External validation of the Moroccan Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer colorectal (CR29) module: Monocentric study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) outcomes are a focal endpoint of cancer treatment strategies. AIM: To externally validate the Moroccan Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire (QLQ) for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (CR29). METHODS: Both Moroccan Arabic modules of QLQ-CR29 and QLQ-C30 were administered to Moroccan CRC. Psychometric properties were retested by measuring Cronbach's alpha coefficient for reliability and Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to examine test-retest reproducibility. The multitrait-scaling analysis was performed to demonstrate the validity of the instrument and known-groups comparison was used to test the score's ability to discriminate between different groups of patients. RESULTS: In total, 221 patients were included in our study and 34 patients completed the questionnaire twice. The Urinary Frequency scale and Stool Frequency scale had good internal consistency with alpha Cronbach coefficients of 0.79 and 0.83 respectively, while the same coefficients were moderately lower for the Blood and Mucus in Stool scale (0.61) and the Body Image scale (0.67). The ICCs ranged from 0.88 to 1 indicating good to excellent reproducibility. In multitrait scaling analyses, the criterion for item convergent and divergent validity was satisfactory. The known-group comparison showed statistically significant differences between patients according to age, gender, stoma status, tumor location, and radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The Moroccan Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 is a valid and reliable tool that can be used safely for research and clinical purposes in Moroccan CRC patients.

The learning curve of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery of millennial surgeons: Lessons for a safe implementation in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the learning curve (LC) in laparoscopic rectal cancer resections of 2 millennial surgeons during the implementation of the first laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery programme in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) cancer centre. Methods: All consecutive patients operated by two millennial surgeons for primary rectal adenocarcinoma between January 2018 and March 2020 were included. The LC was analysed for operative duration and conversion to open surgery using both cumulative sum (CUSUM) and/or variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) charts. Results: Eighty-four patients were included, 45 (53.6%) men with a mean age of 57.3 years. Abdominoperineal resection was performed in 31 (36.9%) cases and resections were extended to other organs in 20 (23.8%) patients. Thirteen patients (15.5%) had conversion to open surgery. Using CUSUM, Learning curve based on conversion was completed at 12 cases for the first surgeon versus 10 cases for the second. While using VLAD and learning curve-CUSUM (LC-CUSUM), the cases needed were 26 vs 24 respectively. The median operative duration was 314 min with a LC completed at cases (17 vs. 26), and (18 vs. 29) using, respectively, standard and LC-CUSUM. Conclusions: This study shows a safe and short LC of millennial surgeons during the implementation of a laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery in an LMIC cancer centre, and the valuable use of modern statistical methods in the prospective assessment of LC safety during surgical training.

Available prediction scores of conversion for laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery seem to be unsuitable for nowadays rectal cancer management.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to externally evaluate the accuracy of four predictive scores for conversion to open surgery after rectal laparoscopic resection. None of the four scores achieved external validation previously. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of two prospectively maintained databases from two academic centers in France and Morocco. All consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for rectal adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2020 were included. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the factors present in the four scores and conversion. The accuracy of each score was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC). Observed and predicted conversion rates were compared for each score using the Chi-square goodness-of-fit test. RESULTS: Four hundred patients were included. There were 264 men (66%) with a mean age of 65.95 years (standard deviation 12.2). The median tumor height was 7 cm (quartiles 4-11) and 29% of patients had low rectal tumors. Conversion rate was 21.75%. The accuracy to predict conversion was low with an AUC lower than 0,62 for the four models. The observed conversion rates were significantly different from the predicted rates, except for one score. CONCLUSIONS: The four models had low accuracy in predicting the conversion to open surgery for laparoscopic rectal resection. There is a need for new well-designed studies, analyzing more specific variables, in a multicentric design to ensure generalizability of the results for daily surgical practice.

Perineal skin recurrence on the site of Lone Star Retractor: case report.

BACKGROUND: Local recurrence of colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality that usually implies a worse prognosis. Its etiopathogenesis is still a subject of debate. Recurrence on the perineal wound caused by anal retractor device is rarely reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with perineal skin recurrence on the site of Lone Star Retractor™ from rectal adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a curative proctectomy followed by a hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis using Lone Star Retractor™ 2 years ago for a tumor of the lower rectum. The recurrence was most likely caused by the seeding of exfoliated tumor cells into the perianal skin which was abraded by the retractor. CONCLUSION: This case is the fourth case reported in the literature and highlights the importance of the use of less traumatic endoanal retractors to prevent such perianal recurrence. Recurrence on the perineal wound caused by anal retractor device is rare but possible. Further studies are needed to define preventive measures able to reduce cutaneous implants.

Pancreatic solid serous cystadenoma treated by laparoscopy: Presentation of a new case report and review of the literature.

Solid serous cystadenoma is an uncommon benign pancreatic tumor, with only, including this case, 21 cases published so far. It is often misdiagnosis with other malignant pancreatic tumors. Below we report a new case of a solid serous cystadenoma of the pancreas treated by laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in 53-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain. Histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed a solid serous cystadenoma of the pancreas. Preoperative diagnosis of this subtype of serous cystadenoma is difficult, and, due to its benign nature, conservative resection of the tumor is the recommended treatment. After analyzing the literature, including this case from our department, we discuss clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and histopathological findings, considering in particular difficulties in preoperative diagnosis, feasibility of laparoscopic resection.

Risk Factors for Conversion and Morbidity During Initial Experience in Laparoscopic Proctectomies: a Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictable factors for conversion during laparoscopic proctectomies, and for postoperative morbidity, in order to assist in defining the best candidates of patients for initial experience in laparoscopic proctectomies for rectal adenocarcinoma. A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal resection for rectal adenocarcinoma operated by a single surgeon, between 2005 and 2012, were performed. Predictive factors for conversion and for postoperative morbidity were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Sixty-nine patients were included. There were 35 (50.7 %) men with a median age of 53 years. Forty-seven patients had tumors located below 8 cm from the anal verge, and sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 52 (75.4 %) patients. Thirty-four patients were operated in the early period (before 2009). Conversion rate was 17.4 %. In multivariate analysis, the independent predictive factors for conversion were time period (before 2009) (p = 0.007, Exp. 19.9; CI (95 %) 2.2-177.4) and tumors located 8 cm above the anal verge (p = 0.028, Exp. 5.23, CI (95 %) 1.2-22.8). Twenty-two patients (31.9 %) had a complicated postoperative course. Only male gender was associated with postoperative complications (p = 0.01, CI (95 %) 1.3-11.8). Our study showed that conversion rate is influenced by surgeon's experience, and height of the tumor and that male gender is a predisposing factor for a higher morbidity rate. These results suggest that women with low rectal tumors requiring colo-anal anastomosis or abdomino-perineal resection would be the best candidates for early surgeons' experience in laparoscopic proctectomies for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Impact of Conversion to Open Surgery on Early Postoperative Morbidity After Laparoscopic Resection for Rectal Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of conversion to open surgery after a laparoscopic resection for rectal adenocarcinoma on postoperative morbidity is still unclear. Most previous studies included colon and rectal carcinomas and produced conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of conversion to open surgery on early postoperative morbidity in patients who underwent a laparoscopic resection for rectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective bicentric study. It included all consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic resection for nonmetastatic rectal adenocarcinoma between January 2005 and December 2013. The impact of conversion to open surgery on 30-day postoperative morbidity was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Risk factors for conversion were also investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one patients were included. The conversion rate was 26.7%. The global 30-day morbidity rate was 31.3% (41 patients). The conversion to open surgery was associated with higher rates of postoperative complications, anastomotic leaks, and reoperations. It was also an independent predictive factor to postoperative morbidity in the multivariate analysis (P = .01; odds ratio 2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-6.63), in addition to T4 tumors (P = .04; odds ratio 3.92; 95% CI 1.05-14.61). Risk factors for conversion in the multivariate analysis were T4 tumors (P = .006; odds ratio 6.09; 95% CI 1.66-22.32) and the height of the tumor (P = .025; odds ratio 2.7; 95% CI 1.13-6.43). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that conversion to open surgery after laparoscopic proctectomy for rectal adenocarcinoma was associated with higher rates of early postoperative complications. It also showed that T4 tumors and the height of the tumor were independent factors associated with the conversion to open surgery. Reducing postoperative morbidity could be achieved by a better patient selection and a policy of early conversion.

Perineal schwannoma.

BACKGROUND: Schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. Perineal schwannomas are exceptional, and rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a perineal schwannoma, close to the anal sphincter, and provide a short summary of clinical, radiological and surgical features of this rare entity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62 year-old male patient was admitted for a suspected perineal mass. At clinical examination, he had a soft mass, located on the right of the anus. Computed tomography showed a perineal mass, located on the right side of the anal sphincter that enhanced after injection of the contrast medium. Complete surgical excision of the tumor was performed. The most challenging part during the surgery was the dissection and preservation of the anal sphincter to avoid anal incontinence. Pathologic examination revealed a completely excised schwannoma. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal schwannomas are very rare tumors that are usually asymptomatic, and which present as large masses. Complete excision is necessary to avoid recurrences. Surgical resection may be difficult depending of proximity to the anal sphincter. A cautious dissection in such cases is required in order to reduce the risk of incontinence.

Abdominal wall recurrence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: case report.

INTRODUCTION: The gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are mesenchymal tumors, most commonly affecting the stomach and small bowel. Only few cases of port-site recurrence after laparoscopic treatment have been reported. We herein report the case of a parietal recurrence on the extraction incision site, 7 years after laparoscopic surgery for small bowel GIST. CASE REPORT: A 47 years-old female patient was hospitalized in November 2007 for isolated pelvic pain. CT scan showed an intestinal tumor with a benign aspect measuring 50 mm. A laparoscopy-assisted resection was performed. Surgical exploration found a 7 cm small bowel tumor. It was extracted through a supra-pubic transversal incision without a wound protector and then resected. Histologic analysis revealed an intestinal GIST with high aggressive potential (five mitosis per field), with CD117 positive at the immunohistochemical examination. The patient had no adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven years later, the patient was readmitted for an abdominal mass at the site of the supra-pubic scar. Abdomino-pelvic CT scan showed a 10 × 7.5 cm solid mass of the abdominal wall. Percutaneous biopsies were done and the pathological analysis revealed a mesenchymal-cell tumor, positive to CD117 and DOG1 at the immunohistochemical examination. Final diagnosis was abdominal wall recurrence of GIST secondary to tumor-contamination during the first surgery. CONCLUSION: Abdominal wall recurrence of GIST after laparoscopic surgery is rarely reported. This complication should be avoided with preventive measures such as the use of extraction bags or wound protectors.

Imaging features of adrenal ganglioneuroma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal ganglioneuroma is a rare tumor constituting 20-30% of all ganglioneuromas. It is a benign tumor and can present diagnostic problems when confused with other adrenal solid tumors. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report a case of adrenal ganglioneuroma in a 28-year-old Arabic patient and emphasize the diagnostic role of cross-sectional imaging modalities (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). CONCLUSION: Imaging of adrenal ganglioneuromas is diagnostically challenging. Differentiation between adrenal ganglioneuroma and other solid adrenal tumors can be difficult. However, some suggestive features on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful in achieving a correct diagnosis.

Asymptomatic intra-peritoneal rupture of hydatid cyst of the liver: case report.

BACKGROUND: Intra-peritoneal rupture of hydatid cyst is a rare complication and there is no consensus about its treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: The reported case concerns a 25 years old female patient who had been complaining for four months from a moderate pain in the right upper quadrant. No clinical or biological signs of sepsis or allergic reactions were witnessed. Ultrasound and CT examinations showed a multilocular hepatic cyst in addition to multiple unilocular cysts in the abdomen. The suspected diagnosis was hepatic and peritoneal HC and a surgical treatment was scheduled four weeks later. Surgical exploration showed a large ruptured HC on the left lobe of the liver, with daughter cysts in the peritoneal cavity. Left lobectomy of the liver with complete ablation of all daughter cysts and a wide peritoneal lavage were performed. For the three months following the surgery, Albendazole had been given to the patient. No recurrence occurred after four years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intra-peritoneal rupture of liver HC could be asymptomatic. This case showed that in some cases, occurrence of complications is not systematic. This suggests that urgent surgical treatment is not always mandatory in the absence of alarming signs. Well-conducted medical treatment would reduce the risk of occurrence of secondary peritoneal hydatidosis.

Spontaneous rupture of a recurrent hepatic cystadenoma.

Biliary cystadenoma is a rare cystic tumor of the middle aged woman that usually arises in the liver or occasionally in the extrahepatic bile ducts. It has a strong potential for recurrence and for malignant transformation. The lack of specific clinical and biological features hinders diagnosis before surgery. The spontaneous rupture of a hepatobiliary cystadnoma is a very rare and potentially life-threatening complication, with only two reported cases in the English literature. We report a case with spontaneous rupture of a recurrent hepatobiliary cystadenoma in a 32 year-old woman.