Eric K. Johnson

Efficacy of Anal Fistula Plug vs. Fibrin Glue in Closure of Anorectal Fistulas

PurposeLong-term closure rates of anorectal fistulas using fibrin glue have been disappointing, possibly because of the liquid consistency of the glue. A suturable bioprosthetic plug (Surgisis®, Cook Surgical, Inc.) was fashioned to close the primary opening of fistula tracts. A prospective cohort study was performed to compare fibrin glue vs. the anal fistula plug.MethodsPatients with high transsphincteric fistulas, or deeper, were prospectively enrolled. Patients with Crohns disease or superficial fistulas were excluded. Age, gender, number and type of fistula tracts, and previous fistula surgeries were compared between groups. Under general anesthesia and in prone jackknife position, the tract was irrigated with hydrogen peroxide. Fistula tracts were occluded by fibrin glue vs. closure of the primary opening using a Surgisis® anal fistula plug.ResultsTwenty-five patients were prospectively enrolled. Ten patients underwent fibrin glue closure, and 15 used a fistula plug. Patients age, gender, fistula tract characteristics, and number of previous closure attempts was similar in both groups. In the fibrin glue group, six patients (60 percent) had persistence of one or more fistulas at three months, compared with two patients (13 percent) in the plug group (P < 0.05, Fisher exact test).ConclusionsClosure of the primary opening of a fistula tract using a suturable biologic anal fistula plug is an effective method of treating anorectal fistulas. The method seems to be more reliable than fibrin glue closure. The greater efficacy of the fistula plug may be the result of the ability to suture the plug in the primary opening, therefore, closing the primary opening more effectively. Further prospective, long-term studies are warranted.

The impact of obesity on outcomes following major surgery for Crohn's disease: an American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program assessment.

BACKGROUND: Whereas Crohns disease is traditionally thought to represent a wasting disease, little is currently known about the incidence and impact of obesity in this patient cohort. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes in patients with Crohns disease who were obese vs those who were not obese undergoing major abdominal surgery. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005–2008). Risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes were assessed by the use of regression modeling accounting for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and surgical procedures. PATIENTS: Included were all patients with Crohns disease who were undergoing abdominal operations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcomes measured were short-term perioperative outcomes. Obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 or greater. RESULTS: We identified 2319 patients (mean age, 41.6 y; 55% female). Of these patients, 379 (16%) met obesity criteria, 2% were morbidly obese, and 0.3% were super obese. Rates of obesity significantly increased each year over the study period. Twenty-five percent of the surgeries were performed laparoscopically (obese 21% vs nonobese 26%). Six percent were emergent, with no difference in patients with obesity. Operative times were significantly longer among patients with obesity (177 min) compared with patients who were not obese (164 min). After adjusting for differences in comorbidities and steroid use, overall perioperative morbidity was significantly higher in the obese cohort (32% vs 22% nonobese; OR 1.9). In addition, the rates of postoperative complications increased directly with rising BMI. Irrespective of procedure type, the patients who were obese were significantly more likely to experience wound infections (OR 1.7), which increased even further in patients who were morbidly obese (BMI >40; OR 7.1). By specific operation, postoperative morbidity was increased in patients with obesity following colectomies with primary anastomosis for both open and laparoscopic approaches (OR 2.9 and OR 3.8). Cardiac, pulmonary, and renal complications as well as overall mortality did not differ significantly based on BMI. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by being a retrospective review, and by using data limited to the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. CONCLUSION: Increasing BMI adversely affects perioperative morbidity in patients with Crohns disease.

Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Surgery with Curative Intent: Current Status and Challenges

Despite advances in neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, attention to proper surgical technique, and improved pathological staging for both the primary and metastatic lesions, almost half of all colorectal cancer patients will develop recurrent disease. More concerning, this includes ~25% of patients with theoretically curable node-negative, non-metastatic Stage I and II disease. Given the annual incidence of colorectal cancer, approximately 150,000 new patients are candidates each year for follow-up surveillance. When combined with the greater population already enrolled in a surveillance protocol, this translates to a tremendous number of patients at risk for recurrence. It is therefore imperative that strategies aim for detection of recurrence as early as possible to allow initiation of treatment that may still result in cure. Yet, controversy exists regarding the optimal surveillance strategy (high-intensity vs. traditional), ideal testing regimen, and overall effectiveness. While benefits may involve earlier detection of recurrence, psychological welfare improvement, and greater overall survival, this must be weighed against the potential disadvantages including more invasive tests, higher rates of reoperation, and increased costs. In this review, we will examine the current options available and challenges surrounding colorectal cancer surveillance and early detection of recurrence.

Current Approaches and Challenges for Monitoring Treatment Response in Colon and Rectal Cancer

Introduction: With the advent of multidisciplinary and multimodality approaches to the management of colorectal cancer patients, there is an increasing need to define how we monitor response to novel therapies in these patients. Several factors ranging from the type of therapy used to the intrinsic biology of the tumor play a role in tumor response. All of these can aid in determining the ideal course of treatment, and may fluctuate over time, pending down-staging or progression of disease. Therefore, monitoring how disease responds to therapy requires standardization in order to ultimately optimize patient outcomes. Unfortunately, how best to do this remains a topic of debate among oncologists, pathologists, and colorectal surgeons. There may not be one single best approach. The goal of the present article is to shed some light on current approaches and challenges to monitoring treatment response for colorectal cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed and the OVID library. Key-word combinations included colorectal cancer metastases, neoadjuvant therapy, rectal cancer, imaging modalities, CEA, down-staging, tumor response, and biomarkers. Directed searches of the embedded references from the primary articles were also performed in selected circumstances. Results: Pathologic examination of the post-treatment surgical specimen is the gold standard for monitoring response to therapy. Endoscopy is useful for evaluating local recurrence, but not in assessing tumor response outside of the limited information gained by direct examination of intra-lumenal lesions. Imaging is used to monitor tumors throughout the body for response, with CT, PET, and MRI employed in different circumstances. Overall, each has been validated in the monitoring of patients with colorectal cancer and residual tumors. Conclusion: Although there is no imaging or serum test to precisely correlate with a tumors response to chemo- or radiation therapy, these modalities, when used in combination, can aid in allowing clinicians to adjust medical therapy, pursue operative intervention, or (in select cases) identify complete responders. Improvements are needed, however, as advances across multiple modalities could allow appropriate selection of patients for a close surveillance regimen in the absence of operative intervention.

The impact of age on colorectal cancer incidence, treatment, and outcomes in an equal-access health care system.

BACKGROUND: Inferior outcomes in younger patients with colorectal cancer may be associated with multiple factors, including tumor biology, delayed diagnosis, disparities such as access to care, and/or treatment differences. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine age-based colorectal cancer outcomes in an equal-access health care system. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective large multi-institutional database analysis. PATIENTS: Patients with colorectal cancer included in the Department of Defense Automated Central Tumor Registry (January 1993 to December 2008) were stratified by age <40, 40 to 49, 50 to 79, and ≥80 years to determine the effect of age on incidence, treatment, and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were the stage at presentation, adjuvant therapy use, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Some 7948 patients were identified; most (77%) patients were in the 50- to 79-year age group. Overall, 25% presented with stage III disease. Compared with patients aged 50 to 79 and ≥80 years, patients aged <40 and 40 to 49 years presented more frequently with advanced disease (stage III (35% and 35% vs 28% and 26%) and stage IV (24% and 21% vs 18% and 15%); all p < 0.001). Adjuvant chemotherapy use in stage III patients was 62%; those patients ≥80 and 50 to 79 years had decreased use (p < 0.001). Overall recurrence was 8.1% at 3 years and 9.7% at 5 years, with the highest rates in patients <40 years (11.8%; p = 0.007). Overall survival was worse in patients ≥80 years, whereas the remaining cohorts were similar. For stage III disease, patients 40 to 49 years had the highest survival among all cohorts (p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the lack of specific comorbid information and the limitations inherent to large database reviews. CONCLUSIONS: In an equal-access system, young age at presentation (<50 years) was associated with advanced stage and higher recurrence of colorectal cancer, but similar survival in comparison with older patients. Although increased adjuvant therapy use in younger patients may partially account for stage-specific increases in survival, the relative decreased chemotherapy use overall requires further evaluation.

Thromboembolic Complications and Prophylaxis Patterns in Colorectal Surgery.

IMPORTANCE Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important complication of colorectal surgery, but its incidence is unclear in the era of VTE prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence of and risk factors associated with thromboembolic complications and contemporary VTE prophylaxis patterns following colorectal surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective data from the Washington State Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program (SCOAP) linked to a statewide hospital discharge database. At 52 Washington State SCOAP hospitals, participants included consecutive patients undergoing colorectal surgery between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Venous thromboembolism complications in-hospital and up to 90 days after surgery. RESULTS Among 16,120 patients (mean age, 61.4 years; 54.5% female), the use of perioperative and in-hospital VTE chemoprophylaxis increased significantly from 31.6% to 86.4% and from 59.6% to 91.4%, respectively, by 2011 (P < .001 for trend for both). Overall, 10.6% (1399 of 13,230) were discharged on a chemoprophylaxis regimen. The incidence of VTE was 2.2% (360 of 16,120). Patients undergoing abdominal operations had higher rates of 90-day VTE compared with patients having pelvic operations (2.5% [246 of 9702] vs 1.8% [114 of 6413], P = .001). Those having an operation for cancer had a similar incidence of 90-day VTE compared with those having an operation for nonmalignant processes (2.1% [128 of 6213] vs 2.3% [232 of 9902], P = .24). On adjusted analysis, older age, nonelective surgery, history of VTE, and operations for inflammatory disease were associated with increased risk of 90-day VTE (P < .05 for all). There was no significant decrease in VTE over time. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Venous thromboembolism rates are low and largely unchanged despite increases in perioperative and postoperative prophylaxis. These data should be considered in developing future guidelines.

Primary closure of stoma site wounds after ostomy takedown

BACKGROUND Ostomy reversal is considered a contaminated surgery and, thus, primary closure is believed to increase infection. Various closure techniques have been described and postulated to be superior to primary closure in regards to decreasing stoma site wound infections. The literature has varied in its support for this hypothesis. METHODS A retrospective review was performed evaluating several variables including stomal closure method, patient demographics, steroid/immunosuppressant use, chemotherapy or radiation, perioperative antibiotics, and surgical indication to determine whether there was any association with the development of wound infections. RESULTS Of 75 patients undergoing ostomy reversal, delayed primary closure/packing/secondary intention was used in 49 (65%), and 26 underwent primary closure (35%). Four patients (5.3%) developed stoma site infections; all had delayed primary closure or packing of their wound (P = .39). No variable was associated significantly with an increased risk of stoma site wound infections. CONCLUSIONS Primary closure does not increase the rate of infection.

Controversies in the Care of the Enterocutaneous Fistula

Enterocutaneous fistula and its variations are some of the most difficult problems encountered in the practice of general surgery. Reliable evidence that can be used to direct the care of patients afflicted with this malady is limited. There are controversies in several areas of care. This article addresses some of the gray areas of care for the patient with enterocutaneous fistula. There is particular attention directed toward the phenomenon of enteroatmospheric fistula, as well as prevention and abdominal wall reconstruction, which is often required in these individuals.

Amyand Hernia Repaired with Bio-A: A Case Report and Review

A 53-year-old man with an Amyand hernia with indirect and direct components was repaired with a Bio-A (Gore, Newark, Delaware) plug and a patch made of Bio-A tissue reinforcement material. The repair of an Amyand hernia addresses the pathology of the appendix as well as the hernia. We report a case in which a plug and patch repair was undertaken using Bio-A implants in a clean-contaminated field with no signs of infection or recurrence in the follow-up period, and we review the literature regarding the diagnosis and repair of an Amyand hernia.

Does sacrifice of the inferior mesenteric artery or superior rectal artery affect anastomotic leak following sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis? a retrospective review

BACKGROUND Anastomotic leak after sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease can have devastating consequences. Preservation or sacrifice of the descending colon or rectal arterial supply may affect the anastomosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or superior rectal artery (SRA) was associated with a decreased anastomotic leak rate. METHODS A retrospective review of adult patients undergoing sigmoidectomies from 2 military tertiary care centers was performed, evaluating patient demographic and operative variables for their effects on anastomotic leak rate. RESULTS A total of 130 patients were identified. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 5.4%. Laparoscopy was used in 41%, and stapled anastomoses were used in 91%. The IMA was sacrificed in 29% and the SRA in 37%. There were no significant differences in leak rates when the IMA or SRA was sacrificed (0% and 3.7% with the IMA and SRA sacrificed, 9.3% and 6.5% with the vessels preserved; P = .140 and P = .610, respectively). Laparoscopic technique (P = .843), emergency surgery (P = .29), and operative time (P = .78) did not affect leak rate. Hand-sewn anastomoses were associated with a higher leak rate (33% vs 2%; odds ratio, 3.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.514-7.817; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS IMA or SRA preservation or sacrifice was not associated with an increased leak rate from colorectal anastomoses after sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease. Stapled anastomoses were associated with a lower leak rate than hand-sewn anastomoses.