Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: the SICE (Societ\ue0 Italiana di Chirurgia Endoscopica e Nuove Tecnologie) network prospective trial on 1225 cases comparing intra corporeal versus extra corporeal ileo-colic side-to-side anastomosis

Background: While laparoscopic approach for right hemicolectomy (LRH) is considered appropriate for the surgical treatment of both malignant and benign diseases of right colon, there is still debate about how to perform the ileo-colic anastomosis. The ColonDxItalianGroup (CoDIG) was designed as a cohort, observational, prospective, multi-center national study with the aims of evaluating the surgeons\u2019 attitude regarding the intracorporeal (ICA) or extra-corporeal (ECA) anastomotic technique and the related surgical outcomes. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five Surgical Units experienced in colorectal and advanced laparoscopic surgery were invited and 85 of them joined the study. Each center was asked not to change its surgical habits. Data about demographic characteristics, surgical technique and postoperative outcomes were collected through the official SICE website database. One thousand two hundred and twenty-five patients were enrolled between March 2018 and September 2018. Results: ICA was performed in 70.4% of cases, ECA in 29.6%. Isoperistaltic anastomosis was completed in 85.6%, stapled in 87.9%. Hand-sewn enterotomy closure was adopted in 86%. Postoperative complications were reported in 35.4% for ICA and 50.7% for ECA; no significant difference was found according to patients\u2019 characteristics and technologies used. Median hospital stay was significantly shorter for ICA (7.3 vs. 9 POD). Postoperative pain in patients not prescribed opioids was significantly lower in ICA group. Conclusions: In our survey, a side-to-side isoperistaltic stapled ICA with hand-sewn enterotomy closure is the most frequently adopted technique to perform ileo-colic anastomosis after any indications for elective LRH. According to literature, our study confirmed better short-term outcomes for ICA, with reduction of hospital stay and postoperative pain. Trial registration: Clinical trial (Identifier: NCT03934151)

Outcome of Anterior Sphincter Repair: Comparison of Early and Late Results

INTRODUCTION: Fecal incontinence is commonly caused by structural sphincter damage secondary to obstetric trauma. Anterior sphincter repair achieves reasonable early improvement rates of between 69 and 97 percent. Few series have reported long-term results. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcome and examine whether there are any predictive factors that could refine patient selection and predict long-term outcome. METHODS: The case records of all patients who underwent anterior sphincter repair between January 1991 and December 1999 were studied. The patients were sent a questionnaire that asked about preoperative and postoperative and current bowel function, with questions about quality of life and overall satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. The late outcome after a mean period of 70 months from the operation was compared with the early clinical results. All the preoperative and operative variables were studied to ascertain their significance in predicting success. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were admitted to the study. Anterior sphincter repair was successful in improving continence in 73 percent of patients. Long-term results were obtained for 62 patients. Seventy percent had objective clinical improve ment based on the questionnaire, but only 55 percent considered their bowel control had improved and only 45 percent were satisfied by the operation. Urgency was the most important symptom in determining patient satisfaction; 24 of 26 patients in whom urgency had improved were happy with their outcome. None of the preoperative and operative variables predicted the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should be warned that complete continence is difficult to achieve and that symptoms tend to deteriorate with time

Gastric xanthomatosis in a patient with severe lipid metabolic disorder

Gastric xanthomas are rare in routine endoscopy, generally ranging from to 2 to 5 mm in diameter, mostly isolated, but in some cases multiple. Their nature has not yet been cleared. In fact, even if they have histochemical characteristics similar to cutaneous xanthelasmas, they are not generally considered closely related to lipid metabolism disorders. The Authors report a case with some peculiarities regarding number, location and dimension of the gastric xanthomas, and point out the possibility of a metabolic disorder in their aetiopathogenesis

Resezione endoscopica di un emangioma dello stomaco: a proposito di un caso clinico

Gli emangiomi gastrici rappresentano una infrequente varietà istologica di neoplasie benigne del tratto gastrointestinale. La diagnosi si avvale di diverse metodiche d’imaging ma la certezza si ottiene solo con l’esame istologico definitivo. La resezione per via endoscopica, rispettando alcuni criteri, rappresenta il trattamento di scelta per queste lesioni. Gli Autori presentano un caso di emangioma cavernoso della piccola curva gastrica, diagnosticato e trattato mediante approccio endoscopic

Towards lowering morbidity, mortality and stoma formation in emergency colo-rectal surgery: the role of specialisation

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of left-sided large bowel emergencies has been evolving toward single-staged procedures. Selection for single or staged resection remains the most controversial issue. METHODS: The results from a series of 336 emergency colorectal procedures performed between January 1990 and December 2000 for cancer and diverticular disease by two different surgical units in one hospital are reported: one with a specific interest in colorectal surgery, and one specialized in upper gastrointestinal surgery. RESULTS: A primary anastomosis was performed in 142 (64.3 percent) patients by colorectal surgeons and in 42 (36.5 percent) by noncolorectal surgeons (P < 0.0001). The overall morbidity and mortality rates were lower for colon and rectal surgeons (14.5 vs. 24.3 percent and 10.4 vs. 17.4 percent, respectively). Trainees were more likely to perform anastomoses when assisted by colorectal consultants (72.1 percent of cases) than when a noncolorectal consultant was present (47.5 percent of cases; P < 0.05). The 30-day mortality for patients with primary anastomosis was 6 percent, and anastomotic dehiscence occurred in nine (4.9 percent) patients. The mortality for patients undergoing staged resections (21.1 percent) was significantly higher than those who had primary resections performed (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary anastomosis for left-sided colorectal diseases can be performed with low morbidity and mortality in selected patients. Specialization increased anastomotic rates and reduced morbidity. This study suggests that colon and rectal surgeons should manage colorectal emergencies, and trainees should not be left unsupervised

Safety of Primary Anastomosis in Emergency Colo-Rectal Surgery

Abstract: The surgical management of left-sided large bowel emergency patients remains controversial. There has been an increasing trend towards primary reconstructive surgery. The main dilemma remains appropriate patient selection for primary anastomosis. The records of 323 patients who presented as acute emergencies and underwent surgery between January 1990 and December 2000 for left-sided colorectal cancer and diverticular disease were reviewed, to compare the outcome of resection and primary anastomosis with Hartmann's procedure. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to whether the presentation was with localized or generalized peritonitis, or with obstruction. Resection and anastomosis was carried out in 176 (55.7%) patients with a 30-day mortality of 5.7%. Anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 9 (5.1%) patients, with no difference between the three groups. Wound sepsis occurred in 8 (4.5%) patients, and the median hospital stay was 13 days. Hartmann's resection was associated with a higher incidence of systemic and surgical morbidity (39.5% and 24.3%, respectively). The mortality rates in those selected for primary anastomosis (5.7%) compared favourably with those undergoing Hartmann's resections (20.4%) (P < 0.001). Emergency primary anastomosis in left-sided disease can be performed with a low morbidity and mortality in selected patients, even in the presence of a free perforation with diffuse peritonitis. Patients selected for staged resection, were those with major comorbid disease