Surgical Intervention for Right-Side Diverticulitis: A Case-Matched Comparison with Left-Side Diverticulitis

Right-side diverticulitis (RSD) is an uncommon disease in Western countries. We conducted a case-matched comparison of surgically managed right-side and left-side diverticulitis (LSD) from the Southern California Kaiser Permanente database (2007–2014). Of 995 patients undergoing emergent surgery for diverticulitis, 33 RSD (3.3%) met our inclusion criteria and were matched (1:1) to LSD based on age, gender, year of diagnosis, and Hinchey class. Mean age of the RSD group was 56 ± 13.9 years, and 24.2 per cent were Asian. RSD was classified as Hinchey class III or IV in 28.1 per cent and 9.4 per cent of cases, respectively. Right hemicolectomy was performed in 87.9 per cent and laparoscopy was used in 24.2 per cent of the cases. Surgically managed RSD patients were more likely to be Asian (25% vs 3.1%, P = 0.03) and have body mass index < 25 (31.3% vs 6.3%, P = 0.02) compared with LSD patients. Diverting stoma was less common in the RSD (6.3% vs 62.5%) ( P < 0.001). Hospital stay was shorter in RSD (7.6 ± 4.2 vs 12.8 ± 9.4 days, P = 0.006) and more common in the RSD group ( P < 0.01). Open surgery (90.6% vs 71.9%) and postoperative complications (37.5% vs 25%) were more common in the LSD group, but that was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Surgery for complicated RSD was associated with shorter hospital stay and decreased likelihood of diverting ostomy.

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Outcomes associated with modern treatment paradigms in connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2282 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

V McLaughlin ◽

C Zhao ◽

J.G Coghlan ◽

L.S Chung ◽

S.C Mathai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Treatment ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Funding Source ◽

Class Iii ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Private Company ◽

Mortality Event

Abstract Background CTD-PAH has historically represented a PAH subtype with poor prognosis. New therapies, as well as combination therapy approaches targeting multiple pathways have been approved for PAH based on RCTs. CTD-PAH patients comprise a subgroup of the RCT populations and efficacy analyses are based on subgroup analyses which can be less reliable than the overall analysis. We conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs of approved PAH therapies to evaluate outcomes of patients with CTD-PAH. Purpose To use meta-analysis to determine response to treatment in patients with CTD-PAH. Methods The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for English-only articles published between January 1, 2000 and November 25, 2019. Inclusion criteria were multicenter RCTs that enrolled adults with WHO group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PAH); enrollment in 2000 or later; long-term clinical morbidity and/or mortality event or 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) as an efficacy endpoint reported for ≥30 patients with CTD-PAH; and evaluation of a US Food and Drug Administration-approved PAH therapy. The primary outcomes were treatment effect as measured by the study time to first morbidity or morality event and change in 6MWD from baseline to between 3–6 months, per the data provided in each article. Results from individual studies were combined using a random-effects model for overall study population (PAH patients) and the subgroup of CTD-PAH patients. Results Ten RCTs (N=4329 PAH patients; n=1263 (29%) with CTD-PAH) met inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. At baseline, PAH patients had a mean age of 50 years, approximately 78% were female, and approximately 58% had functional class III or IV disease. These characteristics were balanced between treatment and control groups. Baseline 6MWD was 356 m for the overall population and 337 m for patients with CTD-PAH. Five RCTs (N=3172; n=941 with CTD-PAH [30%]) reported hazard ratios (HRs) for time to a morbidity or mortality event by drug treatment and PAH etiology: overall population HR=0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56–0.72; P<0.001); CTD-PAH population HR=0.64 (95% CI, 0.51–0.80; P<0.001) (Figure). Nine RCTs reported mean change with drug treatment from baseline to 3 to 6 months in 6MWD for PAH and CTD patients: 33.9 m (95% CI, 21.9–45.9; P<0.001) in the overall population; 20.2 m (95% CI, 10.8–29.7; P<0.001) in CTD-PAH patients. Conclusions The improvement in 6MWD in patients with CTD-PAH is smaller than in those with other types of PAH, perhaps reflecting comorbidities and CTD-induced mobility constraints, independent of their cardiopulmonary capacity. Data from long term clinical morbidity/mortality endpoint studies in this large group of patients with CTD-PAH demonstrate that these patients derive significant benefit from currently available PAH therapies which, in many patients, comprised the addition of a drug targeting a second or third pathway involved in the pathophysiology of PAH. Treatment effect on morbidity/mortality Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.

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A Prognostic Factor for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilator-Dependent Respiratory Failure after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury : Maximal Canal Compromise on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society ◽

10.3340/jkns.2020.0346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 791-798

Author(s):

Subum Lee ◽

Sung Woo Roh ◽

Sang Ryong Jeon ◽

Jin Hoon Park ◽

Kyoung-Tae Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Respiratory Failure ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord ◽

Mechanical Ventilator ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Cord Injury

Objective : The period of mechanical ventilator (MV)-dependent respiratory failure after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) varies from patient to patient. This study aimed to identify predictors of MV at hospital discharge (MVDC) due to prolonged respiratory failure among patients with MV after CSCI.Methods : Two hundred forty-three patients with CSCI were admitted to our institution between May 2006 and April 2018. Their medical records and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Level and completeness of injury were defined according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards. Respiratory failure was defined as the requirement for definitive airway and assistance of MV. We also evaluated magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the cervical spine. These characteristics included : maximum canal compromise (MCC); intramedullary hematoma or cord transection; and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex for assessment of the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) scoring. The inclusion criteria were patients with CSCI who underwent decompression surgery within 48 hours after trauma with respiratory failure during hospital stay. Patients with Glasgow coma scale 12 or lower, major fatal trauma of vital organs, or stroke caused by vertebral artery injury were excluded from the study.Results : Out of 243 patients with CSCI, 30 required MV during their hospital stay, and 27 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 48.1% (13/27) of patients had MVDC with greater than 30 days MV or death caused by aspiration pneumonia. In total, 51.9% (14/27) of patients could be weaned from MV during 30 days or less of hospital stay (MV days : MVDC 38.23±20.79 vs. MV weaning, 13.57±8.40; p<0.001). Vital signs at hospital arrival, smoking, the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Associated injury with Injury Severity Score, SLIC score, and length of cord edema did not differ between the MVDC and MV weaning groups. The ASIA impairment scale, level of injury within C3 to C6, and MCC significantly affected MVDC. The MCC significantly correlated with MVDC, and the optimal cutoff value was 51.40%, with 76.9% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MCC >51.4% was a significant risk factor for MVDC (odds ratio, 7.574; p=0.039).Conclusion : As a method of predicting which patients would be able to undergo weaning from MV early, the MCC is a valid factor. If the MCC exceeds 51.4%, prognosis of respiratory function becomes poor and the probability of MVDC is increased.

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Cases of low anterior resection and ileostomy for rectal cancer that required more than 18 months for stoma closure

Journal of Surgical Case Reports ◽

10.1093/jscr/rjz153 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Yutaka Kojima ◽

Kazuhiro Sakamoto ◽

Yuichi Tomiki ◽

Rina Takahashi ◽

Ryoichi Tsukamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rectal Cancer ◽

Low Anterior Resection ◽

Surgical Instruments ◽

Stoma Closure ◽

Closure Operation ◽

Long Period ◽

Diverting Stoma ◽

Instruments And Techniques ◽

Suture Failure ◽

Diverting Ostomy

Abstract Laparoscopic surgery is performed worldwide, even for cases of rectal cancer close to the anus, and advances in surgical instruments and techniques have increased the number of cases for which anastomosis can be performed, even those cases for which abdominoperineal resection was performed previously. Consequently, as a measure to avoid complications in the event of suture failure after surgery, the number of cases of establishing diverting stoma has also increased. Diverting ostomy may require a closure operation earlier than planned due to colostomy complications, cases requiring a long period of time until closure due to postoperative complications, and cases in which closure operation cannot be performed. Herein, we report cases that took more than 36 months to allow closure of the diverting stoma.

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Management of anterior cervical pseudarthrosis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2009.2.spine08729 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 228-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Michael G. Kaiser ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽

Paul G. Matz ◽

Paul A. Anderson ◽

Michael W. Groff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Consensus Conference ◽

Class Iii ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Cervical Spine Surgery ◽

Cochrane Database ◽

Strength Based ◽

Based Medicine

Object The objective of this systematic review was to use evidence-based medicine to identify the best methodology for diagnosis and treatment of anterior pseudarthrosis. Methods The National Library of Medicine and Cochrane Database were queried using MeSH headings and key words relevant to pseudarthrosis and cervical spine surgery. Abstracts were reviewed, after which studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected. The guidelines group assembled an evidentiary table summarizing the quality of evidence (Classes I–III). Disagreements regarding the level of evidence were resolved through an expert consensus conference. The group formulated recommendations that contained the degree of strength based on the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines network. Validation was done through peer review by the Joint Guidelines Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Results Evaluation for pseudarthrosis is warranted, as there may be an association between clinical outcome and pseudarthrosis. The strength of this association cannot be accurately determined because of the variable incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic pseudarthroses (Class III). Revision of a symptomatic pseudarthrosis may be considered because arthrodesis is associated with improved clinical outcome (Class III). Both posterior and anterior approaches have proven successful for surgical correction of an anterior pseudarthrosis. Posterior approaches may be associated with higher fusion rates following repair of an anterior pseudarthrosis (Class III). Conclusions If suspected, pseudarthrosis should be investigated because there may be an association between arthrodesis and outcome. However, the strength of this association cannot be accurately determined. Anterior and posterior approaches have been successful.

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Carcinoma Colon in a Patient with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

Journal of Digestive Endoscopy ◽

10.4103/jde.jde_48_17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 09 (04) ◽

pp. 196-200

Author(s):

Rachit Agarwal ◽

Piyush Ranjan ◽

Sunita Bhalla

Keyword(s):

Right Hemicolectomy ◽

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis ◽

Fecal Fistula ◽

Emergency Laparotomy ◽

Anastomotic Site ◽

Surgical Specimen ◽

Eosinophilic Colitis ◽

Uncommon Disease ◽

Well Differentiated ◽

Carcinoma Colon

AbstractEosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease which can involve all layers of the gastrointestinal tract anywhere from the esophagus to colon. Clinical features depend upon the site of involvement and layer of GI tract involved. It is an inflammatory disease with remitting and relapsing course. We report a case which presented with discharging fecal fistula in lower abdomen after emergency laparotomy. Initial colonoscopy showed stricture with nodularity of the IC junction and biopsy showed features of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Due to persistence of fistula he underwent right hemicolectomy with illeo-transverse anastomosis. Biopsy from surgical specimen showed well differentiated adenocarcinoma and eosinophilic infiltrate in muscularis. Surveillance colonoscopy done six months later showed ulcer at anastomotic site and biopsy showed features of eosinophilic colitis. The clinical course of this patient circumstantially indicates a linkage of eosinophilic colitis with carcinoma colon. This is the first reported case of association of eosinophilic colitis with carcinoma colon. We discuss in detail the clinical and pathological features of eosinophilic enteritis and possible mechanisms linking eosinophilc enteritis with carcinoma.

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The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Adult Alcohol Registry, an Electronic Health Records-Based Registry of Patients With Alcohol Problems: Development and Implementation

JMIR Medical Informatics ◽

10.2196/19081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. e19081

Author(s):

Vanessa A Palzes ◽

Constance Weisner ◽

Felicia W Chi ◽

Andrea H Kline-Simon ◽

Derek D Satre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Health System ◽

Health Problem ◽

Alcohol Problems ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Northern California ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Kaiser Permanente ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol Use ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol

Background Electronic health record (EHR)–based disease registries have aided health care professionals and researchers in increasing their understanding of chronic illnesses, including identifying patients with (or at risk of developing) conditions and tracking treatment progress and recovery. Despite excessive alcohol use being a major contributor to the global burden of disease and disability, no registries of alcohol problems exist. EHR-based data in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), an integrated health system that conducts systematic alcohol screening, which provides specialty addiction medicine treatment internally and has a membership of over 4 million members that are highly representative of the US population with access to care, provide a unique opportunity to develop such a registry. Objective Our objectives were to describe the development and implementation of a protocol for assembling the KPNC Adult Alcohol Registry, which may be useful to other researchers and health systems, and to characterize the registry cohort descriptively, including underlying health conditions. Methods Inclusion criteria were adult members with unhealthy alcohol use (using National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines), an alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis, or an alcohol-related health problem between June 1, 2013, and May 31, 2019. We extracted patients’ longitudinal, multidimensional EHR data from 1 year before their date of eligibility through May 31, 2019, and conducted descriptive analyses. Results We identified 723,604 adult patients who met the registry inclusion criteria at any time during the study period: 631,780 with unhealthy alcohol use, 143,690 with an AUD diagnosis, and 18,985 with an alcohol-related health problem. We identified 65,064 patients who met two or more criteria. Of the 4,973,195 adult patients with at least one encounter with the health system during the study period, the prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use was 13% (631,780/4,973,195), the prevalence of AUD diagnoses was 3% (143,690/4,973,195), and the prevalence of alcohol-related health problems was 0.4% (18,985/4,973,195). The registry cohort was 60% male (n=432,847) and 41% non-White (n=295,998) and had a median age of 41 years (IQR=27). About 48% (n=346,408) had a chronic medical condition, 18% (n=130,031) had a mental health condition, and 4% (n=30,429) had a drug use disorder diagnosis. Conclusions We demonstrated that EHR-based data collected during clinical care within an integrated health system could be leveraged to develop a registry of patients with alcohol problems that is flexible and can be easily updated. The registry’s comprehensive patient-level data over multiyear periods provides a strong foundation for robust research addressing critical public health questions related to the full course and spectrum of alcohol problems, including recovery, which would complement other methods used in alcohol research (eg, population-based surveys, clinical trials).

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Perioperative morbidity of different operative approaches in early cervical carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing minimally invasive versus open radical hysterectomy

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1007/s00404-021-06248-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

J. Kampers ◽

E. Gerhardt ◽

P. Sibbertsen ◽

T. Flock ◽

H. Hertel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Radical Hysterectomy ◽

Postoperative Morbidity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Operation Time ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Estimated Blood Loss

Abstract Purpose Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for early cervical cancer. Studies have shown superior oncological outcome for open versus minimal invasive surgery, but peri- and postoperative complication rates were shown vice versa. This meta-analysis evaluates the peri- and postoperative morbidities and complications of robotic and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy compared to open surgery. Methods Embase and Ovid-Medline databases were systematically searched in June 2020 for studies comparing robotic, laparoscopic and open radical hysterectomy. There was no limitation in publication year. Inclusion criteria were set analogue to the LACC trial. Subgroup analyses were performed regarding the operative technique, the study design and the date of publication for the endpoints intra- and postoperative morbidity, estimated blood loss, hospital stay and operation time. Results 27 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five prospective, randomized-control trials were included. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference between robotic radical hysterectomy (RH) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) concerning intra- and perioperative complications. Operation time was longer in both RH (mean difference 44.79 min [95% CI 38.16; 51.42]), and LH (mean difference 20.96 min; [95% CI − 1.30; 43.22]) than in open hysterectomy (AH) but did not lead to a rise of intra- and postoperative complications. Intraoperative morbidity was lower in LH than in AH (RR 0.90 [0.80; 1.02]) as well as in RH compared to AH (0.54 [0.33; 0.88]). Intraoperative morbidity showed no difference between LH and RH (RR 1.29 [0.23; 7.29]). Postoperative morbidity was not different in any approach. Estimated blood loss was lower in both LH (mean difference − 114.34 [− 122.97; − 105.71]) and RH (mean difference − 287.14 [− 392.99; − 181.28]) compared to AH, respectively. Duration of hospital stay was shorter for LH (mean difference − 3.06 [− 3.28; − 2.83]) and RH (mean difference − 3.77 [− 5.10; − 2.44]) compared to AH. Conclusion Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy appears to be associated with reduced intraoperative morbidity and blood loss and improved reconvalescence after surgery. Besides oncological and surgical factors these results should be considered when counseling patients for radical hysterectomy and underscore the need for new randomized trials.

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LAPAROSOPIC ASSISTED RIGHT HEMICOLECTOMY

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2015.22.08.1148 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (08) ◽

pp. 1020-1023

Author(s):

Jahangir Sarwar Khan ◽

Muhammad Salman Shafique

Keyword(s):

Surgical Site Infection ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Oral Intake ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Right Hemicolectomy ◽

Site Infection ◽

Carcinoma Colon ◽

Duration Of Operation ◽

Age Range ◽

Surgical Unit

Objective: Experience with Laparosopic assisted Right Hemicolectomy ispresented. Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Surgical Unit-I, Holy Family Hospital,Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Period: 2010 to 2014. Materials and Methods: 20 patients underwentlaparosopic assisted right hemicolectomy. Duration of operation, postoperative pain, durationof post operative analgesia, frequency of surgical site infection and length of hospital stay werenoted. Results: There were 13 male and 7 female patients with the age range of 25-70 years(45±11years). Eleven (11) patients were suffering from carcinoma colon wheras nine (09)were suffering from Tuberculosis. Mean operative time was about 92 minutes. Only four opiodinjections were required as post-operative analgesia. Oral intake was started after 24 hours. Themean length of hospital stay was 5.5 days with no case of surgical site infection. Conclusion:Laparoscopic assisted right hemicolectomy is a safe and viable option in our setup.

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Proportion of Patients Eligible for Cardiac Contractility Modulation: Real-Life Data from a Single-Center Heart Failure Clinic

Cardiology ◽

10.1159/000512946 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Dávid Pilecky ◽

Balázs Muk ◽

Zsuzsanna Majoros ◽

Dénes Vágány ◽

Krisztina Kósa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Nyha Class ◽

Cardiac Contractility ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Class Iii ◽

Single Center ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Treatment Optimization ◽

Cardiac Contractility Modulation

Introduction: Based on recently published randomized controlled trials, cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) seems to be an effective device-based therapeutic option in symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) (CHF). The aim of the current study was to estimate what proportion of patients with CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% could be eligible for CCM based on the inclusion criteria of the FIX-HF-5C trial. Methods: Consecutive patients referred and followed up at our HF clinic due to HF with reduced or mid-range LVEF were retrospectively assessed. After a treatment optimization period of 3–6 months, the inclusion criteria of the FIX-HF-5C trial (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV, 25% ≤ LVEF ≤45%, QRS <130 ms, and sinus rhythm) were applied to determine the number of patients eligible for CCM. Results: Of the 640 patients who were involved, the proportion of highly symptomatic patients in NYHA class III/IV decreased from 77.0% (n = 493) at baseline to 18.6% (n = 119) after the treatment optimization period (p < 0.001). Mean LVEF increased significantly from 29.0 ± 7.9% to 36.3 ± 9.9% (p < 0.001), while the proportion of patients with 25% ≤ LVEF ≤45% increased from 69.7% (n = 446) to 73.3% (n = 469) (p < 0.001). QRS duration was below 130 ms in 63.1% of patients, while 30.0% of patients had persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation. We found that the eligibility criteria for CCM therapy based on the FIX-HF-5C study were fulfilled for 23.0% (n = 147) of patients at baseline and 5.2% (n = 33) after treatment optimization. Conclusion: This single-center cohort study showed that 5% of patients with CHF and impaired LVEF immediately after treatment optimization fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the FIX-HF-5C study and would be candidates for CCM.

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Laparo-endoscopic resection for extensive and inaccessible colorectal polyps: a feasible and safe procedure

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/003588411x565978 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 93 (3) ◽

pp. 241-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

JJ Wood ◽

AC Lord ◽

JMD Wheeler ◽

NR Borley

Keyword(s):

Hospital Stay ◽

Endoscopic Resection ◽

Colonic Polyps ◽

Right Hemicolectomy ◽

Colorectal Polyps ◽

Colonic Resection ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Median Hospital Stay ◽

Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy ◽

Laparoscopic Colon

INTRODUCTION Polypectomy at colonoscopy may be difficult or dangerous. In such instances colonic resection may be indicated. Novel combined laparoscopic-endoscopic procedures have the potential to allow safe extensive extramucosal resection, thus avoiding resection. Laparoscopic colon mobilisation provides a more favourable orientation for endoscopic mucosal resection and facilitates identification of possible perforation sites with immediate laparoscopic repair or resection if necessary. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of laparo-endoscopic resection (LER) of colonic polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were collected prospectively on consecutive patients undergoing LER. The mode of presentation, referral pattern, lesion site and size, hospital stay, procedural details, complications, histology and further treatment were recorded. RESULTS A total of 13 patients underwent attempted LER (16 polyps in total) and this was completed for 10, with a median hospital stay of 2 days. Five polyps were removed whole and eight piecemeal. Excision was clinically complete in all cases. Three procedures were converted to colonic resection. One lesion appeared malignant, indicating a conversion to laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Two polyps were not amenable to LER and resection was performed. One patient underwent subsequent colonic resection based on the histological findings. There were no perforations or serious complications. CONCLUSIONS LER is a safe and effective treatment for large and inaccessible colonic polyps that would otherwise be treated by colonic resection.

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