Stercoral perforation proximal to the stapled anastomosis after low anterior resection with an intraluminal device.

Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare phenomenon and a potential life-threatening condition requiring acute intervention. A little more than 200 cases have been described to date. The mechanism is not completely understood. In this short communication, we present three patients with a colon perforation proximal to the anastomosis, similar to a stercoral perforation, following colorectal cancer resection with application of an intraluminal device, the C-seal.

Randomized clinical trial of biodegradeable intraluminal sheath to prevent anastomotic leak after stapled colorectal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is a potential major complication after colorectal surgery. The C-seal was developed to help reduce the clinical leakage rate. It is an intraluminal sheath that is stapled proximal to a colorectal anastomosis, covering it intraluminally and thus preventing intestinal leakage in case of anastomotic dehiscence. The C-seal trial was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of the C-seal in reducing anastomotic leakage in stapled colorectal anastomoses. METHODS: This RCT was performed in 41 hospitals in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Spain. Patients undergoing elective surgery with a stapled colorectal anastomosis less than 15 cm from the anal verge were eligible. Included patients were randomized to the C-seal and control groups, stratified for centre, anastomotic height and intention to create a defunctioning stoma. Primary outcome was anastomotic leakage requiring invasive treatment. RESULTS: Between December 2011 and December 2013, 402 patients were included in the trial, 202 in the C-seal group and 200 in the control group. Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed in 31 patients (7·7 per cent), with a 10·4 per cent leak rate in the C-seal group and 5·0 per cent in the control group (P = 0·060). Male sex showed a trend towards a higher leak rate (P = 0·055). Construction of a defunctioning stoma led to a lower leakage rate, although this was not significant (P = 0·095). CONCLUSION: C-seal application in stapled colorectal anastomoses does not reduce anastomotic leakage. Registration number: NTR3080 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp).

High mortality rates after nonelective colon cancer resection: results of a national audit.

AIM: Colon cancer resection in a nonelective setting is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify risk factors for overall mortality after colon cancer resection with a special focus on nonelective resection. METHOD: Data were obtained from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit. Patients undergoing colon cancer resection in the Netherlands between January 2009 and December 2013 were included. Patient, treatment and tumour factors were analysed in relation to the urgency of surgery. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative mortality. RESULTS: The study included 30 907 patients. A nonelective colon cancer resection was performed in 5934 (19.2%) patients. There was a 4.4% overall mortality rate, with significantly more deaths after nonelective surgery (8.5% vs 3.4%, P < 0.001). Older patients, male patients and patients with high comorbidity, advanced tumours, perforated tumours, a tumour in the right or transverse colon and postoperative anastomotic leakage were at risk of postoperative death. In nonelective resections, a right-sided tumour and postoperative anastomotic leakage were associated with high mortality. CONCLUSION: Nonelective colon cancer resection is associated with high mortality. In particular, right-sided resections and patients with tumour perforation are at particularly high risk. The optimization of patients prior to surgery and expeditious operation after diagnosis might prevent the need for a nonelective resection.

High complication rate after low anterior resection for mid and high rectal cancer; results of a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment for rectal cancer patients. Treatment options consist of a primary anastomosis, anastomosis with defunctioning stoma or end-colostomy with closure of the distal rectal stump. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcome of these three surgical options. METHODS: Data was derived from the national database of the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit. Mid and high rectal cancer patients who underwent rectal cancer resection between January 2011 and December 2012 were included. Endpoints were postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage, reinterventions, hospital stay and mortality within 30 days postoperative. RESULTS: In total, 2585 patients were included. Twenty-five per cent of all patients received a primary anastomosis; 51% an anastomosis with defunctioning stoma, and 24% an end-colostomy. More than one third of patients developed postoperative complications, the lowest rate being in the primary anastomosis group. Anastomotic leakage rates were 12% in patients with a primary anastomosis, and 9% in patients with an anastomosis with defunctioning stoma (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed more postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay, and increased mortality rates in patients with a defunctioning stoma or end-colostomy. The latter had proportionally less invasive reinterventions when compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a primary anastomosis had the best postoperative outcome. A defunctioning stoma leads to a lower anastomotic leakage rate, though is associated with higher rates of complications, prolonged hospital stay and mortality. The decision to create a defunctioning stoma should be focus of future studies.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage and leak-related mortality after colonic cancer surgery in a nationwide audit.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection with restoration of bowel continuity is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with colonic cancer. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) and subsequent death after colonic cancer surgery. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit. Patients undergoing colonic cancer resection with creation of an anastomosis between January 2009 to December 2011 were included. Outcomes were AL requiring reintervention and postoperative mortality following AL. RESULTS: AL occurred in 7·5 per cent of 15 667 patients. Multivariable analyses identified male sex, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) fitness grade, extensive tumour resection, emergency surgery, and surgical resection types such as transverse resection, left colectomy and subtotal colectomy as independent risk factors for AL. A defunctioning stoma was created in a small group of patients, leading to a lower risk of leakage. The mortality rate was 4·1 per cent overall, and was significantly higher in patients with AL than in those without leakage (16·4 versus 3·1 per cent; P < 0·001). Multivariable analyses identified older age, high ASA grade, high Charlson score and emergency surgery as independent risk factors for death after AL. The adjusted risk of death after AL was twice as high following right compared with left colectomy. CONCLUSION: The elderly and patients with co-morbidity have a higher risk of death after AL. Accurate preoperative patient selection, intensive postoperative surveillance for AL, and early and aggressive treatment of suspected leakage is important, especially in patients undergoing right colectomy.

High 1-year complication rate after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical options after anterior resection for rectal cancer include a primary anastomosis, anastomosis with a defunctioning stoma, and an end colostomy. This study describes short-term and 1-year outcomes of these different surgical strategies. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical resection for primary mid and high rectal cancer were retrospectively studied in seven Dutch hospitals with 1-year follow-up. Short-term endpoints were postoperative complications, re-interventions, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality. One-year endpoints were unplanned readmissions and re-interventions, presence of stoma, and mortality. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of 388 included patients received a primary anastomosis, 55% an anastomosis with defunctioning stoma, and 27% an end colostomy. Short-term anastomotic leakage was 10% in patients with a primary anastomosis vs. 7% with a defunctioning stoma (P = 0.46). An end colostomy was associated with less severe re-interventions. One-year outcomes showed low morbidity and mortality rates in patients with an anastomosis. Patients with a defunctioning stoma had high (18%) readmissions and re-intervention (12%) rates, mostly due to anastomotic leakage. An end colostomy was associated with unplanned re-interventions due to stoma/abscess problems. During follow-up, there was a 30% increase in patients with an end colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high 1-year morbidity rate after anterior resection for rectal cancer. A defunctioning stoma was associated with a high risk for late complications including anastomotic leakage. An end colostomy is a safe alternative to prevent anastomotic leakage, but stomal problems cannot be ignored. Selecting low-risk patients for an anastomosis may lead to favorable short- and 1-year outcomes.

Transport of ground-state hydrogen atoms in a plasma expansion.

The transport of ground-state atomic hydrogen in the expansion of a thermal plasma generated from an Ar-H2 mixture is studied by means of laser-based diagnostic techniques. The flow of hydrogen atoms is investigated by two-photon excitation laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), whereas Ar atoms are probed by LIF as well as by UV Rayleigh scattering. The transport of Ar atoms can be fully understood in terms of a free jet flow; H atoms on the contrary exhibit an anomalous behavior. In the course of the plasma expansion, hydrogen atoms decouple from the argon fluid by a diffusion process as a direct consequence of recombination of H atoms at the vessel walls. In this contribution it is shown, on the basis of experimental results, how plasma-surface interactions can strongly influence the flow pattern of an atomic radical fluid.