Voluntary perioperative colorectal cancer registry from Kerala-An initial overview.

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) may not be uncommon in India, accurate data regarding its demographics and surgical outcomes is sparse. METHODS: With an aim to assess demographics and perioperative outcomes of CRC in Kerala, all members of Association of Surgical Gastroenterologists of Kerala (ASGK) were invited to participate in a registry. Data of operated cases of CRC were entered on a web-based questionnaire by participating members from January 2016. Analysis of accrued data until March 2018 was performed. RESULTS: From 25 gastrointestinal surgical centers in Kerala, 15 ASGK member hospitals contributed 1018 CRC cases to the database (M:F 621:397; median age-63.5 years [15-95 years]). Rectum (39.88%) and rectosigmoid (20.33%) cancers comprised the majority of the patients. Among them, preoperative bowel preparation was given to 37.68%, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was performed in 73%, covering stoma in 47% and had an overall leak rate of 3.58%. In colonic malignancies, MIS was performed in 56.74%, covering stoma created in 13% and had a leak rate of 2.71%. Of 406 patients with rectal cancers, neo-adjuvant radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy was given to 51.23%. The mean hospital stay for MIS in both rectal and colonic cancer patients was significantly shorter than open approach (10.46 ± 5.08 vs. 12.26 ± 6.03 days; p = 0.001and 10.29 ± 4.58 vs. 12.46 ± 6.014 days; p = <0.001). Mortality occurred in 2.2% patients. CONCLUSION: A voluntary non-funded registry for CRC surgery was successfully created. Initial data suggest that MIS was performed in majority, which was associated with shorter hospital stay than open approach. Overall mortality and leak rate appeared to be low.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas: an unusual aetiology for haematochezia.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare condition. It is mostly seen among young women, with abdominal pain as the presenting complaint. This is a case of a young woman who presented with haematochezia, and was found to have splenic vein thrombosis and left-sided portal hypertension as a result of mass lesion at the tail of the pancreas which was diagnosed as solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.

Laparoscopic Management of Colonic Diverticular Disease and its Complications: an Analysis.

Dense inflammatory reactions, loss of tissue planes and sepsis make surgical treatment of diverticulitis complex and difficult. Experience with laparoscopic management of this disease is scanty in our country. This study aims to assess the pattern of presentation, the site of involvement and complications of diverticulitis coli. This study also aims to audit the results of laparoscopic approach for complicated colonic diverticulitis. A retrospective analysis of all patients who had laparoscopic management of complicated diverticulitis patients from August 2007 to October 2014 was done from the database. The site of involvement, extent and presence or absence of complications of diverticular disease was noted. The surgical approach, intraoperative parameters and short-term outcome measures were analysed. There were 38 (8.8 %) patients with diverticular disease out of 427 patients who had laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the study period with a median age of 59 years. Out of 38 patients, 50 % had comorbid conditions. Internal fistulae were seen in 9 (23.6 %) patients, 6 with colovesical and 3 with colovaginal fistulae. Elective laparoscopic colectomy with primary anastomosis was done in 34 (89 %) cases of which, and 10 (26 %) patients had abscess on presentation requiring drainage. Four patients required emergency laparoscopic surgery of which primary resection and anastomosis was done in 3 (7.8 %), and Hartmann's operation was done in 1 (2.6 %) patient. Two patients required stoma. The morbidity was seen in 15 % cases, and the mean hospital stay was 9.54 days. Laparoscopic approach for diverticular disease and its complication is feasible and safe. Careful selection of patients, judicious use of diverting stoma and appropriate selection of the procedure help to achieve good results even in those with septic complications and fistulising disease.

Octreotide Does Not Prevent Pancreatic Fistula Following Pancreatoduodenectomy in Patients with Soft Pancreas and Non-dilated Duct: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Whether octreotide prevents pancreatic fistula following pancreatoduodenectomy is controversial and it is believed to be beneficial in soft glands and normal-sized ducts. The aim of this study is to assess the potential value of octreotide in reducing the incidence of pancreatic fistula, postoperative complications, morbidity and hospital stay in patients with soft pancreas and non-dilated ducts. METHODS: A total of 109 patients undergoing elective pancreatoduodenectomy with soft pancreas and non-dilated duct were randomized to octreotide group versus no octreotide-the control group. Surgical steps were standardized and incidences of pancreatic fistula, complications, death and hospital stay were assessed. RESULTS: There were 55 patients in octreotide group and 54 in the control group. Demographic features and pancreatic duct diameter of the groups were comparable. The rates of clinically significant pancreatic fistulae (grades B and C) were 10.9 and 18.5 % (p = ns), and morbidity was 18 and 29.6 % (p = ns), respectively. Patients who received octreotide resumed oral diet early and had a shorter hospital stay. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated no statistical difference in pancreatic fistulae with the use of octreotide, though there was a trend towards fewer incidences of pancreatic fistulae, morbidity and shorter hospital stay. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01301222.