Variaciones anatómicas en la vascularización del colon derecho y su implicancia en la escisión completa del mesocolon con linfadenectomía D3. Estudio de corte transversal / Anatomical variations in right colon vascularization: its implication in complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymphadenectomy. A cross-sectional study

Introducción: La escisión completa del mesocolon con linfadenectomía D3 (CME-D3) mejora los resultados de los pacientes operados por cáncer del colon. Reconocer adecuadamente la anatomía vascular es fundamental para evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: El objetivo primario fue determinar la prevalencia de las variaciones anatómicas de la arteria mesentérica superior (AMS) y sus ramas en relación a la vena mesentérica superior (VMS). El objetivo secundario fue evaluar la asociación entre las distintas variantes anatómicas y el sexo y la etnia de lo pacientes. Diseño: Estudio de corte transversal. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 225 pacientes con cáncer del colon derecho diagnosticados entre enero 2017 y diciembre de 2020. Dos radiólogos independientes describieron la anatomía vascular observada en las tomografías computadas. Según la relación de las ramas de la AMS con la VMS, la población fue dividida en 2 grupos y subdividida en 6 (1a-c, 2a-c). Resultados: La arteria ileocólica fue constante, transcurriendo en el 58,7% de los casos por la cara posterior de la VMS. La arteria cólica derecha, presente en el 39,6% de los pacientes, cruzó la VMS por su cara anterior en el 95,5% de los casos. La variante de subgrupo más frecuente fue la 2a seguida por la 1a (36,4 y 24%, respectivamente). No se encontró asociación entre las variantes anatómicas y el sexo u origen étnico. Conclusión: Las variaciones anatómicas de la AMS y sus ramas son frecuentes y no presentan un patrón predominante. No hubo asociación entre las mismas y el sexo u origen étnico en nuestra cohorte. El reconocimiento preoperatorio de estas variantes mediante angiotomografía resulta útil para evitar lesiones vasculares durante la CME-D3. (AU)

Background: Complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymphadenectomy (CME-D3) improves the outcomes of patients operated on for colon cancer. Proper recognition of vascular anatomy is essential to avoid complications. Aim: Primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its branches in relation to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). Secondary outcome was to evaluate the association between these anatomical variations and sex and ethnicity of the patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Material and methods: Two hundred twenty-fivepatients with right colon cancer diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2020 were included. Two independent radiologists described the vascular anatomy of computed tomography scans. The population was divided into 2 groups and subdivided into 6 groups (1a-c, 2a-c), according to the relationship of the SMA and its branches with the SMV. Results: The ileocolic artery was constant, crossing the SMV posteriorly in 58.7% of the cases. The right colic artery, present in 39.6% of the patients, crossed the SMV on its anterior aspect in 95.5% of the cases. The most frequent subgroup variant was 2a followed by 1a (36.4 and 24%, respectively). No association was found between anatomical variants and gender or ethnic origin. Conclusions: The anatomical variations of the SMA and its branches are common, with no predominant pattern. There was no association between anatomical variations and gender or ethnic origin in our cohort. Preoperative evaluation of these variations by computed tomography angi-ography is useful to avoid vascular injuries during CME-D3. (AU)

Long-term outcomes and risk factors for diverticulitis recurrence after a successful laparoscopic peritoneal lavage in Hinchey III peritonitis.

PURPOSE: Recently, treatment of Hinchey III diverticulitis by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage has been questioned. Moreover, long-term outcomes have been scarcely reported. Primary outcome was to determine the recurrence rate of diverticulitis after a successful laparoscopic peritoneal lavage in Hinchey III diverticulitis. Secondary outcomes were identification of associated risk factors for recurrence and elective sigmoidectomy rate. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center was performed. Patients with Hinchey III diverticulitis who underwent a successful laparoscopic peritoneal lavage between June 2006 and December 2019 were eligible. Diverticulitis recurrence was analyzed according to the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test, censoring for death, loss of follow-up, or elective sigmoid resection in the absence of recurrence. Risk factors for recurrence were identified using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients had a successful laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (mean age: 63 years; 53.6% women). Four patients had an elective sigmoid resection without recurrences. Recurrence rate was 42% (n = 29) after a median follow-up of 63 months. The cumulative global recurrence at 1, 3, and 5 years was 30% (95% CI, 20-43%), 37.5% (95% CI, 27-51%), and 48.9% (95% CI, 36-64%), respectively. Smoking (HR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.22-6.5; p = 0.016) and episodes of diverticulitis prior to laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (HR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.11-12.81; p < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Diverticulitis recurrence after a successful laparoscopic peritoneal lavage is high, decreasing after the first year of follow-up. Smoking and previous episodes of acute diverticulitis independently increase the risk of new episodes of diverticulitis.

Implementación de un programa ERAS® / Implementation of an ERAS® program

RESUMEN Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) constituye una forma de trabajo que implica la puesta en marcha de medidas de cuidado antes, durante y después de una cirugía con el propósito de mejorar la experiencia del paciente a lo largo del periodo perioperatorio. Sin embargo, la aplicación aislada de medidas determinadas no es suficiente. Esta forma de trabajo requiere la creación de un equipo de trabajo multidisciplinario, el registro sistemático de datos y su utilización para aplicar un ciclo de mejora continua. En el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, se han registrado 1331 pacientes desde no viembre del año 2015. La mediana de internación fue de 4 días y la readmisión de 7,3%. La adherencia global a las medidas del programa fue del 56% (preoperatorio 88%, intraoperatorio 60%, postopera torio 39%). En los procedimientos quirúrgicos más frecuentes pudimos observar una relación lineal e inversamente proporcional entre adherencia al programa y el tiempo de internación, con una dismi nución promedio de un día de internación por cada 10% de adherencia al programa en los procedi mientos quirúrgicos más frecuentes. A pesar de estos resultados, hemos encontrado dificultades en el sistema de registro de datos que limitan la aplicación del ciclo de mejora continua. La conformación de un equipo multidisciplinario, con una comunicación fluida y eficiente es fundamental para la imple mentación de un programa ERAS® que sea capaz de disminuir el tiempo de internación, la morbilidad y el índice de readmisión.

ABSTRACT Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a model of care that involves the implementation of care pathways before, during and after surgery designed to improve patient's experience throughout the perioperative period. Yet, the implementation of individual ERAS protocol elements is not sufficient. This approach requires the creation of a multidisciplinary work team, systematic recording of data and the use of the information recorded to implement a cycle of continuous improvement. Since 2015, 1331 patients have been recorded by Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Median length of hospital stay was 4 days and median readmission rate was 7.3%. The overall adherence to the protocol elements was 56% (88% in the preoperative period, 60% in the intraoperative period and 39% in the postope rative period) There was a linear and inverse correlation between the adherence to the program and length of hospitalization for the most common surgical procedures, with an average decrease of one day of hospitalization for each 10% increase in adherence with the program for the most common sur gical procedures. Despite these results, we have encountered difficulties in the data recording systems limiting the implementation of the cycle of continuous improvement. The creation of a multidiscipli nary team, with fluent and efficient communication, is essential for the implementation of an ERAS® program capable of reducing length of hospital stay, morbidity and readmission rates.

Right versus left laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer: does side make any difference?

PURPOSE: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between right laparoscopic colectomy (RLC) and left laparoscopic colectomy (LLC) for colon cancer. METHOD: Patients who underwent elective RLC or LLC for colon cancer between January 2004 and December 2014 were identified and elected for a retrospective analysis. Primary outcomes were technical difficulty (including operative time, intraoperative complications, and conversion rate) and postoperative outcome (including postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, reinterventions, readmissions, and mortality). RESULTS: A total of 547 patients (mean age: 68.5 years old; 48.4% males) were analyzed. The RLC group had a higher mean age (71 vs 65; p < 0.001), ASA 3/4 grade (36 vs 26%; p = 0.02), and comorbidity rate (61 vs 48%, p = 0.003). Regarding technical difficulty, no difference was found between the groups in intraoperative complications (4.1 vs 5.9%; p = 0.34) or conversion rate (6.2 vs 3.9%, p = 0.24). Mean operative time was significantly shorter for RLC (162 vs 185 min, p < 0.001). Regarding postoperative outcome, the RLC group had a higher overall morbidity (20.5 vs 13.3%, p = 0.03), ileus (10.6 vs 2.4%, p < 0.001), and a longer hospital stay (4.7 vs 3.9 days, p = 0.003), with no differences regarding reoperations, readmissions, or mortality. The multivariate analysis showed that RLC were independently associated with a longer operative time and postoperative ileus. CONCLUSIONS: RLC for colon cancer was independently associated with a shorter operative time, an increased risk of ileus, and a longer hospital stay than left laparoscopic colectomy in high-volume centers.

Two-day hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery under an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to examine the feasibility and safety of a two-day hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR) under an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2010, 882 consecutive patients undergoing LCR were analyzed. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to whether their hospital stay was 2 days (group A) or longer (group B). Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were compared. To identify independent predictive factors related to a short hospital stay, a multivariate analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Group A represented 10.3 % of this series (91 patients). There were no differences regarding age, gender, BMI, ASA, and previous abdominal surgeries between groups. Group A had a lower incidence of rectal cancer and anterior resections than group B (6.6 vs. 17.7 % [p = 0.006] and 14.3 vs. 23.4 % [p = 0.048]), respectively, and a lower mean operative time (170 min vs. 192 min; p = 0.002). Group A had a lower overall morbidity rate than group B (5.5 vs. 16.9 %; p = 0.004) and a lower incidence of surgery-related complications (5.5 vs. 14.9 %; p = 0.001). The overall conversion rate was 10 % (only one patient in group A required conversion), and the difference in conversion rate between groups was statistically significant (1.2 vs. 10.7 %; p = 0.003). Group A had a lower readmission rate (0 vs. 4.9 %; p = 0.089). Multivariate analysis showed that conversion, postoperative morbidity, and rectal prolapse were independently associated with the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: A two-day hospital stay after LCR is safe and feasible under an ERAS pathway, without compromising the readmission or complication rate.