Consensus on the definition of colorectal anastomotic leakage: A modified Delphi study

BACKGROUND Despite the emerging knowledge about colorectal anastomotic leakage(CAL)through the increasing number of clinical and experimental studies, there is no generally accepted definition of CAL. Because of the wide variety of definitions used in literature, comparison of study outcomes and quality of care is complicated.AIM To reach consensus on the definition of CAL using a modified Delphi method.METHODS The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used. The expert panel consisted of international colorectal surgeons and researchers who had published three or more articles about CAL. The consensus process consisted of two online distributed questionnaires and a third round with a recommendation. In the questionnaires participants were asked to rate the appropriateness of statements using a 1-9 Likert scale. Consensus was defined as a panel median between 1-3 or 7-9 without disagreement. In the final round a recommendation was formed regarding the definition of CAL and the expert panel was asked if they agreed or disagreed.RESULTSTwenty-three authors participated in the first round and twenty-one finished the second round. After two rounds consensus was reached on 37 items(80%) in nine different categories. The International Study Group of Rectal Cancer definition is the most frequently advised general definition by our panel. Consensus was reached regarding the clinical symptoms of CAL, which serum markers contributes to the suspicion of CAL, which radiological and perioperative findings should be considered as CAL, which grading system is appropriate and if there should be a range of postoperative days in the definition. Eventually, 19 experts completed all three rounds of which 16(84%) agreed with our final recommendations for the definition of CAL.CONCLUSION A consensus-based recommendation for the definition of CAL was formed using our modified Delphi method that can be widely incorporated in the field.

A totally mini-invasive approach for colorectal laparoscopic surgery

AIM:To study the short-term outcome of patients treated with laparoscopic right colectomy and how intracorporeal anastomosis has improved the outcome.METHODS:We retrospectively examined all patients affected by colorectal cancer who underwent a laparoscopic right colectomy between January 2006 and December 2010 in our department.Our evaluation criteria were:diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma at presurgical biopsy,elective surgery,and the same surgeon.We excluded:emergency surgery,conversions from laparotomic colectomy,and other surgeons.The endpoints we examined were:surgical time,number of lymph nodes removed,length of stay(removal of nasogastric tube,bowel movements,gas evacuation,solid and liquid feeding,hospitalization),and major complications.Seventy-two patients were divided into two groups:intracorporeal anastomosis(39 patients)and extracorporeal anastomosis(33 patients).RESULTS:Significant differences were observed between intracorporeal vs extracorporeal anastomosis,respectively,for surgical times(186.8 min vs 184.1 min,P < 0.001),time to resumption of gas evacuation(3 d vs 3.5 d,P < 0.001),days until resumption of bowel movements(3.8 d vs 4.9 d,P < 0.001),days until resumption of liquid diet(3.5 d vs 4.5 d,P < 0.001),days until resuming a solid diet(4.6 d vs 5.7 d,P < 0.001),and total hospitalization duration(7.4 d vs 8.5 d,P < 0.001).In the intracorporeal group,on average,19 positive lymph nodes were removed;in the extracorporeal group,on average,14 were removed P < 0.001).Thus,intracorporeal anastomosis for right laparoscopic colectomy improved patient outcome by providing faster recovery of nutrition,faster recovery of intestinal function,and shorter hospitalization than extracorporeal anastomosis.CONCLUSION:Short-term outcomes favor intracorporeal anastomosis,confirming that a less traumatic surgical approach improves patient outcome.