Features and outcomes of rectal cancer patients treated in a hospital in Bogotá, Colombia: a retrospective cohort study.

Rectal cancer is an increasing disease worldwide. The outcomes of its treatment are related to the preoperative characteristics of the patient. The objective of this study was to describe sociodemographic, clinical and surgical characteristics and outcomes of patients operated on for rectal cancer at Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi (HUM) during the period within 2013-2017.A retrospective descriptive cohort-type study was carried out by consulting the clinical records of patients above the age of 18 years with a clinical/histopathological diagnosis of rectal cancer and an institutional follow-up in those who underwent surgery with laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum carried out by the coloproctology service of the HUM between 2013 and 2017. For statistical analysis, the SPSS V22 program was used.Data from 133 patients were collected during the study period, most of them male, with more frequent involvement of the lower rectum. Complications occurred in 25% of the patients. Conversion rate to open surgery was 8.6%, in-hospital death was associated with cardiovascular comorbidity, corticosteroid uses and with the presence of complications. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were similar to the world population. The institution has a low prevalence of anastomotic dehiscence, global complications are comparable with international statistics.

Laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal has better clinical outcomes compared to open surgery: An international multicenter cohort study involving 502 patients.

Background: Hartmann's procedure (HP) is used in surgical emergencies such as colonic perforation and colonic obstruction. "Temporary" colostomy performed during HP is not always reversed in part due to potential morbidity and mortality associated with reversal. There are several contributing factors for patients requiring a permanent colostomy following HP. Therefore, there is still some discussion about which technique to use. The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative variables of patients undergoing Hartmann's reversal using a laparoscopic and open approach. Methods: The multicenter retrospective cohort study was done between January 2009 and December 2019 at 14 institutions globally. Patients who underwent Hartmann's reversal laparoscopic (LS) and open (OS) approaches were evaluated and compared. Sociodemographic, preoperative, intraoperative variables, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. The main outcomes evaluated were 30-day mortality, length of stay, complications, and postoperative outcomes. Results: Five hundred and two patients (264 in the LS and 238 in the OS group) were included. The most prevalent sex was male in 53.7%, the most common indication was complicated diverticular disease in 69.9%, and 85% were American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II-III. Intraoperative complications were noted in 5.3% and 3.4% in the LS and OS groups, respectively. Small bowel injuries were the most common intraoperative injury in 8.3%, with a higher incidence in the OS group compared with the LS group (12.2% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.5). Inadvertent injuries were more common in the small bowel (3%) in the LS group. A total of 17.2% in the OS versus 13.3% in the LS group required intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p = 0.2). The most frequent postoperative complication was ileus (12.6% in OS vs. 9.8% in LS group, p = 0.4)). Reintervention was required mainly in the OS group (15.5% vs. 5.3% in LS group, p < 0.5); mortality rate was 1%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal is safe and feasible, associated with superior clinical outcomes compared with open surgery.

Synovial sarcoma of the transverse colon metastatic to the chest wall after 3 years of follow-up.

We report a fifth case of a transverse colon primary synovial sarcoma. A 31-year-old man with history of grade I obesity presented to an outpatient clinic reporting 6 months of intermittent colicky abdominal pain associated with haematochezia and rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy reported a partially obstructive intraluminal tumour lesion located in the transverse colon. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in the extension studies, so the patient was admitted to the hospital for a laparoscopic subtotal colectomy. Histopathology demonstrated intermediate-grade synovial sarcoma. At the third year of follow-up, the patient presented metastases on the chest wall, which required extensive resection and complementary oncological management.

Cáncer colorrectal durante la pandemia COVID-19, recomendaciones de la Asociación Colombiana de Coloproctología / Recommendations of the Colombian Association of Coloproctology for Management of Colorectal Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Resumen La pandemia por el coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2), (coronavirus disease-19 [COVID-19]), ha alterado por completo toda la realidad mundial con repercusiones económicas, sociales y grandes compromisos de los sistemas de salud. La enfermedad ha afectado a todos los países en los 5 continentes; y en nuestro país, desde el primer caso, se han venido tomando medidas para prepararnos mejor ante esta crisis. Pese a que se trata de un virus respiratorio, se ha documentado su presencia en diferentes tejidos y órganos de los seres humanos. Aunque la presentación clínica en su mayoría tiene síntomas leves, se sabe que un porcentaje importante tiene manifestaciones graves que pueden llevar a complicaciones graves y la muerte. El cáncer colorrectal es un tumor prevalente en nuestra población y obliga a tener una mejor preparación para tratarlo durante este período. Desde la Asociación Colombiana de Coloproctología, basados en los diferentes reportes de la literatura, en las recomendaciones de las diferentes asociaciones internacionales y en nuestra propia experiencia, se realiza una revisión del cáncer colorrectal durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y se comparten algunas recomendaciones para el manejo de los pacientes con esta patología revisando las diferentes opciones de manejo según la presentación de la enfermedad.

Abstract The economic and social repercussions and the enormous commitment required of health care systems by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) has completely altered world reality. The disease has affected all countries on all five continents. In Colombia, from diagnosis of the very first case, measures have been taken to better prepare ourselves for this crisis. Although it is a respiratory virus, its presence in various human tissues and organs has been documented. Despite the fact that its clinical presentation is most often in the form of mild symptoms, a significant percentage of those infected have severe manifestations that can lead to serious complications and death. Colorectal cancer is a prevalent tumor in our population, and this pandemic forces to prepare ourselves better to treat it during this period. The Colombian Coloproctology Association has reviewed reports in the literature and recommendations of various international associations and on our own experience with colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present our recommendations for management of patients with this pathology and review management options according to disease presentation.

Apendicitis poscolonoscopia: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Post-colonoscopy appendicitis: Case report and literature review

Resumen Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 83 años sin antecedentes de importancia, a quien se le realizó una colonoscopia de tamización 3 h antes del inicio de la sintomatología. La paciente consultó al servicio de urgencias por presentar dolor en la fosa ilíaca derecha de 12 h de evolución. En efecto, durante el examen físico, se encontró un dolor localizado en la fosa ilíaca derecha. Ante la sospecha de una complicación relacionada con la colonoscopia, se ordenó una tomografía de abdomen, la cual mostró signos tomográficos de apendicitis. Se realizó entonces una apendicetomía por laparoscopia, sin complicaciones, pero se evidenció un apéndice cecal perforado.

Abstract We present the case of an 83-year-old patient who had no significant medical history. A screening colonoscopy had been performed three 3 hours before onset of pain in the right iliac fossa. Twelve hours later, the patient to the emergency department. Physicians suspected that the pain was a complication related to colonoscopy and ordered an abdominal CT scan which showed tomographic signs of appendicitis. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed and removed a perforated cecal appendix without complications.