Multicenter Study of Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration for Choledocholithiasis in the English-Speaking Caribbean.

Background Common bile duct (CBD) exploration to address choledocholithiasis is not widely practiced in the English-speaking Caribbean. This study sought to determine the frequency of laparoscopic CBD explorations in the English-speaking Caribbean and to document the stone clearance rates and short-term outcomes of this procedure. Methods We accessed records for all practicing laparoscopic surgeons in the English-speaking Caribbean who performed laparoscopic CBD explorations over a 10-year period from January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2023. The following data were extracted retrospectively from patient records: demographic details, operating time, stone clearance rates, retained stone rates, conversions, and complications. All data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Over the 10-year study period, 35 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and synchronous CBD exploration in Barbados, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago. The procedure was performed at low volumes of only 0.7 procedures per surgical team per annum. The conversion rate to open CBD exploration was 13% and when laparoscopic CBD exploration was completed, it resulted in 96.3% stone clearance, 3.7% retained stones, mean hospitalization of two days, 9.7% minor morbidity, and no mortality. Conclusion Laparoscopic CBD exploration is feasible in the resource-poor Caribbean setting, and it yields good results, with 96.3% stone clearance rates, 9.7% minor morbidity, and no mortality. These results are better than those reported in Caribbean literature for stone extraction with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).

Colorectal cancer in an Eastern Caribbean nation: are we missing an opportunity for secondary prevention?

Objective: To establish whether there was any difference in disease stage in patients with screening-detected colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Caribbean country. Methods: The mode of presentation (elective vs. emergent), method of diagnosis (screening vs. symptomatic), and disease stage were retrospectively compared in all consecutive patients who had resections for CRC over a five-year period. Early CRC was defined as disease that could be completely resected with no involvement of adjacent organs, lymph nodes, or distant sites. Locally advanced CRC was disease that involved contiguous organs without distant metastases that was still amenable to curative resection. Results: There were 97 patients at a mean age of 64.9 ± 12.2 years treated for CRC, and only 21 (21.6%) had their diagnoses made through screening. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs (21.7% vs. 9.3%; p < 0.001). At the time of diagnosis, patients who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater proportion of locally advanced (42.3% vs. 0) and metastatic (26.8% vs. 0) CRC. Those who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater incidence of emergency presentations at diagnosis (26.8% vs. 0). Conclusions: The incidence of screening-detected CRC in this Caribbean nation was low. Consequently, most patients presented with locally advanced or metastatic CRC, for which there is less opportunity to achieve a cure. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs. It is time for policymakers to develop a national CRC screening program.

Colorectal cancer in an Eastern Caribbean nation: are we missing an opportunity for secondary prevention?

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To establish whether there was any difference in disease stage in patients with screening-detected colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Caribbean country. Methods. The mode of presentation (elective vs. emergent), method of diagnosis (screening vs. symptomatic), and disease stage were retrospectively compared in all consecutive patients who had resections for CRC over a five-year period. Early CRC was defined as disease that could be completely resected with no involvement of adjacent organs, lymph nodes, or distant sites. Locally advanced CRC was disease that involved contiguous organs without distant metastases that was still amenable to curative resection. Results. There were 97 patients at a mean age of 64.9 ± 12.2 years treated for CRC, and only 21 (21.6%) had their diagnoses made through screening. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs (21.7% vs. 9.3%; p < 0.001). At the time of diagnosis, patients who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater proportion of locally advanced (42.3% vs. 0) and metastatic (26.8% vs. 0) CRC. Those who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater incidence of emergency presentations at diagnosis (26.8% vs. 0). Conclusions. The incidence of screening-detected CRC in this Caribbean nation was low. Consequently, most patients presented with locally advanced or metastatic CRC, for which there is less opportunity to achieve a cure. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs. It is time for policymakers to develop a national CRC screening program.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Determinar las diferencias en el estadio de la enfermedad en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal diagnosticado mediante un programa de detección sistemática en un país del Caribe. Métodos. Se realizó una comparación en retrospectiva de la modalidad de presentación (programada o de urgencia), el método de diagnóstico (por detección sistemática o por síntomas) y el estadio de la enfermedad en todos los pacientes consecutivos con resecciones por cáncer colorrectal en un período de cinco años. Se definió el cáncer colorrectal en fase inicial o incipiente como una enfermedad que puede extirparse completamente sin la afectación de los órganos adyacentes, los ganglios linfáticos o focos distantes. Se consideró el cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado como una enfermedad que afecta a los órganos contiguos sin metástasis a distancia y aún susceptible de resección curativa. Resultados. Hubo 97 pacientes de una media de edad de 64,9 ± 12,2 años en tratamiento por cáncer colorrectal y únicamente 21 (21,6%) habían recibido un diagnóstico mediante un programa de detección sistemática. Un número significativamente mayor de los diagnósticos dados por detección sistemática se trató de cáncer colorrectal de fase inicial (21,7 % frente a 9,3 %; p < 0,001). En el momento del diagnóstico, se registró una mayor proporción de cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado (42,3 % frente a 0) y metastásico (26,8 % frente a 0) en los pacientes sin lesiones diagnosticadas en un programa de detección sistemática. Los pacientes cuyas lesiones no fueron diagnosticadas mediante la detección sistemática registraron una mayor incidencia de presentaciones de urgencia en el momento del diagnóstico (26,8 % frente a 0). Conclusiones. La incidencia de cáncer colorrectal diagnosticado mediante detección sistemática en este país del Caribe fue baja. En consecuencia, la mayoría de los pacientes presentó cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado o metastásico, cuya oportunidad de cura es menor. Un número significativamente mayor de lesiones diagnosticadas mediante detección sistemática se trató de cáncer colorrectal de fase inicial. Ha llegado el momento de que las personas responsables de las políticas elaboren un programa nacional de detección sistemática de cáncer colorrectal.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Determinar se houve diferença no estágio da doença detectada no exame de prevenção de câncer colorretal em um país do Caribe. Métodos. Fatores como tipo de apresentação (eletiva vs. de emergência), método de diagnóstico (prevenção vs. detecção sintomática) e estágio da doença foram comparados retrospectivamente em todos os pacientes consecutivos submetidos a cirurgia de ressecção de câncer colorretal em um período de cinco anos. Definiu-se doença em estágio inicial como o tumor passível de ressecção total sem o envolvimento de órgãos adjacentes, gânglios linfáticos ou sítios a distância, e doença localmente avançada como o tumor envolvendo órgãos contíguos, sem metástase a distância, mas passível de resseção curativa. Resultados. Noventa e sete pacientes com média de idade de 64,9 ± 12,2 anos foram tratados devido ao câncer colorretal e apenas 21 (21,6%) tiveram a doença diagnosticada no exame de prevenção. Um percentual significativamente maior de lesões detectadas no exame de prevenção estava em estágio inicial (21,7% vs. 9,3%; p < 0.001). No momento do diagnóstico, os pacientes cujas lesões de câncer colorretal não foram detectadas com o exame de prevenção apresentaram um maior percentual de doença localmente avançada (42,3% vs. 0) ou metastática (26,8% vs. 0). Houve também, entre esses pacientes, uma maior incidência de apresentação em caráter de emergência (26,8% vs. 0). Conclusões. Observou-se uma baixa incidência de câncer colorretal na população deste país do Caribe. Porém, a maioria dos pacientes apresentou doença localmente avançada ou metastática no diagnóstico – uma situação associada a uma menor chance de cura. O percentual de lesões detectadas em estágio inicial com o exame de prevenção foi significativamente maior. As autoridades de saúde devem aproveitar a oportunidade e instituir um programa nacional de prevenção do câncer colorretal.

Latin American surgical outcomes study: study protocol for a multicentre international observational cohort study of patient outcomes after surgery in Latin American countries.

Background: Reported data suggest that 4.2 million deaths will occur within 30 days of surgery worldwide each year, half of which are in low- and middle-income countries. Postoperative complications are a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality. Patients who survive and leave the hospital after surgical complications regularly experience reductions in long-term survival and functional independence, resulting in increased costs. With a high volume of surgery performed, there is a growing perception of the substantial impact of even minor enhancements in perioperative care. The Latin American Surgical Outcomes Study (LASOS) is an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of adults submitted to in-patient surgery in Latin America aiming to provide detailed data describing postoperative complications and surgical mortality. Methods: LASOS is a 7 day cohort study of adults undergoing surgery in Latin America. Details of preoperative risk factors, intraoperative care, and postoperative outcomes will be collected. The primary outcome will be in-hospital postoperative complications of any cause. Secondary outcomes include in-hospital all-cause mortality, duration of hospital stay after surgery, and admission to a critical care unit within 30 days after surgery during the index hospitalisation. Results: The LASOS results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, reported and presented at international meetings, and widely disseminated to patients and public in participating countries via mainstream and social media. Conclusions: The LASOS may augment our understanding of postoperative complications and surgial mortality in Latin America. Clinical trial registration: NCT05169164.

Colorectal cancer in an Eastern Caribbean nation: are we missing an opportunity for secondary prevention? / El cáncer colorrectal en un país del Caribe oriental: ¿estamos desaprovechando una oportunidad de prevención secundaria? / Câncer colorretal em um país do Caribe Oriental: estamos deixando passar a oportunidade de realizar a prevenção secundária?

ABSTRACT Objective. To establish whether there was any difference in disease stage in patients with screening-detected colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Caribbean country. Methods. The mode of presentation (elective vs. emergent), method of diagnosis (screening vs. symptomatic), and disease stage were retrospectively compared in all consecutive patients who had resections for CRC over a five-year period. Early CRC was defined as disease that could be completely resected with no involvement of adjacent organs, lymph nodes, or distant sites. Locally advanced CRC was disease that involved contiguous organs without distant metastases that was still amenable to curative resection. Results. There were 97 patients at a mean age of 64.9 ± 12.2 years treated for CRC, and only 21 (21.6%) had their diagnoses made through screening. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs (21.7% vs. 9.3%; p < 0.001). At the time of diagnosis, patients who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater proportion of locally advanced (42.3% vs. 0) and metastatic (26.8% vs. 0) CRC. Those who did not have screening-detected lesions had a greater incidence of emergency presentations at diagnosis (26.8% vs. 0). Conclusions. The incidence of screening-detected CRC in this Caribbean nation was low. Consequently, most patients presented with locally advanced or metastatic CRC, for which there is less opportunity to achieve a cure. Significantly more screening-detected lesions were early-stage CRCs. It is time for policymakers to develop a national CRC screening program.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar las diferencias en el estadio de la enfermedad en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal diagnosticado mediante un programa de detección sistemática en un país del Caribe. Métodos. Se realizó una comparación en retrospectiva de la modalidad de presentación (programada o de urgencia), el método de diagnóstico (por detección sistemática o por síntomas) y el estadio de la enfermedad en todos los pacientes consecutivos con resecciones por cáncer colorrectal en un período de cinco años. Se definió el cáncer colorrectal en fase inicial o incipiente como una enfermedad que puede extirparse completamente sin la afectación de los órganos adyacentes, los ganglios linfáticos o focos distantes. Se consideró el cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado como una enfermedad que afecta a los órganos contiguos sin metástasis a distancia y aún susceptible de resección curativa. Resultados. Hubo 97 pacientes de una media de edad de 64,9 ± 12,2 años en tratamiento por cáncer colorrectal y únicamente 21 (21,6%) habían recibido un diagnóstico mediante un programa de detección sistemática. Un número significativamente mayor de los diagnósticos dados por detección sistemática se trató de cáncer colorrectal de fase inicial (21,7 % frente a 9,3 %; p < 0,001). En el momento del diagnóstico, se registró una mayor proporción de cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado (42,3 % frente a 0) y metastásico (26,8 % frente a 0) en los pacientes sin lesiones diagnosticadas en un programa de detección sistemática. Los pacientes cuyas lesiones no fueron diagnosticadas mediante la detección sistemática registraron una mayor incidencia de presentaciones de urgencia en el momento del diagnóstico (26,8 % frente a 0). Conclusiones. La incidencia de cáncer colorrectal diagnosticado mediante detección sistemática en este país del Caribe fue baja. En consecuencia, la mayoría de los pacientes presentó cáncer colorrectal localmente avanzado o metastásico, cuya oportunidad de cura es menor. Un número significativamente mayor de lesiones diagnosticadas mediante detección sistemática se trató de cáncer colorrectal de fase inicial. Ha llegado el momento de que las personas responsables de las políticas elaboren un programa nacional de detección sistemática de cáncer colorrectal.

RESUMO Objetivo. Determinar se houve diferença no estágio da doença detectada no exame de prevenção de câncer colorretal em um país do Caribe. Métodos. Fatores como tipo de apresentação (eletiva vs. de emergência), método de diagnóstico (prevenção vs. detecção sintomática) e estágio da doença foram comparados retrospectivamente em todos os pacientes consecutivos submetidos a cirurgia de ressecção de câncer colorretal em um período de cinco anos. Definiu-se doença em estágio inicial como o tumor passível de ressecção total sem o envolvimento de órgãos adjacentes, gânglios linfáticos ou sítios a distância, e doença localmente avançada como o tumor envolvendo órgãos contíguos, sem metástase a distância, mas passível de resseção curativa. Resultados. Noventa e sete pacientes com média de idade de 64,9 ± 12,2 anos foram tratados devido ao câncer colorretal e apenas 21 (21,6%) tiveram a doença diagnosticada no exame de prevenção. Um percentual significativamente maior de lesões detectadas no exame de prevenção estava em estágio inicial (21,7% vs. 9,3%; p < 0.001). No momento do diagnóstico, os pacientes cujas lesões de câncer colorretal não foram detectadas com o exame de prevenção apresentaram um maior percentual de doença localmente avançada (42,3% vs. 0) ou metastática (26,8% vs. 0). Houve também, entre esses pacientes, uma maior incidência de apresentação em caráter de emergência (26,8% vs. 0). Conclusões. Observou-se uma baixa incidência de câncer colorretal na população deste país do Caribe. Porém, a maioria dos pacientes apresentou doença localmente avançada ou metastática no diagnóstico - uma situação associada a uma menor chance de cura. O percentual de lesões detectadas em estágio inicial com o exame de prevenção foi significativamente maior. As autoridades de saúde devem aproveitar a oportunidade e instituir um programa nacional de prevenção do câncer colorretal.

Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in Barbados: A short report.

Barbados is a Caribbean island with a high incidence of colorectal cancer. This study collected epidemiologic data from Barbadian patients with colorectal cancer. There was an opportunity for targeted screening in patients actively enrolled in clinics for management of chronic diseases, accounting for 72% of cases. We also identified areas of high incidence where resources should be directed in a screening programme.

The art and craft of biliary T-tube Use.

INTRODUCTION: Since the universal adoption of Hans Kehr's biliary T-tube in the early twentieth century, use has shifted from routine towards highly selective. Improved interventional endoscopy, percutaneous techniques, and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) training have resulted in less T-tube experience within general surgery. The aim of this technical review is to discuss T-tube indications, technical nuances, and management. METHODS: Peer-reviewed literature, combined with high volume HPB experience by the authors, was utilized to construct a 10-step conceptual pathway for safe T-tube usage. RESULTS: Essential concepts surrounding T-tube use include: 1. Contemporary indications for T-tube insertion (disease-, patient-, and anatomy-based); 2. Correct instrument availability (open and laparoscopic); 3. T-tube selection and mechanical preparation; 4. Atraumatic T-tube insertion and security; 5. Immediate postoperative management and meticulous T-tube care; 6. Imaging biliary T-tubes; 7. Optimal timing of T-tube removal; 8. Technical aspects of T-tube removal; 9. Management of potential T-tube inpatient complications; and 10. Management of T-tube complications in the outpatient setting. CONCLUSIONS: Although their use has decreased substantially, the role of biliary T-tubes in some patients is essential. Given the reality of less frequent experience with T-tube insertion and management, this 10-step pathway will provide an adequate mental and technical framework for safe biliary T-tube use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Expert opinion, level V.

Colorectal cancer demographics in Barbados.

Barbados is an island in the Eastern Caribbean that is reported to have the 8th highest incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide. However, these figures are based only on estimates, and there is little available epidemiological data collected from Barbadians with CRC. The present study sought to collect epidemiologic data from patients in Barbados diagnosed with CRC. This information is considered important to shape national public health policies. For this purpose, hospital admission registers at all tertiary care facilities in Barbados were retrospectively audited over a four-year period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 to identify patients who underwent operative treatment for CRC. The following data were extracted: Age, sex, ethnicity, the location of the primary tumour and tumour stage. Descriptive statistical analyses were generated using SPSS version 21.0. The results revealed that there were 97 patients with CRC at a mean age of 64.9 years (SD ±12.2) and a male preponderance (1.3:1). The majority (93.8%) were from the African diaspora. Only 18.5% of diagnoses were made at (opportunistic) screening. Consequently, two thirds of the patients had advanced-stage disease at diagnosis. The disease staging of the patients was as follows: Stage 0 (1%), stage I (10.3%), stage II (23.7%), stage III (38.1%) and stage IV (26.8%). Right-sided primary tumours were most common (44.3%), followed by left-sided (41.2%) and rectal lesions (14.4%). Women were significantly more likely to have right-sided lesions (55 vs. 45%) and males were more likely to have rectal lesions (77 vs. 23%). On the whole, the present study highlights the need to implement a national screening programme in this high-risk population of African origin with a predominantly right-sided distribution of CRC primary tumours. This is reinforced by the fact that 10% of patients will be diagnosed before the age of 50 years with more aggressive disease.