Importance of comprehensive management of anastomotic site after ultra-low anal sphincter-preservation surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery increases the rate of anal sphincter preservation in patients with ultra-low rectal cancers. However, the anastomotic site of ISR surgery is at risk for structural healing complications such as anastomotic leakage, anastomotic dehiscence, secondary anastomotic stenosis, chronic presacral sinus, rectovaginal fistula, and rectourethral fistula, which can lead to a persistent defunctioning ostomy or a secondary permanent colostomy. This article systematically describes the preoperative high-risk factors and characteristics of anastomotic site structural healing complications after ISR surgery, as well as the management of the anastomotic site during various stages including hospitalization, from discharge to one month after surgery, from one month after surgery to before stoma reversal, and after stoma reversal. This is to provide a clearer understanding of the risks associated with the anastomotic site at different stages of the healing process and to timely detect and actively manage related complications, thereby reducing the rate of permanent colostomy and truly achieving the dual goals of "survival benefit" and "quality of life improvement" in ISR surgery.

Laparoscopic versus open pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer: analysis of short- and long-term effects / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety, and short- and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic pelvic exenteration (LPE) in treating locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods: The clinical data of 173 patients who had undergone pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced rectal cancer that had been shown by preoperative imaging or intraoperative exploration to have invaded beyond the mesorectal excision plane and adjacent organs in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (n=64) and Peking University First Hospital (n=109) from 2010 January to 2021 December were collected retrospectively. Laparoscopic PE (LPE) had been performed on 82 of these patients and open PE (OPE) on 91. Short- and long-term outcomes (1-, 3-, and 5-year overall and disease-free survival and 1- and 3-year cumulative local recurrence rates) were compared between these groups. Results: The only statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05) was administration of neoadjuvant therapy. Compared with OPE, LPE had a significantly shorter operative time (319.3±129.3 minutes versus 417.3±155.0 minutes, t=4.531, P<0.001) and less intraoperative blood loss (175 [20-2000] ml vs. 500 [20-4500] ml, U=2206.500, P<0.001). The R0 resection rates were 98.8% and 94.5%, respectively (χ2=2.355, P=0.214). At 18.3% (15/82), and the incidence of perioperative complications was lower in the LPE group than in the OPE group (37.4% [34/91], χ2=7.727, P=0.005). The rates of surgical site infection were 7.3% (6/82) and 23.1% (21/91) in the LPE and OPE group, respectively (χ2=8.134, P=0.004). The rates of abdominal wound infection were 0 and 12.1% (11/91) (χ2=10.585, P=0.001), respectively, and of urinary tract infection 0 and 6.6% (6/91) (χ2=5.601, P=0.030), respectively. Postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the LPE than OPE group (12 [4-60] days vs. 15 [7-87] days, U=2498.000, P<0.001). The median follow-up time was 40 (2-88) months in the LPE group and 59 (1-130) months in the OPE group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 91.3%, 76.0%, and 62.5%, respectively, in the LPE group, and 91.2%, 68.9%, and 57.6%, respectively, in the OPE group. The 1, 3, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 82.8%, 64.9%, and 59.7%, respectively, in the LPE group and 76.9%, 57.8%, and 52.7%, respectively, in the OPE group. The 1- and 3-year cumulative local recurrence rates were 5.1% and 14.1%, respectively, in the LPE group and 8.0% and 15.1%, respectively, in the OPE group (both P>0.05). Conclusions: In locally advanced rectal cancer patients, LPE is associated with shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, fewer perioperative complications, and shorter hospital stay compared with OPE. It is safe and feasible without compromising oncological effect.

Interpretation of Chinese expert consensus on the pelvic exenteration for primary rectal cancer beyond total mesorectal excision planes and locally recurrent rectal cancer (2023 edition) / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The China PelvEx Collaborative, under the direction of Colorectal Cancer Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Gastrointestinal Surgery Committee of China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health, has formulated and issued the Chinese expert consensus for primary rectal cancer beyond total mesorectal excision planes and locally recurrent rectal cancer (2023 edition) , with the academic support of the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Chinese Journal of Colorectal Disease (Electronic Edition). This Consensus refers to the expert consensus developed by the International PelvEx Collaboration, incorporates the latest international multi-center research results and combines the latest research results in China. The Consensus unifies some definitions, clarifies the surgical indications, and puts forward the definition and preventive measures of "empty pelvic syndrome" earlier. For the controversial classification of local recurrent rectal cancer, the Chinese classification was proposed for the first time in Consensus. At the same time, the definition of pelvic exenteration is controversial, and a more consistent cognition is proposed. It is believed that, with the in-depth research on complicated rectal cancer, C-PelvEx will gather more higher-level data from clinical research in several domestic centers, so as to further enrich the content of the updated Consensus.

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic distal rectal transection by transanterior obturator nerve gateway / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of distal rectal transection by using transanterior obturator nerve gateway (TANG) in laparoscopic radical resection for lower rectal cancers. Methods: A descriptive case series study was performed. Inclusion criteria: (1) patients with primary rectal adenocarcinoma, with the distance of 3-5 cm from tumor to anal verge, with normal anal function before surgery and a desire to preserve anus; (2) laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer was performed and the distal rectum was transected using TANG approach. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients with distant metastasis or receiving palliative surgery; (2) the distal rectum was transected using non-TANG approach; (3) patients receiving combined multiple organs resection; (4) patients complicated with other tumors requiring additional treatment during the study. Clinicopathological data of 50 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic resection using TANG approach between January 2019 and December 2020 in Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively collected. Perioperative conditions, length of specific pelvic lines, additional angle and postoperative short-term outcomes were observed and described. Additional angle was defined as the angle between the simulated stapling line with the traditional approach and the real stapling line with the TANG approach. Data following normal distribution were presented as Mean±SD, or M [quartile range (Q(R))] otherwise. Results: All the patients successfully completed laparoscopic surgery without transferring to open or transanal surgery. The median operative time was 193 (80) min and blood loss was 50 (58) ml. All tumors received R0 resection with the distance from the tumor to distal resection margin of 1.7 (0.4) cm and the anastomotic height of 2.0 (0.1) cm. Rectal transection was completed by one cartridge in 52.0% of the cases (26/50) and two cartridges in 48.0% (24/50). Length of the stapling line was 6.6 (1.5) cm. The time to construct the gateway was 8.0 (6.0) min. The vessel damage occurred in 4.0% of the cases (2/50) and none of the cases encountered obturator nerve damage. Inlets of the pelvis in TANG and traditional approach were (9.9±1.3) cm vs. (7.2±1.1) cm (t=24.781, P<0.001). Additional angle of TANG was (15±2) °. The transecting positions on the midline and right edge of the rectum specimen by TANG were 0.6 (0.2) cm and 1.0 (0.2) cm lower than those by the traditional approach. One case (2.0%) died of pulmonary infection on the 17th day after surgery, 2 cases (4.0%) received re-operation and 14 cases (28.0%) had postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage (7/50, 14.0%), urinary retention (6/50, 12.0%), pelvic infection (2/50, 4.0%) and ileus (2/50, 4.0%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 12 (6) days. Conclusions: Laparoscopic distal rectal transection by using TANG approach is safe and effective in the treatment of low rectal cancer. As an alternative rectal transecting method, TANG has advantages especially for the obese and those with a contracted pelvis and ultralow rectal cancers.

Thirty years' changes of the strategy of lateral lymph node dissection in low rectal cancer: treatment experience and prognostic analysis of 289 cases in one single center / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: The surgical indications, resection extent and management principle of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) in lower rectal cancer have been controversial between Eastern and Western countries. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for the rational implementation of LLND by reviewing the changes of LLND strategy over the past 30 years in a single-center, and analyzing prognostic factors for the survival outcomes of patients with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. Clinical data of 289 patients with rectal cancer who received LLND at the Department of General Surgery of Peking University First Hospital from 1990 to 2019 were collected. Patients were divided into three groups based on decades. There were 89 cases in 1990-1999 group, 92 cases in the 2000-2009 group, and 108 cases in the 2010-2019 group. Data analyzed: (1) patient baseline data; (2) surgery and postoperative recovery; (3) lateral lymph node dissection; (4) postoperative survival and prognosis of patients with positive lateral lymph nodes. The surgical methods and pathological results of LLND were compared between groups, and the prognostic risk factors of patients with LLNM were analyzed. Results: A total of 289 patients underwent radical resection with LLND' accounting for 6.3% of the 4542 patients with rectal cancer during the same period in our hospital. Except decade-by-decade increase in tumors with distance from anal verge ≤ 7 cm, the proportion of ulcerated tumors, and the proportion of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, the differences in other baseline data were not statistically significant among 3 decade groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of LLND in the 3 groups decreased decade by decade [9.9% (89/898) vs. 8.0% (92/1154) vs. 4.3% (108/2490), χ(2)=40.159, P<0.001]. The proportion of laparoscopic surgery and unilateral LLND increased, while the mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications above grade III and postoperative hospital stay decreased decade by decade. These 289 patients completed a total of 483 lateral dissections, including 95 cases of the unilateral dissection and 194 cases of the bilateral dissection. The proportion of LLND in the 3 groups decreased decade by decade [9.9% (89/898) vs. 8.0% (92/1154) vs. 4.3% (108/2510), P<0.001]. The median number of dissected lymph nodes in the internal iliac artery and obturator regions increased (2 vs. 3 vs. 3, P<0.001), but those in the common iliac and external iliac regions decreased significantly (4 vs. 3 vs. 2, P=0.014). A total of 71 patients with LLNM were identified. The rate of LLNM in the 2010-2019 group was significantly higher than that in the previous two groups [37.0% (40/108) vs. 16.9% (15/89) vs. 17.4% (16/92), P=0.001]. The patients with LLNM showed a poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with negative lateral lymph nodes (P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in 5-year OS rate (30.9% vs. 27.2% vs. 0, P=0.028) and 5-year DFS rate (28.3% vs. 16.0% vs. 0, P=0.038) among patients with only internal iliac lymph node metastasis, patients with only obturator lymph node metastasis, and patients with external iliac or common iliac lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that external iliac or common iliac lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for OS (HR=1.649, 95%CI: 1.087-2.501) and DFS (HR=1.714, 95%CI: 1.173-2.504) in patients with LLNM (all P<0.05) . The OS and DFS were not significant different in patients with LLNM among 3 decade groups. Conclusions: In the past decade, the proportion of LLND in rectal cancer has decreased significantly. However, LLNM rate has been significantly increased due to preoperative imaging assessments focusing on suspicious LLNM without compromising the survival. Internal iliac artery and obturator lymph nodes can be regarded as regional lymph nodes with a satisfactory prognosis after LLND. For suspected external iliac or common iliac lymph node metastasis, the significance of LLND remains to be further evaluated.

Factors associated with complications in patients undergoing surgery for obstructing colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery for obstructing colorectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eleven patients who underwent emergency surgery for obstructing colorectal cancer from January 2001 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-nine patients had obstruction proximal to the splenic flexure and 62 patients at or distal to the splenic flexure. The morbidity and mortality rates of the emergency surgery for malignant obstruction were 21.6% and 5.4%, respectively. Twenty-three patients received resection with primary anastomosis with intraoperative lavage for left-sided lesions. There was no difference in morbidity between right-sided cancer and left-sided cancer(P>0.05). Univariable analysis showed that complications rate was higher in patients with higher ASA score (3-4) and in those aged over 60 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ASA score(3-4) was an independent risk factor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Emergency surgery for obstructing colorectal cancer is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Selection of the proper operation and intensive treatment after surgery are recommended in high risk patients.</p>

Extrahepatic synthesis of coagulation factor VII by colorectal cancer cells promotes tumor invasion and metastasis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Blood coagulation factor VII (FVII) is physiologically synthesized in the liver and released into the blood. Binding of FVII to tissue factor (TF) is related to the metastatic potential of tumor cells, also a significant risk factor in the development of hepatic metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been found that some cancer cells can produce FVII extrahepatically. However, little is known about FVII and CRC. We therefore hypothesized that CRC cells may synthese FVII, leading to tumor invasion and metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We detected the expression of FVII protein in 55 CRC specimens by immunohistochemical staining. The FVII mRNA in 45 of 55 CRC cases, 6 colon cancer cell lines and one hepatoma cell line was measured by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Transwell invasion assays were performed to evaluate the changes of cell migration and invasion of LoVo cancer cells in vitro. We further observed the likely effectors regulated by the TF/FVIIa complex Western blotting assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Extrahepatic synthesis of FVII was detected in the cytoplasm of 32 (58.2%) CRC specimens by immunohistochemistry, but not in normal mucosa. Liver metastasis (P = 0.003) and TNM staging (P = 0.005) were significantly correlated with FVII antigen expression. The positive ratios in stages I, II, III and IV were 33.3%, 40.0%, 52.4% and 87.5%, respectively. The expression of FVII mRNA in CRC with hepatic metastasis was significantly higher than CRC without hepatic metastasis (5.33 ± 2.88 vs. 1.47 ± 0.51, P = 0.03). Ectopic FVIIa induced a slight increase (1.34-fold) in the number of migrating cells, which was inhibited by the specific TF antibody. The formation of TF/FVIIa complex resulted in a marked increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 (3.5-fold) and MMP-9 (4.7-fold) in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Extrahepatic synthesis of FVII by CRC cells may promote tumor invasion and metastasis. MMPs, as downstream effectors of TF/FVIIa signaling, facilitate the development of metastasis in colon cancer.</p>

Surgical treatment and prognosis analysis of localized retroperitoneal Castleman disease: a study of 20 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment and prognosis analysis of localized retroperitoneal Castleman disease (CD), and to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal Castleman disease with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of retroperitoneal CD with PNP from January 1993 to May 2009 were compared with CD without PNP retrospectively, including clinical features, tumor site, lab examination, surgical treatment, pathologic subtype and results of surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Retroperitoneal Castleman disease more likely originated in para-kidney and iliac fossa with middle age of 36 years old, especially in left retroperitoneum. Of the 20 cases, 18 tumors (90%) were hyaline vascular variants and 2 were mixed variants. There was no statistical difference in gender, age, tumor site and pathological subtype between two groups. (2) Retroperitoneal CD with PNP more likely complicated with bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) and high level of serum CEA/CA242. (3) Retroperitoneal Castleman tumors had clear margin, intact envelop and were easily resectable, however the biological behavior of CD with PNP might tend malignant changing, invade adjacent blood vessel or seed locally, and eventually relapse after operation. (4) The 5-year survival rate of retroperitoneal CD with PNP was 42.8%, significantly lower than those without PNP. The average survival time was 30 months. Bronchiolitis obliterans and radical resection were the key effect in prognosis of retroperitoneal CD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Retroperitoneal CD with PNP has distinctive clinical features. Early diagnosis, prompt removal of tumor and termination secretion of causative antibody are critical to the management of this disease.</p>

Rectal stromal tumors: a clinicopathological study of 16 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical diagnosis, treatment and immunohistochemical characteristics of rectal stromal tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical expression of CD117 was retrieved in 20 cases of mesenchymal tumors of the rectum. And we analyzed the immunohistochemical characteristics, clinical data of rectal stromal tumors, and the results retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen cases of rectal stromal tumors, 3 cases of leiomyosarcomas and 1 case of schwannoma were diagnosed. Histologically, 2 cases of GISTs were classified as benign, 1 as borderline and 13 as malignant. All of rectal stromal tumors (100%) were strongly positive for CD117, and 14 cases (88%) positive for CD34. The demographic profile of rectal stromal tumors showed a male predominance with average age of 60 years old. The main symptoms were urinary retention, constipation and abdominal pain. 14 cases were positive in digital rectal examination. The recurrence rate of local and radical resection in malignant stromal tumors was 4/4 and 3/6. 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 89%, 64%, 48%, respectively. After operation mean survival time of was 47 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The specific GIST constituted the majority of mesenchymal tumors in rectum. It usually showed malignant biological behavior. Invasion and recurrence were common. Earlier diagnosis and radical resection had better prognosis. Periodically following up can help to detect the recurrence timely.</p>

Clinical analysis of combined resection for T4 gastric cancer: report of 69 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of combined resection for the treatment of T(4) gastric cancer and to refine the indication for en bloc dissection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 69 cases receiving combined resection were analyzed retrospectively, and compared with those of 45 cases undergoing palliative gastrectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 69 cases, 54 patients underwent curative combined resection, 15 patients underwent palliative combined resection, including 24 with transverse colectomy, 22 with pancreatico-splenectomy, 8 with left lateral lobectomy of liver, 6 with pancreatico-splenectomy and transverse colectomy, 5 with pancreaticoduodenectomy, 2 with cholecystectomy, 1 with splenectomy, 1 with phrenectomy. The total rate of lymph node metastasis was 88.4%; the operative mortality rate was 4.3%; the morbidity rate was 14.5%. The postoperatively 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of CR group and NCR group were 66.9%, 39.1%, 26.8% and 33.4%, 7.4%, 0% respectively (P < 0.01). The five year survival rate of curative resection group was 34.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>An en bloc combined resection can cure some T(4) patients, and improve the five-year survival rate.</p>

TF/F Ⅶa complex induce the expression of MMP-7mRNA via P38 signal pathway in LOVO cells of colon cancer in vitro / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7(MMP-7) mRNA in LOVO cells of colon cancer induced by TF/F Ⅶ a and its signal pathway.Methods We transfected LOVO cells stably with RNAi plasmid targeting to tissue factor to get TFRNAi LOVO cells and detected efficiency of interference in TFRNAi LOVO cells based on Western blot analysis;Expression of MMP-7 was evaluated in LOVO cells treated with 100 nmol/L FⅦa in 0 h、4 h、8 h、12 h、24 h based on RT-PCR and Northern blot.Expression of MMP-7mRNA was determined in quiescent LOVO cells treated with different doses of FⅦa(0 nmol/L、10nmol/L、50 nmol/L、100 nmol/L、200 nmol/L)for 8 h based on Northern blot.Quiescent LOVO cells were treated for 0 h、4 h、8 h、12 h、16 h、24 h with 100 nmol/L FⅦa to evaluate the expression of p-P38;The expression level of MMP-7mRNA induced by 100 nmol/L FⅦa for 8 h in LOVO cells blocked by 10retool SB203580 0.5 h previously and in TFRNAi LOVO cells were measured by Northern blot.Results Northern blot analysis revealed that FⅦa markedly increased the expression of MMP-7mRNA in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Western blot analysis confirmed that FⅦa stimulates p-P38 in a time-dependent manner.SB203580 block 59.2% expression of MMP-7mRNA in LOVO cells induced by TF/FⅦa.In TFRNAi LOVO cells,the expression of MMP-7mRNA induced by TF/FⅦa was 48% less than that in normal LOVO cells.Conclusions TF/FⅦa Complex induces the expression of MMP-7mRNA in LOVO cells in vitro,possibly through P38 pathway.