Management of Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Resection: Survey among the German CHIR-Net Centers.

(1) Background: A widely accepted algorithm for the management of colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) is difficult to establish. The present study aimed to evaluate the current clinical practice on the management of CAL among the German CHIR-Net centers. (2) Methods: An online survey of 38 questions was prepared using the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer (ISREC) grading score of CAL combined with both patient- and surgery-related factors. All CHIR-Net centers received a link to the online questionary in February 2020. (3) Results: Most of the answering centers (55%) were academic hospitals (41%). Only half of them use the ISREC definition and grading for the management of CAL. A preference towards grade B management (no surgical intervention) of CAL was observed in both young and fit as well as elderly and/or frail patients with deviating ostomy and non-ischemic anastomosis. Elderly and/or frail patients without fecal diversion are generally treated as grade C leakage (surgical intervention). A grade C management of CAL is preferred in case of ischemic bowel, irrespective of the presence of an ostomy. Within grade C management, the intestinal continuity is preserved in a subgroup of patients with non-ischemic bowel, with or without ostomy, or young and fit patients with ischemic bowel under ostomy protection. (4) Conclusions: There is no generally accepted therapy algorithm for CAL management within CHIR-Net Centers in Germany. Further effort should be made to increase the application of the ISREC definition and grading of CAL in clinical practice.

Impact of spleen preservation on the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy: Is less more?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major complication after distal pancreatectomy (DP) with a significant impact on patients' quality of life. There is limited evidence that preservation of the spleen reduces the risk of POPF. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of splenectomy on perioperative outcome. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent DP for malignant and benign disease at our institution between 2004 and 2021 were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to spleen preservation (SP-DP) and splenectomy (DPS). Intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes were compared between groups. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to investigate factors that influence the occurrence of clinically relevant (cr)POPF. RESULTS: A total of 199 patients were included, of whom 61 (30.7%) patients underwent SP-DP. Patients who underwent SP-DP had a significantly lower rate of crPOPF (p = 0.022), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.003), and less readmissions (p = 0.012). On multivariate analysis, obesity (OR 2.88, p = 0.021), benign lesions (OR 2.35, p = 0.018), postoperative acute pancreatitis (OR 2.53, p = 0.028), and splenectomy (OR 2.83, p = 0.011) were independent risk factors associated with the onset of crPOPF. DISCUSSION: Preservation of the spleen reduces the risk of crPOPF in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for benign and malignant disease.

Association of ileocolic pedicle division with postoperative complications after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: When performing a restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), it is common practice to divide the ileocolic artery (ICA) if the patient has a tumor or dysplasia, or in order to gain sufficient length to secure a tension-free anastomosis. However, it is unclear whether there is an association between division of the ICA and the rate of postoperative complications. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent RPC and IPAA in our department between January 2010 and December 2016. These were divided in two groups, with regard to the ICA being preserved (PRE group) or divided (DIV group). Complications such as stenosis or leakage of the IPAA, perianal fistulas, abscess formation within the lesser pelvis and pouchitis were analysed and compared between both groups. RESULTS: We identified 130 patients meeting the study inclusion criteria, 49 patients in the PRE and 81 patients in the DIV group. No statistical significance was observed in IPAA leakages (p = 0.71), anastomotic strictures (p = 0.33), fistulas (p = 0.19) and pouchitis (p = 0.72). Abscess formation frequency was similar in both groups (p > 0.99). Moreover, short-term (p = 0.53) and long-term complications (p = 0.11) were similar in both groups. A higher conversion rate was observed in obese (p = 0.006) and male (p = 0.02) patients. Within the entire study population, fistulas and IPAA leakages were associated with a higher rate of anastomotic strictures (p = 0.008 and p = 0.02 respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest similar IPAA related complications after either division or preservation of the ICA. Further trials are required in order to examine the trends observed in this study.

Management of colorectal anastomotic leakage using endoscopic negative pressure therapy with or without protective ostomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Management of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) is patient-oriented and requires an interdisciplinary approach. We analyzed the management of AL according to its severity and presence of ostomy and proposed a therapy algorithm. METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent colorectal surgery and developed an AL in our clinic between 2012 and 2017. The management of AL was retrospectively analyzed according to the severity grade: asymptomatic (A), requesting interventional or antibiotic therapy (B), undergoing re-operation (C). The groups were compared according to the leakage characteristics, presence of ostomy, and patient clinical conditions. RESULTS: We identified 784 consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria. Of these, 10.8% experienced an AL (A = 18%, B = 48%, and C = 34%). The rate of successful ostomy closure was 100% (A), 68% (B), and 62% (C), respectively. Within group B, 91% of the patients were treated solely by endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT), whereas 37% of the patients within group C required ENPT in addition to surgery. Seven cases within group B (17%) required no protective ostomy (nOB) during ENPT which was itself shorter and required less cycles in comparison to group B with ostomy (OB) (p = 0.017 and 0.111, respectively). Moreover, the leakage distance to anal verge was higher in the OB subgroup (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ENPT for the treatment of colorectal AL is efficient in combination with operative revision or protective ostomy. In selected patients, it is feasible also in the absence of a protective ostomy.

Maintaining oxygen delivery is crucial to prevent intestinal ischemia in critical ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ischemia is a common complication with obscure pathophysiology in critically ill patients. Since insufficient delivery of oxygen is discussed, we investigated the influence of oxygen delivery, hemoglobin, arterial oxygen saturation, cardiac index and the systemic vascular resistance index on the development of intestinal ischemia. Furthermore, we evaluated the predictive power of elevated lactate levels for the diagnosis of intestinal ischemia. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study data (mean oxygen delivery, minimum oxygen delivery, systemic vascular resistance index) of critical ill patients from 02/2009-07/2017 were analyzed using a proportional hazard model. General model fit and linearity were tested by likelihood ratio tests. The components of oxygen delivery (hemoglobin, arterial oxygen saturation and cardiac index) were individually tested in models. RESULTS: 59 out of 874 patients developed intestinal ischemia. A mean oxygen delivery less than 250ml/min/m2 (LRT vs. null model: p = 0.018; LRT for non-linearity: p = 0.012) as well as a minimum oxygen delivery less than 400ml/min/m2 (LRT vs null model: p = 0.016; LRT for linearity: p = 0.019) were associated with increased risk of the development of intestinal ischemia. We found no significant influence of hemoglobin, arterial oxygen saturation, cardiac index or systemic vascular resistance index. Receiver operating characteristics analysis for elevated lactate levels, pH, CO2 and central venous saturation was poor with an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.5324, 0.52, 0.6017 and 0.6786. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation for mean and minimum oxygen delivery with the incidence of intestinal ischemia for values below 250ml/min/m2 respectively 400ml/min/m2. Neither hemoglobin, arterial oxygen saturation, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index nor elevated lactate levels could be identified as individual risk factors.

The overall potential of CD47 in cancer immunotherapy: with a focus on gastrointestinal tumors.

Introduction: CD47 is an anti-phagocytic ('don't eat me') signal overexpressed in many malignant diseases. It acts as myeloid immune checkpoint and thus has prognostic and therapeutic implications.Areas covered: This review presents and discusses the currently available data on the prognostic role and therapeutic value of CD47 in gastrointestinal tumors.Expert opinion: CD47 is overexpressed on the great majority of gastrointestinal tumors, cancer stem cells and circulating tumor cells. Overexpression of CD47 usually predicts a negative prognosis and seems to contribute to cancer immune evasion. The inhibition of CD47 has shown impressive results in clinical trials in hematologic malignancies. However, for gastrointestinal tumors only preclinical data is available. Inhibition of this myeloid immune checkpoint may yield great clinical benefit due to the abundance of myeloid effector cells. However, due to the ubiquitous expression of CD47 and the resulting antigen sink, vast amounts of antibody are required in order to reach therapeutic concentrations. QPCTL inhibitors blocking post-translational modification of CD47 protein may be a solution to this problem.