Robotic Colorectal Surgery Learning Curve and Case Complexity.

PURPOSE: To understand the role of case complexity in the learning curve for robotic colorectal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent robot-assisted colorectal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Each case was assigned a category of complexity ranging from I to IV. Overall, groups and categories of segmental colectomy, rectopexy, and proctectomy for cancer were analyzed according to case volume. Forty-eight patients who underwent similar laparoscopic cases during the same period were also reviewed for comparison. RESULTS: Level I complexity cases were identified in 30% of the first 15 cases compared to 3% after the first 15 cases (P < .01). Level IV complexity cases were identified in 10% of the first 15 cases and 34% after 15 cases (P = .03). Mean operative time for the overall group was 426 minutes (range 178-766, standard deviation [SD] = 152) in the first 15 cases and 373 minutes (range 190-593, SD = 109) after more than 15 cases (P = NS). Mean operative time for rectal cancer procedures decreased from 518 minutes (range 425-752, SD = 88) to 410 minutes (range 220-593, SD = 98) after 15 cases (P = .02). Mean operative time for rectopexy decreased from 361 minutes (range 276-520, SD = 85) to 258 minutes (range 215-318, SD = 34) after 15 cases (P = .03). Overall complications were reduced after 15 cases (6.3%) compared with the first 15 cases (27%) (P = .04). When comparing laparoscopic and open cases, laparoscopic cases were associated with a significant shorter operative time (P = < .00001) as well as overall cost (P = < .00001). CONCLUSION: Complex robotic colorectal surgery can be performed early in the experience, with reduced operative time. Overall complications are reduced after 15 robotic cases. This study shows that improvement in robotic surgery operating time and surgical outcomes occur along with application of the technology to more difficult cases, not as a function of choosing less complex cases.

What happens after a failed LIFT for anal fistula?

BACKGROUND: Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) was developed to treat transsphincteric anal fistulas. The aftermath of a failed LIFT has not been well documented. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of LIFT procedure for transsphincteric anal fistula between March 2012 and September 2016. RESULTS: 53 patients with LIFT procedure were identified, 20 (37.7%) had persistent fistula with median followup of 4 months. Following LIFT, recurrence of fistula was transsphincteric (75%) or intersphincteric (25%) (p = NS). Persistent transsphincteric fistulas after LIFT were treated with seton (71.4%) followed by advancement flap (20%) or fistulotomy (50%). Of the recurrent intersphincteric fistulas, 50% underwent seton placement followed by fistulotomy, or advancement flap. Of the patients who underwent surgery after failed LIFT, 50% have had resolution of the fistula; 31.7% are still undergoing treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent surgery after failed LIFT had 50% healing with placement of seton followed by fistulotomy or rectal advancement flap.

Anal Adenocarcinoma: Outcomes in an Uncommon Malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma is an uncommon malignancy of the anal canal. Although it is recognized as an aggressive disease, optimal management and long-term outcomes are not well established. Patients diagnosed with anal adenocarcinoma were identified from a cancer database. Their charts were reviewed for patient and disease characteristics, management, and outcomes. Eighteen patient charts from 1997 to 2012 were reviewed. Nine patients presented with stage II disease, five with stage III, three with stage IV, and one was inadequately staged before chemoradiation. One patient refused treatment, one patient went straight to abdominoperineal resection, 13 patients underwent initial chemoradiation therapy, and three underwent palliative chemotherapy. Of the 13 patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, eight underwent subsequent radical resection; three progressed during neoadjuvant and became unresectable, one had complete pathologic response and was observed, and one did not complete neoadjuvant and was lost to follow-up. Two patients with stage II disease were disease free over eight years, and one was disease free after 26 months; four patients had persistent or recurrent local disease, and 10 developed metastatic disease. Seven patients died with disease at a median 16 months, and the other seven were alive with disease at a median follow-up of 10 months. Patients with anal adenocarcinoma present at advanced stages, and cure is rare. Although chemoradiation followed by abdominoperineal resection is the most common management strategy, the potential for curative resection and long-term disease free survival is minimal, regardless of stage at presentation.

Colectomy for endoscopically unresectable polyps: how often is it cancer?

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has an established role in reducing the burden of colorectal cancer through early detection and removal of polyps. For endoscopically unresectable polyps, colectomy is generally indicated to prevent malignant transformation or to remove cancer already present. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the incidence of malignancy and the factors predictive of malignancy in surgically resected benign polyps. DESIGN/PATIENTS/SETTING: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing a colectomy for a colonic polyp (no preoperative diagnosis of cancer) in 4 hospitals within the Mayo Clinic Health System. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient characteristics, endoscopic location and size, and preoperative and operative polyp pathology were tabulated. Correlations between these features and the finding of invasive carcinoma on surgical pathology were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 750 patients met our inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly male (55.2%) with an average age of 69.4 ± 9.8 years. A majority of polyps were located in the right colon (70.9%). Invasive cancer was identified in 133 patients (17.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed polyps in the left colon (adjusted OR 2.13, 95% CI (1.22-3.72)), and those with high-grade dysplasia (adjusted OR 4.60, 95% CI (2.91-7.27)) were more likely to harbor carcinoma. Age, sex, polyp dimension, and villous features were not predictive of malignancy. Of the patients with cancer, 31 (23.3%) had nodal disease. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective nature, the change in terminology and technique over time, and the partially subjective nature of an endoscopically unresectable polyp. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that polyp size and villous features do not strongly predict malignancy differs from previous endoscopic studies. This study confirms that polyps located in the left colon or with high-grade dysplasia are more likely to harbor cancer. The results of this study suggest that endoscopically unresectable polyps are best treated by radical oncologic resection.

Routine postoperative upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy is unnecessary after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has become an accepted procedure for weight loss surgery, particularly due to fewer early complications and decreased mortality in comparison to other bariatric procedures. Many centers use postoperative upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy (UGI) to ensure stomal patency and gastric integrity at the banding site. However, UGI increases cost and may increase length of stay due to availability. The purpose of this study is to determine whether routine UGI after LAGB is necessary for detection of early complications. METHODS: A prospective database of 200 LAGBs performed by a single surgeon over 3 years was reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent UGI 2-24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Mean age was 43, mean BMI was 45, and mean operative time was 44 min. Forty-four percent of patients stayed overnight. All postoperative UGI results were normal. Six percent underwent intraoperative instillation of methylene blue due to procedural difficulty with no leaks identified. These patients on average were 5 years older ( p< 0.01) and had an operative time 23 min longer (p < 0.01). Differences in gender and BMI were not statistically significant. One patient (0.5%), who had a normal methylene blue test and normal UGI, returned within 2 days with a gastric perforation requiring band explant and gastric repair. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that routine UGI after LAGB is not necessary based on a 0% stomal obstruction rate and detection of not a single gastric leak. Elimination of routine postoperative UGI will decrease cost and length of hospital stay. We suggest a selective approach for those patients at increased risk of early postoperative complications, including those having intraoperative methylene blue instillation, increased length of operation, and increased age.