Patient blood management in colorectal cancer patients: a survey among Dutch gastroenterologists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing awareness to integrate patient blood management (PBM) within routine surgical care. Limited information about the implementation of PBM in colorectal cancer surgery is available. This is curious, as preoperative anemia, associated with increased morbidity, is highly prevalent in colorectal cancer patients. Present study aimed to assess the current PBM strategies in the Netherlands. METHODS: An online electronic survey was developed and sent to surgeons of the Dutch Taskforce Coloproctology (177 in total). In addition, for each hospital in which surgery for colorectal cancer surgery is performed (75 in total), the survey was sent to one gastroenterologist and one anesthesiologist. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 192 physicians responded to the survey (response rate 58.7%). In 73 hospitals (97.3%) the survey was conducted by at least one physician. Regarding the management of a mild-moderate preoperative anemia, no clear policy was reported in half of the hospitals (49.3%). In 38.7% of the hospitals, iron status was indicated to be measured during screening for colorectal cancer. In addition, in only 13.3% of the hospitals, iron status was measured by the anesthesiologist during preoperative assessment. CONCLUSION: The Present study shows a distinct variability in PBM practices in colorectal cancer care. Strikingly, this variability was not only seen between, but also within Dutch hospitals, demonstrated by often variable responses from physicians from the same institution. As a result, the present study clearly demonstrates the lack of consensus on PBM, resulting in a suboptimal preoperative blood management strategy.

Small bites versus large bites for closure of abdominal midline incisions (STITCH): a double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of midline laparotomy and is associated with high morbidity, decreased quality of life, and high costs. We aimed to compare the large bites suture technique with the small bites technique for fascial closure of midline laparotomy incisions. METHODS: We did this prospective, multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial at surgical and gynaecological departments in ten hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients aged 18 years or older who were scheduled to undergo elective abdominal surgery with midline laparotomy were randomly assigned (1:1), via a computer-generated randomisation sequence, to receive small tissue bites of 5 mm every 5 mm or large bites of 1 cm every 1 cm. Randomisation was stratified by centre and between surgeons and residents with a minimisation procedure to ensure balanced allocation. Patients and study investigators were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was the occurrence of incisional hernia; we postulated a reduced incidence in the small bites group. We analysed patients by intention to treat. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01132209 and with the Nederlands Trial Register, number NTR2052. FINDINGS: Between Oct 20, 2009, and March 12, 2012, we randomly assigned 560 patients to the large bites group (n=284) or the small bites group (n=276). Follow-up ended on Aug 30, 2013; 545 (97%) patients completed follow-up and were included in the primary outcome analysis. Patients in the small bites group had fascial closures sutured with more stitches than those in the large bites group (mean number of stitches 45 [SD 12] vs 25 [10]; p<0·0001), a higher ratio of suture length to wound length (5·0 [1·5] vs 4·3 [1·4]; p<0·0001) and a longer closure time (14 [6] vs 10 [4] min; p<0·0001). At 1 year follow-up, 57 (21%) of 277 patients in the large bites group and 35 (13%) of 268 patients in the small bites group had incisional hernia (p=0·0220, covariate adjusted odds ratio 0·52, 95% CI 0·31-0·87; p=0·0131). Rates of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups. INTERPRETATION: Our findings show that the small bites suture technique is more effective than the traditional large bites technique for prevention of incisional hernia in midline incisions and is not associated with a higher rate of adverse events. The small bites technique should become the standard closure technique for midline incisions. FUNDING: Erasmus University Medical Center and Ethicon.

Force sensing in surgical sutures.

The tension in a suture is an important factor in the process of wound healing. If there is too much tension in the suture, the blood flow is restricted and necrosis can occur. If the tension is too low, the incision opens up and cannot heal properly. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and evaluation of the Stitch Force (SF) sensor and the Hook-In Force (HIF) sensor. These sensors were developed to measure the force on a tensioned suture inside a closed incision and to measure the pulling force used to close the incision. The accuracy of both sensors is high enough to determine the relation between the force in the thread of a stitch and the pulling force applied on the suture by the physician. In a pilot study, a continuous suture of 7 stitches was applied on the fascia of the abdominal wall of multiple pigs to study this relationship. The results show that the max force in the thread of the second stitch drops from 3 (SD 1.2) to 1 (SD 0.3) newton after the 4(th) stitch was placed. During placement of the 5(th), 6(th) and 7(th) stitch, the force in the 2(nd) stitch was not influenced anymore. This study indicates that in a continuous suture the force in the thread remains constant up to more than 3 stiches away from the pulled loose end of the suture. When a force feedback tool is developed specially for suturing in surgery on patients, the proposed sensors can be used to determine safety threshold for different types of tissue and sutures.

Effects of new anti-adhesion polyvinyl alcohol gel on healing of colon anastomoses in rats.

BACKGROUND: Adhesions follow abdominal surgery with an incidence as high as 95%, resulting in invalidating complications such as bowel obstruction, female infertility, and chronic pain. Searches have been performed for a safe and effective adhesion barrier; however, such barriers have impaired anastomotic site healing. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a new adhesion barrier, polyvinyl alcohol gel, on healing of colonic anastomoses using a rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided in two groups. In all animals, an anastomosis was constructed in the ascending colon. The first group received no adhesion barrier, whereas in the second group, 2 mL of polyvinyl alcohol gel (A-Part Gel(®); Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany) was applied circularly around the anastomosis. All animals were sacrificed on the seventh post-operative day, and the abdomen was inspected for signs of anastomotic leakage. The anastomotic bursting pressure, the adhesions around the anastomosis, and the collagen content of the excised anastomosis were measured. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of anastomotic leakage, the anastomotic bursting pressure (p=0.08), or the collagen concentration (p=0.91). No significant reduction in amount of adhesions was observed in the rats receiving polyvinyl alcohol gel. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study showed no significant differences in anastomotic leakage, anastomotic bursting pressure, or collagen content of the anastomosis when using the adhesion barrier polyvinyl alcohol around colonic anastomoses. The barrier did not prevent adhesion formation.

Blood transfusions and prognosis in colorectal cancer: long-term results of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Perioperative blood transfusions may adversely affect survival in patients with colorectal malignancy, although definite proof of a causal relationship has never been reported. BACKGROUND: We report the long-term outcomes of a randomized controlled trial performed between 1986 and 1991 to compare the effects of allogeneic blood transfusions and an autologous blood transfusion program in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: All 475 randomized patients operated upon for colorectal cancer were tracked via a national computerized record-linkage system to investigate survival and cause of death. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to study 20 years' overall survival. Colorectal cancer-specific survival was analyzed over the 10-year time period after surgery. RESULTS: The overall survival percentage at 20 years after surgery was worse in the autologous group (21%) compared to the allogeneic group (28%) (P = 0.041; log-rank test). Cox regression, allowing for tumor stage, age, and sex, resulted in a hazard ratio (autologous vs allogeneic group) for overall mortality of 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.54; P = 0.051). Colorectal cancer-specific survival at 10 years for the whole study group was 48% and 60% for the autologous and allogeneic group, respectively (P = 0.020; log-rank test). The adjusted hazard ratio was 1.39 (95 confidence interval 1.05-1.83; P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: At long-term follow-up colorectal cancer patients did not benefit from autologous transfusion compared with standard allogeneic transfusion. On the contrary, the overall and colorectal cancer-specific survival rates were worse in the patients in the autologous transfusion group.

[Beriberi after bariatric surgery]. / Beriberi na bariatrische chirurgie.

UNLABELLED: Bariatric surgery is in general the only effective treatment for morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery is frequently associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies which may lead to neurological and other symptoms. We describe a case of severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 49-year-old man visited the emergency department with acute confusion, muscle weakness in arms and legs and visual impairment after a period of dysphagia and recurrent vomiting. Four months earlier, he had had bariatric gastric sleeve surgery for morbid obesity. Laboratory tests demonstrated that he had vitamin B1 deficiency, in view of which the diagnosis of beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy was made. Despite normalisation of the vitamin B1 concentration following intravenous supplementation, the muscle strength hardly recovered and the patient developed Korsakov syndrome. CONCLUSION: For this deficiency there is no other treatment than vitamin B1 supplementation. Timely recognition of vitamin deficiencies and pro-active supplementation are essential in order to prevent serious complications following bariatric surgery.

A multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of small stitches on the incidence of incisional hernia in midline incisions.

BACKGROUND: The median laparotomy is frequently used by abdominal surgeons to gain rapid and wide access to the abdominal cavity with minimal damage to nerves, vascular structures and muscles of the abdominal wall. However, incisional hernia remains the most common complication after median laparotomy, with reported incidences varying between 2-20%. Recent clinical and experimental data showed a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only, is possibly more effective in the prevention of incisional hernia when compared to the common used large bite technique or mass closure. METHODS/DESIGN: The STITCH trial is a double-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial designed to compare a standardized large bite technique with a standardized small bites technique. The main objective is to compare both suture techniques for incidence of incisional hernia after one year. Secondary outcomes will include postoperative complications, direct costs, indirect costs and quality of life. A total of 576 patients will be randomized between a standardized small bites or large bites technique. At least 10 departments of general surgery and two departments of oncological gynaecology will participate in this trial. Both techniques have a standardized amount of stitches per cm wound length and suture length wound length ratio's are calculated in each patient. Follow up will be at 1 month for wound infection and 1 year for incisional hernia. Ultrasound examinations will be performed at both time points to measure the distance between the rectus muscles (at 3 points) and to objectify presence or absence of incisional hernia. Patients, investigators and radiologists will be blinded during follow up, although the surgeon can not be blinded during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The STITCH trial will provide level 1b evidence to support the preference for either a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only or for the commonly used large bites technique.

Development of a new trans-oral endoscopic approach for mediastinal surgery based on 'natural orifice surgery': preclinical studies on surgical technique, feasibility, and safety.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, several surgical disciplines adopted endoscopic techniques. Presently, natural orifice approaches are under exploration to reduce surgical access trauma. We have developed a trans-oral endoscopic approach for endoscopic mediastinal surgery and have tested this new technique in preclinical studies for feasibility and safety. METHODS: We conducted an experimental anatomical study in fresh-frozen cadavers. By a midline, sublingual incision, we placed an optical scissor through a 6.0-mm trocar in the pretracheal region and created a working space; two additional trocars were placed by bi-vestibular incisions in the oral cavity. We visualized and followed the trachea down to the main bronchi. Paratracheal and subcarinal lymph nodes were resected bilaterally; the specimen could be removed through the midline channel. In an additional animal study in pigs, we tested the feasibility and safety for this surgical approach. Anatomical dissection allowed an estimate of collateral damage. RESULTS: In all cases, we could reach the target region endoscopically, and no conversion was necessary. Landmarks (the brachiocervical trunk, the azygos vein, and the pulmonary artery) were visualized easily and kept intact. A working space in the mediastinum could be established by the insufflation of air at 6-8mmHg. It was possible to harvest the specimen through the midline channel. Anatomical dissection of the cervical access route as well as of the mediastinal region showed no collateral damage. In the animal study, we encountered seroma of the surgical field due to the conditions of the animal model. The other outcomes with respect to pain and food intake were normal until the third postoperative day. No local infections occurred. Intraoperative gas exchange was normal and was not influenced by CO(2) insufflation with respect to blood gas analysis. CONCLUSION: These preclinical studies showed that the mediastinum could be reached by a trans-oral endoscopic approach, based on natural orifice surgery. Complete compartment resection of the paratracheal and subcarinal lymph node stations was possible in a well-defined and clearly visible working space. This approach may enhance the extent of mediastinal resections in oncologic surgery.

Therapeutic alternatives for burst abdomen.

Burst abdomen is a postoperative complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The risk factors for burst abdomen are patient- and surgery-related. The management of this complication is a relatively unexplored area within the field of surgery. Relevant surgical outcomes include recurrence, mortality, and incisional hernia. A total number of 27 studies are identified that reported on at least one surgical outcome (recurrence, mortality, or incisional hernia rate) of at least 10 patients with burst abdomen. None of the identified studies were designed prospectively, and only a minority of studies reported surgical outcomes of considerable numbers of patients with burst abdomen. Reported conservative management options included use of saline-soaked gauze dressings and negative pressure wound therapy. Operative management options included temporary closure options (open abdomen treatment), primary closure with various suture techniques, closure with application of relaxing incisions, use of synthetic (nonabsorbable and absorbable) and biological meshes, and the use of tissue flaps. The treatment of burst abdomen is associated with unsatisfactory surgical outcome. Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to provide the surgical community with a greater level of evidence for the optimal treatment strategy for burst abdomen and the various subtypes.

Surgical anatomy of the floor of the oral cavity and the cervical spaces as a rationale for trans-oral, minimal-invasive endoscopic surgical procedures: results of anatomical studies.

Over the past 10 years, several minimally invasive procedures for thyroid surgery have been developed. Because of extensive dissection in the thoracic and neck region, the name "minimal-invasive" is misleading. The aim of this study was to define a new trans-oral access to the cervical spaces especially to the thyroid on the basis of natural orifice surgery. Three embalmed human specimens were dissected for complete review of the anatomical situation in the cervical region. In additional five fresh frozen human specimens after an experimental trans-oral endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy the anatomical structures of the floor of the oral cavity as well as the anterior neck region were evaluated. It was possible to create a working space under the platysma muscle with respect to the surgical planes of the neck and fascial layers. Within this area, the pretracheal region can be reached and the thyroid gland can be visualized and resected. To access the working space, a trocar for endoscopic view is placed medially in the floor of the oral cavity sublingually. The trocar passes the muscles of the floor of the oral cavity easily without relation to relevant anatomical structures. A first exclusively sublingual approach had to be abandoned because triangulation of the instruments could not be reached. Therefore, the approach was modified by positioning the working trocars in the oral vestibule bilaterally. By this way, a road map for accessing all anterior cervical regions directly under the platysma muscle could be established and anatomical landmarks and areas of possible collateral damage could have been defined. This combined sublingual and bi-vestibular trans-oral endoscopic approach enables an easy access to all structures and spaces of the anterior neck region with respect to anatomical preformed layers neck, even to the thyroid as one of the more distant structures.

Small stitches with small suture distances increase laparotomy closure strength.

BACKGROUND: There is no conclusive evidence which size of suture stitches and suture distance should be used to prevent burst abdomen and incisional hernia. METHODS: Thirty-eight porcine abdominal walls were removed immediately after death and divided into 2 groups: A and B (N = 19 each). Two suturing methods using double-loop polydioxanone were tested in 14-cm midline incisions: group A consisted of large stitches (1 cm) with a large suture distance (1 cm), and group B consisted of small stitches (.5 cm) with a small suture distance (.5 cm). RESULTS: The geometric mean tensile force in group B was significantly higher than in group A (787 N vs 534 N; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Small stitches with small suture distances achieve higher tensile forces than large stitches with large suture distances. Therefore, small stitches may be useful to prevent the development of a burst abdomen or an incisional hernia after midline incisions.