Comparison of early surgical outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection reported by a busy district general hospital in England.

Robotic platforms provide a stable tool with high-definition views and improved ergonomics compared to laparoscopic approaches. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the intra- and short-term postoperative results of oncological resections performed robotically (RCR) and laparoscopically (LCR) at a single centre. Between February 2020 and October 2022, retrospective data on RCR were compared to LCR undertaken during the same period. Parameters compared include total operative time, length of stay (LOS), re-admission rates, 30-day morbidity. 100 RCR and 112 LCR satisfied inclusion criteria. There was no difference between the two group's demographic and tumour characteristics. Overall, median operative time was shorter in LCR group [200 vs. 247.5 min, p < 0.005], but this advantage was not observed with pelvic and muti-quadrant resections. There was no difference in the rate of conversion [5(5%) vs. 5(4.5%), p > 0.95]. With respect to perioperative outcomes, there was no difference in the overall morbidity, or mortality between RCR and LCR, in particular requirement for blood transfusion [3(3%) vs. 5(4.5%), p 0.72], prolonged ileus [9(9%) vs. 15(13.2%), p 0.38], surgical site infections [5(4%) vs. 5(4.4%), p > 0.95], anastomotic leak [7(7%) vs. 5(4.4%), p 0.55], and re-operation rate [9(9%) vs. 7(6.3%), p 0.6]. RCR had shorter LOS by one night, but this did not reach statistical significance. No difference was observed in completeness of resection but there was a statically significant increase in lymph node harvest in the robotic series. Robotic approach to oncological colorectal resections is safe, with comparable intra- and peri-operative morbidity and mortality to laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy using the open book approach: a video vignette.

According to the concept of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer, Hohenberger translated this concept to colonic cancer by introducing complete mesocolic excision (CME). The concept of this surgical technique was further elucidated by Benz et al. in the form of an open book approach. This article presents and demonstrates in a video a case of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with CME and D3 lymphadenectomy using open book approach in the treatment of a T3N1M0 distal ascending colonic adenocarcinoma. The final pathology report confirmed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with a maximum tumor size of 55 mm and 0/60 lymph nodes. The mesocolic fascia was intact and R0 was achieved. The final staging was pT3pN0pM0. However, D3 lymphadenectomy is not universally adopted due to concerns of higher morbidity we believe that with adequate training and supervision CME with D3 LDN is feasible and safe to be offered to all right-sided colorectal cancers with curative intent treatment.

Faecal Immunochemical Testing to Detect Colorectal Cancer in Symptomatic Patients: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

(1) Background: NHS England recommended faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for symptomatic patients in June 2020 to rationalise limited diagnostic services during COVID-19. (2) Aim: to investigate the diagnostic performance of FIT, analysing the proportion of FIT-negative colorectal cancers (CRC) missed in symptomatic patients and how this risk could be mitigated. (3) Design and Setting: a retrospective study of biochemistry and cancer databases involving patients referred from primary healthcare with suspected CRC to a single secondary care trust in North East London. (4) Methods: a retrospective cohort diagnostic accuracy study was undertaken to determine the performance of FIT for detecting CRC at 10 µgHb/g. (5) Results: between January and December 2020, 7653 patients provided a stool sample for FIT analysis; 1679 (22%) samples were excluded due to inadequate or incorrect specimens; 48% of suspected CRC referrals completed FIT before evaluation; 86 FIT tested patients were diagnosed with histologically proven CRC. At 10 µgHb/g, FIT performance was comparable with the existing literature with a sensitivity of 0.8140 (95% CI 0.7189-0.8821), a specificity of 0.7704 (95% CI 0.7595-0.7809), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.04923 (95% CI 0.03915-0.06174), a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.9965 (95% CI 0.9943-0.9978), and a likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.545; 16 patients with CRC had an FIT of ≤10 µgHb/g (18.6% 95% CI 11.0-28.4%). (6) Conclusions: this study raises concerns about compliance with FIT testing and the incidence of FIT-negative CRC at the NICE recommended threshold and how this risk can be mitigated without colonic imaging. Whilst FIT may have facilitated prioritisation during COVID-19, we must be cautious about using FIT alone to determine which patients are referred to secondary care or receive further investigation.

Anastomotic Leaks After Restorative Resections for Rectal Cancer Compromise Cancer Outcomes and Survival.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks after restorative resections for rectal cancer may lead to worse long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the best current evidence assessing anastomotic leaks in rectal cancer resections with curative intent and their impact on survival and cancer recurrence. DATA SOURCES: A meta-analysis was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane search engines for relevant studies published between January 1982 and January 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology was used to screen and select relevant studies for the review using key words "colorectal surgery; colorectal neoplasm; rectal neoplasm" and "anastomotic leak." INTERVENTION: Anastomotic leak groups were compared with nonanastomotic leak groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ORs were calculated from binary data for local recurrence, distant recurrence, and cancer-specific mortality. A random-effects model was then used to calculate pooled ORs with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 13,655 patients met the inclusion criteria. This included 5 prospective cohort and 6 retrospective cohort studies. Median follow-up was 60 months. Higher cancer-specific mortality was noted in the leak group with an OR of 1.30 (95% CI, 1.04-1.62; p < 0.05). Local recurrences were more likely in rectal cancer resections complicated by anastomotic leaks (OR = 1.61 (95% CI, 1.25-2.09); p < 0.001). Distant recurrence was not more likely in the anastomotic leak group (OR = 1.07 (95% CI, 0.87-1.33); p = 0.52). LIMITATIONS: All 11 studies are level 3 evidence cohort studies. Additional sensitivity analyses were performed to minimize cross-study heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomotic leaks after restorative resections for rectal cancer adversely impact cancer-specific mortality and local recurrence.

Role of diet in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Many studies have looked at connections between diet, etiology, signs and symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although these connections are apparent to clinicians, they are difficult to prove qualitatively or quantitatively. Enteral feeding and polymeric diets are equally effective at bringing about remission in Crohn's disease (CD). Parenteral feeding is also effective, although none of these methods is as effective as corticosteroid therapy. However, enteral feeding is preferred in the pediatric population because linear growth is more adequately maintained via this route. Exclusion diets in patients brought into remission using an elemental diet have been shown to maintain remission for longer periods. Studies that aim to isolate culpable food groups have shown that individuals react differently on exposure to or exclusion of various foods. The commonly identified food sensitivities are cereals, milk, eggs, vegetables and citrus fruits. Studies that have looked at gut mucosal antigen behavior have shown higher rectal blood flow, in response to specific food antigens, in those with CD over healthy subjects. Exclusion of sugar shows little evidence of amelioration in CD. Omega 3 fatty acids show promise in the treatment of IBD but await larger randomized controlled trials. Patients frequently notice that specific foods cause aggravation of their symptoms. Whilst it has been difficult to pinpoint specific foods, with advances in the laboratory tests and food supplements available, the aim is to prolong remission in these patients using dietary measures, and reduce the need for pharmacotherapy and surgical intervention.