Laparoscopic approach in a case of retroperitoneal and mesorectal haematoma following STARR procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) is a widely accepted procedure for treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We analyzed major bleeding following STARR and exposed our experience regarding its conservative management with particular attention about diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. DISCUSSION: A case by case discussion should be carried out and treatments should be driven by the features and the progression of the haematoma with regards to size, inflammatory signs or severe rectal obstruction. CONCLUSION: If a second surgical time and exploration is considered, laparoscopy should be an effective choice while laparotomy, stoma or rectal resection should be considered in those cases with strong suspicious of peritonitis and pelvic abscess.

Robotic hybrid technique in rectal surgery for deep pelvic endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Deep pelvic endometriosis is a complex disorder that affects 6% to 12% of all women in childbearing age. The incidence of bowel endometriosis ranges between 5.3% and 12%, with rectum and sigma being the most frequently involved tracts, accounting for about 80% of cases. It has been reported that segmental colorectal resection is the best surgical option in terms of recurrence rate and improvement of symptoms. The aim of this study is to analyze indications, feasibility, limits, and short-term results of robotic (Da Vinci Surgical System)-assisted laparoscopic rectal sigmoidectomy for the treatment of deep pelvic endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2010, 19 women with bowel endometriosis underwent colorectal resection through the robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. Intraoperative and postoperative data were collected. All procedures were performed in a single center and short-term complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Nineteen robotic-assisted laparoscopic colorectal resections for infiltrating endometriosis were achieved. Additional procedures were performed in 7 patients (37%). No laparotomic conversion was performed. No intraoperative complications were observed. The mean operative time was 370 minutes (range = 250-720 minutes), and the estimated blood loss was 250 mL (range = 50-350 mL). The overall complication rate was 10% (2 rectovaginal fistulae). CONCLUSIONS: Deep pelvic endometriosis is a benign condition but may have substantial impact on quality of life due to severe pelvic symptoms. We believe that robotic-assisted laparoscopic colorectal resection is a feasible and relatively safe procedure in the context of close collaboration between gynecologists and surgeons for treatment of deep pelvic endometriosis with intestinal involvement, with low rates of complications and significant improvement of intestinal symptoms.

Application of Petersen Index score for Dukes'B colorectal cancer in a population of 103 consecutive resected patients.

Dukes' B colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a wide spectrum of disease from early penetration through the bowel wall to aggressive and extensive tumours with extramural venous spread and involvement of the serosa, surgical margins or adjacent organs. Among Dukes' B cancers, Petersen Index allows stratification to identify those patients whom chemotherapy may benefit. One hundred and three resected patients with CRC Dukes' B were included prospectively in a database and considered in the present study. According to Petersen Index, a score (from 0 to 4) for each patient was calculated on the basis of peritoneal and margin involvement, venous invasion and tumour perforation. Twenty-four out of 103 tumours were located in the rectum and 79 in the colon. According to PI score 59 patients had a score of 0, 30 of 1 and 14 of ≥2. The overall R0 resection was achieved in 95.1 % of cases and the majority of patients with PI score of ≥2 were R1-2. The mean of harvested lymph nodes was 23.6 (±10.7) with no difference according to the PI score. Patients in the high-risk group had a worse 5-year survival rate (66.3 %) compared with the other group (P < 0.009). Multivariate analysis validated the PI score as a significant independent factor (P = 0.017). Both high-quality pathology and adequate harvested lymph nodes are needed for a proper staging. Even though the influence of PI score on survival is confirmed as it leads to an additional rate of colorectal cancer being considered for adjuvant therapy, we underline that a comparison with additional clinical and histological prognostic factors should be needed.

Hiding intersphincteric and transphincteric sepsis in a novel pathological approach to chronic anal fissure.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endoanal ultrasonographic findings could better characterize chronic anal fissures, mostly in those patients with persistent and recurrent disease after medical treatment. METHODS: Between January 2004 and April 2010, patients referred to our departments suspected for anal fissure were considered in a database. Physical examination and anoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of anal fissure in 543 patients. Chronicity was defined on the basis of morphological features of the fissure and mainly on its persistence or recurrence after medical therapy. Moreover, 172 out of 543 patients were selected with respect to the inclusion criteria and submitted to endoanal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Seventeen out of 172 were anterior fissures (9.8%) and 155 posterior (90.2%). In 112 (65.1%) out of 172 patients submitted to endoanal ultrasonography, an associated chronic abscess was demonstrated, with expression of 91 intersphincteric and 21 low transphincteric fistulas, respectively. According to clinical data as well as comorbidities and previous surgery, there were no significant differences between patients with associated abscess and those with only chronic anal fissure. CONCLUSION: The authors assume that chronic fissures may persist because of hiding sepsis in the anal canal and that chronic anal fissure might be the clinical and pathological expression of a coexisting intersphincteric or low transphincteric fistula, and the ultrasonographic findings strongly support this theory.

Resected specimen evaluation, anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasonography and clinical follow-up after STARR procedures.

AIM: To investigate stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) procedures as surgical techniques for obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) by analyzing specimen evaluation, anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasonography and clinical follow-up. METHODS: From January to December 2007, we have treated 30 patients. Fifteen treated with double PPH-01 staplers and 15 treated using new CCS 30 contour. Resected specimen were measured with respect to average surface and volume. All patients have been evaluated at 24 mo with clinical examination, anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Average surface in the CCS 30 group was 54.5 cm² statistically different when compared to the STARR group (36.92 cm²). The average volume in the CCS 30 group was 29.8 cc, while in the PPH-01 it was 23.8 cc and difference was statistically significant. The mean hospital stay in the CCS 30 group was 3.1 d, while in the PPH-01 group the median hospital stay was 3.4 d. As regards the long-term follow-up, an overall satisfactory rate of 83.3% (25/30) was achieved. Endoanal ultrasonography performed 1 year following surgery was considered normal in both of the studied groups. Mean resting pressure was higher than the preoperative value (67.2 mmHg in the STARR group and 65.7 mmHg in the CCS30 group vs 54.7 mmHg and 55.3 mmHg, respectively). Resting and squeezing pressures were lower in those patients not satisfied, but data are not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The STARR procedure with two PPH-01 is a safe surgical procedure to correct ODS. The new Contour CCS 30 could help to increase the amount of the resected tissue without differences in early complications, post-operative pain and in hospital stay compared to the STARR with two PPH-01 technique.

Is circulating D-dimer level a better prognostic indicator than CEA in resectable colorectal cancer? Our experience on 199 cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical impact of D-dimer (DD) as a tumor marker in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The prognostic value of preoperative DD measurement was assessed in relation to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. METHODS: DD and CEA levels were measured preoperatively in 199 patients who underwent resection for CRC and the results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The preoperative mean (± SD) levels of DD and CEA were 347.5 (± 940.1) ng/mL and 106.4 (± 1099.2) ng/mL. The DD level was significantly correlated with the nature of surgery (emergency vs. elective; p=0.002), presence of residual tumor (R1-2 vs R0; p=0.037), and tumor diameter (p<0.001). Conversely, DD was not correlated with tumor grade, pT, pN and M stages, and stage according to the Dukes classification. The 5-year survival rates were 80% and 64% for patients with negative and positive DD values, respectively (p=0.156). CEA was significantly related to all major prognostic factors (resection category, pT, pN and M stages as well as Dukes stage). A significantly worse prognosis was observed for patients with positive CEA levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed CEA as an independent prognostic factor (p=0.005), whilst DD was not (p=0.796). CONCLUSIONS: The possible clinical usefulness of preoperative assessment of DD suggested by previous studies has not been confirmed by our data. CEA was confirmed to be the most reliable and valid indicator of prognosis.

A rare case of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma with intussusception.

Other than in childhood, intussusception is unusual and nearly always caused by a structural and well demonstrable lesion. In contrast with the colon tract, the incidence of primary malignancies in the small bowel is very low. We report the case of a 51-year-old man presenting with jejunal intussusception due to a primary adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, only a few similar cases have been reported in the literature to date. The patient was referred to our division for bowel obstruction. A CT scan showed a jejunal intussusception and surgical exploration was hence considered. At laparotomy, jejunal intussusception located just after the ligament of Treitz due to a polypoid lesion was confirmed and resection of the first jejunal loop was carried out. Histological examination of the specimen resulted in a diagnosis of a primary adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. In adult intestinal intussusception, resection without reduction is considered the optimal management if an underlying primary malignancy cannot be excluded.

Impact of age-related comorbidity on results of colorectal cancer surgery.

AIM: To analyze the correlation between preexisting comorbidity and other clinicopathological features, short-term surgical outcome and long-term survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: According to age, 403 patients operated on for CRC in our department were divided into group A (< 70 years old) and group B (> or = 70 years old) and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Rectal localization prevailed in group A (31.6% vs 19.7%, P = 0.027), whereas the percentage of R0 resections was 77% in the two groups. Comorbidity rate was 46.2% and 69.1% for group A and B, respectively (P < 0.001), with a huge difference as regards cardiovascular diseases. Overall, postoperative morbidity was 16.9% and 20.8% in group A and B, respectively (P = 0.367), whereas mortality was limited to group B (4.5%, P = 0.001). In both groups, patients who suffered from postoperative complications had a higher overall comorbidity rate, with preexisting cardiovascular diseases prevailing in group B (P = 0.003). Overall 5-year survival rate was significantly better for group A (75.2% vs 55%, P = 0.006), whereas no significant difference was observed considering disease-specific survival (76.3% vs 76.9%, P = 0.674). CONCLUSION: In spite of an increase in postoperative mortality and a lower overall long-term survival for patients aged > or = 70 years old, it should be considered that, even in the elderly group, a significant number of patients is alive 5 years after CRC resection.

Primary non-Hodgkin's breast lymphoma: Surgical approach.

We report the case of a 38-year old woman affected by primary lymphoma of the right breast, with disease progression after chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy, successfully treated with a modified radical mastectomy. The literature of primary breast lymphomas has been reviewed and discussed in relation to our case. Our experience stresses the importance of a radical surgical approach in a locally advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast unresponsive to radio and chemotherapy.

Treatment of the intraabdominal abscesses through percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage in oncological patients: Clinical and microbiological data.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Oncological patients are particularly prone to the onset of septic complications such as abdominal abscesses. The aim of our study was to analyze clinical and microbiological data in a population of oncological patients, submitted to percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage (PUD) for postoperative abdominal abscesses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 24 patients operated on for neoplastic pathologies and treated with PUD for abdominal abscesses during the postoperative period were reviewed. In all cases cultural examination with antibiogram was performed. RESULTS: In 5 out of 24 patients (20.8%), the abdominal abscesses appeared after the discharge, with a mean hospital stay of 34.2 +/- 24.9 days. In six out of 24 patients (25%) there were multiple abscesses localizations. The cultural examination was positive in 23 patients and negative only in one patient. Abscesses localized only in the upper abdominal regions had a significant prevalence of monomicrobial cultural examinations (57.1%) with respect to the results for abscesses placed in the lower abdominal regions, that were polymicrobial in 88.8% of cases (p = 0.027). An antibiogram demonstrated a stronger activity of beta-lactamines, chinolones, and glycopeptides with respect to aminogycosides, cephalosporins, and metronidazole. CONCLUSIONS: In oncological patients, the planning of the empiric antibiotic therapy should be based on the anatomotopographic localization of the abdominal abscess and on the typology of the operation performed giving preference to beta-lactamines, chinolones and glycopeptides.

Presacral ganglioneuroma: a case report and review of literature.

Presacral ganglioneuromas are so rare benign tumors that only 17 cases have been reported in the literature. They are abdominal masses growing slowly and differential diagnoses have to be considered. Surgical resection is important for definitive diagnosis because it represents the only therapeutic choice. Because of the benign nature of ganglioneuroma, adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy is not indicated but regular follow-up is necessary for an early diagnosis of potential local recurrence. We report a case of a 64-year-old man with a presacral ganglioneuroma.

Giant liposarcoma of the mesentery. Report of a case.

Liposarcomas represent the single most common type of soft tissue sarcoma. Its abdominal localization is rare, occurring in only 5% of cases. A 55 year old male was found to have a case of primary giant liposarcoma of the mesenterium with a maximum diameter of 40 cm and weight of 9 kg. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a large mass presenting a dishomogeneous density with an adipose component, probably of mesenteric origin. A xifopubic laparotomy confirmed the presence of a pedunculated growth originating from the mesentery. The mass was removed and the histopathological report noted a well differentiated sclerosing liposarcoma with the peritoneal liquid positive for malignant cells. Surgery currently represents the only possibly curative therapy for this type of tumour but close long-term follow up and accurate evaluation of the clinicopathologic parameters are needed.

[Empiric antibiotic therapy in the treatment of postoperative abdominal abscesses. Clinical and microbiological data]. / Antibioticoterapia empirica nel trattamento degli ascessi addominali postoperatori. Dati clinici e microbiologici.

Abdominal abscesses arising postoperatively constitute a serious problem, particularly in the field of oncological surgery. The aim of our study was to interpret clinical and microbiological data relating to a population of oncological patients, undergoing ultrasound-guided drainage for postoperative abdominal abscesses, so as to be able to better plan empiric antibiotic therapy. We therefore retrospectively analysed the data of 24 patients operated on for neoplastic pathologies and treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage for abdominal abscesses during the postoperative period. Microbiological and clinical data showed that abscesses located in the lower abdominal regions almost always present a polymicrobial growth, though abscesses in the upper regions are more frequent. Moreover, the antibiotic assay results prompted us to consider the use of beta-lactamines, quinolones and glycopeptides more favourably, in view of their greater efficacy against the microbes tested. Thus, the planning of empiric antibiotic therapy should be based above all on the anatomical-topographic location of the abdominal abscess and on the type of operation performed, with thorough assessment of the use of the above-mentioned antibiotics.

Adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia in the elderly: surgical problems and prognostic factors.

AIM: To analyze retrospectively, our results about patients who underwent surgical treatment for adenocarcinoma of the cardia in relation to age, in order to evaluate surgical problems and prognostic factors. METHODS: From January 1987 to March 2003, 140 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia underwent resection in the authors institution. They were divided into three groups with regard to age. Patients < 70 and > 60 year old (31) were excluded; we also excluded 18 out of 109 patients with poor general status or systemic metastases. So, we compared 51 elderly (> or = 70 year old) and 58 younger patients (> or = 60 year old). The treatment was esophagectomy for type I tumors, and extended gastrectomy and distal esophagectomy for type II and III lesions. RESULTS: Laparotomy was carried out in 91 patients (83.4%), 38 in the elderly (74.5%) and 53 in younger patients (91.3%, P<0.05). Primary resection was performed in 81 cases (89%) without significant differences between the two groups. Postoperative death was higher in the elderly (12.1%) than the other group (4.1%, P<0.05), while morbidity was similar in both groups. A curative resection (R0) was performed in 59 patients (72.8%), 69.6% in the elderly and 75% in the younger group (P>0.05). The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 26.7% and 17.8% respectively for the elderly and 40.7% and 35.1% respectively for younger patients (P=0.1544). Survival rates were significantly associated with R0 resection, pathological node-positive category and tumor differentiation in both groups. CONCLUSION: As the age of the general population increases, more elderly patients with gastric cardia cancer will be candidates for surgical resection. Age alone should not preclude surgical treatment in elderly patients with gastric cardia cancer and a tumor resection can be carried out safely. Certainly, we should take care in defining the surgical treatment in elderly patients, particularly as regarding the surgical approach; although the surgical approach does not influence the survival rate, the transhiatal way still remains the best one due, to the lower incidence of respiratory morbidity and thoracic pain.

Surgical therapy of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: analysis of prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The surgical strategy of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is still controversial. This study aims at analyzing our surgical results about these lesions in order to define the prognostic factors. METHODOLOGY: From January 1987 to March 2003, 113 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia underwent resection in the authors' institution: 19 patients (16.8%) had type I tumors, 35 (30.9%) type II and 59 (52.2%) type III. The treatment was esophagectomy for type I tumors, and extended gastrectomy and distal esophagectomy for type II and III lesions. Morbidity, mortality and the survival rate were determined retrospectively. RESULTS: Primary resection was performed in 113 patients out of 150 (75.3%). Mortality and morbidity rates were 7.96 and 38.05% respectively. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 35.1 and 26.3% respectively. Survival rates were significantly associated with R0 resection (P<0.001), pathological node-positive category (P<0.001) and tumor differentiation (P=0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of adenocarcinoma of the EGJ is still unfavorable, but the true prognostic factors are complete macroscopic and microscopic tumor resection, pN category and tumor differentiation. Although the surgical approach does not influence the survival rate, the transhiatal way still remains the best one due to the lower incidence of respiratory morbidity and thoracic pain.