Low Hartmann's procedure versus abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer, a propensity score matching cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare low Hartmann's procedure (LHP) with abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer (RC) regarding postoperative complications. METHOD: RC patients receiving radical LHP or APR from 2015 to 2019 in our center were retrospectively enrolled. Patients' demographic and surgical information was collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline information. The primary outcome was the incidence of major complications. All the statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0 and R. RESULTS: 342 individuals were primarily included and 134 remained after PSM with a 1:2 ratio (50 in LHP and 84 in APR). Patients in the LHP group were associated with higher tumor height (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups for the incidence of major complications (6.0% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.290), and severe pelvic abscess (2% vs. 0%, P = 0.373). However, the occurrence rate of minor complications was significantly higher in the LHP group (52% vs. 21.4%, P < 0.001), and the difference mainly lay in abdominal wound infection (10% vs. 0%, P = 0.006) and bowel obstruction (16% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.028). LHP was not the independent risk factor of pelvic abscess in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated a comparable incidence of major complications between LHP and APR. LHP was still a reliable alternative in selected RC patients when primary anastomosis was not recommended.

Management of the Difficult Stoma.

Fecal ostomy creation is a commonly performed procedure with many indications. Better outcomes occur when preoperative patient education and stoma site marking are provided. Despite a seemingly simple operation, ostomy creation is often difficult and complications are common. Certain risk factors, particularly obesity, are strongly associated with stoma-related complications. The ability to optimize the ostomy and stoma in the operating room and to troubleshoot frequently encountered post-operative stoma-related issues are critical skills for surgeons and ostomy nurses alike.

Primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy vs. Hartmann's procedure for acute diverticulitis: what happens after discharge? Results of a nationwide analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend resection with primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy over Hartmann's procedure if deemed safe for acute diverticulitis. The primary objective of the current study was to compare the utilization of these strategies and describe nationwide ostomy closure patterns and readmission outcomes within 1 year of discharge. METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based, cohort study of United States Hospitals reporting to the Nationwide Readmissions Database from January 2011 to December 2019. There were 35,774 patients identified undergoing non-elective primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy or Hartmann's procedure for acute diverticulitis. Rates of ostomy closure, unplanned readmissions, and complications were compared. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to control for patient and hospital-level confounders as well as severity of disease. RESULTS: Of the 35,774 patients identified, 93.5% underwent Hartmann's procedure. Half (47.2%) were aged 46-65 years, 50.8% female, 41.2% publicly insured, and 91.7% underwent open surgery. Primary anastomosis was associated with higher rates of 1-year ostomy closure (83.6% vs. 53.4%, p < 0.001) and shorter time-to-closure [median 72 days (Interquartile range 49-103) vs. 115 (86-160); p < 0.001]. Primary anastomosis was associated with increased unplanned readmissions [Hazard Ratio = 2.83 (95% Confidence Interval 2.83-3.37); p < 0.001], but fewer complications upon stoma closure [Odds Ratio 0.51 (95% 0.42-0.63); p < 0.001]. There were no differences in complications between primary anastomosis and Hartmann's procedure during index admission [Odds Ratio = 1.13 (95% Confidence Interval 0.96-1.33); p = 0.137]. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo primary anastomosis for acute diverticulitis are more likely to undergo ostomy reversal and experience fewer postoperative complications upon stoma reversal. These data support the current national guidelines that recommend primary anastomosis in appropriate cases of acute diverticulitis requiring operative treatment.

Risk factors for stoma prolapse after laparoscopic loop colostomy.

BACKGROUND: Stoma prolapse (SP) is a common stoma-related complication, particularly in loop colostomies. This study aimed to investigate potential risk factors for SP development after laparoscopic loop colostomy. METHODS: In total, data from 140 patients who underwent laparoscopic loop colostomy were analyzed between September 2016 and March 2022. Risk factors for SP were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration after colostomy was 12.5 months, and SP occurred in 33 (23.6%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed that being overweight (body mass index ≥ 25; odds ratio [OR], 8.69; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.61-46.72; p = 0.012) and having a thin rectus abdominis penetration of the stoma (< 8.9 mm; OR, 8.22; 95% CI, 2.50-27.05; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for SP. Other patient characteristics and surgical factors associated with stoma construction were unrelated to SP development. CONCLUSIONS: Being overweight and the route penetrating the thinner rectus abdominis during stoma construction was associated with a significantly higher incidence of SP after laparoscopic loop colostomy. Selecting a construction site that penetrates the thicker rectus abdominis muscle may be crucial for preventing SP.

Clinical application of middle descending colon-double lumen ostomy with distal stoma narrowing in the treatment of anorectal malformation.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are the most common congenital anomaly of the digestive tract. And colostomy should be performed as the first-stage procedure in neonates diagnosed with intermediate- or high-type ARMs. However, the most classic Pe˜na's colostomy still has some disadvantages such as complicated operation procedure, susceptibility to infection, a greater possibility of postoperative incision dehiscence, difficulty of nursing and large surgical trauma and incision scarring when closing the stoma. We aimed to explore the effectiveness of middle descending colon-double lumen ostomy (MDCDLO) in the treatment of high and intermediate types of anorectal malformations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent MDCDLO for high or intermediate types of ARMs between June 2016 and December 2021 in our hospital. The basic characteristics were recorded. All patients were followed up monthly to determine if any complication happen. RESULTS: There were 17 boys and 6 girls diagnosed with high or intermediate types of ARMs in our hospital between June 2016 and December 2021. All 23 patients were cured without complications such as abdominal incision infection, stoma stenosis, incisional hernia, and urinary tract infection in the postoperative follow-up time of 6 months to 6 years except one case of proximal intestinal prolapse was restored under anesthesia. CONCLUSION: MDCDLO offers the advantages of simplicity, efficiency, safety, mild trauma, and small scarring in the treatment of high and intermediate types of anorectal malformations.

Restoration of intestinal continuity following emergency sigmoid colectomy for sigmoid volvulus: An American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis using coarsened exact matching.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data to guide decision-making between performing a primary anastomosis and fashioning an end colostomy following emergency sigmoid colectomy for patients with sigmoid volvulus. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of these two approaches. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2006 to 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. Missing data were multiply imputed, and coarsened exact matching was performed to generate matched cohorts. Rates of major complications and other postoperative outcomes were evaluated among patients who had a primary anastomosis as compared with matched controls who had an end colostomy following emergency sigmoid colectomy. RESULTS: Overall, 4041 patients who had a primary anastomosis and 1240 who had an end colostomy met the inclusion criteria. After multiple imputation and coarsened exact matching, 895 patients who had a primary anastomosis had a matched control. The rate of major complications was lower in patients who had an end colostomy (33.2% vs. 36.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70-1.05). Results were similar in subgroup analyses of higher-risk patients. There were no significant differences in overall complication rate, mortality, length of hospital stay, or readmission rate. Patients with a colostomy were more likely to be discharged to a care facility (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.67). CONCLUSION: Differences in rates of major complications and many other outcomes after primary anastomosis as compared with end colostomy were not statistically significant following emergency sigmoid colectomy for sigmoid volvulus.

Novel Repair Technique for Oral and Anal Side Stoma Prolapse of a Loop Colostomy With the Stapled Modified Altemeier Method Using Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Stoma prolapse is a common complication in the late phase after stoma creation. With advances in chemotherapy, a double-orifice colostomy or ileostomy and chemotherapy are used to treat primary unresectable colorectal cancer. Preoperative therapy with a double-orifice colostomy or ileostomy is performed to aid primary colorectal cancer miniaturization. Therefore, the number of stoma prolapses will likely increase in the future. Previous reports on the repair of stoma prolapse focused on unilateral stoma prolapse of loop colostomy, and there are no reports about the bilateral stoma prolapse of loop colostomy or ileostomy. CASE REPORT: We report a novel repair technique for oral and anal side (bilateral) stoma prolapse of a loop colostomy with the stapled modified Altemeier method using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging considering the distribution of marginal artery in preventing marginal artery injury which has considerable clinical significance. CONCLUSION: Our novel technique for the oral and anal side prolapse of a loop colostomy is considered effective and safe.

Hartmann's procedure in rectal cancer surgery is often an intraoperative decision: a retrospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate patient-related factors predicting the selection of rectal cancer patients to Hartmann's procedure as well as to investigate how often, and on what grounds, anterior resection is intraoperatively changed to Hartmann's procedure. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry regarding patients with rectal cancer operated upon from January 1 2007 to June 30 2017 in the county of Skåne were retrospectively reviewed. Data were expanded with further details from medical charts. A univariable analysis was performed to investigate variables associated with unplanned HP and significant variables included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Altogether, 1141 patients who underwent Hartmann's procedure (275 patients, 24%), anterior resection (491 patients, 43%), or abdominoperineal resection (375 patients, 33%) were included. Patients undergoing Hartmann's procedure were significantly older and had more frequently comorbidity. The decision to perform Hartmann's procedure was made preoperatively in 209 (76%) patients, most commonly because of a comorbidity (27%) or oncological reasons (25%). Patient preference was noted in 8% of cases. In 64 cases (23%), the decision was made intraoperatively, most often due to anastomotic difficulties (60%) and oncological reasons (22%). Anastomotic difficulties were most often reported due to technical difficulties, a low tumor or neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Male gender was a significant risk factor for undergoing unplanned Hartmann's procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to perform Hartmann's procedure was frequently made intraoperatively. Hartmann's procedure should be considered and discussed preoperatively in old and frail patients, especially in the presence of mid-rectal cancer and/or male gender, since these factors increase the risk of intraoperative anastomotic difficulties.

Experience with colostomy and colostomy reversal in children in Bauchi.

Background: Colostomy is one of the common surgical procedures performed in pediatric surgical practice. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review our experience with colostomy and closure (reversal) in children. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of the data of all children aged 15 years and below who had colostomy and colostomy closure in the past 5 years. Results: Of the 67 children who had colostomy 42 (62.7%) boys and 25 (37.3%) girls, with an age range between 13 months and 8 years. Fifty-six (83.6%) of the children were <2 years. Anorectal malformation 53 (79.1%) was the common indication. Divided colostomy was performed in 62 (92.5%) patients and loop colostomy was performed in 5 (7.5%) patients. All the patients had intraperitoneal colostomy closure. A complication rate of 26.4% was seen. Duration of hospital stay ranged between 4 and 10 days. No mortality was recorded. Conclusion: Colostomy reversal is a safe procedure but morbidity may ensure and can easily manage.

Résumé Contexte: La colostomie est l'une des interventions chirurgicales courantes pratiquées en chirurgie pédiatrique. Le but de cette étude était de revoir rétrospectivement notre expérience en matière de colostomie et de fermeture (inversion) chez les enfants. Méthode: Une revue rétrospective des données de tous les enfants âgés de 15 ans et moins ayant subi une colostomie et une fermeture de colostomie au cours des 5 dernières années. Résultats: Sur les 67 enfants ayant subi une colostomie, 42 (62,7 %) garçons et 25 (37,3 %) filles, avec une tranche d'âge comprise entre 13 mois et 8 ans. Cinquante-six (83,6 %) des enfants avaient moins de 2 ans. La malformation ano-rectale 53 (79,1 %) était l'indication fréquente. Une colostomie divisée a été réalisée chez 62 (92,5 %) patients et une colostomie en anse réalisée chez 5 (7,5 %) patients. Tous les patients ont eu une colostomie intrapéritonéale fermée. Un taux de complications de 26,4 % a été observé. La durée du séjour à l'hôpital variait entre 4 et 10 jours. Aucune mortalité enregistrée. Conclusion: l'inversion de la colostomie est une procédure sûre mais la morbidité peut être assurée et peut être facilement gérée.

The clinical applications of D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the use of a modified laparoscopic repair of paraostomy hernia technique, called "D-Type parastomal hernia repair surgery" which combines abdominal wall and extraperitoneal stoma reconstruction, in patients with parastomal hernia (PSH) following colorectal stoma surgery. The aim was to determine whether D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a promising surgical approach compared to the traditional laparoscopic repair technique (Sugarbaker method) for patients with PSH. METHODS: PSH patients were selected and retrospectively divided into two groups: the study group underwent D-type parastomal hernia repair, while the control group underwent laparoscopic Sugarbaker repair. Clinical data from both groups were analyzed. RESULT: Compared to control group (n = 68), the study group undergoing D-type stoma lateral hernia repair had significant increase in total operative time (98.82 ± 12.37 min vs 124.61 ± 34.99 min, p < 0.001). The study group also showed better postoperative stoma bowel function scores in sensory ability, frequency of bowel movements, and clothing cleanliness without a stoma bag (p = 0.037, 0.001, 0.002). The treatment cost was significantly higher in the control group (3899.97 ± 260.00$ vs 3215.91 ± 230.03$, p < 0.001). The postoperative recurrence rate in the control group was 26.4%, while in the study group, it was 4.3%, with a significant statistical difference (p = 0.024). In terms of long-term postoperative complications, the study group had an overall lower incidence compared to the control group (p = 0.035). Other parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a safe and feasible procedure. Compared to traditional surgery, it can reduce the recurrence of lateral hernia, improve postoperative stoma bowel function, and save medical resources.

Development and pilot testing of a patient-reported outcome measure to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia.

AIM: The aim was to develop and pilot a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia (PSH). METHODS: Standard questionnaire development was undertaken (phases 1-3). An initial list of questionnaire domains was identified from validated colorectal cancer PROMs and from semi-structured interviews with patients with a PSH and health professionals (phase 1). Domains were operationalized into items in a provisional questionnaire, and 'think-aloud' patient interviews explored face validity and acceptability (phase 2). The updated questionnaire was piloted in patients with a stoma who had undergone colorectal surgery and had a computed tomography scan available for review. Patient-reported symptoms were examined in relation to PSH (phase 3). Three sources determined PSH presence: (i) data about PSH presence recorded in hospital notes, (ii) independent expert review of the computed tomography scan and (iii) patient report of being informed of a PSH by a health professional. RESULTS: For phase 1, 169 and 127 domains were identified from 70 PROMs and 29 interviews respectively. In phase 2, 14 domains specific to PSH were identified and operationalized into questionnaire items. Think-aloud interviews led to three minor modifications. In phase 3, 44 completed questionnaires were obtained. Missing data were few: 5/660 items. PSH symptom scores associated with PSH presence varied between different data sources. The scale with the most consistent differences between PSH presence and absence and all data sources was the stoma appearance scale. CONCLUSION: A PROM to examine the symptoms of PSH has been developed from the literature and views of key informants. Although preliminary testing shows it to be understandable and acceptable it is uncertain if it is sensitive to PSH-specific symptoms and further psychometric testing is needed.

From burden to relief: The economic and quality-of-life advantages of pseudo continent perineal colostomy in ultra-low rectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pseudo Continent Perineal Colostomy (PCPC) is an alternative technique to left iliac colostomy (LIC) after abdominoperineal resection for ultra low rectal cancer (ULRC). It allows placing the stoma in the perineum to preserve patients' body image. However, concerns about its impact on quality of life and management costs have limited its adoption. We aimed to compare the early outcomes and financial burden of PCPC and LIC in ULRC patients in Morocco, a low-middle-income country. METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2019, all patients who underwent abdomino-perineal resection (APR) with LIC or PCPC were prospectively enrolled. For each patient, baseline characteristics, and in hospital and 90 days morbidity with a focus on perineal complications were reported. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the validated EORTC-C30 and CR29 questionnaires. Financial burden to patients was reported using declarative out-of-pocket costs (OOPC) analysis. RESULTS: Among 49 patients who underwent APR, 33 received PCPC and 16 received definitive LIC. Similar rates of early perineal complications were observed between the two groups (p = 0.49). Readmission rate at POD90 was higher in the LIC-group due to perineal sepsis (p = 0.09). QOL analysis at 6 months revealed that patients with PCPC had a higher global health status (p = 0.006), a better physical functioning and reported fewer symptoms of flatulence and fecal incontinence (p = 0.001). Patients with a LIC reported more financial difficulties with higher median OOPC of stoma management up to €23 versus €0 per month for PCPC (p = 0.0024). PCPC was the only predictive factor of improved patient reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PCPC is a cost-effective alternative to the standard definitive colostomy without alteration of the QOL or additional perineal complications during the first 6 months following the surgery. These findings may help convince surgeons to offer this option to patients refusing definitive LIC.

Impact of the first wave of COVID-19 epidemy on the surgical management of sigmoid diverticular disease in France: National French retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surgical management of sigmoid diverticular disease (SDD) before, during, and after the first containment rules (CR) for the first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: From the French Surgical Association multicenter series, this study included all patients operated on between January 2018 and September 2021. Three groups were compared: A (before CR period: 01/01/18-03/16/20), B (CR period: 03/17/20-05/03/20), and C (post CR period: 05/04/20-09/30/21). RESULTS: A total of 1965 patients (A n = 1517, B n = 52, C n = 396) were included. The A group had significantly more previous SDD compared to the two other groups (p = 0.007), especially complicated (p = 0.0004). The rate of peritonitis was significantly higher in the B (46.1%) and C (38.4%) groups compared to the A group (31.7%) (p = 0.034 and p = 0.014). As regards surgical treatment, Hartmann's procedure was more often performed in the B group (44.2%, vs A 25.5% and C 26.8%, p = 0.01). Mortality at 90 days was significantly higher in the B group (9.6%, vs A 4% and C 6.3%, p = 0.034). This difference was also significant between the A and B groups (p = 0.048), as well as between the A and C groups (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the management of SDD was impacted by COVID-19 at CR, but also after and until September 2021, both on the initial clinical presentation and on postoperative mortality.

Robotic Hartmann's reversal-feasibility and technical aspects.

Hartmann's reversal as a staged procedure after emergency surgery is a major abdominal operation with undeniable skill-demanding steps. The robotic approach and its advantages seem to be a safe and feasible technique and could overcome necessary technical compromises of laparoscopy, ensuring a significant reduction in restoration failures or conversion.

Full endoscopic minimally invasive extraperitoneal modified Sugarbaker approach for para-colostomy hernia repair: Technical aspects and 2-year follow-up results of a prospective cohort.

AIM: This study aimed to assess technical aspects and clinical results of a new minimally invasive technique in parastomal hernia (PSH) repair, full endoscopic retromuscular access, after 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients requiring minimally invasive ventral PSH repair were collected from 2019 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients aged between 18 and 80 years old with symptomatic PSH. Demographics and perioperative and postoperative data were collected. Postoperative pain and functional recovery were compared with preoperative data. RESULTS: Twelve patients with symptomatic PSH were included. The mean PSH defect area was 16.2 cm2 and the mean midline defect was 8.7 cm2 . No intra-operative complications or conversion to open surgery were detected. One patient (8%) required postoperative readmission due to partial bowel obstruction symptoms that required catheterization of the stoma. Pain significantly worsened after the first postoperative day compared to preoperative data but improved after the first postoperative month compared to the first postoperative week and after the 90th postoperative day compared to the first postoperative month, with significant differences. Significant restriction improvement was identified when 30 days after surgery data were compared to preoperative data and when the 180th postoperative day results were compared to 30 days after surgery. The average follow-up was 29 months. During the follow-up no clinical or radiological recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: This paper shows low rate of intra- and postoperative complications with significant improvement in terms of pain activities restriction compared to preoperatory. After 29 months follow-up, no recurrence was identified, confirming that this approach offers good mid-term results.