Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted colectomy versus open colectomy in patients with colonic carcinoma: a prospective randomized study

Introduction: The second most common cause of cancer-related mortality is colorectal cancer, and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) has gained popularity among surgeons as an alternative to the conventional approach, which is open colecrtomy (OC). The differences between LAC and OC in terms of short-term outcomes have not been well documented, and the aim of the present work is to compare the short-term outcomes of both procedures. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study comprised 164 participants submitted to LAC (n = 82) and OC (n = 82) at the Helwan and Zagazig University hospitals between January 2018 and January 2022. We collected and analyzed demographic data, surgical data, and the short-term outcomes. Results: The LAC group had a significantly lower estimated amount of blood loss, shorter hospital stay, lower rates of incisional surgical site infection, and fewer cases of burst abdomen postoperatively, but with a considerably longer operative time (30.3 minutes) than the OC group. Conclusions: Our findings show that LAC is favorable option to OC, with superior outcomes. (AU)

Surgical outcome of modified Karydakis flap and modified Limberg flab in the management of sacroccygeal pilonidal disease: a comparative study

Introduction: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) is a chronic suppurative condition of the sacrococcygeal region causing chronic sinus tract or cyst. It is an acquired complex disease more common in young adult males, causing considerable morbidity and long periods of interruption in work or education. From simple conservative techniques to complex flap reconstruction, many debatable treatment options are offered; however clear dynamics toward the widespread use of minimally invasive methods and off-midline flap reconstruction are suggested in all guidelines, which recommend the Karydakis and Limberg flap modification. The plethora of literature compares procedures for identification of a single best treatment approach, which has proven to be difficult. The surgical outcome of both techniques is compared in the present study. Objective: To compare the surgical outcomes of the modified Karydakis flap (MKF) versus the modified Limberg flap (MLF) in SPD. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at the general surgery department on SPD patients who were ≥18 years old. A total of 67 participants were included after obtaining the informed consent, with group A comprising 33 patients undergoing the MLF procedure and group B comprising 34 patients undergoing the MKF procedure. Results: The mean patient age was 28.85 (range, 18-44) years old. For the MKF and MLF methods, the average operating duration was 32.5 (range, 25-40) and 54.5 (range, 45-65) minutes, respectively. The MKF approach was found to significantly improve pain score, mean sitting painless time, return to normal activity, wound healing time, and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Comparative outcomes were seen between both MKF and MLF; however, our findings show that MKF is a more favourable method than MLF with superior outcomes. (AU)