Gastrointestinal transit after laparoscopic versus open colonic resection

Background: Multimodal rehabilitation with epidural analgesia, early oral nutrition and mobilization, and laxative use has decreased the duration of ileus after colonic surgery to about 2 days, as compared with the usual 3 to 5 days of rehabilitation required after open surgery and the slightly shorter time required with laparoscopic surgery. Gastrointestinal transit after colonic resection with laparoscopy or laparotomy was assessed. Methods: In this study, 32 patients randomized to laparoscopic or open colonic resection received 4 MBq of ¹¹¹indium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, a tracer, at the end of surgery. Images of the abdomen were obtained 24 and 48 h postoperatively. An opaque abdominal dressing blinded care personnel and patients to the procedure. Results: Defecation occurred on median day 2 postoperatively in both groups. At 48 h postoperatively, 53% of the tracer was excreted by patients in the laparoscopic group, as compared with 26% in the open group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Postoperative ileus and gastrointestinal transit normalized within 48 h after colonic resection in the patients who received multimodal rehabilitation. No significant difference was observed between the patients who underwent the laparoscopic procedure and those who underwent the open procedure. Supported by Danish Pharmacy Foundation of 1991 and the Danish Research Council 9902757     

Effectiveness of fast-track rehabilitation vs conventional care in laparoscopic colorectal resection for elderly patients: a randomized trial

Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fast‐track rehabilitation in elderly patients over 65 years of age, following laparoscopic surgery to remove colorectal cancer. Method A total of 78 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection were randomly assigned to receive either the fast‐track care programme (n = 40) or the conventional perioperative care protocol (control group, n = 38). Medical personnel conducting the study were blinded to patients’ clinical outcomes prior to statistical analysis. The fast‐track protocol included no preoperative mechanical bowel irrigation, immediate oral alimentation and earlier postoperative ambulation exercise. The length of postoperative hospital stay, the length of time to regain bowel function and the rate of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The length of time to regain bowel function, including the passage of flatus[31 (26–40) h vs 38 (32–51) h, P = 0.001], to the first bowel movement [55 (48–63) h vs 64 (48–71) h, P = 0.009] and to start a liquid diet (12 [11–16] h vs 47 [35–50] h, P = 0.000) were significantly shorter in patients receiving the fast‐track care protocol compared with those receiving the conventional care protocol. A shorter duration of postoperative hospital stay was recorded in patients receiving the fast‐track program than in those receiving conventional care (P = 0.0001). A reduced percentage of patients who developed general complications was also observed in the fast‐track group (5.0%vs 21.1%, P = 0.045). Conclusion This randomized controlled trial has shown that in the elderly undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the fast‐track recovery programme resulted in a more rapid postoperative recovery, earlier discharge from hospital and fewer general complications compared with a conventional postoperative protocol.     

高龄患者腹腔镜结直肠切除术安全性的研究

目的:评价为高龄患者行腹腔镜结直肠切除术的安全性及可行性。方法:回顾分析2003年8月至2008年8月我院择期行结直肠切除术中大于等于70岁高龄患者的临床资料。比较同期56例腹腔镜结直肠切除术和52例开腹手术患者的一般情况、疾病分类、手术指标、术后恢复情况和治疗效果。患者平均年龄开腹组74岁,腹腔镜组73岁。两组患者术前合并症、美国麻醉师协会术前危险度评分、疾病类型均无显著差异。结果:平均手术时间开腹组192min,腹腔镜组187min,P=0.616。开腹组术中平均出血218ml,腹腔镜组约86ml,P=0.000。腹腔镜组1例中转开腹。两组均无死亡病例。肠功能恢复时间开腹组5d,腹腔镜组3d,P=0.000。进流食时间开腹组5d,腹腔镜组4d,P=0.026。平均住院时间开腹组22d,腹腔镜组18d,P=0.000。术后心肺并发症发生率开腹组26.9%,腹腔镜组10.7%,P=0.030。结论:为高龄患者行腹腔镜结直肠切除术安全可行,可减少患者术中出血量,降低术后心肺并发症的发生率,加快术后胃肠功能恢复,缩短住院时间等。     

Efficacy of laparoscopic resection in elderly patients with colorectal cancer

Purpose

The perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly patients were compared with those of open surgery in elderly patients and those of laparoscopic surgery in nonelderly patients to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

The data of the patients who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between January 2007 and September 2012 were retrospectively collected. The clinical backgrounds and outcomes of elderly patients (≥70 years of age) who underwent laparoscopic surgery (EL group) were compared with those of elderly patients who underwent open surgery (EO group) and those of nonelderly patients (<70 years of age) who underwent laparoscopic surgery (NL group).

Results

Compared with the EO group, the EL group showed significantly less blood loss (15 versus 100 ml), fewer postoperative complications (10.7 versus 36.7 %), earlier resumption of an oral diet (4 versus 5 days) and shorter postoperative hospital stays (16 versus 28 days). A case-matched analysis showed similar results. All perioperative outcomes were equivalent between the EL and NL groups.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly patients with cancer was not only superior to open surgery in elderly patients, but also equivalent to laparoscopic surgery in nonelderly patients in terms of the postoperative outcomes.     

Elective laparoscopic colonic resection for diverticular disease

Background: We undertook a retrospective multicenter study of elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis in order to assess the safety and the results of the procedure performed by a large number of surgeons. Materials and methods: Between January 1998 and April 1999, the French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery recruited retrospectively 179 patients from 10 surgical units, operated on for elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. There were 94 men and 85 women with a mean age of 58 years (range, 30–82). The indications for surgery were acute attacks in 123 cases, complicated diverticulitis in 47 cases, and miscellaneous in 9 cases. Results: The performed procedure was a successful laparoscopic assisted sigmoidectomy in 154 cases (with totally intracorporeal anastomosis in 136 cases and hand-sewn anastomosis via small incision in 18 cases). The mean operation time was 223 min ± 79 (range, 100–480). There was no mortality and 23 complications occurred in 23 patients (14.9%). Postoperative ileus lasted 2.5 ± 0.9 days (range, 1–6), and oral intake started after 3.3 ± 1.3 days (range, 1–12). The mean postoperative stay was 9.3 days (range, 4–50). Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 25 cases (13.9%). The essential causes of conversion were obesity, severe adhesions, and colonic inflammation. The mean postoperative stay for the 25 converted patients was 13 ± 8.5 days (range, 7–42). Conclusion: Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis is feasible and is safe. The complication and mortality rates are similar to those observed after open procedures. For experienced surgical teams, laparoscopic colonic resection is a good approach for selected patients suffering from symptomatic diverticulitis.     

Optimizing cost and short-term outcomes for elderly patients in laparoscopic colonic surgery

Background

Elderly patients often are regarded as high-risk for major abdominal surgery because of a lack of functional reserve and associated medical comorbidities. The goal of this study was to compare the cost of care and short-term outcomes of elderly and nonelderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy. Our hypothesis was that elderly patients managed with laparoscopic colorectal surgery and an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) can realize the same benefits of lower hospital length of stay (LOS) without increasing hospital costs or readmission rates.

Methods

Review of a prospective database identified all patients that underwent an elective laparoscopic colectomy from 2009 to 2012. Patients were stratified into elderly (≥70 years old) and nonelderly (<70 years old) cohorts. The main outcome measures were discharge disposition, hospital costs, hospital LOS, and 30-day readmission rates between the laparoscopic and open groups.

Results

A total of 302 nonelderly (66 %) and 153 elderly (34 %) patients were included in the analysis. The elderly cohort had significantly higher comorbidities than the nonelderly group. There were no mortalities. Operative variables (procedure time, blood loss, and intraoperative complications) were similar. At discharge, significantly more elderly patients required temporary nursing or home care. There were no significant differences in short-term outcomes of LOS, 30-day readmission rates, or costs for the episode of care between the two groups.

Conclusions

Combining laparoscopic colectomy with an ERP is cost-effective and results in similar short-term outcomes for the elderly and nonelderly patients. Despite higher comorbidities, elderly patients realized the same benefits of shorter LOS with similar hospital costs and readmission rates.     

Prospective randomized study of stress and immune response after laparoscopic vs conventional colonic resection

Methods: In order to evaluate the stress and immunological response to laparoscopic and conventional colon resection we operated on male Wistar rats (350–380 g), performing either laparoscopic (n= 15) or open colon resection (n= 15). A third group (n= 10) underwent anesthesia only. Immediately before and after surgery as well as 1 and 7 days postoperatively a 1 ml sample of blood was taken from the retrobulbar veinous plexus. Stress (corticosterone) and immune parameters (neopterin and interleukin [IL] 1-β) were measured. Furthermore, the body weight as a parameter of postoperative recovery was monitored. Results: The analysis of variance showed significant differences between the three groups over a period of 1 week (p < 0.0001 for corticosterone, p= 0.0854 for IL 1-β, p= 0.0045 for neopterin). Additionally in a t-test significant differences were found between the laparoscopic and conventional group with regard to corticosterone (p= 0.08), to neopterin (p= 0.045), and to IL 1-β (p= 0.0043) at the end of the operation. One week after the operation the stress and immune parameters were back to normal levels in each group except IL 1-β, but the recovery indicated by body weight was different according to the kind of the applied operative procedure: 7 days postoperatively the rats lost 5.99% of their body weight after open surgery and only 2.4% after laparoscopic surgery. After anesthesia only the body weight increased by about 4.8%. Conclusion: Laparoscopic colon resection alters the stress and immune system of healthy rats less than open colon resection. This observation is confirmed by the quicker recovery in laparoscopically operated rats.     

Acute colonic obstruction: endoscopic stenting and laparoscopic resection

Introduction Acute colonic obstruction is a frequent emergency condition in a general surgical setting. The use of an endoscopic self-expanding stent can relieve obstruction and eventually prepare the patient for elective laparoscopic or open surgery. Materials and Methods From September 2001 to March 2006 we treated 25 patients with acute left or transverse colonic obstruction. In 23 patients stents were positioned planning an elective procedure to be performed. In two patients with multiple liver metastases and malignant ascites only a palliation was intended (2 of 25 patients). Results Mean age was 66.6 years. The 23 patients who underwent resection, 14 females and nine males, had a mean age of 65.5 years. Obstructions were located in the rectum (five), in the sigmoid (16) and in the transverse colon (two). In one patient stricture was due to radiotherapy, in twenty four cases it was due to primary cancer. Stents were successfully placed in 24 patients. In one of them two stents had to be placed due to the slippage of the first one beyond the stricture. Excellent resumption of colonic transit was achieved in all the patients. No complications were observed. In 23 patients resection was performed (19 laparoscopy; four open). Complications occurred in one patient in open group (pancreatic fistula after splenectomy) and was treated conservatively. Mean postoperative stay was 18.5 (range 9–35) days for the open group and 12 (range 9–20) for the laparoscopic group. Mean follow-up was 36 months. Conclusions use of self expanding endoscopic colonic stents can provide excellent palliation in acute obstruction, aiming both to prepare the colon to elective surgery after adequate preparation or to palliate the stricture in case of unresectable advanced tumors.     

The best anastomoses after colonic resection

Among the numerous anastomotic techniques after colonic resection, the mechanical sutures using staplers have been credited with a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage than hand-sewn anastomoses. This hypothesis has been tested in two multicentre, prospective, randomized trials after right hemicolectomy for carcinoma and after left colectomy with colorectal anastomosis. After right hemicolectomy, the stapled anastomosis using the GIA and TA staplers appeared to be superior to all hand-sewn anastomoses. This superiority was not apparent after left colectomy followed by colorectal anastomosis. Although the leakage rate of stapled anastomoses was similar to hand-sewn anastomoses, they carry a high rate of intra-operative mishaps. Furthermore, the stapler does not permit a lower anastomosis in this study. Finally, the overall cost of a stapled anastomosis is superior to the cost of an hand-sewn anastomosis.     

Single port laparoscopic right colonic resection using a 'vessel-first' approach

Aim Single port laparoscopic colorectal surgery (SPLC), performed through a single incision of ≤ 3 cm, has been shown to be feasible. This study aimed to assess its safety and efficacy when used as the method of choice for right hemicolectomy. Method A prospective study was carried out of patients undergoing right hemicolectomy using a single port laparoscopic technique. They were compared with a historical series of patients undergoing right hemicolectomy using a multiport laparoscopic technique. Between December 2009 and September 2010, single port surgery replaced conventional laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) for radical medial to lateral right hemicolectomy performed by a single surgeon. Histology, length of hospital stay, complications, conversions and readmissions were recorded. Results Fourteen patients were treated using single port laparoscopic surgery (SPLC): 10 for carcinoma (Dukes A1, B6, C3) and four for Crohn’s disease. Twelve patients were treated using multiport laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS): eight for carcinoma (Dukes B4, C3, Carcinoid 1), three for Crohn’s disease and one for adenoma. The median (interquartile range) operative time for the SPLC group was 120 (90–135) min and for the LCS group was 135 (116–150) min. The median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay was 3.5 (2.0–5.0) days for the SPLC group and for the LCS group was 4.0 (3.8–7.0) days. The median (interquartile range) number of lymph nodes removed for SPLC patients was 14.5 (9.8–19.5) and for the LCS patients was 14.5 (13.0–19.5). There were no conversions, no complications and no readmissions in either group. Conclusion These data confirm the feasibility of the technique. Furthermore they suggest that it is safe and efficacious.     

Comparison of conventional laparoscopic and hand-assisted oncologic segmental colonic resection

Background Laparoscopically assisted colon resection has evolved to be a viable option for the treatment of colorectal cancer. This study evaluates the efficacy of hand-assisted laparascopic surgery (HALS) as compared with totally laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for segmental oncologic colon resection with regard to lymph node harvest, operative times, intraoperative blood loss, pedicle length, incision length, and length of hospital stay in an attempt to help delineate the role of each in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Methods Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to acquire data for this evaluation. Between June 2001 and July 2005, 40 patients underwent elective oncologic segmental colon resection (22 HALS and 18 LAP). The main outcome measures included lymph node harvest, operative times, intraoperative blood loss, pedicle length, incision length, and length of hospital stay. Results The two groups were comparable in terms of demographics. The tumor margins were clear in all the patients. The HALS resection resulted in a significantly higher lymph node yield than the LAP resection (HALS: 16 nodes; range, 5–35 nodes vs LAP: 8 nodes; range, 5–22 nodes; p < 0.05) and significantly shorter operative times (HALS: 120 min; range, 78–181 min vs LAP: 156 min; range, 74–300 min; p < 0.05). Both groups were comparable with regard to length of hospital stay, pedicle length, and intraoperative blood loss. However, the LAP group yielded a significantly smaller incision for specimen extraction (LAP: 7 cm; range, 6–8 cm vs HALS: 5.5 cm; range, 5–7 cm; p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that hand-assisted laparoscopic oncologic segmental colonic resection is associated with shorter operative times, more lymph nodes harvested, and equivalent hospital stays, pedicle lengths, and intraoperative blood losses as compared with the totally laparoscopic approach. The totally laparoscopic technique was completed with a smaller incision. However, this less than 1 cm reduction in incision length has doubtful clinical significance.     

Quality of life in patients after laparoscopic and open interventions for colonic tumors

The analysis of results of surgical treatment of the colonic cancer patients, basing on the quality of life scale indexes, using questionnaire SF-36, was performed. There were compared the quality of life in patients, who have been operated, using laparoscopic (I group) and open (II group) interventions in 1998--2003 yrs. The quality of life indexes in 7-8 days after the operation were higher in I group than in the II group. Positive influence of performance of laparoscopic intervention on quality of life trustworthy differed of such, achieved in the II group. In 3, 6 months, in 1 and 3 years after the operation the quality of life indexes were identical in both groups.     

Early outcomes of colon laparoscopic resection in the elderly patients compared with the younger

Background

The aim of this study was to define any benefits in terms of early outcome for laparoscopic colectomy in patients over 75 years old (OP) compared with the outcomes of a younger populations (YP).

Methods

Forty elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer between 2007-2011 were studied, the patients are divided for gender, age, year of surgery, site of cancer, and comorbidity on admission and compared with 40 younger patients.

Results and discussion

Mean (standard deviation) age was 81.3 in OP and 68.3 YP Conversion rate was the same between the two groups. There was no difference in operative mean time . The overall mortality rate was 0% percent. The surgical morbidity rate was the same but there was an increased in cardiologic e bronchopneumonia complications in older population. Patients treated with laparoscopic approach had a faster recovery of bowel function and a significant reduction of the mean length of hospital stay not age related. Laparoscopy allowed a better preservation of postoperative independence status.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer in elderly patients is safe and beneficial including preservation of postoperative independence and a reduction of length of hospital stay.

     

Strategy of postoperative rehabilitation after femoral neck fracture in elderly patients

The femoral neck fracture in elderly patient is an entity that is within the scope of "disease causing a femoral neck fracture". The specific factors for successful management of these elderly patients are centered around patient's comorbidities, specific management in a clinical pathway, and more or less early rehabilitation after surgery. The type of fracture, surgery, specific treatment, early active recovery for the patients lying in bed after surgery optimize the functional outcome at mean term. The improvement of nutritional status, equilibrium for comorbidities and early rehabilitation with walking activities and physiotherapy significantly improve functional outcome at short and medium terms and postoperative mortality. The use of multimodal analgesia and regional analgesia primarily by perioperative continuous femoral nerve blocks also improve the medical prognosis and functional outcome of the patient.