Explore the vast range of titles available.

BackgroundIleal Crohn’s disease (CD) complicated by intraabdominal abscess, phlegmon, fistula, and/or microperforation is commonly treated with antibiotics, bowel rest, and percutaneous drainage followed by interval ileocolic resection (ICR). This “cool off” strategy is intended to facilitate the safe completion of a one-stage resection using a minimally invasive approach and minimize perioperative complications. There is limited data evaluating the benefits of delayed versus early resection.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) database at a tertiary center was queried from 2013–2020 to identify patients who underwent ICR for complicated ileal CD confirmed on preoperative imaging. ICR cohorts were classified as early (≤ 7 days) vs delayed (> 7 days) based on the interval from diagnostic imaging to surgery. Operative approach and 30-day postoperative morbidity were analyzed.ResultsOut of 474 patients who underwent ICR over the 7-year period, 112 patients had complicated ileal CD including 99 patients (88%) with intraabdominal abscess. Early ICR was performed in 52 patients (46%) at a median of 3 days (IQR 2, 5) from diagnostic imaging. Delayed ICR was performed in 60 patients (54%) following a median “cool off” period of 23 days of non-operative treatment (IQR 14, 44), including preoperative percutaneous abscess drainage in 17 patients (28%). A higher proportion of patients with intraabdominal abscess underwent delayed vs early ICR (57% vs 43%, p = 0.19). Overall, there were no significant differences in the rate of laparoscopy (96% vs 90%), conversion to open surgery (12% vs 17%), rates of extended bowel resection (8% vs 13%), additional concurrent procedures (44% vs 52%), or fecal diversion (10% vs 2%) in the early vs delayed ICR groups. The median postoperative length of stay was 5 days in both groups with an overall 25% vs 17% (p = 0.39) 30-day postoperative complication rate and a 6% vs 5% 30-day readmission rate in early vs delayed ICR groups, respectively. Overall median follow-up time was 14.3 months (IQR 1.2, 24.1) with no difference in the rate of subsequent CD-related intestinal resection (4% vs 5%) between the two groups.ConclusionsIn this contemporary series, at a high-volume tertiary referral center, a “cool off” delayed resectional approach was not found to reduce perioperative complications in patients undergoing ICR for complicated ileal Crohn’s disease. Laparoscopic ICR can be performed within one week of diagnosis with low rates of conversion and postoperative complications.

Background The purpose of this study was to identify the ten most frequent complications after surgery for stage I–III colon cancer and to assess the association between these complications and overall survival, conditional overall survival, and recurrences. Methods All patients who underwent surgery for stage I–III colon cancer in five hospitals in the Western region of the Netherlands were identified. Crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to study the association between complications and 1-year overall survival, 5-year overall survival, 5-year conditional overall survival, and 5-year disease-free period. Results Data from 761 patients were used for the analyses. Complications were associated with decreased 1-year overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.82–4.51; p  < 0.001), 5-year overall survival (HR 1.59, 95 % CI 1.25–2.04; p  < 0.001), and 5-year conditional overall survival (HR 1.34, 95 % CI 1.06–1.69; p  = 0.016), whereas an increasing number of complications had no additional impact. Anastomotic leakage, excessive blood loss, and (abdominal) sepsis were associated with reduced 1-year overall survival, anastomotic leakage, delirium, abscess, and (abdominal) sepsis with reduced 5-year overall survival, and anastomotic leakage, delirium, and abscess with reduced 5-year conditional overall survival. Anastomotic leakage, electrolyte disorders, and abscess were risk factors for recurrence within five years. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the serious impact of the most frequent complications after surgery for colon cancer on short-term and long-term outcomes. This study confirms the prolonged impact of surgery and demonstrates that complications result not only in reduced 1-year survival, but also in reduced long-term outcomes.

Background The aim of this study was to assess whether laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for complicated appendicitis (CA) effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and improves various measurements of postoperative recovery in adults compared with open appendectomy (OA). Methods This single-center, randomized controlled trial was performed in the Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital. Patients diagnosed as having CA with peritonitis or abscess formation were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to an LA group or an OA group. The primary study outcome was development of infectious complications, especially surgical site infection (SSI), within 30 days of surgery. Results Between October 2008 and August 2014, 81 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned with a 1:1 allocation ratio (42, LA; 39, OA). All were eligible for study of the primary endpoint. Groups were well balanced in terms of patient characteristics and preoperative levels of C-reactive protein. SSI occurred in 14 LA group patients (33.3 %) and in 10 OA group patients (25.6 %) (OR 1.450, 95 % CI 0.553–3.800; p  = 0.476). Overall, the rate of postoperative complications, including incisional or organ/space SSI and stump leakage, did not differ significantly between groups. No significant differences between groups were found in hospital stay, duration of drainage, analgesic use, or parameters for postoperative recovery except days to walking. Conclusion These results suggested that LA for CA is safe and feasible, while the distinguishing benefit of LA was not validated in this clinical trial.

Background Because obesity is a risk factor during surgery, the effects of a preoperative exercise program to reduce the incidence of peri- and postoperative complications in patients with a high body mass index (>25 kg/m 2 ) and metabolic syndrome were investigated. An assessment of the effects of prospectively planned preoperative exercise was performed in a prospective matching study comparing an exercise testing group and a usual preoperative preparation group who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Japan. Methods Stage I gastric cancer patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed according to the criteria of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare underwent surgery after preoperative exercise. The control group was selected from a database using an individual matching approach for surgery, sex, weight, body mass index, volume of visceral fat, and institution. The primary end point was the frequency of postoperative complications such as cardiovascular events, pneumonia, and surgery-related abdominal complications. Results Data from a total of 72 patients (54 in the surgery-alone group, 18 in the preoperative exercise group) were analyzed. The median operative time and amount of bleeding were 208 min and 130 ml in the surgery-alone group and 248 min and 105 ml in the exercise group, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in one case (5.5 %) in the exercise group and 22 (40.7 %) cases in the surgery-alone group. Conclusions Preoperative exercise is safe, and its benefits in reducing postoperative complications are promising and therefore warrant further investigation.

Background Anorectal fistula, which is a relatively common pathology, is the chronic manifestation of the acute perirectal process that forms an anal abscess. The development of a fistula after incision and drainage of an anal abscess is seen in approximately 26–37%. Its treatment is a relevant topic, and the role of the use of antibiotic therapy in its prevention remains controversial, after the publication of several studies with contradictory results and several methodological limitations. Our hypothesis is that the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid will reduce the incidence of anal fistula. Method The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotherapy after surgical drainage of perianal abscess in the development of perianal fistula. The PERIQxA study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. The study has been designed to include 286 adult patients who will be randomly (1:1) assigned to either the experimental (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875/125 mg TDS for 7 days) or the control arm (placebo). The primary outcome measure is the percentage of patients that develop perianal fistula after surgery and during follow-up (6 months). Discussion This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of amoxicillin/clavulanic in the prevention of perianal fistula. The results of this study are expected to contribute to stablish the potential role of antibiotherapy in the therapeutics for anal abscess. Trial registration EudraCT Number: 2021–003376-14. Registered on November 26, 2021.

Purpose Two non-restorative options for low rectal cancer not invading the sphincter are the low Hartmann’s procedure (LH) or intersphincteric proctectomy (IP). The aim of this study was to compare postoperative morbidity with emphasis on pelvic abscesses after LH and IP. Methods All patients that had LH or IP for low rectal cancer were included in three centres between 2008 and 2014 in this retrospective cohort study. Follow-up was performed for at least 12 months. Results A total of 52 patients were included: 40 LH and 12 IP. Median follow-up was 29 months (IQR 23). There were no differences between groups in gender, age and ASA classification. Seven patients in the LH group (18%) and four patients in the IP group (33%) developed a complication within 30-day postoperative with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade III or higher ( P  = 0.253). Four out of 40 patients (10%) in the LH group and two out of 12 patients (17%) in the IP group developed a pelvic abscess ( P  = 0.612). Reinterventions were performed in 11 (28%) patients in the LH group and five (42%) patients in the IP group ( P  = 0.478), with a total number of reinterventions of 13 and 20, respectively. Six and 15 interventions were related to pelvic abscesses, respectively. Conclusion Pelvic abscesses seem to occur in a similar rate after both LH and IP. Previous reports from the literature suggesting that IP might be associated with less infectious pelvic complications compared to LH are not supported by this study, although numbers are small.

Background The optimal management of complicated acute appendicitis remains undefined. According to current guidelines, a trial of non-operative management with delayed appendectomy may be associated with better outcomes for patients, including a reduced rate of extended resection appendectomy. Methods We conducted an analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement program to analyze the outcomes of hemodynamically stable patients presenting with complicated (abscess, perforation, or both) appendicitis submitted to early (less than 24 h) or delayed (24 h or more) operative management. Results Delayed operative management was associated with a significant reduction of the rate of extended resection appendectomy (RR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.59 − 2.81, p  < 0.001). Delayed operative management was associated with a non-significant trend towards reduced mortality (RR: 2.17; 95% CI: 0.98–2.85, p  = 0.05). Delayed operative management was also associated with a significant decrease in total operative time and a significant reduction in the rate of postoperative abscess. There was no association between delayed intervention and medical related morbidity (RR: 1.01; 95% CI 0.91–1.11, p 0.811). However, delayed operative management was associated with a significant increase in total length of stay (coefficient 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.18, p  < 0.001). Conclusion Delayed operative management may be associated with a reduction in the need of extended resection appendectomy, shorter operative time, and a trend towards reduced mortality. On the other hand, it may also be associated with an increased length of in-hospital stay and short-term morbidity.

Background Perioperative outcomes, such as blood loss, transfusions, and morbidity, have been linked to cancer-specific survival, but this is largely unsupported by prospective data. Methods Patients from a previous, randomized trial that evaluated acute normovolemic hemodilution during major hepatectomy (≥3 segments) were reevaluated and those with metastatic colorectal cancer ( n  = 90) were selected for analysis. Survival data were obtained from the medical record. Disease extent was measured using a clinical-risk score (CRS). Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Median follow-up was 71 months. The CRS was ≥3 in 45 % of patients; 59 % had extrahepatic procedures. Morbidity and mortality were 33 and 2 %, respectively. Postoperative chemotherapy was given to 87 % of patients (78/90) starting at a median of 6 weeks. RFS and OS were 29 and 60 months, respectively. Postoperative morbidity significantly reduced RFS (23 vs. 69 months; P  < 0.001) and OS (28 vs. 74 months; P  < 0.001) on uni- and multi-variate analysis; positive resection margins and high CRS also were significant factors. Delayed initiation of postoperative chemotherapy (≥8 weeks) was common in patients with complications (37 vs. 12 %; P  = 0.01). Conclusions In this selected cohort of patients from a previous RCT, perioperative morbidity was strongly (and independently) associated with cancer-specific outcome. It also was associated with delayed initiation of postoperative chemotherapy, the impact of which on survival is unclear.

Background Intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) complicates 2–3% of patients having an appendicectomy. The usual management is prolonged antibiotics and drainage of the IAA. From 2006, our unit chose to use early re-laparoscopy and washout in patients with persistent sepsis following appendicectomy. The aims of this study were to assess the outcomes of early laparoscopic washout in patients with features of persistent intra-abdominal sepsis and compare those with percutaneous drainage and open drainage of post-appendicectomy IAA. Methods A retrospective case note review was performed for all patients having a laparoscopic washout, percutaneous drainage or open drainage following appendicectomy between January 2006 and December 2017. Results During the period, 4901 appendicectomies occurred. Forty-one (0.8%) patients had a laparoscopic washout, 16 (0.3%) had percutaneous drainage, and 6 (0.1%) had an open drainage. The demographics, ASA grade and pathology at initial appendicectomy were similar. The mean time after appendicectomy was significantly shorter for laparoscopic washout (4.1 days vs. 10.1 and 9.0 days, p  = <0.003). The mean time for resolution of SIRS was significantly shorter (2.0 days vs. 3.3 and 5.2 days, p <0.02). The morbidity and length of stay were similar. Conclusion Early laparoscopic washout for persistent intra-abdominal sepsis may be an alternative to non-operative management and delayed intervention for IAA and may have better outcomes than either percutaneous drainage or open drainage. A prospective randomised comparison is required to further evaluate the indications and role of early laparoscopic washout post-appendicectomy.

A stent often is placed across the pancreaticojejunostomy. However, there is no report compared between internal drainage and external drainage. We conducted a prospective randomized trial ( NCT00628186 registered at http://ClinicalTrials.gov) with 100 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and we compared the effects on postoperative course. The incidence of pancreatic fistula according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria was not different (external, 20%; vs internal, 26%), and the incidence of the other complications was similar between stent types. The median postoperative hospital stay was 21 days (range, 8–163 d) in the internal drainage group, which was shorter than the median stay of 24 days (range, 21–88 d) in the external drainage group ( P = .016). Both internal drainage and external drainage were safety devices for pancreaticojejunostomy. Internal drainage simplifies postoperative managements and it might shorten postoperative stay for pancreaticoduodenectomy.