M.W.J. Stommel

Adhesiolysis in Patients Undergoing a Repeat Median Laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Adhesiolysis during repeat surgery is associated with a high incidence of iatrogenic enterotomies and an increase in postoperative complications. Identification of risk factors would improve preoperative counseling and operating room strategy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors for prolonged and difficult adhesiolysis in a repeat median laparotomy. DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the risk factors for prolonged and difficult adhesiolysis. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at Radboud University Medical Center. PATIENTS: Patients participating in the LAPAD study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01236625) undergoing an elective repeat median laparotomy were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detailed data regarding adhesiolysis to gain entry to the abdomen and adhesions underneath the previous incision were gathered by direct observation. RESULTS: A total of 259 patients underwent a repeat median laparotomy. Adhesiolysis was required for 230 patients (89%); the remaining 29 patients (11%) did not have adhesions underneath the incision. Median adhesiolysis time underneath the midline incision was 10 minutes (interquartile range, 5–25). Seventy-six patients (29%) had grade 1 or grade 2 adhesions; 108 (42%) had grade 3; and 46 (18%) had grade 4. The number of previous laparotomies was the only independent risk factor for prolonged (p ⩽ 0.01; 95% CI, 2.5–14.10) and difficult adhesiolysis (p ⩽ 0.01; OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.74–10.17). History of peritonitis, anatomical location of previous surgery, and the time interval between consecutive median laparotomies did not prolong adhesiolysis. LIMITATIONS: This study involved retrospective data collection of patients’ medical histories. No data were collected on the severity of previous peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that 4 or more previous laparotomies and the presence or history of an intraperitoneal synthetic mesh are independently associated with a longer duration of adhesiolysis needed to gain access to the abdomen. A short time interval between median laparotomies or a history of peritonitis did not prolong the duration of adhesiolysis.

Response to pathological processes in the peritoneal cavity—Sepsis, tumours, adhesions, and ascites

The peritoneum is one of the commonest sites for pathological processes in pediatric surgery. Its response to pathological processes is characterized by an inflammatory reaction with specific pathways depending on the type of injury or peritoneal process involved. This review discusses the current understanding of peritoneal inflammation, adhesion formation, intra-abdominal sepsis, peritoneal metastasis, and ascites and briefly reviews new therapeutic strategies to treat or prevent these pathological entities. Recent studies have improved the understanding of peritoneal responses, resulting in possible new targets for prevention and therapy.

Multicenter Observational Study of Adhesion Formation After Open-and Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare adhesion formation after laparoscopic and open colorectal cancer resection. Summary of Background Data: After colorectal surgery, most patients develop adhesions, with a high burden of complications. Laparoscopy seems to reduce adhesion formation, but evidence is poor. Trials comparing open- and laparoscopic colorectal surgery have never assessed adhesion formation. Methods: Data on adhesions were gathered during resection of colorectal liver metastases. Incidence of adhesions adjacent to the original incision was compared between patients with previous laparoscopic- and open colorectal resection. Secondary outcomes were incidence of any adhesions, extent and severity of adhesions, and morbidity related to adhesions or adhesiolysis. Results: Between March 2013 and December 2015, 151 patients were included. Ninety patients (59.6%) underwent open colorectal resection and 61 patients (40.4%) received laparoscopic colorectal resection. Adhesions to the incision were present in 78.9% after open and 37.7% after laparoscopic resection (P < 0.001). The incidence of abdominal wall adhesions and of any adhesion was significantly higher after open resection; the incidence of visceral adhesions did not significantly differ. The extent of abdominal wall and visceral adhesions and the median highest Zühlke score at the incision were significantly higher after open resection. There were no differences in incidence of small bowel obstruction during the interval between the colorectal and liver operations, the incidence of serious adverse events, and length of stay after liver surgery. Conclusion: Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection is associated with a lower incidence, extent, and severity of adhesions to parietal surfaces. Laparoscopy does not reduce the incidence of visceral adhesions.

Long-term impact of adhesions on bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND The incidence of reoperation for adhesive bowel obstruction after general abdominal surgery is 2.5% and carries a considerable risk of mortality and morbidity. Adhesions account for 56% of all cases of bowel obstruction. Most epidemiologic knowledge regarding adhesive bowel obstruction is derived from data of national registries and retrospective cohorts of elective abdominal surgery. Because of the design of these studies, it remains unknown whether specific operative factors impact the occurrence of bowel obstruction. We aimed to comprehensively assess risk factors for the incidence of adhesive bowel obstruction with emphasis on intraoperative surgical factors. METHODS Follow-up study of the prospective LAPAD study (LAParotomy or LAParoscopy and Adhesions study; clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01236625) that included patients undergoing all types of elective open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The primary endpoint of this study was (suspected) adhesive bowel obstruction. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess risk factors. RESULTS A total of 604 (88%) of 715 patients were included; 38 (6%) patients experienced an episode of adhesive bowel obstruction. Surgery on the lower gastrointestinal tract (odds ratio 4.57, P < .01) and the severity of adhesions in the operative area (odds ratio 2.37, P = .04) independently increased the risk for adhesive small bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing surgery on the lower gastrointestinal tract and patients with more severe adhesions present at surgery have an increased risk for adhesive bowel obstruction.

Impact of Adhesiolysis on Outcome of Colorectal Surgery.

Background/Aims: Adhesiolysis is a frequent part of colorectal surgery, potentially impeding the operation and causing inadvertent bowel injury. Such difficulties might compromise convalescence and oncological quality of resection. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the impact of adhesiolysis on clinical outcomes and histopathological results in colorectal surgery. Methods: Colorectal procedures were selected from a prospective cohort study of adhesiolysis-related problems. We compared the incidence of bowel injury, morbidity, costs, and the histopathology between patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery with or without adhesiolysis. Results: Two hundred and forty nine colorectal surgeries were analysed. Adhesiolysis was required in 59.0%. The mean adhesiolysis time was 28 min. In the adhesiolysis group, enterotomies occurred in 6.1% and seromuscular injuries in 27.2% compared to 0 and 6.9% respectively in the non-adhesiolysis group (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001). In patients requiring adhesiolysis, 29.9% had major surgery-related complications (MSRC) compared to 15.7% without adhesiolysis (p = 0.007). There were no statistically significant differences regarding inpatient costs and resection margin or number of harvested lymph nodes. Conclusions: Adhesiolysis during colorectal surgery is related to an increased incidence of iatrogenic bowel injuries and MSRC. Despite the technical challenges associated with adhesiolysis, good histopathological results were obtained in oncological resections.

Risk of pain and gastrointestinal complaints at six months after elective abdominal surgery

The incidence of chronic postoperative abdominal pain (CPAP) after abdominal surgery is substantial and decreases overall quality of life. One in 3 patients report pain-related interference with mood, sleep, and enjoyment of life and 12% visit the emergency department for pain-related symptoms. Previous studies lack data on preoperative health and pain status or are limited by small patient samples. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for CPAP and gastrointestinal complaints 6 months after surgery. A prospective cohort study was performed including patients undergoing an elective laparotomy or laparoscopy at a tertiary referral center. Relevant patient, pain, surgical, and medical data as well as the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) were assessed before, during, and after hospital stay and at the outpatient clinic until 6 months after discharge. Linear and logistic regression analysis were used to assess risk factors. Of 518 included patients, 184 (36%) had CPAP. The median GSRS score was 5 (interquartile range = 3-10). The presence of preoperative pain for <3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.69, P = .016) or >3 months (OR = 3.99, P = .000), use of opioid analgesia preoperatively (OR = 3.54, P = .001), severe adhesions underneath the incision (OR = 1.63, P = .040), and the numeric rating scale pain score on postoperative day 2 (OR = 1.23, P = .004) independently increased the risk for chronic abdominal pain. Chronic pancreatitis as indication for surgery (B = 4.20, P = .03), ≥3 previous abdominal operations (B = 1.03, P = .03), presence of pain >3 months before surgery (B = 1.61, P < .01), upper gastrointestinal tract as the anatomic location of surgery (B = 1.43, P = .03), and a higher preoperative GSRS score (B = .36, P < .01) independently increased the GSRS score 6 months after surgery. The duration and severity of preoperative pain and more severe acute postoperative pain were the most relevant risk factors for CPAP. The number of operations and the anatomic location of the operation showed to be important risk factors for increasing the number of gastrointestinal complaints. Perspective: This prospective observational study shows the incidence and risk factors for CPAP after major abdominal surgery. Preoperative pain-related factors were associated with the occurrence of CPAP.

A Shared Decision Approach to Chronic Abdominal Pain Based on Cine-MRI: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: Chronic abdominal pain develops in 11‐20% of patients undergoing abdominal surgery, partly owing to post‐operative adhesions. In this study we evaluate results of a novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach for pain associated with adhesions. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including patients with a history of abdominal surgery referred to the outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center for the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain. Subgroups were made based on outcome of adhesion mapping with cine‐MRI and shared decision making. In operatively managed cases, anti‐adhesion barriers were applied after adhesiolysis. Long‐term results for pain were evaluated by a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were recruited. Seventy‐nine patients had adhesions on cine‐MRI, 45 of whom underwent an operation. Response rate to follow‐up questionnaire was 86.8%. In the operative group (Group 1), the number of negative laparoscopies was 3 (6%). After a median of 19 (range 6‐47) months follow‐up, 80.0% of patients in group 1 reported improvement of pain, compared with 42.9% in patients with adhesions on cine‐MRI who declined surgery (group 2), and 26.3% in patients with no adhesions on cine‐MRI (group 3), P = 0.002. Consultation of medical specialists was significantly lower in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3 (35.7 vs. 65.2 vs. 58.8%; P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate long‐term pain relief in two‐thirds of patients with chronic pain likely caused by adhesions, using cine‐MRI and a shared decision‐making process. Long‐term improvement of pain was achieved in 80% of patients who underwent surgery with concurrent application of an anti‐adhesion barrier.