Rehabilitation following surgery: clinical and psychological predictors of activity limitations.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Activity limitations following surgery are common, and patients may have an extended period of pain and rehabilitation. Inguinal hernia surgery is a common elective procedure. This study incorporated fear-avoidance models in investigating cognitive and emotional variables as potential risk factors for activity limitations 4 months after inguinal hernia surgery. METHOD: This was a prospective cohort study, predicting activity limitations 4 months postoperatively (Time 3 [T3]) from measures taken before surgery (Time 1, [T1]) and 1 week after surgery (Time 2 [T2]). The sample size at T1 was 135; response rates were 89% and 84% at T2 and T3 respectively. Questionnaires included measures of catastrophizing, fear of movement, depression, anxiety, optimism, perceived control over pain, pain, and activity limitations. Biomedical and surgical variables were recorded. Predictors of T3 activity limitations from T1 and T2 were examined in hierarchical multiple regression equations. RESULTS: Over half of participants (57.7%) reported activity limitations due to their hernia at 4 months post-surgery. Higher activity limitation levels were significantly predicted by older age, higher preoperative activity limitations, higher preoperative anxiety, and more severe postoperative pain and depression scores. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Interventions to reduce preoperative anxiety and postoperative depression may lead to reduced 4-month activity limitations. However, the additional variance explained by psychological variables was low (ΔR² = 0.05). Our models, which included biomedical and surgical variables, accounted for less than 50% of the variance in activity limitations overall. Therefore, further investigation of psychological variables, particularly cognitions related specifically to activity behavior, would be merited.

Psychological risk factors for chronic post-surgical pain after inguinal hernia repair surgery: a prospective cohort study.

A significant proportion of patients experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) following inguinal hernia surgery. Psychological models are useful in predicting acute pain after surgery, and in predicting the transition from acute to chronic pain in non-surgical contexts. This is a prospective cohort study to investigate psychological (cognitive and emotional) risk factors for CPSP after inguinal hernia surgery. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires before surgery and 1 week and 4 months after surgery. Data collected before surgery and 1 week after surgery were used to predict pain at 4 months. Psychological risk factors assessed included anxiety, depression, fear-avoidance, activity avoidance, catastrophizing, worry about the operation, activity expectations, perceived pain control and optimism. The study included 135 participants; follow-up questionnaires were returned by 119 (88.1%) and 115 (85.2%) participants at 1 week and 4 months after surgery respectively. The incidence of CPSP (pain at 4 months) was 39.5%. After controlling for age, body mass index and surgical variables (e.g. anaesthetic, type of surgery and mesh type used), lower pre-operative optimism was an independent risk factor for CPSP at 4 months; lower pre-operative optimism and lower perceived control over pain at 1 week after surgery predicted higher pain intensity at 4 months. No emotional variables were independently predictive of CPSP. Further research should target these cognitive variables in pre-operative psychological preparation for surgery.

Potential Pain Management Programmes in primary care. A UK-wide questionnaire and Delphi survey of experts.

BACKGROUND: Most chronic pain patients are treated in primary care and their management is often challenging. Secondary care- or private sector-based Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) offering intensive multidisciplinary approaches have been found to improve participants' physical performance and psychological well-being. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the components and perceived outcomes of multidisciplinary PMPs in the UK and to explore expert health care providers' opinions about important characteristics of an ideal yet practical PMP for delivery in primary care. METHODS: All PMPs in the UK (n = 77), identified through the British Pain Society, were invited to participate. Each PMP was sent a postal questionnaire. We then conducted a modified Delphi survey with 18 pain management experts from a range of professional backgrounds. RESULTS: A representative from 54 (response rate 70.1%) PMPs completed a questionnaire. Most PMPs were delivered in National Health Service outpatient secondary care by physiotherapists (98%), psychologists (94%), pain specialists (61%), nurses (54%) and occupational therapists (52%). There was evidence of reasonably prolonged follow-up of participants and use of a range of clinical outcome measures. Consensus was reached on most components and outcomes of a potential primary care-based PMP. 'Necessary' components included training in, and information about, self-management, general fitness, posture and mobility. Input from a physiotherapist and clinical or health psychologist was identified as key to the PMP. Preferred patient outcome measures were related to emotional well-being, self-efficacy and coping and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Future research should look to design, deliver and evaluate a primary care-based intervention based on these findings.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery is feasible in complex colorectal resections and could enable day case colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Fast-track surgery accelerates recovery, reduces morbidity, and shortens hospital stay. However, the benefits of laparoscopic versus open surgery remain unproven within a fast-track program. Case reports of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) colectomies are appearing with claims of cosmetic advantage and decreased parietal trauma. This report describes the largest case series of LESS colorectal surgery and its effects on recovery. METHODS: In this series, 20 consecutive unselected patients underwent LESS colorectal surgery including right hemicolectomy (n = 3), extended right hemicolectomy, high anterior resection (n = 2), low anterior resection involving total mesorectal excision (TME; n = 3), ileocolic anastomosis (n = 2, including 1 redo surgery), colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (n = 4, including 1 with ventral mesh rectopexy), panproctocolectomy (n = 2), proctocolectomy and ileoanal pouch (n = 2) and an abdominoperineal excision of rectum. Single-port conventional instrumentation and transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block analgesia were used. The indications included cancer (n = 8), Crohn's disease (n = 4), ulcerative colitis (n = 3) complicated diverticulosis (n = 2), and slow-transit constipation (n = 3). Eight of the patients had undergone previous surgery. RESULTS: Most of the cases (90%) were managed successfully using the LESS technique and conventional instrumentation. Two operations (10%) were converted to standard laparoscopy, due to insufficient theater time and an unstable port. The operative time ranged from 45 to 240 min (median, 110 min). A normal diet was tolerated within 6 h by 7 patients and in 12 to 16 h (overnight) by 11 patients. Complications included anastomotic bleed (n = 1), ileus (n = 2), acute renal failure secondary to hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia (n = 1), urine retention (n = 1), and wound infection (n = 1). The median hospital stay was 46 h (range, 7-384 h). Eight patients were discharged within 24 h. There was one readmission (5%). CONCLUSION: Laparoendoscopic single-site colorectal resection using conventional instrumentation is feasible and safe when performed by an experienced team. The LESS approach may have advantages in terms of minimal pain, cosmesis, lower costs, and faster recovery. A randomized trial is required to confirm whether LESS offers a true patient benefit over standard laparoscopic resection.

The role of laparoscopic surgery for the management of acute large bowel obstruction.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of laparoscopic management of large bowel obstruction (LBO). METHOD: A prospective electronic database (April 2001-June 2009) was used to identify outcomes in consecutive patients presenting with LBO. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (13 male) median age 68 years (range 56-92 years), ASA grade I (2), II (6), III (14) and IV (2), underwent surgery for LBO secondary to cancer (21) and diverticulosis (3). Supervised trainees performed four operations. Operations included anterior resection (10), Hartmann's resection (6), right/extended hemicolectomy (7) and colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (1). The median operating time was 100 min (range 65-180 min). There were two (8%) conversions. The median time to normal diet was 24 h (range 2-192 h) and median hospital stay 3 days (range 1-30 days). Complications, seen in six patients, included atrial fibrillation (2), wound infection (2), ileus (2), CO(2) retention (1), stoma necrosis (1), circulatory collapse/bowel ischaemia (1) and anastomotic leak (1). There was one (4%) readmission and two (8%) returns to theatre. One patient died. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resectional surgery in acute LBO is feasible and safe with a low complication rate that enables early hospital discharge.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in complex colorectal surgery: a technique offering potential and not just cosmesis.

AIM: Single-incision (or port) laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has recently emerged as a method to improve morbidity and cosmetic benefit of conventional laparoscopic surgery. The literature contains two reports of SILS right hemicolectomy, and we report our experience of this technique. METHOD: Seven consecutive, unselected patients underwent SILS retrocaecal appendicectomy, right hemicolectomy, extended right hemicolectomy, colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, proctocolectomy, anterior resection and restorative proctocolectomy/ileoanal pouch using a single Triport (Olympus Keymed, Southend, UK), conventional instrumentation and nerve block analgesia. Three had undergone previous surgery, two had cancer and two were immunosuppressed. RESULTS: Umbilical, right- and left-iliac fossa SILS was feasible using conventional instruments. Operative time ranged between 23 and 195 min (median 48 min). Four patients tolerated normal diet within 6 h (12-16 h for the remainder). Only one patient required postoperative enteral morphine (10 mg × 4). Discharge occurred between 8 and 90 h (median 16 h) of surgery. A secondary haemorrhage from the ileorectal anastomosis was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: SILS colorectal resection is feasible and safe when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon and theatre team. It may have advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery in terms of reduced pain, lower cost, faster recovery and cosmesis.

Changes in the management and outcome of rectal cancer over a 10-year period in Oxford.

AIM: The changes in the management and outcome of rectal cancer in Oxford were studied over a 10-year period. METHOD: Rectal cancer data using a prospectively collected data base were divided into curative (global) and palliative groups. The global curative group was further divided into those with and without (selected group) the following features: emergency cases, local excision, salvage surgery for recurrence or incomplete local excision, metastatic disease, perioperative death, hereditary cancer, inflammatory bowel disease-related cancer, and synchronous cancer. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2003, 709 cases of rectal cancer were treated, 532 for cure and a selected group of 393 after removing patients with the aforementioned exclusions. For the selected group, the average follow-up was 51.2 months, overall survival 65.4% and cancer-specific survival 75.3%. There was no 2-year survival difference between each of the 10-year periods of study. Two-year local recurrence was 5.6% for the first 5-year period and 2.3% for the second (P = 0.11). MRI staging increased during the 10 years (0% in 1994; 66.7% in 2003) as did use of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) (0% in 1994; 64.7% in 2003). The anastomotic leakage rate was significantly higher in the second 5-year period (2.6%vs 9.6%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite increasing use of MRI and dCRT, 2-year survival and local recurrence were not significantly different within the 10 years studied.

Benchmarking circumferential resection margin (R1) resection rate for rectal cancer in the neoadjuvant era.

AIM: Circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement (R1) is used to audit rectal cancer surgical quality. However, when downsizing chemoradiation (dCRT) is used, CRM audits both dCRT and surgery, its use reflecting a high casemix of locally advanced tumours. We aimed to evaluate predictors of R1 and benchmark R1 rates in the dCRT era, and to assess the influence of failure of steps in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) process to CRM involvement. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected rectal cancer data was undertaken. Patients were classified according to CRM status. Uni- and multivariate analysis was undertaken of risk factors for R1 resection. The contribution of the steps of the MDT process to CRM involvement was assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten rectal cancers were evaluated (68% T3 or T4 on preoperative staging). R1 (microscopic) and R2 (macroscopic) resections occurred in 20 (10%) and 6 patients (3%), respectively. Of several factors associated with R1 resections on univariate analysis, only total mesorectal excision (TME) specimen defects and threatened/involved CRM on preoperative imaging remained as independent predictors of R1 resections on multivariate analysis. Causes of R1 failure by MDT step classification found that less than half were associated with and only 15% solely attributable to a suboptimal TME specimen. CONCLUSION: Total mesorectal excision specimen defects and staging-predicted threatened or involved CRM are independent strong predictors of R1 resections. In most R1 resections, the TME specimen was intact. It is important to remember the contribution of both the local staging casemix and dCRT failure when using R1 rates to assess purely surgical competence.

Examination of outcome following abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma in Oxford.

AIM: Abdominoperineal resection (APR) has been shown to have poor outcomes compared with anterior resection (AR) in the treatment of rectal cancer. We compared APR outcomes with those for low AR. METHOD: Lower third rectal cancers treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital with APR and low AR were examined using a prospectively collected database augmented with review of patient records. For all cases (APR and low AR), a range of patient, cancer and outcome data were collected. A selected group was created on the basis of exclusions. Outcomes for the global and selected APR and low AR groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. CRM+ve and CRM-ve APR cases were compared. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2003, 70 APR and 93 low AR were performed. After exclusions, 42 APR and 81 low AR remained. Median follow-up was 4.8 years. Five year survival for the APR group was significantly worse than for the low AR group. The APR group showed significantly fewer T0 cancers and significantly more T3 cancers. CRM R1 involvement was significantly higher for the APR group. The CRM+ve APR group contained significantly more later stage cancers, more defective resection specimens, more abscesses and fistulas and was associated with more local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that APR led to worse results than low AR in terms of overall survival and circumferential margin involvement, but that the cancers treated with APR tended to be more locally advanced.

APC and the three-hit hypothesis.

The seminal 'two-hit hypothesis' implicitly assumes that bi-allelic tumour suppressor gene (TSG) mutations cause loss of protein function. All subsequent events in that tumour therefore take place on an essentially null background for that TSG protein. We have shown that the two-hit model requires modification for the APC TSG, because mutant APC proteins probably retain some function and the two hits are co-selected to produce an optimal level of Wnt activation. We wondered whether the optimal Wnt level might change during tumour progression, leading to selection for more than two hits at the APC locus. Comprehensive screening of a panel of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and primary CRCs showed that some had indeed acquired third hits at APC. These third hits were mostly copy number gains or deletions, but could be protein-truncating mutations. Third hits were significantly less common when the second hit at APC had arisen by copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity. Both polyploid and near-diploid CRCs had third hits, and the third hits did not simply arise as a result of acquiring a polyploid karyotype. The third hits affected mRNA and protein levels, with potential functional consequences for Wnt signalling and tumour growth. Although some third hits were probably secondary to genomic instability, others did appear specifically to target APC. Whilst it is generally believed that tumours develop and progress through stepwise accumulation of mutations in different functional pathways, it also seems that repeated targeting of the same pathway and/or gene is selected in some cancers.

Nerve blocks in palliative care.

Although between 85% and 90% of patients with advanced cancer can have their pain well controlled with the use of analgesic drugs and adjuvants, there are some patients who will benefit from an interventional procedure. This includes a variety of nerve blocks and also some neurosurgical procedures. Approximately 8-10% of patients may benefit from a peripheral nerve block and around 2% from a central neuraxial block. The most common indication is because opioid dose escalation is limited by signs of opioid toxicity but some patients will benefit from one component of their pain being relieved by a simple peripheral block. Most patients about to undergo these procedures are already taking high doses of opiods and obtaining valid consent may pose problems. The use of peripheral nerve blocks, epidural and intrathecal infusions, and plexus blocks is discussed.

Analysis of copy number changes suggests chromosomal instability in a minority of large colorectal adenomas.

We have examined chromosomal-scale mutations in 34 large colorectal adenomas (CRAs). A small number of changes (median = 2, IQR = 0-4) were found by array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in most tumours. The most common changes were deletions of chromosomes 1p, 9q, 17, 19, and 22, and gains of chromosomes 13 and 21. SNP-LOH analysis and pseudo-digital SNP-PCR analysis detected occasional copy-neutral LOH. Some aCGH changes found frequently in colorectal carcinomas, such as deletions of chromosomes 4q and 18q, were very infrequent in the adenomas. Almost all copy number changes were of small magnitude, far below the predicted levels even for single copy gain/loss; investigation suggested that these changes were either artefactual or occurred in sub-clones within the tumours. In some cases, these sub-clones may have represented progression towards carcinoma, but comparison with aCGH data from carcinomas showed this to be unlikely in most cases. In two adenomas, there was evidence of a large, outlying number of copy number changes, mostly resulting from part-chromosome deletions. Overall, moreover, there was evidence of a tendency towards part-chromosome deletions-consistent with chromosomal instability (CIN)--in about one-sixth of all tumours. However, there was no evidence of CIN in the form of whole-chromosome copy number changes. Our data did not support previous contentions that CRAs tend to show chromosome breakage at fragile sites owing to CIN associated with an elevated DNA damage response. Chromosomal-scale mutations occur in some CRAs; although CIN is not the norm in these lesions, it probably affects a minority of cases.

Should ileal pouch-anal anastomosis include mucosectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Debate exists as to the benefits of performing mucosectomy as part of pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Whilst mucosectomy results in a more complete removal of diseased mucosa, this benefit may be at the price of poorer function. We examined these issues. METHOD: Using Medline, Embase, Ovid and Cochrane database searches papers were identified relating to the outcome following pouch surgery with and without mucosectomy. Potential reasons for functional problems were investigated, as were rates of 'cuffitis', dysplasia, polyposis and cancer in the ileal pouch and anal canal. RESULTS: The available evidence suggests that performing a mucosectomy leads to a worse functional outcome. Meta-analysis suggested that nighttime seepage of stool and resting and squeeze pressure were worse after mucosectomy. The most likely reason for functional impairment following pouch surgery was the degree of anal manipulation. Mucosectomy does seem to confer benefit in terms of disease control but this benefit does not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Stapled anastomosis avoiding mucosectomy is the approach of choice for ileal pouch anal anastomosis because this leads to superior functional outcome. Performing mucosectomy results in some clinical benefits in terms of lower rates of inflammation and dysplasia in the retained mucosa in UC patients and lower rates of cuff polyposis in FAP patients. However, on the basis of available evidence mucosectomy is only indicated in those cases where the patient is at a high risk of disease in the retained rectal cuff.

The use of medication for chronic pain in primary care, and the potential for intervention by a practice-based pharmacist.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The majority of people with chronic pain use analgesics regularly. Ensuring their safe and appropriate use is important. This study aimed to describe patterns of analgesic prescribing in one general practice, devise a method of identifying chronic pain patients from prescribing records, and assess prescribing recommendations made after a pharmacist-led review of analgesic prescribing and identify the proportion of these acted on by GPs. METHODS: Prescribing records in a practice of 6720 patients were searched and 678 patients were identified as receiving prescriptions for analgesics. 230 were invited to participate and sent a questionnaire, including questions about chronic pain severity, general health and medications used. This was repeated after six months. The pharmacist completed a detailed medication review using information from medical records, questionnaires and personal interviews. Prescribing recommendations were made to GPs. RESULTS: 192 recommendations about safe or appropriate prescribing were made for 86% of participants after records review, 56% being directly related to analgesic use. After 6 months all recommendations had been implemented in 77% of the patients. Few additional recommendations were made after interview. There was little or no relationship with changes in chronic pain severity or general or psychological health. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a method of identifying patients with chronic pain in primary care, and the feasibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led intervention. This is of potential value in primary care, as relevant prescribing recommendations were made for most patients although further research is required to assess these.

Cancer surveillance in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those without the disease. Surveillance programmes are used routinely to detect dysplasia and cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, such programmes are poorly effective. This article discusses possible improvements suggested by recent research. METHODS: Papers relating to cancer associated with ulcerative colitis and surveillance programmes to detect such cancer were identified using Medline searches. Further papers were identified from the reference lists of identified papers. RESULTS: The probability of cancer for all patients with ulcerative colitis regardless of disease extent was 2 per cent at 10 years, 8 per cent at 20 years and 18 per cent at 30 years; the overall prevalence of colorectal cancer in any patient was 3.7 per cent. Indications for colonoscopic surveillance are extensive disease for 8-10 years, especially in those with active inflammation, a family history of colorectal cancer and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Problems affecting surveillance include the diagnosis of dysplasia, difficulty in differentiating 'sporadic' adenomas from a dysplasia-associated lesion or mass, and decision making based on surveillance findings. Molecular genetic and endoscopic advances to alleviate these problems are discussed. CONCLUSION: Rates of detection of dysplasia can be improved by chromoendoscopy. Molecular genetics has the potential to identify patients most at risk of cancer and can differentiate between different types of lesion.