Prospective, Randomized Study on the Use of Prosthetic Mesh to Prevent a Parastomal Hernia in a Permanent Colostomy: Results of a Long-term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernias are common with permanent colostomies and prone to complications. The short-term results of trials of parastomal hernia prevention are widely published, but long-term results are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to detect the long-term effects and safety of preventive intra-abdominal parastomal mesh. DESIGN: This is a long-term follow-up of a previous prospective randomized, controlled multicenter trial. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals and 3 central hospitals in Finland. PATIENTS: Patients who had a laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer between 2010 and 2013 were included in the study and invited for a follow-up visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were clinical and radiological parastomal hernias. RESULTS: Twenty subjects in the mesh group and 15 in the control group attended the follow-up visit with a median follow-up period of 65 (25th-75th percentiles, 49-91) months. A clinically detectable parastomal hernia was present in 4 of 20 (20.0%) and 5 of 15 (33.3%) subjects in the mesh and control groups (p = 0.45). A radiological parastomal hernia was present in 9 of 19 (45.0%) subjects in the mesh group and 7 of 12 (58.3%) subjects in the control group (p = 0.72). However, when all subjects (n = 70, 1:1) who attended the 12-month follow-up were screened for long-term results according to register data, 9 of 35 (25.9%) subjects in the mesh group and 16 of 35 (45.6%) subjects in control group were diagnosed with a parastomal hernia during the follow-up period (p = 0.10). In addition, only 1 of 35 (2.7%) subjects in the mesh group but 6 of 35 (17.1%) subjects in the control group underwent a parastomal hernia operation during the long-term follow-up (p = 0.030). LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by the small number of patients. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intra-abdominal keyhole mesh did not decrease the rate of clinically detectable hernias but reduced the need for the surgical repair of parastomal hernias. Further trials are needed to identify a more efficient method to prevent parastomal hernias. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02368873. ESTUDIO PROSPECTIVO ALEATORIZADO SOBRE EL USO DE MALLA PROTÉSICA PARA PREVENIR UNA HERNIA PARAESTOMAL EN UNA COLOSTOMÍA PERMANENTE: RESULTADOS DE UN SEGUIMIENTO A LARGO PLAZO: PREVENCIÓN DE HERNIA PARAESTOMAL, NEOPLASIA COLORRECTAL/ANAL: Las hernias paraestomales son comunes con colostomías permanentes y son propensas a complicaciones. Los resultados a corto plazo de los ensayos sobre la prevención de la hernia parastomal se publican ampliamente, pero los resultados a largo plazo son escasos.El objetivo del estudio es detectar los efectos a largo plazo y la seguridad de la malla parastomal intraabdominal preventiva.Este es un seguimiento a largo plazo de un estudio aleatorizado prospectivo, controlado y multicentrico previo.Este estudio se realizó en dos hospitales universitarios y tres hospitales centrales en Finlandia.Los pacientes que se sometieron a una resección abdominoperineal laparoscópica por cáncer de recto 2010-2013 fueron incluidos en el estudio e invitados a una visita de seguimiento.Hernias parastomales clínicas y radiológicas.Veinte sujetos en el grupo de malla y 15 en el grupo control asistieron a la visita de seguimiento con una mediana de seguimiento de 65 meses (25-75 ° percentil 49-91). Una hernia paraestomal clínicamente detectable estuvo presente en 4/20 (20.0%) y 5/15 (33.3%) en los grupos de malla y control, respectivamente (p = 0.45). Una hernia parastomal radiológica estuvo presente en 9/19 (45.0%) en el grupo de malla y 7/12 (58.3%) en el grupo de control (p = 0.72). Sin embargo, cuando todos los sujetos (n = 70, 1: 1) que asistieron a los 12 meses de seguimiento fueron evaluados para obtener resultados a largo plazo de acuerdo con los datos del registro, 9/35 (25.9%) sujetos en el grupo de malla y 16/35 (45,6%) sujetos en el grupo control fueron diagnosticados con una hernia paraestomal durante el período de seguimiento (p = 0,10). Además, solo 1/35 (2.7%) en el grupo de malla pero 6/35 (17.1%) en el grupo control se sometieron a una operación de hernia paraestomal durante el seguimiento a largo plazo (p = 0.030).El estudio está limitado por un pequeño número de pacientes.La malla intra-abdominal profiláctica en ojo de cerradura no disminuyó la tasa de hernias clínicamente detectables, pero redujo la necesidad de la reparación quirúrgica de las hernias paraestomales. Se necesitan ensayos adicionales para identificar un método más eficiente para prevenir las hernias parastomales. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B171. (Traducción-Dr. Gonzalo Hagerman).NCT02368873.

Risk factors for proctectomy in consecutive Crohn's colitis surgical patients in a reference colorectal centre.

PURPOSE: Crohn's colitis carries a risk for permanent stoma with extirpation of the rectum. We aimed to estimate the proctectomy rate and identify risk factors for proctectomy in patients with Crohn's colitis. METHODS: For this study, we retrospectively reviewed data from consecutive patients with Crohn's disease (CD) affecting the colon or anorectal region undergoing bowel resection in a reference colorectal centre between 2006 and 2016. The cumulative risk for proctectomy was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier curve. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine independent risk factors for proctectomy. Outcomes after proctectomy concerning reoperation frequency and perineal wound healing are also described. RESULTS: In total, this study included 125 patients. Proctectomy was performed in 36 patients (28.8%), of whom 14 patients (38.9%) experienced perineal wound healing problems. The rates of proctectomy were 5.6% and 32.0% 10 and 20 years after CD diagnosis, respectively. Female gender (odds ratio (OR) 3.375, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.304-8.733, P = 0.012), disease duration (OR 1.067, 95% CI 1.011-1.126, P = 0.018) and history of perianal disease (OR 3.160, 95% CI 1.215-8.219, P = 0.018) were independent risk factors for a proctectomy procedure, whereas thiopurine medication (OR 0.170, 95% CI 0.060-0.486, P = 0.001) was an independent protective factor for proctectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of Crohn's disease, female gender and a history of perianal disease were significant risk factors for a proctectomy procedure. Future research should examine whether immunosuppressive and biological medications reduce the risk for proctectomy.

Stool Microbiota Composition Differs in Patients with Stomach, Colon, and Rectal Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Microbial ecosystems that inhabit the human gut form central component of our physiology and metabolism, regulating and modulating both health and disease. Changes or disturbances in the composition and activity of this gut microbiota can result in altered immunity, inflammation, and even cancer. AIM: To compare the composition and diversity of gut microbiota in stool samples from patient groups based on the site of neoplasm in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and to assess the possible contribution of the bacterial composition to tumorigenesis. METHODS: We studied gut microbiota by16S RNA gene sequencing from stool DNA of 83 patients, who were diagnosed with different GIT neoplasms, and 13 healthy individuals. RESULTS: As compared to healthy individuals, stools of patients with stomach neoplasms had elevated levels of Enterobacteriaceae, and those with rectal neoplasms had lower levels of Bifidobacteriaceae. Lower abundance of Lactobacillaceae was seen in patients with colon neoplasms. Abundance of Lactobacillaceae was higher in stools of GIT patients sampled after cancer treatment compared to samples collected before start of any treatment. In addition to site-specific differences, higher abundances of Ruminococcus, Subdoligranulum and lower abundances of Lachnoclostridium and Oscillibacter were observed in overall GIT neoplasms as compared to healthy controls CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the alterations in gut microbiota vary according to the site of GIT neoplasm. The observed lower abundance of two common families, Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, and the increased abundance of Enterobacteriaceae could provide indicators of compromised gut health and potentially facilitate GIT disease monitoring.

Risk factors for anastomotic recurrence after primary ileocaecal resection in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Ileocaecal resection is the most common operation performed in Crohn's disease. Our study aimed to identify the risk factors for anastomotic recurrence following primary ileocaecal resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from all Crohn's disease surgical patients in a single colorectal unit between 2006 and 2016, including all patients who underwent primary ileocaecal resection. We defined anastomotic recurrence as the postoperative need for endoscopic dilatation of the ileocolic anastomosis or neoterminal ileal resection, and used Cox regression to determine the risk factors for such recurrence. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients underwent primary ileocaecal resection during the study period. Nine (8.9%) patients were excluded because of follow-up less than 1 year and 12 (13.0%) patients had anastomotic recurrence. The median follow-up was 4.7 (1.3-10.8) years. At 3 years, 93.1% of patients required no neoterminal ileal resection or dilatation of the ileocolic anastomosis. Urgent primary ileocaecal resection [hazard ratio (HR)=4.98, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.45-17.11, P=0.011], stapled anastomosis (HR=20.34, 95% CI=5.06-81.77, P<0.001) and need for postoperative corticosteroid treatment after the primary ileocaecal resection (HR=3.58, 95% CI=1.03-12.40, P=0.044) emerged as significant risk factors for anastomotic recurrence. CONCLUSION: Urgent surgery and postoperative corticosteroid need represented risk factors for anastomotic recurrence. Hand-sewn anastomosis with an opening of the bowel's antimesenteric border seems to be a safe choice for ileocaecal resection.

Surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease: a comparison between different types of bowel resections.

PURPOSE: To compare recurrence frequency and location between different types of bowel resections in Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing bowel resection for Crohn's disease between 2006 and 2016. Type of primary operation was recorded and grouped as ileocolic resection, small bowel resection, segmental colon resection with colocolic anastomosis or colorectal anastomosis, colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, or end stoma operation. Binary logistic regression was used to compare surgical recurrence frequency between groups. We also investigated how Crohn's disease location at reoperations was related to the primary bowel resection type. RESULTS: Altogether, 218 patients with a median follow-up of 4.7 years were included in our study. Reoperation was performed in 42 (19.3%) patients. The risk of reoperation using the ileocolic resection group as reference was the following: small bowel resection (odds ratio (OR) 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-8.66; P = 0.049), segmental colon resection with colocolic or colorectal anastomosis (OR 6.20, 95% CI 2.04-18.87; P = 0.001), colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (OR 26.57, 95% CI 2.59-273.01; P = 0.006), and end stoma operation (OR 4.62, 95% CI 1.90-11.26; P = 0.001). In case of surgical recurrence, the reoperation type and location correlated with the primary bowel resection type. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation frequency in Crohn's disease is lower after ileocolic resection than after other types of bowel resections. Surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease tends to maintain the disease location of the primary operation. One third of Crohn's patients undergoing an end stoma operation will still need new bowel resections due to recurrence.

Does a histologically inflamed resection margin increase postoperative complications in patients with Crohn's disease?

OBJECTIVES: Our study assessed whether the presence of histologically inflamed resection margins increased postoperative anastomotic complications in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. We also examined the influence of other risk factors for postoperative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Presence of chronic inflammation and activity of inflammation was scored from the resection margin specimens of 70 patients undergoing surgery due to CD. Anastomotic complications were recorded with a one-month follow-up. We also analysed other risk factors for postoperative complications, such as patient age, previous surgeries, preoperative C-reactive protein, faecal calprotectin, albumin and haemoglobin levels, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, preoperative immunosuppressive medication, surgical approach and the presence of intraoperative fistula or abscess. RESULTS: In total, 46 patients (65.7%) had active inflammation in the bowel resection margin - 12 patients (17.1%) with mild, five patients (7.1%) with moderate and 29 patients (41.4%) with strong activity. We found 14 (20.0%) postoperative complications, of which three (4.6%) were anastomotic. The presence of active inflammation at the resection margin did not significantly influence the occurrence of postoperative anastomotic complications. None of the other risk factors examined significantly increased postoperative complications among our sample. CONCLUSIONS: After bowel-sparing surgery for CD, the frequency of histologically inflamed resection margins is high. However, postoperative complication rate remains low. The current practice with resection of only the most affected bowel segments for CD seems to be a safe choice. We still need further research concerning risk factors for postoperative complications in Crohn's patients.

Does Ventral Rectopexy Improve Pelvic Floor Function in the Long Term?

BACKGROUND: Information is needed on long-term functional results, sequelas, and outcome predictors for laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term function postventral rectopexy in patients with external rectal prolapse or internal rectal prolapse in a large cohort and to identify the possible effects of patient-related factors and operative technical details on patient-reported outcomes. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review with a cross-sectional questionnaire study. SETTINGS: Data were collated from prospectively collected registries in 2 university and 2 central hospitals in Finland. PATIENTS: All 508 consecutive patients treated with ventral rectopexy for external rectal prolapse or symptomatic internal rectal prolapse in 2005 to 2013 were included. INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire concerning disease-related symptoms and effect on quality of life was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Defecatory function measured by the Wexner score, the obstructive defecation score, and subjective symptom and quality-of-life evaluation using the visual analog scale were included. The effects of patient-related factors and operative technical details were assessed using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 70.7% (330/467 living patients) with a median follow-up time of 44 months. The mean Wexner scores were 7.0 (SD = 6.1) and 6.9 (SD = 5.6), and the mean obstructive defecation scores were 9.7 (SD = 7.6) and 12.3 (SD = 8.0) for patients presenting with external rectal prolapse and internal rectal prolapse. Subjective symptom relief was experienced by 76% and reported more often by patients with external rectal prolapse than with internal rectal prolapse (86% vs 68%; p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 11.4% of patients, and the recurrence rate for rectal prolapse was 7.1%. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its lack of preoperative functional data and suboptimal questionnaire response rate. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral mesh rectopexy effectively treats posterior pelvic floor dysfunction with a low complication rate and an acceptable recurrence rate. Patients with external rectal prolapse benefit more from the operation than those with symptomatic internal rectal prolapse. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A479.

Intraoperative colonic pulse oximetry in left-sided colorectal surgery: can it predict anastomotic leak?

BACKGROUND: An anastomotic leak is a fairly common and a potentially lethal complication in colorectal surgery. Objective methods to assess the viability and blood circulation of the anastomosis could help in preventing leaks. Intraoperative pulse oximetry is a cheap, easy to use, fast, and readily available method to assess tissue viability. Our aim was to study whether intraoperative pulse oximetry can predict the development of an anastomotic leak. METHODS: The study was a prospective single-arm study conducted between the years 2005 and 2011 in Helsinki University Hospital. Patient material consisted of 422 patients undergoing elective left-sided colorectal surgery. The patients were operated by one of the three surgeons. All of the operations were partial or total resections of the left side of the colon with a colorectal anastomosis. The intraoperative colonic oxygen saturation was measured with pulse oximetry from the colonic wall, and the values were analyzed with respect to post-operative complications. RESULTS: 2.3 times more operated anastomotic leaks occurred when the colonic StO2 was ≤ 90% (11/129 vs 11/293). The mean colonic StO2 was 91.1 in patients who developed an operated anastomotic leak and 93.0 in patients who did not. With logistic regression analysis, the risk of operated anastomotic leak was 4.2 times higher with StO2 values ≤ 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Low intraoperative colonic StO2 values are associated with the occurrence of anastomotic leak. Despite its handicaps, the method seems to be useful in assessing anastomotic viability.

Intra-Abdominal Adhesions Make the Interpretation of Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Crohn's Disease More Difficult.

AIMS: The present study compares preoperative magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) accuracy in diagnosing stenoses, abscesses and fistulas to intraoperative findings in Crohn's disease patients, and determines whether discordance between these methods alter surgical plans. METHODS: Our study included 55 consecutive patients scheduled for elective surgery due to Crohn's disease in a single institution between January 2011 and May 2015, whose surgical findings were also compared to preoperative MREs. Data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among these 55 patients, we found 80 stenoses, 5 abscesses and 18 fistulas during surgery. The MRE sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively, reached 100, 77.8 and 96.4% for stenoses; 80.0, 90.0 and 89.1% for abscesses; and 77.8, 83.8 and 81.8% for fistulas. The operative plan was modified for 7 patients (12.7%) due to erroneous MRE diagnoses. No patient needed conversion or an unplanned stoma placement due to an incorrect diagnosis using MRE. The MRE diagnosis did not agree with the surgical findings for 36 lesions, 16 of which resulted from adhesions that explained the incorrect MRE diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, while MRE is a useful diagnostic tool preoperatively in Crohn's disease patients, the presence of intra-abdominal adhesions may cause erroneous diagnosis through MRE.

Gene mutations in stool from gastric and colorectal neoplasia patients by next-generation sequencing.

AIM: To study cancer hotspot mutations by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in stool DNA from patients with different gastrointestinal tract (GIT) neoplasms. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 87 Finnish patients diagnosed with various gastric and colorectal neoplasms, including benign tumors, and from 14 healthy controls. DNA was isolated from stools by using the PSP® Spin Stool DNA Plus Kit. For each sample, 20 ng of DNA was used to construct sequencing libraries using the Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 or Ion AmpliSeq Colon and Lung Cancer panel v2. Sequencing was performed on Ion PGM. Torrent Suite Software v.5.2.2 was used for variant calling and data analysis. RESULTS: NGS was successful in assaying 72 GIT samples and 13 healthy controls, with success rates of the assay being 78% for stomach neoplasia and 87% for colorectal tumors. In stool specimens from patients with gastric neoplasia, five hotspot mutations were found in APC, CDKN2A and EGFR genes, in addition to seven novel mutations. From colorectal patients, 20 mutations were detected in AKT1, APC, ERBB2, FBXW7, KIT, KRAS, NRAS, SMARCB1, SMO, STK11 and TP53. Healthy controls did not exhibit any hotspot mutations, except for two novel ones. APC and TP53 were the most frequently mutated genes in colorectal neoplasms, with five mutations, followed by KRAS with two mutations. APC was the most commonly mutated gene in stools of patients with premalignant/benign GIT lesions. CONCLUSION: Our results show that in addition to colorectal neoplasms, mutations can also be assayed from stool specimens of patients with gastric neoplasms.

Factors that Can Promote or Impede the Advancement of Women as Leaders in Surgery: Results from an International Survey.

BACKGROUND: Compared with male surgeons, women have less success advancing their careers and are underrepresented in leadership positions in surgery. The purpose of this study is to identify the qualifications necessary to become leaders in surgery and the career barriers faced by women surgeons in various cultural environments. METHODS: A survey was performed with women surgeons in Japan, USA, Finland, and Hong Kong, China, to assess various barriers faced by women surgeons in the respective countries. To develop appropriate survey tool, a preliminary questionnaire was distributed to leaders in surgery and also in various organizations worldwide. RESULTS: The response rate was 23 % with 225 of 964 survey returned. Japanese women surgeons identify lacked family support as impeding a successful surgical career. US women surgeons feel more latent gender discrimination. Finnish women surgeons are less likely to need to sacrifice work-life balance, when holding leadership positions. Women surgeons worldwide are highly motivated to develop their career and agree the percentage of women surgeons in leadership positions should be increased. CONCLUSIONS: Women surgeons in different countries perceive different challenges. We must develop strategies and should not hesitate to negotiate to overcome these issues to reach leadership positions in surgery. This may be accomplished through networking worldwide to improve current conditions and obstacles.

Prospective, Randomized Study on the Use of a Prosthetic Mesh for Prevention of Parastomal Hernia of Permanent Colostomy.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic placement of a mesh has been suggested to prevent parastomal hernia, but evidence to support this approach is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether laparoscopic placement of a prophylactic, dual-component, intraperitoneal onlay mesh around a colostomy is safe and prevents parastomal hernia formation after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. DESIGN: This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 2 university and 3 central Finnish hospitals. PATIENTS: From 2010 to 2013, 83 patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were recruited. After withdrawals and exclusions, the outcome of 70 patients, 35 patients in each study group, could be examined. INTERVENTIONS: In the intervention group, an end colostomy was created with placement of a intraperitoneal, dual-component onlay mesh and compared with a group with a traditional stoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the incidence of clinically and radiologically detected parastomal hernias and their extent 12 months after surgery. Stoma-related morbidity and the need for surgical repair of parastomal hernia were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Parastomal hernia was observed by clinical inspection in 5 intervention patients (14.3%) and in 12 control patients (32.3%; p = 0.049). Surgical repair of parastomal hernia was performed in 1 control patient (3.2%) and in none of the patients in the intervention group. CT detected parastomal hernia in 18 intervention patients (51.4%) and in 17 control patients (53.1%; p = 1.00). The extent of hernias was similar according to European Hernia Society classification (p = 0.41). Colostomy-related morbidity (32.3% vs 14.3%; p = 0.140) did not differ between the study groups. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its small size and short follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic laparoscopic placement of intraperitoneal onlay mesh does not significantly reduce the overall risk of radiologically detected parastomal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. However, prophylactic mesh repair was associated with significantly lower risk of clinically detected parastomal hernia.

Low anterior resection combined with a covering stoma in the treatment of rectal cancer reduces the risk of permanent anastomotic failure.

PURPOSE: The adoption of the total mesorectum excision technique and circular stapler devices has enabled the performance of ultralow colorectal anastomosis in rectal cancer surgery. However, rupture of the anastomosis still usually leads to a permanent stoma. The aim of this study was to analyze the cumulative failure rate and risk factors associated with reversal of colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer, using standardized surgical regimen with the routine use of covering stoma. Our secondary interest was the feasibilities of redo surgery after failure. METHODS: This was a retrospective study with 579 consecutive rectal cancer patients operated on at Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland during 2005-2011. Data were collected from patient records. After exclusions, 273 consecutive patients treated with a low anterior resection with a protective stoma were included. RESULTS: In total, 23 out of 271 (8.5 %) of the colorectal/coloanal anastomoses were converted to a permanent stoma. In five patients (1.8 %), the covering stoma was not closed. The permanent stoma rate was thus 28 out of 271 (10.3 %). The risk factors associated with failure were the tumor distance from the anal verge (p = 0.03), coloanal anastomosis (p = 0.003), early anastomotic complication (p < 0.001), anastomotic fistula (p < 0.001), anal incontinence (p = 0.05), and local recurrence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our standardized surgical regimen with a covering stoma in low anterior resection for rectal cancer resulted in a minor anastomosis failure rate and a low risk of permanent stoma.

Pattern of rectal cancer recurrence after curative surgery.

PURPOSE: After curative rectal cancer surgery, local recurrences manifest in 2.4-10% and distant metastases in 20-50% of patients. The effectiveness of different surveillance regimens is not well established. We evaluated the pattern of recurrence and the utility of different surveillance instruments. Risk factors for recurrence were also recorded. METHODS: This retrospective study comprises 580 consecutive rectal cancer patients operated on at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland, during 2005-2011. Data were collected from patient records. After exclusions, 481 patients treated with curative intent remained. Patients were followed up according to an intensive surveillance program. RESULTS: Rectal cancer recurrence was observed in 124 patients (25.8%). Local recurrence manifested in 40 patients (8.3%) and distant metastases in 112 patients (23.3%). Recurrences were observed a median of 1.3 years after surgery. Twelve patients had to be followed up to find one local recurrence and four patients to find one distant metastasis. Recurrences detected during regular follow-up visits were discovered on average earlier than those detected in additional visits arranged because of patient symptoms (p = 0.023 for local recurrence, p = 0.001 for distant metastases). All surveillance instruments were similarly useful in finding recurrence. Curative treatment was possible in 51 (41.1%) of 124 patients with disease recurrence. Follow-up led to a 10.0% chance of detecting recurrence that could be treated with curative intent. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer recurrences are detected earlier within a surveillance program than by symptoms alone. The most intensive follow-up should be focused on patients with known risk factors for recurrence.

[Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer]. / Laparoskopia peräsuolisyövän hoidossa.

Standardization of surgical techniques according to the TME (total mesorectal excision) principles is the most important single factor in improving treatment outcome in rectal cancer. In skilled hands surgical specimens are of equal quality both in open and laparoscopic surgery. In selected patient groups, cancer of the middle or low rectum can also be managed laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon and under good circumstances. Since both immediate and long-term results from large international randomized multicenter studies are lacking so far, open surgery should still be considered as the standard method for rectal cancer.

Epidural analgesia diminished pain but did not otherwise improve enhanced recovery after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The primary hypothesis for this study was that epidural analgesia reduces the use of opioids and thus advances bowel function and oral intake and shortens hospital stay after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy performed according to principles of enhanced recovery after surgery. METHODS: For this study, 60 patients with complicated diverticular disease were randomized to the epidural anesthesia group or the control group before surgery. Postoperative oxycodone consumption, pain, and recovery parameters were followed for 14 days. RESULTS: The epidural group needed less oxycodone than the control group until 12 h postoperatively. They experienced significantly less pain related to coughing and motion until postoperative day 2. In the epidural group, fewer patients experienced significant pain, and the duration of postoperative pain was shorter. Postoperative oral intake, bowel function, hospital stay, and overall complication rate were similar in the two groups. However, the control group had more postoperative hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural analgesia significantly alleviates pain, reducing the need for opioids during the first 48 h after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. However, epidural analgesia does not alter postoperative oral intake, mobilization, or length of hospital stay.

Estimating the probability of cancer with several tumor markers in patients with colorectal disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare serum tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and hCGbeta, and their value in the diagnosis of malignant colorectal disease. METHODS: The serum concentrations of the markers were measured in 204 patients with colorectal cancer and in 104 inpatients with benign colorectal disease. The combined use of the markers was evaluated with a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: When all five markers were evaluated in the same model, only CEA and CA 72-4 provided significant diagnostic information (p < 0.001), indicating that their combination improves the accuracy. The probability of cancer for each patient was calculated entering CEA and CA 72-4 in the logistic regression model. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed, and the difference in the area under the curve (AUC) values was determined between the markers and the calculated probability of cancer. Of the individual markers, the highest AUC was observed for CEA (AUC = 0.746). The difference in the AUC between CEA and CA 72-4 (AUC = 0.716) was insignificant (p = 0.492), but between CEA and the other three markers it was significant (p < 0.015). The calculated probability of cancer index, based on a combination of CEA and CA 72-4, had a significantly higher AUC (AUC = 0.804) than CEA alone (AUC = 0.746; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of CA 72-4 was additive to that of CEA in colorectal cancer, and both markers contributed with significant diagnostic information. As a diagnostic test, the probability of cancer calculated with logistic regression provided higher accuracy than any of the markers alone, implying that it might be a useful diagnostic tool.

CEA, CA 242, CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and hCGbeta in the diagnosis of recurrent colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of serum CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)beta in the follow-up of 102 surgically treated colorectal cancer patients, out of which 40 patients developed clinical recurrence. METHODS: In patients with recurrent disease, serum samples were obtained at the time of clinical recurrence, and in the disease-free group, they were obtained postoperatively. The combined use of the markers was evaluated with logistic regression analysis. The sensitivities of the different tumour markers at various specificity levels were compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: When the five tumour markers, Dukes stage and location of the primary tumour were evaluated together in the same model, only CEA provided significant diagnostic information (p < 0.0005) in addition to the location of the primary tumour (p = 0.003). The diagnostic information provided by the other serum tumour markers was insignificant, although CA 72-4 approached borderline significance (p = 0.053). ROC curves were constructed and the difference in the values of the area under the curve (AUC) between the different serum tumour markers was determined at the time of clinical recurrence. Of the individual markers, the highest AUC was observed for CEA (AUC = 0.931). The difference in AUC values between CEA and the other tumour markers was highly significant (p < or = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CEA had the highest diagnostic accuracy in detecting recurrent colorectal cancer. Inclusion of CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 or hCGbeta in the model did not improve the accuracy, although CA 72-4 approached borderline significance (p = 0.053). Thus, CEA seems to retain its position as the surveillance marker of choice for patients surgically treated for colorectal cancer.

Serum HCG beta, CA 72-4 and CEA are independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer.

In colorectal cancer, stage is considered to be the strongest prognostic factor, but also serum tumour markers have been reported to be of prognostic value. The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG beta) in colorectal cancer. Preoperative serum samples were obtained from 204 colorectal cancer patients, including 31 patients with Dukes' A, 70 with Dukes' B, 49 with Dukes' C and 54 with Dukes' D cancer. The serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 72-4 were measured with commercial kits with cut-off values of 5 microg/L for CEA, 37 kU/L for CA 19-9, 20 kU/L for CA 242 and 6 kU/L for CA 72-4. The serum hCG beta was quantitated by an immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) with 2 pmol/L as a cut-off value. Survival analyses were performed with Kaplan-Meier life tables, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. The sensitivity was 44% for CEA, 26% for CA 19-9, 36% for CA 242, 27% for CA 72-4 and 16% for hCG beta. The overall 5-year survival was 55%, and in Dukes' A, B, C and D cancers the survival was 89%, 77%, 52% and 3%, respectively. Elevated serum values of all markers correlated with worse survival (p < 0.001). In Cox multivariate analysis, the strongest prognostic factor was Dukes' stage (p < 0.001), followed by tumour location (p = 0.002) and preoperative serum markers hCG beta (p = 0.002), CA 72-4 (p = 0.003) and CEA (p = 0.005). In conclusion, elevated CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and hCG beta relate to poor outcome in colorectal cancer. In multivariate analysis, independent prognostic significance was observed with hCG beta, CA 72-4 and CEA.