Modified Laparoscopic Sugarbaker Repair of Parastomal Hernia With a Totally Extraperitoneal Technique

Purpose: Many patients develop a parastomal hernia within the first 2 years of stoma formation, and even surgical repair is associated with high recurrence rates. An intraperitoneal approach is typically used for the laparoscopic repair of parastomal hernia; it is unknown whether a totally extraperitoneal technique (TEP) is feasible. Here we describe a laparoscopic TEP approach using a modified Sugarbaker method for the repair of parastomal hernia.Methods: Seven patients underwent parastomal hernia repair. The retrograde puncture technique was used to create the extrapneumoperitoneum, and the peritoneum was separated with a laparoscopic TEP approach; the mesh was placed using a modified Sugarbaker technique.Results: All patients had an oncologic etiology for stoma creation. The mean (±SD) size of the hernia defect was 3.1 ± 2.7 cm and the mesh size was 303.4 ± 96.8 cm2. The mean operative time was 195.5 ± 20.7 min and average length of hospital stay after surgery was 4.8 ± 2.1 days. One patient had intraoperative subcutaneous emphysema. The average follow-up time was 8.5 ± 2.7 months; mild pain occurred in 2 patients, 3 experienced seroma formation (with no special treatment required), and 1 had early intestinal obstruction (which was treated with conservative care). There was no hernia recurrence, wound complications, or infections of the surgical site or mesh during follow-up.Conclusion: A laparoscopic TEP technique is technically challenging but feasible. Modified laparoscopic Sugarbaker repair of a parastomal hernia with the TEP technique is safe and effective, although the recurrence rate and late complications require confirmation in more cases with long-term follow-up.

Management of Acute Anastomotic Leaks

Management of the acute anastomotic leak is complex and patient-specific. Clinically stable patients often benefit from a nonoperative approach utilizing antibiotics with or without percutaneous drainage. Clinically unstable patients or nonresponders to conservative management require operative intervention. Surgical management is dictated by the degree of contamination and inflammation but includes drainage with proximal diversion, anastomotic resection with end-stoma creation, or reanastomosis with proximal diversion. Newer therapies, including colorectal stenting, vacuum-assisted rectal drainage, and endoscopic clipping, have also been described.

An evaluation of short-term outcomes after reoperations for anastomotic leakage in colon cancer patients

Purpose Scarce data are available on differences among index colectomies for colon cancer regarding reoperation for anastomotic leakage (AL) and clinical consequences. Therefore, this nationwide observational study aimed to evaluate reoperations for AL after colon cancer surgery and short-term postoperative outcomes for the different index colectomies. Methods Patients who underwent resection with anastomosis for a first primary colon carcinoma between 2013 and 2019 and were registered in the Dutch ColoRectal Audit were included. Primary outcomes were mortality, ICU admission, and stoma creation. Results Among 39,565 patients, the overall AL rate was 4.8% and ranged between 4.0% (right hemicolectomy) and 15.4% (subtotal colectomy). AL was predominantly managed with reoperation, ranging from 81.2% after transversectomy to 92.4% after sigmoid resection (p < 0.001). Median time to reoperation differed significantly between index colectomies (range 4–8 days, p < 0.001), with longer and comparable intervals for non-surgical reinterventions (range 13–18 days, p = 0.747). After reoperation, the highest mortality rates were observed for index transversectomy (15.4%) and right hemicolectomy (14.4%) and lowest for index sigmoid resection (5.6%) and subtotal colectomy (5.9%) (p < 0.001). Reoperation with stoma construction was associated with a higher mortality risk than without stoma construction after index right hemicolectomy (17.7% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.001). ICU admission rate was 62.6% overall (range 56.7–69.2%), and stoma construction rate ranged between 65.5% (right hemicolectomy) and 93.0% (sigmoid resection). Conclusion Significant differences in AL rate, reoperation rate, time to reoperation, postoperative mortality after reoperation, and stoma construction for AL were found among the different index colectomies for colon cancer, with relevance for patient counseling and perioperative management.

Management of the injured bowel: preserving bowel continuity as a gold standard

Background Management of bowel traumatic injuries is a challenge. Although anastomotic or suture leak remains a feared complication, preserving bowel continuity is increasingly the preferred strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of such a strategy. Methods All included patients underwent surgery for bowel traumatic injuries at a high volume trauma center between 2007 and 2017. Postoperative course was analyzed for abdominal complications, morbidity and mortality. Results Among 133 patients, 78% had small bowel injuries and 47% had colon injuries. 87% of small bowel injuries and 81% of colon injuries were treated with primary repair or anastomosis, with no difference in treatment according to injury site (p = 0.381). Mortality was 8%. Severe overall morbidity was 32%, and abdominal complications occurred in 32% of patients. Risk factors for severe overall morbidity were stoma creation (p = 0.036), heavy vascular expansion (p = 0.005) and a long delay before surgery (p = 0.023). Fistula rate was 2.2%; all leaks occurred after repairing small bowel wounds. Conclusion Primary repair of bowel injuries should be the preferred option in trauma patient, regardless of the site—small bowel or colon—of the injury. Stoma creation is an important factor for postoperative morbidity, which should be weighed against the risk of an intestinal suture or anastomosis.

Surgical Techniques and Outcomes of Colorectal Anastomosis after Left Hemicolectomy with Low Anterior Rectal Resection for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Extended colon resection is often performed in advanced ovarian cancer. Restoring intestinal continuity and avoiding stoma creation improve patients’ quality of life postoperatively. We tried to minimize the number of anastomoses, restore intestinal continuity, and avoid stoma creation for 295 patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who underwent low anterior rectal resection (LAR) with or without colon resection during cytoreductive surgery. When the remaining colon could not reach the rectal stump after left hemicolectomy with LAR, we used the following techniques for tension-free anastomosis: right colonic transposition, retro-ileal anastomosis through an ileal mesenteric defect, or an additional colic artery division. Rates of stoma creation and rectal anastomotic were 3% (9/295) and 6.6% (19/286), respectively. Among 21 patients in whom the remaining colon did not reach the rectal stump after left hemicolectomy with LAR, 20 underwent tension-free anastomosis, including eight, six, and six patients undergoing right colonic transposition, retro-ileal anastomosis through an ileal mesenteric defect, and an additional colic artery division, respectively. Colorectal anastomosis is feasible for patients with extended colonic resection. Low anastomotic leakage and stoma rates can be achieved with careful attention to colonic mobilization and tension-free anastomosis.

Impact of a nutrition consultation on the rate of high output stoma-related readmission: an ambispective cohort study

The aims of this study were to assess the impact of a follow-up nutrition consultation for ostomy patients on the rate of high output stoma (HOS)-related readmissions, as well as on the detection of poor nutritional status and their management, and to determine the associated economic impact. A single-centre ambispective cohort study was conducted in which all adult patients undergoing intestinal resection and stoma creation were recruited. Two nutrition consultations were established for early follow-up after hospital discharge and patients were prospectively included. Additionally, a retrospective search was carried out to include a control group. In both groups, a 12-month follow-up was conducted to record readmissions associated with high output stoma. A multivariate logistic regression was performed. Statistical significance level was established at p < 0.05. 170 patients were recruited, 85 patients in each cohort. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. A significant difference was observed in HOS-related readmissions, with readmission rates of 28.6% vs 10.3% in the retrospective and prospective cohort, respectively. At the first follow-up consultation, 50.5% of patients presented some degree of protein-calorie malnutrition. A statistically significant improvement in nutritional status was observed in the second evaluation. The intervention carried out resulted in a total saving of €24,175. Early follow-up of patients after discharge resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of HOS-related readmissions and allowed to identify a high percentage of patients with malnutrition. The cost analysis showed the process to be a cost-effective improvement.

Minimally invasive colostomy with endoscopy as a novel technique for creation of a trephine stoma

The conventional approach of trephine stoma creation is associated with various limitations, including poor elevation of the sigmoid colon, misidentification of the target organs, and poor visualization of the operative field, which may require conversion to an open approach. Our study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and complications of minimally invasive colostomy with endoscopy (MICE), a new technique for trephine stoma creation. This retrospective cohort study included 14 patients. Patients diagnosed with obstructive rectal cancer or bladder and rectal disorders due to spinal cord injury or bone metastasis requiring sigmoid loop colostomy were eligible for the procedure. MICE was performed using a combination of endoscopic and fluoroscopic procedures. The primary endpoint was the technical success of MICE. Technical success using MICE was achieved in all 14 cases. The mean total operative time was 52.6 (range 32–107) min, and mean blood loss was 18.9 (range 1–50) mL. There was no incidence of conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications included peristomal abscess formation and ischemic colitis in each case. MICE may be useful as a minimally invasive approach for trephine stoma creation that overcomes the problems of a conventional approach in high-risk patients.