A 10-year review on older patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: surgeon-led geriatric service and good quality surgery are drivers of good outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Older age and frailty are associated with worse postoperative outcomes and prolonged length of stay (LOS). In this study, we aimed to analyze the long-term outcomes after the implementation of our geriatric surgical service (GSS). METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study from July 2010 to December 2021 on patients aged ≥75 years or patients aged ≥65 years with frailty. Our GSS includes multidisciplinary assessment and optimization by specialized nurses, physiotherapists, anesthetists, dietitians, and geriatricians. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was used to assess the performance of our GSS. Our primary outcome was defined as the presence of 30-day mortality, prolonged LOS ≥ 14 days, and/or >10% decrease in the modified Barthel Index at 6 weeks, which depicts the failure of GSS. A downsloping CUSUM curve implies consecutive cases of success. RESULTS: There were 233 patients with a mean age of 79.0 ± 4.9 years; of these, 73 patients (31.3%) were frail. The overall 30-day mortality (1.7%), Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade IIIA complications (12.0%), and LOS (median, 7.0 days) were low. The CUSUM analysis showed 3 phases with overall sustained improvement in outcomes. Transient inconsistency in the second phase (during midimplementation of GSS) may be due to the early adoption of laparoscopic surgery (44.6% vs 24.1%; adjusted P =.031) and expansion of service to include patients with higher perioperative risks (weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥4: 64.9% vs 38.0%; adjusted P =.002) in the second period compared with the first period. The outcomes subsequently improved in the third phase after overcoming the learning curve. CONCLUSION: Our GSS showed sustained performance over the past decade. Good quality surgery and surgeon-led geriatric service are paramount for good postoperative outcomes.

Transanal minimally invasive full-thickness anterior middle rectum polyp resection - video vignette.

Rectal preservation is gaining popularity in the surgical treatment of degenerated rectal polyps or early rectal cancer (1,2). Tis/T1 rectal lesions can be safely treated without chemoradiation (3). Treatment by transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) offers more advantages than endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) (4). The authors report a 60 year-old woman who underwent TAMIS for a large polyp located anteriorly in the middle 1/3 of the rectum, 7 cm from the dentate line and staged preoperatively as uTisN0M0. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Laparoscopic Hartmann reversal: Video presentation of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic Hartmann reversal (LHR) has decreased postoperative recovery time and a lower wound infection rate compared to open HR. However its technical difficulty and high conversion rates make it a challenging procedure. We aim to demonstrate the technique of LHR via a video presentation. Our patient, a 64 year old Chinese man with no history of previous surgery underwent a Hartmann procedure for an obstructing sigmoid stricture secondary to diverticular disease. Three months later, he underwent an elective LHR. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A 10 mm port was initially inserted in the right iliac fossa under direct vision away from expected adhesions due to the previous midline incision. Additional 5mm working ports were inserted in the right flank and right hypochondrium. An additional 10mm optical port was then inserted in the epigastrium and the laparoscopic camera was switched to the epigastric port. Omental adhesions to abdominal wall were taken down. The left colon was then brought down to the pelvis to ensure adequate length of bowel for anastomosis. A colorectal side to end anastomosis was then performed. The stoma wound was closed and the patient was discharged well on post-operative day 5. DISCUSSION: LHR can be adopted as an initial approach to visualize intra-abdominal adhesions and determine feasibility of operation. With experienced hands, LHR can achieve good patient outcomes.

Endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment in the Asian population.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the early results of endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in the Asian population and illustrate the surgical technique and its modifications by a video presentation (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/SLE/A115). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 9 patients with pilonidal sinus disease treated with EPSiT is performed in a single institution. Surgical outcomes of sinus healing, pain, and discharge were reviewed in the outpatient clinic and patient satisfaction levels were assessed through a standardized phone interview. RESULTS: The median age was 24 years (range, 16 to 41 y). The median duration of follow-up was 2.5 months (range, 1 to 5 mo). Median duration of sinus healing is 6 weeks (range, 2 to 7 wk). One patient had pain despite sinus healing. Satisfaction rate was 78% (7/9). CONCLUSIONS: EPSiT is a minimally invasive and cosmetically favorable procedure. A larger sample size and a longer follow-up is required to determine if it improves healing time and long-term recurrence rate.

Percutaneous endoscopic caecostomy for severe constipation in adults: feasibility, durability, functional and quality of life results at 1 year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The percutaneous endoscopic ceacostomy (PEC) for antegrade colonic enemas (ACE) has recently been proposed as a less invasive alternative to the Malone procedure in chronic constipated patients. Although the feasibility and safety of this innovative approach has been demonstrated, its functional results remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate constipation symptoms and quality of life 1 year after the PEC placement. METHOD: From Oct 2007 to Apr 2011, 21 severely constipated patients who required ACE were prospectively included. They underwent endoscopic placement of Chait caecostomy catheter (Cook Medical). Patients completed standardized questionnaires to assess constipation (KESS) and quality of life (GIQLI) scores pre PEC placement and at 1 year. Adverse events and caecostomy use data were also documented. RESULTS: The caecostomy catheter was successfully placed in 19 patients. Complications were all minor, including chronic wound pain (n = 9), serous leakage (n = 7), superficial wound infection (n = 2) and accidental catheter removal (n = 2). Chronic wound pain led to definitive catheter removal in 5 (26 %) patients. One patient died from unrelated cause before the end of the follow-up. At 1 year, 11 (61 %) of the alive patients still performed ACE. During the period of ACE administration, 14 (74 %) patients suspended use of laxatives and retrograde irrigations. Constipation and quality of life scores were available in 15 patients. Median KESS score improved from 25 (12-39) before PEC to 17 (6-34) 1 year after PEC (p < 0.05). Median GIQLI score increased from 69 (25-108) to 95 (48-119) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PEC placement achieves satisfying functional and quality of life results, and allows approximately 3/4 of patients to suspend laxatives and retrograde enemas. Nevertheless, 1/4 of the patients ask for the PEC removal because of chronic wound pain. In order to improve long-term durability of the device, a better prevention of pain is required.

Standardized surgical technique and dedicated operating room environment can reduce the operative time during robotic-assisted surgery for pelvic floor disorders.

Robotic-assisted surgery for pelvic floor disorders (PFD) meets the accepted standards for laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to describe the technique and the impact of this standardized surgical technique and dedicated operating teams on the operative time for robotic-assisted laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (RALVMR). Data from a prospective database were extracted for all patients who underwent RALVMR between January 2008 and May 2012 for multi-compartment PFD. Patient pre-, intra- and early postoperative data were analysed. To evaluate the impact of both the surgical technique and operating room team on operative time over successive years, we divided the total operation time (TOT) into robot set-up time (RST) and surgeon console time (SCT) including disembarking robotic arms and closure of wounds. A total of 51 patients (3 male) with a mean age of 61.1 [±11, standard deviation (SD)] years were included for analysis. There were no major complications or deaths. Median TOT fell significantly by 23 % from 2008 (270 min) to 2012 (179 min) (p < 0.0001). The largest reduction (>60 %) was seen in RST, from 55 (SD ±3) to 21 (SD ±2) min (p < 0.0001). Similarly, SCT was reduced by 36 % from 216 (SD ±12) to 138 (SD ±8) min (p < 0.0001). Decreased operative time and efficiency were facilitated by a devoted, well-trained and consistent team. A standardized surgical technique for PFD helps to reduce the duration of the surgical procedure.

The magnetic anal sphincter: a new device in the management of severe fecal incontinence.

The authors aim to report the concept and technique of implantation and the first results of the clinical use of the magnetic anal sphincter (MAS) in the management of fecal incontinence (FI). The MAS device is designed to augment the native anal sphincter. The implant is a series of titanium beads with magnetic cores linked together with independent titanium wires. To defecate, the force generated by straining separates the beads to open up the anal canal. The technique of implantation is simple with no requirement of adjustments. The MAS has a role in the management of severe FI. The device has acceptable and comparable adverse effects to other therapies. FI and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores are significantly improved in the short term. The MAS offers a simple and less invasive option of anal reinforcement. It is one step further in the quest for an ideal artificial anal sphincter device.