Implementing a nurse-led screening clinic for symptom distress with community-based referral for cancer survivors: A feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective, single-arm, pragmatic implementation study evaluated the feasibility of a nurse-led symptom-screening program embedded in routine oncology post-treatment outpatient clinics by assessing (1) the acceptance rate for symptom distress screening (SDS), (2) the prevalence of SDS cases, (3) the acceptance rate for community-based psychosocial support services, and (4) the effect of referred psychosocial support services on reducing symptom distress. METHODS: Using the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r), we screened patients who recently completed cancer treatment. Patients screening positive for moderate-to-severe symptom distress were referred to a nurse-led community-based symptom-management program involving stepped-care symptom/psychosocial management interventions using a pre-defined triage system. Reassessments were conducted at 3-months and 9-months thereafter. The primary outcomes included SDS acceptance rate, SDS case prevalence, intervention acceptance rate, and ESAS-r score change over time. RESULTS: Overall, 2988/3742(80%) eligible patients consented to SDS, with 970(32%) reporting ≥1 ESAS-r symptom as moderate-to-severe (caseness). All cases received psychoeducational material, 673/970(69%) accepted psychosocial support service referrals. Among 328 patients completing both reassessments, ESAS-r scores improved significantly over time (p < 0.0001); 101(30.8%) of patients remained ESAS cases throughout the study, 112(34.1%) recovered at 3-month post-baseline, an additional 72(22%) recovered at 9-month post-baseline, while 43(12.2%) had resumed ESAS caseness at 9-month post-baseline. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led SDS programs with well-structured referral pathways to community-based services and continued monitoring are feasible and acceptable in cancer patients and may help in reducing symptom distress. We intend next to develop optimal strategies for SDS implementation and referral within routine cancer care services.

Use of fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green during colorectal surgery: Results of an intercontinental Delphi survey.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green is increasingly being used in colorectal surgery to assess anastomotic perfusion, and to detect sentinel lymph nodes. METHODS: In this 2-round, online, Delphi survey, 35 international experts were asked to vote on 69 statements pertaining to patient preparation and contraindications to fluorescence imaging during colorectal surgery, indications, technical aspects, potential advantages/disadvantages, and effectiveness versus limitations, and training and research. Methodological steps were adopted during survey design to minimize risk of bias. RESULTS: More than 70% consensus was reached on 60 of 69 statements, including moderate-strong consensus regarding fluorescence imaging's value assessing anastomotic perfusion and leak risk, but not on its value mapping sentinel nodes. Similarly, although consensus was reached regarding most technical aspects of its use assessing anastomoses, little consensus was achieved for lymph-node assessments. Evaluating anastomoses, experts agreed that the optimum total indocyanine green dose and timing are 5 to 10 mg and 30 to 60 seconds pre-evaluation, indocyanine green should be dosed milligram/kilogram, lines should be flushed with saline, and indocyanine green can be readministered if bright perfusion is not achieved, although how long surgeons should wait remains unknown. The only consensus achieved for lymph-node assessments was that 2 to 4 injection points are needed. Ninety-six percent and 100% consensus were reached that fluorescence imaging will increase in practice and research over the next decade, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although further research remains necessary, fluorescence imaging appears to have value assessing anastomotic perfusion, but its value for lymph-node mapping remains questionable.

Smartphone Usage Among Doctors in the Clinical Setting in Two Culturally Distinct Countries: Cross-sectional Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones and mobile applications have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, a pattern that has also been reflected in the health care system. Despite increased reliance among clinicians however, limited research has been conducted on the uptake and impact of smartphone usage in medical practice, especially outside the Western world. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the usage of smartphones and medical apps by doctors in the clinical setting in 2 culturally distinct countries: King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH), Bahrain and Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), Hong Kong. METHODS: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted where doctors in both hospitals were asked to take part in a 15-item online survey. The questions were categorized into the following groups: demographics of the study population, ownership and main use of smartphones, number and names of medical apps currently owned, rating usage of smartphones for medical purposes, time spent on a smartphone related to clinical use, clinical reliance on smartphones, and views on further integration of smartphones. The results were then tabulated and analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25 for Mac (IBM Corp Inc, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: A total of 200 doctors were surveyed, with a total of 99.0% (99/100) of the doctors owning a smartphone in both KHUH and QMH; 58% (57/99) and 55% (54/99) of the doctors from KHUH and QMH, respectively, identified communication as their main use of smartphones in the clinical setting (P=.004). Doctors from KHUH were likely to spend more time on medical apps than doctors from QMH (P=.002). According to the overall results of both hospitals, 48% (32/67) of the junior doctors claimed high reliance on smartphones, whereas only 32.3% (41/127) of the senior doctors said the same (P=.03). Of doctors in KHUH and QMH, 78.0% (78/100) and 69.0% (69/100), respectively, either strongly agreed or agreed that smartphones need to be integrated into the clinical setting. In terms of preferences for future apps, 48% (48/100) and 56% (56/100) of the doctors in KHUH and QMH, respectively, agreed that more medical applications need to be created in order to support smartphone use in the clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a substantial acceptance of smartphones by doctors in the clinical setting. It also elicits the need to establish policies to officially integrate smartphone technology into health care in accordance with ethical guidelines. More emphasis should be placed on creating medical applications that aid health care professionals in attaining their information from accurate sources and also regulate a system to monitor the usage of mobile devices within hospitals to prevent a breach of patient privacy and confidentiality.

Feasibility study of a single-use balloon-assisted robotic colonoscope in healthy volunteers.

Background and study aims Despite its widespread adoption, colonoscope still has its limitations. Advancement is often limited by the looping of colon. The isolation of SARS-CoV-2 in stool raises concern for the risk of disease transmission. A single-use robotic colonoscope, the NISInspire-C System, that features a balloon-suction anchorage mechanism was developed to address these. Methods The NISInspire-C balloons are designed to provide anchorage for straightening of the colon during advancement. Angulation at the bending section is tendon-wire driven by servo mechanisms integrated into a robotic control console. This was a pilot, prospective trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this system. Healthy volunteers underwent examination with the NISInspire-C, followed by the conventional colonoscope. The procedure time, cecal intubation rates (CIR), complications, and level of pain were measured. Results A total of 19 subjects underwent the examination. The cecal intubation rate was 89.5 % (17/19) and the overall time-to-cecum was 26.3 minutes (SD: 17.9 mins). There were no procedure-related complications. Polyps were detected in seven of 19 (36.8 %) subjects during the NISInspire-C procedure. Three more subjects were found to have adenomatous polyps with the conventional colonoscope. There was minimal variation in level of pain during the procedures with the two colonoscopes. Conclusion The single-use robotic colonoscope NISInspire-C is a safe and feasible alternative to the conventional colonoscope. Further technical refinement is needed to improve the CIR. This study was limited by its small sample size.

A comparative study regarding distance learning and the conventional face-to-face approach conducted problem-based learning tutorial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Educational pedagogies were modified during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimise interruption to teaching. One approach has been the distance learning problem-based learning (PBL) tutorial utilising the online peer-to-peer platform. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of students using distance learning PBL tutorials using with that of students utilising the conventional face-to-face approach. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a single academic institution. We compared two groups of fourth-year medical students from the same class: one group used distance learning (DL); the other, the face-to-face (FF) method. We used students' baseline performance at the preceding block for one-to-one propensity score matching. Students utilising the PBL tutorial were given grades by their tutors according to a standardised scoring system encompassing five key areas (score range: 0-10). The main outcome was a student's total score (i.e., the sum of the scores from the five key areas, ranging from 0 to 50). RESULT: We matched 62 students in each group. With four tutorials, there were 490 observations, with 245 in each group. The mean total score for the DL group was 37.5 ± 4.6, which was significantly lower than that of the FF group (39.0 ± 4.4, p < 0.001). We noted that students in the DL group had a significantly lower scores for all five areas of proficiency: participation, communication, preparation, critical thinking and group skills. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study revealed that the performance of students utilising the DL PBL tutorials was lower than that of students participating in the conventional FF approach. Further studies are needed to ascertain the underlying cause.

Colonic perfusion assessment with indocyanine-green fluorescence imaging in anterior resections: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colonic perfusion is crucial for anastomotic healing and this could be evaluated intraoperatively using indocyanine-green fluorescence imaging (ICG FI). The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the use of ICG FI resulted in the reduction of anastomotic complications, i.e. AL and anastomotic stricture. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent anterior resections or low anterior resections at our institution in the period from January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgery performed during the period from January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2015 did not involve the use of ICG FI (ICG-) while surgery during the period from January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2018 was performed with the use of ICG FI (ICG+). The anastomotic leakage rates of the two groups were compared after propensity score matching, taking into account the height of the anastomosis and any history of pelvic irradiation. RESULTS: There was a total of 258 and 317 patients who had surgery with and without ICG FI, respectively. There were 253 patients in each group after propensity score matching. The overall anastomotic leakage rate was 3.6% and 7.9% for ICG+ and ICG-, respectively, (p = 0.035). Subgroup analysis showed that the use of ICG FI was significantly associated with a lower anastomotic leakage rate in total mesorectal excision (TME), 4.7% versus 11.6%, p = 0.043, but not in non-TME resections, 3.5% versus 2.4%, (p = 0.612). ICG FI, together with sex and anastomotic height, were independent predictors of anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of ICG FI was associated with a lower anastomotic leakage rate in anterior resections. The reduction in anastomotic leakage rate was mainly seen in TME.

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome After Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: A Comparison With the Conventional Top-to-Bottom Approach.

BACKGROUND: Advances in sphincter-saving procedures improved the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer. However, many of them experienced functional disturbances after surgery, including low anterior resection syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of low anterior resection syndrome after transanal total mesorectal excision and compare it with the conventional transabdominal, top-to-bottom, total mesorectal excision. DESIGN: This was a single-center, retrospective analysis. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a tertiary academic institution. PATIENTS: This study analyzed patients who underwent total mesorectal excision for mid to low rectal cancer from January 2016 to April 2018. Cases were matched one-to-one according to the tumor height and history of pelvic irradiation using the propensity score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was the severity of low anterior resection syndrome and fecal incontinence at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery or stoma reversal, whichever was later. RESULTS: There were 35 patients in each group after matching; 67.1% were male, and 41.4% had neoadjuvant radiotherapy. At 3 months, the median low anterior resection syndrome score was 37 after transanal total mesorectal excision, which was significantly higher than the conventional approach, 32 (p = 0.045). Apart from this, the low anterior resection syndrome score, severity grading, and the Wexner score were comparable at 6 and 12 months. LIMITATIONS: A difference between the 2 groups might not be detected because of the study's small sample size and because of its retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS: A higher low anterior resection syndrome score was observed after transanal total mesorectal excision at the initial 3-month period, but such a difference was not observed thereafter. This study showed that both surgical techniques had similar anal and bowel functional outcomes in the long run. However, because of the limited case number and study design, further study is needed to prove this. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B146. SÍNDROME DE RESECCIÓN ANTERIOR BAJA DESPUÉS DE LA ESCISIÓN MESORRECTAL TOTAL TRANSANAL: UNA COMPARACIÓN CON EL ABORDAJE CONVENCIONAL DE SUPERIOR A INFERIOR: Los avances en los procedimientos para salvar esfínteres mejoraron la calidad de vida de los pacientes con cáncer rectal. Sin embargo, muchos de ellos sufrieron trastornos funcionales después de la cirugía, incluyendo el síndrome de resección anterior baja.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la gravedad del síndrome de resección anterior baja después de la escisión mesorrectal total transanal y comparar con la escisión mesorrectal total convencional transabdominal, de arriba a abajo.El estudio se realizó en una institución académica terciaria.Este fue un análisis retrospectivo de un solo centro de pacientes que se sometieron a una escisión mesorrectal total por cáncer rectal medio a bajo desde enero de 2016 hasta abril de 2018. Los casos fueron emparejados uno a uno de acuerdo con la altura del tumor y los antecedentes de irradiación pélvica con puntaje de propensión.La gravedad del síndrome de resección anterior baja y la incontinencia fecal a los 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía o la reversión del estoma, lo que ocurriera más tarde.Hubo 35 pacientes en cada grupo después del emparejamiento. El 67.1% eran hombres. El 41,4% tenía radioterapia neoadyuvante. A los tres meses, la puntuación media del síndrome de resección anterior baja fue de 37 después de la escisión mesorrectal transanal total, que fue significativamente mayor que el enfoque convencional, 32 (p = 0.045). Aparte de esto, la puntuación baja del síndrome de resección anterior, la clasificación de gravedad y la puntuación de Wexner fueron comparables a los 6 y 12 meses.Es posible que no se detecte una diferencia entre los dos grupos debido al pequeño tamaño de la muestra del estudio. La naturaleza retrospectiva del estudio.Se observó una puntuación más alta en el síndrome de resección anterior baja después de la escisión mesorrectal total transanal en el período inicial de tres meses, pero dicha diferencia no se observó posteriormente. Este estudio mostró que ambas técnicas quirúrgicas tuvieron resultados similares de funcionamiento anal e intestinal a largo plazo. Sin embargo, debido al número limitado de casos y al diseño del estudio, es necesario realizar más estudios para demostrarlo. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B146.

How does lymph node yield affect survival outcomes of stage I and II colon cancer?

BACKGROUND: According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for cancer of the colon, a minimum of 12 lymph nodes (LN) has to be sampled for accurate staging. This has bearing on the long-term prognosis and the need for adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to revisit the association of lymph node yield and the long-term survival in patients with stages I and II, i.e. node-negative, colon cancer. METHOD: Consecutive patients who underwent elective or emergency curative resections for cancer of colon between the years 2003 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with stage I or II diseases (AJCC 8th edition) were included. They were analysed in three groups, LN<12, LN12-19 and LN≥20. Their clinic-pathological characteristics were compared. The disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: There was a total of 659 patients included in the analysis. Twelve or more LN were found in 65.6% of the specimens. The mean follow-up was 83.9 months. LN≥20 had significantly better DFS (p = 0.015) and OS (p = 0.036), whereas LN<12 had similar DFS and OS when compared to LN12-19. The advantage in DFS and OS were mainly seen in those with stage II diseases. A lymph node yield of greater than 20 was one of the predictors of favourable DFS, hazard ratio 0.358; 95% CI 0.170-.756, p = 0.007. CONCLUSION: The lymph node yield had a significant association with survival outcomes. A lymph node yield of 20 or more was associated with better survival outcomes. On the other hand, lymph node yield less than 12 was not shown to have inferior survival outcomes when compared to those between 12 and 19.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Short-term Outcomes of Self-Gripping (Progrip) Mesh Versus Fibrin Sealant in Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Hernioplasty.

BACKGROUND: There are no data comparing the use of self-gripping mesh with standard mesh in total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). In this prospective study we aim to study the incidence of chronic pain between Progrip (PG) and standard mesh fixed by fibrin sealant (FS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under Institutional Review Board approval, from April 2016 to May 2017, patients with primary unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia eligible for TEP were recruited. Before mesh insertion they were randomized into PG or FS (Tisseel). Demographics, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Visual Analog Scale was used to record pain scores. Primary outcome was the incidence of chronic pain at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients were randomized. Of the 150 patients (193 hernias), 76 were randomized to PG and 74 randomized to FS. Demographic data such as age, presence of comorbidities, smoking history, mean body mass index was comparable in both groups. Bilateral hernias occurred in 25 (32.9%) and 18 (24.3%) patients in PG and FS group, respectively. Mean mesh deployment time was 283.7 seconds (range, 140 to 720 s) in PG group and 301.9 seconds (range, 67 to 1006 s) in FS group (P=0.30). A total of 5 patients were lost at follow-up and they were excluded from subsequent data analysis. Seroma occurred in 15 (20.3%) and 16 (22.5%) patients in PG and FS group, respectively (P=0.45). Mean Visual Analog Scale at 2 weeks (cough) was highest at 1.05 and 1.02 in PG and FS group, respectively (P=0.62). Eight (12.3%) and 15 (23.4%) patients in PG and FG group, respectively, reported pain at 3-month follow-up (P=0.1). Of those who experienced pain, majority was mild pain which did not affect activities of daily living. At a mean follow-up of 13.1±5.4 months, no recurrence was detected. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in terms of chronic pain between PG and FS group. The use of PG is effective in TEP.

Predicting the level of difficulty of the double-stapling technique in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision.

BACKGROUND: The transection of rectum and fashioning of anastomosis is a crucial step in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and the double-stapling technique (DST) is often employed. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that were associated with difficult DST. METHOD: Cases of laparoscopic TME were retrospectively reviewed. The clinico-anatomical parameters were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. In addition, pelvic dimensions were taken by reviewing the magnetic resonance imaging scan. The number of stapler cartridges used for intracorporeal transection of rectum was used as a surrogate for the level of difficulty of DST and its relationship with various parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: There were a total of 121 consecutive cases analyzed. The mean number of stapler cartridges used was 2.1 ± 0.7. Pelvic inlet (p = 0.002) and tumor height (p = 0.015) were predictors of the number of cartridges used, R2 = 0.366. A model was developed to predict the likelihood of transecting the rectum with two or less stapler cartridges, which included the following parameters: gender, pelvic inlet, interspinous distance, intertuberous distance, and tumor height. The predicted probability also correlated with overall operation time (p = 0.009) and anastomotic leakage (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: The difficulty of DST was associated with patient's clinico-anatomical factors. Surgeons can consider other feasible alternatives, like transanal anastomosis, when a technically challenging DST is anticipated.

The role of metacognition and its indirect effect through cognitive attentional syndrome on fear of cancer recurrence trajectories: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study mapped distinct trajectories of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) over 12 months among patients with breast (BC) or colorectal (CRC) cancer, and examined if metacognition, indirectly via attentional bias, intrusive thoughts and avoidance (hallmarks of cognitive attentional syndrome; CAS) predicted FCR trajectory membership. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy BC (n = 163) or CRC (n = 107) patients were assessed at 8-weeks, 3-, 6-, and 12-months postsurgery on a measure of FCR (FCRI-SF). Metacognition (MCQ-30), Intrusive and Avoidant Thoughts (CIES-R) and attentional bias (dot-probe tasks) were assessed at baseline. Latent growth mixture modeling identified FCR trajectories. Fully-adjusted Multinomial Logistic Regression identified whether direct and indirect effects of metacognition through CAS determined FCR trajectory membership. RESULTS: Three distinct FCR trajectories were identified, namely, low-stable (62.4%), high-stable (29.2%), and recovery (8.3%). Negative beliefs about worry, cognitive confidence, and age predicted FCR trajectories (χ2 (6) = 38.31, P<.001). Compared with Low-stable group, Recovery FCR patients held greater Negative beliefs about worry (OR = 1.13, P = .035) and High-stable FCR patients reported poorer Cognitive confidence (OR = 1.12, P = .004). The effect of Negative beliefs about worry was partially mediated by avoidance (ß = .06, 95% CIs 0.03-0.12) and fully mediated by intrusive thoughts (ß = .14, 95% CIs 0.08-0.20). Attentional bias did not predict FCR trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: While most patients experienced low level of FCR, 3 in 10 persistently worried about cancer returning over the first 12-months postsurgery. Modifying metacognitive knowledge to interrupt maladaptive cognitive processing including intrusion and avoidance may be an effective therapeutic intervention for patients at risk of persistent FCR.

Outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in the nonagenarians: 20-year result from a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: There is a foreseeable trend that life expectancy is on the rise in many parts of the world. More and more patients will present with colorectal cancer at extreme old age and advanced age is a well-known risk factor for adverse outcomes after surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in patients aged 90 or above. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients aged 90 or above who underwent operations for colorectal cancer between January 1996 and December 2015 was performed. The primary outcomes were the complications rate, 30-day and 180-day mortality rates. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of them were women (64.9%). The median age was 92 years. Most of the surgery was of curative intent (77.2%), performed under elective setting (57.9%) and with open approach (78.9%). 36.8% of patients had postoperative complications, with pneumonia being the commonest. The 30-day and 180-day mortality rate was 7 and 31.6% respectively. History of ischemic heart disease and surgery under emergency setting were predictors of postoperative complications. Pneumonia, preoperative leukocytosis and Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 9 were predictors of 180-day mortality. The one and two-year survival rate for elective surgery was 69.7 and 54.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery for nonagenarians could be favorable in a selected group of patients. Future study on better risk profiling and ways to improve outcomes is warranted.

Fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese cancer survivors: Prevalence and associations with metacognition and neuroticism.

OBJECTIVE: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) represents a chronic burden for many cancer survivors. We determined FCR prevalence and potential correlates, specifically metacognitive styles and neuroticism among Chinese cancer survivors with breast or colorectal cancer. METHODS: This study included 285 Chinese patients with breast (N = 173) and colorectal (N = 112) cancers at 8-week postsurgery. Participants completed a set of baseline questionnaires evaluating FCR (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form [FCRI-SF]), metacognition (Metacognitions Questionnaire-30), and neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire). Scores of 13 to 21 were indicative of subclinical FCR on the FCRI-SF. Scores greater than or equal to 22 indicated clinically significant levels of FCR. Fully adjusted multinomial logistic regressions identified correlates of subclinical and clinically significant FCR. RESULTS: Respectively, 26.0% (n = 74) and 11.2% (n = 32) achieved scores indicating subclinical and clinically significant FCR. Expressing significantly more positive (OR = 1.21, P = .003) and negative (OR = 1.19, P = .005) beliefs about worry was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting subclinical FCR. Both higher neuroticism (OR = 1.28, P = .003) and more negative beliefs about worry (OR = 1.19, P = 0.035) were associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing clinically significant FCR. CONCLUSIONS: Positive and negative metacognitions may play an important role in the development of subclinical FCR. In particular, negative metacognition and neuroticism may elevate FCR from subclinical to a clinical level. The findings give insight into the identification of cancer survivors with subclinical or clinical FCR and aid the development of interventions aimed at changing metacognitive beliefs in order to manage FCR.

Robotic-Assisted Transrectal Cholecystectomy in a Porcine Model.

Background. With increasing experience and technological advancement in surgical instruments, surgeons have explored the feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). These techniques aim to further reduce surgical trauma, but are not popular due to their inherent pitfalls including clashing of instruments, lack of counter traction, lengthy operating time, and so on. A novel surgical robotic system was designed to overcome the limitations of the existing technologies. Animal trials were conducted to demonstrate its feasibility in performing robotic-assisted transrectal cholecystectomy in a porcine model. Method. The Novel surgical robotic system is a high dexterity, single access port surgical robotic system that enables surgeons to carry out single-port surgical procedure or NOTES. The proposed system's main features include the ability to perform intraabdominal and pelvic surgeries via natural orifices like the vagina or rectum. The system is equipped with multiple miniaturized (16 mm diameter) internally motorized robotic arms, each with a minimum of 7 degrees of freedom, a dual in vivo camera system, a cannula, and an external swivel system. Results. Robotic-assisted transrectal cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 3 adult male pigs. The estimated blood loss was <10 mL in all 3 cases. There were no intraoperative complications. The system provided good dexterity and clear vision. Conclusions. The trial demonstrated that the system can provide the surgeon a stable platform with adequate spacing for the transrectal insertion of robotic arms, 3-dimensional vision, and enhanced dexterity in performing NOTES cholecystectomy.

Is bridge to surgery stenting a safe alternative to emergency surgery in malignant colonic obstruction: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

BACKGROUND: Despite studies showing superior results in terms of reduced stoma rate and higher primary anastomosis rate, the safety of bridge to surgery stenting (BTS stent) for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction, especially in oncological terms, remains a concern. AIM: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether BTS stent is a safe alternative to emergency surgery (EmS). METHODS: Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing BTS stent and EmS for left-sided colonic obstruction caused by primary cancer of the colon, up to Sep 2018, were retrieved from the Pubmed, Embase database, clinical trials registry of U. S. National Library of Medicine and BMJ and Google Search. RESULTS: There were seven eligible RCTs, involving a total of 448 patients. Compared to EmS, BTS stent had a significantly lower risk of overall complications (RR = 0.605; 95% CI 0.382-0.958; p = 0.032). However, the overall recurrence rate was higher in the BTS stent group (37.0% vs. 25.9%; RR = 1.425; 95% CI 1.002-2.028; p = 0.049). BTS stent significantly increased the risk of systemic recurrence (RR = 1.627; 95% CI 1.009-2.621; p = 0.046). This did not translate into a significant difference in terms of 3-year disease-free survival or 3-year overall survival. CONCLUSION: BTS stent is associated with a lower rate of overall morbidities than EmS. However, BTS stent was associated with a greater chance of recurrence, especially systemic recurrence. Clinicians ought to be aware of the pros and cons of different interventions and tailor treatments for patients suffering from left-sided obstructing cancer of the colon.

The impact of indocyanine-green fluorescence angiogram on colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND: Perfusion plays an important role in anastomotic healing. Indocyanine-green fluorescence angiogram allows objective bowel perfusion assessment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of perfusion assessment on intraoperative decision during left-sided colorectal resections. METHOD: This was a prospective, single-centre, observational study recruiting patients with left-sided colorectal resections. Perfusion of bowel segment was assessed with ICG fluorescence angiogram prior to resection and anastomosis intra-operatively. The planned transection site and the actual transection site after perfusion assessment were compared. The decision for diversion stoma was also evaluated. RESULTS: 110 patients with cancer of the sigmoid colon (29.1%) and rectum (70.9%) were recruited. Total mesorectal excision was performed in 51.8% of patients. The transection site was revised in 34.5% of cases: 30.9% more proximally and 3.6% more distally. The median distance between the intended and actual transection sites was 2 cm (range 1-17 cm). A proximal revision in the transection site was more likely seen in rectal cancers (p = 0.036, OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.09-11.78) and relatively under-perfused left colon (p = 0.036, OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02). Three (2.7%) patients were spared from a diversion stoma. The overall anastomotic leakage rate was 5.5%. CONCLUSION: ICG fluorescence angiogram altered operative decisions in a significant proportion of cases. The impact on transection site was more pronounced in patients with rectal cancers and those with relatively under-perfused colon.

Does advancement in stapling technology with triple-row and enhanced staple configurations confer additional safety? A matched comparison of 340 stapled ileocolic anastomoses.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few decades, studies have focused on the safety of stapled anastomosis, especially when compared to that of the handsewn technique. However, studies on the improvement of stapling technology are limited. This study aimed to investigate whether linear triple-row staples (tri-staples) had any advantage over double-row staples. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all cases of functional end-to-end anastomoses with linear staplers performed at two centers between 2005 and 2015. Data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. Cases of anastomoses performed with double-row (DS) and triple-row (TS) staples were matched according to propensity scores. The rates of anastomotic leakage, bleeding, reoperation, and 30-day mortality were compared. RESULTS: Functional end-to-end ileocolic anastomoses were performed in 563 consecutive patients during the study period. Double- and triple-row stapling devices were used in 389 and 174 anastomoses, respectively. With propensity score matching, 170 cases were chosen from each group. Both groups showed comparable baseline characteristics. The anastomotic leakage, anastomotic bleeding, and intra-abdominal collection rates were 2.4 and 0% (p = 0.123), 1.2 and 0% (p = 0.499), and 3.5 and 1.2% (p = 0.283) for DS and TS, respectively. The reoperation and 30-day mortality rates were 5.9 and 1.8% (p = 0.048) and 0.6 and 1.2% (p = 1.000) for DS and TS, respectively. The median lengths of stay were 5 and 6 days (p = 0.072) for DS and TS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Anastomoses with triple-row staples tended to have a lower morbidity rate, but a significant advantage over double-row staples was not demonstrated in this study.

The current management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis: should there be a change in paradigm? A systematic review of the literatures and analysis of treatment performance.

INTRODUCTION: Appendectomy has long been the mainstay of intervention for acute appendicitis, aiming at preventing perforation, peritonitis, abscess formation and recurrence. With better understanding of the disease process, non-operative management (NOM) with antibiotics alone has been proved a feasible treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis. This article aimed at systematically reviewing the available literatures and discussing the question whether NOM should replace appendectomy as the standard first-line treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis. METHOD: A search of the Embase, Pubmed and Cochrane Library was performed using the keywords 'acute appendicitis' and 'antibiotic therapy'. Meta-analysis with inverse variance model for continuous variable and Mantel Haenzel Model for dichotomous variable was performed to evaluate the one year treatment efficacy, morbidities rate, sick leave duration and length of hospital stay associated with emergency appendectomy and NOM. RESULTS: Six randomized control trials were identified out of 1943 publications. NOM had a significant lower treatment efficacy rate at one year, 0.10 (95% CI 0.03-0.36, p < 0.01), when compared to appendectomy. The morbidities rate was comparable between the two interventions. The length of hospital stay was longer, with a mean difference of 1.08 days (95% CI 0.09-2.07, p = 0.03), and the sick leave duration was shorter, a mean difference of 3.37 days (95% CI -5.90 to -0.85 days, p < 0.01) for NOM. CONCLUSION: The paradigm remains unchanged, that appendectomy is the gold standard of treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis, given its higher efficacy rate when compared to NOM.