Outcomes of extended total mesorectal excision in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

AIM: Extended total mesorectal excision (eTME) is a complex procedure involving en bloc resection of the structures surrounding the various quadrants of the rectum. This study, presenting the largest series so far of patients undergoing eTME, aimed to assess the surgical and survival outcomes of patients following treatment with eTME and to compare these outcomes with historical data on pelvic exenteration. METHOD: The study is a retrospective review of all patients with locally advanced rectal cancer requiring an eTME (2014-2020). The database includes the demographic profile, operative details, histopathological features and follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty three patients who underwent eTME were analysed. The overall Clavien-Dindo complication rate of > IIIa was 21.1%. The anterior quadrant was the most common anatomical site resected (68.5%). The R1 resection rate was 10.4%. After a median follow-up of 28 months, there were 51 recurrences in the study and twenty two deaths were recorded. The local recurrence rate was 7.3% among the study population. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival were 66.7% and 80.4%, respectively, at 3 years. The majority of the recurrences were distant metastasis (84.3%). In univariate analysis, the quadrant involved did not affect survival. In multivariate analysis, signet ring histology, metastatic presentation, inadequate tumour response and R1 resection affected DFS. CONCLUSION: The recurrence pattern, R1 resection rate and survival outcomes of patients in the present study were comparable with those for patients undergoing an exenteration. Therefore, eTME is probably a safe alternative to pelvic exenterations when R0 resection is achievable and when the procedure is performed in high-volume specialist tertiary care centres.

Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair: A modified technique of mesh placement in Sugarbaker procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional surgery for parastomal hernia entails primary suture repair or stoma relocation. Laparoscopic surgery has advantages of less pain, faster post-operative recovery and better cosmesis. While the Sugarbaker technique has been valued for least recurrences, however, it exposes the stomal loop to the parietal surface of the mesh exposing it to complications. We report a modification of mesh placement after primary defect repair to improvise the safety of meshplasty and to minimise mesh erosions into the stomal loop of bowel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with permanent stoma presenting with a parastomal bulge leading to difficulty with stoma care or abdominal distention or pain were included in the study. A pre-operative computed tomography scan was performed in all patients to rule out any recurrence of primary pathology for which stoma was created and to study the abdominal musculature and defects. RESULTS: Of 14 patients, 12 patients had end-sigmoid stoma, one had end ileostomy following surgery for ulcerative colitis and one had urinary conduit. The size of the defect varied from 4.5 cm to 6 cm in diameter, and the average duration of surgery was 125 min. Pain assessed on VAS score was higher in the first 12 h, and all were started on orals on the next day, and average hospital stay was 4.2 days. The longest follow-up of 7 years and shortest of 15 months did not reveal any complications as recurrence, seroma, mesh infections or erosions into the stoma. CONCLUSION: Modified placement of composite mesh is safe and helps in minimising mesh-related complications of the Sugarbaker technique for parastomal hernias.