Challenges and Learning Curves in Adopting TaTME and Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Cusum Analysis.

New techniques are being developed to improve the results of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. This paper analyzes the learning curves for transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) and robot-assisted surgery in our colorectal surgery department. We analyzed retrospectively data from patients undergoing curative and elective surgery for rectal cancer ≤12 cm from the anal verge. We excluded extended surgeries. We used cumulative sum (CUSUM) curve analysis to identify inflection points. Between 2015 and 2021, 588 patients underwent surgery for rectal cancer at our center: 67 taTME and 79 robot-assisted surgeries. To overcome the operative time learning curve, 14 cases were needed for taTME and 53 for robot-assisted surgery. The morbidity rate started to decrease after the 17th case in taTME and after the 49th case in robot-assisted surgery, but it is much less abrupt in robot-assisted group. During the initial learning phase, the rate of anastomotic leakage was higher in taTME (35.7% vs. 5.7%). Two Urological lesions occurred in taTME but not in robot-assisted surgery. The conversion rate was higher in robot-assisted surgery (1.5% vs. 10.1%). Incorporating new techniques is complex and entails a transition period. In our experience, taTME involved a higher rate of serious complications than robot-assisted surgery during initial learning period but required a shorter learning curve.

Resultados clínico-oncológicos de la respuesta patológica completa en el cáncer de recto después de tratamiento neoadyuvante / Clinical and oncological results of the pathological complete response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant treatment

Introduction Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for rectal cancer in order to reduce local recurrence. Patients with a pathological complete response (PCR) have a better prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of PCR on the oncological outcomes in our patients. Methods All patients with stage ii/iii rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and radical resection between 2007 and 2011were identified from a prospective database, and grouped based on whether they achieved PCR or not (non-PCR). Clinical, histological and oncological outcome data were compared. Results A total of 162 patients were included (62% men), with a mean age of 65 years. In terms of pre-operative TNM staging, 82 patients (50%) were T2, 75 (46%) were T3, and 5 (3%) were T4. Forty-two patients (25%) were N1, and 87 (53%) were N2. Low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection were performed in 125 (77%) and 25 (15%) patients. Forty-three patients (26.5%) had postoperative morbidity. PCR was achieved in 19 patients (11.7%). After a median follow-up of 26 months, there are no recurrences in the PCR group, and in the non-PCR group, local recurrence was 1.4% (P = .78), and distant metastasis was 8.4% (P = .21). Overall survival (P = .39) and survival free of diseases (P = .23) were better in the PCR group, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion Patients with pathological complete response have better oncological outcome (AU)

Introducción La radioquimioterapia es el tratamiento de elección en el cáncer de recto para conseguir el control de la enfermedad. Los pacientes con respuesta patológica completa (RPC) presentan mejor pronóstico. El objetivo del trabajo es conocer nuestra incidencia de RPC y analizar los resultados oncológicos. Métodos Pacientes con neoplasia de recto estadios ii/iii , recogidos prospectivamente en el periodo comprendido entre 2007 y 2011. Los pacientes son sometidos a neoadyuvancia y a cirugía radical. Se dividen en 22 grupos según tengan o no RPC y se comparan las variables demográficas, clínicas e histológicas y su relación con la evolución oncológica. Resultados Se analizan 162 pacientes (62% varones) con una edad media de 65 a. La incidencia de RPC es del 11,7% (19 pacientes). El 50% de los pacientes son T2, el 46% son T3 y el 3% son T4, mientras que el 25% son N1 y el 53% son N2 antes de la neoadyuvancia. En 25 pacientes (15%)se ha practicado una amputación de recto y en 125 (77%) una resección anterior baja. La morbilidad global es del 26,5%(43 pacientes). Con una mediana de seguimiento de 26 meses, ningún paciente con RPC ha presentado recurrencia tumoral. En el grupo de NO-RPC la recidiva local es del 1,4% (p = 0,78) y las metástasis del 8,4% (p = 0,21), siendo la supervivencia global y la libre de enfermedad mayor en el grupo con RPC pero sin diferencias significativas (p = 0,39, p = 0,23). Conclusión La presencia de RPC después de tratamiento neoadyuvante se relaciona con mejores resultados oncológicos (AU)

[Clinical and oncological results of the pathological complete response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant treatment]. / Resultados clínico-oncológicos de la respuesta patológica completa en el cáncer de recto después de tratamiento neoadyuvante.

INTRODUCTION: Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for rectal cancer in order to reduce local recurrence. Patients with a pathological complete response (PCR) have a better prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of PCR on the oncological outcomes in our patients. METHODS: All patients with stage ii/iii rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and radical resection between 2007 and 2011 were identified from a prospective database, and grouped based on whether they achieved PCR or not (non-PCR). Clinical, histological and oncological outcome data were compared. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients were included (62% men), with a mean age of 65 years. In terms of pre-operative TNM staging, 82 patients (50%) were T2, 75 (46%) were T3, and 5 (3%) were T4. Forty-two patients (25%) were N1, and 87 (53%) were N2. Low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection were performed in 125 (77%) and 25 (15%) patients. Forty-three patients (26.5%) had postoperative morbidity. PCR was achieved in 19 patients (11.7%). After a median follow-up of 26 months, there are no recurrences in the PCR group, and in the non-PCR group, local recurrence was 1.4% (P=.78), and distant metastasis was 8.4% (P=.21). Overall survival (P=.39) and survival free of diseases (P=.23) were better in the PCR group, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: Patients with pathological complete response have better oncological outcome.

Vólvulo de colon y recidiva del vólvulo: ¿qué debemos hacer? / Colonic volvulus and recurrence of volvulus: what should we do?

Introducción: El vólvulo de colon (VC) es una patología infrecuente en nuestro medio que cursa con clínica de oclusión intestinal; el manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico es una constante controversia. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar nuestra serie, analizar los resultados y plantear una actitud terapéutica para disminuir la recidiva del vólvulo. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de VC entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2009.Resultados Se incluye a 54 pacientes que presentaron un total de 89 episodios de VC, con una edad media de 74 años y con un 70% de patología asociada, destacando un 44% de casos con estreñimiento y un 53% con enfermedades neurológicas. El vólvulo se localiza en sigma en el 87% de los casos y en el colon derecho en el 13%. El 92% de los casos presentó clínica de oclusión. El tratamiento endoscópico tuvo una eficacia del 61% y se practicó cirugía urgente en el 31% de los casos y en el 40% de los primeros episodios de VC. El 62% de los casos tratados sin cirugía presentó recidiva del vólvulo y en éstos se realizó cirugía en el 72%. En el total de la serie se realiza cirugía en 35 casos (64%); la sigmoidectomía con anastomosis primaria es la técnica más empleada. La mortalidad global de la serie fue de 7 casos (12%) y del 16% en los casos de cirugía por recidiva. Conclusiones La técnica diagnóstica y terapéutica inicial del VC es la endoscopia descompresiva. La cirugía electiva precoz evita la alta tasa de recidiva asociada a mayor mortalidad (AU)

Introduction: Colonic volvulus (CV) is an uncommon disease in our country, which may present clinically as an intestinal obstruction or occlusion. Its diagnosis and therapeutic management remains controversial. The objective of this article is to present our series, analyse the results and establish a therapeutic approach to decrease the recurrence of the volvulus. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of patients diagnosed with CV between January 1997 and December 2009. Results: The study included 54 patients, with a mean age of 74 years, who had a total of 89 CV episodes. There was associated disease in 70% of the cases, which included 44% with constipation and 53% with neurological diseases. The volvulus was located in the sigmoid in 87% of cases and in the right colon in 13%. The large majority (92%) of cases had intestinal obstruction. Endoscopic treatment was effective in 61% and urgent surgery was performed in 31% of the cases, and in 40% of the first episodes of CV. There was recurrence of volvulus in 62% of cases treated with surgery, and surgery was performed in 72% of these. In the whole series, surgery was performed in 35 cases (64%), with sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis being the technique most employed. The overall mortality of the series was 7 cases (12%), with 16% being in cases of surgery due to recurrence. Conclusions: The diagnostic technique and initial treatment of CV is endoscopic decompression. Early elective surgery prevents the high recurrence rate associated with highermortality (AU)

[Colonic volvulus and recurrence of volvulus: what should we do?]. / Vólvulo de colon y recidiva del vólvulo: ¿qué debemos hacer?

INTRODUCTION: Colonic volvulus (CV) is an uncommon disease in our country, which may present clinically as an intestinal obstruction or occlusion. Its diagnosis and therapeutic management remains controversial. The objective of this article is to present our series, analyse the results and establish a therapeutic approach to decrease the recurrence of the volvulus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of patients diagnosed with CV between January 1997 and December 2009. RESULTS: The study included 54 patients, with a mean age of 74 years, who had a total of 89 CV episodes. There was associated disease in 70% of the cases, which included 44% with constipation and 53% with neurological diseases. The volvulus was located in the sigmoid in 87% of cases and in the right colon in 13%. The large majority (92%) of cases had intestinal obstruction. Endoscopic treatment was effective in 61% and urgent surgery was performed in 31% of the cases, and in 40% of the first episodes of CV. There was recurrence of volvulus in 62% of cases treated with surgery, and surgery was performed in 72% of these. In the whole series, surgery was performed in 35 cases (64%), with sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis being the technique most employed. The overall mortality of the series was 7 cases (12%), with 16% being in cases of surgery due to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic technique and initial treatment of CV is endoscopic decompression. Early elective surgery prevents the high recurrence rate associated with higher mortality.