Sergio Casillas

Does Conversion of a Laparoscopic Colectomy Adversely Affect Patient Outcome

PURPOSEConversion during laparoscopic colectomy varies in frequency according to the surgeon’s experience and case selection. However, there remains concern that conversion is associated with increased morbidity and higher hospital costs.METHODSFrom January 1999 to August 2002, 430 laparoscopic colectomies were performed by two surgeons, with 51 (12 percent) cases converted to open surgery. Converted cases were matched for operation and age to 51 open cases performed mostly by other colorectal surgeons from our department. Data collected included gender, American Society of Anesthesiology score, operative indication, resection type, operative stage at conversion, in-hospital complications, direct hospital costs, unexpected readmission within 30 days, and mortality.RESULTSThere were no significant differences between the groups for age (converted, 55 ± 19; open, 62 ± 16), male:female ratio (converted, 17:34; open, 23:28), or American Society of Anesthesiology score distribution. Indications for surgery were neoplasia (converted, 16; open, 31); diverticular disease (converted, 21; open, 13); Crohn’s disease (converted, 12; open, 5); and other disease (converted, 2; open, 2). Operative times were similar (converted, 150 ± 56 minutes; open, 132 ± 48 minutes). Conversions occurred before defining the major vascular pedicle/ureter (50 percent), in relation to intracorporeal vascular ligation (15 percent), or during bowel transection or presacral dissection (35 percent). Specific indications for conversion were technical (41 percent), followed by adhesions (33 percent), phlegmon or abscess (23 percent), bleeding (6 percent), and failure to identify the ureter (6 percent). Median hospital stay was five days for both groups. In-hospital complications (converted 11.6 percent; open 8 percent), 30-day readmission rate (converted 13 percent vs. open 8 percent), and direct costs were similar between groups. There were no mortalities.CONCLUSIONConversion of a laparoscopic colectomy does not result in inappropriately prolonged operative times, increased morbidity or length of stay, increased direct costs, or unexpected readmissions compared with similarly complex laparotomies. A policy of commencing most cases suitable for a laparoscopic approach laparoscopically offers patients the benefits of a laparoscopic colectomy without adversely affecting perioperative risks.

Is laparoscopic colectomy applicable to patients with body mass index >30? A case-matched comparative study with open colectomy.

PURPOSEThe benefits of early postoperative recovery, reduced postoperative pain, pulmonary dysfunction, and hospitalization after laparoscopic colectomy may improve outcome over open colectomy in obese patients. This case-matched study compares outcomes after open and laparoscopic colectomy.METHODSA total of 94 laparoscopic colectomy patients with a body mass index >30 (Jan 1999–June 2003) were identified from a prospective database and matched to open colectomy cases for age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, procedure, indication, and date of surgery. Operating time, length of stay, conversion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, reoperation, 30-day readmission rate, and costs were compared. Data are presented as means ± standard deviations, and appropriate statistical tests were used.RESULTSThe two groups were matched for age (P = 0.06), gender (P = 1), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = 0.2), body mass index (P = 0.4), indication for surgery (P = 1), and procedure (P = 1). By using intention-to-treat–type analysis, there was no difference in median operating time (100 vs. 110 (mean, 123 vs. 112) minutes; P = 0.1), complications (21 vs. 24 percent; P = 0.74), readmission (17 vs. 10.6 percent; P = 0.3), reoperation rates (6.4 vs. 4.3 percent; P = 0.75), or direct costs (median,

Long-term outcome after laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal prolapse: A case-control study

3,368 vs.

Incontinence After a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy: Are We Underestimating It?

3,552; mean,

Hepatic tumor radioembolization in a rat model using radioactive rhenium (186Re/188Re) glass microspheres

4,003 vs.

Laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.

4,037; P = 0.14) between laparoscopic colectomy or open colectomy; however, the median length of stay (3 vs. 5.5 (mean, 3.8 vs. 5.8) days; P = 0.0001) was significantly shorter after laparoscopic colectomy. Twenty-eight patients required conversion for adhesions (n = 11), bleeding (n = 3), obesity-hindering vision or dissection (n = 9), large phlegmon or tumor (n = 4), and ureteric injury (n = 1). The mean operating time for conversions was 142 minutes and length of stay was 6.4 days. Compared with laparoscopically completed cases, the median length of stay (5 vs. 2 (mean, 6.4 vs. 2.8) days; P = 0.0001) and median operating times (150 vs. 95 (mean, 142 vs. 115) minutes; P = 0.02) were significantly higher in the converted group, but there was no difference in the complication (P = 0.8), readmission (P = 1), or reoperation (P = 0.7) rates. Compared with open colectomy, the operating time (P = 0.02) was significantly higher in the converted group but there were no significant differences in the length of stay (P = 0.18), complication (P = 1), readmission (P = 0.35), or reoperative (P = 1) rates.CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic colectomy can be performed safely in obese patients, with shorter postoperative recovery than that with open colectomy. Although obesity is associated with a high conversion rate, outcome in these converted cases is comparable to the matched open cases.

Erratum: Long-term outcome after laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal prolapse: A case-control study (Surgical Endoscopy (2006) 20 (35-42) DOI: 10.1007/s00464-005-0096-7)

BackgroundLaparoscopic repair (LR) of rectal prolapse is potentially associated with earlier recovery and lower perioperative morbidity, as compared with open transabdominal repair (OR). Data on the long-term recurrence rate and functional outcome are limited.MethodsPerioperative data on rectal prolapse in relation to all LRs performed between December 1991 and April 2004 were prospectively collected. The LR patients were matched by age, gender, and procedure type with OR patients who underwent surgery during the same period. Patients with previous complex abdominal surgery or a body mass index exceeding 40 were excluded from the study. Data on recurrence rate, bowel habits, continence, and satisfaction scores were collected using a telephone survey.ResultsA total of 111 patients (age, 56.8 ± 18.1 years; female, 87%) underwent attempted LR. An operative complication deferred repair in two cases. Among the 111 patients, 42 had posterior mesh fixation, and 67 had sutured rectopexy (32 patients with sigmoid colectomy for constipation). Eight patients (7.2%) had conversion to laparotomy. Matching was established for 86 patients. The LR patients had a shorter hospital stay (mean, 3.9 vs 6.0 days; p < 0.0001). The 30-day reoperation and readmission rates were similar for the two groups. The rates for recurrence requiring surgery were 9.3% for LR and 4.7% for OR (p = 0.39) during a mean follow-up period of 59 months. An additional seven patients in each group reported possible recurrence by telephone. Postoperatively, 35% of the LR patients and 53% of the OR patients experienced constipation (p = 0.09). Constipation was improved in 74% of the LR patients and 54% of the OR patients, and worsened, respectively, in 3% and 17% (p = 0.037). The postoperative incontinence rates were 30% for LR and 33% for OR (p = 0.83). Continence was improved in 48% of the LR patients and 35% of the OR patients, and worsened, respectively, in 9% and 18% (p = 0.22). The mean satisfaction rates for surgery (on a scale of 0 to10) were 7.3 for the LR patients and 8.1 for the OR patients (p = 0.17).ConclusionsThe hospital stay is shorter for LR than for OR. Both functional results and recurrent full-thickness rectal prolapse were similar for LR and OR during a mean follow-up period of 5 years.

Adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer : Present and future perspectives

PURPOSEThis study was designed to assess the long-term outcomes and quality of life of patients who have undergone a sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure.METHODSThe medical records of patients who underwent this operation between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed. A questionnaire was mailed to assess their current status, along with the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index surveys.RESULTSA total of 298 patients were identified (158 males; 53 percent; mean age, 46.9 years; mean follow-up, 4.3 years). Postal survey response was 62 percent. Recurrence of the fissure occurred in 17 patients (5.6 percent) of whom 9 (52 percent) were females. Significant factors that resulted in recurrence were initial sphincterotomy performed in the office and local anesthesia (P < 0.001). When comparing office records and response to the postal survey, significantly more patients had flatal incontinence than that recorded in their medical records (P < 0.001). Twenty-nine percent of females who had a vaginal delivery recorded problems with incontinence to flatus (P = 0.04). Temporary incontinence was reported in 31 percent of patients and persistent incontinence to gas occurred in 30 percent. Stool incontinence was not a significant finding. The overall quality-of-life scores were in the normal range, whereas the median Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score was 12.CONCLUSIONSRecurrence after lateral internal sphincterotomy may be higher after local anesthesia or office procedure. Females who have two or more previous vaginal deliveries should be warned about possible flatal incontinence. Long-term flatal incontinence that is not reported to the caregiver may occur in up to one-third of patients and could be permanent.

Development of a Reliable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Model

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to fully characterize newly developed radioactive rhenium glass microspheres in vivo by determining their biodistribution, stability, antitumor effect, and toxicity after hepatic arterial injection in a syngeneic rat hepatoma model. The dose response of the tumors to increasing amounts of radioactive 186Re and 188Re microspheres was also determined. METHODS AND MATERIALS Rhenium glass microspheres were made radioactive by neutron activation and then injected into the hepatic artery of Sprague-Dawley rats containing 1-week-old Novikoff hepatomas. The biodistribution of the radioactivity and tumor growth were determined 1 h and 14 days after injection. RESULTS Examination of the biodistribution indicated a time-dependent, up to 7-fold increase in Novikoff hepatoma uptake as compared to healthy liver tissue uptake. After 14 days, the average T:L ratio was 1.97. Tumor growth in the rats receiving radioactive microspheres was significantly lower than in the group receiving nonradioactive microspheres (142% vs. 4824%, p = 0.048). Immediately after injection, 0.065% of the injected radioactivity was measured in the thyroid; it decreased to background levels within 24 h. CONCLUSION Radioactive rhenium microspheres are effective in diminishing tumor growth without altering hepatic enzyme levels. The microspheres are safe with respect to their radiation dose to healthy tissue and radiation release in vivo and can be directly imaged in the body with a gamma camera. Furthermore, rhenium microspheres have an advantage over pure beta-emitting microspheres in terms of preparation and neutron-activation time. In sum, this novel radiopharmaceutical may provide an innovative and cost-effective approach for the treatment of nonresectable liver cancer.

Perfusion to Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Is Not Uniform and Depends on Tumor Location and Feeding Vessel

Laparoscopic surgery has recently been gaining acceptance as an alternative approach for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the multiple potential benefits of laparoscopy including faster recovery, reduced costs, and lower morbidity. For patients with acute colitis, a laparoscopic subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy have been shown to be feasible and safe in experienced hands. When indicated, many of these patients may be able to safely undergo a subsequent laparoscopic approach for construction of an ileo-anal pouch. Although still controversial, an elective laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal pouch anastomosis has also been shown to be feasible with functional outcomes at least similar to those obtained with an open approach. However, larger randomized series of patients are needed with longer follow-up in order to draw definite conclusions. For Crohn’s disease, a laparoscopic approach is ideal for stoma creation. In addition, laparoscopic ileo-colectomy is arguably the preferred approach for patients with terminal ileal disease. Some experienced laparoscopic groups have also applied laparoscopic techniques for more complicated cases with recurrent disease or disease-related complications, such as fistulous disease. Other short-term benefits of a laparoscopic approach may include a decreased incidence of ventral hernias, decreased incidence of small bowel obstruction, and faster recovery. These benefits may also have significant economic impact. In contrast to earlier reports, there is reliable evidence that conversion is not associated with a poorer outcome. A policy of starting most suitable cases laparoscopically may offer patients the potential benefits of a laparoscopic approach without increasing morbidity.