Small bowel obstruction following low anterior resection: the impact of diversion ileostomy

Two-Center Validation of a Novel Quality Improvement Protocol to Avoid Postileostomy Morbidity Using Home Intravenous Fluids and Structured Daily Calls

BACKGROUND

New ileostomates have higher rates of dehydration and readmission compared to patients undergoing other colorectal procedures.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to show the efficacy of a novel ileostomy-specific quality improvement protocol at an academic center with subsequent validation at another academic center.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX) and University of Florida Health (Gainesville, Florida).

PATIENTS

Patients who underwent elective ileostomy creation were enrolled in 2 phases: phase I (efficacy phase) from 2011 to 2018 at the University of Florida and phase II (validation phase) from 2018 to 2024 at Baylor College of Medicine.

INTERVENTIONS

New ileostomates received an indwelling intravenous line postoperatively. After discharge, daily home visits and administration of intravenous fluid infusions were completed by a registered nurse, and daily phone calls were made for counseling and medication adjustment by an advanced practice provider.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Length of stay, readmission rate, complication rate, and cost of care.

RESULTS

A total of 600 patients were enrolled in the study. There was a significant improvement in postprotocol from preprotocol in hospital length of stay (University of Florida: 3 vs 8 days; Baylor College of Medicine: 2.1 vs 6.9 days, p < 0.01), readmission rates (University of Florida: 9% vs 56%; Baylor College of Medicine: 7% vs 40%, p < 0.01), cost of care (University of Florida: $19,700 vs $53,300; Baylor College of Medicine: $18,100 vs $47,856, p < 0.01), and complication rates (University of Florida: 19% vs 65%; Baylor College of Medicine: 17% vs 46%, p < 0.01). If readmitted, the length of stay and cost decreased by 81% and 83%, respectively. No line-related complication was noted.

LIMITATIONS

This study was not randomized. Resource and insurance limitations may be an impediment to protocol implementation for austere settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a novel ileostomy-specific standardized protocol to avoid morbidity from dehydration by implementing home intravenous infusions in conjunction with comprehensive outpatient education and phone follow-up significantly improved the quality of care by decreasing the length of stay, readmissions, complications, and cost of care. These results were validated at another institution. See Video Abstract.

VALIDACIN EN DOS CENTROS DE UN NOVEDOSO PROTOCOLO DE MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD PARA EVITAR LA MORBILIDAD POSILEOSTOMA MEDIANTE LQUIDOS INTRAVENOSOS A DOMICILIO Y LLAMADAS DIARIAS ESTRUCTURADAS

ANTECEDENTES:Los nuevos ileostomizados presentan tasas más elevadas de deshidratación y reingreso en comparación con los pacientes sometidos a otros procedimientos colorrectales.OBJETIVO:Nuestro objetivo era demostrar la eficacia de un nuevo protocolo de mejora de la calidad específico para la ileostomía en un centro académico, con su posterior validación en otro centro académico.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohortes prospectivo.LUGAR:Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas); University of Florida Health (Gainesville, Florida).PACIENTES:Los pacientes sometidos a creación electiva de ileostomía se inscribieron en dos fases; Fase I (fase de eficacia) de 2011 a 2018 en la Universidad de Florida y Fase II (fase de validación) de 2018 a 2024 en el Baylor College of Medicine.INTERVENCIONES:Los nuevos ileostomizados recibieron una vía intravenosa permanente en el postoperatorio. Después del alta, se completaron visitas domiciliarias diarias y administración de infusiones de líquidos intravenosos por parte de una enfermera registrada y llamadas telefónicas diarias para asesoramiento y ajuste de la medicación por parte de un Proveedor de Práctica Avanzada.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Duración de la estancia, tasa de reingresos, tasa de complicaciones y costo de la atención.RESULTADOS:Un total de 600 pacientes participaron en el estudio. Hubo una mejora significativa en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria (Universidad de Florida: 3 frente a 8 días; Baylor College of Medicine: 2,1 frente a 6,9 días, p < 0,01), las tasas de readmisión (University of Florida: 9% frente a 56%; Baylor College of Medicine: 7% frente a 40%, p < 0,01), costo de la atención (Universidad de Florida: 19.700 $ frente a 53.300 $; Facultad de Medicina Baylor: 18.100 $ frente a 47.856 $, p < 0,01) y tasas de complicaciones (Universidad de Florida: 19% frente a 65%; Baylor College of Medicine: 17% frente a 46%, p < 0,01). En caso de reingreso, la duración de la estancia y el costo disminuyeron en un 81% y un 83%, respectivamente. No se observó ninguna complicación relacionada con la vía.LIMITACIONES:Este estudio no fue aleatorizado. Las limitaciones de recursos y seguros pueden ser un impedimento en la implementación del protocolo para entornos austeros.CONCLUSIONES:La aplicación de un novedoso protocolo estandarizado específico de la ileostomía para evitar la morbilidad por deshidratación, mediante la aplicación de infusiones intravenosas domiciliarias junto con una amplia educación ambulatoria y seguimiento telefónico, mejoró significativamente la calidad de la atención al disminuir la duración de la estancia, los reingresos, las complicaciones y el costo de la atención. Estos resultados se validaron en otra institución. (Traducción-Yesenia Rojas-Khalil).

Influence of the rotation of the diverting loop ileostomy in rectal cancer surgery on small-bowel obstruction: A multicenter prospective study conducted by the Clinical Study Group of Osaka University, Colorectal Group

AIMS

Whether rotation of a diverting loop ileostomy during rectal cancer surgery, for reducing the catastrophic effect of an anastomotic leakage, affects the incidence of small-bowel obstruction has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study is to explore whether technical maneuvers in diverting loop ileostomy creation, including its rotation, are associated with increased incidence of small-bowel obstruction in rectal tumor surgery.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective study was conducted by the Clinical Study Group of Osaka University, which comprises 24 major institutions. Patients with rectal adenocarcinoma scheduled for laparoscopic/robotic low anterior resection or intersphincteric resection with a diverting loop ileostomy were included. A total of 451 patients were prospectively enrolled between July 2015 and April 2021. The primary endpoint was the relevance of loop ileostomy rotation to the incidence of small-bowel obstruction; the secondary endpoints included the origin of the small-bowel obstruction and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Small-bowel obstruction was observed in 10.8% in the nonrotated group and 12.3% in the rotated group, with no significant difference (P > .99). The only risk factor identified for small-bowel obstruction was distance from the ileocecal valve, with a significant difference in 16 patients (7.3%) with a distance of ≤30 cm and 16 patients (15.4%) in a distance of >30 cm (P = .028).

CONCLUSION

Rotation of the diverting loop ileostomy had no significant effect on the incidence of small-bowel obstruction.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy has a lower risk of parastomal hernia and bowel obstruction than transperitoneal colostomy

PURPOSE

Several studies indicate that an extraperitoneal colostomy can prevent the development of a parastomal hernia (PSH) as compared to a transperitoneal colostomy. However, the clinical value of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy, and its influence on bowel obstruction and PSH remain unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the impact of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy on the development of a PSH and bowel obstruction.

METHODS

This study included 327 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection or Hartmann's procedure between January 2013 and December 2019 after fulfilling selection criteria. The incidence of a PSH (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ grade I) and bowel obstruction (≥ grade IIIa) in the transperitoneal and extraperitoneal route groups were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The patients were classified into transperitoneal (n = 222) and extraperitoneal (n = 105) route groups. The patient characteristics, except for body mass index and operative time, were comparable between the groups. A PSH and bowel obstruction occurred more frequently in the transperitoneal than in the extraperitoneal route group (17.1% vs. 1.9% and 15.3% vs. 6.7%, respectively; p < 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). The multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 70 years, body mass index ≥ 22.4 kg/m², and a transperitoneal route were independent risk factors for the development of a PSH, and a transperitoneal route was an independent risk factor for bowel obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The transperitoneal route was identified as a risk factor for the development of both a PSH and bowel obstruction after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection or Hartmann's procedure.

Significant morbidity is associated with proximal fecal diversion among high-risk patients who undergo colectomy: A NSQIP analysis

BACKGROUND

The value of proximal fecal diversion for patients undergoing colectomies is an ongoing debate. Previous studies have shown a benefit in decreased anastomotic leak rates and mitigation of the morbidity of a leak, especially in high-risk populations. However, more recent data suggests increased morbidity with fecal diversion, creating a complication with an unknown degree of anastomotic leak reduction. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact on morbidity of a diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) in patients with a high risk of anastomotic leak.

METHODS

The ACS-NSQIP database was queried (via CPT code) for adult patients (age ≥18 years) who underwent a colectomy only or colectomy with ileostomy (CWI) between Jan 2013 and Dec 2016. We compared thirty-day outcomes between a 3:1 propensity-matched colectomy only group to patients who had a CWI. We used risk factors for anastomotic leak as a basis of our propensity match which included preoperative smoking, steroid use, preoperative weight loss, preoperative transfusion, hypoalbuminemia, and leukocytosis; intraoperative match variables included indication for surgery, wound class, duration of operation, primary CPT code, elective vs. emergent, and inpatient vs. outpatient surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 39,588 patients from the NSQIP database who had a colectomy only or a CWI. The colectomy only group was older (age 63 vs 52 years p < 0.001), overweight (BMI 34 vs 26.7, p < 0.001), more likely to be diabetic (16% vs 9.5%, p < 0.001) and hypertensive (49.3% vs 31.4%). However, the CWI group had higher steroid use (36.8% vs 10%, p < 0.001), preoperative sepsis (13.2% vs 2.5%, p < 0.001), smoking rate (25.7% vs 15.4%, p < 0.001), and preoperative weight loss (12.5% vs 4.9%, p < 0.001). Our propensity analysis matched 2274 colectomy only patients and 758 CWI patients. Baseline demographics were similar between groups. While the mortality rate was similar between groups (1.5% vs 1.8%, p = 0.8), CWI patients had longer length of stay (median 8 vs 7 days, p < 0.001), higher renal injury rates (3.2% vs 0.9%, p < 0.001), higher readmission rates (18.8% vs 11%, p < 0.001) and higher overall NSQIP morbidity (44.5% vs 37.6%, p = 0.001). The anastomotic leak rate was 3.8% in the CWI group and 5.1% in the colectomy only group (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant thirty-day morbidity exists with a diverting ileostomy among high-risk colectomy patients with minimal benefit in anastomotic leak rates.

Early versus conventional stoma closure following bowel surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND/AIM

To compare early stoma closure with conventional stoma closure following defunctioning diversion stoma surgery with respect to the frequency of complications, health-related quality of life (QoL), and length of hospitalization (LoH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was designed as a prospective parallel-arm randomized controlled trial. Patients who underwent temporary stoma following bowel surgery between February 2014 and November 2015 were included. The rate of complications (medical and surgical) following early and conventional stoma closure was assessed. Health-related QoL and LoH were also measured.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were included, with 50 cases in each group. Postoperative complications including laparostoma (6% vs. 2%;P = 0.307), wound infection (32% vs. 18%; P = 0.106), intra-abdominal collection (14% vs. 18%; P = 0.585), anastomotic leak (4%vs. 8%;P = 0.400), and medical complications were comparable (22% vs. 32%;P = 0.257). The length of hospital stay, overall mortality and morbidity (64% vs. 44%; P = 0.05) were similar across the two groups. There was a significant reduction in the cost towards stoma care (96% vs. 2%; P = 0.001) in the early stoma closure group. Patients in the early stoma closure group also had a significantly better QoL.

CONCLUSION

Early stoma closure does not carry an increased risk of postoperative complications, reduces cost towards stoma care, and leads to better a QoL.

Risk factors of small bowel obstruction following total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop-ileostomy for ulcerative colitis

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) often occurs after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop‐ileostomy for ulcerative colitis. Little is known about the association between SBO and surgical procedures for diverting loop‐ileostomy. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective questionnaire survey. Unlinkable anonymized data on ileostomy procedures and ileostomy‐related complications including SBO were collected from institutions specializing in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease. In total, 515 patients undergoing total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with loop‐ileostomy among 1022 patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing surgery during a 3‐year period between 2012 and 2014 were analyzed. Twenty‐nine patients without information on complications were excluded. Incidence of ileostomy‐related complications and factors associated with the development of small bowel obstruction were determined in 486 patients. The most common complications were parastomal dermatitis (n=169, 34.8%), SBO (n=111, 22.8%), mucocutaneous dehiscence (n=59, 12.1%), stoma prolapse (n=21, 4.3%), parastomal hernia (n=12, 2.5%), and stoma retraction (n=11, 2.3%). Incidence of small bowel obstruction was significantly higher in patients with distance from the ileal pouch to the ileostomy of less than 30 cm and in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Procedures for diverting loop‐ileostomy after surgery for ulcerative colitis varied among institutions. Incidence of small bowel obstruction was high after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis with diverting loop‐ileostomy. Shorter distance between the pouch and the stoma and the laparoscopic surgery were risk factors for SBO in univariate analysis.

Small-Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Adhesions After Open or Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Background and Objectives:

Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common surgical emergency that occurs in 9% of patients after abdominal surgery. Up to 73% are caused by peritoneal adhesions. The primary purpose of this study was to compare the rate of SBOs between patients who underwent laparoscopic (LPS) and those who had open (OPS) colorectal surgery. The secondary reasons were to evaluate the rate of adhesive SBO in a cohort of patients who underwent a range of colorectal resections and to assess risk factors for the development of SBO.

Method:

This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Data were analyzed from a prospectively collected database and cross checked with operating theater records and hospital patient management systems.

Results:

During the study period, 707 patients underwent colorectal resection, 350 of whom (49.5%) were male. Median follow-up was 48.3 months. Of the patients included, 178 (25.2%) underwent LPS, whereas 529 (74.8%) had OPS. SBO occurred in 72 patients (10.2%): 20 (11.2%) in the LPS group and 52 (9.8%) in the OPS group [P = .16; hazards ratio (HR) 1.4 95% CI 0.82–2.48] within the study period. Conversion to an open procedure was associated with increased risk of SBO (P = .039; HR 2.82; 95% CI 0.78–8.51). Stoma formation was an independent risk factor for development of SBO (P = .049; HR, 0.63; 95% CI 0.39–1.03). The presence of an incisional hernia in the OPS group was associated with SBO (P = .0003; HR, 2.85; 95% CI 1.44–5.283). There was no difference in SBO between different types of procedures: right colon, left colon, and rectal surgery. Patients who developed early small-bowel obstruction (ESBO) were more often treated surgically compared to late SBO (P = .0001).

Conclusion:

The use of laparoscopy does not influence the rate of SBO, but conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery is associated with an increased risk of SBO. Stoma formation is associated with a 2-fold increase in SBO. Development of ESBO is highly associated with a need for further surgical intervention.

The incidence and risk of early postoperative small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Early postoperative small bowel obstruction is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality but has not been well documented in the era of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer were studied.

RESULTS

In total, 1787 patients (105 with and 1682 without early postoperative small bowel obstruction) with colorectal cancer requiring laparoscopic colorectal surgery were evaluated in this study. Ten patients (0.56% among the total patient population, 9.5% among patients who experienced early postoperative small bowel obstruction) who did not respond to conservative treatment for more than 14 days required surgical intervention. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.27), combined operation (AOR=2.23), and diverting stoma (AOR=4.79) were associated with a higher early postoperative small bowel obstruction rate. For factors related to surgical difficulty, open conversion (AOR=2.85), blood transfusion (AOR=3.51), and an operation time longer than 180 minutes (AOR=1.91) were independent factors associated with an increased early postoperative small bowel obstruction rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Early postoperative small bowel obstruction following laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer occurred in 5.9% of patients. Factors for predicting the development of early postoperative small bowel obstruction in patients with colorectal cancer are variables reflective of a more difficult surgery, rather than pathologic disease severity or anatomical location. In addition, most patients with early postoperative small bowel obstruction improved with conservative treatment, and surgical treatment was rarely needed.

Role of diversion ileostomy in low rectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Rectal cancer continues to be devastating malignancy worldwide. Sphincter preservation is the need of the hour. Distal anastomosis is more prone to leaks. Proximal diversion in form of ileostomy may be used to protect distal anastomosis.

AIM

To compare two groups of low anterior resection with and without diversion ileostomy in rectal cancer patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective, hospital based study of 78 rectal carcinoma patients were taken for the study. Inclusion criteria was operable rectal cancer 4-12 cm from anal verge. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group - A (34 patient) patients with low anterior resection with ileostomy (LAR with ileostomy); Group - B (44 patients) patients with low anterior resection without ileostomy (LAR without ileostomy). Quality of life was assessed by scoring done by self designed method. A total score of 0-20 given for various parameters.

RESULTS

Skin excoriation was the commonest complication. Stomal retraction and stomal obstruction was seen in 1 patient each (3%). Hypokalemia was the commonest electrolyte imbalance present in ileostomy group. Anastomotic leak was present in 6% of Group A and 11% of Group B patients. Mean time of closure of ileostomy was 16 ± 4.3 weeks.

CONCLUSION

LAR with ileostomy has certain advantages over LAR without ileostomy in terms of anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, resumption of diet, wound infection, small bowel obstruction and in terms mortality and recurrence. However stoma related complications were main disadvantage in LAR with ileostomy.

Laparoscopic-assisted versus open total mesorectal excision with anal sphincter preservation for mid and low rectal cancer: a prospective, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

This single-center, prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare the short-term clinical outcome between laparoscopic-assisted versus open total mesorectal excision (TME) with anal sphincter preservation (ASP) in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Long-term morbidity and survival data also were recorded and compared between the two groups.

METHODS

Between August 2001 and August 2007, 80 patients with mid and low rectal cancer were randomized to receive either laparoscopic-assisted (40 patients) or open (40 patients) TME with ASP. The median follow-up time for all patients was 75.7 (range 16.9-115.7) months for the laparoscopic-assisted group and 76.1 (range 4.7-126.6) months for the open group. The primary endpoint of the study was short-term clinical outcome. Secondary endpoints included long-term morbidity rate and survival. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

The demographic data of the two groups were comparable. Postoperative recovery was better after laparoscopic surgery, with less analgesic requirement (P < 0.001), earlier mobilization (P = 0.001), lower short-term morbidity rate (P = 0.043), and a trend towards shorter hospital stay (P = 0.071). The cumulative long-term morbidity rate also was lower in the laparoscopic-assisted group (P = 0.019). The oncologic clearance in terms of macroscopic quality of the TME specimen, circumferential resection margin involvement, and number of lymph nodes removed was similar between both groups. After curative resection, the probabilities of survival at 5 years of the laparoscopic-assisted and open groups were 85.9 and 91.3 %, respectively (P = 0.912). The respective probabilities of being disease-free were 83.3 and 74.5 % (P = 0.114).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic-assisted TME with ASP improves postoperative recovery, reduces short-term and long-term morbidity rates, and seemingly does not jeopardize survival compared with open surgery for mid and low rectal cancer ( http://ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00485316).

Evaluation and management of small-bowel obstruction: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline

BACKGROUND

Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) represents as many as 16% of surgical admissions and more than 300,000 operations annually in the United States. The optimal strategies for the diagnosis and management of SBO continue to evolve secondary to advances in imaging techniques, critical care, and surgical techniques. This updated systematic literature review was developed by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma to provide up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for SBO.

METHODS

A search of the National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database was performed using PubMed interface for articles published from 2007 to 2011.

RESULTS

The search identified 53 new articles that were then combined with the 131 studies previously reviewed by the 2007 guidelines. The updated guidelines were then presented at the 2012 annual EAST meeting.

CONCLUSION

Level I evidence now exists to recommend the use of computed tomographic scan, especially multidetector computed tomography with multiplanar reconstructions, in the evaluation of patients with SBO because it can provide incremental clinically relevant information over plains films that may lead to changes in management. Patients with evidence of generalized peritonitis, other evidence of clinical deterioration, such as fever, leukocytosis, tachycardia, metabolic acidosis, and continuous pain, or patients with evidence of ischemia on imaging should undergo timely exploration. The remainder of patients can safely undergo initial nonoperative management for both partial and complete SBO. Water-soluble contrast studies should be considered in patients who do not clinically resolve after 48 to 72 hours for both diagnostic and potential therapeutic purposes. Laparoscopic treatment of SBO has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative to laparotomy in selected cases.

Dehydration is the most common indication for readmission after diverting ileostomy creation

BACKGROUND

Early readmission after discharge from the hospital is an undesirable outcome. Ileostomies are commonly used to prevent symptomatic anastomotic complications in colorectal resections.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify factors predictive of readmission after colectomy/proctectomy and diverting loop ileostomy.

DESIGN

This study is a retrospective review.

PATIENTS

Patients were included who underwent colon and rectal resections with ileostomy at our institution. Sex, age, type of disease, comorbidities, elective vs urgent procedure, type of ileostomy, operative method, steroid use, ASA score, and the use of diuretics were evaluated as potential factors for readmission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were the need for readmission and the presence of dehydration (ostomy output ≥1500 mL over 24 hours and a blood urea nitrogen/creatinine level ≥20, or physical findings of dehydration).

RESULTS

Six hundred three loop ileostomies were created mostly in white (95.3%), male (55.6%) patients undergoing colon or rectal resections. IBD was the most common indication at 50.9%, with rectal cancer at 16.1%, and other at 31.0%. The 60-day readmission rate was 16.9% (n = 102) with the most common cause dehydration (n = 44, 43.1%). Regression analysis demonstrated that the laparoscopic approach (p = 0.02), lack of epidural anesthesia (p = 0.004), preoperative use of steroids (p = 0.04), and postoperative use of diuretics (p = 0.0001) were highly predictive for readmission. Furthermore, regression analysis for readmission for dehydration identified the use of postoperative diuretics as the sole risk factor (p = 0.0001).

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the retrospective analysis of data, and it does not capture patients that were treated at home or in clinic.

CONCLUSION

Readmission after colon or rectal resection with diverting loop ileostomy was high at 16.9%. Dehydration was the major cause for readmission. Patients receiving diuretics are at increased risk for readmission for dehydration. High-risk patients should be treated more cautiously as inpatients and closely monitored in the outpatient setting to help reduce dehydration and readmission.

Risk factors of early postoperative small bowel obstruction following a proctectomy for rectal cancer

Purpose

Postoperative small bowel obstruction is a common and serious complication following a proctectomy, and early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) leads to longer hospital stays, delays chemotherapy in advanced cases, and may be a contributor to mortality. The goal of this study is to identify the risk factors of EPSBO after a proctectomy for rectal cancer, thereby seeking to reduce the incidence of EPSBO.

Methods

Patients (735) who underwent a proctectomy for rectal cancer between March 2005 and February 2010 were entered into this study, and data were collected prospectively. Patients were judged to have EPSBO if, within the first 30 days, they presented symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention lasting for 2 days, and radiologic finding of small bowel obstruction after evidence of return of small bowel motility. The association between EPSBO and patients and surgery-related variables were studied by using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

EPSBO developed in 47 cases (6.4%) and was the most frequently occurring complication in the early perioperative period following a proctectomy. The frequency of EPSBO according to operative variables shows that EPSBO developed in 3.0% of the patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery (LS) compared with 8.4% of the patients who underwent open surgery (OS) (P = 0.004). OS (odds ratio [OR], 2.5) and a previous laparotomy (OR, 2.3) were independent risk factors for the development of EPSBO after a proctectomy for rectal cancer.

Conclusion

EPSBO is more likely to occur in patients who undergo OS or who have had a previous laparotomy. LS may be considered as a surgical procedure that can reduce the risk of EPSBO in patients undergoing a proctectomy for rectal cancer.

Risk factors for early postoperative small bowel obstruction after colectomy for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) after colectomy leads to markedly lower patient quality of life, longer hospital stays, and increased hospitalization costs. From a systemic treatment point of view, early postoperative SBO is one of the major concerns of the surgery because it often delays chemotherapy in advanced cases. The goal of this single-center study was to evaluate the risk factors for early postoperative SBO.

METHODS

Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for 1,004 patients who underwent open colectomy (OC, 421 patients) or laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC, 583 patients) for colorectal cancer between January 1997 and December 2008.

RESULTS

The overall early postoperative SBO were 45 cases (4.5%). Univariate analysis of the risk factors for early postoperative SBO showed no statistical significance between respective risk factors and occurrence of SBO for age >70 years, body mass index >25 kg/m(2), ASA score > or =3, pT stage T4, pN stage > or =N1, pM stage M1, or increased blood loss. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that OC (odds ratio (OR), 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.34-5.13; P = 0.005), and rectal cancer (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1; P = 0.025) were independent risk factors for postoperative SBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer. Regarding the causes of SBO, paralytic obstruction was more frequent in the LAC group, and adhesive obstruction was more frequent in the OC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early postoperative SBO cases are more likely to occur with OC and rectal cancer. LAC is an effective surgical procedure from the perspective of reducing the incidence of early postoperative SBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer.