Endolaparoscopic removal of colonic polyps

Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery with one-step nucleic acid amplification for early gastrointestinal tumors: Personal experience and literature review

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery is a safe, organ-sparing surgery that achieves full-thickness resection with adequate margins. Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these procedures. However, these techniques are limited by the exposure of the tumor and mucosa to the peritoneal cavity, which could lead to viable cancer cell seeding and the spillage of gastric juice or enteric liquids into the peritoneal cavity. Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery (NEWS) is highly accurate in determining the resection margins to prevent intraperitoneal contamination because the tumor is inverted into the visceral lumen instead of the peritoneal cavity. Accurate intraoperative assessment of the nodal status could allow stratification of the extent of resection. One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) can provide a rapid method of evaluating nodal tissue, whilst near-infrared laparoscopy together with indocyanine green can identify relevant nodal tissue intraoperatively.

AIM

To determine the safety and feasibility of NEWS in early gastric and colon cancers and of adding rapid intraoperative lymph node (LN) assessment with OSNA.

METHODS

The patient-based experiential portion of our investigations was conducted at the General and Oncological Surgery Unit of the St. Giuseppe Moscati Hospital (Avellino, Italy). Patients with early-stage gastric or colon cancer (diagnosed via endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and computed tomography) were included. All lesions were treated by NEWS procedure with intraoperative OSNA assay between January 2022 and October 2022. LNs were examined intraoperatively with OSNA and postoperatively with conventional histology. We analyzed patient demographics, lesion features, histopathological diagnoses, R0 resection (negative margins) status, adverse events, and follow-up results. Data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) with an average age of 70.4 ± 4.5 years (range: 62-78 years) were enrolled in this study. Five patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer. The remaining 5 patients were diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer. The mean tumor diameter was 23.8 ± 11.6 mm (range: 15-36 mm). The NEWS procedure was successful in all cases. The mean procedure time was 111.5 ± 10.7 min (range: 80-145 min). The OSNA assay revealed no LN metastases in any patients. Histologically complete resection (R0) was achieved in 9 patients (90.0%). There was no recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

NEWS combined with sentinel LN biopsy and OSNA assay is an effective and safe technique for the removal of selected early gastric and colon cancers in which it is not possible to adopt conventional endoscopic resection techniques. This procedure allows clinicians to acquire additional information on the LN status intraoperatively.

Combined endoscopic robotic surgery for complex colonic polyp resection: case series

BACKGROUND

The study objective was to evaluate combined endoscopic and robotic surgery, a novel surgical technique modifying traditional combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery through robotic assistance, and characterize a series of patients who underwent the modified operative technique.

METHODS

A retrospective case series was performed. The first thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent combined endoscopic robotic surgery by a single colorectal surgeon from March 2018 to October 2019 were included. Main outcome measures included operative time, intra-operative complication, 30-day post-operative complication, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

Combined endoscopic and robotic surgery was performed in 37 cases, 32 (86.5%) of which saw the technique through to completion. Median operative room time was 73 min (range 31-184 min). No intraoperative complications occurred and 2 (6.3%) experienced 30-day post-operative complications. Median hospital length of stay was 1.1 days (range 0.2-2.0 days). Median polyp size was 35 mm (range 20-130 mm). Polyps were resected from the following locations: cecum (37.5%), ascending colon (28.1%), transverse colon (21.9%), descending colon (3.1%), sigmoid colon (6.3%), and rectum (3.1%). Pathology demonstrated 77.4% tubular adenoma, 12.9% sessile serrated adenoma, 6.5% dysplasia, and 3.2% signet cell adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Combined endoscopic robotic surgery was associated with decreased operative time, complication rates, and hospital length of stay compared to literature-reported statistics for combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery. Increased confidence with 3-dimensional visualization and intracorporeal suturing using combined endoscopic and robotic surgery was noted. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of robotics in combined endoscopic surgery.

Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of complex benign colonic polyps (CELS): Observational study

PURPOSE

Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery (CELS) has emerged as a promising method for managing complex benign lesions that would otherwise require major colonic resection. The aim of this study was to describe the different techniques and to evaluate the safety of CELS, assess its outcomes in a technique that is scarcely widespread in our environment.

METHOD

Observational retrospective study, short-term outcomes of patients undergoing CELS for benign colon polyps from October 2018 to June 2020 were evaluated. Postoperative outcomes, length of hospital stay and pathological findings were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventeen consecutive patients underwent CELS during the study period. The median size of the lesion was 3.5 cm (range 2.5-6.5 cm), the most frequent location was the cecum (10 from 17). Most patients treated with CELS underwent an endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection (11 from 17). In four patients this resection was combined with another CELS technique, and two patients underwent an endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic segment resection. The success rate of CELS in our series was in 14 from 17 (82.4%). The median operative time was 85 min (range 50-225 min). The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-15 days). One patient experienced an organ/space surgical site infection which did not require further intervention. Four lesions were shown to be malignant by postoperative pathology study.

CONCLUSION

CELS is a safe and multidisciplinar technique that requires collaboration between gastroenterologists and surgeons. It can be considered as an alternative to colonic resection for complex benign colonic polyps.

Multidisciplinary decision-making strategies may reduce the need for secondary surgery in complex colonic polyps - A systematic review and pooled analysis

AIM

The recognition of complex colonic polyps is increasing. Management varies considerably and the impact of this on clinical outcomes is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of group decision-making strategies and defined selection criteria on the treatment outcomes of complex colonic polyps.

METHOD

A systematic literature review identified studies reporting complex polyp treatment outcomes and describing their decision-making strategies. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus. Articles were identified by two blinded reviewers using defined inclusion criteria. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO and performed in line with PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

There were 303 identified articles describing treatment outcomes of complex colonic polyps. Only nine of these fully described the decision-making strategy and met the inclusion criteria. Adverse events ranged from 1.3% to 10% across the studies. Unsuspected malignancy and secondary surgery rates ranged from 2.4% to 15.4% and 3.3% to 43.9%, respectively. Grouping of articles into a hierarchy of decision-making strategies demonstrated a sequential reduction in secondary surgery rates with improving strategies. There were no differences in comparisons of adverse event or unsuspected malignancy rates.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited description of decision-making strategies and variability in reporting of studies describing complex polyp treatment outcomes. The use of multidisciplinary decision-making and defined selection criteria may reduce the need for secondary surgical intervention in complex colonic polyps, but further evidence is required to draw definite conclusions.

Combined Endoscopic-Robotic Resection of a Giant Polyp to Avoid Colorectal Resection

Colorectal cancer prevention relies on effective screening through colonoscopy and polypectomy. Several techniques and methods have been described to manage complex colonic polyps such as the ones that are endoscopically unresectable. Across time, we have been able to perform less invasive techniques that include different types of colonic resections, ranging from partial thickness, full-thickness and, segmental colectomies, however, none has proven to be the treatment of choice for these lesions. The technique presented here is an attractive alternative to segmental colectomy using a robotic platform to perform a full-thickness resection.

Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of complex benign colonic polyps (CELS): observational study

PURPOSE

Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery (CELS) has emerged as a promising method for managing complex benign lesions that would otherwise require major colonic resection. The aim of this study was to describe the different techniques and to evaluate the safety of CELS, assess its outcomes in a technique that is scarcely widespread in our environment.

METHOD

Observational retrospective study, short-term outcomes of patients undergoing CELS for benign colon polyps from October 2018 to June 2020 were evaluated. Postoperative outcomes, length of hospital stay and pathological findings were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventeen consecutive patients underwent CELS during the study period. The median size of the lesion was 3.5 cm (range 2.5 - 6.5 cm), the most frequent location was the cecum (10 from 17). Most patients treated with CELS underwent an endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection (11 from 17). In four patients this resection was combined with another CELS technique, and two patients underwent an endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic segment resection. The success rate of CELS in our series was in 14 from 17 (82,4%). The median operative time was 85 min (range 50-225 min). The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-15 days). One patient experienced an organ/space surgical site infection which did not require further intervention. Four lesions were shown to be malignant by postoperative pathology study.

CONCLUSION

CELS is a safe and multidisciplinar technique that requires collaboration between gastroenterologists and surgeons. It can be considered as an alternative to colonic resection for complex benign colonic polyps.

Combined endo-laparoscopic surgery for difficult benign colorectal polyps

Prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) depends largely on the detection and removal of colorectal polyps. Despite the advances in endoscopic techniques, there are still a subgroup of polyps that cannot be treated purely by endoscopic approach, which comprise of about 10-15% of all the polyps. These so-called "difficult colorectal polyps" are polyps with large size, morphology, at difficult location, scarring or due to recurrence, which have historically been managed by surgical segmental resection. In treating benign difficult colorectal polyps, we have to balance the operative risks and morbidities associated with surgical segmental resection. Therefore, combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery (CELS) has been developed to remove this subgroup of difficult benign polyps. We review the currently use of CELS for difficult benign colorectal polyps which includes laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic polypectomy (LACP), full-thickness laparo-endoscopic excision (FLEX) and colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection (CAL-WR).

Evaluation of an early-stage innovation for full-thickness excision of benign colonic polyps using the IDEAL framework

AIMS

Colectomy is the current approach for patients with endoscopically unresectable benign polyps but risks considerable morbidity. Full-thickness laparoendoscopic excision (FLEX) is a novel procedure, specifically developed to treat endoscopically unresectable benign colonic polyps, which could reduce the treatment burden of the current approach and improve outcomes. However, traditional evaluations of surgical innovations lack methodological rigour. This study reports the development and feasibility of the FLEX procedure in selected patients.

METHOD

A prospective development study using the Idea, Development, Evaluation, Assessment, Long-term study (IDEAL) framework was undertaken, by one surgeon, of the FLEX procedure in selected patients with endoscopically unresectable benign colonic polyps. Three-dimensional (3D)-CT colonography reconstructions were used preoperatively to rehearse patient-specific, critical manoeuvres. Targetted, full-thickness excision was performed: after marking the margin of the caecal polyp using circumferential endoscopic argon plasma coagulation, transmural endoscopic sutures were used to evert the bowel and resection was undertaken by laparoscopic linear stapling. Feasibility outcomes (establishing 'local success') included evidence of complete polyp resection without adverse events (especially safe closure of the excision site).

RESULTS

Ten patients [median (interquartile range) age: 74 (59-78) years] with polyp median diameters of 35 (30-41) mm, were referred for and consented to receive the FLEX procedure. During the same time frame, no patient underwent colectomy for benign polyps. One further patient received FLEX for local excision of a presumed malignant polyp because severe comorbidity prohibited standard procedures. The FLEX procedure was successfully performed locally, with complete resection of the polyp and safe closure of the excision site, in eight patients. Three noncompleted procedures were converted to laparoscopic segmental colectomy under the same anaesthetic because of endoscopic inaccessibility (two patients) and transcolonic suture failure (one patient).

CONCLUSIONS

The FLEX procedure is still under development. Early data demonstrate that it is safe for excision of selected benign polyps. Modifications to transcolonic suture delivery are now required and there is a need for wider adoption before more definitive evaluation can be performed.

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) to overcome the limitations of endoscopic resection for colorectal tumors

Background and study aims  We developed a laparoscopy endoscopy cooperative surgery (LECS) to overcome the limitations of endoscopic resection for colorectal tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of LECS, which combines endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and laparoscopic partial colectomy. Patients and methods  We performed LECS for 17 colorectal tumors in 17 patients (male:female 10:7; mean age, 66.5 years). The clinicopathological outcomes of these 17 cases and the feasibility of LECS were evaluated retrospectively. Indications for LECS were as follows: 1) intramucosal cancer and adenoma accompanied by wide and severe fibrosis; 2) intramucosal cancer and adenoma involving the diverticulum or appendix; and 3) submucosal tumors. Results  We successfully performed LECS procedures in 17 cases (intramucosal cancer [n = 6], adenoma [n = 9], schwannoma [n = 1], and gastro-intestinal stromal tumour [GIST] [n = 1]. Mean tumor diameter was 22.4 mm (range, 8 - 41 mm). LECS was successfully performed in all 17 cases without conversion to open surgery; the R0 rate was 100 %. LECS was applied to the following situations: involving the appendix (n = 6), tumor accompanied by severe fibrosis (n = 5), involving the diverticulum (n = 3), submucosal tumor (n = 2), and poor endoscopic operability (n = 1). We experienced no adverse events (e. g., leakage or anastomotic stricture) and the median hospital stay was 6.4 dayus (range, 4 to 12). All 17 patients who were followed for ≥ 3 months (median, 30.8 months; range, 3 - 72 months) showed no residual/local recurrence. Conclusion  LECS was a safe, feasible, minimally invasive procedure that achieved full-thickness resection of colorectal tumors and showed excellent clinical outcomes.

Management of complex polyps of the colon and rectum

PUPRPOSE

Benign polyps that are technically challenging and unsafe to remove via polypectomy are known as complex polyps. Concerns regarding safety and completeness of resection dictate they undergo advanced endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic mucosal resection or surgery. We provide a comprehensive overview of complex polyps and current treatment options.

METHODS

A review of the English literature was conducted to identifyarticles describing the management of complex polyps of the colon and rectum.

RESULTS

Endoscopic mucosal resection is the standard of care for the majority of complex polyps. Only polyps that fail endoscopic mucosal resection or are highly suspicious of invasive cancer but which cannot be removed endoscopically warrant surgery.

CONCLUSION

Several factors influence the treatment of a complex polyp; therefore, there cannot be a "one-size-fitsall" approach. Treatment should be tailored to the lesion's characteristics, the risk of adverse events, and the resources available to the treating physician.

The Difficult Colorectal Polyp

Difficult colorectal polyps represent lesions that pose a challenge to traditional endoscopic snare polypectomy. These polyps have historically been managed by surgical resection. Currently, several less invasive options are available to avoid colectomy. Repeat colonoscopy and snare polypectomy by an expert endoscopist, endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery have been developed to remove difficult polyps without the need for formal surgical resection. Patients with rectal polyps have the advantage of additional transanal minimally invasive techniques to enhance their resectability. Today, most colorectal polyps can be managed without the need for formal surgical resection.

Laparoscopically assisted colonoscopic polypectomy - viable option for curative surgery in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related death in the world. CRC screening programs have been widely introduced worldwide, allowing for early detection and removal of precancerous lesions and avoiding major surgical intervention. However, not all polyps are suitable for conventional and advanced colonoscopic polypectomy. Thus, laparoscopically assisted colonoscopic polypectomy (LACP) was introduced to clinical practice as a method of choice for these polyps and adenomas.

AIM

To overlook our experience in laparoscopically assisted colonoscopic polypectomies and evaluate effectiveness and quality of the procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed. using the Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos patient database for the period from 2010 to 2016, resulting in 21 cases in which LACP was performed. All procedures were performed using combined laparoscopy and videocolonoscopy techniques. Morphology of adenomas was classified according to the Paris classification during the procedure. Creation of the database was approved by the Lithuanian Bioethics committee.

RESULTS

Twenty-two adenomas were removed from 21 patients, aged 65.33 ±8.9. There was no difference between male and female age, but occurrence of adenomas in females was 2-fold higher. The majority of removed lesions were localized in the cecum and mean size was 27.2 ±11.1 mm. The morphology of adenomas was distributed equally between 0-Is, 0-Ip, and 0-IIa, except one, which belonged to 0-III. Histological analysis revealed that tubulovillous adenoma occurrence was 1.4 times higher than tubulous adenoma. There was only one postoperative complication - bleeding from the adenoma resection site, which was managed by conservative means. One patient developed G2 adenocarcinoma at the polyp resection site and was referred for radical surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The LACP is a safe procedure with minimal risk to the elderly patient. Patient follow-up is essential for detection of recurrence.

Combined Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery Procedures for Colorectal Surgery

Colonoscopy is the standard of care for screening and surveillance of colorectal cancers. Removal of adenomatous polyps prevents the transformation of adenomas to potential adenocarcinoma. While most polyps are amenable to simple endoscopic polypectomy, difficult polyps that are large, broad-based, or located in haustral folds or in tortuous colon segments can present a challenge for endoscopists. Traditionally, patients with endoscopically unresectable polyps have been referred for oncologic surgical resection due to the underlying risk of malignancy within the polyp; however, the majority of these polyps are benign on final pathology. Combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery can help facilitate endoscopic removal of difficult lesions, or allow the surgeon to select the correct laparoscopic approach for polyp excision. Current literature suggests that these procedures are safe and effective and can potentially save patients from the morbidity of laparotomy and segmental colectomy.

Laparoscopic right colectomy vs laparoscopic-assisted colonoscopic polypectomy for endoscopically unresectable polyps: a randomized controlled trial

AIM

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in complication rates and length of stay (LOS) between laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) and laparoscopic-assisted colonoscopic polypectomy (LACP) for endoscopically unresectable polyps of the right colon.

METHOD

A single-centre RCT (NCT01986699) was conducted on patients with polyps of the right colon deemed by the gastroenterologist to be unresectable. Patients underwent a repeat colonoscopy with biopsy by an interventional endoscopist and were allocated to LRC or LACP. Patients with a nonlift sign, dysplasia, adenocarcinoma, inflammatory bowel disease or familial adenomatous polyposis were excluded from the trial. The study was powered to detect a 73% difference in the LOS which required 17 patients in each arm with an α error of 0.05 and a power of 95%.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were comparable for age (P = 0.919), gender (P = 0.364), body mass index (P = 0.634), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = 0.388) and previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.366). There was no significant difference in the preoperative morphology (P = 0.485), location (P = 0.297), size (P = 0.690) or histology of the polyps (P = 0.779). LRC patients experienced a longer operating time (180 vs 90 min; P = 0.001), required more intravenous infusion (3.1 vs 2.0 l; P = 0.025), took significantly longer to pass flatus (2.88 vs 1.44 days; P < 0.001), resumed solid food later (3.94 vs 1.69 days; P < 0.001) and had a longer postoperative LOS (4.94 vs 2.63 days; P < 0.001). Postoperative complications (P = 0.656), readmissions (P = 0.5) and reoperations (P = 0.5) did not differ. Final size (P = 0.339) and histology (P = 0.104) of the polyps did not differ. There were four cancers in the LRC arm. At follow-up colonoscopy with biopsy of the scar in 10 patients at 15.3 months, one patient had recurrence of the polyp at the site of the previous LACP.

CONCLUSION

LACP and LRC had similar complication rates, but LOS was shorter after LACP.

Hybrid Laparoendoscopic Approaches to Endoscopically Unresectable Colon Polyps

Secondary prevention of colorectal cancer relies on effective screening through colonoscopy and polypectomy. Resection of some polyps can present technical challenges particularly when polyps are large, flat, or behind colonic folds. Laparoscopy as an adjunct to endoscopy can aid in removing difficult colonic polyps without subjecting patients to radical segmental colectomy. Hybrid laparoendoscopic techniques are increasingly reported in literature as alternatives to segmental colectomy for the treatment of polyps that have a high likelihood of being benign. Laparoscopic-assisted colonoscopic polypectomy is the most frequently utilized technique; it harnesses the power of laparoscopy to aid endoscopic polypectomy by flattening folds, mobilizing flexures, and providing retraction. Colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge and transluminal resection are often reported in older studies and use the visualization provided by intraoperative colonoscopy to guide colonic resection that is limited to the area of the polyp. Laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a relatively recent technique that provides laparoscopic monitoring of EFTR of polyp as well as endoscopic closure of the ensuing defect. Minimally invasive segmental colectomy based on oncologic principles should be utilized when none of the previous techniques are suitable or when malignancy is strongly suspected. The combined use of laparoscopy and endoscopy can expand the endoscopist's armamentarium when dealing with the most challenging polyps, while serving the patients' best interest by limiting the extent of colon resection.

Hybrid NOTES: Combined Laparo-endoscopic Full-thickness Resection Techniques

Advances in laparoscopic surgery and therapeutic endoscopy have allowed these minimally destructive procedures to challenge conventional surgery. Because of its theoretic advantages and technical feasibility, laparoendoscopic full-thickness resection is considered to be the most appropriate option for subepithelial tumor removal. Furthermore, combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches for treatment of neoplasia can be important maneuvers for gastric cancer resection without contamination of the peritoneal cavity if the sentinel lymph node concept is established. We are certain that the use of laparoendoscopic full-thickness resection will provide valuable experience that will allow operators to safely develop endoscopic full-thickness resection skills.

Dynamic Article: Full-Thickness Excision for Benign Colon Polyps Using Combined Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Benign colon polyps are commonly encountered but may not always be amenable to endoscopic excision because of their size, shape, location, or scarring from previous attempts. The addition of laparoscopy allows a greater degree of bowel manipulation, but the current technique is still limited when encountering a polyp with inadequate lifting attributed to polyp morphology or scarring. We describe an extension to the existing combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery technique using a full-thickness approach to increase polyp maneuverability and local excision of difficult but benign polyps.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to report the technical details and preliminary results of a new approach for full-thickness excision of difficult colon polyps, combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery full-thickness excision.

DESIGN

This study is a retrospective review of our experience from December 2013 to May 2015.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at a single academic institution.

PATIENTS

All of the patients had previous incomplete colonoscopic polypectomy performed at other institutions. Patients were selected for our technique if the polyp had a benign appearance but was unable to be resected by traditional endoscopic or combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery methods because of polyp morphology or scarring from previous biopsies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The safety and feasibility of this procedure were measured.

RESULTS

Three patients underwent combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery-full-thickness excision for difficult colon polyps. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The length of stay was 1 day for all of the patients. All 3 of the patients had benign final pathology.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by the small number of patients in a single institution.

CONCLUSIONS

Full-thickness excision for benign colon polyps using combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible. Using this technique, difficult polyps not amenable to traditional endoscopic approaches can be removed and colectomy may be avoided.

Efficacy and safety of laparo-endoscopic resections of colorectal neoplasia: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of laparo-endoscopic local resections for colorectal lesions not suitable for endoscopic resection.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The combined laparo-endoscopic approach has been proposed for large colorectal lesions unsuitable for endoscopic resection, in order to reduce morbidity of common laparoscopic resection. However, data on the efficacy and safety of laparo-endoscopic local resections are still controversial.

METHODS

An Embase search of papers published during the period 1985-2014 was performed. Published studies that evaluated laparo-endoscopic resections for colorectal lesions were assessed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations by two authors. Forest plots on primary (per-lesion rate of further surgery, including surgery for complications and surgery for oncologic radical treatment) and secondary outcomes were produced based on fixed and random effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I (2) statistic. Risk for within-study bias was ascertained with QUADAS (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) system.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies provided data on 707 lesions treated with a combined laparo-endoscopic approach. A variety of techniques were reported. The overall per-lesion rate of further surgery was 9.5%, while per-lesion rate of further surgery for oncologic treatment was 7.9%, per-lesion rate of further surgery for complications treatment was 3.5%, incidence of adenocarcinoma was 10.5%, incidence of overall complications was 7.9%, incidence of conversion to open surgery 4.3% and incidence of recurrence was 5.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite laparo-endoscopic approach ensures limited invasiveness, it is affected by a consistent rate of complications and oncologic inadequacy that often requires further surgical treatment.

Systematic review of surgical innovation reporting in laparoendoscopic colonic polyp resection

Background

The IDEAL framework (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term study) proposes a staged assessment of surgical innovation, but whether it can be used in practice is uncertain. This study aimed to review the reporting of a surgical innovation according to the IDEAL framework.

Methods

Systematic literature searches identified articles reporting laparoendoscopic excision for benign colonic polyps. Using the IDEAL stage recommendations, data were collected on: patient selection, surgeon and unit expertise, description of the intervention and modifications, outcome reporting, and research governance. Studies were categorized by IDEAL stages: 0/1, simple technical preclinical/clinical reports; 2a, technique modifications with rationale and safety data; 2b, expanded patient selection and reporting of both innovation and standard care outcomes; 3, formal randomized controlled trials; and 4, long-term audit and registry studies. Each stage has specific requirements for reporting of surgeon expertise, governance details and outcome reporting.

Results

Of 615 abstracts screened, 16 papers reporting outcomes of 550 patients were included. Only two studies could be put into IDEAL categories. One animal study was classified as stage 0 and one clinical study as stage 2a through prospective ethical approval, protocol registration and data collection. Studies could not be classified according to IDEAL for insufficient reporting details of patient selection, relevant surgeon expertise, and how and why the technique was modified or adapted.

Conclusion

The reporting of innovation in the context of laparoendoscopic colonic polyp excision would benefit from standardized methods.