Toward less invasive coloproctology: The future is out there

Medical care has undergone remarkable improvements over the past few decades.One of the most important innovative breakthroughs in modern medicine is the advent of minimally and less invasive treatments.The trend towards employing less invasive treatment has been vividly shown in the field of gastroenterology,particularly coloproctology.Parallel to foregut interventions,colorectal surgery has shifted towards a minimally invasive approach.Coloproctology,including both medical and surgical management of colorectal diseases,has undergone a remarkable paradigm shift.The treatment of both benign and malignant colorectal conditions has gradually transitioned towards more conservative and less inva-sive approaches.An interesting paradigm shift was the trend to avoid the need for radical resection of rectal cancer altogether in patients who showed complete response to neoadjuvant treatment.The trend of adopting less invasive appro-aches to treat various colorectal conditions does not seem to be stopping soon as further research on novel,more effective and safer methods is ongoing.

Non-operative management of rectal cancer: Highlighting the controversies

There remains much ambiguity on what non-operative management(NOM)of rectal cancer truly entails in terms of the methods to be adopted and the best algorithm to follow.This is clearly shown by the discordance between various national and international guidelines on NOM of rectal cancer.The main aim of the NOM strategy is organ preservation and avoiding unnecessary surgical in-tervention,which carries its own risk of morbidity.A highly specific and sensitive surveillance program must be devised to avoid patients undergoing unnecessary surgical interventions.In many studies,NOM,often interchangeably called the Watch and Wait strategy,has been shown as a promising treatment option when undertaken in the appropriate patient population,where a clinical complete res-ponse is achieved.However,there are no clear guidelines on patient selection for NOM along with the optimal method of surveillance.

Short-term outcomes of single-incision compared to multi-port laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer:A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective:Single-incision laparoscopic sugery has emerged as a safe and less invasive approach to conventional multi-port laparoscopy.The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the collective outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic gastrectomy(SILG)compared to multi-port laparoscopic gastrectomy(MLG)for gastric cancer.Methods:A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)that compared SILG and MLG for gastric cancer in PubMed and Scopus through January 2023 was conducted.The main outcomes of the review were complications,postoperative pain,conversion to open surgery,hospital stay,and recovery.Results:Three RCTs including 301 patients(61.8%male)were incuded.A total of 151 patients underwent SILG,and 150 underwent MLG.SILG was associated with a shorter operative time(WMD=-16.39,95%CI:=27.38 to=5.40,p=0.003;2=0%)and lower pain scores at postoperative day 3(WMD=-1.18,95%CI:=2.27 to=0.091,p=0.033;I^(2)=99%)than MLG.There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in es timated blood loss(WMD=-16.95,95%CI:-35.84 to 1.95,p=0.078;I^(2)=82%),complications(OR=0.71,95%Cl:0.36 to 1.42,p=0.337;I^(2)=0%),conversion to open surgery(OR=0.33,95%C:0.01 to 8.38,p=0.504),hospital stay(WMD=0.72,95%CI:-0.92 to 2.36,p=0.056;P=84%),time to first flatus(WMD=0.06,95%CI:=0.14 to 0.26,p=0.566;I^(2)=0%),time to first defecation(WMD=-0.14,95%CI:=0.46 to 0.18,p=0.392;I^(2)=0%),or time to first oral intake(WMD=0.37,95%a:=0.75 to 1.49,p=0.520;I^(2)=94%).Conclusions:SILG is associated with shorter operative times and less early postoperative pain than MLG.The odds of complications,blood loss,hospital stay,and gastrointestinal recovery were similar between the two procedures.

Evolution of transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer:From top to bottom

The gold standard for curative treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer involves radical resection with a total mesorectal excision(TME). TME is the most effective treatment strategy to reduce local recurrence and improve survival outcomes regardless of the surgical platform used. However, there are associated morbidities, functional consequences, and quality of life(QoL) issues associated with TME; these risks must be considered during the modern-day multidisciplinary treatment for rectal cancer. This has led to the development of new surgical techniques to improve patient, oncologic, and QoL outcomes. In this work, we review the evolution of TME to the transanal total mesorectal excision(TaTME) through more traditional minimally invasive platforms. The review the development, safety and feasibility, proposed benefits and risks of the procedure, implementation and education models, and future direction for research and implementation of the TaTME in colorectal surgery. While satisfactory short-term results have been reported, the procedure is in its infancy, and long term outcomes and definitive results from controlled trials are pending.As evidence for safety and feasibility accumulates,structured training programs to standardize teaching,training, and safe expansion will aid the safe spread of the TaTME.

Recurrent anal fistulas: When, why, and how to manage?

Anal fistula is a commonly encountered anal condition in the surgical practice.Despite being a benign condition,anal fistula remains to represent a surgical challenge,particularly the complex type of fistulas.One of the common complications of anal fistula surgery is the persistence or recurrence of the pathology,both defined as failure of surgery.Recurrent anal fistulas after previous surgery represent an even more challenging problem since they are usually associated with a higher risk of re-recurrence and continence disturbance.The present review aimed to shed light on various aspects of recurrent anal fistulas,including the different definitions of failure after surgery,risk factors of recurrence,problems associated with management of recurrent fistulas,and assessment and treatment of recurrent anal fistulas.

Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in treatment of anismus: A systematic review

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A) in the management of patients with anismus. METHODS: An organized search of published literature was conducted using electronic databases including: Pub Med/MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Control ed Trials, also an internet-based search using "Google Scholar" service was conducted. Both comparative and observational studies were included. We excluded irrelevant articles, editorials, case reports, reviews, and meta-analyses. The studies that followed the patients less than 6 mo were excluded. Variables collected were demographic data of the patients, technique of BTX-A injection and number of sessions, short-term and longterm clinical improvement, post-injection changes in electromyography(EMG), defecography, manometry, and balloon expulsion test, and complications recorded after BTX-A injection.RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 189 patients were included in the review. The median age of the patients was 41.2 years and female-to-male ratio was 1.3:1. The median dose of BTX-A injected per procedure was 100 IU(range, 20-100 IU). Lateral injection was done in five trails and combined lateral and posterior injections in two trials. Three studies used endorectal ultrasonographyguided technique, one study used EMG-guided technique,whereas the remaining three studies used manual palpation with the index finger. The median percentage of patients who reported initial improvement of symptoms was 77.4%(range 37.5%-86.7%), this percentage declined to a median of 46%(range 25%-100%) at 4 mo after injection of BTX-A. Rates of improvement evaluated by balloon expulsion test, EMG, and defecography ranged between(37.5%-80%),(54%-86.7%), and(25%-86.6%), respectively. Fourteen(7.4%) patients developed complications after injection of BTX-A. Complication rates across the studies ranged from 0% to 22.6%. CONCLUSION: Initial satisfactory improvement of symptoms after BTX-A injection remarkably deteriorated after 3 mo of the procedure. However, repeated injection may provide better sustained results with no additional morbidities. Further analysis of more patients is necessary to conclude the safety of BTX-A for the treatment of anismus.

Literature review of the outcome of and methods used to improve transperineal repair of rectocele

BACKGROUND Rectocele is commonly seen in parous women and sometimes associated with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS).AIM To assess the current literature in regard to the outcome of the classical transperineal repair(TPR)of rectocele and its technical modifications.METHODS An organized literature search for studies that assessed the outcome of TPR of rectocele was performed.PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar were queried in the period of January 1991 through December 2020.The main outcome measures were improvement in ODS symptoms,improvement in sexual functions and continence,changes in manometric parameters,and quality of life.RESULTS After screening of 306 studies,24 articles were found eligible for inclusion to the review.Nine studies(301 patients)assessed the classical TPR of rectocele.The median rate of postoperative improvement in ODS symptoms was 72.7%(range,45.8%-83.3%)and reduction in rectocele size ranged from 41.4%-95.0%.Modifications of the classical repair entailed omission of levatorplasty,addition of implant,concomitant lateral internal sphincterotomy,changing the direction of plication of rectovaginal septum,and site-specific repair.CONCLUSION The transperineal repair of rectocele is associated with satisfactory,yet variable,improvement in ODS symptoms with parallel increase in quality-of-life score.Several modifications of the classical TPR were described.These modifications include omission of levatorplasty,insertion of implants,performing lateral sphincterotomy,changing the direction of classical plication,and site-specific repair.The indications for these modifications are not yet fully clear and need further prospective studies to help tailor the technique to rectocele patients.

Interactive platform for peer review:A proposal to improve the current peer review system

Peer review is the cornerstone in scientific publication.Although peer review has paramount importance in ensuring the quality of the published literature,it still has a number of shortcomings.The present manuscript proposes a new method to improve the current peer review system by providing an interactive,dynamic platform that allows direct,anonymous interaction between the authors of submitted manuscripts and the reviewers.Such real-time interaction may help eliminate any problems related to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the reviewer’s comments or the authors’response,and would save time while keeping the identity of both parties anonymous.

Cellular therapy:A promising tool in the future of colorectal surgery

Cellular therapy may be the solution of challenging problems in colorectal surgery such as impaired healing leading to anastomotic leakage and metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC). This review aimed to illustrate the role of cellular therapy in promotion of wound healing and management of metastatic CRC. An organized literature search for the role of cellular therapy in promotion of wound healing and management of metastatic CRC was conducted. Electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Embase were queried for the search process. Two types of cellular therapy have been recognized, the mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) and bone marrow-mononuclear cells(BM-MNCs) therapy.These cells have been shown to accelerate and promote healing of various tissue injuries in animal and human studies. In addition, experimental studies have reported that MSCs may help suppress the progression of colon cancer in rat models. This article reviews the possible mechanisms of action and clinical utility of MSCs and BM-MNCs in promotion of healing and suppression of tumor growth in light of the published literature. Cellular therapy has a potentially important role in colorectal surgery, particularly in the promotion of wound healing and management of metastatic CRC. Future directions of cellular therapy in colorectal surgery were explored which may help stimulate futures studies on the role of cellular therapy in colorectal surgery.

Predictors of severe and critical COVID-19:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has emerged as a public health crisis that was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.Although most cases have no or mild symptoms,around 10%of patients develop severe or critical illness that necessitates hospitalization and intensive care unit admission.AIM To assess the literature for the predictive factors that can identify patients having severe/critical COVID-19 disease.METHODS A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysescompliant systematic search of the literature was conducted.Electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE,Scopus,and Cochrane Library were queried.The main outcome measures were the predictors of severe/critical COVID-19 and mortality.RESULTS Five studies including 583 patients of a median age of 50.5 years were reviewed.Patients were 346(59.4%)male and 237(40.6%)female.Of 583 hospitalized patients,242(41.5%)had critical illness.Acute respiratory distress disease occurred in 291 patients,accounting for 46.7%of total complications.Onehundred(17.1%)mortalities were recorded.The most commonly reported predictors of severe COVID-19 were older age,medical comorbidities,lymphopenia,elevated C-reactive protein,increased D-dimer,and increased neutrophil ratio.Findings on computed tomography(CT)scanning predictive of severe disease were bronchial wall thickening,CT score>7,linear opacities,consolidation,right upper lobe affection,and crazy paving pattern.CONCLUSION Several demographic,clinical,laboratory,and radiologic factors can help predict severe and critical COVID-19 along with the potential need for mechanical ventilation.Factors that were more commonly reported were older age,medical comorbidities,lymphopenia,increased neutrophil ratio,elevated C-reactive protein,and increased D-dimer.

A case report on aggressive fibromatosis of the arm and shoulder

Background:Aggressive fibromatosis is a locally aggressive tumor that originates from the deep musculo-aponeurotic structures.In this report,we describe the case of an adolescent male with painless,progressively growing swelling in his right arm necessitated surgical excision and postoperative pathologic examination revealed aggressive fibromatosis.Case presentation:A 15-year-old boy presented with a painless,progressively growing swelling of his right arm.The swelling was firm,non-tender and with restricted mobility.MRI imaging revealed a well-defined,heterogenous,lobulated swelling extending beneath arm and shoulder muscles.Wide local excision of the swelling was done under general anesthesia and pathologic examination revealed aggressive fibromatosis of the arm.Adjuvant radiotherapy was provided to the patient to reduce the risk of local recurrence of the tumor.Conclusion:Aggressive fibromatosis of the upper limb presents as a painless,progressively growing swelling.Assessment with MRI is imperative for making a preliminary diagnosis.Wide local excision with safety margin with adjuvant radiotherapy is the main line of treatment to minimize the incidence of recurrence and preserve the limb.