Internal hernia after laparoscopic left colectomy: case series and review of the literature

Objective: Laparoscopic colectomy has gained acceptance as a standard treatment for benign and malignant colorectal disease, such as diverticular disease and cancer, among others. Same as in open surgery, the laparoscopic approach carries a low risk of small bowel obstruction in the postoperative period, but in laparoscopic surgery, internal hernia after laparoscopic left colectomy may be a cause of small bowel obstruction with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This rare complication may be prevented with routine closure of the mesenteric defects created during the colectomy. Methods: We present four cases of internal herniation after laparoscopic colectomy. Two cases were after laparoscopic left colectomy and two after laparoscopic low anterior resection. All four cases had full splenic flexure mobilization. Routine closure of the mesenteric defect was not performed in the initial surgery. Results: The four patients were treated by laparoscopic reintervention with closure of the mesenteric defect. In two of them, conversion to open surgery was necessary. One of the patients developed recurrent internal herniation after surgical reintervention with mesenteric closure of the defect. All patients were managed without need for bowel resection, and mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion Internal herniation after laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a highly morbid complication that requires prompt diagnosis and management and should be suspected in the early postoperative period. Additional studies with extended follow-up are required to establish recommendations regarding its prevention and management. (AU)

Double barreled wet colostomy. Case report and description of the surgical technique / Colostomia úmida em dupla-boca. Relato de caso e descrição da técnicacirúrgica

ABSTRACT Pelvic exenteration has showed to be beneficial therapeutically and palliatively in locally advanced colorectal cancer. Reconstruction of urinary transit posterior to a cystectomy has always been challenging with many associated complications. We present a 58-year-old male with locally advanced rectal cancer in which a pelvic exenteration and a double-barreled wet colostomy (DBWC) was created for urinary reconstitution. We present the surgical technique of DBWC. DBWC is a good alternative to other urinary reconstructions because fecal and urinary derivation occurs in only one stoma, the stoma output is easier to manage, and fewer complications are seen compared to other urinary reconstructions. Long-term surveillance is mandatory in patients with a DBWC because there is an increased risk of neoplasm in the reservoir.

RESUMO A exenteração pélvica mostrou-se benéfica, tanto terapêutica quanto paliativamente, em casos de câncer colorretal localmente avançado. A reconstrução do trânsito urinário após uma cistectomia sempre foi desafiadora, com muitas complicações associadas. Os autores apresentam o caso de um homem de 58 anos de idade com câncer retal localmente avançado, submetido a uma exenteração pélvica e uma colostomia úmida em dupla-boca (CUDB) para reconstituição urinária. Os autores apresentam a técnica cirúrgica da CUDB, uma boa alternativa para outras reconstruções urinárias, já que a derivação fecal e urinária ocorre em apenas um estoma, a saída do estoma é mais fácil de gerenciar e o método apresenta menos complicações em comparação com outras reconstruções urinárias. A vigilância a longo prazo é obrigatória em pacientes com CUDB, pois há um risco aumentado de neoplasia no reservatório.

Laparoscopy-assisted versus open colectomy for treatment of colon cancer in the elderly: morbidity and mortality outcomes in 545 patients.

BACKGROUND: Advanced age is a risk factor of major abdominal surgery due to diminished functional reserve and increased comorbidity. Laparoscopy-assisted colectomy is a well-established procedure in colon cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to compare early outcome of elective laparoscopy surgery and open colectomy in colon cancer patients according to age. METHODS: A total of 545 patients with colonic adenocarcinoma underwent elective surgery between 2005 and 2009. There were 277 patients in the laparoscopic group and 268 in the open. Patient characteristics in both groups were homogeneous and further stratified into three subgroups by age: <75, between 75-84, and ≥ 85 years. Main outcome measures were early morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Open surgery group showed a higher overall morbidity rate (37.3 vs. 21.6%, P = 0.001), medical complications (16.4 vs. 10.5%, P = 0.033), surgical complications (23.5 vs. 15.5%, P = 0.034), and mortality (6.7 vs. 3.2%, P = 0.034). The overall morbidity rate difference between open and laparoscopy approach disappeared in the oldest group (≥ 85 years old). Surgical site infections rate was inferior for patients <75 years old in laparoscopy group compared with open. Mortality was also significantly inferior in laparoscopy group in younger patients (<75 years, 0 vs. 3%, P = 0.038). Mean hospital stay was shorter for patients in <75 and 75-84 groups with laparoscopic approach (7.8 vs. 11.4 days and 10 vs. 14.3, respectively, P = 0.001) as compared with those who underwent open surgery, but these differences disappeared in patients aged ≥ 85 years. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy-assisted colectomy in patients underwent elective surgical resections for colon cancer showed advantages in rate of early complications in patients younger than 85 years of age and was found to be as safe and well tolerated as open surgery in patients over 85 years of age.

Double barreled wet colostomy: initial experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic exenteration and multivisceral resection in colorectal have been described as a curative and palliative intervention. Urinary tract reconstruction in a pelvic exenteration is achieved in most cases with an ileal conduit of Bricker, although different urinary reservoirs have been described. METHODS: A retrospective and observational study of six patients who underwent a pelvic exenteration and urinary tract reconstruction with a double barreled wet colostomy (DBWC) was done, describing the preoperative diagnosis, the indication for the pelvic exenteration, the complications associated with the procedure, and the followup in a period of 5 years. A literature review of the case series reported of the technique was performed. RESULTS: Six patients had a urinary tract reconstruction with the DBWC technique, 5 male patients and one female patient. Age range was from 20 to 77 years, with a medium age 53.6 years. The most frequent complication presented was a pelvic abscess in 3 patients (42.85%); all complications could be resolved with a conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: In the group of our patients with pelvic exenteration and urinary tract reconstruction with a DBWC, it is a safe procedure and well tolerated by the patients, and most of the complications can be resolved with conservative treatment.