Acute hemorrhagic cholecystitis as a rare cause of hemobilia.

Hemobilia is an unusual type of gastrointestinal bleeding most frequently due to iatrogenic injury, trauma, or neoplasia. Acute cholecystitis as a cause of hemobilia is rare. We present the case study of a patient with bleeding from eroded gallbladder mucosa in the setting of severe calculous cholecystitis. The hemorrhagic episode was preceded by acute ERCP due to obstructive icterus with extraction of the calculi, followed by the development of severe acute pancreatitis. These factors initially misled the diagnosis. The bleeding was not hemodynamically important and routine diagnostic methods did not reveal its exact source. Direct choledochoscopy (SpyGlassTM) proved to be helpful in determining the right diagnosis, as it ruled out any injury or tumor in the main bile ducts and considerably supported the assumption of intrabladder bleeding. Surgical revision confirmed the cause, and subsequent cholecystectomy solved the whole problem.

Methodology for implementing early recovery after surgery protocols in colorectal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in colorectal surgery leads to improved quality of care and more efficient resource utilization. Despite these positive outcomes, the penetration of ERAS protocols in the Czech Republic is low. The aim of this study is to present a general methodology for implementing an ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery. METHODS: The methodology is based on the authors' extensive experience in implementing clinical protocols at various institutions in the Czech Republic, as well as published international experiences. This methodology is described in detail and supplemented with data obtained during implementation of an ERAS program at the author's institution. RESULTS: The preparatory phase includes in-depth quality of care audits and preparation of an ERAS protocol. The purpose of the audits is to identify areas of care where standardization or targeted changes in clinical practice are desirable. The implementation phase involves staff training, technical implementation support, protocol dissemination, adherence monitoring, and evaluation of a pilot phase with subsequent protocol adjustments. The evaluation phase involves data collection, maintaining a prospective database, and regular assessments. CONCLUSION: The presented methodology describes the individual steps in the process of implementing a clinical protocol into practice. This text can serve as a manual for implementing an ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery at any institution.

Ileus conditions after rectal and Hartmann's resections.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel obstruction is one of the most common postoperative complications in pelvic surgery. In most cases, adhesive mechanical ileus of the small bowel is the cause. In procedures such as Hartmann's resection or abdominoperineal rectal resection, it seems that the large wound area on the pelvic walls and pelvic floor and the dead space after the removed rectum with mesorectum contribute to the ileus condition. The aim of this paper was to identify the risk factors for ileus after selected pelvic procedures and to map the possible ways of prevention and treatment of these complications. METHODS: We performed retrospective simple analysis of a set of 98 patients who underwent elective abdominoperineal resection of the rectum, pelvic exenteration or Hartmann's resection for rectal cancer between 2017-2022. Postoperative complications were recorded, especially bowel obstruction, and perineal wound or rectal stump healing complications. In all 9 patients, who needed reoperation, we searched for risk factors for ileus known from the literature. We also described the management of ileus. RESULTS: In the group of 9 patients subjected to detailed analysis, 8 risk factors were most common: male gender, obesity, history of radiotherapy, open surgery, requirement of adhesiolysis in primary surgery, large blood loss, difficult dissection, and impaired healing of the rectal stump/perineum. A total of 8 (88.9%) patients had a combination of 4 or more of the mentioned risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the impact of risk factors known from the literature; furthermore, they indicate a connection with the formation of a dead space in the pelvis and with complications of the rectal stump or perineal wound healing. Some of the risk factors cannot be changed, and current preventive measures cannot completely prevent the formation of adhesions. It is therefore advisable to look for other materials and methods that would ideally limit the formation of adhesions and at the same time fill the dead space and thus separate it from the perineal wound.

Effect of neoadjuvant therapy on early postoperative complications in rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer is multimodal. It includes neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCHRT). NCHRT has been shown to reduce the risk of local recurrence. New treatment regimens also have a positive impact on patient survival. NCHRT leads to fibrotic changes in the pelvis and is associated with side effects. NCHRT may have a negative impact on postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether NCHRT increases the number of early postoperative complications. METHODS: An analysis of our own cohort of 200 patients with rectal cancer undergoing robotic-assisted surgery between 2018 and 2022 was performed. The cohort was divided into patients who underwent NCHRT and subsequently surgery and patients who underwent primary surgery. The two groups were compared in terms of duration of surgery, blood loss, incidence of anastomotic complications, and quality of mesorectal excision. RESULTS: Patients who underwent NCHRT had a longer operation time, by 34 minutes on average. We did not demonstrate a higher incidence of anastomotic complications in these patients. Patients who underwent primary surgery had a slightly lower blood loss and better quality of mesorectal excision during surgery. Nevertheless, complete or nearly complete mesorectal anastomosis was achieved in more than 85% of cases in both groups. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy results in postradiation changes in the lesser pelvis. These changes impair visibility and dissection during surgery. Operations after NCHRT are more technically demanding and take longer but do not have more anastomotic complications. Also, the quality of mesorectal excision is satisfactory in both groups.

Robotic resection of the rectum - what are the advantages?

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment is the most important part of multimodal management of rectal cancer. In recent years, minimally invasive surgery has been preferred. Minimally invasive procedures include laparoscopy and more recently robotic surgery. Robotic surgery has been developed to eliminate the shortcomings of laparoscopy, especially the parallel position of instruments and their limited movement. The advantages of a robotic system should be most apparent in narrow and deep spaces, i.e. the lesser pelvis. The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term results of robot-assisted surgery for rectal tumors. METHODS: The study is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 220 patients with robotic-assisted surgery for rectal cancer. The cohort was analyzed in terms of length of surgery, blood loss, number of conversions to open surgery, completeness of TME, distal and circumferential resection margin positivity, length of hospital stays and number of 30-day rehospitalizations. In addition, 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo score. RESULTS: Robotic-assisted surgeries lasted an average of 184 minutes. In total, 5 operations were converted, i.e. 2.3%. Complete mesorectum was achieved in 90% of the patients. Severe postoperative complications, Clavien-Dindo score 3-4, were observed in 14% of the patients. Anastomotic complications occurred in 9.6% of the patients. The mean length of the hospital stay was 8.4 days. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery for rectal tumors is a safe method with an acceptable rate of complications. An established training method and a high degree of standardization of the surgical procedures are indisputable advantages of robotic systems, making it possible to achieve very good results in a short time. In terms of perioperative and early postoperative outcomes, robotic surgery outperforms laparoscopic surgery in some parameters.

Circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker in metastatic colorectal carcinoma case report.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant disease worldwide. The stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis and the capture of an early recurrence have a direct impact on long-term survival. Existing control screening methods often do not reflect real-time metastatic disease. In patients with detectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), liquid biopsy can be an effective monitoring tool. CASE REPORT: In 2012, we performed sigmoid resection in a 57 years old patient for advanced CRC. The follow-up assessments included: blood samples for CA 19-9 and CEA, endoscopy and imaging methods. We also sampled peripheral blood to determine the level of ctDNA. Its value corresponded to the development of the disease throughout the period. Twice it outperformed imaging methods. CEA showed some degree of unreliability, especially after prolonged illness. CA 19-9 was in the normal range at all times. CONCLUSION: Circulating tumor DNA is an effective tool in the diagnosis of recurrent metastatic CRC. In patients with detectable ctDNA, its level correlates with the tumoral mass in real time. It has a predictive value in monitoring the treatment response. Its implementation in the follow-up of patients with CRC may have an impact on the choice of treatment strategy and consequently on patient survival.

Enhanced recovery after surgery and mini-invasive approaches in rectal cancer surgery - short-term outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term outcomes of patients undergoing mini-invasive rectal resection within an ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocol. METHODS: A prospectively managed database of patients undergoing rectal operations performed at our department between January 2015 and April 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. An ERAS protocol was implemented into clinical practice at our department in April 2016 and mini-invasive rectal procedures in May 2016. The ERAS group consisted of all patients who underwent mini-invasive rectal resections or amputations within the ERAS protocol. The control group consisted of patients who underwent open procedures and received standard perioperative care. The extracted data included basic patient characteristics, surgical data, postoperative recovery parameters, 30-day morbidity, length of postoperative stay and 30-day rehospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included in the study: 67 patients in the ERAS group and 43 in the control group. Within the ERAS group 47 patients underwent robotic procedures and 20 had laparoscopic procedures. Patients in the ERAS group had significantly better clinical and laboratory recovery parameters except for postoperative nausea and vomiting. A significantly lower incidence of paralytic ileus (20.9% vs. 3%) and a shorter length of postoperative stay (13 days vs. 9 days) was found in the ERAS group. The rehospitalization rate and 30-day morbidity were not different between the ERAS and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol in combination with mini-invasive approaches leads to better short-term postoperative outcomes after rectal surgery.

Lymph nodes detection and the mesorectal excision quality evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Detection and examination of proper number of lymph nodes in patients after rectal resection is important for next treatment and management of patients with rectal carcinoma. There are no clear guideliness for minimal count of lymph nodes, variant recommendations agree on the number of 12 (1014) nodes. There are situations, when is not easy to reach this count, mainly in older age groups and in patients after neoadjuvant, especially radiation therapy. As a modality for improvement of lymph nodes harvesting seems to be establishing of defined protocols originally designed for mesorectal excision quality evaluation. METHODS: The investigation group was formed by patients examined in 2 three-years intervals before and after implementation of the protocol. Elevation in count of harvested lymph nodes was rated generaly and in relation to age groups and gender. RESULTS: The average count of lymph nodes increased from 10 to 15 nodes, in subset of patients whose received neoadjuvant therapy from 7 to almost 14 nodes. The recommended number of lymph nodes was obtained in all investigated age groups. By the increased number of lymph nodes, rises also possibility of positive nodes found, that can lead to upstaging of the disease, in subset of patients whose received neoadjuvant therapy it is more than 4%. CONCLUSION: Our conclusions show, that forming of multidisciplinary cooperative groups (chiefly surgeon-pathologist), implementation of defined protocol of surgery, specimen manipulation and investigation by detached specialists lead to benefit consequences for further management and treatment of the patients with colorectal cancer.

[Intra-operative fluorescence angiography of colorectal anastomotic perfusion: a technical aspects]. / Technické aspekty fluorescencní angiografie pro peroperacní hodnocení perfuze anastomózy v kolorektální chirurgii.

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery is a serious complication. Tissue perfusion plays a key role for anastomotic healing. Fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green under near-infrared excitation allows a real-time perfusion assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the potential benefit of intraoperative assessment of anastomotic perfusion in colorectal surgery using indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence in near-infrared light. METHODS: 53 patients with primary anastomosis after elective colon or rectum resection were enrolled between 1 January 2016 and 31 January 2017. Near-infrared fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green was performed to assess tissue perfusion. The data of patient characteristics, data of surgery, data related to perioperative fluorescence angiography and postoperative complications were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Intraoperative fluorescence angiography was successful in 52 patients (98%). There were no adverse effects related to procedure. The mean time from indocyanine green application to visible fluorescence was 35 seconds, the mean added procedure time was 5 minutes. The best contrast was achieved by reducing the dose to 0.1 mg/kg. In 5 patients (9%), fluorescence angiography resulted in a change of the surgical plan. In two cases, the resection line was moved proximally, in two cases the anastomosis was corrected and in one case perfect perfusion of the anastomosis contributed to the decision to abandon the planned protective ileostomy. There was no postoperative anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative assessment of anastomotic perfusion in colorectal surgery by use of indocyanine green in near-infrared light is technically feasible with the potential to alter surgical strategy (including avoidance of defunctioning stoma) and to reduce the anastomotic leak rate.Key words: anastomotic leak colorectal surgery fluorescence angiography indocyanine green.

[Pilonidal sinus - diagnosis at the intersection of general and plastic surgery]. / Pilonidální sinus - diagnóza na pomezí vseobecné a plastické chirurgie.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal sinus predominantly affects young patients. Improper treatment results in long-term restrictions in everyday life and incapacity for work. The aim of the study was to find out what the results and current treatment options of pilonidal sinus are. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 67 patients treated at the Department of Surgery of the Second Medical Faculty of Charles University and Motol Hospital in the period 20102013. We evaluated the type of surgery and infectious complications in the wound, as well as age, sex, BMI, smoking, employment of the patients, duration of wound drainage, length of hospital stay, time required to complete healing of the surgical wound, the surgeons erudition and disease recurrence. RESULTS: 50 (75%) patients underwent primary closure in the midline, Limberg flap was used in 15 (22%) patients. In 2 (3%) patients, the wound was left without suture. In the group of patients who had not undergone flap reconstruction, secondary wound healing occurred in 20 (40%) patients. In the group of patients where flap reconstruction was used, secondary healing occurred in 3 patients (20%). Relapse of the disease within one year occurred in the group of patients with primary suture in the midline in 4 (8%) patients; other patients had no recurrence. CONCLUSION: According to our experience as well as literary data, the treatment of choice is the extirpation of the sinus with primary suture beyond the midline using a flap reconstruction technique.

[Our experience with peroperative choledochoscopy]. / Nase zkusenosti s peroperacní choledochoskopií.

INTRODUCTION: Choledocholithiasis is nowadays managed endoscopicaly in the majority of patients. Open surgery with CBD exploration remains important, when endoscopy failed. The completeness of stones' extraction may be confirmed with choledochoscopy. METHOD: The retrospective analysis of patients operated on choledocholithiasis within the period of seven years was performed. Two groups of patients were studied. First group was managed by choledocholithotomy followed by choledochoscopy. Second group underwent exploration of the common bile duct without choledochoscopy. Frequency of the residual stones in both groups was studied. Statistical evaluation was done using alpha2 test. The value of p < 0.05 was settled as statistically significant. RESULTS: In the study period of seven years 46 patients were operated on CBD stones. Choledocholithotomy followed by intra-operative choledochoscopy was performed in 21 patients. No remnant stones were recorded in this group. Exploration of the CBD with stone extraction without choledochoscopy was done in 25 patients. In this group residual stones occurred in 3 patients. The result was not statistically significant, p = 0.10. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience and literature, intra-operative choledochoscopy can reduce frequency of the residual CBD stones. Peroperative choledochoscopy can thus be recommended as an accessory procedure to CBD exploration to prevent stones oversight.

[Spontaneous rupture of a splenic pseudocyst]. / Spontánní ruptura pseudocysty sleziny.

In the course of chronic pancreatitis diverse complications may arise. Intraparenchymal splenic complications are very rare. In the following case the authors describe rupture of splenic pseudocyst with acute intraabdominal bleeding as a complication of chronic pancreatitis.