Retrospective study of active drainage in the management of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer

Objective Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most serious postoperative complication following anterior resection for rectal cancer. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of active drainage for the management of AL. Methods This was a retrospective study using information from a database of patients who underwent colorectal resection without a defunctioning ileostomy at our center between September 2013 and January 2021. We identified 122 cases with definitive AL who did not require revision emergent laparotomy. Among these patients, we evaluated those who received active drainage to replace the original passive drainage. Results There were 62 cases in the active drainage group and 60 cases in the passive drainage group. The active drainage group had a shorter mean AL spontaneous resolution time (26.9 ± 3.3 vs. 32.2 ± 4.8 days) and lower average hospitalization costs (82,680.6 vs. 92,299.3 renminbi (RMB)) compared with the passive drainage group, respectively. Moreover, seven patients in the passive drainage group subsequently underwent diverting stoma to resolve the Al, while all ALs resolved spontaneously after replacing the passive drainage with active drainage. Conclusions Our study suggests that active drainage may accelerate the spontaneous resolution of AL.

TP10.2.7Reintroduction of elective colorectal cancer surgery following the first wave of Covid-19 in the UK – an audit of risk mitigation strategies and review of patient outcome

Aim Perioperative acquisition of Covid-19 is associated with high mortality and morbidity. We have analysed the effectiveness of newly designed ‘green’ pathway for elective colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, which aimed to minimise risk of Covid-19. Method Data collected with concurrent implementation of ‘green’ pathway for all patients undergoing CRC surgery over a 6 week period following the ‘first wave’ of the Covid-19 pandemic. The standard audited were appropriately timed pre-operative CT chest, Covid-19 swabs and shielding adherence. The impact of positive pre-operative swabs and post-operative complications were analysed. Additional risk mitigation strategies included dual consultant operating, open operating, and defunctioning ileostomy for high risk anastomoses. Results 49 operations performed of 56 planned. 1 cancelled due to patient being positive for Covid-19, 5 due to progression of cancer on restaging CT, 1 required further medical optimisation. All had a 2 week pre-operative swab and then shielded until the day of the operation. 48/49 had swab 2 days pre-op. CT chest performed in all, 37 (66.7%) were to restage. 4 (8%) had post-operative complication graded as ≥ 2 on Clavien-Dindo score; none of which were Covid related. 1 patient tested positive for Covid-19 post-operatively but remained asymptomatic. All procedures were open and performed by 2 consultants. Conclusion We demonstrate an effective pathway and various operative strategies which can be employed to reduce risk for patients undergoing CRC surgery in the midst of the ongoing global pandemic.

Virtual Ileostomy as an Option for Complicated Colorectal Resections

When surgery requires a colorectal anastomosis, a diverting ostomy may be created to decrease the clinical impact of anastomotic failure. Unfortunately, diverting ileostomies are also associated with significant morbidity. Recent literature suggests that diverting ostomies are not necessary for the majority of patients undergoing colorectal anastomosis and that creation of a virtual ileostomy (VI) may spare patients the complications that accompany diverting ileostomy creation. We present 4 patients with complex medical histories who underwent colorectal resections with primary anastomoses and VI creation. None of these patients suffered anastomotic leak or required conversion of VI to defunctioning ileostomy and there were no major complications associated with VI creation. Our results, although limited by sample size, support the creation of a virtual ileostomy as a safe and effective alternative to diverting ileostomy creation at the time of colorectal anastomosis.

A kórházi visszavételt igénylő súlyos folyadék-elektrolit zavar mint az ileosztóma egyik szövődménye

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A neoadjuváns radio-kemoterápia után végzett rektum tumorok műtéte során általános gyakorlattá kezd válni a tehermentesítő ileosztóma képzése a súlyos varratelégtelenségekből származó szövődmények csökkentése érdekében. Maga az ileosztóma is 20–60%-os előfordulási gyakorisággal lehet szövődmények forrása, 16,9–40%-ban pedig a dehidráció képezi a visszavétel okát. Célkitűzés: Vizsgálatunk célja az volt, hogy áttekintsük saját beteganyagunkat az ileosztóma szövődményei alapján, különös tekintettel a dehidrációra és az abból fakadó következményekre, ennek segítségével pedig kidolgozzunk egy kezelési protokollt, amely a betegek segítségére van ezen súlyos szövődmények megelőzésében. Eredmények: Retrospektív módon elemeztük az osztályunkon 2017. 09. 01. és 2019. 12. 31. között különböző indikáció alapján készített tehermentesítő kacs ileosztóma képzésben részesült betegek morbiditási és mortalitási adatait. Ezen idő alatt 252 rektoszigmoideális reszekciót és 33 abdominoperineális rektum exstirpációt végeztünk. Ileosztómát 110 betegnél készítettünk. 27 beteg (24,5%) került visszavételre súlyos vesefunkció-romlás és ioneltérések miatt. 24 beteg egy alkalommal, 1 beteg két alkalommal, 2 beteg pedig három alkalommal került visszavételre. A visszavétel a műtéttől számítva átlagosan 49,6 nappal (1–343) történt. A felvételkor és visszavételkor a betegek átlagos GFR értéke 54,66 (38–60) ml/perc/1,73 m2 – 22,8 (5–51) ml/perc/1,73 m2 (p = 0,001), átlagos se Na 140,7 (133–145) mmol/l – 131,4 (111–144) mmol/l (p = 0,001), se K 4,6 (3,2–5,6) mmol/l – 5,37 mmol/l (3,6–7,6) (p = 0,0005) és az se Kreatinin 89,6 (54–149) µmol/l – 333,3 (107–877) (p = 0,001) µmol/l volt. Megbeszélés: Tekintettel az ileosztóma okozta dehidráció rövid és hosszú távú súlyos szövődményeire, valamint a magas visszavételi kockázatra, fontos a betegek kockázatbecslése, a korai oktatás és a dehidráció megelőzése, a rendszeres kontroll biztosítása. Amennyiben a feltételek adottak, az ileosztóma korai zárása is megfontolandó. Summary. Introduction: After the operations of rectal tumours following neoadjuvant chemo-radio therapy it is a common practice to create a defunctioning ileostomy in order to prevent complications due to anastomotic leak. The ileostomy itself can be the source of complications with 20–60% incidence rate, while dehydration causes 16.9–40% of readmissions. Aims: Our goal was to review our own cases on the basis of complications of ileostomy particularly with regard to dehydration and its consequences. We wanted to develop a therapeutic protocol to help prevent these severe complications. Results: We retrospectively analyzed the morbidity data of our patients who had defunctioning ileostomy for different indications between 01.09.2017–31.12.2019. During this period, 252 rectosigmoid resections and 33 abdominoperineal resections of the rectum were performed. Ileostomy was created for 110 patients. 27 patients (24.5%) were readmitted with severe renal impairment and electrolyte disturbances. 24 patients were readmitted once, 1 patient twice and 2 patients 3 times. Readmission happened an average of 49.6 days (1–343) after the operation. At admission and readmission the average of GFR (glomerular filtration rate) of patients was 54.66 (38–60) ml/min/1.73 m2 – 22.8 (5–51) ml/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.001), the average of serum Na level was 140.7 (133–145) mmol/l – 131.4 (111–144) mmol/l (p = 0.001), the average of serum K level was 4.6 (3.2–5.6) mmol/l – 5.37 (3.6–7.6) mmol/l (p = 0.005) and the average of serum creatinine level was 89.6 (54–149) µmol/l – 33.3 (107–877) µmol/l (p = 0.001). Conclusion: With regard to the short and long term severe complications of dehydration and the high risk of readmission caused by ileostomy, it is important to estimate the risk of patients, to educate the inpatients as early as possible, to commence the prevention of dehydration, and regularly monitor in the outpatient setting. Provided the conditions are given, the early closure of ileostomy should be considered.

P390 Diverting Loop Ileostomy in Medically Refractory Crohn’s Colitis

Background Medically Refractory Crohn’s Colitis (MRCC) necessitates surgical treatment. Patients may be malnourished, hyper-inflammatory and unstable (tachycardia, elevated temperatures and hypotension). Acute Defunctioning Ileostomy Formation Alone (DIFA) may be a safer option than total/subtotal Acute Colectomy and Ileostomy Formation (ACIF) in the urgent/semi-urgent setting - allowing optimisation of patient condition for further medical therapy or elective surgery. Methods Multi-centre, retrospective outcomes analysis was performed. Local investigators identified all patients aged ≥16 with MRCC, that underwent urgent/semi-urgent surgery between 1/1/1999 and 31/12/2019. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause morbidity. Multiple secondary outcomes were defined relating to 30-day, 1-year and 18-month follow up. Results 82 patients from seven hospitals satisfied selection criteria - 12 DIFA and 70 ACIF. 30-day all-cause morbidity (8.3% vs 52.9%), median length of stay (8 vs 17 days), open surgical approach (25.0% vs 75.0%) and 1-year readmission rates (25.0% vs 37.1%) were all significantly lower for the DIFA group. 30-day all-cause mortality, critical care admission, 30-day return to theatre and 1-year morbidity were all lower for the DIFA group. The DIFA group had a 16.7% 1-year colectomy rate and 25% 18-month ileostomy rate. Conclusion DIFA is a safe alternative to ACIF for surgical treatment of urgent/semi-urgent MRCC. Larger scale prospective studies are warranted to confirm this.

Impact of a defunctioning ileostomy and time to stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Impaired bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer is a frequent problem with a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a defunctioning ileostomy, and time to ileostomy closure on bowel function after LAR for rectal cancer. Methods We performed a systematic review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles published from 1989 up to August 2019. Analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3) using a random-effects model. Results The search yielded 11 studies (1400 patients) that reported on functional outcome after LAR with at least 1 year follow-up, except for one study. Five scales were used: the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score, the Wexner score, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Instrument, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale, and the Hallbook questionnaire. Based on seven studies, major LARS occurred more often in the ileostomy group (OR 2.84, 95% CI, 1.70–4.75, p < 0.0001: I2 = 60%, X2 = 0.02). Based on six studies, a longer time to stoma closure increased the risk of major LARS with a mean difference in time to closure of 2.39 months (95% CI, 1.28–3.51, p < 0.0001: I2 = 21%, X2 = 0.28) in the major vs. no LARS group. Other scoring systems could not be pooled, but presence of an ileostomy predicted poorer bowel function except with the Hallbook questionnaire. Conclusions The risk of developing major LARS seems higher with a defunctioning ileostomy. A prolonged time to ileostomy closure seems to reinforce the negative effect on bowel function; therefore, early reversal should be an important part of the patient pathway.