Rectal Cancer Survival for Residual Carcinoma In Situ Vs. Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer is associated with improved survival. It is unclear whether residual carcinoma in situ portends a similar outcome. OBJECTIVE: To compare survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy and achieved pathologic carcinoma in situ versus pathologic complete response. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: National public database. PATIENTS: A total of 4,594 patients in the National Cancer Database from 2006 to 2016 with locally advanced rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy, underwent surgery, and had node-negative, ypTis or ypT0 on final pathology were included. 4,321 (94.1%) had ypT0 and 273 (5.9%) had ypTis on final pathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall survival. RESULTS: Median age was 60 years. 1,822 patients (39.7%) were female. 54.5% (n = 2,503) had stage II disease and 45.5% (n = 2,091) had stage III disease on initial staging. The ypTis group had decreased overall survival compared to the ypT0 group (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04-1.95, p = 0.028). Other factors associated with decreased overall survival were an older age at diagnosis, increasing Charlson-Deyo score, and poorly differentiated tumor grade. Variables associated with improved survival were female sex, private insurance, and receipt of both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. For the total cohort, there was no difference in survival between clinical stage 2 versus stage 3. LIMITATIONS: Standard therapy versus total neoadjuvant therapy were unable to be abstracted. Overall survival was defined as time from surgery to death from any cause or last contact, allowing for some erroneously misclassified deaths. CONCLUSIONS: ypTis is associated with worse overall survival than ypT0 for locally advanced rectal cancer patients who receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. For this cohort, clinical stage was not a significant predictor of survival. Prospective trials comparing survival for these pathologic outcomes are needed. See Video Abstract.

Assessing the Association Between Endoscopic Tattooing and Lymph Node Yield in Rectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative endoscopic tattooing is an effective tool for intraoperative tumor localization in colon cancer. Endoscopic tattooing in rectal cancer may have unidentified benefits on lymph node yield, making it easier for pathologists to identify nodes during histopathologic assessment. There remains concern that tattoo ink may alter anatomical planes, increasing surgical difficulty. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews from 2016 to 2021 of n = 170 patients presenting with rectal cancer were divided into two groups: with (n = 79) and without (n = 91) endoscopic tattoos. Demographics, operative details, tumor characteristics, prior chemoradiation, and pathologic details were collected. Primary outcome was total lymph node yield. Secondary outcomes were rates of adequate (> 12) nodes, margin status, and operative variables including operative time. RESULTS: No differences between pathologic stage, tumor height, high inferior mesenteric artery ligation, operative times, conversion rate, or surgical approach (open versus minimally invasive) were noted between groups. Receipt of neoadjuvant chemoradiation was less frequent in the endoscopic tattooing group (53.2% versus 76.9%, P ≤ 0.001). Total node number and rate of adequate lymph node yield were higher with endoscopic tattooing (20.5 ± 7.6 versus 16.8 ± 6.6 lymph nodes and 100.0% versus 83.5% adequate lymph node harvest, both P ≤ 0.001). Rates of positive circumferential and distal margins and complete total mesorectal excision were also similar. Regression analysis identified endoscopic tattooing (Incidence Risk Ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.31) and operative time more than 300 min (Incidence Risk Ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.99) had significant effects on lymph node harvest. Removal of patients with inadequate lymph node yield resulted in similar rates of total and positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic rectal tattooing is associated with increased lymph node yield (including after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy) without sacrificing oncologic or perioperative outcomes, although this effect is inconsistent when only considering patients with an adequate lymph node yield.

Optimizing Appropriate Disposal of Unused Postoperative Opioid: What Happens to Unused Medication?

BACKGROUND: Increase in opioid prescribing practices has occurred with concurrent increases in the levels of abuse, addiction, and diversion of opioid pain medication. With 82.5 opioid prescriptions prescribed for every 100 U.S. citizens, the need for more effective strategies aimed at improving opioid disposal exist. Our study sought to examine the planned rates of appropriate opioid disposal after introduction of an activated charcoal home drug disposal system (Deterra®) in combination with formalized opioid disposal education. METHODS: Participants were recruited from an academic, public safety-net hospital and grouped into 3 cohorts, no formalized opioid disposal education (No Education), written and verbal patient education on appropriate opioid disposal (Education), and Deterra® in addition to formalized opioid disposal education (Deterra). Outcomes included patients reporting unacceptable methods of opioid disposal, storage of unused opiates, and patient satisfaction with disposal instructions. RESULTS: Reported unacceptable opioid disposal decreased from 80.6% (n = 87) in the no education group to 20% (n = 10) in the education group to 6% (n = 3) in the Deterra group (P < .001). Education decreased long-term storage of opioid medication after completion of usage from 42% (n = 36) to 2% (n = 1), P < .001. Between the education and Deterra groups, more patients felt that the disposal instructions were clear (94% (n = 47) vs 73% (n = 36), P = .006) and more followed acceptable disposal instructions (80% (n = 39) vs 94% (n = 47) P < .001). CONCLUSION: Deterra® along with formal opioid disposal education increases patients reporting plans for compliance with appropriate opioid disposal.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Incidental Colonic Diverticulosis.

INTRODUCTION: The true prevalence and pathogenesis of diverticulosis is poorly understood. Risk factors for diverticulosis are presently unclear, with most clinicians attributing its development to years of chronic constipation. Previous studies have been limited by their failure to include young, ethnically diverse patient populations. METHODS: Patients who presented to the emergency department of our hospital from January-September 2019 and underwent abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan for the evaluation of appendicitis were included. CT's were reviewed for the presence of diverticulosis. Risk factors for diverticulosis were determined for two age groups: >40 and ≤ 40. RESULTS: A total of 359 patients were included in the study. The median age was 38.57.1% were male. 81.6% were Hispanic. 43.5% had colonic diverticulosis on CT. 198 patients (55.1%) were ≤ age 40. The rate of diverticulosis in this group was 35.3% (n = 70). Those with diverticulosis were not significantly older (median age 29 versus 27, P = 0.061) but had a higher median body mass index (BMI) (28.4 versus 25.3, P = 0.003) compared to those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, no characteristics were associated with the presence of diverticulosis for this group. Over age 40, 53.4% of patients (n = 86) had diverticulosis. Patients with diverticulosis were more likely to be Hispanic (95.3% versus 73.3%, P ≤ 0.001), less likely to be Asian (2.4% versus 16.0%, P = 0.004), had a higher median BMI (28.7 versus 25.5, P ≤ 0.001), and were more likely to use alcohol (30.2% versus 14.7%, P = 0.024) than those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, characteristics associated with the presence of diverticulosis were BMI >30 (odds ratio OR 2.22, 95% confidence interval CI 1.03-4.80), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 10.05, 95% CI 1.74-58.26), and alcohol use (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.26-9.39). CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher rate of asymptomatic diverticulosis in the <40 cohort than previously reported in the literature. Obesity, alcohol use, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with the presence of diverticulosis in patients > age 40, but no risk factors for diverticulosis were identified for patients ≤ age 40, suggesting that diverticular pathogenesis may differ by age. Constipation was not a risk factor for diverticulosis in either age group. The data regarding the prevalence of diverticulosis in Hispanic patients is lacking and should be the focus of future inquiry.

Endoscopy Reports for Rectosigmoid Tumors: Frequently Missing Key Information Needed for Surgical Planning.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopy reports by gastroenterologists describing rectosigmoid tumors often are missing crucial data for surgical planning, leading to high rates of repeat exams before surgical decision-making. We hypothesize that there will be significant deficiencies in the endoscopic reporting of rectosigmoid lesions leading to high rates of repeat endoscopic examination at our institution. METHODS: Retrospective review from January 2016 to November 2019 included 188 patients with rectosigmoid lesions referred for surgery with an outside endoscopy report. Three criteria were abstracted from these reports or included pictures: (1) distance from the tumor to an anatomical landmark (anal verge, dentate line, sphincter), (2) Tattoo placement (if performed) and location, and (3) tumor relationship to the valves of Houston. Reports were classified exemplary, nearly adequate, or inadequate if 3, 2, and ≤ 1 of these criteria were met, respectively. RESULTS: Distance was reported in 38.8% (n = 73) of reports, with the anal verge being the most commonly reported anatomical landmark (32.4%, n = 61 reports). Tattoo was placed in 34.6% (n = 65), though only 21.8% (n = 41) described the location of the tattoo relative to the tumor. Relationship to the valves of Houston was seen in 29.2% (n = 55) of reports. Only 5.3% (n = 10) of outside endoscopy reports were graded as exemplary, 20.2% (n = 38) nearly adequate, and the remaining 74.5% (n = 140) inadequate. A total of 87.5% (n = 165) of patients required repeat endoscopy with a significantly higher proportion from the inadequate group. CONCLUSIONS: Many referring endoscopy reports contain inadequate information for the surgical planning of rectosigmoid tumor resection. Efforts to improve documentation (particularly about distance and location within the rectum) must be undertaken.

Do or doughnut: A systematic review and pooled analysis on the utility of pathological evaluation of the anastomotic doughnut in oncological colorectal operations.

AIM: End-to-end anastomosis staplers are frequently used in colorectal surgery, generating two anastomotic doughnuts. Whether pathological evaluation of the doughnut changes clinical practice remains unclear. We aim to identify any effects of pathological evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts after oncological colorectal surgery. METHOD: We performed a systematic literature search utilizing PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science databases and selected studies on evaluation of the anastomotic doughnut after oncological colorectal surgery with stapled end-to-end anastomosis. Outcome measures included: involved distal margin on the oncological sample, histological involvement of the doughnut, clinical change in management from a positive doughnut and study recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 5761 studies identified, eight studies encompassing 1754 patients were evaluated. Most operations were for primary colon (37.5%) or rectal adenocarcinoma (37.5%). Incidence of distal margin involvement of the oncological sample was reported in three papers, with six positive cases (1.1%). Of the 1754 doughnut pairs evaluated, five were positive for neoplasia (0.29%), three for adenomas (0.18%) and one for metaplastic polyp (0.06%), none of which changed postoperative treatment. Four studies recommended abandoning routine histopathological evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts, while the remaining four recommended evaluation only under certain criteria, including gross distal margin <2 cm (one study), gross distal margin <3 cm (one study), tumours undetected on gross examination (one study), 'histologically aggressive cancers' or grossly involved distal margin (one study). CONCLUSION: Routine evaluation of anastomotic doughnuts should be reconsidered, as <1% are positive for neoplasia. Exceptions may include specific scenarios where histopathology is likely to be clinically useful.

"Unresectable" polyp management utilizing advanced endoscopic techniques results in high rate of colon preservation.

PURPOSE: "Endoscopically unresectable" benign polyps identified during screening colonoscopy are often referred for segmental colectomy. Application of advanced endoscopic techniques can increase endoscopic polyp resection, sparing patients the morbidity of colectomy. This retrospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the success of colon preserving resection of "endoscopically unresectable" benign polyps using advanced endoscopic techniques including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, endoluminal surgical intervention, full-thickness laparo-endoscopic excision, and combined endo-laparoscopic resection. METHODS: A prospectively maintained institutional database identified 95 patients referred for "endoscopically unresectable" benign polyps from 2015 to 2018. Cases were compared to 190 propensity score matched controls from the same database undergoing elective laparoscopic colectomy for other reasons. Primary outcome was rate of complete endoscopic polyp removal. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, unplanned 30-day readmission and reoperation, 30-day mortality, and post-procedural complications. RESULTS: Advanced endoscopic techniques achieved complete polyp removal without colectomy in 66 patients (70%). Failure was most commonly associated with previously attempted endoscopic resection and occult malignancy. Compared with matched colectomy controls, endoscopic polyp resection resulted in significantly shorter hospital length of stay (1.13 ± 2.41 vs 3.89 ± 4.57 days; p < 0.001), lower unplanned 30-day readmission (1.1% vs 7.7%; p < 0.05), and fewer postoperative complications (4.2% vs 33.9%; p < 0.001). Unplanned 30-day reoperation (2.1% vs 4.4%; p = 0.34) and 30-day mortality (0% vs 0.6%; p = 0.75) trended lower. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection of complex polyps can be highly successful, and it is associated with favorable outcomes and decreased morbidity when compared with segmental colon resection. Attempting colon preservation using these techniques is warranted.

Dissecting the Perioperative Care Bundle.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are comprehensive perioperative care pathways designed to mitigate the physiologic stressors associated with surgery and, in turn, improve clinical outcomes and lead to health care cost savings. Although individual components may differ, ERAS protocols are typically organized as multimodal care "bundles" that, when followed closely and in their entirety, are meant to generate amplified cumulative benefits. This manuscript examines some of the critical components, describes some areas where the science is weak (but dogma may be strong), and provides some of the evidence or lack thereof behind components of a standard ERAS protocol.

Full-Thickness Laparoendoscopic Excision for Management of Complex Colon Polyps.

BACKGROUND: Benign colon polyps are increasingly being detected because of improved colonoscopic screening and early detection of masses on the adenoma-to-carcinoma pathway. Full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision is a colon-preserving technique for endoscopically unresectable polyps consisting of endoscopically guided nonanatomic wedge colectomy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and success of full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision compared to segmental colectomy for complex polyps not amenable to endoscopic resection. DESIGN: This is a retrospective case-control study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: A prospectively maintained institutional database identified 22 patients with benign complex polyps managed with full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision from 2015 to 2020. These patients were compared with 22 propensity score-matched controls from the same database that underwent laparoscopic segmental colectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was inpatient length of stay. Secondary outcomes included operative details and postoperative morbidities. RESULTS: Full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision was successful in all patients. Patients had a median age of 64 years (41-85), and 82% were men. Final pathology revealed complete excision of benign lesions in 20 of 22 patients and adenocarcinoma in 2 of 22. For the adenocarcinomas, 1 patient underwent subsequent elective colectomy without complications, and 1 patient declined surgery. Propensity score matching was successful for age, sex, BMI, ASA score, colon location, and prior abdominal surgery. Compared with controls, cases had significantly shorter operative time (89.5 minutes (46-290) vs 122 minutes (85-200), p = 0.009), length of stay (1 day (0-17) vs 3 days (1-8), p < 0.001), and reduced blood loss (5 mL (2-15) vs 25 mL (10-150), p < 0.001). Thirty-day morbidity (9.1% vs 27.3%, p = 0.240) was not significantly different. An unplanned 30-day reoperation was performed in 1 patient for suspected small-bowel obstruction. There was 1 mortality due to decompensated cirrhosis in the treatment group. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its single-institution retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision is safe and successful compared with corresponding segmental colectomy for complex polyps. Favorable postoperative outcomes, including decreased operative time, length of stay, and blood loss, make it a useful approach for managing complex polyps throughout the colon.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in the ColoCare Study: Differences by Age of Onset.

Early-onset colorectal cancer has been on the rise in Western populations. Here, we compare patient characteristics between those with early- (<50 years) vs. late-onset (≥50 years) disease in a large multinational cohort of colorectal cancer patients (n = 2193). We calculated descriptive statistics and assessed associations of clinicodemographic factors with age of onset using mutually-adjusted logistic regression models. Patients were on average 60 years old, with BMI of 29 kg/m2, 52% colon cancers, 21% early-onset, and presented with stage II or III (60%) disease. Early-onset patients presented with more advanced disease (stages III-IV: 63% vs. 51%, respectively), and received more neo and adjuvant treatment compared to late-onset patients, after controlling for stage (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 2.30 (1.82-3.83) and 2.00 (1.43-2.81), respectively). Early-onset rectal cancer patients across all stages more commonly received neoadjuvant treatment, even when not indicated as the standard of care, e.g., during stage I disease. The odds of early-onset disease were higher among never smokers and lower among overweight patients (1.55 (1.21-1.98) and 0.56 (0.41-0.76), respectively). Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease, to have received systemic treatments regardless of stage at diagnosis, and were less likely to be ever smokers or overweight.

Reduction of Opioid Overprescribing and Use Following Standardized Educational Intervention: A Survey of Patient Experiences Following Anorectal Procedures.

BACKGROUND: A pilot study conducted at our institution showed that a significant amount of prescribed postoperative opioids is left unused with the potential for diversion and misuse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of provider- and patient-targeted educational interventions on postoperative opioid prescription and use following anorectal procedures. DESIGN: Patients were enrolled on July 2019 through March 2020 after implementing educational interventions (study) and were compared with the pilot study group (control) enrolled on August 2018 through May 2019. A telephone survey was conducted 1 week postoperatively. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a 600-bed, safety-net hospital in southern California. PATIENTS: Adult patients undergoing ambulatory anorectal procedures were included. Patients who had undergone an examination under anesthesia, had been incarcerated, and had used opioids preoperatively were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Educational interventions were developed based on the pilot study results. Providers received education on recommended opioid prescription quantities and a multimodal pain regimen. Standardized patient education infographics were distributed to patients pre- and postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were total opioid prescribed, total opioid consumed, pain control satisfaction levels, and the need for additional opioid prescription. RESULTS: A total of 104 of 122 (85%) patients enrolled responded to the survey and were compared with the 112 patients included in the control group. Despite similar demographics, the study cohort was prescribed fewer milligram morphine equivalents (78.8 ± 11.3 vs 294.0 ± 33.1, p < 0.001), consumed fewer milligram morphine equivalents (23.0 ± 28.0 vs 57.1 ± 45.8, p < 0.001), and had a higher rate of nonopioid medication use (72% vs 10%, p < 0.001). The 2 groups had similar pain control satisfaction levels (4.1 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.1 out of 5, p = 0.12) and an additional opioid prescription requirement (5% vs 4%, p = 1.0). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its single-center experience with specific patient population characteristics. CONCLUSION: Educational interventions emphasizing evidence-based recommended opioid prescription quantities and regimented multimodal pain regimens are effective in decreasing excessive opioid prescribing and use without compromising satisfactory pain control in patients undergoing ambulatory anorectal procedures. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B529. REDUCCIN DE LA SOBREPRESCRIPCIN Y EL USO DE OPIOIDES DESPUS DE UNA INTERVENCIN EDUCATIVA ESTANDARIZADA UNA ENCUESTA DE LAS EXPERIENCIAS EN PACIENTES POSTOPERADOS DE PROCEDIMIENTOS ANORRECTALES: ANTECEDENTES:Un estudio piloto realizado en nuestra institución mostró que una cantidad significativa de opioides posoperatorios recetados no se usa, con potencial de desvío y uso indebido.OBJETIVO:Evaluar el impacto de las intervenciones educativas dirigidas al paciente y al proveedor sobre la prescripción y el uso de opioides posoperatorios después de procedimientos anorrectales.DISEÑO:Los pacientes se incluyeron entre julio de 2019 y marzo de 2020 después de implementar intervenciones educativas (estudio) y se compararon con el grupo de estudio piloto (control) inscrito entre agosto de 2018 y mayo de 2019. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica una semana después de la cirugía.ENTORNO CLÍNICO:Hospital de 600 camas en el sur de California.PACIENTES:Pacientes adultos sometidos a procedimientos anorrectales ambulatorios. Los criterios de exclusión fueron pacientes que recibieron un examen bajo anestesia, pacientes encarcelados y uso preoperatorio de opioides.INTERVENCIONES:Se desarrollaron intervenciones educativas basadas en los resultados del estudio piloto. Los proveedores recibieron educación sobre las cantidades recomendadas de opioides recetados y un régimen multimodal para el dolor. Se distribuyeron infografías estandarizadas de educación para el paciente antes y después de la operación.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Opioide total prescrito, opioide total consumido, niveles de satisfacción del control del dolor y necesidad de prescripción adicional de opioides.RESULTADOS:Un total de 104 de 122 (85%) pacientes inscritos respondieron a la encuesta y se compararon con los 112 pacientes incluidos en el grupo de control. A pesar de una demografía similar, a la cohorte del estudio se le prescribió menos miligramos de equivalente de morfina (MME) (78,8 ± 11,3 frente a 294,0 ± 33,1, p <0,001), consumió menos MME (23,0 ± 28,0 frente a 57,1 ± 45,8, p <0,001) y presentaron una mayor tasa de uso de medicamentos no opioides (72% vs 10%, p <0,001). Los dos grupos tenían niveles similares de satisfacción del control del dolor (4,1 ± 1,3 frente a 3,9 ± 1,1 de 5, p = 0,12) y la necesidad de prescripción de opioides adicionales (5% frente a 4%, p = 1,0).LIMITACIONES:Experiencia en un solo centro con características específicas de la población de pacientes.CONCLUSIÓN:Las intervenciones educativas que enfatizan las cantidades recomendadas de prescripción de opioides basadas en la evidencia y los regímenes de dolor multimodales reglamentados son efectivas para disminuir la prescripción y el uso excesivos de opioides sin comprometer el control satisfactorio del dolor en pacientes sometidos a procedimientos anorrectales ambulatorios. Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B529.

LigaSure™ haemorrhoidectomy and the risk of postoperative bleeding.

AIM: LigaSure™ is an electro-surgical device that has increasingly been utilized in haemorrhoid surgery. However, recent literature has highlighted a possible increased risk of delayed postoperative bleeding following LigaSure haemorrhoidectomy (LH). We aim to evaluate the rates of postoperative bleeding following LigaSure compared to Ferguson (closed) haemorrhoidectomy (FH). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken at our single academic safety-net county hospital from August 2016 through July 2019 evaluating patients who received FH or LH. Patient demographics, surgical data, postoperative emergency department visit for pain or bleeding within 30 days and resulting transfusion requirement, and rates of readmission and interventions within 30 days were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-one FH and 66 LH patients were identified. The groups had no difference in demographics. The LH group and FH group had similar rates of postoperative emergency department visits (29% vs. 23%, P = 0.454), as well as visits for bleeding (20% vs. 11%, P = 0.204). The average operating time was also significantly shorter with LH (14.5 min vs. 24.9 min, P ≤ 0.001). On multivariate analysis, male sex (OR 7.28, 95% CI 1.88-28.25) and haemorrhoid grade ≤2 (OR 4.64, 95% CI 1.31-16.49) were significantly associated with postoperative bleeding on multivariate analysis. Use of LH was not independently associated with postoperative bleeding risk (OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.70-5.11). CONCLUSIONS: LH and FH have similar risks for postoperative bleeding and other complications. Male sex and haemorrhoid Grades 1 or 2 may be associated with increased postoperative bleeding risk. Excisional haemorrhoidectomy should be undertaken with caution for male patients with lower internal haemorrhoid grades.

Characteristics of Early-Onset vs Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Review.

Importance: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (younger than 50 years) is rising globally, the reasons for which are unclear. It appears to represent a unique disease process with different clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics compared with late-onset colorectal cancer. Data on oncological outcomes are limited, and sensitivity to conventional neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy regimens appear to be unknown. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available literature on early-onset colorectal cancer. Observations: Within the next decade, it is estimated that 1 in 10 colon cancers and 1 in 4 rectal cancers will be diagnosed in adults younger than 50 years. Potential risk factors include a Westernized diet, obesity, antibiotic usage, and alterations in the gut microbiome. Although genetic predisposition plays a role, most cases are sporadic. The full spectrum of germline and somatic sequence variations implicated remains unknown. Younger patients typically present with descending colonic or rectal cancer, advanced disease stage, and unfavorable histopathological features. Despite being more likely to receive neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, patients with early-onset disease demonstrate comparable oncological outcomes with their older counterparts. Conclusions and Relevance: The clinicopathological features, underlying molecular profiles, and drivers of early-onset colorectal cancer differ from those of late-onset disease. Standardized, age-specific preventive, screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies are required to optimize outcomes.

COVID-19 Impact on Colorectal Daily Practice-How Long Will It Take to Catch Up?

BACKGROUND: All elective surgeries have been postponed at our institution starting 3/16/20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed changes in hospital resource utilization and estimated the future backlog of cases in the colorectal surgery division of a large safety-net hospital. METHODS: Patients undergoing colorectal procedures from 3/16/20 to 4/23/20 (COVID) were compared with those from January through June 2018 (historical). Resource utilization rates were calculated by weekly case volumes and hospital stay in each group. A future catch up timeframe and new wait times from scheduling to surgery dates were calculated. RESULTS: The COVID and historical groups included 13 and 239 patients, respectively. The COVID group showed a 74% relative decrease in weekly surgical case rates (9.2 to 2.4 patients per week). Both groups had similar lengths of stay. The COVID group had a longer average ICU stay (1.4 ± 2.5 days vs. 0.4 ± 1.2 days, P = 0.016) and a 132% increase in ICU resource utilization. Overall, the COVID group had a 48% relative decrease in hospital resource utilization, owing to reduced volume but higher acuity. If the surgery numbers returns to pre-COVID volumes, the calculated "catch up" times range from 4.6 weeks to 9.2 weeks. Wait times for new cases may increase by 70% compared with pre-COVID levels. CONCLUSION: Cancelling elective colorectal surgeries results in a decrease in overall but increase in ICU-specific resource utilization. Though necessary, cancellations result in an increasing backlog of cases that poses significant future logistical and clinical challenges in an already overburdened safety-net hospital. Effective triage systems will be critical to prioritize this backlog.

Outcomes of colostomy takedown following Hartmann's procedure: successful restoration of continuity comes with a high risk of morbidity.

AIM: Restoration of bowel continuity following a Hartmann's procedure is a major surgical undertaking associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to review the authors' experience with Hartmann's reversal. METHOD: This was a retrospective review of consecutive patients from institutional databases who were selected to undergo open or laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal at two tertiary academic referral centres and a public safety net hospital (2010-2019). The main outcome measure was the rate of successful stoma reversal. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative outcomes and procedural details. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients underwent attempted reversal during the study period, which was successful in all but three patients (98%). Patients were 59% Hispanic and 73% male, with a mean age of 48.7 ± 14.1 years, mean American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of 2.2 ± 0.6 and mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.6 ± 5.3 kg/m2 , with 39% of patients having a BMI > 30 kg/m2 . The mean time interval between the index procedure and reversal was 14.4 months, 53% of the index cases were performed at outside institutions and the most common index diagnoses were diverticulitis (54%), abdominal trauma (16%) and colorectal malignancy (15%). In 22% of cases a laparoscopic approach was used, with 42% of these requiring conversion to open. Proximal diverting stomas were created in 32 patients (21%), of which 94% were reversed. The overall morbidity rate was 54%, comprising ileus (32%), wound infection (15%) and anastomotic leak (6%), with a major morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) of 23%. CONCLUSION: Hartmann's reversal remains a highly morbid procedure. Our results suggest that operative candidates can be successfully reversed, but there is significant morbidity associated with restoration of intestinal continuity, particularly in obese patients. A laparoscopic approach may decrease morbidity in selected patients but such cases have a high conversion rate.

Laparoscopic Approach to Rectal Cancer-The New Standard?

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the way surgeons perform colorectal surgery, and new technologies continually upend the way surgeons view and operate within the deep pelvis. Among other benefits, it is associated with decreased lengths of stay, wound and surgical site infections, pain scores, and has an overall lower complication rate vs. open surgery (1). Recently, however, the role of minimally invasive surgery has been called into question in the effective and safe treatment of rectal cancer. This manuscript will outline the history of minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery, examine evidence detailing its safety (compared with alternatives), and discuss important aspects of use, most notably the considerable learning curve required to achieve proficiency, the extent of its current use, and potential pitfalls. The current evidence suggests minimally invasive surgery is a very safe way to treat rectal cancer when performed by experienced and specialty trained surgeons.

Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab with Modified FOLFOX7 in Patients with Stage II and III Rectal Cancer.

LESSONS LEARNED: Neoadjuvant bevacizumab with modified FOLFOX7 without radiation failed to meet the goal of pathological complete response rate; however, the low number of recurrence and disease-free survival in this population, with predominantly stage III, is encouraging and worth further exploration. The racial distribution of the patient population, as well as a wait time of more than 4 weeks after last chemotherapy, may have contributed to the findings. BACKGROUND: Combination chemotherapy in lieu of radiation in rectal adenocarcinoma is under exploration in multiple trials. We evaluated the efficacy of neoadjuvant FOLFOX + bevacizumab in patients (pts) with clinical stage II and III disease. METHODS: Pts received six cycles of bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) and modified FOLFOX7 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 , leucovorin 20 mg/m2 , and fluorouracil [5-FU] 2,400 mg/m2 ). Surgical resection was performed 6-8 weeks after completion of treatment and upon confirmation of nonmetastatic disease. We employed a Simon two-stage design and required three pathological complete responses (pCR) in the first 18 pts, with a prespecified pCR rate of 25% before moving to the next stage. RESULTS: Seventeen pts enrolled; 65% at stage III. Median age was 57 (35-79), 65% were male, 47% were Hispanic, 35% were white, and 18% were Asian. All pts but one completed six cycles of therapy. One pCR was observed (6%), and 11 of 17 (65%) pts had pathological downstaging. One patient experienced systemic recurrence and remains on treatment. Probability of disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 years is 0.94 (SE, 0.06). CONCLUSION: The study failed to meet the required three pCRs in the first 18 pts. The DFS in this population is encouraging and supports the hypothesis that select pts with rectal cancer may be spared from radiation.

Percutaneous drainage for hinchey Ib and II acute diverticulitis with abscess improves outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of percutaneous drainage in Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis is controversial. The aim of the present study was to clarify the indications for percutaneous drainage in such circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective review at an academic tertiary care hospital. All Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis cases admitted from 2012 to 2014 were considered. RESULTS: Overall, 104 (78%) patients underwent successful conservative treatment, whereas 30 (22%) patients underwent surgery during admission. During the index admission, abscess drainage was performed in 21 patients, of which 19 patients were successfully managed without surgery on the index admission and two patients ultimately required surgery. Elective versus same-admission surgery resulted in an increase use of laparoscopy (p=0.01), higher rate of restoration of gastrointestinal continuity with the index operation (p=0.04), and lower rate of diverting stoma formation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage may diminish the need for emergent surgery for Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis. Elective surgery following conservative management increases the use of laparoscopy and decreases the rates of stoma formation.