Post-Operative Functional Outcomes in Early Age Onset Rectal Cancer

Background: Impairment of bowel, urogenital and fertility-related function in patients treated for rectal cancer is common. While the rate of rectal cancer in the young (<50 years) is rising, there is little data on functional outcomes in this group. Methods: The REACCT international collaborative database was reviewed and data on eligible patients analysed. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with a histologically confirmed rectal cancer, <50 years of age at time of diagnosis and with documented follow-up including functional outcomes. Results: A total of 1428 (n=1428) patients met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Metastatic disease was present at diagnosis in 13%. Of these, 40% received neoadjuvant therapy and 50% adjuvant chemotherapy. The incidence of post-operative major morbidity was 10%. A defunctioning stoma was placed for 621 patients (43%); 534 of these proceeded to elective restoration of bowel continuity. The median follow-up time was 42 months. Of this cohort, a total of 415 (29%) reported persistent impairment of functional outcomes, the most frequent of which was bowel dysfunction (16%), followed by bladder dysfunction (7%), sexual dysfunction (4.5%) and infertility (1%). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with early-onset rectal cancer who undergo surgery report persistent impairment of functional status. Patients should be involved in the discussion regarding their treatment options and potential impact on quality of life. Functional outcomes should be routinely recorded as part of follow up alongside oncological parameters

Persistent Mesorectal Inflammatory Activity is Associated With Complications After Proctectomy in Crohn's Disease: Immediate Surgical Implications!

status: publishe

Surgical Management of an Ileal J-Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Volvulus

BACKGROUND: A restorative proctocolectomy with an IPAA is the surgical treatment of choice for medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Until now, a pouch volvulus has been considered a rare complication, only described in case reports and small case series. The aim of this technical note was to develop a standardized approach to allow a minimally invasive treatment. TECHNIQUE: First, an endoscopic decompression of the pouch is attempted. Subsequently, an exploratory laparoscopy is performed. If the endoscopic decompression was successful, a complete laparoscopic reduction is feasible. Once the integrity of the pouch is confirmed, a bilateral pouchopexy is performed, using multifilament interrupted sutures. Finally, the pouch patency is tested by pouchoscopy. RESULTS: Between December 2010 and December 2018, 151 minimally invasive restorative proctocolectomies with an IPAA were performed. Eighty-nine IPAAs were constructed with the mesentery positioned anteriorly, 35 posteriorly, and 27 on the right side. Three patients were diagnosed with an IPAA volvulus. All 3 of the patients were in the anterior group (3.4%) compared with 0 patients in the nonanterior group. One patient (33%) was treated laparoscopically, after a successful endoscopic reduction. In the other 2 cases, conversion to a laparotomy was needed because an endoscopic decompression could not be achieved. CONCLUSION: An endoscopic decompression was required to allow a laparoscopic treatment, and a bilateral pouchopexy was needed to avoid recurrence. This standardized approach might be a good treatment option, and we are awaiting additional follow-up to determine its long-term durability. In addition to the already described risk factors (minimally invasive technique, female sex, and low BMI), an anterior positioning of the pouch mesentery might be a potential risk factor as well for pouch volvulus. However, these observations should be carefully interpreted, considering the small number of cases.status: publishe

Long-term outcome of immunomodulator use in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES: In the era where new biologicals are entering the market, the place of immunomodulators in the treatment of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) needs to be reassessed. METHODS: All children with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) followed at our center over the last 10 years were reviewed. Children who received conventional therapy (including 5-aminosalicylates, steroids, thiopurines and methotrexate) since diagnosis were included. Primary outcome was steroid-free clinical remission without need for rescue therapy (biologics or surgery) at 6 and 12 months after diagnosis and at last follow-up. Cox proportional hazard modelling was performed to determine variables at diagnosis associated with outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 176 IBD patients (121 CD, 55 UC) were identified with a median follow-up of 4.6 [2.0-8.1] years. Remission rates were 79.6% at month 6, but decreased to 60.2% at month 12, and 31.8% at last follow-up. Higher CRP [1.006 (1.001-1.011)], lower albumin [1.050 (1.012-1.086)] and growth impairment [1.214 (1.014-1.373)] in CD patients and higher PUCAI score [1.038 (1.006-1.072)] and low iron [1.023 (1.003-1.043)] in UC patients were associated with treatment failure (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Only 32% pediatric IBD patients will remain free of biologics or surgery 5-years after diagnosis. Especially children with a high disease burden at diagnosis were more likely to fail conventional therapy.status: publishe

Perioperative radiotherapy is an independent risk factor for major LARS: a cross-sectional observational study

PURPOSE: Sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer is often associated with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of LARS in our institution and identify possible risk factors for LARS. Furthermore, we evaluated which of the LARS symptoms was considered most disabling by patients and whether or not there is an adaptation of the LARS score over time. METHODS: This study includes a prospective database of 100 patients who underwent total or partial mesorectal excision between January 2009 and September 2014. Patients were contacted after a median postoperative time of 38 (5-45) months to determine the LARS score and to identify LARS symptoms that were considered most disabling. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for LARS and major LARS. Finally, the LARS score was evaluated over time after restoration of bowel continuity. RESULTS: Out of the 100 patients, 16 had minor LARS (score 21-29) and 51 patients had major LARS (score 30-42). Radiotherapy was an independent risk factor for major LARS (p = 0.04). For the majority of patients with major LARS (22%), fragmentation was considered the most disabling complaint. There was no correlation between interval after restoration of bowel continuity and the severity of the LARS score. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative radiotherapy is an independent risk factor for major LARS. Fragmentation is considered the most disabling complaint in the majority of patients with major LARS. There is no significant adaptation of the LARS score over time.status: publishe

A systematic review of the intervention components, adherence and outcomes of enhanced recovery programmes in older patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

BackgroundEnhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) aim to attenuate the surgical stress response and accelerate recovery after surgery, but are not specifically designed for older patients. The objective of this study was to review the components, adherence and outcomes of ERPs in older patients (65years) undergoing elective colorectal surgery.MethodsPubmed, Embase and Cinahl were searched between 2000 and 2017 for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, before-after studies, and observational studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the MINORS quality assessment. The review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines.ResultsTwenty-one studies, including 3495 ERP patients aged 65years, were identified. The ERPs consisted of a median of 13 intervention components. Adherence rates were reported in 9 studies and were the highest (80%) for pre-admission counselling, no bowel preparation, limited pre-operative fasting, antithrombotic and antimicrobial prophylaxis, no nasogastric tube, active warming, and limited intra-operative fluids. The median post-operative length of stay was 6days. The median post-operative morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo I-IV) was 23.5% in-hospital and 29.8% at 30days. The in-hospital post-operative mortality rate was 0% in most studies and amounted to a median of 1.4% at 30days. The median 30-day readmission rate was 4.9% and the median reoperation rate was 5.0%.ConclusionsERPs in older patients were in accordance with the ERP consensus guidelines. Although the number of intervention components applied increased over time, outcomes in earlier and later studies remained comparable. Adherence rates were under-reported. Future studies should explore adherence and age-related factors, such as frailty profile, that could influence adherence.Trial registrationPROSPERO 2018 CRD42018084756

A systematic review of the intervention components, adherence and outcomes of enhanced recovery programmes in older patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) aim to attenuate the surgical stress response and accelerate recovery after surgery, but are not specifically designed for older patients. The objective of this study was to review the components, adherence and outcomes of ERPs in older patients (≥65 years) undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase and Cinahl were searched between 2000 and 2017 for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, before-after studies, and observational studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the MINORS quality assessment. The review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies, including 3495 ERP patients aged ≥65 years, were identified. The ERPs consisted of a median of 13 intervention components. Adherence rates were reported in 9 studies and were the highest (≥80%) for pre-admission counselling, no bowel preparation, limited pre-operative fasting, antithrombotic and antimicrobial prophylaxis, no nasogastric tube, active warming, and limited intra-operative fluids. The median post-operative length of stay was 6 days. The median post-operative morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo I-IV) was 23.5% in-hospital and 29.8% at 30 days. The in-hospital post-operative mortality rate was 0% in most studies and amounted to a median of 1.4% at 30 days. The median 30-day readmission rate was 4.9% and the median reoperation rate was 5.0%. CONCLUSIONS: ERPs in older patients were in accordance with the ERP consensus guidelines. Although the number of intervention components applied increased over time, outcomes in earlier and later studies remained comparable. Adherence rates were under-reported. Future studies should explore adherence and age-related factors, such as frailty profile, that could influence adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018084756 .status: publishe