Transanal versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for mid and low rectal cancer (Ta-LaTME study): multicentre, randomized, open-label trial.

BACKGROUND: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that tries to avoid conversion to open surgery. However, specific intraoperative complications and local recurrences have cast some doubt on the suitability of the technique. The primary endpoint of the present study was a composite outcome of conversion surgery. Secondary objectives were to assess postoperative recovery, and pathological and oncological outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicentre, randomized, controlled open-label study of patients diagnosed with mid and low rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic TaTME or laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME). The TaTME technique comprised intracorporeal resection and anastomosis. Main outcomes were conversion to open surgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity, mortality, pathological, oncological results, and survival. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study was conducted between April 2015 and May 2021. Patients were randomized to the LaTME (57 patients) or TaTME (59) group. Fifty patients from the LaTME group and 55 from the TaTME group were eligible for mITT analysis. The procedure was converted to open surgery in 11 patients (11 per cent): 10 (20 per cent) in the LaTME group and 1 (2 per cent) in the laparoscopic TaTME group (difference 18.8, 95 per cent c.i. 30 to 7; P = 0.003). No significant differences were found in terms of postoperative recovery and morbidity at 30 days; nor were there significant differences in anastomotic leakage, although it was less common in laparoscopic TaTME. With a median follow-up of 39 months, there were three instances of local recurrence (6.1 per cent) in the LaTME group and one (1.8 per cent) in the laparoscopic TaTME group (95 per cent c.i. 60 to 69; P = 0.3). Registration number: NCT02550769 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). CONCLUSION: The conversion rate was significantly lower in laparoscopic TaTME than in LaTME. At centres with experienced surgeons, laparoscopic TaTME can avoid conversion to open surgery.

Fluorescent cholangiography with direct injection of indocyanine green (ICG) into the gallbladder: a safety method to outline biliary anatomy.

PURPOSE: Near infrared cholangiography (NIRC) with indocyanine green (ICG) directly injected into the gallbladder is a novel technique to outline biliary anatomy. The purpose of this article is to analyze the usefulness and feasibility of NIRC as a safety method during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-controlled study comparing 20 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies with NIRC with direct injection of ICG into the gallbladder to 20 consecutive standard cholecystectomies. Operative time, length of stay, complications, conversion rates, and biliary injury were analyzed. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in epidemiological characteristics. In the ICG group fluorescent visualization of the junction of the Hartmann pouch and the whole cystic duct was achieved in 16 (80%) patients. Median surgical time was 65 (50-76) and 55 (45-71) min for the ICG and the control group, respectively (p = 0.113). There were no postoperative complications and no biliary duct injuries in any of the groups, and a patient from both groups underwent conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSION: NIRC with direct injection of ICG into the gallbladder is a feasible method that is not time-consuming; it does not require a different learning curve from standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies and has no major complications described so far.

[Functional impairment and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery]. / Afectación funcional y calidad de vida tras cirugía de cáncer rectal.

OBJECTIVE: This study determines the quality of life and the anorectal function of these patients. METHOD: Observational study of two cohorts comparing patients undergoing rectal tumor surgery using TaETM or conventional ETM after a minimum of six months of intestinal transit reconstruction. EORTC-30, EORTC-29 quality of life questionnaires and the anorectal function assessment questionnaire (LARS score) are applied. General variables are also collected. RESULTS: 31 patients between 2011 and 2014: 15 ETM group and 16 TaETM. We do not find statistically significant differences in quality of life questionnaires or in anorectal function. Statistically significant general variables: longer surgical time in the TaETM group. Nosocomial infection and minor suture failure in the TaETM group. CONCLUSION: The performance of TaETM achieves the same results in terms of quality of life and anorectal function as conventional ETM.

ANTECEDENTES: La técnica de referencia de la cirugía rectal sigue siendo la escisión total del mesorrecto (ETM), en la que se aplica la laparoscopia por sus ventajas. El intento de evitar el 17% de reconversión hace que se apliquen técnicas transanales. La ETM transanal (TaETM) se lleva a cabo por grupos experimentales con buenos resultados oncológicos y de morbimortalidad. OBJETIVO: Este estudio determina la calidad de vida y la función anorrectal de estos pacientes. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional de dos cohortes que compara pacientes intervenidos por tumor rectal mediante TaETM o ETM convencional después de 6 meses mínimo de la reconstrucción del tránsito intestinal. Se aplican los cuestionarios de calidad de vida EORTC-30 y EORTC-29, y el cuestionario de valoración de función anorrectal (LARS score). También se recogen variables generales. RESULTADOS: Entre 2011 y 2014 fueron intervenidos 31 pacientes: 15 en el grupo de ETM y 16 en el de TaETM. No se encuentran diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a cuestionarios de calidad de vida ni respecto a la función anorrectal. Variables generales estadísticamente significativas: tiempo quirúrgico mayor en el grupo TaETM, e infección nosocomial y fallo de sutura menores en el grupo TaETM. CONCLUSIÓN: La realización de TaETM obtiene los mismos resultados en cuanto a calidad de vida y función anorrectal que la ETM convencional. BACKGROUND: The gold standard of rectal surgery remains total mesorrectal excision (ETM) in which laparoscopy is applied for its advantages. The attempt to avoid 17% conversion rate implies that transanal techniques are applied. Transanal ETM (TaETM) is performed by experimental groups with good oncological and morbimortality results.

[Primary amenorrhea by transverse vaginal septum: a case report and review of the literature]. / Amenorrea primaria por tabique transverso vaginal inferior: reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía.

The transverse vaginal septum is one of the rarest anomalies of the reproductive tract classified depending on location. It is manifested by primary amenorrhea, cyclic pain and progressive mass growth at abdominopelvic level, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging provides the diagnosis, location and thickness of a transverse vaginal septum, treatment is surgical. We present a case of a teenage patient with primary amenorrhea due to lower transverse vaginal septum with surgical resection and satisfactory follow-up with successful vaginal patency.