Mechanical bowel preparation with pre-operative oral antibiotics in elective colorectal resections: an Australian single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks (AL) and surgical site infections (SSI) are serious complications after colorectal resection. Studies have shown the benefits of pre-operative oral antibiotics (OAB) with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) in reducing AL and SSI rates. We aim to investigate our experience with the short-term outcomes of AL and SSI following elective colorectal resections in patients receiving OAB with MBP versus MBP only. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed from our database for patients who underwent elective colorectal resection between January 2019 and November 2021. Prior to August 2020, OAB was not used as part of MBP. After 2020, Neomycin and Metronidazole were used in conjunction with MBP. We evaluated differences in AL and SSI between both groups. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventeen patients were included from our database with 247 having MBP while 270 had OAB and MBP. There was a significantly lower rate of AL in patients receiving MBP and OAB as compared to MBP alone (0.4% versus 3.0%, P-value = 0.03). The SSI rate at our institution was 4.4%. It was lower in patients with MBP and OAB as compared to MBP alone, but this was not clinically significant (3.3% versus 5.7%, P-value = 0.19). CONCLUSION: The association in the reduction of AL with the addition of OAB to the MBP protocol seen here reinforces the need for future randomized controlled trials in the Australasian context. We recommend colorectal institutions in Australian and New Zealand consider OAB with MBP as part of their elective colorectal resection protocol.

Rare case of adult intestinal hypoganglionosis and review of the literature.

Intestinal hypoganglionosis is a rare condition in adults. We report a case of intestinal hypoganglionosis in the mid-distal transverse colon to splenic flexure in a 65-year-old female patient presenting with altered bowel habit and abdominal distension, and reviewed the current literature on this topic. Our patient had a medical history of neurofibromatosis type 1. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a grossly dilated transverse colon without obstruction. A laparotomy for subtotal colectomy was performed, with histopathology demonstrating intestinal hypoganglionosis.

Preoperative anaemia and thrombocytopenia are associated with venous thromboembolism complications after colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have shown that abnormal levels of haemoglobin and platelets may be associated with worse post-operative outcomes. We aim to compare the rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE), anastomotic leak and other complications in patients post-colorectal resection with normal and abnormal levels of haemoglobin and platelets. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 1610 patients from July 2010 to June 2015 in a single colorectal unit. Our primary outcome was the rate of VTE and anastomotic leak in anaemic and thrombocytopenic patients. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, 30-day mortality, return to theatre, transfusion rates and Clavien-Dindo classification complications. RESULTS: VTE complications were more common in anaemic patients, and this difference became more pronounced with the severity of anaemia. Other complications such as length of stay >2 weeks occurred more frequently in anaemic and thrombocytopenic patients. A trend towards higher rates of 30-day mortality and anastomotic leak was noted in patients with anaemia and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Anaemia and thrombocytopenia are associated with worse outcomes including length of stay, anastomotic leak, VTE and 30-day mortality.

Management options for rectal variceal bleeding in the setting of hepatic encephalopathy.

Bleeding related to rectal varices associated with portal hypertension is rare but life-threatening, and requires prompt treatment. We reviewed the literature for patients with this complex presentation and current recommendations, and commented on a case at our institution of a 68-year-old man with Child-Pugh B alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy who presented with profuse life-threatening rectal variceal bleeding. Treatment options for rectal varices in patients with hepatic encephalopathy were reviewed and a management algorithm was devised from current knowledge in the literature. We suggest endoscopic management, and if unsuccessful then to proceed to angioembolization and/or balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration, which may be used in conjunction with surgical management. The chosen therapeutic option may depend on the clinical condition of the patient, the cause of portal hypertension and clinical expertise or facilities available. Given that transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunting is contraindicated in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, management of life-threatening rectal variceal bleeding should be multimodal.

How to do a complete mesocolic excision and central vascular ligation.

We describe an approach for complete mesocolic excision and central vessel ligation utilizing a robotic platform. We describe the steps in detail focusing on a superior mesenteric vein-first approach.

Neuroendocrine tumour developing within a long-standing tailgut cyst: case report and review of the literature.

A tailgut cyst is a rare congenital lesion that can develop in the presacral space from the remnants of an embryonic hindgut. It is unusual for malignant change to occur in a tailgut cyst. We report a case of a large long-standing tailgut cyst, which was removed during a laparotomy. Histopathology showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (primary carcinoid tumour) arising in a tailgut cyst. We reviewed the English literature for all adult cases with this condition. All original articles were reviewed, and data were compiled and tabulated. Including this report, 29 cases of NET developing in a tailgut cyst were found in the English literature. Tailgut cysts have been reported as more common in females, with a mean age of presentation in the fifth decade (Devine, in: Zbar A, Wexner S (eds) Coloproctology. Springer specialist surgery series, Springer, London, 2010; Hjermstad and Helwig in Am J Clin Pathol 89:139-147, 1988). Tailgut cysts may undergo malignant change including adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, and NET (Mathis et al. Br J Surg 97:575-579, 2010; Messick in Dis Colon Rectum 61:151-153, 2018; Patsouras et al. in Colorectal Dis 17:724-729, 2015; Chereau et al in Colorectal Dis 15:e476-e482, 2013). It is difficult to estimate the true incidence of malignant change in a tailgut cyst, with the literature reports only limited to case reports and small-case series. Although rare, our case confirms need to consider the possibility of a malignant component, even in a benign process such as a tailgut cyst. This prompts consideration for upfront definitive management.

Helicobacter pylori Colonisation in Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in Meckel Diverticulum: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal system. Although most Meckel diverticula are asymptomatic, they can also present with bleeding, obstruction, or perforation. Helicobacter pylori is pathognomonic for the development of a peptic ulcer. We present a case report of a patient with a Meckel diverticulum with Helicobacter pylori colonising its heterotopic gastric mucosa. This is a rare histopathologic finding. We also reviewed the literature of other similar cases published in English.

Plastic bread clip impacted in gastrointestinal tract: a case report and review of the literature.

A 79-year-old initially presented to her general practitioner for a 6-week history of nausea, intermittent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Colonoscopy was performed to investigate her symptoms and revealed a bread clip that was adherent to the sigmoid colon mucosa, unable to be retrieved. A CT scan was performed to exclude any associated complication, which showed no evidence of perforation or collection. A repeat colonoscopy by a more experienced endoscopist again failed to retrieve the bread clip. Eventually, the bread clip had to be removed through a laparotomy and colotomy. We performed a thorough literature review, which revealed 26 studies (totalling 38 cases) of bread clip ingestion. Many of the reported cases presented with abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, or perforation and carried a small mortality risk.

Comparison of the Thunderbeat and Other Energy Devices in Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: The THUNDERBEAT (TB) is a relatively novel energy device that is used in laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR), which integrates both ultrasonic and bipolar energy. There are limited data on its use in LCR, compared with bipolar diathermy (LigaSure™ [LS]) or ultrasonically generated heat (Harmonic ACE [HA]). The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients undergoing LCR with TB versus LS or HA, for both benign and malignant colorectal diseases. Methods: This study is a prospective trial using retrospective controls in patients undergoing LCR. The study period was over 6 months from June 2015, during which all elective laparoscopic colonic resections were performed using TB only. The retrospective control population included all consecutive patients who underwent LCR during the preceding 6 months, using either LS or HA. The primary outcome measure was the total operative time. Secondary outcome measures evaluated were rates of postoperative surgical complications, mortality, and length of stay. Results: A total of 114 patients were included in the study. Median operative time was not significantly different between LS/HA and TB arms (246 versus 240 minutes, P = .779). Both arms showed no device failure. There was equivalent rate of intraoperative complications (P = .755) and conversion to open surgery (P = .075). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative morbidity (P = .938) and mortality (P = .392) observed between the two arms. There was also no difference in the length of stay between LS/HA and TB arms (6 versus 7 days, P = .085). Conclusions: Our dataset has the largest number of cases comparing TB and other energy devices in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. They all appear to be equally safe and effective. Operating the TB device does not require a steep learning curve and utilizes similar techniques transferable from the use of other conventional energy devices.

Is early colonoscopy after CT-diagnosed diverticulitis still necessary?

PURPOSE: WHO GLOBOCAN 2012 data showed that Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer in the world (Ferlay et al. 1). Current guidelines recommend that patients admitted for an episode of acute diverticulitis require an early follow-up colonoscopy to rule out colorectal malignancy as reported by Fozard et al. (Colorectal Dis 13:1-11, 2011). Recent studies however have indicated that this may not be warranted (Brar et al. Dis Colon rectum 56:1259-1264, 2013). This study aimed to review the current practice by looking at our institution's rate of colorectal malignancy diagnosed after an episode of acute diverticulitis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who presented with acute diverticulitis at our institution between 2011 and 2013. Included in the study were patients who received follow-up colonic evaluation in the next 12 months after admission. Patients who had a colonoscopy in the last year prior to emergency presentation were excluded. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of histologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma diagnosed on follow-up colonoscopy. Secondary outcome measures were incidence of low-grade or advanced adenoma on follow-up colonic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 523 cases of acute diverticulitis were diagnosed on CT scan. Out of 351 patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis, 196 had follow-up colonoscopy, with one case of colorectal malignancy recorded. Low-grade and advanced adenomas were found on 10.7 and 2.0% of colonoscopies performed respectively in this subgroup. Seventy-four out of 172 patients with complicated diverticulitis had follow-up evaluation, with four cases of colorectal malignancy discovered. Low-grade and advanced adenomas were found on 6.75 and 5.41% of colonoscopies performed respectively in this subgroup. CONCLUSION: Routine interval colonoscopy following an episode of conservatively managed uncomplicated diverticulitis may not be necessary. Interval colonoscopy is still indicated in patients with complicated diverticulitis. Further collaborative study across different institutions may be warranted to gain better statistical significance.

Management of Early Node-Positive Breast Cancer in Australia: A Multicentre Study.

To examine practice patterns for breast cancer patients with limited sentinel node (SN) disease in light of the ACOSOG Z0011 results. Retrospective analysis of patients with T1-2 breast cancer and positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) admitted between January 2009 and December 2012. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatments were recorded. Eight hundred positive SLNBs were identified. A total of 452 (56.5%) proceeded to completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND). cALND rate decreased from 65.1% to 49.7% from 2009-2010 to 2011-2012. cALND was performed for micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells in 39.3% in 2009-2010 and 22.2% in 2011-2012, whereas for macrometastases the rates were 83.1% and 68.6%, respectively. cALND rates diminished for both Z0011-eligible and -ineligible patients. The ACOSOG Z0011 trial presentation and publication coincided with a reduction in cALND for breast cancer with limited nodal disease. There appears equipoise regarding management of macrometastatic SN disease.

Complete abdominal wall disruption with herniation following blunt injury: case report and review of the literature.

Acute traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare type of hernia that occurs after a low- or high-velocity impact of the abdominal wall against a blunt object. With few cases reported, a consensus in diagnosis and management has not been established in the literature. A systematic review of the literature for adult cases of traumatic abdominal wall hernia due to blunt abdominal trauma was undertaken. All original articles were reviewed and data were compiled and tabulated qualitatively. Diagnostic imaging modalities and their reported description of the abdominal wall hernia were detailed correlated with the laparotomy findings. We also report a case of TAWH following blunt abdominal trauma, and describe integration of this management into clinical practice. Fifty-five cases of adult TAWH were found in the English literature. Most hernias contained either small bowel (69%) or large bowel (36%), with 16% of TAWH containing both. Concurrent intra-abdominal injuries were seen in 60% of cases, with an almost equal number of associated bowel (44%) and solid organ (35%) injuries. Twenty percent of diagnosis of TAWH was delayed, ranging from 2 days to 9 years. While TAWH is uncommon, a high index of suspicion is required in patients who present with blunt abdominal trauma. A staging system for TAWH can facilitate appropriate management priorities and treatment. CT scanning is crucial in the diagnosis of TAWH, and aids in definitive management of these patients. The literature supports immediate surgical exploration for most TAWH.