Badma Bashankaev

Graciloplasty for rectourethral, rectovaginal and rectovesical fistulas: technique overview, pitfalls and complications

This technical note describes the surgical technique of graciloplasty as an option for the treatment of rectovaginal, rectourethral and rectovesical fistulas.

Laparoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease.

The goal of the surgical management of Crohn’s disease is to improve quality of life. Surgical management is generally reserved for patients who developed complications of the disease or who are unresponsive to or develop complications from aggressive medical therapy. Friable mesentery, inflammatory phlegmons, fistulas, abscesses, and adhesions from previous surgeries pose a surgical challenge to the laparoscopic approach. The laparoscopic approach to terminal ileal Crohn’s disease is feasible and safe even in cases complicated by fistulas with previous abdominal surgery or recurrent disease. This approach is associated with an increased operative time compared to laparotomy, however, offers significant advantages over open ileocolic resection in terms of pulmonary function, length of hospital stay, duration of postoperative ileus, cosmesis, postoperative small bowel obstruction, and early postoperative complications. Laparoscopy is also associated with decreased overall hospitalization costs and improved patient satisfaction. Therefore, the laparoscopic approach for patients with Crohn’s disease should be considered as the preferred operative approach.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer: Patientsʼ Outcome and Oncologic Adequacy

Background The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic management of rectal cancer to open surgery. Methods The medical records of patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or open proctectomy for rectal cancer between November 2004 and July 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Thirty-two patients in the laparoscopic group (LG) were matched for tumor location, stage, comorbidity, and type of surgical procedure to 50 patients in the open group (OG). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups relative to American Society of Anesthesiologists score or tumor, node, metastasis stage; however, body mass index and age of the LG were significantly lower compared with the OG (P<0.05). In the LG, the procedure was successfully laparoscopically completed in 28 patients (87.5%). The median operative time was 240 minutes in the LG and 185 minutes in the OG (P< 0.05). Overall morbidity was 25% and 38%, respectively (P=0.1), the median hospital stay was 6 days, and median time to first bowel movement was 3 days in the LG compared with 7 and 4 days in the OG, respectively (P=0.7 and 0.01, respectively). The number of identified lymph nodes, distal and radial margins were comparable between both groups. Median follow-up was 10 (1 to 18) months. Conclusions Laparoscopic proctectomy for rectal cancer is feasible in 87.5% of patients and despite a longer operative time compared with laparotomy, is safe with the advantages of faster recovery of bowel function. This procedure does not compromise the oncologic adequacy of resection or significantly differ from open proctectomy relative to short-term outcomes.

Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Medical Management of Postoperative Ileus in the Elderly

As the population of the Western world ages, the number of major surgical procedures performed in the elderly population will by necessity increase. Within virtually every surgical specialty, studies have shown that patients should not be denied surgery on the basis of chronological age alone. It has recently been recognized that physiological age is far more important within the decision-making algorithm as to whether or not to proceed with major surgery in the septuagenarian and octogenarian populations and beyond. Not unexpectedly, not only the results of these operations, but also the associated morbidities, are similar in older and younger populations. Therefore, it is not surprising that postoperative ileus (POI) affects patients of all ages. POI is a multifactorial condition that is exacerbated by opioid analgesics, bed rest and other conditions that may be rather prevalent in the postoperative elderly patient. Therefore, as major surgical interventions are considered in this population, appropriate assessment and, ideally, correction of any physiological disturbances should be undertaken along with implementation of standardized enhanced recovery protocols. Ideally, through this combined approach, an appreciable impact can be made on reducing POI while controlling postoperative pain and limiting postoperative thromboembolic, cardiopulmonary, cerebral and infectious complications. This article reviews the potential impact of pharmacological agents, laparoscopy and other manoeuvres on POI in the elderly.

Prevention and Treatment of Major Complications After Left Colon, Sigmoid, and Rectal Surgery

Anastomotic complications after colorectal surgery are unfortunate. The determinants of anastomotic healing include both general patients and disease-related conditions. Malnutrition (especially albumin 15 %), DM, radiation, shock, blood loss, and immune deficiency are among the many factors for anastomosis leak. These conditions should be taken into account when deciding whether or not to perform a primary anastomosis or an end colostomy and Hartmann’s stump or mucous fistula.