Colonic stenting versus emergency surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction: a multicentre randomised trial

Role of colonic stents in the management of colorectal cancers

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonly encountered cancers across the Western World. In United Kingdom, this constitutes third most common ranked cancer and second most common ranked cause of cancer related deaths. Its acute presentation as a malignant colonic obstruction imposes challenges in its management. Colonic stent has been used for many years to alleviate acute obstruction in such cases allowing optimisation of patient's physiological status and adequate staging of cancer. In this review, current literature evidence regarding use of colonic stent in acute malignant colonic obstruction is critically appraised and recommendations on the use of colonic stent are advocated.

Acute Treatment of Malignant Colorectal Occlusion: Real Life Practice

Introduction

Colorectal cancer presents itself as acute bowel occlusion in 10–40% of patients. There are two main therapeutic approaches: urgent surgery and endoluminal placement self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS).

Aims and Methods

This study intended to better clarify the risk/benefit ratio of the above-mentioned approaches. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal multicenter study, including 189 patients with acute malignant colorectal occlusion, diagnosed between January 2005 and March 2013.

Results

Globally (85 patients – 35 bridge-to-surgery and 50 palliative), SEMS's technical success was of 94%. Palliative SEMS had limited clinical success (60%) and were associated with 40% of complications. SEMS occlusion (19%) was the most frequent complication, followed by migration (9%) and bowel perforation (7%). Elective surgery after stenting was associated with a higher frequency of primary anastomosis (94% vs. 76%; p = 0.038), and a lower rate of colostomy (26% vs. 55%; p = 0.004) and overall mortality (31% vs. 57%; p = 0.02). However, no significant differences were identified concerning postoperative complications. Regarding palliative treatment, no difference was found in the complications rate and overall mortality between SEMS and decompressive colostomy/ileostomy. In this SEMS subgroup, we found a higher rate of reinterventions (40% vs. 5%; p = 0.004) and a longer hospital stay (14, nine vs. seven, three days; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

SEMS placement as a bridge-to-surgery should be considered in the acute treatment of colorectal malignant occlusion, since it displays advantages regarding primary anastomosis, colostomy rate and overall mortality. In contrast, in this study, palliative SEMS did not appear to present significant advantages when compared to decompressive colostomy.

How to decide on stent insertion or surgery in colorectal obstruction?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in western society and malignant obstruction of the colon accounts for 8%-29% of all large bowel obstructions. Conventional treatment of these patients with malignant obstruction requiring urgent surgery is associated with a greater physiological insult on already nutritionally replete patients. Of late the utility of colonic stents has offered an option in the management of these patients in both the palliative and bridge to surgery setting. This has been the subject of many reviews which highlight its efficacy, particulary in reducing ostomy rates, allowing quicker return to oral diet, minimising extended post-operative recovery as well as some quality of life benefits. The uncertainity in managing patients with malignant colonic obstructions has lead to a more cautious use of stenting technology as community equipoise exists. Decision making analysis has demonstrated that surgeons' favored the use of stents in the palliative setting preferentially when compared to the curative setting where surgery was preferred. We aim to review the literature regarding the use of stent or surgery in colorectal obstruction, and then provide a discourse with regards to the approach in synthesising the data and applying it when deciding the appropriate application of stent or surgery in colorectal obstruction.

Long-term outcomes after stenting as a “bridge to surgery” for the management of acute obstruction secondary to colorectal cancer

Obstructive symptoms are present in 8% of cases at the time of initial diagnosis in cases of colorectal cancer. Emergency surgery has been classically considered the treatment of choice in these patients. However, in the majority of studies, emergency colorectal surgery is burdened with higher morbidity and mortality rates than elective surgery, and many patients require temporal colostomy which deteriorates their quality of life and becomes permanent in 10%-40% of cases. The aim of stenting by-pass to surgery is to transform emergency surgery into elective surgery in order to improve surgical results, obtain an accurate tumoral staging and detection of synchronous lesions, stabilization of comorbidities and performance of laparoscopic surgery. Immediate results were more favourable in patients who were stented concerning primary anastomosis, permanent stoma, wound infection and overall morbidity, having the higher surgical risk patients the greater benefit. However, some findings laid out the possible implication of stenting in long-term results of oncologic treatment. Perforation after stenting is related to tumoral recurrence. In studies with perforation rates above 8%, higher recurrences rates in young patients and lower disease free survival have been shown. On the other hand, after stenting the number of removed lymph nodes in the surgical specimen is larger, patients can receive adjuvant chemotherapy earlier and in a greater percentage and the number of patients who can be surgically treated with laparoscopic surgery is larger. Finally, there are no consistent studies able to demonstrate that one strategy is superior to the other in terms of oncologic benefits. At present, it would seem wise to assume a higher initial complication rate in young patients without relevant comorbidities and to accept the risk of local recurrence in old patients (> 70 years) or with high surgical risk (ASA III/IV).

Colonic Stents for Colorectal Cancer Are Seldom Used and Mainly for Palliation of Obstruction: A Population-Based Study

Self-expandable stents for obstructing colorectal cancer (CRC) offer an alternative to operative management. The objective of the study was to determine stent utilization for CRC obstruction in the province of Ontario between April 1, 2000, and March 30, 2009. Colonic stent utilization characteristics, poststent insertion health outcomes, and health care encounters were recorded. 225 patients were identified over the study period. Median age was 69 years, 2/3 were male, and 2/3 had metastatic disease. Stent use for CRC increased over the study period and gastroenterologists inserted most stents. The median survival after stent insertion was 199 (IQR, 69-834) days. 37% of patients required an additional procedure. Patients with metastatic disease were less likely to go on to surgery (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06-0.32, p < 0.0001). There were 2.4/person-year emergency department visits (95% CI 2.2-2.7) and 2.3 hospital admissions/person-year (95% CI 2.1-2.5) following stent insertion. Most admissions were cancer or procedure related or for palliation. Factors associated with hospital admissions were presence of metastatic disease, lack of chemotherapy treatment, and stoma surgery. Overall the use of stents for CRC obstruction remains low. Stents are predominantly used for palliation with low rates of postinsertion health care encounters.

A prospective multicenter study on self-expandable metallic stents as a bridge to surgery for malignant colorectal obstruction in Japan: efficacy and safety in 312 patients

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic stenting with a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is a widely accepted procedure for malignant colonic obstruction. The Colonic Stent Safe Procedure Research Group conducted the present prospective feasibility study.

METHODS

Our objectives were to estimate the safety and feasibility of SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery (BTS) for malignant colorectal obstruction. We conducted a prospective, observational, single-arm, multicenter clinical trial from March 2012 to October 2013. Each patient was treated with an uncovered WallFlex enteral colonic stent. Patients were followed up until discharge after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 518 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. The cohort intended for BTS consisted of 312 patients (61 %), and the stent could be released in 305 patients. Technical and clinical success rates were 98 and 92 %, respectively. Elective surgery was performed in 297 patients, and emergency surgery was performed in eight patients for the treatment of complications. The overall preoperative complication rate was 7.2 %. Major complications, including perforation, occurred in 1.6 %, persistent colonic obstruction occurred in 1.0 %, and stent migration occurred in 1.3 % patients. The median time from SEMS to surgery was 16 days. Silent perforations were observed in 1.3 %. Open and laparoscopic surgery was performed in 121 and 184 patients, respectively. The tumor could be resected in 297 patients. The primary anastomosis rate was 92 %. The rate of anastomotic leakage was 4 %, and the overall stoma creation rate was 10 %. The median duration of hospitalization following surgery was 12 days. Overall postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 16 and 0.7 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This largest, multicenter, prospective study demonstrates the feasibility of SEMS placement as a BTS for malignant colorectal obstruction. SEMS serves as a safe and effective BTS with acceptable stoma creation and complication rates in patients with acute malignant colonic obstruction.

Surgical Management of Complicated Colon Cancer

The management of complicated colon cancer (locally invasive, obstructed, or perforated cancers) can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to surgical management. Adherence to traditional surgical oncologic principles must often be balanced with the patients' clinical presentation and other parameters. While the goal of an R0 (no residual microscopic disease) resection must always be kept in mind, situations sometimes arise which can make this difficult to achieve. Recognition of complicated disease and availability of varied therapeutic modalities is important to ensure favorable patient outcomes. This review will discuss the surgical management of complicated colon cancer, with special focus on locally advanced disease.

A Japanese prospective multicenter study of self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction: short-term safety and efficacy within 7 days of stent procedure in 513 cases

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement has been used as an alternative to surgery for malignant colorectal obstruction; however, factors affecting its clinical outcome are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the short-term safety and efficacy of endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction and to identify factors associated with its clinical and technical failure.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical cohort study.

SETTING

Fourteen academic centers and 32 community hospitals.

PATIENTS

A total of 513 consecutive patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

INTERVENTION

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement, sharing of stent placement methods among participating facilities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was clinical success, defined as symptom and radiological finding resolution within 24 hours. Secondary endpoints were technical success and adverse events. The follow-up period was 7 days.

RESULTS

The clinical and technical success rates were 95.5% and 97.9%, respectively. Major adverse events included perforation (2.1%), stent migration (1.0%), and stent occlusion (0.8%). The main causes of perforation were the procedure itself (0.8%) and comorbidities (obstructive colitis and impending perforation) not apparent before stent placement (0.6%). Extrinsic tumor origin was independently associated with the clinical failure after stent placement (odds ratio 4.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-14.79; P = .02). Stricture marking trended toward a negative association with technical failure (P = .09).

LIMITATIONS

Noncomparative study.

CONCLUSION

Strict inclusion criteria and stricture marking may improve the technical and clinical success of stent placement.

Emergency resection versus bridge to surgery with stenting in patients with acute right-sided colonic obstruction: a systematic review focusing on mortality and morbidity rates

PURPOSE

No consensus exists on the optimal treatment of acute malignant right-sided colonic obstruction (RSCO). This systematic review aims to compare procedure-related mortality and morbidity rates between primary resection and stent placement as a bridge to surgery followed by elective resection for patients with acute RSCO.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library were searched for all relevant literature. Primary endpoints were procedure-related mortality and morbidity. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the MINORS criteria.

RESULTS

Fourteen cohort studies were eligible for analysis. A total of 2873 patients were included in the acute resection group and 155 patients in the stent group. Mean mortality rate for patients who underwent acute resection with primary anastomosis was 10.8% (8.1-18.5%). Overall mortality for patients initially treated with a colonic stent followed with elective resection was 0%. Major morbidity was 23.9% (9.3-35.6%) and 0.8% (0-4.8%), respectively. Both mortality and major morbidity were significantly different. In addition, stent placement shows lower rates of anastomotic leakages (0 vs 9.1%) and fewer permanent ileostomies (0 vs 1.0%).

CONCLUSION

Primary resection for patients with acute RSCO seems to be associated with higher mortality and major morbidity rates than stent placement and elective resection. In addition, stent placement resulted in fewer anastomotic leakages and permanent ileostomies. However, as no high-level studies are available on the optimal treatment of RSCO and proximal stenting is considered technically challenging, future comparative studies are warranted for the development of an evidence-based clinical decision guideline.

Colorectal stenting for palliation and as a bridge to surgery: A 5-year follow-up study

AIM: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of colonic stents in colorectal tumors causing large bowel obstruction.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 49 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone colorectal stent placement between January 2008 and January 2013. Patients’ symptoms, characteristics and clinicopathological data were obtained by reviewing medical records. The obstruction was diagnosed clinically and radiologically. Histopathological diagnosis was achieved endoscopically. Technical success rate (TSR) was defined as the ratio of patients with correctly placed SEMS upon stent deployment across the entire stricture length to total number of patients. Clinical success rate (CSR) was defined as the ratio of patients with technical success and successful maintenance of stent function before elective surgery (regardless of number of SEMS deployed) to total number of patients. The surgical success rate (SSR) of colorectal stent as a bridge to surgery was defined as the ratio of patients with successful surgical procedures. Unsuccessful surgical outcomes were defined as being due to insufficient colonic decompression. The technical, clinical, surgical success rates and complications after stenting were assessed.

RESULTS: The median age of patients was 64 (36 to 89). 44.9% of patients were male and 55.1% were female. Eighteen patients had the obstruction located in the rectum, 15 patients in the rectosigmoid region, 10 patients in the sigmoid region, and 6 patients had a tumor causing obstruction in the proximal colon. Each patient was categorized pathologically as stage 2 (32.7%, 16 patients) or stage 3 (42.9%, 21 patients) and 12 patients (24.4%) had metastatic disease. None of the patients received chemotherapy before stenting. Stenting was undertaken in 37 patients as a bridge to surgery, and in 12 patients stents were used for palliation. Median time to surgery after stenting was 30 ± 91.9 d. All surgery was completed in one single operation and thus no colostomy with stoma was needed. The median overall survival rate of patients with stage 2-3 colorectal cancer was 53.1 mo and stage 4 was 37.1 mo (P = 0.04). Metastatic colorectal patients who were treated palliatively with stents had backbone chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan-based regimens plus antiangiogenic therapies, especially bevacizumab. Resolution of the obstruction and clinical improvement was achieved in all patients. The technical, clinical and surgical success rates were 95.9%, 100% and 94.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The efficacy and safety of colonic stents was demonstrated both as a bridge to surgery and for palliative decompression. In addition, results emphasize the importance of the skills of the endoscopist in colonic stenting.

Efficacy of self-expanding metallic stent for right-sided colonic obstruction due to carcinoma before 1-stage laparoscopic surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of this small study was to assess the clinical outcomes of self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) placement followed by 1-stage laparoscopic resection for treatment of acute right-sided colonic obstruction due to carcinoma.

METHOD

From January 2012 to December 2012, we performed 1-stage laparoscopic colectomy after placement of SEMS for right-sided obstructive colon carcinoma in 4 patients.

RESULTS

SEMS placement was technically successful in all cases and symptoms were immediately relieved. The presence of the endoluminal stent did not prevent a laparoscopic approach; moreover, decompression of the bowel obstruction provided a wide field of view and working space for the laparoscopic procedure. There were no cases of conversion to laparotomy and no intraoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

One-stage laparoscopic surgery, as a minimally invasive therapy, can be safely performed by SEMS placement in patients with acute right-sided colonic obstruction due to carcinoma. A large sample study is required to confirm the efficacy of this procedure.

Management of intestinal obstruction in advanced malignancy

Patients with incurable, advanced abdominal or pelvic malignancy often present to acute surgical departments with symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction. It is rare for bowel strangulation to occur in these presentations, and spontaneous resolution often occurs, so the luxury of time should be afforded while decisions are made regarding surgery. Cross-sectional imaging is valuable in determining the underlying mechanism and pathology. The majority of these patients will not be suitable for an operation, and will be best managed in conjunction with a palliative medicine team. Surgeons require a good working knowledge of the mechanisms of action of anti-emetics, anti-secretories and analgesics to tailor early management to individual patients, while decisions regarding potential surgery are made. Deciding if and when to perform operative intervention in this group is complex, and fraught with both technical and emotional challenges. Surgery in this group is highly morbid, with no current evidence available concerning quality of life following surgery. The limited evidence concerning operative strategy suggests that resection and primary anastomosis results in improved survival, over bypass or stoma formation. Realistic prognostication and involvement of the patient, care-givers and the multidisciplinary team in treatment decisions is mandatory if optimum outcomes are to be achieved.

Resection of Obstructive Left-Sided Colon Cancer at a National Level: A Prospective Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes in 1,816 Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The prematurely closed Stent-In II trial in patients with left-sided obstructive colon cancer may have influenced clinical decision making in The Netherlands. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment of left-sided malignant colon obstruction at a population level since then.

METHODS

Short-term outcomes of all patients who underwent resection for left-sided obstructive colon cancer between 2009 and 2012 were assessed based on a prospective national registry.

RESULTS

In total, 1,816 evaluable patients were included; acute resection was performed in 1,485 (81.8%), and endoscopic stent or decompressing stoma followed by resection in 196 (10.8%) and 135 (7.4%), respectively. The use of endoscopic stenting significantly decreased from 18% (2009) to 6% (2012). Overall 30-day or in-hospital mortality rate was 6.9, 5.6, and 3.7%, respectively (p = 0.107). Mortality rate after acute resection was 2.9% in patients <70 [corrected] years, but mortality rates up to 32.2% were observed in high-risk elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

Acute resection as first choice treatment seems justified for patients <70 [corrected] years of age given a mortality rate of 3%. For the elderly frail patients, mortality rates over 30% after acute resection stress the need for alternative treatment strategies.

Role of stenting in gastrointestinal benign and malignant diseases

Advances in stents design have led to a substantial increase in the use of stents for a variety of digestive diseases. Initially developed as a non-surgical treatment for palliation of esophageal cancer, the stents now have an emerging role in the management of malignant and benign conditions as well as in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, relevant literature search and expert opinions have been used to evaluate the key-role of stenting in gastrointestinal benign and malignant diseases.

Insertion of a Stent in Obstructive Colon Cancer Can Induce a Metastatic Process in an Experimental Murine Model

BACKGROUND

Colonic self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are used in obstructive colorectal cancer patients as a bridge to surgery. However, its oncologic safety remains uncertain. Therefore, we attempted to clarify this further with an experimental study and constructed a mouse model of colonic cancer.

METHODS

CT26 cells were injected in the rectal wall, and to mimic SEMS, a cardiac stent was inserted under endoscopy in occlusive (75 % lumen occlusion) tumors. We set up a control group (n = 22) and a stent group (n = 16), and the findings were compared. We focused on serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations, circulating tumor cells, survival time, peritoneal carcinomatosis, liver metastases, and bioluminescence.

RESULTS

One week after stent insertion, the serum LDH concentrations were significantly higher in the stent group (506 ± 203 IU/L) compared to the controls (229 ± 52 IU/L) (P = 0.005). The average survival time before sacrifice was significantly lower in the stent group (15.2 ± 1 days) compared to the controls (20 ± 5 days) (P = 0.005). The presence of a peritoneal carcinomatosis was more frequently observed in the stent group (75 %) than in the controls (50 %). Liver metastases were observed in 19 % of the stent group compared to the controls (4.5 %) (P = 0.29). After multivariate analysis, the stent group was still found to be associated with significantly lower survival time (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations led us to conclude that in our mouse model, SEMS resulted in an increased metastatic process and a shorter survival time. We suggest, therefore, that the utmost caution be exercised when opting for a stent as a bridge to surgery.

Investigating the collection and assessment of patient-reported outcome data amongst unplanned surgical hospital admissions: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in surgery can be challenging to conduct, and trials in the emergency surgical setting when patients have unplanned hospital admissions are particularly difficult. One area of challenge is capturing baseline patient-reported outcome (PRO) data. This study examined the feasibility and optimal methods for the collection of baseline and follow-up PRO data in the setting of unplanned surgical hospital admissions.

METHODS

Clinically stable adult patients with unplanned admissions through the day and night under the care of general surgeons at two acute NHS trusts were approached during working week days and asked to complete validated PRO measures (European Quality of Life-5 Dimension, Short Form-12, and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index) on admission and 6 weeks following discharge. Feasibility of PRO data collection was determined by the proportions of admitted patients eligible and recruited and by questionnaire-response rates at baseline and follow up. Reasons for non-recruitment and non-completion of questionnaires were sought and recorded.

RESULTS

There were 276 admissions, of whom 235 (85.1 %) were eligible. Reasons for ineligibility were the following: age under 18 years old (n = 5, 1.8 %), non-surgical presenting complaint (n = 6, 2.2 %) and clinical instability (n = 30, 10.9 %). One hundred and sixty-six patients (70.6 %) were recruited (98 female, 59.0 %); median age 53, range 19-100). Common reasons for non-recruitment included patients being discharged home before approached by researchers (n = 29, 12.3 %) or declining participation because they felt unwell (n = 15, 6.4 %). The most common reason for admission to the hospital was abdominal pain (n = 120, 72.3 % recruited patients), of whom 50 (30.1 %) required operative intervention. Baseline PRO data was obtained from 153 patients (93.3 %), and 74 (48.4 %) returned follow-up questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

Collection of baseline PRO data amongst unplanned admissions in general surgery is feasible. Methods for optimising retention and follow up are needed.

Gastrointestinal stenting: Current status and imaging features

The use of stents in the gastrointestinal tract has been subjected to major changes. Initially, the use of stents was restricted to malignant strictures in patients with metastatic disease. But thanks to reduction of the morbidity and mortality rates, they are now used with curative intention and in patients with benign diseases after careful selection. However, for patients presenting with colon obstruction due to an advanced colon carcinoma, the mortality and morbidity are still high. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of indications, techniques and further developments of the stents in the gastrointestinal tract and to highlight the predominant role of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in the detection of potential complications.

Patient-reported outcomes in randomised controlled trials of colorectal cancer: an analysis determining the availability of robust data to inform clinical decision-making

PURPOSE

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the most robust study design measuring outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments, but to influence clinical practice trial design and reporting of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) must be of high quality. Objectives of this study were as follows: to examine the quality of PRO reporting in RCTs of CRC treatment; to assess the availability of robust data to inform clinical decision-making; and to investigate whether quality of reporting improved over time.

METHODS

A systematic review from January 2004-February 2012 identified RCTs of CRC treatment describing PROs. Relevant abstracts were screened and manuscripts obtained. Methodological quality was assessed using International Society for Quality of Life Research-patient-reported outcome reporting standards. Changes in reporting quality over time were established by comparison with previous data, and risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

RESULTS

Sixty-six RCTs were identified, seven studies (10 %) reported survival benefit favouring the experimental treatment, 35 trials (53 %) identified differences in PROs between treatment groups, and the clinical significance of these differences was discussed in 19 studies (29 %). The most commonly reported treatment type was chemotherapy (n = 45; 68 %). Improvements over time in key methodological issues including the documentation of missing data and the discussion of the clinical significance of PROs were found. Thirteen trials (20 %) had high-quality reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst improvements in PRO quality reporting over time were found, several recent studies still fail to robustly inform clinical practice. Quality of PRO reporting must continue to improve to maximise the clinical impact of PRO findings.

Positive regulatory effects of perioperative probiotic treatment on postoperative liver complications after colorectal liver metastases surgery: a double-center and double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Colorectal liver metastases (CLM) occur frequently and postoperative intestinal infection is a common complication. Our previous study showed that probiotics could decrease the rate of infectious complications after colectomy for colorectal cancer. To determine the effects of the perioperative administration of probiotics on serum zonulin levels which is a marker of intestinal permeability and the subsequent impact on postoperative infectious complications in patients with CLM.

METHODS

150 patients with CLM were randomly divided into control group (n = 68) and probiotics group (n = 66). Probiotics and placebo were given orally for 6 days preoperatively and 10 days postoperatively to control group and probiotics group respectively. We used the local resection for metastatic tumor ,while for large tumor, the segmental hepatectomy. Postoperative outcome were recorded. Furthermore, complications in patients with normal intestinal barrier function and the relation with serum zonulin were analyzed to evaluate the impact on the liver barrier dysfunction.

RESULTS

The incidence of infectious complications in the probiotics group was lower than control group. Analysis of CLM patients with normal postoperative intestinal barrier function paralleled with the serum zonulin level. And probiotics could also reduce the concentration of serum zonulin (P = 0.004) and plasma endotoxin (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative probiotics treatment could reduce the serum zonulin level, the rate of postoperative septicemia and maintain the liver barrier in patients undergoing CLM surgery. we propose a new model about the regulation of probiotics to liver barrier via clinical regulatory pathway. We recommend the preoperative oral intake of probiotics combined with postoperative continued probiotics treatment in patients who undergo CLM surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR-TRC- 12002841 . 2012/12/21.

Colonic perforation either during or after stent insertion as a bridge to surgery for malignant colorectal obstruction increases the risk of peritoneal seeding

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic colorectal stenting may be performed as a bridge to surgery in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction, and has been reported to be associated with a high rate of successful primary anastomosis, low rate of stoma formation, and shorter hospital stay. However, the results of recent studies suggest that colorectal stenting could potentially worsen the prognosis. This study aimed to compare outcomes between patients who underwent colorectal stenting as a bridge to surgery and patients who underwent curative surgery only for malignant colorectal obstruction.

METHODS

This study included patients with malignant colorectal obstruction and symptomatic bowel dilatation who were treated by stenting as a bridge to surgery (stent group, n = 27) or surgical resection only (surgery-only group, n = 29) between May 2009 and May 2012. The short-term outcomes evaluated were the primary anastomosis rate, length of hospital stay, and rates of emergency and open surgery. The long-term outcomes evaluated were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

The primary outcomes were similar in the two groups. There were no significant differences between the stent and surgery-only groups in 3-year OS (85.2 vs. 82.8%; p = 0.655) or 3-year RFS (80.7 vs. 78.6%; p = 0.916). The odds ratio for seeded metastasis after perforation either during or after stent placement was 46.0 (95% CI, 2.0-1,047.8; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal stenting as a bridge to surgery showed no significant short- or long-term benefits compared with surgery only, and was associated with peritoneal seeding after perforation. Stenting before surgery should therefore only be considered in patients with a high risk of complications associated with emergency surgery.

Comparison of long-term outcomes of colonic stent as "bridge to surgery" and emergency surgery for malignant large-bowel obstruction: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The short-term safety and efficacy of insertion of a self-expandable metallic colonic stent followed by elective surgery, bridge to surgery (BTS), for malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) have been well described. However, long-term oncological outcomes are still debated. Hence, this study is conducted to evaluate long-term outcomes of colonic stent insertion followed by surgery for MLBO.

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic literature search through May 2014 was performed to identify studies comparing long-term outcomes between BTS and emergency surgery for MLBO. The main outcome measures were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and recurrence. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs).

RESULTS

There were 11 studies that matched the criteria for inclusion, yielding a total of 1136 patients, of whom 432 (38.0 %) underwent BTS and 704 (62.0 %) underwent emergency surgery. In OS analyses of all patients and patients who underwent curative resection, BTS was similar to emergency surgery [(RR = 0.95; 95 % CI 0.75-1.21; P = 0.66) (RR = 0.96; 95 % CI 0.67-1.37; P = 0.82), respectively]. DFS (RR = 1.06; 95 % CI 0.91-1.24; P = 0.43) and recurrence (RR = 1.13; 95 % CI 0.82-1.54; P = 0.46) did not differ significantly between the BTS and emergency surgery groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this meta-analysis on long-term as well as well-described short-term outcomes suggest that BTS could be a promising alternative strategy for MLBO patients.

What is the necessity of endoscopist for successful endoscopic stenting in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Recently, self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been widely used as an initial therapy for relieving malignant colorectal obstructions. However, several factors, including the endoscopist's experience, affect the clinical outcome of SEMSs. The aim of this study was to define the adequate level of experience necessary to perform endoscopic stenting effectively and safely and to identify technical factors for successful stenting.

METHODS

Between March 2009 and June 2012, 160 patients underwent SEMS placement for malignant colorectal obstruction with the intent of palliation or as a bridge to surgery by a single endoscopist who experienced colonoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

RESULTS

The overall technical and clinical success rates were 86.9 and 86.4%, respectively, and 18 complications (11.3%) were observed. There were no differences in any of the clinical outcomes between the consecutive blocks; however, the procedure time decreased significantly after the first 30 procedures (17.4, 16.9, 13.5, and 12.8 min; P = 0.044). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, history of a previous operation, proximal colon obstruction, obstruction caused by an extracolonic malignancy, and palliative SEMS placement were associated with technical failure.

CONCLUSIONS

An endoscopist who experiences a colonoscopy and fluoroscopy performs SEMS placement successfully regardless of the level of experience. After the first 30 procedures, a SEMS insertion could be safely and effectively performed with short procedure time in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

Colorectal stenting: An advanced approach to malignant colorectal obstruction

Some colorectal cancer (CRC) patients present symptoms of bowel obstruction, which is considered a surgical emergency. Because of poor medical condition and high incidence of post-surgical complications, there has been increasing use of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for the purpose of palliation or as a bridge to surgery with some benefits, including shorter hospital stays, lower rates of adverse events, and one-stage surgery. However, with increasing survival of CRC patients, there have been controversial data on clinical outcomes and complications, compared between SEMS use and surgery for treatment of malignant bowel obstruction. We review recent clinical data on clinical outcomes of SEMS use compared to surgery, including complications.

Oncological outcome of malignant colonic obstruction in the Dutch Stent-In 2 trial

BACKGROUND

The Stent-In 2 trial randomized patients with malignant colonic obstruction to emergency surgery or stent placement as a bridge to elective surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the oncological outcomes.

METHODS

Disease recurrence, and disease-free, disease-specific and overall survival were evaluated, including a subgroup analysis of patients with a stent- or guidewire-related perforation.

RESULTS

Of 98 patients included in the original Stent-In 2 trial, patients with benign (16) or incurable (23) disease were excluded from this study, along with a patient who had withdrawn from the trial. Of the remaining 58 patients, 32 were randomized to emergency surgery (31 resection, 1 stoma only) and 26 to stenting. Unsuccessful stenting required emergency surgery in six patients owing to wire or stent perforation. Locoregional or distant disease recurrence developed in nine of 32 patients in the emergency surgery group and 13 of 26 in the stent group. Disease-free survival was worse in the subgroup with stent- or guidewire-related perforation. Five of six patients in this subgroup developed a recurrence, compared with nine of 32 in the emergency surgery group and eight of 20 who had unperforated stenting.

CONCLUSION

Stent placement for malignant colonic obstruction was associated with a risk of recurrence in this trial, but the numbers are small. There is not enough evidence to refute the approach strongly.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN46462267 ( http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Short-term outcomes following the use of self-expanding metallic stents in acute malignant colonic obstruction--a single centre experience

BACKGROUND

Colonic self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) may provide prompt relief of acute malignant colorectal obstruction (AMCO) and are increasingly used either palliatively or as a bridge to surgery (BTS) in patients in whom a definitive surgical approach is unsuitable. We evaluated short-term outcomes of malignant colorectal obstructive patients who underwent SEMS insertion in our institution over a 3-year period.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify all patients who presented to our institution with AMCO between August 2010 and 2013 and who were treated with a SEMS either temporarily or permanently. Additional data was retrieved from chart reviews and operation notes.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (12 males, 4 females) each had a single stent inserted during the study period, either palliatively (n = 11) or as a BTS (n = 5). The technical and clinical success rates were both 87.5% (14/16). The two unsuccessful stenting cases both had disseminated disease and required emergency surgery while five patients with curable disease proceeded to elective resections. There was no procedure-related mortality or stent-related perforations. The mean (standard deviation) length of stay post acute surgery was longer than elective surgery [45 ± 21.2 vs. 15.8 ± 4.0, days]. All patients in the BTS group were stoma-free post-operatively, while both patients who had emergency surgery ended up with permanent stomas. Finally, the stent complication rate was 6.2% (1/16), secondary to migration.

CONCLUSIONS

Although limited by a small sample size, the study shows that SEMS have favourable short-term outcomes. Further adequately powered trials are needed to confirm those findings.

Long-term outcome of stenting as a bridge to surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate both the short- and long-term outcomes associated with colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery in patients with obstructing adenocarcinoma of the colon.

METHOD

Patients with potentially curable acute left-sided colonic obstruction treated with stenting as a bridge to surgery (n = 28) or with emergency surgical resection (n = 39) from January 1998 to December 2008 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Short-term data on postoperative mortality, morbidity, necessity of intensive care and length of hospital stay were compared. Overall survival and disease-free survival were also analysed.

RESULTS

Patients in the two study arms had similar demographic profiles. Those receiving preoperative stenting had a higher likelihood of a laparoscopic resection (P < 0.001). The emergency surgery group had a higher rate of postoperative complications (P = 0.024), rate of intensive care unit admission (P = 0.013) and longer total length of hospital stay (9 vs 12 days, P = 0.001). With a median follow-up of 26.5 and 31.3 months for the stenting and surgical resection groups, there was no difference in overall and disease-free survival (overall survival 30 vs 31 months, P = 0.858; disease-free survival 13 vs 12 months, P = 0.989). There was no difference in the rate of systemic recurrence (8 vs 13, P = 0.991).

CONCLUSION

Stenting as a bridge to surgery is a safe strategy for acute left-sided colonic obstruction with improved short-term outcome and comparable long-term oncological results.

Transanal ileoproctostomy is feasible in human cadavers

AIM

An ileorectal bypass performed entirely through a transanal route has recently been described in an animal model. The present study aimed to demonstrate its technical feasibility in four human cadavers.

METHOD

A transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) device and endoscopic instruments were used. The principal steps of the procedure included insertion of the TEM device, rectostomy above the peritoneal reflection, peritoneoscopy using a standard gastroscope and delivery of the small bowel through the proctostomy to perform an anastomosis.

RESULTS

The procedure was successfully completed using transanal access in all cases. The mean procedure time was 90 min. The bypass was patent, and the anastomosis between the intraperitoneal rectum and the terminal ileum was leakproof.

CONCLUSION

Transanal ileoproctostomy is technically feasible in human cadavers. The procedure may become an alternative to stoma formation in selected patients with colonic obstruction.

Surgical failure after colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery

AIM: To identify risk factors for surgical failure after colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery in left-sided malignant colonic obstruction.

METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent stent insertion for malignant colonic obstruction between February 2004 and August 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with malignant colonic obstruction had overt clinical symptoms and signs of obstruction. Malignant colonic obstruction was diagnosed by computed tomography and colonoscopy. A total of 181 patients underwent stent insertion during the study period; of these, 68 consecutive patients were included in our study when they had undergone stent placement as a bridge to surgery in acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction due to primary colon cancer.

RESULTS: Out of 68 patients, forty-eight (70.6%) were male, and the mean age was 64.9 (range, 38-89) years. The technical and clinical success rates were 97.1% (66/68) and 88.2% (60/68), respectively. Overall, 85.3% (58/68) of patients underwent primary tumor resection and primary anastomosis. Surgically successful preoperative colonic stenting was achieved in 77.9% (53/68). The mean duration, defined as the time between the SEMS attempt and surgery, was 11.3 d (range, 0-26 d). The mean hospital stay after surgery was 12.5 d (range, 6-55 d). On multivariate analysis, the use of multiple self-expanding metal stents (OR = 28.872; 95%CI: 1.939-429.956, P = 0.015) was a significant independent risk factor for surgical failure of preoperative stenting as a bridge to surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates in surgery after stent insertion were 4.4% (3/68) and 1.5% (1/68), respectively.

CONCLUSION: The use of multiple self-expanding metal stents appears to be a risk factor for surgical failure.

Recommendations for bowel obstruction with peritoneal carcinomatosis

This article reports on the clinical practice guidelines developed by a multidisciplinary group working on the indications and uses of the various available treatment options for relieving intestinal obstruction or its symptoms in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. These guidelines are based on a literature review and expert opinion. The recommended strategy involves a clinical and radiological evaluation, of which CT of the abdomen is a crucial component. The results, together with an analysis of the prognostic criteria, are used to determine whether surgery or stenting is the best option. In most patients, however, neither option is feasible, and the main emphasis, therefore, is on the role and administration of various symptomatic medications such as glucocorticoids, antiemetic agents, analgesics, and antisecretory agents (anticholinergic drugs, somatostatin analogues, and proton-pump inhibitors). Nasogastric tube feeding is no longer used routinely and should instead be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Recent studies have confirmed the efficacy of somatostatin analogues in relieving obstruction-related symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. However, the absence of a marketing license and the high cost of these drugs limit their use as the first-line treatment, except in highly selected patients (early recurrence). When these medications fail to alleviate the symptoms of obstruction, venting gastrostomy should be considered promptly. Rehydration is needed for virtually every patient. Parenteral nutrition and pain management should be adjusted according to the patient needs and guidelines.

Perforation in colorectal stenting: a meta-analysis and a search for risk factors

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that there is a substantial risk of perforation after colorectal stent placement.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for perforation from colonic stenting.

DESIGN

A meta-analysis of 86 studies published between 2005 and 2011.

SETTING

Multicenter review.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent colorectal stent placement.

INTERVENTION

Colorectal stent placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The occurrence of perforation with subgroup analyses for stent design, stricture etiology, stricture dilation, and concomitant chemotherapy, including the use of bevacizumab.

RESULTS

A total of 4086 patients underwent colorectal stent placement; perforation occurred in 207. Meta-analysis revealed an overall perforation rate of 7.4%. Of the 9 most frequently used stent types, the WallFlex, the Comvi, and the Niti-S D-type had a higher perforation rate (>10%). A lower perforation rate (<5%) was found for the Hanarostent and the Niti-S covered stent. Stenting benign strictures was associated with a significantly increased perforation rate of 18.4% compared with 7.5% for malignant strictures. Dilation did not increase the risk of perforation: 8.5% versus 8.5% without dilation. The subgroup of post-stent placement dilation had a significantly increased perforation risk of 20.4%. With a perforation rate of 12.5%, bevacizumab-based therapy was identified as a risk factor for perforation, whereas the risk for chemotherapy without bevacizumab was 7.0% and not increased compared with the group without concomitant therapies during stent therapy (9.0%).

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity; a considerable proportion of data is unavailable for subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The perforation rate of colonic stenting is 7.4%. Stent design, benign etiology, and bevacizumab were identified as risk factors for perforation. Intraprocedural stricture dilation and concomitant chemotherapy were not associated with an increased risk of perforation.

Surgical emergencies in oncology

An oncologic emergency is defined as an acute, potentially life threatening condition in a cancer patient that has developed as a result of the malignant disease or its treatment. Many oncologic emergencies are signs of advanced, end-stage malignant disease. Oncologic emergencies can be divided into medical or surgical. The literature was reviewed to construct a summary of potential surgical emergencies in oncology that any surgeon can be confronted with in daily practice, and to offer insight into the current approach for these wide ranged emergencies. Cancer patients can experience symptoms of obstruction of different structures and various causes. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent condition seen in surgical practice. Further surgical emergencies include infections due to immune deficiency, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding events, and pathological fractures. For the institution of the appropriate treatment for any emergency, it is important to determine the underlying cause, since emergencies can be either benign or malignant of origin. Some emergencies are well managed with conservative or non-invasive treatment, whereas others require emergency surgery. The patient's performance status, cancer stage and prognosis, type and severity of the emergency, and the patient's wishes regarding invasiveness of treatment are essential during the decision making process for optimal management.

The safety and efficiency of surgery with colonic stents in left-sided malignant colonic obstruction: a meta-analysis

Objective. This meta-analysis is aimed at assessing the safety and efficiency of colonic self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) used as a bridge to surgery in the management of left-sided malignant colonic obstruction (LMCO). Methods. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, OVID, Google Scholar, CNKI, and WANGFANG for relevant randomized trials comparing colonic stenting used as a bridge in semielective surgery versus emergency surgery from January 2001 to September 2013. Result. Five published studies were included in this systematic review, including 273 patients (140 male/133 female). 136 patients received semielective surgery after SEMS installation while 137 patients underwent emergency surgery without SEMS. SEMS intervention resulted in significantly lower overall colostomy rate (41.9% versus 56.2%, P = 0.02), surgical site infection rate (10.2% versus 19.7%, P = 0.03), and overall complication rate (29.2% versus 60.5%, P = 0.05). There was no statistic difference for the rate of primary anastomosis, anastomotic leak and operation-related mortality between two groups. Conclusions. semielective surgery with SEMS as a bridge for proper patients of LMCO can lower the overall rate for colostomy, surgical site infection, and complications.

Bridge-to-surgery stent placement versus emergency surgery for acute malignant colonic obstruction

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement as a bridge to surgery is an option for acute malignant colonic obstruction. There is ongoing debate regarding the superiority and oncological safety of SEMS placement compared with emergency surgery. This retrospective study aimed to compare outcomes of these treatment approaches.

METHODS

Patients were identified from cohorts treated between 2005 and 2012 in two teaching hospitals, of which one used emergency surgery only in patients with large bowel obstruction, whereas the other attempted SEMS placement. Only patients treated with curative intent were included.

RESULTS

The study included 59 patients in whom SEMS placement was attempted and 51 who underwent surgery alone. The successful primary anastomosis rate was higher in the SEMS group than in the surgery-alone group among patients with left-sided obstruction (30 of 43 versus 10 of 34 respectively; P = 0.001), whereas stoma formation was less common (11 of 43 versus 23 of 34; P < 0.001). Such differences were not apparent in patients with right-sided obstruction. Secondary stoma rates were comparable between treatment approaches (left-sided: 11 of 43 versus 13 of 34, P = 0.322; right-sided: 1 of 16 versus 1 of 17, P = 1.000). There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality, recurrence or survival.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic SEMS placement increased the primary anastomosis rate in patients with left-sided large bowel obstruction.

Personalized surgical management of colorectal cancer in elderly population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) in the elderly is extremely common but only a few clinicians are familiar with the complexity of issues which present in the geriatric population. In this phase of the life cycle, treatment is frequently suboptimal. Despite the fact that, nowadays, older people tend to be healthier than in previous generations, surgical undertreatment is frequently encountered. On the other hand, surgical overtreatment in the vulnerable or frail patient can lead to unacceptable postoperative outcomes with high mortality or persistent disability. Unfortunately, due to the geriatric patient being traditionally excluded from randomized controlled trials for a variety of factors (heterogeneity, frailty, etc.), there is a dearth of evidence-based clinical guidelines for the management of these patients. The objective of this review was to summarize the most relevant clinical studies available in order to assist clinicians in the management of CRC in the elderly. More than in any other patient group, both surgical and non-surgical management strategies should be carefully individualized in the elderly population affected by CRC. Although cure and sphincter preservation are the primary goals, many other variables need to be taken into account, such as maintenance of cognitive status, independence, life expectancy and quality of life.

Self-expandable metal stents in the treatment of benign anastomotic stricture after rectal resection for cancer

AIM

To evaluate the use of self-expandable metallic stents to treat patients with symptomatic benign anastomotic stricture after colorectal resection.

METHOD

Ten patients with a benign symptomatic anastomotic stricture after colorectal resection were treated with endoscopic placement of a self-expandable metal stent.

RESULTS

The stent was placed successfully in all 10 patients without any major morbidity. At a mean follow-up of 18 months the stenosis was resolved successfully in 7 out 10 patients (70%). The remaining three patients were subsequently treated successfully with balloon dilatation.

CONCLUSION

Self-expandable metal stents represent a valid alternative to balloon dilatation to treat patients with benign symptomatic anastomotic stricture after colorectal resection for cancer.

An acute care surgery service expedites the treatment of emergency colorectal cancer: a retrospective case-control study

Introduction

Emergency colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disease that requires multidisciplinary approaches for management. However, it is unclear whether acute care surgery (ACS) services can expedite the workup and treatment of complex surgical diseases such as emergency CRC. We sought to assess the impact of an Acute Care and Emergency Surgery Service (ACCESS) on wait-times for inpatient colonoscopy and surgical resection among emergency CRC patients.

Methods

This retrospective case–control study was conducted at a tertiary-care, university-affiliated, cancer centre in London, Ontario, Canada. All patients aged 18 or older who presented to the emergency department with a recent (within 48 hours) diagnosis of CRC, or were diagnosed with CRC after admission, were included in the study. Patients were either in the pre-ACCESS (July 1, 2007-June 31, 2010) or post-ACCESS (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2012) groups. A third group of emergency CRC patients treated at an adjacent cancer centre that lacked ACCESS (non-ACCESS) was evaluated separately. The primary outcome was time from admission to colonoscopy and surgery.

Results

A total of 149 patients (47 pre-ACCESS, 37 post-ACCESS, and 65 non-ACCESS) were identified. Only 19% (n = 9) of pre-ACCESS patients underwent inpatient colonoscopy, compared to 38% (n = 14) in the post-ACCESS group (p = 0.023). Additionally, 100% of patients in the post-ACCESS era underwent inpatient colonoscopy and surgery during the same admission, compared to only 44% of pre-ACCESS patients (p = 0.006). Median wait-times for inpatient colonoscopy (2.0 and 1.8 days for pre- and post-ACCESS groups respectively, p = 0.08) and surgical resection (1.6 and 2.3 days for pre- and post-ACCESS groups respectively, p = 0.40) were similar.

Conclusions

Patients admitted to ACCESS underwent more inpatient colonoscopies and were more likely to have definitive surgery on that admission. ACS services can facilitate the workup and management of complex surgical diseases such as emergency CRC without delaying treatment.

Preoperative colonic stents versus emergency surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery versus emergency surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials (RCT) that compared the efficacy or safety of preoperative colonic stents versus emergency surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction were searched in medical databases, including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Statistical heterogeneity between trials was evaluated by Revman 5.1 and was considered to exist at I(2) > 50%.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs were identified. There was a total of 382 patients, 195 who received a colonic stent and 187 who received emergency surgery. Compared with the emergency surgery group, the colonic stent group achieved significantly more favorable rates of permanent stoma, primary anastomosis, wound infection, and overall complications. There was no significant difference between the two groups in anastomotic leakage, mortality, or intra-abdominal infection. Inspection of funnel plots for all outcome measures did not reveal evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-expanding metal stents serve as a safe and effective bridge to subsequent surgery in patients with obstructing left-sided colon cancer. They can significantly improve one-stage surgery rates, and decrease the rates of permanent stoma and wound infection.