Transanal endoscopic operation for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy

PURPOSE: In this paper we report the oncological outcomes from clinical series of patients with rectal cancer submitted to local excision after neoadjuvant therapy and discuss the indications for local excision in partial clinical responders. METHODS: We analysed a prospective database of 39 patients submitted to a transanal endoscopic operation for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation between 2006 and 2015, comparing clinical and pathological variables, perioperative complications, recurrence rate and overall survival. RESULTS: We obtained 15.4% ypT0, 17.9% ypT1, 35.9% ypT2 and 28.2% ypT3. After a median follow-up of 24 months, tumoral recurrence was observed in 4 patients, one of them with isolated pulmonary metastasis. R0 resection was achieved in 79.5%, and postoperative complications were observed in 30.2% patients and no perioperative mortality occur. Compromise surgical margins do not affect recurrence rate, and 94.9% of patients are alive nowadays. CONCLUSION: Local excision could be associated with low recurrence rate and good overall survival. Short hospitalization time and low level of serious complications observed could be an interesting option for patients who would not tolerate a radical procedure or for those who declined a total mesorectal excision. A strict long-term follow-up must be warranted to detect early tumoral recurrence.

A novel subcutaneous T-shaped bridge device for loop colostomies

PURPOSE: To describe a novel securing device for loop colostomies, developed in our institution and report our 10-year experience. METHODS: The T-shaped support device was used in all patients who required loop colostomy and who were at an increased risk of stoma withdrawal. The device was removed on the fifth postoperative day in all patients. An analysis from a prospective database regarding early postoperative complication, from 209 patients, was conducted between 2003 and 2013. RESULTS: Bleeding, peristomal skin problems, surgical site infection, stomal ischemia/necrosis, stenosis, obstruction, retraction and early withdrawal of the stoma were not noted in all cases. Thirteen patients (6%) reported mild discomfort on the site of the skin suture. Removal of the instrument was fast and easy, with the advantage of keeping the colostomy bag. CONCLUSION: The T-shaped bridge device successfully prevented stoma withdrawal in all subjects. The device was safe and well accepted, with minor complications.

Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promotes successful healing in patients with refractory Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: To investigate de adjunctive effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease. METHODS: A total of 29 subjects with refractory Crohn's disease were submitted to daily sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, in a 2800 Sechrist Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Sechrist, USA) pressurized to 2.4 ATA. Each session lasted 2 hours. The endpoint was closure of enterocutaneous fistulas and complete healing of Pyoderma Gangrenosum and perineal Crohn's disease. RESULTS: A total of 829 HBOT sessions were performed and no complications were noted. Overall success rate was 76% (22 cases). Pyoderma Gangrenosum and enterocutaneous fistulas had the highest successful healing rates (100% and 91%, respectively). Perineal Crohn's disease healing rate was 65%. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promoted satisfactory healing in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease.

Management of acute colorectal diseases in febrile neutropenic patients / Tratamento das doenças colorretais agudas no paciente neutropênico febril

Patients with hematologic malignancies are susceptible to serious complications due to immunosuppression. Neutropenic-related infection is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in this group of diseases. Febrile neutropenia is a common complication of the hematologic neoplasm itself or chemotherapy, and has worse prognosis if prolonged (lasting more than 7 days) or severe (neutrophil count below 500 cells per µL). Among the usual sites of infection, we highlight the neutropenic enterocolitis and perianal infection as gastrointestinal complications of greater interest to the colorectal surgeon. Although most cases respond to conservative treatment, a portion of patients will need surgery for complete recovery. (AU)

Os pacientes com neoplasias hematológicas estão sujeitos a uma séria de complicações devido à imunossupressão. Infecção é umas das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade nesse grupo de doenças. A neutropenia febril é uma complicação frequente da própria doença onco-hematológica ou da quimioterapia, e apresenta pior prognóstico se prolongada (duração acima de 7 dias) ou severa (contagem de neutrófilos inferior a 500 células por microlitro). Dentre os focos de infecção mais comuns destacamos a enterocolite neutropênica e a infecção perianal como complicações de maior interesse para o cirurgião colorretal. Apesar de grande parte dos casos apresentar boa resposta ao tratamento conservador, uma parcela de pacientes necessitará de cirurgia para completa recuperação.

Ruptura espontânea para cavidade abdominal de pseudocisto pancreático e seu tratamento / Spontaneous rupture of pancreatic pseudocyst and its treatment: a case report

O pseudocisto de pâncreas é caracterizado como uma coleção fluida rica em enzimas pancreáticas circundada por tecido de fibrose e granulação, sendo mais comum nos casos de pancreatite crônica e, também, na etiologia alcóolica da doença. Sua indicação cirúrgica se baseia nos casos assintomáticos que não tendem à regressão e nas suas complicações. Entre elas, bastante rara, destaca-se a ruptura espontânea do pseudocisto de maneira livre para cavidade abdominal. Relatamos aqui um caso de ruptura espontânea para cavidade abdominal de pseudocisto pancreático com quadro clínico de abdome agudo com pneumoperitônio no raio-x, que foi tratado com drenagem externa do mesmo para a parede abdominal. Apesar de cada vez mais consagrado o tratamento dessa patologia por via endoscópica ou percutânea, relatamos aqui um raro caso aonde a conduta cirúrgica se tornou imperativa, sendo bastante útil para os cirurgiões.

Pseudocyst of the pancreas is characterized as a fluid collection rich in pancreatic enzymes surrounded by fibrotic tissue and granulation, being more common in cases of chronic pancreatitis. Its surgical indication is based on the asymptomatic cases that do not tend to regression and on its complications. Among them, though very rare, there is spontaneous rupture of the pseudocyst freely into the abdominal cavity. Here we report a case of spontaneous rupture of pancreatic pseudocyst into the abdominal cavity with a clinical picture of acute abdomen with radiologic pneumoperitoneum, which was treated with external drainage to the abdominal wall. Although treatment through endoscopic or percutaneous route is increasingly well established, here we report a rare case in which the surgical procedure became imperative.

Desenvolvimento de neoplasias/adenomas avançados colorretais no seguimento a longo prazo de pacientes submetidos a colonoscopia com polipectomia / Development of colorectal advanced neoplasia/adenomas in the long-term follow-up of patients submitted to colonoscopy with polipectomy

CONTEXTO: A colonoscopia e a polipectomia diminuem a incidência do câncer colorretal, assim como a mortalidade dele decorrente. O intervalo efetivo entre os exames de seguimento é determinado por características clínicas e achados endoscópicos considerados como preditivos para o desenvolvimento de lesões neoplásicas colônicas avançadas. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a taxa de surgimento de lesões neoplásicas avançadas em pacientes submetidos a colonoscopias de seguimento em serviço de referência. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 392 pacientes submetidos a dois ou mais exames colonoscópicos completos entre 1995 e 2005, constantes no banco de dados e que apresentavam, em pelo menos um dos exames, um adenoma colorretal. Foram analisados os dados da primeira e da última colonoscopias realizadas por cada paciente, ou daquela que mostrava lesão neoplásica avançada - considerado o desfecho principal do estudo. Os pacientes foram divididos de acordo com os achados endoscópicos do primeiro exame em grupos 1 ou de alto risco, 2 ou de baixo risco e 3 ou sem adenoma na colonoscopia inicial. Foram analisados e comparados entre os grupos o aparecimento de neoplasia colônica avançada e o tempo de seguimento até o desfecho. RESULTADOS: Do total de pacientes, 27 por cento apresentavam à colonoscopia inicial, adenomas avançados, 58,4 por cento lesões neoplásicas com displasia de baixo grau e 14,5 por cento não apresentavam adenomas no exame inicial. A média etária foi de 59,54 ± 11,74 anos. Vinte e seis vírgula quatro por cento das pessoas do grupo 1 apresentaram lesão neoplásica avançada ao longo do seguimento, enquanto tal desfecho ocorreu em 10,9 por cento e 5,3 por cento dos pacientes nos grupos 2 e 3, respectivamente (P<0,05). O período médio de acompanhamento foi de 123,35 meses, sendo que o tempo médio entre o primeiro exame e aquele com o desfecho diferiu estatisticamente entre o grupo 1 e os demais, sendo de 104,02, 115,31 e 120,61 meses, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: ...

CONTEXT: Colonoscopy with polypectomy reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer and its associated mortality. The ideal interval between surveillance examinations is determined by clinical features and endoscopic findings considered as risk factors to the development of advanced colonic neoplasias. OBJECTIVE: To determine the development rate of advanced neoplasia in patients submitted to surveillance colonoscopy in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety two patients who underwent two or more complete colonoscopies between 1995 and 2005, and who have at least one diagnosed colorectal adenoma entered into the study. The endoscopic findings of the first and subsequent colonoscopies of each patient were analysed, considering advanced neoplasia as the main outcome. The patients enrolled were divided in accordance to the first colonoscopy findings in groups 1 or high risk; 2 or low risk; and 3 or without adenoma at the first colonoscopy. The development of advanced colorectal neoplasia and the period of surveillance until the outcome were analysed and compared among groups. RESULTS: Twenty eight per cent of patients had advanced adenomas at index colonoscopy; 57.8 percent presented with low grade dysplasia neoplastic lesions and 14.1 percent had no adenoma at the first examination. The mean age was 59.54 ± 11.74 years. Twenty six point four per cent of subjects from group 1 presented with advanced neoplasia during the surveillance period, while this outcome occurred in 10.9 percent and 5.3 percent of patients from groups 2 and 3, respectively (P<0,05). The mean period of surveillance was 123.35 months, and the mean time between the first examination and the one which presented with the outcome statistically differed among group 1 and the others, being 104.02, 115.31 and 120.61 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced neoplasia at index colonoscopy presented with a higher probability of harbouring this ...