Totally Laparoscopic Ileocolic Resection with Intracorporeal Anastomosis for Crohn's Disease: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Although minimally invasive surgery for Crohn's disease has been validated in previous studies, most of those reports have referred to laparoscopic-assisted procedures with an extra-corporeal anastomosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of total laparoscopic ileocolic resection with an intracorporeal anastomosis for Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all patients who underwent primary ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease between 2010 and 2021. Group A included 34 patients who underwent total laparoscopic ileocolic resection with intracorporeal anastomosis. Group B comprised 144 patients who underwent an open or laparoscopic-assisted procedure. RESULTS: No differences were noted in operative time (mean 167 minutes vs. 152 minutes, P = 0.122), length of stay (median 6.4 days vs. 7.5 days, P = 0.135), readmission rates (11.8% vs. 13.2%, P = 1), and microscopic involvement of surgical margins (7.7% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.249). Group A had significantly fewer postoperative surgical site infections (2.9% vs. 22.2% respectively, P = 0.013), with no differences in other complications prevalence. After a median follow-up of 46 months, there were similar rates of endoscopic recurrence (47.1% vs. 51.4%, P = 0.72), clinical recurrence (35.3% vs. 47.9%, P = 0.253), and surgical recurrence (2.9% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.722). CONCLUSIONS: Total laparoscopic ileocolic resection with intracorporeal anastomosis for Crohn's disease is safe and resulted in favorable outcomes in terms of postoperative wound healing. The long-term disease recurrence rates were like those of laparoscopic-assisted and open ileocolic resection.

Clinical breast exam contribution to breast cancer diagnosis in BRCA mutation carriers vs. average to intermediate risk women.

PURPOSE: The contribution of clinical breast exam (CBE) to breast cancer diagnosis in average risk women undergoing regular screening mammography is minimal. To evaluate the role of CBE in high-risk women, we compared BC diagnosis by CBE in BRCA mutation carriers undergoing regular BC surveillance to average to intermediate risk women undergoing regular breast cancer screening. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all consecutive screening visits of BRCA mutation carriers (January 2012-October 2022) and average to intermediate risk women (November 2016-December 2022) was completed. Women with histologically confirmed BC diagnosis were included. Additional CBE yield for BC diagnosis, defined as the percentage of all BC cases detected by CBE alone, was assessed in both groups. RESULTS: Overall, 12,997 CBEs were performed in 1,328 BRCA mutation carriers in whom 134 BCs were diagnosed. In 7,949 average to intermediate risk women who underwent 15,518 CBEs, 87 BCs were diagnosed. CBE contributed to BC diagnosis in 3 (2%) BRCA mutation carriers and 3 (4%) non-carriers. In both groups, over 4,000 CBEs were needed in order to diagnose one cancer. In all 3 BRCA mutation carriers BC was palpated during the surveillance round that did not include MRI. In the average to intermediate risk group, 2 of 3 cancers diagnosed following CBE findings were in a different location from the palpable finding. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of CBE to BC diagnosis is marginal for all women including BRCA mutation carriers. In BRCA mutation carriers, CBE appears redundant during the MRI surveillance round.

Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastasis of Rectal Origin.

BACKGROUND: The peritoneum is a common metastatic site of colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated with worse oncological outcomes. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been shown to improve outcomes in selected patients. Studies have demonstrated significant difference in survival of patients with primary colon and rectal tumors both in local and in metastatic setting; but only few assessed outcomes of CRS/HIPEC for rectal and colon tumors. We studied the perioperative and oncological outcomes of patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC for rectal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database between 2009 and 2021 was performed. RESULTS: 199 patients underwent CRS/HIPEC for CRC. 172 patients had primary colon tumors and 27 had primary rectal tumors. Primary rectal location was associated with longer surgery (mean 4.32, hours vs 5.26 h, p = 0.0013), increased blood loss (mean 441cc vs 602cc, p = 0.021), more blood transfusions (mean 0.77 vs 1.37units, p = 0.026) and longer hospitalizations (mean 10 days vs 13 days, p = 0.02). Median disease-free survival (DFS) was shorter in rectal primary group; 7.03 months vs 10.9 months for colon primaries (p = 0.036). Overall survival was not statistically significant; 53.2 months for rectal and 60.8 months for colon primary tumors. Multivariate analysis indicated origin (colon vs rectum) and Peritoneal Cancer Index to be independently associated with DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rectal carcinoma undergoing CRS/HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis had worse peri-operative and oncological outcomes. Overall survival was excellent in both groups. This data may be used for risk stratification when considering CRS/HIPEC for patients with rectal primary.

PET-CT underestimates the true pathological extent of disease at lymphadenectomy for melanoma patients after systemic therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Modern systemic therapy has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma. Currently, patients with clinically involved lymph nodes require lymphadenectomy with associated morbidities. Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT) has demonstrated accuracy in melanoma detection and response to therapy. We aimed to identify whether a PET-CT directed lymphatic resection after systemic therapy is oncologically sound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent lymphadenectomy after systemic therapy for melanoma with a preoperative PET-CT. Examined demographic, clinical, and perioperative parameters including extent of disease, systemic therapy and response, and PET-CT findings compared to pathological outcomes. We compared patients with "as or less than expected" outcomes on pathology against those with "more than expected" pathological outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. In 28 (71.8%), pathological outcomes were "as or less than expected" by PET-CT, and in 11 (28.2%) pathological outcome were "more than expected". "More than expected" occurred more frequently with advanced disease at presentation with 75% presenting with regional/metastatic disease versus only 42.9% in the "as or less than expected" group (p = 0.015). Poor response to therapy also trended towards the "more than expected" group with only 27.3% favorable response versus 53.6% favorable response in the "as or less than expected" group, not statistically significant. Extent of disease on imaging failed to predict pathological concordance. CONCLUSION: PET-CT underestimates pathological extent of disease in the lymphatic basin in 30% of patients after systemic therapy. We failed to identify predictors of more extensive disease and warn against limited PET-CT directed lymphatic resections.

Large language model (ChatGPT) as a support tool for breast tumor board.

Large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT have gained public and scientific attention. The aim of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT as a support tool for breast tumor board decisions making. We inserted into ChatGPT-3.5 clinical information of ten consecutive patients presented in a breast tumor board in our institution. We asked the chatbot to recommend management. The results generated by ChatGPT were compared to the final recommendations of the tumor board. They were also graded independently by two senior radiologists. Grading scores were between 1-5 (1 = completely disagree, 5 = completely agree), and in three different categories: summarization, recommendation, and explanation. The mean age was 49.4, 8/10 (80%) of patients had invasive ductal carcinoma, one patient (1/10, 10%) had a ductal carcinoma in-situ and one patient (1/10, 10%) had a phyllodes tumor with atypia. In seven out of ten cases (70%), ChatGPT's recommendations were similar to the tumor board's decisions. Mean scores while grading the chatbot's summarization, recommendation and explanation by the first reviewer were 3.7, 4.3, and 4.6 respectively. Mean values for the second reviewer were 4.3, 4.0, and 4.3, respectively. In this proof-of-concept study, we present initial results on the use of an LLM as a decision support tool in a breast tumor board. Given the significant advancements, it is warranted for clinicians to be familiar with the potential benefits and harms of the technology.

IOeRT in retroperitoneal sarcoma: Towards more organ preservation with comparable oncological outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) present a surgical challenge with high rates of local recurrence (LR). We investigated the role of intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOeRT) in reducing LR after surgical resection of RPS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgical resection for RPS between 2014 and 2021 at a tertiary academic referral center (n = 172). Patients included underwent surgical resection of their RPS and received IOeRT (n = 36) and were compared by case control matching to patients with similar tumor characteristics (recurrence status and tumor grade) that did not receive IOeRT (n = 36). RESULTS: The median length of hospitalization was 8 days (range, 4-34) in the IOeRT group and 10 days (range, 2-42) in the non-IOeRT group (p = 0.25). The mean operating room (OR) time was 4h (±1.3) and 4h (±1.9) in the IOeRT and non-IOeRT groups respectively, (p = 0.37). Complete resection with R0 margins was achieved in 30 patients (83.3%) and 24 patients (66.6%) in the IOeRT and non-IOeRT groups, respectively (p = 0.1). R1 resection was achieved in 6 patients (16.6%) and 12 patients (33.3%) respectively, (p = 0.1). The resected organ weighted score was significantly different between the groups; score 0 observed in 19 (52.7%) patients in the IOeRT group and 3 (8.3%) in the non-IOeRT group (p < 0.001), score 1 observed in 7 (19.4%) in the IOeRT group and 17 (47.2%) in the non-IOeRT group (p = 0.012). The rate of severe complications (CD score>3) did not differ between the groups, 5 (13.8%) patients in the IOeRT group and 9 (25%) patients in the non-IOeRT group (p = 0.23). No radiation associated complications were noted. The 2-year local recurrence free survival (LRFS) was 75.9% in the IOeRT group and 60.3% in the non-IOeRT group (p = 0.4). The 2-year IOeRT field recurrent free survival (IRFS) was 88.4% in the IOeRT group and 60.3% in the non-IOeRT group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The use of IOeRT did not increase the rate of surgical complications and was associated with superior local control in the radiation field, improved organ preservation without an impact on overall survival.

Resection of Recurrent Pelvic Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the pelvis present a surgical and oncological challenge. We investigated the outcomes of patients undergoing resection of pelvic sarcomas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgical resection for STS between 2014 and 2021 at a tertiary academic referral center (n = 172). Included all patients with primary or recurrent STS which originated or extended to the pelvic cavity (n = 29). RESULTS: The cohort was divided into primary pelvic sarcomas (n = 18) and recurrent pelvic sarcomas (rPS, n = 11). Complete R0/R1 resection was achieved in 26 patients (89.6%). The postoperative complication rate was 48.3%. The rate of major complications was 27.5%. The median time of follow-up from surgery was 12.3 months (range, 0.6-60.3 months). Disease-free survival was superior in the primary pelvic sarcomas group compared to the rPS group (P = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in overall survival, (P = 0.52). Univariant and multivariant analyses identified rPS group (Hazard Ratio 8.68, P = 0.006) and resection margins (Hazard Ratio 6.29, P = 0.004) to be independently associated with disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that achieving R0/R1 resection is feasible. Oncological outcomes are favorable for primary tumors, whereas recurrent tumors exhibit early recurrences. Consideration of resection of recurrent pelvic STS should involve a careful multidisciplinary evaluation.

Predisposing factors for high output stoma in patients with a diverting loop ileostomy after colorectal surgeries.

PURPOSE: One of the most common ileostomy-related complications is high output stoma (HOS) which causes significant fluids and electrolytes disturbances. We aimed to analyze the incidence, severity, and risk factors for readmission for HOS. METHODS: We reviewed all patients who underwent loop ileostomy closure in a single institution between 2010 and 2020. Patients that were readmitted for dehydration due to HOS during the time interval between the creation and the closure of the stoma were identified and divided into a study (HOS) group. The remaining patients constructed the control group. RESULTS: A total of 307 patients were included in this study, out of which, 41 patients were readmitted 73 times (23.7% readmission rate) for the HOS group, and the remaining 266 patients constructed the control group. Multivariate analysis identified; advanced American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status (PS) classification, elevated baseline creatinine, and open surgery as risk factors for HOS. Renal function worsened among the entire cohort between the construction of the stoma to its closure (mean creatinine of 0.82 vs. 0.96, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Loop ileostomy formation is associated with a substantial readmission rate for dehydration as a result of HOS, and increasing the risk for renal impairment during the duration of the diversion. We identified advanced ASA PS classification, open surgery, and elevated baseline creatinine as predictors for HOS.

Pelvic Peritonectomy Poorly Affects Outcomes in Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Constraints of pelvic anatomy render complete cytoreduction (CRS) challenging. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of pelvic peritonectomy during CRS/HIPEC on colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CRPM) patients' outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained CRS/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) database. The analysis included 217 patients with CRPM who had a CRS/HIPEC between 2014 and 2021. We compared perioperative and oncological outcomes of patients with pelvic peritonectomy (PP) (n = 63) to no pelvic peritonectomy (non-PP) (n = 154). RESULTS: No differences in demographics were identified. The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was higher in the PP group with a median PCI of 12 vs. 6 in the non-PP group (p < 0.001). Operative time was 4.9 vs. 4.3 h in the PP and non-PP groups, respectively (p = 0.63). Median hospitalization was longer in the PP group at 12 vs. 10 days (p = 0.007), and the rate of complications were higher in the PP group at 57.1% vs. 39.6% (p = 0.018). Pelvic peritonectomy was associated with worse disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) with 3-year DFS and OS of 7.3 and 46.3% in the PP group vs. 28.2 and 87.8% in the non-PP group (p = 0.028, p .> 0.001). The univariate OS analysis identified higher PCI (p = 0.05), longer surgery duration (p = 0.02), and pelvic peritonectomy (p < 0.001) with worse OS. Pelvic peritonectomy remained an independent prognostic variable, irrespective of PCI, on the multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic peritonectomy at the time of CRS/HIPEC is associated with higher morbidity and worse oncological outcomes. These findings should be taken into consideration in the management of patients with pelvic involvement.

The increasing role of abdominal metastesectomy for malignant melanoma in the era of modern therapeutics.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spread of malignant melanoma to the abdomen presents a therapeutic challenge. Targeted and Immune-therapies dramatically improve patients' survival, yet some patients may still benefit from surgical intervention. This study investigates the outcomes of surgical treatment of abdominal metastatic melanoma in the era of modern therapy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients who underwent surgical resection for abdominal metastatic melanoma between the years 2009-2021 (n = 80). We examined the clinical, operative, perioperative, and oncological outcomes of these patients. RESULTS: The cohort included a therapeutic group (T, n = 43) and palliative group (P, n = 37). The rate of overall post-operative complications was lower in the T group (n = 3, 9.3%) compared to the P group (n = 10, 27.1%) (p = 0.04), but no difference in major complications rate (p = 0.41). The median follow-up was 13.4 months (range, 0.5-107), with an estimated 2- and 5-years survival of 66.5% and 45.3% respectively. The estimated 2- and 5-years survival of the T group was 76.61% and 69.65%, and 49.01% and 28.01% in the P group (p = 0.005). Univariate analysis identified Therapeutic resection (HR 3.2, p = 0.008), isolated lesions (HR 1.47, p = 0.033) and major complication score (HR 1.8, p=<0.001) to be correlated with survival. On multivariate analysis, Therapeutic resection (HR 2.53, p = 0.042) and major complication score (HR 1.62, p = 0.004) remained significant independent factors correlated with survival. In patients who progressed on treatment, and their progression was treated with surgical resection 46.1% where able to be maintained on the same preoperative treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that abdominal metastesectomy is a safe and oncologically efficacious therapy in selected patients. Especially in the era of modern therapeutics, patients with isolated disease site, limited resectable progression on therapy, or patients with symptomatic metastases should be considered for surgical resection.

Natural History and Management of Small-Bowel Obstruction in Patients After Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a common complication associated with re-admission that may alter patients' outcomes. Our aim was to characterize and investigate the impact of bowel obstruction on patients' prognosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with SBO after CRS/HIPEC (n = 392). We analyzed patients' demographics, operative and perioperative details, SBO re-admission data, and long-term oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 366 patients, 73 (19.9%) were re-admitted with SBO. The cause was adhesive in 42 (57.5%) and malignant (MBO) in 31 (42.5%). The median time to obstruction was 7.7 months (range, 0.5-60.9). Surgical intervention was required in 21/73 (28.7%) patients. Obstruction eventually resolved (spontaneous or by surgical intervention) in 56/73 (76.7%) patients. Univariant analysis identified intraperitoneal chemotherapy agents: mitomycin C (MMC) (HR 3.2, p = 0.003), cisplatin (HR 0.3, p = 0.03), and doxorubicin (HR 0.25, p = 0.018) to be associated with obstruction-free survival (OFS). Postoperative complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), (HR 2.2, p = 0.001) and collection (HR 2.07, p = 0.015) were associated with worse OFS. Multivariate analysis maintained MMC (HR 2.9, p = 0.006), SSI (HR 1.19, p = 0.001), and intra-abdominal collection (HR 2.19, p = 0.009) as independently associated with OFS. While disease-free survival was similar between the groups, overall survival (OS) was better in the non-obstruction group compared with the obstruction group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SBO after CRS/HIPEC is common and complex in management. Although conservative management was successful in most patients, surgery was required more frequently in patients with MBO. Patients with SBO demonstrate decreased survival.

Improving pre-bariatric surgery diagnosis of hiatal hernia using machine learning models.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric patients have a high prevalence of hiatal hernia (HH). HH imposes various difficulties in performing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Preoperative evaluation is generally inaccurate, establishing the need for better preoperative assessment. OBJECTIVE: To utilize machine learning ability to improve preoperative diagnosis of HH. METHODS: Machine learning (ML) prediction models were utilized to predict preoperative HH diagnosis using data from a prospectively maintained database of bariatric procedures performed in a high-volume bariatric surgical center between 2012 and 2015. We utilized three optional ML models to improve preoperative contrast swallow study (SS) prediction, automatic feature selection was performed using patients' features. The prediction efficacy of the models was compared to SS. RESULTS: During the study period, 2482 patients underwent bariatric surgery. All underwent preoperative SS, considered the baseline diagnostic modality, which identified 236 (9.5%) patients with presumed HH. Achieving 38.5% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity. ML models increased sensitivity up to 60.2%, creating three optional models utilizing data and patient selection process for this purpose. CONCLUSION: Implementing machine learning derived prediction models enabled an increase of up to 1.5 times of the baseline diagnostic sensitivity. By harnessing this ability, we can improve traditional medical diagnosis, increasing the sensitivity of preoperative diagnostic workout.

Detection of Minimal Residual Disease in the Peripheral Blood of Breast Cancer Patients, with a Multi Marker (MGB-1, MGB-2, CK-19 and NY-BR-1) Assay.

PURPOSE: Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to micrometastases that are undetectable by conventional means and is a potential source of disease relapse. This study aimed to detect the presence of breast cancer (BC) biomarkers (MGB-1, MGB-2, CK-19, NY-BR-1) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of BC patients and the impact of a positive assay on clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in the analysis included females >18 years of age with biopsy-proven carcinoma of the breast. A 10 mL sample of venous blood was obtained from 10 healthy controls and 25 breast cancer patients. Comparisons of peripheral blood markers were made with clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: High-quality RNA was extracted from all samples with a mean RNA concentration of 224.8±155.3 ng/µL. Each of the molecular markers examined was highly expressed in the primary breast tumors (n = 3, positive controls) with none of the markers detected in healthy negative controls. The NY-BR-1 marker was expressed in one (4%) patient with metastatic disease with no MGB-1 and MGB-2 detected in any sample derived from the study patients. The CK-19 marker was detected in 16 (64%) of the BC cases. No correlation was found between CK-19 expression and tumor stage (P = 0.07) or nodal status (P = 0.32). No correlation was identified in the BC patients between CK-19 expression and receptor status in the BC primary tumor. CONCLUSION: This study showed high expression of all 4 markers NY-BR-1, MGB-1, MGB-2 and CK-19 in the PBMCs derived from breast cancer patients. CK-19 was detected in 64% of the stage I-III cases operated with curative intent, the only recurrent events occurring in the CK-19-positive cases. Our data confirm the need to enhance techniques for detection of MRD, which may better predict patients at risk for relapse.

PET/CT in breast cancer staging is useful for evaluation of axillary lymph node and distant metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer outcome is dependent on disease stage. The aim of the study was to assess the role of PET/CT in the evaluation of axillary lymph node and distant metastases in women with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed, among patients with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer, associations of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]) with clinical variables of the primary tumor, including regional nodal status and the presence of distant metastases. RESULTS: Of 324 patients, 265 (81.8%) had focal uptake of FDG that corresponded with the cancerous lesion, and 21 (6.5%) had no FDG-avid findings. The remaining 38 patients had diffuse or nonspecific uptake of FDG. Among patients with a focal uptake of FDG (n = 265), the mean tumor size was 2.6 ± 1.9 (range 0.5-13.5), and the mean SUVmax was 5.3 ± 4.9 (range 1.2-25.0). In 83 patients (25.6%), PET/CT demonstrated additional suspected foci in the same breast. FDG-avid lymphadenopathy was observed in 156 patients (48.1%). Further assessment of lymph node involvement was available for 55/156 patients (axillary lymph node dissection [n = 21]; core needle biopsy [n = 34]) and confirmed axillary lymph node metastases in 47 (85.5%)). Thirteen patients (4.0%) had FDG-avid supraclavicular lymph nodes and six (1.9%) had FDG-avid internal mammary lymph nodes. Distant FDG-avid lesions were detected in 33 patients (10.2%). CONCLUSION: PET/CT is a useful diagnostic tool for staging breast cancer patients, but its use should be limited to specific clinical situations; further evaluation is needed.

Totally Laparoscopic Ileocolic Resection for Complex Enterovisceral Fistulas in Crohn's Disease: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: In primary Crohn's disease (CD), laparoscopic ileocolic resection has been shown to be both feasible and safe, and is associated with improved outcomes in terms of postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. However, it is unclear whether the laparoscopic approach can be routinely proposed as a safe procedure for patients with complex enterovisceral fistulas.The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for complex enterovisceral fistulas, and compare it with CD patients who underwent primary laparoscopic ileocolic resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent laparoscopic primary ileocolic resection (LICR) for complex enterovisceral fistulas between July 2006 and July 2017 were included. They were compared with all consecutive patients who underwent LICR for nonfistulizing CD in the same period of time. Patients with previous bowel resections or recurrent disease were excluded. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with 20 enterovisceral fistulas (group I) were compared with 61 patients who underwent LICR for nonfistulizing disease (group II). There were no differences between the groups in age, sex, preoperative body mass index, nutritional status, and American Society of Anesthesiology score. There was no conversion to open surgery in both groups.There were no significant differences between groups in terms of operative time [120 (range: 65 to 232) vs. 117 (range: 62 to 217) min, P=0.7], hospital stay [6 (5 to 8) vs. 7 (5 to 65) days, P=0.56], overall morbidity 26.3% versus 16.4% (P=0.33), major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo >3) 15.7% versus 10% (P=0.66) and reoperation rates 5.3% versus 4.9% (P=0.9). There was no mortality in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience shows that the laparoscopic approach for complex enterovisceral fistulas in selected CD patients is both feasible and safe in the hands of experienced inflammatory bowel disease surgeons with extensive expertise in laparoscopic surgery. Larger study cohorts are needed to confirm these findings.

Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Surgical outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes in a single-institution consecutive series.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal cancer surgery is continuously evolving. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a relatively new surgical approach with possible advantages in comparison to current standard surgical techniques. Several studies in recent years have validated this approach regarding safety and effectiveness. We describe our initial experience with TaTME evaluating surgical parameters, post-operative outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study reviewing all patients who underwent TaTME in a single institution from May 2015 to April 2018. RESULTS: The cohort included 25 patients with an average age of 60.4 (range: 40-86), of which 13 (52%) patients were male. The average body mass index was 26.1. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 40%, with 20% (five cases) being severe complications, defined by Clavien-Dindo Grade of 3b or above. There were three major interoperative complications. Four cases (16%) required reoperation during the first 30 post-operative days. The median length of stay was 8 days. The surgery duration was on average 296 min (range: 205-510). Negative resection margins were achieved in all patients. At a median follow-up period of 14 months, there were no local recurrences, and 4 cases (16%) had a distant recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study describes our initial experience with TaTME, which requires a substantial learning curve to minimise complications and morbidity. Oncological outcomes as expressed by the resection margins, number of lymph nodes harvested and local recurrence rates were all comparable to previously published data.