Július Örhalmi

High-frequency ultrasound probe sonography staging for colorectal neoplasia with superficial morphology: its utility and impact on patient management

BackgroundThis prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of high-frequency ultrasound probe sonography (HFUPS) staging on the management of patients with superficial colorectal neoplasia (SCN) as determined by the endoscopic characteristics of lesions.MethodsConsecutive patients referred for endoscopic treatment of nonpedunculated SCN were enrolled in this study. A lesion was considered high risk if a depressed area or invasive pit pattern was present. The gold standard for final staging included histology from endoscopic or surgical resection. The impact on treatment was defined as any modification of the therapeutic algorithm based on the result of the HFUPS examination compared with that based on endoscopy alone.ResultsIn this study, 48 lesions in 48 patients were evaluated. Of these, 28 (58%) were considered high risk, and the remaining 20 (42%) were regarded as low risk. A total of seven lesions (15%) that could not be examined with HFUPS and another non-neoplastic lesion were excluded from final analysis. For the remaining 40 lesions, the overall accuracy of the HFUPS examination to predict the correct T-stage was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77–96%). The HFUPS examination had a positive impact on the treatment of 0 low-risk and 11 high-risk (42%) lesions.ConclusionThe impact of HFUPS on the treatment of SCN depends on their endoscopic characteristics. It is negligible for low-risk SCNs, and these lesions can be treated on the basis of their endoscopic appearance alone. Nevertheless, compared with endoscopy alone, HFUPS changed the subsequent therapeutic approach in a positive way for up to 42% of high-risk lesions, including those with a depressed component and an invasive pit pattern. These endoscopic features can therefore be recommended as the entry criteria for an HFUPS examination.

Small carcinomas involving less than one-quarter of the rectal circumference: local excision is still associated with a high risk of nodal positivity

A study was carried out to determine the relationship between mesorectal lymph nodal involvement and T stage in a group of patients with a rectal cancer involving less than one‐quarter of the rectal circumference, such as might be selected for local excision.

Neopterin, kynurenine and tryptophan as new biomarkers for early detection of rectal anastomotic leakage

Introduction At present, there are no strong predictors, nor a useful scoring system, that clearly identifies patients at risk for anastomotic leakage. Aim This study aimed to investigate a new method that assesses this risk by monitoring levels of neopterin, tryptophan, and kynurenine, in bodily fluids. Material and methods This prospective study included patients who underwent elective rectal resection for carcinoma. The basic condition for inclusion was rectal anastomosis using the double-stapling technique. Preoperative levels of neopterin, tryptophan, kynurenine, and their ratios, were assessed with blood and urine samples. These levels were then monitored for 6 postoperative days in venous blood, urine, and abdominal drainage fluid. Results A total of 42 patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-six patients underwent a laparoscopic resection and 6 patients had an open procedure. No differences were found among neopterin, tryptophan, and kynurenine serum levels. However, the groups were observed to have significant differences in the urinary neopterin/creatinine ratio: the preoperative neopterin/creatinine ratio was 139.5 μmol/mol in the group with leakage, vs 114.8 μmol/mol in the group without complications, p = 0.037. The same results were observed during the postoperative period, p = 0.012. Additionally, the group with complications had a higher mean value of neopterin in drainage fluid, p = 0.048. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that high preoperative levels of urinary neopterin could be interpreted as a risk for anastomotic leakage. Moreover, pathological levels of neopterin in urine and abdominal drainage fluid could be useful for early identification of anastomotic leakage during the postoperative period prior to its clinical development.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and resection of rectum performed together: first experience

Introduction Laparoscopy is an increasingly used approach in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer and prostate cancer. The anatomical proximity of the two organs is the main reason to consider performing both procedures simultaneously. Aim To present our first experience of laparoscopic rectal resection and radical prostatectomy, performed simultaneously, in 3 patients. Material and methods The first patient was diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer and tumor infiltration of the prostate and seminal vesicles. The other 2 patients were diagnosed with tumor duplicity. The surgery of the first patient started with laparoscopic prostatectomy except division of the prostate from the rectal wall. The next step was resection of the rectum, extralevator amputation of the rectum and vesicourethral anastomosis. In the other patients, resection of the rectum, followed by radical prostatectomy, was performed. Results The median follow-up was 12 months. The median operation time was 4 h 40 min, with blood loss of 300 ml. The operations and postoperative course were without incident in the case of 2 patients. However, 1 patient had stercoral peritonitis and a vesicorectal fistula in the early postoperative stage. Sigmoidostomy and postponed ureteroileal conduit were carried out. All patients were in oncologic remission. Conclusions Combined laparoscopic rectal resection and radical prostatectomy is a viable option for selected patients with locally advanced rectal cancer or tumor duplication. The procedures were completed without complications in 2 out of 3 patients.

Higher risk of incomplete mesorectal excision and positive circumferential margin in low rectal cancer regardless of surgical technique

Introduction Currently, the predominant question is whether a laparoscopic approach is comparatively radical in comparison with an open access approach, especially in the circumferential resection margin and quality of the completeness of total mesorectal excision. These factors are important in determining the quality of surgical care as well as long-term results of the treatment. Aim This article focuses on the evaluation of circumferential resection margins and on the quality of mesorectal excision of middle and lower rectum tumors. In addition, laparoscopic and open techniques are compared. Material and methods Data were collected prospectively and stored in a rectal cancer registry over a 3-year period. The parameters studied were age, sex, body mass index, localization and topography of the tumor, clinical stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and its response, the type of surgery, character of the circumferential and distal margins, quality of the mesorectal excision, pT and pN. Results One hundred and twenty-five patients were chosen for our study. Laparoscopy was performed in 53 operations and a conventional approach was performed in 72 operations. Complete mesorectal excision was achieved in 54.7% of laparoscopic operations versus 44.4% in the conventional technique; partially complete excision was performed in 20.8 and 12.5%, respectively. Incomplete excisions were described in 24.5 and 43.1% (p = 0.085). Positive circumferential margin occurred during laparoscopic surgery in 11 (20.8%) patients, and in the case of conventional resection in 27 (37.5%) patients (p = 0.044). Conclusions Our study showed comparable results between laparoscopic and open access procedures during rectal resection. The results achieved, in particular in the quality of the mesorectal excision and negative circumferential resection margin, show that the laparoscopic approach is comparable to conventional surgical techniques, with an adequate surgical outcome, in the treatment of rectal cancer.