Replacing Transanal Excision with Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery and/or Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for Early Rectal Cancer.

The use of local resection of rectal polyps and early rectal cancer has progressed to become the standard of care in most institutions with a colorectal surgery specialist. The use of transanal excision (TAE) with anorectal retractors and standard instrumentation has been supplanted by the application of endoscopic techniques which allow direct video augmented visualization. The transanal endoscopic microsurgery method provides a 3D view and works under a constant flow of air to keep the rectal vault open. Instruments capable of accomplishing a surgical excision and suture closure work through a long 4 cm tube set at the anal canal. The newest version of TAE is transanal minimally invasive surgery which is similar to a single-site laparoscopic technique using a hand access port at the anal canal to maintain a seal for insufflation of the rectum, regular 2D video camera for visualization, and laparoscopic instrumentation through the port in the anus. Each of these techniques is described in detail and the outcomes compared, which show the progress being made in this area of colorectal surgery.

Single-site laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Single-site laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been firmly established; however, few reports addressing this technique in the inflammatory bowel disease population exist. METHODS: We conducted a case-matched retrospective review of 20 patients who underwent single-site laparoscopic procedures for inflammatory bowel disease compared with 20 matched patients undergoing multiport laparoscopic procedures. Data regarding these patients were tabulated in the following categories: demographic characteristics, operative parameters, and perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: A wide range of cases were completed: 9 ileocolic resections, 7 cases of proctocolectomy with end ileostomy or ileal pouch anal anastomosis, 2 cases of proctectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis, and 2 total abdominal colectomies with end ileostomy were all matched to equivalent multiport laparoscopic cases. No single-incision cases were converted to multiport laparoscopy, and 2 single-incision cases (10%) were converted to an open approach. For single-incision cases, the mean length of stay was 7.7 days, the mean time to oral intake was 3.3 days, and the mean period of intravenous analgesic use was 5.0 days. There were no statistically significant differences between single-site and multiport cases. CONCLUSIONS: Single-site laparoscopic surgery is technically feasible in inflammatory bowel disease. The length of stay and period of intravenous analgesic use (in days) appear to be higher than those in comparable series examining outcomes of single-site laparoscopic colorectal surgery, and the outcomes are comparable with those of multiport laparoscopy. This may be because of the nature of inflammatory bowel disease, limiting the benefits of a single-site approach in this population.

Rapid progression of a germ cell tumor encasing the inferior vena cava and aorta following a radical orchiectomy.

Early stage testicular germ cell tumors are highly curable malignancies, but the need for close radiologic and biomarker surveillance is pivotal. Even in the setting of recurrence, rescue therapy has been successfully implemented. The present report describes a patient that had rapid and aggressive recurrence after radical orchiectomy for a testicular germ cell tumor and presented with bulky disease necessitating reconstruction of the inferior vena cava at the time of salvage retroperitoneal debulking.

Coughing-induced bowel transection in a patient with an incarcerated inguinal hernia: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Although blunt trauma to a hernia-containing bowel is known to cause bowel perforation, this report documents the first incident of a small bowel transection following a non-traumatic event. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 49-year-old African American man with a chronic incarcerated inguinal hernia awaiting elective repair. He presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain following an episode of coughing. On examination, he was found to have peritonitis. He underwent exploratory laparotomy, and had a complete small bowel transection. A bowel resection with primary anastomosis was performed, as well an inguinal hernia repair. CONCLUSION: Chronic hernia incarceration can lead to weakening and ischemia of the bowel, and minimal trauma can lead to perforation of the weakened segment. In such presentations, bowel resection and repair of the defect with a biological material is safe and feasible.