Two stage hepatectomy (TSH) versus ALPPS for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous comparisons between conventional Two Stage Hepatectomy (TSH) and Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) have been reported, the heterogeneity of malignancies previously compared represents an important source of selection bias. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes between TSH and ALPPS to treat patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). METHODS: Main electronic databases were searched using medical subject headings for CRLM surgically treated with TSH or ALPPS. Patients treated for primary or secondary liver malignancies other than CRLM were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 335 patients from 5 studies were included. Postoperative major complications were higher in the ALPPS group (relative risk [RR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.06, I2 = 0%), while no differences were observed in terms of perioperative mortality (RR 1.53, 95% CI 0.64-3.62, I2 = 0%). ALPPS was associated with higher completion of hepatectomy rates (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.61, I2 = 85%), as well as R0 resection rates (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.13-2.30, I2 = 40%). Nevertheless, no significant differences were achieved between groups in terms of overall survival (OS) (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.68-1.27, I2 = 52%) and disease-free survival (DFS) (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.47-2.49, I2 = 54%), respectively. CONCLUSION: ALPPS and TSH to treat CRLM seem to have comparable operative risks in terms of mortality rates. No definitive conclusions regarding OS and DFS can be drawn from the results.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from chronic perianal fistula-a multidisciplinary approach.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) is a rare entity. Indeed, the pathogenesis of fistula-associated perianal MA is still controversial. Due to the lack of informed evidence regarding this malignancy, no guidelines have been established concerning diagnostic and treatment strategies. The aim of this article is to report our experience and outcomes after three cases of large perianal MA treated in our center. From our retrospective chart review, we identified three male patients with chronic perianal fistula-in-ano who progressively developed perianal MA, confirmed by pelvic magnetic resonance (MRI) and histopathological examination performed on biopsy. We hereby, in accordance with the Surgical CAse REport (SCARE) guidelines, describe the management and further follow-up of each patient. The three patients underwent preoperative chemoradiation therapy, followed by ischioanal abdominoperineal resection (APR). Perineal reconstruction was needed in every case, using a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap and, punctually, a left fasciocutaneous flap was used too. Also, two of three patients completed the treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy. Neither recurrences nor distant metastases have been observed during the follow-up in both cases that finished the multimodal treatment. MA arising from chronic perianal fistula has an indolent growth with locoregional aggressiveness and a high risk of local recurrence. Therefore, although an ischioanal APR remains the surgical treatment of choice, an aggressive multimodal approach combining preoperative chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy may achieve favorable effectiveness and promising response rates.

Combined radical prostatectomy and abdominoperineal resection for locally invasive rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: An infiltration of urological organs is found in 5-10% of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Total pelvic exenteration is the standard procedure for locally advanced rectal cancer. In selected patients with rectal cancer involving the prostate or seminal vesicles, the bladder can be preserved and en bloc radical prostatectomy with abdominoperineal rectal resection can be performed. We report two patients who treated with this combined approach. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Two patients with symptoms of rectal bleeding and pelvic pain were investigated. Colonoscopy demonstrated a tumor in the lower rectum. Biopsies revealed adenocarcinoma. Both pelvic MRI and endorectal ultrasound showed tumors that invaded the prostate and the seminal vesicles directly but without invasion of the bladder. After neoadjuvant chemoradiation, combined radical prostatectomy and abdominoperineal amputation was performed. None has developed local recurrence, but one of them was operated on for a single lung metastasis. After a follow-up of 28 and 20 months, respectively, the patients are alive without evidence of local recurrence or distant disease. DISCUSSION: This procedure obviates the need for urinary diversion without compromising the local tumor control. Intraoperative and postoperative diagnostic difficulties, and clinical aspects in relation to postoperative anastomotic leak and survival of patients are discussed. CONCLUSION: En bloc radical prostatectomy and proctosigmoidectomy is feasible in selected patients with rectal cancer and invasion limited to the prostate or seminal vesicles because it provides good local tumor control and significantly improves the patient's quality of life in comparison to total pelvic exenteration.

[Risk factors in patients older than 70 years with complicated colorectal carcinoma]. / Factores de riesgo en pacientes mayores de 70 años con carcinoma colorrectal complicado.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of patients over 70 years of age who underwent emergency surgery for complicated colorectal carcinoma, as well as to identify the factors that might have some influence on outcome. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study of 54 patients older than 70 years who underwent emergency surgery for complicated colorectal cancer (42 with obstruction and 12 with perforation) between 1991 and 2002 was performed. Morbidity and mortality after surgery were studied. To determine prognostic factors of morbidity and mortality a multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Overall and major morbidity rates were 81.5% and 42.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was 27.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that perioperative transfusion (p = 0.014) was an independent predictive factor of major complications and that a high APACHE II score (p = 0.031) and the presence of perforation proximal to the tumor (p = 0.042) independently predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency surgery for complicated colorectal carcinoma in elderly patients carries elevated morbidity and mortality. The presence of risk factors should be taken into account when choosing the most suitable surgical technique and evaluating the need for intensive postoperative treatment.

Factores de riesgo en pacientes mayores de 70 años con carcinoma colorrectal complicado / Risk factors in patients older than 70 years with complicated colorectal carcinoma

Objetivo. El fin de este estudio fue analizar la evolución clínica de los pacientes mayores de 70 años operados de urgencia por carcinoma colorrectal complicado y, además, evaluar los factores con posible influencia en la evolución clínica. Pacientes y método. Se han revisado retrospectivamente los datos de 54 pacientes mayores de 70 años intervenidos de urgencia por carcinoma colorrectal complicado (42 con obstrucción y 12 con perforación) durante el período 1991-2002. Se estudió la morbimortalidad tras la cirugía y se realizó un análisis de regresión logística multivariable para determinar los factores pronósticos de morbilidad y de mortalidad. Resultados. Las tasas de morbilidad global y mayor, y de mortalidad fueron del 81,5, 42,6 y 27,8%, respectivamente. El análisis multivariable mostró que la transfusión perioperatoria (p = 0,014) fue un factor predictivo independiente de complicación mayor y que un índice APACHE II alto (p = 0,031) y la presencia de perforación a distancia (p = 0,042) fueron factores relacionados con la mortalidad.Conclusiones. La cirugía urgente por carcinoma colorrectal complicado en pacientes de edad avanzada conlleva una elevada morbimortalidad. La presencia de factores de riesgo debería tenerse en cuenta al elegir la técnica quirúrgica más adecuada y al valorar la necesidad de un tratamiento postoperatorio intensivo (AU)

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of patients over 70 years of age who underwent emergency surgery for complicated colorectal carcinoma, as well as to identify the factors that might have some influence on outcome. Patients and method. A retrospective study of 54 patients older than 70 years who underwent emergency surgery for complicated colorectal cancer (42 with obstruction and 12 with perforation) between 1991 and 2002 was performed. Morbidity and mortality after surgery were studied. To determine prognostic factors of morbidity and mortality a multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed. Results. Overall and major morbidity rates were 81.5% and 42.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was 27.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that perioperative transfusion (p = 0.014) was an independent predictive factor of major complications and that a high APACHE II score (p = 0.031) and the presence of perforation proximal to the tumor (p = 0.042) independently predicted mortality. Conclusions. Emergency surgery for complicated colorectal carcinoma in elderly patients carries elevated morbidity and mortality. The presence of risk factors should be taken into account when choosing the most suitable surgical technique and evaluating the need for intensive postoperative treatment (AU)