Ileocecal valve syndrome and vitamin b12 deficiency after surgery: a multicentric prospective study.

Patients undergoing colon resection are often concerned about their functional outcomes after surgery. The primary aim of this prospective, multicentric study was to assess the intestinal activity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) after ileocecal valve removal. The secondary aim was to evaluate any vitamin B12 deficiency. The study included patients undergoing right colectomy, extended right colectomy and ileocecal resection for either neoplastic or benign disease. Selected items of GIQLI and EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaires were used to investigate intestinal activity and HRQL before and after surgery. Blood samples for vitamin B12 level were collected before and during the follow-up period. The empirical rule effect size (ERES) method was used to explain the clinical effect of statistical results. Linear mixed effect (LME) model for longitudinal data was applied to detect the most important parameters affecting the total score. A total of 158 patients were considered. Applying the ERES method, the analysis of both questionnaires showed clinically and statistically significant improvement of HRQL at the end of the follow-up period. Applying the LME model, worsening of HRQL was correlated with female gender and ileum length when using GIQLI questionnaire, and with female gender, open approach, and advanced cancer stage when using the EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaire. No significant deficiency in vitamin B12 levels was observed regardless of the length of surgical specimen. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory.

Correction to: Ileocecal valve syndrome and vitamin b12 deficiency after surgery: a multicentric prospective study.

One of the co-author Eliana Cagnazzo has been incorrectly published. The correct co-author name has been copied below.

Technical pro & cons of the laparoscopic lymphadenectomy.

Laparoscopy has been introduced in treatment of gastric cancer to reduce surgical trauma and to improve post-operative functional recovery. Most of international guidelines allow the use of this minimally invasive approach in general surgical practice only in clinical stage I. One of the most important concerns in fact is the feasibility of D2 lymphadenectomy through laparoscopy. Reduced numbers of harvested lymph nodes have been reported, particularly in stations with a more difficult access. Nevertheless subsequent papers reported adequate numbers of total number of nodes retrieved, even with D2 dissection and even in complex stations but results from randomized controlled trials still lack. Laparoscopic approach has been proven safe and effective also in extremely complex maneuvers as spleen-preserving retropancreatic lymphadenectomy. The minimally invasive approach in D2 lymphadenectomy seems to be associated to comparable incidence of specific complications as compared to open surgery. The use of laparoscopy has extended the operating time but has reduced the blood loss. Because of high complexity of this kind surgery, laparoscopic gastric surgery for cancer should be done only in referral centers.