Predicting delayed discharge in a multimodal Enhanced Recovery Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances with Enhanced Recovery Pathways(ERP), some patients have unexpected prolonged lengths of stay(LOS). Our goal was to identify the patient and procedural variables associated with delayed discharge despite an established ERP. METHODS: A divisional database was reviewed for minimally invasive colorectal resections with a multimodal ERP(8/1/13-7/31/15). Patients were stratified into ERP success or failure based on length of stay ≥5 days. Logistic regression modeling identified variables predictive of ERP failure. RESULTS: 274 patients were included- 229 successes and 45 failures. Groups were similar in demographics. Failures had higher rates of preoperative anxiety(p = 0.0352), chronic pain(p = 0.0040), prior abdominal surgery(p = 0.0313), and chemoradiation(p = 0.0301). Intraoperatively, failures had higher conversion rates(13.3% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.0002), transfusions(p = 0.0032), and longer operative times(219.8 vs. 183.5min,p = 0.0099). Total costs for failures were higher than successes($22,127 vs. $13,030,p = 0.0182). Variables independently associated with failure were anxiety(OR 2.28, p = 0.0389), chronic pain(OR 10.03, p = 0.0045), and intraoperative conversion(OR 8.02, p = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: Identifiable factors are associated with delayed discharge in colorectal surgery. By prospectively preparing for patient factors and changing practice to address procedural factors and ERP adherence, postoperative outcomes could be improved.

Benefits of laparoscopy: does the disease condition that indicated colectomy matter?

The benefits of laparoscopic (LC) over open colectomy (OC) have been well characterized for a variety of conditions. Whether the relative benefits of LC differ for different conditions has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to identify whether there are differences in benefits of LC for colon cancer (CC), Crohn's disease (CD), and diverticular disease (DD). Data of patients with CC, CD, and DD undergoing elective colectomy from January 2000 to December 2007 were identified from departmental databases. Patients with CC, CD, and DD undergoing LC were matched 1:1 for diagnosis, gender, body mass index, surgical procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists scale, and date of surgery to patients undergoing OC. TNM stage was also matched for patients with CC. Two hundred eighty-nine patients undergoing LC (CC, 93; CD, 140; DD, 56) were matched 1:1 to 289 patients undergoing OC. Median age was 49 years (range, 14 to 91 years) in LC and 52 years (range, 14 to 98 years) in OC (P = 0.35). All other matched criteria were also similar in both groups. The conversion rate to OC was 13 per cent (n = 36). Patients undergoing LC had significantly shorter lengths of stay (LOS) (3 days [range, 1 to 70 days] vs 6 days [range, 1 to 37 days], P < 0.001) and lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (100 mL [range, 10 to 1750 mL] vs 200 mL [range, 10 to 1700 mL], P < 0.001). Median operative time was similar in both groups (LC: 145 minutes [range, 35 to 431 minutes] vs OC: 135 minutes [range, 23 to 485 minutes], P = 0.54). The conversion rate was lower for DD (2%) when compared with CC (18.9%) and CD (13.4%). Improvement in EBL with LC was least pronounced in patients with CD and most pronounced in patients with DD (P interaction < 0.001). In the LC group, patients with DD presented less postoperative complications (P = 0.009). LC results in reduced LOS and EBL with similar complications rates when compared with OC. The benefits of LC are more pronounced in DD when compared with CD and CC.

Staged restorative proctocolectomy: laparoscopic or open completion proctectomy after laparoscopic subtotal colectomy?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of laparoscopic and open completion proctectomy (CP) and ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) after a previous laparoscopic subtotal colectomy (STC). METHODS: From a prospectively maintained ileal pouch database, outcomes for patients who underwent laparoscopic CP after laparoscopic STC (LSTC-LCP group) for ulcerative or indeterminate colitis were compared to those for patients who underwent open CP (LSTC-OCP group). A control group of open CP after open STC (OSTC-OCP group) was case-matched to LSTC-OCP at a ratio of 1:2 for age at surgery, gender, body mass index (BMI), year of operation, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification. Demographics, perioperative data, and pouch function were compared. Quality of life was evaluated using the Cleveland Global Quality of Life Scale (CGQL). RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2009, 47 patients underwent LSTC followed by LCP (LSTC-LCP), and 48 patients underwent OCP after LSTC (LSTC-OCP); the latter group was matched to 96 open-open patients (OSTC-OCP). There were no significant differences in demographic and preoperative data among the three groups, except that the OSTC-OCP group patients were younger. Postoperative morbidity, pouch function, and CGQL were similar. LSTC-LCP patients had lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (p < 0.001), less commonly described intraoperative adhesiolysis (p < 0.001), reduced length of hospital stay (LOS) (p = 0.002) but longer operating time (p = 0.001) at CP/IPAA when compared with open-open patients. For patients with previous LSTC, LCP was associated with less commonly described intraoperative adhesiolysis (p = 0.003) and shorter LOS (p = 0.003) than OCP but a longer operating time (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic CP and IPAA can be performed with safety comparable to that of open surgery after previous laparoscopic STC. The laparoscopic approach is associated with advantages including reduced intraoperative blood loss and earlier recovery as demonstrated by shorter length of hospital stay.

Single-port laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: initial operative experience.

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) has been used in urologic, gynecologic, general, and colorectal surgery. We herein report our experience with the use of SPLS for total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (RP/IPAA). METHODS: All patients who underwent a RP/IPAA using SPLS between June and September 2009 were identified from a prospectively maintained laparoscopic database. All procedures were performed with the use of a 5-mm Olympus EndoEye™ and traditional laparoscopic instruments via a SILS™ port placed at the planned ileostomy site. RESULTS: There were five patients (3 male) included in the study. Median age was 43 years (range=13-47 years). Median body mass index was 20.66 kg/m2 (range=14.63-25.97 kg/m2). Diagnoses included ulcerative colitis (n=4) and familial adenomatous polyposis (n=1). Median ASA score was 2 (range=1-3). Median operative time was 153 min (range=132-278 min). Median estimated blood loss was 100 ml (range=50-200 ml). There were no conversions to either a conventional laparoscopic or an open procedure. Median time to return of bowel function was 2 days. Median length of stay was 4 days (range=3-6 days). Postoperative complications included two patients with partial small-bowel obstructions. Both resolved with conservative management. All patients had their ileostomies closed. CONCLUSION: RP/IPAA using SPLS is a safe technique. Additional studies are needed to compare SPLS to conventional laparoscopy and open surgery with respect to operative times, convalescence, and outcomes.

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer: a case-matched study.

INTRODUCTION: The field of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery is expanding. We compare short-term and early oncological outcomes after laparoscopic versus open resection in carefully matched rectal cancer patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were reviewed. Laparoscopic resections were matched 1:1 to open resections by age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, body mass index, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and type of surgery. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Kaplan-Meier estimates. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ninety-one rectal cancer patients with laparoscopic resection were included, 59% were male, and median age was 62 years. Conversion rate was 18.7%. Laparoscopic and open surgery had similar 30-day morbidity and mortality except wound infection, which was lower for the laparoscopic group (p = 0.02). Laparoscopic surgery had similar 30-day readmissions but shorter total length of hospital stay (5 versus 7 days, p < 0.01), time to first flatus (3 versus 4.5 days, p = 0.001), and time to first bowel movement (4 versus 5 days, p = 0.05) when compared with open surgery. The 3-year disease-free survival, local recurrence, and distant recurrence rates were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed for rectal cancer, with better postoperative recovery and acceptable early oncological outcomes. Results from large ongoing randomized trials with longer follow-up time are pending to better define oncologic outcomes.

Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: the impact of longer interval between chemoradiation and surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a longer interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery on perioperative morbidity and oncologic outcomes. METHODS: A colorectal cancer database was queried for clinical stage II and III rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by proctectomy between 1997 and 2007. The neoadjuvant regimen consisted of long course external beam radiation and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary cancer, extracolonic malignancy, urgent surgery, or non-validated treatment dates were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the interval between chemoradiation and surgery (<8 and ≥ 8 weeks). Perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven patients were included. Groups were comparable with respect to demographics, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Perioperative complications were not affected by the interval between chemoradiation and surgery. Patients undergoing surgery ≥ 8 weeks after chemoradiation experienced a significant improvement in pathologic complete response rate (30.8% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.03) and had decreased 3-year local recurrence rate (1.2% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.04). A Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the compounding effect of a complete pathologic response on oncologic outcome. A longer interval correlated with less local recurrence, although statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: An interval between chemoradiation and surgery ≥ 8 weeks is safe and is associated with a higher rate of pathologic complete response and decreased local recurrence.

Does the learning curve during laparoscopic colectomy adversely affect costs?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate whether the learning curve during laparoscopic colectomy is associated with increased costs compared with the procedure after the learning curve has been achieved. METHODS: The direct costs for patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy during the learning curve (group A) and after the attainment of proficiency by two colorectal surgeons performing the procedure (group B) between 2001 and 2007 were compared. The learning curve was defined as the first 40 laparoscopic colectomy cases for each surgeon. The distribution of cases for the surgeons ensured that cost-related differences were not influenced by lead time bias of cases performed during the learning curve. RESULTS: The study involved 80 group A and 74 group B patients. Groups A and B were similar in terms of age (P = 0.7), gender (P = 0.5), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (P = 0.5), body mass index (P = 0.3), diagnosis (P = 0.8), previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.07), and comorbidity (P = 0.4). The two groups also were similar with regard to performance of anastomosis (P = 0.2) or resection (P = 0.6), conversion to open surgery (P = 0.7), postoperative morbidity (P = 0.6), readmission (P = 0.1), reoperation rate (P = 0.6), and hospital length of stay (P = 0.6). The operation time was significantly longer for group A (P = 0.01). The total direct costs (P = 0.7) and the operating room (P = 0.6), nursing (P = 0.7), pharmacy (P = 0.9), radiology (P = 1), and professional (P = 0.051) costs were however similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, laparoscopic colectomy during the learning curve period is associated with prolonged operating time. Concerns pertaining to increased conversions, complications, and direct costs during this period were not substantiated in this study.

Laparoscopic versus open colectomy for patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classifications 3 and 4: the minimally invasive approach is associated with significantly quicker recovery and reduced costs.

BACKGROUND: Conceivably, the benefits of earlier recovery associated with a minimally invasive technique used in laparoscopic colectomy (LC) may be amplified for patients with comorbid disease. The dearth of evidence supporting the safety of laparoscopy for these patients led to a comparison of outcomes between LC and open colectomy (OC) for patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classifications 3 and 4. METHODS: Data for all ASA 3 and 4 patients who underwent elective LC were reviewed from a prospectively maintained laparoscopic database. The patients who underwent LC were matched with OC patients by age, gender, diagnosis, year, and type of surgery. Estimated blood loss, operation time, time to return of bowel function, length of hospital stay, readmission rate, and 30-day complication and mortality rates were compared using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon tests as appropriate. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, 231 LCs were matched with 231 OCs. The median age of the patients was 68 years, and 234 (51%) of the patients were male. There were 44 (19%) conversions from LC to OC. More patients in the OC group had undergone previous major laparotomy (5 vs. 15%; p < 0.001). Estimated blood loss, return of bowel function, length of hospital stay, and total direct costs were decreased in the LC group. Wound infection was significantly greater with OC (p = 0.02). When patients with previous major laparotomy were excluded, the two groups had similar overall morbidity. The other benefits of LC, however, persisted. CONCLUSION: The findings show that LC is a safe option for patients with a high ASA classification. The LC approach is associated with faster postoperative recovery, lower morbidity rates, and lower hospital costs than the OC approach.

Predictive factors of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates factors associated with a pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Approximately 20% of rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation achieve pCR, which has been associated with decreased local recurrence and improved recurrence-free survival. Means of predicting pCR remain incompletely defined. METHODS: A total of 306 consecutive patients with stage II or stage III rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation then surgery between 1997 and 2007 were identified from a single-institution. Sixty-four patients with concurrent inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary colorectal cancer, other malignancy, urgent surgery, incomplete chemoradiation, or insufficient data were excluded. All patients received neoadjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy and external beam radiation. Histologic response was categorized as pCR or not-pCR, which defined the 2 study cohorts. Variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis with pCR as the dependent variable. Fisher exact test, chi2, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and logistic regression were used for analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 242 were studied, including 58 (24%) that achieved pCR. The 2 groups were statistically similar in terms of age, gender, body mass index, tumor differentiation, radiation dose, and pretreatment stage. On multivariate analysis, an interval ≥ 8 weeks between treatment completion and surgical resection was significantly associated with a higher rate of pCR, which correlated with decreased local recurrence and improved overall survival. CONCLUSION: Despite traditional beliefs that certain patient and tumor factors influence pCR, an extended interval between completion of neoadjuvant therapy and surgery was the single most important determinant in achieving a pCR.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy: benefits of laparoscopic colectomy at no extra cost.

BACKGROUND: Comparison studies of hand-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy have indicated that short-term outcomes are similar. Although a few of these studies have compared costs, none has reported on the costs of hand-assisted colectomy performed in the US. Our aim was to determine the short-term outcomes and direct costs associated with hand-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy performed in the US. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomies were matched to 100 laparoscopic-assisted colectomies performed concurrently. Matching criteria were age (+/- 10 years), gender, diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, earlier abdominal operation, colectomy type, and conversion. Operative time, morbidity, length of stay, reoperation, and readmission were assessed. Direct costs for the operating room, nursing care, intensive care, anesthesia, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, emergency services and consultations, and professional and ancillary services related to the initial hospitalization and readmissions were compared. RESULTS: From June 2005 to August 2008, 176 hand-assisted and 845 laparoscopic-assisted segmental and total colectomies were performed. Of 100 matched hand-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted patients, there were no differences in body mass index (29 and 28, respectively), operating time (168 and 163 minutes, respectively), length of stay (4 days), readmission (6% and 11%, respectively), or reoperation rates (5% and 9%, respectively). Overall morbidity was 16% and 32% for hand-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, respectively (p = 0.009). Major morbidity, including abscess, hemorrhage, and anastomotic leak, were similar. Operating room costs were increased for hand-assisted colectomy (3,476 versus 3,167 US dollars); total costs were similar (8,521 versus 8,373 US dollars). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term outcomes and total costs of hand-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy are similar.

Local treatment for rectal cancer.

The treatment of rectal cancer includes both radical resection and local therapy. Radical resection remains the standard treatment, but is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as the potential need for a temporary and occasionally, a permanent ostomy. The benefits of local treatment include a less invasive procedure with maintenance of bowel function and avoidance of a stoma. However, the efficacy of local treatment is now being challenged as the rates of recurrence after local excision alone appear to be much higher than previously thought. Although the primary goal of an oncologic resection is disease eradication, each case must be individualized to determine an optimal care plan.

Hemorrhoidopexy staple line height predicts return to work.

PURPOSE: Previous studies identified reduction in pain and complications with stapled hemorrhoidopexy relative to conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Previously, the presence of resected squamous epithelium and a staple line height <20 mm above the dentate line were predictive of postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to further investigate and refine the role of staple height in the prediction of postoperative outcomes. METHODS: From July 2002 to October 2004, 75 patients with symptomatic Grade 3 and 4 mixed hemorrhoids underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy in two teaching institutions with prospective data collection. All procedures were performed under the direct supervision of two colorectal teaching staff. The majority were performed under monitored anesthesia care as outpatient procedures. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient characteristics were evaluated. This included demographics, staple line height, specimen histology, complications, days to return to work, duration of narcotic pain medicine, and preoperative/postoperative tone and seepage. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with a median age of 49 (range, 25-87) years were identified. Histology identified 62 specimens with columnar and/or transitional cells, 10 with squamous epithelium, and 3 with muscle present. Overall complication rate was 14 percent. Complications included three readmissions for pain control, three acute postoperative anal fissures, two postoperative bleeds (with one requiring examination under anesthesia without intervention), one patient with subcutaneous emphysema, and one admission for fecal impaction. Staple line height was not a statistically significant predictor of postoperative complication. Median return to work was 14 (range, 1-31) days. Median duration of narcotic use was six (range, 0-40) days. Patients with a staple line height>22 mm required a significantly shorter duration of narcotic pain management (P=0.024). Median follow-up was 24 (range, 9-253) days. Staple line heights below 20 mm had a mean return to work of 15 days. A staple line height>20 mm had a mean return to work of nine days. Staple line height was inversely related to return to work (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A hemorrhoidopexy staple line>or=22 mm above the dentate line correlates with a significantly shorter need for postoperative narcotics (P=0.024) and an earlier return to work (P=0.017). Staple line distance above the dentate line meaningfully impacts comfort-based outcomes.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the complicated patient.

BACKGROUND: Major comorbidities are recognized risk factors in colorectal surgery. We examine here the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LC) in the complicated, high-risk patient. METHODS: From July 2003 to October 2004, 107 consecutive patients undergoing LC were prospectively studied. Complicated patients were defined as age >80 years, body mass index (BMI) >30, and/or American Society of Anesthesiology level III or IV. A group of case-matched controls undergoing open surgery (OC) during a similar time period were retrospectively reviewed. The 2 groups were compared and assessed for major and minor morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Overall morbidity was higher in the OC group 52% versus 26%. Minor complications compared at 31% OC versus 9% LC and major at 21% and 17%, respectively. With LC, advancement to discharge was more rapid and discharge home more likely than to a care facility. CONCLUSION: With proper patient selection and laparoscopic experience, LC can be performed in the complicated patient without undue morbidity and mortality.