Adhesions after laparoscopic and open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that a laparoscopic approach to colorectal procedures generates fewer adhesions. Even though laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a lengthy procedure, the prospect of fewer adhesions may justify this approach. The aim of this study was to assess abdominal and adnexal adhesion formation following laparoscopic versus open IPAA in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed at time of ileostomy closure. All abdominal quadrants and the pelvis were video recorded systematically and graded offline. The incisional adhesion score (IAS; range 0-6) and total abdominal adhesion score (TAS; range 0-10) were calculated, based on the grade and extent of adhesions. Adnexal adhesions were classified by the American Fertility Society (AFS) adhesion score. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients consented to participate, of whom 40 could be included in the study (laparoscopic 28, open 12). Median age was 38 (range 20-61) years. There was no difference in age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade and time to ileostomy closure between groups. The IAS was significantly lower after laparoscopic IPAA than following an open procedure: median (range) 0 (0-5) versus 4 (2-6) respectively (P = 0·004). The TAS was also significantly lower in the laparoscopic group: 2 (0-6) versus 8 (2-10) (P = 0·002). Applying the AFS score, women undergoing laparoscopic IPAA had a significantly lower mean(s.d.) prognostic classification score than those in the open group: 5·2(3·7) versus 20·0(5·6) (P = 0·023). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic IPAA was associated with significantly fewer incisional, abdominal and adnexal adhesions in comparison with open IPAA.

The negative effects of surgery persist beyond the early postoperative period after laparoscopic colorectal resection.

PURPOSE: The recovery benefits of laparoscopy are traditionally believed to minimize the initial negative impact of surgery on early postoperative quality of life (QOL). We evaluate whether laparoscopic colectomy leads to recovery of QOL early after surgery and evaluate factors associated with the change in QOL. METHODS: Preoperative and early postoperative QOL data (SF-36) were prospectively accrued for patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR) (2002-2009). Changes in postoperative QOL from preoperative values and effects of patient, disease, operation and postoperative outcomes on these changes were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six patients (female = 86) underwent LCR for cancer (n = 79), Crohn's disease (n = 24), diverticulitis (n = 38), and ulcerative colitis (n = 25) with complete SF-36 scores. Median age was 56.9 (range: 15-91) years, mean body mass index 27.4 ± 6.2 kg/m(2) with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class being II in 94 patients. Median operative time was 152.5 (range: 50-358) min; mean length of stay (LOS) 4.5 ± 3.3 days. At 4 weeks, the postoperative SF-36 physical component scale (PCS) continued to be lower than the preoperative PCS (41.8 ± 8.8 vs. 47.1 ± 9.4, P < 0.001), while the postoperative SF-36 mental component scale (MCS) was similar to the preoperative MCS (45.6 ± 10.2 vs. 46.1 ± 11.9, P = 0.17). Gender, age, operation, LOS, surgeon, ASA, BMI, complications, and readmission were not associated with a change in QOL from preoperative values. Cancer as an indication for surgery was associated with less improvement of MCS and PCS (P = 0.024 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients who undergo LCR may have clinical evidence of healing at 4 weeks after surgery, QOL does not return to the preoperative level. This finding may help develop evidence-based recommendations pertaining to timing of return to full activity.

Laparoscopic single-port colectomy for sigmoid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopic surgery can be performed via one incision hidden in the umbilicus. Herein, we report a patient with a sigmoid colon cancer undergoing single-port laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. METHODS: Laparoscopic single-port sigmoid colectomy through a 3-cm umbilical incision was performed on a patient with a diagnosis of sigmoid cancer. Patient was 54-year-old female with a body mass index of 25.8 kg/m(2). Preoperatively, a CAT scan in the metastasis evaluation did not show any lesion. RESULTS: The total operative time was 198 min. Estimated blood loss was 300 ml. Length of hospital stay was 3 days. Patient had no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Examination of pathological specimen showed a specimen containing a circumferential lesion measuring 5 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm with adequate surgical margins (10 and 5.5 cm), and no regional lymph node metastases in 14 lymph nodes collected. Patient did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. Colonoscopy performed 1 year after surgery showed no neoplasm or polyp identified. Abdomen and pelvis CT also found no evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic surgery may allow common benign procedures via an incision in the umbilicus. It can also be performed with good surgical and oncologic results in selected patients with a colorectal cancer.

Single incision laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileopouch anal anastomosis.

AIM: We present our initial experience of a single port laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileoanal J pouch anastomosis. The single incision laparoscopic surgery (SIL), (Covidien, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA) device with a multichannel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation were used. METHOD: A patient with familial adenomatous polyposis underwent restorative proctocoectomy. A colonoscopy had demonstrated nearly 1000 polyps in the colon with several 1-cm polyps in the rectum. The abdomen was entered through a 2.5 cm incision sited preoperatively for the temporary ileostomy. The single port device was inserted and a total proctocolectomy was performed. Ligation of the vessels was performed with the Ligasure (Covidien). The colon and rectum were extracted through the SIL site. An 18-cm ileoanal J pouch was created extracorporeally. The pouch anal anastomosis was performed intracorporeally and a diverting loop ileostomy created through the SIL port site. RESULTS: The operating time was 172 min. Blood loss was 100 ml and the hospital stay was 4 days without any complication. The patient had a virtually scar-less abdomen other than the site of the loop ileostomy. CONCLUSION: Single port laparoscopic surgery may allow complex colorectal surgery to be performed resulting in a virtually scar-less procedure.

Outcomes for case-matched laparoscopically assisted versus open restorative proctocolectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare safety, early and late outcomes, quality of life and functional results of laparoscopically assisted versus open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). METHODS: Patients who had laparoscopically assisted IPAA between 1992 and 2007 were identified from a database and retrospectively matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and operation date to patients who had open IPAA at a ratio of 1:2. Intraoperative, postoperative and long-term functional outcomes were compared. Quality of life was determined by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life scale at 1 and 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients (59 men, 60 women; mean(s.d) age 35.5(14.2) years, BMI 24.7(5.0) kg/m(2)) had laparoscopically assisted IPAA, with conversion in nine patients (7.6 per cent); these were compared with 238 patients who had open IPAA. The 30-day and long-term results were similar, as well as quality of life at 1 and 5 years, except that patients in the laparoscopic group had shorter median time to stoma action (2 versus 3 days; P = 0.001) and marginally shorter hospital stay. Median operating times were longer in the laparoscopic group (272 versus 163 min; P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted IPAA had similar outcomes to open IPAA, but with some short-term advantages.

Single-port laparoscopy in colorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy is the approach of choice for the majority of colorectal disorders that require a minimally invasive abdominal operation. As the emphasis on minimizing the technique continues, natural orifice surgery is quickly evolving. The authors utilized an embryologic natural orifice, the umbilicus, as sole access to the abdomen to perform a colorectal procedure. Herein, we present our initial experience of single-port laparoscopic colorectal surgery using a Uni-X Single-Port Access Laparoscopic System (Pnavel Systems, Morganville, New Jersey, USA) with a multi-channel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation. METHOD: The abdomen was approached through a 3.5 cm incision via the umbilicus and a single-port access device was utilized to perform a right hemicolectomy on a patient with an unresectable caecal polyp and a body mass index of 35. Ligation of the ileocolic artery was done with a LigaSure Device (Covidien Ltd, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA), and was followed by colonic mobilization, extraction and extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis. RESULTS: The total operative time was 115 min with minimal blood loss. Hospital stay was 4 days with no undue sequelae. CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic surgery may allow common colorectal laparoscopic operations to be performed entirely through the patient's umbilicus and enable an essentially scarless procedure. Additional experience and continued investigation are warranted.

Laparoscopic exploration for the clinically undetected hernia in infancy and childhood.

BACKGROUND: Routine contralateral groin exploration in infants and children with a clinically detected inguinal hernia is the subject of much debate. The detection of a patent processus vaginalis by transinguinal laparoscopy has proven advantageous. However, controversy remains regarding the true incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis as well as which of these will actually develop into a clinically apparent hernia. METHODS: From January 1997 through December 1999, 358 infants and children (aged 1 to 157 months, mean 32) were treated in the three University of Oklahoma teaching hospitals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for inguinal hernia. The findings at laparoscopic exploration of the contralateral side were recorded to determine the incidence of contralateral patency as it relates to a child's age, gender, and side of the initial clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of a patent processus vaginalis on contralateral examination was 33% (117 of 358). All patent processus vaginalis were repaired. Bilateral inguinal hernia was significantly more common in younger patients (present in 50% if less than 1 year, 45% if less than 2 years, 37% if less than 5 years, and 15% if greater than 5 years of age; P <0.05). In boys, the incidence was 49%, 45%, and 32% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. In girls, the incidence was 59%, 50%, and 37% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. The side of the clinically detected hernia did not influence the laparoscopic findings of a contralateral hernia with 30% (50 of 169) positive findings on left inguinal exploration versus 31% (28 of 90) positive findings on right inguinal exploration. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis warrants routine laparoscopic exploration in infants and children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair, especially those less than 5 years of age. The use of transinguinal laparoscopic explorations avoids unnecessary open exploration in 66% of infants and children undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

Adjuvant radiation after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer fails to prolong survival.

Recent literature has reported improved local disease control and overall survival in premenopausal node-positive (stage II, and III) breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) using radiation therapy (RT) combined with chemotherapy. To assess the efficacy of postoperative RT in our own community, we analyzed all patients undergoing MRM for carcinoma utilizing an extensive database from the three major teaching hospitals in Tulsa, OK, between 1965 and 1993. A total of 5257 patients underwent MRM during this time period. One hundred thirty-seven patients were excluded for insufficient data or because they were found to be at stage IV, leaving a total study population of 5125. Overall survival (OS), overall mean survival (MS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional DFS (LRDFS) were analyzed for all patients and were further analyzed according to stage, lymph node involvement, and menopausal status. Median follow-up was 103 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and t-tests. The DFS at 10 years was 65 per cent in the RT group and 80 per cent in the patients who did not receive RT (P = 0.00). No improved DFS was obtained in the radiation-treated patients, regardless of stage, lymph node involvement, or menopausal status. Similarly, the LRDFS at 10 years was 91 per cent in the RT group and 96 per cent in the patients who did not receive RT (P = 0.00). No improved LRDFS was obtained in the radiation-treated patients, regardless of stage, lymph node involvement, or menopausal status. The overall MS was 97 months in the RT group and 104 months in the patients who did not receive RT (P = 0.00). Comparisons of overall MS rates revealed apparent survival benefits from RT in the premenopausal node-negative group, postmenopausal one to four-positive-node group, and all stage I patients. This apparent survival advantage was not confirmed by Kaplan-Meier curves of OS. No other overall MS differences were detected according to stage, lymph node, or menopausal status. Using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the OS in the RT group at 10 years was 46 per cent, and 63 per cent in the patients who did not receive RT (P = 0.00). No improved OS was obtained in the radiation-treated patients, regardless of stage, lymph node involvement, or menopausal status. These findings from a large breast cancer database failed to demonstrate any meaningful benefit from RT after MRM and serve to further question the efficacy of this treatment modality in postmastectomy breast cancer patients.

Phyllodes tumors of the breast: a review of 32 cases.

Most general surgeons involved in breast cancer care have limited experience with phyllodes tumors. We analyzed a comprehensive database incorporating 8567 breast cancer cases treated surgically in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, region between 1969 and 1993. This yielded 32 cases of phyllodes tumors (0.37%) in 31 patients. The median age was 57 years (range, 18-91). There were 9 low-grade (28%), 2 intermediate-grade (6%), and 21 high-grade (66%) lesions. Size distribution consisted of 23 (72%) lesions 5 cm or less and 9 (28%) greater than 5 cm (mean, 3; range, 1.2-17.5 cm). Of 137 resected nodes in 13 patients, none were positive for metastatic disease. Surgical management consisted of wide excision or mastectomy. No patients received adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The disease-free, locoregional disease-free, and overall mean survival rates were 80, 81, and 97 months, respectively. Ten-year disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional disease-free survival (LRDFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 66, 72, and 55 per cent, respectively. Although there was a tendency toward a higher rate of locoregional recurrences and metastases with high-grade lesions, this was not statistically significant and did not affect DFS, LRDFS, or OS rates. Similarly, size of lesion did not affect DFS, LRDFS, or OS rates. Three patients (9.6%) had metastatic disease at presentation, and a further two (6.4%) developed metastases during follow-up. Overall, nine (28.1%) recurrences developed in eight patients, seven locoregional and two distant. Four patients (12.9%) died with evidence of disease. These findings indicate prolonged survival in this patient population with cystosarcoma phyllodes. Wide local excision of primary and recurrent lesions remains the mainstay of therapy. Neither regional lymph node dissection nor adjuvant chemoradiation adds significant benefit.