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R W Beart

Publications and source records attributed to R W Beart.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic colectomy: status of the art.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the progress made in removing the colon with laparoscopic technique. BASIC PROCEDURES: Literature review and personal experiences. MAIN FINDINGS: Laparoscopy is a safe and efficacious technique for the removal of segments of the colon for benign indications. Malignant lesions can be removed laparoscopically with satisfactory margins, but long-term efficacy has not been established. Laparoscopic-assisted surgery appears to be associated with improved preservation of bowel and other physiologic function while decreasing narcotic requirements and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy will likely be the technique of choice for removing segments of the colon in select situations.

Colectomy↗
PubMed1994

Comparing functional results one year and ten years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis.

UNLABELLED: Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for most patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Long-term results, however remain undefined; the major concern is that function may deteriorate. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess functional outcome in a subgroup of patients who have an IPAA for chronic ulcerative colitis for > 10 years. METHODS: Among 1400 IPAA patients, 75 consecutive subjects (31 females and 44 males; median age 31 at operation) were identified who had the procedure prior to 1982. All patients had functional results recorded 1 year and 10 years following ileostomy closure. RESULTS: There were four deaths during the follow-up period; none were pouch related. Two patients refused ileostomy closure. Of the remaining 69 patients, there were 8 (11 percent) failures, leaving 61 subjects available for study. Stool frequency (7 +/- 3, mean +/- SD) remained unchanged. Of the 50 subjects with initially excellent daytime continence, 39 (78 percent) remained the same, 10 (20 percent) developed minor incontinence, and 1 developed poor control after 10 years. Four of 10 subjects (40 percent) with initial minor daytime incontinence remained unchanged, 4 (40 percent) improved, and 2 (20 percent) worsened. The one subject with poor control at one year was unchanged. Nocturnal fecal spotting increased over the 10-year period but not significantly (38 percent vs. 52 percent; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: After IPAA, functional results in terms of stool frequency and rate of fecal incontinence did not deteriorate with time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Double-stapled vs. handsewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.

UNLABELLED: Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for most patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Whether or not a double-stapled technique, which should preserve the anal transition zone and avoid prolonged and dilation, facilitates superior fecal continence compared with conventional mucosal resection and handsewn anastomosis is unknown. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare functional results after double-stapled and handsewn IPAA. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients (13 females, 14 males; mean age, 37 years) who had proctocolectomy and double-stapled IPAA (J) for chronic ulcerative colitis were identified. Each was matched by sex, age, and surgeon to a control who had undergone a conventional handsewn anastomosis. Functional results at six months after ileostomy closure were compared. RESULTS: Median stool frequency in each group was seven. The prevalence of pouchitis was 22 percent in both groups. One pouch failure occurred in each group. The percentage of patients from the double-stapled group with daytime spotting was similar to that of the handsewn group (18 percent vs. 26 percent, P > 0.5). Nighttime soiling rates were similar as well (41 percent vs. 48 percent, P > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Double-stapled IPAA appears to convey no early functional advantage over handsewn IPAA for chronic ulcerative colitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy: surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our surgical techniques for successful completion of laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy. DESIGN: We reviewed the important preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors that should be considered for laparoscopic resection of the right, left, and sigmoid colon. RESULTS: The current indications for laparoscopic-assisted colectomy include most benign colonic conditions (such as colorectal polyps, rectal prolapse, diverticular disease, and colonic lipomas). Laparoscopic procedures for malignant disease, however, are currently reserved for prospective trials and palliation of patients with stage IV colonic cancer because the adequacy of staging and lymphatic resection remains questionable. Patients who are appropriate candidates for laparoscopic-assisted colectomy should be counseled about the potential benefits, risks, and possible need for conversion to an open surgical procedure--a decision that should be considered application of sound surgical judgment rather than a failure. For laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, we prefer to use the closed technique for establishing a pneumoperitoneum. We use a two-surgeon, four-cannula approach for resections of the right and left colon and a three-surgeon, five-cannula technique for resections of the sigmoid colon. Laparoscopic techniques are used to mobilize the bowel and divide the principal blood supply; the resection and anastomosis are performed extracorporeally, with use of a small incision. CONCLUSION: The associated morbidity and mortality rates are comparable to those for conventional open procedures. Despite a shortened period of ileus and fewer hospital days, the total costs for laparoscopic colectomy have been equivalent to those for standard colectomy. This result has generally been due to longer operative times, which should decrease with additional experience.

Colectomy↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy: early Mayo Clinic experience.

OBJECTIVE: To present a large initial series of patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy and to assess the feasibility and safety of this procedure. DESIGN: We summarized the clinical outcome data for 122 Mayo Clinic patients selected for laparoscopic-assisted resection of the right, left, or sigmoid colon between 1991 and 1993. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preexisting factors (such as obesity and prior abdominal operations), indications for surgical treatment, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed statistically in two groups of patients--those in whom the laparoscopic procedure was completed and those in whom conversion to an open surgical technique was necessary. RESULTS: Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy was successfully completed for a variety of colonic pathologic conditions, including polyps, cancer, and diverticulitis. No operative deaths occurred in this series, and the overall complication rate was low (11%). Patients in whom laparoscopic-assisted colectomy was completed had a more rapid return of bowel function and a briefer hospital stay than did those who required conversion to the traditional open surgical technique. Neither obesity nor previous abdominal surgical procedures precluded successful laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, although the conversion rate to open colectomy was 75% in patients whose weight exceeded 90 kg. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy is safe and feasible, and the procedure may offer patient-related advantages. Oncologic concerns, including recent reports of trocar site recurrences, suggest a cautious approach to its application for resection of colonic cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Colorectal cancer therapy: what's new?

Investigation in the area of colorectal cancer therapy has led to rapid clinical progress. This article explores both current modalities and newer observations. Staging mechanisms and biologic markers are changing, prevalence appears to be shifting to the right, and these changes will affect detection and treatment. Treatment is matched to the extent of the disease, avoiding morbidity and mortality associated with extensive surgery and preserving continence for many patients. Although surgery is still the primary therapy for colon cancer, adjuvant therapy is now accorded an increasing role. The value of follow-up is currently under debate, but follow-up is recommended for those who would be expected to benefit from therapy in case of recurrence. The exciting developments in the field of colon cancer provide great hope for improvement in outcome.

Aftercare↗
PubMed1993

Laparoscopic colectomy: a critical appraisal.

A multicenter retrospective study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy in colon and rectal surgery. To minimize potential bias in interpretation of the results, all data were registered with an independent observer, who did not participate in any of the surgical procedures. Sixty-six patients underwent a laparoscopic procedure. Operations performed included sigmoid colectomy (19), right hemicolectomy (15), low anterior resection (6), colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) (5), and abdominoperineal resection (APR) (3). The conversion rate from laparoscopic colectomy to celiotomy was 41 percent. Major morbidity and mortality were 24 percent and 0 percent, respectively. Length of stay, hospital costs, and lymph node harvest were compared between the sigmoid resection and right hemicolectomy subgroups. Data from traditional sigmoid colectomies and right hemicolectomies were obtained from the same institutions for comparison. Mean postoperative stay for laparoscopically completed sigmoid and right colectomies was significantly less than that for either the converted or the traditional groups (P < 0.02). Total hospital cost for traditional right hemicolectomy was significantly less than that for the converted group (P < 0.05) but not the laparoscopic group. Laparoscopic sigmoid resection showed no significant total hospital cost difference among traditional, converted, and laparoscopic groups. Lymph node harvest in resections for carcinoma was comparable in all groups. These preliminary data suggest that laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity and mortality when performed by trained surgeons. Length of stay is shorter, but there is no proven total hospital cost benefit. Appropriate registries will be necessary to adequately assess long-term outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Familial adenomatous polyposis: results following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and ileorectostomy.

To compare the clinical and functional results of ileorectostomy (IR) and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), we reviewed the results of 94 IPAA patients and 21 IR patients who were operated upon between 1978 and 1988. The groups were similar with respect to age and sex. None of the patients died postoperatively. Postoperative complications occurred in 28 percent of the IPAA group and in 17 percent of the IR group (P greater than 0.1). Seven percent of IPAA patients described symptoms compatible with pouchitis. Sixty-one percent of IR patients required subsequent fulguration of rectal polyps at least once. IR patients had a mean (+/- SD) of 4 (+/- 2) stools per day, while IPAA patients had 5 (+/- 2) stools per day (P greater than 0.05). No significant difference in daytime soiling was present between IR (6 percent) and IPAA (4 percent). Nighttime spotting was also similar between the two groups. Nighttime soiling, however, was reported by 4 percent of IPAA patients but not by IR patients (P less than 0.05). One IPAA patient (1 percent) required pouch excision for a desmoid tumor, while two IR patients (11 percent) required proctectomy and ileostomy for recurrent dysplastic polyps (P less than 0.05). Adhesions and a shortened ileal mesentery prevented the construction of an ileoanal procedure in these latter patients. In conclusion, the postoperative complication rate and functional results are similar after IR and IPAA in patients with FAP; however, IR does not eradicate rectal polyps and may indeed preclude IPAA for those requiring subsequent proctectomy.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1991

A prospective, randomized evaluation of intensive-course 5-fluorouracil plus doxorubicin as surgical adjuvant chemotherapy for resected gastric cancer.

This study evaluated combined 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and doxorubicin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients who had undergone potentially curative resection of a primary gastric adenocarcinoma. One hundred twenty-five eligible and evaluable patients were stratified according to extent of surgical resection, location of the primary tumor within the stomach, and lymph node status. They were then randomized to either receive three cycles of chemotherapy or be observed. The median time from patient entry was 7 years. Results showed no significant difference in time to recurrence. The 5-year survival rate was 33% for the observation arm and 32% for the adjuvant therapy arm. The data excluded a 16% improvement in the 5-year survival rate for patients receiving chemotherapy with a P value less than 0.05. There were two drug-related fatalities due to sepsis. These results demonstrate no substantive benefit for this chemotherapy regimen as postoperative adjuvant treatment of resected gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Effective surgical adjuvant therapy for high-risk rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy as an adjunct to surgery for rectal cancer has been shown to reduce local recurrence but has not improved survival. In a previous study, combined radiation and chemotherapy improved survival significantly as compared with surgery alone, but not as compared with adjuvant radiation, which many regard as standard therapy. We designed a combination regimen to optimize the contribution of chemotherapy, decrease recurrence, and improve survival as compared with adjuvant radiation alone. METHODS: Two hundred four patients with rectal carcinoma that was either deeply invasive or metastatic to regional lymph nodes were randomly assigned to postoperative radiation alone (4500 to 5040 cGy) or to radiation plus fluorouracil, which was both preceded and followed by a cycle of systemic therapy with fluorouracil plus semustine (methyl-CCNU). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of more than seven years, the combined therapy had reduced the recurrence of rectal cancer by 34 percent (P = 0.0016; 95 percent confidence interval, 12 to 50 percent). Initial local recurrence was reduced by 46 percent (P = 0.036; 95 percent confidence interval, 2 to 70 percent), and distant metastasis by 37 percent (P = 0.011; 95 percent confidence interval, 9 to 57 percent). In addition, combined therapy reduced the rate of cancer-related deaths by 36 percent (P = 0.0071; 95 percent confidence interval, 14 to 53 percent) and the overall death rate by 29 percent (P = 0.025; 95 percent confidence interval, 7 to 45 percent). Its acute toxic effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. These effects were seldom severe. Severe, delayed treatment-related reactions, usually small-bowel obstruction requiring surgery, occurred in 6.7 percent of all patients receiving radiation, and the frequencies of these complications were comparable in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of postoperative local therapy with radiation plus fluorouracil and systemic therapy with a fluorouracil-based regimen significantly and substantively improves the results of therapy for rectal carcinoma with a poor prognosis, as compared with postoperative radiation alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis without ileostomy.

Thirty-seven patients underwent construction of a J-ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) without temporary diverting ileostomy for chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) (20 patients), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) (15 patients), indeterminate colitis (1 patient) and nonhereditary polyposis coli (1 patient) between 1981 and 1990. Seven of 20 CUC patients (35 percent) were on steroids at the time of hospital admission. The postoperative course of these patients was compared with that of a group of patients undergoing IPAA with ileostomy during that same time period and matched for age, sex, diagnosis, date of surgery, and steroid use. Eight patients (22 percent) in the group without ileostomy and four patients (11 percent) with ileostomy experienced one or more postoperative pouch-related complications. Complications requiring reoperation in patients without ileostomy occurred more frequently in patients either taking steroids or having previous pelvic radiation therapy. Functional results in patients undergoing one-stage procedures after a mean of 28 postoperative months were comparable to those in patients having staged procedures. Surgeons' criteria for a one-stage procedure in these patients should include absolute lack of tension on the anastomosis, good blood supply to the terminal ileum, good general health, and absence of recent intake of steroids at the time of surgery. We conclude that J-pouch construction with IPAA can be safely performed without diverting ileostomy, provided that these selection factors are taken into account.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1991

Let sleeping dogs lie: role of the omentum in the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis procedure.

A surgical aphorism has long held that the omentum is the "watchdog of the abdomen." However, detractors believe that leaving the omentum behind after colectomy precipitates later small bowel obstruction. A retrospective comparison was made between a group of 406 patients (Group I) having omentectomy with proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis and a group of 239 patients (Group II) having a similar procedure without omentectomy. Follow-up in this series of 645 patients was 4.3 +/- 2.1 years (mean +/- SEM). No difference was present in the rate of partial small bowel obstruction or complete small bowel obstruction between Group I patients (32 percent partial, 12 percent complete) and Group II patients (29 percent partial, 12 percent complete; P greater than 0.1). However, a better outcome with regard to postoperative sepsis and sepsis requiring operation was apparent in Group II patients retaining the omentum (4 percent and 3 percent, respectively) than in Group I patients (10 percent and 8 percent, respectively), in whom the omentum was removed (P less than 0.01). As this experience would support, we urge surgeons to "let sleeping dogs lie" and, when possible, retain the omentum when performing colectomy or proctocolectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The risk of lymph node metastasis in colorectal polyps with invasive adenocarcinoma.

One hundred fifty-one patients with colorectal polyps containing invasive adenocarcinoma treated by resection were studied to determine the incidence of lymph node metastasis and whether lymph node metastasis was related to the depth of invasion. Other variables evaluated included size and configuration of the polyp, grade of adenocarcinoma, presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion, and degree of differentiation. In patients with sessile polyps, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was 10 percent. Eighty percent of these lesions had lymphovascular invasion. For pedunculated polyps, the overall incidence of lymph node metastasis was 6 percent. However, there was no incidence of lymph node metastasis when the depth of invasion was limited to the head, neck, and stalk of the polyp (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Only when the depth of invasion reached to the base of the stalk (Level 4) was the risk of lymph node metastasis high (27 percent). The other risk factors were not associated with lymph node metastasis. We concluded that the most significant risk factor for lymph node metastasis in patients with invasive carcinoma in a polyp was invasion into the submucosa of the bowel wall (Level 4).

Adenocarcinoma↗