Pelvic intraoperative neuromonitoring during robotic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer

While the oncological outcome of patients with rectal cancer has been considerably improved within the last decades, anorectal, urinary and sexual functions remained impaired at high levels, regardless of whether radical surgery was performed open or laparoscopically. Consequently, intraoperative monitoring of the autonomic pelvic nerves with simultaneous electromyography of the internal anal sphincter and manometry of the urinary bladder has been introduced to advance nerve-sparing surgery and to improve functional outcome. Initial results suggested that pelvic neuromonitoring may result in better functional outcomes. Very recently, it has also been demonstrated that minimally invasive neuromonitoring is technically feasible. Because, to the best of our knowledge, pelvic neuromonitoring has not been performed during robotic surgery, we report the first case of robotic-assisted low anterior rectal resection combined with intraoperative monitoring of the autonomic pelvic nerves.     

盆腔自主神经的解剖学研究及直肠癌手术保留神经的体会

目的 了解盆腔自主神经的解剖，减少直肠癌手术中对自主神经的损伤。方法 通过解剖7例尸体了解盆腔自主神经的分布，并于10例直肠癌手术中进一步验证。结果 上腹下丛紧贴肠系膜下血管的后方；直肠正后方的脏层筋膜与壁层筋膜之间的疏松间隙内无明显自主神经分支；直肠与精囊和前列腺(或子宫、阴道)之间无明显的神经支；盆丛呈网状不规则四边形结构，其四个角不在同一平面。直肠侧韧带主要由盆丛发至直肠的分支及结缔组织构成。结论 当实施保留自主神经的直肠癌根治术时，肠系膜下血管可作为寻找上腹下丛的标志；游离直肠时应先游离其后壁及前壁，后游离其侧方，使直肠侧韧带呈桥状架于直肠与盆丛之间；侧方的游离应于盆丛的内侧，按与其弧面相适应的方向用电刀切断直肠侧韧带。     

腹腔镜直肠癌根治术中保护盆腔植物神经的体会

目的:探讨腹腔镜直肠癌根治术中显露及保护盆腔植物神经对患者术后性功能和排尿功能的影响。方法:回顾分析2005年5月至2008年3月我院为11例男性直肠癌患者施行腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术(total mesorectal excision,TME)的基础上保留盆腔植物神经(pelvic autonomic nervepreservation,PANP),降低术后排尿及性功能障碍发生率的临床资料。结果:患者术后勃起功能障碍发生率9.09%,射精功能障碍发生率18.18%,近期排尿障碍发生率9.09%。结论:腹腔镜TME基础上行PANP与传统开腹TME基础上行PANP相比,术中能更清晰地显露盆腔植物神经并予以保护,减少了术后排尿和性功能障碍的发生。     

Intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: laparoscopic vs open surgery approach

Aim Laparoscopic sphincter‐saving surgery has been investigated for rectal cancer but not for tumours of the lower third. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer. Method From 1990 to 2007, patients with rectal tumour below 6 cm from the anal verge and treated by open or laparoscopic curative intersphincteric resection were included in a retrospective comparative study. Surgery included total mesorectal excision with internal sphincter excision and protected low coloanal anastomosis. Neoadjuvant treatment was given to patients with T3 or N+ tumours. Recurrence and survival were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the Logrank test. Function was assessed using the Wexner continence score. Results Intersphincteric resection was performed in 175 patients with low rectal cancer: 110 had laparoscopy and 65 had open surgery. The two groups were similar according to age, sex, body mass index, ASA score, tumour stage and preoperative radiotherapy. Postoperative mortality (zero) and morbidity (23%vs 28%; P = 0.410) were similar in both groups. There was no difference in 5‐year local recurrence (5%vs 2%; P = 0.349) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (70%vs 71%; P = 0.862). Function and continence scores (11 vs 12; P = 0.675) were similar in both groups. Conclusion Intersphincteric resection did not alter long‐term tumour control of low rectal cancer. The safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for intersphincteric resection are suggested by a similar short‐ and long‐term outcome as obtained by open surgery.     

Role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during fluorescence-guided resection surgery

Background

Fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) exhibits a potential risk of permanent neurological deficits that can be minimized using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). We assessed the role of IONM in FGR surgery in patients harboring tumors in or near eloquent areas.

Methods

IONM and FGR surgeries were performed on 34 patients (49.8?±?2.4 years) harbored malignant primary gliomas near eloquent cortical areas or semioval center. Different combinations of neurophysiological techniques were used depending on each patient.

Results

Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 66.7 % of the patients, mean 90.4?±?3.7 % without neurological deficits. Resection in four patients was stopped by the occurrence of severe warning criteria despite the presence of fluorescence. Hemispheric transcranial electrical stimulation was safe and confident even in cortical surgery. Notably, a significant percentage of patients exhibited clinical improvement after the surgery. One week after surgery, only one patient worsened, and seven patients improved. At 3 months, 27.8 % of the patients improved, and the other patients maintained a similar status to their pre-surgery condition. Warning common criteria (amplitude reduction and/or latency increase) appeared in 68.2 and 50.0 % of patients during cortical or semioval surgery, respectively, with neither a false-negative nor a false-positive clinical outcome. Although 5-ALA exhibits phototoxicity, VEP did not induce any secondary effects in the visual system, including eyelids.

Conclusions

IONM can be helpful during surgery to maximize the tumor resection, meanwhile help to avoid neurological deficits and, therefore, to improve the quality of life of these patients.     

Curative resection for low rectal adenocarcinoma: abdomino-perineal vs anterior resection

OBJECTIVE: Local recurrence after abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum for tumours has been reported to occur in up to a third of patients in contrast to 4% after restorative anterior resection. METHOD: Low rectal tumours were defined as tumours within 8 cm of the anal verge and were treated by either stapled low anterior resection (SLAR) or abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum (APER). One hundred and seventy-eight patients with tumours in the lower third of the rectum (30% of 591 rectal cancers) underwent surgical resection between 1980 and 2001. Data were collected prospectively; 68 (38%) had SLAR and 110 (62%) had APER with median follow up of approximately 12 years; 54 SLAR (79%) and 76 APER (69%) had curative procedures on clinical and pathological criteria. RESULTS: Local and distant recurrence occurred in seven (13%) and eight (15%) patients in the SLAR group and six (8%) and 14 (18%) patients in the APER group, respectively. Overall 5-year survival was 63% and 60% in the SLAR and APER groups, respectively CONCLUSION: For rectal cancers within 8 cm of the anal verge, both procedures achieved equivalent results measured by low local recurrence rates and overall survival.     

腹腔镜直肠癌根治术保留盆腔植物神经效果分析

目的：探讨在腹腔镜直肠癌根治手术中保留盆腔植物神经（PANP）对男性局部复发率、生存率和术后生活质量的影响。方法：不同时期的2组腹腔镜直肠癌根治手术病人,其中非保留盆腔植物神经组34例,保留组88例,回顾性分析比较2组患者的局部复发率、5年存活率及术后排尿功能和性功能。结果：两组均顺利完成手术。其中保留植物神经组82例获得随访,未保留组28例获得随访。局部复发率保留植物神经组为73％（6／82）,未保留组为7．1％（18／28）;5年存活率保留植物神经组为8412％（69／82）,未保留组为82．1％（23／28）,2组差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。排尿功能障碍保留植物神经组为28．1％（23／82）,未保留组为60．7％（17,28）;勃起功能障碍保留植物神经组为24．4％（20,82）,未保留组为67．9％（19／28）;射精功能障碍保留植物神经组24．4％（20／82）,未保留组71,4％,（20／28）,两组比差异均有统计学意义（PcO．05）。结论：腹腔镜直肠癌根治术中保留植物神经功能,对局部复发率和5年存活率无明显影响,但可明显提高患者的生存质量。     

保留盆腔自主神经在男性腹腔镜直肠癌根治术中的临床效果

目的:探讨腹腔镜直肠癌根治术中应用全直肠系膜切除术(total mesorectal excision,TME)及保留盆腔自主神经(pelvic autonomic nerve preservation,PANP)对特定分期直肠癌的可行性、治疗效果及对盆腔自主神经所支配的(男性)患者术后排尿、勃起、射精功能的影响。方法:选择2012年1月至2015年12月手术治疗的117例直肠癌男性患者,分为腹腔镜TME+PANP组(腹腔镜组)与开腹TME+PANP组(开腹组),对比分析术中、术后各项临床指标及术后1年内排尿、性功能各项指标。结果:腹腔镜组术后3个月储尿、排尿、勃起、射精功能均优于开腹组;而远期(术后1年)疗效两组差异无统计学意义。结论:对于T_3N_2M_0期及以下的直肠癌患者,保留盆腔自主神经的腹腔镜直肠癌根治术安全、可行,最大限度地维持了男性患者的排尿功能及性功能。     

New monitoring method for the pudental nerve during surgery: cases of intraoperative monitoring for lumbo-sacral lipomeningocele

We carried out intraoperative monitoring of the pudental nerve while separating vertebral spinal tumors from the spinal cord in five patients, including four infants. Although monitoring using a manometer or needle electrodes has been reported, monitoring done with disk electrodes to ascertain the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the external sphincter muscle has not been yet attempted. Prior to the surgical procedure, we locate a point suitable for CAMP recording of the muscle. In our recent study, we determined that maximum action potentials were recorded in the part with the greatest depth from the individual anal verge. Therefore, the depth of the anal canal was preoperatively measured for the manometry method, and sphincter electrodes currently on the market were refigured to suit the infant's anal canal. After the two procedures described above, we were able to preserve the pudental nerves intraoperatively. The postoperative neurological findings of all five patients were unchanged. We introduce here this new method of intraoperative monitoring for preserving the pudental nerve.     

腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术与直肠经肛门拖出切除术治疗直肠癌的效果比较

目的比较直肠癌患者经腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术与直肠经肛门拖出切除术后的治疗效果。 方法选取2014年7月至2016年12月进行腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术与直肠经肛门拖出切除术的不同手术方式患者共120例,按照不同手术方式分为镜下组和拖出组两组,每组各60例,镜下组行腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术,拖出组行直肠经肛门拖出切除术。采用SPSS 18.0软件对所有数据进行统计分析,术中术后指标以均数±标准差表示,组间比较采用t检验;术后并发症发生率采用χ²检验;P<0.05差异有统计学意义。 结果术中出血量、住院时间相比,直肠经肛门拖出切除术患者少于腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术,P<0.05。术后肠功能恢复情况如术后1、3、6个月患者排便次数相比,拖出手术组明显恢复情况好于镜下组,P<0.05,差异具有明显统计学意义;术后并发症相比,中青年患者拖出手术组术后并发症发生率为6.7%(2/30),镜下手术组为30%(9/30),老年患者拖出手术组术后并发症发生率为6.7%(2/30),镜下手术组为26.7%(8/30),不同年龄段患者内部比较,P<0.05,差异具有明显统计学意义。 结论直肠经肛门拖出切除术的手术疗效和术后患者恢复情况均好于腹腔镜下直肠低位前切除术,治疗效果满意,手术操作安全,具有临床推广意义。     

A review on functional results of sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer: the anterior resection syndrome

The aim of this review is to characterize the functional results and “anterior resection syndrome” (ARS) after sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. The purpose of sphincter-saving operations is to save the anal sphincters by avoiding the need for rectal abdomino-perineal resection with a permanent stoma. A variety of alternative techniques have been proposed and, today, ultra-low anterior resections of the rectum are commonplace. Inevitably rectal resections modify anorectal physiology. The backdrop of the functional asset for ultralow anterior resections is related to a small neorectal capacity with high endo-neorectal pressures that act together on a weakened sphincteric mechanism. Sometimes a defecation disorder called ARS may be induced and the patient experiences an extremely low quality of life. Impaired bowel function is usually provoked either by colonic dysmotility, neorectal reservoir dysfunction, anal sphincter damage or by a combination of these factors. Surgical technique defects can contribute to these possible causes: anastomotic ischemia, short length of the descending colon and stretching of neorectal mesentery may play a role. Unfortunately, there is no therapeutic algorithm or gold standard treatment that may be used for ARS. Nevertheless, it is rational to use conservative therapy first and then resort to surgery. Drugs, rehabilitative treatment and sacral neuromodulation may be used; after failure of conservative methods, surgical treatment can be considered.     

Staple electrodes: an innovative alternative for intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring

Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring is essential for minimally invasive neurosurgery. The authors developed an innovative recording method using a staple electrode, consisting of a surgical skin staple and an integrated circuit (IC) test clip with a cable. The staple is put on the patient's skin after the induction of general anesthesia. After head fixation, the IC test clip is simply hooked to the staple. The authors used this method for recording in 158 consecutive cases. It took only a few minutes to set up 4-18 staple electrodes in each case. None of the staple electrodes became disconnected unintentionally, and the initial impedance was kept throughout the procedures. The authors conclude that the staple electrode is superior to conventional disc or needle electrodes in speed of setup, electrical stability, and cost-effectiveness and recommend its routine use for intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring.     

直肠癌保肛手术中侧方清扫保留盆腔自主神经124例的疗效评价

目的探讨直肠癌保肛手术中侧方淋巴结清扫和保留盆腔自主神经的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析124例直肠癌保肛手术患者经侧方淋巴结清扫和保留盆腔自主神经后的排便、排尿、性功能及术后生存情况。结果112例患者（90．3％）于术后3d内拔除尿管,平均导尿时间为（58．3±2．1）h。最大尿意尿量为（401．2±23．1）ml,残余尿量为（28．2±2．2）ml。19例术后发生大便失禁,11例经排便训练后基本恢复,2例自行缓解。术后问卷调查98例患者的性功能显示：62．3％的患者可以正常勃起,57．1％的患者有正常的性功能。保留自主神经患者的5年生存率为61．2％。结论直肠癌保肛手术中侧方淋巴结清扫和保留盆腔自主神经能良好保留肛门功能并减少术后排尿及性功能障碍的发生,不影响生存率。     

腹腔镜下经肛门拖出式前切术对低位直肠癌患者并发症及复发率的影响

目的分析腹腔镜下经肛门拖出式前切术对低位直肠癌患者并发症及复发率的影响,为临床治疗提供参考。 方法回顾性分析2014年4月至2017年10月期间接受腹腔镜下经肛门拖出式前切术治疗的低位直肠癌患者(观察组,n＝80)临床资料,同期腹腔镜下非肛门拖出式前切术治疗的低位直肠癌患者为对照组(对照组,n＝80)。数据统计采用SPSS21.0统计软件完成,术中术后计量资料用平均数±标准差表示,两组比较采用独立t检验;术后并发症和复发率比较采用χ²检验。P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义。 结果与对照组相比,观察组病理切缘距离明显增大[对照组(3.0±0.6) cm,观察组(3.9±1.1) cm, P<0.05]、局部复发率明显降低[对照组5.0% ,观察组1.3%, P<0.05],而并发症发生率、手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结清扫数和阳性淋巴结数目之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论腹腔镜下经肛门拖出式前切术治疗低位直肠癌简便易行,复发率低。     

Cervico-mediastinal schwannoma of the vagus nerve: resection with intraoperative nerve monitoring

Schwannomas are usually benign, single, encapsulated, slow-growing tumours originating from cranial or spinal nerve sheaths. The vagus nerve involvement at the mediastinal inlet is very uncommon. For anatomical reasons, the resection of cervical and mediastinal schwannoma of the vagus nerve has a high risk of vocal fold paralysis. We describe the case of a 67-year-old female with a cervico-mediastinal schwannoma of the vagus nerve that we removed using the intraoperative neuromonitoring technique. The patient presented with mild hoarseness and complained of discomfort behind the jugular notch. Neck and chest computerized tomography described a 35 × 30 mm solid lesion behind the left clavi-sternal junction; preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology revealed schwannoma. Resection of the mass was performed with a cervical approach and the vagus nerve tumour was completely removed under continuous neuromonitoring (NIM-3^® System), preserving the vagus and the recurrent laryngeal nerve function. Pathology on the resected mass documented A-type schwannoma with “ancient schwannoma” areas. The intraoperative neurostimulation and neuromonitoring approach for the resection of vagus schwannoma are recommended because it may reduce the risk of injury to the vagus and to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.     

Continuous electromyography monitoring of motor cranial nerves during cerebellopontine angle surgery

OBJECT: Electromyography (EMG) monitoring is expected to reduce the incidence of motor cranial nerve deficits in cerebellopontine angle surgery. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed analysis of intraoperative EMG phenomena with respect to their surgical significance. METHODS: Using a system that continuously records facial and lower cranial nerve EMG signals during the entire operative procedure, the authors examined 30 patients undergoing surgery on acoustic neuroma (24 patients) or meningioma (six patients). Free-running EMG signals were recorded from muscles targeted by the facial, trigeminal, and lower cranial nerves, and were analyzed off-line with respect to waveform characteristics, frequencies, and amplitudes. Intraoperative measurements were correlated with typical surgical maneuvers and postoperative outcomes. Characteristic EMG discharges were obtained: spikes and bursts were recorded immediately following the direct manipulation of a dissecting instrument near the cranial nerve, but also during periods when the nerve had not yet been exposed. Bursts could be precisely attributed to contact activity. Three distinct types of trains were identified: A, B, and C trains. Whereas B and C trains are irrelevant with respect to postoperative outcome, the A train--a sinusoidal, symmetrical sequence of high-frequency and low-amplitude signals--was observed in 19 patients and could be well correlated with additional postoperative facial nerve paresis (in 18 patients). CONCLUSIONS: It could be demonstrated that the occurrence of A trains is a highly reliable predictor for postoperative facial palsy. Although some degree of functional worsening is to be expected postoperatively, there is a good chance of avoiding major deficits by warning the surgeon early. Continuous EMG monitoring is superior to electrical nerve stimulation or acoustic loudspeaker monitoring alone. The detailed analysis of EMG-waveform characteristics is able to provide more accurate warning criteria during surgery.     

Sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence following low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in the management of faecal incontinence following neoadjuvant therapy and low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Method In a prospective single‐centre study, 15 patients (12 men, median age 72 years) were enrolled between 2005 and 2008. All had severe incontinence after total mesorectal excision, and 14 had received preoperative full‐course chemoradiotherapy. The patients were followed up for a median of 50 (range: 24–144) months. There was no recurrence (local or distal). Incontinence was evaluated using the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence (CCF‐FI) scoring system. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) questionnaire. SNS was performed in three stages. Results During percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE), a good response was observed in seven patients, all of whom received a permanent implant. The median follow up was 12 (range: 1–44) months. The mean CCF‐FI score was reduced from 19.2 [standard deviation (SD) 1.2] to 6.2 (SD 1.7) (P < 0.01). The mean number of days per week with an incontinent episode decreased from 7 (SD 0) to 0.2 (SD 0.3) (P < 0.01), and the mean number of defaecations per week decreased from 42.5 (SD 13.7) to 13.2 (SD 7.4) (P < 0.01). In the five patients with a permanent implant who were followed up for longer than 6 months, all FIQL scores improved. An increase in the mean resting and squeeze pressures was seen in four patients with a permanent implant. Conclusions SNS is a treatment option for faecal incontinence after LAR for rectal cancer.