A systematic review of mechanical thromboprophylaxis in the lithotomy position.

BACKGROUND: Venous thrombosis and compartment syndrome are potentially serious complications of prolonged, lithotomy position surgery. It is unclear whether mechanical thromboprophylaxis in this group of patients modifies the risk of compartment syndrome. This qualitative systematic review examines the evidence base to guide clinical practice. METHOD: A systematic review was performed guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, to identify studies reporting relationships between lithotomy position, compartment syndrome and mechanical thromboprophylaxis. The aim was to determine if mechanical thromboprophylaxis influenced compartment syndrome risk in the lithotomy position. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were identified: eight case reports or case series (12 patients), two completed audit cycles (approximately 2000 patients), four reviews and two volunteer case control studies (33 subjects). There were no randomised studies. Nine studies associated mechanical thromboprophylaxis with compartment syndrome risk but in each case a causative relationship was speculative. In contrast, five papers, including an experimental, cohort study and two observational, population studies recommended intermittent pneumatic compression as prevention against compartment syndrome in lithotomy position. One review and one case report were unable to make a recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: The level of evidence addressing the interaction between the lithotomy position, compartment syndrome and mechanical thromboprophylaxis is weak. There is no conclusive evidence that mechanical thromboprophylaxis causes compartment syndrome in the lithotomy position. There is limited evidence to suggest intermittent pneumatic compression may be a safe method of mechanical thromboprophylaxis if accompanied by strict adherence to other measures to reduce the chance of compartment syndrome. However further studies are required.

Analysis of lesion localisation at colonoscopy: outcomes from a multi-centre U.K. study.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is currently the gold standard for detection of colorectal lesions, but may be limited in anatomically localising lesions. This audit aimed to determine the accuracy of colonoscopy lesion localisation, any subsequent changes in surgical management and any potentially influencing factors. METHODS: Patients undergoing colonoscopy prior to elective curative surgery for colorectal lesion/s were included from 8 registered U.K. sites (2012-2014). Three sets of data were recorded: patient factors (age, sex, BMI, screener vs. symptomatic, previous abdominal surgery); colonoscopy factors (caecal intubation, scope guide used, colonoscopist accreditation) and imaging modality. Lesion localisation was standardised with intra-operative location taken as the gold standard. Changes to surgical management were recorded. RESULTS: 364 cases were included; majority of lesions were colonic, solitary, malignant and in symptomatic referrals. 82% patients had their lesion/s correctly located at colonoscopy. Pre-operative CT visualised lesion/s in only 73% of cases with a reduction in screening patients (64 vs. 77%; p = 0.008). 5.2% incorrectly located cases at colonoscopy underwent altered surgical management, including conversion to open. Univariate analysis found colonoscopy accreditation, scope guide use, incomplete colonoscopy and previous abdominal surgery significantly influenced lesion localisation. On multi-variate analysis, caecal intubation and scope guide use remained significant (HR 0.35, 0.20-0.60 95% CI and 0.47; 0.25-0.88, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lesion localisation at colonoscopy is incorrect in 18% of cases leading to potentially significant surgical management alterations. As part of accreditation, colonoscopists need lesion localisation training and awareness of when inaccuracies can occur.

Early Recognition of Proteus Syndrome.

Proteus syndrome is an extremely rare mosaic condition characterized by progressive overgrowth of tissues due to a somatic activating mutation of the AKT1 gene. Distinct cutaneous features, including cerebriform connective tissue nevi, epidermal nevi, vascular malformations, and adipose abnormalities, can alert the dermatologist to the underlying condition before the onset of asymmetric skeletal overgrowth. We present a series of photographs documenting the skin and musculoskeletal changes in a patient with Proteus syndrome over the first 2 years of life to emphasize the key signs that a dermatologist can recognize to facilitate an earlier diagnosis in these patients.

The clinical utility of the combination of T stage and venous invasion to predict survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical utility of improved detection of venous invasion (VI) in patients undergoing potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer. BACKGROUND: VI is a feature of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Elastica staining can be used to improve detection of VI and correspondingly its prediction of patient survival. METHODS: A single-center, observational study of pathology variables, including detection of VI by staining for elastica, using 631 stage I to III CRC specimens, collected from 1997 to 2009 (176 analyzed retrospectively and 455 analyzed prospectively), was performed. RESULTS: VI was detected in 56% of patients with CRC. Over a median follow-up period of 73 months, 238 patients died (134 from cancer). On multivariate analysis, VI by elastica staining was associated with a shorter survival duration, independent of other pathology features, in all cases [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.33-6.65, P < 0.001] and in node-negative cases (HR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.81-6.97; P < 0.001). In the absence of elastica-detected VI, with the exception of T stage, no other pathology features were associated with survival time. Therefore, the combination of T stage and VI (TVI) on survival was examined. Five-year cancer mortality could be stratified between 100% and 54% for patients with node-negative tumors and between 100% and 33% for patients with node-positive tumors. In all cases, the TVI had similar predictive value as that of T stage and node status (TNM). In node-negative disease, TVI had superior predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study have prompted the development of a novel tumor staging system based on TVI. The TVI has clinical utility, especially in node-negative disease, in predicting outcome following curative resection for CRC.

C-reactive protein as a predictor of postoperative infective complications after curative resection in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Infective complications particularly in the form of surgical site infections including anastomotic leak represent a serious morbidity after colorectal cancer surgery. Systemic inflammation markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and white cell count, have been reported to provide early detection. However, their relative predictive value is unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the diagnostic accuracy of serial postoperative WCC, albumin and CRP in detecting infective complications. METHODS: White cell count, albumin and CRP were measured postoperatively for 7 days in 454 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. All postoperative complications were recorded. The diagnostic accuracy of the white cell count, albumin and CRP values were analyzed by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis with surgical site infective complications as outcome measures. RESULTS: One hundred four patients (23 %) developed infective complications, and 26 of them developed an anastomotic leak. CRP was most sensitive to the development of an infective complication, surgical site or at a remote site. On postoperative day 3 CRP the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.80 (p < 0.001) and the optimal cutoff value was 170 mg/L. This threshold was also associated with an increase in the length of hospital stay (p < 0.001), 30 day mortality (p < 0.05) and 12 month mortality (p < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative CRP measurement on day 3 postoperatively is clinically useful in predicting surgical site infective complications, including an anastomotic leak, in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

The impact of perioperative risk, tumor pathology and surgical complications on disease recurrence following potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify determinants of disease recurrence after potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The identification of patients at increased risk of disease recurrence is currently based on pathological factors. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the potential impact of perioperative factors on long-term colorectal cancer outcome. Few studies have examined pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables in a single cohort. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-three patients with histologically confirmed colorectal cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent between 1997 and 2007 were included. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were recorded. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of surgical complications and disease recurrence, respectively. RESULTS: The postoperative mortality rate was 4% and the morbidity rate 34%. The most important predictors of complications were smoking (odd ratio [OR] 1.32), ASA grade (OR 1.90) and POSSUM operative score (OR 1.32). During follow up (median 80 months), 35% of patients developed disease recurrence. Predictors of recurrence, independent of tumor stage, were POSSUM physiology score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.31) and systemic inflammatory response (HR 1.31). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative risk factors, but not postoperative complications, are associated with early disease recurrence after potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer.

The revised ACPGBI model is a simple and accurate predictor of operative mortality after potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) risk-adjustment model for colorectal cancer surgery has been recently revised. The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of the revised ACPGBI model, the original ACPGBI model, P-POSSUM, and CR-POSSUM, in the prediction of operative mortality after resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 423 patients who underwent potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer at a single institution (1997-2007) were included. Data used in the construction of the ACPGBI model was collected prospectively. The models were compared by examining observed to expected (O:E) ratios, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test, and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 4%. The performance of the models was as follows: revised ACPGBI model (O:E ratio = 1.05, AUC = 0.73, H-L = 11.02), original ACPGBI model (O:E ratio = 0.58, AUC = 0.76, H-L = 14.23), P-POSSUM (O:E ratio = 0.87, AUC = 0.79, H-L = 10.63), and CR-POSSUM (O:E ratio = 0.63, AUC = 0.84, H-L = 15.84). In subgroup analysis, the revised ACPGBI model performed well in both elective cases (O:E ratio = 1.06) and emergency cases (O:E ratio = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: The revised ACPGBI model is simple to construct and accurately predicts operative mortality after potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Multidisciplinary management of anal intraepithelial neoplasia and rate of progression to cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To describe the regional burden of AIN and rate of progression to cancer in patients managed in specialist and non-specialist clinic settings. METHODS: Patients with a histopathological diagnosis of AIN between 1994 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. Clinicopathological characteristics including high-risk status (chronic immunosuppressant use or HIV positive), number and type of biopsy (punch/excision) and histopathological findings were recorded. The relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and progression to cancer was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 250 patients identified, 207 were eligible for inclusion: 144 from the specialist and 63 from the non-specialist clinic. Patients in the specialist clinic were younger (<40 years 31% vs 19%, p = 0.007), more likely to be male (34% vs 16%, p = 0.008) and HIV positive (15% vs 2%, p = 0.012). Patients in the non-specialist clinic were less likely to have AIN3 on initial pathology (68% vs 79%, p = 0.074) and were more often followed up for less than 36 months (46% vs 28%, p = 0.134). The rate of progression to cancer was 17% in the whole cohort (20% vs 10%, p = 0.061). On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 3.02, 95%CI 1.58-5.78, p < 0.001), high risk status (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.43-8.74, p = 0.006) and increasing number of excisions (OR 4.88, 95%CI 2.15-11.07, p < 0.001) were related to progression to cancer. CONCLUSION: The specialist clinic provides a structured approach to the follow up of high-risk status patients with AIN. Frequent monitoring with specialist assessments including high resolution anoscopy in a higher volume clinic are required due to the increased risk of progression to anal cancer.

Elastica staining for venous invasion results in superior prediction of cancer-specific survival in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prognostic implications of routine elastica staining for venous invasion on prediction of cancer-specific survival in colorectal cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Venous invasion is an important high risk feature in colorectal cancer, although prevalence in published studies ranges from 10% to 90%. To resolve the disparity, elastica stains have been used in our institution to provide a more objective judgment since 2002. METHODS: The study included 419 patients undergoing curative elective colorectal cancer resection between 1997 and 2006. Patients were grouped prior to (1997-2001 [cohort 1]) and following the introduction of elastica staining (2003-2006 [cohort 2]). FINDINGS: Clinicopathologic characteristics and 3-year survival rates were similar in both groups. Rate of detected venous invasion increased from 18% to 58% following introduction of elastica staining (P < 0.001). The 3-year cancer-specific survival rate associated with the absence of venous invasion was 84% in cohort 1, compared with 96% in cohort 2 (P < 0.01). Elastica staining improved the prognostic value of venous invasion, showing the area under the receiver operator curve rising from 0.59 (P = 0.040; 1997-2001) to 0.68 (P < 0.001; 2003-2006), using cancer mortality as an end point. A direct comparison between H&E alone and elastica Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) was made in 53 patients. The area under the receiver operator curve increased from 0.58, P = 0.293 (H&E alone) to 0.74, P = 0.003 for venous invasion detected using the elastica method. CONCLUSIONS: Increased detection of venous invasion with elastica staining, compared with H&E staining, provides superior prediction of cancer survival in colorectal cancer. This relationship was seen in the comparison of 2 consecutive cohorts and in a direct comparison in a single cohort. Based on these results, elastica staining should be incorporated into the routine pathologic assessment of venous invasion in colorectal cancer.

Abnormal colonic motility: a possible association with urge fecal incontinence.

PURPOSE: Fecal incontinence is a distressing condition affecting up to 7% of the population. Severe urgency is a symptom associated with hypersensitivity of the rectum, a common finding in both fecal incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with fecal incontinence, urgency, and rectal hypersensitivity have abnormal hindgut motility, suggestive of a more generalized motility problem. METHODS: Eleven females with urgency-associated incontinence and without anal sphincter injury were compared with 5 controls. After full clinical, ultrasonographic, and physiological assessment, patients underwent prolonged colonic manometry studies. Motility patterns were recorded and, in particular, the response to a standard gastrocolic reflex was noted. RESULTS: Rectal sensation values in patients were as follows: first sensation, 22 (range, 5-58) mls; desire to defecate, 31 (range, 13-166) mls; and maximum tolerated volume, 64 (range, 21-254) mls. Compared with controls, patients had significantly higher numbers of 1) low amplitude waves (>5 mmHg) in both the sigmoid colon (101 vs 46.5; P = .028) and the descending colon (101.5 vs 41; P = .036) in the hour before the meal stimulus, and 2) high amplitude waves (>50 mmHg) in the sigmoid colon (2 vs 0; P = .006) in the fasting state. CONCLUSION: Patients with fecal incontinence associated with severe urgency may have rectal hypersensitivity and a more global colonic motility problem similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

The impact of preoperative systemic inflammation on the efficacy of intravenous iron infusion to correct anaemia prior to surgery for colorectal cancer.

AIM: Intravenous iron is increasingly used prior to surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) to correct iron deficiency anaemia and reduce blood transfusion. Its utility in functional iron deficiency (FID) or anaemia of inflammation is less clear. This observational study examined post-iron infusion changes in haemoglobin (Hb) based on grouping by C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin. METHODS: Anaemic (M:Hb < 130 mg/L, F:Hb < 120 mg/L) patients with CRC receiving iron infusion, within a preoperative anaemia detection and correction protocol, at a single centre between 2016 and 2019 were included. Patients were grouped by iron deficiency (ferritin < 30 µg/L and CRP ≤ 5 mg/L, n = 18), FID (ferritin < 30 µg/L and CRP > 5 mg/L, n = 17), anaemia of inflammation (ferritin ≥ 30 µg/L and CRP > 5 mg/L, n = 6), and anaemia of other causes (ferritin ≥ 30 µg/L and CRP ≤ 5 mg/L, n = 6). Median change in Hb and postoperative day (POD) 1 Hb was compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Iron-deficient patients had the greatest increase in Hb after infusion (24 mg/L), highest POD 1 Hb (108 mg/L), and required no blood transfusions. Patients with FID had the second greatest increase in Hb (15 mg/L) and second highest POD 1 Hb (103 mg/L). Those with anaemia of inflammation had little increase in Hb after infusion (3 mg/L) and lower POD 1 Hb (102 mg/L) than either iron-deficient group. Those without iron deficiency showed a decrease in haemoglobin after infusion (- 5 mg/L) and lowest POD 1 Hb (95 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intravenous iron is less efficacious in patients with anaemia of inflammation and FID undergoing surgery for CRC, compared with true iron deficiency. Further understanding of the role of perioperative iron infusions is required for maximum gain from therapy.

Factors associated with the efficacy of polyp detection during routine flexible sigmoidoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Flexible sigmoidoscopy reduces the incidence of colonic cancer through the detection and removal of premalignant adenomas. However, the efficacy of the procedure is variable. The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated with the efficacy of detecting polyps during flexible sigmoidoscopy. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Retrospective observational cohort study of all individuals undergoing routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde from January 2013 to January 2016. RESULTS: A total of 7713 patients were included. Median age was 52 years and 50% were male. Polyps were detected in 1172 (13%) patients. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 1.020 (1.016-1.023) p<0.001), male sex (OR 1.23 (1.10-1.38) p<0.001) and the use of any bowel preparation (OR 3.55 (1.47-8.57) p<0.001) were associated with increasing numbers of polyps being detected. There was no significant difference in the number of polyps found in patients who had received an oral laxative preparation compared with an enema (OR 3.81 (1.57-9.22) vs 3.45 (1.43-8.34)), or in those who received sedation versus those who had not (OR 1.00 vs 1.04 (0.91-1.17) p=0.591). Furthermore, the highest number of polyps was found when the sigmoidoscope was inserted to the descending colon (OR 1.30 (1.04-1.63)). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age, male sex and the utilisation of any bowel preparation were associated with an increased polyp detection rate. However, the use of sedation or oral laxative preparation appears to confer no additional benefit. In addition, the results indicate that insertion to the descending colon optimises the efficacy of flexible sigmoidoscopy polyp detection.

Foreign bodies in sigmoid colon diverticulosis.

This review addresses the management of sigmoid colon diverticular disease associated with foreign bodies. In addition, two novel cases are presented. One case describes the management of diverticular bleeding secondary to a chicken bone and the other case reports retrieval of a retained EndoRings™ Device. The review identified 40 relevant publications including 50 subjects. Foreign bodies within sigmoid diverticular disease may be associated with inflammation, perforation, abscess and fistula. In current practice, diagnosis is often achieved with CT scan. Patients with colonic perforation or fistula generally require colonic resection. Patients with inflammation may merit conservative management, including colonoscopic foreign body retrieval. Chicken bones, tooth picks, and biliary stents have been reported in patients with inflammation, perforation and fistula, whereas all published patients with fish bone related diverticulosis complications experienced inflammation. Treatment might be best guided by the consequences of the foreign body rather than the nature of the underlying retained object. Diverticular bleeding secondary to a chicken bone was diagnosed at CT angiography and treated with colonoscopic snare retrieval of the bone and clipping of the bleeding diverticulum. The EndoRings™ Device was retrieved with a colonoscopic balloon.

Correction of iron-deficiency anaemia in colorectal surgery reduces perioperative transfusion rates: A before and after study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anaemia is a risk factor for poorer postoperative outcomes and many colorectal cancer patients have iron-deficiency anaemia. The aim of this study was to assess if a preoperative iron-deficiency anaemia management protocol for elective colorectal surgery patients helps improve detection and treatment of iron-deficiency, and improve patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data was collected from 95 consecutive patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery to establish baseline anaemia correction rates and perioperative transfusion rates. A new pathway for early detection of iron-deficiency anaemia, and treatment with intravenous iron replacement, for colorectal cancer patients was then developed and implemented. Data from 81 patients was collected prospectively post-implementation to assess the impact of the pathway. RESULTS: Pre-intervention data showed anaemic patients were seventeen times more likely to require perioperative transfusion than non-anaemic patients (95% CI 1.9-151.0, p = 0.011). Post-intervention, fifteen patients with iron-deficiency were treated with either intravenous (n = 8) or oral iron (n = 7). Mean Day 3 postoperative haemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients with uncorrected anaemia (9.5 g/dL, p = 0.004); those patients whose anaemia was corrected by iron replacement therapy preoperatively had similar postoperative results to non-anaemic patients (10.93 g/dL vs 11.4 g/dL, p = 0.781). Postoperative transfusion rates remained high at 38% in patients with uncorrected anaemia, compared to 0% in corrected anaemia and 3.5% in non-anaemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of an iron-deficiency anaemia management pathway has resulted in improved perioperative haemoglobin levels, with a reduction in perioperative transfusion, in elective colorectal patients. Implementation of this pathway could result in similar outcomes across other categories of surgical patients.

Spinocerebellar ataxia in monozygotic twins.

CONTEXT: Although phenotypic heterogeneity in autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) has been explained in part by genotypic heterogeneity, clinical observations suggest the influence of additional factors. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate, quantitate, and localize physiologic abnormalities attributable to nongenetic factors in the development of hereditary SCA. DESIGN: Quantitative assessments of ocular motor function and postural control in 2 sets of identical twins, one with SCA type 2 and the other with episodic ataxia type 2. SETTING: University laboratory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Saccadic velocity and amplitude, pursuit gain, and dynamic posturography. RESULTS: We found significant differences in saccade velocity, saccade metrics, and postural stability between each monozygotic twin. The differences point to differential involvement between twins of discrete regions in the cerebellum and brainstem. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the presence of quantitative differences in the severity, rate of progression, and regional central nervous system involvement in monozygotic twins with SCA that must be owing to the existence of nongermline or external factors.

Relationship between emergency presentation, systemic inflammatory response, and cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Emergency presentation is recognized to be associated with poorer cancer-specific survival following curative resection for colorectal cancer. The present study examined the hypothesis that an enhanced systemic inflammatory response, prior to surgery, might explain the impact of emergency presentation on survival. METHODS: In all, 188 patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer were studied. Of these, 55 (29%) presented as emergencies. The systemic inflammatory response was assessed using the Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), which is the combination of an elevated C-reactive protein (>10 mg/L) and hypoalbuminemia (<35 g/L). RESULTS: In the emergency group, tumor stage was greater (P < 0.01), more patients received adjuvant therapy (P < 0.01) more patients had an elevated mGPS (P < 0.01), and more patients died of their disease (P < 0.05). The minimum follow-up was 12 months; the median follow-up of the survivors was 48 months. Emergency presentation was associated with poorer 3-year cancer-specific survival in those patients aged 65 to 74 years (P < 0.01), in both males and females (P < 0.05), in the deprived (P < 0.01), in patients with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage II disease (P < 0.01), in those who received no adjuvant therapy (P < 0.01), and in the mGPS 0 and 1 groups (P < 0.05) groups. On multivariate survival analysis of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for TNM stage II colon cancer, emergency presentation (P < 0.05) and mGPS (P < 0.05) were independently associated with cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that emergency presentation and the presence of systemic inflammatory response prior to surgery are linked and account for poorer cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colon cancer. Both emergency presentation and an elevated mGPS should be taken into account when assessing the likely outcome of these patients.