenation decrease doxorubicin hepatotoxicity and improve regeneration in the injured liver?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Portal vein embolization is used in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer, with the purpose of enhancing resectability. However, regeneration is restricted due to hepatocellular injury following chemotherapeutics (e.g. doxorubicin). The aim of this study was to investigate whether hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) can alleviate the hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy and improve regeneration in the injured liver. METHODS: Rats were allocated to four experimental groups. Group I rats were subjected to right portal vein ligation (RPVL); rats in groups II and III were administered doxorubicin prior to RPVL, with group III rats being additionally exposed to HBO sessions postoperatively; group IV rats was sham-operated. All rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 7, and liver injury was assessed by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Protein synthetic ability was determined based albumin levels and liver regeneration by the mitotic index (MI). RESULTS: The AST and ALT values of group II rats were significantly higher than those of group I, but not those of group III. Rats treated with doxorubicin and HBO (groups II and III) showed slightly but not significant differences in albumin levels than those subjected to only RPVL or sham-operated. The MI was significantly increased in groups I, II, and III, with the MI of group III rats significantly higher than those of group I rats. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we conclude that HBO treatment has the potential to diminish doxorubicin-related hepatotoxicity and improve regeneration in the injured liver.

Experimental comparison of meshes for rectal prolapse surgery.

AIM: The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the foreign body tissue created by the meshes that are used for rectopexy. METHOD: Sixty rats were divided equally into 5 groups. Four mesh types (Surgipro, Ivalon, Gore-Tex and Vypro) were implanted into the retroperitoneal area except for the sham group. After a 5-week follow-up period, all animals were sacrificed. Specimens were evaluated macroscopically by using scoring systems and biochemically by determining tissue hydroxyproline and nitric oxide levels. RESULTS: The most evident foreign body reaction was observed in the Ivalon group, which showed higher 'macroscopic adhesion' scores (p < 0.005), although there were no significant differences in tissue hydroxyproline and nitric oxide levels between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In rectal prolapse surgery, selecting the ideal mesh type is unclear, depending on evidence-based results. In the present study, we could not prove which mesh was definitely superior to the other, macroscopically, histologically and biochemically. The findings of this experimental rat model suggest that implantation of all 4 types of meshes are suitable for posterior rectopexy.

Ectopic fascioliasis mimicking a colon tumor.

Fasciola hepatica, a leaf shaped trematode that is common in cattle, sheep and goats, is acquired by eating raw water plants like watercress or drinking water infected with the encysted form of the parasite. The varied clinical presentations of fascioliasis still make a high index of suspicion mandatory. Besides having a wide spectrum of hepatobiliary symptoms like obstructive jaundice, cholangitis and liver cirrhosis, the parasitic infection also has extrabiliary manifestations. Until recently, extrahepatic fascioliasis has been reported in the subcutaneous tissue, brain, lungs, epididymis, inguinal lymph nodes, stomach and the cecum. In this report, a strange manifestation of the fasciola infection in a site other than the liver, a colonic fascioliasis, is presented.

Mechanical bowel obstruction due to colonic hemangioma: report of a case.

Colon hemangiomas are rare benign vascular lesions which are usually seen in teenagers. The frequent presentation is repetitive painless rectal bleeding. Colonic hemangiomas are occasionally found in the rectosigmoid area. A 62-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with the complaints of mechanical bowel obstruction. The radiological imaging techniques revealed a transverse colon tumor. Consequently, the patient was operated, and transverse colectomy and end-to-end anastomosis were performed. No postoperative complications occurred. The pathologic examination revealed cavernous hemangioma of the transverse colon. This report describes a very rare case of bowel obstruction due to colonic hemangioma.

Unexpected Benefit of the Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose: Report of a Case.

The positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been a new tool utilized in the diagnosis and staging of various cancers. However, common worldwide utilization of the PET/CT includes some economic, legal, and ethic controversies. Although PET/CT scanning can detect colorectal premalignant lesions in an early treatable stage, most governments' health care system does not pay for it as a screening test because of its economic burden. Thus, people are forced to make vital decisions about their health because of health policies of their governments. Here, we present an unusual case and discuss the utilization of PET/CT for detection of incidental neoplasms.

A rare cause of colonic obstruction "colonic intussusception": report of two cases.

Colocolic intussusceptions are rare clinical entities in adults and almost always caused by a leading lesion which often warrants resection. Mostly being malignant, the leading lesions are rarely benign lesions where intraluminal lipomas are the most frequent among them. Most adult intussusceptions require surgical resection owing to two major reasons: common presence of a leading lesion and significantly high risk of malignancy-reaching as high as 65% regardless of the anatomic site-of the leading lesion. Resection of the affected segment is usually the treatment of choice, since preoperative diagnosis of the lesion is usually ineffective and most leading lesions are malignant. This paper represents two cases of adult colocolic intussusception caused by intraluminal lipomas with a brief review of the literature.