Carbon Dioxide Embolism Associated with Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision Surgery: A Report From the International Registries

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide embolus has been reported as a rare but clinically important risk associated with transanal total mesorectal excision surgery. To date, there exists limited data describing the incidence, risk factors, and management of carbon dioxide embolus in transanal total mesorectal excision. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to obtain data from the transanal total mesorectal excision registries to identify trends and potential risk factors for carbon dioxide embolus specific to this surgical technique. DESIGN: Contributors to both the LOREC and OSTRiCh transanal total mesorectal excision registries were invited to report their incidence of carbon dioxide embolus. Case report forms were collected detailing the patient-specific and technical factors of each event. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at the collaborating centers from the international transanal total mesorectal excision registries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics and outcomes of patients with carbon dioxide embolus associated with transanal mesorectal excision were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-five cases were reported. The incidence of carbon dioxide embolus during transanal total mesorectal excision is estimated to be 480.4% (25/6375 cases). A fall in end tidal carbon dioxide was noted as the initial feature in 22 cases, with 13 (52%) developing signs of hemodynamic compromise. All of the events occurred in the transanal component of dissection, with mean (range) insufflation pressures of 15mm Hg (12\u201320mm Hg). Patients were predominantly (68%) in a Trendelenburg position, between 30\ub0 and 45\ub0. Venous bleeding was reported in 20 cases at the time of carbon dioxide embolus, with periprostatic veins documented as the most common site (40%). After carbon dioxide embolus, 84% of cases were completed after hemodynamic stabilization. Two patients required cardiopulmonary resuscitation because of cardiovascular collapse. There were no deaths. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study surveying reported outcomes by surgeons and anesthetists. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons undertaking transanal total mesorectal excision must be aware of the possibility of carbon dioxide embolus and its potential risk factors, including venous bleeding (wrong plane surgery), high insufflation pressures, and patient positioning. Prompt recognition and management can limit the clinical impact of such events. See Video Abstract at http://links. lww.com/DCR/A961

Incidence and risk factors for anastomotic failure in 1594 patients treated by transanal total mesorectal excision results from the international TATME registry

Objective: To determine the incidence of anastomotic-related morbidity following Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) and identify independent risk factors for failure. Background: Anastomotic leak and its sequelae are dreaded complications following gastrointestinal surgery. TaTME is a recent technique for rectal resection, which includes novel anastomotic techniques. Methods: Prospective study of consecutive reconstructed TaTME cases recorded over 30 months in 107 surgical centers across 29 countries. Primary endpoint was \u2018\u2018anastomotic failure,\u2019\u2019 defined as a composite endpoint of early or delayed leak, pelvic abscess, anastomotic fistula, chronic sinus, or anastomotic stricture. Multivariate regression analysis performed identifying independent risk factors of anastomotic failure and an observed risk score developed. Results: One thousand five hundred ninety-four cases with anastomotic reconstruction were analyzed; 96.6% performed for cancer. Median anastomotic height from anal verge was 3.0 2.0 cm with stapled techniques accounting for 66.0%. The overall anastomotic failure rate was 15.7%. This included early (7.8%) and delayed leak (2.0%), pelvic abscess (4.7%), anastomotic fistula (0.8%), chronic sinus (0.9%), and anastomotic stricture in 3.6% of cases. Independent risk factors of anastomotic failure were: male sex, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, tumors >25 mm, excessive intraoperative blood loss, manual anastomosis, and prolonged perineal operative time. A scoring system for preoperative risk factors was associated with observed rates of anastomotic failure between 6.3% to 50% based on the cumulative score. Conclusions: Large tumors in obese, diabetic male patients who smoke have the highest risk of anastomotic failure. Acknowledging such risk factors can guide appropriate consent and clinical decision-making that may reduce anastomotic-related morbidity