Transperineal minimally invasive abdomino-perineal resection: preliminary outcomes and future perspectives.

Abdomino-perineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer is challenging, due to the difficult exposure of the surgical field. Many investigations proved worst results in terms of circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement compared to rectal anterior resection (RAR) with total mesorectal excision (TME). Extralevator abdomino-perineal excision (ELAPE) improved oncologic outcomes, but is burdened by important limitations (positioning, wound closure). Applying the concept of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) and the experience in transanal TME (TaTME) to the perineal phase of APR could overcome these limitations. A series of consecutive cases of transperineal minimally invasive APR was matched with an historical series of standard laparoscopic APR. Primary endpoints were global complication rate and CRM involvement, secondary endpoints were operative time, time to flatus and oral feeding and length of hospital stay. Fifteen patients underwent a transperineal minimally invasive APR for cancer, median age was 65 (49-88) years, median distance from the anal verge was 3 (2-5) cm and six patients underwent neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. No intraoperative complications occurred in both groups; need of post-operative blood transfusions was significantly higher in the traditional laparoscopic APR group. No differences were reported in terms of wound dehiscence between the two groups. Positive CRM was reduced in transperineal minimally invasive APR versus standard laparoscopic APR, but the difference was not statistically significant. Transperineal minimally invasive APR appears to be safe and could improve post-operative and oncologic outcomes by means of better vision and reduced surgical trauma.

Transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours in adults.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an accepted treatment worldwide for adrenal gland disease in adults. The transperitoneal approach is more common. The retroperitoneal approach may be preferred, to avoid entering the peritoneum, but no clear advantage has been demonstrated so far. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTPA) versus laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (LRPA) for adrenal tumours in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, ICTRP Search Portal, and ClinicalTrials.gov to 3 April 2018. We applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: Two review authors independently scanned the abstract, title, or both sections of every record retrieved to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on laparoscopic adrenalectomy for preoperatively assessed adrenal tumours. Participants were affected by corticoid and medullary, benign and malignant, functional and silent tumours or masses of the adrenal gland, which were assessed by both laboratory and imaging studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted data, assessed trials for risk of bias, and evaluated overall study quality using GRADE criteria. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, or the mean difference (MD) for continuous variables, and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). We primarily used a random-effects model for pooling data. MAIN RESULTS: We examined 1069 publications, scrutinized 42 full-text publications or records, and included five RCTs. Altogether, 244 participants entered the five trials; 127 participants were randomised to retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and 117 participants to transperitoneal adrenalectomy. Two trials had a follow-up of nine months, and three trials a follow-up of 31 to 70 months. Most participants were women, and the average age was around 40 years. Three trials reported all-cause mortality; in two trials, there were no deaths, and in one trial with six years of follow-up, four participants died in the LRPA group and one participant in the LTPA group (164 participants; low-certainty evidence). The trials did not report all-cause morbidity. Therefore, we analysed early and late morbidity, and included specific adverse events under these outcome measures. The results were inconclusive between LRPA and LTPA for early morbidity (usually reported within 30 to 60 days after surgery; RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.16; P = 0.12; 5 trials, 244 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Nine out of 127 participants (7.1%) in the LRPA group, compared with 16 out of 117 participants (13.7%) in the LTPA group experienced an adverse event. Participants in the LRPA group may have a lower risk of developing late morbidity (reported as latest available follow-up; RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.92; P = 0.04; 3 trials, 146 participants; very low-quality evidence). None of the 78 participants in the LRPA group, compared with 7 of the 68 participants (10.3%) in the LTPA group experienced an adverse event.None of the trials reported health-related quality of life. The results were inconclusive for socioeconomic effects, assessed as time to return to normal activities and length of hospital stay, between the intervention and comparator groups (very low-certainty evidence). Participants who had LRPA may have had an earlier start on oral fluid or food intake (MD -8.6 hr, 95% CI -13.5 to -3.7; P = 0.0006; 2 trials, 89 participants), and ambulation (MD -5.4 hr, 95% CI -6.8 to -4.0 hr; P < 0.0001; 2 trials, 89 participants) than those in the LTPA groups. Postoperative and operative parameters (duration of surgery, operative blood loss, conversion to open surgery) showed inconclusive results between the intervention and comparator groups. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The body of evidence on laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy compared with laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy is limited. Late morbidity might be reduced following laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy, but we are uncertain about this effect because of very low-quality evidence. The effects on other key outcomes, such as all-cause mortality, early morbidity, socioeconomic effects, and operative and postoperative parameters are uncertain. LRPA might show a shorter time to oral fluid or food intake and time to ambulation, but we are uncertain whether this finding can be replicated. New long-term RCTs investigating additional data, such as health-related quality of life, surgeons' level of experience, treatment volume of surgical centres, and details on techniques used are needed.

Multi-port versus single-port cholecystectomy: results of a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (MUSIC trial).

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign disease has not yet been accepted as a standard procedure. The aim of the multi-port versus single-port cholecystectomy trial was to compare morbidity rates after single-access (SPC) and standard laparoscopy (MPC). METHODS: This non-inferiority phase 3 trial was conducted at 20 hospital surgical departments in six countries. At each centre, patients were randomly assigned to undergo either SPC or MPC. The primary outcome was overall morbidity within 60 days after surgery. Analysis was by intention to treat. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01104727). RESULTS: The study was conducted between April 2011 and May 2015. A total of 600 patients were randomly assigned to receive either SPC (n = 297) or MPC (n = 303) and were eligible for data analysis. Postsurgical complications within 60 days were recorded in 13 patients (4.7 %) in the SPC group and in 16 (6.1 %) in the MPC group (P = 0.468); however, single-access procedures took longer [70 min (range 25-265) vs. 55 min (range 22-185); P < 0.001]. There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay or pain VAS scores between the two groups. An incisional hernia developed within 1 year in six patients in the SPC group and in three in the MPC group (P = 0.331). Patients were more satisfied with aesthetic results after SPC, whereas surgeons rated the aesthetic results higher after MPC. No difference in quality of life scores, as measured by the gastrointestinal quality of life index at 60 days after surgery, was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease, SPC is non-inferior to MPC in terms of safety but it entails a longer operative time. Possible concerns about a higher risk of incisional hernia following SPC do not appear to be justified. Patient satisfaction with aesthetic results was greater after SPC than after MPC.

Long-term efficacy of endoscopic vacuum therapy for the treatment of colorectal anastomotic leaks.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks are a severe complication after colorectal surgery. We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of endoscopic vacuum therapy for their treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review of a series of post-surgical colorectal leaks treated with endoscopic vacuum therapy, with minimum follow-up of 1 year. Generalized peritonitis or haemodynamic instability was considered contraindication to endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: Endoscopic vacuum therapy was applied in 14 patients with colorectal leak, in 2 cases complicated by recto-vaginal fistula. Overall success rate was 79%, favoured by early beginning of treatment (90%) and presence of a stoma (100%) and no preoperative radiotherapy (86%). Median duration of treatment was 12.5 sessions (range 4-40). Median time for complete healing was 40.5 days (range 8-114), for a median cost of treatment of 3125 Euros. No complication related to endoscopic vacuum therapy was observed. Further surgery was required in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic vacuum therapy is a safe treatment for post-surgical leaks, with high success rates.

An unusual evolution of a case of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital disorder. KTS can be diagnosed on the basis of any 2 of 3 features: cutaneous capillary malformations, soft tissue or bony hypertrophy and varicose veins. We present an unusual case of KTS complicated by an infection of venous ulcers of the lower limb by larvae. The treatment of infection was a complete debridement; however baseline treatment of KTS is still in evaluation.