Risk factors for hemorrhoidal disease among healthy young and middle-aged Korean adults.

Hemorrhoidal disease is a highly prevalent anorectal condition causing substantial discomfort, disability, and decreased quality of life. Evidence on preventable risk factors for hemorrhoidal disease is limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 194,620 healthy men and women who completed a health screening exam including colonoscopy in 2011-2017. We evaluated potential risk factors of hemorrhoidal disease, including lifestyle factors, medical history, birth history, gastrointestinal symptoms, and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease was 16.6%, and it was higher in females than in males (17.2 vs. 16.3%; P < 0.001). Compared to men, the prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease was higher in parous women (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.10), and lower in nulliparous women (adjusted OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.98). In the adjusted analyses, older age, female sex, smoking, overweight, and being hypertensive were independently associated with the presence of hemorrhoidal disease. The prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease was positively associated with body mass index and waist circumference in parous women. The prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease was higher in older age, females, ever-smokers, and hypertensive participants. The association of excess adiposity with the prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease differed by sex and parity.

Is a cutoff value of 12 still useful in stage II right-sided colon cancer without risk factors?

Purpose: Various clinical practice guidelines recommend at least 12 regional lymph nodes should be removed for resected colon cancer. According to a recent study, the lymph node yield (LNY) in colon cancer surgery in the last 20 years has tended to increase from 14.91 to 21.30. However, it is unclear whether these guidelines adequately reflect recent findings on the number of harvested lymph nodes in colon cancer surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of an LNY of more than 25 on survival in right-sided colon cancer. Methods: We included 285 patients who underwent a right hemicolectomy during the period from January 2010 through December 2015. Patients were divided into two groups (<25 nodes and ≥25 nodes). Primary endpoints included 5-year and 10-year survival including disease-free and overall. Results: We found that survival outcomes of patients with a harvest of ≥25 nodes were not significantly different compared with a <25 group. Large tumor size (5 cm) is significantly associated with poor 5-year and 10-year overall survival. Conclusion: Survival outcomes of patients with a harvest of ≥25 nodes were not significantly different compared with the <25 group in stage II colon cancer with no risk.

Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumors with high progranulin expression.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Progranulin (PGRN) is known to promote tumorigenesis and proliferation of several types of cancer cells. However, little is known about the clinicopathological features of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with regard to PGRN expression. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with GISTs who underwent curative surgical resection between 2007 and 2017. PGRN expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and semi-quantitatively categorized (no expression, 0; weak, 1+; moderate, 2+; strong, 3+). Tumors with a staining intensity of 2+ or 3+ were considered high PGRN expression. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were analyzed; 31 patients (57%) were male. The median age at surgery was 60 years (range, 33-79), and the most common primary site was the stomach (67%). Thirty-five patients (65%) had spindle histology; 42 patients (78%) were separated as a high-risk group according to the modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) classification. High PGRN-expressing tumors were observed in 27 patients (50%), had more epithelioid/mixed histology (68% vs. 32%; p = 0.046), and KIT exon 11 mutations (76% vs. 24%; p = 0.037). Patients with high PGRN-expressing tumors had a worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) (36% of 5-year RFS) compared to those with low PGRN-expressing tumors (96%; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that high PGRN expression and old age (>60 years) were independent prognostic factors for poor RFS. CONCLUSIONS: High PGRN-expressing GISTs showed more epithelioid/mixed histology and KIT exon 11 mutations. PGRN overexpression was significantly associated with poor RFS in patients with GISTs who underwent curative resection.

An Unusual Case of Colon Perforation With Multiple Transmural Ulcers After Use of Polmacoxib and Everolimus in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient.

Everolimus (Afinitor) is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin. Polmacoxib (Acelex) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that belongs to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor family and is mainly used for treatment of arthritis. Intestinal perforation has not been reported previously as a complication of everolimus, and perforation of the lower intestinal tract caused by a selective COX-2 inhibitor is extremely rare. We present here a case of colon perforation that occurred after use of polmacoxib in a metastatic breast cancer patient who had been treated with everolimus for the preceding six months.

COVID-19 and the Global Impact on Colorectal Practice and Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that emerged in December 2019 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the sudden national reorganization of health care systems and changes in the delivery of health care globally. The purpose of our study was to use a survey to assess the global effects of COVID-19 on colorectal practice and surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 22 questions, which were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in the ISUCRS database and was advertised on social media sites. The questionnaire remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 287 surgeons completed the survey. Of the 287 respondents, 90% were colorectal specialists or general surgeons with an interest in colorectal disease. COVID-19 had affected the practice of 96% of the surgeons, and 52% were now using telemedicine. Also, 66% reported that elective colorectal cancer surgery could proceed but with perioperative precautions. Of the 287 respondents, 19.5% reported that the use of personal protective equipment was the most important perioperative precaution. However, personal protective equipment was only provided by 9.1% of hospitals. In addition, 64% of surgeons were offering minimally invasive surgery. However, 44% reported that enough information was not available regarding the safety of the loss of intra-abdominal carbon dioxide gas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, 61% of the surgeons were prepared to defer elective colorectal cancer surgery, with 29% willing to defer for ≤ 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: The results from our survey have demonstrated that, globally, COVID-19 has affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to their patients. We have also discussed suggestions for various practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery period.

Routine Intraoperative Bacterial Culture May Be Needed in Complicated Appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Choosing the appropriate antibiotic is important for treatment of complicated appendicitis. However, increasing multidrug resistant bacteria have been a serious problem for successful treatment. This study was designed to identify bacteria isolated from patients with complicated appendicitis and reveal their susceptibilities for antibiotics and their relationship with patient clinical course. METHODS: This study included patients diagnosed with complicated appendicitis and examined the bacterial cultures and antimicrobial susceptibilities of the isolates. Data were retrospectively collected from medical records of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from January 2008 to February 2018. RESULTS: The common bacterial species cultured in complicated appendicitis were as follows: Escherichia coli (n=113, 48.9%), Streptococcus spp. (n=29, 12.6%), Pseudomonas spp. (n=23, 10.0%), Bacteriodes spp. (n=22, 9.5%), Klebsiella (n=11, 4.8%), and Enterococcus spp. (n=8, 3.5%). In antibiotics susceptibility testing, the positive rate of extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) was 9.1% (21 of 231). The resistance rate to carbapenem was 1.7% (4 of 231), while that to vancomycin was 0.4% (1 of 231). E. coli was 16.8% ESBL positive (19 of 113) and had 22.1% and 19.5% resistance rates to cefotaxime and ceftazidime, respectively. Inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment (IEAT) occurred in 55 cases (31.8%) and was significantly related with organ/space surgical site infection (SSI) (7 of 55, P=0.005). CONCLUSION: The rate of antibiotic resistance organisms was high in community-acquired complicated appendicitis in Koreans. Additionally, IEAT in complicated appendicitis may lead to increased rates of SSI. Routine intraoperative culture in patients with complicated appendicitis may be an effective strategy for appropriate antibiotic regimen.

International consensus on natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) for gastric cancer (2019).

At present, natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) has attracted more and more attention worldwide, because of its great advantages including minimal cutaneous trauma and post-operative pain, fast post-operative recovery, short hospital stay, and positive psychological impact. However, NOSES for the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) is still in its infancy, and there is great potential to improve its theoretical system and clinical practice. Especially, several key points including oncological outcomes, bacteriological concerns, indication selection, and standardized surgical procedures are raised with this innovative technique. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve an international consensus to regulate the implementation of GC-NOSES, which is of great significance for healthy and orderly development of NOSES worldwide.

Prognostic Value of Progranulin in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Treated with Curative Resection.

Progranulin (PGRN) has been characterized as an autocrine growth and survival factor and is known to stimulate tumorigenesis and proliferation of several types of cancer cell. However, little is known about the prognostic role of PGRN in colorectal cancer (CRC). A retrospective analysis was performed for patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection between May 2013 and June 2015. PGRN expression in tumor cells was semi-quantitatively categorized (no expression, 0; weak/focal, 1+; moderate/focal or diffuse, 2+; strong/diffuse, 3+), and high expression was considered for tumors graded ≥2+ staining intensity. A total of 109 patients (28 stage I, 32 stage II, and 49 stage III) were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients (35%) had tumors with high PGRN expression, and there was a trend of elevated pre-operative CEA and CA19-9 levels in patients with high PGRN-expressing tumors compared to those with low PGRN-expressing tumors (CEA, 49% vs. 21%; CA19-9, 21% vs. 7%). The 3-year recurrence-free survival (3Y-RFS) and overall survival rates were 83.7% (95% CI, 76.8-90.6) and 96.0% (95% CI, 92.3-99.7), respectively. Patients with high PGRN-expressing tumors had a worse rate of 3Y-RFS (66.8%) compared to those with low PGRN-expressing tumors (92.4%; p = 0.010). Multivariate analysis showed that high PGRN expression, age (>66 years), stage (III), and perineural invasion (+) were independent prognostic factors associated with poor RFS after adjusting for confounding factors including sex, MSI, tumor location, KRAS, and lympho-vascular invasion. PGRN overexpression was significantly associated with poor RFS in patients with CRC who have undergone curative resection.

Bowel Preparation for Surveillance Colonoscopy After Colorectal Resection: A New Perspective.

PURPOSE: Inadequate bowel preparation (IBP) is commonly observed during surveillance colonoscopy after colorectal resection. We investigated potential risk factors affecting bowel preparation. METHODS: We studied potential factors affecting bowel preparation quality. The Boston bowel preparation score was used to measure bowel preparation quality. Factors affecting IBP were analyzed, including age, body mass index, time elapsed between surgery and colonoscopy, and amount of bowel preparation drug consumed (conventional-volume vs. low-volume). Odds ratios were calculated for IBP. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study included 1,317 patients who underwent colorectal resection due to malignancy. Of these patients, 79% had adequate bowel preparation and 21% had IBP. In multivariate regression analysis, a surveillance colonoscopy within 1 year after surgery and age >80 were used as independent predictors of IBP. IBP rate of the low-volume group was significantly higher than that of the conventional-volume group among patients who underwent a surveillance colonoscopy within 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: For surveillance colonoscopy after colorectal resection, bowel preparation is affected by factors including colonoscopy timing after surgery and age. We recommend the use of conventional-volume 4-L polyethylene glycol solution when performing a surveillance colonoscopy, especially up to 1 year after surgery.

High preoperative serum CA 19-9 levels can predict poor oncologic outcomes in colorectal cancer patients on propensity score analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum CA 19-9 levels in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, 4,794 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer were analyzed. These patients were classified into 2 groups according to preoperative CA 19-9 (high CA 19-9: ≥37 ng/mL, n = 440; normal CA 19-9: <37 ng/mL, n = 4,354). We used 1:20 propensity score matching to adjust for potential baseline confounders between groups. RESULTS: After matching, 424 patients (10.5%) among 4,021 patients with colorectal cancer showed a high pre-CA 19-9 level (≥37 ng/mL). There were no significant differences between these 2 groups in age, sex, preoperative CEA level, or T, N, and M stage after matching. Of the 424 patients with high pre-CA 19-9, 141 (33.3%) exhibited cancer recurrence more frequently than patients with normal preoperative CA 19-9 (18.5%). Patients with an elevated preoperative CA 19-9 level showed significantly poorer survival than those with normal levels. The 5-year overall survival rate was 79.7% in the high preoperative CA 19-9 group and 91.9% in the normal preoperative CA 19-9 group (P < 0.001). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 70.2% in the high preoperative CA 19-9 group and 82.7% in the normal preoperative CA 19-9 group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with an elevated preoperative CA 19-9 level in colorectal cancer have a significantly poorer prognosis than those with normal levels of CA 19-9. We therefore suggest preoperative CA 19-9 level can be used as an additional prognostic indicator of poor outcomes in colorectal cancer.

International consensus on natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) for colorectal cancer.

In recent years, natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in the treatment of colorectal cancer has attracted widespread attention. The potential benefits of NOSES including reduction in postoperative pain and wound complications, less use of postoperative analgesic, faster recovery of bowel function, shorter length of hospital stay, better cosmetic and psychological effect have been described in colorectal surgery. Despite significant decrease in surgical trauma of NOSES have been observed, the potential pitfalls of this technique have been demonstrated. Particularly, several issues including bacteriological concerns, oncological outcomes and patient selection are raised with this new technique. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to reach a consensus as an industry guideline to standardize the implementation of NOSES in colorectal surgery. After three rounds of discussion by all members of the International Alliance of NOSES, the consensus is finally completed, which is also of great significance to the long-term progress of NOSES worldwide.

Tumor regression grade as a clinically useful outcome predictor in patients with rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic role of tumor regression grade is not clear. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of tumor regression grade in patients with rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 639 patients with confirmed rectal cancer who had undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy and radical resection during the period October 2002 through December 2011 were included in this study. The tumor regression grade was graded: TRG0 (complete response), TRG1 (moderate), TRG2 (minimal), and TRG3 (poor). The prognostic significance of tumor regression grade was evaluated. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 56.7 months, the rates of 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and local recurrence-free survival among the TRG groups differed significantly (all P < .001). For patients with TRG0, TRG1, and TRG2-3, disease-free survivals were different between the ypStage (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .043). Multivariate analysis revealed findings to substantiate that the tumor regression grade represents a valuable and independent prognostic factor for long-term, disease-free survival (P = .041). Independent predictors of TRG2-3 consisted of lymphovascular invasion, tumor budding, and the pretreatment serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen in multivariate regression analysis. Clinical risk grouping, using 3 predictors for TRG2-3 was different (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The tumor regression grade may represent a useful prognostic variable to better individualize the prognosis and potentially further therapy for each rectal cancer patient who underwent chemoradiotherapy.

Oncological outcome of surgical site infection after colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the oncological outcome of surgical site infection (SSI) after colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 3675 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection from January 2009 to December 2011 were analyzed. The prognostic significance of SSI was evaluated. Risk factors for SSI were also identified using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall SSI rate was 9.6%, in which 5.5% was superficial or deep SSI and 4.1% was organ/space SSI. Incidence of SSI varied significantly with tumor location (P < 0.001): 7.1% in colon cancer and 14.0% in rectal cancer. With a median follow-up period of 49.8 months, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients without and with SSI were 87% and 83%, respectively (P = 0.018). SSI predicted disease-free survival in univariate analysis. However, SSI was not an independent predictor of survival in multivariate analysis. Body mass index, ASA score, preoperative WBC count, rectal tumor, open surgery, operation time, and transfusion during surgery were independent predictors of SSI. CONCLUSION: SSI predicted disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients following curative surgery. Patient' demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative conditions were independently associated with an increased likelihood of SSI.

Patient-Controlled Nutrition After Abdominal Surgery: Novel Concept Contrary to Surgical Dogma.

PURPOSE: According to surgical dogma, patients who are recovering from general anesthesia after abdominal surgery should begin with a clear liquid diet, progress to a full liquid diet and then to a soft diet before taking regular meals. We propose patient-controlled nutrition (PCN), which is a novel concept in postoperative nutrition after abdominal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and effects of PCN. This study was carried out with a total of 179 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy between August 2014 and July 2016. In the PCN group, diet was advanced depending on the choice of the patients themselves; in the traditional group, diet was progressively advanced to a full liquid or soft diet and then a regular diet as tolerated. The primary endpoints were time to tolerance of regular diet and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Time to tolerance of a regular diet (P < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.001) showed statistically significant differences between the groups. Multivariate analysis using linear regression showed that the traditional nutrition pattern was the only factor associated with postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that traditional nutrition was the only risk factor associated with prolonged postoperative hospital stay (≥3 days). CONCLUSION: After abdominal surgery, PCN may be a feasible and effective concept in postoperative nutrition. In our Early Recovery after Surgery program, our PCN concept may reduce the time to tolerance of a regular diet and shorten the postoperative hospital stay.

Association between oral health and colorectal adenoma in a screening population.

Although periodontal disease and gastrointestinal tract health are closely associated, few studies have investigated whether periodontitis is a risk factor for colorectal adenoma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between periodontitis and the risk of colorectal adenoma in asymptomatic healthy people.From January 2013 to October 2015, we retrospectively enrolled 42,871 patients who underwent health screening at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in South Korea. Demographic and clinical data were collected before colonoscopy. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) for adenoma in these patients.The median age was 39.3 ±â€Š8.7 years and 70.4% of the patients were men; 32.5% had a body mass index (BMI) 25.0 kg/m. The frequency of adenoma was 12% (n = 5136). A higher risk of adenoma was associated with the following factors: BMI 25.0 kg/m (OR 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-1.61), current smoker (OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.42-1.61), former smoker (OR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.37), periodontitis (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.82-2.0), moderate alcohol intake (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.69-1.93), and heavy alcohol intake (OR 2.67, 95% CI: 2.24-3.18).Being male or a former or current smoker, alcohol intake above the moderate level, and periodontitis increase the risk of colorectal adenoma. These findings suggest that controlling oral disease is important to the prevention and management of colorectal adenoma. The findings of this study could be applied to risk stratification and colorectal cancer prevention programs, including screening guidelines.

Prognostic Role of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic role of post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level is not clear. We evaluated the prognostic significance of post-CRT CEA level in patients with rectal cancer after preoperative CRT. METHODS: We reviewed 659 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative CRT and total mesorectal excision for non-metastatic rectal cancer. Patients were categorized into two groups according to post-CRT serum CEA level: low CEA (< 5 ng/mL) and high CEA (≥ 5 ng/mL). RESULTS: Median post-CRT CEA level was 1.7 ng/mL (range, 0.1-207.0). A high post-CRT level was significantly associated with ypStage, ypT category, tumor regression grade, and pre-CRT CEA level. The 5-year overall survival rate of the 659 patients was 87.8% with a median follow-up period of 57.0 months (range, 1.4-176.4). When the post-CRT CEA groups were divided into groups according to pre-CRT CEA level, the 5-year overall survival rates were significantly different (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Post-CRT CEA level was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that operation method, differentiation, perineural invasion, postoperative chemotherapy, tumor regression grade, and post-CRT CEA level were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION: The level of serum CEA after preoperative CRT was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with rectal cancer.

Oncologic outcome of colorectal cancer patients over age 80: a propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: It remains unclear whether old age is a poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). We compared oncologic outcomes in CRC patients according to age, using 80 as the dividing point. METHODS: CRC patients who underwent radical surgery from 2000 to 2011 were evaluated. We performed matched and adjusted analyses comparing oncologic outcomes between patients with ≥ 80 and < 80 years old. RESULTS: Among 9562 patients, 222 were elderly. The median age was 82.0 years in elderly patients and 59.0 years in young patients. Elderly patients received less neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy compared to young patients (p < 0.001). After recurrence, significantly fewer elderly patients received additional treatments (p < 0.001). Before matching, disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were significantly lower for elderly patients compared to those for young patients (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). After matching, DFS and CCS were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.400 and p = 0.267, respectively). In a multivariate analysis for prognostic factors, old age was not an independent poor prognostic factor of DFS and CCS (p = 0.619 and p = 0.137, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients aged ≥ 80 years with CRC had similar oncologic outcome to young patients, and age was not an independent prognostic factor.

Prospective analysis of delayed colorectal post-polypectomy bleeding.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Although post-polypectomy bleeding is the most frequent complication after colonoscopic polypectomy, only few studies have investigated the incidence of bleeding prospectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of delayed post-polypectomy bleeding and its associated risk factors prospectively. METHODS: Patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Trained nurses contacted patients via telephone 7 and 30 days after polypectomy and completed a standardized questionnaire regarding the development of bleeding. Delayed post-polypectomy bleeding was categorized as minor or major and early or late bleeding. Major delayed bleeding was defined as a > 2-g/dL drop in the hemoglobin level, requiring hospitalization for control of bleeding or blood transfusion; late delayed bleeding was defined as bleeding occurring later than 24 h after polypectomy. RESULTS: A total of 8175 colonoscopic polypectomies were performed in 3887 patients. Overall, 133 (3.4%) patients developed delayed post-polypectomy bleeding. Among them, 90 (2.3%) and 43 (1.1%) patients developed minor and major delayed bleeding, respectively, and 39 (1.0%) patients developed late delayed bleeding. In the polyp-based multivariate analysis, young age (< 50 years; odds ratio [OR] 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-3.68), aspirin use (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.23-6.31), and polyp size of > 10 mm (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.38-4.36) were significant risk factors for major delayed bleeding, while young age (< 50 years; OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.35-5.12) and immediate bleeding (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.49-7.30) were significant risk factors for late delayed bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Young age, aspirin use, polyp size, and immediate bleeding were found to be independent risk factors for delayed post-polypectomy bleeding.

The Role of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Technique in the Age of Single-Incision Laparoscopy: An Effective Alternative to Avoid Open Conversion in Colorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Continuous efforts to reduce the numbers and size of incisions led to the emergence of a new technique, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). It has been rapidly accepted as the preferred surgical approach in the colorectal area. In the age of SILS, what is the role of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS)? We introduce the way to take advantage of it, as an effective alternative to avoid open conversion. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of SILS colectomies performed by a single surgeon in Samsung Medical Center between August 2009 and December 2012. RESULTS: Out of 631 cases of SILS colectomy, 47 cases needed some changes from the initial approach. Among these, five cases were converted to HALS. Four of them were completed successfully without the need for open conversion. One patient with rectosigmoid colon cancer invading bladder was finally opened to avoid vesical trigone injury. The mean operation time of the 4 patients was 265.0 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 587.5 mL. The postoperative complication rate associated with the operation was 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion from SILS to HALS in colorectal surgery was feasible and effective. It seemed to add minimal morbidity while preserving advantages of minimally invasive surgery. It could be considered an alternative to open conversion in cases of SILS, especially when the conversion to conventional laparoscopy does not seem to be helpful.

Are We Predicting Disease Progress of the Rectal Cancer Patients without Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy?

PURPOSE: There are patients who do not undergo surgery, regardless of tumor response for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer. However, there have been few reports focused on how oncologic outcomes are worse in these patients. We sought to investigate oncologic outcomes for these non-operated patients with rectal cancer after nCRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,063 records of patients with rectal cancer who were treated with nCRT from January 2002 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. We categorized patients into the non-operated group (n=77), transanal local excision (TLE) group (n=54), ortotal mesorectal excision (TME) group (n=932) and compared each group using propensity score matching. RESULTS: In the non-operated group, the most common reason for no surgery was patient refusal (n=64). Eleven patients were considered to have achieve clinical complete response (cCR), which was an independent prognostic factor of progression-free survival (p=0.045). In patients with disease progression in the non-operated group, the overall survival did not improved according to salvage treatments (p=0.451). The non-operated group showed worse survivals compared to the TLE or TME group before and after matching (p < 0.001). This finding was also noted in the analysis of survival only in patients with cCR. CONCLUSION: In this study, non-operated patients did not secure oncologic safety regardless of cCR after nCRT. Our results suggest that a non-operative management must be carefully considered even if cCR is achieved.