Circumferentially oversewn inverted stapled anastomosis

Safe Anastomoses without Ostomies in Cytoreductive Surgery with Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Technical Considerations and Modifications

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal complications, predominantly anastomotic leak (AL), are the most frequent source of severe morbidity after cytoreductive surgery (CRS).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to present the technical standards for colorectal anastomoses developed and systematically applied to all patients undergoing CRS in a high-volume tertiary center, and the associated AL rates.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study reporting the technical characteristics of a standardized protocol for three types of colorectal anastomoses (colorectal, ileorectal, and ileocolic) in CRS with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on anastomotic outcomes. All patients (1172) undergoing CRS with HIPEC from September 2006 to September 2020 were included. The anastomotic complications were classified according to the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer Surgery (ISGRCS) classification.

RESULTS

Overall, 1172 patients underwent 1300 procedures and 1359 gastrointestinal anastomoses. An ileocolic anastomosis was performed in 408 patients, colorectal anastomosis in 469 patients, and ileorectal anastomosis in 16 patients, none with diverting ileostomy; 345 other gastrointestinal reconstructions and 82 urinary reconstructions were performed in these patients. The AL rate was 1% (4/408) for the ileocolic anastomosis, 0.85% (4/469) for the colorectal anastomosis, and 0% (0/16) for the ileorectal anastomosis. One patient died postoperatively due to AL.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic application of standardized techniques adapted to ensure optimal tissue healing (stapled anastomoses avoiding overlap, accurate staple deployment, and hand-sewn reinforcement) are associated with a very high level of anastomotic safety in a large cohort of patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC.

Risk factors for ileocolic anastomosis dehiscence; a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak (AL) after ileocolic anastomosis influences morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization and costs. This study analyzes risk and protective factors for AL on ileocolic anastomoses.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed our single institution patients' series undergoing elective ileocolic anastomosis for AL between 1/2008-12/2017. AL grade A/B (antibiotic treatment and/or radiological drainage) were summarized as mild, grade C (surgical re-intervention) corresponds to severe AL.

RESULTS

We included 470 patients (mean age 70.8 years, 43.2% females). Overall AL rate was 9.4% (44 patients) with 6.0% severe and 3.4% mild AL. There was no difference in AL between hand sewn and stapled anastomoses. Multivariate analysis revealed preoperative serum albumin (p = 0.004), smoking habits (p = 0.005) and perioperative blood transfusion (p = 0.038) as risk factors for AL. Suture oversewing as anastomotic reinforcement resulted as independent protective factor (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Poor nutritional status, smoking habits and perioperative blood transfusion are negative factors influencing on AL. Suture oversewing as anastomotic reinforcement associates with significantly less AL.

the 2015 European Society of Coloproctology Collaborating Group. The impact of stapling technique and surgeon specialism on anastomotic failure after right-sided colorectal resection: an international multicentre, prospective audit

AIM

There is little evidence to support choice of technique and configuration for stapled anastomoses after right hemicolectomy and ileocaecal resection. This study aimed to determine the relationship between stapling technique and anastomotic failure.

METHOD

Any unit performing gastrointestinal surgery was invited to contribute data on consecutive adult patients undergoing right hemicolectomy or ileocolic resection to this prospective, observational, international, multicentre study. Patients undergoing stapled, side-to-side ileocolic anastomoses were identified and multilevel, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors associated with anastomotic leak.

RESULTS

One thousand three hundred and forty-seven patients were included from 200 centres in 32 countries. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 8.3%. Upon multivariate analysis there was no difference in leak rate with use of a cutting stapler for apical closure compared with a noncutting stapler (8.4% vs 8.0%, OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.54-1.53, P = 0.72). Oversewing of the apical staple line, whether in the cutting group (7.9% vs 9.7%, OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.52-1.46, P = 0.60) or noncutting group (8.9% vs 5.7%, OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.46-4.23, P = 0.55) also conferred no benefit in terms of reducing leak rates. Surgeons reporting to be general surgeons had a significantly higher leak rate than those reporting to be colorectal surgeons (12.1% vs 7.3%, OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04-2.64, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This study did not identify any difference in anastomotic leak rates according to the type of stapling device used to close the apical aspect. In addition, oversewing of the anastomotic staple lines appears to confer no benefit in terms of reducing leak rates. Although general surgeons operated on patients with more high-risk characteristics than colorectal surgeons, a higher leak rate for general surgeons which remained after risk adjustment needs further exploration.