Conversational artificial intelligence (chatGPT™) in the management of complex colorectal cancer patients: early experience.

INTRODUCTION: In 2022 chatGPT™ (OpenAI, San Francisco) was introduced to the public. The complex reasoning and the natural language processing (NLP) ability of the AI platform has generated much excitement about the potential applications. This study conducted a preliminary analysis of the chatGPT™'s ability to formulate a management plan in accordance with oncological principles for patients with colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Colorectal cancer cases discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor (MDT) board at a single tertiary institution between September 2022 and January 2023 were prospectively collected. The treatment recommendations made by the chatGPT™ for Stage IV, recurrent, synchronous colorectal cancer were analysed for adherence to oncological principles. The recommendations by chatGPT™ were compared with the decision plans made by the MDT. RESULTS: In all cases, the chatGPT™ was able to adhere to oncological principles. The recommendations in all 30 cases factored in the patient's overall health and functional status. The oncological management recommendation concordance rate between chatGPT™ and the MDT was 86.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a high concordance rate of the chatGPT™'s recommendations with that given by the MDT in the management of complex colorectal patients. This will need to be verified in a larger prospective study.

Endorobotic submucosal dissection of rectal lesions using the single port robot DaVinci-SP: initial experience of the first 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoluminal surgery is increasingly recognized as a mode of treatment for colorectal neoplasms with the latest robotic single port platform Da Vinci-SP (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale) facilitating submucosal dissection of benign rectal neoplasm. METHOD: In this study, we present our initial experience with endorobotic submucosal dissection in the management of benign rectal neoplasms using the Da Vinci-SP (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale) between 2020 and 2021. The primary endpoint was the successful completion of submucosal dissection. RESULTS: During the study period, 10 patients underwent endorobotic submucosal dissection for benign rectal neoplasms. The median age of the patients was 68 (range: 59-78) years, and the mean BMI was 29.38 (range: 22.9-38.5). The mean size of the lesion was 42.3 mm (range: 20-65 mm) and was located 7.3 cm (mean) from the anal verge (range: 2-10 cm). The mean operative time was 91.3 minutes (range: 57-137 minutes). All 10 dissections were completed successfully en bloc. There were no intraoperative complications or mortality. All patients were discharged on the same day and commenced on a normal diet. Late bleeding was observed in one patient receiving anticoagulation, and one patient had urinary retention. Pathology revealed two adenocarcinomas, six tubulovillous adenomas, one tubular adenoma, and one sessile serrated adenoma. There was no recurrence in all other patients during the median follow-up of 6 months (range: 4-16 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endorobotic submucosal dissection using a single-port robotic platform is safe and feasible for benign rectal mucosal neoplasms. The semiflexible platform offers an alternative to endoscopic submucosal dissection with favourable outcomes.

International standardization and optimization group for intersphincteric resection (ISOG-ISR): modified Delphi consensus on anatomy, definition, indication, surgical technique, specimen description and functional outcome.

AIM: Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is an oncologically complex operation for very low-lying rectal cancers. Yet, definition, anatomical description, operative indications and operative approaches to ISR are not standardized. The aim of this study was to standardize the definition of ISR by reaching international consensus from the experts in the field. This standardization will allow meaningful comparison in the literature in the future. METHOD: A modified Delphi approach with three rounds of questionnaire was adopted. A total of 29 international experts from 11 countries were recruited for this study. Six domains with a total of 37 statements were examined, including anatomical definition; definition of intersphincteric dissection, intersphincteric resection (ISR) and ultra-low anterior resection (uLAR); indication for ISR; surgical technique of ISR; specimen description of ISR; and functional outcome assessment protocol. RESULTS: Three rounds of questionnaire were performed (response rate 100%, 89.6%, 89.6%). Agreement (≥80%) reached standardization on 36 statements. CONCLUSION: This study provides an international expert consensus-based definition and standardization of ISR. This is the first study standardizing terminology and definition of deep pelvis/anal canal anatomy from a surgical point of view. Intersphincteric dissection, ISR and uLAR were specifically defined for precise surgical description. Indication for ISR was determined by the rectal tumour's maximal radial infiltration (T stage) below the levator ani. A new surgical definition of T3isp was reached by consensus to define T3 low rectal tumours infiltrating the intersphincteric plane. A practical flowchart for surgical indication for uLAR/ISR/abdominoperineal resection was developed. A standardized ISR surgical technique and functional outcome assessment protocol was defined.

Surgery for young onset diverticulitis: is it curative?

PURPOSE: Previously considered a disease of old age, diverticular disease is increasingly prevalent in younger populations. Guidelines on surgical resection have shifted from recommending resection for all young onset patients to an individualized approach. Therefore, we aim to determine demographics and outcomes including radiographic and surgical recurrence rates in patients < 40 years old undergoing resection for diverticular disease. METHODS: A retrospective, single center study was performed. All patients ≤ 39 years undergoing operative intervention for left-sided diverticular disease between Jan 2010 and July 2017 were included. Recurrence was determined by individual review of imaging and operative reports. RESULTS: Overall, 147 (n = 107/72.8% male, mean age = 34.93 ± 4.12 years) patients were included. The majority were ASA 1 or 2 (n = 41/27.9% and n = 82/55.8%). The most common surgical indication was uncomplicated diverticulitis (n = 77, 52.4%) followed by perforation (n = 26/17.7%). The majority (n = 108/73.5%) of cases were elective. Seventy-nine (57.3%) of all cases were performed laparoscopically. Primary anastomosis without diversion was the most common surgical outcome (n = 108/73.5%). Median length of stay was 5 (4, 7) days. There was no mortality. There were three (2.0%) intraoperative and 38 (25.9%) postoperative complications. The most common complication was anastomotic leak (n = 6/4.1%). The majority (n = 5) of leaks occurred after elective surgery. Two neoplastic lesions (1.3% of cohort) were found (1 adenoma with low-grade dysplasia/1 polyp cancer). Over a mean follow-up of 96 (74, 123) months, only 2 (1.3%) patients experienced a surgical or radiological recurrence. CONCLUSION: Both neoplasia and recurrence after resection for diverticular disease in young onset patients are rare. Leaks after primary anastomosis even in the elective setting warrant careful consideration of a defunctioning ileostomy.

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins: A systematic review of surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins is an extremely rare non-thrombotic mesenteric veno-occlusive disease. The management of idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins is not well-established, and although surgery is the mainstay of treatment, the optimal operation remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review to assess the various surgical procedures and associated outcomes for patients with idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins. METHODS: A systematic search for articles published from 1946 to April 2022 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases is reported. In addition, we report 4 cases of idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins managed at our institution until March 2023. RESULTS: A total of 53 studies and 88 patients with idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins were included. Most (82%) were male patients, with a mean age of 56.6 years old. The majority (99%) of patients required surgery. Most reports described the involvement of the rectum and sigmoid colon (81%). The most common surgical procedures were Hartmann's procedure (24%) and segmental colectomy (19%); completion proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was performed in 3 (3.4%) cases. In 6 (6.8%) cases, idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins was suspected preoperatively and managed with elective surgery. Four (4.5%) complications were reported. Nearly all (99%) patients achieved remission with surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins is a rare pathologic entity infrequently suspected preoperatively and typically diagnosed after surgical resection. Surgical resection with Hartmann's procedure or segmental colectomy was most commonly performed, with completion proctectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis reserved for cases of extensive rectal involvement. Surgical resection was safe and effective, with a low risk of complications and recurrence. Surgical decision-making should be based on the extent of the disease at the time of presentation.

Low incidence of occult colorectal carcinoma in a cohort of 150 consecutive patients with diverticular strictures.

BACKGROUND: The symptoms of stricturing diverticulitis can overlap with those of colorectal cancer. Additionally, the stricture itself may mask a "hidden" colorectal cancer. We aimed to describe the demographics, operative details and outcomes, including occult colorectal cancer, in a cohort of consecutive resections for presumed diverticular strictures. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, all patients undergoing resection for a presumed diverticular stricture between January 2010 and December 2015 were included. Preoperative imaging and colonoscopies were individually reviewed. Only patients with radiographically, endoscopically and/or intraoperatively benign-appearing strictures were included. RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients (72.7% female, mean age = 70.4 ± 11.8 years, 62.7% elective) were included. Only 34 (22.7%) had a complete preoperative colonoscopy. In 95 (63.6% of cohort) patients, the stricture was non-traversable colonoscopically. Overall, 47 (31.3%) patients did not have complete preoperative imaging or a colonoscopy. In total, 53.3% were open procedures and 62% had non-diverted primary anastomosis. Eleven (14.7%) underwent resection of adjacent organs (5 appendixes/5 right colons/7 fallopian tubes ± ovaries/3 small bowel resections/2 partial cystectomies/1 spleen). The median length of stay was 7 (5, 12.5) days. Only 2 cancers (1.3% of patients) involving the stricture (1 invasive moderately differentiated sigmoid adenocarcinoma/1 lymphoma) were found. Three additional cancers were found in organs involved in the inflammatory process (20% of concomitantly resected organs, 1 ovarian carcinoma/1 leukemia in a lymph node/1 appendiceal tumor). CONCLUSION: Despite approximately one-third of the cohort not having undergone successful preoperative colonoscopy or imaging, the rate of neoplasia involving diverticular strictures was only 1.3%. A relatively high cancer rate was found in concomitantly resected organs involved in the stricturing process.

Venous thromboembolism risk stratification for patients undergoing surgery for IBD using a novel six factor scoring system using NSQIP-IBD registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing colorectal surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are recognized to have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to determine the perioperative risk factors for VTE and to create a predictive scoring system for VTE in the IBD cohort. METHODS: The NSQIP-IBD Collaboration Registry from 2017 to 2020 was used to identify patients. Demographics, operative and outcomes data of IBD patients undergoing surgeries for IBD were analysed. A logistic multivariate regression model was performed using all significant variables to develop a predictive scoring system of VTE. RESULTS: Five-thousand and three patients (51.9% male, mean age: 42.7, 42.7% ulcerative colitis) were included in the study. 125 (2.49%) developed VTE. On multivariate analysis ASA grade, ulcerative colitis, sepsis, serum sodium <139 mmol/L, an open abdomen and preoperative inter hospital transfer were associated with greater risk of VTE. Using these 6 significant factors, a risk model was constructed. The risk of VTE with one risk factor was 0.7% and 1.8% with two risk factors. The risk of VTE increased to 3.6% and 4.5% with three and four risk factors respectively. With five and six risk factors, the risk of VTE increased exponentially to 10.9% and 25% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there are cumulative risk factors which increase the risk of VTE after surgery for IBD. The risk increases exponentially with more than five risk factors, and extended chemoprophylaxis may not be enough in reducing this risk.

How to Do It: Laparoscopic Total Abdominal Colectomy with Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) for Transverse Colon Cancer in Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic mucosal inflammatory bowel disease of the colon and rectum. After 10 years of having the disease, there is a significant risk of dysplasia or cancer in the affected colon and rectum, and because of the often aggressive biology of these tumors, frequent endoscopic surveillance is warranted. Over a third of patients with UC will ultimately require an operation, and although for specific cases alternative operations can be pursued, most patients prefer an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with J-pouch construction. CASE: A staged IPAA removes the affected colon and rectum treating UC and also restores intestinal continuity. However, the standard colectomy for UC includes low ligations of the main colonic vascular pedicle branches (ileocolic, right colic, middle colic and inferior mesenteric) that does not address a proper oncologic operation. A high ligation of the named vessels as well as a proper resection of the affected colon with its mesentery and lymph node package are needed to treat colon cancer. Analogous to a total mesorectal exicision for rectal cancer, a more radical procedure to remove the tumor and lymph node packet for colon cancer is described as a complete mesocolic exision (CME) in efforts to increase disease free survival. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate a laparoscopic subtotal colectomy for UC, with an oncologic complete mesocolic excision for a left transverse colon carcinoma in the setting of chronic mucosal inflammation secondary to chronic UC as the first procedure in a 3-staged IPAA. In the video, it is also demonstrated how the lymph node dissection is extended towards the greater gastric curvature and comprising omentum and gastrocolic ligament. There were no postoperative complications in the 44-year old male patient.

Targeted lateral pelvic lymph node excision in the setting of total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

Targeted lateral pelvic node dissection in the era of total neoadjuvant therapy.

The impact of race and socioeconomic status on stage IV colorectal cancer survival.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the impact of race and socioeconomics on survival in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer. METHODS: A prospective database of stage IV colorectal cancer patients treated at a multi-hospital health system from 2015 to 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis using log-rank Mantel-Cox test and Cox proportional hazard model were performed to determine the impact of race, socioeconomic factors, presentation, and treatment on overall survival. RESULTS: 4012 patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, of which 803 patients were stage IV. There were 677 (84.3%) White, and 108 (13.4%) Black patients. Black patients have worse 5-year overall survival than white patients (HR 1.43 (1.09-1.87)). Patients who received chemotherapy had significantly better survival than patients who did not receive chemotherapy (HR 0.58 (0.47-0.71)). Black patients have significantly lower rates of receiving chemotherapy as compared to white patients (61.1% vs 75.37%, p = 0.0018). CONCLUSION: Patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer have worse survival if they are black, older age, and did not receive chemotherapy.

Outcomes of clostridioides difficile infection on inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colonic resection: A propensity score weighted NSQIP analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The majority of published outcomes data feature medically treated patients. We aimed to analyze outcomes in a large cohort of surgical IBD patients diagnosed with CDI. METHODS: All patients with IBD in the ACS NSQIP Colectomy and Proctectomy (2015-2019) modules were identified. The IBD-CDI and IBD cohorts were propensity score weighted on demographic and surgical factors and compared. RESULTS: In the entire unmatched cohort (n = 12,782), 119/0.93% patients were diagnosed with CDI (74.2% Crohn's/25.7% UC/Indeterminate colitis) within 30-days of surgery. After propensity score weighting, IBD-CDI was associated with increased risk of readmission (OR 4.55 [3.09-6.71], p < 0.001), reoperation (3.17 [1.81-5.52], p < 0.001) and any complication (2.16 [1.47-3.17], p < 0.001). Any SSI (2.58 [1.67-3.98]), organ space SSI (2.49 [1.51-4.11], both p < 0.001), prolonged ventilation (4.03 [1.39-11.69],p = 0.01), acute renal failure (15.06 [4.26-53.26],p < 0.001), stroke (12.36 [1.26-121.06],p = 0.03), sepsis (2.4 [1.39-4.15],p = 0.002) and septic shock (3.29 [1.36-7.96],p = 0.008) were also higher in the IBD-CDI cohort. Mean length of stay was increased by 39% in CDI patients. CONCLUSION: Post colonic resection, IBD-CDI patients have worse outcomes than IBD patients without CDI. These patients represent a particularly vulnerable cohort who require close monitoring for the development of postoperative complications.

Laparoscopic surgery for complex Crohn's disease: perioperative and long-term results from a propensity matched cohort.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgery for complicated Crohn's (CD) is often technically challenging. Previous studies are limited by the comparison of heterogeneous cohorts of patients undergoing laparoscopic vs open surgery. We aimed to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes of matched patients undergoing laparoscopic and open colonic and ileocolonic resection. Primary outcomes were operative time, blood loss, and complications. Long-term outcomes were subsequent intraabdominal CD surgery, incisional hernia repair, and stoma reversal rates. METHODS: Laparoscopic and open CD patients were 1:1 propensity score matched on age, body mass index, sex, indication, ASA grade, prior abdominal surgery, and postoperative Crohn's medication use based on the laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: A total of 906 patients underwent surgery for complex CD. After propensity matching, 386 were analyzed (193 open/193 lap, 51.3% male, mean age 33.9 + / - 12.6). Mean follow-up was 9.8 (range 7.9-12.1) years. Length of stay [(LOS) 6 (4, 8) vs 8 (5, 11) days, p < 0.001] and operative time [154 (110, 216) vs 176 (126, 239) min, p = 0.03] were shorter in the laparoscopic group. There was no difference in other complications or mortality. After adjusting for postoperative medications, no association was found between operative approach and subsequent intra-abdominal operation or incisional hernia repair. Laparoscopic patients were less likely to have postoperative sepsis [OR 0.40 (0.18, 0.91), p = 0.03]. CONCLUSION: In the setting of complicated Crohn's, in matched cohorts, laparoscopic surgery is associated with reduced operative times and LOS. Mortality, reoperation, and symptomatic hernia rates were equivalent to open surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery are less likely to experience postoperative sepsis.

How to do: superior rectal artery sparing anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer - surgical option for vasculopathic patients.

Superior rectal artery sparing oncological anterior resection in vasculopathic patients.