Impact of surgical indication on patient outcomes and compliance with enhanced recovery program for colorectal surgery: A Francophone multicenter retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The impact of surgical indication on compliance with enhanced recovery program (ERP) and on outcomes has never been assessed. This study aims to assess the impact of surgical indication (malignant vs benign) on postoperative outcomes and ERP compliance. METHODS: A multicenter nationwide database was analyzed. Patients who underwent colorectal surgery for benign disease and those who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer were compared. Inclusion criteria were elective colorectal resection with anastomosis. ERP components, postoperative morbidity, and hospital length of hospital stay data were collected. RESULTS: Among the 6472 patients registered in the database between October 2012 and June 2018, 4528 patients were included; 2647 in the malignant group and 1881 in the benign group. The ERP compliance over 70% was not different between groups. Postoperative morbidity rate was higher in the malignant group (22.5% vs 19.3%; P = .009) but not confirmed in multivariate analysis. Patients in the malignant group were more often readmitted after discharge, 6.6% vs 4.6% (P = .004). The mean LOS was 6.3 ± 5.0 days in the malignant group and 5.4 ± 4.7 days in the benign group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Indication for colorectal surgery did not significantly influence peri-operative management and postoperative major complications, in patients managed within an enhanced recovery program.

The role of social context in symptom appraisal and help-seeking among people with lung or colorectal symptoms: A qualitative interview study.

Prolonged diagnostic intervals are associated with poorer outcomes, and the patient interval appears to be a substantial contributor to the overall length of the diagnostic interval. This study sought to understand how the broader context of people's lives influenced symptom appraisal and help-seeking, comparing experiences by length of the patient interval. Patients referred with a suspicion of lung or colorectal cancer were invited to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms, with 26 respondents purposively sampled to take part in a semi-structured interview about their patient intervals. Embodied experience, appraisal, help-seeking decision-making and consultation were identified as component stages of the patient interval, with the factors affecting movement between these stages located in one of four contextual domains: individual experience, interpersonal relationships, healthcare system interactions and social and temporal context. The length of the patient interval was related to the type of symptom(s) experienced, discussion of symptoms with others and the social responsibilities people held during symptomatic periods. A contextual model of the patient interval illustrates the stages and domains of this interval, as grounded in the data from this study. The model has potential application to future studies examining the patient interval for a range of symptoms.

Factors Associated with Anxiety About Colonoscopy: The Preparation, the Procedure, and the Anticipated Findings.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has assessed anxiety around colonoscopy procedures, but has not considered anxiety related to different aspects related to the colonoscopy process. AIMS: Before colonoscopy, we assessed anxiety about: bowel preparation, the procedure, and the anticipated results. We evaluated associations between patient characteristics and anxiety in each area. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to patients immediately prior to their outpatient colonoscopy in six hospitals and two ambulatory care centers in Winnipeg, Canada. Anxiety was assessed using a visual analog scale. For each aspect, logistic regression models were used to explore associations between patient characteristics and high anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 1316 respondents completed the questions about anxiety (52% female, median age 56 years). Anxiety scores > 70 (high anxiety) were reported by 18% about bowel preparation, 29% about the procedure, and 28% about the procedure results. High anxiety about bowel preparation was associated with female sex, perceived unclear instructions, unfinished laxative, and no previous colonoscopies. High anxiety about the procedure was associated with female sex, no previous colonoscopies, and confusing instructions. High anxiety about the results was associated with symptoms as an indication for colonoscopy and instructions perceived as confusing. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer people had high anxiety about preparation than about the procedure and findings of the procedure. There are unique predictors of anxiety about each colonoscopy aspect. Understanding the nuanced differences in aspects of anxiety may help to design strategies to reduce anxiety, leading to improved acceptance of the procedure, compliance with preparation instructions, and less discomfort with the procedure.

Patient Satisfaction With Propofol for Outpatient Colonoscopy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous literature has shown that propofol has ideal anesthetic properties for patients undergoing colonoscopy, a common procedure at outpatient surgery centers. However, there is a paucity of information regarding patient satisfaction with propofol. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with propofol compared with nonpropofol (fentanyl/midazolam) anesthesia for outpatient colonoscopies. Safety and complications were secondary end points. DESIGN: This study was a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial (NCT 02937506). SETTING: This study was conducted at a single ambulatory surgery center at an urban teaching community health system. PATIENTS: Patients were scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy. Those with high-risk cardiac or pulmonary disease were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia personnel administered either fentanyl/midazolam (n = 300) or propofol (n = 300) for sedation during outpatient colonoscopy. A single, highly experienced endoscopist performed all colonoscopies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were patient satisfaction (5-point Likert scale) and procedure complications. Data were collected on the day of endoscopy by the nursing staff of the postanesthesia care unit. A subinvestigator blinded to the randomization called patients 24 to 72 hours after discharge to obtain data on postprocedure problems and status of resumption of normal activities. Analysis was intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Fewer patients who received propofol remembered being awake during the procedure (2% vs 17% for fentanyl, p < 0.0001) and were more likely to rate the amount of anesthesia received as being "just right" (98.7% vs 91.3% for fentanyl, p = 0.0002) and state that they were "very satisfied" with their anesthesia (86.3% vs 74% for fentanyl, p = 0.0005). Twenty-six percent of fentanyl procedures were rated "difficult" compared with 4.3% for propofol (p < 0.0001), and complications were fewer in the propofol group (2.7% vs 11.7%, p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: The endoscopist could not be completely blinded to the anesthetic administered. CONCLUSIONS: Patients prefer propofol over a combination of fentanyl/midazolam as their anesthetic for outpatient colonoscopies. From a patient and provider perspective, propofol appears to be superior to fentanyl/midazolam for outpatient colonoscopy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A445.

Barriers to help-seeking in men diagnosed with benign colorectal diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the help-seeking pathway for lower bowel symptoms in men diagnosed with benign bowel diseases. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically using Andersen's Model of Patient Delay as the theoretical framework. RESULTS: The major delaying factors were attribution of symptoms to self-limiting conditions, failure to make time to visit a GP, low expectation of help from the GP, fear of cancer diagnosis and embarrassment. CONCLUSION: The major causes of delay in help-seeking were related to the participants, whereas factors associated with treatment delay were less prominent in diagnostic delay.

External validation of the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire in Italian and Brazilian populations to select patients with colorectal endometriosis for surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the external validity of the validated French model of the quality-of-life questionnaire (QOL) SF-36 in predicting improvement after colorectal resection for endometriosis. DESIGN: Italian and Brazilian cohort studies (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Tertiary referral university hospital in Brazil and expert center in endometriosis in Italy. PATIENTS: Patients with colorectal endometriosis from an Italian population (n = 63) and a Brazilian population (n = 151). INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic colorectal resection for treatment of endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative evaluations of the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-36 were performed. Substantial improvement in PCS and MCS was observed after colorectal resection in both populations. In the Brazilian population, the receiver operating curve (ROC) (area under the curve [AUC]) was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.89) for MCS and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71-0.83) for PCS, demonstrating good discrimination performance. The mean difference between the predicted and calibrated probabilities was 19.6% for MCS and 32.8% for PCS. In the Italian population, the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.52-0.78) for PCS and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.55-0.78) for MCS. The model demonstrated poor discrimination and calibration performance for PCS (p < .001) and MCS (p = .003). The mean difference between the predicted and calibrated probabilities was 17.5% for MCS and 21.8% for PCS. CONCLUSION: Despite the use of validated translations of the SF-36, our results underline the limits of this tool in selection of patients for colorectal resection due to underestimation of predicted quality of life, possibly because of variations in epidemiologic characteristics of the populations.

Management and outcomes of colovesical fistula repair.

This large retrospective study presents the largest colovesical fistula (CVF) series to date. We report on recurrence risk factors and patient satisfaction based on quality of life after CVF repair. Approval was obtained from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine Institutional Review Board, and a retrospective review was performed from 2003 to 2010 involving 72 consecutive patients who underwent a colovesical fistula repair. The CVF recurrence rate was 11 per cent. Ten percent of our patients who had a history of radiation therapy were at a significantly higher risk of developing a recurrence. Noted recurrence rates were significantly higher in advanced bladder repairs compared with simple repair (P = 0.022). The modified (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index) surveys showed overall patient satisfaction score was 3.6, out of a maximum score of 4, regardless of the type of repair or any postoperative complications. Our study found the CVF recurrence rate to be 11 per cent. Patients at higher risk of recurrence include those needing advanced bladder repair, those with "complex" CVF, and those whose fistulas involve the urethra. Patient satisfaction was found to be more closely linked to the resolution of CVF symptoms, irrespective of the type of repair performed or development of postoperative complications.

[Quality of life of patients with hyperendotoxemia after hemicolectomy].

UNLABELLED: The concept of "health" is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Currently, one of the most widely used questionnaires of general type is the SF-36 Health Status Survey, proposed the Boston Institute for Health and created on the basis of other already existing tools for assessing QOL. Translated into Russian and testing methodology was conducted by the Institute of clinical and pharmacological studies (St. Petersburg). Any surgical intervention, in particular the removal of part of the colon can lead to a restriction of all aspects (physical, mental and social) of a normal human life. The goal of treatment of any disease should be considered as improving the quality of life of the patient on a background of positive clinical dynamics, assessing the quality of life indicators, which depend on many external and internal factors. AIM: to study the quality of life of patients after hemicolectomy, depending on the type of colon resection and the level of endotoxemia. RESULTS: Analysis of quality of life of patients after undergoing surgery--hemicolectomy carried out using questionnaire SF-36 indicates a decline in general condition and mental health in patients after left-sided hemicolectomy. The study showed a close pathogenetic relationship between endotoxemia and decreased quality of life of patients after hemicolectomy.

Depression is associated with prolonged and complicated recovery following colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are little data regarding the impact of depression on outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. We hypothesize that depression would be associated with prolonged hospital stay and changes in discharge disposition for patients undergoing colon and rectal surgery. METHODS: We identified 292,191 patients undergoing colon and rectal surgery using the 2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We used multivariate regression to evaluate the effect of depression on length of stay and discharge disposition. RESULTS: A preoperative diagnosis of depression was present in 20,039 (6.9%) patients. Mean length of stay for those with depression (10.4 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.04-10.76) was significantly longer than for patients without depression (9.64 days, 95% CI 9.48-9.81). After adjusting for cofounders, depression still predicted an increase in length of stay. Additionally, depressed patients were less likely to resume normal function at discharge, as 40% required either home health or time in a skilled facility following discharge from the acute care hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing colorectal surgery, depression is associated with a significantly prolonged hospital stay and higher likelihood of requiring skilled nursing assistance after discharge. Further research into the mechanism underlying these differences and potential treatment strategies among depressed patients is warranted.

[Quality of life after fast track colorectal surgery]. / Lebensqualität nach Kolonchirurgie unter "Fast Track"-Bedingungen.

BACKGROUND: Fast track (enhanced recovery) surgery is a standardized concept of perioperative management, which is applied independently of the disease and the operative procedure. The implementation of this concept adjusts the quality of medical results and allows to analyse different factors and their impact on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this investigation was to assess the QoL of patients after elective colorectal surgery undergoing standardized perioperative fast track rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From December 2004 to May 2006 all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery and fast track rehabilitation were included in this study. Quality of life was evaluated prospectively using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) according to Eypasch. QoL was analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Subgroup analyses were performed regarding age, malignant or non-malignant colorectal disease and surgical approach. Follow-up was performed three months postoperatively. RESULTS: 124 patients underwent elective resection within a fast track program (age 64±10 years, 55 with benign disease, 69 with colorectal carcinoma; 67 men and 57 women). 62 patients (50 %) completed the follow-up examination (QoL evaluation three months postoperatively). Pre- and postoperative QoL did not differ significantly (98 [92-104] and 103 [98-109] points, respectively). Subgroup analyses revealed that patients having undergone colorectal resection for benign disease had significantly improved quality of life after surgery, but not so the patients treated for colorectal cancer. The QoL was 14 (2-26) and -1 (-9 - 5), respectively. Patients' age and surgical approach (minimally invasive or open) did not influence their QoL. CONCLUSION: Postoperative QoL after standarized fast track perioperative management was influenced mainly by the patients' disease (with potential QoL improvement in benign disorders), whereas age and the operative approach (minimally invasive or open) had little impact in this respect.

Psychological needs of patients with functional bowel disorder.

Psychological processes have an important role in functional bowel disorder (FBD), with a high incidence of psychological distress experienced by this patient group. One way of conceptualising illness, particularly chronic conditions such as FBD, is within a biopsychosocial framework, where the interaction between biological, behavioural and cognitive processes and the social and physical environment define the illness experience. Therefore, in addition to medical treatment, patients with FBD and concomitant psychological difficulties should be offered psychological intervention. This article describes several psychological approaches and discusses how these might be delivered in practice.

Colorectal surgery patients prefer simple solid foods to clear fluids as the first postoperative meal.

PURPOSE: Randomized controlled trials have established that there is no benefit to withholding oral food and fluids from colorectal surgery patients postoperatively. The aim of this survey was to determine food preferences for the first postoperative meal and compare these with a traditional clear-fluid diet. METHODS: One hundred forty-five elective colorectal surgery patients were surveyed about their preferences for 35 common foods within 72 hours of surgery and their levels of nausea, hunger, and pain. Preferences were examined by postoperative day (one vs. two) and levels of nausea, hunger, and pain. RESULTS: The survey showed that patients significantly preferred solid foods as early as the first postoperative day and their preferences had little congruency with the traditional clear-fluid diet. Foods highest in preference, such as eggs, regular broth soup (e.g., chicken noodle soup), toast, and potatoes, were significantly more preferred than common clear-fluid diet items such as gelatin, clear broth, and carbonated beverages (P < 0.01). Oral supplements were preferred by only 44%. Patients reported low levels of nausea, hunger, and pain. CONCLUSION: Postoperative colorectal surgery patients prefer to receive simple solid foods rather than a clear-fluid diet as their first postoperative meal.

Patient attitudes toward medical students in an outpatient colorectal surgery clinic.

PURPOSE: Patients with colorectal diseases may be reluctant to have medical students present during their outpatient clinic visit, especially when significant disrobing and embarrassing examinations are performed. This study examines patient attitudes in this regard. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients completed a questionnaire after the conclusion of their office visit. Patient age, gender, race, diagnosis, level of disease, socioeconomic status, and education level were recorded as well as attitudes toward the presence of students in the examination room. Responses were analyzed by using two-sample Z tests or chi-squared tests for comparison of proportions among groups. The pooled-variance t-test was used to compare the difference of means when appropriate. RESULTS: Overall, 81 percent of patients accepted students' presence. Females were less likely than males (77 vs. 86 percent; P = 0.03) and blacks less likely than whites (61 vs. 88 percent; P = 0.004) to accept students. Higher compliance was demonstrated in patients with greater perceived severity of disease (P = 0.03). We found no significant correlation between patient level of education or income and their comfort level with respect to teaching in the examination room. However, racial differences were seen in this category (P = 0.01). Females were more likely to prefer the same gender student, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Students are generally accepted in outpatient colorectal clinics (81 percent). Reasons for acceptance of students included being able to contribute to the teaching of future doctors. Reasons for refusal included perceived increased length of the office visit and patient privacy. We noticed significant differences in compliance by gender, race, and severity of disease, but not age, patient level of income, or education.

Predictors of failed colonoscopy in nonagenarians: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Data on the yield of conventional colonoscopy in very old patients remain limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of colonoscopy in nonagenarian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The safety, success rate to complete colonoscopy and findings of colonoscopies performed during the last 5 years in our center were compared between 41 nonagenarians (group 1) and 2 control groups: 50 consecutive patients aged 70 to 79 years (group 2) and 50 consecutive patients aged 50 to 59 years (group 3). Serum hemoglobin, albumin, patients' source, indications for and colonoscopies findings were retrieved for the total study cohort and comorbidities, mental and functional states for group 1 only. Reasons for colonoscopy failure and predictive factors for failed colonoscopy were analyzed. Chi-square test was used to detect differences in categorical variables by failure or age group. Failure was modeled using logistic regression analyses, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. All tests were 2-sided and considered significant at P<0.05. RESULTS: Failed colonoscopy was significantly more prevalent in group 1. The main reason for it was bad preparation. Malignant tumors were significantly more frequently observed in the elderly (groups 1 and 2) than in the younger age group. No complications during and 48 hours postcolonoscopy were observed in all study participants. In univariate analyses in group 1 mental and functional states were inversely and low serum hemoglobin and albumin levels were positively, significantly associated with failure to complete colonoscopy. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only functional state retained significance as a predictor of failed colonoscopy (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-21.06, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy in nonagenarians is a safe procedure; however, it carries a significantly higher failure rate. Functional decline was found to be a significant predictive factor for failed colonoscopy.

[Quality of life in patients after restorative operations].

The analysis of the results of the surgical treatment of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polyposis of colon, diverticular disease of colon on the bases of quality of life scale indexes, questionnaire SF-36 was carried out. The authors have compared the quality of life of patients who underwent surgical treatment using restorative operations after removing functional parts of the colon. The quality of life indexes in 11-12 days after the operation were higher in the first group compared with the second one. Positive influence of laparascopic intervention on quality of life considerably differs from that in the second group in 3 and 6 months and in one and three years after the operation was done.

Utilities for prostate cancer health states in men aged 60 and older.

PURPOSE: We sought to measure utilities for prostate cancer health states in older men. METHODS: A total of 162 men aged 60 years or older (52% of whom had been diagnosed with prostate cancer) provided standard gamble utilities for 19 health states associated with prostate cancer or its treatment using an interactive, computer-based utility assessment program. Demographics and experience with specific health states were examined as predictors of ratings using ordinary least squares regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean utilities ranged from 0.67 to 0.84 for living with symptom-free cancer under conservative management ("watchful waiting") and from 0.71 to 0.89 for symptoms occurring with treatment (prostatectomy, radiation, and hormone ablation). For long-term treatment complications, bowel problems (0.71) were rated as significantly worse than impotence (0.89), urinary difficulty (0.88), or urinary incontinence (0.83). Combinations of these conditions were rated as significantly worse than individual component states. Men who had experienced impotence or urinary incontinence rated these states as slightly better than men who had not experienced the specific problems. CONCLUSIONS: Both "watchful waiting" and treatment complications from prostate cancer treatments can have large impacts on quality of life. Mean ratings are important for use in policy-making and cost-effectiveness analyses. Variation in ratings across patients suggests that mean scores do not reflect individual preferences and that shared decision-making may be best for clinical decisions.