Minilaparoscopic colorectal resections: technical note

Feasibility of needlescopic surgery for colorectal cancer: safety and learning curve for Japanese Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System-unqualified young surgeons

BACKGROUND

Needlescopic surgery (NS) is a minimally invasive technique for colorectal cancer. NS may be easier to perform than other minimally invasive surgery such as single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery because the port setting is the same while the shafts are thinner than in conventional laparoscopic surgery. We evaluated the capability of introducing this surgery for sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer by assessing the learning curve in Japanese Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (JESSQS)-unqualified surgeons.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 112 cases of sigmoidectomy and anterior resection were performed by NS from October 2011 to December 2015 in our institution. Surgical outcomes including operation time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative complications, and overall survival were compared between JESSQS-qualified surgeons (Group A) and JESSQS-unqualified surgeons (Group B). The learning curve for NS was established using the average operation times in JESSQS-unqualified surgeons.

RESULTS

Groups A and B comprised of 41 and 71 patients, respectively. Ninety patients underwent sigmoidectomy and 22 patients underwent anterior resection. No conversion to open surgery occurred. The operation time was significantly shorter in Group A than B (P = 0.0080). There were no significant differences in blood loss, the postoperative hospital stay, perioperative complications, or overall survival between the two groups. These variables were similar even when NS was considered relatively difficult, as in patients with obesity (body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m²), bulky tumors (tumor size of ≥ 50 mm), and stage III/IV cancer. The average operation time in JESSQS-unqualified young surgeons was significantly shorter in the ninth and tenth cases than in the first and second cases of NS (P = 0.0282).

CONCLUSIONS

NS for sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer was performed safely by both JESSQS-qualified surgeons and JESSQS-unqualified surgeons. Even JESSQS-unqualified young surgeons might be able to quickly learn NS techniques.

Introducing an enhanced recovery after surgery program in colorectal surgery: A single center experience

AIM: To study the implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program at a large University Hospital from “pilot study” to “standard of care”.

METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective single centre cohort study. A prospective evaluation of compliance to a protocol based on full application of all ERAS principles, through the progressive steps of its implementation, was performed. Results achieved in the initial pilot study conducted by a dedicated team (n = 47) were compared to those achieved in the shared protocol phase (n = 143) three years later. Outcomes were length of postoperative hospital stay, readmission rate, compliance to the protocol and morbidity. Primary endpoint was the description of the results and the identification of critical issues of large scale implementation of an ERAS program in colorectal surgery emerged in the experience of a single center. Secondary endpoint was the identification of interventions that have been proven to be effective for facilitating the transition from traditional care pathways to a multimodal management protocol according to ERAS principles in colorectal surgery at a single center.

RESULTS: During the initial pilot study (March 2009 to December 2010; 47 patients) conducted by a dedicated multidisciplinary team, compliance to the items of ERAS protocol was 93%, with a median length of hospital stay (LOS) of 3 d. Early anastomotic fistulas were observed in 2 cases (4.2%), which required reoperation (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb). None of the patients had been discharged before the onset of the complication, which could therefore receive prompt treatment. There were also four (8.5%) minor complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II). Thirty days readmission rate was 4%. Perioperative mortality was nil. After implementation of the protocol throughout the Hospital in unselected patients (May 2012 to December 2012; 147 patients) compliance was 74%, with a median LOS of 6 d. Early anastomotic fistulas were observed in 11 cases (7.7%), 5 (3.5%) of which required reoperation (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb). Two early anastomotic fistulas were treated by radiologic/endoscopic manoeuvres and 4 were treated conservatively. There were also 36 (25.2%) minor complications, 21 (14.7%) of which were Clavien-Dindo grade II and 15 (10.5%) of which were Clavien-Dindo grade I. Only two patients whose course was adversely affected by the development of an anastomotic leak had been discharged before the onset of the complication itself, requiring readmission. Readmission rate within 30 d was 4%. Perioperative mortality was 1%.

CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that introduction of an ERAS protocol for colorectal surgery allows quicker postoperative recovery and shortens the length of stay compared to historical series.

Needlescopic surgery for left-sided colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard for colorectal cancers, but more minimally invasive surgery is continuously pursued. In June 2011, our institution started needlescopic surgery (NS). The aims of this study are to describe this technique and to investigate its feasibility for left-sided colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

From June 2011 to June 2013, 105 sigmoid colon and upper/middle rectal cancer patients underwent NS in our institution, involving one 5-mm port and three 3-mm ports, with the exception of an umbilical 12-mm port. A 10-mm scope is used through the umbilical 12-mm port, which will be extended to a small skin incision for specimen extraction. After dissection of the left colon, a 5-mm scope is inserted through the right lower 5-mm port and a linear stapler is inserted through the umbilical 12-mm port for rectal transection. The specimen is then extracted through umbilical incision, and the anastomosis is carried out by the double-staple technique.

RESULTS

TNM staging is stage 0/I/II/III/IV = 0/31/32/31/11. Fifty-one patients underwent sigmoidectomy and 54 patients underwent anterior resection. There was no conversion to open surgery, but one patient required a change to a 5-mm port from one of the 3-mm ports. Mean operating time was 193 min and mean estimated blood loss was 12 ml. There were ten (9 %) postoperative complications: two anastomotic leaks requiring reoperation, two anastomotic hemorrhages, and one wound infection. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

NS for left-sided colorectal cancer was a technically and oncologically feasible technique for selected patients.