Biomedical subjects

L Påhlman

Publications and source records attributed to L Påhlman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Randomized clinical trial of the effects on anal function of Milligan-Morgan versus Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Studies of haemorrhoidectomy usually report postoperative pain, healing and complications, but rarely consider anal function in the longer term. The primary aim of this randomized trial was to compare long-term changes in anal function after open (Milligan-Morgan) and closed (Ferguson) haemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: A total of 225 patients were included in the trial, 115 in the open group and 110 in the closed group. Continence changes were recorded by means of validated questions and an incontinence score. Pain was self-reported using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Postoperative pain and complications did not differ between the groups. Time to recovery was 17 days in the Milligan-Morgan group and 15 days in the Ferguson group. After 1 month the wounds were healed in 57.0 per cent of patients in the open group and 70.6 per cent of those in the closed group (P = 0.058). At 1 year, 78.9 per cent of the Milligan-Morgan group and 85.3 per cent of the Ferguson group reported no continence disturbance (P = 0.072). The incontinence score was improved at 1 year in the closed group (P = 0.015), but was unchanged in the open group (P = 0.645). Patients who had the Ferguson procedure were more satisfied with the outcome of surgery (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Closed Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy was superior to the open Milligan-Morgan procedure with respect to long-term anal continence and patient satisfaction.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Impact of hospital case volume on short-term outcome after laparoscopic operation for colonic cancer.

BACKGROUND: High hospital case volume has been associated with improved outcome after open operation for colorectal malignancies. METHODS: To assess the impact of hospital case volume on short-term outcome after laparoscopic operation for colon cancer, we conducted an analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic colon resection within the COlon Cancer Laparoscopic or Open Resection (COLOR) trial. RESULTS: A total of 536 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon were included in the analysis. Median operating time was 240, 210 and 188 min in centers with low, medium, and high case volumes, respectively (p < 0.001). A significant difference in conversion rate was observed among low, medium, and high case volume hospitals (24% vs 24% vs 9%; p < 0.001). A higher number of lymph nodes were harvested at high case volume hospitals (p < 0.001). After operation, fewer complications (p = 0.006) and a shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001) were observed in patients treated at hospitals with high caseloads. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic operation for colon cancer at hospitals with high caseloads appears to be associated with improved short-term results.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Emergency surgery for colonic cancer in a defined population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in emergency surgery for colonic cancer in a large population and to investigate the economic impact of such surgery. METHODS: Data from the colonic cancer registry (1997-2001) of the Uppsala/Orebro Regional Oncological Centre were analysed and classified by hospital category. Some 3259 patients were included; 806 had an emergency and 2453 an elective procedure. Data for calculating effects on health economy were derived from a national case-costing register. RESULTS: Patients who had emergency surgery had more advanced tumours and a lower survival rate than those who had an elective procedure (5-year survival rate 29.8 versus 52.4 per cent; P < 0.001). There was a stage-specific difference in survival, with poorer survival both for patients with stage I and II tumours and for those with stage III tumours after emergency compared with elective surgery (P < 0.001). Emergency surgery was associated with a longer hospital stay (mean 18.0 versus 10.0 days; P < 0.001) and higher costs (relative cost 1.5 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.4 to 1.6)) compared with elective surgery. The duration of hospital stay was the strongest determinant of cost (r(2) = 0.52, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Emergency surgery for colonic cancer is associated with a stage-specific increase in mortality rate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Good colorectal cancer surgery.

Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum is currently diagnosed in about 783,000 new cases annually and 437,000 patients will die of the disease each year worldwide. Colorectal cancer presents as an emergency situation (obstruction, bleeding or perforation) in approximately 25% of cases and with more or less obvious chronic symptoms in the rest of cases. Rectal cancer patients, with a T1 tumour can be offered local excision whereas patients with more advanced cancer must be offered a more radical abdominal procedure. In large bulky tumours (T3 or definitely T4), MRI should guide the choice of preoperative radiotherapy. Three major indications for radiotherapy are reduction of local recurrences in mobile rectal cancer in order to improve survival, down-staging of the tumour in primary irresectable tumours, and downsizing of low-lying tumours in an attempt to perform a sphincter-saving procedure. The surgical strategy is to remove the tumour-bearing bowel segment with, if possible, a locoregional curative procedure, to restorate bowel continuity, and to ensure an optimal quality of life. In most situations, it is possible to achieve local radical resection. In rectal cancer surgery, the main problem is to stick to the embryological planes during the whole procedure. The whole mesorectum is taken out as a packet down to the level of division. This TME procedure dramatically reduced the local recurrence rate to 3%-7%. Surgeon case volume may be an important factor in cancer surgery success. Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has stimulated a great deal of interest in recent years, but there are concerns regarding this type of surgery. In conclusion, modern surgery for colorectal cancer is a well-defined technique where the anatomical planes have to be identified. Care must be taken to learn all the essential steps. Data from the literature strongly support that the surgeon is the most important factor for an excellent outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Patient factors influencing the completion rate in colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in the late 1960s, the technology of colonoscopy has developed rapidly, and the competence of the endoscopists has increased. Still, a complete colonoscopy is not always possible to perform. AIM: To assess, in a population-based setting, which patient factors influence the success rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All colonoscopy records during 1979-1995 in one Swedish county (population 258,000) were retrieved. Information was obtained about each patient's sex and age, date of examination, the endoscopist and indications for colonoscopy, findings, type of colonoscopy and reasons for an incomplete colonoscopy. Results were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 5145 colonoscopies, 4153 (81%) were complete. Completion rates were influenced by (odds ratio for completion [95% confidence intervals]): sex, male versus female (2.00 [1.39-2.86]); age, youngest quartile versus oldest quartile (1.49 [1.04-2.13]); indication for colonoscopy, previous colonic surgery or long-standing colitis versus other indications (2.08 [1.23-3.45]); and diverticulosis, presence versus no presence (0.79 [0.62-0.99]). The time period (proxy variable for the development of endoscopes) had no impact on completion rates. CONCLUSIONS: The completion rate was lower than that has been reported from previous hospital-based studies. Lower completion rates were found in women, older patients and in patients with diverticulosis. Higher completion rates were noted in patients with previous colonic surgery and long-standing colitis. The completion rates were not influenced by the development of the endoscopes.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Cancer staging and survival in colon cancer is dependent on the quality of the pathologists' specimen examination.

Correct staging of colon cancer is decisive regarding further oncological treatment, surveillance and prediction of long-term survival. This study investigated the variability in accuracy of pathology reports with focus on differences between pathology departments and their compliance to regional guidelines. Data from the colon cancer register (1997-2002) of the Uppsala/Orebro, Sweden, health care region were analysed and the seven pathology departments in this region were compared. Included were 3735 patients who had undergone resection of a colon cancer. Cumulative 5-year survival was the main end-point. For 64% (n = 2390) of the cases, the number of lymph nodes examined was given (median 8). Survival in stage II was lower when fewer than 12 nodes were examined or when the number of nodes sampled was not given (P = 0.001, log-rank test). In stage III, those with at the most 3 nodes positive (N1) had a better survival than those with 4 or more nodes positive (N2) (P < 0.001, log-rank test). An index of metastases (IM), derived from the number of nodes with metastases divided by the number of nodes examined, was calculated for stage III tumours. Examination of 12 nodes is necessary to assure stage III cases with the median IM (0.32), whereas 20 nodes are necessary to assure 90% of cases with the lower quartile of IM (0.16). Irrespective of the number of nodes investigated, overall survival was better among patients with IM < 0.33 vs. IM > or = 33 (P < 0.001, log-rank test). The prognostic information of the IM was higher than that of the N-stage. Quality of a pathology department, measured by the median number of lymph nodes investigated and by the proportion of reports where the number is given, was determined to indicate correct staging and management of the patient. An index of metastases (IM) is a possible basis for guidance in the choice of adjuvant treatments that appears superior to that of N-stage.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

The influence on treatment outcome of structuring rectal cancer care.

Clinical trials and registers data for quality assurance have been mandatory to achieve the good results and the enormous evolution which has been involved in rectal cancer surgery during the past 20 years. The whole business came into focus when local recurrences were considered as a matter of tumour biology and radiotherapy was introduced in many countries as a standard treatment in rectal cancer patients to reduce the local recurrence rate and to improve survival. During the last 30 years more than 8000 patients have been randomized in trials using pre- or post-operative radiotherapy. Those data are summarized in two good meta-analyses. In short, a summary of those meta-analyses has shown that radiotherapy reduces the local recurrence rate with 50%. Moreover, it has been revealed that pre-operative radiotherapy is better than post-operative radiotherapy in attempt to reduce the local recurrence rate and finally that there is a survival benefit with this reduction of the local recurrence rate.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

Improved survival in cancer of the colon and rectum in Sweden.

AIMS: To analyse time-trends in survival of patients with colon and rectal cancer in Sweden. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data including all patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum between 1960 and 1999, from the Swedish Cancer Registry, were analysed. The observed and relative survival rates were calculated according to the Hakulinen cohort method. RESULTS: Five-year relative survival rate for cancer of the colon improved significantly from 39.6% in 1960--1964 to 57.2% in 1995--1999 and for rectal cancer from 36.1 to 57.6%, respectively. Corresponding observed survival improved from 31.2 to 44.3% for colon cancer and from 28.4 to 45.4% for rectal cancer. The largest improvement of survival were seen during the later part of the period observed. CONCLUSION: The survival of patients with colon and rectal cancer in Sweden continues to improve, especially in rectal cancer, which now has a 5-year observed and relative survival rate comparable to that for colon cancer. The survival improvement in rectal cancer is probably a result of the implementation of total mesorectal excision and pre-operative radiotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Treatment of peritoneal surface malignancy by peritonectomy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a novel therapy with curative potential!

Peritoneal carcinomatosis has always been regarded to have a poor prognosis. Surgery is usually limited to palliation of bowel obstruction by performing an intestinal bypass or ostomy. This severe disease has been considered as equal to distant metastasis and intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy is commonly used in order to achieve a regression of the tumour. However, resistance to cytotoxic drugs, a poor vascular supply and high osmotic pressure might prevent the efficient uptake of i.v. chemotherapeutic agents into tumour tissues. A new concept in dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer and gynecologic cancer now require that peritoneal implants are regarded in a different way. In many patients peritoneal dissemination is a locoregional spread of disease with no manifestation of systemic disease. A locoregional therapeutic approach combining cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal intraoperative chemotherapy evolved. This new treatment option seems to be an effective therapeutic approach in carefully selected patients, and offers a chance for cure or palliation in this condition with few alternative treatment options.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed2004

Improved survival in patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer: a preliminary study.

Patients with peritoneal or local metastases from colorectal cancer have a poor prognosis. However, aggressive treatments by debulking surgery and infusional intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy have been tried and appear to benefit selected patients. We assayed the effects of debulking surgery and i.p. chemotherapy with respect to survival and compared the results with matched control patients treated by intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy. In all, 18 patients with peritoneal and/or local metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma underwent debulking surgery followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 550 mg m(-2) day(-1) i.p. and leucovorin (LV) 60 mg m(-2) day(-1) i.v. The chemotherapy was started the day after surgery and was given daily for 6 days and repeated monthly for totally eight courses. The control patients, matched for age, gender, performance status and metastatic site, were randomly selected from controlled clinical chemotherapy trials and treated with i.v. 5-FU+LV or i.v. methotrexate+5-FU+LV. There was no treatment-related mortality. The median survival among i.p. patients was 32 months compared to 14 months in the control group. In all, 11 patients who underwent macroscopically radical surgery had a longer survival than those who were not radically operated (P=0.02). These results indicate that patients with peritoneal metastases and/or locally advanced cancers but without distant metastases may benefit from cytoreductive surgery combined with i.p. chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Elective surgery for colorectal cancer in a defined Swedish population.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe variability in compliance to clinical guidelines in colorectal cancer surgery related to hospital structure. METHODS: All patients registered in the databases of the Regional Oncologic Centre, operated upon electively for colon cancer between the start of the register in 1997 until 2000 (n=1771) and for rectal cancer between the start of the register in 1995 until 2000 (n=1841) were selected for analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in 5-year survival rate between colon and rectal cancer (mean follow-up 2.6 and 3.0 years, respectively; p=0.22). There was a significant difference in frequency of preoperative liver scan depending on hospital category with an increase in colon cancer from 39 to 46% (p=0.02) and in rectal cancer from 42 to 64% (p<0.001). For colon cancer there was no difference, according to hospital category, in quotient sigmoid and high anterior resection to left-sided resection. Furthermore, high anterior resection was more common at university and general district hospitals (8%) compared with district hospitals (4%) (p=0.01). Sphincter-saving surgery was more common at university hospitals and district general hospitals than at district hospitals (low anterior/abdomino-perineal resection quotients 2.3, 2.4 and 1.6, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Population-based audit forms an appropriate and valuable basis for quality assurance projects. In addition to describing compliance to guidelines and pointing to process steps that can be improved, such investigations may also indicate changes due to scientific development. Linked to case-costing data, such results may form an important basis for decisions about modifications in health care.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Colorectal cancer screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy-participants' experiences and technical feasibility.

AIM: To evaluate tolerability and technical feasibility of colorectal cancer screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy. METHODS: One thousand men and women aged 59-61 years, randomly selected from the population register of Uppsala, Sweden, were invited by mail. After random allocation, half of them were called up by a nurse (group 1), while the other half were asked to call themselves (group 2) to book a sigmoidoscopy. After the examination, the participants anonymously answered a questionnaire about their subjective experiences. Endoscopists and their assisting nurse filled out structured forms documenting various technical aspects including an estimation of the subjects' discomfort. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-nine subjects participated. Mean intubation depth was 59 cm (range 28-60) and mean duration 5.8 min (range 2-23). On average, participants reported low degrees of discomfort and feeling of exposure, but 19 and 27% rated pain and distension, respectively, on the upper half of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Most subjects found the duration acceptable. Patient discomfort, as appraised by the endoscopists, was lower in men than in women, positively linked to duration of the procedure, but inversely associated with intubation distance. However, the overall differences between strata of participants were small. Among self-reported variables, group 1 and 2 differed significantly only with regard to 'other discomfort'. All but six subjects would accept a repeat examination. Failures, resulting in incomplete examinations, occurred in 14 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is generally well tolerated and technically feasible in screening for colorectal cancer. A more personalised invitation did not have any important effects on the subjective experience.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2004

Association between sigmoid diverticulitis and left-sided colon cancer: a nested, population-based, case control study.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of left-sided colon cancer in patients with diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent patients with diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon differ in long-term risk of colon cancer compared to patients with diverticulosis of the colon without any clinical signs of diverticulitis. METHODS: A total of 7159 patients (2478 M, 4681 F) discharged with a diagnosis of diverticulosis or diverticulitis in 1965-83 in the Uppsala Health Care Region were followed-up with the Swedish Cancer Registry. Sixty-four cases with colon cancer were identified and compared with 123 controls without cancer matched for sex, age and year of first discharge. Based on information from the patients' charts, an independent observer blinded to the outcome assigned a clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis or not diverticulitis to cases and controls. RESULTS: In patients classified as having sigmoid diverticulitis there was an increased risk of left-sided colon cancer compared with patients with diverticulosis without any clinical signs of diverticulitis (odds ratio = 4.2, 95% CI 1.3-13.0) which remained after mutually adjusting for several clinical parameters in a multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a causal association between sigmoid diverticulitis and a long-term increased risk of left-sided colon cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Proctocolectomy and pelvic pouch--is a diverting stoma dangerous for the patient?

OBJECTIVE: A diverting loop ileostomy was previously considered mandatory for minimizing the effects of septic complications in pelvic pouch surgery. During the past decade there has been a trend towards omission of the loop ileostomy without obvious signs of increased numbers of pouch complications or impaired long-term function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of complications associated with the construction and closure of the loop ileostomy itself. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Complications following diverting loop ileostomies in 143 patients subjected to restorative pelvic pouch surgery during the period 1983-97 were studied retrospectively by evaluation of case records. RESULTS: In the period between discharge after pelvic pouch surgery and closure of the loop ileostomy, 20 (14%) patients were hospitalized because of excessive stoma flow and 19 (13%) patients were treated for other surgical complications, of whom 10 (7%) required surgical intervention. In the early postoperative period (within 30 days) after closure of the loop ileostomy, 18 (13%) patients suffered complications necessitating surgery. Another 12 (8%) patients were hospitalized because of intestinal obstruction that could be treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: The proportion of complications associated with diverting loop ileostomies in pelvic pouch surgery was considerable. A randomised controlled multicentre study is ethically defensible and is recommended.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

PubMed2004

The circular stapling device as a risk factor for anastomotic leakage.

AIM: To investigate the relation between the type of circular stapler and anastomotic leak in rectal cancer surgery. BACKGROUND: During the past decades results from rectal cancer surgery have improved considerably regarding risk of local recurrence and survival. Two main paradigm changes are considered to be the cause for this: the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) and the increasing use of radiotherapy. However, rectal cancer surgery is associated with an unacceptably high frequency of complications of which anastomotic leak is one of the most severe ones. The hypothesis was raised that the choice of stapler influenced the leakage rates. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all departments of surgery (n = 66) performing rectal cancer surgery in Sweden to determine the choice of circular stapler when performing anterior resection for rectal cancer. These data were linked to the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry for the period 1995-99. RESULTS: A total of 3316 patients had an anterior resection. The choice of circular stapling device was determined in 70% of the cases. When stapler A was used, the leakage rate was 11% whereas it was 7% when stapler B was used (P = 0.0039). In the cases where it was impossible to determine which stapler had been used the leakage rate was 8%. CONCLUSION: Quality control is an important part of medicine and the present study suggests that it also must include surgical instruments. A prospective randomised study is needed to confirm the results.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: clinical and functional results.

OBJECTIVE: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has become increasingly common in the management of rectal adenomas and also in selected cases of rectal carcinomas. The aim of this study was to assess the results in a consecutive series of patients after introducing the TEM technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 58 patients operated with TEM from January 1996 to January 1999 were evaluated in a retrospective review. Forty-eight patients answered a clinically validated questionnaire a median of 22 months after TEM. Eighty patients who had undergone transanal excision and 12 who had undergone York Mason's procedure served as a reference group with respect to recurrence rates. RESULTS: The complication rate was 5% (immediate) and 14% (long-term). The overall 30-day mortality rate was zero. An impairment of continence was seen in 18 (37%) patients. Of these, all 18 experienced varying degree of incontinence to liquid stool, 14 also to flatus and 5 of them even to solid stool. The recurrence rate was 11% in adenomas and 14% in cancers; T1, 1 (10%) recurrence and T2, 1 (50%) recurrence. There was a correlation between operating time and impairment of continence as well as recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe procedure, having a low recurrence rate and an acceptable functional outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Anorectal physiology in relation to clinical subgroups of patients with severe constipation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate anorectal physiology in relation to clinically defined subgroups of patients with idiopathic constipation and to analyse relationships between anorectal physiology and rectal evacuation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with idiopathic constipation were clinically categorized as slow transit (n=19), outlet obstruction (n=52) and a group with mixed symptoms (n=29). They were examined by recording anal pressures and also rectal volumes in response to stepwise increases in rectal pressure (5-60 cm H2O). The manovolumetric results were compared with 28 sex and aged matched controls. Rectal evacuation was measured by computer-based image analysis of rectal emptying rate in defaecography. RESULTS: The rectal pressure thresholds for filling, urge and pain did not differ between the groups but there were proportionally more patients in the slow transit and mixed group with thresholds for filling exceeding 25 cm H2O (P=0.04). In total, 18% of patients had impaired sensitivity which was associated with long duration of symptoms (P < 0.05). Patients with grossly impaired rectal sensitivity (filling threshold > 40 cm H2O) had impaired rectal evacuation (P < 0.05). The rectal compliance was increased in the slow transit and mixed group (P < 0.01-0.05) in the pressure interval 5-15 cm H2O. Anal resting and squeeze pressures did not differ between the groups although 7/19 in the slow transit group had values around the lower limit of controls. Slow wave frequency was lower in all patient groups (P < 0.001 vs. controls). Rectal evacuation was not related to sphincter function or to rectal compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical categorization of constipated patients defines groups where altered anorectal physiology is not uncommon. Constipation with symptoms of infrequent defaecation may be associated with impaired rectal sensitivity and increased rectal compliance whereas outlet obstruction symptoms are not clearly related to changes in anorectal physiology.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Scintigraphic assessment of slow transit constipation with special reference to right- or left-sided colonic delay.

OBJECTIVE: Subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation has several side-effects. The motor abnormality in some patients may be segmental which could motivate a limited resection of the colon. Therefore a diagnostic tool to identify a segmental colonic motor dysfunction is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a scintigraphic method to assess colonic transit with special reference to right- or left-sided delay. METHODS: Twenty-three constipated patients (19 women, mean age 50 years) with slow colonic transit on radio-opaque marker studies and 13 healthy individuals (11 women, mean age 46 years) were studied. All subjects were examined with oral (111)Indium-DTPA scintigraphy. The scintigraphic results for patients and controls were presented as geometric centre of radioactivity and percent activity over time in the right, the left and the recto-sigmoid colon. The inter-observer variation in the interpretation of the scans was also evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference in transit time between the groups of patients and controls in the right colon whereas the patients had a significant delay in the left colon (P < 0.05). Two patients had a marked delay in the right colon followed by relatively rapid transit in the left colon. The inter-observer correlation was good comparing the right, the left and the recto-sigmoid colon (r = 0.58-0.98, P < 0.01-0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that colonic scintigraphy with oral (111)Indium-DTPA may help to select patients for a left or, in a few cases, a right hemicolectomy for slow transit constipation.

Adult↗