Carlos Vaccaro

Simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resections for colorectal cancer: postoperative and longterm outcomes

BACKGROUNDnOur goal was to analyze the results of resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases in one procedure.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnBetween June 1982 and July 1998, 522 patients underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases. Liver resection was performed simultaneously with colorectal resection in 71 cases, representing the population in this study. Morbidity, mortality, overall survival, and disease-free survival times were analyzed. Median followup time was 29 months (range 6 to 162 months). Prognostic factors and their influence on outcomes were analyzed.nnnRESULTSnThe median hospital stay was 8 days (range 5 to 23 days). Morbidity was 21% and included nine pleural effusions, seven wound abscesses, four instances of hepatic failure, three systemic infections, three intraabdominal abscesses, and one colonic anastomosis leakage. Operative mortality was 0%. Recurrence rate was 57.7% (41 or 71), and progression of disease was detected in 33.8%. Overall and disease-free survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88%, 45%, and 38% and 67%, 17%, and 9%, respectively. Prognostic factors with notable influence on patient outcomes were nodal stage as per TNM classification, number of liver metastases, diameter (smaller or larger than 5 cm), liver resection specimen weight (lighter or heavier than 90 g), and liver resection margin (smaller or larger than 1 cm).nnnCONCLUSIONSnSimultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates, avoiding a second surgical procedure.

Pudendal neuropathy in evacuatory disorders

PURPOSE: Aims of the present study were to assess frequency of pudendal neuropathy in patients with constipation and fecal incontinence, to determine its correlation with clinical variables, anal electromyographic assessment, and anal manometric pressures, and to determine usefulness of the pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment in evaluation of these evacuatory disorders. METHODS: From 1988 to 1993, 395 patients (constipated, 172; incontinent, 223) underwent pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, electromyography, and anal manometry. Pudendal neuropathy was defined as a pudendal nerve terminal motor latency greater than 2.2 ms. RESULTS: Patients were a mean age of 60.7 (range, 17–88) years. Overall incidence of pudendal neuropathy was 31.4 percent (constipated, 23.8 percent; incontinent, 37.2 percent;P<0.05). Incidence of pudendal neuropathy dramatically increased after 70 years of age in both groups (22 percentvs.44 percent;P<0.05). Moreover, subjects with pudendal neuropathy were older than those without pudendal neuropathy (mean age, 67vs.57 years;P<0.05). The presence of pudendal neuropathy was associated with decreased motor unit potentials recruitment in patients with incontinence (P<0.01). Patients with and without pudendal neuropathy had a similar mean squeezing pressure in both groups. CONCLUSION: Pudendal neuropathy is an age-related phenomenon. Although pudendal neuropathy is associated with abnormal anal electromyographic findings in patients with incontinence, no association with anal manometric pressures was found. Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment is a useful tool in the evaluation of patients with fecal incontinence, but its role in the assessment of constipated patients remains unknown.

Lymph Node Ratio as Prognosis Factor for Colon Cancer Treated by Colorectal Surgeons

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of the lymph node ratio in patients with colon cancer treated by colorectal specialists. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-two Stage III consecutive cases were analyzed based on quartiles: lymph node ratio 1 (>0 and <0.06); lymph node ratio 2 (between 0.06 and 0.12); lymph node ratio 3 (>0.12 and <0.25); lymph node ratio 4 (≥0.25). RESULTS: Disease-free survival rates were: lymph node ratio 1, 75.5%; lymph node ratio 2, 74.2%; lymph node ratio 3, 73.2%; and lymph node ratio 4, 40.1%. Similar differences were observed for cancer-specific and overall survival rates. Cases with lymph node ratio ≥0.25 had higher hazard ratios than cases with lymph node ratio <0.25 in terms of disease-free survival (2.8, P < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (3.1, P = 0.0001), and overall survival (2.2, P = 0.0001). The hazard ratio of cases with up to three positive nodes and lymph node ratios ≥0.25 was higher than that of cases with up to three positive nodes and lymph node ratios <0.25 in terms of disease-free survival (3.1, P = 0.003), cancer-specific survival (3.5, P = 0.002), and overall survival (2.4, P = 0.02). Similar differences were found for cases with more than three positive nodes. Lymph node ratio, but not number of positive nodes, had independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. No interaction between these two variables was found. CONCLUSION: A lymph node ratio ≥0.25 was an independent prognostic factor in Stage III colon adenocarcinoma regardless of the number positive nodes. It modified outcomes predicted by the current staging system.

Pudendal neuropathy is not related to physiologic pelvic outlet obstruction

Chronic straining because of pelvic outlet obstruction is hypothesized to cause pudendal neuropathy (PN) by stretch injury. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine any association between PN and pelvic outlet obstruction. METHODS: One hundred forty-seven constipated patients were evaluated by cinedefecography and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment. PN was defined as a latency longer than 2.2 ms. Pelvic outlet obstructive patterns of evacuation included paradoxic contraction, nonrelaxation of the puborectalis muscle, or failure of opening of the anal canal. RESULTS: Median length of constipation including straining during evacuation was eight (range, 1–47) years. Ninety-one (62 percent) subjects had a normal pattern of evacuation, and 56 (38 percent) had an obstructed pattern. Both groups had a similar median age (68tvs.69 years, respectively;P>0.05) and same median length of symptoms. Overall incidence of PN was 23.8 percent (10.9 percent unilateral and 12.9 percent bilateral). There was no difference in the incidence of PN between patients with normal evacuation and patients with obstructed evacuation (24.2 percentvs.23.2 percent, respectively;P>0.05). Patients with PN had a similar incidence of physiologic pelvic outlet obstruction as did patients without PN. However, median age of patients with PN was higher than those without PN (73tvs.66 years, respectively;P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a difference in the incidence of PN between normal and obstructed patterns of evacuation. Therefore, the espoused theory that obstructed defecation causes PN appears flawed.

Role of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment in constipated patients

The importance of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment for the evaluation of incontinence is well established. However, its role in constipated patients remains unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of pudendal neuropathy in constipated patients and its correlation with others variables including age, sex, anal pressures, and anal electromyography. RESULTS: From 1988 to 1993, 161 patients with chronic constipation underwent pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment, anal electromyography, and anal manometry. The overall incidence of pudendal neuropathy was 23.6 percent; females and males had a similar incidence (24 percentvs. 23 percent, respectively;P >0.05). Patients over 70 years old had a significantly higher incidence of pudendal neuropathy than did patients under 70 years (37 percentvs. 12 percent, respectively;P<0.01). Patients with paradoxical puborectalis contraction on anal electromyographic assessment had a higher incidence of bilateral neuropathy, paradoxical puborectalis contraction (+)23 percentvs. paradoxical puborectalis contraction (−)8 percent,P<0.05. Patients with pudendal neuropathy also had a higher incidence of decreased motor units potential recruitment than did patients without pudendal neuropathy (31.5 percentvs. 17 percent, respectively;P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment was able to detect unsuspected pudendal neuropathy in 24 percent of patients. This finding correlated with age and with the presence of paradoxical puborectalis contraction but not with manometric anal pressures, motor unit potentials recruitment, or the presence of polyphasia. However, the often espoused relationship between pudendal latency and external sphincter function could not be demonstrated.

Laparoscopic colorectal resections: a simple predictor model and a stratification risk for conversion to open surgery.

BACKGROUND: The advantages associated with the laparoscopic approach are lost when conversion is required. Available predictive models have failed to show external validation. Body surface area is a recently described risk factor not included in these models. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a clinical rule including body surface area for predicting conversion in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a single large tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: Nine hundred sixteen patients (mean age, 63.9; range, 14–91 years; 53.2% female) who underwent surgery between January 2004 and August 2011 were identified from a prospective database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conversion rate was analyzed related to age, sex, obesity, disease location (colon vs rectum), type of disease (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic), history of previous surgery, and body surface area. A predictive model for conversion was developed with the use of logistic regression to identify independently associated variables, and a simple clinical prediction rule was derived. Internal validation of the model was performed by using bootstrapping. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 9.9% (91/916). Rectal disease, large patient size, and male sex were independently associated with higher odds of conversion (OR, 2.28 95%CI, 1.47–3.46]), 1.88 [1.1–3.44], and 1.87 [1.04–3.24]). The prediction rule identified 3 risk groups: low risk (women and nonlarge males), average risk (large males with colon disease), and high risk (large males with rectal disease). Conversion rates among these groups were 5.7%, 11.3%, and 27.8% (p < 0.001). Compared with the low-risk group, ORs for average- and high-risk groups were 2.17 (1.30–3.62, p = 0.004) and 6.38 (3.57–11.4, p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by the lack of external validation. CONCLUSION: This predictive model, including body surface area, stratifies patients with different conversion risks and may help to inform patients, to select cases in the early learning curve, and to evaluate the standard of care. However, this prediction rule needs to be externally validated in other samples (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A137).

Body surface area: a new predictor factor for conversion and prolonged operative time in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Body surface area is a measurement of body size used in clinical settings. Its impact on laparoscopic colorectal surgery has not been previously studied. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of body surface area on the conversion rate and laparoscopic operative time. DESIGN: This study was conducted as a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data SETTING: This study was conducted at a single tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: Nine hundred sixteen consecutive patients operated on between January 2004 and August 2011 were identified from a prospective database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conversion rate and laparoscopic operative time were analyzed related to age, sex, obesity, disease location (colon vs rectum), type of disease (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic), history of previous surgery, and body surface area; body surface area was calculated by the Mosteller formula. Body surface area was analyzed by the use of median and quartile cutoff values (1.6, 1.8, and 2.0). Multivariate models were adjusted for different confounders. Interaction between body surface area and BMI was ruled out. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 10%. Conversion rates for quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 4.4%, 8.3%, 12.7%, and 14.8%, p = 0.001. Patients with body surface area≥1.8 had a higher conversion rate than those with body surface area <1.8 (13.9% vs 5.3%, OR: 2.35 (95% CI: 1.45–3.86; p = 0.0001)). Multivariate analysis showed that body surface area ≥1.8 was associated with conversion (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.1–3.7, p = 0.02) and a longer operative time after adjusting for sex, age, obesity, disease location (rectum vs colon), and type of laparoscopic approach. LIMITATION: This was a single-institution retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Body surface area is a predictor for conversion and longer laparoscopic operative time. It should be considered when informing patients, selecting cases in the early learning curve, and assessing standard of care.

Iliopsoas abscess: presentation, management, and outcomes.

Background: Iliopsoas abscess remains a rare condition. Together with a decreasing incidence of tuberculosis infection, pyogenic iliopsoas abscess (PIPA) has become relatively more frequent and represents more than half of iliopsoas abscesses. Objective: To analyze presentation, treatment, and outcomes in a series of patients with diagnosis of PIPA. Design: Retrospective. Settings: A single tertiary care institution. Patients: A series of 34 consecutive patients with diagnosis of PIPA treated between 2001 and 2010 at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Main Outcome Measures: Analyzed variables were: age, sex, diagnostic modality, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes. Results: Primary and secondary abscess occurred in 20.6% and 79.4%, respectively. The leading cause of PIPA was spondylodiscitis (38%) and computed tomography was the preferred diagnostic modality (87%). Most common presentation was left unilateral abscess in 66% of patients and most frequent isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. Fifteen patients (44%) received antibiotics as initial treatment with an initial failure rate of 80%; 11 of 15 patients required a second treatment. Sixteen patients (47%) underwent percutaneous drainage (PD) as first line treatment with a success rate of 50%. However, success rate of PD, increased to 100% after 2 drainages. Three patients were surgically drained without success (0 of 3 patients). Compared with the rest of the population, PD showed a lower hospital stay (25 vs. 14 d, respectively, P=0.08) whereas surgery had a higher mortality rate (8% vs. 22%, respectively, P=0.03). Limitations: A single institutional retrospective study. Conclusions: Our series showed a higher proportion of unilateral and secondary abscess. Spondylodiscitis was the first cause of PIPA. PD seems to be the best treatment option for PIPA and compared with surgery it is associated with a higher success rate and lower hospital stay and mortality rate.

Association between mast cells of different phenotypes and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

It is known that mast cells proliferate in solid tumours and increase tumour angiogenesis. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding their role in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship of mast cells positive for tryptase (MCts) and tryptase-chymase (MCtcs) with microvessel density (MVD) in the intratumoral zone and the invasive edge of 80 CRC patient tumours. We evaluated these parameters and associated their expression with clinicopathological parameters, including survival rate. Tumour sections from each patient were immunostained for tryptase to evaluate MCts, chymase to evaluate MCtcs, and CD34 to evaluate microvessel counts under x100 microscopy. The number of MCs of both phenotypes and the MVD counts were higher in the invasive edge than in the intratumoral zone (p<0.001). MCt numbers were higher than those of MCtcs in all Astler-Coller stages in both regions. A positive correlation between MVD and MCts or MCtcs was observed (Pearsons test p<0.001). Neither the number of MCs nor MVD was associated with overall survival (log rank test). However, only 8.3% of patients with low numbers of MCtcs in the invasive edge succumbed to the disease, compared to 32% with high numbers of MCtcs. Our results indicate that angiogenesis and MC hyperplasia are events which appear early during CRC development. The correlation of MC phenotypes with MVD is in agreement with the role attributed to MCs, that of angiogenesis enhancement. Collectively, these findings suggest that screening during the early malignization of CRC can provide valuable clinical information.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery with double-glove technique

The hand‐assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery (HALS) preserves the advantages of the minimally‐invasive approach. However, its application has faced resistance due to the need of hand port devices and its increased costs. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of an original technique using a double glove to keep pneumoperitoneum.