Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for Meckel diverticulum: a multicenter study

Purpose@#Meckel diverticulum (MD), caused by an obliteration defect of the omphalomesenteric duct, is one of the most common congenital anomalies of small intestines. The objective of this study was to review surgical outcomes of MD and evaluate the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in MD. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent diverticulectomy for MD at 6 Hallym University-affiliated hospitals between January 2008 and December 2017. All patients underwent either open surgery or MIS. Patients who underwent MIS were subdivided into laparoscopic only diverticulectomy (LOD) or laparoscopic-assisted diverticulectomy (LAD). @*Results@#Of 64 patients, 21 underwent open surgery and 43 underwent MIS. Time to flatus, time to soft food intake, and length of hospital stay were shorter in the MIS group than in the open surgery group (P = 0.047, P = 0.005, and P = 0.015, respectively). Among patients who underwent MIS, the time to flatus and time to soft food intake were longer in the LAD group than in the LOD group (0.3 and 0.9 days, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that old age and preoperative ileus were independent predictors of complications (P = 0.030 and P = 0.013, respectively). Operation type (open surgery, LOD, or LAD) was not associated with complications. @*Conclusion@#The present study showed that MIS is associated with quicker recovery without increasing complications.Therefore, MIS may be a safe alternative to open surgery for MD. An old age and preoperative ileus were associated with a risk of postoperative complications.

Early versus late surgical management for complicated appendicitis in adults: a multicenter propensity score matching study

PURPOSE: Surgeons may be uncertain about the optimal timing of appendectomy to decrease complications, especially for complicated appendicitis. The aim of the study was to compare clinical outcomes between early and late surgery for complicated appendicitis. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of complicated appendicitis was queried. Elective interval surgery (EIS) group and early surgery (ES) were matched with propensity score and marked with a prefix ‘p.’ Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The propensity score-matched EIS group had a lower chance to underwent ileo-cecectomy or right hemicolectomy (1.5% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.031), a tendency of lower rate of postoperative complication (6.9% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.067), a lower rate of wound infection (1.5% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.010), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (3.72 days vs. 5.82 days, P < 0.001) than the propensity score-matched ES group. Multivariate analysis showed that delayed surgery for more than 48 hours or urgent surgery due to failure of EIS and open conversion were independent risk factors for postoperative complications (P = 0.001 and P = 0.025, respectively). In subgroup analysis, high American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification and distant abscess or generalized ascites in initial CT increased the risk of failure of EIS. CONCLUSION: EIS can be a useful option for selected adult patients with complicated appendicitis.

Second Korean Guidelines for the Management of Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.

Second Korean guidelines for the management of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a long-term propranolol user

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction that is characterized by the encasement of the small bowel by a thick, whitish, and fibrous membrane. The pathophysiology of SEP is poorly understood and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Previous reports suggest that SEP may be linked to the chronic use of β-adrenergic blockers. A 46-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with recurrent abdominal pain and borborygmi. He had been taking propranolol to prevent bleeding from gastroesophageal varices for the past 15 years. Abdominal computed tomography showed ileal loops encapsulated by soft tissue with dilatation of the proximal small bowel on the right side of the abdomen. Barium follow-through showed conglomerated distal ileal loops with a cauliflower-like appearance. Explorative laparotomy revealed a thick, fibrous, whitish capsule encapsulating the ileal loops. The covering membrane was dissected and excised, resulting in an improvement in symptoms after surgery. Accordingly, a final diagnosis of SEP was made. Due to the lack of other apparent causes for SEP, we conclude that in this case, the long-term use of propranolol may be associated with the development of SEP.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a long-term propranolol user

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction that is characterized by the encasement of the small bowel by a thick, whitish, and fibrous membrane. The pathophysiology of SEP is poorly understood and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Previous reports suggest that SEP may be linked to the chronic use of β-adrenergic blockers. A 46-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with recurrent abdominal pain and borborygmi. He had been taking propranolol to prevent bleeding from gastroesophageal varices for the past 15 years. Abdominal computed tomography showed ileal loops encapsulated by soft tissue with dilatation of the proximal small bowel on the right side of the abdomen. Barium follow-through showed conglomerated distal ileal loops with a cauliflower-like appearance. Explorative laparotomy revealed a thick, fibrous, whitish capsule encapsulating the ileal loops. The covering membrane was dissected and excised, resulting in an improvement in symptoms after surgery. Accordingly, a final diagnosis of SEP was made. Due to the lack of other apparent causes for SEP, we conclude that in this case, the long-term use of propranolol may be associated with the development of SEP.

The Clinical Features and Predictive Risk Factors for Reoperation in Patients With Perianal Crohn Diseases; A Multi-Center Study of a Korean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group

PURPOSE: Perianal lesions are common in Crohn disease, but their clinical course is unpredictable. Nevertheless, predicting the clinical course after surgery for perianal Crohn disease (PCD) is important because repeated operations may decrease patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to predict the risk of reoperation in patients with PCD. METHODS: From September 1994 to February 2010, 377 patients with PCD were recruited in twelve major tertiary university-affiliated hospitals and two specialized colorectal hospitals in Korea. Data on the patient's demographics, clinical features, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 377 patients, 227 patients were ultimately included in the study. Among the 227 patients, 64 patients underwent at least one reoperation. The median period of reoperation following the first perianal surgery was 94 months. Overall 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year cumulative rates of reoperation-free individuals were 68.8%, 61.2%, and 50.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis (Cox-regression hazard model), reoperation was significantly correlated with an age of onset less than 20 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-3.48; P = 0.03), history of abdominal surgery (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.08-3.64; P = 0.03), and the type of surgery. Among types of surgery, fistulotomy or fistulectomy was associated with a decreased incidence of reoperation in comparison with incision and drainage (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.09-0.42; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Young age of onset and a history of abdominal surgery were associated with a high risk of reoperation for PCD, and the risk of reoperation were relatively low in fistulotomy or fistulectomy procedures.

Characteristic Phenotypes in Korean Crohn's Disease Patients Who Underwent Intestinal Surgery for the Treatment

There are no previous large scale studies which have evaluated the phenotypes and clinical characteristics of Korean Crohn's disease patients who underwent intestinal resection. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Korean Crohn's disease patients who underwent intestinal resection during the study period. A total of 686 patients were enrolled in this study. The study period was over a 20-yr period (1990-2009). The patients were divided into the first-10-yr group and the second-10-yr group. The phenotypes and clinical characteristics were compared between the groups. The most common site of the disease was the ileal area (37.8%) and stricturing behavior was observed in 38.3% patients. The most common type of surgery was segmental resection of the small bowel (30.6%). These phenotypes showed a similar pattern in both the first and second study period groups and did not show any significant differences between the groups. The number of registered patients increased continuously. The phenotypes of Korean Crohn's disease patients who underwent intestinal resection are different compared with previously reported clinical characteristics of general Crohn's disease patients.

Risk factors for complications after bowel surgery in Korean patients with Crohn's disease / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence and factors predictive of early postoperative complications in Korean patients who undergo surgery for Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 350 patients (246 males, 104 females; mean age, 30 +/- 9 years) who underwent surgery for primary or recurrent CD at Asan Medical Center between January 1991 and May 2010. The incidence and predictive factors of early postoperative complications were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 350 patients, 81 patients (23.1%) developed postoperative complications, the most common being septic complications (54 patients), including 19 cases of wound infection. Thirty patients (8.6%) required re-operations, and only one patient died. Multivariate analysis showed that four factors were independently associated with a high risk of early postoperative complications; preoperative moderate to severe anemia (hematocrit concentration <30%; odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 5.9), hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level <3.0 g/dL; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.7), emergency surgery (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.5 to 10.6), and covering stoma (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 5.4). Correction of preoperative moderate to severe anemia and hypoalbuminemia decreased the incidence of postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with than without postoperative complications (31.3 +/- 27.2 days vs. 10.3 +/- 3.8 days, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anemia, low albumin level, emergency surgery, and covering stoma significantly increased the risk of early postoperative complications in patients with CD. Correcting preoperatively deficient nutritional factors may reduce postoperative morbidities.

Risk Factors for Repeat Abdominal Surgery in Korean Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Multi-Center Study of a Korean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for repeated abdominal surgery in Crohn's disease (CD) patients after the first abdominal surgery. Prior studies have tried to identify the risk factors for postoperative recurrence in CD patients, but the results of the studies have been inconsistent. Furthermore, few data on the risk factors for repeated abdominal surgery are available. METHODS: Clinical data on CD patients who underwent abdominal surgery from January 2000 to December 2009 were collected from seventeen university hospitals and one colorectal clinic. Data from a total of 708 patients were analyzed to find the risk factors for repeated abdominal surgery in CD patients. The mean follow-up period was 72 months. RESULTS: The risk of repeated abdominal surgery was 3 times higher in young patients (below 16 years old) than in older patients (odds ratio [OR], 3.056; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.021 to 9.150); P = 0.046). Stricturing behavior at diagnosis was also a risk factor for repeated abdominal surgery (OR, 2.438; 95% CI, 1.144 to 5.196; P = 0.021). Among operative indications, only intra-abdominal abscess was associated with repeated abdominal surgery (OR, 2.393; 95% CI, 1.098 to 5.216; P = 0.028). Concerning type of operation, an ileostomy might be a risk factor for repeated abdominal surgery (OR, 11.437; 95% CI, 1.451 to 90.124; P = 0.021). Emergency surgery (OR, 4.994; 95% CI, 2.123 to 11.745; P < 0.001) and delayed diagnosis after surgery (OR, 2.339; 95% CI, 1.147 to 4.771; P = 0.019) also increased the risk of repeated abdominal surgery. CONCLUSION: Young age (below 16 years), stricturing behavior, intra-abdominal abscess, emergency surgery, and delayed diagnosis after surgery were identified as possible risk factors for repeated abdominal surgery in CD patients.

Prognosis and Recurrent Patterns of Sporadic Primary Colon Cancers According to Location

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the prognosis and the recurrence patterns of sporadic primary colon cancers according to the location of the cancer. METHODS: One thousand four-hundred eighty-three (1,483) stage II, III colon cancer patients who had undergone a consecutive curative resection between January 1989 and December 2003 were analyzed. Hereditary, synchronous, metachronous, and recurrent colon cancers were excluded. The right colon was defined as being from the cecum to the transverse colon, and the left colon was defined as being from the splenic flexure colon to the rectosigmoid colon. The median follow-up time was 63 (3-228) mo. RESULTS: Poorly differentiated and mucinous cell type tumors were more frequent in the right colon. T3 tumors were more frequent in the right colon. Lymph-node-positive tumors were more frequent in the left colon. The recurrence rate was higher in the left colon, but the patterns of recurrence were not different according to the tumor's location. By univariate analysis, age, preoperative serum CEA level, T-stage, N-stage, lymphovascular invasion, postoperative chemotherapy, and tumor location were significant prognostic factors associated with recurrence. By multivariate analysis, sex, preoperative serum CEA level, T-stage, N-stage, postoperative chemotherapy, and tumor location were significant prognostic factors associated with recurrence. The 5-yr disease-free survival rates were 84.0% for right colon cancer and 77.1% for left colon cancer (P=0.005). The recurrence rates for cancers in the sigmoid colon and the rectosigmoid colon were higher than those for cancers in the cecum and the ascending colon. CONCLUSION: The tumor's location was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence, but the pattern of recurrence did not vary with the tumor's location.

Small Bowel Obstruction due to Enterolith / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Two Cases of Colonic Obstruction after Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

Several forms of colonic complications are rarely observed during the clinical course of acute pancreatitis, and potentially fatal in some cases. Colonic lesions associated with acute pancreatitis can be divided into several groups from a pathogenic point of view. Possible pathogenesis includes 1) spread of pancreatic enzymes through the retroperitoneum to mesocolon, causing pericolitis, 2) external inflammatory compression by mesocolic mass secondary to necrosis of fatty tissue, and 3) hypotension due to shock, and thrombosis of mesenteric arteries. These might lead to colonic infarction, fistula formation, perforation, and obstruction during follow-up. We report two cases of colonic obstruction following acute pancreatitis with possible different mechanisms and review Korean cases. One patient developed colonic obstruction due to severe necrotizing pancreatitis, possibly as a result of pericolitis, and the other developed stenosis as a result of ischemic colitis induced by acute pancreatitis.

Malignancy Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PURPOSE: As the number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has steadily increased in Korea, IBD-associated cancers are expected to increase in number. This study investigated the clinical features of intestinal cancer in patients with IBD. METHODS: One hundred five patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 270 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) under the care of the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Asan Medical Center, between December 1989 and January 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Ten patients of the 105 with UC and 5 patients of the 270 with CD were found to have intestinal cancer. The mean age was 45 yr (+/-8.8), and the mean duration of IBD at the time of diagnosis of the cancer was 12.6 yr (+/-6.0). Six of the 15 cancer patients had no history of treatment for IBD of more than 3 mo before diagnosis of the cancer. Eleven cancers were located in the rectum (7 in UC, 4 in CD), including 1 case of synchronous cancer. One case of small bowel cancer was found in a patient with small bowel CD. Four cases involved a mucinous adenocarcinoma. Eight of the 12 cases of an adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were advanced stage. CONCLUSION: IBD-associated intestinal cancers were found at a relatively young age, were diagnosed at an advanced stage, and had a higher proportion of mucinous adenocarcinomas than in sporadic cancer. Considering the increasing incidence of IBD and the expected increase in the number of IBD-associated cancer in Korea, every effort should be made to prevent intestinal cancer in patients with IBD and to detect it early.

Pathologic Complete Remission after Preoperative Chemoradiation for Rectal Cancer: Analysis of Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Oncologic Outcome

PURPOSE: To assess the clinico-pathologic characteristics associated with pathologic complete remission (pCR) after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) for rectal cancer and evaluate predictive factors for pCR and prognostic impact of pCR. METHODS: We analyzed 325 patients who underwent PCRT and surgical resection between September 1999 and September 2006. We have treated 319 patients with PCRT for locally advanced rectal cancer and 6 patients for sphincter-saving procedure. Chemotherapy consisted of either of bolus 5-FU (325 mg/m2/d) or capecitabine (1,650 mg/m2/d) for the duration of radiation and after surgery. Radiation therapy was delivered and surgery was performed 4~6 weeks following the completion of PCRT. We compared pCR patients with non-pCR patients according to the clinico-pathologic characteristics and followed up with a median of 32 (range, 12~91) months. RESULTS: The pCR (n=41, 12.6%) and non-pCR (n=284) groups were comparable in age, sex, location of the tumor, chemotherapy regimen, pre-CRT CEA level except pre-CRT clinical stage (12.2% vs. 0.4% in stage I, P= 0.047). There was no significant difference in genetic characteristics between groups. There was no specific predictive factors for pCR except pre-CRT T category (pCR in T2 (5/8, 62.5%) vs. T3 (33/283, 11.7%) or T4 (3/33, 9.1%), P=0.001). The 3-year disease free survival (DFS) was 100% and 83.6% in the pCR and non-pCR group respectively (P=0.012). There were 5 local and 34 systemic recurrences only in non-pCR group. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer patients with pCR after PCRT have an excellent prognosis and are unlikely to fail locally or systemically because of the effect of stage. However there was no specific predictive factor for pCR except preoperative T category.

Risk Factors of Pouch Failure after a Restorative Proctocolectomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors of pouch failure after a restorative proctocolectomy. METHODS: A restorative proctocolectomy was performed in 169 patients between November 1989 and May 2007. A retrospective review was done for postoperative complications and follow-up results of pouch failure, and the risk factors of pouch failure were analyzed. Pouch failure was defined as having occurred when a permanent ileostomy was constructed, regardless of pouch removal. The median follow-up was 48 (3~155) months. RESULTS: Among the 169 cases, 86 cases involved ulcerative colitis (UC group), 70 cases involved familial adenomatous polyposis or attenuated adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP group), and the remaining 13 involved hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or synchronous colon and rectal caner (CRC group). The sex ratios and the incidences of comorbidity were not significantly different between the groups, but the mean ages were. Complications occurred in 61 patients (36.1%): pelvic sepsis (28 cases), pouchitis (23 cases), desmoid tumor (12 cases), wound infection (10 cases), and anastomosis stricture (4 cases). The 5-year cumulative rate of pouch failure was 9.8%. Presence of a desmoid tumor, pelvic sepsis, and anastomosis stricture were risk factors of pouch failure. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative pouch failure rate after a restorative proctocolectomy was 9.8% for 5 years, and pouch failure was associated with the presence of a desmoid tumor, pelvic sepsis, and anastomosis stricture.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura that Developed after Rectal Cancer Surgery

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in the acute postoperative setting is a syndrome that presents with various symptoms such as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, renal failure, and change of the patient's mental status. Though most of the previous reports of postoperative TTP have been in conjunction with cardiac or vascular surgery, it has also been reported following orthopedic and abdominal surgeries. We present here a case of a 78 year-old female who was diagnosed with rectal cancer and who developed TTP the 2nd day following her cancer surgery. Because the presentation can be confused with other early postoperative complications, TTP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient who develops unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia following an abdominal surgery. Awareness of this syndrome is essential because starting plasmapheresis early can be life-saving.

The Role of Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex in the Anal Continence Function

PURPOSE: The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) aids the anal continence function by a sampling process. On the other hand, it might impair the anal continence function because the internal anal sphincter is relaxed during the reflex. We assessed the parameters of RAIR in incontinent patients with or without a sphincter defect and compared them with healthy control subjects to clarify the exact role of that reflex in the anal continence function. METHODS: The recovery time, slope, amplitude, and area under the reflex curve of the RAIR were measured for 31 normal controls without any history of anorectal surgery (group A), 32 incontinent patients with a sphincter defect (group B), and 49 incontinent patients without a sphincter defect (group C). Incontinence was defined as bowel accidents of more than 3 by the Cleveland Clinic Florida score. A sphincteric defect was defined endoanal sonographically. The mean ages of group A, B, and C were 57.9+/-14.3, 54.5+/-13.6, and 61.8+/-15.4 years, respectively. RESULTS: When group A and group B+C were compared, the recovery times (seconds) were 17.5+/-3.5 and 14.8+/-5.5 (P=.003), the slopes (mmHg/second) were 0.67+/-3.04 and 3.27+/-2.44 (P<.001), the amplitudes (%) were 7.0+/-16.5 and 53.3+/-19.4 (P=.352), and the area under the reflex curve (mmHg*seconds) were 230.2+/-102.15 and 173.0+/-140.8 (P=.020). When group B and group C were compared, the recovery times were 15.0+/-5.8 and 14.7+/-5.3 (P=.828), the slopes were 3.6+/-2.8 and 3.1+/-2.2 (P= .388), the amplitudes were 54.2+/-22.4 and 52.7+/-17.4 (P=.737), and the area under the reflex curve were 188.0+/-151.1 and 163.2+/-134.3 (P=.443). All parameters of the RAIR, except the amplitude were significantly diminished in incontinent patients whether they had a sphincter defect or not. CONSLUSIONS: Although the RAIR functions against continence in normal conditions by inhibiting sphincteric tone, it behaves suitably for keeping continence in the presence of incontinence, whatever the cause is, by attenuating the degree of inhibition.

Comparison of Self-Expanding Metallic Stenting with Emergency Surgery as First-Management for Obstructing Primary Left-sided Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Emergency surgery has been a conventional treatment for malignant large-bowel obstruction, but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have provided a new modality as palliation or bridge therapy for patients with obstructing colorectal cancers. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate whether SEMS is useful in patients with malignant large bowel obstruction. METHODS: Between January 1999 and June 2004, 63 patients were treated for primary obstructing left-side colorectal cancer at the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. 32 patients were managed firstly with SEMS (stent group), and 31 patients underwent an emergency operation (emergency surgery group). Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. The results, including perioperative outcome and survival, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Clinicopathological parameters, including age, gender, ASA grade, tumor location and stage, were similar between the two groups. The rate of one-stage operations was significantly higher in the stent group (52% vs 13%; P=0.004). The stent group was associated with a lower rate of stoma formation (48% vs 87%; P=0.004), a shorter length of hospital stay (19 days vs 26 days; P=0.048), and fewer complications (7% vs 30%; P= 0.035). The overall and the disease-free survival rates were similar between the two groups (P=0.973, 0.126). The stent group was associated with fewer surgeries needed, shorter length of hospital stay, and fewer complications. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting with SEMS is useful in managing malignant large-bowel cancer with obstruction and may be better than traditional open surgery.

Hemorrhoidectomy Specimens: Necessity for Routine Pathologic Evaluation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the necessity for routine pathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy specimens. METHODS: Between March 1998 and February 2001, 280 patients (185 males, 95 females) underwent a hemorrhoidectomy at Seoul National University Hospital. All patients had grade III~IV hemorrhoids, and the mean age of the patients was 51 years (range: 21~74 years). All hemorrhoidectomy specimens were examined with a hematoxylin and eosin stain of one representative section by a pathologist. We performed a retrospective analysis regarding the pathologic results for the hemorrhoidectomy specimens. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven specimens (267, 95.4%) had typical hemorrhoids reported as external and internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, hemorrhoidal varices, and thrombi. Ten patients (10, 3.2%) had additional benign pathologes such as fibroepithelial polyps (6 cases), a flat condyloma (1 case), hypertrophied papillae with a condyloma, like papillomatosis and keratosis (1 case), dyskeratotic squamous cells with koilocytotic atypia (1 case), and an inflammatory polyp (1 case). Interestingly, three patients (3, 1.1%) had carcinomas in the hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Two patients had squamous- cell carcinomas; one suffered from delayed wound healing after a previous hemorrhoidectomy, and the other had indurated lesions on the hemorrhoids. One patients who had under gone a low anterior resection due to stage-C rectal cancer 7 months before had a adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the possibility of unsuspected anal cancer, we recommend pathologic examination of hemorr hoidectomy specimens, especially in cases of suspected indurated lesions within the hemorrhoids, delayed wound healing after a previous hemorrhoidectomy, or previous history of colon cancer.