Is laparoscopic right colectomy more effective than open resection? A meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized studies.

AIM: The aim of this systematic review was to compare laparoscopic and/or laparoscopic-assisted right colectomy (LRC) with open right colectomy (ORC). Many randomized clinical trial have shown that laparoscopic colectomy benefits patients with improved short-term outcomes and comparable overall survival in respect to the open approach. These results, however, could not be applied to right colectomy owing to its wide range of resection and more complicated vascular regional anatomy. METHOD: We performed a meta-analysis of the literature in order to compare LRC vs ORC by examining 21 end-points including operative and recovery outcomes, early postoperative mortality and morbidity, and oncological parameters. A subgroup analysis of patients undergoing right colectomy for cancer was carried out. The meta-analysis was conducted following all aspects of the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA) statement. The search strategies were developed using the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM reviews and CINAHL until March 2011. We included randomized and non randomized studies that compared the LRC vs ORC for benign disease and malignant neoplasm irrespective of publication status. Only studies in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian languages were considered for inclusion. Emergency right colectomies were excluded. To perform the statistical analysis we used the odds ratio (OR) for categorical variables and the weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous variables. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seventeen studies, 15 nonrandomized clinical trials and two randomized clinical trials, involving a total of 1489 patients, were identified. The mean operative time was longer in the group of patients undergoing LRC [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 37.94, 95% CI: 25.01 to 50.88; P < 0.00001]. Intra-operative blood loss (WMD = -96.61; 95% CI: -150.68 to -42.54; P = 0.0005), length of hospital stay (WMD = -2.29; 95% CI: -3.96 to -0.63; P = 0.007) and short-term postoperative morbidity (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.83; P = 0.0009) were significantly in favour of LRC. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted right colectomy results in less blood loss, a shorter length of hospital stay and lower postoperative short-term morbidity compared with ORC.

Laparoscopic vs open resection for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

AIM: Laparoscopic and open rectal resection for cancer were compared by analysing a total of 26 end points which included intraoperative and postoperative recovery, short-term morbidity and mortality, late morbidity and long-term oncological outcomes. METHOD: We searched for published randomized clinical trials, presenting a comparison between laparoscopic and open rectal resection for cancer using the following electronic databases: PubMed, OVID, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM Reviews, CINAHL and EMBASE. RESULTS: Nine randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis incorporating a total of 1544 patients, having laparoscopic (N = 841) and open rectal resection (N = 703) for cancer. Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer was associated with a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss and in the number of blood transfusions, earlier resuming solid diet, return of bowel function and a shorter duration of hospital stay. We also found a significant advantage for laparoscopy in the reduction of post-operative abdominal bleeding, late intestinal adhesion obstruction and late morbidity. No differences were found in terms of intra-operative and late oncological outcomes. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis indicates that laparoscopy benefits patients with shorter hospital stay, earlier return of bowel function, reduced blood loss and number of blood transfusions and lower rates of abdominal postoperative bleeding, late intestinal adhesion obstruction and other late morbidities.

Robotic resection compared with laparoscopic rectal resection for cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of short-term outcome.

AIM: The study aimed to compare robotic rectal resection with laparoscopic rectal resection for cancer. Robotic surgery has been used successfully in many branches of surgery but there is little evidence in the literature on its use in rectal cancer. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the available literature in order to evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. We compared robotic and laparoscopic surgery with respect to twelve end-points including operative and recovery outcomes, early postoperative mortality and morbidity, and oncological parameters. A subgroup analysis of patients undergoing full-robotic or robot-assisted rectal resection and robotic total mesorectal excision was carried out. All aspects of Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA) statement were followed to conduct this systematic review. Comprehensive electronic search strategies were developed using the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM reviews and CINAHL. Randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials comparing robotic and laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were included. No language or publication status restrictions were imposed. A data-extraction sheet was developed based on the data extraction template of the Cochrane Group. The statistical analysis was performed using the odd ratio (OR) for categorical variables and the weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous variables. RESULTS: Eight non randomized studies were identified that included 854 patients in total, 344 (40.2%) in the robotic group and 510 (59.7%) in the laparoscopic group. Meta-analysis suggested that the conversion rate to open surgery in the robotic group was significantly lower than that with laparoscopic surgery (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12-0.57, P = 0.0007). There were no significant differences in operation time, length of hospital stay, time to resume regular diet, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and the oncological accuracy of resection. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery for rectal cancer has a lower conversion rate and a similar operative time compared with laparoscopic surgery, with no difference in recovery, oncological and postoperative outcomes.

Painful constipation: a neglected entity?

Functional chronic constipation is a common symptom in daily clinical practice. Although the definition of constipation may be variable, there is usually agreement that (at least for research purposes) the definition given by the Rome Committee are useful. However, some blind spots or hidden angles remain, even in the more thorough classifications; among these, there is painful constipation, a poorly defined yet clinically encountered entity. The present article reviews the current knowledge about painful constipation, trying to put together the scarce data available, and to frame it in the more general context of chronic constipation.

Painful constipation: a neglected entity?

Functional chronic constipation is a common symptom in daily clinical practice. Although the definition of constipation may be variable, there is usually agreement that (at least for research purposes) the definition given by the Rome Committee are useful. However, some blind spots or hidden angles remain, even in the more thorough classifications; among these, there is painful constipation, a poorly defined yet clinically encountered entity. The present article reviews the current knowledge about painful constipation, trying to put together the scarce data available, and to frame it in the more general context of chronic constipation(AU)

[The sentinel lymph node mapping in colon cancer]. / Il linfonodo sentinella nei tumori del colon.

BACKGROUND: malignant tumors of the colon can metastases along the lymphatic system in a sequential way, which means that there will be a first node to be involved and then from this disease will pass to another node and so gradually. The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node or group of nodes reached by metastasizing cancer cells from a tumor. OBJECTIVES: the present work aims to determine the predictive value of the sentinel lymph node procedure in the staging of non-metastatic colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: in this prospective study joined up only 26 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon T2-T3, without systemic metastases, and with these criteria for inclusion: a) minimum age: 18 years old; b) staging by total colonoscopy, chest X-ray and CT scan; c) patients classified as ASA 1-3; d) informed consent. Within 20 minutes from the colic resection, the bowel was cut completely along the antimesenteric margin and is performed submucosal injection of vital dye within 5 mm from the lesion at the level of the four cardinal points; then the lymph nodes are placed in formalin and sent to the pathologist. The lymph nodes were subjected to histological examination with haematoxylin-eosin and with the immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: from January to December 2008 only 26 patients joined up in this prospective study. From the study were excluded the 4 patients with T4 and M1 tumour. Also 7 patients with stenotic lesions were excluded. Patients considered eligible for our study were only 14. The histopathological examination of haematoxylin-eosin revealed: a) in 4 cases were detected mesocolic lymph node metastases; b) in 10 cases were not detected mesocolic lymph node metastases. In cases there were no metastases, the mesocolic sentinel lymph nodes lymph nodes were examined with immunohistochemical technique; in 2 cases were revealed the presence of micrometastases. In one case was identified aberrant lymphatic drainage patterns (skip metastasis); the sentinel lymph node (negative examination wit eaematoxylin-eosin) was studied with immunohistochemical technique that has not revealed the presence of micrometastases. CONCLUSIONS: the examination of the sentinel node is feasible with the ex vivo method. Using the immunohistochemical technique we detect micrometastasis in 20% of the cases, not revealed with the classical haematoxylin-eosin examination. The study of sentinel lymph node with multilevel microsections and immunohistochemical techniques allow a better histopathological staging.

[The abdominal compartment syndrome and the importance of decompressive re-laparotomy]. / La sindrome compartimentale addominale ed il ruolo della re-laparotomia decompressiva.

BACKGROUND: the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is an increasingly recognized complication of both medical and surgical patients. The World Society of the Abdominal Compartmental Syndrome defined Intra Abdominal Hypertension (IAH) as a mean Intra Abdominal Pressure (IAP) ≥ 12 mm Hg and the ACS as IAP ≥ 20 mmHg (with or without an abdominal perfusion pressure < 60 mm Hg) that is associated with dysfunction or failure of one or more organ systems that was not previously present. The IAH contributes to organ failure in patients with abdominal trauma and sepsis and leads to the development of ACS. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the clinical significance of IAH, the prevalence of ACS and the importance to the effects to the abdominal decompressive re-laparotomy. Patients and methods. The study included 10 patients, 4 men and 6 women with an average age of 68 years (range, 38-86) operated and and treated with xifo-pubic laparotomy between January 2007 and December 2008. According to gold-standard methods, we measured the IAP by indirect measurement using the transvescical route via Foley bladder catheter. RESULTS: among 10 patients with laparotomy, 8 patients (80%) developed IAH < 20 mm Hg but they have not reported significant organ dysfunction , while 2 patients (20%) developed an IAH > 20 mm Hg associated whit organ dysfunction. For this reason, the last 2 patients were undergoing to the decompressive re-laparotomy with temporary closure. CONCLUSION: in according to our experience and the results of the literature, we believe essential monitoring abdominal pressure in patients with abdominal laparotomy. The abdominal decompressive re-laparotomy is a useful procedure to reduce symptoms and improve the health of the patient.

One-stage resection without colonic lavage in emergency surgery of the left colon.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-operative colonic lavage is a widespread procedure introduced to decompress and clean the colon of its faecal load during emergency surgery of the left colon in order to perform a safe anastomosis. This type of lavage is never performed at our institution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and acceptability of emergency left-sided colectomy without colonic lavage in a consecutive series of patients admitted at our department for perforation and obstruction of the left colon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 44 patients (29 with obstruction and 15 with perforation) on whom a one-stage left-sided colon resection was performed without colonic lavage between January 1998 and June 2004 were evaluated in a retrospective review. During this period all patients with acute disease of the left colon underwent a one stage resection without colonic lavage. The only exclusion criteria for anastomosis were: haemodynamic instability, ASA > 3, unresectable tumour. Death, anastomotic leakage and wound infection were main outcome measures. RESULT: The leak rate was 4.5% and mortality 2.3% due to one case of postoperative myocardial infarction. A 16% morbidity rate was recorded due to 4 wound infections and 3 minor complications. CONCLUSION: The procedure is safe. The low morbidity and mortality of one stage resection without colonic lavage can justify future prospective studies enrolling a large number of patients to compare its results with those obtained by one stage resection with colonic lavage.

Surgical technique and haemodynamic changes in adrenalectomy for secreting neoplasia. Personal experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now used worlwide and is a great advance in laparoscopic technology. The reported benefits of this approach include decreased blood loss, better intraoperative haemodynamic control and shorter hospital stay, however some doubts on its indication for adrenal secreting tumors are still present. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the physiologic alterations on blood pressure during laparoscopic and laparotomic adrenalectomy in patients with adrenal secreting adenoma, the intraoperative blood loss and mean hospital stay in the 2 groups of patients. A review of the literature is included. METHODS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 13 patients (Conn's syndrome with adrenal adenoma in 10, pheochromocytoma in 3). Laparotomy was used for adrenalectomy in 9 patients: 4 with pheochromocytoma and 5 with Conn's adenoma. All the selected patients in the 2 groups had benign adenoma with tumor size less than 6 cm. During surgery the following data were determined: blood pressure before inducing anaesthesia, pressure peaks, episodes of hypertension and of hypotension, blood loss and operating times. The mean hospital stay was also recorded. RESULTS: No differences were found in the blood-pressure values of the 2 groups of patients. The blood loss was minimal in all but 2 patients. The mean hospital stay was significantly longer in those patients who underwent laparotomy. No significant differences were recorded in the mean operating time. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 techniques seem to have the same physiological consequences in the cardiovascular system, and the operating times for laparoscopic and laparotomic adrenalectomy are not so different. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe technique to treat small benign adrenal secreting adenomas.

[Minimally invasive treatment of cholelithiasis in the elderly]. / Trattamento mininvasivo della colelitiasi nel paziente anziano.

BACKGROUND: As cholelithiasis has an incidence which is proportional to the age of the patient, it is often detected in the elderly, who have a higher operative risk. Therefore the therapeutic approach should involve low risk and low invasive techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of combined laparoscopic and endoscopic treatment in biliary tract lithiasis and gallstones. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients over 60 years old affected by cholelithiasis have been treated with minimally invasive techniques. Mean age was 68+/-5.9 years (range 60-85) and male/female ratio was 1:1.5. All the patients underwent a preoperative screening (abdominal ultrasound, liver functional tests) to evaluate the risk of choledocholithiasis associated to cholelithiasis. An ultrasound examination was performed postoperatively after 15 days and then after 6 months. RESULTS: No death due to cholecystectomy or endoscopic sphincterotomy was registered, while morbility was 5.7%. Mean hospital stay was 2+/-1.67 days which reached 5.3+/-0.7 days in case of endoscopic sphincterotomy with ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy revealed to be low risk techniques and therefore they will to become the gold-standard treatment of cholelithiasis in the elderly.

[Our choice of the method to induce pneumoperitoneum in videolaparoscopic surgery]. / La nostra scelta sul metodo di induzione dello pneumoperitoneo in chirurgia videolaparoscopica.

BACKGROUND: In laparoscopic surgery, pneumoperitoneum may be obtained either by a blind or an open access technique. These two techniques and the advantages of Hasson technique are compared. METHODS: Through January 1998 and May 1999, 262 unselected patients underwent laparoscopic surgery; pneumoperitoneum was obtained with a random technique, while in the patients previously operated on the open technique was always performed. In 161 cases (61.5%) pneumoperitoneum was obtained with Hasson technique and in 101 (38.5%) with Veress technique. All the patients were clinically evaluated after surgery and then after 30-40 days. The complications encountered were always associated with the Veress needle blind access: peritoneal space insufflation in 3 cases, greater omentum insufflation in 3 cases, 4 cases of difficult management and only one case of incisional hernia on the umbilical wound. RESULTS: Our data confirm that Hasson open technique is safer than Veress blind technique as the risk of severe early and late complications is lower. CONCLUSIONS: The open laparoscopic technique with the Hasson trocar is recommended as it showed to be a quicker, safer and superior technique for obtaining pneumoperitoneum.

A case of "silent" pheochromocytoma presenting as spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma.

Pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland can be the cause of massive and lethal retroperitoneal haemorrhage presenting as acute abdomen. Here we report a case of retroperitoneal hematoma, with concomitant peritoneal spillage, due to the spontaneous rupture of a silent pheochromocytoma. The main clinical findings of this disease will be described. Therapy and prognosis will be also discussed.

[Transperitoneal anterior access in video-laparoscopic adrenalectomy]. / Accesso anteriore transperitoneale nella surrenalectomia videolaparoscopica.

BACKGROUND: The more wide spread laparoscopic technique to operate on the adrenal gland is transabdominal approach with a lateral flank adrenalectomy. However, the transabdominal anterior approach can be a sure and safe alternative in selected patients. METHODS: From 1997 to 1999, 18 selected patients underwent laparoscopic anterior adrenalectomy. Mean age was 43 years (range 25-63) with a male/female ratio of 1:1. Indications were Conn's adenoma in 10 patients, pheochromocytoma in 3 cases, Cushing syndrome in 1 and incidentaloma in 4. All the procedures were carried out laparoscopically and only one patient required conversion to an open adrenalectomy for clear signs of malignancy. The mean time for adrenalectomy was 140 minutes and the shorter times were recorded in the right-sided procedures (mean time 84 minute). Estimated blood loss was minimal and no transfusion was done. There were no postoperative complications related to the surgical technique and the hospital stay was 4 days in average. RESULTS: Our data confirm, according with other authors, that this method is feasible in selected patients. Longer times recorded for the left-sided lesions were due to the more difficult dissection required to gain the left adrenal gland. CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal adrenalectomy with patient in the supine position is feasible, but its use is restricted to the cases with suspect bilateral or multifocal pheochromocytoma, to patients with concomitant abdominal pathologies that can be operated on laparoscopically, to surgeons who prefer to have a frontal view of the operative field.

[The role of laparoscopy in the identification of peritoneal carcinosis from abdominal neoplasms. Analysis of our initial experience]. / Ruolo della laparoscopia nella identificazione della carcinosi peritoneale da neoplasie addominali. Analisi della nostra esperienza iniziale.

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed the experience on the use of laparoscopy performed since January 1997 in malignant neoplasms at their institution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the real effectiveness of this procedure in the staging of abdominal neoplasms which were considered resectable at preoperative examinations and in particular in the detection of peritoneal metastases not evidenced with traditional imaging techniques. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with malignant neoplasms: colo-rectum (15), stomach (5), pancreas (4), gallbladder (2), cardias (1), liver (1), were studied. All the patients were preoperatively examined with abdominal computed tomography (CT). In the 2 patients with gallbladder neoplasm a MR cholangiography was also performed. An explorative laparoscopy with peritoneal washing was then performed in all the patients. The diagnostic and therapeutic choices were subsequently done on the basis of laparoscopy results. RESULTS: Therapeutic approach was modified in 21% of cases, as a result of the detection of peritoneal metastases which were not evidenced with imaging examinations. On the contrary, peritoneal washing was not responsible of any preoperative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy performed in patients with abdominal neoplasms allows the detection of peritoneal micrometastases not previously evidenced through preoperative CT, thus modifying the therapeutic approach.

Adenocarcinoma arising from a recurrent fistula-in-ano.

Anal fistulas are frequent events which often recur after an inadequate surgical treatment. Nevertheless their evolution into malignant diseases is infrequently observed. The authors report one case of mucinous adenocarcinoma arising out of a recurrent, long-lasting fistula-in-ano. As reported, abdomino-perineal resection combined with radiotherapy can be the choice treatment. The difficulty is to obtain a reliable differential diagnosis. No imaging technique nor histologic examination can establish a definitive reliable diagnosis; nevertheless, as the risk of adenocarcinoma developing from a long-lasting recurrent fistula-in-ano, although small, is real, authors believe that operative exploration and biopsy of recurrent abscesses and fistulas should be recommended.

[Treatment of parastomal colostomy hernia]. / Il trattamento delle ernie pericolostomali.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernias are the most common cause of in patients surgically with stomy reoperation treated. METHODS: Treatment of parastomal hernias has been faced through two kind of technics: the first one consisted in the translocation of colostomy, the second one was placing around the colostomic hole a marlex mesh which was inserted at muscular structure level. From January 1993 to May 1997 we treated 8 patients affected by paracolostomic hernia associated to laparocele. The laparocele was treated according Rives' technique with the prosthesis positioned in the properitoneal site. The parastomal hernia was treated with translocation of the colostomy in 3 cases; in the other patients a plastic surgery of the colostomic orifice was made using polypropylene little bandages in properitoneal site. RESULTS: In the postoperative period the complications concerned a single case of skin parcellar necrosis, that healed spontaneously with medications and a case of prolonged serous secretion the mean follow-up was 2 years from the wound. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience the use of marlex mesh may be effective in treatment of parastomal hernia only a patient treated with translocation of the stoma showed a recurrence of parastomal hernia. The positioning of the prosthesis at properitoneal level is subject to a lower incidence of recurrent parastomal hernia.

[Pneumoretroperitoneum due to pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. An etiopathogenetic and clinico-diagnostic assessment. A clinical case report]. / Pneumoretroperitoneo da pneumatosi cistica intestinale. Valutazioni etiopatogenetiche e clinico-diagnostiche. Presentazione di un caso clinico.

A case of pneumoretroperitoneum which came out to be caused by pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, after careful and proper diagnostic evaluation, is described. Physiopathology, etiopathogenesis and clinical peculiarities of this infrequent pathology are examined; most useful tests to be performed in diagnostic differential evaluation, and clinical and surgical therapeutic approaches are also described, especially facing rare complications of PCI, such as pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum.

L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway modulates gastric motility and gallbladder emptying induced by erythromycin and liquid meal in humans.

There is recent evidence that nitric oxide, a soluble gas produced from L-arginine, is released by the smooth muscle cells and neurons of the gastrointestinal tract where it exerts a myorelaxive action. However, little is known about the effects nitric oxide has on gastric and gallbladder motility during the inter- and postprandial phases in man. We therefore investigated the effects 200 mg/kg/hr L-arginine exerts on the gastric and gallbladder motility induced by 2 mg/kg erythromycin or a liquid meal in 21 subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gastric and gallbladder emptying were evaluated by sonography. Fasting antral motility was expressed as antral motility index (MI). In fasting subjects, L-arginine administration determined a threefold increase in plasma nitrite concentrations. Administration of erythromycin caused a significant rise in the antral MI, which was inhibited by L-arginine (P < 0.05). Ingestion of a liquid meal also significantly increased antral MI, but it returned to basal values 90 min after the end of the meal. Although L-arginine administration caused a significant reduction in the antral MI (P < 0.05), it did not inhibit gastric emptying. L-Arginine provoked an approximately 40% increase in basal gallbladder volume, completely blocked erythromycin-induced emptying, and partially, but significantly, prevented the emptying induced by a liquid meal (P < 0.01). Our study suggests that nitric oxide may be implicated in the physiological modulation of gastric and gallbladder motility during the inter- and postprandial phases in man.

[Surgical treatment of diverticular disease of the colon. Our experience in the last decade]. / Il trattamento chirurgico della malattia diverticolare del colon. Nostra esperienza relativa ad un decennio.

The authors analyse their personal experience of diverticular disease of the colon and, comparing it with that of other authors, draw attention to some fundamental data relating to the type of management chosen. Having underlined the high incidence of disease in relation changed living conditions, the authors point out that this pathology is becoming more frequent as a result of the increased average age and that subacute and acute clinical manifestations of the disease are also more common-place. Attention has often been drawn to the presence of non-evolved phlogistic symptoms which it is possible to treat medically thus enabling the operation to be postponed in some cases to a time which is more convenient for the patient, whereas in other cases it has resulted in the remission of symptoms. Surgical therapy need not be used in "silent" cases, but is obligatory in recurring or complicated forms. The authors also affirm that surgery is not burdened by particular postoperative complications which, if present, are linked essentially to peritonitis due to perforation or to other associated pathologies. The use of mechanical staplers has also restricted the number of derivative operations and those performed in several stages.