Continuity of Cancer Care: The Surgical Experience of Two Large Cancer Hubs in London and Milan.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a large effect on the management of cancer patients. This study reports on the approach and outcomes of cancer patients receiving radical surgery with curative intent between March and September 2020 (in comparison to 2019) in the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS (IEO) in Milan and the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA). Both institutions implemented a COVID-19 minimal pathway where patients were required to self-isolate prior to admission and were swabbed for COVID-19 within 72 h of surgery. Positive patients had surgery deferred until a negative swab. At IEO, radical surgeries declined by 6% as compared to the same period in 2019 (n = 1477 vs. 1560, respectively). Readmissions were required for 3% (n = 41), and <1% (n = 9) developed COVID-19, of which only one had severe disease and died. At SELCA, radical surgeries declined by 34% (n = 1553 vs. 2336). Readmissions were required for 11% (n = 36), <1% (n = 7) developed COVID-19, and none died from it. Whilst a decline in number of surgeries was observed in both centres, the implemented COVID-19 minimal pathways have shown to be safe for cancer patients requiring radical treatment, with limited complications and almost no COVID-19 infections.

Early and Late Closure of Loop Ileostomies: A Retrospective Comparative Outcomes Analysis.

The optimal timing of loop ileostomy reversal remains largely unknown, but evidence that delayed ileostomy closure may increase postoperative complication rates is increasing. PURPOSE: Retrospective research was conducted to compare outcomes between patients who had early (<6 months) or late (>6 months) loop ileostomy closure. METHODS: Records of patients >18 years of age who underwent circumstomal reversal of a loop ileostomy over a period of 5 years in 1 hospital's colorectal unit were abstracted and analyzed. Data from patients who had a planned or conversion to laparotomy, a concurrent bowel resection, reversal of double-barrel small bowel and colonic stomas, or closure of an end ileostomy or patients whose records were incomplete were excluded. Demographic information, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, primary operation indication, surgery and inpatient dates, readmission within 30 days of discharge, reasons for readmission, complication type, and Clavien-Dindo classification were extracted and compared between early and late closure groups using independent-sample t test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Among the 75 study participants, 25 had an early closure (mean age 68.6 [range 26 - 93] years, mean time since primary surgery 3.8 months) and 50 had a late closure procedure (mean age 71.6 [range 46 - 93] years, mean time since primary surgery 12.8 months). Gender distribution, ASA grades, primary surgery indication, and total number of readmissions were similar between the 2 groups. Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter (5.5 days vs 9.4 days; P = .01) and average number of complications was significantly lower (0.33 vs 0.61; P = .04) in the early closure group. Rates of postoperative ileus, anastomotic bleed, and wound-related complications were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Hospital length of stay and average number of postoperative complications following circumstomal loop ileostomy closure were significantly lower in the early than in the late closure group. Additional studies are warranted to help guide practice.

Anatomical and Radiological Considerations When Colonic Perforation Leads to Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumothoraces, Pneumomediastinum, and Mediastinal Shift.

While colonoscopy is generally regarded as a safe procedure, colonic perforation can occur and the risk of this is higher when interventional procedures are undertaken. The presentation may be acute or delayed depending on the extent of the perforation. Extracolonic gas following colonic perforation can migrate to several body compartments that are embryologically related and it has previously been reported in the thorax, mediastinum, neck, scrotum, and lower limbs. This review discusses in detail the anatomical pathways that led to a rare case of widespread subcutaneous emphysema, bilateral pneumothoraces, pneumomediastinum, and mediastinal shift from colonic perforation during a diagnostic colonoscopy. This is further supported by a description of the radiological images.

Vermiform appendix within incisional hernia.

The vermiform appendix (whether inflamed or not) within a hernia is very rare occurrence. We present the unprecedented case of a normal appendix found within a Pfannenstiel incisional hernia. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed as appendicitis was suspected. However, the tip of a normal appendix was visualised within a previous Pfannenstiel incision. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was carried successfully and the patient was discharged. The patient later returned for a successful elective laparoscopic incisional hernia repair.

Does robotic rectal cancer surgery offer improved early postoperative outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic rectal surgery continues to be challenging, especially in low rectal cancers, because the technique has several limitations. Robotic rectal surgery could potentially address these limitations. However, it still remains unclear whether robotic surgery should be accepted as the new standard treatment in rectal cancer surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the available literature to assess if robotic rectal surgery offers improved early postoperative outcomes in comparison with standard laparoscopic rectal surgery. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted following the search of electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar) for the period 2007 to 2011 by using the key words "rectal surgery," "laparoscopic," "robotic." STUDY SELECTION: All studies reporting outcomes on laparoscopic and robotic resection for extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal rectal cancer were included in the review process; all studies on colonic cancer and benign disease were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: A comparison was conducted of robotic vs standard laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was the assessment of whether robotic rectal cancer surgery provides improved short-term outcomes in comparison with standard laparoscopic rectal surgery. RESULTS: Robotic rectal surgery was associated with increased cost and operating time, but lower conversion rates, even in obese individuals, distal rectal tumors, and patients who had preoperative chemoradiotherapy regardless of the experience of the surgeon. There is also marginally better outcome in anastomotic leak rates, circumferential resection margin positivity, and perseveration of autonomic function, but this did not reach statistical significance. LIMITATIONS: This review has some limitations because it relies on the analysis of data collected from various nonrandomized controlled trials with variable quality and different methodology. CONCLUSION: The current evidence suggests that robotic rectal surgery could potentially offer better short-term outcomes especially when applied in selected patients. Obesity, male sex, preoperative radiotherapy, and tumors in the lower two-thirds of the rectum may represent selection criteria for robotic surgery to justify its increased cost.

[Informed consent in thyroid and parathyroid surgery]. / Consenso informato in chirurgia tiroidea e paratiroidea.

The Authors outline the law problems and the practice implications of thyroid and parathyroid surgery from the point of view of the informed consensus of the patient, and expose the criteria they usually adopt in their clinical practice for such procedures. This problem is particularly important because is exceptionally needed in emergency; therefore the preoperative information must be completed as possible, illustrating the risks of the procedure and the possible solutions alternative to surgery.