Role of Microbiome in the Outcomes Following Surgical Repair of Perianal Fistula: Prospective Cohort Study Design and Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: Anal fistulae are common, predominantly cryptoglandular, and almost invariably require surgical treatment. Recurrences are common for procedures other than fistulotomy regardless of technique and adequacy of repair. Growing evidence supports the pivotal role of specific intestinal bacteria in anastomotic failures after bowel resection. Anal crypts harbor colonic microbiota suggesting that similar mechanisms to anastomotic healing might prevail after anal fistula repair and hence influence healing. This study aims at assessing the potential role of the intestinal microbiome in the clinical outcomes after surgical repair of cryptoglandular anal fistula. METHODS: This is a pilot prospective cohort study enrolling patients with anal fistula undergoing endoanal advancement flap. For microbiome analysis, stool samples are taken via rectal swab before the procedure; additionally, a portion of the fistula is collected intraoperatively after fistulectomy. Samples from groups with treatment failure are compared to samples from patients who healed after surgical repair. Alpha and beta diversities and differential abundance of microbial taxa are determined and compared between groups with DADA2 analytical pipeline. RESULTS: Five patients have been enrolled to date (one female, four male). At median follow-up of 6 months (2-11), one patient experienced disease recurrence at 3 months. DNA from the 5 rectal swab and tissue samples was extracted, showing increased relative abundance of Enterococcus faecalis in samples from the patient who developed a recurrent fistula but not in those without recurrence. CONCLUSION: These very preliminary data suggest that intestinal microbiome may represent a crucial determinant of the surgical outcomes after anal fistula surgery.

Is colorectal mucosa a reasonable graft alternative to buccal grafts for urethroplasty?: A comparison of graft histology and stretch.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the histological properties and stretch of colorectal mucosal grafts (CMG) and buccal mucosal grafts (BMG) and to evaluate the impact of age, medical comorbidity and tobacco use on these metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of BMGs from patients undergoing augmentation urethroplasty were sent for pathologic review. CMGs were collected from patients undergoing elective colectomy. CMGs were harvested fresh, at full thickness from normal rectum/sigmoid. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, prior radiation, or chemotherapy were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy two BMGs and 53 CMGs were reviewed. While BMGs and CMGs were both histologically composed of mucosal (epithelium + lamina propria) and submucosal layers, the mucosal layer in CMG had crypts. The outer epithelial layers differed significantly in mean thickness (BMG 573µm vs. CMG 430µm, p=0.0001). Mean lamina propria thickness and submucosal layer thickness also differed significantly (BMG 135µm vs. CMG 400µm, p<0.0001; BMG 1090µm vs. CMG 808µm, p = 0.007, respectively). Mean delta stretch, as to length and width, was greater for CMG (118% x 72%) compared to BMGs (22% x 8%), both p<0.001. CONCLUSION: CMGs and BMGs significantly differ histologically in layer composition, width and architecture, as well as graft stretch. Given its elastic properties, CMG may be useful in covering large surface areas, but its thin epithelium, thick lamina propria and additional muscularis mucosal layer could impact graft take and contracture.

Exposure to Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor Medications Increases the Incidence of Pouchitis After Restorative Proctocolectomy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Pouchitis is the most frequent complication after IPAA in patients with ulcerative colitis. Antibiotics represent the mainstay of treatment, suggesting a crucial role of dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of this condition. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents have been shown to adversely impact the gut microbiome and local host immunity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of prior exposure to biologics on the development of pouchitis in patients who have ulcerative colitis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective case-control study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a tertiary-care IBD center. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent restorative proctocolectomy between 2000 and 2010 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was the incidence of pouchitis. RESULTS: Four hundred seventeen patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent IPAA were included. The incidence of pouchitis was 40.4%. There were no differences in patient demographics, disease-specific factors, surgical approach, and short-term postoperative complications between patients who developed pouchitis compared to those that did not. Patients exposed to anti-tumor necrosis factor agents or preoperative steroids were significantly more likely to develop pouchitis (anti-tumor necrosis factor: 47.9% vs 36.5%, p = 0.027; steroids: 41.7% vs 23.3%, p = 0.048). However, on multivariable analysis, only anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy was an independent predictor for pouchitis (p = 0.05). Pouchitis was not associated with adverse long-term outcomes. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design was a limitation of this study. CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of patients undergoing IPAA for ulcerative colitis with at least a 5-year follow-up, anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure was the only independent risk factor for the development of pouchitis. These agents may "precondition" the pouch to develop pouchitis through alterations in the microbiome and/or local host immunity of the terminal ileum. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B19. LA EXPOSICIÓN A MEDICAMENTOS ANTI-TNF AUMENTA LA INCIDENCIA DE POUCHITIS DESPUÉS DE LA PROCTOCOLECTOMÍA RESTAURADORA EN PACIENTES CON COLITIS ULCEROSA:: La pouchitis es la complicación más frecuente después de la anastomosis anal de bolsa ileal en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa. Los antibióticos representan el pilar del tratamiento, lo que sugiere un papel crucial de la disbiosis en la patogénesis de esta afección. Se ha demostrado que los agentes anti-TNF tienen un impacto adverso en la microbiota intestinal y en la inmunidad local del huésped.El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el efecto de la exposición previa a terapía biológica sobre el desarrollo de la pouchitis en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa.Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles.Centro de tercer nivel de atención en enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales.Pacientes consecutivos con colitis ulcerosa que se sometieron a proctocolectomía restaurativa entre 2000-2010.Incidencia de pouchitis.Cuatrocientos diecisiete pacientes con colitis ulcerativa se sometieron a anastomosis anal de bolsa ileal. La incidencia de pouchitis fue del 40.4%. No hubo diferencias en la demografía del paciente, los factores específicos de la enfermedad, el abordaje quirúrgico y las complicaciones postoperatorias a corto plazo entre los pacientes que desarrollaron pouchitis en comparación con los que no lo hicieron. Los pacientes expuestos a agentes anti-TNF o esteroides preoperatorios fueron significativamente más propensos a desarrollar pouchitis (anti-TNF: 47.9% vs 36.5%, p = 0.027; esteroides: 41.7% vs 23.3%, p = 0.048). Sin embargo, en el análisis multivariable, solo la terapia anti-TNF fue un predictor independiente para la pouchitis (p = 0.05). La pouchitis no se asoció con resultados adversos a largo plazo.Diseño retrospectivo.En una gran cohorte de pacientes sometidos a anastomosis anal de bolsa ileal para la colitis ulcerosa con al menos 5 años de seguimiento, la exposición a terapía anti-TNF fue el único factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo de pouchitis. Estos agentes pueden "precondicionar" la bolsa para desarrollar una pouchitis a través de alteraciones en el microbioma y / o inmunidad local del huésped del íleon terminal. Vea el Resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B19.

Risk factors for wound complications in patients undergoing primary closure of the perineal defect after total proctectomy.

PURPOSE: Perineal wounds after complete proctectomy are at risk for failure, with dramatic consequences on patients' health and quality of life. This study is aimed at identifying risk factors for wound complications in patients undergoing primary closure of the perineal defect after total proctectomy. METHODS: Data from 284 patients undergoing total proctectomy from 2002 to 2012 either at the University of Chicago Medical Center or the Catholic University of Rome Hospital were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, the perineal wound complication rate was 21.8%. Successful conservative management was accomplished in 45.2% of cases. Complications occurred significantly more often in patients with a higher Charlson score index, with the diagnosis of rectal cancer, who had received preoperative radiation and who had a surgical drain placed at the time of initial surgery. Neoadjuvant radiation was the only significant risk factor at multivariate analysis (OR 4.40). In the rectal cancer subgroup, younger age, female gender, and preoperative radiation were predictors of wound complications. Based on that, a 3-point score (radiation, age, and gender (RAG)) was developed. Patients with a score of 3 had a 50% risk of developing a perineal wound complication. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal wound complications are a common and burdensome problem after total proctectomy. Preoperative radiation is the single most significant and controllable risk factor predicting perineal wound failure. In the presence of multiple, non-modifiable risk factors, alternative approaches to primary closure should be considered in managing complex perineal defects.

Postoperative portomesenteric venous thrombosis: lessons learned from 1,069 consecutive laparoscopic colorectal resections.

BACKGROUND: Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PVT) is a known complication after open and laparoscopic colorectal (LCR) surgery. Risk factors and the prognosis of PVT have been poorly described. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. Patients with new-onset postoperative abdominal pain were evaluated with a computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Patients found to have PVT were analyzed. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of PVT. RESULTS: A total of 1,069 patients undergoing LCR surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or nonmetastatic cancer between June 2002 and June 2012 were included. Altogether, 37 (3.5 %) patients experienced symptomatic postoperative PVT. On univariate analysis, IBD (p < 0.001), ulcerative colitis (p = 0.016), preoperative therapy with steroids (p = 0.008), operative time ≥220 min (p = 0.004), total proctocolectomy (TPC) (p < 0.001), ileoanal pouch anastomosis (p = 0.006), and postoperative intraabdominal septic complications (p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors. By multivariate analysis, TPC (p = 0.026) and postoperative intraabdominal septic complications (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PVT. In the PVT group, postoperative length of stay was longer (14.8 vs. 7.4 days, p < 0.001). Of the patients evaluated with a hematologic workup, 72.7 % were found to have a hypercoagulable condition. All patients were managed with oral anticoagulation for at least 6 months. No death or complications related to PVT occurred. CONCLUSIONS: PVT is a potentially serious complication that is more likely to occur after TPC and in the presence of postoperative intraabdominal septic complications, particularly in patients with a coagulation disorder. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with oral anticoagulation are recommended to avoid long-term sequelae.

Preoperative infliximab therapy does not increase morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic resection for inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: The impact of infliximab on the postoperative course of patients with IBD is under debate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of infliximab on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection for IBD. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, institutional review board-approved database. SETTING, PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection on preoperative infliximab (infliximab group) were compared with patients who did not receive infliximab (noninfliximab group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality rates were assessed. RESULTS: Elective laparoscopic resection for IBD was performed on 518 patients from January 2004 through June 2011; 142 patients were treated with infliximab preoperatively. Both groups had similar demographics, type and severity of IBD, comorbidities, and type of surgery. A significantly higher number of patients in the infliximab group had been on aggressive medical therapy to control symptoms of IBD during the month preceding surgery, including steroids (73.9 vs 58.8%, p = 0.002) and immunosuppressors (32.4 vs 20.5%, p = 0.006). Operative time and blood loss were similar (p = 0.50 and p = 0.34). Intraoperative complication rate was 2.1% in both groups. No significant differences were observed in terms of the conversion rate to laparotomy (6.3% vs 9.3%, p = 0.36), overall 30-day postoperative morbidity (p = 0.93), or mortality (p = 0.61). The rates of anastomotic leak (2.1% vs 1.3%, p = 0.81), infections (12% vs 11.2%, p = 0.92), and thrombotic complications (3.5% vs 5.6%, p = 0.46) were similar. Subgroup analyses confirmed similar rates of overall, infectious, and thrombotic complications regardless of whether patients had ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. LIMITATIONS: This study is subject to the limitations of a retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab is not associated with increased rates of postoperative complications after laparoscopic resection.

Role of radiation in intermediate-risk rectal cancer.

The treatment of rectal cancer has greatly evolved during the last several decades as a result of the understanding of the pathways of cancer spread, natural history of the disease, stages prognosis and prognostic markers. The tendency is clearly to move toward a more personalized approach to these patients based on preoperative staging and response to therapy. Although in the past we have been adding more treatment modalities to surgery to the point that every stage II/III cancer was treated with neoadjuvant chemo and radiotherapy followed by radical surgery by total mesorectal excision with or without sphincter preservation and more chemotherapy to follow, more recently this algorithm has been under discussion and scrutiny. Two of the major topics of controversy are: the use of local excision or even a watch-and-wait approach after a clinical complete response and the need for radiotherapy in the intermediate risk group. In this manuscript we will present the historical perspective that has brought the treatment of rectal cancer to the current standard of care and present the evidence supporting further investigation in the intermediate risk group.

Single-incision laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy for refractory ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: A three-stage restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the treatment of choice for the particularly debilitated patient with medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Laparoscopic surgery has been shown to offer several advantages over the open approach in this setting. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is an emerging minimally invasive strategy representing a truly scarless procedure for the first surgical step, namely, the total abdominal colectomy (TAC). METHODS: Nine consecutive patients with medically refractory UC underwent a single-incision laparoscopic TAC between May and October 2010. All patients were on aggressive medical therapy with corticosteroids or immunosuppressors and were selected for this approach on the basis of their body habitus and the absence of relevant comorbidities. The whole operation was performed through a single access to the abdominal cavity, placed at the ostomy site marked preoperatively. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 142 ± 23 min, with an estimate blood loss of 108 ± 125 ml. No intraoperative complications or conversions to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery occurred. In all cases the postoperative course was uneventful. The return of bowel function was observed on postoperative day 1.7 ± 0.7, and patients could tolerate a solid diet on postoperative day 3 ± 0.5. The mean postoperative length of stay was 5.2 ± 1.3 days. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, a single-incision laparoscopic approach to total abdominal colectomy for refractory ulcerative colitis has been shown to be safe and feasible. Initial results suggest that this technique can lead to improvements in short-term outcomes in selected patients.

Do perioperative blood transfusions influence prognosis of gastric cancer patients? Analysis of 927 patients and interactions with splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study was to assess the influence of perioperative blood transfusions on the prognosis of patients undergoing a potentially curative resection for gastric cancer and to investigate the interaction between transfusions and splenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2005, 927 patients from 6 Italian tertiary referral centers underwent curative resections for gastric cancer. Clinical and pathologic variables were prospectively collected. The influence of perioperative blood transfusions on survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Moreover, the influence of splenectomy both in transfused and nontransfused patients undergoing total gastrectomy was also evaluated. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival was 54.6%. The 5-year survival rate in transfused patients (n = 327) was 50.6% compared with 56.6% in nontransfused patients (n = 600) (P = .094). In the subgroup of patients who underwent total gastrectomy with spleen preservation (n = 209), 5-year survival rate was 46% and 51.4% in transfused and nontransfused patients, respectively (P = .418); those who underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy (n = 199) presented a 5-year survival rate of 45% in transfused group compared with 39.1% in nontransfused patients (P = .571). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates a slightly, but not significantly, negative effect of allogeneic blood transfusion on prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In the subgroup of patients who underwent total gastrectomy, splenectomy seems to invert this mild effect, with a positive influence on overall survival.

Anastomotic Techniques for Abdominal Crohn's Disease: Tricks and Tips.

After surgical resection for Crohn's disease (CD) endoscopic recurrence is noted within few weeks and almost 80% of patients will have evidence of endoscopic recurrence at the anastomosis after ileocolic resection at 1 year. With time and if left untreated surgical recurrence will be detected at the preanastomotic segment or at the anastomosis in the vast majority of cases. It has become progressively apparent also based on these historical data that anastomotic configuration plays a major role in the subsequent recurrence of CD in surgically induced remission. In this article, we will review the evidence in the literature to support the different anastomotic configurations and we will discuss the principles of surgical prophylaxis of CD recurrence.

Is colorectal mucosa a reasonable graft alternative to buccal grafts for urethroplasty?: A comparison of graft histology and stretch

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the histological properties and stretch of colorectal mucosal grafts (CMG) and buccal mucosal grafts (BMG) and to evaluate the impact of age, medical comorbidity and tobacco use on these metrics. Materials and Methods: Samples of BMGs from patients undergoing augmentation urethroplasty were sent for pathologic review. CMGs were collected from patients undergoing elective colectomy. CMGs were harvested fresh, at full thickness from normal rectum/sigmoid. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, prior radiation, or chemotherapy were excluded. Results: Seventy two BMGs and 53 CMGs were reviewed. While BMGs and CMGs were both histologically composed of mucosal (epithelium + lamina propria) and submucosal layers, the mucosal layer in CMG had crypts. The outer epithelial layers differed significantly in mean thickness (BMG 573μm vs. CMG 430μm, p=0.0001). Mean lamina propria thickness and submucosal layer thickness also differed significantly (BMG 135μm vs. CMG 400μm, p<0.0001; BMG 1090μm vs. CMG 808μm, p = 0.007, respectively). Mean delta stretch, as to length and width, was greater for CMG (118% x 72%) compared to BMGs (22% x 8%), both p<0.001. Conclusion: CMGs and BMGs significantly differ histologically in layer composition, width and architecture, as well as graft stretch. Given its elastic properties, CMG may be useful in covering large surface areas, but its thin epithelium, thick lamina propria and additional muscularis mucosal layer could impact graft take and contracture.

[Surgical anatomy of the anterior mediastinum]. / Anatomia chirurgica del mediastino anteriore.

The mediastinum is located from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm between the left and right pleural cavities and contains vital structures of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and nervous system. Over the years, since there are no fascial or anatomic planes, anatomists and radiologists have suggested various schemes for subdividing the mediastinum and several anatomical and radiological classifications of the mediastinum are reported in the literature. The most popular of these scheme divides medistinum, for purposes of description, into two parts: an upper portion, above the upper level of the pericardium, which is named the superior mediastinum; and a lower portion, below the upper level of the pericardium. For clinical purposes, the mediastinum may be subdivided into three major areas, i.e. anterior, middle, and posterior compartments. The anterior mediastinum is defined as the region posterior to the sternum and anterior to the heart and brachiocephalic vessels. It extends from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm and contains the thymus gland, fat, and lymph nodes. This article will review surgical anatomy of the anterior mediastinum and will focus on the surgical approch to anterior mediastinum and thymic diseases.