Harry L. Reynolds

Standardized Algorithms for Management of Anastomotic Leaks and Related Abdominal and Pelvic Abscesses After Colorectal Surgery

BackgroundThe risk factors and incidence of anastomotic leak following colorectal surgery are well reported in the literature. However, the management of the multiple clinical scenarios that may be encountered has not been standardized.MethodsThe medical literature from 1973 to 2007 was reviewed using PubMed for papers relating to anastomotic leaks and abdominal abscess, with a specific emphasis on predisposing factors, prevention strategies, and treatment approaches. A six-round modified Delphi research method was utilized to find consensus among a group of expert colorectal surgeons and interventional radiologists regarding standardized management algorithms for anastomotic leaks.ResultsManagement scenarios were divided into those for intraperitoneal anastomoses, extraperitoneal (low pelvic) anastomoses, and anastomoses with proximal diverting stomas. Management options were then based on the clinical presentation and radiographic findings and organized into three interconnected algorithms.ConclusionsThis process was a useful first step toward establishing guidelines for the management of anastomotic leak.

Tract length predicts successful closure with anal fistula plug in cryptoglandular fistulas

PURPOSE: Collagen anal fistula plug treatment of transsphincteric fistulas produces variable results. The purpose of our study was to determine whether long-tract fistulas (>4 cm) correlated with successful closure. METHODS: All patients undergoing transsphincteric cryptoglandular fistula repair with anal fistula plugs were enrolled in a prospective database. Patients with Crohns disease were excluded. Fistula tract length was measured intraoperatively by subtracting the remaining plug length from the original plug size. All procedures used standardized techniques and postoperative care pathways. The primary outcome was complete fistula closure assessed through both postoperative outpatient visits and a follow-up telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with 42 fistula tracks were enrolled over a 39-month period. Complete closure was achieved in 18 of 42 (43%) fistulas at a mean follow-up of 25 months. Closure was not associated with gender, age, tract location, duration of seton, or length of follow-up. Successful closure was significantly associated with increased tract length, because fistulas longer than 4 cm were nearly 3 times more likely to heal compared with shorter fistulas ((14/23, 61%) vs (4/19, 21%), P = .004; relative risk = 2.8; 95% CI 1.14-7.03). CONCLUSIONS: Anal fistula plug repair of cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas is more successful for long-tract fistulas. Although the overall success is modest, limiting surgical indications to fistulas exceeding 4 cm may maximize benefits of the plug technique.

Outcomes of Chemoradiotherapy With 5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin C for Anal Cancer in Immunocompetent Versus Immunodeficient Patients

PURPOSE Information is limited as to how we should treat invasive anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in patients with chronic immunosuppression, since the majority of clinical studies to date have excluded such patients. The objective of this study is to compare treatment outcomes in immunocompetent (IC) versus immunodeficient (ID) patients with invasive anal SCC treated similarly with combined modality therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between January 1999 and March 2007, a total of 36 consecutive IC and ID patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with infusional 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. The IC and ID groups consisted of 19 and 17 patients, respectively, with 14 human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) and 3 post-solid organ transplant ID patients. There were no significant differences in tumor size, T stage, N stage, chemotherapy doses, or radiation doses between the two groups. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 3.1 years, no differences were found in overall survival, disease-specific survival, and colostomy-free survival. Three-year overall survival was 83.6% (95% CI = 68.2-100) and 91.7% (95% CI = 77.3-100) in the IC and ID groups, respectively. In addition, there were no differences in acute and late toxicity profiles between the two groups. In the human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, Cox modeling showed no difference in overall survival by pretreatment CD4 counts (hazard ratio = 0.994, 95% CI = 0.98-1.01). No correlation was found between CD4 counts and the degree of acute toxicities. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that standard combined modality therapy with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil plus mitomycin C is as safe and effective for ID patients as for IC patients.

Receipt of guideline-recommended follow-up in older colorectal cancer survivors : a population-based analysis.

After curative resection for colorectal cancer, routine follow‐up with office visits, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and colonoscopy is recommended. The actual adherence to these guidelines as well as the potential overuse of testing in routine practice has not been well studied.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Colectomy: Technical Aspects, Feasibility, and Expected Benefits

Background. This paper studied technical aspects and feasibility of single incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC). Methods. Bibliographic search was carried out up to October 2009 including original articles, case reports, and technical notes. Assessed criteria were techniques, operative time, scar length, conversion, complications, and hospitalization duration. Results. The review analyzed seventeen SILCs by seven surgical teams. A single port system was used by four teams. No team used the same laparoscope. Two teams used two laparoscopes. All teams used curved instruments. SILC time was 116 ± 34 minutes. Final scar was longer than port incision (31 ± 7 versus 24 ± 8 mm; P = .036). No conversion was reported. The only complication was a bacteremia. Hospitalization was 5 ± 2 days. Conclusion. SILC is feasible. A single incision around the umbilical scar represents cosmetic progress. Comparative studies are needed to assess potential abdominal wall and recovery benefits to justify the increased cost of SILC.

Selective arterial embolization for control of lower gastrointestinal bleeding: recommendations for a clinical management pathway.

PURPOSE Angiography remains as the modality of choice in the diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Traditionally, angiography is used for localization of a bleeding source for surgical resection. Advances in transcatheter techniques have allowed for hemorrhage control through embolization of bleeding points, without the need for emergent laparotomy. METHODS A series of 10 consecutive patients who underwent angiographic embolization for lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage was retrospectively reviewed. Success and complication rates, as well as post-embolization follow-up methods, were recorded. RESULTS Over a 3-year period, 10 angiographic embolizations were performed for lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Average age of the patients was 75 years. Source of hemorrhage included diverticular disease in 4 patients, cancer in 2, polyps in 2, angiodysplasia in 1, and anastomotic bleeding in 1. Six patients required no further therapy. Four patients went on to have surgery: Three secondary to recurrent hemorrhage, 1 due to sepsis from ischemic bowel necrosis. There were no deaths. Four patients had an abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan within 48 hours of embolization. Four patients had a colonoscopy within 48 hours of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Angiography remains an important diagnostic tool in the management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, it is a safe and effective treatment option, especially in patients with high surgical risk. Hemorrhage control obtained in the angiography suite may allow for patient stabilization and resuscitation with staging and bowel preparation for surgery. Patients need to be carefully monitored for evidence of bowel ischemia through the use of colonoscopy or computed tomography.

The Effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks on Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial

BACKGROUND:Superior early pain control has been suggested with transversus abdominis plane blocks, but evidence-based recommendations for transversus abdominis plane blocks and their effects on patient outcomes are lacking. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to determine whether transversus abdominis plane blocks improve early postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection already on an optimized enhanced recovery pathway. DESIGN:This study is based on a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. SETTINGS:The trial was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS:Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection were selected. INTERVENTIONS(S):Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a transversus abdominis plane block or a placebo placed intraoperatively under laparoscopic guidance. All followed a standardized enhanced recovery pathway. Patient demographics, perioperative procedures, and postoperative outcomes were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting scores in the postanesthesia care unit and department, opioid use, length of stay, and 30-day readmission rates were measured. RESULTS:The trial randomly assigned 41 patients to the transversus abdominis plane block group and 38 patients to the control group. Demographic, clinical, and procedural data were not significantly different. In the postanesthesia care unit, the transversus abdominis plane block group had significantly lower pain scores (p < 0.01) and used fewer opioids (p < 0.01) than the control group; postoperative nausea/vomiting scores were comparable (p = 0.99). The transversus abdominis plane group had significantly lower pain scores on postoperative day 1 (p = 0.04) and throughout the study period (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups in postoperative opioid use (p = 0.65) or nausea/vomiting (p = 0.79). The length of stay (median, 2 days experimental, 3 days control; p = 0.50) and readmission rate (7% experimental, 5% control, p = 0.99) was similar across cohorts. LIMITATIONS:This study was conducted a single center. CONCLUSIONS:Transversus abdominis plane blocks improved immediate short-term opioid use and pain outcomes. Pain improvement was durable throughout the hospital stay. However, the blocks did not translate into less overall narcotic use, shorter length of stay, or lower readmission rates.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in children beyond the first year of life: manifestations and management.

Beyond infancy, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is rare. Data concerning pathogenesis and treatment are limited. Our experience with 12 children was examined to define predisposing factors, presentation, treatment, and outcome. Nine children were immunosuppressed, thus identifying an important etiologic subgroup. Presentation was variable but included abdominal pain, distention, diarrhea and hematochezia. Clostridium difficile was found in 3 patients and cytomegalovirus in 1. Radiographs showed free air in 3. Nine were treated with antibiotics and bowel rest, 1 with bowel rest alone, 1 with oral metronidazole, and 1 with observation. PCI resolved in 7 of 9 treated with antibiotics, although 1 child with leukemia had severe hematochezia secondary to colonic ulceration and required hemicolectomy. No other patient required laparotomy. The free air resolved in 2 of 3. There were 2 deaths, both from sepsis. One had free air on admission but no perforation was found at autopsy. Treatment recommendations remain unclear; however, C difficile and cytomegalovirus are important pathogens that should be identified and treated promptly. In symptomatic patients, bowel rest and antibiotics seem beneficial. Operative intervention should be reserved for patients with peritoneal signs, progressive deterioration, obstruction, or persistent, severe bleeding. Free air alone is not an indication for operative management in children with PCI.

Emergency laparoscopic colectomy: does it measure up to open?

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic colectomy has become the standard of care for elective resections; however, there are few data regarding laparoscopy in the emergency setting. METHODS By using a database with prospectively collected data, we identified 94 patients who underwent an emergency colectomy between August 2005 and July 2008. Laparoscopic surgeries were performed in 42 patients and were compared with 25 patients who were suitable for laparoscopy but received open colectomy. RESULTS The groups had similar demographics with no differences in age, sex, or surgical indications. Blood loss was lower (118 vs 205 mL; P < 0.01) and the postoperative stay was shorter (8 vs 11 d; P = 0.02) in the laparoscopic patients, and perioperative mortality rates were similar between the 2 groups (1 vs 3; P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS With increasing experience, laparoscopic colectomy is a feasible option in certain emergency situations and is associated with shorter hospital stay, less morbidity, and similar mortality to that of open surgery.

Multidisciplinary Teams in the Management of Rectal Cancer

A myriad of advances in the treatment of rectal cancer have been achieved over the last few decades. The introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) has resulted in significant improvements in local recurrence. Surgical education on the technique has made it the standard of care. Radiation and chemotherapy combined with TME have improved results even further with stage II and III cancers. Sphincter-sparing techniques, reservoir procedures, local treatment advances, minimally invasive techniques, surgery for metastatic disease, newer chemotherapies, and extended resections for locally advanced and recurrent lesions, have all benefited the patient with rectal cancer. The goal and responsibility of colorectal surgeons treating rectal cancer patients is to understand and coordinate the wide variety of modalities available to optimize survival, minimize morbidity, and maximize quality of life for those with this difficult problem. Coordination of specialists in this time of evolution in rectal cancer treatment becomes more important than ever. Here the authors briefly review the role of the multidisciplinary team, discuss a model multidisciplinary team approach and look at evidence supporting team use as we begin this issue devoted to the multidisciplinary management of rectal cancer.