Avanish Saklani

Adhesive intestinal obstruction in laparoscopic vs open colorectal resection

Aim  While there is evidence that laparoscopy creates fewer adhesions, evidence regarding decreased episodes of adhesive obstruction in laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR) is still lacking. The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of adhesion‐related admissions/surgery in patients undergoing LCR and open colorectal resection (OCR).

Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum-A Composite of Three Different Subtypes With Varying Outcomes?

INTRODUCTION Adenocarcinoma of the rectum has been classified by the World Health Organization into various histologic subtypes. We analyzed the effect of the histologic subtype (classic, signet ring cell, and mucinous) on the clinical outcomes of patients with rectal cancer. We hypothesized that clinicopathologic outcome measures such as tumor margins, tumor regression grade, recurrence rate, and survival would vary with the histologic subtype. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. All patients with stage I-III rectal adenocarcinoma were included. RESULTS From May 2010 to August 2013, 273 patients underwent curative resection. Both mucin-secreting variants were more common in younger patients and presented at a more advanced stage. Also, 54% and 48% of those with signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) and mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) had node-positive disease compared with the rate in the classic variant (30%). Circumferential resection margin positivity was 24% with MAC and 19% with SRCC compared with 4% with the classic variant. Disease-free survival for those with the classic and mucinous variants was 38.5 and 37.4 months, respectively. In contrast, it was 28.6 months in the SRCC group. The overall survival did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION Rectal adenocarcinoma presents as a spectrum of disease, with progressively worsening outcomes from classic to MAC to SRCC. These aggressive variants might warrant more aggressive resection. These data from the Indian subcontinent differ from the published data from Western countries.

Short-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection in Patients with Previous Abdominal Operations

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic colorectal procedures (LCPs) are technically demanding; previous abdominal surgery may add to their complexity. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of previous abdominal surgery (PAS) on laparoscopic colorectal surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A prospective database was used to record LCPs between 2001 and 2011. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of patients with no PAS, and Group B of patients with PAS. Data collected included prior abdominal operations, type of LCP, operative time, and conversions. Operative mortality, morbidity, and ward stay in both groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Fishers exact test and Students t test. RESULTS One hundred eighty-one patients underwent LCPs: 113 in Group A and 68 in Group B. Mean operative time in Group A and Group B was 216.5 (range, 60-520) minutes and 233.2 (range, 114-544) minutes, respectively (P = .17). In the first 90 cases, the mean operative time was significantly lower for Group A (203 minutes) than in Group B (236.5 minute) (P = .02). The rate of conversion was 10.6% (12/113) in Group A and 13.2% (9/68) in Group B (P = .6). Two patients in Group B had small bowel enterotomies (1 missed on the operating table) compared with none in Group A. Morbidities were comparable in both groups. Median hospital stay was 4.5 and 4 days in Groups A and B, respectively (P=.9). There were 3 deaths in Group A (2 due to medical causes and 1 surgical-related). One surgical-related death (missed enterotomy) occurred in Group B. CONCLUSIONS Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in patients with PAS are acceptable. There is no significant difference in conversion rate, hospital stay, morbidity, or mortality. The difference in the operative time is significant only in the early part of the learning curve. Meticulous adhesiolysis to avoid and recognize enterotomy is of paramount importance.

Multimodality therapy of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the era of imatinib—an Indian series

BACKGROUND Primary objective was to determine if sphincter preservation is possible with the use of neoadjuvant imatinib in cases of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Secondary objectives were to determine clinicopathological characteristics and intermediate term oncological outcomes of the cases of rectal GIST. METHODS This is a retrospective review of 13 cases of GIST of the rectum diagnosed between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2015 at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India. Clinical parameters that were assessed were duration of the neoadjuvant imatinib therapy, type of surgery performed as well as perioperative morbidity. Pathological parameters that were assessed included the size of the tumor, completeness of resection, mitotic count and mutational analysis. RESULTS Of the 13 patients included, 11 were nonmetastatic at the time of presentation. All the patients received neoadjuvant imatinib in view of locally advanced nature of the tumors. Median distance from anal verge was 2 cm. Median duration of imatinib was 9 months. Of the 9 patients who underwent surgery, three had sphincter preserving surgery (33%) whereas the rest had abdomino-perineal resection. Two patients had perineal wound infections. All the operated patients received adjuvant imatinib therapy for 3 years. Median follow up period was 34 months. One patient developed distant metastasis; otherwise rest had no local or distant recurrence. CONCLUSIONS In cases of rectal GIST, sphincter preservation may not be possible in spite of neoadjuvant therapy with imatinib.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Approach for Intersphincteric Resection—Results from a Tertiary Cancer Center in India

The study aims to compare open intersphincteric resection (OISR) with laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (LISR) in terms of short-term oncological and clinical outcomes. This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database including all the patients of rectal cancer who underwent intersphincteric resection (ISR) at Tata Memorial Centre between 1st July 2013 and 30th November 2015. Short-term oncological parameters evaluated included circumferential resection margin involvement (CRM), distal resection margin involvement, and number of nodes harvested. Perioperative outcomes included blood loss, length of hospital stay and 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality. Chi-square test was used to compare the results between the two groups. Thirty nine cases of OISR and 34 cases of LISR were included in the study. Median BMI was higher in LISR group; otherwise, the two groups were comparable in all aspects. There were no conversions in LISR group. CRM involvement was seen in four patients (10%) in the conventional group compared to none in the LISR group. Median hospital stay was comparable between the two groups. Laparoscopic ISR is safe and can be performed with low conversion rate in selected group of patients.

Selective extra levator versus conventional abdomino perineal resection: experience from a tertiary-care center

BACKGROUND To compare extra levator abdomino perineal resection (ELAPER) with conventional abdominoperineal resection (APER) in terms of short-term oncological and clinical outcomes. METHODS This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database including all the patients of rectal cancer who underwent APER at Tata Memorial Center between July 1, 2013, and January 31, 2015. Short-term oncological parameters evaluated included circumferential resection margin involvement (CRM), tumor site perforation, and number of nodes harvested. Peri operative outcomes included blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative perineal wound complications, and 30-day mortality. The χ(2)-test was used to compare the results between the two groups. RESULTS Forty-two cases of ELAPER and 78 cases of conventional APER were included in the study. Levator involvement was significantly higher in the ELAPER compared with the conventional group; otherwise, the two groups were comparable in all the aspects. CRM involvement was seen in seven patients (8.9%) in the conventional group compared with three patients (7.14%) in the ELAPER group. Median hospital stay was significantly longer with ELAPER. The univariate analysis of the factors influencing CRM positivity did not show any significance. CONCLUSIONS ELAPER should be the preferred approach for low rectal tumors with involvement of levators. For those cases in which levators are not involved, as shown in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the current evidence is insufficient to recommend ELAPER over conventional APER. This stresses the importance of preoperative MRI in determining the best approach for an individual patient.

Restaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancers: is histology the key in patient selection?

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, there is no clarity regarding the necessity for restaging scans to rule out systemic progression of disease post chemoradiation with existing literature being divided on the need for the same. METHODS Data from a prospectively maintained database was retrospectively analysed. All locally advanced rectal cancers (node positive/T4/T3 with threatened or involved CRM) were included. Biopsy proof of adenocarcinoma and CT scan of abdomen and chest were mandatory. Grade of tumor and response to CTRT on restaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were documented. RESULTS Out of 119 patients subjected to CTRT, 72 underwent definitive total mesorectal excision while 13 patients progressed locoregionally on restaging MR pelvis and 15 other patients progressed systemically while the rest defaulted. Patients with poorly differentiated (PD) cancers were compared to those with well/moderately differentiated (WMD) tumors. PD tumors had a significantly higher rate of local progression (32.1% vs. 5.6% %, P=0.0011) and systemic progression (35.7% vs. 6.9%, P=0.0008) as compared to WMD tumors. Only one-third (9/28) of PD patients underwent TME while the rest progressed. CONCLUSIONS Selecting poorly differentiated tumors alone for restaging CECT abdomen and thorax will be a cost effective strategy as the rate of progression is very high. Also patients with PD tumors need to be consulted about the high probability of progression of disease.

Minimal invasive approach for beyond total mesorectal excision/extended resections in rectal cancer

Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is an accepted modality of treatment for rectal cancer. The indications for MIS have gradually been extended to locally advanced and locally recurrent rectal cancer as a result of technological advances in instrumentation, advances in surgical techniques, increased surgeon experience, and high volume center. However, safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery in beyond total mesorectal excision (b-TME) and extended TME (e-TME) are not well established. This review summarizes the current evidence for MIS approach for b-TME/extended resections in rectal cancer. A systematic search was carried out in PubMed. Studies available in English related to MIS approach in b-TME/e-TME in rectal cancers were identified and evaluated. This review concludes MIS is feasible with good perioperative outcomes in b-TME/e-TME in carefully selected patients. Laparoscopic surgery has considerable learning curve and should be performed by experienced surgical teams. Robotic surgery is feasible and beneficial in complex resection in pelvis. However, evidence for long-term oncological outcomes of MIS in b-TME/e-TME is low and needs to be studied further by randomized controlled trial once enough numbers are possible in institutes with high volume rate.

Pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancer origin: Evaluating process and outcomes: KUMAR et al.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of change in policy of computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax in staging and follow‐up of colorectal cancer (CRC). Another objective was to review the outcomes following pulmonary metastasectomies (Pmets) and to determine the prognostic factors affecting outcomes.

Role of Ultrasonography in the Surveillance of Disease-Free Patients with Colorectal Cancer: a Retrospective Audit

Close surveillance of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is helpful as early detection of resectable metastasis has a survival benefit. Ultrasonography (USG) is a frequently used modality to detect liver recurrence, although international guidelines do not include it. To evaluate the potential added role of USG in early detection of CRC recurrence. We performed a retrospective analysis of 230 patients of colorectal cancer treated at our institute in 2013–2014 who underwent abdominal USG for surveillance. 77/230 (33%) developed recurrence, with liver being the second most common site (22/230). 5/230 (2%) patients had recurrent disease first detected on USG, four of which also had raised serum CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) levels. There were three false positive and four false-negative cases on USG. There was no added advantage of USG for early detection of CRC recurrence.