Improving the outcomes in oncological colorectal surgery

During the last several decades,colorectal cancer surgery has experienced some major perioperative improvements.Preoperative risk-assessment of nutrition,frailty,and sarcopenia followed by interventions for patient optimization or an adapted surgical strategy,contributed to improved postoperative outcomes.Enhanced recovery programs or fast-track surgery also resulted in reduced length of hospital stay and overall complications without affecting patient safety.After an initially indecisive start due to uncertainty about oncological safety,the most significant improvement in intraoperative care was the introduction of laparoscopy.Laparoscopic surgery for colon and rectal cancer is associated with better short-term outcomes,whereas long-term outcomes regarding survival and recurrence rates are comparable.Nevertheless,long-term results in rectal surgery remain to be seen.Early recognition of anastomotic leakage remains a challenge,though multiple improvements have allowed better management of this complication.

Systematic review of cystic duct closure techniques in relation to prevention of bile duct leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM To study the effect of different techniques of cystic duct closure on bile leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) for biliary disease.METHODS A systematic search of MEDLINE, Cochrane and EMBASE was performed. Rate of cystic duct leakage(CDL) was the primary outcome. Risk of bias was evaluated. Odds ratios were analyzed for comparison of techniques and pooled event rates for non-comparative analyses. Pooled event rates were compared for each of included techniques.RESULTS Out of 1491 articles, 38 studies were included. A total of 47491 patients were included, of which 38683(81.5%)underwent cystic duct closure with non-locking(metal)clips. All studies were of low-moderate methodological quality. Only two studies reported separate data on uncomplicated and complicated gallbladder disease. For overall CDL, an odds ratio of 0.4(95%CI: 0.06-2.48)was found for harmonic energy vs clip closure and an odds ratio of 0.17(95%CI: 0.03-0.93) for locking vs non-locking clips. Pooled CDL rate was around 1% for harmonic energy and metal clips, and 0% for locking clips and ligatures. CONCLUSION Based on available evidence it is not possible to either recommend or discourage any of the techniques for cystic duct closure during LC with respects to CDL,although data point out a slight preference for locking clips and ligatures vs other techniques. No separate recommendation can be made for complicated gallbladder disease.

Bile leakage after loop closure vs clip closure of the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy:A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures.Cystic stump leakage is an underestimated,potentially life threatening complication that occurs in 1%-6%of the patients.With a secure cystic duct occlusion technique during LC,bile leakage becomes a preventable complication.AIM To investigate the effect of polydioxanone(PDS)loop closure of the cystic duct on bile leakage rate in LC patients.METHODS In this retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort,the effect of PDS loop closure of the cystic duct on bile leakage complication was compared to patients with conventional clip closure.Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a risk score to identify bile leakage risk.Leakage rate was assessed for categories of patients with increasing levels of bile leakage risk.RESULTS Of the 4359 patients who underwent LC,136(3%)underwent cystic duct closure by a PDS loop.Preoperatively,loop closure patients had significantly more complicated biliary disease compared to the clipped closure patients.In the loop closure cohort,zero(0%)bile leakage occurred compared to 59 of 4223(1.4%)clip closure patients.For patients at increased bile leakage risk(risk score≥1)rates were 1.6%and up to 13%(4/30)for clip closure patients with a risk score≥4.This risk increase paralleled a stepwise increase of actual bile leakage complication for clip closure patients,which was not observed for loop closure patients.CONCLUSION Cystic duct closure with a PDS loop during LC may reduce bile leakage in patients at increased risk for bile leakage.

Association between serosal intestinal microcirculation and blood pressure during major abdominal surgery

Background:In clinical practice,blood pressure is used as a resuscitation goal on a daily basis,with the aim of maintaining adequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to target organs.Compromised perfusion is often indicated as a key factor in the pathophysiology of anastomotic leakage.This study was aimed at assessing the extent to which the microcirculation of the bowel coheres with blood pressure during abdominal surgery.Methods:We performed a prospective and observational cohort study.In patients undergoing abdominal surgery,the serosal microcirculation of either the small intestine or the colon was visualized using handheld vital mi-croscopy(HVM).From the acquired HVM image sequences,red blood cell velocity(RBCv)and total vessel density(TVD)were calculated using MicroTools and AVA software,respectively.The association between microcircula-tory parameters and blood pressure was assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis.We considered a two-sided P-value of<0.050 to be significant.Results:In 28 patients undergoing abdominal surgery,a total of 76 HVM images were analyzed.The RBCv was 335±96μm/s and the TVD was 13.7±3.4 mm/mm ^(2).Mean arterial pressure(MAP)was 71±12 mm Hg during microcirculatory imaging.MAP was not correlated with RBCv(Pearson’s r=−0.049,P=0.800)or TVD(Pearson’s r=0.310,P=0.110).Conclusion:In 28 patients undergoing abdominal surgery,we found no association between serosal intestinal microcirculatory parameters and blood pressure.