Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for acute complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are well-documented logistic programs in elective surgery but it is still uncertain whether ERAS can benefit emergency patients, because of significant challenges facing its application to emergency surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of an ERAS protocol for patients with acute appendicitis (AA), both complicated and uncomplicated. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed at two university hospitals in Spain, between January 2012 and December 2019. Inclusion criteria were patients with diagnosis of AA, undergoing appendectomy following an ERAS protocol of perioperative care. The different items of the ERAS protocol were recorded and their implementation was separately evaluated. Analyzed variables also included postoperative complications, hospital stay and readmission rate. Levels of acute phase reactants were assessed as predictors of implementation for the ERAS protocol. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty patients were included; 498 males (58.5%) and 302 females (41.5%), with a mean age of 34.95 ± 17 years. The implementation of all the items of the protocol was achieved in 770 patients (90.6%), 86.8% of patients with complicated AA and 93.1% of patients with uncomplicated AA (p = 0.02). Higher preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly associated with the impossibility of implementing all the items of the ERAS protocol (p < 0.001), establishing a cut-off point at CRP = 13.5 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of ERAS protocols is safe and feasible in patients with AA. Although the implementation rate of all the items is lower in patients with complicated AA, it can be completed in 86.8% of these patients. CRP levels over 13.5 mg/dl are predictors of difficulties in the implementation of all the items of ERAS protocols.

Preoperative management of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: Role of endoscopy and Helicobacter eradication.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a pandemic disease associated to severe health problems. Management is usually multimodal, but many patients eventually need surgery to reduce weight. Many guidelines recommend endoscopy prior to surgery. This study reviews a series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy to see whether endoscopy performance and histopathological findings influence surgery outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure at a single institution. We have reviewed the demographic data, the associated pathologies, endoscopic findings prior to surgery, histopathological findings in the surgical resection specimen and postoperative complication rate. RESULTS: 259 patients fulfilled criteria for the study. Over 70% were women and the mean age was 46.9 (SD 9.8). Preoperative endoscopy was performed in 28.9% of the patients and biopsy only in 19.3%. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 28% of the patients undergoing endoscopy (either in the biopsy or the urease test) and eradicated before surgery in all the patients. Helicobacter pylori was present in 9.7% of the surgical resection specimens and its presence was significantly associated with the development of postoperative complications, mostly staple line leaks (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that Helicobacter infection is significantly associated with postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy. It is therefore important to detect its presence and eradicate it before surgery.

Effects of a High-Intensity Exercise Program on Weight Regain and Cardio-metabolic Profile after 3 Years of Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Trial.

Weight regain is one of the most common problems in the long-term after bariatric surgery. It is unknown if high-intensity exercise programs applied in late phases of post-surgical follow-up could counteract this trend. After a 3-year follow-up, 21 patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy were randomized into an exercise group (EG, n = 11), that performed a 5-month supervised exercise program, and a control group (CG, n = 10), that followed the usual care. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, glycaemia and blood cholesterol were evaluated before and after the intervention. Finally, the EG repeated the evaluations 2 months after the end of the exercise program. Both groups reached their maximum weight loss at the first year after surgery and showed significant weight regain by the end of the follow-up. After the exercise program, the EG showed reductions in fat mass (-2.5 ± 2.6 kg, P < 0.05), glycaemia (-13.4 ± 8.7 mg·dL-1, P < 0.01) and blood cholesterol (-24.6 ± 29.1 mg·dL-1, P < 0.05), whereas the CG during the same period showed increases in weight (1.5 ± 1.3 kg, P < 0.05) and fat mass (1.8 ± 0.9, P < 0.01). Two months after the end of the program, EG had increases in weight (1.1 ± 1.2 kg, P < 0.05), fat mass (2.6 ± 2.2 kg, P < 0.01), glycaemia (8.2 ± 11.6 mg·dL-1, P < 0.05) and blood cholesterol (20.0 ± 22.1 mg·dL-1, P < 0.05), when compared with the values after the exercise program. Therefore, in the medium-term after sleeve gastrectomy exercise may contribute to prevent weight regain and to reduce fat mass, glycaemia, and blood cholesterol.

Impact of Exercise on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients Awaiting Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The role of exercise to achieve weight reductions in patients awaiting bariatric surgery has been little studied. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of an exercise program on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients awaiting bariatric surgery. METHODS: Twenty-three patients awaiting bariatric surgery were divided into two groups: (a) an exercise group (EG, n = 12) and (b) a control group (CG, n = 11). Both groups received the usual care prior to surgery, but the EG also performed a 12-week exercise program which combined endurance and resistance training. Body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, physical fitness, basal metabolic rate, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. RESULTS: After the exercise program, the EG achieved significant reductions in total weight (- 7.3 ± 4.1 kg, P < 0.01), fat mass (- 7.1 ± 4.7 kg, P < 0.01), and waist circumference (- 5.3 ± 2.1 cm, P < 0.01), while they maintained their fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate levels. Only the EG showed reductions in HbA1c (- 0.4 ± 0.45%, P < 0.05), systolic (- 10.5 ± 12.7 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (- 3.9 ± 5.2 mmHg, P < 0.05), as well as a decrease in waist-to-height ratio (- 0.032 ± 0.12, P < 0.01) and an improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an exercise program prior to bariatric surgery reduces fat mass and central obesity and improves cardiometabolic risk factors and quality of life, especially in the physical scales. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03613766).

Effects of the application of vitamin E and silicone dressings vs conventional dressings on incisional surgical site infection in elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the effect of conventional wound dressings (CD) with vitamin E and silicone (E-Sil) dressings on incisional surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing elective colorectal laparoscopic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was performed. Patients were assigned at random into two groups: an E-Sil group and a CD group. Incisional SSI, postoperative pain and acute phase reactants were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 120 patients were included in this study (60 in each group). The incisional SSI rate was 3.4% in the E-Sil group and 17.2% in the CD group (P = 0.013). Bacteroides fragilis alone grew in the cultures of infected wounds in the E-Sil group, while cultures for infected wounds in the CD group were polymicrobial. Mean postoperative pain 48 h after surgery was 27.1 [standard deviation (SD) 10.7] mm in the E-Sil group and 41.6 (SD 16.9) mm in the CD group (P < 0.001). White blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were lower in the E-Sil group, even after the exclusion of patients presenting with postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Use of an E-sil dressing to cover the Pfannestiel wound after elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery leads to a reduction in the incisional SSI rate, lower postoperative pain, and a decrease in CRP level and WBC count.

Perforación gástrica secundaria a hernia esofágica incarcerada. Causa infrecuente de dolor torácico / Gastric perforation secundary to paraesophageal hernia. Rare cause of chest pain

Las hernias paraesofágicas es una condición muy común. Las complicaciones, incluyendo la hemorragia, la isquemia, y la perforación gástrica, son raras y suelen ocurrir en grandes hernias. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 82 años diagnosticada de hernia paraesofágica complicada tras acudir al Servicio de Urgencias de nuestro hospital por dolor torácico

The paraesophageal hernia is a very common condition. Complications, including hemorrhage, ischemia, and gastric perforation are rare and usually occur in large hernias. We report the case of a 82 year old woman diagnosed with complicated paraesophageal hernia after going to the emergency department of our hospital because of chest pain

Hernia paraduodenal izqueirda gigante / Giant left paraduodenal hernia

Introducción: las hernias internas causan el 0,9% de las obstrucciones intestinales y de estas entre 50-55% son hernias paraduodenales. La edad media de diagnóstico es 38.5 años y son tres veces más comunes en el varón. El riesgo de desarrollar una obstrucción intestinal es del 50% en estos pacientes y puede alcanzar una mortalidad del 20 al 50%. Caso clínico: varón de 36 años con dolor abdominal tipo cólico y mal definido con vómitos de 24 horas de evolución. En la radiografía simple de abdomen presentaba dilatación de asas de intestino delgado. Una tomografía computada abdominal evidenció: encapsulación de las asas intestinales con dilatación desde unión duodeno-yeyunal hasta íleon terminal, con signos de sufrimiento intestinal. Por laparotomía exploradora urgente se observó una hernia mesocólica izquierda gigante, donde el intestino delgadose encuentra compartimentalizado en un saco peritoneal y los vasos mesentéricos desplazados a la derecha y la vena mesentérica inferior se encuentra malposicionada formando un ojal a través del que pasa íleon terminal. El saco peritoneal fue resecado, liberando la vena mesentérica inferior hasta su origen, pasando por el ojal el paquete intestinal, quedando este y el ciego a la derecha de la vena mesentérica inferior. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente, siendo dado de alta al 4º día postoperatorio. Conclusión: la hernia paraduodenal gigante es una patología infrecuente, con elevado riesgo de obstrucción. Donde la tomografía computada se convierte en la prueba de imagen por excelencia que aporta datos concluyentes que ayudan al diagnóstico

Introduction: Internal hernias cause 0.9% of intestinal obstructions and of these 50-55% are paraduodenal hernias. The average age at diagnosis is 38.5 years and are three times more common in men. Paraduodenal risk of developing intestinal obstruction is 50% in these patients and may reach 20 mortality at 50%. Clinical case: A 36 year old male with poorly defined abdominal and vomiting of 24 hours history. Abdominal radiography showed dilated small bowel loops. A computed tomography scan revealed; encapsulation dilated bowel loops from duodenal-jejunal junction to terminal ileum with signs of intestinal distres. For urgent laparotomy showed a giant left mesocolic hernia, where the small intestine was compartmentalized in a peritoneal sac and mesenteric vessels and displaced right inferior mesenteric vein was poorly positioned forming an eyelet through which passes terminal ileum. Peritoneal sac was resected, releasing the inferior mesenteric vein to its origin, through the intestinal buttonhole, leaving the blind and the inferior mesenteric vein to the right. The patient progressed satisfactorily, being discharged on postoperative day 4. Conclusion: The giant paraduodenal hernia is an uncommon condition with high risk of blockage. Where the computed tomography becomes the quintessential image test that provides conclusive data that help the diagnosis

Effect on anal pressure of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence.

AIM: Previous studies on percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for faecal incontinence do not report anal pressure changes. In the present study the effect of percutaneous PTNS on anal manometry was determined. METHOD: This was a prospective observational study of patients with faecal incontinence. They underwent one 30-min session of PTNS weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. Patients who showed improvement were given six more sessions at 2-weekly intervals. Anal manometry was performed before and after treatment. Clinical data including the Wexner score, psychological testing, quality of life using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score and the contents of a continence diary were recorded before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in the study of whom 17 (70.83%) demonstrated some degree of clinical or manometric improvement at 3 months. Before treatment 18 patients had urgency of <1 min. At 3 and 6 months this had risen to 5 min in 62.5% and 70.83% (P < 0.001). The anal resting pressure increased from 21.7 to 37.6 mmHg (P = 0.021), the maximum squeeze pressure from 58.2 to 72.2 mmHg (P = 0.045) and the Wexner score fell from 15 to 10 (P = 0.018) at 6 months. Predictive factors for a response included fewer than three incontinent episodes per week (P = 0.027). Negative predictive factors included episiotomy and an initial Wexner score of > 12 (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous PTNS was effective in over 70% of patients in the present study with improvements in urgency, anal pressures and Wexner score.

Gastric diffuse hamartomatous polyposis as unique manifestation of peutz-jeghers syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Peutz-Jeghers-type hamartomatous polyps are most common in the small intestine, but can also occur in the stomach and large bowel. Gastric polyps usually coexist with hamartomatous polyps in other locations of the gastro-intestinal tract. We present the second case reported in literature of diffuse gastric polyposis without affecting the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. CASE REPORT: A 41-years-old woman complained of repeated, self-limited episodes of hematemesis. She presented with anaemia. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed multiple polyps in all the gastric surface, whose biopsy diagnosed of hamartomatous polyps. No other polyps were detecting the gastrointestinal tract. The patient underwent a total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Pathology revealed a gastric diffuse hamartomatous polyposis. A mis-sense mutation encoding the serine/threonine kinase STK11 gene was been identified, compatible with Peutz Jeghers polyposis.

Fournier gangrene: first manifestation of occult rectal cancer.

Fournier gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis of the genital and perineal region. Diverse factors predispose to Fournier gangrene, such as diabetes mellitus, ethylism, liver dysfunction, haematological disorders, obesity or recent regional instrumentation. Rectal tumours can also predispose to Fournier gangrene; most of the reported cases are perforated or unresectable colorectal tumours, but some cases of anorectal cancer diagnosed after recovery from Fournier gangrene have also been reported. In these cases, the presence of a rectal tumour at the time of, or prior to, diagnosis of Fournier gangrene could not be ruled out. We present three cases of rectal cancer whose first manifestation was as Fournier gangrene.

Embolización arterial en aneurisma arteria esplénica / Arterial embolizarion in splenic artery aneurysm

Los aneurismas de la arteria esplénica son infrecuentes y ocurren predominantemente en mujeres. La mayoría son asintomáticos. Presentamos un caso clínico referente a una mujer 42 años con síntomas inespecíficos de dispepsia y estreñimiento. En exámenes rutinarios (TC y ECO) se identificó un aneurisma de arteria esplénica distal de unos 2 cm. Se decidió tratamiento ndovascular con coils.Tras un año de seguimiento la paciente se encontraba asintomática sin complicaciones (AU)

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare and occur predominantly in women. Most of them are asymptomatic until rupture. We report a previously healthy 42 year-old woman who presented with non specific symptoms: dyspepsia and constipation. Laboratory tests were normal. Subsequent examinations (ultrasound and CT) showed a large aneurysm of the splenic artery without any sign of rupture. Endovascular treatment remained successfully performed using coil embolization. During a 12- months follow-up period, the patient was asymptomatic and no evidences of complications or splenic infarction were observed on CT scans (AU)

Impact of preoperative levels of hemoglobin and albumin on the survival of pancreatic carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer presents the worst survival rates of all neoplasms. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment, but is associated with high complication rates and outcome is bad even in those resected cases. Therefore, candidates amenable for resection must be carefully selected. Identification of prognostic factors preoperatively may help to improve the treatment of these patients, focusing on individually management based on the expected response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We perform a retrospective study of 59 patients with histological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma between 1999 and 2003, looking for possible prognostic factors. RESULTS: We analyze 59 patients, 32 males and 27 females with a mean age of 63.8 years. All the patients were operated, performing palliative surgery in 32% and tumoral resection in 68%, including pancreaticoduodenectomies in 51% and distal pancreatectomy in 17%. Median global survival was 14 months (Range 1-110).We observed that preoperative levels of hemoglobin under 12 g/dl (p = 0.0006) and serum albumina under 2.8 g/dl (p = 0.021) are associated with worse survival. CONCLUSION: Preoperative levels of hemoglobin and serum albumina may be prognostic indicators in pancreatic cancer.

Impacto de los niveles preoperatorios de hemoglobina y albúmina en la supervivencia del carcinoma de páncreas / No disponible

Introducción: El cáncer de páncreas presenta la peor tasa de supervivencia de todas las neoplasias. La resección quirúrgica es el único tratamiento potencialmente curativo, pero está grabado con una alta tasa de complicaciones y el pronóstico continúa siendo malo en aquellos casos resecados, por lo que es necesario seleccionar bien a los candidatos. Por ello, la identificación de factores pronósticos de forma preoperatoria podría contribuir a mejorar el tratamiento de estos pacientes orientando hacia pautas más personalizadas en función de la respuesta esperable. Material y métodos: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo de 59 pacientes con diagnóstico histológico de carcinoma de páncreas entre 1999 y 2003, para identificar posibles factores pronósticos. Resultados: De los 59 pacientes, 32 eran varones y 27 mujeres, con una edad media de 63,8 años. Todos los pacientes fueron operados, realizándose cirugía paliativa en el 32% y resección tumoral en el 68%, incluyendo duodenopancreatectomías cefálicas en el 51% y pancreatectomías distales en el 17%. La mediana de supervivencia global fue de 14 meses (intervalo 1-110). Observamos que los niveles preoperatorios de hemoglobina inferiores a 12 g/dl (p = 0,0006) y de albúmina sérica por debajo de 2,8 g/dl (p = 0,021) se asocian a menor supervivencia global. Conclusión: Los niveles preoperatorios de hemoglobina y albúmina pueden ser indicadores pronósticos en el cáncer de páncreas(AU)

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer presents the worst survival rates of all neoplasms. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment, but is associated with high complication rates and outcome is bad even in those resected cases. Therefore, candidates amenable for resection must be carefully selected. Identification of prognostic factors preoperatively may help to improve the treatment of these patients, focusing on individually management based on the expected response. Patients and methods: We perform a retrospective study of 59 patients with histological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma between 1999 and 2003, looking for possible prognostic factors. Results: We analyze 59 patients, 32 males and 27 females with a mean age of 63,8 years. All the patients were operated, performing palliative surgery in 32% and tumoral resection in 68%, including pancreaticoduodenectomies in 51% and distal pancreatectomy in 17%. Median global survival was 14 months (Range 1-110). We observed that preoperative levels of hemoglobin under 12 g/dl (p = 0,0006) and serum albumina under 2,8 g/dl (p = 0,021) are associated with worse survival. Conclusion: Preoperative levels of hemoglobin and serum albumina may be prognostic indicators in pancreatic cancer(AU)

Repeated liver resection for recurrence of colorectal cancer metastases

BACKGROUND: Resection of liver metastases is accepted as treatment for diverse tumours, implying a survival improvement. Metastases often recur after first hepatectomy and, very few would be potentially resectable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 18 patients undergoing repeated hepatectomies (two or more liver resections in the same patient) due to metastases of colorectal cancer between 1988 and 2006 was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen men and five women, mean age 57.55 years, participated. In all patients, repeated liver resection was performed due to recurrence of the metastases. Complications rate after first hepatectomy was 11.1% and after the second 16.6%. Mortality rate was 11.1% after second hepatectomy, and there was no mortality after third hepatectomy. Three- and 5-year survival after colectomy was 88.9% and 77.8%, respectively; after first hepatectomy 3- and 5-year survival was 88.9% and 61.1%, respectively; after second hepatectomy, 3- and 5-year survival was 83.3% and 61.1% respectively; and 3-year survival after third hepatectomy was 67%. CONCLUSION: Repeated resections by expert surgeons for recurrent liver metastases can be safely performed, with low morbidity and mortality rates similar to first hepatectomies. Repeated resections of liver metastases of colorectal cancer improve global survival (AU)

Endoscopic resection as unique treatment for early colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopic screening in developed countries allows detection and resection of a great number of early colorectal cancers. There is a strong controversy to decide when endoscopic treatment is enough or when surgical resection is necessary. To this contributes the diverse names to define the lesions, the wide number of classifications and the different criteria of each author. We perform an extense literature review, aiming to clarify concepts and unify criteria that can be used as a guide for the treatment of early colorectal cancer. We conclude that in early colorectal cancer arising in pedunculated polyps (0-Ip), mucosal endoscopic resection would be indicated as only treatment in Haggitt levels 1, 2 and 3, tumors smaller than 2 cm, well- or moderately differentiated, without vascular or lymphatic affection, with submucosal infiltration lower than 1 microm from the muscularis mucosae and maximal submucosal width lower than 4 microm, and undergoing en bloc resection. In sessile polyps (0-Is) or non-polypoideal elevated (0-IIa) or plain (0-IIb) lesions, recommendations will be similar, without applicability of Haggitt levels.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in selected cases of ductal carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION: Axillary lymphadenectomy is nowadays not recommended to treat ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), but there is controversy surrounding the indication for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of a selected group of patients diagnosed preoperatively with DCIS was performed between 2004 and 2009. Indications for SLNB were histologically determined high-grade tumours, tumour size >2 cm and patients scheduled to undergo a mastectomy. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were analysed. Surgical technique was mastectomy in 39 patients (60%) and conservative breast surgery in 26 (40%). Definitive histological study of the resected breast tumour revealed 43 cases (66.2%) of DCIS, 15 (23.1%) of ductal invasive carcinoma and seven (10.7%) microinvasive tumours. In confirmed DCIS, only 6.9% of sentinel lymph nodes were positive, in microinvasive carcinoma 28.5% and in invasive carcinoma 40% were positive. Total number of patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes was 11 (16.9%). Of 39 mastectomies, 12 corresponded to microinvasive or invasive carcinoma and six (50%) showed a positive SLNB. CONCLUSIONS: Performing SLNB avoids an unnecessary second surgery to study axillary lymph nodes in invasive carcinoma diagnosed after definitive histological study. In patients undergoing a mastectomy, this study requires an axillary lymphadenectomy that is not useful in up to 50% of cases. We think that in a selected group of patients with DCIS, SLNB improves tumour staging, adapts the treatment and avoids second surgery in this group of patients (AU)

Resección endoscópica de cáncer colorrectal temprano como único tratamiento / No disponible

El screening mediante colonoscopia que se realiza en paísesoccidentales ha permitido la detección y resección de un númeroelevado de tumores colorrectales en estadio temprano. Existe unagran controversia a la hora de decidir cuándo el tratamiento endoscópicoes suficiente y cuándo debe realizarse la resección quirúrgica.A ello contribuye la gran diversidad en la nomenclaturapara definir estas lesiones, la amplia variedad de clasificaciones delas mismas y los diferentes criterios que tiene cada autor. Medianteuna revisión extensa de la literatura, pretendemos aclarar conceptos,enlazar los datos de las diferentes clasificaciones y unificarunos criterios que sirvan de guía para el tratamiento del cáncercolorrectal temprano. Tras ello, llegamos a la conclusión de queen el cáncer colorrectal temprano que aparece en pólipos pedunculados(0-Ip), estaría indicada la resección endoscópica comoúnico tratamiento en los niveles 1, 2 y 3 de Haggitt, tumores menoresde 2 cm de diámetro, en tumores bien o moderadamentediferenciados, sin afectación vascular ni linfática, con infiltraciónde la submucosa menor de 1 mm desde la muscularis mucosae yanchura máxima en la submucosa menor de 4 mm y resecados enbloque. En las lesiones polipoideas sésiles (0-Is) y no polipoideaselevadas (0-IIa) o planas (0-IIb) las recomendaciones serían las mismasdescritas anteriormente, no siendo aplicables los niveles deHaggitt(AU)

Colonoscopic screening in developed countries allows detectionand resection of a great number of early colorectal cancers.There is a strong controversy to decide when endoscopic treatmentis enough or when surgical resection is necessary. To thiscontributes the diverse names to define the lesions, the wide numberof classifications and the different criteria of each author. Weperform an extense literature review, aiming to clarify conceptsand unify criteria that can be used as a guide for the treatment ofearly colorectal cancer. We conclude that in early colorectal cancerarising in pedunculated polyps (0-Ip), mucosal endoscopic resectionwould be indicated as only treatment in Haggitt levels 1, 2and 3, tumors smaller than 2 cm, well- or moderately differentiated,without vascular or lymphatic affection, with submucosal infiltrationlower than 1 mm from the muscularis mucosae and maximalsubmucosal width lower than 4 mm, and undergoing en blocresection. In sessile polyps (0-Is) or non-polypoideal elevated (0-IIa) or plain (0-IIb) lesions, recommendations will be similar, withoutapplicability of Haggitt levels(AU)