Anastomotic Considerations in Crohn's Disease.

A number of factors should be considered when performing an intestinal anastomosis in the setting of surgery for Crohn's disease. Preoperative risk factors, such as malnutrition, abdominal sepsis, and immunosuppressive medications, may increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic complications and alter surgical decision-making. The anatomical configuration and technique of constructing the anastomosis may have an impact on postoperative function and risk of recurrence, particularly in the setting of ileocolic resection, where the Kono-S anastomosis has gained popularity in recent years. There may be circumstances in which it may be more appropriate to perform an ostomy either without an anastomosis or to temporarily divert an anastomosis when the risk of anastomotic complications is felt to be high. In the setting of total abdominal colectomy or proctocolectomy for Crohn's colitis, restorative procedures may appropriate in lieu of a permanent stoma in certain scenarios.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Laparoscopic Colorectal Resections: A Single-Institution Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane blocks improve postoperative pain after colon and rectal resections, but the benefits of liposomal bupivacaine use for these blocks have not been clearly demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether using liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane blocks improves postoperative pain and reduces opioid use after colorectal surgery compared to standard bupivacaine. DESIGN: This study was a single-blinded, single-institution, prospective randomized controlled trial comparing liposomal bupivacaine to standard bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane blocks in patients undergoing elective colon and rectal resections. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a single-institution academic medical center with 6 staff colorectal surgeons and 2 colorectal surgery fellows. PATIENTS: Ninety-six patients aged 18 to 85 years were assessed for eligibility; 76 were included and randomly assigned to 2 groups of 38 patients. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the experimental group received liposomal bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane blocks, whereas the control group received standard bupivacaine blocks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was maximum pain score on postoperative day 2. Secondary outcomes included daily maximum and average pain scores in the 3 days after surgery, as well as daily morphine milligram equivalent use and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Patients receiving liposomal bupivacaine blocks had lower maximum pain scores on the day of surgery (mean, 6.5 vs 7.7; p = 0.008). No other difference was found between groups with respect to maximum or average pain scores at any time point postoperatively, nor was there any difference in morphine milligram equivalents used or length of stay (median, 3.1 d). LIMITATIONS: This was a single-institution study with only patients blinded to group assignment. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal bupivacaine use in transversus abdominis plane blocks for patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections does not seem to improve postoperative pain, nor does it reduce narcotic use or decrease length of stay. Given its cost, use of liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane blocks is not justified for colon and rectal resections. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B979 . CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Identifier: NCT04781075. BLOQUEOS TAP DE BUPIVACANA LIPOSOMAL EN RESECCIONES COLORRECTALES LAPAROSCPICAS UN ENSAYO CONTROLADO ALEATORIO DE UNA SOLA INSTITUCIN: ANTECEDENTES:Los bloqueos del plano transverso del abdomen, mejoran el dolor posoperatorio después de las resecciones de colon y recto, pero los beneficios del uso de bupivacaína liposomal para estos bloqueos, no se han demostrado claramente.OBJETIVO:Investigar la eficacia de la inyección con tejido adiposo autólogo recién recolectado en fístulas anales criptoglandulares complejas.DISEÑO:Ensayo controlado, aleatorio, prospectivo, simple ciego, de una sola institución, que compara la bupivacaína liposomal con la bupivacaína estándar en bloqueos del plano transverso del abdomen, en pacientes sometidos a resecciones electivas de colon y recto. Identificador de ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT04781075.ENTORNO CLINICO:Centro médico académico de una sola institución con seis cirujanos de plantilla y becarios de cirugía colorrectal.PACIENTES:Se evaluó la elegibilidad de 96 pacientes de 18 a 85 años; 76 fueron incluidos y aleatorizados en dos grupos de 38 pacientes.INTERVENCIONES:Los pacientes del grupo experimental recibieron bloqueos del plano transverso del abdomen con bupivacaína liposomal, mientras que el grupo de control recibió bloqueos de bupivacaína estándar.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACION:El resultado primario fue la puntuación máxima de dolor en el segundo día posoperatorio. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron las puntuaciones máximas y medias diarias de dolor en los 3 días posteriores a la cirugía, así como el uso diario equivalente en miligramos de morfina y la duración de la estancia hospitalaria.RESULTADOS:Los pacientes que recibieron bloqueos de bupivacaína liposomal, tuvieron puntuaciones máximas de dolor más bajas, el día de la cirugía (media 6,5 frente a 7,7, p = 0,008). No hubo ninguna otra diferencia entre los grupos con respecto a las puntuaciones de dolor máximas o promedio en cualquier momento después de la operación, ni hubo ninguna diferencia en los equivalentes de miligramos de morfina utilizados o la duración de la estancia (mediana de 3,1 días).LIMITACIONES:Estudio de una sola institución con cegamiento de un solo paciente.CONCLUSIONES:El uso de bupivacaína liposomal en bloqueos del plano transverso del abdomen, para pacientes sometidos a resecciones colorrectales laparoscópicas, no parece mejorar el dolor posoperatorio, ni reduce el uso de narcóticos ni la duración de la estancia hospitalaria. Dado su costo, el uso de bupivacaína liposomal en bloqueos TAP no está justificado para resecciones de colon y recto. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B797 . Traducción Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy.

Imaging Modalities for Evaluation of Intestinal Obstruction.

It is essential for the colon and rectal surgeon to understand the evaluation and management of patients with both small and large bowel obstructions. Computed tomography is usually the most appropriate and accurate diagnostic imaging modality for most suspected bowel obstructions. Additional commonly used imaging modalities include plain radiographs and contrast imaging/fluoroscopy, while less commonly utilized imaging modalities include ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Regardless of the imaging modality used, interpretation of imaging should involve a systematic, methodological approach to ensure diagnostic accuracy.

Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The roles of flexible endoscopy in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease include diagnosis, surveillance, and determining response to treatment and monitoring for the development of recurrence, dysplasia, or malignancy. Advanced techniques, such as chromoendoscopy and narrow band imaging, can be useful adjuncts when performing endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. There are several roles for therapeutic endoscopy in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease, including endoscopic balloon dilation and endoscopic stricturotomy.

Urological Injuries during Colorectal Surgery.

The proximity of the colon and rectum to the organs of the urologic system virtually ensures that iatrogenic urologic injuries become a distinct possibility during complex colorectal surgical procedures. An intimate knowledge of urogenital anatomy as well as strategies for identification and repair of potential injuries is of paramount importance. Attention is mandated when operating within the narrow confines of the pelvis, as this is where these structures are most at risk. The ureters are at highest risk of injury, followed by the bladder and urethra. The nature of these injuries encompasses both functional and mechanical morbidities. Patient factors, including prior pelvic surgery, radiation, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious processes, and urogenital abnormalities all increase the risk of injury. As colorectal surgeons encounter an increasing number of patients with the above risk factors, it is important to be familiar with the various urologic injury patterns, their diagnosis, and appropriate management.

Morbidity Following Coloanal Anastomosis: A Comparison of Colonic J-Pouch vs Straight Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Low rectal tumors are often treated with sphincter-preserving resection followed by coloanal anastomosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term complications following straight coloanal anastomosis vs colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis. DESIGN: Patients were identified who underwent proctectomy for rectal neoplasia followed by coloanal anastomosis in the 2008 to 2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Demographic characteristics and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between groups. SETTINGS: A national sample was extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. PATIENTS: Inpatients following proctectomy and coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic characteristics and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred seventy patients were included, 624 in the straight anastomosis group and 746 in the colonic J-pouch group. Preoperative characteristics were similar between groups, with the exception of preoperative radiation therapy (straight anastomosis 35% vs colonic J-pouch 48%, p = 0.0004). Univariate analysis demonstrated that deep surgical site infection (3.7% vs 1.4%, p = 0.01), septic shock (2.25% vs 0.8%, p = 0.04), and return to the operating room (8.8% vs 5.0%, p = 0.0006) were more frequent in the straight anastomosis group vs the colonic J-pouch group. Major complications were also higher (23% vs 14%, p = 0.0001) and length of stay was longer in the straight anastomosis group vs the colonic J-pouch group (8.9 days vs 8.1 days, p = 0.02). After adjusting for covariates, major complications were less following colonic J-pouch vs straight anastomosis (OR, 0.57; CI, 0.38-0.84; p = 0.005). Subgroup analysis of patients who received preoperative radiation therapy demonstrated no difference in major complications between groups. LIMITATIONS: This study had those limitations inherent to a retrospective study using an inpatient database. CONCLUSION: Postoperative complications were less following colonic J-pouch anastomosis vs straight anastomosis. Patients who received preoperative radiation had similar rates of complications, regardless of the reconstructive technique used following low anterior resection. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A468.

Idiopathic Myointimal Hyperplasia of the Mesenteric Veins Diagnosed Preoperatively.

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins (IMHMV) of the colon is a very rare disease that in previously reported cases was often mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease because of similar clinical characteristics. In our review of the literature, we found a total of 15 cases described, generally featuring sigmoid and rectal colitis and symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hematochezia refractory to treatment with immunosuppressants. In all previously reported cases, the diagnosis was achieved only after surgical resection of the affected area. Herein, we report a case of IMHMV that was diagnosed preoperatively based on clinical information and endoscopy with biopsies. This led to the withdrawal of immunosuppression before a carefully planned surgical resection, with confirmation of the diagnosis in the resected tissue. To our knowledge, our case of IMHMV is the first to be diagnosed preoperatively.

Surgical management of fecal incontinence.

The surgical approach to treating fecal incontinence is complex. After optimal medical management has failed, surgery remains the best option for restoring function. Patient factors, such as prior surgery, anatomic derangements, and degree of incontinence, help inform the astute surgeon regarding the most appropriate option. Many varied approaches to surgical management are available, ranging from more conservative approaches, such as anal canal bulking agents and neuromodulation, to more aggressive approaches, including sphincter repair, anal cerclage techniques, and muscle transposition. Efficacy and morbidity of these approaches also range widely, and this article presents the data and operative considerations for these approaches.

Strictureplasty.

Over the past three decades, strictureplasty for Crohn disease with fibrostenotic stricture has been shown to be both efficacious and safe. Although segmental resection remains the standard of care for obstruction secondary to Crohn stricture, strictureplasty should be considered for patients with a history of prior resections who are at increased risk for short bowel syndrome with additional resections. There is ample evidence to support both conventional and nonconventional strictureplasty techniques for both jejunoileal and ileocolonic anastomotic strictures. The role of strictureplasty for both duodenal and colonic disease, as well as the risk of malignant transformation at strictureplasty sites, is yet to be determined.

Perineal hernias.

Perineal hernia is a protrusion of the intraabdominal viscera through a defect in the pelvic floor, and may be classified as primary (congenital or acquired) or secondary (postoperative). When symptomatic, surgical repair is warranted and may be performed using abdominal, perineal, combined abdominoperineal, or laparoscopic approaches. In rare instances, a primary repair may be performed, although in the majority of cases, successful repair of a perineal hernia requires the use of a synthetic graft, bioprosthetic graft, or autologous flap. This article reviews the classification, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surgical management of perineal hernias.

Early stomal complications.

The creation of intestinal stomas for diversion of enteric contents is an important component of the surgical management of several gastroenterologic disease processes. Despite the frequency with which these procedures are performed, complications of stoma creation remain common, despite extensive measures aimed at reducing them. Early postoperative complications (those seen less than one month postoperatively) can lead to significant cost, both financially and psychologically, and incur significant morbidity. Commonly seen early postoperative stomal complications include improper stoma site selection, vascular compromise, retraction, peristomal skin irritation, peristomal infection/abscess/fistula, acute parastomal herniation and bowel obstruction, and pure technical errors. The author reviews these early complications associated with stoma creation, discusses means of preventing them, and outlines the management strategy for such complications when they do occur.

The importance of colonoscopy in colorectal surgeons' practices: results of a survey.

PURPOSE: The role of colonoscopy in the prevention of colorectal cancer has been accepted, not only by the medical community but by the federal government as well. This study sought to document the current role of colonoscopy in the practices of colorectal surgeons. METHODS: A survey was mailed to members of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons detailing the scope of colonoscopy in their practices. RESULTS: Surveys were mailed to 1,800 members of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons; responses were received from 778 (43.2 percent). The mean age was 48 +/- 10 (range, 27-79) years; the mean number of years in practice was 14 +/- 10 (range, 0.2-48). The majority of respondents (91 percent) were male. Responses were received from 47 U.S. states and 30 foreign countries. Seventy-four respondents (9.5 percent) reported not performing colonoscopy; the most common reason cited was "referring physicians' preference" (45 percent). Seven-hundred four respondents (90.5 percent) reported performing colonoscopy as part of their clinical practice and reported an average of 41 +/- 41 colonoscopies in the last month (range, 0-635) and 457 +/- 486 in the last year (range, 2-7,000). Colonoscopy accounted for 23 +/- 16 percent of responding physicians' clinical time (range, 1-100 percent) and 27 +/- 19 percent of total charges (range, 0-100 percent). Nearly all respondents (97 percent) anticipated maintaining or increasing their volume of colonoscopy in the coming year. Eighty-four percent of respondents reported receiving some or all of their training in colonoscopy during a colon and rectal surgery fellowship. More than one-half of respondents (55 percent) believed that there should be more of an emphasis on colonoscopy on the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery board examination, and 81 percent believed that the annual meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons should include lectures and/or courses covering colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy plays a major role in the practices of colorectal surgeons across the world, accounting for approximately one-quarter of clinical time and total charges. Based on the expectation that this trend will continue, The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons needs to aggressively support its members not only in the technical aspects of colonoscopy but also in the practice management issues.

Composite tissue allotransplantation.

Composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) recently took its first steps in the clinical arena in 1998 with the successful hand transplant performed in Lyons, France. That single operation represented a culmination of many years of laboratory research in multiple fields involving integumentary/musculoskeletal transplantation. Here we review the prerequisite developments in the field of immunology, microsurgery, and pharmacotherapy that helped bring CTA to clinical reality. This new field still has many unanswered questions which are addressed below. Additionally, new evolving research in CTA is also discussed.