The AUDIT Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C) An Effective Brief Screening Test for Problem Drinking

Background:Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for chronic, medically refractory mucosal ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and a select group of patients with Crohn's disease.Aim:We report outcomes, complications, and quality

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis: analysis of outcome and quality of life in 3707 patients.

Our novel approach is a hybrid between transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and single-port laparoscopy that we have termed TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS). We report the clinical application of this technique and present preliminary data that show TAMIS to be an effective tool for resection of both malignant and benign lesions of the rectum. Over a 3-month period (May–July 2009) all patients with rectal lesions who were candidates for conventional transanal excision were offered the option to undergo TAMIS resection. Patients with biopsy-proven malignant lesions were required to undergo endorectal ultrasound preoperatively to determine tumor stage. To perform TAMIS, a single-incision laparoscopic surgery port (SILS Port, Covidien) is introduced into the anal canal by applying steady manual pressure. Once seated in position, endoscopic access to the rectal vault is gained and pneumorectum is established. With this access, ordinary laparoscopic instruments, including graspers, thermal energy devices, and needle drives, are used to perform the transanal excisions. Six patients, aged 43–85 years old (mean = 59.8), underwent TAMIS resection of rectal lesions. The average distance from the anal verge was 9.3 cm and the mean tumor diameter confirmed by pathology measured 2.93 cm. There were no conversions from TAMIS to conventional transanal excision. While the average operating time was 86 min, four of the six TAMIS resections (67%) were completed in less than 1 h. The mean set-up time was only 1.9 min and this may be one reason that the mean operative time was considerably less than the average operative time for TEM surgery (120–140 min). In short-term follow-up, there was no morbidity or mortality observed. TAMIS is a feasible alternative to TEM, providing its benefits at a fraction of the cost.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery: a giant leap forward

Background:
Following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and interval proctectomy, 15–20 per cent of patients are found to have a pathological complete response (pCR) to combined multimodal therapy, but controversy persists about whether this yields a survival benefit. This systematic review evaluated current evidence regarding long-term oncological outcomes in patients found to have a pCR to neoadjuvant CRT.

Methods:
Three major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The systematic review included all original articles reporting long-term outcomes in patients with rectal cancer who had a pCR to neoadjuvant CRT, published in English, from January 1950 to March 2011.

Results:
A total of 724 studies were identified for screening. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies involving 3363 patients (1263 with pCR and 2100 without) were included (mean age 60 years, 65·0 per cent men). Some 73·4 per cent had a sphincter-saving procedure. Mean follow-up was 55·5 (range 40–87) months. For patients with a pCR, the weighted mean local recurrence rate was 0·7 (range 0–2·6) per cent. Distant failure was observed in 8·7 per cent. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 90·2 and 87·0 per cent respectively. Compared with non-responders, a pCR was associated with fewer local recurrences (odds ratio (OR) 0·25; P = 0·002) and less frequent distant failure (OR 0·23; P < 0·001), with a greater likelihood of being alive (OR 3·28; P = 0·001) and disease-free (OR 4·33, P < 0·001) at 5 years.

Conclusion:
A pCR following neoadjuvant CRT is associated with excellent long-term survival, with low rates of local recurrence and distant failure. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of outcomes following pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Summary Background Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who achieve a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation have an improved prognosis. The need for surgery in these patients has been questioned, but the proportion of patients achieving a pathological complete response is small. We aimed to assess whether adding cycles of mFOLFOX6 between chemoradiation and surgery increased the proportion of patients achieving a pathological complete response. Methods We did a phase 2, non-randomised trial consisting of four sequential study groups of patients with stage II–III locally advanced rectal cancer at 17 institutions in the USA and Canada. All patients received chemoradiation (fluorouracil 225 mg/m 2 per day by continuous infusion throughout radiotherapy, and 45·0 Gy in 25 fractions, 5 days per week for 5 weeks, followed by a minimum boost of 5·4 Gy). Patients in group 1 had total mesorectal excision 6–8 weeks after chemoradiation. Patients in groups 2–4 received two, four, or six cycles of mFOLFOX6, respectively, between chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision. Each cycle of mFOLFOX6 consisted of racemic leucovorin 200 mg/m 2 or 400 mg/m 2 , according to the discretion of the treating investigator, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 in a 2-h infusion, bolus fluorouracil 400 mg/m 2 on day 1, and a 46-h infusion of fluorouracil 2400 mg/m 2 . The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a pathological complete response, analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00335816. Findings Between March 24, 2004, and Nov 16, 2012, 292 patients were registered, 259 of whom (60 in group 1, 67 in group 2, 67 in group 3, and 65 in group 4) met criteria for analysis. 11 (18%, 95% CI 10–30) of 60 patients in group 1, 17 (25%, 16–37) of 67 in group 2, 20 (30%, 19–42) of 67 in group 3, and 25 (38%, 27–51) of 65 in group 4 achieved a pathological complete response (p=0·0036). Study group was independently associated with pathological complete response (group 4 compared with group 1 odds ratio 3·49, 95% CI 1·39–8·75; p=0·011). In group 2, two (3%) of 67 patients had grade 3 adverse events associated with the neoadjuvant administration of mFOLFOX6 and one (1%) had a grade 4 adverse event; in group 3, 12 (18%) of 67 patients had grade 3 adverse events; in group 4, 18 (28%) of 65 patients had grade 3 adverse events and five (8%) had grade 4 adverse events. The most common grade 3 or higher adverse events associated with the neoadjuvant administration of mFOLFOX6 across groups 2–4 were neutropenia (five in group 3 and six in group 4) and lymphopenia (three in group 3 and four in group 4). Across all study groups, 25 grade 3 or worse surgery-related complications occurred (ten in group 1, five in group 2, three in group 3, and seven in group 4); the most common were pelvic abscesses (seven patients) and anastomotic leaks (seven patients). Interpretation Delivery of mFOLFOX6 after chemoradiation and before total mesorectal excision has the potential to increase the proportion of patients eligible for less invasive treatment strategies; this strategy is being tested in phase 3 clinical trials. Funding National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute.

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Effect of adding mFOLFOX6 after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicentre, phase 2 trial

Purpose Laparoscopy is the approach of choice for the majority of colorectal disorders that require a minimally invasive abdominal operation. As the emphasis on minimizing the technique continues, natural orifice surgery is quickly evolving. The authors utilized an embryologic natural orifice, the umbilicus, as sole access to the abdomen to perform a colorectal procedure. Herein, we present our initial experience of single-port laparoscopic colorectal surgery using a Uni-X™ Single-Port Access Laparoscopic System (Pnavel Systems, Morganville, New Jersey, USA) with a multi-channel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation.



Method  The abdomen was approached through a 3.5 cm incision via the umbilicus and a single-port access device was utilized to perform a right hemicolectomy on a patient with an unresectable caecal polyp and a body mass index of 35. Ligation of the ileocolic artery was done with a LigaSure Device™ (Covidien Ltd, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA), and was followed by colonic mobilization, extraction and extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis.



Results  The total operative time was 115 min with minimal blood loss. Hospital stay was 4 days with no undue sequelae.



Conclusion  Single-port laparoscopic surgery may allow common colorectal laparoscopic operations to be performed entirely through the patient’s umbilicus and enable an essentially scarless procedure. Additional experience and continued investigation are warranted.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1463-1318.2008.01660.x

Single-port laparoscopy in colorectal surgery

Objective:This study evaluates factors associated with a pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.Summary Background Data:Approximately 20% of rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation achieve pCR, which has been associated with decreas

Predictive factors of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical implications of pathologic complete response (pCR) (i.e., T0N0M0) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and radical surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Treatment for Rectal Cancer Decreases Distant Recurrence and Could Eradicate Local Recurrence

Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: the impact of longer interval between chemoradiation and surgery.

Aim We present our initial experience of a single port laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileoanal J pouch anastomosis. The single incision laparoscopic surgery (SIL), (Covidien, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA) device with a multichannel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation were used.



Method  A patient with familial adenomatous polyposis underwent restorative proctocoectomy. A colonoscopy had demonstrated nearly 1000 polyps in the colon with several 1-cm polyps in the rectum. The abdomen was entered through a 2.5 cm incision sited preoperatively for the temporary ileostomy. The single port device was inserted and a total proctocolectomy was performed. Ligation of the vessels was performed with the Ligasure (Covidien). The colon and rectum were extracted through the SIL site. An 18-cm ileoanal J pouch was created extracorporeally. The pouch anal anastomosis was performed intracorporeally and a diverting loop ileostomy created through the SIL port site.



Results  The operating time was 172 min. Blood loss was 100 ml and the hospital stay was 4 days without any complication. The patient had a virtually scar-less abdomen other than the site of the loop ileostomy.



Conclusion  Single port laparoscopic surgery may allow complex colorectal surgery to be performed resulting in a virtually scar-less procedure.

Daniel P. Geisler

Papers

Single-port laparoscopy in colorectal surgery

Predictive factors of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.

Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Treatment for Rectal Cancer Decreases Distant Recurrence and Could Eradicate Local Recurrence

Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: the impact of longer interval between chemoradiation and surgery.

Single incision laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileopouch anal anastomosis