Estimation of risk posed by malignant polyps amongst colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand.

PURPOSE: The estimation of the risk posed by malignant polyps for residual or lymphatic disease plays a central role. This study investigated colorectal surgeons' assessment of these risks associated with malignant polyps. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was electronically administered to colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand in October 2022. The questionnaire contained 17 questions on demographics, when surgeons consider colorectal resection appropriate, and the risk assessment for 5 hypothetical malignant polyps. RESULTS: The mean risk of residual or lymphatic disease that would prompt surgeons to recommend colonic resection was 5%. However, this increased to a mean risk of 10% if the malignant polyp was located in the rectum, and the only resection option was abdominoperineal resection with end-colostomy. There was high concordance between the estimated risk of residual or lymphatic disease by colorectal surgeons and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) guidelines for the 5 hypothetical malignant polyps, with the ACPGBI estimated risk lying within the 95% confidence interval for 4 of the 5 malignant polyps. Nonetheless, 96.6% of surgeons felt that an online risk calculator would improve clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand accurately estimated the risk posed by malignant polyps. An online risk calculator may assist in better conveying risk to patients.

Identification and Prioritization of Canadian Society of Nephrology Clinical Practice Guideline Topics With Multidisciplinary Stakeholders and People Living With Kidney Disease: A Clinical Research Protocol.

Background: Despite efforts to provide evidence-based care for people living with kidney disease, health care provider goals and priorities are often misaligned with those of individuals with lived experience of disease. Coupled with competing interests of time, resources, and an abundance of suitable guideline topics, identifying and prioritizing areas of focus for the Canadian nephrology community with a patient-oriented perspective is necessary and important. Similar priority-setting exercises have been undertaken to establish research priorities for kidney disease and to standardize outcomes for kidney disease research and clinical care; however, research priorities are distinct from priorities for guideline development. Inclusion of people living with health conditions in the selection and prioritization of guideline topics is suggested by patient engagement frameworks, though the process to operationalizing this is variable. We propose that the Canadian Society of Nephrology Clinical Practice Guideline Committee (CSN CPGC) takes the opportunity at this juncture to incorporate evidence-based prioritization exercises with involvement of people living with kidney disease and their caregivers to inform future guideline activities. In this protocol, we describe our planned research methods to address this. Objective: To establish consensus-based guideline topic priorities for the CSN CPGC using a modified Delphi survey with involvement of multidisciplinary stakeholders, including people living with kidney disease and their caregivers. Study design: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Survey. Setting: Pilot-tested surveys will be distributed via email and conducted using the online platform SurveyMonkey, in both French and English. Participants: We will establish a group of multidisciplinary clinical and research stakeholders (both within and outside CSN membership) from Canada, in addition to people living with kidney disease and/or their caregivers. Methods: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted to generate an initial list of guideline topics, which will be organized into three main categories: (1) International nephrology-focused guidelines that may require Canadian commentary, (2) Non-nephrology specific guidelines from Canada that may require CSN commentary, and (3) Novel topics for guideline development. Participants will engage in a multi-round Modified Delphi Survey to prioritize a set of "important guideline topics." Measures: Consensus will be reached for an item based on both median score on the Likert-type scale (≥ 7) and the percentage agreement (≥ 75%); the Delphi process will be complete when consensus is reached on each item. Guideline topics will then be given a priority score calculated from the total Likert ratings across participants, adjusted for the number of participants. Limitations: Potential limitations include participant response rates and compliance to survey completion. Conclusions: We propose to incorporate evidence-based prioritization exercises with the engagement of people living with kidney disease and their caregivers to establish consensus-based guideline topics and inform future guidelines activities of the CSN CPGC.

Contexte: Malgré les efforts déployés pour fournir aux personnes atteintes de néphropathies des soins fondés sur les données probantes, il s'avère que les objectifs et priorités des prestataires de soins de santé sont souvent mal alignés avec ceux des personnes qui ont une expérience concrète de la maladie. Compte tenu des intérêts concurrents en matière de temps et de ressources, et de l'abondance de sujets pertinents pour l'élaboration de lignes directrices, il est nécessaire et important d'identifier et de hiérarchiser les domaines prioritaires pour la communauté néphrologique canadienne dans une perspective orientée vers le patient. Des exercices semblables pour la définition des priorités ont été entrepris afin d'établir les priorités de la recherche sur les maladies rénales et normaliser les soins cliniques et les résultats de la recherche sur les maladies rénales. Or, les priorités de la recherche diffèrent des priorités pour l'élaboration des lignes directrices. Bien que les façons de procéder varient, les cadres d'engagement des patients suggèrent que des personnes vivant avec des problèmes de santé soient incluses dans la sélection et la hiérarchisation des sujets des lignes directrices. À cet égard, nous proposons que le Comité sur les lignes directrices de pratique clinique de la Société canadienne de néphrologie (CSN CPGC ­ Canadian Society of Nephrology Clinical Practice Guideline Committee) profite de l'occasion pour intégrer des exercices d'établissement des priorités fondés sur des données probantes et impliquer des personnes vivant avec une néphropathie et des soignants afin de guider les futures activités d'élaboration de lignes directrices. Dans ce protocole, nous décrivons la méthodologie de recherche que nous suivrons pour y remédier. Objectif: Établir des priorités consensuelles en matière de sujets de lignes directrices pour le CSN CPGC à l'aide d'une enquête Delphi modifiée et avec la participation d'intervenants multidisciplinaires, notamment des personnes vivant avec une néphropathie et leurs soignants. Conception: Protocole pour une enquête Delphi modifiée. Cadre: Des sondages pilotes, en anglais et en français, seront distribués par courriel et réalisés à l'aide de la plateforme en ligne SurveyMonkey. Participants: Nous créerons un groupe d'intervenants multidisciplinaires canadiens œuvrant en clinique et en recherche (à la fois des membres et des non membres de la SCN) auquel s'ajouteront des personnes atteintes d'une néphropathie et/ou leurs soignants. Méthodologie: Une recherche exhaustive sera effectuée dans la littérature afin de constituer une première liste de sujets de lignes directrices, laquelle sera divisée en trois catégories principales: (1) lignes directrices internationales axées sur la néphrologie et pouvant nécessiter des commentaires canadiens, (2) lignes directrices canadiennes non spécifiquement liées à la néphrologie et pouvant nécessiter des commentaires de la SCN, (3) nouveaux sujets pour l'élaboration de lignes directrices. Les participants s'engageront dans une enquête Delphi modifiée à plusieurs tours afin de hiérarchiser un ensemble de « sujets importants pour l'élaboration de lignes directrices ¼. Mesures: Un consensus sera atteint pour un énoncé s'il atteint à la fois un score médian (≥7) sur l'échelle de Likert et le pourcentage d'accord établi (≥ 75 %); le processus Delphi sera terminé lorsque le consensus sera atteint pour chaque énoncé. Les sujets pour l'élaboration de lignes directrices recevront ensuite une cote de priorité calculée à partir du total des scores des participants sur l'échelle Likert et ajustée en fonction du nombre de participants. Limites: L'étude pourrait être limitée par le taux de réponse des participants et leur engagement à compléter toutes les étapes de l'enquête. Conclusion: Nous proposons d'intégrer des exercices de définition des priorités fondés sur des données probantes et impliquant la participation de personnes vivant avec une néphropathie et de leurs soignants afin de déterminer des sujets consensuels pour l'élaboration de lignes directrices et de guider les futures activités du CSN CPGC en lien avec ce processus.

Long-term outcomes of total colectomy for severe constipation.

AIM: Surgery for constipation is usually reserved for patients with severe and refractory symptoms because of concerns about perioperative morbidity and unpredictable functional outcomes. The aim of this paper is to identify the long-term outcomes of patients who have undergone total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for severe constipation. METHOD: Patients who had undergone a total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for severe constipation were identified from a prospectively maintained database and sent a postal survey assessing functional symptoms, patient satisfaction and the impact of symptoms on quality of life. Information regarding the surgery, perioperative complications and hospitalizations were also collected. Functional outcomes of the surgery were evaluated with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, St Marks incontinence score, Wexner continence score, obstructed defaecation syndrome score and Cleveland Clinic constipation score. RESULTS: Seventy-one questionnaires were posted and 32 (45%) patients responded. The mean time since surgery was 15.3 years (range 2.9-30.4 years) Most patients were happy with the surgery. Ongoing symptoms were common, the most frequent of these were abdominal pain, experienced by 23 patients (71.9%), and faecal incontinence, experienced by 17 patients (53%). Fourteen patients (43.8%) required subsequent hospital admission due to bowel obstruction and eight patients (25%%) had subsequent surgery for adhesions. There was an association between patient quality of life and subsequent surgeries. CONCLUSION: Most patients were happy and viewed their life as improved following total colectomy for severe constipation. This is despite a high rate of ongoing functional symptoms.

Thematic Content Analysis of Repugnant Intrusions in Highly Religious Canadian and Turkish Samples.

The degree of religiosity, a culturally relevant concept, has been associated with obsessive phenomena such as obsessional symptoms, the nature of unwanted intrusive thoughts, and responses to intrusive thoughts. Although previous research reported that repugnant (i.e., sexual and religious) intrusions had the lowest endorsement rates, these were also the most difficult to control and more likely to turn into obsessions. Highly religious individuals are more likely to be distressed by repugnant intrusions as the repugnant nature of intrusive thoughts critically threatens the perceived self. Thus, individuals with high religiosity may be more likely to respond to repugnant intrusions with dysfunctional strategies and thus become more vulnerable to OCD. This study presents the endorsement rates and qualitative features of sexual and religious intrusions among highly religious Canadian and Turkish samples. Highly religious participants were interviewed using the International Intrusive Thoughts Interview Schedule (IITIS). Thematic content analysis of the IITIS data was conducted with MAXQDA. Sexual intrusion themes of Forceful Sex, Gay Sex, Immoral Sex, and Sex with Undesirable People were identified in both samples. Religious intrusion themes of Questioning, How They Are Perceived by God, Violating Religious Doctrines, Punishment by God, and Worship also emerged in both samples. The percentages of these themes suggested the presence of cross-cultural qualitative similarities and differences.

Malignant polyps in the COVID-19 era: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant polyps represent the early development of colorectal adenocarcinoma. During 2020, there was widescale rationing of health-care resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular there was deferral of some colonoscopy procedures required for timely malignant polyp detection. This study sought to assess how these deferrals affected the diagnosis of malignant polyps. METHODS: A population wide analysis was performed of 2079 malignant polyps, diagnosed in Queensland, Australia from 2011 to 2020. A regression analysis, with 95% prediction intervals, was produced to determine whether there was a significant impact on the number of malignant polyps diagnosed in 2020 compared to previous years. Univariate statistical analysis of patient, procedural, and pathological variables was also performed. RESULTS: In 2020 there were 211 malignant polyps diagnosed, which was significantly lower than was predicted by the univariate regression analysis (r2  = 0.85, 95% prediction interval: 255.07-323.91, P < 0.001). These malignant polyps were less likely to be diagnosed in a private setting (P < 0.001), and exhibited significantly less depth of submucosal invasion (P = 0.017). There was no significant difference in the management strategy (polypectomy, resection or trans-anal resection) between 2011 and 2019 and 2020. CONCLUSION: Because of the significant decrease in the number of malignant polyps, and the natural history of the disease, it is expected that there will be an increase in more advanced colorectal adenocarcinomas presenting in 2021 and beyond. This has implications for healthcare resources, particularly in light of the ongoing strain on health departments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of Urgent Dialysis Following Ambulance Transport to the Emergency Department in Patients Treated With Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background: Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis frequently require ambulance transport to the emergency department (ambulance-ED transport). Identifying predictors of outcomes after ambulance-ED transport, especially the need for timely dialysis, is important to health care providers. Objective: The purpose of this study was to derive a risk-prediction model for urgent dialysis after ambulance-ED transport. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting and Patients: All ambulance-ED transports among incident and prevalent patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis affiliated with a regional dialysis program (catchment area of approximately 750 000 individuals) from 2014 to 2018. Measurements: Patients' vital signs (systolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate) at the time of paramedic transport and time since last dialysis were utilized as predictors for the outcome of interest. The primary outcome was urgent dialysis (defined as dialysis in a monitored setting within 24 hours of ED arrival or dialysis within 24 hours with the first ED patient blood potassium level >6.5 mmol/L) for an unscheduled indication. Secondary outcomes included, hospitalization, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Methods: A logistic regression model to predict outcomes of urgent dialysis. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using the C-statistic and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results: Among 878 ED visits, 63 (7.2%) required urgent dialysis. Hypoxemia (odds ratio [OR]: 4.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.75-9.33) and time from last dialysis of 24 to 48 hours (OR: 3.43, 95% CI: 1.05-11.9) and >48 hours (OR: 9.22, 95% CI: 3.37-25.23) were strongly associated with urgent dialysis. A risk-prediction model incorporating patients' vital signs and time from last dialysis had good discrimination (C-statistic 0.8217) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit P value .8899). Urgent dialysis patients were more likely to be hospitalized (63% vs 34%), but there were no differences in inpatient mortality or length of stay. Limitations: Missing data, requires external validation. Conclusion: We derived a risk-prediction model for urgent dialysis that may better guide appropriate transport and care for patients requiring ambulance-ED transport.

Contexte: Les patients sous hémodialyse chronique doivent souvent être transportés au service des urgences par ambulance (transport ambulance-SU). Il est important pour les prestataires de soins de santé que l'on détermine les facteurs prédictifs des résultats après un transport ambulance-SU, en particulier le besoin de dialyze d'urgence. Objectifs: Cette étude visait à établir un modèle de prédiction du risque pour une dialyze d'urgence après un transport ambulance-SU. Type d'étude: Étude de cohorte observationnelle. Participants et cadre de l'étude: Tous les transports ambulance-SU de patients incidents et prévalents recevant une hémodialyse chronique affiliée à un program régional de dialyze (zone desservant environ 750 000 personnes) entre 2014 et 2018. Prédicteurs: Les signes vitaux du patient (pression artérielle systolique, saturation en oxygène, fréquence respiratoire et fréquence cardiaque) au moment du transport par ambulance et le temps écoulé depuis la dernière dialyze. Résultats: La dialyze d'urgence (définie comme une dialyze en environnement monitoré dans les 24 heures suivant l'arrivée aux urgences ou une dialyze dans les 24 heures avec une première mesure du taux de potassium sanguin aux urgences supérieure à 6,5 mmol/L) pour une indication non programmée. Résultats secondaires: hospitalization, durée du séjour à l'hôpital et mortalité à l'hôpital. Méthodologie: Un modèle de régression logistique a servi à prédire le résultat de dialyze d'urgence. La discrimination et la calibration ont été évalués à l'aide de la statistique C et du test Hosmer-Lemeshow. Résultats: Parmi les 878 visites aux urgences, 63 (7,2 %) ont nécessité une dialyze d'urgence. L'hypoxémie (rapport de cote [RC]: 4,04; IC à 95 %: 1,75-9,33) et des périodes de 24 à 48 heures (RC: 3,43; IC à 95 %: 1,05-11,9) et de plus de 48 heures (RC: 9,22; IC à 95 %: 3,37-25,23) depuis la dernière dialyze sont les facteurs qui ont été les plus fortement associés à une dialyze d'urgence. Un modèle de prédiction du risque intégrant les signes vitaux du patient et le temps depuis la dernière dialyze a présenté une bonne discrimination (statistique C: 0,8217) et une bonne calibration (qualité de l'ajustement selon Hosmer-Lemeshow: P =,8899). Les patients qui avaient reçu une dialyze d'urgence étaient plus susceptibles d'être hospitalisés (63% contre 34%), mais aucune différence n'a été observée pour le taux de mortalité ou la durée du séjour en milieu hospitalier. Limites: Données manquantes, validation externe requise. Conclusion: Nous avons dérivé un modèle de prédiction du risque de dialyze d'urgence susceptible de mieux guider le transport et les soins appropriés pour les patients nécessitant un transport ambulance-SU.

In comparison with polypectomy, colorectal resection is associated with improved survival for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps.

AIM: Patients diagnosed with a malignant polyp generally have favourable overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). However, it is unclear how choice in management for malignant polyps may affect survival. METHODS: Data from the Queensland Oncology Repository was analysed to derive a population wide assessment of the impact of management strategy on OS and CSS for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps. Log-rank testing, Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were performed. Patients were matched using propensity score and Mahalanobis distance matching. RESULTS: A total of 1,646 patients were included with 240 deaths and 52 colorectal cancer related deaths until censor date. Following propensity score and Mahalanobis distance matching of patients undergoing polypectomy alone versus colorectal resection, there was no significant difference in the age groups (<60 years of age or ≥60 years of age), American Society of Anesthesiology score, comorbidity count or Association of ColoProctology of Great Britain and Ireland risk category. However, of note Log-rank testing demonstrated a significant difference in OS (p < 0.001) and CSS (p = 0.0061) between management strategies. Multivariable Cox-regression models in matched and un-matched patient cohorts demonstrated significantly lower hazards of death for OS with resection (p < 0.001). However, CSS was no longer significantly different between management groups in multivariable Cox-regression analysis (p = 0.073). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent colorectal resection had significantly improved OS and CSS compared with polypectomy alone. Improved OS was furthermore seen on multivariable analysis, and in matched cohorts. Future research should investigate why this unexpected finding may be the case and whether updates to guidelines should be considered.

Circulating CD200 is increased in the secretory phase of women with endometriosis as is endometrial mRNA, and endometrial stromal cell CD200R1 is increased in spite of reduced mRNA.

PROBLEM: Estrogen-dependent extrauterine implantation and growth of menstrual endometrial tissue affects roughly 10% of reproductive age women and depends on suppression of local innate immune defenses to prevent ectopic tissue rejection. Immunohistochemistry has shown the immune check-point inhibitor CD200 which can suppress rejection is expressed in eutopic endometrium and in ectopic deposits. Soluble CD200 accumulated in venules draining eutopic and ectopic endometrium of endometriosis cases in the secretory phase but not proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, and should be increased in the circulation. METHOD OF STUDY: Sera from endometriosis and non-endometriosis controls were tested by ELISA for CD200. Endometrial CD200, CD200R1 and CD200R2 mRNA in eutopic was quantified by RT-PCR and localized by in situ hybridization. CD200R1 protein was quantified by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Secretory phase serum CD200 was elevated in women with endometriosis compared to controls. Serum CD200 correlated with matched endometrial CD200 mRNA levels. Expression of mRNA for CD200R1 which signals immune suppression was decreased whereas mRNA for the CD200R2 activating receptor was increased. In situ staining of CD200R1 and CD200R2 mRNA showed both receptors were expressed and the fraction of CD200R that is CD200R1 was reduced in secretory and menstrual phase endometriosis endometrium consistent with the RT-PCR result. By contrast, CD200R1 protein and CD200R1 fraction of total CD200R protein were increased in endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to suppress circulating CD200 levels in the secretory phase had an 87% specificity and 90% sensitivity for endometriosis. CD200 and increased CD200R1 expression may facilitate development of ectopic deposits by suppressing rejection mechanisms.

Management of high and low risk malignant polyps: a population-wide analysis.

AIM: The management of malignant polyps is a treatment dilemma in selecting between polypectomy and colorectal resection. To assist clinicians, guidelines have been developed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) to provide treatment recommendations. METHODS: This study compared management strategy based on the ACPGBI risk categorization for malignant polyps. Univariable and multivariable statistical analysis was undertaken to assess the factors predicting management strategy. A population-wide analysis was performed of 1646 malignant polyps and the factors that predicted their management strategy, from Queensland, Australia, from 2011 to 2019. RESULTS: Overall, 31.55% of patients with very low or low risk disease proceeded to resection. Of those with high or very high risk disease, 36.69% did not proceed to resection. In very low and low risk polyps, age (P = 0.003) and polyp location (P < 0.001) were significantly different between the colorectal resection group and the polypectomy alone group. In those with very high or high risk polyps age (P < 0.001), type of facility (public or private) for the colonoscopy (P = 0.037), right colonic polyps compared to left colonic polyps (P = 0.015) and rectal polyps (P < 0.001) and mismatch repair mutations present (P = 0.027) were predictive of resection in high risk disease using a multivariable model. CONCLUSION: Over 30% of patients with very low and low risk malignant polyps proceeded to resection, against the advice of guidelines. Furthermore, over 35% of patients with very high or high risk malignant polyps did not proceed to resection. Education strategies may improve management decision choices. Furthermore, improvements in data collation will improve the understanding of management choices in the future.

Missing parameters in malignant polyp histology reports: can appropriate decisions be made?

The treatment of colorectal malignant polyps is dependent upon quality reporting of the histopathological features known to predict the risk of residual disease or lymph node metastasis. The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has produced protocols covering mandatory and recommended pathological parameters to be included in the pathology reporting of malignant polyps. This paper aimed to assess the quality of the pathological reporting in a population-wide analysis from 2011-2019 in Queensland, Australia. A retrospective population-wide cohort study was performed using the Queensland Oncology Repository as a data source. The number of missing pathological parameters (assessed against the RCPA protocol standards and guidelines) for each patient was then summed. Demographic and other patient details were collated. The number of patients whose recommended treatment could theoretically be altered by the full reporting of missing parameters was calculated. A total of 1,646 histopathological reports of malignant polyps were reviewed. From this, 30.8% of all reports had a sufficient number of missing parameters that may have seen an alternate management strategy chosen. The most commonly under-reported parameter from the standards was either a Haggitt or Kikuchi level with 48.6% missing. Synoptic reporting significantly reduced the mean number of missing pathological parameters (p<0.001) There was a significant improvement in the number of missing pathological details over time (p<0.001). Accurate and complete pathology reports are essential to formulate appropriate surgical recommendations after the resection of malignant polyps. In this population-based study, pathology reports remain incomplete for the established parameters despite the introduction of an RCPA structured reporting protocol. Fortunately, the quality of pathological reporting has improved since the introduction of the first RCPA protocol covering reporting of malignant polyps.

Timing of surveillance colonoscopy following malignant colorectal polypectomy in Queensland.

INTRODUCTION: The management of malignant polyps presents a treatment challenge between a colorectal resection and polypectomy alone. Patients managed with polypectomy alone typically undergo surveillance for recurrent or metastatic disease, however, optimal timing of surveillance methods remains unclear. Guidelines recommend for completely resected malignant polyps, that a surveillance colonoscopy be perform 12 months from diagnosis. This study sought to clarify how patients with a malignant polyp were being colonoscopically surveilled if they did not undergo colorectal resection. METHODS: A retrospective, population-wide cohort analysis of all patients from 2011 to 2019 was performed using data from the Queensland Oncology Repository. Patient, procedural and pathological data were extracted for all patients diagnosed with a malignant polyp and timing of the first surveillance endoscopy was calculated. Statistical analysis comparing the timing of surveillance colonoscopy across multiple patients, procedural and histological characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1646 patients were identified with a malignant polyp, with 797 patients managed with polypectomy and surveillance alone. The median time to surveillance endoscopy was 182 days with the mean 220.01 days. This was substantially sooner than the recommended clinical guidelines of 365 days. There were no patient or procedural characteristics which predicted a difference in the timing of surveillance colonoscopy. No pathological factors appeared to change the timing for surveillance endoscopy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, patients had surveillance endoscopy procedures substantially earlier than guideline recommendations. However, evidence underlying these guidelines and other surveillance methods for malignant polyps are not strong. Future technological developments, including improvements in imaging techniques, may provide additional options for surveillance of malignant polyps.

Diminishing lengths of subsequent bowel resections in the surgical management of ileal Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that most commonly affects the ileum. As a result, it is associated with a high lifetime risk of one or more surgical resections. The surgical paradigm is to preserve intestinal length. This study aims to assess the length of ileum resected at the index operation and at subsequent ileocolic resections for Crohn's disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective study assessing the clinical and pathological data of patients undergoing ileocolic resection for the management of Crohn's disease over the period 01/01/2002 to 31/07/2020 in two metropolitan Australian hospitals. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-six patients were analysed: 130 underwent a single resection; 31 underwent two resections; and 15 underwent three resections. The median age at the first operation was 37.2 years (range 18-69) with 60% of patients female. The median length resected at the first surgery was 17.8 cm (IQR 12.0) for small bowel, and 5.0 cm (IQR 1.0) for large bowel. The length of ileum resected at the first surgery was significantly greater than that of the second (P = 0.0001), without significant differences between the second and third resections (P = 0.49). The time interval from diagnosis to the first surgery had no significant impact on the length of intestine resected at the index ileocolic resection. CONCLUSION: In Crohn's disease, the length of ileum removed at first resection is the greatest, with subsequent resection lengths less than the first.

A population-based study of the management of rectal malignant polyps and the use of trans-anal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal malignant polyps can be managed by use of trans-anal resections (TAR). Traditional techniques of resection have been replaced by use of platforms such as trans-anal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) or trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). This study reviewed the management of rectal malignant polyps, in particular focussing on when clinicians used TAR. METHODS: A population wide cohort study of all malignant rectal polyps diagnosed in Queensland, Australia from 2011 to 2018 was undertaken. Patient and pathological factors were compared across the management strategies of polypectomy, TAR and rectal resection. RESULTS: Overall 430 patients were diagnosed with a malignant rectal polyp during the study period, with 103 undergoing a TAR. There was increasing use of TAR across the study period as a management strategy (P < 0.001). Polypectomy alone was more likely to be the management strategy over TAR or rectal resection if there were clear margins (P < 0.001). The distance to the closest polypectomy margin was also significantly higher in the polypectomy group with mean clearance 2.09 mm in polypectomy group versus 0.86 mm in TAR group and 0.99 mm in resection group (P < 0.001). Rectal resection was more likely to be the management strategy over TAR if there was LVI (P < 0.001), depth of invasion was deeper (P < 0.001) and there was tumour budding (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: TAR is an effective management strategy for rectal polyps and is utilized particularly in rectal malignant polyps when there are close or involved margins. Future guideline development should consider incorporation of TAR given the advances in techniques afforded by TAMIS or TEM platforms.

Predictors of Hyperkalemia among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis Transported to the Emergency Department by Ambulance.

Background: Hyperkalemia is common among patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with mortality. We hypothesized that clinical characteristics available at time of paramedic assessment before emergency department (ED) ambulance transport (ambulance-ED) would associate with severe hyperkalemia (K≥6 mmol/L). Rapid identification of patients who are at risk for hyperkalemia and thereby hyperkalemia-associated complications may allow paramedics to intervene in a timely fashion, including directing emergency transport to dialysis-capable facilities. Methods: Patients on maintenance HD from a single paramedic provider region, who had at least one ambulance-ED and subsequent ED potassium from 2014 to 2018, were examined using multivariable logistic regression to create risk prediction models inclusive of prehospital vital signs, days from last dialysis, and the presence of prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) features of hyperkalemia. We used bootstrapping with replacement to validate each model internally, and performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration. Results: Among 704 ambulance-ED visits, severe hyperkalemia occurred in 75 (11%); 26 patients with ED hyperkalemia did not have a prehospital ECG. Younger age at transport, longer HD vintage, more days from last hemodialysis session (OR=49.84; 95% CI, 7.72 to 321.77 for ≥3 days versus HD the same day [before] ED transport), and prehospital ECG changes (OR=6.64; 95% CI, 2.31 to 19.12) were independently associated with severe ED hyperkalemia. A model incorporating these factors had good discrimination (c-statistic 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.89) and, using a cutoff of 25% probability, correctly classified patients 89% of the time. Conclusions: Characteristics available at the time of ambulance-ED were associated with severe ED hyperkalemia. An awareness of these associations may allow health care providers to define novel care pathways to ensure timely diagnosis and management of hyperkalemia.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration-task load index: NASA-TLX: evaluation of its use in surgery.

BACKGROUND: The technical difficulty an operation creates for a surgeon is difficult to measure. Current measures are poor surrogates. In both research and teaching settings it would be valuable to be able to accurately measure this degree of difficulty. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA TLX) is a multi-dimensional scale designed to obtain workload estimates relating to a task. This study aimed to evaluate the NASA TLX as an objective measure of technical difficulty of an operation. METHODS: Seven surgeons performed 127 pre-defined operations (minimally invasive right hemicolectomy & re-do bariatric surgery) and recorded a NASA TLX score after each operation. These scores were compared to numerous clinical parameters and the score was correlated with the subjective measure of whether the surgeon categorized the operation as "easy", "moderate" or "difficult". RESULTS: The NASA TLX score was significantly correlated with operative duration, blood loss, previous abdominal surgery and the surgeons' assessment of difficulty. It did not correlate with intra-operative or post-operative complications, conversion to open surgery or length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The NASA TLX score provides a graded numerical score that that correlated significantly with the surgeon's assessment of the technical difficulty, and with operative duration, intra-operative blood loss and previous abdominal surgery. This novel application of this tool could be employed in both research and teaching settings to score surgical difficulty and monitor a trainee's proficiency over time.

Patient and pathological predictors of management strategy for malignant polyps following polypectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Malignant polyps present a treatment dilemma for clinicians and patients. This meta-analysis sought to identify the factors that predicted the management strategy for patients diagnosed with a malignant polyp. METHODS: A literature search was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane Collaboration prognostic studies guidelines. Reports from 1985 onwards were included, data on patient and pathological factors were extracted and random effects meta-analysis models were used. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Seven studies evaluated lymphovascular invasion (LVI). The odds of surgery were significantly higher in malignant polyps with LVI (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.36-3.55). Ten studies revealed the odds of surgery were significantly higher with positive polypectomy margins (OR 8.09, 95% CI 4.88-13.40). Tumour differentiation was compared in eight studies. There were significantly lower odds of surgery in malignant polyps with well/moderate differentiation compared with poor differentiation (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.21-0.46). There were non-significant trends favouring surgical resection in younger patients, males and Haggitt 4/Kikuchi Sm3 lesions. There was considerable heterogeneity in the meta-analyses for the variables age, gender, polyp morphology and Haggitt/Kikuchi level (I2 > 75%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis has demonstrated that LVI, positive polypectomy resection margins, and poor tumour differentiation significantly predict malignant polypectomy patients who underwent subsequent surgery. Age and gender were important factors predicting management, but not consistently across studies, whilst polyp morphology and Haggitt/Kikuchi levels did not significantly predict the management strategy. Further research may assist in understanding the management preferences.

Risk taking propensity: Nurse, surgeon and patient preferences for diverting ileostomy.

AIM: The decision-making process to defunction a pelvic colorectal anastomosis involves complex heuristics and is framed by surgeon personality factors. Risk taking propensity may be an important factor in these decisions and patient preferences have not been evaluated alongside surgeons and nurses. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study involving a one-off interview and questionnaire assessing how risk taking propensity affects nurse, surgeon and patient preferences for a temporary defunctioning ileostomy (TDI) was performed. The risk taking index (RTI) was employed to evaluate risk taking propensity and the validated prospective measures of preference instruments to evaluate preferences for stoma avoidance in several scenarios by asking the individual to consider trading or gambling years of remaining life expectancy. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty participants met the inclusion criteria, which included 30 (20.0%) surgical nurses, 20 (13.3%) colorectal surgeons and 100 (66.7%) patients. Surgeons had a significantly higher RTI (mean ± SD: 26.8 ± 6.7) than patients (mean ± SD: 20.0 ± 9.8) and nurses (mean ± SD: 23.0 ± 6.6) p = 0.002. Surgeons would consider that it would be in a patient's best interest to have a TDI at an AL rate of 15% or greater, whereas nurses and patients would do so at 28% and 25%, respectively (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Surgeons were shown to have a higher risk taking propensity than patients and nurses but a significantly lower threshold of AL where they would consider a TDI is in the best interest of the patient.

Multicenter Study of Drain Fluid Amylase as a Biomarker for the Detection of Anastomotic Leakage After Ileal Pouch Surgery Without a Diverting Ileostomy.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak is the anathema of colorectal surgery. Early diagnosis is an essential segue to early intervention. A temporary defunctioning ileostomy does not prevent an anastomotic leak and presents inherent complications of its own. Drain fluid biomarkers have been studied in colorectal surgery but not in ileal pouch surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess drain fluid amylase as a biomarker of anastomotic leak after ileal pouch surgery and without a diverting ileostomy. DESIGN: This was a multicenter prospective observational cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at 4 tertiary hospitals in Queensland, Australia. PATIENTS: This study included elective patients undergoing restorative proctectomy and ileal pouch surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of rectal tube amylase and drain fluid amylase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary measure was observation of increased drain fluid amylase on the day of anastomotic leak. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were studied. On the day of anastomotic leak, 4 patients in the anastomotic leak group who experienced an early anastomotic leak recorded a median drain fluid amylase of 21,897 U/L compared with a median drain fluid amylase of 25 U/L for those in the no anastomotic leak group ( p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: This study relies on the anastomotic leak occurring while the pelvic drain is in situ. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of drain fluid amylase is a sensitive biomarker of early clinical anastomotic leak in patients undergoing restorative proctectomy with an ileal pouch and when a diverting ileostomy is not incorporated. This simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive test should be considered in all patients with ileal pouches as an adjunct to the clinical diagnosis and differentiation of anastomotic leak from other postoperative complications. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B958 .Estudio multicéntrico de la amilasa del líquido de drenaje como biomarcador para la detección de fugas anastomóticas después de una cirugía de reservorio ileal sin ileostomía de derivación. ANTECEDENTES: La fuga anastomótica es el anatema de la cirugía colorrectal. El diagnóstico precoz es una transición esencial a la intervención temprana. Una ileostomía desfuncionalizante temporal no evita una fuga anastomótica y presenta sus propias complicaciones inherentes. Los biomarcadores del líquido de drenaje se han estudiado en la cirugía colorrectal, pero no en la cirugía del reservorio ileal. OBJETIVO: El objetivo fue evaluar la amilasa del líquido de drenaje como biomarcador de fuga anastomótica después de cirugía de reservorio ileal y sin ileostomía de derivación. DISEO: Este fue un estudio de cohorte observacional prospectivo multicéntrico. AJUSTES: El estudio se realizó en 4 hospitales terciarios en Queensland, Australia. PACIENTES: Se incluyeron pacientes electivos sometidos a proctectomía restauradora y cirugía de reservorio ileal. INTERVENCIONES: Medición de la amilasa del tubo rectal y amilasa del líquido de drenaje. PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: La medida principal fue la observación del aumento de la amilasa en el líquido de drenaje el día de la fuga anastomótica. RESULTADOS: Cincuenta y tres pacientes fueron estudiados. Los 4 pacientes que experimentaron una fuga anastomótica temprana registraron una mediana de amilasa en el líquido de drenaje de 21 897 U/L el día de la fuga anastomótica en comparación con una mediana de amilasa en el líquido de drenaje de 25 U/L para aquellos en el grupo sin fuga anastomótica (p < 0,0001). LIMITACIONES: Este estudio se basa en que la anastomosis ocurre mientras el drenaje pélvico está in situ. CONCLUSIONES: La medición de amilasa en el líquido de drenaje es un biomarcador sensible de fuga anastomótica clínica temprana en pacientes sometidos a proctectomía restauradora con reservorio ileal y cuando no se incorpora ileostomía derivativa. Esta prueba simple, económica y no invasiva se debe considerar en todos los pacientes con reservorio ileal como complemento del diagnóstico clínico y la diferenciación de la fuga anastomótica de otras complicaciones posoperatorias. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B958 . (Traducción-Dr Yolanda Colorado ).