Uptake of robot-assisted colon cancer surgery in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

The robot-assisted approach is now often used for rectal cancer surgery, but its use in colon cancer surgery is less well defined. This study aims to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted colon cancer surgery to conventional laparoscopy in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Data on all patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer from 2018 to 2020 were collected from the Dutch Colorectal Audit. All complications, readmissions, and deaths within 90 days after surgery were recorded along with conversion rate, margin and harvested nodes. Groups were stratified according to the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach.

RESULTS

In total, 18,886 patients were included in the analyses. The operative approach was open in 15.2%, laparoscopic in 78.9% and robot-assisted in 5.9%. The proportion of robot-assisted surgery increased from 4.7% in 2018 to 6.9% in 2020. There were no notable differences in outcomes between the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach for Elective cT1-3M0 right, left, and sigmoid colectomy. Only conversion rate was consistently lower in the robotic group. (4.6% versus 8.8%, 4.6% versus 11.6%, and 1.6 versus 5.9%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study on surgery for colon cancer shows there is a gradual but slow adoption of robotic surgery for colon cancer up to 6.9% in 2020. When comparing the outcomes of right, left, and sigmoid colectomy, clinical outcomes were similar between the robotic and laparoscopic approach. However, conversion rate is consistently lower in the robotic procedures.

Postponing surgery to optimise patients with acute right-sided obstructing colon cancer - A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Right-sided obstructing colon cancer is most often treated with acute resection. Recent studies on right-sided obstructing colon cancer report higher mortality and morbidity rates than those in patients without obstruction. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyse whether it is possible to optimise the health condition of patients with acute right-sided obstructing colon cancer, prior to surgery, and whether this improves postoperative outcomes.

METHOD

All consecutive patients with high suspicion of, or histologically proven, right-sided obstructing colon cancer, treated with curative intent between March 2013 and December 2019, were analysed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: optimised group and non-optimised group. Pre-operative optimisation included additional nutrition, physiotherapy, and, if needed, bowel decompression.

RESULTS

In total, 54 patients were analysed in this study. Twenty-four patients received optimisation before elective surgery, and thirty patients received emergency surgery, without optimisation. Scheduled surgery was performed after a median of eight days (IQR 7-12). Postoperative complications were found in twelve (50%) patients in the optimised group, compared to twenty-three (77%) patients in the non-optimised group (p = 0.051). Major complications were diagnosed in three (13%) patients with optimisation, compared to ten (33%) patients without optimisation (p = 0.111). Postoperative in-hospital stay, 30-day mortality, as well as primary anastomosis were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study suggests that pre-operative optimisation of patients with obstructing right sided colonic cancer may be feasible and safe but is associated with longer in-patient stay.

Evaluation of National Surgical Practice for Lateral Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer in an Untrained Setting

BACKGROUND

Involved lateral lymph nodes (LLNs) have been associated with increased local recurrence (LR) and ipsi-lateral LR (LLR) rates. However, consensus regarding the indication and type of surgical treatment for suspicious LLNs is lacking. This study evaluated the surgical treatment of LLNs in an untrained setting at a national level.

METHODS

Patients who underwent additional LLN surgery were selected from a national cross-sectional cohort study regarding patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in 69 Dutch hospitals in 2016. LLN surgery consisted of either 'node-picking' (the removal of an individual LLN) or 'partial regional node dissection' (PRND; an incomplete resection of the LLN area). For all patients with primarily enlarged (≥7 mm) LLNs, those undergoing rectal surgery with an additional LLN procedure were compared to those  undergoing only rectal resection.

RESULTS

Out of 3057 patients, 64 underwent additional LLN surgery, with 4-year LR and LLR rates of 26% and 15%, respectively. Forty-eight patients (75%) had enlarged LLNs, with corresponding recurrence rates of 26% and 19%, respectively. Node-picking (n = 40) resulted in a 20% 4-year LLR, and a 14% LLR after PRND (n = 8; p = 0.677). Multivariable analysis of 158 patients with enlarged LLNs undergoing additional LLN surgery (n = 48) or rectal resection alone (n = 110) showed no significant association of LLN surgery with 4-year LR or LLR, but suggested higher recurrence risks after LLN surgery (LR: hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-3.2, p = 0.264; LLR: HR 1.9, 95% CI 0.2-2.5, p = 0.874).

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of Dutch practice in 2016 revealed that approximately one-third of patients with primarily enlarged LLNs underwent surgical treatment, mostly consisting of node-picking. Recurrence rates were not significantly affected by LLN surgery, but did suggest worse outcomes. Outcomes of LLN surgery after adequate training requires further research.

Impact of a diverting ileostomy in total mesorectal excision with primary anastomosis for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of diverting ileostomy in total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer with primary anastomosis is debated. The aim of this study is to gain insight in the clinical consequences of a diverting ileostomy, with respect to stoma rate at one year and stoma-related morbidity.

METHODS

Patients undergoing TME with primary anastomosis for rectal cancer between 2015 and 2017 in eleven participating hospitals were included. Retrospectively, two groups were compared: patients with or without diverting ileostomy construction during primary surgery. Primary endpoint was stoma rate at one year. Secondary endpoints were severity and rate of anastomotic leakage, overall morbidity rate within thirty days and stoma (reversal) related morbidity.

RESULTS

In 353 out of 595 patients (59.3%) a diverting ileostomy was constructed during primary surgery. Stoma rate at one year was 9.9% in the non-ileostomy group and 18.7% in the ileostomy group (p = 0.003). After correction for confounders, multivariate analysis showed that the construction of a diverting ileostomy during primary surgery was an independent risk factor for stoma at one year (OR 2.563 (95%CI 1.424-4.611), p = 0.002). Anastomotic leakage rate was 17.8% in the non-ileostomy group and 17.2% in the ileostomy group (p = 0.913). Overall 30-days morbidity rate was 37.6% in the non-ileostomy group and 56.1% in the ileostomy group (p < 0.001). Stoma reversal related morbidity rate was 17.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The stoma rate at one year was higher in patients with ileostomy construction during primary surgery. The incidence and severity of anastomotic leakage were not reduced by construction of an ileostomy. The morbidity related to the presence and reversal of a diverting ileostomy was substantial.

Assessing the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision: a multicenter study considering procedural safety, pathological safety, and efficiency

PURPOSE

Evidence regarding the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision is scarce and of low quality. Case-mix is mostly not taken into account, and learning curves are based on operative time, while preferably clinical outcomes and literature-based limits should be used. Therefore, this study aims to assess the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in four Dutch centers. The primary aim was to assess the safety of the individual and institutional learning curves using a RA-CUSUM analysis based on intraoperative complications, major postoperative complications, and compound pathological outcome (positive circumferential margin or incomplete TME specimen). The learning curve for efficiency was assessed using a LC-CUSUM analysis for operative time. Outcomes of patients before and after the learning curve were compared.

RESULTS

In this study, seven participating surgeons performed robot-assisted total mesorectal excisions in 531 patients. Learning curves for intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and compound pathological outcome did not exceed predefined literature-based limits. The LC-CUSUM for operative time showed lengths of the learning curve ranging from 12 to 35 cases. Intraoperative, postoperative, and pathological outcomes did not differ between patients operated during and after the learning curve.

CONCLUSION

The learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision based on intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and compound pathological outcome did not exceed predefined limits and is therefore suggested to be safe. Using operative time as a surrogate for efficiency, the learning curve is estimated to be between 12 and 35 procedures.

Implementation of robotic rectal cancer surgery: a cross-sectional nationwide study

AIM

An increasing number of centers have implemented a robotic surgical program for rectal cancer. Several randomized controls trials have shown similar oncological and postoperative outcomes compared to standard laparoscopic resections. While introducing a robot rectal resection program seems safe, there are no data regarding implementation on a nationwide scale. Since 2018 robot resections are separately registered in the mandatory Dutch Colorectal Audit. The present study aims to evaluate the trend in the implementation of robotic resections (RR) for rectal cancer relative to laparoscopic rectal resections (LRR) in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2020 and to compare the differences in outcomes between the operative approaches.

METHODS

Patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection between 2018 and 2020 were selected from the Dutch Colorectal Audit. The data included patient characteristics, disease characteristics, surgical procedure details, postoperative outcomes. The outcomes included any complication within 90 days after surgery; data were categorized according to surgical approach.

RESULTS

Between 2018 and 2020, 6330 patients were included in the analyses. 1146 patients underwent a RR (18%), 3312 patients a LRR (51%), 526 (8%) an open rectal resection, 641 a TaTME (10%), and 705 had a local resection (11%). The proportion of males and distal tumors was higher in the RR compared to the LRR. Over time, the proportion of robotic procedures increased from 15% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 13-16%) in 2018 to 22% (95% CI 20-24%) in 2020. Conversion rate was lower in the robotic group [4% (95% CI 3-5%) versus 7% (95% CI 6-8%)]. Anastomotic leakage rate was similar with 16%. Defunctioning ileostomies were more common in the RR group [42% (95% CI 38-46%) versus 29% (95% CI 26-31%)].

CONCLUSION

Rectal resections are increasingly being performed through a robot-assisted approach in the Netherlands. The proportion of males and low rectal cancers was higher in RR compared to LRR. Overall outcomes were comparable, while conversion rate was lower in RR, the proportion of defunctioning ileostomies was higher compared to LRR.

Comparison of three-year oncological results after restorative low anterior resection, non-restorative low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Oncological outcome might be influenced by the type of resection in total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer. The aim was to see if non-restorative LAR would have worse oncological outcome. A comparison was made between non-restorative low anterior resection (NRLAR), restorative low anterior resection (RLAR) and abdominoperineal resection (APR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort included data from patients undergoing TME for rectal cancer between 2015 and 2017 in eleven Dutch hospitals. A comparison was made for each different type of procedure (APR, NRLAR or RLAR). Primary outcome was 3-year overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 3-year local recurrence (LR) rate.

RESULTS

Of 998 patients 363 underwent APR, 132 NRLAR and 503 RLAR. Three-year OS was worse after NRLAR (78.2%) compared to APR (86.3%) and RLAR (92.2%, p < 0.001). This was confirmed in a multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR 1.85 (1.07, 3.19), p = 0.03). The 3-year DFS was also worse after NRLAR (60.3%), compared to APR (70.5%) and RLAR (80.1%, p < 0.001), HR 2.05 (1.42, 2.97), p < 0.001. The LR rate was 14.6% after NRLAR, 5.2% after APR and 4.8% after RLAR (p = 0.005), HR 3.22 (1.61, 6.47), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

NRLAR might be associated with worse 3-year OS, DFS and LR rate compared to RLAR and APR.

Quality of life and late toxicity after short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer - The RAPIDO trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The RAPIDO trial demonstrated a decrease in disease-related treatment failure (DrTF) and an increase in pathological complete responses (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients receiving total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy. This study examines health-related quality of life (HRQL), bowel function, and late toxicity in patients in the trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized between short-course radiotherapy followed by pre-operative chemotherapy (EXP), or chemoradiotherapy and optional post-operative chemotherapy (STD). The STD group was divided into patients who did (STD+) and did not (STD-) receive post-operative chemotherapy. Three years after surgery patients received HRQL (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and QLQ-CIPN20) and LARS questionnaires. Patients who experienced a DrTF event before the toxicity assessments (6, 12, 24, or 36 months) were excluded from analyses.

RESULTS

Of 574 eligible patients, 495 questionnaires were returned (86%) and 453 analyzed (79% completed within time limits). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 or LARS scores. Sensory-related symptoms occurred significantly more often in the EXP group compared to all STD patients, but not compared to STD+ patients. Any toxicity of any grade and grade ≥ 3 toxicity was comparable between the EXP and STD groups at all time-points. Neurotoxicity grade 1-2 occurred significantly more often in the EXP and STD+ group at all time-points compared to the STD- group.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that TNT for LARC, yielding improved DrTF and pCRs, does not compromise HRQL, bowel functional or results in more grade ≥3 toxicity compared to standard chemoradiotherapy at three years after surgery in DrTF-free patients.

Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage versus sigmoidectomy for perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis: three-year follow-up of the randomised LOLA trial

Background

This study aimed to compare laparoscopic lavage and sigmoidectomy as treatment for perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis during a 36 month follow-up of the LOLA trial.

Methods

Within the LOLA arm of the international, multicentre LADIES trial, patients with perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis were randomised between laparoscopic lavage and sigmoidectomy. Outcomes were collected up to 36 months. The primary outcome of the present study was cumulative morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes included reoperations (including stoma reversals), stoma rates, and sigmoidectomy rates in the lavage group.

Results

Long-term follow-up was recorded in 77 of the 88 originally included patients, 39 were randomised to sigmoidectomy (51%) and 38 to laparoscopic lavage (49%). After 36 months, overall cumulative morbidity (sigmoidectomy 28/39 (72%) versus lavage 32/38 (84%), p = 0·272) and mortality (sigmoidectomy 7/39 (18%) versus lavage 6/38 (16%), p = 1·000) did not differ. The number of patients who underwent a reoperation was significantly lower for lavage compared to sigmoidectomy (sigmoidectomy 27/39 (69%) versus lavage 17/38 (45%), p = 0·039). After 36 months, patients alive with stoma in situ was lower in the lavage group (proportion calculated from the Kaplan–Meier life table, sigmoidectomy 17% vs lavage 11%, log-rank p = 0·0268). Eventually, 17 of 38 (45%) patients allocated to lavage underwent sigmoidectomy.

Conclusion

Long-term outcomes showed that laparoscopic lavage was associated with less patients who underwent reoperations and lower stoma rates in patients alive after 36 months compared to sigmoidectomy. No differences were found in terms of cumulative morbidity or mortality. Patient selection should be improved to reduce risk for short-term complications after which lavage could still be a valuable treatment option.

Graphical abstract

Laparoscopic Versus Robot-Assisted Versus Transanal Low Anterior Resection: 3-Year Oncologic Results for a Population-Based Cohort in Experienced Centers

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal total mesorectal excision are the minimally invasive techniques used most for rectal cancer surgery. Because data regarding oncologic results are lacking, this study aimed to compare these three techniques while taking the learning curve into account.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based study cohort included all patients between 2015 and 2017 who underwent a low anterior resection at 11 dedicated centers that had completed the learning curve of the specific technique. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) during a 3-year follow-up period. The secondary outcomes were 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 3-year local recurrence rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Cox-regression.

RESULTS

The 617 patients enrolled in the study included 252 who underwent a laparoscopic resection, 205 who underwent a robot-assisted resection, and 160 who underwent a transanal low anterior resection. The oncologic outcomes were equal between the three techniques. The 3-year OS rate was 90% for laparoscopic resection, 90.4% for robot-assisted resection, and 87.6% for transanal low anterior resection. The 3-year DFS rate was 77.8% for laparoscopic resection, 75.8% for robot-assisted resection, and 78.8% for transanal low anterior resection. The 3-year local recurrence rate was in 6.1% for laparoscopic resection, 6.4% for robot-assisted resection, and 5.7% for transanal procedures. Cox-regression did not show a significant difference between the techniques while taking confounders into account.

CONCLUSION

The oncologic results during the 3-year follow-up were good and comparable between laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal total mesorectal technique at experienced centers. These techniques can be performed safely in experienced hands.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus robot-assisted versus transanal total mesorectal excision surgery for rectal cancer: a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study of short-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery for rectal cancer has important technical limitations. Robot-assisted and transanal TME (TaTME) may overcome these limitations, potentially leading to lower conversion rates and reduced morbidity. However, comparative data between the three approaches are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes for laparoscopic TME, robot-assisted TME and TaTME in expert centres.

METHODS

Patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between 2015 and 2017 in expert centres for laparoscopic, robot-assisted or TaTME were included. Outcomes for TME surgery performed by the specialized technique in the expert centres were compared after propensity score matching. The primary outcome was conversion rate. Secondary outcomes were morbidity and pathological outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1078 patients were included. In rectal cancer surgery in general, the overall rate of primary anastomosis was 39.4, 61.9 and 61.9 per cent in laparoscopic, robot-assisted and TaTME centres respectively (P < 0.001). For specialized techniques in expert centres excluding abdominoperineal resection (APR), the rate of primary anastomosis was 66.7 per cent in laparoscopic, 89.8 per cent in robot-assisted and 84.3 per cent in TaTME (P < 0.001). Conversion rates were 3.7 , 4.6 and 1.9 per cent in laparoscopic, robot-assisted and TaTME respectively (P = 0.134). The number of incomplete specimens, circumferential resection margin involvement rate and morbidity rates did not differ.

CONCLUSION

In the minimally invasive treatment of rectal cancer more primary anastomoses are created in robotic and TaTME expert centres.

A Systematic Review Comparing Emergency Resection and Staged Treatment for Curable Obstructing Right-Sided Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment for obstructing colon cancer (OCC) is controversial because the outcome of acute resection is less favorable than for patients without obstruction. Few studies have investigated curable right-sided OCC, and patients with OCC usually undergo acute resection. This study aimed to better understand the outcome and best management of potentially curable right-sided OCC.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies was performed with a focus on differences in mortality and morbidity between emergency resection and staged treatment for patients with potentially curable right-sided OCC. In March 2019, the study searched Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google scholar databases according to PRISMA guidelines using search terms related to "colon tumour," "stenosis or obstruction and surgery," and "decompression or stents." All English-language studies reporting emergency or staged treatment for potentially curable right-sided OCC were included in the review. Emergency resection and staged resection were compared for mortality, morbidity, complications, and survival.

RESULTS

Nine studies were found to be eligible and comprised 600 patients treated with curative intent for their right-sided OCC by emergency resection or staged resection. The mean overall complication rate was 42% (range 19-54%) after emergency resection, and 30% (range 7-44%) after staged treatment. The average mortality rate was 7.2% (range 0-14.5%) after emergency resection and 1.2% (range 0-6.3%) after staged treatment. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were comparable for the two treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients who received staged treatment for right-sided OCC had lower mortality rates, fewer complications, and fewer anastomotic leaks and stoma creations than the patients who had emergency resection.

Preoperative Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis Reduces Surgical Site Infections After Elective Colorectal Surgery: Results From a Before-After Study

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common complications after colorectal procedures and remain an important source of morbidity and costs. Preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis is a potential infection control strategy, but its effectiveness without simultaneous use of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether preoperative oral antibiotics reduce the risk of deep SSIs in elective colorectal surgery.

METHODS

We performed a before-after analysis in a teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Patients who underwent surgery between January 2012 and December 2015 were included. On 1 January 2013, oral antibiotic prophylaxis with tobramycin and colistin was implemented as standard of care prior to colorectal surgery. The year before implementation was used as the control period. The primary outcome was a composite of deep SSI and/or mortality within 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 1410 patients, 352 underwent colorectal surgery in the control period and 1058 in the period after implementation of the antibiotic prophylaxis. We observed a decrease in incidence of the primary endpoint of 6.2% after prophylaxis implementation. When adjusted for confounders, the risk ratio for development of the primary outcome was 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.79). Other findings included a decreased risk of anastomotic leakage and a reduction in the length of postoperative stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis prior to colorectal surgery is associated with a significant decrease in SSI and/or mortality in a setting without MBP. Preoperative oral antibiotics can therefore be considered without MBP for patients who undergo colorectal surgery.

Diagnostic accuracy of urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein in detecting colorectal anastomotic leakage

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a severe complication following colorectal surgery, having a negative impact on both short- and long-term outcomes. Since timely detection could enable early intervention, there is a need for the development of novel and accurate, preferably, non-invasive markers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) could serve as such a marker.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter cross-sectional phase two diagnostic study was conducted at four centers in the Netherlands between March 2015 and November 2016. Urine samples of 15 patients with confirmed colorectal AL and 19 patients without colorectal AL on postoperative day 3 were included. Urinary I-FABP levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and adjusted for urinary creatinine to compensate for renal dysfunction.

RESULTS

Urinary I-FABP levels were significantly elevated in patients with confirmed AL compared to patients without AL on postoperative day 3 (median: 2.570 ng/ml vs 0.809 ng/ml, p = 0.006). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was 0.775, yielding a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 74% at the optimal cutoff point (> 1.589 ng/ml). This difference remained significant after calculation of I-FABP/creatinine ratios (median: 0.564 ng/µmol vs. 0.158 ng/µmol, p = 0.040), with an AUROC of 0.709, sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 90% at the optimal cutoff point (> 0.469 ng/µmol).

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of urinary I-FABP and urinary I-FABP/creatinine were significantly elevated in patients with confirmed AL following colorectal surgery, suggesting their potential as a non-invasive biomarker for colorectal anastomotic leakage.

MRI-based guidelines for selective neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer: Does MRI adequately predict the indication for radiotherapy in daily practice in a large teaching hospital

OBJECTIVES

According to new Dutch guidelines for rectal cancer, MRI-defined tumour stage determines whether preoperative radiotherapy is indicated. Therefore, we sought to evaluate if preoperative MRI accurately predicts the indication for neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer cases in daily practice according to the new Dutch guidelines.

METHODS

Data for all rectal cancer patients who underwent mesorectal excision in our hospital, between January 2011 and January 2018 were collected retrospectively. We compared histopathologic outcome with tumour staging on preoperative MRI for patients who received no radiotherapy prior to resection or short-course radiotherapy directly followed by resection.

RESULTS

Of 223 patients treated according to the old guidelines, 94% received neoadjuvant therapy. Of 301 patients treated according to the new guidelines, only 49% did. Under the old guidelines, MRI predicted lymph node metastases with a sensitivity of 74.2% and a specificity of 52.6%. With the new guidelines, sensitivity was 47.5% and specificity was 77.3%. The new guidelines resulted in 45% more patients not being exposed to disadvantages of radiotherapy, but 13% of all patients were undertreated.

CONCLUSIONS

Concordance between clinical lymph node staging on preoperative MRI and histopathologic staging is limited, resulting in many rectal cancer patients not receiving adequate neoadjuvant therapy.

Differences in Metastatic Pattern in Patients Presenting With or Without Obstructing Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study of 2595 Patients

BACKGROUND

Little is known about metastatic patterns in patients with obstructing colorectal cancer (CRC).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine if metastatic patterns in patients with CRC differ between patients with or without obstruction.

METHODS

This single-center, observational, retrospective cohort study includes patients who underwent surgery for CRC between 2004 and 2015 in our hospital. Patients were divided into two groups-patients with or without obstructing CRC. All anatomic sites of distant metastases were reported. Differences in synchronous and metachronous metastases were compared between both groups.

RESULTS

A total of 2595 patients were included for analysis, of whom 315 (12%) presented with obstructing CRC. Synchronous metastases were diagnosed in 483 patients (19%). Patients with obstructing CRC and synchronous metastases, were diagnosed with peritoneal metastases more often than patients without obstruction (37% vs. 16%; p < 0.01). With regard to the location of the tumor, obstructing right-sided CRC patients were diagnosed with peritoneal metastases more often than patients without obstruction (52% vs. 21%; p < 0.01). Additionally, metachronous metastases were found significantly more often in patients with obstructing CRC (27%) compared with patients without obstruction (15%; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with obstructing CRC have more advanced tumor stage compared with patients without obstructing CRC. Synchronous peritoneal metastases are more often encountered in patients with obstructing CRC compared with patients without obstruction. This difference is due to the raised presence of synchronous peritoneal metastases in patients with obstructed right-sided colonic cancer. Furthermore, metachronous metastases are more often found in patients with obstructing CRC.

Urinary volatile organic compound markers and colorectal anastomotic leakage

AIM

Inflammatory markers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP) are used as routine markers to detect anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery. However, CRP is characterized by a relatively low predictive value, emphasizing the need for the development of novel diagnostic approaches. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous metabolic products deriving from all conceivable bodily excrements and reflect (alterations in) the patient's physical status. Therefore, VOCs are increasingly considered as potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of urinary VOCs for colorectal anastomotic leakage.

METHODS

In this explorative multicentre study, urinary VOC profiles of 22 patients with confirmed anastomotic leakage and 27 uneventful control patients following colorectal surgery were analysed by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS).

RESULTS

Urinary VOCs of patients with anastomotic leakage could be distinguished from those of control patients with high accuracy: area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.91 (95% CI 0.81-1.00, P < 0.001), sensitivity 86% and specificity 93%. Serum CRP was significantly increased in patients with a confirmed anastomotic leak but with lower diagnostic accuracy compared to VOC analysis (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.82, 95% CI 0.68-0.95, P < 0.001). Combining VOCs and CRP did not result in a significant improvement of the diagnostic performance compared to VOCs alone.

CONCLUSION

Analysis by FAIMS allowed for discrimination between urinary VOC profiles of patients with a confirmed anastomotic leak and control patients following colorectal surgery. A superior accuracy compared to CRP and apparently high specificity was observed, underlining the potential as a non-invasive biomarker for the detection of colorectal anastomotic leakage.

Multicentre study of non-surgical management of diverticulitis with abscess formation

This multicentre retrospective cohort study included 447 patients with Hinchey Ib and II diverticular abscesses, who were treated with antibiotics, with or without percutaneous drainage. Abscesses of 3 and 5 cm in size were at higher risk of short‐term treatment failure and emergency surgery respectively. Initial non‐surgical treatment of Hinchey Ib and II diverticular abscesses was comparable between patients treated with antibiotics only and those who underwent percutaneous drainage in combination with antibiotics, with regard to short‐ and long‐term outcomes.

Most do not need drainage

Colonoscopy Surveillance After Colorectal Cancer: the Optimal Interval for Follow-Up

PURPOSE

Patients who have undergone curative surgery for colorectal cancer are at risk of developing a metachronous colorectal tumour or anastomotic recurrence. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of recurrent colorectal cancer in a cohort of patients who participated in a colonoscopy surveillance programme.

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer between 2005 and 2015. All reports of postoperative colonoscopies were retrieved to calculate the incidence rates of recurrence and metachronous colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Of 2420 patients, 1644 (67.9%) underwent at least one postoperative colonoscopy and 776 (32.1%) did not. In 1087 patients, colonoscopy was performed in the first 18 months after surgery, which detected 34 (3.1%) instances of metachronous colorectal tumours or anastomotic recurrence. Thirty-three additional patients were also diagnosed with recurrent colorectal cancer, but the tumours were detected by other diagnostic modalities or detected perioperatively, rather than by colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of colorectal cancer have an increased risk for a second colorectal tumour. Therefore, we recommend a colonoscopic surveillance programme with the first colonoscopy performed 1 year after curative surgery, which is in accordance with national guidelines.

[Gastric perforation in Eastern European economic migrants]

The general prevalence of perforated peptic ulcers is decreasing and they are, therefore, more likely to be missed. In our hospital, Eastern European migrants are overrepresented in the population of patients with perforated gastric peptic ulcers; due to a higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Eastern Europe, they have a higher chance of developing gastric peptic ulcers than patients of Dutch origin. Treatment is hampered by the language barrier and low compliance rates, with patients often leaving hospital against medical advice and not showing up for follow-up appointments. These patients should, therefore, be informed by an interpreter, so that they are well educated about the disease and its treatment. Furthermore, we advise determination of the presence of H. pylori in these patients either during or directly after surgery, and, if necessary, empirical eradication of the bacteria.

Oncologic outcome and recurrence rate following anastomotic leakage after curative resection for colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Anastomotic leakage is one of the most severe early complications after colorectal surgery, and it is associated with a high reoperation rate-, and increased in short-term morbidity and mortality rates. It remains unclear whether anastomotic leakage is associated with poor oncologic outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of anastomotic leakage on long-term oncologic outcomes, disease-free survival and overall mortality in patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

This single-centre, retrospective, observational cohort study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer between 2005 and 2015 and who had a primary anastomosis. Survival- and multivariate cox regression analyses were performed to adjust for confounding.

RESULTS

A total of 1984 patients had a primary anastomosis after surgery. The overall incidence of anastomotic leakage was 7.5%; 19 patients were excluded because they were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 1965 patients, 41 (2.1%) developed local recurrence associated with anastomotic leakage [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-5.29; P = 0.03]. Distant recurrence developed in 291(14.8%) patients with no association with anastomotic leakage [adjusted HR = 1.30 (95% CI: 0.85-1.97) P = 0.23]. Anastomotic leakage was associated with increased long-term mortality [adjusted HR = 1.69 (95% CI 1.32-2.18) P < 0.01]. Five year disease-free survival was significantly decreased in patients with anastomotic leakage, (log rank test P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Anastomotic leakage was significantly associated with increased rates of local recurrence, disease free-survival and overall mortality. Associations of anastomotic leakage with distant recurrence was not found.

Ileus caused by obstructing colorectal cancer-impact on long-term survival

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether obstructing colorectal cancer (CRC) has a worse prognosis than non-obstructing CRC. Of CRC patients, 10-28% present with symptoms of acute obstruction. Previous studies regarding obstruction have been primarily based on short-term outcomes, risk factors and treatment modalities. With this study, we want to determine the long-term survival of patients presenting with acute obstructive CRC.

METHODS

This single-centre observational retrospective cohort study includes all CRC patients who underwent surgery between December 2004 and 2010. Patients were divided into two groups: ileus and no ileus. Survival analyses were performed for both groups. Additional survival analyses were performed in patients with and without synchronous metastases. The primary outcome was survival in months.

RESULTS

A total of 1236 patients were included in the analyses. Ileus occurred in 178 patients (14.4%). The 5-year survival for patients with an ileus was 32% and without 60% (P < 0.01). In patients without synchronous metastases, survival with and without an ileus was 40.9 and 68.4%, respectively (P < 0.01). If ileus presentation was complicated by a colon blowout, 5-year survival decreased to 29%. No significant difference was found in patients with synchronous metastases. Survival at 5 years in this subgroup was 10 and 12% for patients with and without an ileus, respectively (P = 0.705).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with obstructive CRC have a reduced short-term overall survival. Also, long-term overall survival is impaired in patients who present with acute obstructive CRC compared to patients without obstruction.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic resection of clinical T4b tumours of distal sigmoid and rectum: initial results

BACKGROUND

Radical resection by multivisceral resection of colorectal T4 tumours is important to reduce local recurrence and improve survival. Oncological safety of laparoscopic resection of T4 tumours is controversial. However, robot-assisted resections might have advantages, such as 3D view and greater range of motion of instruments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the initial results of robot-assisted resection of T4 rectal and distal sigmoid tumours.

METHODS

This is a cohort study of a prospectively kept database of all robot-assisted rectal and sigmoid resections between 2012 and 2017. Patients who underwent a multivisceral resection for tumours appearing as T4 cancer during surgery were included. Rectal and sigmoid resections are routinely performed with the DaVinci robot, unless an indication for intra-operative radiotherapy exists.

RESULTS

28 patients with suspected T4 rectal or sigmoid cancer were included. Most patients (78%) were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 19), short course radiotherapy with long waiting interval (n = 2) or chemotherapy (n = 1). En bloc resection was performed with the complete or part of the invaded organ (prostate, vesicles, bladder, abdominal wall, presacral fascia, vagina, uterus, adnex). In 3 patients (11%), the procedure was converted to laparotomy. Twenty-four R0-resections were performed (86%) and four R1-resections (14%). Median length of surgery was 274 min (IQR 222-354). Median length of stay was 6 days (IQR 5-11). Twelve patients (43%) had postoperative complications: eight (29%) minor complications and four (14%) major complications. There was no postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted laparoscopy seems to be a feasible option for the resection of clinical T4 cancer of the distal sigmoid and rectum in selected cases. Radical resections can be achieved in the majority of cases. Therefore, T4 tumours should not be regarded as a strict contraindication for robot-assisted surgery.

Laparoscopic ileocaecal resection versus infliximab for terminal ileitis in Crohn's disease: a randomised controlled, open-label, multicentre trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patients with ileocaecal Crohn's disease who have not responded to conventional therapy is commonly scaled up to biological agents, but surgery can also offer excellent short-term and long-term results. We compared laparoscopic ileocaecal resection with infliximab to assess how they affect health-related quality of life.

METHODS

In this randomised controlled, open-label trial, in 29 teaching hospitals and tertiary care centres in the Netherlands and the UK, adults with non-stricturing, ileocaecal Crohn's disease, in whom conventional therapy has failed were randomly allocated (1:1) by an internet randomisation module with biased-coin minimisation for participating centres and perianal fistula to receive laparoscopic ileocaecal resection or infliximab. Eligible patients were aged 18-80 years, had active Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum, and had not responded to at least 3 months of conventional therapy with glucocorticosteroids, thiopurines, or methotrexate. Patients with diseased terminal ileum longer than 40 cm or abdominal abscesses were excluded. The primary outcome was quality of life on the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were general quality of life, measured by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey and its physical and mental component subscales, days unable to participate in social life, days on sick leave, morbidity (additional procedures and hospital admissions), and body image and cosmesis. Analyses of the primary outcome were done in the intention-to-treat population, and safety analyses were done in the per-protocol population. This trial is registered at the Dutch Trial Registry (NTR1150).

FINDINGS

Between May 2, 2008, and October 14, 2015, 73 patients were allocated to have resection and 70 to receive infliximab. Corrected for baseline differences, the mean IBDQ score at 12 months was 178·1 (95% CI 171·1-185·0) in the resection group versus 172·0 (164·3-179·6) in the infliximab group (mean difference 6·1 points, 95% CI -4·2 to 16·4; p=0·25). At 12 months, the mean SF-36 total score was 112·1 (95% CI 108·0-116·2) in the resection group versus 106·5 (102·1-110·9) in the infliximab group (mean difference 5·6, 95% CI -0·4 to 11·6), the mean physical component score was 47·7 (45·7-49·7) versus 44·6 (42·5-46·8; mean difference 3·1, 4·2 to 6·0), and the mean mental component score was 49·5 (47·0-52·1) versus 46·1 (43·3-48·9; mean difference 3·5, -0·3 to 7·3). Mean numbers of days of sick leave were 3·4 days (SD 7·1) in the resection group versus 1·4 days (4·7) in the infliximab group (p<0·0001), days not able to take part in social life were 1·8 days (6·3) versus 1·1 days (4·5; p=0·20), days of scheduled hospital admission were 6·5 days (3·8) versus 6·8 days (3·2; p=0·84), and the number of patients who had unscheduled hospital admissions were 13 (18%) of 73 versus 15 (21%) of 70 (p=0·68). Body-image scale mean scores in the patients who had resection were 16·0 (95% CI 15·2-16·8) at baseline versus 17·8 (17·1-18·4) at 12 months, and cosmetic scale mean scores were 17·6 (16·6-18·6) versus 18·6 (17·6-19·6). Surgical intervention-related complications classified as IIIa or worse on the Clavien-Dindo scale occurred in four patients in the resection group. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in two patients in the infliximab group. During a median follow-up of 4 years (IQR 2-6), 26 (37%) of 70 patients in the infliximab group had resection, and 19 (26%) of 73 patients in the resection group received anti-TNF.

INTERPRETATION

Laparoscopic resection in patients with limited (diseased terminal ileum <40 cm), non-stricturing, ileocaecal Crohn's disease in whom conventional therapy has failed could be considered a reasonable alternative to infliximab therapy.

FUNDING

Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.

Improving Critical View of Safety in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy by Teaching Interventions

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend obtaining a critical view of safety (CVS) during laparoscopic cholecystectomies to prevent serious bile duct injuries. We sought to evaluate the results of a teaching intervention for surgeons and residents about achieving CVS.

METHODS

The intervention consisted of a lecture followed by a handout on CVS along with a teaching video on how to perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common pitfalls encountered. After 9 months, the whole intervention was repeated. We retrospectively collected demographic data, details about the procedure, and complications for 316 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and reviewed available videos of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for 229 of these patients. Videos before and after the teaching interventions were reviewed by 2 gastrointestinal surgeons regarding whether CVS was reached, and Kappa statistics were calculated to measure inter-rater agreement.

RESULTS

Most patients (average age 51 years) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis (n = 171, 75%). CVS was reached in 69% of the preteaching intervention patients (n = 54), in 73% after the first teaching intervention (n = 75) and in 82% after the second intervention (n = 100) (not significant, overall p = 0.070). The complication rates were 24% (n = 13) before the intervention, 19% (n = 14) after the first teaching intervention, and 17% (n = 17) after the second intervention (not significant). In these groups, 1, 3, and 5 cases, correspondingly, with biliary injury were identified. All but 1 complication was related to a type A biliary injury.

CONCLUSION

After the teaching interventions, the complication rate and the rate of reaching CVS did not improve significantly. To improve surgeons' success in reaching CVS, more personal interventions may be more effective than the group intervention we used in this study. The next step may be to present surgeons and residents who have a low CVS rate directly with their personal results.

Complications After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Video Evaluation Study of Whether the Critical View of Safety was Reached

BACKGROUND

Achieving the critical view of safety (CVS) before transection of the cystic artery and duct is important to reduce biliary duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To gain more insight into complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we investigated whether the criteria for CVS were met during surgery by analyzing videos of operations performed at our institution.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent a completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy between 2009 and 2011 were included. The videos of the operations of patients with complications were independently reviewed and rated by two investigators with a third consulted in the event of a disagreement. The reviewers answered consecutive questions about whether the CVS criteria were met. Patients who underwent an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and had no complications were used as a control group for comparison.

RESULTS

Of the 1108 consecutive patients who had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the study period, 8.8 % developed complications (average age 51 years) and 1.7 % had bile duct injuries [six patients (0.6 %) had a major bile duct injury, type B, D, or E injury]. In the 65 surgical videos available for analysis, CVS was reached in 80 % of cases according to the operative notes. However, the reviewers found that CVS was reached in only 10.8 % of the cases. Only in 18.7 % of the cases the operative notes and video agreed about CVS being reached. CVS was not reached in any of the patients who had biliary injuries. In the control group, CVS was reached significantly more often in 72 %.

CONCLUSIONS

In our institutional series of laparoscopic cholecystectomies with postoperative complications, CVS was reached in only a few cases. Evaluating surgical videos of laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases are important and we recommend its use to improve surgical technique and decrease the number of biliary injuries.

Multimodal treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: seton versus anti-TNF versus advancement plasty (PISA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Currently there is no guideline for the treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease and high perianal fistulas. Most patients receive anti-TNF medication, but no long-term results of this expensive medication have been described, nor has its efficiency been compared to surgical strategies. With this study, we hope to provide treatment consensus for daily clinical practice with reduction in costs.

Methods/Design

This is a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Patients with Crohn’s disease who are over 18 years of age, with newly diagnosed or recurrent active high perianal fistulas, with one internal opening and no anti-TNF usage in the past three months will be considered. Patients with proctitis, recto-vaginal fistulas or anal stenosis will be excluded. Prior to randomisation, an MRI and ileocolonoscopy are required. All treatment will start with seton placement and a course of antibiotics. Patients will then be randomised to: (1) chronic seton drainage (with oral 6-mercaptopurine (6MP)) for one year, (2) anti-TNF medication (with 6MP) for one year (seton removal after six weeks) or (3) advancement plasty after eight weeks of seton drainage (under four months anti-TNF and 6MP for one year). The primary outcome parameter is the number of patients needing fistula-related re-intervention(s). Secondary outcomes are the number of patients with closed fistulas (based on an evaluated MRI score) after 18 months, disease activity, quality of life and costs.

Discussion

The PISA trial is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial of patients with Crohn’s disease and high perianal fistulas. With the comparison of three generally accepted treatment strategies, we will be able to comment on the efficiency of the various treatment strategies, with respect to several long-term outcome parameters.

Trial registration

Nederlands Trial Register identifier: NTR4137 (registered on 23 August 2013).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0831-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk Factors and Outcomes for Postoperative Delirium after Major Surgery in Elderly Patients

Background

Early identification of patients at risk for delirium is important, since adequate well timed interventions could prevent occurrence of delirium and related detrimental outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate prognostic factors for delirium, including factors describing frailty, in elderly patients undergoing major surgery.

Methods

We included patients of 65 years and older, who underwent elective surgery from March 2013 to November 2014. Patients had surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) or colorectal cancer. Delirium was scored prospectively using the Delirium Observation Screening Scale. Pre- and peri-operative predictors of delirium were analyzed using regression analysis. Outcomes after delirium included adverse events, length of hospital stay, discharge destination and mortality.

Results

We included 232 patients. 51 (22%) underwent surgery for AAA and 181 (78%) for colorectal cancer. Postoperative delirium occurred in 35 patients (15%).

Predictors of postoperative delirium included: delirium in medical history (Odds Ratio 12 [95% Confidence Interval 2.7–50]), advancing age (Odds Ratio 2.0 [95% Confidence Interval 1.1–3.8]) per 10 years, and ASA-score ≥3 (Odds Ratio 2.6 [95% Confidence Interval 1.1–5.9]). Occurrence of delirium was related to an increase in adverse events, length of hospital stay and mortality.

Conclusion

Postoperative delirium is a frequent complication after major surgery in elderly patients and is related to an increase in adverse events, length of hospital stay, and mortality. A delirium in the medical history, advanced age, and ASA-score may assist in defining patients at increased risk for delirium. Further attention to prevention of delirium is essential in elderly patients undergoing major surgery.

Sexual, marital, and general life functioning in couples coping with colorectal cancer: a dyadic study across time

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the following: (a) levels of sexual, marital, and general life functioning for both patients and partners; (b) interdependence between both members of the couple; and (c) longitudinal change in sexual, marital, and general life functioning and longitudinal stress-spillover effects in these three domains from a dyadic perspective.

METHODS

Couples (n = 102) completed the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Mean scores were compared with norm scores. A multivariate general linear model and a multivariate latent difference score - structural equation modeling (LDS-SEM), which took into account actor and partner effects, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients and partners reported lower sexual, mostly similar marital, and higher general life functioning compared with norm scores. Moderate to high within-dyad associations were found. The LDS-SEM model mostly showed actor effects. Yet the longitudinal change in the partners' sexual functioning was determined not only by their own preoperative sexual functioning but also by that of the patient. Preoperative sexual functioning did not spill over to the other two domains for patients and partners, whereas the patients' preoperative general life functioning influenced postoperative change in marital and sexual functioning. Health care professionals should examine potential sexual problems but have to be aware that these problems may not spill over to the marital and general life domains. In contrast, low functioning in the general life domain may spill over to the marital and sexual domains. The interdependence between patients and partners implies that a couple-based perspective (e.g., couple-based interventions/therapies) to coping with cancer is needed.

No change in lymph node positivity rate despite increased lymph node yield and improved survival in colon cancer

AIM

To analyse trends over time in the number of lymph nodes evaluated and in the proportion of node positivity and to investigate the impact on survival for patients with colon cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

8616 patients resected for M0 colon cancer diagnosed in the southern Netherlands between 2000 and 2011 were included in this study. Trends in nodal evaluation and node positivity were analysed. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the influence of period of diagnosis on adequate nodal evaluation (P12 lymph nodes) and no depositivity after adjusting for patient and tumour characteristics. Crude 5-year relative survival was used as an estimate for disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

Overall, the proportion adequate nodal evaluation increased from 13% in 2000–2002 to 59% in 2009–2011 (p < 0.0001), whereas the proportion node positivity remained similar across study periods (approximately 35%). Patients diagnosed in later periods were more likely to have received adequate nodal yield (adjusted Odds ratio (OR) 2009–2011 versus 2000–2002 9.8, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 8.3–11.6). However, the adjusted odds of having node positive disease did not differ between periods of diagnosis. Relative excess risk of dying was independently correlated with the number of lymph nodes evaluated (1–8 LNs versus P12 LNs, N0: 2.2, 95% CI 1.7–2.9; N+: 1.7, 95% CI 1.4–2.0) and period of diagnosis (2009–2011 versus 2000–2002, N+ only: 0.8, 95% CI 0.6–1.0).

CONCLUSION

The reason for improved survival with increased nodal yield is different from simple understaging as the proportion of lymph node positivity remained constant.

Reduction of surgical site infections after implementation of a bundle of care

Background

Surgical Site Infections (SSI) are relatively frequent complications after colorectal surgery and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objective

Implementing a bundle of care and measuring the effects on the SSI rate.

Design

Prospective quasi experimental cohort study.

Methods

A prospective surveillance for SSI after colorectal surgery was performed in the Amphia Hospital, Breda, from January 1, 2008 until January 1, 2012. As part of a National patient safety initiative, a bundle of care consisting of 4 elements covering the surgical process was introduced in 2009. The elements of the bundle were perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, hair removal before surgery, perioperative normothermia and discipline in the operating room. Bundle compliance was measured every 3 months in a random sample of surgical procedures.

Results

Bundle compliance improved significantly from an average of 10% in 2009 to 60% in 2011. 1537 colorectal procedures were performed during the study period and 300 SSI (19.5%) occurred. SSI were associated with a prolonged length of stay (mean additional length of stay 18 days) and a significantly higher 6 months mortality (Adjusted OR: 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.76–4.18). Logistic regression showed a significant decrease of the SSI rate that paralleled the introduction of the bundle. The adjusted Odds ratio of the SSI rate was 36% lower in 2011 compared to 2008.

Conclusion

The implementation of the bundle was associated with improved compliance over time and a 36% reduction of the SSI rate after adjustment for confounders. This makes the bundle an important tool to improve patient safety.

Effect of a comprehensive surgical safety system on patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Adverse events in patients who have undergone surgery constitute a large proportion of iatrogenic illnesses. Most surgical safety interventions have focused on the operating room. Since more than half of all surgical errors occur outside the operating room, it is likely that a more substantial improvement in outcomes can be achieved by targeting the entire surgical pathway.

METHODS

We examined the effects on patient outcomes of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary surgical safety checklist, including items such as medication, marking of the operative side, and use of postoperative instructions. The checklist was implemented in six hospitals with high standards of care. All complications occurring during admission were documented prospectively. We compared the rate of complications during a baseline period of 3 months with the rate during a 3-month period after implementation of the checklist, while accounting for potential confounders. Similar data were collected from a control group of five hospitals.

RESULTS

In a comparison of 3760 patients observed before implementation of the checklist with 3820 patients observed after implementation, the total number of complications per 100 patients decreased from 27.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.9 to 28.7) to 16.7 (95% CI, 15.6 to 17.9), for an absolute risk reduction of 10.6 (95% CI, 8.7 to 12.4). The proportion of patients with one or more complications decreased from 15.4% to 10.6% (P<0.001). In-hospital mortality decreased from 1.5% (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.0) to 0.8% (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.1), for an absolute risk reduction of 0.7 percentage points (95% CI, 0.2 to 1.2). Outcomes did not change in the control hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of this comprehensive checklist was associated with a reduction in surgical complications and mortality in hospitals with a high standard of care. (Netherlands Trial Register number, NTR1943.).

DIRECT trial. Diverticulitis recurrences or continuing symptoms: Operative versus conservative treatment. A multicenter randomised clinical trial

Background

Persisting abdominal complaints are common after an episode of diverticulitis treated conservatively. Furthermore, some patients develop frequent recurrences. These two groups of patients suffer greatly from their disease, as shown by impaired health related quality of life and increased costs due to multiple specialist consultations, pain medication and productivity losses.

Both conservative and operative management of patients with persisting abdominal complaints after an episode of diverticulitis and/or frequently recurring diverticulitis are applied. However, direct comparison by a randomised controlled trial is necessary to determine which is superior in relieving symptoms, optimising health related quality of life, minimising costs and preventing diverticulitis recurrences against acceptable morbidity and mortality associated with surgery or the occurrence of a complicated recurrence after conservative management.

We, therefore, constructed a randomised clinical trial comparing these two treatment strategies.

Methods/design

The DIRECT trial is a multicenter randomised clinical trial. Patients (18-75 years) presenting themselves with persisting abdominal complaints after an episode of diverticulitis and/or three or more recurrences within 2 years will be included and randomised. Patients randomised for conservative treatment are treated according to the current daily practice (antibiotics, analgetics and/or expectant management). Patients randomised for elective resection will undergo an elective resection of the affected colon segment. Preferably, a laparoscopic approach is used.

The primary outcome is health related quality of life measured by the Gastro-intestinal Quality of Life Index, Short-Form 36, EQ-5D and a visual analogue scale for pain quantification. Secondary endpoints are morbidity, mortality and total costs. The total follow-up will be three years.

Discussion

Considering the high incidence and the multicenter design of this study, it may be assumed that the number of patients needed for this study (n = 214), may be gathered within one and a half year.

Depending on the expertise and available equipment, we prefer to perform a laparoscopic resection on patients randomised for elective surgery. Should this be impossible, an open technique may be used as this also reflects the current situation.

Trial Registration

(Trial register number: NTR1478)

Laparoscopic ileocolic resection versus infliximab treatment of distal ileitis in Crohn's disease: a randomized multicenter trial (LIR!C-trial)

Background

With the availability of infliximab, nowadays recurrent Crohn's disease, defined as disease refractory to immunomodulatory agents that has been treated with steroids, is generally treated with infliximab. Infliximab is an effective but expensive treatment and once started it is unclear when therapy can be discontinued. Surgical resection has been the golden standard in recurrent Crohn's disease. Laparoscopic ileocolic resection proved to be safe and is characterized by a quick symptom reduction.

The objective of this study is to compare infliximab treatment with laparoscopic ileocolic resection in patients with recurrent Crohn's disease of the distal ileum with respect to quality of life and costs.

Methods/design

The study is designed as a multicenter randomized clinical trial including patients with Crohn's disease located in the terminal ileum that require infliximab treatment following recent consensus statements on inflammatory bowel disease treatment: moderate to severe disease activity in patients that fail to respond to steroid therapy or immunomodulatory therapy. Patients will be randomized to receive either infliximab or undergo a laparoscopic ileocolic resection. Primary outcomes are quality of life and costs. Secondary outcomes are hospital stay, early and late morbidity, sick leave and surgical recurrence. In order to detect an effect size of 0.5 on the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire at a 5% two sided significance level with a power of 80%, a sample size of 65 patients per treatment group can be calculated. An economic evaluation will be performed by assessing the marginal direct medical, non-medical and time costs and the costs per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) will be calculated. For both treatment strategies a cost-utility ratio will be calculated. Patients will be included from December 2007.

Discussion

The LIR!C-trial is a randomized multicenter trial that will provide evidence whether infliximab treatment or surgery is the best treatment for recurrent distal ileitis in Crohn's disease.

Trial registration

Nederlands Trial Register NTR1150