International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons survey of surgeons' preference on rectal cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: Rectal cancer treatment has a wide range of possible approaches from radical extirpative surgery to nonoperative watchful waiting following chemoradiotherapy, with or without, additional chemotherapy. Our goal was to assess the personal opinion of active practicing surgeons on rectal cancer treatment if he/she was the patient. METHODS: A panel of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 10 questions that were included in a questionnaire that included other items including demographics. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in our database and remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three specialists completed the survey. The majority of surgeons (n=65, 39.9%) chose the minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery for their personal treatment of rectal cancer. For low-lying rectal cancer T1 and T2, the treatment choice was standard chemoradiation+local excision (n=60, 36.8%) followed by local excision±chemoradiotherapy if needed (n=55, 33.7%). In regards to locally advanced low rectal cancer T3 or greater, the preference of the responders was for laparoscopic surgery (n=65, 39.9%). We found a statistically significant relationship between surgeons' age and their preference for minimally invasive techniques demonstrating an age-based bias on senior surgeons' inclination toward open approach. CONCLUSION: Our survey reveals an age-based preference by surgeons for minimally invasive surgical techniques as well as organ-preserving techniques for personal treatment of treating rectal cancer. Only 1/4 of specialists do adhere to the international guidelines for treating early rectal cancer.

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: What Have We Learned Assessing a Large Population?

Our goal was to assess the rate of symptoms commonly included in LARS score in a large general population. The study was based on a population-based design. We disseminated LARS scores through community online platforms and general practitioners throughout Lithuania. We received 8183 responses to the questionnaire. There were 142 (1.74%) participants who were excluded for lack of information. There were 6100 (75.9%) females and 1941 (24.1%) males. After adjusting for sex and age, male participants had a significant average score of 18.4 (SD ± 10.35) and female 20.3 (SD ± 9.74) p < 0.001. There were 36.4% of participants who had minor LARS symptoms, and 14.2% who had major LARS symptoms. Overall, major LARS-related symptoms were significantly related to previous operations: 863 participants in the operated group (71.7%), and 340 in the non-operated group (28.3%; p0.001). In 51−75-year-old patients, major LARS was significantly more prevalent with 22.7% (p < 0.001) and increasing with age, with a higher incidence of females after the age of 75. After excluding colorectal and perineal procedures, the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated the use of neurological drugs and gynaecological operations were independent risk factors for major LARS−odd ratio of 1.6 (p = 0.018, SI 1.2−2.1) and 1.28 (p = 0.018, SI 1.07−1.53), respectively. The symptoms included in the LARS score are common in the general population, and there is a variety of factors that influence this, including previous surgeries, age, sex, comorbidities, and medication. These factors should be considered when interpreting the LARS score following low anterior resection and when considering treatment options preoperatively.

DElayed COloRectal cancer care during COVID-19 Pandemic (DECOR-19): Global perspective from an international survey.

BACKGROUND: The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer care during the pandemic. METHODS: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of colorectal cancer patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in colorectal cancer care. Respondents were divided into 2 comparator groups: (1) "delay" group: colorectal cancer care affected by the pandemic and (2) "no delay" group: unaltered colorectal cancer practice. RESULTS: A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the delay (745, 70.9%) and no delay (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to coronavirus disease 2019 units, units fully dedicated to coronavirus disease 2019 care, and personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology, and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the delay group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan, and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of colorectal cancer care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in coronavirus disease-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to coronavirus disease 2019 units were statistically associated with unaltered colorectal cancer care in the no delay group, while the geographic distribution was not. CONCLUSION: Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic colorectal cancer practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health care delivery systems, hospital's preparedness, resource availability, and local coronavirus disease 2019 prevalence rather than geographic factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize colorectal cancer care.

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.

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.

Adenocarcinoma arising in the middle of ileoanal pouches: report of five cases.

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with or without mucosectomy has become the procedure of choice in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis complicated by malignancy or medically refractory disease and for familial polyposis syndrome. Some reports have demonstrated the development of malignancy at the ileoanal anastomosis. We present a recent series of five patients who developed adenocarcinoma in the middle of their ileal pouch including the first case of pouch carcinoma in a patient who underwent pouch formation for ulcerative colitis. We discuss their presentation and management. Development of ileal pouch cancers, while rare, has been seen with increasing frequency in our practice. Patients with long-standing ileal pouches may benefit from routine surveillance of the pouch as often as every six months, which can be performed quickly and easily in the office using flexible endoscopy.

Management of acquired rectourinary fistulas: how often and when is permanent fecal or urinary diversion necessary?

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of acquired rectourinary fistulas at our tertiary center. METHODS: Eighteen patients with fistulas treated from 1999 to 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, etiology of the fistulas, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: The median age of the group was 69 years. Sixteen patients had fistulas that were malignant-associated. One patient died from tumor progression before any surgical therapy. The remaining 17 patients underwent surgical treatment of the fistula with a median of one procedure per patient. Eight patients had excision with permanent diversion, two had excision with repair/reconstructive procedures, and seven had repair surgical procedures. Initial surgical management was successful for 13 (76 percent) patients. Reoperation resulted in a final success rate of 100 percent. The rates of permanent fecal, urinary, and fecal plus urinary diversion in the malignant associated fistula group were 5.8, 47, and 5.8 percent, respectively. The median follow-up for all patients was 9.5 months. There were no procedure-related mortalities and five (29 percent) patients had significant surgical-related morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that surgical treatment for acquired rectourinary fistulas can successfully avoid permanent fecal and/or urinary diversion in a large number of patients if locally curative cancer treatment can be achieved.

Prolonged postoperative ileus-definition, risk factors, and predictors after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus (POI) remains an inevitable consequence of abdominal surgery. Although the pathogenesis of delayed gastrointestinal transit in the postoperative period has been the subject of considerable study, a clinically useful definition of what constitutes a pathologically prolonged ileus has yet to be established. The objectives of this study were to describe a definition for an abnormally prolonged ileus and to identify risk factors and predictors of prolonged ileus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 12-month period 88 patients who had abdominal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The association of clinical factors with the duration of POI was examined with statistical tests. RESULTS: The mean time to commencing the consumption of unrestricted clear fluids after surgery was 2.3 +/- SD 1.6 days. The median duration of POI was 5 days (median 6 days), with an interquartile range of 3-6 days. Univariate regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations between duration of POI and estimated blood loss (EBL), total surgical time, and total opiate dose (TOD) (p = 0.009, p = 0.045, and p = 0.041, respectively). Multiple regression analysis identified EBL and TOD as independent predictors of duration of POI. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified two risk factors (EBL and TOD) that are independently associated with duration of POI. Our data suggest that with the definition of abnormal prolonged postoperative ileus as the number of days above the 3rd quartile, an ileus greater than 6 days serves as a better clinical definition of prolonged POI than 3 days, the measure that has previously been suggested.

The effect of immunosuppression on peritoneal adhesions formation after small bowel transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of adhesion related small bowel obstruction after abdominal organ transplantation is considerably lower than other abdominal procedures. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of immunosuppression on peritoneal adhesion formation after intestinal transplantation in rats. METHODS: Four groups of rats (n = 6) underwent small bowel intestinal transplantation in syngeneic (Groups A, B) and allogeneic (Groups C, D) combinations. Groups B and D received tacrolimus immunosuppression 1 mg/kg/d. Animals were euthanized on postoperative day 7, and the total adhesion score (TAS), tissue hydroxyproline content (HPC), TGF-beta mRNA expression levels and histology were examined. RESULTS: All of the animals in Group C showed severe histological (Grade III) acute cellular rejection. There were no histological signs of rejection in Group D. A significant reduction in TAS was observed in tacrolimus treated animals in both syngeneic and allogeneic combinations (Groups B and D), compared with controls (Groups A and C) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). TAS results correlated with the differences in TGF-beta levels that showed significant reduction when each immunosuppressed group was compared with its nontreated counterpart, i.e., (Groups B versus A, P < 0.05, and Groups D versus C, P < 0.01). TGF-beta levels were significantly high in the rejection group (C) and correlated with the intense adhesion formation that was demonstrated in that group. Group C was also the only group in which a significant elevation in HPC was demonstrated (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intense adhesion formation occurs during early posttransplant acute rejection. Postsurgical adhesion formation is significantly reduced in immunosuppressed rats after intestinal transplantation.

Colorectal cancer in HIV-infected patients: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Data on colorectal cancer (CRC) in HIV-positive patients are limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence, presentation, and outcome of CRC in HIV patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data on patients diagnosed with CRC and concurrent HIV/AIDS infection between 1994 and 2003 were retrieved from the institutional records. Each identified patient was randomly matched with two HIV-negative CRC patients based on age, sex, race, and TNM stage at cancer diagnosis. Presentation, treatment toxicities, recurrence, and overall survival rates were assessed. Data were further compared with those of the published international Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data. RESULTS: Out of 3,951 CRC patients, 12 HIV CRC patients (0.3%) were identified. Median age at cancer diagnosis was 41 years (29-52), revealing a 3:1 ratio between patients younger and older then 50 years, compared to a 1:33 ratio in the general population. Compared to 57% in the general population, 90% of the patients had advanced stages (III-IV) at diagnosis. The median follow-up time for both cases and controls was 30 months (6-65). HIV-positive patients had a shorter disease-free survival than the controls. No difference in overall survival was demonstrated, however survival was significantly reduced in the HIV-positive patients when only patients who were initially disease-free were compared. Adjuvant therapy was well-tolerated in all patients without chemotherapy-related deaths. CONCLUSION: HIV-positive CRC patients tend to have an early and more aggressive presentation with less favorable outcome. Further epidemiology studies to refute or accept our observations may suggest a reduced threshold for screening for CRC in HIV-positive patients.

Pseudoaneurysm of the inferior gluteal artery: an unusual complication after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Report of a case.

We report an unusual case of profuse, sporadic hemorrhage from a chronically infected perineal wound after an abdominoperineal resection. Surgical exploration and angiography on two occasions failed to identify the source of bleeding. A pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery was eventually identified with a provocative angiogram using tissue plasminogen activator. This aneurysm was successfully treated with embolization with coils.

Fistula-in-ano: do antibiotics make a difference?

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that antibiotics in conjunction with drainage of anorectal abscesses will reduce the incidence of fistulae formation. The impact of age and associated comorbidity on the formation of fistulae were also evaluated. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of anorectal abscesses were identified from the database of a single colorectal practice. Demographic data, comorbidity, antibiotic usage, and fistulae formation were collected from review of patient's charts and phone contact. Statistical analysis was performed with the two-sided Fisher's exact and Wald's chi-square tests. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients with complete data were analyzed. The overall fistulae formation rate was 32%. Of all patients, 45% received a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics at the time of drainage and 48% of patients had associated comorbidity. Although trends were evident, there were no statistical significant associations between fistulae formation and age, comorbidity, and antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Although not statistically significant, there was a trend that antibiotics and age >45 years may be protective against the formation of fistulae. Similarly, the data suggest that the presence of comorbidity may increase the risk of fistula formation. We are encouraged by this result and propose to conduct a larger randomized prospective study.

Preservation of bowel and urinary continence in the management of locally recurrent rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The management of locally recurrent rectal cancer should achieve local tumor control and potentially improving disease-free and overall survival. Radical pelvic resection has traditionally been associated with permanent fecal and urinary diversion. However, as advanced techniques have evolved to allow restoration of intestinal and urinary continence, we reviewed the use of these techniques in patients with recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients with recurrent rectal cancer who underwent a resection at Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center between 1993 and 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographic data, surgical and oncological history, patterns of recurrence, treatment modalities, and outcome. Follow-up data was obtained from the last clinic visit and/or tumor registry. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (male/female 45/22, age 32-81 years) were included in the analysis. Continence was re-established in 22 (33%) patients, urinary continence was restored in 12 patients, and intestinal continuity in 14 patients (both in 4 patients). A temporary diverting ostomy was necessary in 5 out of 14 (36%) patients. Mortality was zero and morbidity was low and included two urinary leaks and one fecal leak all of which could be managed non-operatively. At a median follow-up of 16 months (range 5-55), 11 (50%) patients were still alive, 7 (31%) without evidence of disease. Comparison of the groups of patients either with or without continence preservation showed no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival and overall survival rates. High quality of life was achieved with restoration of continuity, no patient with restored continuity expressed a desire for a diversion. CONCLUSION: If an oncologically adequate resection of the recurrent rectal cancer can be performed without impairment of the pelvic floor integrity, continence preservation is feasible and results in good functional and oncological outcome.