Laparoscopic Colectomy Versus Open Colectomy for Treatment of Transverse Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Limited Access to Aortic Valve Procedures in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Areas

BACKGROUND

To explore how differences in local socioeconomic deprivation impact access to aortic valve procedures and the treatment of aortic valve disease, in comparison to other open and minimally invasive surgical procedures.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Procedure volume data were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 18 states from 2016 to 2019 and merged with area deprivation index data, an index of zip code-level socioeconomic distress. We estimate the relationship between local deprivation ranking and differences in volumes of aortic valve replacement, which include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery and laparoscopic colectomy (LC). All regressions control for state and year fixed effects and an array of zip code-level characteristics. TAVR procedures have increased over time across all zip codes. The rate of increase is negatively correlated with deprivation ranking, regardless of the higher share of hospitalizations per population in high deprivation areas. Distributional analysis further supports these findings, showing that lower area deprivation index areas account for a disproportionately large share of SAVR, TAVR, and LC procedures in our sample relative to their share of all hospitalizations in our sample. By comparison, the cumulative distribution of coronary artery bypass graft procedures was nearly identical to that of total hospitalizations, suggesting that this procedure is equitably distributed. Regressions show high area deprivation index areas have lower prevalence of SAVR (β=-15.1%, [95% CI, -26.8 to -3.5]), TAVR (β=-9.1%, [95% CI, -18.0 to -0.2]), and LC (β=-19.9%, [95% CI, -35.4 to -4.4]), with no statistical difference in the prevalence of coronary artery bypass graft (β=-2.5%, [95% CI, -12.7 to 7.6]), a widespread and commonly performed procedure. In the population aged ≥80 years, results show high area deprivation index areas have a lower prevalence of TAVR (β=-11.9%, [95% CI, -18.7 to -5.2]) but not SAVR (β=-0.8%, [95% CI, 8.1 to 6.3]), LC (β=-3.5%, [95% CI, -13.4 to -6.4]), or coronary artery bypass graft (β=5.2%, [95% CI, -1.1 to 1.1]).

CONCLUSIONS

People living in high deprivation areas have less access to life-saving technologies, such as SAVR, and even moreso to device-intensive minimally invasive procedures such as TAVR and LC.

Novel approach toward minimally invasive surgery for mid-transverse colon cancer: 'moving the left colon' technique

AIM

During surgery for mid-transverse colon cancer (MTC), surgeons often face the dilemma of whether to mobilize the hepatic or splenic flexure. There is no established optimal minimally invasive surgical procedure for MTC.

METHODS

We present our novel minimally invasive surgical technique, called the 'moving the left colon' technique for MTC, along with a video demonstration. The procedure involves four main steps: (i) mobilization of the splenic flexure using a medial-to-lateral approach, (ii) dissection of lymph nodes around the middle colic artery from the left side of the superior mesenteric artery approach, (iii) separation of the pancreas and transverse mesocolon and (iv) 'moving the left colon' and performing an intracorporeal anastomosis. By mobilizing the splenic flexure, anatomical landmarks are revealed, which enables safer dissection. Combining this technique with intracorporeal anastomosis allows for a safe and easy anastomosis.

RESULTS

Between April 2021 and January 2023, a single-skilled colorectal surgeon performed laparoscopic transverse colectomies using our new approach on three consecutive patients with MTC. The patients had a median age of 75 years (range 46-89 years). The median operative time was 194 min (range 193-228 min) and blood loss was 8 mL (range 0-20 mL). None of the patients experienced any perioperative complications and the median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days.

CONCLUSION

We introduced a novel approach for laparoscopic surgery for MTC. This technique can be performed safely and may help standardize minimally invasive surgery for MTC.

Analysis of surgical outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for locally advanced mid-transverse colon cancer

PURPOSE

This study compared the surgical outcomes between laparoscopic colectomy (LC) and open colectomy (OC) for mid-transverse colon cancer (MTC).

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study compared the short- and long-term surgical outcomes for patients with advanced MTC (T3 and T4 with or without nodal involvement) who underwent LC or OC between January 2008 and December 2019 using a propensity score-matched analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 177 patients with advanced MTC were enrolled. After matching, 58 cases for the OC and LC groups were selected. No significant differences in age, sex, tumor progression, or procedure type (extended resection or segmental resection) existed between groups. The LC group had significantly less blood loss (20 mL vs. 50 mL, p=0.048) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (8 days vs. 12 days, p<0.001) than the OC group. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 2) occurred in 27.6% and 25.9% of the OC and LC groups respectively (p=1). Three patients (5.2%) and one patient (1.7%) of the OC and LC groups respectively developed anastomotic leakage (p=0.62). Re-operation was required in five patients (8.6%) in the OC group and one patient (1.7%) in the LC group (p=0.21). No surgery-related deaths occurred in either group. The 3-year overall survival rates (stage II: LC 100% vs. OC 92.8%, p=0.15; stage III: 88.9% vs. 84.3%, p=0.88, respectively) were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

LC is a minimally invasive technique with lesser blood loss, shorter postoperative hospital stays, and oncologic equivalence to OC. Hence, LC is useful for MTC treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000042676.

Comparison of survival outcomes between laparoscopic and open colectomy for transverse colon cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare laparoscopic with open resection for transverse colon cancer (TCC) regarding long-term survival outcomes.

METHODS

Systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library for studies comparing laparoscopic with open resection for TCC. The last search was performed on October 7, 2022. Oncological and survival outcomes were collected and analyzed. This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager Software (v 5.3).

RESULTS

This study included fifteen studies published between 2014 and 2022 with 2556 patients in total. When compared with the laparoscopic group, the open group had significantly more tumors locating on middle transverse colon (P = 0.006, OR = 0.67, 95%CI [0.50, 0.89], I² = 12%) and more patients received transverse colectomy (P = 0.03, OR = 0.66, 95%CI [0.46, 0.96], I² = 53%) as results. Comparable tumor stage (P = 0.13, OR = 0.81, 95%CI [0.62, 1.06], I² = 55%) and number of lymph node harvested (P = 0.22, WMD =  -0.81, 95%CI [-2.09, 0.47], I² = 73%) were observed between the two groups. As for survival outcomes, no significant difference was observed between the two groups for 5-year disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.61, OR = 0.93, 95%CI [0.72, 1.21], I² = 0%), 5-year overall survival (OS; P = 0.83, OR = 0.97, 95%CI [0.71, 1.32], I² = 0%), 3-year DFS (P = 0.97, OR = 0.96, 95%CI [0.69, 1.32], I² = 0%), and 3-year OS (P = 0.67, OR = 0.92, 95%CI [0.63, 1.35], I² = 0%). In the subgroup analysis according to tumor stage, the results did not change.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence based on studies demonstrated that laparoscopic procedure could be safely performed for TCC, and it would not affect the long-term survival. Randomized clinical trials with a larger sample size are warranted in the future for further investigation.

Audit of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer in Morocco: A report of the results of a prospective multicentre cohort study

Background

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusions

•

Laparoscopy is the standard technique for colon cancer in rich countries. Little data exists about lower income countries.

•

We evaluated laparoscopy for colon cancer by comparing it to open colon resections in a low-mid income country.

•

We found that Laparoscopy is performed by few surgeons, who apply strict patient selection for laparoscopic cases.

•

Patients in the laparoscopy group also had lower quality resections compared to open surgery.

•

The challenges identified will require more focus on training, certification, centralization, and standardisation of care.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial gastrointestinal lesions: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2022

ESGE recommends that the evaluation of superficial gastrointestinal (GI) lesions should be made by an experienced endoscopist, using high definition white-light and chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based).ESGE does not recommend routine performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT prior to endoscopic resection.ESGE recommends endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as the treatment of choice for most superficial esophageal squamous cell and superficial gastric lesions.For Barrett's esophagus (BE)-associated lesions, ESGE suggests the use of ESD for lesions suspicious of submucosal invasion (Paris type 0-Is, 0-IIc), for malignant lesions > 20 mm, and for lesions in scarred/fibrotic areas.ESGE does not recommend routine use of ESD for duodenal or small-bowel lesions.ESGE suggests that ESD should be considered for en bloc resection of colorectal (but particularly rectal) lesions with suspicion of limited submucosal invasion (demarcated depressed area with irregular surface pattern or a large protruding or bulky component, particularly if the lesions are larger than 20 mm) or for lesions that otherwise cannot be completely removed by snare-based techniques.ESGE recommends that an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with histology no more advanced than intramucosal cancer (no more than m2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma), well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion or ulceration, should be considered a very low risk (curative) resection, and no further staging procedure or treatment is generally recommended.ESGE recommends that the following should be considered to be a low risk (curative) resection and no further treatment is generally recommended: an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with superficial submucosal invasion (sm1), that is well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion, of size ≤ 20 mm for an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ≤ 30 mm for a stomach lesion or of any size for a BE-related or colorectal lesion, and with no lymphovascular invasion, and no budding grade 2 or 3 for colorectal lesions.ESGE recommends that, after an endoscopically complete resection, if there is a positive horizontal margin or if resection is piecemeal, but there is no submucosal invasion and no other high risk criteria are met, this should be considered a local-risk resection and endoscopic surveillance or re-treatment is recommended rather than surgery or other additional treatment.ESGE recommends that when there is a diagnosis of lymphovascular invasion, or deeper infiltration than sm1, or positive vertical margins, or undifferentiated tumor, or, for colorectal lesions, budding grade 2 or 3, this should be considered a high risk (noncurative) resection, and complete staging and strong consideration for additional treatments should be considered on an individual basis in a multidisciplinary discussion.ESGE recommends scheduled endoscopic surveillance with high definition white-light and chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based) with biopsies of only the suspicious areas after a curative ESD.

Association of hospital factors and socioeconomic status with the utilization of minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer over a decade

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is a mainstay of treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been shown to have improved outcomes compared to open procedures for colorectal malignancy. While use of MIS has been increasing, there remains large variability in its implementation at the hospital and patient level.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify disparities in sex, race, location, patient income status, insurance status, hospital region, bed size and teaching status for the use of MIS in the treatment of CRC.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database. Between 2008 and 2017, there were 412,292 hospitalizations of adult patients undergoing elective colectomy for CRC. The primary outcome was use of MIS during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Overall, the frequency of open colectomies was higher than MIS (56.56% vs. 43.44%). Black patients were associated with decreased odds of MIS use during hospitalization compared to White patients (OR 0.921, p = 0.0011). As the county population where patients resided decreased, odds of MIS also significantly decreased as compared to central counties of metropolitan areas. As income decreased below the reference of $71,000, odds of MIS also significantly decreased. Medicaid and uninsured patients had decreased odds of MIS use during hospitalization compared to private insurance (OR 0.751, p < 0.0001 and OR 0.629, p < 0.0001 respectively). Rural and urban non-teaching hospitals were associated with decreased odds of MIS as compared to urban teaching hospitals (OR 0.523, p < 0.0001 and OR 0.837, p < 0.0001 respectively). Hospitals with a small bed size were also associated with decreased MIS during hospitalizations (OR 0.888, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Marked hospital level and socioeconomic disparities exist for utilization of MIS for colorectal cancer. Strategies targeted at reducing these gaps have the potential to improve surgical outcomes and cancer survival.

Surgical outcomes of various surgical approaches for transverse colon cancer

The transverse colon has anatomical peculiarities in the middle position between the foregut and the midgut. Because the transverse colon harbors a flexure at both ends, mobilization of the transverse colon can be especially challenging compared with other colons. Although transverse colon cancer is relatively uncommon, an optimal surgical management for transverse colon cancer must be established. In transverse colon cancer, proximity to the pancreas and variation in arterial and venous anatomy make radical resection more difficult. Dissection of lymph nodes around the middle colic vessels is a critical step in transverse colon cancer resection. The proximity of the middle colic vessels to the superior mesenteric vessels contributes to the complexity of this step, making it challenging for less-trained surgeons. For these reasons, patients with transverse colon cancer were not included in most landmark studies that compared laparoscopic surgery with open surgery. More radical operations, such as subtotal colectomy or extended right or left hemicolectomy, can be performed for transverse colon cancer to secure an adequate lymphadenectomy. Such cancers have also been treated with limited segmental colectomies, such as right, transverse, or left colectomy. Currently, there is still a lack of standardized definitions and procedures. Therefore, it is time to discuss and establish optimal surgical treatments for transverse colon cancer.

Laparoscopic and open surgery in patients with transverse colon cancer: short-term and oncological outcomes

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the outcomes after laparoscopic resections of transverse colon cancers are scant. This manuscript aimed to compare surgical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic (Lap) and open procedures for transverse colon carcinomas.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent resection for a cancer located in the transverse colon between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. Patients were categorized according to the surgical approach (Lap versus open) and groups were compared. Outcome measures were the short-term results, complications and functional recovery; moreover, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared overall and after propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, sex, ASA classification, BMI, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, use of postoperative chemotherapy, location of tumour, stage and grading, operation time, blood loss and complications.

RESULTS

Of 248 transverse resections reviewed, 146 (81 Lap and 65 open) were selected for data analysis. Blood loss, fluid intake and the incidence of wound infection were significantly lower and the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Lap group (P < 0.001). The operation time and incidence of complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 or above) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean follow-up was of 75.4 months in the Lap group and 78.6 months in the open group. Regression analyses showed that OS was associated with the postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (hazard ratio 1.18 (95 per cent c.i. 1.10 to 1.27); P < 0.001), BMI (hazard ratio 0.81 (95 per cent c.i. 0.68 to 0.96); P = 0.017), operation time (hazard ratio 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.97 to 1.00; P = 0.010), and postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.27 (95 per cent c.i. 0.08 to 0.96); P = 0.042), while RFS was associated with the postoperative CEA level (hazard ratio 1.13 (95 per cent c.i. 1.07 to 1.20); P < 0.001). PSM selected 42 patients for data comparison of long-term results, and showed no significant differences between groups (RFS: P = 0.530; OS: P = 0.561).

CONCLUSION

Lap and open resections for transverse colon cancer provided similar outcomes in terms of severe post-operative complication and long-term results.

Outcomes of Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery in Malignant Colonic Obstruction, With Emphasis on Perforation Rate and Clinical Success

BACKGROUND

Colonic stent placement in acute malignant obstruction has proven to be an alternative for emergency surgery. It has been associated with reduced stoma creation and postoperative morbidity. Concerns have risen that manipulation of the tumor and risk of perforation might result in lower disease-free survival. Therefore, we investigated the long-term outcomes of stenting as a bridge to surgery in these patients, with emphasis on clinical success of the stenting procedure.

METHODS

We performed a comparative study in the Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, The Netherlands. Data were collected from patients who underwent colonic stenting procedures or acute surgical resection due to malignant obstruction performed between 2007 and 2015. Patients treated with palliative intent were excluded.

RESULTS

We included 92 patients, 66 underwent stent placement and 26 had an acute surgical resection. Technical and clinical success rates of the stenting procedures were 94% and 82%, respectively. No significant differences in demographic, tumor or stenting characteristics were found for patients with clinically (un)successful stent placement or stent-related perforations. Patients with unsuccessful stent procedures or perforation had higher rates of open procedures and rescue colostomy. Survival rates were similar for patients who underwent stent placements compared with acute resection. We found no significant differences in survival between patients with successful compared with unsuccessful procedures or perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival rates of patients who underwent colonic stenting are similar to those of patients who had an acute resection. No negative effects on survival were observed for clinically failed stenting procedures or stent-related perforations.

Quality of Life and Severity of Symptom Differences Between Post Open Colectomy and Laparoscopic Colectomy in Colorectal Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women. The main surgical methods for colorectal cancer patients include a conventional open colectomy and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is associated with less blood loss, faster recovery of bowel function, and shorter hospital stays.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and symptom severity in patients with colorectal cancer 1 month after conventional open colectomy or laparoscopic-assisted colectomy.

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from September 2015 to May 2016. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the surgical outpatient department of a medical center in Northern Taiwan; 33 patients underwent each type of surgery.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group scored 9.39 points higher in quality of life and lower in symptom severity by 14.88 points than the conventional open colectomy group (P = .03 and P = .05, respectively). Both groups reported low symptom severity; "changes in bowel habits" was the symptom with the highest severity. The conventional open colectomy group had higher insomnia and worried about their future more than did the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy procedure reported a better quality of life and lower symptom severity than those who received the conventional open colectomy surgical method.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Patients who will have a conventional open colectomy will likely need enhanced management of symptoms and attention to their quality of life.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Controlled Study with Propensity Score Matching

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested that laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is associated with fewer postoperative complications than open liver resection (OLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, this issue remains controversial since the data may have been attributable to an imbalance in patients' background.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 290 hepatectomies for HCC undertaken between 2011 and 2019. Liver resection difficulty was based on the 3 levels of the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris classification. Resection ratio was calculated using computed tomography volumetry. Patient characteristics were compared between the LLR and OLR groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was adopted to adjust the imbalance between the cohorts, and the incidence of postoperative complications was compared.

RESULTS

The difficulty and resection ratio were significantly lower in LLR (n = 112) than in OLR (n = 178) (difficulty grade I/II/III: 84/10/18 vs. 43/39/96, p < 0.001; resection ratio: 11.4 ± 12.7 vs. 22.7 ± 17.2%, p < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or more) was lower in LLR (2.7% vs. 21.9%, p < 0.001), which was mainly attributable to fewer incidences of ascites and pleural effusion. PSM generated 68 well-matched patients in each group. The lower incidence of postoperative complications in LLR was also maintained in the PSM cohort (2.9% vs. 16.2%, p = 0.017). On multivariate analysis, LLR was the independent predictor of postoperative complications (OR 0.184, 95% CI 0.051-0.672, p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that a laparoscopic approach reduces the incidence of postoperative complications in liver resection for HCC.

Surgical management of adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon: What should be the extent of resection?

Transverse colon, owing its origin to midgut and hindgut and harbouring a flexure at both ends, continues to pose a surgical challenge. When compared to the rest of the colon, transverse colon adenocarcinoma is relatively uncommon. These cancers usually present late and lie in close proximity to the stomach, omentum, and pancreas. Adequate lymphadenectomy entails dissection around and ligation of the middle colic vessels. Hence, resectional surgery for transverse colon carcinoma is considered difficult. This is more so because of the variation of arterial and venous anatomy. From this perspective, the surgeon is tempted to perform a more radical operation like extended right or left hemicolectomy to secure an adequate lymphadenectomy. Such a cancer has also been dealt with a more limited transverse colectomy with colo-colic anastomosis. For all these reasons, patients with transverse colon adenocarcinoma were excluded from randomised trials which compared laparoscopic resection with traditional open operation. Surgical literature is yet to establish a definite operation for transverse colon cancer and the exact procedure is often dictated by surgeon's preference. This is primarily because this is an uncommon cancer. The rapid adoption of laparoscopic operation favoured extended colectomy as transverse colectomy can be difficult by minimally invasive technique. However, in the recent past, cohort studies and meta-analyses have shown equivalent oncological outcome between transverse colectomy and extended colectomy. It is time to resurrect transverse colectomy and consider it equivalent to its radical counterpart for cancers around the mid-transverse colon.

Comparing the safety, efficacy, and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic and open colectomy in transverse colon cancer: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

In order to compare the safety, efficacy, and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic (LC) and open colectomy (OC) for transverse colon cancer (TCC) patients, the present systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was designed.

METHODS

This study was conducted following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic screening of the electronic databases was performed (Medline, Web of Science and Scopus). The validity of the pooled results was verified through the performance of trial sequential analysis (TSA). The level of evidence was estimated using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Overall, 21 studies and 2498 patients were included in our study. Pooled comparisons and TSA analyses reported a superiority of LC over OC in terms of postoperative complications (OR 0.64, p = 0.0003), blood loss (WMD - 86.84, p < 0.00001), time to first flatus (WMD - 0.94, p < 0.00001) and oral diet (WMD - 1.25, p < 0.00001), and LOS (WMD - 2.39, p < 0.00001). Moreover, OC displayed a lower operation duration (p < 0.00001). A higher rate of complete mesocolic excision (p = 0.001) was related to OC. Although inconclusive in TSA, the recurrence rate in LC group was lower. LC and OC were equivalent in terms of postoperative survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering several limitations of the eligible studies and the subsequent low level of evidence, further RCTs of a higher quality and methodological level are required to verify the findings of our meta-analysis.

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidity: analysis of post-operative outcomes in the United States from 2005 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Current studies suggest that laparoscopic colorectal surgery is an advantageous alternative to open surgery due to improved post-operative outcomes in high-risk patient groups. Limited data is currently available on the benefits of minimally invasive colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with significant pre-operative respiratory comorbidities.

STUDY DESIGN

The NSQIP 2005-2017 datasets were used to identify patients that underwent partial colectomies due to diverticulitis. Partial colectomy cases were identified using CPT codes and then filtered to include only ICD 9 and 10 codes for diverticulitis. Pre-operative respiratory comorbidities included dyspnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking status. Propensity matching was performed based on patient demographic and pre-operative risk factor data to create comparable groups for each respiratory comorbidity subset. Outcomes of interest were 30-day post-operative mortality and morbidity, incidence of return to operating room (ROR), and hospital length of stay (LoS). Laparoscopy and open surgery groups were compared using Chi square tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Among 70,420 cases with diverticulitis, 15,237 cases were identified as smokers, 3934 had dyspnea, and 3219 had COPD. Patients that had open procedures had significantly greater odds of mortality (OR 2.624 for smokers; OR 2.698 for dyspnea; OR 2.663 for COPD), morbidity (OR 2.590 for smokers; OR 2.344 for dyspnea; OR 2.883 for COPD), wound complication (OR 1.989 for smokers; OR 1.461 for dyspnea; OR 1.956 for COPD), and ROR (OR 1.184 for smokers; OR 1.634 for dyspnea; OR 1.975 for COPD). Laparoscopic procedures resulted in significantly lower average LoS (5.34 vs. 9.46 days for smokers; 6.84 vs. 11.06 days for dyspnea; 7.41 vs. 12.62 days for COPD; all p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis diagnosis for a matched cohort of patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidities such as smoking status, dyspnea, and COPD resulted in significantly improved post-operative outcomes, lower odds of mortality and morbidity, and shorter LoS.

Laparoscopic resection of splenic flexure colon cancers: a retrospective multi-center study with 117 cases

The objective is to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resections of splenic flexure colon cancers in three Italian high-volume centers. The laparoscopic resection of splenic flexure colon cancers is a challenging procedure and has not been completely standardized, mainly due to the technical difficulty, the arduous identification of major blood vessels, and the problems associated with anastomosis construction. In this retrospective cohort observational study, a consecutive series of patients treated in three Italian high-volume centers with elective laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure for cancer is analyzed. The observational period was from January 2008 to August 2017. Patient demographics and clinical features, operative data, and short- and long-term outcomes were prospectively recorded in a specific database and were retrospectively analyzed. During the observation period, 117 patients were selected. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 15 patients (12.8%). Of 102 complete laparoscopic procedures, multi-visceral resection was performed in 13 cases (12.7%). Postoperative surgical complications occurred in 13 patients (12.7%), with 3 cases of anastomotic leak (2.9%) and 3 cases of re-operation (2.9%). The postoperative mortality in this population was null. The 5-year overall survival rate was 84.3%, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 87.8%. Laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure is feasible and safe in high-volume centers. Compared to the results of other laparoscopic colonic resections, the short- and long-term outcomes are similar, but the conversion rate is higher.