A. Alves

Preoperative Biliary Drainage in Patients with Resectable Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Safer and More Effective than Endoscopic Biliary Drainage? A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE To determine the best initial procedure for performing preoperative biliary drainage in patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched for all studies published until June 2016 comparing endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for preoperative biliary drainage. Meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS Four retrospective studies were identified that met the criteria. The analysis was performed on 433 patients who underwent preoperative biliary drainage for resectable PHCC. Of those, 275 (63.5%) had EBD and 158 (36.5%) had PTBD as the initial procedure. The overall procedure-related morbidity rate was significantly lower in the PTBD group than in the EBD group (39 of 147 [26.5%] vs 82 of 185 [44.3%]; odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-3.57; P = .0009). The rate of conversion from one procedure to the other was significantly lower in the PTBD group than in the EBD group (8 of 158 [5.0%] vs 73 of 275 [26.5%]; odds ratio, 4.76; 95% CI, 2.71-8.36; P < .00001). Pancreatitis occurred only in the EBD group (25 of 275 [9.0%] vs 0 of 158; OR, 7.46; 95% CI, 3.02-18.44; P < .0001). The cholangitis rate was significantly lower in the PTBD group than in the EBD group (12 of 158 [7.6%] vs 93 of 275 [33.8%]; OR, 5.41; 95% CI, 2.75-10.63; P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis shows that PTBD has a lower rate of complications than EBD as the initial procedure to perform preoperative biliary drainage in resectable PHCC. PTBD is associated with less conversion and lower rates of pancreatitis and cholangitis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement increases feasibility of colorectal surgery in cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Colorectal resection in cirrhotic patients is associated with high mortality and morbidity related to portal hypertension and liver insufficiency. METHODS This retrospective study evaluated the clinical outcomes of cirrhotic patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) placement before colorectal resection for cancer. Main outcomes measures were postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. RESULTS TIPS placement was successful in all eight patients and significantly decreased the mean hepatic venous pressure gradient from 15.5 ± 2.9 to 7.5 ± 1.9 mmHg (p = 0.02). Surgical procedures included right colectomy (n = 3), left colectomy (n = 2), and proctectomy with total mesorectal excision (n=3). Post-operatively, two patients (25%) died of multiple organ failure. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 75%, and major complications were seen in 25%. CONCLUSION Portal decompression via TIPS placement may enable selected cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension to undergo colorectal resection for cancer.

Delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy increases the total hospital stay compared to an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after acute cholecystitis: an updated meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to review the available prospective, randomized, controlled trials to determine whether an early (ELC) or a delayed (DLC) approach to a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with an increase in length of hospitalization after acute cholecystitis. METHODS Medline, the Cochrane Trials Register and EMBASE were searched for prospective, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ELC versus DLC, published up to May 2014. A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.0. RESULTS Nine RCTs were included in a total of 617 who underwent ELC and 603 patients who underwent DLC after acute cholecystitis. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days in the ELC group and 9.1 days in the DLC group. The meta-analysis showed a mean hospital stay significantly lower in the ELC group [medical doctor (MD) = 3.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.95-4.54, P < 0.001]. The major biliary duct injury rate in the ELC group was 0.8% (2/247) and 0.9% (2/223) in the DLC group. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference between the ELC and DLC groups [relative risk (RR) =0.96, 95%CI = 0.25-3.73, P = 0.950]. CONCLUSION DLC is associated with a longer total hospital stay but equivalent morbidity as compared to ELC for patients presenting with acute cholecystitis. ELC would appear to be the treatment of choice for patients presenting with ELC.

Genito-urinary sequelae after carcinological rectal resection: What to tell patients in 2017

Although we have seen revolutionary changes with multi-disciplinary management of patients with rectal cancer, the evaluation of genito-urinary sequelae remains of great concern. Precise pre-operative evaluation with validated scores allows detection of urinary disorders in 16 to 23% of patients, and sexual disorders in nearly 35% of men and 50% of women. Regardless of the surgical approach, it is fundamental to respect the autonomic innervation during total mesorectal excision in order to prevent these sequelae. Identification of these nerves can be facilitated by intra-operative neuro-stimulation. In spite of these precautions, de novo urinary sequelae are observed in nearly 33% of patients and bladder evacuation disorders in 25% of patients. Advanced age, pre-operative urinary disorders, female gender, and abdomino-perineal resection are independent risk factors for urinary sequelae. Early post-operative urodynamic abnormalities might be predictive of these sequelae and justify early physiotherapy. Likewise, sexual sequelae such as erectile and/or ejaculatory disorders, dyspareunia and lubrication deficits result in de novo cessation of sexual activity in 28% of men and 18% of women. Advanced age, neo-adjuvant radiation therapy, and abdomino-perineal resection are independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Pharmacotherapy with sildenafil has proven useful in the treatment of erectile disorders. Genito-urinary and ano-rectal sequelae occur concomitantly in more than one of ten patients, suggesting a potential common pathophysiology.

Effect of bariatric surgery on urinary and fecal incontinence: prospective analysis with 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND Few studies have established that obesity promotes all types of urinary incontinence and disorders of the pelvic floor. The role of bariatric surgery in urinary incontinence remains poorly studied. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of bariatric surgery on urinary incontinence, dysuria, and fecal incontinence before and 1 year after bariatric surgery. SETTING University hospital expert in bariatric surgery METHODS: This was an observational cohort study of 140 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between September 2013 and September 2014. Patients prospectively completed 4 questionnaires, 2 for urinary symptoms and 2 for fecal incontinence. Eighty-three women and 33 men completed 4 questionnaires the day before surgery when arriving in the department and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS Of the 140 patients, 116 completely responded to the 4 questionnaires. The rate of urinary incontinence was 50.9% before surgery and 19% at 1-year follow-up (P<.0001). After bariatric surgery, there was improvement in the rate of stress urinary incontinence: 39.7% before surgery versus 15.5% at 1 year (P<.0001). In addition, there was an improvement in urinary urge incontinence: 36.8% versus 7.9% at 1 year (P<.0001). The dysuria rate was 19.8% before surgery versus 3.4% at 1 year (P<.0001). Bariatric surgery improved the quality of life related to urinary symptoms (P<.0001). One year after surgery, there was no significant difference in terms of prevalence and severity of fecal incontinence. CONCLUSION We confirmed with our study that weight loss after bariatric surgery improves stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, dysuria, and quality of life. However, we did not find any positive effect on fecal incontinence.

Meckel's diverticulum in the adult

Meckels diverticulum (MD) is the most common gastro-intestinal congenital malformation (approximately 2% in the overall population). The lifetime risk of related complications is estimated at 4%. These include gastro-intestinal bleeding, obstruction or diverticular inflammation. Diagnosis is difficult and rarely made, and imaging, especially in the case of complicated disease, is often not helpful; however exploratory laparoscopy is an important diagnostic tool. The probability of onset of complication decreases with age, and the diagnosis of MD in the adult is therefore often incidental. Resection is indicated in case of complications but remains debatable when MD is found incidentally. According to an analysis of large series in the literature, surgery is not indicated in the absence of risk factors for complications: these include male gender, age younger than 40, diverticulum longer than two centimetres and the presence of macroscopically mucosal alteration noted at surgery. Resection followed by anastomosis seems preferable to wedge resection or tangential mechanical stapling because of the risk of leaving behind abnormal heterotopic mucosa.

Guiding the non-bariatric surgeon through complications of bariatric surgery

Complications in bariatric surgery are varied; they are severe at times but infrequent. They may be surgical or non-surgical, and may occur early or late. The goal of this systematic review is to inform and help the attending physician, the emergency physician and the non-bariatric surgeon who may be called upon to manage surgical complications that arise after adjustable gastric band (AGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or gastric bypass (GBP). Data from evidence-based medicine were extracted from the literature by a review of the Medline database and also of the most recent recommendations of the learned societies implicated. The main complications were classified for each intervention, and a distinction was made between early and late complications. Early complications after AGB include prosthetic slippage or perforation; SG can be complicated early by staple line leak or fistula, and BPG by fistula, stenosis and postoperative hemorrhage. Delayed complications of AGB include intragastric migration of the prosthesis, late prosthetic slippage and infection, while SG can be complicated by gastro-esophageal reflux, and BPG by anastomotic ulcer and internal hernia. The analysis of available data allowed us to develop decisional algorithms for the management of each of these complications.

Stenosis without stricture after sleeve gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an increasingly popular restrictive bariatric procedure as attested by the 5,302 procedures performed in 2009, increasing worldwide to 13,557 in 2011 and to 24,190 in 2013. Among the early complications, gastric stricture is well described with a prevalence between 0.7 and 4.0% (Dhahri et al., 2010). The patient reported here had functional stenosis without any underlying anatomic stricture. This complication is rare and is the consequence of spiral stapling resulting in a gastric tube that is twisted from the start (Iannelli et al., 2014). Twisted sleeve gastrectomy resulting from spiral stapling exposes the patient to the risk of recurrent dysphagia, which has the appearance of stenosis on upper GI series but not on fibroscopy. Conversion to RY-GBP is one solution. At six months follow-up after conversion, our patient is symptom-free, with quality of life was rated excellent (a score greater than 9 on the BAROS questionnaire).

Is pathological complete response after a trimodality therapy, a predictive factor of long-term survival in locally-advanced esophageal cancer? Results of a retrospective monocentric study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate long-term (5- and 10-year) survival and recurrence rates on the basis of the pathological complete response (pCR) in the specimens of patients with esophageal carcinoma, treated with trimodality therapy. METHODS Between 1993 and 2014, all consecutives patients with esophageal locally-advanced non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (ADC) who received trimodality therapy were reviewed. According to histopathological analysis, patients were divided in two groups with pCR and with pathological residual tumor (pRT). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints included the disease-free survival (DFS), the recurrence rate, and the predictive factors of overall survival and recurrence. RESULTS One hundred and three patients were included: 49 patients with pCR and 54 patients with pRT. The median OS was significantly longer in pCR group than in pRT group (132±22.3 vs. 25.5±4 months), with both 5- and 10-years OS rates of 75.2% vs. 29.1%, and 51.1% vs. 13.6%, respectively (P<0.001). Also, pRT, major postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien grade>IIIb) and recurrence were the 3 independent predictive factors for worse OS. CONCLUSIONS Patients with locally-advanced oesophageal carcinoma, who responded to trimodality therapy with a pCR, could be achieved a 10-year survival rate of 51%.

Does previous transanal excision for early rectal cancer impair surgical outcomes and pathologic findings of completion total mesorectal excision? Results of a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND Transanal excision (TAE) is increasingly used in the treatment of early rectal cancer because of lower rate of both postoperative complications and postsurgical functional disorders as compared with total mesorectal excision (TME) OBJECTIVE: To compare in a meta-analysis surgical outcomes and pathologic findings between patients who underwent TAE followed by completion proctectomy with TME (TAE group) for early rectal cancer with unfavorable histology or incomplete resection, and those who underwent primary TME (TME group). METHODS The Medline and Cochrane Trials Register databases were searched for studies comparing short-term outcomes between patients who underwent TAE followed by completion TME versus primary TME. Studies published until December 2016 were included. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.0 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). RESULTS Meta-analysis showed that completion TME after TAE was significantly associated with increased reintervention rate (OR=4.28; 95% CI, 1.10-16.76; P≤0.04) and incomplete mesorectal excision rate (OR=5.74; 95% CI, 2.24-14.75; P≤0.0003), as compared with primary TME. However there both abdominoperineal amputation and circumferential margin invasion rates were comparable between TAE and TME groups. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggests that previous TAE impaired significantly surgical outcomes and pathologic findings of completion TME as compared with primary TME. First transanal approach during completion TME might be evaluated in order to decrease technical difficulties.