RESUMO
Correct tumour restaging is pivotal for identifying the most personalised surgical treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, and works to avoid both poor oncological outcome and overtreatment. Digital rectal examination, endoscopy, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging are the recommended modalities for local tumour restaging, while chest and abdominal computed tomography are utilised for the assessment of distant disease. The optimal length of time between neoadjuvant treatment and restaging, in terms of both oncological safety and clinical effectiveness of treatment, remains unclear, especially for patients receiving prolonged total neoadjuvant therapy. The timely identification of patients who are radioresistant and at risk of disease progression remains challenging.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak (AL) remains one of the most relevant complications after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease (CD). While surgery has always been considered the standard treatment for perianastomotic collection, percutaneous drainage (PD) has been proposed as a potential alternative. METHODS: Retrospective study in consecutive patients treated with either PD or surgery for AL after intestinal resection for CD between 2004 and 2022. AL was defined as a perianastomotic fluid collection confirmed by radiological findings. Patients with generalized peritonitis or clinical instability were excluded. PRIMARY AIM: To compare the success rate of PD vs. surgery. Secondary aims: To compare the outcomes at 90 days after the procedures; to identify the variables associated with the indication for PD. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were included, of which 25 (53%) underwent PD and 22 (47%) surgery. The success rate was 84% in the PD and 95% in the surgery group (p = 0.20). There were no significant differences between the PD and surgery group in postoperative medical and surgical complications, discharge, readmission or reoperation rates at 90 days. PD was more likely to be performed in patients with later diagnosis of AL (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.53, p = 0.027), undergoing ileo-colic anastomosis alone (OR 3.72, 95% CI 2.29-12.45, p = 0.034) and treated after 2016 (OR 6.36, 95% CI 1.04-39.03, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that PD is a safe and effective procedure to treat anastomotic leak and perianastomotic collection in CD patients. PD should be indicated in all eligible patients as an effective alternative to surgery.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) is a well-established surgical technique, used to treat bilateral colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) with a small future liver remnant (FLR). However, in classical TSH, drop-out is reported to be around 25%-40%, due to insufficient FLR increase or progression of disease. Trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) has been described to control locally tumor growth of liver malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma, but it has been also reported to induce a certain degree of contralateral liver hypertrophy, even if at a lower rate compared to portal vein embolization or ligation. CASE SUMMARY: Herein we report the case of a 75-year-old female patient, where TSH and TARE were combined to treat bilateral CRLM. According to computed tomography (CT)-scan, the patient had a hepatic lesion in segment VI-VII and two other confluent lesions in segment II-III. Therefore, one-stage posterior right sectionectomy plus left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) was planned. The liver volumetry estimated a FLR of 38% (segments I-IV-V-VIII). However, due to a more than initially planned, extended right resection, simultaneous LLS was not performed and the patient underwent selective TARE to segments II-III after the first surgery. The CT-scan performed after TARE showed a reduction of the treated lesion and a FLR increase of 55%. Carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19.9 decreased significantly. Nearly three months later after the first surgery, LLS was performed and the patient was discharged without any postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: According to this specific experience, TARE was used to induce liver hypertrophy and simultaneously control cancer progression in TSH settings for bilateral CRLM.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol can effectively improve perioperative outcomes in surgical patients by reducing complication rates and hospital stay. However, its application in elderly patients has yielded contradictory results. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes in a cohort of elderly patients undergoing colorectal resection in our unit before and after the introduction of ERAS. METHODS: From 328 patients undergoing colorectal surgery in our unit over a 2-year period (2015-2016), 114 patients ≥ 75 years of age were selected. The patients were categorized according to perioperative treatment as pre-ERAS and ERAS patients (respectively, 53 vs 61 patients), and the groups were compared for statistical purposes. Outcome measures included length of hospital stay, recovery of bowel functions, oral feeding, postoperative complications, and readmissions. Compliance with the ERAS protocol was also measured. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous for all the clinical-surgical variables, with the sole exception of the Charlson index, which was more severe in the ERAS group (p = 0.012). Compared with control patients, ERAS patients reported improved functional recovery (time to first flatus, stool, and oral feeding; p < 0.001). Hospital stay was reduced in ERAS patients overall and by side of resection, excluding rectal procedures. No differences were observed regarding postoperative complications. Of note, an optimal adherence to the protocol was reported, with 79% of items respected. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS can be considered safe in elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery with a high comorbidity index, providing a reduction in hospital stay and improving short-term postoperative outcomes. Finally, the protocol application was feasible, with a high adherence to the items in this subset of patients.
