Influence of surgical site infection on oncological prognosis after curative resection for colorectal cancer: An observational single-institution study.

BACKGROUND: An exacerbated inflammatory response to post-operative infection could favor an environment in which residual viable tumor cells present in the surgical bed, bloodstream, or occult micrometastases can survive and progress to produce local or distant recurrence. In this regard, a surgical site infection (SSI) could be an important risk factor for disease progression. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SSI on long-term survival and recurrence of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for colorectal carcinoma between 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Overall and disease-free survival (DFS) and local recurrence rate for patients with and without SSI were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included in the study. Fifty-one (37%) patients showed SSI but revealed no differences in recurrence rate and overall survival compared with non-infected patients. However, the stratified analysis revealed that patients with an intra-abdominal abscess or an organ-space-infection showed a higher recurrence rate and a decreased 5-year overall and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: SSI may have an influence on the oncological prognosis and, therefore, could be considered a recurrence factor. Further multi-institutional studies are necessary to conclude a causal association.

ANTECEDENTES: Una respuesta inflamatoria exacerbada por una infección postoperatoria podría favorecer un entorno en el que células tumorales residuales viables presentes en el lecho quirúrgico, torrente sanguíneo o micrometástasis ocultas puedan sobrevivir y progresar para producir una recurrencia local o a distancia. En este sentido, una infección del sitio quirúrgico (ISQ) podría ser un factor de riesgo de progresión de la enfermedad. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el impacto de la ISQ en la supervivencia y recurrencia del cáncer colorrectal. MÉTODO: Todos los pacientes con carcinoma colorrectal sometidos a resección con intención curativa entre 2011 y 2013 fueron analizados retrospectivamente. Se analizó supervivencia global y libre de enfermedad y la tasa de recurrencia local en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal con y sin ISQ. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 138 pacientes. 51 (37%) sufrieron ISQ pero no mostraron diferencias en la tasa de recurrencia y supervivencia global respecto a los pacientes no infectados. Sin embargo, el análisis estratificado reveló que los pacientes con un absceso intraabdominal o una infección órgano-espacio mostraron una tasa de recurrencia más alta y una disminución en la supervivencia global y libre de enfermedad. CONCLUSIONES: La ISQ, en función de la gravedad y la respuesta inflamatoria que genera, puede influir en el pronóstico oncológico y, por lo tanto, podría considerarse un factor de recurrencia. Futuros estudios multicéntricos son necesarios para demostrar una posible asociación.

[Spleen-preserving surgery after blunt abdominal trauma with splenic hilum involvement]. / Cirugía preservadora de órgano tras traumatismo esplénico cerrado con implicación hiliar.

BACKGROUND: Splenic involvement secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is often treated by performing a splenectomy. The severity of the post-splenectomy syndrome is currently well known (blood loss, sepsis), so there is an increasing tendency to preserve the spleen. The case is presented of splenic preservation after blunt abdominal trauma with hilum involvement, emphasising the role of Floseal as a haemostatic agent, as well as the use of resorbable meshes to preserve the spleen. CLINICAL CASE: A 22-year-old woman presenting with a grade IV splenic lesion secondary to a blunt abdominal trauma after a traffic accident. Partial splenic resection was performed and bleeding was controlled with Floseal and use of a reinforcing polyglycolic acid mesh. No postoperative complications occurred, being discharged on day 5. The long-term follow-up has been uneventful. CONCLUSION: The use of haemostatic agents such as thrombin and the gelatine gel (FloSeal) and the use of polyglycolic acid meshes enable spleen-preserving surgery, making it a feasible and reproducible procedure and an alternative to classical splenectomy.